The humoral immune response to the inactivated influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea

AIMS

We evaluated the antibody response to a single-dose adjuvanted, inactivated, pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccination in patients with diabetes and assessed factors associated with the failure to induce antibody responses.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients with Type 2 diabetes were vaccinated and antibody responses were determined with haemagglutination inhibition assay and anti-haemagglutinin antibody ELISA.

RESULTS

Among 70 antibody-negative patients at baseline, 34 (48.6%) achieved seroconversion; 28 (60.9%) in the young adults group and six (25%) in the elderly group acquired H1N1-specific antibodies. Patients in the older age range or with longer duration of diabetes had a lower seroconversion rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show low cross-reactive antibody carrying rate and low seroconversion rate in patients with diabetes. Until larger-scale, case-controlled trials become available, older patients and patients with a longer duration of diabetes should be considered for the two-dose vaccination or have antibody titres measured after the first vaccination.

Gqalpha-linked phospholipase Cbeta1 and phospholipase Cgamma are essential components of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) signal transduction cascade

Sex pheromone production for most moths is regulated by pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN). In Bombyx mori, PBAN binding triggers the opening of store-operated Ca(2+) channels, suggesting the involvement of a receptor-activated phospholipase C (PLC). In this study, we found that PLC inhibitors U73122 and compound 48/80 reduced sex pheromone production and that intracellular levels of (3)H-inositol phosphate species increased following PBAN stimulation. In addition, we amplified cDNAs from pheromone glands corresponding to PLCbeta1, PLCbeta4, PLCgamma and two G protein alpha subunits, Go and Gq. In vivo RNA interference-mediated knockdown analyses revealed that BmPLCbeta1, BmGq1, and unexpectedly, BmPLCgamma, are part of the PBAN signal transduction cascade.

Effect of cigarette taxes on the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, tea and coffee in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

To analyse whether a health tax of 10 New Taiwan Dollars (NT$) (US$0.3) imposed on cigarettes in 2009 will help to reduce cigarette consumption, and whether or not the cigarette tax will affect consumption of alcohol, coffee and tea.

STUDY DESIGN

Time series data for consumption and retail prices of tobacco, alcohol, tea and coffee were collected and analysed for the period 1973-2007.

METHODS

To establish the Central Bureau of Statistics demand function to estimate the overall demand price elasticities of cigarettes, alcohol, tea and coffee, a seemingly unrelated regression analysis was used. The independent variables were annual consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, tea and coffee. The dependent variables were prices of and expenditures on cigarettes, alcohol, tea and coffee.

RESULTS

The estimated own-price elasticities for cigarettes and alcohol are close to -0.726. The own-price elasticities for tea and coffee are less than those for cigarettes and alcohol. Hence, it is predicted that the NT$10 health tax on cigarettes will reduce cigarette consumption by a significant 13.19%. Analysis of cross-price elasticity reveals that alcohol is complementary to cigarettes.

CONCLUSIONS

Taxation is an effective smoking control policy tool that not only helps to reduce consumption of cigarettes, but also reduces consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Significant structure theory applied to electrolyte solution

The significant structure theory has been successfully applied to an aqueous NaCl solution. Liquid water is assumed to have a domain structure and the ions are hydrated by water molecules. The partition function is composed of the partition function for the water and that for the salt, and the excess free energy term from the Debye-Hückel theory is also added. The thermodynamic properties, such as molar volume, vapor pressure, entropy of vaporization, and heat capacity, as well as the dielectric constant are calculated over the whole concentration ranges and wide temperature ranges. The agreement between theory and experiment is satisfactory.

Oligodendrocyte degeneration and recovery after focal cerebral ischemia

The vulnerability of oligodendrocytes to ischemic injury may contribute to functional loss in diseases of central white matter. Immunocytochemical methods to identify oligodendrocyte injury in experimental models rely on epitope availability, and fail to discriminate structural changes in oligodendrocyte morphology. We previously described the use of a lentiviral vector (LV) carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the myelin basic protein (MBP) promoter for selective visualization of oligodendrocyte cell bodies and processes. In this study, we used LV-MBP-eGFP to label oligodendrocytes in rat cerebral white matter prior to transient focal cerebral ischemia, and examined oligodendrocyte injury 24 h, 48 h and 1 week post-reperfusion by quantifying cell survival and assaying the integrity of myelin processes. There was progressive loss of GFP+ oligodendrocytes in ischemic white matter at 24 and 48 h. Surviving GFP+ cells had non-pyknotic nuclear morphology and were terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-negative, but there was marked fragmentation of myelin processes as early as 24 h after stroke. One week after stroke, we observed a restoration of GFP+ oligodendrocytes in ischemic white matter, reflected both by cell counts and by structural integrity of myelin processes. Proliferating cells were not the main source of GFP+ oligodendrocytes, as revealed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. These observations identify novel transient structural changes in oligodendrocyte cell bodies and myelinating processes, which may have consequences for white matter function after stroke.

