Enzyme-Like Activity of Nanomaterials

Due to possessing an extremely small size and a large surface area per unit of volume, nanomaterials have specific characteristic physical, chemical, photochemical, and biological properties that are very useful in many new applications. Nanoparticles’ catalytic activity and intrinsic ability in generating or scavenging reactive oxygen species in general can be used to mimic the catalytic activity of natural enzymes. Many nanoparticles with enzyme-like activities have been found, potentially capable of being applied for commercial uses, such as in biosensors, pharmaceutical processes, and the food industry. To date, a variety of nanoparticles, especially those formed from noble metals, have been determined to possess oxidase-like, peroxidase-like, catalase-like, and/or superoxide dismutase-like activity. The ability of nanoparticles to mimic enzymatic activity, especially peroxidase mimics, can be used in a variety of applications, such as detection of glucose in biological samples and waste water treatment. To study the enzyme-like activity of nanoparticles, the electron spin resonance method represents a critically important and convenient analytical approach for zero-time detection of the reactive substrates and products as well as for mechanism determination.     

New systematically active antimycotics from the beta-blocker category

Beta-blocker
Summary. Candida albicans secretes phospholipases, which are considered to be one of the mediators of cell penetration. It is known that other phospholipases from mammalian cells can be inhibited by lipophilic beta-blocking structures. As the result of a synthesis programme of several years' duration, structures deriving from β-hydroxyethylamines were introduced. In vitro and in vivo results with these compounds are presented in comparison with standard antimycotics. In combination with fluconazole, several of the compounds can prevent death in mice infected with lethal inocula of C. albicans. Histological examinations confirm the inhibitory effect of the beta-blocker-like scructures on tissue penetration. The structures therefore constitute new antimycotics that are endowed with extensive in vitro effectiveness against fungi and also definite in vivo effects in the animal model.
Zusammenfassung. Candida albicans sezerniert Phospholipasen, der als Vermittler der Zellpenetration diskutiert werden. Von anderen Phospholipasen aus Säugerzellen ist bekannt, daß sie durch lipophile β-blockierende Strukturen hemmbar sind. Als Ergebnis eines mehrjährigen Synthese-programms werden Strukturen vorgestellt, die sich von β-Hydroxyethylaminen ableiten. In vitro und in vivo Ergebnisse mit diesen Verbindungen werden im Vergleich zu Standardantimykotika vorgestellt. In Kombination mit Fluconazol führen einzelne der Verbindungen zum Überleben von Mäusen, die mit letalen Inokula von C. albicans infiziert worden waren. Histologische Untersuchungen bestätigen den hemmenden Einfluß der β-Blocker-artigen Strukturen auf die Gewebepenetration. Die Strukturen stellen somit neue Antimykotika dar, die über eine breite in vitro Wirksamkeit gegenüber Pilzen wie auch über deutliche in vivo Wirkungen im Tiermodell verfügen.     

Ferroxidase-like and antibacterial activity of PtCu alloy nanoparticles

Many metal nanoparticles are reported to have intrinsic enzyme-like activities and offer great potential in chemical and biomedical applications. In this study, PtCu alloy nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized through hydrothermal treatment of Cu²⁺ and Pt²⁺ in an aqueous solution, were evaluated for ferroxidase-like and antibacterial activity. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and colorimetric methods were used to demonstrate that PtCu NPs exhibited strong ferroxidase-like activity in a weakly acidic environment and that this activity was not affected by the presence of most other ions, except silver. Based on the color reaction of salicylic acid in the presence of Fe³⁺, we tested the ferroxidase-like activity of PtCu NPs to specifically detect Fe²⁺ in a solution of an oral iron supplement and compared these results with data acquired from atomic absorption spectroscopy and the phenanthroline colorimetric method. The results showed that the newly developed PtCu NPs detection method was equivalent to or better than the other two methods used for Fe²⁺ detection. The antibacterial experiments showed that PtCu NPs have strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Herein, we demonstrate that the peroxidase-like activity of PtCu NPs can catalyze H₂O₂ and generate hydroxyl radicals, which may elucidate the antibacterial activity of the PtCu NPs against S. aureus and E. coli. These results showed that PtCu NPs exhibited both ferroxidase- and peroxidase-like activity and that they may serve as convenient and efficient NPs for the detection of Fe²⁺ and for antibacterial applications.     

