In vivo intrarater and interrater precision of measuring apparent bone mineral density in vertebral subregions using supine lateral dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Analysis of apparent bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine is commonly based on anteroposterior (AP) scanning using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Although not widely used, clinically important information can also be derived from lateral scanning. Vertebral bone density, and therefore strength, can may vary in different subregions of the vertebral body. Therefore, subregional BMD measurements might be informative about fracture risk. However, the intrarater and interrater precision of in vivo subregional BMD assessments from lateral DXA remains unknown. Ten normal, young (mean: 24 yr) and 10 older (mean: 63 yr) individuals with low BMD were scanned on one occasion using an AP/lateral sequence. Each lateral scan was reanalyzed six times at L2 by three raters to determine the intrarater and interrater precision in selecting seven regions of interest (subregions). Precision was expressed using percentage coefficients of variation (% CV) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Intrarater precision ranged from ICC(1,1) 0.971 to 0.996 (% CV: 0.50-3.68) for the young cohort and ICC(1,1) 0.934 to 0.993 (% CV: 1.46-5.30) for the older cohort. Interrater precision ranged from ICC(2,1) 0.804 to 0.915 (% CV: 1.11-2.35) for the young cohort and ICC(2,1) 0.912 to 0.984 (% CV: 1.85-4.32) for the older cohort. Scanning a subgroup of participants twice with repositioning was used to assess short-term in vivo precision. At L2, short-term in vivo precision ranged from ICC(1,1) 0.867 to 0.962 (% CV: 3.38-9.61), at L3 from ICC(1,1) 0.961 to 0.988 (% CV: 2.02-5.57) and using an L2/L3 combination from ICC(1,1) 0.942 to 0.980 (% CV: 2.04-4.61). This study demonstrated moderate to high precision for subregional analysis of apparent BMD in the lumbar spine using lateral DXA in vivo.     

The influence of lycopene on the proliferation of human breast cell line (MCF-7).

Lycopene, a non-provitaminic carotenoid, present in many fruit and vegetables, such as tomatoes and their processed products, has been associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases including cancer. The influence of lycopene on the proliferation of the breast tumour cell line (MCF-7) was tested using MTT and BrdU assays at different time intervals (from 24 to 72h) and dose-response (from 0.125 to 100muM). The induction of Gap Junction Intercellular Communication (GJIC) was evaluated by dye-transfer assay using Lucifer Yellow on monolayer cells treated with different lycopene concentrations (from 0.125 to 5muM) for 6 to 48h. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of lycopene was of 5muM, after a 24h exposure. A prolonged exposure time (72h) induced a similar inhibitory effect. Lycopene stimulated the functionality of GJIC at concentrations of 1muM after 24h and this effect was dose-dependent. The induction of GJIC by lycopene was confirmed by an increased expression of connexin 43. Collectively, the above data confirm the inhibitor effects of lycopene on MCF-7 cell growth and suggest that lycopene is involved in the modulation of the gap junction intercellular communication in this cell line, as observed for other cancer cell lines.     

Daily nutrient intake represents a modifiable determinant of nutritional status in chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: In maintenance haemodialysis patients, daily food intake is changeable; however, its relationship with nutritional status is unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the isolated, long-term effect of daily nutrient intake on nutritional status in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: We performed a prospective 1-year controlled study in 27 chronic haemodialysis patients, without recognized risk factors for malnutrition. Each day for 1 week, four times in the year, we measured protein nitrogen appearance, and assessed dietary protein (DPI) and energy (DEI) intake from dietary diaries. We compared the nutritional outcome of patients spontaneously reducing nutrient intake below the threshold of 0.8 g/kg body weight/day for DPI and 25 kcal/kg body weight/day for DEI during the week (LOW, n = 8), with controls at adequate nutrient intake (CON, n = 19). An interventional 6-month study was then carried out in LOW to verify the cause-effect relationship. RESULTS: All patients showed a day-by-day reduction of whole nutrient intake during interdialytic period, which was mostly relevant in the third interdialytic day (L3). During the 1-year study, even in the presence of adequate dialysis dose and normal inflammatory indexes, body weight (68.0 +/- 5.5 to 65.8 +/- 5.9 kg), serum albumin (3.96 +/- 0.07 to 3.66 +/- 0.06 g/dl) and creatinine (9.2 +/- 1.1 to 8.1 +/- 0.7 mg/dl) significantly decreased in LOW but not in CON. Diaries evidenced in LOW a reduced number of meals at L3 that was explained by the fear of excessive interdialytic weight gain. During the interventional study, daily DPI and DEI increased at L3; this was associated with a significant increment of body weight, and serum albumin and creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS: In maintenance haemodialysis patients the persistent, marked reduction of daily nutrient intake, even if limited to a single day of the week, is an independent determinant of reversible impairment of nutritional status.     

Victim Help Seeking: Differences Between Intimate Terrorism and Situational Couple Violence

Abstract: Research indicates that two major forms of partner violence exist, intimate terrorism (IT) and situational couple violence (SCV). The current study (N= 389) used a subgroup of women who responded to the Chicago Women’s Health Risk Study to examine whether type of violence experienced is differentially related to formal (e.g., police, medical agencies, counseling) and informal (e.g., family, friends/neighbors) help seeking. IT victims were more likely to seek each type of formal help but were equally or less likely to seek informal help. Findings can inform both family violence research and the development and implementation of social service programs.     

Enophthalmos and upper eyelid retraction following osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy

A 38-year-old man presented with hyperophthalmia, enophthalmos, and upper eyelid retraction 18 months following an osteoplastic flap and frontal sinus obliteration for mucocele. Computerized tomography confirmed the presence of frontal bone absorption in the roof of the orbit with traction and elevation of the orbital contents into the obliterated frontal sinus. A fracture of the orbital roof with penetration of periorbita at the time of original surgery was the suspected precipitating cause of the complication. Surgical management included lysis of the cicatrix between the orbit and frontal sinus and interposition of a silicone sheet between the orbit and sinus, which restored the appropriate anatomic relationships and prevented recurrence.     

Polymerization of α-olefins in the presence of δ-TiCl3/Al(CH3)3: Chain propagation rate constants for ethylene and propene

The chain propagation rate constants for the polymerization of ethylene and propene in the presence of δ-TiCl₃/Al(CH₃)₃ at 22 °C are determined by means of a ¹³C NMR analysis of suitable block copolymers. The numerical values of the rate constants are compared with those previously reported.