Occurrence and molecular detection of toxigenic Aspergillus species in food grain samples from India.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to detect the presence of different mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species in major food grains from southern states of India, namely maize, paddy, groundnut and sorghum. A total of 200 isolates recovered from 320 grain samples from four southern states were tested for their toxin chemotypes using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. The diversity and distribution of the isolates were recorded in terms of their frequency, density, importance value index and diversity indices. RESULTS: Among the different grain samples tested, 83% of groundnut, 69% of maize, 57% of sorghum and 29% of paddy samples had aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels above the allowed limit, while 82% of maize, 70% of sorghum, 42% of paddy and 17% of groundnut samples had ochratoxin A (OTA) concentrations higher than the permitted threshold (5 µg kg⁻¹). CONCLUSION: Since the southern states of India are temperate regions, environmental factors, especially temperature and relative humidity, may be responsible for the high levels of mycotoxins present in the grains studied. Therefore there is a need to generate awareness among farmers and consumers about the possible adverse health effects of high levels of mycotoxins present in different food grains.

Differences in Childhood Growth Parameters Between Patients With Somatic and Heritable Retinoblastoma.

Purpose: Little is known regarding differences in childhood growth between somatic and heritable retinoblastoma (Rb) populations. We aimed to compare childhood growth parameters between somatic and heritable Rb cohorts at birth and at time of diagnosis with Rb. Methods: A multinational, longitudinal cohort study was conducted with patients from 11 centers in 10 countries who presented with treatment naïve Rb from January to December 2019. Variables of interest included age, sex, and size characteristics at birth and at time of presentation, as well as germline mutation status. After Bonferroni correction, results were statistically significant if the P value was less than 0.005. Results: We enrolled 696 patients, with 253 analyzed after exclusion criteria applied. Between somatic (n = 39) and heritable (n = 214) Rb cohorts, with males and females analyzed separately, there was no significant difference in birth weight percentile, weight percentile at time of diagnosis, length percentile at time of diagnosis, weight-for-length percentile at time of diagnosis, or change of weight percentile from birth to time of diagnosis. Patients with heritable Rb had a smaller mean weight percentile at birth and smaller mean weight and length percentiles at time of diagnosis with Rb, although this difference was not statistically significant. All cohorts experienced a slight negative change of weight percentile from birth to time of diagnosis. No cohort mean percentiles met criteria for failure to thrive, defined as less than the 5th percentile. Conclusions: Children with Rb seem to have normal birth and childhood growth patterns. There is no definitive evidence that somatic or heritable Rb has a biological or environmental impact on childhood growth parameters.

Impact of catalytic iron on mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome exposed to iodinated radiocontrast-The Iscom Study.

BACKGROUND: Catalytic iron (CI) mediates vascular injury by generating reactive oxygen species. We evaluated role of CI in predicting mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and studied association of contrast nephropathy with CI levels. METHODS: We investigated 806 patients with ACS undergoing contrast exposure for a cardiac procedure who were followed up for 30 days. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 1.6% at 30 days. Catalytic iron at baseline predicted mortality with CI levels significantly higher in those who died, 0.45 µmol/L (0.37, 0.68) compared with survivors 0.31 µmol/L (0.21, 0.40); P = .004. Catalytic iron was associated with increased risk of death in the highest quartile compared with lower 3 quartiles (hazard ratio 7.88, P = .001) after adjustment for age, diabetes, ST deviation, Killip class, ejection fraction, baseline creatinine, hemoglobin level, and troponin. Fifty-five patients (6.8%) developed contrast nephropathy. Patients with contrast nephropathy had a 27% increase in median CI levels from baseline up to 48 hours compared with a marginal 2.9% increase in those without contrast nephropathy (0.37, 0.14 µmol/L to 0.47, 0.20 µmol/L versus 0.35, 0.12 µmol/L to 0.36, 0.14 µmol/L, P < .0001). Patients with contrast nephropathy had significantly higher mortality compared with those without contrast nephropathy (9.1% vs 1.1%, P = .001). CONCLUSION: High baseline CI levels predicted mortality in patients with ACS. Occurrence of contrast nephropathy was associated with rise in CI levels and higher mortality. Therapeutic options to buffer or chelate CI may have beneficial effects on mortality in this setting.

Dietary calcium intake, vitamin D status, and bone health in postmenopausal women in rural Pakistan.

