An MRI-based approach for the measurement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in humans

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of mental disorders. Previous region-of-interest MRI studies that attempted to delineate this region adopted various landmarks and measurement techniques, with inconsistent results. We developed a new region-of-interest measurement method to obtain morphometric data of this region from structural MRI scans, taking into account knowledge from cytoarchitectonic postmortem studies and the large inter-individual variability of this region. MRI scans of 10 subjects were obtained, and DLPFC tracing was performed in the coronal plane by two independent raters using the semi-automated software Brains2. The intra-class correlation coefficients between two independent raters were 0.94 for the left DLPFC and 0.93 for the right DLPFC. The mean +/- S.D. DLPFC volumes were 9.23 +/- 2.35 ml for the left hemisphere and 8.20 +/- 2.08 ml for the right hemisphere. Our proposed method has high inter-rater reliability and is easy to implement, permitting the standardized measurement of this region for clinical research applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of IgE antibodies to shrimp tropomyosin is superior to skin prick testing with commercial extract and measurement of IgE to shrimp for predicting clinically relevant allergic reactions after shrimp ingestion

Background: Shrimp is a frequent cause of food allergy. Tropomyosin is the major allergen in shrimp, and it shares homology to tropomyosins from other crustaceans, dust mites, cockroach, and parasites. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the value of detection of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin in the diagnosis of shrimp allergy. Methods: We have studied 35 patients with asthma, rhinitis, or both who were sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. All subjects underwent skin prick testing in addition to double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC); oral open challenges; or both with shrimp. Measurements of IgE to shrimp and shrimp tropomyosin were carried out by means of CAP and chimeric ELISA, respectively. Results: Oral challenges confirmed the diagnosis of shrimp allergy in 7 patients. IgE measurement to shrimp tropomyosin was positive in 71.4% of the patients with shrimp allergy. Of the 28 patients without shrimp allergy, only 7.1% (2/28) had IgE to shrimp tropomyosin compared with 25% (7/28) who had IgE to shrimp and 35.7% (10/28) who had positive skin prick test responses to shrimp. Sensitivity was similar for all 3 methods (71.4%); in contrast, specificity of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin (92.8%) was greater than that of IgE to shrimp (75%) and skin prick testing (64.2%). With regard to diagnostic efficiency, measurement of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin was superior to measurement of IgE to shrimp and skin prick testing (88.5%, 74.2%, and 65.7%, respectively). Conclusion: Use of measurements of IgE to shrimp tropomyosin provided added value to the diagnosis of shrimp allergy. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010;125:872-8.)

A standardized measurement technique may improve the reliability of measurements of endometrial thickness and volume

Objective To investigate whether standardization of the multiplanar view (SMV) when evaluating the uterus using three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) improves intra-and interobserver reliability and agreement with regard to endometrial measurement. Methods Two-dimensional (2D) and 3D-US was used to measure endometrial thickness by two observers in 30 women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment. Endometrial volume was measured with Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL (TM)) in the longitudinal (A) and coronal (C) planes using an unmodified multiplanar view (UMV) and a standardized multiplanar view (SMV). Measurement reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and agreement was examined using Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement (LoA). The ease of outlining the endometrial-myometrial interface was compared between the A-and C-planes using subjective assessment. Results Endometrial volume measurements using the SMV and A-plane were more reliable (intra-and interobserver ICCs, 0.979 and 0.975, respectively) than were measurements of endometrial thickness using 2D-US (intra-and interobserver ICCs, 0.742 and 0.702, respectively) or 3D-US (intra-and interobserver ICCs, 0.890 and 0.784, respectively). The LoAs were narrower for SMV than for UMV. Reliability and agreement were not much different between the A- and C-planes. However the observers agreed that delineating the endometrial-myometrial interface using the A-plane was easier (first and second observer, 50.0 and 46.7%, respectively) or `comparable` (50 and 53.3%, respectively), but never more difficult than using the C-plane. Conclusions Endometrial volume measurements are more reliable than endometrial thickness measurements and are best performed using SMV and the A-plane. Copyright (C) 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Climacteric, physically active women ingesting their routine diet oxidize more carbohydrates than lipids

