Knowledge about sources of dietary fibres and health effects using a validated scale: a cross-country study.

OBJECTIVES: Dietary fibre (DF) is one of the components of diet that strongly contributes to health improvements, particularly on the gastrointestinal system. Hence, this work intended to evaluate the relations between some sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, level of education, living environment or country on the levels of knowledge about dietary fibre (KADF), its sources and its effects on human health, using a validated scale. STUDY DESIGN: The present study was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A methodological study was conducted with 6010 participants, residing in 10 countries from different continents (Europe, America, Africa). The instrument was a questionnaire of self-response, aimed at collecting information on knowledge about food fibres. The instrument was used to validate a scale (KADF) which model was used in the present work to identify the best predictors of knowledge. The statistical tools used were as follows: basic descriptive statistics, decision trees, inferential analysis (t-test for independent samples with Levene test and one-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons post hoc tests). RESULTS: The results showed that the best predictor for the three types of knowledge evaluated (about DF, about its sources and about its effects on human health) was always the country, meaning that the social, cultural and/or political conditions greatly determine the level of knowledge. On the other hand, the tests also showed that statistically significant differences were encountered regarding the three types of knowledge for all sociodemographic variables evaluated: age, gender, level of education, living environment and country. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that to improve the level of knowledge the actions planned should not be delineated in general as to reach all sectors of the populations, and that in addressing different people, different methodologies must be designed so as to provide an effective health education.

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs (including dl-PCBs) in human milk samples collected from multiparae from Croatia and comparison with primiparae.

This study investigated the levels of 20 congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including toxic dioxin-like PCBs and 7 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in 33 human milk samples collected in 2011 from multiparae living in Zadar, Croatia. Concentrations of ∑PCBs, ∑DDTs, ∑HCHs and HCB in samples ranged from 11.7 to 146.3, 8.7 to 89.2, 0.9 to 28.4, and

Knowledge about dietary fibres (KADF): development and validation of an evaluation instrument through structural equation modelling (SEM).

OBJECTIVES: Because there is scientific evidence that an appropriate intake of dietary fibre should be part of a healthy diet, given its importance in promoting health, the present study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to evaluate the knowledge of the general population about dietary fibres. STUDY DESIGN: The present study was a cross sectional study. METHODS: The methodological study of psychometric validation was conducted with 6010 participants, residing in 10 countries from three continents. The instrument is a questionnaire of self-response, aimed at collecting information on knowledge about food fibres. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was chosen as the analysis of the main components using varimax orthogonal rotation and eigenvalues greater than 1. In confirmatory factor analysis by structural equation modelling (SEM) was considered the covariance matrix and adopted the maximum likelihood estimation algorithm for parameter estimation. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis retained two factors. The first was called dietary fibre and promotion of health (DFPH) and included seven questions that explained 33.94% of total variance (α = 0.852). The second was named sources of dietary fibre (SDF) and included four questions that explained 22.46% of total variance (α = 0.786). The model was tested by SEM giving a final solution with four questions in each factor. This model showed a very good fit in practically all the indexes considered, except for the ratio χ(2)/df. The values of average variance extracted (0.458 and 0.483) demonstrate the existence of convergent validity; the results also prove the existence of discriminant validity of the factors (r(2) = 0.028) and finally good internal consistency was confirmed by the values of composite reliability (0.854 and 0.787). CONCLUSIONS: This study allowed validating the KADF scale, increasing the degree of confidence in the information obtained through this instrument in this and in future studies.

Acute and Late Genitourinary Toxicity after 72 Gy of Conventionally Fractionated Conformal Radiotherapy for Localised Prostate Cancer: Impact of Individual and Clinical Parameters.

