Helicobacter pylori and intestinal parasites are not detrimental to the nutritional status of Amerindians

Gastrointestinal parasites have evolved with humans and colonize many asymptomatic subjects. We investigated the influence of microbial gastrointestinal colonization on the nutritional status of rural Amerindians (40 males and 61 females). Helicobacter pylori was detected by 13C-breath test, and intestinal parasites were detected in fecal specimens. Body morphometry and bioelectrical impedance measurements were measured. Although Amerindians showed low height and weight for age, they had an adequate body mass index, morphometric parameters, and cell mass. Intestinal parasites were detected in 99% of the subjects, with no detrimental effect on nutritional parameters. Helicobacter pylori was present in 82% of adults and half the children, and was positively correlated with improved nutritional status. Despite the high prevalence of gastrointestinal microbes often associated with disease, the studied population of Amerindians had a body morphometry and composition indicative of good nutritional status, and improved in children positive for gastric H. pylori.     

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.     

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.     

Health‐related quality of life – using the 15D instrument – of young adults with type 1 diabetes since childhood. Population‐based Oulu cohort study of diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) since childhood using the 15D instrument. The possible impact of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) on the HRQoL was focused on. Methods: During the years 1989–1990, the prevalence of DR was evaluated from ocular fundus photographs of a population‐based cohort of children with T1D living in the Northern Osthrobothnia Hospital District, Finland. These 216 individuals were contacted 18 years later and invited for assessment of the 15D HRQoL as well as current stage of DR. The results were compared with age‐ and gender‐standardized Finnish general population. Results: The 15D data were obtained from 123 patients aged 29 ± 3 years with a duration of diabetes of 23 ± 4 years. The mean 15D score was similar in the patients with T1D and the general population [0.954 ± 0.062 versus 0.964 ± 0.052, respectively (p = 0.085)]. However, the subgroup of patients with PDR (N = 38) had a statistically significantly lower mean 15D score than those subjects with nonproliferative or no DR [0.931 ± 0.086 versus 0.965 ± 0.044, respectively (p = 0.026)]. Conclusion: Young adults with T1D since childhood had 15D HRQoL score equal to that of age‐ and gender‐standardized general population as long as no more severe than nonproliferative DR was present. Presence of PDR, not T1D of long duration per se, significantly impaired the 15D score.     

Chronic Cyanosis Due to Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Draining into the Left Atrium in the Absence of a Coronary Sinus

We report a rare case of a 5-year-old child who presented with chronic hypoxemia and a normal cardiac examination, and was found to have a persistent left superior vena cava draining directly into the left atrium. The coronary sinus was absent. This case introduces a contradiction to the generally accepted concept that this anomalous connection can only occur in the presence of a partly or completely unroofed coronary sinus. High index of suspicion is required to include this pathology in the differential diagnosis for a patient with persistent cyanosis with normal cardiac examination.