Comparability between wearable inertial sensors and an electronic walkway for spatiotemporal and relative phase data in young children aged 6-11 years

BACKGROUND

Approaches to gait analysis are evolving rapidly and now include a wide range of options: from e-patches to video platforms to wearable inertial measurement unit systems. Newer options for gait analysis are generally more inclusive for the assessment of children, more cost effective and easier to administer. However, there is limited data on the comparability of newer systems with more established traditional approaches in young children.

RESEARCH QUESTION

To determine comparability between the Physilog®5 wearable inertial sensor and GAITRite® electronic walkway for spatiotemporal (stride length, time and velocity, cadence) and relative phase (double support time, stance, swing, loading, foot flat and push off) data in young children.

METHODS

A total 34 typically developing participants (41% female) aged 6-11 years old median age 8.99 years old (interquartile range 2.83) were assessed walking at self-selected speed over the GAITRite® electronic walkway while concurrently wearing shoe-attached Physilog®5 IMU sensors. Level of agreement was analysed by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland-Altman plots and 95% limit of agreement. Systematic bias was assessed using 95% confidence interval of the mean difference.

RESULTS

Excellent to almost perfect agreement was observed between systems for spatiotemporal metrics: cadence (CCC=0.996), stride length (CCC=0.993), stride time (CCC=0.996), stride velocity (CCC=0.988). The relative phase metrics adjusted for stride velocity showed improved comparability when compared to the unadjusted metrics: swing adjusted (adj) (CCC=0.635); stance adj (CCC: 0.879); loading adj: (CCC=0.626).

SIGNIFICANCE

Spatiotemporal metrics are highly compatible across GAITRite® electronic walkway and Physilog®5 IMU systems in young children. Relative phase metrics were somewhat compatible between systems when adjusted for stride velocity.

Population-based cohort study of oral contraceptive use and risk of depression

AIM

Research on the effect of oral contraceptive (OC) use on the risk of depression shows inconsistent findings, especially in adult OC users. One possible reason for this inconsistency is the omission of women who discontinue OCs due to adverse mood effects, leading to healthy user bias. To address this issue, we aim to estimate the risk of depression that is associated with the initiation of OCs as well as the effect of OC use on lifetime risk of depression.

METHODS

This is a population-based cohort study based on data from 264,557 women from the UK Biobank. Incidence of depression was addressed via interviews, inpatient hospital or primary care data. The hazard ratio (HR) between OC use and incident depression was estimated by multivariable Cox regression with OC use as a time-varying exposure. To validate causality, we examined familial confounding in 7,354 sibling pairs.

RESULTS

We observed that the first 2 years of OC use were associated with a higher rate of depression compared to never users (HR = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55-1.88). Although the risk was not as pronounced beyond the first 2 years, ever OC use was still associated with an increased lifetime risk of depression (HR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09). Previous OC use were associated with a higher rate of depression compared to never users, with adolescent OC users driving the increased hazard (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.12-1.25). No significant association were observed among adult OC users who had previously used OCs (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.95-1.04). Notably, the sibling analysis provided further evidence for a causal effect of OC use on the risk of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the use of OCs, particularly during the first 2 years, increases the risk of depression. Additionally, OC use during adolescence might increase the risk of depression later in life. Our results are consistent with a causal relationship between OC use and depression, as supported by the sibling analysis. This study highlights the importance of considering the healthy user bias as well as family-level confounding in studies of OC use and mental health outcomes. Physicians and patients should be aware of this potential risk when considering OCs, and individualized risk-benefit assessments should be conducted.

Provision of High Protein Foods Slows the Age-Related Decline in Nutritional Status in Aged Care Residents: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition, particularly protein insufficiency, is common in institutionalised older adults and increases morbidity, mortality, and costs. We aimed to determine whether 12 months supplementation using high-protein foods (milk, cheese, yoghurt) prevents malnutrition in older adults.

DESIGN

Cluster randomised control study.

SETTING

Sixty Australian aged care facilities.

PARTICIPANTS

Older adults living in aged care homes (n=654, mean age 86.7±7.2 years, 72% females). Intervention Facilities randomly allocated to a high-protein (n=30 intervention) or regular (n=30 controls) menu.

MEASUREMENTS

Nutritional status assessed using the Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA) tool and fasting morning blood samples (n=302) assayed for haemoglobin (Hb) and albumin. Food intake was monitored 3-monthly using visual plate waste assessment. Measurements at baseline and month 12 were analysed using random effects model accounting for clustering (facility), repeated measure and confounders.

RESULTS

Addition of 11g of protein as 1.5 servings of high-protein foods daily preserved nutritional status that deteriorated in controls [MNA screen (-0.68, 95%CI: -1.03, -0.32, p<0.001) and total (-0.90, 95%CI: -1.45, -0.35, p=0.001) scores], resulting in group differences in MNA screen (0.62, 95%CI: 0.17, 1.06, p=0.007) and total (0.81, 95%CI: 0.11, 1.51, p=0.023) scores and group difference in Hb (3.60g/L, 95%CI: 0.18, 7.03, p=0.039), the net result of preservation with intervention (0.19g/L, 95%CI: -2.04, 2.42, p=0.896) and a decline in controls (-3.41g/L, 95%CI: -6.01, -0.82, p=0.010). No group differences were observed for serum albumin.

