Peripheral whole blood FOXP3 TSDR methylation: a potential marker in severity assessment of autoimmune diseases and chronic infections

Immune dysregulation is a cardinal feature of autoimmune diseases and chronic microbial infections. In particular, regulatory T cells are downregulated in autoimmune diseases while upregulated in chronic microbial infections. FOXP3 is the master regulator of Treg development. Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) is a highly conserved locus on the FOXP3 gene that is fully demethylated in natural Tregs but methylated in effector T cells. In our study, we used high resolution melt-polymerase chain reaction (HRM-PCR) to determine the FOXP3 TSDR methylation status in autoimmune diseases and chronic microbial infections. We found that FOXP3 TSDR to have the highest mean melting temperature (highly methylated) in active SLE patients compared to all the other groups (p?<?0.001). The psoriasis group also had a significantly high mean melting temperature (78.62?±?0.20) when compared with the inactive SLE group (78.49?±?0.29, p?<?0.05) and control group (78.44?±?0.25, p?<?0.01). There was no significant difference in melting temperature between inactive SLE and healthy controls. Disease activity in SLE was directly associated with methylation of the FOXP3 TSDR. On the other hand, patients with chronic microbial infections had significantly lower FOXP3 TSDR mean melting temperature (demethylated) when compared with healthy controls (78.28?±?0.21 vs 78.44?±?0.25, p?<?0.05). Our results suggest that the use of HRM-PCR to detect FOXP3 TSDR methylation status is a reliable and easy method to predict natural regulatory T cell levels in peripheral blood in different disease conditions. Determining FOXP3 TSDR methylation status can be a useful tool in diagnosis, and monitoring the severity of autoimmune diseases and chronic microbial infections.     

Computerized acoustic cardiography correlates with echocardiography and invasive haemodynamics after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy

Background:?Rheumatic mitral stenosis severity has been assessed by the systolic time interval between the QRS onset and the first heart sound (QS1) by phonocardiography. We hypothesized that non-invasive computerized acoustic cardiography could evaluate mitral stenosis severity compared with echocardiography and invasive haemodynamics in patients undergoing percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC).

Methods:?27 patients underwent computerized acoustic cardiography, echocardiography, and invasive haemodynamic measurements prior to and after PTMC.

Results:?The mean age was 31?±?10 years, and 21 (78%) were female. By echocardiography, mitral valve area increased from 0.82?±?0.14 to 1.50?±?0.24 cm² (p?<?0.0001). The QS1 interval decreased from 101.7?±?12.9 to 93.2?±?9.2?ms (p?<?0.0001). The change in the QS1 interval correlated with the change in mitral valve area by echocardiography (p?=?0.037), right ventricular systolic pressure (p?<?0.0001), and the invasive mitral valve gradient (p?=?0.076).

Conclusions:?Acoustic cardiography may be used as an adjunctive non-invasive diagnostic tool to assess mitral stenosis severity.     

Rapid response to and long-term effectiveness of anti-CD20 antibody in conventional therapy resistant Graves’ orbitopathy: A five-year follow-up study

Abstract

The aim of this investigations was to study the effectiveness of anti-CD20 antibody therapy in Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) resistant to glucocorticoids. Five patients were entered in the study. The protocol required no improvement of orbital status after a recent course of glucocorticoids. Activity of GO was confirmed by three independent techniques: clinical activity score (CAS), ^99mTc-labeled diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (^99mTc DTPA) single photon emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Rituximab (RTX) was given as weekly infusions of 375?mg/m² body surface area for four weeks. The mean follow-up period was 67 (range 58–81) months. Improvement of GO has been observed in all patients: CAS before therapy was 6.5?±?1.7 and decreased to 3.4?±?1.6 by one month (p?<?0.05) and remained unchanged (3.2?±?1.7) at 12 months. No further CAS change, in either direction, was detected during the yearly follow-up visits. The mean DTPA uptake before therapy was 16.52?±?4.51?MBq/cm³ and decreased to 11.97?±?2.36?MBq/cm³ at one year (p?<?0.002). The mean of T2 relaxation times before and one year after therapy were 96.91?±?17.61?ms and 84.29?±?9.41?ms, respectively (p?<?0.001). The mean serum TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) levels before therapy, at the one month and one year control visits were 7.4?±?3.4?U/L, 5.6?±?4.5?U/L and 1.7?±?1.5?U/L, respectively (p?<?0.004). No correlation between changes of TRAb and activity parameters has been found. Anti-CD20 treatment seems to influence positively the clinical course of GO, and this effect seems to be stable for five years. To our knowledge, this is the longest published follow-up of RTX treatment in GO.     

