High-resolution detection of recurrent aberrations in lung adenocarcinomas by array comparative genomic hybridization and expression analysis of selective genes by quantitative PCR

Genomic abnormalities are the hallmark of cancers and may harbor potential candidate genes important for cancer development and progression. We performed array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) on 36 cases of primary lung adenocarcinoma (AD) using an array containing 2621 BAC or PAC clones spanning the genome at an average interval of 1 Mb. Array CGH identified the commonest aberrations consisting of DNA gains within 1p, 1q, 5p, 5q, 7p, 7q, 8q, 11q, 12p, 13q, 16p, 17q, 20q, and losses with 6q, 9p, 10q and 18q. High-level copy gains involved mainly 7p21-p15 and 20q13.3. Dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on a selective locus for validation of array CGH results. Genomic aberrations were compared with different clinicopathological features and a trend of higher number of aberrations in tumors with aggressive phenotypes and current tobacco exposure was identified. According to array CGH data, 23 candidate genes were selected for quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. The concordance observed between the genomic and expression changes in most of the genes suggested that they could be candidate cancer-related genes that contributed to the development of lung AD.published_or_final_versio

Pain-related beliefs among Chinese patients with chronic pain: The construct and concurrent predictive validity of the Chinese version of the survey of pain attitudes-14 (ChSOPA-14)

Context: Pain beliefs as indexed by the Survey of Pain Attitudes (SOPA) have been consistently shown to predict pain adjustment outcomes in Western populations. However, its utility in non-Western populations is unclear. Objectives: We evaluated the construct and predictive validity of the Chinese version of the 14-item SOPA (ChSOPA-14) in a sample of Chinese patients with chronic pain. Methods: A total of 208 Chinese patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain completed the ChSOPA-14, the Chronic Pain Grade questionnaire, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and measures of sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Except Medical Cure, all ChSOPA-14 scales were significantly correlated with validity criterion measures (all P < 0.05) in expected directions. The present Chinese sample scored the highest on the Medical Cure scale (mean = 2.98, standard deviation [SD] = 1.05) but the lowest on the Disability scale (mean = 1.75, SD = 1.67). Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the ChSOPA-14 scales predicted concurrent depression (F(7,177) = 14.51, P < 0.001) and pain disability (F(7,180) = 8.77, P < 0.001). Pain Control (stdβ [standardized beta coefficient] = -0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.41, -0.13; P < 0.05) and Emotion (stdβ = 29; 95% CI: 1.76, 5.02; P < 0.001) emerged as significant independent predictors of concurrent depression whereas Disability (stdβ = 0.19; 95% CI: 1.33, 7.88; P < 0.01), Emotion (stdβ = 16; 95% CI: 0.08, 7.59; P < 0.05), and Solicitude (stdβ = -0.14; 95% CI: -7.05, -0.04; P < 0.05) significantly associated with concurrent disability. Conclusion: The findings offer preliminary evidence for the construct and concurrent predictive validity of the ChSOPA-14. This makes available a suitable instrument for chronic pain in the Chinese population and will facilitate future cross-cultural research on pain beliefs. © 2011 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.postprin

A macroscopic approach to the lane formation phenomenon in pedestrian counterflow

We simulate pedestrian counterflow by adopting an optimal path-choice strategy and a recently observed speed-density relationship. Although the whole system is symmetric, the simulation demonstrates the segregation and formation of many walking lanes for two groups of pedestrians. The symmetry breaking is most likely triggered by a small numerical viscosity or "noise", and the segregation is associated with the minimization of travel time. The underlying physics can be compared with the "optimal self- organization" mechanism in Helbing's social force model, by which driven entities in an open system tend to minimize their interaction to enable them to reach some ordering state. © 2011 Chinese Physical Society and IOP Publishing Ltd.postprin

Personalized prediction of EGFR mutation-induced drug resistance in lung cancer

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Influenza B/Streptococcal co-infection complicated by organizing pneumonia

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Smoking family, paternal smoking at home and saliva cotinine levels of young children in Hong Kong

Conference Theme: Tobacco and Non-Communicable DiseasesPoster Discussion 25. Smoke-Free Environments and Second-Hand Smoke: Changing the Norm: no. PD-890-20BACKGROUND: Prevalence of smoking in Hong Kong (all 10.7%, male 19.1%, female 3.1%) is among the lowest in the world. Home is a main source of children’s secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in densely populated Hong Kong. We investigated paternal smoking places at home and distance from children with children’s cotinine levels. DESIGN/METHODS: 773 children (response rate 66.0%, mean age 6.2±5.6, 51.6% boys) were recruited in 4 Maternal and Children Health Centers in Hong Kong. Information on SHS exposure at and outside home, paternal smoking behaviours, socio-demographic characteristics was reported …published_or_final_versio

Preliminary Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory (ChCPCI) in a Hong Kong Chinese Population

The Chronic Pain Coping Inventory (CPCI) is a frequently used measure that assesses 8 categories of coping strategies that patients might use to cope with chronic pain. Despite its good psychometric properties and widespread use, the instrument has not been tested for its applicability and validity in non-Western populations, such as among Chinese. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of a Chinese translation of the 42-item CPCI (ChCPCI-42) in a sample of Chinese patients with chronic pain (n = 208). In addition to the ChCPCI-42, the patients were administered the Chronic Pain Grade (CPG) questionnaire, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and questions assessing sociodemographic characteristics. Results of confirmatory factor analyses revealed that of the ChCPCI-42 8 scales, 6 demonstrated acceptable-to-good data-model fit (CFI ≥ 0.90) and 2 demonstrated medium fit (CFI ≥ 0.85). The 8 scales demonstrated adequate to good internal consistency (Cronbach α, 0.69 to 0.79) and correlated with CES-D, PCS, pain intensity, and disability in expected directions. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the ChCPCI-42 scales predicted concurrent depression (F (8,177) = 3.07, P < .01) and pain disability (F (1, 179) = 4.35, P < .001) scores, the Task Persistence scale being the strongest unique predictor among the 8 scales. The findings support the factorial validity and reliability of a 42-item CPCI that can be used among Chinese patients with chronic pain. Perspective: The report outlines the first validation of the CPCI for use in Hong Kong Chinese. This makes available a suitable instrument for chronic pain research in the Southern Chinese population and will help to elucidate similarities and differences in pain coping between Chinese and other ethnic groups. © 2010 American Pain Society.postprin

Lung cancer tumorigenicity and drug resistance are maintained through ALDH(hi)CD44(hi) tumor initiating cells

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Clinical outcome of advanced lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung after chemoradiotherapy

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The Fear-Avoidance Model of Chronic Pain: Assessing the Role of Neuroticism and Negative Affect in Pain Catastrophizing Using Structural Equation Modeling

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