Positive psychological capital, post-traumatic growth, social support, and quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between positive psychological capital, post-traumatic growth, social support, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from October 2022 to May 2023. A sample of 330 hospitalized SLE patients was selected for this study. The collected data included demographic information, the SLE disease activity index, the Positive Mental Capital Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Post-Traumatic Growth Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Chinese version of the Lupus Quality of Life Scale. RESULTS: The QOL score among the 330 SLE patients was measured as M(P25, P75) of 105 (83.00,124.00). Positive psychological capital, post-traumatic growth, and social support demonstrated significant positive correlations with the QOL in SLE patients (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that literacy, disease level, disease duration, occupation, marital status, psychological capital, social support, and post-traumatic growth were influential factors associated with the QOL in SLE patients. CONCLUSION: Medical professionals should be attentive to the psychological well-being of SLE patients and should consider implementing early psychological interventions. These interventions are crucial for enhancing the QOL for individuals diagnosed with SLE.

Micropapillary Pattern in Invasive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Lung: Comparison With Invasive Non-Mucinous Adenocarcinoma.

Background. The presence of a micropapillary pattern is associated with poor outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological features of micropapillary pattern in mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung. Methods. The patients were stratified into three groups: the invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma group (60 patients), the mixed invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma group (33 patients), and the invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma group (237 patients). The presence of micropapillary pattern and its clinicopathological features were analyzed and compared between the three groups. Results. Compared to mixed invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma, invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma had lower frequencies of micropapillary pattern (28.3% vs 87.9%, respectively; P < .001) and lymph node metastasis (00.0% vs 15.1%, respectively; P = .005). The frequency of tumor spread through air space (STAS) in invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (23.3%) was higher than that in invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (6.3%; P < .001), while lower than that in mixed invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (60.6%; P < .001). When the three groups were all accompanied by micropapillary pattern, there was no obvious difference in STAS between invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma with micropapillary pattern and mixed mucinous adenocarcinoma with micropapillary pattern (P > .05). No filigree pattern occurred in invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma with micropapillary pattern. Conclusions. The micropapillary pattern is frequently observed in invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and has a better prognosis compared to mixed invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma. However, the malignancy of the micropapillary pattern in mixed mucinous adenocarcinoma was similar to that in invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma, even with the presence of mucus. These findings suggest that the development mechanisms of the micropapillary pattern in invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and mixed mucinous adenocarcinoma may differ.

Post-acute COVID-19 symptom risk in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms occurred in most of the COVID-19 survivors. However, few studies have examined the issue of whether hospitalization results in different post-acute COVID-19 symptom risks. This study aimed to compare potential COVID-19 long-term effects in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. Methods: This study is designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. A systematic search of six databases was performed for identifying articles published from inception until April 20th, 2022, which compared post-acute COVID-19 symptom risk in hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors using a predesigned search strategy included terms for SARS-CoV-2 (eg, COVID, coronavirus, and 2019-nCoV), post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome (eg, post-COVID, post COVID conditions, chronic COVID symptom, long COVID, long COVID symptom, long-haul COVID, COVID sequelae, convalescence, and persistent COVID symptom), and hospitalization (hospitalized, in hospital, and home-isolated). The present meta-analysis was conducted according to The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement using R software 4.1.3 to create forest plots. Q statistics and the I 2 index were used to evaluate heterogeneity in this meta-analysis. Results: Six observational studies conducted in Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA involving 419 hospitalized and 742 non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors were included. The number of COVID-19 survivors in included studies ranged from 63 to 431, and follow-up data were collected through visits in four studies and another two used an electronic questionnaire, visit and telephone, respectively. Significant increase in the risks of long dyspnea (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.90-5.32), anxiety (OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.47-6.47), myalgia (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.02-5.33), and hair loss (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.07-7.12) risk were found in hospitalized COVID-19 survivors compared with outpatients. Conversely, persisting ageusia risk was significantly reduced in hospitalized COVID-19 survivors than in non-hospitalized patients. Conclusion: The findings suggested that special attention and patient-centered rehabilitation service based on a needs survey should be provided for hospitalized COVID-19 survivors who experienced high post-acute COVID-19 symptoms risk.

