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Background. Epidemiological studies have shown long-term effects of particulate matter (PM) on cardiovascular mortality. However, studies investigating the effects of PM and especially its constitu...

Objective Regular physical activity is a major health determinant. Little is known about physical activity trends. We evaluated whether adult physical activity levels are changing in a Swiss urban state (Geneva). Method We analyzed 11-year trends of physical activity indicators, including 3+ MET-minutes per week and physical activity outside working hours, in population representative adults (n = 9320, aged 35–74 years, 50% women), relating declared physical activity to socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and clinical and blood markers. Results Combining yearly cohorts from 1999 to 2009, we found a significant trend for increased physical activity levels. Weekly age and sex adjusted 3+ MET-minutes per week increased from 3023 to 3752, between 1999 and 2009 (P = 0.02). The increase also concerned physical activity outside working hours (+ 18 kcal/day/year). There was a shift from low levels of physical activity levels towards higher activities. Physical activity indicators were associated with socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and biological and anthropometric measures. The trend for increased physical activity was more prominent over the latter 5 years. Conclusion We found that physical activity levels have increased in an urban Swiss state. The increase is significant but small, and further efforts to promote physical activity are therefore warranted.

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of compression stockings to prevent muscular damage and preserve muscular performance during a half-ironman triathlon. Thirty-six experienced triathletes volunteered for this study. Participants were matched for age, anthropometric data and training status and placed into the experimental group (N = 19; using ankle-to-knee graduated compression stockings) or control group (N = 17; using regular socks). Participants competed in a half-ironman triathlon celebrated at 29 ± 3 °C and 73 ± 8 % of relative humidity. Race time was measured by means of chip timing. Pre- and post-race, maximal height and leg muscle power were measured during a countermovement jump. At the same time, blood myoglobin and creatine kinase concentrations were determined and the triathletes were asked for perceived exertion and muscle soreness using validated scales. Total race time was not different between groups (315 ± 45 for the control group and 310 ± 32 min for the experimental group; P = 0.46). After the race, jump height (−8.5 ± 3.0 versus −9.2 ± 5.3 %; P = 0.47) and leg muscle power reductions (−13 ± 10 versus −15 ± 10 %; P = 0.72) were similar between groups. Post-race myoglobin (718 ± 119 versus 591 ± 100 μg/mL; P = 0.42) and creatine kinase concentrations (604 ± 137 versus 525 ± 69 U/L; P = 0.60) were not different between groups. Perceived muscle soreness (5.3 ± 2.1 versus 6.0 ± 2.0 arbitrary units; P = 0.42) and the rating of perceived effort (17 ± 2 versus 17 ± 2 arbitrary units; P = 0.58) were not different between groups after the race. Wearing compression stockings did not represent any advantage for maintaining muscle function or reducing blood markers of muscle damage during a triathlon event.

Whiteley et al.1 reported that higher level of circulating markers of the acute inflammatory response in acute stroke were associated with higher temperatures in normal brain. They found no association between blood markers of inflammation and brain temperature in different regions of brain. The authors measured 3 markers of inflammation: C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen. Higher temperature in diffusion-weighted imaging–abnormal brain was not associated with higher body temperature at the time of the first scan, but was associated with higher contemporaneous body temperature at the second scan. Was there any correlation between ischemic lesions and markers of inflammation? For example, did ischemic lesions in the infratentorial lesions correlate with one of these measurements? Body temperature is related to brain lesion in the hypothalamus and direct or indirect damage to the hypothalamus could contribute to the findings. In addition to brain cooling, elevating these biomarkers should be explored further.

Cardiovascular disease is known to be associated with proximity to major roadways and highways. Thus, blood samples from 20 near highway and 20 urban background residents were analyzed for presence of cytokines and other biomarkers. Near-highway participants displayed significantly lower socioeconomic status (SES) and significantly higher occupational vehicle exhaust exposure and higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Controlling for exposure to vehicle exhaust on the job, interleukin-6 (IL-6) was numerically higher in near highway participants. Using logistic regression analyses, IL-1β was significantly elevated near highway. It is interesting that elevations were found in IL-1β, a key cytokine linked to inflammation from particulate matter (PM). More studies are needed with larger sample sizes to assess the possible role of IL-1β.

The name of the second author was not given completely. The correct name is: David Fernandez de Velasco. The correct citation is: Del Coso J, Fernandez de Velasco D, Abian-Vicen J, Salinero JJ, Gonzalez-Millan C, et al. (2013) Running Pace Decrease during a Marathon Is Positively Related to Blood Markers of Muscle Damage. PLoS ONE 8(2): e57602. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057602. The correct abbreviation in Contributions is: DFdV.

