Injury control: an opportunity for China

Injury control is an important health issue in China, but has been less well explored than in other countries. To encourage health policy makers to give greater attention to injury control, this report highlights the great damage caused by injuries and the neglected status of injury control in China. China's situation and the experiences and lessons from industrialized countries, especially the USA, are summarized. Finally, two opportunities to improve injury control in China are identified: establishment of a mechanism for multi-department coordination and collaboration; and improvement of injury data surveillance.

Body mass index and the risk of total and cardiovascular mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes: a large prospective study in Ukraine

BACKGROUND

Several prospective studies have evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and cardiovascular mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes; however, the results are controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of different BMI distributions with total and cardiovascular mortality among diabetic patients.

METHODS

A total of 30 534 Ukrainian men and 58 909 women with type 2 diabetes from the nationwide population-based diabetes register were included in this study.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 2.7 years, 7804 deaths were recorded, of which 3320 were due to cardiovascular disease. After adjustment for age, smoking and alcohol drinking, the hazard ratios across the five BMI categories (<23, 23-24.9, 25-29.9 (reference group), 30-34.9 and >or=35 kg/m2) among diabetic men were 1.57 (95% CI 1.42 to 1.74), 1.16 (1.05 to 1.28), 1.0, 1.01 (0.91 to 1.12) and 1.24 (1.02 to 1.50) for total mortality, and 1.67 (95% CI 1.42 to 1.95), 1.30 (1.12 to 1.51), 1.0, 1.13 (0.96 to 1.34) and 1.54 (1.16 to 2.05) for cardiovascular mortality, respectively. The respective hazard ratios among diabetic women were 1.34 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.47), 1.00 (0.91 to 1.10), 1.0, 1.04 (0.97 to 1.12) and 1.27 (1.14 to 1.41) for total mortality, and 1.36 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.57), 1.06 (0.92 to 1.21), 1.0, 1.12 (1.01 to 1.25) and 1.35 (1.15 to 1.59) for cardiovascular mortality. Additional adjustment for systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes treatments and duration of diabetes affected the results only slightly.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated a U-shaped association between BMI and total and cardiovascular mortality among diabetic men and women.

Research on a natural sunscreen from Chinese herbs

To compare the difference in SPF values between a synthetic sunscreen and a sunscreen derived from Chinese herbs, by using optical and biological methods, we observed the effects of these sunscreens by photochemical reaction, sun protection factor (SPF) values, and UV absorption. The results showed that the synthetic sunscreen was more effective in UV absorption than the sunscreen derived from natural Chinese herbs. When they were tested biologically, it was found that the sunscreen derived from Chinese herbs was able to improve skin tonicity, as well as reduce the itching, photoerythema, squamation, burning, and reddening caused by the excessive UV radiation, while the synthetic sunscreen could not improve these conditions of the skin, and even induced some side-effects in the skin with photoerythema. By comparing the in vivo SPF values of the two types of sunscreen, they were found to be mainly similar. The results indicate that the SPF value was related to both a photo-reaction and a biological reaction. The sunscreen derived from natural Chinese herbs, although having low UV absorption, was able to exhibit the same SPF value as the synthetic sunscreen because of its biological effects.

Total cholesterol and the risk of Parkinson disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between serum total cholesterol at baseline and the risk of Parkinson disease (PD).

METHODS

Study cohorts included 24,773 Finnish men and 26,153 women aged 25 to 74 years without a history of PD and stroke at baseline. Hazard ratios (HRs) of incident PD were estimated for different levels of total cholesterol.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up period of 18.1 years, 321 men and 304 women developed incident PD. After adjustment for confounding factors (age, study years, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, education, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee and tea consumption, and history of diabetes), the HRs of PD at different levels of total cholesterol (<5, 5-5.9, 6-6.9, and >or=7 mmol/L) were 1.00, 1.33, 1.53, and 1.84 (p for trend = 0.035) in men; 1.00, 1.55, 1.57, and 1.86 (p for trend = 0.113) in women; and 1.00, 1.42, 1.56, and 1.86 (p for trend = 0.002) in men and women combined (adjusted also for sex). In both sexes combined, the increased risk of PD associated with increasing levels of serum total cholesterol was present both in subjects aged 25-44 years and in subjects aged 45-54 years at baseline, and in never smokers and smokers; however, no association was found among subjects aged 55 years or older at baseline.

