Localized Nanoresonator Mode in Plasmonic Microcavities

Submicron-thick hexagonal boron nitride crystals embedded in noble metals form planar Fabry-Perot half-microcavities. Depositing Au nanoparticles on top of these microcavities forms previously unidentified angle- and polarization-sensitive nanoresonator modes that are tightly laterally confined by the nanoparticle. Comparing dark-field scattering with reflection spectroscopies shows plasmonic and Fabry-Perot-like enhancements magnify subtle interference contributions, which lead to unexpected redshifts in the dark-field spectra, explained by the presence of these new modes.

Serum Leptin Correlates with Fat Mass but not Dietary Energy Intake in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Objectives

In view of previous studies demonstrating hyperleptinemia in uremic and hemodialysis patients, the aims of the present study were to determine whether serum leptin levels are elevated in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, to establish whether leptin is significantly removed by PD, and to elucidate the relationship of plasma leptin to body composition, dietary intake, nutritional indices, and dialysis adequacy.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of PD patients and matched healthy controls.

Setting

Tertiary-care institutional dialysis center.

Participants

The study included 49 PD patients [35 women and 14 men; median age 63 years, interquartile range (IQR) 49.5 -68.5 yr; body mass index (BMI) 25.5: I: 0.8] and 27 controls (11 men and 16 women; median age 42 years, IQR 34.8 51; BMI 27.2: I: 0.9). For evaluation of leptin clearance, 8 patients receiving nocturnal intermittent PD were also evaluated.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measure was plasma leptin concentration. Dialysate leptin concentration was also measured in 7 patients.

Results

Serum leptin levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in patients (males: median 11 nglmL, IQR 9 19 ng/mL; females: 53 ng/mL, 19.5 -128 ng/mL) compared with controls (males: 5.5 nglmL, 4 9.5 nglmL; females: 12 ng/mL, 9.8 17.3 ng/mL). Leptin levels in both groups correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.64 and 0.60, respectively; p < 0.0001) and with percentage body fat determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (r = 0.86 and 0.82, respectively; p < 0.01). Dialysis patients exhibited a greater increase in serum leptin for any given increase in BMI. No significant correlation was observed between leptin concentration and residual renal function, dialysis adequacy (Kt/V), dietary protein or caloric intake, or serum levels of albumin, prealbumin, C-reactive protein, glucose, and insulin-like growth factor-1. Although leptin was detectable in peritoneal dialysate after a 6-hour dwell (median 4.2 ng/ mL, IQR 1.1 -8.5 ng/mL, n = 8), serum leptin levels were not appreciably lowered following intermittent PD via an automated cycler (63.9: I: 19.3 ng/mL vs 57.6: I: 20.5 ng/mL, p = NS, n = 8).

Conclusions

Serum leptin levels are elevated in PD patients and are not appreciably cleared by PD. Although hyperleptinemia correlates poorly with dialysis adequacy and protein intake, a strong and significant relationship was maintained between serum leptin and fat mass. Serum leptin could therefore serve as a useful clinical marker of body fat content in PD patients.

Vascular complications of long-term oestrogen therapy

Long-term low dose oestrogen therapy has a protective effect on bone mineral content in the post-menopausal or castrated female. As yet the only obvious clinical side effect of such therapy has been transient leg muscle cramps. Several biochemical side effects could be observed. Low dose mestranol caused a persistent elevation of factor VII and a dose-dependent increase in both factors VII and X was observed using oestriol hemisuccinate. Such effects are more likely to be dose-related than related to the type of oestrogen prescribed. Effects of oestrogens on lipids, and cholesterol in particular, may be dose-related also. Changes in blood pressure in post-menopausal women are more likely to be related to obesity than to oestrogen treatment which would seem to have a protective effect against weight increase. No marked changes in the mean risk score for ischaemic heart disease could be detected during oestrogen treatment.

Serious arterial thromboembolic events (sATE) in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with bevacizumab (BV): Results from the BRiTE registry

4136

Introduction: BV prolongs overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) when added to 1st- or 2nd -line chemotherapy (CT) in mCRC. Though serious toxicities specific to BV are uncommon, a retrospective pooled analysis of 5 randomized trials showed an association of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) with BV use (3.8% vs 1.7% with CT alone), with age ≥65 and prior history (Hx) of ATE identified as associated risk factors (Skillings, JCO 2005). The BRiTE mCRC registry evaluated BV-associated serious adverse events (SAEs), including ATEs presenting as SAEs (sATE), in a general practice setting. Methods: Pts and methods have been described (Hedrick ASCO 2006). Hx of sATE, timing of prior sATE relative to starting BV, and anti-platelet agent (anti-plt) use were summarized. Definition of sATE included myocardial infarction (MI), cerebral vascular accident (CVA), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and peripheral arterial disease. Incidence rate of sATE was expressed as events per pt-yr of follow-up. Fisher’s exact test and multiple logistic regression was used to assess the univariate and multivariate associations. Results: Median follow- up was 17.5 mo. Of 1953 evaluable pts, 45.9% (n=896) were ≥65, 18.0% (n=352) had Hx of sATE, and 11.2% (n=219) received anti-plt. A total of 38 sATE [CVA (n=14), MI (n=11), sudden cardiac death (n=1), TIA (n=7), and other (n=5)] were reported in 34 (1.7%) pts. Median time to sATE was 3.6 mo. The calculated sATE rate was 2.2/100 pt-yr overall and 4.7/100 pt-yr in pts with prior sATE. Table 1 summarizes the results of univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions: In this series of BV-treated pts, the incidence of sATE associated with BV use was comparable with the rate of analogous events reported in previous controlled trials of BV in mCRC. In this series, prior history of sATE and ECOG PS were found to be associated with sATE risk in multivariate analyses.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Association between exposure to bevacizumab (BV) beyond first progression (BBP) and overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Results from a large observational study (BRiTE)

