Coding and non-coding polymorphisms in VDR gene and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in tribes, castes and Muslims of Central India

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays an important role in activating immune response against various infectious agents. This study was aimed to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and different clinical forms of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in different population groups. Four common polymorphisms (TaqI, ApaI, BsmI and FokI) of VDR gene were studied in clinically diagnosed TB patients and healthy controls from Sahariya tribe (n = 377), Bhil tribe (n = 95), Chhattisgarh tribe (n = 33), general population from North-Central (NC) (n = 1021) and South-Eastern (SE) region (n = 646) and Muslims (n = 217). Genotyping was carried out using PCR-RFLP method and re-confirmed by direct sequencing. The haplotype analysis was performed on Haploview 4.1 and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 13.0 software. We found that bb genotype of BsmI polymorphism conferred significant risk to smear positive and multiple drug resistant (MDR) TB in tribes [OR (CI) = 3.7 (1.5–9.2), p = 0.002], SE population [OR (CI) = 2.1 (1.4–3.3), p = 0.0004] and Muslims [OR (CI) = 6.7 (1.1–39), p = 0.01]. The subjects with FF genotype of FokI polymorphism appeared less likely (p = 0.004) to develop MDR TB in NC population, whereas, those with Ff [OR (CI) = 2.5 (1.3–5.0), p = 0.004] and ff [OR (CI) = 3.4 (1.2–9.3), p = 0.01] genotypes were at high risk of MDR and smear positive disease, respectively. Similarly, tt genotype of TaqI polymorphism was found associated with high risk of smear positive TB in NC [OR (CI) = 3.6 (0.9–14.2), p = 0.05] as well as in SE [OR (CI) = 4.7 (1.8–12.3), p = 0.00003] population. Interestingly, tt genotype appeared strongly associated [OR (CI) = 8.9 (2.7–29), p = 0.00001] with high bacillary load outcome. In conclusion, genetic polymorphisms in VDR gene, alone or in combination (haplotypes) are associated with different clinical outcomes in pulmonary TB.     

Impacts of human leukocyte antigen DQ genetic polymorphisms and their interactions with hepatitis B virus mutations on the risks of viral persistence,liver cirrhosis,and hepatocellular carcinoma

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ genetic polymorphisms have been associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) outcomes. We aimed to determine impacts of HLA-DQ polymorphisms and their interactions with HBV mutations on the risks of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). rs2856718 (A > G) and rs9275319 (A > G) were genotyped in 1342 healthy controls, 327 HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance subjects, 611 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers (ASCs), 1144 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 734 LC patients, and 1531 HCC patients using quantitative PCR. HBV mutations were detected by direct sequencing. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to assess the factors and/or multiplicative interactions significantly associated with liver diseases. rs9275319 variant genotypes were inversely associated with HBV persistence compared to HBV natural clearance subjects. rs2856718 variant genotypes significantly increased LC risk compared to ASCs plus CHB patients (GG vs. AA: odds ratio [OR], 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.97 and AG + GG vs. AA: OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04–1.54) and decreased HCC risk compared to HCC-free HBV-infected subjects (AG vs. AA: OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65–0.89 and AG + GG vs. AA: OR, 0.78, 95% CI, 0.68–0.90). rs2856718 variant genotypes were significantly associated with an increased frequency of HBV A1726C mutation, a LC-risk, HCC-protective mutation, in genotype C. A rs9275319 variant genotype (GG) was significantly associated with an increased frequency of preS1 start codon mutation, an HCC-risk mutation, in genotype C. The interaction of rs2856718 AG + GG genotype with T1753V, a HCC-risk mutation, significantly reduced LC risk, with an OR of 0.26 (95% CI, 0.09–0.78); whereas the interaction of rs2856718 AG genotype with C1673T, a LC-risk mutation, significantly increased HCC risk, with an OR of 2.80 (95% CI, 1.02–7.66) in genotype C HBV-infected subjects. Conclusively, the HLA-DQ polymorphisms affect the risks of LC and HCC differently in chronic HBV-infected subjects, possibly via interacting with the HBV mutations.     

No association of TP53 codon 72 SNP with male infertility: a study in a Chinese population and a meta-analysis

Abstract

Genetic polymorphisms may affect human male fertility. Even though TP53 plays a role in spermatogenesis we know little about the association of the functional polymorphism at codon 72 of TP53 with respect to susceptibility to male infertility. We conducted a case-control study to investigate this association in a Chinese population and performed a meta-analysis in different populations to clarify this association. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of TP53 codon 72 (rs1042522 G>C) was genotyped by PCR-RFLP in 83 Chinese male infertility patients and 401 healthy controls. Meta-analysis was performed using the data from four currently available studies. The data from our study were overlayed using the v.9.0 STATA software package. We observed no association between the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and male infertility (p?=?0.84, OR?=?1.04, 95% CI, 0.74–1.45). Meta-analysis confirmed the case-control result that there was no significant association between the codon 72 polymorphism of TP53 and male infertility (Pro vs. Arg; p?=?0.31, OR?=?0.86, 95% CI, 0.65–1.15; Pro/Pro vs. Arg-carriers; p?=?0.65, OR?=?0.91, 95% CI, 0.61–1.36; Pro-carriers vs. Arg/Arg: p?=?0.15, OR?=?0.75, 95% CI, 0.51–1.11). The data presented in this communication supports the view that the codon 72 polymorphism of TP53 may not contribute to male infertility susceptibility in the Chinese population.     

Tea as a Potential Chemopreventive Agent in PhIP Carcinogenesis: Effects of Green Tea and Black Tea on PhIP-DNA Adduct Formation in Female F-344 Rats

Disturbances in DNA methylation have been hypothesized as being involved in carcinogenesis. It has been proposed that dietary factors such as folate, alcohol, and methionine may be associated with colon cancer because of their involvement in DNA methylation processes. Data from a large retrospective population‐based case‐control study of incident colon cancer were used to evaluate whether intake of alcohol and other dietary factors involved in DNA methylation are associated with colon cancer. Dietary data were obtained using a detailed diet history questionnaire. We did not observe strong independent associations between folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, methionine, or alcohol and risk of colon cancer after adjusting for body size, physical activity, cigarette smoking patterns, energy intake, and dietary intake of fiber and calcium. However, when assessing the associations between colon cancer and a composite dietary profile based on alcohol intake, methionine, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 we observed a trend of increasing risk as one moved from a low‐ to a high‐risk group. This trend was modest and most marked in those diagnosed at a younger age [odds ratio (OR) for men = 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9–1.9; OR for women = 1.6, 95% CI= 1.0–2.6]. We observed that associations with this high‐risk dietary profile were greater among those who took aspirin or nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on a regular basis and were younger at the time of diagnosis (men OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0–3.2; women OR = 2.2, 95% CI= 1.0–4.8) and for distal tumors (men OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.9–2.3; women OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0–3.8). Findings from this study provide only limited support for previously reported associations between dietary factors involved in DNA methylation and risk of colon cancer.     

Antioxidants, carotenoids, and risk of rectal cancer

Numerous properties suggest that antioxidants and carotenoids may be valuable chemopreventive agents. A population-based case-control study of 952 rectal cancer cases and 1,205 controls from Northern California and Utah was conducted between September 1997 and February 2002. Detailed diet history, medical history, and lifestyle factors interviews were conducted. Dietary antioxidants were not associated with rectal cancer risk in men. For women, relative to the highest level of intake, low intake of dietary lycopene (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 2.8) or vitamin E (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1, 4.3) was associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer. Alpha-, beta-, and gamma-tocopherol were associated with an approximate twofold increased risk of rectal cancer in women. Associations were stronger for women aged > or = 60 years for vitamin E and tocopherols (alpha-tocopherol OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4, 9.4; gamma-tocopherol OR = 5.3, 95% CI: 2.1, 13.2; delta-tocopherol OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 0.9, 4.0), except for beta-tocopherol, for which risk increased twofold for all women. Associations differed by estrogen status for beta-carotene, lycopene, and vitamin E. These results suggest that vitamin E and lycopene may modestly reduce the risk of rectal cancer in women.     

Genotyping of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms using mismatched amplification mutation assay in neonatal sepsis patients of Odisha,eastern India

Vitamin D has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to be associated with the risk of vulnerability to different infectious diseases, such as neonatal sepsis. Polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene can influence the expression of vitamin D in individuals. Hence, it is essential to study the vitamin D status and VDR gene polymorphisms for assessing neonatal sepsis risk. In this study, we assessed the serum 25(OH)D, the main circulating form of vitamin D and VDR polymorphism on 120 subjects in a case-control approach, recruiting 60 subjects in each category. We genotyped Fok1, Bsm1, Apa1 and Taq1 gene polymorphisms in VDR by developing a unique mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) and studied their association in both populations. VDR-MAMA primers were designed by addition of dual mismatches (DM) near the 3′ end and were selected based on high ΔCt values in comparison to single mismatch (SM) primers using SYBR-Green RT-PCR, which were eventually used for VDR genotyping. Genotyping was also performed using PCR-RFLP for further confirmation. Serum 25(OH)D ELISA revealed that cases were vitamin D insufficient (Median = 12.16 ng/ml, 95% CI: 3.84–22.22) and controls were vitamin D sufficient (Median = 30.22 ng/ml, 95% CI: 20.08–46.78; p < 0.0001) respectively, which indicated that vitamin D insufficiency was mostly prevalent in cases. We found no evidence of association between genotypes of the Apa1 polymorphism and neonatal sepsis or 25(OH)D serum levels. The distributions of the Fok1, Bsm1, and Taq1 genotypes were not consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control group. Future studies in larger populations are required to establish whether the VDR polymorphisms can be potentially used as genetic markers for early screening towards predisposition to neonatal sepsis risk. In this study, we describe a simple, inexpensive and rapid screening of VDR gene polymorphisms using VDR MAMA-PCR, which can be used in both clinical and research laboratories.     

A comprehensive genetic and epidemiological association analysis of vitamin D with common diseases/traits in the UK Biobank

Vitamin D has been intensively studied for its association with human health, but the scope of such association and the causal role of vitamin D remain controversial. We aim to comprehensively investigate the links between vitamin D and human health through both epidemiological and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. We examined the epidemiological associations between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and 90 diseases/traits in 326,409 UK Biobank (UKBB) Europeans. The causal relations between 25(OH)D and 106 diseases/traits were investigated by performing MR analysis using genome‐wide significant 25(OH)D‐associated variants (N = 143) from the largest UKBB GWAS to date. In epidemiological analysis, we found 25(OH)D was associated with 45 diseases/traits across cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, psychiatric/neurological diseases, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, cancer, musculoskeletal diseases, and quantitative traits. In MR‐analysis, we presented evidence suggesting potential causal role of 25(OH)D in increasing height (β = .064, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.019–0.11) and preventing the risk of ovarian cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93–0.99), multiple sclerosis (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.94–0.98), leg fracture (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.45–0.80) and femur fracture (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.32–0.84). These findings confirmed associations of vitamin D with a broad spectrum of diseases/traits and supported the potential causal role of vitamin D in promoting health.     

Aflatoxin Exposure and Viral Hepatitis in the Etiology of Liver Cirrhosis in The Gambia,West Africa

Background

Cirrhosis of the liver is thought to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, but few controlled studies on the etiology of cirrhosis have been conducted in this region.

Objectives

We aimed to elucidate the association between environmental and infectious exposures and cirrhosis in The Gambia.

Methods

Ninety-seven individuals were diagnosed with cirrhosis using a validated ultrasound scoring system and were compared with 397 controls. Participants reported demographic and food frequency information. Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, HCV RNA, and the aflatoxin-associated 249^ser TP53 mutation.

Results

HBsAg seropositivity was associated with a significant increase in risk of cirrhosis [odds ratio (OR) = 8.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.4–14.7] as was the presence of HBeAg (OR = 10.3; 95% CI, 2.0–53.9) and HCV infection (OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.2–9.5). We present novel data that exposure to aflatoxin, as assessed both by high lifetime groundnut (peanut) intake and by the presence of the 249^ser TP53 mutation in plasma, is associated with a significant increase in the risk for cirrhosis (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.7 and OR = 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5–9.6, respectively). Additionally, aflatoxin and hepatitis B virus exposure appeared to interact synergistically to substantially increase the risk of cirrhosis, although this was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the spectrum of morbidity associated with aflatoxin exposure could include cirrhosis.     

Dietary Vitamin D and Calcium Intake and Premenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in a German Case-Control Study

Epidemiological studies and laboratory data suggest that vitamin D may protect against the development of cancer, including breast cancer. Vitamin D supply affects the bioavailability of dietary calcium, which might also have anticarcinogenic effects. However, few studies considered them jointly. We used a population-based case-control study in Germany to examine the independent and joint effects of dietary vitamin D and calcium on premenopausal breast cancer risk. Dietary information was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire from 278 premenopausal cases and 666 age-matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariate models adjusting vitamin D models for calcium intake and vice versa. Breast cancer risk was significantly inversely associated with vitamin D intake. The OR and 95% CI for the highest intake category (≥ 5 μ g/day) was 0.50 (95% CI = 0.26–0.96) compared with the lowest (< 2 μ g/day; P_trend = 0.02). Dietary calcium intake was not associated with breast cancer (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.41–1.29) for the highest (≥ 1,300 mg/day) versus the lowest category (< 700 mg/day), P_trend = 0.29). No statistically significant interaction between the 2 nutrients was observed. Our data support a protective effect of dietary vitamin D on premenopausal breast cancer risk independent of dietary calcium intake.     

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Widespread in Cancer Patients and Correlates With Advanced Stage Disease: A Community Oncology Experience

The purpose of this study was to correlate serum vitamin D levels with potential clinical variables and to determine the extent of vitamin D deficiency in a large, outpatient oncology practice. One hundred ninety-five consecutive patients referred for consultation at a community radiation oncology center from October 8, 2008 to March 17, 2010 had vitamin D levels ordered. Patients who were deficient in vitamin D were treated with replacement therapy. Demographic and medical data were collected prospectively and subsequently analyzed. Pretreatment baseline patient and tumor characteristics were evaluated with respect to vitamin D concentrations. One hundred and sixty patients were analyzed. A total of 74% of patients had 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations considered either deficient (<20 ng/mL) or suboptimal (20–30 ng/mL). Replacement therapy raised serum vitamin D levels by an average of 15 ng/mL (95% CI = 11–18, P < 0.01). Lower than median serum vitamin D levels were associated with stage III disease in univariate analysis [OR = 2.6 (95% CI = 1.1–6.2), p = 0.04] as well as multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and season of draw [OR = 3.3 (95% CI = 1.1–9.7), P = 0.03]. Three-quarters of patients in our series had suboptimal or deficient circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Low serum vitamin D levels, independent of age, sex, and body mass index, predicted advanced stage disease.     

Intake of Vitamins D and A and Calcium and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: San Francisco Bay Area Population-Based Case-Control Study

Several nutrients identified as potentially cancer protective have been inconsistently associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk. Dietary history data, including use of vitamin supplements, were collected using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire administered during in-person interviews with 4,133 participants (2,052 cases, 2,081 controls) in a San Francisco Bay Area population-based case-control study. Data were used to determine the association of intake levels of vitamins D and A and calcium with risk of NHL and NHL subtypes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed as estimates of relative risk using adjusted unconditional logistic regression. Increasing vitamin D intake from food and supplements was positively associated with NHL risk in men (5th quintile: OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.0–2.4, P _trend = 0.07) and with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in women and men (5th quintile: OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.0–2.5, P _trend = 0.02); that was largely due to the effect in men (P _trend = 0.03). These results do not support a strong role for vitamin D intake with NHL risk, with the exception of a potential association for DLBCL risk in men. Our results should be interpreted conservatively until further investigation in larger pooled studies can be conducted to better assess the role of vitamin D intake in lymphomagenesis.     

A Case-Control Nutrigenomic Study on the Synergistic Activity of Folate and Vitamin B12 in Cervical Cancer Progression

The present study was designed to identify the role of folate, B12, homocysteine, and polymorphisms of methylene tetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR) gene in cervical carcinogenesis among 322 women from Kerala, South India. Serum folate, vitamin B12 (chemiluminescence assay), and homocysteine (EIA) along with genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR gene (polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism) were analyzed for 136 control subjects, 92 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) subjects, and 94 invasive cervical cancer cases (ICC). Statistically significant associations between MTHFR polymorphisms, serum homocysteine, and folate levels with cervical carcinogenesis were not evident, but we found that these parameters acted as effect modifiers of serum vitamin B12. The risk estimates observed for B12 became prominent only when there was a deficiency in serum folate levels [LSIL–odds ratio (OR): 14.9 (95% CI: 2.65 to 84.4); ICC–OR = 8.72 (95% CI = 1.55 to 48.8)] or when MTHFR A1298C polymorphic variant was present [LSIL–OR = 9.8 (95% CI = 2.61 to 36.7); ICC–OR = 10.0 (95%CI = 2.5 to 39.3)]. The statistical significance of this effect modification was further studied using an interaction model, where only folate was observed to have an influence on B12 levels as suggested by the odds ratio of 7.11 (95% CI = 0.45 to 111.9) obtained for ICC group, implicating a synergistic role of these 2 vitamins in invasive cervical cancer.     

Maternal Vitamin D Status and Its Associated Environmental Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is common among women during pregnancy. This study aims to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and their shared modifiable environmental factors among pregnant women in Indonesia and Malaysia.MethodsBlood samples of 844 third-trimester pregnant women (Indonesians: 311; Malaysians: 533) were collected to determine their serum 25(OH) D levels. Information on sun exposure and sun protection behaviours were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Dietary vitamin D intake was assessed by using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<30 nmol/L) among Indonesian and Malaysian pregnant women were 42.4% and 72.0%, respectively. Percentage of exposed body surface area was inversely associated with vitamin D deficiency among Indonesian pregnant women (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.09–0.48). Among Malaysian pregnant women, higher intakes of dietary vitamin D were associated with lower risk of vitamin D deficiency (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.29–0.81). Analysis of the combined cohorts revealed a lower risk of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women who had a daily intake of at least 15 mcg vitamin D (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.38–0.88) and exposure of more than 27% body surface area to the sunlight (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.16–0.60).ConclusionsDespite abundant sunshine, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among pregnant women in tropical countries. The present study suggests that nutrition education on vitamin D intake and sun exposure during pregnancy is necessary for primary prevention of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women living in the tropical countries.     

Solarium use in Australia,recent trends and context

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of solarium use among representative samples of Australian adolescents (12–17 years) and adults (18–69 years). Methods: In national surveys conducted in 2003/04 and 2006/07 using equivalent methods, n=11,509 Australian adolescents and adults self‐reported their use of solaria. Results: In 2006/07 10.6% of adults had ‘ever’ used a solarium, and use was most prevalent among women aged 18 to 24 (17.1%) and 25 to 44 (20.7%). Few adolescents (2.5%) had ever used a solarium. The prevalence of past year use was much lower (0.6% of adolescents, 1.5% of adults) and there was a significant reduction among adults between surveys (OR=0.69, 95% CI=0.52–0.94). Adults’ attitudes related to past year solarium use were preference for a suntan (OR=4.68, 95% CI=2.48–8.85); perceived protan attitudes of peers (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.17–3.77), belief that a suntan looks healthy (OR=1.92, 95% CI=1.09–3.39); and perceiving they have some risk of getting skin cancer (OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.03–2.78). Conclusions and implications: Although solarium use in Australia is relatively low, it is highest among young adult women. These data show encouraging downward trends in use, and provide a foundation for monitoring the impact of forthcoming regulatory changes to the solarium industry.     

