The binding of blood-borne estrogens in normal vegetarian and omnivorous women and the risk of breast cancer

Serial blood samples were taken at two-hour intervals over a 24-hour period from 25 premenopausal vegetarians (12 vegans and 13 ovolactovegetarians) and from 21 omnivorous controls. All members of the former group had been on a vegetarian diet for a minimum of three years. The mean proportion of estradiol unbound to blood proteins was similar in both vegetarians (1.26%) and meat eaters (1.16%). However, the amount bound to albumin was significantly raised in vegetarians (50.1% vs. 43.1%, p less than 0.009), whereas that bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was correspondingly lower (48.7% vs. 55.8%, p = 0.01). Mean levels of SHBG were similar in vegetarians (59.9 nmole/l) and omnivores (62.0 nmole/l), as was the total amount of free fatty acid (0.42 mmole/l for both). Within the vegetarian group, no differences were detected between vegans and ovolactovegetarians.     

Insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein 3 is decreased in early-stage operable pre-menopausal breast cancer

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a potent mitogen for human breast-cancer cells in vitro. In circulation, most of IGF-1 is bound to IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). This high-affinity binding is thought to have an important limiting effect on the availability of IGF-1 for biological activity. To assess the availability of IGF-1 for receptor binding, we determined serum levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratios. In a case-control study, 150 women aged 38 to 75 years presenting with stage-l or-II breast cancer were investigated just prior to surgery (n = 76), or to irradiation one month after surgery (n = 74). The population-based control group consisted of 441 women of the same age having no breast cancer. Women reporting diabetes mellitus or other hormonal abnormalities were excluded. Premenopausal cases showed elevated IGF-1 serum concentrations, decreased IGFBP-3 levels and increased IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratios. The IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio was a significant breast-cancer risk factor, also after adjustment for age, family history, height, body-mass index, body-fat distribution, and serum levels of C-peptide. The relative risk was 7.34 for the highest compared with the lowest quintile of IGF-1/IGFBP-3. The presence or absence of tumor had no influence on these results. Increased levels of available IGF-1 in the circulation of pre-menopausal women may contribute to the development of breast cancer. © 1995 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

A new method to bind allergens for the measurement of specific IgE antibodies

BACKGROUND: Detection of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in patients' sera plays a key role for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy. If no validated test system is available, diagnostic tools must be developed, usually by coupling or binding the allergens to a solid phase. Streptavidin ImmunoCAP is a new solid phase for binding of allergens which can be used in the Pharmacia CAP system. OBJECTIVE: It was the aim of this study to assess the diagnostic validity of Streptavidin ImmunoCAP. METHODS: Biotinylation and allergen concentration for binding to Streptavidin ImmunoCAP were optimized and IgE obtained with natural rubber latex, obeche wood, wheat and rye flour Streptavidin ImmunoCAP were compared with the results of ImmunoCAP and Enzyme Allergo-Sorbent Test (EAST) using sera from patients complaining of workplace-related respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: While the relation of biotin-label and protein was critical (best results were obtained with a 5- fold molar excess), labelled protein for coupling to streptavidin ImmunoCAP was applicable in a wide concentration range. On average, IgE values with streptavidin ImmunoCAP were as high as with ImmunoCAP but considerably higher than values obtained by EAST. CONCLUSION: Streptavidin ImmunoCAP is a valuable tool for sensitive and specific measurement of IgE binding to new allergens superior to cellulose disk-based methods.     

Experience with the penile prosthesis and artificial urinary sphincter

The therapy of two common urologic problems, erectile dysfunction and urinary stress incontinence, has been revolutionized over the last 20 years by the incorporation of principles of hydraulic mechanics into the field of silicone prosthesis implantation. The inflatable penile prosthesis is surgically implanted into men with impotence due to organic or psychogenic etiology. The artificial urinary sphincter has found widespread use in males and females in both the adult and pediatric populations with stress incontinence from a variety of causes. Associated with these popular devices are various complications relating to the anatomic site as well as the host's immunologic response. The use of these implants, as well as the technologic innovations resulting from various adverse effects, are reviewed herein.     

Optical penalization can improve vision after occlusion treatment

BACKGROUND: Optical penalization (OP) has previously been shown to successfully maintain vision in amblyopic eyes of older children when patching compliance is poor and when vision decreases once patching is discontinued. This study shows that the final vision in optically penalized eyes is often better than the vision obtained after patching alone. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: During the 5-year period from January 1992 to February 1997, 28 children aged between 3.7 and 8.2 years (average age, 6.5+/-1.1 years) were optically penalized for an average of 1.5+/-0.75 years. The maximum length of penalization was 3.3 years, whereas the minimum time was 6 months. There were 21 children with strabismic amblyopia and 7 children with anisometropic amblyopia. All 28 children had worn a patch to achieve their best visual levels and then had shown a loss of best vision when occlusion was stopped. Patching was usually resumed and continued until the previous best vision was obtained; at this point OP was started to "maintain" vision. Eighteen of the 28 children have discontinued penalization and have been followed up an average of 1(1/2) years. RESULTS: Twenty-six (93%) of the 28 patients showed an increase in best vision from that found at the conclusion of patching, and 2 patients maintained their vision at the initial level. The average visual acuity at the start of penalization was 20/50 (0.42+/-0.11 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [log MAR]). Final average visual acuity was 20/27 (0.15+/-0.12 log MAR). The average increase in vision was nearly 3 lines or 0.27+/-0.12 log MAR. CONCLUSION: OP alone (without the use of pharmacologic agents such as atropine) not only maintains vision after patching therapy, but also appears to improve the final visual outcome.     

青霉素高产菌株的推理选育

目的：筛选一株优良的抗生素产生菌。方法：通过人为诱变来动摇产生菌原有的严密控制机制。结果：得到一种抗生素生物合成能力异常的突变株。结论：此方法可过量合成人们所期望的抗生素。     

盐酸特拉唑嗪胶囊的稳定性研究

目的：考察盐酸特拉唑嗪胶囊的稳定性。方法：通过影响因素(强光照射、高温、高温)，加速和留样考察实验，以含量为测定指标，考察胶囊的含量变化。结果：在温度40℃、60℃、光照3500LX及RH75％等因素影响下，胶囊的含量无明显变化。结论：在25℃时，通过经典恒温加速试验推测盐酸特拉唑嗪胶囊的失效期为2年。     

High-speed intravascular photoacoustic imaging at 1.7 μm with a KTP-based OPO

Lipid deposition inside the arterial wall is a hallmark of plaque vulnerability. Based on overtone absorption of C-H bonds, intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) catheter is a promising technology for quantifying the amount of lipid and its spatial distribution inside the arterial wall. Thus far, the clinical translation of IVPA technology is limited by its slow imaging speed due to lack of a high-pulse-energy high-repetition-rate laser source for lipid-specific first overtone excitation at 1.7 μm. Here, we demonstrate a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP)-based optical parametric oscillator with output pulse energy up to 2 mJ at a wavelength of 1724 nm and with a repetition rate of 500 Hz. Using this laser and a ring-shape transducer, IVPA imaging at speed of 1 frame per sec was demonstrated. Performance of the IVPA imaging system’s resolution, sensitivity, and specificity were characterized by carbon fiber and a lipid-mimicking phantom. The clinical utility of this technology was further evaluated ex vivo in an excised atherosclerotic human femoral artery with comparison to histology.OCIS codes: (140.3460) Lasers, (110.0110) Imaging systems, (110.5125) Photoacoustics, (170.5120) Photoacoustic imaging, (170.1610) Clinical applications