Advanced lung cancer patient with isolated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: A case report

RATIONALE

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a potentially devastating form of drug-induced thrombocytopenia, occurs in patients receiving heparin for thrombosis prevention or treatment. An isolated HIT is characterized by decreased platelet counts without thrombosis, which are atypical and difficult to clinically find.

SYMPTOMS AND CLINICAL FINDINGS

A 33-year-old female patient's admission examination revealed elevated D-dimer levels. After prophylactic anticoagulation using low-molecular weight heparin, her blood platelet counts were rapidly decreased, whereas her D-dimer levels increased, followed by presentations of chest tightness, abdominal pain, and skin itching without thrombosis. After excluding all the other causes of thrombocytopenia, HIT was suspected. Her 4Ts score was 5 points, and enzyme-linked immunoassay for platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin antibodies was positive, indicating isolated HIT.

DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES

The patient was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer presenting with isolated HIT. We immediately stopped low-molecular weight heparin and initiated rivaroxaban for anticoagulation. We administered thrombopoietin (TPO) and avatripopal maleate tablets to increase blood platelet counts, whereas intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered to stimulate her immune system. The patient's thrombocytopenia was successfully treated without thrombosis and bleeding complications.

LESSONS

Rivaroxaban is a potential option for tumor preventive anticoagulation and HIT treatment. Early HIT identification is necessary. After identification, the 4Ts score as well as PF4/heparin antibodies should be assessed and appropriate anticoagulants selected based on patients' conditions.

[Levels, Characteristics, and Potential Source of Micro(meso)plastic Pollution of Soil in Liaohe River Basin]

With the Liaohe River basin as the research object, the morphology, abundance, and distribution characteristics of micro(meso) plastics of soil in Liaohe River basin were studied based on the density flotation principle and the technique of stereo microscope and micro-FTIR and the significant factors affecting the distribution of the micro(meso)plastics and their potential sources were reasonably speculated. The results indicated that the average abundance of the soil micro(meso)plastic is (145.83±211.46) n·kg^-1. The most abundant types of micro(meso)plastics are debris (46.00%), <1000 μm (39.57%), PP (41.71%), and white (46.86%). Among them, Rayon, PES, and PET micro(meso)plastics are primarily in the shape of fibrous (>85%), PE is mostly in the shape of film and fragments (96.91%), PP is mainly in the shape of fragments (85.62%), and PS is primarily in the shape of foam. Industrial activities (express delivery companies, plastic factories, and clothing factories), agricultural activities (plastic mulch, sewage irrigation, and sludge composting), population density, and sewage treatment plants, etc, may lead to higher levels of micro(meso)plastic abundance in the soil of the study area. Plastic products (pesticide bottles, chemical fertilizer packaging bags, woven bags, and plastic agricultural films), sewage discharge and irrigation, and foam materials used for packaging and decoration are the potential sources of soil micro(meso)plastic in the region.

Boron-based Be2B5+/0/− alloy clusters: inverse sandwiches with pentagonal boron ring and reduction-induced structural transformation to molecular wheel structure

Boron-based Be₂B₅^+/0/− alloy clusters feature inverse sandwich versus molecular wheel structures, which sensitively depend on their charge states and show distinct π/σ aromaticity.

A Clinical Study on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and the Hearing of Newborns

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the results of newborn hearing screening.

METHODS

A total of 666 pregnant women who gave birth in the Obstetric Department of Sunshine Ronghe Hospital from August 2017 to May 2018 were randomly selected, and 69 of these pregnant women had GDM and were assigned into group 1 (excluding other diseases). The average age of these patients was 31.07 years. A further 597 pregnant women had no GDM and were assigned into group 2 (excluding other diseases). The average age of these patients was 30.02 years. The results of newborn hearing screening results in group 1 and group 2 were compared.

RESULTS

Comparisons of abnormal hearing screening between 2 groups are significant different (P < 0.05). In the GDM group, the results of hearing screening of newborns delivered by vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery were compared, yielding a P-value of > 0.05, and the difference was not statistically significant. In the non-GDM group, the results of hearing screening of newborns delivered by vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery were compared, yielding a P-value of >0.05, and the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

GDM increases the incidence of abnormal hearing in newborns.

