Vitamin D and prostate cancer prognosis: a Mendelian randomization study

Purpose

Decreased vitamin D levels have been associated with prostate cancer, but it is unclear whether this association is causal. A functional single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the group-specific component (GC) gene (T > G, rs2282679) has been associated with 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D and 1.25 dihydroxy (1.25-OH2) vitamin D levels.

Methods

To examine the hypothesized inverse relationship between vitamin D status and prostate cancer, we studied the association between this SNP and prostate cancer outcome in the prospective PROCAGENE study comprising 702 prostate cancer patients with a median follow-up of 82 months.

Results

GC rs2282679 genotypes were not associated with biochemical recurrence [hazard ratios (HR) 0.91, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.73–1.12; p = 0.36], development of metastases (HR 1.20, 95 % CI 0.88–1.63; p = 0.25) or overall survival (HR 1.10; 95 % CI 0.84–1.43; p = 0.50).

Conclusions

A causal role of vitamin D status, as reflected by GC rs2282679 genotype, in disease progression and mortality in prostate cancer patients is unlikely.

     

Career success of preschool teachers in Germany – the significance of the Big Five personality traits,locus of control,and occupational self-efficacy

The career success of preschool teachers has been discussed to be important because it can be a precondition for the ability to provide a high-quality preschool education. Consequently, the identification of factors that can help explain individual differences in career success is a crucial research issue. Previous research covering various occupations indicates that the Big Five, internal locus of control (LOC), and occupational self-efficacy are good predictors of objective and subjective career success. However, there is a research gap on this topic in preschool teachers. This study examined whether the Big Five, LOC, and occupational self-efficacy could predict the career success of 560 preschool teachers in Germany. After controlling for other predictors, internal LOC corresponded with higher objective career success, but neuroticism and conscientiousness corresponded with lower subjective career success. Occupational self-efficacy corresponded with higher subjective career success. The findings are discussed with respect to practical conclusions.     

Candidate genetic risk factors of stroke: results of a multilocus genotyping assay

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies indicate that genetic factors play a role in the risk of stroke, particularly in younger individuals, but the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is controversial. We tested the possible association of a number of previously described SNPs with stroke risk. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of 60 polymorphisms located in 35 genes in 450 white patients who suffered an acute stroke or transient ischemic attack before the age of 60 years and in 817 healthy control individuals by a multilocus PCR-based assay. The controls were randomly selected from attendees of a health service program. Genetic variations were detected by hybridization to nylon strips (Roche Molecular Systems) containing detection oligonucleotides for the SNPs. We used P values of <0.05 for confirmatory analysis of the SNPs in the genes for APOE (allele 4), angiotensin converting enzyme, factor V, prothrombin, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. To account for multiple testing we defined a P value of <0.001 as statistically significant for all exploratory tests. The genes represented in the test panel by more than 1 SNP were also evaluated by haplotype analysis. RESULTS: Frequencies of all 60 tested SNPs among patients and controls were very similar. No SNP reached an odds ratio of 2, and no association with stroke risk was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not indicate a clinically relevant role of any of the investigated SNPs for stroke risk in individuals hospitalized for ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack before or at 60 years of age. These results are in accordance with previous metaanalyses showing at most a very modest or no significant effect of these SNPs on stroke risk.     

Heat Stress is Associated with Reduced Health Status in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Prospective Study Cohort

Background

Summer heat waves with temperature extremes are becoming more frequent with growing numbers in morbidity and mortality in patients with respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ramifications of heat stress (temperature >25 °C) on the health status of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods

Fifteen patients with PAH (mean age = 66.7 ± 5.2 years) continuously wore an accelerometer from April 1 to September 30, 2011, and their daily step count was recorded. In addition, patients kept a diary to record data on seven standardized questions regarding their daily symptoms. Echocardiography, 6-minute walk test, NTproBNP, and Modified Medical Research Council Scale (MMRC) were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study after 6 months.

Results

On heat-stress days, patients showed significantly more symptoms and lower total steps/day compared to thermal comfort days (3,995 ± 2,013 steps/day vs. 5,567 ± 2,434 steps/day, respectively; P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between total steps/day and Temp_max (R = ?0.47; P < 0.001) and humidity (R = ?0.34; P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between daily symptoms and Temp_max (R = +0.79; P < 0.001) and humidity (R = +0.23; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Heat stress is associated with a compromised clinical status in patients with PAH. Adaptation strategies must be implemented to prevent heart-related morbidity, including therapeutic adjustments and adequate room cooling in the patient’s home and at the hospital.     

Significance of vomiting for hyperamylasemia and sialadenosis in patients with eating disorders

The authors investigated the significance of vomiting for hyperamylasemia and sialadenosis in patients with bulimia nervosa. Hyperamylasemia was found in 61% of the bulimics and in 20% of the restrictor anorectics but in no patients with binge-eating syndrome. In more than three fourths of the bulimics there was a close positive correlation between the frequency of vomiting and total serum amylase levels. Both frequency and type of vomiting seem to be relevant to the extent of salivary gland enlargement. The significance of vomiting for the etiopathology of hyperamylasemia and for the diagnosis of eating disorders will be discussed. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.