Standard Growth Curves Research Articles

173 IMPACT OF PATIENT AGE OR GENDER ON BIOENGINEERING OF FUNCTIONAL MUSCLE TISSUE USING MUSCLE PRECURSOR CELLS

You have accessJournal of UrologyStem Cell Research1 Apr 2011173 IMPACT OF PATIENT AGE OR GENDER ON BIOENGINEERING OF FUNCTIONAL MUSCLE TISSUE USING MUSCLE PRECURSOR CELLS Meline Stölting, Lukas Hefermehl, mathias Tremp, Fahd Azzabi, Tullio Sulser, and Daniel Eberli Meline StöltingMeline Stölting Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Lukas HefermehlLukas Hefermehl Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author , mathias Trempmathias Tremp Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Fahd AzzabiFahd Azzabi Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author , Tullio SulserTullio Sulser Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author , and Daniel EberliDaniel Eberli Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.242AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Muscle bioengineering using Muscle Progenitor Cells (MPCs) is proposed as a treatment option for various conditions, including stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Urinary Incontinence is a common condition in the elderly defined as an involuntary loss of urine leading to social or hygienic problems1. It affects around half of the female population over 45 years2 and 17% of men after 70 years2. Current literature has demonstrated limitations regarding cell growth and muscle formation3. The goal of this research was to assess the effect of gender and age on the ability of human MPCs to form functional bioengineered muscle. METHODS Upon ethical approval human MPCs were harvested from the rectus abdominalis of 15 males and 15 female patients undergoing abdominal surgery of various ages [23–82y]. Growth curve standards were drawn and muscle phenotype was analyzed by FACS analyses, fiber formation assay and immunohistochemistry. MPCs were injected with a collagen carrier in subcutaneous space of nude mice. After retrieval, histology and organ bath of bioengineered muscle were performed. RESULTS Samples isolated from female patients tended to grow faster than male (p=0.0672) and produce better contraction upon electrical stimulation (p=0.01937), while the male samples had, upon induction, an increased differentiation ratio. While MPCs of all ages were able to form muscle, there was a step decline in contractile response to electrical stimulation in samples from patients above 75 years. However, we were able to confirm the myogenic phenotype (IHC and FACS), a great expansion potential and fiber formation in all ages and both gender. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that human MPCs can be successfully isolated and grown from patients of all ages and gender. Despite the differences presented all samples formed muscle tissue in vivo. However, we found a significant limitation for the engineering of contractile muscle tissue if the donor was older then 75 years. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e72 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Meline Stölting Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author Lukas Hefermehl Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author mathias Tremp Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author Fahd Azzabi Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author Tullio Sulser Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author Daniel Eberli Zürich, Switzerland More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement Loading ...

Feasibility of mixed enzymatic complexes to enhanced soil bioremediation processes

This work deals about the feasibility of using different enzymatic complexes to enhance bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted soils. These complexes were generated by non defined mixed microbial consortia that were isolated from three different oil contaminated sites at an oil refinery, and enriched through weekly aerobic cultivations using diesel hydrocarbons as the sole carbon source. Extracellular proteins mixtures were produced during laboratory batch diesel biodegradation experiments using the three microbial consortia, and after separation from the biomass and remanent substrate, the proteins production and the enzymatic activity were measured in every cases. The trend of the enzymatic activity of these consortia was similar qualitatively, achieving the maximum at the exponential phase of the standard bacterial growth curve; but one of the consortia (C) reached the highest activity (275.316 U/mg). In a second step of this work, batch bioremediation experiments were done to evaluate the feasibility of such enzymatic complexes using the the one that provided the best results (C) to enhance the hydrocarbon removal from a polluted soil carried out by the microbial consortia.

Orthogonal decompositions in growth curve models

The article shows advantage of orthogonal decompositions in the standard and extended growth curve models. Using this, distribution of estimators of ρ and σ2 in the standard GCM with uniform correlation structure is derived. Also, equivalence of Hu and von Rosen conditions in the extended GCM under mild conditions is shown.

Beat-to-beat QT interval variability in children: normal and physiologic data

Background QT interval variability provides information on ventricular vulnerability. However, QT interval variability in children has not been adequately evaluated. Methods One hundred seventy-three consecutive nursing infants and children (male-female, 106:67) up to school age with no intrinsic cardiac disease were included in this study, and they were categorized into 6 age-related groups. The QT variability index (QTVI) was calculated based on an electrocardiogram; and age-specific standard values, sex-specific classification, and a standard growth curve covering 0 to 7 years were constructed. Results The QTVI decreased in an age-dependent manner, reached constant values after school age, and exhibited no sex-specific differences in 6 age-related groups. Conclusions Based on the age-dependent standardized QTVI values, it is possible to estimate the instability of ventricular repolarization in pediatric patients with better accuracy.

Relationship between growth status at birth and motor and cognitive development in a French sample of gifted children

Data on growth status at birth in a French sample of gifted children identified at school age were analysed in a retrospective survey. Birth weight, gestational age, head circumference, stature, gender, parental socio-economic status, information on the pregnancy, and motor development were recorded. On the basis of standard growth curves, the sample was characterised according to the 10th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles. Three groups of gestational age were determined: preterm births (18.6%), full term births (63.2%) and post-term births (18.1%) with a high frequency of hypertrophy in preterm births (≥ 90th). Intellectual quotient (IQ) did not differ among the groups, showing a notable advance in motor development. This research shows that, among children later identified as gifted, compared to those born full term, preterm infants showed a significant relationship between homogeneity in anthropometric variables and future motor and intellectual development when these children were exposed to a favourable perinatal environment (few pregnancy complications) and a favourable postnatal parental socio-economic status.

The effects of tea polyphenols onCandida albicans: inhibition of biofilm formation and proteasome inactivation

The adherence of Candida albicans to one another and to various host and biomaterial surfaces is an important prerequisite for the colonization and pathogenesis of this organism. Cells in established biofilms exhibit different phenotypic traits and are inordinately resistant to antimicrobial agents. Recent studies have shown that black and green tea polyphenols exhibit both antimicrobial and strong cancer-preventive properties. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of these polyphenols on C. albicans. Standard growth curves demonstrated a 40% reduction in the growth rate constant (K) with a 2 mg/mL concentration of Polyphenon 60, a green tea extract containing a mixture of polyphenolic compounds. Cultures treated with 1.0 micromol/L -(-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant polyphenol, displayed a 75% reduction of viable cells during biofilm formation. Established biofilms treated with EGCG were also reduced, by 80%, as determined through XTT (2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) colorimetric assays. Identical concentrations of epigallocatechin and epicatechin-3-gallate demonstrated similar biofilm inhibition. Further investigations regarding the possible mechanism of polyphenol action indicate that in vivo proteasome activity was significantly decreased when catechin-treated yeast cells were incubated with a fluorogenic peptide substrate that measured proteasomal chymotrypsin-like and peptidyl-glutamyl peptide-hydrolyzing activities. Impairment of proteasomal activity by tea polyphenols contributes to cellular metabolic and structural disruptions that expedite the inhibition of biofilm formation and maintenance by C. albicans.

Measuring Long Term Individual Trajectories of Offending Using Multiple Methods

Criminal career researchers and developmental criminologists have identified describing individual trajectories of offending over time as a key research question. In response, recently various statistical methods have been developed and used to describe individual offending patterns over the life-course. Two approaches that are prominent in the current literature are standard growth curve modeling (GCM) and group-based trajectory models (GTM). The goal of this paper is to explore ways in which these different models with different sets of assumptions, do in fact lead to different outcomes on individual trajectories. Using a particularly rich dataset, the criminal career and life-course study, we estimate a unique trajectory for each individual in the sample using the GCM and GTM. We also estimate separate trajectories for each individual directly using the long time series. We then compare these three separate trajectories for each individual. We find that the average trajectories obtained from the different approaches match each other. However, for any given individual, these approaches tell very different stories. For example, each method identifies a rather different set of individuals as desistors. This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and more broadly, it reveals the uncertainty involved with measuring long term patterns of change in latent propensity to commit crimes.

Anomalous Quantitation Standard Growth Curves in a Laboratory-Developed Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Quantification Assay Using the TaqMan HCV Analyte-Specific Reagent

A retrospective examination of quantitation standard growth curves associated with 1,000 unique clinical serum specimens tested by a laboratory-developed TaqMan hepatitis C virus analyte-specific reagent-based assay revealed anomalous growth curves associated with 0.40% (95% confidence interval, 0.11% to 1.00%) of these specimens.

