59 research outputs found
Influence of low birth weight on C-reactive protein in asymptomatic younger adults: the bogalusa heart study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Both low birth weight, an indicator of intrauterine growth restriction, and low grade systemic inflammation depicted by high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have emerged as independent predictors of cardiovascular (CV) disease and type 2 diabetes. However, information linking low birth weight and hs-CRP in a biracial (black/white) population is scant. We assessed a cohort of 776 black and white subjects (28% black, 43% male) aged 24-43 years (mean 36.1 years) enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study with regard to birth weight and gestational age data were retrieved from Louisiana State Public Health Office.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Black subjects had significantly lower birth weight than white subjects (3.145 kg vs 3.441 kg, p < 0.0001) and higher hs-CRP level (3.29 mg/L vs 2.57 mg/L, p = 0.011). After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking status and race (for total sample), the hs-CRP level decreased across quartiles of increasing birth weight in white subjects (p = 0.001) and the combined sample (p = 0.002). Adjusting for sex, age, BMI, smoking status and race for the total sample in a multivariate regression model, low birth weight was retained as an independent predictor variable for higher hs-CRP levels in white subjects (p = 0.004) and the total sample (p = 0.007). Conversely, the area under the receiver operative curve (c statistic) analysis adjusted for race, sex, age, smoking status and BMI yielded a value of 0.777 with regard to the discriminating value of hs-CRP for predicting low birth weight.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The deleterious effect of low birth weight on systemic inflammation depicted by the hs-CRP levels in asymptomatic younger adults may potentially link fetal growth retardation, CV disease and diabetes, with important health implications.</p
Nodavirus colonizes and replicates in the testis of gilthead seabream and European sea bass modulating its immune and reproductive functions
Viruses are threatening pathogens for fish aquaculture. Some of them are transmitted
through gonad fluids or gametes as occurs with nervous necrosis virus (NNV). In order to
be transmitted through the gonad, the virus should colonize and replicate inside some cell
types of this tissue and avoid the subsequent immune response locally. However, whether
NNV colonizes the gonad, the cell types that are infected, and how the immune response in
the gonad is regulated has never been studied. We have demonstrated for the first time the
presence and localization of NNV into the testis after an experimental infection in the European
sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), a very
susceptible and an asymptomatic host fish species, respectively. Thus, we localized in the
testis viral RNA in both species using in situ PCR and viral proteins in gilthead seabream by
immunohistochemistry, suggesting that males might also transmit the virus. In addition, we
were able to isolate infective particles from the testis of both species demonstrating that
NNV colonizes and replicates into the testis of both species. Blood contamination of the tissues
sampled was discarded by completely fish bleeding, furthermore the in situ PCR and
immunocytochemistry techniques never showed staining in blood vessels or cells. Moreover,
we also determined how the immune and reproductive functions are affected comparing
the effects in the testis with those found in the brain, the main target tissue of the virus.
Interestingly, NNV triggered the immune response in the European sea bass but not in the
gilthead seabream testis. Regarding reproductive functions, NNV infection alters 17ÎČ-estradiol
and 11-ketotestosterone production and the potential sensitivity of brain and testis to
these hormones, whereas there is no disruption of testicular functions according to several
reproductive parameters. Moreover, we have also studied the NNV infection of the testis in
vitro to assess local responses. Our in vitro results show that the changes observed on the expression of immune and reproductive genes in the testis of both species are different to
those observed upon in vivo infections in most of the casesMINECO and FEDER (AGL2010-20801-C02-01; AGL2010-20801-C02-02; AGL2013-43588-P); FundaciĂłn SĂ©neca (04538/GERM/06)VersiĂłn del editor4,411
Physical activity as a possible mechanism behind the relationship between green space and health: A multilevel analysis
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether physical activity (in general, and
more specifically, walking and cycling during leisure time and for commuting purposes, sports and
gardening) is an underlying mechanism in the relationship between the amount of green space in
people's direct living environment and self-perceived health. To study this, we first investigated
whether the amount of green space in the living environment is related to the level of physical
activity. When an association between green space and physical activity was found, we analysed
whether this could explain the relationship between green space and health.
Methods: The study includes 4.899 Dutch people who were interviewed about physical activity,
self-perceived health and demographic and socioeconomic background. The amount of green space
within a one-kilometre and a three-kilometre radius around the postal code coordinates was
calculated for each individual. Multivariate multilevel analyses and multilevel logistic regression
analyses were performed at two levels and with controls for socio-demographic characteristics and
urbanicity.
Results: No relationship was found between the amount of green space in the living environment
and whether or not people meet the Dutch public health recommendations for physical activity,
sports and walking for commuting purposes. People with more green space in their living
environment walked and cycled less often and fewer minutes during leisure time; people with more
green space garden more often and spend more time on gardening. Furthermore, if people cycle
for commuting purposes they spend more time on this if they live in a greener living environment.
Whether or not people garden, the time spent on gardening and time spent on cycling for
commuting purposes did not explain the relationship between green space and health.
Conclusion: Our study indicates that the amount of green space in the living environment is
scarcely related to the level of physical activity. Furthermore, the amount of physical activity
undertaken in greener living environments does not explain the relationship between green space
and health.
Optimization of insect cell based protein production processes - online monitoring, expression systems, scale-up
Due to the increasing use of insect cell based expression systems in research and industrial recombinant protein production, the development of efficient and reproducible production processes remains a challenging task. In this context, the application of online monitoring techniques is intended to ensure high and reproducible product qualities already during the early phases of process development. In the following chapter, the most common transient and stable insect cell based expression systems are briefly introduced. Novel applications of insect cell based expression systems for the production of insect derived antimicrobial peptides/proteins (AMPs) are discussed using the example of G. mellonella derived gloverin. Suitable in situ sensor techniques for insect cell culture monitoring in disposable and common bioreactor systems are outlined with respect to optical and capacitive sensor concepts. Since scale-up of production processes is one of the most critical steps in process development, a conclusive overview is given about scale up aspects for industrial insect cell culture processes
International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis
Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICARâRS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICARâRSâ2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidenceâbased findings of the document. Methods: ICARâRS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidenceâbased reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidenceâbased reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICARâRSâ2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidenceâbased management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICARâRSâ2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidenceâbased recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS
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