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PubMed2004

Evaluation for reliability and feasibility of the draft protocol for the enhanced rat 28-day subacute study (OECD Guideline 407) using androgen antagonist flutamide.

As part of an international validation project to establish a test protocol for the 'Enhanced OECD Test Guideline no. 407', a 28-day repeated dose study of flutamide was performed (1) to examine which of the current and/or additional parameters can detect endocrine effects of test chemicals most reliably and sensitively, (2) to investigate whether it is actually feasible to routinely include all additional parameters into the testing routine, and (3) to assess intra-laboratory variability by performing two identical studies (experiments A and B) in parallel using groups of five animals each per dose and sex. Groups of five male and five female CD(SD)IGS rats were treated by oral gavage with 0, 1, 10 and 100 mg flutamide/kg body weight for at least 28 days. The dose level considered to be around the MTD (100 mg/kg) exerted the expected antiandrogenic effects on androgen related tissues: significant decrease of the weights of androgen dependent organs and the sperm count and increase in histopathological lesions. At the middle dose (10 mg/kg), significant decrease of prostate weight (ventral and dorso-lateral parts combined) was observed and it was suggested that weight measurement of androgen dependent organs provides the most reliable and sensitive endpoint with this protocol. As for the feasibility, because of many items in this protocol, selection should be based on the sensitivity. From our data, addition of weight measurement of androgen dependent organs to the items of the existing OECD 407 guideline might allow accurate screening for endocrine disruptors. At the dose level considered to be around the MTD, the findings achieving statistical significance in one experiment with five animals/dose/sex could be reproduced in the second experiment, and evaluation with the small groups was consistent with findings using the combined groups of 10 animals/dose/sex. The results demonstrate that the protocol can reliably detect antiandrogenic effects of flutamide.

Androgen Antagonists↗

PubMed2006

Spectroscopic studies of some thiosemicarbazide compounds derived from Girard's T and P.

Three new derivatives of thiosemicarbazides, derived from the reactions of ethyl-, allyl- and phenyl isothiocyanates with Girard's T [(carboxymethyl) trimethylammonium chloride hydrazide] and P [1-(carboxymethyl) pyridinium chloride hydrazide], have been isolated and characterized by chemical analyses, conductivities, spectral (IR, 1H NMR) and molecular weight measurements. The most important assignments of the functional groups in the isolated solid organic compounds have been determined using IR spectra. Also, the main functional groups in the skeleton of these compounds have been characterized using 1H NMR spectra. Moreover, a comparative studies between the three thiosemicarbazide derivatives have been carried out. The role of the existence of ethyl-, allyl-, phenyl-, [(CH3)3N+-] and [C5H5N+-] on the position of the functional groups has been investigated. Finally, the absence of any type of hydrogen bonding (inter- and/or intra-) within these compounds is discussed on the basis of the data of melting points, IR and 1H NMR spectra and molecular weight measurements.

Betaine↗

PubMed1996

Effectiveness of contingency contracting: component of a worksite weight loss program.

The purpose of this study was to measure weight loss in overweight employees of a large corporation in Western Michigan who all received the same education on how to lose weight, but were randomly assigned to one of three groups: contingency contracting with a partner, contingency contracting alone, or no contingency contracting. A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used and data were collected by a demographic questionnaire and measure of weight at the initial, 10th, and 23rd weeks. A total of 84 subjects completed the 10 week weight loss program and 57 subjects returned for the 23rd week follow up weight. Each group lost a significant amount of weight from pre-program to 10 weeks; however, there were no significant differences across groups. Although the groups were not significantly different from each other, the results support the value of individualizing interventions and offer insight into how demographic variables may affect attrition and methods chosen for weight loss.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative methods for indirect CT lymphography.

