scholarly journals Racial Differences in Serum Adipokine and Insulin Levels in a Matched Osteoarthritis Sample: A Pilot Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajiv Gandhi ◽  
Anirudh Sharma ◽  
Mohit Kapoor ◽  
Kala Sundararajan ◽  
Anthony V. Perruccio
Keyword(s):  
Racial Differences ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Insulin Levels ◽  
Replacement Surgery ◽  
Asian Patients ◽  
Caucasian Patients ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control

Background. In an attempt to correlate biomarkers with disease, serum-based biomarkers often are compared between individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) and control subjects. However, variable results have been reported. Some studies have suggested an association between certain adipokines and insulin and OA. We know that there are racial differences in OA prevalence and incidence, and from general population-based studies, those of Asian race consistently demonstrate a unique adipokine/insulin serum concentration profile as compared to Caucasians. Whether similar racial differences exist within OA samples is unknown and may have implications for selecting appropriate controls in comparative studies.Methods. Serum levels of adipokines, leptin, and adiponectin, along with insulin, were determined by ELISA in patients scheduled for total hip or knee replacement surgery for OA. Fifteen Asian patients were matched 1 : 1 on age (±2 years), gender, body mass index (±1.5 kg/m2), and surgical joint with Caucasian patients. Differences in serum concentrations were tested using pairedt-tests.Results. Serum leptin and insulin levels were significantly higher in Asians compared to Caucasians (p<0.05). While serum adiponectin levels were lower among Asians, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.12).Conclusion. Findings from this work suggest that when studying serum biomarker concentrations in OA versus controls, race may be an important factor to consider. Our findings warrant confirmation in larger studies.

Lack of influence of the antidopaminergic drug domperidone on basal and TRH-stimulated TSH-serum levels after oral administration

1982 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 550-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. W. Wenzel ◽  
J. Döring
Keyword(s):  
Oral Administration ◽  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Oral Absorption ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Antiemetic Drug ◽  
First Pass ◽  
The Difference

Abstract. Since antidopaminergic drugs are known to elevate basal and TRH-stimulated TSH-serum levels and since this effect was also shown after iv administration of the novel dopamine antagonistic agent domperidone, it was investigated, whether this antiemetic drug could interfere after oral intake with the evaluation of thyroid function. Oral domperidone caused a marked TSH-enhancement of TRH-induced TSH increments in 6 out of 14 euthyroid subjects, with no statistical significance, however. The difference between oral and parenteral influence as well as inter-individual changes are probably due to the varying first pass effect of the drug after oral absorption.

Abstract P276: Differential Association of D-dimer with Stroke and Coronary Heart Disease: The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil A Zakai ◽  
George Howard ◽  
Leslie A McClure ◽  
Suzanne E Judd ◽  
Brett M Kissela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cox Models ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Chd Risk Factors ◽  
D Dimer

Introduction: D-dimer, a marker of coagulation activation, has higher levels in blacks than whites and has been variably associated with stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: REGARDS recruited 30,239 participants in their homes across the continental US between 2003-07; by design 55% were female, 41% black, and 56% lived in the southeast. In a case-cohort study, D-dimer was measured in 646 participants with incident stroke, 515 with incident CHD, and 1104 in a cohort random sample. D-dimer was log transformed and modeled per 1-unit increase. Cox models were used to determine the HR for vascular disease for D-dimer and the difference in HR (95% CI) by race and vascular disease calculated by bootstrapping with 1000 replicate samples and using the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles of the distribution (see Table for model variables). Results: Median D-dimer was higher in blacks (0.45 mcg/mL; IQR 0.26, 0.85) than whites (0.38 mcg/mL; IQR 0.23, 0.69); p <0.001. D-dimer was higher with increasing age, female gender, diabetes, hypertension and prebaseline cardiovascular disease (all p <0.05). The table shows the HR of stroke and CHD by baseline D-dimer. In minimally-adjusted models, D-dimer was associated with both stroke and CHD. Accounting for Framingham stroke and CHD risk factors, D-dimer remained associated with CHD (HR 1.45; 95% CI 1.18, 1.79), but was marginally associated with stroke (HR 1.20; 95% CI 0.99, 1.45). The difference in the HR of D-dimer between CHD and stroke was 0.22 in the basic model and 0.25 in the Framingham model, but this difference was of marginal statistical significance (Table). There was no difference in the HRs for stroke or CHD for D-dimer in blacks compared to whites (Table). Discussion: The association of D-dimer with stroke appeared smaller than for CHD with similar associations by race. Findings suggest that hemostasis activation may play a greater role in pathogenesis of CHD than stroke. Further study is needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the association of D-dimer with different stroke subtypes.

