Lactoferrin supplementation for taste and smell abnormalities among patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Taste and smell abnormalities (TSA) are common in patients receiving chemotherapy and may lead to altered nutritional intake, treatment withdrawal, and impaired quality of life. Lipid peroxidation in the oral cavity is one cause of TSA. Lactoferrin (LFN), an iron-binding salivary protein, reduces production of lipid oxidation byproducts and has been shown to reduce perception of unpleasant flavors. To assess the feasibility of LFN as a treatment for TSA, we conducted pilot investigations among patients with cancer who self-reported TSA following onset of chemotherapy. The primary objective was to assess change in subjective taste and smell perception from baseline to completion of 30 days of LFN supplementation. METHODS: Patients were treated with 750 mg LFN daily for 30 days and followed for an additional 30 days without LFN. TSA was measured via the taste and smell questionnaire (TSQ) including taste (score 0-10), smell (score 0-6), and composite scores (0-16) (0 = no TSA) at baseline, day 30, and day 60. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients enrolled; 19 remained on study at day 30 and 17 at day 60. Baseline mean TSQ scores were 6.5 (taste), 3.1 (smell), and 9.6 (composite). By day 30, mean composite TSQ score improved by 1.7 (p = 0.018); taste and smell improved by 0.6 (p = 0.062) and 1.1 (p = 0.042), respectively. From baseline to day 60, mean composite TSQ score improved by 3.8 (p < 0.0001); taste and smell improved by 1.9 (p = 0.001) and 1.8 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Further evaluation of LFN is warranted to determine its value for improving self-reported TSA among patients receiving chemotherapy.

Transcriptome Analysis of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Skin in Response to Sea Lice and Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus Co-Infection Under Different Experimental Functional Diets.

Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) are ectoparasitic copepods that cause significant economic loss in marine salmoniculture. In commercial salmon farms, infestation with sea lice can enhance susceptibility to other significant pathogens, such as the highly contagious infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAv). In this study, transcriptomic analysis was used to evaluate the impact of four experimental functional feeds (i.e. 0.3% EPA/DHA+high-ω6, 0.3% EPA/DHA+high-ω6+immunostimulant (IS), 1% EPA/DHA+high-ω6, and 1% EPA/DHA+high-ω3) on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) during a single infection with sea lice (L. salmonis) and a co-infection with sea lice and ISAv. The overall objectives were to compare the transcriptomic profiles of skin between lice infection alone with co-infection groups and assess differences in gene expression response among animals with different experimental diets. Atlantic salmon smolts were challenged with L. salmonis following a 28-day feeding trial. Fish were then challenged with ISAv at 18 days post-sea lice infection (dpi), and maintained on individual diets, to establish a co-infection model. Skin tissues sampled at 33 dpi were subjected to RNA-seq analysis. The co-infection's overall survival rates were between 37%-50%, while no mortality was observed in the single infection with lice. With regard to the infection status, 756 and 1303 consensus differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the four diets were identified in "lice infection vs. pre-infection" and "co-infection vs. pre-infection" groups, respectively, that were shared between the four experimental diets. The co-infection groups (co-infection vs. pre-infection) included up-regulated genes associated with glycolysis, the interferon pathway, complement cascade activity, and heat shock protein family, while the down-regulated genes were related to antigen presentation and processing, T-cell activation, collagen formation, and extracellular matrix. Pathway enrichment analysis conducted between infected groups (lice infection vs. co-infection) resulted in several immune-related significant GO terms and pathways unique to this group, such as "autophagosome", "cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway" and "response to type I interferons". Understanding how experimental functional feeds can impact the host response and the trajectory of co-infections will be an essential step in identifying efficacious intervention strategies that account for the complexities of disease in open cage culture.

