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1.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 46(12): 2629-2637, 2023 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37256493

RESUMO

PURPOSE: PCOS is associated with low grade inflammation which could play a role in insulin resistance and ovarian dysfunction. Preliminary findings suggested that serum levels of HMGB1, a cytokine involved in inflammation, might be altered in women with PCOS. Primary aim of this study was to assess whether HMGB1 serum concentrations are associated with PCOS and with the state of insulin resistance of these women. METHODS: Sixty women with PCOS, selected to have a similar proportion of subjects with altered or normal insulin sensitivity, and 29 healthy controls were studied. Serum HMGB1 levels were compared in subgroups of PCOS women and controls. In PCOS women, insulin sensitivity was assessed by the glucose clamp technique and HMGB1 was measured at baseline and after acute hyperinsulinemia. RESULTS: HMGB1 levels were similar in women with PCOS and controls and no elements used for diagnosing PCOS were associated with serum HMGB1. However, HMGB1 concentrations were higher in insulin-resistant vs insulin-sensitive PCOS women (p = 0.017), and inversely associated with insulin-induced total and non-oxidative glucose metabolism. In both subgroups of PCOS women, serum HMBG1 levels significantly increased after acute hyperinsulinemia. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that HMGB1 levels are not associated with PCOS per se, but with insulin resistance. Further research should establish the underlying nature of this relationship, and whether this protein might play a role in the metabolic complications of PCOS.


Assuntos
Proteína HMGB1 , Hiperinsulinismo , Resistência à Insulina , Síndrome do Ovário Policístico , Feminino , Humanos , Técnica Clamp de Glucose , Insulina , Inflamação/complicações
2.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 45(6): 1255-1263, 2022 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35237949

RESUMO

PURPOSE: Girls affected with Turner syndrome (TS) present with low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia/osteoporosis. Thus, they have an increased risk to develop fractures compared to normal population. The aim of this study was to deepen the pathophysiology of skeletal fragility in TS subjects by evaluating the serum levels of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) and sclerostin, main regulators of bone mass, as well as the percentage of circulating osteoblast precursors (OCPs). METHODS: Thirty-four TS girls and 24 controls were recruited. All subjects underwent anthropometric measures (height, weight, body mass index-BMI). A peripheral venous blood sample was collected to determine serum levels of active intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-OH vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), osteocalcin, sclerostin, DKK-1, RANKL and OPG. OCPs were detected by flow cytometry. In TS subjects bone mineralization was measured at lumbar spine by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: bALP, 25-OH Vitamin D, and osteocalcin levels were significant lower in TS subjects than in the controls. Statistically significant higher levels of sclerostin, DKK-1 and RANKL were measured in patients compared with the controls. The percentage of OCPs did not show significant differences between patients and controls. Sclerostin and DKK-1 levels were related with anthropometric parameters, bone metabolism markers, HRT, rhGH therapy, RANKL and lumbar BMAD-Z-score. CONCLUSION: TS patients showed higher levels of sclerostin and DKK-1 than controls which can be related to HRT, and to reduced bone formation markers as well as the increased bone resorption activity.


Assuntos
Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intercelular , Osteoporose , Síndrome de Turner , Via de Sinalização Wnt , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/sangue , Fosfatase Alcalina/sangue , Fosfatase Alcalina/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Densidade Óssea , Feminino , Marcadores Genéticos , Humanos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intercelular/sangue , Masculino , Osteocalcina/metabolismo , Osteoporose/sangue , Osteoporose/metabolismo , Osteoporose/patologia , Síndrome de Turner/sangue , Síndrome de Turner/metabolismo , Síndrome de Turner/patologia , Vitamina D/sangue
3.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 27(1): 259-66, 2013.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23489706

