Pentraxin 3 in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction is associated with early irreversible myocardial damage : Kinetic profile, relationship to interleukin 6 and infarct size

Background

The inflammatory marker long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has been shown to be a strong predictor of 30-day and one-year mortality after acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetic profile of PTX3 and its relationship with interleukin 6 (IL-6), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and infarct size.

Methods

PTX3, IL-6 and hs-CRP were measured at predefined time points, at baseline (before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)), at 12 and 72 hours after PCI in 161 patients with first-time ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Results

PTX3 and IL-6 levels increased in the early phase, followed by a gradual decrease between 12 and 72 hours. There were statistically significant correlations between PTX3 and IL-6 in general, for all time points and for changes over time (0–72 hours). In a linear mixed model, PTX3 predicted IL-6 (p < 0.001). PTX3 is also correlated with hs-CRP in general, and at each time point post PCI, except at baseline. PTX3, IL-6 and hs-CRP were all significantly correlated with infarct size in general, and at the peak time point for maximum troponin I. In addition, there was a modest correlation between IL-6 levels at baseline and infarct size at 72 hours after PCI (ρ = 0.23, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

PTX3 had a similar kinetic profile to IL-6, with an early increase and decline, and was statistically significantly correlated with markers of infarct size in STEMI patients post primary PCI. Baseline levels of IL-6 only predicted infarct size at 72 hours post PCI.

Oral 2-oleyl glyceryl ether improves glucose tolerance in mice through the GPR119 receptor

The intestinal G protein-coupled receptor GPR119 is a novel metabolic target involving glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-derived insulin-regulated glucose homeostasis. Endogenous and diet-derived lipids, including N-acylethanolamines and 2-monoacylglycerols (2-MAG) activate GPR119. The purpose of this work is to evaluate whether 2-oleoyl glycerol (2-OG) improves glucose tolerance through GPR119, using wild type (WT) and GPR 119 knock out (KO) mice. We here show that GPR119 is essential for 2-OG-mediated release of GLP-1 and CCK from GLUTag cells, since a GPR119 specific antagonist completely abolished the hormone release. Similarly, in isolated primary colonic crypt cultures from WT mice, GPR119 was required for 2-OG-stimulated GLP-1 release while there was no response in crypts from KO mice. In vivo, gavage with 2-oleyl glyceryl ether ((2-OG ether), a stable 2-OG analog with a potency of 5.3 µM for GPR119 with respect to cAMP formation as compared to 2.3 µM for 2-OG), significantly (P < 0.05) improved glucose clearance in WT littermates, but not in GPR119 KO mice. Finally, deletion of GPR119 in mice resulted in lower glucagon levels, whereas the levels of insulin and GIP were unchanged. In the present study we show that 2-OG stimulates GLP-1 secretion through GPR119 activation in vitro, and that fat-derived 2-MAGs are potent candidates for mediating fat-induced GLP-1 release through GPR119 in vivo. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(6):665-673, 2016.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXIX. Cannabinoid receptors and their ligands: beyond CB₁ and CB₂

There are at least two types of cannabinoid receptors (CB(1) and CB(2)). Ligands activating these G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) include the phytocannabinoid Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, numerous synthetic compounds, and endogenous compounds known as endocannabinoids. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists have also been developed. Some of these ligands activate or block one type of cannabinoid receptor more potently than the other type. This review summarizes current data indicating the extent to which cannabinoid receptor ligands undergo orthosteric or allosteric interactions with non-CB(1), non-CB(2) established GPCRs, deorphanized receptors such as GPR55, ligand-gated ion channels, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, and other ion channels or peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear receptors. From these data, it is clear that some ligands that interact similarly with CB(1) and/or CB(2) receptors are likely to display significantly different pharmacological profiles. The review also lists some criteria that any novel "CB(3)" cannabinoid receptor or channel should fulfil and concludes that these criteria are not currently met by any non-CB(1), non-CB(2) pharmacological receptor or channel. However, it does identify certain pharmacological targets that should be investigated further as potential CB(3) receptors or channels. These include TRP vanilloid 1, which possibly functions as an ionotropic cannabinoid receptor under physiological and/or pathological conditions, and some deorphanized GPCRs. Also discussed are 1) the ability of CB(1) receptors to form heteromeric complexes with certain other GPCRs, 2) phylogenetic relationships that exist between CB(1)/CB(2) receptors and other GPCRs, 3) evidence for the existence of several as-yet-uncharacterized non-CB(1), non-CB(2) cannabinoid receptors; and 4) current cannabinoid receptor nomenclature.

Randomized study of darbepoetin alfa as modifier of radiotherapy in patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC): Final outcome of the DAHANCA 10 trial

6007

Background: The study aimed to evaluate if correction of low hemoglobin (Hb) levels by means of the erythropoietin stimulating agent: darbepoetin alpha (Aranesp) during radiotherapy (RT) improves outcome in patients with HNSCC. Following a planned interim analysis which showed inferiority of the experimental treatment, the trial was stopped in November 2006. Methods: Pts with HNSCC eligible for primary RT alone and with Hb values below 14.0 g/dl were randomized to receive Aranesp together with accelerated fractionated RT. Pts. were stratified according to gender, T and N staging, tumor site, and institution. Aranesp was given subcutaneously in a dose of 150 micrograms weekly during RT, or stopped earlier if the Hb exceeded 15.5 g/dl. Results: In total, 522 patients (of a planned intake of 600) were included at the time of the interim analysis. Of these 514 pts were eligible for analysis (255 pts treated with Aranesp and 259 pts in the control group) with a median follow up of 49 months. Among these, 201 developed a loco-regional failure (primary endpoint). There have been 238 deaths of which 176 are due to HNSCC. The patients were evenly distributed according to the stratification parameters (gender, T and N staging, tumor site, institution).Aranesp resulted in the expected increase in Hb in more than 81% of the patients. The compliance to Aranesp was good with no significant difference in serious (cardiovascular) adverse events (3% vs. 1%). Overall, the results showed a poorer outcome in 5-year loco-regional control (59% vs. 68% (p = 0.04, RR: 1.47 [1.14–1.94]) for the Aranesp vs. control arm. This was also seen for the endpoint of disease-free survival (37% vs. 47%, p = 0.02, RR: 1.32 [1.04–1.68]), whereas there was no significant difference in overall survival (40% vs. 51%, p = 0.16, RR: 1.20 [0.93–1.55]). There were no differences in radiation related morbidity. All univariate analyses were confirmed in a multivariate setting. Conclusions: Correction of the Hb level with Aranesp in patients with HNSCC resulted in a significantly poorer tumor control after radiotherapy. The treatment principle was abandoned and the difference in outcome is being subjected to further examination.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

High-sensitive C-reactive protein is associated with reduced lung function in young adults

Systemic inflammation has been associated with reduced lung function. However, data on the interrelationships between lung function and inflammation are sparse, and it is not clear if low-grade inflammation leads to reduced lung function. Associations between high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) and spirometric lung function were assessed in a population-based cohort of approximately 1,000 Danes aged 20 yrs. In males, the average decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) in the highest CRP quintile was 23 mL.yr(-1) versus 1.6 mL.yr(-1) in the lowest quintile. In females, the average decline was 6.2 mL.yr(-1) in the highest CRP quintile versus an increase of 1.8 mL.yr(-1) in the lowest CRP quintile. In a multiple regression analysis adjusted for sex, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, smoking, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness and serum eosinophil cationic protein, higher levels of CRP at age 20 yrs were associated with a greater reduction in both FEV(1) and forced vital capacity between ages 20 and 29 yrs. The findings show that higher levels of C-reactive protein in young adults are associated with subsequent decline in lung function, suggesting that low-grade systemic inflammation in young adulthood may lead to impaired lung function independently of the effects of smoking, obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness, asthma and eosinophilic inflammation.

