GH Values after Clonidine Stimulation Measured by Immunofluorometric Assay in Normal Prepubertal Children and GH-Deficient Patients

Abstract Objective: To establish the cut-off values of GH measured by immunofluorometric assay, a more sensitive and specific assay, in normal prepubertal children and compare their values with those of proven GH-deficient patients. Methods: 30 normal children (20 males) and 26 patients with known causes of GH deficiency were submitted to the clonidine test and their GH values were compared. A powdered clonidine tablet (0.1 mg/m 2 ) was given orally and blood samples for GH measurements were drawn at times -30, 0, 60, 90 and 120 min. Results: GH peak values presented a wide variation ranging from 1.7 to 25 Ìg/l (mean B SD = 12.87 B 5.8 Ìg/l) in the normal group. The cut-off values for the 5th and 10th percentiles of the distribution curve were 3.3 and 5.5 Ìg/l, respectively. In the GH deficiency group, maximum GH levels after clonidine stimulation ranged from ! 0.1 to 2.1 Ìg/l (0.56 B 0.58 Ìg/l). Conclusions: The cut-off values obtained with the immunofluorometric method are lower than the ones obtained by radioimmunoassay. We suggest a cut-off value of 3.3 Ìg/l (5th percentile) that ensures 100% of sensitivity along with 93% of specificity to exclude the diagnosis of GH deficiency when using this immunofluorometric method

Natural infection by Culex flavivirus in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes captured in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso Mid-Western Brazil

DECIT/SCTIE/MS, CNPq, FAPEMAT and SES-MT, process 214502/2013. CNPq grant 200024/2015-9.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde. Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.New species of insect‐specific viruses (ISV) have been reported worldwide. In the present study, the complete genome of Culex flavivirus (CxFV) and partial sequences of other ISVs in Culex quinquefasciatus Say 1823 females (n = 3425) sampled in 200 urban areas census tracts of Cuiaba, state of Mato Grosso, were identified via reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction for a NS5 region of flaviviruses, nucleotide and high‐throughput sequencing, and viral isolation in C6/36 cells. CxFV was detected in 16 of 403 mosquito pools; sequences found in the study presented a high similarity with isolates from São Paulo, Brazil and other countries in Latin American that belong to genotype II, supporting the geographical influence on CxFV evolution. The monthly maximum likelihood estimation for CxFV ranged from 1.81 to 9.94 per 1000 mosquitoes. In addition to the CxFV complete genome, one pool contained an ORF1 sequence (756 bp) that belongs to a novel Negevirus from the Sandewavirus supergroup most similar to the Santana virus (77.1%) and another pool presented an RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase sequence (1081 bp) of a novel Rhabdovirus most similar to Wuhan mosquito virus 9 (44%). After three passages in C6/36 cells, only CxFV was isolated from these co‐infected pools. The importance of ISVs relies on their possible ability to interfere with arbovirus replication in competent vectors

Dual antiplatelet therapy duration after coronary stenting in clinical practice: results of an EAPCI survey

Aims: Our aim was to report on a survey initiated by the EuropeanAssociation of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) concerning opinion on the evidence relating to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration after coronary stenting.Methods and results: Results from three randomised clinical trials were scheduled to be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2014 (ARIA 2014). A web-based survey was distributed to all individuals registered in the EuroIntervention mailing list (n=15,200) both before and after ARIA 2014. A total of 1,134 physicians responded to the first (i.e., before AHA 2014) and 542 to the second (i.e., after ARIA 2014) survey. The majority of respondents interpreted trial results consistent with a substantial equipoise regarding the benefits and risks of an extended versus a standard DAPT strategy. Two respondents out of ten believed extended DAFT should be implemented in selected patients. After ARIA 2014, 46.1% of participants expressed uncertainty about the available evidence on DAFT duration, and 40.0% the need for clinical guidance.Conclusions: This EAPCI survey highlights considerable uncertainty within the medical community with regard to the optimal duration of DAFT after coronary stenting in the light of recent reported trial results. Updated recommendations for practising physicians to guide treatment decisions in routine clinical practice should be provided by international societies