Sodium caseinate induces mouse granulopoiesis

Objective and design

Sodium caseinate (CasNa) induces differentiation and M-CSF production in mouse band granulocytes in vitro; however, it is not yet known if this molecule can also induce the proliferation and activation of the granulocyte lineage in vivo. In this work we evaluated the induction in vivo of granulopoiesis and the activation of granulocytes in mice treated with CasNa.

Material or subjects

BALB/c male mice 8–12?weeks old were used.

Treatment

The animals were inoculated intraperitoneally with 1?ml of CasNa (10% in PBS p/v) four times (every 48?h).

Methods

Granulocyte proliferation was evaluated by flow cytometry; activation was evaluated by phagocytic indices. The cytokine was measured using an ELISA assay.

Results

We show that CasNa increased bone marrow granulopoiesis percentage (38.35?±?10.88 vs. 64.94?±?34.14 BrdU+/Gr-1+ cells) and the granulocytes generated presented increased phagocytic indices (0.3?±?0.1 vs. 0.6?±?0.11, p?p?Conclusions CasNa induces granulopoiesis with functional granulocytes, suggesting that this molecule could be an innate immune system activator.     

Effects of Preoperative Short Term Use of Atorvastatin on Endothelial Progenitor Cells after Coronary Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Objectives

We investigated the effects of short-term use of atorvastatin on CD34+/VEGF-R2+/CD133+/CD45- endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) count after on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Methods

Between Feb-2010 and May-2010, we randomly assigned, in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 60 consecutive patients who underwent isolated, first-time CABG to receive either 14-day atorvastatin (40 mg/day) or placebo preoperatively. Urgent CABG and recent myocardial infarction were excluded. EPCs were quantified (cells/μl) by flow cytometric phenotyping obtained from venous blood samples collected preoperatively (T₁), 6-hours (T₂), and on the 5th day postoperatively (T₃). Levels of markers of inflammation and serum cardiac troponin I were also measured preoperatively and daily until day-5 after surgery.

Results

There were no differences in baseline risk factors including cholesterol profiles, and EuroSCORES between the groups. The composite primary end-point, favored statin group with higher amount of circulating, early EPC count (cells/μl) at all time points compared with placebo (T₁, 2.30?±?0.02 versus 1.58?±?0.03, p?2, 5.00?±?0.06 versus 2.19?±?0.06, p?3, 3.03?±?0.08 versus 1.78?±?0.02, p?1, 0.8?±?0.1 versus 2.2?±?1.5, p?2, 72.9?±?3.2 versus 96.0?±?3.6, p?3, 4.3?±?1.2 versus 11.4?±?4.1, p?p?=?0.02).

Conclusions

Short-term atorvastatin use increases circulating early EPCs both pre- and post-operatively and is associated with better preservation of sinus rhythm and reduced hsCRP levels. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01096875)     

Electroacupuncture at the ST36 acupoint increases interleukin-4 responsiveness in macrophages, generation of alternatively activated macrophages and susceptibility to Leishmania major infection

Background

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat inflammatory diseases. Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMo) stimulated by cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and IL-13 are anti-inflammatory and mildly microbicidal. This study aimed to evaluate whether EA at the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) would change the profile of healthy murine macrophages, particularly the generation of AAMo and susceptibility to Leishmania major infection.

Methods

BALB/c mice were treated with EA (15/30?Hz) at the ST36 acupoint for 20?min/d for 5 d. After the final EA session, the mice were euthanized and their peritoneal cells were harvested and counted for determination of arginase activity, nitric oxide (NO) production and microbicidal activity after culture in the presence or absence of IL-4, interferon-?? (IFN??) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or both IFN?? and LPS. Twelve mice were infected with L. major promastigotes into the footpads after the final EA session and the infection course was monitored.

