Association of three single nucleotide polymorphisms of the E-cadherin gene with endometriosis in a Chinese population

Endometriosis, one of the most frequent diseases in gynecology, is a benign but invasive and metastatic disease. The altered expression of E-cadherin may play an important role in developing endometriosis. In this paper, we discuss the association of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the E-cadherin gene and risk of endometriosis. We examined the genotype frequency of three polymorphisms in 152 endometriosis patients and 189 control women. There was a significant difference in the frequency of the E-cadherin 3'-UTR C --> T genotypes between endometriosis and controls (P = 0.01). The frequency of the C allele in patients (71.1%) was significantly higher than in the controls (63.8%; P = 0.04). When compared with the T/T + T/C genotypes, the C/C genotype had a significantly increased susceptibility to endometriosis, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.79 (95% confidence interval = 1.17-2.76). No significant difference was found between endometriosis and control women on two polymorphisms (-160 C --> A, -347 G --> GA) at the gene promoter region of E-cadherin. The -160 C --> A and -347 G --> GA polymorphisms displayed linkage disequilibrium (D' = 0.999). The -160 A/-347 GA haplotype was only detected in endometriosis patients (2%). These data show a relation between the E-cadherin 3'-UTR C --> T polymorphism, the -160 A/-347 GA haplotype of two promoter polymorphisms and risk of endometriosis, suggesting a potential role in endometriosis development, at least in North Chinese women.     

Evaluation of clinical parameters and estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms for patients with endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is especially found in women with subfertility problems with an incidence of up to 30%. The disease is considered an estrogen-dependent disorder, where DNA polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) in connection with endometriosis are controversially discussed. From a German population of women, clinical data associated with the disease, including the American Fertility Society (AFS) I-IV classification, and non-clinical parameters were evaluated statistically in endometriosis patients (n = 98) and in control women (n = 98) without endometriosis. Using a multivariate statistical analysis, significant associations of endometriosis with dysmenorrhea (P < 0.001) and allergies against medicaments (P = 0.042) were found. A positive trend between first grade family history of endometriosis and allergies against medicaments was also observed, suggesting a genetic relationship. From both collectives, DNA from peripheral blood was analyzed for the frequency of the ERalpha DNA polymorphisms Xba1 (A/G) and PvuII (T/C) in intron 1 and the ERalpha exonic DNA polymorphism (G229A) with an amino acid exchange (Gly77Ser) in the transactivation domain. DNA samples from endometriosis lesions and control tissues from the same collectives were also analyzed for the exonic G229A polymorphism. Only homozygote wild-type alleles for the polymorphism G229A were found, making it a rare polymorphism in mid-European individuals. Allele types for the PvuII and Xba1 polymorphisms were analyzed with the observed statistically significant clinical parameters and showed no significant association with endometriosis; however a trend with AFS IV was noted, which could contribute to lesion severity. In conclusion, the analyzed polymorphisms in the ERalpha do not have a functional role concerning specific clinical parameters associated with endometriosis.     

Predicting Internal Temperature of Canned Foods During Thermal Processing using a Linear Recursive Model

A linear recursive model was developed to represent the heat transfer inside a can during sterilization in a retort. The model was analogous to those used in system identification theory, and could also be viewed as a generalization of Ball's classical approach, the basic hypothesis was the linearity of the heat transfer process. A major interest of the model is the possibility to identify heat transfer characteristics of a product on one test experiment, and subsequently use them for prediction; the model also overcomes most difficulties encountered by Ball's method.     

Gluten-related disorders: Celiac disease,wheat allergy,and nonceliac gluten sensitivity

Abstract

The consumption of gluten-free products is becoming an increased alimentary habit in the general population. The scientific unfounded perception suggesting that the avoidance of gluten would improve health or that gluten could be toxic for humans are fostering medically unjustified adherences to a gluten-free diet. Currently, only patients diagnosed with celiac disease are advised to follow a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. In the same way, patients diagnosed with IgE-mediated wheat allergy must avoid exposure to wheat in any form. In that context, a third disorder, called nonceliac gluten sensitivity, characterized by distress after gluten consumption and in which neither celiac disease nor IgE-mediated allergy plays a role, has gained increased attention in the last years. Although important scientific advances have been made in the understanding of the pathologic mechanisms behind nonceliac gluten sensitivity, this disorder is still a matter of active debate in the scientific community. In the present review, the most recent advances in the immunopathology, diagnostic biomarkers and susceptibility determinants of gluten-related diseases are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, an updated overview of the new potential therapies that are currently underway for the treatment of gluten-related disorders is also provided.     

Do small lapses predict relapse to smoking behavior under bupropion treatment?

