The psychological distress of parents is associated with reduced linear growth of children: Evidence from a nationwide population survey.

BACKGROUND: Stunting, an indicator of restricted linear growth, has become a primary measure of childhood undernutrition due to its persistent high prevalence globally, and importance for health and development. Although the etiology is recognized as complex, most analyses have focused on social and biomedical determinants, with limited attention on psychological factors affecting care and nurturing in the home. We assessed whether the psychological distress of parents is related to child linear growth and stunting, and documented the associated risk factors, and examined the relationship between parental distress and behavioral and other risk factors for stunting. METHODS: We used data from the Indonesia National Health Survey 2013, including 46,315 children 6-59 months of age. Multivariate linear, logistic, and multilevel multinomial logistic regression, using survey weights, were used to assess the relationship between parental distress, as assessed by the WHO Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ20), with height-for-age z score (HAZ), stunting, and behavioral and other risk factors for stunting. RESULTS: Maternal, paternal and parental distress (i.e. both maternal and paternal distress) were associated with reduced linear growth of the children by 0.086 (95% CI -0.17, -0.00), 0.11 (95% CI -0.24, -0.02) and 0.19 (95% CI -0.37, -0.00) HAZ-scores, respectively. Maternal and paternal distress increased the risk of mild stunting (HAZ <-1) by 33% (95% CI 1.17,1.50) and 37% (95% CI 1.18,1.60), and the risk of moderate stunting (HAZ <-2) by 25% (95% CI 1.10,1.43) and 28% (95% CI 1.08,1.51]), respectively. Parental stress increased the risk of moderate stunting by 40% (95% CI 1.06,1.85). Amongst specific groups of risk factors, the proportion of HAZ-score lost was associated with socioeconomic factors (30.3%) including, low wealth, low maternal occupational status, low maternal education, rural residence, and low paternal occupational status; physiological factors (15.5%) including low maternal height, low maternal mid-upper arm circumference, being male, low paternal height; behavioral factors (8.9%) including open garbage disposal, paternal smoking, not using iodized salt; and experiencing at least one infectious diseases episode (1.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal, paternal and parental stress were associated with reduced linear growth of children. These findings highlight the complex etiology of stunting and suggest nutritional and other biomedical interventions are insufficient, and that promotion of mental and behavioral health programs for parents must be pursued as part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance child growth and development, i.e. improved caretaker capacity, integrated community development, improved parenting skills, as well as reduced gender discrimination, and domestic violence.

Psychosocial, Eating Behavior, and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Overweight and Obesity in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent overweight and obesity (AOO) is a global public health problem and risk for noncommunicable diseases. Understanding context-specific risks is crucial for interventions. OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of AOO in the Indonesian National Health Survey (INHS) 2013, assess the 5-year trend from 2013 to 2018, and identify risks. METHODS: We selected adolescents aged 10 to 19 years (n = 174 290) from the INHS 2013 and used hierarchical logistic regression to identify gender-specific risks for those aged 15 to 19 years (n = 77 534). Change in AOO was assessed by comparison to INHS 2018 reports. RESULTS: The national AOO prevalence increased over 5 years by 48% in young adolescents (13-15 years) and 85% in older ones (16-18 years). High prevalence areas included the urban location of Jakarta (20.9%) and the remote rural region of Papua (19.4%). Overall, AOO risks were being sedentary, male, lower education, married, younger adolescent, and school enrollment, with urban residence and higher wealth being persistent risks for all analyses. Data for depressive symptoms were available for older adolescents whose additional risks were being sedentary, depressive symptoms, and high-fat diet. Male risks were being sedentary and lower education, and female risks were being married, depressive symptoms, high-fat intake, and lower education. Higher intake of fruits and vegetables and fewer sweets did not protect against AOO if a high-fat diet was consumed. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent overweight and obesity in Indonesia is rapidly increasing, especially in older adolescents and males, and with gender-specific risks. Customized multisectoral interventions to identify strategies for lifestyle change are urgently needed.