Study on Bone Age in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Disease and its Relation with Cyanosis and Pulmonary Artery Pressure

The aim of this study is to evaluate the growth failure in children with Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) associated with the Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) and cyanosis. Growth parameters including weight, height and head circumference of 120 cases with congenital heart defects aged 6 months to 14 years were compared with standard growth curves (50th percentile) between November 2007 and November, 2008. Of all, sixty five (54.1%) were male and 55 (45.8%) were female. The patients were classified into four groups based on the presence or absence of PH and cyanosis. The gap between chronological age and bone age (BA) for all subjects was determined. Growth disturbance in weight, height and head circumference was detected in 80 (66.7%), 79 (65.8%) and 41 (34.2%) of the patients, respectively. Bone age delay was seen in fifty five percent of the cases. Generally, delay in all parameters was more seen in acyanotic patients with pulmonary hypertension. In subjects with cyanosis whether in addition to PH or not, bone age was significantly retarded. Etiology of growth failure in children with CHD is multifactorial. Further studies are required to assess the role of different factors in this field.

The Impact of First-Trimester Serum Free β-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A on the Diagnosis of Fetal Growth Restriction and Small for Gestational Age Infant

Objective: To evaluate the risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) associated with first-trimester maternal serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). Methods: A longitudinal study of 2,178 women who underwent first-trimester evaluation of serum PAPP-A and free β-hCG. FGR was defined as a decrement of the fetal abdominal circumference to below the 10th percentile of our standard growth curve in the presence of Doppler signs of impaired placental perfusion. Logistic regression was used to compute multivariable odds ratios and the estimated prevalences of outcomes associated with first-trimester serum marker concentrations. Results: The prevalences of small for gestational age (SGA, <10th percentile birth-weight) neonates and FGR were significantly higher among women with serum PAPP-A concentrations below the 10th percentile than in controls: 40/206 compared to 183/1,928, for SGA, adjusted odds ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.4–3.03; 24/75 compared to 182/1,900, for FGR, adjusted odds ratio = 3.9, 95% CI 2.3–6.5. The adjusted prevalences of FGR and SGA among women with simultaneous low first-trimester values of PAPP-A and free β-hCG were 0.21 (95% CI 0.13–0.33) and 0.26 (95% CI 0.17–0.36), respectively. Conclusion: Low first-trimester maternal serum PAPP-A concentrations are significantly associated with reduced fetal size and increased risk of FGR with Doppler signs of impaired placental perfusion.

Efecto de la terapia temprana con L-arginina en el crecimiento intrauterino restringido en la preclampsia. Estudio aleatorizado en mujeres latinoamericanas

ObjectiveTo assess the benefit of early L-arginine administration in preeclampsia on the relative risk to fetal growth. Patients and methodsOne-hundred women with preeclampsia were randomized to receive either L-arginine or placebo until the day of delivery. To evaluate the relative risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and the effect of L-arginine on this process, 96 live singleton infants of women with preeclampsia (50 with treatment and 46 without treatment) were compared; these infants were also compared with a further 50 control infants of healthy women. Gestational age-related birth weight was compared using standard growth curves. Infants smaller than the 10th percentile were classified as IUGR. The Mann-Witney U-test, ANOVA, and chi-square test were used to evaluate statistically significant differences (P<.05) between the groups. ResultsNo significant differences were found between the groups with preeclampsia before randomization. Preeclampsia was associated with a 21% reduction in birth weight. The risk of IUGR was five times higher in infants born after preeclampsia without L-arginine therapy than in control pregnancies (RR = 5.0; 95%IC: 1.5-16.2) and was two times higher in infants born after preeclampsia with L-arginine therapy (RR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.9-7.6). The fetal biophysical profile and Apgar score were significantly more favorable in the L-arginine group (P<.05). ConclusionFetal growth markedly improves with early L-arginine therapy in women with preeclampsia.

Estimating parameters in extended growth curve models with special covariance structures

In this paper the estimation of the unknown parameters is considered in standard growth curve model with special covariance structures. Based on the unbiased estimating equations, some new methods are proposed. The resulting estimators can be expressed in explicit forms. The statistical properties of the proposed estimators are investigated. Some simulation results are presented to compare the performance of the proposed estimator with that of the existing approaches. Finally, these methods are applied in general extended growth curve model with special covariance structures.

