bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum adiponectin and resistin in relation to insulin resistance and markers of hyperandrogenism in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Pangaribuan Bertha , Yusuf Irawan , Mansyur Muchtaruddin , Wijaya Andi
Published: October 2011

Objective: The role of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been established. However the role of adiponectin and resistin in the relationship between insulin resistance as markers of obesity and PCOS has not been conclusive. This study aims to determine the influence of the serum levels of adiponectin and resistin on PCOS, and assess possible correlations with the hormonal and metabolic parameters of the syndrome and obesity.

Methods: This study continued a case control study that had finished recruiting 24 subjects of reproductive women with PCOS as a case group, and 24 subjects of normal ovulatory reproductive women without hyperandrogenism as a control group. Further, only 18 subjects of the control group had a body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 and were included the data analysis, whereas others were excluded. Therefore, these study data were divided into three groups. Twenty-four PCOS patients from the case group were allocated to two groups, A ( n = 14) patients had PCOS + BMI ≥25 kg/m2; B ( n = 10) patients had PCOS + BMI <25 kg/m2. Group C was the control group of 18 reproductive women without PCOS + BMI <25 kg/m2. Blood samples were collected between day 3 and 5 of a spontaneous menstrual cycle, at 07:00 to 09:00, after overnight fasting. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone, prolactin, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), glucose, insulin, adiponectin and resistin were measured.

Results: Serum adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in group A compared with group B and group C. No significant difference existed in adiponectin between group B and group C. Homeostasis Model of Assessment—Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) value in group A was found to be significantly higher than group C, but no significant differences were found between group B and group C or between group A and group B. There was no significant difference in serum resistin between all groups, nevertheless the resistin-to-adiponectin (R:A) ratio was significantly decreased in group A compared with groups B and C. In a multiple regression model, BMI, testosterone and insulin resistance were the major determinants of hypoadiponectinemia. However, only BMI was the major determinant of the resistin represented by the R:A ratio.

Conclusions: Serum adiponectin levels and the ratio of resistin to adiponectin levels are reduced in obese women with PCOS. These results suggest that, by reducing adiponectin serum level, hyperandrogenemia, together with nutritional status of obesity, might contribute to insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of PCOS.
The ribosome-related protein, SBDS, is critical for normal erythropoiesis
Authors: Sen Saswati , Wang Hanming , Nghiem Chi Lan , Zhou Kim , Yau Janice , Tailor Chetankumar S. , Irwin Meredith S. , Dror Yigal
Published: October 2011

Although anemia is common in Shwachman- Diamond syndrome (SDS), the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We asked whether SBDS, which is mutated in most SDS patients, is critical for erythroid development. We found that SBDS expression is high early during erythroid differentiation. Inhibition of SBDS in CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and early progenitors (HSC/Ps) and K562 cells led to slow cell expansion during erythroid differentiation. Induction of erythroid differentiation resulted in markedly accelerated apoptosis in the knockdown cells; however, proliferation was only mildly reduced. The percentage of cells entering differentiation was not reduced. Differentiation also increased the oxidative stress in SBDS-knockdown K562 cells, and antioxidants enhanced the expansion capability of differentiating SBDS-knockdown K562 cells and colony production of SDS patient HSC/Ps. Erythroid differentiation also resulted in reduction of all ribosomal subunits and global translation. Furthermore, stimulation of global translation with leucine improved the erythroid cell expansion of SBDS-knockdown cells and colony production of SDS patient HSC/Ps. Leucine did not reduce the oxidative stress in SBDS-deficient K562 cells. These results demonstrate that SBDS is critical for normal erythropoiesis. Erythropoietic failure caused by SBDS deficiency is at least in part related to elevated ROS levels and translation insufficiency because antioxidants and leucine improved cell expansion.
Slow conduction and gap junction remodeling in murine ventricle after chronic alcohol ingestion
Authors: Lai Yu-Jun , Hung Chung-Lieh , Hong Ray-Ching , Tseng Ya-Ming , Lin Cheng-I , Ko Yu-Shien , Tsai Cheng-Ho , Yeh Hung-I
Published: September 2011

Background

Long-term heavy alcohol drinkers are prone to the development of cardiac arrhythmia. To understand the mechanisms, we evaluated the cardiac structural and electrophysiological changes in mice chronically drinking excessive alcohol.

Results

Male C57BL/6J mice were given 36% alcohol in the drinking water. Those given blank water were used as control. Twelve weeks later, the phenotypic characteristics of the heart, including gap junctions and electrical properties were examined. In the alcohol group the ventricles contained a smaller size of cardiomyocytes and a higher density of capillary networks, compared to the control. Western blots showed that, after drinking alcohol, the content of connexin43 (Cx43) protein in the left ventricle was increased by 18% (p < 0.05). Consistently, immunoconfocal microscopy demonstrated that Cx43 gap junctions were up-regulated in the alcohol group with a disorganized distribution, compared to the control. Optical mapping showed that the alcohol group had a reduced conduction velocity (40 ± 18 vs 60 ± 7 cm/sec, p < 0.05) and a higher incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (62% vs 30%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Long-term excessive alcohol intake resulted in extensive cardiac remodeling, including changes in expression and distribution of gap junctions, growth of capillary network, reduction of cardiomyocyte size, and decrease of myocardial conduction.
Detection of growth-related QTL in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)
Authors: Sánchez-Molano Enrique , Cerna Alex , Toro Miguel A , Bouza Carmen , Hermida Miguel , Pardo Belén G , Cabaleiro Santiago , Fernández Jesús , Martínez Paulino
Published: September 2011