Reference values for short‐term resting‐state heart rate variability in healthy adults: Results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health—ELSA‐Brasil study

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a psychophysiological phenomenon with broad implications, providing an accessible index of vagal function, underpinning psychological constructs, including the capacity for social engagement and emotion regulation, and may predict future morbidity and mortality. However, the lack of reference values for short‐term HRV indices for participants of both sexes across the age spectrum is a limiting factor. This was the objective of the present study. Resting electrocardiographic records were obtained from 13,214 participants (both sexes, 35–74 years), and HRV indices in time and frequency domains (mean ± SD) were determined from 5‐min records. Results were based on a subsample of 2,874 nonmedicated, healthy participants stratified by sex across 10‐year age groupings. Men showed lower heart rate (HR, 64 ± 8 bpm vs. 68 ± 8 bpm, p < .05) and normalized high frequency (HF; 39.4 ± 18.0 normalized units [n.u.] vs. 50.4 ± 18.5 n.u., p < .05) than women, and higher N‐N variance (2,214 ± 1,890 ms² vs. 1,883 ± 1,635 ms², p < .05), standard deviation of all N‐N intervals (SDNN; 43.7 ± 17.3 ms vs. 40.3 ± 15.8 ms, p < .05) and LF/HF (2.30 ± 2.68 vs. 1.33 ± 1.82, p < .05). HR and HF (n.u.) were also higher in younger than older women. LF/HF was lower in women than men. Percentile curves showed almost all HRV indices decreasing with aging. The availability of short‐term, resting‐state HRV reference values in a large sample of healthy and nonmedicated participants from 35–74 years will provide a valuable tool for researchers, clinicians, and those in the quantified‐self community.     

Xenotransplantation of exendin-4 gene transduced pancreatic islets using multi-component (alginate,poly-L-lysine,and polyethylene glycol) microcapsules for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus

This study proposed that microencapsulation of exendin-4 gene transduced islets using alginate, poly-L-lysine, and polyethylene glycol could lead to increased viability and functionality of islets in a rat to mouse xenograft model. The stability of the microcapsules was determined using an osmotic pressure test and a rotational stress test. Exendin-4 gene was transduced into pancreatic islets using lenti-viral vectors and the transduced islets were encapsulated using multi-component microcapsules mentioned above. Both viability and functionality of microencapsulated islets were evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo xenograft model. The viabilities of the unmodified islets (control) and the exendin-4 transduced islets (test) on 14th day were 18.6?±?11.1 and 49.2?±?13.4%, respectively (p?<?0.05). The stimulation index of the control and the test groups was 2.3?±?1.7 and 3.0?±?1.6, respectively. The mean survival times (MST) of the control and the test groups were 20.2?±?8.0 and 35.2?±?10.0?days, respectively (p?<?0.05). Significant differences in MST suggested that transduction of exendin-4 gene had a great potential to increase the function of encapsulated islets. In conclusion, exendin-4 gene transduced islets encapsulated by poly(ethylene glycol) conjugated alginate/PLL microcapsules significantly improved both viability and functionality of encapsulated islets.     

The absence of physiological neonatal weight loss on the 1st–5th day is associated with decreased later physical indices

Abstract

Aim: To investigate associations between physiological neonatal weight loss on the 1st–5th day and physical indices from birth up to the age of 17 years.

Methods: Data were derived from the personal health records of healthy, full-term and breastfed children born in Vilnius in 1990 and 1996. Five hundred and thirty children (289 boys and 241 girls) who left a maternity unit on the 1st–5th day after birth were included in the analysis.

Results: Infants left the maternity unit on day 4.62?±?2.33. On the day of leaving a maternity unit, infants lost 105.06?±?130.48 g (2.85?±?3.65%) of birth weight. Girls who did not lose or gained weight after birth had already weighed less at birth (3163?±?547 and 3490?±?403 g, respectively, p?<?0.01) and remained lighter up to the age of 17 years (54.3?±?8.7 and 60.8?±?10.1?kg at the age of 17 years respectively, p?<?0.001). Girls who did not lose or gained weight after birth were also shorter than those who lost weight (164.3?±?5.7 and 168.6?±?5.4?cm at the age of 17 years, respectively, p?<?0.001).

Conclusion: Girls who did not lose or gained weight immediately after birth tended to remain shorter and lighter during childhood and adolescence. Only a few statistically significant differences were obtained in boys.     

The effect of acute exercise with increasing workloads on inactive muscle blood flow and its heterogeneity in humans

The distribution of blood flow between active and inactive skeletal muscles has been sparsely studied in humans. Here we investigated non-exercising leg blood flow in six healthy young women during intermittent isometric one leg knee extension exercise with increasing workloads. Positron emission tomography was used to measure blood flow in hamstring muscles of the exercising leg, and whole thigh muscles as well as its knee extensor and hamstring compartment of the resting leg. Mean blood flow to the hamstrings of the exercising leg (5.8?±?2.6?ml/100?g/min during the highest exercise workload) and whole thigh muscle of the resting leg (7.1?±?3.8?ml/100?g/min) did not change significantly from rest (4.0?±?0.7 and 4.7?±?1.9?ml/100?g/min, respectively) to exercise, but flow heterogeneity increased substantially at increasing workloads. Importantly, during the highest exercise workload, mean blood flow in the knee extensors of the resting leg decreased (5.5?±?3.0?ml/100?g/min at rest and 3.4?±?2.0?ml/100?g/min during exercise, p?<?0.01) while flow heterogeneity increased (28?±?8% at rest and 83?±?26% during exercise, p?<?0.05). Conversely, in hamstring muscles of the resting leg blood flow increased from 3.9?±?1.0?ml/100?g/min at rest to 11.5?±?6.8?ml/100?g/min during exercise (p?<?0.05) while flow heterogeneity increased from 30?±?7 to 58?±?19% (p?<?0.05). In conclusion, while mean whole thigh muscle blood flow of the resting leg remains at resting level during one leg exercise of the contralateral leg, redistribution of blood flow between muscle parts occurs within the thigh. Based on previous studies, nervous constraints most probably act to cause this blood flow distribution.     

Effect of opioid administration on cardiorespiratory and muscle oxygenation during lifting in chronic back pain patients

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of opioid administration on the acute cardiorespiratory and muscle oxygenation responses during a repetitive lifting and lowering test (RLL) to voluntary fatigue in participants with chronic low back pain (LBP). Written informed consent was obtained from 27 LBP participants (mean age 50.9 ± 16.4 years) who completed one testing session during which they were administered a saline placebo and opioid (1 μg/kg of fentanyl intravenously) in random order. The participants performed the RLL at a rate that they felt that they could sustain for an 8-h working day. Acute opioid administration increased the total lifting time and total work done during RLL by 35 and 48%, respectively (p < 0.05). However, the increased work capacity was accompanied by a significant (p < 0.05) increase in oxygen cost of 22% per unit amount of work done and significant (p < 0.05) increases in heart rate (7%) and ventilation rate (10%). Near infrared spectroscopic analysis of erector spinae oxygenation and blood volume responses during RLL indicated no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the opioid and placebo phases. These findings suggest that the increased energy cost of lifting as a result of opioid administration was due to enhanced central oxygen transport and not peripheral muscle oxygen extraction.     

Decreased Proinflammatory Cytokines Production in Children with Complicated Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion after Intrapleural Fibrinolytic Treatment

Intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IFT) provides clinical benefit in the treatment of complicated pleural parapneumonic effusion (CPE). Whether IFT influences the proinflammatory cytokines production and fibrinlytic activity is currently unclear. Therefore, we collected pleural effusion samples from CPE patients with IFT (study group) and patients without IFT (control group). A membrane human inflammatory cytokines array kit was used to compare the difference of targeted cytokine production between these two groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were used for quantitative analysis of targeted cytokines and fibrinolytic enzymes. The results showed there were no significant differences between the study (n = 16) and control (n = 14) groups in patients’ demographic data. After fibrinolytic therapy, the patients in the study group had significant lower plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) level (732.36?±?254.09 ng/mL vs 1,509.36?±?1,340.11 ng/mL, p?<?0.05) and higher urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) level (75.56?±?41.70 ng/mL vs 6.87?±?5.07 ng/mL, p?<?0.05) than they did before treatment. Moreover, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) (1,560.03?±?403.49 pg/mL vs 3,686.45?±?1,263.83 pg/mL, p?<?0.05) and inflammatory chemokine, regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (RANTES), (293.58?±?212.93 pg/mL vs 749.27?±?53.79 pg/mL, p?<?0.05), were also significantly lower in the study group after fibrinolytic therapy, but not in the control group. In conclusion, intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment with urokinase could enhance fibrinolytic activity and decrease TIMP-2 and RANTES production.     

Evaluation of the optimum time for direct application of fibroblast growth factor to human traumatic tympanic membrane perforations

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the optimum time for direct application of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on large traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (TMPs). Study design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Tertiary University Hospital. Methods: Ninety-three patients, with traumatic TMPs greater in extent than 25% of the entire tympanic membrane, were randomized into observation and bFGF-treated groups (～0.2–0.25?mL of bFGF solution was applied directly onto the TM once daily and continued until the perforation closed). Initial visit times were subcategorized into perforation durations of ≤3 and >3 days, thereby rendering two subgroups, as follows: A and B in the observation group; and C and D in the bFGF-treated group. The closure rate and mean closure time were evaluated after 6 months. Results: Eighty-six patients were finally analyzed. After 6 months, the bFGF-treated group exhibited a significantly higher total closure rate (97.8 versus 82.5%, p?<?0.05) and a shorter mean closure time (12.5?±?3.4 versus 34.0?±?5.9 days, p?<?0.05) compared with the spontaneous healing group. In addition, in the observation group, visiting time was not associated with differences in closure rate (p?>?0.05) and mean closure time (p?>?0.05), between the A and B subgroups. Similarly, in the bFGF-treated group, visiting time was not associated with differences in closure rate (p?>?0.05) between the C and D subgroups. However, the D subgroup was characterized by significantly shortened mean closure time compared with the C subgroup (p?<?0.05). Conclusions: This study shows the beneficial effect of bFGF on human traumatic large TMPs when applied after the 3rd day post-injury had passed (i.e. during the proliferative stage of wound healing). The procedure can not only significantly shorten closure time but can also reduce both the clinical administration duration and occurrence of side-effects associated with bFGF.     