Results

Peritoneal cells freshly obtained from EA-treated mice had similar arginase and microbicidal activities to cells from sham-treated mice. After culture with IL-4, cells from EA-treated mice exhibited significant increases in the arginase activity (sham: 58?±?11.3 vs. EA: 80.7?±?4.6%, P?=?0.025) and number of parasites/infected cell (sham: 2.5?±?0.4 vs. EA: 4.3?±?0.8 cells, P?=?0.007). The NO production was lower in cells from EA-treated mice cultured in the presence of a combination of IFN?? and LPS (sham: 31.6?±?6.5 vs. EA: 22.3?±?2.1???M, P?=?0.025). The lesion size in mice infected with L. major promastigotes was larger in EA-treated mice (sham: 3.26?±?0.29 vs. EA: 2.23?±?0.4?mm, P?=?0.039).

Conclusion

EA at the ST36 acupoint increases IL-4 responsiveness in macrophages, Generation of AAMo and susceptibility to L. major infection     

The Contralateral Extremity has Also Benefit from the Locally Administered Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells and Cord Blood Serum in Diabetic Ischemic Wound Healing

Objective

Impaired wound healing could be a disaster especially in diabetes and amputation is the major risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of BMMCs and CBS on wound healing.

Methods

Diabetic rats were underwent bilateral limb ischemia and wounding of skin defects on both extremities. The groups were formed as BMMCs (group A), BMMCs and CBS (group B), only CBS (group C), and phosphate buffer solution (group D) that were injected into wounds on right legs.

Results

The complete recovery of right legs was established as a mean of 21.4?±?1.1 days, 12.9?±?1.5 days, 30.0?±?0.0 days and 38.1?±?1.5 days according to Groups A, B, C, and D (p?<?0.05). The recovery of left legs were calculated as a mean of 27.0?±?0.0 days, 24.0?±?0.0 days, 35.6?±?1.1 days and 37.3?±?1.6 days according to Groups A, B, C and D (p?<?0.05). At the end of the recovery, the HE staining showed that vascularity was increased in groups A and B.

Conclusion

Transplantation of BMMCs and CBS to the ischemic wounds of the diabetic rats accelerate the repair. The recovery was also superior in the same group although the treatment was not applied to the left extremity directly.     

Body Image in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multisystemic disease of young women may be disfiguring and affect physical and emotional health. Body image literature in SLE is scant and controversial.

Purpose

We compared body image-related quality of life in subjects with (n?=?87) and without (n?=?78) SLE and determined its correlates using the body image quality of life inventory (BIQLI).

Method

The tool was self-administered to consenting individuals. Demographic information along with disease activity and damage assessments for SLE patients were obtained. T test, chi square test, correlational, and regression analyses were used to make comparisons.

Results

Mean age (±SD) were 42.4?±?13.1 and 38.7?±?13.2?years for SLE and non-SLE subjects, respectively. Mean (±SD) BIQLI scores were significantly worse in SLE than non-SLE subjects: 19.9?±?33.2 and 41.6?±?24.8 (p?=?0.001). In SLE, BIQLI scores correlated inversely with overall damage, irreversible cutaneous damage, alopecia, and self-reported depression, and directly with age and health status.

Conclusion

Body image in SLE is poor, and effective interventions may be directed at cutaneous disease activity, damage, and depression.     

Serum Levels of Calreticulin in Correlation with Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective

The aim of our study was to investigate the contribution of serum calreticulin (CRT) in the assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Serum CRT levels were measured by ELISA in 70 patients with established RA, 30 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 25 other autoimmune diseases, 20 osteoarthritis (OA), and 35 of healthy controls (HC). Correlations of CRT serum levels with disease activity [Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS28)], erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed. Serum CRT levels were also detected in RA patients whose RF, anti-CCP and anti- MCV antibodies were positive and negative.

Results

Serum CRT levels in RA patients (4.817?±?2.425 ng/ml) was significantly higher (P <0.05) compared with those in the serum of OA (3.574?±?0.942 ng/ml), SLE (4.013?±?1.536 ng/ml), other autoimmune diseases (3.882?±?0.837 ng/ml) and HC (3.726?±?0.627 ng/ml). Significant positive correlation of CRT with DAS28, ESR and CRP was found in RA patients. Furthermore, RA patients whose anti-CCP and anti-MCV antibodies were positive had higher levels of CRT (P?<?0.01).

