Filter Paper Blood Spot Enzyme Linked Immunoassay for Adiponectin and Application in the Evaluation of Determinants of Child Insulin Sensitivity

Background: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that acts as a marker of insulin sensitivity. Bloodspot sampling by fingerstick onto filter paper may increase the feasibility of large-scale studies of the determinants of insulin sensitivity. We first describe the validation of an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for quantifying adiponectin from dried blood spots and then demonstrate its application in a large trial (PROBIT). Methods: We quantified adiponectin from 3-mm diameter discs (≈3 µL of blood) punched from dried blood spots obtained from: i) whole blood standards (validation); and ii) PROBIT trial samples (application) in which paediatricians collected blood spots from 13,879 children aged 11.5 years from 31 sites across Belarus. We examined the distribution of bloodspot adiponectin by demographic and anthropometric factors, fasting insulin and glucose. Results: In the validation study, mean intra-assay coefficients of variation (n = 162) were 15%, 13% and 10% for ‘low’ (6.78 µg/ml), ‘medium’ (18.18 µg/ml) and 'high’ (33.13 µg/ml) internal quality control (IQC) samples, respectively; the respective inter-assay values (n = 40) were 23%, 21% and 14%. The correlation coefficient between 50 paired whole bloodspot versus plasma samples, collected simultaneously, was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78 to 0.93). Recovery of known quantities of adiponectin (between 4.5 to 36 µg/ml) was 100.3–133%. Bloodspot adiponectin was stable for at least 30 months at −80°C. In PROBIT, we successfully quantified fasting adiponectin from dried blood spots in 13,329 of 13,879 (96%) children. Mean adiponectin (standard deviation) concentrations were 17.34 µg/ml (7.54) in boys and 18.41 µg/ml (7.92) in girls and were inversely associated with body mass index, fat mass, triceps and subscapular skin-fold thickness, waist circumference, height and fasting glucose. Conclusions: Bloodspot ELISA is suitable for measuring adiponectin in very small volumes of blood collected on filter paper and can be applied to large-scale studies

Socioeconomic differences in childhood length/height trajectories in a middle-income country: a cohort study:a cohort study

Published: 8 September 2014Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with shorter adult stature. Few studies have examined socioeconomic differences in stature from birth to childhood and the mechanisms involved, particularly in middle-income former Soviet settings.The sample included 12,463 Belarusian children (73% of the original cohort) born in 1996-1997, with up to 14 stature measurements from birth to 7 years. Linear spline multi-level models with 3 knots at 3, 12 and 34 months were used to analyse birth length and growth velocity during four age-periods by parental educational achievement (up to secondary school, advanced secondary/partial university, completed university) and occupation (manual, non-manual).Girls born to the most (versus least) educated mothers were 0.43 cm (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28, 0.58) longer at birth; for boys, the corresponding difference was 0.30 cm (95% CI: 0.15, 0.46). Similarly, children of the most educated mothers grew faster from birth-3 months and 12-34 months (p-values for trend ≤ 0.08), such that, by age 7 years, girls with the most (versus least) educated mothers were 1.92 cm (95% CI: 1.47, 2.36) taller; after controlling for urban/rural and East/West area of residence, this difference remained at 1.86 cm (95% CI: 1.42, 2.31), but after additionally controlling for mid-parental height, attenuated to 1.10 cm (95% CI: 0.69, 1.52). Among boys, these differences were 1.95 cm (95% CI: 1.53, 2.37), 1.89 cm (95% CI: 1.47, 2.31) and 1.16 cm (95% CI: 0.77, 1.55), respectively. Additionally controlling for breastfeeding, maternal smoking and older siblings did not substantively alter these findings. There was no evidence that the association of maternal educational attainment with growth differed in girls compared to boys (p for interaction = 0.45). Results were similar for those born to the most (versus least) educated fathers, or who had a parent with a non-manual (versus manual) occupation.In Belarus, a middle-income former Soviet country, socioeconomic differences in offspring growth commence in the pre-natal period and generate up to approximately 2 cm difference in height at age 7 years. These associations are partly explained by genetic or other factors influencing parental stature.Current Controlled Trials: NCT01352247 assigned 9 Sept 2005; ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01561612 received 20 Mar 2012.Rita Patel, Kate Tilling, Debbie A Lawlor, Laura D Howe, Natalia Bogdanovich, Lidia Matush, Emily Nicoli, Michael S Kramer and Richard M Marti

Familial Associations of Adiposity: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study of 12,181 Parental-Offspring Trios from Belarus