Background

The turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) is a highly appreciated European aquaculture species. Growth related traits constitute the main goal of the ongoing genetic breeding programs of this species. The recent construction of a consensus linkage map in this species has allowed the selection of a panel of 100 homogeneously distributed markers covering the 26 linkage groups (LG) suitable for QTL search. In this study we addressed the detection of QTL with effect on body weight, length and Fulton's condition factor.

Results

Eight families from two genetic breeding programs comprising 814 individuals were used to search for growth related QTL using the panel of microsatellites available for QTL screening. Two different approaches, maximum likelihood and regression interval mapping, were used in order to search for QTL. Up to eleven significant QTL were detected with both methods in at least one family: four for weight on LGs 5, 14, 15 and 16; five for length on LGs 5, 6, 12, 14 and 15; and two for Fulton's condition factor on LGs 3 and 16. In these LGs an association analysis was performed to ascertain the microsatellite marker with the highest apparent effect on the trait, in order to test the possibility of using them for marker assisted selection.

Conclusions

The use of regression interval mapping and maximum likelihood methods for QTL detection provided consistent results in many cases, although the high variation observed for traits mean among families made it difficult to evaluate QTL effects. Finer mapping of detected QTL, looking for tightly linked markers to the causative mutation, and comparative genomics are suggested to deepen in the analysis of QTL in turbot so they can be applied in marker assisted selection programs.
Family history of the cancer on the survival of the patients with gastrointestinal cancer in northern Iran, using frailty models
Authors: Ghadimi Mahmoodreza , Mahmoodi Mahmood , Mohammad Kazem , Zeraati Hojjat , Rasouli Mahboobeh , Sheikhfathollahi Mahmood
Published: October 2011

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer is one of the common causes of the mortality due to cancer in most developing countries such as Iran. The digestive tract is the major organ involved in the cancer. The northern part of the country, surrounded the Caspian Sea coast, is well known and the region with highest regional incidence of the GI tract cancer. In this paper our aim is to study the most common risk factors affecting the survival of the patients suffering from GI tract cancer using parametric models with frailty.

Methods

This research was a prospective study. Information of 484 cases with GI cancer was collected from Babol Cancer Registration Center during 1990-1991. The risk factors we studied are age, sex, family history of cancer, marital status, smoking status, occupation, race, medication status, education, residence (urban, rural), type of cancer, migration status (indigenous, non-native). The studied cases were followed up until 2006 for 15 years. Hazard ratio was used to interpret the death risk. The effect of the factors in the study on the patients survival are studied under a family of parametric models including Weibull, Exponential, Log-normal, and the Log-logistic model. The models are fitted using with and without frailty. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) was considered to compare between competing models.

Results

Out of 484 patients in the study, 321 (66.3%) were males and 163 (33.7%) were females. The average age of the patient at the time of the diagnosis was 59 yr and 55 yr for the males and females respectively. Furthermore, 359 (74.2%) patients suffered from esophageal, 110 (22.7%) patients recognized with gastric, and 15 (3.1%) patients with colon cancer. Survival rates after 1, 3, and 5 years of the diagnosis were 24%, 16%, and 15%, respectively. We found that the family history of the cancer is a significant factor on the death risk under all statistical models in the study. The comparison of AIC using the Cox and parametric models showed that the overall fitting was improved under parametric models (with and without frailty). Among parametric models, we found better performance for the log-logistic model with gamma frailty than the others. Using this model, gender and the family history of the cancer were found as significant predictors.

Conclusions

Results suggested that the early preventative care for patients with family history of the cancer may decrease the risk of the death in the patients with GI cancer. The gender appeared to be an important factor as well so that men experiencing lower risk of death than the women in the study. Since the proportionality assumption of the Cox model was not held (p = 0.0014), the Cox regression model was not an appropriate choice for analysing our data.
Pulsed electromagnetic fields stimulation prevents steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rats
Authors: Ding Shuai , Peng Hao , Fang Hong-Song , Zhou Jian-Lin , Wang Zhe
Published: September 2011

Background

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) stimulation has been used successfully to treat nonunion fractures and femoral head osteonecrosis, but relatively little is known about its effects on preventing steroid-induced osteonecrosis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of PEMF stimulation on the prevention of steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rats and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Seventy-two male adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups and treated as follows. (1) PEMF stimulation group (PEMF group, n = 24): intravenously injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 μg/kg) on day 0 and intramuscularly injected with methylprednisolone acetate (MPSL, 20 mg/kg) on days 1, 2 and 3, then subjected to PEMF stimulation 4 h per day for 1 to 8 weeks. (2) Methylprednisolone-treated group (MPSL group, n = 24): injected the same dose of LPS and MPSL as the PEMF group but without exposure to PEMF. (3) Control group (PS group, n = 24): injected 0.9% saline in the same mode at the same time points. The incidence of osteonecrosis, serum lipid levels and the mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in the proximal femur were measured 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the last MPSL (or saline) injection.

