Massively parallel DNA sequencing technologies provide an unprecedented ability to screen entire genomes for genetic changes associated with tumor progression. Here we describe the genomic analyses of four DNA samples from an African-American patient with basal-like breast cancer: peripheral blood, the primary tumor, a brain metastasis, and a xenograft derived from the primary tumor. The metastasis contained two de novo mutations and a large deletion not present in the primary tumor, and was significantly enriched for 20 shared mutations. The xenograft retained all primary tumor mutations, and displayed a mutation enrichment pattern that paralleled the metastasis (16 of 20 genes). Two overlapping large deletions, encompassing CTNNA1, were present in all three tumor samples. The differential mutation frequencies and structural variation patterns in metastasis and xenograft compared to the primary tumor suggest that secondary tumors may arise from a minority of cells within the primary.

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The effect of asphyxia on iron metabolism and lipid peroxidation in newborn infants with hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was investigated. Non‐protein‐bound iron (NPBI) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric‐acid‐reactive species; TBARS) in plasma and hematological iron indices were measured in 15 healthy newborn infants (mean gestational age 39 04 weeks, SD 1); 15 asphyxiated infants without neurological abnormalities (AS‐HIE; mean gestational age 38.8 weeks, SD 0.9); and 15 asphyxiated infants with neurological abnormalities (AS+HIE; mean gestational age 39.75 weeks, SD 1.4). Follow‐up was performed at the age of 5 months. It was found that the detectable rates of NPBI in 10 of 15 of the AS‐HIE group and 13 of 15 of the AS+HIE group were significantly higher than that of the control group (5 of 15; both p0.01). Plasma levels of TBARS in the control (9.20μmol/L, SD 1.9) and AS‐HIE infants (10.13μmol/L, SD 2.7) were significantly lower than those of the AS+HIE group (13.42μmol/L, SD 2.8). Serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation in the AS+HIE group was higher than the corresponding values of the control and AS‐HIE groups, although no statistical difference was found among them. At 5 months of age, all control and AS‐HIE infants were neurologically normal, whether or not their NPBI was detectable. Of the 12 AS+HIE infants, four (all of whom had detectable NPBI) were neurologically impaired. The average Gross Development Quotient of AS+HIE infants was significantly lower than that of the control or AS‐HIE groups (p<0.01). Results showed that asphyxia could affect iron metabolism and lead to a significant increase in NPBI and lipid peroxidation in newborn infants with HIE, indicating that iron delocalization induced by asphyxia plays a role in the brain injury of asphyxiated infants.

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This study aimed to explore an ideal way to prevent anemia among children younger than 5 years after disasters especially when health care facilities are not enough. A preliminary survey was carried out involving 13 065 children younger than 5 years. Pretested questionnaires were used for data collection and hemoglobin levels were measured. After 12-month intervention, the impact survey involving 2769 children was conducted. Results showed that there were some improvements both in feeding knowledge and practice related to anemia. The total prevalence of anemia decreased from 14.3% to 7.8% (P < .001), and the severity of anemia also declined. The hemoglobin concentration increased significantly from 118.8 ± 10.5 to 122.0 ± 9.9 g/L (P < .001). Thus, health and nutritional education could be an ideal way to combat anemia after disasters especially in less developed areas with multiparty cooperation. The methods and experiences of this study may be well worth learning and implementing.