Does exclusive breastfeeding relate to the longer duration of breastfeeding? A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Suboptimal breastfeeding contributes to morbidity and mortality in children. Studies in high-income countries (HICs) show that exclusive-breastfeeding (EBF) is associated with longer breastfeeding duration. The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal reports of EBF at six months are associated with longer duration of breastfeeding during the first two years of life in a low and middle-income country (LMIC) setting, and to identify determinants of breastfeeding duration. METHODS: This prospective cohort includes data from an EBF promotion program in Demak District, Central Java Province, Indonesia, with a non-randomized pretest-posttest control group. Mothers and infants were followed through 26 months postnatal age. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression with time to cessation of EBF as the outcome. RESULTS: A total of 147 families were included in the study. Longer EBF duration was not associated with prolonged duration of breastfeeding. Longer breastfeeding duration was associated with mothers who disagreed with a statement of being ashamed to breastfeed (HR 0.035, 95%CI 0.003,0.44). Risk factors for shorter breastfeeding duration included mothers' plan to breastfeed for less than 24 months (HR 4.28 95%CI 1.91,9.60), mothers' belief that breastfeeding less than 24 months was the norm (HR 2.98 95%CI 1.31,6.77) and exposure to EBF promotion (HR:4.09 95%CI 2.14,7.82). CONCLUSIONS: In a LMIC community where long breastfeeding duration is common, EBF is not associated with breastfeeding duration. However, modifiable behavioral factors were significant predictors of breastfeeding duration. We therefore recommend that prolonged breastfeeding duration can be achieved through programs that improve breastfeeding behavior.

Universal health coverage in Indonesia: concept, progress, and challenges.

Indonesia is a rapidly growing middle-income country with 262 million inhabitants from more than 300 ethnic and 730 language groups spread over 17 744 islands, and presents unique challenges for health systems and universal health coverage (UHC). From 1960 to 2001, the centralised health system of Indonesia made gains as medical care infrastructure grew from virtually no primary health centres to 20 900 centres. Life expectancy improved from 48 to 69 years, infant mortality decreased from 76 deaths per 1000 livebirths to 23 per 1000, and the total fertility rate decreased from 5·61 to 2·11. However, gains across the country were starkly uneven with major health gaps, such as the stagnant maternal mortality of around 300 deaths per 100 000 livebirths, and minimal change in neonatal mortality. The centralised one size fits all approach did not address the complexity and diversity in population density and dispersion across islands, diets, diseases, local living styles, health beliefs, human development, and community participation. Decentralisation of governance to 354 districts in 2001, and currently 514 districts, further increased health system heterogeneity and exacerbated equity gaps. The novel UHC system introduced in 2014 focused on accommodating diversity with flexible and adaptive implementation features and quick evidence-driven decisions based on changing needs. The UHC system grew rapidly and covers 203 million people, the largest single-payer scheme in the world, and has improved health equity and service access. With early success, challenges have emerged, such as the so-called missing-middle group, a term used to designate the smaller number of people who have enrolled in UHC in wealth quintiles Q2-Q3 than in other quintiles, and the low UHC coverage of children from birth to age 4 years. Moreover, high costs for non-communicable diseases warrant new features for prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles, and investment in a robust integrated digital health-information system for front-line health workers is crucial for impact and sustainability. This Review describes the innovative UHC initiative of Indonesia along with the future roadmap required to meet sustainable development goals by 2030.

KV 7 channels are involved in hypoxia-induced vasodilatation of porcine coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hypoxia causes vasodilatation of coronary arteries, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that hypoxia reduces intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) by opening of K channels and release of H2S. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Porcine coronary arteries without endothelium were mounted for measurement of isometric tension and [Ca(2+)](i), and the expression of voltage-gated K channels K(V)7 channels (encoded by KCNQ genes) and large-conductance calcium-activated K channels (K(Ca)1.1) was examined. Voltage clamp assessed the role of K(V)7 channels in hypoxia. KEY RESULTS: Gradual reduction of oxygen concentration from 95 to 1% dilated the precontracted coronary arteries and this was associated with reduced [Ca(2+)](i) in PGF(2α) (10 µM)-contracted arteries whereas no fall in [Ca(2+)](i) was observed in 30 mM K-contracted arteries. Blockers of ATP-sensitive voltage-gated potassium channels and K(Ca)1.1 inhibited hypoxia-induced dilatation in PGF2α -contracted arteries; this inhibition was more marked in the presence of the K(v)7 channel blockers, XE991 and linopirdine, while a K(V)7.1 blocker, failed to change hypoxic vasodilatation. XE991 also inhibited H2S- and adenosine-induced vasodilatation. PCR revealed the expression of K(V)7.1, K(V)7.4, K(V)7.5 and K(Ca)1.1 channels, and K(Ca)1.1, K(V)7.4 and K(V)7.5 were also identified by immunoblotting. Voltage clamp studies showed the XE991-sensitive current was more marked in hypoxic conditions. CONCLUSION: The K(V)7.4 and K(V)7.5 channels, which we identified in the coronary arteries, appear to have a major role in hypoxia-induced vasodilatation. The voltage clamp results further support the involvement of K(V)7 channels in this vasodilatation. Activation of these K(V)7 channels may be induced by H2S and adenosine.

