Showing papers by "Suet Yi Leung published in 2011"

Exome sequencing identifies frequent mutation of ARID1A in molecular subtypes of gastric cancer

Abstract: Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease with multiple environmental etiologies and alternative pathways of carcinogenesis. Beyond mutations in TP53, alterations in other genes or pathways account for only small subsets of the disease. We performed exome sequencing of 22 gastric cancer samples and identified previously unreported mutated genes and pathway alterations; in particular, we found genes involved in chromatin modification to be commonly mutated. A downstream validation study confirmed frequent inactivating mutations or protein deficiency of ARID1A, which encodes a member of the SWI-SNF chromatin remodeling family, in 83% of gastric cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI), 73% of those with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and 11% of those that were not infected with EBV and microsatellite stable (MSS). The mutation spectrum for ARID1A differs between molecular subtypes of gastric cancer, and mutation prevalence is negatively associated with mutations in TP53. Clinically, ARID1A alterations were associated with better prognosis in a stage-independent manner. These results reveal the genomic landscape, and highlight the importance of chromatin remodeling, in the molecular taxonomy of gastric cancer.

Risk of colorectal and endometrial cancers in EPCAM deletion-positive Lynch syndrome: a cohort study

Abstract: Summary Background Lynch syndrome is caused by germline mutations in MSH2, MLH1, MSH6 , and PMS2 mismatch-repair genes and leads to a high risk of colorectal and endometrial cancer. We previously showed that constitutional 3′ end deletions of EPCAM can cause Lynch syndrome through epigenetic silencing of MSH2 in EPCAM -expressing tissues, resulting in tissue-specific MSH2 deficiency. We aim to establish the risk of cancer associated with such EPCAM deletions. Methods We obtained clinical data for 194 carriers of a 3′ end EPCAM deletion from 41 families known to us at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands and compared cancer risk with data from a previously described cohort of 473 carriers from 91 families with mutations in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 , or a combined EPCAM–MSH2 deletion. Findings 93 of the 194 EPCAM deletion carriers were diagnosed with colorectal cancer; three of the 92 women with EPCAM deletions were diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Carriers of an EPCAM deletion had a 75% (95% CI 65–85) cumulative risk of colorectal cancer before the age of 70 years (mean age at diagnosis 43 years [SD 12]), which did not differ significantly from that of carriers of combined EPCAM–MSH2 deletion (69% [95% CI 47–91], p=0·8609) or mutations in MSH2 (77% [64–90], p=0·5892) or MLH1 (79% [68–90], p=0·5492), but was higher than noted for carriers of MSH6 mutation (50% [38–62], p EPCAM deletions had a 12% [0–27] cumulative risk of endometrial cancer, which was lower than was that noted for carriers of a combined EPCAM–MSH2 deletion (55% [20–90], p MSH2 (51% [33–69], p=0·0006) or MSH6 (34% [20–48], p=0·0309), but did not differ significantly from that noted for MLH1 (33% [15–51], p=0·1193) mutation carriers. This risk seems to be restricted to deletions that extend close to the MSH2 gene promoter. Of 194 carriers of an EPCAM deletion, three had duodenal cancer and four had pancreatic cancer. Interpretation EPCAM deletion carriers have a high risk of colorectal cancer; only those with deletions extending close to the MSH2 promoter have an increased risk of endometrial cancer. These results underscore the effect of mosaic MSH2 deficiency, leading to variable cancer risks, and could form the basis of an optimised protocol for the recognition and targeted prevention of cancer in EPCAM deletion carriers. Funding Sacha Swarttouw-Hijmans Foundation, Dutch Cancer Society, Deutsche Krebshilfe (German Cancer Aid), Hong Kong Cancer Fund, Hungarian Research Grant OTKA, Norwegian EEA Financial Mechanism (Hungarian National Institute of Oncology), and US National Cancer Institute.

Applications of artificial intelligence in the apparel industry: A review

Abstract: This paper presents a systematic review on the state-of-art of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the apparel industry. The existing literature is reviewed based on different research issues and AI-based methodologies. The research issues are categorized into four categories on the basis of the operation processes of the apparel industry, including apparel design, manufacturing, retailing, and supply chain management. This paper shows that research on AI applications in the apparel industry is still limited by analyzing the limitations of previous studies and research challenges. Finally, suggestions for further studies are offered.

Role of gender disparity of circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations and obesity on asthma in Taiwan.

Abstract: Summary Background Several studies have suggested that the association between obesity and asthma may be stronger in females than in males, but the reason is still unclear. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels explain why obesity is associated with asthma in females but not in males. Methods This study prospectively enrolled 754 subjects 18 years old from hospital-based asthma patients and population-based controls. We measured adiposity factors [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-hip ratio], hs-CRP and total IgE levels. Results After adjusting for potential confounding factors, we found a significant association between BMI and asthma in females with a significant interaction of gender and BMI on asthma (χ2=10.2, P=0.004). If hs-CRP was added to the logistic model, the interaction was attenuated but still significant (χ2=7.02, P=0.03). After adjusting for BMI, we did not find that circulating hs-CRP concentrations were significantly associated with asthma in males and females. Conclusion We found that BMI was associated with asthma in females, but our results do not support the suggestion that hs-CRP levels contribute significantly to the link between obesity and asthma with respect to gender disparity. Cite this as: T.-N. Wang, M.-C. Lin, C.-C. Wu, M.-S. Huang, S. Y. Leung, C.-C. Huang, P.-S. Ho and Y.-C. Ko, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 72–77.

Use of nutritional health supplements and associated factors among parents with children at kindergartens in Hong Kong.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES. To estimate the prevalence of so-called nutritional health supplement consumption among kindergarten children; secondarily to explore potential factors associated with such consumption. DESIGN. Cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire survey. SETTING. One kindergarten each in Hong Kong island, Kowloon, and the New Territories region. SUBJECTS. Parents who had a child studying at the three sampled kindergartens in April 2010. RESULTS. Of 951 sets of parents, 730 (77%) responded. Approximately 52% (95% confidence interval, 47-58%) of the respondents gave regular health supplements to their child. The commonest type of supplement given was cod fish oil (69%). Approximately 36% of the respondents did not know the upper limit dosage of their supplement. Parents of only 66% of regular health supplements consumers, compared to 75% of non-regular users, knew that there was an inherent risk from over-consumption (P=0.018). Parental beliefs that "It is useful/important for normal child development" (adjusted odds ratio=1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-3.16; P=0.009), "It is useful/important for immune function" (1.79; 1.05-3.05; P=0.032) were associated with consumption of health such supplements. CONCLUSION. There is high rate of health supplement consumption among healthy kindergarten children in Hong Kong. There are wrong beliefs from parents that health supplements are important for normal-growing children for their normal growth and body immunity. About one-third of parents has limited knowledge on potential side-effects of overdose and do not know the limit of consumption. Education on "Less (health supplement) is more (health)" is recommended.