Tinnitus (“ringing in the ears”) is sometimes described as a phantom sound. The phenomenon consists of the perception of a sound of various quality (ringing, hissing, buzzing or a permanent tone) ...that has no external source and is believed to be the consequence of the nervous system activity. Millions of people perceive tinnitus, but only some to a debilitating degree. In its chronic form it is often linked to hearing problems, lowered satisfaction with life and depression. Recent approach suggests that tinnitus (perception of a sound) should be differentiate from the tinnitus disorder (perception of tinnitus accompanied by suffering). The aim of this paper is to present a reader with the most prominent models that could be categorized into two categories – models of tinnitus and models of tinnitus disorder. Their aim is to explain the evolution and maintenance of tinnitus perception from different perspectives (physiology, neuroscience, cognitive science and psychology).
The high content of bioactive compounds in
fruit offers health benefits. In this study, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Aronia extracts was assessed. The impact on the level of adhesion molecules ...and the inflammatory response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was shown in relation to the chemical composition and the stage of ripening of the fruits. Samples were collected between May (green, unripe) and October (red, overripe) on two farms in Poland, which differed in climate. The content of chlorogenic acids, anthocyanins, and carbohydrates in the extracts was determined using HPLC-DAD/RI. The surface expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVECs was determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of
,
,
, and
were assessed using the quantitative real-time PCR method. The farms' geographical location was associated with the quantity of active compounds in berries and their anti-atherosclerotic properties. Confirmed activity for green fruits was linked to their high chlorogenic acid content.
A series of 2-(1
-indol-3-yl)ethylthiourea derivatives were prepared by condensation of 2-(1
-indol-3-yl)ethanamine with appropriate aryl/alkylisothiocyanates in anhydrous media. The structures of ...the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis and the molecular structures of
and
were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All obtained compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods and for antifungal activity. Microbiological evaluation was carried out over 20 standard strains and 30 hospital strains. Compound
showed significant inhibition against Gram-positive cocci and had inhibitory effect on the
topoisomerase IV decatenation activity and
DNA gyrase supercoiling activity. Compounds were tested for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against a large panel of DNA and RNA viruses, including HIV-1 and other several important human pathogens. Interestingly, derivative
showed potent activity against HIV-1 wild type and variants bearing clinically relevant mutations. Newly synthesized tryptamine derivatives showed also a wide spectrum activity, proving to be active against positive- and negative-sense RNA viruses.
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors of the female genital tract made of the smooth muscle of the uterus. UF growth depends mostly on the influence of the steroid hormones and selected growth ...factors. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-βs) is a polypeptide that consists of three isoforms: TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. At present, TGF-β is considered to be one of the key factors in the pathophysiology of UFs. It plays a major role in cellular migration within the tumor, stimulates tumor growth, and enhances tumor metabolism. As a consequence of various dependencies, the synthesis and release of TGF-β in a UF tumor is increased, which results in excessive extracellular matrix production and storage. High concentrations or overexpression of TGF-β mediators may be responsible for clinically symptomatic UFs. The aim of this review was to check the available evidence for the influence of the TGF-β family on UF biology. We conducted their search in PubMed of the National Library of Medicine with the use of the following selected keywords: "uterine fibroid", "leiomyoma", and "transforming growth factor β". After reviewing the titles and abstracts, more than 115 full articles were evaluated. We focused on the TGF-β-related molecular aspects and their influence on the most common symptoms that are associated with UFs. Also, we described how the available data might implicate the current medical management of UFs.
Background
The aim of the study was to assess changes in body composition in patients subjected to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).
Methods
Changes in body composition following LSG were ...determined in a group of 155 patients with obesity (117 women and 38 men), with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Whole body fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were determined, and abdominal fat mass (AbdF) was assessed within the region extending from the top of the pubic bone up to the line between 12th thoracic and 1st lumbar vertebras.
Results
Over the period of 12 months following LSG, body mass index decreased by 28.2 ± 9.0% (
p
< 0.001). The reduction of body weight by 35.4 ± 12.6 kg (
p
< 0.001) was the result of a decrease in FM by 23.9 ± 8.9 kg (
p
< 0.001) and LBM by 10.5 ± 3.8 kg (
p
< 0.001). AbdF decreased from 13.2 ± 3.1 to 8.2 ± 2.7 kg (
p
< 0.001), but abdominal fat to total fat mass ratio increased from 24.9 ± 4.7 to 28.0 ± 5.8% (
p
< 0.001). The loss of AbdF was more pronounced in men than in women. The rate of FM loss was attenuated with patients’ age.
Conclusions
Over the period of 12 months following LSG, the reduction of FM was more than twice as much as decrease of LBM. The loss of AbdF was slower than a loss of peripheral subcutaneous fat.
Copper complexes with 1,3-disubstituted thiourea derivatives, all containing 3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl tail and 1-alkyl/halogen-phenyl substituent, were synthesized. The experimental spectroscopic ...studies and theoretical calculation revealed that two ligands coordinate to Cu(II) in a bidentate fashion via thiocarbonyl S and deprotonated N atoms of thiourea moiety. Such monomers are characteristic of alkylphenylthiourea complexes, whereas the formation of a sandwich-type dimer is observed for halogeno derivatives. For the first time, the structural identifications of CuN
S
-based complexes using experimental and theoretical X-ray absorption near edge structure are demonstrated. The dimeric halogeno derivatives showed higher antimicrobial activity in comparison with alkylphenylthiourea complexes. The Cu(II) complex of 1-(4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl)-3-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenylthiourea was active against 19 strains of methicillin-resistant
(MIC = 2 µg/mL). This derivative acted as a dual inhibitor of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV isolated from
. Additionally, complexes of halogenphenylthiourea strongly inhibited the growth of mycobacteria isolated from tuberculosis patients, even fourfold stronger than the reference isoniazid. The complexes exerted weak to moderate antitumor activity (towards SW480, SW620, and PC3) being non-toxic towards normal HaCaT cells.