4036

Background: While BV prolongs OS when used with standard 1st- or 2nd-line chemotherapy (CT) in mCRC, no data exist on the effects of BBP. A previous report from BRiTE showed favorable median OS (27.1 mo, 95% CI 24.8-NE), with 1st line PFS (median 10.1 mo, 95% CI:9.7–10.4) comparable to historical mCRC trials, suggesting significant impact of post-progression survival on OS. This exploratory analysis evaluates the association of various pre- and post-treatment variables with OS in BRiTE. Methods: Pt population and methods have been described previously (Kozloff, ASCO 2006). All pts in BRiTE received BV as part of 1st-line therapy. The use of BBP and choice of CT were at investigator’s discretion. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate PFS and OS. Cox’s proportional hazard model was used to assess the independent effects of pre- and post-treatment pt- related factors on OS, including age, ECOG PS, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, site of primary tumor, 1st-line CT regimen, 1st-line PFS, exposure to all 3 active CT agents, receipt of any 2nd-line CT, exposure to cetuximab, and BBP. Though there was variability observed in patterns of BBP, including continuous and discontinuous use, for the purpose of this analysis, BBP was defined as any exposure to BV after 1st progression (PD). Results: A total of 1,953 pts were treated in BRiTE. At median follow-up of 17.5 mo, there were 1,369 1st PD and 839 deaths. Among pts with 1st PD, 65.2% received any 2nd-line CT, 34.8% received cetuximab, and 53.8% received BBP. In a multivariate analysis, BBP and exposure to any 2nd-line CT were independently associated with increased OS (both p<0.0001). Age ≥65, PS ≥1, low albumin, elevated alkaline phosphatase, colon primary, and use of IFL were associated with inferior OS. Conclusions: BBP appears to be associated with longer OS in BRiTE. This finding supports the evaluation of BBP in prospective randomized clinical trials. Other factors that may have impacted this finding, including physician-related variables, will be investigated in future analyses.

[Table: see text]

The properties of the International Classification of the External Cause of Injury when used as an instrument for injury prevention research

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate properties of the International Classification of the External Cause of Injury (ICECI) as a tool for use in injury prevention research.

METHODS

The Childhood Injury Prevention Study (CHIPS) is a prospective longitudinal follow up study of a cohort of 871 children 5-12 years of age, with a nested case crossover component. The ICECI is the latest tool in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) family and has been designed to improve the precision of coding injury events. The details of all injury events recorded in the study, as well as all measured injury related exposures, were coded using the ICECI. This paper reports a substudy on the utility and practicability of using the ICECI in the CHIPS to record exposures. Interrater reliability was quantified for a sample of injured participants using the Kappa statistic to measure concordance between codes independently coded by two research staff.

RESULTS

There were 767 diaries collected at baseline and event details from 563 injuries and exposure details from injury crossover periods. There were no event, location, or activity details which could not be coded using the ICECI. Kappa statistics for concordance between raters within each of the dimensions ranged from 0.31 to 0.93 for the injury events and 0.94 and 0.97 for activity and location in the control periods.

DISCUSSION

This study represents the first detailed account of the properties of the ICECI revealed by its use in a primary analytic epidemiological study of injury prevention. The results of this study provide considerable support for the ICECI and its further use.

Effects of a comprehensive health assessment programme for Australian adults with intellectual disability: a cluster randomized trial

BACKGROUND

People with intellectual disability constitute approximately 2% of the population. They die prematurely, and often have a number of unrecognized or poorly managed medical conditions as well as inadequate health promotion and disease prevention.

METHODS

A cluster randomized controlled trial with matched pairs was carried out. The participants were adults with intellectual disability (n = 453 in 34 clusters). The intervention was a health assessment programme to enhance interactions between the adult with intellectual disability, their carer and their general practitioner (GP). It prompted the systematic gathering of a health history and, subsequently, access to a GP for a guided health review and development of a health action plan. It also provided information about the health of adults with intellectual disability. Follow-up was for 1 year post intervention, with outcomes extracted from GPs' clinical records.

RESULTS

Increased health promotion, disease prevention and case-finding activity was found in the intervention group. Compared with the control group there was a 6.6-fold increase in detection of vision impairment (95% confidence interval 1.9-40); a 30-fold increase in hearing testing (4.0-230); an increase in immunization updates [tetanus/diphtheria a 9-fold increase (4.2-19)], and improvements in women's health screening [Papanicolau smears were eight times more common (1.8-35)]. The intervention increased detection of new disease by 1.6 times (0.9-2.8).

CONCLUSIONS

The Comprehensive Health Assessment Program (CHAP) produced a substantial increase in GPs' attention to the health needs of adults with intellectual disability with concomitantly more disease detection. The presumption that these will yield longer-term health benefits, while suggestive, remains unexamined.

Significance of stromal reaction patterns in invasive urothelial carcinoma

We evaluated the types, frequency, and significance of stromal reaction patterns in urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder in 60 transurethrally resected pT1 specimens (low-grade UC, 12; high-grade UC, 48). We observed 5 reaction patterns with 1 pattern in 37 cases (62%) and 2 or more patterns in the remainder. Dominant and secondary patterns, respectively, were as follows: stromal retraction, 30 (50%) and 4 (7%); edema, 18 (30%) and 1 (2%); inflammation, 8 (13%) and 14 (23%); fibroblastic proliferation, 3 (5%) and 5 (8%); fibrosis, 1 (2%) and 4 (7%). Progression occurred in 21 cases, including 9 (30%) of 30 with stromal retraction, 8 (45%) of 18 with edema, 2 (25%) of 8 with inflammation, 1 (33%) of 3 with fibroblastic proliferation, and 1 (100%) of 1 with fibrosis. Differences in progression rates and mean progression-free survival times were not statistically significant. We found that the most common stromal reaction in UC of the bladder is stromal retraction. Stromal reaction patterns seem to have some prognostic usefulness. Cases with stromal edema might benefit from closer follow-up. Awareness of the different types of stromal reactions also is useful for diagnosing invasion.

