PCB Group Research Articles

Plantar Compartment Block Improves Enhanced Recovery after Hallux Valgus Surgery: A Randomized, Comparative, Double-blind Study.

Walking ability is a key factor in enhanced recovery after foot ambulatory surgery. Plantar compartment block offers an analgesic alternative to popliteal sciatic nerve block (PSNB) for hallux valgus surgery. The objective of this study was to compare these two regional anesthesia strategies on patients' ability to recover a painless unaided walk. This prospective double-blinded (patient; observing anesthesiologist) randomized study compared patients scheduled for hallux valgus surgery receiving PSNB with 1% mepivacaine, then combined plantar and peroneal nerve blocks (plantar compartment block [PCB] group) with ropivacaine 0.5% and dexamethasone, or PSNB with ropivacaine 0.5% and dexamethasone (control group). The primary outcome was the patient's ability to walk unaided 6 h after PSNB. The test was performed on a GAITRite, spatio-temporal gait analysis mat. For 3 days, the number of patient steps, pain levels, rescue analgesics, patient's experience, and adverse events were assessed. Sixty patients were included and 59 were analyzed. The number of patients walking unaided on the GAITRite mat was significantly higher in the PCB group (21 of 30, 70%) than in the control group (4 of 29, 13.8%; P < 0.001). Gait quality using the Functional Ambulation Profile score was 63 ± 13.6 in the PCB group and 49.5 ± 4.7 in the control group (P < 0.001). Median time to free ambulation at home was significantly lower in the PCB group (9 h [8.2 to 11.8]) than in the control group (33.5 h [24 to 47]; P < 0.001). Postoperative pain did not differ between the groups (β = -0.41 [-1.78 to 0.95]; P = 0.548). The number of steps on day 3, the time of first rescue analgesic, the number of patients using rescue analgesia, consumption of morphine, and patient's experience did not differ between the groups. PCB decreased the time to return to unaided walking, with improved gait, compared with PSNB, improving effective analgesia and low consumption of rescue analgesics. This innovative regional anesthesia strategy enhanced recovery after surgery.

IGLV3-21 R110 Is a Prognostic Marker for Early Stage CLL Patients Under Ibrutinib Treatment or Watch & Wait: Results from the Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled GCLLSG CLL12 Trial

