A unified formula for calculating body surface area of humans and animals

We previously derived a formula for calculating human body surface area (BSA) from V (body volume) and L (reference body length): BSA=(9VL)^0.5. In this paper, we analyse first the effects of body density variation on BSA during growth and the scaling relation of BSA to body mass. Then we utilise the derived formula to calculate BSA of animals and compare the obtained data with the direct measurements on the same animals, including rat, chicken, dog, and cattle, from the literature. It is shown that two problems remain to be solved for applying the derived formula to all mammals and other animals: one is to find out the L for each species of animal by means of direct measurements, and the other is to obtain the variation of body density during growth.     

Quasi-MSn identification of flavanone 7-glycoside isomers in Da Chengqi Tang by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Background  

Da Chengqi Tang (DCT) is a common purgative formula in Chinese medicine. Flavanones are its major active compounds derived from Fructus Aurantii Immaturus. The present study developed an LC-MS/MS method to characterize two pairs of flavanone 7-glycoside isomers, i.e., hesperidin versus neohesperidin and naringin versus isonaringin.     

Biosystematic study of hexaploidsElymus tschimganicus andE. glaucissimus. I. Morphology and genomic constitution

Elymus tschimganicus andE. glaucissimus are hexaploids (2n = 6x = 42) that inhabit stony slopes and swales in the middle and upper mountain belts of Central Asia. Chromosome pairing at metaphase I inE. tschimganicus andE. glaucissimus was typical of otherElymus hexaploids, averaging 20.94 and 20.98 bivalents per cell, respectively. Meiotic pairing of tetraploid hybrids derived by crossingE. tschimganicus andE. glaucissimus withP. spicata (2n = 2x = 14; genome = SS) averaged 4.97 and 4.90 bivalents per cell respectively, indicating the presence of the S genome in the target taxa. Pentaploid hybrids derived by crossingE. tschimganicus andE. glaucissimus with tetraploid analyzer speciesE. mutabilis andE. sibiricus (2n = 4x = 28; genome = SSHH) had mean bivalent frequencies of 5.61 and 4.64 respectively, suggesting the absence of the H genome in the target taxa. Mean bivalent associations were similar among hybrids derived by crossing the target taxa withE. nevski (2n = 4x = 28; genome = SSYY), which averaged 10.61 and 11.42 bivalents, respectively, suggesting the presence of the Y genome inE. tschimganicus andE. glaucissimus. Based on chromosome pairing in the hybrids, the genomic formula for bothE. tschimganicus andE. glaucissimus should be SSSSYY.Cooperative investigation of the USDA - Agricultural Research Service and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, paper no 4431.     

Über die druckabhängigkeit der viskoelastischen und physikalisch-chemischen eigenschaften von polymeren, 3. Darstellung des druckeinflusses auf das spezifische volumen im technischen temperatur- und druckbereich

A reduction formula for the calculation of the specific volume v at any temperature T and any pressure P is derived; it consists of the two equations: The parameters ξ, ζ and ψ can be easily calculated from values in the literature, and therefore only a volume-temperature curve at atmospheric pressure has to be measured.     

Evaluation of blood resistivityin vivo for impedance cardiography in man,dog and rabbit

The accuracy of impedance cardiography for measurement of stroke volume (SV₂) has been controversial. This could be, in part, due to the use in the Kubicek formula of the bench-determined blood resistivity (ϱ)-haematocrit (Hct) relationship, which does not take into account factors such as complex blood-velocity movements. In the present studyin vivo, ϱ was calculated in dog, rabbit and man from the rearranged Kubicek formula, ϱ=(SV. Zo²)/(L². dZ/dt max T); the stroke volumes used in the calculation being derived at different Hcts in the different species from the independent techniques of electromagnetic flowmeter, direct Fick, and direct Fick and thermodilution, respectively. Thein vivo ϱ-Hct relationship is linear, inverse and nearly constant over the range of Hcts tested (dog 26–62%, man 31–48%, rabbit 37%). No significant difference exists between meanin vivo ϱ values determined for the three species at corresponding haematocrits despite different thoracic anatomy and circulatory dynamics. Thus, the best estimate of mean ϱin vivo within the normal Hct range is 135Ω cm, the use of which will result in a SV₂ accuracy of better than ±10%.     