RESUMO

Obesity is a state of chronic inflammation. Data on IGF system are often discrepant, and their relationships with mediators of inflammation are unknown. Furthermore, changes in thyroid function have been reported. We aimed at investigating the changes in these systems, and verify any relationships among cytokines, IGF system, thyroid function and insulin-insensitivity. Fifty obese pre-pubertal children, and 55 normal-weight subjects comparable for age and sex were enrolled. Serum IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were assayed. In obese children insulin, TSH and FT4 were measured also, and the HOMA-IR index was calculated. Increased IGF-II, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and decreased IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 concentrations were found in obese compared to normal-weight children. The IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio was also reduced in the obese subjects. In the obese children with high HOMA-IR index, IGFBP-1 and -2 serum concentrations were significantly decreased compared with those with normal insulin sensitivity, and in the obese subjects with increased TSH, IGFBP-2 concentrations were lower, and IGFBP-3 levels were higher compared to their counterparts with normal TSH levels. Among the significant correlations, BMISDS was correlated with IGF-II, and TSH. IGF-II concentrations showed a positive relationship with IL-6. TSH was correlated with IGFBP-2 also. The data showed interactions among IL-6, IGF system, insulin sensitivity, and thyroid function with changes being related to the degree of obesity. Chronic inflammation in obese children was confirmed. Some of the changes in the IGF system could be a consequence of insulin resistance and could account also for later complications in obese subjects.


Assuntos
Citocinas/sangue , Mediadores da Inflamação/sangue , Obesidade/sangue , Obesidade/fisiopatologia , Puberdade/sangue , Somatomedinas/metabolismo , Glândula Tireoide/fisiopatologia , Índice de Massa Corporal , Peso Corporal , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Resistência à Insulina , Proteína 1 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/sangue , Proteína 2 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/sangue , Proteína 3 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/sangue , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like I/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like II/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/sangue , Masculino
4.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 36(10): 869-75, 2013 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23698590

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The adiponectin gene has been identified as a susceptibility locus for metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. AIM: To examine the influence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of this gene (+276G>T and +45T>G) on circulating adiponectin concentrations, and to evaluate their relationship with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors in prepubertal children with and without abdominal obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 168 children (78M, 6-10 yr) were examined, divided into three groups based on waist circumference (WC). Auxological and biochemical parameters were measured by standard procedures. Adiponectin SNPs were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. RESULTS: Adiponectin concentration correlated inversely with measures of adiposity (rBMIz-score=-0.211, pBMIz-score=0.007; rwc=-0.210, pwc=0.008; rwc/height=-0.215, pwc/height=0.006), and was significantly influenced by blood glucose, insulin and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The +276T-allele carriers had higher SBP and diastolic BP compared to GG-homozygotes (p<0.05), and expressed higher obesity-related measures and lower adiponectin concentrations. As to the +45T>G SNP, the GGsubject had higher total cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations compared to the T-allele carriers (p<0.05), showing worse obesity measures, higher triglyceride, glucose and insulin and lower serum adiponectin values. CONCLUSION: Genetic variants of the adiponectin gene had an impact on adiposity, adiponectin concentrations and some cardiometabolic variables among prepubertal children.


Assuntos
Adiponectina/sangue , Adiponectina/genética , Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Síndrome Metabólica/etiologia , Obesidade Abdominal/complicações , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único/genética , Puberdade/genética , Biomarcadores/análise , Doenças Cardiovasculares/metabolismo , Doenças Cardiovasculares/patologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Seguimentos , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Genótipo , Humanos , Resistência à Insulina , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólica/metabolismo , Síndrome Metabólica/patologia , Obesidade Abdominal/genética , Obesidade Abdominal/patologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Prognóstico , Fatores de Risco , Circunferência da Cintura
5.
J Palliat Care ; : 8258597231170836, 2023 Apr 27.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37113101

RESUMO

Objective: International standards of end-of-life care (EOLC) intend to guide the delivery of safe and high-quality EOLC. Adequately documented care is conducive to higher quality of care, but the extent to which EOLC standards are documented in hospital medical records is unknown. Assessing which EOLC standards are documented in patients' medical records can help identify areas that are performed well and areas where improvements are needed. This study assessed cancer decedents' EOLC documentation in hospital settings. Methods: Medical records of 240 cancer decedents were retrospectively evaluated. Data were collected across six Australian hospitals between 1/01/2019 and 31/12/2019. EOLC documentation related to Advance Care Planning (ACP), resuscitation planning, care of the dying person, and grief and bereavement care was reviewed. Chi-square tests assessed associations between EOLC documentation and patient characteristics, and hospital settings (specialist palliative care unit, sub-acute/rehabilitation care settings, acute care wards, and intensive care units). Results: Decedents' mean age was 75.3 years (SD 11.8), 52.0% (n = 125) were female, and 73.7% lived with other adults or carers. All patients (n = 240; 100%) had documentation for resuscitation planning, 97.6% (n = 235) for Care for the Dying Person, 40.0% for grief and bereavement care (n = 96), and 30.4% (n = 73) for ACP. Patients living with other adults or carers were less likely to have a documented ACP than those living alone or with dependents (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.26-0.89). EOLC documentation was significantly greater in specialist palliative care settings than that in other hospital settings (P < .001). Conclusion: The process of dying is well documented among inpatients diagnosed with cancer. ACP and grief and bereavement support are not documented enough. Organizational endorsement of a clear practice framework and increased training could improve documentation of these aspects of EOLC.

6.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 26(4): 693-9, 2012.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23241119

RESUMO

We followed-up, from pregnancy to birth, a group of newborns both IUGR and AGA and we aimed at establishing placental biochemical determinants of birth weight and length. Insulin, total and activated insulin receptor contents (IR), cortisol and IL-6 placental concentrations were assayed in 23 IUGR and 37 AGA subjects at birth, and a multiple regression model was designed and applied to assess the significant biochemical determinants of birth size. IL-6 and activated insulin receptor content were significantly increased in IUGR, whereas insulin, total insulin receptor content, and cortisol placental concentrations were similar in IUGR and AGA. Placental cortisol concentration was found to be significantly and negatively related with both birth length (0.778, P<0.001) and weight (0.508, P<0.008). A negative effect of IL-6 placental concentration was found on birth length (P<0.002). For the first time we provide evidence of a negative association of placental cortisol and IL-6 concentrations on birth size.


Assuntos
Peso ao Nascer , Estatura , Hidrocortisona/análise , Insulina/análise , Interleucina-6/análise , Placenta/química , Receptor de Insulina/análise , Feminino , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/metabolismo , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Projetos Piloto , Gravidez , Análise de Regressão
7.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 26(4): 721-31, 2012.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23241122

RESUMO

There is a need to identify simple biochemical markers at birth that may predict subjects at risk of growth failure and metabolic complications in later life. Limited research to date has been performed on relationships of specific biochemical determinants at birth with postnatal weight gain and growth. We proposed to establish whether placental cortisol and IL-6 concentrations and cord serum IGF-II and IGFBP-2 concentrations influenced postnatal growth. We followed up from pregnancy 23 IUGR and 37 AGA subjects, and determined placental cortisol and IL-6 concentrations, and cord serum IGF-II, and IGFBP-2 concentrations at birth. We obtained height and weight measurements at 3, 6, 12, 24 months and 5 years of age in 20 IUGR and 15 AGA subjects of comparable gestational age. A multiple linear regression model was designed to establish the effect of the placental and cord serum peptides on postnatal linear growth and weight gain. All IUGR subjects had catch-up growth before 2 years of age. Placental cortisol concentration correlated positively with weight gain during the first 5 years of postnatal growth (P<0.05). Subjects with the highest placental cortisol concentrations were those who showed a greater increase in weight. Cord serum IGFBP-2 concentrations correlated positively with weight gain throughout the 5 year observation period (P:0.003). The subjects with the highest concentrations showed a greater weight gain. Placental cortisol and cord serum IGFBP-2 concentrations were related to postnatal weight gain, suggesting that the fetal environment has long-term effects on growth.


Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Infantil , Sangue Fetal/química , Hidrocortisona/análise , Proteína 2 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/sangue , Placenta/química , Aumento de Peso , Adulto , Feminino , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/metabolismo , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Gravidez
8.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 35(3): 246-53, 2012 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21483232

RESUMO

AIM: To assess the major determinants of glucose tolerance between age, genotype, and clinical status in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and study if defects of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity were associated with the onset of CF-related diabetes (CFRD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and nineteen patients, in stable clinical condition were studied. They were subdivided into 3 groups based on age, and 2 groups based on Schwachman-Kulczycki clinical score. All patients were genotyped, and subsequently divided into 3 groups. Ninety-four healthy normal-weight controls, comparable for sex and age were also studied. All subjects had baseline blood samples taken for glucose and insulin, C-peptide, and glycated hemoglobin. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting glucose/insulin ratio (FGIR) were calculated as indices of IR and insulinogenic index as a marker of pancreatic ß-cell function. All patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test, and 57 underwent an IVGTT for the calculation of first-phase (FPIR) and acute insulin responses (AIR). RESULTS: The F508del homozygous patients had an increased chance of developing impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and significantly lower FPIR, decreased HOMA-IR, and insulinogenic index. Heterozygote F508del patients had an increased chance of having normal glucose tolerance. HOMA-IR, FGIR, and insulinogenic index did not change with age or clinical score. HOMAIR correlated with FPIR. FPIR correlated positively with insulinogenic index. AIR correlated negatively with FGIR, and positively with C-reactive protein. In multiple linear regression analyses, glucose tolerance was related to the agegroup, and to the HOMA-IR and insulinogenic indexes. CONCLUSIONS: IGT and CFRD were related mainly to genotype, although, as expected, the prevalence increased with age. The data suggested a possible combined contribution of insulin deficiency, ß-cell function, and reduced insulin sensitivity to the onset of CFRD; however, further studies are warranted to better elucidate this aspect.


