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The T-786C endothelial nitric oxide synthase genotype is a novel risk factor for coronary artery disease in Caucasian patients of the GENICA study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association of polymorphisms in the promoter region and exon 7 endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene with coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction foretells cardiovascular events and can be genetically determined. METHODS: We genotyped for the promoter (T(-786)C) and exon 7 (Glu298Asp, G(894)T) polymorphisms in 1,225 subjects; 1,106 were consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography and 119 control subjects without any cardiovascular risk factors. Genotyping was performed with melting curve analysis of polymerase chain reaction products from allele-specific acceptor and donor probes that were 5'- and 3'-end labeled with LCRed640 and fluorescein, respectively; CAD was assessed by quantitative coronary angiography. We performed multiple logistic regression analysis for the effect of the T(-786)C, the missense Glu298Asp variant, and other coronary risk factors on two- and three-vessel CAD. RESULTS: The overall genotype distribution of T(-786)C (CC = 17.7%, CT = 40.4%, and TT = 41.9%) and Glu298Asp (GG = 43.3%, GT = 37.0%, and TT = 19.7%) was consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The regression analysis showed that the T(-786)C, but not the missense Glu298Asp variant, significantly predicted CAD, independent of other risk factors. Compared with TT homozygous, subjects carrying the C allele had a significant (p = 0.002) increase in the odds ratio of harboring two- or three-vessel CAD of 1.672 (95% confidence interval, 1.062 to 2.527). A subgroup analysis confirmed this effect of the T(-786)C polymorphism in men (p = 0.007), cigarette smokers (p = 0.001), subjects older than 60 years of age (p = 0.007), with hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.011), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.006), and overweight or with obesity (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: The C allele at the T(-786)C endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphism is associated with a higher risk of multivessel CAD in Caucasians.

Adult↗

Disentangling fetal and maternal susceptibility for pre-eclampsia: a British multicenter candidate-gene study.

The Genetics of Pre-Eclampsia (GOPEC) collaboration aims to identify genetic factors in U.K. families affected by pre-eclampsia. A number of genetic studies have reported associations with pre-eclampsia, but attempts to replicate these findings have yielded inconsistent results. We describe the results of extensive genotyping of seven candidate genes previously reported as conferring susceptibility to pre-eclampsia. Six hundred fifty-seven women affected by pre-eclampsia and their families were genotyped at 28 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes encoding angiotensinogen, the angiotensin receptors, factor V Leiden variant, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase, nitric oxide synthase, and TNFalpha. Genotypes were analyzed by the transmission/disequilibrium test. Genotype risk ratios (GRRs) associated with maternal genotypes had a range of 0.70-1.16; GRRs associated with fetal genotypes had a range of 0.72-1.11. No GRR achieved the prespecified criteria for statistical significance (posterior probability >.05). We conclude that none of the genetic variants tested in this large study of strictly defined pre-eclamptic pregnancies confers a high risk of disease. The results emphasize the importance of conducting rigorously designed studies of adequate size to provide precise genetic risks with narrow confidence intervals, if overreporting of false-positive results is to be avoided.

Adult↗

The associations between functional dyspepsia and potential risk factors: A comprehensive Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Previous cross-sectional studies have identified multiple potential risk factors for functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the causal associations between these factors and FD remain elusive. Here we aimed to fully examine the causal relationships between these factors and FD utilizing a two-sample MR framework. METHODS: A total of 53 potential FD-related modifiable factors, including those associated with hormones, metabolism, disease, medication, sociology, psychology, lifestyle and others were obtained through a comprehensive literature review. Independent genetic variants closely linked to these factors were screened as instrumental variables from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). A total of 8875 FD cases and 320387 controls were available for the analysis. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was employed as the primary analytical approach to assess the relationship between genetic variants of risk factors and the FD risk. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the consistency of the findings using the weighted median model, MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO methods. RESULTS: Genetically predicted depression (OR 1.515, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.231 to 1.865, p = 0.000088), gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR 1.320, 95%CI 1.153 to 1.511, p = 0.000057) and years of education (OR 0.926, 95%CI 0.894 to 0.958, p = 0.00001) were associated with risk for FD in univariate MR analyses. Multiple medications, alcohol consumption, poultry intake, bipolar disorder, mood swings, type 1 diabetes, elevated systolic blood pressure and lower overall health rating showed to be suggestive risk factors for FD (all p<0.05 while &#x2265;0.00167). The positive causal relationship between depression, years of education and FD was still significant in multivariate MR analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our comprehensive MR study demonstrated that depression and lower educational attainment were causal factors for FD at the genetic level.

