The relationships among monocyte subsets,miRNAs and inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) causes irreversible myocardial damage and release of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and miRNAs. We aimed to investigate changes in the levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10), miRNAs profiles (miR-146 and miR-155) and distribution of different monocyte subsets (CD14++CD16-, CD14++CD16+, CD14+CD16++) in the acute and post-healing phases of AMI.

Serum leptin concentrations in pre- and postmenopausal women on sex hormone therapy.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of endogenous estradiol and estrogen and estrogen-progestin therapies on concentration in pre- and postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study groups consisted of 26 women with surgical menopause (mean+/-standard deviation (SD): age 51.8+/-2.6 years, body mass index (BMI) 26.45+/-4.56 kg/m(2)), 54 with natural menopause (mean+/-SD: age 50.5+/-3.0 years, BMI 25.75+/-4.09 kg/m(2)) and 40 premenopausal controls (mean+/-SD: age 48.3+/-2.3 years, BMI 26.23+/-4.12 kg/m(2)). The group with surgical menopause received estradiol transdermally (50 microg/day) and those with natural menopause received additionally medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg/day) for the last 12 days of the cycle. Before and after 4 months of therapy, body weight, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured, and BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Serum leptin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E(2)), testosterone, prolactin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured prior to and after treatment. RESULTS: Leptin concentrations did not differ statistically among the groups. No correlations between leptin and E(2), FSH, prolactin, testosterone and DHEAS concentrations were found in any of the groups before and after treatment. Leptin level correlated positively with body mass, BMI and hip and waist circumferences in all groups. There were no correlations between leptin and WHR in the pre- and postmenopausal groups. In the premenopausal group and in some postmenopausal groups, serum leptin level correlated with blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous E(2) and androgens in premenopausal women and estrogen and estrogen-progestin therapies in postmenopausal subjects do not influence serum leptin concentrations. Leptin level is related to body mass and BMI, but not to sex hormone status. The distribution of adipose tissue and the type of obesity (android or gynoid) have no influence on serum leptin concentration. The correlation between serum leptin level and blood pressure requires further investigation.     

Climacteric obesity: from genesis to clinic.

The etiology of obesity is multifactorial and still unclear. Genetic factors play a significant role and include several gene candidates: polymorphisms of genes for ss(2)-adrenoreceptor, resistin, estrogen receptor-a and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma. Moreover, peptides regulating hunger and satiety, e.g. leptin, galanin, cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y, and altered nutritional patterns have been implicated. Also, factors associated with aging, e.g. decreased levels of growth hormone and dehydroepiandrosterone, and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (resting metabolism and thermogenesis) cannot be disregarded. Participation of the sex steroids and inflammatory factors has also been postulated in the etiology of obesity. Three phenotypes of obesity are postulated; however, the visceral (abdominal) phenotype is typical of postmenopausal women and is characterized by several metabolic disorders with high risks of diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease. On the basis of personal experience and data from evidence-based medicine, diagnostic-therapeutic algorithms of climacteric obesity are presented.     

Microbial transformation of isoprenoid systems by means of fungi of Zoophthora genus — Microbial transformation of compounds with α-campholenic system by means of fungus Zoophthora (Neopandora) sp.

Unsaturated ketones ( 4 and 10 ) and epoxides ( 2–3 and 8–9 ) were the main products of biotransformation performed by means of Zoophthora (Neopandora) phyllobii. Enantiospecificity of both reactions leading to these compounds strongly depends on the distance of reacting fragment of molecule from the chiral center at C-1′.     

The use of polypropylene mesh in midline incision closure following gastric by-pass surgery reduces the risk of postoperative hernia

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is a common problem following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: We report the preliminary results of nonrandomized prophylactic use of polypropylene mesh in a group of 60 consecutive patients. The patients with highest body mass index, and/or history of abdominal hernias and profound liver damage had abdominal wall reinforced with mesh during an operation. A year later the wound was assessed in all patients. RESULTS: In standard wound closure group (n=48) incisional hernia was found in 9 cases (20%). None of the patients with inserted mesh (n=12) developed hernia. The length of hospital stay in mesh group was similar to that in the nonmesh group and shorter than in patients with hernia occurrence. Mesh insertion was complicated with wound discharge in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion prophylactic use of polypropylene mesh in bariatric patients is highly effective in postoperative hernia prevention.     