A randomized controlled trial of rivastigmine in patients with cognitive impairment no dementia because of cerebrovascular disease

OBJECTIVES

The safety and efficacy of early acetylcholinesterase inhibitors therapy in patients with cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) after a cerebrovascular accident have not been examined. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of rivastigmine in cognition, particularly executive function in patients with CIND because of cerebrovascular disease.

METHODS

This study was a 24-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of ischemic stroke patients seen at a tertiary hospital who had cognitive impairment no dementia because of cerebrovascular disease. The intervention was either rivastigmine or placebo up to 9 mg/day. The primary outcome of interest was mean change from baseline in the Ten-Point Clock Drawing and Color Trails 1 and 2.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were randomized into rivastigmine (n = 25) and placebo (n = 25) arms. Patients in the rivastigmine group showed statistically significant improvement (1.70 vs 0.13, P = 0.02) on the animal subtask of the verbal fluency measure compared with placebo. There was also a trend (non-significant) towards improvement in Color Trails II.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study, we demonstrated that rivastigmine was well tolerated in patients with CIND because of cerebrovascular disease and may potentially improve executive functioning.

The relationship between adipokines, metabolic parameters and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between adipokines in metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Sixty male and female subjects with or without metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes were included. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Compared with lean control subjects, patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes had lower circulating levels of total adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, and higher levels of leptin and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Total and HMW adiponectin and the adiponectin/leptin (A/L) ratio were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR. After adjusting for age and sex, leptin, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were positively correlated with HOMA-IR. After also adjusting for body mass index, HOMA-IR was found to be independently associated with leptin, A/L ratio and TNF-alpha levels. In conclusion, decreased total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin and increased leptin and IL-6 levels are characteristic of patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Bioconversion of waste cellulose by using an attrition bioreactor

A new type of reactor, an attrition bioreactor, was tested to achieve a higher rate and extent of enzymatic saccharification of cellulose than is possible with conventional methods. The reactor consisted of a jacketted stainless-steel vessel with shaft, stirrer, and milling media, which combined the effect of the mechanical action of wet milling with cellulose hydrolysis. The substrates tested were newsprint and white-pine heartwood. The performance of the reactor was excellent. The extent and rate of enzymatic hydrolysis could be markedly improved over other methods. The power consumption of the attrition bioreactor was also measured. The cellulase enzyme deactivation during attrition milling was not significant.

Getting heavier, younger: trajectories of obesity over the life course

Context

Although recent trends in obesity have been well documented, generational patterns of obesity from early childhood through adulthood across birth cohorts, which account for the recent epidemic of childhood obesity, have not been well described. Such trends may have implications for the prevalence of obesity-associated conditions among population subgroups, including type 2 diabetes.

Objective

Our objective was to evaluate trajectories of obesity over the life course for the US population, overall and by gender and race.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We conducted an age, period, and birth cohort analysis of obesity for US individuals who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1971-2006).

Main Outcome Measures

Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 95th percentile for individuals aged 2-16 years or ≥ 30 kg/m2 among individuals older than 16 years. Age was represented by the age of the individual at each NHANES survey, period was defined by the year midpoint of each survey, and cohort was calculated by subtracting age from period.

Results

Recent birth cohorts are becoming obese in greater proportions for a given age, and are experiencing a greater duration of obesity over their lifetime. For example, whereas the 1966-75 and 1976-85 birth cohorts had reached an estimated obesity prevalence of at least 20% by 20-29 years of age, this level was only reached by 30-39 years for the 1946-55 and 1956-65 birth cohorts, by 40-49 years for the 1936-45 birth cohort, and by 50-59 years of age for the 1926-35 birth cohort. Trends are particularly pronounced for female compared with male, and black compared with white cohorts.

Conclusions

The increasing cumulative exposure to excess weight over the lifetime of recent birth cohorts will likely have profound implications for future rates of type 2 diabetes, and mortality within the US population.

