Investigating the safety and efficacy of nerve stimulation for management of groin pain after surgical herniorrhaphy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Chronic post-operative inguinal pain (CPIP) following inguinal hernia repair has been a major sequela affecting 4000-48000 patients annually. Optimal management of CPIP has been a challenge, and pharmacological management particularly with opioids has shown unsatisfactory results. The main objective of this systematic review is to investigate the safety and efficacy of neuromodulation as an alternative intervention for the management of post-operative inguinal pain.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted by three reviewers to identify all relevant studies on the use of neuromodulatory interventions for treating post-operative inguinal pain. Data on study characteristics, neuromodulatory modalities, and patient's clinical data such as pre/post-interventional pain scores and analgesic requirements were extracted and reported.

RESULTS

A total of 389 patients with 357 (95.9%) males and 15 (4.1%) females were evaluated. The mean age of study participants was 47.9 ± 10.4 years. There were 187 (48.1%) and 202 (51.9%) patients allocated to the control and trial groups, respectively. The most common neuromodulation modality was TENS (4, 36.4%), followed by SCS (3, 27.3%), PNS (3, 27.3%), and acupuncture-assisted (2, 18.2%). The overall mean follow-up duration of the entire cohort was 3.8 months. The mean difference between pre-operative and post-operative VAS scores in the trial groups was 4.65 (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 2.97, 6.33), which was statistically significant (P value < 0.05). Patient-reported outcome measures showed significant responsiveness toward their treatments.

CONCLUSION

Nerve stimulation, in its many forms, is a safe and feasible option for the management of post-operative inguinal pain.

Heat Transport Exploration for Hybrid Nanoparticle (Cu, Fe3O4)-Based Blood Flow via Tapered Complex Wavy Curved Channel with Slip Features

Curved veins and arteries make up the human cardiovascular system, and the peristalsis process underlies the blood flowing in these ducts. The blood flow in the presence of hybrid nanoparticles through a tapered complex wavy curved channel is numerically investigated. The behavior of the blood is characterized by the Casson fluid model while the physical properties of iron (Fe₃O₄) and copper (Cu) are used in the analysis. The fundamental laws of mass, momentum and energy give rise the system of nonlinear coupled partial differential equations which are normalized using the variables, and the resulting set of governing relations are simplified in view of a smaller Reynolds model approach. The numerical simulations are performed using the computational software Mathematica's built-in ND scheme. It is noted that the velocity of the blood is abated by the nanoparticles' concentration and assisted in the non-uniform channel core. Furthermore, the nanoparticles' volume fraction and the dimensionless curvature of the channel reduce the temperature profile.

A bioconvection model for viscoelastic nanofluid confined by tapered asymmetric channel: implicit finite difference simulations

As part of the growing evolution in nanotechnology and thermal sciences, nanoparticles are considered as an alternative solution for the energy depletion due to their ultra-high thermal effectives. Nanofluids reflect inclusive and broad-spectrum significances in engineering, industrial and bio-engineering like power plants, energy source, air conditioning systems, surface coatings, evaporators, power consumptions, nano-medicine, cancer treatment, etc. The present study describes the bio-convective peristaltic flow of a third-grade nanofluid in a tapered asymmetric channel. Basic conservation laws of mass, momentum, energy, and concentration as well as the microorganism diffusion equation are utilized to model the problem. The simplified form of the modeled expressions is accounted with long wavelength assumptions. For solving the resulting coupled and nonlinear equations, a well-known numerical method implicit finite difference scheme has been utilized. The graphical results describe the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles, and the density of motile microorganisms at the nanoscale. Furthermore, microorganism concentration lines are analyzed.

New perspectives of quercetin and vitamin C effects on fibronectin-binding integrins and chemokine receptors in prostate cancer cell lines

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of two abundant dietary supplements, quercetin and vitamin C on some factors involved in metastasis and proliferation of prostate cancer, which are resistant to conventional chemotherapies in late stages.

BACKGROUND

Bone and brain are two common sites of metastases in prostate cancer, nevertheless the factors involved in their metastatic pathways are not well understood.