scholarly journals Effects of two different deep digital flexor tenotomy techniques on distal articular angles of equine cadaver forelimbs

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 2005-2010
Author(s):  
Antonio Cezar de Oliveira Dearo ◽  
Vitor Bruno Bianconi Rosa ◽  
Peter Reichmann ◽  
Milton Luis Ribeiro de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Distal Interphalangeal ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Flexor Tenotomy

Deep digital flexor (DDF) tenotomy is a technique employed for years to treat selected disorders of the musculoskeletal system in horses. Although two different surgical approaches (i.e. mid-metacarpal and pastern) have been described for performing the procedure, in vitro quantitative data regarding the modifications induced by either technique on the distal articular angles is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the viability of a proposed biomechanical system of induced-traction used to compare the two DDF tenotomy techniques by measuring the distal articular angles of equine cadaver forelimbs. Ten pairs of forelimbs were collected and mounted to a biomechanical system developed to apply traction at the toe level. Dorsal articular angles of the metacarpophalangeal (MP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints were determined by geometric lines on radiographs taken before and after performing each technique. Comparisons between each tenotomy group and its own control, for each joint, and between the two tenotomy groups using as variable the difference between the tenotomy and control groups were tested. Despite the lack of statistical significance, the DDF tenotomy technique at the pastern level produced extension, to a lesser and greater extent, of the PIP and DIP joints, respectively when compared to the mid-metacarpal level. No remarkable differences could be observed for the MP joint. The developed traction-induced biomechanical construct seemed to be effective in producing valuable quantitative estimations of the distal articular angles of equine cadaver forelimbs subjected to different DDF tenotomy techniques.

scholarly journals The prevalence and demographic features of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in an urban area of East Asia: A population-based study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248801
Author(s):  
Tzong-Hann Yang ◽  
Hung-Meng Huang ◽  
Wei-Chung Hsu ◽  
Po-Nien Tsao ◽  
Tien-Chen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Congenital Cytomegalovirus ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Virological Surveillance

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the leading environmental cause of childhood hearing impairment. However, its significance remains largely undocumented in many regions of the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical features of cCMV infection in East Asia. Neonates born at a municipal hospital in Taipei were prospectively recruited and underwent concurrent hearing and CMV screenings. Those who failed the hearing screening or screened positive for CMV were subjected to a focused audiological and/or virological surveillance. The characteristics of the newborns and their mothers were compared between the CMV-positive and CMV-negative groups. Of the 1,532 newborns who underwent concurrent hearing and CMV screenings, seven (0.46%) were positive for cCMV infection. All seven CMV-positive newborns were asymptomatic at birth, and none of them developed hearing or other symptoms during a follow-up period of 14.4±6.3 months. The mothers of the CMV-positive newborns demonstrated higher gravidity (2.4 ± 1.4 vs. 2.1 ± 1.2) and parity (2.0 ± 1.2 vs. 1.6 ± 0.7) than those in the CMV-negative group; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. The prevalence of cCMV infection in Taipei newborns was 0.46%, which is slightly lower than that of other populations and that of a previous report in the Taiwanese population. The relatively low prevalence in this study might be attributed to the improved public health system and decreased fertility rate in Taiwan.

scholarly journals Genomic and Proteomic Study of the Inflammatory Pathway in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiometabolic Syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana A. Itani ◽  
Miran A. Jaffa ◽  
Joseph Elias ◽  
Mohammad Sabra ◽  
Patrick Zakka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Cardiometabolic Syndrome ◽  
Proteomic Study ◽  
Obesity Hypertension ◽  
High Level ◽  
And Control

