Management of newborns and healthcare workers exposed to isoniazid-resistant congenital tuberculosis in the neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Management of newborns and healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to congenital tuberculosis (TB) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has been reported rarely.

AIM

To outline a contact investigation process for individuals exposed to congenital TB in the NICU and investigate nosocomial transmission. Additionally, to assess the efficacy and safety of window prophylaxis in exposed newborns.

METHODS

A baby, born at a gestational age of 28 + 1 weeks, was diagnosed with isoniazid-resistant congenital TB on the 39th day of admission to the level IV NICU. Newborns and HCWs exposed cumulatively for ≥8 h underwent contact investigation and follow-up for a year.

FINDINGS

Eighty-two newborns underwent contact investigation. All newborns displayed normal chest X-rays, and 42 hospitalized newborns tested negative for acid-fast bacilli stain and Xpert® MTB/RIF assay in their endotracheal sputum or gastric juices. Eighty received window prophylaxis: six of 75 on rifampin experienced mild adverse events, and none of the five on levofloxacin. After 12 weeks, five (6.1%) had a positive tuberculin skin test, all of whom had already received the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine and tested negative on TB interferon-gamma releasing assay. Of 119 exposed HCWs, three (2.5%) were diagnosed with latent TB infection and completed a four-month rifampin therapy. There was no active TB disease among exposed newborns and HCWs during a one-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Timely diagnosis of congenital TB is crucial for minimizing transmission among exposed neonates and HCWs in the NICU setting. In cases of isoniazid-resistant index patients, even premature newborns may consider the use of rifampin or levofloxacin for window prophylaxis.

Genetically engineered human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressing human interleukin-12 and in vitro growth inhibition against lung adenocarcinoma cells

INTRODUCTION

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising vehicles for cancer therapy due to their homing ability and potency to be genetically manipulated through either viral or non-viral methods. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is one of the key immunomodulatory cytokines which has anti-tumour effect. However, systemic administration of the cytokine at therapeutic dosage can cause serious toxicity in the host system due to the high systemic level of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) induced.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the in vitro growth inhibition of genetically engineered human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCMSC) expressing IL-12 on H1975 human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both adenoviral method and electroporation which used to generate hUCMSC-IL12 were compared. The method with better outcome was selected to generate hUCMSC-IL12 for the co-culture experiment with H1975 or MRC-5 cells. Characterisation of hUCMSC and hUCMSC-IL12 was performed.

RESULTS

Adenoviral method showed superior results in transfection efficiency (63.6%), post-transfection cell viability (82.6%) and hIL-12 protein expression (1.2 x 107 pg/ml) and thus was selected for the downstream experiments. Subsequently, hUCMSC-IL12 showed significant inhibition effect on H1975 cells after 5 days of co-culture. No significant difference was observed for all other co-culture groups, indicating that the inhibition effect was because of hIL-12. Lastly, the integrity of hUCMSC-IL12 remained unaffected by the transduction through examination of their surface markers and differentiation properties.

CONCLUSION

This study provided proof of concept that hUCMSC can be genetically engineered to express hIL-12 which exerts direct growth inhibition effect on human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Acute leukemia and lymphoma in pregnancy, a retrospective study from a tertiary center in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

Most evidence about the management of cancer and hematological malignancy in pregnancy are derived from retrospective observational studies with a small sample size. Availability of sufficiently large data has enabled evidence-based decision-making in this clinical dilemma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study looking into patients diagnosed with acute leukemia or lymphoma in pregnancy from 1^st January 2014 to 1^st January 2020 in Ampang General Hospital including newly or previously diagnosed and relapsed disease RESULTS: 37 cases of acute leukemia or lymphoma in pregnancy occurred in 34 patients. Majority of acute leukemia or lymphoma in pregnancy diagnosed in 1^st trimester or in the setting of previously established or relapsed disease was therapeutically terminated. Thirteen pregnancies treated with antenatal chemotherapy resulted in livebirths except one stillbirth. More adverse obstetric outcomes are observed in pregnancies that did not receive antenatal chemotherapy, but association did not reach statistical significance. There was no significant difference in fetal outcome between cohort with and without antenatal chemotherapy. No treatment related mortality was observed in pregnancies with antenatal chemotherapy. Overall survival for newly diagnosed acute leukemia in pregnancy is significantly better with antenatal chemotherapy versus no antenatal chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with chemotherapy in 2^nd trimester of pregnancy onwards appears to have tolerable risks with favorable obstetric and fetal outcome. Deferment of treatment for acute leukemia in pregnancy to after delivery may cause increased risk of maternal and fetal adverse outcome.

Loneliness as a mediator in the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms: Age differences among community-dwelling Korean adults

The purpose of this study was to examine whether loneliness mediates the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms and to determine how age moderates the mediation effect. Data for this study came from the survey with community-dwelling adults aged 18 and older in South Korea, from March to April 2017. The total of 1,017 respondents were drawn from three age groups (18-44, 45-64, or 65 and older). The mediating effect of loneliness was tested between each of three social engagement-related variables (family network, friend network, and perceived community support) and depressive symptoms. The results showed age differences in mediation: the effect was most pronounced in the relationship of family network with loneliness for the older group, whereas the size of friend network significantly predicted loneliness for younger adults. Both younger and older groups felt less lonely when they had a higher level of perceived community support; the middle age group remained uninfluenced by the mediation effects. Our findings confirm that loneliness is one of the mechanisms by which social engagement exerts its effect on depressive symptoms. As the Korean society embraces its growing proportions of older adults, the results of the study provide implications for adaptive strategies for changing social engagement need and mental health associated with ageing.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with non-transfusion dependent thalassaemia (NTDT): A haematology centre experience

INTRODUCTION

Non-transfusion dependent thalassaemia (NTDT) is a term used for thalassaemia patients who do not require lifelong regular transfusions for survival. Pregnancy in these women, whether spontaneous or through assisted reproductive technology, represents a challenge for the physician.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The maternal and foetal outcomes of patients with NTDT followed up in a tertiary haematology centre over 6 months period were studied. A total of 36 pregnancies in 26 pregnant women with NTDT were analysed.

RESULTS

Among these women, all of the pregnancies resulted in successful delivery of singleton live-born neonates. There were four clinically distinct forms of NTDT among these women which include Hb E/β-thalassemia (mild and moderate forms), HbH disease, HbH-Constant Spring, and homozygous δβ-thalassemia. No blood transfusion was needed in 15 of the 36 pregnancies (41.6%). The lowest mean Hb level in which no blood transfusion was given was 8.21 g/dL. The mean of packed-cell units received during pregnancy was 6.95 units per pregnancy. There was no worsening of serum ferritin observed during pregnancy with mean serum ferritin pre- and post-pregnancy of 409.35 ug/L and 418.18 ug/L respectively. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.6 weeks with no preterm delivery reported. The mean foetal birth weight was 2729 grams. There was no intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or congenital malformation. There was a case of small for gestational age (SGA) and a case of oligohydramnios.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that pregnancy was possible, safe and has a favourable outcome in patients with NTDT with multidisciplinary care.

Identification of atopic dermatitis phenotypes with good responses to probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133) in children

The therapeutic effect of probiotics in atopic dermatitis (AD) remains controversial and varies according to the individual patient. We aimed to identify a population of AD patients with a good clinical response to probiotic treatment. We recruited 76 children with a median age of 7.1 years who suffered from moderate to severe AD. After a 2-week washout period, all patients were given Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP133 at a dosage of 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units once a day for 12 weeks. We measured eosinophil counts in the peripheral blood, the proportion of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells in CD4⁺ T cells, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, and specific IgE against common allergens before the start of the treatment (T1) and at discontinuation (T2). Responders were defined as patients with at least a 30% reduction in the SCORing of AD (SCORAD) index after treatment. There were 36 responders and 40 non-responders after probiotic treatment. The median SCORAD was reduced from 29.5 (range 20.6-46.3) at T1 to 16.4 (range 6.3-30.8) at T2 in the responder group (P<0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, a good clinical response was significantly associated with high total IgE levels (aOR 5.1, 95% CI 1.1-23.6), increased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (aOR 4.6, 95% CI 1.3-15.9), and a high proportion of Treg cells in CD4⁺ T cells (aOR 3.7, 95% CI 1.1-12.7) at T1. In the responder group, the proportion of Treg cells was significantly increased after 12 weeks of treatment (P=0.004), while TGF-β mRNA expression was decreased (P=0.017). Our results suggest that a subgroup of patients with a specific AD phenotype showing an immunologically active state (high total IgE, increased expression of TGF-β, high numbers of Treg cells) may benefit from probiotic treatment with L. plantarum CJLP133.

Homology between alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(III) collagen promoters and evidence for negatively acting elements in the alpha 2(V) first intron and 5' flanking sequences

We have isolated a 17 kilobase pair (kb) genomic clone containing the 5' portion of the human alpha 2(V) collagen gene. Nucleotide sequence was determined for 1671 base pairs (bp) comprising the promoter region, first exon and 334 bp of the first intron, and the major transcriptional start site determined by primer extension and S1 nuclease analysis. Sequence comparison revealed the alpha 2(V) promoter to be similar in structure to the promoter of the alpha 1(III) collagen gene. This is the first instance of such similarities between promoter regions of genes encoding different fibrillar collagen chains. Homology, in 5' flanking sequences, extends upstream to about nucleotide -120 in each gene and is particularly striking near the TATTTA sequence (TATA box) present in each promoter. Some homology also surrounds the two transcription start sites. The 5' untranslated regions of the two genes also show strong homology. Chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) constructs were prepared with various fragments from the 5' portion of the alpha 2(V) gene. Transient expression assays, in human fibroblasts, localized the functional alpha 2(V) promoter to the region of 5' flanking sequence conserved between the alpha 2(V) and alpha 1(III) genes. Expression assays also identified negatively acting elements, in intron and 5' flanking sequences, which inhibit transcription from the alpha 2(V) promoter.

Associations of a social network typology with physical and mental health risks among older adults in South Korea

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to (1) develop an empirical typology of social networks in older Koreans; and (2) examine its effect on physical and mental health.

METHOD

A sample of 6900 community-dwelling older adults in South Korea was drawn from the 2014 Korean National Elderly Survey. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to derive social network types using eight common social network characteristics (marital status, living arrangement, the number and frequency of contact with close family/relatives, the number and frequency of contact with close friends, frequency of participation in social activities, and frequency of having visitors at home). The identified typologies were then regressed on self-rated health and depressive symptoms to explore the health risks posed by the group membership.

RESULTS

The LPA identified a model with five types of social network as being most optimal (BIC = 153,848.34, entropy = .90). The groups were named diverse/family (enriched networks with more engagement with family), diverse/friend (enriched networks with more engagement with friends), friend-focused (high engagement with friends), distant (structurally disengaged), and restricted (structurally engaged but disengaged in family/friends networks). A series of regression analyses showed that membership in the restricted type was associated with more health and mental health risks than all types of social networks except the distant type.

CONCLUSION

Findings demonstrate the importance of family and friends as a source of social network and call attention to not only structural but also non-structural aspects of social isolation. Findings and implications are discussed in cultural contexts.

A computational algorithm for personalized medicine in schizophrenia

Despite advances in sequencing candidate genes and whole genomes, no method has accurately predicted who will or will not benefit from a specific antipsychotic medication among patients with schizophrenia. We propose a computational algorithm that utilizes a person-centered approach that directly identifies individual patients who will respond to a specific antipsychotic medication. The algorithm was applied to the data obtained from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) study. The predictors were either (1) 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 53 baseline variables or (2) 25 SNPs and the same 53 baseline variables, depending on the existing findings and data availability. The outcome variables were either (1) improvement in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) (Yes/No) or (2) completion of phase 1/1A (Yes/No). Each of those four predictor-outcome combinations was tried for each of the five antipsychotic medications (Perphenazine, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone, and Ziprasidone), leading to 20 prediction experiments. For 18 out of 20 experiments, all three performance measures were greater than 0.50 (sensitivity 0.51-0.79, specificity 0.52-0.79, accuracy 0.52-0.74). Notably, the model provided a promising prediction for Ziprasidone for the case involving completion of phase 1/1A (Yes/No) predicted by 13 SNPs and 53 baseline variables (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 0.74, accuracy 0.74). The proposed algorithm simultaneously used both genetic information and clinical profiles to predict individual patients' response to antipsychotic medications. As the method is not disease-specific but a general algorithm, it can be easily adopted in many other clinical practices for personalized medicine.