Pattern formation in prey-taxis systems

In this paper, we consider spatial predator-prey models with diffusion and prey-taxis. We investigate necessary conditions for pattern formation using a variety of non-linear functional responses, linear and non-linear predator death terms, linear and non-linear prey-taxis sensitivities, and logistic growth or growth with an Allee effect for the prey. We identify combinations of the above non-linearities that lead to spatial pattern formation and we give numerical examples. It turns out that prey-taxis stabilizes the system and for large prey-taxis sensitivity we do not observe pattern formation. We also study and find necessary conditions for global stability for a type I functional response, logistic growth for the prey, non-linear predator death terms, and non-linear prey-taxis sensitivity.

Salivary diagnostics

The ability to monitor health status, disease onset and progression, and treatment outcome through non-invasive means is a most desirable goal in the health care promotion and delivery. There are three prerequisites to materialize this goal: specific biomarkers associated with a health or disease state; a non-invasive approach to detect and monitor the biomarkers; and the technologies to discriminate the biomarkers. A national initiative catalyzed by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has created a roadmap to achieve these goals through the use of oral fluids as the diagnostic medium to scrutinize the health and/or disease status of individuals. Progress has shown this is an ideal opportunity to bridge state of the art saliva-based biosensors, optimized to disease discriminatory salivary biomarkers, for diagnostic applications. Oral fluid being the 'mirror of body' is a perfect medium to be explored for health and disease surveillance. The translational applications and opportunities are enormous.

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstructions and complications in 100 living donor liver transplantations

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the risk factors for biliary complications and surgical procedures for duct-to-duct reconstructions in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From February 2005 to March 2008, we performed 100 cases of adult LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction, using 64 right lobe grafts, 33 left lobe grafts, and 3 right lateral grafts. We employed 4 types of duct-to-duct procedures: all interrupted 6-0 Prolene suture (group 1, n = 9); continuous posterior and interrupted anterior wall 6-0 Prolene suture (group 2, n = 49); all continuous 7-0 Prolene suture (group 3, n = 26); and all continuous 7-0 Prolene suture with external stent (group 4, n = 16). Biliary complications were defined as an anastomosis stricture or a leakage.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients experienced biliary complications during the follow-up period (median, 27 months). The incidence of stricture was 27% and that of leakage, 8%. There were no perioperative, intraoperative, or anatomic risk factors for biliary complications, except the type of duct-to-duct procedure. Group 1 and 2 patients showed higher incidences of biliary strictures than groups 3 and 4 (43.1% vs 4.7%; P = .00). Group 3 patients experienced a higher incidence of bile leakage than the other groups (23.1% vs 2.7%; P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

The type of biliary reconstruction is a factor affecting biliary complications following duct-to-duct anastomosis in LDLT. Duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis with 7-0 monofilament suture and a small external stent is a feasible procedure in LDLT that significantly reduces the incidence of biliary complications.

Insulin resistance in divergent strains of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows offered fresh pasture and increasing amounts of concentrate in early lactation

The objective of this study was to determine whether the physiological response to an intravenous glucose challenge would be affected by genetic strain or concentrate supplementation in grazing Holstein-Friesian cows in early lactation. North American (NA; n = 30) or New Zealand (NZ; n = 30) cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 feeding treatments. All cows were offered a generous pasture allowance, and 4 of the 6 groups received either 3 or 6 kg of dry matter (DM)/cow per day of concentrates. During wk 5 of lactation, all cows underwent an intravenous glucose challenge. Cows of NA origin produced more milk than NZ cows, but there was no significant strain effect on milk fat or protein yield. Milk yield and the yield of individual components increased with increasing level of concentrate eaten, but there were no significant strain x diet interactions. During wk 1 to 6, mean body weight and body condition score decreased in all treatments. Average body weight was greater in NA cows, but body condition score was greater for NZ cows. There was no strain or diet effect on the length of the postpartum anovulatory interval, with cows ovulating before 40 d postpartum on average. Glucose fractional turnover rate was greater in NZ cows compared with those of NA origin and in all cows receiving 6 kg of DM concentrates, indicating a less severe insulin resistance in those treatments. Consistent with this, the time taken to dispose of half the peak glucose concentration was less when 6 kg of DM concentrate was fed, and tended to be less in NZ than in NA cows. There was no effect of genetic strain on glucose area under the curve (AUC) at 60 or 120 min, but AUC at both time points was less in cows receiving 6 kg of DM concentrates per day. Neither genetic strain nor nutrition affected basal or peak insulin concentrations, insulin increment, or insulin AUC, and there were no strain x diet interactions for any of the glucose challenge response variables measured. In conclusion, differences in milk production between NA and NZ cows in early lactation can, at least in part, be explained by the greater degree of insulin resistance in the NA cows, and this insulin resistance can be overcome by supplementing grazing cows with 6 kg of DM concentrates.

