Effect of sex hormone–binding globulin polymorphisms on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer for polycystic ovary syndrome patients: A case-control study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), known as a common endocrine disorder among females, plagues many PCOS patients. The current study aimed to explore the correlations of sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) polymorphisms with the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in PCOS patients. PCOS patients who underwent IVF-ET and patients with non–PCOS-related infertility were selected in the study. Correlations of SHBG rs6259 and rs727428 with the risk factors in PCOS were analyzed, followed by the evaluation of the effect of SHBG polymorphisms on the outcome of IVF-ET in PCOS patients. At last, unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to study the risk factors for IVF-ET treatment outcome. Compared with SHBG rs6259 GG carriers, the incidence of PCOS was found to be elevated in SHBG rs6259 GA+AA carriers which indicated that the A allele was a risk factor for PCOS. Compared with SHBG rs6259 TT carriers, the number of retrieved oocytes and embryo as well as the fertility rate in SHBG rs6259 GA+AA carriers was found to be decreased, while the abortion rate, incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, transplant rejection rate, estradiol, and testosterone in serum, as well as testosterone in follicular fluid were elevated. The luteal hormone, serum testosterone, and progesterone and GA+AA genotype of rs6259 were the risk factors for IVF-ET treatment outcome. Taken together, the study showed that SHBG rs6259 polymorphisms might be correlated with the risk of PCOS and the outcome of IVF-ET treatment.     

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 Polymorphism Is Associated with Liver Cirrhosis in Hepatocarcinoma

Background

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) polymorphisms are positively correlated with tumor progression in numerous malignant tumors. However, the association between FGFR4 genetic variants and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been determined. In this study, we investigated the potential associations of FGFR4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with HCC susceptibility and its clinicopathological characteristics.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Four SNPs in FGFR4 (rs1966265, rs351855, rs2011077, and rs7708357) were analyzed among 884 participants, including 595 controls and 289 patients with HCC. The samples were further analyzed to clarify the associations between these gene polymorphisms and the risk of HCC, and the impact of these SNPs on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC. After adjusting for other covariants, HCC patients who carrying at least one A genotype (GA and AA) at rs351855 were observed to have a higher risk of liver cirrhosis compared with those carrying the wild-type genotype (GG) (OR: 2.113, 95% CI: 1.188–3.831). Moreover, the patients with at least one A genotype were particularly showed a high level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that genetic polymorphism in FGFR4 rs351855 may be associated with the risk of HCC coupled with liver cirrhosis and may markedly increase the AFP level in Taiwanese patients with HCC. In addition, this is the first study that evaluated the risk factors associated with FGFR4 polymorphism variants in Taiwanese patients with HCC.     

Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in VDR and DBP Genes with HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in a Chinese Population

Background

Polymorphisms of genes encoding components of the vitamin D pathway including vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) have been widely investigated because of the complex role played by vitamin D in cancer tumorogenesis. In this study, we investigated the association between VDR and DBP gene polymorphisms and HBV-related HCC risk in a Chinese population.

Methods

Study subjects were divided into three groups: 184 HBV patients with HCC, 296 HBV patients without HCC, and 180 healthy controls. The VDR rs2228570, and rs3782905 and the DBP rs7041 polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP and the VDR rs11568820 polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-SSP, respectively. DNA sequencing was performed to validate the genotype results.

Results

We found that there were significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the VDR rs2228570 and DBP rs7041 polymorphisms between HBV patients with HCC and healthy controls. The rs2228570 T allele was associated with a significant increased HBV-related HCC risk as compared with the C allele. The rs2228570 TT and TT/TC genotypes were correlated with a significant increased HBV-related HCC risk when compared with the wild-type CC homozygote. Similarly, the rs7041 G allele was associated with a significant increased HBV-related HCC risk as compared with the T allele. The rs7041 GG and GG/TG genotypes were correlated with a significant increased HBV-related HCC risk when compared with the wild-type TT homozygote. However, we did not observe any significant effect of VDR rs11568820, and rs3782905 polymorphisms on HBV-related HCC risk in this population. In haplotype analysis, we also did not find any significant differences in haplotype frequencies of the VDR gene between HBV patients with HCC and the healthy controls.

Conclusions

We conclude that the VDR rs2228570 and DBP rs7041 polymorphisms may contribute to increased susceptibility to HBV-related HCC in the Chinese population. Due to the marginal significance, further large and well-designed studies in diverse ethnic populations are needed to confirm our results.     

Association of rs11801299 and rs1380576 polymorphisms at MDM4 with risk,clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with retinoblastoma

Backgroundrs11801299 and rs1380576, two novel polymorphisms in MDM4 gene, have been investigated in several different cancer types. However, the role of these two polymorphisms in retinoblastoma (RB) remains unclear.MethodsA total of 126 patients with primary RB and 148 age-/gender-matched controls were included in this retrospective study. The frequency of rs11801299 and rs1380576 were determined between RB patients and controls. The association of these two polymorphisms with clinicopathological characteristics, prognosis were further evaluated.ResultsAA genotype at rs11801299 was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing RB (OR = 2.06, 95%CI 1.09–3.90). The possibility of developing RB was also significantly increased in individuals with A allele at rs11801299 (OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.06–2.08). RB patients carrying AA genotype and A allele at rs11801299 were more likely to have tumor invasion and poor differentiation. As for rs1380576, a significantly lower risk of developing RB was observed in patients with G allele (CG + GG) compared with wild-type CC genotype (OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.36–3.95). RB patients with GG genotype or G allele had a lower risk of developing highly aggressive cancer. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank results revealed that RB patients carrying AA genotype or A allele (AA + GA) at rs11801299 had significantly poorer prognosis. Multivariate COX analysis showed that the rs11801299 G allele was associated with decreased survival but was not an independent prognostic factor.Conclusionrs11801299 was significantly associated with RB risk, pathological differentiation, tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis.     

HLA-DP Polymorphisms Affect the Outcomes of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infections,Possibly through Interacting with Viral Mutations

Genetic polymorphisms of HLA-DP have been associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence. We aimed to determine the effect of HLA-DP polymorphisms on the generation of HBV mutations and their interactions on the outcomes of HBV infection. rs3077, rs3135021, rs9277535, and rs2281388 were genotyped in 1,342 healthy controls, 327 HBV clearance subjects, and 2,736 HBV-positive subjects, including 1,108 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, using quantitative PCR. HBV mutations were determined by sequencing. Multiplicative interactions of HLA-DP polymorphisms and viral mutations were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. rs3077 (from subjects with genotype CT combined with those from subjects with genotype TT [CT+TT] versus CC), rs3135021 (GA+AA versus GG), rs9277535 (GA+AA versus GG), and rs2281388 (CC versus CT+TT) significantly decreased HBV persistence. This effect was found only in genotype B HBV-infected subjects compared to HBV clearance subjects. HLA-DP polymorphisms promoting HBV clearance were associated with a lower prevalence of mutations increasing HCC risk (C1653T, T1674C/G, A1846T, G1896A and pre-S2 mutations and pre-S deletion in genotype C) and a higher prevalence of mutations decreasing HCC risk (G1652A, T1673C, T1674C, G1719T, G1730C, and G1799C in genotype B and A1727T in genotype C). Significant effects of viral mutations on cirrhosis and HCC were selectively evident in those with HLA-DP polymorphisms promoting HBV persistence. The interactions of C1653T, T1674C/G, and G1896A mutations with HLA-DP polymorphisms promoting HBV clearance significantly decreased cirrhosis risk. The interaction of rs9277535 AA with the T1674C/G or G1719T mutation in genotype C significantly decreased HCC risk. In conclusion, HLA-DP polymorphisms affect genotype B HBV clearance, regulate immune selection of viral mutations, and influence cirrhosis and HCC risks contributed by HBV mutations.     

Correlations of IL-23R gene polymorphism with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after interventional therapy

In this study, we summarized the association of IL-23R gene polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 270 HCC patients were selected as HCC group, and 251 healthy individuals served as the control group. PCR-RFLP was performed to detect IL-23R gene polymorphism, including rs17375018 and rs11805303. Survival rate and risk factors of HCC were identified. The findings suggested that IL-23R rs17375018 was correlated with genetic susceptibility to HCC, and GC haplotype was closely linked with the risk factors of HCC. Moreover, rs17375018 polymorphism was related to portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and alcohol consumption in HCC patients, while prognosis was better in HCC patients with AA genotype of rs17375018 polymorphism. Lastly, GG genotype in rs17375018, PVTT and TNM stage III and IV were identified as independent risk factors for HCC. In conclusion, IL-23R rs17375018 polymorphism might serve as a prognostic factor in patients with HCC after interventional therapy.     

