Dietary calcium levels regulate calcium transporter gene expression levels in the small intestine of broiler chickens.

1. This study investigated the effect of dietary calcium (Ca) levels on growth performance, bone development and Ca transporter gene expression levels in the small intestine of broiler chickens.2. On the day of hatch, 350, Ross 308 male broilers were randomly allotted to one of five treatments with five replicate pens each and 14 birds per pen. Dietary Ca levels in feed were 5.0, 7.0, 9.0, 11.0 and 13.0 g/kg, in which 9.0 g/kg was in the control diet. All diets contained 4.5 g/kg non-phytate phosphorus (NPP).3. The increase in dietary Ca levels from 5.0 to 13.0 g/kg did not affect the growth performance of 1- to 18-day-old broilers (P > 0.05).4. Increasing the Ca levels linearly increased the ash weight and the contents of ash, Ca and phosphorus (P) in the tibia of broilers at 18 days of age (P < 0.05). The contents of ash, Ca and P in broilers fed with 9.0 g/kg Ca were higher than those in birds fed with 5.0 g/kg Ca (P < 0.05).5. Increasing the Ca levels linearly decreased mRNA expression levels of the Ca-binding protein 28-kDa (CaBP-D28k), plasma membrane Ca-transporting ATPase 1b (PMCAlb), sodium (Na)/Ca exchanger 1 (NCX1), nuclear vitamin D receptor (nVDR) and membrane vitamin D receptor (mVDR) in the duodenum of broilers at 18 d of age (P < 0.05). Similar results were seen in the jejunum and ileum. Broilers fed 9.0-13.0 g/kg Ca in feed had lower mRNA expression levels of CaBP-D28k and PMCAlb in the small intestine than birds fed 5.0 g/kg Ca in feed (P < 0.05).6. The data indicated that low levels of dietary Ca stimulated its transporter gene transcription and promoted absorption, but high levels of Ca inhibited transporter gene expression and prevented excessive absorption in the small intestine of broiler chickens.

Phonon spectrum and thermoelectric properties of square/octagon structure of bismuth monolayer.

First-principles calculation and Boltzmann transport theory have been combined to comparatively investigate the band structure, phonon spectrum, lattice thermal conductivity, electronic transport property, Seebeck coefficient, and figure of merit of square/octagon (s/o)-bismuth monolayer. Calculations reveal that the thermoelectric properties of s/o-bismuth monolayer are better than that of ß-bismuth monolayer, which should be mainly due to the low lattice thermal conductivity and weakened coupling of electrons and phonons. It is also found that the phonon frequency and group velocity could play dominant roles in determining the magnitude of the lattice thermal conductivity of s/o-bismuth monolayer. Furthermore, the Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit of s/o-bismuth monolayer are higher than those of ß-bismuth monolayer. The derived results are in good agreement with other theoretical results in the literature, and could provide a deep understanding of thermoelectric properties of the bismuth monolayer materials.

Effects of low dimensionality on electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of bismuth.

First-principles calculations and Boltzmann transport theory have been combined to comparatively investigate the band structure, phonon spectrum, lattice thermal conductivity, electronic transport properties, Seebeck coefficients, and figure of merit of the ß-bismuth monolayer and bulk Bi. Calculation reveals that low dimensionality can bring about the semimetal-semiconductor transition, decrease the lattice thermal conductivity, and increase the Seebeck coefficient of Bi. The relaxation time of electrons and holes is calculated according to the deformation potential theory, and is found to be more accurate than those reported in the literature. It is also shown that compared with Bi bulk, the ß-bismuth monolayer possesses much lower electrical conductivity and electric thermal conductivity, while its figure of merit seems much bigger. The derived results are in good agreement with experimental results in the literature, and could provide a deep understanding of various properties of the ß-bismuth monolayer.

[Evaluation of the intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for the aortic valve reconstruction].

Objective: To explore the value of the intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography during the aortic valve reconstruction. Methods: The echocardiographic features were retrospectively summarized in 19 patients (male: 15 cases; female: 4 cases; age ranged from 12 to 65 years, mean age: 37.7 years) with aortic valve reconstruction at Beijing Anzhen Hospital between October 2014 and October 2016. Results: The findings of the neo-aortic valve on the transesophageal echocardiography included the slightly thickened and hyperechogenicity of the commission, especially the central coaptation point of the neo-valve. Trace aortic regurgitation was noted in 9 cases after operation, mild aortic regurgitation in 1 case and no aortic regurgitation in 9 cases. The velocity of the aortic valve increased significantly in 2 cases. Compared with pre-operation, the diameter of ascending aorta[(32.7±6.1) mm vs (36.4±6.3) mm, P<0.001]and the inner diameter of left ventricle[(48.3±6.1) mm vs (59.1±7.3) mm, P<0.001]decreased significantly after operation, the coaptation length of aortic valve[(6.6±1.3) mm vs (2.2±0.7) mm, P<0.001]significantly increased than that of pre-operation. The mean immediate velocity after operation (175 cm/s) was slightly higher than that (165 cm/s) of 3-month follow-up after surgery, but with no significant difference (P=0.367). Severe aortic regurgitation was found 15 days after operation in 1 case and 12 months after operation in 2 cases. Conclusion: Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is a useful tool to evaluate the result of the aortic valve reconstruction.

Effects of trigonal deformation on electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of bismuth.

First principles calculation and Boltzmann transport theory have been used to reveal the effects of trigonal deformation on electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of bulk bismuth. It is found that the semimetal-semiconductor transition would happen at the critical c/a points of 2.41 and 2.51, and that such a transition should be ascribed to the opposite changes of band edges at T and L points during trigonal deformation. Calculations also reveal that trigonal deformation has an important effect on various temperature-dependent thermoelectric properties, and that carrier density plays a decisive role in determining the magnitude of Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit. The semimetal → semiconductor transition as a result of trigonal compression with the decrease of c/a fundamentally induces the best performance of the thermoelectric properties of bismuth at the c/a ratio of 2.45. The present results agree well with experimental observations in the literature, and provide a deep understanding of the intrinsic relationship between trigonal deformation, band structure, and thermoelectric properties of bismuth.

1α-Hydroxycholecalciferol improves the growth performance and up-regulates the mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor in the small intestine and kidney of broiler chickens.

1α-Hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH-D3) is a vitamin D derivative. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 1α-OH-D3 on the growth and the mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the small intestine and kidney of chickens. A total of 240 males of one-day-old Ross 308 broilers was randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 5 replicates of 12 birds per replicate. Three levels of 1α-OH-D3 (1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg/kg) were added to a basal diet containing 0.50% calcium (Ca), 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), and without supplemental cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). The control diet contained 1.00% Ca, 0.45% NPP, and 25 µg/kg cholecalciferol. Dietary 1α-OH-D3 levels linearly improved the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), femur and tibia mineralization, and plasma Ca concentration, and retained Ca and total phosphorus (tP) amounts in broilers from 1 to 21 d of age (P < 0.05). In addition, 1α-OH-D3 also linearly up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of VDR in the duodenum as well as those of VDR and sodium-phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIc in the kidney of broilers (P < 0.05). However, 1α-OH-D3 did not affect the mRNA levels of 25-hydroxylase in the liver or NaPi-IIb in the duodenum (P > 0.05). No differences were observed in the ADFI, ADG, bone length, plasma mineral concentration, retained tP amount, or the mRNA levels of the above genes (except for VDR in the kidney) between the birds fed the diet with 5 µg/kg 1α-OH-D3 and the birds fed the control diet (P > 0.05). By contrast, the weight, ash weight, ash percentage, and Ca percentage of the bone, retained Ca amount, and the mRNA level of VDR in the kidney were lower in the birds fed the diet with 5 µg/kg 1α-OH-D3 than in the birds fed the control diet (P < 0.05). These data indicate that 1α-OH-D3 up-regulates the gene expression of VDR in the small intestine and kidney at the transcriptional level, thereby improving the growth performance and bone mineralization of broiler chickens from 1 to 21 d of age.

Age, phosphorus, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol regulate mRNA expression of vitamin D receptor and sodium-phosphate cotransporter in the small intestine of broiler chickens.