The relationship between eHealth literacy and palliative care knowledge, attitudes, and practice among nurses: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The crucial role that nurses play in offering palliative care to patients with life-threatening diseases is widely acknowledged, but the correlation between their eHealth literacy and their knowledge, attitudes, and practice in this domain has yet to be investigated. This study is conducted to investigate the status of eHealth literacy and knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding palliative care among nurses, and to examine their relationship. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 546 nurses selected from the first-class tertiary hospitals located both inside and outside of Zhejiang Province between May 12 and May 20, 2022. The online survey of eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS) and scale of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding palliative care was performed using snowball sampling through the WeChat mini program "Questionnaire Star". The Spearman rank correlation and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the independent association between eHealth literacy and KAP toward palliative care. RESULTS: The median scores of eHEALS and KAP regarding palliative care were 32 (interquartile range[IQR] 29 to 38) and 82 (IQR 54 to 106) points. The results of correlation analysis showed that the KAP regarding palliative care was significantly correlated with eHEALS (rho = 0.189, P < 0.001). In addition, the results of binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the eHEALS score was independently associated with the KAP score regarding palliative care when controlling for sociodemographic factors (OR = 2.109; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Nurses who worked in first-class tertiary hospitals have good levels of eHealth literacy, while the overall level of KAP regarding palliative care is moderate. Our findings highlight that the eHEALS score is independently associated with the KAP score regarding palliative care. Therefore, nursing managers should adopt multiple measures to comprehensively improve eHealth literacy among nurses, further enrich their knowledge of palliative care, promote a positive transformation of attitudes towards palliative care, and efficiently implement palliative care practice, in order to promote high-quality development of palliative care.

Impact of minimal solid and micropapillary components on invasive lung adenocarcinoma recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The specific impacts of solid and micropapillary components on prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma remain unclear. Herein, we elucidated their distinct contributions to lung adenocarcinoma recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lung adenocarcinoma was classified into solid and micropapillary absent (S-M-); solid absent, micropapillary present (S-M+); micropapillary absent, solid present (S + M-); and solid and micropapillary present (S + M+). Cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) was calculated using competing risk analysis. RESULTS: Of 994 adenocarcinomas, 650 (65.4%) were classified as S-M-; 152 (15.3%), S-M+; 148 (14.9%), S + M-; and 44 (4.4%), S + M+. In total, 168 (16.9%) patients had recurrence; 16 (1.6%) died from other causes. S-M- had significantly lower CIR than other groups (S-M- vs. S-M+: P < 0.001, S-M- vs. S + M-: P < 0.001, S-M- vs. S + M+: P < 0.001); S + M- had significantly higher CIR than S-M+ (P = 0.002). These differences remained significant in multivariable analysis. In stage IA, S-M- had significantly lower CIR than other groups (S-M- vs. S-M+: P = 0.006, S-M- vs. S + M-: P < 0.001, S-M- vs. S + M+: P < 0.001); S + M- and S + M+ had significantly higher CIR than S-M+ (P = 0.005, P = 0.008, respectively). These differences remained significant in multivariable analysis. CIR was not significantly different between S + M- and S-M+ subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of solid or micropapillary component (≥1%) was an independent risk factor for CIR; patients with solid component alone had a higher CIR than those with micropapillary component alone. In IA lung adenocarcinoma, patients with both solid and micropapillary components had a higher CIR than those with micropapillary component alone; the proportion of solid or micropapillary component was not associated with CIR.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and lymphatic vessel density are associated with progression from adenocarcinoma in situ to invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung.