Background: Completing a marathon is one of the most challenging sports activities, yet the source of running fatigue during this event is not completely understood. The aim of this investigation was to determine the cause(s) of running fatigue during a marathon in warm weather. Methodology/Principal Findings: We recruited 40 amateur runners (34 men and 6 women) for the study. Before the race, body core temperature, body mass, leg muscle power output during a countermovement jump, and blood samples were obtained. During the marathon (27 uC; 27% relative humidity) running fatigue was measured as the pace reduction from the first 5-km to the end of the race. Within 3 min after the marathon, the same pre-exercise variables were obtained. Results: Marathoners reduced their running pace from 3.5 6 0.4 m/s after 5-km to 2.9 6 0.6 m/s at the end of the race (P,0.05), although the running fatigue experienced by the marathoners was uneven. Marathoners with greater running fatigue (. 15% pace reduction) had elevated post-race myoglobin (1318 6 1411 v 623 6 391 mg L21; P,0.05), lactate dehydrogenase (687 6 151 v 583 6 117 U L21; P,0.05), and creatine kinase (564 6 469 v 363 6 158 U L21; P = 0.07) in comparison with marathoners that preserved their running pace reasonably well throughout the race. However, they did not differ in their body mass change (23.1 6 1.0 v 23.0 6 1.0%; P = 0.60) or post-race body temperature (38.7 6 0.7 v 38.9 6 0.9 uC; P = 0.35). Conclusions/Significance: Running pace decline during a marathon was positively related with muscle breakdown blood markers. To elucidate if muscle damage during a marathon is related to mechanistic or metabolic factors requires further investigation.

Background Noninvasive methods for liver fibrosis evaluation in chronic liver diseases have been recently developed, i.e. transient elastography (Fibroscan™) and blood tests (Fibrometer®, Fibrotest®, and Hepascore®). In this study, we aimed to design a new score in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) by selecting blood markers in a large panel and we compared its diagnostic performance with those of other noninvasive methods. Methods Sixteen blood tests were performed in 306 untreated CHC patients included in a multicenter prospective study (ANRS HC EP 23 Fibrostar) using METAVIR histological fibrosis stage as reference. The new score was constructed by non linear regression using the most accurate biomarkers. Results Five markers (alpha-2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein-A1, AST, collagen IV and osteoprotegerin) were included in the new function called Coopscore©. Using the Obuchowski Index, Coopscore© shows higher diagnostic performances than for Fibrometer®, Fibrotest®, Hepascore® and Fibroscan™ in CHC. Association between Fibroscan™ and Coopscore© might avoid 68% of liver biopsies for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis. Conclusion Coopscore© provides higher accuracy than other noninvasive methods for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in CHC. The association of Coopscore© with Fibroscan™ increases its predictive value.

Widespread PSA testing leads to the diagnosis of clinically insignificant tumors (overdiagnosis) and potential overtreatment, causing severe morbidity and leading to unnecessary high healthcare costs. Prognostic biomarkers, to identify men with clinically significant prostate cancer, are urgently needed. This chapter will focus on serum PSA and promising novel prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer, arranged by tissue markers, blood markers, and urine markers. In addition, the STAndards for Reporting of Diagnostic accuracy (STARD) statement and the Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies (REMARK) guidelines, two initiatives that are important steps forward in improving the quality of tumor marker studies, are discussed.

Examination of relationships between systemic markers and functional measures of arterial structure and function may assist in determining alternative indices of vascular regulation and designing and evaluating interventions to improve arterial structure and function. Twenty young healthy individuals, 20 older healthy men, and 26 individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD), comprising a spectrum of vascular health, participated. Systemic markers of vascular structure and function included: pro‐collagen type I C‐peptide (PIP) – marker of collagen synthesis, C‐telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) – marker of collagen degradation, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) ‐ vasoconstrictor, and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) – inflammatory marker. Functional measures of arterial structure and function included carotid artery distensibility and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation (FMD). Moderate positive relationships were observed between carotid distensibility and CTX and PIP (r = 0.57, P

Background A hot environment is associated with an increase in core temperature and dehydration. However, there are minimal data investigating the time course of changes in oxidative stress and DNA in response to cycling in a hot environment. Additionally, it is not known whether there is a critical point in core temperature for the production of oxidative stress or DNA modification. Subsequently, this research investigated the time course of changes in markers of oxidative stress and DNA modification during and after exercise in a hot environment. Methods Eight cyclists (age=30.9±2.2yrs; height=177.9±4.1cm; mass=74.5±4.5kg) completed a cycling VO2max in hot conditions (35°C, 70%RH) to determine 60% of peak power output (PPO). One week later they returned and cycled at this intensity until they reached a core temperature of 38.5°C. Blood was sampled before, during, and after (0, 10, 25, 35, post 10 and post 20 mins) exercise to determine changes in oxidative stress and DNA. Statistical analysis was completed using linear mixed models with a level of significance set at p≤0.05. Results Cycling at 60% of PPO until core temperature reached 38.5°C resulted in a significant increase in oxidative stress over the exercise bout. Data showed that oxidative stress increased during exercise period (0-10, 25, 35 min [0 min post]) and decreased from 0-post to post 20 min recovery. After correcting for multiple comparisons, there was a tendency towards significance from 0 mins to the completion of the exercise bout. However, no changes were observed in the modification of DNA during exercise or recovery. No relationship was observed among the changes in blood markers and core temperature. Conclusion Research shows that regular exercise protects against exercise-induced changes in oxidative stress and DNA. This research shows that this relationship extends to exercising in a hot environment. Changes in oxidative stress appeared to be more sensitive to exercise duration than core temperature. Furthermore, these data showed that there was no critical core temperature for the development of oxidative stress. However, the current project was limited to a maximum core temperature of 38.5°C. Future research should continue exercise beyond this point to develop a clearer understanding.

