Genetic markers in coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) was found to aggregate in families. So the present study aimed at studying certain genetic markers (lipoproteins, ABO blood groups and dermatoglyphics), in a group of 60 patients with CHD and a control group to detect any significant association between such genetics markers in this disorder. This can throw light on its genetics. The study revealed significant and marked association of CHD with low alpha-lipoprotein, high pre-beta and beta-lipoproteins. No significant association wa detected with ABO phenotypes. Definite significant association was also detected between CHD and certain dermatoglyphics phenotypes including FTP, T-D count and palm patterns. These significant associations of CHD and these genetic markers "which are genetically determined" denoted strongly genetic etiology or at least genetic predisposition of CHD. Detection of such genetic markers may help in determination of risky individuals in population and families of CHD patients. This can help in prevention by proper genetic counseling.     

Numerical chromosomal aberrations in muscle invasive squamous cell and transitional cell cancer of the urinary bladder: an alternative to classic prognostic indicators?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic value of chromosomal aberrations in muscle invasive bladder cancer, because they are of diagnostic and prognostic significance in superficial bladder cancer. METHODS: One hundred ninety patients, who underwent radical cystectomy because of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the urinary bladder in 94 cases and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in 96 cases, were studied retrospectively. Numerical aberrations of chromosomes 7, 9, and 17, p53 positivity, histologic stage and grade, histologic tumor type, lymph node status, and the presence of bilharzial eggs were investigated as possible prognostic factors. RESULTS: Univariate analysis demonstrated the prognostic significance of all parameters analyzed, excluding chromosome 9. Multivariate analysis revealed only T category (P = 0.01095266), lymph node involvement (P = 0.00054877), and p53 positivity (P = 0.0316974) to be independent prognostic factors in muscle invasive SCC and TCC. CONCLUSIONS: Although chromosomal aberrations are associated with progression-free survival, they are not independent prognostic factors and give the clinician no additional information on patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer.     

Reproductive performance, blood testosterone, lipid peroxidation and seminal plasma biochemistry of rabbits as affected by feeding Acacia saligna under subtropical conditions.

Thirty-two New Zealand White growing rabbits (eight-week old) were used to determine the effect of feeding acacia-based diets on semen characteristics, plasma testosterone, free radicals, seminal plasma enzymes and lipids. Rabbits were randomly assigned to four equal groups. The first group (control) was fed a basal diet only, and the other three groups were fed other three diets, as follows: 80% of basal diet+20% of acacia leaves (low), 60% of basal diet+40% of acacia leaves (medium) and 40% of basal diet+60% of acacia leaves (high), respectively for 32 week. Semen samples were collected throughout the last 12 week of the experimental period. Rabbits fed on different levels of Acacia showed no significant changes in libido (reaction time), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, packed sperm volume and initial hydrogen ion concentration compared to control. However, low and/or medium levels of Acacia caused significant (P<0.05) increase in total sperm output (TSO), sperm motility (%), total motile sperm per ejaculate (TMS), normal sperm, total functional sperm fraction (TFSF), semen initial fructose, live sperm and plasma testosterone. On the other hand, high level of Acacia did not show any significant change in TSO, sperm motility (%), TMS, initial fructose, TFSF or testosterone, while live and normal sperm decreased. All levels of Acacia caused a significant decrease in the concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and an increase in the activity of glutathione S-transferease. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aminotransferases and phosphatases were significantly increased in seminal plasma of animals fed low or medium levels of Acacia. Seminal plasma total lipid, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and free fatty acids were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in low or medium levels of Acacia. On the other hand, total cholesterol, percentage cholesterol (out of total lipids) and high density lipoprotein were significantly (P<0.05) increased in seminal plasma of rabbits fed on low or medium levels of Acacia. High level of Acacia did not cause any changes in the previous parameters. It can be concluded that up to 40% Acacia leaves could be used successfully and safely in the diet of rabbits without adversely affecting their reproductive performance under subtropical conditions.     

