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Low Serum Concentrations (low + serum_concentration)
Selected AbstractsLow serum concentration of sulfatide and presence of sulfated lactosylceramid are associated with Type 2 diabetes.DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2005The Skaraborg Project Abstract Aims The glycosphingolipid sulfatide (sulfated galactosyl-ceramide) increases exocytosis of ,-cell secretory granules, activates KATP -channels and is thereby able to influence insulin secretion through its presence in the islets. A closely related compound, sulfated lactosylceramide (sulf-lac-cer), is present in the islets during fetal and neonatal life when, as in Type 2 diabetes, insulin is secreted autonomically without the usual first phase response to glucose. The aim was to examine whether serum concentrations of these glycolipids are associated with Type 2 diabetes. Methods A case,control study, comprising 286 women and 283 men, was designed using a population-based sample of patients with Type 2 diabetes and a population survey. Results Low serum concentrations of sulfatide were associated with Type 2 diabetes, independent of traditional risk factors for diabetes in a sex-specific analysis: odds ratio (OR) 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.1, 3.9) in men, and 2.3 (1.2, 4.3) in women, comparing the lowest and the highest tertiles. Type 2 diabetes was also associated with detectable amounts of sulf-lac-cer in serum: OR 1.7 (0.9, 3.4) in men, and 7.6 (3.8, 15.2) in women. After adjustment for confounding from other diabetes risk factors, these associations remained basically unchanged. The connections between sulfatide and Type 2 diabetes, and sulf-lac-cer and Type 2 diabetes were independent of each other. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was negatively correlated with sulfatide concentration and positively correlated with sulf-lac-cer (both P < 0.0001, independently). Conclusions We report a new, robust and highly significant independent association between Type 2 diabetes and serum concentrations of sulfatide in both sexes, and sulf-lac-cer in females. The associations were also independent of other known diabetes risk factors. [source] Age of SERPINA1 Gene PI Z Mutation: Swedish and Latvian Population AnalysisANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 3 2008B. Lace Summary Alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency, one of the most common inborn errors of metabolism in Caucasians, is characterized by a low serum concentration of A1AT and a high risk of pulmonary emphysema and liver disease. The allelic frequency for the most common protease inhibitor (PI) Z mutation in the SERPINA1 gene is 2,5% in Caucasians of European descent. The objective of our study was to estimate the PI Z mutation age using molecular analysis in Latvian and Swedish populations, which have the highest frequency of PI Z mutation. DNA samples of heterozygous and homozygous PI Z allele carriers from Latvia (n = 21) and Sweden (n = 65) were analysed; 113 unrelated healthy donors from Latvia were used as a control group. MALDI-TOF analysis was performed on all samples. Pairwise Fst was computed to compare the PI Z mutation ages between the two populations and controls. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Analysis of non-recombinant SNPs revealed that the PI Z mutation age was 2902 years in Latvia (SD 1983) and 2362 years in Sweden (SD 1614) which correlates with previous studies based on microsatellite analysis. [source] Decreased serum dependence in the growth of NIH3T3 cells from the overexpression of human nuclear receptor-binding SET-domain-containing protein 1 (NSD1) or fission yeast su(var)3-9, enhancer-of-zeste, trithorax 2 (SET2)CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 2 2008Toshiko Yamada-Okabe Abstract Nuclear receptor-binding SET-domain-containing protein 1 (NSD1), a culprit gene for Sotos syndrome, contains a su(var)3-9, enhancer-of-zeste, trithorax (SET) domain that is responsible for histone methyltransferase activity and other domains such as plant homeodomain (PHD) and proline-tryptophan-tryptophan-proline (PWWP) involved in protein,protein interactions in the C-terminal half of NSD1. To elucidate the function of NSD1 on cell growth, we overexpressed NSD1 in NIH3T3 cells. Cells overexpressing NSD1 grew in the presence of 2% serum, whereas vector transfected cells did not. Overexpression of the C-terminal half of NSD1 but not the N-terminal half of NSD1 also produced cell growth under low serum concentration. Furthermore, overexpression in NIH3T3 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe SET2 which has a SET domain but not PHD or PWWP domains conferred the reduced serum dependence. Thus, the SET domain of NSD1 is involved in cell growth by modulating serum dependence. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Micronutrient status in children with cerebral palsyACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2007Elisabet Hillesund Abstract Aim: To investigate micronutrient status in a group of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Thirty-six children with CP, aged 1.5,17 years, completed a 4-day food diary, underwent anthropometric measurements and delivered blood for analysis of micronutrient concentrations. Results: Low intake of iron, folate, niacin, calcium, vitamin E and vitamin D was common, even among those who were receiving nutritional supplements. Laboratory tests revealed low serum concentration of folate in eight children, ,-tocopherol in six children, ferritin in five children and pyridoxal-5-phosphate in three children. Two participants were low in zinc and one was low in selenium. Severely disabled children received nutrition supplements more frequently than those with less severe disability (71% vs.16%, p = 0.01). Tube feeding and use of nutrition supplements was reflected in higher concentrations of micronutrients in blood and serum. Conclusion: Low intake of micronutrients as well as low micronutrient concentrations was common in this heterogenic group of children with CP. Children with neurological disabilities should have their nutritional status evaluated