Gender differences of relationship between serum lipid indices and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional survey in Chinese elderly adults

Background

To investigate the gender differences of the relationships between clinical serum lipid indices and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Chinese elderly adults.

Methods

Between 2014 and 2016, participants selected from three communities in an urban district of Shanghai were measured for serum lipid indices of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG). Age and multivariate adjusted logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of serum lipid indices on T2DM prevalence.

Results

In total, 4,023 male and 3,862 female participants were included in this study, with the T2DM prevalence proportions of 13.03% and 11.73%, respectively. In association analysis, the serum levels of LDL-c, HDL-c, TC were significant between non-T2DM individuals and T2DM patients in men, but the HDL-c and TG in women. LDL-c/HDL-c, TG/HDL-c, and TC/HDL-c ratios were associated with the T2DM prevalence only in women. In the multivariate analysis, a higher serum LDL-c level was positively associated with a reduced risk of T2DM prevalence in men with OR (95% CI) of 0.57 (0.39–0.85) (P=0.006). Higher ratios of LDL-c/HDL-c, TG/HDL-c, and TC/HDL-c were all more likely associated with the decreased risks of T2DM prevalence with the ORs ranging from 0.45 to 0.62 in men (all P<0.05), but not in women.

Conclusions

High LDL-c concentration was significantly associated with a lower T2DM prevalence in men. A gender difference of the associations between the lipid ratios and T2DM prevalence was observed for LDL-c/HDL-c and TC/HDL-c ratios, which might be validated in female T2DM prevalence in the future.

[Blood-borne occupation exposures in dental practice of medical staff: status and protection]

Objective: To understand the status of blood-borne occupational exposure and protection among health care workers (HCWs) in dental practice, and provide evidence for making effective prevention. Methods: From April 1 to 15, 2019, a stratified random sampling method was conducted to investigate the data of blood-borne occupational exposure among 221 dental HCWs in 2018, and Chi-squared Test was used to evaluate the differences of status on occupational exposure and protection among different professionals, such as nurses, doctors and trainees, and among different-grade hospitals. Results: A total of 166 HCWs were exposed to occupational exposure 269 times, with the annual incidence of 75.11% (166/221) , and 37.55% (101/269) of exposures were reported. However, all source patients of exposures had failed to be traced. 89.59% (241/269) of exposures were sharp injuries. The top three instruments caused injuries were syringe/bilan needles, suture needles and vehicle needles, accounting for 35.68% (86/241) 、16.60% (40/241) and 16.18% (39/241) , respectively; and the top three exposure operations were removal/disposal of needles or instruments, suture/assisting suture and injection of anesthetic, accounting for 37.17% (100/269) 、22.30% (60/269) and 17.84% (48/269) , respectively. There were statistically significant differences among different professionals in occupational exposure frequency, reporting rate, the types of instruments caused injuries, exposure operations and hepatitis B vaccinated time (P<0.01) . The compliance rate of standard precautions, safe operation, post-exposure reporting and prevention, and training on occupational protection were generally poor among HCWs, with significant differences in different-grade hospitals (P<0.01) . Conclusion: There is a high incidence, low reporting rate and poor self-protection of blood-borne occupational exposure among dental HCWs. Strongly suggesting that standard precautions, safe use and disposal of oral instruments, active post-exposure report and prevention must be improved for everyone.

Personal Characteristics Effects on Validation of Self-reported Type 2 Diabetes From a Cross-sectional Survey Among Chinese Adults

Background

The objective was to evaluate the effects of personal characteristics on the validation of self-reported type 2 diabetes among Chinese adults in urban Shanghai.

Methods

During 2015 through 2016, 4,322 participants were recruited in this validation study. We considered the criteria of diabetes verification to use the laboratory assays of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), or self-reported use of diabetic medication.

