SummaryWe investigated the association between nutrient biomarkers and dietary intake estimated using a brief self-administered dietary history questionnaire (BDHQ) for Japanese children and adolescents. Blood samples were collected from 398 subjects (5th graders of elementary school aged 10-11 y, and 2nd graders of secondary schools aged 13-14 y) randomly selected from among students in Shunan City, Japan, who were then required to answer two questionnaires. Spearman correlations were calculated between dietary intake and the corresponding biomarkers (serum carotenoids, tocopherols, and erythrocyte fatty acids). Correlations with ␤ -carotene and ␤ -cryptoxanthin were significant in the 13-and 14-y age group ( r ϭ 0.220-0.333, p Ͻ 0.030) and the 10-and 11-y age subgroup who answered the questionnaire with assistance ( r ϭ 0.295-0.299, respectively, p ϭ 0.006). Consumption of green-yellow vegetables and fruits was significantly correlated with ␤ -carotene and ␤ -cryptoxanthin levels ( r ϭ 0.205-0.341, p Ͻ 0.047). In the 13-and 14-y age group, correlations with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were between 0.215 and 0.473 ( p Ͻ 0.040). Total seafood intake was significantly correlated with marine n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs; r ϭ 0.239-0.420, p Ͻ 0.023). In the 10-and 11-y age subgroup who completed the questionnaire with assistance, seafood intake was significantly correlated with marine n -3 PUFAs ( r ϭ 0.239-0.243, p Ͻ 0.032). In conclusion, dietary intake assessed using the BDHQ reflects the corresponding biomarkers for 13-and 14-y-olds; however, when used for elementary school children, caution is necessary in interpreting the results.

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Fourteen patients with cholecystitis were treated by endoscopic placement of an endoprosthesis into the cystic duct. In these patients the administration of antibiotics had failed to change the clinical picture of cholecystitis. Clinical and ultrasonographic findings before and two months after stenting were compared. There was an improvement in abdominal pain in 9 out of 14 cases (64%); fever, present in 5 patients, disappeared in all. No clinical complications were observed. Sonographic findings in terms of gallbladder wall thickening and sludge present within the gallbladder improved in 57% and 88%, respectively. Our results indicate that this endoscopic procedure may be effective in the treatment of cholecystitis.

The anti-influenza drug oseltamivir (Ro64-0796) is hydrolyzed to the active metabolite oseltamivir calboxylate (Ro64-0802, OC) by human liver carboxylesterase (CES), and OC inhibits the influenza virus-specific neuraminidase. [1][2][3][4] Oral administration of the parent compound oseltamivir (OP) relieves the symptoms of influenza (cough, myalgia, nasal obstruction, sore throat, fatigue, headache, feverishness).5) OP has strong antipyretic effects, which become apparent within 24 h after taking the drug.6) In addition, an adverse event (unknown casual relationship)-hypothermia-after ingestion of OP has been reported. Fortyfour cases of hypothermia had been reported to the MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan) up to March 20, 2007. 7) Data released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have also described hypothermia to 34°C in 2 cases. 8)In the present study, we investigated the effects of OP on normal core body temperature using mice, and found relatively strong hypothermic effects. Zanamivir, which is also a neuraminidase inhibitor and an anti-influenza virus drug, was compared with the effects of OP. Absorbed OP is hydrolyzed by human liver CES1 to the active metabolite OC.1,2) The hydrolysis is strongly inhibited by the anti-platelet drug clopidogrel, which is metabolized by the same esterase CES1. 9)Therefore, clopidogrel was used to inhibit hydrolysis of OP in an attempt to study the involvement of OP or OC in hypothermia after OP administration.As the antipyretic diclofenac carries a warning of possible severe hypothermia in children and the elderly with high fever in the package insert and an interview form, 10,11) the effects of diclofenac on body temperature and its interaction with OP were also studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS AnimalsOne hundred forty-six male mice (ddY strain, SLC Shizuoka, Japan) were kept for at least 7 d under a 12/12 h light-dark cycle before experiments with full access to water and food, except those used for oral administration of OP, which were fasted for more than 15 h.All experimental protocols used were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Nagoya City University and were conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Japanese Pharmacological Society.Measurement of Rectal Temperature At 5 weeks of age, the mice were used to study the effects of drugs on body temperature in an experimental room for animal behavior, which was maintained at 23-25°C. Each mouse was placed individually in a Plexiglas cage (19ϫ12ϫ11 cm (depth)), then removed every 10 min, held loosely in a small cloth bag, and the core body temperature was measured using a digital thermometer with a resolution of 0.1°C (MT-132, Mother Tool, Ueda, Japan). The thermometer probe was inserted 25 mm into the rectum. 12) After each measurement, the mouse was returned to its cage. Mice whose rectal temperature before drug administration was below 37°C were not used for experiments. Drugs were administered after the temperature became stable.Drugs The drugs used were oseltamivir phosp...

DNA repair enzymes repair DNA damaged by platinum agents and ionising radiation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair genes modulate the repair capacity and might affect response and prognosis following platinum-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT). We investigated associations between the functional SNPs in DNA repair genes and response and survival in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients treated with CRT to determine the predictive value of the SNPs in patient selection for bladder conservation therapy. The study group comprised 78 patients who underwent CRT for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation groups C (Lys939Gln, A/ C), D (XPD; Lys751Gln, A/C), and G (Asp1104His, G/C), and X-ray repair cross-complementing groups 1 (XRCC1; Arg399Gln, G/ A) and 3 (Thr241Met, T/C) genes were genotyped. Combined genotypes with at least one variant allele in XPD or XRCC1 were significantly associated with improved cancer-specific survival compared with remaining groups (P ¼ 0.009). In multivariate analysis, only the combined XPD and XRCC1 genotypes were independently associated with cancer-specific survival (P ¼ 0.04). The association was stronger in stage T3/T4 patients (P ¼ 0.0008). These results suggest that combined XPD and XRCC1 genotypes might be prognostic factors in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients treated with CRT.