Cytotoxicity of bioactive polymeric fractions from grape cell culture on human hepatocellular carcinoma, murine leukemia and non-cancerous PK15 kidney cells.

Previously, we isolated two fractions (TP-4 and TP-6) from grape cell culture that were potent catalytic inhibitors in a human DNA topoisomerase II assay for cancer chemoprevention. The objectives of this study were to further assess cytotoxicity of these fractions on cancerous and non-cancerous cells, and to subfractionate and characterize the composition of TP-6, a fraction that was selectively cytotoxic to carcinoma cell lines. Both TP-4 and TP-6 provided significant cytotoxicity to L1210 mouse leukemia cells. Only TP-6, a procyanidin-rich fraction, significantly reduced viability in HepG2 human liver cancer cells, yet unlike resveratrol, caused no cytotoxicity to non-cancerous PK15 pig kidney cells. After further subfractionation of TP-6 (maximal toxicity = 67.2%; ED(50) = 50.5 microM), the cytotoxicity of subfractions on HepG2 cells was TP-6-5 (maximal toxicity=71.8%; ED(50) = 14.1 microM), TP-6-6 (maximal toxicity=64.3%; ED(50) = 67.0 microM), and TP-6-4 (maximal toxicity = 27.6%; ED(50) = 118.0 microM) in descending order. LC-ESI/MS data suggested that cytotoxicity of these procyanidin mixtures to HepG2 cells was proportional to the degree of polymerization. Because TP-6 and its subfractions were selectively cytotoxic to cancerous cell lines tested, they warrant further investigation as potential natural anticancer agents.     

Sex differences in prognosis of childhood T-cell leukemia

Bone marrows of 41 untreated children and adolescents with acute lymphocytic leukemia were studied by combined immunologic and histochemical methods at the time of diagnosis. Eleven were classified as T-cell lymphoblastic leukemias (27%) on the basis of cytochemical stains and E-rosette assay. The patients in this group had low median age of 8 years, relatively low median WBC of 13.4 × 10³/cc, 6/11 were female, and only 2/5 males had a mediastinal mass. The girls had a lower median age than boys (7 vs 9 years), none had mediastinal masses or extramedullary involvement, and their survival was >27 months compared to 14 months for the boys (P < 0.01). All patients were enrolled and treated on the (then) currently active CCSG protocols for ALL. This study emphasizes the fact that not all patients with T-cell ALL have poor prognosis, that sex could be an important factor affecting survival, and that the difference in survival could not be adequately explained by differences in the initial WBC.     

Requests for information by family and friends of cancer patients calling the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service

PURPOSE: To characterize their information needs, we examined the main topics of inquiry and discussion (subjects of interaction, SOI) of calls made by family and friends of cancer patients to the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service's (CIS) 1-800-4-CANCER telephone information service and summarized differences by sociodemographic characteristics. DESIGN AND ANALYSIS: Data from 26 789 family or friends of cancer patients calling the CIS between September 2002 and August 2003 were analyzed. Frequencies, chi(2)'s, and logistic regressions were conducted to ascertain sample characteristics and sociodemographic correlates of each SOI. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The greatest proportion of calls concerned specific treatment information (54.9%) and general cancer site information (36.9%). Calls about specific treatment information were more likely among Asians, Hawaiian Natives, and Pacific Islanders (OR = 1.23, 1.04-1.45), and those with higher education (OR = 1.21, 1.18-1.25). As age increased, the odds of calls about specific treatment information also increased (OR = 1.05, 1.03-1.07). Females (OR = 0.78, 0.72-0.84), Hispanics (OR = 0.77, 0.67-0.89), African-Americans (OR = 0.68, 0.61-0.76), and American-Indians and Alaskan Natives (OR = 0.74, 0.58-0.93) were less likely to inquire about specific treatment information. Inquiries about general cancer site information were more likely among females (OR = 1.14, 1.06-1.23) and less likely among younger callers (OR = 0.95, 0.93-0.97) and African-Americans (OR = 0.87, 0.78-0.98). Differences in inquiries made by sociodemographic subgroups can inform the CIS' and other cancer-related organizations' efforts to develop and disseminate cancer information for family and friends of cancer patients.     

Treadmill running reverses retention deficit induced by morphine

Human and animal studies have suggested that exercise has benefits overall health and cognitive function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill running on passive avoidance learning and memory deficit in morphine-treated rats. The passive avoidance learning was measured in different time intervals (1, 2 and 24 h as well as 1 week and 1 month). Four groups of rats were included as follows: control, morphine-treated, exercised-saline and exercised-morphine-treated group. The electrical foot shock and treadmill training (2 h at a speed of 5 m/min for 10 days) were applied for all the groups. The data obtained was analyzed using unpaired Students t-test and ANOVA test with group as the independent variable, and performance in each session (avoidances and crossings) as the dependent variables. The results show that the total time staying in dark box was decreased in exercised-saline and exercised-morphine-treated rats by treadmill running (P<0.05). The avoidance learning was significantly reduced in morphine-treated group as indicated by the increased total time of staying in the dark box compared with the control group (P<0.05). We could conclude that exercise increased the delay time of entry to the dark electrical foot shock box, suggesting that morphine impaired the short-term memory and learning and this was reversed by the treadmill running.     