Results

When taking diabetic medication or FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L was as identified diabetes, the measurements of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and Kappa value of self-reported diabetes were 72.0%, 99.2%, 95.1%, 93.9%, and 0.78, respectively. If an additional HbA1c test was used for 708 subjects (aged <65 years), slightly lower values of sensitivity, NPV, and Kappa were observed. More potential diabetes cases were found compared to only using FPG. Subjects who were female, older, or had a family history of diabetes had sensitivity over 75% and excellent Kappa over 0.8, while the sensitivity and Kappa of opposite groups had poorer values. Specificity, PPV, and NPV were similar among groups with different demographic or disease characteristics. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 19.3% in the study (14.1% diagnosed diabetes, 5.2% undiagnosed diabetes). About 26.2% of subjects were pre-diabetic. Additional HbA1c test indicated an increased prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Conclusions

Findings support self-reported diabetes is sufficiently valid to be used in large-scale, population-based epidemiologic studies. Participants with different characteristics may have different indicators in terms of validation, such as age, gender, and family history of diabetes in first-degree relatives.

Prediagnostic Level of Dietary and Urinary Isoflavonoids in Relation to Risk of Liver Cancer in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

No epidemiologic studies have directly assessed the association between dietary and urinary isoflavonoids and risk of liver cancer in humans.

METHODS

A nested case-control study, including 217 incident cases of liver cancer and 427 individually matched control subjects, was conducted in Shanghai, China. Dietary isoflavonoid intakes were assessed through a validated food-frequency questionnaire and the Chinese Food Composition Tables. Urinary excretion levels of four major isoflavonoids were measured by the reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived using conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for liver cancer across increasing quartiles of urinary genistein levels were 1.00 (reference), 0.55 (95% CI, 0.22-1.36), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.23-1.43), and 0.19 (95% CI, 0.06-0.59) (P _trend = 0.008) in women and 1.00 (reference), 1.22 (0.52-2.86), 1.17(0.47-2.90), and 1.23 (0.55-2.76) in men, respectively. These associations were consistent by limiting the cases to primary malignant neoplasm of liver or malignant neoplasms of the intrahepatic bile ducts, or among participants without self-reported liver disease or cirrhosis at the baseline survey. No associations were found between dietary isoflavonoids and liver cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests for the first time that urinary excretion of genistein may be associated with reduced risk of liver cancer in women.

IMPACT

In this nested case-control study in China, we found that urinary excretion of genistein was associated with lower risk of liver cancer in women, and not in men.

Prospective cohort studies of dietary vitamin B6 intake and risk of cause-specific mortality

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Vitamin B6 has been postulated to play an important role in determining chronic diseases. However, few studies have evaluated associations between dietary vitamin B6 and cause-specific mortality comprehensively.

METHODS

We investigated the associations between vitamin B6 from diet and risk of all-cause, and cause-specific mortality in 134,480 participants from the Shanghai Men's Health Study (2002-2014) and Shanghai Women's Health Study (1997-2014). The median follow-up periods for men and women were 10.3 and 16.2 years, respectively. We estimated hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

After adjustment for suspected confounders, the multivariable-adjusted HRs for the highest versus lowest quintiles for total, CVD, stroke and CHD mortality among men were 0.83 (95%CI = 0.76, 0.90), 0.73 (95%CI = 0.63, 0.85), 0.71 (95%CI = 0.58, 0.88), 0.66 (95%CI = 0.47, 0.91), accordingly. Women with the highest intake had significantly 17% (HR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.77, 0.90), 20% (HR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.70, 0.92), and 28% (HR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.59, 0.86) lower risks of total, CVD and stroke mortality compared with those of women with lowest vitamin B6 intake. No significant association was observed between dietary vitamin B6 and cancer mortality both among men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study with two prospective Chinese cohorts, high dietary vitamin B6 consumption was inversely associated with risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.