It is suggested that maternal adiposity has a stronger association with offspring adiposity than does paternal adiposity. Furthermore, a recent small study reported gender assortment in parental-offspring adiposity associations. We aimed to examine these associations in one of the largest studies to date using data from a low-middle income country that has recently undergone a major political and economic transition.In a cross-sectional study of 12,181 parental-offspring trios from Belarus (mean age (SD) of mothers 31.7 (4.9), fathers 34.1 (5.1) and children 6.6 (0.3) at time of assessment), we found positive graded associations of mother's and father's BMI with offspring adiposity. There was no evidence that these associations differed between mothers and fathers. For example, the odds ratio of offspring overweight or obesity (based on BMI) comparing obese and overweight mothers to normal weight mothers was 2.03 (95%CI 1.77, 2.31) in fully adjusted models; the equivalent result for father's overweight/obesity was 1.81 (1.58, 2.07). Equivalent results for offspring being in the top 10% waist circumference were 1.91 (1.67, 2.18) comparing obese/overweight to normal weight mothers and 1.72 (1.53, 1.95) comparing obese/overweight to normal weight fathers. Similarly, results for offspring being in the top 10% of percent fat mass were 1.58 (1.36, 1.84) and 1.76 (1.49, 2.07), for mother's and father's obese/overweight exposures respectively. There was no strong or consistent evidence of gender assortment--i.e. associations of maternal adiposity exposures with offspring outcomes were similar in magnitude for their daughters compared to equivalent associations in their sons and paternal associations were also similar in sons and daughters.These findings suggest that genetic and/or shared familial environment explain family clustering of adiposity. Interventions aimed at changing overall family lifestyle are likely to be important for population level obesity prevention

Сорбционно-структурные свойства аэрогельных материалов на основе биополимеров

В настоящее время для выведения избыточного количества тяжелых металлов и токсинов из живых организмов успешно применяются аэрогельные материалы в качестве энтеро- и апликационных сорбентов. Неисчерпаемой сырьевой базой для создания аэрогельных материалов являются природные биополимеры альгинат и хитозан, а также различные производные лигнина. На их основе разработано значительное количество сорбционных материалов и раневых покрытий различных типов, что связано не только с широким спектром физико-химических свойств названных полимеров и их уже доказанной медико-биологической активностью, но и с распространенностью и возобновляемостью сырьевых источников для производства данных полимеров, простотой извлечения, возможностью достижения высокой степени очистки и сравнительно невысокой ценой. Ключевой стадией синтеза аэрогельных материалов является формирование прочного гидрогеля – каркаса. Один из технологических приемов – получение интерполиэлектролитного армирующего гидрогеля. В работе предложены 2 упаковочные модели формирования структуры интерполиэлектролитных комплексов на основе пар биополимеров: «альгинат натрия – хитозан» и «лигносульфонат натрия – хитозан». Первая модель – блочная, при которой структура формируется за счет ионных связей между карбоксильными группами альгината натрия и аминогруппами хитозана, а также кооперативной системы водородных связей и дисперсионных взаимодействий. Вторая модель – агрегационно-трубчатая, структура которой образуется посредством ионных связей между сульфогруппами (в составе палочкообразных надмолекулярных структур лигносульфоната натрия) и аминогруппами хитозана, а также водородных связей и дисперсионных взаимодействий. При высушивании интерполиэлектролитных комплексов в сверхкритических условиях формируются прочные фазовые контакты, при этом изменения в структуре геля становятся необратимыми. В результате получены гидрофобные микро- и мезопористые 2-компонентные аэрогельные материалы, различающиеся внутренней структурой. Аэрогельные материалы, структура которых образована по 1-й из названных моделей, характеризуются фибриллярной структурой, а по 2-й ‒ структурными элементами сферической формы. Полученные аэрогельные материалы обладают высокой сорбционной активностью по отношению к воде и широкому кругу тяжелых металлов и низкомолекулярных токсинов. Цель работы – исследование структурно-сорбционных свойств аэрогельных материалов, основа которых – биополимеры различной структурной организации. Значительное увеличение сорбционной активности аэрогельных материалов «альгинат натрия – хитозан» в сравнении с «лигносульфонат натрия – хитозан» связано, по-видимому, с их различной надмолекулярной структурой. Действует совокупность механизмов сорбции: намокание, всасывание, диффузия, осмотические явления и химическое взаимодействие, обусловленное высокопористой структурой аэрогельных материалов и наличием сорбционно-активных центров. Для цитирования: Бровко О.С., Паламарчук И.А., Горшкова Н.А., Богданович Н.И., Ивахнов А.Д. Сорбционно-структурные свойства аэрогельных материалов на основе биополимеров // Изв. вузов. Лесн. журн. 2023. № 6. С. 190–203. https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-6-190-20

