Cadmium uptake by onions, lettuce and spinach in New Zealand: Implications for management to meet regulatory limits.

Paired soil and plant samples collected from the main commercial growing areas for onions (Allium cepa), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and spinach (Spinacia olearacea) in New Zealand were used to assess the influence of plant and soil factors on cadmium (Cd) uptake in these crops. Differences in Cd concentration between eight lettuce sub-types were not consistent across sites, nor were differences in Cd concentrations in three crisphead cultivars assessed at two sites. Similarly, differences in Cd concentrations between four onion cultivars were inconsistent across sites. Mean lettuce Cd concentrations in eight lettuce varieties (range 0.005-0.034 mg∙kg-1 (fresh weight, FW) were markedly lower than those in baby leaf and bunching spinach, (range 0.005-0.19 mg∙kg-1 FW). Significant regional variation was observed in Cd concentrations in one onion cultivar (mean range 0.007-0.05 mg∙kg-1 FW). Soil Cd concentration, pH and region were statistically significant predictors of onion Cd concentration, explaining low (38% for soil Cd and pH) to moderate (50% for all three parameters) percentage of the variation. Soil Cd concentration and exchangeable magnesium or total carbon were statistically significant predictors of Cd concentration in baby leaf and bunching spinach, respectively, explaining a moderate percentage (49% and 42%) of the variation in Cd concentration. Increasing pH and soil carbon may assist in minimising Cd uptake in onion and bunching spinach, respectively. The low to moderate proportion of explained variation is partly attributable to the narrow range in some measured soil properties and indicates factors other than those assessed are influencing plant uptake. This highlights a challenge in using these relationships to develop risk-based soil guideline values to support compliance with food standards. Similarly, the inconsistency in Cd concentrations in different cultivars across sites highlights the need for multi-site assessments to confirm the low Cd accumulation status of different cultivars.

[Anxiety in women undergoing surgical treatment of breast cancer]. / Trevoga u zhenshchin, prokhodiashchikh khirurgicheskoe lechenie raka molochnoi zhelezy.

AIM: To assess anxiety level and factors contributing to its development in patients undergoing surgical treatment for breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects of the study were 72 women, aged 20-80 years, with the diagnosis of primary breast cancer. The Basic Psycho-Oncological Documentation Scale (PO-BADO), the European Organization for Research, and the Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire and its Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-C30; BR-23), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The anxiety score showed negative correlation with EORTC QLQ-C30 'physical functioning', 'cognitive functioning', 'emotional functioning', 'global health status/quality of life' subscales (p≤0,002). Anxiety is a highly prevalent in women with breast cancer and has a marked negative impact, in particular on younger patients.

A review of dopamine agonist therapy in type 2 diabetes and effects on cardio-metabolic parameters.

Dopamine action appears to play a role in changes that are seen in obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Bromocriptine-QR (Quick Release), a dopamine agonist, is approved for use in treatment of type 2 diabetes. It has demonstrated modest improvement in glycemic parameters, cholesterol and weight in certain cohorts. Limited data using cabergoline, a long-acting dopamine agonist, also demonstrate glycemic efficacy. Additionally, bromocriptine-QR appears to have a favorable cardiovascular risk reduction. The direct mechanism by which bromocriptine-QR, or central dopamine agonism, achieves modest glycemic control and favorable cardio-metabolic profile is unclear. This relationship appears to be more complex than the historical explanation of "resetting" the circadian clock and may further be elucidated using data in individuals with hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma.

Dietary arginine stimulates humoral and cell-mediated immunity in chickens vaccinated and challenged against hydropericardium syndrome virus.

The effects of dietary supplement of arginine on protective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of broiler chicks vaccinated and challenged against hydropericardium syndrome virus (HPSV) were investigated and compared with those of 2 reference drugs (cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine). Percentage ratios of lymphoid organs (bursa, spleen, and thymus) to BW, postvaccination and challenge serum antibody responses to HPSV, cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reaction, peripheral lymphoproliferation, postchallenge detection of HPSV in the tissues of infected birds, and ability of chicks to resist virulent HPSV challenge were the parameters utilized to determine the effects of arginine on protective immune responses of chicks. A total of 600 chicks were used in this study. Arginine-supplemented chicks showed significant (P < 0.05) stimulation of lymphoproliferation and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reactions compared with untreated control chicks. Similarly, significantly higher body and lymphoid organ weights were (P < 0.05) recorded in arginine-supplemented chicks compared with untreated control chicks. The highest survival rate was recorded in arginine-supplemented HPS-vaccinated chicks compared with immune-suppressed (cyclophosphamide- and cyclosporine-treated and HPS-vaccinated chicks) and untreated unvaccinated control chicks after virulent HPSV challenges. Postchallenge tissue samples from arginine-supplemented and HPS-vaccinated chicks yielded negligible HPSV detections by virus isolation in cell culture or PCR method, or both, compared with untreated control chicks. Thus, it was concluded that dietary supplementation of arginine had beneficial effects on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses of broiler chicks against HPSV.

Effects of salinomycin on cell-mediated immunity of broiler chickens against hydropericardium syndrome and Newcastle disease viruses.

The effects of salinomycin (SAL) on protective cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses of vaccinated and challenged broiler chicks against hydropericardium syndrome virus (HPSV) and Newcastle disease (NDV) were investigated while comparing 3 reference drugs [levamisole, cyclophosphamide (CYP), and cyclosporine (CYS)]. Peripheral lymphoproliferation, skin hypersensitivity reactions, and the ability of chicks to resist virulent HPSV and virulent NDV challenges were used to determine the effects of drugs on CMI responses in chicks. Salinomycin-medicated chicks showed significant (P < 0.05) stimulation of lymphoproliferation and nonsignificant (P > 0.05) stimulation of skin hypersensitivity reactions compared with untreated control chicks. However, skin thickness and lymphoproliferation of SAL-medicated chicks were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those of CYP- and CYS-treated chicks. The greatest survival rate was recorded in SAL-medicated chicks compared with immune-suppressed (CYP- and CYS-treated) and untreated control chicks after virulent NDV and virulent HPSV challenges. Thus, it was concluded that SAL had beneficial effects on the CMI responses of broiler chicks against HPSV and NDV.

Effects of polyether ionophores on the protective immune responses of broiler chickens against Angara disease and Newcastle disease viruses.

Immunization against Angara disease virus (ADV), a serotype 4 avian adenovirus, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), an avian paramyxovirus serotype 1, is the mainstay of a broiler vaccination programme, while polyether ionophores usually form an essential component of a broiler medication programme in most parts of India and Pakistan. The role of polyether ionophores in the protective immune responses of broiler chickens vaccinated and challenged with ADV and NDV was investigated. A total of 1600 birds were divided into eight groups of 200 birds each. First four groups were vaccinated against NDV and ADV, while the remaining four served as unvaccinated controls. The first 3 groups of birds were administered salinomycin, monensin and cyclophosphamide (CYP), respectively. The last group served as an untreated control. The same treatment schedule was also followed for the next four unvaccinated groups. The post-vaccination and post-challenge serological responses to NDV and ADV, body and lymphoid organ weight gains, post-challenge survival rate and detection of NDV and ADV in the tissues of infected birds were evaluated. Birds administered salinomycin showed a significant stimulation of protective immune responses against both NDV and ADV as compared to the untreated and CYP-treated birds. Monensin also enhanced the protective immune responses against both viruses but the effect was not statistically significant. Thus, it is concluded that monensin and salinomycin augment the anti-NDV and anti-ADV immune responses in broiler chickens, which supports their use in poultry flocks.

The evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma with biphasic contrast enhanced helical CT scan.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of biphasic contrast-enhanced helical CT including Hepatic Arterial Phase (HAP) imaging with Portal Venous Phase (PVP) imaging, in the detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinomas. METHODS: The study included 40 patients (M = 26, F = 14) with histopathologically proven HCC. Age range was between 30-85 years (mean = 55) by following consecutive patients with cirrhosis in whom Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed or suspected either by raised serum a (alpha)-fetoprotein level or Ultrasound. RESULTS: Biphasic contrast-enhanced examination revealed a total of 85 lesions in these 40 patients, out of which 13 were unifocal, 12 showed a dominant mass with satellite lesions, 2 showed cluster of contiguous nodules and 13 were multifocal HCCs. Mean diameter was 3.1 cm, ranging from 0.8 to 14 cm. On HAP imaging 85% were detected. (hyperattenuating = 69, hypoattenuating = 3) while on PVP imaging detectibility was only 48% (hyperattenuating = 2, hypoattenuating = 39). Hence detectibility was significantly (p = 0.008) superior in HAP as compared to PVP imaging. In 7 patients (17%) tumor was visible only on HAP images. Venous invasion was present in 12 patients (30%) while arterio-portal shunting was seen in 5 patients (13%). CONCLUSION: Biphasic contrast enhanced helical CT is a useful method in detection and characterization of HCC.

The role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in obstructive jaundice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRCP in studying the sites and cause of obstructive jaundice in comparison with other imaging modalities at the Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, from January 1999 to May 2001. METHODS: Forty nine consecutive patients included 19 men and 30 women, suspected of obstructive jaundice. Patients underwent ultrasound (n = 49), CT (n = 11), ERCP (n = 25) and biliary surgery (n = 17). Final diagnosis was established by surgical exploration, endoscopic sphincterectomy, cytology and clinical follow up. RESULTS: Of the 49 patients 17 had choledocholithiasis. Twenty five patients had malignant strictures, out of which 11 had non-specific malignant strictures, 7 had pancreatic carcinoma, 3 had Klatskin tumors, 3 had periampullary carcinoma and 1 had gallbladder carcinoma. Six patients had benign strictures and 1 patient had choledochal cyst. Overall, MRCP was sensitive (88%) and specific (96.8%) in detecting choledocholithiasis. MRCP sensitivity and specificity in detecting benign main bile duct stricture was equal to 83.3% and 97.6% respectively, and 92% and 100% for malignant stricture. CONCLUSION: Our prospective study confirms that MRCP, a noninvasive and well tolerated imaging technique is of value in the diagnosis of obstructive jaundice.

Radiologic feeding gastrostomy placement: experience in 23 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and complications of percutaneous gastrostomy catheter placementunder flouro guidance for long-term enteral feeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1998 to May 2002, 23 patients who had percutaneous gastrostomy catheter placement were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical indications for catheter placement included patients with neurologic disease, head and neck malignancy, and pulmonary disease patients. Placement of 12 - 14 Fr gastrostomy catheter was then accomplished with the Seldinger technique. The technical success, procedural complications were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty seven procedures, including revisions, were performed. The success rate for catheter placement was 100%. Revision was necessary in 7 (30%) instances in 7 patients. There was one (3.8%) major and 4 (14.8%) minor complications. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopically directed percutaneous placement of gastrostomy catheters is a safe and effective procedure.

Artificial mutants generated by the insertion of random oligonucleotides into the putative nucleoside binding site of the HSV-1 thymidine kinase gene.

We have obtained 42 active artificial mutants of HSV-1 thymidine kinase (ATP:thymidine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.21) by replacing codons 166 and 167 with random nucleotide sequences. Codons 166 and 167 are within the putative nucleoside binding site in the HSV-1 tk gene. The spectrum of active mutations indicates that neither Ile166 nor Ala167 is absolutely required for thymidine kinase activity. Each of these amino acids can be replaced by some but not all of the 19 other amino acids. The active mutants can be classified as high activity or low activity on two bases: (1) growth of Escherichia coli KY895 (a strain lacking thymidine kinase activity) in the presence of thymidine and (2) uptake of thymidine by this strain, when harboring plasmids with the random insertions. E. coli KY895 harboring high-activity plasmids or wild-type plasmids can grow in the presence of low amounts of thymidine (less than 1 microgram/mL), but are unable to grow in the presence of high amounts of thymidine. On the other hand, E. coli KY895 harboring low-activity plasmids can grow at a high concentration of thymidine (greater than 50 microgram/mL) in the media. The high-activity plasmids also have an enhanced [3H]dT uptake. The amounts of thymidine kinase activity in vitro in unfractionated extracts do not correlate with either growth at low thymidine concentration or the rate of thymidine uptake. Heat inactivation studies indicate that the mutant enzymes are without exception more temperature-sensitive than the wild-type enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Normal hepatocytes exhibiting histone H3 with antibody accessible sites that are cryptic in carcinogen-altered hepatocytes.

