Bioprocessing of wheat bran in whole wheat bread increases the bioavailability of phenolic acids in men and exerts antiinflammatory effects ex vivo

Whole grain consumption has been linked to a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which is normally associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation. The benefits of whole grain are in part related to the inclusion of the bran, rich in phenolic acids and fiber. However, the phenols are poorly bioaccessible from the cereal matrix. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of bioprocessing of the bran in whole wheat bread on the bioavailability of phenolic acids, the postprandial plasma antioxidant capacity, and ex vivo antiinflammatory properties. After consumption of a low phenolic acid diet for 3 d and overnight fasting, 8 healthy men consumed 300 g of whole wheat bread containing native bran (control bread) or bioprocessed bran (bioprocessed bread) in a cross-over design. Urine and blood samples were collected for 24 h to analyze the phenolic acids and metabolites. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity was measured in plasma. Cytokines were measured in blood after ex vivo stimulation with LPS. The bioavailabilities of ferulic acid, vanillic acid, sinapic acid, and 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid from the bioprocessed bread were 2- to 3-fold those from the control bread. Phenylpropionic acid and 3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid were the main colonic metabolites of the nonbioaccessible phenols. The ratios of pro-:antiinflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in LPS-stimulated blood after the consumption of the bioprocessed bread. In conclusion, bioprocessing can remarkably increase the bioavailability of phenolic acids and their circulating metabolites, compounds which have immunomodulatory effects ex vivo.     

Everolimus enhances gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity in bladder-cancer cell lines

The purpose of this study was to determine whether everolimus, a rapamycin derivative, might significantly enhance the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine, an antitumor drug, in two human bladder-cancer cell lines. Human bladder-cancer T24 and 5637 cells were incubated with gemcitabine and everolimus in a range of concentrations either alone or in combination for 72 h. Flow cytometry, comet assay, MTT method and optical microscopy were used to assess cell proliferation, cell cycle, DNA damage, and morphological alterations. Gemcitabine exerted an inhibitory effect on T24 and 5637 cell proliferation, in a concentration-dependent manner. Everolimus significantly reduced proliferation of 5637 bladder cancer cells (IC??) at 1 μM), whereas T24 demonstrated marked resistance to everolimus treatment. A significant antiproliferative effect was obtained combining gemcitabine (100 nM) with everolimus (0.05-2 μM) with an arrest of cell cycle at S phase. Furthermore, an increase in frequency of DNA damage, apoptotic bodies, and apoptotic cells was observed when T24 and 5637 cancer cells were treated simultaneously with both drugs. Data show that in vitro combination produced a more potent antiproliferative effect when compared with single drugs.     

A randomized controlled trial of allopurinol vs. placebo added on to antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Adenosine agonists produce behavioral effects similar to dopamine antagonists, hence increasing adenosine levels might improve symptoms of schizophrenia. This hypothesis is supported by three single-site studies indicating that allopurinol, which increases adenosine levels, improved symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. We performed a multi-center, 8-week RCT of allopurinol vs. placebo added to anti-psychotic medications in 248 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Both groups showed improvement in the PANSS (effect size 1.13) and in clinical and cognitive measures. No difference was observed between groups in primary (t=0.01, p=0.992) or secondary outcome measures. These findings do not support allopurinol as a treatment for schizophrenia.     

大鼠抗组胺药敏感性细胞色素P450基因的克隆及其反转录病毒载体的构建和鉴定

目的:构建反转录病毒表达载体pLXSN-HP450。方法:实验于2004-12/2006-05在广西医科大学生化药理实验室完成。提取正常的Wistar大鼠肝组织的总RNA,反转录-聚合酶链反应技术扩增出抗组胺药敏感性细胞色素P450(HP450)基因。并克隆到pMD18-T载体,经蓝白斑筛选后进行聚合酶链反应,酶切,测序鉴定。BamHI,EcoRI双酶切构建好的重组质粒和反转录病毒载体pLXSN在16℃下经T4连接酶连接过夜,并转化到感受态细胞DH5α,以菌液为模板做聚合酶链反应,结合酶切筛选及鉴定阳性重组反转录病毒载体pLXSN-HP450。结果:反转录-聚合酶链反应扩增出HP450基因。重组质粒pMD18-HP450经双酶切后得到1461bp的酶切产物。测序的结果用ClustalW在线与Genebank对比,此目的基因与基因库中的H1基因100%同源。阳性重组载体pLXSN用其菌液聚合酶链反应扩增出目的条带。对重组体pLXSN-HP450进行双酶切得到1461bp和5900bp两条特异性条带。结论:克隆了HP450基因,并成功构建了重组反转录病毒载体pLXSN-HP450,为进一步研究肝癌的基因治疗奠定了基础。     