Inflatable rescue boat-related injuries in Queensland surf lifesavers: the epidemiology - biomechanics interface

The objective was to describe the relationship between epidemiological and biomechanical factors in the causal pathway of inflatable rescue boat (IRB)-related injuries in Australian surf lifesavers; to develop epidemiological and biomechanical methodologies and measurement instruments that identify and measure the risk factors, for use in future epidemiological studies. Epidemiological and biomechanical models of injury causation were combined. Host, agent and environmental factors that influenced total available force for transfer to host were specified. Measurement instruments for each of the specified risk factors were developed. Instruments were piloted in a volunteer sample of surf lifesavers. Participant characteristics were recorded using demographic questionnaires; IRB operating techniques were recorded using a custom-made on-board camera (Grand RF-Guard) and images of operating techniques were coded by two independent observers. Ground reaction forces transmitted to the host through the lifesaver's feet at the time of wave impact were measured using a custom-built piezoelectric force platform. The demographic questionnaire was found practical; the on-board camera functioned successfully within the target environment. Agreement between independent coders of IRB operating technique images was significant (p < 0.001) with Kappa values ranging from 0.5 to 0.7. Biomechanical instruments performed successfully in the target environment. Peak biomechanical forces were 415.6N (left foot) and 252.9N (right foot). This study defines the relationship between epidemiological and biomechanical factors in modifying the risk of IRB-related injury in a population of surf lifesavers. Preliminary feasibility of combining epidemiological and biomechanical information has been demonstrated. Further testing of the proposed model and measurement instruments is required.

Control of scabies, skin sores and haematuria in children in the Solomon Islands: another role for ivermectin

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of a 3-year programme aimed at controlling scabies on five small lagoon islands in the Solomon Islands by monitoring scabies, skin sores, streptococcal skin contamination, serology and haematuria in the island children.

METHODS

Control was achieved by treating almost all residents of each island once or twice within 2 weeks with ivermectin (160-250 microg/kg), except for children who weighed less than 15 kg and pregnant women, for whom 5% permethrin cream was used. Reintroduction of scabies was controlled by treating returning residents and visitors, whether or not they had evident scabies.

FINDINGS

Prevalence of scabies dropped from 25% to less than 1% (P < 0.001); prevalence of sores from 40% to 21% (P < 0.001); streptococcal contamination of the fingers in those with and without sores decreased significantly (P = 0.02 and 0.047, respectively) and anti-DNase B levels decreased (P = 0.002). Both the proportion of children with haematuria and its mean level fell (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). No adverse effects of the treatments were seen.

CONCLUSION

The results show that ivermectin is an effective and practical agent in the control of scabies and that control reduces the occurrence of streptococcal skin disease and possible signs of renal damage in children. Integrating community-based control of scabies and streptococcal skin disease with planned programmes for controlling filariasis and intestinal nematodes could be both practical and produce great health benefits.

A randomized controlled trial of a nurse-administered educational intervention for improving cancer pain management in ambulatory settings

The persistence of negative attitudes towards cancer pain and its treatment suggests there is scope for identifying more effective pain education strategies. This randomized controlled trial involving 189 ambulatory cancer patients evaluated an educational intervention that aimed to optimize patients' ability to manage pain. One week post-intervention, patients receiving the pain management intervention (PMI) had a significantly greater increase in self-reported pain knowledge, perceived control over pain, and number of pain treatments recommended. Intervention group patients also demonstrated a greater reduction in willingness to tolerate pain, concerns about addiction and side effects, being a "good" patient, and tolerance to pain relieving medication. The results suggest that targeted educational interventions that utilize individualized instructional techniques may alter cancer patient attitudes, which can potentially act as barriers to effective pain management.

Indices to quantify changes in intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressure by assessing agreement between hourly and semi-continuous recordings

OBJECTIVES

Little published data exists on whether nurse-recorded end-hour values of intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) are representative of continuous monitoring during the hour. There is also no standard method of quantifying the observed perturbations in cerebral hemodynamics. This study compared the level of agreement between end-hour values and computer downloaded observations of ICP and CPP at 15-min intervals. We also developed the intracranial hypertension index and the cerebral hypoperfusion index to quantify perturbations in cerebral hemodynamics. Each of these indices relates the number of abnormal observations to the total number of observations taken.

METHODS

Prospective, non-interventional study.

RESULTS

The bias and precision between the two methods for ICP and CPP were -0.002+/-2.6 mmHg and -1.1+/-6.2 mmHg, respectively. A strong correlation existed between the hourly mean calculated from the 15-min and the end-hour values for both ICP ( r(2)=0.95, p<0.0001) and CPP ( r(2)=0.78, p<0.001). The intracranial hypertension index was 40% from the 15-min measurements and 41% from the hourly observations ( p= NS). The cerebral hypoperfusion indices were 13.4% and 13.1% with the 15-min and end-hour values, respectively ( p= NS).

CONCLUSIONS

The end-hour values of ICP and CPP are as accurate as more frequent measurements during the hour and are adequate for purposes of epidemiological research and medico-legal audit. The intracranial hypertension and cerebral hypoperfusion indices may be useful in describing cerebral hemodynamics for future interventional studies and for assessing quality in the delivery of neuro-critical care.

Transfer of chromosome 8 into two breast cancer cell lines: total exclusion of three regions indicates location of putative in vitro growth suppressor genes

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the short arm of chromosome 8 occurs frequently in breast tumors. Fine mapping of the smallest regions of overlap of the deletions indicates that multiple tumor suppressor genes may be located in this region. We have performed microcell-mediated chromosome transfer of chromosome 8 into two breast cancer cell lines, 21MT-1 and T-47D. Twenty-two of the resulting hybrids were characterized extensively with chromosome 8 microsatellite markers and a subset were assayed for growth in vitro and soft agar clonicity. There was no evidence in any of the hybrids for suppression of growth or clonicity that could be attributed to the presence of particular regions of chromosome 8; however, none of the 22 hybrids examined had taken up all of the donor chromosome 8, and in fact there were three regions that contained only one allele of the markers genotyped in all 22 hybrids. These results are consistent with the presence of suppressor genes on the short arm of chromosome 8 causing strong growth suppression that is incompatible with growth in vitro; that is, multiple suppressor genes may exist on the short arm of chromosome 8.