Dynamic changes of the endogenous cannabinoid and opioid mesocorticolimbic systems during adolescence: THC effects

Adolescence is a critical phase of active brain development often characterized by the initiation of marijuana (Cannabis sativa) use. Limited information is known regarding the endogenous cannabinoid system of the adolescent brain as well as related neurotransmitters that appear sensitive to cannabis exposure. We recently observed that adult rats pre-exposed to Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during adolescence self-administered higher amounts of heroin and had selective impairments of the enkephalin opioid system within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) implicated in reward-related behavior. To explore the ontogeny of the cannabinoid and opioid neuronal systems in association with adolescence THC exposure, rats were examined at different adolescent stages during an intermittent THC paradigm (1.5 mg/kg i.p. every third day) from postnatal days (PNDs) 28-49. Rat brains were examined 24 h after injection at PND 29 (early adolescence), PND 38 (mid adolescence) and PND 50 (late adolescence) and analyzed for endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol), Met-enkephalin, cannabinoid CB(1) receptors and micro opioid receptors (microOR) in the NAc, caudate-putamen and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Of the markers studied, the endocannabinoid levels had the most robust alterations throughout adolescence and were specific to the PFC and NAc. Normal correlations between anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol concentrations in the NAc (positive) and PFC (negative) were reversed by THC. Other significant THC-induced effects were confined to the NAc - increased anandamide, decreased Met-enkephalin and decreased microORs. These findings emphasize the dynamic nature of the mesocorticolimbic endocannabinoid system during adolescence and the selective mesocorticolimbic disturbance as a consequence of adolescent cannabis exposure.

Endocannabinoids and nutrition

The endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are bioactive lipids derived from the n-6 family of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential fatty acids. Symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency in rats - growth retardation, scaly skin, and increased transepidermal water loss - can mainly be attributed to lack of linoleic acid as a structural element of the epidermis. Arachidonic acid, however, also serve essential functions, particularly in cellular signalling via its precursor role for numerous oxygenated derivatives such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, hepoxilins and other eicosanoids. Furthermore, arachidonic acid is also a structural part of endocannabinoids that have signalling functions in relation to modulation of neurotransmitter release, which might involve physiological and pathophysiological phenomena such as regulation of appetite, energy metabolism, pain perception, memory and learning. Furthermore, along with AEA formation other acylethanolamides are always formed - e.g., oleoylethanolamide (OEA), that can inhibit food intake, and palmitoylethanolamide, that is anti-inflammatory - possibly through activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) and/or GPR119. As all these unsaturated fatty acids are ingested daily in smaller or larger amounts, one can ask whether different dietary fats can affect the levels of these fatty acids in the tissues and thereby the quantitative formation of these bioactive signalling molecules. Generally, in vivo arachidonic-acid-derived eicosanoid production can be increased and decreased by prolonged feeding with pharmacological levels of arachidonic acid and long-chain (n-3) fatty acids (fish oil), respectively. Changes in levels of these two fatty acids within the traditional human diet hardly affects the eicosanoid production, however. Moreover, preliminary data suggest that dietary intake of arachidonic acid and fish oil also doesn't easily affect endocannabinoid formation; however, dietary fat in terms of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated seems to affect tissue levels of AEA, 2-AG and OEA.

General obstetrics: Fish oil in various doses or flax oil in pregnancy and timing of spontaneous delivery: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To test the earlier suggested hypothesis that intake of long-chain n-3 fatty acids from fish oil may delay the timing of spontaneous delivery and to test if alpha-linolenic acid, provided as flax oil capsules, shows the same effect.

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial including women reporting low dietary fish intake. The women were allocated in the proportions of 1:1:1:1:1:1:2 into six treatment groups and a control group, respectively, from week 17-27 of gestation. The treatment groups received fish oil, in various doses, or flax oil, and the control group did not receive any treatment.

SETTING

The Danish National Birth Cohort.

SAMPLE

A total of 3098 women allocated into six treatment groups and one control group.

METHODS

The six intervention groups were offered fish oil capsules in doses of 0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 1.4 and 2.8 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid per day or 2.2 g of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) per day from week 17-27 of gestation until delivery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Timing of spontaneous delivery.

RESULTS

No differences in timing of spontaneous delivery was detected in the fish oil groups or the flax oil group, compared with the control group. The difference in timing of spontaneous delivery in the group receiving the highest fish oil dose compared with the control group was 0.8 days (95% CI: -2.3 to 1.0). Only a minority of the women in the intervention groups took capsules until delivery.

CONCLUSION

Possible explanations for these findings include no true effect of n-3 fatty acids on spontaneous delivery or a quick-acting effect not detectable in this trial.

Effects of sucking acidic candies on saliva in unilaterally irradiated pharyngeal cancer patients

Patients who have received radiation therapy on the head and neck area often use acidic candies to relieve symptoms of dry mouth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the erosive potential in relation to teeth of an acidic candy in 10 such patients. The patients sucked the candy while their whole saliva was collected into a closed system at different times: baseline, candy-stimulated, and post-stimulated. The erosive potential of the candy was evaluated from candy-induced changes in saliva degree of saturation with respect to hydroxyapatite (HAp). Previously published normative values were used for comparison. The results showed that saliva became significantly more undersaturated with respect to HAp in irradiated patients, and failed to return to baseline values during the post-stimulatory period, which it normally does in healthy individuals. Thus, prevention of dental breakdown in these patients should involve counseling regarding choice of stimulant for dry mouth relief.

Soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck: a single-centre experience

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to report our experience with malignant and borderline soft tissue tumours (STS) of the head and neck region in the period 1977-2000.

DESIGN

Retrospective case study including new evaluation of histological specimens.

SETTING

Tertiary centre, single centre.

PARTICIPANTS

Review of patient's records and new evaluation of pathological specimens were made for 66 patients. After evaluation only 36 patients (26 men and 10 women) still met present criteria for a STS in head and neck in adults.

RESULTS

The original histological diagnosis was changed in 27 (41%) of the 66 patients with a primary diagnosis of sarcoma. After review the most common histological diagnoses were leiomyosarcoma (5) and rhabdomyosarcoma (5). Overall 5-year survival rate was 60%. Overall 5-year disease-free survival rate was 44%. The study showed that both tumour grade and surgical margin had a statistically significant impact on survival. No relation was found between survival and tumour size or age.

CONCLUSION

The grave prognosis especially for high-grade tumours emphasizes the need for improved treatment strategies. Furthermore, conclusions from older studies concerning prognosis may be obsolete as approximately 40% of tumours previously diagnosed as sarcomas may be invalid by present day standards.