CONCLUSION

Consumption of high-protein foods is a pragmatic approach to maintaining nutritional status in older adults in aged-care.

Validation of shoe-worn Gait Up Physilog®5 wearable inertial sensors in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Gait Up Physilog® wearable inertial sensors are a powerful alternative to traditional laboratory-based gait assessment for children with gait impairment. To build clinician trust in these devices and ultimately facilitate their use outside confined spaces, studies have examined performance of previous versions of Physilog® wearable inertial sensors but predominant focus has been on older adults. Despite their different gait patterns and behavioural/cognitive profiles, there are limited studies in children.

RESEARCH QUESTION

To determine whether key spatiotemporal gait parameters (stride length, time and velocity) collected by shoe-worn Physilog®5 sensors in a hallway assessment protocol are a valid method of gait assessment in typically developing adolescents aged 12-15 years.

METHODS

A total 30 typically developing participants (50 % female) median age 13.7 (interquartile range 2.34) were assessed in an exploratory study whilst walking at self-selected speed over the GAITRite® electronic walkway, concurrently wearing Physilog®5 sensors. Concurrent validity was analysed by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland-Altman plots and 95 % limit of agreement. Systematic bias was assessed using 95 % confidence interval of the mean difference.

RESULTS

Mean stride data demonstrated substantial agreement for stride length (CCC = 0.975) and stride velocity (CCC = 0.979) to almost perfect agreement for stride time (CCC > 0.996). Agreement between the technologies for individual stride-to-stride data remained high for stride time (CCC = 0.952); yet reduced for stride length (CCC = 0.868) and stride velocity (CCC = 0.877). Male/female differences in performance of the technology were observed for stride velocity, favouring females.

SIGNIFICANCE

Physilog®5 inertial sensors accurately measure walking in adolescents, with stride time the most accurately detected parameter. This demonstrates that wearables can be used by researchers and clinicians working with adolescent groups as an alternative to fixed systems. These findings will ultimately pave the way to using wearables for assessments with children outside of the laboratory environment.

Effect of dietary sources of calcium and protein on hip fractures and falls in older adults in residential care: cluster randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the antifracture efficacy and safety of a nutritional intervention in institutionalised older adults replete in vitamin D but with mean intakes of 600 mg/day calcium and <1 g/kg body weight protein/day.

DESIGN

Two year cluster randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

60 accredited residential aged care facilities in Australia housing predominantly ambulant residents.

PARTICIPANTS

7195 permanent residents (4920 (68%) female; mean age 86.0 (SD 8.2) years).

INTERVENTION

Facilities were stratified by location and organisation, with 30 facilities randomised to provide residents with additional milk, yoghurt, and cheese that contained 562 (166) mg/day calcium and 12 (6) g/day protein achieving a total intake of 1142 (353) mg calcium/day and 69 (15) g/day protein (1.1 g/kg body weight). The 30 control facilities maintained their usual menus, with residents consuming 700 (247) mg/day calcium and 58 (14) g/day protein (0.9 g/kg body weight).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Group differences in incidence of fractures, falls, and all cause mortality.

RESULTS

Data from 27 intervention facilities and 29 control facilities were analysed. A total of 324 fractures (135 hip fractures), 4302 falls, and 1974 deaths were observed. The intervention was associated with risk reductions of 33% for all fractures (121 v 203; hazard ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.93; P=0.02), 46% for hip fractures (42 v 93; 0.54, 0.35 to 0.83; P=0.005), and 11% for falls (1879 v 2423; 0.89, 0.78 to 0.98; P=0.04). The risk reduction for hip fractures and falls achieved significance at five months (P=0.02) and three months (P=0.004), respectively. Mortality was unchanged (900 v 1074; hazard ratio 1.01, 0.43 to 3.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Improving calcium and protein intakes by using dairy foods is a readily accessible intervention that reduces the risk of falls and fractures commonly occurring in aged care residents.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000228785.

Ramelteon is Not Associated With Improved Outcomes Among Critically Ill Delirious Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Delirium commonly affects critically ill patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Some studies have suggested that ramelteon may prevent delirium, but ramelteon's impact on treating delirium is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of critically ill delirious patients treated with ramelteon versus those who were not.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 322 intensive care unit patients stratified based on ramelteon exposure after a nonnegative Confusion Assessment Method-ICU score.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Primary outcomes were hours alive without delirium or coma and likelihood of delirium-coma resolution. Secondary outcomes were ventilator-free hours, likelihood of extubation, and mortality.

RESULTS

Hazard ratios for delirium-coma resolution, extubation, and 10-day mortality were 1.05 (95% confidence interval 0.54-2.01), 1.20 (95% confidence interval 0.47-3.03), and 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.07-1.32), respectively. Median delirium-coma free hours did not differ between ramelteon exposed and unexposed patients. Median ventilator-free hours were higher in the ramelteon group, however, ramelteon was administered postextubation in 92% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Ramelteon was not associated with increased likelihood of delirium-coma resolution, extubation, or changes in mortality.

Predictors and consequences of health anxiety symptoms: a novel twin modeling study

OBJECTIVE

The question of how to best conceptualize health anxiety (HA) from a diagnostic and etiological perspective remains debated. The aim was to examine the relationship between HA and the symptoms of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive-related disorders in a normative twin population.

METHOD

Four hundred and ninety-six monozygotic adult twin pairs from the Australian Twin Registry participated in the study (age, 34.4 ± 7.72 years; 59% females). Validated scales were used to assess each domain. We applied a twin regression methodology-ICE FALCON-to determine whether there was evidence consistent with 'causal' relationships between HA and other symptoms by fitting and comparing model estimates.

RESULTS

Estimates were consistent with higher levels of obsessing ('unwanted thoughts') (P = 0.008), social anxiety (P = 0.03), and body dysmorphic symptoms (P = 0.008) causing higher levels of HA symptoms, and with higher levels of HA symptoms causing higher levels of physical/somatic anxiety symptoms (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Obsessional thoughts, body dysmorphic concerns, and social anxiety symptoms may have a causal influence on HA. To report physical/somatic anxiety appears to be a consequence of the underlying presence of HA-related fears. Should our results be confirmed by longitudinal studies, the evaluation and treatment of HA may benefit from the consideration of these identified risk factors.

What are the differences among occupational groups related to their palliative care-specific educational needs and intensity of interprofessional collaboration in long-term care homes?

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences across occupational groups related to their end-of-life care-specific educational needs and reported intensity of interprofessional collaboration in long-term care (LTC) homes.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey, based on two questionnaires, was administered at four LTC homes in Ontario, Canada using a modified Dilman’s approach. The first questionnaire, End of Life Professional Caregiver Survey, included three domains: patients and family-centered communication, cultural and ethical values, effective care delivery. The Intensity of Interprofessional Collaboration Scale included two subscales: care sharing activities, and interprofessional coordination. In total, 697 LTC staff were given surveys, including personal support workers, support staff (housekeeping, kitchen, recreation, laundry, dietician aids, office staff), and registered staff (licensed nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, pharmacists, physicians).

Results

A total of 317 participants completed the survey (126 personal support workers, 109 support staff, 82 registered staff) for a response rate of 45%. Significant differences emerged among occupational groups across all scales and subscales. Specifically, support staff rated their comfort of working with dying patients significantly lower than both nurses and PSWs. Support staff also reported significantly lower ratings of care sharing activities and interprofessional coordination compared to both registered staff and personal support workers.

Conclusions

These study findings suggest there are differing educational needs and sense of interprofessional collaboration among LTC staff, specific to discipline group. Both the personal support workers and support staff groups appeared to have higher needs for education; support staff also reported higher needs related to integration on the interdisciplinary team. Efforts to build capacity within support staff related to working with dying residents and their families are needed. Optimal palliative care may require resources to increase the availability of support for all staff involved in the care of patients.

Long term renal survival in patients undergoing T-Cell depleted versus conventional hematopoietic stem cell transplants

Calcineurin inhibitor-sparing T cell depleted (TCD) hematopoietic stem cell transplants HSCTs are presumed less nephrotoxic than conventional HSCTs. We evaluated incidence and risk factors for kidney failure and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 231 TCD and 212 conventional HSCT recipients. Kidney failure required a median glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m² for ≥ 100 days anytime after 180 days post-HSCT. Two year cumulative incidence (CI) of kidney failure was 42% in the conventional vs. 31% in the TCD group (p=0.005). TCD, age, acute kidney injury and number of toxic CNI levels all impacted on kidney failure, which was associated with increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.86 (95% CI: 1.88–4.36), p <0.001). Renal recovery occurred in 28% of kidney failure patients, while the remaining patients were defined to have chronic kidney disease (CKD). In those with baseline GFR>60 mL/min/1.73 m² only exposure to nephrotoxic medications was associated with CKD (p=0.033). In the myeloablative conditioning subgroup only total body irradiation was associated with CKD (p=0.013). Of all patients, five (1.13%) required dialysis. These results confirm an impact of TCD on kidney failure but not CKD for which other risk factors such as radiation or nephrotoxic drug exposure may play a role.

Mass Spectrometry-Based Methodology for Identification of Native Histone Variant Modifications From Mammalian Tissues and Solid Tumors

Histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are key epigenetic marks involved in gene silencing or activation. Histone modifications impact chromatin organization and transcriptional processes through the changes in charge density between histones and DNA. They also serve as recognition and binding sites for specific binding proteins. Histone tails and globular cores contain many basic amino acid residues, which are subject to various dynamic modifications, making the modification repertoire extremely diverse. Consequently, determination of histone PTM identity and quantity has been a challenging task. In recent years, mass spectrometry-based methods have proven useful in histone PTM characterization. This chapter provides a brief overview of these methods and describes the approach to analyze the PTMs of the histone variant CENP-A, essential for the cell cycle progression, when present in minute amounts from tumor and mammalian tissues. Because this method does not rely on antibody-based immunopurification, we anticipate that these tools could be readily adaptable to the investigation to other histone variants in a range of mammalian tissues and solid tumors.