2D/3D CMR tissue tracking versus CMR tagging in the assessment of spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys with isolated diastolic dysfunction

Background

Spontaneous T2DM in rhesus monkeys manifests as isolated diastolic dysfunction in the early stage of diabetic cardiomyopathy, similar to humans. Myocardial deformation measurements have emerged as a superior way to measure left ventricular (LV) function in the early stage of cardiac dysfunction, making it possible to further evaluate early-stage LV dysfunction in spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys.

Methods

Spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys with isolated diastolic dysfunction (T2DM-DD, n?=?10) and corresponding nondiabetic healthy animals (ND, n?=?9) were prospectively scanned for a CMR study. Circumferential and longitudinal peak systolic strain (Ecc, Ell), time to peak strain (tEcc, tEll) and peak diastolic strain rate (CSR, LSR) obtained from 2D/3D CMR-TT were compared with those obtained from CMR tagging separately. In addition, all CMR imaging protocols were performed twice in 9 ND animals to assess test-retest reproducibility.

Results

Compared with the ND group, the T2DM-DD monkeys demonstrated significantly impaired LV Ecc (??10.63?±?3.23 vs ??14.18?±?3.19, p?<?0.05), CSR (65.50?±?14.48 vs 65.50?±?14.48, p?<?0.01), Ell (??9.11?±?2.59 vs ??14.17?±?1.68, p?<?0.05), and LSR (59.43?±?19.17 vs 108.46?±?22.33, p?<?0.01) with the tagging. Only Ecc (??13.10?±?2.47 vs ??19.03?±?3.69, p?<?0.01) and CSR (148.90?±?31.27 vs 202.00?±?51.88, p?<?0.01) were significantly reduced with 2D CMR-TT, and only Ecc (??13.77?±?1.98 vs ??17.26?±?3.78, p?<?0.05) was significantly reduced with 3D CMR-TT. Moreover, 2D/3D CMR-TT-derived Ecc and CSR correlated with the corresponding tagging values collectively, with a statistically significant ICC value (p?<?0.05). Test-retest repeatability analysis showed that most tagging-derived biomarkers had acceptable repeatability (p?<?0.01). In addition, 2D CMR-TT-derived indicators were poorer than those derived from the tagging method but better than those obtained using the 3D method, with larger ICCs except for tEcc (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions

LV systolic and diastolic deformations were impaired in spontaneous T2DM rhesus monkeys previously diagnosed with isolated diastolic dysfunction by echocardiography. The 2D CMR-TT-derived Ecc and CSR were effective in the evaluation of the myocardial systolic and diastolic functions of early-diabetic cardiomyopathy, with relatively higher test-retest reproducibility and acceptable correlation with the tagging method compared with the 3D CMR-TT method.

     

The protective effects of the methanolic root bark extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Afzelia africana</Emphasis> on conception and fetal development in diabetic female rats

This study was carried out to determine the protective effect of methanolic root bark extract of Afzelia africana on conception and fetal development in alloxan-induced diabetic female rats. Twenty-four female rats were used in this study and were assigned into four groups of six rats each using random sampling. Diabetes was induced in groups 1, 2, and 3 but not induced in group 4. Groups 1 and 2 were treated with 250 mg/kg of the extract and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg), respectively while groups 3 and 4 were treated with distilled water (10 ml/kg). From the study, there were significant increases (p?<?0.05) in both the mean crown-rump length and fetal weight (5.85?±?0.065) (6.02?±?0.085) in group 3 when compared with groups 1 (4.44?±?0.065) (4.87?±?0.075), 2 (4.54?±?0.070) (4.78?±?0.21), and 4 (4.53?±?0.08) (4.83?±?0.10), respectively. The mean crown-rump length and fetal weight of groups 1, 2, and 4 did not differ significantly (p?>?0.05) from one another. This shows that the extract (group 1) might have lowered the blood glucose level just as the standard drug (group 2) and prevented the transport of excess glucose from the mother through the placenta to the fetuses. There was a significant reduction (p?<?0.05) in the mean value of number of offspring or litter size in group 3 (2.75?±?0.25) when compared to groups 1 (6.50?±?0.87), 2 (6.54?±?0.79), and 4 (7.00?±?1.15). Also in group 3, there was a significant decrease (p?<?0.05) in the uterine weight (2.15?±?0.15) when compared to groups 1 (2.97?±?0.39), 2 (2.99?±?0.37), and 4 (3.17?±?0.17), respectively. From the above results, the extract had protective effect on conception and fetal development in diabetic females.     

Improvement of diabetic or obese patients’ erythrocyte deformability by the program of the brain-oriented obesity control system (BOOCS)

Diabetes is characterized by absolute or relative insulin deficiency complicated with microangiopathy, whereas obesity stems from insulin resistance. A psychosomatic approach to obesity and diabetes has been highlighted, including the brain-oriented obesity control system (BOOCS). Impaired deformability of erythrocytes in obese or diabetic patients is closely linked to disturbed microcirculation, and improvement of abnormal erythrocyte rheology is a prerequisite for the prevention and treatment of microangiopathy. Therefore, erythrocyte filterability, whole cell deformability defined as flow rate of erythrocyte suspension relative to that of saline, was assessed by the nickel-mesh-filtration technique. Subjects included healthy controls (group A, n?=?14), diabetic, non-obese participants (group B, n?=?29), and non-diabetic, obese participants (group C, n?=?32) in the 6-month BOOCS program, and most patients in groups B and C (86.9?%) completed this program. Baseline mean erythrocyte filterabilities were 89.4?±?1.7?% in group A, 82.8?±?5.2?% in group B, and 84.1?±?5.6?% in group C, showing significant intergroup differences (p?<?0.001). This program significantly improved (p?<?0.001) the impaired erythrocyte filterability in groups B (87.9?±?4.4?%) and C (88.5?±?3.7?%). Declines in HbA1c (p?=?0.387) and body mass index (p?=?0.479) were not correlated to this improvement. These findings indicate that the mechanisms of BOOCS-induced improvement of diabetic or obese patients?? erythrocyte deformability are multifactorial, and that the BOOCS program for these patients is a holistic, cost-effective, and highly compliant approach possibly ameliorating microcirculation.     

Analysis of ECG-trunk muscle signal amplitude and heart rate relationship

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate if bioelectrical signals, generated from trunk muscles identified in an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal presented in this paper as ECG-Trunk Muscles Signals amplitude (Ecg-TMSA) are correlated with Heart rate (HR) during different levels of physical activity and also if Ecg-TMSA is not influenced by mental activity. HR and Ecg-TMSA were derived from ECG in 14 subjects when walking and jogging at different treadmill velocities from 4–10 (km?h^?1). The mean relationship for all 14 subjects was HR?=?(42.3?±?0.2)?+?(45.3?±?2.8) Ecg-TMSA, r^2?=?0.91. The result of one individual data points example for a 21?min experiment was (r^2?=?0.93, p?<?0.0001, n?=?336). The obtained results show a linear relationship between Ecg-TMSA and HR. Moreover, the Ecg-TMSA was not affected by mental activity.     

Testicular morphology and antispermatogenic effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats

This study investigated the testicular morphology as well as the gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats exposed to graded levels of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Twenty male WAD goats of five goats per group were used for this study. Goats in groups A, B and C received low [75?mg/kg body weight (BW)], medium (100?mg/kg BW) and high (125?mg/kg BW) dose levels of 2,4-D, respectively. The group D goats served as the control. On day?112, goats in the four groups were sacrificed and the testicular and epididymal sperm reserves were determined. Histopathologic changes in the testis of the 2,4-D-exposed and control goats were also assessed. The mean number of spermatozoa in the testes and the various segments of the epididymides decreased significantly (p?<?0.05) in all the treatment groups relative to the control. Combined testicular sperm reserve per millilitre for the treatment groups (group A—19.61?±?2.63?×?10⁸, group B—12.02?±?1.02?×?10⁸ and group C—9.95?±?0.97?×?10⁸) reduced significantly (p?<?0.05) relative to the mean value (23.52?±?4.43?×?10⁸) of the control—group D. The total epididymal sperm reserve per millilitre in the treatment groups (group A—24.25?±?4.19?×?10⁸, group B—17.18?±?2.57?×?10⁸ and group C—17.88?±?2.89?×?10⁸) was also found to be significantly (p?<?0.05) lower than the mean value (40.85?±?11.24?×?10⁸) for the control—group D. This reduction in the testicular and epididymal sperm counts of the 2,4-D-exposed WAD goats in this study suggest disruption in spermatogenic activity, which may lead to low productivity. Variable degrees of circulatory disturbances were observed in the testis sections of 2,4-D-exposed goats.     