A Mr 14,000 polypeptide (p14), identified as liver fatty acid binding protein, in normal liver cytosol was shown previously to be the principal target of the carcinogen, N-2-fluorenylacetamide (2-acetylaminofluorene), early during hepatic carcinogenesis in rats. Immunohistochemical analyses using rabbit antiserum against pure p14/liver fatty acid binding protein revealed marked increases in the levels of the protein in cytoplasm specifically during mitosis in normal and regenerating hepatocytes, and throughout the cell cycle in hyperplastic and malignant hepatocytes brought about by carcinogen, N-2-fluorenylacetamide (2-acetylaminofluorene) or 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene. Present also in normal hepatocytes was a nuclear antigen that was not detected in the hyperplastic hepatocytes, benign hepatocytic adenomas, and hepatocellular carcinomas produced by these carcinogens. The nuclear antigen was discerned to be a Mr 17,000 polypeptide (p17) in extracts of normal liver nuclei and nucleosomes. In the present study, the p17 was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified as being the three variants of histone H3, based on common molecular size, amino acid composition, electrophoretic migration in Triton-acetic acid-urea gels, and Western blot and histochemical reactions using affinity-purified antibodies. The histone H3 of all tested organs reacted specifically with the antiserum in Western blots following sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. In contrast, in a survey of 23 normal rat organs, nuclei of virtually only hepatocytes were reactive immunohistochemically. In view of the exceptional immunohistochemical reactivity of nuclei of normal hepatocytes, attributable to accessible histone H3, and the lack of such reaction in carcinogen-altered hepatocytes, the collected evidence indicates that normal hepatocytes contain uniquely available histone H3 sites that become cryptic during the chemical carcinogenesis.

Late target protein of the carcinogen N-2-fluorenylacetamide in rat liver.

In previous studies, administration of a radioactive tracer dose of the liver carcinogen, N-2-fluorenylacetamide (2-acetylaminofluorene; FAA), to normal or carcinogen-fed rats led to the presence of one or two principal labeled carcinogen: protein complexes in liver cytosol. The early target Mr 14,000 protein of the carcinogen in normal rats was identified as being liver fatty acid-binding protein and was associated in hepatocytes with normal mitosis and the cell proliferation brought about by either of the two liver carcinogens, FAA or 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene. Continued ingestion of any of the three hepatocarcinogens, FAA, 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, or ethionine, resulted in the progressive loss of the early radioactive complex and the concurrent gain in liver cytosol of the late carcinogen: protein complex (Mr approximately 150,000) formed by the tracer dose of FAA. Present attempts to extract FAA derivatives from the late carcinogen: protein complex with organic solvents indicated that virtually all of the carcinogen was apparently covalently bound to the resultant denatured protein. It is unknown whether the covalent interaction occurred in vivo or as an accompaniment of the protein denaturation associated with the solvent extractions. In support of a possible noncovalent interaction, treatment of the unextracted complex with sodium dodecyl sulfate, urea, and beta-mercaptoethanol followed by electrophoresis readily dissociated the majority of the bound carcinogen. The late carcinogen: protein complex was shown to contain a 55 kDa subunit (p55), which was purified to homogeneity according to molecular size. The subunit is a relatively basic polypeptide with a pI of 8.4 to 8.6. In Western blots using rabbit immunoglobulins against the p55, the late target protein was found to be present at low concentrations in liver cytosols of normal rats, and was induced to relatively high levels by ingestion of the carcinogen for 3 to 5 weeks. The induction of high levels of the late target protein explains in part the progressive elevation in content of the late carcinogen: protein complex in rat liver during carcinogenesis by FAA. The isolated p55 was susceptible to a spontaneous stepwise breakdown, resulting in a ladder of decreasing molecular sizes with an average unit difference of 5.8 kDa per step over six size intervals. The p55 subunit was detected in nonhepatic organs of normal rats, but unlike levels in liver, the levels there were not affected by ingestion of the carcinogen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The treatment of psychotic symptoms in Fahr's disease with lithium carbonate.

