Search

Abstract: The inhibition kinetics of 4- and 3-chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenases from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP were investigated using 14 different substituted phenols. The obtained experimental data were analyzed against experimental (pK a) and theoretical reactivity parameters of the phenols calculated by semi-empirical AM1 method (DPE, E HOMO, charge on oxygen atom of the reactive hydroxyl group, van der Waals surface areas and partial charges of substituents on aromatic ring). From these comparisons it appears that the main factor determining the inhibitors binding in the active center of these enzymes is the deprotonation ability of their reactive hydroxyl group. The analysis also allowed to detect, in 3-CCD, enzyme factors influencing on the interactions with the investigated phenols. Some correlations between the calculated van der Waals surface areas as well as the partial charges of substituents on the aromatic ring of the phenols and their inhibition effect on the enzymes were found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE:: The reproducibility and validity of coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea intake has not been adequately studied, particularly in Italy, where coffee drinking is peculiar in terms of type and amount of coffee consumed. DESIGN:: We compared coffee and tea consumption, measured by two interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), with average intake derived from two 7-day dietary (DD) records (the reference method) on 395 volunteers. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to assess both reproducibility and validity of information on coffee intake. RESULTS:: A satisfactory level of reproducibility and validity of the pattern consumption was observed for coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea. The reproducibility for both sex combined showed r of 0.74-0.78 for coffee, 0.57-0.65 for decaffeinated coffee and 0.61-0.67 for tea. The validity was about 0.70 for coffee, around 0.58 for decaffeinated coffee and 0.56-0.60 for tea intake. CONCLUSIONS:: The FFQ is a satisfactorily reliable and valid instrument for collecting information on coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea intake. SPONSORSHIP:: Supported by the Italian Association for Research on Cancer, Milan, Italy, and by the Commission of the European Communities (Contract No.: QLKI-CT-2000-00069).European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004) 58, 674-680. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601864 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salicylate 1,2-dioxygenase, a new ring-fission dioxygenase from the naphthalenesulfonate-degrading strain Pseudaminobacter salicylatoxidans which oxidizes salicylate to 2-oxohepta-3,5-dienedioic acid by a novel ring-fission mechanism, has been crystallized. Diffraction-quality crystals of salicylate 1,2-dioxygenase were obtained using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method at 277 K from a solution containing 10%( w/ v) ethanol, 6%( w/ v) PEG 400, 0.1 M sodium acetate pH 4.6. Crystals belong to the primitive tetragonal space group P43212 or P41212, with unit-cell parameters a = 133.3, c = 191.51 Å. A complete data set at 100 K extending to a maximum resolution of 2.9 Å was collected at a wavelength of 0.8423 Å. Molecular replacement using the coordinates of known extradiol dioxygenases structures as a model has so far failed to provide a solution for salicylate 1,2-dioxygenase. Attempts are currently being made to solve the structure of the enzyme by MAD experiments using the anomalous signal of the catalytic FeII ions. The salicylate 1,2-dioxygenase structural model will assist in the elucidation of the catalytic mechanism of this ring-fission dioxygenase from P. salicylatoxidans, which differs markedly from the known gentisate 1,2-­dioxygenases or 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoate dioxygenases because of its unique ability to oxidatively cleave salicylate, gentisate and 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoate with high catalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the interaction of carboxypeptidase A with HPO4-2 anion. Spectral and magnetic properties of the cobalt-substituted derivative; Formation of a hydrogen bond with the zinc-bound water molecule in the native enzyme; X-ray diffraction investigation on the binary complex.