Muscle fiber conduction velocity is more affected after eccentric than concentric exercise

It has been shown that mean muscle fiber conduction velocity (CV) can be acutely impaired after eccentric exercise. However, it is not known whether this applies to other exercise modes. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to compare the effects of eccentric and concentric exercises on CV, and amplitude and frequency content of surface electromyography (sEMG) signals up to 24?h post-exercise. Multichannel sEMG signals were recorded from biceps brachii muscle of the exercised arm during isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and electrically evoked contractions induced by motor-point stimulation before, immediately after and 2?h after maximal eccentric (ECC group, N?=?12) and concentric (CON group, N?=?12) elbow flexor exercises. Isometric MVC decreased in CON by 21.7?±?12.0% (±SD, p?<?0.01) and by 30.0?±?17.7% (p?<?0.001) in ECC immediately post-exercise when compared to baseline. At 2?h post-exercise, ECC showed a reduction in isometric MVC by 24.7?±?13.7% (p?<?0.01) when compared to baseline, while no significant reduction (by 8.0?±?17.0%, ns) was observed in CON. Similarly, reduction in CV was observed only in ECC both during the isometric MVC (from baseline of 4.16?±?0.3 to 3.43?±?0.4?m/s, p?<?0.001) and the electrically evoked contractions (from baseline of 4.33?±?0.4 to 3.82?±?0.3?m/s, p?<?0.001). In conclusion, eccentric exercise can induce a greater and more prolonged reduction in muscle force production capability and CV than concentric exercise.     

A study on the antioxidant defense system of psoriasis patients in the ethnic population of Kashmir-India

The study was designed to evaluate the role of antioxidant defense system in the etiology of psoriasis, a chronic skin disorder of complex etiology and pathology. Hospital-based case–control study was carried out in major referral hospital in Kashmir, North India. Cases (N?=?40) were composed of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and controls (N?=?20) were healthy volunteers. Study included estimation in plasma of both patients and controls of glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total antioxidant potential (AOP) as indices of antioxidant defense system and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of lipid peroxidation (LP), an indicator of oxidative stress. The GSH levels, SOD activity, AOP, and malondialdehyde levels in plasma of psoriasis patients were 2.58?±?0.22 μM/l, 5.24?±?0.69 U/ml, 0.020?±?.011?nmol^?1/ml?h, and 0.88?±?0.20 nmol/ml and were 4.76?±?0.52 μM/l, 4.14?±?0.56U/ml, 0.042?±?0.018 nmol^?1/ml?h, and 0.53?±?0.16 nmol/ml in healthy voluntary controls, respectively. A significant decrease in GSH levels (p?<?0.005) and AOP (p?<?0.005) and significant increase in SOD activity (p?<?0.01) MDA levels (p?<?0.005) as an indicator of LP was observed.     

Effects of two dietary exogenous multi-enzyme supplementation,Natuzyme<Superscript>®</Superscript> and beta-mannanase (Hemicell<Superscript>®</Superscript>), on growth and blood parameters of Caspian salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo trutta caspius</Emphasis>)

Recent increases in feed ingredient costs have motivated the fisheries industry to identify technologies that will improve feed utilisation and reduce the cost per pound of gain. The effects of two supplemental exogenous enzymes (Natuzyme® and Hemicell®) on the growth performance in Caspian salmon (Salmo trutta caspius) were examined over an 8-week feeding trial. After the experimental period, the survival rate ranged from 91.33?±?1.15 % in controls to 96.67?±?1.15 % in the group that received 0.5 g Natuzyme® kg^?1?+?0.5 g Hemicell® kg^?1 (NH) in their diet and there was a statistical difference between experimental and control groups (p?<?0.05). Growth rate was significantly higher in the NH group (1.01?±?0.01) than the other groups (Sig.?=?0.00). The best feed conversion rate (0.64?±?0.01) was in the NH group and it was significantly lower than the control group, the 0.5 g Natuzyme® kg^?1 group, and the 0.25 g Hemicell® kg^?1 group (Sig.?=?0.03). The best final body weight (80.68?±?5.27) was observed in the NH group. Also, WBC count (7,716.67?±?348.80 N/mm³) was significantly higher in the NH group compared to the control (6,916.67?±?194.10 N/mm³; p?<?0.05). No difference was observed in haematocrit%, haemoglobin, red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (p?>?0.05). The results suggested that enzyme supplementation caused significant improvement on growth performance and feed utilisation in Caspian salmon.     

Short-term pharmacologically induced growth study of ontogenetic allometry of oxygen uptake in children

Background: A range of allometric coefficients have been proposed in describing the maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max): body mass relation in children using weight-bearing ergometry. However, a wide deviation in the allometric coefficients for VO_2max may be apparent when selected pediatric cohorts are studied in conjunction with clinical intervention for growth abnormalities.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the allometric coefficients for VO_2max after short-term pharmacologically induced growth in pre- and early pubescent children.

Subjects and methods: The treatment group consisted of nine subjects with non-growth hormone (GH)-deficient short stature and one with GH-deficient short stature (mean age: 13.7?±?1.7 years). Ten pre- and early pubescent children matched for age, height, weight, VO_2max and body mass index (BMI) were controls. The treatment group were evaluated before (Pre-GH) and after (Post-GH) 4 months of subcutaneous GH therapy (0.05?mg?kg^?1day^?1?×?6 days week^?1).

