The prognostic impact of EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification in human gastric carcinomas as measured by quantitative Real-Time PCR

Purpose: Identification of critical genes which play pivotal roles in controlling tumor growth and survival will establish the basis for developing therapeutic targets. In this study, we focused on frequencies of EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification in gastric cancer patients to develop personalized medicine to improve the treatment. Method: EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification, and mRNA expression were analyzed by the quantitative Real-Time PCR in paraffin-embedded samples from 115 patients with gastric cancer. Results: EGFR, ErbB2 and MET genes were amplified in 11.3 % (13/115), 6.1 % (7/115) and 19.1 % (22/115) of cancerous specimens, respectively. The correlation coefficient test clearly indicated that gene amplification in these three genes was positively correlated with mRNA transcription (EGFR: R = 0.631, p = 0.009; ErbB2: R = 0.652, p = 0.023; MET: R = 0.715, p < 0.001). EGFR and MET gene amplification was significantly associated with Ki-67 MI (p = 0.022 and p = 0.015). MET amplification was also significantly associated with age of ≥60 years (p = 0.021) and tumor size of ≥5 cm (p = 0.032). MET amplification, but not EGFR and ErbB2, was a significant prognostic factor in poor survival among patients with gastric cancer. Conclusions: EGFR, ErbB2 and MET genes are frequently amplified in gastric carcinoma. EGFR, ErbB2 and MET gene amplification is positively correlated with mRNA transcription. MET gene amplification correlates with a poor prognosis and poor survival in gastric carcinomas. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

The study of relationship between addiction potentiality and personality characteristics, conformity and gender among pre-university students

زمینه و هدف: ویژگی های شخصیتی و همنوایی از عوامل روان شناختی مهم در گرایش به رفتارهای پر خطر از جمله اعتیاد به شمار می روند. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی رابطه اعتیادپذیری با شخصیت، همنوایی و نقش جنسیت در بین دانش آموزان مقطع متوسطه شهر کرمان انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی-تحلیلی 118 دانش آموز مقطع پیش دانشگاهی ناحیه 2 شهر کرمان با روش نمونه گیری خوشه ای انتخاب شدند. ابزارهای پژوهش شامل: آزمون پنج عامل بزرگ شخصیت (فرم کوتاه)، همنوایی ال₇₂ و اعتیاد پذیری بود. داده ها به کمک ضریب همبستگی پیرسون، رگرسیون چند متغیره و آزمون t مورد تحلیل قرار گرفتند. یافته ها: بین همنوایی و اعتیاد پذیری رابطه مثبت معنادار وجود داشت (01/0>P). همچنین اعتیاد پذیری با ویژگی شخصیتی روان رنجوری رابطه مثبت و معنی‌دار و با ویژگی های شخصیتی وجدانی بودن و توافق گرایی رابطه منفی معنی دار وجود داشت (01/0>P). نتایج تحلیل t نشان داد که از لحاظ همنوایی در بین دختران و پسران تفاوتی وجود ندارد (05/0P). نتیجه گیری: افراد همنوا و افرادی که از لحاظ شخصیتی آسیب پذیرند مستعد اعتیاد می باشند. بنابراین ضروری است که در برنامه های آموزشی، پیشگیری و درمانی اعتیاد بر این ویژگی های روانشناختی تأکید گردد

Temperate and boreal forest tree phenology: from organ-scale processes to terrestrial ecosystem models

International audienceAbstractKey messageWe demonstrate that, beyond leaf phenology, the phenological cycles of wood and fine roots present clear responses to environmental drivers in temperate and boreal trees. These drivers should be included in terrestrial ecosystem models.ContextIn temperate and boreal trees, a dormancy period prevents organ development during adverse climatic conditions. Whereas the phenology of leaves and flowers has received considerable attention, to date, little is known regarding the phenology of other tree organs such as wood, fine roots, fruits, and reserve compounds.AimsHere, we review both the role of environmental drivers in determining the phenology of tree organs and the models used to predict the phenology of tree organs in temperate and boreal forest trees.ResultsTemperature is a key driver of the resumption of tree activity in spring, although its specific effects vary among organs. There is no such clear dominant environmental cue involved in the cessation of tree activity in autumn and in the onset of dormancy, but temperature, photoperiod, and water stress appear as prominent factors. The phenology of a given organ is, to a certain extent, influenced by processes in distant organs.ConclusionInferring past trends and predicting future trends of tree phenology in a changing climate requires specific phenological models developed for each organ to consider the phenological cycle as an ensemble in which the environmental cues that trigger each phase are also indirectly involved in the subsequent phases. Incorporating such models into terrestrial ecosystem models (TEMs) would likely improve the accuracy of their predictions. The extent to which the coordination of the phenologies of tree organs will be affected in a changing climate deserves further research