Tabelecleucel for EBV+ PTLD after allogeneic HCT or SOT in a multicenter expanded access protocol.

Patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+ PTLD) in whom initial treatment fails have few options and historically low median overall survival (OS) of 0.7 months after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and 4.1 months after solid organ transplant (SOT).

Unidirectional alteration of methylation and hydroxymethylation at the promoters and differential gene expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Although overall losses of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) have been previously observed, a genome-wide, single-base-resolution, and simultaneous mapping of 5mC and 5hmC in OSCC is still unaccomplished. Similarly, the mechanism of how 5mC and 5hmC collectively lead to abnormal gene expression in OSCC is largely unexplored.

Association between selected folate pathway polymorphisms and nonsyndromic limb reduction defects: a case-parental analysis.

Inadequate folate status resulting from either genetic variation or nutritional deficiencies has been associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations including orofacial clefting, limb, cardiac and neural tube defects. Few epidemiological studies have examined the association between limb reduction defects (LRDs) and folate-related genetic polymorphisms other than MTHFR 677C→T. We conducted a case-parental analysis of 148 families who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to examine the association between nonsyndromic transverse and longitudinal LRDs with five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding enzymes in folate and methionine pathways.

Maternal DNA hypomethylation and congenital heart defects.

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most prevalent and serious of birth defects. Multiple maternal factors are thought to contribute to CHD development, including folate intake. Maternal DNA methylation, which is dependent on folate metabolism, may impact the risk of CHDs.

Incidence and risk factors for lower alimentary tract mucositis after 1529 courses of chemotherapy in a homogenous population of oncology patients: clinical and research implications.

Background: Lower alimentary tract mucositis is a serious complication of chemotherapy. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and mortality of lower alimentary tract mucositis in a homogeneous population of patients with newly diagnosed myeloma receiving similar antineoplastic therapy and standardized supportive care.

Methods: Lower alimentary tract mucositis was evaluated among 303 consecutive patients with myeloma (2004-2007) enrolled in a clinical trial consisting of induction chemotherapy, tandem melphalan-based autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and consolidation.

Maternal folate-related gene environment interactions and congenital heart defects.

Objective: To investigate whether women with congenital heart defect (CHD)-affected pregnancies were more likely to have functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes in folate-dependent pathways.

Methods: A population-based case-control study of 572 women with CHD-affected pregnancies and 363 women in the control group was conducted. DNA samples were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms in three genes encoding for folate pathway enzymes.

Cluster analysis of women's prodromal and acute myocardial infarction symptoms by race and other characteristics.

Background And Objective: Although research has identified women's prodromal and acute myocardial infarction (MI) symptoms, diagnosing coronary heart disease in women remains challenging. Knowing how individual symptoms cluster by race and other characteristics would provide key diagnostic information. We performed a secondary analysis to: (a) generate naturally occurring symptom clusters based on prodromal and acute MI symptom scores separately, (b) examine the association between women's characteristics and symptom clusters, and (c) describe the percentage of women who reported experiencing the same symptoms in both prodromal and acute MI phases.

Racial differences in women's prodromal and acute symptoms of myocardial infarction.

Background: Minority women, especially black and Hispanic women, have higher rates of coronary heart disease and resulting disability and death than do white women. A lack of knowledge of minority women's symptoms of coronary heart disease may contribute to these disparities.

Objective: To compare black, Hispanic, and white women's prodromal and acute symptoms of myocardial infarction.

Strong correlation between serum aspergillus galactomannan index and outcome of aspergillosis in patients with hematological cancer: clinical and research implications.

Background: Galactomannan is an Aspergillus-specific polysaccharide released during aspergillosis and is detected by the quantitative serum galactomannan index (GMI) test. Preclinical and preliminary clinical reports have suggested a good correlation between GMI and aspergillosis outcome.

Methods: We reviewed the literature to assess the strength of correlation between GMI and aspergillosis outcome using the kappa correlation coefficient.

Serum Aspergillus galactomannan antigen values strongly correlate with outcome of invasive aspergillosis: a study of 56 patients with hematologic cancer.

Background: Determining the outcome of patients with aspergillosis can be particularly difficult because patients with aspergillosis are at risk for other conditions that mimic this infection. Galactomannan is an Aspergillus-specific antigen released during invasive aspergillosis and is detected by the quantitative serum galactomannan index (GMI) test.

Methods: Using a kappa correlation coefficient test (KCC), the strength of correlation was determined between GMI and survival outcome of aspergillosis among 56 adults with hematologic cancer (90% had myeloma) who underwent serial GMI monitoring until hospital discharge or death.

Association between congenital heart defects and small for gestational age.

Objectives: Infants with congenital heart defects may experience inhibited growth during fetal life. In a large case-control study, we addressed the hypothesis that infants with congenital heart defects are more likely to be small for gestational age than infants without congenital heart defects after controlling for selected maternal and infant characteristics.

Methods: Using data from population-based birth defect registries, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study enrolled infants with nonsyndromic congenital heart defects (case subjects) and infants without congenital heart defects or any other birth defect (control subjects).

[Apoptosis in myocardial cells after macleaya cordata total alkaloids poisoning in rats].

Objective: To observe pathological changes and apoptosis in rats myocardial cells after Macleaya cordata total alkaloids poisoning, and to provide some references for Macleaya cordata total alkaloids poisoning detection.

Methods: An experimental model of Macleaya cordata total alkaloids poisoning was established, and the technology of TUNEL staining was used.The results were analyzed by computer image analysis competitive system.

Neural tube defects and maternal biomarkers of folate, homocysteine, and glutathione metabolism.

Background: Alterations in maternal folate and homocysteine metabolism are associated with neural tube defects (NTDs). The role played by specific micronutrients and metabolites in the causal pathway leading to NTDs is not fully understood.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study to investigate the association between NTDs and maternal alterations in plasma micronutrients and metabolites in two metabolic pathways: methionine remethylation and glutathione transsulfuration.

Congenital heart defects and maternal biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Background: Women who have had pregnancies that were affected by nonsyndromic congenital heart defects have alterations in the homocysteine-methionine pathway that may indicate increased exposure to oxidative stress or reduced antioxidant defense or both.

Objective: Our goal was to establish a maternal metabolic risk profile for nonsyndromic congenital heart defects that would enhance current preventive strategies.

Design: Using a case-control design, we measured biomarkers of the transsulfuration pathway in a population-based sample of women whose pregnancies were affected by congenital heart defects (331 cases) and in a control group of women (125 controls).

Congenital heart defects and abnormal maternal biomarkers of methionine and homocysteine metabolism.

Background: It is well established that folic acid prevents neural tube defects. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, multivitamins containing folic acid may also protect against other birth defects, including congenital heart defects.

Objective: Our goal was to establish a maternal metabolic risk profile for nonsyndromic congenital heart defects that would enhance current preventive strategies.

Maternal use of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and muscular ventricular septal defects.

Background: Muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSDs) are the most common congenital heart defects. Previous studies have suggested maternal use of acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and/or fever as risk factors. We evaluated the association between mVSDs and maternal use of acetaminophen or NSAIDs adjusting for fever.

First-year survival of infants born with congenital heart defects in Arkansas (1993-1998): a survival analysis using registry data.

Background: In the United States and other developed nations, birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are among the most prevalent and fatal of all birth defects. Here we report the survival probability of infants born with CHDs in Arkansas and examine the impact of multiple malformations on survival.