Blood serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) and endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) in diabetic retinopathy

BACKGROUND: Interaction between cells via intimate cell-cell contact is facilitated by a cell surface molecules, termed adhesion molecules. The aim of the study was to evaluate the blood serum concentration of soluble forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus without and with diabetic retinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in 75 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, 35 without retinopathy (group 1) and 40 with retinopathy (group 2). Soluble forms of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and ELAM-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The serum concentration of sICAM-1 and sELAM-1 were significantly elevated and the concentration sVCAM-1 was elevated but not significantly in diabetic patients when compared with control subjects. There was a significant difference in VCAM-1 concentrations between the control group and group 2 (965.9 +/- 229.0 vs. 1283.7 +/- 387.6 ng/ml, p < 0.05) and between group 1 and group 2 (1115.0 +/- 285.5 vs. 1283.7 +/- 387.6 ng/ml, p < 0.05). There were significant differences in sICAM-1 concentrations between the control group and group 1 (p < 0.05) and between the control group and group 2 (p < 0.05). Where was no significant difference in sICAM-1 concentration between group 1 and 2 (405.2 +/- 135.9 vs. 443.1 +/- 112.7 ng/ml, p = 0.08). ELAM-1 concentration was significantly elevated in group 2 (120.5 +/- 49.3 ng/ml) when compared with the control group (51.7 +/- 18.1 ng/ml, p < 0.005) and with group 1 (81.2 +/- 27.7 ng/ml, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The correlations found between sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sELAM-1 and the presence of retinopathy suggest that cellular adhesion and neovascularization may be linked processes.     

Assessment of dietary habits in students of the Medical University of Bialystok with differentiated nutritional status

The research was conducted into 360 students of Medical University in Bialystok with differentiated nutritional status. The study involved 251 female students (46 with underweight, 186 with normal weight, 19 with excessive body weight) and 69 male students (7 with underweight, 47 with normal weight, 15 with excessive body weight). The quantity analyze of daily food rations was conducted on the base of the previous day 24 h dietary recall method. The computer program Diet 2.0 designed in the Institute of Food and Nutrition in Warsaw was used for calculations. Energetic value and basic nutrients supply was estimated and also the average content of dietary fiber and cholesterol. The results of the conducted research indicate lack ofbalanced content ofessential nutrients in daily food rations of the tested students of both sexes, irrespective of nutritional status. Energy supply was far too low comparing to recommended standards. It was proved that carbohydrate and fat supply was definitely lower than recommended standards. The research also showed low consumption of dietary fiber in all investigated groups and high consumption of cholesterol in men.     

Nutritional value of daily food rations in 10 year old children with different body weight

The study objective was to assess the number and type of the daily consumed meals and to make a comparison between energetic and nutritional value in the meals consumed by children with normal and excessive body weight. A study was conducted in a group of 280 children aged 10 years (141 girls and 139 boys) in Bialystok. A 24 h dietary recall was taken of the day preceding the examination in order to perform a quantitative evaluation of daily food rations. Taking into consideration the particular meals, the energetic value and the content of basic dietary nutrients. Also cholesterol and fiber were evaluated, using the computer program Diet 2.0 developed in the Institute of Food and Nutrition in Warsaw. In the tested groups, a four-meal model predominated and the afternoon snack was most frequently missed. As many as 95% of children with normal body weight and 100% of children with excessive body weight admitted irregular eating between meals. The proportion in energy delivery from the respective meals was disturbed and nutritional abnormalities were found especially in the overweighted and obese children.     

Function of the DEMETER DNA glycosylase in the Arabidopsis thaliana male gametophyte

In double fertilization, the vegetative cell of the male gametophyte (pollen) germinates and forms a pollen tube that brings to the female gametophyte two sperm cells that fertilize the egg and central cell to form the embryo and endosperm, respectively. The 5-methylcytosine DNA glycosylase DEMETER (DME), expressed in the central cell, is required for maternal allele demethylation and gene imprinting in the endosperm. By contrast, little is known about the function of DME in the male gametophyte. Here we show that reduced transmission of the paternal mutant dme allele in certain ecotypes reflects, at least in part, defective pollen germination. DME RNA is detected in pollen, but not in isolated sperm cells, suggesting that DME is expressed in the vegetative cell. Bisulfite sequencing experiments show that imprinted genes (MEA and FWA) and a repetitive element (Mu1a) are hypomethylated in the vegetative cell genome compared with the sperm genome, which is a process that requires DME. Moreover, we show that MEA and FWA RNA are detectable in pollen, but not in isolated sperm cells, suggesting that their expression occurs primarily in the vegetative cell. These results suggest that DME is active and demethylates similar genes and transposons in the genomes of the vegetative and central cells in the male and female gametophytes, respectively. Although the genome of the vegetative cell does not participate in double fertilization, its DME-mediated demethylation is important for male fertility and may contribute to the reconfiguration of the methylation landscape that occurs in the vegetative cell genome.     

