Multi-mJ, 200-fs, cw-pumped, cryogenically cooled, Yb,Na:CaF2 amplifier

Using a novel (to our knowledge) broadband Yb-doped Yb3+,Na+:CaF2 crystal cooled in a closed loop to 130 K we demonstrate a chirped pulse regenerative laser amplifier delivering the energy of up to 3 mJ at a repetition rate of 1 kHz and an average output power of 6 W at 20 kHz. The gain narrowing in the laser crystal is compensated by shaping the amplitude of the seed pulse spectrum. As the result, at the highest amplified pulse energy we obtain a 12 nm FWHM bandwidth supporting a 130 fs pulse duration, assuming ideal compression. Amplified pulses were recompressed from 250 ps to 195 fs with a 1700 lines/mm transmission grating compressor.

Comparison of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung by metabolomic analysis of tissue-serum pairs

The prospect of establishing serum metabolomic profiles offers great clinical significance for its potential to detect human lung cancers at clinically asymptomatic stages. Patients with suspicious serum metabolomic profiles may undergo advanced radiological tests that are too expensive to be employed as screening tools for the mass population. As the first step to establishing such profiles, this study investigates correlations between tissue and serum metabolomic profiles for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) in the lungs of humans. Tissue and serum paired samples from 14 patients (five SCCs and nine ACs), and seven serum samples from healthy controls were analyzed with high-resolution magic angle spinning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HRMAS (1)HMRS). Tissue samples were subjected to quantitative histological pathology analyses after MRS. Based on pathology results, tissue metabolomic profiles for the evaluated cancer types were established using principal component and canonical analyses on measurable metabolites. The parameters used to construct tissue cancer profiles were then tested with serum spectroscopic results for their ability to differentiate between cancer types and identify cancer from controls. In addition, serum spectroscopic results were also analyzed independent of tissue data. Our results strongly indicate the potential of serum MR spectroscopy to achieve the task of differentiating between the tested human lung cancer types and from controls.

Serum bilirubin levels on ICU admission are associated with ARDS development and mortality in sepsis

BACKGROUND

Hyperbilirubinaemia is a common complication of sepsis. Elevated bilirubin may induce inflammation and apoptosis. It was hypothesised that increased serum bilirubin on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission contributes to sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

METHODS

Serum bilirubin on ICU admission was measured in 1006 patients with sepsis. Serial serum bilirubin was analysed prospectively in patients with sepsis who had ARDS for a period of 28 days. The effects of clinical factors and variants of the UGT1A1 gene on serum bilirubin levels were determined. Outcomes were ARDS risk and mortality.

RESULTS

During 60-day follow-up, 326 patients with sepsis developed ARDS, of whom 144 died from ARDS. The hyperbilirubinaemia (>or=2.0 mg/dl) rate in patients with ARDS (22.4%) was higher than in those without ARDS (14.1%, p = 0.002). For each 1.0 mg/dl increase in admission bilirubin, ARDS risk and 28- and 60-day ARDS mortalities were increased by 7% (OR = 1.07; p = 0.003), 20% (OR = 1.20; p = 0.002) and 18% (OR = 1.18; p = 0.004), respectively. Compared with subjects with bilirubin levels <2.0 mg/dl, patients with hyperbilirubinaemia had higher risks of ARDS (OR = 2.12; p = 0.0007) and 28-day (OR = 2.24; p = 0.020) and 60-day ARDS mortalities (OR = 2.09; p = 0.020). In sepsis-related ARDS, serial bilirubin levels in non-survivors were consistently higher than in survivors (p<0.0001). Clinical variables explained 29.5% of the interindividual variation in bilirubin levels, whereas genetic variants of UGT1A1 contributed 7.5%.

