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Influence of pregnancy, lactation and environment on some clinical chemical reference values in Danish landrace dairy goats (Capra hircus) of different parity--I. Electrolytes and enzymes.

1. Plasma calcium, magnesium, inorganic phosphorus, sodium and potassium concentrations, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities were determined in young and adult non-pregnant non-lactating, early and late non-lactating pregnant and early, mid- and late non-pregnant lactating Danish landrace goats in five herds. The purpose was to determine the influence of pregnancy and lactation on the levels of these parameters and the effect of age and parity on the changes. 2. Calcium, phosphorus, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase decreased in late gestation. Magnesium and creatine kinase decreased in early lactating goats but increased in subsequent lactation periods. Sodium and potassium fluctuated little during pregnancy and lactation. Calcium, magnesium and potassium profiles were inversely, while phosphorus was directly, proportional to parity. 3. There were significant differences in most ions and enzymes between goats of different herds (within the same physiological state). 4. The transferases and creatine kinase were higher in young goats than in old ones, while alkaline phosphatase was unpredictably high or low in individual goats. 5. Alterations in the level of plasma electrolytes and enzyme activities occur due to pregnancy and lactation and the degree depends on age and parity, influenced also by environment.

Aging↗

Monitoring of renal allografts by Doppler ultrasound: precision and reference values.

The Doppler ultrasound method was used to obtain blood flow velocity curves from one of the large segmental arteries near the pelvis of transplanted renal allografts. The precision of the method for estimation of the pulsatility index (PI), the ratio between the peak systolic and the least diastolic velocity (A/B ratio) and the ratio of the are under the velocity curve of the first half and the second half of the cardiac cycle (AUC 1/2 ratio) was tested in vivo by examination of six renal allograft patients eight times. Two investigators examined each patient twice in random order upon two successive days. To investigate variation with time the same 10 patients were examined four times with 6-8 week intervals. To establish normal ranges for the PI, the A/B ratio and the AUC 1/2 ratio, a cross-sectional study of 54 patients with stable and well-functioning renal allografts was performed. No systematic variation was found between observers, days or repeated observations. The mean coefficient of variation was 8.3% for the pulsatility index, 5.8% for the A/B ratio and 14.9% for the AUC 1/2 ratio. The longitudinal study showed no systematic variation of the indices with time. For the 54 patients in the cross-sectional study the mean pulsatility index was 0.78, the mean A/B ratio 2.62 and the mean AUC ratio 1.82.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Reference values of urinary 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol in the Italian population--validation of analytical method and preliminary results (multicentric study).

The interlaboratory validation of analytical procedures for the assay of urinary 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) in the general Italian population is reported. The determinations were performed by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGS) with electron capture detection and HRGS with mass spectrometry (MS) in 2 laboratories. The urine samples were from 42 participants from 3 regions of Italy. The results were evaluated by interlaboratory quality control. Urinary TCP concentrations were above the detection limit (1.2 micrograms/L) in 88% of the population, with a mean detectable concentration [GM (GSD)] of 2.8 (1.9) micrograms/g creatinine (creat). (GM, geometric mean; GSD, geometric standard deviation.) The Mann-Whitney U test showed that wine consumption was a statistically significant variable (p < 0.05) for urinary concentrations of TCP. Analysis of variance of the logarithm of urinary TCP versus wine consumption and diet showed a statistically significant fit. The model used explained 30% of the total variance: wine consumption and diet accounted for 37 and 17% respectively of the explained variance.

Adult↗

Reference values for gas exchange during exercise in healthy nonsmoking and smoking men.

