Demographic and tumour prevalence data for juvenile green turtles at the Coastal-Marine Protected Area of Cerro Verde,Uruguay

Marine Protected Areas are increasingly considered in coastal areas as an instrument to preserve threatened fauna and fragile habitats from the detrimental effects of human activities. For this reason baseline data are of utmost importance for the evaluation of the outcomes of ongoing conservation efforts. Along the Uruguayan coast, the area of Cerro Verde (declared protected since 2011) represents the most important foraging and development area for green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Between 2002 and 2009, a long-term capture-mark-recapture programme for green turtles was developed to gather data on demography, ecology and status of the species in the area. Turtles captured were juveniles ranging from 28.8 to 64.3?cm in length over the curve of the carapace (n?=?514), and results indicated a size-based habitat segregation. Tumour prevalence was 5.3% (n?=?27) and was positively correlated with carapace length. The mean body condition index was 1.25?±?0.14 (n?=?494). From the total number of tagged turtles 10.6% were recaptured during the study period. Green turtles showed high site fidelity; 81% of the turtles were recaptured within the same season and 76% were recaptured in different seasons but were found at the original capture spot. Mean annual growth rate was 1.6?±?0.9?cm year^?1. The catch per unit effort of 2008 differed from 2009, higher in 2009, but also significantly different between capture spots. The present study constitutes a baseline dataset for future monitoring of green turtles in the area and provides valuable information for wider analyses of population dynamics in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.     

The population biology of the exploited crab Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) in a southeastern Atlantic Coast mangrove area,Brazil

Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763), found in mangroves along the Brazilian coast, is an artisanal fishery resource harvested as a source of income and for subsistence. A 12?month study of U. cordatus was conducted in a mangrove area of the southeastern Brazilian coast to estimate the growth, longevity, sex ratio and population density of the crabs. A total of 1024 crabs (505 males and 519 females) were sampled. Carapace width (CW) ranged from 49 to 90?mm (mean?±?SD: 71.2?mm?±?6.0) for males and from 52 to 83?mm (69.3?mm?±?4.9) for females. Males dominated the largest CW classes. The asymptotic size (CW_∞) and the asymptotic weight (WW_∞) were estimated as 93.4?mm and 305.5?g, respectively, for males and as 87.1?mm and 221.5?g, respectively, for females. The estimated maximum longevities were 17.6?years for males and 15.7?years for females. The males (k?=?0.17, Φ?=?1.171) and females (k?=?0.19, Φ?=?1.159) showed similar growth rates. The mean density was 0.41?±?0.19?burrows?m^?2. Of this total mean density, 85.8% corresponded to the immediate harvesting potential and 14.2% to the future harvesting potential. Given that U. cordatus is a long-lived species that grows slowly, an appropriate strategy for the management is crucial to ensure the sustainable exploitation of this resource.     

A New Species of Rhaponticoides (Asteraceae) from Southern Italy

A new diploid (2n?=?30) species, Rhaponticoides calabrica, is described from Calabria and Basilicata (southern Italy). This species differs from the closely related R. centaurium – an endemic of Apulia and northern Basilicata – by different flower colour (white in the former, purplish in the latter), width of membranous margin of phyllaries (1.8?±?0.4 mm vs 0.8?±?0.3 mm) and pappus length (6.8?±?0.9 mm vs 9.1?±?1.0 mm). The two species are completely allopatric and seem to have also different chromosome numbers.     

Rearing indicates life cycles of 2–5 years for coastal sand scarab beetles Pericoptus punctatus and P. truncatus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Larvae of the endemic dynastine scarabs Pericoptus truncatus and P. punctatus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) occur in coastal sand dunes. Life cycles from egg to egg-laying adults were determined by rearing for the first time. They were 3–5 years (mean?±?SD?=?3.41?±?0.53 years, n?=?172) and 2–4 years (2.90?±?0.45 years, n?=?53) for P. truncatus and P. punctatus, respectively. The modal life cycle length was three years for both species. In the first year of development, survival of P. truncatus and P. punctatus was superior when larvae were provided with driftwood than with grass (Spinifex sericeus or Stenotaphrum secundatum). Head-capsule width could be used to reliably differentiate between instars of P. punctatus and P. truncatus except for second instar P. truncatus and third instar P. punctatus. These data may inform planning to protect sand scarabs and associated fauna of coastal sand dunes.     