The interaction between temperature and dose on the efficacy and biochemical response of Atlantic salmon to hydrogen peroxide treatment for amoebic gill disease.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) is a commonly used treatment for a range of parasitic diseases of marine finfish, including amoebic gill disease (AGD). While this treatment is partially effective at reducing parasite load, H2 O2 can have detrimental effects on the host under certain conditions. Treatment temperature and dose concentration are two factors that are known to influence the toxicity of H2 O2 ; however, their impact on the outcome of AGD treatment remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of treatment temperature (8, 12 or 16°C) and dose concentration (750, 1,000, 1,250 mg/L) on the efficacy of H2 O2 to treat AGD. We demonstrated that a 20-min bath treatment of H2 O2 at all doses reduced both parasite load and gross gill score significantly. Parasite load and gross gill score were lowest in the 1,000 mg/L treatment performed at 12°C. At the high dose and temperature combinations, H2 O2 caused moderate gill damage and a significant increase in the plasma concentration of electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium). Taken together, our study demonstrates that higher H2 O2 treatment temperatures can adversely affect the host and do not improve the effectiveness of the treatment.

What isn't measured isn't done - eight years with no progress in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult influenza and pneumococcal vaccination.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare vaccination coverage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as Indigenous) adults in 2004-05 and 2012-13, including the impact of national vaccination funding initiatives. METHODS: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health cross-sectional surveys - 2004-05 (n=5,757) and 2012-13 (n=5,482) - were compared. Self-reported influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage among Indigenous adults was analysed by age, remoteness, gender and risk factor status. RESULTS: Influenza vaccination coverage among Indigenous adults in 2004-05 and 2012-13 remained low. While coverage increased for those aged 18-49 years from 23% to 29%, it declined for those aged ≥65 years from 84% to 74%. For remote areas, influenza coverage among those aged 50-64 years declined from 76% to 66%. Pneumococcal vaccination coverage remained very low and declined across all age groups in 2004-05 and 2012-13 (50-64 years: 30% to 23%). For remote areas, pneumococcal coverage declined among those aged 50-64 years from 52% to 32%. CONCLUSIONS: Indigenous adult vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumococcal disease remains unacceptably low. Between 2004-05 and 2012-13, declines occurred in pneumococcal vaccination coverage across all age groups ≥18 years. Despite national funding of influenza vaccine in 2010, there was no increase in influenza coverage, except for the 18-49-year age group. Implications for public health: Current approaches to promote, deliver and monitor vaccination of Indigenous adults are inadequate.

Exploring the possibility of predicting long-term oxidative stability in prototype skincare formulations using various lipid oxidation initiators.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify an effective lipid oxidation initiator which could predict, within 1 month, the long-term oxidative stability of a prototype skincare formulation. The main purpose was to find a potential initiator not to assess oxidation stability of the formulations. METHODS: Four initiators (below) were examined in three steps: Reaction kinetics using a Clark electrode (Oxygraph); Effect of adding an initiator on the product's physical and oxidative stability in prototype skincare formulations by visual observation, peroxide value and headspace GC-MS determination of volatile oxidation products; and Ability to differentiate unstable vs. stable prototype creams by initiator addition. The four initiators explored were: FeCl2 /H2 O2 , FeCl3 /ascorbic acid, 2,2'-Azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN) and 2,2'-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH) RESULTS: In Oxygraph, the initiator systems FeCl2 /H2 O2 and FeCl3 /ascorbic acid were good accelerators of oxygen consumption. The addition of FeCl2 /H2 O2 to prototype formulations did not affect the physical stability. However, the addition of FeCl3 /ascorbic acid to prototype formulations resulted in phase separation and FeCl3 /ascorbic acid was therefore deemed unusable. Moreover, the addition of AAPH or AMVN resulted in an increased and decreased viscosity respectively. In the oxidation stability study, peroxide value increased significantly when AMVN was added. However, the peroxide value remained low for the other initiators and the control (no initiator). The secondary volatile oxidation product, butanal, increased most with the FeCl2 /H2 O2 addition. Three out of the four initiators did not have the ability to rank the stable and unstable formulations in accordance with the result obtained for volatile oxidation products after 42 days of storage at 20°C of formulations without initiator. Only, FeCl2 /H2 O2 was able to rank the formulations in accordance with the oxidative stability observed for volatile oxidation products after 42 days of storage. CONCLUSION: FeCl2 /H2 O2 showed potential as an initiator to predict the oxidative stability of skincare formulations, but more studies are needed to confirm the result in a broader range of products over a longer time.