Real time continuous wavelet transform implementation on a DSP processor

The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is an effective tool when the emphasis is on the analysis of non-stationary signals and on localization and characterization of singularities in signals. We have used the B-spline based CWT, the Lipschitz Exponent (LE) and measures derived from it to detect and quantify the singularity characteristics of biomedical signals. In this article, a real-time implementation of a B-spline based CWT on a digital signal processor is presented, with the aim of providing quantitative information about the signal to a clinician as it is being recorded. A recursive algorithm implementation was shown to be too slow for real-time implementation so a parallel algorithm was considered. The use of a parallel algorithm involves redundancy in calculations at the boundary points. An optimization of numerical computation to remove redundancy in calculation was carried out. A formula has been derived to give an exact operation count for any integer scale m and any B-spline of order n (for the case where n is odd) to calculate the CWT for both the original and the optimized parallel methods. Experimental results show that the optimized method is 20–28% faster than the original method. As an example of applying this optimized method, a real-time implementation of the CWT with LE postprocessing has been achieved for an EMG Interference Pattern signal sampled at 50 kHz.     

Effect of DHA-containing formula on growth of preterm infants to 59 weeks postmenstrual age

Between May 1993, and September 1994, a randomized, blinded clinical trial was conducted to evaluate measures of growth and body composition in 63 (32 males; 31 females) healthy, low-birth-weight infants (940–2250 g) who were randomly assigned to an infant formula with docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3, DHA, 0.2 wt%) from fish oil or to a control formula. A preterm formula with or without DHA was fed beginning at 7–10 days prior to hospital discharge through 43 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Then, from 43-59 weeks PMA, infants were fed a term infant formula with or without a corresponding amount of DHA. Growth (weight, length, head circumference), regional body fatness (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac skinfold thicknesses), circumferences (arm, abdominal, chest), and estimates of body composition determined by total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) (fat-free mass [FFM]) were evaluated. Growth was slower in males fed the DHA formula. They had significantly (P < 0.05) smaller gains in weight, length, and head circumference between study enrollment to 59 weeks PMA than those fed the control formula. At 51 weeks PMA, males in the DHA group had significantly smaller head circumferences (P < 0.05) and lower FFM (P < 0.05). At 59 weeks PMA, males in the DHA group weighed less (P < 0.05), had shorter recumbent lengths (P < 0.01), smaller head circumferences (P < 0.05), and lower FFM (P < 0.01) than those fed the control formula. Energy intakes from formula (kcal/d), however, were lower at 51 weeks (P < 0.05) and 59 weeks (P < 0.05) PMA in males fed the DHA formula. Adjusted for body weight (kcal/kg/d), mean energy intakes from formula at 51 and 59 weeks PMA were not significantly different between feeding groups. The differences in recumbent length, head circumference, and FFM remained statistically significant after controlling for energy and protein intakes (P < 0.01). For all males, neither FFM nor total body fat (TBF), when expressed as a percentage of total body weight, differed significantly between feeding groups. Among females, there were no significant differences between the feeding groups in measures of growth, body composition, or energy intake. The results indicated that infant formula with fish oil containing DHA and EPA in a 5:1 ratio had a significant, negative effect on growth and body composition in males during the first 6 months of life. It is not clear why the growth deficits were limited to males and not females. The eicosanoids, bioactive metabolites of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, may mediate several important growth hormones. The present results do not support the addition of DHA alone in infant formulas. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 11:457–467, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of the kennedy-elder abbreviated IQ formula with emotionally disturbed adolescents

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was administered to 120 emotionally disturbed adolescents, using standard assessment procedures and format as outlined by Wechsler (1974). Abbreviated IQ scores then were derived by applying the Kennedy-Elder (1982) formula, an equation that uses five WISC-R subtests with varied weightings. Comparisons between the standard IQ scores and the abbreviated IQ scores were evaluated. A Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient of .948 and a nonsignificant t-test between the mean IQs suggested that the two scores were interchangeable. However, frequent IQ classification changes (25%) rendered the K-E format unacceptable for this population.     