Results: The mean ontogenetic coefficient for the treatment group was 1.50?±?0.20 and for the control group was 0.77?±?0.34. The mean allometric coefficient for body mass relative to VO_2max was significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Height, weight, fat free mass (FFM), VO_2max indexed to body mass (mL?kg^?1?min^?1) and FFM (mL?kgFFM^?1?min^?1) increased (p<0.05) with GH therapy. GH therapy also increased insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and served as a biochemical marker of GH therapy (p<0.05). The control group had no significant differences in all the variables tested (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The scaling for oxygen uptake (VO₂) for body mass varies with GH treatment and the increase in VO_2max that commonly occurs in conjunction with physical growth in the pre-and early pubescent individual may be linked to an increase in FFM and linear size.

Résumé. Arrière plan: Une gamme de coefficients d’allométrie a été proposée pour décrire la relation entre consommation d’énergie maximum (VO_2max) et masse corporelle, chez des enfants examinés par ergométrie avec charge pondérale. On observe cependant qu’une large déviation des coefficients d’allométrie pour le VO_2max peut apparaître lorsque des cohortes pédiatriques sont étudiées pour les anomalies de la croissance, en conjonction avec une intervention clinique.

But: Le but de cette étude est de déterminer les coefficients d’allométrie pour le VO_2max à la suite d’une courte poussée de croissance induite par pharmacologie chez des enfants prépubères ou de puberté récente.

Sujets et méthodes: Le groupe sous traitement consiste en neuf sujets de stature courte sans déficience d’hormone de croissance (HC) et d’un sujet de stature courte suite suite à une déficience de l’hormone de croissance (âge moyen?: 13,7?±?1,7?ans). On a pris comme contrôles, dix enfants prépubères et de puberté récente appariés pour l’âge, la stature, le poids, le VO_2max et l’IMC. Le groupe en traitement a été évalué avant (Pré-HC) et après (post-HC) quatre mois d’injections d’HC sous cutanée (0,05?mg?kg^?1?jour^?1?×?6?jours semaine^?1).

Résultats: Le coefficient ontogénique moyen pour le groupe sous traitement est de 1,50?±?0,20 et pour le groupe de contrôle 0,77?±?0,34. Le coefficient allométrique moyen pour la masse corporelle en rapport avec VO_2max est significativement plus élevé dans le groupe traité que dans le groupe contrôle (p<0,05). La stature, le poids, la masse maigre, le VO_2max rapporté à la masse corporelle (mL?kg^?1?min^?1) et à la masse maigre (mL?kg^?1?min^?1) s’accroissent avec la thérapie par HC (p?<?0,05). La thérapie HC accroît également le facteur I de croissance insulino mimétique, lequel sert de marqueur biochimique de la thérapie HC (p?<?0,05). Le groupe de contrôle ne présente pas de différence significative pour toutes les variables examinées (p?<?0,05).

Conclusion: L’échelle de VO₂ en fonction de la masse corporelle, varie avec les traitement par HC et l’augmentation en VO_2max qui se produit en général en conjonction avec la croissance physique chez l’individu prépubère ou pubère récent, peut être liée à l’accroissement de la masse maigre et de la taille linéaire.

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Eine Vielzahl allometrischer Koeffizienten ist vorgeschlagen worden, um die Relation von maximaler Sauerstoffaufnahme (VO_2max) zu Körpermasse im Kindesalter unter Verwendung von gewichtsbezogener Ergometrie zu beschreiben. Allerdings wird eine weite Abweichung allometrischer Koeffizienten für VO_2max offensichtlich, wenn ausgewählte pädiatrische Stichproben in Verbindung mit klinischen Interventionen bei Wachstumsstörungen untersucht werden.

Ziel: Sinn dieser Studie war die Bestimmung von allometrischen Koeffizienten für VO_2max nach kurzzeitigem medikamenteninduzierten Wachstum bei präpubertären Kindern und Kindern in der frühen Pubertät.

Probanden und Methoden: Die Behandlungsgruppe bestand aus neun Probanden mit nicht-wachstumshormonbedingtem Kleinwuchs und einem Patienten mit Kleinwuchs aufgrund eines Wachstumshormonmangels (mittleres Alter: 13,7?±?1,7?Jahre). Die Kontrollgruppe bestand aus zehn gleichaltrigen präpubertären Kindern und Kindern in der frühen Pubertät von vergleichbarer Körperhöhe und vergleichbarem Gewicht, VO_2max und BMI. Die Behandlungsgruppe wurde vor (prä-GH) und nach (post-GH) 4-monatiger subkutaner Wachstumshormontherapie (0,05?mg?kg^?1?Tage^–1?×?6?Tage Woche^?1) untersucht.