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) have been linked to inflammation and fibrosis. However, it is still unknown which inflammatory cytokines contribute to the pathogenesis of AF. Furthermore, cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance/glucose intolerance are also associated with inflammation and increased level of cytokines and adipokines. We hypothesized that the inflammatory immune response is exacerbated in patients with both AF and CMS compared to either AF or CMS alone. We investigated inflammatory cytokines and fibrotic markers as well as cytokine genetic profiles in patients with lone AF and CMS. CMS, lone AF patients, patients with both lone AF and CMS, and control patients were recruited. Genetic polymorphisms in inflammatory and fibrotic markers were assessed. Serum levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were tested along with other inflammatory markers including platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-HDL ratio (MHR) in three groups of AF+CMS, AF, and CMS patients. There was a trend in the CTGF levels for statistical significance between the AF and AF+CMS group (P = 0.084). Genotyping showed high percentages of patients in all groups with high secretor genotypes of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P = 0.037). Genotyping of IFN-γ and IL-10 at high level showed an increase in expression in the AF + CMS group compared to AF and CMS alone suggesting an imbalance between the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines which is exacerbated by AF. Serum cytokine inflammatory cytokine levels showed that IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-17F, and IL-22 were significant between the AF, AF+CMS, and CMS patients. Combination of both CMS and AF may be associated with a higher degree of inflammation than what is seen in either CMS or AF alone. Thus, the identification of a biomarker capable of identifying metabolic syndrome associated with disease will help in identification of a therapeutic target in treating this devastating disease.

Racial differences in delay of treatment for localized prostate cancer (CaP): A population-based study.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6037-6037
Author(s):  
William Allen Stokes ◽  
Laura H Hendrix ◽  
Trevor Joseph Royce ◽  
Ian M. Allen ◽  
Andrew Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Treatment Delays ◽  
Time To Treatment ◽  
The Difference

6037 Background: African-Americans (AA) are diagnosed with more advanced CaP than Caucasians (CA) and are more likely to die from CaP. Treatment delay is a potentially modifiable obstacle to care and clinically may be more important in AA patients because of more aggressive cancer at diagnosis. We examined time from diagnosis to curative treatment (surgery or radiation) in AA and CA patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiologic and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database. Methods: 21,454 CA and 2,506 AA patients who were diagnosed with non-metastatic CaP from 2004-08 and received treatment within 12 months of diagnosis were included. Linear regression was used to examine factors associated with number of days from diagnosis to treatment initiation, and logistic regression to assess odds of treatment within 6 months of diagnosis. Results: AA patients were more likely to have high-risk CaP than CA patients (39 vs. 35%), and less likely to have low-risk CaP (27 vs. 31%) (p<.001). Time to treatment was significantly prolonged for AA patients in all risk groups of CaP, and the difference was most prominent for high-risk patients (median 105 days for AA vs. 96 days for CA, p=.002). Racial differences in time to treatment persisted in multivariable analysis (Table). Sensitivity analyses examining the proportion of AA and CA patients initiating treatment within 6 months of diagnosis revealed similar results. Conclusions: AA patients, especially those with high-risk CaP, experience longer treatment delays than CA patients. This is the first large-scale study to examine treatment delays in AA and CA patients with CaP. The differences found may contribute to our understanding of racial disparities in CaP treatment outcomes. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Have the same pathogenicity of Ureaplasma Parvum and Ureaplasma Urealyticum in non-specific cervicitis? -based on digital droplet PCR assay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfang Huang ◽  
Xiaoqin Xu ◽  
Panpan Lv ◽  
Zhen Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Ureaplasma Urealyticum ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Ureaplasma Parvum ◽  
Digital Droplet Pcr ◽  
Droplet Pcr ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Ureaplasma Spp

Abstract Background: Ureaplasma spp. are association with a various of infectious diseases in female, but it still limited evidence for the pathogenicity in nonspecific cervicitis. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay for quantified the load of Ureaplasma spp in cervical swabs. Methods: A total of 293 non-specific cervicitis (NSC) patients and 211 asymptomatic female fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Cervical swabs were identified by qPCR and further absolutely quantified by ddPCR. Results: The prevalence of U.parvum were 51.9% (152/293) and 46.9% (99/211); while U.urealyticum were 8.2% (24/293) and 8.1% (17/211) in the NSC and Control group, respectively. In addition, the average Ct value and median copy number per microliter of U.parvum were 31.33 (n=152) and 599 (n=48) in the NSC group and 33.68 (n=99) and 17.4 (n=33) in control group, respectively, suggest that the load of U.parvum of NSC group were significantly higher than the asymptomatic individual (P<0.001). But, the median load number of U.urealyticum were 1.26 (n=22) and 5.35 (n=14) copies per microliter two groups, the difference was no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: our study suggests that often carrying U.parvum at a high load but not U.urealyticum may have an important implications on the development and progression of cervicitis among female.

Location of cerebral atherosclerosis: Why is there a difference between East and West?

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong S Kim ◽  
Yeon-Jung Kim ◽  
Sung-Ho Ahn ◽  
Bum J Kim
Keyword(s):  
Racial Differences ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Intracranial Atherosclerosis ◽  
Diagnostic Modality ◽  
Asian Patients ◽  
Cerebral Atherosclerosis ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Intracranial Arteries ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Available Information

Intracranial atherosclerosis is more prevalent in Asian patients, whereas extracranial atherosclerosis is more common in individuals from western countries. The reasons for this discrepancy remain unknown. We reviewed the relevant literature and discussed the currently available information. Although the study population, diagnostic modality, and risk factor definitions differ between studies, hypercholesterolemia is more correlated with extracranial atherosclerosis than intracranial atherosclerosis. The difference in hypercholesterolemia prevalence is one of the main reasons for racial differences. Intracranial arteries contain higher antioxidant level than extracranial arteries and may be more vulnerable to risk factors for antioxidant depletion (e.g., metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus). Intracranial arteries may be vulnerable to factors associated with hemodynamic stress (e.g., advanced, salt-retaining hypertension and arterial tortuosity) because of a smaller diameter, thinner media and adventitia, and fewer elastic medial fibers than extracranial arteries. Additionally, non-atherosclerotic arterial diseases (e.g., moyamoya disease) that commonly occur in the intracranial arteries of East Asians may contaminate the reports of intracranial atherosclerosis cases. Genes, including RNF 213 or those associated with high salt sensitivity, may also explain racial differences in atherosclerotic location. To understand racial differences, further well-designed studies on various risk and genetic factors should be performed in patients with cerebral atherosclerosis. Additionally, improvements in diagnostic accuracy via advancements in imaging technologies and increased genetic data will aid in the differentiation of atherosclerosis from non-atherosclerotic intracranial diseases.

Efficacy of curcuminoids for reducing postoperative pain after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: A pilot randomized trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natacha Phoolcharoen ◽  
Shina Oranratanaphan ◽  
Chai Ariyasriwatana ◽  
Pongkasem Worasethsin
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Gynecologic Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Good Safety Profile ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Curcuminoids, which are substances extracted from turmeric, have been proved to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects along with a good safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of curcuminoids for reducing postoperative pain in patients who undergo laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Methods From November 2016 to December 2017, participants were randomly assigned, by blocks of four, to the intervention and control arms of the study. Altogether, 60 patients who were to undergo laparoscopic gynecologic surgery at our institution were enrolled. Intraoperative findings were not significantly different between the two groups. One tablet of curcuminoid extract 250 mg was given to patients in the intervention group four times a day on postoperative days 1–3. Pain was evaluated at 24 and 72 h postoperatively using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Results The median VAS score 24 h after surgery was 3 (1–6) in the intervention group and 4.5 (3–7) in the control group, with the difference reaching statistical significance (p=0.001). The median VAS at 72 h after surgery was 1 (0–2) in the intervention group and 2 (1–5) in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion Curcuminoids may be an effective supplement to reduce pain severity postoperatively following laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Trial Registration TCTR20180215001 www.clinicaltrials.in.th

scholarly journals Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Its Serum Levels in Schizophrenic Patients

Folia Medica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvetta A. Koeva ◽  
Stefan T. Sivkov ◽  
Valentin H. Akabaliev ◽  
Roumiana Y. Ivanova ◽  
Tania I. Deneva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Serum Bdnf

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Neurotrophins have an important role in regulating the development and maintenance of the peripheral and central nervous systems’ function. Thus, the neurotrophin hypothesis of schizophrenia has postulated that the changes in the brain of schizophrenic patients are the result of disturbances of developing processes involving these molecules. AIM: We analyse in the present study the changes in the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in schizophrenic patients as possible epiphenomena of underlying alterations of the neurotrophic factor in central nervous system, reflecting its role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one schizophrenic patients satisfying the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis of schizophrenia were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 28 age-matched mentally healthy subjects. Serum BDNF levels were determined in patients and normal controls using ELISA (Chemicon International, USA & Canada). The data were analyzed statistically with Student’s t- test in SPSS 9.0. RESULTS: The serum BDNF levels were lower in the schizophrenic patients than in the control subjects, reaching statistically significant difference (t = 2.72, p = 0.009). Female patients had lower serum BDNF levels than the male patients but the difference fell short of statistical significance (t = 0.1, p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The BDNF reduction in serum indicates a potential deficit in neurotrophic factor release in patients with schizophrenia and support the concept that BDNF might be associated with schizophrenia

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