Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism, cod liver oil and risk of type 1 diabetes

Objective:  We have previously described an association between use of cod liver oil (a dietary n-3 fatty acid supplement) and reduced risk of type 1 diabetes. n-3 fatty acids are ligands for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ( PPARG ), which has recently been implicated in the control of inflammation and possibly autoimmunity. We aimed to estimate the association between the common Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPARG2 and risk of type 1 diabetes, and to test whether there is gene–environment interaction with use of cod liver oil in the first year of life or gene–gene interaction with the established insulin gene ( INS ) and human leukocyte antigen DQ ( HLA-DQ ) genetic susceptibility loci.
Methods:  We designed a population-based case–control study of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Norway with information on use of cod liver oil in the first year of life from questionnaires and PPARG2 genotype data for 483 cases and 1520 control subjects. We used logistic regression for analysis.
Results:  The odds ratio for the PPARG2 Ala/Ala or Pro/Ala vs. Pro/Pro genotype and type 1 diabetes was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.69–1.13, p = 0.33). There was no significant interaction with cod liver oil in the first year of life [P (interaction) = 0.35] or with the INS polymorphism [P(interaction) = 0.42].
Conclusions:  Although the association between PPARG2 and type 1 diabetes was not significant, the observed odds ratio was almost identical to that observed in two previous studies and can contribute to meta-analysis indicating a weak but significant association. Our hypothesized interaction between cod liver oil and PPARG2 in reducing type 1 diabetes risk was not supported.     

The effect of adding group-based counselling to individual lifestyle counselling on changes in dietary intake. The Inter99 study – a randomized controlled trial

Background  

Few studies have investigated the specific effect of single intervention components in randomized controlled trials. The purpose was to investigate the effect of adding group-based diet and exercise counselling to individual life-style counselling on long-term changes in dietary habits.     

Expression of myc family oncoproteins in small-cell lung-cancer cell lines and xenografts

A number of genes have altered activity in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), but especially genes of the myc family (c-myc, L-myc and N-myc) are expressed at high levels in SCLC. Most studies have explored expression at the mRNA level, whereas studies of myc family oncoprotein expression are sparse. We examined the expression of myc proto-oncogenes at the mRNA and protein level in 23 cell lines or xenografts. In the cell lines, the doubling time and the cell-cycle distribution, as determined by flow-cytometric DNA analysis, were examined to establish whether the level of myc-gene-family expression correlated with proliferative parameters. All tumours expressed at least one myc family member at the mRNA level. Exclusive c-myc mRNA expression was demonstrated in 8 tumours, L-myc in 7 and N-myc in I. Five tumours expressed both c-myc and L-myc, and 2 tumours expressed both c-myc and N-myc. In general, the level of expression of c-myc and N-myc was similar at the mRNA and the protein level. Expression of c-myc was positively correlated with the proliferative index (sum of S and G₂ + M phases) of cell lines, but not with the population doubling time. In general, L-myc-expressing cell lines had a low proliferative index. There was no systematic difference in myc expression between cell lines and xenografts of individual tumours.     

A randomised trial of two expectant managements of prelabour rupture of the membranes at 34 to 42 weeks

Objective To compare obstetric and perinatal outcome between two different expectant managements in women with prelabour rupture of the membranes (PROM).
Design A randomised study.
Participants One thousand three hundred and eighty-five women with rupture of the membranes at 34 to 42 weeks without contractions.
Interventions Women without contractions 2 h after admission were randomised to early induction the following morning after PROM (early induction group) or induction two days later (late induction group). Women with contractions starting within 2 h after admission were included in the calculations as a short latency group. Digital examinations of the cervix were avoided until onset of active labour. Labour was induced with oxytocin in both groups if no spontaneous contractions occurred or if chorioamnionitis or fetal distress was detected.
Main outcome measures The frequency of spontaneous deliveries, operative deliveries, maternal and neonatal infections.
Results In nulliparous women, a higher rate of spontaneous deliveries was found in the late induction group (89%) compared with the early induction group (81%) (   P < 0.05  ). The ventouse extraction rate was 7% and 14% respectively (   P < 0.05  ). A low (2–4%) caesarean section rate was recorded and did not differ between the groups. Endometritis was detected in six women after delivery. Sixty-one children were treated with antibiotics, and no difference could be detected between the groups.
Conclusions A higher rate of spontaneous deliveries was found among nulliparous women with prolonged latency as compared with brief latency prior to induction. A protocol of no digital examination before labour was associated with infrequent maternal and fetal morbidity, regardless of latency.     