INTRODUCTION: IGLV3-21 R110 is a point mutation that can confer the ability for autonomous signaling to B cell receptors (BCR) using light chains encoded by the allele IGLV3-21 ∗ 01 or IGLV3-21 ∗ 04. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with IGLV3-21 R110 have a shorter time to first treatment and shorter overall survival, independent of their IGHV mutational status. However, outcomes of CLL patients using IGLV3-21 R110 have not been evaluated in clinical trials of BTK inhibitors. METHODS: The CLL12 trial was a prospective, double-blind, randomized phase 3 trial that compared ibrutinib (ibr, n=182) vs. placebo (pcb, n=181) in previously untreated Binet A CLL patients with intermediate to very high risk, while low risk patients were assigned to watch &amp; wait (w&amp;w, n=152). The primary endpoint of the study was event-free survival (EFS) (event defined as death, symptomatic progression or initiation of CLL treatment), while overall survival (OS) was a secondary endpoint. The IGLV3-21 locus was sequenced via amplicon-based targeted next generation sequencing (tNGS) in 514 of 515 samples collected at enrolment. IGLV rearrangements and point mutations were detected with ScanIndel as well as IgCaller and the results of the genetic analyses were correlated with outcome. RESULTS: IGHV was unmutated (U-IGHV) in 148 (28.3%) patients (w&amp;w n=8, pcb n=70, ibr n=70) and 10 patients belonged to stereotyped B cell receptor (BCR) subset 2 (w&amp;w n=2, pcb n=1, ibr n=7). IGLV3-21 rearrangement was found in 34 of 514 patients (6.6%) and was more frequent in the intermediate/high risk groups (pcb n=16, ibr n=13) than in the low risk group (w&amp;w n=5). Twenty of 34 patients with IGLV3-21 rearrangement had an IGLV3-21 R110 mutation (w&amp;w n=3/5, pcb n=10/16, ibr n=7/13). For 5 patients with IGLV3-21 (3 pcb, 2 ibr) the mutational status for IGLV3-21 R110 could not be determined by tNGS. In the total cohort, IGLV3-21 R110 often co-occurred with mutations in SF3B1 (odds ratio 8.54, p &amp;lt; 0.001), but not with mutations in TP53 or any of the other frequently mutated genes in CLL. Conversely, SF3B1 mutations were not enriched in subset 2 patients (p = 0.165). Also, there was no association of IGLV3-21 R110 or IGLV3-21 usage in general with IGHV mutational status. At a median follow-up of 69.3 months, there were 166 events for EFS and 32 for OS. CLL with IGLV3-21 had a shorter EFS in the pcb (HR 1.93, CI95% 1.05-3.55, p=0.033) and ibr (HR 3.71, CI95% 1.62-8.46, p=0.002) arm (Figure 1A). The estimated 5-year EFS rate was 51.0% without and 21.4% with IGLV3-21 rearrangementin the pcb group vs. 80.7% and 44.8% in the ibr group, respectively. Similarly, IGLV3-21 R110 associated with shorter EFS with ibr (HR 3.30, CI95% 1.17-9.31, p=0.024) while no impact was observed in the pcb group (HR 1.51, CI95% 0.66-3.46, p=0.332, Figure 1B). Patients with IGLV3-21 R110 mutation and ibr treatment had an estimated 5-year EFS rate similar to that of patients in the pcb group without IGLV3-21 R110 (50.0% vs. 49.8%). In low risk patients with w&amp;w, both IGLV3-21 rearrangement and IGLV3-21 R110 were adverse markers for EFS (HR 4.99, CI95% 1.52-16.41, p=0.008 and HR 17.0, CI95% 4.99-58.13, p&amp;lt;0.001, respectively). For the full trial, we observed a prognostic impact of IGLV3-21 in the M-IGHV (HR 3.87, CI95% 2.14-6.99, p&amp;lt;0.001) but not in the U-IGHV (HR 1.61, CI95% 0.74-3.54, p=0.233) group. Multivariable analysis for the treatment arms including the IGLV3-21 R110 status and other variables associated significantly with EFS in univariate analyses (treatment arm, serum β2-microglobulin, IGHV status, del(17p), del(11q), +(12), mutations in XPO1, NOTCH1, SF3B1 and NFKBIE) revealed presence of IGLV3-21 R110 (HR 2.76, CI95% 1.32-5.80, p = 0.007) as an independent prognostic factor. OS was excellent in all genetic subgroups and in all arms of the trial. The estimated 5-year OS rate was between 92.9% and 95.8% for any of the 4 subgroups defined jointly by IGHV status and presence of IGLV3-21 R110. CONCLUSIONS: IGLV3-21 R110 was identified as an independent prognostic factor for shorter EFS in early stage CLL with intermediate/high risk score and was associated with reduced ibrutinib efficacy in the CLL12 trial.

Antibody Response of BNT162b2 and CoronaVac Platforms in Recovered Individuals Previously Infected by COVID-19 against SARS-CoV-2 Wild Type and Delta Variant.

Vaccinating recovered patients previously infected by COVID-19 with mRNA vaccines to boost their immune response against wild-type viruses (WT), we aimed to investigate whether vaccine platform and time of vaccination affect immunogenicity against the SARS-CoV-2 WT and Delta variant (DV). Convalescent patients infected by COVID-19 were recruited and received one booster dose of the BNT162b2 (PC-B) or CoronaVac (PC-C) vaccines, while SARS-CoV-2 naïve subjects received two doses of the BNT162b2 (CN-B) or CoronaVac (CN-C) vaccines. The neutralizing antibody in sera against the WT and DV was determined with live virus neutralization assay (vMN). The vMN geometric mean titre (GMT) against WT in recovered individuals previously infected by COVID-19 reduced significantly from 60.0 (95% confidence interval (CI), 46.5–77.4) to 33.9 (95% CI, 26.3–43.7) at 6 months post recovery. In the PC-B group, the BNT162b2 vaccine enhanced antibody response against WT and DV, with 22.3-fold and 20.4-fold increases, respectively. The PC-C group also showed 1.8-fold and 2.2-fold increases for WT and DV, respectively, after receiving the CoronaVac vaccine. There was a 10.6-fold increase in GMT in the CN-B group and a 1.3-fold increase in the CN-C group against DV after full vaccination. In both the PC-B and PC-C groups, there was no difference between GMT against WT and DV after vaccination. Subjects in the CN-B and CN-C groups showed inferior GMT against DV compared with GMT against WT after vaccination. In this study, one booster shot effectively enhanced the pre-existing neutralizing activity against WT and DV in recovered subjects.

