Glycaemic Response to Quality Protein Maize Grits

Background. Carbohydrates have varied rates of digestion and absorption that induces different hormonal and metabolic responses in the body. Given the abundance of carbohydrate sources in the Philippines, the determination of the glycaemic index (GI) of local foods may prove beneficial in promoting health and decreasing the risk of diabetes in the country. Methods. The GI of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) grits, milled rice, and the mixture of these two food items were determined in ten female subjects. Using a randomized crossover design, the control bread and three test foods were given on separate occasions after an overnight fast. Blood samples were collected through finger prick at time intervals of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min and analyzed for glucose concentrations. Results. The computed incremental area under the glucose response curve (IAUC) varies significantly across test foods (P < .0379) with the pure QPM grits yielding the lowest IAUC relative to the control by 46.38. Resulting GI values of the test foods (bootstrapped) were 80.36 (SEM 14.24), 119.78 (SEM 18.81), and 93.17 (SEM 27.27) for pure QPM grits, milled rice, and rice-QPM grits mixture, respectively. Conclusion. Pure QPM corn grits has a lower glycaemic response compared to milled rice and the rice-corn grits mixture, which may be related in part to differences in their dietary fibre composition and physicochemical characteristics. Pure QPM corn grits may be a more health beneficial food for diabetic and hyperlipidemic individuals

A Bayesian decision support sequential model for severity of illness predictors and intensive care admissions in pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the USA. Our objective was to assess the predictive value on critical illness and disposition of a sequential Bayesian Model that integrates Lactate and procalcitonin (PCT) for pneumonia. METHODS: Sensitivity and specificity of lactate and PCT attained from pooled meta-analysis data. Likelihood ratios calculated and inserted in Bayesian/ Fagan nomogram to calculate posttest probabilities. Bayesian Diagnostic Gains (BDG) were analyzed comparing pre and post-test probability. To assess the value of integrating both PCT and Lactate in Severity of Illness Prediction we built a model that combined CURB65 with PCT as the Pre-Test markers and later integrated the Lactate Likelihood Ratio Values to generate a combined CURB 65 + Procalcitonin + Lactate Sequential value. RESULTS: The BDG model integrated a CUBR65 Scores combined with Procalcitonin (LR+ and LR-) for Pre-Test Probability Intermediate and High with Lactate Positive Likelihood Ratios. This generated for the PCT LR+ Post-test Probability (POSITIVE TEST) Posterior probability: 93% (95% CI [91,96%]) and Post Test Probability (NEGATIVE TEST) of: 17% (95% CI [15-20%]) for the Intermediate subgroup and 97% for the high risk sub-group POSITIVE TEST: Post-Test probability:97% (95% CI [95,98%]) NEGATIVE TEST: Post-test probability: 33% (95% CI [31,36%]) . ANOVA analysis for CURB 65 (alone) vs CURB 65 and PCT (LR+) vs CURB 65 and PCT (LR+) and Lactate showed a statistically significant difference (P value = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The sequential combination of CURB 65 plus PCT with Lactate yielded statistically significant results, demonstrating a greater predictive value for severity of illness thus ICU level care

ERK Is Involved in the Reorganization of Somatosensory Cortical Maps in Adult Rats Submitted to Hindlimb Unloading

Sensorimotor restriction by a 14-day period of hindlimb unloading (HU) in the adult rat induces a reorganization of topographic maps and receptive fields. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Interest was turned towards a possible implication of intracellular MAPK signaling pathway since Extracellular-signal-Regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) is known to play a significant role in the control of synaptic plasticity. In order to better understand the mechanisms underlying cortical plasticity in adult rats submitted to a sensorimotor restriction, we analyzed the time-course of ERK1/2 activation by immunoblot and of cortical reorganization by electrophysiological recordings, on rats submitted to hindlimb unloading over four weeks. Immunohistochemistry analysis provided evidence that ERK1/2 phosphorylation was increased in layer III neurons of the somatosensory cortex. This increase was transient, and parallel to the changes in hindpaw cortical map area (layer IV). By contrast, receptive fields were progressively enlarged from 7 to 28 days of hindlimb unloading. To determine whether ERK1/2 was involved in cortical remapping, we administered a specific ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD-98059) through osmotic mini-pump in rats hindlimb unloaded for 14 days. Results demonstrate that focal inhibition of ERK1/2 pathway prevents cortical reorganization, but had no effect on receptive fields. These results suggest that ERK1/2 plays a role in the induction of cortical plasticity during hindlimb unloading

Simulation of NMR Powder Spectra

International audienc

Effect of preovulatory insertion of Norplant implants over luteinizing hormone secretion and follicular development

Objective: To determine whether the process of ovulation could be interrupted by the insertion of Norplant implants (Leiras Pharmaceuticals, Turku, Finland) in the advanced preovulatory phase. Design: Prospective study. Setting: The Department of Biomedical Research at the Family Planning Clinic of PROFAMILIA, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Patients: Healthy women of reproductive age, requesting Norplant implants contraception. Thirteen of 15 women volunteers who were admitted completed the study. Interventions: Norplant implants were inserted when the dominant follicle reached a mean diameter of 16 mm, based on serial vaginal ultrasounds (US) beginning on day 10 of the cycle. Blood samples for determination of E(2), P, LH, and levonorgestrel, were taken and vaginal US performed at 0, 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours after insertion. If follicle rupture had not occurred at 72 hours after insertion, blood sampling and US were done three times per week during 2 additional weeks. Results: Follicle rupture occurred in 11 of 13 subjects within 72 hours after insertion, with the exception of 1 subject in whom rupture occurred between 72 and 192 hours. Two women already had an LH peak at the time of insertion. In 9 of the remaining 11 women, a short-lasting, blunted LH surge was observed at 4 hours postinsertion. In the remaining two women, who had the lowest E(2) levels, ovulation was inhibited, and a persistent follicle developed without luteinization. Conclusions: The insertion of Norplant implants in the advanced follicular phase will not inhibit ovulation if sufficient E(2) priming has occurred. On the contrary, the exogenous progestin may rapidly foster ovulation shortly after.6561110111

Endometrial Thickness And Oestradiol Concentration In Women With Bleeding Complaints During Use Of Norplant® Implants