The high prevalence of osteoporosis in Pakistan is of public-health concern. However, there is a paucity of information regarding nutrition and bone density in rural communities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary and lifestyle factors that impact bone health in Nahaqi. Data were collected from 140 postmenopausal women using an interviewer-administered 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. Bone mineral density was estimated using the quantitative ultrasound index (QUI). Serum 25(OH)D was measured in fasting blood samples. The QUI scores revealed that 42% and 29% of the women had T-scores, indicative of osteopaenia and osteoporosis respectively. The mean calcium intake was 346 mg/d, which is less than 50% of the recommended daily intake. The QUI correlated with 25(OH)D after controlling for age (p=0.021, r=0.41, r2=0.168). Vitamin D deficiency and low intake of dietary calcium are two key factors contributing to poor bone health in this population.

Determination of Cutoff Values for the Screening of Osteosarcopenia in Obese Postmenopausal Women.

Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) describes the concurrent presence of obesity, low bone mass, and low muscle mass in an individual. Currently, no established criteria exist to diagnose OSO. We hypothesized that obese individuals require different cut-points from standard cut-points to define low bone mass and low muscle mass due to their higher weight load. In this study, we determined cutoff values for the screening of osteosarcopenia (OS) in obese postmenopausal Malaysian women based on the measurements of quantitative ultrasound (QUS), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and functional performance test. Then, we compared the cutoff values derived by 3 different statistical modeling methods, (1) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, (2) lowest quintile of the study population, and (3) 2 standard deviations (SD) below the mean value of a young reference group, and discussed the most suitable method to screen for the presence of OS in obese population. One hundred and forty-one (n = 141) postmenopausal Malaysian women participated in the study. Bone density was assessed using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Handgrip strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer, and physical performance was assessed using a modified Short Physical Performance Battery test. ROC curve was determined to be the most suitable statistical modeling method to derive the cutoffs for the presence of OS in obese population. From the ROC curve method, the final model to estimate the probability of OS in obese postmenopausal women is comprised of five variables: handgrip strength (HGS, with area under the curve (AUC) = 0.698 and threshold ≤ 16.5 kg), skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI, AUC = 0.966 and threshold ≤ 8.2 kg/m2), fat-free mass index (FFMI, AUC = 0.946 and threshold ≤ 15.2 kg/m2), broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA, AUC = 0.987 and threshold ≤ 52.85 dB/MHz), and speed of sound (SOS, AUC = 0.991 and threshold ≤ 1492.15 m/s). Portable equipment may be used to screen for OS in obese women. Early identification of OS can help lower the risk of advanced functional impairment that can lead to physical disability in obese postmenopausal women.

Vitamin D status and markers of bone turnover in Caucasian and South Asian postmenopausal women living in the UK.

Suboptimal vitamin D status among the South Asian UK population is widely reported; however, its impact on bone health is unclear. The aim of the present study was to conduct a comparative investigation of vitamin D status in postmenopausal South Asian (SA) and Caucasian (C) women and its relationship to parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration, biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone quality. A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling women aged 50-66 years was carried out. A total of sixty-six SA women of Pakistani origin and forty-two C women living in the same community were recruited. Fasting blood was taken for the measurement of vitamin D, PTH and biochemical markers of bone turnover, including type-1 collagen beta C-telopeptide (betaCTX), procollagen type-1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) activity. Bone quality was assessed using broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA). Total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was significantly lower in the SA women than the C women (medians: SA 10.5 v. C 47.1 nmol/l; P < 0.001) This was associated with a significantly elevated serum PTH concentration in the SA group (medians: SA 7.3 v. C 4.5 pmol/l; P < 0.01). BAP activity was also significantly higher in the SA group, indicating elevated osteoblast activity and bone turnover (medians: SA 23.0 v. C 20.0 U/l; P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups for P1NP, betaCTX or BUA. Although the SA women had significantly higher serum PTH and lower 25(OH)D concentrations than C women, this was not associated with significantly higher markers of bone resorption, or reduced bone quality in the SA women.

Total vs. Bioavailable: Determining a Better 25(OH)D Index in Association with Bone Density and Muscle Mass in Postmenopausal Women.

The concurrent presence of low bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and low muscle mass (sarcopenia) in older adults has led to the recognition of "osteosarcopenia" (OS) as a singular entity. Vitamin D may play important role in the manifestation of OS, in terms of intake, absorption, and bioavailability. Evidence suggests that bioavailable 25(OH)D may be a better indicator of Vitamin D compared to total 25(OH)D due to its weak bind to albumin, increasing its 'availability'. The aim of this study was to assess total and bioavailable 25(OH)D levels in postmenopausal women and to determine their associations to bone density and muscle mass. We assessed body composition, bone density, and 25(OH)D indices of multiethnic, postmenopausal Malaysian women. A significant and negative correlation was found between body fat % and each index of 25(OH)D. Both bioavailable and total 25(OH)D were positively correlated with serum calcium and negatively correlated with iPTH. VDBP level was significantly correlated with bioavailable 25(OH)D level, but not with the total 25(OH)D level. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that bioavailable, but not total, 25(OH)D was significantly correlated to bone density and muscle mass, (where stronger correlation was found with bone density), suggesting its superiority. Nevertheless, the low effect size warrants further studies.