Goserelin in Premenopausal Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer—A Multicenter Study

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to evaluate tumoral response with goserelin, a long-acting LH-RH analog in heavily pretreated premenopausal patients (pts) with advanced breast cancer. In a multicenter study, from January 1993 to May 1994, 35 evaluable patients, mean age 39.7 years, with measurable tumor, life expectancy above 3 months, without hormonal treatment or chemotherapy in the previous 30 days, received a minimum of 2 subcutaneous administrations of goserelin, a synthetic agonist analog, as a 28-day depot. Response was assessed according to Union Internationale Contre Cancer (UICC) criteria. Complete response was obtained in 2 pts. (6%); partial response in 13 pts. (37%), overall response in 43%. Mean complete response duration was 6.5 months (mos.), partial response 6.07 mos. Stable pts. were 6 (20%) for 13 weeks. Progression was registered in 14 pts. (30%). Pain was registered in 11 pts. (36%); in 7 pts. (23.3%), pain disappeared within 3 months. Best results were observed in bone and soft tissue. The average goserelin administration was 27.7 weeks. Minimal to moderate side effects such as hot flashes and vasomotor symptoms were reported in 9 pts. (30%). Bone pain increased in 1 pt. Goserelin was effective in heavily pretreated premenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer, independent of hormonal receptor status, previous chemotherapy, and possibly, of ovarian suppression degree. Its association with tamoxifen is to be studied and results should be further determined using a wider sample.     

Taiwan's National Health Insurance at the Emergency Department following the COVID-19 outbreak

Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) is a widely acclaimed universal healthcare system. In the past few years, particularly following the COVID-19 outbreak, challenges related to maintaining the NHI system have surfaced. Since 2020, NHI has faced a series of challenges, including excessive patient visits to the hospital emergency department, a lack of an effective primary care and referral system, and a high turnover rate of healthcare workers. We review major problems related to Taiwan's NHI, emphasizing input from frontline healthcare workers. We provide recommendations for potential policies addressing the concerns around NHI, for example, strengthening the role of primary care services under the NHI administration, reducing the high turnover rate of healthcare workers, and increase the premium and copayments. We hope that this policy analysis may allow policymakers and scholars to understand both the merits and critical problems related to NHI from the clinical perspective.     

Integration of mental health and quality of life screening tools in an inflammatory bowel disease-specific electronic medical record (Crohn Colitis Care): process and early outcomes

Psychological problems are prevalent in people with inflammatory bowel diseases but are not routinely addressed. To improve recognition, three psychological screening tools were integrated into clinical management software (Crohn Colitis Care). In the first 6 months, completion rates varied between participating sites, and approximately 23–34% of respondents scored in moderate or higher ranges for psychological distress. Evaluation of the clinical utility of the module to improve patient outcomes is recommended.     

Idiopathic gigantomastia exacerbated during pregnancy. Its relationship with autoimmunity: A case report

Gigantomastia is a rare entity characterized by diffuse and excessive breast enlargement. It mainly occurs during puberty and pregnancy as a consequence of hormonal fluctuations. We report an unusual case of gigantomastia in a 29-year-old woman with a history of personal and familiar autoimmune phenomena. She had autoimmune thyroiditis and several positive autoantibodies, and developed 3 crises of the disease, 1 related to pregnancy (possibly hormone-mediated), and 2 unrelated to pregnancy in which an autoimmune role is raised based in clinical, histological and laboratory findings. Immunological aspects that may be involved in this presentation of the disease are discussed.