The influence of lycopene on the proliferation of human breast cell line (MCF-7).

Lycopene, a non-provitaminic carotenoid, present in many fruit and vegetables, such as tomatoes and their processed products, has been associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases including cancer. The influence of lycopene on the proliferation of the breast tumour cell line (MCF-7) was tested using MTT and BrdU assays at different time intervals (from 24 to 72h) and dose-response (from 0.125 to 100muM). The induction of Gap Junction Intercellular Communication (GJIC) was evaluated by dye-transfer assay using Lucifer Yellow on monolayer cells treated with different lycopene concentrations (from 0.125 to 5muM) for 6 to 48h. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of lycopene was of 5muM, after a 24h exposure. A prolonged exposure time (72h) induced a similar inhibitory effect. Lycopene stimulated the functionality of GJIC at concentrations of 1muM after 24h and this effect was dose-dependent. The induction of GJIC by lycopene was confirmed by an increased expression of connexin 43. Collectively, the above data confirm the inhibitor effects of lycopene on MCF-7 cell growth and suggest that lycopene is involved in the modulation of the gap junction intercellular communication in this cell line, as observed for other cancer cell lines.     

Predictors of oral health quality of life in older adults

There is limited information regarding oral health status and other predictors of oral health‐related quality of life. An association between oral health status and perceived oral health‐related quality of life (OHQOL) might help clinicians motivate patients to prevent oral diseases and improve the outcome of some dental public health programs. This study evaluated the relationship between older persons' OHQOL and their functional dentition, caries, periodontal status, chronic diseases, and some demographic characteristics. A group of 733 low‐income elders (mean age 72.7 ISD=4.71, 55.6% women, 55.1% members of ethnic minority groups in the U.S. and Canada) enrolled in the TEETH clinical trial were interviewed and examined as part of their fifth annual visit for the trial. OHQOL was measured by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI); oral health and occlusal status by clinical exams and the Eichner Index; and demographics via interviews. Elders who completed the four‐year assessment had an average of 21.5 teeth (SD=6.9). with 8.5 occluding pairs (SD=4.6), and 32% with occlusal contacts in all four occluding zones. Stepwise multiple regressions were conducted to predict total GOHAI and its subscores (Physical, Social, and Worry). Functional dentition was a less significant predictor than ethnicity and being foreign‐bom. These variables, together with gender, years since immigrating, number of carious roots, and periodontal status, could predict 32% of the variance in total GOHAI, 24% in Physical, 27% in Social, and 21 % in the Worry subscales. These findings suggest that functional dentition and caries influence older adults' OHQOL, but that ethnicity and immigrant status play a larger role.     

Chemical warfare agents

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. Key points

• Chemical personal protective equipment must be wornwhen in contact with contaminated casualties.
• Recognizing theclinical features of chemical warfare agent poisoning allowssupportive treatment and appropriate antidotes to be promptlyadministered.
• The mnemonic DUMBELS describes the muscarinicfeatures of the nerve agent poisoning toxidrome.
• There areeffective antidotes for poisoning with nerve agents, blood agents(metabolic poisons), botulinum toxin and kolokol-1.
• There areno specific antidotes for blistering agents (vesicants) andchoking agents.

  Chemical warfare (CW) agents are chemical substances that havea direct toxic effect on plants, animals and humans. Classifiedaccording to their physiological effects, agents effective againsthumans include nerve agents, blistering agents (vesicants),blood agents, choking agents and toxins. Incapacitating, vomiting,psychoactive and riot control agents (e.g. CS gas) also exist.¹ All personnel in contact with contaminated casualties must wearthe appropriate level of chemical personal protective equipment(CPPE) until adequate decontamination is . . . [Full Text of this Article]