The objective of this study was to measure oestradiol, progesterone and endometrial development among Norplant® implant users with bleeding complaints. Seventy-six volunteers complaining of prolonged/frequent bleeding were enrolled. Oestradiol, progesterone and endometrial thickness (assessed by vaginal ultrasound) were determined at that visit. Two thirds of the women had low oestradiol (< 50 pg/ml) and all except one had low progesterone concentrations (< 3 ng/ml). A total of 68% had a very thin endometrium (< 3 mm). A subgroup of 21 women were followed twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks. Oestradiol and progesterone concentrations remained low during the continuous bleeding episodes or short bleeding-free intervals (≤ 15 days), yet increased five- to sixfold (253.4 ± 142.2 pg/ml) in long bleeding-free intervals. Endometrial thickness remained thin irrespective of the differences in bleeding patterns and oestradiol. We conclude that Norplant® implant users with bleeding complaints are usually characterized by low oestradiol concentrations, absence of luteal activity and thin endometrium. A good correlation exists with increasing oestradiol concentrations and longer bleeding-free intervals, but this is not manifested by increased endometrial thickness. However, few subjects bleed with relatively high oestradiol concentrations, therefore a better understanding of the intimate disturbances related to endometrial bleeding in users of long-acting progestins is still pending.131188191Alvarez, F., Brache, V., Thevenin, F., Hormonal treatment for bleeding irregularities in Norplant® implant users (1996) Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 174, pp. 919-922Archer, D.F., Philput, C.A., Weber, M.E., Management of irregular uterine bleeding and spotting associated with Norplant® (1996) Hum. Reprod., 11 (SUPPL. 2), pp. 24-30Au, C.L., Affandi, B., Rogers, P.A.W., Immunohistochemical staining of von Willebrand factor in endometrium of women during the first year of Norplant® implants use (1994) Contraception, 50, pp. 477-489Bakos, O., Smith, P., Heimer, G., Ultrasonographical and hormonal description of the normal ovulatory menstrual cycle (1994) Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand., 73, pp. 790-796Critchley, H.O.D., Bailey, D.A., Au, C.L., Immunohistochemical sex steroid receptor distribution in endometrium from long-term subdermal levonorgestrel users and during the normal menstrual cycle (1993) Hum. Reprod., 8, pp. 1632-1639Croxatto, H.D., Diaz, S., Pavez, M., Histopathology of the endometrium during continuous use of levonorgestrel (1984) Long-acting Contraceptive Delivery Systems, pp. 290-295. , Zatuchni, G.I., Goldsmith, A., Shelton, J.D. et al. (eds). Harper and Row, PhiladelphiaDarney, P.D., Taylor, R.N., Klaisle, C., Serum concentration of oestradiol, progesterone, and levonorgestrel are not determinants of endometrial histology or abnormal bleeding in long-term Norplant® implants users (1996) Contraception, 53, pp. 97-100Diaz, S., Croxatto, H.B., Pavez, M., Clinical assessment of treatments for prolonged bleeding in users of Norplant® implants (1990) Contraception, 42, pp. 97-109Faúndes, A., Alvarez-Sanchez, F., Brache, V., Hormonal changes associated with bleeding during low dose progestogen contraception delivered by Norplant® subdermal implants (1991) Adv. Contracep., 7, pp. 1-10Fleischer, A.C., Kalemeris, G.C., Machin, J.E., Sonographic depiction of normal and abnormal endometrium with histopathologic correlation (1986) J. Ultrasound Med., 5, pp. 445-452Goodger, A.M., Rogers, P.A.W., Affandi, B., Endometrial endothelial cell proliferation in long-term users of subdermal levonorgestrel (1994) Hum. Reprod., 9, pp. 1647-1651Hadisaputra, W., Affandi, B., Witjaksono, J., Endometrial biopsy collection from women receiving Norplant (1996) Hum. Reprod., 11 (SUPPL. 2), pp. 31-34Hickey, M., Fraser, I.S., Dwarte, D.D., Graham, S., Endometrial vasculature in Norplant® users: Preliminary results from a hystereoscopic study (1996) Hum. Reprod., 11 (SUPPL. 2), pp. 35-44Janne, O., Isomaa, V., Isotalo, H., Uterine estrogen and progestin receptors and their regulation (1978) Upsala J. Med. Sci., 22, pp. 62-70Johannisson, E., Brosens, I., Cornilie, F., Morphometric study of the human endometrium following continuous exposure to levonorgestrel release from vaginal rings during 90 days (1991) Contraception, 43, pp. 361-374Luukkainen, T., Haukkamaa, M., Concentration of levonorgestrel in endometrium and myometrium after oral and intrauterine administration (1990) Contraception and Mechanisms of Endometrial Bleeding, pp. 181-186. , d'Arcangues, C., Fraser, I.S., Newton, J. et al. (eds). Cambridge University Press, CambridgeMaqueo, M., Vascular and perivascular changes in the endometrium of women using steroidal contraceptives (1980) Endometrial Bleeding and Steroidal Contraception, pp. 138-152. , Diczfalusy, E., Fraser, I.S., Webb, F.T.G. (eds). Pitman Press, LondonMarsh, M.M., Butt, A.R., Riley, S.C., Immunolocalization of endothelin and neutral endopeptidase in the endometrium of users of subdermally implanted levonorgestrel (Norplant®) (1995) Hum. Reprod., 10, pp. 2584-2589Olsson, S.E., Bakos, O., Lindgren, P.G., Ovarian function during use of subdermal implants releasing low doses of levonorgestrel (1990) Br. J. Fam. Plann., 16, pp. 88-93Palmer, J.A., Lau, T.M., Hickley, M., Immunohistochemical study of endometrial microvascular basement membrane components in women using Norplant® (1996) Hum. Reprod., 11, pp. 2142-2150Rogers, P.A.W., Au, S.L., Affandi, B., Endometrial microvascular density during the normal menstrual cycle and following exposure to long term levonorgestrel (1993) Hum. Reprod., 8, pp. 1396-1404Shaaban, M.M., Segal, S., Salem, H.T., Sonographic assessment of ovarian and endometrial changes during long-term Norplant® use and their correlation with hormonal concentrations (1993) Fertil. Steril., 59, pp. 998-1002Subakir, S.B., Hadisaputra, W., Siregar, B., Reduced endothelial cell migratory signal production by endometrial explants from women using Norplant® contraception (1995) Hum. Reprod., 10, pp. 2579-2583Witjaksono, J., Lau, T.M., Affandi, B., Rogers, P.A.W., Oestrogen treatment for increased bleeding in Norplant® users: Preliminary results (1996) Hum. Reprod., 11, pp. 109-114Wonodirekso, S., Au, C.L., Hadisaputra, W., Cytokeratins 8, 18 and 19 in endometrial epithelial cells during the normal menstrual cycle and in women receiving Norplant® (1993) Contraception, 48, pp. 481-493Clinical evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of ethinyl oestradiol and oestrone sulphate on prolonged bleeding in women using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception (1996) Hum. Reprod., 11, pp. 1-1