OBJECTIF: Le but de cette étude était d'identifier un initiateur efficace de l'oxydation des lipides qui pourrait prédire, dans un délai d'1 mois, la stabilité oxydative à long terme d'une formulation prototype de soins pour la peau. Le principal objectif était de trouver un initiateur potentiel et non pas d'évaluer la stabilité à l'oxydation des formulations. MÉTHODES: Quatre initiateurs (ci-dessous) ont été évalués au cours de trois étapes: Cinétique de réaction à l'aide d'une électrode de Clark (Oxygraphe); Effet de l'addition d'un initiateur sur la stabilité physique et oxydative du produit dans des prototypes de formulations par observation visuelle de l'indice de peroxyde et détermination des produits d'oxydation volatiles par GC-MS - espace de tête; et Capacité à différencier les prototypes de crèmes instables des prototypes de crèmes stables par addition d'un initiateur. Les quatre initiateurs étudiés étaient : FeCl2 /H2 O2 , FeCl3 /acide ascorbique, 2,2'-azobis (2,4-diméthylvaléronitrile) (AMVN) et 2,2'-azobis (2-méthylpropionamidine), dichlorhydrate (AAPH) RÉSULTATS: Dans l'oxygraphe, les systèmes initiateurs FeCl2 /H2 O2 et FeCl3 /acide ascorbique étaient de bons accélérateurs de la consommation en oxygène. L'addition de FeCl2 /H2 O2 aux prototypes de formulations n'a pas eu d'impact sur la stabilité physique. Cependant, l'addition de FeCl3 /acide ascorbique aux prototypes de formulations a entraîné une séparation des phases et le système FeCl3 /acide ascorbique a donc été jugé inutilisable. De plus, l'addition d'AAPH ou d'AMVN a entraîné une augmentation et une diminution de la viscosité, respectivement. Dans l'étude de stabilité oxydative, l'indice de peroxyde a significativement augmenté lorsque l'AMVN a été ajouté. Cependant, l'indice de peroxyde est resté faible pour les autres initiateurs et le témoin (sans initiateur). L'augmentation la plus importante du produit d'oxydation volatile secondaire, le butanal, a été observée avec l'addition de FeCl2 /H2 O2 . Trois des quatre initiateurs n'ont pas permis de classer les formulations stables et instables d'après le résultat obtenu pour les produits d'oxydation volatiles après 42 jours de conservation à 20 °C des formulations sans initiateur. Seul FeCl2 /H2 O2 a été en mesure de classer les formulations conformément à la stabilité oxydative observée pour les produits d'oxydation volatiles après 42 jours de conservation. CONCLUSION: FeCl2 /H2 O2 a montré un potentiel comme initiateur pour prédire la stabilité oxydative de formulations de soins pour la peau, mais des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour confirmer le résultat sur une plus large gamme de produits et sur une plus longue période.

Changes in the liver transcriptome of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed experimental diets based on terrestrial alternatives to fish meal and fish oil.

