Association of calcemia and serum vitamin D with 24H-urinary calcium excretion in a swiss population-based study

Background: Elevated urinary calcium excretion is associated with reduced bone mineral density. Population-based data on urinary calcium excretion are scarce. We explored the association of serum calcium and circulating levels of vitamin D (including 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3) with urinary calcium excretion in men and women in a population-based study. Methods: We used data from the "Swiss Survey on Salt" conducted between 2010 and 2012 and including people aged 15 years and over. Twenty-four hour urine collection, blood analysis, clinical examination and anthropometric measures were collected in 11 centres from the 3 linguistic regions of Switzerland. Vitamin D was measured centrally using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry. Hypercalciuria was defined as urinary calcium excretion >0.1 mmol/kg/24h. Multivariable linear regression was used to explore factors associated with 24-hour urinary calcium excretion (mmol/24h) squared root transformed, taken as the dependant variable. Vitamin D was divided into monthspecific tertiles with the first tertile having the lowest value and the third tertile having the highest value. Results: The 669 men and 624 women had mean (SD) age of 49.2 (18.1) and 47 (17.9) years and a prevalence of hypercalciuria of 8.9% and 8.0%, respectively. In adjusted models, the association of urinary calcium excretion with protein-corrected serum calcium was (β coefficient } standard error, according to urinary calcium squared root transformed) 1.125 } 0.184 mmol/L per square-root (mmol/24h) (P<0.001) in women and 0.374 } 0.224 (P=0.096) in men. Men in the third month-specific vitamin D tertile had higher urinary calcium excretion than men in the first tertile (0.170 } 0.05 nmol/L per mmol/24h, P=0.001) and the corresponding association was 0.048 } 0.043, P= 0.272 in women. Conclusion: About one in eleven person has hypercalciuria in the Swiss population. The positive association of serum calcium with urinary calcium excretion was steeper in women than in men, independently of menopausal status. Circulating vitamin D was associated positively with urinary calcium excretion only in men. The reasons underlying the observed sex differences in the hormonal control of urinary calcium excretion need to be explored in further studies.

Urinary saturation and nephrocalcinosis in preterm infants: effect of parenteral nutrition.

Urinary lithogenic and inhibitory factors were studied in 27 preterm infants; 16 had total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and 11 had breastmilk with an additional glucose-sodium chloride infusion. Urines were collected for 24 hours on day 2 (period A), day 3 (B), and once between days 4 and 10 (C). Urinary calcium oxalate saturation was calculated by the computer program EQUIL 2. Renal ultrasonography was performed every second week until discharge. The calcium/creatinine ratio increased in infants on TPN (A 0.91; C 1.68 mol/mol) and was significantly higher at period C than that in infants on breastmilk/infusion (A 0.52; C 0.36). The oxalate/creatinine ratio was persistently higher with TPN (203 mmol/mol) than with breastmilk/infusion (98; 137). The citrate/creatinine remained constant with TPN (0.44 mol/mol), whereas it increased significantly with breastmilk/infusion (0.26; 0.49). Calcium/citrate rose considerably with TPN, but decreased with breastmilk/infusion to a significantly lower level than with TPN. The urinary calcium oxalate saturation increased with TPN (2.4; 4.5) and decreased with breastmilk/infusion (2.1; 1.5) to a significantly lower value than with TPN. Nephrocalcinosis developed in two infants on TPN. Mean daily calcium intake was similar in both groups, whereas protein, sodium, and phosphorus intake were significantly higher on TPN. It is concluded that the increase in urinary calcium oxalate saturation observed with TPN is due to the combined effect of an increased urinary calcium excretion and higher urinary oxalate/creatinine and calcium/citrate ratios. The changes observed are likely to be caused by TPN itself, which differs in several respects from breastmilk feeding.

