Advanced steam-explosion pretreatment mediated anaerobic digestion of municipal sludge: Effects on methane yield, emerging contaminants removal, and microbial community

Advanced steam explosion pretreatment, i.e., the Thermal hydrolysis process (THP) is applied mainly to improve the sludge solubilization and subsequent methane yield in the downstream anaerobic digestion (AD) process. However, the potential of THP in pretreating the high solids retention time (SRT) sludges, mitigating the risk of emerging organic micropollutants and effects on anaerobic microbiome in digester remains unclear. In this study, sludge from a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system operating at a SRT of 40 days was subjected to THP using a 5 L pilot plant at the temperature ranges of 120-180 °C for 30-120 min. The effect of THP on organics solubilization, methane yield, organic micropollutant removal, and microbial community dynamics was studied. The highest methane yield of 507 mL CH4/g VSadded and volatile solids (VS) removal of 54% were observed at 160°C- 30min THP condition, i.e., 4.1 and 2.6 times higher than the control (123 mL CH4/gVSadded, 20.7%), respectively. The experimental values of hydrolysis coefficient and methane yield have been predicted using Modified Gompertz, First order, and Logistics models. The observed values fitted well with all three models showing an R2 value between 0.96 and 1.0. THP pretreated sludges showed >80% removal of Trimethoprim, Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Bezafibrate. However, Carbamazepine, 17α-ethinylestradiol, and Progesterone showed recalcitrant behavior, resulting in less than 50% removal. Microbial diversity analysis showed the dominance of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes, collectively accounting for >70-80% of bacterial reads. They are mainly responsible for the fermentation of complex biomolecules like polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. The THP-mediated anaerobic digestion of sludge shows better performance than the control digestion, improved methane yield, higher VS and micropollutants removal, and a diverse microbiome in the digester.

Lifestyle factors and comorbidities in gout patients compared to the general population in Western Sweden: results from a questionnaire study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify lifestyle factors associated with gout in patients with prevalent gout compared to the general population.

METHOD

Adult patients with gout identified in primary and secondary care in Western Sweden between 2015 and 2017 were sent a questionnaire asking about demographics, lifestyle, and comorbidities. Five age- and gender-matched controls were identified in a random sample of 52 348 individuals aged 16-84 years who participated in the National Public Health survey in Sweden, year 2015. Logistic regression models were used to compare cases and controls with regard to lifestyle factors and comorbidities.

RESULTS

Of the 1589 invited gout patients, 868 (55%) responded. After matching for age and gender, 728 were included in the analysis (82.4% male; mean ± sd age 69.3 ± 10.5 years for men and 71.8 ± 9.9 years for women with gout). Male and female gout patients were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese (men 79% vs 66%; women 78.5% vs 65.3%), to have binge-drinking behaviour (men 29.9% vs 11%; women 13.7% vs 2.9%), and to be ex-smokers, compared to controls. Moreover, male gout patients reported lower levels of physical activity, while diabetes and hypertension were more common in both genders with gout than in controls.

CONCLUSION

In this questionnaire study, gout patients reported significantly more obesity and binge-drinking behaviour and less physical activity than controls. This suggests that there are great unmet needs for the management of lifestyle factors, particularly regarding overweight/obesity and binge drinking, in patients with gout.

Efficacy of Retreatment After Failed Direct-acting Antiviral Therapy in Patients With HCV Genotype 1-3 Infections

Hepatitis C virus infection is causing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. By combining direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), high sustained virologic response rates (SVRs) can be achieved. Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) are commonly observed after DAA failure, and especially nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) RASs may impact retreatment options.^1-3 Data on retreatment of DAA failure patients using first-generation DAAs are limited.^4-7 Recently, a second-generation protease- and NS5A-inhibitor plus sofosbuvir (voxilaprevir/velpatasvir/sofosbuvir [VOX/VEL/SOF]) was approved for retreatment after DAA failure.⁸ However, this and other second-generation regimens are not available in many resource-limited countries or are not reimbursed by regular insurance, and recommendations regarding the selection of retreatment regimens using first-generation DAAs are very important. This study aimed to analyze patients who were re-treated with first-generation DAAs after failure of a DAA combination therapy.

OP0173 IMMUNOMODULATION CO-THERAPY WITH PEGLOTICASE: DATABASE TRENDS 2014-2019

Background:

Pegloticase is a PEGylated biologic therapy for patients with uncontrolled gout who have not improved on or could not tolerate conventional urate-lowering therapies.1All biologics have the ability to engender anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) and it is known that some patients given pegloticase develop ADAs that cause them to stop treatment prior to recieving a complete course of therapy.2-3In other rheumatic autoimmune diseases, DMARDs such as methotrexate or azathioprine are used as standard of care to prevent the development of ADAs to biologics. These DMARDs often allow patients to remain on biologic therapies longer and recieve the full therapeutic benefits while minimizing adverse events.4While pegloticase has been used traditionally as monotherapy, recent case series have demonstrated the therapeutic benefit of immunomodulator co-administration, allowing more patients to receive a full course of pegloticase therapy.5-6Little has been published on how widespread this practice is and whether it has changed over time.

Objectives:

To examine medical claims database from 2014-2019 for trends in immunomodulating therapies being co-prescribed with pegloticase.

Methods:

An IQVIA claims database (November 2014 to October 2019) representing 1.3 billion claims, covering 30 million patients diagnosed with gout or CKD, was utilized to search for patients who had received pegloticase. Patients who had recieved pegloticase were classified as having been on an immunomodulating co-therapy if they were prescribed methotrexate or azathioprine within 60 days before or after initiation of their first pegloticase infusion.

Results:

We found relatively steady low rates of immunomodulation co-therapy with pegloticase from 2014 through 2018 ranging from 1% in 2016 to 4% in 2018 (Figure 1). In 2019 however, the proportion of pegloticase patients that were co-treated with methotrexate or azathioprine therapy increased to 15%. Most patients were started on immunomodulating therapy 20 days before to 10 days after initiation of pegloticase. Methotrexate was the more frequently used immunomodulaton co-therapy as compared to azathioprine.

Conclusion:

We found evidence of a relatively dramatic increasing initiation of immunomodulation therapy with pegloticase beginning soon after a November 2018 presentation of a case series which demonstrated improved response rates of pegloticase when co-administered with methotrexate. These data indicate that clinicians began to more frequently employ a strategy of DMARD co-treatment with pegloticase in 2019 to improve response rates to this important gout medicine.

