Nonparametric One-way Analysis Of Variance Research Articles

How to test adhesive strength: a biomechanical testing for aortic glue used in type a dissection repair.

The aim of this study was to develop a method to quantify the peel force in an in vitro model simulating repair of ascending aortic dissections with tissue glue (Bioglue). This study adapted an adhesive T-Peel test for the determination of the peel strength of adhesives by measuring the peeling force of a T-shaped bonded tissue. Measurements were performed on iatrogenic dissected ascending porcine aorta, which has been repaired with Bioglue using different pressure levels. Four conditions were tested: zero sample pressure according to the manufacturer's recommendation (n = 10), low (504 Pa; n = 11), moderate pressure (1711 Pa; n = 24) and pressure applied by a round shaped vascular 'Borst clamp' (1764 Pa; n = 23). Non-parametric one-way analysis of variance was applied for statistical significance. The median peel force (lower quartile, upper quartile) of aortic samples increased depending on the applied pressure: [no pressure 0.030 N/mm (0.016, 0.057), low pressure 0.040 N/mm (0.032, 0.070) and moderate pressure 0.214 N/mm (0.050, 0.304)]. Samples pressurized with the Borst clamp reached 0.078 N/mm (0.046, 0.152), which was comparable to the peel force of the unpeeled controls [0.107 N/mm (0.087, 0.124)]. Compared to samples without pressure, Bioglue with the application of the Borst clamp (P = 0.021) and with moderate pressure (P = 0.0007) performed significantly better. The novel T-Peel test offers an attractive method to test tissue glues in defined in vitro environments. Bioglue peel force increased with pressure on the aortic sample in contrast to low or no pressure as per the manufacturer's recommendation. Modifying current recommended use may aid in increasing effectiveness of this approach.

Poster 128: Association Between Postoperative Graft Integrity and Clinical Outcomes After Superior Capsule Reconstruction: A Multicenter Study

Objectives:Superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) was developed as a joint-preserving surgical option for patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Previous studies have postulated that graft thickness and graft healing may be important factors for optimizing the clinical outcomes of SCR. However, the correlation between postoperative graft integrity and clinical outcomes after SCR remains unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between postoperative graft integrity and clinical outcomes after SCR in patients with irreparable RCTs.Methods:This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 188 patients (86 women and 102 men; mean age, 69.2 years; range, 49–87 years) who underwent arthroscopic SCR using fascia lata autografts for irreparable RCTs from five different centers. Postoperative graft integrity was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging and was classified into five categories: type I, sufficient graft thickness with homogeneously low intensity; type II, sufficient graft thickness with partial high intensity; type III, insufficient graft thickness (4 mm or less) without discontinuity; type IV, presence of a minor discontinuity in less than four slices on both oblique coronal and sagittal images, suggesting a small graft tear; type V, presence of a major discontinuity in four or more slices on both oblique coronal and sagittal images, suggesting a large graft tear. We compared the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, active shoulder range of motion (ROM), muscle strength (assessed with manual muscle test), and acromiohumeral distance (AHD) among the five groups based on postoperative graft integrity. For the statistical analyses, Kruskal-Wallis test (nonparametric one-way analysis of variance) followed by pairwise group comparisons using the Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner procedure was used to compare the values among the five groups based on the postoperative graft integrity assessment. Paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative clinical outcome measures and AHD. Statistical significance was defined as P <0.05.Results:VAS and ASES score significantly improved after SCR in all graft types (all P<.05) (Table 1). However, shoulders with type V grafts had significantly inferior postoperative VAS and ASES score compared to those with type I and II grafts (all P<.05). Shoulders with intact grafts (types I, II, and III) showed significant improvements in shoulder ROM (all P<.05) (Table 2) and muscle strength after SCR (all P<.05) (Table 3). In contrast, shoulders with graft tears (types IV and V) showed no significant improvement in the range of external and internal rotation and shoulder muscle strength in any direction. Postoperative AHD was significantly increased only in shoulders with sufficient graft thickness (types I and II) (both P<.0001) (Table 4).Conclusions:Arthroscopic SCR provided pain relief even in patients with graft tears. However, patients with large graft tears had significantly inferior postoperative clinical scores compared to those with intact graft of sufficient thickness. Shoulder ROM and muscle strength were increased after SCR in shoulders with intact grafts but not in those with large graft tears. Postoperative AHD was significantly increased only in shoulders with intact graft of sufficient thickness. These results suggest that postoperative graft integrity affect clinical outcomes after SCR. An intact graft of sufficient thickness restored glenohumeral stability and substantially improved clinical outcomes.Table 1.Change in Visual Analog Scale and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score after Superior Capsule ReconstructionTable 2.Change in Active Shoulder Ranges of Motion from Preoperative to Postoperative EvaluationTable 3.Change in Shoulder Muscle Strength after Superior Capsule ReconstructionTable 4.Change in Acromiohumeral distance after Superior Capsule Reconstruction

Digital Communication Channels in Export Transactions of Polish Enterprises in The Conditions of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose – The article aims to identify the relationship between the communication shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the digitalization of communication channels in the transaction process, and the exports of Polish enterprises. Research method – The following methods are used: descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and non-parametric one-way analysis of variance (Kruskal-Wallis test) based on data from a diagnostic survey conducted on a representative sample of Polish exporters. Results – The communication shock caused by the restriction of face-to-face meetings with foreign counterparties had, among many factors, the most negative impact on Polish enterprises’ export transaction opportunities during the pandemic. However, hypotheses that there are relationships between export performance, export opportunities and the use of digital communication channels, and the digitalization of communication under pandemic conditions were rejected. The absence of such relationships refers to Solow’s paradox of the lack of efficiency effects of digital technologies implementation. Originality / value / implications / recommendations – Conclusions enhance knowledge of the digitalization of international economic transactions, and in particular, the efficiency of the uti-lization of digital communication channels in export transactions under pandemic conditions.

Validation of Amphiregulin As a Monitoring Biomarker during Treatment of Life-Threatening Acute Gvhd: A Secondary Analysis of 2 Prospective Clinical Trials

Background: Patients with life-threatening acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) often have severe symptoms related to organ/tissue damage, elevated blood biomarkers of aGVHD, or both. Monitoring such patients can be challenging due to unpredictable variations in symptoms that may not be related to aGVHD pathogenesis, such as dietary changes, medication side effects, or infections. In our previously published phase 1 study of urinary-derived human chorionic gonadotropin/epidermal growth factor (uhCG/EGF) for the treatment of life-threatening aGVHD (NCT02525029), we recognized amphiregulin (AREG) as a potential GVHD monitoring biomarker that is elevated at the start of treatment and decreases in patients who respond to treatment. Here we show the results of AREG as a monitoring biomarker in our larger uhCG/EGF treated cohort and validate them in an independent cohort of patients with steroid-refractory aGVHD receiving ruxolitinib as second-line therapy in the REACH1 study.Methods: Longitudinal plasma samples were cryopreserved at study baseline and on study Days 7, 14, 28, and 56 from patients enrolled in both NCT02525029 (N=51) and REACH1 (N=60). In samples collected during NCT02525029, AREG was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN), and ST2 and REG3a were measured using a multiplex Luminex-based array (R&D Systems). Samples from REACH1 were analyzed for concentrations of AREG, ST2, and REG3a using the ProteinSimple Ella platform (Bio-Techne, San Jose, CA). Comparisons of biomarker concentrations between response groups were performed using nonparametric one-way analysis of variance (Kruskal-Wallis test). Analyses of change of biomarkers from baseline to subsequent study days were performed using nonparametric matched pairs analysis (Wilcoxon signed rank test). Biomarker cutoffs relevant for overall survival at study baseline were identified using recursive partitioning on the NCT02525029 dataset and tested in the REACH1 dataset.Results: In patients with a complete response (CR) at Day 28 to uhCG/EGF, AREG decreased 3-fold from baseline to Day 56 (mean, 98 vs 32 pg/mL, P=0.006, Figure 1A). AREG did not significantly change over time in patients with a partial response (PR) or no response (NR) to uhCG/EGF. Similarly, in patients with a Day 28 CR to ruxolitinib, AREG decreased 2.8-fold from baseline to Day 56 (mean, 174.7 vs 63.6 pg/mL, P=0.007, Figure 1B). AREG also decreased 2.0-fold over time in patients treated with ruxolitinib who had a PR to treatment (mean baseline 288.2 vs 146.1 pg/mL at Day 56, P=0.017) but no change in those with progressive disease (PD). ST2 declined with CR, but to a lesser extent, over time in patients with a CR in both studies (1.4-fold decrease in NCT02525029, P=0.04 and 2.2-fold decrease in REACH1, P=0.021). REG3a did not significantly change over time in responders in either clinical trial. Biomarker cutoffs associated with a rapidly fatal course were identified in NCT02525029 for AREG (>212 pg/mL associated with a median survival of 62 days, P=0.006, Figure 1C), ST2 (>292 ng/mL associated with a median survival of 239 days, P<0.001), and REG3a (>13.5 ng/mL associated with a median survival of 416 days, P=0.01). These cutoffs were not statistically significant in REACH1, although patients with a baseline AREG >212 pg/mL had a median survival of 165 days vs not reached (P=0.1, Figure 1D) in REACH1.Conclusions: Using samples collected during 2 prospective clinical trials on 2 different measurement platforms, we conclude that AREG is a useful longitudinal monitoring biomarker for patients with life-threatening aGVHD. AREG levels were generally higher in REACH1 than NCT02525029, which could reflect differences in assay, severity of illness, or both. Patients with a high baseline AREG are at high risk of early death and should be monitored on a consistent platform during serial assessments. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPratta: Incyte: Current Employment. Betts: Patent Disclosures: Patents & Royalties: B.C.B. holds a patent (WO2015120436A2) related to CD4+ T cell pSTAT3 as a marker and therapeutic target of acute GVHD. B.C.B. additionally holds a provisional patent (WO2017058950A1) related to the use of JAK inhibitors for rejection and GVHD prevention. . Galvin: Incyte: Current Employment. MacMillan: Equilium: Other: DSMB member; Incyte: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy. Weisdorf: Fate Therapeutics: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding. Holtan: Generon: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding. OffLabel Disclosure:uhCG/EGF has orphan drug designation for the treatment of acute GVHD

