[Tea consumption and the risk of lung cancer in Chinese males: a prospective cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the association between tea consumption and lung cancer risk in Chinese males. Methods: Tea consumption and incident lung cancer cases were collected on a biennial basis among males in Kailuan Cohort during 2006-2015. Up to 31st December 2015, a total of 103 010 male candidates from the Chinese Kailuan Male Cohort Study were enrolled in the present study. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the association between tea consumption and risk of lung cancer in males. Results: The age of male candidates was (51.3±13.4)years old. There were 828 810.74 person-years of follow-up and 8.91 years of median follow-up period. During the follow-up, 964 lung cancer cases were identified. In male, the rate of never cosumers, tea drinkers (<4/week) and tea drinkers (≥4/week) were 58.17%(n=59 926), 24.04%(n=24 765) and 17.78%(n=18 319), respectively. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, HR (95%CI) of lung cancer for subjects with tea drinkers (<4/week) and tea drinkers (≥4/week) were 0.80 (0.63-1.02) and 1.02 (0.80-1.30), respectively, as compared with never cosumers. The results showed no significant association with lung cancer. Stratification analysis and sensitivity analysis showed no significant changes. Conclusion: Our study has not found that tea consumption is significantly associated with the risk of male lung cancer.

Effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus on reproductive performance and markers of bone turnover in stall- or group-housed sows.

Increasing productivity and new housing standards necessitate a reevaluation of nutrient requirements for sows, including minerals. The objective of this study was to determine if the recommended levels of dietary Ca and P are adequate for sows housed in groups and that, therefore, have the potential for increased mobility. A total of 180 multiparous sows and gilts were assigned to 1 of 6 treatments. Treatments, arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial, included the main effects of dietary Ca:P-0.70:0.55% Ca:P (as-fed basis; control), 0.60:0.47% Ca:P (as-fed basis; Low CaP), and 0.81:0.63% Ca:P (as-fed basis; High CaP)-and housing-stalls or groups. The trial was initiated when sows were moved from the breeding stalls to the gestation room at wk 4 or 5 after breeding. Sows were initially fed 2.3 kg/d. This allotment was increased to 3.0 kg/d 2 wk prior to farrowing. Group-housed sows, fed in individual stalls, were allowed access to a loafing area after feeding. Serum samples were collected at the start of the trial and on d 100 of gestation, and both serum and milk samples were collected at mid lactation and prior to weaning. Neither diet nor housing had an effect on the total number of piglets born, ADG from birth to weaning, or weaning weight ( > 0.10). The number of live-born piglets and birth weight were unaffected by diet ( > 0.10) but were improved by group housing relative to stalls ( < 0.05). In late gestation, group-housed sows fed the Low CaP diet had reduced serum Ca (diet × housing interaction, = 0.02), and the greatest reduction (between d 28 and 100 of gestation) in serum P level was observed in group-housed sows fed the Low CaP diet (diet × housing interaction, = 0.04). Osteocalcin and pyridinoline, markers of bone formation and resorption, respectively, were unaffected by diet or housing ( > 0.10). Results from these studies imply that the level of dietary Ca and P recommended by the NRC is adequate for sows of modern genetics, whether housed in stalls or groups.

Occupational rehabilitation in Singapore and Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Asia is the new and favored magnet of economic attention and foreign investments after it made an almost uneventful rebound from the depths of financial crisis of 2008/2009. Not many Western observers fully understand the diversity that is Asia other than perhaps its 2 growing economic giants of China and India. Indeed many smaller countries like Singapore and Malaysia in South East Asia along with Australia and Hong Kong (a Special Administrative Region within China) look to symbiotic relationships with these two economic giants. The purpose of this discussion paper is to examine the current issues related to the development and provision of occupational rehabilitation services in Singapore and Malaysia with a forward-looking view of how Asia's different developing societies could potentially benefit from better alignment of occupational rehabilitation practices and sharing of expertise through international collaboration and dialogue platforms. METHODS: Seven therapists and one physician who are frequently involved in occupational rehabilitation services in their home countries critically reviewed the current issues in Singapore and Malaysia which included analysis of the prevalence and cost of occupational injury; overview of workers' compensation system; current practices, obstacles, and challenges in providing occupational rehabilitation and return to work practices. They also offered opinions about how to improve the occupational rehabilitation programs of their two home countries. CONCLUSION: Even though Malaysia and Singapore are two different countries, in many ways their current provision of occupational rehabilitation services and the problems they face with are very similar. There is a lot of room for systemic improvements that require government support and action. Most prominently, the training of more healthcare professionals in the assessment and rehabilitation of the injured worker should be encouraged. There could be better liaison between the many stakeholders and more funding made available to develop resources and to jump start strategic programs. As these two countries are witnessing rapid economic growth, more resources should be allocated to establish holistic care of the injured workers emphasizing early interventions and prevention of chronic disabilities.