CONCLUSION

This large prospective study suggests that high total cholesterol at baseline is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson disease.

Qualitative and quantitative trait loci conditioning resistance to Puccinia coronata pathotypes NQMG and LGCG in the oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars Ogle and TAM O-301

Mapping disease resistance loci relies on the type and precision of phenotypic measurements. For crown rust of oat, disease severity is commonly assessed based on visual ratings of infection types (IT) and/or diseased leaf area (DLA) of infected plants in the greenhouse or field. These data can be affected by several variables including; (i) non-uniform disease development in the field; (ii) atypical symptom development in the greenhouse; (iii) the presence of multiple pathogenic races or pathotypes in the field, and (iv) rating bias. To overcome these limitations, we mapped crown rust resistance to single isolates in the Ogle/TAM O-301 (OT) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population using detailed measurements of IT, uredinia length (UL) and relative fungal DNA (FDNA) estimates determined by q-PCR. Measurements were taken on OT parents and recombinant inbred lines (RIL) inoculated with Puccinia coronata pathotypes NQMG and LGCG in separate greenhouse and field tests. Qualitative mapping identified an allele conferred by TAM O-301 on linkage group (LG) OT-11, which produced a bleached fleck phenotype to both NQMG and LGCG. Quantitative mapping identified two major quantitative trait loci (QTL) originating from TAM O-301 on LGs OT-11 and OT-32 which reduced UL and FDNA of both isolates in all experiments. Additionally, minor QTLs that reduced UL and FDNA were detected on LGs OT-15 and OT-8, originating from TAM O-301, and on LG OT-27, originating from Ogle. Detailed assessments of the OT population using two pathotypes in both the greenhouse and field provided comprehensive information to effectively map the genes responsible for crown rust resistance in Ogle and TAM O-301 to NQMG and LGCG.

Characterization and mapping of oat crown rust resistance genes using three assessment methods

ABSTRACT Resistance is the primary means of control for crown rust of oat (Avena sativa L.), caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae, and better knowledge of the genetics of resistance will enhance resistance breeding. Disease data were generated in the field and greenhouse for parents and recombinant inbred lines of the Ogle/TAM O-301 (OT) oat mapping population using (i) a new quantitative assay that employs quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) to estimate fungal growth in the host, (ii) digital image analysis, and (iii) visual ratings. The objectives of this study were to evaluate each assessment method's ability to map a major gene from cv. Ogle and potential quantitative trait loci (QTL) contributed by Ogle and TAM O-301. All three assessment methods identified the major gene in Ogle, which was mapped to linkage group OT6. The resolution produced by q-PCR, however, enabled more precise mapping of the major gene. Quantitative analysis indicated that 64% of the phenotypic variation was accounted for using q-PCR, whereas 41 and 52% were accounted for using visual and digital assessments, respectively. Data generated by q-PCR permitted identification of QTL on linkage groups OT32, accounting for 6% of the phenotypic variation, and OT2, accounting for 4% of the variation. QTL on both OT32 and OT2 were conferred by TAM O-301, one of which (OT2) was indiscernible using data from the visual and digital assessments. The new method of precisely phenotyping crown rust resistance provided a more accurate and thorough means of dissecting resistance in the OT mapping population. Similar methods could be developed and applied to other important cereal rust diseases.

Fibrin-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoparticles for targeted thrombolysis