Respiratory Non-Invasive Venous Waveform Analysis for Assessment of Respiratory Distress in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: An Observational Study.

Due to the rapid rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission and the heterogeneity of symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019, expeditious and effective triage is critical for early treatment and effective allocation of hospital resources. A post hoc analysis of respiratory data from non-invasive venous waveform analysis among patients enrolled in an observational study was performed. Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Peripheral venous waveforms were recorded from admission to discharge in enrolled coronavirus disease 2019-positive patients and healthy age-matched controls. Data were analyzed in LabChart 8 to transform venous waveforms to the frequency domain using fast Fourier transforms. The peak respiratory frequency was normalized to the peak cardiac frequency to generate a respiratory non-invasive venous waveform analysis respiratory index. Paired Fisher exact tests were used to compare each patient's respiratory non-invasive venous waveform analysis respiratory index at admission and discharge. A nonparametric one-way analysis of variance was used for multiple comparisons between patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and healthy controls for respiratory non-invasive venous waveform analysis respiratory index. Fifty coronavirus disease 2019-positive patients were enrolled between April 2020, and September 2020, and 45 were analyzed; 34 required supplemental oxygen and 11 did not. The respiratory non-invasive venous waveform analysis respiratory index was significantly higher for the 34 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who received supplemental oxygen (median, 0.27; interquartile range, 0.11-1.28) compared with the 34 healthy controls (median, 0.06; interquartile range, 0.03-0.14) (p < 0.01). For patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who received supplemental oxygen, respiratory non-invasive venous waveform analysis respiratory index was significantly lower at hospital discharge (p = 0.02; 95% CI, 0.10-1.9) compared with hospital admission (median = 0.12; interquartile range, 0.05-0.56). For patients with coronavirus disease 2019, a respiratory non-invasive venous waveform analysis respiratory index of 0.64 demonstrated sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 47%, and positive predictive value of 93% for predicting requirement of supplemental oxygen during the hospitalization. Respiratory non-invasive venous waveform analysis respiratory index represents a novel physiologic respiratory measurement with a promising ability to triage early care and predict the need for oxygen support therapy in coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

Distinctive determinants of financial indebtedness: evidence from Slovak and Czech enterprises

