Total vitamin D levels had been commonly reported to be lowered in patients with chronic psychotic illnesses in countries from the higher latitudes. However, studies on patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) are limited. In this study we investigated serum concentrations of total and bioavailable vitamin D levels in FEP patients compared to healthy controls and the association between symp...

the study aimed to come up with a list of specific macroalgae species, which could be used to biomonitor specific metal elements in the coastal waters of east africa. water extraction, edta, aqua regia extraction and optimized bcr 3-step sequential extracts were used to mimic bioavailable metals under various environmental conditions. the results indicated that ulva lactuca could be used as a ...

To investigate the roles of different sulfur (S) species in controlling the partitioning and bioavailability of inorganic mercury (Hg) in anoxic sediments, we examined the differential binding of Hg with three key S species in anoxic sediment (mackinawite [FeS], pyrite [FeS2], and S(2-)) and then quantified their extraction by the gut juice of deposit-feeding sipunculans Sipunculus nudus. A seq...

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a highly prevalent micronutrient insufficiency predominantly caused by a lack of bioavailable Fe from the diet. The consumption of beans as a major food crop in some populations suffering from Fe deficiency is relatively high. Therefore, our objective was to determine whether a biofortified variety of cream seeded carioca bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) could provide more b...

Total circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D)] has been associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer. The physiologic mechanism, however, may be more directly related to the free or bioavailable fraction of 25(OH)D, which is influenced by levels of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP). We assessed the association of prediagnosis total, free, and bioavailable 25(OH)D and VDBP with colorectal ca...

Numerous studies have suggested that there was a significantly positive association between circulating total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and survival in colorectal cancer patients. Moreover, plasma vitamin D was also found significantly associated with the concentration of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP). However, there was no paper to clarify the prognostic value of VDBP, free and bioavail...

Delivery of drugs through the skin has been always a challenging area for research due to barrier properties exhibit by the outermost layer of skin stratum corneum. In the last two decades, the transdermal drug delivery system has become a proven technology that offers significant clinical benefits over other dosage forms. Because transdermal drug delivery offers controlled as well as predeterm...

The diagnosis of late life hypogonadism is controversial. For the purposes of discussion, it is suggested that treatment of late life hypogonadism requires the presence of symptoms, a low level of circulating free or bioavailable testosterone level and a positive response to treatment. While this may appear to be a radical proposal, we believe it represents the most rigorous scientific approach...

Clinical background Despite recent advances, the prognosis for patients with pulmonary hypertension remains poor. Riociguat (BAY 63-2521) is a novel oral stimulator of the nitric oxide (NO) receptor soluble guanylate cyclase, and synergizes with low levels of bioavailable NO. Its safety and efficacy in dose titration were studied in patients with PAH (n = 33) or CTEPH (n = 42) in this multicent...