Physical and sensory characteristics of marinated broiler drumsticks treated with lactoperoxidase system and thermal treatment.

1. The lactoperoxidase system (LPS) and thermal treatments have been shown to inactivate some micro-organisms in foods. However, further studies are needed to evaluate whether these treatments influenced the physical and sensory characteristics of treated samples. 2. A solution that contained 1% acetic acid and 3% salt with pH adjusted to 4 was developed as a standard marinade. The LPS consisting of 1 microg/ml lactoperoxidase (LP), 5.9 mM potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) and 2.5 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added to the marinade for the LPS treatments. 3. In the thermal treatment, samples were heated with the marinade solution at 58 degrees C for 2 min and then marinated at 4 degrees C for 18 h, while the non-thermal treatments were marinated at 4 degrees C for 18 h. 4. For sensory evaluation, flavouring agents including 0.3% black pepper and 0.15% garlic powder were added to the marinade. For physical evaluation, no flavouring agents were added. 5. The results showed that combined LPS and thermal treatment did not impair the physical or sensory qualities of the samples. 6. In conclusion, marinated broiler drumsticks treated with LPS and thermal treatment had acceptable physical and sensory qualities.

Chelation therapy for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Chelation therapy is being promoted and practiced all over the world as a form of alternative medicine in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It has been recommended as a safe, relatively inexpensive and non-surgical method of restoring blood flow in atherosclerotic vessels. At present the benefit of chelation therapy remains controversial at best. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to assess the effects of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy on clinical outcomes among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. SEARCH STRATEGY: The reviewers searched the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Register, (last searched July 2002), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, (Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2002), MEDLINE and EMBASE for published articles and other relevant articles. Studies were also requested through correspondence with known Filipino practitioners of the procedure. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials of EDTA chelation therapy versus placebo or no treatment in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Main outcome measures considered included either total or cause-specific mortality, non-fatal cardiovascular events, direct or indirect measurement of disease severity, subjective measures of improvement or adverse events. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers (MVV, FT) extracted data and assessed trial quality independently. Unresolved issues were considered by a third reviewer (ALD). Discrepancies were discussed until a consensus was reached. Authors were contacted for additional information. MAIN RESULTS: A total of five studies was included in the review. Mortality, non-fatal events, and cerebrovascular events were not reported in any of the studies. Four of the studies, with a total recruitment rate of 250 participants, showed no significant difference in the following outcomes: direct or indirect measurement of disease severity and subjective measures of improvement. One of the studies, which included only 10 patients, was interrupted prematurely, because of an apparent treatment effect. However, relevant data were not available in the report and have been requested from the authors. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: At present, there is insufficient evidence to decide on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of chelation therapy in improving clinical outcomes of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This decision must be preceded by conducting randomized controlled trials that would include endpoints that show the effects of chelation therapy on longevity and quality of life among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

An asymptotically unbiased estimator of exposed versus non-exposed odds ratio from reported dose-response data.

Summary effect measures in meta-analysis of published epidemiological cohort or case control studies are often based on odds ratios reported for several exposure levels with varying arrangements and number of levels across primary studies. Usually only two-way contingency tables together with exposure specific adjusted odds ratios and corresponding standard errors are presented in articles. An asymptotically unbiased estimate of exposed versus non-exposed adjusted odds ratio from reported dose-response data is proposed. This estimate is based on the weighted sum of the exposure specific odds ratios, with the prevalences of the control group as weights. Large sample variance is derived accounting for the dependency between exposure specific adjusted odds ratios. The exposed versus non-exposed adjusted odds ratio could then be used in systematic reviewing.