Morphological and molecular heterogeneity within nonmicrosatellite instability-high colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has traditionally been classified into two groups: microsatellite stable/low-level instability (MSS/MSI-L) and high-level MSI (MSI-H) groups on the basis of multiple molecular and clinicopathologic criteria. Using methylated in tumor (MINT) markers 1, 2, 12, and 31, we stratified 77 primary CRCs into three groups: MINT++ (>2), MINT+ (1-2), and MINT- (0 markers methylated). The MSS/MSI-L/MINT++ group was indistinguishable from the MSI-H/MINT++ group with respect to methylation of p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), and RIZ1, and multiple morphological features. The only significant difference between MSI-H and non-MSI-H MINT++ cancers was the higher frequency of K-ras mutation (P < 0.004) and lower frequency of hMLH1 methylation (P < 0.001) in the latter. These data demonstrate that the separation of CRC into two nonoverlapping groups (MSI-H versus MSS/MSI-L) is a misleading oversimplification.

Evaluation of the P-POSSUM mortality prediction algorithm in Australian surgical intensive care unit patients

BACKGROUND

The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) is an auditing tool designed to compare surgical outcomes independent of case mix. It uses patient physiological and operative data to predict morbidity and mortality for surgical patients. Thus far most evaluations of the POSSUM algorithm and its modifications have emanated from British hospitals. A single-centre retrospective study was therefore performed to determine the applicability of this tool to the Australian surgical case mix.

METHODS

All surgical patients undergoing a surgical procedure admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital intensive care facility in 1999 were reviewed retrospectively. Mortality predictions using the Portsmouth modification of the POSSUM algorithm (P--POSSUM) were compared to the actual outcomes using receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis and the Hosmer and Lemeshow Goodness-of-Fit test.

RESULTS

The records of 229 admissions were reviewed. The area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve was 0.68, significantly greater than 0.5 (P = 0.014). Predicted deaths were significantly greater than actual deaths (50 vs 28, P < 0.001), with over-prediction of death rates in all mortality groupings except the two lowest risk deciles.

CONCLUSION

The P-POSSUM algorithm tends to over-estimate mortality in surgical intensive care patients. It may require further calibration before adoption as a surgical audit tool in Australia.

Functional link between BLM defective in Bloom's syndrome and the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated protein, ATM

Chromosome aberrations, genomic instability, and cancer predisposition are hallmarks of a number of syndromes in which the defective genes recognize and/or repair DNA damage or are involved in some aspect of DNA processing. We report here direct interaction between BLM, mutated in Bloom's Syndrome (BS), and ATM, mutated is ataxia-telangiectasia, and we have mapped the sites of interaction. Full-length BLM cDNA corrected sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and radiosensitivity in BS cells. Mitotic phosphorylation of BLM was partially dependent on ATM, and phosphorylation sites on BLM were identified. A phosphospecific antibody against one of these sites (Thr-99) revealed radiation-induced phosphorylation, which was defective in ataxia-telangiectasia cells. Stable cell lines expressing phosphorylation site mutants failed to correct radiosensitivity in BS cells but corrected SCE. These mutants also sensitized normal control cells to radiation and increased radiation-induced chromosome aberrations but did not cause SCE numbers to increase. These data suggest that ATM and BLM function together in recognizing abnormal DNA structures by direct interaction and that these phosphorylation sites in BLM are important for radiosensitivity status but not for SCE frequency.

The nature and utility of the phytoestrogens: a review of the evidence

Non-prescription remedies are becoming increasingly popular particularly amongst postmenopausal who in this market are the largest consumers. Phytoestrogens are a large family of plant derived molecules possessing various degrees oestrogen like activity. Food or food supplements containing phytoestrogen are often been advocated as an alternative to hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in women with contraindications to the use of conventional oestrogen replacement, or simply wanting a more 'natural' alternatives. There have been several studies performed with phytoestrogen in various aspects of the postmenopausal women health. Results have been sometimes conflicting and difficult to interpret. The lack of knowledge of what precisely is the active ingredient, its minimally effective doses, the lack of standardisation of the preparations used as well as the large individual variability of metabolism of precursors introduced with the diet may all have played a role in confusing the issue about effectiveness of these compounds. Phytoestrogen fall in the gray area between food and drugs hence in spite of the vast public interest, there are no interests in company producing these supplements in investing in research from which they will not exclusively benefit from. It is difficult for the physician to know how to advise patients on this matter. In this paper we critically review the clinical data available to date in an attempt to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about dose and type of phytoestrogens supplementation most likely to be effective in different aspects of climacteric woman health.

Winter intervention against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae in subterranean habitats slows surface recolonization in summer

