Glucose dysregulation in obese children: predictive, risk, and potential protective factors

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (DM2) in obese children and adolescents of Greek origin and compare our data with pertinent literature findings in an attempt to uncover predictive, risk, and preventive factors. Research Methods and Procedures: A total of 117 obese children and adolescents 12.1 ± 2.7 years old underwent a 2‐hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin resistance (IR) and β‐cell function were estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)‐IR and the insulinogenic index, respectively. Results: A total of 17 patients (14.5%) had IGT, and none had DM2. The overall prevalence rates of both IGT and DM2 in our subjects were lower than those reported in a recent multiethnic U.S. study. Nevertheless, the difference between our IGT data and those of the U.S. study was due mostly to the prepubertal subjects (9% vs. 25.4%), whereas no difference was observed in the pubertal population (18% vs. 21%). Fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA‐IR values were not predictive of IGT. The absolute value of insulin at 2 hours of the OGTT combined with the time‐integrated glycemia (AUCG) can strongly predict IGT, whereas higher area under the curve for insulin (AUCI) values were found to be protective. Discussion: In ethnic groups less prone to diabetes development, IGT or DM2 in obese subjects is more likely to develop at puberty than at the prepubertal stage. It is advisable that physicians caring for obese adolescents perform an OGTT for early detection of IGT because HOMA‐IR values, although higher in IGT subjects and indicative of IR, cannot predict IGT.     

G Protein-coupled Receptor (GPCR) Signaling via Heterotrimeric G Proteins from Endosomes

Some G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in addition to activating heterotrimeric G proteins in the plasma membrane, appear to elicit a “second wave” of G protein activation after ligand-induced internalization. We briefly summarize evidence supporting this view and then discuss what is presently known about the functional significance of GPCR-G protein activation in endosomes. Endosomal activation can shape the cellular response temporally by prolonging its overall duration, and may shape the response spatially by moving the location of intracellular second messenger production relative to effectors.     

Differentiation of myomas by means of biomagnetic and doppler findings

Aim

To elucidate the hemodynamics of the uterine artery myomas by use of Doppler ultrasound and biomagnetic measurements.

Method

Twenty-four women were included in the study. Sixteen of them were characterised with large myomas whereas 8 of them with small ones. Biomagnetic signals of uterine arteries myomas were recorded and analyzed with Fourier analysis. The biomagnetic signals were distributed according to spectral amplitudes as high (140–300 ft/√Hz), low (50–110 ft/√Hz) and borderline (111–139 ft/√Hz). Uterine artery waveform measurements were evaluated by use of Pulsatility Index (PI) (normal value PI < 1.45).

Results

There was a statistically significant difference between large and small myomas concerning the waveform amplitudes (P < 0.0005) and the PI index (P < 0.0005). Specifically, we noticed high biomagnetic amplitudes in most large myomas (93.75 %) and low biomagnetic amplitudes in most small ones (87.5 %).

Conclusion

It is suggested that the biomagnetic recordings of uterine artery myomas could be a valuable modality in the estimation of the circulation of blood cells justifying the findings of Doppler velocimetry examination.

     

High degree of transferability of 86 newly developed zebra finch EST-linked microsatellite markers in 8 bird species

High-resolution analysis for population genetic and functional studies requires the use of large numbers of polymorphic markers. The recent increase of available genetic tools is facilitated by the use of publicly available expressed sequence tag (EST) sequence databases that are a valuable resource for identifying gene-linked markers. In the present study, we applied bioinformatics analyses to identify microsatellite markers present in EST sequences from a zebra finch (Taeniopgia guttata) EST database and we explore the success of cross-species amplification of EST-linked microsatellite markers in 7 passerine and 1 nonpasserine species. Eighty-six zebra finch EST-linked microsatellite loci were screened for polymorphism revealing a high amplification success rate and adequate levels of polymorphism (33.3-51%) for relatively closely related species, whereas success decreased in the most distantly related species to zebra finch. EST-linked microsatellites appear to be more highly transferable between taxa than anonymous microsatellites as they revealed higher amplification and polymorphism success between different families indicating that they will be a useful source of gene-linked polymorphic markers in a broad range of avian species.     

Genetic monitoring and effects of stocking practices on small <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> populations

The ability to detect genetic differences both in space and time is crucial for conserving genetic variation. It can reveal genetic diversity and genetic composition changes of declining native populations that are supported through stocking with captive bred individuals. The present study was designed to analyse the temporal stability of a declining common carp (Cyprinus carpio) population from Lake Volvi (North Greece). Polymorphism was evaluated using seven microsatellite loci at two sampling time points (separated by 12 years). The genetic variability of four additional populations (from two rivers and two lakes) in Northern Greece was also investigated for comparison. Heterozygosity values (0.692–0.868) and allelic richness (8.530–11.148) were high for all studied populations and comparable to other European populations. However, the analysis of temporal common carp samples from Lake Volvi revealed a significant change in their genetic composition and admixture analysis demonstrated significant introgression of stocked individuals into the native population. Both temporal and point estimate methods revealed low effective size (Ne = 61–171.3) for this population, possibly a result of an ancient genetic bottleneck that led to population decline and/or recent anthropogenic interventions. This low Ne has rendered the native population vulnerable to alteration of its genetic composition. Our study demonstrates that enhancement programs should be applied cautiously, especially for small populations. Moreover, it underlines the need for temporal analyses, which may contribute to the evaluation of previous management policies and to future decision making.     

IL-18 is correlated with type-2 immune response in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome

Children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) is thought to have dysregulated type-1/type-2 cytokine network. Interleukin (IL)-18 is a cytokine, which may enhance both type-1 and type-2 responses, depending on the cytokines milieu. This prospective study aimed to assess type-1/type-2 cytokine synthesis and production profile in different stages of SSNS and define the potent involvement of IL-18. Twenty-three children with SSNS, aged 2.5-14 years, were studied; 23/23 both in active stage before treatment initiation and in remission still on steroids; 15/23 in remission off steroids as well. Data were compared with those obtained from 25 age-matched controls. The following parameters were assessed: Basic T cell populations, percentages of CD3+/CD69+/IFN-gamma+ and CD3+/CD69+/IL-4+ T cells as well as serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and IL-18. No difference in IL-2 levels was found between nephrotic children of all disease stages and controls (p>0.05). Percentage of CD3+/CD69+/IL-4+ T cells and serum levels of IL-4, IL-13 and IL-18 were significantly higher in the active stage of SSNS compared with the remission stages and controls (p<0.05). On the contrary, percentage of CD3+/CD69+/IFN-gamma+ T cells as well as serum IFN-gamma were significantly lower during active disease stage compared with remission stages and controls (p<0.05). In children with SSNS, of all disease stages, serum levels of IL-18 were significantly correlated with both IL-4 and IL-13 (r=0.628 and p<0.0001, r=0.71 and p<0.0001, respectively). It seems that a type-2 cytokine synthesis and production pattern prevails in children with active SSNS and IL-18 expression is significantly correlated with this type-2 immune response.