Relationship between Coffee Consumption and Osteoporosis Risk Determined by the ESR1 Polymorphism rs2982573.

BACKGROUND: The development of osteoporosis is partly explained by interactions between genetic and lifestyle or environmental factors. OBJECTIVES: In the current study, we determined the relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of osteoporosis among individuals with ESR1 rs2982573 in Taiwan. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: In this population-based cross-sectional study, we used genetic, demographic, and lifestyle data from participants recruited in Taiwan Biobank (TWB) between 2016 and 2019. We used multiple logistic regression analyses to determine the relationship between osteoporosis and variant rs2982573 genotypes (TT, TC, and CC). MAIN OUTCOME: The primary outcome was osteoporosis. RESULTS: Individuals with osteoporosis (n = 515) were older than those without the disease (mean age ±SE (year); 61.324±0.361 versus 53.068 ±0.130, p<0.001). There was no significant association between rs2982573 and osteoporosis (OR, 0.904; 95% CI, 0.706-1.157; p=0.422 for TC+CC when compared with the TT genotype). Coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis (OR, 0.737; 95% CI, 0.592-0.918; p=0.006). The p-value for interaction between rs2982573 and coffee consumption was 0.0393. In our subgroup analyses, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) were 0.635 (0.410-0.985) in coffee drinking TC+CC individuals and 1.095 (0.809-1.482) in non-coffee drinking TC+CC individuals, respectively when compared with their TT genotype counterparts. CONCLUSION: According to our study, participants in the TWB with the TC+CC genotype of ESR1 rs2982573 who consumed at least three cups of coffee per week were less likely to have osteoporosis.

[The association between calcium supplementation in antenatal childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age among neonatal singleton in Shaanxi province].

Objective: This study explored the association between antenatal calcium supplementation in the childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age infant (SGA) among singleton in Shaanxi province,China. Methods: Multi-stage random cluster sampling method was employed to collect information about pregnant women, who were pregnant and had definite outcomes, and their infants, from 30 districts (counties) in 2010 to 2013. Information was collected by face-to-face questionnaire survey. Generalized linear mixed models were employed after adjusting covariates. Dependent variable was whether single-birth neonate was SGA, and independent variable was calcium supplementation of childbearing aged women in different pregnant periods. Results: A total of 28 357 childbearing aged women was recruited in this study. The age of these women was (28.08±4.74) years old, of which, 79.28% were rural residents and 60.90% had calcium supplementation intake. There was a number of 12 810 female in singleton neonates. The neonatal birth weight and gestational age were (3.27±0.16) kg and (277.44±8.80) day, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 11.35% in total, and 10.48% in mothers with maternal calcium supplementation and 12.70% in mothers without maternal calcium supplementation in whole antenatal period. There were statistically significant differences seen in antenatal calcium supplementation within the subgroups of maternal age (whether the mother was an advanced maternal woman), residential area, maternal occupation, maternal parity, maternal education level, and household incomes (P<0.05). After adjusting these covariates, the risk of SGA among childbearing aged women with antenatal calcium supplementation showed 16% decreased risk (OR=0.84, 95%CI: 0.77-0.92). Further analysis of the different antenatal periods showed that calcium supplementation during the second and third trimester had a statistically significant difference in reducing the risk of neonatal SGA (P<0.05). Besides, subgroup analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the perinatal calcium supplementation and the single-born neonates with SGA Significance (P<0.05) in non-advanced women, those who had a low education level and moderate household economic status groups. Conclusion: The risk reduction of SGA among singleton neonates is related to calcium supplementation during antenatal period in Shaanxi province.

[The association between the frequency of prenatal care in childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age among neonatal twins in Shaanxi Province].