Background: Reperfusion of the ischemic brain is the most effective therapy for acute stroke, restoring blood flow to threatened tissues. Thrombolytics, such as recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, administered within 3 h of symptom onset can improve neurologic outcome, although the potential for adverse hemorrhagic events limits its use to less than 3% of acute ischemic stroke patients. Targeting of clot-dissolving therapeutics has the potential to decrease the frequency of complications while simultaneously increasing treatment effectiveness, by concentrating the available drug at the desired site and permitting a lower systemic dose. Objectives: We aimed to develop a fibrin-specific, liquid perfluorocarbon nanoparticle that is surface modified to deliver the plasminogen activator streptokinase. We also aimed to evaluate its effectiveness for targeted thrombolysis in vitro using quantitative acoustic microscopy. Methods: Human plasma clots were formed in vitro and targeted with streptokinase-loaded nanoparticles, control nanoparticles or a mixture of both. Depending on the treatment group, clots were then exposed to either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), PBS with plasminogen or PBS with plasminogen and free streptokinase. Spatially registered ultrasound scans were performed at 15-min intervals for 1 h to quantify changes in clot morphology and backscatter. Results: Nanoparticles bound to the clot significantly increased the acoustic contrast of the targeted clot surface, permitting volumetric estimates. Profile plots of detected clot surfaces demonstrated that streptokinase-loaded, fibrin-targeted perfluoro-octylbromide nanoparticles in the presence of plasminogen induced rapid fibrinolysis (<60 min) without concurrent microbubble production and cavitation. Streptokinase-loaded or fibrin-targeted control nanoparticles insonified in PBS did not induce clot lysis. Morphologic changes in the treated group were accompanied by temporal and spatial changes in backscatter. Ultrasound exposure had no effect on the digestion process. Effective concentrations of targeted streptokinase were orders of magnitude lower than equivalently efficacious levels of free drug. Moreover, increasing competitive inhibition of fibrin-bound streptokinase nanoparticles reduced clot lysis in a monotonic fashion. As little as 1% surface targeting of streptokinase nanoparticles produced significant decreases in clot volumes (∼30%) in 1 h. Conclusion: This new nanoparticle-based thrombolytic agent provides specific and rapid fibrinolysis in vitro and may have a clinical role in early reperfusion during acute ischemic stroke.

Coffee consumption, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and risk of type II diabetes

OBJECTIVES

To study the joint association of coffee consumption and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels on the risk of developing type II diabetes.

DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS

A total of 21,826 Finnish men and women who were 35-74 years of age and without any history of diabetes at baseline (years 1982, 1987, 1992 and 1997) were included in the present analyses. They were prospectively followed up for onset of type II diabetes (n=862 cases), death or until the end of the year 2002. Coffee consumption, serum GGT and other study parameters were determined at baseline using standardized measurements. Analyses were stratified by the serum GGT level classified into two classes using the 75th sex-specific percentiles as the cut point.

RESULTS

Coffee consumption was significantly and inversely associated with incident diabetes among both men and women. Serum GGT modified the association between coffee consumption and incident diabetes. Subjects in the high category of coffee consumption with the GGT level > or = 75th percentile showed a significant inverse association for women, and for both sexes combined. The association was not significant in subjects with the GGT level < or = 75th percentile. There was a significant interaction effect of GGT and coffee consumption on risk of type II diabetes in data of women (P=0.05) and in both sexes combined (P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Habitual coffee consumption is associated with lower incidence of type II diabetes particularly in those with higher baseline serum GGT levels.

Body mass index and the risk of Parkinson disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and the risk of Parkinson disease (PD).

METHODS

Study cohorts included 22,367 Finnish men and 23,439 women 25 to 59 years of age without a history of PD at baseline. Hazards ratios (HRs) of incident PD were estimated for different levels of BMI.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up period of 18.8 years, 272 men and 254 women developed incident PD. After adjustment for confounding factors (age, study years, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, education, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, and alcohol, coffee, and tea consumption), the HRs of PD at different levels of BMI (<23, 23 to 24.9, 25 to 26.9, 27 to 29.9, and > or =30 kg/m(2)) were 1.00, 1.97 (95% CI: 1.21 to 3.22), 1.83 (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.99), 2.34 (95% CI: 1.45 to 3.78), and 2.44 (95% CI: 1.44 to 4.15) in men, and 1.00, 1.50 (95% CI: 0.95 to 2.37), 1.65 (95% CI: 1.05 to 2.59), 1.79 (95% CI: 1.15 to 2.80), and 1.77 (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.78) in women, and 1.00, 1.70 (95% CI: 1.23 to 2.37), 1.70 (95% CI: 1.23 to 2.37), 2.02 (95% CI: 1.46 to 2.79), and 2.03 (95% CI: 1.44 to 2.85) in men and women combined (adjusted also for sex). In both sexes combined, the multivariate-adjusted direct association between BMI and the risk of PD was present both in subjects aged 25 to 49 years and 50 to 59 years, in never smokers and smokers and in participants diagnosed PD before and after 65 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Body mass index is associated with a risk of Parkinson disease. The effect is graded and independent of other risk factors.