METHODS

The effect of quercetin (75µM) and vitamin C (100 µM) on CXCR4, CXCR7 chemokine receptors, α4, α5 and β1 integrins, ki-67 proliferation marker and Vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF was evaluated using Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS

The effect of quercetin and vitamin C alone was different on PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines, but sequential combination reduced significantly the expression of CXCR and CXCR7 chemokine receptors, α4, α5 and β1 integrin subunits, VEGF and Ki-67 proliferation markers in PC3 and DU145 cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated the beneficial effect of quercetin and vitamin C on prostate cancer cells with different metastatic sites and their differential response to the treatment which in turn may lead us to reach suitable therapeutic outcomes to combat cancer (Fig. 3, Ref. 36).

Initial chest radiograph scores inform COVID-19 status, intensive care unit admission and need for mechanical ventilation

AIM

To evaluate whether portable chest radiography (CXR) scores are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status and various clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 500 initial CXR from COVID-19-suspected patients. Each CXR was scored based on geographic extent and degree of opacity as indicators of disease severity. COVID-19 status and clinical outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, mortality, length of hospitalisation, and duration on ventilator were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between CXR scores and COVID-19 status, CXR scores and clinical outcomes, adjusted for code status, age, gender and co-morbidities.

RESULTS

The interclass correlation coefficients amongst raters were 0.94 and 0.90 for the extent score and opacity score, respectively. CXR scores were significantly (p < 0.01) associated with COVID-19 positivity (odd ratio [OR] = 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27 - 1.75 for extent score and OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.42 - 2.15 for opacity score), ICU admission (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.09 - 1.31 for extent score and OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10 - 1.44 for opacity score), and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.11 - 1.35 for geographic score and OR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.05 - 1.38 for opacity score). CXR scores were not significantly different between survivors and non-survivors after adjusting for code status (p>0.05). CXR scores were not associated with length of hospitalisation or duration on ventilation (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Initial CXR scores have prognostic value and are associated with COVID-19 positivity, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation.

Towards computer-aided severity assessment via deep neural networks for geographic and opacity extent scoring of SARS-CoV-2 chest X-rays

A critical step in effective care and treatment planning for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is the assessment of the severity of disease progression. Chest x-rays (CXRs) are often used to assess SARS-CoV-2 severity, with two important assessment metrics being extent of lung involvement and degree of opacity. In this proof-of-concept study, we assess the feasibility of computer-aided scoring of CXRs of SARS-CoV-2 lung disease severity using a deep learning system. Data consisted of 396 CXRs from SARS-CoV-2 positive patient cases. Geographic extent and opacity extent were scored by two board-certified expert chest radiologists (with 20+ years of experience) and a 2nd-year radiology resident. The deep neural networks used in this study, which we name COVID-Net S, are based on a COVID-Net network architecture. 100 versions of the network were independently learned (50 to perform geographic extent scoring and 50 to perform opacity extent scoring) using random subsets of CXRs from the study, and we evaluated the networks using stratified Monte Carlo cross-validation experiments. The COVID-Net S deep neural networks yielded R[Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] between predicted scores and radiologist scores for geographic extent and opacity extent, respectively, in stratified Monte Carlo cross-validation experiments. The best performing COVID-Net S networks achieved R[Formula: see text] of 0.739 and 0.741 between predicted scores and radiologist scores for geographic extent and opacity extent, respectively. The results are promising and suggest that the use of deep neural networks on CXRs could be an effective tool for computer-aided assessment of SARS-CoV-2 lung disease severity, although additional studies are needed before adoption for routine clinical use.

Navigating the Diagnostics of COVID-19

Introduction/Objective

The recent outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in Hubei province, China in December 2019 and has spread worldwide at an alarming rate. With millions of individuals infected and over two hundred thousand deaths, the necessity to develop fast and efficient diagnostic methods is of high importance. Diagnostic modalities rely on a combination of epidemiology, clinical presentation, laboratory examination, and appropriate imaging to diagnose and distinguish SARS-CoV-2 from other pulmonary infections. The purpose of this paper is to report on currently available diagnostic screening methods for patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 to guide frontline healthcare workers involved with COVID-19 patient care.

Methods

An electronic literature search was performed for peer-reviewed articles published from January 1, 2020, until April 26, 2020. Articles were then reviewed and included based on the applicability to the topic.