We have modified an experimental technique in which two different isotopes (Cr51 and I125) were used simultaneously as blood markers for determining the amount of blood removed by feeding ticks. This method enables us to measure separately and directly the volumes of red blood cells and plasma in ticks and to calculate the ratio between the two parameters (concentrating ability). The concentration of red blood cells in nymphs of Amblyotnma hebraeum Kock and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann and in females of these species plus in those of Hyalomma truncatum Kock were found to be twice the amount measured in the labeled blood of goats. Concentrations of plasma in the ticks were approximately two-thirds of that measured in samples taken directly from these same goats. Small nonsignificant differences between the ability of various tick species to concentrate red blood cells and dilute host plasma were found. The advantage of this method is compared with that of the colorimetric and gravimetric methods, and its potential use is discussed.

The major objectives of the present study were to detect whether there are any differences in genetic blood markers distribution between the young and old Israeli population. We also investigated the question about the relationship between the genetic heterozygosity (H) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of an individual. The study sample consisted of 208 elderly people aged between 75 and 94 years old. Each individual was assessed for the same 18 anthropological traits, 8 of which were paired bilateral structures and 10 were size and mass measurements. Thirteen polymorphic gene markers were also taken from each individual. Most of the studied gene systems showed no inter-group (old sample vs 207 young individuals) differences. Significant differences were detected at ADA, ESD, GTP1 and FY loci. These differences were mainly due for the considerably lower frequency of the heterozygous individuals in elderly samples. Our working hypothesis at the next stage of the analysis were as follows: 1. Morphologically central phenotypes are more symmetric (processes lower FA) than morphologically extreme individuals. 2. There is a detectable negative correlation between the FA and individuals H. To study these questions we developed a multivariate measure of FA and morphological deviation of the individual from the population centroid. Yet, no reliable evidence in support of either of the two hypotheses were obtained.

Das Karzinom der Harnblase ist neben dem Prostatakarzinom der häufigste urologische Tumor und zählt weltweit zu den häufigsten malignen Erkrankun-gen überhaupt. Bis zum heutigen Zeitpunkt existieren für das Harnblasenkarzinom keine zuverlässigen und routinemäßig eingesetzten Tumormarker, weder im Rahmen der Primärdiagnostik, noch im Rahmen der Nachsorge. Da die Inzidenz dieser Krankheit immer mehr zunimmt, ist die Entdeckung eines verlässlichen Markers allerdings von großem klinischem Nutzen. Aber auch ökonomisch gesehen kann die frühe Entdeckung eines Tumormarkers zur Detektion des Blasen-krebses ein außerordentlicher Gewinn sein, da sich Patienten mit Blasenkrebs einer lebenslangen Kontrollzystoskopie unterziehen müssen. Die Blut-untersuchung auf einen möglichen Tumormarker wäre kostengünstiger und weniger invasiv für den Patienten. In der Literatur findet man einzelne Fallberichte, die eine Erhöhung der Tumor-marker CEA und CA 19-9 bei einem Karzinom der Blase beschreiben, jedoch fehlen bis dato empirische prospektive Untersuchungen, die diese Ergebnisse bestätigen können. CEA und CA 19-9 haben sich in der Diagnostik gastrointestinaler Tumoren bereits im klinischen Alltag etabliert und werden hier auch mit Erfolg eingesetzt. Ziel dieser prospektiven Untersuchung war es zu überprüfen, ob die Tumor-marker CEA und CA 19-9 ebenfalls für das Harnblasenkarzinom eine Wertigkeit besitzen. Dazu haben wir prospektiv die Serumkonzentrationen der Tumor-marker mit dem histologischen Ergebnis korreliert. Um unsere Untersuchungen zu untermauern, wurde ebenfalls eine immunhistochemische Gewebe-untersuchung durchgeführt. Das prospektiv untersuchte Patientenkollektiv bestand insgesamt aus 217 Personen, die mit dem Verdacht auf einen malignen Befund der Harnblase in der urologischen Klinik vorstellig wurden. Alle Patienten erhielten im Rahmen der Diagnostik eine TUR-B, nachdem präoperativ die Serumkonzentration von CEA und CA 19-9 bestimmt worden ist. Die bei der TUR-B gewonnenen Gewebeproben wurden histologisch sowie immunhistochemisch untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden dann mit dem Tumor-stadium korreliert. Patienten mit einem histologisch benignen Befund dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Unsere Untersuchungen ergaben, dass weder CEA noch CA 19-9 im Serum bei Patienten mit einem TCC der Harnblase signifikant erhöht waren. Der Vergleich zwischen oberflächlichen und muskelinvasiven Tumoren ergab hingegen einen signifikanten Befund: Patienten mit einem muskelinvasiven Wachstum wiesen höhere Serumwerte von CEA und CA 19-9 auf als Patienten mit oberflächli-chem Tumorwachstum. Ebenfalls war zu beobachten, dass die CEA und CA 19-9 Serumspiegel signifikant stiegen bei zunehmendem Differenzierungsgrad des Tumors. Immunhistochemisch konnten diese Ergebnisse bestätigt werden. Patienten mit hohem Tumorstadium (≥ T2) wiesen in der Mehrzahl der Fälle eine stärkere Gewebefärbung auf als Patienten mit oberflächlichem Tumorwachstum oder einem benignen Befund. Es zeigte sich bei CA 19-9 eine Korrelation zwischen Serumspiegeln und Ausprägung der immunhistochemischen Färbung am Tumor. Aufgrund unserer prospektiven Daten zeigt sich, dass die Bestimmung von CEA und CA 19-9 als Tumormarker in der Primärdiagnostik eines TCC nicht sinnvoll ist. Sollten bei einem Patienten allerdings erhöhte CEA und CA 19-9 Werte vorhanden, aber ein gastrointestinales Malignom ausgeschlossen worden sein, so ist differentialdiagnostisch das Vorliegen eines Harnblasenkarzinoms auszu-schließen. Wenn auf diese Weise ein maligner Befund der Harnblase entdeckt werden kann, korreliert die Höhe der Serumwerte mit dem T- und G-Stadium. Weitere Untersuchungen mit einer höheren Patientenzahl sind notwendig, um nähere Aussagen bezüglich Rezidivwahrscheinlichkeit, Progressions-wahrscheinlichkeit oder Ansprechen einer Therapie bei Metastasen treffen zu können.

