Weight at birth and adolescence and premenopausal breast cancer risk in a low-risk population

We assessed breast cancer risk in relation to weight at birth and adolescence. In-person interviews were completed with the biological mothers of women aged 45 years and younger who participated in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study in 1996-98 (288 cases, 350 controls). After adjustment for confounding, women who were 4000 g or more at birth were not at increased risk of breast cancer (odds ratio=0.7; 95% confidence interval 0.4-1.4) relative to women whose birth weight was 2500-2999 g. Compared with women of average perceived weight at age 15 years, no relation was apparent for heavier than average weight based on maternal report (odds ratio=0.7; 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.2) or self-report (odds ratio=1.0; 95% confidence interval 0.7-1.6). Perceived adolescent weight and height did not modify the association of birth weight with breast cancer risk. These results suggest that weight early in life is not related to premenopausal breast cancer risk in this low-risk population.

Association of body size and fat distribution with risk of breast cancer among Chinese women

Most previous studies addressing the association of body size, weight change and body fat distribution with the risk of breast cancer were conducted in Western societies with a high proportion of overweight people. It remains unclear whether the dose-response relation observed in earlier studies can be extended to women with "normal" weight based on prevailing Western standards. To address this issue, we analyzed data from a population-based case-control study of breast cancer recently completed among Chinese women in urban Shanghai. In-person interviews and anthropometric measurements were completed for 1,459 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer from 25 to 64 years of age and 1,556 controls frequency-matched to cases on age. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) related to anthropometric variables and self-reported body weight. Currently measured weight, body mass index [BMI: weight (kg)/height(m)(2)] or height was each found to be positively related to risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in a dose-response manner, with ORs (95% CI) being 2.0 (1.4-3.0), 2.0 (1.2-3.2) or 1.7 (1.2-2.5), respectively, for the highest category of weight, BMI or height compared to the lowest category of these variables. These variables were unrelated to premenopausal breast cancer risk. Reported weight at ages >40 years and weight gain after age 20 were more predictive for postmenopausal breast cancer than weight at an earlier age. After adjustment for BMI, waist-to-hip ratio was related to an increased risk of premenopausal [OR = 1.7 (1.3-2.3) for the highest category compared to the lowest category] but not postmenopausal breast cancer. This study suggests that, even in a relatively thin Chinese population, weight gain and height are related to an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, while central fat distribution was associated with premenopausal breast cancer. General weight control may be an effective measurement for breast cancer prevention.

High-fructose diet preserves beta-cell mass and prevents diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice: A potential role for increased insulin receptor substrate-2 expression

We demonstrate that a high-fructose diet reduces the incidence of diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice (31.2% v 57.1% on regular chow (RC); P =.009). In a second cohort of mice, we evaluated potential mechanisms for the protective effect of the high-fructose (HF) diet and whether the metabolic changes are strain-specific. Sixty NOD and 60 Balb/c mice were randomized at weaning into HF- and RC-fed groups (30 mice each) and followed for 28 weeks. Glucose tolerance testing demonstrated improved glucose tolerance in HF diet groups (P =.001 in Balb/c; P =.04 in NOD mice at 6 months). beta-cell mass was preserved in NOD mice on the HF diet, but remained unchanged in Balb/c mice. In NOD mice, hepatic insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 protein expression increased by 2-fold (P =.01 for 2 v 6 months) in HF-fed mice and was 53% +/- 15% higher (P =.01) in the HF diet versus RC groups at 6 months of age. IRS-2 expression was also increased in skeletal muscle of NOD mice and in both liver and muscle of Balb/c mice. Our data suggest that a HF diet improves glucose tolerance in both NOD and Balb/c mice. The improved glucose tolerance may be related to increased IRS-2 expression and, in NOD mice, preservation of beta-cell mass.

Soyfood intake during adolescence and subsequent risk of breast cancer among Chinese women

Many experimental but few epidemiological studies have suggested that soyfoods and their constituents have cancer-inhibitory effects on breast cancer. No epidemiological study has evaluated the association of adolescent soyfood intake with the risk of breast cancer. To evaluate the effect of soyfood intake during adolescence, one of the periods that breast tissue is most sensitive to environmental stimuli, on subsequent risk of breast cancer, we analyzed data from a population-based case-control of 1459 breast cancer cases and 1556 age-matched controls (respective response rates were 91.1% and 90.3%). Information on dietary intake from ages 13-15 years was obtained by interview from all study participants and, in addition, from mothers of subjects less than 45 years of age (296 cases and 359 controls). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) derived from unconditional logistic models were used to measure soyfood intake and breast cancer risk. After adjustment for a variety of other risk factors, adolescent soyfood intake was inversely associated with risk, with ORs of 1.0 (reference), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.60-0.93), 0.69 (95% CI, 0.55-0.87), 0.69 (95% CI, 0.55-0.86), and 0.51 (95% CI, 0.40-0.65), respectively, for the lowest to highest quintiles of total soyfood intake (trend test, P < 0.001). The inverse association was observed for each of the soyfoods examined and existed for both pre- and postmenopausal women. Adolescent soyfood intakes reported by participants' mothers were also inversely associated with breast cancer risk (P for trend < 0.001), with an OR of 0.35 (95% CI, 0.21-0.60) for women in the highest soyfood intake group. Adjustment for rice and wheat products, the major energy source in the study population, and usual adult soyfood intake did not change the soyfood associations. Our study suggests that high soy intake during adolescence may reduce the risk of breast cancer in later life.

Primary studies on heroin abuse and injury induced by oxidation and lipoperoxidation

OBJECTIVE

To further reveal serious risks of heroin abuse to human body and clarify grave injuries of oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals to heroin abusers.

METHODS

Determined and compared plasma levels of nitric oxide (P-NO), vitamin C (P-VC), vitamin E (P-VE), beta-carotene (P-beta-CAR), lipoperoxides (P-LPO) and erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase (E-SOD), catalase (E-CAT), glutathione peroxidase (E-GSH-Px) and erythrocyte level of lipoperoxides (E-LPO) in 137 cases of heroin abusers (HAs) and 100 cases of healthy volunteers (HVs), used linear regression and correlation, stepwise regression and correlation to analyze correlation among heroin-abusing-duration (HAD), daily-heroin-abusing-quantity (DHAQ) with above determination values in the HAs.

RESULTS

Compared with the above average values in the HVs group, the average values of P-NO, P-LPO, E-LPO in the HAs group were significantly increased (P < 0.0001), the average values of P-VC, P-VE, P-beta-CAR, E-SOD, E-CAT and E-GSH-Px were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001); the analysis of linear regression and correlation showed that with ascending of the HAD and DHAQ in the HAs, the values of P-NO, P-LPO, E-LPO were gradually increased (P < 0.0001), the values of P-VC, P-VE, P-beta-CAR, E-SOD, E-CAT, E-GSH-Px were gradually decreased (P < 0.0001); the analysis of stepwise regression and correlation suggested that the correlation among the HAD, DHAQ with the values of P-NO, P-VC, P-VE was the closest.

CONCLUSION

The balance between oxidation and antioxidation in the HAs was seriously destroyed, and the injuries induced by nitric oxide and other free radicals, oxidation, peroxidation and lipoperoxidation reactions to the body of HAs gravely exacerbated. In the abstaining from heroin dependence, therefore, it should consider that sufficient quantum antioxidants such as VC, VE and beta-CAR are dosed to the HAs so as to abate the injuries to their bodies.

[Studies on Euphorbia fischeriana diterpenoide lactones inhibitory effect on human tumor cells in vitro]

In this paper, two diterpenoide lactones 16-hydroxypseudojolkinolide B and jolkinolide B were isolated from Euphorbia fischeriana Steud. They showed inhibitory effect on human tumor cells both the K562 cell and CNE2 cell and significant dose-effect relationship. The IC50 values of 16-hydroxypseudojolkinolide B on the two human tumor cells were near to that of ADM's.

Association of menstrual and reproductive factors with breast cancer risk: results from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study

The incidence of breast cancer among women in Shanghai, a traditionally low-risk population, has increased substantially over the past 20 years. To evaluate the association of menstrual and reproductive factors with breast cancer risk and the influence of these factors on the temporal trend of breast cancer incidence, we analyzed data from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, a population-based case-control study of breast cancer recently completed among Chinese women in urban Shanghai. In-person interviews were completed for 1,459 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer between ages 25 and 64 and for 1,556 controls frequency-matched to cases by age. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) related to menstrual and reproductive factors. Earlier menarcheal age, nulliparity, and later age at first live birth were associated with increased risk of breast cancer among both pre- and post-menopausal women, while never having breast-fed and later age at menopause were associated with elevated risk only among post-menopausal women. Among controls, 32% of younger women (</=40 years) and 24% of older women (>40 years) reported starting menarche at age of 13 or younger, and this factor contributed to 44% of cases diagnosed among younger women and 26% to 28% of cases in older women. Older age at first live birth or at menopause explained a considerable portion of cases diagnosed in older, but not younger, women. Our study suggests that the changes in menstrual and reproductive patterns among women in Shanghai have contributed to the recent increase in breast cancer incidence, particularly among younger women.

Secondary near-pentaploidy and/or near-tetraploidy characterized by the duplication of 8;21 translocation in the M2 subtype of acute myeloid leukemia

Hyperploidy, especially near-tetraploidy, is rare in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We report 2 cases with secondary hyperploidy characterized by double 8;21 translocations. Morphologic observation of bone marrow smears revealed numerous giant blasts in both cases. Chromosome analyses with R-banding technique showed a karyotype of 46,XX,t(8;21)(2%)/92,XXXX, add(7)(q31)x2,t(8;21)x2(7%)/100-117,XXX,-X,-X,-1,+4,+4,-7,+add(7)(q31)x3 , t(8;21)x2,+der(21)t(8;21),+22(90.6%)/46,XX(0.3%) in case 1 and a karyotype of 45,X,-Y,t(8;21)(15%)/90,XX,-Y,-Y,t(8;21)x2(80%)/46,XY(5%) in case 2. DNA ploidy analyses by flow cytometry showed triple peaks (diploid, tetraploid [DI 2.09] and near-pentaploid [DI 2.59]) in case 1, and double peaks (diploid and near-tetraploid [DI 2.07]) in case 2. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction detected an AML1/ETO fusion transcript (152 bp) in both cases. This paper brings the total number of cases of secondary hyperploid t(8;21) AML to 6 and further emphasizes a correlation between hyperploidy and t(8;21) translocation.

