Association of p53 Codon 72 Polymorphism with Risk of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Taiwan

Backgroundp53 polymorphism at codon 72 is a known risk marker for various malignancies, but it has not been studied in hypopharyngeal cancer. This study investigated the genotype distribution of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in hypopharyngeal cancer patients and non-cancer controls matched for age, gender, alcohol consumption and smoking habit.MethodsGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells of 53 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer and 53 non-cancer controls. Codon 72 polymorphism of p53 was identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.ResultsPatients with hypopharyngeal cancer had higher frequencies of Pro/Pro (26.4% vs. 13.2%) and Pro/Arg (51.0% vs. 45.3%) but lower frequencies of Arg/Arg (22.6% vs. 45.1%) compared to controls. Compared to Arg/Arg genotypes, Pro/Pro genotypes had a relative risk of hypopharyngeal cancer of 3.667 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-11.56; p = 0.03). As a group, patients with Pro/Pro or Arg/Pro who were carriers of the Pro allele had a higher relative risk of hypopharyngeal cancer compared to Arg homozygous carriers (odds ratio, 2.415; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-5.64; p = 0.04).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that p53 codon 72 Pro homozygosity is associated with a higher risk of developing hypopharyngeal cancer

U(1) CS Theory vs SL(2) CS Formulation: Boundary Theory and Wilson Line

We first derive the boundary theory from the U(1) Chern-Simons theory. We then introduce the Wilson line and discuss the effective action on an $n$-sheet manifold from the back-reaction of the Wilson line. The reason is that the U(1) Chern-Simons theory can provide an exact effective action when introducing the Wilson line. This study cannot be done in the SL(2) Chern-Simons formulation of pure AdS$_3$ Einstein gravity theory. It is known that the expectation value of the Wilson line in the pure AdS$_3$ Einstein gravity is equivalent to entanglement entropy in the boundary theory up to classical gravity. We show that the boundary theory of the U(1) Chern-Simons theory deviates by a self-interaction term from the boundary theory of the AdS$_3$ Einstein gravity theory. It provides a convenient path to the building of "minimum surface=entanglement entropy" in the SL(2) Chern-Simons formulation. We also discuss the Hayward term in the SL(2) Chern-Simons formulation to compare with the Wilson line approach. To reproduce the entanglement entropy for a single interval at the classical level, we introduce two wedges under a regularization scheme. We propose the quantum generalization by combining the bulk and Hayward terms. The quantum correction of the partition function vanishes. In the end, we exactly calculate the entanglement entropy for a single interval. The pure AdS$_3$ Einstein gravity theory shows a shift of central charge by 26 at the one-loop level. The U(1) Chern-Simons theory does not have such a shift from the quantum effect, and the result is the same in the weak gravitational constant limit. The non-vanishing quantum correction shows the naive quantum generalization of the Hayward term is incorrect.Comment: 39 pages, 2 figure

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOYS’ SOCCER KICK SKILL ANALYSIS

The purpose of this study is aimed to analyze elementary school boys’ kicking skills on the perspective of motor skills. The data is collected by Vicon Motion Analysis System (250Hz). The parameters include the compare of the instant joint angles and the time proportion during the process of the kicking toward the different kick performance groups. The participants are 36 elementary boy soccer players (age: 11.7±0.3 yrs; height: 1.42±0.13 m; weight: 37.5±13.0 kg). The subjects were divided to two groups according to the instance kicking ball speed. The result indicated that the high ball speed group players have greater extremity joint angles than the low ball speed group. No difference was found on the time proportion during the process of the kicking. We suggest that the learning of kicking skill can start with the lower speed in the beginner stage

Prenatal Diagnosis of Pulmonary Sequestration by Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

A 36-year-old multigravida, G2P1, underwent routine ultrasound scan at 22+1 weeks of gestation, which revealed a single normally growing fetus with left intrathoracic mass and left displacement of the cardiac apex. The left intrathoracic wedge-shaped hyperechogenic mass, measuring 32 × 25 mm in size, was situated at the lower portion of the left lung. A combination of color and power Doppler ultrasound allowed visualization of a vessel arising from the descending aorta, which supplied the mass. The diagnosis of extralobar pulmonary sequestration was made. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also performed and revealed a well-defined mass with homogeneous high-signal intensity when compared with normal lung tissue in the left upper lung field, which was compatible with pulmonary sequestration. The pulmonary mass was followed up by color and power Doppler every 2 weeks. The peak velocity of 11.85 cm/sec and the diameter of the feeding artery of 1.19 mm gradually decreased and disappeared 8 weeks later. The intrathoracic mass disappeared 10 weeks later at 32+1 gestational weeks. Repeat MRI also revealed spontaneous regression of the mass in favor of resorption of sequestration. The fetus was delivered at 38+1 gestational weeks. A male newborn weighing 2,520 g was spontaneously delivered with an Apgar score of 8 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes. In our patient, it is suggested that progressive decreases in the peak velocity of the feeding vessel heralded the spontaneous regression of pulmonary sequestration not associated with hydrops/hydrothorax

