Mendelian randomization indicates causal effects of estradiol levels on kidney function in males

ContextChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health burden worldwide. Epidemiological studies observed an association between sex hormones, including estradiol, and kidney function.ObjectiveWe conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess a possible causal effect of estradiol levels on kidney function in males and females.DesignWe performed a bidirectional two-sample MR using published genetic associations of serum levels of estradiol in men (n = 206,927) and women (n = 229,966), and of kidney traits represented by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, n = 567,460), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR, n = 547,361), and CKD (n = 41,395 cases and n = 439,303 controls) using data obtained from the CKDGen Consortium. Additionally, we conducted a genome-wide association study using UK Biobank cohort study data (n = 11,798 men and n = 6,835 women) to identify novel genetic associations with levels of estradiol, and then used these variants as instruments in a one-sample MR.ResultsThe two-sample MR indicated that genetically predicted estradiol levels are significantly associated with eGFR in men (beta = 0.077; p = 5.2E-05). We identified a single locus at chromosome 14 associated with estradiol levels in men being significant in the one-sample MR on eGFR (beta = 0.199; p = 0.017). We revealed significant results with eGFR in postmenopausal women and with UACR in premenopausal women, which did not reach statistical significance in the sensitivity MR analyses. No causal effect of eGFR or UACR on estradiol levels was found.ConclusionsWe conclude that serum estradiol levels may have a causal effect on kidney function. Our MR results provide starting points for studies to develop therapeutic strategies to reduce kidney disease

Implementing a lightweight Schmidt-Samoa cryptosystem (SSC) for sensory communications

One of the remarkable issues that face wireless sensor networks (WSNs) nowadays is security. WSNs should provide a way to transfer data securely particularly when employed for mission-critical purposes. In this paper, we propose an enhanced architecture and implementation for 128-bit Schmidt-Samoa cryptosystem (SSC) to secure the data communication for wireless sensor networks (WSN) against external attacks. The proposed SSC cryptosystem has been efficiently implemented and verified using FPGA modules by exploiting the maximum allowable parallelism of the SSC internal operations. To verify the proposed SSC implementation, we have synthesized our VHDL coding using Quartus II CAD tool targeting the Altera Cyclone IV FPGA EP4CGX22CF19C7 device. Hence, the synthesizer results reveal that the proposed cryptographic FPGA processor recorded an attractive result in terms of critical path delay, hardware utilization, maximum operational frequency FPGA thermal power dissipation for low-power applications such as the wireless sensor networks

Three-Dimensional Power Doppler Evaluation of Adnexal Masses. Which Parameter Performs Best?

Objective:To evaluate the role of 3D power Doppler in assessment of adnexal masses vascularity, its ability to discriminate benign from malignant adnexal masses. Then, to determine which one of the 3D power Doppler parameters has the highest reliability for detection of adnexal malignancy.Materials and Methods:A cross sectional prospective study was conducted on patients scheduled for surgery due to presence of adnexal masses at Woman’s Health Center, Assiut University, Egypt between October 2012 and October 2013. All patients were evaluated by 3-DPD ultrasound for assessement of tumor vascularization with calculation of vascular indices using Virtual organ computer-aided analysis program. A definitive histopathological diagnosis was obtained in every case to be used as a gold standard.Results:One hundred sixty-one patients were recruited, 115 with benign masses, 46 with malignant masses. The mean vascularization index (16.36 versus 10.98; p<0.05), and the mean vascularization-flow index (3.91 versus 2.13; p<0.01) were significantly higher in malignant tumors. No significant difference was found in the mean flow index. Chaotic architecture of vessels was significantly associated with malignancy (80.4% versus 6.1%; p<0.001) than benign possibility of masses. Also, complex branching pattern of vessels was more significantly present in malignant masses than benign ones (47.8% versus 4.3%; p<0.001). 3D power Doppler had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 94%, PPV of 84% and NPV of 92% in detection of malignant adnexal masses.Conclusion:Careful evaluation of the architectiure of vessels was the best parameter in evaluation of the masses with 3D power Doppler. Evaluation of branching pattern had a low sensitivity and specificity in detection of malignancy. In spite of no clear cut-off values for vascular indices to be accurate in differentiation of adnexal masses, higher values of vascularization index and vascularization-flow index were strongly associated with adnexal malignancy

Reactivity of 2-substituted hydrazinecarbothioamides towards tetracyanoethylene and convenient synthesis of (5-amino-2-diazenylthiazolylmethylene) malononitrile derivatives

2-{Amino-[5-amino-2-(substituted diazenyl) thiazol-4-yl] methylene} malononitriles were synthesized from the reaction of 2-substituted hydrazinecarbothioamides with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to give tetracyanoethane adduct, followed by heterocyclization afforded the target compounds. The structure of (E)-2-{amino-[5-amino-2-(phenyldiazenyl) thiazol-4-yl] methylene} malononitrile was supported by single crystal X-ray crystallography.Peer reviewe

A convenient and efficient synthesis of thiazolidin-4-ones via cyclization of substituted hydrazinecarbothioamides

2-Substituted hydrazinecarbothioamides and N ,2-disubstituted hydrazinecarbothioamides react in high yield with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) to give 4-oxo-Z-(thiazolidin-5-ylidene) acetate derivatives. Several mechanistic options involving interaction are presented. The structures of thiazolidin-4-ones have been unambiguously confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. (C) 2014 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of adnexal masses by Three-Dimensional ultrasound multi-slice view: Do we really need it?

Objective:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefit of use of three-dimensional ultrasound multi-slice view in detailed assessment of adnexal masses morphology. Methods:Two-hundred thirty one patients with adnexal masses elected for surgery at Woman’s Health Center, Assiut, Egypt between October 2012 and October 2013 were recruited for the study. Each patient had 2D ultrasound and detailed morphological evaluation was reported. Then, 3D ultrasound volumes were obtained. The stored 3D volumes were then digitally analyzed using 3D ultrasound multi-slice view. The results of 2D, 3D ultrasound multi-slice were compared to the postoperative histopathological findings.Results:The mean age of included patients was 30.2 ± 12.7 years. Overall, 189 patients (81.8%) confirmed to have benign masses, and 42 patients (18.2%) with malignant masses according to their final histopathological analysis. Subjective assessment by 2D ultrasound correctly classified 95.6% of benign masses and 87% of malignant masses. On detailed assessment of the masses by 3D ultrasound multi-slice view, there was agreement in morphological assessment of all masses except in 3 cases in which 3D ultrasound multi-slice view permitted better description of their morphological criteria and hence changing the presumed diagnosis and management.Conclusions: The ability of detailed analysis of the volumes taken during 3D ultrasound using multi-slice view can aid in better morphological assessment of adnexal masses especially in detection of papillary projections in adnexal cysts. This information is valuable in deciding the optimal management of adnexal masses in some cases

Role of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Follow up Brain Tumors after Treatment

Background: 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an analytical method that enables the identification and quantification of metabolites in samples. It differs from conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in that spectra provide physiological and chemical information instead of anatomy. MRS imaging allows a valuable insights into brain tumors characteristics, grads, and progression then follow up during treatments. Typically in MRS a single spectrum is acquired by averaging enough spectra over a long acquisition time. Averaging is necessary because of the complex spectral structures and relatively low concentrations of many brain metabolites, which result in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in MRS of a living brain. Objective: In this paper, acquiring and analyzing multivoxel MRS data are reviewed by calculating the areas under different peaks then compared with that obtained directly from 1H-MRS machine. 1H-MRS measurements of amounts of Choline (Cho), creatine (Cr) and Nacetylaspartate (NAA) relative to Cho, NAA and Cr in healthy brain tissue of a normal control brain tissue, and in the tissue of tumor of patient who had taken radiation therapy sessions. Results: The obtained results show a good agreement between the data obtained directly from MRS machine and that calculated from their spectra. This method is now used for to insure that these obtained spectra are calibrated with that obtained directly from MRS machine. So these may reflect the small changes in metabolites during treatment and follow up. Conclusion: The MRS data are seen to provide unique information that when combined with high-quality anatomical MR images has implications for defining tumor type and grade, directing biopsy or surgical resection, planning focal radiation or biological therapies, and understanding the mechanisms of success and failure of new treatments

Functionalized 1,3-Thiazolidin-4-Ones from 2-Oxo-Acenaphthoquinylidene- and [2.2]Paracyclophanylidene-Thiosemicarbazones

The reactions of dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates with various 2-oxo-acenaphthoquinylidene- and 4-acetyl[2.2]paracyclophanylidene-thiosemicarbazones were investigated. Using simple experimental procedures, 1,3-Thiazolidin-4-ones derived from acenaphthequinone or [2.2]paracyclophane were obtained as major products in good yields. In the case of allyl derivative of acenaphthoquinylidene-thiosemicarbazones, a complex structure of tetramethyl 5-(2-(((Z,E)-N-allyl-N′-(2-oxoacenaphthylen-1(2H)-ylidene)carbamohydrazonoyl)thio)-1,2,3-tris-(methoxycarbonyl)-cyclopropyl)-4-methoxy-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene-1,2,3,6-tetracarboxylate was formed. Single crystal X-ray analysis was used as an efficient tool to confirm the structure of the synthesized compounds as well as different spectroscopic data (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 2D-NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis). The mechanism of the obtained products was discussed

Reactivity of N-substituted alkenylidene hydrazinecarbothioamides toward tetracyanoethylene, an efficient synthesis stereoselective 1,3-thiazole compounds

The reaction between N-substituted alkenylidene hydrazinecarbothioamides and two molar amounts of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in anhydrous THF at room temperature without using any catalyst affords (Z)-4-amino-3-((Z)substituted amino)-2-(substituted imino)-2,3-dihydrothiazole-5-carbonitriles and (Z)-(4-amino-5-cyano-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)carbonhydrazonoyl dicyanides. Rationales for these transformations are presented. The structures of the obtained products were confirmed via single-crystal X-ray analyses. Graphic Here, we synthesize (Z)-4-amino-3-amino-2-imino-2,3-dihydrothiazole-5-carbonitriles and (Z)-(4-amino-5-cyano-thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)carbonhydrazonoyl dicyanides from the reaction of N-substituted alkenylidene hydrazinecarbothioamides with (TCNE) in anhydrous THF at room temperature without using any catalyst. [GRAPHICS] .Peer reviewe