Synthesis, characterisation and antitumour activities of gallic acid hydrazone and its rare earth complexes

A new gallic acid hydrazone, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl salicylaldehyde hydrazone, and its four rare earth complexes, [LnL (OAc)2] • H2O (Ln = La3+, Sm3+, Tb3+, Dy3+), have been synthesised and characterised on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductivity, IR and 1H NMR spectra. The antitumour activities of the prepared compounds have also been evaluated. The results indicate that Gallic acid hydrazone and its four complexes synthesised possess antitumour activity to some extent, and the four complexes show higher antitumour activity against the human leukaemia cell line HL-60 than the ligand. The antitumour activity of the gallic acid hydrazone can be improved by the formation of the rare earth complexes.

PTEN polymorphisms and the risk of esophageal carcinoma and gastric cardiac carcinoma in a high incidence region of China

PTEN, as a tumor suppressor gene, plays an important role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. Two common polymorphisms, -9C/G and IVS4 (-/+), may alter susceptibility to the disease. To test the hypothesis that the genetic variations of PTEN play a role in the etiology of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA), a population-based case-control study was conducted in 350 ESCC patients, 257 GCA patients, and 634 healthy controls from a high-incidence region of Hebei province, China. The PTEN polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP). The results showed that the family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) significantly increased the risk of developing ESCC and GCA (the age, gender and smoking status adjusted OR = 1.73 and 1.67; 95% CI = 1.29-2.32 and 1.28-2.19, respectively). The overall distribution of the PTEN -9C/G genotype was not significantly different between cancer patients and controls. Compared with the PTEN IVS4-/- genotype, the IVS4+/+ genotype significantly decreased the risk of ESCC and GCA development, the adjusted OR was 0.64 (95% CI = 0.44-0.94) and 0.63 (95% CI = 0.41-0.98), respectively. Stratification analysis by gender, age, smoking status and family history of UGIC showed that the PTEN IVS4-/+ genotype only reduced the risk of ESCC (adjusted OR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.34-0.90) among subjects with family history of UGIC. While the IVS4+/+ genotype decreased the susceptibility to both ESCC and GCA (adjusted OR = 0.61 and 0.57, 95% CI = 0.37-0.98 and 0.34-0.98, respectively) among male subjects, the IVS4+/+ genotype only decreased the risk of ESCC development among subjects younger than 55 years (adjusted OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.21-0.85). In addition, the haplotype analysis found that the -9C/IVS4- haplotype increased the risk of developing ESCC and GCA (OR = 1.31 and 1.24, 95% CI = 1.08-1.58 and 1.001-1.53). Our results suggested that the PTEN IVS4+/+ homozygote may play a protective role in the development of ESCC and GCA, while the haplotype -9C/IVS4- might be the risk factor of the development of ESCC and GCA in the high incidence region population of Hebei province, China.

Varicella-zoster virus-specific immune responses in elderly recipients of a herpes zoster vaccine

BACKGROUND

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved 38,546 subjects > or =60 years old demonstrated efficacy of a high-potency live-attenuated Oka/Merck varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine. The trial included an immunology substudy to determine the relationship of VZV-specific immune responses to vaccination and clinical outcome.

METHODS

The immunology substudy enrolled 1395 subjects at 2 sites where blood samples obtained prior to vaccination, at 6 weeks after vaccination, and at 1, 2, and 3 years thereafter were tested for VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity (VZV-CMI) by gamma-interferon ELISPOT and responder cell frequency assays and for VZV antibody by glycoprotein ELISA.

RESULTS

VZV-CMI and VZV antibodies were significantly increased in vaccine recipients at 6 weeks after vaccination. The vaccine-induced increases in VZV-CMI persisted during the 3 years of follow-up, although their magnitude decreased over time. The magnitude of these VZV-specific immune responses was greater in subjects 60-69 years old than in subjects > or =70 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

The zoster vaccine induced a significant increase in VZV-CMI and VZV antibody. The magnitude and duration of the boost in VZV-CMI in vaccine recipients and the relationship of this boost to age paralleled the clinical effects of the vaccine observed during the efficacy trial. These findings support the hypothesis that boosting VZV-CMI protects older adults against herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.