Nannochloropsis Extract–Mediated Synthesis of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles,Characterization and In Vitro Assessment of Antimicrobial,Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

Objective: To investigate the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using partially purified ethylacetate extract of Nannochloropsis sp. hexane (EAENH) fraction of microalga. Methods: The green synthesis ofAgNPs was confirmed with UV-Vis spectrum which shows the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 421 nm. FourierTransform Infrared Spectra (FTIR) presented the involvement of functional groups like carboxyl groups of fatty acids,tetraterpenoids of xanthophylls, hydroxyl groups of polyphenols, carbonyl and amide linkage of proteins in the AgNPsynthesis. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis (GCMS) revealed that phytochemicals like octadecanoicacid and hexadecanoic acid imply in capping, bioreduction, and stabilization of AgNps. Result: High-resolutionTransmission electron microscope (HRTEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and EDXanalysis showed the crystalline form of the AgNPs with Z-average size 57.25 nm. The zeta potential value of -25.7mV demonstrated the negative surface charge and colloidal stability of AgNPs. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPsdisplayed effective inhibition zone against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. In vitro, antioxidant effects wereassessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide and reducing power assays which revealedexcellent scavenging potential for AgNPs than the extracts. The anti-proliferative potential of biofabricated AgNPsand extracts on Human Non-small lung cancer cell line (A549) was assessed using 3–(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with IC50 values of 15 μgmL-1 and 175 μgmL-1 respectively. Conclusion:The study reveals that the microalgae-mediated AgNPs possesses potent antimicrobial and antioxidant activity alongwith the ability to stimulate apoptosis in A-549 cell line.     

Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Annona squamosa

Annona squamosa has extensively been used in the traditional and folkloric medicine and found to possess many biological activities. Different solvents, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Annona squamosa seeds (ASPE, ASCH, ASEA, ASME) have been used to prepare plant extracts. The present investigations dealt with the free radical scavenging activity of four extracts using various techniques such as total reducing power estimation, total phenolic count, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect, evaluation of ABTS cation decolorisation capacity, FRAP assay, hdroxyl radical scavenging assay, super oxide assay and Nitric oxide radical scavenging assay of the extracts. The results showed that the four extracts of Annona squamosa showed significant reducing power in four extracts. The total phenolic contents in petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol extracts and positive control were 0.64±0.17, 0.54±0.27, 0.49±0.24, 0.57±0.22 and 0.66±0.33. The antioxidant capacity by ABTS assay of ASPE, ASCH, ASEA, ASME and positive control, trolox showed 77.75±0.5,73.25±1.7,78.5± 1.2 , 80 ± 0.8 μg/ml and 94.2 ± 0.9 respectively. The (50 % scavenging activity) SA50 of ASPE and ASCH, ASEA and ASME was found to be 34.4 μg/ml, 43.8 μg/ml 34.7 μg/m and 28.8 μg/ml respectively by DPPH assay. The percentage of hydroxyl radical scavenging increased with the increasing concentration of the extracts. ASPE, ASCH, ASEA and ASME showed superoxide radical scavenging activity, as indicated by their values 66 ± 0.5, 68 ± 1 ,63 ± 1 and 70 ± 0.5 μg/ml respectively compared to gallic acid which was 97 ± 0.5 μg/ml. The values for scavenging of nitric oxide for ASPE, ASCH, ASEA and ASME were 91.0 ± 1.0, 66.75 ± 0.5, 71.75 ± 1.1 and 75.75 ± 1.15 μg/ml while value for standard ascorbic acid was 91.0 ± 1.0 μg/ml. The results revealed strong antioxidants in four extracts may lead to the development of potent antioxidant agents from Annona squamosa seeds.     

Association of NK cell dysfunction with changes in LDH characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in breast cancer patients

The cytotoxic activity of NK (natural killer) cells is very important in immunological surveillance against the appearance and especially the spread of malignant disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of this subpopulation of cells in breast cancer patients in different clinical stages of disease prior to therapy. NK cell activity was determined in breast cancer patients and healthy controls by three different methods: standard 51-chromium-release assay and by the original colorimetric uncorrected and corrected lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. A discrepancy was shown between the assays, as the uncorrected LDH assay showed, not only, much higher values, but no stage-dependent depression in NK cell activity compared to the chromium-release assay. Further analyses of separately cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) revealed that this difference arose from an increasing, clinical stage-dependent, spontaneous LDH release from PBL of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, a stage-dependent increase in intracellular LDH activity of PBL was found, although without difference in LDH-H and LDH-M isotype ratio, compared to controls. Increased spontaneous LDH release and intracellular LDH activity was more evident in young patients, under 40 years. Correction of the original LDH-release assay for the spontaneous LDH release activity from PBL present in the assay, gave values of NK cell activity comparable to those determined by the chromium assay and indicated that breast cancer patients have a significant depression in NK cell activity which correlates with the stage-dependent increase in spontaneous LDH release. Moreover, as both assays measure the secretory, perforin-mediated, NK cell cytotoxic pathway against tumor cells, it can be concluded that the appearance of spontaneous LDH release is an indicator of cell membrane damage which not only allows the loss of LDH, but also of the components of the secretory killing pathway, resulting in NK cell dysfunction with the progression of disease. The novel findings obtained in this work reveal the association of PBL membrane damage with clinical stage of breast cancer that can, aside from reflecting NK cell depression, underlie the defect in other PBL subsets and subsequently facilitate progression of the malignant process.     

