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Endothelial dysfunction in pregnancy metabolic disorders
Get PDFIn recent years, the vascular endothelium has gained attention as a key player in the initiation and development of pregnancy disorders. Endothelium acts as an endocrine organ that preserves the homeostatic balance by responding to changes in metabolic status. However, in metabolic disorders, endothelial cells adopt a dysfunctional function, losing their normal responsiveness. During pregnancy, several metabolic changes occur, in which endothelial function decisively participates. Similarly, when pregnancy metabolic disorders occur, endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in pathogenesis. This review outlines the main findings regarding endothelial dysfunction in three main metabolic pathological conditions observed during pregnancy: gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and obesity and hyperlipidemia. Organ, histological and cellular characteristics were thoroughly described. Also, we focused in discussing the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the cellular signaling pathways that mediate responses in these pathological conditions
Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning increases heme oxygenase 1 expression in kidney tissue and improves kidney function in spontaneously hypertensive rats with ischemic acute kidney injury
No full textSource attribution of human echinococcosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFAuthor summary Echinococcus granulosusandE.multilocularisare zoonotic parasites that cause human cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis, respectively, in humans: both diseases resulting in a substantial burden of disease. They are transmitted to humans via wild or domestic caniid definitive hosts. This study aimed at finding and evaluating the source attribution of echinococcosis and provides evidence that transmission by direct contact with the definitive hosts perhaps results in 26.1% and 34.4% cases of CE and AE, respectively. Indirect transmission by contaminated water may result in 29.4% and 24.8% of cases of CE and AE, respectively. There is evidence that indirect transmission through contaminated food may result in 23.5% of cases of CE globally. Contaminated food may result in 32.5% of cases of AE, but only in low incidence regions such as Europe. In areas of high human incidence such as China, the evidence for foodborne AE was not convincing. Other sources of transmission such as contact with a contaminated environment result in approximately 30.4% of CE cases and 11.1% of AE cases. Background A substantial proportion of echinococcosis transmission to humans via contamination of food has been assumed. However, the relative importance of food as a transmission vehicle has previously been estimated through expert opinion rather than empirical data. Objective To find and evaluate empirical data that could be used to estimate the source attribution of echinococcosis, in particular the proportion that is transmitted through contaminated food. Methods A systematic review was undertaken to identify reports on the risk factors for human cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) echinococcosis. Data bases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Cab Direct, Science Direct, Google Scholar, eLIBRARY.RU, CyberLeninka, CNKI and VIP. Search terms included Echinococc*, hydatid, epidemiology, logistic regression, risk factors, odds ratio, relative risk, risk factors. Reports, including grey literature where available, that had suitable data were selected and data were extracted. The main pathways of transmission were hypothesised to be contact with the definitive host, contaminated water, contaminated food and contaminated environment (other than food). For each study the attributable fraction for these potential sources of infection was calculated from the data presented. A meta-analysis was then undertaken to obtain pooled estimates for the relative contribution of these transmission pathways. Results Data from 28 cross-sectional studies and 14 case-control studies were extracted. There was strong evidence for transmission by direct contact with dogs for both CE and AE. The estimated attributable fractions were 26.1% (CI 13.8%-39.6%) and 34.4% (CI 20.7% -48.2%) respectively. Transmission through contaminated water was estimated to be responsible for approximately 29.4% (CI 12.1%-51.7%) for CE and 24.8% (CI 10.6% to 42.6%) for AE. Contaminated food may be responsible for approximately 23.4% of CE cases (CI 2.1%-47.3%). Globally, there was insufficient evidence to conclude AE can be transmitted by food, although case control studies from low human incidence areas suggested that possibly 32.5% (CI 10.0%-53.2%) could be transmitted by food. There was also insufficient evidence that direct contact with foxes was a significant source of human disease. There were no suitable studies with a risk of environmental contact reported, but the residual attributable fraction thatwould likely include this pathway was approximately 30.4% for CE and 11.1% for AE. Conclusions The results support the hypothesis that dog contact and drinking contaminated water are major pathways of transmission of both CE and AE. For contaminated food, the results are less consistent, but suggest that it is an important transmission pathway and provide better evidence than expert elicitations as previously used
Systematic bioinformatic analysis of nutrigenomic data of flavanols in cell models of cardiometabolic disease