Effect of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Rs189037 in ATM Gene on Risk of Lung Cancer in Chinese: A Case-Control Study

Background

Accumulated evidence has indicated that ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene polymorphisms are closely related to lung cancer. We aimed to explore the prognostic value of rs189037 (G>A), one of ATM single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and detect whether it involves in the risk of lung cancer in Chinese Han people.

Methods

In this hospital-based matched case-control study, 852 lung cancer patients and 852 healthy controls have been put into comparison to analyze the association between rs189037 and lung cancer risk in Chinese. The single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined by TaqMan real-time PCR and we used SPSS software to perform the statistical analyses.

Results

Individuals carrying variant AA genotype of rs189037 had higher lung cancer risk (adjusted OR: 1.56) than those carrying GG genotype. After analyzing data respectively from different groups divided by genders and smoking status, we observed that the risk effect of AA genotype on the lung cancer was significant in females, non-smokers and female non-smokers, as well as the risk effect of GA genotype in male smokers. Compared with non-smokers carrying GG genotype, smokers carrying at least one A allele had higher risk of developing lung cancer than those with GG genotype (adjusted OR: 3.52 vs. adjusted OR: 2.53).

Conclusions

This study suggested that rs189037 (G>A) polymorphism is associated with lung cancer risk in Chinese Han population. AA genotype and A allele may be dangerous lung cancer signals in Chinese and make contribution to diagnostic and treatment value.     

Retracted: Rs11655237 polymorphism of LINC00673 affects the prognosis of cervical cancer by interfering with the interaction between LINC00673 and microRNA-1231

Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is known to disrupt the binding between lncRNAs and microRNAs. In this paper, we aimed to explore the role of LINC00673 rs11655237 SNP in the survival of cervical cancer (CC). Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western-blot analysis were used to detect expressions of LINC00673 and microRNA-1231 (miR-1231) in CC patients with different rs11655237 SNP genotypes. And the expression of LINC00673, miR-1231, and IFNAR1 was measured in mice and cells treated with exosomes carrying GG, GA, and AA rs11655237 genotypes. Compared with patients carrying the rs11655237 A allele of LINC00673 rs11655237 SNP, patients carrying the G allele showed higher overall survival and higher miR-1231 expression. In addition, the expression of miR-1231 was the highest in patients carrying the GG genotype and the lowest in patients carrying the AA genotype. Furthermore, the exosomes carrying GG, GA, and AA genotypes of LINC00673 rs11655237 SNP reduced tumor growth in mice, while the inhibitory effect of rs11655237 A allele was much stronger than that of the rs11655237 G allele. Additionally, exosome treatment upregulated the expression of LINC000673 and IFNAR1 while downregulating the expression of miR-1231. Interestingly, the A allele of rs11655237 generated a binding site for miR-1231 and subsequently affected the expression of IFNAR1, a target gene of miR-1231 containing a miR-1231 binding site in its 3′-untranslated region. Cells transfected with exosomes carrying GG, GA, and AA genotypes of LINC00673 rs11655237 SNP achieved higher LINC000673 and IFNAR1 expression along with lower miR-1231 expression. Therefore, rs11655237 can be used as a prognostic biomarker for CC.     