Research background: Indebtedness indicators are used to monitor the structure of corporate financial resources. The company's share of its own and foreign resources affects the financial stability of the company. A high share of own re-sources makes the company stable, and independent. With a low share, on the contrary, the company is unstable, market fluctuations and credit uncertainty can have serious consequences. However, foreign capital is cheaper, and too high indebtedness ratios can jeopardize the existence of enterprises.&#x0D; Purpose of the article: In general, the economic recession worsens the capital structure of enterprises, especially their debt management. Thus, the paper aims to apply the set of 13 indebtedness ratios to a sample of 779 Slovak and Czech enterprises from the construction sector to determine key microeconomic determinants that may influence the level of indebtedness.&#x0D; Methods: A non-parametric one-way analysis of variance ? the Kruskal-Wallis test ? was used to determine whether the set of indebtedness ratios is the same across countries, districts, and sizes. For analyzing the specific sample pair of stochastic dominance, the pairwise comparison was realized using the Dunn'stest with Bonferonni correction. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the differences in the set of indebtedness ratios between two independent groups of enterprises, based on their legal form and country.&#x0D; Findings &amp; value added: The level of total indebtedness ratio and the self-financing ratio depends on the region as well as on the size of the enterprise and the legal form. In the case of credit indebtedness and debt-to-cash-flow indebted-ness, their dependence on the size of the enterprise and the legal form is obvious. The importance of the region and the legal form of enterprises, vice versa, affect the level of the financial independence ratio. These outputs are relevant for au-thorities, policy makers, or financial institutions to identify financial constraints that construction enterprises face and, as a result, make a long-term contribution to theory in this field.

Randomised, double-blind comparison of a fixed co-formulation of intra-articular polynucleotides and hyaluronic acid versus hyaluronic acid alone in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: two-year follow-up

BackgroundA first-year interim analysis of this two-year study suggested that intra-articular injections of highly purified, natural-origin polynucleotides and hyaluronic acid (HA) as a fixed combination (PNHA) might improve knee function and joint pain more effectively than HA alone in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of the second-year analysis herein described was to verify whether the first-year interim outcomes persist over the whole two-year period.MethodsRandomised, double-blind, HA-controlled clinical trial in 100 knee OA patients (98 randomised, 79 completing the study) in a high-specialisation tertiary care setting. The hypothesised difference of efficacy between PNHA and HA for the original sample size estimate is 20%. Treatment cycle: three intra-articular knee injections of either PNHA or HA, at baseline and weekly for two weeks. Evaluations: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score and Knee Society Score (KSS) as, respectively, primary and secondary endpoints, evaluated at baseline and after 2, 6, 12, and 24 months; synovial fluid levels of mediators (at baseline and the end of the treatment cycle). Adverse effects investigated at each control visit. Statistical analysis: Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples (nonparametric one-way analysis of variance) after correction of means for age, Body Mass Index and Kellgren-Lawrence grade. If significant, pairwise post-hoc Sidak multiple comparisons.ResultsKSS total score and KSS pain item: significant improvement in both groups, with significantly more pain improvement in patients treated with PNHA (2-point reduction) than HA (1-point reduction). Both groups experienced significant long-term reductions in WOMAC total scores: significantly stronger in PNHA-treated patients after 24 months with a steady difference of 16% favouring PNHA in WOMAC pain subscore. No clinically significant adverse events in either group.ConclusionsThe outcomes of the 2-year study confirmed that a short cycle of intra-articular treatment (3 weekly double-blind injections) with polynucleotides (long-acting viscosupplementation properties, chondrocyte activation, pain-relieving properties) in fixed combination with high molecular weight hyaluronic acid is more effective in improving knee function and pain in knee OA patients than HA alone. PNHA may be elective for viscosupplementation in knee OA patients with fastidious and resistant pain and worsening disease.Trial registrationNCT02417610.Registration, 15/04/2015.ClinicalTrials.gov database link:

The generalized multisample Cucconi test statistic for the location and scale parameters

Many researchers study various test statistics for appropriately dealing with data. The nonparametric one-way analysis of variance plays an important role in biometry. For the multisample location-scale problem, the generalized Cucconi test statistic has been proposed for the location, scale, and location-scale parameters. This study derives the limiting distribution of the suggested test statistic. Computing the exact critical value of the statistic can be difficult when the sample sizes are large. An approximation method regarding the distribution function of the test statistic can be useful in this situation. We use a gamma approximation to evaluate the upper-tail probability of the proposed test statistic for a finite sample size.