Improvement of motor functions by noisy vestibular stimulation in central neurodegenerative disorders.

Through the cerebellar vermis, the vestibular nerves are known to influence the basal ganglia and the limbic system. By means of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), it may be possible to ameliorate movement disorders, particularly akinesic symptoms, in patients with central neurodegenerative disorders. We evaluated the effect of 24-hour noisy GVS on a power-law temporal autocorrelation exponent of daytime wrist activity, separately for higher (local maxima) and lower (local minima) levels of activity, in 14 hospitalized patients. The power-law exponent for the local maxima was significantly (p < 0.002) lower with the noisy GVS than with sham stimulation, suggestive of more frequent switching behavior from low to high levels of activity or less severe akinesia. The noisy GVS may thus potentially improve certain motor dysfunctions in patients with distinct central neurodegenerative diseases.

Daily Consumption of a Fruit and Vegetable Smoothie Alters Facial Skin Color.

Consumption of dietary carotenoids or carotenoid supplements can alter the color (yellowness) of human skin through increased carotenoid deposition in the skin. As fruit and vegetables are the main dietary sources of carotenoids, skin yellowness may be a function of regular fruit and vegetable consumption. However, most previous studies have used tablets or capsules to supplement carotenoid intake, and less is known of the impact of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on skin color. Here, we examined skin color changes in an Asian population (Malaysian Chinese ethnicity) over a six week dietary intervention with a carotenoid-rich fruit smoothie. Eighty one university students (34 males, 47 females; mean age 20.48) were assigned randomly to consuming either a fruit smoothie (intervention group) or mineral water (control group) daily for six weeks. Participants' skin yellowness (CIELab b*), redness (a*) and luminance (L*) were measured at baseline, twice during the intervention period and at a two-week follow-up, using a handheld reflectance spectrophotometer. Results showed a large increment in skin yellowness (p<0.001) and slight increment in skin redness (p<0.001) after 4 weeks of intervention for participants in the intervention group. Skin yellowness and skin redness remained elevated at the two week follow up measurement. In conclusion, intervention with a carotenoid-rich fruit smoothie is associated with increased skin redness and yellowness in an Asian population. Changes in the reflectance spectrum of the skin suggest that this color change was caused by carotenoid deposition in the skin.

Mineralocorticoid and renal receptor binding activity of 21-deoxyaldosterone.

Since several aldosterone metabolites are known to be active, we have assessed the mineralocorticoid biological and renal receptor binding activities of the aldosterone metabolites, 21-deoxyaldosterone (21-deoxy-Aldo), 21-deoxytetrahydroaldosterone (21-deoxy-THAldo), and 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone (THAldo). We synthesized these steroids by bioreduction of aldosterone with intestinal bacteria. Mineralocorticoid agonist activity of 21-deoxy-Aldo, 21-deoxy-THAldo and THAldo, determined by bioassay using adrenalectomized rats, was 1-5%, less than 0.01%, and 0.1-0.5% that of aldosterone, respectively. 21-Deoxy-Aldo showed no antagonist activity. The relative affinity in competing with [3H]aldosterone for binding to mineralocorticoid receptors in adrenalectomized rat kidney cytosols was 94%, less than 0.01%, and less than 0.01% that of aldosterone. The relative binding affinity for rat renal glucocorticoid receptors was 23%, less than 0.01%, and less than 0.01% that of dexamethasone, and for corticosteroid-binding globulin 17%, less than 0.01%, and less than 0.01% that of cortisol. These results show that the naturally occurring steroid, 21-deoxy-Aldo, possesses mineralocorticoid agonist activity which is equivalent to that of 11-deoxycorticosterone, and has substantial affinity for rat renal mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. The results also implicate the pathophysiological role of 21-deoxy-Aldo as a potential mineralocorticoid in 21-hydroxylase deficiency, where urinary excretion of this steroid is invariably elevated.

Nutritional factors and susceptibility to arsenic-caused skin lesions in West Bengal, India.