Although bupropion is known to be an effective aid to smoking cessation, little is known about its mode of action. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that bupropion reduces the likelihood that a smoking lapse, or slip, leads to a subsequent relapse. This hypothesis was tested in the context of a clinical trial of bupropion as a smoking cessation aid, using Cox regression and representing lapse history as a discrete time-varying covariate. Bupropion treatment reduced the probability of relapse during the treatment phase (hazard ratio, or HR=.421, p< or =.000) but not during the follow-up phase (end of treatment to 6 months, HR=.896, p< or=.67). As anticipated, having small lapses during treatment contributed to or predicted subsequent relapse, both during treatment (HR=2.897, p< or =.000) and during follow-up (HR=2.320, p< or=.008). Although an interaction was found between drug treatment and lapse history in predicting subsequent failure during the treatment phase, the finding suggested that drug slightly increased the effect of lapse on eventual failure during treatment (HR=1.706, p相似文献   

The relationship between microvessel density, proliferative activity and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and its receptors in eutopic endometrium and endometriotic lesions

Studies were performed to elucidate the possible relationship between microvessel density, proliferative activity and angiogenesis in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis and peritoneal endometriotic lesions. The question whether changes in these parameters in endometriotic lesions were reflected by the level of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in serum and peritoneal fluid was also studied. Biopsy specimens of both eutopic endometrium and peritoneal endometriotic lesions from women with endometriosis (n = 25) as well as eutopic endometrium from women without endometriosis (n = 14) were analysed immunohistochemically regarding microvessel density, proliferative activity, and expression of VEGF-A and its receptors vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2) in stroma, glands and blood vessels. The VEGF-A concentration was measured in peritoneal fluid and serum. Secretory phase eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis had significantly higher microvessel density, expression of VEGF-A in glandular epithelium and VEGFR-2 in endometrial blood vessels than those from women without endometriosis. Endometriotic lesions with high proliferative activity had a higher microvessel density and showed higher vascular expression of VEGFR-2 as well as being accompanied by higher levels of VEGF-A in peritoneal fluid and serum, compared with lesions with low proliferative activity. In conclusion, there seems to be a dysregulation of angiogenic activity in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis and endometriotic lesions with high proliferative activity were accompanied by higher local angiogenic activity and higher levels of VEGF in serum and peritoneal fluid.     

Abiotic degradation of hexahydro-l,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and black carbon.

We report that hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) was rapidly destroyed by sulfides in the presence of black carbon, forming nitrite and formaldehyde, rather than toxic nitrosated reduction products. Although traditionally viewed as inactive sorbents, black carbons have been noted to participate in the destruction of certain contaminants, such as azo dyes, via quinonoid groups. However, in our experiments sulfide modification of quinones did not seem to be involved. Although at least 1.2 mM sulfides were needed for the reaction to proceed, abiotic natural attenuation of RDX in marine sediments may occur, because these concentrations are found in certain marine sediments, together with black carbon. In the absence of natural black carbons, synthetic black carbons, such as activated carbon, may be added to sediments. As compared with other in situ techniques, such as bioremediation and zero-valent iron cutoff trenches, which often generate nitrosated byproducts, this in situ, abiotic technique may be an attractive alternative.     

Are there ‘basic’ tastes?

Although it is widely accepted that there are only four tastes (or five, including umami), this idea lacks logical rigor, empirical confirmation and functional utility in either theoretical or applied domains. Possible definitions of ‘basic tastes’ and alternatives to the ‘four basic tastes’ hypothesis are considered. Research limitations that arise as a result of the acceptance of the four basic tastes hypothesis are discussed, and an example of how this hypothesis can distort data is given.     

An in situ hybridization study of the effects of artificial insemination on the localization of cells expressing MHC class II mRNA in the chicken oviduct

Periglandular fibrosis and cystic dilation of uterine glands are associated with equine endometriosis. The presence of extracellular matrix proteins (collagen type I, III and IV, laminin and fibronectin) in healthy and endometriotic specimens was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. The distribution of collagen I, but not collagen III, was dependent on the stage of the oestrous cycle. The arrangement of collagen I and collagen III in endometriotic specimens was similar to that in normal endometrium. In periglandular fibrosis, collagen IV, laminin and fibronectin deposition outside the basement membrane was observed. In these regions, stromal cells were characterized immunohistochemically as myofibroblasts because of their expression of a-smooth muscle actin, and occasionally tropomyosin and desmin. Periglandular differentiation of contractile cells could be interpreted as a reaction to support the extrusion of secretions in cystic dilated glands. Moreover, the changes of extracellular matrix proteins are characteristic for neoplastic lesions, although further development of endometriosis to benign or malignant tumours is not known in horses. Knowledge of the factors responsible for these fibroblastic modulations may be the key to explaining the pathogenesis of endometriosis.     