Expression profiling of muscle invasive and non-invasive bladder tumors for biomarkers identification related to drug resistance, sensitivity and tumor progression

Many bladder cancer (BC) patients with early disease are asymptomatic and diagnosed at advanced stage when the therapeutic options are limited. This necessitates the development of reliable predictive molecular biomarkers that will ensure a positive therapeutic response in every patient. The aim of this study was to screen for alterations in gene expression levels related to drug sensitivity and resistance that may be further explored as potential predictive therapeutic biomarkers. Gene expression analysis of the 168 genes from two panels for Cancer drug resistance and metabolism (PAHS004) and Cancer Drug Targets (PAHS507z) was performed. A total of 47 transitorial cell bladder cancer samples of stage pTa, pT1, pT2 were investigated using the pooling method, which allows reducing the effect of biological variation and detecting only significant expression changes. Differential gene expression was calculated using the ΔΔCt method with GPDH as a housekeeping gene. The 4.0-fold change in gene expression was used as the cut-off threshold to determine upregulation or downregulation compared to normal bladder tissue (negative control). Significance of the differences in the expression profiles was assessed by nonparametric one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Dunn’s multiple comparison tests and Mann-Witney test. We demonstrated a correlation of tumor invasion and several up-regulated genes related to chemotherapy resistance. For the first time, this study demonstrated overexpression of CDK8, CDK9, FIGF, HDAC11, IGF1 and PDGFRA genes in muscle-invasive bladder carcinomas. These genes and their proteins could be used as potential biomarkers for bladder cancer progression or prospective therapeutic targets.

Effects of Azelnidipine-Carboxymethylcellulose Gel on Healing of Full-Thickness Skin Wounds in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of azelnidipine-carboxyl methyl cellulose (AZL-CMC) gel and carboxyl methyl cellulose 2% gel (CMC) on the healing of full-thickness skin wounds of diabetic rats.MethodsFifteen Sprague Dawley male rats were studied. The rats were divided into three groups: AZL-CMC gel-treated, CMC 2% gel-treated, and control group. Wounds were assessed by wound area measurement every 3 days and histopathology samples were collected at 4, 7 and 12 days post wounding to evaluate the healing process using stereological study. Mann–Whitney U-test repeated measurement and non-parametric one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data using SPSS, version 18.ResultsNumerical density of the fibroblasts of the AZL-CMC gel treated group was 59.17±2.69 (×104/mm3) and higher than the control 22.64±1.34 (×104/mm3) and CMC 2%-treated groups 40.80±5.27 (×104/mm3), respectively, P<0.001. The volume density of the collagen bundles and LV of the vessels were 83.1±4.46 and 42.16±5.78, respectively, in the AZL-CMC treated group, and higher compared to the control (53.96±5.07, 9.9±2.49) and the CMC 2%-treated (65.88±2.13, 18.1±2.20) groups (P <0.001).ConclusionThe healing of AZL-CMC gel-treated wound was better than the control wounds, grossly. Wound healing processes and wound closure in the intervention group began sooner and was completed more quickly. The quantitative and qualitative parameters showed the significant wound healing effect of the AZL-CMC gel-treated group.

Use of N-acetylcysteine plus simethicone to improve mucosal visibility during upper GI endoscopy: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Upper GI endoscopy (UGE) is essential for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. Mucus and bubbles may decrease mucosal visibility. The use of mucolytics could improve visualization. Our aim was to determine whether premedication with simethicone or simethicone plus N-acetylcysteine is effective in improving visibility during UGE. This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with 2 control groups: no intervention and water 100 mL (W); and 3 intervention groups: simethicone 200 mg (S); S+ N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 500 mg (S+NAC500); and S+ NAC 1000 mg (S+NAC1000). The solution was ingested 20 minutes before UGE. Gastric visibility was evaluated in 4 segments with a previously described scale. A score of less than 7 points was defined as adequate visibility (AV). Water volume was used to improve visibility, and adverse reactions were evaluated as a secondary outcome. Multiple group comparison was performed using non-parametric one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two hundred thirty patients were included in the study, 68% female, mean age 49 years. The most common indication for UGE was epigastric pain/dyspepsia (33%). AV was more frequent in the S+NAC500 and S+NAC1000 groups (65% and 67%) compared with no intervention (44%, P= .044) and water (41%, P= .022). The gastric total visibility scale (TVS) was significantly better in the S+NAC500 and S+NAC1000 groups compared with water (P= .03 and P= .008). Simethicone was not different from no intervention and water. S+NAC1000 required less water volume to improve visibility. No adverse reactions from the study drugs were observed. Premedication with S+NAC500 and S+NAC1000 improves visibility during UGE. The use of simethicone did not show improvements in gastric visibility. TVS was worse in patients using water alone. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT 01653171.).