Produtividade e qualidade de frutos de cultivares de maracujazeiro-amarelo com ou sem polinização artificial

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da polinização artificial na produtividade e qualidade de frutos de cultivares de maracujazeiro-amarelo. Foram utilizadas sete cultivares comerciais de maracujazeiro-amarelo, em dois experimentos realizados na região de Tangará da Serra, MT, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições e parcelas constituídas por duas linhas de quatro plantas. No primeiro experimento, a polinização foi natural; no segundo, foi realizada a polinização artificial, duas vezes por semana. O plantio foi feito no dia 11 de janeiro de 2010 e as colheitas no período de julho de 2010 à março de 2011. A polinização artificial aumentou a produtividade de todas as cultivares, mas estas apresentaram diferentes sensibilidades à técnica. Quando a polinização artificial foi utilizada, as cultivares FB 100, FB 200 e BRS Ouro Vermelho tiveram maior rendimento do que IAC 275, IAC 277, BRS Sol do Cerrado e BRS Gigante Amarelo. A polinização artificial aumenta a produtividade, a massa de fruto, o diâmetro e comprimento de fruto e a percentagem de polpa, e reduz a espessura de casca. Há indicação de forte interação genótipo por ambiente, quanto à produtividade das cultivares avaliadas.

Fertilidade de fêmeas Nelore após inseminação artificial em tempo fixo conforme a contagem de folículos antrais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito do número de folículos antrais sobre as taxas de concepção de fêmeas Nelore, em programa de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF). Para isso, 481 fêmeas foram submetidas a um protocolo de IATF e avaliadas quanto à contagem de folículos antrais (CFA) e ao diagnóstico de gestação. Os animais foram agrupados nas categorias de CFA baixa (<34 folículos), intermediária (34-53) e alta (>53). Não houve diferença entre as taxas de concepção obtidas nas categorias de CFA em IATF com uso de gonadotrofina coriônica.

Comparative demography of the exotic Harmonia axyridis with other aphidophagous coccinellids reared on artificial diet

The objective of this work was to compare biological aspects and life table parameters of the coccinellids Harmonia axyridis, Cycloneda sanguineaand Hippodamia convergens. Insects were fed eggs of Anagasta kuehniella, and reared at 24.5±1ºC, 70±10% relative humidity, with a 12 hour photophase. Hippodamia convergenstook about 1.6 day to complete development, longer than H. axyridis, and 2.4 day longer than C. sanguinea.At immature stages, H. axyridisexhibited the highest survival percentage (49.2%), in comparison to the other coccinellids. For mean adult longevity, H. convergenswas deficient, in comparison with the other species. Mean period of pre oviposition was the longest in C. sanguinea; the longest oviposition time occurred for H. axyridis; and the post oviposition period was similar between the coccinellids. Considering the reproductive parameters, H. axyridisshowed the best performance in all aspects. For life table, the values of H. convergenswere higher than, although close, to those of H. axyridis. Nevertheless, the high net reproductive rate of H. axyridis showed this species potential to increase population size. The biological characteristics of the exotic H. axyridis favors its invasion and establishment in Brazil, corroborating results noticed in other countries.

Biologia e tabela de vida de fertilidade da broca-do-morangueiro criada em dieta artificial

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os parâmetros biológicos e a tabela de vida de fertilidade da broca-do-morangueiro (Lobiopa insularis) criada em dieta artificial à base de frutos de morangueiro, em condições de laboratório. A duração e a viabilidade média dos períodos embrionário, larval, pupal e ovo-adulto foram de: 4,1±1,5 dias e 80,6%; 22,2±5,0 dias e 60%; 10,8±2,3 dias e 90%; e 37,1±8,8 dias e 43,5%, respectivamente. Os períodos de pré-oviposição, oviposição e pós-oviposição foram de 96±18,9, 133±27,5 e 77±16,3 dias. A longevidade de machos (271±20,7 dias) foi menor do que a de fêmeas (318±14,9 dias). Há potencial de utilização de dieta artificial à base de morangos para a multiplicação da broca-do-morangueiro em laboratório.