A 20-year-old man with Fahr's disease who presented with bilateral basal ganglia calcifications, idiopathic dementia, choreoathetotic movements, and kyphoscoliosis developed psychotic symptoms that were refractory to treatment with haloperidol and responded to treatment with lithium carbonate.

Comparative formation of chlorophenol metabolites from hexachlorocyclohexane in mouse and rat in vivo and in vitro.

Comparative formation of chlorophenol metabolites were evaluated in hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) fed mouse and rat livers by h.p.l.c. No significant species differences were noted in the formation of chlorophenol metabolites studied both in vivo and in vitro. The results indicate that the marked species difference that is observed in tumor induction between mice and rats by HCH may not be due to the different rate of formation of chlorophenol metabolites.

Deviations in ornithine-related metabolism during hexachlorocyclohexane-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice: evidence for conversion of glutamate to ornithine.

Chronic administration of technical-grade hexachlorocyclohexane in Swiss male mice resulted in necrosis, and later in adenomatous nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas at 3, 7, and 10 months, respectively, after initiation of the experiment. A definite pattern of changes were observed of arginase, ornithine transaminase, ornithine carbamoyltransferase activities, and metabolites related to ornithine. Conversion of glutamate to ornithine correlated well with the decreased glutamate and constant ornithine in liver of mice fed hexachlorocyclohexane for 7 months.

Induction of oral mucosal tumors in hamsters and rats treated with methyl(acetoxymethyl)nitrosamine.

An oral tumor model has been developed in inbred Syrian golden hamsters by continuous applications every 2 weeks of methyl(acetoxymethyl)nitrosamine [(DMN-OAC) CAS: 56856-83-8; methylnitrosaminomethyl ester acetic acid] at 2 mg/kg body weight alone or by a single application of DMN-OAC followed by continuous twice weekly applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) (1 microgram/animal). Similar studies were done in the W rat buccal mucosa. In the hamsters treated continuously with DMN-OAC, 100% of the tumors were observed in the cheek pouch; none were observed at other sites. In contrast, in the rats treated similarly, only a 67% tumor incidence was observed, of which only 42% were oral tumors. A promoter effect of TPA was observed in hamster cheek pouch tumors induced by DMN-OAC, whereas rat oral mucosa did not respond to TPA treatment.

Effect of hexachlorocyclohexane on diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rat and its failure to promote skin tumors on dimethylbenz[a]anthracene initiation in mouse.

The promoting action of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) was evaluated in female Wistar rats by counting the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive foci which appeared in the liver after diethylnitrosamine (DENA) initiation. Liver tumor promotion by HCH was further confirmed in a long-term tumorigenicity study after DENA pretreatment. It seems likely that HCH is specific for liver tumor promotion since it failed to promote dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated skin tumors in mice.

Influence of estradiol on the benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity induced by hexachlorocyclohexane.

Basal BP-hydroxylase activity was measured in male Swiss mice from the age of 3 weeks to 20 months. Maximal enzyme activity was at the age of 5 months. Comparison of the inducibility of BP-hydroxylase by HCH was also investigated in male and female mice of different ages. Male mice showed higher induction of BP-hydroxylase by HCH than females of the same ages. Sterilization of female mice enhanced enzyme induction. Estradiol exhibited competitive inhibition of BP-hydroxylase activity. After treatment with HCH for 8 months, female mice had a lower tumour incidence than males, and this paralleled a lower induction of BP-hydroxylase.

Hexachlorocyclohexane-induced tumorigenicity in mice under different experimental conditions.

Continuous administration of 500 ppm hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in the diet induced 100% liver tumors in mice, but none were observed in rats and hamsters treated with the same dose of HCH. In Swiss male mice, tumor incidence at earlier ages was greater than that observed in corresponding age groups of Swiss female mice. It was further observed that in Swiss females, sex hormones retarded the tumorigenic effect of HCH; in BALB/c mice a similar phenomenon was not observed.