Urinary tract infections and reduced risk of bladder cancer in Los Angeles

We investigated the association between urinary tract infections (UTIs) and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in a population-based case–control study in Los Angeles covering 1586 cases and age-, gender-, and race-matched neighbourhood controls. A history of bladder infection was associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer among women (odds ratio (OR), 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.46–0.96). No effect was found in men, perhaps due to power limitations. A greater reduction in bladder cancer risk was observed among women with multiple infections (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18–0.78). Exclusion of subjects with a history of diabetes, kidney or bladder stones did not change the inverse association. A history of kidney infections was not associated with bladder cancer risk, but there was a weak association between a history of other UTIs and slightly increased risk among men. Our results suggest that a history of bladder infection is associated with a reduced risk of bladder cancer among women. Cytotoxicity from antibiotics commonly used to treat bladder infections is proposed as one possible explanation.

DFT study on the bromination pattern dependence of electronic properties and their validity in quantitative structure-activity relationships of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

With quantum chemical computation of density functional theory (DFT), the electronic properties including the polarisabilities, polarisability anisotropies and quadrupole moments of a total of 209 congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were evaluated. The electronic properties were shown to be highly dependent on the bromination pattern, i.e. their values changed sensitively with the number and sites of bromination. Being similar to the 2,3,7,8-, 1,4,6,9-chlorination of dioxins, respectively, 3,3',4,4'-, 2,2',5,5'-bromination of PBDEs can impose relatively greater effects on the electronic properties. Some of electronic properties were found to be potent in explaining the variance of toxicity, and the potency was verified by the development of quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs). To further improve the stability and predictability of QSARs for toxicity, two-dimensional topological indices were introduced. In QSARs, polarisability anisotropy was more significant than other polarisability tensors, indicating the implicit occurrence of dispersion interaction between the ligand and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). For PBDEs, the quadrupole moment was as significant as shown previously for dioxins. As interesting descriptors with encoded information about dispersion and electronics, the electronic properties analysed herein are helpful in obtaining a better understanding of the congener-specific toxicities of PBDEs, and are applicable and may be extended to research into the toxicology of structurally similar compounds, such as halogenated aromatics.

Influence of the acid buffering capacity of different types of Technosols on the chemistry of their leachates

The preparation of tailor-made Technosols from wastes may be a novel and prospective option for the re-use of wastes and restoration of degraded areas. A two-month study with pilot columns was conducted to evaluate the influence of the acid buffering capacity of different Technosols on the chemistry of their leachates. The Technosols were made from mixtures of organic and inorganic wastes at a ratio of 56:44 (w/w). The organic components used were an anaerobic (AN) and an aerobic (AE) sewage sludge. The inorganic wastes used--referred to as "conditioners"--were Linz-Donowitz slag (LD) and foundry sand (FS). A mixture of the two conditioners at a ratio of 50:50 (w/w) was made to provide a third type of conditioner (LD+FS). Controls consisted of columns filled with organic waste only (either AN or AE sludges). Changes in pH, electrical conductivity, concentrations of major ions and dissolved organic carbon in the leachates were evaluated periodically. The main processes determining the pH of the systems were nitrification and leaching, but organic matter decomposition and carbonation may also have had an influence. Nitrification was strongly retarded in the AN sludge (attributed to the probable absence of nitrifiers in this waste after the AN wastewater treatment) and was impeded in those mixtures in which LD was used as a component (due to the liming effect). Final pH values ranged from 5.0 and 5.4 (in AE and AE+FS, respectively) to 11.1 (in AN+LD). The pH of the other mixtures finally ranged between 7 and 8. In formulating mixtures of wastes, their acid buffering capacity should be taken into account in addition to the nutrient contents and the limits of contaminants established by local regulations.