Humans↗

Genetic polymorphisms in the androgen receptor and type II 5 alpha-reductase genes in prostate enlargement.

PURPOSE: We examined the association of androgen receptor gene cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeat length and the 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms A49T and V89L in the type II 5 alpha-reductase gene with prostate enlargement measured as the weight of the surgically removed prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 68 men with a prostate weighing 80 gm. or greater were compared with 197 controls with a prostate weighing less than 80 gm. These men had undergone radical prostatectomy between 1992 and 1996. DNA was extracted from archival prostate tissue uninvolved with cancer and genotyped for 3 polymorphic markers. The effects of genetic variants and clinicopathological variables on prostate enlargement risk were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS: The age adjusted odds ratio estimate of prostate enlargement risk in men with 23 or greater versus 20 or fewer CAG repeats was 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.89). This risk reduction was consistently found when an alternative prostate enlargement definition and subject restriction were used. No consistent association with prostate enlargement risk was observed for A49T or V89L polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding further supports the hypothesis that the shorter CAG repeat length of the androgen receptor gene is related to prostate enlargement.

Adenine↗

Association of the hOGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism with lung cancer risk.

Oxidative stress may be one mechanism by which tobacco smoke causes lung cancer. A common oxidative damage to DNA is the highly mutagenic 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine adduct, which can be repaired by 8-oxoguanine glycosylase I (OGG1). A Ser326Cys substitution polymorphism in the hOGG1 gene has been suggested, based on in vitro data, to reduce the activity of the enzyme. We tested the association of this polymorphism with lung cancer in a population-based, case control study of 298 cases and 405 controls of Caucasian, Japanese, or Native Hawaiian ancestry in Hawaii. Subjects were genotyped with a PCR-RFLP assay, and odds ratios were estimated by logistic regression after adjustment for other observed risk factors, including smoking and vegetable intake. We found marked differences in the frequencies of the hOGG1 Cys variant allele among ethnic groups (45% in Hawaiians, 42% in Japanese, and 22% in Caucasians). The homozygous Cys/Cys genotype was also found to be more common in cases than controls (P = 0.008), with an odds ratio of 2.1 (95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.7) for this genotype compared with the Ser/Ser genotype. Heterozygous individuals were not at increased risk. This association with the Cys/Cys genotype was observed for each sex, ethnic group, and lung cancer cell type. There was also the suggestion that vegetable intake may not be protective against lung cancer among subjects with the Cys/Cys genotype. These data suggest that the presence of two hOGG1 326Cys alleles confers a 2-fold increased risk of lung cancer. Additional studies need to be conducted to confirm this association.

Adolescent↗

Genetic variation in angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) and breast cancer risk: the multiethnic cohort.

The A-240T and I/D polymorphisms in the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene are markers of circulating ACE levels and have been associated with numerous cardiovascular disease outcomes. More recently, the low-activity A and I alleles at these polymorphic sites have been inversely related with breast cancer risk. We assessed the relationship between the A-240T and I/D ACE variants and breast cancer risk in a case-control analysis (n = 1263 cases with invasive breast cancer and 2269 controls) among African-American, Japanese, Latina, and white women in the Multiethnic Cohort Study. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are presented adjusted for established breast cancer risk factors. Among all women combined, we observed no significant association between the A-240T polymorphism and breast cancer risk. For the I/D polymorphism, contrary to expectation, women with the I/I genotype had a marginally significant increase in breast cancer risk (versus DD genotype: odds ratio, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.61), although associations were not entirely consistent across ethnic groups. These data do not support the hypothesis that women with lower ACE levels, as predicted by the low-activity A and I ACE alleles, are at reduced risk of breast cancer. Overall, these results suggest that the A-240T and I/D ACE polymorphisms are not likely to be strong predictors of breast cancer risk.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Mother's and child's methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism is associated with preterm delivery and low birth weight.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of the C677T polymorphism of the 5,10-methyleneterahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) gene with preterm delivery(PTD) and low birth weight (LBW). METHODS: A total of 250 normal gestational age families and 250 PTD families were enrolled in the study. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by restriction enzyme digestion were used for genotyping the polymorphism of MTHFR C677T. A Maximum Likelihood Ratio Test approach based on the log-linear model was used to analyze the relationship of MTHFR gene polymorphism and risk of PTD and LBW. RESULTS: Firstly, we checked the Mendelian transmissions of the variant alleles of MTHFR 677T in PTD and LBW control-parent-triads using TDT test, respectively. These analyses of controls support Mendelian transmission. When children's genotypes were considered, the MTHFR CT and TT genotypes could significantly increase the risk of PTD and LBW, compared to the genotype of MTHFR CC, the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) for MTHFR CT and TT genotypes were 2.01,1.21-3.32 1.82, 1.02-3.26 in PTD group, and were 1.87, 1.08-3.24;1.90, 1.02-3.54 in LBW group respectively. When mother's genotypes were considered, the MTHFR gene polymorphism was not associated with PTD and LBW. Meanwhile, we also examined the association of mothers' and children's combined genotypes of MTHFR C677T with the risk of PTD and LBW, and did not find any significant interaction between mothers' and children's genotypes. CONCLUSION: The infant MTHFR CT and TT genotypes are responsible for mothers' PTD and LBW in our study population. It supports that the non-Mendelian transmission among preterm children is due to a causal association between the MTHFR 677T variant alleles and preterm delivery and MTHFR gene likely affects LBW via shortened gestation (PTD).

Birth Weight↗

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) genetic variants, maternal smoking, vitamin use, and risk of human orofacial clefts.

Orofacial clefts have been associated with maternal cigarette smoking and lack of folic acid supplementation (which results in higher plasma homocysteine concentrations). Because endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) activity influences homocysteine concentration and because smoking compromises NOS3 activity, genetic variation in NOS3 might interact with smoking and folic acid use in clefting risk. The authors genotyped 244 infants with isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P), 99 with isolated cleft palate, and 588 controls from a California population-based case-control study (1987-1989 birth cohort) for two NOS3 polymorphisms: A(-922)G and G894T. Analyses of gene-only effects for each polymorphism revealed a 60% increased risk of CL/P among NOS3 A(-922)G homozygotes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 2.6). There was some evidence for higher risk of CL/P with maternal periconceptional smoking in infants with an NOS3 -922G allele (for homozygotes, OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 5.6) but not in those with an 894T allele. For CL/P risk, odds ratios were over 4 among mothers who smoked, who did not use vitamins, and whose infants had at least one variant allele for each NOS3 polymorphism (for A(-922)G, OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 2.1, 10.2; for 894T, OR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.8, 10.7). No similar patterns were observed for risk of cleft palate.

Adult↗

Endometrial cancer risk is associated with variants of the mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MSH2.

Women with germ-line mutations in the mismatch repair genes (responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) face an increased risk of colonic and endometrial cancer. However, these germ-line mutations are rare and are responsible for fewer than 1% of endometrial cancers. Therefore, we examined whether or not common variants of the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer-associated genes might also be associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms were selected in the MLH1 and MSH2 mismatch repair genes. All the various 672 women with endometrial cancer and 880 controls were genotyped. Each of these three single-nucleotide polymorphisms was associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Carriers of the MLH1 nt-93 A allele were at a 1.5-fold increased risk of developing endometrial cancer compared with controls [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.2-2.0; P = 0.001]. The risk was higher for homozygote carriers [odds ratio (OR), 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.2; P = 0.009]. For carriers of the MSH2 rs2303428 C allele, the OR was 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0-1.9; P = 0.05), and for carriers of the MSH2 rs2059520 G allele, the OR was 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0-1.7; P = 0.03). More than 9% of endometrial cancer cases carried a variant allele in both MLH1 and MSH2. For these women, the risk of endometrial cancer was particularly high (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6; P = 0.005). For patients younger than 50 years at diagnosis who carried both variants, the risk was even higher (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.7-6.6; P = 0.0005). In summary, two common variant alleles of the MLH1 and MSH2 genes make a substantial contribution to endometrial cancer incidence in Ontario.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Haplotype analysis of common variants in the BRCA1 gene and risk of sporadic breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Truncation mutations in the BRCA1 gene cause a substantial increase in risk of breast cancer. However, these mutations are rare in the general population and account for little of the overall incidence of sporadic breast cancer. METHOD: We used whole-gene resequencing data to select haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms, and examined the association between common haplotypes of BRCA1 and breast cancer in a nested case-control study in the Nurses' Health Study (1323 cases and 1910 controls). RESULTS: One haplotype was associated with a slight increase in risk (odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.37). A significant interaction (P = 0.05) was seen between this haplotype, positive family history of breast cancer, and breast cancer risk. Although not statistically significant, similar interactions were observed with age at diagnosis and with menopausal status at diagnosis; risk tended to be higher among younger, pre-menopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: We have described a haplotype in the BRCA1 gene that was associated with an approximately 20% increase in risk of sporadic breast cancer in the general population. However, the functional variant(s) responsible for the association are unclear.

