Lipid Profile in Adolescent Girls with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Hyperandrogenemia

Study Objectives. The study aim was to evaluate whether hyperandrogenemia in adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may adversely influence lipid profile. Design and Participants. Lipid levels in 16 diabetic girls with biochemical hyperandrogenemia (T1DM-H) aged 16.3 ± 1.2 years were compared to 38 diabetic girls with normal androgen levels (T1DM-N) aged 15.8 ± 1.2 years. 15 healthy girls served as controls (CG). In all patients, anthropometric measurements were done, and androgens and SHBG were assessed. Results. In T1DM-H, total cholesterol (TC) and low density cholesterol (LDL-ch) were significantly higher than in CG (196.1 ± 41.2 versus 162.7 ± 31.7 mg/dL, p=0.01; 117.3 ± 33.1 versus 91.3 ± 27.8 mg/dL, p=0.01, resp.). Their LDL-ch, non-high density cholesterol (non-HDL-ch) concentrations, and LDL/HDL ratio were also significantly higher than in T1DM-N (117.3 ± 33.1 versus 97.7 ± 26.7 mg/dL, p=0.03; 137.3 ± 42.9 versus 113.3 ± 40.4 mg/dL, p=0.04; 2.8 ± 3.7 versus 1.6 ± 0.5, p=0.04, resp.). In stepwise multiple linear regression, free androgen index (FAI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were associated with TC (R2=0.4, p<0.0006), non-HDL-ch (R2=0.4, p<0.0003), and LDL-ch (R2=0.4, p<0.0008). Triglycerides and LDL/HDL ratio were (R2=0.7, p<0.0001, R2=0.6, p<0.0003 resp.) related to testosterone, FAI, WHR, and mean HbA1c. Conclusion. Lipid profile in diabetic adolescent girls is adversely influenced by the androgens level, particularly in the group with higher WHR and poorer glycemic control

Electrochemical genosensor based on disc and screen printed goldelectrodes for detection of specific DNA and RNA sequences derivedfrom Avian Influenza Virus H5N1

tThe genosensors based on thiolated ssDNA probe deposited on the two types of gold electrodes: screen-printed (miniaturized) and disc electrodes destined for determination of specific sequences of DNA andRNA derived from Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 have been proposed. The working principle of genosensor isbased on the ion-channel mechanism. The analytical signals generated upon hybridization processes wererecorded using electrochemical technique – Osteryoung square wave voltammetry in the presence of aredox active marker [Fe(CN)6]3−/4−in the sample solution. The miniaturized genosensor based on screenprinted gold electrodes was able to detect the 20-mer complementary DNA oligonucleotide sequence aswell as ∼280-mer RNA sequences containing the complementary 20-mer sequence in various positions:at 3�-terminus, at 5�-terminus and in the middle of the RNA transcript at the 1 pM concentration. Themeasuring systems were selective. Non-complementary 20-mer oligonucleotide sequence as well asRNA transcript without complementary region generated weak response. The RNA transcripts were alsotested with gold disc electrodes modified in the same manner. This device was able to detect ∼280-mer RNA sequences, but at higher concentration of 10 pM. The good discrimination of the position ofcomplementary part in the ∼280-mer RNA sequences was observed with using both types of modifiedelectrodes

The prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objectives: Both polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) are reported to be common endocrinopathies. In recent years the number of publications assessing the coexistence of these two disease entities in adult women has been growing. There are many suggestions regarding pathophysiological mechanisms that can cause the relationship between AT and PCOS. However, there is still a lack of research among adolescent girls. The aim of the study was to analyze the occurrence of autoimmune thyroiditis in adolescent girls with PCOS. Material and methods: The study group included 80 girls diagnosed with PCOS (chronological age: 16.54 ± 1.00 years, BMI: 22.80 ± 3.27 kg/m2), and the control group — 64 regularly menstruating girls (chronological age: 16.71 ± 0.63 years, BMI: 24.8 ± 5.2 kg/m2). The thyroid function and morphology were assessed based on the concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies and ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland. Results: AT was diagnosed in 18 (22.5%) girls from the study group and nine (14.06%) from the control group (p > 0.05). Positive anti-TPO titer was observed more often in the study group [21 patients (26.25%)] than in the control group [9 girls (14.06%)] (p = 0.054). Moreover, an abnormal ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland characteristic for AT was found in 18 girls from the study group (22.50%) and 8 girls from the control group (12.50%) (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the analyzed studies do not confirm a significant relationship between PCOS and AT in adolescent girls. However, in the group of girls with PCOS, autoimmune process exponents were more frequent (anti-TPO), reaching the borderline level of statistical significance

Ultrasensitive electrochemical genosensor for direct detection of specific RNA sequences derived from avian influenza viruses present in biological samples

