Bcl6 is expressed in neuroblastoma: tumor cell type-specific expression predicts outcome.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid neoplasm of infancy and childhood. Whereas most low-risk patients do well, children with high-risk tumors often fail intensive treatment. Identification of novel biomarkers is critical to improve prognostication, tailor therapy, and develop new therapeutic targets.

Maternal drinking water arsenic exposure and perinatal outcomes in inner Mongolia, China.

Background: Bayingnormen is a region located in western Inner Mongolia China, with a population that is exposed to a wide range of drinking water arsenic concentrations. The relationship between maternal drinking water arsenic exposure and perinatal endpoints (term birth weight, preterm birth, stillbirth and neonatal death) in this region was evaluated in this study.

Methods: An analysis was conducted of all singleton deliveries in a defined geographical area of Inner Mongolia from December 1996 to December 1999 (n=9890).

Improving adherence to asthma clinical guidelines and discharge documentation from emergency departments: implementation of a dynamic and integrated electronic decision support system.

Objective: The authors previously developed a dynamic and integrated electronic decision support system called ACAFE (Asthma Clinical Assessment Form and Electronic decision support). The objective of this present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this system on asthma management and documentation in an ED.

Method: Observational study using a pre- and post-intervention design, comparing patients managed using ACAFE after its implementation with historical controls.

Assessment of lifetime cumulative sun exposure using a self-administered questionnaire: reliability of two approaches.

Few studies have evaluated the reliability of lifetime sun exposure estimated from inquiring about the number of hours people spent outdoors in a given period on a typical weekday or weekend day (the time-based approach). Some investigations have suggested that women have a particularly difficult task in estimating time outdoors in adulthood due to their family and occupational roles. We hypothesized that people might gain additional memory cues and estimate lifetime hours spent outdoors more reliably if asked about time spent outdoors according to specific activities (an activity-based approach).

Polymorphisms in the C-type lectin genes cluster in chromosome 19 and predisposition to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection.

Background: Polymorphisms of CLEC4M have been associated with predisposition for infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). DC-SIGNR, a C-type lectin encoded by CLEC4M, is a receptor for the virus. A variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in its neck region was recently associated with susceptibility to SARS infection.

Simplified categorization of outdoor activities for male and female U.S. indoor workers-a feasibility study to improve assessment of ultraviolet radiation exposures in epidemiologic study questionnaires.

Skin cancer studies depend on questionnaires to estimate exposure to ultraviolet light and subsequent risk but are limited by recall bias. We investigate the feasibility of developing a short checklist of categories comprising outdoor activities that can improve sun exposure questionnaires for use in epidemiologic studies. We recruited 124 working and retired U.

Acetylation and deacetylation regulate CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta at K39 in mediating gene transcription.

The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) contains multiple acetylation sites, including lysine (K) 39. Mutation of C/EBPbeta at K39, an acetylation site in the transcriptional activation domain, impairs transcription of C/EBPbeta target genes in a dominant-negative fashion. Further, K39 of C/EBPbeta can be deacetylated by HDAC1, and HDAC1 may decrease C/EBPbeta-mediated transcription, suggesting that acetylation of C/EBPbeta at K39 is dynamically regulated in mediating gene transcription.

Agreement between diary records of time spent outdoors and personal ultraviolet radiation dose measurements.

Little is known about the validity of self-recorded sun exposure and time spent outdoors for epidemiological research. The aims of the current study were to assess how well participants' self-recorded time outdoors compared to objective measurements of personal UVR doses. We enrolled 124 volunteers aged 40 and above who were identified from targeted subgroups of US radiologic technologists.

Cooperative regulation of endogenous cAMP-response element binding protein and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta in GH-stimulated c-fos expression.

GH activates the c-fos promoter by regulating multiple transcription factors. This study adds to our understanding of GH-regulated transcription by demonstrating that GH regulates the c-fos cAMP-response element (CRE) and its binding protein, CREB. Activation of the c-fos promoter by GH is impaired by expression of dominant-negative A-CREB.

Electronic interface for emergency department management of asthma: a randomized control trial of clinician performance.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated and dynamic electronic decision support system for management of acute asthma in the ED.

Methods: A randomized trial was conducted comparing clinician performance using this electronic interface compared with paper documentation in a simulation scenario. The outcomes were documentation of asthma-related information and consultation times.