Fuzzy distribution entropy and its application in automated seizure detection technique

Abstract Visual inspection of Electroencephalogram (EEG) records is the conventional diagnostic method of epilepsy but it is expensive, time-consuming and tedious. Therefore, it is necessary to develop automated seizure detection technologies. In this paper, a new entropy named fuzzy distribution entropy (fDistEn) was first put forward and then a seizure detection scheme combining wavelet packet decomposition (WPD), fDistEn, Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric one-way analysis of variance and k -nearest neighbor ( k -NN) classifier was proposed. In the proposed scheme, WPD was firstly implemented to decompose the filtered EEG into several wavelet sub-bands. Subsequently, fDistEn values of all nodes in every level were calculated and followed by selecting significant features using Kruskal-Wallis test. Finally, k -NN was employed to classify ten kinds of EEG combinations. Experimental results show fDistEn can measure the complexity of signals and our proposed scheme is qualified to detect seizure automatically with not less than 98.338% accuracy in all cases. Compared with existing methods, our scheme outperforms most of state-of-the-art articles and it indicates the effectiveness of the proposed seizure detection scheme.

Vitamin D status, bone metabolism and bone mass in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

Osteoporosis is seen in some 12-50 % patients with liver cirrhosis. Detrimental effects of alcohol are exerted directly on the bone cells and indirectly on hormones. Vitamin D is involved in osteoblast differentiation, bone matrix synthesis and bone mineralization, as well as in its decomposition. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in about 2/3 patients with liver cirrhosis. Determination of vitamin D status, bone metabolic activity and bone mass in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Thirty male patients with ALC were investigated in the period October 2011- March 2012. Total vitamin D, parathormone, osteocalcin and CrossLaps were determined by the ECLIA method (electrochemiluminiscence immunoassay) using Elecsys 2010 analyzer. Bone mineral density was measured by means of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) using the Lunar Prodigy. Result analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing, as well as nonparametric one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson correlation coefficient. Deficiency in vitamin D (< 50 nmol/l) was noted in 66.66 % patients, with highest prevalence in Child-Pugh C class patients (chi-square = 5.878, p < 0.05). Osteocalcin levels were below the lower limit of normal in 86.7 % patients. CrossLaps was increased in only 20 % patients, but a significant increase was noted in Child-Pugh C class patients. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 20 % of patients, with no correlation with disease severity and vitamin D status. Vitamin D deficiency is present in patients with ALC. Decrease in bone formation and bone mass is most probably multicausal (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 30).

Responsiveness of culture-based segmentation of organizational buyers

Much published work over the four decades has acknowledged market segmentation in business-to-business settings yet primarily focusing on observable segmentation bases such as firmographics or geographics. However, such bases were proved to have a weak predictive validity with respect to industrial buying behavior. Therefore, this paper attempts to add a debate to this topic by introducing new (unobservable) segmentation base incorporating several facets of business culture, denoted as psychographics. The justification for this approach is that the business culture captures the collective mindset of an organization and thus enables marketers to target the organization as a whole. Given the hypothesis that culture has a merit for micro-segmentation a sample of 278 manufacturing firms was first subjected to principal component analysis and Varimax to reveal underlying cultural traits. In next step, cluster analysis was performed on retained factors to construct business profiles. Finally, non-parametric one-way analysis of variance confirmed discriminative power between profiles based on psychographics in terms of industrial buying behavior. Owing to this, business culture may assist marketers when targeting more effectively than some traditional approaches.

Association between nonspecific skeletal pain and vitamin D deficiency

Deficiency of vitamin D has been reported in patients with many types of musculoskeletal pain. The present study was designed to determine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] deficiency and nonspecific skeletal pain. A total of 276 patients with nonspecific skeletal pain at different regions of the skeletal system diagnosed as leg pain, widespread pain, arthralgia, rib pain, back pain and fibromyalgia were compared with 202 matched controls with regard to mean serum 25-(OH)D level and 25-(OH)D deficiency. Serum 25-(OH)D was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and levels < 20 ng/mL were considered as deficient. Nonparametric one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were used for group comparisons. Multiple logistic regression analysis with calculation of adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were performed to determine associations. In patients with nonspecific skeletal pain the mean 25-(OH)D was significantly lower (P = 0.0001) and the proportion of 25-(OH)D deficiency was significantly higher (63.4%vs. 36.1%, P = 0.0001) compared with controls. There was a significantly positive association between 25-(OH)D deficiency and skeletal pain (OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.01-4.3, P = 0.0001). The strength of association varied across the groups with strongest association observed with leg pain (OR = 7.4; 95% CI = 3.9-13.9, P = 0.0001) followed by arthralgia (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 2.1-7.1, P = 0.0001) and widespread pain (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1-6.6, P = 0.020) but no association with back pain and fibromyalgia. There was a greater positive associations in women compared with men (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1-4.3, P = 0.001). The results of this study indicate a positive association of vitamin D deficiency with a variety of nonspecific bone pain, particularly in women. More studies with larger samples are required to confirm these findings. Increasing serum vitamin D to sufficient levels and longitudinal follow-up of patients may provide further evidence in relation to vitamin D deficiency and skeletal pain.

