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Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Radiotherapy is a critical treatment for early-stage extranodal nasal-type NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) and has yielded favorable survival outcomes. However, their postradiotherapy quality of life (QOL) has not been investigated. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the QOL of ENKTL patients with disease-free survival after definitive radiotherapy and to identify factors associated with QOL and treatment optimization. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 310 patients with stage I–II ENKTL of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) who had received simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) with a consistent design and achieved disease-free survival. The median postradiotherapy time was 47.2 months (range, 3.1–115.7). The EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire was used to assess symptom-related QOL, and nine additional items were added to incorporate nasal, optical, and aural-related symptoms. The scores indicate the severity of the symptoms. Results: The most common postradiotherapy symptoms among patients with ENKTL were nose problems (49.7%), dry mouth (44.8%), tooth problems (41.3%), sensory problems (32.6%), and less sexuality (25.8%). Tooth problems had the highest average score of 18.6, which is still acceptable. The severity of these symptoms decreased over time and reached a plateau in the second year after radiotherapy. Multivariable regression analysis showed that whole-neck irradiation was an independent predictive factor for xerostomia (P = 0.013, OR = 1.114), while age > 60 years was a predictive factor for lower sexuality (P < 0.001, OR = 1.32). Conclusion: The QOL of patients with early-stage ENKTL after radiotherapy was favorable, and most symptoms improved over time. Radiotherapy was correlated with specific symptoms, which may suggest a direction for further improvement in SIB-IMRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper, we focus on p-sober spaces and prove that (1) the T0 space X is p-sober if and only if the Smyth power space of X is p-sober; (2) the space X has a p-sober dcpo model if and only if X is T1 and p-sober; (3) every non-p-sober T0 space does not have a p-sobrification; (4) the T0 space X is sober if and only if X is p-sober and PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, progression-free survival at 24 months (PFS24) was defined as clinically relevant for patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma. Herein, the clinical data from two independent random cohorts (696 patients each in the primary and validation datasets) were used to develop and validate a risk index for PFS24 (PFS24-RI), and evaluate its ability to predict early progression. Patients achieving PFS24 had a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 95.8%, whereas OS was only 21.2% in those failing PFS24 (P<0.001). PFS24 was an important predictor of subsequent OS, independent of risk stratification. The proportion of patients achieving PFS24 and 5-year OS rates correlated linearly among risk-stratified groups. Based on multivariate analysis of the primary dataset, the PFS24-RI included five risk factors: stage II or III/IV, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score ≥2, primary tumor invasion, and extra-upper aerodigestive tract. PFS24-RI stratified the patients into low-risk (0), intermediate-risk (1–2), high-risk (≥3) groups with different prognoses. Harrell's C-index of PFS24-RI for PFS24 prediction was 0.667 in the validation dataset, indicating a good discriminative ability. PFS24-RI calibration indicated that the actual observed and predicted probability of failing PFS24 agreed well. PFS24-RI provided the probability of achieving PFS24 at an individual patient level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenolic metabolite of benzene, hydroquinone (HQ), has potential risks for hematological disorders and hematotoxicity in humans. Previous studies have revealed that reactive oxygen species, DNA methylation, and histone acetylation participate in benzene metabolites inhibiting erythroid differentiation in hemin-induced K562 cells. GATA1 and GATA2 are crucial erythroid-specific transcription factors that exhibit dynamic expression patterns during erythroid differentiation. We investigated the role of GATA factors in HQ-inhibited erythroid differentiation in K562 cells. When K562 cells were induced with 40 μM hemin for 0–120 h, the mRNA and protein levels of GATA1 and GATA2 changed dynamically. After exposure to 40 μM HQ for 72 h, K562 cells were induced with 40 μM hemin for 48 h. HQ considerably reduced the percentage of hemin-induced Hb-positive cells, decreased the GATA1 mRNA, protein, and occupancy levels at α-globin and β-globin gene clusters, and increased the GATA2 mRNA and protein levels significantly. ChIP-seq analysis revealed that HQ reduced GATA1 occupancy, and increased GATA2 occupancy at most gene loci in hemin-induced K562 cells. And GATA1 and GATA2 might play essential roles in the erythroid differentiation protein interaction network. These results elucidate that HQ decreases GATA1 occupancy and increases GATA2 occupancy at the erythroid