Quark-hadron duality in neutron (3He) spin structure

We present experimental results of the first high-precision test of quark-hadron duality in the spin-structure function g_{1} of the neutron and 3He using a polarized 3He target in the four-momentum-transfer-squared range from 0.7 to 4.0 (GeV/c);{2}. Global duality is observed for the spin-structure function g_{1} down to at least Q;{2}=1.8 (GeV/c);{2} in both targets. We have also formed the photon-nucleon asymmetry A1 in the resonance region for 3He and found no strong Q2 dependence above 2.2 (GeV/c);{2}.

Collateral circulation imaging: MR perfusion territory arterial spin-labeling at 3T

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current knowledge of the collateral circulation remains sparse, and a noninvasive method to better characterize the role of collaterals is desirable. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence and distal flow of collaterals by using a new MR perfusion territory imaging, vessel-encoded arterial spin-labeling (VE-ASL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-six patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) or middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis were identified by sonography. VE-ASL was performed to assess the presence and function of collateral flow. The perfusion information was combined with VE maps into high signal-intensity-to-noise-ratio 3-colored maps of the left carotid, right carotid, and posterior circulation territories. The presence of the anterior and posterior collateral flow was demonstrated by the color of the standard anterior cerebral artery/MCA flow territory. The distal function of collateral flow was categorized as adequate (cerebral blood flow [CBF] >/=10 mL/min/100 g) or deficient (CBF <10 mL/min/100 g). The results were compared with those of MR angiography (MRA) and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in cross table, and kappa coefficients were calculated to determine the agreement among different methods.

RESULTS

The kappa coefficients of the presence of anterior and posterior collaterals by using VE-ASL and MRA were 0.785 and 0.700, respectively. The kappa coefficient of the function of collaterals by using VE-ASL and DSA was 0.726. Apart from collaterals through the circle of Willis, VE-ASL showed collateral flow via leptomeningeal anastomoses.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ICA or MCA stenosis, VE-ASL could show the presence, the origin, and distal function of collateral flow noninvasively.

Study on association of single nucleotide polymorphism of CAPN1 gene with muscle fibre and carcass traits in quality chicken populations

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of the calpain 1 (CAPN1) gene on carcass and meat quality traits in eight meat-type chicken populations, including five pure lines (developed from Chinese local breeds) and three cross-breeds. Primer pairs for the Coding Sequence (CDS) region in CAPN1 were designed from the chicken genomic sequence database. Polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; C2546T, G3535A and C7198A) were detected among individuals in each population. The associations of their haplotypes (H1 = CGA, H2 = CGC, H3 = CAA, H4 = CAC, H5 = TGA and H7 = TAA) with chicken breast muscle fibre and carcass traits were analysed. Results showed that the haplotypes were associated with live weight (LW), carcass weight (CW), breast muscle weight (BMW) and leg muscle weight (LMW) (p < 0.05), and were also related to eviscerated percentage (%EP) and breast muscle fibre density (p < 0.01). H1H3 haplotype was dominant for LW, CW and BMW; H1H5 haplotype was dominant for EP; H3H4 haplotype was dominant for LMW and H1H1 haplotype was dominant for BFD. It was concluded that the CAPN1 gene may be a major gene affecting meat quality traits of chicken or it is linked with the major gene. H1H3, H1H5 and H3H4 were the most advantageous haplotypes for carcass traits whereas H1H1 was the positive haplotype for breast muscle fibre trait.

Pharmacodynamic interaction of warfarin with cranberry but not with garlic in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Patients commonly take complementary medicines in conjunction with warfarin yet evidence supporting the safety or the risk of a herb-drug interaction is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible impact of two commonly used herbal medicines, garlic and cranberry, on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy male subjects.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

An open-label, three-treatment, randomized crossover clinical trial was undertaken and involved 12 healthy male subjects of known CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype. A single dose of 25 mg warfarin was administered alone or after 2 weeks of pretreatment with either garlic or cranberry. Warfarin enantiomer concentrations, INR, platelet aggregation and clotting factor activity were measured to assess pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between warfarin and herbal medicines.

