Development of a fluorescent-intercalating-dye-based reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid detection of seasonal Japanese B encephalitis outbreaks in pigs

The standardization and validation of a one-step, single-tube, accelerated fluorescent-intercalating-dye-based reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay targeting the NS3 gene of Japanese B encephalitis virus (JEV) is described for rapid, simple, and high-throughput detection of JEV. The amplification can be completed in 35 min under isothermal conditions at 63°C by employing a set of six primers targeting the NS3 gene of JEV. The RT-LAMP assay described demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting JEV, with a detection limit in swine samples of 8.13 PFU/ml. The specificity of the selected primer sets was established by cross-reactivity studies with pathogens that exhibit similar clinical signs and testing of samples from healthy animals. The clinical applicability of the RT-LAMP assay was validated using either spiked samples or samples from seasonal outbreaks. The comparative evaluation of the RT-LAMP assay revealed 79.59 % concordance with conventional RT-PCR targeting the E gene of JEV. The RT-LAMP assay reported here is a valuable tool for rapid real-time and high-throughput seasonal infection surveillance and quarantine after outbreak through blood sampling by using ordinary real-time PCR thermocyclers without purchasing an expensive Loopamp real-time turbidimeter.

Family history and risk of hospital treatment for varicose veins in Sweden

Background

Family history has been suggested as a risk factor for varicose veins, but recall bias may inflate the familial risks. The aim of this nationwide study was to determine familial risks for hospital treatment for varicose veins.

Methods

Data from the Swedish Multi-Generation Register of people aged 0-76 years were linked to Hospital Discharge Register data for 1964–2008. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for individuals whose relatives were treated in hospital for varicose veins and compared with those whose relatives were not. Only main diagnoses of varicose veins were considered.

Results

A total of 39 396 people had hospital treatment for varicose veins. The familial SIR among offspring with one affected parent was 2·39 (95 per cent confidence interval 2·32 to 2·46). The SIR for those with one affected sibling was 2·86 (2·76 to 2·97). SIRs were increased in both men and women. The SIR for individuals with two or more affected siblings or with two affected parents was 5·88 (5·28 to 6·53) and 5·52 (4·77 to 6·36) respectively. The SIR for the wives of men treated for varicose veins was 1·69 (1·59 to 1·80); that for the husbands of women treated for varicose veins was 1·68 (1·58 to 1·79).

Conclusion

Using the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register, and thereby eliminating recall bias, family history of hospital treatment for varicose veins was associated with an increased risk of similar treatment among relatives. The increased spousal risk suggests a contribution from non-genetic factors.

Clinical factors associated with sodium removal in peritoneal dialysis patients

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 156 clinically-stable peritoneal dialysis patients to identify the factors associated with sodium removal. Serum biochemistry, peritoneal function (modified peritoneal equilibration test [PET]) and the adequacy of dialysis were analysed in relation to sodium removal using multivariate linear regression. Factors significantly affecting peritoneal sodium removal included infusion volume and ultrafiltration volume per 24 h, sodium dip in the first hour of PET and sodium difference between serum and fresh dialysate. Factors significantly affecting total sodium removal included ultrafiltration and urine volume per 24 h, sodium dip in the first hour of PET and sodium difference between serum and fresh dialysate. With traditional dialysate, adequate fluid removal is required to ensure sufficient sodium removal, but a low-sodium dialysate may prevent sodium retention. Sodium removal should be included in evaluation of the adequacy of dialysis.

Subsequent cancers in patients diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary (CUP): etiological insights?

BACKGROUND

Patterns of subsequent malignancies in patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) may provide etiological insight into the primary tumor. The objective of the present study is to quantify risks of the subsequent cancers in CUP patients since such studies are lacking.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A population-based cohort of CUP was identified from the Swedish Family-Cancer Database of year 2008. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for developing the following malignancies in 31,357 CUP patients from 1975 to 2008.

RESULTS

A total of 755 CUP patients developed subsequent cancers, showing a significantly increased overall SIR of 1.69 (95% confidence interval 1.57-1.81). Among the most common 32 malignancies, increased SIRs were noted for 16 sites. Over 10-fold increases were observed for squamous cell carcinoma at four sites, possibly as a result of uncontrolled human papillomavirus infection due to faltering immune surveillance. The highest SIRs were observed among CUP patients diagnosed at a younger age and during the first follow-up year.

