Methodological aspects of axial loading in rodents: a systematic review.

Axial loading in rodents provides a controlled setting for mechanical loading, because load and subsequent strain, frequency, number of cycles and rest insertion between cycles, are precisely defined. These methodological aspects as well as factors, such as ovariectomy, aging, and disuse may affect the outcome of the loading test, including bone mass, structure, and bone mineral density. This review aims to overview methodological aspects and modifying factors in axial loading on bone outcomes.

Mechanical loading modulates phosphate related genes in rat bone.

Mechanical loading determines bone mass and bone structure, which involves many biochemical signal molecules. Of these molecules, Mepe and Fgf23 are involved in bone mineralization and phosphate homeostasis. Thus, we aimed to explore whether mechanical loading of bone affects factors of phosphate homeostasis.

Mechanical stress regulates bone regulatory gene expression independent of estrogen and vitamin D deficiency in rats.

Mechanical stress determines bone mass and structure. It is not known whether mechanical loading affects expression of bone regulatory genes in a combined deficiency of estrogen and vitamin D. We studied the effect of mechanical loading on the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of bone regulatory genes during vitamin D and/or estrogen deficiency.

Dried Blood Spot Thyroglobulin as a Biomarker of Iodine Status in Pregnant Women.

Context: Thyroglobulin (Tg) could be a sensitive biomarker of iodine nutrition in pregnant women (PW). A dried blood spot (DBS) assay would simplify collection and transport in field studies.

Objectives: Our aims were to (1) establish and test a reference range for DBS-Tg in PW; (2) determine whether co-measurement of Tg antibodies (Abs) is necessary to define population iodine status.

Anemia, Iron Deficiency and Iodine Deficiency among Nepalese School Children.

Objectives: To assess iodine and iron nutritional status among Nepalese school children.

Methods: A cross-sectional, community based study was conducted in the two districts, Ilam (hilly region) and Udayapur (plain region) of eastern Nepal. A total of 759 school children aged 6-13 y from different schools within the study areas were randomly enrolled.

Urinary iodine excretion and thyroid function status in school age children of hilly and plain regions of Eastern Nepal.

Background: Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem in many developing countries including Nepal. The present study was designed to investigate the urinary iodine excretion (UIE), thyroid function status and household salt iodine content (SIC) in school-aged children (SAC) and to establish the relationships between these factors.

Methods: A community-based cross sectional study was conducted in selected schools of two districts, Tehrathum and Morang, lying in the hill and plain region of eastern Nepal respectively.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Elevated Thyroglobulin in Infants with Chronic Excess Iodine Intake.

Background: Acute iodine excess in newborns can cause hypothyroidism, but there are limited data on the effects of iodine excess on thyroid function in older infants. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of chronic excess iodine intake on thyroid function in 6-24-month-old infants.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, infants (n=696) in eastern Nepal were studied.

Iodine status after iodized salt supplementation in schoolchildren of eastern Nepal.

This study was designed to assess the urinary iodine concentrations of schoolchildren at baseline and after iodized salt supplementation in eastern region of Nepal. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2009 to July 2011 among schoolchildren of three eastern districts of Nepal: Sunsari, Dhankuta, and Tehrathum. A sample of 828 school age children from the three districts was chosen for the study after obtaining written consent from their guardians.

Plasma zinc levels, anthropometric and socio-demographic characteristics of school children in eastern Nepal.

Background: Zinc deficiency is a major public health problem in many developing countries including Nepal. The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of zinc deficiency and to study the association of zinc deficiency with anthropometric and socio-demographic variables, in school children of eastern Nepal.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included total 125 school children of age group 6-12 years from Sunsari and Dhankuta districts of eastern Nepal.

Household salt iodine content estimation with the use of rapid test kits and iodometric titration methods.

Background: Universal salt iodization remains the best strategy for controlling iodine deficiency disorders in Nepal.

Aims: This study was designed to study the salt types and the household salt iodine content of school aged children in the hilly and the plain districts of eastern Nepal.

Material And Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on school children of seven randomly chosen schools from four districts, namely, Sunsari, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha and Tehrathum of eastern Nepal.

Non-enzymatic antioxidant status and biochemical parameters in the consumers of Pan Masala containing tobacco.

Background: Tobacco consumption is one of the leading causes of oral submucous fibrosis, oral cancer and even premature death. The present study was designed to compare the biochemical parameters and non- enzymatic antioxidant status and the lipid peroxidation products in pan masala tobacco users as compared with age-matched non-user controls.

Methods: Pan masala and tobacco users of age 33.

Prevalence and association of microalbuminuria in essential hypertensive patients.

Background: Microalbuminuria in hypertension has been described as an early sign of kidney damage and a predictor for end stage renal disease and cardiovascular disease. Thus, it is of great importance to study urinary albumin creatinine ratio and progression of kidney disease in hypertensive patients.

Aims: The present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence and association of microalbuminuria in newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Prostate biomarkers with reference to body mass index and duration of prostate cancer.

Objective: This study was performed to assess prostate biomarkers with reference to body mass index and duration of prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: A hospital based retrospective study was undertaken using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between 1st January, 2009 and 28th February, 2012. Biomarkers studied were prostate specific antigen (PSA), acid phosphatase (ACP) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT).