Circulating serum xenoestrogens and mammographic breast density

Introduction

Humans are widely exposed to estrogenically active phthalates, parabens, and phenols, raising concerns about potential effects on breast tissue and breast cancer risk. We sought to determine the association of circulating serum levels of these chemicals (reflecting recent exposure) with mammographic breast density (a marker of breast cancer risk).

Methods

We recruited postmenopausal women aged 55 to 70 years from mammography clinics in Madison, Wisconsin (N = 264). Subjects completed a questionnaire and provided a blood sample that was analyzed for mono-ethyl phthalate, mono-butyl phthalate, mono-benzyl phthalate, butyl paraben, propyl paraben, octylphenol, nonylphenol, and bisphenol A (BPA). Percentage breast density was measured from mammograms by using a computer-assisted thresholding method.

Results

Serum BPA was positively associated with mammographic breast density after adjusting for age, body mass index, and other potentially confounding factors. Mean percentage density was 12.6% (95% confidence interval (CI), 11.4 to 14.0) among the 193 women with nondetectable BPA levels, 13.7% (95% CI, 10.7 to 17.1) among the 35 women with detectable levels below the median (<0.55 ng/ml), and 17.6% (95% CI, 14.1 to 21.5) among the 34 women with detectable levels above the median (>0.55 ng/ml; P_trend = 0.01). Percentage breast density was also elevated (18.2%; 95% CI, 13.4 to 23.7) among the 18 women with serum mono-ethyl phthalate above the median detected level (>3.77 ng/ml) compared with women with nondetectable BPA levels (13.1%; 95% CI, 11.9 to 14.3; P_trend = 0.07). No other chemicals demonstrated associations with percentage breast density.

Conclusions

Postmenopausal women with high serum levels of BPA and mono-ethyl phthalate had elevated breast density. Further investigation of the impact of BPA and mono-ethyl phthalate on breast cancer risk by using repeated serum measurements or other markers of xenoestrogen exposure are needed.     

Effect of safflower seeds supplementation on stimulation of the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

Anti-bone resorption properties of the Korean herbal formulation, Gami-Honghwain (HJ), which comprises Carthamus tinctorius L. seed and hominis placenta, were investigated. We demonstrate that the production of PGE2 is inhibited by 20-100 microg/ml HJ in nontransformed osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1 cells), indicating that HJ inhibits PGE2 production. The effect of HJ on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 was also studied. HJ dose-dependently increased DNA synthesis (significant at 20-100 microg/ml), and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and prolyl hydroxylase activities of MC3T3-E1 cells (20-100 microg/ml), while anti-estrogen tamoxifen eliminated the stimulation of proliferation and ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 which was induced by HJ. These results indicate that HJ directly stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. Also, when we assessed the effects of HJ on osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1, HJ enhanced ALP activity and mineralization in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. This stimulatory effect of the HJ was observed at relatively low doses (significant at 20-100 microg/ml and maximal at 100 microg/ml). Northern blot analysis showed that the HJ (60 microg/ml) increased in bone morphogenetic protein-2 as well as ALP mRNA concentrations in MC3T3-E1 cells. HJ (100 microg/ml) slightly increased in type I collagen mRNA abundance throughout the culture period, whereas it markedly inhibited the gene expression of collagenase-1 between days 15 and 20 of culture. These results indicate that HJ has anabolic effect on bone through the promotion of osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it could be used for the treatment of common metabolic bone diseases.     

A high yield of fetal nucleated red blood cells isolated using optimal osmolality and a double-density gradient system

OBJECTIVES: To increase the yield of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) from maternal blood using a discontinuous Percoll gradient and to determine the effects of osmolality on NRBC yield. METHODS: Fetal NRBCs were isolated from combined umbilical cord blood and adult female blood, or from maternal blood using single or double Percoll gradients with different osmolalities. Magnetic activated cell sorting was used to enrich isolated NRBCs, and morphological differentiation was performed with Kleihauer-Betke stain. We also isolated fetal NRBCs from 25 10 mL samples of maternal blood and determined fetal sex by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using X-Y probes. RESULTS: For single-density Percoll columns, the greatest number of NRBCs was isolated using 280 mOsm/kg H(2)O with 1.077 g/mL Percoll and 520 mOsm/kg H(2)O with 1.119 g/mL Percoll. Significantly more fetal NRBCs were isolated with double Percoll density gradients than with double-Histopaque gradients (p = 0.043). FISH analysis on NRBC in 25 cases correctly identified 15 male and 9 female euploid fetuses and one Trisomy 21 fetus. CONCLUSION: The NRBC enrichment method we present requires less maternal blood and yields more NRBCs compared to previous methods.     

膝关节周围骨肿瘤手术的肢体康复

0　引言　膝关节周围是骨原发恶性肿瘤的好发部位 .病变组织广泛侵袭 ,切除肿瘤造成骨与软组织缺损 ,各种重建方法都需最大限度地保留膝关节功能 .如何采取早期系统的康复治疗 ,是临床骨肿瘤保肢手术的重要内容 .1　对象和方法　 1992 - 0 5 / 1999- 0 3,膝关节周围恶性骨肿瘤患者 6 4例接受保肢手术治疗 .男 38例 ,女 2 6例 ;骨肉瘤 5 2例 ,恶性骨巨细胞瘤 5例 ,尤文瘤 3例 ,母细胞瘤 2例 ,原发神经外胚层肿瘤 2例 .手术方式 :异体半关节移植术 37例 ;异体骨段移植术 16例 ;复合异体骨段的人工全膝关节表面置换术3例 ,动力旋转铰链式人工全…     

Fabrication of Large-Area Mullite–Cordierite Composite Substrates for Semiconductor Probe Cards and Enhancement of Their Reliability