Positive predictive value of breast MRI in cancer detection

Abstract #4007

Purpose: 
 Positive predictive values (PPVs) are among the performance benchmarks which have been reported when examining clinical outcomes related to mammography. Breast MRI is increasingly being used as a tool for screening and diagnostic purposes and current performance benchmarks for breast MRI have yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to assess breast MRI performance in our academic clinical practice via comparison of breast MRI PPVs with reported PPV values for mammography. Specifically, we sought to determine the abnormal interpretation rate of breast MRI examinations, and then to calculate the PPVs related to recommendations for further diagnostic evaluation and to recommendations for biopsy of breast lesions visualized on MRI.
 Materials and Methods: 
 This study was approved by our institutional review board and its methodology is in compliance with federal HIPAA regulations. A retrospective search of our institutional breast imaging database identified all breast MRI examinations performed 4/1/07 - 3/31/08. Data abstracted included: patient age, clinical indication for breast MRI, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) assessments for all breast imaging examinations, clinical follow-up, and pathology results. Positive exams were defined as those with an initial BI-RADS 0, 4, or 5. Exams with suspicious findings were defined as those with a final BI-RADS 4 or 5 after additional workup. PPVs were calculated based on American College of Radiology recommendations and using the following definitions: PPV1 = exams with cancer/positive exams, PPV 2 = exams with cancer/exams with suspicious findings, and PPV 3 = cancers/biopsied lesions.
 Results:
 2,600 breast MRI examinations were performed during the study period. After exclusion criteria were applied, 285 positive exams (BI-RADS 0, 4 or 5) were identified for further analysis. The abnormal interpretation rate was 10.96% (285/2600, 95% CI: 9.7% - 12.2%). After non-invasive workup, including mammographic and sonographic correlation, 186 lesions on 177 exams had biopsy recommendations (final BI-RADS 4 or 5). Following biopsy, 55 malignancies were diagnosed (35 invasive carcinomas, 18 DCIS, 2 phyllodes/sarcoma). The overall PPV for a positive breast MRI exam (PPV1) was 17.2% (49/285). The PPV for suspicious findings after non-invasive workup (PPV2) was 27.7% (49/177). The PPV for biopsied lesions (PPV3) was 29.6% (55/186). When stratified by MRI indication, the cancer yield was lower in the screening setting (PPV1 = 9.7%, PPV2 = 19.7%, PPV3 = 19.4%) than in the diagnostic setting (PPV1 = 23.0%, PPV2 = 31.9%, PPV3 = 34.7%).
 Conclusions:
 Diagnostic breast MRI PPVs are comparable to published benchmarks for diagnostic mammography. Screening breast MRI PPVs are lower than published values for screening mammography, and lower when compared with reports from high-risk screening breast MRI trials. This may reflect characteristics of the population undergoing screening breast MRI in our academic clinical practice. Factors such as cancer detection rate and the population risk for breast cancer should be considered when examining PPVs for breast MRI.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4007.

Adoptive immunotherapy using human peripheral blood lymphocytes transferred with RNA encoding Her-2/neu-specific chimeric immune receptor in ovarian cancer xenograft model

The current gene transfer technology for single chain (scFv)-based chimeric immune receptor (CIR) has relied on retrovirus and lentivirus vectors which require a long time to obtain sufficient number of transduced cells and stably incorporate into genome. To ameliorate these limitations, we applied RNA electroporation to human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) activated with anti-CD3 antibody and interleukin-2 (IL-2) for 3 days and assessed that PBL transiently expressing anti-Her-2/neu CIR (CIR-PBL) containing signaling portion of CD28 and CD3zeta could elicit strong cytotoxicity in vitro and antitumor responses in vivo. The CIR-PBL expressed high level of CIR in CD4+, CD8+ and CD56+ cells. Her-2/neu-specific stimulation induced secretion of type-I cytokines including interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-8 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and IFN-gamma secretion was mainly mediated by CD8+ T cells. CIR-PBL specifically killed SKOV3 cell line expressing Her-2/neu. Adoptive transfer of CIR-PBL in SKOV3 xenograft model led to significant inhibition of tumor growth compared with transfer of mock-transduced PBL and showed higher inhibition than those with Herceptin, humanized monoclonal antibody specific for Her-2/neu. These results provided evidence that electroporation of CIR RNA to human PBLs could be used for rapid generation and high number of therapeutic antigen-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy.