The present study aimed to investigate the roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) during the progression from adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) to invasive lung adenocarcinoma (IAC). A total of 77 patients with stage 0-IA lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled. The expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin, MMP-9 and D2-40 were immunohistochemically analyzed. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. In the non-invasive component, the proportion of CAFs and the expression levels of MMP-9 increased from AIS to IAC; however, the LVD was not significantly different. CAFs were positively correlated with levels of MMP-9. The LVD had no significant correlation with CAFs and MMP-9. In the invasive component, CAFs, MMP-9 and LVD were significantly higher in IAC compared with in minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. CAFs, MMP-9 and LVD were all positively correlated with each other. The micropapillary subtype in IAC was associated with overall survival (OS). The LVD in IAC, but not MMP-9 and CAFs, was associated with OS. CAFs, MMP-9 and LVD were involved in the progression from AIS to IAC. CAFs exhibited a strong association with MMP-9 levels in the non-invasive and invasive components. The increase in the proportion of CAFs and the expression levels of MMP-9 may have been an early event before the adenocarcinoma became invasive. Once the adenocarcinoma was invasive, the LVD served an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis, and hence may be used as a prognostic marker of poor OS in stage IA IAC.

The Roles of Chemokine CXCL13 in the Development of Bone Cancer Pain and the Regulation of Morphine Analgesia in Rats.

Chemokines are important regulators of immune, inflammatory, and neuronal responses in peripheral and central pain pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 (CXCL13) and its receptor (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5, CXCR5) involve in the development of bone cancer pain (BCP) and the regulation of morphine analgesia in rats. The change of pain behaviors in BCP rats were measured by testing paw withdrawal threshold (PWT). The levels of CXCL13, CXCR5 and signal pathway proteins (p-p38, p-ERK and p-AKT etc.) in the spinal cord were measured via western blots. The expression of CXCL13 and CXCR5 in spinal cord was increased in BCP rats. The BCP rats showed decrease of PWTs, which was relieved by CXCR5i. Intrathecally injection of murine recombinant CXCL13 (mrCXCL13) decreased the PWTs of BCP rats and opposed morphine-induced analgesia in BCP rats. In BCP rats, the signal pathway proteins (p38, ERK and AKT) in the spinal cord were activated. CXCL13 and morphine had contrary effect on the phosphorylation of these proteins. MrCXCL13 directly increased the levels of p-p38, p-ERK and p-AKT in BCP rats. However, morphine decreased the levels of these proteins in BCP rats. While blocking the activation of p-p38, p-ERK and p-AKT, morphine analgesia was enhanced. These results suggest CXCL13 participated in bone cancer pain and opposed morphine analgesia via p38, ERK and AKT pathways. It may be a target to enhance pain management in cancer pain patients.

Retrospective study of risk factors for mortality in human avian influenza A(H7N9) cases in Zhejiang Province, China, March 2013 to June 2014.

BACKGROUND: The influenza A(H7N9) virus causes a serious disease that threatens human health. Fatalities associated with human infections caused by this virus are of great public health concern; however, the possible risk factors are not yet fully known. METHODS: A stratified sampling method, incorporating household income levels and a random number table method, was used to select laboratory-confirmed A(H7N9) cases for this study. Eighty-five patients were selected randomly from 139 laboratory-confirmed A(H7N9) cases occurring in Zhejiang Province between March 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. Data were collected using a standard method. To test the statistical significance among discrete variables, univariate analyses were used to compare two groups. The Kaplan-Meier product-limit method was used to analyze the patient survival fraction. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze all variables with p ≤ 0.05 in the univariate analysis. Lastly, a stepwise procedure was used to construct a final model with a significance level of p > 0.10 for removal and p<0.05 for re-entry. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients with H7N9 virus infection were identified. Among these, 30 (35.29%) died. In the univariate analysis, the following factors were associated with a high risk of influenza A(H7N9) case fatality: age ≥ 60 years (p=0.008), low education level (p=0.030), chronic diseases (p=0.029), poor hand hygiene (p=0.010), time from illness onset to the first medical visit (p=0.029) and to intensive care unit admission (p=0.008), an incubation period of ≤ 5 days (p=0.039), a peak C-reactive protein ≥ 120 mg/l (p=0.012), increased initial neutrophil count (p=0.020), decreased initial lymphocyte count (p=0.021), and initial infection of both lungs (p=0.003). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the independent predictors of H7N9 virus infection mortality in Zhejiang, China were hand hygiene (hazard ratio (HR) 5.163, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.164-22.661), age (HR 1.042, 95% CI 1.007-1.076), and peak CRP (HR 1.009, 95% CI 1.002-1.016). CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in immunity, early case identification and treatment, and personal protection measures are key to addressing the high human avian influenza A(H7N9) case fatality rate.