Results

The incidence of osteonecrosis in the PEMF group (29%) was significantly lower than that observed in the MPSL group (75%), while no osteonecrosis was observed in the PS group. The serum lipid levels were significantly lower in the PEMF and PS groups than in the MPSL group. Compared with the MPSL and PS groups, the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 increased, reaching a peak 1 week after PEMF treatment, and remained high for 4 weeks, then declined at 8 weeks, whereas the protein expression of TGF-β1 increased, reaching a peak at 2 weeks after PEMF treatment, and remained high for 8 weeks.

Conclusions

PEMF stimulation can prevent steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rats, and the underlying mechanisms involve decreased serum lipid levels and increased expression of TGF-β1.
Advanced Glycation in macrophages induces intracellular accumulation of 7-ketocholesterol and total sterols by decreasing the expression of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1
Authors: Iborra Rodrigo T , Machado-Lima Adriana , Castilho Gabriela , Nunes Valeria S , Abdalla Dulcinéia SP , Nakandakare Edna R , Passarelli Marisa
Published: September 2011

Background

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) alter lipid metabolism and reduce the macrophage expression of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 which impairs the reverse cholesterol transport, a system that drives cholesterol from arterial wall macrophages to the liver, allowing its excretion into the bile and feces. Oxysterols favors lipid homeostasis in macrophages and drive the reverse cholesterol transport, although the accumulation of 7-ketocholesterol, 7alpha- hydroxycholesterol and 7beta- hydroxycholesterol is related to atherogenesis and cell death. We evaluated the effect of glycolaldehyde treatment (GAD; oxoaldehyde that induces a fast formation of intracellular AGE) in macrophages overloaded with oxidized LDL and incubated with HDL alone or HDL plus LXR agonist (T0901317) in: 1) the intracellular content of oxysterols and total sterols and 2) the contents of ABCA-1 and ABCG-1.

Methods

Total cholesterol and oxysterol subspecies were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and HDL receptors content by immunoblot.

Results

In control macrophages (C), incubation with HDL or HDL + T0901317 reduced the intracellular content of total sterols (total cholesterol + oxysterols), cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol, which was not observed in GAD macrophages. In all experimental conditions no changes were found in the intracellular content of other oxysterol subspecies comparing C and GAD macrophages. GAD macrophages presented a 45% reduction in ABCA-1 protein level as compared to C cells, even after the addition of HDL or HDL + T0901317. The content of ABCG-1 was 36.6% reduced in GAD macrophages in the presence of HDL as compared to C macrophages.

Conclusion

In macrophages overloaded with oxidized LDL, glycolaldehyde treatment reduces the HDL-mediated cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol efflux which is ascribed to the reduction in ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 protein level. This may contribute to atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus.
Human platelets express CAR with localization at the sites of intercellular interaction
Authors: Gupalo Elena , Buriachkovskaia Liudmila , Othman Maha
Published: October 2011

Adenovirus has a wide tissue tropism. The virus attaches to the surface of cells via the fiber protein knob binding to the Coxsackie and Adenovirus receptor known as CAR. Virus entry inside cells is facilitated by integrins αVβ3 and αVβ5. Mice platelets are shown to be the predominant Ad binding blood cell type and the virus is documented inside platelets. CAR was identified on human platelets in one study yet contradicted in another. The presence of CAR appears to be the most reasonable initial step for virus entry into platelets and is a key to the understanding of platelet adenovirus interaction. This study aimed to re investigate the presence of CAR on human platelets. Platelets were tested by indirect immune-fluorescence using rabbit H-300 polyclonal anti-CAR antibody and goat anti-rabbit IgG F(ab')2 Texas Red antibodies, alongside with CAR positive and negative controls. Platelets were found to express CAR on their surface and in contrast to the previous study only 3.5 ± 1.9% of the tested platelets did express CAR. In addition, CAR was seen within intracellular aggregates localized at the sites of cell-cell contacts indicating that CAR expression might be upregulated in response to platelet stimulation. We confirm the presence of CAR on human platelets, we provide explanation to some of the discrepancies in this regards and we add that this receptor is localized at the sites of intercellular interaction.
Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma with sarcoma-like stroma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Petrillo Marco , Corrado Giacomo , Carbone Arnaldo , Macchia Gabriella , Ferrandina Gabriella
Published: October 2011

Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma with sarcoma-like stroma represents an extremely rare histological entity showing the co-existence of both epithelial and mesenchymal features: these tumors, firstly described in the skin by Martin and Stewart in 1935 have been further described in other anatomic sites including oral cavity, larynx, breast, lung and oesophagus. The complexity of the histology, as well as its aggressive clinical behaviour makes the diagnosis and the exploitment of effective therapeutic approaches very difficult, so that no definitive guidelines for treatments are currently available. Here, we describe a case of advanced stage vulvar squamous cell carcinoma with sarcoma-like stroma showing an unfavourable prognosis despite the use of an aggressive multimodal approach. A revision of the currently published cases have been also provided.
Identifying Tmem59 related gene regulatory network of mouse neural stem cell from a compendium of expression profiles
Authors: Zhang Luwen , Ju Xiangchun , Cheng Yumin , Guo Xiuyun , Wen Tieqiao
Published: September 2011

Background

Neural stem cells offer potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders, such like Alzheimer's disease (AD). While much progress has been made in understanding neural stem cell function, a precise description of the molecular mechanisms regulating neural stem cells is not yet established. This lack of knowledge is a major barrier holding back the discovery of therapeutic uses of neural stem cells. In this paper, the regulatory mechanism of mouse neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation by tmem59 is explored on the genome-level.

Results

We identified regulators of tmem59 during the differentiation of mouse NSCs from a compendium of expression profiles. Based on the microarray experiment, we developed the parallelized SWNI algorithm to reconstruct gene regulatory networks of mouse neural stem cells. From the inferred tmem59 related gene network including 36 genes, pou6f1 was identified to regulate tmem59 significantly and might play an important role in the differentiation of NSCs in mouse brain. There are four pathways shown in the gene network, indicating that tmem59 locates in the downstream of the signalling pathway. The real-time RT-PCR results shown that the over-expression of pou6f1 could significantly up-regulate tmem59 expression in C17.2 NSC line. 16 out of 36 predicted genes in our constructed network have been reported to be AD-related, including Ace, aqp1, arrdc3, cd14, cd59a, cds1, cldn1, cox8b, defb11, folr1, gdi2, mmp3, mgp, myrip, Ripk4, rnd3, and sncg. The localization of tmem59 related genes and functional-related gene groups based on the Gene Ontology (GO) annotation was also identified.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the expression of tmem59 is an important factor contributing to AD. The parallelized SWNI algorithm increased the efficiency of network reconstruction significantly. This study enables us to highlight novel genes that may be involved in NSC differentiation and provides a shortcut to identifying genes for AD.
The human metabolic reconstruction Recon 1 directs hypotheses of novel human metabolic functions
Authors: Rolfsson Ottar , Palsson Bernhard Ø , Thiele Ines
Published: October 2011

Background

Metabolic network reconstructions formalize our knowledge of metabolism. Gaps in these networks pinpoint regions of metabolism where biological components and functions are "missing." At the same time, a major challenge in the post genomic era involves characterisation of missing biological components to complete genome annotation.

Results

We used the human metabolic network reconstruction RECON 1 and established constraint-based modelling tools to uncover novel functions associated with human metabolism. Flux variability analysis identified 175 gaps in RECON 1 in the form of blocked reactions. These gaps were unevenly distributed within metabolic pathways but primarily found in the cytosol and often caused by compounds whose metabolic fate, rather than production, is unknown. Using a published algorithm, we computed gap-filling solutions comprised of non-organism specific metabolic reactions capable of bridging the identified gaps. These candidate solutions were found to be dependent upon the reaction environment of the blocked reaction. Importantly, we showed that automatically generated solutions could produce biologically realistic hypotheses of novel human metabolic reactions such as of the fate of iduronic acid following glycan degradation and of N-acetylglutamate in amino acid metabolism.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate how metabolic models can be utilised to direct hypotheses of novel metabolic functions in human metabolism; a process that we find is heavily reliant upon manual curation and biochemical insight. The effectiveness of a systems approach for novel biochemical pathway discovery in mammals is demonstrated and steps required to tailor future gap filling algorithms to mammalian metabolic networks are proposed.
The myosin family: unconventional roles of actin-dependent molecular motors in immune cells
Authors: Maravillas-Montero José L , Santos-Argumedo Leopoldo
Published: October 2011

Myosins comprise a family of ATP-dependent motor proteins that are best known for their role in muscle contraction and their involvement in a wide range of other eukaryotic motility processes. Recent phylogenetic analysis places myosins into 35 highly diverse classes. Although these actin-based molecular motors have been characterized extensively, and much is known about their function in different cellular compartments, there is little information available about these molecules in hematopoietic cells. The available data establish that myosins expressed by immune cells are able to support general tasks, such as maintaining plasma membrane tension, moving and secreting vesicles, aiding in endo- and exocytotic processes, and promoting the adhesion and motility of cells. Additionally, however, myosins are involved in highly specialized functions, such as regulating cell activation, IS-induced signaling, and the severing of microfilaments via the control of GTPases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of myosins in leukocytes, with emphasis on the emerging roles of these molecular motors in immune functions.
Estradiol impairs the Th17 immune response against Candida albicans
Authors: Relloso Miguel , Aragoneses-Fenoll Laura , Lasarte Sandra , Bourgeois Christelle , Romera Gema , Kuchler Karl , Corbí Angel L , Muñoz-Fernández M Angeles , Nombela César , Rodríguez-Fernández José L , Diez-Orejas Rosalia
Published: October 2011

