BACKGROUND: & Aims: The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is an important quality indicator originally developed for screening colonoscopies. However, it is unclear whether the ADR should be calculated using data from screening and surveillance examinations. The recommended benchmark ADR for screening examinations is 20% (15% for women and 25% for ...

It is the mature gametocytes of Plasmodium that are solely responsible for parasite transmission from the mammalian host to the mosquito. They are therefore a logical target for transmission blocking antimalarial interventions which aim to break the cycle of re-infection and reduce the prevalence of malaria cases. Gametocytes however are ...

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays are now available that can detect measurable troponin in significantly more individuals in the general population than conventional assays. The clinical use of these hs-cTn assays depends on the development of proper reference values. Therefore, our objective was to define hs-cTnI reference values and ...

BACKGROUND: As new high-sensitivity (hs) cardiac troponin (cTn) assays are introduced decision limits, based on the 99th percentile upper reference limit (99 percentile URL), for each method must be determined and from a sufficiently large cohort to mitigate against distortionary effects of high-end outliers. There is a paucity of studies ...

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) largely depends on the results of von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen and activity. Recently, a new automated VWF:RCo assay on Acustar was developed. This assay panel for VWD also contains a new antigen (VWF:Ag) test. In this study, both chemiluminescence tests (HemosIL ...

This study examined an electronic nutritional self-screening procedure for feasibility and for reliability, rapidity, and ease of use by hospital outpatients. One hundred sixty consecutive patients (ages 18-87 y) attending a gastroenterology clinic measured their weight and height using a modified digital weight and height machine, which transmitted results to ...

Rodent scent-marking is often used for territorial defence and self-advertisement, and both functions often entail the continuous scent-marking of a large area with high costs. In species with highly-fragmented populations and low density, in which the likelihood of social encounters is low, the costs of continuous scent-marking might exceed the ...

In the highly melioidosis-endemic Darwin region of Australia only 11/354 (3%) healthy residents were seropositive by indirect hemagglutination assay, despite extensive exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei. None developed melioidosis but some described a prior self-limiting illness. This seropositivity rate is much lower than that seen in similarly highly melioidosis-endemic northeast Thailand, ...

Aim:PRD1-BF-1-RIZ1 homologous domain containing protein-16 (PRDM16) is a cell-autonomous transcriptional component that stimulates the development of brown fat cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of genetic variants of PRDM16 to obesity-related phenotype variations in Chinese.Methods:A total of 3204 subjects (consisting of 400 male-offspring nuclear families, ...

Behavioral bioassays with the model freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna have the potential to serve as nontraditional but sensitive endpoints of sublethal stress. However, few studies have examined the comparative sensitivity of neonate phototaxis perturbations to standardized endpoints commonly employed in chronic toxicity testing protocols. Even less understood are the consequences ...

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin levels are often detectable in community-dwellers when sensitive assays are applied. However, information on the course of troponin levels over time is limited. OBJECTIVES: We assessed changes in troponin levels, underlying conditions and the prognostic implications thereof in elderly subjects from the community. METHODS: Cardiac troponin I ...

Caenorhabditis elegans is a leading model organism for studying the basic mechanisms of aging. Progress has been limited, however, by the lack of an automated system for quantitative analysis of longevity and mean life span. To address this barrier, we developed "WormFarm", an integrated microfluidic device for culturing nematodes. Cohorts ...

The sampling range of pheromone traps for the navel orangeworm Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its association with abundance was investigated by examining mutual interference within cross-shaped arrays of nine wing traps baited with virgin females and placed at 400-m intervals in three 256-ha blocks of almonds (Prunus dulcis ...

Investigation of X-chromosome inactivation patterns (XCIP) by determination of differential CpG-methylation has been widely applied for investigation of female cell clonality. Using this approach the clonal origin of various tumours has been corroborated. Controversially, strong age-related increase of peripheral blood (PB) cell clonality in haematologically healthy female subjects was reported. ...

The purpose of this study was to compare steps/day detected by the YAMAX SW-200 pedometer versus the Actigraph GT3X accelerometer in free-living adults. Daily YAMAX and GT3X steps were collected from a sample of 23 overweight and obese participants (78% female; age = 52.6 ± 8.4 yr.; BMI = 31.0 ...

We demonstrate a novel, rapid and label-free assay for the detection of Ag(+) and biothiols with high sensitivity and selectivity by utilization of Ag nanoparticle-decorated graphene quantum dots.

