Aquamicrobium zhengzhouense sp. nov., a Bacterium Isolated from Farmland Soil Applied with Amino Acid Fertilizer.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, non-motile bacterium, designated strain cd-1T, was isolated from a farmland soil applied with amino acid fertilizer in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China. The optimum growth of strain cd-1T occurred at 30 °C, pH 7.0 in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth without NaCl supplement. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that cd-1T is member of the genus Aquamicrobium, and formed a separate branch with Aquamicrobium aerolatum DSM 21857T (96.5%) and Aquamicrobium soli KCTC 52165T (95.7%). The draft genome sequencing revealed a DNA G + C content of 59.2 mol% and Q-10 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as C18:1 ω7c (35.8%), C19:0 cyclo ω8c (32.1%), and C18:1 ω7c 11-methyl (5.2%). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and the digital DNA-DNA hybridizations (dDDH) for draft genomes between strain cd-1T and KCTC 52165T were 71.0% and 19.9%, respectively, the values for strain cd-1T and DSM 21857T were 73.4% and 20.6%. Based on the physiological and biochemical characteristics, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analysis, strain cd-1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aquamicrobium, for which the name Aquamicrobium zhengzhouense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is cd-1T (= KCTC 82182T = CCTCC M 2018904T).

The Asp(327)Asn polymorphism in the sex hormone-binding globulin gene modifies the association of soy food and tea intake with endometrial cancer risk.

We evaluated the interactive effect of polymorphisms in the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) gene with soy isoflavones, tea consumption, and dietary fiber on endometrial cancer risk in a population-based, case-control study of 1,199 endometrial cancer patients and 1,212 controls. Genotyping of polymorphisms was performed by using TaqMan (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) assays (rs6259) or the Affymetrix MegAllele Targeted Genotyping System (Affymetrix, Inc., US) (rs13894, rs858521, and rs2955617). Dietary information was obtained using a validated food frequency questionnaire. A logistic regression model was employed to compute adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We found that the Asp(327)Asn (rs6259) polymorphism was associated with decreased risk of endometrial cancer, particularly among postmenopausal women (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.62-1.00). This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) modified associations of soy isoflavones and tea consumption but not fiber intake with endometrial cancer, with the inverse association of soy intake and tea consumption being more evident for those with the Asp/Asp genotype of the SHBG gene at Asp(327)Asn (rs6259), particularly premenopausal women (P(interaction) = 0.06 and 0.02, respectively, for soy isoflavones and tea intake). This study suggests that gene-diet interaction may play an important role in the etiology of endometrial cancer risk.

Interaction of soy food and tea consumption with CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms in the development of endometrial cancer.

Certain polyphenols inhibit the activity of aromatase, a critical enzyme in estrogen synthesis that is coded by the CYP19A1 gene. Consumption of polyphenol-rich foods and beverages, thus, may interact with CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms in the development of endometrial cancer. The authors tested this hypothesis in the Shanghai Endometrial Cancer Study (1997-2003), a population-based case-control study of 1,204 endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 controls. Dietary information was obtained by use of a validated food frequency questionnaire. Genotypes of CYP19A1 at rs28566535, rs1065779, rs752760, rs700519, and rs1870050 were available for 1,042 cases and 1,035 controls. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Higher intake of soy foods and tea consumption were both inversely associated with the risk of endometrial cancer, with odds ratios of 0.8 (95% confidence interval: 0.6, 1.0) for the highest versus the lowest tertiles of intake of soy and 0.8 (95% confidence interval: 06, 0.9) for ever tea consumption. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1065779, rs752760, and rs1870050 with endometrial cancer was modified by tea consumption (p(interaction) < 0.05) but not by soy isoflavone intake. The authors' findings suggest that tea polyphenols may modify the effect of CYP19A1 genetic polymorphisms on the development of endometrial cancer.

Dietary folate intake, MTHFR genetic polymorphisms, and the risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women.