Isoflavone Genistein Induces Fluid Secretion and Morphological Changes in the Uteri of Post-Pubertal Rats

A reported increase in the incidence of infertility following high genistein intake could be related to alteration in the normal fluid volume and morphology of the uterus in adult female. In view of this, we investigated the effect of this compound on fluid secretion, fluid volume and morphology of the uterus in post-pubertal rats. Methods: Ovariectomised SD rats were treated with 17-β oestradiol (E) (0.8 X 10^-4 mg/kg/day) and genistein (0.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day) for three days. Following drug treatment, in-vivo uterine perfusion was performed and the rate of fluid secretion and the volume of fluid in the uterus were determined via changes in weight (μl/min) and F-dextran concentration of the perfusate respectively. The animals were then sacrificed and the uteri were removed for weight determination, morphological analyses and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression analyses by Western blotting. Results: Subcutaneous genistein treatment resulted in a dose-dependent increase in fluid secretion rate, fluid volume and uterine wet weight. Treatment with 100 mg/kg/day genistein resulted in a remarkable increase in the rate of uterine fluid secretion, the volume of the uterine luminal fluid as well as the circumference of the uterine and uterine glandular lumen suggesting an excessive fluid accumulation. Meanwhile, there were evidence of glandular hyperplasia and an increase in the expression of PCNA following treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg/day genistein. Conclusion: High genistein intake could potentially cause adverse effects on the uterus by inducing excessive fluid secretion and accumulation as well as hyperplasia.     

Multidimensional insights involving electrochemical and in silico investigation into the corrosion inhibition of newly synthesized pyrazolotriazole derivatives on carbon steel in a HCl solution

Herein, the anti-corrosion of carbon steel in 1 M HCl by two newly synthesized pyrazolotriazole derivatives, namely, 6-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazole-7-carbonitrile (CPT) and 1-acetyl-6-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazole-7-carbothioamide (MPT), was studied using electrochemical, density functional theory (DFT), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques. The experimental results showed that the concentrations of inhibitors had a significant influence on their inhibition efficiencies. Potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that the two pyrazolotriazoles were mixed-type inhibitors. DFT calculations were employed to explore the molecular activity, and MD simulations were performed to obtain the interaction energy between the inhibitor molecules and the iron surface. The findings obtained using the theoretical calculation techniques were consistent with those obtained via experiments.

Anti-corrosion of carbon steel in 1 M HCl by 6-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazole-7-carbonitrile and 1-acetyl-6-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazole-7-carbothioamide, was studied using electrochemical, DFT and molecular dynamics simulation techniques.     

Effects of the 11+ and Harmoknee Warm-up Programs on Physical Performance Measures in Professional Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the 11+ and HarmoKnee warm-up programs on performance measures in professional soccer players. Thirty-six male professional soccer players (age: 18.9 ± 1.4 years) were divided into 3 groups, the 11+, HarmoKnee and control group (n = 12 per group). The experimental groups performed the programs 3 times per week for 2 months (24 sessions), whereas the control group only performed their regular soccer training. The performance tests carried out were: 10m speed tests with and without a ball, 20m single sprint, vertical jump, Wall-Volley and Illinois agility tests. The 11+ group demonstrated significant increases from pre-to-post time points in the vertical jump (3.7%), Wall- Volley (5.4%) and Illinois agility tests (1.7%), while the HarmoKnee group showed a significant increase in Wall-Volley test, with a 5.2% increase. The repeated measures analysis revealed differences between the groups (large effect size) in the 11+ and HarmoKnee groups, compared to the control group, in 10m speed tests with and without a ball, 20m single sprint and Illinois agility tests (p < 0.05). Thus 8-weeks performing the 11+ warm-up program can enhance jump height, agility and soccer skill while the HarmoKnee program generally only improves soccer skill in young professional male soccer players.

Key Points

• The 11+ improves performance by means of Illinois agility, vertical jump and Wall-Volley tests whereas HarmoKnee improves Wall-Volley test. Incorporating 11+ as a part of the warm-up program by the young teams would be beneficial in agility, leg power and soccer skill respectively.
• Further modification of both programs may be required to fully realize the players'' speed performance potential.
• Data from this research can be helpful for soccer trainers in choosing programs to enhance performances in young male professional soccer players.

Key words: Performance, vertical jump, Illinois agility test, sprint, Wall-Volley test