RESUMEN
The number of persons having urinary incontinence is increasing with their age; the ratio of women to men with urinary incontinence aged up to 85 years is 2:1, and later the prevalence of this disorder becomes equal in both sexes. Urinary incontinence is a disease influencing the physical activities of persons, their emotional status, working capacity, and social communication. Patients having urination disorders also have psychological problems, feeling of inadequacy, worries about future, and discomfort due to potentially bad smell of urine. The major part of patients dodges to talk in public about existing problem; they are afraid to comment to the doctor about their complaints. Referring to the data of literature sources, there are some methods of treatment of urinary incontinence, which are applied in the clinical practice. After generalization and analysis of different methodologies of treatment, it was determined that in the primary stage of urinary incontinence, the conservative treatment methods are recommended; later, if the effects are not received, the surgical treatment methods are applied.
Asunto(s)
Incontinencia Urinaria/terapia , Factores de Edad , Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica , Emociones , Femenino , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Factores Sexuales , Vejiga Urinaria Neurogénica/terapia , Incontinencia Urinaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Incontinencia Urinaria/psicología , Incontinencia Urinaria/cirugíaRESUMEN
The International Olympic and Paralympic Committees have decided that in 2012, the Olympic and Parolympic Games in London will take place at the same time. For this reason, the aim of our study was to determine whether athletes with disability in Lithuania have the same possibilities for sports - and thus for integration into the unified Lithuanian sports system - as those without disability. An anonymous inquiry of athletes with and without disability was performed in 2006. We analyzed 235 questionnaires filled in by the participants of the study; 159 subjects were with and 76 without disability. The Lithuanian Paralympic Committee approved the questionnaires and gave an agreement for the study. The inquiry was performed in Lithuanian sports clubs for the persons with disability and in the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education. The obtained findings about the respondents' personality and environmental factors indicated that the indices of self-awareness in all athletes without disability were significantly higher than in athletes with disability (P<0.05). More than one-half (56.6%) of the respondents without disability indicated that their life was meaningful, whereas the respective percentage of athletes with disability was only 33.8% (P<0.05). As many as 59% of the respondents without disability were satisfied with their quality of life, compared to 36.2% of the respondents with disability. More than one-half (56.6%) of athletes without disability indicated that sports played an important role in their lives, whereas the respective percentage of athletes with disability was significantly lower - 33.2%. Only one-half (51.6%) of the participants with disability of the study had a permanent instructor (coach). The absolute majority of the respondents (irrespectively of the presence or absence of disability) indicated that sports helped them realize their potential. According to our findings, the majority of the respondents without disability (74.6%) and the absolute majority of respondents with disability (92.5%) indicated that sports of the persons with disability is not sufficiently propagated in mass media. Age and sex did not have any influence on the factors studied. Insufficient information about sports of the persons with disability and significantly lower indices in personality, physical and social environmental factors among athletes with disability are the main obstacles in the creation of an independent social sports system for the persons with disability and integration of these athletes into the general Lithuanian sports system in the aspect of equal possibilities.
Asunto(s)
Atletas , Rendimiento Atlético , Derechos Civiles , Personas con Discapacidad , Calidad de Vida , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Atletas/psicología , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Personas con Discapacidad/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Lituania , Masculino , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines a drug or photosensitizer with a specific type of light to kill cancer cells. The cellular damage induced by PDT leads to activation of the DNA damage repair, which is an important factor for modulating tumor sensitivity to this treatment. beta-Glucans are natural polysaccharides that bind complement receptor 3 on the effector cells, thereby activating them to kill tumor cells during PDT. The hypothesis of the present study was that adjuvant therapy with beta-glucans would increase the efficacy of PDT. C57BL/6 female mice were subcutaneously implanted with Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Ten days after implantation, the mice were administered intravenously sodium porfimer (10 mg/kg) 24 h prior to laser irradiation, with or without oral administration of beta-glucan (400 microg/d/mouse, 5 days) from either barley, baker's yeast, or marine brown algae that contains the storage glucan, laminarin. Tumor volume and necrotic area in excised tumors were measured. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was determined as an indicator of the activity of the DNA damage repair system. PDT in combination with each beta-glucan significantly reduced tumor growth (P < 0.05, n = 10) and expression of PCNA (P < 0.001, n = 9), and increased necrosis in tumor tissues (P < 0.001, n = 9). Furthermore, each structurally different Asunto(s)
Neoplasias
, Fotoquimioterapia/métodos
, Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de Xenoinjerto
, beta-Glucanos/uso terapéutico
, Animales
, Terapia Combinada
, Femenino
, Rayos Láser
, Ratones
, Ratones Endogámicos C57BL
, Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico
, Neoplasias/radioterapia
, Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de Xenoinjerto/métodos
RESUMEN
This study investigated possible implication of nitric oxide and prostanoids in anaphylactic reaction in small mesenteric and coronary arteries. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Isolated arteries from guinea pigs, sensitized with 0.5 mL of horse serum or sham-sensitized, were challenged with 1% of horse serum in vitro. Contractile responses of arteries (normalized diameter, 350-450 microm) were recorded by a small blood vessel wire myograph. For inhibition of the release of NO or prostanoids, vessels were pretreated with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (30 microM) or indomethacin (10 microM), respectively. RESULTS. Antigen challenge was followed by contraction of both coronary and mesenteric vessels. Two patterns of contraction were observed: 1) peak contraction - an immediate transient contraction of relatively high amplitude; this was the most common pattern; 2) biphasic: the initial peak contraction was followed by a slow growing contraction with low amplitude. Biphasic pattern was observed in 60% of the mesenteric vessels and 40% of the coronary vessels. Inhibition of NO synthase significantly increased the peak contraction in the coronary vessels and the second-phase contraction in the mesenteric vessels. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase caused a decrease in the peak and second-phase contraction of both the coronary and mesenteric vessels. CONCLUSIONS. Despite anaphylactic contraction, nitric oxide seems to be released from the endothelium following antigen challenge in the small coronary and mesenteric arteries. This may contribute to the development of hypotension during anaphylaxis. Prostanoids are playing a different role - the contracting products of cyclooxygenase pathway are important for the development of anaphylactic contraction of the small isolated arteries.
