A systematic examination of the morphogenesis of calcium carbonate in the presence of a double-hydrophilic block copolymer

In this paper, a systematic study of the influence of various experimental parameters on the morphology and size of CaCO3 crystals after room-temperature crystallization from water in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (PEG-b-PMAA) is presented. The pH of the solution, the block copolymer concentration, and the ratio [polymer]/[CaCO3] turned out to be important parameters for the morphogenesis of CaCO3, whereas a moderate increase of the ionic strength (0.016 M) had no influence. Depending on the experimental conditions, the crystal morphologies can be tuned from calcite rhombohedra via rods, ellipsoids or dumbbells to spheres. A morphology map is presented which allows the prediction of the crystal morphology from a combination of pH, and CaCO3 and polymer concentration. Morphologies reported in literature for the same system but under different crystallization conditions agree well with the predictions from the morphology map. A closer examination of the growth of polycrystalline macroscopic CaCO3 spheres by TEM and time-resolved dynamic light scattering showed that CaCO3 macrocrystals are formed from strings of aggregated amorphous nanoparticles and then recrystallize as dumbbell-shaped or spherical calcite macrocrystal.

Intracellular processing of endothelial nitric oxide synthase isoforms associated with differences in severity of cardiopulmonary diseases: cleavage of proteins with aspartate vs. glutamate at position 298

An endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphism in exon 7 (894 G/T) resulting in glutamate or aspartate, respectively, at position 298 on the protein is correlated with severity of cardiopulmonary diseases. Because glutamate and aspartate are considered to be conservative replacements, the polymorphism was thought to be a marker for a functional locus elsewhere in the gene. We now show in transfected cells, primary human endothelial cells, and human hearts, that eNOS with aspartate, but not glutamate, at position 298 is cleaved, resulting in the generation of 100-kDa and 35-kDa products. Recombinant or native eNOS was examined by immunoblotting either in lysates (COS7) or after partial purification over 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose and calmodulin-Sepharose. Immunoblotting after SDS/PAGE with a carboxyl-terminal antibody showed a single major protein band in the predicted position for eNOS at 135 kDa. An additional band at approximately 100 kDa was present only in the recombinant 298Asp eNOS and in the eNOS synthesized by primary cells and heart tissue with a G/T genotype. Using an eNOS amino-terminal-specific antibody, an immunoreactive band at approximately 35 kDa, corresponding to the residual N-terminal cleavage fragment, was observed in those cells with a T genotype. Thus, eNOS with aspartate but not glutamate at position 298 is cleaved, resulting in the generation of N-terminal 35-kDa and C-terminal 100-kDa fragments. Thus, the eNOS gene with polymorphisms at nucleotide 894 generates protein products with differing susceptibility to cleavage, suggesting that, in contrast to prior predictions, this polymorphism has a functional effect on the eNOS protein.

Crystal Design of Barium Sulfate using Double-Hydrophilic Block Copolymers

Peach, peanut, fiber, and flower (see picture) crystal morphologies are achieved from the precipitation of simple minerals in the presence of specifically adsorbing polymers. These crystal design effects are illustrated using BaSO(4) and double-hydrophilic block copolymers, the latter featuring carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphonate, and aspartic acid groups.

Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles in Nonionic Water-in-Oil Microemulsions

Synthesis of well-dispersed copper nanoparticles was achieved by reduction of aqueous copper chloride solution using NaBH4 in the nonionic water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions formed by Triton X-100, n-hexanol, cyclohexane, and water. It has been shown that instead of copper oxide produced in aqueous solution, metallic copper particles are formed in w/o microemulsions because of the high local copper concentration in water pools of the microemulsions, indicating the advantage offered by w/o microemulsions over aqueous phases. The absorption spectrum of the colloidal copper particles obtained in microemulsions does not exhibit the plasmon peak characteristic of the Cu surface. It is conceivable that the lack of the plasmon absorption band is attributed to the formation of a CuCl monolayer on the copper particles.

Increasing prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women from 1999 to 2008

AIMS

To investigate the trend in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus during 1999-2008 in women living in urban Tianjin, China.

METHODS

A universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus has become an integral part of the antenatal care in Tianjin, China from 1998. A total of 105,473 pregnant women living in the six urban districts of Tianjin, China, participated in the gestational diabetes mellitus screening programme between December 1998 and December 2008. The screening test consisted of a 50-g 1-h glucose test. Women who had a glucose reading ≥7.8 mmol/l at the initial screening were invited to undergo the standard 2-h oral glucose tolerance test with a 75-g glucose load. Gestational diabetes mellitus was confirmed using the World Health Organization's diagnostic criteria.