Are coffee and tea consumption associated with urinary tract cancer risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Narrative reviews have concluded that there is a small association between coffee consumption and an increased risk of urinary tract cancer, possibly due to confounding by smoking. No association for tea consumption has been indicated. This systematic review attempts to summarize and quantify these associations both unadjusted and adjusted for age, smoking and sex. METHOD: Thirty-four case-control and three follow-up studies were included in this systematic review. Summary odds ratios (OR) were calculated by meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: The unadjusted summary OR indicated a small increased risk of urinary tract cancer for current coffee consumers versus non-drinkers. The adjusted summary OR were: 1.26 (95% CI : 1.09-1.46) for studies with only men, 1.08 (95% CI : 0.79-1.46) for studies with only women and 1.18 (95% CI : 1.01-1.38) for studies with men and women combined. Neither unadjusted nor adjusted summary OR provided evidence for a positive association between tea consumption and urinary tract cancer. Even though studies differed in methodology, the results were rather consistent. We did not perform dose-response analyses for coffee and tea consumption due to sparse data. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with earlier reviews, we found that coffee consumption increases the risk of urinary tract cancer by approximately 20%. The consumption of tea seems not to be related to an increased risk of urinary tract cancer.

Nitric-oxide-dependent pial arteriolar dilation in the female rat: effects of chronic estrogen depletion and repletion.

In this study, we compared endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-mediated cerebral vasodilating responses in intact female rats, chronically ovariectomized (OVX) rats, and OVX rats treated for 2 weeks with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)). Under anesthesia, using intravital microscopy and a closed cranial window system, pial arteriolar diameter changes were monitored during sequential cortical suffusions of an eNOS-dependent dilator [acetylcholine (ACh)] and a direct NO donor [S-nitrosoacetylpenicillamine (SNAP)]. In separate rats from the same groups, we compared eNOS and caveolin-1 (CAV-1) protein abundance in pial arterioles (via immunofluorescence analyses). In untreated and low-dose E(2)-treated (1.0 microg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) OVX rats, ACh-induced vasodilations were virtually absent. High-dose E(2) treatment (100 microg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) restored ACh-induced pial arteriolar dilations to levels seen in intact females. The vasodilations elicited by SNAP and ADO were unaffected by chronic estrogen changes, indicating no direct estrogen influence on vascular smooth muscle (VSM) reactivity. Pial arteriolar eNOS protein abundance was diminished by ovariectomy and restored by high-dose E(2) treatment. Pial arteriolar CAV-1 expression was higher in OVX versus intact and E(2)-treated OVX females. These results suggest that long-term changes in estrogen directly influence brain eNOS functional activity. The estrogen-related changes in eNOS-dependent vasodilating function appear to be related, in part, to a capacity for E(2) to increase eNOS protein expression and, in part, to an E(2)-associated diminution in endothelial CAV-1 expression.

Pharmacologic treatment of autonomic dysreflexia in the rat.

Autonomic dysreflexic hypertension occurs in up to 80% of spinal cord injury patients with lesions thoracic level 6 or higher. Pharmacologic agents directed at each part of the autonomic dysreflexic circuit were tested for efficacy in a rat model. Guanethidine (15 mg/kg intraperitoneally), alpha-methyl-paratyrosine (20 mg/kg intraperitonally), propranolol (3 mg/kg intraperitonally) and control were each tested on groups of three rats with intrinsic control blood pressure measurements. Results show an increase of 15 +/- 5 mm Hg diastolic pressure in control animals compared with no detectable increase with guanethidine or alpha-methyl-paratyrosine. There was an 11 +/- 2 mm Hg increase in diastolic pressure with propranolol. In conclusion, screening drug trials show that the ganglionic blocking agent, guanethidine, and competitive tyrosine uptake precursor, alpha-methyl-paratyrosine, effectively blocked dysreflexic hypertension, whereas the beta-blocker, propranolol, did not.