CONCLUSION

In sepsis, a higher serum bilirubin level on ICU admission is associated with subsequent ARDS development and mortality.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene polymorphism, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) risk

11029

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of key cancer genes, such as EGF A61G, are associated with an elevated risk of EAC, but the lack of full penetrance indicates that the effects of these SNPs on esophageal carcinogenesis are modified by additional genetic or environmental variables. Since GERD is an established risk factor for EAC, we evaluated whether the association between EGF polymorphism and EAC development is altered by the presence of GERD. Methods: EGF genotyping of DNA samples was performed and GERD history was collected for 309 EAC patients and 275 matched healthy controls. Associations between genotypes and EAC risk were examined with adjusted logistic regression. Genotype-GERD relationships were explored using analyses stratified by GERD history and joint effects models that considered severity and duration of GERD symptoms. Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between cases and controls except that EGF variants (A/G or G/G) were more common (p=0.02) and GERD was more prevalent (p<0.001) in cases than in controls. When compared to the EGF wild type A/A genotype, the G/G variant was associated with an increased risk of EAC (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2–3.0; p=0.007). Stratified analyses revealed that the G/G variant contributed to a substantial increase in EAC risk among individuals with GERD, but a slight decrease in risk for GERD-free individuals (see table). In the joint effects models, the odds of EAC was also highest for G/G patients who either experienced frequent GERD of more than once per week (OR 21.8; 95% CI, 5.1–94.0; p<0.001) or suffered GERD for longer than 15 years (OR 22.4; 95% CI, 6.5–77.6; p<0.001). There was a highly significant interaction between the G/G genotype and the presence of GERD (p<0.001). Conclusions: EGF A61G polymorphism exerts its effect on EAC susceptibility through an interaction with GERD. Performing EGF genotyping for patients with severe or longstanding GERD can help to identify individuals at the greatest risk of EAC. [Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Significance of white blood cell count and its subtypes in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six hundred twenty-three patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) referred for coronary angiography for the first time in our hospital were enrolled in this study. White blood cell and its subtypes were measured on admission. The study population was divided into three groups based on total white blood cell count and followed up. Clinical end points were major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including cardiogenic death, stroke, heart failure, non-fatal myocardial infarction, rehospitalization for angina pectoris.

RESULTS

The median age was 68 years (range 31-92) and 64.2% of the patients were men. The median white blood cell count was 6.48 x 10(9 )L(-1) (range 2.34-27.10 x 10(9 )L(-1)). The median follow-up duration was 21 months (range 1-116) and MACEs occurred in 167 patients. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that neutrophil count [Relative risk = 1.098, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.010-1.193, P = 0.029) was a risk factor for MACEs. The logistic regression model revealed that lymphocyte count [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.075, 95% CI: 1.012-1.142, P = 0.018] and monocyte count (OR = 8.578, 95% CI: 2.687-27.381, P < 0.001) were predictive of stenosis >or= 75%; Neutrophil proportion (OR = 1.060, 95% CI: 1.007-1.115, P = 0.026), monocyte count (OR = 12.370, 95% CI: 1.298-118.761, P = 0.029) were predictive of the presence of multivessel disease. Kaplan-Meier analysis of short-term and long-term cumulative survival showed no significant statistical differences among three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Neutrophil count adds prognostic information to MACEs in ACS. Monocyte count and lymphocyte count are predictive of severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

BRAF, NRAS and HRAS mutations in spitzoid tumours and their possible pathogenetic significance

BACKGROUND

The relationships between so-called spitzoid tumours have proven difficult to understand.

OBJECTIVES

To address three questions: does spitzoid tumour morphological similarity reflect molecular similarity? Does Spitz naevus progress into spitzoid melanoma? Are ambiguous spitzoid tumours genuine entities?

METHODS

BRAF, NRAS and HRAS mutations were analysed using single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis and sequencing.