CNR1、GAD1和BDNF基因多态性与云南傣族男性海洛因依赖的相关性分析

为了探讨大麻素受体1基因(Cannabinoid receptor 1,CNR1)3个SNP位点(rs6454674、rs1049353和rs806368)、谷氨酸脱羧酶1基因(Glutamate decarboxylase 1,GAD1)3个SNP位点(rs1978340、rs3791878和rs11542313)、脑源性神经营养因子基因(Brain-derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)2个SNP位点(rs6265和rs13306221)与云南傣族男性海洛因依赖的相关性,文章采用病例对照关联分析,建立8-SNPs复合扩增体系,应用SNaPshot方法检测165例傣族男性海洛因依赖患者和170例健康傣族男性CNR1、GAD1和BDNF基因8个SNPs位点基因型,采用SPSS17.0、Haploview4.2、PHASE2.1和MDR软件进行统计学分析。结果显示,rs13306221基因型频率在海洛因依赖组和对照组中的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.025),海洛因依赖组rs6265 A等位基因显著高于对照组(P<0.05),由rs1978340-rs3791878-rs11542313构建的T-A-C、C-C-C、C-C-T和T-C-C单体型及rs6265-rs13306221构建的A-G单体型频率在海洛因依赖组及对照组中差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),海洛因依赖组T-A-C、C-C-T和A-G单体型频率明显高于对照组,GAD1基因rs1978340与rs3791878之间可能存在强协同的交互作用。结果表明,CNR1基因rs1049353多态性、GAD1基因rs1978340和rs11542313多态性以及BDNF基因rs6265和rs13306221多态性与云南傣族男性海洛因依赖相关联,并且携带rs6265 A等位基因的个体可能更容易对海洛因产生依赖。     

Association between Polymorphism of the Interleukin-13 Gene and Susceptibility to Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Chinese Population

ObjectiveInterleukin-13 (IL-13) is a potent pleiotropic cytokine that is produced by activated CD4 T cells. This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between two IL-13 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP rs1800925 and SNP rs20541) and the incidence of hepatitis B virus-related (HBV) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodThree hundred and ninety-eight HBV-positive individuals (192 HCC and 206 patients with chronic hepatitis) and one hundred and ninety-two healthy participants from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were enrolled in this study.ResultsThe results showed no significant differences between the genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-13 gene rs1800925 and rs20541 polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B risk after adjusting for age, sex, tobacco use, and alcohol intake using binary logistic regression analyses. Regarding the rs20541 SNP, the GA genotype was significantly related to a decreased risk of HCC after adjusting for age, sex, tobacco use, and alcohol intake using binary logistic regression analyses (The odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.34–0.87). The adjusted OR for the GA and AA genotypes combined was 0.68 (95% CI 0.39–0.90).ConclusionThis study indicates that the functional IL-13 rs20541 polymorphism may contribute to the risk of HCC and that the rs20541 polymorphism is a protective factor for HCC.     

SUMO4基因多态性与2型糖尿病的关系

为了探讨北京汉族人群小泛素样修饰蛋白4(Small ubiquitin-like modifier 4, SUMO4)基因多态性与2型糖尿病(Type 2 diabetes mellitus, T2DM)的关系, 文章采用病例对照设计, 选取404例T2DM患者(T2DM组)以及年龄、性别匹配的500例健康对照者(Control组)作为研究对象, 应用聚合酶链反应-高分辨熔解曲线(PCR-HRM)技术结合测序验证法, 检测SUMO4基因3个单核苷酸多态性位点(rs237025、rs237024及rs600739)的基因型与等位基因分布情况, 比较T2DM组糖化血红蛋白(Hemoglobin A_1c, HbA_1c)在各基因型间的分布, 并进行单倍型分析。结果显示：①rs237025的G等位基因在T2DM组出现的频率更高(0.334 vs. 0.282, P =0.017); GA基因型携带者患T2DM的风险是AA基因型携带者的1.563倍(P=0.001; OR, 1.563; 95% CI, 1.189-2.053); 在显性模型(GG+GA vs. AA)分析中, G等位基因携带者(GG+GA)患T2DM的风险是AA基因型携带者的1.525倍(P =0.002; OR, 1.525; 95% CI, 1.169-1.989)。而rs237024和rs600739多态性未发现与T2DM的易感性相关(P >0.05)。②在T2DM组, rs237025的G等位基因携带者、rs237024的TT基因型携带者及rs600739的GG基因携带者具有较高的HbA_1c水平, 但各基因型携带者之间HbA_1c水平并无统计学差异(P >0.05)。③单倍型AAC、AGC及GGT与T2DM的易感性正相关(OR>1); 而单倍型AAT、GAC与T2DM的易感性负相关(OR<1)。据此得出结论：rs237025多态性与北京汉族人群T2DM的易感性相关, rs237024和rs600739多态性可能与T2DM的易感性不相关。     

