| 1. |
- Wang, Zhaoming, et al.
(author)
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Imputation and subset-based association analysis across different cancer types identifies multiple independent risk loci in the TERT-CLPTM1L region on chromosome 5p15.33
- 2014
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In: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 23:24, s. 6616-6633
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have mapped risk alleles for at least 10 distinct cancers to a small region of 63 000 bp on chromosome 5p15.33. This region harbors the TERT and CLPTM1L genes; the former encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase reverse transcriptase and the latter may play a role in apoptosis. To investigate further the genetic architecture of common susceptibility alleles in this region, we conducted an agnostic subset-based meta-analysis (association analysis based on subsets) across six distinct cancers in 34 248 cases and 45 036 controls. Based on sequential conditional analysis, we identified as many as six independent risk loci marked by common single-nucleotide polymorphisms: five in the TERT gene (Region 1: rs7726159, P = 2.10 × 10(-39); Region 3: rs2853677, P = 3.30 × 10(-36) and PConditional = 2.36 × 10(-8); Region 4: rs2736098, P = 3.87 × 10(-12) and PConditional = 5.19 × 10(-6), Region 5: rs13172201, P = 0.041 and PConditional = 2.04 × 10(-6); and Region 6: rs10069690, P = 7.49 × 10(-15) and PConditional = 5.35 × 10(-7)) and one in the neighboring CLPTM1L gene (Region 2: rs451360; P = 1.90 × 10(-18) and PConditional = 7.06 × 10(-16)). Between three and five cancers mapped to each independent locus with both risk-enhancing and protective effects. Allele-specific effects on DNA methylation were seen for a subset of risk loci, indicating that methylation and subsequent effects on gene expression may contribute to the biology of risk variants on 5p15.33. Our results provide strong support for extensive pleiotropy across this region of 5p15.33, to an extent not previously observed in other cancer susceptibility loci.
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| 2. |
- Lin, Chia-Yeh, et al.
(author)
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H2B Mono-ubiquitylation Facilitates Fork Stalling and Recovery during Replication Stress by Coordinating Rad53 Activation and Chromatin Assembly
- 2014
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In: PLOS Genetics. - : Public library science. - 1553-7390 .- 1553-7404. ; 10:10, s. e1004667-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The influence of mono-ubiquitylation of histone H2B (H2Bub) on transcription via nucleosome reassembly has been widely documented. Recently, it has also been shown that H2Bub promotes recovery from replication stress; however, the underling molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we show that H2B ubiquitylation coordinates activation of the intra-S replication checkpoint and chromatin re-assembly, in order to limit fork progression and DNA damage in the presence of replication stress. In particular, we show that the absence of H2Bub affects replication dynamics (enhanced fork progression and reduced origin firing), leading to γH2A accumulation and increased hydroxyurea sensitivity. Further genetic analysis indicates a role for H2Bub in transducing Rad53 phosphorylation. Concomitantly, we found that a change in replication dynamics is not due to a change in dNTP level, but is mediated by reduced Rad53 activation and destabilization of the RecQ helicase Sgs1 at the fork. Furthermore, we demonstrate that H2Bub facilitates the dissociation of the histone chaperone Asf1 from Rad53, and nucleosome reassembly behind the fork is compromised in cells lacking H2Bub. Taken together, these results indicate that the regulation of H2B ubiquitylation is a key event in the maintenance of genome stability, through coordination of intra-S checkpoint activation, chromatin assembly and replication fork progression.
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| 3. |
- Hwang, Ai-Wen, et al.
(author)
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Linkage of ICF-CY codes with environmental factors in studies of developmental outcomes of infants and toddlers with or at risk for motor delays
- 2014
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 36:2, s. 89-104
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Environmental variables have been explored in studies of the development of young children with motor delays. Linking environmental variables to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health – Children and Youth (ICF-CY), environmental factors (EFs) categories can provide a common language for documenting their contribution to developmental outcomes. This review of studies aimed to (1) link EFs for developmental outcomes in infants with or at risk for motor delays to ICF-CY categories and (2) synthesize the influences of EFs (with ICF-CY linkage) on developmental outcomes.Method: A systematic literature search was performed of multiple databases. After applying selection criteria, environmental variables in 28 articles were linked to ICF-CY categories and underwent qualitative synthesis.Results: Results indicated that physical environmental variables could be linked successfully to ICF-CY EFs categories, but not social environmental variables. Multiple environmental variables were associated with motor and other developmental outcomes.Conclusion: Difficulties in linking social factors to ICF-CY categories indicate that additional EFs codes may need to be considered in the ICF-CY revision processes. The review provides empirical data on relationships between EFs and developmental outcomes in children with or at risk for motor delay.
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| 4. |
- Li, Hongbao, et al.
(author)
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A Fragment Based Step-by-Step Strategy for Determining the Most Stable Conformers of Biomolecules
- 2014
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In: Chemical Physics Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0009-2614 .- 1873-4448. ; 610, s. 303-309
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For biomolecules of increased size and flexibility, more efficient and reliable strategiesare always needed to determine their stable low-energy conformers. Here, we propose a fragment basedstep-by-step strategy to search for the full conformational space of biomolecules. In this strategy, themolecule is divided into several fragments and each of them is systematically optimized in a step-bystepfashion. It can significantly reduce the computational cost without losing any accuracy asdemonstrated by the conformer search of several representative di-/tri-/tetra- peptides. Such an approachwill be very useful for finding the stable conformers of large biomolecules.
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| 5. |
- Li, Hongbao, et al.
(author)
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Gas-phase IR spectroscopy of deprotonated amino acids : Global or Local minima?
- 2014
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In: Chemical Physics Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0009-2614 .- 1873-4448. ; 598, s. 86-90
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Density functional theory calculations for the structure and IR spectroscopy of deprotonated tyrosine and cysteine molecules in gas phase have been carried out to resolve the on-going debate about the global minimum of deprotonated amino acids. It is found that the global minimum of the deprotonated specie is not always directly produced from the most stable neutral conformer. Depending on the setup, the experimental IR spectroscopy of deprotonated amino acids could only give the information of the local minima of the deprotonated species.
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| 6. |
- Li, Hongbao, et al.
(author)
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The Role of Dimerization on the Structure Transformation of Arginine in Gas Phase
- 2014
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In: Chemical Physics Letters. - Elsevier : Elsevier BV. - 0009-2614 .- 1873-4448. ; 608, s. 398-403
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The equilibrium distribution of arginine molecules in canonical and zwitterionicforms predicted by the theory failed to correctly reproduce the double-peak feature observedin the IR experiment. We have shown from first principles calculations that the energeticallyfavorable dimerization of zwitterions can effectively eliminate the pathway for the structureconversion between two distinct canonical forms and reduce the probability for thesecanonical forms to reach their thermal equilibrium. The role of dispersion effect is discussed.It suggests that the experimental IR spectrum is determined by the way how the conformersof arginine are initially generated.
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| 7. |
- Li, Xin, et al.
(author)
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Combination of Diane-35 and Metformin to Treat Early Endometrial Carcinoma in PCOS Women with Insulin Resistance
- 2014
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In: Journal of Cancer. - : Ivyspring International Publisher. - 1837-9664. ; 5:3, s. 173-181
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a high risk of developing endometrial carcinoma. There is a need for the development of new medical therapies that can reduce the need for surgical intervention so as to preserve the fertility of these patients. The aim of the study was to describe and discuss cases of PCOS and insulin resistance (IR) women with early endometrial carcinoma while being co-treated with Diane-35 and metformin. Methods: Five PCOS-IR women who were scheduled for diagnosis and therapy for early endometrial carcinoma were recruited. The hospital records and endometrial pathology reports were reviewed. All patients were co-treated with Diane-35 and metformin for 6 months to reverse the endometrial carcinoma and preserve their fertility. Before, during, and after treatment, endometrial biopsies and blood samples were obtained and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed. Endometrial pathology was evaluated. Body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), insulin area under curve (IAUC), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined. Results: Clinical stage 1a, low grade endometrial carcinoma was confirmed before treatment. After 6 months of co-treatment, all patients showed normal epithelia. No evidence of atypical hyperplasia or endometrial carcinoma was found. Co-treatment resulted in significant decreases in BW, BMI, TT, FAI, IAUC, and HOMA-IR in parallel with a significant increase in SHBG. There were no differences in the FSH and LH levels after co-treatment. Conclusions: Combined treatment with Diane-35 and metformin has the potential to revert the endometrial carcinoma into normal endometrial cells in PCOS-IR women. The cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this effect merit further investigation.