At semiarid Charters Towers, north Queensland, Australia, the importance of Aedes aegypti (L.) in wells was assessed in relation to the colonization of surface habitats during the wet season. From April to July 1999, 10 wells (five positive for Ae. aegypti) were monitored to assess their status and larvae population numbers therein. All surface containers located within a 100 m radius of each well were removed, treated with s-methoprene or sealed to prevent the utilization of these containers by mosquitoes. These inner cores were surrounded by outer zones for a further 100 m in which surface containers were left untreated but all subterranean habitats were treated. Ovitraps were monitored monthly in the inner cores for 36 wk from August 1999 to April 2000 and differences in the proportions of ovitraps positive for Ae. aegypti and Ochlerotatus notoscriptus (Skuse) were analyzed by logistic regression. Analysis of the proportions of ovitraps positive for Ae. aegypti near positive wells indicated significantly greater colonization from November to March (the wet season), compared with those situated near Ae. aegypti negative wells. As Oc. notoscriptus were not produced from subterranean sites, comparisons of the proportions of ovitraps positive for Oc. notoscriptus in positive and negative inner cores provided an indication of the relative productivity of the uncontrolled surface containers in the outer zones. Differences in the utililization of ovitraps by Oc. notoscriptus among positive and negative cores were observed during only one month (March), when oviposition was greater in ovitraps in the negative cores, compared with the positive cores. Best subsets linear regression analysis of the proportion of ovitraps positive forAe. aegypti against meteorological variables (rainfall, mean wind speed, mean relative humidity, mean minimum, and maximum temperature) during the week of ovitrapping indicated that minimum temperature and wind speed accounted for 63.4% of the variability. This study confirms that for semiarid towns such as Charters Towers, the practice of treating a relatively small number of key subterranean habitats during winter will significantly affect Ae. aegypti recolonization of surface container habitats during summer, the period of greatest risk for dengue.

Reduced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in ovarian adenocarcinomas

Ovarian adenocarcinomas develop as the result of multiple genetic and epigenetic changes in the precursor ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells which result in a malignant phenotype. We investigated changes in gene expression in ovarian adenocarcinoma using a cDNA array containing 588 known human genes. We found that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was expressed at lower levels in the ovarian tumour cell lines OAW42, PEO1 and JAM than in the immortalised human ovarian surface epithelial cell line HOSE 17.1. Further investigation revealed ICAM-1 was expressed in the surface epithelium of normal ovaries and both mRNA and protein expression levels were reduced in the majority of ovarian adenocarcinoma cell lines and primary tumours. ICAM-1 expression was increased in 8/8 cell lines treated with the de novo methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, indicating that methylation of CpG islands may play a role in the down-regulation of its expression in primary tumours. There was a significant association between patients whose tumours expressed ICAM-1 and survival (P = 0.03), suggesting that expression levels of ICAM-1 may have clinical relevance.

Cigarette smoking and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (Australia)

OBJECTIVES

We studied the association between cigarette smoking and ovarian cancer in a population-based case control study.

METHODS

A total of 794 women with histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer who were aged 18-79 years and resident in one of three Australian states were interviewed, together with 855 controls aged 18-79 years selected at random from the electoral roll from the same states. Information was obtained about cigarette smoking and other factors including age, parity, oral contraceptive use, and reproductive factors. We estimated the relative risk of ovarian cancer associated with cigarette smoking, accounting for histologic type, using multivariable logistic regression to adjust for confounding factors.

RESULTS

Women who had ever smoked cigarettes were more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who had never smoked (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2-1.9). Risk was greater for ovarian cancers of borderline malignancy (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.4-4.1) than for invasive tumors (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.2-2.4) and the histologic subtype most strongly associated overall was the mucinous subtype among both current smokers (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.8-5.7) and past smokers (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.3-3.9).

CONCLUSIONS

These data extend recent findings and suggest that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for ovarian cancer, especially mucinous and borderline mucinous types. From a public health viewpoint, this is one of the few reports of a potentially avoidable risk factor for ovarian cancer.

A study of infertility treatment and melanoma

This study examined the possible association between melanoma and exposure to fertility drugs, specifically clomiphene citrate, human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). A cohort of 3186 women who attended a fertility clinic between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1990 was studied; by January 1996, 14 women had been diagnosed with primary melanoma. Details of fertility treatment were extracted from the clinical records. The incidence of melanoma in the cohort resembled that of the female Queensland population (standardized incidence ratio = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54-1.48). Exposure to clomiphene citrate, HMG or HCG did not affect the incidence of melanoma. Women with infertile partners who were treated with fertility drugs were at increased risk of melanoma (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17, 95% CI = 1.01-9.98). Compared with women exposed only to clomiphene citrate and HMG, a lower incidence of melanoma was observed among those who received HCG as well (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02-0.42). Women exposed to two or more cycles of either clomiphene citrate (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.08-0.94) or HMG (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.07-0.84) had a significant reduction in melanoma risk compared with women exposed to no or one cycle. In summary, a woman's infertility per se was not found to be associated with melanoma, while exposure to fertility drugs was positively associated with melanoma in women with infertile partners and negatively associated in women with low doses of fertility drugs.

Decreased expression of the Id3 gene at 1p36.1 in ovarian adenocarcinomas

The molecular events that drive the initiation and progression of ovarian adenocarcinoma are not well defined. We have investigated changes in gene expression in ovarian cancer cell lines compared to an immortalized human ovarian surface epithelial cell line (HOSE) using a cDNA array. We identified 17 genes that were under-expressed and 10 genes that were over-expressed in the cell lines compared to the HOSE cells. One of the genes under-expressed in the ovarian cancer cell lines, Id3, a transcriptional inactivator, was selected for further investigation. Id3 mRNA was expressed at reduced levels in 6 out of 9 ovarian cancer cell lines compared to the HOSE cells while at the protein level, all 7 ovarian cancer cell lines examined expressed the Id3 protein at greatly reduced levels. Expression of Id3 mRNA was also examined in primary ovarian tumours and was found in only 12/38 (32%) cases. A search was conducted for mutations of Id3 in primary ovarian cancers using single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Only one nucleotide substitution, present also in the corresponding constitutional DNA, was found in 94 ovarian tumours. Furthermore no association was found between LOH at 1p36 and lack of expression of Id3. These data suggest that Id3 is not the target of LOH at 1p36.

Intravenous ketamine plus midazolam is superior to intranasal midazolam for emergency paediatric procedural sedation

OBJECTIVES

This study compared intranasal midazolam (INM) with a combination of intravenous ketamine and intravenous midazolam (IVKM) for sedation of children requiring minor procedures in the emergency department.