SUMO4基因多态性与2型糖尿病的关系

为了探讨北京汉族人群小泛素样修饰蛋白4(Small ubiquitin-like modifier 4,SUMO4)基因多态性与2型糖尿病(Type 2 diabetes mellitus,T2DM)的关系,文章采用病例对照设计,选取404例T2DM患者(T2DM组)以及年龄、性别匹配的500例健康对照者(Control组)作为研究对象,应用聚合酶链反应-高分辨熔解曲线(PCR-HRM)技术结合测序验证法,检测SUMO4基因3个单核苷酸多态性位点(rs237025、rs237024及rs600739)的基因型与等位基因分布情况,比较T2DM组糖化血红蛋白(Hemoglobin A1c,HbA1c)在各基因型间的分布,并进行单倍型分析。结果显示:①rs237025的G等位基因在T2DM组出现的频率更高(0.334 vs.0.282,P=0.017);GA基因型携带者患T2DM的风险是AA基因型携带者的1.563倍(P=0.001;OR,1.563;95%CI,1.189-2.053);在显性模型(GG+GA vs.AA)分析中,G等位基因携带者(GG+GA)患T2DM的风险是AA基因型携带者的1.525倍(P=0.002;OR,1.525;95%CI,1.169-1.989)。而rs237024和rs600739多态性未发现与T2DM的易感性相关(P>0.05)。②在T2DM组,rs237025的G等位基因携带者、rs237024的TT基因型携带者及rs600739的GG基因携带者具有较高的HbA1c水平,但各基因型携带者之间HbA1c水平并无统计学差异(P>0.05)。③单倍型AAC、AGC及GGT与T2DM的易感性正相关(OR>1);而单倍型AAT、GAC与T2DM的易感性负相关(OR<1)。据此得出结论:rs237025多态性与北京汉族人群T2DM的易感性相关,rs237024和rs600739多态性可能与T2DM的易感性不相关。     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and risk of schizophrenia: an association study and meta-analysis

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the most widely distributed neurotrophin in the central nervous system (CNS), and performs many biological functions such as neural survival, differentiation, and plasticity. Previous studies have suggested that variants in the BDNF gene increase the risk of schizophrenia. In this study, we genotyped one (GT)n dinucleotide repeat and three SNPs (rs6265, rs2030324, and rs2883187) in a Chinese sample (617 cases and 672 controls). In addition, we performed an updated meta-analysis based on 16 population-based case-control studies examining association between rs6265 and schizophrenia. In single-locus analysis, no significant association was found between BDNF polymorphisms and schizophrenia in our subjects. The meta-analysis based on Asian and Caucasian subjects did not give positive result that rs6265 is associated with schizophrenia. However, haplotype analysis found a common four-locus haplotype is protective against schizophrenia (Case 3.1% vs Control 7%, p=0.0011). Our data provides evidence that BDNF is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Chinese subjects.     

Meta-analysis of epidermal growth factor polymorphisms and cancer risk: involving 9,779 cases and 15,932 controls

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway stimulates proliferation and differentiation of epidermal and epithelial tissues, and plays an important role in tumorigenesis. The association between EGF polymorphisms and cancer risk is controversial; thus, we performed this meta-analysis. Overall, 41 case-control studies with 9,779 cases and 15,932 controls were retrieved. We found that EGF +61A/G polymorphism increased overall cancer risk (G allele vs. A allele: OR=1.181, 95% CI=1.077-1.295, P(heterogeneity) < 0.001; GG vs. AA: OR=1.370, 95% CI=1.143-1.641, P(heterogeneity) < 0.001; GG+GA vs. AA: OR=1.175, 95% CI=1.047-1.318, P(heterogeneity) < 0.001). In the stratified analysis by cancer type, the +61?G allele was a risk factor for colorectal cancer, esophageal carcinoma, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Individuals who carried +61G allele had higher cancer susceptibility in mixed and European racial subgroups. An increased association was detected in the hospital-based subgroup. No significant association was found among EGF -1380A/G, -1744G/A, rs6983267T/G polymorphisms and cancer risk.     