RESULTS

Both Spitz naevi and spitzoid melanoma had a lower combined BRAF and NRAS mutation frequency compared with common acquired naevi (P = 0.0001) and common forms of melanoma (P = 0.0072), respectively. To look for evidence of progression from Spitz naevi to spitzoid melanoma, HRAS was analysed in 21 spitzoid melanomas, with no mutations identified. The binomial probability of this was 0.03 based on an assumption of a 15% mutation frequency in Spitz naevi with unbiased progression. Under these assumptions, HRAS mutations must be rare/absent in spitzoid melanoma. Thus, Spitz naevi seem unlikely to progress into spitzoid melanoma, implying that ambiguous spitzoid tumours cannot be intermediate degrees of progression. In addition, the data suggest that HRAS mutation is a potential marker of benign behaviour, in support of which none of three HRAS mutant spitzoid cases metastasized.

CONCLUSIONS

First, the morphological similarity of spitzoid tumours reflects an underlying molecular similarity, namely a relative lack of dependence on BRAF/NRAS mutations. Second, Spitz naevi do not appear to progress into spitzoid melanoma, and consequently ambiguous spitzoid tumours are likely to be unclassifiable Spitz naevi or spitzoid melanoma rather than genuine entities. Third, HRAS mutation may be a marker of Spitz naevus, raising the possibility that other molecular markers for discriminating Spitz naevi from spitzoid melanoma can be discovered.

Prospective analysis of neuropsychiatric events in an international disease inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

To determine the frequency, accrual, attribution and outcome of neuropsychiatric (NP) events and impact on quality of life over 3 years in a large inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

The study was conducted by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics. Patients were enrolled within 15 months of SLE diagnosis. NP events were identified using the American College of Rheumatology case definitions, and decision rules were derived to determine the proportion of NP disease attributable to SLE. The outcome of NP events was recorded and patient-perceived impact determined by the SF-36.

RESULTS

1206 patients (89.6% female) with a mean (+/-SD) age of 34.5+/-13.2 years were included in the study. The mean disease duration at enrollment was 5.4+/-4.2 months. Over a mean follow-up of 1.9+/-1.2 years, 486/1206 (40.3%) patients had > or =1 NP events, which were attributed to SLE in 13.0-23.6% of patients using two a priori decision rules. The frequency of individual NP events varied from 47.1% (headache) to 0% (myasthenia gravis). The outcome was significantly better for those NP events attributed to SLE, especially if they occurred within 1.5 years of the diagnosis of SLE. Patients with NP events, regardless of attribution, had significantly lower summary scores for both mental and physical health over the study.

CONCLUSIONS

NP events in patients with SLE are of variable frequency, most commonly present early in the disease course and adversely impact patients' quality of life over time. Events attributed to non-SLE causes are more common than those due to SLE, although the latter have a more favourable outcome.

Sex-specific association of epidermal growth factor gene polymorphisms with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is involved in alveolar epithelial repair, lung fluid clearance and inflammation, and is regulated by sex hormones. An unmatched, nested case-control study was conducted to evaluate the associations of EGF variants with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the role of sex on the associations between EGF variants and ARDS. Patients with ARDS risk factors upon intensive care unit admission were enrolled. Cases were 416 Caucasians who developed ARDS and controls were 1,052 Caucasians who did not develop ARDS. Cases were followed for clinical outcomes and 60-day mortality. One functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs4444903, and six haplotype-tagging SNPs spanning the entire EGF gene were genotyped. No individual SNP or haplotype was associated with ARDS risk or outcomes in all subjects. Sex-stratified analyses showed opposite effects of EGF variants on ARDS in males versus in females. SNPs rs4444903, rs2298991, rs7692976 and rs4698803, and haplotypes GGCGTC and ATCAAG were associated with ARDS risk in males. No associations were observed in females. Interaction analysis showed that rs4444903, rs2298991, rs7692976 and rs6533485 significantly interacted with sex for ARDS risk. The present study suggests that associations of epidermal growth factor gene variants with acute respiratory distress syndrome risk are modified by sex. The current findings should be replicated in other populations.

