Germline ATM variants predispose to melanoma: a joint analysis across the GenoMEL and MelaNostrum consortia.

PURPOSE: Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) has been implicated in the risk of several cancers, but establishing a causal relationship is often challenging. Although ATM single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been linked to melanoma, few functional alleles have been identified. Therefore, ATM impact on melanoma predisposition is unclear. METHODS: From 22 American, Australian, and European sites, we collected 2,104 familial, multiple primary (MPM), and sporadic melanoma cases who underwent ATM genotyping via panel, exome, or genome sequencing, and compared the allele frequency (AF) of selected ATM variants classified as loss-of-function (LOF) and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) between this cohort and the gnomAD non-Finnish European (NFE) data set. RESULTS: LOF variants were more represented in our study cohort than in gnomAD NFE, both in all (AF = 0.005 and 0.002, OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.56-4.11, p < 0.01), and familial + MPM cases (AF = 0.0054 and 0.002, OR = 2.97, p < 0.01). Similarly, VUS were enriched in all (AF = 0.046 and 0.033, OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.6-5.09, p < 0.01) and familial + MPM cases (AF = 0.053 and 0.033, OR = 1.63, p < 0.01). In a case-control comparison of two centers that provided 1,446 controls, LOF and VUS were enriched in familial + MPM cases (p = 0.027, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: This study, describing the largest multicenter melanoma cohort investigated for ATM germline variants, supports the role of ATM as a melanoma predisposition gene, with LOF variants suggesting a moderate-risk.

Associations of pigmentary and naevus phenotype with melanoma risk in two populations with comparable ancestry but contrasting levels of ambient sun exposure.

BACKGROUND: People at high risk of developing melanoma are usually identified by pigmentary and naevus phenotypes. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether associations of these phenotypes with melanoma risk differed by ambient sun exposure or participant characteristics in two population-based, case-control studies with comparable ancestry but different ambient sun exposure. METHODS: Data were analysed from 616 cases and 496 controls from the Australian Melanoma Family Study and 2012 cases and 504 controls from the Leeds (UK) case-control study. Questionnaire, interview and dermatological skin examination data were collected using the same measurement protocols. Relative risks were estimated as odds ratios using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Hair and skin colour were the strongest pigmentary phenotype risk factors. All associations of pigmentary phenotype with melanoma risk were similar across countries. The median number of clinically assessed naevi was approximately three times higher in Australia than Leeds, but the relative risks for melanoma associated with each additional common or dysplastic naevus were higher for Leeds than Australia, especially for naevi on the upper and lower limbs. Higher naevus counts on the head and neck were associated with a stronger relative risk for melanoma for women than men. The two countries had similar relative risks for melanoma based on self-reported naevus density categories, but personal perceptions of naevus number differed by country. There was no consistent evidence of interactions between phenotypes on risk. CONCLUSIONS: Classifying people at high risk of melanoma based on their number of naevi should ideally take into account their country of residence, type of counts (clinical or self-reported), body site on which the naevus counts are measured and sex. The presence of naevi may be a stronger indicator of a genetic predisposition in the UK than in Australia based on less opportunity for sun exposure to influence naevus development.

Smoking in pregnancy is a key factor for sudden infant death among Maori.

AIM: To examine the sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) disparity between Maori and non-Maori in New Zealand. METHODS: A nationwide prospective case-control study ran from March 2012 to February 2015. Exposure to established SUDI risk factors was analysed to investigate the disparity experienced by Maori. Infant ethnicity was based on mother's ethnicity. Maori ethnicity was prioritised. Non-Maori includes Pacific, Asian, NZ European and Other. RESULTS: There were 137 cases and 649 controls. The Maori SUDI rate was 1.41/1000 live births compared to 0.53/1000 for non-Maori. Parents/caregivers of 132 cases (96%) and 258 controls (40%) were interviewed. Smoking in pregnancy was associated with an equally increased SUDI risk for Maori (adjusted OR = 8.11, 95% CI = 2.64, 24.93) and non-Maori (aOR = 5.09, 95% CI = 1.79, 14.47), as was bed-sharing (aOR = 3.66, 95% CI = 1.49, 9.00 vs aOR = 11.20, 95% CI = 3.46, 36.29). Bed-sharing prevalence was similar; however, more Maori controls smoked during pregnancy (46.7%) than non-Maori (22.8%). The main contributor relating to increased SUDI risk for Maori/non-Maori infants is the combination of smoking in pregnancy and bed sharing. CONCLUSION: The association between known SUDI risk factors, including bed sharing and/or smoking in pregnancy and SUDI risk, is the same regardless of ethnicity. Maori infants are exposed more frequently to both behaviours because of the higher Maori smoking rate.

