The assessment of skeletal status in young patients with Turner syndrome by 2 densitometric techniques: Phalangeal quantitative ultrasound and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

BACKGROUND

Studies using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) demonstrate a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents with Turner syndrome (TS). However, these studies do not take into account changes in bone size, which influence BMD in the case of short-statured patients. Phalangeal quantitative ultrasound (phQUS) measurements have shown an ability to reveal changes due to skeletal growth, aging, and bone and mineral disorders. There is limited data on bone mineral status in girls with TS assessed by 2 different techniques, i.e., DXA and phQUS.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential negative impact of TS on bone status and to assess whether densitometric values were related to former fractures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 43 TS girls aged 5-18 years, we evaluated bone status by 2 different densitometric techniques, DXA and phQUS.

RESULTS

The mean lumbar spine areal bone mineral density (LS aBMD) Z-score was significantly lower than 0 (the hypothetical mean) compared to the reference population (p < 0.001). The mean LS aBMD height-adjusted Z-score did not differ significantly from 0. The amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS) Z-score was significantly lower than 0 compared with a Polish reference population. There were no significant differences between fractured and fracture-free patients as regards Ad-SoS Z-score and LS aBMD height-adjusted Z-score.

CONCLUSIONS

Girls with TS have normal bone density adjusted for height, but significantly decreased phQUS values. Neither DXA nor phalangeal Ad-SoS can identify young TS patients with former fractures.

Association of <i>TLR4</i> and <i>CARD15/NOD2</i> polymorphisms with SCC in Holstein–Friesian cattle

Abstract. Mastitis is one of the most important dairy cattle diseases which results in economic losses in dairy production. Mastitis cases can be classified as subclinical or clinical. All forms of mastitis lead to changes in milk composition and induce an increase in somatic cell count (SCC). SCC is a very important and basic indicator of udder health. An increase in SCC is usually caused by the immune response to the invasion of pathogens contributing to mastitis. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the polymorphisms of selected genes (TLR4 and CARD15/NOD2) whose products are involved in the identification of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) during the innate immune response to infection, and immunity to mastitis expressed as SCC. The genes under study were also examined for epistatic effects as well as effects of interactions with parity and stages of lactation. In all the studied classes, allele G of TLR4 had a favourable additive effect with negative values, contributing to a lower lnSCC. Allele A of CARD15/NOD2 had a desirable additive effect which varied with time and the changing internal environment during lactation. With regard to the dominance effect, allele A of CARD15/NOD2 was found to be significantly associated with a higher SCC in milk in the first lactation and in the third stage of each single lactation. Moreover, statistically significant epistatic effects were found, in particular additive–additive and dominance–additive interactions were favourably associated with SCC which was lower than expected in the case of no epistasis.

Studies on pyrazine derivatives--XXXIV. Synthesis and tuberculostatic activity of alpha-oxo ketene dithioacetals pyrazine derivatives

The alpha-oxo ketene dithioacetalic derivatives (2a-e) were obtained by the reaction of 2-acetylpyrazine (1) with CS2 and appropriate mono- or dihalogeno-compound. An action of the primary amines and diamines upon 3,3-di(methylsulphanyl)-1-(2-pyrazinyl)-2-propen-1-one (2a) yielded 3-(alkylamino)-3-(methylsulphanyl)-1-(2-pyrazinyl)-2-propen-1-on e (3a-g), 1-(2-pyrazinyl)-2-tetrahydro-1H-2-imidazolyliden-1-ethanone (3h) and the 2-hexahydro-2-pyrimidinyliden-1-(2-pyrazinyl)-1-ethanone derivatives (3i-j), respectively. Tuberculostatic activity of the studied compounds was found to be low except the compound 2b (MIC 192-62 micrograms/cm3; MIC 210-31 micrograms/cm3).

[Comparisons of laparoscopic and classical adrenalectomy from personal material]

Postoperative course in 12 patients which had laparoscopic adrenalectomy performed was compared with 8 underwent classic one in terms of operating time, blood loss, blood pressure recordings, C-reactive protein blood concentration, postoperative pain and hospital stay. The advantages of the laparoscopic approach have been stressed.

[Surgery for inguinal hernia from the extraperitoneal approach using laparoscopy--two years of personal studies]

From May 1995 to January 1997, 237 laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repairs were performed in Department of General Surgery of District Hospital in Szczecin. 197 patient had uni- and 20 bilateral inguinal hernia. The mean age of patients was 51 years. The average time of procedure and hospitalization was 38 min and 1.7 days respectively. Seven (3.2%) recurrences were observed in postoperative observation. As a conclusion, according to authors' achieved experience, one can say that the laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair is in benefit both for patient and for surgeon.

Expression of the cDNA and purification of P0 ribosomal protein from Lupinus luteus

Eukaryotic ribosomal protein P0 is localized on the large ribosomal subunit at the base of the specific "stalk" structure, close to the central protuberance. Recently we have obtained a clone coding for P0 ribosomal protein from L. luteus (yellow lupin) cDNA library. Here we present its expression in E. coli cells and purification of the target protein.