Secular trends in physical fitness and obesity in Danish 9-year-old girls and boys: Odense School Child Study and Danish substudy of the European Youth Heart Study

INTRODUCTION

Low physical fitness and obesity have been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Obesity is on the increase in many countries, but little is known about physical fitness trends. Monitoring of changes in fitness and obesity in the population is important for preventive strategies, and the aim of this study was to analyse the secular trends in fitness and body composition in Danish children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two representative population studies were conducted 12 years apart on 9-year-old children in the same location: the Odense School Child Study in 1985-86 and the European Youth Heart Study in 1997-98. In both studies, physical fitness was determined by a maximal cycle ergometer test, and obesity was assessed by skinfolds.

RESULTS

Boys had a lower physical fitness and were fatter in 1997-98 than in 1985-86. In addition, an increased polarization is emerging, with the difference between the fit and the unfit and the difference between the lean and the fat being greater in 1997-98 than in 1985-86. In girls, a similar polarization was found, but no overall change in fitness or obesity.

CONCLUSION

The negative trend and increased polarization for physical fitness and obesity in Danish children suggest a future generation with a higher degree of CVD risk.

Biological cardiovascular risk factors cluster in Danish children and adolescents: the European Youth Heart Study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine whether the number of participants with multiple coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors exceeded the number expected from a random distribution.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 1020 randomly selected boys and girls, 9 and 15 years old, was conducted. Risk factors were total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, serum insulin, and blood pressure. Physical fitness was assessed from a maximal cycle test and body fat from the sum of four skinfolds. Risk factors selected in the analysis were those related to the metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS

More participants than expected had four or five CHD risk factors. Four risk factors were found in 3.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.24-4.10) times as many participants as expected from a random distribution and five risk factors were found in 8.70 (95% CI: 4.35-17.4) times as many participants as expected. Fifty (5.4%) had four or five risk factors and in these individuals physical fitness was 1.2 standard deviation (SD) lower and body mass index (BMI) 1.6 SD higher than mean values for the population.

CONCLUSION

Clustering of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome was found in children and adolescents. Low levels of physical fitness and raised BMI in these individuals indicate that lifestyle factors such as physical activity and diet may influence the development of these unhealthy risk profiles.

Growth hormone-mediated breakdown of body fat: effects of GH on lipases in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of old rats fed different diets

Lipid storage and breakdown is mainly controlled by lipoprotein lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase. The aim of this work was to elucidate whether growth hormone mediated loss of adipose tissue involves a concerted action on tissue lipases, and to what degree such events are modulated by dietary regimen. Twelve-month-old rats fed first a high-fat diet or a low-fat diet for 14 weeks were injected with saline or growth hormone (4 mg/kg/d) for four days or three weeks in different combinations with either high- or low-fat diets. In adipose tissue, growth hormone generally inhibited lipoprotein lipase and also attenuated the inhibiting effect of insulin on hormone-sensitive lipase activity. Growth hormone treatment combined with restricted high-fat feeding reduced the activity of both lipases in adipose tissue and stimulated hormone-sensitive lipase in muscle. Generally, plasma levels of free fatty acids, glycerol and cholesterol were reduced by growth hormone, and in combination with restricted high-fat feeding, triglyceride levels improved too. We conclude that growth hormone inhibits lipid storage in adipose tissue by reducing both lipoprotein lipase activity and insulin's inhibitory action on hormone-sensitive lipase. We also propose that growth hormone's effects on tissue lipases and blood lipids are modulated by dietary regimen.

Anandamide, but not 2-arachidonoylglycerol, accumulates during in vivo neurodegeneration

Endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligands (endocannabinoids) may rescue neurons from glutamate excitotoxicity. As these substances also accumulate in cultured immature neurons following neuronal damage, elevated endocannabinoid concentrations may be interpreted as a putative neuroprotective response. However, it is not known how glutamatergic insults affect in vivo endocannabinoid homeostasis, i.e. N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), as well as other constituents of their lipid families, N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) and 2-monoacylglycerols (2-MAGs), respectively. Here we employed three in vivo neonatal rat models characterized by widespread neurodegeneration as a consequence of altered glutamatergic neurotransmission and assessed changes in endocannabinoid homeostasis. A 46-fold increase of cortical NAE concentrations (anandamide, 13-fold) was noted 24 h after intracerebral NMDA injection, while less severe insults triggered by mild concussive head trauma or NMDA receptor blockade produced a less pronounced NAE accumulation. By contrast, levels of 2-AG and other 2-MAGs were virtually unaffected by the insults employed, rendering it likely that key enzymes in biosynthetic pathways of the two different endocannabinoid structures are not equally associated to intracellular events that cause neuronal damage in vivo. Analysis of cannabinoid CB(1) receptor mRNA expression and binding capacity revealed that cortical subfields exhibited an up-regulation of these parameters following mild concussive head trauma and exposure to NMDA receptor blockade. This may suggest that mild to moderate brain injury may trigger elevated endocannabinoid activity via concomitant increase of anandamide levels, but not 2-AG, and CB(1) receptor density.

Back pain reporting pattern in a Danish population-based sample of children and adolescents

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey of 806 pupils in Odense, Denmark was performed. This survey included children and adolescents ages 8 to 10 and 14 to 16 years obtained through two-stage cluster sampling from schools stratified according to school type, location, and socioeconomic character of the uptake area.

OBJECTIVES

To establish the 1-month prevalence of neck, middle back, and low back pain and the consequences this disorder may have in relation to age and gender.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The differences in definitions of back pain and the variety of age groups included in previous studies make it difficult to draw clear conclusions about the onset of pain for various spinal regions in the young.

METHODS

Information on back pain within the preceding month, obtained through a standardized interview of 481 children and 325 adolescents, was categorized according to area of pain, age, and gender. The consequences of back pain also were studied.

RESULTS

The 1-month prevalence of back pain was 39%. Thoracic pain is most common in childhood, whereas thoracic pain and lumbar pain are equally common in adolescence. Neck pain and pain in more than one area of the spine are rare in both age groups. No gender differences were found. Of those who had back pain, 38% also reported some type of consequence, usually either visits to a medical physician or diminished physical activities.

CONCLUSIONS

For clinical and research purposes, neck pain, middle back pain, and low back pain in childhood should be regarded as three specific entities. In future research the data for different age groups should be reported separately.

[TPO immunostaining of the solitary, cold thyroid nodules]

INTRODUCTION

The chance of malignancy in scintigraphically cold thyroid nodules is 2-24%. Differentiation between malignant and benign cytology is difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of immunostaining (MoAB47--raised against thyroid peroxidase (TPO)) to differentiate between malignant and benign cells taken from cold thyroid nodules by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in order to reduce the number of unnecessary thyroid operations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and eighty-one patients (150 female) with a scintigraphically cold, solitary thyroid nodule were entered between 1993 and 1996. Fifty-seven were excluded for various reasons. Material removed by FNAB was stained with MoAB47 and routine staining. Staining of 80% or more of the cells was considered benign, less than 80% was considered malignant. Routine staining of operatively removed material was used as the final diagnosis.

