Metagenomic Analysis of Biliary Microbial Flora in Patients with Gallbladder Cancer or Gallstones-Associated Chronic Cholecystitis.

Biliary dysbiosis is associated with gallbladder cancer (GBC). We aimed to look for biliary bacteria specifically detected in GBC patients. We used 16S rRNA-based metagenomic analysis to elucidate biliary microbiota in 30 GBC and 30 gallstones-associated chronic cholecystitis patients.

Risk factors for gallbladder cancer development in northern India: A gallstones-matched, case-control study.

Background & Objectives: A high incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC) is observed in northern India. This study was aimed to identify the factors involved in developing GBC in this region.

Methods: A gallstones-matched, case-control study was conducted in northern India.

Roles of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi in Gallbladder Cancer Development.

Background: Typhoid (Salmonella typhi and paratyphi) carriers and gall bladder cancer (GBC) are endemic in northern India. Results of previous studies about association of typhoid carriers with GBC are inconsistent. We studied antibodies against Salmonella typhi and paratyphi in serum samples of patients with GBC.

Carcinogen Metabolism Pathway and Tumor Suppressor Gene Polymorphisms and Gallbladder Cancer Risk in North Indians: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study.

Background: Carcinogen metabolism pathway and tumor suppressor gene polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with increased gallbladder cancer risk. However, the association of genetic variants and gallbladder cancer risk in Indians are not well studied. We examined whether genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes cytochrome P450 1A1 and glutathione S-transferase and tumor suppressor gene p53 (TP53) are associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer in North Indians.

Tumor Protein p53 and K-ras Gene Mutations in Peruvian Patients with Gallbladder Cancer.

Background: Recent studies have shown that genetic alterations are associated with the effect of patient geographic location on gallbladder cancer development. Peru has a high incidence of gallbladder cancer, but causative factors have not yet been identified. We examined the frequency of mutations in TP53 and K-ras genes in Peruvian patients with gallbladder cancer, and compared this with data from Bolivia, Hungary, Chile, and Japan, which have a high gallbladder cancer incidence.

Plasma Helicobacter pylori Antibody Titers and Helicobacter pylori Infection Positivity Rates in Patients with Gallbladder Cancer or Cholelithiasis: a Hospital-Based Case-Control Study.

Objective: Gallbladder cancer is the commonest gastrointestinal cancer in northern Indian women. Some studies have examined the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gallbladder cancer risk, but findings have been inconsistent. We aimed to examine the association between H.

Metagenomics of Microbial Communities in Gallbladder Bile from Patients with Gallbladder Cancer or Cholelithiasis.

Salmonella typhi and Helicobacter infections have been shown to increase risk of gallbladder cancer (GBC), but findings have been inconsistent. Other bacterial infections may also be associated with GBC. However, information on microbial pathogens in gallbladder bile of GBC patients is scarce.

Lack of an Apparent Association between Mycotoxin Concentrations in Red Chili Peppers and Incidence of Gallbladder Cancer in India : an Ecological Study.

Our recent studies conducted in South America have shown that mycotoxin contamination of red chili peppers (RCPs) may be associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Whether this relationship exists in India, a country with a high incidence of GBC and high consumption of RCPs, is unclear. We therefore measured concentrations of aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in RCPs from areas of low, medium, and high incidence of GBC in India, and compared these concentrations with GBC incidence in each area.

CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and TP53 Polymorphisms and Risk of Gallbladder Cancer in Bolivians.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia (Bolivia) has a high incidence rate of gallbladder cancer (GBC). However, the genetic and environmental risk factors for GBC development are not well understood. We aimed to assess whether or not cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1), glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), theta 1 (GSTT1) and tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53) genetic polymorphisms modulate GBC susceptibility in Bolivians.

Ochratoxin A Contamination of Red Chili Peppers from Chile, Bolivia and Peru, Countries with a High Incidence of Gallbladder Cancer.

Our previous study detected aflatoxins in red chili peppers from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, each of which have a high incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Since the aflatoxin B1 concentration was not so high in these peppers, it is important to clarify the presence of other mycotoxins. Here we attempted to determine any associations between the concentrations of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (OTA) in red chili peppers, and the corresponding GBC incidences.

High frequency of TP53 but not K-ras gene mutations in Bolivian patients with gallbladder cancer.

Although genetic characteristics are considered to be a factor influencing the geographic variation in the prevalence of gallbladder cancer (GBC), they have not been well studied in Bolivia, which has a high prevalence rate of GBC. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of TP53 and K-ras mutations in Bolivian patients with GBC and to compare them with our previous data obtained in other high-GBC-prevalence countries, namely Japan, Chile, and Hungary. DNA was extracted from cancer sites in paraffin-embedded tissue from 36 patients using a microdissection technique.