This work aims to fabricate a large-area ceramic substrate for the application of probe cards. Mullite (M) and cordierite (C), which both have a low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent resistance to thermal shock, and high durability, were selected as starting powders. The mullite–cordierite composites were produced through different composition ratios of starting powders (M:C = 100:0, M:C = 90:10, M:C = 70:30, M:C = 50:50, M:C = 30:70, and M:C = 0:100). The effects of composition ratio and sintering temperature on the density, porosity, thermal expansion coefficient, and flexural strength of the mullite–cordierite composite pellets were investigated. The results showed that the mullite–cordierite composite pellet containing 70 wt% mullite and 30 wt% cordierite sintered at 1350 °C performed exceptionally well. Based on these findings, a large-area mullite–cordierite composite substrate with a diameter of 320 mm for use in semiconductor probe cards was successfully fabricated. Additionally, the changes in sheet resistance and flexural strength were measured to determine the effect of the environmental tests on the large-area substrate such as damp heat and thermal shock. The results indicated that the mullite–cordierite composite substrate was extremely reliable and durable.     

Dual-Scale Porosity Alumina Structures Using Ceramic/Camphene Suspensions Containing Polymer Microspheres

This study demonstrates the utility of thermo-regulated phase separable alumina/camphene suspensions containing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microspheres as porogens for the production of multi-scale porosity structures. The homogeneous suspension prepared at 60 °C could undergo phase separation during freezing at room temperature. This process resulted in the 3D networks of camphene crystals and alumina walls containing PMMA microspheres. As a consequence, relatively large dendritic pores with several tens of microns size could be created as the replica of frozen camphene crystals. In addition, after the removal of PMMA microspheres via heat-treatment, micron-sized small spherical pores could be generated in alumina walls. As the PMMA content with respect to the alumina content increased from 0 vol% to 40 vol%, while the camphene content in the suspensions was kept constant (70 vol%), the overall porosity increased from 45.7 ± 0.5 vol% to 71.4 ± 0.5 vol%. This increase in porosity is attributed to an increase in the fraction of spherical pores in the alumina walls. Thus, compressive strength decreased from 153 ± 18.3 MPa to 33 ± 7.2 MPa. In addition, multi-scale porosity alumina objects with a honeycomb structure comprising periodic hexagonal macrochannels surrounded by dual-scale porosity walls were constructed using a 3D plotting technique.     

Three-Point Bending Properties of Hybrid Multi-Materials Using Adhesive Bonding Dependent on Strength Difference between Steel and Aluminum

The mechanical behaviors of two multi-materials, DP590 (steel sheet)–A356 (cast aluminum alloy) and SS330 (steel sheet)–A5052 (aluminum sheet), were studied. A structural adhesive was used for the joining of steel and aluminum at adhesion strengths of 10, 22, and 30 MPa. To demonstrate that the three-point bending properties depend on the difference in strength between steel and aluminum and adhesion strength, optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and finite-element analysis (FEA) were performed. According to the results of the bending tests on both multi-materials under the same stacking conditions, the flexural stress increased with the improvement in the adhesion strength until interface separation or aluminum fracture. At the same adhesion strength, the DP590 (lower)–A356 (upper) and SS330 (upper)–A5052 (lower) configurations exhibited a tendency to decrease in the sudden stress drop due to aluminum fracture and interface separation. The bending results were analyzed through the FEA and the stress distribution as a function of the stacking and adhesion strength was confirmed.     

Exploration of Zero-Valent Iron Stabilized Calcium–Silicate–Alginate Beads’ Catalytic Activity and Stability for Perchlorate Degradation

Perchlorate contamination in groundwater poses a serious threat to human health, owing to its interference with thyroid function. The high solubility and poor adsorption of perchlorate ions make perchlorate degradation a necessary technology in groundwater contaminant removal. Here, we demonstrate the perchlorate degradation by employing nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) embedded in biocompatible silica alginate hybrid beads fabricated using calcium chloride (1 wt%) as a crosslinker. The concentration of precursors (sodium alginate, sodium silicate) for bead formation was standardized by evaluating the thermal stability of beads prepared at different sodium silicate and alginate concentrations. Thermal degradation of silica alginate hybrid samples showed a stepwise weight loss during the thermal sweep, indicating different types of reactions that occur during the degradation process. The formation of the silica alginate hybrid structure was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data revealed the surface morphology of silica alginate hybrid changes by varying sodium silicate and alginate concentrations. nZVI-loaded alginate–silicate polymer bead (nZVI-ASB) exhibited excellent perchlorate degradation efficiency by degrading 20 ppm of perchlorate within 4 h. Our study also showed the perchlorate degradation efficiency of nZVI-ASB is maximum at neutral pH conditions.     

The Administration of Panax Ginseng Berry Extract Attenuates High-Fat-Diet-Induced Sarcopenic Obesity in C57BL/6 Mice

Sarcopenia and obesity are serious health problems that are highly related to several metabolic diseases. Sarcopenic obesity, a combined state of sarcopenia and obesity, results in higher risks of metabolic diseases and even mortality than sarcopenia or obesity alone. Therefore, the development of therapeutic agents for sarcopenic obesity is crucial. C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 9 weeks. Then, mice were administered with Panax ginseng berry extract (GBE) for an additional 4 weeks, with continuous HFD intake. GBE significantly decreased the food efficiency ratio, serum lipid and insulin levels, adipose tissue weights, and adipocyte size. It significantly increased the grip strength, muscle masses, and myofiber cross-sectional area. It deactivated the protein kinase C (PKC) theta and zeta, resulting in activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway, which is known to regulate muscle synthesis and degradation. Furthermore, it inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines in the muscle tissue. GBE attenuated both obesity and sarcopenia. Thus, GBE is a potential agent to prevent or treat sarcopenic obesity.