Photodynamic Therapy in Macular Diseases of Asian Populations: When East Meets West

Purpose

We reviewed the indications, safety, and efficacy of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in various macular diseases and vasculopathies, which are common in Asian populations, and compared the outcomes of photodynamic therapy in Asian patients with the outcomes in Caucasian patients.

Methods

Relevant clinical and laboratory original articles, case reports, and review articles that have been published in the literature between January 1999 and October 2004 were searched in Medline. The potential differences in the response to photodynamic therapy between Asian and Caucasian patients were evaluated. Articles in foreign languages with English abstracts were included.

Results

Macular diseases commonly seen in Asian populations, including choroidal neovascularization (CNV) of age-related macular degeneration, secondary to pathologic myopia or from an idiopathic cause, and choroidal vasculopathies such as central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were included in the review. The results were tabulated and the differences with Caucasian populations were compared and highlighted.

Conclusion

Photodynamic therapy has been found to be an effective and noninvasive treatment for various subfoveal CNV and choroidal vasculopathies of the macula. Diverse behavior in different ethnic groups is observed. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:161–169 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006     

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and preeclampsia among Peruvian women

OBJECTIVE: Mounting evidence supports the view that intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important cause of maternal mortality. Some, but not all, prior studies suggest that IPV is associated with increased risks of maternal medical conditions such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy which are leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. We assessed the relation between IPV and risk of preeclampsia among Peruvian women. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study at two large hospitals in Lima, Peru. Preeclampsia cases were 339 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and proteinuria (i.e., preeclampsia). Controls were 337 normotensive women. Information concerning women's exposure to physical and emotional violence during pregnancy was collected during in-person interviews conducted after delivery and while patients were in hospital. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated from logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of IPV was 43.1% among cases and 24.3% among controls. Compared with those reporting never exposure to IPV during pregnancy, women reporting any exposure had a 2.4-fold increased risk of preeclampsia (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.7-3.3). The association was strengthened slightly after adjusting for maternal age, parity and pre-pregnancy adiposity (OR=2.7; 95% CI: 1.9-3.9). Emotional abuse in the absence of physical violence was associated with a 3.2-fold (95% CI: 2.1-4.9) increased risk of preeclampsia. Emotional and physical abuse during pregnancy was associated with a 1.9-fold increased risk of preeclampsia (95% CI: 1.1-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: IPV among pregnant women is common and is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. These data support recent calls for coordinated global health efforts to prevent violence against women.     

Opiate participation in thyroid hormone regulation in domestic fowl

Administration of morphine sulfate (at 5 and 50 mg/kg) to immature domestic fowl lowered the circulating thyroxine (T4) concentration in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of morphine on T4 secretion was mediated via opiate receptors, since it was completely blocked in the presence of naloxone (50 mg/kg). The possibility that T4 secretion may be under tonic opioid inhibition was suggested by a stimulatory effect of naloxone on plasma T4 concentrations. Morphine sulfate (50 mg/kg) enhanced plasma triiodothyronine concentrations, an effect that was completely suppressed in the presence of naloxone. These results demonstrate differential effects of opiates on T4 and T3 concentrations and suggest that opiates tonically inhibit T4 release and accelerate its rate of peripheral monodeiodination.     

Relationship between Tissue Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and DNA Adducts in Green-Lipped Mussels (Perna viridis)

Green-lipped mussels (Perna viridis) were collected from a site in Hong Kong which is relatively free from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination, and maintained in situ at this and three other sites with different degrees of PAH contamination. The transplanted mussels were retrieved after a 30-day field exposure. DNA adducts in the gill tissues were quantified, and tissue concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene as well as total PAHs (with potential carcinogenicity) determined for individual mussels. Results indicate that (1) tissue concentration of PAHs and adduct levels in mussels collected from a single site can be highly variable; and (2) adduct levels were related to tissue concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene as well as total PAHs of individual animals.     

