Within- and between-subject biological variation data for serum zinc, copper and selenium obtained from 68 apparently healthy Turkish subjects

Objectives Trace elements (TrEL) are nutritionally essential components in maintaining health and preventing diseases. There is a lack of reliable biological variation (BV) data for TrELs, required for the diagnosis and monitoring of TrEL disturbances. In this study, we aimed to provide updated within- and between-subject BV estimates for zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se). Methods Weekly serum samples were drawn from 68 healthy subjects (36 females and 32 males) for 10 weeks and stored at −80 °C prior to analysis. Serum Zn, Cu and Se levels were measured using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Outlier and variance homogeneity analyses were performed followed by CV-ANOVA (Røraas method) to determine BV and analytical variation estimates with 95% CI and the associated reference change values (RCV) for all subjects, males and females. Results Significant differences in mean concentrations between males and females were observed, with absolute and relative (%) differences for Zn at 0.5 μmol/L (3.5%), Cu 2.0 μmol/L (14.1%) and Se 0.06 μmol/L (6.0%). The within-subject BV (CVI [95% CI]) estimates were 8.8% (8.2–9.3), 7.8% (7.3–8.3) and 7.7% (7.2–8.2) for Zn, Cu and Se, respectively. Within-subject biological variation (CVI) estimates derived for male and female subgroups were similar for all three TrELs. Marked individuality was observed for Cu and Se. Conclusions The data of this study provides updated BV estimates for serum Zn, Cu and Se derived from a stringent protocol and state of the art methodologies. Furthermore, Cu and Se display marked individuality, highlighting that population based reference limits should not be used in the monitoring of patients.

In vivo transdifferentiation, osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties of experimental water-soluble organo-biomaterials – A Pilot Study

Inorganic bovine bone matrix (IBBM) is a biomaterial with proven osteoconductive functionalities. The objective of this study was to assess the in vivo bone regeneration functionalities of IBBM modified or not by an experimental MOE in sheep. MOE synthesis was performed by suspending nacre particles (0.05 g, diameters < 0.01 mm) in anhydrous acetic acid (pH 7, 5 mL, 25°C, 72 hours) using magnetic stirring. Polyethylene carriers (d= 5.0 mm, l= 10.0 mm, open ends) of negative control (sham) or experimental groups (IBBM or MOE-modified IBBM) were placed (n=3 conditions /animal; intramuscularly) adjacent to the lower spine of adult sheep (8 animals, » 45 Kg, 2 years old). Tissues were harvested (at 3 or 6 months) after implantation in preparation for histological (H), morphometrical (MM) and immunohistochemical analyses (IH; Wnt-3a, CD34, Vimentin and PREF-1). MM data were tested for normality and variance homogeneity using the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests, and Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis, respectively. IM data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Differences (p < 0.05) were observed between experimental groups (IBBM and IBBM+MOE at both 3 and 6 months) and controls (sham) for total area; Differences were not found for presence of remnant particles among experimental groups. The highest formation of bone was observed with IBBM+MOE (6-months). No differences (p > 0.05) were found on IM analysis (CD34, Vimentin, PREF-1, Wnt3a). Results indicated that experimental materials (IBBM+MOE) display promising functionalities. Additional studies are necessary to define biomaterials’ longitudinal effects and long-term biocompatibility properties.

Differences in the Effect of Recovery Time in Distributed Practice on Accuracy of Bolavoli Bump Service Assessed from Blood Muscular Power on the Bolavoli Intermediate Putra Athlete

Various studies were conducted to try to improve the accuracy in performing the volleyball jump service, either by simple exercises to modification of the form of training. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in the effect of recovery time in distributed practice and leg muscle power on the accuracy of volleyball jump service. This research was conducted on volleyball athletes at Vita Surakarta club. The research method used is an experimental method with a 2x2 factorial design, the sample size in this study was 40 athletes obtained through total sampling technique. Data analysis techniques in this study used ANOVA, Saphiro-Wilk test (Lilliefors test with α = 0.05) and variance homogeneity test (Leve's test with α = 0.05). The results showed that (1) athletes who were given training using long recovery times had a significant effect on the accuracy of the volleyball jump service compared to athletes who were given training using short recovery times. (2) athletes who have high leg muscle power have a significant effect on the accuracy of the volleyball jump service compared to athletes who have low leg muscle power. (3) there is an interaction between the recovery time and leg muscle power on the accuracy of the volleyball jump service.