The association of calcium and vitamin D with risk of colorectal adenomas

The Polyp Prevention Trial (PPT) was a multicenter randomized clinical trial designed to determine the effects of a high-fiber, high-fruit and vegetable, low-fat diet on the recurrence of adenomatous polyps in the large bowel. Detailed dietary intake and supplement use data were collected at baseline and at each of 4 annual study visits. Adenoma recurrence was ascertained by complete colonoscopy at baseline and after 1 and 4 y. Recurrence was found in 754 of the 1905 trial participants. We evaluated the association between calcium and vitamin D intake and adenomatous polyp recurrence after adjusting for intervention group, age, gender, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, total energy intake, and the interaction of gender and intervention group. Vitamin D models were also adjusted for the location of the clinic site. Dietary variables were adjusted for total energy intake via the residual method. There were no overall significant associations between adenoma recurrence and dietary calcium intake [odds ratio (OR) for the 5th compared with the lowest quintile = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.67-1.23; P-trend = 0.68], total calcium intake (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.62-1.18; P-trend = 0.20), or dietary vitamin D intake (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.69-1.25; P-trend = 0.43) averaged over follow-up. Total vitamin D intake was weakly inversely associated with adenoma recurrence (OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.62-1.13; P-trend = 0.03). Supplemental calcium and vitamin D use during follow-up also were inversely associated with adenoma recurrence (OR for any compared with no use = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.68-0.99; and OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.68-0.99; for calcium and vitamin D, respectively). Slightly stronger associations were noted for the prevention of multiple recurrences. Our analyses did not suggest a significant effect modification between total calcium and total vitamin D intake (P = 0.14) on risk for adenoma recurrence. This trial cohort provides some evidence that calcium and vitamin D may be inversely associated with adenoma recurrence.     

Colorectal Polyp Type and the Association With Charred Meat Consumption,Smoking, and Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase Polymorphisms

We determined the association between charred meat consumption, cigarette smoking, microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) polymorphisms (rs1051740 and rs2234922), and colorectal adenomas and hyperplastic polyps (HPs) and explored gene–environment interactions. Men and women with colorectal adenomas (n = 519), HPs (n = 691), or concurrently with both types of polyps (n = 227) and polyp-free controls (n = 772) receiving a colonoscopy from December 2004 to September 2007 were recruited. Participants completed telephone interviews and provided buccal cell samples; genotyping of mEH was completed using Taqman assays. We conducted polytomous regression and calculated odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. Interactions were evaluated using Wald chi-square tests. Consumption of >3 servings of charred meat per week was associated with distal HPs (OR = 2.0, 1.2–3.4) but not adenomas nor either type of proximal polyp. Heavy cigarette smoking (≥ 22 pack-years) was associated with an increased risk for colorectal adenomas (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.4), HPs (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.7–3.3), and both types (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.8–4.3) with the strongest association for distal polyps. There was no association between mEH genotype and colorectal polyps, nor were any statistically significant gene–environment interactions identified. Future investigation of BaP exposure and colorectal neoplasia should analyze whether associations are dependent upon anatomic location.     

“NQO1 Gene C609T Polymorphism (dbSNP: rs1800566) and Digestive Tract Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis.”

Several studies reported that polymorphism C609T (rs1800566) in (NAD(P)H): quinoneoxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene is associated with risk to digestive tract (DT) cancers, like esophageal cancer (EC), gastric cancer (GC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). Authors conducted a meta-analysis to investigate association between C609T polymorphism and DT cancer risk. Eligible studies were extracted from the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Springer Link. All retrieved articles were evaluated. All statistical analyses were performed using Open Meta-Analyst and MIX1.7 programs. A total of 34 studies including 12,043 DT cancer cases and 15,209 healthy controls were included in the present meta- analysis. Results of meta-analysis revealed a significant association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and DT cancer risk adopting all 5 genetic models (T vs. C: OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.11–1.31, p < 0.001; TT vs. CC: OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.22–1.79, p < 0.001; TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.12–1.35, p < 0.001; TT vs. CT + CC: OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15–1.60, p < 0.001; CT vs. CC: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.07–1.27, p < 0.001). In the stratified analysis based on cancer types, significant associations were observed between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and GC (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.11–1.72, p = 0.003) and CRC (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.06–1.30, p = 0.001), but not with EC (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.99–1.35, p = 0.06). Furthermore, stratified analysis based on ethnicity indicated that there was a significant association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and DT cancer risk in the Asian (TT vs. CC: OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.21–2.00, p ≤ 0.001) as well as in Caucasian populations (TT vs. CC: OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.04–1.73, p = 0.02). In conclusion, the results of meta-analysis suggested that the NQO1 C609T polymorphism is a risk factor for DT cancers, including GC and CRC.     

Urban–Rural Differentials in Overweight and Obese Individuals with Diarrhea in Bangladesh

Objective: The study aimed to determine urban and rural differences in overweight and obesity (OO) with diarrhea regarding subjects’ sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, etiology, and antimicrobial susceptibility.