Studies on the Antifungal Effect of Flucytosine (Ancobon®, Ancotil®)

Summary: The antifungal activity of Flucytosine (Ancobon®, Ancotil®) was tested against different pathogenic fungi. Five strains of each fungus species were used. Two different techniques were applied, namely the plate serial dilution and the time-concentration exposure procedure. Fungi of the yeast, yeast-like organisms, the tissue form of Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Sporotrichum schenckii were inhibited (fungistatic and/or fungicidal effect) at a concentration varying from 10–10,000μg/ ml medium. A concentration of 10 μg/ml medium proved to be fungicidal for Aspergillus fumi-gatus and Penicillium rubrum strains, however, a strain of both A. fumigatus A. candidum required a somewhat higher concentration of 20 μg/ml medium. The tested dermatophytes and nocardiae were not affected at all at the highest used concentration of the drug (2000–10,000 μg/ml medium). The growth of the facultative pathogenic fungi was totally inhibited at a concentration of 1000–2000 μg/ml medium. Using the time exposure procedure, the substance inhibited the growth of the tested yeast and yeast-like fungi at a concentration varied from 10–10,000 μg/ml in a time ranging from 1–6 hours. In this respect, C. rugosa, B. dermatitidis, Trichosp. cutane-um and G. candidum needed the highest used concentration (10,000 μg/ml) and the maximum exposure time (6 hrs.). A relatively longer exposure time up to 24 hrs. was required for the drug to inhibit the growth of the facultative pathogenic fungi. The substance did not exert any noticeable effect against the tested dermatophytes and nocardiae strains. The results are seen as encouraging and promising for the possible use of Flucytosine as a chemotherapeutic agent in veterinary medicine, especially in combating mammalian and avian respiratory tract infections caused by A.^: fumigatus and other allied fungi and also in cases of udder mycotic infections of both bovine and swine, particularly when C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii and Torulopsis species are encountered. Zusammenfassung: Die antimykotische Wirksamkeit von Flucytosin (Ancotil®, Ancobon®) gegen verschiedene pathogene Pilze wurde untersucht. Fünf Stämme von jeder Pilz-Art wurden getestet. Zwei verschiedene Verfahren wurden angewendet, nämlich die Platten-Verdünnung und die Zeit-Konzentration-Expositionsmethode. Hefen, hefeähnliche Pilze, die Gewebe-Form von Blastomyces dermatitidis und Sporotrichum schenckii wurden bei unterschiedlichen Konzentrationen von 10–10 000 μg/ ml Nährboden) gehemmt. Eine Konzentration von 10 μg/ml Nährboden hatte eine pilzäbtotende Wirkung für Aspergillus fumigatus- und Penicillium rubrum-Stämme, jedoch brauchte je ein Stamm von beiden Arten (A. fumigatus und A. candidum) eine etwas höhere Konzentration von 20 μg/ml Nährboden, um das Gleiche zu erzielen. Die getesteten Dermatophyten und Nocardiae waren bei der hoheren angewendeten Konzentration der Substanz (2000–10 000μg/ml Nährboden) nicht beeinflußt. Das Wachstum der fakultativ pathogenen Pilze war generell bei einer Konzentration von 1000–2000 μg/ml Nährboden gehemmt. Unter den Bedingungen der Zeit-Konzentration-Expositionsmethode wurde das Wachstum der getesteten Hefen und hefeähnlichen Pilze bei einer Konzentration von 10–10 000 μg/ml in einem Zeitraum von 1–6 Stunden gehemmt. In dieser Beziehung bedurften C. rugosa, B. dermatitidis, Trichosp. cutaneum und G. candidum der höchsten angewendeten Konzentrationen (10 000 μg/ml) und Expositionszeiten (6 Stunden). Die Substanz hatte auf die getesteten Dermatophyten und Nocardiae keine be-merkbare Wirkung. Die Ergebnisse sind als ermutigend und vielversprechend für die mögliche Anwen-dung von Flucytosine als chemotherapeutisches Mittel in der Veterinär-Medizin, insbesondere für die Bekämpfung von Säugetier- und Geflügel-Atemwegsinfektionen, die durch A. fumigatus und ähnliche Pilze verursacht werden, anzusehen. Das gleiche gilt für mykotische Euterinfektionen von Rind und Schwein, wenn diese von C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii oder Torulopsis-Arten hervorgerufen werden.     