Autologous blood transfusions (ABTs) has been used by athletes for approximately 4 decades to enhance their performance. Although the method was prohibited by the International Olympic Committee in the mid 1980s, no direct detection method has yet been developed and implemented by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Several indirect methods have been proposed with the majority relying on changes in erythropoiesis-sensitive blood markers. Compared with the first methods developed in 1987, the sensitivity of subsequent tests has not improved the detection of blood doping. Nevertheless, the use of sophisticated statistical algorithms has assured a higher level of specificity in subsequent detection models, which is a crucial aspect of antidoping testing particularly to avoid "false positives." Today, the testing markers with the best sensitivity/specificity ratio are the Hbmr model (an algorithm based on the total amount of circulating hemoglobin level [hemoglobin level mass] and percentage of reticulocytes, 4.51·ln(Hbmass)-√%ret) and the OFF-hr model (algorithm based on hemoglobin level concentration and percentage of reticulocytes, Hb(g/L)-60·√%ret). Only the OFF-hr model is currently approved by WADA. Recently, alternative indirect strategies for detecting blood doping have been proposed. One method is based upon a transfusion-induced immune-response resulting in specific changes in gene expression related to leukocytes such as T lymphocytes. Another method relies on detecting increased plasticizer metabolite levels in the urine caused by the leakage of plasticizers from the blood bags used during the blood storage. These methods need further development and validation across different types of transfusion regimes before they can be implemented. In addition, several research projects have been funded by WADA in recent years and are now under development including "Detection of Autologous Blood Transfusions Using Activated Red Blood Cells (the red blood cells eNOS system)" and "Detection of Autologous Blood Transfusion by Proteomic: Screening to find Unique Biomarkers, Detecting Blood Manipulation from Total Hemoglobin Mass using 15-nitric Oxide as a Tracer Gas, Storage Contamination as a Potential Diagnostic Test for Autologous Blood Transfusion and Test for Blood Transfusion (Autologous/Homologous) based on Changes of Erythrocyte Membrane Protome" (WADA, WADA Funded Research Projects. http://www.wada-ama.org/en/Science-Medicine/Research/Funded-Research-Projects/. 2010). Although strategies to detect autologous blood transfusion have improved, a highly sensitive test to detect small volumes of transfused autologous blood has not yet been implemented.