Weight loss surgery in adolescents corrects high-density lipoprotein subspecies and their function.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Youth with obesity have an altered high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subspecies profile characterized by depletion of large apoE-rich HDL particles and an enrichment of small HDL particles. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that this atherogenic HDL profile is reversible and that HDL function would improve with metabolic surgery. METHODS: Serum samples from adolescent males with severe obesity mean±s.d. age of 17.4±1.6 years were studied at baseline and 1 year following vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). HDL subspecies and HDL function were evaluated pre and post VSG using paired t-tests. A lean group of adolescents was included as a reference group. RESULTS: After VSG, body mass index decreased by 32% and insulin resistance as estimated by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance decreased by 75% (both P<0.01). Large apoE-rich HDL subspecies increased following VSG (P<0.01) and approached that of lean adolescents despite participants with considerable residual obesity. In addition, HDL function improved compared with baseline (cholesterol efflux capacity increased by 12%, HDL lipid peroxidation potential decreased by 30% and HDL anti-oxidative capacity improved by 25%, all P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic surgery results in a significant improvement in the quantity of large HDL subspecies and HDL function. Our data suggest metabolic surgery may improve cardiovascular risk in adolescents and young adults.

Plasmonic modulator with >170 GHz bandwidth demonstrated at 100 GBd NRZ.

We demonstrate a plasmonic Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulator with a flat frequency response exceeding 170 GHz. The modulator comprises two phase modulators exploiting the Pockels effect of an organic electro-optic material in plasmonic slot waveguides. We further show modulation at 100 GBd NRZ and 60 GBd PAM-4. The electrical drive signals were generated using a 100 GSa/s digital to analog converter (DAC). The high-speed and small-scale devices are relevant for next-generation optical interconnects.

Nitrogen utilization, preweaning nutrient digestibility, and growth effects of Holstein dairy calves fed 2 amounts of a moderately high protein or conventional milk replacer.

Studies have shown that calves fed milk replacers (MR) with crude protein (CP) concentrations greater than 20%, as typically found in conventional MR, have higher dry matter intakes (DMI) and greater average daily gains (ADG) but consume less starter, which can lead to stress during weaning and reduced rumen development. The greater amount of CP being fed to preweaned calves may alter their nitrogen (N) balance, and excess N may be excreted in the urine. The objective of this study was to determine N utilization in preweaned calves fed diets varying in the amount of CP and MR fed. This study used 24 newborn dairy heifer calves blocked by birth and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) 446g dry matter (DM) of a conventional MR (CON; 20% CP, 20% fat), (2) 669g DM of a moderately high protein MR (moderate; MOD; 26% CP, 18% fat), or (3) 892g DM of a moderately high protein MR (aggressive; AGG; 26% CP, 18% fat). All calves had ad libitum access to starter and water. Both MR and starter were medicated with decoquinate. During weaning (d 43-49), the morning MR feeding ceased. On d 50, all MR feedings ended; however, starter and water intakes were continuously recorded until d 56. At 5wk of age, urine was collected using urinary catheters for 3d and chromium oxide was administered by bolus at 2g/d for 7d to estimate N efficiency. Calves fed MOD and AGG had similar starter intakes, feed efficiencies, and ADG, with the combined treatments having reduced starter intakes (258 vs. 537g/d), greater ADG (674 vs. 422g/d), and improved feed efficiency (0.57 vs. 0.45 gain:feed) compared with CON calves preweaning. However, DMI and water intake were similar across all treatments. Results from the N utilization phase showed that MOD and AGG treatments had similar but lower N efficiency compared with CON calves (45.5 vs. 52.7%). This could be due to MOD- and AGG-fed calves having greater urine volume and thereby, greater combined urine N output compared with CON calves (17.6 vs. 12.1 g/d). In summary, feeding >0.66kg (DM) from a 26% CP MR increased ADG and improved feed efficiency during the preweaning period but reduced starter intake and lowered N efficiency.