Results

The preferred diagnostic approach is reverse transcription of the virus’ RNA followed by PCR amplification (RT-PCR). This method recognizes the gene-specific primers to target various viral protein genes, such as the envelope protein gene or the nucleocapsid protein gene, which enables this test to be both sensitive and specific toward SARS-CoV-2. However, this method has been proven to be time-consuming taking hours-to-days for the results. In order to improve the speed and efficiency of diagnostics, newer rapid diagnostic serological tests are being developed for testing SARS-CoV-2, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. They could potentially be used as triage tests to rapidly identify patients who are very likely to have COVID-19 in combination with other accurate diagnostic methods.

Conclusion

Therefore, a combination of diagnostic testing used in a timely manner may be beneficial for the rapid and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2. This was evident in cases where despite initial negative RT-PCR tests for various patients, who later demonstrate chest CT scans with various degrees of consolidation and ground-glass opacity. Thus establishing the need for radiology diagnosis to be complementary to RT-PCR for COVID-19 patients. Hopefully, the continuous development and use of rapid diagnostic tests and the implementation of public health measures will help control the spread of the disease.

The intrinsic and extrinsic elements regulating inflammation

Inflammation is a sophisticated biological tissue response to both extrinsic and intrinsic stimuli. Although the pathological aspects of inflammation are well appreciated, there are still rooms for understanding the physiological functions of the inflammation. Recent studies have focused on mechanisms, context and the role of physiological inflammation. Besides, there have been progress in the comprehension of commensal microbiota, immunometabolism, cancer and intracellular signaling events' roles that impact on the regulation of inflammation. Despite the fact that inflammatory responses are vital through tissue damage, understanding the mechanisms to turn off the finished or unnecessary inflammation is crucial for restoring homeostasis. Inflammation seems to be a smart process that acts like two edges of a sword, meaning that it has both protective and deleterious consequences. Knowing both edges and the regulation processes will help the future understanding and therapy for various diseases.

Histopathological changes and oxidative damage in hepatic tissue of rats experimentally infected with Babesia bigemina

The present study was aimed to investigate oxidative stress, DNA damage, and histopatholog- ical alterations in hepatic tissues of splenectomized Wistar rats experimentally infected with Ba- besia bigemina. Rats were challenged with 5x106 infected erythrocytes. Babesia infection was con- firmed both with Giemsa's staining blood smears and nested-PCR amplified region of apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) gene. Parasitemia reached approximately 10 % at day 5 post-in- fection. Livers of infected rats were enlarged and darker in color, became extremely brittle with marked congestion. Microscopic evaluation showed cytoplasmic clearing of hepatocytes and se- vere hydropic changes with significantly dilated sinusoids containing macrophages and also intra- sinosoidal parasitized erythrocytes. Severe infiltration of lymphoplasma cells was also present throughout the liver parenchyma. Furthermore, Kupffer cells were enlarged and, occasionally, containing Babesia-parasitized erythrocytes. The activity of Glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were also significantly decreased (p ⟨ 0.05) after infection of rats with B. bigemina. B. bigemina infection also induced a significant increase (p ⟨ 0.05) in hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide-derived products (NOx) concentra- tions as well as amount of endogenous hepatocytes DNA damage. Hepatic damage was also re- flected through the measurement of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) and protein carbonyl con- tent (PCO) in liver cells. These two indices of liver injury were also significantly elevated (p ⟨ 0.5) during B. bigemina infection. Evaluation of correlation between assayed variables in infected rats revealed that MDA levels were positively correlated with PCO, NOx, LDH and DNA damage in the infected group and negatively correlated with GSH, CAT and TAC. There was also an inverse relationship between the antioxidant enzymes activities of GSH, CAT and TAC with PCO, NOx and DNA damage in infected rats. However, NOx showed positive correlation with PCO and DNA damage in infected rats. On the basis of the above results it can be concluded that the Ba- besia infection increases oxidative stress markers, protein carbonyl content and DNA damage and decreases antioxidant enzymes activities in the liver. These results suggest that B. bigemina infec- tion could alter the liver histopathology and causes DNA damage following oxidative stress in hepatic tissue. Further studies are needed to precisely define how hepatic tissue damage takes place in B. bigemina infection.