Uroradiological screening for upper and lower urinary tract anomalies in patients with hypospadias: a systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Hypospadias is associated with anomalies of the urinary tract, but the exact prevalence and significance of these anomalies are still controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the percentage of patients with hypospadias and associated urological anomalies, either requiring or not requiring medical or surgical attention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched several databases using the following Mesh terms: hypospadias AND urination, ultrasonography, urinary tract/abnormalities, urinary bladder/radiography, ureteral obstruction, hydronephrosis or vesico-ureteral reflux. Type of uroradiological studies performed, type of urological anomalies, medical or surgical interventions, number of patients available, enrolled and undergoing uroradiological studies and number of patients with abnormal uroradiological exams were recorded. RESULTS: We found 24 studies. Four studies included 100% of available patients. In the other ones, the percentage of patients undergoing uroradiological screening varied from 12 to 82%. Frequency of anomalies varied from 0 to 56%. The most common anomalies were kidney position anomalies, vesico-ureteral reflux and hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The data published about screening patients with hypospadias for associated anomalies of their urinary tract are of poor quality. The clinical significance of the anomalies found is difficult to evaluate. We found no relationship between the severity of the hypospadias and associated anomalies of the upper or lower urinary tract.

Predicting chick body mass by artificial intelligence-based models

The objective of this work was to develop, validate, and compare 190 artificial intelligence-based models for predicting the body mass of chicks from 2 to 21 days of age subjected to different duration and intensities of thermal challenge. The experiment was conducted inside four climate-controlled wind tunnels using 210 chicks. A database containing 840 datasets (from 2 to 21-day-old chicks) - with the variables dry-bulb air temperature, duration of thermal stress (days), chick age (days), and the daily body mass of chicks - was used for network training, validation, and tests of models based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) and neuro-fuzzy networks (NFNs). The ANNs were most accurate in predicting the body mass of chicks from 2 to 21 days of age after they were subjected to the input variables, and they showed an R² of 0.9993 and a standard error of 4.62 g. The ANNs enable the simulation of different scenarios, which can assist in managerial decision-making, and they can be embedded in the heating control systems.

Novel use of a whole cell E. coli bioreporter as a urinary exposure biomarker.

Bacterial bioreporters have substantial potential for contaminant assessment but their real world application is currently impaired by a lack of sensitivity. Here, we exploit the bioconcentration of chemicals in the urine of animals to facilitate pollutant detection. The shore crab Carcinus maenas was exposed to the organic contaminant 2-hydroxybiphenyl, and urine was screened using an Escherichia coli-based luciferase gene (luxAB) reporter assay specific to this compound. Bioassay measurements differentiated between the original contaminant and its metabolites, quantifying bioconcentration factors of up to one hundred-fold in crab urine. Our results reveal the substantial potential of using bacterial bioreporter assays in real-time monitoring of biological matricesto determine exposure histories, with wide ranging potential for the in situ measurement of xenobiotics in risk assessments and epidemiology.

Short-term increase in particulate matter blunts nocturnal blood pressure dipping and daytime urinary sodium excretion

Short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters<10 µm were found to be positively associated with blood pressure. Yet, little information exists regarding the association between particles and circadian rhythm of blood pressure. Hence, we analyzed the association of exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters<10 µm on the day of examination and ≤7 days before with ambulatory blood pressure and with sodium excretion in 359 adults from the general population using multiple linear regression. After controlling for potential confounders, a 10-µg/m3 increase in particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters<10 µm levels was associated with nighttime systolic blood pressure (β=1.32 mm Hg 95% CI, 0.06-2.58 mm Hg at lag 0; P=0.04), nighttime diastolic blood pressure (0.72 mm Hg 95% CI, 0.03-1.42 mm Hg at lag 2; P=0.04), nocturnal systolic blood pressure dipping (-0.96 mm Hg 95% CI, -1.89 to -0.03 mm Hg at lag 0; P=0.044), and daytime urinary sodium excretion (-0.05 log-mmol/min 95% CI, -0.10 to -0.01 log-mmol/min at lag 0; P=0.027) but not with nighttime sodium excretion. The associations with blood pressure rapidly diminished with increasing lag days, and the associations with daytime sodium excretion were maximal with particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters<10 µm in exposures 2 to 5 days before. The associations of short-term increases in particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters<10 µm with higher nighttime blood pressure and blunted systolic blood pressure dipping were preceded by associations with reduced ability of the kidney to excrete sodium during daytime. The underlying mechanism linking air pollution to increased cardiovascular risk may include disturbed circadian rhythms of renal sodium handling and blood pressure.