Restoration of caveolin-1 expression suppresses growth and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) plays an important role in modulating cellular signalling, but its role in metastasis is not well defined. A significant reduction in Cav-1 levels was detected in lymph node metastases as compared with primary tumour of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) specimens (P<0.0001), confirming the downregulation of Cav-1 observed in a highly metastatic M4 cell lines derived from our orthotopic xenograft model. To investigate the function of Cav-1 in metastasis of HNSCC, we compared stable clones of M4 cells carrying human cav-1 cDNA (CavS) with cells expressing an empty vector (EV) in vitro and in the orthotopic xenograft model. Overexpression of Cav-1 suppressed growth of the CavS tumours compared with the EV tumours. The incidence of lung metastases was significantly lower in animals carrying CavS tumours than those with EV tumours (P=0.03). In vitro, CavS cells displayed reduced cell growth, invasion, and increased anoikis compared with EV cells. In CavS cells, Cav-1 formed complex with integrin beta1 and Src. Further application of integrin beta1 neutralising antibody or Src inhibitor PP2 to EV cells illustrated similar phenotypes as CavS cells, suggesting that Cav-1 may play an inhibitory role in tumorigenesis and lung metastasis through regulating integrin beta1- and Src-mediated cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.

Short-term outcome of neuropsychiatric events in systemic lupus erythematosus upon enrollment into an international inception cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the short-term outcome of neuropsychiatric (NP) events upon enrollment into an international inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

The study was performed by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics. Patients were enrolled within 15 months of SLE diagnosis and NP events were characterized using the American College of Rheumatology case definitions. Decision rules were derived to identify NP events attributable to SLE. Physician outcome scores of NP events and patient-derived mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) scores of the Short Form 36 were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 890 patients (88.7% female) with a mean +/- SD age of 33.8 +/- 13.4 years and mean disease duration of 5.3 +/- 4.2 months. Within the enrollment window, 271 (33.5%) of 890 patients had at least 1 NP event encompassing 15 NP syndromes. NP events attributed to SLE varied from 16.5% to 33.9% using alternate attribution models and occurred in 6.0-11.5% of patients. Outcome scores for NP events attributed to SLE were significantly better than for NP events due to non-SLE causes. Higher global disease activity was associated with worse outcomes. MCS scores were lower in patients with NP events, regardless of attribution, and were also lower in patients with diffuse and central NP events. There was a significant association between physician outcome scores and patient MCS scores only for NP events attributed to SLE.

CONCLUSION

In SLE patients, the short-term outcome of NP events is determined by both the characteristics and attribution of the events.

Polymorphisms of inflammatory and metalloproteinase genes, Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection appears protective against oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) risk. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are released in the presence of HP infection. In MMP2 wild-type individuals, HP was significantly protective of EA risk (adjusted odds ratio: 0.29; 95% confidence interval=0.1-0.7). Matrix metalloproteinases may modulate the EA-HP relationship.

Clioquinol and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) synergistically rescue the lead-induced impairments of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal dentate gyrus area of the anesthetized rats in vivo

Lead (Pb(2+)) exposure in development induces impairments of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) area of the anesthetized rats in vivo. The common chelating agents have many adverse effects and are incapable of alleviating lead-induced neurotoxicity. Recently, CQ, clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxy-quinoline), which is a transition metal ion chelator and/or ionophore with low affinity for metal ions, has yielded some promising results in animal models and clinical trials related to dysfunctions of metal ions. In addition, CQ-associated side effects are believed to be overcome with vitamin B12 (VB12) supplementation. To determine whether CQ treatment could rescue impairments of synaptic plasticity induced by chronic Pb(2+) exposure, we investigated the input/output functions (I/Os), paired-pulse reactions (PPRs) and long-term potentiation (LTP) of different treatment groups in hippocampal DG area of the anesthetized rat in vivo by recording field potentials and measured hippocampal Pb(2+) concentrations of different treatment groups by PlasmaQuad 3 inductive coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The results show: CQ alone does not rescue the lead-induced impairments of synaptic plasticity in hippocampal DG area of the anesthetized rats in vivo; VB12 alone partly rescues the lead-induced impairments of LTP; however the co-administration of CQ and VB12 totally rescues these impairments of synaptic plasticity and moreover, the effects of CQ and VB12 co-administration are specific to the lead-exposed animals.