Association of social determinants of health with late diagnosis and survival of patients with pancreatic cancer

BackgroundPancreatic cancer disparities have been described. However, it is unknown if they contribute to a late diagnosis and survival of patients with metastatic disease. Identifying their role is important as it will open the door for interventions. We hypothesize that social determinants of health (SDH) such as income, education, race, and insurance status impact (I) stage of diagnosis of PC (Stage IV vs. other stages), and (II) overall survival (OS) in Stage IV patients.MethodsUsing the National Cancer Database, we evaluated a primary outcome of diagnosis of Stage IV PC and a secondary outcome of OS. Primary predictors included race, income, education, and insurance. Covariates included age, sex and Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score. Univariate, multivariable logistic regression models evaluated risk of a late diagnosis. Univariate, multivariable Cox proportional hazards model examined OS. 95% confidence intervals were used.Results230,877 patients were included, median age of 68 years (SD 12.1). In univariate analysis, a better education, higher income, and insurance decreased the odds of Stage IV PC, while Black race increased it. In multivariable analysis, education [>93% high-school completion (HSC) vs. <82.4%, OR 0.96 (0.93–0.99)] and insurance [private vs. no, OR 0.72 (0.67–0.74)] significantly decreased the risk of a late diagnosis, whereas Black race increased the odds [vs. White, OR 1.09 (1.07–1.12)]. In univariate Cox analysis, having a higher income, insurance and better education improved OS, while Black race worsened it. In multivariable Cox, higher income [>$63,333 (vs. <$40,277), HR 0.87 (0.85–0.89)] and insurance [private vs. no, HR 0.77 (0.74–0.79)] improved OS.ConclusionsSDH impacted the continuum of care for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, including stage at diagnosis and overall survival.     

Adolescent Knowledge,Attitudes and Practices of Healthy Eating: Findings of Qualitative Interviews among Hong Kong Families

To tackle unhealthy eating among adolescents, it is crucial to understand the dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on which adolescent eating habits are based. This qualitative study identifies the gaps in KAP by exploring what Chinese adolescents know, perceive, and practice regarding healthy eating to better inform targeted interventions for this important health problem. Parent–adolescent dyads were purposively sampled based on, for example, the dietary intake, age, and gender of the adolescent and household income, and each completed a 30 to 60 min interview. Twelve themes were synthesized: knowledge: (1) dietary recommendations, (2) health outcomes of healthy eating, (3) nutrition content in food, and (4) access to healthy meals; attitudes: (5) outcome expectation for healthy eating, (6) food preferences, and (7) self-efficacy regarding adopting healthy eating; and practices: (8) going grocery shopping for healthy food, (9) eating home-prepared meals. (10) eating out in restaurants or consuming takeaway food, (11) fruit and vegetable consumption, and (12) snacking, perceived unhealthy eating to be low risk, made unhealthy choices regarding snacking and eating out, and had insufficient fruit and vegetable intake. Programs should emphasize the positive short-term health outcomes of healthy eating and empower adolescents to acquire food preparation skills to sustain healthy eating habits.     

Distribution of dearomatised white spirit in brain, blood, and fat tissue after repeated exposure of rats.

