Phytoestrogens alter the reproductive organ development in the mink (Mustela vison)

The aim of the present study was to examine the reproductive effects of two perorally applied phytoestrogens, genistein (8 mg/kg/day) and beta-sitosterol (50 mg/kg/day), on the mink (Mustela vison) at human dietary exposure levels. Parental generations were exposed over 9 months to these phytoestrogens and their offspring were exposed via gestation and lactation. Parents and their offspring were sampled 21 days after the birth of the kits. Sex hormone levels, sperm quality, organ weights, and development of the kits were examined. The exposed females were heavier than the control females at the 1st postnatal day (PND). The control kits were heavier than the exposed kits from the 1st to the 21st PND. Phytoestrogens did not affect the organ weights of the adult minks, but the relative testicular weight of the exposed kits was higher than in the control kits. The relative prostate weight was higher and the relative uterine weight lower in the beta-sitosterol-exposed kits than in the control kits. Moreover, the plasma dihydrotestosterone levels were lower in the genistein-exposed male kits compared to the control male kits. This study could not explain the mechanisms behind these alterations. The results indicate that perinatal phytoestrogen exposures cause alterations in the weight of the reproductive organs of the mink kits.     

Phytosterols act as endocrine and metabolic disruptors in the European polecat (Mustela putorius).

Phytosterols or plant sterols (PS) are consumed as natural remedies and margarines by the general population in developed countries to lower elevated serum cholesterol levels. They are also present in high concentrations in pulp mill effluents. The aim of the study was to screen the endocrine and metabolic parameters of the European polecat (Mustela putorius) for the effects of PS. The results showed an increase in the plasma estradiol and TH levels with no effects on the hypophyseal regulatory hormones. The plasma ghrelin levels decreased. PS also affected intermediary metabolism. The liver glycogen content increased as did the kidney glucose-6-phosphatase activity. The liver lipase esterase activity, on the other hand, decreased due to PS. In serum lipids the total cholesterol did not change, but the low-density lipoprotein levels increased and the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio decreased. PS had widespread previously unreported effects on the physiology of the polecat. The multiple effects indicate the need of a thorough risk assessment of the effects and interactions of PS.     

A preliminary investigation into light-modulated replication of nanobacteria and heart disease

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the effect of various wavelengths of light on nanobacteria (NB). BACKGROUND DATA: NB and mitochondria use light for biological processes. NB have been described as multifunctional primordial nanovesicles with the potential to utilize solar energy for replication. NB produce slime, a process common to living bacteria. Slime release is an evolutionary important stress-dependent phenomenon increasing the survival chance of individual bacteria in a colony. In the cardiovascular system, stress-induced bacterial colony formation may lead to a deposition of plaque. METHODS: Cultured NB were irradiated with NASA-LEDs at different wavelengths of light: 670, 728 and 880 nm. Light intensities were about 500k Wm(-2), and energy density was 1 x 10(4) J m(-2). RESULTS: Monochromatic light clearly affected replication of NB. Maximum replication was achieved at 670 nm. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that suitable wavelengths of light could be instrumental in elevating the vitality level of NB, preventing the production of NB-mediated slime, and simultaneously increasing the vitality level of mitochondria. The finding could stimulate the design of cooperative therapy concepts that could reduce death caused by myocardial infarcts.     

Characterization of androgen-regulated expression of CYP3A5 in human prostate

Testosterone is needed for the growth and development of the prostate. Androgen deprivation therapy is used for the treatment of prostate cancer. CYP3A5 is a human drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzyme that metabolizes testosterone to the inactive 6beta-hydroxylated metabolite. We identified CYP3A5 as a novel androgen-regulated gene in human prostate by GeneChip analysis of human prostate tissues obtained from patients 3 days after therapeutic castration and from control patients. We further showed androgen induction of CYP3A5 messenger RNA (mRNA) in LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. Immunoblotting studies revealed CYP3A5 protein expression in all prostate samples studied. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization was used for localization of CYP3A5 expression in prostate tissue. CYP3A5 was detected both in luminal and in basal epithelial cells of human prostate. Androgen response element was identified in the CYP3A5 proximal promoter and in electrophoretic mobility shift assay androgen receptor was found to bind this element. Androgen induction was abolished by mutation of the response element. We suggest that CYP3A5 is a part of an autoregulatory feedback loop controlling prostate cell exposure to androgens.     

Psychosocial Nursing in Radiotherapy Cancer Wards in Finland

Abstract. In this study the specialized nurses, nurse generalists and practical nurses working in radiotherapy cancer wards in Finland are estimating their capabilities for responding to the psychosocial needs of cancer patients. The methods they use to respond to their patients and the results achieved are also estimated. Details were also elicited of the barriers to the provision of high standard nursing which these people perceived. The length of education correlated significantly with the estimated capabilities of nursing personnel to meet the psychosocial needs of the cancer patients. The practical nurses estimated their capabilities to be in all respects at a lower level than did the nurse generalists and specialized nurses.     

IN VIVO EFFECTS OF BISPHENOL A ON THE POLECAT ( MUSTELA PUTORIUS )

Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental estrogen derived from the plastic industry, was given orally via incorporation into the food of 30 male and female polecats at 3 different doses (10, 50, or 250 mg/kg body weight/day) for 2 wk with 10 animals acting as controls. Several hormone levels in the plasma were determined as well as the activities of the phase I and II biotransformation enzymes 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST), and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT). BPA did not cause any macroscopic effects on body mass or the health of the animals. UDPGT and GST activities increased significantly in direct correlation with increasing BPA exposure in females and UDPGT increased in a dose-related manner in males. There was no change in the plasma T4 and testosterone concentrations of the males with increasing BPA exposure. Discriminant analysis indicated that the group receiving 10 mg BPA/kg body weight/d was not different from the control group but the groups receiving 50 and 250 mg/kg body weight/d were different from the control group. This suggests physiological changes in the groups receiving 50 or 250 mg BPA/kg body weight/d.     

Plant stanol esters are potentially cost-effective in the prevention of coronary heart disease in men: Bayesian modelling approach.

BACKGROUND: Plant stanol esters in spreads have demonstrated efficacy in reducing serum cholesterol. The cost-effectiveness of plant stanol esters in the prevention of coronary heart disease, however, has remained unevaluated. DESIGN: A Bayesian modelling approach was applied to synthesize clinical evidence and evaluate the cost-effectiveness (Euro/quality-adjusted life years) of plant stanol esters in spread in the prevention of coronary heart disease based on published FINRISK and 4S risk functions. RESULTS: The regular use of plant stanol esters reduced total serum cholesterol by -0.362 mmol/l [95% credibility interval (CrI) -0.31 to -0.41]. The corresponding placebo-adjusted reduction attributable to stanol esters when combined with statin was -0.385 mmol/l (95% CrI -0.18 to -0.61). The cost-effectiveness estimations were assessed for men and women separately at four different initial ages at which the regular use of stanol esters was assumed to be started. The base case cost per quality-adjusted life years gained by using stanol esters regularly ranged from 7436 to 20,999 Euro in men and from 34,327 to 112,151 Euro in women based on the initial starting age. According to uncertainty analysis, there is over a 90% probability that the use of plant stanol esters is cost-effective for men inclusively and for 60-year-old and older women assuming that decision-makers' maximum willingness to pay per quality-adjusted life year is 50,000 Euro. CONCLUSIONS: A recommendation that plant stanol ester-containing spreads be used as a part of daily diet replacing regular spread could be viewed as potentially cost-effective public health policy in the prevention of CHD in all adult men and in older age-groups of women with total serum cholesterol levels of 5 mmol/l or greater.     

Human brain tissue microarrays as a platform to investigate diseases of the nervous system

We constructed tissue microarray (TMA) blocks containing post-mortem human brain tissue from subjects with clinically and neuropathologically verified Alzheimer's disease (AD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy, Lewy body disease, multisystem atrophy (MSA) as well as an age matched control. Fifteen donor blocks were merged into two TMA blocks containing 72, 2-mm punch core samples with representative brain regions generally affected in degenerative disorders. Hyperphosphorylated-gamma, alpha-synuclein and beta-amyloid-related pathologies were estimated. The diseases were easily recognized by evaluating the two TMA sections and the results assessing TMA sections were comparable with the assessment of the whole brain sections. The assessment of TMA sections revealed concomitant multifocal alpha-synuclein pathology in AD, mild tau-involvement in the case of MSA and a slight AD-type pathology in the case of CBD. These findings emphasize the importance of searching for a variety of pathologies in "the whole brain" rather than restricting the examination to a few vulnerable regions. Furthermore, the TMA methodology clearly reduced the number of sections needed for evaluating the whole brain, it increased the amount of research material generated and furthermore no detailed neuroanatomical knowledge was required for assessment of data.     

Morphological analysis of sinus and retrograde atrial waves detected through a permanent pacemaker atrial lead

Aims  

The main objective of this study was to characterize morphological differences between sinus and retrograde atrial waves.