Assuntos
Fibrose Cística/genética , Fibrose Cística/fisiopatologia , Resistência à Insulina/fisiologia , Insulina/biossíntese , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Índice de Massa Corporal , Peptídeo C/sangue , Criança , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Feminino , Genótipo , Teste de Tolerância a Glucose , Homeostase/fisiologia , Humanos , Inflamação/metabolismo , Inflamação/fisiopatologia , Insulina/sangue , Células Secretoras de Insulina/fisiologia , Pulmão/fisiologia , Masculino , Adulto Jovem
9.
J Biol Regul Homeost Agents ; 25(2): 269-77, 2011.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21880216

RESUMO

IL-6, IGF-II and IGFBP-2 concentrations in placental lysates were previously shown to be associated with foetal growth. This study aimed to apply a Bayesian Network (BN) model in order to investigate complex dependencies among biochemical and clinical factors and fetal growth outcome. Twenty-one Intra-Uterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) and 25 Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) pregnancies were followed throughout pregnancy. Information was collected on maternal and gestational age, neonatal gender, previous gynaecological history. Total protein content, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, IL-6, and TNF-alpha concentrations in placental lysates were measured, and IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IL-6 relative gene expression in placenta assessed. A BN and a hybrid forecasting system were implemented: BN revealed a key role of maternal age and TNF-alpha on IUGR and confirmed a close relationship among IGF-II, IL-6 and foetal growth. A relationship between duration of gestation, appropriateness for gestational age, and placental IL-6 concentration was also confirmed. Compared with other techniques, BN showed a better accuracy. Findings confirmed a major role of maternal age in addition to IGF-II, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in IUGR. A direct role of IGFBP-2 was not shown. BN confirmed to be useful in understanding the system's biology and graphically representing variable relationships and hierarchy, particularly where, as in IUGR, many interactions among predictors exist.


Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Fetal/fisiologia , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/metabolismo , Feto/anormalidades , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like II/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Biologia de Sistemas/métodos , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Fatores Etários , Teorema de Bayes , Biomarcadores/análise , Feminino , Retardo do Crescimento Fetal/genética , Feto/metabolismo , Expressão Gênica , Idade Gestacional , Humanos , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like II/genética , Interleucina-6/genética , Placenta/metabolismo , Placentação , Gravidez , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética
10.
Proc Inst Mech Eng H ; 224(5): 691-713, 2010.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20718271

RESUMO

This paper first describes the workflow of the Pathfinder image-guided surgical robot that has been designed to replace the stereotactic frame in neurosurgery, and then details the calibration stages employed in order to achieve submillimetre positioning accuracy of a tool tip. The process uses non-linear parameter identification techniques in conjunction with some procedures for camera calibration, which exploit the fact that the camera is mounted to a calibrated robot arm that executes precise motions.


Assuntos
Procedimentos Neurocirúrgicos/instrumentação , Robótica/instrumentação , Cirurgia Assistida por Computador/instrumentação , Algoritmos , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Humanos , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador
11.
Intern Med J ; 39(11): 713-9, 2009 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19323702

RESUMO

In an emergency department (ED), computed tomography (CT) is particularly beneficial in the investigation of high-speed trauma patients. With the advent of multidetector CT (MDCT) scanners, it is becoming faster and easier to conduct scans. In recent years, this has become evident with an increasing number of CT requests. Patients who have multiple CT scans during their hospital stay can receive radiation doses that have an increased theoretical risk of induction of cancer. It is essential that the clinical justification for each CT scan be considered on an individual basis and that due consideration is given to the radiation risk and possible diagnostic benefit. The current lack of a central State or Commonwealth data repository for medical images is a contributing factor to excessive radiation dosage to the population. The principles of justification and radiation risks are discussed in this study.