In this investigation, we applied quantitative CT methods to characterize contrast enhanced lymph nodes opacified using iodinated contrast media for indirect CT lymphography. Iodinated nanoparticles were injected into the buccal submucosa and SQ into the metatarsus and metacarpus of four normal swine (1.0-4.0 ml/site, 76 mg I/ml). Attenuation (HU), volume (cm3), iodine concentration (mg I/cm3), total iodine uptake (mg I), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and percent injected dose (%ID) were estimated in opacified inguinal, cervical and parotid/mandibular lymph nodes using manual image segmentation techniques on 24 hour post-contrast CT images. Lymph node volumes estimated by multiple slice ROI analysis were compared with estimates obtained by post-excisional weight measurements. HU and iodine concentration increased 5-20 fold in opacified nodes (p < 0.01) and CNR increased more than four-fold (p < 0.001). %ID ranged between 3.5 and 11.9% and did not appear dose related. ROI estimated lymph node volumes approximated volumes calculated from weight measurements. (R2 = 0.94, p < 0.0001). We conclude that interstitially injected iodinated nanoparticles increase attenuation and conspicuity of targeted nodes on CT images. Quantitative methods could play an important clinical role in more accurate metastasis detection.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Changing eating behavior: a preliminary study to consider broader measures of weight control treatment success.

This study evaluated changes in the self-reported eating behaviors (snacking, binge eating, portion sizes, and meal skipping) of 52 obese adults (33 women and 19 men) attending a residential weight loss facility on two consecutive occasions. For each of the eating patterns studied, subjects reported engaging in the behavior significantly less frequently at the time of their return visit. It is proposed that changes in eating behaviors provide a useful and appropriate nonweight based outcome measure for estimating treatment success in diet-seeking clients.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Weights and measures: a new look at bisection behaviour in neglect.

Horizontal line bisection is a ubiquitous task in the investigation of visual neglect. Patients with left neglect typically make rightward errors that increase with line length and for lines at more leftward positions. For short lines, or for lines presented in right space, these errors may 'cross over' to become leftward. We have taken a new approach to these phenomena by employing a different set of dependent and independent variables for their description. Rather than recording bisection error, we record the lateral position of the response within the workspace. We have studied how this varies when the locations of the left and right endpoints are manipulated independently. Across 30 patients with left neglect, we have observed a characteristic asymmetry between the 'weightings' accorded to the two endpoints, such that responses are less affected by changes in the location of the left endpoint than by changes in the location of the right. We show that a simple endpoint weightings analysis accounts readily for the effects of line length and spatial position, including cross-over effects, and leads to an index of neglect that is more sensitive than the standard measure. We argue that this novel approach is more parsimonious than the standard model and yields fresh insights into the nature of neglect impairment.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Use of MALDI-TOF to measure molecular weight distributions of polydisperse poly(methyl methacrylate).

The main problem encountered in the MALDI-TOF analysis of polydisperse polymers is mass discrimination against high-mass oligomers. This work investigated some of the causes of this problem by using PMMAs as the polymer analytes. It was found that both instrumental and matrix factors could lead to this problem. Among the instrumental factors, detector saturation resulting from strong signals of matrix-related and low-mass oligomer ions can be a potential major cause of this problem. Since most of the ion detectors do not have an adequate dynamic range to avoid saturation, detection saturation could be a fundamental limitation, especially when the molar ratio of high- to low-mass oligomers is small. A quantitative analysis was also performed to examine the matrix effect. IAA and HABA were selected for this study. It was found that mass discrimination occurred in both cases, but the use of HABA led to more profound mass discrimination. This shows that the use of improper matrixes could be another source causing mass discrimination. Hence, unless new approaches are developed, one must be cautious in using MALDI-TOF for directly measuring MWDs of polydisperse polymers, especially those highly polydisperse polymers.

Molecular Weight↗

PubMed2005

A topological measurement for weighted protein interaction network.

High-throughput methods for detecting protein-protein interactions (PPI) have given researchers an initial global picture of protein interactions on a genomic scale. The usefulness of this understanding is, however, typically compromised by noisy data. The effective way of integrating and using these non-congruent data sets has received little attention to date. This paper proposes a model to integrate different data sets. We construct this model using our prior knowledge of data set reliability. Based on this model, we propose a topological measurement to select reliable interactions and to quantify the similarity between two proteins' interaction profiles. Our measurement exploits the small-world network topological properties of protein interaction network. Meanwhile, we discovered some additional properties of the network. We show that our measurement can be used to find reliable interactions with improved performance and to find protein pairs with higher function homogeneity.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

Effect of varying burn sizes and ambient temperature on the hypermetabolic rate in thermally injured rats.