Correction to: Sex differences in the association between plasma copeptin and incident type 2 diabetes: the Prevention of Renal and Vascular Endstage Disease (PREVEND) study

The values given for copeptin levels in men in quartiles 1 and 2 (Table 1) were incorrect, and should have read.

Occupational noise and blood pressure variation

Previous studies havedemonstratedassociation between exposure to occupational(workplace)noiseand blood pressure.The goal of the presentresearch was to investigate arelationshipbetween noise exposure and blood pressure among 1374 workers from 12 companies.Based on a confidence level of 95% (05.0), 175 workers as a case group and 174 as a control group wererandomly selected.In addition, theparticipantsweredivided intodifferent ageand work experiencegroups. The results revealedthat noise levelsin mostof companies exceededthe NIOSH (1998)standard. They also show asignificant statistical relationshipbetween exposuresto occupational noise level≥100 dBA (A-weighted decibel),hypertension andwork experience≥4years.It wasconcluded thatto study anassociationbetween exposure to workplacenoise and blood pressure,length of time on jobmust be taken into consideration.

Effects of aerobic exercise on molecular aspects of asthma: involvement of SOCS-JAK-STAT

BACKGROUND

Aerobic training (AT) decreases airway inflammation in asthma, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. Thus, this study evaluated the participation of SOCS-JAK-STAT signaling in the effects of AT on airway inflammation, remodeling and hyperresponsiveness in a model of allergic airway inflammation.

METHODS

C57Bl/6 mice were divided into Control (Co), Exercise (Ex), HDM (HDM), and HDM+Exercise (HDM+ Ex). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (100ug/mouse) were administered oro-tracheally on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49. AT was performed in a treadmill during 4 weeks in moderate intensity, from day 24 until day 52.

RESULTS

AT inhibited HDM-induced total cells (p<0.001), eosinophils (p<0.01), neutrophils (p<0.01) and lymphocytes (p<0.01) in BAL, and eosinophils (p<0.01), neutrophils (p<0.01) and lymphocytes (p<0.01) in peribronchial space. AT also reduced BAL levels of IL-4 (p<0.001), IL-5 (p<0.001), IL-13 (p<0.001), CXCL1 (p<0.01), IL-17 (p<0.01), IL-23 (p<0.05), IL-33 (p<0.05), while increased IL- 10 (p<0.05). Airway collagen fibers (p<0.01), elastic fibers p<0.01) and mucin (p<0.01) were also reduced by AT. AT also inhibited HDM-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine 6,25mg/ml (p<0.01), 12,5mg/mL (p<0.01), 25mg/mL (p<0.01) and 50mg/mL (p<0.01). Mechanistically, AT reduced the expression of STAT6 (p<0.05), STAT3 (p<0.001), STAT5 (p<0.01) and JAK2 (p<0.001), similarly by peribronchial leukocytes and by airway epithelial cells. SOCS1 expression (p<0.001) was upregulated in leukocytes and in epithelial cells, SOCS2 (p<0.01) was upregulated in leukocytes and SOCS3 down-regulated in leukocytes (p<0.05) and in epithelial cells (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

AT reduces asthma phenotype involving SOCSJAK- STAT signaling.

Molecular effects of leptin on peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) mRNA expression in rat's adipose and liver tissue

Leptin is a 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted by adipose tissue that participates in the regulation of energy homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of leptin injection on mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and comparison of PPAR-γ mRNA expression in rat's adipose and liver tissue. Twenty adult male rats were divided into the following groups: Group 1asa control (n=10) that did not receive any treatment. Group 2as a treatment (n=10) that received leptin (30 µg ⁄ kg BW) intraperitoneally (ip) for two successive days. Blood samples were taken before and one day after second leptin injection for triglyceride (TG), Free Fatty Acid (FFA), HLD-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol measurement. Total RNA was extractedfrom the adipose tissue and liver tissues of rats.  Adipose and liver tissue cells' cDNA was synthesized to characterize the expression of PPAR-γ. Gene expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was tested by RT- PCR technique. Results show leptin decreases expression of PPAR-γ on rat. Low levels of PPAR-γ mRNA were detected in adipose and liver tissues of treatment rats in comparison to control group. In treatment group, the level of PPAR-γ mRNA in liver tissue was very lower than the adipose tissue. The levels of HDL and FFA in treatment rats were increased whereas serum levels TG, VLDL and LDL were not changed. It is concluded that leptin signal with suppressing of PPAR-γ mRNA expression in rat's adipose and liver tissues can result in lipolysis instead of lipogenesis.