gene loci, thereby downregulating GATA1 and upregulating GATA2 expression, which in turn modulates the expression of erythroid genes and inhibits erythroid differentiation. This partially explains the mechanism of benzene hematotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effects of culture shock on emotional labor, job satisfaction, and the turnover intentions of service employees. It further examines the moderating role of perceived managerial support on the relationships between culture shock, emotional labor, and job satisfaction. Questionnaires were distributed among foreign employees working in 36 hotels in Macao. The data that emerged from the 254 respondents were employed to test the research framework. Results suggest that culture shock has positive impacts emotional labor but negative impacts on job satisfaction. Moreover, the relationship between culture shock and foreign employee turnover intentions is mediated by emotional labor and job satisfaction. Perceived managerial support played a critical role in lessening culture shock's effect on job satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and L-asparaginase/pegylated asparaginase (P-GEMOX) treatment for early-stage extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is effective, some patients die within 1 year of diagnosis. We attempted to determine an optimal biomarker for identifying such patients. We enrolled 71 patients with ENKTL who received P-GEMOX between January 2011 and January 2014. We classified the patients according to the outcome into worse (died within 1 year) or better groups (survival time ≥ 3, 4 or 5 years). The area under the curve (AUC) was determined to identify the optimal biomarker for differentiating the groups. The AUC was highest in patients who were plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA-positive post-treatment. The AUC was 0.82, 0.86 and 0.86 when the worse group was compared to the better group, respectively. Among the post-treatment EBV DNA-positive patients, as compared to EBV DNA-negative patients, pre-treatment EBV DNA-positive patients had a higher proportion of CD4 + CD25 + T cells. There was higher programmed cell death protein ligand-1(PD-L1) expression in post-treatment EBV DNA-positive patients. Post-treatment positive EBV DNA status maybe a useful biomarker of worse outcomes in early stage ENKTL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the similar mechanisms of antibiotic and metal resistance, there is a growing concern that metal contamination may select for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Here, we constructed short-term laboratory microcosms to investigate the dynamics of a wide range of ARGs and two copper (Cu) resistance genes in an agricultural soil amended with a gradient of Cu concentrations (0~1000 mg kg−1). Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were also quantified as a proxy for the horizontal gene transfer potential of ARGs. We detected 126 unique ARGs across all the soil samples using the high-capacity quantitative PCR array, and multidrug and β-lactam resistance were the most abundant ARG categories. The copper amendments significantly enhanced the absolute and relative abundances of ARGs and MGEs, which gradually increased along the gradient of increasing Cu concentrations. The two Cu resistance genes (copA and pcoR) were highly enriched in low-level Cu treatment (50 and 100 mg kg−1), and their abundances decreased with the increasing Cu concentrations. The level of metal and antibiotic resistance gradually declined over time in all Cu-amended treatments but was still considerably higher in contaminated soils than untreated soils after 56 days’ incubation. Significant associations among ARGs and MGEs were revealed by the network analysis, suggesting the mobility potential of antibiotic resistance in Cu-amended soils. No significant positive correlations were found between ARGs and copper resistance genes, suggesting that these genes are not located in the same bacterial hosts. Taken together, our results provide empirical evidence that short-term copper stress can cause evolution of high-level antibiotic and metal resistance and significantly change the diversity, abundance, and horizontal transfer potential of soil ARGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the predominant constituent of green tea, has been demonstrated to be neuroprotective against acute ischemic stroke. However, the long-term actions of EGCG on neurogenesis and functional recovery after ischemic stroke have not been identified. In this study, C57BL/6 mice underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (60 min) followed by reperfusion for 28 days. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) were isolated from ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ) at 14 days post-ischemia (dpi). The effects of EGCG on the proliferation and differentiation of NPCs were examined in vivo and in vitro. Behavioral assessments were made 3 days before MCAO and at 28 dpi. SVZ NPCs were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro to mimic the inflammatory response after ischemic stroke. We found that 14 days treatment with EGCG significantly increased the proliferation of SVZ NPCs and the migration of SVZ neuroblasts, as well as functional recovery, perhaps through M2 phenotype induction in microglia. LPS stimulation promoted the neuronal differentiation in cultured NPCs from the ischemic SVZ. EGCG treatment (20 or 40 μM) further significantly increased the neuronal differentiation of LPS-stimulated SVZ NPCs. After screening for multiple signaling pathways, the AKT signaling pathway was found to be involved in EGCG-mediated proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NPCs in vitro. Taken together, our results reveal a previously uncharacterized role of EGCG in the augment of proliferation and neuronal differentiation of SVZ NPCs and subsequent spontaneous recovery after ischemic stroke. Thus, the beneficial effects of EGCG on neurogenesis and stroke recovery should be considered in developing therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether serum resistin level was associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by comparing serum resistin levels between RA or SLE patients and normal controls. PubMed and EMBASE databases (up to May 13, 2014) were used to search all related articles. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random-effect model analysis. The Cochrane Q test and I statistic were used to test heterogeneity. To assess publication bias, the Egger's test and visual observation of a funnel plot were used. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the study quality. The STATA statistical software (version 11.0) was applied to deal with statistical data. A total of eight studies of RA including 620 patients and 460 healthy controls, and six studies of SLE including 559 patients and 430 healthy controls were finally included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that the serum resistin levels in RA were significantly higher than those in normal controls ( WMD = 0.767 ng/ml, 95 % CI = 0.114-1.419, P = 0.021), but there was no significant difference between SLE patients and normal controls ( WMD = 2.771 ng/ml, 95 % CI = −0.521-6.063, P = 0.099). Publication bias was undetected. In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicate that serum resistin level was significantly elevated in RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous results about the clinical and prognostic significance concerning CD56 expression status in extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) are controversial due to a small sample size and the heterogeneity nature of this disease. The complete data of 288 patients with early-stage upper aerodigestive tract ENKTL were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred eighty-three patients (63.5 %) had stage I disease, and the primary tumor site of 204 patients (70.8 %) was in the nasal cavity. Sixty patients (20.8 %) were categorized to CD56-negative ENKTL group. The complete remission rate in CD56-positive ENKTL group was 80.6 %, significantly higher than that in CD56-negative ENKTL group (60.8 %, P = 0.005). At a median follow-up time of 69 months, the 5-year and 10-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate were 52 and 41 %, respectively, and the 5-year and 10-year overall survival (OS) rate were 69 % and 68 %, respectively. Patients with primary tumor site located in the nasal cavity or CD56-positive expression had significantly superior PFS and OS ( P < 0.05). In multivariate Cox regression model that included age, Ann Arbor stage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, primary tumor site, chemotherapy regimens, and CD56 expression status, all these six factors remained to be independent prognostic factors for PFS, and the first five factors were independent prognostic factors for OS, while CD56 expression status had a trend to be independently correlated with OS ( P = 0.084). In a subgroup analysis according to primary tumor site location, CD56 expression status significantly correlated with survival outcomes in patients with primary nasal cavity involvement ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, in this large cohort of patients with early-stage ENKTL, we found that CD56-negative ENKTL had significantly inferior survival outcomes, indicating CD56-negative ENKTL should be regarded as a distinct phenotype, and optimal treatment strategies need to be evaluated further for this entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No standard chemotherapy regimens have been defined yet for extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL), and the prognosis of patients with advanced or relapsed disease is very poor. Daratumumab, an investigated anti-cancer drug targeting CD38, has been of great interest in the treatment of CD38-expressing malignancies, especially multiple myeloma. In this study, we reviewed the clinical data of 94 patients with ENKTL, investigated the expression of CD38, and analyzed the prognostic value of CD38 expression. Forty-seven patients had weak expression of CD38, and the other 47 patients had strong expression. The complete response (CR) rate was significantly higher in patients who were treated with asparaginase-based therapy (83.8 vs. 59.6 %, p = 0.025). There was a trend towards higher CR rate in CD38 weak expression group (78.7 vs. 59.6 %, p = 0.074). At a median follow-up time of 42 months, the 2-year and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 53.0 and 39.0 %, respectively, and the 2-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 68.0 and 58.0 %, respectively. In multivariate survival analysis including CD38 expression status, International Prognostic Index (IPI) score, local tumor invasion, and chemotherapy regimens, it was found that strong expression of CD38 and non-asparaginase-based chemoregimens were independent adverse prognostic factors for PFS ( p = 0.009 and 0.027, respectively), while local tumor invasion and higher IPI score were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS ( p = 0.002 and 0.035, respectively). In subgroup analysis, strong expression of CD38 significantly correlated with inferior survival outcomes in patients without local tumor invasion ( p = 0.011) or with stage I-II disease ( p = 0.008). In conclusion, we firstly found that the majority of ENKTL cases were CD38 positive, with half had strong expression of CD38, which significantly correlated with poor outcomes, indicating the potential role of CD38 as a therapy target for ENKTL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma is a rare disease, and no standard treatments have been defined yet. In this study, 38 consecutive patients from single center were reviewed. Among 25 patients with localized disease, radical surgery were performed in 12 patients, and the other 13 patients had chemotherapy combined with (7 patients) or without (6 patients) radiotherapy. No significant difference in overall survival (OS) was found between patients who received surgery or not; however, patients treated with chemotherapy had superior progression-free survival (PFS) than those treated with upfront surgery ( P = 0.032). Among the 12 patients who received radical surgery, 7 were given adjuvant chemotherapy and 1 patient had consolidation radiotherapy. No significant differences in PFS and OS exist between those who received adjuvant treatment or not ( P > 0.05). For patients who received chemotherapy, PFS and OS were significantly better for those treated with cyclophosphamide-based therapy than fludarabine-based therapy. At a median follow-up time of 61.1 months, 5- and 10-year PFS rate was 70.0 and 43.0 %, respectively, and 5- and 10-year OS rate was both 81.0 %. In conclusion, we confirmed the indolent behavior and favorable outcome of this disease. In order to preserve lung function and reduce the risks associated with surgery, radiotherapy or rituximab in combination with alkylating drug-based chemotherapy should be considered as first-line option for pulmonary MALT lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation therapy (RT) may cure many patients with stage IE extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL), but the real benefit of prophylactic cervical node irradiation (PCNI) for this patient population has not been defined yet. We retrospectively reviewed 126 patients who were diagnosed as stage IE ENKTL and treated with chemoradiotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The RT dose was 36-72 Gy (median 54 Gy), with 1.8-2.0 Gy a day and 5 fractions each week. 35 patients (27.8 %) in this cohort received PCNI. At a median follow-up time of 94.59 months (range 14.59-182.08 months), the systemic failure rate and locoregional failure rate in patients with PCNI were 76.5 and 23.5 %, respectively, compared with 62.9 and 37.1 % in those without PCNI, and there was no significant difference between those two groups ( P = 0.505). Whether patients received PCNI or not did not affect the survival outcome ( P > 0.05). Also, PCNI did not improve the survival outcome for neither patients with primary tumor site localized to nasal cavity nor those localized to upper aerodigestive tract beyond nasal cavity ( P > 0.05), and PCNI did not provide survival benefit for neither patients with local tumor invasion nor those without ( P > 0.05). In conclusion, in a large cohort of 126 patients with stage IE ENKTL, we found that PCNI provided no benefit for PFS and OS, regardless of the primary tumor site or local tumor invasiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of studies on association between FCGR2A- R/H131 polymorphism and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Asian population are controversial. To derive a more precise estimation on the genetic risk of FCGR2A- R/H131 variant for SLE in Asians, a meta-analysis was performed for genotypes R/R + R/H (dominant effect), R/R (recessive effect), and R allele in fixed/random effects models. Twenty studies involving 4,832 SLE patients and 6,190 controls were included. The meta-analysis showed that FCGR2A- R/H131 variant was associated with development of SLE in overall Asians both at allele or genotype level (R vs H, OR 1.201, 95 % CI 1.098-1.315; RR + RH vs HH, OR 1.369, 95 % CI 1.115-1.682; RR vs RH + HH, OR 1.305, 95 % CI 1.029-1.654). After stratification by ethnic, a significant association of R allele with susceptibility to SLE was observed in the Chinese population (R vs H, OR 1.104, 95 % CI 1.030-1.183). Evidence from subgroup analyses in non-Chinese populations (all Asians excluding Chinese population) also showed a significant association (R vs H, OR 1.354, 95 % CI 1.207-1.519; RR + RH vs HH, OR 1.705, 95 % CI 1.234-2.355). In addition, FCGR2A-R131 allele was associated