Interleukin-4 and -8 gene polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer in a population in Southwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinogenesis is a complicated process that involves environmental and genetic factors like interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-8. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in their genes are associated with changed levels of gene expression. Here, we investigated the association between IL4-590 C>T and IL8-251T>A and gastric cancer (GC) risk in Sichuan of Southwestern China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed the research subjects using a self-designed questionnaire with questions on demographic factors and putative risk factors. Approximately 2-5ml of whole blood was collected after field survey to analyze IL4-590 C>T and IL8-251T>A genotypes using MALDI-TOF MS. RESULTS: Our study recruited 308 pairs of GC patients and controls, including 224 (72.7%) men and 84 (27.3%) women in each group. There were 99 cardia and 176 noncardia GC patients in the case group. The case and control groups had an average age of 57.7±10.6 (mean±SD) and 57.6±11.1 years. GC patients reported a significantly greater proportion of family history of cancer (29.9% vs 10.7%, p<0.01) and drinking (54.6% vs 43.2%, p<0.01) than did controls. Variant genotypes of IL-4-590 C>T and IL-8-251 T>A were not associated with overall GC risk (adjusted OR, 0.89; 95%CI, 0.61-1.28 for CT or CC vs TT; adjusted OR, 1.14; 95%CI, 0.86-1.79 for TA or AA vs TT). Stratification analysis of two SNPs for risk by subsites only found that variant IL-8-251 TA or AA genotype was associated with increased noncardia GC risk (adjusted OR, 2.58; 95%CI, 1.19-5.57). We did not observe interactions between the IL-8-251 T>A genotype and smoking (adjusted OR, 0.38; 95%CI, 0.08-1.79) or drinking (adjusted OR, 0.36; 95%CI, 0.08-1.65) for risk of noncardia GC. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate no association between the two SNPs of IL-4-590 and IL-8-251 with overall GC risk, while the IL-8-251 TA or AA genotype conferred risk of cardia GC. Our findings contribute to the evidence body for risk of SNPs associated with the development of gastric cancer in this region.

Epidemiologic characterization of 30 confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in Hangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: We examined the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 30 cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in Hangzhou and investigated their external environments to provide evidence for contact tracing and disease prevention and control. METHODS: The cases confirmed from April 1 through May 1, 2013 were studied. Field epidemiologic surveys were conducted to collect the clinical and epidemiologic data. Case-related and environmental specimens were collected for etiologic detection. RESULTS: Thirty cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus were confirmed in Hangzhou from April 1 through May 1, 2013, including one pregnant woman and three deaths. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 38-86 years). Twenty-three of the patients were men (76.67%). The median duration between disease onset and occurrence of respiratory failure and confirmed diagnosis was 5 and 6 days, respectively. Maximum medical observation of 666 close contacts of the patients revealed no irregularity. Of 314 external environmental specimens, the overall positive detection rate of H7N9 nucleic acid was 28.98%. Eight districts of Hangzhou city had positive detections in the external environments, the highest rate being in Yuhang District (78.13%). Statistical analysis of the specimen collection locations indicates a significant difference between the case-linked locations and the non-case locations (χ2 = 16.563, p < 0.05) in terms of H7N9 viral nucleic acid detection rate. No epidemiologic link has been found among the 30 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the infected were retired individuals aged 60 years or older. Men made the majority. The cases are sporadic at present, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Exposures to poultry and live poultry markets may be important sources of infection.