RESULTS

A pattern with negative TPO staining was found in all lesions that were subsequently proved to be malignant. In all but one, the lesions subsequently diagnosed as being benign stained positive for TPO. The sensitivity and specificity were respectively 1.0 and 0.99.

CONCLUSION

TPO immunostaining of material removed by FNAB is a powerful tool in the differentiation between benign and malignant tumours.

[Obesity among children--with particular reference to Danish circumstances]

Obesity is one of the most important predictors and causes of such lifestyle diseases as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It is thus imperative to follow the trend longitudinally in the population. Measurement of obesity in children and adolescents is difficult; many studies use the body mass index as a measure, regardless of the fact that it is inappropriate. Skinfolds or the ponderal index should be used, instead. Recent Danish studies suggest that the incidence of childhood and adolescent obesity is increasing and that those who are overweight are even more so today than earlier. Obesity is caused by a number of factors, genetic, social, environmental, and lifestyle, all of which play an important role. One of the main causes of the increase in childhood obesity in Denmark today is the lower level of physical activity than formerly. The prospects for the future are an increase in obesity and incidence of lifestyle diseases with a poorer quality of life and a shorter life time expectancy.

Managing radioactively contaminated land: implications for habitat diversity

Radioactive contamination of agricultural land may necessitate long-term changes in food production systems, through application of selected countermeasures, in order to reduce the accumulation of radionuclides in food. We quantified the impact of selected countermeasures on habitat diversity, using the hypothetical case of two agricultural areas in Finland. The management scenarios studied were conversions from grassland to cereal production and from grassland and crop production to afforestation. The two study sites differed with respect to present agricultural production: one being predominantly cereal production and seminatural grasslands, while the other was dominated by intensive grass and dairy production. Some of the management scenarios are expected to affect landscape structures and habitat diversity. These potential changes were assessed using a spatial pattern analysis program in connection with geographic information systems. The studied landscape changes resulted in a more monotonous landscape structure compared to the present management, by increasing the mean habitat patch size, reducing the total habitat edge length and reducing the overall habitat diversity calculated by the Shannon diversity index. The degree of change was dependent on the present agricultural management practice in the case study sites. Where dairy production was predominant, the landscape structure changes were mostly due to conversion of intensive pastures and grasslands to cereal production. In the area dominated by cereal production and seminatural grasslands, the greatest predicted impacts resulted from afforestation of meadows and pastures. The studied management changes are predicted to reduce biodiversity at the species level as well as diminishing species-rich habitats. This study has predicted prominent side effects in habitat diversity resulting from application of management scenarios. These potential long-term impacts should be considered by decision-makers when planning future strategies in the event of radionuclide deposition.

The obese Göttingen minipig as a model of the metabolic syndrome: dietary effects on obesity, insulin sensitivity, and growth hormone profile

The objective of the study reported here was to induce obesity in the female Göttingen minipig to establish a model of the human metabolic syndrome. Nine- to ten-month-old female Göttingen minipigs received a high-fat high-energy (HFE) diet or a low-fat, low-energy (LFE) diet. The energy contents derived from fat were 55 and 13 %, respectively. After 5 weeks, animals were subjected to dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning, intravenous glucose tolerance testing (IVGTT), and 6-h growth hormone profile recording. After treatment, mean body weight of pigs of the LFE group was 21.0 +/- 0.4 kg, and was 26.8 +/- 0.2 kg in pigs of the HFE group (P < 0.0001). The DEXA scanning indicated that the fat content of the LFE group was 10.0 +/- 1.2 % versus 15.2 +/- 0.7 % in the HFE group (P < 0.003). Triglycerides concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in pigs of the HFE group (0.24 +/- 0.03 mM), compared with that in pigs of the LFE group (0.13 +/- 0.04 mM). Preprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were not affected, but insulin area under the curve during IVGTT was significantly high in the obese animals. Growth hormone (GH) secretion was low in both groups of pigs. The obese minipig shares some of the metabolic impairments seen in obese humans, and may thus serve as a model of the metabolic syndrome.

Oral cancer--results of treatment in the Copenhagen University Hospital

During the period 1992-96, 304 patients with malignant tumours of the oral cavity were referred to the Department of Head & Neck Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital. The female:male ratio was 1:2. Age ranged between 20 and 96 years, median 61 years. Ninety-five percent of the tumours were squamous cell carcinomas. Twenty-two percent were in stage I, 21% were in stage II, 21% were in stage III and 36% were in stage IV. Sixty percent of the patients underwent primary surgical resection, combined with reconstructive procedures if necessary. In 39% of all cases, surgery was followed by radiotherapy, while 21% of the patients, mainly stage I and II patients, were only treated surgically. Radiotherapy alone was received by 36% of the patients, mainly stage III and IV. Four percent of the patients received no treatment due to advanced disease or general poor condition. The overall recurrence rate was 42%, ranging from 23% in stage I to 61% in stage IV. Thirty-eight percent of these patients were treated for recurrence, almost exclusively by surgery. The survival rate 1 year after treatment of recurrence was 90%, 60% and 50% for patients in stage I, II and III respectively, while only 1 of 16 patients in stage IV was alive after 1 year. Three-year crude survival for the whole material was 42%, ranging from 58% in stage I to 18% in stage IV. This is an improvement of 12% compared with a similar group of patients treated in our departments in the period 1978-82, when the primary treatment of choice was external irradiation. The survival rate was, as expected, closely related to T- and N-stage at time of diagnosis. In conclusion, we recommend primary surgery followed by irradiation therapy for patients in stages II, III and IV. Surgical treatment of recurrence in patients who were formerly treated by irradiation therapy should be reserved for patients in good general condition and in a low TNM stage, stage IV patients will only benefit from salvage surgery in a few exceptional cases.

Accumulation of the anandamide precursor and other N-acylethanolamine phospholipids in infant rat models of in vivo necrotic and apoptotic neuronal death

It has been demonstrated that the endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand, anandamide, and other N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), accumulate during neuronal injury in vitro, a process that may be linked to the neuroprotective effects of NAEs. The crucial step for generation of NAEs is the synthesis of the corresponding precursors, N-acylethanolamine phospholipids (NAPEs). However, it is unknown whether this key event for NAE formation is regulated differently in the context of insults causing necrotic or apoptotic neuronal death. To address this question, we monitored a range of cortical NAPE species in three infant rat models of in vivo neurodegeneration: (i) necrosis caused by intrastriatal injection of NMDA (25 nmol); (ii) apoptosis induced by systemic administration of the NMDA-receptor antagonist (+)MK-801 (3 x 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.); and (iii) apoptosis following focal necrosis triggered by concussive head trauma. A marked increase of all NAPE species was observed in both hemispheres 4 and 24 h after NMDA-induced injury, with a relatively larger increase in N-stearoyl-containing NAPE species. Thus, the percentage of the anandamide precursor fell from 1.1 to 0.5 mol %. In contrast, administration of (+)MK-801 did not alter cortical NAPE levels. Concussion head trauma resulted in a similar but less pronounced upregulation of NAPE levels at both 4 and 24 h as compared to NMDA injections. Increased levels of NAPE 24 h post-trauma possibly reflect that necrosis is still ongoing at this time point. Consequently, our data suggest that excitotoxic necrotic mechanisms of neurodegeneration, as opposed to apoptotic neurodegeneration, have a profound effect on in vivo NAE precursor homeostasis.

