16 research outputs found
Assessing blood Irisin levels in response to perceived exercise intensity: a preliminary analysis /
No full textHigh-density lipoprotein function and composition and endothelial microvesicle amount in estimating cardiovascular risk
No full textTaikant laboratorinius analizės metodus izoliuoti didelio tankio lipoproteinus bei endotelio mikrodaleles ir identifikuoti šių dalelių biožymenis, kurie gali būti siejami su didesne rizika sirgti širdies ir kraujagyslių ligomis.Applying laboratory analytical methods to isolate high-density lipoproteins and endothelial microparticles and to identify the biomarkers of these particles that may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
Cholesterol efflux capacity measurement from j774a.1 macrophage cell line to human hdl.
No full textCholesterol Efflux Capacity Measurement from J774a.1 Macrophage Cell Line to Human HDL SUMMARY Atheroslerotic plaque formation is induced by accumulation of cholesterol and its esters in arterial wall. This process leads to various cardiovascular diseases which are globally one of the leading causes of death. At the moment, there is no detailed clinical analysis, which would allow to determine individuals‘ atheroslerotic risk. One of the most promising individual predictors for atherosclerotic risk is cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC). CEC can be described as an index of resident arterial wall immune system cells‘ – macrophages‘ ability to efflux and HDLs‘, circulating in bloodstream, ability to influx cholesterol. During this process, the amount of cholesterol in arterial wall is diminished and the organism is protected from atherosclerotic plaque formation. At this moment, CEC measurement is still in experimental stages, because there is no cheap, efficient and universal method to assess CEC. The main aim of the study was to create and evaluate a method for CEC measurement by comparing its‘ results to commercially available CEC measurement kits‘. A measurement system was created which allows to simulate cholesterol efflux process occuring in an organism. In this system J774a.1 cell line macrophage cells were enriched with fluorescent cholesterol and incubated with specially prepared cholesterol acceptors from human blood – HDLs. After incubation CEC was assessed by measuring the fluorescence intensity. For this trial a sample of patients was selected so that it would reflect a natural heterogenic population with healthy and dyslipidemic individuals. After putting to test the measurement system it was concluded that it is suitable for CEC measurement. Even though the system worked, cAMP concentration, which was used for positive control, was not effective in inducing cholesterol efflux. For future trials cAMP concentration should be raised to check if cAMP is suitable for use as cholesterol efflux inducer or cAMP should be replaced with other agent. After measuring and calculating CEC values by commercially available kit and our measurement method, the results were compared by Bland-Altman method to evaluate if these methods could be used interchangeably. Prior to the trials, clinical assumption was made, that these methods could be used interchangeably if their mean of result differences would not be more than 5%. Using Bland-Altman method it was concluded that averagely measurements differ by -11,6761 %. It means that our measurement method yelds values that are averagely 11,67611 % greater than those of commercial kits‘. This difference leads to conclusion that even though our measurement method is proven to be able to assess CEC, it cannot be used as an alternative for comercially available kit for CEC assessement
The association between cholesterol efflux capacity and apolipoprotein A1: systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textIntroductionHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles are key participants in reverse cholesterol transport. Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) and apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) are HDL-related biomarkers often used to evaluate HDL particle functionality and quantity. This study aimed to assess the correlation between CEC and Apo A1 concentrations and explore whether methodological aspects influence the correlation results.
Materials and methodsThis meta-analysis was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42024552535). Three databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, were screened for the studies published between January 2000 and May 2024. The correlation results were analyzed using a random-effects model, and sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed.
ResultsA total of 19 studies with 4967 participants were included. This meta-analysis’s results indicated a statistically significant positive moderate strength correlation between CEC and Apo A1 concentrations. A high level of study heterogeneity was observed among the included studies. Further exploration into this heterogeneity revealed that different cell culture lines and cholesterol acceptors used to evaluate CEC impact the overall result of the pooled correlation estimate. The methods used to evaluate Apo A1 did not significantly affect the correlation estimate between CEC and Apo A1 concentrations.
ConclusionsThe correlation between CEC and Apo A1 lacks strength and consistency for Apo A1 being used as a surrogate marker for HDL function in a clinical setting. Currently, there is a high need for the standardization of CEC measurement methodologies that impact the overall results and comparability of the studies that have already been conducted
Income Inequality and Redistribution in Lithuania: The Role of Policy, Labor Market, Income, and Demographics
No full textWe model the household disposable income distribution in Lithuania and explore the drivers of the increase in income inequality between 2007 and 2015. We quantify the contributions of four factors to changes in the disposable income distribution: (i) demographics; (ii) labor market structure; (iii) returns and prices; and (iv) tax–benefit system. Results show that the effects of the factors were substantial and reflected heterogeneous developments over two subperiods: changes in the tax and benefit system cushioned a rapid rise in market income inequality because of the global financial crisis during 2007–2011, but failed to do so during the subsequent years of economic expansion, when rising returns in the labor and capital markets significantly increased disposable income inequality. We also find that declining marriage rates contributed to the increase in income inequality in Lithuania
Macro-Aspartate Aminotransferase and Its Laboratory Detection: A Case Report
No full textBackground. Increased enzyme activity in human blood serum is usually associated with the existence of disease. On the other hand, enzyme activity can also be elevated in the presence of benign conditions, such as macro-enzymes. Macro-enzymes could lead to highly unnecessary and invasive procedures which may cause complications to the patient and an extra cost for the hospital. Therefore, it is important to diagnose this condition in order to avoid unnecessary clinical tests. Case Presentation. We present a case of a 71-year-old asymptomatic female with persistent elevation of AST who was referred to our hospital for additional testing for underlying liver disease. By using polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation assay, we were able to identify macro-AST. This helped to avoid the high-risk liver biopsy procedure. Conclusion. In the case of an isolated elevation of AST activity with no clinical indications of liver disease, diagnostic work-up for macro-AST should always be considered by physicians
Accounting of collective investment undertakings.
