Introduction: ST2 protein is the interleukin 33 (IL-33) receptor, whose serum level depends on the biomechanical strain of cardiac myocytes. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship ...between soluble ST2 (sST2) level and traditional factors in patients with chronic heart failure. Material and methods: Sixty-six patients (mean age 62 years, 75% males) in stable NYHA class I-III with left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% were included in the study. Clinical, biochemical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and angiographic data were analysed. Patients were divided into groups depending on sST2 median: > 0.28 ng/ml (n = 31) vs. ≤ 0.28 ng/ml (n = 35). sST2 was measured using a quantitative ELISA kit. In order to define factors associated with sST2 levels uni- and multivariate regression analysis was performed. Results: There was no relationship between sST2 levels and age (p = 0.67), body mass index (p = 0.19), hsTnT (p = 0.7) or other analysed parameters (all p > 0.05), except for N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). A significant positive correlation between sST2 and NT-proBNP was found (p = 0.013, R = 0.395). Multivariate analysis revealed that the stage of coronary artery disease and NT-proBNP were independent factors associated with sST2 concentration (p = 0.04). Intriguing is the fact that the fewer the sclerotic changes present in arteries, the higher was the sST2 level (β= -0.381, p = 0.04). Conclusions: sST2 protein is independent of traditional factors which usually affect levels of NT-proBNP. In chronic heart failure, sST2 protein may be of greater importance in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy than in ischaemic aetiology, which seems to be associated with the molecular mechanism (biomechanical strain) related to sST2.
sST2 protein is a new biomarker. Its prognostic value in chronic heart failure (CHF) is still unclear.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of sST2 protein in patients with CHF during ...1-year follow-up after hospitalization for prediction of adverse events: cardiovascular death, rehospitalization, an increase in diuretic doses, and/or worsening of the New York Heart Association functional class, defined as the composite endpoint.
The study involved 145 consecutive patients (mean age, 62.16 ±11.25 y; men, 82.76%) with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction of 30% or less and symptomatic CHF. We analyzed clinical and biochemical data along with the serum concentrations of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and sST2. The optimal cut-off points for significant predictors of the composite endpoint were determined using receiver operating characteristi c curves.
Patients with elevated levels of sST2 and NT-proBNP had more than a 4-fold higher risk of composite endpoint (odds ratio OR, 4.033; 95%CI, 1.540-10.559) compared with patients in whom both biomarkers were below the cut-off points. The C-statistic for predicting the composite endpoint was improved when both biomarkers were incorporated into the model (C-statistic, 0.692; P = 0.0001) compared with an individual analysis for NT-proBNP (C-statistic, 0.606; P = 0.009) and sST2 (C-statistic, 0.613; P = 0.003). Moreover, after the addition of sST2 to NT-proBNP, the continuous net reclassification improvement index (OR, 0.256; 95% CI, 0.090-0.401; P = 0.007) and the integrated discrimination improvement index (OR, 0.104; 95% CI 0.011-0.221; P = 0.007) significantly improved.
A single measurement of sST2 levels on admission in patients with poor LV systolic function and stable CHF is useful in short-term risk stratification and, in combination with NT-proBNP, it could be more useful in identifying patients with unfavorable c ourse of CHF.
Recent studies have shown that angiogenesis plays an important role in the biology of hematological malignancies including essential thrombocythemia (ET). Using cytofluorimetric analysis, the levels ...of angiogenic factors, as well as the number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs), were determined in 65 patients with ET, including 33 previously untreated and 32 receiving cytoreductive therapy. Correlations between markers of angiogenesis and JAK2-V617F mutational status were also assessed. We found significantly higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and markedly decreased levels of placental growth factor in untreated patients with ET with respect to control subjects. VEGF levels were significantly increased in patients with white blood count >8.7 (× 109/L) vs. <8.7 (× 109/L). Furthermore, the levels of VEGF in patients on hydroxyurea (HU) therapy were markedly lower than in untreated patients. It was also demonstrated that the number of all CEC subpopulations (resting, activated, apoptotic, and circulating precursor endothelial cells) was increased in patients with ET in relation to controls, regardless of the JAK2-V617F status, and was not affected by cytoreductive treatment. In conclusion, our study highlights the possible role of angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of ET. It provides evidence that the number of CECs is elevated independently of JAK2-V617F status and is not down-regulated by HU or anagrelide therapy. Our data suggest that VEGF levels are particularly elevated in patients with high leukocytosis. Further investigation should be undertaken to determine the possible role of antiangiogenic therapy in ET.