Integrated optical frequency shifter in silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) technology.

We demonstrate for the first time a waveguide-based frequency shifter on the silicon photonic platform using single-sideband modulation. The device is based on silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) electro-optic modulators, which combine conventional silicon-on-insulator waveguides with highly efficient electro-optic cladding materials. Using small-signal modulation, we demonstrate frequency shifts of up to 10 GHz. We further show large-signal modulation with optimized waveforms, enabling a conversion efficiency of -5.8 dB while suppressing spurious side-modes by more than 23 dB. In contrast to conventional acousto-optic frequency shifters, our devices lend themselves to large-scale integration on silicon substrates, while enabling frequency shifts that are several orders of magnitude larger than those demonstrated with all-silicon serrodyne devices.

Plasmonic phased array feeder enabling ultra-fast beam steering at millimeter waves.

In this paper, we demonstrate an integrated microwave phoneeded for beamtonics phased array antenna feeder at 60 GHz with a record-low footprint. Our design is based on ultra-compact plasmonic phase modulators (active area <2.5µm2) that not only provide small size but also ultra-fast tuning speed. In our design, the integrated circuit footprint is in fact only limited by the contact pads of the electrodes and by the optical feeding waveguides. Using the high speed of the plasmonic modulators, we demonstrate beam steering with less than 1 ns reconfiguration time, i.e. the beam direction is reconfigured in-between 1 GBd transmitted symbols.

High speed plasmonic modulator array enabling dense optical interconnect solutions.

Plasmonic modulators might pave the way for a new generation of compact low-power high-speed optoelectronic devices. We introduce an extremely compact transmitter based on plasmonic Mach-Zehnder modulators offering a capacity of 4 × 36 Gbit/s on a footprint that is only limited by the size of the high-speed contact pads. The transmitter array is contacted through a multicore fiber with a channel spacing of 50 µm.

Plasmonic-organic hybrid (POH) modulators for OOK and BPSK signaling at 40 Gbit/s.

We report on high-speed plasmonic-organic hybrid Mach-Zehnder modulators comprising ultra-compact phase shifters with lengths as small as 19 µm. Choosing an optimum phase shifter length of 29 µm, we demonstrate 40 Gbit/s on-off keying (OOK) modulation with direct detection and a BER < 6 × 10(-4). Furthermore, we report on a 29 µm long binary-phase shift keying (BPSK) modulator and show that it operates error-free (BER < 1 × 10(-10)) at data rates up to 40 Gbit/s and with an energy consumption of 70 fJ/bit.

Silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) frequency comb sources for terabit/s data transmission.

We demonstrate frequency comb sources based on silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) electro-optic modulators. Frequency combs with line spacings of 25 GHz and 40 GHz are generated, featuring flat-top spectra with less than 2 dB power variations over up to 7 lines. The combs are used for WDM data transmission at terabit/s data rates and distances of up to 300 km.

Low-power silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) modulators for advanced modulation formats.

We demonstrate silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) electro-optic modulators that enable quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and 16-state quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) with high signal quality and record-low energy consumption. SOH integration combines highly efficient electro-optic organic materials with conventional silicon-on-insulator (SOI) slot waveguides, and allows to overcome the intrinsic limitations of silicon as an optical integration platform. We demonstrate QPSK and 16QAM signaling at symbol rates of 28 GBd with peak-to-peak drive voltages of 0.6 V(pp). For the 16QAM experiment at 112 Gbit/s, we measure a bit-error ratio of 5.1 × 10⁻5 and a record-low energy consumption of only 19 fJ/bit.

Nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections associated with contaminated imported black and red pepper: warehouse membership cards provide critical clues to identify the source.

In November 2009, we initiated a multistate investigation of Salmonella Montevideo infections with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern JIXX01.0011. We identified 272 cases in 44 states with illness onset dates ranging from 1 July 2009 to 14 April 2010. To help generate hypotheses, warehouse store membership card information was collected to identify products consumed by cases. These records identified 19 ill persons who purchased company A salami products before onset of illness. A case-control study was conducted. Ready-to-eat salami consumption was significantly associated with illness (matched odds ratio 8·5, 95% confidence interval 2·1-75·9). The outbreak strain was isolated from company A salami products from an environmental sample from one manufacturing plant, and sealed containers of black and red pepper at the facility. This outbreak illustrates the importance of using membership card information to assist in identifying suspect vehicles, the potential for spices to contaminate ready-to-eat products, and preventing raw ingredient contamination of these products.

Is community-acquired pneumonia an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the most frequent infectious cause of death in western countries. The high mortality rate in CAP is commonly related to comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies in both primary and secondary care settings have identified an increase in short- and long-term risk of cardiovascular events and death from vascular events following acute respiratory infections. The mechanism remains to be fully established, but it has been suggested that the inflammatory state in patients affected by CAP acts to promote platelet activation and thrombosis, and to narrow coronary arteries through vasoconstriction. Acute infections destabilise vascular endothelium and create an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Acute infections have been shown to have both systemic effects and local effects on coronary vessels. These effects are mediated through both the host response to infection and, in some cases, direct effects of bacterial infection or bacterial products. In this review, we discuss the link between CAP and increased risk of cardiovascular events, drawing on existing evidence from clinical and mechanistic studies. Further studies into and increased awareness of this association is warranted to promote novel ways of protecting high-risk patients.

Akt phosphorylation on Thr308 but not on Ser473 correlates with Akt protein kinase activity in human non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The activity of the protein kinase Akt is frequently dysregulated in cancer and is an important factor in the growth and survival of tumour cells. Akt activation involves the phosphorylation of two residues: threonine 308 (Thr308) in the activation loop and serine 473 (Ser473) in the C-terminal hydrophobic motif. Phosphorylation of Ser473 has been extensively studied in tumour samples as a correlate for Akt activity, yet the phosphorylation of Thr308 or of downstream Akt substrates is rarely assessed. METHODS: The phosphorylation status of Thr308 and Ser473 was compared with that of three separate Akt substrates - PRAS40, TSC2 and TBC1D4 - in fresh frozen samples of early-stage human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RESULTS: Akt Thr308 phosphorylation correlated with the phosphorylation of each Akt substrate tested, whereas Akt Ser473 phosphorylation did not correlate with the phosphorylation of any of the substrates examined. CONCLUSION: The phosphorylation of Thr308 is a more reliable biomarker for the protein kinase activity of Akt in tumour samples than Ser473. Any evaluation of the link between Akt phosphorylation or activity in tumour samples and the prediction or prognosis of disease should, therefore, focus on measuring the phosphorylation of Akt on Thr308 and/or at least one downstream Akt substrate, rather than Akt Ser473 phosphorylation alone.

Surveillance of Australian workplace Based Respiratory Events (SABRE) in New South Wales.