METHOD

A single blinded randomised clinical trial was conducted in the emergency department of a major urban paediatric hospital. Subjects requiring sedation for minor procedures were randomised to receive either INM (0.4 mg/kg) or intravenous ketamine (1 mg/kg) plus intravenous midazolam (0.1 mg/kg). Physiological variables and two independent measures of sedation (Sedation Score and Visual Analogue Sedation Scale) were recorded before sedation and at regular intervals during the procedure and recovery period. Times to adequate level of sedation and to discharge were compared.

RESULTS

Fifty three patients were enrolled over a 10 month period. Sedation was sufficient to complete the procedures in all children receiving IVKM and in 24 of the 26 receiving INM. Onset of sedation was an average of 5.3 minutes quicker with IVKM than with INM (95%CI 3.2, 7.4 minutes, p<0.001). Children given INM were discharged an average of 19 minutes earlier than those given IVKM (95%CI 4, 33 minutes, p=0.02). Mean Sedation Scores and Visual Analogue Sedation Scale scores for the 30 minutes after drug administration were significantly better in children given IVKM compared with INM (2.4 and 1.8 versus 3.5 and 3.8, respectively). Both doctors and parents were more satisfied with sedation by intravenous ketamine and midazolam.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous ketamine plus midazolam used in an appropriate setting by experienced personnel provides an excellent means of achieving sedation suitable for most non-painful minor procedures for children in the emergency department. This combination is superior to INM in terms of speed of onset and consistency of effect. INM delivered via aerosol spray has a more variable effect but may still be adequate for the completion of many of these procedures.

Incidence of distal forearm fracture in British men and women

Fracture of the distal forearm is one of the most frequent osteoporotic fractures. However, there are few data concerning its incidence in Britain. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of distal forearm fracture in adult British men and women. Six centers took part in the study: Aberdeen, Hull, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Southampton and Truro. At each center, men and women aged 35 years and over with an incident distal forearm fracture and who resided in the catchment area of the main hospital at that center, were identified during a 12 month period. Incident fractures were identified from all possible point-of-contact sources in each locality, including accident and emergency records, fracture clinics, ward listings and plaster room registers. The population at risk was defined geographically according to postcode and the denominator obtained from 1991 census data mapped to these postcodes. During the 12 month study period, 3161 individuals with distal forearm fracture were identified. The age-adjusted incidence, age 35 years and over, was 36.8/10,000 person-years in women and 9.0/10,000 person-years in men. In women, the incidence of fracture increased progressively with age from the perimenopausal period, while in men the incidence remained low until later life. Fractures were more frequently left-sided (55.6%) and 19.4% of subjects required hospitalization. On the basis of these data we estimate that 71,000 adult men and women sustain a distal forearm fracture in Britain each year. Compared with previous British surveys the pattern of incidence with age appears to have changed in women, the reason for this is unclear.

Toxicity of insecticides for control of freshwater Culex annulirostris (Diptera: Culicidae) to the nontarget shrimp, Caradina indistincta (Decapoda: Atyidae)

Laboratory evaluations were conducted in southeastern Queensland, Australia, to determine the toxicities of two organophosphate compounds (temephos and pirimiphos-methyl), an insect growth regulator (s-methoprene), and an entomopathogenic bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis variety israelensis de Barjac [B.t.i.]) to Culex annulirostris (Skuse), an Australian freshwater mosquito vector of arboviruses, and to Caradina indistincta Calman, a co-habiting nontarget shrimp species. S-methoprene and B.t.i. were safest for Cx. annulirostris control with lethal dose ratios (LC95 nontarget/LC95 target) of 3,300 and 846,000, respectively. In contrast, lethal dose ratios for temephos and pirimiphos-methyl were 0.05 and 0.00005, respectively, suggesting that they are environmentally unsuitable. Based on their high lethal dose ratios, s-methoprene and B.t.i. are recommended for control of larval Cx. annulirostris in Australian freshwater habitats.

A comparison of the effects of dialysis and renal transplantation on the survival of older uremic patients

BACKGROUND

Patients over age 60 constitute half of all new patients accepted into the renal replacement therapy programs in Australia. However, the optimal treatment of their end-stage renal disease remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to compare survival for dialysis and renal transplantation in older patients who were rigorously screened and considered eligible for transplantation.

METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 174 consecutive patients over 60 who were accepted on to the Queensland cadaveric renal transplant waiting list between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1997. Follow-up was terminated on October 1, 1998. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-transplant basis using a Cox regression model with time-varying explanatory variables. An alternative survival analysis was also performed, in which patients no longer considered suitable for transplantation were censored at the time of their removal from the waiting list.

RESULTS

There were 67 patients receiving a renal transplant, whereas the other 107 continued to undergo dialysis. These two groups were well matched at baseline with respect to age, gender, body mass index, renal disease etiology, comorbid illnesses, and dialysis duration and modality. The overall mortality rate was 0.096 per patient-year (0.131 for dialysis and 0.029 for transplant, P<0.001). Respective 1-, 3- and 5-year survivals were 92%, 62%, and 27% for the dialysis group and 98%, 95%, and 90% (P<0.01) for the transplant group. Patients in the transplant group had an adjusted hazard ratio 0.16 times that of the dialysis group (95% confidence interval 0.06-0.42). If patients were censored at the time of their withdrawal from the transplant waiting list, the adjusted hazard ratio was 0.24 (95% confidence interval 0.09-0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Renal transplantation seems to confer a substantial survival advantage over dialysis in patients with end-stage renal failure who are rigorously screened and considered suitable for renal transplantation.

