Abstract P2-07-16: Alcohol consumption increases mammographic density in women aged ≥55 years

Background: Incresed mammographic density is a significant risk factor for breast cancer and decreses the sensitivity of mammography screening. The aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting breast density in Japanese women.

Data sources and methods: Between Apr. 2014 and Mar. 2016, 3492 women were received mammography screening. According to the results of mammography, breast density was categorized as non-dense(BI-RADS 1 and 2, n=1670) and dense(BI-RADS 3 and 4, n=2222) . Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of having dense breasts by age, body mass index(BMI), alcohol consumption, smoking, parity, menopausal status, dysmenorrhea, hormone use, family history of breast cancer, physical activity, fried foods intake, brightly colored vegetables intake, coffee intake and tea or green tea intake. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results: There was a statistically significant negative interaction of age(OR=0.97, <0.001), BMI(OR=0.78, <0.001), number of live birth (one; OR=0.77, <0.030, two or more; OR0.37, <0.001), post-menopause(OR=0.6, <0.001) on breast density. On the other, there was a statistically significant positive interaction of alcohol intake(20g or more a day, OR=1.62, 0.026) in dense breast women aged ≥55 years. A trend of bone mineral density ≥80% and dense breast was seen in women aged ≥40 years(OR=0.63, <0.086, n=510).

Results of analysis of factors influencing breast density among all study participants  Odds ratio95% CIPAgeContinuoous variables0.970.95-0.98<0.001BMIContinuoous variables0.780.76-0.80<0.001Alcohol intakenone1.00 0.325 <20g a day1.120.94-1.350.209 ≥20g a day1.210.91-1.600.186Smokingno1.00   yes0.940.71-1.230.644Birth01.00 <0.001 once0.770.61-0.970.030 ≥20.370.31-0.45<0.001Menopausepre1.00   post0.600.47-0.77<0.001Dysminorrheano1.00   yes0.780.41-1.480.446Family history of breast cancerno1.00   yes1.000.81-1.240.991Physical activityno1.00   yes0.890.74-1.070.207Fried foods intakenone1.00 0.087 once two days0.780.60-1.020.068 ≥once a day0.760.51-1.120.166Brightly coloredd vegetablesnone1.00 0.910 once two days0.950.70-1.280.737 ≥once a day0.950.73-1.220.666Coffee intakenone1.00 0.105 once two days1.060.75-1.510.729 ≥once a day1.221.01-1.470.040Tea/Green tea intakenone1.001.01-1.470.098 once two days0.760.55-1.050.097 ≥once a day0.840.70-1.000.055bone mineral density(n=510)<80%1.00    ≥80%0.630.38-1.070.068

Results of analysis of factors influencing breast density in women aged ≥55 years (n=1382)  Odds ratio95% CIPBMI<25kg/m21.00   ≥25kg/m20.300.21-0.44<0.001Birth0  Trend P<0.001 once0.690.46-1.040.0076 ≥two0.310.23-0.41<0.001Alcohol intakenone  0.052 <20g/day1.260.98-1.620.074 ≥20g/day1.621.06-2.480.026

Conclusion: Alcohol consumption increase mammographic breast density in women aged ≥55 years. As both of increased breast density and alcohol consumption have been suggested to increase risk of breast cancer, more cautious mammographic screening should be considered for those women aged ≥55 years.

Citation Format: Uchida K, Ohashi H, Kitano N, Tsunoda K, Nagamatsu T, Sekine C, Imawari Y, Nogi H, Takeyama H. Alcohol consumption increases mammographic density in women aged ≥55 years [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-07-16.

Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Training Combined with Fortified Milk on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

Fortified milk and resistance training (RT) increase muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults, but it remains unclear whether RT combined with aerobic training (AT) would have stronger effects on these outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic and resistance training (ART) combined with fortified milk consumption on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults.

DESIGN

Open-labeled randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

University of Tsukuba.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-six older adults aged 65-79.

INTERVENTION

Participants were randomly allocated into resistance training (RT + fortified milk, n = 28) and aerobic and resistance training (ART + fortified milk, n = 28) groups. All participants attended supervised exercise programs twice a week at University of Tsukuba and ingested fortified milk every day for 12 weeks. Skeletal muscle index ([SMI]: appendicular lean mass/height2) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry as a muscle mass measure. One-repetition maximum strength was measured using four kinds of resistance training machines (chest press, leg extension, leg curl, and leg press) as muscle strength measures. Sit-to-stand and arm curl tests were also assessed as physical performance measures.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary measurements were muscle mass and strength. The secondary outcomes were physical performance, blood samples, habitual diet, habitual physical activity, and medication use.

RESULTS

Although the muscle strength and physical performance measures significantly improved in both groups, SMI significantly improved in only the RT group. There was no significant difference in the change in SMI and muscle strength measures between the two groups. However, the change in sit-to-stand and arm curl measures in the ART group were significantly higher than those in the RT group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that AT before RT combined with fortified milk consumption has similar effects on skeletal muscle mass and strength compared with RT alone, but it may be a more useful strategy to improve physical performance in older adults. Although the mechanism of our intervention is uncertain, our program would be an effective prevention for sarcopenia in older adults.

[Awareness of the health and defecation tendencies among college students by location of domicile]

In order to compare the food habits and defecation tendencies by region, a questionnaire survey was conducted of 1722 college women (18-20 years of age) living in Sapporo (146), Sendai (183), Osaka (1214), and Kumamoto (179). (1) When questioned about food habits, less than 58.5% of the respondents in the four groups considered their food intake to be sufficient to maintain their health. In regard to knowledge about their food intake requirements, the positive response was the highest in Sendai (85.8%), followed by Kumamoto (58.2%) and Osaka (50.9%) with the lowest in Sapporo (41.1%) (p < 0.01, among the four groups). (2) The students in Sendai, Osaka, Kumamoto and Sapporo, 96.2%, 93.5%, 92.9% and 92.5%, respectively, considered that constipation could affect their health (p < 0.05, among four groups). The percentage of those with regular bowel movements every day, tended to decrease in the order of Osaka (22.2%), Sapporo (21.2%) and Sendai (20.8%), with the lowest in Kumamoto (12.3%). Bowel movements of less than three times a week were reported by 24.7% in Sapporo, 24.0% in Sendai, 23.2% in Osaka and 22.3% in Kumamoto (p < 0.01, among the four groups). (3) Of those who defecated every day, in terms of time of day, the percentage was high between waking and after breakfast, with the highest percentage in Kumamoto (72.8%) and the lowest in Sapporo (61.2%) (p < 0.05, among the four groups). For subjects that responded that they should have a bowel movement every day, the highest percentage was in Osaka (91.0%) and the lowest was in Sapporo (83.9%) (p < 0.05, among the four groups).

Evaluation of body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, skinfold thickness and bioelectrical impedance analysis in Japanese female college students

We compared three methods for evaluating body composition: dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), skinfold thickness (Skinfolds), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Subjects were 155 healthy young college-aged Japanese females whose mean+/-SD (range) age, body height, body weight and body mass index (BMI) were 20.1+/-0.3 (19.6-21.1) y, 158.9+/-4.7 (145.4-172.6) cm, 52.0+/-6.8 (39.4-84.6) kg and 20.6+/-2.3 (16.5-32.5), respectively. Their mean skinfold thickness at the triceps and subscapular were 16.9+/-4.7 (8.0-31.0) and 16.0+/-5.7 (7.0-40.0) mm, respectively. Mean body fat mass percentages evaluated by DXA, Skinfolds and BIA were 29.6+/-5.1, 22.8+/- 5.3 and 25.8+/-4.7%, respectively. Body fat mass was 15.4+/-4.4, 12.1+/-4.5 and 13.6+/-4.5 kg, respectively. Simple correlation coefficients between the three methods for body fat mass percentages provided the following coefficients: r=0.741 for DXA vs. Skinfolds, r=0.792 for DXA vs. BIA and r=0.781 for Skinfolds vs. BIA. Simple correlation coefficients for body fat mass were as follows: r=0.898 for DXA vs. Skinfolds, r=0.927 for DXA vs. BIA and r=0.910 for Skinfolds vs. BIA (all p<0.001). There were significant differences in the values among the three methods with the Skinfolds providing the lowest body fat mass and percentage, and DXA the highest (p<0.001). They all appear to be strongly correlated for evaluating body composition: however, different cut-off values for defining obese and lean need to be defined for each method.

Ileal atresia associated with an omphalomesenteric duct remnant

This paper describes an unusual case of ileal atresia associated with an omphalomesenteric duct (OMD) remnant. A 1-day-old male developed bilious vomiting and abdominal distension. At laparotomy, the distal portion of the ileum was connected to the umbilicus with a fibrous band. Around this omphalomesenteric band, the ileum was strangulated and necrotic; the end of the ileum was atretic. Apart from these structures, the cecum terminated without mesentery. This experience shows evidence of an OMD remnant as a possible cause of jejunoileal atresia.

Additional chromosome abnormalities in transient abnormal myelopoiesis in Down's syndrome patients

We report a case of transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) with Down's syndrome. As the blast cells had additional chromosome abnormalities (50,XY,+12,+14,+21 x 2), a possibility of acute leukemia was considered from a cytogenetic point of view. But the abnormal clone gradually disappeared without antileukemic therapies. Viewing it together with previous reports of TAM with additional chromosome abnormalities in Down's syndrome babies, its presence does not immediately indicate an aggressive clinical course as in acute leukemia and spontaneous complete hematological remission may be achieved. Thus, a careful follow-up should precede cytogenetic findings helping to determine the therapeutic intervention.

Infective endocarditis caused by an unusual gram-negative rod, Rahnella aquatilis

An 11-month-old girl with congenital heart disease developed infective endocarditis. Blood cultures revealed an unusual gram-negative rod, Rahnella aquatilis. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of netilmicin and ceftazidime. This is the first case report of infective endocarditis caused by this organism. R. aquatilis should be recognized as a clinical pathogen capable of causing life-threatening infection in children and adults.

Hind III site causing Proinsulin Kyoto and Pst I site polymorphism of the insulin gene in Japanese: its lack of association with either IDDM or NIDDM

The gene encoding Proinsulin Kyoto has been isolated and characterized by DNA sequencing, indicating that the molecular basis of the disorder is a G-T point mutation in the insulin gene which creates a Hind III site. In addition, in the 3'-untranslated region of the mutant insulin gene, a Pst I site negative, alpha type allele was found, and in the normal gene, a Pst I site positive, beta type allele was found. In order to clarify the frequency of the mutation and to determine whether this mutation is associated with diabetes mellitus or not, we have investigated Hind III polymorphism in 91 normal Japanese subjects and patients with IDDM and NIDDM. No cases with the Proinsulin Kyoto gene were found among the subjects examined. Secondly, to determine whether this alpha type allele is associated with DM in Japanese, we investigated Pst I polymorphism in the same subjects. The frequencies of the alpha type and beta type alleles were 92% and 8%, respectively. No significant difference in genotypic frequency was found among normal, NIDDM, and IDDM. We conclude that the Proinsulin Kyoto gene is not a common cause of DM and the occurrence of the alpha type insulin gene in Japanese diabetes is more frequent than in other races, so this Pst I polymorphism is not a marker for diabetes mellitus in Japanese.