Abnormal alterations of miR-1 and miR-214 are associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with PDAC

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating malignant disease with a poor prognosis. PDAC is known to be difficult to diagnose at an early stage and to exhibit poor recurrence-free prognosis, but there is also a lack of effective treatment and limited knowledge of its biological characteristics. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement for an improved understanding of the cellular or molecular properties associated with PDAC, and to explore novel avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. In the present study, the microRNA (miRNA/miR) profiles of sera and tumor samples from patients with PDAC and healthy controls were investigated by miRNA microarray, and the potential role of miR-1 expression in PDAC was determined. A total of 43 patients attending the clinic diagnosed with PDAC at Changzhi City People's Hospital were invited to participate. Blood and surgical tumor samples were obtained for analysis by miRNA microarray and the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The surgical tumor tissue was additionally used to determine miRNAs status by in situ hybridization (ISH). The results of microarray revealed that: i) 27 miRNAs in the sera and 23 miRNAs in the tumor tissues obtained from patients with PDAC were different compared with their matched controls; ii) miR-1, miR-10b and miR-214 were significantly altered in the PDAC group, either in the sera or tumor tissue samples. Results from the RT-qPCR, which detected the levels of miRNAs in patients with PDAC, confirmed those obtained from the miRNA microarray. In particular, the results of the present study revealed that decreased miR-1 and increased miR-214 in the PDAC tissues were associated with the clinicopathological features and survival rates of patients with PDAC. The results of the present study indicated that miRNAs serve an important role in PDAC carcinogenic progression and supplied useful markers, including miR-1, miR-214 and miR-10b, for determining PDAC prognosis using noninvasive methods.

Combined Impact of Known Lifestyle Factors on Total and Cause-Specific Mortality among Chinese Men: A Prospective Cohort Study

Impact of combined lifestyles on risk of mortality needs to be explored quantitatively. We aimed to evaluate the associations of combined lifestyle factors with total and cause-specific mortality in Chinese men. We used data from the Shanghai Men's Health Study (2002-2013), an on-going population-based prospective cohort study of men (aged 40 to 74 years). Four traditional unfavorable lifestyle factors were included: smoking, heavy alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among about 61,480 men in the cohort, a total of 4,952 men died, of which 1,637 men died from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), 2,122 from cancer during a median of 9.29 years' follow-up. The HRs of men with four risk practices comparing to those with zero were 2.92 (95%CI: 2.53, 3.38) for all-cause mortality, 3.15 (95%CI: 2.44, 4.05) for CVD mortality, and 3.18 (95%CI: 2.55, 3.97) for cancer mortality. The population attributable risks (PARs) were 0.41, 0.40 and 0.38 for total, CVD and cancer mortality, accordingly. As combined unhealthy lifestyle behaviors had substantial impact on total and cause-specific mortality, promotion of healthy lifestyle should be a public health priority.

Urinary isothiocyanates level and liver cancer risk: a nested case-control study in Shanghai, China

Experimental studies have provided evidence that isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables may modulate carcinogen metabolism and facilitate carcinogen detoxification and reduce cancer risk. However, no epidemiological studies on liver cancer were reported. This study investigates the association between urinary ITCs levels and liver cancer risk among men and women in Shanghai, China. A nested case-control study of 217 incident cases of liver cancer and 427 matched controls identified from the Shanghai Women's Health Study and Shanghai Men's Health Study was conducted. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) summarizing the association between urinary ITCs levels and liver cancer risk. Compared to those with undetectable ITCs, nonsignificantly inverse association was observed among detectable (OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.51-1.26), below-median (OR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.47-1.24), and above-median concentration (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.52-1.41) with liver cancer risk. Similar patterns were observed when urinary ITCs levels were categorized into tertiles or quartiles. Although our study firstly focused on the association between urinary ITCs exposure and liver cancer risk, we did not find significant results. Future multicenter prospective, different population studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Cruciferous vegetable consumption and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

The relationship between consumption of cruciferous vegetables (CV) and risk of gastric cancer has been investigated by many studies, but remains controversial. We carried out a meta-analysis to summarize available evidence from epidemiological studies on this point. Relevant published reports of CV intake and gastric cancer were identified using MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science databases through to the end of September 2012. We pooled the relative risk from individual studies using a fixed- or random-effects model and carried out heterogeneity and publication bias analyses. Sixteen case-control and six prospective studies were included in our analysis. When all studies were pooled, we yielded a significantly inverse association between CV (relative risk = 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.88) intake and gastric cancer risk, with little heterogeneity (Q = 27.27, P = 0.292, I(2) = 12.0%). Specific analysis for cabbage intake yielded similar result. When separately analyzed, case-control studies of CV intake yielded significant results and the results of prospective studies showed borderline statistical significance. Moreover, significant results were consistent for high-quality studies, for North American, European, and Asian studies, for studies on males, and for studies on non-cardia gastric cancer. Findings from this meta-analysis provide evidence that high intake of CV was inversely associated with the risk of gastric cancer and non-cardia gastric cancer in humans. Further studies on other specific CV, food preparation methods, and stratified results by anatomic cancer site and histological type should be extended in the future.

Cruciferous vegetables intake and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have reported inconsistent associations between cruciferous vegetable (CV) intake and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. To our knowledge, a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of the association between CV intake and CRC has not been reported.

METHODS

Relevant articles were identified by searching MEDLINE. We pooled the relative risks (RR) from individual studies using a random-effect model and carried out heterogeneity and publication bias analyses.

RESULTS

Twenty-four case-control and 11 prospective studies were included in our analysis. When all studies were pooled, we yielded a significantly inverse association between CV (RR: 0.82; 95% confidence interval 0.75-0.90) intake and CRC risk. Specific analysis for cabbage and broccoli yielded similar result. When separately analyzed, case-control studies of CV intake yield similar results, and the results from the prospective studies showed borderline statistical significance. Moreover, significant inverse associations were also observed in colon cancer and its distal subsite both among prospective and case-control studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this meta-analysis provide evidence that high intake of CV was inversely associated with the risk of CRC and colon cancer in humans. Further analysis on other specific CV, food preparation methods, stratified results by anatomic cancer site, and subsite of colon cancer should be extended in future study.

Effects of xuesetong soft capsules on angiogenesis and VEGF mRNA expression in ischemic myocardium in rats with myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of Xuesetong Soft Capsules, Notoginseng total saponin) on angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression in ischemic myocardium of rats with myocardial infarction.

METHODS

The left coronary artery of rats was ligated to establish the animal model of acute myocardial infarction. Rats were randomly divided into Xuesetong Soft Capsule, Shexiangbaoxin Pill (positive control), model (negative control) and sham operation groups. After 6 weeks, microvessel count (MVC), microvessel density (MVD) and VEGF mRNA expression in ischemic myocardium were evaluated.

RESULTS

MVC and MVD in the myocardial infarct border area in model, Shexiangbaoxin Pill and Xuesetong Soft Capsule groups significantly increased compared with those of the sham operation group (P < 0.05). MVC and MVD in the myocardial infarct border area in Xuesetong Soft Capsule and Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups significantly increased compared with those of the model group (P < 0.05). No significant differences between Xuesetong Soft Capsule and Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups were observed (P > 0.05). The model group showed significantly higher VEGF mRNA expression than that in the sham operation group (P < 0.05). Xuesetong Soft Capsule and Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups showed significantly higher VEGF mRNA expression than that of the model group (P < 0.05). No significant difference between Xuesetong Soft Capsule and the Shexiangbaoxin Pill groups was observed (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Xuesetong Soft Capsules promote angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium after myocardial infarction and the mechanism may be associated with VEGF mRNA expression.

Mutations in the beta-myosin heavy chain gene in southern Chinese families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

In this study, 14 unrelated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) probands were scanned by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. Three mis-sense mutations of the beta-myosin heavy chain gene, MYH7, were found: valine (Val) 606 methionine (Met), arginine (Arg) 694 leucine (Leu), and Arg 723 glycine (Gly). All are reported here for the first time in Chinese subjects. The results showed that: Val606Met is an intermediate malignancy mutation; Arg694Leu is a novel mutation with a benign phenotype; and the Arg723Gly mutation is linked to malignancy - it can lead not only to HCM but also to dilated cardiomyopathy at various ages. The clinical symptoms associated with Arg723Gly emerged early and caused more severe clinical manifestation and poorer prognosis in females than in males. Mis-sense mutations were not detected in the myosin binding protein C, cardiac, cardiac troponin T type 2, or cardiac troponin I type 3 genes. The MYH7 gene may be an HCM mutation hotspot in the Chinese and have unique features in this study population.