BACKGROUND: The Surveillance of Australian workplace Based Respiratory Events (SABRE) New South Wales (NSW) scheme is a voluntary notification scheme established to determine the incidence of occupational lung diseases in NSW Australia. AIMS: Data presented in this paper summarize the last 7 years of reporting to SABRE (June 2001 to December 2008). METHODS: Every 2 months, participating occupational physicians, respiratory physicians and general practitioners (accredited by the NSW WorkCover Authority) reported new cases of occupational lung disease seen in their practices. Data collected include gender, age, causal agent and the occupations and industries believed responsible. Estimated incidence was calculated for each disease. RESULTS: Three thousand six hundred and fifty-four cases were notified to the scheme, consisting of 3856 diagnoses. Most of the cases were males (76%). Pleural plaques [1218 (28%)] were the most frequently reported condition, followed by mesothelioma [919 (24%)]. Silicosis [90 (2%)] and occupational asthma [OA; 89 (2%)] were the most frequently reported non-asbestos-related diseases. Estimated rates for mesothelioma, diffuse pleural thickening (DPT) and OA were 83, 83 and 5 cases per million employed males per year, respectively. Trades such as carpenters and electricians associated with the building industry, electricity supply and asbestos product manufacture were the most common occupations and industries reported. CONCLUSIONS: Asbestos-related diseases are the most frequently reported conditions to SABRE NSW. The very low incidence of OA for NSW most likely reflects under-diagnosis as well as under-reporting. Occupational lung disease is still occurring in NSW despite current preventative strategies. The SABRE scheme currently provides the only available information in this area.

Polychlorinated biphenyls: penetration into the deep ocean by zooplankton fecal pellet transport.

High concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) were found in fecal pellets from natural populations of euphausiids collected in the Ligurian Sea. Since biogenic particulate products, especially fecal pellets, are known to sink rapidly and intact to the ocean bottom, the transport of PCB's by such sinking particles could be an important mechanism which contributes to the penetration of PCB's into the deep sea.

Control and analysis of alkyl and benzyl halides and other related reactive organohalides as potential genotoxic impurities in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

This paper continues the review of the relevant scientific literature associated with the control and analysis of potential genotoxic impurities (PGIs) in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The initial review [D.P. Elder, A. Teasdale, A.M. Lipczynski, J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 46 (2008) 1-8.] focused on the specific class of sulfonate esters but in this instance reference is made to the analysis of alkyl and benzyl halides and other related reactive organohalide alkylating agents. Such reactive materials are commonly employed in pharmaceutical research and development as raw materials, reagents and intermediates in the chemical synthesis of new drug substances. Consequently a great deal of attention and effort is extended by the innovative and ethical pharmaceutical industry to ensure that appropriate and practicable control strategies are established during drug development to ensure residues of such agents, as potential impurities in new drug substances, are either eliminated or minimized to such an extent so as to not present a significant safety risk to volunteers and patients in clinical trials and beyond. The reliable trace analysis of such reactive organohalides is central to such control strategies and invariably involves a state-of-the-art combination of high-resolution separation science techniques coupled to sensitive and selective modes of detection. This article reports on the most recent developments in the regulatory environment, overall strategies for the control of alkylating agents and the latest developments in analysis culminating in a literature review of analytical approaches. The literature is sub-categorized by separation technique (gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)) and further tabulated by API type and impurity with brief method details and references. As part of this exercise, a selection of relevant pharmacopoeial monographs was also reviewed. The continued reliance on relatively non-specific and insensitive TLC methodologies in several monographs was noteworthy.

Control and analysis of alkyl esters of alkyl and aryl sulfonic acids in novel active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

This article reviews current regulatory guidelines and relevant scientific literature pertaining to the control and analysis of potential genotoxic impurities (PGIs) in new active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with specific reference to a certain sub-class of PGIs, namely alkyl esters of alkyl and aryl sulfonic acids. Sulfonic acids are very important in pharmaceutical R&D employed both as counter-ions in the formation of acid-addition salts and also as reagents and catalysts in the synthesis of new drug substances. The article reviews the evolution of analytical methodology from early studies in the mid 1970s through development of direct injection GC and HPLC methods to liquid-liquid/solid phase extraction and headspace based techniques coupled to HPLC and GC methodologies employing UV and MS detection to new derivatisation-based techniques. The paper also reflects on the significant challenges in developing robust analytical methodology capable of the trace determination of sulfonate esters, the challenges in transferring methodology from R&D to QC labs and on the cost of inappropriate limits for genotox impurities. In so doing, the authors seek to inform the debate that the control of genotoxic impurities should be driven primarily by safety and risk/benefit considerations rather than by state-of-the-art analytical and process chemistry capabilities that drive controls to levels 'as low as practicable' regardless of the risk/safety requirements.