Objective: To explore the association between the frequency of prenatal care in childbearing aged women and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) among neonatal twins in Shaanxi Province. Methods: From July to December 2013, a total of 30 027 childbearing aged women, who were pregnant from January 2010 to November 2013 and had definite outcomes, were selected from 30 districts (counties) of Shaanxi Province by using the multi-stage random sampling method. The questionnaires with a face-to-face survey method were used to retrospectively collect demographic information, pregnancy history, lifestyle during pregnancy, disease history, nutritional supplements, and health care during pregnancy. Information on the gestational age and birth weight of the newborn were obtained by consulting the medical certificate of birth and were registered as twin A and twin B by birth order. Finally, 356 childbearing aged women and their twin babies with complete data were included in the analysis. A generalized estimation equation model was used to analyze the association between the frequency of prenatal care and the risk of SGA among neonatal twins. Results: The age of childbearing aged women was (27.44±4.68) years old, of which 79.49% (283 women) were rural residents and 44.38% (158 women) had seven or more times prenatal care. The gestational age and birth weight were (37.64±2.51) weeks and (2 510±497) g, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 51.40% (183/356) for twin A and 53.37% (190/356) for twin B, respectively. The prevalence of SGA was 44.30% (70/158) for twin A with seven or more times prenatal care and 42.41% (67/158) for twin B with seven or more times prenatal care, which was lower than that for twins with less than seven times prenatal care, respectively [57.07% (113/198) and 62.12% (123/198)] (P values were 0.017 and <0.001). The results of generalized estimation equation model suggested that compared to those with less than seven times prenatal care, after adjusting for parity, birth order, place of residence, maternal age, occupation, education, family wealth index, passive smoking, pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome, folic acid, and iron supplement during perinatal period, and gender of the newborn, the OR (95%CI) of risk of SGA among childbearing aged women with seven or more times prenatal care was 0.60 (0.40-0.91). Conclusion: Seven or more times prenatal care could reduce the risk of SGA among neonatal twins in Shanxi Province.

Prevention of perceptual-motor decline by branched-chain amino acids, arginine, citrulline after tennis match.

Perceptual-motor performance in prolonged tennis matches may be affected by central fatigue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), arginine, and citrulline on tennis-specific perceptual-motor performance after a simulated match. Nine male tennis players consumed 0.17 g/kg BCAA, 0.05 g/kg arginine, and 0.05 g/kg citrulline (AA trial), or placebo (PB trial) 1 h before the match. In the perceptual-motor performance test before and after the match, the subjects hit balls to the opposite direction of the examiner's movement. The AA trial showed significantly higher rate of correct direction than the PB trial after the match (AA trial: 93.63 ± 1.28%, PB trial: 69.09 ± 2.40%). The AA trial also demonstrated significantly higher post-match accuracy and consistency than the PB trial. The AA trial showed significantly lower heart rate and ratings of perceive exertion during the match, concurrently with a significantly lower plasma total tryptophan/BCAA ratio. Similar post-match plasma NH3 concentrations were found in both trials while the AA trial was significantly higher in NOx concentration. This study suggested that the supplementation could prevent the decline in perceptual-motor performance through alleviation of central fatigue by BCAA and prevention of excess hyperammonemia by arginine and citrulline.

Amelioration of experimental arthritis by intra-articular injection of an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

OBJECTIVES: Selectively targeting signalling pathways represents a promising pharmacological approach in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Abundant levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are expressed in the synovial lining layers, and the anti-arthritis effect of erlotinib and lapatinib, small-molecule EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), has been demonstrated through the systemic administration on experimental arthritis models. Nevertheless, their therapeutic responses by the intra-articular (i.a.) route remain to be explored in rheumatoid joint. METHODS: The administration of an EGFR TKI (a gefitinib analogue) was explored in two in vivo models of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and in vitro experiments by using synovial fibroblasts (SF) from RA patients and CIA rats. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction of arthritis scores in CIA mice receiving the daily intraperitoneal injection. After the onset of arthritis in CIA rats, ankle joints receiving a single i.a. injection had significant lower articular indexes with reduced synovial inflammation, pannus formation and erosion on cartilage and bone as well as total histological scores by histopathological analyses. In CIASF or RASF, upon in vitro human EGF stimulation, there was a dose-dependent increase in cell proliferation and Akt activation with suppressed responses under the EGFR TKI treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the effect of i.a. injection of an EGFR TKI on amelioration of rheumatoid joint through the suppression of synovial inflammation, pannus formation and erosion on cartilage and bone in experimental arthritis, implicating targeting the i.a. EGFR signalling transduction as a pharmacological strategy.

Root Rot of Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) Caused by Cytospora sacculus in China.

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Rhamanaceae), commonly known as Chinese jujube, is a plant that is native to China and widely distributed in China and South Korea. Chinese jujube is a traditional Chinese medicine and food that has been used for thousands of years. From spring 2011 to spring 2012, Chinese jujube trees (<4 years old) from commercial orchards in Kashi and Akzo developed symptoms of severe wilting, chlorosis, and stunting. The taproot and lateral roots exhibited black, sunken, necrotic lesions, and progression of these symptoms eventually caused mortality of infected trees. In April 2011 and 2012, 15 trees with root rot symptoms were collected from different orchards, and a fungus was recovered consistently from symptomatic rhizome samples that had been surface-sterilized with 0.1% mercuric chloride and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). Thirteen isolates were obtained. Colony growth on PDA was initially white but gradually turned grayish yellow-brown, with the lower side of the plate turning a deep yellow-brown. Colony texture was felty and slightly raised with no concentric growth zones. Pycnidia formed abundantly after 30 days, and each exuded a dull orange cirrhus containing conidia. The conidiomatal stromata were immersed in the bark, erumpent, discoid, convex to conical, and 1.53 ± 0.13 mm in diameter. Discs were dark brown or grey, nearly flat, circular, and up to 0.6 mm in diameter, with one to eight lateral ostioles. Ostioles were brown, 40 to 80 mm in diameter, and located above the disc surface. Locules were globose, with four to eight in a stroma, undivided, and did not share common walls. Conidia were hyaline, eguttulate, and allantoid, with sizes of 12 to 20 × 1.0 to 1.5 µm. The agar culture and conidiomatal stromata morphology were in accordance with descriptions of Cytospora sacculus (1,4). PCR amplification of the internal transcribed (ITS) spacer region of rDNA (using primers ITS1/4), combined with amplification of the ß-tubulin gene (using primers BT1a/BT1b) (2,3), followed by sequencing of the amplified DNA, led to identification of isolate 6T-17 as Valsa ceratosperma (anamorph C. sacculus). The sequence of the ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 region of rDNA (GenBank Accession No. JX560175) matched the ITS sequence of V. ceratosperma Accession AB369475 with 99% similarity, and the ß-tubulin gene sequence (KC840674) resulted in a 99% match with that of V. ceratosperma Accession EU219136. Mycelial plugs of a culture of each fungal isolate on PDA were inoculated onto 10 rhizomes of 2-month-old seedlings of Z. jujube, and maintained in a greenhouse at 25 to 30°C. Ten rhizomes of 2-month-old seedlings of Z. jujuba were inoculated with non-colonized PDA plugs as the control treatment. After 2 months, all inoculated seedlings showed chlorotic leaves and root rot symptoms similar to those observed in the original commercial orchards. No symptoms were observed on the control plants. The pathogen was reisolated successfully from symptomatic plants but not from the control plants, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. sacculus causing a root rot of Z. jujuba trees in China. References: (1) G. C. Adams et al. Stud. Mycol. 52:83, 2005. (2) G. M. Arruda et al. Plant Pathol. 54:53, 2005. (3) J. Baskarathevan et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 132:549, 2012. (4) J. B. Kepley et al. J. Arbor. 26:326, 2000.

Upper extremities flexibility comparisons of collegiate "soft" martial art practitioners with other athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare the flexibility of the upper extremities in collegiate students involved in Aikido (a kind of soft martial art attracting youth) training with those involved in other sports. Fifty freshmen with a similar frequency of exercise were divided into the Aikido group (n = 18), the upper-body sports group (n = 17), and the lower-body sports group (n = 15) according to the sports that they participated in. Eight classes of range of motion in upper extremities were taken for all subjects by the same clinicians. The Aikido group had significantly better flexibility than the upper-body sports group except for range of motion in shoulder flexion (p = 0.22), shoulder lateral rotation (p > 0.99), and wrist extension (p > 0.99). The Aikido group also had significantly better flexibility than the lower-body sports group (p < 0.01) and the sedentary group (p < 0.01) in all classes of range of motion. The upper-body sports group was significantly more flexible in five classes of range of motion and significantly tighter in range of motion of wrist flexion (p < 0.01) compared to the lower-body sports group. It was concluded that the youths participating in soft martial arts had good upper extremities flexibility that might not result from regular exercise alone.

Cables enhances cdk2 tyrosine 15 phosphorylation by Wee1, inhibits cell growth, and is lost in many human colon and squamous cancers.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) is a small serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell cycle progression. Cdk2 activity is tightly controlled by several mechanisms, including phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events. Cables is a recently described novel cdk-interacting protein. In proliferating cells, Cables was predominantly localized in the nucleus by cell fractionation and immunostaining. Expression of Cables in HeLa cells inhibited cell growth and colony formation. Cables enhanced cdk2 tyrosine 15 phosphorylation by the Wee1 protein kinase, an inhibitory phosphorylation, which led to decreased cdk2 kinase activity. The gene encoding Cables is located on human chromosome 18q11-12, a site that is frequently lost in squamous, colon, and pancreas cancers. We found that Cables was strongly expressed in normal human epithelial cells including squamous and glandular mucosa. Breast and pancreatic cancers show strong Cables expression; however, loss of Cables expression was found in approximately 50-60% of primary colon and head and neck cancer specimens. Lack of Cables expression was associated with loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 18q11. The data provide evidence for a Cables-mediated interplay between cdk2 and Wee1 that leads to inhibition of cell growth. Conversely, loss of Cables may cause uncontrolled cell growth and enhance tumor formation.