Beyond ovulation: oral contraceptives and epithelial ovarian cancer

In a case-control study in three Australian states that included 794 women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 853 community controls for whom we had adequate contraceptive and reproductive histories, we examined the effects of oral contraceptive use after controlling for estimated number of ovulatory cycles. Other covariates included in the multiple logistic regression analysis were parity, smoking, and history of pelvic surgery. The protective effect of duration of oral contraceptive use appeared to be multiplicative, with a 7% decrease in relative risk per year [95% confidence interval (CI) = 4-9%], persisting beyond 15 years of exposure. Use for up to 1 year may have a greater effect than predicted (odds ratio = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.40-0.82), whereas use before the first pregnancy may be additionally beneficial (odds ratio = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.87-1.03, adjusted for overall duration of use). Better control for ovulatory life might attenuate these estimates somewhat. There was little evidence of waning protection with time since last exposure or of extra benefit with early commencement of oral contraceptive use. We found no convincing evidence of effect modification in any factor examined or differences in effect among the three main histologic cancer types or between borderline and malignant tumors. Oral contraceptives may act by both suppressing ovulation and altering the tumor-promoting milieu.

Increasing chromosome 1 copy number parallels histological progression in breast carcinogenesis

Chromosome 1 copy number in the benign breast lesions hyperplasia and atypical duct hyperplasia (ADH) was investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization on paraffin sections. Progression of chromosome 1 changes occurring in parallel with histological progression from normal through hyperplasia and ADH to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma was also assessed, both overall and within individual patients. The mean signal number for normal cells was 1.14, while that for hyperplasia was 1.56 and ADH was 1.5, while values for DCIS of 1.95 and invasive duct carcinoma of 1.79, were higher (P < 0.001). Six of the seven cases also showed a significant trend towards an increasing proportion of cells with greater than 2 signals per nucleus occurring with histological progression (P < 0.001). These results support the concept that benign proliferative breast disease is a biological precursor of in-situ and invasive ductal carcinoma, the early histological changes possibly indicating a field effect with further genetic changes required for the development of a malignant phenotype.

Effect of pre-existing cytotoxic T lymphocytes on therapeutic vaccines

Therapeutic vaccines which aim to induce CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses will often be required to perform in the presence of pre-existing CTL which recognize epitopes within the vaccine. Here we explore the ability of a viral vaccine vector presenting several co-dominant CTL epitopes to prime CTL responses in animals that have a pre-existing CTL response to one of the epitopes in the vaccine. The vaccine was usually capable of inducing multiple new responses, suggesting that immunodomination effects of pre-existing CTL may generally be minimal following vaccination. However, when large numbers of pre-existing CTL were present, a novel type of immune modulation was observed whereby (1) the vaccine failed to prime efficiently new CTL responses that were restricted by the same MHC gene as the pre-existing responses, and (2) vaccine-induced CTL responses restricted by other MHC genes were enhanced. These results may have implications for therapeutic multi-epitope vaccines for diseases like HIV and melanoma, which aim to broaden CTL responses.

Fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C correlates significantly with body mass index and steatosis

Steatosis is a frequent histological finding in chronic hepatitis C infection; however, the pathophysiology of steatosis and its role in disease progression have not been established. We studied 148 consecutive patients with untreated chronic hepatitis C to assess the effect of body mass index, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, hepatic iron content, and viral load on steatosis and hepatic fibrosis. Ninety-one patients (61%) had steatosis: grade 1 (<30% hepatocytes involved) in 61 (41%), grade 2 (30%-70% hepatocytes involved) in 17 (11%), and grade 3 (>70% hepatocytes involved) in 13 (9%). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, a highly significant relationship was found primarily between steatosis and body mass index (P <.0001). The mean (+/-SD) body mass index of patients with no steatosis was 23.9 +/- 4.3 kg/m2, whereas for grade 1 steatosis it was 26.5 +/- 5.1 kg/m2, and for grade 2 and 3 steatosis combined the body mass index was 28.4 +/- 4. 9 kg/m2. Hepatic fibrosis was significantly associated with age (P =. 002). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, including age, hepatic fibrosis was also significantly associated with steatosis (P <.03). There was no significant association between hepatic iron content, alcohol intake, gender, and viral load and steatosis or fibrosis. These findings suggest that increasing body mass index has a role in the pathogenesis of steatosis in chronic hepatitis C and that steatosis may contribute to fibrosis. The association between body mass index and steatosis and fibrosis has important prognostic and therapeutic implications in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus.

Fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C correlates significantly with body mass index and steatosis

Steatosis is a frequent histological finding in chronic hepatitis C infection; however, the pathophysiology of steatosis and its role in disease progression have not been established. We studied 148 consecutive patients with untreated chronic hepatitis C to assess the effect of body mass index, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, hepatic iron content, and viral load on steatosis and hepatic fibrosis. Ninety-one patients (61%) had steatosis: grade 1 (<30% hepatocytes involved) in 61 (41%), grade 2 (30%-70% hepatocytes involved) in 17 (11%), and grade 3 (>70% hepatocytes involved) in 13 (9%). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, a highly significant relationship was found primarily between steatosis and body mass index (P <.0001). The mean (+/-SD) body mass index of patients with no steatosis was 23.9 +/- 4.3 kg/m2, whereas for grade 1 steatosis it was 26.5 +/- 5.1 kg/m2, and for grade 2 and 3 steatosis combined the body mass index was 28.4 +/- 4. 9 kg/m2. Hepatic fibrosis was significantly associated with age (P =. 002). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, including age, hepatic fibrosis was also significantly associated with steatosis (P <.03). There was no significant association between hepatic iron content, alcohol intake, gender, and viral load and steatosis or fibrosis. These findings suggest that increasing body mass index has a role in the pathogenesis of steatosis in chronic hepatitis C and that steatosis may contribute to fibrosis. The association between body mass index and steatosis and fibrosis has important prognostic and therapeutic implications in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in indigenous Australians: allelic frequencies and relationship with dyslipidaemia

OBJECTIVES

To determine the apolipoprotein E (apoE) allelic frequencies and the effect of apoE genotype on lipid concentrations in indigenous Australian subjects.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

155 indigenous Australians (92 women and 63 men) of mean (+/- standard deviation) age 45 +/- 17 years (SD +/- 50) were recruited without regard to history of atherosclerotic disease, in collaboration with community-based health centres in five indigenous communities in south-east Queensland. For comparison, 113 subjects of European descent and similar age distribution from the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions were also studied.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

ApoE allelic frequency; apoE genotype; sex; age; diabetes status; body mass index; history of atherosclerotic vascular disease; and concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol.

