FDG-PET in the initial staging of squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma

Squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma is the most common carcinoma of the oesophagus worldwide. The tumour stage as most important prognostic factor determines the clinical management. Aim of this study was to evaluate the value of FDG-PET 1. in imaging the primary tumour and 2. in Nand M-staging of squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma. Patients, methods: In 20 patients with histological proven squamous cell carcinoma of the upper and middle oesophagus , FDG-PET was performed in standard technique prior to therapy. FDG uptake in the primary was determined by calculation of the SUVmax. NM-staging due to PET findings was performed as designated by the AJCC/UICC group classification and was compared with pathological and clinically based staging. Sensitivities, specificities and accuracies were calculated. Results: In 19 of 20 patients, primary squamous cell oesopohageal carcinoma was detected by FDG-PET findings with a maximum SUV of 12.5 (mean) ± 5.1 (median 11.5; range 4.8-23.8). One carcinoma in situ was missed. The sensitivity of FDG-PET in imaging the primary tumour was 96%. The sensitivities, specificities and accuracies were 20%, 100%, 58% for N-staging, and 60%, 86% and 93% for M-staging. PET findings caused changes of therapy in 5% (1 patient). Conclusions: FDGPET was excellent in imaging the primary of squamous cell oesophageal carcinoma in stage T1-T4 and was efficient in M-staging. The low sensitivity in N-staging is of inferior clinical importance. The efficacy of FDG-PET seems to be not significantly be influenced by the histological subtype of oesophageal carcinoma.

Estimating the causal effect of body mass index on hay fever, asthma and lung function using Mendelian randomization

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have shown that body mass index (BMI) is positively associated with asthma. However, observational data are prone to confounding and reverse causation. In Mendelian randomization, genetic variants are used as unconfounded markers of exposures to examine causal effects. We examined the causal effect of BMI on asthma, hay fever, allergic sensitization, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), forced expiratory volume in one-second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC).

METHODS

We included 490 497 participants in the observational and 162 124 participants in the genetic analyses. A genetic risk score (GRS) was created using 26 BMI-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results were pooled in meta-analyses and expressed as odds ratios (ORs) or β-estimates with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

The GRS was significantly associated with asthma (OR=1.009; 95% CI: 1.004, 1.013), but not with hay fever (OR= 0.998; 95% CI: 0.994, 1.002) or allergic sensitization (OR=0.999; 95% CI: 0.986, 1.012) per BMI-increasing allele. The GRS was significantly associated with decrease in FEV1: β=-0.0012 (95% CI: -0.0019, -0.0006) and FVC: β=-0.0022 (95% CI: -0.0031, -0.0014) per BMI-increasing allele. Effect sizes estimated by instrumental variable analyses were OR=1.07 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.10) for asthma, a 9 ml decrease in FEV1 (95% CI: 2.0-15 mL decrease) and a 16 ml decrease in FVC (95% CI: 7.0-24 mL decrease) per 1 kg/m² higher BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the conclusion that increasing BMI is causally related to higher prevalence of asthma and decreased lung function, but not with hay fever or biomarkers of allergy.

Treatment with liraglutide may improve markers of CVD reflected by reduced levels of apoB

Background

Dislipidaemia and increased levels of apolipoprotein B (apoB) in individuals with obesity are risk factors for development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of weight loss and weight maintenance with and without liraglutide treatment on plasma lipid profiles and apoB.

Methods

Fifty‐eight individuals with obesity (body mass index 34.5 ± 3.0 kg/m² [mean ± SD]) were included in this study. After 8 weeks on a very low‐calorie diet (800 kcal/day), participants were randomized to weight maintenance with meal replacements with or without liraglutide (1.2 mg daily) for 1 year. Plasma samples from before and after weight loss and after 1 year of weight maintenance were subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance‐based lipidomics analysis.

Results

After an 8‐week low‐calorie diet, study participants lost 12.0 ± 2.9 kg (mean ± SD) of their body weight, which was reflected in their lipid profiles (80 out of 124 lipids changed significantly), including reduced levels of apoB, total cholesterol, free cholesterol, remnant cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein and very low‐density lipoprotein subclasses. After 1 year of maintained weight loss, the majority of the lipids had returned to pre‐weight loss levels even though weight loss was successfully maintained in both groups. Interestingly, apoB levels remained low in the liraglutide treated group (apoB change: 0.03 ± 0.02 mmol/L, p = 0.4) in contrast to an increase in the control group (apoB change: 0.06 ± 0.07 mmol/L, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

An 8‐week low‐calorie diet, in individuals with obesity, reduced plasma levels of lipids and the atherogenic marker apoB. After 1 year of weight maintenance, only study participants treated with liraglutide maintained reduced levels of apoB, despite similar body weight maintenance. Treatment with liraglutide may therefore reduce apoB levels and thus reflect lower CVD risk. Including apoB measurements in clinical practice when monitoring patients with dislipidemia or CVD might prove to be useful.