Assuntos
Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/estatística & dados numéricos , Papel do Médico , Doses de Radiação , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/estatística & dados numéricos , Austrália/epidemiologia , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/normas , Humanos , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/normas , Fatores de Risco , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/efeitos adversos , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/normas
12.
Australas Emerg Care ; 22(3): 133-138, 2019 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31196735

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Frequent Emergency Department (ED) attendance is a common occurrence, across all patient age groups. Older frequent users of ED are an at-risk group who often have complex, chronic health needs with many requiring out-of-hospital services to support their care. The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics, outcomes and health service use of older, very frequent emergency department (ED) users. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, at three Australian EDs, comparing first and last ED attendances, by older people (≥65 years) with frequent ED use (≥8 attendances/year). RESULTS: There were 1387 ED attendances in 12 months by 115 patients (median=11). The median age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity score increased between attendances (5 vs 6, p<0.001). From first to last visit, hospital stays exceeding 7 days increased (12% vs 20%, p=0.013), while both ED re-attendances within 28 days (58% vs 20%, p≤0.001) and hospital readmissions within 30 days (39% vs 23%, p=0.016) decreased. In-patient mortality was 11% (n=10/88). There was no change in out-of-hospital services in place at both ED attendances (55% vs 61%, p=0.185). CONCLUSIONS: Out-of-hospital service use did not change despite frequent ED attendance. Older very frequent ED users had increasing co-morbidities over time and often required hospital admission.


Assuntos
Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/estatística & dados numéricos , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Austrália , Estudos de Coortes , Comorbidade , Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/organização & administração , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Readmissão do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos Retrospectivos
13.
J Antimicrob Chemother ; 62(1): 5-34, 2008 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18445577

RESUMO

These evidence-based guidelines have been produced after a systematic literature review of a range of issues involving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Prevention is structured into sections addressing general issues, equipment, patient procedures and the environment, whereas in treatment, the structure addresses the use of antimicrobials in prevention and treatment, adjunctive therapies and the application of clinical protocols. The sections dealing with diagnosis are presented against the clinical, radiological and microbiological diagnosis of HAP. Recommendations are also made upon the role of invasive sampling and quantitative microbiology of respiratory secretions in directing antibiotic therapy in HAP/ventilator-associated pneumonia.


Assuntos
Infecção Hospitalar/tratamento farmacológico , Infecção Hospitalar/prevenção & controle , Pneumonia Bacteriana/tratamento farmacológico , Pneumonia Bacteriana/prevenção & controle , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Infecção Hospitalar/diagnóstico , Humanos , Controle de Infecções/métodos , Pneumonia Bacteriana/diagnóstico , Reino Unido
14.
J Phys Condens Matter ; 29(10): 10LT01, 2017 Mar 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28075328

RESUMO

From the Cr 2p3/2 x-ray magnetic circular dichroism signal, there is clear evidence of interface polarization with overlayers of both Pd and Pt on chromia (Cr2O3). The residual boundary polarization of chomia is stronger for a Pt overlayer than in the case of a Pd overlayer. The reduction of chromia boundary magnetization with a paramagnetic metal overlayer, compared to the free surface, is interpreted as a response to the induced spin polarization in Pt and Pd. Magnetization induced in a Pt overlayer, via proximity to the chromia boundary magnetization, is evident in the polar magneto-optical Kerr measurements. These results are essential to explainations why Pt and Pd are excellent spacer layers for voltage controlled exchange bias, in the [Pd/Co] n /Pd/Cr2O3 and [Pt/Co] n /Pt/Cr2O3 perpendicular magneto-electric exchange bias systems. The findings pave the way to realize ultra-fast reversal of induced magnetization in a free moment paramagnetic layer, with possible application in voltage-controlled magnetic random access memory.