A novel point mutation in the human insulin gene giving rise to hyperproinsulinemia (proinsulin Kyoto)

We have identified a 65-yr-old nonobese Japanese man with diabetes mellitus, fasting hyperinsulinemia (150-300 pM), and a reduced fasting C-peptide/insulin molar ratio of 2.5-3.0. Fasting hyperinsulinemia was also found in his son and daughter. Analysis of insulin isolated from the serum of the proband and his son by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography revealed a minor peak coeluting with human insulin and a major peak of proinsulin-like materials. The insulin gene of the patient was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and the products were sequenced. A novel point mutation was identified in which guanine was replaced by thymine. The substitution gives rise to a new HindIII recognition site and results in the amino acid replacement of leucine for arginine at position 65. These results indicate that the amino-acid replacement prevents recognition of the C-peptide-A chain dibasic protease and results in an elevation of proinsulin-like materials in the circulation. Furthermore, in this family the proinsulin-like materials is due to a biosynthetic defect, inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Rapid detection of this mutation can be accomplished by HindIII restriction enzyme mapping of polymerase chain reaction-generated DNA, which enables us to facilitate the diagnosis and screening.

Synthesis of 5-keto-5-oxime derivatives of milbemycins and their activities against microfilariae

Starting from milbemycin D (1), milbemycin A4 (2) and milbemycin A3 (3), a series of 5-keto-5-oxime derivatives were synthesized by selective oximation at the alpha,beta-conjugated carbonyl function of the 5-ketomilbemycins (4-6). The activities of the synthesized compounds were studied in dogs naturally infested with microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis. The 5-keto-5-oximes of milbemycin D (7), A4 (8) and A3 (9) had quite high efficacy to control the microfilariae and more potency than their parents, while the 5-O-acyl oximes (11-15) also exhibited high activity.

Characteristic features of insulin secretion in the streptozotocin-induced NIDDM rat model

Male Wistar neonatal rats at age 1.5 days (Streptozotocin [STZ] group 1) and 5 days (STZ group 2) received a subcutaneous injection of 90 mg/kg STZ. After 10 weeks, the rats were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (2 g/kg) in a conscious state. The pancreas perfusion experiments were conducted 2 weeks after the OGTT. There was no statistical difference in insulin response between the STZ group 1 and the control group. On the contrary, in the STZ group 2, the plasma glucose response to OGTT showed a typical diabetic pattern, and the plasma insulin response was markedly blunted. In the isolated perfused rat pancreas, the infusion of glucose evoked a biphasic insulin secretion, but the peak insulin levels induced by 16.7 mmol/L glucose in the STZ group 1 were significantly lower than in the controls. We further investigated characteristics of insulin secretion in response to different secretagogues in these animal models using isolated islets. The insulin content of the islets of the STZ group 1 were about one half that of the control group. Insulin secretion in the STZ group 1 was impaired in response to glucose stimulation, but remained normal in response to arginine and forskolin. These results suggest that insulin secretion of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rat model is selectively impaired in response to glucose stimulation, possibly due to a disorder of signaling mechanism other than adenylate cyclase.

Comparative effect of somatostatin-14 and somatostatin-28 on glucagon-induced glycogenolysis from the perfused rat liver

The effect of somatostatin (SS)-14 and SS-28 on glycogenolysis was studied, using a rat liver perfusion technique. Livers from nonfasted rats were perfused with 5.5 mmol/L glucose or perfusate without the glucose addition. Glucagon-induced glucose output was lower in the presence of 5.5 mmol/L glucose than in glucose free perfusate at every concentration of glucagon. Under glucose free conditions, SS-14 given at five minutes prior to the glucagon addition reduced the glucagon-induced glucose output dose-dependently. SS-14 given 15 minutes after glucagon addition also inhibited glucagon-induced glucose output significantly. However, various concentrations of SS-28 failed to affect glucose output. On the other hand, in the presence of 5.5 mmol/L glucose, neither SS-14 nor SS-28 affected glucagon-induced glucose output. It is suggested, therefore, that glycogenolysis induced by glucagon from the liver is reduced by SS-14, but not by SS-28, only under glucose free conditions.