Background: The association between risk of breast cancer and dietary fat and intakes of other energy sources remains controversial. The Italian population offers special opportunities to assess the influence of high intakes of unsaturated fat and starch and, because the population has low awareness of diet and cancer issues, there is less scope for recall bias. We have assessed the relations of various macronutrient intakes with risk of breast cancer.Methods: In this case-control study, 2569 women with incident breast cancer (median age 55 years) and 2588 control women (median age 56 years) in hospital with acute, non-neoplastic diseases, were interviewed in six different areas of Italy between 1991 and 1994. A validated food-frequency questionnaire was used. It included questions on 78 foods and recipes grouped into six sections, as well as specific questions on individual fat intake pattern.Findings: The risk of breast cancer decreased with increasing total fat intake (trend p 0.01) whereas the risk increased with increasing intake of available carbohydrates (trend p = 0.002). The odds ratios for women in the highest compared with the lowest quintile of energy-adjusted intake were 0.81 for total fat and 1.30 for available carbohydrates. Starch was the chief contributor to the positive association with available carbohydrates. High intakes of polyunsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids (i.e., polyunsaturated fatty acids plus oleic acid) were associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer (odds ratios for highest vs lowest quintile 0.70 and 0.74, respectively). Conversely, the intakes of saturated fatty acids, protein, and fibre were not significantly associated with breast-cancer risk.Interpretation: This case-controls study shows that unsaturated fatty acids protect against breast cancer, possibly because intake of these nutrients is closely correlated with a high intake of raw vegetables. The findings also suggest a possible risk in southern European populations, of reliance on a diet largely based on starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Evidence for the possible effect of vitamin E on head and neck cancers (HNCs) is limited.Methods:We used individual-level pooled data from 10 case-control studies (5959 cases and 12 248 controls) participating in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium to assess the association between vitamin E intake from natural sources and cancer of the oral cavity/pharynx and larynx. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models applied to quintile categories of nonalcohol energy-adjusted vitamin E intake.Results:Intake of vitamin E was inversely related to oral/pharyngeal cancer (OR for the fifth vs the first quintile category=0.59, 95% CI: 0.49-0.71; P for trend <0.001) and to laryngeal cancer (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.54-0.83, P for trend <0.001). There was, however, appreciable heterogeneity of the estimated effect across studies for oral/pharyngeal cancer. Inverse associations were generally observed for the anatomical subsites of oral and pharyngeal cancer and within covariate strata for both sites.Conclusion:Our findings suggest that greater vitamin E intake from foods may lower HNC risk, although we were not able to explain the heterogeneity observed across studies or rule out certain sources of bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:To our knowledge, no study assessed the association between dietary patterns and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in low-incidence areas.Methods:We examined this association in a hospital-based case-control study carried out in Italy between 1992 and 2008, including 198 incident NPC cases and 594 controls. A posteriori dietary patterns were identified through principal component factor analysis performed on 28 nutrients and minerals derived from a 78-item food-frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using unconditional multiple logistic regression models on tertiles of factor scores.Results:We identified five dietary patterns named Animal products, Starch-rich, Vitamins and fibre, Animal unsaturated fatty acids (AUFAs), and Vegetable unsaturated fatty acids (VUFAs). The Animal product (OR=2.62, 95% CI=1.67-4.13, for the highest vs lowest score tertile), Starch-rich (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.27-3.33), and VUFA (OR=1.90, 95% CI=1.22-2.96) patterns were positively associated with NPC. The AUFA pattern showed a positive association of borderline significance, whereas the Vitamins and fibre pattern was nonsignificantly but inversely associated with NPC.Conclusions:These findings suggest that diets rich in animal products, starch, and fats are positively related to NPC risk in this low-incidence country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The number of original articles investigating the efficacy of cosmetic products in cellulite reduction increased rapidly in the last decade; however, to our knowledge, no systematic review and meta-analysis has been performed so far. Objective We conducted a systematic review of in vivo studies on humans adopting the PRISMA guidelines. Moreover, we used a meta-analytic approach to estimate the overall effect of cosmetic creams in cellulite treatment from controlled