Muscle strength and soft tissue composition as measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in women aged 18–87 years

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) offers the possibility of assessing regional soft tissue composition, i.e. lean mass (LM) and fat mass : LM may be considered a measure of muscle mass. We examined age-related differences in LM, percentage fat (%fat) and muscle strength in 100 healthy non-athletic women aged 18–87 years. Relationships between muscle strength and leg LM in 20 elite female weight lifters and in 18 inactive women with previous hip fractures were also studied. The LM and %fat of the whole body, trunk, arms and legs were derived from a whole body DEXA scan. Isokinetic knee extensor strength (KES) and flexor strength (KFS) at 30°?·?s^–1 were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. The women aged 71–87 years had 35% lower KES and KFS than the women aged 18–40 years (P P r _partial?=??0.74, P r _partial?=?0.65, P r?=??0.70, P P P 相似文献   

Identification and characterization of S fimbria-binding sialoglycoproteins on brain microvascular endothelial cells.

We have previously shown that S-fimbriated Escherichia coli binds brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) via a lectin-like activity of SfaS adhesin specific for NeuAc alpha2,3-galactose; however, BMEC molecules bearing these epitopes have not been identified. In the present study, we showed that the expression of S fimbriae conferred a three-fold increase in adhesion of E. coli to cow, human, and rat BMEC but did not enhance E. coli adhesion to systemic vascular endothelial cells such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human aortic arterial endothelial cells. Two BMEC-binding molecules for S fimbriae were identified as 65 (major)- and 130 (minor)-kDa sialoglycoproteins by S fimbria immunoblotting and were purified from bovine BMEC by wheat germ agglutinin and Maackia amurensis lectin (specific to NeuAc alpha2,3-galactose) affinity chromatography. The 65-kDa BMEC glycoprotein showed effective inhibition of S fimbria-mediated binding of E. coli to BMEC. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the mixture of 65- and 130-kDa proteins reacted to 65-kDa protein present only on BMEC, not on systemic vascular endothelial cells. Immunoprecipitation of biotinylated BMEC membrane proteins and immunocytochemistry studies of BMEC with anti-S fimbria-binding protein antibodies revealed that the 65-kDa protein is a surface protein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 65- and 130-kDa proteins showed no significant sequence homology with any other known proteins. These findings suggest that 65- and 130-kDa proteins represent novel sialoglycoproteins involved in the binding of S-fimbriated E. coli to BMEC.     

Induction of compartmentalized B-cell responses in human tonsils.

The capacity of tonsillar and nasal mucosal lymphoid tissues to serve as induction sites of local and/or distant B-cell responses in humans has been examined. The frequencies of vaccine-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in cell suspensions from palatine tonsils (PT) and adenoids were determined after local (intra-tonsillar [i.t.]) and regional (intranasal [i.n.]) immunizations as well as peroral and parenteral immunizations with cholera and tetanus toxoids. While peroral and parenteral immunizations evoked negligible ASC responses in PT, i.t. vaccination induced a substantial ASC response which consisted of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA ASC. Responses were highly restricted to immunized tonsils. Primary immunization in one PT followed by a second immunization of both PT evoked a larger ASC response in the primed tonsil. The latter ASC response was associated with higher frequencies of ASC precursors in primed tonsils. Furthermore, two i.n. immunizations induced only modest ASC responses in PT, although such immunizations evoked high ASC responses in adenoids. However, both i.t. and i.n. routes of immunization induced specific peripheral blood ASC responses, suggesting that a fraction of B cells activated in tonsils or in nasal mucosa may enter the circulation and disseminate to distant organs. These blood ASC responses preceded increases in both IgA and IgG antibody titers in nasal washes and serum samples. However, vaccine-specific ASC were not detected in duodenal cell suspensions from volunteers who had received i.t. or i.n. immunizations. Collectively, these results indicate that tonsils can serve as expression sites of locally induced antibody responses and support the development of immunological memory. Furthermore, tonsils may serve as powerful inductive sites for immune responses expressed in the upper aerodigestive tract.     

Prediction of rodent carcinogenicity utilizing a battery of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity tests

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the degree to which we can improve the prediction of rodent carcinogenicity (CA) by combining results from an in vitro and two in vivo genotoxicity tests. We used the Ames Salmonella assay (SAL) for the in vitro test and the micronucleus assay (MNC) and chromosome aberration assay (ABS) in mouse bone marrow cells for the two in vivo tests. We collected complete assay data for 82 chemicals (55 carcinogens and 27 noncarcinogens) from the NTP data base and the IARC monograph series. Our results indicate that: (1) only SAL affects the predictivity of CA, (2) MNC has a strong association with ABS, and (3) SAL predicts ABS. It has been known for some time that once the SAL assay result is available for prediction, other in vitro mutation tests provide little additional information for predicting CA. Our study indicates that the same conclusion holds for CA, SAL, MNC, and ABS.     