Objective To investigate the influence of a routine Brazilian diet on the rate of oxidation of energy substrates in climacteric, obese women, who came to the outpatient clinic of the Hospital of the School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto (HCFMRP-USP). Methods Subjects were recruited from outpatients at the Climacteric Clinic of the HCFMRP-USP, who were aged between 39 and 65 years and who voluntarily agreed to participate in this study. They were submitted to anthropometric measurements and indirect calorimetry for resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation rate determination. Results The carbohydrate oxidation in the group of climacteric, obese women showed a significant positive correlation between energy consumption at rest and ingestion of carbohydrates (in grams); the subjects` rate of lipid intake showed a significant negative correlation with their body mass index, waist circumference, and daily total caloric intake. Conclusion Carbohydrate intake and carbohydrate oxidation rate may contribute to weight gain in climacteric women.

INCREASED SARCOLEMMAL PERMEABILITY AS AN EARLY EVENT IN EXPERIMENTAL SEPTIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: A POTENTIAL ROLE FOR OXIDATIVE DAMAGE TO LIPIDS AND PROTEINS

This study describes increased sarcolemmal permeability and myofilamentar damage that occur together with lipid peroxidation and protein nitration in the myocardium in severe sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Male C57BL/6 mice were submitted to moderate and severe septic injury and sham operation. Using light and laser confocal microscopy, diffuse foci of myocytolysis associated with focal disruption of the actin/myosin contractile apparatus could be seen in hearts with severe septic injury. The myocardial expressions of the sarcomeric proteins myosin and actin were downregulated by both severe and moderate injuries. The detection of albumin staining in the cytoplasm of myocytes to evaluate sarcolemmal permeability provided evidence of severe and mild injury of the plasma membrane in hearts with severe and moderate septic injury, respectively. The administration of a superoxide scavenger caused marked reduction of sarcolemmal permeability, indicating the involvement of free radicals in its genesis. On electron microscopy, these changes were seen to correspond to spread blocks of a few myocytes with fragmentation and dissolution of myofibrils, intracellular edema, and, occasionally, rupture of the sarcolemma. In addition, oxidative damage to lipids, using anti-4-hydroxynonenal, an indicator of oxidative stress and disruption of plasma membrane lipids, and to proteins, using antinitrotyrosine, a stable biomarker of peroxynitrite-mediated protein nitration, was demonstrated. These findings make plausible the hypothesis that increased sarcolemmal permeability might be a primary event in myocardial injury in severe sepsis possibly due to oxidative damage to lipids and proteins that could precede phenotypic changes that characterize a septic cardiomyopathy.

Lower uterine segment thickness measurement in pregnant women with previous Cesarean section: reliability analysis using two- and three-dimensional transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound

Objective To evaluate the reliability of two- and three-dimensional ultrasonographic measurement of the thickness of the lower uterine segment (LUS) in pregnant women by transvaginal and transabdominal approaches. Methods This was a study of 30 pregnant women who bad bad at least one previous Cesarean section and were between 36 and 39 weeks` gestation, with singleton pregnancies in cephalic presentation. Sonographic examinations were performed by two observers using both 4-7-MHz transabdominal and 5-8-MHz transvaginal volumetric probes. LUS measurements were performed using two- and three-dimensional ultrasound, evaluating the entire LUS thickness transabdominally and the LUS muscular thickness transvaginally. Each observer measured the LUS four times by each method. Reliability was analyzed by comparing the mean of the absolute differences, the intraclass correlation coefficients, the 95% limits of agreement and the proportion of differences <1 mm. Results Transvaginal ultrasound provided greater reliability in LUS measurements than did transabdominal ultrasound. The use of three-dimensional ultrasound improved significantly the reliability of the LUS muscular thickness measurement obtained transvaginally. Conclusions Ultrasonographic measurement of the LUS muscular thickness transvaginally appears more reliable than does that of the entire LUS thickness transabdominally. The use of three-dimensional ultrasound should be considered to improve measurement reliability. Copyright (c) 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Lipids, Mitochondria and Cell Death: Implications in Neuro-oncology

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to inhibit cell proliferation of many tumour types both in vitro and in vivo. Their capacity to interfere with cell proliferation has been linked to their induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in tumour tissues leading to cell death through apoptosis. However, the exact mechanisms of action of PUFAs are far from clear, particularly in brain tumours. The loss of bound hexokinase from the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel has been directly related to loss of protection from apoptosis, and PUFAs can induce this loss of bound hexokinase in tumour cells. Tumour cells overexpressing Akt activity, including gliomas, are sensitised to ROS damage by the Akt protein and may be good targets for chemotherapeutic agents, which produce ROS, such as PUFAs. Cardiolipin peroxidation may be an initial event in the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, and enriching cardiolipin with PUFA acyl chains may lead to increased peroxidation and therefore an increase in apoptosis. A better understanding of the metabolism of fatty acids and eicosanoids in primary brain tumours such as gliomas and their influence on energy balance will be fundamental to the possible targeting of mitochondria in tumour treatment.

Remote probe microphone measurement to verify hearing aid performance

We assessed the feasibility of obtaining probe microphone measurements of hearing aids at a distance. Face-to-face and remote probe microphone measurements were carried out in 60 hearing aid users (mean age 67 yrs) with uni- or bilateral hearing losses (105 ears tested). The participant and a facilitator were located in a room equipped with a probe microphone system interfaced to a PC. Desktop videoconferencing and application sharing was used to allow an audiologist in another room to instruct the facilitator and control the equipment via the LAN. There were significant correlations between face-to-face and remote real ear unaided response (REUR), aided response (REAR) and insertion gain (REIG) at seven discrete frequencies from 250 to 6000 Hz. Differences between face-to-face and remote responses were within the reported variability for probe microphone measurements themselves. The results show that remote probe microphone measurements are feasible and might improve the quality of public hearing aid services and professional training in Brazil.

Testing the retention of attachments for implant overdentures - validation of an original force measurement system

P>The aim of this study was to validate an original portable device to measure attachment retention of implant overdentures both in the lab and in clinical settings. The device was built with a digital force measurement gauge (Imada) secured to a vertical wheel stand associated with a customized support to hold and position the denture in adjustable angulations. Sixteen matrix and patrix cylindrical stud attachments (Locator (R)) were randomly assigned as in vitro test specimens. Attachment abutments were secured in an implant analogue hung to the digital force gauge or to the load cell of a traction machine used as the gold standard (Instron Universal Testing Machine). Matrices were secured in a denture duplicate attached to the customized support, permitting reproducibility of their position on both pulling devices. Attachment retention in the axial direction was evaluated by measuring maximum dislodging force or peak load during five consecutive linear dislodgments of each attachment on both devices. After a wear simulation, retention was measured again at several time periods. The peak load measurements with the customized Imada device were similar to those obtained with the gold standard Instron machine. These findings suggest that the proposed portable device can provide accurate information on the retentive properties of attachment systems for removable dental prostheses.