The prevalence and predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus in Hungary.

There are conflicting results regarding the frequency of gestational diabetes (GDM) in Hungary. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of GDM and to clarify the association between selected maternal characteristics and GDM risk. In a population-based screening program of GDM in Tolna County, Hungary, 75 g OGTTs were offered to all pregnant women between 24-28 weeks of gestation and evaluated according to WHO criteria in 2000 (WHO GDM). Women were also classified based on the IADPSG criteria (IADPSG GDM). Selected risk factors were recorded by district nurses. OGTT results were available for 1,835 (81.2%) pregnancies out of 2,261. Altogether 159 (8.7%) were diagnosed as WHO GDM and 304 (16.6%) as IADPSG GDM. Gestational diabetes was related to older age, higher BMI, and an increasing number of deliveries (all p<0.005). The risk of IADPSG GDM monotonously increased with age, -pre-pregnancy BMI and number of deliveries. The risk of WHO GDM increased linearly with age, however, women with the highest BMI (≥ 29.2 kg/m2) had decreased risk compared to women with a BMI of 26.1-29.1 kg/m2 (p<0.05). There was an inverse U-shaped association between GDM risk and number of deliveries with the highest risk observed in those with 3 deliveries (p quadratic term=0.008). We found a high prevalence of GDM in this Caucasian Hungarian population. Our results suggest that pre-pregnancy BMI and previous deliveries elevate the risk of WHO GDM only to a certain level, above which the risk decreases.

Bioinspired artificial photonic nanoarchitecture using the elytron of the beetle Trigonophorus rothschildi varians as a 'blueprint'.

An unusual, intercalated photonic nanoarchitecture was discovered in the elytra of Taiwanese Trigonophorus rothschildi varians beetles. It consists of a multilayer structure intercalated with a random distribution of cylindrical holes normal to the plane of the multilayer. The nanoarchitectures were characterized structurally by scanning electron microscopy and optically by normal incidence, integrated and goniometric reflectance measurements. They exhibit an unsaturated specular and saturated non-specular component of the reflected light. Bioinspired, artificial nanoarchitectures of similar structure and with similar properties were realized by drilling holes of submicron size in a multilayer structure, showing that such photonic nanoarchitectures of biological origin may constitute valuable blueprints for artificial photonic materials.

NS11021, a novel opener of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, enhances erectile responses in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BK(Ca)), located on the arterial and corporal smooth muscle, are potential targets for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). This study investigated whether NS11021 (1-(3,5-Bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-thiourea), a novel opener of BK(Ca) channels, relaxes erectile tissue in vitro and enhances erectile responses in intact rats. The effects were compared with sildenafil, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Patch clamp was used to record whole cell current in rat isolated corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Isometric tension was measured in intracavernous arterial rings and corpus cavernosum strips isolated from rats and men, and simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and tension were performed in intracavernous arteries. Erectile response was measured in anaesthetized rats. KEY RESULTS: In patch clamp recordings, NS11021 increased currents sensitive to the selective BK(Ca) channel blocker, iberiotoxin (IbTX) in SMCs, but did not modulate K(+) current in HUVECs. NS11021 reduced [Ca(2+)](i) and tension in penile arteries. IbTX inhibited the vasorelaxation induced by NS11021 and sildenafil in human erectile tissue. NS11021 and sildenafil but not vehicle increased erectile responses in anaesthetized rats, an effect which was abolished after pretreatment with tetraethylammonium. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: NS11021 leads to relaxation of both intracavernous arteries and corpus cavernosum strips primarily through opening of BK(Ca) channels. It is also effective in facilitating erectile responses in anaesthetized rats. These results suggest a potential for use of BK(Ca) openers in the treatment of ED.

Potassium channels sensitive to combination of charybdotoxin and apamin regulate the tone of diabetic isolated canine coronary arteries.