KEY RESULTS

Cranberry significantly increased the area under the INR-time curve by 30% when administered with warfarin compared with treatment with warfarin alone. Cranberry did not alter S- or R-warfarin pharmacokinetics or plasma protein binding. Co-administration of garlic did not significantly alter warfarin pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. Both herbal medicines showed some evidence of VKORC1 (not CYP2C9) genotype-dependent interactions with warfarin, which is worthy of further investigation.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Cranberry alters the pharmacodynamics of warfarin with the potential to increase its effects significantly. Co-administration of warfarin and cranberry requires careful monitoring.

3He spin-dependent cross sections and sum rules

We present a measurement of the spin-dependent cross sections for the 3He over -->(e over -->,e')X reaction in the quasielastic and resonance regions at a four-momentum transfer 0.1< or =Q2< or =0.9 GeV2. The spin-structure functions have been extracted and used to evaluate the nuclear Burkhardt-Cottingham and extended Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rules for the first time. The data are also compared to an impulse approximation calculation and an exact three-body Faddeev calculation in the quasielastic region.

Optimization of fermentation medium and conditions for mycelial growth and water-soluble exo-polysaccharides production by Isaria farinosa B05

The optimal fermentation medium and conditions for mycelial growth and water-soluble exo-polysaccharides production by Isaria farinosa B05 were investigated. The medium components and fermentation conditions were optimized according to the one at a time method, while the concentration of medium components was determined by the orthogonal matrix method. The results showed that the optimal fermentation medium was as follows: sucrose 3.5% (w/v), peptone 0.5%, yeast extract 0.2%, K(2)HPO(4) 0.1%, and MgSO(4) 0.05%. The suitable fermentation conditions were as follows: initial pH 7.0, temperature 25 degrees C, medium volume 75 mL/250 mL, inoculum volume 5% (v/v), time 5d. In such optimal nutrition and environmental conditions, the maximal mycelial yield was 2.124 g/100 mL after 4 day's fermentation, while maximal water-soluble exo-polysaccharides production reached 2.144 g/L after 5 day's fermentation.

Effect of amiodarone on Kv1.4 channel C-type inactivation: comparison of its effects with those induced by propafenone and verapamil

As the major component of I(to) (slow), Kv1.4 channel plays an important role in repolarization of cardiac myocytes. C-type inactivation is one of Kv1.4 inactivation and can be affected by open channel blockers. We used the two-electrode voltage clamp technique to observe the effect of amiodarone on Kv1.4 C-type inactivation and compare amiodarone's effects on Kv1.4 with propafenone and verapamil. Our data show that those three antiarrhythmic drugs blocked fKv1.4 delta N (N-terminal deleted Kv1.4 channel from ferret heart) in voltage- and frequent-dependent manners. The amiodarone's IC50 was 489.23 +/- 4.72 microM, higher than that of propafenone (98.97 +/- 1.13 microM) and verapamil (263.26 +/- 6.89 microM) for fKv1.4 delta N channel (+50 mV). After application of amiodarone, propafenone and verapamil, fKv1.4 delta N inactivation becomes bi-exponential: the faster portion of inactivation (drug-induced inactivation) and the slower portion of inactivation (C-type inactivation). Amiodarone and verapamil fastened C-type inactivation in fKv1.4 delta N, but propafenone did not. Unlike propafenone that had no effect on fKv1.4 delta N recovery, amiodarone and verapamil slowed recovery in fKv1.4 delta N.

Prevalence and risk factors for abdominal bloating and visible distention: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Abdominal bloating and visible distention are common yet poorly understood symptoms. Epidemiological data distinguishing visible distention from bloating are not available. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and potential risk factors for abdominal bloating and visible distention separately in a representative US population, and their association with other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

METHODS

The validated Talley Bowel Disease Questionnaire was mailed to a cohort selected at random from the population of Olmsted County, Minnesota. The complete medical records of responders were abstracted; 2259 subjects (53% females; mean age 62 years) provided bloating and distention data.

