Patterns and temporal trends in the incidence of childhood and adolescence cancer in Cyprus 1998–2017: A population-based study from the Cyprus Paediatric Oncology Registry

BackgroundDespite its rarity, cancer in children and adolescents (CAC) is a major health issue worldwide. The lack of appropriate cancer registries is an obstacle for defining its incidence and survival, and informing cancer control. As in Cyprus, CAC epidemiology has not previously been comprehensively examined, we determined incidence rates and temporal trends of cancer in the 0–19 age group during 1998–2017.MethodsWe established the population based Paediatric Oncology Registry of Cyprus (PORCY) for the period 1998–2017. World age standardised incidence rate per million children and adolescents per year (ASRW) were calculated and time trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression analysis. Comparisons were made with other countries using the International Incidence of Childhood Cancer, third volume.ResultsFor all cancers combined, for ages 0–19-years, ASRW was 203.54 (95% CI 189.49, 217.59) one of the highest rates globally. The most frequent CAC were leukaemias followed by lymphomas, specified epithelial neoplasms and central nervous system tumours, differing to what is described in most other countries. For all cancers, both combined and individual types, except thyroid carcinoma (where incidence was rising), no significant temporal variation was found.ConclusionsTo inform cancer control activities, we conducted the first ever population-based epidemiological study of childhood and adolescent cancer (0–19 years) in Cyprus. The striking findings indicate high overall incidence rates that are among the world’s highest, a higher frequency of lymphomas and thyroid cancer than brain tumours, and rising incidence for thyroid, but not for other, cancers. These novel findings, will help the formulation of hypotheses to provide explanation for the high rates for all CAC in Cyprus and may contribute to the global efforts for improving prevention of cancer in this age group.     

Changes in BMI and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in Cracow, Poland, 1971–2000

The aim of this study is to examine changes in prevalence of overweight and obesity, using International Obesity Task Force criteria, in three cohorts of children and youth living in Cracow, Poland, in 1971, 1983 and 2000. Rates of overweight and obesity doubled among boys and girls, from 7.5% and 6.5% in 1971, to 15.2% and 11.8% in the year 2000. The greatest increases in prevalence occurred in the youngest age groups (7–12 years for boys and 7–10 years for girls), increases being less extensive among adolescents, and lowest of all in the oldest age groups (16–18 years in boys and 14–18 years in girls). The absence of a positive secular trend in BMI among adolescent females relative to males may be due to sociocultural pressures associated with transition to a free market economy in Poland. The extent to which girls attempt to achieve the ideal body, as portrayed by media and society more generally, increases across adolescence.     

Serum and urinary selenium levels in obese children: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo determine serum and urinary selenium (Se) levels in children with and without obesity, and to assess if Se influences the risk of obesity.Subjects and methodsHigh-resolution-continuum source-atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-AAS) was used to determine the content of Se in 80 children (age 6–17; 40 boys, 40 girls). Correlations between variables were tested with the use of Spearman's correlation coefficient. U Mann–Whitney test was applied to assess the difference of Se contents in samples. Measured metabolic risk factors (blood pressure, glucose level, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total cholesterol), age, gender, and BMI were correlated. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify predictors of obesity interacting with selenium content in serum and urine, separately.ResultsObese children, regardless of gender, had lower Se content. Se level in serum (p = 0.001, OR 0.74, 95%CI 0.62–0.88) and total cholesterol (p = 0.001, OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.08–1.31) were the independent factors significantly influencing the risk of obesity in children. Two separate models were observed for Se in urine: (i) Se level (p < 0. 0001, OR 0.70, 95%CI 0.58–0.84) and glucose level (p < 0.0001, OR 1.22, 95%CI 1.10–1.35), and (ii) Se level (p = 0.002, OR 0.60 95%CI 0.43–0.83) and total cholesterol level (p = 0.003, OR 1.16, 95%CI 1.05–1.28).ConclusionThe current study suggests a possible role of Se in obesity. Further research needs to be performed to check if obese children are an at-risk group for Se deficiency.     

Home environment and cord blood levels of lead,arsenic, and zinc on neurodevelopment of 24 months children living in Chitwan Valley,Nepal

In a birth cohort living in Chitwan Valley, lowland Nepal, we have previously reported inverse associations between in utero levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and neurodevelopment at birth measured by the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, third edition (NBAS III). In the present paper, a follow-up of the same cohort was made on 24-month-old infants regarding the neurodevelopmental effects of these metals, taking the postnatal environment into account. In total, the same100 mother-infant pairs as the previous study, whose Pb, As, and Zn concentrations in cord blood were known, were recruited. Postnatal raising environment was evaluated using the Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) scale. Neurodevelopment of children at 24 months of age (n = 74) was assessed using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID II). Multivariable regression adjusting for covariates was performed to determine the associations of in utero levels of toxic and essential elements and the home environment with neurodevelopment scores. Unlike the NBAS III conducted for newborns, none of the BSID II cluster scores in 24-month-old infants were associated with cord blood levels of Pb, As, and Zn. The total HOME score was positively associated with the mental development scale (MDI) score (coefficient = 0.67, at 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.31). In this cohort, a detrimental effect of in utero Pb and As on neurodevelopmental indicators observed at birth disappeared at 24 months, while an association between neurodevelopment and home environment continued.     