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DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Polymorphisms in genes coding G-protein subunits (α, β, and γ) may affect the response of stimulated α2A-adrenergic receptors, which are involved in the regulation of blood pressure. OBJECTIVES The ...aim of the present study was to determine the association between the rs11559300 (A/G), rs199705300 (C/A), rs61754630 (C/T), rs13093 (C/A), and rs41284589 (C/T) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene coding G-protein γ5 subunit (GNG5) and the risk of essential hypertension in the population of Poland.
A total number of 838 subjects were included in the study: 536 patients with diagnosed essential hypertension and 302 controls. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.
Of the studied GNG5 polymorphisms, only SNP rs13093 was significantly associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension (odds ratio OR, 2.91; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.68-5.05; P = 0.0036). In addition, the T allele of rs41284589 may protect against hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9).
rs13093 in the promoter region of GNG5 may be associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension in the Polish population. Further studies are needed to explain the molecular mechanism by which rs13093 affects blood pressure.
Impact of intraperitoneal and intramuscular PIT tags on survival, growth, and tag retention in juvenile pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (L.) Hopko, Marek (Department of Aquaculture, The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego str. 10, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland); Zakęś, Zdzisław (Department of Aquaculture, The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego str. 10, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland); Kowalska, Agata (Department of Aquaculture, The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego str. 10, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland) ...
Archives of Polish Fisheries,
06/2010, Volume:
18, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Open access
The aim of the study was to compare the effects of intraperitoneal (group P) and intramuscular (group M) methods of implanting PIT tags on the growth, condition, and survival of juvenile pikeperch, ...Sander lucioperca (L.) (body weight about 82 g) and tag retention. After tagging, the fish were held in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and reared on commercial feed for 56 days. No significant differences were noted in fish growth rate or condition between the experimental groups (groups P and M) and the control group that was not tagged (group C; P > 0.05). The feed conversion ratios were also of similar values (FCR - 1.2-1.3; P > 0.05). Tagging did not impact fish survival, which was 98.9% in group P and 100% in groups M and C on the final day of the experiment (P > 0.05). Tag retention in both groups was also 100%. The results of this study confirm that both tagging methods are suitable for juvenile pikeperch. The PIT tags were noted to migrate in the body cavity in group P (47.2% of tagged fish). Accordingly, the intramuscular method for implanting PIT tags is recommended for juvenile pikeperch (body weight > 60 g).
W ostatnich latach coraz większą popularność zdobywa metoda indywidualnego znakowania ryb pasywnymi transponderami, tzw. znaczkami PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder). Dobór właściwego systemu znakowania ryb jest zależny od gatunku, stadium rozwoju osobniczego, sposobu i miejsca implantacji w ciele oraz specyficznych celów danego programu badawczego. Celem prezentowanych badań było porównanie efektów stosowania dootrzewnowej (grupa P) i domięoeniowej (grupa M) metody implantacji znaczków PIT (rys. 1) na tempo wzrostu, kondycję, przeżywalność młodocianego sandacza, Sander lucioperca (L.) (masa ciała ok. 82 g) i retencję znaczków. Po poznakowaniu ryby przetrzymywano w obiegach recyrkulacyjnych i podchowywano na paszy sztucznej przez 56 dni. Nie odnotowano istotnych różnic w tempie wzrostu i kondycji ryb z grup doświadczalnych (grupy P i M) względem, niepoznakowanej grupy kontrolnej (grupa C; P > 0,05; tab.1). Współczynniki pokarmowe pasz przyjęły również zbliżone wartości (FCR - 1,2-1,3; P > 0,05). Znakowanie nie wpłynęło na przeżywalność ryb, która w dniu zakończenia podchowu wynosiła 98,9% (grupa P) i 100% (grupa M i C) (P > 0,05; tab. 1). Retencja znaczków w obydwu grupach była równa 100%. Uzyskane wyniki potwierdziły, iż w przypadku młodocianego sandacza dobrze sprawdzają się obie analizowane metody znakowania. W grupie P zaobserwowano zjawisko przemieszczenia się PIT w jamie ciała (47,2% znakowanych ryb). Potencjalnie może to utrudniać identyfikację/odczyt znaczków. W związku z tym wydaje się, że w przypadku juwenalnego sandacza (masa ciała > 60 g) należy raczej rekomendować metodę domięśniowej implantacji znaczków PIT.
Juvenile pikeperch (120 g initial body weight) were fed a commercial diet (group CD) or experimental diets supplemented with rapeseed (group RO), soy (group SO), or sunflower (group SFO) oils for 55 ...days. The experimental diets were made by adding the given vegetable oil (VO) in quantities of 160 g kg -1 feed (84% of the total raw lipid in the diet) to a base of an extruded, commercial diet (containing 30 g kg -1 raw lipid). The dietary treatments had no significant influence on fish growth rates, apparent net protein retention (ANPR), or apparent net energy retention (ANER) (P > 0.05). The apparent lipid retention (ALR) in group SO was significantly higher than in the other groups (P < 0.05). The dietary treatments tested had a significant impact on the size of the hepatocytes and their nuclei, as well as on the nucleocytoplasmic index values (P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in the overall image of the hepatocytes (degree of vacuolization or hepatocyte degeneration (P > 0.05)).