AIM: Our aim was to estimate the incidence of acute and late genitourinary toxicity in patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for localised prostate cancer and to estimate the possible influence of individual and clinical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2009 and September 2013, 225 patients with localised prostate cancer were treated with 3DCRT. Ninety-four patients with an estimated risk of lymph node involvement ≤15%, according to the Roach formula, were evaluated in this study. All patients received a total dose of 72 Gy in 36 fractions. Acute and late genitourinary toxicity were graded according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer radiation morbidity scoring scale. Characteristics such as age, smoking status, previous abdominal or pelvic surgery (PAPS), diabetes mellitus and the use of diuretics were analysed as possible predictive factors of toxicity. The median follow-up was 27 months. RESULTS: Grade ≥2 acute toxicity during 3DCRT developed in 25 of 94 patients (26.5%). Predictive factors of acute genitourinary toxicity grade ≥2 in the multivariate logistic regression analysis (MVA) were current smoking status (P = 0.003), PAPS (P = 0.012) and the use of diuretics (P = 0.017). The 2 and 3 year cumulative risk of late genitourinary toxicity grade ≥1 was 25.3% and 30.2%, respectively. In the MVA, acute genitourinary toxicity was significantly associated with late genitourinary toxicity (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Current smoking status, PAPS and the use of diuretics have a significant effect on the occurrence of acute genitourinary toxicity grade ≥2. The occurrence of any grade of acute genitourinary toxicity has a significant influence on the development of any grade of late genitourinary toxicity.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in human milk samples from two regions in Croatia.

We analyzed 20 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and seven organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in milk samples collected during 2009-2011 from primiparae living in two different regions in Croatia. p,p'-DDE is the dominant organochlorine pesticide. α-HCH/γ-HCH and p,p'-DDE/p,p'-DDT ratios indicate that there is fresh input of γ-HCH in investigated population on both locations, while this is not applicable to p,p'-DDT. The PCB profile was dominated by higher chlorinated congeners. Non-ortho PCB congeners which have the highest TEF values were not detected in any of individual samples. Toxic equivalents for mono-ortho substituted PCB congeners indicated higher exposure to toxic PCBs in Zadar, but estimated daily intakes for both locations indicate that infants consuming mother's milk are not at risk of adverse effects caused by PCBs and OCPs. Our study builds on the previous research of human milk samples collected in Zagreb and reveals that over 10-year period, levels of investigated organochlorine compounds decreased significantly.

Invasive inflammatory pseudotumor of the pelvis: a case report with review of the literature.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a rare benign lesion of unknown etiology, which mimics malignant neoplasm and may arise from various organs. A 53-year-old woman was submitted to diagnostic evaluation because of bilateral, hydroureteronephrosis and oedema of the left leg after a 3-month history of fever of unknown origin. On bimanual vaginal and rectal examination, a mass was involving the uterus, parametria and mostly left adnexa, while the cervix appeared normal. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a 13x10.5 cm mass in the pelvis, mostly at the place of the left adnexa, uterus and both parametria, also involving the surrounding tissues and producing bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. At laparotomy, a grey solid mass was seen, mainly involving the reproductive system. As no radical operation could be performed, the mass was only biopsied and histology showed an inflammatory pseudotumor. Antibiotic therapy was given for one month. Follow-up CT 4 and 8 months after laparotomy showed local regression of IPT. The last follow-up CT, 20 months after laparotomy, revealed no evidence of tumor.

alpha14-Giardin (annexin E1) is associated with tubulin in trophozoites of Giardia lamblia and forms local slubs in the flagella.

In a previous study, we reported that the novel annexin XX1 (annexin E1), identical to alpha14-giardin, is specifically localized to the flagella and to the median body of the trophozoites. However, the mode of interaction and the direct partners involved remained unclear. In the present study, we show that alpha4-giardin obviously does not evenly distribute over the full length of the axonemes, but rather, resides at local slubs near the proximal part and the ends of the flagella. In immunocytochemical co-localization studies, the anti-giardin primary antibody exclusively reacted with distinct regions of the flagella in permeabilized cells, whereas the anti-tubulin antibody bound to all areas of the axonemes in the cells and to isolated cytoskeletons. Isolated cytoskeletons did not react with anti-giardin antibodies. alpha14-Giardin itself is able to assemble to multimeric structures. Taken together, our findings suggest that alpha14-giardin adheres to microtubules of the flagella via self-assembly that may regulated by Ser/Thr-phosphorylation.

Optimisation of an extraction procedure and chemical characterisation of Croatian propolis tinctures.