CK19 IS A USEFUL MARKER IN DISTINGUISHING FOLLICULAR VARIANT OF PAPILLARY THYROID CARCINOMA FROM BENIGN THYROID LESIONS WITH FOLLICULAR GROWTH PATTERN

Context

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Within various subtypes of thyroid neoplasms, those with follicular growth pattern usually make diagnostic problems.

Objective

To examine ck19 expression as a diagnostic marker in thyroid neoplasms with follicular growth pattern.

Design

In this cross sectional study, 86 patients were enrolled.

Subjects and Methods

Totally 22 follicular adenoma (FA), 18 well differentiated tumors with undetermined malignant potential (WT-UMP) and 46 follicular variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FV-PTC) were enrolled and examined for Ck19 expression by immunohistochemistry staining. Membranous/cytoplasmic staining patterns were considered as positive. Specimens without staining were considered as 0, < 5% positively stained cells as 1+, 5%-25% as 2+, 25%-75% as 3+ and >75% as 4+.

Result

CK19 was negative in most cases of FA while positive in most WDT-UMP and FV-PTCs, p<0.001. Additionally, most cases with 2+ and 3+ staining patterns were FV-PTC (75% and 81%, respectively, p<0.001) and none of FAs showed 3+ positivity (p<0.001). Additionally, most of strongly positive results in patients > 45 y/o were PTC (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Ck19 is a useful marker in differentiating FA from FV-PTC. We found diffuse and strong (3+) staining pattern in FV-PTC but none of FAs were so. We concluded that diffuse and strong staining for ck19 in a thyroid lesion with follicular pattern of growth, especially in a patient older than 45 y/o should raise the possibility of malignancy.

Universality in boundary domain growth by sudden bridging

We report on universality in boundary domain growth in cluster aggregation in the limit of maximum concentration. Maximal concentration means that the diffusivity of the clusters is effectively zero and, instead, clusters merge successively in a percolation process, which leads to a sudden growth of the boundary domains. For two-dimensional square lattices of linear dimension L, independent of the models studied here, we find that the maximum of the boundary interface width, the susceptibility χ, exhibits the scaling χ ~ L^γ with the universal exponent γ = 1. The rapid growth of the boundary domain at the percolation threshold, which is guaranteed to occur for almost any cluster percolation process, underlies the the universal scaling of χ.

A one-dimensional polyoxomolybdate polymer as a catalyst for the epoxidation of olefins

A 1-D polyoxomolybdate-based polymer as heterogeneous catalyst for olefin epoxidation.

Characteristics of Mixed Type Basal Cell Carcinoma in Comparison to Other BCC Subtypes

Background:

There are limited data exploring the characteristics of mixed type basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Objectives:

To explore different characteristics of mixed type BCC.

Design:

Cross sectional study.

Materials and Methods:

825 patients with BCC enrolled in this study.

Results:

Among 825 patients, 512 (62%) were male. Three hundred and fifty five (43%) presented with nodular subtype, 267 (32.4%) with mixed subtype, 25 with superficial and the 178 remaining presented with other subtypes. Four hundred and eighty three (58.6%) of the lesions were on the face, 243 (29.5%) on scalp, 52 (6.3%) on ears, 20 (2.4%) on neck, 15 (1.8%) on trunk and 12 (1.4%) on extremities. Anatomic distribution of mixed type was as follows: 137 on face, (51.4%), 100 (37.3%) on scalp, 19 (7%) on ear, 6 (2.1%) on neck, 4 (1.5%) extremity and 1 (0.7%) on trunk, which the difference from non mixed types was statistically significant (P = 0.002). The mean diameter of the mixed types and non mixed type BCCs were significantly different (2.7 ± 2.1 cm vs. 2.2 ± 1.6 cm; P = 0.01. The prevalence of necrosis in mixed type BCC was two times higher than non mixed type BCCs (OR = 2.3, CI 95% 1.3-3.9, P = 0.001). The most frequent combined subtypes were nodular-infiltrative (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Mixed type BCC has differences with other BCC subtypes in anatomical distribution and tumor diameter. Indeed, mixed type BCCs are frequently composed of aggressive subtypes than nonaggressive subtypes.