European Biological Variation Study (EuBIVAS): within- and between-subject biological variation estimates for serum thyroid biomarkers based on weekly samplings from 91 healthy participants

Objectives Thyroid biomarkers are fundamental for the diagnosis of thyroid disorders and for the monitoring and treatment of patients with these diseases. The knowledge of biological variation (BV) is important to define analytical performance specifications (APS) and reference change values (RCV). The aim of this study was to deliver BV estimates for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroglobulin (TG), and calcitonin (CT). Methods Analyses were performed on serum samples obtained from the European Biological Variation Study population (91 healthy individuals from six European laboratories; 21–69 years) on the Roche Cobas e801 at the San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy). All samples from each individual were evaluated in duplicate within a single run. The BV estimates with 95% CIs were obtained by CV-ANOVA, after analysis of variance homogeneity and outliers. Results The within-subject (CV I ) BV estimates were for TSH 17.7%, FT3 5.0%, FT4 4.8%, TG 10.3, and CT 13.0%, all significantly lower than those reported in the literature. No significant differences were observed for BV estimates between men and women. Conclusions The availability of updated, in the case of CT not previously published, BV estimates for thyroid markers based on the large scale EuBIVAS study allows for refined APS and associated RCV applicable in the diagnosis and management of thyroid and related diseases.

Nutritional supplementation with non-conventional food resources and its effect on the productive parameters in rabbits

The effect of diets with nonconventional forage resources, balu (Erythrina edulis) and giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) was evaluated, on production parameters of New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) under family farming production, in Silvania (Cundinamarca, Colombia). 36 weaned rabbits of 35 days old were used. They were distributed in 4 treatments (substitution of commercial pellets by giant taro leaves flour 25% (Giant taro), balu 25% (Balu); their mixture, giant taro 12.5% and balu 12.5% (GB), and a control with commercial pellets) with three repetitions each. Variables evaluated: initial weight at 35 days old, daily weight gain, consumption, feed conversion and final weight at 85 days old, carcass yield, haunch, loin and meat. Data was analyzed by Tukey multiple comparison test at 5% significance level, variance homogeneity and error independence verified by means of Shapiro-Wilks, Levene and Durbin-Watson tests, respectively, by R program. No significant differences were found in the final weight, on weeks 5 and 6, which registered significant differences (p<0.05), for giant taro (1771.85±88.21 AB), control (1933.06±88.20 B), giant taro (1935.05±91.26 AB), control (2144.42±91.26 B) respectively. Daily weight gain showed significant differences (p<0.05) at week 5 for giant taro (33.56±2.82 AB); control (.37±2.825 B). Significant differences were showed by most zootechnical variables (p<0.05). The results showed that diets with nonconventional forage resources (balu and giant taro) are a viable alternative for animal feeding, due to their high nutritional content and as a by-product of commercial interest for rural families in areas of the middle Colombian tropics.

PENGARUH MULTIMEDIA INTERAKTIF TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR IPA SISWA KELAS IV SD NEGERI BANGUNHARJO BANTUL YOGYAKARTA

Descriptively, this research aims to determine the tendency of science learning outcomes of fourth-grade students at SD N Bangunharjo whose learning uses interactive multimedia and image media. Comparatively, this research aims to find out the differences in science learning outcomes of Grade IV students of SD N Bangunharjo between learning using interactive multimedia and image media. The type of this research is a quasi-experiment. The Data collection techniques were documentation to retrieve students' initial ability data and test technique to retrieve test data. Descriptive data analysis techniques using ideal normal curves and comparatively using t-test. The analysis prerequisite tests include the distribution normality test and the variance homogeneity test. The Descriptive research result indicates that the tendency of science learning outcomes that using interactive multimedia are included in the highest category and those using image media are included in the high category. Comparatively, there is a significant difference in science learning outcomes between learning using interactive multimedia and image media, with t = 2.34 and p = 0.023. The average of science learning outcomes with interactive multimedia is higher than image media. Thus, it can be concluded that there is an influence of interactive multimedia on the learning outcomes of fourth-grade students of SD N Bangunharjo.

PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN MEDIA WAYANG TERHADAP KETERAMPILAN MENYIMAK CERITA SISWA KELAS V DI SD 1 PETIR PIYUNGAN BANTUL

This study descriptively to find the tendency of listening skill to the story class V SD 1Petir, Piyungan, Bantul by using puppet media and hand puppet media. Comparatively to describe the differences in the use of puppet and hand puppet for the sill of listening to stories class V SD 1 Petir, Piyungan, Bantul. This research is a type of experimental research. This research was conducted at SD 1Petir, Piyungan, Bantul with a population of all class V consisting of 38 students. The sample used was random sampling. Class VA as an experimental class and class VB as a control class. Data was collected using the test, observations, and documentation techniques. The data analysis technique used prerequisite t-test analysis, including the distribution, normalize test, and the variance homogeneity test. The hypothesis in this study is the use of puppet media influences the student's skill of listening to stories class V SD 1 Petir, Piyungan, Bantul. The results of the posttest t-test calculation of the experimental class and the control class obtained values p = 0,013 < 0,05, then it can be stated that the hypothesis is accepted, that there is a very significant effect using puppet media on the listening skills of class students V SD 1 Petir, Piyungan, Bantul. The average score of the control class was 73,72 which was classified as a high category, in contrast to the average score of experimental class 78,80 which was classified as very high with a difference of 05,08. Based on the score data above, it can be seen that the teacher must choose innovative learning media so that it can improve students learning abilities in the classroom, especially listening skills.

Nonparametric Limits of Agreement in Method Comparison Studies: A Simulation Study on Extreme Quantile Estimation

Bland–Altman limits of agreement and the underlying plot are a well-established means in method comparison studies on quantitative outcomes. Normally distributed paired differences, a constant bias, and variance homogeneity across the measurement range are implicit assumptions to this end. Whenever these assumptions are not fully met and cannot be remedied by an appropriate transformation of the data or the application of a regression approach, the 2.5% and 97.5% quantiles of the differences have to be estimated nonparametrically. Earlier, a simple Sample Quantile (SQ) estimator (a weighted average of the observations closest to the target quantile), the Harrell–Davis estimator (HD), and estimators of the Sfakianakis–Verginis type (SV) outperformed 10 other quantile estimators in terms of mean coverage for the next observation in a simulation study, based on sample sizes between 30 and 150. Here, we investigate the variability of the coverage probability of these three and another three promising nonparametric quantile estimators with n=50(50)200,250(250)1000. The SQ estimator outperformed the HD and SV estimators for n=50 and was slightly better for n=100, whereas the SQ, HD, and SV estimators performed identically well for n≥150. The similarity of the boxplots for the SQ estimator across both distributions and sample sizes was striking.

Within-subject and between-subject biological variation of first morning void urine amino acids in 12 healthy subjects

BackgroundUrine amino acid analysis is used for the assessment of various diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the valid biological variation (BV) components (within- and between-subjects) required for the safe clinical application of free urine amino acids.MethodsFirst morning void urine samples were taken from 12 healthy subjects (five females, seven males) once a week for 10 consecutive weeks, and amino acid analysis was performed using an Agilent 6470 triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer instrument. The obtained data were subjected to normality, outlier and variance homogeneity analyses prior to coefficient of variation (CV) analysis. Within- and between-subject BV values (CVI and CVG) of 39 amino acids were determined for all subjects. In addition, the index of individuality (II), reference change value (RCV), imprecision, bias and total error were estimated using BV data obtained from our study.ResultsThe CVI values ranged from 8.9 (histidine) to 36.8% (trans-4-hydroxyprolin), while the CVG values ranged from 25.0 (1-methyl-L-histidine) to 63.3% (phenylalanine). The II value of most amino acids was less than 0.6 and ranged between 0.21 and 0.88. The imprecision, bias and total error ranged between 4.45 and 16.6, between 7.69 and 16.6, and between 18.4 and 43.2, respectively.ConclusionsThis study, designed according to a rigorous protocol, has the feature of being the first to give information about BV data of urine amino acids. We believe that the reference intervals have a limitation in the evaluation of consecutive results from an individual, so the use of RCV would be more appropriate.