in order to ascertain sufficient intake of micronutrients. [source] Tumors Associated With Oncogenic Osteomalacia Express Genes Important in Bone and Mineral MetabolismJOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2002Suzanne M. Jan De Beur Abstract Oncogenic osteomalacia (OOM) is associated with primitive mesenchymal tumors that secrete phosphaturic factors resulting in low serum concentrations of phosphate and calcitriol, phosphaturia, and defective bone mineralization. To identify overexpressed genes in these tumors, we compared gene expression profiles of tumors resected from patients with OOM and histologically similar control tumors using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Three hundred and sixty-four genes were expressed at least twofold greater in OOM tumors compared with control tumors. A subset of 67 highly expressed genes underwent validation with an extended set of OOM and control tumors using array analysis or reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ten of these validated genes were consistently overexpressed in all OOM tumors relative to control tumors. Strikingly, genes with roles in bone matrix formation, mineral ion transport, and bone mineralization were highly expressed in the OOM tumors. [source] An Alcohol Oxidase Dipstick Rapidly Detects Methanol in the Serum of MiceACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2007Jason B. Hack MD Background Patients presenting with ingestions of methanol and ethylene glycol pose a significant challenge to emergency physicians. The decision to initiate antidotal therapy must be made quickly and is currently based on the presence of indirect signs, symptoms, and laboratory tests, because no real-time diagnostic test exists to measure these substances. Objectives To determine whether a commercially available ethanol-in-saliva detecting dipstick (ALCO-Screen) would be a reliable and rapid indicator of toxic alcohol presence in the serum of an animal model. Methods Fifty mice randomly received intraperitoneal doses of methanol, ethylene glycol, or ethanol to induce serum concentrations of approximately 5,400 mg/dL. Thirty minutes after injection, serum was obtained. Serum was both applied to the dipstick and frozen for definitive concentration determination by gas chromatography. After 2 minutes, dipsticks were evaluated for color change by a blinded observer and photographed to be evaluated by other blinded observers at a later time. Results All concentrations of methanol ,5 mg/dL consistently caused a color change on the ALCO-Screen. Ethylene glycol reliably caused a color change at ,300 mg/dL. There was significant agreement among multiple observers whether or not color change had occurred using the ALCO-Screen. Conclusions A commercially available dipstick that uses an alcohol oxidase colorimetric reaction reliably and rapidly detects very low serum concentrations of methanol but not ethylene glycol in this animal model. This color change is easily detected by most observers. [source] Absence of hypoglycemia in response to varying doses of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) in children and adolescents with low serum concentrations of IGF-IACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2006Jaime Guevara-Aguirre Abstract Aim: To determine whether recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) administration to children with low IGF-I and relatively low insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) serum concentrations would result in hypoglycemia. Methods: Eighteen children age 11,19 y with serum levels of IGF-I,<,,,2 SDS and IGFBP3,<,0 SDS were randomly assigned to receive rhIGF-I at 80 µg/kg body weight daily (n=6), 40 µg/kg twice daily (n=6), or 80 µg/kg twice daily (n=6). After a 10-d dose escalation and 15 d of treatment at the specified dosage, a 25-h pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile was obtained, which included 22 blood glucose measurements. Regular meals and snacks were provided. Results: No signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia were noted throughout the study. There were no differences in mean blood glucose concentrations among the three dosage groups. The lowest glucose value recorded, 3.44 mmol/l, was 15 min after a morning injection of 80 µg/kg IGF-I, and promptly rose. Although subjects were selected on the basis of low concentrations of IGF-I to represent proposed candidates for rhIGF-I therapy, the mean and range of SDS for height were not different from those of previously studied normal Ecuadorian controls. Conclusion: In normal individuals with low serum concentrations of IGF-I and relatively low concentrations of IGFBP3, the administration of therapeutic doses of rhIGF-I, while maintaining reasonable food intake, does not result in hypoglycemia. [source] Prevalence of 25(OH) vitamin D (calcidiol) deficiency at time of renal transplantation: a prospective studyCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2007D.M. Sadlier Abstract:, 25(OH) Vitamin D (calcidiol) is the major circulating form of vitamin D and is considered the most reliable measure of vitamin D status. Adequate vitamin D status is important for bone health but there is increasing evidence that low serum concentrations of calcidiol (<30 ng/mL) are associated with many adverse health outcomes in the general population. Little is known about calcidiol status at the time of renal transplantation, a period when bone loss is greatest and immunosuppression is highest. We prospectively measured serum calcidiol and parathyroid hormone immediately after transplant from March 2005 onwards. Of 112 patients studied, 29% had calcidiol deficiency (<10 ng/mL), 59% had calcidiol insufficiency (10,29 ng/mL) and only 12% of patients had a normal calcidiol concentration (>30 ng/mL). The prevalence of calcidiol deficiency in black recipients was extremely high at 41%. Serum calcidiol tended to be lower in winter than other seasons. In conclusion, the prevalence of 25(OH) vitamin D (calcidiol) deficiency/insufficiency at the time of renal transplant is very high. The clinical effects of this deficiency/insufficiency deserve further study. [source] | |||||||||||||