Intellectual Functioning of Pediatric Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Results from the KNOW-Ped CKD

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) has a negative impact on growth and development in children and is a risk factor for neurocognitive impairment; however, there is limited research on the cognitive function of children and adolescents with CKD. This study therefore aimed to investigate the mean intelligence and risk factors for low intelligence in children and adolescents with CKD.MethodsEighty-one patients with CKD under 18 years old were included in the KoreaN cohort study for Outcomes in patients With Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-Ped CKD). Participants completed either the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (6–16 years), or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (> 16 years).ResultsThe mean full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) was 91 ± 19; 24.7% of participants scored a full-scale IQ below 80. Participants with a short stature (height Z scores < −1.88), failure to thrive (weight Z scores < −1.65), more severe CKD stage (≥ IIIb), longer duration of CKD (≥ 5 years), and those who were Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries, had significantly lower mean full-scale IQs.ConclusionOn linear regression analysis, the association between the full-scale IQ, and longer duration of CKD and growth failure, remained significant after controlling for demographic and clinical variables. It is therefore necessary to investigate cognitive impairment in pediatric patients with CKD who exhibit growth failure or for a longer postmorbid period. It is believed that early interventions, such as kidney transplantation, will have a positive effect on IQ in children with CKD, as the disease negatively affects IQ due to poor glomerular filtration rate over time.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02165878","term_id":"NCT02165878"}}NCT02165878     

Effect of peritoneal glucose load on plasma leptin concentration in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

This study was performed to investigate the effect of peritoneal glucose load on plasma leptin concentrations in the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) performed on 13 non-diabetic ESRD patients. Plasma leptin and insulin concentrations were measured for 2 hours during a single 2 liter exchange of 1.5% glucose-based dialysate (SPD, n = 6), for 7 days of daily peritoneal dialysis (DPD, n = 7). In DPD, standard full volume (2,000 ml x 4 times/day) exchange was performed immediately after operation. In SPD, plasma leptin and insulin concentrations remained unchanged during the study. In DPD, the plasma leptin concentration increased significantly after CAPD on the first day (PD1) (11.2 +/- 5.4 to 17.0 +/- 6.0 ng/mL, p < 0.05) and this elevation seemed to persist until 7 days after operation. After CAPD, there was no significant day-to-day variation in peritoneal glucose absorption (391-465 cal). Oral intake seemed to decrease on operation day (PD0) and PD1 and then increased slowly. Plasma insulin and glucose concentrations did not significantly change after CAPD. Changes of leptin concentration were significantly correlated with the changes of peritoneal glucose absorption at PD1. In conclusion, continuous peritoneal glucose load may affect plasma leptin concentrations in CAPD patients.     

Detection of alterations in all three exons of the peripherin/RDS gene in Swedish patients with retinitis pigmentosa using an efficient DGGE system.

AIMS: To develop a sensitive mutation screening procedure suitable for routine analysis of the peripherin/RDS gene, and to estimate the nature and prevalence of peripherin/RDS gene mutations in Swedish patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. METHODS: To make the method as sensitive as possible, as many as eight segments, covering the three exons and the flanking intron sequences of the peripherin/RDS gene, were analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. A group of 38 Swedish patients with a clinical diagnosis of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa were screened for mutations in the peripherin/RDS gene. RESULTS: Three point mutations were found in four of the patients and five polymorphisms were defined. One mutation in exon 1, R172W, has been described previously in other ethnic groups as causing a macular degeneration. Another mutation, in exon 2 and causing the substitution F211L, was found in two unrelated patients. A third mutation, resulting in the likely non-pathogenic substitution S289L, as well as a polymorphism not reported previously, was found in exon 3. CONCLUSIONS: The screening procedure described allows detection of mutations in all of the exons, including the polymorphic 5' and 3' ends of the gene, and is therefore suitable for routine screening of peripherin/RDS gene defects in patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The frequency of mutations found in the Swedish patient group indicates that defects in the peripherin/RDS gene might be a more common cause of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa than was thought previously.     

Collagen binding, elastase production, and slime production associated with coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine intramammary infections.

Collagen binding, elastase production, slime production, and associated somatic cell counts were determined with 160 strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine intramammary infections. Mean binding values for type I and II collagen with Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. chromogenes, and S. hyicus strains were 5.8, 6.6, and 7.4 and 4.3, 4.2, and 4.9%, respectively. Eleven of 28 (39.3%) S. epidermidis, 1 of 38 (2.6%) S. chromogenes, and 1 of 94 (1.1%) S. hyicus strains were elastase positive. Slime production was noted with 12 (42.9%) S. epidermidis, 1 (2.6%) S. chromogenes, and 11 (11.7%) S. hyicus strains. No differences in somatic cell counts were observed with type I or type II collagen binding, elastase production, or slime production with S. epidermidis or S. chromogenes. However, somatic cell counts associated with S. hyicus strains with collagen type I binding affinities of greater than 5 and type II binding affinities of greater than 3 were 320.7 x 10(3) compared with 163.9 x 10(3) for strains with lower binding affinities.     

Improved cell depletion in a panning technique using covalent binding of immunoglobulins to surface modified polystyrene dishes

A method for the chemical modification of plastic surfaces permits covalent binding of proteins and we have used this method in the development of an efficient panning technique. Thus, human peripheral T lymphocytes coated with mouse monoclonal antibodies directed against the CD4 marker may be selectively and reproducibly removed from a lymphocyte population by a short incubation in modified plastic dishes coated with rabbit anti-mouse IgG antibody. Due to the higher protein binding capacity of the dishes the use of the IgG fraction of the coating antibody was sufficient for optimal and reproducible results. In contrast, control dishes with passively adsorbed antibody required an affinity-purified fraction and even then were less efficient.