Arterial stiffness and the non-dipping pattern in type 1 diabetes males with and without erectile dysfunction.

Arterial stiffness (AS) and non-dipping pattern are early predictors of cardiovascular diseases but are not used in clinical practice. We aimed to assess if AS and the non-dipping pattern are more prevalent in the erectile dysfunction (ED) group than in the non-ED group among subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The study group consisted of adults with T1DM. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV Ao)-a marker of increased AS, central systolic blood pressure, and heart rate (HR) were measured with a brachial oscillometric device (Arteriograph 24). Erectile dysfunction (ED) was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5. A comparison between the groups with and without ED was performed. Of 34 investigated men with T1DM, 12 (35.3%) suffered from ED. The group with ED had higher mean 24 h HR (77.7 [73.7-86.5] vs 69.9 [64.0-76.8]/min; p = 0.04, nighttime PWV Ao (8.1 [6.8-8.5] vs 6.8 [6.1-7.5] m/s; p = 0.015) and prevalence of non-dipping SBP Ao pattern (11 [91.7] vs 12 [54.5]%; p = 0.027) than individuals without ED. The presence of ED detected a central non-dipping pattern with a sensitivity of 47.8% and a specificity of 90.9%. The central non-dipping pattern was more prevalent and the nighttime PWV was higher in T1DM subjects with ED than in those without ED.

Influence of the Poly(ethylene Glycol) Methyl Ether Methacrylates on the Selected Physicochemical Properties of Thermally Sensitive Polymeric Particles for Controlled Drug Delivery.

Thermosensitive copolymers P1-P5 of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylates (PEGMEMs) were synthesized via surfactant-free precipitation polymerization (SFPP) using ammonium persulfate (APS) at 70 °C. The polymerization course was evaluated by the conductivity. The hydrodynamic diameters and the polydispersity indexes (PDI) of P1-P5 in the 18-45 °C range, which were assessed via dynamic light scattering (DLS), were at 18° (nm): 26.07 ± 0.54 (PDI 0.65 ± 0.03), 68.00 ± 1.10 (PDI 0.56 ± 0,02), 45.12 ± 0.57 (PDI 0.51 ± 0.03), 62.78 ± 0.40 (PDI 0.53 ± 0.003), and 92.95 ± 1.56 (PDI 0.60 ± 0.04), respectively. The lower critical solution temperatures ranged from 31 to 33 °C. The electrophoretic mobilities estimated the zeta potential in the 18-45 °C range, and at 18 °C, they were (mV): -4.64 ± 1.30, -6.91 ± 2.67, -5.85 ± 3.17, -2.28 ± 0.30, and -3.60 ± 0.96 for P1-P5, respectively. The polymers were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD). Stable amorphous polymers were obtained. We conclude that the length of the co-monomer chain nonlinearly influences the properties of the obtained thermosensitive polymer nanostructures.

Erectile Dysfunction in Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes is Associated with Long-term Metabolic Control and Diabetic Complications: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects approximately 38% of individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). Skin autofluorescence (AF) reflects skin advanced glycation end product (AGE) deposits and is a marker of long-term glycemia control. Objective The study investigates the relationship between ED and diabetes control in patients with T1DM. Methods Adult patients with T1DM visiting the Diabetology Department were cross-sectionally investigated. Medical history, anthropometric features, and laboratory findings were collected. All individuals filled the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). IIEF-5 total score < 22 represented the presence of ED. AF was measured on the volar aspect of the forearm using AGE Reader. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed by the estimated glucose disposal rate. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. The adjusted covariates were general risk factors of ED. Results Of a total of n = 70 patients, n = 30 (42.9%) suffered from ED. The presence of ED was associated with higher glycated hemoglobin level (OR, 95% CI; 1.62, 1.02-2.60; p = 0.043), presence of at least one diabetic complication (3.49, 1.10-11.03; p = 0.03), and skin AF (9.20, 1.60-52.94; p = 0.01), but not with IR (0.78, 0.57-2.60; p = 0.12). Skin AF values ≥ 2.2 indicates presence of ED with a sensitivity of 70.0% and a specificity of 77.5%. Area under the curve was equal to 0.72 (95% CI: 0.60-0.85). Conclusions The presence of ED in individuals with T1DM is associated with HbA1c, the presence of at least one diabetic complication, and skin AF.

Association between central non-dipping pattern and platelet morphology in adults with type 1 diabetes without cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study.