References:

[1]Sundy JS, et al.JAMA2011;306:711-20.

[2]Abeles AM.Arthritis Research & Therapy2014, 16:112

[3]Strand V, et al.BioDrugs2017; 31:299–316.

[4]Krieckaert CL, et al.Arthritis Res Ther2010;12:217.

[5]Botson J and Peterson J.Ann Rheum Dis.2019; 78: A1289.

[6]Bessen SY, et al.Semin Arthritis Rheum.2019;49:56-61.

Disclosure of Interests:

Brian LaMoreaux Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Megan Francis-Sedlak Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Karl Svensson Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics, Robert Holt Shareholder of: Horizon Therapeutics, Employee of: Horizon Therapeutics

Feeding frequency influences process performance and microbial community composition in anaerobic digesters treating steam exploded food waste

In anaerobic digestion, studies of feeding frequency have produced conflicting results. Hence, the effect of feeding frequency on process variables and microbial community structure was investigated by comparing a laboratory-scale digester fed steam exploded food waste 10 times daily vs. one fed an equivalent amount once daily. The Frequently Fed Digester (FFD) produced on average 20% more methane and had lower effluent concentrations of long-chain fatty acids. Greater daily fluctuations in acetate, pH and biogas production rate could explain the lower specific methane yield and β-oxidation. Feeding frequency also influenced the microbial community whereby Tenericutes (42%) dominated in FFD but Firmicutes (31%) was most abundant in the Daily Fed Digester (DFD). Feeding frequency effects are therefore postulated to occur more often in digesters fed labile feedstocks at high organic loading rates.

Post-anaerobic digestion thermal hydrolysis of sewage sludge and food waste: Effect on methane yields, dewaterability and solids reduction

Post-anaerobic digestion (PAD) treatment technologies have been suggested for anaerobic digestion (AD) to improve process efficiency and assure hygenization of organic waste. Because AD reduces the amount of organic waste, PAD can be applied to a much smaller volume of waste compared to pre-digestion treatment, thereby improving efficiency. In this study, dewatered digestate cakes from two different AD plants were thermally hydrolyzed and dewatered, and the liquid fraction was recirculated to a semi-continuous AD reactor. The thermal hydrolysis was more efficient in relation to methane yields and extent of dewaterability for the cake from a plant treating waste activated sludge, than the cake from a plant treating source separated food waste (SSFW). Temperatures above 165 °C yielded the best results. Post-treatment improved volumetric methane yields by 7% and the COD-reduction increased from 68% to 74% in a mesophilic (37 °C) semi-continuous system despite lowering the solid retention time (from 17 to 14 days) compared to a conventional system with pre-treatment of feed substrates at 70 °C. Results from thermogravimetric analysis showed an expected increase in maximum TS content of dewatered digestate cake from 34% up to 46% for the SSFW digestate cake, and from 17% up to 43% in the sludge digestate cake, after the PAD thermal hydrolysis process (PAD-THP). The increased dewatering alone accounts for a reduction in wet mass of cake leaving the plant of 60% in the case of sludge digestate cake. Additionaly, the increased VS-reduction will contribute to further reduce the mass of wet cake.

Biogas production from food waste via co-digestion and digestion- effects on performance and microbial ecology

In this work, performance and microbial structure of a digestion (food waste-only) and a co-digestion process (mixture of cow manure and food waste) were studied at mesophilic (37 °C) and thermophilic (55 °C) temperatures. The highest methane yield (480 mL/g VS) was observed in the mesophilic digester (MDi) fed with food waste alone. The mesophilic co-digestion of food waste and manure (McoDi) yielded 26% more methane than the sum of individual digestions of manure and food waste. The main volatile fatty acid (VFA) in the mesophilic systems was acetate, averaging 93 and 172 mg/L for McoDi and MDi, respectively. Acetate (2150 mg/L) and propionate (833 mg/L) were the main VFAs in the thermophilic digester (TDi), while propionate (163 mg/L) was the major VFA in the thermophilic co-digester (TcoDi). The dominant bacteria in MDi was Chloroflexi (54%), while Firmicutes was dominant in McoDi (60%). For the mesophilic reactors, the dominant archaea was Methanosaeta in MDi, while Methanobacterium and Methanosaeta had similar abundance in McoDi. In the thermophilic systems, the dominant bacteria were Thermotogae, Firmicutes and Synergistetes in both digesters, however, the relative abundance of these phyla were different. For archaea, the genus Methanothermobacter were entirely dominant in both TDi and TcoDi.

Temporal overexpression of SIRT1 in skeletal muscle of adult mice does not improve insulin sensitivity or markers of mitochondrial biogenesis

AIMS

Activation of the NAD⁺ dependent protein deacetylase SIRT1 has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy to treat mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. However, lifelong overexpression of SIRT1 in skeletal muscle does not improve parameters of mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity. In this study, we investigated whether temporal overexpression of SIRT1 in muscle of adult mice would affect skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity.

METHODS

To circumvent potential effects of germline SIRT1 overexpression, we utilized an inducible model of SIRT1 overexpression in skeletal muscle of adult mice (i-mOX). Insulin sensitivity was assessed by 2-deoxyglucose uptake, muscle maximal respiratory function by high-resolution respirometry and systemic energy expenditure was assessed by whole body calorimetry.

RESULTS

Although SIRT1 was highly, and specifically, overexpressed in skeletal muscle of i-mOX compared to WT mice, glucose tolerance and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity were comparable between genotypes. Additionally, markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, muscle maximal respiratory function and whole-body oxygen consumption were also unaffected by SIRT1 overexpression.

CONCLUSION

These results support previous work demonstrating that induction of SIRT1 in skeletal muscle, either at birth or in adulthood, does not impact muscle insulin action or mitochondrial function.