The gas exchange at rest and during exercise was measured in 50 healthy men, 25 lifelong nonsmokers and 25 smokers, between 20 and 65 years of age. Arterial blood samples were taken and expired air was collected at rest, supine and sitting, and during graded exercise. Prediction formulas for various gas exchange variables were obtained by multiple regression. Optimal conditions for gas transfer were present at light exercise. The arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) remained approximately constant during exercise, although in individual smokers and nonsmokers it decreased by up to 1.8 kPa (13.5 mmHg) between a workload of 50 W and the maximal workload. The lower limit for PaO2 at maximal exercise was about 10.7 kPa (80 mmHg). The alveolo-arterial difference in oxygen tension (PA-aO2) increased considerably with increased workload, from 1.09 +/- 1.05 kPa at 50 W to 3.1 +/- 0.9 kPa at maximal exercise. Ageing and tobacco smoking were associated with a decrease in PaO2 and an increase in PA-aO2 at rest in the supine position, but at maximal exercise neither PaO2 nor PA-aO2 was significantly influenced by age or tobacco smoking. In contrast, the dead space and total ventilation were increased during exercise by ageing and tobacco smoking.

Adult↗

Reference values for blood benzene in the occupationally unexposed general population.

Blood benzene was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 431 "normal" subjects, subdivided into 155 rural subjects and 276 urban subjects. Blood benzene (mean value 262 ng/l) was significantly lower in rural (200 ng/l) than in urban (296 ng/l) workers, as well as differing significantly between 293 non-smokers and 138 smokers (205 ng/l and 381 ng/l, respectively). Among non-smokers, values were significantly higher (307 ng/l) in 76 chemical workers. In the total study population, in 95% of cases blood benzene was less than 718 ng/l, the 95th percentile being 514 ng/l in non-smokers vs 901 ng/l in smokers and 576 ng/l in rural vs 822 ng/l in urban subjects. Within each population subgroup, the difference between non-smokers and smokers was statistically significant, except among office workers (non-smokers 234 ng/l, smokers 304 ng/l). Blood benzene (y) was directly proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked (x) (y = 201 + 12x; r = 0.44; n = 431), and inversely proportional to the interval between the last cigarette and the time at which the blood samples was taken (z) (log y = 6.167-0.0015z; r = -0.461; n = 135). The blood half-life of benzene was about 8h. The multiple correlation between blood benzene (Cb), number of cigarettes per day (x) and time since the last cigarette (z) is: Cb = 417 + 7.2x - 0.41z (n = 135; R = 0.20; P less than 0.00001).

Adult↗

Finger systolic pressure during local cooling in normal subjects aged 20 to 60 years: reference values for the assessment of digital vasospasm in Raynaud's phenomenon of occupational origin.

Measurements of finger systolic pressure (FSP) during a standardized cold test (finger cooling to 30, 15 and 10 degrees C during 5 min ischemia) were performed on 103 healthy subjects divided into four subgroups according to age: 20-29 years (n = 22), 30-39 years (n = 32), 40-49 yr (n = 27), 50-60 years (n = 22). Among the age groups there was no difference in the reduction of FSP (FSP%) and in the digit-to-brachial systolic pressure index (DBI%) after cold provocation at 15 and 10 degrees C. Cold-induced digital vasoconstriction was more intense in smokers than in non smokers (P = 0.025). In the entire study population the lower normal limits of FSP% were 74% at 15 degrees C and 63% at 10 degrees C. Using an FSP%10 of less than 60% as a discriminating threshold between normals and patients with vibration white finger, the sensitivity of the cold test was 87% and the specificity was 100%. The findings of this study suggest the following considerations: (a) age does not seem to influence the digital arterial response to cold in healthy subjects; (b) smoking has a harmful effect on finger cold reaction in normal individuals; (c) the measurement of FSP during cooling is an accurate method of objectively diagnosing Raynaud's phenomenon of occupational origin.

Adult↗

Bone histomorphometric reference values in 88 normal Italian subjects.

The study deals with bone histomorphometric results obtained from 88 normal subjects (38 women and 50 men; range: 20-89 years), in order to establish control values in an Italian population. Bone specimens were obtained at autopsy from a standardized area of the iliac crest. The following indicators were measured: bone volume (BV/TV), osteoid volume, osteoid surface, osteoblast surface, eroded surface, osteoclast surface, osteoid thickness. Dependence of histomorphometric indicators on sex and age was evaluated by multiple regression analysis, including sex, age, and also a quadratic term (age2) and two interaction terms (sex x age, sex x age2). BV/TV was mainly affected by age. In fact, a decrease in the amount of bone was found with increasing age in both males and females. The reduction appeared rather regular, with negligible differences between males and females. The other indicators were found to be age- and sex-independent. As a consequence, they did not give information on the possible changes of bone apposition and resorption processes due to aging. On the whole, histomorphometric indicators of trabecular bone of the normal Italian population do not greatly differ from those reported for most other caucasian people.

