Assessing the potential effectiveness of food and beverage taxes and subsidies for improving public health: a systematic review of prices, demand and body weight outcomes

Taxes and subsidies are increasingly being considered as potential policy instruments to incentivize consumers to improve their food and beverage consumption patterns and related health outcomes. This study provided a systematic review of recent U.S. studies on the price elasticity of demand for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), fast food, and fruits and vegetables, as well as the direct associations of prices/taxes with body weight outcomes. Based on the recent literature, the price elasticity of demand for SSBs, fast food, fruits and vegetables was estimated to be -1.21, -0.52, -0.49 and -0.48, respectively. The studies that linked soda taxes to weight outcomes showed minimal impacts on weight; however, they were based on existing state-level sales taxes that were relatively low. Higher fast-food prices were associated with lower weight outcomes particularly among adolescents, suggesting that raising prices would potentially impact weight outcomes. Lower fruit and vegetable prices were generally found to be associated with lower body weight outcomes among both low-income children and adults, suggesting that subsidies that would reduce the cost of fruits and vegetables for lower-socioeconomic populations may be effective in reducing obesity. Pricing instruments should continue to be considered and evaluated as potential policy instruments to address public health risks.

Detection of unruptured ovarian pregnancy subsequently successfully treated by conservative laparoscopic surgery: a case report and review of the literature

Early detection of ovarian pregnancy (OP) is essential for successful laparoscopic conservative surgery. However, early preoperative ultrasonography-based diagnosis is often difficult when fetal cardiac activity or the yolk sac is absent. The authors report a case of OP diagnosed at eight weeks gestational age in a natural pregnancy. The patient presented with amenorrhea and transient vaginal bleeding, and slight tenderness in the right ovary was noted during vaginal ultrasonography. Furthermore, ultrasonography showed a gestational sac (GS) without fetal cardiac activity or yolk sac, consistent with OP, and an adjacent compressible lutein cyst. The uterus, fallopian tubes, and left ovary were normal, and no cul-de-sac blood or ascites were found. Laparoscopy showed a two-cm mass partially covering the right ovary, which contained an unruptured GS. Subsequently, the mass was removed, and OP was histologically confirmed.

Laboratory tests of low density astrophysical nuclear equations of state

Clustering in low density nuclear matter has been investigated using the NIMROD multidetector at Texas A&M University. Thermal coalescence modes were employed to extract densities, ρ, and temperatures, T, for evolving systems formed in collisions of 47A MeV (40)Ar+(112)Sn, (124)Sn and (64)Zn+(112)Sn, (124)Sn. The yields of d, t, (3)He, and (4)He have been determined at ρ=0.002 to 0.03 nucleons/fm(3) and T=5 to 11 MeV. The experimentally derived equilibrium constants for α particle production are compared with those predicted by a number of astrophysical equations of state. The data provide important new constraints on the model calculations.

Experimental determination of in-medium cluster binding energies and Mott points in nuclear matter

In-medium binding energies and Mott points for d, t, 3He and α clusters in low-density nuclear matter have been determined at specific combinations of temperature and density in low-density nuclear matter produced in collisions of 47A MeV 40Ar and 64Zn projectiles with 112Sn and 124Sn target nuclei. The experimentally derived values of the in-medium modified binding energies are in good agreement with recent theoretical predictions based upon the implementation of Pauli blocking effects in a quantum statistical approach.

Symmetry energy of dilute warm nuclear matter

The symmetry energy of nuclear matter is a fundamental ingredient in the investigation of exotic nuclei, heavy-ion collisions, and astrophysical phenomena. New data from heavy-ion collisions can be used to extract the free symmetry energy and the internal symmetry energy at subsaturation densities and temperatures below 10 MeV. Conventional theoretical calculations of the symmetry energy based on mean-field approaches fail to give the correct low-temperature, low-density limit that is governed by correlations, in particular, by the appearance of bound states. A recently developed quantum-statistical approach that takes the formation of clusters into account predicts symmetry energies that are in very good agreement with the experimental data. A consistent description of the symmetry energy is given that joins the correct low-density limit with quasiparticle approaches valid near the saturation density.

Neoadjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using cisplatin with the combination of dose-dense intravenous administration of paclitaxel for the locally advanced cervical adenocarcinoma

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Background: Adenocarcinoma (including adenosquamous carcinoma) of the uterine cervix has a tendency to early lymph node metastasis and is resistant to radiation therapy, thus results in poor prognosis compared with squamous cell carcinoma. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical hysterectomy (RH) for bulky cervical adenocarcinoma seems to be an alternative therapy to primary radiation. Methods: P2 at the single institution. Eligible criteria were as follows: Histologically diagnosed cervical adeno or adenosquamous carcinoma with FIGO stage IB2-IVA, Age < or equal to 75, PS 0–2, given informed consent. The NAC regimen consisted of paclitaxel (60mg/m2, iv, D1, D8, D15) and cisplatin (70 mg/m2, trans-uterine arterial infusion followed by embolization using the gelform, D2) repeated every 3 weeks for 2–3 cycles, followed by RH. Primary endpoints were clinical and pathological responses, and secondary endpoints were toxicities, relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Enrolled patients: 22 (1998–2006), Age: median 51 (33–75), FIGO stage: IB2 (9), IIA-IIB (8), IIIB (3), IVA (2), adeno/adenosquamous: 16/6. Toxicities during NAC (CTCAE ver.3) were as follows: G3/G4 neutropenia 18% (4/22), G3/G4 anemia 14% (3/22), G3/G4 thrombocytopenia 0%, G2/G3 sensory neuropathy 0 %, G3/G4 creatinine elevation 0%, G2 alopecia 100%. Clinical response rate (RR: CR+PR) of the patients with stage IB2-IIB was 100%. 16 of 17 received RH, and no residual malignant cells were found pathologically (pCR) in 3. RR of the patients with stage IIIb-IVa was 80%, three patients completed RH with either modified anterior or posterior exenteration, and pCR was found in one patient. The rate of radiation therapy following either NAC or surgery among enrolled patients were 18% (3/17) with stage IB2-IIB and 40% (2/5) with IIIB-IVA. 5 year RFS/OS were 69%/68% with stage IB2-IIb and 60%/60% with stage IIIb-IVa. All 15 alive patients had RH. One patient with stage IVa had urostomy, and other 14 patients have no trouble in urination function. Conclusions: TACE with cisplatin and dose dense paclitaxel in the neoadjuvant setting is feasible and effective for cervical adenocarcinoma.

[Table: see text]

Validation of genotyping of gastrointestinal stromal tumor in Japan

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Background: Most gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) have activating mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA gene. Genotyping of GIST is important in Dx and Tx of GIST. Methods of genotyping using genomic DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded specimens are diverse and not standardized. We did validation study of genotyping using special reference to sequencing data obtained from cDNA from fresh GIST samples. Methods: Three DNA extraction methods (QIAamp, DEXPAT, or original) and four PCR methods (Ex Taq, AmpliTaq condition-1, AmpliTaq condition-2, or QIAGEN Tag) were compared using 20 paraffin-embedded specimens with special reference to sequencing data obtained from cDNA from corresponding 20 fresh GIST samples. After DNA extraction, KIT exon 9, 11, 13 and 17, and PDGFRA exon 12 and 18 were amplified by each PCR method using specific primers and directly sequenced. Results: In evaluation of PCR method, the protocol with Ex Taq showed 100% amplication of DNA and sequence agreement, the protocol with QIAGEN Tag 99%, and the protocol with AmpliTaq condition-2 86% agreement, and the protocol with AmpliTaq condition-1 showed much less amplication and higher disagreement. For the DNA extraction, the protocol with QIAamp showed best DNA extraction and its DNA sequence data were consistent with reference sequence in 98%, DNA sequence obtained using DEXPAT showed 33% consistency, and 89% of DNA sequence data obtained from an original method was agreed with reference data. Some modifications improved DNA amplication but inconsistent sequence data also increased probably due to miss-PCR. Conclusions: Each DNA extraction method had different quantity of DNA and four PCR methods showed different quality. Using this validation study, a standard genotyping method in Japan was established.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Quantum nature of a nuclear phase transition