This study examined the effects of cold water immersion (CWI) on recovery of neuromuscular function following simulated team-sport exercise in the heat. Ten male team-sport athletes performed two sessions of a 2 × 30-min intermittent-sprint exercise (ISE) in 32 °C and 52% humidity, followed by a 20-min CWI intervention or passive recovery (CONT) in a randomized, crossover design. The ISE involved a 15-m sprint every minute separated by bouts of hard running, jogging and walking. Voluntary and evoked neuromuscular function, ratings of perceived muscle soreness (MS) and blood markers for muscle damage were measured pre- and post-exercise, immediately post-recovery, 2-h and 24-h post-recovery. Measures of core temperature (Tcore), heart rate (HR), capillary blood and perceptions of exertion, thermal strain and thirst were also recorded at the aforementioned time points. Post-exercise maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and activation (VA) were reduced in both conditions and remained below pre-exercise values for the 24-h recovery (P < 0.05). Increased blood markers of muscle damage were observed post-exercise in both conditions and remained elevated for the 24-h recovery period (P < 0.05). Comparative to CONT, the post-recovery rate of reduction in Tcore, HR and MS was enhanced with CWI whilst increasing MVC and VA (P < 0.05). In contrast, 24-h postrecovery MVC and activation were significantly higher in CONT compared to CWI (P = 0.05). Following exercise in the heat, CWI accelerated the reduction in thermal and cardiovascular load, and improved MVC alongside increased central activation immediately and 2-h postrecovery. However, despite improved acute recovery CWI resulted in an attenuated MVC 24-h post-recovery. © Springer-Verlag 2011.

Purpose For patients with purulent flexor tenosynovitis, our purpose was to (1) calculate the diagnostic accuracy of white blood count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) for those who underwent surgical drainage, (2) to correlate these markers for those treated with antibiotics alone, and (3) to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosis for surgical patients. Methods A total of 82 consecutive patients (71 surgical and 11 nonsurgical) with flexor tenosynovitis were identified from orthopedic databases at 2 academic centers. We evaluated inflammatory markers (WBC, ESR, and CRP), radiographs, descriptions of surgical findings, and intraoperative cultures for all patients. For nonsurgical patients, we evaluated inflammatory markers for possible correlation with the presumed diagnosis of purulent flexor tenosynovitis. For surgical patients, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated individually for inflammatory markers. Results For nonsurgical patients, WBC, ESR, and CRP were elevated in 3 of 11 patients (27%), 6 of 8 patients (75%), and 6 of 7 patients (86%), respectively. For surgical patients, the intraoperative findings or cultures were consistent with infection in 69 of 71 cases (97%), whereas calcific tendinitis was diagnosed in 2 cases. Cultures were positive in 56 patients (79%). All 3 markers had a specificity and positive predictive value of 100%. For WBC, ESR, and CRP, respectively, the sensitivity was 39%, 41%, and 76% and the negative predictive value was 4%, 3%, and 13%. Conclusions Commonly used inflammatory blood markers (WBC, ESR, and CRP) may be helpful in diagnosing purulent flexor tenosynovitis. If the levels of any of these markers are elevated in patients suspected of having the diagnosis, the likelihood of infection is extremely high. However, with low negative predictive values, these markers cannot reliably rule out infection. Type of study/level of evidence Diagnostic III.

Background and Aims: The pathophysiological pathways linking particulate air pollution to cardiovascular disease are still not fully understood. We examined the association between ambient air poll...

Relationships between ten Spanish goat breeds were studied using qualitative and quantitative analyses of data from 26 morphological characters. The average morphological distance between breeds, measured as MCD (mean character difference), has a value of (0.6615 ± 0.1042), with extreme values of 0.4231 between Negra Serrana-Blanca Celtiberica and Malaguena-Canaria pairs, and 0.8846 for the Canaria-Blanca Andaluza pair. Two well-defined clusters can be appreciated in the dendrograms. One formed by Malaguena, Canaria, Verata and Murciano-Granadina breeds, and the other one composed by Negra Serrana, Blanca Celtiberica, Retinta Extremena and Blanca Andaluza breeds. Pirenaica and Guadarrama breeds are included in one or the other cluster depending on the program used (PAUP vs. PHYLIP). Relationships between the goat breeds and their possible ancestral origins are discussed in relation to classifications made by other authors. Although these results agree with results obtained with blood markers, it is difficult to interpret the phylogenetic relationships between goat breeds in relation to ancestral trunks. However, the racial classifications obtained adjust perfectly to the three production systems (meat, milk, and dual-purpose aptitudes).

Purpose To reveal in a blood some markers of changes in a lens during development of a senile cataract. Methods Objects of research were 134 patients at the age from 43 till 84 years, operated concerning a cataract. We determined degree of a cataract maturity and estimated degree of a brown shade of a lens nucleus. The molecular products of peroxidation (primary, secondary, end-products of a lipidic and proteic genesis), enzymes of antioxidants (glutationperoxidasa, glutationreductasa, superoxide scavenger), natural antioxidants (Retinolum, tocopherol, selenium in a blood were defined. Results During the development of an age cataract the level of peroxidatoin products - dienic conjugates, crotonic aldehyde and the bases of Shiffa are decreasing. Decrease of content of vitamins В2, A and Е if the intensifying of a brown shade of a lens nucleus was revealed. The content of dienic conjugates decreases, the level of crotonic aldehyde increases and the concentration of the bases of Shiffa also change. The content of selenium in a blood decreases in patients with a brown cataract but it doesn't change in patients with mature cataract. Conclusion There are markers in a blood in patients with a cataract which change at advance of opacifications and intensifying of brown colour of a lens nucleus. However its changes is non-specific and means about the general activation of processes of peroxidation and antioxidatic system