[Tribendimidine enteric coated tablet in treatment of 1,292 cases with intestinal nematode infection--a phase IV clinical trial]

OBJECTIVE

To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of tribendimidine in treatment of adult patients with intestinal nematode infections.

METHODS

An open and multi-center clinical trial was conducted in the provinces of Hainan, Sichuan and Guizhou. A total of 1,292 infected cases aged 15-70 years were enrolled in the study. Modified Kato-Katz method was used to diagnose the cases with intestinal nematode infections and assess the efficacy 3-4 weeks post treatment. Patients with Ascaris lumbricoides infection were treated orally with tribendimidine enteric coated tablets at a single dose of 300 mg, while in the patients with Ancylostoma duodenale, mixed A. duodenale and A. lumbricoides, or with other helminth infections, a single dose of 400 mg was administered.

RESULTS

The cure rate and effective rate of the patients with Ancylostoma infection were 88.4% (1,009/1,141) and 99.1% (1,131/1,141), respectively, while in patients with A. lumbricoides infection, they were 95.0% (419/441) and 99.8% (440/441), respectively. The cure rate of tribendimidine enteric coated tablet given to patients with Trichuris trichiura infection at a single dose of 400 mg was 76.8% (109/142). The adverse effect induced by tribendimidine was light and transient with a rate of 3.3% (42/1,292). No apparent impact was seen on blood and urine routine examinations, hepatic and renal functions as well as ECG examination.

CONCLUSION

It is further confirmed that under the used dosage for expanding treatment in larger sample of patients with various ages and infected with Ancylostoma duodenale, A. lumbricoides and other helminths, tribendimidine enteric coated tablet is safe with satisfactory efficacy.

Isolation of Ashbya gossypii mutant for an improved riboflavin production targeting for biorefinery technology

AIMS

To isolate a strain overproducing riboflavin and to improve riboflavin production for practical use in a biorefinery technology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ashbya gossypii spores were mutagenized by exposure to UV light and mutant ZP4 strain, producing riboflavin threefold the riboflavin that of the wild-type strain, was isolated by the first and second screenings. Proteomic analysis of ZP4 strain showed the expression patterns of eight types of genes related to riboflavin biosynthesis different from those of the wild-type strain and those enzyme activities were investigated. When activated bleaching earth (ABE) containing 75 g l(-1) rapeseed oil was added in the culture of the ZP4 strain with oxygen-enriched air supplied, riboflavin concentration increased to 8.7 g l(-1) at 5 days of culture. Riboflavin production yield was 0.17 g g(-1) of consumed oil, which was eightfold higher than that of the wild-type strain.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that the mutant ZP4 strain shows potential for improving riboflavin production for practical utilization using vegetable oil as the sole carbon source.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY

Our results indicate that the mutant ZP4 strain shows potential for producing riboflavin from vegetable oil, and therefore will be contributed to biorefinery technology.

A rat model of pontine hemorrhage

Approximately 15% of all strokes are due to intracerebral hemorrhage, and of these, 5 to 9% will occur in the pons, with mortality approximately 60% of the time. However, there is not an adequate animal model to fully address this important clinical problem. To this end, pontine hemorrhage was induced in rats using stereotaxic injection of 0.15 units of collagenase. At 24, 48, and 72h (n = 4 per group), the hemorrhagic volume, brain water content, body temperature, and neurological function (corner turn, inclined plane, and neurological deficit score) were assessed. All tested parameters were significantly increased, compared to sham, without any differences between time points. Furthermore, the extent of brainstem edema was highly correlated with neurological score, inclined plane, and body temperature. This new pontine hemorrhage rat model demonstrated brain edema and neurological deficits, and can be used to test treatment strategies for pontine hemorrhage.

Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway attenuates cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage through the suppression of apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated that apoptosis in cerebral arteries could play an essential role in cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and that SP600125, an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) could suppress apoptosis. The present study examined whether SP600125 could reduce cerebral vasospasm through the suppression of apoptosis.