Detection of antibodies against wheat germ agglutinin bound glycoproteins on the islet-cell membrane

An attempt was made to detect islet cell surface antibodies (ICSAb) using solubilized islet-cell glycoproteins as antigens. Isolated rat islets were labelled with 125I-wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and solubilized by Nonidet P-40 with sonication. 125I-WGA-bound islet-cell proteins were incubated with test sera, and bound antibodies were precipitated with anti-human IgG or IgM immunobeads. Serum which had a bound percent beyond the mean plus 2SD of control sera was defined as antibody-positive. Results obtained by this method correlated well with those by the immunofluorescence method of detecting ICSAb. Prevalences of antibodies were 21/114 (18%) for IgG antibodies and 9/114 (8%) for IgM antibodies in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The prevalence was highest for both IgG and IgM antibodies in patients within a year of the onset of disease (38 and 25%, respectively), and decreased thereafter. The prevalence of IgM antibodies was lower than that of IgG antibodies at all stages. In NIDDM patients, the prevalence of antibodies was 5/72 (7%) for both IgG and IgM antibodies. If these preliminary results are confirmed, this radioassay may be developed to detect antibodies against islet cell membrane proteins on a large scale.

Degradation and conversion of somatostatin in normal and diabetic rats in vivo and in vitro

Plasma somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the portal and jugular veins of streptozotocin diabetic rats was compared with that in normal control rats. In the diabetic group, somatostatin levels in the portal (p less than 0.05) and jugular (p less than 0.01) veins were both elevated compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the degree of elevation was greater in the jugular vein than in the portal vein. To further investigate the role of the liver in the clearance of somatostatin-28 in vivo, 2 micrograms of somatostatin-28 was administered as a bolus into the external jugular vein of intact and functionally hepatectomized rats. The mean half-time of somatostatin-28 was significantly longer in intact diabetic rats than in controls (p less than 0.05). The functional hepatectomy did not cause a significant difference in the half-time in diabetic rats but made it longer in control rats. These results suggest that the longer half-time of somatostatin-28 in diabetic rats in vivo is due to its slower hepatic clearance. The hepatic clearance of somatostatin-28 and somatostatin-14 was further studied in vitro using a recirculating liver perfusion method. The hepatic clearance of 1.2 nM of either somatostatin-28 or somatostatin-14 was significantly lower in diabetic rats than in controls (p less than 0.01). This indicates that elevated plasma somatostatin levels in diabetic rats are caused at least in part by decreased hepatic clearance of somatostatin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of vitamin D on gastrin and gastric somatostatin secretion from the isolated perfused rat stomach

We have studied the role of vitamin D in the regulation of gastrin and gastric somatostatin secretion from the isolated perfused rat stomach. In Ca-deficient vitamin D-deficient rats (Ca(-)D(-) group), the basal and bombesin-stimulated gastrin and gastric somatostatin release (basal IRGa, basal IRS, sigma delta IRGa, and sigma delta IRS) all were significantly lower than in Ca-replete vitamin D-replete rats (Ca(+)D(+) group), and also lower than in Ca-replete vitamin D-deficient rats (Ca(+)D(-) group) except for the basal IRGa. In the Ca(+)D(-) group, the basal IRGa and IRS, and sigma delta IRS were not significantly lower than in the Ca(+)D(+) group. Although there was no significant impairment in basal IRGa, sigma delta IRGa in the Ca(+)D(-) group was significantly lower than in the Ca(+)D(+) control group. Thus, the gastrin and gastric somatostatin secretion from the Ca-deficient vitamin D-deficient rats were impaired. In addition, the impaired gastrin and gastric somatostatin secretions seem to be caused not only by a decrease in serum Ca but also by the reduced effect of the vitamin D on the G and gastric D cells.