Conclusion

Serum CRT levels were increased in patients with RA compared with those controls. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between serum CRT levels and disease activity in RA. It might be used as a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis and provide additional information regarding disease activity along with the traditional indices such as ESR and CRP.     

The association of urinary interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP10/CXCL10) levels with kidney allograft rejection

Background

Interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10/CXCL10) is a chemokine involved in the alloimmune response against kidney allograft. We aimed to investigate the association of urinary CXCL10 protein levels with rejection in renal transplant patients.

Methods

A total of 273 urine samples from (biopsy-proven) rejection and non-rejection patients and controls were included in this study. CXCL10 levels were analyzed for association with rejection.

Results

The data showed statistically significant differences in the CXCL10 levels between rejection vs. non-rejection (p?<?0.001). Among the rejection groups, statistically significant differences for CXCL10 levels were found between ACR vs. NAD (p?<?0.001), ACR vs. BLR (p?=?0.019) and AVR vs. NAD (p?=?0.009). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of CXCL10 showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 with 72% sensitivity and 71% specificity at 27.5 pg/ml between rejection and non-rejection group. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis among different levels of CXCL10 showed a better rejection-free graft survival in patients with <100 pg/ml when compared to >200 pg/ml (38?±?6 vs. 12?±?1.0 weeks; log-rank p?<?0.001) and 100–200 pg/ml (38?±?6 vs. 22?±?9 weeks; log-rank p?=?0.442) concentration.

Conclusion

The results indicate significantly increased levels of CXCL10 protein in the urine at the time of allograft rejection. This association of urinary CXCL10 protein levels with rejection could provide an additional tool for the non-invasive monitoring of allograft rejection.

     

Exhaled breath condensate pH in patients with cystic fibrosis

Objective and design

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH has been proposed as a useful, non-invasive marker of airway inflammation in pulmonary diseases. In this study we tested whether cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with acidification of EBC, when pH is assessed by the CO₂ gas standardization method.

Methods

EBC was collected using two different devices (EcoScreen and R-Tube) in 46 stable CF patients during routine clinical visits and in 28 healthy controls.

Results

Mean EBC pH in CF patients and in healthy controls was similar (EcoScreen: CF patients: 6.38?±?0.03 versus controls: 6.39?±?0.03, p?=?0.699; R-tube: CF patients: 5.94?±?0.04 versus controls: 6.02?±?0.03, p?=?0.159). Inflammatory cell counts in spontaneously expectorated sputum obtained in a subset of patients (n?=?20) showed no correlation with pH values. EBC samples collected with the R-tube were more acidic than those collected with the EcoScreen device (p?Conclusions Our data suggest that EBC pH does not discriminate between healthy controls and those with CF disease indicating that the clinical applicability of EBC pH measurements for assessing airway inflammation in CF is limited.     

Serum Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6 Levels are a Reliable Biomarker of Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Purpose

Growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) has been suggested to be a biomarker of disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erthematosus (SLE). We investigated the clinical significance of this protein in Korean SLE.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 150 SLE patients and 50 normal controls (NC). In addition, follow-up samples were collected from 50 SLE patients.