Low physical fitness in childhood is associated with the development of asthma in young adulthood: the Odense schoolchild study

Intense physical activity in children may either improve fitness and protect against asthma, or may trigger symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether physical fitness in childhood has an impact on the development of asthma. In this prospective, community-based study, 757 (84%) asymptomatic children with an average age at inclusion of 9.7 yrs were followed for 10.5 yrs. In both surveys a maximal progressive exercise test on a bicycle ergometer was used to measure physical fitness (maximal workload) and to induce airway narrowing. A methacholine provocation test was performed in the subjects at follow-up. During the 10-yr study period, 51 (6.7%) of the previously asymptomatic children developed asthma. These subjects had a lower mean physical fitness in 1985 than their peers: (3.63 versus 3.89 W x kg(-1); p=0.02) in boys and (3.17 versus 3.33 W x kg(-1); p=0.02) in girls. A weak correlation was found between physical fitness in childhood and airway responsiveness to methacholine at follow-up when adjusted for body mass index, age and sex (r=0.11; p<0.01). In a multiple regression analysis, physical fitness was inversely related to the development of physician diagnosed asthma, odds ratio=0.93 (0.87-0.99). Thus, the risk for the development of asthma during adolescence is reduced 7% by increasing the maximal workload 1 W x kg(-1). In conclusion, this study showed that physical fitness in childhood is weakly correlated with the development of asthma during adolescence and that high physical fitness seems to be associated with a reduced risk for the development of asthma.

N-Acylethanolamines and precursor phospholipids - relation to cell injury

The present review focuses on the relationship between formation of N-acylethanolamine phospholipids (NAPEs) and N-acyletransferase (NAEs) catalyzed by N-acyltranferase and NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, respectively, and cell injury in tissues like brain, heart, and testis. A number of mechanisms are proposed by which these two groups of lipids may have cytoprotective properties. The mechanisms may involve activation of cannabinoid receptors, as well as non-receptor-mediated effects such as stabilization of membrane bilayers, antioxidant mechanisms, inhibition of calcium leakage from mitochondria, and direct inhibition of ceramidase. Anandamide (20:4-NAE) is formed as a minor component along with other NAEs during cell injury. Whether 20:4-NAE has a separate physiological role is at present not known, but some data suggest that 20:4-NAE may be formed, e.g. in the uterus, by a more selective mechanism without being accompanied by a vast majority of saturated and monounsaturated NAEs.

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaws: clinical characteristics and relation to the field of irradiation

PURPOSE

This study focuses on the clinical characteristics of patients with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaws and on the relation between the extent of the ORN and the field of irradiation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 80 patients referred for treatment of ORN. Charts of the extent of ORN, based on panoramic radiographs, were drawn by the clinical investigator and compared with charts of the field of irradiation drawn by the oncologists. Also recorded was diagnosis of the lesion, stage, location, treatment schedule, and period and dose of irradiation. Also documented were various potential initiating factors for ORN.

RESULTS

Smoking habits of ORN patients were similar to those of other patients with head and neck cancer. A new primary tumor or a recurrence was diagnosed in 10% of the patients at the time of ORN. Only 3 patients had received accumulated doses of less than 60 Gy. More than half of the cases were initiated by removal of teeth; however, one third occurred spontaneously. ORN developed within the first 3 years in 74%; but ORN can emerge on a traumatic basis for an infinite number of years after radiation therapy. Widespread ORN may be symptomless apart from a discrete dehiscense of the oral mucosa. The predilection site for ORN is the mandibular molar region. All cases of ORN but 1 were found in the field of radiation.

CONCLUSION

Because many ORN case are symptomless, more focus on mucosal dehiscence in the follow-up after radiation therapy is advocated in an effort to detect ORN at an early stage. The consequence of practically all ORN cases being located in the field of irradiation, together with tooth removal frequently being the initiating factor, should lead to a more aggressive preirradiation approach to dental pathology located within the field of radiation.

A rapid phospholipase D assay using zirconium precipitation of anionic substrate phospholipids: application to n-acylethanolamine formation in vitro

Activation of phospholipase D (PLD) is involved in a number of signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells. The most common method for determination of PLD activity in vitro involves incubation with a radiolabeled substrate and lipid extraction followed by thin-layer chromatography in order to separate and quantify substrate and product(s). A more rapid assay can be used when utilizing phosphatidylcholine as a substrate because one of the products, choline, is water soluble and therefore easily separated from the substrate. However, this separation principle is not applicable in evaluating N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE)-hydrolyzing PLD activity, which produces two lipophilic products, N-acylethanolamine (NAE) and phosphatidic acid. Therefore, we developed a rapid assay for the routine detection of NAPE-hydrolyzing PLD activity. This assay is based on precipitation of radiolabeled substrate (NAPE) in the presence of ZrOCl(2), followed by quantification of radiolabeled NAE released into a methanolic supernatant. The precipitation involves a chemical reaction of the zirconyl cation with the phosphate anion. Conditions were optimized for the complete precipitation of NAPE, whereas N-acyllysophosphatidylethanolamine and glycerophospho(N-acyl)ethanolamine were precipitated at least 95%. Furthermore, this precipitation method can be extended to assays of other anionic phospholipid-hydrolyzing PLD activities by selecting an optimal pH of the precipitation solution. For example, 98;-99% precipitation of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylserine was achieved.Consequently, this new assay allows for a convenient examination of PLD activities toward a variety of phospholipid substrates, and in particular allows for the analysis of NAE formation from NAPE in vitro, a feature that will facilitate a more complete biochemical characterization of this anandamide-generating enzyme.

Is thyroidectomy necessary in RET mutations carriers of the familial medullary thyroid carcinoma syndrome?

BACKGROUND

The results and consequences of genetic testing in a family with familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) are described.

METHODS

In the screening of relatives, serum calcitonin is replaced by RET mutation analysis that was performed in families suspected of hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). In 4 of 10 families, mutation in exon 10 was found in codon 611.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty persons belonging to 30 families were tested, of which 10 families were carriers of RET mutation in exon 10. In 1 of these families with MTC only, 2 brothers were gene carriers of a RET codon 611 mutation and lived without any sign of MTC. One is aged 79 years, and the other died at the age of 71 of other causes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the gene carrier in families with MTC without other endocrine tumors (FMTC) exhibits a highly variable disease course. A 611 codon mutation is most often a rather mild and slow progression form of MTC. Because 2 gene carriers were still alive at age 70 years without showing any sign of the disease, it is tempting to ask if all gene carriers with a 611 codon mutation without other endocrine tumors should be operated on, and if so, at what age? In the authors' opinion, more information is needed to be able to answer these questions. The current guidelines for treatment of patients with hereditary MTC are discussed.