No full text40 pages, 10 pictures, 4 annexes. The main objective of the work is based on the scientific literature analysis and the author’s research to reveal the collective investment management and accounting and to determine how international accounting standards affects the collective investment undertakings financial management. The work consists of three parts: the analysis of literature, laws and of accounting standards, the qualitative research and its results with recommendations, conclusions. Literature analysis, conceptual reviewed collective investment entities, their structure and operating principles, legal regulation and supervision in Lithuania. Moreover, the accounting of collective investment undertakings according to business accounting standards is also described and compared with international accounting standards. After analysis of the literature was performed qualitative research - collective investment undertakings accounting management in accordance with international accounting standards. The method of expert interviews was chosen for the research. During the study, three experts in the accounting field of collective investment undertakings were interviewed. The data collected during the interviews were collected and summarized. The study found that international accounting standards bring internationality to collective investment undertakings, however, the new standards implementation increase the costs of administration for investment entities. The conclusions summarize the literature analysis and research. The author believes, that the implementation of international accounting standards, expands the internationality of collective investment undertakings, also it helps to attract the large foreign institutional investors.  
Changes in income inequality in Lithuania: the role of policy, labour market structure, returns and demographics
No full textContents -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Methodology -- 2.1. Components of the income distribution -- 2.2. Simulating counterfactual distributions -- 2.3. Decomposition of changes in the income distribution over time -- 3. An application to Lithuania between 2007 and 2015 -- 3.1. Evolution of income inequality in Lithuania -- 3.2. Data -- 3.3. Changes in the income distribution between 2007 and 2015 -- 3.4. The redistributive effect of the tax and transfer system -- 3.5. Drivers of changes in the income distribution between 2007 and 2015 -- 4. Concluding remarks -- Bibliography.We model the household disposable income distribution in Lithuania and explore the drivers of the increase in income inequality between 2007 and 2015. We quantify the contributions of four factors to changes in the disposable income distribution: (i) demographics; (ii) labour market structure; (ii) returns and prices; and (iv) tax-benefit system. Results show that the effects of the factors were substantial and reflected heterogeneous developments over two sub-periods: changes in the tax and benefit system successfully accommodated a rapid rise in market income inequality due to the global financial crisis during 2007-2011, but failed to do so during the subsequent years of economic expansion, when rising returns in the labour and capital markets significantly increased disposable income inequality. We also find that declining marriage rates contributed to the increase of income inequality in Lithuania. Keywords: income distribution, inequality, decompositions, microsimulation, tax-benefit policies, crisis, austerity, overtime comparison
Vakcinavimas COVID-19 vakcinomis – tretinio lygio alergologijos centro patirtis.
No full textBackground: Allergic reactions after messenger RNA (mRNA)-based COVID-19 vaccines have been reported but detailed descriptions and further actions are not well characterized. Objective: To describe the symptoms of possible allergic reactions after the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and outcomes of further vaccination. Methods: We descriptively analyzed data of adult (≥18 years of age) patients, who were sent for vaccination to our outpatient center for the Diagnostics and Treatment of Allergic and Immune diseases. All patients were vaccinated with the Pfizer–BioNTech Comirnaty® vaccine. Results: From January 2021 to July 2021 twenty-two patients were vaccinated in our center. Six patients experienced a reaction after the first Comirnaty® dose in different vaccination centers. The majority of them complained of various types of rashes after the first dose, one case was consistent with anaphylaxis. The latter patient was tested with the skin prick using Pfizer–BioNTech Comirnaty® vaccine and the test was negative. Other sixteen patients were vaccinated in our center from the first dose because of past allergic reactions to other medication or due to concomitant mast cell disorder. All patients were vaccinated without any immediate adverse reactions. Conclusions: None of our patients experienced repeated cutaneous reactions after the second dose. Patients with previous anaphylaxis or mastocytosis also were safely vaccinated
Diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera venom allergy in adults: A single-center experience in Lithuania /
No full textBackground: Venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT) is a major treatment for patients allergic to Hymenoptera venom. Thus, correct diagnosis of sensitization, identification of the risk factors, and choice of venom for the treatment are the key issues. Objective: We aimed to describe diagnostic and treatment experience data of VIT performed in a single center in Lithuania. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 9 years of clinical data (severity of the allergic reaction, recognition of the culprit insects, diagnostics, VIT protocol safety and efficacy, sting challenge outcomes) of patients treated with cluster VIT. Sting challenge helped to reveal the influence of venom preparation quality and to adjust the dosage of venom. Results: Data from 83 patients were analyzed. Double sensitization confirmed by component diagnosis was found in 39.4% (13/33), and double immunotherapy was initiated in 9.1% (n = 3/33). The cluster immunotherapy protocol was used in 81 patients. Systemic reactions occurred in 7.4% (n = 6/81) patients during the build-up phase. VIT failure was related to bee venom immunotherapy and systemic reactions during a build-up phase. The efficacy in the short term of our approach to cluster VIT was confirmed by the sting challenge in 97% (42/43). Nine patients (10.8%, n = 9/83) voluntarily stopped the treatment due to a lack of motivation. Conclusion: Our protocol regarding the investigation and treatment of patients allergic to Hymenoptera venom has been safe and effective. Patient's motivation to continue VIT is one of the concerns, but the biggest challenge is the patients with bee venom allergy and repeated systemic reactions during VIT
