[Protective effects of total epimedium flavonoids against QA-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects and its mechanisms of total epimedium flavonoids (TEF) against Quindinince acid (QA)-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS: The MT assay was used to detect the toxicity of QA and the cell viability of pretreatment of TEF and co-incubation with QA in SH-SY5Y cells; Cell apoptosis was observed by Hochest33258 staining; SOD and GSH-Px activities as well as MDA content were measured by colorimetric method; The mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) and intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were monitored by FCM. RESULTS: TEF increased the cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells, reduced apoptosis cells significantly, improved SOD and GSH-Px activities, decreased MDA content, increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced intracellular free calcium concentration( [Ca2+]i ). CONCLUSION: TEF has significant protective effects against QA-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells,the action mechanism may be associated with resisting oxidative stress, decreasing the [Ca2]i and up-regulating delta psi m.

Smoking frequency, prevalence and trends, and their socio-demographic associations in Alberta, Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the numbers of smokers, smoking prevalence and trends, and to examine their socio-demographic associations in Alberta using data from three Canadian national health surveys undertaken between 2000 and 2005. METHODS: The three surveys collected self-reported health data from Canadians aged 12 years and older. The weighted number of smokers and the smoking prevalence by health region and by urban/rural status were determined. The socio-demographic associations of smoking in Alberta were examined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The numbers of smokers and the smoking prevalence were both higher among men than women, in middle-aged groups (20-39 and 40-59 years) than in younger (12-19 years) and older (> or = 60 years) groups, and among Canadian-born people than immigrants to Canada. The smoking prevalence tended to 1) increase with the increasing rurality of residence, 2) decrease over the timeframe examined, 3) be inversely proportional to educational level and 4) be inversely proportional to household income. The number of smokers was largest in urban areas and among those who reported the highest education and household income. DISCUSSION: The new tobacco legislation being introduced in Alberta in 2009 may decrease the smoking prevalence in the province, but additional interventions in the regions with the largest numbers of smokers may help further reduce the smoking population and overall smoking prevalence in Alberta.

Prevalence, trend, and sociodemographic association of five modifiable lifestyle risk factors for cancer in Alberta and Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the 12-year trend, in Alberta and Canada, of five modifiable lifestyle risk factors for cancer, and their associations with sociodemographic factors. METHODS: Six surveys collected data from Canadians aged > or =12 years. The prevalence, trends, and sociodemographic association of five lifestyle risk factors (smoking, inactivity, excessive drinking, overweight/obesity, and insufficient fruit/vegetable intake) were examined. RESULTS: Smoking and inactivity decreased significantly: by 5.4% and 2.7% (Alberta men) and 4.9% and 12.1% (Alberta women); by 7.5% and 8.5% (Canada men) and 7.7% and 11.9% (Canada women). Excessive drinking increased significantly: by 3.6% (men) and 0.9% (women), Alberta; by 2.5% (men) and 0.9% (women), Canada. Overweight/obesity significantly increased by 6.0% (Alberta) and 4.1% (Canada) in women. Being female, single, highly educated, or having higher income decreased the likelihood of exposure to multiple lifestyle risk factors; being middle aged, widowed/separated/divorced, or in poor health condition increased the likelihood. CONCLUSIONS: The downward trends for smoking and physical inactivity were in a direction that may help reduce cancer burden. The excessive drinking and overweight/obesity trends did not change in desired direction and deserve attention. The clustering of the lifestyle risk factors in specific social groups provides useful information for future intervention planning.

Irritable bowel syndrome: are incentives useful for improving survey response rates?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. There continues to be a need for community-based research into this condition. Unfortunately, response rates in community-based IBS surveys have typically been very low. In this study, we explore the use of incentives and multiple-response options as a means of increasing survey response rates. The study was conducted in three phases. In an initial phase, no incentive was offered; in the second phase, a 5.00 Canadian dollars incentive was offered; and in the third phase, a 20.00 Canadian dollars incentive was offered. Response rates were higher in the incentive groups: Individual response rates were 57.9%, 72.7%, and 84.7% in the three phases, respectively. A slightly higher estimate of IBS prevalence was obtained in the no incentive group. Selection bias is a possible explanation for this difference. A decision about whether to use incentives must be based on the specific goals of the study.

Irritable bowel syndrome and health-related quality of life: a population-based study in Calgary, Alberta.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of nonclinical samples of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Canada. In a pilot survey, the impact of IBS on HRQOL using a population-based, urban sample was examined. METHODS: A random sample of Calgary residents (18 years of age or older), selected by random digit dialing (n=1521), completed a structured questionnaire including ROME II Criteria and Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey, version 2 (SF-12v2). The mean scale and summary scores of SF-12v2 for those who did and did not meet ROME II criteria and for those who met ROME II criteria with and without visiting a physician in past three months were determined and compared using multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the 951 households successfully contacted, 590 (62%) were willing to participate, of which 437 (74%) individuals were recruited. One hundred ten IBS cases (81 of which were women) and 327 non-IBS controls (180 of which were women) were identified. All of the eight mean scale scores and the two mean summary scores were significantly lower in people with IBS than in those without, whether or not adjusting for demographics. Forty-four of the 110 IBS cases (40%) sought medical help. Significantly lower mean physical component score and three scale scores (general health, social functioning and role physical) were found in those who sought medical help than in those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: People with IBS experience significant impairment in HRQOL, including both physical and mental well-being. People with IBS who seek medical help report worse physical health than those who do not, but their mental health is no different.