METHOD

Fifteen dogs were assigned to 3 groups: control, SAH, and SAH + SP600125 (30 micromol/l). SAH was induced by the injection of autologous blood into the cisterna magna on day 0 and day 2. Angiograms were evaluated on day 0 and day 7. The activation of the JNK pathway and caspase-3 were also evaluated using Western blot. To determine the distribution, TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated c-jun and cleaved caspase-3 were performed.

FINDINGS

Severe vasospasm was observed in the basilar artery of the SAH dogs. SP600125 reduced angiographic and morphological vasospasm and reduced the expression of cleaved caspase-3, thereby suppressing apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that SP600125 attenuates cerebral vasospasm through the suppression of apoptosis, which may provide a novel therapeutic target for cerebral vasospasm.

The clinical significance of acute brain injury in subarachnoid hemorrhage and opportunity for intervention

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating neurological event that accounts for 3-7% of all strokes and carries a mortality rate as high as 40%. Delayed cerebral vasospasm has traditionally been recognized as the most treatable cause of morbidity and mortality from SAH. However, evidence is mounting that the physiological and cellular events of acute brain injury, which occur during the 24-72 h following aneurysm rupture, make significant contributions to patient outcomes, and may even be a more significant factor than delayed cerebral vasospasm. Acute brain injury in aneurysmal SAH is the result of physiological derangements such as increased intracranial pressure and decreased cerebral blood flow that result in global cerebral ischemia, and lead to the acute development of edema, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and infarction. The consequence of these events is often death or significant neurological disability. In this study of acute brain injury, we elucidate some of the complex molecular signaling pathways responsible for these poor outcomes. Continued research in this area and the development of therapies to interrupt these cascades should be a major focus in the future as we continue to seek effective therapies for aneurysmal SAH.

Effects of superoxide dismutase and catalase derivates on intracerebral hemorrhage-induced brain injury in rats

The use of exogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) has been previously evaluated against various reactive oxygen species-mediated brain injuries, especially those associated with ischemia/ reperfusion. In this study, we investigated effects of these enzymatic antioxidants on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced brain injury. A total of 65 male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-380 g) were divided into a sham group, an untreated ICH group, 3 groups of ICH rats treated with lecithinized SOD (PC-SOD) at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg, and a group treated with polyethylene glycol conjugated CAT (PEG-CAT) at a dose of 10,000 U/kg. An additional group of ICH rats received a combination of PC-SOD (1 mg/kg) and PEG-CAT (10,000 U/kg). ICH was induced by collagenase injection. All drugs were administered intravenously immediately after ICH induction. Brain injury was evaluated by scoring neurological function and measuring brain edema at 24 h after ICH induction. Our results demonstrated that ICH caused significant neurological deficit associated with remarkable brain edema. Treatment with PC-SOD, PEG-CAT, or PC-SOD in combination with PEG-CAT did not reduce brain edema or neurological deficit after ICH. We conclude that intravenously administered PC-SOD and/or PEG-CAT do not reduce brain injury in the collagenase-induced ICH rat model.

DNA methylation and loss of protein expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis of high-risk area

DNA methylation is an important mechanism for gene silence. The purpose of this study was to investigate aberrant promoter methylation of the p16 and FHIT genes in tissues and plasma and loss of protein expression in esophageal precancerous conditions (EPC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) of high-risk area. Methylation-specific PCR(MSP) was employed to examine the DNA methylation in the plasma and tissues of 95 patients of EPC, ESCC and 10 chronic esophagitis (CE). Loss of protein expression of p16 and FHIT was detected immunohistochemically. In total 95 lesion tissues of EPC and ESCC, p16 methylation was found in 53 (55.79%) cases, and 41 of 53 (77.36%) cases were demonstrated deletion of the p16 protein immunohistochemically. FHIT methylation was found in 49 (51.58%) cases, and 40 of 49 (81.63%) were demonstrated deletion of the FHIT protein. Only 1 (10%) case of 10 CE p16 methylation was found in the tissues. In the plasma of total 105 samples, 2 of 23 high grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) and 12 of 37 ESCC were detected p16 methylation, and 2 of 23 HGIN and 14 of 37 ESCC were detected FHIT methylation. These results indicate that p16 and FHIT methylation may be one of the earliest events and an important mechanism for gene silencing in esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis. This study may be helpful for screening the candidate molecular markers for early diagnosis of ESCC in high-risk area.

