Non-cigarette tobacco products, aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor gene methylation and smoking-related health outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking leads to altered DNA methylation at the aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) gene. However, it remains unknown whether pipe or cigar smoking is associated with AHRR methylation. We evaluated associations of non-cigarette tobacco use with AHRR methylation and determined if AHRR methylation was associated with smoking-related health outcomes. METHODS: Data were pooled across four population-based cohorts that enrolled participants from 1985 to 2002. Tobacco exposures were evaluated using smoking questionnaires. AHRR cg05575921 methylation was measured in peripheral blood leucocyte DNA. Spirometry and respiratory symptoms were evaluated at the time of methylation measurements and in subsequent visits. Vital status was monitored using the National Death Index. RESULTS: Among 8252 adults (mean age 56.7±10.3 years, 58.1% women, 40.6% black), 4857 (58.9%) participants used cigarettes and 634 (7.7%) used non-cigarette tobacco products. Exclusive use of non-cigarette tobacco products was independently associated with lower AHRR methylation (-2.44 units, 95% CI -4.42 to -0.45), though to a lesser extent than exclusive use of cigarettes (-6.01 units, 95% CI -6.01 to -4.10). Among participants who exclusively used non-cigarette tobacco products, reduced AHRR methylation was associated with increased respiratory symptom burden (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.68) and higher all-cause mortality (log-rank p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Pipe and cigar smoking were independently associated with lower AHRR methylation in a multiethnic cohort of US adults. Among users of non-cigarette tobacco products, lower AHRR methylation was associated with poor respiratory health outcomes and increased mortality. AHRR methylation may identify non-cigarette tobacco users with an increased risk of adverse smoking-related health outcomes.

Acute interstitial nephritis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus following treatment with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and temozolomide.

We report a case of acute interstitial nephritis with associated nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in a patient treated with temozolomide and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for glioblastoma multiforme. Kidney biopsy demonstrated focal tubulointerstitial change with tubular dilatation, epithelial change and interstitial inflammation. The patient's kidney function improved with cessation of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and treatment with hydrochlorothiazide for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Recommencement of temozolomide did not result in further deterioration in kidney function. In this case report, we discuss the novel association between sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim-induced acute interstitial nephritis and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, and suggest possible mechanisms involved.

Correlations of metabolic rate and body acceleration in three species of coastal sharks under contrasting temperature regimes.

The ability to produce estimates of the metabolic rate of free-ranging animals is fundamental to the study of their ecology. However, measuring the energy expenditure of animals in the field has proved difficult, especially for aquatic taxa. Accelerometry presents a means of translating metabolic rates measured in the laboratory to individuals studied in the field, pending appropriate laboratory calibrations. Such calibrations have only been performed on a few fish species to date, and only one where the effects of temperature were accounted for. Here, we present calibrations between activity, measured as overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), and metabolic rate, measured through respirometry, for nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) and blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus). Calibrations were made at a range of volitional swimming speeds and experimental temperatures. Linear mixed models were used to determine a predictive equation for metabolic rate based on measured ODBA values, with the optimal model using ODBA in combination with activity state and temperature to predict metabolic rate in lemon and nurse sharks, and ODBA and temperature to predict metabolic rate in blacktip sharks. This study lays the groundwork for calculating the metabolic rate of these species in the wild using acceleration data.

Alterations in energy homeostasis to favour adipose tissue gain: A longitudinal study in healthy pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is associated with an increase in body fat; however, excessive gestational weight gain predisposes to significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. It remains unclear whether alterations in energy homeostasis have a major influence on fat storage. AIMS: To evaluate longitudinal changes in body composition and energy metabolism in healthy pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Body composition, energy expenditure and energy intake were measured longitudinally in 26 women with singleton pregnancies at 12-14 weeks, 24-26 weeks and 34-36 weeks of gestation. Fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were measured using bio-impedance analysis, total energy expenditure (TEE) using the Sensewear Armband and energy intake through a 3-day food recall diary. RESULTS: Throughout pregnancy, all women remained healthy. Body weight increased by 10.8 ± 3.9 kg, from 67.3 ± 14.1 kg to 78.1 ± 13.8 kg from the first to the third trimester (P < 0.001). Body fat percentage increased by 4.5 ± 4.2% (P < 0.001). LBM also increased throughout pregnancy, by 3.9 ± 2.4 kg (P < 0.001). TEE increased significantly from the first to the third trimesters (9514 kJ/day to 10 263 kJ/day; P < 0.05). In contrast, energy expenditure due to physical activity, energy intake and macronutrient intake did not change significantly throughout pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Healthy women increase FM during pregnancy despite slight increases in TEE and no change in energy intake. This suggests that energy storage efficiency improves during pregnancy, which may be related to alterations in gut microbiota and activation of anabolic pathways during pregnancy. Clarifying factors leading to this more efficient fat and energy storing state, and the role of the pregnancy-related changes in gut microbiota, may be important for managing gestational weight gain.

