Unhealthy lifestyles do not mediate the relationship between socioeconomic status and incident depressive symptoms: the Health ABC study.

Background: The relationship between low socioeconomic status (SES) and depressive symptoms is well described, also in older persons. Although studies have found associations between low SES and unhealthy lifestyle factors, and between unhealthy lifestyle factors and depressive symptoms, not much is known about unhealthy lifestyles as a potential explanation of socioeconomic differences in depressive symptoms in older persons.

Methods: To study the independent pathways between SES (education, income, perceived income, and financial assets), lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, and physical activity), and incident depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression [CES-D 10] and reported use of antidepressant medication), we used 9 years of follow-up data (1997-2007) from 2,694 American black and white participants aged 70-79 years from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) study.

Dietary patterns and survival of older adults.

Background: Recent research has linked overall dietary patterns to survival in older adults.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the dietary patterns of a cohort of older adults, and to explore associations of these dietary patterns with survival over a 10-year period. A secondary goal was to evaluate participants' quality of life and nutritional status according to their dietary patterns.

Association between inflammatory components and physical function in the health, aging, and body composition study: a principal component analysis approach.

Background: In older adults, studies demonstrate an inverse relationship between physical function and individual inflammatory biomarkers. Given that the inflammatory response is a complex system, a combination of biomarkers may increase the strength and consistency of these associations. This study uses principal component analysis to identify inflammatory "component(s)" and evaluates associations between the identified component(s) and measures of physical function.

Expression of the CUB domain containing protein 1 (CDCP1) gene in colorectal tumour cells.

Expression of CUB domain containing protein 1 (CDCP1) is upregulated in carcinoma cells. We quantitated CDCP1 gene expression in matched normal colon and tumour tissue and compared the level of expression to other genes upregulated in colorectal tumourigenesis. Furthermore, we show that the CDCP1 gene generates two transcripts which are co-expressed in normal and matched tumour tissue as well as in the majority of cell lines analysed.

Effect of selenium supplementation on biochemical markers and outcome in critically ill patients.

Background & Aims: This study aimed to assess the effect of high dose selenium (Se) supplementation on Se status in blood, oxidative stress, thyroid function and possible effects on requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in severely septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This prospective single-centre study was carried out in 40 septic ICU patients who were randomized to high dose Se (Se+ group, N=18 (474, 316, 158 microg/day), each for 3 consecutive days followed by a standard dose of 31.6 microg/day of Se given as sodium selenite whereas the control group (Se-, N=22) received only the standard dose of Se.

HLA-DR regulation and the influence of GM-CSF on transcription, surface expression and shedding.

Low surface HLA-DR expression is a feature in sepsis. However, the mechanisms that regulate HLA-DR expression have not been elucidated. The current study investigates regulation of HLA-DR gene transcription, post transcriptional events and shedding of surface HLA-DR, as well as the regulation of HLA-DR by GM-CSF and an immunomodulatory cytokine.

Is low monocyte HLA-DR expression helpful to predict outcome in severe sepsis?

Objective: Low monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression has been reported to be an indicator of poor survival in critically ill septic patients. We assessed its usefulness as a prognostic indicator in order to identify possible interventions to normalise HLA-DR expression in those patients with lowered monocyte HLA-DR.

Design: HLA-DR expression was measured on separated monocytes of septic patients, using flow cytometry, and HLA-DR upregulation was measured by the same techniques after ex vivo stimulation with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Low plasma granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor is an indicator of poor prognosis in sepsis.

Objective: Monocyte dysfunction has been shown to be associated with adverse consequences in septic patients. The cytokine growth factor granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) may be required for optimal monocyte function in these patients. The current study investigates whether plasma GM-CSF levels were significantly different in septic patients and whether there was an association with prognosis.