Effects of naloxone on basal and vagus nerve-induced secretions of GRP, gastrin, and somatostatin from the isolated perfused rat stomach

The effects of naloxone, an opiate antagonist, on basal and vagus nerve-induced secretions of GRP, gastrin, and somatostatin were examined using the isolated perfused rat stomach prepared with vagal innervation. Naloxone (10(-6) M) significantly inhibited basal somatostatin secretion in the presence and absence of atropine and of hexamethonium, whereas basal GRP and gastrin secretion was not affected by naloxone. Electrical stimulation (10 Hz, lms duration, 10V) of the distal end of the subdiaphragmatic vagal trunks elicited a significant increase in both GRP and gastrin but a decrease in somatostatin. Naloxone (10(-6) M) failed to affect these responses in the presence or absence of atropine. On the other hand, when hexamethonium was infused, naloxone significantly inhibited both the GRP and gastrin responses to electrical vagal stimulation. Somatostatin secretion was unchanged by vagal stimulation during the infusion of hexamethonium with or without naloxone. These findings suggest that basal somatostatin secretion is under the control of an opiate neuron and that opioid peptides might be involved in vagal regulation of GRP and gastrin secretion.

Effect of antithyroid autoantibodies on pancreatic islet-cell function

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with organ-specific autoimmune diseases and/or high titers of organ-specific autoantibodies. The effects of thyroid autoantibodies on islet-cell function were examined in the present study. Islet cell surface antibody (ICSAb) was detected in sera from 6 of 40 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) who were positive for thyroid microsomal autoantibodies (TMA). Furthermore, all of the ICSAb-positive patients had high TMA titers. In vitro study using isolated rat pancreatic islets revealed that TMA positive sera significantly suppressed glucose-induced insulin release. Only one of 19 (5%) AITD patients showed complement-dependent antibody-mediated cytotoxicity and only one of 6 AITD patients (17%) was positive for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. These results suggest that TMA has an effect on an antigen of the islet cell membrane in which insulin releasing mechanism might be involved.

Effects of oral glucose administration on preproinsulin mRNA in rats in vivo

An experiment was performed to examine whether the acute increase in insulin release induced by oral glucose ingestion is associated with alterations in pancreatic preproinsulin mRNA (PImRNA) levels. Rats either fed ad libitum or after overnight fast were used. Fasted rats were administered glucose orally in a conscious, unrestrained state. Pancreatic RNA was extracted and the relative level of PImRNA was determined by dot blot analysis with a cloned rat preproinsulin I cDNA probe. In fasted animals PImRNA levels decreased compared with those of fed animals and showed no significant changes after acute glucose administration, while blood glucose and plasma insulin increased rapidly to maximum values at 15 min after glucose administration. Although the transcription rate was not directly measured in this experiment, it is possible that the rapid increase in insulin release from the beta cell under physiological conditions is controlled by post-transcriptional regulations.

Effects of insulin on altered mineral and vitamin D metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetes

In order to ascertain whether or not abnormal mineral and vitamin D metabolism in diabetes can be reversed by insulin therapy, plasma calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D metabolites were measured in control, streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels in diabetic rats treated with insulin decreased to normal. The low plasma calcium and ionized calcium levels in diabetic rats were found to be normal in insulin-treated diabetic rats. An elevated PTH level was observed in the diabetic group, but it was at normal levels in the insulin-treated diabetic group. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) in the diabetic group were decreased compared to those in control rats, but these were also fully restored to control levels by insulin therapy. However, plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) levels in the untreated diabetic group tended to be lower than in controls, and the values in insulin-treated rats were significantly decreased compared to the control group. The ratio of 1,25(OH)2D to 25(OH)D in diabetic rats was higher than in controls, but it was decreased after insulin therapy and was significantly lower than in the control group. It is suggested, therefore, that the negative calcium balance and decreased 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH)2D levels are derived from the metabolic derangement due to the insulin deficiency. Furthermore, insulin seems to suppress the conversion of 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)2D in experimental diabetes in vivo.