BACKGROUND: Dependence on marine natural resources threatens the sustainability of Atlantic salmon aquaculture. In the present study, Atlantic salmon fed for 14 weeks with an experimental diet based on animal by-products and vegetable oil (ABP) exhibited reduced growth performance compared with others fed a fish meal/fish oil based experimental diet (MAR) and a plant protein/vegetable oil-based experimental diet (VEG). To characterize the molecular changes underlying the differences in growth performance, we conducted a 44 K microarray study of the liver transcriptome of the three dietary groups. RESULTS: The microarray experiment identified 122 differentially expressed features (Rank Products, PFP < 10%). Based on their associated Gene Ontology terms, 46 probes were classified as metabolic and growth-relevant genes, 25 as immune-related, and 12 as related to oxidation-reduction processes. The microarray results were validated by qPCR analysis of 29 microarray-identified transcripts. Diets significantly modulated the transcription of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism (gck and pfkfb4), cell growth and proliferation (sgk2 and htra1), apoptosis (gadd45b), lipid metabolism (fabp3, idi1, sqs), and immunity (igd, mx, ifit5, and mhcI). Hierarchical clustering and linear correlation analyses were performed to find gene expression patterns among the qPCR-analyzed transcripts, and connections between them and muscle and liver lipid composition. Overall, our results indicate that changes in the liver transcriptome and tissue lipid composition were driven by cholesterol synthesis up-regulation by ABP and VEG diets, and the lower carbohydrate intake in the ABP group. Two of the microarray-identified genes (sgk2 and htra1) might be key to explaining glucose metabolism regulation and the dietary-modulation of the immune system in fish. To evaluate the potential of these genes as predictive biomarkers, we subjected the qPCR data to a stepwise discriminant analysis. Three sets of no more than four genes were found to be able to predict, with high accuracy (67-94%), salmon growth and fatty acid composition. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new findings on the impact of terrestrial animal and plant products on the nutrition and health of farmed Atlantic salmon, and a new method based on gene biomarkers for potentially predicting desired phenotypes, which could help formulate superior feeds for the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry.

Completeness of a Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Enhanced Surveillance System in Pakistan: Evidence from Capture-Recapture Methods.

Objectives An enhanced surveillance system that integrated health information systems and extended surveillance to previously uncovered areas to capture all births, perinatal and maternal deaths in a rural district of Pakistan was established in 2015, and this study uses capture-recapture methodology to assess completeness. Methods Births and deaths collected by the survey were matched with the data captured by the enhanced surveillance system. Capture-recapture methodology was used to estimate the total number of births and deaths, measure the degree of underestimation, and adjust mortality rates. Results Of all births, 99% were captured by the enhanced surveillance system. Ninety percent of neonatal deaths and 86% of early neonatal deaths were recorded. The recorded neonatal mortality rate was 40 per 1000 live births (95% CI 35-44), and after adjustment for under-enumeration was 42 per 1000 live births (95% CI 37-46). Recorded rates underestimated neonatal mortality by 5% and perinatal mortality by 7%. Five stillbirths were recorded by the survey and all were matched to recorded stillbirths. The one maternal death recorded by the survey was matched with the maternal death captured by the enhanced surveillance system. The maternal mortality ratio prior to adjustment for under-enumeration was 247 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 147-391), whereas after adjustment it was 246 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 146-389). Conclusion Application of capture-recapture methods to the enhanced surveillance system indicated a high completeness of birth and death recording by the surveillance system.

Adapting an Early Palliative Care Intervention to Family Caregivers of Persons With Advanced Cancer in the Rural Deep South: A Qualitative Formative Evaluation.

CONTEXT: There is a scarcity of early palliative care interventions to support family caregivers of persons with advanced cancer living in the rural Southern U.S. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to adapt the content, format, and delivery of a six session, palliative care, telehealth intervention with monthly follow-up for rural family caregivers to enhance their own self-care and caregiving skills. METHODS: Qualitative formative evaluation consisting of one-on-one, semistructured interviews with rural-dwelling persons with metastatic cancer (n = 18), their primary family caregiver (n = 20), and lay patient navigators (n = 26) were conducted to elicit feedback on a family caregiver intervention outline based on published evidence-based interventions. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Coinvestigators reviewed and refined preliminary themes. RESULTS: Participants recommended that intervention topical content be flexible and has an adaptable format based on continuous needs assessment. Sessions should be 20 minutes long at minimum, and additional sessions should be offered if requested. Faith and spirituality is essential to address but should not be an overarching intervention theme. Content needs to be communicated in simple language. Intervention delivery via telephone is acceptable, but face-to-face contact is desired to establish relationships. Other Internet-based technologies (e.g., video-conferencing) could be helpful, but many rural dwellers may not be technology savvy or have Internet access. Most lay navigators believed they could lead the intervention with additional training, protocols for professional referral, and supervision by specialty-trained palliative care clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: A potentially scalable palliative care intervention is being adapted for family caregivers of rural-dwelling persons with advanced cancer and will undergo piloting in a small-scale randomized controlled trial.

