Implementation of program of prevention and early detection of osteoporosis among women of Primorsko-goranska County

The aim of this paper is to present preliminary data of Program of prevention and early detection of osteoporosis among women in Primorsko-goranska County. Osteoporosis is recognized as a public health problem for which clearly preventive measures are defined. Measurement of bone density was done by ultrasound densitometry of the calcaneus among women aged from 45 to 69 years old. 688 women were examined and they were classified in five five-year age groups. The women with the osteoporosis (T-score < or = 2.5) were 141; osteopenia (T-score from -2.5 to -1) were found in 400 women, and those with normal range of T-score were 147. All of five groups of women had T-score in range of osteopenia (T-score < or = 1). A statistically significant difference was between the first and fourth groups of women (p = 0.002) and the second and fourth groups (p = 0.001). After examination, depending on the value of T-score, women were recommended to visit family doctor and they also got educative booklet with advices for healthy nutrition and physical activity. Implementation of this program indicated the importance of proper lifestyle in the prevention of osteoporosis. Average T-scores of all five groups of women show that osteopenia occurs also in the youngest ones. This indicates the need for a systematic approach to preventing osteoporosis through education of women including younger ones and creating conditions for organized physical activities at the community level.     

A novel software tool for high throughput measurements of interconversion barriers: DCXplorer

The software program DCXplorer is introduced to directly access interconversion rate constants in dynamic chromatography and electrophoresis. The program utilizes the unified equation of chromatography which can evaluate reaction rate constants of all kinds of first order reactions of processes taking place during a separation process. Evaluations with DCXplorer are facilitated by a graphical user interface which allows zooming into the area of interest of an interconversion profile and calculating reaction rate constants without a time consuming simulation process. DCXplorer was applied to determine the enantiomerization barrier of the diuretic drug chlorthalidone by pressure supported dynamic capillary electrokinetic chromatography (DEKC) under acidic conditions at pH 5.00 and pH 3.75. Activation parameters DeltaH(++) and DeltaS(++) were obtained from temperature dependent measurements between 15.0 and 35.0 degrees C in 5 K steps at pH 3.75 and between 30.0 and 50.0 degrees C in 10K steps at pH 5.00.     

Lower Serum Irisin Levels Are Associated with Increased Osteoporosis and Oxidative Stress in Postmenopausal

Background:Irisin as an exercise-induced myokine was proposed to improve bone health. This study investigated the role of serum irisin (s-irisin) in patients with osteoporosis (OP) through correlating to most biological bone markers and oxidative stress.Methods:A cross-sectional study recruited an eligible 175 postmenopausal women at Al-Hussien Teaching Hospital, Iraq. They were scanned by DEXA and stratified into two groups based on T-score; the first 95 patients as control group (GI) with −1 ≤ T-score and the second 80 patients as cases group (GII) with T-score ≤ −2.5. Demographic criteria were age, bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) and T-score. Serum irisin, total serum calcium (s-calcium), serum inorganic phosphate (s-phosphate), serum alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP), serum 25 [OH] vitamin D, the serum parathyroid hormone (s-PTH), serum Carboxy terminal collagen crosslinks (CTx), serum procollagen type I C-termidnal peptide (s-PICP), serum malondialdehyde (s-MDA) and serum superoxide dismutase (s-SOD) were collected from blood samples.Results:Serum irisin were 31.84 ± 2.65 vs. 20.88 ± 2.71 ng/mL for control and trial groups, respectively. Lower levels of BMD, T-score, 25 [OH] vitamin D, and s-irisin along with a higher serum levels of PTH, CTx, PICP, MDA and SOD were observed in patients with osteoporosis. All parameters were statistically meaningful upon correlation (p< 0.0001), except age and s-calcium (p= 0.0088 and p= 0.187, respectively).Conclusion:The results showed that, a significantly lower serum irisin levels among osteoporosis women, was intimately correlated to most bone turnover markers and it can be considered as encouraging results for clinical application in prediction and treatment of osteoporosis.Key Words: Bone turnover markers, DEXA scan, Irisin, T-score, BMD, osteoporosis, post-menopause     