Adult↗

The combined effect of paraoxonase promoter and coding region polymorphisms on the risk of arterial ischemic stroke among young adults.

BACKGROUND: Serum paraoxonase (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein-associated esterase with antioxidant and antiatherogenic properties that has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Interindividual variability in PON1 levels is determined by the Q192R and L55M coding region polymorphisms and by 2 recently described polymorphisms in the promoter of the PON1 gene, C(-107)T and G(-824)A. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of the PON1 promoter polymorphisms with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in the young. DESIGN. SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We studied 118 young patients (age, <45 years) with a first nonfatal AIS of undetermined etiology and 118 control subjects, matched simultaneously for age and sex. The PON1 C(-107)T polymorphism was determined by single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis and the G(-824)A substitution by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: The presence of the low-expressor -107T allele was associated with an independent increase in overall risk of AIS (odds ratio [OR], 2.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-6.78; P =.04) by conditional multiple logistic regression analysis. Among individuals with the 192RR genotype, the presence of the -107T allele led to a higher but nonsignificant risk, yielding an OR of 4.15 (95% CI, 0.35-48.76; P =.15) when compared with noncarriers of the T allele and 17.01 (95% CI, 1.74-166.35; P =.02) when compared with noncarriers of either variant. No significant difference between groups was found regarding the G(-824)A polymorphism. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the PON1 -107T allele is independently associated with the risk of AIS, in addition to interacting with and potentiating the risk conferred by the Q192R polymorphism.

Adult↗

Population-based estimates of breast cancer risks associated with ATM gene variants c.7271T>G and c.1066-6T>G (IVS10-6T>G) from the Breast Cancer Family Registry.

The ATM gene variants segregating in ataxia-telangiectasia families are associated with increased breast cancer risk, but the contribution of specific variants has been difficult to estimate. Previous small studies suggested two functional variants, c.7271T>G and c.1066-6T>G (IVS10-6T>G), are associated with increased risk. Using population-based blood samples we found that 7 out of 3,743 breast cancer cases (0.2%) and 0 out of 1,268 controls were heterozygous for the c.7271T>G allele (P=0.1). In cases, this allele was more prevalent in women with an affected mother (odds ratio [OR]=5.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2-25.5; P=0.04) and delayed child-bearing (OR=5.1; 95% CI=1.0-25.6; P=0.05). The estimated cumulative breast cancer risk to age 70 years (penetrance) was 52% (95% CI=28-80%; hazard ratio [HR]=8.6; 95% CI=3.9-18.9; P<0.0001). In contrast, 13 of 3,757 breast cancer cases (0.3%) and 10 of 1,268 controls (0.8%) were heterozygous for the c.1066-6T>G allele (OR=0.4; 95% CI=0.2-1.0; P=0.05), and the penetrance was not increased (P=0.5). These findings suggest that although the more common c.1066-6T>G variant is not associated with breast cancer, the rare ATM c.7271T>G variant is associated with a substantially elevated risk. Since c.7271T>G is only one of many rare ATM variants predicted to have deleterious consequences on protein function, an effective means of identifying and grouping these variants is essential to assess the contribution of ATM variants to individual risk and to the incidence of breast cancer in the population.

Adolescent↗

Analysis of Fcgamma receptor haplotypes in rheumatoid arthritis: FCGR3A remains a major susceptibility gene at this locus, with an additional contribution from FCGR3B.

The Fcgamma receptors play important roles in the initiation and regulation of many immunological and inflammatory processes, and genetic variants (FCGR) have been associated with numerous autoimmune and infectious diseases. The data in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are conflicting and we previously demonstrated an association between FCGR3A and RA. In view of the close molecular proximity with FCGR2A, FCGR2B and FCGR3B, additional polymorphisms within these genes and FCGR haplotypes were examined to refine the extent of association with RA. Biallelic polymorphisms in FCGR2A, FCGR2B and FCGR3B were examined for association with RA in two well characterized UK Caucasian and North Indian/Pakistani cohorts, in which FCGR3A genotyping had previously been undertaken. Haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium were estimated across the FCGR locus and a model-free analysis was performed to determine association with RA. This was followed by regression analysis, allowing for phase uncertainty, to identify the particular haplotype(s) that influences disease risk. Our results reveal that FCGR2A, FCGR2B and FCGR3B were not associated with RA. The haplotype with the strongest association with RA susceptibility was the FCGR3A-FCGR3B 158V-NA2 haplotype (odds ratio 3.18, 95% confidence interval 1.13-8.92 [P = 0.03] for homozygotes compared with all genotypes). The association was stronger in the presence of nodules (odds ratio 5.03, 95% confidence interval 1.44-17.56; P = 0.01). This haplotype was also more common in North Indian/Pakistani RA patients than in control individuals, but not significantly so. Logistic regression analyses suggested that FCGR3A remained the most significant gene at this locus. The increased association with an FCGR3A-FCGR3B haplotype suggests that other polymorphic variants within FCGR3A or FCGR3B, or in linkage disequilibrium with this haplotype, may additionally contribute to disease pathogenesis.

Antigens, CD↗

Genetic association between the PRKCH gene encoding protein kinase Ceta isozyme and rheumatoid arthritis in the Japanese population.

OBJECTIVE: Analyses of families with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have suggested the presence of a putative susceptibility locus on chromosome 14q21-23. This large population-based genetic association study was undertaken to examine this region. METHODS: A 2-stage case-control association study of 950 unrelated Japanese patients with RA and 950 healthy controls was performed using >400 gene-based common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). RESULTS: Multiple SNPs in the PRKCH gene encoding the eta isozyme of protein kinase C (PKCeta) showed significant single-locus disease associations, the most significant being SNP c.427+8134C>T (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.62-0.83, P = 5.9 x 10(-5)). Each RA-associated SNP was consistently mapped to 3 distinct regions of strong linkage disequilibrium (i.e., linkage disequilibrium or haplotype blocks) in the PRKCH gene locus, suggesting that multiple causal variants influence disease susceptibility. Significant SNPs included a novel common missense polymorphism of the PRKCH gene, V374I (rs2230500), which lies within the ATP-binding site that is highly conserved among PKC superfamily members. In circulating lymphocytes, PRKCH messenger RNA was expressed at higher levels in resting T cells (CD4(+) or CD8(+)) than in B cells (CD19(+)) or monocytes (CD14(+)) and was significantly down-regulated through immune responses. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence of the involvement of PRKCH as a susceptibility gene for RA in the Japanese population. Dysregulation of PKCeta signal transduction pathway(s) may confer increased risk of RA through aberrant T cell-mediated autoimmune responses.

Adult↗

Polymorphisms of XRCC1 gene, alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer.

To evaluate contribution of polymorphisms of the XRCC1 gene to the risk of colorectal cancer, we conducted a case-control study of 209 colorectal cancer cases and 209 age- and gender-matched controls in the Korean population. We tested the hypothesis by constructing allele combinations with known SNP. Allelic variants of the XRCC1 gene at codons 194, 280 and 399 were analyzed in lymphocyte DNA by PCR-RFLP. We observed an increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with the 399Gln allele. The odds ratio (OR) was 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.39) for the 399Gln allele. When combined allele-specific OR were calculated after estimating frequencies, 3 common allele combinations were found to be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The OR for the 194Trp-280Arg-399Arg was 1.48 (95% CI = 1.06-2.07) using 194Arg-280Arg-399Arg as the reference. The OR for the 194Arg-280His-399Arg and the 194Arg-280Arg-399Gln were 1.78 (95% CI = 1.09-2.89) and 1.78 (95% CI = 1.23-2.59), respectively. Analysis after controlling for smoking, exercise and dietary habits indicated that alcohol consumption (> or =80 g/week) is a significant risk factor of colorectal cancer (OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.46-4.62). An increased risk for colorectal cancer was identified in alcohol drinkers with the risky allele combinations. Our results suggest that polymorphisms in the XRCC1 genes may contribute to colorectal cancer susceptibility, and some evidence was obtained of a genetic modification for the relationship between alcohol intake and colorectal cancer.

Aged↗

Case-control analysis of thymidylate synthase polymorphisms and risk of lung cancer.