The effects of stress-tension on depression and anxiety symptoms: evidence from a novel twin modelling analysis

BACKGROUND

Negative mood states are composed of symptoms of depression and anxiety, and by a third factor related to stress, tension and irritability. We sought to clarify the nature of the relationships between the factors by studying twin pairs.

METHOD

A total of 503 monozygotic twin pairs completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), an instrument that assesses symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress-tension. We applied a recently developed twin regression methodology - Inference about Causation from Examination of FAmiliaL CONfounding (ICE FALCON) - to test for evidence consistent with the existence of 'causal' influences between the DASS factors.

RESULTS

There was evidence consistent with the stress-tension factor having a causal influence on both the depression (p < 0.0001) and anxiety factors (p = 0.001), and for the depression factor having a causal influence on the anxiety factor (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a critical role for stress-tension in the structure of negative mood states, and that interventions that target it may be particularly effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms.

Chronic effects of stroke on hip bone density and tibial morphology: a longitudinal study

The study aimed to quantify the long-term effects of stroke on tibial bone morphology and hip bone density. Only the trabecular bone mineral density and bone strength index in the hemiparetic tibial distal epiphysis showed a significant decline among individuals who had sustained a stroke 12-24 months ago.

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to determine the changes in bone density and morphology in lower limb long bones during a 1-year follow-up period and their relationship to muscle function in chronic stroke patients.

METHODS

Twenty-eight chronic stroke patients (12-166 months after the acute stroke event at initial assessment) and 27 controls underwent bilateral scanning of the hip and tibia using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography, respectively. Each subject was re-assessed 1 year after the initial assessment.

RESULTS

Twenty stroke cases and 23 controls completed all assessments. At the end of the follow-up, the paretic tibial distal epiphysis suffered significant decline in trabecular bone density (-1.8 ± 0.6 %, p = 0.006) and bone strength index (-2.7 ± 0.6 %, p < 0.001). More severe decline in the former was associated with poorer leg muscle strength (ρ = 0.447, p = 0.048) and motor recovery (ρ = 0.489, p = 0.029) measured at initial assessment. The loss in trabecular bone density remained significant among those whose stroke onset was 12-24 months ago (p < 0.001), but not among those whose stroke onset was beyond 24 months ago (p > 0.05) at the time of initial assessment. The changes of outcomes in the tibial diaphysis, except for cortical bone mineral content on the non-paretic side (-1.3 ± 0.3 %, p = 0.003), and hip bone density were well within the margin of error for precision.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence of continuous trabecular bone loss in the paretic tibial distal epiphysis among chronic stroke patients, but it tends to plateau after 2 years of stroke onset. The steady state may have been reached earlier in the hip and tibial diaphysis.

Neoadjuvant Intratumoral Injection of Dendritic Cells in Breast Cancer

Backround: Autologous intratumoral dendritic cell injections were used to modulate the tumor reduction effects of standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Dendritic cells are important in the regulation of T cell immunity and have been shown to have activity in cancer patients. The neoadjuavant combination therapy was designed to expose dendritic cells to tumor cell apoptosis leading to induction of tumor antigen-specific responses.Methods: Seventeen women with stage II or III breast cancer with breast tumors at least 3 cm in size and had a confirmed initial breast biopsy were entered into this trial from August 2007 through 2009. All patients participating in the clinical trial had tumors that expressed either carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) or survivin and were HER2-neu negative. They received 4 cycles of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 followed by 4 cycles of doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 (AC) in a bi-weekly dose dense fashion. Pegfilgrastim 6 mg subcutaneous injection was administered 24 hours after each cycle of chemotherapy. Autologous intratumoral dendritic cell injections were administered one week following the first three paclitaxel treatments. All patients consented to a pre-treatment biopsy and a second tumor biopsy after 4 cycles of paclitaxel to evaluate responses to the intratumoral dendritic cell injections. The endpoints of this trial included assessment of clinical and pathologic response in the breast, safety of the intratumoral dendritic cell injection, evaluation of tumor response, and induction of T cell responses to tumor antigens.Results: Fourteen patients are evaluable for response. The median age was 51.5, the median tumor size was 5.6 cm, and 64 % were estrogen receptor positive. A complete clinical response was observed in 57%, a partial response in 36%, and one stable disease response. A pathologic complete response with no evidence of tumor in the breast was confirmed in 2 patients (14 %). Treatment was well tolerated with no incidence of toxicity observed related to the intratumoral dendritic cell injections. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was as expected for the chemotherapy. Other grade 3/4 toxicity related to the chemotherapy included fatigue, hand-foot, infection, mucositis, and hypocalcemia.Discussion: Combination neoadjuvant therapy with dose-dense paclitaxel followed by AC and autologous intratumoral dendritic cell injections administered between the first three cycles of paclitaxel is safe with no toxicity observed related to the intratumoral dendritic cell injections. Immune response to the treatment is being evaluated by proliferation and interferon-gamma production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to tumor cell lysates, survivin, and CEA. Initial evaluation indicates that treatment resulted in generation of tumor specific responses in more than half of all treated patients.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4128.