Serum lipid levels and bone mineral density in Greek postmenopausal women

Contradictory results have been reported regarding a relationship between serum lipid levels and bone mineral density. The purpose of this study was to further investigate a possible relationship between those parameters in Greek postmenopausal women. A total of 591 patients followed at a tertiary hospital were examined for seven different lipid factors in relation to dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry measurements at the lumbar spine. Lipoprotein-a was the only lipid measurement that univariately showed an almost significant trend of association with bone mass category (analysis of variance [ANOVA] p value 0.062 for Ln(Lipoprotein-a)). In multiple regression, it was noted that a non-significant negative trend of association of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and Apolipoprotein AI with lumbar T-score (p value 0.058 and 0.075, respectively). In age subgroup analysis, Lipoprotein-a and Ln(Lipoprotein-a) presented a negative correlation with lumbar T-score for women with age ≥ 53 years (p value 0.043 and 0.070, respectively), while a negative correlation of HDL and Apolipoprotein AI levels with lumbar T-score remained in women with age < 53 years (p value 0.039 and 0.052, respectively). The findings do not support a strong relationship between lipid levels and bone mass measurements.     

Osteopenia and osteoporosis can be predicted from Pap test

OBJECTIVE: To determine sensitivity and specificity of Pap tests for osteopenia and osteoporosis using bone mineral density (BMD) with dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference standard. STUDY DESIGN: DXA measurement was performed on 136 routine Pap smears. Results of DXA measurement were expressed in T-scores, indicating degree of deviation compared to a young adult population of same age and gender. Smears were grouped into atrophic and mature cell patterns. Using a stereologic analysis, mean areas of squamous cells, their nuclei and their cytoplasm were estimated. RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between cell area and T-score (p < 0.001), as well as between cytoplasm area and T-score (p < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between nucleus area and T-score (p > 0.05). Mean T-scores of patients with atrophic cells were significantly lower than mean T-scores of patients with mature cell patterns (p < 0.001). The group including patients with atrophic or mature cells had a sensitivity of 61.4% and specificity of 86.4%, with positive predictive value of 95.9% in detecting patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: Women with atrophic smear pattern are susceptible to osteopenia or osteoporosis; many cases could be detected with routine Pap test without additional costs.     

A program which automatically quantitates gel electrophoretic autoradiograms

The use of a computer-coupled film scanner to measure and analyze autoradiograms of gel electropherograms is described. A program has been written which fits Gaussian curves to the complex band pattern that constitutes a density profile without the need for estimated parameters in the input. The great majority of the fits are satisfactory. This program, which is written in FORTRAN, runs on a small, inexpensive computer. Another program which approximates a Gaussian least squares fit has been run for comparison; this procedure can also be used to refine occasional unsatisfactory fits. Finally, a program has been written which sums the density profile within specified limits, so that the integrated intensities of bands due to isolated protein components may be found.     

Staff matter: Gender differences in science,technology, engineering or math (STEM) career interest development in adolescent youth

We explore the understudied role of program staff in an out-of-school time (OST) program at a large science museum, which may be especially relevant for supporting underrepresented minority (URM) youth’s interest in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) careers. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-method design, we surveyed 167 program alumni on their science attitudes, career interests, and memories about how the program compared to experiences at home, school, and with friends. We followed that with 49 interviews with alumni. Findings show that, while in the program, alumni who identify as women reported a much greater increase in their STEM career interest than those who identify as men. Interviews suggest this may be related to different types of staff relationships between the genders. We interpret results through the lens of positive youth development and offer recommendations for OST program providers and researchers.     

Discordance in diagnosis of osteoporosis using spine and hip bone densitometry

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic discordance for osteoporosis is the observation that the T-score of an individual patient varies from one key measurement site to another, falling into two different diagnostic categories identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system. This study was conducted to evaluate the presence and risk factors for this phenomenon in a large sample of Iranian population. METHODS: Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and risk factors for osteoporosis were derived from a database on 4229 patients referred to a community-based outpatient osteoporosis testing center from 2000 to 2003. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed on L1-L4 lumbar spine and total hip for all cases. Minor discordance was defined as present when the difference between two sites was no more than one WHO diagnostic class. Major discordance was present when one site is osteoporotic and the other is normal. Subjects with incomplete data were excluded. RESULTS: In 4188 participants (3848 female, mean age 53.4 +/- 11.8 years), major discordance, minor discordance, and concordance of T-scores were seen in 2.7%, 38.9% and 58.3%, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, menopause, obesity, and belated menopause were recognized as risk factors and hormone replacement therapy as a protective factor against T-score discordance. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of T-score discordance may lead to problems in interpretation of the densitometry results for some patients. This phenomenon should be regarded as a real and prevalent finding and physicians should develop a particular strategy approaching to these patients.     