Sustained activation of Src-family tyrosine kinases by ischemia: A potential mechanism mediating extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascades in hippocampal dentate gyrus

In the present report, we investigated the association between the sustained activation of Src family tyrosine kinases (primarily Src kinase) with the biphasic phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) induced by ischemia in the rat hippocampal CA3/dentate gyrus subfield. Post-ischemia reperfusion resulted in the phosphorylation of ERK in a Ras-dependent manner; down-regulation of NMDA receptors or Src family protein kinases by ketamine or 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl) pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine (PP2) potently antagonized the activation of ERK, indicating that NMDA receptors and Src family tyrosine kinases are essential for the up-regulation of ERK activity following ischemic stimuli. Additionally, an ischemia-induced association between RKIP and Raf-1 resulted in the inhibition of the ERK signaling cascade through an inhibition of Src-mediated Raf-1 phosphorylation at Tyr340/341 residues. This ischemia-induced inhibition of ERK was not associated with other downstream pathways involving Raf-1 phosphorylation at Ser 259 elicited by protein kinase B (Akt). Dissociation of Raf-1 from RKIP by 24 h reperfusion or (4S)-3-[(E)-but-2-enoyl]-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (locostatin) influenced the second phase of ERK activation elicited by the Src-Raf cassette. We propose that, following ischemia, the Src family tyrosine kinases are critical for modulation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK cascade, in which RKIP is involved in biphasic phosphorylation of ERK via a blockade of Src-Raf cascades.

Coffee consumption and risk of total and cardiovascular mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Higher habitual coffee drinking has been associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The relation between coffee consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been examined in many studies, but the issue remains controversial. This study was designed to assess the association between coffee consumption and CVD mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We prospectively followed 3,837 randomly ascertained Finnish patients with type 2 diabetes aged 25 to 74 years. Coffee consumption and other study parameters were determined at baseline. The International Classification of Diseases was used to identify CHD, CVD and stroke cases using computerised record linkage to the national Death Registry. The associations between coffee consumption at baseline and risk of total, CVD, CHD, and stroke mortality were analysed by using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

During the average follow-up of 20.8 years, 1,471 deaths were recorded, of which 909 were coded as CVD, 598 as CHD and 210 as stroke. The respective multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios in participants who drank 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, and > or =7 cups of coffee daily were 1.00, 0.77, 0.68 and 0.70 for total mortality (P<0.001 for trend), 1.00, 0.79, 0.70 and 0.71 for CVD mortality (P=0.006 for trend), 1.00, 0.78, 0.70 and 0.63 for CHD mortality (p=0.01 for trend), and 1.00, 0.77, 0.64 and 0.90 for stroke mortality (p=0.12 for trend).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In this large prospective study we found that in type 2 diabetic patients coffee drinking is associated with reduced total, CVD and CHD mortality.

The effect of diabetes and stroke at baseline and during follow-up on stroke mortality

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to compare the magnitude of the effect of diabetes and stroke at baseline and during follow-up on risk of stroke mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study cohorts included 25,155 Finnish men and 26,423 women aged 25-74 years. Data on diabetes and stroke history at baseline, their incidence during follow-up, and stroke death were obtained from national registers.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 18.9 years, 838 stroke deaths were recorded. In the baseline study, hazard ratios (HRs) for stroke mortality were 5.26 for men with prior diabetes only, 4.76 for men with prior stroke only, and 13.4 for men with both prior diabetes and stroke compared with men without diabetes and stroke at baseline and during follow-up. In women, the corresponding hazard ratios were 7.29, 5.27 and 5.52, respectively. When only diabetes and stroke status during the follow-up were considered, the hazard ratios for stroke mortality were 1.41 for men and 1.56 for women with incident diabetes only, 5.62 for men and 5.58 for women with incident stroke only, and 5.59 for men and 4.48 for women with both incident diabetes and stroke compared with men and women without diabetes and stroke at baseline and during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Diabetes and stroke, present either at baseline or during follow-up, markedly increase the risk of stroke death. Prior stroke at baseline carries a similar risk of stroke mortality as prior diabetes. There is a greater risk of stroke mortality associated with incident stroke during follow-up than with incident diabetes.