Analysis of outcomes of single-unit cord blood transplantation with umbilical cord blood units processed with two different red blood cell sedimentation reagents.

Various processing methodologies are routinely used to reduce volume and red blood cell content of umbilical cord blood (UCB) units collected for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. There is limited information regarding effects of UCB processing techniques on clinical outcomes. Retrospective data analysis compared laboratory and clinical outcomes following single-unit UCB transplantation performed between 1999 and 2015. All UCB units were from St. Louis Cord Blood Bank and all were manually processed with either Hetastarch processed cord blood units (HCB) (n= 661) or PrepaCyte processed cord blood units (PCB) (n= 84). Additional sensitivity analysis focused on units transplanted from 2010 to 2015 and included 105 HCB and 84 PCB. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. Pre-freeze total nucleated and CD34+ cell counts, cell doses/kg of recipient weight, and total colony-forming units (CFUs) were higher in PCB compared with HCB. Post-thaw, the PCB group had a significantly better total nucleated cell recovery, while there were no significant differences in cell viability, CFU recovery, or CD34+ cell recovery. Primary analysis demonstrated faster neutrophil and platelet engraftment for PCB but no differences in overall survival (OS), whereas sensitivity analysis found no effect of processing method on engraftment, but better OS in the HCB group compared with PCB group. The UCB processing method had no significant impact on engraftment. However, we cannot completely exclude the effect of processing method on OS. Additional studies may be warranted to investigate the potential impact of the PCB processing method on clinical outcomes.

The geometric mean is a superior frequency response averaging method for human body vibration

The frequency response data of human body vibration are often used for standardisation, design of transport vehicles and occupational health and safety measures. This article shows that the commonly used methods of averaging frequency response spectra, such as arithmetic averaging in the complex or magnitude domain and median averaging, are not as suitable as the less commonly used geometric averaging in the complex domain. This is because it is necessary to minimise the deviation of the measured values about the mean value and to minimise the bias from the true mean value due to noise, distortion and nonlinearity. Practitioner summary: For averaging frequency response spectra, it is necessary to minimise the bias from the true mean value. This research shows that the commonly used averaging methods, such as arithmetic averaging in the complex or magnitude domain and the median, are not as suitable as geometric averaging in the complex domain. Abbreviations: H1 Estimator: frequency response function estimation method using the cross-spectrum of the output with the input divided by the auto-spectrum of the input; ISO: International Organization for Standardization; NHK: Nippon Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha; PCB: PCB Group ("PCB" is abbreviation for "PicoCoulomB"); RMIT: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology; r.m.s.: root mean square

Prognostic Value of Nerve Ultrasound and Electrophysiological Findings in Saturday Night Palsy.

We report on the prognostic role of the cross-sectional area (CSA) enlargement and conduction block (CB) in radial neuropathy (Saturday night palsy [SNP]). Reference CSA values were defined in 30 healthy subjects. Twenty-four patients with SNP underwent evaluation (Thessaloniki Hypesthesia Score [THS], Medical Research Council [MRC], ultrasound, electrophysiology). All patients were followed up 3 months after initial presentation. During initial evaluation, 13 patients showed pathological CSA (pCSA) and 11 normal CSA (nCSA). Fourteen patients showed conduction block (pCB) and 10 showed no conduction block (nCB). The site of lesion was recognized in 11 patients in the spiral groove, in 8 patients in the distal main trunk, just before the division to motor and sensory branch, while 5 patients showed a double site of lesion (spiral groove and supinators' canal). During follow-up, the pCSA group showed a mean MRC score of 2.8 (SD ± .7) and a THS of 1.8 (SD ± .4), while the nCSA group showed a mean MRC score of 4.1 (SD ± .9) and a THS of .7 (SD ± .3) (P < .001) (Table 4). On the other hand, the pCB group showed a mean MRC score of 3.7 (SD ± 1.1) and a THS of 2.7 (SD ± .9), and the nCB group showed a mean MRC score of 4.2 (SD ± 1.2) and a THS of 1.7 (SD ± .9) (P = .355, P = .013, respectively). The CSA enlargement, but not the CB, seems to have a negative prognostic role in patients with SNP.

Real-time ultrasound-guided comparison of adductor canal block and psoas compartment block combined with sciatic nerve block in laparoscopic knee surgeries.

Background:Lumbar plexus block, combined with a sciatic nerve block, is an effective locoregional anesthetic technique for analgesia and anesthesia of the lower extremity. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results outcome of the adductor canal block versus the psoas compartment block combined with sciatic nerve block using real time ultrasound guidance in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic knee surgeries.Patients and Methods:Ninety patients who were undergoing elective laparoscopic knee surgeries were randomly allocated to receive a sciatic nerve block in addition to lumbar plexus block using either an adductor canal block (ACB) or a posterior psoas compartment approach (PCB) using 25 ml of bupivacine 0.5% with adrenaline 1:400,000 injection over 2-3 minutes while observing the distribution of the local anesthetic in real time. Successful nerve block was defined as a complete loss of pinprick sensation in the region that is supplied by the three nerves along with adequate motor block, 30 minutes after injection. The degree of motor block was evaluated 30 minutes after the block procedure. The results of the present study showed that the real time ultrasound guidance of PCB is more effective than ACB approach. Although the sensory blockade of the femoral nerve achieved equally by both techniques, the LFC and OBT nerves were faster and more effectively blocked with PCB technique. Also PCB group showed significant complete sensory block without need for general anesthesia, significant decrease in the post-operative VAS and significant increase time of first analgesic requirement as compared to the ACB group.Result and Conclusion:The present study demonstrates that blockade of lumber plexus by psoas compartment block is more effective in complete sensory block without general anesthesia supplementation in addition to decrease post-operative analgesic requirement than adductor canal block.

TCT-72 PCI Lesion Morphology According to Chronic Statin Use: An ADAPT-DES IVUS Substudy

drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Methods: Between July 2008 and May 2012, we performed PCI for 321 ISR lesions using POBA (67 lesions, POBA group), PCB (149 lesions, PCB group), and DES (105 lesions, DES group). The morphological assessment of neointimal tissue at the minimum lumen area site as to restenotic tissue structure (homogeneous, heterogeneous, or layered type) using OCT was performed. We examined the association between tissue structure and mid-term (6-8 months) results including ISR and target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates. Results: The patients were 263 men and 58 women, and the mean age was 68.9 9.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 209 38 days. The association of tissue structure with ISR and TLR rates in each groups is shown in the figure. The ISR rates of lesions with homogeneous and layered structure were significantly lower in the PCB and DES groups than in the POBA group, whereas there were no differences between 3 groups in heterogeneous structure.

Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on the repair of full-thickness articular defects in rabbits

To assess the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on the repair of full-thickness articular cartilage lesions in immature rabbits. To that end, the samples were studied using macroscopic, microscopic and biomechanical techniques. Twenty-four 11-week-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups based on the treatment (physiological saline serum PCB, autologous platelet-rich plasma PRP). Cartilage lesions were drilled in medial femoral condyle of these rabbits. Other 12 rabbits were under the same conditions, but they did not suffer any lesion and treatment (control group CTR). The three groups were divided into two subgroups, depending on the age at the time of killing (16 and 19weeks old). The CTR group showed the best possible value in the macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Meanwhile, the PCB and PRP group values were lower than the CTR group values, at two times of the study, but similar to each other at 19weeks. In the biomechanical study, at 16weeks, the CTR and PCB groups behaved similarly, with values above PRP group values, while at 19weeks, CTR group showed higher values than PCB and PRP groups, and there were no differences between these values. The evolution of the tissue treated with autologous PRP showed a positive tendency over time, while the PCB group was negative. Nevertheless, at 19weeks of age, the PRP treatment did not show better results than the PCB, both showing the characteristics of fibrocartilaginous tissue. Likewise, none of the two treatments produced a repair tissue as the healthy cartilage.

Comparison of Different Extraction Techniques of PCBs from Sediment Samples Using the Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry Technique

In this work, problems that may occur during determination of trace levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment samples are described. The main error sources are connected with extraction of analytes prior to final determination. During model studies, polychlorinated biphenyls have been extracted from sediment reference material (METRANAL 2) with the use of different solvents (dichloromethane, hexane, and toluene); the process has been enhanced by mechanical shaking or ultrasound. Seven selected PCBs (PCB 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180, according to IUPAC) were determined in extract samples by the GC-MS technique and using the isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) technique. The results suggest that the best solvents for the isolation of PCB group compounds from sediment samples are dichloromethane and toluene. On the basis of results obtained it can be stated that increasing the number of extraction cycles to 10 and prolonging the sample ultrawave bath to 40 min do not affect the results obtained; thus, the accuracy of the procedure doesn't change from the statistical point of view.

Aroclor 1254 disrupts liver glycogen metabolism and enhances acute stressor-mediated glycogenolysis in rainbow trout

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of short-term exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls on the acute stress response in rainbow trout. Fish were exposed to dietary Aroclor1254 (10mg kg−1 body mass/day) for 3days and then subjected to a 3-min handling disturbance and sampled over a 24h recovery after the stressor exposure. In the pre-stress fish, PCB exposure significantly elevated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and cytochrome P4501A1 (Cyp1A1) mRNA abundance and Cyp1A protein expression confirming AhR activation. There was no significant effect of PCB on plasma cortisol and glucose levels, while plasma lactate levels were significantly elevated compared to the sham group. PCB exposure significantly elevated liver glycogen content and hexokinase activity, whereas lactate dehydrogenase activity was depressed. Short-term PCB exposure did not modify the acute stressor-induced plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate responses. Liver glycogen content dropped significantly after stressor exposure in the PCB group but not in the sham group. This was matched by a significantly higher liver LDH activity and a lower HK activity during recovery in the PCB group suggesting enhanced glycolytic capacity to fuel hepatic metabolism. Liver AhR, but not Cyp1A1, transcript levels were significantly reduced during recovery from handling stressor in the Aroclor fed fish. Collectively, this study demonstrates that short-term PCB exposure may impair the liver metabolic performance that is critical to cope with the enhanced energy demand associated with additional stressor exposure in rainbow trout.

Gene Expression Analysis of PCB Exposed Children: Understanding Toxicity and Disease Process

O-29A5-2 Background/Aims: To understand the molecular mechanism of PCB-related toxicities and the basics of pathophysiology in association with high PCB exposure, we studied the differential global gene expression profile of children (mean age, 45 month) of East European descent from Slovakian Republic in a well-defined study cohort. Methods: An unsupervised microarray based gene expression analysis was performed on the subset of children having high blood PCB concentration (>75 percentile) against their low PCB counterpart (<25 percentile). The mean lipid adjusted PCB values in 2 groups were 3.16 ± 1.2 and 0.06 ± 0.03 ng/g of serum lipid, respectively. Total RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and the microarray was conducted using Affymetrix platform (GeneChip Human genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array). The data obtained from microarray were analyzed by Genespring GX10. Results: A highly significant set of 162 differentially expressed genes between high PCB and low PCB group was observed (P < 0.00001). The subsequent Ingenuity Pathway Analysis on this set of genes implicated different compromised molecular and cellular function in higher PCB exposure included: Cell-to-Cell Signaling and Interaction, Cellular Movement, Cellular Assembly and Organization, Cellular Function and Maintenance, and Carbohydrate Metabolism. The analysis conducted on children with high PCB exposure also indicated perturbed expression of genetic pathways related to cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. These uncharacteristic effects on gene expression may play a role in development of major diseases and disorders in population, including cancer. Some of the relevant genes reported in relation to PCB-related toxicities were subsequently validated through quantitative RT-PCR. Conclusion: Our results provided a molecular insight in understanding the associated mechanism of this complex gene environment interaction. The future endeavor of supervised genotyping of pathway-specific molecular epidemiological study would reveal the individual risk factor in PCB exposure.

랫드의 두개골 결손부에서 돼지 해면질골이 골재생에 미치는 영향

본 연구의 목적은 랫드의 두개결손부 모델에서 돼지 해면질골을 지지체로 사용했을 때의 효과를 평가해보고자 하였다. 임계결손부의 형성은 30마리의 수컷 Sprague-Dawley 랫드에서 실시하였으며 동물들은 임계결손군(CD group, n=10), 베타 삼인산칼슘군(BT group, n=10) 및 돼지 해면질골군(PCB group, n=10)으로 나누었다. 각각의 결손부위는 피브린 글루와 혼합시킨 베타 삼인산칼슘 또는 돼지 해면질골로 채워졌으며 CD군은 결손부위에 이식재를 이식하지 않았다. 모든 랫드들은 골이식 수술 8주 후에 희생되었으며 희생 후 육안검사, 단순 방사선촬영, micro-CT 촬영 및 조직검사를 통해 골형성 정도를 평가하였다. 결과에서 골결손부의 치유는 CD군에서 가장 낮았으며 PCB군에서는 유의성 있는 새로운 골형성을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 방사선촬영 결과, 조직학적 평가 및 micro CT 촬영 결과에서 골이식 시 돼지 해면질골이 베타 삼인산칼슘보다 새로운 골형성에 있어 더욱 효과적임을 관찰할 수 있었다. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of porcine cancellous bone as a scaffold in a rat calvarial defect model. Critical-sized defects were created in 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into critical defect (CD, n=10), <TEX>$\beta$</TEX>-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) graft (BT, n=10) and porcine cancellous bone graft (PCB, n=10) groups. Each defect was filled with <TEX>$\beta$</TEX>-TCP mixed with fibrin glue or porcine cancellous bone powder mixed with fibrin glue. In the CD group, the defect was left empty. All rats were sacrificed at 8 weeks after bone graft surgery, and bone formation was evaluated by gross observation, plain radiography, micro-computed tomography scanning and histological evaluation. Repair of bone defect was the least in the CD group, and significant new bone formation was observed in the PCB group. Grafting of porcine cancellous bone was more efficient for regenerating new bone than grafting <TEX>$\beta$</TEX>-TCP.

The correlation between the malignant proliferation on cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and in bile from Helicobacter pylori infected patients with biliary tract stones

Helicobacter pylori has been detected in human tissue and is a candidate for etiologic investigations on the causes of hepatic and biliary tract diseases, but reliable serologic tests need to be developed in order to pursue such investigations. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the infection of H. pylori in bile from patients with biliary tract stones and the proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma and its mechanism. Choledocholithiasis bile with positive H. pylori (PCB), Choledocholithiasis bile withnegative H. pylori (NCB) and normal bile (NB) were part of the study. Cholangiocarcinoma cell lines QBC939 and TFK-1 were analyzed. The proliferative effects were measured by methabenzthiazuron (MTT) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Compared with NB and NCB, PCB significantly promoted the proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma cell lines QBC939 and TFK-1. The proliferative index in PCB group was obviously higher than that in NCB group after being treated with 1% PCB for 48 h (p <0.05). As far as the apoptosis rate was concerned, there were no obvious differences between PCB group and NCB group (p < 0.05), same as between PCB group and NB group (p < 0.05). The percentage of S phase increased remarkably in PCB group compared with NCB group, while the percentage of G0/G1 phase decreased remarkably in PCB group compared with NCB group. It was suggested that PCB can greatly promote the malignant proliferation of human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines QBC939 and TFK-1, and the mechanism was affected by the changes of cell cycle. So we can predict that there was perhaps a close relation between H. pylori infection and cholangiocarcinoma. Key words: Malignant proliferation, Helicobacter pylori, cholelithiasis, bile, cholangiocarcinoma.

Effect of the combination of mitiglinide and metformin on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims/Introduction: Mitiglinide is the newest drug in the meglitinide family. It increases the early-phase insulin release through rapid association-dissociation kinetics in the pancreatic β cells. The efficacy and safety of adding meglitinide to metformin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes are unknown. We carried out a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial to assess the efficacy and safety of combined treatment with mitiglinide and metformin for patients with type 2 diabetes who showed inadequate glycemic control with metformin monotherapy. Subjects with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7.0% after an 8-week metformin run-in phase were randomized to a 16-week trial phase with metformin plus mitiglinide (Met + Mit) or metformin plus placebo (Met + Pcb). Compared with the Met + Pcb group, the Met + Mit group showed a greater reduction in HbA1c (-0.7 ± 0.6%vs-0.4 ± 0.7%, P = 0.002), fasting plasma glucose (-0.77 ± 1.76 mmol/L vs-0.05 ± 1.60 mmol/L, P = 0.015) and 2-h postprandial glucose (-3.76 ± 3.57 mmol/L vs-0.84 ± 3.07 mmol/L, P < 0.0001). The proportion of the patients who achieved the target HbA1c value of <7% at the end of the study was also higher in the Met + Mit group than the Met + Pcb group (49.3%vs 28.8%, P = 0.016). There were no differences in the adverse event rates between groups. Combination therapy with metformin and mitiglinide is effective and safe for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycemic control with metformin monotherapy. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2010.00023.x, 2010).

Hydroxylated PCB metabolites (OH-PCBs) in archived serum from 1950–60s California mothers: A pilot study

We are studying participants selected from the Child Health and Development Studies (CHDS), a longitudinal birth cohort of over 20,000 California pregnancies between 1959 and 1967, for associations between maternal body burden of organochlorine contaminants and thyroid function. We designed a pilot study using 30 samples selected among samples with high and low PCB concentrations to evaluate the feasibility of measuring OH-PCBs in the larger study population. GC-ECD and GC-NCI/MS were used to determine PCBs and OH-PCBs as methyl derivatives, respectively. Maternal serum levels of Σ 11PCBs and Σ 8OH-PCB metabolites varied from 0.74 to 7.99 ng/mL wet wt. with a median of 3.05 ng/mL, and from 0.12 to 0.98 ng/mL wet wt. with a median of 0.39 ng/mL, respectively. Average concentrations of Σ 8OH-PCB metabolites in the high PCB group were significantly higher than those in the low PCB group ( p < 0.05). The levels of OH-PCB metabolites were dependent on PCB levels ( r = 0.58, p < 0.05) but approximately an order of magnitude lower ( p < 0.05). The average ratio of Σ 8OH-PCBs to Σ 11PCBs was 0.14 ± 0.08. The primary metabolite was 4-OH-CB187 followed by 4-OH-CB107. Both of these metabolites interfere with the thyroid system in in vitro, animal, and human studies. OH-PCBs were detectable in all archived sera analyzed, supporting the feasibility to measure OH-PCB metabolites in the entire cohort.

Viasystems acquired by European PCB group

Viasystems acquired by European PCB group

Independent Comparison of Soxhlet and Supercritical Fluid Extraction for the Determination of PCBs in an Industrial Soil

An independent comparison between supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and Soxhlet extraction methods was conducted as part of a certification of PCB congeners in industrial soil. The study was performed in the framework of the PCB group for the Measurements and Testing Program (former BCR) under the Commission of the European Union. It involved 21 selected and independent laboratories experienced in congener-specific PCB analysis. The comparison was performed using both interlaboratory and intralaboratory data. SFE was performed independently by three laboratories, and the obtained data showed that SFE is a very competitive alternative in terms of both accuracy and precision. The soil was certified for eight PCB congeners ranging from 7.0 to 137 μg/g with interlaboratory RSDs of 9-13% using all but two (out of 34) individual results from the SFE group.

Organochlorine pesticide residue and PCBs in harbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena) incidentally caught in Scandinavian waters

During Norwegian and Danish harbour porpoise projects 1987–1991, subcutaneous blubber samples of 34 male harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena) were collected. Animals from three geographical locations, ranging from 56°N, 12°E to 71°N, 26°E, were chosen in order to study the organochlorine (OC) contamination in this species inhabiting the northeastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean, the northern North Sea and Kattegat, at the locations of Tufjord, Vestlandet and Gilleleje, respectively. Analytical standards used consisted of the industrial chemicals PCBs (22 individual PCB congeners and 6 industrial mixtures which contained 104 PCB congeners or group of congeners) and HCB, and the organochlorine pesticides DDT, HCH, the cyclodienes endrin, dieldrin and the chlordane metabolites oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor, and heptachlor epoxide. A total of 16 PCB congeners or groups of congeners, all the DDT metabolites except o,p'-DDD, and all the pesticides were detected in all animals. The concentrations of ∑PCB (sum of concentrations of 47 detected PCB congeners) and ∑DDT (sum of concentrations of all DDT detected compounds) ranged from 3·7–65·3 and 3·2–45·0 μg g −1 lipid weight, respectively. The range of mean concentrations of dieldrin, endrin and trans-nonachlor was 1–3 μg g −1, while mean concentrations of HCHs, heptachlor epoxide, and HCB were <1 μg g −1. No significant variation in PCB congener pattern was apparent between geographical areas. The major PCB congeners nos 147/123, 153, 138/163/164, 182/187 and 180 at Gilleleje, Vestlandet and Tufjord represented 53%, 45% and 44% of ∑PCB, respectively. A significant difference was found between the number of PCB congeners in blubber of newborn and older porpoises. This might indicate the presence of a blood/placenta barrier and/or selective mammary transport of PCBs with specific structures. A significant OC accumulation with age was apparent, with the exception of HCB and HCHs. Geographical differences in the levels of OCs were apparent for all compounds except for dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide. Significantly higher levels of chlordane metabolites ( trans-nonachlor and oxychlordane) and endrin were found in the group of animals from the northern location Tufjord, while ∑DDT, p,p'-DDTs, HCHs and PCBs were highest in the group of animals from the southern location Gilleleje. Highest levels of the o,p'-substituted DDTs were found in specimens from the middle location Vestlandet. These findings indicate little or no regular migration of harbour porpoise between these three locations. No correlations were found between OC concentrations and blubber thickness. Although mean values of ∑DDT and ∑PCB were in the lower end of previously reported levels in harbour porpoise from adjacent waters in the eastern part of the North Atlantic Ocean and along the coasts of North America, these levels are relatively high. The organochlorine concentrations in harbour porpoises in the present study were 2–3 times higher than corresponding OC levels detected in harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina) from the same areas.

Effect of drug-metabolizing enzyme activity induced by PCB on the duration of drugs in fish

A study was made of the induction of drug-metabolizing enzyme activity and the effect of the induced activity on the duration of drugs in fish. Carp were fed with a diet containing PCB ( 0.1 mg PCB 100 g body weight day −1 ) for 2 weeks to induce drug-metabolizing enzymes. After pretreatment, oxolinic acid, thiamphenicol and oxytetracycline were administered in feed to PCB-treated and nontreated (as control) fish as a single dose of 20, 50, and 50 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The peak concentrations of oxolinic acid in the blood, kidney, liver, and muscle of fish in the PCB group were lower than the half of those in the controls. Furthermore, the duration times of oxolinic acid in the tissues of PCB-treated fish were also shorter than those in the control. However, the duration of thiamphenicol and oxytetracycline showed no significant changes relating to PCB treatment.