RESULTS

The age and sex-adjusted (US White 2000) overall prevalence per 100 for bloating was 19.0 [95% confidence interval (CI), 16.9 to 21.2] vs 8.9 (95% CI, 7.2 to 10.6) for visible distention. Significantly increased odds for bloating alone and separately for distention (vs neither) were detected in females, and in those with higher overall Somatic Symptom Checklist (SSC) scores and higher scores of each individual SSC item. Further, females [odds ratio (OR), 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.1], higher SSC score (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.8), constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.1), dyspepsia (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.2), and gastro-intestinal symptom complex overlap (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.7) significantly increased odds for distention over bloating alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Bloating and distention are common and have similar risk factors; somatisation probably plays a role.

Mechanism of NKT cell activation by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide, which can induce cross-protection against influenza viruses

In a nasal vaccine against influenza, the activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells by intranasal coadministration of alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) can potently enhance protective immune responses. The results of this study show that the NKT cell-activated nasal vaccine can induce an effective cross-protection against different strains of influenza virus, including H5 type. To analyze the mechanism of NKT cell activation by this nasal vaccine, we prepared fluorescence-labeled alpha-GalCer by which we detect a direct interaction between NKT cells and alpha-GalCer-stored dendritic cells in nasal mucosa-associated tissues. Accordingly, although very few NKT cells exist at mucosa, the nasal vaccination induced a localized increase in NKT cell population, which is partly dependent on CXCL16/CXCR6. Furthermore, we found that NKT cell activation stimulates mucosal IgA production by a mechanism that is dependent on interleukin (IL)-4 production. These results strengthen the basis of nasal vaccination via NKT cell activation, which can induce immune cross-protection.

The genomic sequence and biological properties of Pennisetum mosaic virus, a novel monocot-infecting potyvirus

The complete nucleotide sequences of two isolates of Pennisetum mosaic virus (PenMV) were determined. The viral genome comprised 9,611 nucleotides (nt) excluding the 3'-terminal poly(A) sequence, with the capacity of encoding a single polyprotein of 3,065 amino acids. The large open reading frame is flanked by a 172-nt 5'-untranslated region (UTR) and a 244-nt 3'-UTR. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses of the complete genome and polyproteins suggest that PenMV is closely related to other monocot potyviruses such as Maize dwarf mosaic virus, Sorghum mosaic virus and Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), and thus represents a distinct potyvirus within the SCMV subgroup. The host range of PenMV is limited to Gramineae, and the virus naturally infects maize, sorghum and some wild grasses, causing mosaic symptoms on the leaves. This virus could be transmitted by both mechanical inoculation and by at least four species of aphids.

Does home-based exercise improve body mass index in patients with type 2 diabetes? Results of a feasibility trial

AIMS

This feasibility trial evaluated the use, safety, and short-term benefits of a home-based exercise intervention designed to increase physical activity among adults with diabetes.

METHODS

Participants with type 2 diabetes in a group practice were recruited and randomly assigned to the home-based exercise intervention or usual care. Participants were given diabetes self-management education, instructed to exercise 30 min 5 days/week, and were followed for 3 months. The intervention contained three exercise routines (aerobic and resistance exercises). Outcomes included changes from baseline at 3 months between groups in body mass index (BMI), quality of life, A1C, and blood pressure.

RESULTS

Seventy-six sedentary adults completed the study: 49% intervention group, 68% women, 47% black, mean age 56.6+/-9.6 years. Using intention to treat analysis, a trend towards improvement between groups for BMI (mean change -0.4 versus 0.1, respectively; P=0.06) was identified. Thirty-eight percent of the intervention group adhered to 80% of the exercise recommendation and significantly improved BMI (-1.07; P<0.05). No other differences were detected between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Home-based exercise interventions have potential to reduce BMI in patients with diabetes. The results provide variance estimates necessary to power a larger study of longer duration.