The clinical manifestations of acute heart failure (AHF) and respiratory infection (RI) frequently overlap in patients presenting with dyspnoea at the emergency department (ED). The neutrophil to ...lymphocyte (N/L) and platelet to lymphocyte (P/L) ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic indices in this setting.
To evaluate the ability of N/L and P/L ratios to discriminate the cause of dyspnoea in patients admitted with an initial diagnosis of AHF-RI.
100 consecutive dyspnoeic chronic heart failure (CHF) patients diagnosed as AHF-RI in the ED of Sotiria Chest Diseases General Hospital were monitored for a series of parameters. The diagnostic efficacy of the registered parameters in discriminating the AHF from RI patients was evaluated.
The N/L and P/L ratios did not differ statistically depending on the pharmaceutical therapy applied in the study population, with the exception of furosemide and spironolactone-treated patients, who both had higher ratio values. In the AHF patients, only N/L was influenced by the pharmaceutical treatment administered. Patients with higher N/L ratio values were more likely to have RI-triggereddyspnoea (odds ratio, OR=1.35, 95% confidence interval-CI: 0.99-1.42, p=0.047). ROC curve (receiver operating characteristic curve) analysis revealed a significant ability of the N/L ratio to differentiate pure AHF from RI (area under the curve AUC=0.773, p<0.001, cut-off value N/L= 3.15).
The N/L ratio, a cheap and easily assessed biomarker, warrants further investigation as a potential diagnostic tool for the ED physician facing dyspnoeic CHF patients.
In modern athlete assessment, the integration of conventional biochemical and ergophysiologic monitoring with innovative methods like telomere analysis, genotyping/phenotypic profiling, and ...metabolomics has the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of athletes' performance and potential longevity. Telomeres provide insights into cellular functioning, aging, and adaptation and elucidate the effects of training on cellular health. Genotype/phenotype analysis explores genetic variations associated with athletic performance, injury predisposition, and recovery needs, enabling personalization of training plans and interventions. Metabolomics especially focusing on low-molecular weight metabolites, reveal metabolic pathways and responses to exercise. Biochemical tests assess key biomarkers related to energy metabolism, inflammation, and recovery. Essential elements depict the micronutrient status of the individual, which is critical for optimal performance. Echocardiography provides detailed monitoring of cardiac structure and function, while burnout testing evaluates psychological stress, fatigue, and readiness for optimal performance. By integrating this scientific testing battery, a multidimensional understanding of athlete health status can be achieved, leading to personalized interventions in training, nutrition, supplementation, injury prevention, and mental wellness support. This scientifically rigorous approach hereby presented holds significant potential for improving athletic performance and longevity through evidence-based, individualized interventions, contributing to advances in the field of sports performance optimization.
Hypertension, as a primary risk factor for many fatal disorders, is prevalent in the elderly. There is wide literature on hypertension dealing with its biological and/or biochemical aspects; however, ...limited research is available on the multifactorial nature of hypertension from a mechanobiological standpoint. This study intended to study in parallel histopathological alterations and deviated protein expressions with the mechanical behavior of the hypertensive tissues. The Goldblatt (2K1C) method was chosen for induction of renovascular hypertension in rabbits. The microstructural and immunohistological characteristics of the aortic, pancreatic, and brain vasculature were investigated. The mechanical properties of the aortic tissue were also evaluated using biaxial tensile tests. Our findings indicated severe hypertrophy of the hypertensive vessels and declined content of intact smooth muscle cells. Most of the collagen I content of the wall was compromised and less functional type III collagen was highly expressed. Reversed collagen I to collagen III ratio was the main contributor to the hypertrophic and less stiff hypertensive vessel walls. The multifactorial nature of hypertension is illustrated, and smooth muscle cell detachment is identified as the sign of described degenerative cascades all along the arterial tree.
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•Pathophysiology of contrast induced nephropathy is complex and obscure.•Iopromide increases sCr, SDMA and ADMA levels.•Iopromide increases significantly micronuclei frequency in ...lymphocytes.•Iopromide enhances cell degeneration and apoptosis in renal tissues.