Adult↗

Reference values for vital capacity and flow-volume curves from a general population study.

A longitudinal epidemiological respiratory study has been started in the North of Italy to investigate the natural history of obstructive airways disease and the long-term effect of SO2 exposure. The first cross-sectional study was completed in this unpolluted area before the activation of a thermoelectric power plant (500 tons of SO2 produced daily). Follow-up surveys are planned after pollution emission starts for a period of ten years. A sample (n = 3289) representative of the general population was drawn from the villages of the area according to the different risks of pollution exposure. Subjects completed questionnaires and performed lung function tests, including forced expiratory (FVC) manoeuvres. For 801 'normal' subjects, prediction equations have been derived in age/sex groups for slow vital capacity (VC) and variables from the FVC manoeuvre. Comparisons with predictions of other studies are reported. Differences among FVC predictions were found, indicating that the use of different criteria for determination of the FVC manoeuvre end-point can affect results. In 'normals' VC was higher than FVC in older subjects. The difference between VC and FVC may be hypothesized as an epidemiological indication of the ageing effect on the mechanical properties of the ventilatory system.

Adolescent↗

[Reference values of electrodiagnostic and laboratory studies in young Wallis Schwarzhals goats].

Laboratory testing in 10 "Walliser Schwarzhals"-goats included red and white blood cell count, electrolytes, liver enzymes, trace elements and urinalysis, protein determination and cell count of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was also performed. Electrodiagnostic testing included electromyography (EMG) of the head and spinal muscles, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of the right and left peroneal nerve, brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and electroencephalography (EEG). MNCV of the peroneal nerve was 72 +/- 9.24 m/s. Latency and amplitude of the BAEP for P1 was 2.15 +/- 0.08 ms respectively 2.23 +/- 0.7 microV and for P5 5.09 +/- 0.15 ms respectively 0.68 +/- 0.24 microV. P2 (3.2 +/- 0.14 ms/1.37 +/- 0.32 microV) and P3 (3.9 +/- 0.13 ms/0.84 +/- 0.14 microV) were equally distributed between P1 and P5. Whereas the results of EMG and BAEP were similar to those of other species, the electroencephalographic findings consisted of three different patterns depending on duration and depth of isofluran anesthesia. Pattern I had a rhythmic high amplitude (80 microV) and low frequency (1-2 Hz) pattern with aperiodic intervals of relative electric silence. Pattern II was characterized by increased duration of HALF (150 microV), associated with spindles of low amplitude (20-30 microV) and high frequency (10 Hz). Pattern III had generalized delta-activity of high amplitude (70-200 microV). All the results are discussed briefly.

Animals↗

Reference values for touch sensibility thresholds in healthy Nepalese volunteers.

A hundred and thirty-six apparently healthy volunteers between the ages of 16 and 67 were used to determine normative thresholds of tactile sensibility in the Nepali adult population. Tactile sensibility thresholds on standardized sites on hands and feet were assessed for two sensory tests: Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments (SWM) and moving-point discrimination (M2PD). Results are reported as the proportion of subjects able to feel a given threshold. The effect of age, sex, side, occupation, smoking habit and alcohol consumption on the results was examined with quantile regression. On the hand 200 mg seemed an appropriate threshold for 'normal' touch sensibility measured with monofilaments. About 99% (95% confidence interval 97-100) of individuals could detect this filament at all sites. A similar proportion could discriminate two points 4 mm apart which were moved from proximal to distal on the volar pad of the distal phalanx of the index and little finger. For the sole of the foot the thresholds were 2 g and 8 mm. Variability of results was greatest at the heel. Normal thresholds for tactile sensibility were higher than those published for the North American population. Monofilament thresholds suitable for screening were 200 mg (log number 3 center dot 61) and 2 g (log number 4 center dot 31) for hand and foot, respectively. For moving 2-point discrimination on the hand this threshold was 4 mm.