Candida albicans is a commensal opportunistic pathogen that is also a member of gastrointestinal and reproductive tract microbiota. Exogenous factors, such as oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and estradiol, may affect susceptibility to Candida infection, although the mechanisms involved in this process have not been elucidated. We used a systemic candidiasis model to investigate how estradiol confers susceptibility to infection. We report that estradiol increases mouse susceptibility to systemic candidiasis, as in vivo and ex vivo estradiol-treated DCs were less efficient at up-regulating antigen-presenting machinery, pathogen killing, migration, IL-23 production, and triggering of the Th17 immune response. Based on these results, we propose that estradiol impairs DC function, thus explaining the increased susceptibility to infection during estrus.
Building Cyclic Schedules for Emergency Department Physicians
Authors: Ferrand Yann , Magazine Michael , Rao Uday S. , Glass Todd F.
Published: October 2011

Physicians at a branch of the emergency department at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center complained that their schedules were too erratic because of the multitude of operating requirements, regulatory constraints, physician preferences, and holiday requests. We addressed this issue by using integer programming to build cyclic schedules that can be repeated throughout the year. These schedules are flexible enough to handle incorporating holidays, work assignments, and vacation requests ex post. After we rolled out the calendar-year-based cyclic schedule, we captured statistics to assess the viability and the quality of the yearly schedule generated. Surveys of the physicians and the scheduler after implementation showed that the new schedule provides predictability and well-balanced work patterns.
INFORMS and the Analytics Movement: The View of the Membership
Authors: Liberatore Matthew , Luo Wenhong
Published: October 2011

Analytics has seen rapid growth in its adoption across a variety of organizations, especially businesses, and many firms now recognize analytics as an important business function that adds value. This trend toward data-driven and analytical decision making presents tremendous opportunities and challenges for OR professionals. As the leading scientific and professional organization for OR professionals, INFORMS must decide whether to stake its claim on the analytics movement. The purpose of this study is to assess the attitude of INFORMS members with respect to analytics and INFORMS' expansion into analytics. The results show that the INFORMS membership overall perceived great benefits and limited risks and thus offered strong support for INFORMS' expansion into analytics. However, the expected involvement of members in INFORMS analytics-oriented activities is more selective. In addition, we found that members' ages, educational levels, and affiliations affect their views on the expansion. The study findings can assist in the formulation of INFORMS' analytics strategy, contribute to its change management process, and help identify areas of focus for analytics service offerings.
Configuration of Value Chain Activities: The Effect of Pre-Entry Capabilities, Transaction Hazards, and Industry Evolution on Decisions to Internalize
Authors: Qian Lihong , Agarwal Rajshree , Hoetker Glenn
Published: September 2011

We integrate insights from organizational capabilities, organizational economics, and industry evolution to examine industry entrants' boundary choices about value chain activities and test hypotheses in 1978–2009 data from a sample of U.S. bioethanol producers. We find support for our predictions that transaction hazards, decomposed as either enduring or transient over the stages of industry evolution, are positively associated with the choice to internalize value chain activities. Pre-entry experience in an activity increases the likelihood of its internalization and reduces the effect of enduring transaction hazards on the internalization choice. Importantly, we also distinguish between firm- and founder-level pre-entry capabilities (that is, the capabilities of firms versus those of founders). Diversifying entrants with firm-level integrative capabilities are more likely to internalize value chain activities than start-ups, and this effect persists over the industry's life cycle. The relationship between pre-entry experience with an activity and the likelihood of internalizing it is also stronger for diversifying entrants. Findings improve understanding of the relationships among capability development, boundary choice, and industry evolution.
Analytical Characteristics of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays
Authors: Apple Fred S , Collinson Paul O ,   for the IFCC Task Force on Clinical Applications of Cardiac Biomarkers
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

Cardiac troponins I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) have received international endorsement as the standard biomarkers for detection of myocardial injury, for risk stratification in patients suspected of acute coronary syndrome, and for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. An evidence-based clinical database is growing rapidly for high-sensitivity (hs) troponin assays. Thus, clarifications of the analytical principles for the immunoassays used in clinical practice are important.

CONTENT

The purpose of this mini-review is (a) to provide a background for the biochemistry of cTnT and cTnI and (b) to address the following analytical questions for both hs cTnI and cTnT assays: (i) How does an assay become designated hs? (ii) How does one realistically define healthy (normal) reference populations for determining the 99th percentile? (iii) What is the usual biological variation of these analytes? (iv) What assay imprecision characteristics are acceptable? (v) Will standardization of cardiac troponin assays be attainable?

This review raises important points regarding cTnI and cTnT assays and their reference limits and specifically addresses hs assays used to measure low concentrations (nanograms per liter or picograms per milliliter). Recommendations are made to help clarify the nomenclature. The review also identifies further challenges for the evolving science of cardiac troponin measurement. It is hoped that with the introduction of these concepts, both laboratorians and clinicians can develop a more unified view of how these assays are used worldwide in clinical practice.
Proficiency Testing/External Quality Assessment: Current Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Miller W Greg , Jones Graham RD , Horowitz Gary L , Weykamp Cas
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

Proficiency testing (PT), or external quality assessment (EQA), is intended to verify on a recurring basis that laboratory results conform to expectations for the quality required for patient care.