Comparison of active and passive methods for radon exhalation from a high-exposure building material

The radon exhalation rates and radon concentrations in granite stones used in Iran were measured by means of a high-resolution high purity Germanium gamma-spectroscopy system (passive method) and an AlphaGUARD model PQ 2000 (active method). For standard rooms (4.0 × 5.0 m area × 2.8 height) where ground and walls have been covered by granite stones, the radon concentration and the radon exhalation rate by two methods were calculated. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra in the selected granite samples ranged from 3.8 to 94.2 Bq kg(-1). The radon exhalation rate from the calculation of the (226)Ra activity concentration was obtained. The radon exhalation rates were 1.31-7.86 Bq m(-2)h(-1). The direction measurements using an AlphaGUARD were from 218 to 1306 Bq m(-3) with a mean of 625 Bq m(-3). Also, the exhalation rates measured by the passive and active methods were compared and the results of this study were the same, with the active method being 22 % higher than the passive method.

Calculation of gamma radiation dose rate and radon concentration due to granites used as building materials in Iran

Natural radioactivity concentrations in granite building materials that are commonly used in Iran have been surveyed by using a gamma-ray spectrometry system, using a high-purity germanium detector. Health hazards from gamma radiation doses due to granite and radon concentration have been calculated. The dose rate of exposure from granite building materials on humans is obtained as a result of an external exposure from gamma-emitting radionuclides in the granites. Another mode of exposure is from the inhalation of the decay products of (222)Ra and (220)Ra. The average concentrations of (232)Th, (226)Ra and (40)K were in the ranges of 6.5-172.2, 3.8-94.2 and 556.9-1539.2 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The radon exhalation rates have also been studied and values were in the range of 0.32 ± 0.01 to 7.86 ± 1.65 Bq m(-2) h(-1). For two models of standard living rooms (5.0 m × 4.0 m area; 2.8 m), the radon concentration (Ci) and the absorbed dose (D) rates were calculated and the results were found to be 10.64-29.32 Bq m(-3), 3.84-68.02 nGy h(-1) and 0.02-0.33 mSv y(-1) for Model 1, 10.07-15.38 Bq m(-3) and 2.29-39.99 nGy h(-1) for Model 2, respectively. According to our estimations, mechanical ventilation systems (λν = 0.5 h(-1)) in a room all granite samples would produce radon concentration <100 Bq m(-3).

Sex differences in the association between plasma copeptin and incident type 2 diabetes: the Prevention of Renal and Vascular Endstage Disease (PREVEND) study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Vasopressin plays a role in osmoregulation, glucose homeostasis and inflammation. Therefore, plasma copeptin, the stable C-terminal portion of the precursor of vasopressin, has strong potential as a biomarker for the cardiometabolic syndrome and diabetes. Previous results were contradictory, which may be explained by differences between men and women in responsiveness of the vasopressin system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of copeptin for prediction of future type 2 diabetes in men and women separately.

METHODS

From the Prevention of Renal and Vascular Endstage Disease (PREVEND) study, 4,063 women and 3,909 men without diabetes at baseline were included. A total of 208 women and 288 men developed diabetes during a median follow-up of 7.7 years.

RESULTS

In multivariable-adjusted models, we observed a stronger association of copeptin with risk of future diabetes in women (OR 1.49 [95% CI 1.24, 1.79]) than in men (OR 1.01 [95% CI 0.85, 1.19]) (p (interaction) < 0.01). The addition of copeptin to the Data from the Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR) clinical model improved the discriminative value (C-statistic,+0.007, p = 0.02) and reclassification (integrated discrimination improvement [IDI] = 0.004, p < 0.01) in women. However, we observed no improvement in men. The additive value of copeptin in women was maintained when other independent predictors, such as glucose, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and 24 h urinary albumin excretion (UAE), were included in the model.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The association of plasma copeptin with the risk of developing diabetes was stronger in women than in men. Plasma copeptin alone, and along with existing biomarkers (glucose, hs-CRP and UAE), significantly improved the risk prediction for diabetes in women.