AIMS: Functional roles of calcium-activated potassium channels on the mechanical activity of epicardial coronary arteries obtained from a canine model of diabetes were investigated. METHODS: Coronary arteries were isolated from healthy, alloxan-diabetic and insulin-treated diabetic dogs. Basal tensions, contractions induced by the prostaglandin (PG) analogue, U46619, and endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine (ACh) were modified with charybdotoxin (CHTX) + apamin (APA), inhibitors of calcium-activated potassium channels, as well as with N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine (LNA) + indomethacin (INDO) to suppress the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and PGs. The relaxing effect of nitroprusside-sodium (SNP), an NO donor, was also determined. RESULTS: In diabetic coronary arteries, CHTX + APA did not change while LNA + INDO elevated the basal tension. PG-induced contractions were enhanced by CHTX + APA and by LNA + INDO in all the three groups of animals. CHTX + APA decreased the maximal relaxations to ACh in a partly insulin-dependent manner. LNA + INDO abolished the endothelium-dependent relaxations to ACh. In diabetic coronary arteries, the sensitivity to SNP-induced relaxation was enhanced, insulin independently, suggesting that NO could be partly responsible for maintaining intact ACh-induced vasorelaxation. CONCLUSION: In diabetic canine coronary artery, the vasomotor responses reflect up-regulation of calcium-activated potassium channels. This endothelial mechanism of the canine epicardial coronary artery may oppose vasoconstrictions in diabetic vascular tissue.

Role of calcium-activated potassium channels in the regulation of basal and agonist-elevated tones in isolated conduit arteries. Short communication.

Functional role of calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels on the basal and agonist-elevated arterial tones was investigated in isolated rabbit aorta, porcine and canine coronary arteries as well as in human internal mammary artery. The vascular tones enhanced by contractile agents were increased further by preincubation of these conduit blood vessels with selective (charybdotoxin or iberiotoxin) or nonselective (tetraethylammonium) inhibitors of KCa channels. The basal tone (without an agonist) was increased only in the canine coronary artery. The results indicate a feed-back regulatory role of KCa channels counteracting the vasospasm of conduit arteries.

Myosin Va is locally synthesized following nerve injury.

The presence of Myosin Va (an actin-based molecular motor) in the peripheral nervous system was examined and its subcellular distribution within the axons of the sciatic nerve was demonstrated via immunocytochemistry. Myosin Va (M-Va) in the nerve was detected by using SDS-PAGE and Western blot techniques with a polyclonal antibody specifically raised against the M-Va globular tail domain. In addition, purification of M-Va from the rat sciatic nerve prior to immunoblotting yielded a M-Va standard band. Likewise, optical immunocytochemical procedures revealed the presence of M-Va, particularly in the cortical axoplasmic territory, but also in the Schwann cell soma. The above experiments were carried out both on intact as well as on severed sciatic nerves with similar results. The proximal stumps of severed sciatic nerves (from 0 to 72 h after injury) were labelled in vivo with (35)S-methionine. SDS-PAGE autoradiography of the immunoabsorbed M-Va from the radiolabelled homogenized nerve tissue showed a significant increment of the radioactive intensity of M-Va heavy chain band through time. Moreover, a significant increment of transcripts coding for M-Va heavy chain was detected through time using RT-PCR after nerve injury and compared to intact nerves. This data suggest that M-Va is up-regulated in a time-dependent manner. The latter suggests a possible involvement of M-Va in nerve regeneration processes.

Improvement by phosphoramidon of damaged endothelial function in porcine coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: The bradykinin (BK)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation is impaired in the presence of elevated potassium concentration enhancing the vasospastic tendency of large coronary arteries. Inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme responsible for bradykinin degradation was found to enhance the endothelium-dependent relaxation by BK. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of phosphoramidon, known to inhibit a BK-metabolizing neutral endopeptidase enzyme, on relaxation of porcine-isolated coronary artery in depolarizing solution. METHODS: Endothelium intact porcine coronary artery rings were studied in organ chambers. The rings were isometrically contracted with potassium chloride (30 mmol/L) and the response to BK (1 to 1,000 nmol/L)-induced relaxation was investigated in the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (300 micromol/L) alone and in combination with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 micromol/L), and that of the inhibitor of calcium-dependent potassium channels tetraethylammonium (7 mmol/L). Under these conditions, phosphoramidon (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor of a neutral endopeptidase enzyme (EC.3.4.24.11.), which is responsible for the degradation of BK, was used to enhance the endothelium-dependent relaxation. RESULTS: Phosphoramidon potentiated the maximum vasorelaxant effect of BK in Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (control 26.6%+/-10.86% versus phosphoramidon 49.05%+/-4.52%; n = 6, p < 0.05) or in Nomega-nitro-L-arginine + indomethacin-pretreated rings (control 20.7%+/-9.92% versus phosphoramidon 42.0%+/-12.26%; n = 5, p < 0.05) and this increased vasodilation was not modified by tetraethylammonium. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study phosphoramidon potentiated the effect of BK in the absence of nitric oxide and prostaglandins in porcine-isolated coronary artery. This effect did not depend on tetraethylammonium-sensitive potassium channels. Phosphoramidon may be a useful pharmacologic tool for preserving the vasorelaxing capacity of coronary arteries after cardioplegia.

Neurofilament mRNAs are present and translated in the normal and severed sciatic nerve.

Local protein synthesis within axons has been studied on a limited scale. In the present study, several techniques were used to investigate this synthesis in sciatic nerve, and to show that it increases after damage to the axon. Neurofilament (NF) mRNAs were probed by RT-PCR, Northern blot and in situ hybridization in axons of intact rat sciatic nerve, and in proximal or distal stumps after sciatic nerve transection. RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of NF-L, NF-M and NF-H mRNAs in intact sciatic nerve, as well as in proximal and distal stumps of severed nerves. Northern blot analysis of severed nerve detected NF-L and NF-M, but not NF-H. This technique did not detect the three NFs mRNAs in intact nerve. Detection of NF-L and NF-M mRNA in injured nerve, however, indicated that there was an up-regulation in response to nerve injury. In situ hybridization showed that NF-L mRNA was localized in the Schwann cell perinuclear area, in the myelin sheath, and at the boundary between myelin sheath and cortical axoplasm. RNA and protein synthesizing activities were always greater in proximal as compared to distal stumps. NF triplet proteins were also shown to be synthesized de novo in the proximal stump. The detection of neurofilament mRNAs in nerves, their possible upregulation during injury and the synthesis of neurofilament protein triplet in the proximal stumps, suggest that these mRNAs may be involved in nerve regeneration, providing a novel point of view of this phenomenon.

Ribosomes and polyribosomes are present in the squid giant axon: an immunocytochemical study.

Ribosomes and polyribosomes were detected by immuno-electron microscopy in the giant axon and small axons of the squid using a polyclonal antibody against rat brain ribosomes. The ribosomal fraction used as antigen was purified by ultracentrifugation on a sucrose density gradient and shown to contain ribosomal RNAs and native ribosomes. The polyclonal antibody raised in rabbits reacted with at least ten proteins on immunoblots of purified rat brain ribosomes as well as with a set of multiple ribosomal proteins prepared from the squid giant fiber lobe. Immunoreactions were performed on cryostat sections of the stellate nerve cut at a distance of more than 3 cm from the stellate ganglion, using pre-embedding techniques. Ribosomes and polyribosomes were identified within the giant axon and small axons using electron microscopic methods, following binding of peroxidase-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody. Polysomes were more frequently localized in peripheral axoplasm, including the cortical layer of the giant axon, and were generally associated with unidentified cytoskeletal filaments or with dense matrix material. The immunochemical demonstration of ribosomes and polyribosomes in the giant axon and small axons of the squid confirms similar observations in the squid and the goldfish obtained with the method of electron spectroscopic imaging, and strongly supports the view that a local system of protein synthesis is present in axons. The immunochemical method here described offers an alternative tool for the selective identification of ribosomes, and is likely to prove of value in the analyses of other axonal systems.

Conductometric method for the quantitative analysis of Pb(II) and Cd(II) with 2-mercapto-5-R-amino-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole derivatives.

The reactions of the cations with 2-mercapto-5-R-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives were studied conductometrically with the purpose of establishing a new conductometric method for the quantitative analysis of Pb(II) and Cd(II). Aqueous solutions of Pb(NO3)2 and Cd(CH3COO)2 were titrated with hidroalcoholic solutions of 2-mercapto-5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (MATD), 2-mercapto-5-allylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (MA1ATD) and 2-mercapto-5-acetylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (MAcATD) and 2-mercapto-5-phenilamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole (MFATD) in different concentrations. The reactions takes place at pH 6.5 (realised with acetate buffer). A linear classical titration curves was obtained. In solutions more concentrated than 10(-2) M just one equivalence point can be noticed, corresponding to 1:2 Me:R stoechiometries. For concentration less than 10(-2) M two equivalence point were observed at 1:1 and 2:1 ratio of Me:R, indicating the step formation of the complex. Accurate conductometric determinations can be made using the second break points of the titration curves as equivalence points. The amounts of Cd(II) and Pb(II) taken and recovered are good, with an error less than 1%.