Endometrial thickness and oestradiol concentration in women with bleeding complaints during use of Norplant (R) implants

The objective of this study was to measure oestradiol, progesterone and endometrial development among Norplant(R) implant users with bleeding complaints, Seventy-six volunteers complaining of prolonged/frequent bleeding were enrolled. Oestradiol, progesterone and endometrial thickness (assessed by vaginal ultrasound) were determined at that visit, Two thirds of the women had low oestradiol (<50 pg/ml) and all except one had low progesterone concentrations (<3 ng/ml), A total of 68% had a very thin endometrium (<3 mm). A subgroup of 21 women were followed twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks, Oestradiol and progesterone concentrations remained low during the continuous bleeding episodes or short bleeding-free intervals (less than or equal to 15 days), yet increased five-to sixfold (253.4 +/- 142.2 pg/ml) in long bleeding-free intervals. Endometrial thickness remained thin irrespective of the differences in bleeding patterns and oestradiol. We conclude that Norplant(R) implant users with bleeding complaints are usually characterized by low oestradiol concentrations, absence of luteal activity and thin endometrium. A good correlation exists with increasing oestradiol concentrations and longer bleeding-free intervals, but this is not manifested by increased endometrial thickness. However, few subjects bleed with relatively high oestradiol concentrations, therefore a better understanding of the intimate disturbances related to endometrial bleeding in users of long-acting progestins is still pending.13118819

Sex hormone binding globulin and free levonorgestrel index in the first week after insertion of Norplant((R)) implants

Levonorgestrel has nn inhibitory effect on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This decrease in SHBG lends to an increase in the free levonorgestrel index (FLI), which has a stronger biological effect. The interaction between serum levels of levonorgestrel and SHBG in long-term users of Norplant(R) implants has been described. This study was designed to understand the same interaction immediately after the insertion of the implants, in a group of 16 women, sampled at 0 and 6 h and at 1, 3, and 7 days after Norplant implant insertion. Peak serum levonorgestrel levels were achieved at 24 h after insertion, remaining stable on day 3 and decreasing by >10% by day 7. SHBG did not change during the first 24 h, but decreased by 19% and 60% on days 3 and 7, respectively. FLI more than doubled from day 1 to day 7 after insertion. The large decrease in SHBG and doubling of FLI is not followed by a similar reduction in levonorgestrel, which is hard to explain without an increase in the release rate of the steroid from the capsule. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.58421121