Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies common susceptibility polymorphisms for colorectal and endometrial cancer near SH2B3 and TSHZ1

High-risk mutations in several genes predispose to both colorectal cancer (CRC) and endometrial cancer (EC). We therefore hypothesised that some lower-risk genetic variants might also predispose to both CRC and EC. Using CRC and EC genome-wide association series, totalling 13,265 cancer cases and 40,245 controls, we found that the protective allele [G] at one previously-identified CRC polymorphism, rs2736100 near TERT, was associated with EC risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, P = 0.000167); this polymorphism influences the risk of several other cancers. A further CRC polymorphism near TERC also showed evidence of association with EC (OR = 0.92; P = 0.03). Overall, however, there was no good evidence that the set of CRC polymorphisms was associated with EC risk, and neither of two previously-reported EC polymorphisms was associated with CRC risk. A combined analysis revealed one genome-wide significant polymorphism, rs3184504, on chromosome 12q24 (OR = 1.10, P = 7.23 × 10−9) with shared effects on CRC and EC risk. This polymorphism, a missense variant in the gene SH2B3, is also associated with haematological and autoimmune disorders, suggesting that it influences cancer risk through the immune response. Another polymorphism, rs12970291 near gene TSHZ1, was associated with both CRC and EC (OR = 1.26, P = 4.82 × 10−8), with the alleles showing opposite effects on the risks of the two cancers

Dosimetry and risk analyses in diagnostic radiology: computerized tomography

The use of ionizing radiation for medical purposes is increasing every year. A very popular method recently added to diagnostic x-ray procedures is computerized tomography (CT), a radiological imaging method with high accuracy for the determination of the spatial distribution of x-ray attenuation in the region examined. The asymmetric motion of the x-ray source (translation and rotation) in CT necessitates the use of rather different exposure measurement techniques than those used for conventional diagnostic x-ray sources. Patient skin dose varies considerably from region to region during a scan due to the motion of an x-ray source. The average skin dose to the patient is generally used in evaluating exposure to the patient. Risk factors developed by the BEIR committee can be used to estimate the risk to the population due to the exposure incurred through medical radiography. In this paper, these risk factors are employed to obtain an estimate of risk due to radiation exposure from CT

Combined methodology for estimating dose rates and health effects from exposure to radioactive pollutants

The work described in the report is basically a synthesis of two previously existing computer codes: INREM II, developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); and CAIRD, developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The INREM II code uses contemporary dosimetric methods to estimate doses to specified reference organs due to inhalation or ingestion of a radionuclide. The CAIRD code employs actuarial life tables to account for competing risks in estimating numbers of health effects resulting from exposure of a cohort to some incremental risk. The combined computer code, referred to as RADRISK, estimates numbers of health effects in a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 persons due to continuous lifetime inhalation or ingestion of a radionuclide. Also briefly discussed in this report is a method of estimating numbers of health effects in a hypothetical cohort due to continuous lifetime exposure to external radiation. This method employs the CAIRD methodology together with dose conversion factors generated by the computer code DOSFACTER, developed at ORNL; these dose conversion factors are used to estimate dose rates to persons due to radionuclides in the air or on the ground surface. The combination of the life table and dosimetric guidelines for the release of radioactive pollutants to the atmosphere, as required by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977

Estimating the risk associated with computerized tomography doses

The largest annual whole- body dose to the US population from man-made radiation is from medical sources. According to the BEIR report, the use of diagnostic x-rays by the medical profession has increased in recent years at an annual rate of 1 to 4%. Risk factors developed by the BEIR committee can be used to estimate the risk to the population due to the exposure incurred through medical radiography. In this paper, these risk factors are employed to obtain an estimate of risk due to radiation exposure from computerized tomography (CT)

A silk‐based functionalization architecture for single fiber imaging and sensing

First published: 29 March 2021A new fiber functionalization architecture for single-fiber imaging and sensing is presented. 5(6)Carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor-2 (a fluorescent pH sensor) is attached to a silk-binding peptide and the complex added to aqueous silk fibroin protein. These bind with a Kd of 36 µM as determined by a fluorescence polarization assay. The fiber is dip-coated into the silk and peptide mixture, and scanning electron microscopy images reveal a uniform silk coating on the fiber tip. The coating is stable to repeated washes and does not affect the imaging light emitted from the fiber, which allows concurrent optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and pH sensing. Oocytes are metabolically stimulated with CoCl2 to produce lactic acid, and a pH reduction of 0.04 is measured using the probe. The distance between fiber tip and oocyte is monitored by simultaneous OCT acquisitions to precisely position the probe. Lastly, OCT imaging of an ovary revealed the presence/absence of an oocyte within a follicle, an important step toward improving patient outcomes during in vitro fertilization, by limiting the number of invasive follicle punctures required. These results demonstrate the utility of this new coating to enable simultaneous OCT imaging and sensing, which provides significant insight into complex biological systems.Patrick K. Capon, Jiawen Li, Aimee J. Horsfall, Suliman Yagoub, Erik P. Schartner, Asma Khalid, Rodney W. Kirk, Malcolm S. Purdey, Kylie R. Dunning, Robert A. McLaughlin, and Andrew D. Abe

Vertical Specialization and New Determinants of FDI: Evidence from South and East Asia

By estimating a dynamic panel-gravity model of bilateral foreign direcr investment (FDI), this article investigates the location determinants of inward FDI in South and East Asia and assesses their short-run and long-run effects. The econometric results highlight the importance of the vertical specialization-, trade-, and international integration-related location factors. The gravity-specific variables are also found to be significant location determinants, whilst some of the traditional determinants are found to have either a weak or statistically insignificant effect (except host-market size) on inward FDI in South and East Asia.Foreign direct investment (FDI), vertical specialization links, location determinants, South &East Asia, international economic integration,

Single-fiber-based probe for combined imaging and pH sensing

A single-fiber-based probe with a diameter of 125 μm, capable of combined imaging and sensing, was developed and applied in an in vitro fertilization setting. The probe can resolve a cumulus oocyte complex within an ovarian follicle, and measure a pH change of 0.04 units.Jiawen Li, Patrick K. Capon, Aimee J. Horsfall, Suliman Yagoub, Erik P. Schartner, Asma Khalid, Rodney W. Kirk, Malcolm S. Purdey, Kylie R. Dunning, Robert A. McLaughlin, Andrew D. Abel