Identification of novel biomarkers of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) that may more accurately detect renal function changes; reflect kidney damage; assist monitoring; and elucidate pathophysiology attract considerable scientific attention nowadays. To evaluate novel biomarkers of nephrotoxicity in blood/tissue samples of a CIN model, 10 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into group 1 (n = 5; iopromide) and group 2 (n = 5; control). Blood was drawn at 0 h (immediately), 24 h and 48 h after contrast medium (CM) administration. Animals were euthanized at 48 h and kidneys were removed. Serum creatinine (sCr)/symmetric-asymmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA-ADMA) levels were measured. CM genotoxic/cytotoxic effect was investigated 48 h post-CM exposure using micronucleus assay in lymphocytes. Cytological examination was conducted using touch preparation technique (TPT). All animals in group 1 developed CIN: mean sCr levels increased by 68.2% within 48 h. Significant SDMA-ADMA level elevation was observed at 0 h and 24 h with insignificant drop at 48 h in group 1, remaining normal in group 2 at all time-points. Significant increase in bi-nucleated cells with micronuclei and micronuclei frequency was detected in group 1. Cytokinesis block proliferation index was reduced insignificantly in group 1. TPT revealed degenerative lesions/inflammation, cell degeneration, abnormal uterine tubular casts and rubella in kidneys of all animals in group 1. Group 2 presented normal cells.
Carbon monoxide (CO), a toxic gas produced via incomplete fossil fuel combustion, has several poisonous effects in the heart including induction of necrosis, apoptosis, and electrocardiogram (ECG) ...changes. Magnesium sulfate (MS) is a drug with cardioprotective effects especially when used after ischemia/reperfusion. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate MS cardioprotective effects following CO poisoning. Animals were exposed to CO 3000 ppm for 1 h and immediately after the exposure period and on the next 4 days (a total of 5 consecutive doses given on a daily basis), MS (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) and ECG was recorded focusing on ST-segment, T-wave, and Q-pathologic wave changes. On day 5, animals were sacrificed and their heart was excised for determination of BAX, BCL2 and Akt expression level using western blot analysis and necrosis investigations. The results showed that MS significantly decreased necrosis and BAX/BCL2 ratio (
< 0.001) while pro-survival protein Akt was significantly increased (
< 0.001). Moreover, CO-induced ST-segment depression, T-wave inversion, and atrioventricular block (AV-block) were decreased following treatment with MS. In conclusion, our results showed that MS could decrease cardiac deleterious effects of CO poisoning including necrosis and apoptosis while increased the expression of Akt, as a cell survival protein.
The purpose of our study was to investigate early differences in the adolescent female finswimmers' echocardiography parameters, possibly associated with different swimming-style training and ...different training equipment (monofin (MF) versus bifin (BF)).
Forty-three female finswimmers participated in our study (age: 15.6 ± 2.1 years, body mass index: 20.4 ± 2.2 kg/m², body surface area: 1.56 ± 0.04 m², body fat: 11.2 ± 0.6%) and were divided into two groups, according to the swimming style practiced (MF vs BF). Anthropometric characteristics, echocardiography and arterial pressure were measured. The independent
-test was used for statistical comparisons between groups. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis was applied to investigate associations between various variables.
The two groups used training equipment with different weights (
< 0.001). Female adolescent finswimmers presented signs of myocardial hypertrophy depicted by the increased left ventricle myocardial mass indexed to body surface area (101.34 ± 23.65). Different patterns of myocardial hypertrophy were observed for the two groups; MF swimmers presented concentric hypertrophy, while BF swimmers presented eccentric hypertrophy (relative wall thickness MF = 0.46 ± 0.08 vs BF = 0.39 ± 0.06 cm,
< 0.05). MF swimmers had also higher left ventricular posterior wall diameters (
< 0.05), lower stroke volume values (
< 0.05) and lower ejection fraction (
< 0.05) compared to BF athletes.
Adolescent female finswimmers presented different patterns of myocardial hypertrophy possibly related to different training protocols and modes of exercise.
The modern way of life involves high stress levels, poor eating habits, lack of exercise, obesity and other detrimental health factors. Nutritional supplements (NS) are complexes of nutrients with ...variant activity that may infer reversal to nutrient depletion. They tend to be popular amongst social categories associated with the healthy life style, such as the elite and amateur athletes, military people and the general population.
An overview of the state of play with regard to nutritional supplements - natural and synthetic-, is important both from toxicological and commercial point of view.
