Esophageal cancer risk by type of alcohol drinking and smoking: a case-control study in Spain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The effect of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking on esophageal cancer (EC) has never been explored in Spain where black tobacco and wine consumptions are quite prevalent. We estimated the independent effect of different alcoholic beverages and type of tobacco smoking on the risk of EC and its main histological cell type (squamous cell carcinoma) in a hospital-based case-control study in a Mediterranean area of Spain.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We only included incident cases with histologically confirmed EC (n = 202). Controls were frequency-matched to cases by age, sex and province (n = 455). Information on risk factors was elicited by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking were strong and independent risk factors for esophageal cancer. Alcohol was a potent risk factor with a clear dose-response relationship, particularly for esophageal squamous-cell cancer. Compared to never-drinkers, the risk for heaviest drinkers (≥ 75 g/day of pure ethanol) was 7.65 (95%CI, 3.16–18.49); and compared with never-smokers, the risk for heaviest smokers (≥ 30 cigarettes/day) was 5.07 (95%CI, 2.06–12.47). A low consumption of only wine and/or beer (1–24 g/d) did not increase the risk whereas a strong positive trend was observed for all types of alcoholic beverages that included any combination of hard liquors with beer and/or wine (p-trend<0.00001). A significant increase in EC risk was only observed for black-tobacco smoking (2.5-fold increase), not for blond tobacco. The effects for alcohol drinking were much stronger when the analysis was limited to the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 160), whereas a lack of effect for adenocarcinoma was evidenced. Smoking cessation showed a beneficial effect within ten years whereas drinking cessation did not.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study shows that the risk of EC, and particularly the squamous cell type, is strongly associated with alcohol drinking. The consumption of any combination of hard liquors seems to be harmful whereas a low consumption of only wine may not. This may relates to the presence of certain antioxidant compounds found in wine but practically lacking in liquors. Tobacco smoking is also a clear risk factor, black more than blond.</p

The Organisation of Ebola Virus Reveals a Capacity for Extensive, Modular Polyploidy

BACKGROUND: Filoviruses, including Ebola virus, are unusual in being filamentous animal viruses. Structural data on the arrangement, stoichiometry and organisation of the component molecules of filoviruses has until now been lacking, partially due to the need to work under level 4 biological containment. The present study provides unique insights into the structure of this deadly pathogen. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have investigated the structure of Ebola virus using a combination of cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, sub-tomogram averaging, and single particle image processing. Here we report the three-dimensional structure and architecture of Ebola virus and establish that multiple copies of the RNA genome can be packaged to produce polyploid virus particles, through an extreme degree of length polymorphism. We show that the helical Ebola virus inner nucleocapsid containing RNA and nucleoprotein is stabilized by an outer layer of VP24-VP35 bridges. Elucidation of the structure of the membrane-associated glycoprotein in its native state indicates that the putative receptor-binding site is occluded within the molecule, while a major neutralizing epitope is exposed on its surface proximal to the viral envelope. The matrix protein VP40 forms a regular lattice within the envelope, although its contacts with the nucleocapsid are irregular. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate a modular organization in Ebola virus that accommodates a well-ordered, symmetrical nucleocapsid within a flexible, tubular membrane envelope

HETEROGENEITY IN THE GLYCOSYLATION PATTERN OF HUMAN PANCREATIC RIBONUCLEASE

Different molecular forms of ribonuclease were isolated from fresh human pancreas obtained from healthy transplant donors. The purification procedure consists of the preparation of an acetone powder, followed by (NH4)(2)SO4 precipitation and two chromatography steps (cationic exchange and reversed-phase). Protein bands in gel electrophoresis with RNAase activity were monitored using a negative-staining zymogram technique. Several glycosylated enzyme forms with apparent molecular masses ranging from 14 to 40 kDa were separated. Peptides containing the three Asn-Xaa-Thr/Ser acceptor sites for glycosylation were isolated and analysed. The site with Asn-34 was almost completely glycosylated, while the sites with Asn-76 and Asn-88 had carbohydrate in about half and a minor part of the molecules, respectively. The carbohydrate compositions of the glycopeptides are different from those of the same gene product isolated from human urine. C-Terminal threonine was present in part of the molecules, indicating partial degradation by carboxypeptidase

[Monnaie : Bronze, Osset Iulia Constantia, Espagne, Auguste]

Appartient à l’ensemble documentaire : MonnGr

Synergies and divergence between LCA human toxicity assessment and Risk Assessment approaches

International audienceIntroduction Beyond the assessment of toxic effects and risks within the framework of European regulations, such as REACh and CLP, other assessment methods for sanitary risks exist but differ from one country to another. Methodologies are different but always based on the founding principles of dose-response relationships and exposure scenarios describing the source-to-target vector. The complementarity of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Chemical Risk Assessment (RA) may yield a more accurate and exhaustive approach to assess human toxicity. Various approaches to assess human toxicity risks exist and allow to supply toxicity data. The classifications, such as those established by the European Union, allow to identify hazards of substances. Risk and hazard based approaches typically apply (reasonable) worst-case assumptions for modelling and data selection. In contrast, LCA toxicity assessment methods apply the concept of best-estimates. Another important difference is that RA is site-specific whereas LCA is site-generic. A number of relevant methods for human toxicity assessment within the LCA and RA frameworks have been analysed in order to allow for a mapping of the methods. The results and the divergences identified between the methods are presented in a condensed way. The methods have been analysed according to many criteria. This talk will underline the similarities and differences as well as the advantages and the associated drawbacks linked to each method. To support this analysis, a comparison based on a case study applying both LCA and RA methods was performed for the human toxicity assessment of a paraben-free cosmetic formula. A detergent was also analysed with different methods. Throughout the study, independent scientific experts have been associated to assure a peer-review of this study. Propositions for the correct interpretation of results as well as their limitations and research needs were identified. Methodological issues will be discussed. Moreover, guidelines and recommendations for human toxicity assessment will be proposed, detailing which method serves which purpose, where they overlap and where they complement one another. This study invites experts to work together to find solutions to the current issues in human toxicity assessment

Impact of water hardness on consumers' perception of laundry washing result in five European countries

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