Determination of the phospholipid precursor of anandamide and other N-acylethanolamine phospholipids before and after sodium azide-induced toxicity in cultured neocortical neurons

Phospholipase D-mediated hydrolysis of N-acylethanolamine phospholipids (NAPEs) releases anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines, resulting in different actions at cellular targets in the CNS. Recently, we have demonstrated that these N-acyl lipids accumulate in cultured neocortical neurons subjected to sodium azide-induced cell injury. We here extend the information on the NAPE response, reporting on the composition of N-acylspecies of NAPE, employing a new methodological approach of HPLC-coupled electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Exposure to sodium azide (5 mM) increased the total amount of NAPE threefold over control levels; however, no alteration of the relative composition of NAPE species was detected. The anandamide precursor (20 : 4-NAPE) constituted only 0.1% of all NAPEs detected in the neurons. Total NAPE species in control cells amounted to 956-1,060 pmol/10(7) cells. Moreover, we detected the presence of an unknown NAPE species with molecular weight identical to 20 : 4-NAPE. This may suggest the presence of a putative stereoisomer of the anandamide precursor with at least one trans-configured double bond in the N-arachidonoyl moiety. These results show that with the present method, neuronal NAPE species can be identified and quantified with respect to N-acyl composition, including a trans-isomer of the anandamide precursor. The anandamide precursor is up-regulated to the same extent as other NAPEs upon neuronal injury.

Phase II study of docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with recurrent or disseminated squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND

Results with docetaxel as single drug in squamous-cell head and neck cancer have been encouraging. The purpose of the present phase II study is to evaluate the antitumour efficacy and toxicity of the combination of docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with recurrent or disseminated squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) for whom no curative therapy is available.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligibility criteria included: written informed consent; WHO performance status < or = 2; age 18-70 years; adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal function; measurable or evaluable disease; no previous systemic chemotherapy (prior radiotherapy and/or surgery were allowed), no other previous or concurrent malignancy; no peripheral neuropathy. Treatment consisted of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 in a one-hour infusion after pre-treatment with prednisolone, followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 in a half-hour infusion preceded and followed by hydration. Treatment was repeated every three weeks for a maximum of eight cycles.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (median age 52 years, range 33-66) entered the trial, all were evaluable for survival, twenty-four for response and toxicity. Twenty-four patients had undergone prior radiotherapy and seventeen had also had surgery. Nineteen had local-regional recurrence only, three had local-regional disease and distant metastases, and three had distant metastases only. Patients received a median of 5 treatment cycles (range 2-8). Overall response rate was 33% (8 of 24) of patients; complete response rate was 8% (2 of 24) of patients, lasting 2.2 and 17.1 months, respectively; partial response rate was 25% (6 of 24) of patients, lasting for a median of 4.9 months (range 1.7-11.6 months). Median survival was 11 months. Toxicity was relatively well tolerated. However, one patient died of probable toxicity (neutropenia and infection) and three patients discontinued treatment because of toxicity (massive oedema, myocardial infarction, persistent thrombocytopenia). The most frequent moderate-to-severe toxicity (75% of patients) was grade 3-4 neutropenia, transient in all but one patient. Grade 3 neuropathy occurred in one patient, none had grade 4. Grade 3 oral mucositis occurred in three patients, none had grade 4. Grade 2-3 hypomagnesaemia occurred in 10 patients requiring magnesium infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Docetaxel and cisplatin is an active combination in patients with recurrent or disseminated SCCHN. Remissions are however fairly short. Toxicity is significant, but generally manageable.

Age dependent accumulation of N-acyl-ethanolamine phospholipids in ischemic rat brain. A (31)P NMR and enzyme activity study

N-acyl-ethanolamine phospholipids (NAPE) can be formed as a stress response during neuronal injury, and they are precursors for N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAE), some of which are endocannabinoids. The levels of NAPE accumulated during post-decapitative ischemia (6 h at 37 degrees C) were studied in rat brains of various age (1, 6, 12, 19, 30, and approximately 70 days) by the use of (31)P NMR spectroscopy of lipid extracts. This ability to accumulate NAPE was compared with the activity of N-acyltransferase and of NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) in brain microsomes. These two enzymes are involved in the formation and degradation of NAPE, respectively. The results showed that 1) the ability to accumulate NAPE during post-decapitative ischemia is especially high in the youngest rats and is markedly reduced in older brains [in 1-day-old rat brains NAPE accumulated to 1.5% of total phospholipids, while in 30-day-old rat brains NAPE accumulation could not be detected (detection limit 0.09%)] and 2) this age pattern of accumulation can be explained by a combination of the decreased activity of N-acyltransferase and the increased activity of NAPE-PLD during development. These results point out that it would be advantageous to investigate a potential cytoprotective role of NAPE in the brains of very young rats.

Impact of airway lability, atopy, and tobacco smoking on the development of asthma-like symptoms in asymptomatic teenagers

AIM

To investigate the impact of airway lability, atopy, and tobacco smoking on the development of asthma-like symptoms in asymptomatic subjects.

METHODS

In this prospective, community-based study, 271 asymptomatic adolescents with an average age at inclusion of 13.9 years were followed for 6.4 years. Airway lability was assessed at baseline by three tests, including exercise challenge, airway provocation with methacholine, and monitoring of peak expiratory flow. Atopy was defined by one or more positive reactions (> or = 3-mm weal) to 10 common aeroallergens by skin prick testing. The influence of airway lability, atopy, and smoking on the development of asthma-like symptoms was assessed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

During the 6-year study period, 68 of the previously asymptomatic teenagers (25%) developed asthma-like symptoms. Among those, 50% reported cough only, 29% reported wheezing only, and 21% reported both wheezing and coughing. Hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 11.6), smoking (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1. 2 to 3.8), and atopy (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.8 to 6.8) each contributed independently to explain symptom development (wheezing and cough together). Girls, but not boys, with airway lability were less likely to take up smoking, compared with subjects of that set with no airway lability (32% vs 51%; p < 0.05). No effect of airway lability on the likelihood of giving up smoking could be demonstrated, nor did the presence of atopy have any significant impact on smoking behavior.

CONCLUSION

Hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, atopy, and smoking were independent risk factors for the development of asthma-like symptoms during adolescence. The presence of airway lability may prevent girls from taking up smoking.

A case of sarcoidosis and sarcoid granuloma, papillary carcinoma, and Graves' disease in the thyroid gland

Sarcoidosis is a systemic chronic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology most commonly affecting young females. The disease was first described in the thyroid gland in 1938. Our patient, a 27-year-old male with known sarcoidosis, was referred to the National University Hospital for acute symptoms of thyrotoxicosis (weight loss of 6 kg, tremor, thyroid enlargement, and tachycardia). Laboratory findings showed suppressed serum thyrotropin (TSH, <0.03 mU/L [0.5-4.20]), increased total thyroxine (T4) (223 nmol/L, [60-140]), and triiodothyronine (T3) (8.5 nmol/L, [1.5-2.7]). Furthermore, Tc-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy disclosed diffuse accumulation of the isotope confirming the diagnosis of Graves' disease. During the next 18 months of antithyroid treatment (thiamazole, Thycapzol) hyperthyroidism was difficult to control, the thyroid gland gradually enlarged, and surgery was recommended. Initially, the patient declined surgery but after an additional 18 months, he accepted surgery. During the 36-month period of antithyroid drug treatment TSH was suppressed (<0.01 mU/L) and T3 often elevated despite high doses of thiamazole. Total thyroidectomy was performed, and histologic examination of the removed thyroid tissue confirmed the diagnosis of Graves' disease and also the presence of sarcoid granuloma and metastatic papillary adenocarcinoma with spread to neck lymph nodes. Four months later, a modified radical neck dissection was performed with removal of neck lymph nodes followed by external radiation therapy (2 Gy x 32 fractions to the neck). The concomitant presence of sarcoidosis, papillary carcinoma, and Graves' disease in a thyroid gland, to our knowledge, has not previously been described in the literature.