Unusual potentiation by vinca alkaloids of the cytostatic and cytocidal action of methyl-3,5-diiodo-4-(4'-methoxyphenoxy) benzoate (DIME) and its nonhydrolyzable ethanone analog (DIPE) on MDA-MB-231 human mammary cancer cells.

Drug interaction between DIME or DIPE ¿1-[3, 5-diiodo-4-(4'-methoxyphenoxy)-phenyl]-ethanone¿ with vincristine and vinblastine on the growth rate of MDA-MB-231 human mammary cancer cells was determined by the median effect kinetic method. Mutually exclusive cellular binding sites were identified kinetically and isobologram analyses showed potentiation. The combind effect of 0.75 MICROM DIME and 2 nM vincristine demonstrated a nearly type of mutual activation. It was shown that the nonhydrolyzable DIME derivative DIPE is equivalent to DIME, but because of its biological stability is a preferred drug candidate. Vinblastine-DIME cooperative action is similar to that of vincristine-DIME (or DIPE). Activation of caspase 3 by both DIME and vincristine is greatly potentiated when both drugs are added simultaneously in a given proportion. We propose that following a primary binding of DIME and vinca alkaloids to microtubules, an as yet unrecognized mutual activation of caspase 3 apoptotic path is initiated, explaining DNA fragmentation and cell death. A subpopulation of cancer cells, capable of slow growth at 1.5 microM DIME was identified. This cell type was also killed by the DIME-vincristine drug combination.

The effectiveness of glycosylated hemoglobin, fructosamine in the diagnosis of diabetes

BACKGROUND: With respect to the risk of developing diabetic vascular complications, the central purpose of most screening and detection program, is to identify people with diabetes at early stage so they might have advantages of early treatment to prevent complication of the disease. Oral glucose tolerence test(OGTT) is widely used for diagnosis of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerence, bit the performance of a complete OGTT is not only time consuming and expensive but physically demanding on the individual being tested. Determination of HbA1 and more recently of glycosylated total serum proteins(fructosamine) has been proposed as an alternative method of screening and diagnosis. The aim of our cross-sectional study is to compare the values of fructosamine and HbA1, for the ourpose of diabetes diagnosis with the OGTT as reference method. METHODS: In the study, from January 1996 to August 1996, we included 55 consecutive subjects in Kyeungssang Hospital. Blood samples for HbA1 and fructosamone determination were drawn at the same time as a fasting plasma glucose sample, and then all subjects underwent a standard 2-hour OGTT according to the World Health Organization recom-mandations, The subjects were classified according to the American Diabetes Association classification. RESULTS: In our study, we observed fasting plasma glucose of 145.32+/-75.00mg/deciliter, two-hour plasma glucose of 245.83+/-155.22mg/deciliter, HbA1 of 7.06+/-2.77%, and fructosamine of 308.77+/-128.23 micromol/liter. The correlation coefficient between FPG and HbA1 was 0.9098(p<.05), between FPG and fructosamine 0.7953(p

Inhibition of migration of MDA-MB-231 cells by methyl-3,5-diiodo-4-(4'-methoxyphenoxy)benzoate (DIME).

The GTPase activity of purified dimeric tubulin (alpha+beta) at 5 mu M was insensitive to methyl-3,5-diiodo-4-(4'-methoxyphenoxy) benzoate (DIME), in contrast to nocodazole which activated GTPase. Cellular motility of MDA-MB-231 (human mammary cancer) cells migrating through 12-mu m pores was inhibited by DIME similar to nocodazole in a drug concentration-and DIME structure-dependent manner. An increase of cytoplasmic ATPase activity of DIME-treated cells without a decrease in ATP contents of intact cells suggests that DIME may also influence additional as yet unidentified ATP-dependent system(s) probably also involved in cell motility. These results show that DIME not only arrests cells in M phase but also inhibits cell motility in interphase. However the cellular mode of action of DIME is different from the action of other toxic tubulin-targeted drugs, despite the fact that DIME in a concentration-dependent manner disrupts microtubule structures in intact cells.