Anthropometric and reproductive factors and risk of esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite: Results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort

Obesity has been associated with upper gastrointestinal cancers; however, there are limited prospective data on associations by subtype/subsite. Obesity can impact hormonal factors, which have been hypothesized to play a role in these cancers. We investigated anthropometric and reproductive factors in relation to esophageal and gastric cancer by subtype and subsite for 476,160 participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox models. During a mean follow-up of 14 years, 220 esophageal adenocarcinomas (EA), 195 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, 243 gastric cardia (GC) and 373 gastric noncardia (GNC) cancers were diagnosed. Body mass index (BMI) was associated with EA in men (BMI ≥30 vs. 18.5–25 kg/m²: HR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.25–3.03) and women (HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.15–6.19); however, adjustment for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) attenuated these associations. After mutual adjustment for BMI and HC, respectively, WHR and waist circumference (WC) were associated with EA in men (HR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.99–6.06 for WHR >0.96 vs. <0.91; HR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.52–4.72 for WC >98 vs. <90 cm) and women (HR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.35–14.33 for WHR >0.82 vs. <0.76; HR = 5.67, 95% CI: 1.76–18.26 for WC >84 vs. <74 cm). WHR was also positively associated with GC in women, and WC was positively associated with GC in men. Inverse associations were observed between parity and EA (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14–0.99; >2 vs. 0) and age at first pregnancy and GNC (HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32–0.91; >26 vs. <22 years); whereas bilateral ovariectomy was positively associated with GNC (HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.04–3.36). These findings support a role for hormonal pathways in upper gastrointestinal cancers.     

Fertility Outcome After Renal Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience

BackgroundWomen suffering from kidney disease are more prone to fertility problems, due to uremia. Fortunately, their fertility rate increases dramatically after renal transplantation. This study analyzes the predictors/risk factors of successful pregnancy with live birth outcome while presenting an overview of the 7-year experience of a single center.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study includes 239 women of reproductive age (18–40 years) who underwent renal transplantation in a tertiary Turkish clinic between October 1, 2011, and August 24, 2017. The subjects were invited to take part in a survey questioning their obstetric characteristics and they were assessed in 2 groups: fertile and infertile. Multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of a successful pregnancy.ResultsThirty-five 35 patients wished to become pregnant: 12 got pregnant spontaneously, while 21 failed to become pregnant (spontaneously). The mean age of the patients at the survey was 34 ± 7. Regular menstrual cycles after renal transplantation, tacrolimus-mycophenolate mofetil maintenance protocol, and age at transplantation were found to be predictors of spontaneous pregnancy. The duration of peritoneal dialysis was significantly longer in the infertile group (48 vs 12 months).ConclusionEnd-stage renal disease's negative impacts, including menstrual abnormality and fertility problems, can be overcome by successful kidney transplantation with appropriate immunosuppression. Minimizing the duration of peritoneal dialysis, particularly in patients who desire future fertility, may be accepted as a logical management strategy.     

益母草中阿魏酸对含益母草中成药质量标准影响的探讨

目的：建立HPLC/TQ-MS测定益母草中阿魏酸含量的方法并测定不同产地益母草中阿魏酸含量，评价益母草中阿魏酸对中成药调经止痛片及新生化颗粒的质量影响，为制定含有益母草并以阿魏酸为定量指标的中成药质量标准提供参考。方法：采用薄层色谱法及UPLC-Q/TOF定性鉴别及分析益母草中阿魏酸，采用HPLC/TQ-MS定量分析10批不同产地益母草中阿魏酸含量。基于定量分析结果及处方用量探讨益母草中阿魏酸含量对其中成药质量标准的影响。结果：薄层鉴别及UPLC-Q/TOF定性分析结果显示，10批不同产地益母草中均含有阿魏酸。HPLC/TQ-MS定量分析结果显示，益母草中阿魏酸含量在0.004 2%~0.006 5%之间。结论：益母草与当归、川芎等含有阿魏酸的药材配伍且其用量较大时，益母草中阿魏酸含量会对其质量评价产生一定的影响。     

蒙花苷磷脂复合物的制备及其药动学评价

目的 制备蒙花苷磷脂复合物，研究其药动学性质。方法 溶剂挥发法制备蒙花苷磷脂复合物，以复合率为评价指标，通过正交试验优化制备工艺。SD大鼠灌胃给予蒙花苷磷脂复合物，HPLC测定蒙花苷的血药浓度。结果 采用优化后的磷脂复合物制备工艺，复合率接近100%。X射线衍射结果表明蒙花苷以无定型状态存在于磷脂复合物中，在水和正辛醇中的表观溶解度显著增大。药动学结果显示，蒙花苷磷脂复合物的t_max，C_max，AUC_0-t等参数与蒙花苷原料药相比具有显著性差异，口服吸收生物利用度提高1.11倍。结论 磷脂复合物改善了蒙花苷的溶解性质，口服吸收生物利用度得到明显提高。