Lipidhistochemical and microradiographic study of distribution of lipids in relation to mineral content in dentin caries

abstract – Fifteen human molars were investigated using lipidhistochemical and microradiographic methods. A peripheral neurotic and totally decalcified part of the carious lesion revealed a markedly positive staining reaction for sphingomyelin, sulfatides, cholesterol- and/or triglyceride-esters. The reaction was probably conditioned by the presence of debris and plaque within this area. Pulpally and immediately below the necrotic zone, an area of demineralization was found which on the microradiographs appeared as a radiolucent zone. The zone showed a mineral gradient with an increasing mineral content towards the pulp. In the zone of demineralization a positive reaction occurred for sphingomyelin decreasing in a pulpal direction with increasing mineral content. A weakly positive reaction for cholesterol- and/or triglyceride-esters, was also delected bat only in the most pulpal part of the zone of demineralization; the intensity of the staining reaction was comparable to that found in normal dentin, In chose areas which were represented by a sclerotized, radiopaque zone, only a very weak reaction for sphingomyelin, cholesterol- and/or triglyceride-esters could be observed of the same staining intensity as in normal dentin. The region between the lesion and the pulp showed the same staining intensity as normal dentin.     

Dietary and cancer–related behaviors of vitamin/mineral dietary supplement users in a large cohort of French women

Summary Background Several epidemiological studies suggested an association between vitamin/mineral dietary supplement use and cancer risk. However, characteristics of supplement users may themselves be related to cancer risk, and therefore could confound such etiological studies. Very little is known about the characteristics of French supplement users. Aim of the study To identify cancer–related behaviors and dietary characteristics of vitamin/mineral supplement users in the E3N cohort of French women. Methods Data on supplement use and cancer–related and socio–demographic characteristics were collected by self–administered questionnaires completed by 83,058 women, 67,229 of whom also completed a food frequency questionnaire. Supplement users were compared to non–users by unconditional logistic regression. Results Vitamin/mineral supplement users were significantly older and leaner (odds ratio [OR] for BMI ≥ 30 vs. <18.5 kg/m² = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.39), were less often current smokers, had a higher level of education and had more leisure physical activity. They used more phytooestrogen supplements (OR=3.95, 95 % CI 3.69–4.23), had more often a family history of breast cancer and had more often undergone cancer–screening. Users tended to have a healthier diet: less alcohol, more vegetables, fruit, dairy products, fish and soups. They had higher dietary intakes for most micro–nutrients, fiber and ω3 fatty acids, lower fat intake and either similar or lower prevalence of inadequate dietary intake for all relevant nutrients except magnesium. Conclusions To avoid major confounding, the lifestyle characteristics of supplement users should be considered in studies investigating the association between supplement use and cancer risk.     

A safe strategy for addition of vitamins and minerals to foods

Summary Addition of vitamins and minerals to foods must be done without health risk to any consumer group. International expert groups have aimed at establishing tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for vitamins and minerals although lack of solid data on their safety is a major obstacle to this work. In this paper, we summarize the existing ULs and suggest the use of guidance levels (GLs) set by others and temporary guidance levels (TGLs) proposed here, whenever no consensus UL has been established for adults. We suggest the use of body surface area ratios to establish similar levels for younger age groups. The levels are applied in a model for calculation of safe fortification levels for all ages.We have estimated the upper 95^th percentile intake of vitamins and minerals from food in various Danish age and gender groups and suggest that a daily multivitaminmineral pill is included in the calculation of total dietary intake levels of all vitamins and minerals. By subtracting this dietary intake level from the UL, GL or TGL, we calculate the amount that can be safely used for fortification. Since safety must be assured for all age groups, the smallest difference relative to energy intake calculated for any age group is proposed as the maximal allowance (MA) for fortification with each nutrient. We suggest that the MA should be expressed in weight units per energy unit in order to distribute it equally between potentially fortifiable food groups according to their usual contribution to total energy intakes.     

Effects of Khaya grandifoliola on red blood cells and bone mineral content in rats

The therapeutic efficacy of a crude water extract of Khaya grandifoliola has been established in mice. This study was designed to assess the effect of the extract on the red blood cells and bone for 7 days, 3 weeks and a recovery period of 3 weeks. Daily administration of the extract showed no related adverse effects on the mortality rate, physical appearance or behaviour of the rats. A general pattern of significant (p < 0.5) increases in the red blood cell (RBC) count, PCV, haemoglobin and plasma iron content was shown by groups administered with extract after 7 and 21 days when compared with control rats. There was a general trend of reduction in the bone minerals determined (Ca, P, Mg and Cu) in the extract administered groups. Significant (p < 0.5) decreases were observed at the 500 mg/kg concentration. The bone potassium and iron content was significantly (p < 0.5) increased in rats administered with extract in a dose-dependent manner. There was an observed significant (p < 0.5) decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the rats administered with the extract when compared with the control animals.During the recovery period, the haematological indices regressed to values which were still significantly (p < 0.5) higher than those of the control values.These results indicate that K. grandifoliola has a positive effect on erythropoeisis, but no significant effect on bone mineral contents at therapeutic doses.At extremely high doses and during prolonged administration, it may have an adverse effect on bone minerals.     