RESULTS

The adjusted prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus increased by 2.8 times during 1999-2008, from 2.4 to 6.8% (P<0.0001 for linear trend). In 2008, the age-specific prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus was the highest among women aged 30-34 years (11.3%) and lowest among women aged 25 and under (1.2%). In women aged 35 years and more, the prevalence was 5.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus has markedly been increasing in a universally screened urban Chinese female population and has become an important public health problem in China.

Formation of BaSO4 fibres with morphological complexity in aqueous polymer solutions

BaSO4 fibres with morphological complexity were formed in aqueous solution with polyacrylate and partially monophosphonated poly(ethyleneoxide)-block-poly(methacrylic acid) additives by a simple precipitation reaction. For polyacrylate, formation of the fibrous deposits was strongly dependent on the level of supersaturation (S) and Ba2+:polymer molar ratio (R). At S = 60 to 80, and R = 3 to 14, highly anisotropic crystalline fibres consisting of bundles of BaSO4 nanofilaments were formed after several weeks, although the yield was low. The nanofilaments were also organized into cone-shaped aggregates at S = 80, and at lower R values these formed higher-order structures that consisted of multiple cone-on-cone assemblies with remarkable self-similarity. Increasing the supersaturation produced ovoid or cross-shaped dendritic particles for the range of molar ratios studied. In contrast, BaSO4 crystallisation in the presence of a partially phosphonated block copolymer gave a high yield of BaSO4 fibres up to 100 microm in length, and consisting of co-aligned bundles of 30 nm-diameter defect-free single-crystal nanofilaments with a uniform growth tip. A model for the defect-free growth of BaSO4 nanofilaments in aqueous polymer solutions based on amorphous precursor particles, vectorially directing forces and van der Waals attraction is proposed.

The effect of conjugated equine oestrogen on diabetes incidence: the Women's Health Initiative randomised trial

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Recent clinical trials have found that the combination of conjugated equine oestrogen (CEO) and medroxyprogesterone has a protective effect on the incidence of type 2 diabetes. To determine the effect of CEO alone on the incidence of diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women, we analysed the results of the Women's Health Initiative oestrogen-alone trial.

METHODS

The Women's Health Initiative is a randomised, double-masked trial comparing the effect of daily 0.625 mg CEO with placebo during 7.1 years of follow-up of 10,739 postmenopausal women who were aged 50-79 years and had previously had a hysterectomy. Diabetes incidence was ascertained by self-report of treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic medication. Fasting glucose, insulin and lipoproteins were measured in an 8.6% random sample of study participants, at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 years.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of treated diabetes was 8.3% in the oestrogen-alone group and 9.3% in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.77-1.01, p=0.072). During the first year of follow-up, a significant fall in insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) in actively treated women compared with the control subjects (Year 1 baseline between-group difference -0.53) was seen. However, there was no difference in insulin resistance at the 3- or 6-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Postmenopausal therapy with oestrogen alone may reduce the incidence of treated diabetes. The effect is smaller than that seen with oestrogen plus progestin. CEO should not, however, be used with the intention of preventing diabetes, as its well-described adverse effects preclude long-term use for primary prevention.

Neuroprotective effects of icaritin against beta amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat neuronal cells via estrogen-dependent pathway

Beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) is the hallmark of pathogenic neurotoxins which contribute greatly to Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated cascade including severe neuronal loss. In present study, icaritin, an active natural ingredient from a Chinese plant, Epimedium sagittatum maxim, was investigated to assess its neuroprotective effect against the toxicity induced with Abeta(25-35) in primary cultured rat cortical neuronal cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. Abeta(25-35) induced neuronal toxicity, characterized by decreased cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and neuronal DNA condensation, which is associated with both the loss of membrane potential and the alteration of the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins. The phenotype alternation induced by Abeta(25-35) could be reversed by icaritin. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of icaritin mentioned above were estrogen receptor dependent due to the blocking action induced by estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 and well matched binding affinity with estrogen receptor by a receptor-ligand docking experiment. mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 weakened the protective effects, which implied mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway may also be involved in and partly contributed to the neuroprotective effects of icaritin.

