Weight cycling and mortality in a large prospective US study

Weight cycling has been associated with an increased risk of death in some studies, but few studies differentiated weight cycling initiated by intentional weight loss from that initiated by illness. The association of weight cycling with death was examined among 55,983 men and 66,655 women in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort from 1992 to 2008. A weight cycle was defined as an intentional loss of 10 or more pounds (≥4.5 kg) followed by regain of that weight, and the lifetime number of weight cycles was reported on a questionnaire administered at enrollment in 1992. A total of 15,138 men and 10,087 women died during follow-up, which ended in 2008. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. When the models were adjusted for age only, weight cycling was positively associated with mortality (P for trend < 0.0001). However, after adjustment for body mass index and other risk factors, low numbers of weight cycles (1-4 cycles) were associated with slightly lower mortality rates (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89, 0.97 in men and HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.89, 0.98 in women), whereas high numbers of weight cycles (≥20 cycles) were not associated with mortality (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.19 in men and HR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.88, 1.12 in women). These results do not support an increased risk of mortality associated with weight cycling.

The comparative study of former and latest FIGO staging of vulva cancer

AIM

By means of comparing the 2009 staging with the 1994 staging for vulva carcinoma on prognostic predicting, the essay aims to investigate the alterations of clinical decision due to the staging changing.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was adopted which involves 100 patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva treated at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 1980 to December 2005. Meanwhile, survival rate was calculated by life table method. In addition, Kaplan-Meirer method was used to evaluate the prognostic factors in univariate analysis. And the independent prognostic factors were provided through COX regression model.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis indicated that the prognostic factors of vulva squamous cell carcinoma were: age (P=0.018), lymph node metastasis (P=0.010), the 1988 staging (P=0.031), the 2009 staging (P=0.001), the number of positive lymphnodes (P<0.001), treatment method (P=0.011), recurrence site (P=0.024). COX regression model indicated that the independent prognostic factor was: the number of positive lymph nodes (P<0.001). Here was not significant difference in overall survival rate (P=0.454) between unilateral or bilateral lymph node metastasis. Also, lesion diameter was not an independent prognostic factor (P=0.380).

CONCLUSION

Compared with the 1994 staging, the 2009 staging made some modifications in lesion size, extension, lymph node status and so on. The 2009 staging is better than the 1994 staging on prognostic predicting and, which could guide the clinical treatment more accurately.

An intelligent multi-restart memetic algorithm for box constrained global optimisation

In this paper, we propose a multi-restart memetic algorithm framework for box constrained global continuous optimisation. In this framework, an evolutionary algorithm (EA) and a local optimizer are employed as separated building blocks. The EA is used to explore the search space for very promising solutions (e.g., solutions in the attraction basin of the global optimum) through its exploration capability and previous EA search history, and local search is used to improve these promising solutions to local optima. An estimation of distribution algorithm (EDA) combined with a derivative free local optimizer, called NEWUOA (M. Powell, Developments of NEWUOA for minimization without derivatives. Journal of Numerical Analysis, 28:649-664, 2008), is developed based on this framework and empirically compared with several well-known EAs on a set of 40 commonly used test functions. The main components of the specific algorithm include: (1) an adaptive multivariate probability model, (2) a multiple sampling strategy, (3) decoupling of the hybridisation strategy, and (4) a restart mechanism. The adaptive multivariate probability model and multiple sampling strategy are designed to enhance the exploration capability. The restart mechanism attempts to make the search escape from local optima, resorting to previous search history. Comparison results show that the algorithm is comparable with the best known EAs, including the winner of the 2005 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC2005), and significantly better than the others in terms of both the solution quality and computational cost.