Anthelmintic efficacies of a tablet formula of ivermectin–praziquantel on horses experimentally infected with three Strongylus species

In this blinded randomized and controlled study, the anthelmintic efficacy of a tablet formula of ivermectin–praziquantel was evaluated in horses experimentally infected with three species of Strongylus larvae. Eighteen previously dewormed horses were inoculated on study day 0 with third-stage larvae of Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus equinus, and Strongylus edentatus. The horses were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 6): test-drug (tablet formula), positive-control (reference gel), and negative-control (placebo tablet). On day 56, the horses were treated once with the respective drugs. On day 95, the horses were sacrificed, and necropsy examinations were performed to assess the status of the parasite burden (L4 and immature L5) and pathological lesions on selected organs and tissues. By the criteria of worm counts, the test-drug and positive-control showed, respectively, 100% and 97.3% anthelmintic efficacies on S. vulgaris, 100% and 81.4% on S. equinus, and equally 100% on S. edentatus. However, the efficacies on S. equinus and S. edentatus should be taken only as face values considering their respective low worm counts in the placebo group. The S. vulgaris-induced arterial lesions were also reduced in the test-drug and positive-control groups with efficacies of 73.9% and 62.9%, respectively. No adverse reactions were observed with either of the drugs. Our data demonstrate that the Equimax tablet formula was as safe and efficacious as the gel formula anthelmintic on large strongyles in horses.     

Cluster of Neonatal Infections in Jerusalem due to Unusual Biochemical Variant of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobacter sakazakii</Emphasis>

Reported here is a cluster of infections due to a nitrate-negative variant of Enterobacter sakazakii, which occurred among premature neonates at the Hadassah Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, in December 1999–January 2000. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed cluster isolates to be identical but unrelated to previous systemic isolates recovered in 1993 and 1998. The organism was not isolated from infant formula powder, but it was recovered from prepared formula and from a kitchen blender. Elimination of the environmental focus, a change to factory-prepared infant formula, and isolation of affected infants terminated the event. Faecal carriage of Enterobacter sakazakii was observed for up to 18 weeks, emphasising the potential for cross-infection. Electronic Publication     

Systemic infections in three infants due to a lactose-fermenting strain ofSalmonella virchow

Three previously healthy children developed gastroenteritis which led within a few days to systemic infections, two cases of bacteremia and one of meningitis. A lactose-fermentingSalmonella virchow strain was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures. In one case, this strain was also isolated from stool cultures. All the children had been fed the same milk formula. There was no other relationship between them. The batch of dried-milk formula was confirmed as the source of the infection by isolation of an identical lactose-fermentingSalmonella virchow strain by the Centro Nacional de Alimentación.     

Dynamics of glomerular ultrafiltration in Amphiuma means

To study renal function inAmphiuma means, the hydrostatic pressures in vascular and tubular structures and the glomerular filtration rate were determined at different arterial blood pressures. In the arterial blood pressure range studied no evidence of autoregulation of the glomerular capillary pressure or of the hydrostatic pressure gradient over the capillary membrane was found. The glomerular filtration ceases at an arterial blood pressure below 12 cm H₂O. No significant difference between tubular free flow pressure and peritubular capillary pressure was noted. Furthermore, it was found that the glomerular capillary pressure could be estimated by measuring the intratubular stop-flow pressure and arterial colloid osmotic pressure at an arterial pressure above 15 cm H₂O. It was also found possible to measure the glomerular capillary pressure at the very end of the afferent arteriole. The protein concentrations in afferent and efferent arteriolar blood were determined and the colloid osmotic pressures were calculated according to a new formula derived forAmphiuma plasma. The dynamics of glomerular ultrafiltration was evaluated. A filtration equilibrium across the glomerular membrane was reached, since the efferent colloid osmotic pressure was not significantly different from the hydrostatic pressure gradient across the glomerular capillary membrane.     