Adolescent↗

[Body structure and radiation exposure in dynamic X-ray studies. A contribution to determining national reference values].

PURPOSE: To contribute data on radiation exposure in dynamic X-ray procedures and to compare them with anthropometric parameters. METHODS: 50 venographies of the lower extremity, 51 abdominal arteriographies, and 121 double contrast examinations of the small bowel were carried out and the dose-area product (DAP) measured for each of the procedures. Additionally, fluoroscopy time, number of shots, body height, body weight, and the sagittal diameter of the examined region were recorded. Dose measurements were statistically evaluated and the following data determined: Frequency distribution, mean, median, 25%- and 75 percentiles as well as correlations with sex, body weight, and diameters. RESULTS: Median DAP was 587 (men: 540; women: 636) cGycm2 with venography of the lower extremities. DAP/min was better correlated with body weight (r = 0.663) than with diameters of the thigh (r = 0.611). Mean DAP was 14,869 (18,070; 10,980) cGycm2 with abdominal arteriography. DAP/min was badly correlated both with body weight (r = 0.285) and diameters of the abdomen (r = 0.249). Mean DAP was 4527 (5096; 4114) cGycm2 with enteroclysis. DAP/min was well correlated with both body weight (r = 0.621) and diameters of the abdomen (r = 0.628). CONCLUSION: DAP of venography of the lower extremity and enteroclysis is greatly influenced by the constitution of the patient. The differences between men and women are, however, not as striking as with static X-ray procedures. By contrast, in abdominal arteriography body weight and diameter play a limited role for radiation exposure.

Age Factors↗

Reference values for peroneal nerve motor conduction to the tibialis anterior and for peroneal vs. tibial latencies.

OBJECTIVE: To generate a large normative database for the peroneal study to the tibialis anterior and to analyze differences between the peroneal latency to the extensor digitorum brevis and the tibial latency to the abductor hallucis. DESIGN: A total of 244 asymptomatic subjects without risk factors for neuropathy were tested for latency, amplitude, area, duration, and nerve conduction velocity to the tibialis anterior. For the peroneal/tibial analysis, 221 subjects were included. Temperature control was used, and demographic characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: Latency to the tibialis anterior increased and nerve conduction velocity decreased with increasing height. Amplitudes, area, and nerve conduction velocity were lower in older persons. The upper limits of normal (97th percentile) were 4.9 msec (latency) and 15.0 msec (duration). The lower limits of normal (3rd percentile) were 1.7 mV (amplitude), 6.8 microV/sec (area), and 43 m/sec (nerve conduction velocity). The upper limits of normal side-to-side difference was 1.2 msec (latency), 6.3 msec (duration), 50% (amplitude), 47% (area), and 20% (nerve conduction velocity). The upper limits of normal drop from below- to above-fibular-head stimulation was 36% (amplitude) and 43% (area). For the peroneal/tibial comparison, the upper limits of normal latency increase of peroneal over tibial was 1.8 msec and tibial over peroneal was 1.5 msec. CONCLUSION: A large normative database was collected. Upper and lower limits of normal were calculated, and side-to-side differences were analyzed. For the peroneal/tibial comparison, an upper limits of normal difference was described.

Adult↗

Influence of pregnancy, lactation and environment on some clinical chemical reference values in Danish landrace dairy goats (Capra hircus) of different parity--II. Plasma urea, creatinine, bilirubin, cholesterol, glucose and total serum proteins.