115 RAT EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR GENE EXPRESSION CONTROLLED BY PROGESTERONE DURING PREGNANCY

The implantation of the developing blastocyst into the uterine wall is regulated by a precisely timed interplay of the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone, which control a set of regulatory factors that make the uterus receptive to implantation. These factors include EGF receptor (Egfr) and members of the epidermal growth factor (Egf) family, namely, EGF, heparin-binding EGF (Hbegf), transforming growth factor-alpha (Tgfa), and amphiregulin (Areg). However, the exact role(s) these factors play in pregnancy remain unclear. To address this, a group of three rats was euthanized every day from gestation day (GD) 0 through to GD21. The uterus, attached uterus (these tissues are mostly composed of stromal cells), and placenta were rapidly excised and used directly for total RNA. We used real-time PCR with the TaqMan system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, ISA) to examine the uterine expression patterns of these factors in rats during the entire pregnancy. Data were analyzed by nonparametric one-way analysis of variance using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunnett's test for multiple comparisons. Egf and Egfr mRNA levels increased significantly at implantation, especially on GD3 and GD6, after which their expression gradually decreased. Hbegf and Tgfa showed a modest spike of transcription around the implantation period (GD4 and GD3, respectively) but were much more strongly expressed at mid-pregnancy, which is when progesterone is secreted at high levels. Areg expression peaked strongly around implantation (GD4) and at mid-pregnancy (GD12). Treatment of pregnant rats on GD5 or GD8 with the progesterone receptor antagonist RU486 (2.5 mg per rat) blocked the expression of all of the genes on the days of treatment. Moreover, injection of immature rats with progesterone induced the uterine expression of all of the genes except Hbegf, while injection with estrogen or estrogen plus progesterone had no effect. Taken together, all genes tested may be assumed to regulate the implantation process. Moreover, Hbegf, Tgfa, and Areg may participate during mid-pregnancy. In addition, all of these activities are likely to be controlled by progesterone in the uterus of rats during pregnancy.

174 EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTORS AND CALBINDIN-D9k GENE EXPRESSIONS DURING PREGANCY IN THE PORCINE UTERUS

To stably maintain pregnancy, several genes are expressed in the uterus. In particular, the endometrial expression of genes encoding growth factors appears to play a key role in maternal–fetal communication. Previous studies have characterized the endometrial expression kinetics of the genes encoding epidermal growth factor (EGF), its receptor (EGFR), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α), amphiregulin (Areg), heparin-binding (Hb) EGF, and calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k) in the pig during implantation. Here, we further characterized the expression patterns of these molecules during the entire porcine pregnancy. Porcine (n = 3 per PD) were collected at pregnancy days (PD) 12, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 110 and subjected to semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The data were analyzed with a nonparametric one-way analysis of variance using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunnett's test for multiple comparisons to the negative control. EGF and EGFR showed similar expression patterns, being highly expressed around implantation time and then disappearing. TGF-α and Areg expression levels rose steadily until they peaked at PD30, after which they gradually decreased to PD12 levels. The Areg mRNA expression pattern was confirmed by real-time PCR, and similar Areg protein expression patterns were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis of PD60 uteri revealed Areg in the glandular and luminal epithelial cells. Hb-EGF was steadily expressed throughout the entire pregnancy while CaBP-9k was expressed strongly on PD12, and then declined sharply in PD15 before recovering slightly for the remainder of the pregnancy. Thus, the EGF family may play a key role during implantation in pigs. In addition, CaBP-9k may help maintain uterine quiescence during pregnancy by sequestering cytoplasmic Ca2+.