Three spectrophotometric methods for the quantitative determination of different flavonoid groups and total phenolics in Croatian propolis samples were optimised and validated. The assay based on the formation of aluminium chloride complex (with galangin as a standard) was applied to the quantification of flavones and flavonols, while the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method (with pinocembrine as a reference) was used for the quantification of flavanones. Total phenolic content was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteau method using reference solution of caffeic acid:galangin:pinocembrine (1:1:1). Through analytical validation, the most suitable extraction conditions (with respect to time, temperature and concentration of extraction solvent) were determined, and final conditions for the extraction were established (80% ethanol, 1 h at the room temperature). The appropriate ratio between the mass of raw propolis and the extraction solvent volume was also established. By the application of the optimised method of extraction, 10 propolis tinctures were prepared and subjected to the analysis of general pharmacopoeial parameters, which are fundamental for the creation of quality specification (relative density, dry residue of extract, content of ethanol, methanol and 2-propanol). Additionally, the content of waxes as the main inactive constituents was determined in order to observe the level of their migration from crude propolis to the prepared tinctures.

The second cysteine protease inhibitor, EhICP2, has a different localization in trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica than EhICP1.

The genome of Entamoeba histolytica contains two genes encoding inhibitors of cysteine proteases of the chagasin family. In contrast to that of EhICP1, the derived primary structure of the second inhibitor, EhICP2, possesses a typical N-terminal signal sequence. Processed EhICP2 is as weakly related to amoebiasin-1 (27% identity) as to chagasin (identity 30%), indicating a different evolutionary origin of both amebic genes. By Northern blots, we confirmed the expression of the ehicp2 gene, and in Western blots, the presence of the 11.5-kDa protein in trophozoite extracts was demonstrated. The inhibitor localized to large intracellular structures clearly differs from those containing EhICP1 as shown by indirect immunofluorescence. Recombinant EhICP2 significantly inhibited the cysteine protease activity of the amebic cell extract but with a lower extent than EhICP1. An overlay assay using a crude trophozoite extract demonstrated binding affinity of the amebic cysteine protease EhCP1 to EhICP2.

Identification of EhICP1, a chagasin-like cysteine protease inhibitor of Entamoeba histolytica.

Based on the Entamoeba histolytica genome project (www.sanger.ac.uk/Project/E_histolytical/) we have identified a cysteine protease inhibitor, EhICP1 (amoebiasin 1), with significant homology to chagasin. Recombinant EhICP1 inhibited the protease activity of papain and that of a trophozoite lysate with Ki's in the picomolar range. By immunocytology, we localized the endogenous approximately 13 kDa EhICP1 in a finely dotted subcellular distribution discrete from the vesicles containing the amoebic cysteine protease, EhCP1 (amoebapain). In an overlay assay, we observed binding of recombinant EhICP1 to EhCP1. As a heptapeptide (GNPTTGF) corresponding to the second conserved chagasin motif inhibited the protease activity of both papain (K) 1.5 microM) and trophozoite extract (Ki in sub-mM range), it may be a candidate for the rational development of anti-amoebiasis drugs.

Effects of X-ray irradiation on the overexpression of HER-2/Erb-B2 on breast cancer cell lines.

Irradiation is the conventional treatment modality for cancer patients. However, besides its cytotoxic effects on malignant cells it might also affect the biology of surviving cells. Since overexpression of HER-2 receptors on malignant cells is a prerequisite for the therapeutic efficacy of Herceptin, it seems important to know whether previous irradiation changes their overexpression. The experiments performed in this work were aimed to determine whether X-ray irradiation of MDA-MB-361 and MDA-MB-453 breast carcinoma cell lines, besides its cytotoxic action, affects the overexpression of HER-2 protein. Determination of the cytotoxic effect of X-ray irradiation was done using trypan blue test. The breast carcinoma cell responsiveness to herceptin treatment in the presence of 10% fresh human serum (from healthy volunteer's) in the presence or absence of 25 microg/ml of herceptin, in vitro before and after cell-irradiation, was evaluated by MTT test. The degree of HER-2 overexpression was determined by immunocytochemistry, using DAKO HercepTest. Preliminary results obtained in this work showed that X-ray irradiation, besides its cytotoxic effect on malignant cells, could lead to overexpression of HER-2 receptors on (initially by immunocytochemistry, HER-2 negative) tumor cells, indicating change in biology of treated tumor cells. Further investigation in this direction will probably be helpful to elucidate this task in order to improve the selection of irradiated patients for Herceptin therapy.

Succimer treatment during ongoing lead exposure reduces tissue lead in suckling rats.

There is a concern that oral treatment with succimer (meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, DMSA) can promote gastrointestinal lead absorption if not performed in a lead-safe environment. The scope of our investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of oral DMSA treatment during oral lead exposure on tissue lead in suckling rats. Six-day-old Wistar rats of both genders were divided into two groups-untreated (Pb) and treated (Pb + DMSA)-with 10 animals per group. Lead (as acetate) was given orally at a dose of 2 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) for eight consecutive days (total dose 16 mg kg(-1), i.e. 0.08 mmol kg(-1)). During this period the treated group received a daily dose of 0.5 mmol DMSA kg(-1) body weight p.o. six times on days 1-3 and 6-8 of the experiment (total dose 3 mmol kg(-1)). Tissue lead was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The DMSA efficiently reduced the lead concentration in the analysed tissues (carcass, liver, kidneys and brain) by approximately 50% compared with untreated controls. The pups' growth and organ weights were not affected. In conclusion, our results indicate that DMSA is an efficient oral lead chelator in sucklings even if challenged with ongoing lead exposure.

Application of self-organizing maps for the classification of chromatographic systems and prediction of values of chromatographic quantities.

The applicability of self-organizing maps (SOM) for the classification of chromatographic systems or components of chromatographic systems based on data taken from literature is shown. The SOM approach is compared to dendrogram and principal components analysis (PCA) approaches. It has been shown that the distance between classified objects could reveal linear correspondence with quantity to be optimized, e.g. resolution, so it can be applied in the chromatographic method development. SOMs can also be applied for prediction of chromatographic quantities. It is shown that SOM-based response surface modeling is comparable to triangular presentation of mobile phase composition response surfaces.

Occupational airway diseases.

In this review we describe characteristics of occupational airway diseases, as well as physical and chemical characteristics of agents inducing airway disease. Occupational airway diseases include industrial bronchitis, reactive airway dysfunction syndrome, bronchiolitis obliterans, and occupational asthma. High- and low-molecular weight substances associated with occupational airway disease are listed. The importance of host factors is stressed. Diagnostic approaches, particularly indicators for specific challenge testing with occupational materials, are described. Preventive and control measures are presented.

Pulmonary venous flow in large, uncomplicated atrial septal defect.

BACKGROUND: The pulmonary venous flow velocity pattern (PVFVP) in atrial septal defect (ASD) has not been previously studied in detail. Normally, PVFVP is primarily determined by the left heart performance. We hypothesized that the impact of left-sided heart dynamics on PVFVP is diminished in patients with ASD because of the presence of a left-to-right shunt into the low-resistance right side of the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 19 adults and 3 children with a large, uncomplicated secundum ASD (maximum diameter 0.6 to 3.0 cm). All patients were in normal sinus rhythm with an average heart rate of 78 bpm in adults and 116 bpm in children. In 21 subjects the antegrade PVFVP lacked distinct systolic (S) and diastolic (D) waves. Instead, we observed a single continuous antegrade wave extending from the beginning of systole to the onset of atrial contraction. Furthermore, the amplitude of the atrial reversal (AR) wave was smaller than in historical controls. In 3 patients in whom ASD was surgically repaired, we observed an immediate return of distinct S and D waves postoperatively. This confirmed that PVFVP abnormality was indeed the result of the ASD. Also a large increase in the AR wave amplitude (46 + 15 cm/s) was noted postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This previously unrecognized PVFVP comprising a single continuous antegrade wave and a diminished AR wave sheds new light on the hemodynamics of ASDs. Its presence may also alert the echocardiographer to the possibility of an ASD when the septal defect cannot be visualized directly.

The use of information theory and numerical taxonomy methods for evaluating the quality of thin-layer chromatographic separations of flavonoid constituents of Matricariae flos.