No full textFlavanol intake positively influences several cardiometabolic risk factors in humans. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of action of flavanols, in terms of gene regulation, in the cell types relevant to cardiometabolic disease have never been systematically addressed. On this basis, we conducted a systematic literature review and a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of genes whose expression is affected by flavanols in cells defining cardiometabolic health: hepatocytes, adipocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and immune cells. A systematic literature search was performed using the following pre-defined criteria: treatment with pure compounds and metabolites (no extracts) at low concentrations that are close to their plasma concentrations. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed using bioinformatics tools to identify gene ontologies, networks, cellular pathways and interactions, as well as transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulators. The systematic literature search identified 54 differentially expressed genes at the mRNA level inin vitromodels of cardiometabolic disease exposed to flavanols and their metabolites. Global bioinformatic analysis revealed that these genes are predominantly involved in inflammation, leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration, and lipid metabolism. We observed that, although the investigated cells responded differentially to flavanol exposure, the involvement of anti-inflammatory responses is a common mechanism of flavanol action. We also identified potential transcriptional regulators of gene expression: transcriptional factors, such as GATA2, NFKB1, FOXC1 or PPARG, and post-transcriptional regulators: miRNAs, such as mir-335-5p, let-7b-5p, mir-26b-5p or mir-16-5p. In parallel, we analyzed the nutrigenomic effects of flavanols in intestinal cells and demonstrated their predominant involvement in the metabolism of circulating lipoproteins. In conclusion, the results of this systematic analysis of the nutrigenomic effects of flavanols provide a more comprehensive picture of their molecular mechanisms of action and will support the future setup of genetic studies to pave the way for individualized dietary recommendations
Introduction of dynamic rate-of-force development scaling factor in progressive drop jumps
No full textRapid force generation across submaximal levels has been evaluated with the rate of force development scaling factor (RFD-SF) in different isometric tasks, while such measurement was still not verified in dynamic tasks. Our study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of the RFD-SF in dynamic drop jump (DJ) task (RFD-SFDJ). A total of 55 young athletes performed isometric plantarflexion at different submaximal intensities and 60 DJs (6 different drop heights). For each participant we calculated linearity (r(2)) and slope in isometric task (RFD-SFPF), eccentric part of DJ (RFD-SFDJ-ECC) and concentric part of DJ (RFD-SFDJ-CON), as well as average jump height (DJ(H)) from each drop height. Our results revealed strong linear force-RFD relationship for isometric plantarflexion (r(2) = 0.90 +/- 0.06), eccentric (r(2) = 0.87 +/- 0.09) and concentric phase of DJ (r(2) = 0.80 +/- 0.18). Significant moderate positive correlations were calculated between RFD-SFPF and RFD-SFDJ-ECC (r = 0.311, p lt 0.05) and small negative correlations between RFD-SFDJ-CON and RFD-SF (r = -0.276, p lt 0.05). Significant positive moderate correlations were seen only between RFD-SFDJ-ECC and DJ(H) from 10 cm (r = 0.459, p lt 0.001) and 15 cm (r = 0.423, p lt 0.01). This is the first study to introduce and confirm that RFD-SFDJ can be obtained from the multi-joint tasks (60 jumps) and still provide acceptable reliability and linear relationship. Furthermore, RFD-SFDJ may have greater practical application than RFD-SF assessed under the isometric conditions. This verification of RFD-SFDJ opens opportunities for further research regarding its practical application
Consensus statement on the epidemiological situation and expected frequency of canine vector-borne diseases in Serbia
Get PDFPlatelet-poor plazma sportista kao potencijalni induktor miogene diferencijacije C2C12 mioblasta
Get PDFIntroduction. Blood products, i.e. platelet rich plasma (PRP), leukocyte-poor plasma (PRP) and platelet poor plasma (PPP), have previously been used to improve muscle regeneration. In this study, six months' frozen-stored PPP of individuals who practiced different types of physical exercise was analysed; it could steer mouse C2C12 myoblast cells towards proliferation, migration and myogenic differentiation, and it could affect the morphology/shape of myotubes. Materials and Methods. PPP of male Olympic weightlifters, football players and professional folk dancers, aged 15-19, was collected 12 h post-training and stored for 6 months at -20°C. C2C12 cell proliferation was assessed by MTT test, motility by scratch assay, myogenic differentiation by myotube formation and gelatinase activity by gel-zymography. Results and Conclusions. PPP induced proliferation and migration of C2C12 cells. Proliferative capacity was as follows: weightlifters gt dancers gt football players; mean migratory capacity was: weightlifters = dancers gt football players. PPP induced formation of myotubes; significant inter-individual variations were detected: PPP from weightlifters induced formation of round myotubes, and PPP from football players and dancers induced formation of elongated myotubes. The mean myotube area was as follows: football players gt dancers gt weightlifters. PPP gelatinolytic activity was observed; it was negatively correlated with C2C12 myoblast proliferation. These results provide general but distinct evidence that PPP of individuals practicing certain types of exercise can specifically modify myoblast morphology/function. This is significant for explaining physiological responses and adaptations to exercise. In conclusion, longterm, frozen-stored PPP preserves its potential to modify myoblast morphology