Comparison of somatostatin-28 and somatostatin-14 clearance by the perfused rat liver

The hepatic clearances of somatostatin (SS)-28 and SS-14 by the perfused rat liver were compared, using a recirculating, plasma-free, erythrocyte-containing perfusion system. The disappearance rate constant, half time, clearance, and hepatic extraction ratio when 1.2 nM SS-28 was added to the perfusate were 0.0221 +/- 0.0051 min-1, 36.6 +/- 7.6 min, 0.34 +/- 0.08 mL/min, and 17.2 +/- 3.9%, respectively. The corresponding values obtained when SS-14 was added to the perfusate were 0.0405 +/- 0.0022 min-1, 17.3 +/- 1.0 min, 0.71 +/- 0.05 mL/min, and 35.4 +/- 2.6%, respectively. The differences between the SS-28 and SS-14 indices were all statistically significant. In addition, the perfusates with SS-28 added were eluted on Sephadex G-25 fine columns and somatostatinlike immunoreactivity (SLI) was determined. No SS-14 was found in perfusate containing SS-28 at both 5 and 30 min after the beginning of the perfusion. To investigate whether or not the liver plays an important role in the clearance of SS-28 or the conversion of SS-14 in vivo, the plasma disappearance of 2 micrograms SS-28 was compared in the whole rat and the functionally hepatectomized model. The half time of plasma SS-28 was 1.43 +/- 0.12 min in the whole rat, significantly shorter than the 2.20 +/- 0.14 min in the hepatectomized model. Gel filtration of plasma extract samples at 0.5 min after the SS-28 injection showed two major peaks of SLI: a first peak corresponding to SS-28 and a second peak coeluted in the position of SS-14 in both the whole rat and the hepatectomized model. At 4 min after the SS-28 injection, the first peak disappeared and only a small second peak was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of environmental tobacco smoke on urinary cotinine excretion in nonsmokers. Evidence for passive smoking

Despite recognition of the deleterious effects of passive smoking, quantitative information on the intake of environmental tobacco smoke is still lacking. Cotinine is the major metabolite of nicotine found in the urine. We have examined the relationship between urinary cotinine excretion in 472 nonsmokers and the smokiness of their environment. The urinary cotinine levels of nonsmokers who lived with smokers were higher than those of nonsmokers who did not, increasing with the combined daily cigarette consumption of smokers in the family. The urinary cotinine values of nonsmokers who worked with smokers were also higher than those of nonsmokers who did not, increasing with the number of smokers in the workroom. The presence of smokers in both the home and the workplace also increased the cotinine levels. Urban nonsmokers had more cotinine in their urine than rural nonsmokers. We conclude that the deleterious effects of passive smoking may occur in proportion to the exposure of nonsmokers to smokers in the home, the workplace, and the community.

Studies on anticoccidial agents. 13. Synthesis and anticoccidial activity of nitropyridine-2- and -3-sulfonamides and derivatives

Eight nitropyridinesulfonamides and pyridinesulfonamide N-oxides as their bioisosteres were prepared and evaluated for anticoccidial activity. Of these compounds, 2-, 4- and 5-nitropyridine-3-sulfonamides and pyridine-2- and -3-sulfonamide N-oxides were found to be active against Eimeria tenella. Thus, the relative positions, ortho or meta, of the substituents in nitropyridine-3-sulfonamides and pyridinesulfonamide N-oxides are important for anticoccidial activity. N-Substituted analogues of 5-nitropyridine-3-sulfonamide were also prepared and optimal anticoccidial activity was attained with the sulfonamide and its lower N-alkyl derivatives. The mode of action of 5-nitropyridine-3-sulfonamide was examined and found to be active in the sporozoite and the first schizogony stages.

Hypolipidemic effects in dogs of ML-236B, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase

ML-236B, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, significantly reduced both serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels in dogs, when used at a dosage higher than 10 mg/kg per day. Triglyceride levels were not consistently changed, but beta- and pre-beta-lipoproteins were preferentially reduced. Serum cholesterol levels were reduced by 44--45% at the higher dosage of 100--400 mg/kg per day (for 5 weeks) but ML-236B caused no significant changes in the cholesterol content of the liver and aorta and in the activities of serum GOT, GPT, CPK and lecithin : cholesterol acyltransferase. Fecal excretion of neutral sterols was unaffected but that of bile acids was markedly elevated by the drug. Under these conditions, hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid biosynthesis, showed no detectable changes.

Studies on anticoccidial agents. 12. Synthesis and anticoccidial activity of methyl-2(6)-nitro- and -3(5)-nitropyridinecarboxamides

A number of methyl-2- and 3-nitropyridinecarboxamides have been synthesized. It has been established that the presence of at least one hydrogen atom, adjacent to the NO2 function, is important for anticoccidial activity and introduction of a methyl group to the adjacent position of the CONH2 function sometimes confers enhanced activity. Among the compounds herein, 5- and 6-methyl-2-nitropyridine-4-carboxamides possess optimal anticoccidial activity, being as potent as the parent compound.

Pholipomycin, a new member of phosphoglycolipid antibiotics. III. Biological properties

Pholipomycin, a new member of the phosphoglycolipid antibiotics, was primarily active against gram-positive bacteria including clinically isolated resistant bacteria. It differed from other members of the antibiotic family as it also demonstrated activity against gram-negative bacteria. Pholipomycin protected mice from infection with Staphylococcus aureus and was nontoxic to mice having an LD50 (i.v.) of 600 mg/kg. Besides possessing anti-microbiol activity, pholipomycin, when administered orally, appeared to promote growth in chickens and pigs.

Studies on anticoccidial agents. 11. Synthesis and anticoccidial activity of nitropyridinecarboxamides and derivatives

Of the nine nitropyridinecarboxamides, which are isomers of 5-nitronicotinamide, a potent anticoccidial agent, 2-nitropyridine-3, -4, -5-, or 6-carboxamides and 3-nitropyridine-4- or 6-carboxamides were prepared from the corresponding acids via the esters of the acid chlorides. 3-Nitropyridine-2-carboxamide was obtained from 2-methyl-3-nitropyridine by oxidation with SeO2, oximation, dehydration with Ac2O, and hydrolysis with H2SO4. 4-Nitropyridine-2-carboxamide was prepared from 2-cyano-4-nitropyridine by hydrolysis, and the 3-carboxamide analogue was obtained from 4-amino-3-cyanopyridine by oxidation with H2O2 and fuming H2SO4. Of these compounds 2-nitro- and 3-nitro- but not 4-nitropyridinecarboxamides were found to be active against Eimeria tenella. N-Substituted analogues of 2-nitro- and 3-nitropyridine carboxamides were also prepared in a conventional manner and optimal anticoccidial activity was attained with 2-nitroisonicotinamide and its N-alkanoyl, N-aromatic, and N-heterocyclic acyl derivatives.

Studies on anticoccidial agents. 10. Synthesis and anticoccidial activity of 5-nitronicotinamide and its analogues

5-Nitronicotinamide (1) was prepared from 5-bromonicotinoyl chloride by treatment with ammonia and then oxidation with fuming H2SO4 and 30% H202. 2-Cholor-, 2-alkoxy-2-benzyloxy,2-phenoxy-,2-alkylamino-, and 2-benzylamino-5-nitronicatinamides were also prepared via 2-chloro-3-cyano-5-nitropyridine. 2-Methyl-5-nitronicotinamide (2) was obtained from ethyl 2-methyl-5-nitronicotinate by treatment with ammonia; the 4-methyl analogue 3 was from 3-cyano-2,6-dihydroxy-4 methylpyridine by nitration, chlorination, and dechlorination, and the 6-methyl analogue 4 was prepared by transforming 2-chloro-3-cyano-6-methyl-5-nitropyridine to the corresponding amide, followed by dechlorination. Of these compounds, the 5-nitronicotinamide, the 2-methyl and 4-methyl but not the 6-methyl, analogue showed significant anticoccidial activity against eimeria tenella. N-Substituted analogues of 5-nitronicotinamide and 2-methyl-5-nitronicotinamide were prepared in a conventional manner and optimal anticoccidial activity was attained with their lower N-alkyl analogues, N-alkanoyl and -alkenoyl analogues, and N-aromatic acyl analogues together with these parent compounds.