1. Plasma urea, creatinine, bilirubin, glucose, cholesterol and total serum proteins were determined in Danish landrace goats from five herds in early and late gestation, during lactation and in dry goats. The purpose was to determine if there are sustained alterations in the levels of these parameters due to pregnancy and lactation and whether the changes are dependent on age, parity and environment. 2. Urea, creatinine and bilirubin were higher in young non-pregnant goats than in others. Urea decreased in goats at early and mid-lactation directly proportional to parity so that the higher the parity the more the decrease. 3. Creatinine was higher in young and adult non-pregnant goats than in others. There was an increase in late lactation that was greater in goats of higher parity than in others. 4. Bilirubin was higher in the mid-lactation stage, much more in goats of higher parity than in others. 5. Glucose concentration was lower in pregnant than in lactating goats and increased during lactation. The decrease during pregnancy was greater in higher parity goats than in others. 6. Plasma cholesterol and total serum proteins increased during lactation directly proportional to parity. 7. There were significant differences in biochemical parameters between goats from different herds (within similar physiological states). 8. Sustained alterations of these biochemical parameters occur during pregnancy and lactation in goats; the magnitude of changes depends on age and parity, and varies between herds.

Animals↗

[Test with ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone (oCRH): clinical application and reference values in the young adult and the postmenopausal women].

CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) is a hypothalamic polypeptide that stimulates ACTH secretion by the anterior pituitary and, subsequently, cortisol secretion by the adrenal cortex. CRH test administration is indicated in the differential diagnosis of Cushing syndrome and in the assessment of corticotropic function in different pituitary conditions. Both human CRH (hCRH) and ovine CRH (oCRH) can be used by i.v. injection. Intrinsic ACTH-releasing activities of the two molecular forms are similar. Nevertheless, and contrary to hCRH, oCRH does not interact with the human CRH specific binding protein (CRH-BP) and the use of this ovine form could be useful in testing pituitary function while avoiding possible changes in peptide activity due to protein binding. The present study was conducted in 3 distinct groups of human volunteers to evaluated the ACTH and cortisol responses to i.v. oCRH (1 micrograms per kg body weight) at noon (oCRH test). 24 healthy, nonobese subjects, not under medication, participated in the study. The first group consisted of 8 young men, the second of 8 women of childbearing age and the third of 8 menopausal women. Tolerance to the oCRH test was excellent in all 3 groups. A significant increase in plasma ACTH and cortisol was observed in all the subjects, with peak occurrence for ACTH between 15 and 60 minutes after oCRH and between 20 and 120 minutes for cortisol. The responses were not sex-related among the young subjects, but the menopausal women displayed a higher cortisol increase than the other 2 groups.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[Clinical studies of kidney function in sheep. I. Methods and reference values of healthy animals].

Investigations of renal function have been done on the basis of renal clearance (Clr) and excretion (E) of endogenous creatinine in health sheep of different body weight (89 female, 19 male). Creatinine-E was negatively correlated with body weight in female sheep, it can be calculated from body weight. The Creatinine-Clr in ewes ranged from 1.1 to 2.3 ml/min/kg and was highly correlated with inulin-Clr (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). Fractional excretion (FE) of creatinine, determined by inulin-Clr was 118%. That demonstrate a tubular secretion of 15% of the total excretion. Therefore the creatinine-Clr may be considered representative enough for the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Urea-FE was 24-50%, and urea-Clr about 50% of the inulin-Clr, that points to a high tubular urea absorption (50-75%). For that reason urea is not appropriate for the characterization of kidney functions. Water, sodium, glucose, L-lactate and 3-OH-hydroxybutyrate were absorbed in the renal tubules nearly completely (FE < 2%). So they are suitable as endogenous markers for insufficient tubular absorption. Calcium, phosphate, magnesium and potassium are reabsorbed incompletely, depending on the supply of these substances (FE 0-15%, potassium 5-100%). A method for clinical determination of kidney function by measurement of concentrations of metabolites and electrolytes in blood plasma and spontaneous urine is described and evaluated. The method is based on the calculation of the creatinine-excretion, depending on sex and body weight, and especially allows the examination of male and sick animals without quantitative sampling of urine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Doppler-derived parameters of diastolic left ventricular function in preterm infants with a birth weight <1500 g: reference values and differences to term infants.