Ongoing monitoring of data clustering in multicenter studies

Background: Multicenter study designs have several advantages, but the possibility of non-random measurement error resulting from procedural differences between the centers is a special concern. While it is possible to address and correct for some measurement error through statistical analysis, proactive data monitoring is essential to ensure high-quality data collection. Methods: In this article, we describe quality assurance efforts aimed at reducing the effect of measurement error in a recent follow-up of a large cluster-randomized controlled trial through periodic evaluation of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for continuous measurements. An ICC of 0 indicates the variance in the data is not due to variation between the centers, and thus the data are not clustered by center. Results: Through our review of early data downloads, we identified several outcomes (including sitting height, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure) with higher than expected ICC values. Further investigation revealed variations in the procedures used by pediatricians to measure these outcomes. We addressed these procedural inconsistencies through written clarification of the protocol and refresher training workshops with the pediatricians. Further data monitoring at subsequent downloads showed that these efforts had a beneficial effect on data quality (sitting height ICC decreased from 0.92 to 0.03, waist circumference from 0.10 to 0.07, and systolic blood pressure from 0.16 to 0.12). Conclusions: We describe a simple but formal mechanism for identifying ongoing problems during data collection. The calculation of the ICC can easily be programmed and the mechanism has wide applicability, not just to cluster randomized controlled trials but to any study with multiple centers or with multiple observers

Linear spline multilevel models for summarising childhood growth trajectories: A guide to their application using examples from five birth cohorts

Childhood growth is of interest in medical research concerned with determinants and consequences of variation from healthy growth and development. Linear spline multilevel modelling is a useful approach for deriving individual summary measures of growth, which overcomes several data issues (co-linearity of repeat measures, the requirement for all individuals to be measured at the same ages and bias due to missing data). Here, we outline the application of this methodology to model individual trajectories of length/height and weight, drawing on examples from five cohorts from different generations and different geographical regions with varying levels of economic development. We describe the unique features of the data within each cohort that have implications for the application of linear spline multilevel models, for example, differences in the density and inter-individual variation in measurement occasions, and multiple sources of measurement with varying measurement error. After providing example Stata syntax and a suggested workflow for the implementation of linear spline multilevel models, we conclude with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the linear spline approach compared with other growth modelling methods such as fractional polynomials, more complex spline functions and other non-linear models

Lithological and Geochemical Heterogeneity of the Organo-Mineral Matrix in Carbonate-Rich Shales

The paper discusses the issues of interaction of the organic matter and the siliceous-carbonate mineral matrix in unconventional reservoirs of the Upper Devonian Domanik Formation of the Upper Kama Depression of the Volga-Ural Basin. The Domanik Formation is composed of organic-rich low-permeability rocks. Lithological and geochemical peculiarities of rocks were studied using light microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), and evaporation method. Organic matter was examined by the Rock-Eval pyrolysis with quantitative and qualitative evaluation of generation potential and maturity degree. Integrated analysis of results of lithological and geochemical studies allowed identifying intervals in the studied section where organic matter can form a complex association with the siliceous-carbonate matrix. It was fixed experimentally that in some cases the mineral carbonate matrix and the organic matter form a one-whole high-molecular compound. The authors supposed that in the course of sedimentation, organic matter is immobilized into the structure of the mineral carbonate matrix. At the deposition and diagenesis stage, the carbonate matter interacts with acids of the organic matter and forms natural organo-mineral polymers. Special physicochemical properties of such organo-mineral associations shed new light onto the problems of producing from hard-to-develop nonconventional carbonate reservoirs and evaluating the associated risks

Environmental costs as an indicator of sustainable development

One of the priorities of the modern economy is the optimal use of natural resources in economic activity. This is because the organization and management of production impacts the environment, which in turn affects both the well-being of society and the indicators of economic development. Which is why methodology and practice of public non-financial reporting reflecting indicators related to the conservation and assessment of natural resources, pollution control, waste management and recycling, and creating emission standards are actively developing. Environmental costs are becoming an important tool for making informed management decisions aimed at harmonizing the economy and the environment. At present, despite a large number of methodical developments, there is no solid theoretical basis for the formation of environmental indicators that adequately characterize the interaction of the economy and the environment and economic decision-making at all levels. The article clarifies the content, classification, performance evaluation system, environmental cost assessment methods for their application in management activities for deeper analysis, modelling and predicting economic phenomena and processes within the framework of the concept of sustainable development. The authors show approaches to the valuation of anthropogenic damage to nature, determined by the disproportionateness of natural and value indicators; the lack of prices of non-market goods, great uncertainty about the true value; the duration of the effects of man-made impacts and the long-term investment in environmental protection. Modern approaches to modelling and interpretation of results are generalized, as well as the possibilities of developing new (or improving existing) models for optimizing environmental costs. The direction of analysis of environmental indicators in the existing management system has been defined, in particular, through the study of non-financial reporting, which acts as a basis for calculating resource utilization, environmental quality and sustainability