Miscarriages and stillbirths in women with a high intake of fish contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect, on miscarriages and stillbirths, of persistent organochlorine compounds (POC) through dietary intake of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea. Methods: Information on miscarriages and stillbirths was collected retrospectively by a self-administered questionnaire in a cohort of fishermen's wives from the Swedish east coast (by the Baltic Sea) and in a referent cohort of west coast fishermen's wives. Current fish consumption was used as a proxy for exposure within the east coast cohort. Results: No increase in miscarriages or stillbirths was found in the east coast cohort compared with the west coast group, in fact a decrease in early miscarriages was found (OR 0.48 [95% CI 0.26–0.92]). Moreover, no increase in risk was found for current high consumers of fatty fish within the east coast cohort. Conclusions: The present data provided no evidence that dietary POC exposure increases miscarriage and stillbirth rates. Received: 26 April 1999 / Accepted: 6 November 1999     

A comparison between flow cytometric assessment of S-phase fraction and Nottingham histologic grade as prognostic instruments in breast cancer

Flow cytometric DNA analysis with assessment of S-phase fraction and DNA ploidy was compared to Nottingham histologic grade. The study population consisted of 654 patients who presented between 1987 and 1996 with primary operable breast cancer and whose tumours had been analysed for S-phase fraction and DNA ploidy at the time of surgery. Grade, tumour size, node status, steroid receptor status, age, S-phase fraction and DNA ploidy were analysed univariately and multi-variately in a Cox proportional hazard analysis. In the univariate analyses all parameters were statistically significantly associated with breast cancer mortality during the follow-up period of 2–11 years. The most powerful predictor of death from breast cancer in the multiple regression analysis was grade. Patients with grade 1 tumours have excellent prognosis. We conclude that tumour grade is a strong prognostic indicator applicable to all breast cancer patients, regardless of size and nodal status, and advocate its general use.     

Economic evidence in epilepsy: a review

The European Journal of Health Economics -     

The influence of hepatic artery ligation and of vasopressin on liver tumour blood flow in rats.

The blood flow in an experimental adenocarcinoma in the rat liver was determined with the 133Xe-washout technique before and after hepatic artery ligation (HAL). There was an initial reduction of the washout of 50%. This was further reduced after 1 day by 50%, which was maintained for 7 days. Seven days after HAL or sham procedures the 133Xe-washout was of similar magnitude in the liver tumours, although after the sham procedure the tumours were larger (3.4 g vs. 1.5 g). The estimated tumour blood flow was then approximately 0.04 ml x min-1 x g-1. The influence on normal liver parenchyma of HAL was a reduction at 30 minutes, which was maintained for 7 days. Postacton--a synthetic vasopressin--did not influence the 133Xe-washout in normal liver parenchyma in non-tumour, as well as in tumour-bearing animals. There was no influence of Postacton on the 133Xe-washout in the liver tumours. Thirty minutes after HAL Postacton gave a reduction of blood flow in normal liver parenchyma of tumour-bearing animals, which is thus only from the portal vein. In tumours Postacton did not significantly reduce the tumour blood flow immediately after HAL.     

Appraisal of caregiving, burden and psychological distress in relatives of psychiatric inpatients.

Appraisal of caregiving and its relationship to family burden and experienced mental health problems in the relatives were investigated as part of a multi-centre study of the quality of mental health services in Sweden performed in 1997. The sample was drawn from relatives of involuntarily and voluntarily admitted patients to acute psychiatric wards. The instrument used was a semi-structured questionnaire, interviewing relatives about the burden, experience of mental health problems and appraisal of the caregiving situation. The results showed a high proportion of relatives engaged in caregiving activities on a daily basis the month before the patient's admission to hospital and a high proportion of relatives appraising the caregiving activities negatively. The burden was more extensive if the relative and the patient were living together, had a longer duration of their relationship, if the relative was rendering caregiving on a daily basis and if the relative appraised caregiving negatively. The relatives' psychological distress was not related to their negative appraisal of caregiving, nor was patient characteristics, such as diagnosis and level of psychosocial functioning. The only factor found to influence the relatives' psychological distress was the duration of relationship to the patient. Interventions reducing psychological distress for relatives who have known the patients for more than 20 years, who live with the patient, who give care on a daily basis and who appraise their caregiving negatively are suggested.