117 THE REGULATOR OF THE UTERINE TRPV6 GENE DURING PREGNANCY IN RODENTS

Transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 6 (TRPV6) is an epithelial Ca2+ channel protein expressed in calcium-absorbing organs. Recently it was reported that TRPV6 is expressed in female reproductive organs. The present study was performed to investigate the expression and regulation of uterine and placental TRPV6 during gestation in rats. In the uterus, TRPV6 was moderately expressed at pregnancy day (P) 0 and decreased until P4. Its expression level then peaked at P5, implying that TRPV6 may be involved in embryo implantation. Around P13, uterine TRPV6 expression increased slightly a second time, and then gradually decreased until the end of pregnancy at P21. Tissue localization of TRPV6 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry methods. TRPV6 protein was detected in uterine endothelium layers and glands; however, it was not detected in uterine tissues attached to the placenta. In the placenta, TRPV6 mRNA levels increased in mid-gestation, and the tissue distribution of placental TRPV6 protein suggests that it may play a role in transferring calcium to the fetus during pregnancy. To investigate the pathway(s) mediating TRPV6 expression during pregnancy in rats and mice, steroid hormone antagonists ICI 182 780 (ICI) and RU 486 (RU) were injected prior to maximal TRPV6 expression, as anti-estrogen and anti-progesterone agents, respectively. Pregnant rats (P4 for uterine RNA preparation, P19 for placental RNA preparation) received subcutaneous injections of RU (2.5 mg per rat), ICI (0.5 mg per rat), or a combination of RU and ICI. In addition, ICR-mice at P9 were injected with RU (25 µg per mouse) and/or ICI (2 µg per mouse). We measured level of TRPV6 mRNA transcription using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and real-time PCR. Data were analyzed by nonparametric one-way analysis of variance using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunnett's test for multiple comparisons to vehicle. In rats, TRPV6 expression was reduced by RU treatment, and in mice ICI treatment blocked TRPV6 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that progesterone in rats and estrogen in mice act to regulate TRPV6 expression in the uterus and placenta during pregnancy. In conclusion, TRPV6 may play a role in embryo implantation in the uterus and in calcium transport between embryo and mother in the placenta.

Lamins A and C but Not Lamin B1 Regulate Nuclear Mechanics

Mutations in the nuclear envelope proteins lamins A and C cause a broad variety of human diseases, including Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. Cells lacking lamins A and C have reduced nuclear stiffness and increased nuclear fragility, leading to increased cell death under mechanical strain and suggesting a potential mechanism for disease. Here, we investigated the contribution of major lamin subtypes (lamins A, C, and B1) to nuclear mechanics by analyzing nuclear shape, nuclear dynamics over time, nuclear deformations under strain, and cell viability under prolonged mechanical stimulation in cells lacking both lamins A and C, cells lacking only lamin A (i.e. "lamin C-only" cells), cells lacking wild-type lamin B1, and wild-type cells. Lamin A/C-deficient cells exhibited increased numbers of misshapen nuclei and had severely reduced nuclear stiffness and decreased cell viability under strain. Lamin C-only cells had slightly abnormal nuclear shape and mildly reduced nuclear stiffness but no decrease in cell viability under strain. Interestingly, lamin B1-deficient cells exhibited normal nuclear mechanics despite having a significantly increased frequency of nuclear blebs. Our study indicates that lamins A and C are important contributors to the mechanical stiffness of nuclei, whereas lamin B1 contributes to nuclear integrity but not stiffness.

Discriminating between point and non-point sources of atrazine contamination of a sandy aquifer

This study analyses the sources of atrazine contamination in the Brusselian sandy aquifer of central Belgium. Atrazine has in the past been used for both agricultural and non-agricultural applications, but it is difficult to distinguish the contamination originating from these two sources. The spatial and temporal covariance of atrazine concentrations was studied by fitting semi-variogram models to monitoring data. Correlation ranges were found to be 600 m and 600–700 days, respectively. The results were used to apply a declustering algorithm before examining the distribution of atrazine concentrations measured in groundwater. Monitoring data appeared to follow a pseudo-lognormal distribution, as a lognormality test was negative. An inflexion point on the cumulative density function was thought to indicate the two different pollution processes, i.e., agricultural and non-agricultural contamination sources. A non-parametric one-way analysis of variance suggested that the vast majority of atrazine in groundwater was from non-agricultural, point sources. This was supported by the strong relationship between mean concentrations and land use, whilst other environmental variables, such as soil organic matter or groundwater depth, produced less meaningful results.