Association of the IL-1B +3954 C/T polymorphism with the risk of gastric cancer in a population in Western China.

With an estimate of 380 000 new cases each year, gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in China. Genes encoding proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines are good candidates for the study of susceptibility to GC. We tested the hypothesis that the polymorphisms of interleukin 1B (IL-1B) and IL-1RN contribute toward host susceptibility to GC. In a matched case-control design, we enrolled 308 pairs of GC and control participants between October 2010 and August 2011. We sequenced IL-1B +3954 C/T, IL-1RN -9876 G/A, -9739 A/G, and IL-1RN -9091 A/C using MALDI-TOF MS and collected demographic data as well as lifestyle factors using a questionnaire. GC patients reported statistically significantly greater proportions with family history of cancer (29.9 vs. 10.7%, P<0.01) and alcohol drinking (54.5 vs. 43.2%, P<0.01) than the controls. The proportion of irregular eaters was statistically higher among the patients than among the controls (66.7 vs. 24.4%, P<0.01). The IL-1B +3954 CT or the TT variant genotype was statistically significantly associated with a risk of GC [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-8.15], whereas variants of IL-1RN -9876 G/A, IL-1RN -9739 A/G, and IL-1RN -9091 A/C were not associated (adjusted OR, 1.29, 95% CI, 0.77-2.16; adjusted OR, 1.25, 95% CI, 0.75-2.07; adjusted OR, 1.09, 95% CI, 0.71-1.67, respectively). Haplotypes established from the three polymorphisms of IL-1RN were not associated with a risk of GC. The IL-1B +3954 C/T polymorphism is associated with a risk of GC in our study. Lifestyle and environmental factors such as drinking, eating irregularly, and family history of cancer increase the risk.

A platform for fast screening potential anti-breast cancer compounds in traditional Chinese medicines.

Several Chinese herbs, namely, Pu-Gong-Ying, Gan-Cao, Chai-Hu, Mu-Xiang, Gua-Lou and Huang-Yao-Zi, are frequently used in complex traditional Chinese medicing formulas for breast hyperplasia and breast tumor therapy. The pharmacological effects of these Chinese herbs are all described as 'clearing heat-toxin and resolving masses' in traditional use. However, the chemical profiles of anti-breast cancer constituents in these herbs has not been investigated so far. In this study, a bioactivity-oriented screening platform, which was based on a human breast cancer MCF-7 cellular model, semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet spectrophotometry and ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer, was developed to rapidly screen the six Chinese herbs. Two potential anti-breast cancer compounds, which were costunolide (Cos) and dehydrocostus lactone (Dehy), were identified in Mu-Xiang. Combination of the two compounds showed a synergism on inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in vitro, which exhibits a potential application prospect for breast cancer therapy. This bioactivity-oriented screening strategy is rapid, economical, reliable and specific for screening potential anti-breast cancer compounds in traditional Chinese medicines.

Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population: single nucleotide and haplotype analyses.