Petroleum products with low content of aromatics have been increasingly used during the past years. This study investigates tissue disposition of dearomatised white spirit. In addition, brain neurotransmitter concentrations were measured. Male rats were exposed by inhalation to 0, 400 (2.29 mg/1), or 800 p.p.m. (4.58 mg/l) of dearomatised white spirit, 6 hr/day, 5 days/week up to 3 weeks. Five rats from each group were sacrificed immediately after the exposure for 1, 2, or 3 weeks and 2, 4, 6, or 24 hr after the end of 3 weeks' exposure. After 3 weeks of exposure the concentration of total white spirit was 1.5 and 5.6 mg/kg in blood; 7.1 and 17.1 mg/kg in brain; 432 and 1452 mg/kg in fat tissue at the exposure levels of 400 and 800 p.p.m., respectively. The concentrations of n-nonane, n-decane, n-undecane, and total white spirit in blood and brain were not affected by the duration of exposure. Two hours after the end of exposure the n-decane concentration decreased to about 25% in blood and 50% in brain. A similar pattern of elimination was also observed for n-nonane, n-undecane and total white spirit in blood and brain. In fat tissue the concentrations of n-nonane, n-decane, n-undecane, and total white spirit increased during the 3 weeks of exposure. The time to reach steady-state concentrations is longer than 3 weeks. After the 3 weeks' exposure the fat tissue concentration of n-nonane, n-decane, n-undecane, and total white spirit decreased very slowly compared with the rate of decrease in blood and brain suggesting that long-lasting redistribution from fat to brain may occur. One week of exposure at 800 p.p.m. caused a statistically significant increase in whole brain dopamine concentration while the noradrenaline concentration was unaffected. Exposure at both exposure levels for 1 week caused a statistically significantly decreased concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in whole brain. The reduction was related to the exposure concentration. These changes in neurotransmitter concentrations were normalised after 2 and 3 weeks' exposure. In conclusion, after 3 weeks of exposure the fat:brain:blood concentration coefficients for total white spirit were approximately 250:3:1, and redistribution from fat to brain is possible. As total white spirit behaved similarly to the n-alkanes in blood, brain, and fat tissue, we suggest that the non-n-alkane white spirit components possess toxicokinetic properties similar to the n-alkanes.     

A phase I study of myo-inositol for lung cancer chemoprevention.

INTRODUCTION: A phase I, open-label, multiple dose, dose-escalation clinical study was conducted to assess the safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose, and potential chemopreventive effect of myo-inositol in smokers with bronchial dysplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Smokers between 40 and 74 years of age with >or= 30 pack-years of smoking history and one or more sites of bronchial dysplasia were enrolled. A dose escalation study ranging from 12 to 30 g/d of myo-inositol for a month was first conducted in 16 subjects to determine the maximum tolerated dose. Ten new subjects were then enrolled to take the maximum tolerated dose for 3 months. The potential chemopreventive effect of myo-inositol was estimated by repeat autofluorescence bronchoscopy and biopsy. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose was found to be 18 g/d. Side effects, when present, were mild and mainly gastrointestinal in nature. Using the regression rate of the placebo subjects from a recently completed clinical trial with the same inclusion/exclusion criteria as a comparison, a significant increase in the rate of regression of preexisting dysplastic lesions was observed (91% versus 48%; P = 0.014). A statistically significant reduction in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures by an average of 10 mm Hg was observed after taking 18 g/d of myo-inositol for a month or more. CONCLUSION: myo-Inositol in a daily dose of 18 g p.o. for 3 months is safe and well tolerated. The potential chemopreventive effect as well as other health benefits such as reduction in blood pressure should be investigated further.     

Immunomodulatory and anti-SARS activities of Houttuynia cordata

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening form of pneumonia caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). From late 2002 to mid 2003, it infected more than 8000 people worldwide, of which a majority of cases were found in China. Owing to the absence of definitive therapeutic Western medicines, Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (Saururaceae)(HC) was shortlisted by Chinese scientists to tackle SARS problem as it is conventionally used to treat pneumonia. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to explore the SARS-preventing mechanisms of HC in the immunological and anti-viral aspects. RESULTS: Results showed that HC water extract could stimulate the proliferation of mouse splenic lymphocytes significantly and dose-dependently. By flow cytometry, it was revealed that HC increased the proportion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Moreover, it caused a significant increase in the secretion of IL-2 and IL-10 by mouse splenic lymphocytes. In the anti-viral aspect, HC exhibited significant inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV 3C-like protease (3CL(pro)) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). On the other hand, oral acute toxicity test demonstrated that HC was non-toxic to laboratory animals following oral administration at 16 g/kg. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provided scientific data to support the efficient and safe use of HC to combat SARS.