[Correlation of 53BP1 and p53 polymorphisms to susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

53BP1 is one of p53-binding proteins, which can enhance the transcriptional activation of p53 and plays a key role in tumor suppression. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T885G has been found in the promoter of 53BP1. This study was to investigate the correlation of 53BP1 and p53 SNPs to susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) in a high incidence area of Hebei Province in China.

METHODS

Genotypes of 53BP1 T885G and p53 Arg72Pro in 349 ESCC patients, 275 GCA patients, and 635 healthy subjects were detected by primer-introduced restriction analysis-polymerase chain reaction (PIRA-PCR).

RESULTS

The overall distribution of 53BP1 T885G was not significantly different between ESCC patients, GCA patients and healthy subjects (P>0.05). When stratified by smoking status and family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC), the distribution of 53BP1 T885G was not significantly different between ESCC patients, GCA patients and healthy subjects. Compared with p53 Arg72Pro Arg/Arg genotype, Pro/Pro genotype decreased the susceptibility to GCA [the age, sex, smoking status, and family history adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.64-0.98]. Stratification analysis showed that Pro/Pro genotype decreased the susceptibility to GCA among non-smokers (adjusted OR=0.72, 95% CI=0.54-0.97), but p53 Arg72Pro had no influence on the susceptibility to ESCC. Stratified by p53 Arg72Pro genotype, 53BP1 T885G G/G genotype reduced the susceptibility to GCA among the individuals with Pro allele (Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro genotypes) (adjusted OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.57-0.95).

CONCLUSION

53BP1 T885G may not be correlated to the susceptibility to ESCC and GCA in the high incidence area of Hebei Province in China; p53 Arg72Pro Pro/Pro genotype could decrease the susceptibility to GCA; 53BP1 T885G G/G genotype could reduce the susceptibility to GCA among the individuals with p53 Pro allele.

Analysis on the mechanism of gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by the third-generation cephalosporins

AIM: To probe into the possible mechanism of gastrointestinal hemorrhage induced by the third generation of cephalosporins.

METHODS: The related literatures in the past 30 years were collected and retrospective analyzed.

RESULTS: The third generation of cephalosporins caused mucosal injury of various organs, such as gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract or urinary tract, complicated with hemorrhage. Besides, the injuries also occurred in heart, lung, and nerve. Adverse reactions were found in 73 cases, of which 6 were confirmed with gastrointestinal mucosal injury, 2 with urinary mucosal injury, and 1 with respiratory mucosal injury, and the 9 cases were all complicated with hemorrhage. The mortality rate associated with hemorrhage was 50%.

CONCLUSION: Multi-organ dysfunction can be caused by the third-generation cephalosporins. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurs less frequently that other adverse reactions, but it can lead to a higher mortality rate.

[Correlations of polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase-3 and -7 promoters to susceptibility to brain astrocytoma]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key enzymes involved in tumor development, invasion and metastasis. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of MMP genes may influence tumor development and progression via modulating mRNA transcription and protein expression. This study was to explore the correlations of the promoter SNPs in MMP-3 and MMP-7 genes to susceptibility to brain astrocytoma.

METHODS

The genotype of MMP-3 -1171 5A/6A and MMP-7 -181A/G polymorphisms in 236 patients with brain astrocytoma and 366 healthy controls was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTS

The allelotype and overall genotype distribution of MMP-3 SNP among the astrocytoma patients and healthy controls were similar (P>0.05). Stratified by sex, age, and histological grade, the susceptibility to brain astrocytoma among the subjects with 5A/5A and 5A/6A genotypes and the subjects with 6A/6A genotype were similar(P>0.05). The overall genotype distribution of MMP-7 SNP among the astrocytoma patients and healthy controls were significantly different (P = 0.001). Compared with the A/A genotype, both the G/G and the A/G genotypes significantly increased the susceptibility to astrocytoma [sex-and age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.77 and 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.27-6.02 and 1.01-2.84, respectively]. Stratification analysis showed that the G/G genotype significantly increased the susceptibility to astrocytoma in men (adjusted OR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.12-9.41) and in the individuals younger than 45 years (adjusted OR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.09-9.16). When stratified by histological grade, the A/G genotype increased the susceptibility to grade II astrocytoma by about 2 folds (adjusted OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.05 - 4.05), while the G/G genotype increased the susceptibility to grade II-IV astrocytoma by about 3 folds.