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) polymorphism, Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) risk

10553

Background: Epidemiologic studies suggest that HP infection protects against EA risk, as HP-mediated chronic atrophic gastritis reduces acid reflux. Genetic variations may modify the host response to HP infection and alter this risk. MMP2 expression is commonly upregulated in HP infections. We hypothesize that a functional MMP2 promoter polymorphism (-C1306T) that abolishes a Sp1 binding site and decreases promoter activity will also reduce the protective effects of HP infections in EA risk. Methods: HP status was determined in 98 EA patients and 101 age and gender matched healthy controls, using a commercially available serum immunoblotting kit (Helicoblot 2.1, Genelabs Diagnostics) that measures ever, current, CagA+ and VacA+ HP infections. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan. Data were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression. Results: 39% of cases and 44% of controls (P=0.69) had MMP2 variants (T/T or C/T). 36% of cases and 42% of controls were ever HP infected (P= 0.35). In individuals carrying the MMP2 wild type (CC) genotype, ever HP infection was strongly protective against EA [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.32: 95% CI, 0.13–0.75; P=0.008]. In contrast, in individuals carrying the MMP2 variants that are associated with lower promoter activity, this protective effect was lost (OR 1.76; 95% CI, 0.06–5.2; P= 0.30). Similar results were found when evaluating the MMP2 and current, CagA or VacA infection. Statistical interactions between MMP2 genotype and ever HP infection (P=0.027) and between MMP2 genotype and VacA+ infection (P= 0.035) were significant. Conclusions: We are the first to report that host factors such as the MMP2 polymorphism modulate the role of HP infection in EA susceptibility.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Stage and histology influence the relationship between MDM2 promoter polymorphism and esophageal cancer and overall survival (OS)

21047

Background: A single nucleotide polymorphism in the MDM2 promoter (SNP309) has been found to affect OS of advanced stage gastric adenocarcinoma (AD) and early stage squamous (SQ) cell carcinoma of the lung. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of this polymorphism in the prognosis of esophageal cancer, another aerodigestive cancer. Methods: 150 early stage (E) and 118 locally advanced stage (LA) esophageal cancers were genotyped for MDM2 SNP309 using Taqman. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: E disease: n=23 stage I; n=127 stage II. LA disease: n=93, Stage III; n=25, Stage IVA. AD comprised 215 (81%), while SQ comprised 45 (17%) of cases; 8 (3%) had poorly differentiated tumors. Median follow-up = 32 months. Median OS were 36 and 21 months for E and LA disease, respectively. Both histology and disease stage affected the relationship between SNP309 and esophageal cancer OS (see Table ). The wildtype T/T genotype conferred a worse OS in E patients (log-rank, p=0.03), especially those with AD (log-rank, p=0.003). In Cox proportional hazards interaction analyses, after adjusting for age, gender, stage and PS, there were statistically significant interactions between MDM2 SNP309 and disease stage (interaction p=0.004) and between MDM2 SNP309 and histologic subtype (AD vs. SQ)(interaction p=0.02). Thus, the direction of SNP309 association from our AD and E esophageal cancer patients are opposite to those of our SQ and LA esophageal cancer patients. However, our SQ and LA results are similar to the SQ lung cancer and advanced stage gastric cancers previously reported. This suggests that biologic mechanisms underpinning the prognostic role of SNP309 are dependent on extent of disease and histologic subtype. Conclusion: Histology and disease stage interact with the prognostic role of MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism in esophageal cancer OS.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic significance of nuclear excision (NER) and base excision (BER) DNA repair gene polymorphisms in esophageal cancer