Anaerobic digestion of food waste - Effect of recirculation and temperature on performance and microbiology

Recirculation of digestate was investigated as a strategy to dilute the food waste before feeding to anaerobic digesters, and its effects on microbial community structure and performance were studied. Two anaerobic digesters with digestate recirculation were operated at 37 °C (MD + R) and 55 °C (TD + R) and compared to two additional digesters without digestate recirculation operated at the same temperatures (MD and TD). The MD + R digester demonstrated quite stable and similar performance to the MD digester in terms of the methane yield (around 480 mL CH4 per gVSadded). In both MD and MD + R Methanosaeta was the dominant archaea. However, the bacterial community structure was significantly different in the two digesters. Firmicutes dominated in the MD + R, while Chloroflexi was the dominant phylum in the MD. Regarding the thermophilic digesters, the TD + R showed the lowest methane yield (401 mL CH4 per gVSadded) and accumulation of VFAs. In contrast to the mesophilic digesters, the microbial communities in the thermophilic digesters were rather similar, consisting mainly of the phyla Firmicutes, Thermotoga, Synergistetes and the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanothermobacter. The impact of ammonia inhibition was different depending on the digesters configurations and operating temperatures.

The early clinical course of infliximab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the REMARK observational study

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to describe patterns of disease activity during infliximab plus methotrexate (MTX) treatment and explore C-reactive protein (CRP) as a potential marker of early response.

METHODS

REMARK was a phase IV, open-label, observational study of infliximab-naïve adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received infliximab 3 mg/kg plus MTX for 14 weeks. Treatment response was evaluated in 3 subgroups: patients with <1 year disease duration who were TNF-inhibitor (TNFi)-naïve, patients with ≥ 1 year disease duration who were TNFi-naïve, and patients who had previous TNFi failure or intolerance. In post hoc analyses, CRP kinetic profiles were analysed by EULAR response (good, moderate, non-response) in REMARK and in an independent replication with data from the ASPIRE study.

RESULTS

In the efficacy-evaluable population (n=662), median 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) improved from baseline to Week 14 (5.2 vs. 3.6, p<0.0001). Regardless of disease history subgroup, most patients had good or moderate EULAR responses at Weeks 2 (64.9%), 6 (74.1%), and 14 (73.6%). DAS28 and its components did not differ across patient subgroups. Disease flare occurred in 16.2% of patients. CRP levels declined markedly at Week 2, but patients who were EULAR non-responders at Week 14 showed a CRP rebound at Weeks 6 and 14. This CRP pattern was independently replicated in data from ASPIRE. Adverse events were consistent with the known risk profile of infliximab.

CONCLUSIONS

Infliximab plus MTX treatment in patients with RA rapidly diminished disease activity. A unique pattern of CRP rebound was found in non-responders early in treatment.

Emission factors for gases and particle-bound substances produced by firing lead-free small-caliber ammunition

Lead-free ammunition is becoming increasingly popular because of the environmental and human health issues associated with the use of leaded ammunition. However, there is a lack of data on the emissions produced by firing such ammunition. We report emission factors for toxic gases and particle-bound compounds produced by firing lead-free ammunition in a test chamber. Carbon monoxide, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide levels within the chamber were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while total suspended particles and respirable particles were determined gravimetrically. The metal content of the particulate emissions was determined and the associated organic compounds were characterized in detail using a method based on thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The particulate matter (∼30 mg/round) consisted primarily of metals such as Cu, Zn, and Fe along with soot arising from incomplete combustion. Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatic compounds such as carbazole, quinolone, and phenazine were responsible for some of the 25 most significant chromatographic peaks, together with PAHs, diphenylamine, and phthalates. Emission factors were determined for PAHs and oxygenated PAHs; the latter were less abundant in the gun smoke particles than in domestic dust and diesel combustion smoke. This may be due to the oxygen-deficient conditions that occur when the gun is fired. By using an electrical low pressure impactor, it was demonstrated that more than 90% of the particles produced immediately after firing the weapon had diameters of less than 30 nm, and so most of the gun smoke particles belonged to the nanoparticle regime.

Desorption of H2, HD, and D2 through temporary negative ion formation

Physically adsorbed H(2), HD, and D(2) desorbs via the low-energy 2Σ(u)+ electron scattering resonance with characteristic electron energy dependent cross sections as we show by desorption and electron energy-loss measurements. Only H(2) and HD desorb, for energetic reasons, via excitation of the j = 0 → 2 rotational mode and its subsequent decay into free translational motion, while all three isotopes desorb by direct transitions to unbound continuum states, with a probability close to unity and an unexpectedly weak mass dependence ~m(-1/2).

Physical exercise ameliorates deficits induced by traumatic brain injury

The extent and depth of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major determining factor together with the type of structural insult and its location, whether mild, moderate or severe, as well as the distribution and magnitude of inflammation and loss of cerebrovascular integrity, and the eventual efficacy of intervention. The influence of exercise intervention in TBI is multiple, ranging from anti-apoptotic effects to the augmentation of neuroplasticity. Physical exercise diminishes cerebral inflammation by elevating factors and agents involved in immunomodulatory function, and buttresses glial cell, cerebrovascular, and blood-brain barrier intactness. It provides unique non-pharmacologic intervention that incorporate different physical activity regimes, whether dynamic or static, endurance or resistance. Physical training regimes ought necessarily to be adapted to the specific demands of diagnosis, type and degree of injury and prognosis for individuals who have suffered TBI.

Asthma Control Questionnaire in children: validation, measurement properties, interpretation

The Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) has been validated in adults to measure the primary goal of management (minimisation of symptoms, activity limitations, short-acting β₂-agonist use and airway narrowing). The present study evaluated the validity, measurement properties and interpretability of the ACQ in children aged 6-16 yrs. 35 children attended clinic on three occasions (0, 1 and 4 weeks) and completed the ACQ, Mini Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Royal College of Physicians' "Three Questions". Parents completed the Paediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire. Between visits, children completed the Asthma Control Diary and measured peak expiratory flow. At weeks 1 and 4, clinicians and parents completed Global Rating of Change Questionnaires. All patients completed the study. 19 children were stable between two assessments and provided evidence of good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.79). The ACQ was responsive to change in asthma control (p = 0.026) and the mean ± sd Minimal Important Difference was 0.52 ± 0.45. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal correlations between the ACQ and the other outcomes were close to predicted and provided evidence that the ACQ measures asthma control in children. The ACQ has strong measurement properties and is valid for use in children aged 6-16 yrs. In children aged 6-10 yrs, it must be administered by a trained interviewer.

Dissociation of physisorbed H2 through low-energy electron scattering resonances

Electron induced dissociation of physisorbed H2, HD, and D2 proceeds, as we observe in electron energy-loss measurements of the resulting atomic species, with a high quantum efficiency via the 2Σg(+) core excited electron scattering resonances. We find that the predominant decay of the temporary H2(-) state to the neutral excited 3Σu(+) parent state, which is intramolecularly antibonding, provides a sufficiently long-lived channel for dissociation to occur with high probability, even in the proximity of a metal surface.

