Pet ownership and survival of European older adults

With pet ownership on the rise, millions of individuals are exposed to this environmental exposure. Although the subject has been largely studied, more evidence is needed to clarify the potential association of pet ownership with human health. The aim of this research is to study the potential association of pet exposure (any pet, cat, dog, bird, fish) with all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality of older (≥ 50 years) European residents. To this end, a total of 23,274 participants from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were employed (median follow-up 119 months). All-cause mortality (5163 events), as well as cardiovascular (CVD) (1832 events), and cancer mortality (1346 events) were examined using Cox Proportional Hazards models for their relation with pet exposure at baseline. Stratified analyses were also performed by gender and for single or multi-person households. No significant association was observed for any of the pets with all-cause mortality on the whole sample and the fully adjusted models. In stratified analyses, bird exposure significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality in women [Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.23; 95% CI 1.04–1.44] as well as women living alone (HR=1.38; 95% CI 1.02–1.85). Cause-specific models revealed an increased risk of death for women bird owners for causes other than cancer and CVD (HR=1.40; 95% CI 1.05–1.99). In conclusion, bird ownership may be negatively associated with survival of older women in Europe.     

Effect of Titanium Surface Texture on the Cell-Biomaterial Interface

To improve the in vivo performance of engineered implants, this study examines the independent effects of surface chemistry and topography on fibroblast morphology and density in vitro. Titanium (Ti) was sputter-coated onto smooth and microtextured polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Test specimens were evaluated in 24-h, fibroblast cultures and assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for cellular morphology and density. Fibroblast density increased, as the Ti film thickness increased. The fibroblasts exhibited contact guidance on the textured test specimens. The greatest cellular density was found on the Ti-coated, textured test specimens. In conclusion, Ti and surface texture appeared to strongly influence fibroblast density and morphology as compared to PET and smooth surfaces.     

Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Zoo Wildlife and Pet Birds in Fujian,China

Background:

Toxoplasmosis, a worldwide zoonotic disease, is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The distribution of genetic diversity of T. gondii in wild animals is of great importance to understand the transmission of the parasite in the environment. However, little is known about T. gondii prevalence in wild animals and birds in China.

Methods:

We conducted the genetic characterization of T. gondii isolated from Zoo Wild Animals and Pet Birds in Fujian Province, Southeastern China. Heart tissues were collected from 45 zoo animals and 140 pet birds. After identified using B1 gene, the genetic diversity of T. gondii isolates were typed at 11 genetic markers, including SAG1, 5’ and 3’-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3.

Results:

Seven of 45 zoo animals and 3 of 140 pet birds were positive by PCR amplification using T. gondii B1 gene specific primers. Of these positive isolates, 3 isolates from Black-capped (Cebus apella), Peacock (Peafowl) and Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) were successfully genotyped at 11 genetic loci, and grouped to three distinct genotypes: ToxoDB Genotype #9, #2 and #10, respectively.

Conclusion:

This is the first genotyping of T. gondii isolated from zoo wild animals and pet birds in Fujian, China. There is a potential risk for the transmission of this parasite through zoo wild animals and pet birds in this region.     

99m Tc-Sestamibi SPECT is a Useful Technique for Viability Detection. Results of a Comparison with NH 3 /FDG PET

Objective - Assessment of myocardial viability by 99m Tc-Sestamibi Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT) has been suggested as a more readily available and cheaper alternative to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with 13 N-ammonia (NH 3 ) and 18 F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG). We hypothesized that a semi-quantitative evaluation by SPECT could delineate myocardial viability with an acceptable concordance to PET. Design - Fifty patients (age 57 &#45 7 years; ejection fraction 28 &#45 8%), with ischemic cardiomyopathy, underwent SPECT and PET imaging in random order. Viability by SPECT was defined as a defect size <50% of the segment area, or a defect representing &#83 50% of the segment but with a mean activity &#83 50% of peak activity. PET viability was defined as a perfusion score >2 and FDG score &#104 2 (five-point scale, 0 = normal, 4 = absent activity). Results - By segmental comparison to PET, SPECT yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 82% for detection of viable myocardium. The positive and negative predictive values were 96% and 58%, respectively. Conclusion - In patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy 99m Tc-Sestamibi SPECT can delineate viable myocardium with an acceptable segmental concordance to NH 3 /FDG PET.     

在瑞典宠爱养鸟与肺癌危险性的探讨

目的：调查瑞典养鸟与肺癌危险性的联系。研究设计：肺癌病例与社区对照组的病例对照研究，由两位经过特殊训练的护士进行调查。调查地区：瑞典西南地区三所医院。病例：全部为新近诊断的肺癌病例，年龄最大７５岁，居住于Ｇｏｔｈｅｎｂｕｒｇ，Ｂｏｈｕｓ及Ａｌｖｓｂｏｒｇ三个城市的２６个社区。对照组配对条件：从人口登记资料中选出同性别、年龄相近和同一居住地点的居民。养鸟情况：肺癌病例３８０人（男２５２，女１２８），对照组６９６人（男４３３，女２６３）。探讨的主要问题：探讨养鸟与否和养鸟年限与肺癌的ＯＲ值。结果：家中曾养鸟和未养鸟的调整ＯＲ值男性为０．９４（９５％ＣＩ＝０．６４～１．３９），女性为１．１０（９５％ＣＩ＝０．６４～１．９０）。未见到养鸟年限增加有肺癌危险性增加的倾向。结论：瑞典家中养鸟对男、女肺癌危险性并无影响     

PET scan evaluation of thymic mass after autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation in an adult with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

We report the case of a 31-year-old man with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma successfully treated with chemotherapy who showed mediastinal widening 5 months after autologous stem-cell transplantation. CT scan and PET evaluations were consistent with the diagnosis of benign thymic hyperplasia. Because of the rapid and aggressive course of this type of lymphoma, and the progressive widening of the mass at CT scan, we performed a mediastinal biopsy that confirmed these findings, showing normal thymic tissue. This is the first case of benign thymic hyperplasia defined with FDG-PET and confirmed by histologic evaluation.     

Design and synthesis of fluorine‐18 labeled matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors for cancer imaging

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key enzymes involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. New ¹⁸F‐labeled MMP inhibitors ( 1a–c ) has been designed and synthesized for cancer imaging by positron emmision tomography. The precursors were synthesized in four steps starting from D ‐form of amino acids. Radiosynthesis of 1a–c were carried out by simple one‐pot synthesis. The resulting radiofluorinated MMP inhibitors were obtained in overall radiochemical yields of 13–43% (EOB, decay corrected) within 60–70 min (including final preparative HPLC separation). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

宠物对人类健康的潜在威胁

宠物是多种人兽共患病病原的宿主和传播媒介,由于传统宠物、另类宠物和进口宠物的增多,宠物来源的感染性疾病有了高发的趋势。本文总结了狗、猫、啮齿类、鸟类、鱼和爬行类宠物可能带有的人兽共患病病原,引发的疾病和传播途径。并概括了防控宠物源性感染性疾病的防控措施。     

贵州省麻江县饲养宠物村民肺功能调查

目的分析宠物饲养对贵州省麻江县97名村民肺功能的影响,为初步探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)的可能影响因素提供临床资料。方法在贵州麻江农村收集97名村民的信息资料,询问宠物饲养等情况,检测肺功能,分析宠物饲养对肺功能的影响。结果饲养宠物10年以上(含10年)和10年以下村民FEV1、FEV1/FVC(%)差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论宠物饲养对肺功能有损害作用,可降低FEV1/FVC(%),因此可能是COPD等疾病的诱发因素。