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The distribution of radiolabeled vanadate (48V) was studied in rats following subcutaneous or oral route of administration (1.8 mg V/kg). Measurements included: (1) tissue uptake and retention; (2) gastrointestinal (GI) absorption efficiency; and (3) the fraction of the dose eliminated via the urinary and the GI tracts during the study period. The vanadium content of tissues and excreta was determined by gamma spectroscopy. All tissues analyzed were found to have a measurable level of vanadium after 2 hours of its administration by subcutaneous route. Soft tissues and blood showed the maximal measured concentration of vanadium at 2 hours, while in the bone, the maximal concentration was recorded at 1 day posttreatment. The distribution of vanadium in each tissue could be described by a two-compartment model. Vanadium was cleared rapidly from the soft tissues and slowly from the bone. The elimination half-lives of vanadium ranged between 11 and 132 hours for soft tissues and 376 hours for the bone. During the first day, 48.6% of the dosage was eliminated in the urine and 8.0% in the feces. The GI uptake following gavage was approximately 4.2% of the dosage at 24 hours posttreatment. Vanadium absorbed from the GI tract was distributed among the major tissues and about 66% of the absorbed fraction was excreted in the urine after two weeks posttreatment.

Background: Several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are available for assessing the outcomes following ankle fractures. This study aimed to evaluate validity, reliability, and responsiveness and detect the minimal clinically important difference of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) in patients with ankle fractures. Methods: The study design is a prospective cohort study, including all patients treated both conservatively and surgically following an ankle fracture (AO-43A/B/C). Content validity, test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and minimal clinically important difference were evaluated from 14 days to 3 months following the fracture. Results: The study population consisted of 52 females and 24 males. The mean age was 52.0 years (range, 15-75 years). The percentage of patients at 12 weeks reporting the 5 subscales at least somewhat relevant were pain, 77%; symptoms, 75%; activities of daily living (ADL), 64%; sport, 81%; and quality of life (QOL), 88%. High test-retest reliability of the FAOS questionnaire was observed. The interclass coefficients were 0.78, 0.77, 0.71, 0.73, and 0.74 for the pain, symptoms, ADL, sport, and QOL subscales, respectively. Responsiveness was evaluated with high effect size for the symptoms (0.83), ADL (1.19), sport (4.36), and QOL (2.12) subscales. The minimal clinically important difference of the FAOS was 14 (95% CI, 12-17). Conclusion: The FAOS during early recovery after ankle fracture has high reliability and validity. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study

Background:Copper (Cu) is essential both for its role in antioxidant enzymes, like Cu/zinc (Zn) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ceruloplasmin, as well as its role in lysyl oxidase, essential for the strength and integrity of the heart and blood vessels. With such a central role in cardiovascular health, Cu has been generally overlooked in the debate over improving our cardiovascular health. Cu deficiency has produced many of the same abnormalities present in cardiovascular disease. It seems almost certain that Cu plays a large role in the development of this killer disease, not because of its excess in the diet, but rather its deficiency.Aim:This study was undertaken to investigate the cardiovascular effects of Cu deficiency on the activity of SOD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without diabetic nephropathy.Materials and Methods:Fifty-five patients with T2DM were recruited in this study which were divided into two subgroups based on the presence of microalbuminuria, the first group (microal buminuric group, n = 31) had a microalbuminuria between 30 and 299 μg/mg. The second group (normoal buminuric group, n = 29) had an albumin level less than 30 μg/mg. The two diabetic groups were compared to the control group (n = 37).Results:The results of our study showed a significant reduction in the levels of SOD enzyme associated with an increased urinary Cu excretion in microalbuminuric group compared to the control group at P < 0.05.Conclusions:The current study illustrates that the regulation of the blood concentrations of Cu may be a potential therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.