Influence of SCARB1 polymorphisms on serum lipids of hypercholesterolemic individuals treated with atorvastatin

BackgroundThe SR-BI is a key component on the cholesterol metabolism. Polymorphisms in the SR-BI gene (SCARB1) were related with variations on plasma lipoprotein profile and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We tested the relationship of 3 SCARB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with hypercholesterolemia in a Brazilian population and whether these variants can influence lipid-lowering response to atorvastatin.Methodsc.4G>A, c.726+54C>T and c.1050C>T SNPs and serum concentrations of lipid and apolipoproteins were evaluated in 147 hypercholesterolemic (HC) and 185 normolipidemic (NL) unrelated Brazilian subjects. HC patients were treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day/4 weeks).ResultsFrequencies of SCARB1 polymorphisms were similar between the HC and NL groups (p > 0.05). The T allele for c.726+54C>T was associated with higher LDL-c in NL and with higher apoB and apoB/apoAI in HC (p < 0.05). HC individuals carrying c.1050C allele carriers (CC and CT genotypes) had lower change of total cholesterol, LDL-c, apoB and apoB/apoAI ratio (p < 0.05) than the TT genotype carriers in response to atorvastatin.ConclusionThe SCARB1 polymorphisms are related with variations in serum lipids in the Brazilian population and c.1050C>T SNP is associated with lipid-lowering atorvastatin response.     

ABCB1 variants confer susceptibility to primary open-angle glaucoma and predict individual differences to latanoprost treatment

ObjectiveWe investigated whether ABCB1 variants confer susceptibility to primary open-angle glaucoma and predict individual differences to latanoprost treatment.MethodsBetween May 2013 and May 2015, 129 POAG patients enrolled in the Department of Ophthalmology, the Second People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province were identified as the case group and 121 healthy individuals were included as the control group. Direct DNA sequencing was used to detect four ABCB1 gene polymorphisms, namely, −129T> C (rs3213619), 1236C> T (rs1128503), 2677G > T/A (rs2032582) and 3435C> T (rs1045642). All POAG patients received latanoprost eye drops once daily. The differences in intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity (VA) before and 1 month after latanoprost treatment were compared in different SNPs genotypes.ResultsStatistically significant differences in genotype frequency were found in ABCB1 gene polymorphism 2677G> T/A and 3435C> T between the case group and the control group (both P < 0.05). No significant difference in genotype frequency was found in −129T> C and 1236C> T between the two groups (both P > 0.05). Importantly, ABCB1 gene 3435C> T polymorphism was associated with a remarkably reduced IOP and an improved VA in POAG patients before and after latanoprost eye drops treatment (both P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in IOP and VA were found in other three genotypes between the two groups (all P > 0.05).ConclusionOur results suggest that ABCB1 gene polymorphisms 2677G> T/A and 3435C> T may confer to associated with the susceptibility to POAG. The ABCB1 gene polymorphism 3435C> T may be linked to individual differences in response to latanoprost eye drops treatment in POAG patients.     

MMP-2 and TIMP-2 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in Chinese Han patients with hypertensive heart disease

BackgroundMMP-2 and TIMP-2 play important roles in the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic atrial remodeling, and may contribute to the development and persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Functional polymorphisms in the promoter of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 gene may modulate an individual's susceptibility to AF.MethodsA total of 881 hypertensive heart disease patients from Chinese Han population (128 with and 753 without AF) were recruited in this study. The genotypes of the MMP2-1306C>T and -735C>T polymorphisms and TIMP-2 -418G>C polymorphisms were determined using PCR based method. The plasma concentration of TIMP-2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a subgroup with 81 patients.ResultsBoth genotype distribution and allele frequency of the TIMP-2 -418G>C polymorphism were significantly different between the AF and control group (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively). The C allele carriers (GC + CC) had a significantly increased risk of AF compared with the GG homozygotes (odds ratio,1.77, 95% CI 1.21–2.92, P = 0.009) in a logistic regression model after adjustment for age, left atrial dimension, left ventricular mass index, and antihypertensive drugs. The C allele carriers also had reduced levels of plasma TIMP-2 levels compared with GG homozygotes in both AF patients and control subjects. No relationship was found in this cohort between the presence of the MMP-2 -1306C>T and -735C>T polymorphism and AF.ConclusionsThe TIMP-2 -418G>C polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to AF in Chinese Han patients with hypertensive heart disease. The -418C allele, which is associated with a decreased expression of TIMP-2, might be a genetic risk for the development of AF in this cohort.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) polymorphisms are associated with high relapse risk in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