CONCLUSION

MMP-7 -181A/G polymorphism may influence the susceptibility to astrocytoma, while MMP-3-1171 5A/6A polymorphism has no correlation to the susceptibility.

Intracellular localization of integrin-like protein and its roles in osmotic stress-induced abscisic acid biosynthesis in Zea mays

Plants have evolved many mechanisms to cope with adverse environmental stresses. Abscisic acid (ABA) accumulates significantly in plant cells in response to drought conditions, and this is believed to be a major mechanism through which plants enhance drought tolerance. In this study, we explore the possible mechanisms of osmotic stress perception by plant cells and the consequent induction of ABA biosynthesis. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence localization experiments, using a polyclonal antibody against human integrin beta1, revealed the presence of a protein in Zea mays roots that is similar to the integrin proteins of animals and mainly localized in the plasma membrane. Treatment with GRGDS, a synthetic pentapeptide containing an RGD domain, which interacted specifically with the integrin protein and thus blocked the cell wall-plasma membrane interaction, significantly inhibited osmotic stress-induced ABA biosynthesis in cells, and the GRGDS analog which does not contain the RGD domain had no effect. Our results show that a strong interaction exists between the cell wall and plasma membrane and that this interaction is largely mediated by integrin-like proteins. They also imply that the cell wall and/or cell wall-plasma membrane interaction plays important roles in the perception of osmotic stress. Accordingly, we conclude that the cell wall and/or cell wall-plasma membrane interaction mediated by the integrin-like protein plays important roles in osmotic stress-induced ABA biosynthesis in Zea mays.

[Correlation of p73 polymorphisms to genetic susceptibilities to esophageal carcinoma and gastric cardiac carcinoma]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

p73 is a tumor suppressor gene. The two polymorphisms in the non-coding region of the exon 2 of p73 gene, named G4C14-A4T14, can form a stem-loop structure, and may influence p73 expression. This study was to investigate the correlation of p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphisms to susceptibilities to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) in a high incidence region of Hebei Province.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based case-control study in 348 ESCC patients, 259 GCA patients, and 630 healthy controls. p73 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTS

Family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) significantly increased the risk of developing ESCC and GCA [the age, sex, and smoking status adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.28-2.20; OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.24-2.26, respectively]. The overall distribution of p73 genotype and allelotype in cancer patients and controls were not significantly different. Stratification analysis by smoking status and family history of UGIC found that the GC/AT genotype significantly increased the risk of developing GCA among the subjects without family history of UGIC (OR=1.71, 95% CI=1.14-2.57), while p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphisms did not increase the risk of developing ESCC and GCA in other subgroups.

CONCLUSION

In p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphisms, the GC/AT genotype increases the risk of developing GCA among the subjects without family history of UGIC.

Neuroprotective effect of hyperbaric oxygen in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Acute brain ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) induces oxidative stress in brain tissues. Up-regulated NADPH oxidase (NOX), a major enzymatic source of superoxide anion in the brain, may contribute to early brain injury after SAH. We evaluated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on protein expression of gp91(phox) catalytic subunit of NOX, lipid peroxidation as a marker of oxidative stress, and on neurological and neuropathological outcomes after SAH. Twenty-nine male Sprague-Dawley rats (300 to 350 g) were randomly allocated to control (sham operation), SAH (endovascular perforation), and SAH treated with HBO groups (2.8 ATA for 2 hours, at 1 hour after SAH). Cerebral blood flow was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry. Rats were sacrificed after 24 hours and brain tissues collected for histology (Nissl staining and gp91 (phox) immunohistochemistry) and biochemistry. Mortality and neurological scores were evaluated. Neuronal injury associated with enhanced gp91 (phox) immunostaining was observed in the cerebral cortex after SAH. The lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde, accumulated in the ipsilateral cerebral cortex. HBO treatment reduced expression of NOX, diminished lipid peroxidation, and reduced neuronal damage. HBO caused a drop in mortality and ameliorated functional deficits. HBO-induced neuroprotection after SAH may involve down-regulation of NOX and a subsequent reduction in oxidative stress.

