ABSTRACT. The association between the TNF-α +489 G/A polymorphism and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains controversial because of small group size and varied design among different studies. In the present study, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between the +489 G/A polymorphism and COPD risk. A comprehensive search was conducted to identify articles that have reported an association between the TNF-α +489 G/A polymorphism and COPD risk. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated under both dominant (AA+GA vs GG genotypes) and allele (A vs G) models. Heterogeneity was assessed, as well as publication bias. Nine articles with ten eligible studies were included in this analysis. Significant association between the +489 G/A polymorphism and COPD was identified in Asians under the allele model (OR = 1.582, 95%CI = 1.035-2.419). However, no significant difference was found in the Caucasian groups. Strong evidence for between-study heterogeneity was identified under both models, and no publication bias was detected. Our results indicated a potential role of the A allele of the TNF-α +489 G/A polymorphism 5211 TNF-α +489 G/A polymorphism increases COPD risk ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 14 (2): 5210-5220 (2015) in increasing COPD risk in Asians, but not in Caucasians. Additional studies will be necessary to verify this conclusion.

Introduction Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world. By the time the patients are diagnosed with stage IV gastric cancer, many patients already have distant metastases. There is no unified systemic treatment plan in existence. The use of gastrectomy is ambiguous in patients with stage IV gastric cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial outcome of gastrectomy in patients with stage IV gastric cancer. Methods Clinical information of patients with gastric cancer from 2000 to 2010 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database were extracted and analysed. The risk factors for stage IV gastric cancer were also analysed. Results We observed that the median survival time for patients after surgery was greater than that for patients not treated surgically. The five-year survival rate for chemotherapy patients was higher than that of non-chemotherapeutic patients. Patients who receive both chemotherapy and surgery could achieve a more significant survival benefit. The risks following gastrectomy (partial, subtotal, hemi-) were lower than those of other surgical procedures, which provided guidance on the choice of surgical method. The numbers of regional lymph node metastasis were found to be related to prognosis. Conclusions In patients with stage IV gastric cancer, gastrectomy (partial, subtotal or hemi) should be selected when surgery is necessary. The number of regional lymph node metastasis could be considered as a prognostic factor for patients with stage IV gastric cancer and lymph node dissection could reduce the risk of patients undergoing surgery.