A methanol extract of Matricariae flos was analysed with regard to the flavonoid composition. Rational selection of a restricted set from eight chromatographic systems tested for the separation of these compounds is discussed. Series of mathematical techniques for the evaluation of solvents and solvent combinations in thin-layer chromatography of flavonoid constituents have been explored. The chromatographic systems are classified according to their mutual resemblance by numerical taxonomy techniques. The selection criterion in the groups, obtained by numerical taxonomy classification, is the information content or the discriminating power. The most suitable mobile phases for TLC separation of flavonoid constituents of Matricariae flos are: ethylacetate-methanol-water (75:15:0 v/v), ethylacetate-formic acid-water (80:10:10 v/v) and ethylacetate-formic acid-acetic acid-water (100:11:11:27 v/v).

Optimization of TLC analysis of flavonoids and phenolic acids of Helleborus atrorubens Waldst. et Kit.

Numerical methods for the evaluation of the separation power of thirteen thin-layer chromatographic systems for splitting a methanolic extract of leaves of Helleborus atrorubens Waldst. et Kit. into 15 compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids) have been investigated. For this purpose, the following mathematical approaches have been applied: calculation of the information content (I), determination of discriminating power (DP) and formation of clusters and dendrogram. The most suitable chromatographic system for the separation of investigated compounds is ethyl acetate-formic acid-water (65:15:20, v/v/v).

Calcium supplementation efficiently reduces lead absorption in suckling rats.

The effect of calcium supplementation on tissue lead was evaluated in suckling Wistar rats. Such data are not yet available in the literature. The following artificial feeding regimen was used for calcium supplementation: cow's milk by addition of 1%, 3% or 6% Ca as CaHPO(4)x2H(2)O suspension to increase the daily calcium intake about 1.4, 2 or 3 times above control values. Artificial feeding was applied during 7 hr each day for nine consecutive days (from day 6 through 15 after birth). The effect of such treatment on lead absorption and elimination was evaluated in two separate experiments: calcium supplementation during oral lead exposure (as acetate; daily dose 2 mg Pb/kg body wt.; total Pb dose 18 mg/kg body wt.) or after a single intraperitoneal lead administration (5 mg/kg body wt.). At the end of experiments, lead in tissues (liver, kidneys, brain and carcass), and essential elements (Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu) were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Calcium supplementation caused a statistically significant decrease of lead in all tissues of sucklings orally exposed to lead. This decrease was dose-related being about 1.3, 1.5 and 2 times lower in groups supplemented with 1%, 3%, or 6% calcium compared to controls, respectively. Increased calcium intake had no effect on incorporated lead after parenteral lead exposure. Calcium supplementation increased carcass calcium and had no effect on trace elements in tissues, pups' general appearance and body weight gain. It is concluded that higher calcium intake might be a way of efficient reduction of lead absorption during the suckling period.

Uptake of cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc in mushrooms (Boletaceae) from Croatian forest soil.

The concentration of trace elements (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) was measured in different species of mushrooms (Boletaceae) and correlated with corresponding elements in soil. Five different species of Boletaceae mushrooms and soil samples were collected from forests of Varazdin county in Croatia. Trace elements were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry in mushrooms and in EDTA-extracted soil. The results showed that Cd, Cu, and Zn are concentrated in mushroom tissue from soil with transfer factors (mushroom/soil) of 27.0,10.5, and 12.5, respectively. Cadmium incorporated much less in Leccinum (mean 0.73 mg/kg dry weight) than in Boletus, Xerocomus, or Gyroporus (respective means, 6.8, 8.4, and 12.3 mg/kg). Copper and Zn were accumulated in all collected mushrooms (14.7-35.6 and 109-179 mg/kg, respectively) with no difference among species. There was no accumulation of Fe and Mn in mushrooms, but concentrations differed between species, with lowest values in Leccinum. Iron varied from 31 to 878 mg/kg and Mn from 2.9 to 409 mg/kg. Correlations between elements in mushrooms and soil were significant only for Mn. Because no significant correlations for Cd, Cu, Zn, and Fe between mushrooms and soil were found, more studies are needed with only one species of mushrooms collected at locations with different levels of soil contamination. In spite of higher concentrations of Cd in some Boletaceae species, it is assumed that Cd intake through moderate mushroom consumption remains below suggested Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (FAO/WHO).