Analysis of the Impact of a Multi-Strain Probiotic on Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Long-Distance Runners

Use of probiotic supplements, the benefits of which have not been proven in sportspeople, is becoming more widespread among runners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation in the body. The randomised, double-blind study included 66 long-distance runners. The intervention factor was a multi-strain probiotic or placebo. At the initial and final stages of the study, evaluation of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness was performed and the presence of inflammation determined. In the group of men using the probiotic, an increase in lean body mass (p = 0.019) and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.022) was demonstrated, while in the group of women taking the probiotic, a decrease in the content of total body fat (p = 0.600) and visceral fat (p = 0.247) was observed. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO_2max) increased in women (p = 0.140) and men (p = 0.017) using the probiotic. Concentration of tumour necrosis factor-alpha decreased in women (p = 0.003) and men (p = 0.001) using the probiotic and in women (p = 0.074) and men (p = 0.016) using the placebo. Probiotic therapy had a positive effect on selected parameters of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of study participants and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation.     

Improving HPV Vaccination Through a Diverse Multi-state Coalition

Purpose

Rural and highly religious Intermountain West states demonstrate low levels of HPV vaccination uptake. The Intermountain West HPV Vaccination Coalition (IWHVC) was formed to improve HPV vaccination by enhancing collaborations between cancer centers, health departments, health clinics, religious groups, and community organizations. Coalition members’ perceptions and experiences are described within.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to the IWHVC. N?=?86 responded to the online survey. Six subsequent focus groups were conducted (N?=?36). Participant demographics, barriers, and facilitators of HPV vaccination were summarized. The first three focus groups were coded in an iterative manner based on a coding scheme. The final three focus groups were selectively coded for content related to five themes: barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccination, how the coalition has been useful, future directions of the coalition, and how to engage religious communities.

Results

Participants suggested that HPV vaccination should occur in a doctor’s office (70.9%), public health clinic (64.0%), or at a community health fair (58.1%). Perceived barriers included a lack of education/low knowledge about the HPV vaccine (55.8%), concerns about sexuality/promiscuity (44.2%), and not knowing the vaccine is recommended for boys (38.4%). Participants stressed the importance of gaining buy-in from religious leaders, and felt the coalition helped them advocate for HPV vaccination through networking, idea and information sharing, and voicing their community’s needs. Future goals emphasized targeted outreach, sustainable funding, expanded environmental scans, gaining religious support, and policy reforms.

Conclusions

Targeted coalition work builds community capacity and coordinates HPV vaccination efforts. A community driven coalition approach could help improve HPV vaccination in other rural and highly religious regions.

     

Sub-Regional Assessment of HPV Vaccination Among Female Adolescents in the Intermountain West and Implications for Intervention Opportunities

Objectives We investigated the similarities and differences in the factors related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of female adolescents in three sub-regions of the Intermountain West (IW). Methods We analyzed 2011–2012 National Immunization Survey-Teen data. Respondents (parents) who were living in the IW and who had daughters aged 13–17 years old with provider-verified immunization records were included in our analyses. East, Central, and West sub-regions were defined based on geographic contiguity and similarity in HPV vaccination rates and sociodemographic characteristics. Survey-weighted Chi square tests and multivariable Poisson regressions were performed. Results In all three sub-regions, older teen age and receipt of other recommended adolescent vaccinations were significantly associated with HPV vaccination. In the East sub-region, providers’ facility type and source of vaccines were significantly related to HPV vaccination. In the Central sub-region, teens with married parents were significantly less likely to be vaccinated than were those with unmarried parents. In the West sub-region, non-Hispanic teens were significantly less likely to be vaccinated than were Hispanic teens. Conclusions for Practice In order to improve HPV vaccine coverage in the IW, region-wide efforts to target younger teens and to promote the HPV vaccine with other recommended adolescent vaccinations should be supplemented with sub-regional attention to the health care system (East sub-region), to married parents (Central sub-region), and to non-Hispanic teens (West sub-region).