To estimate population attack rates of influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 in the Southern Hemisphere during June-August 2009, we conducted several serologic studies. We pooled individual-level data from studies using hemagglutination inhibition assays performed in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. We determined seropositive proportions (titer >40) for each study region by age-group and ...

To investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) in first-voided urine samples and to determine the factors associated with positivity for sexually transmissible microorganisms in healthy, middle-aged Korean men. Five hundred fifty-one men who came to the hospital for a ...

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of chromosomal aberrations-including chromatid type aberrations (CTAs), chromosomal type aberrations, micronucleus (MN) comet assay, and XRCC1 399 Arg/Gln polymorphism-in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers occupationally exposed to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). A total of 52 workers and an equal number ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Background rates of latent tuberculosis infection in low prevalence regions of Britain are unknown. These would be valuable data for interpreting positive IGRA results, and guiding cost-benefit analyses. The management of a large outbreak of tuberculosis occurring in a rural district hospital provided an opportunity to determine the ...

Abstract Many assays are used in animal model systems to measure specific human disease-related behaviors. The use of both adult and larval zebrafish as a behavioral model is gaining popularity. As this work progresses and potentially translates into new treatments, we must do our best to improve the sensitivity of ...

Despite increased use and accuracy of interferon-gamma release assays to detect latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in foreign-born arrivals in the United States, risk characteristics associated with positive results are not well characterized. We conducted a retrospective record review of 541 refugees and immigrants screened for LTBI with QuantiFERON(®)-TB Gold In-Tube ...

Abstract Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been suggested as the most promising biomarker of acute kidney injury. However, there are no reliable data on analytical sensitivity and reference limits of urinary NGAL (uNGAL) assay in pediatric age. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the analytical sensitivity ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: To understand epidemiologic patterns of meningococcal disease in Asia, we performed a retrospective molecular analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens collected in prospective surveillance among children aged <5 years of age in China, South Korea, and Vietnam. METHODS: A total of 295 isolates and 2,302 CSFs were tested ...

Abstract Metal-containing nanomaterials have the potential to be used in dentistry for infection control, but little is known about their antibacterial properties. This study investigated the toxicity of silver, titanium dioxide and silica nanoparticles (NPs) against the oral pathogenic species of Streptococcus mutans, compared to the routine disinfectant, chlorhexidine. The ...

To improve the interpretation of fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results in colorectal cancer (CRC) cases from screening and referral cohorts. In this comparative observational study, two prospective cohorts of CRC cases were compared. The first cohort was obtained from 10 322 average risk subjects invited for CRC screening with FIT, ...

Frailty is a feature of neuromuscular ageing. Here we provide insight into the relative contribution of pre and postsynaptic dysfunction to neuromuscular ageing using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Assays of C. elegans motility highlight a precipitous decline during ageing. We describe a novel deployment of pharmacological assays of C. elegans ...

What is already known about this subject Physical activity declines as children enter puberty. Leptin is cross-sectionally associated with physical activity, but there are conflicting findings on the magnitude and direction of this association. Leptin concentrations fluctuate during puberty, and may impact energy balance. What this study adds Leptin predicts ...

Context:Testosterone (T) levels decline with increasing age. Controversy exists over the threshold for classifying T as low vs. normal in older men. The relevance of assessing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2) remains unclear.Objective:We assessed the associations of T, DHT, and E2 in men aged 70 yr or older and established ...

Silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag), which have well-known antimicrobial properties, are extensively used in various medical and general applications. In this study, the combination effects between nano-Ag and conventional antibiotics including ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and kanamycin against various pathogenic bacteria were investigated. We have tested MIC and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) to ...

AIMS: Engineered metal nanoparticles are increasingly used in consumer products, in part as additives that exhibit advantageous antimicrobial properties. Conventional nanoparticle susceptibility testing is based largely on determination of non-temporal growth profiles such as measurements of inhibition zones in common agar diffusion tests, counting of colony-forming units, or endpoint- or ...

Context:Screening criteria for abnormal growth in children are traditionally based on height-for-age, height distance from target height (TH), and change in growth rate. However, there is no consensus on the optimal screening limits.Objective:Our objective was to first develop new population-based and age-specific cutoffs for these three screening parameters and, second, ...