Four experiments were conducted in this study. Experiment 1 was carried out to examine mRNA expressions of nuclear vitamin D receptor (nVDR), membrane vitamin D receptor (mVDR), and type IIb sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIb) in the small intestine of broiler chickens. Experiments 2, 3, and 4 were implemented to evaluate effects of age, non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) on mRNA expressions of nVDR, mVDR, and NaPi-IIb in the duodenum of chickens. Results showed that mRNA expression levels of nVDR and NaPi-IIb were highest in the duodenum of 21-day-old broilers, lower in the jejunum, and lowest in the ileum. By contrast, no differences in mRNA expression levels of mVDR were detected among the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Age quadratically affected mRNA expressions of nVDR, mVDR, and NaPi-IIb in the duodenum and 25-hydroxylase in the liver of 7- to 42-day-old broilers, with the highest levels observed at 21 d of age. By contrast, age linearly decreased mRNA expression level of 1α-hydroxylase in kidneys. Dietary NPP levels quadratically affected mRNA expression levels of nVDR and mVDR in the duodenum and 25-hydroxylase in the liver of 21-day-old broilers. The highest mRNA expression levels of nVDR and mVDR and lowest mRNA level of 25-hydroxylase were observed at 0.55% NPP. mRNA expression level of NaPi-IIb linearly declined when dietary NPP levels increased from 0.25 to 0.65%. Addition of 12.5 µg/kg of 25-OH-D3 increased mRNA expression level of 1α-hydroxylase in kidneys and those of nVDR, mVDR, and NaPi-IIb in the duodenum of broilers compared with birds fed the diet without 25-OH-D3. These data indicate that mRNA expressions of nVDR and NaPi-IIb are highest in the duodenum, and the greatest mRNA levels of nVDR, mVDR, and NaPi-IIb are observed at 21 d of age. Dietary NPP levels quadratically increase mRNA expressions of nVDR and mVDR but linearly decrease NaPi-IIb mRNA level. 25-OH-D3 up-regulates the above gene transcription.

[Comparison of early clinical effects of ablation with surgery treatment in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To compare the early clinical effect of septal myectomy and percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTMSA) on the left ventricular outflow obstruction and the rate of complication in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Methods: A total of 204 patients with HOCM who received septal reduction treatment were recruited. These patients were divided into two groups, surgery group (n=135) (65 patients with modified Morrow procedure, 70 patients with non-Morrow myomectomy) and PTMSA group (n=69). The baseline characteristics, disease status, other history of surgery and echocardiography parameters before and after septal reduction were collected, as well as the complication within 1 week after operation. Results: The mean age in surgery group was (46±14) years old, with 76 males (56.3%); mean age was (47±11) years old and with 51 males (73.9%) in PTMSA group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, the time of symptom and diagnosis, syncope, family history and atrial fibrillation between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of mitral valve prolapse in the surgery group was higher than that in PTMSA group (75.8% vs 44.2%, P<0.05). Baseline left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient was comparable (82.7 mmHg in surgery group vs 77.7 mmHg in PTMSA group, P>0.05). The mean resting LVOT gradient after septal reduction therapy was lower (16.55 mmHg in surgery group, 26.68mmHg in PTMSA group) than that before operation, with lower gradient in surgery group (P<0.05). Compared with PTMSA group, the duration of hospitalization was longer in surgery group (P<0.05). There was similar rate of operation related complications in the two groups. Conclusions: Both septal reduction therapies can improve the LVOT obstruction, more significant in surgery group, but with longer hospital stay. The rate of operation related complication is similar in both groups.

Relative biological value of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in broiler chicken diets.

This study was conducted to evaluate the relative biological value (RBV) of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH-D3) to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) in one- to 21-day-old broiler chickens fed calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient diets. On the d of hatch, 450 male Ross 308 broiler chickens were weighed and randomly allotted to 9 treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds per replicate. The basal diet contained 0.50% Ca and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) but was not supplemented with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). The levels of Ca and NPP in basal diets were lower than those recommended by NRC (1994). 25-OH-D3 was fed at zero, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 µg/kg, and 1α-OH-D3 was fed at 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 µg/kg. The RBV of 1α-OH-D3 to 25-OH-D3 based on vitamin D intake was determined by the slope ratio method. Results showed that 25-OH-D3 or 1α-OH-D3 improved the growth performance and decreased the mortality in one- to 21-day-old broilers. A linear relationship was observed between the level of 25-OH-D3 or 1α-OH-D3 and mineralization of the femur, tibia, or metatarsus. The RBV of 1α-OH-D3 to 25-OH-D3 were 234, 253, and 202% when the weight, ash weight, and Ca percentage of femur were used as criteria. The corresponding RBV of 1α-OH-D3 to 25-OH-D3 were 232 to 263% and 245 to 267%, respectively, when tibia and metatarsus mineralization were used as criteria. These data indicate that when directly feeding a hormonally active form of vitamin D as 1α-OH-D3 proportionally less is needed than when using the precursor (25-OH-D3) in diets deficient in Ca and P.