The Mechanism of Starch Over-Accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii High-Starch Mutants Identified by Comparative Transcriptome Analysis

The focus of this study was the mechanism of starch accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii high-starch mutants. Three C. reinhardtii mutants showing high-starch content were generated using gamma irradiation. When grown under nitrogen-deficient conditions, these mutants had more than twice as much starch than a wild-type control. The mechanism of starch over-accumulation in these mutants was studied with comparative transcriptome analysis. In all mutants, induction of phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) expression was detected; PGM1 catalyzes the inter-conversion of glucose 1-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate in both starch biosynthetic and glycolytic pathway. Interestingly, transcript levels of phosphoglucose isomerase 1 (PGI1), fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase 1 and 2 (FBA1 and FBA2) were down-regulated in all mutants; PGI1, FBA1, and FBA2 act on downstream of glucose 6-phosphate conversion in glycolytic pathway. Therefore, down-regulations of PGI1, FBA1, and FBA2 may lead to accumulation of upstream metabolites, notably glucose 6-phosphate, resulting in induction of PGM1 expression through feed-forward regulation and that PGM1 overexpression caused starch over-accumulation in mutants. These results suggest that PGI1, FBA1, FBA2, and PGM1 correlate with each other in terms of coordinated transcriptional regulation and play central roles for starch over-accumulation in C. reinhardtii.

The relation between living alone and depressive symptoms in older Korean Americans: do feelings of loneliness mediate?

OBJECTIVES

As the opposite end of the continuum from social integration, social isolation may put individuals at a greater risk of poor mental health. Conceptualizing living alone as an objective and structural indicator of social isolation and loneliness as subjective perceptions of social isolation, the present study hypothesized that the relation between living alone and depressive symptoms would be mediated by the feelings of loneliness. Using older Korean Americans as the target population, the mediation model was examined in consideration of the contextual factors such as demographics (age, gender, education, perceived income, and length of stay in the USA), health (chronic conditions and functional disability), and general social integration (size of social network and community social cohesion).

METHOD

Date were drawn from surveys with 209 older Korean Americans in Central Texas (M_age = 69.6, SD = 7.5). Multivariate regression models of depressive symptoms were entered in the following order: (1) demographics, (2) health, (3) living alone, (4) social network/community social cohesion, and (5) loneliness. The mediation effect of loneliness in the relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms was separately examined using the bootstrapping method.

RESULTS

Loneliness was found to mediate the relation between living alone and depressive symptoms (indirect effect = 1.03, 95% CI = .05-2.08).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that subjective perceptions of loneliness may explain the mechanism through which objective social isolation presents risks for depressive symptoms in older Korean Americans.

Associations of dietary calcium intake with metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density among the Korean population: KNHANES 2008-2011

Excessive amount of calcium intake increased risk for metabolic syndrome in men. However, modest amount decreased the risk of metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Modest amount of calcium also increased bone mineral density (BMD) in both men and postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION

The present study aimed to evaluate the associations of dietary calcium intake with metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean men and women, especially postmenopausal women.

METHODS

The study was performed using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2011) and included 14,705 participants (5953 men, 4258 premenopausal women, and 4494 postmenopausal women). Clinical and other objective characteristics, presence of metabolic syndrome, and the BMD of the femur neck and lumbar spine were evaluated according to dietary calcium intake.

RESULTS

There was a higher tendency for metabolic syndrome in men with a dietary calcium intake of >1200 mg/day than with ≤400 mg of calcium intake; >400 and ≤800 mg of calcium intake was helpful for postmenopausal women to decrease risk for metabolic syndrome. Overall, the group with calcium intake >400 and ≤800 mg daily had significantly increased BMD in both femoral neck and lumbar spine from both men and postmenopausal women. From both femoral neck and lumbar spine, the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women significantly decreased in the group whose calcium intake was >400 and ≤800 mg daily.

CONCLUSION

Excessive dietary calcium may increase the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in men. For postmenopausal women, calcium intake does not increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, but modest amount decreases the risk. It may increase the BMD in men and postmenopausal women, and also reduce the prevalence of both osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

The effect of prolonged breast-feeding on the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis in population with insufficient calcium intake and vitamin D level

Breast-feeding affects bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis, and prolonged breast-feeding may influence the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis, particularly in highly susceptible populations. The study determined that breast-feeding may be a risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis, especially in people with low calcium intakes and vitamin D deficiencies.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine whether breast-feeding is a risk factor in the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis, especially in highly susceptible population.

METHODS

The study was performed using data from the 2010 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and it included 1231 postmenopausal women who were aged between 45 and 70 years. Osteoporosis was defined using the World Health Organization's T-score criteria, namely, a T-score of ≤-2.5 at the femoral neck or the lumbar spine. The patients' ages, body mass indexes, daily calcium intakes, serum vitamin D levels, exercise levels, smoking histories, and reproductive factors relating to menarche, menopause, delivery, breast-feeding, hormone treatment, and oral contraceptive use were evaluated. Comparisons between the osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis groups were undertaken using Student's t test and the chi-square test, and logistic regression models were built.

RESULTS

A significant increase in the risk of osteoporosis was apparent in postmenopausal women with prolonged breast-feeding histories (≥24 months) (model 1: odds ratio [OR] = 2.489; 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.111 to 5.578, p = 0.027; model 2: OR = 2.503; 95 % CI = 1.118 to 5.602, p = 0.026; model 3: OR = 2.825; 95 % CI = 1.056 to 7.56, p = 0.039), particularly in those with inadequate serum vitamin D levels and calcium intakes (<800 mg/day).

CONCLUSIONS

Breast-feeding seems to increase the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis; however, its impact may not be definitive in women with sufficient vitamin D levels and calcium intakes. Therefore, sufficient calcium intakes and adequate vitamin D levels may be important to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women that is derived from breast-feeding.