Potential CD34 signaling through phosphorylated-BAD in chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) constitutively express growth factors and cytokines for survival. Chemotherapy alters these signals to induce cell death. However, drug resistance in AML remains a major hindrance to successful treatment and early warning is unavailable. Modulation of signaling pathways during chemotherapy may provide a window to detect response and predict treatment outcome. Blood samples collected from AML patients before and at day-3 of induction therapy were compared for changes in expression of CD117, CD34, pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators of Akt and MAPK pathways, using multi-color flow cytometry. Nine patients were diagnosed as drug-resistant and seven sensitive to chemotherapy. Twelve were paired. Average percentages of CD34 (66.8?±?11.7% vs. 26.2?±?5.8%, p?=?0.033) and pBAD (66.9?±?8.2% vs. 28.9?±?8.2%, p?=?0.016) were significantly increased in chemo-resistant (N?=?9) compared to chemo-sensitive (N?=?5) samples. Percentages of CD34 were strongly correlated with pBAD (R?=?0.785; p?=?0.001; N?=?14) and pFKHR (R?=?0.755; p?=?0.002; N?=?14) at day-3 induction. Chemo-sensitive cases expressed significantly higher percentages of IL-18Rα (71.9?±?9.6% vs. 29.8?±?5.8%, p?=?0.016). Though not significantly different in the outcome, IL-1β was strongly associated with activated Akt-S473, IL-6 with phosphorylated JNK and FKHR while TNF-α appeared to trigger Bim, in treated samples. These preliminary results suggested AML cells resistant to chemotherapy increased expression of CD34 and may signal through pBAD while cells sensitive to chemotherapy-induced IL18Rα expression. These were observed early during induction therapy. Identifying CD34 is interesting as it is a convenient marker to monitor drug-resistance in AML patients. Inhibition of CD34 and pBAD signaling may be important in treating drug-resistant AML.     

The Influences of Chromium Supplementation on Glycemic Control,Markers of Cardio-Metabolic Risk,and Oxidative Stress in Infertile Polycystic ovary Syndrome Women Candidate for In vitro Fertilization: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of chromium intake on glycemic control, markers of cardio-metabolic risk, and oxidative stress in infertile polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done among 40 subjects with infertile PCOS candidate for IVF, aged 18–40 years old. Individuals were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 200 μg/day of chromium (n?=?20) or placebo (n?=?20) for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at end-of-trial. Compared with the placebo, taking chromium supplements led to significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (??2.3?±?5.7 vs. +?0.9?±?3.1 mg/dL, P?=?0.03), insulin levels (??1.4?±?2.1 vs. +?0.4?±?1.7 μIU/mL, P?=?0.004), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (??0.3?±?0.5 vs. +?0.1?±?0.4, P?=?0.005), and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+?0.004?±?0.008 vs. ??0.001?±?0.008, P?=?0.03). In addition, chromium supplementation significantly decreased serum triglycerides (??19.2?±?33.8 vs. +?8.3?±?21.7 mg/dL, P?=?0.004), VLDL- (??3.8?±?6.8 vs. +?1.7?±?4.3 mg/dL, P?=?0.004) and total cholesterol concentrations (??15.3?±?26.2 vs. ??0.6?±?15.9 mg/dL, P?=?0.03) compared with the placebo. Additionally, taking chromium supplements was associated with a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (+?153.9?±?46.1 vs. ??7.8?±?43.9 mmol/L, P?<?0.001) and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde values (?0.3?±?0.3 vs. +?0.1?±?0.2 μmol/L, P?=?0.001) compared with the placebo. Overall, our study supported that chromium administration for 8 weeks to infertile PCOS women candidate for IVF had beneficial impacts on glycemic control, few variables of cardio-metabolic risk, and oxidative stress.     

Assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers – neuroprostanes and dihomo-isoprostanes – in the urine of elite triathletes after two weeks of moderate-altitude training

This randomized and controlled trial investigated whether the increase in elite training at different altitudes altered the oxidative stress biomarkers of the nervous system. This is the first study to investigate four F₄-neuroprostanes (F₄-NeuroPs) and four F₂-dihomo-isoprostanes (F₂-dihomo-IsoPs) quantified in 24-h urine. The quantification was carried out by ultra high pressure liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS). Sixteen elite triathletes agreed to participate in the project. They were randomized in two groups, a group submitted to altitude training (AT, n?=?8) and a group submitted to sea level training (SLT) (n?=?8), with a control group (Cg) of non-athletes (n?=?8). After the experimental period, the AT group triathletes gave significant data: 17-epi-17-F_2t-dihomo-IsoP (from 5.2?±?1.4?μg/mL 24?h^?1 to 6.6?±?0.6?μg/mL 24?h^?1), ent-7(RS)-7-F_2t-dihomo-IsoP (from 6.6?±?1.7?μg/mL 24?h^?1 to 8.6?±?0.9?μg/mL 24?h^?1), and ent-7-epi-7-F_2t-dihomo-IsoP (from 8.4?±?2.2?μg/mL 24?h^?1 to 11.3?±?1.8?μg/mL 24?h^?1) increased, while, of the neuronal degeneration-related compounds, only 10-epi-10-F_4t-NeuroP (8.4?±?1.7?μg/mL 24?h^?1) and 10-F_4t-NeuroP (5.2?±?2.9?μg/mL 24?h^?1) were detected in this group. For the Cg and SLT groups, no significant changes had occurred at the end of the two-week experimental period. Therefore, and as the main conclusion, the training at moderate altitude increased the F₄-NeuroPs- and F₂-dihomo-isoPs-related oxidative damage of the central nervous system compared to similar training at sea level.     

Spread of alien (non-indigenous) fish species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neogobius melanostomus</Emphasis> in the Gulf of Gdansk (south Baltic)

The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) was first noticed in the Gulf of Gdansk in 1990. This Ponto-Caspian fish was most likely introduced to the Baltic environment from ships ballast water. During the first years of invasion, slow population growth was observed in the initially colonized regions. From 1994, round goby gradually spread in all shallow water zones of the Gulf of Gdansk. The area occupied by the population and the number of fish grew rapidly. By the end of the nineties, round goby became a dominant fish in shallow waters of the western part of the Gulf of Gdansk, where the fish used all solid substrates on the bottom, including concrete piers, big stones or even dumped waste for spawning and refuge. The presence of round goby in the Vistula Lagoon and shallow waters near Rugia (Western Baltic) was noticed for the first time in 1999. The present state, size and condition of the round goby population in the Gulf of Gdansk led us to predict a continual spread of this species into new regions of the Baltic. In addition, the population of round goby is so large that the species has started playing a part in commercial fishing in the Gulf of Gdansk.     

Bidirectional pharmacodynamic interaction between pegylated liposomal CKD-602 (S-CKD602) and monocytes in patients with refractory solid tumors

Background:?STEALTH^® liposomal CKD-602 (S-CKD602), a camptothecin analog, is eliminated by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), which consists of cells, including monocytes. We evaluated the relationship between monocyte and absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) in the blood and pharmacokinetic disposition of S-CKD602 and nonliposomal CKD-602 (NL-CKD602) in patients.

Methods:?As part of a phase I study of S-CKD602 and phase I and II studies of NL-CKD602, the percent decreases in ANC and monocytes at their nadir were calculated. After S-CKD602, the amount of CKD-602 recovered in urine was measured.