[Changes of pulmonary diffusing capacity in subjects with acute mountain sickness]

OBJECTIVE

The study was conducted to investigate whether the changes in the pulmonary diffusing capacity found in individuals with acute mountain sickness (AMS) reflect the early stage of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

METHODS

According to international definition of AMS (Lake Louise Consensus) thirty-two subjects were divided into AMS and non-AMS group. The pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) by the single-breath method, arterialized capillary blood gas were measured in all subjects at an altitude of 2,260 m and after ascent to 4,700 m.

RESULTS

All subjects exhibited an increase in DLco from 2,260 m to 4,700 m, the degree of increase in DLco in the AMS group was significantly lower than that of the non-AMS group, delta DLco (1.3 +/- 1.7) ml.min-1.mm Hg-1 vs (10.7 +/- 1.3) ml.min-1.mm Hg-1 (P > 0.01). The AMS group showed a greater alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference at 4,700 m compared with the non-AMS group. DLco showed a significantly negative correlation with AMS score (r = -0.885 P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the decreased pulmonary diffusing capacity has an important role in the incidence of acute mountain sickness, it reflects the presence of pulmonary gas exchange abnormality, which is probably due to subclinical interstitial edema of the lung.

[Epidemiological survey on orchard pollinosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of Orchard Pollinosis in China.

METHOD

From 1995 to 1998, an epidemiological survey on orchard pollinosis was carried on among 1,660 primary and middle school students and 2,167 university students, including questionnaire investigation, nasal inspection and scratch test. From April to June of 1998, a clinical investigation of orchard pollinosis was adopted among 30 patients of allergic rhinitis including scratch test and nasal mucosa test.

RESULT

1. The total positive rate of orchard pollen scratch test was 6.7%, and the prevalence of orchard pollinosis was 0.37%. 2. 5 cases (16.7%) were hypersensitive to orchard pollen clinically in allergen test.

CONCLUSION

Orchard pollinosis is one kind of important pollinosis and should be paid high attention to.

[Smoking, related cancers, and other diseases in shanghai: a 10-year prospective study]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between smoking and related diseases among residents of Shanghai.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study on current smoking status among 213,800 residents aged 20 yr and over in Shanghai urban, suburb and rural areas was carried out during the early 1980s. The residents in the urban area were followed up for 12 years (1983 - 1994) and those in suburb and rural areas for 11 years (1984 - 1994). A Poisson regression model was used to estimate relative risks RRs of certain diseases for smoking adjusted for age with their 95% confidence intervals by sex and area among persons aged 40 yr and over at the beginning of the study.

RESULTS

In the urban area, the RRs of death for smoking were 1.48 and 1.62 in males and females, respectively and for cancer death were 2.20 and 2.00. Statistically significant elevated RRs were seen for cancers of the lung and liver in both males and females and for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas and bladder only in males. Significantly higher RRs were also observed for cerebrovascular disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and pulmonary heart disease. RRs lower than in the urban area were found in the suburb and rural areas. The population attributable risks (%, PAR) for death due to smoking for males were estimated by area. PARs for death were 20.9, 18.9 and 16.3 in urban, suburb and rural areas, respectively. For all cancers, PARs were 40.0, 34.5 and 34.2 and for lung cancer were 71.7, 59.2 and 64.7.

CONCLUSION

Smoking was associated with the mortality of some common cancers, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, pulmonary heart, and cerebrovascular diseases.

[A study on the binding of cyclodextrins with terbutaline enantiomers by chiral capilary zone electrophoresis]

The recognition mechanism of enantioselectivity in cyclodextrin-modified capillary zone electrophoresis (CD-CZE) on a racemic basic drug terbutaline was discussed. The equilibrium constants of host-guest complexation of terbutaline enantiomers with alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, 2,6-dimethyl-beta-cycoldextrin, 2,3,6-trimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxy-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and the thermodynamic parameters for chiral recognition procedure were determined respectively. It was found that the matching properties between cavity of cyclodextrins and enantiomers were interrelated with the equilibrium constants of binding complexes and selectivities(a) calculated from the ratio of binding constants of two enantiomers were in the same order of maximum electrophoretic mobility difference between two enantiomers responding with cyclodextrin additive. The experimental value of optimal concentration of cyclodextrin agreed with that calculated from the equation Copt = 1/(K1K2)1/2. From the thermodynamic parameter determination it was shown that the hydrogen-bonding interactions between terbutaline enantiomers and 2-hydroxy-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin and beta-cyclodextrin should be positive factors.