Automated Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and Semiautomated Image Processing for Analysis of Biofilms

The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a quantitative optical method suitable for routine measurements of biofilm structures under in situ conditions. A computer program was designed to perform automated investigations of biofilms by using image acquisition and image analysis techniques. To obtain a representative profile of a growing biofilm, a nondestructive procedure was created to study and quantify undisturbed microbial populations within the physical environment of a glass flow cell. Key components of the computer-controlled processing described in this paper are the on-line collection of confocal two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional images from a preset 3D domain of interest followed by the off-line analysis of these 2D images. With the quantitative extraction of information contained in each image, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the principal biological events can be achieved. The program is convenient to handle and was generated to determine biovolumes and thus facilitate the examination of dynamic processes within biofilms. In the present study, Pseudomonas fluorescens or a green fluorescent protein-expressing Escherichia coli strain, EC12, was inoculated into glass flow cells and the respective monoculture biofilms were analyzed in three dimensions. In this paper we describe a method for the routine measurements of biofilms by using automated image acquisition and semiautomated image analysis.     

Association of serum sex steroid levels and bone mineral density with CYP17 and CYP19 gene polymorphisms in postmenopausal women in Turkey

Many clinical conditions, including osteoporosis, are associated with serum levels of sex steroids. Enzymes that regulate rate-limiting steps of steroidogenic pathways, such as CYP17 and CYP19, are also regarded as significant factors that may cause the development of these conditions. We investigated the association of two common polymorphisms, in the promoter region (T→C substitution) of CYP17 and exon 3 (G→A) of CYP19, with bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine and femoral neck and serum androgen/estradiol, in a case-control study of 172 postmenopausal women aged 62.3 ± 9.6 years (mean ± SD). The CYP17 TC genotype was significantly overrepresented in patients compared to controls, and TC genotype neck T-score and lumbar T-score values were significantly higher in patients compared to controls. CYP17 TC and TT genotype testosterone and DHEA-SO(4) levels were lower in patients compared to controls. All three genotypes of CYP19 had almost the same distribution among patients. The CYP19 AG genotype, however, was most frequent among controls. CYP19 lumbar BMD levels were close to each other among the different genotypes; however, AA and AG genotypes were significantly lower in patients. Testosterone and DHEA-SO(4) levels in the CYP19 GG genotype were higher compared to those of the other genotypes in patients but not in controls. CYP19 GA individuals had lower E(2) levels and lower BMD in controls and patients. Femoral neck BMD and lumbar T-score were also diminished with GA transition. In conclusion, CYP17 and CYP19 gene polymorphisms were found to be associated with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Turkey.     

Development of individual insulin infusion profiles for open loop infusion systems

A computer controlled syringe-type insulin infusion pump storing up to 254 different infusion rates, eight different meal programs and two different basal rates automatically changeable during 24 h in EPROM was used for insulin infusion applying a wavy step profile. This profile approaching the physiological postprandial insulin secretion of the B-cell was calculated by an algorithm following the biphasic insulin secretion model proposed by E. Cerasi . The computer program for the open loop infusion device simulated the feed-back structure of a closed loop insulin secretion control by an algorithm based upon a theoretical postprandial blood sugar profile. Fifteen unstable juvenile onset insulin requiring diabetics could be well controlled after two to three days of an intravenous open loop insulin infusion program. The programs consisted of two constant basal rates and superimposed wavy step profile programs activated at the beginning of each meal. The preabsorptive bolus or cephalic phase was an additional tool both for improved postprandial blood sugar control and further reduction of insulin consumption. The programmable insulin infusion device proved as a valuable tool for the study of a sophisticated insulin infusion profile suitable as well for open loop as for closed loop insulin infusion systems.     