Growth study in “Health and Human Ecology” : Its achievements and prospects

This article aims to review original articles and symposium presentations about growth study in the field of “health and human ecology” and to consider its roles in the future. It was in 1932 that Dr Matsubayashi demonstrated indispensable role of growth study, especially longitudinal measurements, in his paper appeared in Vol. 2 No. 1 of the Society’s journal (the present-day Japanese Journal of Health and Human Ecology). In the early stages, the major targets were on retarded cases, but since the 1970s have been changed to overweight/obese cases, while continuously paying special attention to the ecological viewpoint. The symposium in the 72nd Society’s Meeting held in 2008 was titled “On child growth : its change and environmental effects”, which focused on the standard growth curves as the tool for assessing growth and health of individual children, interrelations among genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, and the effects of infantile living conditions on psychophysical growth and development. Our growth studies are expected to contribute to healthy living of children with or without handicap, who live in various environments. Also expected are field studies in the Asia-Pacific region, based on our long-term research experience for Japanese children. In conclusion, growth studies should be further developed in the field of health and human ecology.

Evaluation of Applicability of Standard Growth Curves to Indian Women by Fetal Biometry

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the applicability of standard fetal growth curves proposed for western populations to an Indian population. Method Thirty patients were included and ultrasound scans were performed on Indian pregnant women to measure fetal growth parameters of biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length for every weekly interval from 14 to 40 weeks. Twenty-five hundred women had ultrasonic measurements of fetal BPD, HC, AC and FL between 12 to 42 weeks of pregnancy were also included in study for confirming the growth parameters and plotting of Growth curves. The data were compared with the commonly recommended standards of Hadlock, Campbell, Jeanty and Chitty. Results First and second trimester biometry findings are comparable to western charts but none of the standard charts agreed with the data in the present study particularly in third trimester. Conclusion Since most parameters of the standard growth curves developed in the west are not applicable for assessing the intrauterine growth of Indian babies we have developed growth curves for the Indian population to prevent over-diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation and correct prediction of fetal age in Indian population.

Growth-Curve Standards and the Assessment of Early Excess Weight Gain in Infancy

Increasing overweight and obesity are growing problems among children worldwide. Prevention requires an understanding of when excess weight gain begins and the determinants that place children at risk. The aim of our study was to illustrate how the growth curve used to assess growth influences the interpretation of weight gain and the age of onset of higher weight gains in infancy. This was a longitudinal study of Canadian infants from birth to 18 months of age. Infant feeding pattern was recorded monthly, and weight and length of 73 infants were measured at 8 different ages. Weight, length, weight for length, and BMI z scores were compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000 growth curves and World Health Organization growth standard. Comparison with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth curves showed that Canadian infants grew similarly or slightly slower than their US counterparts. Using the World Health Organization growth standard, an increase in body weight occurred between 6 and 9 months of age, associated with a change from breastfeeding to formula feeding and introduction of solid foods. When compared with the World Health Organization standards, breastfed infants followed the standards, but formula-fed infants deviated with higher weight for age. When compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention charts, breastfed infants showed an apparent decline in weight for age beginning at approximately 6 months. The choice of growth curve is important to interpreting infant growth and identifying the onset of excess weight gain. Identification of the prevalence and age of onset of early excess weight gains among Canadian infants will be best achieved by using the World Health Organization growth standards.

Growth Pattern of Hg Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Kor River in the Presence of Mercuric Chloride

Different bacterial species were isolated from different areas of the Kor River and growth pattern of these bacteria were evaluated. In this study the samples were collected from four stations throughout the Kor River in four seasons. Isolation of mercury resistant bacteria was performed using the primary enrichment method and directly plating on agar containing Hg(II). Growth kinetics of most mercury resistant and sensitive bacteria were studied in LB broth containing 20 mg L(-1) HgCl2 per liter. Pseudomonas sp., E. coli, Serratia morcescens, etc. was identified as mercury resistant bacteria. Isolated bacteria from the most mercury polluted stations showed high levels of resistance to this toxicant. Growth curve of mercury resistant bacteria was obtained the same as the standard growth curve of bacteria. Present results showed that enhancement of mercury levels in the environment will increase the levels of resistance to mercury among the bacterial communities residing in this contaminated sites.