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin (IL) -10 is a potent cytokine with a dual ability to immunosuppress or immunostimulate. We aimed to explore the association of IL10 promoter polymorphisms with risk of gastric cancer (GC) in a Han population in Southwestern China. METHODS: We enrolled 308 pairs of GC and control subjects from four hospitals and a community between October 2010 and August 2011 in a 1:1 matched case-control design. Demographic information was collected using a designed questionnaire. IL10-592 A>C and IL10-1082 A>G polymorphisms were determined by Sequenom MassARRAY analysis. RESULTS: Patients with GC reported statistically higher proportions of family history of cancer (29.9% versus 10.7%, P<0.01) and alcohol drinking (54.6% versus 43.2%, P<0.01) than did controls. Similar results were observed in comparison between non-cardia GC patients and controls (P<0.01 and P=0.03). Variant genotypes of IL10-592 A>C and IL10-1082 A>G were not associated with overall GC risk (adjusted OR, 0.94, 95% CI, 0.66-1.33; adjusted OR, 1.00, 95% CI, 0.62-1.60). Sub-analysis showed that the IL10-592 AC/CC variant genotype was associated with decreased non-cardia GC risk (adjusted OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.95). No association was found between any of the IL10 haplotypes established from two polymorphisms and risk of non-cardia GC. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data do not link the two SNPs of IL10-592 and IL10-1082 with overall GC risk. We demonstrate that IL10-592 polymorphism is associated with protective effect against non-cardia GC. Our findings may offer insight into risk associated with the development of GC in this region.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genetic polymorphisms and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors and environmental factors play a role in pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Previous studies regarding the association of folate intake and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism with ESCC was conflicting. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the association of MTHFR C677T and folate intake with esophageal cancer risk. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Chinese Biomedical Database were searched in our study. The quality of studies were evaluated by predefined scale, and The association of polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T and folate intake and ESCC risk was estimated by Odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: 19 studies (4239 cases and 5575 controls) were included for meta-analysis. A significant association was seen between individuals with MTHFR 677 CT [OR(95%)=1.47(1.32-1.63)] and TT [OR(95%)=1.69(1.49-1.91)] genotypes and ESCC risk (p<0.05). Low intake of folate had significantly higher risk of esophageal cancer among individuals with CT/TT genotype [OR(95%)=1.65(1.1-2.49)], while high intake of folate did not find significant high risk of esophageal cancer among individuals with CT/TT genotype [OR(95%)=1.64 (0.82-3.26)]. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicated the folate intake and MTHFR 677CT/TT are associated with the risk of ESCC, and folate showed a significant interaction with polymorphism of MTHFR C677T.

ADPRT Val762Ala and XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer in Sichuan of China.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer remains a major health problem in China. We hypothesized that XRCC1 Arg194Trp and ADPRT Val762Ala may be associated with risk. METHODS: We designed a multicenter 1:1 matched case- control study of 307 pairs of gastric cancers and controls between October 2010 and August 2011. XRCC1 Arg194Trp and ADPRT Val762Ala were sequenced, and demographic data as well as lifestyle factors were collected using a self-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: Individuals carrying XRCC1 Trp/Trp or Arg/Trp variant genotype had a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer (OR, 1.718; 95% CI, 1.190-2.479), while the OR for ADPRT Val762Ala variant genotype (Ala/Ala or Val/Ala) was 1.175 (95% CI, 0.796-1.737). No gene-gene or gene-environment interactions were found. In addition, family history of cancer and drinkers proportion were higher among cases than among controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: XRCC1 194 Arg/Trp or Trp/Trp genotype, family history of cancer, and drinking are suspected risk factors of gastric cancer from our study. Our findings may offer insight into further similar large gene-environment and gene-gene studies in this region.

Polymorphisms of XRCC1 and ADPRT genes and risk of noncardia gastric cancer in a Chinese population: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies and its mortality ranks third among all cancers in China. We previously noted that XRCC1 Arg194Trp was associated with GC risk in Western China in a study on XRCC1 Arg194Trp and ADPRT Val762Ala. We aimed to further explore the association of these polymorphisms with risk of the noncardia subtype. METHODS: We enrolled 176 noncardia GC patients and 308 controls from four hospitals and a community between October 2010 and August 2011. Genotyping was performed in a 384-well plate format on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. A self-designed questionnaire was utilized to collect epidemiological data from the subjects regarding demographic factors and potential risk factors. RESULTS: Subjects were aged 56.8±11.8 (mean±standard deviation) and 57.6±11.1 years in the case and control groups, respectively. Individuals carrying the XRCC1 Trp/Trp or Arg/Trp variant genotype were at significantly increased risk of noncardia GC (adjusted OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.00-2.17), after adjustment for family history of cancer, drinking, and smoking. The increased risk of XRCC1 Arg194Trp variant genotype was more pronounced among subjects below 60 years old (adjusted OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.07-2.96), compared to older individuals. ADPRT Val762Ala variants (Ala/Ala or Val/Ala) were not associated with noncardia GC (adjusted OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.69-1.54). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that XRCC1 Arg194Trp is a genetic susceptibility factor for developing noncardia GC in Han Chinese in Western China. In particular, individuals with the XRCC1 Arg194Trp variant genotype are at increased risk for GC below 60 years old.

