Copy number variations of the human histamine H4 receptor gene are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex genetic disease; the histamine H4 receptor (HRH4) has been shown to be related to different kinds of autoimmune disorders; and copy number variations (CNVs) have been found to be associated with various types of diseases.

OBJECTIVES

To explore a possible association between HRH4 (formerly H4R) CNVs and the risk of SLE.

METHODS

Genomic DNA and RNA from 340 patients with SLE and 392 healthy controls were extracted, and CNVs and mRNA levels of HRH4 were examined.

RESULTS

The expression of HRH4 mRNA was significantly increased in patients with SLE compared with controls. Amplification of HRH4 copy numbers significantly increased the risk of SLE [P < 0·001, odds ratio (OR) 2·26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·50-3·40]. HRH4 amplifications also positively correlated with the incidence of arthritis (P = 0·019, OR 1·96, 95% CI 1·11-3·47), and proteinuria (P < 0·001, OR 2·95, 95% CI 1·73-5·00) and antinuclear antibody abnormalities (P < 0·001, OR 2·97, 95% CI 1·66-5·33). Deletions of HRH4 copy numbers were protective against proteinuria (P = 0·03, OR 0·50, 95% CI 0·26-0·94).

CONCLUSION

CNVs of the HRH4 gene are associated with SLE.

Electrochemical dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol in aqueous solution on palladium-loaded meshed titanium electrode

Electrochemical dechlorination of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in aqueous solution was investigated on palladium-loaded meshed titanium (Pd/Ti) electrode at ambient temperature. Pd/Ti electrode was prepared with an electrodepositing method. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs show that Pd microparticles uniformly disperse on the meshed Ti supporting electrode with spheroidal structure. Dechlorination experimental results indicate that, in aqueous solution, with the current efficiency of 24.3%, the removal efficiency of 100 mg/L 2,4-DCP on Pd/Ti electrode was 93.2% under the conditions of the dechlorination current of 5 mA and dechlorination time of 90 min. The effect of initial 2,4-DCP concentration was also investigated.

Abstract P6-11-02: Final Analysis of NO16853, a Randomized Phase II Non-Inferiority Study of Two Different Doses of Capecitabine in Combination with Docetaxel for Locally Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer (LA/MBC)

Background: In the phase III registration trial of capecitabine (X) plus docetaxel (T) in MBC (SO14999), a higher proportion of pts treated with XT vs T alone experienced grade 3/4 AEs (78% vs 64%, respectively), and dose reductions (65% vs 36%, respectively). Previously, it has been shown that dose reductions of X allow pts to continue therapy without compromising efficacy. Thus, this open-label, multicenter, phase II study was requested by the FDA, to investigate whether a lower dose of XT would be at least equivalent to standard-dose XT in LA/MBC.

Methods: Females aged ≥18 years with LA/MBC resistant to an anthracycline-based regimen in the (neo)adjuvant, 1st-or 2nd-line metastatic setting were eligible. Pts had ≥1 target lesion and ≥2 prior regimens in the metastatic setting. Following stratification (region; age; anthracycline status; prior taxane use), pts were randomized to 3-weekly cycles of standard XT (X 1,250mg/m2 b.i.d., d1-14 + T 75mg/m2, d1), or low-dose XT (X 825mg/m2 b.i.d., d1-14 + T 75mg/m2, d1) up to 16 cycles. Pts without PD entered a post-study treatment phase until PD or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint: non-inferiority of low-dose vs standard XT in terms of PFS. Secondary endpoints: safety; ORR; duration of response; time to treatment failure; OS.

Results: Between 2003 and 2008, 470 pts, median age 51 years (range 22-75), were enrolled. Most pts (∼60%) received XT in the 1st-line setting. The primary analysis was based on the per-protocol population: standard XT (n=230), low-dose XT (n=229). Median PFS was 7.9 vs 6.0 months (HR 1.13, 95% CI: 0.93-1.37) in the standard and low-dose XT arms, respectively. As the upper limit of the 95% CI was above the predefined non-inferiority margin (1.35), the primary endpoint was not met. Secondary efficacy endpoints were consistent with PFS: median OS was 18.5 vs 15.2 months (HR 1.21, 95% CI: 0.96-1.52); ORR was 46.1% vs 38.4% (odds ratio 0.73, 95% CI: 0.50-1.06) with standard and low-dose XT, respectively. Median total dose intensity for X was 0.82 for standard dose and 0.91 for the lower dose. Exploratory analyses using established modelling and simulation methods show that 1,000mg/m2 X in combination with T would have demonstrated non-inferiority to standard XT with 80% power. The frequency of AEs was similar across the two groups: 94.9% standard XT (n=206) vs 94.4% low-dose XT (n=234), as was the incidence of serious AEs: 18.9% vs 21.4%, respectively. Differences were noted between the standard and low-dose XT group, respectively, in terms of the incidence of grade 3 hand-foot syndrome (16.1% vs 7.3%) and grade 3/4 neutropenia (32.7% vs 23.8%).