Retrospective Analysis of Cisplatin Nephrotoxicity in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Outpatient Treatment With Concurrent High-dose Cisplatin and Radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin remains the pivotal chemotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), with nephrotoxicity considered the dose-limiting toxicity. The purpose of our study was to propose an outpatient high-dose cisplatin protocol aimed at preventing nephrotoxicity and to analyze the results of its utilization in patients with SCCHN treated with concurrent radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 82 SCCHN patients treated with outpatient high-dose cisplatin concurrent with radiotherapy at our institution. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease were defined by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Associated factors were identified using analysis of covariance models for categorical variables and adjusted Pearson correlations for continuous variables. RESULTS: The incidence of AKI during treatment was 34.2%. With a median follow-up of 25.7 months, the average decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate was 12.57 mL/min/1.73 m (SD=18.58). At 1 year and at last follow-up, 5.4% and 4.4% of patients had estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m. Predictors associated with AKI and chronic kidney disease were: lower baseline weight and creatinine, higher baseline creatinine clearance, smoking, female sex, African American race, hypertension, and increased hydration and magnesium replacement requirements. CONCLUSIONS: We encountered limited early and late nephrotoxicity. Importantly, nephrotoxicity was not the main dose-limiting toxicity. Our results emphasize the importance of close monitoring and additional replacement of water and electrolytes as needed. A consistent method of measuring and reporting chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity would be a valuable contribution to the literature.

Coffee Ingestion Enhances 1-Mile Running Race Performance.

CONTEXT: Caffeine, often in the form of coffee, is frequently used as a supplement by athletes in an attempt to facilitate improved performance during exercise. PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of coffee ingestion as an ergogenic aid prior to a 1-mile (1609 m) race. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized, cross-over, and placebo-controlled design, 13 trained male runners completed a 1-mile race 60 minutes following the ingestion of 0.09 g·kg-1 coffee (COF), 0.09 g·kg-1 decaffeinated coffee (DEC), or a placebo (PLA). All trials were dissolved in 300 mL of hot water. RESULTS: The race completion time was 1.3% faster following the ingestion of COF (04:35.37 [00:10.51] min:s.ms) compared with DEC (04:39.14 [00:11.21] min:s.ms; P = .018; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.11 to -0.01; d = 0.32) and 1.9% faster compared with PLA (04:41.00 [00:09.57] min:s.ms; P = .006; 95% CI, -0.15 to -0.03; d = 0.51). A large trial and time interaction for salivary caffeine concentration was observed (P < .001; [Formula: see text]), with a very large increase (6.40 [1.57] µg·mL-1; 95% CI, 5.5-7.3; d = 3.86) following the ingestion of COF. However, only a trivial difference between DEC and PLA was observed (P = .602; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.03; d = 0.17). Furthermore, only trivial differences were observed for blood glucose (P = .839; [Formula: see text]) and lactate (P = .096; [Formula: see text]) and maximal heart rate (P = .286; [Formula: see text]) between trials. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that 60 minutes after ingesting 0.09 g·kg-1 of caffeinated coffee, 1-mile race performance was enhanced by 1.9% and 1.3% compared with placebo and decaffeinated coffee, respectively, in trained male runners.