Effect of remifentanil on oculocardiac reflex in paediatric strabismus surgery

BACKGROUND

Rapidly acting narcotics enhance the degree of bradycardia due to the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) elicited by extraocular muscle (EOM) tension during strabismus surgery. We evaluated and compared the effects of remifentanil and sevoflurane on OCR during paediatric strabismus surgery.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty children, 1-9 years old, undergoing elective strabismus surgery, were randomly assigned to receive sevoflurane or remifentanil. No anticholinergic prophylaxis was administered. Anaesthesia was induced using ketamine 1.0 mg/kg or midazolam 0.15 mg/kg with 66% N(2)O in O(2). Laryngeal mask airways were placed with rocuronium 0.5 mg/kg. Anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane 2.0-3.0 vol% with 66% N(2)O in O(2) or remifentanil 0.75 mug/kg over 1 min and followed by the continuous infusion of remifentanil 0.5 mug/kg/min with 66% N(2)O in O(2). Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured and compared. OCR was defined as a reduction in HR of >20% induced by traction of an EOM.

RESULTS

During anaesthesia, HR and BP were maintained at a lower level in the remifentanil group than in the sevoflurane group (each, P<0.05). The mean percent change in HR (-23.3+/-17.0% vs. -11.2+/-13.0%; P<0.05) and the incidence of OCR (58.3% vs. 28.3%; P<0.05) following traction of an EOM were higher in the remifentanil group than in the sevoflurane group.

CONCLUSIONS

Remifentanil enhanced the degree of bradycardia due to OCR as compared with sevoflurane during paediatric strabismus surgery.

Luminal hydrochloric acid stimulates rapid transepithelial ion fluxes in rodent esophageal stratified squamous epithelium

It remains unclear whether enhanced ion fluxes occur in the esophageal stratified squamous epithelium upon acid exposure. Rat esophageal tissues devoid of submucosal glands displayed basal short-circuit current (Isc) of 5.03 +/- 1.93 microA/cm(2) and lumen-negative potential difference (PD) in association with net absorption of Na+ and Cl-, and secretion of HCO3(-). Luminal hydrochloric acid (HCl) challenge (pH = 1.6) triggered an acute rise of the Isc and increment of negative PD to seven-fold of baseline, which was diminished in HCO3(-)-free, but not Na+- free buffer. The rise of Isc was inhibited by pretreatment with di-isothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS) and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA). Topical carbachol, capsaicin, forskolin or CFTR(inh)-172 had no effect on basal Isc.CFTR(inh)-172 did not reduce the acid-increased Isc. Functional ablation of capsaicin-sensitive nerves had no effect on the acid-induced Isc. The phenomenon of enhanced ion fluxes upon acid stimulation was confirmed in human esophageal specimens. Our results demonstrated that the mechanism of acid-induced rapid transepithelial ion fluxes is dependent on the presence of bicarbonate ions as well as functional anion transporters and Na+/H+ exchanger, but independent of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The capsaicin-sensitive and muscarinic-dependent nerve pathways did not play roles in the mechanism.

Subclinical Cushing's syndrome associated with an adrenocortical oncocytoma

Oncocytoma is a neoplasm that can arise in several organs, and it has been more commonly described in the kidney, salivary gland and thyroid. Oncocytoma arising in the adrenal gland is a rare finding. Moreover, functioning adrenocortical oncocytoma is exceptionally rare. A 47-yr-old man was incidentally discovered to have a right adrenal mass. The patient had no clinical features suggestive of increased adrenal function. However, hormonal evaluation showed a disturbed cortisol circadian rhythm, supranormal urinary cortisol excretion, a low level of ACTH, and a lack of suppressibility of cortisol secretion after dexamethasone. Right adrenalectomy was performed, and this revealed a well-circumscribed dark-brown tumor that measured 2.4x2.2 cm. The tumor consisted almost exclusively of large eosinophilic and epitheloid cells whose cytoplasm was packed with eosinophilic granulations, which corresponded to the numerous mitochondria confirmed on electron microscopy. This is a rare case of subclinical Cushing's syndrome that was caused by adrenocortical oncocytoma.