Astragalus membranaceus and Polygonum multiflorum protect rat heart mitochondria against lipid peroxidation.

We isolated rat heart mitochondria and induced lipid peroxidation with ADP and FeSO4. Oxygen consumption and MDA formation were measured for quantitating the amount of lipid peroxidation. Using these methods, we screened the water extracts of 14 Chinese medicinal herbs for their effect on lipid peroxidation. It was found that Astragalus membranaceus inhibited 42.1 +/- 3.4% of oxygen consumption and 39.8 +/- 3.2% of MDA production at concentration of 2 mg dried herb/ml mitochondrial suspension. At the same concentration, Polygonum multiflorum inhibited 52.1 +/- 7.3% of oxygen consumption and 50.9 +/- 5.3% of MDA production. Other herbs did not inhibit lipid peroxidation to 50% of control at concentration up to 6 mg dried herb/ml mitochondrial suspension. Purification and identification of the active component(s) in Astragalus membranaceus and Polygonum multiflorum as well as their clinical application await further studies.

[Effects of buyang huanwu decoction on changes of oxygen free radical and cell ultrastructure in rats with experimental brain edema].

Effects of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) on the change of oxygen free radical and cell ultrastructure were observed in rats with acute brain edema induced by pertussis vaccine (PV). The results showed that BYHWD could decrease significantly the contents of brain tissue protein and malondialdehyde, and raise the declining of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Also, BYHWD could reduce markedly the transport of pinosome in the left cerebral capillary endothelial cell, and lessen slightly the swelling of cerebral perivascular astrocyte processes and mitochondria in neuron. There was no significant reduction of water content in the left hemisphere on intravenous administration of BYHWD before and after injecting PV; while that in the right hemisphere, it was less remarkable in BYHWD group than that in control (P < 0.05). Hence, it suggests that BYHWD had the evident effects in antagonizing the damage of blood brain barrier and encephalic cell caused by free radical in brain edema.

Structure-activity relationship of miltirone, an active central benzodiazepine receptor ligand isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen).

Twenty one o-quinonoid-type compounds and one coumarin-type compound related to miltirone (1) have been synthesized with the aim to identify the key structural elements involved in miltirone's interaction with the central benzodiazepine receptor. On the basis of their inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam binding to bovine cerebral cortex membranes, it is apparent that ring A of miltirone is essential for affinity. Although increasing the size of ring A from six-membered to seven- and eight-membered is well-tolerated, the introduction of polar hydroxyl groups greatly reduces binding affinity. The presence of 1,1-dimethyl groups on ring A is, however, not essential. On the other hand, the isopropyl group on ring C appears to be critical for binding as its removal decreases affinity by more than 30-fold. It can, however, be replaced with a methyl group with minimal reduction in affinity. Finally, linking ring A and B with a -CH2CH2- bridge results in analogue 89, which is 6 times more potent than miltirone at the central benzodiazepine receptor (IC50 = 0.05 microM).

Studies on natural and modified peptide Trichosanthes trypsin inhibitors.

A peptide trypsin inhibitor was isolated and purified from the roots of Trichosanthes kirilowii (a Chinese medical herb) by using immobilized anhydro-trypsin affinity chromatography and HPLC C18 column reverse chromatography. It contains two major components, both consisting of 27 amino acid residues with three pairs of disulfide bonds. The sequence determination indicated that the difference between them is only in the ninth position, being Gln and Lys, respectively. The peptide bond of the inhibitor reactive site Arg-Ile (3-4) is easy to cleave at low pH by trypsin, resulting in a modified inhibitor. It might be the smallest naturally occurring protein inhibitor so far known. The modification reaction of the Trichosanthes inhibitor with trypsin is similar to the catalytic enzyme-substrate reaction. The dissociation constant of the modified inhibitor with trypsin is around fourfold that of the natural inhibitor.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of the cDNA for human membrane-bound carboxypeptidase M. Comparison with carboxypeptidases A, B, H, and N.

Carboxypeptidase M, a widely distributed membrane-bound carboxypeptidase that can regulate peptide hormone activity, was purified to homogeneity from human placenta (Skidgel, R. A., Davis, R. M., and Tan, F. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 2236-2241). The NH2-terminal 31 amino acids were sequenced, and two complementary oligonucleotide probes were synthesized and used to isolate a carboxypeptidase M clone from a human placental cDNA library. Sequencing of the cDNA insert (2009 base pairs) revealed an open reading frame of 1317 base pairs coding for a protein of 439 residues. The NH2-terminal protein sequence matched the deduced amino acid sequence starting with residue 14. Hydropathic analysis revealed hydrophobic regions at the NH2 and COOH termini. The NH2-terminal 13 amino acids probably represent part of the signal peptide, and the COOH-terminal hydrophobic region may act either as a transmembrane anchor or as a signal for attachment to a phosphatidylinositol glycan moiety. The carboxypeptidase M sequence contains six potential Asn-linked glycosylation sites, consistent with its glycoprotein nature. The sequence of carboxypeptidase M was 41% identical with that of the active subunit of human plasma carboxypeptidase N, 41% identical with bovine carboxypeptidase H (carboxypeptidase E, enkephalin convertase), and 15% with either bovine pancreatic carboxypeptidase A or B. Many of the active site residues identified in carboxypeptidases A and B, including all of the zinc-binding residues (2 histidines and a glutamic acid), are conserved in carboxypeptidase M. These data indicate that all of the metallocarboxypeptidases are related, but the nondigestive carboxypeptidases with more specialized functions, present in cell membranes, blood plasma, or secretory granules (i.e., carboxypeptidase M, carboxypeptidase N and carboxypeptidase H), are more closely related to each other (41-49% identity) than they are to carboxypeptidase A or B (15-20% identity).

The crystallographic study of the complex of the Lys active fragment of the mung bean trypsin inhibitor with bovine trypsin.

The Lys fragment of mung bean trypsin inhibitor can combine with bovine trypsin to form a complex at an equal molar ratio. The single crystals of the complex were obtained by using the micro-still-setting method and the X-ray diffraction extended to 1.8A resolution. Its space group is P212121 with cell dimensions a = 62.9(1)A, b = 63.4(1)A and c = 69.7 (2)A. There is one complex molecule in a crystallographic asymmetric unit.

Purification, characterization and sequence determination of a double-headed trypsin inhibitor peptide from Trichosanthes kirilowii (a Chinese medical herb).

A double-headed trypsin inhibitor peptide was isolated and purified from the root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim (Cucurbitaceae), a Chinese medical herb, by 2.5% trichloroacetic acid and heat treatment followed by affinity chromatography with immobilized trypsin and ion-exchange chromatography. This inhibitor, consisting of 41 amino-acid residues with three pairs of disulfide bonds was sequenced. Two active domains were found to be located at two disulfide loops composed of eight (Pos. 17-24) and nine (Pos. 29-37) amino-acid residues, respectively. It inhibits two molecules of trypsin simultaneously and might be regarded as the smallest double-headed trypsin inhibitor (Mr = 4575) so far known. The chemical modification of the inhibitor with cyclohexandione and citraconic anhydride showed that Arg20-Gly21 and Lys30-Leu31 corresponded to the two reactive sites, respectively. The discovery of the Trichosanthes inhibitor is of importance not only for the study on the structure-function relationship of proteinase inhibitor peptides but also for the search for low molecular mass inhibitors of clinical value among Chinese medical herbs.

Complete amino acid sequence of mung bean trypsin inhibitor.

The mung bean trypsin inhibitor has been found to be microheterogeneous at N-terminal region due to the presence of several isomers. After treatment with aminopeptidase M it becomes homogeneous and is suitable for sequence determination. Based on the determination of the structures of two active fragments the complete amino acid sequence of mung bean trypsin inhibitor has been elucidated. It consists of 72 amino acid residues with 7 pairs of disulfide bonds. The results show that this inhibitor belongs to the Bowman-Birk inhibitor family.