Preparation of specific monoclonal antibodies against chelated copper ions

Copper ions are too small to elicit an immune response. Therefore, copper was conjugated to carrier proteins using S-2-(4-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid, a bifunctional chelator, to make artificial antigens for copper. Several mice were immunized, and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against chelated copper were produced. Spleen cells of immunized mice were fused with myeloma cells. The resulting hybridomas were screened using protein conjugates which were covalently bound to metal-free 1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) or Cu-DOTA. Two hybridoma cell lines (F4 and B2) that produced MAbs with high selectivity and sensitivity were expanded for further study. Cross-reactivities with other metals were below 1%. These antibodies were used to construct competitive ELISAs for copper ions. The IC(50) for F4 and B2 were 0.39 and 1.66 mg/l, respectively. The detection range and the lowest detection limit for copper using the antibody F4 was 0.019-8.22 and 0.003 mg/l, respectively. Spike recovery studies in tap water showed that the most sensitive antibody could be used for copper detection in drinking water.

Relationship between Serum Aminotransferase Levels and Metabolic Disorders in Northern China

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidence suggests an association between elevated serum aminotransferase levels and metabolic disorders (metabolic syndrome, hyperlipemia and diabetes mellitus). However, the significance of relatively low levels of aminotransferases in relation to metabolic disorders has not been fully investigated in the general population. We investigated the association between serum amiontransferase levels and metabolic disorders using data from a survey in Jilin province, China.

METHODS

In 2007, a survey was conducted throughout Jilin, China, covering both urban and rural areas. A total of 3835 people, 18 to 79 years old including 1761 men and 2074 women, underwent real-time ultrasonography, blood tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and had interviews with a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Serum aminotransferase levels within the normal range were associated with metabolic syndrome independent of age, occupation, cultural and educational level, income, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and alcohol intake. Compared with the lowest level (<20 IU/L), the adjusted odds ratios for ALT levels of 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 and >50 IU/L were 1.92, 2.50, 2.97, and 3.52 in men, and 1.38, 1.54, 3.06, and 2.62 in women, respectively. Near-normal serum aminotransferase levels associated with hyperlipemia, NAFLD, DM were also found in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Normal to near-normal serum aminotransferase levels are associated with metabolic disorders. Serum ALT levels of 21-25 IU/L for men, and 17-22 IU/L for women are suggested as cutoff levels that detect metabolic disorders affecting the liver.

Mutual interactions between an invasive bark beetle and its associated fungi

Interactions between invasive insects and their fungal associates have important effects on the behavior, reproductive success, population dynamics and evolution of the organisms involved. The red turpentine beetle (RTB), Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), an invasive forest pest in China, is closely associated with fungi. By carrying fungi on specialized structures in the exoskeleton, RTB inoculates fungi in the phloem of pines (when females dig galleries for egg laying and when males join them for mating). After eggs hatch, larvae gregariously feed on the phloem colonized by the fungi. We examined the effects of five isolates of RTB associated fungi (two from North America, Leptographium terebrantis and L. procerum, and three from China, Ophiostoma minus, L. sinoprocerum and L. procerum) on larval feeding activity, development and mortality. We also studied the effects of volatile chemicals produced in the beetle hindgut on fungal growth. Ophiostoma minus impaired feeding activity and reduced weight in RTB larvae. Leptographium sinoprocerum, L. terebrantis and L. procerum did not dramatically influence larval feeding and development compared to fungi-free controls. Larval mortality was not influenced by any of the tested fungi. Hindgut volatiles of RTB larvae, verbenol, myrtenol and myrtenal, inhibited growth rate of all the fungi. Our results not only show that D. valens associated fungus, O. minus, can be detrimental to its larvae; but, most importantly, they also show that these notorious beetles have an outstanding adaptive response evidenced by the ability to produce volatiles that inhibit growth of harmful fungus.

MRI studies of cryoinjury infarction in pig hearts: ii. Effects of intrapericardial delivery of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) embedded in agarose gel