Pressure induced effects on the chemical and magnetic structure of spinel MnV2O4

The influence of external pressure (P  ⩽  5 GPa) on both the structural and magnetic ordering in MnV₂O₄ has been investigated using neutron diffraction technique. The volume and the V-V distance decrease with pressure while the c/a ratio increases, suggesting a lowering of the distortion with pressure. Under ambient conditions this compound exhibits a structural transition (T _S) from tetragonal to cubic at ~53 K and a magnetic transition (T _N ) at ~56 K. It is found that with an increase in pressure to 5 GPa, T _N increases (from 56 K to 80 K), dT _N /dP  >  0, while T _S decreases (from 53 K to 37 K). The non collinear magnetic structure in the tetragonal phase at 5 GPa and 10 K remains the same as at ambient pressure. However, the Mn and V sublattice, now exhibits distinct transition temperatures, [Formula: see text] ~ 80 K, and [Formula: see text] ~ 60 K. The transition to the cubic phase at T _S is accompanied by a collinear alignment of the Mn and V spins and a reduction in the Mn moment. The region in which the structure remains in the cubic phase with collinear magnetic structure increases with pressure from ~3 K at ambient pressure to ~43 K at 5 GPa pressure.

Ploidy elicits a whole-genome dosage effect: growth of triploid Atlantic salmon is linked to the genetic origin of the second maternal chromosome set

Background

The Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry is investigating the feasibility of using sterile triploids to mitigate genetic interactions with wild conspecifics, however, studies investigating diploid and triploid performance often show contrasting results. Studies have identified dosage and dosage-compensation effects for gene expression between triploid and diploid salmonids, but no study has investigated how ploidy and parent-origin effects interact on a polygenic trait in divergent lines of Atlantic salmon (i.e. slow growing wild versus fast growing domesticated phenotype). This study utilised two experiments relating to the freshwater growth of diploid and triploid groups of pure wild (0% domesticated genome), pure domesticated (100% domesticated genome), and F1 reciprocal hybrid (33%, 50% or 66% domesticated genome) salmon where triploidy was either artificially induced (experiment 1) or naturally developed/spontaneous (experiment 2).

Results

In both experiments, reciprocal hybrid growth was influenced by the dosage effect of the second maternal chromosome, with growth increasing as ploidy level increased in individuals with a domesticated dam (from 50% to 66% domesticated genome), and the inverse in individuals with a wild dam (from 50% to 33% domesticated genome).

Conclusions

We demonstrate that the combined effect of ploidy and parent-origin on growth, a polygenic trait, is regulated in an additive pattern. Therefore, in order to maximise growth potential, the aquaculture industry should consider placing more emphasis on the breeding value of the dam than the sire when producing triploid families for commercial production.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-017-0502-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Expression of Toll-Like Receptors in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors important for the detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. They are localized on cellular membranes, on either the cell surface or the endosomes. Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic rheumatic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltrations in exocrine glands resulting in dryness in eyes and mouth. In a majority of patients, autoantibodies against Ro/SSA and/or La/SSB are present. Here we analysed mRNA levels of TLR1-10 and protein expression levels of most of them in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 patients with pSS and 20 healthy controls. Patients with pSS showed significantly higher mRNA levels of TLR8 than controls, while transcript levels of TLR9 were significantly lower. At the protein level, patients with pSS expressed significantly less TLR5 and significantly more TLR7 compared with healthy controls. TLR7 and 8 are encoded by genes localized on the X chromosome, which is especially interesting regarding the gender imbalance of pSS. The differential expression of various TLR in PBMC of patients with pSS might contribute to an altered recognition of nucleic acids, eventually resulting in the development of autoimmune disease.

The influence of acceptor nucleophilicity on the glycosylation reaction mechanism

A set of model nucleophiles of gradually changing nucleophilicity is used to probe the glycosylation reaction mechanism. Glycosylations of ethanol-based acceptors, bearing varying amounts of fluorine atoms, report on the dependency of the stereochemistry in condensation reactions on the nucleophilicity of the acceptor. Three different glycosylation systems were scrutinized, that differ in the reaction mechanism, that - putatively - prevails during the coupling reaction. It is revealed that the stereoselectivity in glycosylations of benzylidene protected glucose donors are very susceptible to acceptor nucleophilicity whereas condensations of benzylidene mannose and mannuronic acid donors represent more robust glycosylation systems in terms of diastereoselectivity. The change in stereoselectivity with decreasing acceptor nucleophilicity is related to a change in reaction mechanism shifting from the SN2 side to the SN1 side of the reactivity spectrum. Carbohydrate acceptors are examined and the reactivity-selectivity profile of these nucleophiles mirrored those of the model acceptors studied. The set of model ethanol acceptors thus provides a simple and effective "toolbox" to investigate glycosylation reaction mechanisms and report on the robustness of glycosylation protocols.

Rapid growth causes abnormal vaterite formation in farmed fish otoliths

Sagittal otoliths are essential components of the sensory organs that enable all teleost fish to hear and maintain balance, and are primarily composed of calcium carbonate. A deformity, where aragonite (the normal crystal form) is replaced with vaterite, was first noted over 50 years ago but its underlying cause is unresolved. We evaluated the prevalence of vateritic otoliths from two captive rearing studies which suggested that fast growth, due to environmental rather than genetic control, led to vaterite development. We then tested this by varying light and temperature to create phenotypes with different growth rates, which resulted in fast growers (5x larger) having 3 times more vaterite than slow growers. A decrease in either the ratio of otolith matrix proteins (otolin-1/OMM-64) or [Ca2+]/[CO32–] may explain why fast growth causes vaterite deposition. As vaterite decreases hearing sensitivity, reducing growth rates in hatcheries may improve the welfare of farmed fish and increase the success of conservation efforts.

Prevalence and risk factors for viral blipping in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with nucleos (t) ide analogues

The clinical relevance of viral blipping during nucleos (t) ide analogue (NA) treatment is unclear in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We investigated the prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes for those with viral blipping during NA treatment. A retrospective cohort study investigated consecutively treated CHB patients from May 2008 to February 2015 on the NAs such as entecavir (ETV), tenofovir (TDF) and lamivudine (LAM). Included patients were previously treatment naive. Viral blipping was defined as serum HBV DNA >20 IU/mL on one occasion, and not >200 IU/mL, with subsequent measurement returning to undetectable levels, that is <20 IU/mL. A total of 242 treatment-compliant CHB patients were included with 44 (18.2%) experiencing viral blipping. In multivariable Cox regression, Asian race (HR=7.40, 95% CI 1.01-54.29, P<.049), LAM therapy (vs ETV/TDF, HR=2.53, 95% CI 1.29-4.95, P<.007), higher creatinine (per SD, HR=1.47, 95% CI 1.21-1.79, P<.001), HBeAg positivity (HR=2.68, 95% CI 1.39-5.03, P<.003) and longer time to achieve undetectable HBV DNA (per month, HR=1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08, P=.001) were associated with an increased risk of viral blipping. Viral blipping did not show any significant association with viral breakthrough, HBsAg loss, ALT flares or disease progression. Viral blipping is a frequent event during NA therapy; however, it did not lead to any clinically significant outcomes. Thus, it may not require more frequent blood work and patient visits in clinical practice.

No influence of sugar, snacks and fast food intake on the degree of obesity or treatment effect in childhood obesity

BACKGROUND

Increased consumption of sweetened beverages has previously been linked to the degree of childhood obesity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to assess whether the intake of sweetened beverages, candy, snacks or fast food at baseline in a multidisciplinary childhood obesity treatment program was associated with the baseline degree of obesity or the treatment effect.

METHODS

This prospective study included 1349 overweight and obese children (body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI SDS) ≥ 1.64) enrolled in treatment at The Children's Obesity Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Holbaek. The children were evaluated at baseline and after up to 5.9 years of treatment (median 1.3 years).

RESULTS

Both boys and girls decreased their BMI SDS during treatment with a mean decrease in boys of 0.35 (p < 0.0001) and in girls of 0.22 (p < 0.0001) after 1 year of treatment. There were no associations between the baseline intake of sweetened beverages, candy, snacks, and/or fast food and BMI SDS at baseline or the change in BMI SDS during treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The intake of sweetened beverages, candy, snacks or fast food when entering a childhood obesity treatment program was not associated with the degree of obesity at baseline or the degree of weight loss during treatment.

Digital questionnaire platform in the Danish Blood Donor Study

OBJECTIVES

The Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) is a prospective, population-based study and biobank. Since 2010, 100,000 Danish blood donors have been included in the study. Prior to July 2015 all participating donors had to complete a paper-based questionnaire. Here we describe the establishment of a digital tablet-based questionnaire platform implemented in blood bank sites across Denmark.

METHODS

The digital questionnaire was developed using the open source survey software tool LimeSurvey. The participants accesses the questionnaire online with a standard SSL encrypted HTTP connection using their personal civil registration numbers. The questionnaire is placed at a front-end web server and a collection server retrieves the completed questionnaires. Data from blood samples, register data, genetic data and verification of signed informed consent are then transferred to and merged with the questionnaire data in the DBDS database.

RESULTS

The digital platform enables personalized questionnaires, presenting only questions relevant to the specific donor by hiding unneeded follow-up questions on screening question results. New versions of questionnaires are immediately available at all blood collection facilities when new projects are initiated.

CONCLUSION

The digital platform is a faster, cost-effective and more flexible solution to collect valid data from participating donors compared to paper-based questionnaires. The overall system can be used around the world by the use of Internet connection, but the level of security depends on the sensitivity of the data to be collected.

1H-MRS measured ectopic fat in liver and muscle is associated with the metabolic syndrome in Danish girls but not in boys with overweight and obesity

Background

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complication to overweight and obesity, which can be observed already in childhood. Ectopic lipid accumulation in muscle and liver has been shown to associate with the development of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Thus, the interaction between MetS and ectopic fat may offer clinical relevance.

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of MetS, or components hereof, and ectopic fat accumulation in liver and skeletal muscle tissue in children, as well as interactions between these.

Methods

Two‐hundred‐and‐sixteen children and adolescents (95 boys) with overweight/obesity were investigated, as well as 47 controls (22 boys) with normal weight. The assessments included anthropometry, fasting blood biochemistry and blood pressure measurements. Liver and muscle lipid contents were assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Results

We observed an odds ratio in girls with overweight/obesity of 12.2 (95% confidence interval: [3.8; 49.0]) for exhibiting MetS when hepatic steatosis was present, whereas no association was observed in boys with overweight/obesity (odds ratio 0.7 [0.2; 2.7]). The odds ratio of exhibiting MetS in the presence of muscular steatosis was 3.5 [1.4; 9.5] in girls with overweight/obesity and 1.0 [0.2; 5.6] in boys with overweight/obesity. Similar results were seen for girls with overweight/obesity exhibiting concurrent hepatic and muscular steatoses.

Conclusion

Hepatic and muscular steatoses were associated with MetS among girls, but not among boys with overweight/obesity.

From entanglement witness to generalized Catalan numbers

Being extremely important resources in quantum information and computation, it is vital to efficiently detect and properly characterize entangled states. We analyze in this work the problem of entanglement detection for arbitrary spin systems. It is demonstrated how a single measurement of the squared total spin can probabilistically discern separable from entangled many-particle states. For achieving this goal, we construct a tripartite analogy between the degeneracy of entanglement witness eigenstates, tensor products of SO(3) representations and classical lattice walks with special constraints. Within this framework, degeneracies are naturally given by generalized Catalan numbers and determine the fraction of states that are decidedly entangled and also known to be somewhat protected against decoherence. In addition, we introduce the concept of a “sterile entanglement witness”, which for large enough systems detects entanglement without affecting much the system’s state. We discuss when our proposed entanglement witness can be regarded as a sterile one.

Concordance for multiple sclerosis in Danish twins: an update of a nationwide study

The occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in twins has not previously been studied in complete nationwide data sets. The existence of almost complete MS and twin registries in Denmark ensures that essentially unbiased samples of MS cases among twins can be obtained. In this population-based study, virtually all Danish MS cases among twins born before 1983 with onset of MS after 1948 and diagnosis before 1 January 1997 were identified. Of 13 286 MS cases, 178 were twins and, of these 164 twin pairs were discordant and seven were concordant. We found significantly higher proband-wise concordance among monozygotic twins than dizygotic twins, with estimated proband-wise concordances of 24% (95% confidence interval (CI): 5-39%) for monozygotic and 3% (95% CI: 0-8%) for dizygotic twins. Thus, a monozygotic twin whose co-twin has MS has a 24% risk of developing the disease, while the corresponding risk for a dizygotic twin is only 3%. Our results largely confirm previously published concordance estimates and indicate that genetic factors are of importance in susceptibility to MS.