Craft Technologies (United States)

Estradiol and estrone are well-established risk factors for postmenopausal breast cancer. Experimental evidence suggests that specific estrogen metabolites, produced via irreversible hydroxylation of estrone and estradiol at position 2 or 16, may independently influence carcinogenesis. We performed a nested case-control study of breast cancer (328 breast cancer cases; 639 controls) among postmenopausal women within the Nurses' Health Study to examine the role of estrogens and estrogen metabolites (jointly referred to as EM). Plasma concentrations of each EM (unconjugated + conjugated forms) were measured by LC-MS/MS. Multivariable conditional logistic regression, adjusting for breast cancer risk factors, estimated relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals of breast cancer across quintiles of individual EM, EM pathways, and pathway ratios. Associations by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression. Estradiol and estrone were strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk [estradiol: RRQ5 vs. Q1 (95% confidence interval) = 2.64 (1.64-4.26); estrone: 2.78 (1.74-4.45); both P-trends <0.001]. The 2-hydroxylation pathway was strongly associated with risk [RRQ5 vs. Q1 = 3.09 (1.81-5.27); P-trend <0.001] and remained so after adjusting for unconjugated estradiol [RRQ5 vs. Q1 = 2.23 (1.25-3.96); P-trend = 0.01]. Although the 16-hydroxylation pathway was modestly associated with risk [RRQ5 vs. Q1 = 1.62 (1.03-2.54); P-trend = 0.01], the association was attenuated after unconjugated estradiol adjustment [RRQ5 vs. Q1 = 1.24 (0.77-1.99); P-trend = 0.19]. Similar positive associations with the 2-pathway and 16-pathway were observed for ER+/PR+ and ER-/PR- tumors. In this cohort of postmenopausal women, 2-hydroxylation of estrone and estradiol was associated with increased breast cancer risk, independent of unconjugated estradiol. These results highlight the need to revisit the role of estrogen metabolism in breast cancer etiology and prevention. See related In the Spotlight, p. 367.

The contribution of the livestock sector to food and nutritional security is challenged by high prevalence of diseases that limit productivity, trade and profitability within various livestock value chains in Kenya. Climate change has contributed to increased stress for the animals, higher disease prevalence, misuse of antibiotics and consequent antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Mass vaccination has been recommended by the Kenya AMR Policy and action plan 2017 as a sustainable disease control option to counter development of AMR. However, challenges in accessing quality vaccines constrain vaccination programs for important livestock diseases. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in Uasin Gishu and Nyandarua Counties to appraise use of New Castle disease (NCD) and Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) vaccines that are widely used in indigenous poultry and dairy value chains respectively and suggest improvements in delivery. Seventy-one (71%) of respondents reported to have experienced FMD outbreak in the recent past in both counties. Whereas up to 74% and 92% of farmers used NCD and FMD vaccines respectively, the schedule used did not lead to effective control of both diseases. Agro veterinary shops were the leading source of vaccines at 94% with the rest sourced from the manufacturers, distributors, county government, NGOs and extension service providers. Challenges hindering effective vaccine use included large pack size beyond the needs for small scale farmers (50%), unreliable supply (47%) and presumed presence of counterfeit products (15%) among others. The vaccines delivery infrastructure was found inadequate to authenticate vaccines at point of use and also in terms of compliance with cold chain requirements. The study recommends innovative vaccine delivery processes including product authentication and traceability along the supply chain.

Biofortified maize, designed as an intervention strategy to prevent vitamin A deficiency, can provide upwards of 15 μg β-carotene per g dry weight. Some varieties also have elevated concentrations of other carotenoids. We conducted a cluster randomized, controlled feeding trial in rural Zambia to test the impact of daily consumption of biofortified maize over a 6-month period on vitamin A status. Serum concentrations of retinol and carotenoids were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Data on circulating carotenoids by intervention group in 679 children are reported here. As previously shown, consumption of this β-carotene-rich maize significantly improved serum β-carotene concentrations (0.273 vs. 0.147 μmol/L, p < 0.001, in this subset of children). Here we show significant increases in α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin (p < 0.001). There was no impact on lutein or lycopene concentrations. Consumption of biofortified maize can have broader implications beyond the control of vitamin A deficiency (Trial registration: NCT01695148).

Alzheimerˈs Disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease that inflicts &gt;4,500,000 US elderly. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids, have been implicated in the prevention of degenerative diseases and recent data correlates blood and macular carotenoid levels with cognition.PurposeTo measure and compare the major carotenoids in normal elderly and AD human brain.MethodsSamples of normal and AD brain tissue from frontal lobe cortex and occipital cortex were examined. Sections were dissected into gray and white matter, extracted with organic solvents, and analyzed by HPLC.ResultsAt least 16 carotenoids, 3 tocopherols, and retinol were present in human brain. Xanthophylls accounted for &gt;70% of carotenoids in the brain. Mean concentrations of carotenoids ranged from 3.5–15.3 pmol/g. Combining all brains, lutein (LUT, P&lt;0.001) and zeaxanthin (ZX, P&lt;0.02) were higher in gray vs white matter. ZX and LUT were lower in AD brain (P&lt;0.002, P&lt;0.04, respectively). Healthy brain had 2× more ZX and 30% more LUT than AD brain. Retinol and α‐tocopherol were lower in AD brain, (p&lt;0.002, P&lt;0.006).ConclusionsAD status is negatively correlated with levels of ZX, LUT, vitamins A and E in specific brain tissue.