Earticle

Objective: FAS/FASL gene promoter polymorphisms have been repeatedly associated with gastric cancer risk, but findings are inconclusive across studies. To address a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods: Data were collected from the Pubmed, Medline and EMBASE databases, with the last report up to 1 December, 2011. Crude ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of the association by (1) the additive, (2) the codominant, (3) the dominant, and (4) the recessive models. Results: A total of seven studies, including six studies on FAS -1377G>A polymorphism, five studies on FAS -670A>G polymorphism, and six studies on FASL -844T>C polymorphism, were identified in the current meta-analysis. Overall, an association of FAS -1377G>A (AA versus GG: OR = 1.313, 95% CI = 1.045-1.650, Ph = 0.347, $I^2$ = 10.8) and FASL -844T>C (CC versus TT: OR = 1.352, 95% CI = 1.043-1.752, Ph = 0.461, $I^2$ = 0.0) polymorphisms with gastric cancer was found in the codominant model. However, we did not detect any association between gastric cancer and the FAS -670A>G polymorphism. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, similar elevated risks were also observed in Asian population for FAS -1377G>A (AA versus GG: OR = 1.309, 95% CI = 1.041-1.646, Ph = 0.240, $I^2$ = 27.3) and FASL -844T>C (CC versus TT: OR = 1.420, 95% CI = 1.081-1.865, Ph = 0.524, $I^2$ = 0.0) polymorphisms. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that FAS -1377G>A and FASL -844T>C polymorphisms might be associated with gastric cancer risk.

Objective : D-dimer is a breakdown product of fibrin mesh after factor XIII stabilization. Previously, many authors have demonstrated a relationship between D-dimer level and stroke progression or type. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between D-dimer level and stroke volume. Methods : Between January 2008 and December 2009, we analyzed the D-dimer levels of 59 acute ischemic stroke patients in our neurosurgical department both upon admission and after seven days of initial treatment. Each patient's National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, modified Rankin Scales score, Glasgow outcome score, and infarction volume were also evaluated. Results : Mean D-dimer level at admission was 626.6 ${\mu}g/L$ (range, 77-4,752 ${\mu}g/L$) and the mean level measured after seven days of treatment was 238.3 ${\mu}g/L$ (range, 50-924 ${\mu}g/L$). Mean D-dimer level at admission was 215.3 ${\mu}g/L$ in patients with focal infarctions, 385.7 ${\mu}g/L$ in patients with multiple embolic infarctions, 566.2 ${\mu}g/L$ in those with 1-19 cc infarctions, 668.8 ${\mu}g/L$ in 20-49 cc infarctions, 702.5 ${\mu}g/L$ in 50-199 cc infarctions, and 844.0 ${\mu}g/L$ in >200 cc infarctions (p=0.044). On the 7th day of treatment, the D-dimer levels had fallen to 201.0 ${\mu}g/L$, 293.2 ${\mu}g/L$, 272.0 ${\mu}g/L$, 232.8 ${\mu}g/L$, 336.6 ${\mu}g/L$, and 180.0 ${\mu}g/L$, respectively (p=0.530). Conclusion : Our study shows that D-dimer level has the positive correlation with infarction volume and can be use to predict infarction-volume.