At finite temperatures and low densities, nuclei may undergo a phase change similar to a classical liquid-gas phase transition. Temperature is the control parameter while density and pressure are the conjugate variables. In the nucleus the difference between the proton and neutron concentrations acts as an additional order parameter, for which the symmetry potential is the conjugate variable. We present experimental results which reveal the N/Z dependence of the phase transition and discuss possible implications of these observations in terms of the Landau free energy description of critical phenomena.

Single-transverse-spin asymmetries of identified charged hadrons in polarized pp collisions at sqrt[s]=62.4 GeV

The first measurements of xF-dependent single-spin asymmetries of identified charged hadrons, pi+/-, K+/-, and protons, from transversely polarized proton-proton collisions at 62.4 GeV at RHIC are presented. Large asymmetries are seen in the pion and kaon channels. The asymmetries in inclusive pi+ production, AN(pi+), increase with xF from 0 to approximately 0.25 and AN(pi-) decrease from 0 to approximately -0.4. Observed asymmetries for K- unexpectedly show positive values similar to those for K+, increasing with xF, whereas proton asymmetries are consistent with zero over the measured kinematic range. Comparisons of the data with predictions of QCD-based models are presented.

Production of mesons and baryons at high rapidity and high p(T) in proton-proton collisions at square root[s] = 200 GeV

We present particle spectra for charged hadrons pi(+/-), K(+/-), p, and p[over] from pp collisions at square root[s] = 200 GeV measured for the first time at forward rapidities (2.95 and 3.3). The kinematics of these measurements are skewed in a way that probes the small momentum fraction in one of the protons and large fractions in the other. Large proton to pion ratios are observed at values of transverse momentum that extend up to 4 GeV/c, where protons have momenta up to 35 GeV. Next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations describe the production of pions and kaons well at these rapidities, but fail to account for the large proton yields and small p[over]/p ratios.

Differential susceptibility of equine and mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells to equine herpesvirus 1 infection

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) shows endotheliotropism in the central nervous system (CNS) of infected horses. However, infection of endothelial cells has not been observed in the CNS of infected mice. To explore the basis for this difference in endotheliotropism, we compared the susceptibility of equine brain microvascular endothelial cells (EBMECs) and mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (MBMECs) to EHV-1 infection. The kinetics of viral growth in EBMECs was typical of a fully productive infection whereas viral infection in MBMECs seemed to be nonproductive. Immunofluorescence microscopy using anti-EHV-1 polyclonal antibody demonstrated viral antigen in infected EBMECs, but not infected MBMECs. EHV-1 immediate early (IE), early (ICP0), and late (gB, gD and gK) transcripts were expressed in infected EBMECs. However, none of these genes was detected in infected MBMECs by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Electron microscopic examination at the stage of viral entry showed that viral particles were present within uncoated vesicles in the cytoplasm of EBMECs, but absent from those of MBMECs. These results suggest that viral entry is an important determinant of the susceptibility of EBMECs and MBMECs to EHV-1 infection.

Deposition of intraosseous fat in a degenerating simple bone cyst

A simple bone cyst in the proximal humerus of an 18-year-old man was treated by percutaneous ablation with alcohol irrigation. Subsequent involution of the cyst was associated with fatty replacement within the intraosseous defect. A possible relationship between involuting bone cyst and apparent intraosseous lipoma is discussed.