Mechanisms of endotoxin-induced intestinal injury in a hyperdynamic model of sepsis

The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation is the result of a selective decrease in intestinal blood flow that causes an oxidant-mediated intestinal mucosal injury. To accomplish this goal, 116 instrumented rats receiving a nonlethal dose of endotoxin (5 mg/kg IP) or saline were studied. Organ blood flow and cardiac output were measured using the microsphere technique and intestinal permeability was measured both by the blood to luminal clearance of 51Cr-EDTA and by horseradish peroxidase. Cardiac output was higher in the endotoxin-treated group than in the saline group (76 +/- 12 versus 95 +/- 17 mL/min; p < 0.05). Although endotoxin induced a hyperdynamic state, blood flow to the distal ileum and cecum was selectively decreased by 35%-50% (p < 0.01), whereas blood flow to the rest of the intestine, spleen, pancreas, and liver was normal. Furthermore, blood flow to the ileal mucosa was decreased to a greater extent than to the remainder of the gut wall (p < 0.05). Small bowel permeability to 51Cr-EDTA was increased at sites of decreased blood flow (ileum) but not at sites of normal (jejunum) blood flow. Allopurinol, a competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, ameliorated the endotoxin-induced decrease in ileal blood flow as well as the increase in ileal permeability. Thus these studies support the hypothesis that endotoxin-induced mucosal injury is the result of an ischemia reperfusion-mediated injury of the distal small intestine and cecum.

Movement of the decoding region of the 16 S ribosomal RNA accompanies tRNA translocation

The ribosome undergoes pronounced periodic conformational changes during protein synthesis. Of particular importance are those occurring around the decoding site, the region of the 16 S rRNA interacting with the mRNA-(tRNA)(2) complex. We have incorporated structural information from X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance into cryo-electron microscopic maps of ribosomal complexes designed to capture structural changes at the translocation step of the polypeptide elongation cycle. The A-site region of the decoding site actively participates in the translocation of the tRNA from the A to the P-site upon GTP hydrolysis by elongation factor G, shifting approximately 8 A toward the P-site. This implies that elongation factor G actively pushes both the decoding site and the mRNA/tRNA complex during translocation.

Genetic variation at the perilipin (PLIN) locus is associated with obesity-related phenotypes in White women

Perilipin coats intracellular lipid droplets and modulates adipocyte lipolysis. We have evaluated the association between several polymorphisms at the perilipin (PLIN) locus (PLIN1 : 6209T > C, PLIN4 : 11482G > A, PLIN5 : 13041A > G, and PLIN6 : 14995A > T) with obesity-related phenotypes in 1589 White subjects randomly selected from a general Spanish population. In women (n = 801), the less common alleles of PLIN1 and PLIN4, in strong linkage disequilibrium (D' : 0.96), were significantly associated with lower body mass index. Carriers of the allele 2 (6209C) at the PLIN1 locus weighed significantly less (-2.2 kg; p = 0.007) than women homozygotes for the wild-type genotype. The same was true for 11482A carriers at PLIN4 (p = 0.01). Moreover, the PLIN4 variant was associated with significantly lower waist-to-hip ratio, plasma glucose, and triacylglycerol concentrations. No significant associations with these obesity-related phenotypes were found in men. In agreement with these results, statistically significant gene-gender interactions were obtained when the risk of obesity was estimated (281 subjects were obese and 1308 non-obese). Only in women, PLIN1 and PLIN4 variant alleles (6209C and 11482A) were associated with a lower obesity risk [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38-0.93 and OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.36-0.89, respectively]. In summary, our data suggest that common alleles at the PLIN locus modulate body weight and metabolic variables in humans.

Identification, mapping, and application of polymorphic DNA associated with resistance gene Pm21 of wheat

A new powdery mildew resistance gene designated Pm21, from Haynaldia villosa, a relative of wheat, has been identified and incorporated into wheat through an alien translocation line. Cytogenetic and biochemical analyses showed that chromosome arms 6VS and 6AL were involved in this translocation. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was performed on recipient wheat cultivar Yangmai 5, the translocation line, and H. villosa with 180 random primers. Eight of the 180 primers amplified polymorphic DNA in the translocation line, and the same results were obtained in four replications. Furthermore, RAPD analysis was reported for substitution line 6V, seven addition lines (1V-7V), and the F1, as well as F2 plants of (translocation line x 'Yangmai 5'), using two of the eight random primers. One RAPD marker, specific to chromosome arm 6VS, OPH17-1900, could be used as a molecular marker for the detection of gene Pm21 in breeding materials with powdery mildew resistance introduced from H. villosa. Key words : RAPD analysis, 6VS-specific marker, Pm21, Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici, Triticum aestivum - Haynaldia villosa translocation.