RESULTS

The frequency of the apoE4 allele was found to be significantly higher in the indigenous subjects than in the subjects of European descent (P < 0.001). Among indigenous subjects, those with the apoE4 allele tended to have higher triglyceride concentrations and had significantly lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations than those with the apoE3/3 and 3/2 genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

ApoE allelic frequency is likely to be one of the cluster of factors contributing to the high cardiovascular mortality of indigenous Australians.

Plasma homocysteine levels in indigenous Australians

OBJECTIVES

To determine plasma homocysteine levels in indigenous Australians living in urban areas, and the relationship of these levels with other risk factors in this population.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

365 urban indigenous Australian subjects, 153 men and 212 women, mean (SE) age 42 (1) years, ascertained without regard to history of atherosclerotic disease, in collaboration with community-based health centres in five indigenous communities in south-east Queensland, 1997-1998.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Plasma homocysteine levels, age, sex, smoking history, metformin therapy, history of atherosclerotic vascular disease, serum creatinine level, red cell folate and serum vitamin B12 levels.

RESULTS

89 subjects (24%) had plasma homocysteine levels 15 mumol/L or above. Homocysteine levels were higher in men than in women (men: 14.4 mumol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6-15.2; women: 11.9 mumol/L; 95% CI, 11.4-12.5) (P < 0.001); correlated with age (P < 0.001); higher in current smokers (P = 0.02); higher in subjects taking metformin therapy (P = 0.007); and higher in subjects with a history of atherosclerotic vascular disease (P < 0.001). Homocysteine levels were also correlated with serum levels of creatinine (P < 0.001), red cell folate (P < 0.001), and vitamin B12 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that the high plasma levels of homocysteine of Australian indigenous subjects are associated with a history of vascular disease, and correlated with, among other things, smoking, and folate and vitamin B12 nutritional deficiency. These are potentially reversible risk factors, and our data suggest that focusing public health initiatives on these issues may reduce the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the Australian indigenous population.

Predictive factors of age at menopause in a large Australian twin study

Various studies have investigated potential predictors of age at natural menopause but have produced inconsistent results. The relationship between age at natural menopause and socioeconomic, reproductive, and health behavioral factors was evaluated using longitudinal data from 5961 Australian female twins, aged 17 to 88 years at the time of study. The sample consisted of women voluntarily enrolled in the Australian Twin Registry. Failure-time analysis was the principal statistical method used to handle censored observations. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed the overall median age at natural menopause to be 51 years (95% confidence interval, 50-51). Median age at menopause was earlier for women with earlier birth year, women with late age of menarche, women who had no children, or women who were smokers. Differences in age at menopause between social, occupational, and educational groups were statistically significant (Mantel-Cox test, p < 0.001) for education, major occupational classification, combined income, and self-rated social class, with higher age at menopause for higher levels of each variable. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the odds ratio of the occurrence of natural menopause among different sub-groups, adjusted to reflect simultaneous effects of all other significant covariates. This large study provided clear trends of association in predictors relating to age at menopause. These trends may help to resolve uncertainties and conflicting results identified in studies of comparable white samples. The nature of the twin data also sets a solid background for future analyses of genetic and environmental variance components using statistical modeling or related methods.

Serum leptin correlates with fat mass but not dietary energy intake in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

OBJECTIVES

In view of previous studies demonstrating hyperleptinemia in uremic and hemodialysis patients, the aims of the present study were to determine whether serum leptin levels are elevated in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, to establish whether leptin is significantly removed by PD, and to elucidate the relationship of plasma leptin to body composition, dietary intake, nutritional indices, and dialysis adequacy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of PD patients and matched healthy controls.

SETTING

Tertiary-care institutional dialysis center.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 49 PD patients [35 women and 14 men; median age 63 years, interquartile range (IQR) 49.5-68.5 yr; body mass index (BMI) 25.5 +/- 0.8] and 27 controls (11 men and 16 women; median age 42 years, IQR 34.8-51; BMI 27.2 +/- 0.9). For evaluation of leptin clearance, 8 patients receiving nocturnal intermittent PD were also evaluated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was plasma leptin concentration. Dialysate leptin concentration was also measured in 7 patients.

RESULTS

Serum leptin levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in patients (males: median 11 ng/mL, IQR 9-19 ng/mL; females: 53 ng/mL, 19.5-128 ng/mL) compared with controls (males: 5.5 ng/mL, 4-9.5 ng/mL; females: 12 ng/mL, 9.8-17.3 ng/mL). Leptin levels in both groups correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.64 and 0.60, respectively; p < 0.0001) and with percentage body fat determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (r = 0.86 and 0.82, respectively; p < 0.01). Dialysis patients exhibited a greater increase in serum leptin for any given increase in BMI. No significant correlation was observed between leptin concentration and residual renal function, dialysis adequacy (Kt/V), dietary protein or caloric intake, or serum levels of albumin, prealbumin, C-reactive protein, glucose, and insulin-like growth factor-I. Although leptin was detectable in peritoneal dialysate after a 6-hour dwell (median 4.2 ng/mL, IQR 1.1-8.5 ng/mL, n = 8), serum leptin levels were not appreciably lowered following intermittent PD via an automated cycler (63.9 +/- 19.3 ng/mL vs 57.6 +/- 20.5 ng/mL, p = NS, n = 8).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum leptin levels are elevated in PD patients and are not appreciably cleared by PD. Although hyperleptinemia correlates poorly with dialysis adequacy and protein intake, a strong and significant relationship was maintained between serum leptin and fat mass. Serum leptin could therefore serve as a useful clinical marker of body fat content in PD patients.