Predicting the development of gastric cancer from combining Helicobacter pylori antibodies and serum pepsinogen status: a prospective endoscopic cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric atrophy are both risk factors for gastric cancer. We aimed to elucidate the natural history of gastric cancer development according to H pylori infection and gastric atrophy status.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 9293 participants in a mass health appraisal programme were candidates for inclusion in the present prospective cohort study: 6983 subjects revisited the follow up programme. Subjects were classified into four groups according to serological status at initial endoscopy. Group A (n = 3324) had "normal" pepsinogen and were negative for H pylori antibody; group B (n = 2134) had "normal" pepsinogen and were positive for H pylori antibody; group C (n = 1082) had "atrophic" pepsinogen and were positive for H pylori antibody; and group D (n = 443) had "atrophic" pepsinogen and were negative for H pylori antibody. Incidence of gastric cancer was determined by annual endoscopic examination.

RESULTS

Mean duration of follow up was 4.7 years and the average number of endoscopic examinations was 5.1. The annual incidence of gastric cancer was 0.04% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-0.09), 0.06% (0.03-0.13), 0.35% (0.23-0.57), and 0.60% (0.34-1.05) in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Hazard ratios compared with group A were 1.1 (95% CI 0.4-3.4), 6.0 (2.4-14.5), and 8.2 (3.2-21.5) in groups B, C, and D, respectively. Age, sex, and "group" significantly served as independent valuables by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of serum pepsinogen and anti-H pylori antibody provides a good predictive marker for the development of gastric cancer.

Charged meson rapidity distributions in central Au+Au collisions at square root(sNN) = 200 GeV

We have measured rapidity densities dN/dy of pi+/- and K+/- over a broad rapidity range (-0.1 < y < 3.5) for central Au + Au collisions at square root(sNN) = 200 GeV. These data have significant implications for the chemistry and dynamics of the dense system that is initially created in the collisions. The full phase-space yields are 1660 +/- 15 +/- 133 (pi+), 1683 +/- 16 +/- 135 (pi-), 286 +/- 5 +/- 23 (K+), and 242 +/- 4 +/- 19 (K-). The systematics of the strange to nonstrange meson ratios are found to track the variation of the baryochemical potential with rapidity and energy. Landau-Carruthers hydrodynamics is found to describe the bulk transport of the pions in the longitudinal direction.

Centrality dependence of charged-particle pseudorapidity distributions from d + Au collisions at sqrt[sNN] = 200 GeV

Charged-particle pseudorapidity densities are presented for the d + Au reaction at sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV with -4.2 < or = eta < or = 4.2. The results, from the BRAHMS experiment at BNL Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider, are shown for minimum-bias events and 0%-30%, 30%-60%, and 60%-80% centrality classes. Models incorporating both soft physics and hard, perturbative QCD-based scattering physics agree well with the experimental results. The data do not support predictions based on strong-coupling, semiclassical QCD. In the deuteron-fragmentation region the central 200 GeV data show behavior similar to full-overlap d+Au results at sqrt[s(NN)] = 19.4 GeV.

Evolution of the nuclear modification factors with rapidity and centrality in d + Au collisions at (sqrt)[N(S)N]=200 GeV

We report on a study of the transverse momentum dependence of nuclear modification factors R(dAu) for charged hadrons produced in deuteron + gold collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV, as a function of collision centrality and of the pseudorapidity (eta=0, 1, 2.2, 3.2) of the produced hadrons. We find a significant and systematic decrease of R(dAu) with increasing rapidity. The midrapidity enhancement and the forward rapidity suppression are more pronounced in central collisions relative to peripheral collisions. These results are relevant to the study of the possible onset of gluon saturation at energies reached at BNL RHIC.