CONTENT

Key factors for interpreting PT/EQA results are knowledge of the commutability of the samples used and the process used for target value assignment. A commutable PT/EQA sample demonstrates the same numeric relationship between different measurement procedures as that expected for patients' samples. Noncommutable PT/EQA samples frequently have a matrix-related bias of unknown magnitude that limits interpretation of results. PT/EQA results for commutable samples can be used to assess accuracy against a reference measurement procedure or a designated comparison method. In addition, the agreement of the results between different measurement procedures for commutable samples reflects that which would be seen for patients' samples. PT/EQA results for noncommutable samples must be compared to a peer group mean/median of results from participants who use measurement procedures that are expected to have the same or very similar matrix-related bias. Peer group evaluation is used to asses whether a laboratory is using a measurement procedure in conformance to the manufacturer's specifications and/or in conformance to other laboratories using the same technology. A noncommutable PT/EQA sample does not give meaningful information about the relationship of results for patients' samples between different measurement procedures.

PT/EQA provides substantial value to the practice of laboratory medicine by assessing the performance of individual laboratories and, when commutable samples are used, the status of standardization or harmonization among different measurement procedures.
GH deficiency in patients after cure of acromegaly by surgery alone
Authors: Yamada Shozo , Fukuhara Noriaki , Nishioka Hiroshi , Takeshita Akira , Suzuki Hisanori , Miyakawa Megumi , Takeuchi Yasuhiro
Published: October 2011

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of severe GH deficiency (sGHD) in patients after treatment of acromegaly by surgery alone.

Design and methods

One hundred and eighty-six patients fulfilling the criteria for cure of acromegaly were examined by GH-releasing peptide-2 stimulation test or arginine stimulation test as well as oral glucose tolerance test (GTT). In addition, the Japanese adult hypopituitarism questionnaire was completed to determine the quality of life (QoL).

Results

sGHD was found in 17 patients (9.1%; the GH-deficient group), and not found in 169 patients (90.9%; the GH-sufficient group). There were no significant differences in preoperative serum GH levels, IGF1 levels, incidence of hyperprolactinemia, tumor volumes, or incidence of microadenoma between the two groups. Upon follow-up examination, IGF1 levels and Z-scores of IGF1 levels were significantly lower in the GH-deficient group than in the GH-sufficient group, whereas neither basal GH levels nor nadir GH levels during 75 g GTT were significantly different between the two groups. Moreover, sGHD patients had a substantially higher incidence of multiple pituitary failures (17.6 vs 2.4%) and dyslipidemia (60 vs 16.2%). sGHD patients had a substantially poorer condition-related QoL.

Conclusions

This is the first large-scale, single-center, clinical study to evaluate sGHD in patients after cure of acromegaly by surgery alone. This study found that sGHD occurred in ∼9% of patients and assessment of GHD by stimulation tests is critical after successful treatment of acromegaly by surgery.
Testosterone enhances estradiol's cardioprotection in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Liu Aiying , Gao Liping , Kang Shoulei , Liu Ying , Xu Chuanying , Sun Hong , Li Dongye , Yan Changdong
Published: October 2011

After menopause, the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is due not only to estrogen decline but also to androgen decline. This study examined the effects of either estradiol (E2) or testosterone replacement alone or E2–testosterone combination on isolated myocytes in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Furthermore, we determined whether the effects are associated with β2-adrenoceptor (β2-AR). Five groups of adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were used: Sham operation (Sham) rats, bilateral Ovx rats, Ovx rats with E240 μg/kg per day (Ovx+E), Ovx rats with testosterone 150 μg/kg per day (Ovx+T), and Ovx rats with E240 μg/kg per day+testosterone 150 μg/kg per day (Ovx+E/T). We determined the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, percentage of rod-shaped cells and apoptosis of ventricular myocytes from rats of all groups subjected to I/R. Then, we determined the above indices and contractile function with or without a selective β2-AR antagonist ICI 118 551. We also determined the expression of β2-AR. Our data show that either E2or testosterone replacement alone or E2and testosterone in combination decreased the LDH release, increased the percentage of rod-shaped cells, reduced apoptotic cells (%), and combination treatment appeared to be more effective than either E2or testosterone replacement alone. ICI 118 551 abolished the effects of the three. Combination supplementation also enhanced the expression of β2-AR. We concluded that in Ovx rats, testosterone enhances E2's cardioprotection, while E2and testosterone in combination was more effective and the protective effects may be associated with β2-AR. The study highlights the potential therapeutic application for CVD in postmenopausal women.
Data about the sexual activity of Hungarian men
Authors: Rurik Imre
Published: October 2011