trials with more than 10 patients per arm, using thigh circumference reduction as the outcome measure. Methods Medline and Embase were searched up to August 2012 to identify eligible studies. Results Twenty-one original studies were included in the present systematic review. All studies were clinical trials, most of them recruited women only and 67% had an intra-patient study design. About half of the active cosmetic creams tested only contained one active ingredient among xanthenes, herbals or retinoids. The other studies tested cosmetic creams with more complex formulations and most of them included xanthenes. A total of seven controlled trials satisfied the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The pooled mean difference of thigh circumference reduction between the treated and the controlled group was −0.46 cm (95% confidence intervals, CI: −0.85, −0.08), with significant heterogeneity between studies ( P < 0.001). Conclusion This article provides a systematic evaluation of the scientific evidence of the efficacy of cosmetic products in cellulite reduction and supports a moderate efficacy in thigh circumference reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The risk of many cancers is higher in subjects with a family history (FH) of cancer at a concordant site. However, few studies investigated FH of cancer at discordant sites. Patients and methods This study is based on a network of Italian and Swiss case–control studies on 13 cancer sites conducted between 1991 and 2009, and including more than 12 000 cases and 11 000 controls. We collected information on history of any cancer in first degree relatives, and age at diagnosis. Odds ratios (ORs) for FH were calculated by multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for major confounding factors. Results All sites showed an excess risk in relation to FH of cancer at the same site. Increased risks were also found for oral and pharyngeal cancer and FH of laryngeal cancer (OR = 3.3), esophageal cancer and FH of oral and pharyngeal cancer (OR = 4.1), breast cancer and FH of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.5) and of hemolymphopoietic cancers (OR = 1.7), ovarian cancer and FH of breast cancer (OR = 2.3), and prostate cancer and FH of bladder cancer (OR = 3.4). For most cancer sites, the association with FH was stronger when the proband was affected at age <60 years. Conclusions Our results point to several potential cancer syndromes that appear among close relatives and may indicate the presence of genetic factors influencing multiple cancer sites. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background:Because of their antioxidant and antimutagenic properties, flavonoids may reduce cancer risk. Some flavonoids have antiestrogenic effects that can inhibit the growth and proliferation of endometrial cancer cells.Methods:In order to examine the relation between dietary flavonoids and endometrial cancer, we analysed data from an Italian case-control study including 454 incident, histologically confirmed endometrial cancers and 908 hospital-based controls. Information was collected through a validated food-frequency questionnaire. We applied data on food and beverage composition to estimate the intake of flavanols, flavanones, flavonols, anthocyanidins, flavones, isoflavones, and proanthocyanidins. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from multiple logistic regression models conditioned on age and study centre and adjusted for major confounding factors.Results:Women in the highest quartile category of proanthocyanidins with 3 mers vs the first three quartile categories had an OR for endometrial cancer of 0.66 (95% CI=0.48-0.89). For no other class of flavonoids, a significant overall association was found. There was a suggestion of an inverse association for flavanones and isoflavones among women with body mass index <25 kg m−2, and, for flavanones, among parous or non-users of hormone-replacement therapy women.Conclusion:High consumption of selected proanthocyanidins may reduce endometrial cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:The Mediterranean diet has been shown to have a beneficial role on various neoplasms, but data are scanty on pancreatic cancer.Methods:We analysed data from two case-control studies conducted in Italy between 1983 and 2008, including 362 and 326 pancreatic cancer cases and 1552 and 652 hospital-controls, respectively. A Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) summarising major characteristics of the Mediterranean diet was used in the two studies separately and overall. Two further scores of adherence to the Mediterranean diet were applied in the second study only, the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Adherence Index (MDP) and the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MAI).Results:Odds ratios (ORs) for increasing levels of the scores (i.e., increasing adherence) were estimated using multiple logistic regression models. Odds ratio for a MDS score 6 compared with <3 was 0.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.95) in the first study, 0.51 (95% CI 0.29-0.92) in the second study, and 0.48 (95% CI 0.35-0.67) overall. A trend of decreasing risk was observed also for the MDP and MAI the ORs for the highest vs the lowest quintile being 0.44 (95% CI 0.27-0.73) for MDP and 0.68 (95% CI 0.42-1.11) for the MAI. The results were consistent across strata of age, sex, education, body mass index, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, and diabetes.Conclusion:Our study provides evidence that a priori-defined scores measuring adherence to the Mediterranean diet are favourably associated with pancreatic cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Declines in gastric cancer (GC) incidence and mortality have been related to improvements in diet. It is therefore important to consider dietary patterns. Design We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature through Medline and Embase databases. Results We identified 16 papers, of these 9 derived dietary patterns through an a posteriori method, 5 through a priori scores, and 2 used both approaches. Eight studies that used the a posteriori approach were considered for the meta-analysis. A favorable role on GC emerged for the ‘Prudent/healthy’, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–0.90], for the highest versus the lowest category. Similar results emerged for separate anatomical subtypes. An unfavorable role on GC emerged for the ‘Western/unhealthy’ dietary pattern, with an OR of 1.51 (95% CI: 1.21–1.89). This association was weaker for the distal/NOS (not otherwise specified) category (OR = 1.36) compared with the cardia GC (OR = 2.05). Among the a priori scores, the ORs ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 for the favorable and from 1.8 to 6.9 for the unfavorable ones. Conclusion There is a ∼2-fold difference in GC risk between a ‘Prudent/healthy’ diet-rich in fruits and vegetables, and a ‘Western/unhealthy’ diet-rich in starchy foods, meat and fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The relationship between diet and cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) has been investigated through dietary patterns. Design Published studies on the relationship between a priori and a posteriori dietary patterns and UADT cancers were selected through a Medline search. Results Twenty-four case–control studies were identified. Most of them identified a posteriori dietary patterns, mainly using principal component factor analysis, and a few used a priori dietary patterns, based on the available evidence on known effects of dietary habits on UADT cancers. In one study, no association was found between the identified patterns and UADT cancers. All the remaining 23 papers reported at least one favorable or unfavorable dietary pattern related to UADT cancers. The most consistent findings are the beneficial role of a dietary pattern based on fruit and vegetables or nutrients mostly contained in such foods, and the unfavorable role of an alcohol drinker pattern. A possible unfavorable role of patterns based on meats and animal products emerged as well. Conclusion The consistency of results among populations indicates that diets rich in fruit and vegetables, and poor in alcohol and animal products are favorable for UADT cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background/Objective:The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published dietary guidelines for the intakes of carbohydrates, fiber, fats and water. We evaluated their role on the risk of a specific disease, known to be related to diet.Subjects/Methods:We used data from an Italian case-control study including 1953 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and 4154 controls. We developed a so-called EFSA index summing up 1 point for adherence to each EFSA guideline. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CRC and its subsites were derived from unconditional multiple logistic regression models, for both the index and its components.Results:When each EFSA index component was analyzed separately, we found significant increased risks of CRC for non adherence to the guidelines on linoleic (OR=1.20, 95% CI, 1.07-1.36) and alpha-linolenic fatty acids (OR=1.19, 95% CI, 1.06-1.34). When all the guidelines were included in the same model, no significant association emerged. Compared with minimal adherence, the ORs of CRC for subsequent EFSA index scores were 1.03 (95% CI, 0.72-1.47), 1.05 (95% CI, 0.75-1.48), 1.04 (95% CI, 0.81-1.60), 0.99 (95% CI, 0.69-1.43), and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.67-1.61). No significant association emerged for colon and rectal cancer separately, and for males and females.Conclusions:Overall adherence to the EFSA dietary guidelines is not associated to colorectal, colon and rectal cancer risk in our population. Adherence to guidelines on linoleic and alpha-linolenic fatty acids may have a modest beneficial role on CRC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of dietary habits on esophageal cancer risk has been rarely considered in terms of dietary patterns. Patients and methods: We analyzed data from an Italian case–control study, including 304 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and 743 hospital controls. Dietary habits were evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. A posteriori dietary patterns were identified through principal component factor analysis performed on 28 selected nutrients. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained from multiple logistic regression models applied on quartiles of factor scores, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Results: We identified five major dietary patterns, named ‘animal products and related components’, ‘vitamins and fiber’, ‘starch-rich’, ‘other polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D’, and ‘other fats’. The ‘animal products and related components’ pattern was positively related to esophageal cancer (OR = 1.64, 95% CI:1.06–2.55, for the highest versus the lowest quartile of factor scores category). The ‘vitamins and fiber’ (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.32–0.78) and the ‘other polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D’ (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.31–0.74) were inversely related to esophageal cancer. No significant association was observed for the other patterns. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a diet rich in foods from animal origin and poor in foods containing vitamins and fiber increase esophageal cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Since when in 1981 a case–control study showed a positive association between coffee and pancreatic cancer, several studies reported inconsistent results on this issue. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic bibliography search updated March 2011 to identify observational studies providing quantitative estimates for pancreatic cancer risk in relation to coffee consumption. We used a meta-analytic approach to estimate overall relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the highest versus the lowest coffee consumption categories, using random-effects models. Results: Based on 37 case–control and 17 cohort studies (10 594 cases), the pooled RR for the highest versus lowest intake was 1.13 (95% CI 0.99–1.29). Considering only the smoking-adjusting studies, the pooled RRs were 1.10 (95% CI 0.92–1.31) for the 22 case–control, 1.04 (95% CI 0.80–1.36) for the 15 cohort, and 1.08 (95% CI 0.94–1.25) for all studies. The pooled RR for the increment of one cup of coffee per day was 1.03 (95% CI 0.99–1.06) for the 28 smoking-adjusting studies reporting three or more coffee consumption categories. No significant heterogeneity was observed across strata of study design, sex, geographic region, and other selected characteristics. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides quantitative evidence that coffee consumption is not appreciably related to pancreatic cancer risk, even at high intakes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Endometrial cancer is strongly associated with body mass index (BMI), but the influence of BMI history and of different types of obesity is uncertain.Methods: A case-control study was carried out in Italy including 454 cases and 908 controls admitted to hospital for acute non-hormone-related conditions. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using multivariate logistic and spline regression models.Results: The OR for BMI >30 at diagnosis compared with 20 to <25 kg m(-2) was 4.08 (95% CI: 2.90-5.74). The association for BMI was monotonic with a possible steeper increase for BMI above 28. Conversely, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) showed a bell shaped curve with increased OR (2.10; 95% CI: 1.43-3.09) in the intermediate tertile only. After stratification by BMI at diagnosis, history of weight loss and BMI at age 30 did not influence endometrial cancer risk. History of obesity in middle age had a weak and not significant adverse effect among obese women (OR=1.60; 95% CI: 0.52-4.96).Conclusion: The predominant importance of recent weight compared to lifetime history, justifies encouraging weight reduction in women at any age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To isolate and characterize the laccase isoforms from S. ochraceum 1833 – a new active producer of high extracellular laccase activity. Methods and Results: Three laccase isoforms (laccases I, II and III) with 57·5, 59·5 and 63 kDa molecular masses respectively were purified from S. ochraceum 1833 and in contrast to the known laccases had strongly pronounced absorption at 611 nm with molar extinction coefficients ranging from 7170 to 7830 mol−1 l cm−1. All isoforms showed maximal activity with ABTS at low pH (≤2) and temperatures in the range 70–80°C, were stable for long time of incubation at high temperature (60–80°C) and at pH values ranging from 2 to 6. Laccase II showed a higher activity and wider substrate specificity. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the purified laccase II (VQIGPVTDLH) showed 80% identity with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of laccase from Lentinula edodes [ Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 60 (2002) 327]. Conclusions: Elevated temperature optima, high thermo- and pH-stabilities, the broad substrate specificity of the isoforms make the laccases from S. ochraceum 1833 a suitable model for biotechnological processes proceeding at high temperatures. Significance and Impact of the Study: For the first time, new basidiomycete strain S. ochraceum was reported as a producer of novel thermostable, pH stable, acidophilic laccases with unusual spectral properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article on the study which investigates the relationship between overweight and their risk for psoriasis.