Irradiation-induced telomerase activity and gastric cancer risk: a case-control analysis in a Chinese Han population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Telomerase expression is one of the characteristics of gastric cancer (GC) cells and telomerase activity is frequently up-regulated by a variety of mechanisms during GC development. Therefore, we hypothesized that elevated levels of activated telomerase might enhance GC risk due to increased propagation of cells with DNA damage, such as induced by γ-radiation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To explore this hypothesis, 246 GC cases and 246 matched controls were recruited in our case-control study. TRAP-ELISA was used to assess the levels of telomerase activity at baseline and after γ-radiation and the γ-radiation-induced telomerase activity (defined as after γ-irradiation/baseline) in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our data showed that there was no significant difference for the baseline telomerase activity between GC cases and controls (10.17 ± 7.21 <it>vs. </it>11.02 ± 8.03, <it>p </it>= 0.168). However, after γ-radiation treatment, γ-radiation-induced telomerase activity was significantly higher in the cases than in the controls (1.51 ± 0.93 <it>vs</it>. 1.22 ± 0.66, <it>p </it>< 0.001). Using the median value of γ-radiation-induced telomerase activity in the controls as a cutoff point, we observed that high γ-radiation-induced telomerase activity was associated with a significantly increased GC risk (adjusted odds ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.83-3.18). Moreover, a dose response association was noted between γ-radiation-induced telomerase activity and GC risk. Age, but not sex, smoking and drinking status seem to have a modulating effect on the γ-radiation-induced telomerase activities in both cases and controls.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, our findings for the first time suggest that the increased γ-radiation-induced telomerase activity in PBLs might be associated with elevated GC risk. Further confirmation of this association using a prospective study design is warranted.</p

Preparation of starch carbamates in homogeneous phase using different mixing conditions

The preparation of starch carbamates of wrinkled pea starch in homogeneous phase catalysed by dibutyltin dilaurate in DMSO as solvent is described. The empfloyed isocyanates have linear alkyl chains with 7, 9, 11, 15 or 18 carbon atoms. Starch carbamates with equal degrees of substitution and different alkyl chains lengths were synthesised in a reaction flask. The preparation of carbamates with equal alkyl chain length and different degrees of substitution was also possible. The structures of the polymers were characterised by elemental analysis, IR- and H-1-NMR-spectroscopy. The behaviour of the prepared starch carbamates under thermal loading was investigated by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and a hot press. In addition, for 1-undecyl isocyanate the starch carbamate was prepared both in a kneader and an extruder. The differences in reaction conditions and the results were discussed