Results

Serum Gas6 levels of SLE patients (43.01?±?28.02 ng/mL) were higher than those of NC (20.15?±?9.23 ng/mL, p?<?0.001). When evaluated sensitivity and specificity of the Gas6 for diagnosing SLE using ROC curves, the sensitivity and specificity were 72.7 % and 84 % with a cut-off value of 25.3 ng/mL. In the ROC analysis of Gas6, anti-dsDNA antibody, ESR, complement 3 and complement 4 to identify patients with active lupus, area under the curve (AUC) of Gas6 was highest with 0.763. Serum Gas6 levels were significantly higher in the patients with serositis (70.04?±?30.85 ng/mL) and renal disorder (65.66 ±32.28 ng/mL) compared to those without (41.88?±?27.44 ng/mL, p?=?0.033, 40.3?±?26.33 ng/mL, p?=?0.001, respectively). Gas6 levels were correlated positively with anti-dsDNA antibody (r?=?0.199, p?=?0.015), ESR (r?=?0.204, p?=?0.013) and SLEDAI (r?=?0.512, p?<?0.001). In addition, serum Gas6 levels were correlated negatively with hemoglobin (r?=??0.165, p?=?0.043), lymphocyte count (r?=??0.165, p?=?0.043), complement 3 (r?=??0.343, p?<?0.001) and complement 4 (r?=??0.316, p?<?0.001). Furthermore, change in serum Gas6 levels was correlated with change in SLEDAI levels in the SLE patients that were followed up (r?=?0.524, p?<?0.001).

Conclusion

These results suggest that serum Gas6 can be a reliable clinical marker for monitoring disease activity and treatment response in SLE.     

Predictors of Health Behavior Change After an Integrative Medicine Inpatient Program

Background

Health behavior change can improve physical and psychosocial outcomes in internal medicine patients.

Purpose

This study aims to identify predictors for health behavior change after an integrative medicine inpatient program.

Method

German internal medicine patients' (N?=?2,486; 80 % female; 53.9?±?14.3 years) practice frequency for aerobic exercise (e.g., walking, running, cycling, swimming), meditative movement therapies (e.g., yoga, tai ji, qigong), and relaxation techniques (e.g., progressive relaxation, mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery) was assessed at admission to a 14-day integrative medicine inpatient program, and 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Health behavior change was regressed to exercise self-efficacy, stage of change, and health locus of control (internal, external-social, external-fatalistic).

Results

Short-term increases in practice frequency were found for aerobic exercise: short- and long-term increases for meditative movement therapies and relaxation techniques (all p?p?p?Conclusion Health behavior change after an integrative medicine inpatient program was predicted by self-efficacy, stage of change, and health locus of control. Considering these aspects might improve adherence to health-promoting behavior after lifestyle modification programs.     

White Blood Cell Subtypes after STEMI: Temporal Evolution, Association with Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance��Derived Infarct Size and Impact on Outcome

The evolution of white blood cells after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and their association with infarct size and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) remains unclear. Two hundred eleven patients underwent CMR after STEMI. Infarct mass (grams) was determined. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts (×1,000 cells/ml) were measured upon arrival and at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Patients with large infarctions (3rd tertile????28.5 g vs. 1st and 2nd tertiles?<?28.5 g) showed a larger neutrophil count at 12 h (14.8?±?4.8 vs. 11.4?±?3.3, p?<?0.0001) and an increased monocyte count (maximum at 24 h (0.65[0.50?C0.91] vs. 0.55[0.42?C0.71], p?=?0.004)) but no difference in lymphocyte count. Neutrophil count at 12 h independently predicted large infarctions (OR 1.14, 95%CI [1.04?C1.26], p?=?0.008). During follow-up (median 504 days), 25 MACE occurred. Neutrophil count at 96 h independently predicted MACE (HR 1.2, 95%CI [1.1?C1.4], p?=?0.003). Large infarctions show a marked neutrophil peak and an increasing monocyte count. Neutrophil count independently predicts large infarctions and MACE.     

Asthma and Hypogammaglobulinemia: an Asthma Phenotype with Low Type 2 Inflammation

Purpose

Little is known about hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) in asthma patients. No data are available on the characteristics of adult patients with asthma and HGG.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective monocentric study between January 2006 and December 2012. Asthma patients with a serum immunoglobulin (Ig) quantitative analysis were included and classified into two groups depending on their serum IgG concentration: presence or absence of HGG. Clinical, biological, functional, and radiologic characteristics were compared in univariate and multivariate analysis, using a logistic regression model.