Vitamin D and the central nervous system Wrzosek, Małgorzata; Łukaszkiewicz, Jacek; Wrzosek, Michał ...
Pharmacological reports,
2013/3, Volume:
65, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Vitamin D is formed in human epithelial cells via photochemical synthesis and is also acquired from dietary sources. The so-called classical effect of this vitamin involves the regulation of calcium ...homeostasis and bone metabolism. Apart from this, non-classical effects of vitamin D have recently gained renewed attention. One important yet little known of the numerous functions of vitamin D is the regulation of nervous system development and function. The neuroprotective effect of vitamin D is associated with its influence on neurotrophin production and release, neuromediator synthesis, intracellular calcium homeostasis, and prevention of oxidative damage to nervous tissue. Clinical studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may lead to an increased risk of disease of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis. Adequate intake of vitamin D during pregnancy and the neonatal period seems to be crucial in terms of prevention of these diseases.
Interaction between obesity and genetic factors involved in the regulatory pathways of glucose homeostasis may play a significant role in diabetes development in the obese. The aim of this study was ...to investigate the associations between the TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism, adiponectin levels, age at onset of obesity and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a sample of obese Polish adults.
A total of 474 unrelated obese subjects were included in this study. Real-time PCR was used to detect the TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism. Serum level of adiponectin was determined by the ELISA method. Standard assays were used to measure total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and HbA
concentrations. We used multiple logistic regression to identify factors associated with type 2 diabetes.
We found that the T allele of rs7903146 was significantly associated with T2D risk (odds ratio of 1.59 for T allele,
= 0.005). This association persisted after adjusting for confounders in the recessive model (odds ratio of 3.54 for TT genotype,
= 0.011). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in diabetic subjects than in nondiabetic individuals (3.6 vs. 5.6 µg/ml,
< 0.001). Participants who were obese at age ≥ 20 years had significantly higher odds of having T2D (OR = 4.94) than those with the onset of obesity before 20 years (
< 0.001).
Our study highlights the significance of the relationship between the TCF7L2 polymorphism, a person's age at onset of obesity and the prevalence of T2D, and confirms lower adiponectin levels in obese diabetics in comparison to obese nondiabetics.
A total of 31 of thiourea derivatives was prepared reacting 3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline and commercial aliphatic and aromatic isothiocyanates. The yields varied from 35% to 82%. All compounds were ...evaluated in vitro for antimicrobial activity. Derivatives 3, 5, 6, 9, 15, 24 and 27 showed the highest inhibition against Gram-positive cocci (standard and hospital strains). The observed MIC values were in the range of 0.25–16 μg/ml. Inhibitory activity of thioureas 5 and 15 against topoisomerase IV isolated from Staphylococcus aureus was studied. Products 5 and 15 effectively inhibited the formation of biofilms of methicillin-resistant and standard strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Moreover, all obtained thioureas were evaluated for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against a large panel of DNA and RNA viruses. Compounds 5, 6, 8–12, 15 resulted cytotoxic against MT-4 cells (CC50 ≤ 10 μM).
MIC for Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): 0.25–2 μg/ml. MIC for Staphylococcus epiermidis (MRSE): 0.25–4 μg/ml. IC50 for Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation: 0.97–5 μg/ml. Cytotoxicity in MT-4 cells: 8–9.2 μM. Display omitted
•New thiourea derivatives were tested for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity.•Electron-withdrawing substituent in benzene ring promoted antibacterial activity.•Two compounds effectively inhibited biofilm formation of S. epidermidis strains.•New derivatives are inhibitors of topoisomerase IV isolated from S. aureus.
The need for validated measures enabling clinicians to classify tinnitus patients according to the severity of tinnitus and screen the progress of therapies in our country led us to translate into ...Polish and to validate two tinnitus questionnaires, namely the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI).
The original English versions of the questionnaires were translated into Polish and translated back to English by three independent translators. These versions were then finalized by the authors into a Polish THI (THI-Pl) and a Polish TFI (TFI-Pl). Participants from three laryngological centers in Poland anonymously answered the THI-Pl (
= 98) and the TFI-Pl (
= 108) in addition to the Polish versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale as a measure of self-perceived level of depression, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale to assess self-perceived quality of life. Both were used to determine discriminant validity. Two Visual Analog Scales were used to measure tinnitus annoyance and tinnitus loudness in order to determine convergent validity.
Similar to the original version of the THI, the THI-Pl showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.93). The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the questionnaire has a three-factorial structure that does not correspond to the original division for functional, catastrophic, and emotional subscales. Convergent and discriminant validities were confirmed. The TFI-Pl showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96) with the reliability ranging from 0.82 to 0.95 for its different subscales. Factor analysis confirmed an eight-factorial structure with factors assigning all items to appropriate subscales reported in the original version of the questionnaire. Discriminant and convergent validities were also confirmed for the TFI-Pl.
We translated and validated the Polish versions of the THI and the TFI to make them suitable for clinical use in Poland.
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