Advanced glycation end-products, namely AGEs, are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. If AGEs inhibitors are well-known, only few products are described as compounds able to destroy those deleterious products. In this work, we describe naphthoic acid derivatives, particularly 1-(naphthalen-1-yl)propane-1,2-dione 9, allowing the simple and rapid detection of AGEs ...

Abstract Body mass and body condition are often tightly linked to animal health and fitness in the wild and thus are key measures for ecophysiologists and behavioral ecologists. In some animals, such as large seabird species, obtaining indexes of structural size is relatively easy, whereas measuring body mass under specific ...

To investigate the inhibitory effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) on the protein glycation in vitro. Using BSA-glucose assay, BSA-methylglyoxal (MGO) assay, and N-acetylglycyl-lysine methyl ester (G.K.) peptide-ribose assay, inhibitory effects of HSYA were investigated. Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) production was assessed by AGEs-specific fluorescence and SDS-PAGE. In BSA-glucose assay, ...

The biocidal effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-np) has resulted in their incorporation into consumer products. While the population exposed to Ag-np continues to increase with ever new applications, Ag-np remains a controversial research area with regard to their toxicity in biological systems. Here a genotoxic and cytotoxic approach was employed ...

PURPOSE: Genital development is affected by pubertal process to a great extent, and puberty is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by multiple factors resulting in individual differences. We studied penile length and its relationship to pubertal stage in boys 13 to 15 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Healthy boys ...

We characterized the role of chelae during agonistic encounters of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Physical asymmetries in body length, body mass and chelae size were directly related to dominance hierarchy formation. More than 80% of winning crayfish had longer body and chelae lengths, and winners were usually heavier in body ...

STUDY DESIGN: A controlled prospective cross-sectional case study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate body mass index (BMI) and corporal composition in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and compare them with a normal population matched by sex and age. There is controversy as to whether there are real anthropometric alterations in patients ...

Many studies have examined human segmental inertial parameters, but these studies have focused more on male rather than female data. The purpose of this study was to determine the lower limb segmental inertial parameters for a large sample (n>1500) of both males and females. The participants in this study were ...

The prevalence of obesity is rising progressively, even among older age groups. By the year 2030 to 2035 over 20% of the adult US population and over 25% of the Europeans will be aged 65 years or older. The predicted prevalence of obesity in Americans, 60 years and older was ...

An average of six annual rounds of ivermectin and albendazole were distributed in Plateau and Nasarawa States, Nigeria, to eliminate lymphatic filariasis. From 2007 to 2008, population-based surveys were implemented in all 30 local government areas (LGAs) of the two states to determine the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti antigenemia to ...

The aims of this study were to investigate the ulnar variance in a group of skeletally immature female gymnasts of different age and skill level and to investigate the left-right differences in ulnar variance and its relationship with biological and training characteristics and handgrip strength. Thirty-three Portuguese skeletally immature female ...

Current cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) are based on the detection of surrogate markers of neuronal damage such as CSF 14-3-3, which are not specific for sCJD. A number of prion protein conversion assays have been developed, including real time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC). The objective of ...

In this study, we aimed to compare basal metabolic rate and body composition in patients with femoral neck fractures and controls. Sixty-eight consecutive patients with femoral neck fractures (36 males, 32 females; mean age 73.9±7.1 years, range 65 to 93 years) and 71 controls (33 males 38 females; mean age ...

Several studies have noted contemporary girls are undergoing pubertal maturation at younger ages. During this same time period many Western nations have experienced an obesity epidemic, prompting investigators and public health officials to consider the association of these 2 events, and if other exposures might impact this relationship. There are ...

To assess the predisposition for cardiovascular diseases among young Asian Indians by anthropometric data analysis. One hundred and thirty males and 329 females aged between 15 and 26 years, attending health care check-ups at VIT University, were included in this study. Their body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, ...

PURPOSE: Although muscular mass/strength and throwing performance are thought to be closely related, few scientific data exist about these parameters in elite shot putters. The purpose of this case report was to present longitudinal data for muscular strength and body composition in relation to performance of an elite male shot ...

The association of FTO gene variants with body mass index (BMI) and other obesity characteristics is well established. However, uncertainties remain whether the association is present only in young populations and whether it is attributable to body fat mass specifically. We aimed to clarify these two questions in a large ...

Background/Objectives:To compare the characteristics of body composition for different gender and age in a large number of apparently healthy Chinese subjects, and to determine reference values for fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI).Subjects/Methods:In total, 61 382 Chinese adults (age range: 18-92 years) were consecutively enrolled into the study. ...