Destruction of Bacillus cereus spores in a thick soy bean paste (doenjang) by continuous ohmic heating with five sequential electrodes

This study selected spores from Bacillus cereus FSP-2 strain (the isolate from a commercial doenjang processing line) as the test strain which showed significantly higher thermal resistance (P < 0·05) than B. cereus reference strain (ATCC 27348). The spores in doenjang were subjected to ohmic heating (OH) at 95, 105, 115 and 125°C for 30, 60 or 90 s using a five sequential electrode system (electrical field: 26·7 V cm(-1) ; alternating current frequency: 25 kHz). OH at 105°C for 30-90 s reduced the B. cereus spore count in doenjang samples to <4 log CFU g(-1) . Since OH treatment at 115 and 125°C caused a perceivable colour change in the product (>1·5 National Bureau of Standards units), treatment at 105°C for 60 s was selected and applied on a large scale (500 kg of product). Reliable and reproducible destruction of B. cereus spores occurred; the reductions achieved (to < 4 log CFU g(-1) ) met the Korean national standards. Scanning electron microscopy revealed microstructural alterations in the spores (shrinkage and a distorted outer spore coat). OH is an effective method for destroying B. cereus spores to ensure the microbiological quality and safety of a thick, highly viscous sauce.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study shows that an ohmic heating (OH) using a five sequential electrode system can effectively destroy highly heat-resistant Bacillus cereus spores which have been frequently found in a commercial doenjang processing line without perceivable quality change in the product. In addition, it may demonstrate high potential of the unique OH system used in this study that will further contribute to ensure microbiological quality and safety of crude sauces containing high levels of electrolyte other than doenjang as well.

Belching during gastroscopy and its association with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Belching may result from transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation; therefore, it has been proposed that belching may be a manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study was conducted to investigate the frequency of belching during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and its association with GERD. A retrospective review was performed on prospectively collected clinical and endoscopic data from 404 subjects who underwent EGD without sedation from December 2012 to May 2013 in a training hospital in Korea. All detectable belching events during endoscopy were counted. Frequency and severity of belching events were compared between the group with and without GERD using an ordinal logistic regression model. There were 145 GERD patients (26 erosive reflux disease and 119 nonerosive reflux disease [NERD]). In the multivariable analysis, GERD was significantly associated with a higher frequency of belching events (odds ratio = 6.59, P < 0.001). Central obesity, female, and younger age were also risk factors for frequent belching during EGD. Subgroup analyses were performed in subjects without erosive reflux disease (n = 378) and NERD (n = 293). NERD was also a predictive factor for frequent belching during EGD (odds ratio = 6.61, P < 0.001), and the frequency of belching was significantly correlated with GERD severity according to the Los Angeles classification (P < 0.05). Frequent belching during EGD was associated with GERD, including NERD. Future research should focus on its adjuvant role in the diagnosis of GERD/NERD and the necessity for applying differentiated endoscopy strategies for GERD patients, leading to less discomfort during EGD in patients at risk for intolerability.

Inactivation of Bacillus cereus spores in a tsuyu sauce using continuous ohmic heating with five sequential elbow-type electrodes

AIMS

The effect of ohmic heating (OH) in a pilot plant system which had a zig-zag shaped (elbow-type) ohmic heater with five sequential voltage electrodes was investigated on Bacillus cereus spores in a commercial tsuyu sauce.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The electrical field was fixed at 26·7 V cm(-1) with an alternating current frequency of 25 kHz. Raw tsuyu sauce (50 l) inoculated with B. cereus spores was submitted in a 4 × 3 factorial design to the OH system and heated at 95, 105, 115, and 125°C each for 30, 60, and 90 s. Survival of B. cereus spores and colour change in the commercial tsuyu sauce were both measured before and after treatment. As the treatment temperature and time increased, the number of surviving B. cereus spores decreased. The OH treatment in a bath-type process at 105°C for more than 30 s resulted in the total inactivation of the inoculated B. cereus spores (average 5·4 log reductions to undetectable levels after treatment). The OH protocol of heating at 105°C for 60 s which ensure complete eradication of the inoculated spores without compromising product quality was chosen and investigated for its suitability for commercial application on bulk quantities of samples (500 l). Reliable and reproducible reductions in B. cereus spore counts of 4·7-5·5 log CFU ml(-1) (mean ± standard deviation = 5·1 ± 0·3 CFU ml(-1) ) were achieved by the selected protocol of the continuous OH treatment (105°C for 60 s).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that OH treatment with five sequential elbow-type electrodes has great potential as an industrial sterilizing method for liquid food contaminated with B. cereus spores.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This procedure will enhance the microbiological quality of liquid foods while minimizing quality deterioration.

Follistatin-like 3 is a mediator of exercise-driven bone formation and strengthening

Exercise is vital for maintaining bone strength and architecture. Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3), a member of follistatin family, is a mechanosensitive protein upregulated in response to exercise and is involved in regulating musculoskeletal health. Here, we investigated the potential role of FSTL3 in exercise-driven bone remodeling. Exercise-dependent regulation of bone structure and functions was compared in mice with global Fstl3 gene deletion (Fstl3-/-) and their age-matched Fstl3+/+ littermates. Mice were exercised by low-intensity treadmill walking. The mechanical properties and mineralization were determined by μCT, three-point bending test and sequential incorporation of calcein and alizarin complexone. ELISA, Western-blot analysis and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the regulation of FSTL3 and associated molecules in the serum specimens and tissues. Daily exercise significantly increased circulating FSTL3 levels in mice, rats and humans. Compared to age-matched littermates, Fstl3-/- mice exhibited significantly lower fracture tolerance, having greater stiffness, but lower strain at fracture and yield energy. Furthermore, increased levels of circulating FSTL3 in young mice paralleled greater strain at fracture compared to the lower levels of FSTL3 in older mice. More significantly, Fstl3-/- mice exhibited loss of mechanosensitivity and irresponsiveness to exercise-dependent bone formation as compared to their Fstl3+/+ littermates. In addition, FSTL3 gene deletion resulted in loss of exercise-dependent sclerostin regulation in osteocytes and osteoblasts, as compared to Fstl3+/+ osteocytes and osteoblasts, in vivo and in vitro. The data identify FSTL3 as a critical mediator of exercise-dependent bone formation and strengthening and point to its potential role in bone health and in musculoskeletal diseases.

Correlates of attitudes toward personal aging in older assisted living residents

This study explored factors contributing to older adults' self-perceptions about their own aging in assisted living (AL) communities. Data analysis was completed based on interviews with 150 older residents from 17 AL communities. Multiple regression analyses found that functional disability and hearing impairment negatively affected attitudes toward personal aging among AL residents, and satisfaction with social support positively influenced attitudes. Health perception mediated attitudes toward personal aging. Findings suggest the importance of social workers helping older AL residents recognize social support as a means of promoting their positive self-regard.

Association of metabolic syndrome with coronary atherosclerosis in non-diabetic postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the possible association of metabolic syndrome with arterial stiffness and coronary atherosclerosis in non-diabetic, postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A total of 293 non-diabetic, postmenopausal women who visited the health promotion center for a routine health check-up were included in a cross-sectional study. Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, and coronary atherosclerosis was detected using 64-row multi-detector computed tomography.