The dietary replacement of marine ingredients by terrestrial animal and plant alternatives modulates the antiviral immune response of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

The effects of replacing marine ingredients by terrestrial ingredients on the health of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are poorly understood. During a 14-week trial, Atlantic salmon fed a fish meal-fish oil based diet (MAR) showed similar growth performance to others fed a plant protein/vegetable oil based diet (VEG), whereas poorer performance was observed in those fed an animal by-product meal/vegetable oil based diet (ABP). At the end of the trial, salmon were injected with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or the viral mimic polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (pIC) and sampled for head kidney RNA after 24 h. The levels of 27 immune-related transcripts, and of 5 others involved in eicosanoid synthesis (including paralogues in both cases) were measured in the head kidney of the salmon using qPCR. All of the assayed immune-related genes and cox2 were pIC-induced, while the other eicosanoid synthesis-related genes were pIC-repressed. Linear regression was used to establish correlations between different immune transcripts, elucidating the cascade of responses to pIC and specialization among paralogues. Regarding the effect of diet on the antiviral immune response, pIC-treated fish fed diets ABP and VEG showed higher transcript levels of tlr3, irf1b, stat1a, isg15b, and gig1 compared to those fed diet MAR. We infer that the observed dietary immunomodulation could be due to the lower proportion of arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in diets ABP and VEG. Furthermore, our results suggest a major role of dietary ARA in Atlantic salmon immunity, as low ARA proportion in diet VEG coincided with the highest pIC-induction of some immune transcripts (tlr7, stat1c, mxb, and gig1) and the lowest levels of transcripts encoding eicosanoid-synthesizing enzymes (5loxa, 5loxb, and pgds). In contrast, the high ARA/EPA ratio of diet ABP appeared to favor increased expression of transcripts involved in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (5loxa and 5loxb) and chemotaxis (ccl19b). In conclusion, our findings show that nutritionally balanced plant-based diets may enhance the immune response of Atlantic salmon. Future studies should explore the possible advantages of plant-based diets in Atlantic salmon exposed to a viral infection.

Arginine supplementation and exposure time affects polyamine and glucose metabolism in primary liver cells isolated from Atlantic salmon.

Arginine has been demonstrated to enhance glucose and lipid oxidation in mammals through activation of polyamine turnover. We aimed to investigate how arginine affects energy utilization through polyamine metabolism and whether this effect is time dependent. Primary liver cells were isolated from Atlantic salmon (2.2 kg body weight) fed diets containing 25.5 (low arginine, LA) or 36.1 (high arginine, HA) g arginine/kg dry matter for 12 weeks, to investigate the effect of long-term arginine supplementation. The cells were cultured for 24 h in L-15 medium to which either alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) or N (1),N (11)-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) was added. Analysis of the medium by nuclear magnetic resonance revealed significant differences between the two dietary groups as well as between cells exposed to DFMO and DENSPM, with decreased glucose, fumarate and lactate concentrations in media of the HA cells. Liver cells from fish fed the HA diet had higher spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase protein abundance and lower adenosine triphosphate concentration as compared to the LA-fed fish, while gene expression was not affected by either diet or treatment. Primary liver cells isolated from salmon fed a commercial diet and cultured in L-15 media with or without arginine supplementation (1.82 or 3.63 mM) for 48 h, representing short-term effect of arginine supplementation, showed differential expression of genes for apoptosis and polyamine synthesis due to arginine supplementation or inhibition by DFMO. Overall, arginine concentration and exposure time affected energy metabolism and gene regulation more than inhibition or activation of key enzymes of polyamine metabolism, suggesting a polyamine-independent influence of arginine on cellular energy metabolism and survival.

A co culture approach show that polyamine turnover is affected during inflammation in Atlantic salmon immune and liver cells and that arginine and LPS exerts opposite effects on p38MAPK signaling.