From a thorough literature review on nutritional supplements, several patents of application have been identified and herewith reviewed which recommend natural vegetable extracts as food supplements for prophylaxis, therapy, protection of immune system, diabetes, oxidative stress, cancer, chronic inflammations and other health conditions. Besides, nutritional supplements of pharmacological validity and high popularity are discussed relative to their contents and group of use.
Cases of adulteration or unintentional contamination of commercial products with abusing substances (doping substances, narcotics etc.) or toxic compounds (heavy metals, plant toxics) have shed light to the problem of causing recalls of some products by the FDA.
From the safety/ quality point of view, NS lack of harmonisation and sovereign laws/ institutional controls on the market and their wide commercialization may possibly lead to risks to public health.
Crocin: A fighter against inflammation and pain Hashemzaei, Mahmoud; Mamoulakis, Charalampos; Tsarouhas, Konstantinos ...
Food and chemical toxicology,
September 2020, 2020-Sep, 2020-09-00, Letnik:
143
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Crocin, a water-soluble carotenoid, is known as a pharmacologically active compound, particularly for its potent anti-oxidant activity. The present work provides a comprehensive review of the ...available literature concerning the anti-inflammatory properties of crocin in various organs/systems as well as its anti-nociceptive effects. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were systematically searched up to 28 March 2020 to detect all relevant preclinical and human studies in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. In total, 104 studies were included for qualitative synthesis. This systematic search and review indicated that crocin not only combats reactive oxygen species production and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion but also alleviates inflammation in various organs (e.g. the lung, heart, brain, and kidney), in a series of animal models and in vitro experiments, via regulating mainly NF-κB pathway and NF-κBp65 translocation to the cell nucleus. In this context, modulation of PI3K/Akt appears to be a favorable crocin target contributing to NF-κB pathway inhibition. Even though data is limited in humans with only one clinically relevant study retrieved, the results of preclinical studies regarding anti-inflammatory/anti-nociceptive effects of crocin are promising and warrant further testing in clinical settings.
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•Crocin anti-inflammatory function involves suppression of MAPK and NF-kB, but activation of Nrf2.•Crocin decreases secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-1β (in vitro/in vivo) and reduces TNF-α and IL-17 in humans.•Suppression of MAPK and Wnt5α/β-catenin signaling mediates crocin pain killing effects.•Crocin’s anti-inflammatory/anti-nociceptive effects are promising and warrant further testing in clinical settings.
Pesticides and cardiotoxicity. Where do we stand? Georgiadis, Nikolaos; Tsarouhas, Konstantinos; Tsitsimpikou, Christina ...
Toxicology and applied pharmacology,
08/2018, Letnik:
353
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most significant causes of mortality in humans. Pesticides toxicity and risk for human health are controlled at a European level through a well-developed ...regulatory network, but cardiotoxicity is not described as a separate hazard class. Specific classification criteria should be developed within the frame of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 in order to classify chemicals as cardiotoxic, if applicable to avoid long-term cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to review the cardiac pathology and function impairment due to exposure to pesticides (i.e. organophosphates, organothiophisphates, organochlorines, carbamates, pyrethroids, dipyridyl herbicides, triazoles, triazines) based on both animal and human data. The majority of human data on cardiotoxicity of pesticides come from poisoning cases and epidemiological data. Several cardiovascular complications have been reported in animal models including electrocardiogram abnormalities, myocardial infarction, impaired systolic and diastolic performance, functional remodeling and histopathological findings, such as haemorrhage, vacuolisation, signs of apoptosis and degeneration.
Cardiotoxicity of nano-particles Bostan, Hasan Badie; Rezaee, Ramin; Valokala, Mahmoud Gorji ...
Life sciences (1973),
11/2016, Letnik:
165
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Nano-particles (NPs) are used in industrial and biomedical fields such as cosmetics, food additives and biosensors. Beside their favorable properties, nanoparticles are responsible for toxic effects. ...Local adverse effects and/or systemic toxicity are described with nanoparticle delivery to target organs of the human body. Animal studies provide evidence for the aforementioned toxicity. Cardiac function is a specific target of nanoparticles. Thus, reviewing the current bibliography on cardiotoxicity of nanoparticles and specifically of titanium, zinc, silver, carbon, silica and iron oxide nano-materials is the aim of this study.
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