Allele-specific in situ hybridization (ASISH)

An unexpected outcome of the diploid genome is that evolutionary strategies have evolved to express only one of the alleles (1). The rapidly expanding list of genes that are expressed monoallelically fall into three main categories: random inactivation, allelic exclusion, and genomic imprinting. These categories are distinguished by whether the expressed and inactivated alleles are maintained from one cell division to the next (random inactivation occurs with each cell division, compared to stable propagation through subsequent cell divisions as seen for allelic exclusion and genomic imprinting) and whether allele inactivation or expression is determined by parent of origin of inheritance (this differentiates allelic exclusion from genomic imprinting). Genomically imprinted genes are currently more numerous than members of the other categories. This fact is likely to reflect that the persistent (in)activation of one allele in a parent of origin-specific manner has facilitated the detection of monoallelic expression patterns in RNA extracted from homogenized tissue. This crude approach does not take into account, however, different imprinted states within a tissue, or, indeed, random allelic (in)activation. It is not surprising, therefore, that well-known genes, such as Il2 (2), were only recently found to be monoallelically expressed in a random manner (1).

Development and validation of the Capacity of Daily Living during the Morning questionnaire and the Global Chest Symptoms Questionnaire in COPD

This report concerns the development and validation of two patient-reported outcomes questionnaires developed to assess chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients' ability to perform morning activities and to evaluate their morning symptoms. Based on interviews with COPD patients, the Capacity of Daily Living during the Morning (CDLM) questionnaire and the Global Chest Symptoms Questionnaire (GCSQ) were developed, linguistically validated and incorporated into two multicentre, randomised trials involving a total of 1,100 COPD patients; those trials were registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00496470 and NCT00542880). Data from these trials were used to determine the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the questionnaires and to derive estimates of minimal important differences (MIDs). Both questionnaires displayed good-to-high reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.75-0.93). Analysis of convergent validity showed that CDLM and GCSQ scores correlated significantly (p<0.001) with symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and use of rescue medication. In both trials, CDLM and GCSQ scores discriminated between patients with different levels of HRQoL, as assessed by the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD patients (SGRQ-C), but not with disease severity, as assessed by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. A significant improvement in CDLM and GCSQ scores occurred in response to treatment. Estimations of MID scores, corresponding to an SGRQ-C MID of 4, were 0.20 for the CDLM questionnaire and 0.15 for the GCSQ. Both the CDLM questionnaire and the GCSQ are easy-to-use, reliable, responsive, self-administered questionnaires that report on patients' symptoms and ability to perform morning activities.

Electron-induced desorption of physisorbed H2 via resonance vibrational excitation

We show by electron energy-loss measurements that desorption of physisorbed H(2) and D(2) induced by low-energy electrons takes place with large cross sections, predominantly via resonance excitation of the molecule-surface vibrational mode. The observed H(2), D(2) cross-section ratio supports a picture where rotation-translation conversion of the resonance excited j = 0 --> 2 rotational transition contributes to the desorption of H(2), while this channel is energetically closed for D(2).

Probabilistic modelling of exposure doses and implications for health risk characterization: glycoalkaloids from potatoes

Potatoes are a source of glycoalkaloids (GAs) represented primarily by alpha-solanine and alpha-chaconine (about 95%). Content of GAs in tubers is usually 10-100 mg/kg and maximum levels do not exceed 200 mg/kg. GAs can be hazardous for human health. Poisoning involve gastrointestinal ailments and neurological symptoms. A single intake of >1-3 mg/kg b.w. is considered a critical effect dose (CED). Probabilistic modelling of acute and chronic (usual) exposure to GAs was performed in the Czech Republic, Sweden and The Netherlands. National databases on individual consumption of foods, data on concentration of GAs in tubers (439 Czech and Swedish results) and processing factors were used for modelling. Results concluded that potatoes currently available at the European market may lead to acute intakes >1 mg GAs/kg b.w./day for upper tail of the intake distribution (0.01% of population) in all three countries. 50 mg GAs/kg raw unpeeled tubers ensures that at least 99.99% of the population does not exceed the CED. Estimated chronic (usual) intake in participating countries was 0.25, 0.29 and 0.56 mg/kg b.w./day (97.5% upper confidence limit). It remains unclear if the incidence of GAs poisoning is underreported or if assumptions are the worst case for extremely sensitive persons.

Estimating health utilities in patients with asthma and COPD: evidence on the performance of EQ-5D and SF-6D

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to understand systematic differences in utility values derived from the EQ-5D and the SF-6D in two respiratory populations with heterogeneous disease severity.

METHODS

This study involved secondary analysis of data from two cross-sectional surveys of patients with asthma (N = 228; Hungary) and COPD (N = 176; Sweden). Disease severity was defined according to GINA and GOLD guidelines for asthma and COPD, respectively. EQ-5D and SF-6D scores and their distributional characteristics were compared across the two samples by disease severity level.

RESULTS

Within each patient population, mean EQ-5D and SF-6D scores were similar for the overall group and for those with moderate disease. Mean scores varied for patients with mild and severe disease. EQ-5D versus SF-6D scores in the asthma group by severity levels were 0.89 versus 0.80, 0.70 versus 0.73, 0.63 versus 0.64, and 0.51 versus 0.63, respectively. EQ-5D versus SF-6D scores in the COPD group by severity levels were 0.85 versus 0.80, 0.73 versus 0.73, 0.74 versus 0.73, and 0.53 versus 0.62, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest the EQ-5D and SF-6D do not yield consistent utility values in patients with asthma and COPD due to differences in underlying valuation techniques and the EQ-5D's limited response options relative to mild disease.