Paediatric bi-ventricular external assist device based on artificial muscles

Objective: Existing VADs are single-ventricle pumps needing anticoagulation. We developed a bi ventricular external assist device that reproduces the physiological heart muscle movement completely avoiding anticoagulants. Methods: The device has a carbon fibre skeleton fitting a 30-40 kg patient's heart, to which a Nitinol based artificial muscle is connected. The artificial muscle wraps both ventricles. The strength of the Nitinol fibres is amplified by a pivot articulation in contact with the ventricle wall. The fibres are electrically driven and a dedicated control unit has been developed. We assessed hemodynamic performances of this device using a previously described dedicated bench test. Volume ejected and pressure gradient has been measured with afterload ranging from 25 to 50mmHg. Results: With anafterload of 50mmHg the system has an ejection fraction (EF) of 10% on the right side and 8% on the left side. The system is able to generate a systolic ejection of 5,5 ml on the right side and 4,4 ml on the left side. With anafterload of 25mmHg the results are reduced of about 20%. The activation frequency is 80/minute resulting in a total volume displacement of 440 ml/minute on the right side and 352 ml/minute on the left side. Conclusions: The artificial muscle follows Starling's law as the ejected volume increases when afterload increases. These preliminary studies confirmed the possibility of improving the EF of a failing heart using artificial muscle for external cardiac compression. This device could be helpful in weaning CPB and/or for short-term cardio-circulatory support in paediatric population with cardiac failure.

Urinary low-molecular-weight protein excretion in pediatric idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are the most common causes of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). We have evaluated the reliability of urinary neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), urinary alpha1-microglobulin (uα1M) and urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (uβNAG) as markers for differentiating MCD from FSGS. We have also evaluated whether these proteins are associated to INS relapses or to glomerular filtration rate (GFR). METHODS: The patient cohort comprised 35 children with MCD and nine with FSGS; 19 healthy age-matched children were included in the study as controls. Of the 35 patients, 28 were in remission (21 MCD, 7 FSGS) and 16 were in relapse (14 MCD, 2 FSGS). The prognostic accuracies of these proteins were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. RESULTS: The level of uNGAL, indexed or not to urinary creatinine (uCreat), was significantly different between children with INS and healthy children (p = 0.02), between healthy children and those with FSGS (p = 0.007) and between children with MCD and those with FSGS (p = 0.01). It was not significantly correlated to proteinuria or GFR levels. The ROC curve analysis showed that a cut-off value of 17 ng/mg for the uNGAL/uCreat ratio could be used to distinguish MCD from FSGS with a sensitivity of 0.77 and specificity of 0.78. uβNAG was not significantly different in patients with MCD and those with FSGS (p = 0.86). Only uα1M, indexed or not to uCreat, was significantly (p < 0.001) higher for patients in relapse compared to those in remission. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that in our patient cohort uNGAL was a reliable biomarker for differentiating MCD from FSGS independently of proteinuria or GFR levels.

Urinary sodium excretion and cardiovascular disease mortality.

Comment on: Stolarz-Skrzypek K, Kuznetsova T, Thijs L, Tikhonoff V, Seidlerová J, Richart T, Jin Y, Olszanecka A, Malyutina S, Casiglia E, Filipovsk J, Kawecka-Jaszcz K, Nikitin Y, Staessen JA; European Project on Genes in Hypertension (EPOGH) Investigators. Fatal and nonfatal outcomes, incidence of hypertension, and blood pressure changes in relation to urinary sodium excretion. JAMA. 2011 May 4;305(17):1777-85. PMID: 21540421.