Clinical Study Heart Rate Variability Analysis in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Background. Very few studies investigate the role of the autonomic nervous system in allergic rhinitis. In this study, we evaluated the autonomic nervous system in allergic rhinitis patients using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Methods. Eleven patients with allergic rhinitis and 13 healthy controls, aged between 19 and 40 years old, were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was based on clinical history, symptoms, and positive Phadiatop test. Electrocardiographic recordings on the sitting and supine positions were obtained for HRV analysis. Results. In the supine position, there were no significant statistical differences in verylow-frequency power (VLF, ≤0.04 Hz), low-frequency power (LF, 0.04-0.15 Hz), high-frequency power (HF, 0.15-0.40 Hz), and the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF) between the patient and control groups. The mean RR intervals significantly increased, while LF% and LF/HF significantly decreased in the patient group in the sitting position. Moreover, mean RR intervals, LF, and LF/HF, which were significantly different between the two positions in the control group, did not show a significant change with the posture change in the patient group. Conclusion. These suggest that patients with allergic rhinitis may have poor sympathetic modulation in the sitting position. Autonomic dysfunction may therefore play a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis

Heart Rate Variability Analysis in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Background. Very few studies investigate the role of the autonomic nervous system in allergic rhinitis. In this study, we evaluated the autonomic nervous system in allergic rhinitis patients using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Methods. Eleven patients with allergic rhinitis and 13 healthy controls, aged between 19 and 40 years old, were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was based on clinical history, symptoms, and positive Phadiatop test. Electrocardiographic recordings on the sitting and supine positions were obtained for HRV analysis. Results. In the supine position, there were no significant statistical differences in very-low-frequency power (VLF, ≤0.04 Hz), low-frequency power (LF, 0.04–0.15 Hz), high-frequency power (HF, 0.15–0.40 Hz), and the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF) between the patient and control groups. The mean RR intervals significantly increased, while LF% and LF/HF significantly decreased in the patient group in the sitting position. Moreover, mean RR intervals, LF, and LF/HF, which were significantly different between the two positions in the control group, did not show a significant change with the posture change in the patient group. Conclusion. These suggest that patients with allergic rhinitis may have poor sympathetic modulation in the sitting position. Autonomic dysfunction may therefore play a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis

Recombinant VP1, an Akt Inhibitor, Suppresses Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inducing Apoptosis and Modulation of CCL2 Production

BACKGROUND: The application of viral elements in tumor therapy is one facet of cancer research. Recombinant capsid protein VP1 (rVP1) of foot-and-mouth disease virus has previously been demonstrated to induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines. Here, we aim to further investigate its apoptotic mechanism and possible anti-metastatic effect in murine models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common human cancers worldwide. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Treatment with rVP1 inhibited cell proliferation in two murine HCC cell lines, BNL and Hepa1-6, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.1-0.2 µM. rVP1 also induced apoptosis in these cells, which was mediated by Akt deactivation and dissociation of Ku70-Bax, and resulted in conformational changes and mitochondrial translocation of Bax, leading to the activation of caspases-9, -3 and -7. Treatment with 0.025 µM rVP1, which did not affect the viability of normal hepatocytes, suppressed cell migration and invasion via attenuating CCL2 production. The production of CCL2 was modulated by Akt-dependent NF-κB activation that was decreased after rVP1 treatment. The in vivo antitumor effects of rVP1 were assessed in both subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models of HCC in immune-competent BALB/c mice. Intratumoral delivery of rVP1 inhibited subcutaneous tumor growth as a result of increased apoptosis. Intravenous administration of rVP1 in an orthotopic HCC model suppressed tumor growth, inhibited intra-hepatic metastasis, and prolonged survival. Furthermore, a decrease in the serum level of CCL2 was observed in rVP1-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The data presented herein suggest that, via inhibiting Akt phosphorylation, rVP1 suppresses the growth, migration, and invasion of murine HCC cells by inducing apoptosis and attenuating CCL2 production both in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant protein VP1 thus has the potential to be developed as a new therapeutic agent for HCC

Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation for Esophageal Strictures in Children Younger Than 6 Years: Experience in a Medical Center

Esophageal strictures in children may be caused by congenital anomaly, caustic agent or foreign body ingestion, complication of reflux esophagitis, and after esophageal surgery. Accidental ingestion of alkaline fluid is the most common cause of corrosive esophagitis in children in Taiwan. In this article, we studied 10 pediatric patients who had esophageal strictures and required endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) therapy under general anesthesia from January 2003 to June 2009. The median age of the studied children who received their first EBD treatment was 36.2 months (13.4–60.9 months), with a dilator size of 8.0mm (5–12 mm). The interval between injury and initial EBD was 3.0 months (1.3–60.8 months). The treatment duration averaged 16.7 months (3.0–69.3 months), with 13.5 (4–31) instances of EBD therapy per patient. The greater the length of stricture, the more number of times EBD was needed. In these cases, no severe complication was found after the procedure. The result indicated that EBD under general anesthesia was a safe and effective method to resolve the symptom of dysphagia and diet condition. Because of the limited number of study cases, long-term studies are required to further confirm the clinical effect of EBD under general anesthesia