Green tea extract and catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype modify the post-prandial serum insulin response in a randomised trial of overweight and obese post-menopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Green tea extract (GTE) may be involved in a favourable post-prandial response to high-carbohydrate meals. The catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype may modify these effects. We examined the acute effects of GTE supplementation on the post-prandial response to a high-carbohydrate meal by assessing appetite-associated hormones and glucose homeostasis marker concentrations in women who consumed 843 mg of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) or placebo capsules for 11-12 months. METHODS: Sixty Caucasian post-menopausal women (body mass index ≥ 25.0 kg m-2 ) were included in a randomised, double-blind feeding study. GTE was consumed with a breakfast meal [2784.0 kJ (665.4 kcal); 67.2% carbohydrate]. Blood samples were drawn pre-meal, post-meal, and every 30 min for 4 h. Participants completed six satiety questionnaires. RESULTS: Plasma leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin did not differ between GTE and placebo at any time point; COMT genotype did not modify these results. Participants randomised to GTE with the high-activity form of COMT (GTE-high COMT) had higher insulin concentrations at time 0, 0.5 and 1.0 h post-meal compared to all COMT groups randomised to placebo. Insulin remained higher in the GTE-high COMT group at 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 h compared to Placebo-low COMT (P < 0.02). GTE-high COMT had higher insulin concentrations at times 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 h compared to the GTE-low COMT (P ≤ 0.04). Area under the curve measurements of satiety did not differ between GTE and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: GTE supplementation and COMT genotype did not alter acute post-prandial responses of leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin or satiety, although it may be involved in post-meal insulinaemic response of overweight and obese post-menopausal women.

Acrylamide in biological materials and methods of the analytical determination.

Acrylamide is a toxic water-soluble highly-reactive substance of anthropogenic origin. It is formed in foodstuffs containing asparagine and reducing carbohydrates during their thermal processing at high temperatures. The presence of acrylamide has been proven in numerous kinds of food; fried potatoes and cereal based products contained significant levels. Approximately one third of human daily energy intake is food with a higher content of acrylamide, which gives rise to high loading. It effects as neurotoxin in human organism and is suspected to be genotoxic and carcinogenic to humans. In a relatively short time since the detection of acrylamide in human nutriment, many of scientific studies focused on contaminated food. Many indefinite findings resulted from all the data about its toxicity, negative effects and occurrence in biological materials. Based on former monitoring intent on the quantitative determination of acrylamide in food chain, we would like to emphasize the importance of additional studies on its occurrence in human milk and other biological fluids. Upon the strength of results of acrylamide research up till now, the European Union has discussed setting of maximum levels for acrylamide in particular types of food (Ref. 21).

Results of the first studies of occurence of ochratoxin A in human milk in Slovakia.

Authors bring the work the purpose of which is to offer information about quality of human milk from the viewpoint of possible contamination with mycotoxin Ochratoxin A from the fist analyses in Slovakia. One of its main toxic effect is nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, teratogenity and carcinogenity. MATERIAL AND PROCEDURE: 76 samples of human milk from locality Martin and the corresponding zone were analysed by technique of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in conditions as mentioned below. RESULTS: Ochratoxin A was proved in 23 samples, 9 samples of the number with values from 2.3 +/- 0.99 ng/l to 60.3 +/- 25.93 ng/l, its occurence was at the level of quantification limit in the other 14 samples and it was undetectable in 55 samples of human milk. CONCLUSION: Up to now findings of our study have pointed out that Ochratoxin A can occur in human milk also in our conditions and determined values range between limits like those in Germany and Switzerland (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 15).

Single mutations of the PTEN gene in recurrent ovarian carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the role of phosphate and tensin homologue on chromosome 10 (PTEN) mutations in tumorigenesis of the ovary, we determined the mutational spectrum of the PTENgene in surgical specimens of ovarian carcinomas. METHODS: The study group consisted of 86 ovarian cancer specimens (18 fluids, 68 solid specimens), including 30 primary ovarian cancer specimens and 56 of relapsed ovarian cancer from women with a median age of 57.9 years and a range of 27-85 years. Each of the nine exons of the PTEN gene was amplified separately by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Both strands of the PCR products were sequenced directly by standard cycle sequencing procedures and subsequent computer-aided alignments with the wild-type sequence. RESULTS: In ascitic fluids of two women with recurrence of cancer, we observed mutations: one seven-base-pair insertion at codon 52 (GATGATG) and the other a base-pair substitution resulting in an amino acid change (T131I). We found no mutation in the primary ovarian cancers. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that PTEN mutations have a subordinate role in tumorigenesis of the ovary.

Hexacyanoferrate-based composite ion-sensitive electrodes for voltammetry.