[Feasibility of genetic polymorphisms analysis using genomic DNA obtained from human buccal cells]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Using DNA samples obtained from buccal cells for genetic polymorphism analysis in molecular epidemiological studies has been repeatedly reported, but whether DNA from food remnants in mouth influences the result is still concerned. This study was to compare genetic polymorphisms of buccal cell DNA with those of buffy coat DNA, and with plant and animal DNA from foods to rule out the possibility of interference from food remnants, to improve technique of buccal cell collection and elevate DNA yield.

METHODS

Buccal cells were collected from mouthwash (40 ml/case) of 62 subjects, and fixed with isopropyl alcohol; buffy coats of peripheral blood were collected from 30 of these subjects. Common foods (rice, greengrocery, soybean, apple, pork, beef, chicken, and duck) were also collected. DNA of all samples was extracted by chloroform-phenol method. NAT2, GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1, and CYP2E1 genetic polymorphisms were assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Alu (human mutual DNA sequence) was also tested.

RESULTS

DNA yield of 62 individual mouthwash samples was (135.15+/-64.30) microg (22.36-330.70 microg); 30 individual mouthwash samples contained 75%-95% oral epithelial cells with DNA yield of (143.44+/-61.64) microg (51.01-283.58 microg). DNA yield of 30 buffy coat samples was (91.19+/-38.01) microg (30.83-178.63 microg). Electrophoresis showed that all 62 buccal cell samples and 30 buffy coat samples contained DNA fragments in high molecular weight; beta-globin, Alu, NAT2, GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1, and CYP2E1 gene fragments were successfully amplified from 61 buccal cells samples and 30 buffy coat samples, which showed no difference between the 2 kinds of samples from individual collections; these gene fragments were not amplified from all food DNA samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of DNA from mouthwash is human-origin. A little amount of food remnants would not influence the measurements of genetic polymorphisms. The genetic polymorphisms show no difference between buccal cell samples and buffy coat samples.

BIGEL analysis of gene expression in HL60 cells exposed to X rays or 60 Hz magnetic fields

We screened a panel of 1,920 randomly selected cDNAs to discover genes that are differentially expressed in HL60 cells exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields (2 mT) or X rays (5 Gy) compared to unexposed cells. Identification of these clones was accomplished using our two-gel cDNA library screening method (BIGEL). Eighteen cDNAs differentially expressed in X-irradiated compared to control HL60 cells were recovered from a panel of 1,920 clones. Differential expression in experimental compared to control cells was confirmed independently by Northern blotting of paired total RNA samples hybridized to each of the 18 clone-specific cDNA probes. DNA sequencing revealed that 15 of the 18 cDNA clones produced matches with the database for genes related to cell growth, protein synthesis, energy metabolism, oxidative stress or apoptosis (including MYC, neuroleukin, copper zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase, TC4 RAS-like protein, peptide elongation factor 1alpha, BNIP3, GATA3, NF45, cytochrome c oxidase II and triosephosphate isomerase mRNAs). In contrast, BIGEL analysis of the same 1,920 cDNAs revealed no differences greater than 1.5-fold in expression levels in magnetic-field compared to sham-exposed cells. Magnetic-field-exposed and control samples were analyzed further for the presence of mRNA encoding X-ray-responsive genes by hybridization of the 18 specific cDNA probes to RNA from exposed and control HL60 cells. Our results suggest that differential gene expression is induced in approximately 1% of a random pool of cDNAs by ionizing radiation but not by 60 Hz magnetic fields under the present experimental conditions.

Csa-19, a radiation-responsive human gene, identified by an unbiased two-gel cDNA library screening method in human cancer cells

A novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was used to identify candidate genes whose expression is altered in cancer cells by ionizing radiation. Transcriptional induction of randomly selected genes in control versus irradiated human HL60 cells was compared. Among several complementary DNA (cDNA) clones recovered by this approach, one cDNA clone (CL68-5) was downregulated in X-irradiated HL60 cells but unaffected by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, forskolin, or cyclosporin-A. DNA sequencing of the CL68-5 cDNA revealed 100% nucleotide sequence homology to the reported human Csa-19 gene. Northern blot analysis of RNA from control and irradiated cells revealed the expression of a single 0.7-kilobase (kb) messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript. This 0.7-kb Csa-19 mRNA transcript was also expressed in a variety of human adult and corresponding fetal normal tissues. Moreover, when the effect of X- or fission neutron-irradiation on Csa-19 mRNA was compared in cultured human cells differing in p53 gene status (p53-/- versus p53+/+), downregulation of Csa-19 by X-rays or fission neutrons was similar in p53-wild type and p53-null cell lines. Our results provide the first known example of a radiation-responsive gene in human cancer cells whose expression is not associated with p53, adenylate cyclase or protein kinase C.