2511

Background: DNA repair pathways are involved in cisplatin-induced damage (NER pathway) & radiation damage (BER pathway). Some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of DNA repair genes are associated with DNA repair capacity, cancer risk & outcomes. We investigated the prognostic significance of 7 NER/BER SNPs on disease free (DFS) & overall survival (OS) in esophageal cancer. Methods: 150 patients with esophageal cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiation & surgery were genotyped for BER (XRCC1 Arg399Gln; APE1 Asp148Glu; hOGG1 Ser326Cys) & NER (ERCC1 8092C/A; ERCC1 codon 118 C/T; XPD Asp312Asn; XPD Lys751Gln) SNPs. Analysis involved Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Median age: 63 years (range 28–80); 91% male; 100% ECOG performance status (PS) 0–1; adenocarcinoma 79%; stages IIA 22%, IIB 30%, III 33%, and IVA 15%. No SNPs were associated with stage or PS. Multiple NER SNP was independently prognostic for OS and DFS (see Table ). When compared to individuals who were wildtype in all four studied NER SNPs, individuals with variants in all four NER SNPs were associated with substantial improvement in OS (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) = 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.2–0.7) and DFS (AHR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.2–0.8). Furthermore, increasing numbers of variant genotypes were associated with a progressive increase in OS & DFS when all seven NER/BER pathway SNPs were analysed together ( Table ). There was a 3.8- fold increase in OS (75 vs. 20 months) and five-fold increase in DFS (51 vs. 10 months) when comparing individuals with 6–7 SNPs with variant alleles to individuals with 0–1 SNPs with variant alleles. Conclusions: The ERCC1 8092 C/A, XPD Asp312Asn & XPD Lys751Gln SNPs in the NER pathway are associated individually with prognosis in esophageal cancer patients treated with cisplatin-based trimodality regimens. In addition, as the number of NER and BER SNPs carrying variant alleles increased, OS and DFS improved dramatically.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

MMP1 1G/2G promoter polymorphism and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma

10555

Background: The 2G allele of the MMP1 -1607 1G/2G promoter polymorphism creates an Ets binding site that leads to increased transcriptional and enzyme activity, particularly in the presence of growth factors and cytokines. This polymorphism has been associated with greater risk of cancer (e.g., renal cell, lung and oral cancers, glioblastomas) and cancer invasiveness (e.g., melanoma, cervical, lung and colorectal cancer). The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of this MMP 1G/2G polymorphism in the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA). Methods: We evaluated 323 histologically confirmed EA cases and 464 healthy controls frequency-matched for age and gender. Genotyping of the MMP1 1G/2G promoter polymorphism involved a Taqman approach. All EAs had endoscopic evidence showing that the center of the tumors were located at or above the gastroesophageal junction. Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, and body-mass index (BMI) at the age of 18 years (to represent a healthy adult BMI). Results: Genotype frequencies were: 33% (1G/1G), 47% (1G/2G) & 20% (2G/2G) in controls; in cases, 26% (1G/1G), 50% (1G/2G) & 24% (2G/2G). 88% of cases were male. The MMP1 2G/2G and 1G/2G genotypes conferred a greater risk of EA, with adjusted ORs of 1.50 (95%CI=1.0–2.3) and 1.34 (95%CI=0.9–1.9), respectively, when compared with the wildtype 1G/1G genotype. The 2G allele (2G/2G + 1G/2G) conferred an adjusted OR of 1.38 (95%CI=1.0–1.9). By stage, the adjusted ORs for the 2G allele were 1.26 (95%CI=0.8–2.1), 1.45 (95%CI=0.9–2.3), & 1.54 (95%CI=0.9–2.7) for node negative, node-positive, and metastatic disease, respectively. Conclusions: The 2G allele of the MMP1 -1607 1G/2G polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of EA in this analysis. In addition, there was a non-significant trend towards conferring greater risk in the more advanced stages of EA, suggesting a possible role of this polymorphism in the invasiveness of this cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents: prevalence and psychological features

BACKGROUND

To investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents and to explore the psychological features associated with Internet addiction.