The purpose was to assess effects of intrapericardially deposited adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) as a source of angiogenic factors on cryoinjury infarction. To enhance this effect and reduce incorporation of ADSC into tissue, the cells were immobilized in agarose gel patches transplanted onto cryoinjured epicardium. In domestic pigs (15-20 kg) the left ventricular (LV) anterior wall of exposed hearts was cryoinjured using aluminum rod (Φ=25 mm) cooled in liquid nitrogen. Sterilized circular patches made of agarose gel were placed in a nylon bag and sutured to cryoinjured epicardium. In 4 pigs, the patches contained 650,000 human ADSCs; in control animals patches were cell-free (n=2) or no patches were implanted (n=2). Cine and T(1)-weighted MRI was performed in vivo weekly (4 weeks) after injury using a 3 T imager. Following baseline imaging, a double bolus of gadopentate dimeglumine was injected (GdDTPA, 0.05 and 0.15 mmol/kg) and serial short axis images were acquired. In the 4-week ADSC-treated group, 2 pigs were assessed using GdDTPA and 2 pigs were assessed using MnCl(2) (70 micromol/kg/14 min). In all pigs, 5 × 10(6) NIR fluorescent microspheres (15 µm FMS, 645/680 nm) were injected into the hearts, which were excised, sliced and examined with fluorescence imaging for FMS content. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to determine necrotic areas. Four-week infarction areas were hypokinetic and appeared hyperintensive on Gd-enhanced MR images, hypointensive on Mn-enhanced images, and were TTC-negative. First-pass Gd enhancement kinetics was faster in the infarct area of ADSC-treated hearts: 152 ± 89 vs 54 ± 5.3% of normal in control (p = 0.03). Accordingly, FMS fluorescence was much higher in the treated infarcts (144 ± 59% of remote, n = 4) relative to control hearts (58 ± 13%, n = 4), which correlated with 3 times higher microvascular density in treated hearts. LV wall thickening was partially restored by ADSC treatment. ADSC-containing patches attached to cryoinjured epicardium greatly improved perfusion and microvascular density of scar tissue.

Effects of predistention with normal saline containing adrenaline on blood-vessel injury during epidural catheter placement

This study investigated the effects of predistention with normal saline containing adrenaline on vascular plexus injury during epidural catheter placement. Three hundred parturients undergoing caesarean sections were randomly divided into three groups. Group I (n = 102) received an epidural injection with 5 ml normal saline; group II (n = 93) received 5 ml normal saline containing adrenaline (5 μg/ml); group III (n = 100) received direct epidural catheter placement. Five women were excluded from the analysis for technical reasons. The incidence of bloody fluid in the epidural needle was significantly lower in groups I and II compared with group III (eight [7.8%] and seven [7.5%] versus 17 [17.0%], respectively). There were no significant differences in the incidence of bloody fluid in the epidural catheter or in the incidence of intravascular epidural catheter placement between the three groups. Predistention with 5 ml normal saline before catheter insertion reduced the incidence of blood-vessel injury during epidural catheter placement, but adrenaline provided no additional protective effects.

Atomic structure and structural stability of Sc75Fe25 nanoglasses

Nanoglasses are solids consisting of nanometer-sized glassy regions connected by interfaces having a reduced density. We studied the structure of Sc(75)Fe(25) nanoglasses by electron microscopy, positron annihilation spectroscopy, and small-/wide-angle X-ray scattering. The positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements showed that the as-prepared nanoglasses consisted of 65 vol% glassy and 35 vol% interfacial regions. By applying temperature annealing to the nanoglasses and measuring in situ small-angle X-ray scattering, we observed that the width of the interfacial regions increased exponentially as a function of the annealing temperature. A quantitative fit to the small-angle X-ray scattering data using a Debye-Bueche random phase model gave a correlation length that is related to the sizes of the interfacial regions in the nanoglass. The correlation length was found to increase exponentially from 1.3 to 1.7 nm when the sample temperature was increased from 25 to 230 °C. Using simple approximations, we correlate this to an increase in the width of interfacial regions from 0.8 to 1.2 nm, while the volume fraction of interfacial regions increased from 31 to 44%. Using micro-compression measurements, we investigated the deformation behavior of ribbon glass and the corresponding nanoglass. While the nanoglass exhibited a remarkable plasticity even in the annealed state owing to the glass-glass interfaces, the corresponding ribbon glass was brittle. As this difference seems not limited to Sc(75)Fe(25) glasses, the reported result suggest that nanoglasses open the way to glasses with high ductility resulting from the nanometer sized microstructure.

