Thyroid hormone resistance in hibernating ground squirrels, Spermophilus richardsoni. II. Reduction of hepatic nuclear receptors

Hepatic nuclear triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) receptors were studied to investigate the mechanism of thyroid hormone resistance in Richardson's ground squirrels, Spermophilus richardsoni, during the hibernation phase of the annual cycle. The cycle is divided into an active phase and a hibernation phase, the latter composed of alternating dormancy and arousal bouts. In addition to animals in these three states, a group of cold-exposed animals was also examined (those animals held at 6 degrees which showed no indications of entering hibernation). Binding of T3, to squirrel hepatic nuclei from all groups, was characterized as high affinity, Kd ranging from 111 to 267 pM, and low capacity, 50 to 314 fmol T3/mg DNA. Based on these data, other criteria examined, and models established in the literature for other species, this binding site has been tentatively identified as a T3 receptor. Receptor concentrations in nuclei from dormant and aroused squirrels were only 15-20% of the concentration in active animals. There were no differences in the affinity of the T3 receptor over the annual cycle estimated by the in vitro assay at 24-26 degrees. The reduction in nuclear T3 receptors, together with the previously reported increase in serum binding of thyroid hormone, provides an explanation for thyroid hormone resistance during the hibernation phase in S. richardsoni.     

Gonadotropin therapy of female infertility

Anovulatory infertility in 134 women was treated with gonadotropins for a total of 318 cycles. The patients were classified into WHO group I, hypothalamic-pituitary failure (72 patients), and WHO group II, hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction (62 patients). All patients in this group had failed to achieve pregnancy with clomiphene citrate therapy in repeated cycles. The pregnancy rate in group I was 72.2% vs 17.7% in group II. The 'take home' baby rate was 57.1% in group I vs 13.1% in group II. The rate of miscarriages was 14.3% without any significant difference between the groups. Multiple pregnancies occurred only in group I patients (19.2%). The conception rate was highest in the first four cycles, whereas no patient became pregnant after the sixth treatment cycle. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred most frequently in group II patients, however, overall only 2.2% of the patients needed hospitalization because of hyperstimulation. Gonadotropin therapy must be considered an efficient and successful treatment of infertility in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary failure, whereas the success rate is rather poor in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction.     

Inter‐individual variation of the urinary steroid profiles in Swedish and Norwegian athletes

The steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) aims to detect doping with endogenous steroids, e.g. testosterone (T), by longitudinally monitoring several biomarkers. These biomarkers are ratios combined into urinary concentrations of testosterone and metabolically related steroids. However, it is evident after 5 years of monitoring steroid passports that there are large variations in the steroid ratios complicating its interpretation. In this study, we used over 11000 urinary steroid profiles from Swedish and Norwegian athletes to determine both the inter‐ and intra‐individual variations of all steroids and ratios in the steroidal passport. Furthermore, we investigated if the inter‐individual variations could be associated with factors such as gender, type of sport, age, time of day, time of year, and if the urine was collected in or out of competition. We show that there are factors reported in today's doping tests that significantly affect the steroid profiles. The factors with the largest influence on the steroid profile were the type of sport classification that the athlete belonged to as well as whether the urine was collected in or out of competition. There were also significant differences based on what time of day and time of year the urine sample was collected. Whether these significant changes are relevant when longitudinally monitoring athletes in the steroidal module of the ABP should be evaluated further.     

Longitudinal studies of putative growth hormone (GH) biomarkers and hematological and steroidal parameters in relation to 2 weeks administration of human recombinant GH

The detection of low doses of recombinant growth hormone is a challenge in antidoping testing. Future testing may lead toward the longitudinal monitoring of IGF‐I and P‐III‐NP in an endocrine module. Additional biomarkers, for example vitamin D binding protein, alpha‐HS‐glycoprotein, fibronectin 1, and decorin have been identified in different omics studies. This was a longitudinal study of the usefulness of these putative biomarkers in relation to 2 weeks administration of low doses of recombinant growth hormone in healthy male volunteers. Moreover, the hematological parameters included in the athlete biological passport were studied as well as the serum concentration of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Fibronectin 1 increased by 20% during the treatment period (P ? 0.05), confirming the previous finding. Alpha‐HS‐glycoprotein decreased by 25% up to 3 weeks after treatment (P ? 0.05), contradicting previous results. The addition of fibronectin 1 increased the likelihood of detecting recombinant growth hormone intake based on individual calculated thresholds in some of the participants compared with the GH2000, IGF‐I, and P‐III‐NP. The multiplication of fibronectin 1 concentration by IGF‐I resulted in the most profound (up to 4‐fold) changes. A minor 15% increase (P = 0.003) in the reticulocyte percentage was observed, but the changes did not lead to any atypical profile based on individual passport thresholds. Vitamin D binding protein, decorin, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were not affected by growth hormone. Dihydrotestosterone sulfate was negatively correlated with IGF‐I at baseline (R = –0.50, P = 0.003) and post dose (R = –0.59, P = 0.01). In conclusion, fibronectin 1 was verified as a promising future biomarker for detecting low doses of recombinant growth hormone.     

Respiratory virology and microbiology in intensive care units: a prospective cohort study

Our aim was to determine the frequency of 12 common respiratory viruses in patients admitted to intensive care units with respiratory symptoms, evaluate the clinical characteristics and to compare the results to routine microbiological diagnostics. Throat swabs from 122 intensive care‐patients >18 years with acute respiratory symptoms were collected upon admission and analysed with multiplex real‐time polymerase chain reaction, for 12 community respiratory viruses. Blood and respiratory tract specimens were analysed for bacteria and fungi upon clinicians' request. Clinical and paraclinical data were collected. Viruses were detected in 19 (16%) of the 122 study patients. Five virus‐positive patients (26%) had possible clinically relevant bacteria or fungi co‐detected. Patients with exacerbation in COPD were associated with a viral infection (p = 0.02). Other comorbidities, clinical and paraclinical parameters, and death were independent of a viral infection or co‐detection of bacteria/fungi. In conclusion, respiratory viruses were frequently detected in the patients. The investigated clinical and paraclinical parameters were not different in viral infections compared to other agents, thus respiratory viruses likely have similar impact on the clinical course as other agents. In 25% of the virus‐positive patients, polymicrobial aetiology was identified. Comprehensive and sensitive diagnostic methods should be emphasized to enhance respiratory diagnostics.     

Cardiorespiratory fitness protects against stress-related symptoms of burnout and depression

Objective

To examine how cardiorespiratory fitness and self-perceived stress are associated with burnout and depression. To determine if any relationship between stress and burnout/depression is mitigated among participants with high fitness levels.

Methods

197 participants (51% men, mean age = 39.2 years) took part in the study. The Åstrand bicycle test was used to assess cardorespiratory fitness. Burnout was measured with the Shirom–Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ), depressive symptoms with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD-D). A gender-matched stratified sample was used to ensure that participants with varying stress levels were equally represented.

Results

Participants with moderate and high fitness reported fewer symptoms of burnout and depression than participants with low fitness. Individuals with high stress who also had moderate or high fitness levels reported lower scores on the SMBQ Tension subscale and the HAD-D than individuals with high stress, but low fitness levels.

Conclusion

Better cardiovascular fitness seems to be associated with decreased symptoms of burnout and a better capacity to cope with stress.

Practical implications

Promoting and measuring cardiorespiratory fitness can motivate employees to adopt a more physically active lifestyle and thus strengthen their ability to cope with stress exposure and stress-related disorders.     

Clinical performance of the H. PYLORI QUIK CHEK™ and H. PYLORI CHEK™ assays,novel stool antigen tests for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - Infection with Helicobacter pylori is a global health issue, and rapid and accurate testing is a key to diagnosis. We aimed to...