A new HLA-B*40 variant, B*4073, identified by sequence-based typing in the Korean population

A novel human leukocyte antigen-B*40 (HLA-B*40) allele was identified in the Korean population and designated HLA-B*4073. The HLA-B*4073 allele shows one nucleotide difference from B*400102 in exon 2 at nucleotide position 299 (A-->T), resulting in an amino acid change, Glu76Val.

A new HLA-A*24 variant, A*2475, identified by sequence-based typing in the Korean population

A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A*24 allele was identified in the Korean population and designated HLA-A*2475. The HLA-A*2475 allele shows one nucleotide difference from A*24020101 in exon 3 at nucleotide position 575 (T-->C), resulting in an amino acid change, Leu168Arg.

Application of metaproteomic analysis for studying extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in activated sludge flocs and their fate in sludge digestion

Metaproteomic analysis, comprising protein separation and identification, was applied to study extracellular proteins in activated sludges and to track their fate in sludge digestion under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The complex sludge proteins were first separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and further analysed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to search their identification. Base extraction and cation exchange resin (CER) method were used to extract EPS from sludges at 0, 12 and 30 days of batch digestion. Several important observations were made during this study. Firstly, protein bands were well separated by extraction/SDS-PAGE protocol used in this study. Secondly, numerous protein bands remained after digestion, indicating that these proteins are not easily degradable in sludge digestion. Thirdly, protein bands detected following anaerobic and aerobic digestion differed, suggesting that proteins degraded in two different digestion environments are not the same. Finally, protein bands that emerged distinctively following anaerobic digestion was found to be subunits of methyl-coenzyme M reductase, the enzyme involved in methane generation, in Methanosarcina barkeri. These results demonstrated that metaproteomic investigation on activated sludge EPS is useful for studying floc formation in activated sludges and their degradation in various digestion environments.

Identification of a new HLA-A*24 variant, A*2474, by sequence-based typing in the Korean population

A novel human leukocyte antigen, A*24 (HLA-A*24), was identified in the Korean population. HLA-A*2474 allele shows one nucleotide difference from A*24020101 in exon 2 at nucleotide position 186 (C --> A), resulting in an amino acid change, Ser38Arg.

Low energy electron storage ring with tunable compaction factor

A low energy electron storage ring is designed to have many desirable properties, such as varying momentum compaction factor, damping partition numbers, favorable betatron tunes for multiturn accumulations, and excellent dynamic aperture. This storage ring can be used for debunching rf linac beams in one turn, for compression of linac pulses, and more importantly for a compact photon source based on inverse Compton scattering of laser beams.

Phase II study of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer

15052

Background: Taxane has been used widely in advanced gastric cancer, but toxicities are problematic. To avoid the bone marrow suppression, docetaxel could be replaced paclitaxel to reduce bone marrow suppression and to improve the efficacy, we planned to augmentation of the dose intensity. This phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in advanced gastric cancer. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma, ECOG PS = 2, at least one measurable lesion and adequate organ functions were eligible. Paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2) were given as a 1-h intravenous infusion on day 1, followed by 5-FU (750 mg/m2) as a 24-h continuous infusion for 5 days. This cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. Results: Forty-five eligible patients (median age 56 years) were treated in this way. Of the 41 patients in whom efficacy was evaluable, an objective response rate (ORR) was seen in 20 (48.8%), a complete response in two, and a partial response in 18 patients. The median time to progression was 6.9 months (95% CI, 5.86–7.94), and the median overall survival was 13.1 months (95% CI, 8.83–17.37). The main hematological toxicity was neutropenia and greater than grade 3 neutropenia was observed in 67 cycles (25%). Febrile neutropenia developed in three patients (7.3%). The major non-hematological toxicities were asthenia and peripheral neuropathy, but grade 3 or 4 toxicity was not seen. Conclusions: The combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU is a promising regimen, and was well tolerated in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cervical cancer patients’ preferences and use of various cancer information sources in South Korea

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Background: Accessing appropriate facts is important in enabling cancer patients cope with the disease. This study focused on the utilization and preferences of cancer information sources by cervical cancer patients in terms of ease in receiving and searching the available data. Methods: The study included 830 women over the age of 18 years treated for cervical cancer at six hospitals in South Korea between 1983 and 2004. All the participants provided written informed consent, and the Institutional Review Board of the National Cancer Center approved the protocol. A questionnaire addressed the patients’ use of and preferences for sources and forms of cancer information. Data were collected by mail. Results: Television and/or the radio were the the most frequently cited sources of cancer information by the middle and oldest age groups: 45–64 years (52.0%), =65 years (47.3%), while patients in the youngest age group (<45 years) used the Internet (38.8%). Booklets and/or pamphlets (24.0%) were the source of cancer information preferred by the youngest age group, while patients in the middle and oldest age groups preferred TV/radio: 45–64 years (35.7%) and =65 years (55.0%). Life notes and/or experiences (43.2%), that is, personal accounts, comprised the most easily understood form of information regardless of age group. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that cervical cancer patients’ utilization of and preferences for sources of cancer information vary according to patient age. Tailored educational materials that consider the users’ age and condition should be customized to best fit their specific preferences.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

CD44 standard isoform expression is associated with diffuse large B cell lymphoma of non-germinal center B cell-like types