RESULTS

Women with coronary atherosclerosis had a significantly higher proportion of metabolic syndrome than those without coronary atherosclerosis. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was significantly higher in women who had metabolic syndrome compared to those who had no metabolic syndrome (1567.71 ± 211.81 vs. 1336.75 ± 159.62 cm/s, p < 0.001). In addition, the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was shown to increase with increasing number of metabolic syndrome components (p for trend < 0.001). Metabolic syndrome was associated with increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis (adjusted odds ratio 2.38; 95% confidence interval 1.01-5.06), after adjusting for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. Increased arterial stiffness may partly explain an increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

A clustering method to identify who benefits most from the treatment group in clinical trials

In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the most compelling need is to determine whether the treatment condition was more effective than control. However, it is generally recognized that not all participants in the treatment group of most clinical trials benefit equally. While subgroup analyses are often used to compare treatment effectiveness across pre-determined subgroups categorized by patient characteristics, methods to empirically identify naturally occurring clusters of persons who benefit most from the treatment group have rarely been implemented. This article provides a modeling framework to accomplish this important task. Utilizing information about individuals from the treatment group who had poor outcomes, the present study proposes an a priori clustering strategy that classifies the individuals with initially good outcomes in the treatment group into: (a) group GE (good outcome, effective), the latent subgroup of individuals for whom the treatment is likely to be effective and (b) group GI (good outcome, ineffective), the latent subgroup of individuals for whom the treatment is not likely to be effective. The method is illustrated through a re-analysis of a publically available data set from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The RCT examines the effectiveness of motivational enhancement therapy from 461 outpatients with substance abuse problems. The proposed method identified latent subgroups GE and GI, and the comparison between the two groups revealed several significantly different and informative characteristics even though both subgroups had good outcomes during the immediate post-therapy period. As a diagnostic means utilizing out-of-sample forecasting performance, the present study compared the relapse rates during the long-term follow-up period for the two subgroups. As expected, group GI, composed of individuals for whom the treatment was hypothesized to be ineffective, had a significantly higher relapse rate than group GE (63% vs. 27%; χ² = 9.99, p-value = .002).

Predicting the Trajectories of Perceived Pain Intensity in Southern Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Role of Religiousness

This study focuses on the identification of multiple latent trajectories of pain intensity, and it examines how religiousness is related to different classes of pain trajectory. Participants were 720 community-dwelling older adults who were interviewed at four time points over a 3-year period. Overall, intensity of pain decreased over 3 years. Analysis using latent growth mixture modeling (GMM) identified three classes of pain: (1) increasing (n = 47); (2) consistently unchanging (n = 292); and (3) decreasing (n = 381). Higher levels of intrinsic religiousness (IR) at baseline were associated with higher levels of pain at baseline, although it attenuated the slope of pain trajectories in the increasing pain group. Higher service attendance at baseline was associated with a higher probability of being in the decreasing pain group. The increasing pain group and the consistently unchanging group reported more negative physical and mental health outcomes than the decreasing pain group.

Typologies of religiousness/spirituality: implications for health and well-being

The purpose of this study was to develop empirically based typologies of religiousness/spirituality (R/S) and to determine whether the typologies were related to health and well-being. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults (N=1,431). Using latent profile analysis, typologies were derived based on religious service attendance, prayer, positive religious coping, and daily spiritual experiences. Multivariate statistical tests were used to examine cluster differences in health and well-being. A four-class model was identified: highly religious, moderately religious, somewhat religious, and minimally religious or non-religious. The four classes were distinctively different in psychological well-being, in that the highly religious class was most likely to be happy and satisfied with finances and least likely to be psychologically distressed.

Brain MRI measurements at a term-equivalent age and their relationship to neurodevelopmental outcomes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

An increased prevalence of disabilities is being observed as more preterm infants survive. This study was conducted to evaluate correlations between brain MR imaging measurements taken at a term-equivalent age and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years' corrected age among very low-birth-weight infants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of the various brain MR imaging measurements obtained at term-equivalent ages, reproducible measurements of the transcerebellar diameter and anteroposterior length of the corpus callosum on sagittal images were compared with neurodevelopmental outcomes evaluated by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (II) at 2 years' corrected age (mean ± standard deviation, 16.1 ± 6.4 months of age).

RESULTS

Ninety infants were enrolled. The mean gestational age at birth was 27 weeks and the mean birth weight was 805.5 g. A short corpus callosal length was associated with a Mental Developmental Index <70 (P = .047) and high-risk or diagnosed cerebral palsy (P = .049). A small transcerebellar diameter was associated with a Psychomotor Developmental Index <70 (P = .003), Mental Developmental Index <70 (P = .004), and major neurologic disability (P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

A small transcerebellar diameter and short corpus callosal length on brain MR imaging at a term-equivalent age are related to adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at a corrected age of 2 years and could be a useful adjunctive tool for counseling parents about future developmental outcomes.

An empirical typology of social networks and its association with physical and mental health: a study with older Korean immigrants

OBJECTIVES

In the context of social convoy theory, the purposes of the study were (a) to identify an empirical typology of the social networks evident in older Korean immigrants and (b) to examine its association with self-rated health and depressive symptoms.

METHOD

The sample consisted of 1,092 community-dwelling older Korean immigrants in Florida and New York. Latent class analyses were conducted to identify the optimal social network typology based on 8 indicators of interpersonal relationships and activities. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine how the identified social network typology was associated with self-rating of health and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Results from the latent class analysis identified 6 clusters as being most optimal, and they were named diverse, unmarried/diverse, married/coresidence, family focused, unmarried/restricted, and restricted. Memberships in the clusters of diverse and married/coresidence were significantly associated with more favorable ratings of health and lower levels of depressive symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Notably, no distinct network solely composed of friends was identified in the present sample of older immigrants; this may reflect the disruptions in social convoys caused by immigration. The findings of this study promote our understanding of the unique patterns of social connectedness in older immigrants.