Industrial-grade talc exposure and the risk of mesothelioma

Industrial-grade talc deposits are complex mixtures of mineral particles and may vary substantially in composition across small geographical areas. Typical industrial-grade talc includes amphibole cleavage fragments, platy talc, serpentine minerals, talc in fibrous form, and a minor presence of transitional fibers. Industrial-grade talc was erroneously determined to be an asbestos-containing material due to an unintended consequence of Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA’s) method for measuring airborne asbestos mandated in 1972. This error was repeated, most notably, by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in, 1980 for talc mined in northern New York State (NYS) by RT Vanderbilt Company (RTV). Subsequent exposure studies of northern NYS talc conducted through the, 1980s and one study published after, 2000 relied on the conclusion that talc was an asbestos-containing material to infer a causal relationship between talc and mesothelioma. The present review included (1) publications concerning talc’s cancer-causing potential issued by organizations concerned with occupational and public health; (2) talc exposure studies and animal and cellular studies of RTV talc; (3) mesothelioma rates in northern NYS; and (4) mesothelioma mortality among RTV mining employees. The review indicated that failure to correctly identify the mineral characteristics of talc resulted in misleading reports concerning the carcinogenic potential of talc. However, the collective data from animal and cellular studies, mesothelioma rates in northern NYS, exposure studies, and a mortality analysis of RTV mining employees do not support a causal relationship between RTV talc and mesothelioma. This conclusion is applicable to all mineral components in RTV talc and to other industrial-grade talcs and mineral aggregates with the same components.     

赭石炮制品X射线衍射分析及指纹图谱的建立

目的 建立赭石炮制品的X射线衍射指纹图谱,并对不同产地赭石炮制品进行相似性考察。方法 采用X射线衍射法对10批赭石炮制品进行定性分析,并用Origin 8.0软件比较其共有峰的夹角余弦相似度。结果 建立了赭石炮制品的X射线衍射指纹图谱;不同来源的赭石样品X衍射图共有峰相似度均达到95%以上。结论 赭石炮制品的X射线衍射分析方法专属性强,准确可行,指纹图谱可用于其与氧化铁类矿物药及其他矿物药的鉴别;能全面、客观地反映赭石炮制品的内在质量特征。     

饮水矿物质水平对大鼠亲3代繁殖及子3代发育的影响研究

目的 比较矿物质水平差别显著的3种饮水对大鼠繁殖能力和子代发育的影响.方法 将45只雄性和90只雌性断乳SD大鼠按随机数字表法分为3组(雌雄比为2∶1),分别饮用A水[溶解性总固体(total dissolved solids, TDS)为1.2 mg/L]、B水(TDS:87.2 mg/L)以及经净水器(活性炭滤芯)处理自来水后得到的C水(TDS:291.0 mg/L),连续3代.逐代比较亲代繁殖指标和子代发育指标.结果 亲3代的繁殖指标3组间均未见统计学差异.A水组仔鼠出生后4 d存活率至F3代时明显低于其他2组.而C水组仔鼠出生后4 d存活率不仅在F1代时显著高于B水组(P<0.01),还在F3代时显著高于其他2组,该组在F1代时记忆能力也有高于其他2组的趋势.结论 多代连续饮用矿物质极低的饮水对大鼠繁殖能力影响不明显,但低矿水对子代早期发育水平可能有不利影响.对于大鼠出生后的早期生长阶段,饮用卫生学上安全且富含矿物质的饮水将对其发育更为有利.     

维持性血液透析患者透析期血压变异性与CKD-MBD的相关性研究

目的 探讨维持性血液透析患者透析期血压变异性与CKD-MBD的相关性。方法 回顾性分析2018年7月至2020年7月在我院治疗的透析患者112例,记录透析治疗参数、实验室检查指标和营养指标等,比较不同指标间的差异。结果 与△SBP10 mmHg患者比较,△SBP≥10 mmHg患者透析龄更长,P、PTH水平更高(P0.05);P、PTH异常升高患者血压波动高于P、PTH正常患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。相关性分析显示,P、PTH与△SBP呈正相关(r=0.245,0.214,P0.05);多因素分析显示,透析龄(OR=4.037)、P水平(OR=3.027)、PTH水平(OR=1.892)是血压波动的负性影响因素,尿素清除指数与ALB水平是血压波动的正性影响因素(P0.05)。结论 MHD患者治疗前后血压波动与CKD-MBD密切相关,同时受营养状态、透析龄、透析充分性等多种因素影响。