The non-dipping pattern is nighttime systolic blood pressure (SBP) fall of less than 10%. Several studies showed that the non-dipping pattern, increased mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) are associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. Hypertensives with the non-dipping pattern have higher MPV than the dippers but this relationship was never investigated among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to investigate the association between the central dipping pattern and platelet morphology in T1DM subjects. We measured the central and brachial blood pressure with a validated non-invasive brachial oscillometric device-Arteriograph 24-during twenty-four-hour analysis in T1DM subjects without diagnosed hypertension. The group was divided based on the central dipping pattern for the dippers and the non-dippers. From a total of 62 subjects (32 males) aged 30.1 (25.7-37) years with T1DM duration 15.0 (9.0-20) years, 36 were non-dippers. The non-dipper group had significantly higher MPV (MPV (10.8 [10.3-11.5] vs 10.4 [10.0-10.7] fl; p = 0.041) and PDW (13.2 [11.7-14.9] vs 12.3 [11.7-12.8] fl; p = 0.029) than dipper group. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that MPV (OR 3.74; 95% CI 1.48-9.45; p = 0.005) and PDW (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.22-3.00; p = 0.005) were positively associated with central non-dipping pattern adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, daily insulin intake, and height. MPV and PDW are positively associated with the central non-dipping pattern among people with T1DM.

Maturity of nearby faults influences seismic hazard from hydraulic fracturing.

Understanding the causes of human-induced earthquakes is paramount to reducing societal risk. We investigated five cases of seismicity associated with hydraulic fracturing (HF) in Ohio since 2013 that, because of their isolation from other injection activities, provide an ideal setting for studying the relations between high-pressure injection and earthquakes. Our analysis revealed two distinct groups: (i) deeper earthquakes in the Precambrian basement, with larger magnitudes (M > 2), b-values < 1, and many post-shut-in earthquakes, versus (ii) shallower earthquakes in Paleozoic rocks ∼400 m below HF, with smaller magnitudes (M < 1), b-values > 1.5, and few post-shut-in earthquakes. Based on geologic history, laboratory experiments, and fault modeling, we interpret the deep seismicity as slip on more mature faults in older crystalline rocks and the shallow seismicity as slip on immature faults in younger sedimentary rocks. This suggests that HF inducing deeper seismicity may pose higher seismic hazards. Wells inducing deeper seismicity produced more water than wells with shallow seismicity, indicating more extensive hydrologic connections outside the target formation, consistent with pore pressure diffusion influencing seismicity. However, for both groups, the 2 to 3 h between onset of HF and seismicity is too short for typical fluid pressure diffusion rates across distances of ∼1 km and argues for poroelastic stress transfer also having a primary influence on seismicity.

Relationships Between Aphids (Insecta: Homoptera: Aphididae) and Slugs (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Agriolimacidae) Pests of Legumes (Fabaceae: Lupinus).

Lupin plants are frequently damaged by various herbivorous invertebrates. Significant among these are slugs and aphids, which sometimes attack the same plants. Relationships between aphids, slugs and food plant are very interesting. Grazing by these pests on young plants can lead to significant yield losses. There is evidence that the alkaloids present in some lupin plants may reduce grazing by slugs, aphids and other invertebrates. In laboratory study was analyzed the relationships between aphid Aphis craccivora and slug Deroceras reticulatum pests of legumes Lupinus angustifolius. It was found that the presence of aphids significantly reduced slug grazing on the plants. The lupin cultivars with high alkaloid content were found to be less heavily damaged by D. reticulatum, and the development of A. craccivora was found to be inhibited on such plants.

Differences in some developmental features between Toxoplasma gondii-seropositive and seronegative school children.

Knowledge about the influence of latent toxoplasmosis on development and general biological condition of children is scant and thus the aim of the present study was to investigate these aspects in some detail. We compare school children in rural area seropositive and seronegative to the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) in terms of their developmental age, body mass and body height, physical fitness and end-of-term grades. Additionally, we evaluated the risk factors of infection with T. gondii such as the presence of cats in the household and eating raw meat products. With IFAT and ELISA tests, the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 41% (190 children examined) and the rate of infection was higher in girls (44%) than in boys (36%). No significant differences were observed in morphological features and physical fitness of examined children. In girls the level of developmental age measured with electrophoretical mobility of nuclei method was significantly higher and school performance significantly lower for those infected with Toxoplasma than for uninfected; this finding was particularly intriguing. Only boys who ate raw meat products were more likely to be seropositive. The study provides some new information on gender differences in reaction to Toxoplasma infection.