Rodent cell transformation and immediate early gene expression following 60-Hz magnetic field exposure

Some epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to power frequency magnetic fields (MFs) may be associated with an elevated risk of human cancer, but the experimental database remains limited and controversial. We investigated the hypothesis that 60-Hz MF action at the cellular level produces changes in gene expression that can result in neoplastic transformation. Twenty-four hour 200 microT continuous MF exposure produced negative results in two standard transformation systems (Syrian hamster embryo cells and C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts) with or without postexposure to a chemical promoter. This prompted a reexamination of previously reported MF-induced changes in gene expression in human HL60 cells. Extensive testing using both coded and uncoded analyses was negative for an MF effect. Using the same exposure conditions as in the transformation studies, no MF-induced changes in ornithine decarboxylase expression were observed in C3H/10T1/2 cells, casting doubt on a promotional role of MF for the tested cells and experimental conditions.

Effects of Different Cooking Methods on the Yield of Carotenoids in Water Convolvulus ( Ipomoea aquatica )

The effect of microwave, steam, and conventional cooking treatments on the yield of carotenoids in water convolvulus was studied. Each cooking treatment was conducted for 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 min with two replications. A slight modification of AOAC method was used to determine carotene and xanthophyll content. The mean carotene and xanthophyll contents in fresh raw samples were significantly higher than those of all the cooked samples. Xanthophyll concentrations had greater loss than carotene during cooking. Conventional cooking had lower carotene and xanthophyll content than either microwave or steam cooking. The highest and lowest yields of carotenoids, 86 and 53%, were found in steam and conventional cooking with the heating time 2 and 16 min, respectively.

Menstrual blood loss and hematologic indices in healthy Chinese women

Menstrual blood loss, cyanmethemoglobin and serum ferritin were determined in 421 healthy, noncontracepting Chinese women. The range of menstrual blood loss (MBL) was 4.1-273.6 mL, the mean value was 54.2 mL, and the median was 42.9 mL. The range of hemoglobin was 8.3-16.7 g/dL, and the mean value was 13.2 g/dL. The range of ferritin was 1.2-180.0 ng/mL, the mean value was 22.8 ng/mL, and the geometric mean was 17.1 ng/mL. The upper normal limit of MBL in Chinese women was set at 80 mL.

Menstrual blood loss, haemoglobin and ferritin concentration of Beijing women wearing steel ring, VCu 200, and TCu 220c IUDs

Menstrual blood loss (MBL), serum ferritin and whole blood cyanmethemoglobin were measured at pre- and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24th postinsertion cycles in 60 women wearing the Steel Ring, the Copper V (VCu 200) or the Copper T (TCu 220c). The MBL, incidence of menorrhagia and iron deficiency anemia were lower among users of the Steel Ring than among users of the Copper V and T. Anemia occurred later and the duration of menstruation was shorter with the Steel Ring than with the Copper T. There were no statistically significant differences between the Copper V and T.

A randomized comparative clinical evaluation of the Steel Ring, the VCu200 and the TCu220c IUDs

A randomized comparative clinical study of the Steel Ring, VCu200 and TCu220c IUDs was carried out in Beijing. Six-hundred subjects were recruited and each group of 200 was inserted with one of the three devices. The TCu220c and the VCu200 had statistically significantly lower pregnancy and expulsion rates at one and two years of use than the Steel Ring. However, the Steel Ring consistently had the lowest rate of removal for pain and/or bleeding. At two years, the early differences of use-related discontinuation and continuation between the higher rates of the Steel Ring and the lower rates of the VCu200 and TCu220c were significantly reduced. There were no statistically significant differences of net event rates between VCu200 and TCu220c.