In the last decades there was a considerable development in the field of sexual medicine, which is a relatively new discipline integrating studies on the physiology, biology, psycho-social and cultural aspects of sexuality of both genders including morbidities affecting sexual health and well being. Issues regarding sexuality are often neglected during routine medical consultations. There is lack of comparable data about the average sexual activity of men; many of them collected from commercial sources. Aim: This study aimed to collect reliable data about the sexual activity of Hungarian men. Method: Patients attending the andrology and urology outpatient department were asked during consultation about their intercourse frequency. Results: Data of 723 men (age between 21-61 years) were evaluated. Mean of weekly intercourses was 3.1, with small difference between age decades. Only men over 50 years reported significantly less frequency (1.9/week). Other possible influencing factors were not analyzed. Conclusion: Comparing with available international data, Hungarian men seem to be among the most active male population worldwide. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1648–1650.
Management of the common European viper’s bite
Authors: Sziray Ágnes , Károlyi Zsuzsánna
Published: October 2011

The common European viper is widespread throughout Europe. In Hungary it can be found mainly in the Zemplén Mountains, on the upper course of the Tisza River, and Zala and Somogy counties. Viper’s bite is one of the rarest injuries that requires emergency medical care. The venom contains polypeptides and hydrolytic enzymes which have neurotoxic, cytotoxic, hemolytic and hemorrhagic effects. Local symptoms may include double points, pain, swelling, and suffusion at the site of the bite. Very occasionally, particularly in case of small children and elderly people, viper bite can cause life threatening angioedema, as well as shock and, therefore, professional medical help should always be sought preferably in a hospital that has a toxicology and poison control centre. Authors present the history of a 64-year-old nature loving man, who, after having been bitten by a viper, lost his conscious and experienced persistent local redness and pain. Soon after the viper bite the patient suffered an other potentially fatal accident, a stroke of lightning that he also survived. In connection with the case, authors provide an overview of the clinical symptoms caused by viper venom, and current issues of professional care. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1661–1665.
Processo, que processo?
Authors: Gonçalves José Ernesto Lima
Published: September 2011

Este texto, uma continuação do artigo "As empresas são grandes coleções de processos" (Gonçalves, 2000), resume as diferenças entre as organizações tradicionais e as empresas estruturadas por processos, mostra os principais estágios em que as empresas podem estar no seu caminho em direção a organizações por processos e como identificar em qual deles a empresa está, estabelece as vantagens da gestão por processos sobre modelos tradicionais e apresenta argumentos objetivos e critérios que podem orientar a decisão das empresas pela mudança da sua maneira de organizar.
Soil salinization and maize and cowpea yield in the crop rotation system using saline waters
Authors: Lacerda Claudivan F. , Sousa Geocleber G. , Silva Francisco L. B. , Guimarães Francisco V. A. , Silva Giovana L. , Cavalcante Lourival F.
Published: September 2011

The use of saline water and the reuse of drainage water for irrigation depend on long-term strategies that ensure the sustainability of socio-economic and environmental impacts of agricultural systems. In this study, it was evaluated the effects of irrigation with saline water in the dry season and fresh water in the rainy season on the soil salt accumulation yield of maize and cowpea, in a crop rotation system. The experiment was conducted in the field, using a randomized complete block design, with five replications. The first crop was installed during the dry season of 2007, with maize irrigated with water of different salinities (0.8, 2.2, 3.6 and 5.0 dS m-1). The maize plants were harvested at 90 days after sowing (DAS), and vegetative growth, dry mass of 1000 seeds and grain yield were evaluated. The same plots were utilized for the cultivation of cowpea, during the rainy season of 2008. At the end of the crop, cycle plants of this species were harvested, being evaluated the vegetative growth and plant yield. Soil samples were collected before and after maize and cowpea cultivation. The salinity of irrigation water above 2.2 dS m-1 reduced the yield of maize during the dry season. The high total rainfall during the rainy season resulted in leaching of salts accumulated during cultivation in the dry season, and eliminated the possible negative effects of salinity on cowpea plants. However, this crop showed atypical behavior with a significant proportion of vegetative mass and low pod production, which reduced the efficiency of this strategy of crop rotation under the conditions of this study.
Mapping of summer crops in the State of Paraná, Brazil, through the 10-day spot vegetation NDVI composites
Authors: Araújo Gleyce K. D. , Rocha Jansle V. , Lamparelli Rubens A. C. , Rocha Agmon M.
Published: September 2011

The search for low subjectivity area estimates has increased the use of remote sensing for agricultural monitoring and crop yield prediction, leading to more flexibility in data acquisition and lower costs comparing to traditional methods such as census and surveys. Low spatial resolution satellite images with higher frequency in image acquisition have shown to be adequate for cropland mapping and monitoring in large areas. The main goal of this study was to map the Summer crops in the State of Paraná, Brazil, using 10-day composition of NDVI SPOT Vegetation data for 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 cropping seasons. For this, a supervised digital classification method with Parallelepiped algorithm in multitemporal RGB image composites was used, in order to generate masks of Summer cultures for each 10-day composition. Accuracy assessment was performed using Kappa index, overall accuracy and Willmott's concordance index, resulting in good levels of accuracy. This methodology allowed the accomplishment, with free and low resolution data, of the mapping of Summer cultures at State level.
Seletividade de clomazone isolado ou em mistura para a cultura do algodoeiro
Authors: Dan H.A , Barroso A.L.L , Oliveira JR R.S , Constantin J , Dan L.G.M , Braz G.B.P , Oliveira Neto A.M , D'Avila R.P
Published: September 2011