Aflatoxin contamination of red chili pepper from Bolivia and Peru, countries with high gallbladder cancer incidence rates.

Chilean red chili peppers contaminated with aflatoxins were reported in a previous study. If the development of gallbladder cancer (GBC) in Chile is associated with a high level of consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated red chili peppers, such peppers from other countries having a high GBC incidence rate may also be contaminated with aflatoxins. We aimed to determine whether this might be the case for red chili peppers from Bolivia and Peru.

Nutritional and biochemical parameters associated with 6-year change in bone mineral density in community-dwelling Japanese women aged 69 years and older: The Muramatsu Study.

Objective: Predictors of bone loss in elderly Asian women have been unclear. This cohort study aimed to assess lifestyle, nutritional, and biochemical predictors of bone loss in elderly Japanese women.

Methods: Subjects included 389 community-dwelling women aged 69 y and older from the Muramatsu cohort initiated in 2003; follow-up ended in 2009.

Mutagenicity and mutagens of the red chili pepper as gallbladder cancer risk factor in Chilean women.

High consumption of red chili pepper has been shown to be a risk factor for gallbladder cancer (GBC) in Chilean women with gallstones, and included mutagens may be important in this context. We aimed to investigate the mutagenicity and mutagens in Chilean red chili pepper in the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA1537, TA100, and TA1535 with and without metabolic activation (S9 mix). Pure capsaicin was tested for mutagenicity using strain TA98.

Evidence that genetic variants of metabolic detoxication and cell cycle control are not related to gallbladder cancer risk in Chilean women.

Background And Aims: High consumption of red chili pepper has been shown to be a risk factor for gallbladder cancer (GBC) in Chilean women. However, genetic factors in addition to this and other environmental factors may also be associated with an increased risk of GBC. We aimed to examine the associations of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), glutathione S-transferase class mu (GSTM1), and tumor protein p53 (TP53) polymorphisms with the risk of GBC in Chilean women.

Effect of dietary intake on the levels of biliary unsaturated free Fatty acids having inhibitory activity on mutagens.

Unsaturated free fatty acids (FFAs), such as palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids, have inhibitory actions on mutagenesis. These FFAs in bile may play a role in preventing cholecystopathy and their levels may be influenced by diet. However, the effects of dietary intake on biliary FFAs levels are not known.

Genetic variants involved in gallstone formation and capsaicin metabolism, and the risk of gallbladder cancer in Chilean women.

Aim: To determine the effects of genetic variants associated with gallstone formation and capsaicin (a pungent component of chili pepper) metabolism on the risk of gallbladder cancer (GBC).

Methods: A total of 57 patients with GBC, 119 patients with gallstones, and 70 controls were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from their blood or paraffin block sample using standard commercial kits.

Bone fracture in physically disabled children attending schools for handicapped children in Japan.

Objective: Very few epidemiologic studies on bone fracture have been conducted in schools for handicapped children (Yogo schools). The aim of this study was to clarify the frequency and risk factors of bone fracture in physically disabled children in Japan.

Methods: We used a cross-sectional design to examine 525 physically disabled children in 38 Yogo schools in the Hokuriku-Koshinetsu District of Japan.

Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in preschool children: discrepancy between parent and teacher evaluations.

Objective: Clarifying the characteristics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in childhood is important for the prevention and management of this disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in Japanese preschool children based on evaluations performed by parents or teachers.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was performed to evaluate the estimated prevalence of ADHD symptoms in preschool children in Niigata City, Japan.

Low calcium intake is associated with increased bone resorption in postmenopausal Japanese women: Yokogoshi Study.

Objective: Low Ca intake is common among Japanese women, but its effect on bone metabolism has not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between Ca intake and serum markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Unhealthy maternal lifestyle leads to rapid infant weight gain: prevention of future chronic diseases.

Infants' rapid (catch-up) weight gain is associated with later obesity and chronic adult diseases. The aim of this study was to determine maternal and environmental factors related to rapid weight gain at one month and 18 months after full-term birth in Japan. Subjects were 1,524 infants and their mothers who visited the 18-month check-up in Niigata City between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008.

Microscopic hematuria is associated with low bone mineral density in aged women and men.

Little is known concerning renal or urological risk factors for osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to explore an association between urinalysis and bone mineral density (BMD) in 4,835 Japanese adults. Participants were 4,835 individuals (female 3,683; male 1,152) aged 50 years and over who received a health check-up between January 1995 and March 2006 in Japan.