Primary gastroenteropancreatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma: Clinico-pathologic analysis of 68 cases

e15616

Background: Primary gastro-entero-pancreatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (GEP-PDNECAs) are highly aggressive neoplasms with a very poor prognosis. This study was conducted to evaluate the immuno-morphological spectrum of GEP-PDNECA, and patient survival with systemic platinum and etoposide therapy. Methods: Under an IRB-approved protocol, clinico-pathologic data were collected on 68 adult patients with GEP-PDNECA who had undergone biopsy / resection at MCC or outside institution. Data sources: Pathology archives, consultation files, tumor registry and social security index. All available slides were reviewed and tumors were histologically sub-typed. Subsequently, clinico-pathologic data and patient survival were analyzed. Results: Patients: 41 M/27 F. Age: 25–76 yrs (mean 42 yrs). Sites: Colo-rectum 39, pancreas 19, small intestine (SI) 4, stomach 3, colon/SI/pancreas 3. 63 of 68 (93%) patients presented with lymph node/distant metastases. Of 68 tumors 37 (54%) were classified as small cell carcinoma (SCCA), 16 (24%) large cell carcinoma (LCCA), 5 (7%) mixed small and large cell (MSLCCA) and 10 (15%) poorly differentiated carcinoma with neuroendocrine features (PDCA-NEF). Tumors were positive for chromogranin in 38/65 (55%), synaptophysin in 62/67 (92%), and CD56 in 17/21 (81%) cases. One marker was positive in 22/68 (32%), 2 in 40/68 (59%) and all 3 were positive in 9/68 (13%) cases. Fifty eight of 68 (85%) patients were treated with platinum and etoposide. Overall survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 85%, 40% and 24% respectively. Patient survival was independent of age (r= -0.1022), sex (r= -0.909) and histologic subtype (r= - 0.1028) (p= 0.128) but was related to distant metastases (r=0.306; p=0.0383). Conclusions: Diagnosis of GEP-PDNECA can be based on histo-morphologic features and expression of neuroendocrine markers. Synaptophysin was the most sensitive marker; however, a panel of 2 or 3 neuroendocrine markers (Syn, Cg and CD56) may be more useful to avoid under-diagnosis of GEP-PDNECA, especially in the metastatic setting. Although survival of GEP-PDNECA patients following platinum and etoposide in our series was relatively favorable, there is need for novel therapies to improve patient survival.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The role of nuclear import and export in influenza virus infection

Infection with influenza virus involves a complex series of nuclear import and export events. Early in infection, incoming viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) are imported into the nucleus. Later, viral transcripts are exported from the nucleus, newly synthesized structural proteins are transported back into the nucleus and, finally, newly assembled vRNPs are exported. All these import and export steps, and, in particular, the bidirectional traffic of vRNPs rely on the transport machinery of the cell, but are regulated both by viral and cellular factors. The viral MI protein serves as the master organizer in determining the directionality of vRNP transport.

Effects of niacin-bound chromium and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects: a pilot study

Hypercholesterolemia, a significant cardiovascular risk factor, is prevalent in the American population. Many drugs lower circulating cholesterol levels, but they are not infrequently associated with severe side effects. Accordingly, natural means to lower cholesterol levels safely would be welcomed. We examined 40 hypercholesterolemic subjects (total cholesterol 210-300 mg/dL) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The four groups of ten subjects received either placebo bid, chromium polynicotinate (Cr) 200 microg bid, grape seed extract (GSE) 100 mg bid, or a combination of Cr and GSE at the same dosage bid. Over two months, the average percent change +/- SEM in the total cholesterol from baseline among groups was: placebo -3.5% +/- 4, GSE -2.5% +/- 2, Cr -10% +/- 5, and combination -16.5% +/- 3. The decrease in the last group was significantly different from placebo (p < 0.01). The major decrease in cholesterol concentration was in the LDL levels: placebo -3.0% +/- 4, GSE -1.0% +/- 2.0, Cr -14% +/- 4.0, and the combination -20% +/- 6.0. Again, the combination of Cr and GSE significantly decreased LDL when compared to placebo (p<0.01). HDL levels essentially did not change among the groups. Also, there was no significant difference in the triglyceride concentrations among the groups; and no statistically significant differences were seen in the levels of autoantibodies to oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL). However, the trend was for the two groups receiving GSE to have greater decreases in the latter parameter, i.e., -30.7% and -44.0% in the GSE and combined groups in contrast to -17.3% and -10.4% in the placebo and chromium groups. We determined the number of subjects in each group who decreased autoantibodies to oxidized LDL greater than 50% over eight weeks and found these ratios among groups: placebo = 2/9, Cr = 1/10, GSE = 6/10, and combined = 3/8. Thus, 50% of subjects (9/18) receiving GSE had a greater than 50% decrease in autoantibodies compared to 16% (3/19) in the two groups not receiving GSE. No significant changes occurred in the levels of circulating homocysteine and blood pressure among the four groups. We conclude that a combination of Cr and GSE can decrease total cholesterol and LDL levels significantly. Furthermore, there was a trend to decrease the circulating autoantibodies to oxidized LDL in the two groups receiving GSE.

Mutations in a newly identified GTPase gene cause autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia

The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs; Strümpell-Lorrain syndrome, MIM number 18260) are a diverse class of disorders characterized by insidiously progressive lower-extremity spastic weakness (reviewed in refs. 1-3). Eight autosomal dominant HSP (ADHSP) loci have been identified, the most frequent of which is that linked to the SPG4 locus on chromosome 2p22 (found in approximately 42%), followed by that linked to the SPG3A locus on chromosome 14q11-q21 (in approximately 9%). Only SPG4 has been identified as a causative gene in ADHSP. Its protein (spastin) is predicted to participate in the assembly or function of nuclear protein complexes. Here we report the identification of mutations in a newly identified GTPase gene, SPG3A, in ADHSP affected individuals.

[Admission lists to the Paris hospitals pharmacy internship published by the General Council of Paris Hospitals from 1815 to 1848]

Those lists permit to complete the lists of the Paris hospitals pharmacy internship Centenary book of A. Goris.

Role of the influenza virus M1 protein in nuclear export of viral ribonucleoproteins

The protein kinase inhibitor H7 blocks influenza virus replication, inhibits production of the matrix protein (M1), and leads to a retention of the viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) in the nucleus at late times of infection (K. Martin and A. Helenius, Cell 67:117-130, 1991). We show here that production of assembled vRNPs occurs normally in H7-treated cells, and we have used H7 as a biochemical tool to trap vRNPs in the nucleus. When H7 was removed from the cells, vRNP export was specifically induced in a CHO cell line stably expressing recombinant M1. Similarly, fusion of cells expressing recombinant M1 from a Semliki Forest virus vector allowed nuclear export of vRNPs. However, export was not rescued when H7 was present in the cells, implying an additional role for phosphorylation in this process. The viral NS2 protein was undetectable in these systems. We conclude that influenza virus M1 is required to induce vRNP nuclear export but that cellular phosphorylation is an additional factor.

Stem cell genes in androgen-independent prostate cancer

Despite recent advances in the detection and treatment of early stage prostate cancer, there remains little effective therapy for patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic disease. Although the majority of patients with advanced disease respond initially to androgen ablation therapy, most go on to develop androgen-independent tumors that are inevitably fatal. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which a hormone-sensitive tumor escapes hormonal control is critical to the development of effective therapeutic modalities. The study of the differentiation pathways of normal and abnormal prostate growth has led to the development of a stem cell model for prostate cancer [1-3]. Recent work discussed in this commentary suggests that prostate tumors resist apoptosis and proliferate by adopting features of normal prostatic stem/progenitor cells. Basal cells, the putative stem/progenitor cells of the prostate, possess the phenotype of androgen-independence as do most advanced prostate cancers. Therefore, the study of basal cells may prove critical to understanding prostate carcinogenesis and to the development of novel strategies for preventing and managing prostate cancer.

An ecological study of determinants of coronary heart disease rates: a comparison of Czech, Bavarian and Israeli men

BACKGROUND

The large differences in cardiovascular disease rates between Eastern and Western Europe have largely developed over the last few decades, and are only partly explained by classical risk factors. This study was set up to identify other potential determinants of these differences.

METHODS

This was an ecological study comparing random samples of men aged 45-64 years selected from three cities representing populations with different rates of cardiovascular mortality: Pardubice (Czech Republic), Augsburg (Bavaria, Germany), and Jerusalem (Israel). In total, 191 (response rate 70%), 153 (70%) and 162 (62%) men, respectively, participated. All centres followed the same study protocol. Lifestyle, anthropometry and biochemical risk factors were assessed by identical questionnaires, standardized medical examination, and central analyses of fasting blood samples.

RESULTS

The mortality rates in the study populations, as well as the prevalence of coronary heart disease in study samples, were highest in Czech, intermediate in Bavarian and low in Israeli men. This pattern was replicated across the three samples by mean blood pressure (P < 0.001), cigarette smoking (not significant), triglycerides (P < 0.05), fibrinogen or D-dimer levels (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the prevalence of diabetes and obesity were similar; total and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein (Lp(a)) and glucose did not differ between Czech and Bavarian men; and Czechs had particularly low levels of serum insulin and factor VIIc. Israelis had low fasting glucose and total cholesterol, as well as HDL-cholesterol levels and a high Lp(a) (each P < 0.001) compared with the two other samples. Striking differences were found for plasma homocysteine (10.5 in Czechs versus 8.9 mumol/l in Bavarians, P < 0.001) and for alpha-carotene (geometric mean in Czechs 16, Bavarians 21 and Israelis 30 micrograms/l), beta-carotene (60, 110 and 102 micrograms/l), and lycopene (84, 177 and 223 micrograms/l), respectively; all P-values < 0.001). Adjustment for obesity or smoking did not change these estimates. There were no differences in the levels of tocopherol and retinol.

CONCLUSIONS

Czech men had high levels of blood pressure, triglycerides, fibrinogen and D-dimer but many other traditional risk factors, as well as indicators of metabolic disorders and vitamins A and E, did not differ between the study samples. The low levels of carotenoids and high concentrations of homocysteine in Czech men seem to reflect their low dietary intakes of fruit and vegetables. The results provide indirect support for the importance of dietary factors in the East-West morbidity and mortality divide.

Differences between plasma and adipose tissue biomarkers of carotenoids and tocopherols

Biomarkers of dietary exposure or nutritional status are sought actively to overcome limitations of traditional dietary methodology. We compared plasma and adipose tissue biomarkers for carotenoids and tocopherols. The data consisted of samples from 91 men and 122 women, ages 45-70 years, from the control group of the European Community Multicentre Study on Antioxidants, Myocardial Infarction, and Cancer of the Breast (EURAMIC) Study. Pearson correlations between plasma and adipose tissue measurements for beta-carotene, lycopene, and alpha-tocopherol adjusted for smoking status displayed low, although significant, correlations of 0.39, 0.24, and 0.39, respectively. The correlation was further stratified by sex. After being corrected for measurement error using deattenuation factors obtained from a reproducibility study, the stratified correlation coefficients were as high as 0.80 for beta-carotene in men, 0.62 for lycopene in women, and 0.52 for alpha-tocopherol in women. In addition, plasma and adipose tissue measurements from the myocardial infarction (MI) subset of the EURAMIC study population were used to evaluate the odds of MI, adjusting for confounders. We found that the concentration of lycopene in plasma was not positively associated significantly with MI (odds ratio, 1.78; P = 0.26). Adipose tissue lycopene, in contrast to reports elsewhere on the total population, showed an inverse association with MI (odds ratio, 0.62; P = 0.15). These results suggest that plasma and adipose carotenoids represent different markers for nutritional status and cannot be used interchangeably in epidemiological and dietary validation studies.

Effect of M1 protein and low pH on nuclear transport of influenza virus ribonucleoproteins

Influenza virus enters its host cell by receptor-mediated endocytosis followed by acid-activated membrane fusion in endosomes. The viral ribonucleoprotein particles (vRNPs) delivered into the cytosol then dissociate from the matrix protein, M1, and from each other, after which they are individually imported into the nucleus via the nuclear pores. For some time, it has been believed that the low pH in endosomes may, in some way, trigger the capsid disassembly events necessary for nuclear transport. This report provides direct evidence that the association of M1 with vRNPs is sensitive to mildly acidic pH within the infected cell. Recombinant M1, expressed in cultured cells, was found to associate with vRNPs and inhibit their nuclear import. Brief acidification of the cytosolic compartment eliminated the interfering activity and allowed the incoming vRNPs to enter the nucleus. Newly assembled progeny M1-vRNP complexes in the cytosol of infected cells were also dissociated by brief acidification. Acidic pH was thus found to serve as a switch that allowed M1 to carry out its multiple functions in the uncoating, nuclear transport, and assembly of vRNPs.

Membrane association of influenza virus matrix protein does not require specific hydrophobic domains or the viral glycoproteins

The matrix protein of influenza virus is a major structural component of the virion which is generally believed to bridge between the membrane envelope and the ribonucleocapsid core. To investigate the interaction of M1 with cellular membranes in the absence of other influenza proteins, we examined its distribution by subcellular fractionation after expression in HeLa cells. Approximately 81 to 88% of M1 protein, expressed without other viral proteins, was soluble, whereas the remaining 12 to 19% was tightly associated with membranes. Conditions known to release peripherally associated membrane proteins did not detach M1 proteins from isolated membranes, suggesting that the fraction of M1 bound to membranes behaves as an integral protein. Coexpression of M1 with hemagglutinin or neuraminidase did not alter the extent of membrane association of M1 protein, indicating that there is no strong interaction between M1 and the cytoplasmic tails of the viral glycoproteins. Additional attempts were made to identify membrane binding domains in M1 protein. Mutants constructed with mutations in the four hydrophobic regions thought to be responsible for membrane association still exhibited the same levels of membrane association as that observed with wild-type matrix protein. Therefore, specific hydrophobic domains are apparently not required for membrane binding.

Nuclear trafficking of influenza virus ribonuleoproteins in heterokaryons

The influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP), matrix protein (M1), and ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) undergo regulated nuclear import and export during infection. Their trafficking was analyzed by using interspecies heterokaryons containing nuclei from infected and uninfected cells. Under normal conditions, it was demonstrated that the vRNPs which were assembled in the nucleus and transported to the cytosol were prevented from reimport into the nucleus. To be import competent, they must first assemble into virions and enter by the endosomal entry pathway. In influenza virus mutant ts51, in which M1 is defective, direct reimport took place but was inhibited by heterologous expression of wild-type M1. These data confirm M1's role as the inhibitor of premature nuclear import and as the main regulator of nuclear transport of vRNPs. In addition to this vRNP shuttling, M1 also shuttled between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in ts51-infected cells. When NP was expressed in the absence of virus infection, it was also found to be a shuttling protein.

Modulation of Ca2+ and Na+ transport by taurine in heart and vascular smooth muscle

Using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique, taurine was found to affect different types of various ionic currents including T and L-type Ca2+ currents, slow Na+ and fast Na+ currents as well as the delayed outward K+ current. Also, in normal situations, taurine had no effect on the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange current. The effect of taurine on the different types of ionic currents appears to depend on [Ca2+]o and [Ca2+]i and may also vary according to the tissue or cell type studied. Using standard Ca2+ imaging techniques, short-term exposure (10 to 20 min) of single heart cells and aortic vascular smooth muscle cells was found to increase total intracellular free Ca2+ in a dose-dependent manner. However, using 3-dimensional Ca2+ and Na+ imaging techniques, long-term exposure of heart and vascular smooth muscle cells to taurine was found to decrease both nuclear and cytosolic Ca2+ without significantly changing either nuclear or cytosolic Na+ levels. Long-term exposure to taurine was found to prevent cytosolic and nuclear increases of Ca2+ induced by permanent depolarization of heart cells with high [K+]o. This preventive effect of taurine on nuclear Ca2+ overload was associated with an increase of both cytosolic and nuclear free Na+. Thus, the effect of long-term exposure to taurine on intranuclear Ca2+ overload in heart cells seems to be mediated via stimulation of sarcolemma and nuclear Ca2+ outflow through the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger.

Plasma extravasation induced by neurokinins in conscious rats: receptor characterization with agonists and antagonists

The purpose of the present experiments was to study the effects of various neurokinin related peptides, such as substance P, [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10), and [MePhe7]NKB, which are selective for NK-1, NK-2, and NK-3 functional sites, respectively, to induce plasma extravasation in rats and the effectiveness of RP 67580 and CP-96,345 (two nonpeptide NK-1 receptor selective antagonists) and SR 48968 (a nonpeptide NK-2 receptor selective antagonist) to prevent such an effect. Bolus intravenous injection of substance P (1.0 nmol/kg) into conscious rats induced extravasation of Evans blue dye (EB), a selective marker of albumin vascular permeability, in the duodenum, the stomach, the pancreas, and the urinary bladder by 50, 40, 58, and 312%, respectively; a slight increment occurred also in the ileum and the kidney but was not significant. [beta Ala8]NKA(4-10) (1.0 nmol/kg) increased EB extravasation in the stomach and the urinary bladder by 52 and 99%, respectively, while [MePhe7]NKB (1.0 nmol/kg) did the same in the stomach, the ileum, and the urinary bladder by 58, 50, and 79%. Pretreatment with RP 67580 (250 nmol/kg) blocked the albumin extravasation mediated by substance P in the duodenum, the pancreas, and the urinary bladder by 100, 100, and 78%, respectively. CP-96,345 (250 nmol/kg) also inhibited EB extravasation mediated by substance P in the duodenum and the pancreas by 100 and 100%, respectively, but was ineffective in the urinary bladder. Neither RP 67580 nor CP-96,345 prevented the substance P mediated extravasation in the stomach. RP 67580 and CP-96,345 did not antagonize the effects of NK-2 and NK-3 selective agonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Forearm blood flow response to posture change in the very old: non-invasive measurement by venous occlusion plethysmography

Little is known about the peripheral vascular response to posture change in very elderly people who are vulnerable to the development of orthostatic hypotension. This is due, in part, to the risks of currently utilized invasive vascular monitoring techniques in the elderly population. We studied the forearm vascular response to active standing in 18 healthy young, 10 healthy old, and 19 impaired elderly subjects, using the non-invasive technique of venous occlusion plethysmography. In six subjects this technique was compared to duplex doppler ultrasonography for the measurement of postural changes in forearm blood flow. Forearm blood flow changes determined by venous occlusion plethysmography were 11% larger than doppler measurements, but the two methods strongly correlated (r = 0.90, P less than .001). Mean forearm vascular resistance increased to a significantly greater extent at 1 minute of standing in young subjects than in both groups of old, although the response was quite variable in all groups. Two healthy elderly (20%) and eight impaired elderly (40%) subjects had unexpected forearm vasodilatation at 1 minute of standing. By 3 minutes, forearm vascular resistance had increased by similar amounts in all three groups of subjects. Five impaired elderly and no healthy young or healthy old subjects had orthostatic hypotension, defined as greater than or equal to 10 mm Hg decline in mean arterial blood pressure at 1 or 3 minutes of standing. Forearm vascular resistance changes did not correlate with blood pressure response to standing. Thus, forearm vascular response to 1 minute of active standing is attenuated in many elderly subjects. This abnormality may impair adaptation to orthostatic stress in advanced age.