Physical activity and risk of cancer in middle-aged men.

A prospective study was carried out to examine the relationship between physical activity and incidence of cancers in 7588 men aged 40-59 years with full data on physical activity and without cancer at screening. Physical activity at screening was classified as none/occasional, light, moderate, moderately-vigorous or vigorous. Cancer incidence data were obtained from death certificates, the national Cancer Registration Scheme and self-reporting on follow-up questionnaires of doctor-diagnosed cancer. Cancer (excluding skin cancers) developed in 969 men during mean follow-up of 18.8 years. After adjustment for age, smoking, body mass index, alcohol intake and social class, the risk of total cancers was significantly reduced only in men reporting moderately-vigorous or vigorous activity; no benefit seen at lesser levels. Sporting activity was essential to achieve significant benefit and was associated with a significant dose-response reduction in risk of prostate cancer and upper digestive and stomach cancer. Sporting (vigorous) activity was associated with a significant increase in bladder cancer. No association was seen with colo-rectal cancer. Non-sporting recreational activity showed no association with cancer. Physical activity in middle-aged men is associated with reduced risk of total cancers, prostate cancer, upper digestive and stomach cancer. Moderately-vigorous or vigorous levels involving sporting activities are required to achieve such benefit.     

Antitumor activity of four macrocyclic ellagitannins from Cuphea hyssopifolia

We evaluated the antitumor activities of four macrocyclic hydrolyzable tannin dimers, cuphiin D₁, cuphiin D₂, oenothein B and woodfordin C isolated from Cuphea hyssopifolia (Lythraceae). All significantly inhibited the growth of the human carcinoma cell lines KB, HeLa, DU-145, Hep 3B, and the leukemia cell line HL-60, and showed less cytotoxicity than adriamycin against a normal cell line (WISH). All four compounds inhibited the viability of S-180 tumor cells in an in vitro assay and an in vivo S-180 tumor-bearing ICR mice model. Oenothein B demonstrated the greatest cytotoxicity (IC₅₀=11.4 μg/ml) against S-180 tumor cells in culture, while cuphiin D₁ resulted in the greatest increase in survival on S-180 tumor-bearing mice (%ILS=84.1%). Our findings suggest that the antitumor effects of these compounds are not only related to their cytotoxicity on carcinoma cell lines, but also depended on a host-mediated mechanism; they may therefore have potential for antitumor applications.     

Antitumor activity of four macrocyclic ellagitannins from Cuphea hyssopifolia.

We evaluated the antitumor activities of four macrocyclic hydrolyzable tannin dimers, cuphiin D₁, cuphiin D₂, oenothein B and woodfordin C isolated from Cuphea hyssopifolia (Lythraceae). All significantly inhibited the growth of the human carcinoma cell lines KB, HeLa, DU-145, Hep 3B, and the leukemia cell line HL-60, and showed less cytotoxicity than adriamycin against a normal cell line (WISH). All four compounds inhibited the viability of S-180 tumor cells in an in vitro assay and an in vivo S-180 tumor-bearing ICR mice model. Oenothein B demonstrated the greatest cytotoxicity (IC₅₀=11.4 μg/ml) against S-180 tumor cells in culture, while cuphiin D₁ resulted in the greatest increase in survival on S-180 tumor-bearing mice (%ILS=84.1%). Our findings suggest that the antitumor effects of these compounds are not only related to their cytotoxicity on carcinoma cell lines, but also depended on a host-mediated mechanism; they may therefore have potential for antitumor applications.     