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| 8. |
- Li, Xin, et al.
(author)
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Endometrial progesterone resistance and PCOS
- 2014
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In: Journal of Biomedical Science. 2014 Jan 09;21(1):2. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. ; 21:2
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a state of altered steroid hormone production and activity. Chronic estrogen exposure or lack of progesterone due to ovarian dysfunction can result in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma. A key contributor to our understanding of progesterone as a critical regulator for normal uterine function has been the elucidation of progesterone receptor (PR) expression, regulation, and signaling pathways. Several human studies indicate that PR-mediated signaling pathways in the nucleus are associated with progesterone resistance in women with PCOS. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of endometrial progesterone resistance in women with PCOS; to present the PR structure, its different isoforms, and their expression in the endometrium; to illustrate the possible regulation of PR and PR-mediated signaling in progesterone resistance in women with PCOS; and to discuss current clinical treatments for atypical endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma in women with PCOS and accompanying progesterone resistance.
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| 9. |
- Lin, Lili, et al.
(author)
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First-principles investigations on the anisotropic charge transport in 4,4 '-bis((E)-2-(naphthalen-2-yl)vinyl)-1,1 '-biphenyl single crystal
- 2014
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In: Theoretical Chemistry accounts. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-881X .- 1432-2234. ; 133:9, s. 1551-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We applied the master equation method to investigate the anisotropic transport property of the 4,4'-bis((E)-2-(naphthalen-2-yl)vinyl)-1,1'-biphenyl molecular crystal based on first-principles calculation. It is found that the hole mobility has the largest value along the [100] direction, while electrons have the best transport property along the [010] direction. The anisotropic transport property was found to have close relationship with the charge transfer integral which is determined by the molecular stacking network in the crystals as well as the intermolecular frontier orbital overlap. In addition, the effect of the charge carrier density and the electronic field on the charge transport was also studied, and little effect was found except that the density is larger than 0.01 and the electronic field is increased to 1.0 x 106 V/cm. The kinetic Monte Carlo simulation method has also been used to study the anisotropic charge transport property, and consistent results were obtained as with the master equation method.
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| 10. |
- McClune, Brian L., et al.
(author)
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Allotransplantation for Patients Age >= 40 Years with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma : Encouraging Progression-Free Survival
- 2014
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In: Biology of blood and marrow transplantation. - : Elsevier BV. - 1083-8791 .- 1523-6536. ; 20:7, s. 960-968
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) disproportionately affects older patients, who do not often undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We analyzed Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research data on 1248 patients age >= 40 years receiving reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) or nonmyeloablative (NMA) conditioning HCT for aggressive (n = 668) or indolent (n = 580) NHL Aggressive lymphoma was more frequent in the oldest cohort 49% for age 40 to 54 versus 57% for age 55 to 64 versus 67% for age >= 65; P = .0008). Fewer patients aged >= 65 had previous autografting (26% versus 24% versus 9%; P = .002). Rates of relapse, acute and chronic GVHD, and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 1 year post-HCT were similar in the 3 age cohorts (22% [95% confidence interval (CI), 19% to 26%] for age 40 to 54, 27% [95% CI, 23% to 31%] for age 55 to 64, and 34% [95% CI, 24% to 44%] for age >= 65. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 3 years was slightly lower in the older cohorts (OS: 54% [95% CI, 50% to 58%] for age 40 to 54; 40% [95% CI, 36% to 44%] for age 55 to 64, and 39% [95% CI, 28% to 50%] for age >= 65; P < .0001). Multivariate analysis revealed no significant effect of age on the incidence of acute or chronic GVHD or relapse. Age >= 55 years, Karnofsky Performance Status <80, and HLA mismatch adversely affected NRM, PFS, and OS. Disease status at HCT, but not histological subtype, was associated with worse NRM, relapse, PFS, and OS. Even for patients age >= 55 years, OS still approached 40% at 3 years, suggesting that HCT affects long-term remission and remains underused in qualified older patients with NHL.
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