Although tobacco smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, low dietary folate intake and suboptimal DNA repair capacity also contribute to lung cancer risk. Thymidylate synthase (TYMS) is involved in the metabolism of folate and the provision of nucleotides needed for DNA synthesis and repair. Thus, a variation in TYMS functions likely plays a role in the etiology of lung cancer. The TYMS gene has a tandem repeat polymorphism (two or three 28 bp) in the TYMS enhancer region (TSER) and a 6 bp deletion/insertion polymorphism in the TS 3'-untranslated region (TS3'UTR or 1494del6). We investigated the frequencies of these two polymorphisms in a hospital-based case-control study of 1055 lung cancer patients and 1140 cancer-free controls in a non-Hispanic white population and genotyped for these two polymorphisms. We found that the TS3'UTR, but not the TSER, variant was associated with the risk of lung cancer. Compared with homozygotes for the TS3'UTR 6 bp deletion (0bp/0bp), the 6bp/0bp+6bp/6bp genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of lung cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-2.06]. In stratification analysis the risk associated with the 0bp/6bp+6bp/6bp genotype was more pronounced in subjects who were >55 years old (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.10-2.23), males (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.22-2.89), current (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.26-3.29) and heavy smokers (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.10-2.70) and current drinkers (OR = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.78-5.64).Furthermore, significant gene-dietary interactions were found between TS3'UTR and alcohol consumption and between TSER and vitamin B(12) intake. In conclusion, the polymorphisms of TYMS are likely to contribute to the risk of lung cancer in non-Hispanic whites and interact with dietary factors in lung cancer development.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

CYP2E1 genetic polymorphisms and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma occurs disproportionately among individuals of Chinese descent. The cytochrome P450 2E1 enzyme (CYP2E1) is known to activate nitrosamines and other carcinogens that are possibly involved in the development of this disease. Certain alleles of the CYP2E1 gene are thought to be more highly expressed than others, and their distribution varies between Asian and Caucasian populations. We conducted a case-control study to investigate whether such variations affect the risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer. METHODS: Three hundred sixty-four patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (96% of 378 eligible patients) and 320 control subjects (86% of 374 eligible subjects) were studied. A risk factor questionnaire was administered to participants to assess factors postulated to be linked to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Peripheral blood was obtained from all subjects and DNA was purified from nucleated cells. A polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay that used the restriction enzymes Rsa I and Dra I was used to detect wild-type and variant forms of the CYP2E1 gene. RESULTS: Individuals homozygous for an allele of the CYP2E1 gene that is detected by Rsa I digestion (c2 allele) were found to have an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (relative risk [RR] = 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-5.7); this effect was limited to nonsmokers (RR = 9.3; 95% CI = 2.7-32) and was not affected by alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the CYP2E1 genotype is a determinant of nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk.

Adult↗

Diagnostic performance of the variant lymphocyte flag of the Abbott Cell-Dyn 4000 haematology analyser.

BACKGROUND: In addition to differential cell counts, modern haematology analysers generate suspect flags if abnormal cells are detected. Reports on validation of suspect flags are scarce. We have routine experience with the Abbott Cell-Dyn 4000 analyser for over 5 years and have previously demonstrated the utility of the blast flag. Here we report a similar study on the performance of the analyser's Variant Lymphocyte (VL) flag. AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of the Cell-Dyn 4000 VL flag, as compared with lymphocyte morphology in blood smears. In addition, we investigated the usefulness of the numerical VL flag confidence index as provided by the analyser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All samples generating a VL flag were reviewed over a 5-month period. We also reviewed smears from patients with known lymphoid disorders, even if the analyser did not flag the sample. Two experienced investigators assessed lymphocyte morphology independently. RESULTS: In total, 187 samples were included in the study, of which 183 had a VL flag and four had not. Of the 183 flagged samples, 83 appeared to have abnormal lymphocyte morphology and 100, normal lymphocyte morphology. The sensitivity of the VL flag for detecting abnormal lymphocytes was 0.95 and the positive predictive value was 0.44. Using ROC analysis of the VL flag confidence index, the area under the ROC curve was 0.58 (95% confidence interval 0.50-0.65). CONCLUSIONS: The Cell-Dyn VL flag has reasonable sensitivity but a high false-positive rate. In addition, its performance is insufficient for detecting clinically relevant abnormal lymphocytes. As the VL flag appeared to rely mainly on numerical criteria, it has no added value over numerical criteria defined by the laboratory.

Autoanalysis↗