Results

In univariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG (n?=?25) were older (58 years old?±?18 vs 49?±?18, p?=?0.04) and more frequently active or former smokers as compared to patients with normoglobulinemia (n?=?80) (56.0 vs 35.0 %, p?=?0.01). Total IgE?<?30 kUI/L was more frequently observed in patients with HGG (53.0 vs 18.3 %, p?=?0.01). HGG asthma patients had lower fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (p?=?0.02), blood eosinophilia (p?=?0.0009), and presented with more severe composite score for bronchiectasis (p?=?0.01). In multivariate analysis, asthma patients with HGG had increased risk of being smokers [OR?=?6.11 (IC 95 %?=?1.16–32.04)], having total IgE concentration?<?30 kUI/L [OR?=?12.87 (IC 95 %?=?2.30–72.15)], and a more severe composite score of bronchiectasis [OR?=?20.65 (IC 95 %?=?2.13–199.74)].

Conclusion

Asthma patients with HGG are older and more often tobacco smoker than asthma patients without HGG. These patients have low type-2 inflammation markers.

     

Long-term treatment with methanandamide attenuates LPS-induced periodontitis in rats

Objective

Evidence exists of the anti-inflammatory and immunological properties of endocannabinoids in various tissues; the aim of the present study was therefore to assess the effect of long-term treatment with the synthetic cannabinoid methanandamide (Meth-AEA) on the progression of periodontitis in rats.

Materials and methods

Periodontitis was induced by injecting LPS (1?mg/ml) into the gingiva around the neck of the first upper and lower molars, and into the inter-dental space between the first and second molars. This protocol was repeated for 6?weeks on days 1, 3, and 5 of each week.

Results

Long-term treatment with topical Meth-AEA (500?ng/ml), applied daily to gingival tissue of rats induced with periodontitis, significantly diminished the alveolar bone loss, measured as the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar crest, in both maxillary and mandibular first molars, compared to rats without treatment (P?P?P?Conclusion These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of treatment with Meth-AEA on gingival tissue of rats with periodontitis.     

The influence of ice slurry ingestion on maximal voluntary contraction following exercise-induced hyperthermia

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ingestion of a small bolus of ice slurry (1.25?g?kg^?1) could attenuate the reduction in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) torque output during a 2-min sustained task following exercise-induced hyperthermia. On two separate occasions, 10 males (age: 24?±?3?years, $ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{{ 2 {\text{peak}}}} $ : 49.8?±?4.7?ml?kg^?1?min^?1) ran to exhaustion at their first ventilatory threshold in a hot environment (34.1?±?0.1°C, 49.5?±?3.6% RH). Prior to and after exercise, subjects performed a 2-min sustained MVC of the right elbow flexors in a thermoneutral environment (24.6?±?0.8°C, 37.2?±?4.5% RH). The post exercise MVC was performed immediately following the ingestion of either 1.25?g?kg^?1 of ice slurry (?1°C; ICE) or warm fluid (40°C; CON), in a counterbalanced and randomised order. Run time to exhaustion (42.4?±?9.5 vs. 41.7?±?8.7?min; p?=?0.530), and rectal (39.08?±?0.30 vs. 39.08?±?0.30°C; p?=?0.934) and skin temperatures (35.26?±?0.65 vs. 35.28?±?0.67°C; p?=?0.922) and heart rate (189?±?5 vs. 189?±?6 beats?min^?1; p?=?0.830) at the end of the run were similar between trials. Torque output during the post-exercise 2-min sustained MVC was significantly higher (p?=?0.001) following ICE (30.75?±?16.40?Nm) compared with CON (28.69?±?14.88?Nm). These results suggest that ice slurry ingestion attenuated the effects of exercise-induced hyperthermia on MVC, possibly via internal thermoreceptive and/or temperature-related sensory mechanisms.     

Atrial functional and geometrical remodeling in highly trained male athletes: for better or worse?