Interplay between PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism and cow's milk formula exposure in type 1 diabetes

Genetic heterogeneity may affect the analysis of risk factors associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We studied the effect of the INS −23A/T, PTPN22 1858C/T, and CTLA-4 +49A/G polymorphisms on the emergence of T1D-associated autoimmunity in children exposed to cow's milk (CM) based formula during early or late infancy. The study comprised of 156 children from the Finnish DIPP cohort who had developed ≥ 2 types of autoantibodies (ICA, IAA, GADA or IA-2A) or clinical T1D and 563 control children. The PTPN22 1858T allele was associated with the appearance of the autoantibodies and clinical T1D among children exposed to CM formula before the age of 6 months (PTPN22: for all P ≤ 0.001, Log Rank test), but not among children exposed later on. Cox regression analysis showed an interaction between early CM exposure and 1858T allele and enhanced appearance of ICA, IAA and IA-2A (for all P ≤ 0.04). Our results imply that the PTPN22 polymorphism affects the development of T1D-associated autoimmunity only if children are exposed to CM formula during early infancy suggesting an interplay between genetic and environmental factors. This may provide an explanation for the contradictory findings on the significance of CM formula exposure in T1D.     

Development of thyroid gland volume during the first 3 months of life in breast-fed versus iodine-supplemented and iodine-free formula-fed infants

Summary The spontaneous development of thyroid gland volume (TGV) during the first 3 months of life was studied in entirely breast-fed infants (n = 21) and compared to those fed an iodine-supplemented formula (n = 19), an iodine-free formula (n = 5), or partially breast-fed in addition to an iodine-free (n = 4) or an iodine-supplemented formula (n =16). The TGV of the infants and their mothers was determined sonographically in addition to their urinary iodine concentrations 57 days postpartum and 3 months later. In ten additional lactating mothers the breast milk concentrations of thyroid hormones and iodine were determined. It was shown that at 3 months of age an infant consuming about 1000 ml breast milk per day receives about 2 g thyroid hormones and 55 g iodine per day. At the end of their first week of life the infants showed a TGV between 0.28 and 1.5 ml (median 0.61 ml) and a urinary iodine concentration between 0.03 and 16.3 g/dl (median 3.0 g/dl). At 3 months of age the TGV of the breast-fed infants had decreased by a median of 0.24 ml (= –34%; median of percentage changes) whereas those fed a formula without iodine had increased by a median of 0.26 ml (= + 50%; median of percentage changes). Those receiving an iodine-supplemented formula showed a TGV reduction of 0.14 ml (= +2%; median of percentage changes). The TGV development of the partially breast-fed infants lay between those being exclusively breast or formula fed. It is concluded that with respect to the development of TGV, breast milk is superior even to the feeding of an iodine-supplemented formula.Abbreviations TGV thyroid gland volume - T₃ triiodothyro-nine - T₄ thyroxine - rT₃ reverse triiodothyronine     

A new formula for estimating oxygen consumption in man and animal

A formula for estimating oxygen consumption in man and animals using outlet volume flow and oxygen fraction of CO₂-free outlet air is derived. The formula is simplified and the error induced is evaluated. Two applications are discussed.     

Quantitative real-time RT-PCR data analysis: current concepts and the novel “gene expression’s C T difference” formula

For quantification of gene-specific mRNA, quantitative real-time RT-PCR has become one of the most frequently used methods over the last few years. This article focuses on the issue of real-time PCR data analysis and its mathematical background, offering a general concept for efficient, fast and precise data analysis superior to the commonly used comparative C _T (ΔΔC _T ) and the standard curve method, as it considers individual amplification efficiencies for every PCR. This concept is based on a novel formula for the calculation of relative gene expression ratios, termed GED (Gene Expression’s C _T Difference) formula. Prerequisites for this formula, such as real-time PCR kinetics, the concept of PCR efficiency and its determination, are discussed. Additionally, this article offers some technical considerations and information on statistical analysis of real-time PCR data.     

Simultaneous determination of eight major bioactive compounds in Dachengqi Tang (DT) by high-performance liquid chromatography

Background  

Dachengqi Tang (DT) is a common traditional Chinese medicine formula for expelling neire ('internal heat') in the stomach and intestines. There was no reliable analytical method available for the quality control of DT.     

Estimating body surface area from mass and height: Theory and the formula of Du Bois and Du Bois

Background: Body surface areas are usually estimated by means of a formula due in its general form to Du Bois and Du Bois (1916), i.e. area?=?C?×?mass^a?×?height^b, where C, a and b are empirical constants. Its physical basis is unknown.

Aim: The present study aimed to explain this formula, correct some errors in the associated literature and provide a clear basis for future developments.

Subjects and methods: Use is made of published data, but arguments are largely based on mathematics and modelling.

