Associations of apolipoprotein E exon 4 and lipoprotein lipase S447X polymorphisms with acute ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction

Background: Because apolipoprotein E (apoE) and lipopoprotein lipase (LPL) polymorphisms interact with each other and with other factors to affect lipid metabolism, we sought to determine their separate and combined effects in association with ischemic vascular disease. Methods: We performed a case-control study of 816 subjects: 246 acute ischemic stroke patients, 234 acute myocardial infarction patients, and 336 controls. APOE exon 4 and LPL S447X genotypes were determined. Results: APOE ε2 and ε4 homozygotes were increased in stroke (4.5% vs. 1.0%, p = 0.008), while in myocardial infarction the ε4 allele was increased (12.6% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.006) but ε2 was decreased (3.7% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.000006). For subjects with either APOE ε2 or ε4 alleles, LPL X alleles were increased in vascular disease (OR = 2.2, p = 0.01). LPL X alleles displayed opposite tendencies toward association with disease when subjects were divided by sex, smoking, or APOE genotype. Meta-analysis and regression analysis of previous studies supported the sex and smoking dichotomies. Conclusion: This is the first report of an association of vascular disease with an interaction of APOE exon 4 and LPL S447X genotypes. Therefore, APOE genotypes and LPL S447X interactions with apoE, sex, and smoking may affect the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. © 2006 by Walter de Gruyter.published_or_final_versio

The transcription factor WIN alters cell cycle kinetics through modulation of cyclin expression

Conference Theme: Signalling for Life and Death: Cytometry in the Analysis and Modelling of Cell Signallin

Over-expression of FoxM1 facilitates progression through G2/M phase and stimulates expression of cyclin B1

The method presented to detect and quantify the porosity value content of composite materials is part of a development effort to establish an integrated ultrasonic evaluation system 1. The overall research effort aims to automate the NDE process and predict mechanical and structural properties of composite materials using NDE techniques. The ultrasonic NDE technique used herein is based on digitized waveforms obtained from pulse-echo scans. For the fast integration of new algorithms into the system, a software framework was created with compatability between the signal and image processing modules. The porosity volume content of the test specimens is related to statistical properties of the ultrasonic data rather than to the ultrasonic attenuation with respect to frequency2

Blockage of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor in antitumour effect of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstrac

Prognostic significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin stimulate and inhibit tumour angiogenesis respectively. Recent studies have demonstrated the prognostic value of serum levels of both VEGF and endostatin in patients with various types of cancer. Their significance in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Methods: Serum VEGF and endostatin levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 108 patients with HCC before surgical resection and in 20 healthy controls. Preoperative serum VEGF and endostatin levels were correlated with clinicopathological features and long-term survival. Results: Serum VEGF levels hi patients with HCC were significantly higher than those in controls, but serum levels of endostatin were similar in the two groups. High serum levels of VEGF, but not endostatin, were significantly associated with venous invasion and advanced tumour stage. Patients with a serum VEGF level higher than median (over 245.0 pg/ml) had significantly worse overall and disease-free survival than those with a lower level (P = 0.012 and P = 0.022 respectively). On multivariate analysis, serum VEGF level was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 1.86 (95 per cent confidence interval 1.10 to 3.92); P = 0.032). Serum endostatin levels did not have significant prognostic influence on overall or disease-free survival. Conclusion: A high serum level of VEGF is a predictor of poor outcome after resection of HCC. Serum VEGF, but not endostatin, may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with HCC.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Over-expression of FoxM1 stimulates cyclin B1 expression

FoxM1 (previously named WIN, HFH-11 or Trident) is a Forkhead box (Fox) transcription factor widely expressed in proliferating cells. Various findings, including a recent analysis of FoxM1 knockout mice, suggest that FoxM1 is required for normal S-M coupling during cell cycle progression. To study the regulatory role of FoxM1 and its downstream regulatory targets, three stably transfected HeLa lines that display doxycycline (dox)-inducible FoxM1 expression were established. Over-expression of FoxM1 by dox induction facilitates growth recovery from serum starvation. Quantitation of cyclin B1 and D1 levels using flow cytometric, Western and Northern analyses reveals that elevated FoxM1 levels lead to stimulation of cyclin B1 but not cyclin D1 expression. Transient reporter assays in the dox-inducible lines and upon co-transfection with a constitutive FoxM1 expression plasmid suggest that FoxM1 can activate the cyclin B1 promoter. © 2001 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex