Multivariate Unconditional Logistic Regression Analysis Research Articles

TNF-a (-238G/A and -308G/A) gene polymorphisms may not contribute to the risk of ischemic stroke

Background: The common and major pathological change in ischemic stroke is atherosclerosis in the artery. Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) is closely related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to investigate whether TNF-a gene variants (-238G/A and -308G/A) are associated with ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 619 ischemic stroke patients and 612 controls were recruited to estimate the frequencies of two TNF-a (-238G/A and -308G/A) single nucleotide polymorphisms using a Sequenom MassARRAY time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The association between TNF-a gene polymorphisms and ischemic stroke risk was evaluated by computing the odds ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval with multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses. Results: The OR results indicated that no significant associations were found between TNF-a gene (-238G/A and -308G/A) polymorphisms and the risk of ischemic stroke using five genetic models, including the allele model (A vs. G), co-dominant model 1 (GA vs. GG), co-dominant model 2 (AA vs. GG), the dominant model (AA+GA vs. GG), and the recessive model (GG+GA vs. AA). Conclusions: The TNF-a (-238G/A and -308G/A) gene polymorphisms may not be a susceptible predictor of ischemic stroke in Chinese populations.

Prediagnostic Sex Steroid Hormones in Relation to Male Breast Cancer Risk.

Although previous studies have implicated a variety of hormone-related risk factors in the etiology of male breast cancers, no previous studies have examined the effects of endogenous hormones. Within the Male Breast Cancer Pooling Project, an international consortium comprising 21 case-control and cohort investigations, a subset of seven prospective cohort studies were able to contribute prediagnostic serum or plasma samples for hormone quantitation. Using a nested case-control design, multivariable unconditional logistic regression analyses estimated odds ratios and 95% CIs for associations between male breast cancer risk and 11 individual estrogens and androgens, as well as selected ratios of these analytes. Data from 101 cases and 217 matched controls were analyzed. After adjustment for age and date of blood draw, race, and body mass index, androgens were found to be largely unrelated to risk, but circulating estradiol levels showed a significant association. Men in the highest quartile had an odds ratio of 2.47 (95% CI, 1.10 to 5.58) compared with those in the lowest quartile (trend P = .06). Assessment of estradiol as a ratio to various individual androgens or sum of androgens showed no further enhancement of risk. These relations were not significantly modified by either age or body mass index, although estradiol was slightly more strongly related to breast cancers occurring among younger (age < 67 years) than older men. Our results support the notion of an important role for estradiol in the etiology of male breast cancers, similar to female breast cancers.

Relationship between colorectal adenomatous polyps and thyroid function in middle-aged and elderly people

Objective To explore the relationship between thyroid hormone and colorectal adenomatous polyps (CAP) in middle-aged and elderly people. Methods We surveyed 3 042 middle-aged employees and retirees aged 45 years and over at a petrochemical enterprise of Ningbo. Their colonoscopic findings, body mass index, waist circumference and thyroid function were analyzed. Results Age and serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) of females with CAP were higher than those of the corresponding non-CAP group, so were age and waist circumference of males with CAP (P<0.05). Furthermore, these differences were statistically significant. The detection rate of CAP was significantly higher in males than in females (χ2=49.418, P<0.01). The detection rate of CAP was higher in females with higher levels of FT3. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses showed the effects of thyroid hormone on the CAP differed by gender. Age and FT3 (OR=1.60, 95%CI: 1.12-2.28, P=0.01) were correlated with CAP in females. However, only age and waist circumference were correlated with CAP in males. Conclusion Elevated FT3 may be a risk factor of CAP in elderly females. The detection rate of CAP may not be affected by FT3 levels in males. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Colorectal adenomatous Polyps; Thyroid function

Between-ward disparities in colorectal cancer incidence and screening in Washington DC

This study aims to investigate the incidence and determinants of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its screening in District of Columbia (DC), and identify modifiable risk factors. Data (2000–2009) from the DC Cancer Registry, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS-DC) and Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) were used to estimate CRC incidence in eight DC Wards. Risk factors and CRC screening were analyzed using uni-, bi-, and multivariable statistical methods with survey procedures in SAS (version 9.2) including binary, unconditional multivariable logistic regression analysis. Factors measured included stage of diagnosis, age, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking, alcohol, exercise, body weight, health insurance, education, employment, and income. Over the study time, CRC screening increased from 48.4% to 68.6%. Mean age at diagnosis was 67years. CRC incidence is high in DC. Furthermore, CRC incidence rates in DC below 50years age were higher than the SEER18 average. Disparities exist between CRC incidence and screening among DC Wards. Identified risk factors for CRC are smoking, obesity, and low physical activity; screening was less prevalent among the uninsured and low socio-economic group. Local variations in CRC occurrence exist and may vary from average national experiences. Identification of local regions which vary from national trends in disease occurrence is important for comprehensive understanding of the disease in the community.

Correlation Analysis Between Protein Phosphatase-1 Regulatory Inhibitor Subunit-11 Polymorphism and Hepatitis C Virus Spontaneous Clearance

Objective To explore the association of protein phosphatase-1 regulatory inhibitor subunit-11 (PPP1R11) polymorphism and hepatitis C virus (HCV) spontaneous clearance.Methods From January 2009 to May 2013,a total of 328 blood donors whose blood samples were anti-HCV positive with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were included into this study.According to follow-up results,they were divided into spontaneous clearance group whose HCV RNA were negative but anti-HCV recombinant immunoblot assay results were positive (n =134),and chronic infection group whose HCV RNA were positive (n=198).Polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP) was performed to determine the genotype of rs3807031 of PPP1R11.Statistical software SPSS was used to analyze the association between genotype of rs3807031 and HCV spontaneous clearance.Results The average age of donors in spontaneous clearance group was (28.8± 10.2) years old,which was significantly lower than that of chronic infection group whose average age was (31.0±9.0) years old (t=2.135,P =0.034).Higher percentage of female was observed in spontaneous clearance group compared to chronic infection group (35.8％ vs 21.6％ ; x2 =7.994,P=0.005).Importantly,rs3807031 A allele composed 30.6％ and 22.4％,while C allele composed 69.4％ and 77.6％ in spontaneous clearance and chronic infection group,respectively.The frequencies of rs3807031 alleles were statistically different between these two groups (x2 =5.538,P =0.023).Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that gender (OR=1.957,95％CI:1.118-3.224,P=0.008) and genotype of rs3807031 (OR=0.650,95％CI:0.450-0.973,P =0.021) are independent factors associated with HCV spontaneous clearance.Conclusions PPP1R11 rs3807031 is associated with HCV spontaneous clearance,which has the potential to predict the spontaneous clearance of HCV infection.Our results provide information to the research on the mechanism and molecular marker of HCV spontaneous clearance. Key words: Hepatitis C, chronic; Hepacivirus; Genotype; Polymorphism, single nucleotide

The analysis on risk factors and clinical treatment of craniocerebral injury concurrent with acute kidney injury.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors and clinical treatment of craniocerebral injury concurrent with acute kidney injury. A total of 220 patients who suffered from craniocerebral injury from March 2010 to March 2012 in our Hospital were prospectively analyzed. Craniocerebral injury was defined according to the medical history, the verification of CT, and some investigated scores. The acute kidney injury was defined as a relative 47% increase of serum creatinine. The method of multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the possible risk factors associated with post-craniocerebral injury concurrent with acute kidney injury. The clinical treatments of craniocerebral injury concurrent with acute kidney injury were also identified via experimental results, and the pathological mechanism of craniocerebral injury concurrent with acute kidney injury was found to be related to cerebral tissue lesions, but some potential factors were ambiguous. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 70.2% with craniocerebral injury. In hospital, mortality of acute kidney injury patients was 31.2%, which was 6.019 times of non-acute kidney injury patients (p < 0.01). The incidence of acute kidney injury in patients with craniocerebral injury was 58.3%, which was significantly higher compared to moderate and mild groups (p < 0.01). Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis results revealed that lower score, elderly, and male were the independent predictors of acute kidney injury episodes. Finally, some important factors were worthy of detailed study and further investigation.

Association between polymorphisms in CHRNA3 and PHACTR2 gene and environment and NSCLC risk in Chinese population.