Natural radioactivity in granite stones used as building materials in Iran

Due to increasing concern about environmental radiological protection, specific radioactivity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in different types of commonly used granite stone samples collected from the Tehran city of Iran have been determined by means of a high-resolution HPGe gamma-spectroscopy system. The activity concentrations of (232)Th, (226)Ra and (40)K in the selected granite samples ranged from 18 to 178, 6 to 160 and 556 to 1539 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The radium equivalent activities (Ra(eq)) are lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg(-1) set by NEA-OECD [Nuclear Energy Agency. Exposure to radiation from natural radioactivity in building materials. Report by NEA Group of Experts. OECD (1979)], except in two samples. The internal hazard indexes have been found well below the acceptable limit in most of the samples. Five samples of investigated commercial granite stones do not satisfy the safety criterion illustrated by UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Exposure from natural sources of radiation. Report to the General Assembly (1993). Applying dose criteria recently recommended by the EC [European Commission Report on Radiological Protection Principles Concerning the Natural Radioactivity of Building Materials. Radiation Protection 112 (1999)] for superficial materials, all investigated samples meet the exemption dose limit of 0.3 mSv y(-1).

Differential expression analysis of balding and nonbalding dermal papilla microRNAs in male pattern baldness with a microRNA amplification profiling method

BACKGROUND

  Male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is a common disorder affecting almost 50% of men throughout their lifetime, with androgens and genetics having significant contributing aetiologies. In contrast to the positive regulatory effect of androgens on body hair growth, they are thought to alter scalp hair follicle behaviour pathophysiologically, leading to male pattern baldness. However, the exact mechanisms of this paradoxical action have not yet been elucidated. The role of microRNAs, a novel group of noncoding RNAs impacting almost every aspect of biology, health and human diseases, has been documented in hair follicle formation. In addition, their deregulation in cancer of the prostate, a target organ of androgens, has also been well established.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the possible contribution of microRNAs in the pathophysiology of male pattern baldness.

METHODS

We initially screened microRNA expression profiles of balding and nonbalding hair follicle papillae with a sensitive microRNA cloning method, microRNA amplification profiling, and statistically analysed significant differentially expressed microRNAs in balding relative to nonbalding dermal papillae, with real-time polymerase chain reaction as a confirmatory method to quantify expression in eight individuals affected with the disorder.

RESULTS

  We detected the significant upregulation of miR-221, miR-125b, miR-106a and miR-410 in balding papilla cells.

CONCLUSIONS

  We found four microRNAs that could participate in the pathogenesis of male pattern baldness. Regarding the strong therapeutic potential of microRNAs and the easy accessibility of hair follicles for gene therapy, microRNAs are possible candidates for a new generation of revolutionary treatments.

Maternal and paternal transmission of type 2 diabetes: influence of diet, lifestyle and adiposity

OBJECTIVE

Transmission of family history of type 2 diabetes to the next generation is stronger for maternal than paternal diabetes in some populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether this difference is explained by diet, lifestyle factors and/or adiposity.

METHODS

We analysed 35174 participants from the Dutch contribution to the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, a prospective population-based cohort (aged 20-70 years) with a median follow-up of 10.2 years. Parental history of diabetes was self-reported. Occurrence of diabetes was mainly identified by self-report and verified by medical records.

RESULTS

Amongst 35174 participants, 799 incident cases of diabetes were observed. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diabetes by maternal and paternal diabetes were 2.66 (2.26-3.14) and 2.40 (1.91-3.02), respectively. Maternal transmission of risk of diabetes was explained by diet (9.4%), lifestyle factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and educational level (7.8%) and by adiposity, i.e. body mass index and waist and hip circumference (23.5%). For paternal transmission, the corresponding values were 2.9%, 0.0% and 9.6%. After adjustment for diet, lifestyle factors and adiposity, the HRs for maternal (2.20; 95% CI, 1.87-2.60) and paternal (2.23; 95% CI, 1.77-2.80) transmission of diabetes were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

Both maternal and paternal diabetes are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, independently of diet, lifestyle and adiposity. The slightly higher risk conferred by maternal compared to paternal diabetes was explained by a larger contribution of diet, lifestyle factors and adiposity.