[Technique of detection of hepatitis C core antigen used in safety blood transfusion]

This study was purposed to investigate the feasibility to screen donor with HCV infection by means of HCV-cAg ELISA. The first and repeat assays were performed for detection of serum anti-HCV in 8677 donor's serum specimens from January 2003 to December 2005. All serum anti-HCV specimens with positive anti-HCV from first and repeat assays were finally identified by using HCV-cAg ELISA and HCV RT-PCR methods. The results showed that only 5 serum specimens were positive anti-HCV by HCV-cAg ELISA identification in 29 specimens including 15 specimens with positive ant-HCV in first assays and 14 specimens with positive anti-HCV in repeat assays, the positive rate detected by HCV cAg ELISA was 17.24%. 5 serum specimens were positive anti-HCV by HCV RT-PCR detection also in 29 specimens mentioned above, the positive rate detected by HCV RT-PCR was 17.24% too. It is concluded that sensitivity of HCVcAg ELISA is similar to HCV RT-PCR and may be useful for the early diagnosis of hepatitic C or used as a reliable method to screen donor with HCV infection in blood transfusion medicine.

[Correlations between serine hydroxymethyltransferase1 C1420T polymorphisms and susceptibilities to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a key enzyme in the folate metabolism, affects gene methylation and DNA synthesis through providing one-carbon units for purine, thymidylate, and methionine. It is closely related to the development and progression of tumors. This study was to investigate the correlations between SHMT1 C1420T single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and susceptibilities to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA).

METHODS

SHMT1 C1420T SNP was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-confronting two-pair primers (PCR-CTPP) analysis in 584 ESCC patients, 467 GCA patients, and 540 healthy controls. The correlations between SHMT1 C1420T SNP polymorphisms and susceptibilities to ESCC and GCA were analyzed with Logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) significantly enhanced the risk of developing ESCC and GCA [the age, gender, smoking status, and family history of UGIC adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.89, 95% confident interval (CI)=2.23-3.73; OR =1.68, 95% CI=1.28-2.23]. The frequency of 1420C/T genotype was significantly lower in ESCC and GCA patients than in healthy controls (12.0% vs. 16.5%, P<0.05; 10.9% vs. 16.5%, P<0.01). Compared with C/C genotype, C/T genotype significantly reduced susceptibilities to ESCC and GCA, with adjusted OR of 0.70 (95% CI=0.50-0.98) for ESCC and 0.55 (95% CI=0.38-0.81) for GCA. Stratification analysis showed that C/T genotype significantly reduced susceptibilities to ESCC and GCA among non-smokers, with adjusted OR of 0.54 (95% CI=0.33-0.90) for ESCC and 0.56 (95% CI=0.33-0.95) for GCA. In addition, C/T genotype significantly reduced susceptibility to GCA among individuals with or without UGIC history, with adjusted OR of 0.46 (95%CI=0.24-0.90) and 0.62 (95% CI=0.38-0.99) respectively, and reduced susceptibility to ESCC only among individuals with UGIC history, with adjusted OR of 0.51 (95% CI=0.29-0.89).

CONCLUSION

SHMT1 1420C/T genotype could significantly reduce susceptibilities to ESCC and GCA among individuals from high risk areas in Hebei Province of China.

[Association of polymorphisms of p21cip1 and p27kip1 genes with susceptibilities of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Researches showed that polymorphisms of p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) genes have associations with susceptibilities of breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and so on. This study was to investigate the possible association of functional polymorphisms of p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) genes with susceptibilities of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) in a population from a high incidence region in north China.

METHODS

The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3'-untranslated region of p21(cip1) gene and in codon 109 of p27(kip1) gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 299 ESCC patients, 256 GCA patients, and 437 healthy controls from a high incidence region of north China.