Core-shell nanoparticle arrays double the strength of steel.

Manipulating structure, defects and composition of a material at the atomic scale for enhancing its physical or mechanical properties is referred to as nanostructuring. Here, by combining advanced microscopy techniques, we unveil how formation of highly regular nano-arrays of nanoparticles doubles the strength of an Fe-based alloy, doped with Ti, Mo, and V, from 500 MPa to 1 GPa, upon prolonged heat treatment. The nanoparticles form at moving heterophase interfaces during cooling from the high-temperature face-centered cubic austenite to the body-centered cubic ferrite phase. We observe MoC and TiC nanoparticles at early precipitation stages as well as core-shell nanoparticles with a Ti-C rich core and a Mo-V rich shell at later precipitation stages. The core-shell structure hampers particle coarsening, enhancing the material's strength. Designing such highly organized metallic core-shell nanoparticle arrays provides a new pathway for developing a wide range of stable nano-architectured engineering metallic alloys with drastically enhanced properties.

[Clinical outcome of intramyocardial dissecting hematoma after acute myocardial infarction].

Objective: To observe the clinical outcome of intramyocardial dissecting hematoma (IDH) after acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The clinical characteristics and outcomes of nine patients with IDH after acute MI in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from 2010 to 2014 were retrospectively assessed, and all the patients were followed up. Results: The mean age of nine IDH patients (7 males, 2 females) was (61±5) years. One patient was diagnosed as right ventricular IDH and died before surgery because of deteriorated cardiac and renal failure. Eight patients were diagnosed as left ventricular IDH, among whom 1 patient died of perioperative bleeding. The other 7 patients survived, among whom 5 cases were treated medically and 2 cases accepted surgical treatment. After 2-6 years of follow-up, the survived patients had no other complications. Conclusion: IDH after acute MI was a rare clinical event with a high mortality, and improvement of recognition of this rare condition may reduce its mortality, especially the right ventricular IDH.

Retraction RETRACTION of "Association between polymorphisms in the XRCC1 gene and the risk of non-small cell lung cancer", by Han JC, Zhang YJ and Li XD - Genet. Mol. Res. 14 (4): 12888-12893 (2015).

The retracted article is: Han JC, Zhang YJ and Li XD (2015). Association between polymorphisms in the XRCC1 gene and the risk of non-small cell lung cancer. Genet. Mol. Res. 14: 12888-12893. The GMR editorial staff was alerted about this article (received on May 3, 2015; accepted on August 18, 2015) published on October 21, 2015 (DOI: 10.4238/2015.October.21.9) that was found to be substantially similar to the publication of "Association of XRCC1 gene polymorphisms with risk of non-small cell lung cancer" (received on January 25, 2015; accepted on March 23, 2015; e-published on April 1, 2015) by Kang et al., published in the International Journal of Clinical Experimental Pathology 8 (4): 4171-4176. The authors were aware of the Kang et al.'s paper, since they cite it several times in the manuscript published in GMR. Some of the language is similar between the two manuscripts, but what is the most concerning is that several of the tables in the papers are nearly identical. Tables 2 and 3 are exactly identical between the two articles, suggesting that the publication in GMR was plagiarized from the publication in the International Journal of Clinical Experimental Pathology. The Publisher and Editor decided to retract these articles in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). After a thorough investigation, we have strong reason to believe that the peer review process was failure and, after review and contacting the authors, the editors of Genetics and Molecular Research decided to retract the article. The authors and their institutions were advised of this serious breach of ethics.

Rare Syndromes and Common Variants of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene in Human Obesity.