Breast cancer Ki67 expression prediction by DCE-MRI radiomics features

AIM

To investigate whether quantitative radiomics features extracted from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) are associated with Ki67 expression of breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This institutional review board-approved retrospective study comprised 377 Chinese women who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2015. This cohort included 53 low-Ki67 expression (Ki67 proliferation index less than 14%) and 324 cases with high-Ki67 expression (Ki67 proliferation index more than 14%). A binary-classification of low-versus high- Ki67 expression was performed. A set of 56 quantitative radiomics features, including morphological, greyscale statistic, and texture features, were extracted from the segmented lesion area. Three machine learning classification methods, including naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbour and support vector machine, were employed for the classification and the least absolute shrink age and selection operator (LASSO) method was used to select most predictive features set for the classifiers. Classification performance was evaluated by the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

RESULES

The model that used naive Bayes classification method achieved the best performance than the other two methods, yielding 0.773 AUC, 0.757 accuracy, 0.777 sensitivity and 0.769 specificity. Three most predictive features, i.e., contrast, entropy and line likeness, were selected by the LASSO method and showed a statistical significance (p<0.05) in the classification.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that quantitative radiomics imaging features of breast tumour extracted from DCE-MRI are associated with breast cancer Ki67 expression. Future larger studies are needed in order to further evaluate the findings.

Investigation of the Microenvironment in Nonionic Reverse Micelles Using Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue as Absorption Probes

The microenvironment in nonionic reverse micelles of Triton X-100, n-hexanol, and water in cyclohexane is investigated by using methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) as absorption probes. Information about the states of water in the polar core of the reverse micelles is obtained through the solvatochromic behavior of MO and the sensitivity of the complex formation between MB and Triton X-100 in reverse micelles to the state of water in the polar core. The results obtained from the spectra of MO and MB in the TX-100 reverse micelles with different amounts of water are compatible with the proposal that there are three types of water present in the polar core: the primary bound water, which interacts directly with the ethylene oxide (EO) groups of the surfactant to form a primary hydration shell, the second bound water, which is next to the primary hydration shell of the EO groups and bound less tightly, and the free water, which is present in the water pool and resembles the bulk water. It is found that there is an equilibrium between two states of MB in the reverse micelles: the bound MB and the free MB, and the presence of secondary bound water and free water will lead to the equilibrium shift from bound MB to free MB. In the Triton X-100 reverse micellar system studied, the secondary bound water is present at about W = 1.8 and water pools begin to form when the water content reaches W = 5.3. The strong interaction between MB and nonionic surfactants, which results in the complex formation, and its sensitivity to the state of water in the polar core are found to be also present in the reverse micelles of either Triton X-114 or C12E4 in cyclohexane. Copyright 1998 Academic Press. Copyright 1998Academic Press

FOXC2 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by directly targeting MET

Metastasis is the major cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC). Although multiple genes have been identified to be responsible for the development of CRC, the molecular changes that enable CRC cells to undergo early local invasion and to form distant metastatic colonies still remain largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the role of Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) and explored the underlying mechanisms in invasion and metastasis of CRC. We show that both high FOXC2 expression and nuclear localization of FOXC2 are significantly correlated with advanced TNM (T=primary tumor; N=regional lymph nodes; M=distant metastasis) stages. FOXC2 enhanced the invasive abilities of CRC cells in vitro and promoted local invasion and distant metastasis in an orthotopic mouse metastatic model of CRC. Microarray analysis revealed that overexpression of FOXC2 increased the proto-oncogene MET tyrosine kinase expression and activated the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-MET signaling pathway. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that FOXC2 directly associated with MET promoter to increase the transcriptional activity of MET. Inhibition of MET attenuates the invasive phenotype and metastatic potential of FOXC2-overexpressing CRC cells, indicating that MET is a major mediator of FOXC2-promoted metastasis. In addition, FOXC2 expression was positively correlated with MET expression in CRC tissue samples. Our findings suggest that FOXC2 has a crucial role in CRC metastasis by regulating HGF-MET signaling via inducing MET expression, highlighting FOXC2 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing or reducing metastasis in CRC.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase as a potential susceptibility gene in the pathogenesis of emphysema in alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency

A role for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) in the susceptibility of individuals with alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT) deficiency to destructive lung disease was evaluated. Six polymorphic sites were identified within the NOS3 gene (i.e., -924A/G, -788C/T, -691C/T, 774C/T, 894G/T, and 1998C/G). The genotype distribution was determined in 339 patients and 94 control individuals. Frequency of the 774T allele in severely affected individuals was 0.417 versus 0.269 in control subjects (P = 0.018), whereas the 894T allele frequency was 0.427 versus 0.280 in control subjects (P = 0.024). Patients with less severe lung disease had the 774T and 894T allele frequencies of 0.289 and 0.344, respectively, similar to frequencies in a control group (P > 0.3). No direct correlation between pulmonary function and five other NOS3 polymorphisms was observed. Thus, functional allelic variants that are in linkage disequilibrium with the 774C/T and 894G/T may be present in the specified genomic area. These data are consistent with a modulatory role for NOS3 in destructive lung disease associated with alpha1AT deficiency.

Tumor cells present MHC class II-restricted nuclear and mitochondrial antigens and are the predominant antigen presenting cells in vivo

MHC class II-restricted tumor Ags presented by class II(+) tumor cells identified to date are derived from proteins expressed in the cytoplasm or plasma membrane of tumor cells. It is unclear whether MHC class II(+) tumor cells present class II-restricted epitopes derived from other intracellular compartments, such as nuclei and/or mitochondria, and whether class II(+) tumor cells directly present Ag in vivo. To address these questions, a model Ag, hen egg lysozyme, was targeted to various subcellular compartments of mouse sarcoma cells, and the resulting cells were tested for presentation of three lysozyme epitopes in vitro and for presentation of nuclear Ag in vivo. In in vitro studies, Ags localized to all tested compartments (nuclei, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum) are presented in the absence invariant chain and H-2M. Coexpression of invariant chain and H-2M inhibit presentation of some, but not all, of the epitopes. In vivo studies demonstrate that class II(+) tumor cells, and not host-derived cells, are the predominant APC for class II-restricted nuclear Ags. Because class II(+) tumor cells are effective APC in vivo and probably present novel tumor Ag epitopes not presented by host-derived APC, their inclusion in cancer vaccines may enhance activation of tumor-reactive CD4(+) T cells.

Thyroid hormones and changes in body weight and metabolic parameters in response to weight loss diets: the POUNDS LOST trial

BACKGROUND

The role of thyroid hormones in diet-induced weight loss and subsequent weight regain is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the associations between thyroid hormones and changes in body weight and resting metabolic rate (RMR) in a diet-induced weight loss setting.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Data analysis was conducted among 569 overweight and obese participants aged 30-70 years with normal thyroid function participating in the 2-year Prevention of Obesity Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS) LOST randomized clinical trial. Changes in body weight and RMR were assessed during the 2-year intervention. Thyroid hormones (free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), total T3, total T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)), anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline, 6 months and 24 months.

RESULTS

Participants lost an average of 6.6 kg of body weight during the first 6 months and subsequently regained an average of 2.7 kg of body weight over the remaining period from 6 to 24 months. Baseline free T3 and total T3 were positively associated, whereas free T4 was inversely associated, with baseline body weight, body mass index and RMR. Total T4 and TSH were not associated with these parameters. Higher baseline free T3 and free T4 levels were significantly associated with a greater weight loss during the first 6 months (P<0.05) after multivariate adjustments including dietary intervention groups and baseline body weight. Comparing extreme tertiles, the multivariate-adjusted weight loss±s.e. was -3.87±0.9 vs -5.39±0.9 kg for free T3 (P_trend=0.02) and -4.09±0.9 vs -5.88±0.9 kg for free T4 (P_trend=0.004). The thyroid hormones did not predict weight regain in 6-24 months. A similar pattern of associations was also observed between baseline thyroid hormones and changes in RMR. In addition, changes in free T3 and total T3 levels were positively associated with changes in body weight, RMR, body fat mass, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, triglycerides and leptin at 6 months and 24 months (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this diet-induced weight loss setting, higher baseline free T3 and free T4 predicted more weight loss, but not weight regain among overweight and obese adults with normal thyroid function. These findings reveal a novel role of thyroid hormones in body weight regulation and may help identify individuals more responsive to weight loss diets.

