The validity of capillary blood sampling in the determination of human growth hormone concentration during exercise in men

This is an open access article - Copyright © 2004 BMJ Publishing Group LtdBACKGROUND: Studies measuring human growth hormone (hGH) in blood during exercise have mainly used venous sampling. The invasive nature of this procedure makes evaluation of hGH impossible in various exercise environments. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether capillary sampling could offer an alternative sampling method. METHODS: Capillary and venous blood samples were collected for determination of hGH at the end of each exercise stage during an incremental exercise test in 16 male club level competitive cyclists (mean (SD) age 30.8 (8.0) years, body mass 72.2 (7.1) kg, body fat 12.9 (3.5)%, peak oxygen consumption 4.18 (0.46) l⋅min−1). Linear regression, from a plot of venous v capillary blood hGH concentration, showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.986 (p<0.001). When geometric means and log transformations were used, a coefficient of variation of 14.2% was demonstrated between venous and capillary flow for hGH concentration. The mean ratio limits of agreement were 0.62 (1.72)—that is, 95% of the ratios were contained between 0.36 and 1.07, with a mean of 0.62. CONCLUSIONS: Capillary blood sampling is an acceptable alternative to venous sampling for determining hGH concentration during rest and exercise. Sample sites should not be used interchangeably: one site should be chosen and its use standardised

The first experimental flight package of an advanced telemetry system with adaptive capability Technical summary report, 1 Jul. 1963 - 15 Feb. 1965

Mechanical design, and environmental and functional testing of advanced telemetry system flight package with adaptive capabilit

Anatomical and genetic study of an ancient animal tooth showing brachyodont and hypsodont mixed taxonomical characteristics

A non-human dental piece was found in a Roman Empire tomb dated the 3rd century A.C. in Zaragoza (Spain). The morphology of this piece showed mixed brachyodont (carnivores) and hypsodont (herbivores) characteristics. As a result, the taxonomical assignation of the piece was impossible. Therefore, a protocolbased on the DNA sequence of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial region (COI) was applied. For this purpose, a pair of primers able to amplify thisregion in a large variety of animals was designed. The results point to a species of the Genus Bos (Family Bovidae). This assignation was later confirmed by these quencing of a short fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop region. A complete morphological description of the tooth is presented together with the DNA sequence study and comparison protocol

Multiple range imaging camera operation with minimal performance impact

Time-of-flight range imaging cameras operate by illuminating a scene with amplitude modulated light and measuring the phase shift of the modulation envelope between the emitted and reflected light. Object distance can then be calculated from this phase measurement. This approach does not work in multiple camera environments as the measured phase is corrupted by the illumination from other cameras. To minimize inaccuracies in multiple camera environments, replacing the traditional cyclic modulation with pseudo-noise amplitude modulation has been previously demonstrated. However, this technique effectively reduced the modulation frequency, therefore decreasing the distance measurement precision (which has a proportional relationship with the modulation frequency). A new modulation scheme using maximum length pseudo-random sequences binary phase encoded onto the existing cyclic amplitude modulation, is presented. The effective modulation frequency therefore remains unchanged, providing range measurements with high precision. The effectiveness of the new modulation scheme was verified using a custom time-of-flight camera based on the PMD19-K2 range imaging sensor. The new pseudo-noise modulation has no significant performance decrease in a single camera environment. In a two camera environment, the precision is only reduced by the increased photon shot noise from the second illumination source

Association between superior semicircular canal dehiscence and other dehiscences in temporal bone

Background: The study of the association between superior semicircular canal and other dehiscences in the temporal bone.Materials and methods: We have studied computed tomography of radiologically diagnosed people with superior or posterior semicircular canal dehiscences, in four health centres. In addition, we have studied one isolated human temporal bone, one skull and one cadaver head belonging to the collection of the Department of Human Anatomy and Histology of the University of Zaragoza that had dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal.Results: The most frequent association that we observed was between superior semicircular canal dehiscence and tegmen tympani dehiscence (37.33%). Three cases (two clinical cases and one isolated temporal bone) showed multiple associated dehiscences (tegmen tympani, mastoid antrum, posterior semicircular canal, internal auditory canal, glenoid cavity, tympanum bone and geniculate ganglion) associated with superior semicircular canal dehiscence.Conclusions: When the superior semicircular canal dehiscence is associated to other in the petrous bone (tegmen tympani, mastoid antrum, posterior semicircular canal, internal auditory canal) could be grouped into the same syndrome called “otic capsule syndrome”, since they have the same origin and common aetiology(otic capsule)

Association between superior semicircular canal dehiscence and other dehiscences in temporal bone

Background: The study of the association between superior semicircular canal and other dehiscences in the temporal bone. Materials and methods: We have studied computed tomography of radiologically diagnosed people with superior or posterior semicircular canal dehiscences, in four health centres. In addition, we have studied one isolated human temporal bone, one skull and one cadaver head belonging to the collection of the Department of Human Anatomy and Histology of the University of Zaragoza that had dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal. Results: The most frequent association that we observed was between superior semicircular canal dehiscence and tegmen tympani dehiscence (37.33%). Three cases (two clinical cases and one isolated temporal bone) showed multiple associated dehiscences (tegmen tympani, mastoid antrum, posterior semicircular canal, internal auditory canal, glenoid cavity, tympanum bone and geniculate ganglion) associated with superior semicircular canal dehiscence Conclusions: When the superior semicircular canal dehiscence is associated to other in the petrous bone (tegmen tympani, mastoid antrum, posterior semicircular canal, internal auditory canal) could be grouped into the same syndrome called "otic capsule syndrome", since they have the same origin and common aetiology (otic capsule)

An analysis of bi-directional use of frequencies for satellite communications

The bi-directional use of frequencies allocated for space communications has the potential to double the orbit/spectrum capacity available. The technical feasibility of reverse band use (RBU) at C-band (4 GHz uplinks and 6 GHz downlinks) is studied. The analysis identifies the constraints under which both forward and reverse band use satellite systems can share the same frequencies with terrestrial, line of sight transmission systems. The results of the analysis show that RBU satellite systems can be similarly sized to forward band use (FBU) satellite systems. In addition, the orbital separation requirements between RBU and FBU satellite systems are examined. The analysis shows that a carrier to interference ratio of 45 dB can be maintianed between RBU and FBU satellites separated by less than 0.5 deg., and that a carrier to interference ratio of 42 dB can be maintained in the antipodal case. Rain scatter propagation analysis shows that RBU and FBU Earth stations require separation distances fo less than 10 km at a rain rate of 13.5 mm/hr escalating to less than 100 km at a rain rate of 178 mm/hr for Earth station antennas in the 3 to 10 m range

Prevalence of common oral conditions in dogs and cats attending a veterinary teaching hospital in Spain

Our aim is to provide a look into the typical clinical caseload from odontology primary care, based on dogs and cats treated at a veterinary teaching hospital. From 2013 to 2019, 468 dogs and 139 cats were treated. Data come from primary care practice; no referral cases were considered. The most frequently detected conditions in dogs were periodontal disease (59.6%), oral tumors (11.3%), dental fractures (7.7%), class 1 malocclusion (7.1%), dental fistulas (5.8%), class 3 malocclusion (3.4%), gingivitis (1.7%), periodontal disease with tooth resorption (0.4%), class 2 malocclusion (0.2%) and others (2.8%). Different distributions of main conditions were found when considering age and weight/breed (p  0.05). No significant temporal trends were detected. These prevalence estimations can be useful in the diagnosis and establishment of preventive measures. Attention could be focused on different oral conditions depending on breed (dogs) and on age (both dogs and cats)

The dynamics of systems integration: Balancing stability and change on London's Crossrail project

Systems integration is essential for the design and execution of large, complex projects, but relatively little is known about how this task develops over time during the life cycle of a project. This paper builds on the concept of “disciplined flexibility” to describe how systems integration can be conceived as a dynamic process of maintaining stability, while responding flexibly to changing conditions. We examine the dynamics of systems integration through a case-study of Crossrail, the construction of London's new urban railway system, which will be called the Elizabeth Line when it opens for service. The balancing act of stability and change manifests during critical periods of the project life cycle as various interdependent systems evolve with different degrees of maturity. We identify how various types of reciprocal interdependencies in complex projects such as Crossrail – at the system and system of systems levels – require ongoing monitoring and control, and the mutual adjustment of tasks

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with neurologic sequelae refractory to conservative therapy with complete response to adjuvant therapy

© 2020 The Authors Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis has been described in increasing frequency in association with benign, mature ovarian teratoma. Affected patients typically present with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis with flu-like symptoms followed by altered mental status, acute psychiatric symptoms, seizures and amnesia. These symptoms can rapidly progressive if not treated aggressively with surgical resection. Profound neurological symptoms may require immunotherapy. Case: We present a case of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis associated with a malignant immature teratoma in which symptoms were refractory to surgical management and initial immunotherapy. A complete neurologic response was only seen after initiating adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis has rarely been described with immature ovarian teratomas. In these cases, a complete response may not be observed until systemic chemotherapy is started