IFITM1 plays an essential role in the antiproliferative action of interferon-gamma

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in antiproliferative and anti-virus responses, immune surveillance and tumor suppression. These biological responses to IFN-gamma are mainly mediated by the regulation of gene expression. It has been reported that growth-inhibitory role of IFN-gamma is dependent on activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1); however, the molecular basis downstream of STAT1 remains unclear. Here, we report that an IFN-gamma-induced gene, interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1), plays a key role in the antiproliferative action of IFN-gamma. Overexpression of IFITM1 negatively regulated cell growth, whereas suppression of IFITM1 blocked the antiproliferative effect of IFN-gamma, accelerated the cell growth rate and conferred tumorigenicity to a non-malignant hepatocyte in nude mice. Further, IFITM1 could inhibit the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, enhance the transcriptional activity of p53 and stabilize the p53 protein by inhibiting p53 phosphorylation on Thr55. Suppression of p53 reduced the growth-inhibitory capacity of both IFITM1 and IFN-gamma. Therefore, these findings indicated that the antiproliferative action of IFN-gamma requires the induction of IFITM1, and provided a crosstalk between two well-known signaling mediators, STAT1 and p53, both of which play critical roles in tumor suppression.

Iptakalim inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated currents in dopamine neurons acutely dissociated from rat substantia nigra pars compacta

Iptakalim hydrochloride, a novel cardiovascular ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel opener, has shown remarkable antihypertensive and neuroprotective effects in a variety of studies using in vivo and in vitro preparations. We recently found that iptakalim blocked human alpha4-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) heterologously expressed in the human SH-EP1 cell line. In the present study, we examined the effects of iptakalim on several neurotransmitter-induced current responses in single DA neurons freshly dissociated from rat substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), using perforated patch-clamp recordings combined with a U-tube rapid drug application. In identified DA neurons under voltage-clamp configuration, glutamate-, NMDA-, and GABA-induced currents were insensitive to co-application with iptakalim (100 microM), while whole-cell currents induced by ACh (1 mM+1 microM atropine) or an alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors relatively selective agonist, RJR-2403 (300 microM), were eliminated by iptakalim. Iptakalim inhibited RJR-2403-induced current in a concentration-dependent manner, and reduced maximal RJR-2403-induced currents at the highest agonist concentration, suggesting a non-competitive block. In current-clamp mode, iptakalim failed to affect resting membrane potential and spontaneous action potential firing, but abolished RJR-2403-induced neuronal firing acceleration. Together, these results indicate that in dissociated SNc DA neurons, alpha4-containing nAChRs, rather than ionotropic glutamate receptors, GABA(A) receptors or perhaps K-ATP channels are the sensitive targets to mediate iptakalim's pharmacological roles.

Intrinsic distribution of magnetic anisotropy in thin films probed by patterned nanostructures

We demonstrate that the switching field distribution (SFD) in arrays of 50 nm to 5 microm Co/Pd elements, with perpendicular anisotropy, can be explained by a distribution of intrinsic anisotropy rather than any fabrication related effects. Further, simulations of coercivity and SFD versus element size allow the distribution of intrinsic anisotropy to be quantified in highly exchanged coupled thin films where the reversal mechanism is one of nucleation followed by rapid domain wall motion.

Capecitabine (X) plus vinorelbine (N) as second-line therapy in Chinese patients (pts) with metastastic breast cancer (MBC)

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Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among Chinese women and the incidence continues to rise, particularly in large cities such as Shanghai. X monotherapy is consistently effective and very well tolerated in pretreated MBC. N is also commonly used in this indication. In several studies, the combination of X + N led to response rates ranging from 43–67% in first-line MBC. As there are few data on this combination in pretreated MBC, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of X + N in Chinese pts with MBC refractory to anthracycline or taxane treatment in a phase II trial. Methods: 77 pts of a planned population of 60 pts were enrolled between Feb 2003 and Nov 2004. All pts had measurable MBC (WHO) recurrent after anthracycline or taxane treatment, Karnofsky PS ≥60, adequate bone marrow, renal and hepatic function. Pts received 3-weekly cycles of oral X 1000mg/m2 bid d1–14 + i.v. N 25mg/m2 d1&8, for at least 2 cycles. Pts with progressive disease went off study while those with complete response (CR), partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD) continued treatment for a maximum of 6 cycles. Results: Baseline characteristics of the 77 pts evaluable to date: median age 51 years (range 29–68); median Karnofsky PS 90 (range 70–100). Previous chemotherapy was: anthracycline (87%), paclitaxel/docetaxel (52%). Principal tumor sites were: lung (40%), liver (39%), lymph nodes (33%), thoracic wall (12%), breast (7%), other (3%). All pts received at least 2 cycles, 20 received 4 cycles and 47 received 6 cycles. The overall response rate was 22%, including 5 CR and 12 PR. At a median follow-up of 6 months (95% CI, 4.2–9.0), the median time to progression (TTP) is 6 months (95% CI, 3.5–9.0). The most common (≥10% pts) treatment-related grade 1/2 adverse events were: HFS (16%), nausea (12%), and SGPT abnormality (10%). Most adverse events improved or resolved after dose adjustment and/or suitable treatments. There were very few grade 3/4 adverse events, the most common being leucopenia (12%). Conclusions: X + N is active in pretreated MBC and its efficacy is confirmed in this study in Chinese pts. The combination is also well tolerated.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The factors affecting objective response in patients with advanced malignant tumor treated with H101, an E1B-55kD deleted oncolytic adenovirus

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Background: H101 is E1B-55kD deleted oncolytic adenovirus which can selectively replicate in tumor cells. Previous phase I/II clinical trials have shown that H101 has certain anti-tumor effects and is safe when applied to patients by intratumoral injection. The aim of this study is to identify the factors affecting tumor response in patients with advanced malignant tumor treated with H101. Methods: All patients in H101 phase II clinical trial were retrospectively reviewed. They were treated with either H101 alone (group A) or H101 combined with conventional chemotherapy (group B). H101 was administrated by intratumoral injection at the dosage of 5×1011 viral particles, once a day for 5 consecutive days. The objective response was evaluated according to WHO criteria and the adverse events were recorded. All information required for this study was retrieved from the database of H101 phase II clinical trial. Chi square test and stepwise multivariable regression were used for statistic analysis with a significant level of p<0.05. Results: There were 106 evaluable patients in this study, 54 in group A (36 males and 18 females, age: 36–78 years), 52 in group B (35 males and 17 females, age: 18–76 years). The diagnoses of these patients include head & neck cancer (54), breast cancer (13) and others (39). All were in the advanced stage of the disease, and refractory or resistant to chemo and radio therapy. The objective response rate was higher in group B (23.1%) as compared to group A (16.7%). In patients with response (CR or PR), 62.5% of them experienced fever after the injection of H101, in contrast, only 18.9% of the patients without response did so. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). In the stepwise multivariable regression analysis, tumor response was used as dependent variable, and the independent variables included demographic data, clinical and pathologic type of the tumor, and treatment regimen. The result revealed that tumor response was positively correlated with the fever after H101 injection (p<0.01). Conclusions: H101 has certain anti-tumor efficacy in patients with advanced malignancies, which might be enhanced by the fever after H101 injection and/or combining with chemotherapy.

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Joint association of coffee consumption and other factors to the risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study in Finland

OBJECTIVE

To examine joint associations of coffee consumption and other factors (including physical activity, obesity and alcohol consumption) with the risk of type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

Prospective follow-up study.

SUBJECTS

In all, 10 188 Finnish men and 11 197 women aged 35-74 years without a history of stroke, coronary heart disease or diabetes at baseline.

MEASUREMENT

A self-administered questionnaire data on coffee, tea, alcohol and other food consumption, physical activity, smoking, socio-economic factors and medical history, together with measured height, weight and blood pressure using standardized protocol.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 13.4 years, there were 964 incident cases of type 2 diabetes. Multivariate-adjusted (age, study year, systolic blood pressure, education, smoking, physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and fruit, vegetable, sausage, bread, alcohol and tea consumption) hazard ratio of type 2 diabetes in participants who drank 0-2, 3-6 and > or =7 cups of coffee were 1.00, 0.77 and 0.66 (P=0.022 for trend) in men, 1.00, 0.71 and 0.52 (P=0.001 for trend) in women, and 1.00, 0.75 and 0.61 (P<0.001 for trend) in men and women combined (adjusted also for sex), respectively. This inverse association was consistent in subjects with any joint levels of physical activity and BMI, and in alcohol drinkers and non-drinkers. Among obese and inactive people, coffee drinking of seven cups or more daily reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes to half.

CONCLUSIONS

Coffee drinking was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in both men and women, and this association was observed regardless of the levels of physical activity, BMI and alcohol consumption.

Magnetization reversal in a novel gradient nanomaterial

The deposition of Co/Pd multilayer films onto self-assembled particle arrays with particle sizes down to 50 nm leads to pronounced curvature-induced physical properties. Unlike in classical nanosystems, the so-formed single caps on top of the spherical particles exhibit a radial symmetric anisotropy orientation across their surface. Its impact on the magnetization reversal process was analyzed experimentally for different particle sizes and compared to micromagnetic simulations, offering new opportunities in the functionalization of magnetic nanostructures.