Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women

BACKGROUND: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a prevalent condition, but information on risk or protective factors is lacking. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the association between the dietary intake and ratio of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids (FAs) and DES occurrence. DESIGN: Of the 39876 female health professionals in the Women's Health Study (WHS), 32470 women aged 45-84 y who provided information on diet and DES were cross-sectionally studied. We assessed FA intakes by using a validated food-frequency questionnaire and assessed DES by using self-reports of clinically diagnosed cases. Of the sample, 1546 (4.7%) subjects reported DES. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs to describe the relation of FA intake with DES. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic factors, hormone therapy, and total fat intake, the OR for the highest versus the lowest quintile of n-3 FAs was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.98; P for trend = 0.05). A higher ratio of n-6 to n-3 FA consumption was associated with a significantly increased risk of DES (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.13, 5.58) for >15:1 versus <4:1 (P for trend = 0.01). In addition, tuna consumption [1 serving was 113 g (4 oz)] was inversely associated with DES (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.99 for 2-4 servings/wk; OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.79 for 5-6 servings/wk versus < or =1 serving/wk; P for trend = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a higher dietary intake of n-3 FAs is associated with a decreased incidence of DES in women. These findings are consistent with anecdotal clinical observations and postulated biological mechanisms.     

Activation of dendritic cells by liposomes prepared from phosphatidylinositol mannosides from Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin and adjuvant activity in vivo

Liposome vesicles could be formed at 65 degrees C from the chloroform-soluble, total polar lipids (TPL) extracted from Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) entrapped in TPL liposomes produced both anti-OVA antibody and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were activated to secrete interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor upon exposure to antigen-free TPL liposomes. Three phosphoglycolipids and three phospholipids comprising 96% of TPL were identified as phosphatidylinositol dimannoside, palmitoyl-phosphatidylinositol dimannoside, dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylinositol dimannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cardiolipin. The activation of dendritic cells by liposomes prepared from each purified lipid component of TPL was evaluated in vitro. A basal activity of phosphatidylinositol liposomes to activate proinflammatory cytokine production appeared to be attributable to the tuberculosteric fatty acyl 19:0 chain characteristic of mycobacterial glycerolipids, as similar lipids lacking tuberculosteric chains showed little activity. Phosphatidylinositol dimannoside was identified as the primary lipid that activated dendritic cells to produce amounts of proinflammatory cytokines several times higher than the basal level, indicating the importance of mannose residues. Although the activity of phosphatidylinositol dimannoside was little influenced by palmitoylation of mannose at C-6, a further palmitoylation at inositol C-3 diminished the induction levels of IL-6 and IL-12. Further, OVA entrapped in palmitoyl-phosphatidylinositol dimannoside liposomes was delivered to dendritic cells for major histocompatibility complex class I presentation more effectively than TPL OVA-liposomes. BCG liposomes containing mannose lipids caused up-regulation of costimulatory molecules and CD40. Thus, the inclusion of pure phosphatidylinositol mannosides of BCG in lipid vesicle vaccines represents a simple and efficient option for targeting antigen delivery and providing immune stimulation.     

The Effect of Oral Submucous Fibrosis on Oral Stereognostic Ability. A Preliminary Study

Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) on oral stereognostic ability. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 14 patients having OSMF with no tongue involvement or any restriction in tongue mobility; the control group comprised 15 patients free from any oral symptoms. All patients in both groups had at least 26 teeth present and were of ages 20 to 40 years. Oral stereognostic ability was evaluated on the basis of correct recognition responses to test pieces of 12 geometric forms made from raw carrot. Of the 12 test pieces, six were large, and six were small. Test pieces were placed on the dorsum of the tongue near the apex. The test was performed three times by each patient in both groups, and no time limit was set for the identification of the test pieces. Responses were recorded using the three‐point scale method. Student's t‐test was used to calculate significant differences between the means of the two groups. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The mean of the total score was comparable between the study group and the control group, with no statistical significant difference observed. Test pieces with corners (mainly triangle) were recognized more correctly than those without corners. Conclusion: The study indicated that the oral stereognostic ability of the study group did not significantly differ from that of the control group.     

The current status of anti-GPCR drugs against different cancers

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have emerged as the most potential target for a number of drug discovery programs ranging from control of blood pressure, diabetes, cure for genetic diseases to treatment of cancer. A panel of different ligands including hormones, peptides, ions and small molecules is responsible for activation of these receptors. Molecular genetics has identified key GPCRs, whose mutations or altered expressions are linked with tumorgenicity. In this review, we discussed recent advances regarding the involvement of GPCRs in the development of cancers and approaches to manipulating the mechanism behind GPCRs involved tumor growth and metastasis to treat different types of human cancer. This review provides an insight into the current scenario of GPCR-targeted therapy, progress to date and the challenges in the development of anticancer drugs.     

Challenges in Developing Competency-based Training Curriculum for Food Safety Regulators in India

Context:

The Food Safety and Standards Act have redefined the roles and responsibilities of food regulatory workforce and calls for highly skilled human resources as it involves complex management procedures.

Aims:

1) Identify the competencies needed among the food regulatory workforce in India. 2) Develop a competency-based training curriculum for food safety regulators in the country. 3) Develop training materials for use to train the food regulatory workforce.

Settings and Design:

The Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, led the development of training curriculum on food safety with technical assistance from the Royal Society for Public Health, UK and the National Institute of Nutrition, India. The exercise was to facilitate the implementation of new Act by undertaking capacity building through a comprehensive training program.

Materials and Methods:

A competency-based training needs assessment was conducted before undertaking the development of the training materials.

Results:

The training program for Food Safety Officers was designed to comprise of five modules to include: Food science and technology, Food safety management systems, Food safety legislation, Enforcement of food safety regulations, and Administrative functions. Each module has a facilitator guide for the tutor and a handbook for the participant. Essentials of Food Hygiene-I (Basic level), II and III (Retail/ Catering/ Manufacturing) were primarily designed for training of food handlers and are part of essential reading for food safety regulators.

Conclusion:

The Food Safety and Standards Act calls for highly skilled human resources as it involves complex management procedures. Despite having developed a comprehensive competency-based training curriculum by joint efforts by the local, national, and international agencies, implementation remains a challenge in resource-limited setting.     

Comparison of diagnostic quality of kidney biopsy obtained using 16G and 18G needles in patients with diffuse renal disease

To determine the diagnostic quality and complication rates of 16G and 18G needles in biopsy of the kidney, we performed renal biopsy using a biopsy gun under ultrasound guidance in 50 patients who were prospectively and evenly assigned to one of the two needle biopsy methods from April 2007 until May 2008. Two cores of renal biopsy specimen were obtained in each case and subjected to histopathological and immunoflourescence (IF) examination. Pain associated with the procedure was assessed using a visual analog scale. The number of glomeruli retrieved using the 16G needle ranged from 0 to 30 (mean 9.42 ± 5.5) and those retrieved using 18G needle ranged from 0 to 19 (mean 7.72 ± 4.4), P <0.05. The quality of biopsy was poorer with 18G needle as compared with 16G needles because of a higher amount of fragmentation and crushing artifact. There was no difference in the complication rates between the two needles (2% each). The 16G needle was associated with significantly more pain than the 18G needle. We conclude that our study demonstrates the benefit of the larger 16G needle in providing more tissue and glomeruli, which is more diagnostically useful. However, the use of 16G needle was associated with significantly more pain than the 18G needle, and may be a better compromise for diagnostic usefulness and patient acceptability.