To evaluate the accuracy of different techniques of MRI steatosis quantification, based on histological grading and quantification of liver steatosis.Twenty-three patients (21 with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and two controls) were included. Steatosis was evaluated in liver specimens using histological grading (five grades) and steatosis area (% of liver surface) was computed using an inhouse automated image analysis. The following five MRI quantification techniques were performed: two-point Dixon, three-point Dixon, DUAL, spin echo method and a new technique called multi-echo gradient-echo (MFGRE). Interobserver (two observers) and intersite (three different liver sites) agreements were evaluated for the two best-performing methods.Steatosis area was correlated with steatosis grade: Rs (Spearman coefficient) = 0.82, P value of less than 0.001. The steatosis area was significantly different between S0-S2 and S3-S4 grades: 4.2 + or - 2.4 versus 16.4 + or - 8.9% (P0.001). Correlations between the MRI techniques and steatosis area (or grading) were: MFGRE, Rs = 0.72 (0.78); spin echo method, Rs = 0.72 (0.76); DUAL, Rs =0.71 (0.76); two-point Dixon, Rs = 0.71 (0.75); three-point Dixon, Rs = 0.67 (0.77). Interobserver (Ric = 0.99) and intersite (Ric = 0.97) agreements were excellent for the liver steatosis measurement by MFGRE. The noninvasive diagnosis of the steatosis area was improved by adding blood markers like ALT and triglycerides to MFGRE (aR2: 0.805).MRI, and in particular the MFGRE method, provides accurate and automatic quantification for the noninvasive evaluation of liver steatosis, either as a single measurement or in combination with blood variables.

Background and Purpose—The performance of validated prognostic clinical models in acute ischemic stroke might be improved by addition of data on blood biomarkers.Methods—We searched Medline and EMBASE from 1966 to January 2007 for studies of blood markers in patients with ischemic stroke and an assessment of outcome (death, disability, or handicap). We adopted several strategies to reduce bias.Results—Studies were generally small (median number of subjects, 85; interquartile range, 49 to 184). Few had evidence of a sample size calculation (7 of 82 [9%]) or reported blinding to whether patients had stroke (21 of 82 [26%]). Of the 66 studies reporting a measure of association, 10 did not adjust for age or stroke severity, 14 adjusted for age, 7 adjusted for severity, and 35 adjusted for both; 30% (20 of 66) used a data-dependent threshold to predict good or bad outcome. There was evidence of within-study reporting bias and publication bias. Cardiac markers showed the most consistent association with poor outcome.Conclusions—Blood biomarkers might provide useful information to improve the prediction of outcome after acute ischemic stroke. However, this review showed that many studies were subject to bias. Although some markers had some predictive ability, none of the studies was able to demonstrate that the biomarker added predictive power to a validated clinical model. The clinical usefulness of blood biomarkers for predicting prognosis in the setting of ischemic stroke has yet to be established.

Background The functional beverage Celsius®, has recently been shown, after acute and chronic (28 days) consumption, to increase resting metabolism and serum blood markers of lipolysis in healthy, college-aged men and women. The purpose of this study was to examine the combined effects of a 10-week exercise program while consuming Celsius® on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness changes in sedentary men and women.

Background Epithelial ovarian cancer is a significant cause of mortality both in the United States and worldwide, due largely to the high proportion of cases that present at a late stage, when survival is extremely poor. Early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer, and of the serous subtype in particular, is a promising strategy for saving lives. The low prevalence of ovarian cancer makes the development of an adequately sensitive and specific test based on blood markers very challenging. We evaluated the performance of a set of candidate blood markers and combinations of these markers in detecting serous ovarian cancer. Methods and Findings We selected 14 candidate blood markers of serous ovarian cancer for which assays were available to measure their levels in serum or plasma, based on our analysis of global gene expression data and on literature searches. We evaluated the performance of these candidate markers individually and in combination by measuring them in overlapping sets of serum (or plasma) samples from women with clinically detectable ovarian cancer and women without ovarian cancer. Based on sensitivity at high specificity, we determined that 4 of the 14 candidate markers-MUC16, WFDC2, MSLN and MMP7-warrant further evaluation in precious serum specimens collected months to years prior to clinical diagnosis to assess their utility in early detection. We also reported differences in the performance of these candidate blood markers across histological types of epithelial ovarian cancer. Conclusions By systematically analyzing the performance of candidate blood markers of ovarian cancer in distinguishing women with clinically apparent ovarian cancer from women without ovarian cancer, we identified a set of serum markers with adequate performance to warrant testing for their ability to identify ovarian cancer months to years prior to clinical diagnosis. We argued for the importance of sensitivity at high specificity and of magnitude of difference in marker levels between cases and controls as performance metrics and demonstrated the importance of stratifying analyses by histological type of ovarian cancer. Also, we discussed the limitations of studies (like this one) that use samples obtained from symptomatic women to assess potential utility in detection of disease months to years prior to clinical detection.