BACKGROUND: Small animals with scald covering 50% of their total body surface area (TBSA) have been used to study the hypermetabolic burn response. In the 50% TBSA burn rat model, the area of normal skin that is available for animal instrumentation is restricted and the mortality rate has been high. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a smaller burn size can induce a similar hypermetabolic response with mortality rates lower than those of the 50% TBSA model. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups to receive a 0% (sham nonburned), 30%, 40%, or 50% TBSA third-degree scald burn. The hypermetabolic response was determined by measuring changes in body weight and oxygen consumption at ambient temperatures of 21, 26, and 31 degrees C for each burn size. Weight measurements were made daily while oxygen consumption was measured 7, 11, and 14 days after thermal injury. RESULTS: All thermally injured rats lost body weight; however, there were no significant differences between the 30, 40, and 50% TBSA burn groups. Burn induced a hypermetabolic response as indicated by an increase in oxygen consumption from 130 to 200% that of sham nonburned rats. No significant difference in oxygen consumption could be shown over the study period between the three burn sizes at different ambient temperatures. Mortality was 0% in the sham and 30% group, 10% for the 40% group, and 50% for the 50% TBSA burn group. CONCLUSIONS: From our study we conclude that a burn size covering 30% of the TBSA induces the same hypermetabolic response as a 50% TBSA burn.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Porosity and interior structure of flocculated activated sludge floc.

This work estimated the porosities of activated sludge flocs, cationic polyelectrolyte flocculated, based on free-settling tests, buoyant weight measurements, and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) tests. The extent of advective flow was estimated based on bubble-tracking test. The former two measurements suggested a close-to-unity porosity, that is, an extremely void floc interior. Meanwhile, the latter two tests recommended a dense floc interior with a porosity less than 64%. A discrepancy exists between the porosities estimated by various tests. A floc model was proposed based on the understanding that a vast amount of bound water in the floc was regarded as void in buoyant weight measurement, but was impermeable for advective flow. The distribution rather than the mean value of the porosity controls the advective flow. There existed no simple correlation between the porosities measured by different tests.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

The value of measuring height and weight of schoolchildren.

The measurements of height and weight in the Stockholm school health service was appraised in relation to the screening value, the costs and benefits. The concept of a doubtful screening value of growth surveillances at school age was supported. Investment costs and running expenses were very low. The measurement procedure used only 2% of the total time spent by the nurses in the school health service. The growth data were an appropriate prerequisite for the reassurance of adolescents about their developing identity and body image. The growth data also constituted an appropriate indicator for public heath research. The benefits and low costs may justify maintenance of the measurements in the school health service despite a low screening value.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Birth weight references for triplets.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to formulate growth references that reflect triplet fetal and neonatal populations at each gestational age by combining serial ultrasonographic estimates of fetal weights and measured birth weights. STUDY DESIGN: This historical cohort study was based on 188 pregnancies of live-born triplets of > or =23 weeks' gestation. Ultrasonographic fetal weight measures were modeled as a function of gestational age for each infant. Linear regression models were used to fit the data, and weight percentiles were generated. RESULTS: Well-grown triplets fell substantially below singletons by 30 weeks and twins after 34 weeks. Trichorionic vs monochorionic or dichorionic placentation resulted in 27% higher growth at the 10th %ile, 5% higher growth at the 50th %ile, and 4% higher growth at the 90th %ile by 34 weeks. CONCLUSION: The overall pattern of fetal growth for well-grown triplets does not differ from that of singletons and twins until late gestation, confirming that, in utero, well-grown children have similar growth potentials, regardless of plurality.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed2005