Methods: Relevant information from 2000 to 2011 were extracted from the data archive of the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System of urban Dhaka (1248, 4.5%) and rural Matlab (615, 3.4%) hospitals of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b).

Results: The proportion of OO significantly increased in both urban (3–7%; chi-square for trend p < 0.001) and rural (1–6%; p < 0.001) areas over the study period. In multivariate modeling, monthly income more than US$100 (odds ratio [OR] = 54.44, 95% confidence interval [CI], 25.37–116.82, p < 0.001), high wealth quintile (OR = 18.23, 95% CI, 8.63–38.49, p < 0.001), access to sanitary toilet (OR = 3.07. 95% CI. 1.76–5.26. p < 0.001), boiled drinking water (OR = 2.77, 95% CI, 1.09–7.05, p = 0.032), antimicrobial use before hospitalization (OR = 4.99, 95% CI, 2.85–8.74, p < 0.001), fever (OR = 0.14, 95% CI, 0.37, 0.50, p < 0.001), watery stools (OR = 5.59, 95% CI, 2.11–14.80, p < 0.001), dehydrating diarrhea (OR = 5.17, 95% CI, 2.54–10.52, p < 0.001), intravenous saline infusion after hospitalization (OR = 2.65, 95% CI, 1.28–5.49, p = 0.009), and Salmonella infection (OR = 0.20, 95% CI, 0.50–0.83, p = 0.027) remained significantly associated with urban OO individuals. At least 88% of Shigella isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin in both urban and rural areas; for mecillinum it was 90%. Ciprofloxacin had the least detected resistance for Vibrio cholerae (0%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) showed the greatest resistance (Dhaka 86%; Matlab 98%). Susceptibility for Salmonella showed ampicillin (95%), chloramphenecol (100%), ciprofloxacin (95%), ceftraxone (93%), TMP-SMX (95%) at both sites.

Conclusion: Urban OO with diarrheal illnesses was significantly different from that in rural areas, including antimicrobial susceptibility.     

Dietary Fat,Cooking Fat,and Breast Cancer Risk in a Multiethnic Population

Our objective was to examine the association between dietary fat intake, cooking fat usage, and breast cancer risk in a population-based, multiethnic, case-control study conducted in the San Francisco Bay area. Intake of total fat and types of fat were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire among 1,703 breast cancer cases diagnosed between 1995 and 1999 and 2,045 controls. In addition, preferred use of fat for cooking was assessed. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). High fat intake was associated with increased risk of breast cancer (highest vs. lowest quartile, adjusted OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.10–1.65, P _trend < 0.01). A positive association was found for oleic acid (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.14–2.10, P _trend < 0.01) but not for linoleic acid or saturated fat. Risk was increased for women cooking with hydrogenated fats (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.20–2.10) or vegetable/corn oil (rich in linoleic acid; OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.06–1.58) compared to women using olive/canola oil (rich in oleic acid). Our results suggest that a low-fat diet may play a role in breast cancer prevention. We speculate that monounsaturated trans fats may have driven the discrepant associations between types of fat and breast cancer.     

Dietary Intakes of Selected Nutrients and Food Groups and Risk of Cervical Cancer

We investigated the relationships between intakes of selected dietary nutrients and food groups and risk of cervical cancer in a hospital-based, case-control study including 239 cases diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and 979 hospital patients with nonneoplastic diagnoses who completed a self-administered questionnaire between 1982 and 1998 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, education, smoking status, use of oral contraceptives, barrier contraceptives and spermicides, family history of cervical cancer, year questionnaire completed, and energy intake. Significant reductions in risk of approximately 40–60% were observed for women in the highest vs. lowest tertiles of dietary fiber (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.37–0.94), vitamin C (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.33–0.80), vitamin E (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.27–0.72), vitamin A (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30–0.73), α -carotene (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.27–0.63), β -carotene (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.29–0.68), lutein (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.33–0.79), folate (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.34–0.88), and total fruit and vegetable intake (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.34–0.77). Our findings suggest that a diet rich in plant-based nutrients may be important in reducing the risk of cervical cancer.