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GAEC1 (gene amplified in oesophageal cancer 1) is located at 7q22.1, first identified in oesophageal cancer.1 Initial work indicated that GAEC1 can act as an oncogene.2 Our pilot study found ∼80% of colorectal cancers showing amplification of GAEC1 .3 In this research, we will study GAEC1 copy number in colon cancer cell lines and colorectal tissues, and its prognostic significance. Two human colon cancer cell lines (SW480 and SW48) and one normal colonic epithelial cell line (FHC) were obtained from American Type Culture Collection. Culturing conditions for these cell lines were as published previously.4 Tissues were collected from 283 patients (213 Australian; 70 Japanese) diagnosed with colorectal cancers. Ninety surgically removed non-cancer colorectal tissues (diverticular diseases, hyperplastic polyps and volvulus) were used as controls. H&E stained sections from each cancer were checked to select a block with sufficient cancer tissue and representative morphological features for each patient for DNA extraction. Cancers were staged according to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) for TNM (tumour, node and metastasis) classification.5 Only primary adenocarcinomas were included. Actuarial survival rates of patients were calculated from the date of surgical resection of the colorectal cancers to the date of death or last follow-up. DNA extraction and PCR reactions for GAEC1 copy number were performed as in our previous studies.3 ,4 A ΔCt of 1 was considered as reduced GAEC1 copies and a Ct between these ranges was defined as normal/no change in GAEC1 …

The aim of this study was to investigate deep infection rates following hip and knee arthroplasty at a large referral hospital and to compare these rates with a smaller hospital where only elective surgery was performed. Both hospitals were administered by the same public institution. A search of the medical records was performed for all deep infections following elective primary hip and knee arthroplasty; revision procedures were excluded as were total hip replacement and hemiarthroplasty following trauma. To be considered, a deep infection cases must have had bacterial growth confirmed on deep tissue surgical specimens or on aspiration of the joint within 1 year of the index procedure. There were 14 infections confirmed following 1,160 arthroplasties at the larger hospital and 1 infection for the elective-only hospital following 466 arthroplasties. Statistical analysis showed there was a 7.06 greater chance of having an infection at the larger campus compared with the smaller campus CI (1.3, 130.7). Although there was a trend towards a greater number of infections at the larger hospital, the result was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). We acknowledge there were some differences between the two study populations. We found a trend towards, but not a statistically significant difference, between infection rates at the elective-only hospital compared to the larger institution. Given the low overall rate of infection, studies with improved statistical power are needed to determine whether there is a difference in infection rates at smaller elective-only hospitals versus larger hospitals providing elective and non-elective services. The reasons for the difference are likely to be multifactorial. We hypothesise that infection rates are increased in the larger hospital where there is more procedures, both clean and contaminated being performed in the operating theatres, as well as a greater number of inpatient beds and where the hospital admits non-elective cases via its emergency department. Level-two cohort study.

Background The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variant C677T has been implicated as a genetic risk factor in migraine susceptibility, particularly in Migraine with Aura. Migraine, with and without aura (MA and MO) have many diagnostic characteristics in common. It is postulated that migraine symptomatic characteristics might themselves be influenced by MTHFR. Here we analysed the clinical profile, migraine symptoms, triggers and treatments of 267 migraineurs previously genotyped for the MTHFR C677T variant. The chi-square test was used to analyse all potential relationships between genotype and migraine clinical variables. Regression analyses were performed to assess the association of C677T with all migraine clinical variables after adjusting for gender. Findings The homozygous TT genotype was significantly associated with MA (P < 0.0001) and unilateral head pain (P = 0.002). While the CT genotype was significantly associated with physical activity discomfort (P < 0.001) and stress as a migraine trigger (P = 0.002). Females with the TT genotype were significantly associated with unilateral head pain (P < 0.001) and females with the CT genotype were significantly associated with nausea (P < 0.001), osmophobia (P = 0.002), and the use of natural remedy for migraine treatment (P = 0.003). Conversely, male migraineurs with the TT genotype experienced higher incidences of bilateral head pain (63% vs 34%) and were less likely to use a natural remedy as a migraine treatment compared to female migraineurs (5% vs 20%). Conclusions MTHFR genotype is associated with specific clinical variables of migraine including unilateral head pain, physical activity discomfort and stress.