Composite electrodes made of graphite, paraffin and metal hexacyanoferrates exhibit a voltammetric response of the hexacyanoferrate ions, the potential of which depends linearly on the logarithm of concentration of alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions. This behaviour has been observed on account of the fact that the electrochemical reaction is accompanied by an exchange of these ions between the solution and the zeolitic lattice of the hexacyanoferrates for charge compensation. The voltammetric determination of the formal potential of these electrodes in a solution allows the quantitative analysis of the ions which are exchanged between the metal hexacyanoferrates and the aqueous solutions. Iron(III), copper(II), silver(I), nickel(II) and cadmium(II) hexacyanoferrates have been studied for the determination of H(+), Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), NH(+)(4), Mg(2+), Ca(2+) and Ba(2+). In some cases, the selectivity constants are as low as 3.10(-4), or even so small that their exact value is inaccessible. Electrodes made of iron (III), copper (II), silver (I), nickel (II) and cadmium (II) hexacyanoferrates are most suitable for the determination of potassium ions. Electrodes with nickel (II) and cadmium (II) hexacyanoferrates are also suitable for the determination of caesium ions. The working range of the electrodes also depends on the conductivity of the solutions and can range from 10(-5) to 1 mol l(-1). Typical standard deviations of the potential measurements are 3 mV.

Serum magnesium and calcium in patients with dorsalgias.

Serum magnesium and calcium was examined in 70 patients with chronic dorsalgias. Values of calcium were stabilized, but values of magnesium were unstable and exceeded the 2SD lines, being more often over than under these lines. Lability of serum magnesium levels is considered a secondary consequence, caused by the stress of pain. These symptoms may be alleviated by Mg administration, by local application of Mg through transdermic iontophoresis or sonophoresis, or by hydropathy of the paravertebral muscles.

[Results of a study of serum hormones and biochemical findings in seminal plasma in subfertile men examined at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Olomouc 1995-1996]. / Výsledky hormonálních vysetrení v séru a biochemické nálezy v seminální plazme u subfertilních muzu sledovaných na Gynek.-porod. klinice v Olomouci v letech 1995-96.

Based on a comparative study in a group of healthy men and men suffering from oligospermia and azoospermia, the authors consider it useful to examine FSH, LH, PRL and testosterone serum levels for possible evidence of testicular hypofunction and for detection of stress situations associated with raised PRL levels. As to seminal plasma, the authors consider it useful and relevant to assess citric acid levels, total acid phosphatases and in particular fructose with alpha-glucosidase.

Mapping susceptibility gene locus for IgA deficiency at del(18)(q22.3-q23); report of familial cryptic chromosome t(18q; 10p) translocations.

This study presents a clinical report of the Finnish chromosome t(18q; 10p) translocation family with an overview of eight other selected immunoglobulin A (IgA)-deficient 18q deletion (18q-) patients from seven published articles. The family members show features common to 18q- syndrome such as mental retardation, multiple facial dysmorphism, foot/hand deformities, abnormal myelination of brain white matter, and a spectrum of immunological/infectious disorders including IgA deficiency (IgAD). Genotype-phenotype correlation study of the unbalanced t(18q-; 10p+) translocation family members and other 18q- syndrome reports led to definition of a potential susceptibility gene locus for IgAD at distal region of 18q22.3-q23 between markers D18S812-18qter. The haplo-insufficiency of the 18q22.3-q23 gene region is suggested to be a cause of the IgAD phenotype in 18q- individuals. This 7 Mb IgAD critical region shows significant association with susceptibility region for celiac disease that is frequently connected to IgAD.

[Dental enamel prisms of Mesopithecus pentelicus Wagner, 1839, compared with recent cercopithecids (Primates: Cercopithecidae)]. / Zahnschmelzprismen von Mesopithecus pentelicus Wagner, 1839, im Vergleich mit rezenten Cercopitheciden (Primates: Cercopithecidae).

The dental enamel prisms of Cercopithecidae were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The main task of this study was to show the prism morphology representatives of different genera as well as their comparison with the fossil Mesopithecus pentelicus Wagner, 1839. The method used to show the enamel prisms was to etch the tooth surface with hydrochloric acid. In this way the outlines of the prisms were better contrasted for the descriptive morphology of the prisms than in etching with phosphoric acid. Two types were determined, in accord with the systematic division into subfamilies. In the subfamily Cercopithecinae elongated slender prisms were dominating, some with pointed, others with truncated tops. Most characteristic of this type were Macaca and Cercopithecus. An exception was Papio hamadryas which had broader, rounded prisms. In this way it differed largely from P. anubis whose prisms were short and mostly triangular. A very interesting fact was that very different patterns were found in P. anubis and P. hamadryas, although these two species are regarded as only one species by many authors. The second subfamily, the Colobinae, was characterized by broader prisms with a rounded shape, nearly as long as wide. Exceptions of the 'Colobine type' were at first Colobus with prisms little longer than wide and secondly Nasalis, with mostly parallel sides and truncated tops of the prisms. The prism outlines of Mesopithecus showed the greatest similarity to those of Presbytis which represents the characteristic 'Colobine type'. This fact confirmed the actual systematic position of the fossil Mesopithecus within the subfamily Colobinae. In addition to previously known primitive features of Mesopithecus within the subfamily of Colobinae, we present here a further concrete, common feature with asiatic Colobines.

Reliability of distal sensory latency measures of the median nerve using an electroneurometer.

Measurements of distal sensory latency are often used to support the clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Currently, there is little research that documents the reliability of measuring distal sensory latency in adult populations. The purpose of this study was to determine intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of antidromic distal sensory latency of the median nerve in normal subjects (n=37). Using a two factor design, three examiners obtained a total of six distal sensory latency measures using a supramaximal stimulus from each subject. Analysis consisted of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability, which were 0.89 and 0.83, respectively. The results indicate that this method of measuring median nerve sensory latency has a high degree of reliability and agreement within and between examiners.