Plasma fibrinogen associates independently with total and cardiovascular mortality among subjects with normal and reduced kidney function in the general population.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of novel risk factors to mortality in chronic kidney disease remains controversial. AIM: To explore the association of plasma fibrinogen with mortality among individuals with normal and reduced kidney function. METHODS: We identified 9184 subjects, age 40 and over from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-94) with vital status assessed through 2006. Plasma fibrinogen was modeled as continuous variable and in quartile groups (0 to <7.7, 7.7 to <9.0, 9.0 to <10.5 and ≥ 10.5 µmol/l) with total and cardiovascular mortality across categories of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); <60, 60-90, >90 ml/min/1.73 m(2) using Cox regression. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) per 1 µmol/l (34 mg/dl) increase in fibrinogen was 1.07 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.09] for total mortality and 1.06 (95% CI 1.03-1.09) for cardiovascular mortality. The adjusted HR for total mortality was 1.05 (1.01-1.09) for subjects with eGFR 60-90 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and 1.06 (1.02-1.10) for subjects with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Subjects in the highest quartiles within each eGFR category; >90, 60-90 and <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) experienced HRs of 1.45 (95% CI 1.03-2.03), 1.35 (95% CI 1.00-1.83) and 1.72 (95% CI 1.14-2.58), respectively, compared with subjects in the lowest quartile group. The patterns were similar for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma fibrinogen associates with mortality among subjects with mild to moderate kidney impairment as it does in subjects with normal kidney function and should be considered a therapeutic target for cardiovascular risk reduction.

Independent and conjoint associations of gout and hyperuricaemia with total and cardiovascular mortality.

BACKGROUND: Gout and serum uric acid are associated with mortality but their simultaneous contributions have not been fully evaluated in the general population. PURPOSE: To explore the independent and conjoint relationships of gout and uric acid with mortality in the US population. METHODS: Mortality risks of gout and serum uric acid were determined for 15 773 participants, aged 20 years or older, in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by linking baseline information collected during 1988-1994 with mortality data up to 2006. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression determined adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each exposure and all analyses were conducted in 2011 and 2012. RESULTS: Compared with subjects without a history of gout, the multivariable HR for subjects with gout were 1.42 (CI 1.12-1.82) for total and 1.58 (CI 1.13-2.19) for cardiovascular mortality. Adjusted HRs per 59.5 µmol/l (1 mg/dl) increase in uric acid were 1.16 (CI 1.10-1.22) for total and cardiovascular mortality and this pattern was consistent across disease categories. In the conjoint analysis, the adjusted HRs for mortality in the highest two uric acid quartiles were 1.64 (CI 1.08-2.51) and 1.77 (CI 1.23-2.55), respectively, for subjects with gout, and were 1.09 (CI 0.87-1.37) and 1.37 (CI (1.11-1.70), respectively, for subjects without gout, compared with those without gout in the lowest quartile. A similar pattern emerged for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: Gout and serum uric acid independently associate with total and cardiovascular mortality. These risks increase with rising uric acid concentrations.

Euseiusfinlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential biocontrol agent against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae): life history and feeding habits on three different types of food.

Life history and reproductive parameters of the generalist predatory mite Euseius (Amblyseius) finlandicus (Oudemans) were studied in the laboratory at 25 +/- 1 degrees C, with a 16L:8D photoperiod and 60 +/- 15% RH, to investigate its response to different food sources: an eriophyid mite Aceria sp., tulip pollen Tulipa gesnerana L., and two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. Total developmental time of the immature stages was the shortest on eriophyid mites, followed by pollen, and then spider mites. Fecundity was highest on pollen (43.69 eggs; 1.63 eggs/female/day), then eriophyid mites (39.73 eggs; 1.37 eggs/female/day) and lowest on spider mites (18.16 eggs; 0.80 eggs/female/day). Intrinsic rate of increase (Rm), net reproductive rate (Ro) and finite rate of increase (lambda) followed the same pattern [pollen (0.168, 27.96 and 1.183, respectively), eriophyid mites (0.153, 20.81 and 1.167), spider mites (0.110, 9.44 and 1.119)]. Mean generation time (days) was the shortest on pollen (19.90), followed by eriophyid mites (20.02), and then spider mites (20.59). Average spider mite larvae consumed by E. finlandicus during immature stages were 9.18 for males and 11.85 for females. Adult E. finlandicus females consumed an average of 166.38 spider mite protonymphs during adult stage compared to an average of 66.55 by males. The number of prey protonymphs consumed per day by females was highest in the oviposition period, lower in the pre-oviposition period and the lowest in the post-oviposition period. The eriophyid mite as a prey recorded the shortest developmental time, while pollen as food recorded the highest oviposition rate in E. finlandicus. The potential of this predator as a biocontrol agent against T. urticae is discussed.

The effect of Rhazya stricta on glucose homeostasis in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats.

The effect of R. stricta water extract on glucose homeostasis was studied in normal and streptozotocin diabetic rats. R. stricta had no effect on fasting glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats up to 7 h after its oral administration. In normal and diabetic rats R. stricta did not produce any significant effect on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Chronic administration of R. stricta in drinking water for 37 days did not produce any effect on the parameters of glucose homeostasis studied (plasma glucose, body weight, feed and fluid intake and plasma fructosamine) in the normal or diabetic phase of the experiment. The LD50 of R. stricta in mice was 2.36 g/kg body weight of the lyophilised extract and a daily administration of R. stricta to rats for 5 days did not produce any signs of organ damage.

Residue levels of chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds in water and sediment samples from Nile branches in the Delta, Egypt.

Water and sediment samples were collected from eight different locations along the River Nile and its branches. Residues of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH's), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), DDT's, cyclodienes and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) were analyzed by GLC. Data on Grand Total (GT) concentration values pointed out that Rosetta Branch was more polluted with all components than Demietta Branch. Kafr El-Ziate was the most polluted location showing 1355.8 ng/L for water and 7396.9 ng/g for sediments, while Delta Barrage was the least polluted site. The concentrations of gamma-HCH were higher than the other isomers (alpha- and beta-HCH) in all studied sites. The results showed that HCB was the smallest pollutant at all locations on comparison with other chlorinated hydrocarbons. El-Mansoura, Rosetta and Kafr El-Ziate sites contained the highest concentrations of DDT's in both water and sediment samples. P,P'-DDE was dominate in all locations of water samples, but P,P'-DDT was in sediment samples. Also, the results showed the prominent presence of cyclodienes when compared with the other OC's compounds in sediment samples, especially Aldrin. Kafr El-Ziate was the most polluted location by PCB's, particularly the Ar1242. However, there were increasing levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the sediment samples parallel to percentage extractable organic matter (% EOM). Sediment/water ratios were calculated for all locations.

Studies on Sudanese medicinal plants III.

A prelimenary study was carried out to evaluate the potential of cultivating Hyoscyamus muticus L. as a source of hyoscyamine. The alkaloid yield was found to be quite favorable for the commercial utilization of this plant.