CONCLUSIONS

Swedish CUP survivors had a higher risk of developing many subsequent cancers. Different patterns of risk excess may be suggestive of possible roles for disease- and therapy-related immunosuppression, reappearance of hidden primary tumors, or genetic predisposition.

Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous Alumina-Zirconia as Catalyst Support for Suzuki Coupling Reaction

One pot facile synthesis of ordered mesoporous alumina-supported zirconia with high thermal stability and large pore sizes by evaporation-induced method was systematically investigated. The strategy based on a sol-gel process associated with nonionic triblock copolymers PPO-PEO-PPO as templates in ethanolic solution. Small-angle XRD, TEM, and nitrogen adsorption and desorption results showed that these composites possessed an ordered 2D hexagonal mesostructure, resisted to high temperature up to 1000 °C, and had large surface areas and narrow pore-size distributions. Loaded with palladium, the mesoporous alumina-zirconia composite exhibited high catalytic activity in Suzuki coupling of 2-bromotoluene with phenylboronic acid.

Assessment of urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase as an early marker of contrast-induced nephropathy

Early detection and timely intervention are important for improving contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) prognosis. Whether urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) is a useful marker for early detection of CIN was investigated in 590 patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography (CA) and/or therapeutic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes or stable angina, and who received low-osmolality nonionic contrast agent. Urinary NAG, osmolality and serum creatinine were measured before and 1, 2 and 6 days after contrast agent exposure. CIN occurred in 33 patients; its incidence in high-risk patients (pre-existing renal dysfunction with/without diabetes mellitus) was significantly higher than in others. In patients with CIN, urinary NAG and serum creatinine levels on days 1 and 2 were significantly higher than at baseline and compared with patients without CIN; mean levels were gradually returning to baseline by day 6. Compared with serum creatinine, urinary NAG levels peaked earlier in CIN patients and increased much more. The results suggest that, following CA and/or PCI, CIN occurs to a certain degree and that NAG may be a useful early CIN marker as it is noninvasive, simple, inexpensive and sensitive.

Oxidative stress-resistance assay for screening yeast strains overproducing heterologous proteins

Many natural proteins have been developed into drugs and produced for direct application. Identifying improved hosts to achieve high-level heterologous protein production is a challenge in the study of heterologous protein expression in recombinant yeast. In this study, a novel high-throughput assay to screen such overproducing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains was systematically developed. The protocol designed was based on screening host strain derivatives with increased superoxide dismutase dependent resistance to oxidative stress. Yeast cells transformed with recombinant plasmid carrying SOD1 gene as a reporter responded exquisitely to oxidative stress induced by elevated concentrations of paraquat. Improved yeast strains resulting from screening clones subjected to genome shuffling through selective pressure argue for a more effective screening system compared with traditonal selection. Moreover, this approach can be employed in general biochemical analysis without utilization of flow cytometry or well plate reader. Therefore, it is expected that the high-throughput assay would make superior strains producing heterologous proteins.

Autoimmune disease and subsequent digestive tract cancer by histology

BACKGROUND

Dysregulation of the immune function in autoimmune diseases could potentially lead to cancer development and there is definite evidence linking some autoimmune mechanisms with cancer. We analyzed systematically the occurrence of histology-specific digestive tract cancers in patients diagnosed with 33 different autoimmune diseases in order to address the question of shared susceptibility.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for subsequent digestive tract cancers up to the year 2008 and in patients hospitalized for autoimmune disease after the year 1964.

RESULTS

Myasthenia gravis associated with five different cancers with SIRs ranging from 1.35 to 2.78. Pernicious anemia, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, systemic lupus erythematosis and psoriasis were also associated with cancers at multiple sites. Rheumatoid arthritis associated with no cancer and the standardized incidence ratio was decreased for colon adenocarcinoma, also in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased risks of cancer were observed in patients with several autoimmune diseases. Myasthenia gravis and pernicious anemia were associated with many cancers; this is possibly related to immunosuppressant medication in myasthenia gravis. The decreased risks in colon and rectal adenocarcinomas in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis suggest underlying inflammatory mechanisms as the risks may have been suppressed by the use of anti-inflammatory medication.

Adjuvant capecitabine and oxaliplatin for gastric cancer: Results of the phase III CLASSIC trial

LBA4002

Background: Surgical resection is a recommended treatment for operable gastric cancer (GC) in general, despite high recurrence rates (40%–80%). Adjuvant chemotherapy aims to reduce recurrences; however, there is currently no universally accepted adjuvant regimen for GC. Methods: CLASSIC is a randomized, open-label, multicenter, international (South Korea, China, and Taiwan) study of XELOX (capecitabine 1000mg/m2 bid, d1–14, q3w and oxaliplatin 130mg/m2, d1, q3w x 8 cycles) vs observation, following D2 gastrectomy. Eligible patients were chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-naive, with stage II (T2N1, T1N2, T3N0), IIIa (T3N1, T2N2, T4N0), or IIIb (T3N2) GC resected within 6 weeks prior to randomization. The primary endpoint is 3-year disease-free survival (DFS). A sample size of 512 patients per arm was planned to observe the 385 DFS events required to provide 80% power at a 5% significance level for the hypothesized treatment effect (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75). The Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended full evaluation and reporting of results following a positive pre-planned interim analysis at 266 events. Results: The XELOX and observation arms (ITT populations of 520 and 515 patients, respectively) were well balanced for baseline characteristics. The median duration of follow-up was 34.4 (16–51) months. XELOX-related grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 244/496 patients (49%) of the safety population. Neutropenia was the only AE observed in >10% of patients (21%, n=106/496). Serious XELOX-related grade 3/4 AEs occurred in 34/496 patients (7%). There were 62/496 (13%) and 80/476 (17%) deaths on study in the safety populations of XELOX and observation arms, respectively, mostly due to disease progression. Efficacy results in the ITT population are summarized below. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the superior efficacy of adjuvant XELOX vs observation alone following D2 gastrectomy. Although OS data are still immature, there is a trend towards superiority of XELOX. These data support the use of adjuvant XELOX for GC.

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Risk factors for tumor lysis syndrome in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, flavopiridol

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) has been described in over 40% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, flavopiridol. We conducted a retrospective analysis to determine predictive factors for TLS. In 116 patients, the incidence of TLS was 46% (95% CI: 36-55%). In univariable analysis, female gender, greater number of prior therapies, Rai stages III-IV, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm, splenomegaly, del(11q), decreased albumin and increased absolute lymphocyte count, white blood cell count (WBC), β2-microglobulin, and lactate dehydrogenase were associated (P < 0.05) with TLS. In multivariable analysis, female gender, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm, elevated WBC, increased β2-microglobulin, and decreased albumin were associated with TLS (P < 0.05). With respect to patient outcomes, 49 and 44% of patients with and without TLS, respectively, responded to flavopiridol (P = 0.71). In a multivariable analysis, controlling for number of prior therapies, cytogenetics, Rai stage, age and gender, progression-free survival (PFS) was inferior in patients with TLS (P = 0.01). Female patients and patients with elevated β2-microglobulin, increased WBC, adenopathy ≥ 10 cm and decreased albumin were at highest risk and should be monitored for TLS with flavopiridol. TLS does not appear to be predictive of response or improved PFS in patients receiving flavopiridol.

C10ORF97 is a novel tumor-suppressor gene of non-small-cell lung cancer and a functional variant of this gene increases the risk of non-small-cell lung cancer

In an earlier study we showed that C10ORF97 (chromosome-10, open reading frame-97) was expressed in almost all of the tissues and cell lines tested, and that it inhibited the growth of seven tumor cell lines, including two lung carcinoma cell lines (A549 and PG). Here, we show that C10ORF97 is downregulated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue compared with normal lung tissue. Overexpression of C10ORF97 significantly suppressed human lung carcinoma A549 cell growth (proliferation and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar) and motility (migration and adhesion). This tumor-suppressive function of C10ORF97 was also verified in vivo. We further found that C10ORF97 caused G(1) arrest of A549 cells and modulated the expression level of several cell-cycle regulators (such as CDK2, cyclin-E and p27). These effects of C10ORF97 were mediated by physical association between C10ORF97 and Jun-activating domain-binding protein-1 (JAB1), and blocking of JAB1-mediated translocation of p27 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Together, these results indicated that C10ORF97 functions as a novel tumor suppressor by modulating several key G(1)/S-regulatory proteins by interacting with JAB1. These findings led us to hypothesize that a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the C10ORF97 gene that affects its expression might be associated with susceptibility to NSCLC. SNP216 C>T (rs2297882) in the C10ORF97 Kozak sequence was identified, and allele T of SNP216 suppressed C10ORF97 expression in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the TT genotype of SNP216 was associated with an increased risk of NSCLC (adjusted odds ratio=1.73 (95% confidence interval: 1.33-2.25), P=4.6 × 10(-5)). These data indicated that C10ORF97 is a tumor suppressor of NSCLC progression and C10ORF97-SNP216 may serve as a predictor of NSCLC.

