An instrument for serial sampling of intestinal juice

Summary A device has been develped to permit rapid, serial sampling of intestinal juice. Two tubes are fastened to a cup-shaped bubble trap. The cup together with its tubing is swallowed. The specimen of juice is aspirated into one of the tubes and is then removed by allowing air to flow into the tube below the specimen while suction is maintained above. The air is let in through the bubble trap by means of the second tube. Samples less than 0.5 ml. in volume can be delivered immediately through as much as 5 m. of tubing The sampling may be continuous or intermittent from any level of the small intestine or from the stomach.     

The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of soluble and particulate cobalt in human lung epithelial cells

Cobalt is a toxic metal used in various industrial applications leading to adverse lung effects by inhalation. Cobalt is considered a possible human carcinogen with the lung being a primary target. However, few studies have considered cobalt‐induced toxicity in human lung cells, especially normal lung epithelial cells. Therefore, in this study, we sought to determine the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of particulate and soluble cobalt in normal primary human lung epithelial cells. Cobalt oxide and cobalt chloride were used as representative particulate and soluble cobalt compounds, respectively. Exposure to both particulate and soluble cobalt induced a concentration‐dependent increase in cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and intracellular cobalt ion levels. Based on intracellular cobalt ion levels, we found that soluble and particulate cobalt induced similar cytotoxicity while soluble cobalt was more genotoxic than particulate cobalt. These data indicate that cobalt compounds are cytotoxic and genotoxic to human lung epithelial cells. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:282–287, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Serum activity of DPPIV and its expression on lymphocytes in patients with melanoma and in people with vitiligo

Background

Evidence is accumulating that chronic inflammation may have an important role in prostate cancer (PCa). The COX-2 polymorphism rs2745557 (+202 C/T) has been extensively investigated as a potential risk factor for PCa, but the results have thus far been inconclusive. This meta-analysis was performed to derive a more precise estimation of the association.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all case-control studies of COX-2 rs2745557 polymorphism and PCa risk. We used odds ratios (ORs) to assess the strength of the association, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) give a sense of the precision of the estimate. Statistical analyses were performed by Review Manage, version 5.0 and Stata 10.0.

Results

A total of 8 available studies were considered in the present meta-analysis, with 11356 patients and 11641 controls for rs2745557. When all groups were pooled, there was no evidence that rs2745557 had significant association with PCa under co-dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and allelic models. However, our analysis suggested that rs2745557 was associated with a lower PCa risk under dominant model in overall population (OR = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.74-0.97, P = 0.02). When stratifying for race, there was a significant association between rs2745557 polymorphism and lower PCa risk in dominant model comparison in the subgroup of Caucasians (OR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.75-0.99, P = 0.04), but not in co-dominant, recessive, over-dominant and allelic comparisons.

Conclusion

Based on our meta-analysis, COX-2 rs2745557 was associated with a lower PCa risk under dominant model in Caucasians.     

Immunoregulatory potential of exopolysaccharide from Lactobacillus rhamnosus KL37: effects on the production of inflammatory mediators by mouse macrophages

The ability to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) is widespread among lactobacilli including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the commonly used probiotic bacteria. Exopolysaccharides are a major component of the bacterial biofilm with a well‐documented impact on adherence of bacteria to host cells. However, their immunoregulatory properties are unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the immunostimulatory potential of EPS derived from L. rhamnosus KL37. We investigated the effect of EPS on the production of inflammatory mediators by mouse peritoneal macrophages and compared it with the effect of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exopolysaccharides, at concentrations higher than those of LPS, stimulated production of both pro‐inflammatory (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐12) and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐10) cytokines. Interestingly, analysis of the balance of TNF‐α/IL‐10 production showed a potential pro‐inflammatory effect of EPS. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that exposure of macrophages to LPS induced a state of hyporesponsiveness, as indicated by reduced production of TNF‐α after restimulation with either LPS or EPS (‘cross‐tolerance’). By contrast, EPS could make cells tolerant only to subsequent stimulation by the same stimulus. We also examined the relationship between TNF‐α production and activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) by EPS and LPS. Pretreatment of macrophages with specific inhibitors of p38 and ERK MAPKs reduced TNF‐α production induced by both stimuli to the same extent. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that EPS can effectively stimulate production of inflammatory mediators by macrophages in vitro. However, to predict whether EPS could be clinically useful as an immunomodulatory agent, further in vivo studies with highly purified EPS are necessary.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of defects in DeLancey's vaginal support levels I, II, and III