A comparative study of angiogenic and cytokine responses after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed with standard- and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum

Background  Surgical procedures enhance production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors that play a pivotal role in the immunological response to surgical trauma and take part in the pathogenesis of tumor growth and adhesions formation. The purpose of the study was to access the influence of low-pressure CO₂ pneumoperitoneum on the inflammatory and angiogenic responses during the postoperative period after laparoscopy. Methods  The study group consisted of 40 patients, operated on due to cholelithiasis using standard-pressure (n = 20) and low-pressure (n = 20) CO₂ pneumoperitoneum. Serum concentration of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, and endostatin were measured before and at 6, 24, and 48 h after surgery with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results  Concentrations of IL-6 increased significantly after the operations in both groups. No differences were observed between the groups in regards to IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. Concentrations of VEGF-A measured at 6 and 48 h were significantly lower in patients who underwent laparoscopies performed with low-pressure pneumoperitoneum. No significant variations were observed in endostatin serum concentration. Concentrations of the studied parameters were not influenced by duration of surgery or by age, gender, or body mass index (BMI) of the patients. Conclusions  The results obtained in our study do not show any significant differences between studied operative procedures with regards to systemic inflammatory response. Changes in the concentrations of VEGF-A and endostatin observed in the studied population may suggest this technique is more favorable with regards to angiogenesis process intensity, along with all its consequences and implications.     

Dental malocclusion is associated with reduced systemic bone mineral density in adolescents.

There is no published data about associations between the state of dentition and bone mass in adolescents. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the prevalence of caries and dental malocclusion is associated with bone mass during growth. In 123 healthy Caucasian subjects (72 males, 51 females) aged 14-18 yr, DMFT figures (decayed teeth, missing teeth, filled teeth) and presence of malocclusion, according to Angle classification, were determined. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding dental hygiene, physical activity level, and consumption of sweets. Anthropometry and pubertal stages were examined. Bone mineral density (BMD) was examined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the total body, head, and lumbar spine. No association was found between DMFT (mean+/-SD: 8.33+/-3.9) and BMD or Z-scores for BMD. Malocclusion was found in 49 subjects (39.8%) and was more prevalent in females than males. Malocclusion was associated with lower total BMD independently of body size (p=0.001; Z-scores: -0.21+/-0.27 vs +0.33+/-0.17; p=0.1) in males (but not females), producing odds ratio 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.34%; p=0.02). Head BMD was also lower in the males with malocclusion than in those without (p=0.004). Neither caries nor the tooth loss appear to be associated with BMD during growth. Boys with malocclusion are at higher risk of reduced BMD. This suggests that inadequate bone mass accrual in males coexists with impaired growth of the masticatory system in childhood and adolescence, however, the causal pathway is unknown. Factors that produce malocclusion may also affect bone mass or size but further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the relationship.     

Red blood cell deformability in patients with claudication after pain-free treadmill training.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of pain-free treadmill training on red blood cell deformability and walking distance in patients with claudication. DESIGN: Randomized-controlled trial of exercise training. SETTING: Patients were recruited from the primary care, vascular outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: A total of 60 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (stage II according to Leriche-Fontaine) were randomized into the treadmill program or a control group. Fifty-five patients completed the study (27 in the exercising group and 28 in the control group). INTERVENTIONS: Patients in the exercising group were walking on the treadmill 3 times a week for 3 months. Each session consisted of 1 hour repetitive walking [performed to 85% of the pain-free walking time (PFWT)] was supervised by a qualified physiotherapist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Changes in erythrocyte deformability and treadmill walking performance (PFWT, maximal walking time) were assessed in both groups before the study and after 3 months. RESULTS: After 3 months of treadmill training, red blood cell deformability in the exercising group significantly increased (P<0.01). No significant changes were seen in the erythrocyte deformability in the control group. PFWT was prolonged by 102% from 191+/-34 to 386+/-60 seconds (P<0.01), and maximal walking time increased by 49% from 438+/-62 to 656+/-79 seconds (P<0.01) in the exercising group, whereas these changes were insignificant in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A significant improvement of walking ability over 3 months of pain-free treadmill training is associated with a significant increase in red cell deformability in patients with claudication.