Transmitral flow parameters in preterm and term infants were compared in order to study differences in signal expression and temporal dynamics of left ventricular diastolic function. In 63 preterm infants between 26 and 33 weeks of gestation and 102 term infants, a Doppler survey was performed during 6 months after birth. Early and atrial filling-time velocity integrals and peak velocities were significantly lower in the preterm neonates. Atrial filling parameters reached the level observed in term infants by 2 months of age. Peak early filling velocity was still lower for 2-month-old preterms and attained the term infants' level by 3 months of age. Preterm infants continued having high atrial filling fraction (AFF) (0.51+/-0.07) during 2 months after birth, while in term infants the fraction decreased continuously from 0.41+/-0.06 to 0.37+/-0.05. Isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was the only parameter without differences between preterm and term infants, and it decreased from 54+/-7 ms in neonates to 41+/-4 ms over 3 months. Stroke volume passing the mitral valve doubled in preterm (4+/-1 to 7.9+/-1.5 ml/cm2), but increased by only 37% (6.9+/-1.6 to 9.5+/-2.2 ml/cm2) in term infants. Our observations show that the maturational period of diastolic function appears prolonged in preterm infants. As preterm infants have to cope with a higher physiologic preload augmentation during growth, part of the delay in parameter changes might be caused by preload stress rather than by persistence of functional impairment. Although doing well under physiological conditions, preterm neonates may be at higher risk for diastolic dysfunction than term infants when an additional preload challenge is encountered.

Diastole↗

The reference values of the T-wave of the patellar tendon reflex in normal dogs.

The T-wave of the patellar tendon reflex (PTR) was recorded in 24 neurologically normal dogs. The surface electromyogram (EMG) was recorded as the T-wave from the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) in response to percussion of the patellar tendon. The distance of the reflex arc (DRA) was measured along the straight line between the spinous process of L5 and the greater trochanter (GT), and between GT and the patellar ligament (PL). There was a significant correlation (P<0.001) of the latency with the DRA on each side, but no difference in the slopes of the relationships between right and left VL was shown. The regression line between the DRA and the latency of all data was Y = 0.0216X + 1.693, where Y = latency in ms, X = DRA in mm. The mixed sensory-motor conduction velocity was estimated as 84.6 +/- 5.5 m/s. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between the DRA and the amplitude of the T-waves. The mean (mean-CV) and standard deviation (SD-CV) of all CV (coefficient of variation) in each dog were 9.14 +/- 3.65% in latency and 3.54 +/- 1.14% in amplitude, indicating that the use of a simple hand-held reflex hammer is sufficient to record the reproducible T-wave of the PTR even in unanesthetized dogs. This method was applied to a case with minimal paraparesis, and the latency of the T-wave of the PTR in the right hind limb with slight proprioceptive deficit was outside of the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval between latency and the DRA. In conclusion, this method may be used in neurological diagnosis to quantify more precisely the PTR in dogs.

Animals↗

Reference values of electrolyte plasma concentrations in healthy piglets during the first 48 hours of life.

The aim of this study was to analyse the plasma concentrations of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P) and potassium (K) in mature, healthy suckling pigs during the first 2 days of life in order to obtain more detailed information about this aspect of the neonatal adaptation period. Blood samples were taken from 120 suckling piglets (30 min after birth, and then at 6, 24 and 48 h post-natum). The control group consisted of 60 piglets at the ages of 1 and 2 weeks. All electrolyte concentrations showed a significant age influence (P < 0.001). Thirty minutes post-partum a significant correlation between body temperature (T) and both Mg (P < 0.05; b = -0.13) and Ca (P < 0.05, b = -0.09) could be shown. In the sixth hour of life, there was a significant dependency between Ca (P < 0.05, b = 0.48) and body mass, whereas a relationship to sex could be established for P (P < 0.05). After the twenty-fourth hour of life, there was a significant relationship between body T and both Mg (P < 0.05, b = -2.26) and P (P < 0.05, b = -6.54), as well as between body mass and Ca (P < 0.001, b = 0.89). After the forty-eighth hour of life, statistically significant correlations between body mass and Na (P < 0.05, b = 25.72), P (P < 0.05, b = 4.92), and Ca (P < 0.001, b = 1.61) became apparent. At this point, K showed a significant dependency on T (P < 0.05, b = -0.80). It may thus be hypothesized that in the first phase following birth, disturbances in temperature regulation exert a primary influence on the level of neonatal vitality, whereas body weight becomes a deciding factor at a later point in time.

Animals↗