DXA reference values of the humanoid sheep model in preclinical studies

Background Merino land sheep are a popular pre-clinical large animal model in research on systemic skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis. Interpretation of studies is difficult because many reference parameters are missing or not established. This study aims to determine the reference parameters of the skeletal system (peak bone mass = PBM, T-Score). A defined standard allows an easier comparison of the study data of the animal model with human studies (T-Score). Materials and methods A total of 116 Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry DXA measurements were performed on 74 untreated sheep. The average age of the animals was 57 months. The BMD, BMC, and fat content of the sheep were determined by the relevant human region of interest (ROI). From this, the PBM and from this the T-score for each of the animals were calculated. Results Using 682 DXA measurements BMD and BMC were determined to provide an indication to PBM. For BMD a significant correlation to the age of the animals was observed (p = 0.043). A significant correlation was also seen for BMC (B) (p ≤ 0.001). In the age-dependent analysis, a widespread of values above the linear regression line was measured for both BMD and BMC between the 50th and 90th months of life. From an age of about 90 months, a wider spread of values below the linear regression line was found, although the average values continued to rise. Discussion The evaluation of the 116 DXA measurements allowed the determination of the PBM for merino land sheep. With the help of the PBM, a T-score was calculated for each animal. The statistical analysis shows significant differences in BMD values between the different animal groups in each of the four ROIs investigated. Individual control or sham groups per study are therefore not sufficient. To improve comparability, an independent reference group should be established. Conclusion An independent reference group for PBM and a T-score was established from four to six-year-old animals. The bone density increases with the age of the animals. Around the fourth year of life, a first peak could be observed. Also, after the seventh year of life, a further peak with the beginning plateau phase was observed. When compiling a group of animals for an osteoporosis model, animals from the age of seven years should, therefore, be used.

La distancia más corta. El método de los mínimos cuadrados.

El método de los mínimos cuadrados se utiliza para calcular la recta de regresión lineal que minimiza los residuos, esto es, las diferencias entre los valores reales y los estimados por la recta. Se revisa su fundamento y la forma de calcular los coeficientes de regresión con este método. ABSTRACT The shortest distance. Least squares regression. Least squares regression method is used to calculate the linear regression line that minimizes residuals, that is, the differences among real values and those estimated by the line. Its basis and the way of calculating the regression coefficients with this method are reviewed.

Foot Length as a Predictor of Weight in Children up to Five Years

Weight measurement is essential for the management of pediatric patients to calculate the dose of the drugs. But it is not possible to move the child to a weighing scale for determination of body weight when the child is in a critical condition. The purpose of this study was to check if foot length correlates with child’s body weight in our situation and to devise a formula for prediction of weight based on foot– length observed. This Cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Mitford hospital, Dhaka over a period of 12 months between January 2008 and December 2008. A total of 300 children, between 0 day to five years, meeting the predefined eligibility criteria were included in the study. Using the available data, simple linear regression analysis was performed between the dependent variable weight and independent variable foot length. The estimated linear regression line was: Predicted weight (kg) = a+ [b× foot length]. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient (r) between foot length and children’s weight. In this study correlation between foot length and weight (r) was 0.92(P<0.001) indicating a perfect linear relationship between them. In the present study determination of correlation (r2) was 0.85 meaning that 85% of the variability in weight might be explained by variation in foot length. The estimated linear regression line was: Predicted weight (kg) = - 4.64 + [1.12 X foot length], where- 4.64 was the intercept and 1.12 was the slope of the regression line. Comparison between measured weight and predicted weight revealed that94% of variation between measured weight and predicted weight was within ±2kg. More than half of the cases (58.3%) the above-mentioned variations were within ±1kg. This study concluded, there was a strong correlation between foot length and weight in children up to five years. The body weight in children from 0 days up to the age of 5 years can be predicted from foot length. Prediction of weight simply by foot-length measurement could be a great help to the health care provider including doctors and health workers for drug dose calculation in critically ill children. TAJ 2018; 31(2): 39-44