Folate plays an important role in carcinogenesis. The enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), encoded by the MTHFR gene, is involved in this process. We investigated both the independent and joint effects of dietary folate and other methyl-related nutrients, as well as three polymorphisms of MTHFR (677C>T, 1298A>C, and 1793G>A), on endometrial cancer risk in a population-based case-control study. Between 1997 and 2003, 1,204 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 controls were recruited among women between the ages of 30 and 69 years in urban Shanghai, China. Information on dietary intake of folate and other methyl-related nutrients, including vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and methionine, was derived from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Genotyping was completed on 1,041 cases and 1,030 controls for MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133), 1298A>C (rs1801131), and 1793 G>A (rs2274967) [corrected] Haplotype estimation of the three single-nucleotide polymorphisms was performed using PHASE software. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to evaluate associations of nutrients, MTHFR genotypes, and haplotypes with endometrial cancer risk. A significant inverse association between dietary folate intake and endometrial cancer risk was observed among all subjects and non-B vitamin supplement users. The greatest reduction in endometrial cancer risk was observed among non-users of supplements in the highest quartile of dietary folate intake (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7) as compared with those in the lowest quartile. Dietary intake of folate cofactors (methionine, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) was not related to risk of endometrial cancer. No association was observed between endometrial cancer and the MTHFR 677C>T, 1298 A>C, and 1793G>A polymorphisms or derived haplotypes. Among non-users of supplements, however, the 1298C and 1793A alleles were associated with a lower risk of endometrial cancer among women with high dietary folate intake but related to a higher risk among those with low dietary folate intake (P(interaction) = 0.08 and 0.03, respectively). Further analysis showed that the lowest risk (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-1.1) was among women with the 1298C allele and the highest intake of both folate and riboflavin (P(interaction) = 0.04). A similar association was observed for the 1793A allele (P(interaction) = 0.03). Our findings suggest that folate intake may decrease the risk of endometrial cancer and modify the effect of MTHFR polymorphisms on risk.

Nutritional factors in relation to endometrial cancer: a report from a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China.

We evaluated the role of dietary nutrients in the etiology of endometrial cancer in a population-based case-control study of 1,204 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 age frequency-matched controls. Information on usual dietary habits was collected during an in-person interview using a validated, quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of nutrients with endometrial cancer risk using an energy density method (e.g., nutrient intake/1,000 kilocalories of intake). Higher energy intake was associated with increased risk, which was attributable to animal source energy and a high proportion of energy from protein and fat. Odds ratios comparing highest versus lowest quintiles of intake were elevated for intake of animal protein (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% confidential interval: 1.5-2.7) and fat (OR = 1.5, 1.2-2.0), but reduced for plant sources of these nutrients (OR = 0.7, 0.5-0.9 for protein and OR = 0.6, 0.5-0.8 for fat). Further analysis showed that saturated and monounsaturated fat intake was associated with elevated risk, while polyunsaturated fat intake was unrelated to risk. Dietary retinol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, fiber, and vitamin supplements were inversely associated with risk. No significant association was observed for dietary vitamin B1 or vitamin B2. Our findings suggest that associations of dietary macronutrients with endometrial cancer risk may depend on their sources, with intake of animal origin nutrients being related to higher risk and intake of plant origin nutrients related to lower risk. Dietary fiber, retinol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin supplementation may decrease the risk of endometrial cancer.

Tea drinking and the risk of biliary tract cancers and biliary stones: a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China.

Biliary tract cancers, encompassing tumors of the gallbladder, extrahepatic bile ducts and ampulla of Vater, are rare but highly fatal malignancies. Apart from gallstones, etiologic factors for biliary tract cancer are not clearly defined. Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that consumption of tea, especially green tea, is protective against a variety of cancers, including gastrointestinal malignancies. As part of a large population-based case-control study of biliary tract disease in Shanghai, China, we evaluated the effects of tea consumption on the risk of biliary tract cancers and biliary stones. The study included 627 incident cases with biliary tract cancer, 1,037 cases with biliary stones and 959 randomly selected controls. Study subjects were interviewed to ascertain data on demographic, medical and dietary factors, including tea consumption. Forty-one percent of the controls were ever tea drinkers, defined as those who consumed at least 1 cup of tea per day for at least 6 months. After adjustment for age, education and body mass index, among women, ever tea drinkers had significantly reduced risks of biliary stones (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.54-0.98) and gallbladder cancer (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38-0.83). The inverse relationship between tea consumption and gallbladder cancer risk was independent of gallstone disease. Among men, tea drinkers were more likely to be cigarette smokers, and the risk estimates were generally below 1.0, but were not statistically significant. Further studies are needed to confirm these results in other populations and clarify the hormonal and other mechanisms that may be involved.

