The distribution of three polymorphisms of the mu opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) was investigated in four different Asian populations, and in heroin-dependent subjects deriving from three of these populations. For the A118G polymorphism, we found significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies between different ethnic groups and highly significant association with heroin dependence in Indians for both genotype distribution (p = 0.024) and allele frequency (p = 0.009). For the C17 T polymorphism, the minor allele was documented in Chinese and Malays for the first time. Molecular haplotyping revealed complete linkage dis-equilibrium between the A118G and C17 T polymorphisms. Linkage disequilibrium between the A118G and C1031G polymorphisms was found to be almost complete in all four ethnic groups.

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Background: Even though the combined use of ultrasound (US) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is recommended for the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the utilization of AFP has its challenges, including accuracy dependent on its cut-off levels, degree of liver necroinflammation, and etiology of liver disease. Though various studies have demonstrated the utility of protein-induced vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II) in surveillance, treatment monitoring, and predicting recurrence, it is still not recommended as a routine biomarker test. Methods: A panel of 17 experts from Asia-Pacific, gathered to discuss and reach a consensus on the clinical usefulness and value of PIVKA-II for the surveillance and treatment monitoring of HCC, based on six predetermined statements. Results: The experts agreed that PIVKA-II was valuable in the detection of HCC in AFP-negative patients, and could potentially benefit detection of early HCC in combination with AFP.PIVKA-II is clinically useful for monitoring curative and intra-arterial locoregional treatments, outcomes, and recurrence, and could potentially predict microvascular invasion risk and facilitate patient selection for liver transplant. However, combining PIVKA-II with US and AFP for HCC surveillance, including small HCC, still requires more evidence, whilst its role in detecting AFP-negative HCC will potentially increase as more patients are treated for hepatitis-related HCC. Conclusion: PIVKA-II in combination with AFP and US has a clinical role in the Asia-Pacific region for surveillance. However, implementation of PIVKA-II in the region will have some challenges, such as requiring standardization of cut-off values, its cost-effectiveness and improving awareness among healthcare providers.

Our present findings suggest that an acute course of ECT is effective in schizophrenia and may have cognitive benefits for some patients.