The microarray explorer tool for data mining of cDNA microarrays: application for the mammary gland

The Microarray Explorer (MAExplorer) is a versatile Java-based data mining bioinformatic tool for analyzing quantitative cDNA expression profiles across multiple microarray platforms and DNA labeling systems. It may be run as either a stand-alone application or as a Web browser applet over the Internet. With this program it is possible to (i) analyze the expression of individual genes, (ii) analyze the expression of gene families and clusters, (iii) compare expression patterns and (iv) directly access other genomic databases for clones of interest. Data may be downloaded as required from a Web server or in the case of the stand-alone version, reside on the user’s computer. Analyses are performed in real-time and may be viewed and directly manipulated in images, reports, scatter plots, histograms, expression profile plots and cluster analyses plots. A key feature is the clone data filter for constraining a working set of clones to those passing a variety of user-specified logical and statistical tests. Reports may be generated with hypertext Web access to UniGene, GenBank and other Internet databases for sets of clones found to be of interest. Users may save their explorations on the Web server or local computer and later recall or share them with other scientists in this groupware Web environment. The emphasis on direct manipulation of clones and sets of clones in graphics and tables provides a high level of interaction with the data, making it easier for investigators to test ideas when looking for patterns. We have used the MAExplorer to profile gene expression patterns of 1500 duplicated genes isolated from mouse mammary tissue. We have identified genes that are preferentially expressed during pregnancy and during lactation. One gene we identified, carbonic anhydrase III, is highly expressed in mammary tissue from virgin and pregnant mice and in gene knock-out mice with underdeveloped mammary epithelium. Other genes, which include those encoding milk proteins, are preferentially expressed during lactation. MAExplorer may be accessed at http://www.lecb.ncifcrf.gov.MAExplorer.     

An automated program to find animals and crop photographs for individual recognition

Detailed data on individual animals are critical to ecological and evolutionary studies, but attaching identifying marks can alter individual fates and behavior leading to biases in parameter estimates and ethical issues. Individual-recognition software has been developed to assist in identifying many species from non-invasive photographic data. These programs utilize algorithms to find unique individual characteristics and compare images to a catalogue of known individuals. Currently, all applications for individual identification require manual processing to crop images so only the area of interest remains, or the area of interest must be manually delineated in each image. Thus, one of the main bottlenecks in processing data from photographic capture-recapture surveys is in cropping to an area of interest so that matching algorithms can identify the individual. Here, we describe the development and testing of an automated cropping program. The methods and techniques we describe are broadly applicable to any system where raw photos must be cropped down to a specific area of interest before pattern recognition software can be used for individual identification. We developed and tested the program for use with identification photos of wild giraffes.     

Automated electron microscope tomography using robust prediction of specimen movements

A new method was developed to acquire images automatically at a series of specimen tilts, as required for tomographic reconstruction. The method uses changes in specimen position at previous tilt angles to predict the position at the current tilt angle. Actual measurement of the position or focus is skipped if the statistical error of the prediction is low enough. This method allows a tilt series to be acquired rapidly when conditions are good but falls back toward the traditional approach of taking focusing and tracking images when necessary. The method has been implemented in a program, SerialEM, that provides an efficient environment for data acquisition. This program includes control of an energy filter as well as a low-dose imaging mode, in which tracking and focusing occur away from the area of interest. The program can automatically acquire a montage of overlapping frames, allowing tomography of areas larger than the field of the CCD camera. It also includes tools for navigating between specimen positions and finding regions of interest.     

A didactic computer simulation of the environmental impact of a pollution discharge

Algorithms for simulating the response of a benthic animal communityand several abiotic environmental variables to organic pollutionare described. An IBM PC compatible computer program incorporatingthese methods has been written. The program simulates the abundanceresponse of 23 species, the redox potential depth profile andseveral other sediment variables at any distance from a pointsource of pollution. The program has been designed as a teachingtool and examples of its use to study pollution biology andbiometrics are given. Received on April 3, 1990; accepted on September 6, 1990     

Impact of the training program on lipid profile and cardiac health

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of training programs on serum lipid profile and myocardial oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats (2 mo-old) were divided into three groups (n = 8): sedentary (S), loadless trained (T) and trained-overload 2% body weight (TL). T and TL were trained through swimming for 9 weeks. T and TL rats had increased myocardial lipoperoxide (TBA) and lipid hydroperoxide (HP), whereas HP was higher in TL than in T animals. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were lowest in TL. Myocardial glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was lower in TL than in T and S rats. TL decreased HDL-cholesterol and increased LDL-cholesterol. The serum lactate dehydrogenase and TBA were increased, while SOD and GSH-Px activities were decreased in TL rats. Loadless training was able to improve HDL-cholesterol and to reduce LDL-cholesterol. In conclusion, the loadless training program induced beneficial effects on lipid profile, while overload training induced dyslipidemic profile that was associated with serum oxidative stress. The overload training program was deleterious relative to loadless training program, increasing myocardial oxidative stress.     

Dressed for sex: red as a female sexual signal in humans

Background

In many non-human primate species, a display of red by a female serves as a sexual signal to attract male conspecifics. Red is associated with sex and romance in humans, and women convey their sexual interest to men through a variety of verbal, postural, and behavioral means. In the present research, we investigate whether female red ornamentation in non-human primates has a human analog, whereby women use a behavioral display of red to signal their sexual interest to men.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Three studies tested the hypothesis that women use red clothing to communicate sexual interest to men in profile pictures on dating websites. In Study 1, women who imagined being interested in casual sex were more likely to display red (but not other colors) on their anticipated web profile picture. In Study 2, women who indicated interest in casual sex were more likely to prominently display red (but not other colors) on their actual web profile picture. In Study 3, women on a website dedicated to facilitating casual sexual relationships were more likely to prominently exhibit red (but not other colors) than women on a website dedicated to facilitating marital relationships.

Conclusions/Significance

These results establish a provocative parallel between women and non-human female primates in red signal coloration in the mating game. This research shows, for the first time, a functional use of color in women''s sexual self-presentation, and highlights the need to extend research on color beyond physics, physiology, and preference to psychological functioning.     

Kinematic study of root elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana with a novel image-analysis program

The measurement of the spatial profile of root elongation needs to determine matching points between time-lapse images and calculate their displacement. These data have been obtained by laborious manual methods in the past. Some computer-based programs have been developed to improve the measurement, but they require many time-series digital images or sprinkling graphite particles on the root prior to image capture. Here, we have developed GrowthTracer, a new image-analysis program for the kinematic study of root elongation. GrowthTracer employs a multiresolution image matching method with a nonlinear filter called the critical point filter (CPF), which extracts critical points from images at each resolution and can determine precise matching points by analysis of only two intact images, without pre-marking by graphite particles. This program calculates the displacement of each matching point and determines the displacement velocity profile along the medial axis of the root. In addition, a manual input of distinct matching points increases the matching accuracy. We show a successful application of this novel program for the kinematic analysis of root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana.     

An image analysis morphometric method for the study of myelinated nerve fibers from mouse trigeminal root

For the morphometric light microscopic study of myelinated fibers in mouse trigeminal root, it was necessary to write: (1) an entirely automatic analysis program for the myelinated axons inside the myelin sheath, based on the detection of the myelin sheaths, and (2) an interactive analysis program for the myelinated fibers outside the myelin sheath, due to the high density of compactness of the myelinated fibers based on an indirect fiber individualization by reconstructing them from their axons. In the latter, a semiautomatic correction method (drawing the profile contours with a light pen) allowed compensation for the failures of the automatic method, except for the smallest fibers, which represented 8% of the total. Using these programs, 95% of the axons could be measured and 92% of the myelinated fibers whose axons were analyzed could be measured. The area-equivalent diameter was independent of the detection method; it is a correct-size measurement parameter for axons and fibers that is unrelated to their shape. The projected diameter, an estimation of the perimeter obtained by measurement of the profile projections, depended upon the detection method because the profile contour was influenced by the detection method; it thus takes into account the profile shape. For myelinated fibers, whose analysis program used two detection methods (automatic and semiautomatic), there was an average difference of 16% between the projected diameters obtained with these two methods, whereas the equivalent diameter value was the same. The fiber circularity factor could not be precisely estimated because of the detection error; the axon circularity factor was more reliable since the axon detection was completely automatic.     

Virtual nitrogen tank to monitor frozen cell stocks

We developed a program to facilitate the monitoring of biological samples (cell lines, sera, etc.) that are stored in liquid nitrogen containers. The program consists of a "virtual" container in which scientists can store their samples and a program that records the location of each sample, cell characteristics, storage dates, names of the manipulators and much more. Additional comments and a photograph can be associated with each vial, allowing for reliable tracking of samples. Vials can then be identified according to any parameter of interest to the scientist, including associated comments. Once identified, the program visually presents the location of these vials, which simplifies retrieving them from the real container. The program records the thawing of vials, along with the date and the name of the operator. Any academic laboratory requesting this standalone program will be granted a free license for its use.