[Green tea consumption and the risk of endometrial cancer: a population-based case-control study in urban Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of tea consumption on the risk of endometrial cancer. METHODS: In a population based case-control study conducted in urban Shanghai, face-to-face interviews were completed for 995 incidence cases aged 30 - 69 from January 1997 to December 2002 and 1087 controls that frequency-matched to cases on age. Unconditional logistic model was used for analysis. RESULTS: An inverse association was observed in tea drinking and endometrial cancer risk. Compared to non-tea drinkers, regular tea drinkers had reduced risk of endometrial cancer (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.54 - 1.01) in premenopausal women. Green tea had a protective effect on endometrial cancer among non-smoking or non-alcohol drinking women (OR = 0.77, P = 0.0199) and the ORs reduced with the increasing concentration of tea being served (P for trend = 0.0493). The multivariate ORs for drinking green tea < 7 times/week and >or= 7 times/week were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.53 - 1.54) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.60 - 0.95) with the trend test of P = 0.0163. CONCLUSION: Tea drinking, with green tea in particurlar, seemed to have weak but inverse association with endometrial cancer risk, but this effect of protection might only limit to premenopausal women.

[Tea consumption and risk of biliary tract cancers and gallstone disease: a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between tea consumption, biliary tract cancers and gallstone disease. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in urban Shanghai from 1 June 1997 to 31 May 2001 involving interviews with 627 new cases of biliary tract cancers (including 368 cases of gallbladder cancer, 191 cases of extrahepatic bile duct cancer and 68 cases of cancer of the ampulla of Vater) aged 35 to 74 years and 959 population controls frequency-matched to cases by gender and age in five-year group. 1037 patients of gallstone disease were selected from the same hospital. All subjects were interviewed in person by trained interviewers by use of a structured questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Compared with tea non-drinkers, current tea consumption was inversely associated with risk of gallbladder cancer, extrahepatic bile duct cancer and gallstone disease among females with OR of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.34-0.96), 0.53 (95% CI: 0.27-1.03) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.51-0.99), respectively. OR declined with younger age at initiation of tea drinking and with longer duration of tea consumption (P for trend < 0.05). Among males, the corresponding OR were mostly below one, although not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Tea consumption may decrease the risk of cancers of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct among females. The protective effect appears to be independent of gallstone disease.

Genetic polymorphism in the manganese superoxide dismutase gene, antioxidant intake, and breast cancer risk: results from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study.

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA damage play important roles in breast cancer carcinogenesis. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a major enzyme that is responsible for the detoxification of reactive oxygen species in the mitochondria. A T --> C substitution in the MnSOD gene results in a Val --> Ala change at the -9 position of the mitochondrial targeting sequence (Val-9Ala), which alters the protein secondary structure and thus affects transport of MnSOD into the mitochondria. METHODS: We evaluated this genetic polymorphism in association with breast cancer risk using data from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, a population-based case-control study conducted in urban Shanghai from 1996 to 1998. The MnSOD Val-9Ala polymorphism was examined in 1125 breast cancer cases and 1197 age-frequency-matched control individual. RESULTS: Breast cancer risk was slightly elevated in women with Ala/Ala genotype (odds ratio [OR] 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-2.3), particularly among premenopausal women (OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.9-3.7), as compared with those with Val/Val genotype. The increased risk with the Ala/Ala genotype was stronger among premenopausal women with a higher body mass index (OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.9-7.0) and more years of menstruation (OR 2.6, 95% CI 0.8-8.0). The risk among premenopausal women was further increased twofold to threefold among those with a low intake of fruits, vegetables, vitamin supplements, selenium, or antioxidant vitamins, including carotenes and vitamins A, C, and E. However, the frequency of the Ala allele was low (14%) in the study population, and most of the ORs provided above were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study provides some evidence that genetic polymorphism in the MnSOD gene may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer among Chinese women with high levels of oxidative stress or low intake of antioxidants. Studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the findings.

Soya food intake and risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women in Shanghai: population based case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of intake of soya food, a rich source of phytoestrogens, with the risk of endometrial cancer. DESIGN: Population based case-control study, with detailed information on usual soya food intake over the past five years collected by face to face interview using a food frequency questionnaire. SETTING: Urban Shanghai, China. PARTICIPANTS: 832 incident cases of endometrial cancer in women aged of 30 to 69 years diagnosed during 1997-2001 and identified from the Shanghai Cancer Registry; 846 control women frequency matched to cases on age and randomly selected from the Shanghai Residential Registry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds ratios for risk of endometrial cancer in women with different intakes of soya foods. RESULTS: Regular consumption of soya foods, measured as amount of either soya protein or soya isoflavones, was inversely associated with the risk of endometrial cancer. Compared with women with the lowest quarter of intake, the adjusted odds ratio of endometrial cancer was reduced from 0.93 to 0.85 and 0.67 with increasing quarter of soya protein intake (P for trend 0.01). A similar inverse association was observed for soya isoflavones and soya fibre intake. The inverse association seemed to be more pronounced among women with high body mass index and waist:hip ratio. CONCLUSION: Regular intake of soya foods is associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer.