Implications for farmers of measures to reduce sugars consumption

ObjectiveTo estimate the impact of reduced consumption of free sugars in line with World Health Organization recommendations, on sugar farmers globally.MethodsUsing multiregion input–output analysis, we estimated the proportional impact on production volumes of a 1% reduction in free sugars consumption by the public. We extracted data on sugar production from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database for the top 15 sugar-cane- and beet-producing countries globally, and created a custom multiregion input–output database to assess the proportions of production going to human consumption, drawing on household expenditure surveys and national input–output databases (data valid for years 2000–2015). We also considered the impact on production volumes in relation to countries’ gross domestic product.FindingsA high proportion of current sugar production from these countries goes to human consumption, and would thus be impacted by reduced consumption of sugars. The largest impacts on cane sugar production, and thus on farmers, would likely occur in Brazil, China, India and Thailand and on beet production in Belarus, Germany, Russian Federation and United States of America.ConclusionA global opportunity exists for public health leadership to bring together the health, economic, environmental and agriculture sectors to collaborate and build capacity for promotion of alternative livelihoods for sugar farmers. Lessons regarding strategy and the importance of political economy factors can be learnt from tobacco control measures. Further research to quantify the impact of reductions in sugars consumption would provide useful insights for designing policies to complement and strengthen efforts to improve diets and health.     

Osteosarcomatosis

A review of the 690 cases of osteosarcoma in the radiographic file of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology revealed 29 cases of "osteosarcomatosis" (multiple skeletal sites of osteosarcoma). Fifteen of these patients were 18 years old and under and manifested rapidly appearing, usually symmetric, sclerotic metaphyseal lesions. The remaining 14 patients were more than 18 years old and had fewer, asymmetric sclerotic lesions. In most patients (28 of 29), a radiographically dominant skeletal tumor was seen. Pulmonary metastases occurred in the majority of patients and were detected at the same time as the bone lesions. These 29 patients were studied with regard to demographic data and skeletal distribution and radiographic appearance of their lesions. As a result of the findings, a metastatic origin from a primary dominant osteosarcoma is favored over a multifocal origin as the basis for osteosarcomatosis. Osteosarcomatosis is more commonly encountered in the mature skeleton than has been previously recognized.     

Diabetes and its Long-term Complications in General Practice: a Survey in a Well-defined Population

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of long-termcomplications in all patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetesmellitus, who were known to their general practitioners (GPs).During one year 19 GPs in the area of Hoogeveen in the Netherlandsexamined their non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) patients, includingthose under specialist's care. A detailed protocol was used;the GPs were trained in the diagnostic procedures. Complicationswere either already known from the records or newly discoveredduring screening. In a population of 41940 14.5/1000 patientswith diabetes were identified: 12/1000 NIDDM and 2.5/1000 insulin-dependent-diabetesmellitus (IDDM). Of the 509 NIDDM patients, 387 (76%) couldbe screened for late complications. Signs and symptoms of latecomplications were found in many patients: retinopathy (14%),nephropathy (57%), neuropathy (68%) and macroangiopathy (53%).The prevalence of serious complications was: proliferative retino-and maculopathy (3.3%); diabetic foot (2.6%); renal failure(2.5%). The systemic screening revealed a high number of previouslyunknown cases. It is concluded that many patients with NIDDMdevelop signs and symptoms of late complications. Most casesare identified by systemic screening only. More long-term studiesof the prognosis of late com plications in NIDDM are needed.     

MODULATION OF ALCOHOL PREFERENCE BY NMDA ANTAGONISTS IN MALE RATS

Chronic alcoholization by alcohol inhalation was used to studythe properties of magnesium, a non-competitive NMDA receptorantagonist, and CGP 39551, a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist,on behavioural dependence as estimated by the free-choice paradigm[alcohol 10% (v/v) vs. water], on the hypermotility after alcoholwithdrawal, and finally on the cortical vascularization. Thefirst experimental group received the drugs per os during thewhole alcoholization period. Magnesium (20 mg/kg/day) decreasedthe alcohol dependence while CGP 39551 (5 and 10 mg/kg/day)increased, in a dose-dependent manner, the dependence to alcohol.A second group of animals received the same drugs at the samedosages, not simultaneously during chronic alcoholization, butimmediately after alcoholization in one shot i.p. injection.In this case, rats receiving 5 mg/kg CGP 39551 never showedany dependence towards alcohol, while 10 mg/kg CGP 39551 or20 mg/kg magnesium prolonged the number of days of alcohol dependence.These results thus indicate the close interaction between NMDAreceptor function and dependence for alcohol. Magnesium hadno effects on hypermotility, while CGP 39551-treated animalspresented a decrease in the hypermotility observed after alcoholwithdrawal. Neither drug affected the hypervasculanzation accompanyingthe chronic alcoholization.     

水八角的生药学研究

目的：通过对四川民间药掌裂叶秋海棠、一点血、美丽秋海棠根茎的生药学研究,为该类药的临床应用、质量标准的制定和进一步开发利用提供资料。方法：性状鉴别、显微鉴别和薄层色谱鉴定相结合。结果：木栓组织、纤维、石细胞、腺毛的存在与否和形态特征存在种间差异,三者均含芦丁和槲皮素。结论：首次对三种秋海棠进行了生药学研究     

High affinity of sigma1-binding sites for sterol isomerization inhibitors: evidence for a pharmacological relationship with the yeast sterol C8–C7 isomerase

1. The sigma-drug binding site of guinea-pig liver is carried by a protein which shares significant amino acid sequence similarities with the yeast sterol C₈–C₇ isomerase (ERG2 protein). Pharmacologically - but not structurally - the sigma₁-site is also related to the emopamil binding protein, the mammalian sterol C₈–C₇ isomerase. We therefore investigated if sterol C₈–C₇ isomerase inhibitors are high affinity ligands for the (+)-[³H]-pentazocine labelled sigma₁-binding site.
2. Among the compounds which bound with high affinity to native hepatic and cerebral as well as to yeast expressed sigma₁-binding sites were the agricultural fungicide fenpropimorph (K_i 0.005 nM), the antihypocholesterinaemic drugs triparanol (K_i 7.0 nM), AY-9944 (K_i 0.46 nM) and MDL28,815 (K_i 0.16 nM), the enantiomers of the ovulation inducer clomiphene (K_i 5.5 and 12 nM, respectively) and the antioestrogene tamoxifen (K_i 26 nM).
3. Except for tamoxifen these affinities are essentially identical with those for the [³H]-ifenprodil labelled sterol C₈–C₇ isomerase of S. cerevisiae. This demonstrates that sigma₁-binding protein and yeast isomerase are not only structurally but also pharmacologically related. Because of its affiliations with yeast and mammalian sterol isomerases we propose that the sigma₁-binding site is localized on a sterol isomerase related protein, involved in postsqualene sterol biosynthesis.

     

LYME PERICARDITIS LEADING TO TAMPONADE

We report the case of a 62-yr-old man who presented with Lymepericarditis leading to cardiac tamponade shortly followed byan arthritis. IgM and IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferiwere demonstrated in serum by indirect immunofluorescence. Borreliaburgdorferi was demonstrated and identified in pericardial fluidby indirect immunofluorescence using serum from a patient withproven Lyme disease and by a monoclonal antibody immuno-goldsilver stain. Spirochetes were also found in synovial biopsiesusing a silver stain. The tamponade was treated with pericardiocentesis;the arthritis was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone (2 gonce daily) for 14 days. The patient recovered completely withindays of commencing treatment. This case report demonstratesthat borrelial infection may lead to pericarditis and cardiactamponade. KEY WORDS: Borrelia burgdorferi infection, Arthritis, Pericarditis, Tamponade     

Determination of left ventricular volume by two-dimensional echocardiography: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging

Left ventricular volume was determined in 12 healthy volunteersusing a newly developed two-dimensional echocardio-graphic delineationmethod. The results were compared with those of magnetic resonanceimaging, which served as the method of reference. Left ventricularend-diastolic volume was 123 ± 12 ml, echocardiographicallydefined, and 121 ± 12 ml calculated with magnetic resonanceimaging. End-systolic volume was 41 ± 7 ml on echocardiographyand 37±6 ml on magnetic resonance imaging. Left ventricularejection fraction was 67 ± 4%, echocardiographicallydefined, and 70 ± 5%, calculated with magnetic resonanceimaging. There was no statistical difference for any of themeasured parameters. Interstudy and inter-observer variabilitywas minimal. In conclusion, in healthy volunteers left ventricularvolume was accurately defined, using this newly developed two-dimensionalechocardiographic delineation method. During endocardial delineationa dynamic display is continuously available on a second window,allowing precise visual edge-detection. Moreover, correctionscan be made easily and quickly. These two advantages enhancethe accuracy of the method, even in cases of poor echogenicity.     

HLA-D Antigen Expression and Langerhans' Cell Infiltrates in Thyroid Tumors

Papillary carcinomas (PCs) of thyroid are among the most common but least aggressive human malignancies. The factors explaining the indolence of these tumors are unknown but host-tumor immune interactions may play a role. This study was designed to determine if there is morphologic evidence of these. Frozen tissues collected from 21 PCs, 4 follicular adenomas (FAs), 4 follicular carcinomas (FCs), and 11 nodular hyperplasias (NHs) were stained immunohistochemically for HLA-D antigens, lymphocyte and macrophage markers; results were graded numerically. Paraffin-embedded tumors (35 PCs, 10 FAs, and 10 FCs) were stained for S-100 protein to detect Langerhans' cells (LCs). Diffuse staining for HLA-D antigens and heavy mononuclear infiltrates were found more commonly in PCs compared to follicular neoplasms (FNs) or NHs. No consistent relationship was found between lymphocyte/macrophage infiltrates and expression of HLA-D antigens. The largest number of LCs was in PCs (median 11.8 cells/standard microscopic field [c/smf]), fewer cells were found in FA (3.7 c/smf), and the least in FC (0.05 c/smf). Features of host-tumor interaction including HLA-D expression and infiltrates with lymphocyte macrophages and LC are more strongly expressed in PC than other tumors. This may play a role in explaining their biological behavior.     

Occupational transmission of HIV in health care workers: A review

Health care workers have a small but real risk of acquiringHIV infection as a result of occupational exposure. In thispaper, we review all reports in the scientific literature from1984 through to December 1993 of confirmed and probable casesof HIV seroconversion after a specific occupational exposure.A total of 64 confirmed cases have been reported, 24 in Europe,36 in the USA and 4 in other countries. Most seroconversionshave resulted from percutaneous exposure (91%) to AIDS patients(62%), usually caused by hollow bore needlestick injuries inflictedduring blood drawing procedures. Almost all seroconversionshave been detected within 6 months of exposure (94%) and haveusually been preceded by an episode of acute illness (73%).Ten seroconversions have occurred in spite of partial or completecourses of zidovudine prophylaxis. An additional 113 probablecases have been reported, 75 in the USA, 35 in Europe and 3in other countries. Aggregating the results of the prospectivestudies carried out, it is calculated that the risk of seroconversionfollowing percutaneous exposure is 0.33% or 3 in 1000 exposures(95% Cl: 0.21–0.52%), while the risk following mucocutaneousexposure is much lower (0.04%, 95% Cl: 0.006–0.31%). Thedocumented failure of zidovudine prophylaxis following occupationalexposure in a number of instances indicate its effect is, atbest, only partial; furthermore, exposure to source patientswho have been receiving the drug may lead to transmission ofzidovudine-resistant strains of HIV. Risk factors for occupationalexposure to HIV and for transmission, given that an exposurehas occurred, are discussed.