Impact of moderate calorie restriction on testicular morphology and endocrine function in adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

We previously reported that moderate calorie restriction (CR) has minimal impact on testicular gene expression in young adult rhesus macaques, and no obvious negative impact on semen quality or plasma testosterone levels. We now extend these findings by examining the influence of CR on various aspects of the reproductive axis of older males, including 24-h circulating testosterone levels, testicular gene expression, and testicular morphology. Young adult and old adult male rhesus macaques were subjected to either 30 % CR for 5–7 years, or were fed a standard control diet. Analysis of the 24-h plasma testosterone profiles revealed a significant age-associated decline, but no evidence for CR-induced suppression in either the young or old males. Similarly, expression profiling of key genes associated with testosterone biosynthesis and Leydig cell maintenance showed no significant CR-induced changes in either the young or old animals. The only evidence for CR-associated negative effects on the testis was detected in the old animals at the histological level; when old CR animals were compared with their age-matched controls, there was a modest decrease in seminiferous tubule diameter and epithelium height, with a concomitant increase in the number of depleted germ cell lines. Reassuringly, data from this study and our previous study suggest that moderate CR does not negatively impact 24-h plasma testosterone profiles or testicular gene expression. Although there appear to be some minor CR-induced effects on testicular morphology in old animals, it is unclear if these would significantly compromise fertility.     

A single nucleotide polymorphism −35 kb T > C (rs9264942) is strongly associated with psoriasis vulgaris depending on HLA-Cw06

HLA class I molecules play a role both in viral infection control and in autoimmune diseases development. rs9264942T > C polymorphism in HLA-C gene was found to impact on HLA-C surface expression level and to be associated with HIV-1 control. It was found that these HLA alleles which protect against AIDS are associated with autoimmune disease e.g. psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). Whether rs9264942 SNP is associated with PsV was investigated here. rs9264942T > C was genotyped in 292 PsV patients, and 254 controls using TaqMan Genotyping Assay.     

Czy u dzieci z nadmiarem masy ciała mogą występować zaburzenia struktury i mineralizacji kości?

The aim of this study was to analyse the quality of bone, determined on the basis of ultrasound in children with excess body weight.     

Role of personal resources from the perspective of experiencing tinnitus annoyance in adults

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Occurrence of tinnitus can be, for a person who experiences it, a disorder affecting the overall equilibrium of the organism. To cope with it a variety...     

Determination of Heat Transfer Coefficient for Air-Atomized Water Spray Cooling and Its Application in Modeling of Thermomechanical Controlled Processing of Die Forgings

The paper presents the method and results of determination of heat transfer coefficient for air-atomized water spray cooling with consideration of infrastructural factors of industrial cooling conveyor, such as effect of accelerated air. The established values of heat transfer coefficient were implemented into a numerical model of cooling line, with special definition of sprayers and the movement of the part subjected to quenching. After quantitative validation on selected samples, the obtained coefficients were used for the solution of the technological problem by means of localized cooling rate enhancement, which forms a case study confirming reliability of the established water spray heat transfer functions and suitability of the determined models for design of thermomechanical controlled processing of complex-geometry parts.     

Markers of anaphylaxis – a systematic review

Anaphylaxis is defined as severe, life-threatening, systemic or general, immediate reaction of hypersensitivity, with repeatable symptoms caused by the dose of stimulus which is well tolerated by healthy persons. The proper diagnosis, immediate treatment and differential diagnosis are crucial for saving patient's life. However, anaphylaxis is relatively frequently misdiagnosed or confused with other clinical entities. Thus, there is a continuous need for identifying detectable markers improving the proper diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Here we presented currently known markers of anaphylaxis and discussed in more detail the most clinically valuable ones: tryptase, platelet activacting factor (PAF), PAF-acethylhydrolase, histamine and its metabolites.     

Comment on: “Assessing Pruritus in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Study”

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology -     

Do determinants of platelet function co-segregate with genetic markers of type 1 diabetes mellitus?: Analysis of platelet and fibrinolytic parameters in families with type 1 diabetes mellitus

This study examined the significance of selected parameters of primary haemostasis to discriminate between relatives of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Platelet function, including markers of spontaneous and agonist-induced platelet activation (CD62), platelet consumption (microparticles) and clumping (aggregates), as well as selected parameters of the fibrinolytic system (t-PA and PAI-1), were studied in IDDM children (n = 45), their parents (n = 65), siblings (n = 17) and unrelated healthy controls (n = 51). The fraction of activated platelets circulating in whole blood amounted to 4.3±2.1% in IDDM children, and significantly exceeded the level found in parents (1.3±0.7%, P < 0.002), siblings (1.2±1.0%, P < 0.002), and controls (1.2±0.6%, P < 0.002). Furthermore, an enhanced formation of platelet microparticles was observed in the IDDM group, both in resting platelets and also when platelets were stimulated with thrombin. Significantly decreased total PAI-1 occurred in IDDM children (P < 0.02 versus parents); also slightly lowered active PAI-1 and t-PA antigen were noticed in IDDM subjects compared to other groups, however, the differences were not statistically significant. To assess dissimilarities between the groups of subjects we applied the forward stepwise model of discriminant function analysis, which included platelet flow cytometry parameters. The best separation and the highest discrepancy (expressed as the so called squared Mahalanobis distances, d_M) was revealed between controls and IDDM patients (P ? 0.0001) and between controls and parents (P ? 0.0001). The values of d_M found between IDDM children and their siblings (P < 0.001), as well as parents (P < 0.01), were of much lower significance. The finding that the control group, representing unrelated subjects, remains particularly well separated from the other groups, more or less clustered together, implies the possible involvement of genetic factor(s) which might potentially affect platelet activation and reactivity. In addition, the distinguished distribution of HLA DQAI⁵² and HLA DQBI⁵⁷ genotypes in the groups further validates the suspicion that the altered platelet function and response in diabetes might be associated with some independent genetic factor(s), and is not likely to result from HLA DQAI⁵² and HLA DQBI⁵⁷ impact.