The Impact of Social Resources on Depressive Symptoms in Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults

The objectives of this study were (1) to develop an empirical typology of physical health risks in racially and ethnically diverse older adults and (2) to examine whether the impact of social resources on depressive symptoms differs across the identified health risk groups (low, moderate, and high risks). The data source was the Survey of Older Floridians, a statewide survey of older adults aged 65 and older ( n = 1,432). Latent profile analysis with multiple indicators of physical health (chronic conditions, functional disability, and self-rated health) was used to identify three health risk groups (low, moderate, and high risks). The direct and interactive effects of the health risk group membership and social resources (social support and religious service attendance) on depressive symptoms were found. Of particular interest was that the positive impact of social support was most pronounced in the moderate health risk group.

Application of transanal irrigation for patients with spinal cord injury in South Korea: a 6-month follow-up study

STUDY DESIGN

A 6-month follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the outcome of transanal irrigation (TAI) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify factors significantly related to clinical success.

SETTING

Survey for community-dwelling patients with SCI in South Korea.

METHODS

Between December 2010 and March 2012, TAI was initiated with 52 patients (41 men; age: 44.5±11.0 years) with neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD). At 1, 3 and 6 months after initiation, a telephone interview was conducted. Data were collected on patient-specific bowel management and TAI performance as a new procedure.

RESULTS

Only 18 patients (34%) used TAI for at least 6 months, which was a lower compliance rate than similar studies in some European countries. Relative to the compliant group, the noncompliant group contained a higher proportion of tetraplegia than paraplegia (P=0.031), and a higher proportion dependent on physical help (P=0.034). In all, 33 of the 52 patients (63.5%) complained of practical problems with the TAI procedure such as expulsion of the rectal catheter. Fifteen patients (28.8%) presented with adverse effects. The incidence of practical problems or adverse effects did not alter the frequency of patient-reported successful outcome.

CONCLUSION

Korean participants showed a relatively lower compliance rate with TAI. We conclude that TAI, combined with adequate patient instruction and physical assistance, has potential as a management tool for NBD in Korea.

Fertility adaptation by rural-urban migrants in developing countries: The case of Korea

Summary The purpose of this study is to develop and test a model to assess the influence of rural-urban migration on fertility in less developed countries. Two major reasons may account for lower fertility levels observed among such migrants than among women who remained in rural areas: a selection effect, and adaptation to constraints in the area of destination. Results of previous studies have only rarely suggested that the effect of adaptation was significant. We use the detailed personal migration and pregnancy histories recorded in the Korean World Fertility Survey of 1974 and an autoregressive model to control for unobservable variations in personal preferences for different family sizes between migrants and non-migrants. Our study provides evidence that adaptation following rural-urban migration is a significant factor which explains the lower fertility of rural-urban migrants compared with that of rural stayers.

The mediating role of loneliness in the relation between social engagement and depressive symptoms among older Korean Americans: do men and women differ?

OBJECTIVES

This study conceptualized loneliness as a mediator in the relation between social engagement and depressive symptoms and explored gender differences in the mediation model. Various indices of social engagement were considered including living arrangement, social network, and activity participation.

METHOD

Using data from 674 community-dwelling Korean American older adults, we first examined the mediation effect of loneliness in the relation between each of 3 indices of social engagement (not living alone, social network, and activity participation) and depressive symptoms. Subsequently, gender differences in the mediation model were examined.

RESULTS

As hypothesized, loneliness was found to mediate the relation between each of the indices of social engagement and depressive symptoms in both men and women. We also observed gender differences in the strength of mediating effects; the effect of living alone was more likely to be mediated by loneliness among men, whereas women showed greater levels of mediation in the models with social network and activity participation.

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that loneliness may explain the mechanism by which deficits in social engagement exerts its effect on depressive symptoms and that gender differences should be considered in interventions targeting social engagement for mental health promotion.

Protective effect of fetal pulmonary sequestration in two cases of postnatal manifestation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

We describe two cases of postnatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) combined with pulmonary sequestration, both of which were diagnosed as isolated pulmonary sequestration on prenatal ultrasound. In these cases, prenatal ultrasonography demonstrated only a hyperechoic mass on the left lower lung and the diaphragm seemed intact. In each case both lungs showed otherwise normal development throughout pregnancy. Pulmonary sequestration may serve as a 'protector', preventing herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity. The co-occurrence of CDH may be obscured by a lung mass, especially on the left lower lung, and therefore it is necessary to deliver these infants at a tertiary center and parents should be counseled about the possibility of postnatal CDH.

Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) regulates monocyte differentiation and functions in mBSA and IL-1β-induced arthritis

Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) plays an important role in the regulation of a variety of immune cells, including monocytes. We have previously shown that KLF2 inhibits proinflammatory activation of monocytes. However, the role of KLF2 in arthritis is yet to be investigated. In the current study, we show that recruitment of significantly greater numbers of inflammatory subset of CD11b(+)F4/80(+)Ly6C+ monocytes to the inflammatory sites in KLF2 hemizygous mice compared to the wild type littermate controls. In parallel, inflammatory mediators, MCP-1, Cox-2 and PAI-1 were significantly up-regulated in bone marrow-derived monocytes isolated from KLF2 hemizygous mice, in comparison to wild-type controls. Methylated-BSA and IL-1β-induced arthritis was more severe in KLF2 hemizygous mice as compared to the littermate wild type controls. Consistent with this observation, monocytes isolated from KLF2 hemizygous mice showed an increased number of cells matured and differentiated towards osteoclastic lineage, potentially contributing to the severity of cartilage and bone damage in induced arthritic mice. The severity of arthritis was associated with the higher expression of proteins such as HSP60, HSP90 and MMP13 and attenuated levels of pPTEN, p21, p38 and HSP25/27 molecules in bone marrow cells of arthritic KLF2 hemizygous mice compared to littermate wild type controls. The data provide new insights and evidences of KLF2-mediated transcriptional regulation of arthritis via modulation of monocyte differentiation and function.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Predictors of Self-Rated Health

The present study examined how self-rated health was influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, physical health indicators, and sociocultural resources among four racial/ethnic groups of older adults. The data source was the Survey of Older Floridians, a statewide sample of Whites ( n = 503), African Americans ( n = 360), Cubans ( n = 328), and non-Cuban Hispanics ( n = 241) who were age 65 and older. Hierarchical regression models of self-rated health were estimated to explore the direct effects of the predictor variables as well as their interactive roles in each racial/ethnic group. Compared to Whites, racial/ethnic minority older adults rated their health more poorly. Although physical health indicators were significant predictors of self-rated health across all groups, the authors found group-specific predictors and interactions. Findings show similarities and differences in predictors of self-rated health across diverse racial/ethnic groups and suggest the importance of understanding group-specific factors in efforts to improve older adults’ perceived and actual health.