There has been widespread speculation about whether nutritional deficiencies increase the susceptibility to arsenic health effects. This is the first study to investigate whether dietary micronutrient and macronutrient intake modulates the well-established human risk of arsenic-induced skin lesions, including alterations in skin pigmentation and keratoses. The study was conducted in West Bengal, India, which along with Bangladesh constitutes the largest population in the world exposed to arsenic from drinking water. In this case-control study design, cases were patients with arsenic-induced skin lesions and had < 500 microg/L arsenic in their drinking water. For each case, an age- and sex-matched control was selected from participants of a 1995-1996 cross-sectional survey, whose drinking water at that time also contained < 500 microg/L arsenic. Nutritional assessment was based on a 24-hr recall for major dietary constituents and a 1-week recall for less common constituents. Modest increases in risk were related to being in the lowest quintiles of intake of animal protein [odds ratio (OR) = 1.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-3.59], calcium (OR = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.04-3.43), fiber (OR = 2.20; 95% CI, 1.15-4.21), and folate (OR = 1.67; 95% CI, 0.87-3.2). Conditional logistic regression suggested that the strongest associations were with low calcium, low animal protein, low folate, and low fiber intake. Nutrient intake was not related to arsenic exposure. We conclude that low intake of calcium, animal protein, folate, and fiber may increase susceptibility to arsenic-caused skin lesions. However, in light of the small magnitude of increased risks related to these dietary deficiencies, prevention should focus on reducing exposure to arsenic.

Gastric restitution is inhibited by dexamethasone, which is reversed by hepatocyte growth factor and rebamipide.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids have been shown to induce peptic ulcers, especially when co-administered with NSAIDs. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a role in gastric ulcer repair, facilitating the restitution of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. HGF expression is induced by PGs in gastric fibroblasts. We hypothesized that dexamethasone (DEX) may inhibit PG production and HGF expression, thus inhibiting HGF-induced gastric epithelial restitution. AIM: To investigate the effect of DEX on gastric restitution, using cultured gastric cells, the role of HGF in the restitution inhibited by DEX, and the effect of rebamipide on DEX- inhibited restitution. METHODS: Human gastric fibroblasts were prepared from human stomach obtained at surgery; PGE2 and HGF is determined by ELISA; Restitution was assessed by the round wound restitution model, using coculture of gastric fibroblasts and epithelial cells; COX-2 and HGF mRNA were quantified by TaqMan RT-PCR system. RESULTS: 1. DEX inhibited HGF mRNA and COX-2 mRNA. Accordingly, it inhibited PGE2 and HGF release. 2. DEX inhibited the restitution of gastric cells. 3. The inhibition of restitution was reversed by HGF and rebamipide to the same extent. 4. Rebamipide induced PGE2 and HGF. CONCLUSION: DEX inhibits restitution via HGF depletion, and rebamipide reverses the inhibited restitution by HGF induction.

Relationship between mitochondrial DNA polymorphism and the individual differences in aerobic performance.

This study focused on the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as the genetic factor most likely to bring about the individual difference in endurance capacity or its trainability. Platelets contain mtDNA but no nuclear DNA, whereas rho(0)-HeLa cells have nuclear DNA but no mtDNA. The oxidative capacity of mitochondria in the cultured cells, which were fused rho(0)-HeLa cell with platelets obtained from individual subjects (the so-called "cybrids"), reflects the individual mtDNA polymorphism in the gene-coding region. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the oxidative capacity of cybrids and the individual difference in endurance capacity, or its trainability. Forty-one sedentary young males took part in an 8-week endurance training program. They were determined by using their VO(2 max) as an index of endurance capacity on an ergocycle before and after the endurance training program. The relations between VO(2 max) before endurance training or the change of it by endurance training and the oxidative capacity of cybrids were investigated. There was no relation between them, and two groups were drawn from all subjects, based on one standard division of their initial VO(2 max): the higher pre-VO(2 max) group (n = 6) and the lower pre-VO(2 max) group (n = 5) (51.8 +/- 3.5 ml/min/kg vs. 33.3 +/- 3.8 ml/min/kg, p < 0.01). No significant difference was found between the O(2) consumption of the cybrids in the higher initial VO(2 max) group and that in the lower initial VO(2 max) group (16.3 +/- 4.9 vs. 15.9 +/- 2.0 nmol O(2)/min/10(7) cells, NS). Furthermore, neither the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity nor the complex I + III activity of cybrids showed a significant difference between the two groups. The oxidative capacity of cybrids between the high trainability group (n = 6) (Delta VO(2 max) 12.1 +/- 1.6 ml/min/kg) and the low trainability group (n = 9) (Delta VO(2 max) 2.3 +/- 0.5 ml/min/kg) was also similar. Thus the mtDNA polymorphism is very unlikely to relate to the individual difference in endurance capacity or its trainability in young sedentary healthy subjects.