Osteoprotegerin Lys3Asn polymorphism and the risk of fracture in older women

CONTEXT

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a soluble decoy receptor for receptor activator nuclear factor kappa-beta that blocks osteoclastic bone resorption.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association between a Lys3Asn polymorphism in the OPG gene and bone mineral density (BMD), and the risk of fracture in 6695 women aged 65 yr and older participating in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

DESIGN

BMD was measured using either single-photon absorptiometry (Osteon Osteoanalyzer; Dove Medical Group, Los Angeles, CA) or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 1000; Hologic, Inc., Bedford, MA). Incident fractures were confirmed by physician adjudication of radiology reports. Genotyping was performed using an immobilized probe-based assay.

RESULTS

Women who were homozygous for the minor G (Lys) allele had significantly lower BMD at the intertrochanter, distal radius, lumbar spine, and calcaneus than those with the C (Asn) allele. There were 701 incident hip fractures during 13.6-yr follow-up (91,249 person-years), including 362 femoral neck and 333 intertrochanteric hip fractures. Women with the C/C (Asn-Asn) genotype had a 51% higher risk of femoral neck fracture (95% confidence interval, 1.13-2.02) and 26% higher risk of hip fracture (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.54) than those with the G/G (Lys-Lys) genotype. These associations were independent of BMD. Intertrochanteric fractures were not associated with the Lys3Asn polymorphism.

CONCLUSION

These results require confirmation but suggest a role for the OPG Lys3Asn polymorphism in the genetic susceptibility to hip fractures among older white women.

The impact of human ABO blood groups on human xenoreactive antibody-mediated cytotoxicity and the protective effect of human decay-accelerating factors exogene on swine endothelium

Swine tissue can express antigens similar to human A/B blood types. We evaluated whether the variation in human blood type influences the human xenoreactive antibody-mediated cytotoxicity and modifies the protective effect of human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF) exogene, a complement activation regulator, on swine endothelium.

METHODS

Pig aortic endothelial cells were harvested form normal and hDAF transgenic pigs. Cellular viability was evaluated with an MTT assay.

RESULTS

As compared with that of other human blood types, human serum from blood type O donors induced more prominent cytotoxicity on swine endothelial cells both from hDAF transgenic or normal pigs (P < .05). In addition, this difference of xenoreactive antibody-induced cytotoxicity between treatment with O and other human blood type sera was more evident in hDAF transgenic swine endothelial cells than those of normal pigs (P < .05). The hDAF exogene can significantly protect the endothelial cells from human xenoreactive antibody-mediated cytotoxicty when treated with human serum from AB blood type (P < .05). Our data demonstrated that human ABO blood type significantly affected human xenoreactive antibody-induced cytotoxicity, which may modulate the protective effect of hDAF exogene expression on swine endothelial cells.

Effects of banana, orange, and apple on oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

Banana, orange, and apple are the major fruits in Western and Asian diets. In order to find the effects of these fruits, neuron like PC12 cells were exposed to the extracts of these fruits before H(2)O(2) treatment. We found a significant viability of PC12 cells by the MTT reduction test, which indicated that the phenolics of banana, orange, and apple fruits prevented oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity. Additional tests by lactate dehydrogenase and trypan blue exclusion assays showed that the extracts reduced oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell membrane damage. These results suggest that fresh apples, banana, and orange in our daily diet along with other fruits may protect neuron cells against oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity and may play an important role in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Temporal migration of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-1 neurones is modified in GAD67 knockout mice

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH-1) neurones reside in the forebrain and regulate gonadal function via the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Disruption of this axis results in reproductive dysfunction. During embryonic development, GnRH-1 neurones migrate from the nasal pit through the nasal/forebrain junction (NFJ) into the developing brain. Prenatally gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is excitatory and has been shown to play a role in nervous system development. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that GABA inhibits migration of GnRH-1 neurones. The present study examines the migration of GnRH-1 neurones in GAD67 knockout (KO) mice to further elucidate the role of GABA on GnRH-1 neuronal development. Three stages were examined, embryonic day (E)12.5, E14.5 and E17.5. GnRH-1 cell number and location were analysed by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation histochemistry. The total number of GnRH-1 immunopositive cells was similar between wild-type (WT) and KO mice. However, significant differences were found in the overall distribution of GnRH-1 immunopositive cells in GAD67 KO compared to WT mice at all stages. Subsequent analysis by area revealed differences occurred at the NFJ with an increase in GnRH-1 cells in GAD67 KO at E14.5 and a decrease in GnRH-1 cells in GAD67 KO at E17.5. Comparable counts for cells expressing GnRH-1 transcript and protein were obtained. These data indicate that attenuated levels of GABA accelerate GnRH-1 cell migration in nasal areas as well as movement of GnRH-1 cells into the central nervous system at the NFJ.