Association between H-RAS T81C genetic polymorphism and gastrointestinal cancer risk: A population based case-control study in China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gastrointestinal cancer, such as gastric, colon and rectal cancer, is a major medical and economic burden worldwide. However, the exact mechanism of gastrointestinal cancer development still remains unclear. <it>RAS </it>genes have been elucidated as major participants in the development and progression of a series of human tumours and the single nucleotide polymorphism at <it>H-RAS </it>cDNA position 81 was demonstrated to contribute to the risks of bladder, oral and thyroid carcinoma. Therefore, we hypothesized that this polymorphisms in <it>H-RAS </it>could influence susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancer as well, and we conducted this study to test the hypothesis in Chinese population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A population based case-control study, including 296 cases with gastrointestinal cancer and 448 healthy controls selected from a Chinese population was conducted. <it>H-RAS </it>T81C polymorphism was genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the healthy controls, the TT, TC and CC genotypes frequencies of <it>H-RAS </it>T81C polymorphism, were 79.24%, 19.87% and 0.89%, respectively, and the C allele frequency was 10.83%. Compared with TT genotype, the TC genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (adjusted OR = 3.67, 95%CI = 2.21–6.08), while the CC genotype showed an increased risk as well (adjusted OR = 3.29, 95%CI = 0.54–19.86), but it was not statistically significant. In contrast, the frequency of TC genotype was not significantly increased in colon cancer and rectal cancer patients. Further analysis was performed by combining TC and CC genotypes compared against TT genotype. As a result, a statistically significant risk with adjusted OR of 3.65 (95%CI, 2.22–6.00) was found in gastric cancer, while no significant association of <it>H-RAS </it>T81C polymorphism with colon cancer and rectal cancer was observed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings indicate, for the first time, that there is an <it>H-RAS </it>T81C polymorphism existing in Chinese population, and this SNP might be a low penetrance gene predisposition factor for gastric cancer.</p

Expert Consensus on Microtransplant for Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Elderly Patients -Report From the International Microtransplant Interest Group

Recent studies have shown that microtransplant (MST) could improve outcome of patients with elderly acute myeloid leukemia (EAML). To further standardize the MST therapy and improve outcomes in EAML patients, based on analysis of the literature on MST, especially MST with EAML from January 1st, 2011 to November 30th, 2022, the International Microtransplant Interest Group provides recommendations and considerations for MST in the treatment of EAML. Four major issues related to MST for treating EAML were addressed: therapeutic principle of MST (1), candidates for MST (2), induction chemotherapy regimens (3), and post-remission therapy based on MST (4). Others included donor screening, infusion of donor cells, laboratory examinations, and complications of treatment

Revenue focused semi-protection for VOD service in cost-effective DWDM networks

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology is an important innovation to enable the network operators to utilize their optical networks efficiently. By multiplexing more wavelengths into one fiber, the data transmission rate of a fiber in DWDM networks is dramatically increased up to Terabits per second (Tbps). However, network operators are still struggling with the bandwidth shortage problems due to the explosion of data transmission demands, especially the transmission of video content. In this project, we present a survey of the research on cost-effective DWDM networks in terms of the routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) and traffic grooming problems. In addition, we extend a revenue focused semi-protection scheme, which uses the failure statistics, revenue statistics, and bandwidth statistics of VOD service to solve bandwidth shortage problems in DWDM ring networks. Our goal is to provide network operators with guidelines on the design or upgrade of their DWDM networks

An experimental study of detonation initiation in supersonic flow using a hot jet

In this study, detonation initiation in supersonic premixed flow is experimentally investigated using hot jets with different strength. Two types of shock interaction models, B/S (bow/separated) and S/S (separated/separated), are observed, respectively. In the case with the high-strength hot jet, the ignition of the combustible mixture is triggered by the interaction between jet-induced bow and bottom separated shocks, which results in the generation of a Mach stem further initiating the detonation. Finally, the structure of SSIC (separated shock-induced combustion)/LD (local detonation)/SSIC (separated shock-induced combustion) is observed. For the low-strength hot jet, detonation initiation could not be realized by the interaction between bow and separated shocks, and only the separated shock-induced combustion is observed. The interaction of shock surfaces in the flow field is dominated by the upper separated shock. Finally, a "&lt;" shaped SSIC/SSIC structure is generated associated with the forward propagation of separated shocks in the supersonic flow

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Cancer Patients at Zhejiang University Teaching Hospital Zhuji Hospital, China