METHODS

A total of 2620 high school students from four high schools in Changsha City were surveyed using Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (the edition for children, EPQ), Time Management Disposition Scale (TMDS) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The mean age of whole sample was 15.19 years (ranging from 12 years to 18 years). According to the modified YDQ criteria by Beard, 64 students who were diagnosed as Internet addiction (the mean age: 14.59 years) and 64 who were diagnosed as being normal in Internet usage (the mean age: 14.81 years) were included in a case-control study.

RESULTS

The rate of Internet use among the surveyed adolescents was 88%, among which the incidence rate of Internet addiction was 2.4%. The Internet addiction group had significantly higher scores on the EPQ subscales of neuroticism, psychoticism, and lie than the control group (P < 0.05). The Internet addiction group scored lower than the control group on the TMDS subscales of sense of control over time, sense of value of time, and sense of time efficacy (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Internet addiction group had also significantly higher scores on the SDQ subscales of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, total difficulties and lower scores on the subscale of prosocial behaviours (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that Internet addiction is not rare among Chinese adolescents. In addition, adolescents with Internet addiction possess different psychological features when compared with those who use the Internet less frequently.

Epidermal growth factor receptor polymorphisms and clinical outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with gefitinib

The-216G/T, -191C/A, intron 1 and Arg497Lys epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) polymorphisms were evaluated in 92 advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor. Improved progression free survival (PFS) was found in patients homozygous for the shorter lengths of intron 1 polymorphism (S/S; S=16 or fewer CA repeats; log-rank test (LRT) P=0.03) and for patients carrying any T allele of the -216G/T polymorphism (LRT, P=0.005). When considered together, patients with intron 1 S/S genotype and at least one T allele of -216G/T had improved PFS (LRT P=0.0006; adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.98)) and overall survival (LRT P=0.02; AHR, 0.60 (0.36-1.00)) when compared with all others. The T allele of -216G/T was also associated with significantly higher rates of stable disease/partial response (P=0.01) and a significantly higher risk of treatment-related rash/diarrhea (P=0.004, multivariate model). EGFR intron 1 and -216G/T polymorphisms influence clinical outcomes in gefitinib-treated non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

Genotypes and haplotypes of the VEGF gene are associated with higher mortality and lower VEGF plasma levels in patients with ARDS

BACKGROUND

Endothelial injury is an important prognostic factor in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in endothelial destruction and angiogenesis. Genetic variations of the VEGF gene have been associated with VEGF production. A study was undertaken to investigate the impact of VEGF gene polymorphisms on the clinical outcomes of ARDS.

METHODS

Three VEGF polymorphisms (-460C/T, +405C/G and +936C/T) were determined in 1253 patients in an intensive care unit with risk factors for ARDS, 394 of whom developed ARDS. Patients were followed for assessment of 60 day survival. Plasma VEGF levels were measured in 71 patients with ARDS.

RESULTS

The +936TT (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.12 to 16.40, p = 0.03) and +936CT+TT (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.42, p = 0.01) genotypes were significantly associated with increased mortality from ARDS. Plasma VEGF levels in patients with ARDS with the +936CT+TT genotype were significantly lower than in subjects with the +936CC genotype (median 49 (IQR 16-98) pg/ml vs 112 (IQR 47-162) pg/ml, p = 0.02). At the haplotype level, haplotype TCT (-460T+405C+936T) was significantly associated with a higher rate of mortality (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.30 to 6.43, p = 0.009) and haplotype CGT (-460C+405G+936T) was associated less strongly with increased mortality (OR 1.90, 95% CI 0.94 to 3.83, p = 0.07) in patients with ARDS. Lower plasma VEGF levels were correlated with the probability of haplotype CGT (coefficient = -0.26, p<0.05), but the same trend of correlation was not significant to haplotype TCT.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF polymorphisms may contribute to the prognosis and inter-individual variations in circulating VEGF levels in patients with ARDS.