BackgroundAngiogenesis has been shown as an important process in hematological malignancies. It consists in endothelial proliferation, migration, and tube formation following pro-angiogenic factors releasing, specially the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which angiogenic effect seems to be dependent on nitric oxide (NO). We examined the association among functional polymorphisms in these two angiogenesis related genes: VEGF (?2578C>A, ?1154G>A, and ?634G>C) and NOS3 (?786T>C, intron 4 b>a, and Glu298Asp) with prognosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).MethodsThe genotypes were determined and haplotypes estimated in 105 ALL patients that were divided in 2 groups: high risk (HR) and low risk of relapse (LR) patients. In addition, event-free survival curves according to genotypes were assessed.ResultsThe group HR compared to the LR showed a higher frequency of the alleles ?2578C and ?634C and the haplotype CGC for VEGF (0.72 vs. 0.51, p < 0.008; 0.47 vs. 0.26, p < 0.008; and 42.1 vs. 14.5, p < 0.006; respectively) and a lower frequency of the haplotype CbGlu (0.4 vs. 8.8, p < 0.006), for NOS3.ConclusionPolymorphisms of VEGF and NOS3 genes are associated with high risk of relapse, therefore may have a prognostic impact in childhood ALL.     

Polymorphisms of the NOS3 gene in Southern Chilean subjects with coronary artery disease and controls

BackgroundNitric oxide (NO) from the endothelium, produced by oxidation of l-arginine to l-citruline for the action at the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is considered an important atheroprotective factor. The 894G>T, ? 786T>C and 4a/4b polymorphic variants of the NOS3 gene have been implicated in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the association between occurrence of CAD documented by angiography and the 894G>T, ? 786T>C and 4a/4b polymorphisms of the NOS3 gene in Southern Chilean individuals.MethodsA total of 112 unrelated patients with diagnosis of CAD confirmed by angiography and 112 controls were included in this study. The 894G>T and ? 786T>C single nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP, and 4a/4b polymorphism just for PCR.ResultsThe genotype distribution and the relative allelic frequencies for the 3 variants investigated were not significantly different between CAD and control subjects (p = NS). Moreover, the odds ratio for CAD associated with the 894T (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.76–1.95), ? 786C (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.75–1.80) and 4a (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.48–1.95) variants failed to reach statistical significance.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the 894G>T, ? 786T>C and 4a/4b polymorphisms of the NOS3 were not associated with CAD in the studied subjects.     

Association of − 765G>C polymorphism of the COX-2 gene with recurrent embryo implantation failure in Southern Chilean women

BackgroundEmbryo implantation failure is considered an important cause of infertility in women undergoing assisted reproductive protocols. Recent studies demonstrated that the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme is implicated in biosynthesis of prostaglandins and play an important role in the molecular implantation mechanisms. According to this evidence, we evaluated the potential association between the ? 765G>C (rs20417) polymorphism at the COX-2 gene and the implantation failure susceptibility in a sample of Chilean women.MethodsA total of 186 unrelated women matched by age were included in the present study, 106 patients (aged 31.9 ± 4.17 y) with no history of successful pregnancy and a diagnosis of infertility undergoing assisted reproductive protocols and 80 healthy controls (aged 31.4 ± 4.05 y). The COX-2 ? 765G>C gene polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP.ResultsGenotype distribution and allelic frequencies for ? 765G>C polymorphism of COX-2 gene were significantly different between patients and controls (P = 0.004 and P = 0.002, respectively). The odds ratio for implantation failure associated to the ? 765C allelic variant was 2.14 (95% C.I., 1.35–3.39, P = 0.00071).ConclusionOur data suggest, by the first time, that the COX-2 ? 765G>C polymorphism is associated with recurrent implantation failure in Chilean women and may constituted a novel molecular biomarker of reproductive failure.     