An electrochemical genosensor based on an epoxyphenanthroline–Fe(III)–NH2-ssDNA layer for the detection of RNA derived from Avian Influenza is presented. The biosensor preparation consists of: (I) modification of gold electrodes with aminoethanethiol, (II) modification of the self-assembled monolayer of aminoethanethiol with 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]-phenanthroline using “click” chemistry, (III) a first step of complexation of Fe(III) by 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]-phenanthroline, (IV) a second step of complexation of Fe(III) by 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10]-phenanthroline, (V) immobilization of the single stranded amino-DNA probe via “click” chemistry between epoxy and amino groups. The interactions between the ssDNA probe and RNA targets were explored with Osteryoung Square Wave Voltammetry. The genosensor showed a remarkable detection limit of 3 copies/μL (5 aM) for RNA extracted from A/swan/Poland/305/06 (H5N1) containing a fully complementary sequence. A linear dynamic range for this sequence was observed from 3.0×103 to 3.0×105 [copies/μl]. RNA extracted from A/mallard/Poland/446/09 (H7N7), containing a non-complementary sequence, generated a much weaker response. Moreover, the developed genosensor allows to distinguish RNA present in biological samples having 2, 3 and 4 mismatches. This biosensing approach can become a potential alternative tool for detecting RNA samples in biomedical research and early clinical diagnosis of avian influenza viruses

Evaluation of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Children and Adolescents: A Single-Center Study

The main purpose of our retrospective study was to evaluate the medical care of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) and to investigate the rationale for administering L-thyroxine (LT-4) to young sHT patients. Patients and Methods. Based on a retrospective review of the charts of 261 patients referred to the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic between 2009 and 2014 with suspicion of sHT, 55 patients were enrolled for further analysis. Data collected was baseline age, anthropometric measurements, serum TSH, fT4, fT3, anti-thyroid autoantibodies, positive family history, absence/presence of clinical symptoms, length of follow-up, and data concerning LT-4 therapy (therapy: T1; no therapy: T0). Results. T1 encompassed 33 (60.0%) patients. There were no differences between T1 and T0 (p>0.05) with regard to age, TSH concentrations, BMI Z-score, and hSDS values, though follow-up was longer in T1 (p<0.01). Four (11.8%) children in T1 and none in T0 had a positive family history of thyroid disorders. Fifteen (68.2%) patients in group T0 became euthyroid. One (1.8%) girl (T1) developed overt hypothyroidism. Conclusions. A small percentage of patients can proceed to overt hypothyroidism. Only positive family history seemed to influence the decision to initiate LT-4 therapy. Further prospective studies are warranted in order to establish treatment indications, if any, and the mean recommended dosage of LT-4

Evaluation of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Children and Adolescents: A Single-Center Study

The main purpose of our retrospective study was to evaluate the medical care of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) and to investigate the rationale for administering L-thyroxine (LT-4) to young sHT patients. Patients and Methods. Based on a retrospective review of the charts of 261 patients referred to the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic between 2009 and 2014 with suspicion of sHT, 55 patients were enrolled for further analysis. Data collected was baseline age, anthropometric measurements, serum TSH, fT4, fT3, anti-thyroid autoantibodies, positive family history, absence/presence of clinical symptoms, length of followup, and data concerning LT-4 therapy (therapy: T1; no therapy: T0). Results. T1 encompassed 33 (60.0%) patients. There were no differences between T1 and T0 ( &gt; 0.05) with regard to age, TSH concentrations, BMI -score, and hSDS values, though followup was longer in T1 ( &lt; 0.01). Four (11.8%) children in T1 and none in T0 had a positive family history of thyroid disorders. Fifteen (68.2%) patients in group T0 became euthyroid. One (1.8%) girl (T1) developed overt hypothyroidism. Conclusions. A small percentage of patients can proceed to overt hypothyroidism. Only positive family history seemed to influence the decision to initiate LT-4 therapy. Further prospective studies are warranted in order to establish treatment indications, if any, and the mean recommended dosage of LT-4

Intermolecular Interactions of Trichloromethyl Group in the CrystalState, the Case of 2‑Trichloromethyl‑3H‑4-quinazoline Polymorphsand 1‑Methyl-2-trichloroacetylpyrrole−Hirshfeld Surface Analysis ofChlorine Halogen Bonding

Intermolecular interactions in the crystal state, apossible source of the observed polymorphism, are investigatedwith the use of the combined crystallographic methods, theoreticalcomputations, and a modern approach of Hirshfeld surface analysis.Special attention is paid to a trichloromethyl group, a potentialdonor of halogen bonding. It is demonstrated that due to packingeffects and stacking interactions, its conformation does not have tocorrespond to the lowest energy structure of an isolated molecule,leading to formation of different polymorphs. The analysis ofHirshfeld surfaces, in contrast to standard geometrical criterion ofsum of van der Waals radii, indicates the dominant role of variouschlorine intermolecular contacts into the overall molecular packing and reveals the characteristic features of the obtainedfingerprint plots. These interactions, a subject of our special interest, are discussed in details in order to provide theircomprehensive description by means of Hirshfeld surface analysis tools

Response of the pea roots defense systems to the two-element combinations of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb)

The presence of the single metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) induces ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and causes oxidative stress in plants. While applied in two-element combinations, trace metals impact organisms in a more complex way. To assess the resultant effect we treated the pea grown hydroponically with the trace metals in variants: CuPb, CuCd, CuZn, PbCd, ZnPb, ZnCd in concentrations of 25 µM for each metal ion. Abiotic stress inhibited root elongation growth, decreased biomass production, induced changes in root colour and morphology. It changed rate of ROS production, malondialdehyde content, increased activity and altered gene expression of defence enzymes (superoxide dysmutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase)