Background Human apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms are attributable to the presence of three common alleles, namely, ε2, ε3, and ε4, which generate six genotypes, viz, E2/E2, E2/E3, E3/E3, E3/E4, E4/E4, and E2/E4. APOE polymorphisms are associated with all types of tumors and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, the relationship between the type of APOE polymorphisms and tumorigenesis remains debatable. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of APOE polymorphisms on the tumor with or without CVD in southern China. Methods A total of 1438 participants were categorized into 4 groups: 409 patients with tumor, 369 patients with CVD, 338 patients with both tumor and CVD, and 322 controls. APOE polymorphisms were determined by genotyping assay. The factors influencing tumor patients with or without CVD were also analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The present study involved different types of solid tumors. Lung cancer was the most common cancer (20.2%, 151/747), followed by colorectal (17%, 127/747), esophageal (9.8%, 73/747), and liver (8.7%, 65/747) cancers. E3/E3 was the most frequent genotype, and ɛ3 was the greatest allele frequency in our study population. The frequencies of the E3/E3, E3/E4, E2/E3, E2/E4, E4/E4, and E2/E2 genotypes in tumor patients were 76.97% (575/747), 14.19% (106/747), 6.83% (51/747), 1.2% (9/747), 0.4% (3/747), and 0.4% (3/747), respectively. Tumor patients carrying ε3 with or without CVD showed higher levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C and lower levels of HDL-C compared to the controls carrying ε3. On the other hand, the tumor patients carrying ε4 with or without CVD showed higher levels of TG and LDL-C and lower levels of HDL-C (all P < 0.05). The frequency of APOE ε4 allele and the E3/E4 genotype was relatively greater in tumor or CVD patients (P < 0.001). In addition, ε4 allele acted as an independent risk factor for tumor patients group (P = 0.037, adjusted OR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.04–3.55) and tumor + CVD patients group (P = 0.012, adjusted OR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.22–5.23). Conclusions Individuals carrying ε4 are at a higher risk of tumor with or without CVD, and APOE polymorphisms affect the serum lipid profiles.

ObjectiveTo explore the association between dynamic changes in red blood cell distribution width to platelet count ratio (RPR) during hospitalisation and short-term mortality in patients with sepsis.DesignA retrospective cohort study using propensity score matching.SettingIntensive care units (ICUs) of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.ParticipantsA total of 8731 adult patients with sepsis were included in the study. The patients were identified from the ICU of the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database. The observed group included patients who experienced an increase in RPR of more than 30% during the first week of ICU admission, whereas the control group included the rest.Main outcome and measureUsing propensity score matching, a matched control group was created. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, and the length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality were the secondary outcomes.ResultsThe difference was evident in 28-day mortality between the two groups (85.8% vs 74.5%, p<0.001, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and HR=1.896, 95% CI=1.659 to 2.168, p<0.001, Cox regression). In the secondary outcomes, there was a significant difference in in-hospital mortality (p<0.001). In addition, the study discovered that the observed groups had a significantly longer hospital stay (p<0.001). Meanwhile, the results of subgroup analyses were consistent with those of the primary analyses.ConclusionsIn patients with sepsis, a significantly increased RPR is positively associated with the short-term death rate. Continuous RPR monitoring could be a valuable measure for predicting short-term mortality in patients with sepsis.