端粒酶活性在肺癌中表达的临床研究

目的 研究端粒酶活性在肺癌中的表达及临床应用价值。方法 应用改良ＰＣＲ－ＥＬＩＳＡ法对２９例经临床及胸部Ｘ光片和ＣＴ检查高度怀疑为肺癌的患者通过纤维支气管镜所取的病变组织进行端粒酶活性检测,同时行病理不、支刷脱落细胞和抗直菌检查。结果 病理证实为肺癌的２２例中有１８例端粒酶活性表达阳性,阳性率为８１．８１％;４例异型细胞中端粒酶活性表达阳性１例;２例慢性炎症中端粒酶活性表达阳性１例;１例肺结核患者     

杂氮硅三环希夫碱的抗瘤活性研究

本文报道用六种小鼠移植性肿瘤研究了杂氮硅三环希夫碱化合物Ｖ的抗肿瘤作用结果表明：化合物Ｖ对Ｓ－１８０实体型，ＬⅡ、艾氏腹水癌，Ｓ－１８０腹水型显著的抗肿瘤活性，对Ｈｅｐ，Ｌ６１５疗效不显著。     

Physical activity and risk for lung cancer in a Danish cohort

Physical activity might reduce the risk for lung cancer by various mechanisms, but the evidence is inconclusive. We therefore examined the relationship between physical activity and risk for lung cancer in a large population-based Danish cohort with detailed information about number of hours per week spent on specific physical activities as well as lifetime smoking patterns. Between 1993 and 1997, a total of 57,053 persons aged 50-64 years agreed to participate in the cohort. After exclusions of persons with cancer diagnosis before invitation and persons for whom data regarding study variables were missing, 26,070 men and 28,352 women remained for study. By 31 December 2002, lung cancer had been diagnosed in 194 men and 175 women. A questionnaire registered average number of hours per week spent on each of 6 types of leisure time physical activity. Level of occupational physical activity was registered in 5 categories. Cox's proportional hazard model stratified according to age at entry (1-year intervals) was adjusted for smoking, school education, possible occupational exposure to lung carcinogens and intake of fruit and vegetables. No significant association was found between number of hours per week spent on 6 types of physical activity during leisure time and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for lung cancer. For each type of activity, the IRR of lung cancer was lower for active compared to nonactive women, whereas for men lower IRRs were only observed for sports and gardening. Higher levels of occupational physical activity had no protective effect; the lowest IRR was found for sitting work. Our study shows no convincing protective effect of physical activity on lung cancer risk.     

北豆根提取物PE2成分的体内抗肿瘤作用及其免疫学调节机制研究

背景与目的探讨中药北豆根提取物的体内抗肿瘤作用和免疫学调节作用机制。材料与方法采用水提取、醇提取及水回流等方法对北豆根进行成分分离。采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝[3-(4,5-dimethy-2-thiazoly)-2,5-diphenyl-2-tetrazoliumbromide,MTT]显色法分析北豆根提取物对肿瘤细胞和淋巴细胞增殖反应的作用。采用中性红法检测了北豆根提取物对小鼠巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响。采用皮下接种肿瘤细胞建立荷瘤小鼠动物模型,采用北豆根提取物灌胃,观察北豆根提取物对小鼠的体内抗肿瘤作用和免疫调节作用。结果北豆根乙醇提取物(RME)比水提取物(RMW)具有更强的抑瘤活性,醇提取物中的PE2成分可能是北豆根的主要抗肿瘤活性部分。经北豆根提取物PE2灌胃后的荷瘤小鼠,与对照组荷瘤小鼠相比其胸腺指数、脾指数明显增加;腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能和细胞因子分泌功能增强;NK细胞活性增加;一般情况较对照组小鼠好;肿瘤生长缓慢而局限;生存期明显延长。结论PE2是北豆根抗肿瘤作用的主要有效部分,PE2体内也具有抗肿瘤作用,能通过增强荷瘤小鼠巨噬细胞的吞噬功能,增强NK细胞和小鼠脾细胞的活性,而发挥抗肿瘤作用。     

A Potential Use of a Synthetic Retinoid TAC-101 as an Orally Active Agent That Blocks Angiogenesis in Liver Metastases of Human Stomach Cancer Cells