Nasal Septal Abscess in Children

To assess outgrowth and aesthetics of the nose in children after reconstruction of the cartilaginous nasal septum with autologous cartilage grafts on polydioxanone plate. Prospective nonrandomized case series. University hospital. Six patients (5 boys and 1 girl), aged 3 to 11 years, with nasal septal abscess. The nasal septa of 6 children with a history of nasal septal abscess and partial or complete destruction of nasal septal cartilage were reconstructed with autologous cartilage grafts of the auricle or rib fixed on polydioxanone plate. Nasal outgrowth was measured by the length of the nose and by the amount of nasal tip projection and was compared with standardized growth curves. Aesthetic outcome variables included nasolabial angle, columellar retraction, and development of saddle nose deformity and were classified as normal, mild, or severe. The duration of follow-up ranged from 10 to 68 months (mean follow-up, 38 months). Four children had complete loss of the cartilaginous septum. Areas 1 and 2 (caudal parts) had been destroyed in 2 children. Auricular cartilage was used in 5 children; costal cartilage was needed in 1 child. Compared with standardized growth curves, the length of the nose and the amount of nasal tip projection were within 1 SD in all children. None of the children developed saddle nose deformity. One child had mild columellar retraction; 3 children had mild overrotation of the nasal tip. Total reconstruction of abscess-induced destruction of nasal septal cartilage with autologous cartilage grafts fixed on polydioxanone plate has, so far, resulted in normal development of the nose during follow-up, without expected aesthetic problems.

Atividade in vitro dos metabólitos secundários de Burkholderia sp. (Burkholder 1950) sobre a levedura Malassezia pachydermatis (Weidmann) Dodge 1935

M. pachydermatis is among the main agents involved in skin lesion and otopathological alterations of dogs and cats frequently associated to bacterial infections and host immune suppression. Because of resistance toward drugs, the market urge new therapies for treatment of fungal infections are needed. The effect of metabolites present in the filtrate culture of Burkholderia sp. (FCB) was tested against native clinical strains of the yeast M. pachydermatis in liquid medium measured by standard growth curve, by agar diffusion method, and colony forming units count in agar. Activity of FCB on cells was evaluated by transmission eletron microscopy (TEM). For comparison, sensitivity tests were performed on the yeast by diffusion agar test using commercial drugs. Crude FCB presented activity against the yeast by the methods utilized. The activity of FCB on cells was also observed by TEM, which revealed loss of eletrondensity and organelles structure alteration. These results suggest internal and external activities on the yeast cells and the potential use of FCB against M. pachydermatis . KEY WORDS: Bacterial metabolites, Burkholderia sp., growing inhibition, Malassezia pachydermatis .

345 POSTER A novel statistical method for analyzing standard tumor growth curves

345 POSTER A novel statistical method for analyzing standard tumor growth curves

Testing the applicability of a standardized growth curve (SGC) for quartz OSL dating: Kalahari dunes, South African coastal dunes and Florida dune cordons

Standardized growth curves (SGCs) have recently been developed as a means to reduce measurement times when determining palaeodoses in the standardized luminescence (OSL) dating of quartz, but this approach is not without its critics. We test the performance of SGCs derived from samples from a range of environments in southern Africa and Florida (United States of America). Data presented here suggest that the method performed well when determining low (<50Gy) equivalent dose (De) values from samples with different geological provenances within South Africa. However, the application of an SGC built from South African data performed poorly when used to estimate the palaeodoses of samples from Florida, with seven out of ten samples failing to replicate the single aliquot regenerative (SAR)-derived De value to within ±10%. We thus advocate the use only of regionally based SGCs for full De determination, although SGCs can also be utilized as a way of quickly generating SAR ‘range finders’ irrespective of sample origin. Furthermore, one sample from the Florida site did not show regenerative growth in accordance with any samples from either the South Africa or Florida data, resulting in significant De underestimation when using the SGC. Although the reasons for such behaviour are not yet understood, this re-iterates the recommendation of Burbidge et al. [2006. De determination for young samples using the standardised OSL response of coarse-grain quartz. Radiation Measurements 41(3), 278], to incorporate a single regenerative step in SGC protocols in order to check consistency.