The processing bias for threatening cues revealed by event-related potential and event-related oscillation analyses

The processing bias of threat is crucial for survival. However, the neurophysiological underpinnings of this bias are not fully understood. To contribute to a better understanding of the processing bias for threat, both event-related potential (ERP) and event-related oscillation (ERO) analyses were applied to the electroencephalography (EEG) data recorded from subjects while performing a go/no-go variant of the dot-probe task. In the task, subjects responded to the infrequent target stimuli and didn't respond to the standard stimuli. Both target and standard stimuli were preceded by a bilateral picture pair [one emotional (threatening or pleasant) and one neutral] as an emotional cue. The behavioral data and the P1 elicited by standard stimuli didn't show any significant main effect or interaction. The mean amplitude of N1 was greater negative for threatening cues than pleasant cues with the most significant effect in the fronto-central region, indicating a processing bias for threat related to early attention processing. In addition, the theta synchronization was stronger for threatening cues than pleasant cues with significant effect in posterior regions, suggesting that the posterior theta synchronization reflects the evaluation of emotional significance of stimuli. Taken together, the ERP and ERO analyses provide some independent insights into the processing bias for threatening cues and illustrate this bias more comprehensively.

MRI study of cryoinjury infarction in pig hearts: i. Effects of intrapericardial delivery of bFGF/VEGF embedded in alginate beads

The aim of the study was the testing of sustained intrapericardial delivery of vascular growth factors (GFs) from alginate beads on cryoinjury size and perfusion. In domestic pigs (15-20 kg, n = 21), the left ventricular (LV) anterolateral wall of exposed hearts was cryoinjured using an aluminum rod (25 mm o.d.) cooled in liquid nitrogen. Alginate beads (d = 3.2 ± 0.2 mm), containing human recombinant basic fibroblast GF (bFGF, 50 µg) and vascular endothelial GF (VEGF, 50 µg) + heparin (50 µg) or heparin alone (Con, n = 5), were sutured to the cryoinjured epicardium (GF, n = 5; Con, n = 3 ) or pericardium (GF, n = 3; Con, n = 2), or no beads were implanted (n = 4). Four pigs were sham-operated. Cine and T(1) -weighted MRI was performed in vivo at ~2.5 h and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after injury in a 3T imager. A double bolus of GdDTPA was injected (0.05 and 0.15 mmol/kg) and first-pass and late enhancement kinetics were monitored. After 4-week cryoinjury, following the injection of 5 x 10(6) 15-µm NIR fluorescent microspheres (FMS, 645/680 nm), hearts were sliced and examined with fluorescence imaging. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was used to determine infarct areas. Epicardial GF-containing beads were encapsulated within the hypointense 3-4-week infarct tissue. This tissue had a 75% higher LV thickening index, a lower distribution volume for GdDTPA (0.44 ± 0.12 vs 0.68 ± 0.05, p = 0.02), and 25% faster first-pass Gd kinetics relative to control infarctions. TTC staining revealed TTC-positive islands in the core of treated infarcts, which showed higher FMS fluorescence relative to surrounding infarct tissue (0.64 ± 0.14 vs. 0.31 ± 0.14; p < 0.0001) and to control infarcts (0.37 ± 0.09, p < 0.05). GF-beads attached to the pericardium were not effective. We conclude that sustained intrapericardial release of bFGF + VEGF from alginate beads attached to the epicardium facilitated vascular growth in the cryoinjured area.

Multifocal cutaneous metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of hard palate

Distant metastases from oral squamous cell carcinoma are unusual, but generally occur in lungs, bone, and liver. Cutaneous metastasis is extremely rare, and it often reflects an advanced stage with sinister prognosis. The authors report an 81-year-old male patient with multifocal cutaneous metastases from a recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate 5 months after primary treatment.

A review on steroidal 5α-reductase inhibitors for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a kind of common noncancerous prostate gland enlargement with growing tendency in recent years. 5α-reductase is the key enzyme responsible for dihydrotestosterone biosynthesis and has been considered as an important target for designing inhibitors as potent therapeutic agents for BPH. Finasteride, the first steroidal 5α-reductase inhibitor, has been marketed worldwide as a drug for BPH. During these years, many other novel types of 5α-reductase inhibitors are being studied. This review summarizes recent advancement in steroidal 5α-reductase inhibitors.