The Association between TGF-β1 Polymorphisms and Radiation Pneumonia in Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Definitive Radiotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Previous studies investigating the association between TGF-β1 polymorphisms and Radiation Pneumonia (RP) risk have provided inconsistent results. The aim of our study was to assess the association between the TGF-β1 genes C509T, G915C and T869C polymorphisms and risk of RP in lung cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Two investigators independently searched the Medline, Embase, CNKI, and Chinese Biomedicine Databases for studies published before September 2013. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for TGF-β1 polymorphisms and RP were calculated in a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model when appropriate.</p><p>Results</p><p>Ultimately, each 7 studies were found to be eligible for meta-analyses of C509T, G915C and T869C, respectively. Our analysis suggested that the variant genotypes of T869C were associated with a significantly increased RP risk in dominant model (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.45–0.79) and CT vs. TT model (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.32–0.69). In the subgroup analyses by ethnicity/country, a significantly increased risk was observed among Caucasians. For C509T and G915C polymorphism, no obvious associations were found for all genetic models.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>This meta-analysis suggests that T869C polymorphism of TGF-β1 may be associated with RP risk only in Caucasians, and there may be no association between C509T and G915C polymorphism and RP risk.</p></div

Pooled Analysis on Association between the C509T polymorphism and the RP risk.

<p>Dominant model: CT+TT vs. CC; Recessive model: TT vs. CC+CT; Additive model: T vs. C; R, Random-effects model; F, fixed-effects model;</p

Forrest plot of association between the TGF-β1 T869C polymorphism and risk of RP.

<p>(A)Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for dominant model. (B) Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for recessive model. (C) Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for CT vs. CC. (D) Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for CC vs. TT.</p

Pooled Analysis on Association between the T869C polymorphism and the RP risk.

<p>Dominant model: TC+CC vs.TT; Recessive model: CC vs. TT+TC; R, Random-effects model; F, fixed-effects model;</p

Funnel plot analysis on the detection of the publication bias for the T869C polymorphism.

<p>(A)Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for dominant model. (B) Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for recessive model. (C) Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for CT vs. CC. (D) Meta-analysis in a fix effects model for CC vs. TT. Each point represents an individual study for the indicated association.</p

The literature search and study selection procedures.

<p>The literature search and study selection procedures.</p

Pooled Analysis on Association between the G915C polymorphism and the RP risk.

<p>Dominant model: GC+CC vs. GG; Recessive model: CC vs. GG+GC; Additive model: C vs. G; R, Random-effects model; F, fixed-effects model;</p

Characteristics of the included case-control studies on the TGF-β1 polymorphisms and Radiation Pneumonia (RP) risk.

<p>Characteristics of the included case-control studies on the TGF-β1 polymorphisms and Radiation Pneumonia (RP) risk.</p

Unveiling the pH-Dependent Yields of H₂O₂ and OH by Aqueous-Phase Ozonolysis of <i>m</i>‑Cresol in the Atmosphere

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH) are important oxidants in the atmospheric aqueous phase such as cloud droplets and deliquescent aerosol particles, playing a significant role in the chemical transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants in the atmosphere. Atmospheric aqueous-phase chemistry has been considered to be a source of H2O2 and OH. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of their formation in atmospheric waters is still incomplete. Here, we show that the aqueous-phase reaction of dissolved ozone (O3) with substituted phenols such as m-cresol represents an important source of H2O2 and OH exhibiting pH-dependent yields. Intriguingly, the formation of H2O2 through the ring-opening mechanism is strongly promoted under lower pH conditions (pH 2.5–3.5), while higher pH favors the ring-retaining pathways yielding OH. The rate constant of the reaction of O3 with m-cresol increases with increasing pH. The reaction products formed during the ozonolysis of m-cresol are analyzed by an Orbitrap mass spectrometer, and reaction pathways are suggested based on the identified product compounds. This study indicates that aqueous-phase ozonolysis of phenolic compounds might be an alternative source of H2O2 and OH in the cloud, rain, and liquid water of aerosol particles; thus, it should be considered in future model studies