Purpose

Highly trained athletes have an increased risk of atrial arrhythmias. Atrial geometrical and functional remodeling may be the underlying substrate. We analyze and relate atrial size, deformation and performance in professional handball players compared with non-sportive subjects.

Methods

24 Professional handball players and 20 non-sportive males were compared. All subjects underwent an echocardiographic study with evaluation of left (LA), right atrial (RA) dimensions and deformation by strain (Sa) and strain rate (SRa). Atrial performance was assessed from the atrial stroke volume (SV). With computational geometrical models, we studied the relation between atrial volumes, strains and SV and compared atrial working conditions. We estimated the functional reserve and a resulting average wall stress.

Results

LA and RA volumes were larger in athletes than in controls (35.2 ± 8.8 vs. 24.8 ± 4.3 ml/m², p < 0.01 and 29.0 ± 8.4 vs. 19.0 ± 5.1 ml/m², p < 0.01 respectively). LASa and RASa during active atrial contraction were decreased in athletes (?12.2 ± 2.0 vs. ?14.5 ± 2.1 %, p < 0.01 and ?12.1 ± 1.8 vs. ?14.2 ± 1.5 %, p < 0.01 respectively). LASV was similar between groups (6.6 ± 1.4 vs. 7.3 ± 1.1 ml, p = 0.19) and RASV was lower in athletes (6.2 ± 1.3 vs. 7.2 ± 1.1 ml, p < 0.01). Computational models showed that this different operational mode potentially increases performance reserve, but at the cost of higher atrial wall stress.

Conclusion

A proportion of athletes with enlarged LA and RA showed different atrial contractile performance, likely resulting in atria working at higher wall stress.     

2D/3D CMR tissue tracking versus CMR tagging in the assessment of spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys with isolated diastolic dysfunction

Background

Spontaneous T2DM in rhesus monkeys manifests as isolated diastolic dysfunction in the early stage of diabetic cardiomyopathy, similar to humans. Myocardial deformation measurements have emerged as a superior way to measure left ventricular (LV) function in the early stage of cardiac dysfunction, making it possible to further evaluate early-stage LV dysfunction in spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys.

Methods

Spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys with isolated diastolic dysfunction (T2DM-DD, n?=?10) and corresponding nondiabetic healthy animals (ND, n?=?9) were prospectively scanned for a CMR study. Circumferential and longitudinal peak systolic strain (Ecc, Ell), time to peak strain (tEcc, tEll) and peak diastolic strain rate (CSR, LSR) obtained from 2D/3D CMR-TT were compared with those obtained from CMR tagging separately. In addition, all CMR imaging protocols were performed twice in 9 ND animals to assess test-retest reproducibility.

Results

Compared with the ND group, the T2DM-DD monkeys demonstrated significantly impaired LV Ecc (??10.63?±?3.23 vs ??14.18?±?3.19, p?<?0.05), CSR (65.50?±?14.48 vs 65.50?±?14.48, p?<?0.01), Ell (??9.11?±?2.59 vs ??14.17?±?1.68, p?<?0.05), and LSR (59.43?±?19.17 vs 108.46?±?22.33, p?<?0.01) with the tagging. Only Ecc (??13.10?±?2.47 vs ??19.03?±?3.69, p?<?0.01) and CSR (148.90?±?31.27 vs 202.00?±?51.88, p?<?0.01) were significantly reduced with 2D CMR-TT, and only Ecc (??13.77?±?1.98 vs ??17.26?±?3.78, p?<?0.05) was significantly reduced with 3D CMR-TT. Moreover, 2D/3D CMR-TT-derived Ecc and CSR correlated with the corresponding tagging values collectively, with a statistically significant ICC value (p?<?0.05). Test-retest repeatability analysis showed that most tagging-derived biomarkers had acceptable repeatability (p?<?0.01). In addition, 2D CMR-TT-derived indicators were poorer than those derived from the tagging method but better than those obtained using the 3D method, with larger ICCs except for tEcc (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions

LV systolic and diastolic deformations were impaired in spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys previously diagnosed with isolated diastolic dysfunction by echocardiography. The 2D CMR-TT-derived Ecc and CSR were effective in the evaluation of the myocardial systolic and diastolic functions of early-diabetic cardiomyopathy, with relatively higher test-retest reproducibility and acceptable correlation with the tagging method compared with the 3D CMR-TT method.