Changes in soil chemical and microbiological properties during 4 years of application of various organic residues

A 4-year field trial was established in eastern Sweden to evaluate the effects of organic waste on soil chemical and microbiological variables. A simple crop rotation with barley and oats was treated with either compost from household waste, biogas residue from household waste, anaerobically treated sewage sludge, pig manure, cow manure or mineral fertilizer. All fertilizers were amended in rates corresponding to 100kgNha(-1)year(-1). The effects of the different types of organic waste were evaluated by subjecting soil samples, taken each autumn 4 weeks after harvest, to an extensive set of soil chemical (pH, Org-C, Tot-N, Tot-P, Tot-S, P-AL, P-Olsen, K-AL, and some metals) and microbiological (B-resp, SIR, microSIR active and dormant microorganisms, PDA, microPDA, PAO, Alk-P and N-min) analyses. Results show that compost increased pH, and that compost as well as sewage sludge increased plant available phosphorus; however, the chemical analysis showed few clear trends over the 4 years and few clear relations to plant yield or soil quality. Biogas residues increased substrate induced respiration (SIR) and, compared to the untreated control amendment of biogas residues as well as compost, led to a higher proportion of active microorganisms. In addition, biogas residues increased potential ammonia oxidation rate (PAO), nitrogen mineralization capacity (N-min) as well as the specific growth rate constant of denitrifiers (microPDA). Despite rather large concentrations of heavy metals in some of the waste products, no negative effects could be seen on either chemical or microbiological soil properties. Changes in soil microbial properties appeared to occur more rapidly than most chemical properties. This suggests that soil microbial processes can function as more sensitive indicators of short-term changes in soil properties due to amendment of organic wastes.

Fast ortho-para conversion of H2 adsorbed at copper surface step atoms

Ortho-para conversion of H2 adsorbed at the step atoms of a Cu(510) surface proceeds with a short conversion time constant around 1 s as observed in electron-energy-loss measurements of rotational populations. We suggest that this rapid conversion is related to the special character of the adsorption state, which involves a short H2-Cu bond length of 1.8 A. On the flat Cu(100) surface, conversion is found to occur at active sites, most likely step atoms.

Physical activity, body composition and physical self-esteem: a 3-year follow-up study among adolescents in Sweden

AIMS

To measure physical activity by means of daily pedometer steps, body composition, expressed as body mass index (BMI) and bioelectrical impedance as percent body fat, and perceived physical self-esteem and additionally, to evaluate eventual predictors for a healthy lifestyle i.e., highly physically active, normal weighted and a high physical self-esteem in a follow-up group.

METHODS

During autumn 2000 physical activity level was assessed and BMI was calculated in 871 children aged 7-14 in south eastern Sweden and in 501 of these, physical self-esteem were also assessed. During autumn 2003 a total of 375 adolescents aged 15-18 were assessed using the same methodology and additionally percent body fat was measured. Ninety-three of these adolescents (46 girls), were also measured in 2000 and they formed the follow-up group.

RESULTS

In the follow-up group a significant increase in BMI and stability in physical self-esteem in boys and girls, and in boys a significant decrease in daily steps was found 3 years later. Strongest predictor to be highly physically active, maintain normal BMI and high self-esteem 3 years later, i.e., to have a healthy lifestyle, was for girls increased self-esteem and for boys a decreased BMI.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, for a healthy lifestyle, promoting physical self-esteem in girls and weight control in boys is of great importance in early adolescence.

Molecular hydrogen adsorption at surface adatoms

Using electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, we have measured preferential adsorption of molecular hydrogen at Cu and Au adatoms deposited on a cold Cu(100) surface. We show, with particular attention to the D(2)-Au system, that the molecules adsorb at the adatoms, with an enhanced binding energy. The adsorption state is not of chemisorption character, the D(2) rotational and internal vibrational transition energies are close to the corresponding gas phase values, a characteristic property of a physisorbed state. A revealing signature of the D(2)-Au interaction is an induced dipole activity of the rotational transition, which discriminates molecules adsorbed at the adatoms from those adsorbed on the bare substrate surface. The average number of molecules per Au atom depends on the Au coverage and increases at lower coverages, for example, at 4% of an adatom monolayer, there are approximately six D(2) molecules per Au adatom. In this limit, Au monomers prevail, and a cluster of six D(2) around a single Au adatom appears to be an optimal dense two-dimensional configuration.

Relationship between respiratory symptoms and medical treatment in exacerbations of COPD

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be defined symptomatically or by healthcare contacts, yet the relationship between these events is unknown. Data were collected during a 1-yr study of the budesonide/formoterol combination in COPD patients, where exacerbations, defined by increases in treatment, were compared with daily records of respiratory symptoms, rescue medication use and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The relationship between changes in these variables and the medical event was examined using different modelling approaches. Data from the first exacerbation treated with oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics and/or hospitalisation (event based) were available in 468 patients. Patients exacerbating were significantly more breathless and more likely to report cough than healthy patients, but did not differ in baseline spirometry. Exacerbations defined by changes in individual symptoms were only weakly related to event-based exacerbations; however, defined with 63% of such events being predicted from symptom changes. Changes in rescue medication use or PEF were poor predictors of event-based exacerbations. The mean peak change in symptoms was closely related to the onset of therapy. In conclusion, event-based exacerbations are a valid way of identifying acute symptom change in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease population. However, daily symptom monitoring is too variable using the current diary cards to make individual management decisions.

Cost-effectiveness of formoterol and salbutamol as asthma reliever medication in Sweden and in Spain

This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of formoterol (Oxis) Turbuhaler 4.5 microg and salbutamol 200 microg as reliever medications in Sweden and Spain. The study used data on effectiveness (exacerbations and symptom-free days) and resource utilisation from an open, 6-month, parallel-group, multicentre randomised trial with 18,124 asthma patients in 24 countries. Country-specific unit costs for Sweden and for Spain were used to transform resource utilisation data into costs. Total healthcare costs were not significantly different between formoterol and salbutamol dry powder inhalers in Sweden, whereas in Spain, the healthcare costs were 20% higher for formoterol vs. salbutamol pressurised metered dose inhalers. Total healthcare costs increased with disease severity, defined according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Compared with salbutamol, formoterol produced statistically significant improvements in effectiveness, less reliever and maintenance medication usage, reduced healthcare resource utilisation, with no increase or a limited increase in healthcare cost.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy and safety study of quetiapine or lithium as monotherapy for mania in bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine monotherapy versus placebo for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder.

METHOD

In an international, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, 12-week study, patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (manic episode) were randomly assigned to treatment with quetiapine (flexibly dosed up to 800 mg/day), placebo, or lithium. The primary efficacy measure was change from baseline in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score at day 21. Data were gathered from April 2001 to May 2002.