Roles of high apolipoprotein E blood levels and HDL in development of familial dysbetalipoproteinemia in ε2ε2 subjects

ObjectiveFamilial dysbetalipoproteinemia (FD) or Type III hyperlipoproteinemia is a mixed hyperlipidemia closely associated with the ε2ε2 genotype of the common APOE polymorphism although not all homozygotes progress to FD. Unlike the polymorphism, few studies explore effects of apolipoprotein E (apoE) blood levels on FD development. Likewise, despite the known apoE2 lipoprotein binding preference for high-density lipoprotein (HDL); little work exists exploring HDL in FD. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to investigate potential roles in FD development for apoE and HDL. Additionally, insulin and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were investigated in view of reports linking insulin resistance to FD.MethodsAPOE genotyping and levels of apoE, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II), insulin, HOMA-IR, lipids, and NMR lipoprotein analysis were determined in a cohort of healthy individuals (N = 7169). A lipid-based algorithm identified FD in 24 of 52 e2e2 subjects. Logistic regression modeling assessed associations of FD development with measured variables.ResultsUnivariate models revealed associations with FD significant and positive for apoE, apoA-II/apoA-I, apoA-I/HDL-C, apoA-II/HDL-C, and HOMA-IR. For HDL-C, association was significant but inverse. Results of multivariable models containing apoE with single parameters added revealed statistical significance only for the apoA-II/HDL-C ratio (OR 10.52, 95%CI 1.17–94.79, p = 0.036) concurrent with significance for apoE (OR 2.21, 95%CI 1.06–4.65, p = 0.035). Interaction was not demonstrated (p = 0.36). NMR results revealed for FD versus nonFD subjects generally higher levels of VLDL and small HDL and for IDL few differences.ConclusionHigh apoE and high apoA-II/HDL-C independently associate with FD development in ε2ε2 individuals.     

The xylosyltransferase Ι gene polymorphism c.343G>T (p.A115S) is associated with decreased serum glycosaminoglycan levels

ObjectivesThe xylosyltransferases I and II (XT-I, XT-II, EC 2.4.2.26) are the chain-initiating enzymes in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This is the first investigation of changes in the serum GAG amount and composition in association with polymorphisms in XYLT1 and XYLT2.Design and methodsGenotyping of three genetic variations in the genes XYLT1 and XYLT2 was performed in 223 healthy blood donor samples. Serum samples were analyzed for their GAG Δ-disaccharide content by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Furthermore serum XT activity was determined by a radiochemical assay.ResultsThe single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) c.343G>T in XYLT1 exon 1 correlated with a significantly decreased GAG content in the serum (p < 0.01). For the other two investigated XYLT2 variations (c.166G>A in exon 2 and c.1253C>T in exon 6) no changes in the serum GAG amount were detected. No investigated SNPs were associated with changes to serum XT activities.ConclusionsThe XYLT1 SNP c.343G>T is associated with a decreased GAG amount in the serum of healthy blood donors.     

Outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) following refractory pediatric cardiac arrest in the intensive care unit

AimTo describe our experience using extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in resuscitating children with refractory cardiac arrest in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to describe hospital survival and neurologic outcomes after ECPR.MethodsA retrospective chart review of a consecutive case series of patients requiring ECPR from 2001 to 2006 at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Data from medical records was abstracted and reviewed. Primary study outcomes were survival to hospital discharge and neurological outcome at hospital discharge.ResultsDuring the 6-year study period, ECPR was deployed 34 times in 32 patients. 24 deployments (73%) resulted in survival to hospital discharge. Twenty-eight deployments (82%) were for underlying cardiac disease, 3 for neonatal non-cardiac (NICU) patients and 3 for paediatric non-cardiac (PICU) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, only serum ALT (p-value = 0.043; OR, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.014–2.527) was significantly associated with risk of death prior to hospital discharge. Blood lactate at 24 h post-ECPR showed a trend towards significance (p-value = 0.059; OR, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.991–1.627). The Hosmer–Lemeshow tests (p-value = 0.178) suggested a good fit for the model. Neurological evaluation of the survivors revealed that there was no change in PCPC scores from a baseline of 1–2 in 18/24 (75%) survivors.ConclusionsECPR can be used successfully to resuscitate children following refractory cardiac arrest in the ICU, and grossly intact neurologic outcomes can be achieved in a majority of cases.     