Sesquiterpenoid constituents of the liverworts Lepidozia fauriana and Lepidozia vitrea.

The sesquiterpene constituents of the essential oils of the Taiwanese liverworts Lepidozia fauriana and L. vitrea were investigated. 11,12-Dihydrochiloscyphone and 7,10-anhydro-11,12-dihydrochiloscypholone were isolated from L. fauriana and spectroscopically characterised together with their hydrogenation products. From the same species three amorphane derivatives amorpha-4,9-dien-14-al, amorpha-4,9-dien-2-ol and 7,14-anhydroamorpha-4,9-diene, and from L. vitrea two oxygenated elemanes, namely 7-acetoxy-elema-1,3-dien-8-ol and elema-1,3-dien-7-ol, were isolated and identified. Structure elucidation was carried out by NMR spectroscopy and chemical correlations in conjunction with enantioselective gas chromatography were utilized to establish absolute configurations.

Effect of local anesthetics on patient recovery after transrectal biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the analgesic efficacy of local anesthetics injected lateral to the seminal vesicles before prostate biopsy, during and immediately after the procedure, because pain is a common side effect of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive 5 mL of either 1% lidocaine or sterile normal saline injected (under ultrasound guidance) lateral to the seminal vesicles bilaterally before performance of the prostate biopsies, with the patient and physician unaware of the treatment group. Five minutes after the injection, a series of 12 prostate biopsies were performed. A visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at rest and with activity was obtained before the biopsy (preprocedure VAS) and immediately (intraprocedure VAS) and 30 minutes (postprocedure VAS) after the biopsy. Surveys examining the patients' expectations for biopsy pain were administered before and immediately after the biopsy. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups with regard to demographic data, VAS pain scores at rest and with activity, and survey results. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of lidocaine lateral to the seminal vesicles before prostate biopsy did not diminish biopsy-associated pain.

Sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids from the Chilean liverwort Lepicolea ochroleuca.

The ether extract of the Chilean liverwort Lepicolea ochroleuca yielded three sesquiterpenoids, ent-4 beta-Hydroxy-10 alpha-methoxyaromadendrane, ent-3 beta-Hydroxyspathulenol, and 1,10-Dioxotayloriane, as minor components. The major components were ledol and 13-epi-neoverrucosan-5 beta-ol, four other minor fusicoccanoids were identified.

Antiplatelet effect of marchantinquinone, isolated from Reboulia hemisphaerica, in rabbit washed platelets.

Platelet activation is involved in serious pathological situations, including atherosclerosis and restenosis. It is important to find efficient antiplatelet medicines to prevent fatal thrombous formation during the course of these diseases. Marchantinquinone, a natural compound isolated from Reboulia hemisphaerica, inhibited platelet aggregation and ATP release stimulated by thrombin (0.1 units mL(-1)), platelet-activating factor (PAF; 2 ng mL(-1)), collagen (10 microg mL(-1)), arachidonic acid (100 microM), or U46619 (1 microM) in rabbit washed platelets. The IC50 values of marchantinquinone on the inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by these five agonists were 62.0 +/- 9.0, 86.0 +/- 7.8, 13.6 +/- 4.7, 20.9 +/- 3.1 and 13.4 +/- 5.3 microM, respectively. Marchantinquinone inhibited thromboxane B2 (TxB2) formation induced by thrombin, PAF or collagen. However, marchantinquinone did not inhibit TxB2 formation induced by arachidonic acid, indicating that marchantinquinone did not affect the activity of cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthase. Marchantinquinone did inhibit the rising intracellular Ca2+ concentration stimulated by the five platelet-aggregation inducers. The formation of inositol monophosphate induced by thrombin was inhibited by marchantinquinone. Platelet cAMP and cGMP levels were unchanged by marchantinquinone. The results indicate that marchantinquinone exerts antiplatelet effects by inhibiting phosphoinositide turnover.

[The studies on protective effects of SM against myocardial hypoxia/reoxygenation injury].

AIM AND METHODS: To assess the myocardial effects of Salvia Miltiorrhiza (SM) injection against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, 31P NMR was used to trace the time courses of high energy phosphates (HEP) content and intracellular pH (pHi) of the isolated perfused rat hearts under hypoxia (30 min) and subsequent reoxygenation (40 min). RESULTS: It was discovered that SM significantly preven-ted the decrease in the myocardial HEP content during hypoxia, enhanced the recovery of myocardial phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the PCr/Pi (inorganic phosphate) ratios during reoxygenation, and lightened the decrease of the myocardial pHi value caused by hypoxia. CONCLUSION: SM improves the myocardial energy metabolism level during prolonged hypoxia and subsequent reoxygenation and protects myocardium against hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. SM significantly attenuates acidosis during hypoxia and prevents the appearance of very acidic areas of the myocardium after reoxygenation.