Speciation and absolute bioavailability: risk assessment of arsenic-contaminated sites in a residential suburb in Canberra

Watson is a fully developed suburb of some 30 years in Canberra (the capital city of Australia). A plunge dip using arsenical pesticides for tick control was operated there between 1946 and 1960. Chemical investigations revealed that many soil samples obtained from the study area contained levels of arsenic exceeding the current health-based investigation levels of 100 mg kg-1 set by the National Healthy and Medical Research Council in Australia. For the speciation study, nine composite samples of surface and sub-surface soils and a composite samples of rocks were selected. ICP-MS analysis showed that arsenic levels in these samples ranged from 32 to 1597 mg kg-1. Chemical speciation of arsenic showed that the arsenite (trivalent) components were 0.32-56% in the soil and 44.8% in the rock composite samples. Using a rat model, the absolute bioavailability of these contaminated soils relative to As3+ or As5+ ranged from 1.02 to 9.87% and 0.26 to 2.98%, respectively. An attempt was made to develop a suitable leachate test as an index of bioavailability. However, the results indicated that there was no significant correlation between the bioavailability and leachates using neutral pH water or 1M HC1. Our results indicate that speciation is highly significant for the interpretation of bioavailability and risk assessment data; the bioavailability fractions of arsenic in soils from Watson are small and therefore the healthy impact upon the environment and humans due to this element is limited.

Protein malnutrition alone and in combination with endotoxin impairs systemic and gut-associated immunity

Because protein-malnourished or endotoxemic patients are at an increased risk of developing nosocomial infections, this study was performed to investigate the effects of protein malnutrition and endotoxemia, alone and in combination, on systemic and intestinal immunity. Protein malnutrition was created by feeding the animals a solid diet containing 0.03% protein. Subgroups of these protein-malnourished mice were killed after being challenged with saline or endotoxin on days 0, 7, 14, or 21. At death, the animals were weighed, tissues were harvested for histologic analysis (ileum, mesenteric lymph node [MLN], liver, and spleen), mitogen responsiveness (MLN, Peyer's patches, and spleen), and xanthine oxidase measurements (ileum and cecum). Separate groups were evaluated for survival. Both the saline and endotoxin-challenged mice had lost about 30% of their body weight after 21 days on the low-protein diet. The protein-malnourished mice were more susceptible to endotoxin-induced mortality (70% at 21 days) than the normally nourished mice (0%) (p less than .001). The mitogen responsiveness of the protein-malnourished mice to the T-cell mitogens (PHA and Con-A) progressively decreased the longer the mice were protein malnourished, and this decreased in blastogenic responsiveness was associated with histologic evidence of lymphoid atrophy. In contrast, the blastogenic response to the primarily B-cell mitogen, PWM, was largely preserved. The endotoxin challenge further depressed the immune state of mice tested after 0, 7, or 14 (but not 21) days of protein malnutrition. Thus, both protein malnutrition and endotoxin impaired systemic and gut-associated immune responsiveness to mitogens. However, in the protein-malnourished mice, the degree of immune suppression did not correlate with endotoxin-induced mortality.

Dietary patterns as compared with physical activity in relation to metabolic syndrome among Chinese adults

AIMS

To examine the nationally-representative dietary patterns and their joint effects with physical activity on the likelihood of metabolic syndrome (MS) among 20,827 Chinese adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

CNNHS was a nationally representative cross-sectional observational study. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement definition. The "Green Water" dietary pattern, characterized by high intakes of rice and vegetables and moderate intakes in animal foods was related to the lowest prevalence of MS (15.9%). Compared to the "Green Water" dietary pattern, the "Yellow Earth" dietary pattern, characterized by high intakes of refined cereal products, tubers, cooking salt and salted vegetable was associated with a significantly elevated odds of MS (odds ratio 1.66, 95%CI: 1.40-1.96), after adjustment of age, sex, socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors. The "Western/new affluence" dietary pattern characterized by higher consumption of beef/lamb, fruit, eggs, poultry and seafood also significantly associated with MS (odds ratio: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.13-1.67). Physical activity showed significant interactions with the dietary patterns in relation to MS risk (P for interaction = 0.008). In the joint analysis, participants with the combination of sedentary activity with the "Yellow Earth" dietary pattern or the "Western/new affluence" dietary pattern both had more than three times (95%CI: 2.8-6.1) higher odds of MS than those with active activity and the "Green Water" dietary pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings from the large Chinese national representative data indicate that dietary patterns affect the likelihood of MS. Combining healthy dietary pattern with active lifestyle may benefit more in prevention of MS.