Objective: The air was to demonstrate paravaginal defects at DeLancey's levels I, II, and III by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging scanning in patients with symptomatic pelvice relaxation preoperatively and to demonstrate the disappearance of such defects after surgical repair.Study design: Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the pelvis were performed in 12 patients exhibiting cystourethroceles and symptomatic urinary stress incontinence.Results: Magnetic resonance imaging scans of bilateral fascial defects at the upper third of the vagina (level 1) were unremarkable except for the constant “chevron sign,” whereas the middle third of the vagina (level II) displayed the “saddlebags sign,” and the lower third of the vagina (level III) displayed the “mustache sign.” These defects disappeared postoperatively.Conclusions: Bilateral defects in the paracolpium at vaginal support levels I, II, and III may be found by magnetic resonance imaging scans before surgery in certain patients with symptomatic pelvic relaxation. Postoperative scans after paravaginal repair demonstrate the disappearance of these defects.     

The impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fine particles on pregnancy outcome

The relationship between intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and exposure to particulate matter [less than/equal to] 10 microm (PM(10)) and particulate matter [less than and equal to] 2.5 microm (PM(2.5))( )in early pregnancy was recently studied in the highly polluted district of Teplice (Northern Bohemia). From this observation rose the question about the possible role of the carcinogenic fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs), which are usually bound to fine particles. The impact of c-PAHs and fine particles on IUGR was analyzed in Teplice and in Prachatice, a region with similarly high c-PAH but low particle levels. All European, single live births occurring in a 4-year period in Teplice (n = 3,378) and Prachatice (n = 1,505) were included. Detailed personal data were obtained via questionnaires and medical records. Mean PM(10), PM(2.5,) and c-PAHs levels during the 9 gestational months (GM) were estimated for each mother. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of IUGR for three levels of c-PAHs (low, medium, and high) and for continuous data were estimated after adjustment for a range of covariates using logistic regression models. In the present 4-year sample from Teplice, previously published results about increasing IUGR risk after exposure to particles in the first GM were fully confirmed, but no such effects were found in Prachatice. The AOR of IUGR for fetuses from Teplice exposed to medium levels of c-PAHs in the first GM was 1.60 [confidence interval (CI), 1.06-2. 15], and to high levels 2.15 (CI, 27-3.63). An exposure-response relationship was established by analyzing the continuous data. For each 10 ng increase of c-PAHs in the first GM, the AOR was 1.22 (CI, 1.07-1.39). About the same relationship was observed in Prachatice in spite of the low particle levels. The results prove that exposure to c-PAHs in early gestation may influence fetal growth. The particulate matter-IUGR association observed earlier may be at least partly explained by the presence of c-PAHs on particle surfaces.     

Arterial intima-media thickness and its relationship with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis: a possible contribution of medium-sized arteries

The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the arterial wall, measured by B-mode ultrasonography, has been related to cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis in many studies, most of which have considered carotid and common femoral arteries. No study has related the IMT of medium-sized arteries (e.g. brachial) to the atherosclerotic process. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether more peripheral arteries (e.g. brachial, superficial femoral and popliteal) represent a good model in studies of arterial wall IMT, as well as carotid artery. Twenty-six male patients with demonstrated coronary artery disease (median age 63 yrs; range 41-70) and twenty-four male controls (median age 62 yrs; range 53-74) were studied. The far-wall IMT of the common carotid, brachial, superficial femoral and popliteal arteries was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Its relationship with ischemic cardiovascular disease and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in all the arteries was also evaluated. Mean IMT values were higher in patients than controls, more so in superficial femoral artery (IMT difference 0.08 mm [95% confidence interval 0.02 - 0.14]) and popliteal artery (0.08 [0.01-0.15]) than in common carotid artery (0.02 [-0.07-0.11]) or brachial artery (0.01[-0.01-0.03]). The difference did not change after adjustment for age. The prevalence of plaques was consistently higher in patients than controls, except for brachial artery, in which no plaque was found either in patients and controls. In all the arteries except brachial we found an association between increase in IMT and number of plaques. Age was strongly related to the presence of plaques in the carotid artery, and less markedly in superficial femoral and popliteal arteries. The brachial artery does not seem a good model to study atherosclerosis by ultrasound measurements of arterial IMT, whereas superficial femoral and popliteal arteries might be chosen for these studies besides carotid artery.