15.
Growth Horm IGF Res ; 16(5-6): 365-72, 2006.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17101288

RESUMO

The integrity of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is essential for normal fetal growth. Cytokine and IGF-IGFBP relationships have been shown in specific tissues, but it is unknown whether these occur in the placenta. We aimed to assess possible differences in the IGF system depending on gestational age (GA) from week 35 to 40, and to study relationships of IL-6 with components of the IGF system in the placenta and newborn infant. We followed 32 normal births and collected whole villous tissue and cord serum. Total RNA was extracted from the placenta samples, reverse transcribed and then real-time quantitative (TaqMan) RT-PCR was performed to quantify cDNA for IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IL-6. The corresponding proteins were assayed in placenta lysates and cord serum using specific commercial kits. Two groups of subjects (Group 1, 35-37 weeks GA, N=12 and Group 2, 38-40 weeks GA, N=20) were studied. In placenta, IGF-I mRNA was more abundant than IGF-II mRNA at all times and together with IGFBP-1mRNA were less expressed at term. IGFBP-2 and IL-6 mRNAs were higher after week 37 GA. IL-6 and IGFBP-2 gene expression were closely related. The corresponding proteins showed similar differences to the genes but IGF-I was undetectable in the lysates, whereas IGF-II was abundant. IGFBP-2 concentrations were very high and greater than those of IGFBP-1. In the newborn, no difference was seen in any cord serum protein after week 35 GA. IGFBP-1 was negatively correlated with parameters of neonatal size. In conclusion, this study reports new insights into IL-6, IGF-IGFBP relationships within the human placenta and shows the importance of comparing subjects with the same GA.


Assuntos
Feto/imunologia , Feto/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/genética , Placenta/imunologia , Placenta/metabolismo , Somatomedinas/genética , Adulto , Feminino , Sangue Fetal/imunologia , Sangue Fetal/metabolismo , Expressão Gênica , Idade Gestacional , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Proteína 1 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/sangue , Proteína 1 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/genética , Proteína 2 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/sangue , Proteína 2 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/genética , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like I/genética , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like I/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like II/genética , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like II/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/sangue , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Masculino , Gravidez , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Somatomedinas/metabolismo
16.
J Endocrinol Invest ; 29(8): 732-7, 2006 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17033263

RESUMO

The diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) is based on the measurement of peak GH responses to pharmacological stimuli. Pharmacological stimuli, however, lack precision, accuracy, are not reproducible, are invasive, non-physiological and some may even be hazardous. Furthermore, different GH commercial assays used to measure GH in serum yield results that may differ considerably. In contrast to GH, IGF-I can be measured on a single, randomly-obtained blood sample. A review of the available data indicates that IGF-I measurement in the diagnosis of childhood-onset isolated GHD has a specificity of up to 100%, with a sensitivity ranging from about 70 to 90%. We suggest an algorithm in which circulating levels of IGF-I together with the evaluation of auxological data, such as growth rate and growth, may be used to assess the likelihood of GHD in pre-pubertal children.


Assuntos
Biomarcadores/sangue , Endocrinologia/normas , Hormônio do Crescimento Humano/deficiência , Fator de Crescimento Insulin-Like I/metabolismo , Sociedades Médicas/normas , Idade de Início , Algoritmos , Criança , Nanismo Hipofisário/sangue , Nanismo Hipofisário/diagnóstico , Nanismo Hipofisário/fisiopatologia , Hormônio do Crescimento Humano/sangue , Humanos , Itália , Puberdade/sangue
17.
Cancer Res ; 60(11): 2810-5, 2000 Jun 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10850419

RESUMO

The E7 oncoprotein of human papillomavirus 16 functions as a tumor-specific antigen in transformed epithelial cells of the uterine cervix to which immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at CTL induction may be directed. We previously have shown in mice transgenic for the E7 gene driven off an epithelial specific (keratin-14) promoter, that expression of E7 protein in peripheral epithelium is sufficient to tolerize E7-directed CTL precursors (pCTL; Doan et al, J. Virol., 73: 6166-1670, 1999). Here we show that E7 is presented to T cells for tolerization by cells of bone marrow origin ("cross-tolerization"). We demonstrate that tolerization of E7-directed pCTLs occurs within 2 weeks of exposure to E7 in epithelium. It is maintained in the near absence of CD4+ cells and in the absence of the thymus, and is independent of a coexisting E7-directed Th2-type antibody response. Tolerance was broken by immunization with E7 CTL epitope-pulsed dendritic cells. These findings have implications for immunotherapy of patients with human papillomavirus 16-associated cervical carcinoma, whose immune systems may have experienced long-term exposure to E7-expressing epithelial cells.


