Dairy Consumption, Blood Pressure, and Risk of Hypertension: An Evidence-Based Review of Recent Literature

Hypertension is a major risk factor for development of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and end-stage renal disease. In a systematic review of the evidence published from 2004 to 2009, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) concluded there was moderate evidence of an inverse relationship between the intake of milk and milk products (dairy) and blood pressure. This review synthesizes results from studies published over the past year on the relationship between dairy intake, blood pressure, and hypertension risk. The influence of dairy micronutrients including calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and phosphorous on blood pressure and incident hypertension is examined. Emerging research on bioactive dairy peptides is also reviewed. Lastly, recent evidence on effects of dairy fat content on blood pressure and hypertension risk, and the impact of inclusion of low-fat dairy in dietary patterns is also investigated.     

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with mantle cell lymphoma

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is a well-recognised complication of lymphoproliferative disorders, and has been reported in association with all B and T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes with the exception of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). We describe herein a case of MCL diagnosed in an initially asymptomatic 66-year-old woman who developed transfusion-dependent AIHA 6 months later coincident with lymphoma progression. The AIHA failed to respond satisfactorily to conventional treatment (high-dose oral prednisolone) but rapidly resolved following commencement of non-rituximab-containing combination chemotherapy in parallel with complete remission of the lymphoma. This is the first of such cases to be described in the literature and confirms that the immune environment of MCL can predispose to AIHA in the same way as in other lymphoma subtypes. Despite this being an infrequent occurrence, clinicians should be aware that AIHA is a potential complication of MCL and may be more successfully controlled by treating the underlying lymphoma rather than relying on conventional anti-haemolytic strategies such as steroids.     

The vascular-targeting fusion toxin VEGF121/rGel inhibits the growth of orthotopic human bladder carcinoma tumors

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (FLT-1 and KDR) are overexpressed by human bladder cancer cells and tumor endothelial cells, respectively. Strategies that target VEGF receptors hold promise as antiangiogenic therapeutic approaches to bladder cancer. A fusion protein of VEGF121 and the plant toxin gelonin (rGel) was constructed, expressed in bacteria, and purified to homogeneity. Cytotoxicity experiments of VEGF121/rGel on the highly metastatic 253J B-V human bladder cancer cell line demonstrated that the VEGF121/rGel does not specifically target these cells, whereas Western blot analysis showed no detectable expression of KDR. Treatment with VEGF121/rGel against orthotopically implanted 253J B-V xenografts in nude mice resulted in a significant suppression of bladder tumor growth (approximately 60% inhibition; P < .05) compared to controls. Immunohistochemistry studies of orthotopic 253J B-V tumors demonstrated that KDR is highly overexpressed in tumor vasculature. Immunofluorescence staining with antibodies to CD-31 (blood vessel endothelium) and rGel demonstrated a dramatic colocalization of the construct on tumor neovasculature. Treated tumors also displayed an increase in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin end labeling staining compared to controls. Thus, VEGF121/rGel inhibits the growth of human bladder cancer by cytotoxic effects directed against the tumor vascular supply and has significant potential as a novel antiangiogenic therapeutic against human bladder cancer.     

Perceptions of health status and play activities in parents of overweight Hispanic toddlers and preschoolers

Childhood overweight among lower socioeconomic, Hispanic children has increased. Interviews regarding health status and play patterns were conducted with 76 predominantly Hispanic mothers of overweight toddlers and preschoolers served by Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Most participants believed their child was healthy and half were unconcerned about their child's weight. Most parents reported having a safe place to play and access to a playground, although gender differences were found. Access to an outside play area was related to amount of active play activities. Children watched an average of 1.7 hours per day of television. Health professionals must partner with parents to address childhood obesity.     

Experimental and modeling investigation of metal release from metal-spiked sediments

In sediments that contain iron monosulfide, cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, and silver(I) form insoluble metal sulfides that lower the metal ion activity in the sediment-pore water system, thereby reducing toxicity. However, metal sulfides are susceptible to oxidation by molecular oxygen resulting in metal solubilization. To better understand the sources and sinks of metal sulfides in sediments, iron monsulfide-rich freshwater sediments were spiked with cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, or silver(I) and placed into cylindrical cores with an overlying layer of oxygen-saturated water. Measurements of the dissolved metal concentration in the overlying water were made as a function of time and the vertical profiles of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metal (SEM) were measured after 150 d. A one-dimensional reactive and transport model has been employed to help elucidate processes controlling the fate of metals in sediments. The model incorporates metal-sulfide formation, metal-sulfide oxidation, and metal partitioning onto sediment organic carbon and iron oxyhydroxide to simulate the vertical transport of metals throughout the sediment core.     

Case study: delicate skin cutting: management beyond the skin and implications of superficial habitual self-mutilation

A 16-year-old girl accompanied by her mother was noted to have several thin, well healed brown lines on the distal third of her left flexural forearm (Figure). She admits to having recently made these marks by skin cutting. She feels depressed and at times feels life "is not worth living." She denies alcohol or substance abuse or true suicidal ideation, plan, or intent. Her mother describes her as previously well adjusted and a good student who has become erratic and moody in the past 6 months, with worsening school performance. Her father had a history of depression and alcoholism and died 3 years ago. She is undergoing psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with sertraline with good results. She has not cut her skin in 3 months. Her mood and behavior have improved.