APEX Nuclease (Multifunctional DNA Repair Enzyme) 1 Gene Asp148Glu Polymorphism and Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis Involving 58 Articles and 48903 Participants

<div><p>Background</p><p>Polymorphisms in the APEX nuclease (multifunctional DNA repair enzyme) 1 gene (<i>APEX1</i>) may be involved in the carcinogenesis by affecting DNA repair. We aimed to summarize available data on the association of the <i>APEX1</i> Asp148Glu (rs1130409) polymorphism with risk of multiple types of cancer via a meta-analysis.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p><p>In total, 58 qualified articles including 22,398 cancer patients and 26,505 controls were analyzed, and the data were extracted independently by two investigators. Analyses of the full data set indicated a marginally significant association of the <i>APEX1</i> Asp148Glu polymorphism with cancer risk under allelic (odds ratio (OR)=1.05; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.99-1.11; P=0.071), dominant (OR=1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17; P=0.028), and heterozygous genotypic (OR=1.08; 95% CI: 1.01-1.16; P=0.026) models, with significant heterogeneity and publication bias. In subgroup analyses by cancer type, with a Bonferroni corrected alpha of 0.05/6, significant association was observed for gastric cancer under both dominant (OR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.2-2.51; P=0.003) and heterozygous genotypic (OR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.2-2.31; P=0.002) models. In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, risk estimates were augmented in Caucasians, especially under dominant (OR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.0-1.24; P=0.049) and heterozygous genotypic (OR=1.11; 95% CI: 0.99-1.24; P=0.063) models. By study design, there were no significant differences between population-based and hospital-based studies. In subgroup analysis by sample size, risk estimates were remarkably overestimated in small studies, and no significance was reached in large studies except under the heterozygous genotypic model (OR=1.23; 95% CI: 1.06-1.43; P=0.006, significant at a Bonferroni corrected alpha of 0.05/2). By quality score, the risk estimates, albeit nonsignificant, were higher in low-quality studies than in high-quality studies. Further meta-regression analyses failed to identify any contributory confounders for the associated risk estimates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p><p>Our findings suggest that <i>APEX1</i> Asp148Glu polymorphism might be a genetic risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. Further investigations on large populations are warranted.</p> </div

Clinicopathological and Demographical Characteristics of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with ALK Rearrangements: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Objective</p><p>This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively examine the relationship between the clinicopathological and demographical characteristics and ALK rearrangements in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p>Methods and Main Findings</p><p>In total, 62 qualified articles including 1178 ALK rearranged cases from 20541 NSCLC patients were analyzed, and the data were extracted independently by two investigators. NSCLC patients with ALK rearrangements tended to be younger than those without (mean difference: −7.16 years; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): −9.35 to −4.96; P<0.00001), even across subgroups by race. Compared with female NSCLC patients, the odds ratio (OR) of carrying ALK rearrangements was reduced by 28% (95% CI: 0.58–0.90; P = 0.004) in males, and this reduction was potentiated in Asians, yet in opposite direction in Caucasians. Likewise, smokers were less likely to have ALK rearrangements than never-smokers (OR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.25–0.44; P<0.00001), even in race-stratified subgroups. Moreover, compared with NSCLC patients with tumor stage IV, ALK rearrangements were underrepresented in those with tumor stage I–III (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.44–0.78; P = 0.0002). Patients with lung adenocarcinomas had a significantly higher rate of ALK rearrangements (7.2%) than patients with non-adenocarcinoma (2.0%) (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.54–3.27; P<0.0001).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Our findings demonstrate that ALK rearrangements tended to be present in NSCLC patients with no smoking habit, younger age and tumor stage IV. Moreover, race, age, gender, smoking status, tumor stage and histology might be potential sources of heterogeneity.</p></div

Effect of Post-Infiltration Soil Aeration at Different Growth Stages on Growth and Fruit Quality of Drip-Irrigated Potted Tomato Plants (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>)

<div><p>Soil hydraulic principles suggest that post-infiltration hypoxic conditions would be induced in the plant root-zone for drip-irrigated tomato production in small pots filled with natural soil. No previous study specifically examined the response of tomato plants (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i>) at different growth stages to low soil aeration under these conditions. A 2 × 6 factorial experiment was conducted to quantify effects of no post-infiltration soil aeration versus aeration during 5 different periods (namely 27–33, 34–57, 58–85, 86–99, and 27–99 days after sowing), on growth and fruit quality of potted single tomato plants that were sub-surface trickle-irrigated every 2 days at 2 levels. Soil was aerated by injecting 2.5 liters of air into each pot through the drip tubing immediately after irrigation. Results showed that post-infiltration aeration, especially during the fruit setting (34–57 DAS) and enlargement (58–85 DAS) growth stages, can positively influence the yield, root dry weight and activity, and the nutritional (soluble solids and vitamin C content), taste (titratable acidity), and market quality (shape and firmness) of the tomato fruits. Interactions between irrigation level and post-infiltration aeration on some of these fruit quality parameters indicated a need for further study on the dynamic interplay of air and water in the root zone of the plants under the conditions of this experiment.</p></div

Datasheet1_Reproductive factors and cardiometabolic disease among middle-aged and older women: a nationwide study from CHARLS.docx

BackgroundCardiometabolic disease is skyrocketing to epidemic proportions due to the high prevalence of its components and the aging of the worldwide population. More efforts are needed to improve cardiometabolic health. The aim of this nationally representative study based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2014–2018) was to examine the association between reproductive factors and cardiometabolic disease among Chinese women aged ≥45 years.MethodsThe CHARLS is an ongoing longitudinal study initiated in 2011, and the latest follow-up was completed in 2018. In total, 6,407 participants were analyzed. Effect-sizes are expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Confounding was considered from statistical adjustment, subsidiary exploration, and unmeasured confounding assessment aspects.ResultsOf 6,407 accessible participants, 60.9% were recorded as having one or more of five predefined cardiovascular or metabolic disorders. Compared to those with two children, participants who had 0–1 child were found to have a lower risk of cardiometabolic disease (OR = 0.844, 95% CI: 0.714–0.998), and those who had ≥3 children had a greater risk (OR = 1.181, 95% CI: 1.027–1.357). Age at menarche of 16–18 years was a protective factor compared with ≤16 years of age (OR = 0.858, 95% CI: 0.749–0.982). In contrast, participants with a history of abortion were 1.212 times more likely to have cardiometabolic disorders (OR = 1.212, 95% CI: 1.006–1.465). The likelihood for the presence of unmeasured confounding was low, as reflected by E-values.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that number of children, age at menarche, and history of abortion were associated with a significant risk of cardiometabolic disease among Chinese women aged ≥45 years.</p

A Meta-Analysis of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Remedy for Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

<div><p>Background</p><p>Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) associates with severe vision outcome and no proven beneficial treatment. Our meta-analysis intended to appraise the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in macular edema (ME) following CRVO.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Data were collected and analyzed by Review Manager 5.2.1. We employed a random-effects model to eliminate between-study heterogeneity. N_fs (called fail-safe number) was calculated to evaluate the publication bias.</p><p>Results</p><p>We included 5 trials consisting 323 cases and 281 controls. Primary outcomes showed that overall comparison of anti-VEGF agents with placebo control yielded a 374% and 136% increased tendency for a gain of 15 letters or more on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.43–9.23; P<0.00001; <i>I²</i> = 59%, 95% CI: 1.60–3.49; P<0.0001; <i>I²</i> = 0%, respectively) at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes showed that a 90% and 77% decreased risk at 6 and 12 months for a loss of 15 letters or more. The overall mean difference showed a statistically significance in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on each time point. However, changes of central retinal thickness (CRT) lost significance at 12 months after 6-month as-needed treatment. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) had no statistical difference between anti-VEGF and placebo groups. Subgroup analyses indicated that patients receiving Aflibercept got the highest tendency to gain 15 letters or more (OR = 9.78; 95% CI: 4.43–21.56; P<0.00001). Age controlled analysis suggested a weaken tendency of BCVA improvement in age over 50 (MD = 12.26; 95% CI: 7.55–16.98; P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis by clinical classification showed a strengthen difference of BCVA changes at 6 months in ischemic type (MD = 19.65 letters, 95% CI: 13.15 to 26.14 letters, P<0.00001).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our results showed that anti-VEGF agents were superior to placebo in CRVO-ME treatment with no statistically significant AEs, especially in younger people and for ischemic type.</p></div

Forest plots of the mean difference of age between NSCLC patients with and without ALK rearrangements by race.

<p>Forest plots of the mean difference of age between NSCLC patients with and without ALK rearrangements by race.</p

Quality assessment of included RCTs in this meta-analysis.

<p>The modified Jadad scoring system for randomized controlled trials (Crowther M et al. Blood. 2010; 116∶3140–3146).</p><p><b>Question 1.</b> Was the study described as randomized? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 2.</b> If yes to question 1, was an appropriate randomization sequence described and used (eg, table of random numbers, computer generated, etc.)? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 3.</b> If yes to question 1, was an inappropriate method to generate the sequence of randomization used (patients were allocated alternately, or according to date of birth, hospital number, etc.)? If yes, subtract 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 4.</b> Was the study described as double blinded? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 5.</b> If yes to question 4, was an appropriate method of blinding used (eg, identical placebo, active placebo, dummy, etc.)? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 6.</b> If yes to question 4, was an inappropriate method for blinding used (eg, comparison of tablet vs. injection with no double dummy)? If yes, subtract 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 7.</b> Were the withdrawals and dropouts described? If yes, score 1 point.</p

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor included in this meta-analysis.

<p>Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor included in this meta-analysis.</p

Flow chart of search strategy and study selection.

<p>RCCT: Randomize Case Controlled Trial, IVR: IntraViteal Ranibizumab, IVB: IntraViteal Bevacizumab, IVT: IntraViteal Triamcinolone acetonide (IVT), PRN: Pro Re Nata.</p

Fruit yield, above-ground plant dry weight (g per plant), plant height (cm) and soluble solids content of the first ripe fruit from the first truss of potted single tomato plants for 6 post-infiltration aeration treatments (i.e. none or 2.5 liter aeration applied during 5 different periods) at 99 DAS.

<p><i>Notes</i>: Irrigation and interaction effects were not significant (p>0.05) in ANOVA. Aeration treatment means across irrigation levels (n = 6) not followed by the same letter are significantly different at the 5% level.</p><p>Pots were subsurface drip-irrigated at 2-day intervals to maintain the soil at 60 to 70% or 70 to 80% of volumetric field capacity (denoted as low and high irrigation level).</p