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is garnering increasing interest and acceptance among the general population throughout the world. The use of CAM by cancer patients is very common in China. The referenced English literature has no rural community-based study from China on this subject. This study was conducted to define the prevalence, pattern of use, and reasons for using CAM by cancer patients at Zhejiang University Teaching Hospital Zhuji Hospital (ZUTH-ZJH), China. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were used to determine the use of CAM by cancer patients. All consenting cancer patients were interviewed as they presented at the Department of Surgical Oncology of ZUTH-ZJH, from September 2009 to February 2010. One hundred and twenty one patients were interviewed; 64 (52.9%) were males and 57 (47.1%) were females. One hundred and thirteen patients (93.4%) have used CAM at some time during their current cancer illness, fifty two (46.0%) are female and sixty one (54.0%) are male patients; 8 (6.6%) patients have not used any form of CAM. Chinese medicine (73.5.0%) was the most commonly reported CAM modality. Over 71.7% of those who used CAM were satisfied, only 28.3% were disappointed. Twenty eight users (24.8%) did not see any benefit from the CAM, but eighty one patients (71.7%) could describe some specific benefits. Only one patient will use orthodox medicine instead of CAM in the future, almost all patients will continue to use CAM in the future. CAM use is very common among cancer patients in local area of China. Most users obtain the expected benefits, and adverse events are uncommon. It is imperative that oncologists should explore the use of CAM with their cancer patients and work towards an integrated model of health-care provision. This knowledge will enable oncologists to better counsel the patients

Quantum Battery Based on Hybrid Field Charging

A quantum battery consisting of an ensemble two-level atom is investigated. The battery is charged simultaneously by a harmonic field and an electrostatic field. The results show that the hybrid charging is superior to the previous case of only harmonic field charging in terms of battery capacity and charging power, regardless of whether the interaction between atoms is considered or not. In addition, the repulsive interaction between atoms will increase the battery capacity and charging power, while the attractive interaction between atoms will reduce the battery capacity and discharge power

Cyclodextrin/chitosan nanoparticles for oral ovalbumin delivery: Preparation, characterization and intestinal mucosal immunity in mice

A novel oral protein delivery system with enhanced intestinal penetration and improved antigen stability based on chitosan (CS) nanoparticles and antigen-cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complex was prepared by a precipitation/coacervation method. Ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen was firstly encapsulated by cyclodextrin, either β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) or carboxymethyl-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (CM-HP-β-CD) and formed OVA-CD inclusion complexes, which were then loaded to chitosan nanoparticles to form OVA loaded β-CD/CS or CM-HP-β-CD/CS nanoparticles with uniform particle size (836.3 and 779.2 nm, respectively) and improved OVA loading efficiency (27.6% and 20.4%, respectively). In vitro drug release studies mimicking oral delivery condition of OVA loaded CD/CS nanoparticles showed low initial releases at pH 1.2 for 2 h less than 3.0% and a delayed release which was below to 30% at pH 6.8 for further 72 h. More importantly, after oral administration of OVA loaded β-CD/CS nanoparticles to Balb/c mice, OVA-specific sIgA levels in jejunum of OVA loaded β-CD/CS nanoparticles were 3.6-fold and 1.9-fold higher than that of OVA solution and OVA loaded chitosan nanoparticles, respectively. In vivo evaluation results showed that OVA loaded CD/CS nanoparticles could enhance its efficacy for inducing intestinal mucosal immune response. In conclusion, our data suggested that CD/CS nanoparticles could serve as a promising antigen-delivery system for oral vaccination. Keywords: β-cyclodextrin, Chitosan nanoparticles, Ovalbumin, Oral protein delivery, Intestinal mucosal immunit

Combination Treatment Targeting mTOR and MAPK Pathways Has Synergistic Activity in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable, malignant B cell disorder characterized by frequent relapses and a poor prognosis. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are warranted. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway plays a key role in many critical cellular processes, including cell proliferation and survival. Activated PI3K/AKT (protein kinases B)/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling has been identified in MM primary patient samples and cell lines. In this study, the efficacy of PI3K and mTOR inhibitors in various MM cell lines representing three different prognostic subtypes was tested. Whereas MM cell lines were rather resistant to PI3K inhibition, treatment with the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus decreases the phosphorylation of key molecules in the PI3K pathway in MM cell lines, leading to G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and thus reduced proliferation. Strikingly, the efficacy of temsirolimus was amplified by combining the treatment with the Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor trametinib. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for the simultaneous inhibition of mTOR and MEK as a novel strategy for the treatment of MM