Cytotoxicity of extractives from Taiwania cryptomerioides heartwood.

The cytotoxicity of the dominant lignans and sesquiterpenoids from Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata) was investigated. Three human tumor cells including A-549 lung carcinoma. MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma and HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma were selected to illustrate the structure-cytotoxicity relationships of Taiwania's dominant compounds. Taiwanin A, taiwanin E and dimethylmatairesinol exhibited significant cytotoxicity against three human tumor cells. Among them, taiwanin A possesses the strongest cytotoxic activity. In addition, the morphology-based evaluation, flow cytometric analysis, and DNA fragmentation assays demonstrated that the tumor cell death induced by taiwanin A was due to apoptosis.

Neopallavicinin from the Taiwanese liverwort Pallavicinia subciliata.

Neopallavicinin (2), a diastereomer of pallavicinin (1), was identified from the Taiwanese liverwort Pallavicinia subciliata. The structure of neopallavicinin was deduced by spectroscopic analysis. Three chemotypes may be classified for the species Pallavicinia subciliata.

Lung injury related to consuming Sauropus androgynus vegetable.

BACKGROUND: Taking Sauropus androgynus, a Malaysian food, to reduce weight began as a fad in Taiwan in 1994. Some advocates of this fad developed pulmonary dysfunction. The aim of this study is to report the lung injury in patients taking Sauropus androgynus. METHODS: From July 1995 to November 1995, we investigated 104 nonsmoking patients (one male and 103 females) with chest roentgenography, pulmonary function, test, and Technetium 99m-labeled diethylene triamine penta-acetate (Tc-99m DTPA) radioaerosol inhalation lung scintigraphy. RESULTS: Among the 90 patients receiving Tc-99m DTPA inhalation lung scan, 46 (51.1%) patients had increased clearance of Tc-99m DTPA from lung and 20 (22.2%) patients had inhomogeneous deposition of the submicronic radioaerosol. Eighteen (18/100) patients had obstructive ventilatory impairment in pulmonary function test. Analyzing the results, we found that the patients with respiratory symptoms (n = 42) took more vegetables (p = 0.016), had increased clearance of Tc-99m DTPA (p = 0.010) and had lower FEV1 (p = 0.001), FEV1/FVC (p < 0.001), FEF25-75 (p = 0.001), VC (p = 0.002) and DLCO (p = 0.009) than the patients without respiratory symptoms (n = 62). FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were significantly reduced in patients with severe impairment of alveolar permeability. The cumulative dosage and duration of exposure were significantly associated with the reduction of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. CONCLUSION: The lung injury after taking Sauropus androgynus involves alveoli and/or small airways and is manifest as obstructive ventilatory impairment with inhomogeneous aerosol distribution and increased lung epithelial permeability.

Sphenoidal EEG recording using acupuncture needle electrode in complex partial seizure.

Sphenoidal EEG recording using an uninsulated acupuncture needle electrode were performed in 41 patients with or suspected of complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. The anterior temporal spikes were detected by the routine EEG in 17 patients (41%) and by the acupuncture sphenoidal needle in 29 patients (70%). The anterior temporal spikes recorded by the acupuncture needle were almost identical in configuration, amplitude and distribution to those recorded by conventional wire or insulated needle sphenoidal electrodes. The sequence in the frequency of spike detection by these 3 types of sphenoidal electrode were SP1-2, T1-2, F7-8 and A1-2 locations. The spikes of maximal amplitude were most frequently recorded by the SP electrode followed by the T1-2 electrode. The placement of the disposable acupuncture needle was simple and safe. Patients experienced minimal discomfort or pain that lasted at most 0.5 h. No complications occurred. The records were generally free of artifacts. It is concluded that the acupuncture needle can be used as sphenoidal electrode in outpatient EEG recording for the diagnosis of complex partial seizures of anterior temporal-origin.

[Toxicity experiment on Sargassum, radix Knoxiae, radix Ransul and flos Genkwa against radix Glycyrrhizae in the antagonism of 18 Chinese drugs].

In order to further look into the cause of the antagonisms in the 18 Chinese medicinal herbs, stimulation and toxicity experiments, with five Chinese medicinal herbs (Sargassum Radix Knoxiae, Radix Kansul and Flos Genkwa against Radix Glycyrrhiza) as a group, were done in healthy rats and rabbits.