RESULTS

More patients in the quetiapine (72/107) and lithium (67/98) groups completed the study compared with the placebo group (35/97). Improvement (reduction) in YMRS score was significantly greater for quetiapine than placebo at day 7 (-8.03 vs. -4.89; p < .01), and the difference between groups continued to increase over time to day 21 (-14.6 vs. -6.7; p < .001) and to endpoint at day 84 (-20.3 vs. -9.0; p < .001). Significantly more quetiapine patients compared with placebo patients fulfilled YMRS response criteria at day 21 (53.3% vs. 27.4%; p < .001) and at day 84 (72.0% vs. 41.1%; p < .001). Quetiapine was also superior to placebo in efficacy at day 21 and day 84 by all secondary measures. Lithium-treated patients improved significantly compared with placebo patients and similarly to quetiapine-treated patients on the primary efficacy measure. The most common adverse events for quetiapine were dry mouth, somnolence, and weight gain, while lithium was associated with tremor and insomnia. The quetiapine and placebo groups had similar, low levels of extrapyramidal symptom-related adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Quetiapine demonstrated superior efficacy to placebo in patients with bipolar mania and was well tolerated.

Nanopipettes for metal transport

Here we demonstrate, for the first time experimentally, a nanopipette action for metals using multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The process relies on electromigration forces, created at high electron current densities, enabling the transport of material inside the hollow core of carbon nanotubes. In this way nanoparticles of iron were transported to and from electrically conducting substrates.

Induction of anti-secretory factor in human milk may prevent mastitis

AIM

The aim of the study was to try to induce anti-secretory factor (AF) in human milk and possibly prevent mastitis.

METHODS

Forty mothers who had normal deliveries and healthy full-term infants were randomly divided into two groups, 3-7 days postpartum. The experimental group received a food inducing AF. The control group received the same type of food, without AF-inducing properties. Milk was tested for AF after the mothers had eaten the cereals for 4-5 wk. AF was determined by intravenous injection of milk samples into rats measuring their capacity to prevent secretion into a gut loop of the rat injected with cholera toxin.

RESULTS

The median levels of AF differed between the experimental (n = 12) and control groups (n = 16): 1.1 (0.7-1.25) units vs 0.1 (0.0-0.25) units, Z = -4.492, p < 0.0001 (11 mothers dropped out and one milk sample is missing from one of the control mothers). The frequency of mastitis in the experimental compared with the control group was reduced (p = 0.0086, permutation test). The median AF levels in mothers with or without mastitis differed; 0.0 (0.0-0.1) vs 0.5 (0.2-1.1), Z = -2.399, p = 0.017.

CONCLUSION

We suggest a specially treated cereal induces AF in human milk and protects against clinically manifested mastitis.

Dietary intake of acrylamide in Sweden

High levels of acrylamide have been found in foods heated at high temperatures, especially in carbohydrate rich foods. Several kinds of foods (industrially produced) representing different food/product groups available on the Swedish market have been analysed for acrylamide. A considerable variation in levels of acrylamide between single foodstuffs (different brands) within food categories were found, which also applies for levels in different food categories. Using recent Swedish food consumption data the dietary intake of acrylamide for the Swedish adult population was assessed based on foodstuffs with low to high levels of acrylamide (<30-2300 microg/kg), such as processed potato products, bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, cookies, snacks and coffee. The estimated dietary intake of acrylamide per person (total population) given as the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile were 9.1, 27 and 62 microg/day respectively, from those food/product groups (mean 31 microg/day). No acrylamide was found in many other foodstuffs analysed and those were therefore not included in the dietary intake assessment of acrylamide. However, an additional minor contribution of a few microg/day of acrylamide from foods/products like poultry, meat, fish, cocoa powder and chocolates cannot be excluded. An average daily intake of 35 microg corresponds to 0.5 microg per kg body weight and day (body weight 70 kg). Risk assessments of acrylamide, made by US EPA and WHO, imply that this dietary intake of acrylamide could be associated with potential health risks.

Health-related quality of life in asthma studies. Can we combine data from different countries?

The aim was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with asthma from 4 countries, and to investigate the correlations between HRQL and clinical indices.341 patients; 140 (Sweden), 54 (Norway), 65 (the Netherlands) and 82 (Greece) were treated with formoterol fumarate 4.5 microg or with terbutaline sulphate 0.5mg for 12 weeks inhaled 'on demand' via Turbuhaler. The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and clinical indices were assessed. The mean baseline AQLQ overall scores in Sweden (4.97), in the Netherlands (5.04), in Norway (4.68) and in Greece (4.68) were in the same range, however, with a significant difference between the four countries (p=0.038). When comparing AQLQ, activity limitation and symptoms domains, the differences between the countries were not statistically significant. The cross-sectional correlations between AQLQ overall score and the clinical indices were similar in all four countries. The magnitude of change in AQLQ was consistent with the other clinical variables. The correlations between change in AQLQ overall score and change in clinical indices were low to medium in all countries. In conclusion, the consistency of cross-sectional correlations between the AQLQ overall and clinical indices across countries supports the validity of translations of the AQLQ used in this study. There were differences in baseline values between the countries. The treatment response in AQLQ differed to the same extent as other clinical indices. When combining HRQL data from different countries, there might be cultural, gender and socio-economic differences, explaining different responses to treatment.

A health-related quality-of-life comparison of formoterol (Oxis) Turbuhaler plus budesonide (Pulmicort) Turbuhaler with budesonide Turbuhaler alone and noncorticosteroid treatment in asthma: a randomized clinical study in Russia

BACKGROUND

In Russia, current therapy for the long-term management of asthma is mainly nonsteroidal. This situation provides the opportunity to evaluate new asthma treatments in a patient cohort with little previous exposure to inhaled corticosteroids.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of formoterol (Oxis) Turbuhaler plus budesonide (Pulmicort) Turbuhaler with budesonide Turbuhaler alone, on the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with mild to moderate asthma.

METHODS

A double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, 12-week study compared formoterol Turbuhaler plus budesonide Turbuhaler and budesonide Turbuhaler alone with an open control group of the investigator's choice of noncorticosteroid therapy. Patients completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ).

RESULTS

The improvement in HRQL scores for patients treated with noncorticosteroids was significantly less (p < 0.05) than those treated with formoterol plus budesonide and budesonide alone in all domains of the SF-36 and AQLQ with one marginal exception (budesonide versus investigator's choice, SF-36, Mental Component Scale, p = 0.053). Improvements in HRQL scores of formoterol plus budesonide, compared with budesonide alone, although generally higher, were not significantly different. Formoterol plus budesonide was more effective in improving lung function and reducing both symptoms and the need for relief terbutaline inhalation.

CONCLUSION

Formoterol Turbuhaler plus budesonide Turbuhaler and budesonide Turbuhaler alone significantly improved the HRQL of patients with mild to moderate asthma compared with noncorticosteroid treatment.

Basic examinations on chemical pre-oxidation by ozone for enhancing bioremediation of phenanthrene contaminated soils

Biological treatment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been demonstrated to be a feasible and common remediation technology which has been successfully applied to the clean-up of contaminated soils. Because bioavailability of the contaminants is of great importance for a successful bioremediation, a chemical pre-oxidation step by ozone was tested to enhance the subsequent biodegradation steps. Oxidation of PAH by ozone should result in reaction products that have a better solubility in water and thus a better bioavailability. A major part of this work was done by examinations of the model substance phenanthrene as a typical compound of PAH. After initial ozonation of phenanthrene, analysis by GC-MS showed at least seven identified conversion-products of phenanthrene. In comparison with phenanthrene these conversion products were more efficiently biodegraded by Sphingomonas yanoikuyae or mixed cultures when the ozonation process resulted in monoaromatic compounds. Primary ozonation products with biphenylic structures were found not to be biodegradable. Investigations into the toxicity of contaminated and ozonated soils were carried out by well-established toxicity assays using Bacillus subtilis and garden cress. The ozonated soils surprisingly showed higher toxic or inhibitory effects towards different organisms than the phenanthrene or PAH itself. The microbial degradation of phenanthrene in slurry reactors by S. yanoikuyae was not enhanced significantly by preozonation of the contaminated soil.

Inhibitory PAS domain protein is a negative regulator of hypoxia-inducible gene expression

Alteration of gene expression is a crucial component of adaptive responses to hypoxia. These responses are mediated by hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). Here we describe an inhibitory PAS (Per/Arnt/Sim) domain protein, IPAS, which is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)/PAS protein structurally related to HIFs. IPAS contains no endogenous transactivation function but demonstrates dominant negative regulation of HIF-mediated control of gene expression. Ectopic expression of IPAS in hepatoma cells selectively impairs induction of genes involved in adaptation to a hypoxic environment, notably the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene, and results in retarded tumour growth and tumour vascular density in vivo. In mice, IPAS was predominantly expressed in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and in corneal epithelium of the eye. Expression of IPAS in the cornea correlates with low levels of expression of the VEGF gene under hypoxic conditions. Application of an IPAS antisense oligonucleotide to the mouse cornea induced angiogenesis under normal oxygen conditions, and demonstrated hypoxia-dependent induction of VEGF gene expression in hypoxic corneal cells. These results indicate a previously unknown mechanism for negative regulation of angiogenesis and maintenance of an avascular phenotype.

A PKCbeta isoform mediates phorbol ester-induced activation of Erk1/2 and expression of neuronal differentiation genes in neuroblastoma cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) activation induces neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. This study examines the role of PKCbeta isoforms in this process. The PKCbeta-specific inhibitor LY379196 had no effect on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced neurite outgrowth from SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. On the other hand, PKCbeta inhibition suppressed the TPA-stimulated increase in neuropeptide Y mRNA, activation of neuropeptide Y gene promoter elements, and phosphorylation of Erk1/2. The TPA-induced increase in neuropeptide Y expression was also inhibited by the MEK inhibitor PD98059. These data indicate that activation of a PKCbeta isoform, through a pathway involving Erk1/2, leads to increased expression of neuronal differentiation genes in neuroblastoma cells.

Low dose inhaled budesonide and formoterol in mild persistent asthma: the OPTIMA randomized trial

The optimal treatment for mild asthma is uncertain. We assessed the effects of adding a long-acting inhaled beta-agonist, formoterol, to low doses of an inhaled corticosteroid, budesonide, for 1 yr in subjects with mild asthma, receiving no or only a small dose of inhaled corticosteroid. The 698 corticosteroid free patients (Group A) were assigned to twice daily treatment with 100 microg budesonide, 100 microg budesonide plus 4.5 microg formoterol, or placebo. The 1,272 corticosteroid-treated patients (Group B) were assigned to twice daily treatment with 100 microg budesonide, 100 microg budesonide plus 4.5 microg formoterol, 200 microg budesonide, or 200 microg budesonide plus 4.5 microg formoterol. The main outcome variables were time to the first severe asthma exacerbation and poorly controlled asthma days. In Group A, budesonide alone reduced the risk for severe exacerbations by 60% and poorly controlled days by 48%; adding formoterol increased lung function with no change in other end points. By contrast, in Group B, adding formoterol reduced the risk for the first severe exacerbation and for poorly controlled days by 43 and 30%, respectively. Thus, in corticosteroid-free patients, low dose inhaled budesonide alone reduced severe exacerbations and improved asthma control, and in patients already receiving inhaled corticosteroid, adding formoterol was more effective than doubling the corticosteroid dose.

Reversible transition between active and dormant microbial states in soil

The rate of respiration obtained in the substrate-induced respiration (SIR) method can be divided into the respiration rate of growing (r) and non-growing (K) microorganisms. The fraction of r is generally small (5-20%) in soils with no recent addition of substrates, but can be 100% in soils with high substrate availability. This suggests that substrate availability determines the proportion of biomass between these groups, and implies that transitions between them can take place reversibly. These hypotheses were tested by adding three different amounts of glucose which induced first-order, zero-order, and growth-associated respiration kinetics to three soils at four pre-incubation times (4, 12, 27, and 46 days) before the SIR measurement. An abiotic flush of CO(2) in the SIR measurement was detected and corrected for before data analysis. Accumulated CO(2)-C over 4 days after glucose addition, corrected for the respiration in unamended controls, corresponded to 41-50% mineralization of the glucose-C, and the relative amount mineralized by each soil was independent of the glucose amount added. The high glucose concentration gave an increased SIR, which reverted to the initial value within 27-46 days. In a specific sample, the maximum respiration rate induced during the pre-incubation, and the amount of organisms transformed from the K to the r state, as quantified in respiration rate units in the SIR measurement, were identical to each other, and these parameters were also highly correlated to the initial glucose concentration. The K-->r transition was very fast, probably concurrent with the instantaneous increase in the respiration rate obtained by the glucose amendment. Thereafter, a slow first-order back-transition from the r to the K state ensued, with half-lives of 12, 23, and 70 days for the three soils. The results suggest the existence of community-level controls by which growth within or of the whole biomass is inhibited until it has been completely transformed into the r state. The data also suggest that the microbial specific activity is not related to the availability of exogenous substrate in a continuous fashion, rather it responds as a sharp transition between dormant and fully active. Furthermore, the inherent physiological state of the microbial biomass is strongly related to its history. It is proposed that the normal dynamics of the soil microbial biomass is an oscillation between active and dormant physiological states, while significant growth occurs only at substantial substrate amendment.

