Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and DJ-1 in gastric cancer: differences between high-incidence and low-incidence areas

Background:

There is a need for sensitive and specific blood-borne markers for the detection of gastric cancer. Raised serum macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) levels have been proposed as a marker for gastric cancer diagnosis but, to date, studies have only encompassed patients from high-incidence areas.

Methods:

We have compared the serum concentration of MIF in a large cohort of UK and Japanese gastric cancer patients, together with appropriate control subjects (age and gender matched). Carcinoembryonic antigen and H. pylori IgG were also measured, as was DJ-1, a novel candidate protein biomarker identified by analysis of gastric cancer cell line secretomes.

Results:

Marked elevations of the serum concentration of MIF and DJ-1 were seen in Japanese patients with gastric cancer compared with Japanese controls, a trend not seen in the UK cohort. These results could not be accounted for by differences in age, disease stage or H. pylori status.

Conclusion:

In regions of high, but not low incidence of gastric cancer, both MIF and DJ-1 have elevated serum concentrations in gastric cancer patients, compared with controls. This suggests that differing mechanisms of disease pathogenesis may be at play in high- and low-incidence regions.     

Mammary-type fibroepithelial neoplasms of the vulva: a case report and review of the literature

Mammary-type fibroepithelial neoplasms of the vulva are rare lesions of uncertain histogenesis. Origin from ectopic breast tissue and from anogenital glandular tissue that shares similar histologic homology with breast tissue has been postulated. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with a vulvar mass of several years duration. Excision of the lesion and subsequent histologic examination showed a mammary-type fibroadenoma with apocrine change. No ectopic breast tissue was identified outside the lesion. The theories of histogenesis of these neoplasms and additional cases of mammary-type lesions of the vulva reported in the medical literature are reviewed.     

Effects of collagen membranes enriched with in vitro-differentiated N1E-115 cells on rat sciatic nerve regeneration after end-to-end repair

Preventing falls and fall-related fractures in the elderly is an objective yet to be reached. There is increasing evidence that a supplementation of vitamin D and/or of calcium may reduce the fall and fracture rates. A vitamin D-calcium supplement appears to have a high potential due to its simple application and its low cost. However, published studies have shown conflicting results as some studies failed to show any effect, while others reported a significant decrease of falls and fractures. Through a 15-year literature overview, and after a brief reminder on mechanism of falls in older adults, we reported evidences for a vitamin D action on postural adaptations - i.e., muscles and central nervous system - which may explain the decreased fall and bone fracture rates and we underlined the reasons for differences and controversies between published data. Vitamin D supplementation should thus be integrated into primary and secondary fall prevention strategies in older adults.     

Associations of 9p21 variants with cutaneous malignant melanoma, nevi, and pigmentation phenotypes in melanoma-prone families with and without CDKN2A mutations

Chromosome 9p21 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). In addition to CDKN2A, the major known high-risk susceptibility gene for CMM, recent studies suggest that other 9p21 genes may be involved in melanoma/nevi development. To identify 9p21 variants that influence susceptibility to CMM and number of nevi in CMM-prone families with and without CDKN2A mutations, we analyzed 562 individuals (183 CMM) from 53 families (23 CDKN2A+, 30 CDKN2A?) for 233 tagging SNPs in 21 genes at 9p21. Single SNP- and gene-based regression analyses were used to assess the risk of CMM, nevi count, skin complexion, and tanning ability associated with these SNPs and genes. We found that SNP rs7023329 in the MTAP gene was associated with number of nevi (P _trend = 0.003) confirming a recent finding by a genome-wide association study. In addition, three SNPs in the ACO1 gene, rs7855483 (P _trend = 0.002), rs17288067 (P _trend = 0.0009), and rs10813813 (P _trend = 0.005), showed the strongest associations with CMM risk. None of the examined 9p21 SNPs was associated with skin complexion, whereas two SNPs, rs10964862 in IFNW1 (P _trend = 0.003), and rs13290968 in TUSC1 (P _trend = 0.0006), were associated with tanning ability. Gene-based analyses suggested that the ACO1 gene was significantly associated with CMM (P = 0.0004); genes IFNW1 (P = 0.002) and ACO1 (P = 0.0002) were significantly associated with tanning ability. Our findings are consistent with recent proposals that additional 9p21 genes may contribute to CMM susceptibility in CMM-prone families. These genetic variants may, at least partially, exert their effects through nevi and tanning ability.     

Residential Traffic Exposure,Pulse Pressure,and C-reactive Protein: Consistency and Contrast among Exposure Characterization Methods

Background

Traffic exposure may increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk via systemic inflammation and elevated blood pressure, two important clinical markers for managing disease progression.

Objectives

We assessed degree and consistency of association between traffic exposure indicators as predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) and pulse pressure (PP) in an adult U.S. Puerto Rican population (n = 1,017).

Methods

Cross-sectional information on health and demographics and blood data was collected. Using multiple linear regression, we tested for associations between CRP, PP, and six traffic exposure indicators including residential proximity to roads with > 20,000 vehicles/day and traffic density [vehicle miles traveled per square mile (VMT/mi²)]. Diabetes and obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²] were tested as effect modifiers.

Results

CRP was positively associated with traffic density in the total population [36% CRP difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5–81%] for residence within the highest versus lowest VMT/mi² level. With BMI ≥ 30, CRP showed significant positive associations with five of six traffic indices including residence ≤ 200 m versus > 200 m of a roadway [22.7% CRP difference (95% CI, 3.15–46.1)] and traffic density in the third highest versus lowest VMT/mi² level [28.1% difference (95% CI, 1.0–62.6)]. PP was positively associated with residence within ≤ 100 m of a roadway for the total population [2.2 mmHg (95% CI, 0.13–4.3 mmHg)] and persons with BMI ≥ 30 [3.8 mmHg (95% CI, 0.88–6.8)]. Effect estimates approximately doubled for residence within ≤ 200 m of two or more roadways, particularly in persons with diabetes [8.1 mmHg (95% CI, 2.2–14.1)].

Conclusions

Traffic exposure at roadway volumes as low as 20,000–40,000 vehicles/day may increase CVD risk through adverse effects on blood pressure and inflammation. Individuals with elevated inflammation profiles, that is, BMI ≥ 30, may be more susceptible to the effects of traffic exposure.