Increased eosinophil cation protein level in sensitized nonasthmatics is linked to subsequent hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. The Odense Schoolchild Study

BACKGROUND

Increased levels of eosinophil cation protein (ECP) in sensitized subjects may reflect early stages of an ongoing inflammatory process and therefore precede asthma and bronchial hyperreactivity.

AIM

To study whether nonasthmatic subjects with sensitization to allergens and increased ECP levels are at a higher risk for subsequent increased bronchial reactivity compared with sensitized nonasthmatics with normal ECP levels.

METHODS

A prospective study of 240 schoolchildren with a mean age of 13.9 years (range: 12.6-15.9) who were followed up after 6.3 years. Bronchial reactivity was assessed by methacholine provocation testing. Sensitization was defined by one or more positive reactions (>3 mm wheal) to 10 common aeroallergens by skin prick testing. Increased ECP was defined as values above 20 microg/l. This separated the subjects into four categories: group 1: healthy controls without sensitization (n = 147); group 2: sensitized subjects with a serum ECP below 20 microg/l (n = 55); group 3: sensitized subjects with an ECP level at or above 20 microg/l (n = 16), and group 4: all asthmatics (n = 22).

RESULTS

Bronchial reactivity was similar in subjects of groups 2 and 3 at baseline (p = 0.8). Six years later, subjects from group 3 were more responsive to methacholine compared with subjects from group 2 (median: 12.7 versus 20.5 micromol; p < 0.05). In a logistic regression with hyperresponsiveness to methacholine at follow-up as dependent variable, the odds ratios (OR) for the groups were, with group 1 as reference: group 2: OR = 2.2 (0.8-6.6: p = 0.2), group 3: 5.9 (1. 6-21.7: p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Subjects with sensitization and increased ECP levels are subsequently more airway-responsive to methacholine compared with sensitized subjects with normal ECP levels. This supports the hypothesis that sensitization is linked to increased bronchial reactivity through a process in which markers of inflammation are involved.

Preoperative radiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma. Oeosphageal Cancer Collaborative Group

BACKGROUND

The existing randomized evidence has failed to conclusively demonstrate the benefit or otherwise of preoperative radiotherapy in treating patients with potentially resectable esophageal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES

This meta-analysis aimed to assess whether there is benefit from adding radiotherapy prior to surgery and whether or not any pre-defined patient subgroups benefit more or less from preoperative radiotherapy

SEARCH STRATEGY

Medline and CancerLit searches were supplemented by information from trial registers and by hand searching relevant meeting proceedings and by discussion with relevant trialists, organisations and industry.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Trials were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis provided they randomized patients with potentially resectable carcinoma of the esophagus (of any histological type) to receive radiotherapy or no radiotherapy prior to surgery. Trials must have used a randomization method which precluded prior knowledge of treatment assignment and completed accrual by December 1993, to ensure sufficient follow-up by the time of the first analysis (September 1995).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

A quantitative meta-analysis using updated data from individual patients from all properly randomized trials (published or unpublished) comprising 1147 patients (971 deaths) from five randomized trials. This approach was used to assess whether preoperative radiotherapy improves overall survival and whether it is differentially effective in patients defined by age, sex and tumour location.

MAIN RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 9 years, in a group patients with mostly squamous carcinomas, the hazard ratio (HR) of 0.89 (95% CI 0.78-1.01) suggests an overall reduction in the risk of death of 11% and an absolute survival benefit of 3% at 2 years and 4% at 5 years. This result is not conventionally statistically significant (p=0.062). No clear differences in the size of the effect by sex, age or tumor location were apparent.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Based on existing trials, there was no clear evidence that preoperative radiotherapy improves the survival of patients with potentially resectable esophageal cancer. These results indicate that if such preoperative radiotherapy regimens do improve survival, then the effect is likely to be modest with an absolute improvement in survival of around 3 to 4%. Trials or a meta-analysis of around 2000 patients (90% power, 5% significance level) would be needed to reliably detect such an improvement (from 15 to 20%).

The prognostic importance of volume-weighted mean nuclear volume, mitotic index, and other stereologically measured quantitative parameters in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Stereologically measured mean nuclear volume has been proven to have prognostic importance in several types of cancer, such as malignant melanoma and carcinomas of the breast, oral region, bladder, and uterine cervix. The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the possible prognostic importance of mean nuclear volume and mitotic index in carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx.

METHODS

The study was performed with a stratified, random sample of 113 patients from a well-defined group of 386 patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy at the Finsen Institute in Copenhagen. Histologic sections from pretreatment biopsies were used to estimate the following parameters: mean nuclear volume (Vv(3)(0)), mitotic index (MI), number of nuclei per mm(2) (QA), mean nuclear profile area (Anuc), and the area fraction of nuclei in cancer tissue (AA). The geometric means of the parameters were used as cutoff points in a single factor and in a multivariate survival analysis with relapse free survival as the primary endpoint.

RESULTS

The geometric means of the measured parameters were (Vv(3)(0)) = 480 micro(3), QA = 3630 nuclei/micro(2) cancer tissue, MI = 0.48 mitosis/100 nuclei, AA = 0.21, and Anuc = 57.9 micro(2).

CONCLUSIONS

None of the stereologically estimated parameters proved to have prognostic importance, whereas tumor size, and lymph node status did. The method of adaptive, stratified, random sampling used in this study can save a great deal of work and is highly recommended by the authors.

Severe nodal arrhythmia following direct current cardioversion for atrial flutter

A case of long-lasting nodal arrhythmia and severe hypotension following DC cardioversion for atrial flutter is presented. The patient, treated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline and with sotalol, thiopental and digoxin, showed no sign of organic disease or drug intoxication. We suggest that drug interaction in combination with the DC shock and an altered sympaticus/parasympaticus balance during anaesthesia provoked the incident.

Formation of N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine and N-acylethanolamine (including anandamide) during glutamate-induced neurotoxicity

N-Acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NAPE) is present in very small amounts in mammalian tissues (less than 0.1% of total phospholipids). However, NAPE as well as its degradation product, N-acylethanolamine (NAE), can be formed in certain neuronal tissues in response to increased [Ca2+]i. A high [Ca2+]i will activate the NAPE-forming N-acyltransferase using the sn-1 acyl group of a donor phospholipid as substrate in the transfer reaction. This membrane-bound enzyme seems to have no substrate specificity with respect to transfer of acyl groups; thus the fatty acids in the N-acyl group of NAPE are mainly 16:0 and 18:1, corresponding to the fatty acids in the sn-1 acyl group of the donor phospholipids. The NAPE-hydrolyzing phospholipase D also seems not to be acyl-group specific. In mouse neocortical neurons in primary culture, formation of NAPE and NAE is stimulated by glutamate via activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor. Both NAPE and, to a lesser extent, NAE accumulate in a linear fashion for many hours while at the same time the neurons are dying. Likewise, in neurons prelabeled with 14C-arachidonic acid, 14C-arachidonic acid-labeled NAPE, and anandamide (= N-arachidonoylethanolamine) are accumulating. The formation of NAPE and NAE may represent a cytoprotective response in relation to various forms of neurotoxicity.