Changes in health-related quality of life may predict recurrent breast cancer

BackgroundPatient-reported outcomes incorporated in cancer clinical trials, are increasingly hypothesized to be predictors of disease-free survival. Previous research supports health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as an independent predictor of survival in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer. In contrast, recent studies provide evidence that baseline HRQoL scores are not associated with increased risk of relapse or survival in women with early-stage breast cancer. One plausible assumption might be that baseline HRQoL scores are limited as predictors of a recurrence of breast cancer several years after the initial diagnosis. In this explorative study, we examined whether changes in HRQoL over time may predict breast cancer recurrence. As a supplement, we investigated whether baseline HRQoL predicted recurrence.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 141 participants in the International Breast Cancer Study Group adjuvant Trial 12-93 and Trial 14-93, from the Western region of Sweden. HRQoL was assessed, during a 5-year follow up. Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard function of recurrence depending on time since primary diagnosis and on HRQoL variables.ResultsAccording to the Poisson multivariable regression analysis changes in physical well-being (β = 0.00439, p-value = 0.0470), and nausea/vomiting (β = ?0.00612, p-value = 0.0136) significantly predicted recurrence. Baseline HRQoL outcomes were not predictors of recurrence.ConclusionsChanges of HRQoL during adjuvant therapy may be associated with recurrence. This explorative finding needs prospective investigation.     

Effects of two retraining strategies on nursing students’ acquisition and retention of BLS/AED skills: A cluster randomised trial

AimTo determine and compare the effects of two different retraining strategies on nursing students’ acquisition and retention of BLS/AED skills.MethodsNursing students (N = 177) from two European universities were randomly assigned to either an instructor-directed (IDG) or a student-directed (SDG) 4-h retraining session in BLS/AED. A multiple-choice questionnaire, the Cardiff Test, Laerdal SkillReporter^® software and a self-efficacy scale were used to assess students’ overall competency (knowledge, psychomotor skills and self-efficacy) in BLS/AED at pre-test, post-test and 3-month retention-test. GEE, chi-squared and McNemar tests were performed to examine statistical differences amongst groups across time.ResultsThere was a significant increase in the proportion of students who achieved competency for all variables measuring knowledge, psychomotor skills and self-efficacy between pre-test and post-test in both groups (all p-values < 0.05). However, at post-test, significantly more students in the SDG achieved overall BLS/AED competency when compared to IDG. In terms of retention at 3 months, success rates of students within the IDG deteriorated significantly for all variables except ≥70% of chest compressions with correct hand position (p-value = 0.12). Conversely, the proportion of students who achieved competency within the SDG only decreased significantly in ‘mean no flow-time≤5s’ (p-value = 0.02). Furthermore, differences between groups’ success rates at retention-test also proved to be significantly different for all variables measured (all p-values < 0.05).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that using a student-directed strategy to retrain BLS/AED skills has resulted in a higher proportion of nursing students achieving and retaining competency in BLS/AED at three months when compared to an instructor-directed strategy.     

A promoter polymorphism − 2122C>T of CHI3L1 is associated with serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol level in Korean subjects

ObjectivesThis study assessed the effects of 10 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CHI3L1 gene on serum LDL cholesterol levels in 290 Korean subjects.Design and methodsGenotyping analyses of SNPs were conducted by TaqMan® method. The effects of the promoter SNP on mRNA expression and nuclear factor binding were measured by real-time PCR and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, respectively.ResultsAmong 10 tagging SNPs, ? 2122C>T SNP (rs946261) in the promoter region was significantly associated with serum LDL cholesterol level (P = 0.005). The T allele of ? 2122C>T was associated with significantly increased mRNA expressions in peripheral blood cells of the subjects, and also increased a nuclear factor binding measured by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Conclusions? 2122C>T of CHI3L1, a promoter SNP which affects the mRNA expression and nuclear factor binding, is significantly associated with serum LDL cholesterol levels in Korean subjects.     