Conclusions: Non-inferiority of low-dose XT to standard XT was not demonstrated, yet superiority of the standard dose could not be established. Exploratory analyses suggest that X 1,000mg/m2 plus T would demonstrate non-inferiority to standard XT. Though not directly comparable, the efficacy of low-dose XT was similar to that of standard XT in study SO14999. A lower incidence of serious AEs was noted as compared with study SO14999 (43%) possibly reflecting improvements in dose modification, AE management and pt selection over time.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-02.

Evaluation of SNPs in the chicken HMGA2 gene as markers for body weight gain

A QTL affecting body weight in chickens has been mapped to GGA1, between the markers GCT0006 and MCW0106. The gene HMGA2, which was previously identified as a candidate gene for determining body height in humans and mice, is also conspicuously close to the MCW0106 marker in chickens. Subsequently, 14 SNP markers of HMGA2 were genotyped in CAU chicken resource populations, and the associations between body weight and those SNP markers that displayed polymorphisms were analysed. Three SNPs (rs13849241, rs15231472 and rs13849381) were found to be significantly correlated with body weight in chickens (P < 0.05). Furthermore, haplotypes constructed based on these three SNPs were also discovered to be associated with body weight in chickens at the ages of 6, 7, 9 and 12 weeks. These results suggest that the chicken HMGA2 gene is indeed involved in body weight gain.

Role of multidetector-row computed tomography in evaluation of living renal donors

OBJECTIVES

To assess the value of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in evaluation of the anatomy of living kidney donors and to reveal the prevalence of renal vascular variations in a Chinese population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred four potential donors underwent MDCT, and the data sets were postprocessed for reformatted images using maximum intensity projection, a volume-rendering technique, and multiplanar re-formation. Nephrectomy was performed in 97 donors, which enabled correlation of MDCT evaluation with the actual anatomy at surgery as the standard of reference.

RESULTS

The MDCT images accurately demonstrated the anatomical structure of the main renal arteries and veins and the upper part of the ureters. The prevalence of accessory arteries was 41.7% (43 of 103), and of early branching was 12.6% (13 of 103). Compared with findings during surgery, the detection rate of accessory arteries on MDCT images was 91.3% (21 of 23), of larger accessory arteries (>1.5 mm in diameter) was 100%, and of early branching was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Multidetector-row computed tomography is helpful in accurately evaluating the renal anatomy of potential donors, thus facilitating planning of surgery.

The effect of remifentanil on cough suppression after endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized study

BACKGROUND

Excessive coughing may increase the risk of complications after sinus surgery. We hypothesized that remifentanil would decrease the incidence and severity of coughing after endoscopic sinus surgery with propofol and remifentanil anaesthesia.

METHODS

Ninety patients scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery were randomly assigned into three groups. Propofol was stopped at the completion of the surgical procedure. The remifentanil infusion was adjusted to an effect-site concentration of 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 ng/ml, 10 min before the anticipated end of surgery, in each of the three groups (RF₁(.)₅, RF₂(.)₀ and RF₂(.)₅) and continued until after extubation. The incidence and severity of coughing was evaluated on a scale from 0 to 3.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients who did not cough was significantly higher in the RF₂(.)₀ (67.5%, 95% CI: 59.1– 75.9%) and RF₂(.)₅ (74.2%, 95% CI: 66.4–82.0%) groups than in the RF₁(.)₅ group (35.%, 95% CI: 26.5–43.5%) (P < 0.01). The incidence of grade 2 or 3 coughing was significantly higher in the RF₁(.)₅ group (grade 2: 15.1%, grade 3: 6.7%) than in the RF₂(.)₀ group (grade 2: 5.0%, grade 3: 0%) and the RF₂(.)₅ group (grade 2: 4.2%, grade 3: 0%) (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the time to extubation among the three groups.