The role of race and ethnicity in predicting length of hospice care among older adults

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study was to examine both direct and interactive roles of race/ethnicity with patients' characteristics (age, gender, relationship with caregiver, diagnosis, referral source, and payment type) in predicting length of hospice care.

METHOD

This study included a total of 16,323 patients 65 years of age and older (M(age)=81.4, SD=8.3) who were served by a hospice in central Florida during a four-year period, 2002-2006. Survival analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model to predict the length of hospice care and test the interaction effects of race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

The majority of subjects (83.5%) were white, 7.6% were African-American, and 8.9% were Hispanic. During the study period, 58.5% died. All patient characteristics were significantly associated with the length of hospice care (p < .05). Overall, Hispanics had the longest hospice stay (M=98.84 days), followed by African-Americans (M=90.29) and whites (M=88.20). With the exception of African-American women who were no more likely to stay longer under hospice care than African-American men, the women in this study stayed longer under hospice care than men did. Patients referred from long-term care (LTC) settings had shorter stays in hospice care compared to those referred by physicians in other settings. Additionally, African-Americans and Hispanics referred from LTC had significantly shorter hospice stays than those referred by primary physicians.

CONCLUSION

In this limited sample of hospice patients, length of stay was longer for minority patients than white patients.

Manufacturing of a superconducting magnet system for 28 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion source at KBSI

A magnet system for a 28 GHz electron cyclotron resonance ion source is being developed by the Korea Basic Science Institute. The configuration of the magnet system consists of 3 solenoid coils for a mirror magnetic field and 6 racetrack coils for a hexapole magnetic field. They can generate axial magnetic fields of 3.6 T at the beam injection part and 2.2 T at the extraction part. A radial magnetic field of 2.1 T is achievable at the plasma chamber wall. A step type winding process was employed in fabricating the hexapole coil. The winding technique was confirmed through repeated cooling tests. Superconducting magnets and a cryostat system are currently being manufactured.

Development of a horizontal subsurface flow modular constructed wetland for urban runoff treatment

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are well recognized as having low construction and maintenance cost and low energy requirement. However, CW design has been mainly based on rule-of-thumb approaches. In this study, the efficiency of a modular horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) CW using four different design schemes was investigated. Based on the results, the four systems have attained more than 90% removal of total suspended solids and more than 50% removal efficiency for total phosphorus, PO(4)-P and Zn. The planted system achieved higher pollutant removal rates than the unplanted system. In terms of media, bottom ash was more effective than woodchip in reducing the pollutants. Considering the flow length, optimum removal efficiency was achieved after passing the sedimentation tank and vertical media layer; with respect to depth, more pollutants were removed in the upper sand layer than in the lower gravel layer. This study recommended a surface area of 0.25 to 0.8% of catchment area for planted CW and 0.26 to 0.9% for unplanted CW using the 7.5 to 10 mm design rainfall.

Hospice Use Among African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and Whites

Objective: This study examined the characteristics of individuals in hospice care by racial/ethnic groups. Methods: A total of 22,936 patients served by a hospice in Central Florida during a four-year period, from 2002 to 2006, were included. Of these, 80.6% were White, 9.6% were Black/African-American, 9.3% were Hispanic and 0.5% were Asian American/Pacific Islander. We examined the associations between the characteristics of hospice users and race/ethnicity, and change of hospice user characteristics over time using chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: More females than males were represented. Spouse caregivers were most common for Whites (35%) and Asian/Pacific Islanders (36%). However, “other” (41%) caregivers were most frequent for African Americans and daughters (33%) were most often caregivers for Hispanics. Cancer was the primary diagnosis across the four groups. Racial/ethnic minorities were more likely to rely on Medicaid than Whites (10-70% vs. 4%) and African Americans were most likely to be transferred from hospital (57%), whereas Whites were referred from assisted living/nursing homes more frequently than others(16% vs. 7-10%). Conclusion: As the hospice settings become more racially/ethnically diverse, it is essential to attend to the different circumstances and needs of the various groups in providing optimal care.

Pathways and Predictors of Antisocial Behaviors in African American Adolescents from Poor Neighborhoods

Antisocial behavior among youth remains a serious personal and social problem in the United States. The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the shape and number of developmental trajectories of antisocial behavior in a sample of poor, inner-city African American youth, and (2) test predictors of group membership and the developmental course of antisocial behaviors. Using growth mixture modeling, we examined predictors of antisocial behavior pathways and the likelihood of arrest in a sample of 566 poor, urban African American adolescents (ages 11 to 16). Three distinct trajectory classes of antisocial behavior were identified over a period of six years: one low-risk group (low steady) and two high-risk groups (incremental and high starter). The conditional probabilities for being arrested during ages 14-16 were 0.18 for the low steady class, 0.68 for the incremental class, and 0.31 for high starter class. Prevention strategies for adolescents at high risk are discussed.

Differentiating blood samples from scrapie infected and non-infected hamsters by detecting disease-associated prion proteins using Multimer Detection System

This communication describes the application of a modified sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), termed Multimer Detection System (MDS) for the detection of disease-associated multimeric forms of the prion protein (PrPd) in hamster blood. PrPd was detected in plasma of prion-affected hamsters while MDS revealed no PrPd in identically-treated plasma of healthy animals. This is the first report of a single ELISA- based immune detection of PrPd from blood samples.

CAPS markers specific to Eb, Ee, and R genomes in the tribe Triticeae

Wild Triticeae grasses serve as important gene pools for forage and cereal crops. Understanding their genome compositions is pivotal for efficient use of this vast gene pool in germplasm-enhancement programs. Several cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers were developed to distinguish the Eb, Ee, and R genomes. With the aid of disomic addition lines of wheat, it was confirmed that all 7 chromosomes of Eb, Ee, and R genomes carry these genome-specific CAPS markers. Thus, the identified CAPS markers are useful in detecting and monitoring the chromosomes of these 3 genomes. This study also provides evidence suggesting that some Purdue and Chinese germplasm lines developed for barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance are different from those developed in Australia. Furthermore, Thinopyrum intermedium and Thinopyrum ponticum were shown to have different genome constitutions. Sequence analyses of the 1272 bp sequences, containing Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, from the Eb, Ee, and R genomes also shed light on the evolution of these 3 genomes.