Crossover study of diets enriched with virgin olive oil, walnuts or almonds. Effects on lipids and other cardiovascular risk markers

Background and aims: Virgin olive oil (VOO) and nuts are basic components of the Mediterranean diet, a heart-healthy dietary pattern. Nuts have well known cholesterol lowering effects, while evidence is unclear for VOO. We designed a study in hypercholesterolemic patients to assess the effects on serum lipids and other intermediate markers of cardiovascular risk of replacing 40% of the fat in the background diet with VOO, walnuts or almonds. Methods and Results: After a 4 week run-in period with a healthy diet, eligible candidates were randomized into three diet sequences in a crossover design, with a common background diet enriched with VOO, walnuts or almonds, lasting 4 weeks each. Outcomes were changes of serum lipids and oxidation and inflammation markers, measured by standard methods. Plasma fatty acids were determined by gas chromatography to assess compliance. In 18 participants completing the study (9 women, mean age 56 y, BMI 25.7 kg/m(2)), LDL-cholesterol was reduced from baseline by 7.3%, 10.8% and 13.4% after the VOO, walnut and almond diets, respectively (P = 0.001, Friedman test). Total cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratios decreased in parallel. LDL-cholesterol decreases were greater than predicted from dietary fatty acid and cholesterol exchanges among diets. No changes of other lipid fractions, oxidation analytes or inflammatory biomarkers were observed. Plasma fatty acid changes after each diet sequence supported good compliance.

Validation of a novel ELISA for measurement of electronegative low-density lipoprotein

Background: Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. LDL(-) is present in blood plasma of healthy subjects and at higher concentrations in diseases with high cardiovascular risk, such as familial hypercholesterolemia or diabetes. Methods: We developed and validated a sandwich ELISA for LDL(-) in human plasma using two monoclonal antibodies against LDL(-) that do not bind to native LDL, extensively copper-oxidized LDL or malondialdehyde-modified LDL. The characteristics of assay performance, such as limits of detection and quantification, accuracy, inter- and intra-assay precision were evaluated. The linearity, interferences and stability tests were also performed. Results: The calibration range of the assay is 0.625-20.0 mU/L at 1: 2000 sample dilution. ELISA validation showed intra- and inter- assay precision and recovery within the required limits for immunoassays. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.423 mU/L and 0.517 mU/L LDL(-), respectively. The intra- and inter- assay coefficient of variation ranged from 9.5% to 11.5% and from 11.3% to 18.9%, respectively. Recovery of LDL(-) ranged from 92.8% to 105.1%. Conclusions: This ELISA represents a very practical tool for measuring LDL(-) in human blood for widespread research and clinical sample use. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008; 46: 1769-75.

Alternative body sites for heat stress measurement in milking cows under tropical conditions and their relationship to the thermal discomfort of the animals

This study was conducted to determine the relationship among temperatures measured at different anatomical sites of the animal body and their daily pattern as indicative of the thermal stress in lactating dairy cows under tropical conditions. Environmental dry bulb (DBT) and black globe (BGT) temperatures and relative humidity (RH) were recorded. Rectal temperature (RT), respiratory frequency (RF), body surface (BST), internal base of tail (TT), vulva (VT) and auricular temperatures (AT) were collected, from 37 Black and White Holstein cows at 0700, 1300 and 1800 hours. RT showed a moderately and positive correlations with all body temperatures, ranging from 0.59 with TT to 0.64 with BST. Correlations among AT, VT and TT with RF were very similar (from 0.63 to 0.64) and were greater than those observed for RF with RT (0.55) or with BST (0.54). RF and RT were positively correlated to TT (0.63 and 0.59, respectively), AT (r = 0.63 for both) and VT (r = 0.64 and 0.63, respectively). Positive and very high correlations were observed among AT, VT and TT (from 0.94 to 0.97) indicating good association of temperatures measured in these anatomical sites. Correlations of BST with AT and VT were positive and very similar (0.71 and 0.72, respectively) and lower with TT (0.66). The AT, TT, VT and BST presented similar patterns and follow the variations of DBT through the day. Temperatures measured at different anatomical sites of the animal body have the potential to be used as indicative of the thermal stress in lactating dairy cows.