Fly-in/Fly-out nursing: is it for us? New graduate nurses' perspectives.

Fly-in/Fly-out models of health care for rural-remote communities are currently the focus of evaluation and debate, as the health inequalities of rural and remote communities continue to challenge both health service providers and healthcare consumers. At first glance, these models of health care may attract new graduate nurses transitioning to practice, because they appear to resolve some of the tensions in career planning and aspirations. However, FIFO models may also present significant tensions between healthcare services and the communities they serve. This article presents the thoughts and perceptions of new graduate nurses as they explore future career pathways in rural-remote nursing. It draws on the rural and remote health literature, in recognition of the enduring inequalities of rural and remote health in Australia.

Cushing Syndrome due to Adrenocortical Carcinoma During Pregnancy.

Cushing syndrome resulting from adrenocortical carcinoma in pregnancy is exceedingly rare. There are no validated guidelines to establish a diagnosis or guide management in pregnancy. We provide a case of a 31-year-old woman presenting for management of diabetes in pregnancy who appeared cushingoid. She was subsequently diagnosed with ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome and experienced preterm labor at 33 weeks' gestation, delivering a healthy infant. Four weeks postpartum, the patient underwent a left adrenalectomy and was subsequently diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma.

Hearing loss increases with size but not site of tympanic membrane perforation in Aboriginal Australian children in remote locations.

Objective: To investigate the effect of size, site, and activity of tympanic membrane (TM) perforation on hearing loss (HL) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) children. Design: Observational study. Methodology: Children aged 5-18 years who identified as ATSI at seven Anangu community schools within the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands and Maralinga Lands of South Australia underwent 4-frequency pure-tone audiometry (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) and video-otoscopy (VO). VO data was reviewed by surgeons for a middle ear diagnosis and VO files with TM perforations were then classified by perforation site (AS, AI, PS, PI, A, P, I) and size (<25%, 25%-50%, 50%-75%, or 75%-100%). Results: Five hundred seventy-five VO files with matching audiological data were obtained. Active perforations (35 dBHL; 28-44 IQR) demonstrated greater HL than inactive perforations (31 dBHL; 29-39 IQR) p = .0029. For inactive perforations there was a significant difference between <25% and all larger perforations (p < .0001) whereas for active perforations the significance changed to between <25% (p < .0001) and 25%-50% (p < .05) when compared to larger perforations. When perforation site was compared within all size/activity groups, no statistically different findings were identified. In all analyses, findings did not change when individual frequencies were compared to 4-frequency pure-tone average dBHL. Conclusion: In ATSI children from remote communities, HL is greater in ears with larger perforations and active middle ear disease but there was no relationship between perforation site and HL.Level of evidence: Level 4.

Mechanisms and Drivers for the Establishment of Life Cycle Complexity in Myxozoan Parasites.

It is assumed that complex life cycles in cnidarian parasites belonging to the Myxozoa result from incorporation of vertebrates into simple life cycles exploiting aquatic invertebrates. However, nothing is known about the driving forces and implementation of this event, though it fostered massive diversification. We performed a comprehensive search for myxozoans in evolutionary ancient fishes (Chondrichthyes), and more than doubled existing 18S rDNA sequence data, discovering seven independent phylogenetic lineages. We performed cophylogenetic and character mapping methods in the largest monophyletic dataset and demonstrate that host and parasite phylogenies are strongly correlated, and that tectonic changes may explain phylogeographic clustering in recent skates and softnose skates, in the Atlantic. The most basal lineages of myxozoans inhabit the bile of chondrichthyans, an immunologically privileged site and protective niche, easily accessible from the gut via the bile duct. We hypothesize that feed-integration is a likely mechanism of host acquisition, an idea supported by feeding habits of chimaeras and ancient sharks and by multiple entries of different parasite lineages from invertebrates into the new host group. We provide exciting first insights into the early evolutionary history of ancient metazoan parasites in a host group that embodies more evolutionary distinctiveness than most other vertebrates.

Techniques to measure free-living energy expenditure during pregnancy - A guide for clinicians and researchers.

As maternal overweight and obesity increase in prevalence, the need to optimise gestational weight gain has entered the forefront due to the well-documented poor fetal and maternal outcomes associated with excess adipose tissue. Measurements of changes in energy expenditure form crucial components of effective weight management programmes, and they are also important for clarifying the energy requirements of pregnancy. This review evaluates the primary techniques for measuring free-living energy expenditure for use in pregnancy, with special consideration of the dynamic physiological changes that occur in this state. The methods that will be discussed include the doubly labelled water method, activity recall and activity logs, heart rate monitors and motion sensors. This article may be useful for clinicians seeking to implement active gestational weight management by enabling advice on increases in caloric intake linked to measured changes in energy expenditure, and for researchers studying energy metabolism in pregnancy.