CONCLUSION

Maintaining anaesthesia with remifentanil to the end of the surgery, until after extubation, can suppress coughing without prolonging the recovery from anaesthesia. This effect is dose dependent and is more pronounced at higher concentrations of remifentanil (2.0 or 2.5 ng/ml).

Measuring the color of maxillofacial prosthetic material

Color information from different color-measuring systems varies during color matching in maxillofacial prosthetics. We studied the hypothesis that a non-contact measuring system and 4 contact color-measuring instruments perform comparably in accuracy and precision on measurements of pigmented maxillofacial elastomer specimens having human skin colors. Measurement comparisons in accuracy on opaque standard color patches were made in Phase I. In Phase II, the system with the best accuracy was used as the reference instrument, and comparisons in accuracy and precision on elastomer specimens were made. The CIEDE2000 color difference formula was used. Repeated-measures ANOVA with Tukey testing and linear regression analysis for CIELAB and color differences among the instruments were performed. The contact measuring systems perform differently in accuracy, possibly due to edge loss and other factors, but performed comparably in precision with the non-contact measuring instrument. This non-contact system is recommended for color measurement of maxillofacial prosthetic materials.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 genetic expression and clinical significance on urothelial tumors after renal transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was investigate signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 genetic expression and clinical significance on urothelial carcinoma after renal transplantation.

METHODS

This study included 51 patients with histopathologically proven urothelial carcinoma, 16 of whom had undergone renal transplantation, and 35 others who had not and served as a control group. Human genome oligo-arrays were used to analyze the gene expression spectrum of the tumors. STAT1 and MMP3 expression in urothelial carcinoma was determined using real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry staining. No prisoners or organs from prisoners were used in this study.

RESULTS

Among the transplantation group, 35 genes were up-regulated. The functions of 23 genes were known or partly known. Additionally, 76 genes were down-regulated in the transplantation group. The function of 46 genes was known or partly known. Pathway analysis of differences in gene expression between the groups revealed 23 groups of pathways that exhibited statistical significance (P < .05). The differences in the levels of expression of STAT1 and MMP3 were significant (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in gene expression profiles of STAT1 and MMP3 exist between patients who have and those who have not undergone renal transplantation. STAT1 and MMP3 may be potential targets for the chemoprevention of posttransplantation urothelial carcinoma.

Delayed treatment effects of xanthine oxidase inhibition on systolic overload-induced left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction

The nonpurine selective xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor febuxostat attenuates development of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and dysfunction in mice when treatment is initiated within 1 hour of transverse aortic constriction (TAC). This study investigated whether a 7-day delay of treatment with the XO inhibitors febuxostat or allopurinol would reverse TAC-induced changes after onset of heart failure (HF). Neither treatment significantly affected TAC-induced LV hypertrophy; only febuxostat caused a modest improvement in LV function (∼10% increase in LV ejection fraction). However, the purine analog allopurinol tended to increase mortality compared with vehicle or febuxostat in HF mice.

Polymorphisms of PXK are associated with autoantibody production, but not disease risk, of systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese mainland population

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex immune disease. The genetic variation in the PXK gene was found to associate with SLE in Caucasian populations. However, the association of rs6445975 with SLE has not been extensively studied in a Chinese mainland population. A total of 288 SLE patients and 357 controls were recruited. Unlabeled probe-based high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) was used in genotyping. HRMA with unlabeled probe successfully distinguished all genotypes. Neither genotype nor allele frequencies of SNP rs6445975 showed statistically significant differences between SLE patients and controls. The association of SNP rs6445975 with the diagnostic criteria of SLE was also examined. No obvious association was observed between rs6445975 and the incidence of clinical symptoms. However, the minor allele (G) of rs6445975 was found to significantly associate with increased abnormalities of anti-Smith (p = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) = 1.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-3.09), anti-Ro (p = 0.015, OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.10-2.58), anti-La (p = 0.008, OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.17-2.93) and C3C4 (p = 0.007, OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.17-2.74). Polymorphisms of rs6445975 in the PXK gene were associated with autoantibody production, but not disease risk, of systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese population.

Genome-wide analysis of cyclins in maize (Zea mays)

Cyclins are primary regulators of the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases and play crucial roles in cell cycle progression in eukaryotes. Although extensive studies have revealed the roles of some cyclins and underlying mechanisms in plants, relatively few cyclins have been functionally analyzed in maize. We identified 59 cyclins in the maize genome, distributed on 10 chromosomes; these were grouped into six types by phylogenetic analysis. The cyclin genes in the maize genome went through numerous tandem gene duplications on five chromosomes. However, no segmental duplications, which occur in rice, were found on maize chromosomes. This information allows us to assess the position of plant cyclin genes in terms of evolution and classification, which will be useful for functional studies of maize cyclins.

The potential for serum p53 to predict the response to chemotherapy of patients with gastric cancer

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between serum p53, tissue p53 and tissue permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) levels in gastric cancer. Serum levels of p53 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and tissue p53 and P-gp levels were analysed by immunohistochemistry. In total, 63.0% of gastric cancer tissue samples tested positive for P-gp and 58.7% of samples tested positive for p53. Tissue P-gp immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with tissue p53 immunoreactivity, and both tissue p53 and P-gp immunoreactivity were significantly correlated to the degree of cancer cell differentiation. The percentage of gastric cancer patients with serum positive for p53 was 36.2%, which was significantly higher than the rate in non-cancerous gastric disease patients. Serum p53 was significantly correlated to tissue p53 and tissue P-gp, inferring that the presence of p53 in the serum could indicate the status of tissue p53 and P-gp. This could, therefore, be useful for screening for the most appropriate (lowest toxicity and highest effectiveness) drugs to use ahead of (neo)-adjuvant chemotherapy.

The survey of HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitude and behaviour among migrant peasant workers in middle city in China

OBJECTIVES

To explore HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitude and behaviour among migrant peasant workers in Changsha, which is a inland city in central China, and to provide evidence that educating this population may help to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in China.

METHODS

A total of 1782 migrant peasant workers participated in the study. A questionnaire was used to determine their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and related attitude and behaviour items.

RESULTS

The majority of the respondents had a rather low level of overall HIV/AIDS knowledge and its prevention, had what constituted risky behaviour in this regard and a generally low acceptance of HIV-infected persons. Furthermore, their behaviour and attitude were analysed with respect to their educational level, occupational class and score of HIV/AIDS related knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this investigation will help healthcare professionals develop a sensitive and specific educational programme for migrant peasant workers. Educating this population will be a very important aspect of HIV/AIDS prevention in China.

Caenorhabditis elegans diet significantly affects metabolic profile, mitochondrial DNA levels, lifespan and brood size

Diet can have profound effects on an organism's health. Metabolic studies offer an effective way to measure and understand the physiological effects of diet or disease. The metabolome is very sensitive to dietary, lifestyle and genetic changes. Caenorhabditis elegans, a soil nematode, is an attractive model organism for metabolic studies because of the ease with which genetic and environmental factors can be controlled. In this work, we report significant effects of diet, mutation and RNA interference on the C.elegans metabolome. Two strains of Escherichia coli, OP50 and HT115 are commonly employed as food sources for maintaining and culturing the nematode. We studied the metabolic and phenotypic effects of culturing wild-type and mutant worms on these two strains of E. coli. We report significant effects of diet on metabolic profile, on mitochondrial DNA copy number and on phenotype. The dietary effects we report are similar in magnitude to the effects of mutations or RNA interference-mediated gene suppression. This is the first critical evaluation of the physiological and metabolic effects on C.elegans of two commonly used culture conditions.

Siderophore-Mediated Aluminum Uptake by Bacillus megaterium ATCC 19213

The bacterium Bacillus megaterium ATCC 19213 is known to produce two hydroxamate siderophores, schizokinen and N-deoxyschizokinen, under iron-limited conditions. In addition to their high affinity for ferric ions, these siderophores chelate aluminum. Aluminum was absorbed by B. megaterium ATCC 19213 through the siderophore transport receptor, providing an extra pathway for aluminum accumulation into iron-deficient bacteria. At low concentrations of the metal, siderophore-mediated uptake was the dominant process for aluminum accumulation. At high concentrations of aluminum, passive transport dominated and siderophore production slowed the passive transport of aluminum into the cell. Siderophore production was affected by the aluminum content in the media. High concentrations of aluminum increased production of siderophores in iron-limited cultures, and this production continued into stationary phase. Aluminum did not stimulate siderophore production in iron-replete cultures. The production of siderophores markedly affected aluminum uptake. This has direct implications on the toxicity of heavy metals under iron-deficient conditions.