Fine-Scale Mapping of the 4q24 Locus Identifies Two Independent Loci Associated with Breast Cancer Risk

Background: A recent association study identified a common variant (rs9790517) at 4q24 to be associated with breast cancer risk. Independent association signals and potential functional variants in this locus have not been explored. Methods: We conducted a fine-mapping analysis in 55,540 breast cancer cases and 51,168 controls from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. Results: Conditional analyses identified two independent association signals among women of European ancestry, represented by rs9790517 [conditional P = 2.51 × 10−4; OR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.07] and rs77928427 (P = 1.86 × 10−4; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.07). Functional annotation using data from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project revealed two putative functional variants, rs62331150 and rs73838678 in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with rs9790517 (r2 ≥ 0.90) residing in the active promoter or enhancer, respectively, of the nearest gene, TET2. Both variants are located in DNase I hypersensitivity and transcription factor–binding sites. Using data from both The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC), we showed that rs62331150 was associated with level of expression of TET2 in breast normal and tumor tissue. Conclusion: Our study identified two independent association signals at 4q24 in relation to breast cancer risk and suggested that observed association in this locus may be mediated through the regulation of TET2. Impact: Fine-mapping study with large sample size warranted for identification of independent loci for breast cancer risk

Thresholds for adding degraded tropical forest to the conservation estate

Logged and disturbed forests are often viewed as degraded and depauperate environments compared with primary forest. However, they are dynamic ecosystems1 that provide refugia for large amounts of biodiversity2,3, so we cannot afford to underestimate their conservation value4. Here we present empirically defined thresholds for categorizing the conservation value of logged forests, using one of the most comprehensive assessments of taxon responses to habitat degradation in any tropical forest environment. We analysed the impact of logging intensity on the individual occurrence patterns of 1,681 taxa belonging to 86 taxonomic orders and 126 functional groups in Sabah, Malaysia. Our results demonstrate the existence of two conservation-relevant thresholds. First, lightly logged forests (68%) of their biomass removed, and these are likely to require more expensive measures to recover their biodiversity value. Overall, our data confirm that primary forests are irreplaceable5, but they also reinforce the message that logged forests retain considerable conservation value that should not be overlooked

Adaptive library-based device performance-driven optical proximity correction

10.1049/el.2010.2724Electronics Letters467513-515ELLE

Synthesis and characterisation of nanostructured Co-Pt magnetic films electrodeposited from tartrate-stabilised chloride baths

Cobalt-platinum (Co-Pt) nanocrystalline alloy films were electrodeposited using a novel stable single-bath system containing a complex forming additive which stabilised the Co2+ ions and enhanced codeposition with platinum complexes. The compositions of the electrodeposits was controlled by adjusting the metal ions ratio in the electrolytic bath and by varying the current density. X-ray diffraction results showed that the as-deposited films contained face-centred cubic CoPt3 phase and the calculated crystallite sizes were in nanoscale dimension in a range of 3-10 nm. Scanning electron microscopy results showed formation of granules and clusters. Atomic force microscopy and infinite focus microscopy results showed granular surface morphology and approximately similar surface roughness value on Co-43-Pt-57 film. Magnetic force microscopy characterisation on Co-43-Pt-57 showed existence of correlation between magnetic force and surface topography. The saturation magnetisation values of as-synthesised nanostructured Co-Pt films increased with increasing of Co content

Wnt signalling mediated by Tbx2b regulates cell migration during formation of the neural plate

10.1242/dev.01933Development132163587-3596DEVP

Timing performance oriented Optical proximity correction for mask cost reduction

10.1109/ASMC.2010.5551426ASMC (Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference) Proceedings99-10

Phytochemicals from Calophyllum depressinervosum

A phytochemical investigation on the stem bark of Calophyllum depressinervosum resulted in the isolation of four xanthones, one coumarin and one kavalactone which were elucidated to be caloxanthone B (1), caloxanthone I (2), caloxanthone J (3), xanthochymone B (4), calopolynolide B (5) and desmethoxyyangonim (6). The structures of the compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic analysis such as 1D and 2D NMR together with MS technique. The dichloromethane extract of Calophyllum depressinervosum gave good cell viability on RAW246.7 cells for potential antiinflammatory test with an IC50 value of 17.19 ± 0.007 µg/mL

Changes in glutathione and its associated enzymes during carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in mice

10.1016/S0742-8413(96)00201-0Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - C Pharmacology Toxicology and Endocrinology1163191-195CBPC

Eosinophilic oesophagitis in children: an uncommon occurrence in a predominantly Chinese population in Singapore

10.11622/smedj.2016060SINGAPORE MEDICAL JOURNAL584218-222Singapor