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Background: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be subdivided into germinal center B cell-like (GCB) and non- germinal center B cell-like (Non-GC) types by immunohistochemical profiling. Previous studies showed better survival rate for the GCB groups. CD44 is necessary for tumor spread and metastasis and its expression is generally associated with unfavorable prognosis. We analyzed the expression and prognostic significance of standard isoform CD44s and its variant isoform CD44v6 in DLBCL types. Methods: Tissue microarray blocks were created from 52 nodal DLBCL with control tissue. Immunohistochemical staining for CD10, Bcl-6, MUM-1, CD44s, and CD44v6 were performed. The median follow-up period was 44 months. Results: Nodal DLBCLs were subclassified into GCB [CD10+ or CD10-/Bcl6+/MUM1+, n=17 (33%)] and non-GC subgroups [CD10-/Bcl6- or CD10-/Bcl6+/MUM1+, n=35 (67%)]. CD44s expression appeared more on non-GC cases of DLBCL (p=0.04). CD44s and CD44v6 did not result in any difference according to tumor stage, IPI scores, LDH levels. Upon survival analysis, CD44s and CD44v6 expression did not show any statistical correlation. Conclusions: CD44s expression may play a role during lymphomatogenesis of non-GC type DLBCL.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prospective phase II trial of a combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin and UFT as first-line treatment in patients with advanced, unresectable, non-small cell lung carcinoma

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Background: Most patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receive either single agents or doublet chemotherapy. For non-elderly patients in good performance status, platinum-based double combinations represent the standard treatment. And oral UFT had the survival advantage in adjuvant setting. Therefore we performed a phase II study using the combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin and UFT as a first line therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods: Eligible patients had histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB or IV NSCLC with good performance status and were chemotherapy-naive. This study was two-stage design and planned number of patients was forty-seven. Gemcitabine (1,250 mg/m2, 10 mg/kg/min on days 1 and 8) and cisplatin (75 mg/m2 on day 1) were injected intravenously and UFT (400 mg/day) was administered orally on day 1–14. Treatment repeated every 3 weeks. Primary end point was overall response rate and secondary end points were overall survival, time to progression and toxicity. Results: Thirty seven patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 60 years (range: 44 to 72). The performance status (WHO) was 0 in 4, 1 in 30 and 2 in 3 patients. Twenty three patients completed six cycles. Complete response was achieved in 1 (3%) patient, partial response in 22 (59%) patients, stable disease in 9 (24%) patients. Overall response rate was 62% on intent to treat basis. Among patients who response evaluation was possible (33 patients), response rate was 70%. The median survival time was 14.5 months (95% CI 6.9, 22.3) and the 1 year survival was 35% and then median time to progression was 3.4 months(95% CI 3, 3.9). Toxicities were moderate and mostly hematological adverse events. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 37%, 5 patients with febrile neutropenia. Grade 3/4 anemia and thrombocypenia was occurred in 37% and 5%. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. Conclusion: The combination therapy consisted of gemcitabine, cisplatin and UFT is active and well tolerable first line regimen for NSCLC patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Validation and reproducibility of food frequency questionnaire for Korean genome epidemiologic study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate validity and reliability of the food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed for the Korean Genome Epidemiologic Study (KoGES).

METHODS

FFQ was administered twice at 1-year interval (first FFQ (FFQ1) at the beginning and second FFQ (FFQ2) at the end of the study) and diet records (DRs) were collected for 3 days during each of the four seasons from December 2002 to May 2004 for those who attended the health examination center. At the end of the study period, we collected the 12-day DRs of 124 participants. The nutrient intakes from the DRs were compared with both FFQ1 and FFQ2.

RESULTS

The intakes of energy and some nutrients estimated from FFQ1 and FFQ2 were different from those assessed by the DRs. Especially, the consumption of carbohydrates was higher in FFQ1 and FFQ2 than in the DRs. The de-attenuated, age, sex and energy intake adjusted correlation coefficients between the FFQ2 and the 12-day DRs in Korean population ranged between 0.23 (Vitamin A) and 0.64 (carbohydrate). The median for all nutrients was 0.39. The correlations were similar when we compared nutrient densities of both methods. Joint classification of calorie-adjusted nutrient intakes assessed by FFQ2 and 12-day DRs by quartile ranged from 25.8% (vitamin A) to 39.5% (carbohydrate, iron) for exact concordance. Except vitamin A, the proportion of subjects classified into distant quartile was less than 7% in all nutrients. The median of correlations between the two FFQs 1 year apart were 0.45 for all nutrient intakes and 0.39 for nutrient densities.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the FFQ we have developed appears to be an acceptable tool for assessing the nutrient intakes in this population. Further studies for calibration of the FFQ collected from multicenters participating in the KoGES are needed.

SPONSORSHIP

This study was supported by the budget of the National Genome Research Institute, Korea National Institute of Health (2002-347-6111-221).

Noise Analysis of MREIT at 3T and 11T Field Strength

In Magnetic Resonance Electrical Impedance Tomography (MREIT), we measure the induced magnetic flux density inside an imaging object subject to an external injection current. The magnetic flux density is contaminated with noise and this ultimately limits the quality of reconstructed conductivity and current density images. By using two methods to analyze amounts of noise in 3T and 11T MREIT systems, we found that a carefully designed MREIT study will be able to reduce the noise level below 0.1 nT.