Juwenalnego sandacza o początkowej masie ciała 102 g podchowywano w obiegu recyrkulacyjnym i żywiono przez 55 dni paszą komercyjną (grupa CD) lub paszami eksperymentalnymi suplementowanymi olejem rzepakowym (grupa RO), sojowym (grupa SO) lub słonecznikowym (grupa SFO). Pasze doświadczalne uzyskiwano dodając do ekstrudowanej, komercyjnej paszy bazowej (zawierającej 30 g kg -1 tłuszczu surowego) dany olej roślinny (VO) w ilości 160 g kg -1 paszy (84% całkowitego tłuszczu surowego w paszach). W efekcie otrzymano pasze o porównywalnym składzie chemicznym: białko surowe 449,0-452,1 g kg -1 paszy (sucha masa (d.m.)), tłuszcz surowy 189,1-191,1 g kg -1 paszy (d.m.), popiół surowy 73,9-74,5 g kg -1 paszy (d.m.). Kontrolną grupę ryb żywiono komercyjną paszą pstrągową o składzie chemicznym zbliżonym do pasz eksperymentalnych (pasza CD; tabela 1). Analizowano wpływ stosowania ww. pasz na wskaźniki wzrostu ryb, retencji nutrientów i energii oraz budowę histologiczną wątroby (tabela 2). Nie stwierdzono istotnego wpływu żywienia na tempo wzrostu ryb, w tym również na współczynniki retencji białka (ANPR) i energii (ANER) (P > 0,05; tabela 3). Współczynnik retencji tłuszczu (ALR) w grupie SO przyjął istotnie wyższą wartość niż w pozostałych grupach (P < 0,05). Wartość indeksu hepatosomatycznego (HSI) była zbliżona. Stwierdzono natomiast istotny wpływ testowanych pasz na wielkość hepatocytów i ich jąder, a także wartość indeksu nukleocytoplazmatycznego (P < 0,05). Nie odnotowano natomiast istotnych różnic w ogólnym obrazie hepatocytów (stopniu wakuolizacji i degeneracji komórek wątrobowych) (P > 0,05; tabela 4).
The aim of the studies was to determine what effect feeding juvenile pikeperch (W = 59 g fish -1 ) diets supplemented with vegetable oils had on rearing. The diets used were iso-protein (45%) and ...iso-energy (21 MJ kg -1 feed) based with a 19% fat content. The fish were reared for four weeks on commercial trout feed (group CF) or on feed supplemented with fish oil (group FO), linseed oil (group LO), or peanut oil (group PO). The highest body weight was confirmed in the fish from group LO, while the lowest was in group CF (P<0.05). Significant differences in the relative final values of the specific growth rate (SGR) were noted between groups CF and PO and LO (P<0.05). Intra-group variations in fish body weight (CV) and condition factor (CF) were similar in each of the four feeding groups (P>0.05). The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) values were noted in the groups fed feed supplemented with vegetable oils (P<0.05). The value of the protein efficiency ratio (PER) in group LO was significantly the highest (P<0.05).
Celem badań było określenie wpływu żywienia juwenalnego sandacza (W = 59 g ryba -1 ) paszami suplementowanymi olejami roślinnymi na efekty jego podchowu. W żywieniu zastosowano pasze izoproteinowe (45%), izoenergetyczne (21 MJ kg -1 paszy) o 19% zawartości tłuszczu. Ryby podchowywano przez 4 tygodnie i żywiono komercyjną paszą pstrągową (grupa CF) lub paszami suplementowanymi tranem (grupa FO), olejem lnianym (grupa LO) lub olejem arachidowym (grupa PO). Największą masę ciała stwierdzono u ryb z grupy LO, zaś najniższą w grupie CF (P < 0,05). Istotne różnice w wartościach względnego końcowego przyrostu masy ciała (SGR) odnotowano między grupami CF, a PO i LO (P < 0,05). Zróżnicowanie wewnątrzgrupowe masy ciała (CV) i współczynnik kondycji (K) ryb osiągnęły zbliżoną wartość w czterech grupach żywieniowych (P > 0,05). Współczynnik pokarmowy pasz (FCR) najkorzystniejszą wartość przyjął w grupach żywionych paszami z dodatkiem olejów roślinnych (P < 0,05). Wartość współczynnika wydajności wzrostowej białka (PER) w grupie LO była istotnie najwyższa (P < 0,05).
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