RESULTS

The frequency of p21(cip1) T allelotype was significantly higher in ESCC patients than in healthy controls (42.8% vs. 36.7%, P=0.02). The frequency of p27(kip1) V allelotype was significantly higher in ESCC and GCA patients than in healthy controls (96.8% and 96.1% vs. 92.9%, P=0.001, P=0.02). The distribution of p21(cip1) genotypes among ESCC patients was significantly different from that among healthy controls (P=0.04); compared with the combination of the C/C and C/T genotypes, the T/T genotype significantly elevated the risk of developing ESCC [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.12-3.94]. The distribution of p27(kip1) genotypes among ESCC and GCA patients were significantly different from that among healthy controls (P=0.002, P=0.01); compared with the combination of V/G and G/G genotypes, the V/V genotype significantly elevated the risk of developing ESCC and GCA (adjusted OR=2.44, 95% CI=1.21-4.02; adjusted OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.12-3.68). When stratified for smoking and family history of upper gastrointestinal cancers (UGIC), compared with the combination of V/G and G/G genetypes, the V/V genotype significantly elevated the risk of developing both ESCC and GCA in smokers (adjusted OR=2.24, 95% CI=1.14-4.03; adjusted OR=2.61, 95% CI=1.25-3.82) and ESCC in individuals with positive family history of UGIC (adjusted OR =2.04, 95% CI=1.04-3.43). The combination of p21(cip1) T/T and p27(kip1) V/V genotypes significantly elevated the risk of developing ESCC and GCA (adjusted OR=3.78, 95% CI=1.46-5.89; adjusted OR=2.56, 95% CI=1.06-4.78).

CONCLUSION

In north China, p21(cip1) polymorphisms might be correlated with the susceptibility of ESCC, p27(kip1) polymorphisms might be correlated with the susceptibilities of ESCC and GCA, and they might have synergetic effect on ESCC and GCA development.

Large Uniform-Sized Polymer Beads for Use as Solid-Phase Supports Prepared by Ascension Polymerization

Large uniform-sized polymer beads are desirable for "one-bead-one-compound" applications in the combinatorial synthesis of compound libraries. We have developed a technique for the preparation of large polymer spheres with narrow size distributions. Uniform-sized poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) beads with diameters in excess of 1 mm have been prepared by free radical polymerization in an ascension process through a heated column. The size of the beads can be adjusted by the diameter of the injection needle and the injection speed. The resin beads can be made porous by the incorporation of a porogen during the preparation; they reach a specific surface area in excess of 200 m(2)/g. The mechanical properties of the spheres and their use in organic synthesis have been studied.

Polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor genes and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma in a population of high incidence region of North China

BACKGROUND

We investigated the possible association of the functional polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) genes with susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA).

METHODS

The TNF-alpha-308G/A and TNF-beta+252G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using polymerase-chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis, in 555 cancer patients (291 ESCC and 264 GCA) and 437 healthy controls in a high incidence region of North China.

RESULTS

Among healthy controls, frequencies of the TNF-alpha 1/1, 1/2 and 2/2 genotypes were 89.4%, 9.2% and 1.4% respectively, while frequencies of the TNF-beta B1/B1, B1/B2 and B2/B2 genotypes were 12.6%, 32.3% and 55.1%, respectively. No significant difference was found in the overall genotype and allelotype distribution of the TNF-alpha-308G/A and TNF-beta+252G/A SNPs among cancer patients and controls. However, both the B1/B1 genotype and B1/B2 genotype significantly increased the risk of developing ESCC [the age and gender adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.04 and 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04 - 4.43 and 1.14 - 2.60, respectively] and GCA (the age and gender adjusted OR = 2.68 and 2.64, 95% CI = 1.14 - 6.29 and 1.47 - 4.72, respectively) in individuals with negative family history of UGIC, in comparison with the B2/B2 genotype. When the two TNF polymorphisms were combined and analyzed, individuals with the TNF-beta B1/B2 and TNF-alpha 1/2 or 2/2 genotypes significantly reduced the risk of developing ESCC and GCA, in comparison with those harboring the TNF-beta B2/B2 and TNF-alpha 1/1 genotypes (the age and gender adjusted OR = 0.37 and 0.34, 95% CI = 0.15 - 0.92 and 0.13 - 0.90, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, the TNF-alpha-308G/A and TNF-beta+252G/A genotyping may be used as a stratification markers to predicate the risk of ESCC and GCA development in North China.