     

Stereological evaluation of the volume and volume fraction of newborns’ brain compartment and brain in magnetic resonance images

Purpose

Brain development in early life is thought to be critical period in neurodevelopmental disorder. Knowledge relating to this period is currently quite limited. This study aimed to evaluate the volume relation of total brain (TB), cerebrum, cerebellum and bulbus+pons by the use of Archimedes’ principle and stereological (point-counting) method and after that to compare these approaches with each other in newborns.

Methods

This study was carried out on five newborn cadavers mean weighing 2.220?±?1.056?g with no signs of neuropathology. The mean (±SD) age of the subjects was 39.7 (±1.5) weeks. The volume and volume fraction of the total brain, cerebrum, cerebellum and bulbus+pons were determined on magnetic resonance (MR) images using the point-counting approach of stereological methods and by the use of fluid displacement technique.

Results

The mean (±SD) TB, cerebrum, cerebellum and bulbus+pons volumes by fluid displacement were 271.48?±?78.3, 256.6?±?71.8, 12.16?±?6.1 and 2.72?±?1.6?cm³, respectively. By the Cavalieri principle (point-counting) using sagittal MRIs, they were 262.01?±?74.9, 248.11?±?68.03, 11.68?±?6.1 and 2.21?±?1.13?cm³, respectively. The mean (±?SD) volumes by point-counting technique using axial MR images were 288.06?±?88.5, 275.2?±?83.1, 19.75?±?5.3 and 2.11?±?0.7?cm³, respectively. There were no differences between the fluid displacement and point-counting (using axial and sagittal images) for all structures (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion

This study presents the basic data for studies relative to newborn’s brain volume fractions according to two methods. Stereological (point-counting) estimation may be accepted a beneficial and new tool for neurological evaluation in vivo research of the brain. Based on these techniques we introduce here, the clinician may evaluate the growth of the brain in a more efficient and precise manner.     

Serum C-reactive Protein Level and Distribution in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Versus Healthy Controls: a Case–Control Study from Iran

Inflammation has a contributive role in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).The present study was designed to determine the level and the distribution of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in COPD compared with controls. Ninety patients with COPD presented to an outpatient hospital clinic and 50 controls who were selected among personals of the same hospital entered the study. Serum high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) was measured by immunoturbidimetric method and the ESR by Westergren method. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to determine a cutoff point for differentiation of the COPD and control group. In statistical analysis, the patients and controls were compared regarding levels and distribution of hs-CRP and ESR. Mean age of patients and controls was 67?±?11.6 and 51.3?±?6.7 years, respectively (p?=?0.001). Mean hs-CRP was significantly higher (4.76?±?5.6 vs 1.72?±?1.68 mg/L, p?=?0.001) but mean ESR was nonsignificantly higher (9.1?±?11.2 vs 7.2?±?7.4 m/h, p?=?0.95) in patients than control. Serum hs-CRP at 1.55 mg/L, differentiated patients and controls at sensitivity of 77.3 % and specificity of 60 %. Serum hs-CRP >3 mg/L was observed in 39 (44.3 %) patients and 9 (18 %) controls (p?=?0.001) and >6 mg/L in 22 (25 %) patients and 2 (4 %) controls (p?=?0.001).Serum hs-CRP was significantly correlated with ESR in patient but not in control group (Spearman correlation coefficient?=?0.516, p?=?0.001). Serum hs-CRP and ESR was not correlated with age, weigh, smoking, and the severity of COPD. The results of this study indicated a systemic inflammatory process in COPD. Since inflammation has an important contribution in development of future pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications, serum CRP assessment will provide additional information beyond that achieved by conventional method of pulmonary function test.