This study assess which pathways and molecular processes are affected by exposing salmon head kidney cells or liver cells to arginine supplementation above the established requirements for growth support. In addition to the conventional mono cultures of liver and head kidney cells, co cultures of the two cell types were included in the experimental set up. Responses due to elevated levels of arginine were measured during inflammatory (lipopolysaccharide/LPS) and non -inflammatory conditions. LPS up regulated the genes involved in polyamine turnover; ODC (ornithine decarboxylase), SSAT (spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase) and SAMdc (S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase) in head kidney cells when co cultured with liver cells. Regardless of treatment, liver cells in co culture up regulated ODC and down regulated SSAT when compared to liver mono cultures. This suggests that polyamines have anti-inflammatory properties and that both salmon liver cells and immune cells seem to be involved in this process. The transcription of C/EBP ß/CCAAT, increased during inflammation in all cultures except for liver mono cultures. The observed up regulation of this gene may be linked to glucose transport due to the highly variable glucose concentrations found in the cell media. PPARα transcription was also increased in liver cells when receiving signals from head kidney cells. Gene transcription of Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and CD83 were elevated during LPS treatment in all the head kidney cell cultures while arginine supplementation reduced IL-1ß and IL-8 transcription in liver cells co cultured with head kidney cells. This is probably connected to p38MAPK signaling as arginine seem to affect p38MAPK signaling contrary to the LPS induced p38MAPK signaling, suggesting anti-inflammatory effects of arginine/arginine metabolites. This paper shows that co culturing these two cell types reveals the connection between metabolism and inflammation, suggesting different pathways and candidate biomarkers to be further explored.

Prolonged duration of craving, mood, and autonomic responses elicited by cues and imagery in smokers: Effects of tobacco deprivation and sex.

Increases in self-reported craving and changes in autonomic functioning are reliably elicited when smokers are exposed to tobacco-related stimuli compared with neutral stimuli. However, few studies have reported the time course of cue-elicited craving or have directly compared the effectiveness of smoking cues versus imagery to evoke a craving response. In addition to these two issues, we investigated the influence of tobacco deprivation and sex on craving, mood, and autonomic responses. Sixty cigarette smokers (30 men, 30 women) were tested in two counterbalanced sessions, one after overnight tobacco deprivation and one during ad libitum smoking. At each session, participants were exposed to four randomized experimental trials: smoking imagery, neutral imagery, smoking cues, and neutral cues. Tobacco craving and mood were assessed repeatedly and physiological measures were recorded continuously for 30 min after imagery or cue exposure. Compared with neutral trials, smoking cues and smoking imagery reliably increased tobacco craving, negative mood, heart rate, and blood pressure and decreased positive mood ratings. Changes were observed immediately after cue and imagery presentation and remained unchanged for 30 min. Responding was greater in the nondeprived condition, and cues elicited more robust responding than imagery for most measures. Women responded more robustly to smoking cues only in the nondeprived condition, whereas imagery evoked greater responses in men during both conditions. These findings provide new data on the time course, magnitude, and tobacco deprivation effects on elicited craving. Sex differences were dependent on stimulus type and deprivation condition.

The renaissance of alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones: new synthetic approaches.

The amount of research activity concerning alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones and alpha-alkylidene-gamma-butyrolactones has increased dramatically in recent years. This Review summarizes the structural types, biological activities, and biosynthesis of these compounds, concentrating on publications from the past 10 years. Traditional approaches to alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones and alpha-alkylidene-gamma-butyrolactones are then reviewed together with novel approaches, including those from our own research group, reported more recently.

Partnering for care: the evidence and the expert.

Evidence supports the maintenance of self-awareness in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the individuals' ability to identify their own needs. The need for individualized, person-centered programming may be met only if the perceptions of the individuals with AD are taken into account and valued. There is strong support for individuals with AD to be involved in developing their plan of care. Plans should include supportive and educational programs, individualized to the person's self-identified needs. Plans must also take into account preserved self-awareness and address preservation of self-esteem, maintenance of abilities, management of behavioral symptoms including depression, and health promotion. Second author Richard Taylor, who has dementia, noted the absence of discussion on this joint planning in most of the AD literature. As he says, it omits the most important person, the person with dementia.

Consistency of subjective responses to imagery-induced tobacco craving over multiple sessions.

Although studies have demonstrated the validity of imagery procedures to elicit tobacco craving responses in single sessions, few studies have examined the consistency of responding in the same individuals over multiple experimental sessions. In this study, nondeprived smokers were presented with a randomized series of imagery scripts that varied in the intensity of smoking-urge content. At each of five sessions spaced over several weeks, participants were exposed to six imagery trials (two each of no-, low-, and high-intensity imagery scripts). After each trial, participants completed subjective measures of tobacco craving and mood. Ratings of craving and negative mood significantly increased as a function of smoking-urge intensity, which was consistent across the five sessions. Further, significant intraclass correlations indicated that craving and mood responses were highly reliable over the five sessions, as well as across two, three, and four sessions. These results have practical implications for examining individual differences in sensitivity to smoking cues and for studies involving repeated measurement of elicited craving over time.