O clomazone destaca-se como um dos principais herbicidas utilizados em pré-emergência na cultura do algodoeiro, mesmo levando-se em conta o fato de que muito pouco se sabe em relação à sua seletividade para a cultura. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a seletividade do clomazone isolado ou em mistura com outros herbicidas utilizados em pré-emergência na cultura do algodoeiro. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, com a utilização de testemunhas duplas. Foram avaliados 13 tratamentos, os quais foram constituídos de clomazone isolado ou combinado com os herbicidas S-metolachlor, diuron, prometryne, alachlor, oxyfluorfen e trifluralin. Foram avaliados porcentagem de fitointoxicação, estande final, altura de plantas, número de maçãs e rendimento final de algodão em caroço. O clomazone, isolado nas doses de 1,00 e 1,25 kg ha-1 ou em associação com S-metolachlor (0,76 kg ha-1), diuron (1,50 kg ha-1), prometryne (1,50 kg ha-1), alachlor (1,44 kg ha-1) e trifluralin (1,80 kg ha-1), foi seletivo à cultura do algodão cv. Nu Opal. Em contrapartida, sua associação com oxyfluorfen (1,25 + 0,19 kg ha-1), trifluralin + diuron (1,25 + 1,80 + 1,50 kg ha-1) e trifluralin + prometryne (1,25 + 1,80 + 1,50 kg ha-1) proporcionou redução na produtividade do algodoeiro.
Decomposição e liberação de nutrientes de resíduos culturais de crambe e nabo forrageiro
Authors: Heinz Rafael , Garbiate Marcos Vinicios , Viegas Neto Antonio Luiz , Mota Leandro Henrique de Sousa , Correia Allan Michel Pereira , Vitorino Antonio Carlos Tadeu
Published: September 2011

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a decomposição e liberação de nutrientes dos resíduos culturais do nabo forrageiro e do crambe na implantação do sistema de plantio direto. O experimento foi realizado em um Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico, com 762g kg-1 de argila. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram aplicados no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as espécies de cobertura do solo (nabo forrageiro e crambe) alocadas nas parcelas e as épocas de coleta das bolsas de decomposição (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 dias após o manejo) nas subparcelas. As culturas foram manejadas 60 dias após a emergência, em florescimento pleno. O nabo forrageiro produziu 5.586kg ha-1 de massa seca (MS) e o crambe atingiu 2.688kg ha-1 de MS. A liberação de nutrientes acompanhou a cinética de decomposição da palhada, apresentando uma fase inicial rápida seguida de outra mais lenta. O K, o P e o Mg são os nutrientes liberados mais rapidamente para a cultura subsequente. A maior taxa de liberação de macronutrientes pelas culturas ocorreu ao redor de 15 dias após o manejo da fitomassa.
Intervenção nas situações de trabalho em um serviço de nutrição hospitalar e repercussões nos sintomas osteomusculares
Authors: Isosaki Mitsue , Cardoso Elisabeth , Glina Débora Miriam Raab , Pustiglione Marcelo , Rocha Lys Esther
Published: September 2011

OBJETIVO: Analisar as situações de trabalho em serviço de nutrição hospitalar, antes e depois da implantação de ações de intervenções ergonômicas, e seu impacto na prevalência de sintomas osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo de caso desenvolvido em hospital público especializado em cardiologia, localizado em São Paulo, com a participação de 115 trabalhadores. A abordagem metodológica foi a da Análise Ergonômica do Trabalho e da ergonomia participativa. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de questionários e da análise ergonômica do trabalho, antes e depois da intervenção. A análise dos dados incluiu testes estatísticos para verificar se houve mudança da prevalência de sintomas antes e depois das intervenções, com nível de significância de 5%, por meio dos Programas Statistical Package for Social Sciences 13.0 e Excel 2003. RESULTADOS: A população constitui-se, em sua maioria, de mulheres, na faixa etária de 25 a 34 anos, com grau médio de escolaridade, casadas, com filhos, e que ocupavam o cargo de atendente de nutrição. Os principais problemas observados foram espaço físico reduzido, equipamentos e materiais de trabalho inadequados, deficit de pessoal, volume excessivo de trabalho com elevado esforço mental e alta prevalência de sintomas osteomusculares, principalmente nos membros inferiores e ombros. Após as intervenções realizadas, houve melhora na situação de trabalho, com redução dos sintomas osteomusculares, bem como os profissionais perceberam mudanças em termos de ambiente físico, equipamentos e organização do trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: As intervenções repercutiram em melhorias, principalmente quanto ao ambiente e equipamentos, e na redução dos sintomas osteomusculares nos membros inferiores, ombros, pescoço/região cervical, antebraço e região lombar, apesar de a redução não ter sido estatisticamente significativa.