Association of alpha 2A adrenergic receptor gene (ADRΑ2A) polymorphism with irritable bowel syndrome,microscopic and ulcerative colitis

BackgroundAlpha 2 adrenergic receptors (α2 ARs) play a central role in the regulation of systemic sympathetic activity. Prejunctional alpha 2A adrenoceptor regulates through negative feedback at presynaptic nerve ending. A-1291 C > G polymorphism located in α2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRΑ2A) has been identified. We investigated the possible association between 1291 C > G polymorphism in the promoter region of ADRΑ2A in clinical subtypes of IBS, ulcerative and microscopic colitis patients.MethodsThis prospective case control study included 92 patients with diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS), 44 with constipation predominant IBS (C-IBS), 15 with alternating diarrhea and constipation IBS (M-IBS), 75 ulcerative colitis (UC), 41 microscopic colitis (MC) and 100 healthy controls. The subjects were genotyped by using PCR amplification of the promoter region of ADRΑ2A gene followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme MspI. The study was approved by the institute ethical committee.ResultsA strong genotypic association was observed between α2A-1291 C > G polymorphism and D-IBS (χ² = 6.38, df = 2, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in α2A-1291 C > G genotype and allele frequency between C-IBS, M-IBS, UC, MC cases and control subjects.ConclusionsA significant association was observed between α2A-1291C > G polymorphism and D-IBS. Thus, α2 AR gene may be a potential candidate involved in the pathophysiology of D-IBS.     

The detection of autoantibodies to ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of autoantibodies against ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in SLE patients, and evaluate the association between anti-ABCA1 autoantibodies and atherosclerosis in SLE.Design and methodsThe sera of 75 SLE patients and 75 healthy controls were tested by immunoblotting. Then, we examined the effect of anti-ABCA1 autoantibodies on cholesterol efflux in vitro.ResultsThe prevalence of anti-ABCA1 antibodies in SLE patients was significantly higher than the controls (p < 0.05). The prevalence in the SLE-plaque group was higher than that in the SLE-non-plaque group (p < 0.05). The IgG purified from anti-ABCA1-antibody positive sera can inhibit cellular cholesterol efflux from THP-1 cells in vitro with a significantly higher inhibition ratio than that of the healthy controls.ConclusionsOur observations suggest that anti-ABCA1 autoantibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of lupus atherosclerosis and that autoantibodies against ABCA1 may act as biomarkers for atherosclerosis in SLE.     

Increased large VLDL and small LDL particles are related to lower bilirubin in Type 2 diabetes mellitus

ObjectivesBilirubin may protect against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by virtue of its anti-oxidative properties, but lower bilirubin may also be associated to atherogenic lipoprotein abnormalities. We determined associations of plasma (apo)lipoproteins and lipoprotein subfractions in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Design and methodsPlasma (apo)lipoproteins, lipoprotein subfractions (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and serum total bilirubin levels were determined in 53 T2DM patients and in 53 non-diabetic subjects.ResultsTriglycerides, large VLDL, small LDL and small HDL particles were increased (all p < 0.05), whereas HDL cholesterol, apoA-I and large HDL particles were decreased (all p < 0.05), coinciding lower bilirubin levels in T2DM (p < 0.001). In age- and sex-adjusted analysis, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apoB, apoE, large VLDL and small LDL were negatively correlated with bilirubin, but HDL cholesterol was positively correlated with bilirubin in T2DM (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analyses demonstrated that in all subjects combined total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apoE were negatively associated with bilirubin after adjustment for age, sex, T2DM, body mass index and alanine aminotransferase (all p < 0.05). Further multivariable linear regression analysis showed that large VLDL and small LDL particles were negatively associated with bilirubin, whereas large HDL particles were associated positively with bilirubin (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIncreased triglycerides, as well as large VLDL and small LDL particles are associated negatively, whereas HDL cholesterol is associated positively with bilirubin in T2DM. The proposed pro-atherogenic effects of low bilirubin could in part be attributed to relationships with abnormalities in (apo)lipoproteins and lipoprotein subfraction characteristics.     

RAS mutation analysis in a large cohort of Chinese patients with acute myeloid leukemia