Rare genetic disorders that cause BDNF haploinsufficiency, such as WAGR syndrome, 11p deletion, and 11p inversion, serve as models for understanding the role of BDNF in human energy balance and neurocognition. Patients with BDNF haploinsufficiency or inactivating mutations of the BDNF receptor exhibit hyperphagia, childhood-onset obesity, intellectual disability, and impaired nociception. Prader-Willi, Smith-Magenis, and ROHHAD syndromes are separate genetic disorders that do not directly affect the BDNF locus but share many similar clinical features with BDNF haploinsufficiency, and BDNF insufficiency is believed to possibly contribute to the pathophysiology of each of these conditions. In the general population, common variants of BDNF that affect BDNF gene expression or BDNF protein processing have also been associated with modest alterations in energy balance and cognitive functioning. Thus, variable degrees of BDNF insufficiency appear to contribute to a spectrum of excess weight gain and cognitive impairment that ranges in phenotypic severity. In this modern era of precision medicine, genotype-specific therapies aimed at increasing BDNF signaling in patients with rare and common disorders associated with BDNF insufficiency could serve as useful approaches for treating obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Evaluation of Relative Bioavailability of 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol to Cholecalciferol for Broiler Chickens.

This study was conducted to evaluate the relative bioavailability (RBV) of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) to cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in 1- to 21-d-old broiler chickens fed with calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient diets. On the day of hatch, 450 female Ross 308 broiler chickens were assigned to nine treatments, with five replicates of ten birds each. The basal diet contained 0.50% Ca and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) and was not supplemented with vitamin D. Vitamin D3 was fed at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 µg/kg, and 25-OH-D3 was fed at 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 µg/kg. The RBV of 25-OH-D3 was determined using vitamin D3 as the standard source by the slope ratio method. Vitamin D3 and 25-OH-D3 intake was used as the independent variable for regression analysis. The linear relationships between the level of vitamin D3 or 25-OH-D3 and body weight gain (BWG) and the weight, length, ash weight, and the percentage of ash, Ca, and P in femur, tibia, and metatarsus of broiler chickens were observed. Using BWG as the criterion, the RBV value of 25-OH-D3 to vitamin D3 was 1.85. Using the mineralization of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus as criteria, the RBV of 25-OH-D3 to vitamin D3 ranged from 1.82 to 2.45, 1.86 to 2.52, and 1.65 to 2.05, respectively. These data indicate that 25-OH-D3 is approximately 2.03 times as active as vitamin D3 in promoting growth performance and bone mineralization in broiler chicken diets.

Relationship between serum leptin levels and non-small cell lung carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

In this study, we analyzed the association between serum leptin levels and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). By examining English and Chinese databases, we identified potential relevant studies for statistical analysis. Human-associated case-control studies evaluating the association between serum leptin levels and NSCLC according to the random-effect model were retrieved and extracted data were statistically analyzed. We identified 7 case-control studies evaluating the correlation between serum leptin levels and NSCLC, which included 705 subjects (390 NSCLC patients and 315 healthy participants). Negative associations were investigated between serum leptin levels and NSCLC [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.13-1.79, P = 0.023). Ethnicity-stratified analysis revealed there was no elevated leptin serum levels in NSCLC development in both Asians (SMD = 0.34, 95%CI = -0.10-0.79, P = 0.132) and Caucasians (SMD = 1.42, 95%CI = -0.09-2.93, P = 0.064). Sample size-stratified analysis of the association between serum leptin levels and NSCLC were found in studies of small sample size (SMD = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.04-1.41, P = 0.038), but not in studies of large sample size (SMD = 1.24, 95%CI = -0.52-3.01, P = 0.166). In the method-stratified subgroup analysis, serum leptin level was not correlated with NSCLC using a immunoradiometric assay method (SMD = 0.82, 95%CI = -1.38-3.03, P = 0.465). Determining the levels of the blood-based marker leptin may provide predictive information for NSCLC diagnosis.

Association between polymorphisms in the XRCC1 gene and the risk of non-small cell lung cancer.