Ergebnisse: Der mittlere ontogenetische Koeffizient für die Behandlungsgruppe war 1,50?±?0,20 und für die Kontrollgrupp.,77?±?0,34. Der mittlere allometrische Koeffizient für Körpermasse relativ zu VO_2max war in der Behandlungsgruppe signifikant höher als in der Kontrollgruppe (p?<?0,05). Körperhöhe, Gewicht, fettfreie Masse (FFM), VO_2max in Bezug zu Körpermasse (mL?kg^?1?min^?1) und FFM (mL?kg?FFM^?1?min^?1) stiegen mit Wachstumshormontherapie (p?<?0,05). Die Wachstumshormontherapie führte auch zu einem Anstieg des Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) und diente als biochemischer Marker der Wachstumshormontherapie (p?<?0,05). Die Kontrollgruppe zeigte keine signifikanten Unterschiede bei den getesteten Variablen (p?<?0,05).

Zusammenfassung: Die Anpassung von VO₂ an Körpermasse variiert mit der Wachstumshormontherapie, und der Anstieg von VO_2max, der üblicherweise in Verbindung mit körperlichem Wachstum vor und zu Beginn der Pubertät auftritt, könnte mit einer Vermehrung von FFM und Körperlänge verknüpft sein.

Resumen. Antecedentes: Se ha propuesto un rango de coeficientes alométricos para describir la relación entre el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO_2max) y la masa corporal en niños, utilizando la prueba de esfuerzo (ergometría “weight-bearing”). Sin embargo, puede ponerse de manifiesto una amplia desviación de los coeficientes alométricos para el VO_2max cuando se estudian las cohortes pediátricas seleccionadas junto con la intervención clínica para las anomalías del crecimiento.

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los coeficientes alométricos para el VO_2max tras un crecimiento a corto plazo inducido farmacológicamente en niños pre-puberales y con pubertad temprana.

Sujetos y métodos: El grupo de tratamiento consistió en nueve individuos con baja estatura no deficientes de hormona de crecimiento (GH) y uno con baja estatura y deficiente para la GH (edad media: 13,7?±?1,7 años). Diez niños pre-puberales y con pubertad temprana de la misma edad, estatura, peso, VO_2max e IMC fueron los controles. El grupo de tratamiento fue evaluado antes (Pre-GH) y después (Post-GH) de 4 meses de terapia subcutánea con GH (0,05?mg?kg^?1?día^–1?×?6?días por semana^?1).

Resultados: El coeficientes ontogénico medio para el grupo de tratamiento fue de 1,50?±?0,20 y para el grupo de control de 0,77?±?0,34. El coeficiente alométrico medio para la masa corporal respecto al VO_2max fue significativamente mayor en el grupo que recibía tratamiento que en el grupo control (p?<?0,05). La estatura, el peso, la masa libre de grasa (FFM), el VO_2max indexado para la masa corporal (mL?kg^?1?min^?1) y la FFM (mL?kg?FFM^?1?min^?1) aumentaban (p?<?0,05) con la terapia con GH. Esta terapia también incrementaba el factor de crecimiento semejante a la insulina tipo I (IGF-I) y sirvió como un marcador bioquímico de la terapia con GH (p?<?0,05). El grupo de control no mostró diferencias significativas en ninguna de las variables testadas (p?<?0,05).

Conclusión: la escala del VO_2max para la masa corporal varía con el tratamiento con GH; el incremento en el VO_2max que ocurre habitualmente junto con el crecimiento físico en los individuos pre-puberales y de pubertad temprana puede estar asociado con un incremento de la FFM y del tamaño lineal.     

Ageing effects on knee and ankle joint angles at key events and phases of the gait cycle

The objective of this research was to determine whether joint angles at critical gait events and during major energy generation/absorption phases of the gait cycle would reliably discriminate age-related degeneration during unobstructed walking. The gaits of 24 healthy adults (12 young and 12 elderly) were analysed using the PEAK Motus motion analysis system. The elderly participants showed significantly greater single (60.3% versus 62.3%, p < 0.01) and double ( p < 0.05) support times, reduced knee flexion (47.7° versus 43.0°, p < 0.05) and ankle plantarflexion (16.8° compared to 3.3°, p = 0.053) at toe off, reduced knee flexion during push-off and reduced ankle dorsiflexion (16.8° compared to 22.0°, p < 0.05) during the swing phase. The plantarflexing ankle joint motion during the stance to swing phase transition (A₂) for the young group (31.3°) was about twice ( p < 0.05) that of the elderly (16.9°). Reduced knee extension range of motion suggests that the elderly favoured a flexed-knee gait to assist in weight acceptance. Reduced dorsiflexion by the elderly in the swing phase implies greater risk of toe contact with obstacles. Overall, the results suggest that joint angle measures at critical events/phases in the gait cycle provide a useful indication of age-related degeneration in the control of lower limb trajectories during unobstructed walking.