with a 1.186-fold (95 % CI 1.043-1.349) greater risk for the occurrence of nephritis in the Asians population with SLE. After stratification by ethnic, this significant association was only consistently identified in non-Chinese populations (R vs H, OR 1.220, 95 % CI 1.002-1.486). In summary, FCGR2A- R/H131 polymorphism is associated with SLE and lupus nephritis in Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptin, the product of ob gene, is a 16-kDa nonglycosylated peptide hormone produced by adipocytes that regulates appetite and energy expenditure at the hypothalamic level. As is known to be a satiety factor that can regulate body weight by inhibiting food intake and stimulating energy expenditure, leptin is a pleiotropic hormone whose multiple effects include regulation of endocrine function, reproduction and immunity. Since leptin has been considered to be a pro-inflammatory cytokine, investigations of leptin in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases have been detected, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Recently, the role of leptin in the modulation of immune response and inflammation has been discussed in the autoimmune diseases increasingly but less in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, this article will focus on the current understanding of the role of leptin with such similar pathogenic mechanism in SLE in order to provide insights which may assist in the development of leptin-based approaches for the treatment of SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have found that lymphoma patients often exhibit abnormal lipid metabolism, and a decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) may occur during lymphomagenesis and tumor growth. However, no literatures have investigated the role of HDL-C in patients with extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the HDL-C level in 107 patients newly diagnosed with ENKTL that received either l-asparaginase-based regimen or EPOCH regimen as induction chemotherapy, and evaluated its prognostic value. The mean level of HDL-C was 1.10 mmol/L (range, 0.15-2.63), and the HDL-C level was significantly lower in patients with elevated LDH and beta 2-microglobulin (β2-MG) ( p = 0.017 and 0.001, respectively) and those who underwent disease progression and died ( p = 0.031 and 0.007, respectively). In univariate survival analysis, higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (≥1), Ann Arbor stage III-IV, elevated LDH, higher international prognostic index (IPI) score (≥2 vs. 1 vs. 0), decreased HDL-C level (<40 mg/dL), elevated β2-MG level, and response status after induction chemotherapy correlated significantly with poor progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) ( p < 0.05). In a multivariate Cox regression model that included IPI score, HDL-C level, β2-MG level, and response status after induction chemotherapy, it was found that HDL-C level and response status after chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for OS ( p = 0.014 and 0.010, respectively) and PFS ( p = 0.016 and 0.020, respectively). In conclusion, HDL-C was found to be a valuable independent prognostic factor in ENKTL, and the mechanism needs to be further investigated, which may offer the possibility of therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a retrospective study of 135 patients of stage IE/IIE extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) treated with CHOP as induction chemotherapy to find some valuable prognostic factors and analyze the usefulness of International Prognostic Index (IPI) and Korean Prognostic Index (KPI) in predicting prognosis. Most of the patients were in the low-risk group (IPI score 0-1). Complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy was achieved in 31.8 % of the patients, which increased to 69.6 % after radiotherapy. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 60, 48, and 43 %, respectively. Patients with better performance status (ECOG 0-1), normal serum LDH level, without local invasiveness, low KPI scores, and IPI score of 0 had significantly better overall survival ( P < 0.05) in univariate analysis. Using multivariate analysis, we identified serum LDH level, ECOG PS score and local invasiveness to be independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, ENKTL is an aggressive lymphoma that shows heterogeneity. The IPI and KPI score systems should be improved further to classify patients into different groups, and should be validated in larger prospective trials. Due to the multi-drug resistance mechanism of ENKTL, CHOP is no longer the state of art and novel drugs should be incorporated into future treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs. Because of double damages of body and mind, SLE patients are in a potential risk of suicide. Many factors may contribute to the occurrence of suicide in SLE: socioeconomic factors, medical factors, mental health, family support and coping style. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation in SLE inpatients in China in order to determine whether they had risk of suicide, and if so, what factors should be paid more attention to prevent suicide in wards. A total of 285 SLE patients were interviewed with questionnaires on suicidal ideation and socio-demographic characteristics, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Family APGAR and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ). Disease activity was assessed with SLE Disease Activity Index. The other medical information was collected from the patients' medical records. In total, 34.4% of SLE patients had current suicidal ideation. Significant individual risk factors for current suicidal ideation in SLE patients included having religious belief, heavy self-reported financial burdens, long duration of SLE, low level of family functioning and negative coping style. And in the presence of these risk factors, being separated, divorced or widowed, having premorbid suicidal ideation and depression were independent predictors of suicidal ideation. In summary, the rate of suicidal ideation in SLE patients in China is higher than that in other countries. Factors that contribute to risk of suicidal ideation include social and cultural domains and physical and psychological health. Although the association of suicidal ideation to religions and medical factors is still to be investigated, these findings may give some references to suicide prevention efforts for SLE patients in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between promoter methylation status and survival was investigated in a large cohort of women with breast cancer, participants in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project. Archived tumor tissues ( n = 839) were collected from women diagnosed with a first primary invasive or in situ breast cancer in 1996-1997. Vital status was followed through the end of 2005 with a mean follow-up time of 8 years. Promoter methylation of eight breast cancer-related genes was assessed by MethyLight. The frequencies of methylation for HIN1, RASSF1A, DAPK1, GSTP1, CyclinD2, TWIST, CDH1 and RARβ were 62.9, 85.2, 14.1, 27.8, 19.6, 15.3, 5.8 and 27.6%, respectively. Since survival rates of in situ and invasive breast cancers are substantially different, survival analyses were conducted within 670 invasive cases with complete data on all genes. Age-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models revealed that GSTP1, TWIST and RARβ methylation was significantly associated with higher breast cancer-specific mortality. Methylation of GSTP1 and RARβ was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality. To investigate the relationship between the number of methylated genes and breast cancer-specific mortality, we included previously published MethyLight data on p16 and APC methylation status. Breast cancer-specific mortality increased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing number of methylated genes ( P = 0.002), although confidence intervals were wide. Our results suggest that promoter methylation, particularly for a panel of genes, has the potential to be used as a biomarker for predicting prognosis in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cdc25 phosphatases activate cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) by dephosphorylating critical phospho-tyrosine and phospho-threonine residues on these proteins. Several types of studies indicate that Cdc25s can enhance cell proliferation and oncogenesis. Furthermore, overexpression of Cdc25A and/or B have been detected in several types of primary human cancers, including breast cancers. To further assess the oncogenic capacity of Cdc25B in vivo, we have generated transgenic mice that overexpress Cdc25B in the mammary epithelium, driven by the MMTV – LTR promoter. Although these mice are grossly normal for up to 18 months, the ectopic expression of Cdc25B in their mammary glands increases the susceptibility of these mice to induction of mammary tumors by the carcinogen 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal treatment strategies for localized extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) have not been fully defined. We retrospectively compared the efficacy and safety of combined gemcitabine, L-asparaginase, and oxaliplatin (GELOX) (n=38), continuous infusion of etoposide, vincristine and doxorubicin, with cyclophosphamide and prednisone (EPOCH) (n=54), or combined cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) (n=135) as induction chemotherapy in patients who were newly diagnosed with stage I/II ENKTL. After induction chemotherapy, the complete response (CR) rate and overall response rate (ORR) for the GELOX group were significantly higher than those in the EPOCH group (68.4 vs. 42.6%, P=0.011 for CR and 86.8 vs. 68.5%, P=0.038 for ORR). Both EPOCH and GELOX groups can attain much higher CR rates than CHOP group (CR rate was 31.8%, P<0.05). The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rate were significantly better in GELOX group than in EPOCH or CHOP group (87.0 vs. 54.0 vs. 54.0% for OS, P<0.05; 72.0 vs. 50.0 vs. 43.0% for PFS, P<0.05). However, no significant differences were found between EPOCH and CHOP groups in OS or PFS (P=0.765 for OS, and 0.421 for PFS). The safety profiles were acceptable in all three groups. In conclusion, GELOX is superior to EPOCH or CHOP in the treatment of patients with stage I/II ENKTL. Further clinical trials of ENKTL should use asparaginase-based regimens as the standard chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]