Breastfeeding and childhood asthma: a six-year population-based cohort study

Background  

The question of the protective effect of breastfeeding on development of asthma has raised substantial interest, but the scientific evidence of the optimal duration of breastfeeding is controversial.     

Assessment of acute behavioral toxicity of low doses of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) in rats.

The effect on behavior of single subtoxic doses (100 and 600 micrograms/kg i.p., i.e. 1/77 and 1/13 of LD50, respectively) of an organophosphorous compound, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), was studied in male Wistar rats. In the open-field test, the lower dose of DFP tended to increase ambulation, while the higher dose showed a trend towards a decrease in ambulation, rearing and frequency of defecation. In the elevated plus-maze, rotarod, elevated bridges and hot plate tests, DFP-treated rats did not differ significantly from the olive oil-treated controls. DFP significantly impaired the performance of rats in the one-trial passive avoidance task and dose-dependently decreased spontaneous locomotor activity for 4 hours after administration. At the doses used DFP only slightly inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in the blood and different brain areas. The results show that the higher dose of DFP had an inactivating effect on the behavior of rats, while the lower dose did not markedly change their behavioral pattern. Our findings indicate that anticholinesterase compounds, such as DFP, can alter behavior even after single small subtoxic doses.     

Influence of transportation distance on mortality in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms

Different opinions exist about the influence of transportation distance to vascular surgical emergency service on outcome for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAAs). Therefore, retrospective study based on the Finnvasc registry and the Finnish Cause of Death registry (Statistics Finland) was carried out. A total of 404 RAAAs were registered in the catchment areas of two university hospitals during a four-year period; 203 of them were operated. The operative mortality rate was 50% based on the Finnvasc registry and 55% based on Statistics Finland. The total hospital mortality rate including operated and nonoperated patients was 69% and the overall case fatality including all deaths for RAAA was 77%. There was no association between transportation distance and results of RAAA treatment.     

Respiratory and skin health among glass microfiber production workers: a cross-sectional study

Background  

Only a few studies have investigated non-malignant respiratory effects of glass microfibers and these have provided inconsistent results. Our objective was to assess the effects of exposure to glass microfibers on respiratory and skin symptoms, asthma and lung function.     

A 2-year follow-up on the clinical and microbiological conditions of periodontium in teenagers

87 teenagers were included in a 2-year follow-up study on clinical and microbiological conditions of the periodontium. The clinical status was determined according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) for subjects under 20 years of age. 59% of the subjects had at least 3 healthy sextants at the baseline and 68% at the 2-year examination. The microbiological conditions were assessed by using direct dark-field microscopy, and the culture of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitants (A.a.). Subgingival bacterial samples were taken, 2 for the microscopy and 2 for the culture, from the mesial surfaces of the first molars of each subject. The presence of gingival bleeding after probing was separately recorded from the 2 sites sampled for dark-field microscopy. No gingival bleeding at these 2 sites was found at the 2-year examination in 55% of those subjects who were non-bleeding at baseline, in 46% of the subjects initially with 1 bleeding site and in 13% of the subjects with both sites bleeding at baseline. 55% of the subjects with neither fusiforms, motile rods nor spirochetes at baseline maintained their healthy flora for 2 years. A.a. was recovered in 4 subjects at baseline and in 5 subjects 2 years later, in 3 of them at both examinations. Longer follow-up periods are needed to reveal the significance of the constant recovery of A.a. from the same subjects.     

Serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 is elevated in men with a history of myocardial infarction

Elevated serum inflammatory markers have been reported in coronary heart disease. Levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), C-reactive protein (CRP), C3-complement (C3) and autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in 120 male subjects with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) were compared with those in 250 age-matched controls, both groups from a large cross-sectional population survey, the FINRISK study. The concentrations of serum MMP-9 and autoantibodies against oxLDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, CRP and C3 by immunonephelometry. MMP-9, CRP and C3 concentrations were higher in the subjects with a history of MI than in the controls (p=0.037, p=0.004, and p=0.006, respectively). There was no difference between the groups in serum levels of autoantibodies against oxLDL. In other background characteristics, men in the MI group had higher body mass index (BMI) and serum triglyceride values and lower serum HDL cholesterol values compared to controls (p=0.009, p=0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). When analyzed by stepwise multiple logistic regression using BMI, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, CRP, C3 and MMP-9 as independent variables, the significant predictors for MI were HDL cholesterol (p=0.002) and MMP-9 (p=0.015). These results suggest that increased serum MMP-9 may reflect inflammatory pathologic processes that are related to progression of atherosclerosis.     

Localization of integrin receptors for fibronectin, collagen, and laminin in human skin. Variable expression in basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

VLA integrins in human skin were examined by indirect immunofluorescence utilizing antibodies recognizing the beta 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, or alpha 5 subunits. Staining of fetal, newborn, or adult skin with antibodies to beta 1, alpha 2, or alpha 3 subunits gave essentially similar staining patterns: intense staining was associated with the basal layer of the epidermis, hair follicles, and blood vessel walls. The alpha 5 subunit could be detected only in epidermis and the inner root sheath of hair follicles in fetal skin. In epidermis, the staining reaction for the beta 1 subunit was not only found in sites interfacing with the basement membrane zone, but also around the entire periphery of these cells. We speculate that these receptors might have previously unrecognized functions in cell-cell interactions or that these findings may suggest the presence of previously unrecognized ligands in the intercellular spaces of keratinocytes. Examination of nine nodular basal cell carcinomas revealed a prominent staining reaction with anti-beta 1 and anti-alpha 3 antibodies at the periphery of the tumor islands. In contrast, staining of five squamous cell carcinomas revealed either the absence of integrins or altered and variable expression. Thus, matrix components and their receptors may participate in modulation of growth, development, and organization of human skin.     

Neuropeptide Y and Y2-receptor are involved in development of diabetic retinopathy and retinal neovascularization

BACKGROUND: Neuropeptide Y is a sympathetic neurotransmitter, a potent endothelium-derived angiogenic factor and a vascular mitogen. We have studied the role of the functional leucine7 to proline7 polymorphism of the signal peptide region of preproneuropeptide Y (prepro-NPY) as a genetic susceptibility factor for diabetic retinopathy. In addition, we investigated the role of the NPY Y2-receptor as a putative mediator of angiogenic NPY signaling in the retina. METHODS: Frequencies of proline7 (Pro7) carriers in the prepro-NPY were determined in type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients having retinopathy, in type 2 diabetes patients without retinopathy and in healthy control subjects. The role of Y2-receptor in hyperoxemia-induced retinal neovascularization was investigated in Y2-receptor knockout mice (Y2-/-) and in rats administered Y2-receptor mRNA antisense oligonucleotide. RESULTS: The carriers having Pro7 in the preproNPY are markedly over-represented among type 2 diabetes patients with retinopathy compared to type 2 diabetes patients without retinopathy and to the population control. Neonatal exposure to hyperoxia resulted in development of retinal neovascularization that was prevented in Y2(-1-) -mice, and significantly inhibited in rats treated with the Y2-receptor antisense oligonucleotide. CONCLUSIONS: NPY and Y2-receptor play important roles in diabetic retinopathy and retinal neovascularization and are thus potential new targets for drug molecules for treatment of retinopathy.