Results:?For S-CKD602 in patients <60 years, the percent decrease in ANC and monocytes were 43?±?31 and 58?±?26%, respectively (P?=?0.001). For S-CKD602 in patients ≥60, the percent decrease in ANC and monocytes were 41?±?31 and 45?±?36%, respectively (P?=?0.50). For NL-CKD602 (n?=?42), the percent decrease in ANC and monocytes were similar (P?>?0.05). For S-CKD602, the relationship between the percent decrease in monocytes and CKD-602 recovered in urine was stronger in patients <60 (R²?=?0.82), compared with patients ≥60 (R²?=?0.30).

Conclusions:?Monocytes are more sensitive to S-CKD602, compared with neutrophils, and the increased sensitivity is related to the liposomal formulation, not CKD-602. These results suggest that monocytes engulf S-CKD602, which causes the release of CKD-602 from the liposome and toxicity to the monocytes, and that the effects are more prominent in patients <60.     

DNA methylation and expression profiles of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine transporter (DAT1) genes in patients with schizophrenia

Methylation and expression profile of CpG islands were examined in the promoters of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine transporter (DAT1) genes. These are well known to be involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 80 patients with schizophrenia and 71 healthy controls. Methylation pattern was studied by Methylation-Specific PCR. RNA expression analysis was done on extracted RNA from blood samples from patients suffering from schizophrenia (n?=?17) and healthy controls (n?=?17). Frequency of the BDNF gene methylation was highlighted as a statistically significant relationship between cases and controls regarding decreased risk of disease in comparison to unmethylated patterns (OR?=?0.24; 95?% CI?=?1.11–0.50; P?=?0.00007). For the DAT1 gene, this relationship was insignificant in 61 cases (76.25?%) and 52 controls (73.23?%) (OR?=?1.17; 95?% CI?=?0.53–2.61). Estimates of relative gene expression revealed a statistically significant association of the BDNF gene between schizophrenic patients and healthy controls (Mean?±?SD: 13.3920?±?15.19 and 0.437?±?0.328, P?=?0.0001) respectively; however, it was not significant for the DAT1 gene. This first hand evidence, regarding BDNF and DAT1 gene methylation and their expression profile with risk of schizophrenia, indicated a significant function for the BDNF gene in the development of schizophrenia. However, further populations with large sample sizes need to be studied to verify the exact role of BDNF in mental disorders such as schizophrenia.     

Circadian rhythms of melatonin in haemolymph and optic lobes of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) and Chinese grass shrimp (Palaemonetes sinensis)

This study is the first to examine the circadian rhythms of melatonin in Eriocheir sinensis and Palaemonetes sinensis, two economically important crustaceans. We collected haemolymph and optic lobes from both species every 4 h over a whole day cycle. Melatonin content was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. E. sinensis haemolymph exhibited significant (p < 0.05) peaks in melatonin at 16:00 (0.180 ± 0.020 μg·mL^?1) and 24:00 (0.244 ± 0.055 μg·mL^?1), while eyestalks had significant peaks at 16:00 (72.377 ± 18.100 μg·eyestalk^?1) and 24:00 (98.756 ± 30.271 μg·eyestalk^?1). In P. sinensis, melatonin peaked significantly only at 16:00 in optic lobes (12.493 ± 1.475 μg·eyestalk^?1) (p < 0.05); no significant peaks were present in haemolymph. Thus, both E. sinensis and P. sinensis exhibit species-specific melatonin rhythms. Time of day should therefore be considered when examining the physiological status of both crustaceans, given the potential influence of fluctuating daily melatonin concentrations.     