Protein kinase C beta1 is implicated in the regulation of neuroblastoma cell growth and proliferation

To investigate a putative involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in supporting neuroblastoma cell proliferation, SK-N-BE(2) neuroblastoma cells were transfected with expression vectors coding for the C2 and V5 regions from different PKC isoforms. These structures have been suggested to inhibit the activity of their corresponding PKC isoform. The PKC fragments were fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein to facilitate the detection of transfected cells. Expression of the C2 domain from a classical PKC isoform (PKCalpha), but not of C2 domains from novel PKCdelta or PKCepsilon, suppressed the number of neuroblastoma cells positive for cyclin A and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. This indicates a role for a classical isoform in regulating proliferation of these cells. Among the V5 fragments from PKCalpha, PKCbetaI, and PKCbetaII, the PKCbetaI V5 had the most suppressive effect on proliferation markers, and this fragment also displaced PKCbetaI from the nucleus. Furthermore, a PKCbeta-specific inhibitor, LY379196, suppressed the phorbol ester- and serum-supported growth of neuroblastoma cells. There was a marked enhancement by LY379196 of the growth-suppressive and/or cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel and vincristine. These results indicate that PKCbetaI has a positive effect on the growth and proliferation of neuroblastoma cells and demonstrate that inhibition of PKCbeta may be used to enhance the effect of microtubule-interacting anticancer agents on neuroblastoma cells.

Migration of bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and its reaction products in canned foods

Bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is used as an additive or starting agent in coatings for cans. The presence of hydrochloric acid in the organosol (PVC-based) lacquers results in formation of chlorohydroxy compounds of BADGE. These compounds, as well as BADGE itself, are potential migrants into the preserved food and are of toxicological concern. In the present investigation the presence of BADGE and the chlorohydroxy compounds (BADGE.HCl and BADGE.2HCl) in various kinds of canned foods from 30 brands have been determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. BADGE was found in levels up to 5.1 mg/kg in the food and only in food from cans containing BADGE.HCl and BADGE.2HCl in the lacquers. BADGE was found both in fish in oil and in fish in tomato sauce, however, the highest amounts were found in the fatty foodstuffs. BADGE.HCl and BADGE.2HCl were found in concentrations up to 2.4 mg/kg and 8.3 mg/kg, respectively. Unlike BADGE, BADGE.2HCl was found in similar concentrations in fish in oil and in fish in tomato sauce. In aqueous and acidic foodstuffs BADGE readily hydrolyses into mono- and dihydrolysed products (BADGE.H2O and BADGE.2H2O). In this study BADGE.H2O was not found in any food sample, whereas BADGE.2H2O was found in levels up to 2.6 mg/kg. The Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) of the European Commission has proposed that a limit of restriction of 1 mg/kg food shall include BADGE itself and BADGE.H2O, BADGE.HCl, BADGE.2HCl and BADGE.HCL.H2O. The present results indicate that the migration of BADGE.HCl and BADGE.2HCl, compounds with almost no data on toxicity, implies a greater problem than BADGE.H2O and BADGE.2H2O.

Dynamic readjustment of parental methylation patterns of the 5'-flank of the mouse H19 gene during in vitro organogenesis

Gametic marks are stably propagated in order to manifest parent of origin-specific expression patterns of imprinted genes in the developing conceptus. Although the character of the imprint has not yet been fully elucidated, there is compelling evidence that it involves a methylation mark. This is exemplified by a region upstream of the H19 gene, which is not only methylated in a parent of origin-specific manner, but also regulates the silencing of the maternal Igf2 and paternal H19 alleles, respectively. We show here that the parental-specific methylation patterns within the differentially methylated domain (DMD) are perturbed in the soma during in vitro organogenesis. Under these conditions, the paternal DMD allele becomes partially demethylated, whereas the maternal DMD allele gains methylation. Despite these effects, there were no changes in allelic Igf2 or H19 expression patterns in the embryo. Finally, we show that although TSA derepresses the paternal H19 allele in ectoplacental cone when in vitro developed, there is no discernible effect on the methylation status of the paternally inherited 5'-flank in comparison to control samples. Collectively, this data demonstrates that the parental mark is sensitive to a subset of environmental cues and that a certain degree of plasticity of the gametic mark is tolerated without affecting the manifestation of the imprinted state.

Thiazoloindans and thiazolobenzopyrans: a novel class of orally active central dopamine (partial) agonists

The 2-aminothiazole moiety has proven its value in medicinal chemistry as a stable and lipophilic bioisosteric replacement of a phenol group. This approach has provided dopamine (DA) agonists with good oral availability. To further explore its use in the development of DA agonists, we have combined the 2-aminothiazole moiety with 2-aminoindans and 3-aminobenzopyrans, which are known templates for DA agonists. In this study we have synthesized 6-amino-3-(N,N-di-n-propylamino)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thiazolo[5, 4-f]-[1]benzopyran (12) and 6-amino-2-(N, N-di-n-propylamino)thiazolo[4,5-f]indan (20) and several analogues (13, 17, and 21). The affinity of the thiazolobenzopyrans and thiazoloindans for DA receptors was evaluated, which revealed compound 20 to have high affinity for DA D(3) receptors. In addition, the compounds were screened for their potential to inhibit lipid peroxidation, to determine their radical scavenging properties. Compounds 12, 20, and 21 were subjected to further pharmacological evaluation in a functional assay to determine intrinsic activity. Compound 20 was also studied with microdialysis (to determine effects on DA turnover in striatum) and in unilaterally 6-OH-DA lesioned rats (to determine their potential as DA agonists). These studies selected compound 20 (GMC 1111) as particularly interesting. Compound 20 caused a rotation activation in unilaterally 6-OH-DA lesioned rats and an increase in DA turnover in rat striatum. This dual agonist/antagonist action is best accounted for by its partial agonism at striatal DA D(2) receptors. Interestingly, 20 displayed long-lasting activity and excellent oral availability in 6-OH-DA lesioned rats, making this compound potentially useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.