N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D lacks the ability to transphosphatidylate

The N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolysing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) generates N-acylethanolamines, including N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (anandamide), that may be neuroprotective and analgesic. The properties of NAPE-PLD from rat heart and brain microsomes are investigated and compared to those of other PLDs. NAPE-PLD is inhibited by the fatty acid aminohydrolase inhibitor MAFP in high concentrations (> or = 100 microM) while PMSF in high concentrations (10 mM) tends to stabilise NAPE-PLD activity. Oleate inhibits NAPE-PLD but the enzyme is not affected by PIP2, alpha-synuclein or mastoparan. Furthermore, it is for the first time reported that NAPE-PLD is not capable of catalysing a transphosphatidylation reaction like most other known PLDs.

Asymptomatic bronchial hyperresponsiveness to exercise in childhood and the development of asthma related symptoms in young adulthood: the Odense Schoolchild Study

BACKGROUND

Exercise testing may be of value in identifying a group of children at high risk of subsequently developing respiratory symptoms. As few longitudinal studies have investigated this issue, the bronchial hyperresponsiveness to exercise in asymptomatic children was evaluated as a risk factor for developing asthma related symptoms in young adulthood.

METHODS

A community based sample of 1369 schoolchildren, first investigated in 1985 at a mean age of 9.7 years, was followed up after a mean of 10.5 years. Nine hundred and twenty children (67%) were asymptomatic in childhood and 777 (84.9%) of these were re-investigated at follow up. At the first examination a maximum progressive exercise test on a bicycle ergometer was used to induce airway narrowing. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) after exercise was considered abnormal if the percentage fall in FEV1 was more than 5% of the highest fall in the reference subjects characterised by having no previous history of asthma or asthma related symptoms. The threshold for a positive test was 8.6% of pre-exercise FEV1.

RESULTS

One hundred and three subjects (13%) had wheeze within the last year at follow up and, of these, nine (9%) had been hyperresponsive to exercise in 1985. One hundred and seventy subjects (22%) had non-infectious cough within the previous year, 11 of whom (6%) had been hyperresponsive to exercise in 1985. Multiple regression analysis showed that subjects with hyperresponsiveness to exercise had an increased risk of developing wheeze compared with subjects with a normal response to exercise when the fall in FEV1 after exercise was included as a variable (threshold odds ratio (OR) 2.3 (95% CI 1.1 to 5.5)). The trend was not significant when exercise induced bronchospasm was included as a continuous variable (OR 1.02 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.06)).

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic children who are hyperresponsive to exercise are at increased risk of developing new symptoms related to wheezing but the predictive value of exercise testing for individuals is low.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric method for the determination of cannabinoid precursors: N-acylethanolamine phospholipids (NAPEs)

N-Acylethanolamine phospholipids (NAPEs) serve as endogenous precursors of N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), e.g. N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and N-palmitoylethanolamine that are endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors. Under physiological conditions, NAPE is found in very low concentrations in mammalian tissue (3-12 nmol g(-1)). However, pathophysiological conditions may increase the endogenous NAPE levels, which again may cause an increase in endocannabinoid concentrations. This paper presents a simple and selective method for the determination of NAPE standards using negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The procedure provides complete positioning of all acyl and alkenyl groups contained in each NAPE species. The calibration curve for standard NAPE was linear over the range 100 fmol-50 pmol (0.1-50 ng) per injection. The lower limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio of 3) was 100 fmol, implying that this method is superior to previous methods for the determination of NAPE. These results suggest that this ESI-MS method can be used to identify and quantify NAPE species in mammalian tissues and provide information on the corresponding NAEs to be released from the endogenous NAPE pool.

The subcellular localization of phospholipase D activities in rat Leydig cells

Rat Leydig cells contain a phospholipase D (PLD), which can be activated by vasopressin and phorbol ester. In order to clarify which Leydig cell organelles that express PLD activity, the subcellular localization of two differently regulated PLD activities was investigated by subcellular fractionation on a 40% (v/v) self-generating Percoll gradient. PLD activities in broken cells were estimated using radiolabeled didecanoylphosphatidylcholine as a substrate. Initial experiments revealed the presence of an oleate Mg2+ -activated PLD and a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-activated PLD (PIP2-PLD) in the microsomal fraction of Leydig cells. The latter activity could be further stimulated by recombinant nonmyristoylated ADP ribosylating factor 1 (ARF1) plus GTPgammaS. The peak of oleate Mg2+ -PLD activity colocalized with the plasma membrane marker, whereas the highest specific activity of the PIP2-PLD activity was found in fractions with a slightly lower density than those containing the plasma membrane and trans-Golgi marker enzymes. In order to localize phorbol ester-stimulated PLD activity in intact Leydig cells, the cells were prelabeled with [14C]-palmitate and then stimulated for 15 min with 100 nM 4-beta-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in the presence of ethanol or butanol. The PLD product [14C]-phosphatidylethanol, expressed as the percentage of total labeled phospholipids in the fraction, was slightly increased in all Percoll fractions and showed a prominent peak in the fractions containing plasma membrane, trans-Golgi, and fractions of slightly lower density. The PMA-induced formation of [14C]-phosphatidylbutanol could be inhibited dose-dependently with brefeldin A suggesting that the activation of PLD by the phorbol ester was mediated by ARF.

Tracking and factors predicting rising in 'tracking quartile' in blood pressure from childhood to adulthood: Odense Schoolchild Study

This prospective study determines the degree of tracking and investigates factors predicting a rise in blood pressure (BP) quartile in a cohort of 1369 subjects who were followed for 11 years from childhood into young adulthood. In 900 of these subjects BP, height, weight, physical fitness and BP responses to a maximal exercise testing were measured both at baseline and at follow-up. BP, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were divided into sex-specific quartiles at both examinations. Tracking was evaluated by examining the tendency of remaining in the same quartile from baseline to follow-up and by measuring product-moment correlation coefficients. Tracking in the upper and lower quartile for BP, weight, height and BMI were significant. Odds ratios for staying in the upper or lower quartile through the follow-up period ranged from 1.6 to 2.4 for diastolic BP and from 2.1 to 3.1 for systolic BP. The range of correlation coefficients for the anthropometric measurements were 0.57-0.75, for diastolic BP 0.12-0.22 and for systolic BP 0.34-0.36 respectively. Changes in weight or relative weight as well as BP response to an exercise test were the factors which predicted a rise in quartile through the 11 years of follow-up. The existence of the inevitable regression to the mean problem in large longitudinal studies of BP was demonstrated by the finding of baseline BP being a significant factor in the prediction of rising in systolic, diastolic or both systolic and diastolic BP quartiles.