Application of the Central Limit Theorem in microbial risk assessment: high number of servings reduces the Coefficient of Variation of food-borne burden-of-illness

The Central Limit Theorem (CLT) is proposed as a means of understanding microbial risk in foods from a Public Health perspective. One variant of the CLT states that as the number of random variables, each with a finite mean and variance, increases (→∞), the distribution of the sum (or mean) of those variables approximates a normal distribution. On the basis of the CLT, the hypothesis introduced by this paper states that the Coefficient of Variation (CV) of the annual number of food-borne illness cases decreases as a result of a larger number of exposures (or servings) (n). Second-order Monte-Carlo analysis and classical statistics were used to support the hypothesis, based on existing risk models on Listeria monocytogenes in deli meat products focused on elderly people in the United States. Likewise, the hypothesis was tested on epidemiological data of annual incidence of salmonellosis and listeriosis in different countries (i.e. different n). Although different sources of error affected the accuracy of the results, both the Monte-Carlo analysis (in silico) and epidemiological data (in vivo), especially for salmonellosis, demonstrated that the CV of the annual number of cases decreased as n increased as stated by the CLT. Furthermore, results from this work showed that classical statistical methods can be helpful to provide reliable risk estimates based on simple and well-established statistical principles.     

Kalman滤波在上证综指预测中的应用

基于股票市场的随机波动性和卡尔曼滤波的动态跟踪特性,将上证综指收盘点数的变化过程看作是一个动力学系统,建立上证综指收盘点数的状态空间模型。应用Kalman滤波理论对上证综指收盘点数进行预报,并针对2010年2月3日至2010年3月25日共计32个历史数据,利用MATLAB软件进行计算机仿真,给出了具体预报结果,结果表明,Kalman滤波方法对上证综指的预报是有效的,并具有简便、快速等特点。     

The effects of ergot and non-ergot-derived dopamine agonists in an experimental mouse model of endometriosis

Implantation of a retrogradely shed endometrium during menstruation requires an adequate blood supply, which allows the growth of endometriotic lesions. This suggests that the development of endometriosis can be impaired by inhibiting angiogenesis. The growth of endometriotic foci is impaired by commercial oncological antiangiogenic drugs used to block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. The dopamine agonist cabergoline (Cb2) inhibits the growth of established endometriosis lesions by exerting antiangiogenic effects through VEGFR2 inactivation. However, the use of ergot-derived Cb2 is associated with an increased incidence of cardiac valve regurgitation. To evaluate the potential usage of non-ergot-derived dopamine agonists for the treatment of human endometriosis, we compared the efficacy of quinagolide with that of Cb2 in preventing angiogenesis and vascularization in a heterologous mouse model of endometriosis. Nude mice whose peritoneum had been implanted with eutopic human endometrial fragments were treated with vehicle, 50 μg/kg per day oral Cb2, or 50 or 200 μg/kg per day quinagolide during a 14-day period. At the end of the treatment period, the implants were excised in order to assess lesion size, cell proliferation, degree of vascularization, and angiogenic gene expression. Neoangiogenesis was inhibited and the size of active endometriotic lesions, cellular proliferation index, and angiogenic gene expression were significantly reduced by both dopamine agonists when compared with the placebo. Given that Cb2 and quinagolide were equally effective in inhibiting angiogenesis and reducing lesion size, these experiments provide the rationale for pilot studies to explore the use of non-ergot-derived dopamine agonists for the treatment of endometriosis in humans.     

Urinary concentrations of benzophenone-type UV filters in U.S. women and their association with endometriosis

Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters are widely used in a variety of personal care products for the protection of skin and hair from UV irradiation. Despite the estrogenic potencies of BP derivatives, few studies have examined the occurrence of these compounds in human matrices. Furthermore, associations among exposure to these compounds and estrogen-dependent diseases (such as endometriosis) have not been examined previously. In this study, we determined the concentrations of five BP derivatives, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2OH-4MeO-BP), 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (2,4OH-BP), 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2,2'OH-4MeO-BP), 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (2,2',4,4'OH-BP), and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4OH-BP), in urine collected from 625 women in Utah and California, using liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The association of urinary concentrations of BP derivatives with an increase in the odds of a diagnosis of endometriosis was examined in 600 women who underwent laparoscopy/laparotomy (n = 473: operative cohort) or pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (n = 127: population cohort), during 2007-2009. 2OH-4MeO-BP, 2,4OH-BP, and 4OH-BP respectively were detected in 99.0%, 93.3%, and 83.8% of the urine samples analyzed, whereas the detection rates for 2,2',4,4'OH-BP and 2,2'OH-4MeO-BP were below 6.0%. Significant regional differences (higher concentrations in California) and monthly variations (higher concentrations in July and August) were found for urinary concentrations of 2OH-4MeO-BP and 2,4OH-BP. In addition, urinary concentrations of 2OH-4MeO-BP and 2,4OH-BP tended to be higher in more affluent, older, and leaner women. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the urinary concentrations of BP derivatives and the odds of an endometriosis diagnosis; ORs increased across quartiles of 2OH-4MeO-BP and 2,4OH-BP concentrations, but a significant trend was observed only between 2,4OH-BP and the odds of an endometriosis diagnosis in the operative cohort (OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.41). When women in the highest quartile of 2,4OH-BP concentrations were compared with women in the first three quartiles, the OR increased considerably (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.53). Given that 2,4OH-BP possesses an estrogenic activity higher than that of 2OH-4MeO-BP, our results invite the speculation that exposure to elevated 2,4OH-BP levels may be associated with endometriosis.     

Effects of nicotine on affect are moderated by stressor proximity and frequency, positive alternatives, and smoker status

The Situation x Trait Adaptive Response (STAR) model hypothesizes that nicotine reduces negative and enhances positive affect to a greater degree in situations involving internally driven attention, as when stressor stimuli are distal (past or future), thereby allowing nicotine-primed biasing of attentional processing away from negative and toward positive stimuli. To test this hypothesis, the effects of nicotine were assessed in 64 smokers and 64 never-smokers, half of whom viewed emotionally negative pictures in a no-choice picture attention task that required them to focus on the picture stressors. The other half viewed the same stimuli in a two-choice picture attention task that presented stressor pictures in one visual field and simultaneously presented positive or neutral pictures in the other visual field. Participants received a nicotine patch during one session and a placebo patch during the other session. Nicotine modulated affect only in smokers. In smokers, compared with placebo, nicotine patch reduced negative affect more during the distal periods (between stressors) than during actual stressor exposure and in women reduced negative affect more when the proportion of negative stimuli was low. Nicotine also enhanced positive affect more during distal than proximal stressors. Nicotine tended to reduce eye-gaze at negative pictures, especially when the alternative picture was positive. The overall findings are consistent with the view that nicotine biases attention away from negative stimuli when equally salient positive or benign stimuli are present.     

SECONDARY METABOLISM AS DIFFERENTIATION

Secondary metabolism is the biosynthesis, transformation, and degradation of a wide array of natural products. These low molecular weight organic compounds are generally produced at a restricted phase of the life cycle, often in association with differentiated morphological structures. No unified theory to explain the function of secondary metabolism in the producing organism has been accepted, however one hypothesis that has received widespread attention views secondary metabolites as initiatiors or coordinators of spore formation. A review of the literature indicates that there is ample experimental evidence to nullify this hypothesis. Although secondary metabolite production is often correlated with morphological differentiation, it is not the cause of it. Cellular and chemical differentiation can both be comprehended as different aspects of biological diversification, mediated by Darwinian evolutionary forces.     

Effects of N′-N-(1, 8-Naphthalyl) hydroxylamine (NHA-Na) and hydroxynaphthalimide (NHA-H) on boron leachability and biological degradation of wood

Although boron wood preservatives have many advantages, boron itself does not adequately protect wood in ground contact and exterior applications because its susceptibility to leaching. As a result of previous studies to limit or decrease boron leaching, several fixation systems have been developed. In this study, we evaluated the effects of N′-N-(1, 8-Naphthalyl) hydroxylamine (NHA-Na) and hydroxynaphthalimide (NHA-H) on boron leaching and decay and termite resistance via possible boron precipitation in wood after NHA treatments at varying concentrations. Results showed that treatment of wood blocks with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT), boric acid (BA), or calcium tetraborate (CaB) incorporation with 1.0% NHA-Na solutions in sequential processes appears to somewhat reduce the susceptibility of boron to leaching. Blocks treated sequentially with boron compounds and then 1.0% NHA-Na solutions showed about 30% less boron leaching compared to boron only treated blocks. In addition, the existence of boron and NHA-Na in wood together showed a synergistic effect against brown-rot fungus, Fomitopsis palustris. We conclude that the relationship between boron and NHA-Na concentration in wood as regards precipitation possibilities appears to be predictive for reducing boron leachability.     

Post-adolescent acne

Although acne has traditionally been viewed as predominantly affecting adolescents, a significant and growing body of literature suggests an adult (i.e. post-adolescent) form of the disease. This review summarizes selected publications on post-adolescent acne, and discusses possible causes and treatment options. Recent epidemiological studies show that there appears to be an increase in post-adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties. There is good agreement that, unlike teenage acne, where males tend to show the most severe forms of the disease, post-adolescent acne mainly affects females (the lesions are frequently perioral and occur premenstrually) and that there are two forms of the disease. The terms 'persistent' and 'late onset' are now generally accepted as describing these two types. The causes of post-adolescent acne remain to be fully elucidated and hormones, colonization by resistant bacteria and the use of cosmetics have been put forward and debated in the literature. Additionally, some clues to the cause of post-adolescent acne may be gleaned from an individual's response to therapy. Perhaps one of the most intriguing explanations for the increase in this disease is the proposed relationship between increasing stress levels, androgen hormones and increasing levels of acne found in women in fast paced jobs.     

Studies on Physicochemical,Pasting Characteristics and Amylolytic Susceptibility of Starch from Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Grains

Preparation, physicochemical properties, pasting behavior and amylolytic susceptibility of sorghum starch have been investigated. The yield of starch was about 60.25%, on whole grain basis. The starch exhibited double stage swelling and low solubility pattern in an aqueous system. Viscoamylographic studies on pasting behaviour of the starch revealed a peak viscosity of 800 B. U. at 8% (w/v) concentration; however, it decreased considerably during cooking (viz. holding period of 30 min at 93°C). The amylose content of the starch was 23.45%. The gelatinization temperature range was found to be 68.5–72.5–78.5°C. The results indicated that the native starch hydrolyzed to a limited extent by human salivary α-amylase and glucoamylase as compared to gelatinized starch. In addition, the mode of attack by amylolytic enzymes on the native starch granules viewed by SEM has been studied in detail.     

Modeling of polychlorinated biphenyl removal from contaminated soil using steam

Microwave-generated steam technology shows promise as an effective remediation alternative for removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated soils, based on our laboratory-scale experiments. The overall process can be described by a nonisothermal, unsteady, coupled heat and multicomponent PCB mass-transport model in a multiphase, variably saturated, porous soil medium. In this paper, a multicomponent PCB mass-transport model is presented that assumes evaporation is an important removal mechanism and that is based on first-order mass transfer between the interface of PCB films and the bulk steam. The model was calibrated using the experimental data, and the calibrated model was verified by computational mass-balance checks and comparisons with laboratory-scale column experimental results. From a qualitative point of view, the calibrated model successfully simulated the transport of PCBs in variably saturated soil media. The calculated increase/decrease factors of physicochemical properties of PCBs as a function of temperature in the soil, water, and free phases were consistent with the model hypothesis of an evaporation process. The effects of mass-transfer coefficients and initial PCB concentrations in the soils on PCB removal rates were investigated using the numerical code. It was determined that the PCB removal rates were sensitive to mass-transfer coefficients and initial PCB concentrations. Although the steam:soil mass ratios required to achieve a given percentage removal were lower for lower initial PCB soil concentrations, steam: soil mass ratios required to achieve a given unit mass removal were higherfor lower initial PCB soil concentrations.     

Pathogen-group specific association between CXCR1 polymorphisms and subclinical mastitis in dairy heifers

The chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 1 (CXCR1) gene encodes the homonymous receptor for interleukin 8 (IL8) on polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leucocytes (PMNL). Binding causes migration from blood to milk, activation and prolonged survival of PMNL, a crucial process in the innate immune defence of the bovine mammary gland against invading mastitis-causing pathogens. The main objective of this study was to screen the entire coding region of the CXCR1 gene for polymorphisms and to analyse their association with udder health of dairy heifers. One-hundred-and-forty Belgian Holstein heifers originating from 20 commercial dairy farms were genotyped by DNA sequencing. Detailed phenotypic data on udder health was available including quarter bacteriological culture results and somatic cell count (SCC) in early lactation and composite milk SCC during first lactation. In total, 16 polymorphisms (including 8 missense mutations) were detected. Polymorphism c.980A>G was associated with pathogen-group specific IMI: heifers with genotype AG were less likely to have an IMI due to major mastitis pathogens compared with heifers with genotype GG but did not have less IMI by coagulase-negative staphylococci, so-called minor pathogens. CXCR1 genotype was neither associated with quarter SCC in early lactation nor with composite SCC during lactation. Although mastitis susceptibility is influenced by many factors, some genetic polymorphisms potentially have major effects on udder health of heifers, as was shown here. These results trigger us to further study the relationship between CXCR1 polymorphisms and mastitis susceptibility in both observational and experimental trials.