Logistic regressions on the associations of the <i>DRD3</i> variant rs2399496 and nicotine dependence (ND) with major depressive disorder (MDD): Models combining the ND (no/yes) and rs2399496 (TT = 0, TA = 1, or AA = 2 minor alleles) status.

a<p>Adjusted for sex, age, and alcohol abuse.</p

Basic characteristics of the study samples used in (A) genetic association analyses (N = 1428) and (B) logistic regressions (N = 1296).

a<p>, 74 with unconfirmed zygosity; ^b, 34 with unconfirmed zygosity; ^c 44 with unconfirmed zygosity; ^d 23 with unconfirmed zygosity: *, Conditioned for regular smoking.</p><p>MZ, monozygotic; DZ, dizygotic; CPD, cigarettes per day; DSM-IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4^th edition (APA 1994); MDD, major depressive disorder; ND, nicotine dependence.</p

Association analyses results (p-values) for <i>DRD3</i> SNPs.

<p>DSM-IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4^th edition (APA 1994); MDD, major depressive disorder; ND, nicotine dependence.</p>a<p>, significant p-value (study-specific threshold p<0.00042).</p>b<p>, suggestive p-value (study-specific threshold 0.00042</p

Soluble MICA and a <em>MICA</em> Variation as Possible Prognostic Biomarkers for HBV-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

<div><p>MHC class I polypeptide-related chain A (MICA) molecule is induced in response to viral infection and various types of stress. We recently reported that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2596542 located in the <em>MICA</em> promoter region was significantly associated with the risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and also with serum levels of soluble MICA (sMICA). In this study, we focused on the possible involvement of MICA in liver carcinogenesis related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and examined correlation between the <em>MICA</em> polymorphism and the serum sMICA levels in HBV-induced HCC patients. The genetic association analysis revealed a nominal association with an SNP rs2596542; a G allele was considered to increase the risk of HBV-induced HCC (P = 0.029 with odds ratio of 1.19). We also found a significant elevation of sMICA in HBV-induced HCC cases. Moreover, a G allele of SNP rs2596542 was significantly associated with increased sMICA levels (P = 0.009). Interestingly, HCC patients with the high serum level of sMICA (>5 pg/ml) exhibited poorer prognosis than those with the low serum level of sMICA (≤5 pg/ml) (P = 0.008). Thus, our results highlight the importance of <em>MICA</em> genetic variations and the significance of sMICA as a predictive biomarker for HBV-induced HCC.</p> </div

Demographic details of subjects analyzed.

*<p>Chronic hepatitis B patients without liver cirrhosis and liver cancer during enrollment.</p>**<p>Healthy volunteers from Osaka Midosuji Rotary Club, Osaka, Japan.</p

Kaplan-Meier curves of the patients with HBV-induced HCC.

<p>The patients were divided into two groups according to their sMICA concentration (high: >5 pg/ml and low:  = <5 pg/ml). Statistical difference was analyzed by log-rank test. The y-axis shows the cumulative survival probability and x-axis display the months of the patient survival after blood sampling.</p

Association between HCC and rs2596542.

<p>Note: 407 HCC cases, 699 CHB subjects and 5,657 non-HBV controls were used in the analysis.</p><p>Chr.,chromosome; MAF, minor allele frequency; OR, odds ratio for minor allele; CI, confidence interval.</p>*<p>Obtained by Armitage trend test.</p

Soluble MICA levels are associated with HBV-related HCC.

<p>(A) Correlation between soluble MICA levels and HBV-induced HCC subjects. The y-axis displays the concentration of soluble MICA in pg/ml. The number of independent samples tested in each group is shown in the x-axis. Each group is shown as a box plot and the mean values are shown in the x-axis. The difference between two groups is tested by Wilcoxon rank test. The box plots are plotted using default settings in R. (B) Correlation between soluble MICA levels and rs2596542 genotype in HBV-positive HCC subjects. The x-axis shows the genotypes at rs2596542 and y-axis display the concentration of soluble MICA in pg/ml. Each group is shown as a box plot. <i>P</i> = 0.027 and 0.013 for AA vs. GG and AA vs. AG, respectively. The association between genotypes and sMICA levels was tested by Kruskal-wallis test, whereas the difference in the sMICA levels between AA and GG is tested by Wilcoxon rank test. The box plots are plotted using default settings in R.</p

Correlation between soluble MICA levels and vascular invasion in HBV-induced HCC subjects.

<p>The y-axis displays the concentration of soluble MICA in pg/ml. The number of independent samples tested in each group is shown in the x-axis. Each group is shown as a box plot and the mean values are shown in the x-axis. The difference between two groups is tested by Wilcoxon rank test. The box plots are plotted using default settings in R.</p