Validation of a Chronotype Questionnaire Including an Amplitude Dimension

The aim of this paper was to validate a French version of the Chronotype Questionnaire (Ogińska, 2011, Pers. Individ. Dif. 50:1039–1043), which represents an interesting novelty in the psychometric assessment of chronotype, because it comprises not only an assessment of the morningness-eveningness (ME) dimension, but also a distinctness (DI) dimension (i.e., amplitude), which represents the range of diurnal variation. In study 1, we aimed to confirm the structure of the Chronotype Questionnaire, with two different samples, young adults (n?=?338, mean?±?SD?=?18.70?±?1.12?yrs, 244 men and 94 women) and old adults (n?=?477, mean?±?SD?=?55.92?±?11.9?yrs, 168 men and 310 women). The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated a poor fit in both samples as well as in the whole sample, which could be due to some inconsistencies in the original instrument, above all in the distinctness dimension. We therefore decided to revise the Chronotype Questionnaire, keeping the ME dimension, but refining the DI dimension. In study 2, with a new sample of 197 participants (mean?±?SD?=?22.71?±?2.23?yrs, 105 men and 92 women), we examined the factor structure of the revised scale containing 18 items. The resulting questionnaire contained 16 items (i.e., 8 items on each scale), with item factor loadings higher than .45. In study 3, we aimed to confirm the factor structure of the instrument developed in study 2 as well as to examine its convergent validity, with a new sample of 158 participants (mean?±?SD?=?55.92?±?11.9?yrs, 97 men and 61 women). Results of the CFA showed that a good fit of the model could be obtained with 16 items in the questionnaire. The new questionnaire derived from the original Chronotype Questionnaire was from now on called the Caen Chronotype Questionnaire (CCQ). Convergence validity was obtained with the Horne and Östberg questionnaire and the ME scale of the CCQ, showing a negative significant relationship (r?=??.82). The CCQ showed promising psychometric qualities, and further research should aim to combine it with physiological variables.     

Biomarker-specific differences between transpulmonary and peripheral arterial–venous blood sampling in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Purpose: Transpulmonary biomarkers may provide insight into pulmonary hypertension (PH) pathophysiology, but require cardiac catheterization. We investigated whether the peripheral arterial–venous ratio (PR) could substitute for the transpulmonary ratio (TPR).

Materials and methods: Blood from the pulmonary artery (PA), pulmonary arterial wedge (PAW), peripheral venous, and peripheral arterial positions was analysed for ET-1, NT-pro-BNP and cAMP levels in subjects with no PH (n?=?18) and PH due to left heart disease (PH-LHD), which included combined pre- and post-capillary PH (Cpc-PH; n?=?7) and isolated post-capillary PH (Ipc-PH; n?=?9). Bland–Altman comparisons were made between peripheral venous and PA samples and between peripheral arterial and PAW samples. TPR was defined as [PAW]/[PA].

Results: For ET-1, Bland–Altman analysis indicated negative bias (?24%) in peripheral arterial compared to PAW concentration and positive bias (23%) in peripheral venous compared to PA concentration. There was <10% absolute bias for NT-pro-BNP and cAMP. For ET-1, there was no difference in PR between Cpc-PH and Ipc-PH (0.87?±?0.4 vs. 0.94?±?0.6, p?=?0.8), whereas there was a difference in TPR (2.2?±?1.1 vs. 1.1?±?0.2, p?<?0.05).

Conclusions: In PH-LHD, peripheral samples may be inadequate surrogates for transpulmonary samples, particularly when measuring mediators with prominent pulmonary secretion or clearance, such as ET-1.     

The relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery stenosis by sex and menopausal status in patients with suspected angina

Background

Evidence suggests that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely related to coronary artery stenosis (CAS). However, sexual dimorphism may be present in adipose tissue, and its influence on CAS between men and women is controversial. We assessed the relationship between EAT and CAS by sex and menopausal status in patients with suspected angina.

Methods

Six hundred twenty-eight consecutive patients (men/women n?=?257/371; mean age = 59.9?±?10.2?years) who had chest pain for angina and underwent coronary angiography were included. CAS was defined as >?50% luminal narrowing of at least one epicardial coronary artery. EAT thickness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography.

Results

Of the 628 patients, 52.1% (n?=?134) of men and 35.3% (n?=?131) of women had CAS. The mean EAT thickness was not different between men and women and was larger in patients with CAS (8.04?±?2.39 vs 6.58?±?1.88?mm, P?<?0.001). EAT thickness was independently associated with CAS in both sexes (P?<?0.001). The odds ratio (OR) of EAT for the presence of CAS was higher in men (OR?=?1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–1.69) than in women (OR?=?1.24, 95% CI 1.10–1.40). EAT thickness was larger in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women (7.59?±?2.25 vs 5.80?±?1.57?mm, P?<?0.001) and was independently related with CAS (OR?=?1.24, 95% CI 1.09–1.41). This was not the case in premenopausal women.

Conclusion

In patients with suspected angina, an increase in EAT thickness was independently related to the presence of CAS in both men and women, with it being stronger in men. According to menopausal status in women, EAT thickness is significantly associated with CAS only in postmenopausal women.

     

Genetic analysis of barrel field size in the first somatosensory area (SI) in inbred and recombinant inbred strains of mice

We measured the combined area of posterior medial barrel subfield (PMBSF) and anterior lateral barrel subfield (ALBSF) areas in four common inbred strains (C3H/HeJ, A?/J, C57BL?/6J, DBA/2J), B6D2F1, and ten recombinant inbred (RI) strains generated from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J progenitors (BXD) as an initial attempt to examine the genetic influences underlying natural variation in barrel field size in adult mice. These two subfields are associated with the representation of the whisker pad and sinus hairs on the contralateral face. Using cytochrome oxidase labeling to visualize the barrel field, we measured the size of the combined subfields in each mouse strain. We also measured body weight and brain weight in each strain. We report that DBA/2J mice have a larger combined PMBSF/ALBSF area (6.15?±?0.10?mm²,?n?=?7) than C57BL?/6J (5.48?±?0.13?mm²,?n?=?10), C3H/HeJ (5.37?±?0.16?mm²,?n?=?10), and A/J mice (5.04?±?0.09?mm²,?n?=?15), despite the fact that DBA/2J mice have smaller average brain and body sizes. This finding may reflect dissociation between systems that control brain size with those that regulate barrel field area. In addition, BXD strains (average n?=?4) and parental strains showed considerable and continuous variation in PMBSF/ALBSF area, suggesting that this trait is polygenic. Furthermore, brain, body, and cortex weights have heritable differences between inbred strains and among BXD strains. PMBSF/ALBSF pattern appears similar among inbred and BXD strains, suggesting that somatosensory patterning reflects a common plan of organization. This data is an important first step in the quantitative genetic analysis of the parcellation of neocortex into diverse cytoarchitectonic zones that vary widely within and between species, and in identifying the genetic factors underlying barrel field size using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses.     

Nutritional status and eating habits of bus drivers during the day and night

The aim of this study was to compare anthropometry and food intake patterns in bus drivers working during the day and night. One hundred and fifty males (81 night workers and 69 day workers) participated in the study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Measurements of height, weight, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile were obtained. A significant difference between groups was observed for mean WC (98.5?±?10.7?cm in day workers versus 103.2?±?9.7?cm in night workers; p?=?0.005). Night workers had higher prevalence of being overweight and obese (BMI?≥?25?kg/m²) than day workers (78.2% day workers versus 90.2% night workers; p?=?0.004) and increased WC (>94?cm) (72.4% day workers versus 86.4% night workers; p?=?0.03). Significant differences were found for meat consumption (2.3 servings ±0.9 for night workers versus 2.0 servings ±0.7 day workers, p?=?0.04) and fruit intake (0.9 servings ±0.4 for night workers versus 0.7 servings for day workers ±0.5; p?=?0.006). Night workers had a lower intake of vegetables than recommended compared to day workers (100 versus 92.7%, respectively, p?=?0.01) and higher intake of oil (40.7 versus 24.6%, p?=?0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that night work was associated with being overweight (OR?=?2.94, 95% IC: 1.14–7.66, p?=?0.03) and abnormal values of WC (OR?=?2.82, 95% IC: 1.20–6.69, p?=?0.009) after adjusting for potential confounders. It is concluded that night workers had a higher prevalence and risk of being overweight/obese and increased WC compared with day workers. Night workers also presented a higher proportion of inappropriate intakes of food groups when compared to day workers, even though both groups were eating poor diets. These results demonstrate the need of lifestyle-intervention programs in these workers.     

Increases in serum concentration of human heart-type fatty acid-binding protein following elective coronary intervention

Background: Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is considered a marker of myocardial necrosis but whether or not it is modified by myocardial ischemia is not clear. We sought to investigate if H-FABP serum levels increase following non-urgent coronary angioplasty.

Methods: We studied 31 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. Peripheral venous samples were drawn immediately before angioplasty, 1?h after the first balloon inflation and 24?h after the procedure and assayed for H-FABP.

Results: Serum levels of H-FABP increased significantly at 1?h vs baseline from 2554?±?1268 to 3322?±?245?pg?ml^?1 (p?=?0.024). However, no differences were observed between 1?h and 24?h after angioplasty (3268?±?1861 vs 3322?±?2459?pg ml^?1, p?=?0.87). Moreover, no significant difference was observed when we compared 24?h after angioplasty with the baseline (3268?±?1861vs 2554?±?1268?pg ml^?1, p?=?0.112).

Conclusions: We conclude that H-FABP significantly increases after elective coronary angioplasty at 1?h compared with baseline values; whether or not this has any prognostic significance for future events, as it occurs with troponins, needs to be studied further.     

Snoring and aortic dimension in Marfan syndrome

Recent reports suggest that self-reported snoring, which is a feature of obstructive sleep apnea, is associated with aortic enlargement in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Objective assessment of snoring although lacking, could provide a rational for OSA screening in MFS patients. Our goal in this study was to examine the association between objective measurements of snoring with OSA and aortic size in persons with MFS. Consecutive persons with MFS who reported snoring were recruited at Johns Hopkins, completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and underwent overnight polysomnography during which inspiratory sound was captured. We measured breath-by-breath peak decibel levels and snoring was defined as flow limitation with sound?≥?40 dB(A). OSA was defined as an apnea–hypopnea-index (AHI)?≥?15 or AHI: 5–15 and ESS?>?10. Participants’ aortic data were collated to ascertain aortic root diameter. Regression models were used to determine the relationship of snoring breath% with OSA and aortic root diameter. In our cohort (M|F:13|16, Age: 37.0?±?15.5 years, Aortic diameter; 38.9?±?4.8 mm), a 1-unit increase in snoring breath percentage increased the odds of having OSA by 5% in both the unadjusted (OR?=?1.05, p?=?0.040) model, and a model adjusted for age and sex (OR?=?1.05, p?=?0.048). Similarly, a 10-unit increase in snoring breath percentage was associated with a 1 mm increase in contemporaneous aortic-root-diameter in both unadjusted (β?=?0.09, p?=?0.007), and adjusted (β?=?0.08, p?=?0.023) models. Objective snoring assessment could provide a means for identifying persons with MFS who need sleep studies, who may also be at risk for more severe aortic disease.

     

Effects of Long-Term Fixed Orthodontic Treatment on Salivary Nickel and Chromium Levels: a 1-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Effect of long-term orthodontic treatment on salivary nickel and chromium has not been quite assessed except in few retrospective studies with controversial results. The aim of this prospective study was to measure salivary levels of these ions during 1?year of orthodontic treatment. Saliva samples were collected from 20 orthodontic patients, before treatment (control) and 6 and 12?months later. Nickel and chromium concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using one- and two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, Bonferroni, Friedman (???=?0.05), and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests (???=?0.016). Average nickel level changed from 9.75?±?5.02 to 10.37?±?6.94 and then to 8.32?±?4.36???g/L in 1?year. Average chromium concentration changed from 3.86?±?1.34 to 4.6?±?6.11 and then to 2.04?±?1.66???g/L. Alterations in nickel values were not statistically significant [P?=?0.468 (ANOVA)], but fluctuations in chromium levels were [P?=?0.021 (Friedman)]. The decrease in chromium concentration after 12?months was significant compared to the control [P?=?0.004 (Wilcoxon)]. Although slightly increased after 6?months, the concentration of both ions dropped to levels slightly lower than the control groups after 12?months.