Results: A more fundamental formula is as follows: area?=?α(mass?×?height)^1/2?+?β(mass/height), where?α?and?β?are constants. For realistic values of mass and height the two equations are numerically equivalent. For individuals,?β?cannot be negative and b cannot exceed a, but, as regression parameters, these conditions may not be satisfied. This could be due to systematic or statistical relationships between individual values of?α?or?β?and the ratio height³/mass. Values of α, β, C, a and b are calculated for some published data.

Conclusions: The original type of formula suffices for practical purposes, but the new one is better in analytical contexts when other terms, e.g. for body shape, are to be incorporated.     

Impact of a novel nutritional formula on asthma control and biomarkers of allergic airway inflammation in children

Background A novel nutritional formula (NNF) enriched in eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and γ‐linolenic fatty acids and antioxidants reduces airway inflammation and improves clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, but NNF has not been evaluated in chronic inflammatory diseases such as persistent asthma. Objective To evaluate the efficacy, compliance, and safety of NNF in asthmatic children. Methods Children, 6–14 years of age, with mild to moderate persistent asthma, on as needed albuterol alone, were randomized to receive daily NNF (n=23) or control formula (n=20) for 12 weeks, with multiple assessments of asthma control, spirometry, measures of airway inflammation, formula tolerance, and adverse events. Results Daily consumption of either NNF or a control formula showed improvement in asthma‐free days over time (P=0.04) but there was no difference between groups. However, the NNF group had lower exhaled nitric oxide levels compared with the control group at weeks 4, 8, and 12 (P<0.05). An overall group difference in log FEV₁ PC₂₀ (P=0.05) was found in favour of the NNF group as well. Significantly higher levels of EPA in plasma (P<0.01) and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) (P<0.01) phospholipids in the NNF group compared with control group within 2 weeks indicated good adherence with daily NNF intake. There were no differences in adverse events for NNF vs. control after 12 weeks. Conclusions Both NNF and control groups demonstrated improvement in asthma‐free days. NNF‐treated group had reduced biomarkers of disease activity. Rapid PBMC fatty acid composition changes reflected an anti‐inflammatory profile. Dietary supplementation with NNF was safe and well tolerated (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01087710). Cite this as: R. Covar, M. Gleason, B. Macomber, L. Stewart, P. Szefler, K. Engelhardt, J. Murphy, A. Liu, S. Wood, S. DeMichele, E. W. Gelfand and S. J. Szefler, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1163–1174.     

Value of a modified continuity equation method to quantify mitral valve area in patients with mitral stenosis and sinus rhythm

Summary To quantify valve area in mitral stenosis, a modified continuity equation method using continuous wave Doppler and thermodilution measurements was applied. In 14 patients with mitral stenosis and sinus rhythm (age: 49±11 years), transmitral flow velocity was recorded by continuous wave Doppler during right and left heart catheterization. Mitral valve area was calculated by three different methods: 1. According to the continuity equation, stroke volume (thermodilution technique) was divided by the registered time velocity integral of the mitral stenotic jet (continuous wave Doppler). 2. Mitral valve area was calculated by the pressure half-time method. 3. Simultaneous pulmonary capillary wedge and left ventricular pressure measurements were used for determination of mitral valve area according to the Gorlin formula. The mitral valve area determined by application of the continuity equation (y) showed a close correlation to the valve area calculated by the Gorlin equation (x):y=0.73x+0.12, SEE=0.11 cm²,r=0.88,P<0.001. In contrast, the correlation between mitral valve area determined by pressure half-time (y) and the Gorlin formula (x) was not as good:y=0.77x+0.11, SEE=0.26 cm²,r=0.65,P<0.05. Thus, the continuity equation method using combined continuous wave Doppler and thermodilution technique allows a valid determination of mitral valve area. In patients with mitral stenosis and sinus rhythm, this technique is superior to the noninvasive determination of mitral valve area by the conventional pressure half-time method.Abbreviations bpm beats per minute - CO cardiac output - DFT diastolic filling time - HR heart rate - LV left ventricular - MMVG mean mitral valve gradient - MVA_CE mitral valve area determined according to the continuity equation method - MVA_G mitral valve area calculated according to the Gorlin formula - MVA_T1/2 mitral valve area determined according to the pressure half-time method - PCW pulmonary capillary wedge - SV stroke volume