and function.Uvod. Krvna plazma obogaćena leukocitima, plazma sa niskim sadržajem leukocita i plazma sa niskim sadržajem trombocita (platelet poor plasma; PPP) su produkti krvi koji se koriste za stimulaciju regeneracije mišića. U ovom radu smo ispitivali da li zamrzavana PPP osoba koje se bave različitim tipovima fizičke aktivnosti, usmerava C2C12 myoblaste u pravcu povećane proliferacije, migracije i miogene diferencijacije, i da li utiče na morfologiju/izgled miotuba. Materijal i metode. PPP osoba muškog pola starih 15-19 godina je izolovana iz krvi dizača tegova, fudbalera i profesionalnih igrača folklora, 12 sati nakon treninga. Uzorci PPP su čuvani šest meseci na -20ºC. Uticaj PPP na proliferaciju C2C12 ćelija je analiziran MTT testom, na migraciju "scratch" testom, a uticaj na miogenu diferencijaciju je analiziran na osnovu sposobnosti PPP da indukuju formiranje miotuba. Želatinolitička aktivnost PPP je analizirana gel-zimografijom. Rezultati i zaključak. Uzorci PPP su indukovali proliferaciju i migraciju C2C12 ćelija, a kapacitet da stimulišu proliferaciju je bio: dizači tegova gt igrači gt fudbaleri. Kapacitet PPP da utiču na migraciju C2C12 ćelija je bio: dizači tegova = igrači gt fudbaleri. Svi uzorci PPP su indukovali formiranje miotuba, ali su zapažene značajne interindividualne varijacije. PPP dizača tegova su indukovali formiranje okruglih miotuba, dok su miotube formirane u prisustvu PPP igrača i fudbalera bile izdužene. Površina miotuba se, zavisno od tipa fizičke aktivnosti, menjala po sledećem rasporedu: fudbaleri gt igrači gt dizači tegova. Želatinolitička aktivnost PPP je nagativno korelirala sa proliferacijom C2C12 ćelija. Rezultati ove studije pokazuju da PPP osoba koje se bave određenim tipom fizičke aktivnosti mogu da na specifičan način modulišu morfologiju/funciju mioblasta. Ovaj rezultat je od značaja za objašnjnje fiziološkog odgovora i adaptacije na vežbanje. On pokazuje i da PPP nakon dugotrajnog zamrzavanja imaju očuvanu spospbnost modifikovanja morfologije i funkcije mioblasta
Association of meal timing with dietary quality in a Serbian population sample
Get PDFBackground: The world-wide adoption of Western lifestyles and eating patterns is associated with adverse effects on nutrient intakes. Here we evaluated the relationships between timing of meals and diet quality in Serbia, a Balkan country with a traditional eating pattern that includes the largest meal of the day as a late lunch. Methods: A dietary survey was done in the Republic of Serbia using a nationally-representative sample of 74 children and 260 non-pregnant adults. Nutrient intakes were calculated from two 24-h recalls. A Dietary Quality Score (DQS) enumerated how many European Union (EU) Science Hub recommendations were met for fruit and vegetables, fiber, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. We evaluated whether the timing of dietary intakes is associated with DQS and body mass index. Results: The dietary intakes of children ages 10–17 and adults were similar and were high in total fat intake, with an average of 40% of energy from fat. Mean fruit and vegetable intakes of 473 g/day in adults exceeded the minimal EU recommendation. The most worrisome aspects of the Serbian diet were high intakes of saturated fat, sugar and sodium. Lunch was the meal with the highest mean content of energy, followed by breakfast and dinner, and the average time for lunch was 15:15. Consumption of a higher percentage of calories before 16:00 in adults was associated with higher fruit and vegetable intakes and with higher DQS. The subgroup of adults consuming their largest meal after 20:00 had a lower mean age, more men, and a larger percentage was employed outside of the home. There were no associations of meal timing with BMI, but the prevalence of obesity in this population sample was only 13%. Conclusions: These results indicate that an earlier meal pattern, and especially consuming the largest meal of the day earlier in the day, was associated with better quality diets. Public health efforts are needed to preserve nutrient intakes as the population shifts away from the traditional Serbian eating pattern. Long-term, deterioration of nutrient intakes could contribute to the increasing rates of obesity that have been observed in Serbia and world-wide
Isokinetic Testing: Sensitivity of the Force-Velocity Relationship Assessed through the Two-Point Method to Discriminate between Muscle Groups and Participants' Physical Activity Levels
Get PDFBackground: Isokinetic testing has been routinely used to assess the capacities of individual muscle groups. In this study we aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of the force-point (F-v) relationship assessed through the two-point method to discriminate between antagonist muscle groups and males with different physical activity levels. Methods: The concentric force output of the knee, hip, elbow, and shoulder flexors and extensors of 27 active and 13 non-active men was recorded at 60 and 180 degrees/s to determine the F-v relationship parameters (maximum force [F-0], maximum velocity [v(0)], and maximum power [P-max]). Results: F-0 and P-max were higher for knee extensors (effect size [ES] = 1.97 and 0.57, respectively), hip extensors (ES = 2.52 and 0.77, respectively), and shoulder flexors (ES = 1.67 and 0.83, respectively) compared to their antagonist muscles, while v(0) was higher for knee flexors compared to knee extensors (ES = 0.59). Active males revealed higher F-0 for knee extensors (ES = 0.72) and knee flexors (ES = 0.83) and higher P-max for knee flexors (ES = 0.70), elbow extensors (ES = 0.83) and shoulder extensors (ES = 0.36). Conclusions: The sensitivity of the two-point method for testing the maximal mechanical capacities was high for the knee, moderate for the hip and shoulder, and low for the elbow joint
