The associations of anthropometric, behavioural and sociodemographic factors with circulating concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 in a pooled analysis of 16,024 men from 22 studies

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been implicated in the aetiology of several cancers. To better understand whether anthropometric, behavioural, and sociodemographic factors may play a role in cancer risk via IGF signalling, we examined the cross-sectional associations of these exposures with circulating concentrations of IGFs (IGF-I, IGF-II) and IGFBPs (IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3). The Endogenous Hormones, Nutritional Biomarkers and Prostate Cancer Collaborative Group dataset includes individual participant data from 16,024 male controls (i.e. without prostate cancer) aged 22-89 years from 22 prospective studies. Geometric means of protein concentrations were estimated using analysis of variance, adjusted for relevant covariates. Older age was associated with higher concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 and lower concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3. Higher body mass index was associated with lower concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2. Taller height was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and lower concentrations of IGFBP-1. Smokers had higher concentrations of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 and lower concentrations of IGFBP-3 than non-smokers. Higher alcohol consumption was associated with higher concentrations of IGF-II and lower concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-2. African Americans had lower concentrations of IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 and Hispanics had lower IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 than non-Hispanic whites. These findings indicate that a range of anthropometric, behavioural, and sociodemographic factors are associated with circulating concentrations of IGFs and IGFBPs in men, which will lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms through which these factors influence cancer risk. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Oxygen reduction reaction features in neutral media on glassy carbon electrode functionalized by chemically prepared gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared by chemical route using 4 different protocols by varying reducer, stabilizing agent and solvent mixture. The obtained AuNPs were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), UV-Visible and zeta potential measurements. From these latter surface charge densities were calculated to evidence the effect of the solvent mixture on AuNPs stability. The AuNPs were then deposited onto glassy carbon (GC) electrodes by drop-casting and the resulting deposits were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in H2SO4 and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). The electrochemical kinetic parameters of the 4 different modified electrodes towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral NaCl-NaHCO3 media (0.15 M / 0.028 M, pH 7.4) were evaluated by rotating disk electrode voltammetry and subsequent Koutecky-Levich treatment. Contrary to what we previously obtained with electrodeposited AuNPs [Gotti et al., Electrochim. Acta 2014], the highest cathodic transfer coefficients were not obtained on the smallest particles, highlighting the influence of the stabilizing ligand together with the deposits morphology on the ORR kinetics

The use of measurement tools in clinical practice; an observational study of neurorehabilitation

Objective: To explore the way in which standardised measurement tools are used in day-to-day clinical practice Design: Non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews Setting: Hospital based adult neurorehabilition unit Participants: The multi-disciplinary team delivering rehabilitation in the unit Results: The multi-disciplinary used the measurement tools internally to establish the presence and severity of the patient’s impairments and activity limitations; predict recovery and discharge destination; inform treatment planning and monitor progress. They were used externally to demonstrate service effectiveness; communicate with patients, families and external agencies; enable other providers to plan continuing care and resource needs, and inform audit and service development. Conclusion: When used in everyday clinical practice by a multi-disciplinary neuro-rehabilitation team, standardised measures were used to support and inform clinical decision-making

Magnetic resonance imaging of pulmonary damage in the term and premature rat neonate exposed to hyperoxia

Immaturity and oxygen toxicity have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the neonatal disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The present study aimed to investigate the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess hyperoxia-mediated lung injury in the term and premature neonate. Term (gestation, 22 d) and premature (21 d) rat pups were exposed to hyperoxia (>95%) or air for a 6-d period (n = 7) and assessed for lung damage by MRI. Pulmonary signal intensities of T₁-weighted images were significantly increased in both hyperoxia-exposed term and premature neonates, relative to air-breathing controls (p < 0.01). T₂-weighted MRI signal intensities were also greater in premature and term rat pups exposed to hyperoxia, but failed to reach significance (p > 0.05). Elevated MRI pulmonary signal intensities may have represented an increase in magnetic resonance–detectable free water, possibly indicating an increase in edema. Corresponding histologic evidence of lung injury was detected in both term and premature rat pups exposed to hyperoxia. Histologic samples indicated focal regions of alveolar hemorrhage, immune cell infiltration, edema, and collapse in both term and premature rat neonates exposed to hyperoxia. Alveolar air space was assessed (n = 5) by light microscopy within a 0.5 mm² region of the superior left and inferior right pulmonary lobes of each treatment group. Alveolar area of the superior left lung lobe of the premature hyperoxia treatment group was significantly smaller than other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Reduced area for respiratory exchange was probably a result of observed focal areas of edema and collapse. MRI-detectable increases in lung signal intensity may have represented an increase in hyperoxia-induced pulmonary edema in the 6-d-old rat neonate. Increases in signal intensity correlated with the appearance of edema in pulmonary histologic samples. Premature delivery had a less defined effect on lung injury but possibly exacerbated hyperoxia-mediated pulmonary damage