Clinicians and researchers are still on a quest for novel approaches to improve our ability to timely detect prostate cancer (PCa) and foretell the course of the disease. New treatment modalities, such as chemoprevention, gene therapy, and adjuvant therapies, will need more reliable markers. In this issue of the Platinum Journal, Steuber et al discuss molecular forms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and other promising candidate blood markers for the management of PCa [1]. The authors are worldrenowned experts on the subject who have helped shape and advance the field. Their review is an important and timely source of information to help understand and guide judgment by researchers, clinicians, patients, and other decision-makers. In this editorial, we would like to put the field of biomarker research into perspective. The utility and importance of biomarkers has been recognized and biomarker discovery efforts are now common in both academic and industrial settings. High-throughput technology platforms together with advances in molecular biology are accelerating the search for new biomarkers. Open any urologic journal today and you will find multiple articles on the ‘‘next’’ PCa biomarker. These discovery experiments often over-emphasize the significance of novel candidates, and efforts to further credential such candidates have been rare. Indeed, only few novel biomarkers are used in clinical practice, and their rate of introduction is falling [2]. The reasons for this disjunction are manifold and reflect the long and difficult pathway from

Caudwell Xtreme Everest (CXE) is a large healthy volunteer field study investigating human adaptation to environmental hypoxia. More than 200 individuals were studied at sea-level and in four laboratories on the trek to Everest Base Camp (5,300 m). Fifteen physicians climbed high on Everest and continued the studies as they ascended; eight of these individuals reached the summit of Everest and succeeded in sampling arterial blood at 8,400 m on their descent. Core measurements included cardiopulmonary exercise testing, neuropsychological assessment, near infra-red spectroscopy of brain and exercising muscle, blood markers and daily recording of simple physiological variables. The goal of CXE is to further our understanding of human adaptation to cellular hypoxia, a fundamental mechanism of injury in critical illness, with the aim of improving the care of critically ill patients.

The purpose of this study was to measure concentrations of adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NE), free tryptophan (f-Trp), prolactin (PRL), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and blood lactate following 30 s of high-intensity cycle ergometer exercise. Adrenaline (A) and NE concentrations increased immediately postexercise (P < 0.05) and returned to levels observed at baseline 24 h later. Plasma f-Trp concentration decreased by 23.5% immediately following exercise (P < 0.05). There were no changes observed in serum concentrations of PRL. Plasma NEFA concentrations decreased immediately following exercise by 46% (P < 0.05) and returned to baseline values 24 h later. Whole blood lactate concentrations increased immediately post exercise (P < 0.05), and were higher than those measured 24 h later (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that blood markers of serotoninergic activity were unaltered by a single 30 s bout of maximal cycling.

liver fat, and the addition of common CVD blood markers (TG, HDL, hsCRP) increased the predictive power to 43%. However, addition of the novel Omega-3 Index, and red blood cell n-6/n-3 ratio to the model did not meaningfully or statistically improve the prediction of liver fat. Conclusions: Against our hypothesis, the Omega3 Index was positively correlated with liver fat. NAFLD is an important risk factor for CVD, and further research is needed to test the predictive capacity of the Omega-3 Index in higher risk populations. In healthy overweight/obese adults, simple routine clinical measurements are useful for predicting those at increased risk of NAFLD. Funding source(s): Blackmores Ltd. and Diabetes Australia Research Trust.

Background and aims Bacterial ventriculitis is common in children with temporary external ventricular drains and diagnosis is challenging due to frequent reoperations, blood contamination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), presence of chemical ventriculitis and elevation of blood laboratory markers by concomitant bacterial infection. Methods Prospective, observational study enrolling children with external ventricular drainage at surgical ward and paediatric intensive care unit. CD64in in CSF together with CSF leukocyte count, glucose, proteins and blood leukocyte and differential count, CRP, PCT were studied at the time of suspected ventriculitis. CD64in was measured by flow cytometry (Trillium Diagnostics, LLC, Brewer, ME). Wilcoxon-test was used for comparison between groups and diagnostic accuracy determined by the area under the ROC curves (AUC) was defined for each marker. Results Thirty-three episodes of clinically suspected ventriculitis in twenty-one children (male 14, female 7, median age: 9 months, range: 8 days-167 months) were observed during a 26-month period. Episodes were classified into those with microbiologically proven ventriculitis (13 episodes: 9 Gram-positive and 4 Gram-negative) and those with microbiologically negative CSF (20 episodes). CD64in was the only CSF marker that could differentiate between groups (p = 0.0003); its diagnostic accuracy was 0.875 (95% CI: 0.713–0.963). Among blood markers only CRP and band neutrophils differentiated between groups (p = 0.0032 and p = 0.0463) with their diagnostic accuracy of 0.808 (0.633–0.923) and 0.721 (0.524–0.870); respectively. Conclusions CD64in in CSF is a promising diagnostic marker of bacterial ventriculitis in children with external ventricular drainage before microbiological confirmation.

Background: Comparisons between monozygotic (MZ) co-twins have tended to focus on the similarities between their dentitions rather than differences. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of discordant expression for simple hypodontia and supernumerary teeth in MZ twin pairs and to explain how phenotypic differences might occur despite their similar genotypes. Methods: Records of 278 pairs of MZ twins, including dental casts and radiographs, were examined and the prevalences of discordant expression for missing upper lateral incisors (ULI) or second premolars (PM2), and of mesiodentes, were determined. Zygosities were confirmed by comparisons of blood markers and DNA. Results: There was evidence of at least one missing ULI or PM2 in 24 of the 278 MZ pairs (8.6 per cent), with 21 of these 24 pairs (87.5 per cent) showing discordant expression. Nine of the 278 MZ pairs (3.2 per cent) displayed evidence of mesiodentes, with eight of these nine pairs (88.9 per cent) being discordant. Conclusion: Our findings show that differences in the expression of missing or extra teeth occur often between MZ co-twins whose genetic make-up predisposes them to simple hypodontia or mesiodentes. We postulate that minor variations in epigenetic events during odontogenesis may account for these distinct differences.

Data are presented on the ABO and LH blood types in Kachchi, a scheduled caste of Madhya Pradesh. India. The results indicate no significant differences in the distribution of both these blood markers when compared with the Brahmins of the same area.

Until recently, the notion of having blood markers of Alzheimer disease (AD) available for clinical use was more likely to be seen in an episode of a TV medical drama or a science fiction movie than in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The search for biomarkers suffered from serious obstacles, including, but not limited to, inadequate diagnostic accuracy, and an inability to replicate findings across samples between laboratories or even within individual laboratories. However, the serious scientific world took notice when, in 2007, Ray et al.1 published a plasma-based screening tool that utilized advanced proteomic and bioinformatics methods to create a blood profile that was highly accurate in identifying persons with AD as well as those who were most likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD dementia. Enthusiasm diminished, …

A number of circulation markers have been identified that have the potential to be used in the detection or prognosis of breast cancer. Unfortunately, no single marker is consistently increased in breast cancer patients when compared with the general population. We hypothesized, however, that a sophisticated analysis of large number of circulation markers would accurately detect breast cancer as well as provide a valuable tool for prognosis. Therefore, we proposed to develop a rapid and simple system to measure a large number of blood markers associated with breast cancer. In order to accomplish this we have developed an antibody microarray with antibodies specific to different blood markers. We have sceened twenty markers and generated. We have refined the microarry to measure markers with a sensitivity down to 0.5 pg/ml. We have used employed this microarry to 200 serum samples form breast cancer patients and control patients. These data have undergone an initial analysis and a number of relationships have been identified. These data will be analyzed using sophisticated computer programs that are designed to find relationships in a complex data set such as this. These studies will result in a prototype chip that can be used for the rapid determination of circulation markers associated with breast cancer.

In the present study the osteoclast activity was monitored longitudinally in porcine blood samples by measuring the tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP) activity with several methods described for human samples. These methods differed in their specificity for bone-specific TRAP and in their practicability. The validity of TRAP measurements was evaluated by comparison with the peripheral concentrations of the N-terminal fragments of type I collagen with attached cross-links (NTx), a highly bone-specific parameter of bone collagen degradation, using a commercially available test kit developed for human samples. On selected days urine samples were collected for the determination of pyridinium cross-links. The determinations of cross-links in urine were normalized for the creatinine concentrations. However, they were not related to fluoride-sensitive TRAP (fsTRAP) and NTx measurements in serum. The fsTRAP activity in serum, which is assumed to be highly bone-specific, was highly correlated with the NTx concentrations in serum under different experimental conditions. As measurements in blood may be more easily standardized than those in urine, fsTRAP measurements in serum seem to be a highly practicable method to characterize osteoclastic activity in the pig.

Clinicians who care for patients with TIA face two big problems. First, we are diagnostically deprived. Even among experts in cerebrovascular disease, agreement on the clinical diagnosis of TIA is remarkably poor.1 The cardiologist has EKG and troponin available to diagnose patients with acute chest pain at the bedside. As most patients with TIA present with normal neurologic examination results, the neurologist typically has only the patient's history. As those in active clinical practice can attest, some patients are better at telling that history than others. Second, we are prognostically deprived. The high short-term risk of stroke following TIA is often emphasized, but the ability to identify this subgroup is distinctly suboptimal. Clinical risk scores, such as the ABCD2 score, have been proposed as useful bedside tools for this purpose.2 However, the ABCD2 score may be more limited in this regard than initially thought.3,4 MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a more powerful tool for risk stratification, as patients with negative DWI are at extremely low risk of stroke.5 However, MRI has limited physical availability in most …