[The selected risk factors of the metabolic syndrome in children]. / Wybrane czynniki ryzyka zespolu metabolicznego u dzieci.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is the main component of the metabolic syndrome, which appears to be one of the biggest social problems nowadays. The metabolic syndrome can start even in childhood and then risk factors of cardiovascular diseases should be diagnosed and a prophylaxis should be undertaken. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was the evaluation of the selected lipid parameters in the serum in children and adolescents with simple obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 305 children (156 boys and 149 girls) aged 6.5-17.9 years. The state of nutrition was estimated on the basis of anthropometrical measurements with the evaluation of body weight and height as well as the evaluation of BMI. The obesity was found in 119 children (61 boys and 58 girls) whose BMI was over 95 percentiles. There were 186 children (95 boys and 91 girls) whose BMI was between 25 and 75 percentiles in the control group. In 90 children with the diagnosed simple obesity 10 skinfolds were measured. In all of the studied children concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were determined in the blood serum. The concentration of LDL and VLDL cholesterol were calculated by the Friedewald formula. The obtained research results were analysed statistically. The values of BMI and the lipid parameters among children and adolescents with simple obesity were compared with the control group. RESULTS: Within the group of boys and girls with obesity higher concentration of total cholesterol (p<0.001) and girls (p<0.05) and LDL cholesterol (p<0.001; p<0.001) were found. However, the significantly lower concentration of HDL cholesterol was found within the girls with obesity in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). The significant negative correlation between the sum of 3 skinfold thickness and concentration of HDL cholesterol were found. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of atherogenic lipids profile in children with obesity allows us to conclude that the children may constitute a group within which there exist risk factors characteristic for the metabolic syndrome.

Longitudinal analysis of head growth in low-birth-weight children according to their chronological and gestational age.

Head growth in 283 LBW (< 2500 g) children was longitudinally analyzed from birth till the 24th month of life. The studied children were divided into three groups: AGA preterms (181 children), SGA preterms (32 children) and S-f-D newborns (70 children). The data for chronological age and corrected for gestational age were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and Duncan's test. Means of head circumference were plotted against percentile charts for boys and girls respectively. Considering the chronological and corrected age, a different course of head growth in preterms was observed. According to chronological age, the head circumference in AGA and SGA preterms reached in the second year of life a higher percentile position than at birth. After correction of the data to gestational age the mean values of head circumference in two groups of preterms were placed at a lower percentile position than at the time of birth. The group of S-f-D newborns presented the highest velocity of head growth: in the 2nd year of life the mean head circumference in this group reached a higher growth level than at birth.

[Serum levels of metabolism of type I collagen in relation to physical growth of AGA newborns]. / Stezenie metabolitów kolagenu typu I w surowicy w powiazaniu z rozwojem fizycznym noworodków.

The most interest indicators of bone turn-over are the metabolites of type I collagen, which makes up 90% of bone matrix. C-terminal propeptide type I procollagen (PICP) which is removed from procollagen during extracellular process of collagen fibres formation is known as marker of bone formation. Marker of bone resorption is C-telopeptide alfa 1-chain of type I collagen (Cross-laps) which is removed from collagen during process of degradation. It is known that intensive turn-over of bone tissue take place during developmental periods and is proportional to velocity of child's growth. The aim of the study was to assess correlation between bone formation and resorption and physical development of AGA newborns. Clinical material consisted of 47 newborns born from 26 and 41 weeks of gestation with development appropriate for gestational age (AGA); 28 of them were full-terms and 19 were preterms Physical status at birth was assessed by measuring basic anthropometric parameters of newborns. Biochemical investigations were performed in all newborns between 1st and 2nd week of chronological age. Serum level of PICP (ng/ml) and Cross-laps (pM/I) were assessed using Elisa method. Statistical analysis was performed with the t-Student and Pearson correlation test. Mean level of PICP in newborns' serum was 2073.8 +/- 555.1 ng/ml and mean level of Cross-laps was: 17413.8 +/- 5932.5 pM/l. There were no statistical differences in the level of PICP and Cross-laps in boys and girls, as well as in full-terms and preterms (p > 0.05). Serum level of PICP correlated negatively with gestational age and birth weight of newborns (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were detected for serum level of Cross-laps, gestational and chronological age of newborns (p < 0.05) as well as for serum level of Cross-laps and anthropometric parameters of newborns. There was no statistical correlation between PICP and Cross-laps in newborns serum. The authors suggest that serum level of metabolites of type I collagen may not reflect only bone turn-over but may be dependent on overall physical growth.