Assuntos
Células Dendríticas/imunologia , Tolerância Imunológica , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/imunologia , Proteínas Oncogênicas Virais/metabolismo , Células Th2/imunologia , Transferência Adotiva , Animais , Antígenos de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Células Epiteliais , Epitopos , Feminino , Interferon gama/imunologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Proteínas E7 de Papillomavirus , Baço/imunologia , Linfócitos T Citotóxicos/imunologia , Linfócitos T Citotóxicos/metabolismo , Células Th2/metabolismo , Timo/metabolismo , Fatores de Tempo
18.
J Small Anim Pract ; 57(10): 568-574, 2016 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27581723

RESUMO

A century ago the remains of a dog skeleton were found in an archaeological double human burial, near Bonn-Oberkassel (Germany). Recent re-examination of the dog remains revealed that they were about 14,500 years old. Based on the growth plates, the animal was considered to be approximately 7·5 months old at the time of death. Based on the minimal humeral diameter, it was calculated that it was approximately 0·47 m tall at the shoulder and weighed approximately 15·7 kg. The right proximal ulna of this skeleton showed osteoarthritis, manifested by an osteophyte of 5×3×1·5 mm3 at its cranial edge, with no identified primary developmental causes for osteoarthritis. Osteochondritis dissecans, joint incongruity and trauma are possible aetiologies. The left ulna did not reveal any abnormalities.


Assuntos
Doenças do Cão/história , Fósseis , Osteoartrite/veterinária , Animais , Arqueologia , Cães , História Antiga , Osteoartrite/história , Datação Radiométrica
19.
Biochim Biophys Acta ; 1305(1-2): 87-97, 1996 Feb 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8605256

RESUMO

A major allergen Myr p II of the Australian jumper ant Myrmecia pilosula has been cloned, immunocharacterized and nucleotide sequenced. An open reading frame of 225 bases was identified and found to encode a deduced amino acid sequence of 75 residues which contained a typical hydrophobic peptide leader sequence. Expressed fusion proteins of Myr p II in both phage and plasmid vectors bind high levels of ant venom-specific IgE and the expressed clones are recognised by 35% of ant venom-allergic individuals. IgE antibodies that recognise the expressed clone have been shown to recognise IgE-binding bands in blots of native venom after separation by SDS-PAGE. The amino acid sequence of Myr p II shares close structural homology with the other major jumper ant allergen Myr p I, differing by only three amino acids in the first 47 residues of both sequences. However, N-terminal analysis of IgE-binding bands derived from Tricine-SDS-PAGE gel blots indicates that both Myr p I and Myr p II undergo extensive post-translational proteolytic processing to unique peptides of 45 and 27 residues, respectively.


Assuntos
Alérgenos/genética , Venenos de Formiga/genética , Formigas/genética , Formigas/imunologia , Proteínas de Insetos , Alérgenos/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Venenos de Formiga/imunologia , Venenos de Formiga/metabolismo , Formigas/metabolismo , Sequência de Bases , Evolução Biológica , Mapeamento Cromossômico , Clonagem Molecular , DNA Complementar , Genes , Imunoglobulina E/metabolismo , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Fases de Leitura Aberta , Processamento de Proteína Pós-Traducional , Sinais Direcionadores de Proteínas/genética , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Homologia de Sequência do Ácido Nucleico
20.
Biochim Biophys Acta ; 1204(1): 48-52, 1994 Jan 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7508264

RESUMO

The structure of the single allergenic determinant of the major ant venom allergen, Myr p I from the Australian jumper ant Myrmecia pilosula has been determined by inhibition studies with synthetic peptides. A 14 amino-acid C-terminal peptide sequence has been shown to constitute this determinant. Half-maximal inhibition of binding of ant venom-specific IgE antibodies to the native venom was obtained with this peptide at a concentration of 5 x 10(-8) M. This allergenic determinant was invariant for all ant venom-allergic subjects tested whose IgE antibodies recognized this allergen.


Assuntos
Alérgenos/química , Venenos de Formiga/química , Venenos de Artrópodes/química , Epitopos/química , Imunoglobulina E/imunologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Venenos de Formiga/antagonistas & inibidores , Venenos de Formiga/imunologia , Venenos de Artrópodes/antagonistas & inibidores , Venenos de Artrópodes/imunologia , Ligação Competitiva , Epitopos/imunologia , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Peptídeos/síntese química , Peptídeos/imunologia , Radioimunoensaio
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