TAC-101 (4-[3,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzamido]benzoic acid) is a novel, synthetic retinoid that is effective against liver metastases of human gastrointestinal cancer cells such as the human stomach carcinoma line AZ-521 in animal models, and is currently in use in phase I cancer trials. However, the mechanism of its antimetastatic action is still poorly understood. Tumor metastasis depends on angiogenesis, and various retinoids have been found to exhibit antiangiogenic activity. Based on these findings we here examined the antiangiogenic effects of TAC-101. Oral administration of TAC-101 (2-8 mg/kg/day) resulted in a drastic suppression of the AZ-521 cell-induced angiogenesis in a mouse dorsal air sac assay system, compared to the vehicle alone. Immunohistochemical analysis with antibody against the endothelial marker CD31 revealed a significant reduction in microvessel density in liver metastases from animals treated with TAC-101 (8 mg/kg p.o.), compared to liver metastases from the untreated control animals. The ability of TAC-101 (8 mg/kg p.o.) to prevent experimental liver metastasis of AZ-521 cells in athymic nude mice was comparable with that of the known angiogenesis inhibitor TNP-470 (30 mg/kg s.c.). TAC-101 also affected angiogenesis in chorioallantoic membranes and some functions of endothelial cells associated with angiogenesis, whereas the retinoid failed to suppress AZ-521 cell proliferation directly. These data suggest that the TAC-101 is an orally active antiangiogenic agent and that this antiangiogenic property may contribute to its efficacy against liver metastasis of human stomach cancer cells.     

Cancer Research and Control Activities in Japan - Contributions to International Efforts

Since the establishment of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research in 1908, Japan has experienced along history of physicians and researchers playing very active roles in both national and international effortsfor cancer control. With the opening of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research Cancer Institute andHospital in 1934 and the National Cancer Center in 1962, followed by Aichi Cancer Center in 1964 and thengraduallyt Prefectural Centers across the country, the populace is well endowed with specialist research andclinical facilities. Under the Cancer Control Act, implemented in 2007, these are now being complemented by anetwork of specialist hospitals also involved in efforts to improve training and cancer registration as well asstandardization of cancer treatment. Regional cancer registries have been active since the 1960’s and nationalprograms for cervical and stomach cancer screening were introduced in 1984. Subsequently, such early detectionefforts have been added for the lung, colorectal, endometrial and breast cancers. There are a large number ofacademic scientific societies holding regular research meetings and focusing on all the different aspects of cancercontrol. In addition, there are non-government organizations like the Foundation for Promotion of CancerResearch, the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Foundation, the Sapporo Cancer Seminar Foundation andthe Hiroshima Cancer Seminar Foundation, all sponsoring international research meetings and other efforts.Other foundations have been established, for example by patient support groups, and policy research and strategicplanning are now high priorities of the Government. Japan also continues to contribute to international effortsthough its membership in the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as well asthrough individual memberships in the Intrnational Union Against Cancer (UICC).     

Occupational physical activity and risk for breast cancer in a nationwide cohort study in Sweden

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate effects of physical activity on risk for breast cancer.Methods: From the Swedish nationwide censuses in 1960 and 1970 we defined three partly overlapping cohorts of women whose occupational titles allowed reproducible classification of physical demands at work in 1960 (n=704,904), in 1970 (n=982,270), or with the same demands in both 1960 and 1970 (n=253,336). The incidence of breast cancer during 1971–89 was ascertained through record linkage to the Swedish Cancer Register. We used Poisson regression to estimate relative risks (RR).Results: A total of 20,419, 22,840, and 8261 breast cancers, respectively, were detected in the three cohorts. In all three cohorts the risk for breast cancer increased monotonically with decreasing level of occupational physical activity and with increasing socioeconomic status. Among women with the same estimated physical activity level in 1960 and 1970 the RR was 1.3 for sedentary as compared with high/very high activity level (95% CI 1.2–1.4; p for trend<0.001). Adjustment for socioeconomic status virtually eliminated this association (RR 1.1; 95% CI 0.9–1.2; p for trend 0.12) leaving a statistically significant 30% gradient only among women aged 50–59 years at follow-up. The association between socioeconomic status and breast cancer risk was largely unchanged after adjustment for occupational physical activity.Conclusion: The protective effect of occupational physical activity on breast cancer risk, if any, appears to be confined to certain age groups.     

Investigations of the Activity by Contact of Miconazole Sulfosalicylate

Summary

The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of miconazole sulfosalicylate (M.SSA) has been investigated on mycetes (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton mentagrophytes), Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens and Proteus vulgaris) in comparison with miconazole nitrate (M.NIT). The results showed M.SSA has a greater activity than M.NIT, particularly on mycetes and Gram-negative bacteria. The study of activity by contact with M.SSA showed some characteristics of this sulfosalicylate imidazole, such as the lack of a latency time, an antimicrobic action related directly to the concentration, the limited influence of pH and ionic strength of medium used. The greater activity by contact of M.SSA than M.NIT could be related to its higher lipophilia (due also to the lipophilic characteristics of SSA) and, therefore, to increased interaction with the cell membrane.