Programmed Cell Death-1 Polymorphisms Decrease the Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis Involving Twelve Case-Control Studies

Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) plays an important inhibitory role in anti-tumor responses, so it is considered as a powerful candidate gene for individual’s genetic susceptibility to cancer. Recently, some epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between PD-1 polymorphisms and cancer risk. However, the results of the studies are conflicting. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed. We identified all studies reporting the relationship between PD-1 polymorphisms and cancers by electronically searches. According to the inclusion criteria and the quality assessment of Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), only high quality studies were included. A total of twelve relevant studies involving 5,206 cases and 5,174 controls were recruited. For PD-1.5 (rs2227981) polymorphism, significantly decreased cancer risks were obtained among overall population, Asians subgroup and population-based subgroup both in TT vs. CC and TT vs. CT+CC genetic models. In addition, a similar result was also found in T vs. C allele for overall population. However, there were no significant associations between either PD-1.9 (rs2227982) or PD-1 rs7421861 polymorphisms and cancer risks in all genetic models and alleles. For PD-1.3 (rs11568821) polymorphism, we found different cancer susceptibilities between GA vs. GG and AA vs. AG+GG genetic models, and no associations between AA vs. GG, AA+AG vs. GG genetic models or A vs. G allele and cancer risks. In general, our results firstly indicated that PD-1.5 (rs2227981) polymorphism is associated a strongly decreased risk of cancers. Additional epidemiological studies are needed to confirm our findings.     

LIN28A gene polymorphisms modify neuroblastoma susceptibility: A four‐centre case‐control study

Neuroblastoma ranks the most common seen solid tumour in childhood. Overexpression of LIN28A gene has been linked to the development of multiple human malignancies, but the relationship between LIN28A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and neuroblastoma susceptibility is still under debate. Herein, we evaluated the correlation of four potentially functional LIN28A SNPs (rs3811464 G>A, rs3811463 T>C, rs34787247 G>A, and rs11247957 G>A) and neuroblastoma susceptibility in 505 neuroblastoma patients and 1070 controls from four independent hospitals in China. The correlation strengths were determined by using odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among these SNPs, rs34787247 G>A exhibited a significant association with increased susceptibility in neuroblastoma (GA vs GG: adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.03‐1.64; AA vs GG: adjusted OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.36‐4.64, AA/GA vs GG: adjusted OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.12‐1.80, AA vs GG/GA: adjusted OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.29‐4.42). Furthermore, the combined analysis of risk genotypes revealed that subjects carrying three risk genotypes (adjusted OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.02‐2.63) are more inclined to develop neuroblastoma than those without risk genotype, and so do carriers of 1‐4 risk genotypes (adjusted OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.01‐1.56). Stratification analysis further revealed risk effect of rs3811464 G>A, rs34787247 G>A and 1‐4 risk genotypes in some subgroups. Haplotype analysis of these four SNPs yields two haplotypes significantly correlated with increased neuroblastoma susceptibility. Overall, our finding indicated that LIN28A SNPs, especially rs34787247 G>A, may increase neuroblastoma risk.     

Genetic variation in the NBS1 gene is associated with hepatic cancer risk in a Chinese population

NBS1 plays important roles in maintaining genomic stability as a key DNA repair protein in the homologous recombination repair pathway and as a signal modifier in the intra-S phase checkpoint. We hypothesized that polymorphisms of NBS1 are associated with hepatic cancer (HCC) risk. The NBS1 rs1805794 C/G polymorphism has been frequently studied in some cancers with discordant results, but its association with HCC has not been investigated. Moreover, studies of the 3'UTR variant rs2735383 have not touched upon HCC. This study examined the contribution of these two polymorphisms to the risk of developing HCC in a Chinese population. NBS1 genotypes were determined in 865 HCC patients and 900 controls and the associations with risk of HCC were estimated by logistic regression. Compared with the rs1805794 GG genotype, the GC genotype had a significantly increased risk of HCC (adjusted odds ratios [OR]=1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.11-1.80), the CC carriers had a further increased risk of HCC (OR=2.27; 95% CI=1.68-3.14), and there was a trend for an allele dose effect on risk of HCC (p<0.001). Also, we found that the risk effect of rs1805794 CC+CG was more pronounced in HCC patients that drank (OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.55-3.29 for drinkers; OR=1.31, 95% CI=1.00-1.77 for nondrinkers). However, there was no significant difference in genotype frequencies of rs2735383 G/C site between cases and controls. These findings suggest that rs1805794 C/G polymorphism in NBS1 may be a genetic modifier for developing HCC.