Comparison of body weight and composition measured by two different dual energy X-ray absorptiometry devices and three acquisition modes in obese women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Weight measured by dual-energy X-ray (DXA) was shown to be increasingly underestimated in subjects over 75 kg compared to an electronic scale. This study compares body weight and composition measured by balance beam scale and three DXA acquisition modes in obese subjects. METHODS: In 39 obese, body weight was measured by balance beam scale, and body weight and composition by DXA Hologic QDR4500A in normal (NPM) and high power mode (HPM) (Enhanced v8.26 and v8.26* software) and DXA GE-Lunar Prodigy (v6.5 software). To ensure linearity of body weight and composition measured by the different DXA acquisitions, we also measured 13 women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-30 kg/m(2). RESULTS: While QDR4500A HPM overestimates scale weight by about 2 kg over the whole BMI spectrum, QDR4500A NPM underestimates scale weight as a weight-dependent response (-1.7+/-1.8 kg overall, -4.1+/-1.6 kg in morbidly obese women). These results suggest switching from one mode to the other at a specific threshold, i.e. in our study a weight of 90 kg or a BMI of 34 kg/m(2). Prodigy gives weight about similar to scale (+0.5+/-0.8 kg). Both Hologic acquisition modes underestimate fat mass but overestimate lean body mass compared to Prodigy. CONCLUSIONS: The QDR4500A NPM is inappropriate in women over 90 kg. Unfortunately, the QDR4500A HPM overestimates body weight in the range of 90-150 kg. The difference between scale and Prodigy weight remains stable throughout weight ranges. To better assess their accuracies in terms of body composition, QDR4500A NPM, HPM and Prodigy should be tested against phantoms or in vivo multi-compartment models.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2000

Risk factors of obesity in preschool children in China: a population-based case--control study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors of obesity in preschool children in China. DESIGN: A nationwide case-control study in eight cities in China. SUBJECTS: A total of 748 boys and 574 girls (age 0.1 - 6.9 y), including the obese and non-obese. One obese child was matched with one non-obese child by sex and age. MEASUREMENTS: Weight, height and other measurements were taken for all the subjects. The information on child activity, feeding pattern and family background was collected by our study team from the parents and the kindergarten teacher. RESULTS: Birth weight > or =4.0 kg, high eating speed, obesity among the child's relatives > or =25%, mother's body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 and father's BMI > 25 kg/m2 were identified as the major significant (P < 0.05) risk factors of obesity in preschool children in China. CONCLUSION: Family history of obesity, high birth weight and eating speed were identified as the risk factors of obesity in preschool children in China. Our results show the need for family therapy as part of an intervention program for childhood obesity, which includes behavior modification.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed2002

Familial clustering of obesity and the role of nutrition: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the hypothesis that parent's dietary intakes are associated with their offspring's body mass index. DESIGN: Observational analytical cross-sectional survey among inhabitants of district 13 in the east of Tehran. SUBJECTS: A total of 117 healthy families comprising 474 subjects including 240 offspring (3-25 y old). MEASUREMENTS: Weight and height were measured by a standard protocol and body mass index (kg/m(2)) was calculated. Dietary intakes were assessed by means of a 2 day dietary recall questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 11.8% in offspring of normal-weight parents, 19.0% in offspring of overweight fathers and normal-weight mothers, 25.4% in offspring of overweight mothers and normal-weight fathers and 40.8% in offspring with both parents overweight. The Offspring's overweight was significantly and independently associated with high-energy intake of both parents (odds ratio; 95% CI 2.7; 1.6-4.5). Adjusted for the sex of parents, the chances of offspring being overweight were higher in overweight (3.8; 1.5-9.2) and high-energy-intake mothers (2.6; 1.2-5.6) and high-energy-intake fathers (2.0; 1.1-3.9) as compared with children of normal-weight parents. High fat intake of husbands was an independent risk factor increasing the chances of their wives being overweight (2.1; 1.5-3.6) and vice versa (1.8; 1.2-2.8). CONCLUSION: The observed familial obesity pattern was shown to be associated with the familial dietary intakes. Hence, familial intervention seems essential to stop the accelerated rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in our community.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Relationship between growth and feeding in infancy and body mass index at the age of 6 years.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between size and growth measurements in infancy to body mass index (BMI) at 6 y. DESIGN: A longitudinal observation study on randomly chosen infants' growth and consumption in infancy. Follow-up until the age of 6 y. SUBJECTS: A total of 90 children who were born healthy and full-term. MEASUREMENTS: Weight and height were measured at maternity wards and healthcare centers in Iceland throughout infancy and at 6 y. Food records were made every month during infancy. At 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months, food was weighed to calculate food and nutrient intake. RESULTS: Weight gain from birth to 12 months as a ratio of birth weight was positively related to BMI at the age of 6 y in both genders (B=2.9+/-1.0, P=0.008, and B=2.0+/-0.9, P=0.032 for boys and girls, respectively). Boys in the highest quartile of protein intake (E%) at the age of 9-12 months had significantly higher BMI (17.8+/-2.4 kg/m(2)) at 6 y than the lowest (15.6+/-1.0 kg/m(2), P=0.039) and the second lowest (15.3+/-0.8 kg/m(2), P=0.01) quartile. Energy intake was not different between groups. Together, weight gain at 0-12 months and protein intake at 9-12 months explained 50% of the variance in BMI among 6-y-old boys. CONCLUSION: Rapid growth during the first year of life is associated with increased BMI at the age of 6 y in both genders. In boys, high intake of protein in infancy could also contribute to childhood obesity.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2000