Phytoestrogens and indicators of breast cancer prognosis.

Breast cancer incidence is lower and survival is longer in Asian women residing in Japan, China, or the Philippines than Caucasian women residing in the United States. Phytoestrogen intake has been examined as a possible reason for the disparity in breast cancer incidence and survival. This study examined the association between phytoestrogen intake prior to diagnosis of breast cancer and indicators of breast cancer prognosis (tumor size, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, histological grade, lymphovascular invasion, nodal spread, and stage) in 128 women, aged 40-79 yr, newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. After controlling for significant confounding factors, higher intakes of phytoestrogens were associated with favorable indicators of breast cancer. In women with higher intakes of phytoestrogens, there was a 32% reduction in the odds of being diagnosed with any stage of cancer other than stage 1 (95% confidence interval, CI = 0.49-0.93; P = 0.02), a 38% reduction in odds of being diagnosed with positive lymphovascular invasion (95% CI = 0.40-0.95; P = 0.03), and a 66% increase in the odds of being diagnosed with a positive progesterone receptor (95% CI = 1.06-2.58; P = 0.03). We conclude that phytoestrogen intake prior to diagnosis may improve prognosis of breast cancer.

Decline in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in New South Wales in relation to control activities (Australia).

BACKGROUND: To examine time trends in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in NSW women aged yen20 years in relation to important health service initiatives and programs. METHODS: Data on cervical cancer incidence and mortality were obtained from the NSW Central Cancer Registry for 1972-2001, and corresponding annual populations obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Direct age-standardised rates in the yen20 year population were calculated using the 2001 NSW census population as standard. Proportional reductions in incidence and mortality since 1972-1974 were also calculated and related to key health service factors and to published NSW 5-year cervical cancer relative survival for similar periods. RESULTS: Declines in cervical cancer incidence (-10%) and mortality (-20%), and increased degree-of-spread specific survival following the introduction of universal health care in 1975 suggest effects of greater access to Pap screening, earlier access to diagnosis and treatment services, and improved effectiveness of treatment. Incidence plateaued during the 1980s, but mortality fell further (-7%) due to an increased proportion of localised cancers (without change to degree-of-spread specific survival). The 1980s mortality reduction was a consequence of earlier diagnosis and/or secondary prevention, not improved treatment effectiveness or reduced incidence. A marked and sustained incidence decline to 2001 (-35%) occurred after the introduction of the NSW Cervical Screening Program in 1992. This was followed 3 years later by a sustained mortality decline (-20%). During the 1990s survival across all degrees of spread remained unchanged and the mortality reduction was due entirely to reduction in incidence. CONCLUSIONS: The substantial reduction of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in NSW over the last 3 decades is associated with important health service interventions that relate to control of cervical cancer, particularly the implementation of a population-based organised cervical screening program.

Effect of tobacco craving cues on memory encoding and retrieval in smokers.

Previous studies have shown that cue-elicited tobacco craving disrupted performance on cognitive tasks; however, no study has examined directly the effect of cue-elicited craving on memory encoding and retrieval. A distinction between encoding and retireval has been reported such that memory is more impaired when attention is divided at encoding than at retrieval. This study tested the hypothesis that active imagery of smoking situations would impair encoding processes, but have little effect on retrieval. Imagery scripts (cigarette craving and neutral content) were presented either before presentation of a word list (encoding trials) or before word recall (retrieval trials). A working memory task at encoding and free recall of words were assessed. Results indicated that active imagery disrupted working memory on encoding trials, but not on retrieval trials. There was a trend toward impaired working memory following craving scripts compared with neutral scripts. These data support the hypothesis that the cognitive underpinnings of encoding and retrieval processes are distinct.