The effects of cytoplasmic transfer of mtDNA in relation to whole-body endurance performance.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between whole-body aerobic capacity and mitochondrial facilities. The mitochondrial enzyme system of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is encoded both by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA. To identify the effect of mtDNA on whole-body aerobic capacity, we fused the platelets of the study subjects that contained mtDNA but that lacked nuclear DNA with rho(0) HeLa cells, which lacked mtDNA, and isolated repopulated cybrids. The mitochondrial respiratory functions of the cybrids, estimated from cell oxygen consumption and cytochrome-c oxidase (CCOX), were compared between endurance athletes and sedentary controls. The oxygen consumption was 18.5 +/- 3.9 and 18.2 +/- 4.1 nmol/min/ml/10(7) cells in athletes and controls, respectively. The CCOX activity was 98.8 +/- 17.5 and 116.7 +/- 9.8%, compared with fibroblasts in athletes and controls, respectively. No significant difference was noted between groups in either cell oxygen consumption or CCOX activity. These results show that the OXPHOS enzymes coded by mtDNA do not strongly influence whole-body aerobic fitness.

Continuous estimation of CO2 production during exercise.

A new method was developed for continuous isotopic estimation of human whole body CO2 rate of appearance (Ra) during non-steady state exercise. The technique consisted of a breath-by-breath measurement of 13CO2 enrichment (E) and a real-time fuzzy logic feedback system which controlled NaH13CO3 infusion rate to achieve an isotopic steady state. Ra was estimated from the isotope infusion rate and body 13CO2 enrichment which was equal to E at the isotopic steady state. During a non-steady state incremental cycle exercise (5 w/min or 10 w/min), NaH13CO3 infusion rate was successfully increased by the action of feedback controller so as to keep E constant.

[Comparison of limited weight values and the sensitivity of analytical methods used for the detection of toxic atmospheric agents in working places]. / Confronto fra i valori limite ponderati e le sensibilità dei metodi di analisi degli agenti tossici nell'atmosfera degli ambienti di lavoro.

This research has been carried out in order to estimate minimum sampling periods for the substances detailed in the VLP table given by the Italian Occupational Medicine Service and the Industrial Hygiene Group. These data take the following points into consideration: 1) sensitivity of the analytical method; 2) value and condition of sample at fulfilment of sampling periods; 3) sampling speed; 4) VLP, with special reference to ceiling value for very short exposure. As to dust the minimum period required is about 1 minute for numeric sampling, and 35 minutes for gravimetric sampling. 85% from the above-mentioned substances can be sampled at minimum periods which range from 1 to 5 minutes.

[Frequent convulsions in the post-eruptive stage of exanthem subitum].

We report here three infants with frequent convulsions in the post-eruptive stage of exanthem subitum (ES) due to human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection. Postictal electroencephalogram (EEG) showed in all the patients abnormal epileptic discharges, which disappeared in the following by three to eighteen months. In one case, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed focal gliosis. SPECT demonstrated hypoperfusion of the lesion. In the cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) of all the patients, HHV-6 DNA was negative on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and HHV-6 antibodies were not significantly increased. Although encephalitis has been reported to complicate primary HHV-6 infection, our patients were not diagnosed as having encephalitis because of the clinical, CSF, EEG and CT findings. However, they had frequent convulsions. Not only virus invasion but also a secondary reaction including vasculitis may cause the central nervous system complications of HHV-6 infection. Frequent convulsions may occur in the post-eruptic stage after HHV-6 infection.

[The alteration of PyNPase activity in breast cancers due to preoperative oral administration of 5'-DFUR].

To estimate the alteration of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNPase) activity by 5'-DFUR, we determined its activity in the breast tissue of two patient groups. Group A (21 patients) were given 5'-DFUR (mean 9,000 mg) preoperatively, and group B (21 patients) were given no anticancer agents. There were no significant differences between the groups in background factors such as age, clinical stage and pathological features. Comparison of PyNPase activity in both groups among specimens of carcinoma, normal breast glands and lymph nodes revealed that the activity in carcinomas and lymph nodes was significantly higher than in normal breast glands. Comparison of group A with group B showed that group A had lower activity in carcinomas and lymph nodes than in group B, although the difference was not significant. An inter-group comparison of carcinomas was made in detail by subgrouping according to age and pathological features. In group B, PyNPase activity in older patients (> or = 50 y.o) was significantly higher than in younger patients (< 50 y.o), and papillotubular carcinomas had significantly lower activity than solid tubular and scirrhous carcinomas. However, in group A these data could not be determined. These results suggest that PyNPase activity in group A was possibly decreased by 5'-DFUR.