Clinical significance of cylindromatosis expression in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Study Aim: There is currently a lack of sensitive biomarkers for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Low expression of cylindromatosis (CYLD), a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a deubiquitinase, is associated with the development of HCC. The present study, therefore, aimed to determine the clinical utility of measuring CYLD expression in the early diagnosis of HCC.

Radiosensitizing effects of different size bovine serum albumin-templated gold nanoparticles on H22 hepatoma-bearing mice.

Aim: To evaluate intravenously injected bovine serum albumin-templated gold nanoparticles (BSA-GNPs) for radiosensitization effects on H22 hepatoma-bearing mice.

Materials & Methods: BSA-GNPs in different size were injected intravenously with a dose of 4 mg Au/kg. After 30 min injection, the tumor-bearing mice were irradiated with 5 Gy x-ray.

A new way of producing pediocin in Pediococcus acidilactici through intracellular stimulation by internalized inulin nanoparticles.

One of the most challenging aspects of probiotics as a replacement for antibiotics is to enhance their antimicrobial activity against pathogens. Given that prebiotics stimulate the growth and/or activity of probiotics, we developed phthalyl inulin nanoparticles (PINs) as prebiotics and observed their effects on the cellular and antimicrobial activities of Pediococcus acidilactici (PA). First, we assessed the internalization of PINs into PA.

A New Method of Producing a Natural Antibacterial Peptide by Encapsulated Probiotics Internalized with Inulin Nanoparticles as Prebiotics.

Synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics, which lead to synergistic benefits in host welfare. Probiotics have been used as an alternative to antibiotics. Among the probiotics, (PA) has shown excellent antimicrobial activity against Gallinarum (SG) as a major poultry pathogen and has improved the production performances of animals.

Chemical Modification of Chitosan for Efficient Vaccine Delivery.

Chitosan, which exhibits good biocompatibility, safety, microbial degradation and other excellent performances, has found application in all walks of life. In the field of medicine, usage of chitosan for the delivery of vaccine is favored by a wide range of researchers. However, due to its own natural limitations, its application has been constrained to the beginning of study.

Chitosan-based particulate systems for the delivery of mucosal vaccines against infectious diseases.

Given that most pathogens enter the body at mucosal surfaces for infection and mucosal immune responses act as the first line of defense against the invading pathogens, mucosal vaccination is the most effective method to prevent infectious diseases. However, the development of mucosal vaccines requires an efficient antigen delivery system which should protect the antigens from physical elimination and enzymatic degradation, target mucosal inductive sites, and appropriately stimulate the mucosal and systemic immunity. Accordingly, polymeric particles have garnered much attention because the physicochemical properties of polymers can be adjusted to resolve the issues associated with mucosal vaccine delivery.

Effects of Serum Triglycerides on Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies.

Epidemiological studies show conflicting results regarding the link between serum triglyceride and the risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of prospective studies to clarify this association. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database to identify relevant prospective studies of the relationship between serum triglyceride and prostate cancer and breast cancer risk.

Plasma Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Folate and vitamin B12 involved in the one-carbon metabolism may play a key role in carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through influencing DNA integrity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels with HCC in a case-control study on 312 HCC patients and 325 cancer-free controls. Plasma concentrations of folate and vitamin B12 in all the subjects were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

Association of APC, GSTP1 and SOCS1 promoter methylation with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Studies of the relationships of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and suppressor of the cytokine signalling 1 (SOCS1) promoter region methylation with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have yielded inconsistent results. We carried out the current meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the associations between APC, GSTP1 and SOCS1 promoter methylation frequency and the risk of HCC. All relevant reports were identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI and the Chinese BioMedical Literature databases before 1 March 2014, with restriction to articles published in the Chinese and English languages.

Prediction of lung cancer based on serum biomarkers by gene expression programming methods.

In diagnosis of lung cancer, rapid distinction between small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors is very important. Serum markers, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), neurone specific enolase (NSE) and Cyfra21-1, are reported to reflect lung cancer characteristics. In this study classification of lung tumors was made based on biomarkers (measured in 120 NSCLC and 60 SCLC patients) by setting up optimal biomarker joint models with a powerful computerized tool - gene expression programming (GEP).

Sex-related differences in the association between waist circumference and bone mineral density in a Korean population.

Background: Large waist circumference is linked to poor health. Investigations of the relationship between waist circumference, as an index of abdominal fat, and bone mineral density (BMD) have yielded inconsistent results. We investigated the association between abdominal obesity measured using waist circumference and BMD in a large-scale population-based study.

Role of P14 and MGMT gene methylation in hepatocellular carcinomas: a meta-analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between methylation of the P14 and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) genes and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to identify relevant studies that analysed HCC tissues for P14 and MGMT gene methylation status; we then performed a meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association between gene methylation and the risk of HCC.

