Is ultraviolet B irradiance inversely associated with incidence rates of endometrial cancer: an ecological study of 107 countries

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to perform an ecological analysis of the relationship between low levels of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance and age-standardized incidence rates of endometrial cancer by country, controlling for known confounders. METHODS: The contributions of UVB irradiance, cloud cover, intake of energy from animal sources, proportion of population overweight, skin pigmentation, per capita cigarette consumption, per capita health expenditure, and total fertility rates, to age-standardized incidence rates of endometrial cancer in 107 countries were assessed using multiple regression. RESULTS: Incidence rates were higher at higher latitudes (R2=0.47, p<0.01). According to multiple regression, UVB irradiance adjusted for cloud cover was negatively associated with incidence rates (p=0.02), while proportion of population overweight (p=0.004), intake of energy from animal sources (p=0.01) and per capita health expenditure (p<0.0001) were positively associated with incidence rates (overall R2=0.73, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: An association was found between low UVB irradiance, high intake of energy from animal sources, per capita health expenditure, proportion of population overweight, and incidence rates.     

Die Wirkung von Hexobendin auf den Herz- und Leberstoffwechsel akut alloxandiabetischer Hunde

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Epidemiology of non-fatal injuries due to external causes in Johannesburg-Soweto. Part I. Methodology and materials

In this, the first of two articles examining the epidemiology of non-fatal trauma in Johannesburg-Soweto, we define case inclusion criteria, and discuss the methodology and materials used in this low-cost, hospital-based survey. The survey was conducted between 8 June 1989 and 24 August 1990. Sampling of both inpatient trauma cases and those seen in casualty departments took place in 6 state and 5 private hospitals located within or nearby the Johannesburg magisterial district. Demographic details about each patient, as well as information concerning spatial and temporal details of the incident, involvement of alcohol or drugs, diagnosis, severity of injury, and placement after casualty treatment, were collected by interviewing each patient. Data concerning the age, sex and racial composition of the background population were assembled from a number of sources. After discussing the internal limitations of this methodology, it is concluded that its findings may be of limited use for improving secondary interventions, but are of definite value for trauma prevention programmes.     

Molecular beacon-based temperature control and automated analyses for improved resolution of melting temperature analysis using SYBR I green chemistry

BACKGROUND: Melting temperature analysis of products amplified with SYBR I Green chemistry is a cheap and effective method for identification of sequence differences. When used in conventional quantitative real-time PCR instruments (qPCR), this method is limited by temperature variations over the heating block and low numbers of fluorescence measurements during the dissociation step, which hamper the ability of most instruments to report accurate and precise melting temperatures. METHODS: We designed a molecular beacon-based temperature indicator probe (Tm-probe) to control for variations in temperatures over the heating block of the instrument. In addition, we wrote an automated curve-fit analysis algorithm of dissociation data to use multiple data points with a gaussian curve fit to extrapolate precise melting temperatures. RESULTS: Use of the Tm-probe in conjunction with the analysis algorithm and multiple dissociations improved SDs of melting temperatures over a 96-well plate from 0.19 to 0.06 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Melting temperature analyses with SYBR I Green chemistry on conventional qPCR instruments can be improved by the use of a Tm-probe in conjunction with curve-fit analysis of data. Resolution improvement up to 3-fold is possible and allows additional melting temperatures to be identified.     

Efficacy of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein in experimental otitis media with effusion in rats: a new therapy for mucosal infections

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear without signs or symptoms of acute infection and by persistent changes in the middle ear mucosa. These are mainly induced by gram-negative bacterial infection and dysfunction of the eustachian tube (ET). Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) contain lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in their outer membrane that is responsible for inflammatory reactions in the middle ear. In this study we investigated the therapeutic effect of a recombinant LPS-binding protein, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (rBPI21), on the repair of mucosal damage in rats with experimentally induced OME. OME was induced by obstruction of the eustachian tube in combination with LPS injection. Twelve weeks after OME induction, secretory cells in the tympanic orifice of the middle ear were increased from an average of 14 +/- 2 to 31 +/- 5, ciliated cells were decreased from 24 +/- 4 to 6 +/- 4, and the number of macrophages in the subepithelial layer increased from 13 +/- 4 to 27 +/- 3. A single dose of rBPI21 was administered directly into the middle ear cavity 2 weeks after the induction of OME. Histologic examination of the middle ear mucosa at 4 and 12 weeks after OME induction showed that mucosal changes were restored by rBPI21 treatment. These results demonstrate that the middle ear mucosa recovers from inflammatory changes associated with OME after treatment with rBPI21. This suggests that rBPI21 may be useful in the treatment of OME and of mucosal infections of the respiratory tract.