Th2 cytokines are associated with persistent hepatic fibrosis in human Schistosoma japonicum infection

We conducted a prospective cohort study in Leyte, the Philippines, among 611 Schistosoma japonicum-infected participants 7-30 years old, all of whom were treated with praziquantel at baseline. To detect hepatic fibrosis, abdominal ultrasound was performed at baseline and 12 months after treatment. Stool for assessment of S. japonicum infection was collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. Cytokines (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor- alpha , and interferon- gamma ) produced by peripheral-blood mononuclear cells in response to soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP), soluble egg antigen (SEA), and control medium were measured once 4 weeks after treatment. IL-4 to SWAP and IL-10 to both SWAP and SEA were associated with the presence of baseline fibrosis after adjustment for potential confounding variables (P<.03, for all). In participants with fibrosis at baseline, IL-4 to SWAP and IL-5 and IL-13 to both SWAP and SEA were associated with persistent fibrosis at 12 months after treatment (P<.05, for all). Males showed consistently stronger T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine responses to both SWAP and SEA than did females (P<.02, for all). These results suggest an independent role for Th2-biased cytokine responses to S. japonicum antigens in persistent hepatic fibrosis and indicate that Th2 cytokines may contribute to the male-biased prevalence of fibrosis.

Developmental potential of vitrified holstein cattle embryos fertilized in vitro with sex-sorted sperm

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a feasible way to utilize sex-sorted sperm to produce offspring of a predetermined sex in the livestock industry. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of various factors on bovine IVF and to systematically improve the efficiency of IVF production using sex-sorted sperm. Both bulls and sorting contributed to the variability among differential development rates of embryos fertilized by sexed sperm. Increased sorting pressures (275.8 to 344.75 kPa) did not have a significant effect on the in vitro fertility of the sorted sperm; neither did an extended period of 9 to 14 h from semen collection to sorting. As few as 600 sorted sperm were used to fertilize an oocyte, resulting in blastocyst development of 33.2%. Postwarming of vitrified sexed IVF embryos resulted in high morphological survival (96.3%) and hatching (84.4%) rates, similar to those fertilized by nonsexed sperm (93.1 and 80.6%, respectively). A 40.9% pregnancy rate was established following the transfer of 3,627 vitrified, sexed embryos into synchronized recipients. This was not different from the rates with nonsexed IVF (41.9%, n = 481), or in vivo-produced (53.1%, n = 192) embryos. Of 458 calves born, 442 (96.5%) were female and 99.6% appeared normal. These technologies (sperm sexing-IVF-vitrification-embryo transfer) provide farmers, as well as the livestock industry, with a valuable option for herd expansion and heifer replacement programs. In summary, calves were produced using embryos fertilized by sex-sorted sperm in vitro and cryopreserved by rapid cooling vitrification.

Expression of Toll-like receptors and their association with cytokine responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children with acute rotavirus diarrhoea

To understand virus and host interactions and host responses to rotavirus infection in children, we analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the expression of mRNA for five Toll-like receptors (TLRs) (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR8) and four T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children with acute rotavirus diarrhoea. We observed significantly higher expression of genes encoding TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR8 in PBMC of 41% (31/75) patients within 3 days of illness onset than those in healthy children. After 3 days of illness onset, only TLR3 and TLR8 mRNA expressions were still significantly (P<0.05) increased in 59% (44/75) children with diarrhoea. We also observed significantly (P<0.05) elevated expression of IL-12p40 and IFN-gamma in PBMC of patients during the entire period of illness and the first 3 days of illness, respectively. We further demonstrated a weak but significant association between elevated levels of gene expression of four TLRs (TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR8) and IFN-gamma. Our results suggest that multiple TLRs may modulate the immune response in the acute phase of rotavirus infection and play a role in the activation of IFN-gamma.