小鼠耳芥PEBP基因家族全基因组鉴定及表达分析

PEBP (phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein)家族包含保守的磷脂酰乙醇胺结合蛋白结构域,其中FT和TFL1蛋白构成植物成花素–反成花素系统调控植物的开花时间和株型结构被广泛关注。小鼠耳芥(Arabidopsis pumila)是早春短命植物,生长在古尔班通古特沙漠南缘荒漠地带,对环境具有较好的适应性。本研究对小鼠耳芥PEBP基因家族进行全基因组鉴定,发现其基因组包含11个PEBP基因(1个MFT、2个FT、2个TSF、2个TFL1、2个CEN和2个BFT),均由4个外显子与3个内含子组成。共线性分析表明,小鼠耳芥与拟南芥(A. thaliana)、琴叶拟南芥(A. lyrata) PEBP基因间存在11对共线性关系,PEBP家族在小鼠耳芥基因组中发生了明显的扩张,并且ApPEBP基因复制类型为全基因组复制/片段复制。组织表达分析发现ApMFT在种子中高表达,ApFT和ApBFT主要在花和果荚中表达,ApTFL1在茎尖中高表达,但ApCEN在根中高表达。进一步分析了6个ApPEBP基因在4种非生物胁迫下的表达特征,发现在10%PEG6000...     

Tailor-made treatment combined with proton beam therapy for children with genitourinary/pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma

Background

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas among children. Patients who developed genitourinary/pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma (GU/P-RMS) have a higher complication ratio and relatively poorer event free survival, with local therapy being very important. While proton beam therapy (PBT) is expected to reduce co-morbidity, especially for children, this lacks firm evidence and analysis. We analyzed GU/P-RMS children who had undergone multimodal therapy combined with PBT at a single institution.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed charts of children with GU/P-RMS treated from January 2007 to May 2013 at the University of Tsukuba Hospital who had undergone multimodal therapy with PBT.

Results

There were 5 children and their median age at diagnosis was 2.8 years (0.6–4.4 years). Primary sites were the bladder (2) and the prostate (3). All received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and 3 underwent chemotherapy during PBT (Group Cx). All patients of Group Cx developed leukocytopenia (WBC <1000/μL). The median dose of PBT was 47.7 GyE (41.4–50.4 GyE). All patients survived by their last hospital visit (median, 36 months).

Conclusions

We analyzed multimodal treatment combined with PBT applied for GU/P-RMS. PBT was well tolerated and could be a plausible choice instead of photon therapy for this population.     

Maternal childhood adversity and child temperament: An association moderated by child 5‐HTTLPR genotype

We examined transgenerational effects of maternal childhood adversity on child temperament and a functional promoter polymorphism, 5‐HTTLPR, in the serotonin‐transporter gene (SLC6A4) as potential moderators of such maternal influences in 154 mother–child dyads, recruited into a longitudinal birth cohort study. We examined the interactive effects of maternal childhood experience using an integrated measure derived from Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Parental Bonding Index (PBI). Triallelic genotyping of 5‐HTTLPR was performed. A measure of ‘negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation’ was derived from the Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire at 18 and 36 months. Negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation was highly stable between 18 and 36 months and predicted psychosocial problems at 60 months. After controlling multiple demographics as well as both previous and concurrent maternal depression there was a significant interaction effect of maternal childhood adversity and offspring 5‐HTTLPR genotype on child negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation (β = 1.03, t_11,115 = 2.71, P < .01). The results suggest a transgenerational effect of maternal developmental history on emotional function in the offspring, describing a pathway that likely contributes to the familial transmission of vulnerability for psychopathology.     

植物PP2C蛋白磷酸酶ABA信号转导及逆境胁迫调控机制研究进展

蛋白磷酸酶(protein phosphatase,PP)是蛋白质可逆磷酸化调节机制中的关键酶,而PP2C磷酸酶是一类丝氨酸/苏氨酸残基蛋白磷酸酶,是高等植物中最大的蛋白磷酸酶家族,包含76个家族成员,广泛存在于生物体中。迄今为止,在植物体内已经发现了4种PP2C蛋白磷酸酶。蛋白激酶和蛋白磷酸酶协同催化蛋白质可逆磷酸化,在植物体内信号转导和生理代谢中起着重要的调节作用,蛋白质的磷酸化几乎存在于所有的信号转导途径中。大量研究表明,PP2Cs参与多条信号转导途径,包括PP2C参与ABA调控,对干旱、低温、高盐等逆境胁迫的响应,参与植物创伤和种子休眠或萌发等信号途径,其调控机制不同,但酶催化活性都依赖于Mg2+或Mn2+的浓度。植物PP2C蛋白的C端催化结构域高度保守,而N端功能各异。文中还综述了高等植物PP2C的分类、结构、ABA受体与PP2Cs蛋白互作、PP2C基因参与ABA信号途径以及其他逆境信号转导途径的研究进展。