Efficacy and tolerability of estradiol 1mg and drospirenone 2mg in postmenopausal korean women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the therapeutic efficacy of an estradiol 1mg/drospirenone 2mg (E2/DRSP) preparation is superior to a placebo in postmenopausal Korean women with hot flushes and other climacteric symptoms, and to demonstrate that this treatment is both safe and tolerable.

METHODS

This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study over four 28-day treatment cycles. A total of 158 subjects were screened and 90 women were randomized into two treatment groups (E2/DRSP group, n=45; placebo group, n=45). The primary efficacy parameter was the individual relative change of hot flushes. The secondary efficacy parameters such as other climacteric, urogenital symptoms and vaginal bleeding patterns were also evaluated, and the occurrence of any adverse events was noted. In addition, physical, gynecological examinations and laboratory analyses were performed at the beginning and end of the study.

RESULTS

The mean number of hot flushes per week during treatment weeks 3-16 decreased by 48.1% during treatment with placebo, and by 84.4% during treatment with E2/DRSP (p<0.001). The E2/DRSP combination also reduced the incidence and intensity of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Most of adverse events was mild or moderate degree of intensity. None of the parameters measured in the study, including laboratory analyses, physical and gynecological examinations, vital signs, and weight, led to any concerns of safety.

CONCLUSIONS

The E2 1mg/DRSP 2mg combination tested in the study was efficacious and safe in the treatment of hot flushes and other climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal Korean women.

Opposing effects of intra-nucleus accumbens mu and kappa opioid agonists on sensory specific satiety

Mu opioid (MOP) agonists acting in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) robustly enhance consumption of palatable foods. In addition, the effect on consumption of palatable foods produced by MOP agonists acting in the NAcc depends on both recent flavor exposure and the availability of a choice between different-flavored foods. In contrast, kappa opioid (KOP) agonists have variable effects on feeding and KOP agonists have MOP opposing behavioral actions when microinjected at several brain sites. We previously demonstrated that NAcc MOP agonists reverse the devaluation (satiety) effect of pre-feeding for a given flavor; in fact, NAcc MOP agonists selectively increase consumption of a recently sampled food. In contrast, in the present study, we found that the selective KOP agonist U50488 injected into the NAcc of rats reduced consumption of a recently sampled flavor while increasing consumption of the flavor that was not pre-fed. Intra-NAcc U50488 did not affect overall consumption or flavor preference in the absence of pre-feeding. The present data, in conjunction with our previous findings, highlight the robust and opposing role of NAcc MOP and KOP opioid receptors in palatability-based food choice and consumption and raise the possibility that an endogenous KOP agonist acting in the NAcc contributes to the phenomenon of sensory specific satiety.

Nucleus accumbens opioid signaling conditions short-term flavor preferences

Opioid signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) strongly modulates flavor-based food choice. To further investigate the role of opioid signaling in taste reward, we used a sensory specific satiety (SSS) paradigm to devalue specific flavors of nutritionally identical food pellets in rats. In the NAcc, infusion of a mu opioid (MOP) receptor selective agonist selectively increased consumption of a pre-fed flavor, thus reversing the SSS effect. Conversely, blockade of endogenous opioid signaling with the opioid antagonist naltrexone selectively decreased consumption of a recently consumed flavor, potentiating the SSS effect. No enhancement of consumption was observed if a delay of 3 h was imposed following the intra-NAcc MOP agonist indicating that there were no long-term changes in flavor preference. If a delay was introduced between the initial flavor exposure and the intra-NAcc MOP agonist infusion, pellet consumption was increased non-selectively (irrespective of flavor) suggesting that close temporal contiguity between flavor experience and NAcc opioid action is critical for the opioid effect on flavor preference. In contrast to opioid effects, inactivating NAcc neurons by local microinjection of muscimol (a GABAA agonist) increased consumption of both the pre-fed and non-pre-fed flavors equally. These results demonstrate that opioids released in the NAcc during consumption of palatable foods produce a selective and transient increase in preference for a recently sampled flavor.

Nucleus accumbens opioids regulate flavor-based preferences in food consumption

Opioid signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) regulates feeding behavior, having particularly strong effects on consumption of highly palatable foods. Since macronutrient content may contribute to palatability, it is uncertain whether opioid regulation of food consumption is based primarily on its macronutrient content or its flavor per se. In order to isolate the effect of flavor, we manipulated opioid signaling in the NAcc in rats and quantified consumption of differently flavored but nutritionally identical pellets. When pellets of either flavor were presented alone, microinjection of d-Ala(2),N,Me-Phe(4),Gly-ol(5)-enkephalin (DAMGO (a mu opioid receptor (MOP) agonist)) into the NAcc increased consumption of pellets of both flavors equally. When both flavors of pellets were presented simultaneously, however, DAMGO in the NAcc selectively increased, while naltrexone (a non-selective opioid antagonist) in the NAcc selectively decreased, consumption of the more preferred flavor. Systemic naltrexone injection had no flavor specific effects, decreasing consumption of both flavors equally. Non-selective inactivation of NAcc neurons by local microinjection of muscimol (a GABA(A) agonist) increased consumption of both the more- and less-preferred flavors equally. These results indicate that opioid signaling directly regulates a subset of NAcc neurons that can selectively enhance consumption of preferred palatable foods based exclusively on flavor cues.

Increased telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression in the endometrium of patients with endometriosis

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is considered a frequent, benign disease with the ability to undergo neoplastic processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the limitless replication potential of the endometrium in patients with endometriosis by examining human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression and telomerase activity.

METHODS

Endometrium samples from 30 endometriosis patients and 30 patients without endometriosis were obtained via endometrial biopsy. The expression of hTERT mRNA was determined by real-time RT-PCR assay, and telomerase activity was measured by telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay.

RESULTS

The mean normalized hTERT (N hTERT) mRNA level was significantly higher in the endometriosis than in the control group (P = 0.013). The mean hTERT mRNA levels during the proliferative phase and during the secretory phase were higher in the endometriosis group than in the control group, although the difference was only significant for the secretory phase (P = 0.036). We found a prominent difference in endometrial telomerase activity between moderate-to-severe endometriosis and the control group (P = 0.048). The levels of hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity increased as the disease became more severe (P = 0.038, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the overexpression of hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity in the endometrium of endometriosis patients. These finding suggest that replication potential of endometrial cells may have an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.