Epstein-Barr virus in healthy individuals from Portugal.

Introduction: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) persists for long periods in latent state inside B-lymphocytes after primary infections, and reactivation usually occurs associated to immunosuppression conditions of the host. Recently, the detection of EBV DNA in circulation has been suggested as a predictor marker for the development of EBV related malignancies.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of our study was to characterize the frequency of circulating EBV in healthy individuals (n=508) from the North region of Portugal, using peripheral blood samples.

Association between EGF +61A/G polymorphism and gastric cancer in Caucasians.

Aim: To investigate the association between epidermal growth factor (EGF) +61A/G polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer, through a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses were used to genotype EGF +61 in 207 patients with gastric lesions (162 patients with gastric adenocarcinomas, 45 with atrophy or intestinal metaplasia) and 984 controls. All subjects were Caucasian.

Epstein-Barr virus is associated with gastric carcinoma: the question is what is the significance?

Aim: To examine the possible role of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma (GC). It is unclear whether EBV is involved in GC development or is a consequence of gastric inflammation secondary to immunosuppressive treatments.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out of all published observational studies on the temporal association between EBV and GC, with a view to determine a causal relationship.

Overall survival in women with breast cancer: the influence of pepsinogen C gene polymorphism.

We aimed to study the role of an insertion/deletion polymorphism in the Pepsinogen C (PGC) gene in the clinical outcome of 172 breast cancer patients. The six polymorphic alleles were amplified using PCR. Our results indicate that patients carrying the allele 6 present a higher 5-year survival mean (83.

Gastric cancer in a Caucasian population: role of pepsinogen C genetic variants.

Aim: To study the role of an insertion/deletion polymorphism in the pepsinogen C (PGC) gene, an effective marker for terminal differentiation of the stomach mucosa, in the susceptibility to the development of gastric lesions.

Methods: The study was performed with 99 samples of known gastric lesions and 127 samples without evidence of neoplastic disease. PCR was employed and the 6 polymorphic alleles were amplified: Allele 1 (510 bp), Allele 2 (480 bp), Allele 3/4 (450/460 bp), Allele 5 (400 bp) and Allele 6 (310 bp).