Here, we have reported a case-control study investigating the association between XRCC1 codons Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln and the development of NSCLC. NSCLC patients (N = 245) and healthy controls (N = 257) were randomly selected from the Huaihe Hospital between March 2012 and August 2014. DNA extracted from the patient and control blood samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to assess the genotyping of XRCC1 Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed an association between the expression of the AA genotype and A allele genotypes and a significantly increased risk of NSCLC, compared to the GG genotype [95% confidence interval (CI); Odd's ratio (OR) = 2.82 (1.141-5.86) and 1.67 (1.17-2.37), respectively]. The potential association between the A allele of XRCC1 Arg399Gln and the risk of NSCLC was more evident in smokers (95%CI; OR = 1.70; 1.11- 2.63). In conclusion, the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was found to be associated with increased risk of NSCLC, especially in tobacco smokers.

The application of high definition flow imaging in fetal hemodynamics.

OBJECTIVE: This work aims to investigate the application of high definition flow imaging (HD-flow) in fetal hemodynamics, and establish reference range of hemodynamic parameters in fetal with different gestational ages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A thousand of normal pregnant women were divided into five groups: 18-22, 23-27, 28-32, 33-37, and 38-40 gestational weeks. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and HD-flow were adopted to display the heart structure and measure the blood flow velocity. The pulmonary vein display results were scored. The results of HD-flow and CDFI were compared. RESULTS: The catheter peak velocity of fetal mitral, tricuspid, aortic, pulmonary artery, aortic arch, ductal arch, the inferior vena cava, pulmonary vein, and venous catheter increased continuously with the increase of gestational age, showing a linear correlation. HD-flow was superior to CDFI on the display of pulmonary vein in 18-22, 23-27, and 28-32 weeks (p < 0.05), but was not in 33-37 and 38-40 weeks. HD-flow was an accurate positioning method for the pulmonary veins. CONCLUSION: HD-flow can make accurate evaluation of fetal hemodynamics and the demonstration of low blood flow, such as pulmonary venous, is better than CDFI. Pulmonary veins can be accurately positioned with HD-flow. HD-flow can demonstrate the main blood vessels of the whole fetal circulation and can display the spatial relationship of the blood vessels. It is of important clinical significance in hemodynamic study.

Estrogen receptor alpha gene PvuII polymorphism and risk of fracture in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis.

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene PvuII polymorphism and fracture risk in postmenopausal women. However, the results have been inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to examine the association between the ESR1 gene PvuII polymorphism and fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Studies published from PubMed, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure data were retrieved. Pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. A total of 6 case-control studies containing 592 patients and 705 controls were included in this meta-analysis. We found no association between the PvuII polymorphism in the ESR1 gene and fracture in postmenopausal women. Taking into account the effect of ethnicity, further stratified analyses were performed. In the subgroup analysis, no significant association was found in Caucasians and in Asians. No publication bias was found in the present study (all P > 0.05). In conclusion, the ESR1 gene PvuII polymorphism may not be associated with fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Additional larger studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.

Comparison of visual field progression between temporally tilted disc and nontilted disc, in patients with normal tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term visual field (VF) progression of temporally tilted disc and nontilted disc in normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: Retrospective, observational case series. Forty-seven patients with temporally tilted disc (47 eyes), 44 patients with nontilted disc in NTG (44 eyes) patients, who were examined by at least 5 VF tests, and were followed-up over a 5-year period, at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Samsung Medical Center, from May 1998 to 2013. VF progression was defined by modified Anderson-Hodapp criteria, and Glaucoma Progression Analysis (GPA). Multivariate analysis was used to identify the risk factors for VF progression in the temporally tilted disc. RESULTS: According to the Anderson-Hodapp criteria, progression rates of the temporally tilted disc and nontilted disc at 60 months were 19% and 72%, respectively (P<0.0001). According to GPA, they were 25% and 53%, respectively (P<0.0001). Twenty of 47 patients in the temporally tilted disc did not show progression. Among them, the more tilted disc showed the more VF defects. The hazard ratio of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect type was 3.08 (95% CI, 1.17-8.14; P=0.02). The simultaneous superior and inferior RNFL defect type was the most common in progressors in the temporally tilted disc (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Through long-term follow-up, the cumulative survival rate of temporally tilted disc was higher than that of nontilted disc. Caution is required in the treatment of the temporally tilted disc. New treatment policy for the temporally tilted disc may follow.