Aims. This study aimed to investigate CHRNA3 (rs8040868) and PHACTR2 (rs9390123) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for association with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) risk in a Chinese population, and whether the environment affects the genetic polymorphisms. Methods. This case and control study included 500 NSCLC patients and 500 age-matched healthy controls. CHRNA3 (rs8040868) and PHACTR2 (rs9390123) SNPs were genotyped and associated for NSCLC risk by computing the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval from multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses with adjustment of age. Results. The minor allele frequency (MAF) of CHRNA3 (rs8040868) and PHACTR2 (rs9390123) was 0.350 (C) and 0.397 (C), respectively. The frequencies of genotype and allele in CHRNA3 (rs8040868) and PHACTR2 (rs9390123) were not significantly different between the cases and controls, or between either of the subgroups. Conclusion. Although rs8040868 and rs9390123 SNPs are not associated with NSCLC risk in Chinese population, the results strongly suggest that geographical agents interact with human genetic polymorphism independent of ethnic background.

Association Between Aspirin Use and Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Introduction: Many basic mechanistic studies found that aspirin inhibited multiple pathways involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. The aim of this study was to investigate an association between aspirin use and NAFLD prevalence in a general United States population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). We included 11,416 adults aged 20-74 years who underwent ultrasonography; of those, 2,889 were identified as having NAFLD and 8,527 as controls. Aspirin use during the month prior to interview was categorized as never use (0 times), occasional use (1-14 times), and regular use (≥15 times). Results: In the multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis, after controlling age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, smoking status, insulin resistance, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), regular aspirin use was found to be associated with low prevalence of NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51-0.74). Among males, the prevalence of NAFLD was decreased by both occasional and regular aspirin use (OR 0.58 and 0.32, 95% CI 0.46-0.74 and 0.23-0.45, respectively). However, there was no significant association among females. Furthermore, the occasional and regular aspirin use was inversely associated with NAFLD among patients over age 60 years (OR 0.74 and 0.21, 95% CI 0.56-0.99 and 0.14-0.30, respectively) but not among the younger patients. Conclusion: These findings, from the first human study to investigate an association of aspirin use with NAFLD, suggest that regular aspirin use (≥15 times/month) may be associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD, primarily among men and older patients.Table 1: Association of aspirin use with prevalent NAFLD, overall and according to selected risk factors: NHANES III, 1988-1994.

Association of leukocyte mitochondrial DNA content with glioma risk: evidence from a Chinese case-control study.

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that alterations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content may be implicated in the tumorigenesis of several malignancies. However, the association between mtDNA content in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and glioma risk has not been investigated.MethodsReal-time PCR was used to examine the mtDNA content in PBLs of 414 glioma patients and 414 matched controls in a hospital-based case–control study. The association between mtDNA content and glioma risk was evaluated using an unconditional multivariate logistic regression model.ResultsWe found that glioma patients exhibited a significantly higher median mtDNA content than healthy controls (0.99 vs. 0.71, P < 0.001). Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, and family cancer history showed that there was an S-shaped association between mtDNA content and glioma risk. Higher mtDNA content was significantly associated with an elevated risk of glioma. Compared with the first quartile, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for subjects in the second, third, and fourth quartiles of mtDNA content were 0.90 (0.52-1.53), 3.38 (2.15-5.31), and 5.81 (3.74-9.03), respectively (P for nonlinearity = 0.009). Stratified analysis showed that the association between mtDNA content and glioma risk was not modulated by major host characteristics.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate for the first time that a higher mtDNA content in PBLs is associated with an elevated risk of glioma, which warrants further investigation in larger populations.

Association between aspirin use and the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Many basic mechanistic studies found that aspirin inhibited multiple pathways involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development. To investigate an association between aspirin use and NAFLD prevalence in the general US population. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). We included 11416 adults aged 20-74years who underwent ultrasonography; of those, 2889 were identified as having NAFLD and 8527 as controls. Aspirin use during the month prior to interview was categorised as never use (0 times), occasional use (1-14 times) and regular use (≥15 times). In the multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis, regular relative to no aspirin use was inversely associated with prevalent NAFLD [odds ratio (OR)=0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51-0.74; P for trend=0.04], a finding that was primarily limited to men (OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.23-0.45; P for interaction<0.01) and those who were older (>60years) (OR=0.21, 95% CI 0.14-0.30; P for interaction<0.01). These findings, from the first human study to investigate an association of aspirin use with NAFLD, suggest that regular aspirin use (≥15times per month) may be associated with a lower prevalence of NAFLD, primarily among men and older patients.

Prediabetes, Diabetes, and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study

Although underlying mechanisms have been described to account for the association between prediabetes and diabetes with breast cancer, reported results have been inconsistent. We undertook this study to determine whether prediabetes and diabetes are risk factors for breast cancer in Mexican women with no family history of breast cancer in the mother, daughters, or sisters. A case-control study was carried out during 2011-2013. "Case" referred to patients with a histopathological diagnosis of breast cancer (incident and primary cases) (n = 240); "controls" were those with a BI-RADS 1 or 2 mammography result (n = 406). Categorization of prediabetes and diabetes was based on self-reporting or fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin blood sampling results. Reproductive and sociodemographic data were collected by interview. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multivariate unconditional binary logistic regression analysis. Prediabetes increased the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women (adjusted OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.10-3.96) as did diabetes (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.55-5.26). A history of diabetes preceding breast cancer by ≥7 years and <7 years were both associated with an increased risk for breast cancer (adjusted OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.40-5.60 and 3.00, 95% CI 1.50-5.90, respectively). This is the first study in Mexico evaluating prediabetes and diabetes as breast cancer risk factors in women with no first-degree relatives with breast cancer. Our findings suggest that women with prediabetes and diabetes should be considered a more vulnerable population for early breast cancer detection.

Analysis of risk factors for acute kidney injury in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

To investigate the risk factors for and the prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in decompensated cirrhotic patients. A total of 126 patients with decompensated cirrhosis and with (n =60) or without (n =66, control group) AKI were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Follow-up was carried out on all patients, with durations ranging from less than 1 year to up to 4 years. Blood biochemistry, liver and renal functional parameters and prognosis of these patients were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate possible risk factors for decompensated cirrhotic patients developing AKI. The patients with AKI had a significantly lower survival rate than the patients without AKI (55.0% vs.83.3%, x2 =13.270, p =0.001). Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis identified risk factors of AKI development in decompensated cirrhotic patients as increased serum creatinine (odds ratio (OR):1034), increased total bilirubin (OR:1.005), increased international normalized ratio (INR; OR:2.471), decreased plasma sodium concentration (OR:0.910), decreased serum cholinesterase (OR:0.999), and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR; OR:0.972) (all P less than 0.05). The development of acute kidney injury represents an adverse prognosis in decompensated cirrhotic patients. An increase in serum creatinine, total bilirubin or INR or a decrease in plasma sodium concentration, serum cholinesterase or GFR may be early-warning factors of development of AKI in decompensated cirrhotic patients.

OP0016 Two novel loci of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 associated with non-small-cell lung cancer risk

Background Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) acts as a co-receptor with Frizzled protein family members for transducing Wnt/β-catenin signalling, alteration of which contributes to human carcinogenesis; thus, LRP5 polymorphisms could contribute to cancer susceptibility. This study investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LRP5 on risk of developing non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 500 NSCLC patients and 500 healthy controls were recruited for genotyping of 11 SNPs in LRP5 . The association between genotype and NSCLC risk was evaluated by computing the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses. Findings A total of 1000 samples were collected in this study, including 500 patients (350 male, 150 female; 331 with adenocarcinoma [ADC], 169 with squamous cell carcinomas [SCC]; 281 male patients who were smokers or former smokers, 21 female patients who were smokers or former smokers) and 500 controls (359 male, 240 female [gender information for one control subject was missed]; 268 male controls who were smokers or former smokers, 14 female controls who were smokers or former smokers). Eleven tagSNPs were detected. Frequency of LRP5 rs3736228 T allele (18.9% in male patients and 23.9% in male controls) differed significantly between male patients and male controls ( p = 0.03) and the T allele was associated with a lower risk of NSCLC (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.56–0.67), whereas the C/C homozygous genotype and LRP5 rs64843 T/T genotype were associated with risk of NSCLC and SCC, respectively (OR = 1.43 and 1.77, respectively). Haploview identified two blocks in which the frequency of the haplotypes of 11 tagSNPs were non-significantly different between controls and cases or between control subgroups and cases subgroups. Interpretation LRP5 rs3736228 and rs64843 SNPs were significantly associated with increased risk of NSCLC and SCC, respectively. Further study will investigate functional changes in LRP5 expression and activity in NSCLC in vitro.

Immunoglobulin genes implicated in glioma risk

Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to be causal in gliomagenesis. Several genes have been implicated in glioma development, but the putative role of a major immunity-related gene complex member, immunoglobulin heavy chain γ (IGHG) has not been evaluated. Prior observations that IGHG-encoded γ marker (GM) allotypes exhibit differential sensitivity to an immunoevasion strategy of cytomegalovirus, a pathogen implicated as a promoter of gliomagenesis, has lead us to hypothesize that these determinants are risk factors for glioma. To test this hypothesis, we genotyped the IGHG locus comprising the GM alleles, specifically GM alleles 3 and 17, of 120 glioma patients and 133 controls via TaqMan® genotyping assay. To assess the associations between GM genotypes and the risk of glioma, we applied an unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounding variables. In comparison to subjects who were homozygous for the GM 17 allele, the GM 3 homozygotes were over twice as likely, and the GM 3/17 heterozygotes were over three times as likely, to develop glioma. Similar results were achieved when analyzed by combining the data corresponding to alleles GM 3 and GM 3/17 in a dominant model. The GM 3/17 genotype and the combination of GM 3 and GM 3/17 were found to be further associated with over 3 times increased risk for high-grade astrocytoma (grades III-IV). Allele frequency analyses also showed an increased risk for gliomas and high-grade astrocytoma in association with GM 3. Our findings support the premise that the GM 3 allele may present risk for the development of glioma, possibly by modulating immunity to cytomegalovirus.

SNPs in microRNA-binding sites in the ITGB1 and ITGB3 3'-UTR increase colorectal cancer risk.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNA (miRNA)-binding sites in the integrin beta-1 (ITGB1) gene and integrin beta-3 (ITGB3) gene 3'-untranslated regions, and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility in a Chinese population. A hospital-based case-control study was performed in 200 patients with CRC and 200 matched healthy donors. Two SNPs in miRNA binding of ITGB1 and ITGB3 genes (rs17468 and rs2317676) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restrict fragment length polymorphism assay. The association between genotypes and CRC risk was evaluated by computing the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) from multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses. The frequency of the T genotype in ITGB1 rs17468 and G genotype in ITGB3 rs2317676 occurred more frequently in CRC patients than in controls (P < 0.05). We found that CT and TT genotypes of rs17468 were associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC (OR = 1.67, 95 % CI = 1.090-2.559 for CT + TT vs. CC), also the AG and GG genotype in ITGB3 rs2317676 (OR = 1.65, 95 % CI = 1.114-2.458 for AG + GG vs. AA). In conclusion, our results showed that both the ITGB1 rs17468 SNP and ITGB3 rs2317676 SNP were associated with an increased risk of CRC, which suggests that these 2 SNPs might contribute to CRC risk in a Chinese population.

Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-9 (CHRNA9) polymorphisms are associated with NSCLC risk in a Chinese population

Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-9 (CHRNA9) encodes a plasma membrane protein of divalent cation channels and is expressed in keratinocytes. This study aimed to investigate CHRNA9 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for association with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) risk, in a Chinese population. This case-control study included 500 NSCLC patients and 500 age-matched healthy controls. CHRNA9 rs56159866, rs6819385, rs55998310, and rs182073550 SNPs were genotyped and associated for NSCLC risk by computing the odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) from multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses with adjustment for age. The frequencies of the CHRNA9 rs6819385 G allele were 16.1, 15.2, and 20.8% in male NSCLC patients, male SCC patients, and male controls, respectively. The CHRNA9 rs6819385 A allele was associated with an increased risk of developing NSCLC (P = 0.04, OR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.02-1.83) and SCC (P = 0.04, OR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.01-2.13). The CHRNA9 rs6819385 A/A homozygote was associated with an increased risk of NSCLC and SCC in all patients (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.06-1.79; P = 0.02, and OR = 1.61; 95% CI 1.09-2.38; P = 0.02, respectively) and in male patients (OR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.11-2.21; P = 0.01, and OR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.11-2.61; P = 0.01, respectively), indicating that the CHRNA9 rs6819385 A/A homozygote had a 1.61-fold and 1.70-fold increased risk of developing lung SCC in all patients (95% CI 1.09-2.38, P = 0.02) and in males (95% CI 1.11-2.61, P = 0.01), respectively. The CHRNA9 rs6819385 SNP was significantly associated with an increased risk of NSCLC, especially for SCC in male patients in this Chinese population.

Association between interleukin-4 polymorphisms and environment and nonsmall cell lung cancer in Chinese population.

The aim was to evaluate the influence of interleukin (IL)-4-590 C/T gene polymorphism in the susceptibility to nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whether the environment also affects genetic polymorphisms. A case-control study was conducted with 500 NSCLC patients and 500 healthy controls, matched on age and gender. The single nucleotide polymorphisms distributed in IL-4 gene were selected for genotyping. The association between genotype and NSCLC risk was evaluated by computing the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval with multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses. The allele frequencies were not associated with NSCLC regardless of histological type or gender. The genotype distributions were similar between cases and controls, between adenocarcinoma patients and controls, and between male squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) patients and male controls. However, genotype (C/C + C/T) frequencies polymorphism of rs2243250 were different between female SCC patients and female controls. These results suggest that environmental agents might have the potential for interacting with human genetic polymorphisms in NSCLC. IL-4-590 C/T polymorphism (C/C + C/T frequencies) may be a potential susceptibility marker for female SCC patients in China.

Campylobacteriosis in Urban versus Rural Areas: A Case-Case Study Integrated with Molecular Typing to Validate Risk Factors and to Attribute Sources of Infection

Campylobacter infection is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, and most clinical cases appear as isolated, sporadic infections for which the source is rarely apparent. From July 2005 to December 2007 we conducted a prospective case-case study of sporadic, domestically-acquired Campylobacter enteritis in rural versus urban areas and a prevalence study of Campylobacter in animal and environmental sources in the Eastern Townships, Quebec. Isolates were typed using Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) to reinforce the case-case findings and to assign a source probability estimate for each human isolate. The risk of human campylobacteriosis was 1.89-fold higher in rural than urban areas. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis identified two independent risk factors associated with human Campylobacter infections acquired in rural area: occupational exposure to animals (OR = 10.6, 95% CI: 1.2–91, p = 0.032), and household water coming from a private well (OR = 8.3, 95% CI: 3.4–20.4, p<0.0001). A total of 851 C. jejuni isolates (178 human, 257 chicken, 87 bovine, 266 water, 63 wild bird) were typed using MLST. Among human isolates, the incidence rates of clonal complexes (CC) CC-21, CC-45, and CC-61 were higher in rural than urban areas. MLST-based source attribution analysis indicated that 64.5% of human C. jejuni isolates were attributable to chicken, followed by cattle (25.8%), water (7.4%), and wild birds (2.3%). Chicken was the attributable source for the majority of cases, independent of residential area, sex and age. The increased incidence in rural compared to urban areas was associated with occupational exposure to animals, particularly cattle among those aged 15–34 years, and with consumption of private well water. Both bovine and water exposure appeared to contribute to the seasonal variation in campylobacteriosis. These results provide a basis for developing public education and preventive programs targeting the risk factors identified.

Prevalence and related risk factors on smoking among pupils in Shandong province

To study the prevalence of smoking and its influential factors among pupils in Shandong. A multi-stage stratified-cluster random sampling method was used in the survey. 6050 students from 3 different cities of Shandong province were selected as the study population. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was designed and the survey was conducted by trained investigators. The rate of attempting smoking among pupils under study in Shandong province was 6.0% while the current smoking rate was 1.2%. The average age of children who initiated smoking cigarette was 7.8±2.1 with 80.5% of them due to curiosity. 34.7% of them got the cigarettes from their families. In terms of the motivation of buying cigarettes, 74.3% of them claimed that the access to purchase was easy. Data from multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the smoking behavior of pupils was influenced by their familial or surrounding environments. Tobacco control programs on pupils should be strengthened with more powerful control measures including health education.

No Association of XRCC1 and CLPTM1L Polymorphisms with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in a Non-Smoking Han Chinese Population

This study aimed to explore potential associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the x-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1-like (CLPTM1L) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) susceptibility in non-smoker Chinese patients. A total of 200 NSCLC patients and 200 healthy controls with matched age and gender were recruited for genotyping of XRCC1 SNPs (rs2256507 and rs1001581) and CLPTM1L SNPs (rs401681 and rs4975616). Association of these SNPs with NSCLC risk was evaluated by computing the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses with adjustment for gender and age. The frequencies of genotype and allele in these four loci (rs2256507, rs1001581, rs401681, and rs4975616) were not significantly different between the cases and controls, or between either of the histological subgroups (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and controls. Although these SNPs are associated with NSCLC risk in patients with a tobacco-smoking habit, this study demonstrated that XRCC1 and CLPTM1L gene SPNs are not linked with NSCLC risk in non-smoking patients, indicating that molecular mechanisms of NSCLC betwee tobacco smokers and non-smokers may be different. Future studies are needed to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms for NSCLC in non-smokers.