Pegylated liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin and cisplatin in the treatment of head and neck xenograft tumours.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo activity of unencapsulated doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CDDP) and their pegylated liposome encapsulated counterparts (PLED and PLEC) in a subcutaneous model of human squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. METHODS: In vitro cytotoxicity was determined by means of the sulphorhodamine B assay and in vivo activity was assessed in terms of tumour growth delay following single intravenous doses of the various agents. Treatment-related toxicity was evaluated by means of serial weight measurement. RESULTS: The IC(50) values for DOX (12.1-fold) and CDDP (21.5-fold) were lower than for their liposome-encapsulated counterparts. When the two unencapsulated agents were compared, the IC(50) value for DOX was 16-fold lower than that for CDDP. In the in vivo studies, liposomes containing DTPA (PLEDTPA) exerted no effect on KB xenograft tumours when compared to untreated controls (P > 0.1). PLED was significantly more effective than DOX at doses of 2 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). At the 8 mg/kg dose, 7/13 animals treated with PLED were free of disease at 60 days, compared to 0/12 treated with DOX. PLEC displayed superior activity in comparison to CDDP at the 4 mg/kg dose level (P < 0.001), although at doses of 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg this comparison only reached borderline statistical significance (0.1 > P > 0.05). The highest dose level of 20 mg/kg was fatal to all animals in the CDDP group but well-tolerated by the animals in the PLEC group. On the basis of serial weight measurements, both PLED and PLEC were shown to be tolerated better than DOX and CDDP. CONCLUSION: Both PLED and PLEC were shown to exert significant activity against head and neck xenograft tumours, with PLED showing particular efficacy.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

High molecular weight corticotropin measured with immunoradiometric assay in a patient with asymptomatic pituitary corticotropinoma.

A 57-yr-old female with corticotropinoma showing no Cushingoid stigmata is reported. Basal plasma levels of ACTH measured with immunoradiometric assay and beta-endorphin were high, 12.6-15.9 pmol/l and 3.5 pmol/l, respectively. Plasma cortisol level and urinary free cortisol excretion were normal, 303-359 nmol/l and 171-226 nmol/day, respectively. Plasma ACTH markedly increased to 70.5 pmol/l with intravenous administration of 100 microg CRH. Diurnal rhythm of plasma ACTH was seen, but its level in the night was still high. Plasma ACTH suppression with dexamethasone was insufficient. CRH stimulation after dexamethasone suppression increased plasma ACTH level from 4.4 to 13.7 pmol/l. Intravenous administration of 4 microg desmopressin increased plasma ACTH from 15.6 to 19.6 pmol/l. Oral administration of 16 mg lepramide insufficiently decreased plasma ACTH from 7.3 to 5.3 pmol/l. However, plasma cortisol responses in these conditions were normal. Postoperative pathological study revealed subtype 1 corticotropinoma immunohistochemically and electron-microscopically. Postoperative basal plasma ACTH decreased to 3.9 pmol/l, although plasma cortisol did not change. Diurnal rhythm and dexamethasone suppressibility of plasma ACTH became normal. Plasma sample was chromatographed on a Sephadex G-75 column. The elution profile showed two peaks of ACTH, one of which was compatible with 1-39 ACTH and another with higher molecular weight ACTH which was probably secreted from corticotropinoma. Anomaly in processing of proopiomelanocortin was suspected.

Adenoma↗