Associations between dietary habits and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in a Hong Kong Chinese working population--the "Better Health for Better Hong Kong" (BHBHK) health promotion campaign.

Diet and nutritional status have been shown to play pivotal roles in the occurrence of many chronic diseases. In this study, we examined the patterns of dietary habits and their relationships with risk factors for cardiovascular and chronic diseases in Hong Kong working populations. In April 2000, a 5-year territory-wide health promotion campaign supported by the Li Ka Shing Foundation was launched in Hong Kong by the Health InfoWorld of Hospital Authority.

Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny.

Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution.

Lipiodol fertility enhancement: two-year follow-up of a randomized trial suggests a transient benefit in endometriosis, but a sustained benefit in unexplained infertility.

Background: A New Zealand randomized trial has shown that lipiodol treatment enhances fertility with high short-term effectiveness for women with endometriosis.

Methods: An open randomized trial in a single-centre secondary- and tertiary-level infertility service assessing lipiodol flushing versus no intervention. A total of 158 women with unexplained infertility (62 women with mild endometriosis and 96 women with pure unexplained infertility) were evaluated at 24 months after trial entry.

Pregnancy and perinatal health in Inner Mongolia, China, 1996-1999.

Objective: To obtain descriptive measures of maternal and perinatal health in the Ba Men Region of Inner Mongolia, China.

Methods: Data collected from the Examination Chart for Pregnant Women for approximately 22,000 pregnancies in a three-county area of Inner Mongolia, China from December 1, 1996 through December 31, 1999 were analyzed for maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes.

Results: Compared to selected developing countries, a higher percentage of women (99%) in this region received at least one prenatal care visit.

CREB-binding protein is a mediator of neuroblastoma cell death induced by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A.

The cytotoxic mechanism of the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) Trichostatin A (TSA) was explored in a neuroblastoma (NB) model. TSA induces cell death in neuroblastic-type NB cells by increasing the acetylation of Ku70, a Bax-binding protein. Ku70 acetylation causes Bax release and activation, triggering cell death.

Chronic arsenic exposure and cardiac repolarization abnormalities with QT interval prolongation in a population-based study.

Background: Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with cardiovascular abnormalities. Prolongation of the QT (time between initial deflection of QRS complex to the end of T wave) interval and profound repolarization changes on electrocardiogram (ECG) have been reported in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with arsenic trioxide. This acquired form of long QT syndrome can result in life-threatening arrhythmias.

Drinking water arsenic exposure and blood pressure in healthy women of reproductive age in Inner Mongolia, China.

The extremely high exposure levels evaluated in prior investigations relating elevated levels of drinking water arsenic and hypertension prevalence make extrapolation to potential vascular effects at lower exposure levels very difficult. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 8790 women who had recently been pregnant in an area of Inner Mongolia, China known to have a gradient of drinking water arsenic exposure. This study observed increased systolic blood pressure levels with increasing drinking water arsenic, at lower exposure levels than previously reported in the literature.

A review and rationale for studying the cardiovascular effects of drinking water arsenic in women of reproductive age.

Drinking water arsenic has been shown to be associated with a host of adverse health outcomes at exposure levels >300 microg of As/L. However, the results are not consistent at exposures below this level. We have reviewed selected articles that examine the effects of drinking water arsenic on cardiovascular outcomes and present a rationale for studying these effects on women of reproductive age, and also over the course of pregnancy when they would potentially be more susceptible to adverse cardiovascular and reproductive outcomes.

Residential exposure to drinking water arsenic in Inner Mongolia, China.

In the Ba Men region of Inner Mongolia, China, a high prevalence of chronic arsenism has been reported in earlier studies. A survey of the arsenic contamination among wells from groundwater was conducted to better understand the occurrence of arsenic (As) in drinking water. A total of 14,866 wells (30% of all wells in the region) were analyzed for their arsenic-content.

The alpha(1S) subunit of the L-type calcium channel is not a predisposition gene for thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

Objective: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TTP) has been associated with genetic variations in the gene encoding the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type calcium channel (CACNA1S). Mutations in CACNA1S are known to account for the majority of cases of familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (HOKPP). In this study we have examined 48 genetic polymorphisms in the CACNA1S gene and genotyped a tagging set of representative polymorphisms to determine the role of this gene in TPP.