Pepsinogen-II 100 bp ins/del gene polymorphism and its elevated circulating levels are associated with gastric cancer,particularly with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> infection and intestinal metaplasia

Background

Polymorphism in the gene of pepsinogen-II (PG-II) and its serum level are effective biomarkers for terminal differentiation of gastric mucosa into gastritis, intestinal metaplasia (IM), and gastric cancer (GC) in relationship to Helicobacter pylori infection.

Methods

Genotyping of the PG-II 100 bp insertion/deletion (ins/del) polymorphism was performed in patients with GC (n = 192) and age- and gender-matched H. pylori-associated dyspepsia (n = 180) and healthy subjects (HS, n = 240) by PCR. IgG anti-H. pylori (in all subjects) and serum PG-II levels were estimated in 145 patients each with GC and dyspepsia and in 65 healthy controls (HC) using ELISA (Biohit Oyj, Finland).

Results

Five alleles were amplified by PCR: allele 5 (510 bp), allele 4 (480 bp), allele 3 (450 bp), allele 2 (400 bp), and allele 1 (shorter allele, 310 bp). Allele 1 carriage was infrequent, and serum PG-II level was higher among patients with GC than in HC [OR 0.43 (95 % CI, 0.29–0.85), p < 0.001 and mean ± SD; 17.53 ± 12.60 vs. 12.77 ± 7.53 µg/l, p = 0.005, respectively], particularly in the presence of H. pylori [OR 0.42 (0.25–0.71), p = 0.001 and 18.78 ± 12.63 vs. 13.97 ± 8.14, p = 0.034]. However, allele 1 carriage and PG-II levels were comparable among patients with GC and dyspepsia. Patients with IM also carried allele 1 infrequently and had higher levels of PG-II than those without [OR 0.5 (0.29–0.85), p = 0.011 and 20.07 ± 14.22 vs. 16.61 ± 12.08, p = 0.048].

Conclusions

Carriage of the shorter allele of the PG-II 100 bp ins/del polymorphism and elevated levels of PG-II are associated with GC, particularly with H. pylori infection and IM.

     

Cross‐Imaging Platform Comparison of Ultrasonic Backscatter Coefficient Measurements of Live Rat Tumors

Objective. To translate quantitative ultrasound (QUS) from the laboratory into the clinic, it is necessary to demonstrate that the measurements are platform independent. Because the backscatter coefficient (BSC) is the fundamental estimate from which additional QUS estimates are calculated, agreement between BSC results using different systems must be demonstrated. This study was an intercomparison of BSCs from in vivo spontaneous rat mammary tumors acquired by different groups using 3 clinical array systems and a single‐element laboratory scanner system. Methods. Radio frequency data spanning the 1‐ to 14‐MHz frequency range were acquired in 3 dimensions from all animals using each system. Each group processed their radio frequency data independently, and the resulting BSCs were compared. The rat tumors were diagnosed as either carcinoma or fibroadenoma. Results. Carcinoma BSC results exhibited small variations between the multiple slices acquired with each transducer, with similar slopes of BSC versus frequency for all systems. Somewhat larger variations were observed in fibroadenomas, although BSC variations between slices of the same tumor were of comparable magnitude to variations between transducers and systems. The root mean squared (RMS) errors between different transducers and imaging platforms were highly variable. The lowest RMS errors were observed for the fibroadenomas between 4 and 5 MHz, with an average RMS error of 4 × 10^?5 cm^?1Sr^?1 and an average BSC value of 7.1 × 10^?4 cm^?1Sr^?1, or approximately 5% error. The highest errors were observed for the carcinoma between 7 and 8 MHz, with an RMS error of 1.1 × 10^?1 cm^?1Sr^?1 and an average BSC value of 3.5 × 10^?2 cm^?1Sr^?1, or approximately 300% error. Conclusions. This technical advance shows the potential for QUS technology to function with different imaging platforms.     

Congestive Heart Failure: An Uncommon Presentation of Systemic Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SOJIA)

Children with systemic onset Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SOJIA) are known to develop myocarditis and congestive heart failure as a complication of disease process infrequently. Cardiac involvement causing congestive heart failure as a presenting manifestation in SOJIA is rarely described in the literature. The authors describe a case of an 11- yr- old boy with SOJIA who presented with congestive heart failure following active myocarditis, with the flare of the disease process. The cardiac manifestations, along with the disease activity were controlled with intensive immunosuppressive therapy.     

Effectiveness of a Cultural Stroke Prevention Program in the United States—South Asian Health Awareness About Stroke (SAHAS)

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - There are few stroke education programs focused on the South Asian population in the United States. The South Asian Health Awareness about Stroke (SAHAS)...