Lack of effects of dietary folate intake on risk of breast cancer: an updated meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Background: Epidemiological findings are controversial relating to the relationship between dietary folate intake and the risk of breast cancer. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to clarify this association.

Materials And Methods: PUPMED, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases were searched for all relevant literature published in English from January 1, 1966 to August 2013.

Glutathione-S-transferase (GSTM1, GSTT1) null phenotypes and risk of lung cancer in a Korean population.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate any association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes with the risk of lung cancer in a South Korean population.

Methods: We conducted a large-scale, population-based case-control study including 3,933 lung cancer cases and 1,699 controls. Genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Immunomodulatory effect of Stichopus japonicus acid mucopolysaccharide on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Stichopus japonicus acid mucopolysaccharide (SJAMP) is an important biologically active compound that can be extracted from the body wall of the sea cucumber. The present study investigated the anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects of SJAMP in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats. Three doses of SJAMP (17.

Folate metabolism-related gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to primary liver cancer in North China.

Genetic factors may contribute to individual differences in cancer susceptibility. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C → T (MTHFR 677 C → T), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 1298 A → C (MTHFR 1298A → C), thymidylate synthase (TYMS 3R → 2R), and methionine synthase 2756 A → G (MTR 2756 A → G) on the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC). We conducted a case-control study involving 356 PLC cases and 641 healthy controls in North China.

Influence of polymorphisms in MTHFR 677 C→T, TYMS 3R→2R and MTR 2756 A→G on NSCLC risk and response to platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC.

Aims: Genetic factors may contribute to individual differences in cancer susceptibility, drug efficacy and toxicity. This study was designed to investigate the effects of the polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C→T (MTHFR 677 C→T), thymidylate synthase (TYMS 3R→2R),and methionine synthase 2756 A→G (MTR 2756 A→G) on the risk of lung cancer and response to platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials & Methods: We conducted a case-control study involving 438 NSCLC cases (including 101 follow-up cases) and 641 healthy controls in North China.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism in patients with lung cancer in a Korean population.

Background: This study was designed to investigate an association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population.

Methods: We conducted a large-scale, case-control study involving 3938 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and 1700 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed with peripheral blood DNA for MTHFR C677T polymorphisms.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer in a Korean population.

Background: This study was designed to investigate an association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and the risk of gastric and colorectal cancer in the Korean population.

Methods: We conducted a population-based large-scale case-control study involving 2,213 patients with newly diagnosed gastric cancer, 1,829 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer, and 1,700 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed with peripheral blood DNA for MTHFR C677T polymorphisms.

Prevalence of osteoporosis and reference data for lumbar spine and hip bone mineral density in a Korean population.

The aims of this study were to establish reference data for bone mineral density (BMD) at central skeletal sites using Lunar dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to estimate the age-and sex-specific prevalence of osteoporosis in a Korean population. We performed a population-based, cross-sectional study. The subjects were 4148 (1810 men and 2338 women) Korean adults, aged 20-79 years.

Relative contribution of body composition to bone mineral density at different sites in men and women of South Korea.

We examined the relative contribution of body composition to bone mineral density (BMD) at various sites in 1406 Korean rural men and women, aged 19-80 years, from July to August 2004. The BMD was measured at peripheral (distal forearm and calcaneus) and central (lumbar spine at L1-L4, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In multivariate analyses, the linear regression models were adjusted for relevant covariates.

[Associations between carotid intima-media thickness, plaque and cardiovascular risk factors].

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the association between the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque and cardiovascular risk factors according to gender and age.

Methods: The data used for this study were obtained from 1,507 subjects (691 men, 816 women), aged 20-74 years, who participated in 'Prevalence study of thyroid diseases' in two counties of Jeollanam-do Province during July and August of 2004. The body mass index (BMI) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were calculated by anthropometry.

Association between bone mineral densities and serum lipid profiles of pre- and post-menopausal rural women in South Korea.

The objectives of this population-based study were to investigate the potential association between bone mineral density (BMD) and serum lipid profiles and to compare the effects of serum lipids on BMD at various skeletal sites in pre- and post-menopausal women. In July and August of 2004, BMD was measured at a variety of skeletal sites [lumbar spine (L1-4), femoral neck, trochanter, Ward's triangle, shaft and proximal total hip] using the GE/Bravo Lunar DPX dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer in a South Korean population-based sample of 375 pre-menopausal and 355 post-menopausal rural women aged 19-80 years. The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were inversely associated with BMD in both pre- and post-menopausal women.

The effect of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on lipid levels in Korean adults.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) on lipid levels in Korean adults and to investigate the interactions between these polymorphisms and environmental factors in determining lipid levels. We performed a cross-sectional study of 1,900 subjects (668 men and 1,232 women; 45-74 yr old) in Namwon, Korea, in 2004. APOE polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis.