The comparability of relative safeties from different studies

It is noted, that unlike relative risk, the corresponding relative safety, viz. the corresponding risk ratio for the complementary endpoint, does not depend on the prevalence of other factors and the magnitudes of the risks associated with them, when risk factors and risks mix independently.     

Ophthalmologic changes related to radiation exposure and age in adult health study sample, Hiroshima and Nagasaki

A 2-year ophthalmologic study of age and radiation-related ophthalmologic lesions among the atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was conducted in 1978-80. The study sample in both cities was composed of all persons exposed to 100+ rad, their controls, and all other persons with a previous record of axial opacities or posterior subcapsular changes. Most of the losses were due to persons who refused to participate or for whom it was not possible to arrange for an ophthalmologic examination at the time of the regularly scheduled medical examination. It should be emphasized, however, that the loss of persons in both the control and the 100+ rad groups did not change systematically with increasing age by city. Increased lenticular opacities, other lens changes, and loss of visual acuity and accommodation occurred with increasing age in both exposed and control subjects as manifestations of the normal aging process. A highly significant excess risk for all age categories in the 300+ rad group in comparison to those in the control group was observed for both axial opacities and posterior subcapsular changes in Hiroshima, but not in Nagasaki. A stronger radiosensitive aging effect for persons who were under 15 years old at the time of the bombing (ATB) was observed for both axial opacities and posterior subcapsular changes in Hiroshima.     

Stereoselective O-glycosylation of trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline derivatives promoted by silver zeolite

Trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline has been converted to four imino- and carboxyl-blocked derivatives which are suitable for the synthesis of 4-O-glycosyl conjugates. Reaction of these derivatives with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl chloride in the presence of a silver zeolite promoter yielded the blocked beta-furanosyl amino-acid conjugates. Deprotection gave trans-4-(beta-L-arabinofuranosyloxy)-L-proline which was characterised as its crystalline isopropyl ester. 13C-NMR Data are presented for the compounds described.     

North and South: Exploring isotopic analysis of bone carbonates and collagen to understand post-medieval diets in London and northern England

Objectives

We evaluate the potential of paired isotopic analysis of bone carbonate and collagen to examine the diet of post-medieval human and animal populations from England (17th–19th c.), including, for the first time, manufacturing towns in northern England. The potential for identifying C₄ crop consumption is explored alongside regional and local patterning in diet by sex and socioeconomic status.

Materials and Methods

Humans (n = 216) and animals (n = 168) were analyzed from sites in London and northern England for both carbon and nitrogen isotopes of bone collagen (𝛿¹³C_coll, 𝛿¹⁵N_coll). Isotopic analysis of bone carbonates (𝛿¹³C_carb, 𝛿¹⁸O_carb) was carried out on all humans and 27 animals, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance to assess diagenesis.

Results

Variations in diet were observed between and within different populations by geographical location and socioeconomic status. Three pigs and one cow consumed C₄ resources, indicating the availability of C₄-fed animal protein. Londoners consumed more animal and marine protein and C₄ resources. Middle- and upper-class populations from both London and northern populations also had greater access to these foods compared to those of lower status in the same regions.

Discussion

This substantial multi-isotope dataset deriving from bone carbonate and collagen combined from diverse post-medieval urban communities enabled, for the first time, the biomolecular identification of the dynamics of C₄ consumption (cane sugar/maize) in England, providing insight into the dynamics of food globalization during this period. We also add substantially to the animal dataset for post-medieval England, providing further insight into animal management during a key moment of agricultural change.

     

Regulation of the catalytic activity of the monooxygenase enzyme system depending of the substrate structure and phospholipid composition of the model membrane

A comparative study of pentoxy- and benzyloxyresorufin dealkylation by a monooxygenase enzyme system in dilauroylphosphatidylcholine micelles and in proteoliposomes was carried out. In proteoliposomes whose lipid matrix is formed by double phospholipid mixtures, a cooperative regulation of the oxidation reaction was found. It was shown that the cooperativity of this process depends on the substrate type as well as on the phospholipid composition of the vesicles and decreases during peroxide oxidation of lipids. The results obtained are discussed in terms of protein-protein and protein-phospholipid interactions in the oligomer ensembles consisting of several cytochrome P-450 LM2 molecules.