Decreased expression of equine herpesvirus-1 early and late genes in the placenta of naturally aborted equine fetuses

Intrauterine infection with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) has been considered to be the consequence of transplacental transmission of the virus following maternal cell-associated viraemia. In this study the state of EHV-1 gene expression in the placenta of seven naturally aborted equine fetuses was examined. Neither lesions nor viral antigens were detected in the placenta of the fetuses. The amount of infectious virus in the placentas was considerably lower than that in the fetal lungs, which showed pneumonia and typical herpesvirus inclusions. Quantitative dot blot hybridization with probes specific for immediate-early (IE), early (ICP0), and late (gD and gK) genes revealed that the placentas expressed the IE gene at a level comparable with that in the lungs; however, expression of the ICP0, gD and gK genes was significantly weaker in the placentas than in the lungs. In-situ hybridization demonstrated that both IE and gK RNAs were distributed mainly in the cytoplasm of trophoblasts. These results suggest that the low level of early and late gene transcription may be related to the limited production of viral progeny and the lack of immunoreactivity for viral antigen in trophoblasts infected with EHV-1.

Nuclear stopping in Au+Au collisions at square root of S(NN)=200 GeV

Transverse momentum spectra and rapidity densities, dN/dy, of protons, antiprotons, and net protons (p-p) from central (0%-5%) Au+Au collisions at square root of S(NN)=200 GeV were measured with the BRAHMS experiment within the rapidity range 0</=y</=3. The proton and antiproton dN/dy decrease from midrapidity to y=3. The net-proton yield is roughly constant for y<1 at dN/dy approximately 7, and increases to dN/dy approximately 12 at y approximately 3. The data show that collisions at this energy exhibit a high degree of transparency and that the linear scaling of rapidity loss with rapidity observed at lower energies is broken. The energy loss per participant nucleon is estimated to be 73+/-6 GeV.

Incidence and recurrence rates of colorectal adenomas estimated by annually repeated colonoscopies on asymptomatic Japanese

BACKGROUND

Whereas high recurrence rates of colorectal adenomas after polypectomy are widely recognised, little is known of the natural incidence in those with no neoplastic lesions initially. It is also known that single colonoscopy has a significant miss rate.

AIMS

To elucidate the incidence and recurrence rates of colorectal neoplasms from a large cohort of asymptomatic Japanese patients on the basis of annually repeated colonoscopies.

METHODS

A total of 6225 subjects (4659 men and 1566 women) participating in an annual colonoscopic screening programme and completing three or more colonoscopies were analysed during the 14 year period between 1988 and 2002. Patients were divided into three groups according to the findings of the initial two colonoscopies: 4084 subjects with no neoplasm, 1818 with small adenomas <10 mm, and 323 with advanced lesions, including carcinoma in situ, severe dysplasia, or large adenomas > or =10 mm. Mean age at the second colonoscopy was 48.8 years.

RESULTS

For all types of colorectal neoplasms, the incidence rate in those with no initial neoplasm was 7.2%/year whereas recurrence rates in those with small adenomas and advanced lesions were 19.3% and 22.9%/year, respectively. For advanced colorectal lesions, the incidence rate was 0.21%/year whereas recurrence rates in those with small adenomas and advanced lesions were 0.64% and 1.88%/year, respectively. Colorectal neoplasms were in general more likely to develop in males and older subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Although recurrence rates after polypectomy were elevated, the incidence rates in subjects with no neoplastic lesions initially were quite high.

Chronic granulomatous pleuritis caused by nocardia: PCR based diagnosis by nocardial 16S rDNA in pathological specimens

Nocardiosis is an uncommon infection caused by the aerobic actinomycete nocardia. Identification of the pathogen is essential for the definitive diagnosis and for an effective treatment. This report describes a case of chronic granulomatous pleuritis caused by nocardia. A 59 year old Japanese man had a history of repeated pyothorax. Right pleural decortication and thoracic drainage were performed. Microbiological examinations of the drained fluid failed to identify a pathogen. Pathological examinations revealed Gram positive filamentous and branching bacilli in the granulomatous lesion of the pleura. Sequencing of the 971 bp 16S ribosomal DNA extracted and amplified from paraffin wax embedded sections identified the microorganism as Nocardia sp. IFM 0860. The patient received sulfamethoxazol/trimethoprim and minocycline. Although the presence of a brain abscess was disclosed by systemic examination, the clinical course has been favourable. In this patient, polymerase chain reaction analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA in pathological specimens was useful in making an accurate diagnosis of nocardiosis and in determining the appropriate treatment.