[Three novel genes BM390716, BI274487 and AA963863 involed in extracellular matrix metabolism of eight rat regenerating liver cell types].

To explore the roles of three novel genes BM390716, BI274487 and AA963863 and the correlation between them during liver regeneration of rats, eight kinds of liver cells were isolated using the combined percoll density gradient centrifugation and immunomagnetic bead method. Rat genome 230 2.0 array was used to detect the changes in expression of genes involved in metabolism of extracellular matrix and the novel genes in rat genome. Correlation between sequence homology, co-expression of the above genes and the physiological activities they involed in were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and BLAST software. The results showed that BM390716 was homologous to and co-expressed with pparα, BI274487 was homologous to and co-expressed with timp2, and AA963863 was homologous to and co-expressed with csgalnact1. It is predicted that BM390716, BI274487, and AA963863 were involved in extracellular matrix metabolism in eight types of rat regenerating liver cells.

Expression and regulation mechanisms of Sonic Hedgehog in breast cancer.

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) plays an essential role in vertebrate organogenesis as well as the development of some cancers, including breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to characterize more precisely its role in breast carcinogenesis and elucidate its regulation mechanisms. The expression of Shh was investigated in 97 breast carcinomas and 22 paired non-tumorous tissues (distant from the primary tumor) by immunohistochemistry and in four breast cell lines by Western blotting. We also analyzed the methylation status of the Shh gene with methylation-specific PCR and assessed whether nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and Gli1 were expressed in breast tissues by immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that Shh protein expression in breast carcinomas was significant higher than that in normal breast tissues (P < 0.01). The up-regulation of Shh in breast carcinomas was correlated significantly with early clinical stage (P < 0.05). In addition, we found a substantial increase in Shh expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in several human breast carcinoma cell lines. The expression level of nuclear Gli1 was positively associated with the expression level of Shh in breast tissues (P < 0.001). Promoter region hypomethylation (43/61, 70.5%) was frequently observed in breast carcinomas and significantly associated with Shh up-regulation (P < 0.05). The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) reduced the methylation of Shh promoter and increased the expression of Shh protein in MDA-MB-435 and MCF-10A cells. Furthermore, most of the breast carcinoma cases with Shh up-regulation had increased expression of NF-kappaB (35/49, 71.4%; P < 0.001). Taken together, these observations suggest that Shh overexpression is a critical event in breast carcinogenesis, and Shh promoter hypomethylation and NF-kappaB up-regulation are responsible for the up-regulation of Shh.

The expression of SIAH1 is downregulated and associated with Bim and apoptosis in human breast cancer tissues and cells.

Seven in absentia homolog1 (SIAH1) was reported as a tumor suppressor and played an important role in regulating cell apoptosis. However, its effects on the breast carcinogenesis remain unclear. In this study, our aims were to examine the relationship between SIAH1 and Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) and to explore the effects of SIAH1 on the breast carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis in 231 cases of breast tissues showed that the expression of SIAH1 and Bim were significantly decreased in the breast carcinogenesis. Moreover, SIAH1 expression was significantly correlated with Bim. Both SIAH1 and Bim expression were significantly higher in well to moderately differentiated and in early-stage breast cancer. Reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis in paired breast cancer tissues and breast cell lines found that the expression of SIAH1 was lower in the breast cancer tissues and cell lines. SIAH1 inducing apoptosis of the breast cancer cells was dependent on Bim. However, SIAH1 inhibiting invasion of the breast cancer cells was independent of Bim. The increase of the function of SIAH1 to upregulate the expression of Bim may play an important role in the progression of breast cancer. Restoration of the function of SIAH1 may be a new therapeutic target of human breast cancer.