Factors associated with patients' perceptions of health care providers' communication behavior

We examined patients' ratings of communication with health care providers by sociodemographic characteristics, health care access, and health status. Data were from a national, population-based survey, the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). The survey was administered to 6,369 adults from a representative sample of U.S. households. Linear regression analysis was conducted using SUDAAN. None of the sociodemographic variables were significantly associated with patients' ratings of providers' communication behavior in the linear model. Ratings of health care providers' communication behavior, however, were significantly higher among respondents with health insurance (p = 0.007) and those with a usual source of health care from whom they consistently sought care (p < 0.001). Ratings of provider communication were significantly lower among respondents who perceived their general health to be fair or poor (p < 0.001) and among those respondents with greater depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Differences in patient ratings of health care providers' communication by health care access and health status suggest the potential for disparities in health outcomes.     

Comparison of serum cholesterol in children fed high,moderate, or low cholesterol milk diets during neonatal period

The long-term effects of milk diets in infancy on the blood serum cholesterol concentrations were studied in 97 school children 7–12 yr of age. Detailed histories were available for these children with respect to their diets during infancy. The major criterion for inclusion in the study was milk (human milk, cow's milk, or commercial formula) as the exclusive source of diet cholesterol during the first 3 mo of life. Fasting blood cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in these 97 school children, and the current diets of 29 of the 97 were evaluated for daily cholesterol intake. A 7-day diet diary was recorded, the food intake was measured and analyzed for nutrients, and validity of the diets was verified by determination of urinary nitrogen excretion. Results of the study showed that the school children fed a low cholesterol formula during infancy had a mean serum cholesterol value 7–12 yr later that was lower than the mean values of the groups fed greater amounts of cholesterol in infancy. Analysis of current diets of 29 of the 97 school children showed that their current dietary intake of cholesterol did low. Dietary intake of cholesterol did not have a noticeable effect on the serum cholesterol levels of the 29 children.     

A semi-longitudinal study on physical growth of primary school children in Delhi

Summary Anthropometric measurements of weight, standing height, sitting height and circumference of head, chest, upper-arm and calf of primary school children (5–10 years) in Delhi are presented. The differences in the growth pattern of boys and girls are brought out. The growth pattern of of children in relation to different socio-economic classes is discussed. From the Survey on Morbidity and Mortality, Growth and Development and Nutritional Status of Primary School Children at Delhi, under Indian Council of Medical Research. Postal Address: Flat 32, Shankar Market, New Delhi-1.     

Remission of Seizures and Relapse in Patients with Epilepsy

In a longitudinal study of patients with epilepsy in Rochester, Minnesota, we found that the probability of being in remission (at least 5 consecutive years seizure-free, and continuing) at 20 years after diagnosis was 70%. The rates for remission we encountered were generally higher than those previously reported. We believe that the better prognosis in our series results from inclusion of all incidence cases in a defined population, beginning at the initial diagnosis of epilepsy. Prognosis for remission of epilepsy is poor in patients with associated neurologic dysfunction identified from birth. Patients with idiopathic seizures and survivors of postnatally acquired epilepsy have better prospects for eventual remission. The probability of remission is highest in patients with generalized-onset seizures diagnosed before 10 years of age. Prognosis is less favorable for those with partial complex seizures and adult-onset epilepsy.     

Serum testosterone is reduced following short-term phytofluene, lycopene, or tomato powder consumption in F344 rats

Elevated serum androgens are associated with increased prostate cancer risk. Tomato consumption is also associated with reduced prostate cancer incidence, and the primary tomato carotenoid, lycopene, may modulate androgen activation in the prostate, yet little is known about other tomato carotenoids. To evaluate interrelations between phytofluene, lycopene, or tomato powder consumption and androgen status, 8-wk-old male F344 rats (fed a control AIN 93G diet) were castrated or sham-operated and subsequently provided with daily oral supplementation of phytofluene or lycopene ( approximately 0.7 mg/d) or fed a 10% tomato powder supplemented diet (AIN 93G) for 4 d. Sham-operated rats provided with either phytofluene, lycopene, or tomato powder had approximately 40-50% lower serum testosterone concentrations than the sham-operated, control-fed group. Tissue and serum phytofluene and lycopene concentrations were greater in castrated rats than in sham-operated rats, which may have been due in part to a decrease of hepatic CYP 3A1 mRNA expression and benzyloxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity. Some changes in prostatic and testicular steroidogenic enzyme mRNA expression were found; in particular, prostate 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4 mRNA expression in castrated rats fed lycopene or tomato powder was 1.7-fold that of the sham-operated, control-fed group. Modest changes in mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes with short-term carotenoid intake may alter the flux of androgen synthesis to less potent compounds. Overall, results illustrate that short-term intake of tomato carotenoids significantly alters androgen status, which may partially be a mechanism by which tomato intake reduces prostate cancer risk.