A psychopharmacological treatment algorithm for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is defined as excessive and uncontrollable worry and anxiety about everyday life situations. It is a chronic disorder, and is associated with substantial somatisation, high rates of comorbid depression and other anxiety disorders, and significant disability. The evidence base for pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy has continued to grow, and a wide range of drug choices for GAD now exists. Current guidelines for GAD generally restrict themselves to presentation of the evidence for various treatments, which, as a result, generally do not offer detailed discussion or recommendation of strategies beyond the first level of treatment, or take into account the individual circumstances of the patient. Thus, there is a lack of algorithm-based treatment guidelines for GAD. Our aim is, therefore, to present an algorithm for the psychopharmacologic management of GAD, intended for all clinicians who treat patients with GAD, where issues of pharmacotherapy are under consideration. We also hope that these GAD algorithms and other guidelines can help to identify high-priority areas that need further study. In this algorithm, we provide a sequenced approach to the pharmacotherapy of GAD, taking into account salient symptomatology and comorbidity, levels of evidence and extent of response. Special issues, including comorbidity, insomnia, suicidality, substance abuse, treatment adherence, pregnancy and lactation, cross-cultural issues, use of medication in the elderly, psychosocial treatment and dosing issues are also addressed.

Cancer risk among patients hospitalized for Type 1 diabetes mellitus: a population-based cohort study in Sweden

AIMS

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease with potential mechanistic links to immune-related cancers. We aimed at examining the overall and specific cancer risks among hospitalized T1DM patients from the national registers in Sweden.

METHODS

A T1DM research cohort was created by identifying T1DM patients from the Hospital Discharge Register and linking them with the Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for subsequent cancers were calculated among patients with T1DM compared with those without T1DM.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty-eight cases were ascertained with subsequent cancers during the follow-up duration from 1964 to 2006, with an increased overall SIR of 1.17 (95% CI 1.04-1.33) among 24 052 T1DM patients identified at baseline. Significant excess was noted for gastric and skin (squamous cell carcinoma) cancers and for leukaemia. Increased risk of acute lymphatic leukaemia accounted for most of the variation of leukaemia risk (SIR = 5.31, 95% CI 3.32-8.05). Cancer risk varied with sex, age at first hospitalization and numbers of hospitalizations. The risk was higher in women compared with men and in those hospitalized for T1DM at age over 10 years compared with the younger patients. Higher risks were also found among those with more hospital visits.

CONCLUSION

By quantifying the variations of overall and site-specific cancer risks after T1DM, the current study provides novel associations between T1DM and subsequent cancers, the mechanisms of which remain to be established.

Homeobox gene IRX1 is a tumor suppressor gene in gastric carcinoma

The IRX1 tumor suppressor gene is located on 5p15.33, a cancer susceptibility locus. Loss of heterozygosity of 5p15.33 in gastric cancer was identified in our previous work. In this study, we analyzed the molecular features and function of IRX1. We found that IRX1 expression was lost or reduced in gastric cancer. However, no mutations were identified in IRX1-encoding regions. IRX1 transcription was suppressed by hypermethylation, and the expression of IRX1 mRNA was partially restored in gastric cancer cells after 5-Aza-dC treatment. Restoring IRX1 expression in SGC-7901 and NCI-N87 gastric cancer cells inhibited growth, invasion and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. We identified a number of target genes by global microarray analysis after IRX1 transfection combined with real-time PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. BDKRB2, an angiogenesis-related gene, HIST2H2BE and FGF7, cell proliferation and invasion-related genes, were identified as direct IRX1 target genes. The hypermethylation of IRX1 was not only detected in primary gastric cancer tissues but also in the peripheral blood of gastric cancer patients, suggesting IRX1 could potentially serve as a biomarker for gastric cancer.