ObjectiveWe examined RAS mutational status and correlated this with presenting morphology, cytogenetics, clinical outcome and other gene aberrations in a large cohort of Chinese acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.Designs and methodsN-RAS and K-RAS were screened for mutations at hot-spot codons 12, 13 and 61 using high resolution melting analysis (HRMA) and direct DNA sequencing in 504 Chinese AML patients and their clinical relevance was analyzed.ResultsThe frequencies of mutations of N-RAS and K-RAS were 9.7% (49/504) and 2.9% (15/504), respectively. c.35 G > A (rs121913237: G > A; p.Gly12Asp and rs121913529: G > A; p.Gly12Asp) and c.38 G > A (rs121434596: G > A; p.Gly13Asp and rs112445441: G > A; p.Gly13Asp) were the most common base substitutions (46% in N-RAS and 60% in K-RAS, respectively). AML patients with RAS mutations presented significantly higher white blood cell count (WBC) at diagnosis than those without mutations (p < 0.001). RAS mutations were underrepresented in patients with t(15;17) (2.9%, p = 0.01), while overrepresented in cases with abn11q23 (50%, p = 0.002) and inv(16) (66.6%, p = 0.04). In the FAB subtypes M4 and M5, RAS mutations were more frequent (21.6% and 20.6%, respectively) than they were in other subtypes (7.5%, p = 0.006 and 0.005, respectively). FLT3-ITD and RAS mutation were rarely coexistent (p = 0.03). RAS mutation didn't influence overall survival (OS) either in the entire cohort or within some defined subgroups.ConclusionsRAS mutations are associated with some biologically specific subtypes of AML but don't impact clinical outcome in Chinese patients.     

Butyrylcholinesterase activity and mortality risk in hemodialysis patients: Comparison to hsCRP and albumin

ObjectiveTo test the prediction power of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity for mortality risk in hemodialysis patients during 12 months follow-up, and made comparison to hsCRP and albumin.Materials and methodsThe study enrolled 62 patients, aged 31–79 years. Serum BuChE, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and albumin were measured after 1, 3, 9 and 12 months of dialysis. The Kaplan–Meier survival curves were employed in mortality prediction.ResultsBuChE was positively associated with serum albumin (r = 0.318; p = 0.012) and inversely related to hsCRP (r = ? 0.358; p = 0.004). The highest mortality was in the lowest quartile of basal albumin (< 38.4 g/L; p = 0.027), hsCRP concentrations > 8 mg/L (p = 0.005), and BuChE activity in the lowest tercile of basal values (< 5.92 kU/L; p = 0.0041).ConclusionOur results suggest that low BuChE activity may be a nonspecific risk factor for mortality in patients who are on hemodialysis.     

(Re)organisation of the somatosensory system after early brain lesion: A lateralization index fMRI study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between neural (re)organization of the somatosensory cortex and impairment of sensory function (2-point discrimination [2PD]) in individuals with unilateral cerebral palsy.MethodsWe included 21 individuals with unilateral cerebral palsy. 2PD thresholds were evaluated on thumb pads, and activation of the somatosensory cortex was recorded by functional MRI (fMRI) during passive movements of the affected hand. A lateralization index (LI) was calculated for the primary sensory (S1) and secondary sensory (S2) cortices and the correlation between the LI and 2PD thresholds was analysed.ResultsWe found a significant negative correlation between the 2PD thresholds and the S2 LI (r = −0.5, one-tailed P-value = 0.01) and a trend towards a negative correlation with the S1 LI (r = −0.4, one-tailed P-value = 0.05).ConclusionHigh levels of activation in the contralesional hemisphere were associated with high levels of sensory impairment in individuals with unilateral cerebral palsy. The interhemispheric (re)organization of the somatosensory system may not effectively compensate for somatosensory impairment.     

Functional vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and diabetes: Effect on coronary collaterals in patients with significant coronary artery disease

BackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis. This study tested the association between functional VEGF + 405 C > G (rs2010963), ? 2578C > A (rs699947) polymorphisms, and coronary collaterals in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodThe collateral scoring system developed by Rentrop was used to classify 393 patients according to their collaterals as either “poor” (grades 0 and 1) or “good” (grades 2 and 3). Gene polymorphisms were analyzed by TaqMan assay.ResultsThe frequency of + 405C and ? 2578A alleles was higher in the good collaterals group (p = 0.007 and 0.005, respectively). For the + 405C > G allele, the odds ratio (OR) of good collaterals for CC to GG genotype was 2.54 (p = 0.003). For the ? 2578A allele, the OR of good collaterals for AA to CC genotype was 2.31 (p = 0.038). Univariate and logistic regression analysis found 2 polymorphisms in the additive model for associations with collateral development: + 405C > G (p = 0.005 and 0.010) and ? 2578C > A (p = 0.006 and 0.006). The VEGF + 405C > G polymorphism and DM revealed an interactive effect on collateral development (p = 0.027).ConclusionsThe VEGF + 405C > G and ? 2578C > A polymorphisms might be novel genetic factors affecting collateral development in Chinese patients.