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Background: The EHF and ELF5 genes, located on chromosome 11p and linked to asthma phenotypes, are high-potential candidate genes conferring asthma susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic association among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of EHF and ELF5, and their relationship with asthma in the Taiwanese population., Methods: We selected and performed genotyping on 16 SNPs that encompass the genomic region of EHF and ELF5 in Taiwanese children with or without asthma. A total of 1983 children, 523 in the test group and 619 and 842 in two validation groups, were recruited for this study., Results: The SNP rs3910901, located in the 5' upstream region of ELF5, was found to have a weak association (p = 0.043) with asthma in the odds ratio analysis. The genotype distribution was similar in all comparison groups, but the CC genotype was more frequent in asthma patients. Logistic regression adjusted allergy comorbidity showed obviously diluted association., Conclusion: The results indicated that SNP rs3910901 may have a minor impact on pediatric asthma in the Taiwanese population., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a recently described malignancy of the salivary glands characterized by an ETV6-NTRK3 (EN) fusion gene. Morphologically, MASC is sometimes difficult to distinguish from acinic cell carcinoma. Consequently, identifying the chromosomal translocation is essential for diagnosis. We present a case of parotid gland MASC in a 13-year-old boy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the youngest case reported in the literature. Histologic evaluation showed a tumor composed of microcysts, tubular structures, solid nests, or papillary architecture, with secretions within the lumens of the cysts or tubules. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells showed diffuse positive staining of S-100 protein, cytokeratin 19, and vimentin. ETV6 rearrangement was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization and EN fusion transcripts were verified by reverse transcription (RT-PCR) assay.