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clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00091637.

Purpose Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to endocrine disruptors may initiate or exacerbate adiposity and associated health problems. This study examined sex differences in the association of urinary level of bisphenol-A (BPA) with selected indices of glucose homeostasis among U.S. adults. Methods Data analyses were performed using a sample of 1,586 participants from the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. BPA level and the ratio of BPA-to-creatinine level were defined as log-transformed variables and in quartiles. Selected indices of glucose homeostasis were defined using fasting glucose and insulin data. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models for the hypothesized relationships were constructed after controlling for age, sex, race, education, marital status, smoking status, physical activity, total dietary intake and urinary creatinine concentration. Results Taking 1st quartile as a referent, 3rd quartile of BPA level was positively associated with log-transformed level of insulin and β-cell function (HOMA-β) as well as insulin resistance (log-transformed HOMA-IR; HOMA-IR≥2.5), with significant BPA-by-sex interaction; these associations were stronger among males than among females. Irrespective of sex, the ratio of BPA-to-creatinine level was not predictive of indices of glucose homeostasis. Conclusions A complex association may exist between BPA and hyperinsulinemia among adult U.S. men. Prospective cohort studies are needed to further elucidate endocrine disruptors as determinants of adiposity-related disturbances.

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The potential of improving the fracture toughness of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp) by incorporating carboxyl functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (CfSWCNTs) and polymerized ε-caprolactam (nylon) was studied. A series of HAp samples with CfSWCNTs concentrations varying from 0 to 1.5 wt.%, without, and with nylon addition was prepared. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the samples. The three point bending test was applied to measure the fracture toughness of the composites. A reproducible value of 3.6±0.3 MPa.√m was found for samples containing 1 wt.% CfSWCNTs and nylon. This value is in the range of the cortical bone fracture toughness. Increase of the CfSWCNTs content results to decrease of the fracture toughness, and formation of secondary phases.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) commonly presents with thrombotic events, pregnancy morbidity, and recurrent pregnancy loss [1]. APS presenting as fever of unknown origin (FUO) is rare. To date, there are only a few case reports that have described FUO as presenting manifestation of APS [2]. Intra-cardiac thrombus and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) are lifethreatening thrombotic events of APS, but asymptomatic presentation of intra-cardiac thrombus with PTE is rare [3]. Case reportA 41-year-old man presented with 4-months history of highgrade fever, 38.8-40 8C, associated with chills and rigor, 1-2 episodes per month. Each episode used to last for 1-2 days followed by spontaneous resolution of symptoms. During this time, he also had significant loss of appetite with weight loss of $15 kg. There was no other history to suggest localization. On evaluation he was febrile, normotensive with tachycardia (heart rate -100/min) no tachypnea, and was maintaining room air oxygen saturation of 97%. He had average build (body mass index -21.70 kg/m 2 ), grade-I pan-digital clubbing and there was no palpable lymph node or hepatosplenomegaly. Cardiovascular examinations revealed a systolic click at 3rd inter-costal space, near left parasternal area with no appreciable variation of intensity during respiration and there was no definitive thrill or murmur. Other systemic examinations were essentially normal. Clinically, differential diagnosis of sub-acute bacterial endocarditis, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, occult malignancy, lymphoma, or any autoimmune phenomena were considered. Investigations revealed thrombocytopenia (25 Â 10 9 / L) with normal hemoglobin (Hb-13.5 g/dL) and total leucocytes count (TLC-7 Â 10 9 /L). Blood and urine cultures were sterile multiple times. Chest X-ray showed mild broncho-vascular

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