Genetic Variation in the <i>NOC</i> Gene Is Associated with Body Mass Index in Chinese Subjects

<div><p></p><p>Circadian clock genes are critical regulators of energy homeostasis and metabolism. However, whether variation in the circadian genes is associated with metabolic phenotypes in humans remains to be explored. In this study, we systemically genotyped 20 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 candidate genes involved in circadian clock, including <i>CLOCK</i>, <i>BMAL1</i>(<i>ARNTL</i>), <i>PER1</i>, <i>PER2</i>, <i>CRY1</i>, <i>CRY2</i>, <i>CSNK1E,</i>, and <i>NOC</i>(<i>CCRN4L</i>) in 1,510 non-diabetic Chinese subjects in Taipei and Yunlin populations in Taiwan. Their associations with metabolic phenotypes were analyzed. We found that genetic variation in the <i>NOC</i> gene, rs9684900 was associated with body mass index (BMI) (<i>P</i> = 0.0016, Bonferroni corrected <i>P</i> = 0.032). Another variant, rs135764 in the <i>CSNK1E</i> gene was associated with fasting glucose (<i>P</i> = 0.0023, Bonferroni corrected <i>P</i> = 0.046). These associations were consistent in both Taipei and Yunlin populations. Significant epistatic and joint effects between SNPs on BMI and related phenotypes were observed. Furthermore, <i>NOC</i> mRNA levels in human abdominal adipose tissue were significantly increased in obese subjects compared to non-obese controls.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Genetic variation in the <i>NOC</i> gene is associated with BMI in Chinese subjects.</p></div

MRI Radiomics for Predicting Survival in Patients with Locally Advanced Hypopharyngeal Cancer Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

A reliable prognostic stratification of patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer who had been treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is crucial for informing tailored management strategies. The purpose of this retrospective study was to develop robust and objective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics-based models for predicting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in this patient population. The study participants included 198 patients (median age: 52.25 years (interquartile range = 46.88&ndash;59.53 years); 95.96% men) who were randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 132) and a testing cohort (n = 66). Radiomic parameters were extracted from post-contrast T1-weighted MR images. Radiomic features for model construction were selected from the training cohort using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator&ndash;Cox regression models. Prognostic performances were assessed by calculating the integrated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (iAUC). The ability of radiomic models to predict OS (iAUC = 0.580, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.558&ndash;0.591) and PFS (iAUC = 0.625, 95% CI = 0.600&ndash;0.633) was validated in the testing cohort. The combination of radiomic signatures with traditional clinical parameters outperformed clinical variables alone in the prediction of survival outcomes (observed iAUC increments = 0.279 [95% CI = 0.225&ndash;0.334] and 0.293 [95% CI = 0.232&ndash;0.351] for OS and PFS, respectively). In summary, MRI radiomics has value for predicting survival outcomes in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer treated with CCRT, especially when combined with clinical prognostic variables

Smoking-Related Health Beliefs in a Sample of Psychiatric Patients: Factors Associated with the Health Beliefs and Validation of the Health Belief Questionnaire

This study examined the (a) health beliefs and emotions (perception of risk, benefits, severity, and worry) about smoking among current and former smokers, (b) their awareness of health warnings, (c) factors associated with smoking-related health beliefs, and (d) the factor structure of the health belief questionnaire. Participants (n = 184) were recruited from a tertiary psychiatric care hospital. Current smokers showed a significantly higher risk perception and lower perceived benefits compared to former smokers. Younger age (&lt;40 years), nicotine dependence (ND), a history of smoking-related diseases (SRD), and intention to quit were significantly associated with a higher risk perception in current smokers. Younger age, a history of SRDs, and motivation to quit were positively associated with health beliefs, while the latter two were associated with worry. Motivation and younger age were associated with a better perception of benefits and severity. Information on the cigarette packets was the major source of awareness for the sample, and 69% reported that existing campaigns were not effective in discouraging their smoking. Personalized risk communication and educational initiatives must focus on improving the knowledge of risk, benefits, and increase motivation to promote health cognition and thus smoking cessation

Graphical representation of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between SNPs.

<p>Pairwise LD coefficients D'×100 are shown in each cell (D' values of 1.0 were not shown). The standard color scheme of Haploview was applied for LD color display (LOD score ≧2 and D' = 1 in bright red; LOD score ≧2 and D'<1 in blue; LOD score <2 and D' = 1 in shade of pink; LOD score <2 and D'<1 in white).</p

Characteristics of study participants.

<p>Data are presented as mean (S.D.) or percentage.</p

SNP association with metabolic phenotypes.

<p>BMI: body mass index, SBP: systolic blood pressure, DBP: diastolic blood pressure, TG: triglycerides; Bold indicates <i>P</i><0.05. Data are presented as mean (S.D.).All of these traits were log-transformed in the regression analysis.</p

<i>NOC</i> expression in abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat tissue between obese and non-obese subjects.

<p><i>NOC</i> expression in abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat tissue between obese and non-obese subjects.</p

Multi-locus interaction on metabolic phenotypes.

*<p>permutated for 1,000 times and adjusted for age and sex.</p

SNP information.

<p>HW <i>P</i>-values, empirical <i>P</i>-values of the χ² test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.</p

Metabolic phenotypes according to <i>NOC</i> rs9684900 genotypes.

<p>BMI: body mass index, SBP: systolic blood pressure, DBP: diastolic blood pressure, TG: triglycerides; Bold indicates <i>P</i><0.05. Data are presented as mean (S.D.).</p