Effects of ABCA1 SNPs, including the C-105T novel variant, on serum lipids of Brazilian individuals

Background: ABCA1 plays an important role in HDL metabolism. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ABCA1 gene were associated with variation in plasina HDL-c. Methods: The effect of the ABCA1 SNPs C-14T, R219K and of a novel variant C-105T on serum lipids was investigated in 367 unrelated Brazilian individuals (224 hypercholesterolemic and 143 normolipidemic). The relation between ABCA1 SNPs and the lipid-lowering response to atorvastatin (10 mg/day/4 weeks) was also evaluated in 141 hypercholesterolemic (HC) individuals. The polymorphisms were detected by PCRR_FLP and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Results: Linkage disequilibrium was found between the SNPs C-105T and C-14T in the HC group. HC individuals carrying - 105CT/TT genotypes had higher serum HDL-c and lower triglyceride and VLDL-c concentrations as well as lower TG/HDL-c ratio compared to the -105CC carriers (p<0.05). The R219K SNP was associated with reduced serum triglyceride, VLDL-c and TG/HDL-c ratio in the HC group (p<0.05), and with an increased serum apoAI in NL individuals. The effects of ABCA1 SNPs on basal serum lipids of HC individuals were not modified by atorvastatin treatment. Conclusions: The ABCA1 SNPs R219K and C-105T were associated with a less atherogenic lipid profile but not with the lowering-cholesterol response to atorvastatin in a Brazilian population. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of SCARB1 polymorphisms on serum lipids of hypercholesterolemic individuals treated with atorvastatin

Background: The SR-BI is a key component on the cholesterol metabolism. Polymorphisms in the SR-BI gene (SCARB1) were related with variations on plasma lipoprotein profile and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We tested the relationship of 3 SCARB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with hypercholesterolemia in a Brazilian population and whether these variants can influence lipid-lowering response to atorvastatin. Methods: c.4G>A, c.726+54C>T and c.1050C>T SNPs and serum concentrations of lipid and apolipoproteins were evaluated in 147 hypercholesterolemic (HC) and 185 normolipidemic (NL) unrelated Brazilian subjects. HC patients were treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/day/4 weeks). Results: Frequencies of SCARB1 polymorphisms were similar between the HC and NL groups (p>0.05). The T allele for c.726+54C>T was associated with higher LDL-c in NL and with higher apoB and apoB/apoAI in HC (p<0.05). HC individuals carrying c.1050C allele carriers (CC and CT genotypes) had lower change of total cholesterol, LDL-c, apoB and apoB/apoAI ratio (p<0.05) than the TT genotype carriers in response to atorvastatin. Conclusion: The SCARB1 polymorphisms are related with variations in serum lipids in the Brazilian population and c.1050C>T SNP is associated with lipid-lowering atorvastatin response. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement of the epicycle frequency in the Galactic disc and initial velocities of open clusters

A new method to measure the epicycle frequency kappa in the Galactic disc is presented. We make use of the large data base on open clusters completed by our group to derive the observed velocity vector (amplitude and direction) of the clusters in the Galactic plane. In the epicycle approximation, this velocity is equal to the circular velocity given by the rotation curve, plus a residual or perturbation velocity, of which the direction rotates as a function of time with the frequency kappa. Due to the non-random direction of the perturbation velocity at the birth time of the clusters, a plot of the present-day direction angle of this velocity as a function of the age of the clusters reveals systematic trends from which the epicycle frequency can be obtained. Our analysis considers that the Galactic potential is mainly axis-symmetric, or in other words, that the effect of the spiral arms on the Galactic orbits is small; in this sense, our results do not depend on any specific model of the spiral structure. The values of kappa that we obtain provide constraints on the rotation velocity of the in particular, V(0) is found to be 230 +/- 15 km s(-1) even if the scale (R(0) = 7.5 kpc) of the Galaxy is adopted. The measured kappa at the solar radius is 43 +/- 5 km s(-1) kpc(-1). The distribution of initial velocities of open clusters is discussed.