CHANGES IN PRODUCTION POTENTIAL IN AGRI-FOOD SECTOR IN POLAND

The aim of studies and analyzes was to identify the directions of changes that took place in the Polish agro-food sector on the background of the whole economy of the country. The analysis focused on the manufacturing potential and was based on information on labor resources, the value of the means of production and investment outlays in the food industry and agriculture. The analysis period covered the years 2005-2015, which was used to present the linear regression line for 2016-2017. On the basis of the research, there has been observed a decline in employment in the food industry and an increase in the number of people employed in agriculture. At the same time, the gross value of fixed assets in these divisions is growing, with their share in the overall economy decreasing. Also, the value of investment outlays in the food and agriculture sectors increased during the period, but in the case of the food industry the whole economy is decreasing, while in agriculture it is growing slightly.

Dosimetric evaluation of tandem-based cervical high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment planning using American Brachytherapy Society 2011 recommendations

PurposeThis study evaluated dosimetric parameters for cervical high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment using varying dose prescription methods.MethodsThis study includes 125 tandem-based cervical HDR brachytherapy treatment plans of 25 patients who received HDR brachytherapy. Delineation of high-risk clinical target volumes (HR-CTVs) and organ at risk were done on original computed tomographic images. The dose prescription point was defined as per International Commission in Radiation Units and Measurements Report Number 38 (ICRU-38), also redefined using American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) 2011 criteria. The coverage index (V100) for each HR-CTV was calculated using dose volume histogram parameters. A plot between HR-CTV and V100was plotted using the best-fit linear regression line (least-square fit analysis).ResultsMean prescribed dose to ICRU-38 Point A was 590·47±28·65 cGy, and to ABS Point A was 593·35±30·42 cGy. There was no statistically significant difference between planned ICRU-38 and calculated ABS Point A doses (p=0·23). The plot between HR-CTV and V100is well defined by the best-fit linear regression line with a correlation coefficient of 0·9519.ConclusionFor cervical HDR brachytherapy, dose prescription to an arbitrarily defined point (e.g., Point A) does not provide consistent coverage of HR-CTV. The difference in coverage between two dose prescription approaches increases with increasing CTV. Our ongoing work evaluates the dosimetric consequences of volumetric dose prescription approaches for these patients.

Dextrose 10% in the Treatment of Out-of-Hospital Hypoglycemia

IntroductionPrehospital first responders historically have treated hypoglycemia in the field with an IV bolus of 50 mL of 50% dextrose solution (D50). The California Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system recently adopted a protocol of IV 10% dextrose solution (D10), due to frequent shortages and relatively high cost of D50. The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this approach are reported using the experience of this EMS system.MethodsOver the course of 18 weeks, paramedics treated 239 hypoglycemic patients with D10 and recorded patient demographics and clinical outcomes. Of these, 203 patients were treated with 100 mL of D10 initially upon EMS arrival, and full data on response to treatment was available on 164 of the 203 patients. The 164 patients’ capillary glucose response to initial infusion of 100 mL of D10 was calculated and a linear regression line fit between elapsed time and difference between initial and repeat glucose values. Feasibility, safety, and the need for repeat glucose infusions were examined.ResultsThe study cohort included 102 men and 62 women with a median age of 68 years. The median initial field blood glucose was 38 mg/dL, with a subsequent blood glucose median of 98 mg/dL. The median time to second glucose testing was eight minutes after beginning the 100 mL D10 infusion. Of 164 patients, 29 (18%) required an additional dose of IV D10 solution due to persistent or recurrent hypoglycemia, and one patient required a third dose. There were no reported adverse events or deaths related to D10 administration. Linear regression analysis of elapsed time and difference between initial and repeat glucose values showed near-zero correlation.ConclusionsIn addition to practical reasons of cost and availability, theoretical risks of using 50 mL of D50 in the out-of-hospital setting include extravasation injury, direct toxic effects of hypertonic dextrose, and potential neurotoxic effects of hyperglycemia. The results of one local EMS system over an 18-week period demonstrate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of using 100 mL of D10 as an alternative. Additionally, the linear regression line of repeat glucose measurements suggests that there may be little or no short-term decay in blood glucose values after D10 administration.KieferMV, HernHG, AlterHJ, BargerJB. Dextrose 10% in the treatment of out-of-hospital hypoglycemia. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(2):1-5.