K-ras codon 12 mutations of the super-minute dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus by DNA extraction using a microdissection method

The aim of this study was to clarify the histogenesis of Barrett's cancer. First, 28 lesions of the super-minute dysplasia <or= 1 mm in diameter were detected by pathological examinations for Barrett's esophagus. Secondly, the K-ras codon 12 mutations in these super-minute neoplasias of the Barrett's esophagus were examined by DNA extraction using a microdissection. It was found that seven of 28 (25%) super-minute dysplasia lesions in the Barrett's esophagus showed K-ras mutation, and were a single mutation, with AGT being detected in three lesions and GAT being detected in four lesions. Also, these dysplasia lesions could be divided into two groups according to p53-LI. Two among three lesions with p53-LI over 90%, which were considered to be morphologically high grade dysplasia or intramucosal adenocarcinoma, showed K-ras mutations (both lesions: GGT-->AGT), and 5 among 25 lesions with an average p53-LI of 58%, which were considered to be morphologically low grade dysplasia, showed K-ras mutation (four lesions: GGT-->GAT, 1 lesion: GGT-->AGT). This current study shows that some dysplasia lesions have K-ras mutations in their initial condition, whether these atypical tubule lesions are low grade dysplasia or high grade dysplasia (intramucosal adenocarcinoma), and supports the dysplasia-carcinoma sequence in the histogenesis of Barrett's cancer and synchronously suggests that there is a different route to it.

Transverse-momentum spectra in Au+Au and d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV and the pseudorapidity dependence of high-p(T) suppression

We present spectra of charged hadrons from Au+Au and d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV measured with the BRAHMS experiment at RHIC. The spectra for different collision centralities are compared to spectra from p+(-)p collisions at the same energy scaled by the number of binary collisions. The resulting ratios (nuclear modification factors) for central Au+Au collisions at eta=0 and eta=2.2 evidence a strong suppression in the high p(T) region (>2 GeV/c). In contrast, the d+Au nuclear modification factor (at eta=0) exhibits an enhancement of the high p(T) yields. These measurements indicate a high energy loss of the high p(T) particles in the medium created in the central Au+Au collisions. The lack of suppression in d+Au collisions makes it unlikely that initial state effects can explain the suppression in the central Au+Au collisions.

Dural arteriovenous fistula of the transverse sinus with concomitant ipsilateral meningioma

A 69-year-old female complained of headache and tinnitus. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography showed a tumour in the right transverse sinus extending to the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction, a dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF), and right transverse-sigmoid sinus thrombosis with the downstream from the right sigmoid sinus involved by the tumour. Right external carotid angiography showed the tumour to be supplied by many branches of the right occipital artery, the posterior branches of the middle meningeal artery, and the posterior auricular artery, and the dural AVF fed by the occipital artery and the meningeal branches of the right vertebral artery. She underwent surgery via a combined right supra- and infratentorial approach. The tumour had invaded and blocked the right transverse sinus, which was resected. After surgery the patient was free of headache and tinnitus was diminished. Histological examination found that the tumour was a fibrous meningioma and that the orifice of the vein at the transverse sinus was blocked by the tumour. Serial follow-up cerebral angiography 2 months after surgery showed no change in the AVF, but 9 months after surgery confirmed disappearance of the AVF. This AVF was caused by occlusion of the right transverse sinus by the meningioma and was an acquired lesion.