Asunto(s)
Anafilaxia , Vasos Coronarios/fisiología , Hipotensión/etiología , Arterias Mesentéricas/fisiología , Prostaglandinas/fisiología , Vasoconstricción , Análisis de Varianza , Animales , Vasos Coronarios/efectos de los fármacos , Endotelio Vascular , Adyuvante de Freund , Cobayas , Técnicas In Vitro , Indometacina/farmacología , Masculino , Arterias Mesentéricas/efectos de los fármacos , Miografía , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: To determine urodynamic, behavioral and functional abnormalities predisposing to recurrent urinary tract infection in 5- to 17-year-old girls. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was carried out. A total of 148 girls met inclusion criteria. They received a careful evaluation including complete history, voiding-drinking diary, bowel questionnaire, physical investigation, sonography, voiding cystourethrogram and urodynamic investigation. RESULTS: In a multivariate model, independent risk factors for recurrent urinary tract infection included age Asunto(s)
Conducta del Adolescente
, Conducta Infantil
, Cistitis/terapia
, Conducta de Ingestión de Líquido
, Pielonefritis/terapia
, Infecciones Urinarias/terapia
, Urodinámica
, Adolescente
, Factores de Edad
, Estudios de Casos y Controles
, Niño
, Preescolar
, Cistitis/diagnóstico
, Cistitis/fisiopatología
, Cistitis/psicología
, Técnicas de Diagnóstico Urológico
, Femenino
, Humanos
, Modelos Logísticos
, Oportunidad Relativa
, Estudios Prospectivos
, Pielonefritis/diagnóstico
, Pielonefritis/fisiopatología
, Pielonefritis/psicología
, Recurrencia
, Medición de Riesgo
, Factores de Riesgo
, Encuestas y Cuestionarios
, Resultado del Tratamiento
, Incontinencia Urinaria/fisiopatología
, Incontinencia Urinaria/terapia
, Infecciones Urinarias/diagnóstico
, Infecciones Urinarias/fisiopatología
, Infecciones Urinarias/psicología
RESUMEN
The aim of the study was to analyze self-rated health among physicians depending on their sex, age, workplace (hospital or polyclinic), and specialty. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The studied group consisted of 377 26-70-year-old physicians randomly selected from various county hospitals and polyclinics of Lithuania. There were 85 men and 292 women. The inquiry was performed using the complemented (by the authors of the study) version of the WHO anonymous questionnaire of the quality of life (1995). Responses were evaluated based on physicians' evaluation of their own health, which was rated as very good, good, satisfactory, poor, and very poor. RESULTS. Only 8.2% of males and 5.8% of females evaluated their health as very good (P>0.05). More men, compared to women, evaluated their health as good (62.3% and 53.1%, respectively; P<0.05), whereas more females evaluated their health as satisfactory, compared to males (36.0% and 25.9%, respectively; P<0.05); 2.4% of males and 5.1% of females (p>0.05) stated that their health was poor. In most cases, physicians of different age groups presented equal evaluations of their health except for physicians in the age groups of 26-37 and 38-43 years - those who evaluated their health as very good comprised a significantly higher percentage (P<0.05), compared to other age groups. As expected, a higher percentage of older physicians evaluated their health as satisfactory. In addition to that, more hospital physicians, compared to those working in polyclinics, evaluated their health as good (12.8% and 1.8%, respectively; P<0.05) and vice versa - significantly more physicians working in polyclinics evaluated their health as satisfactory, compared to those working in hospitals (38.1% and 26.8%, respectively; P<0.05). A significantly higher percentage of surgeons, compared to general practitioners or therapists, evaluated their health as very good (15.8%, 4.5%, and 6.1%, respectively; P<0.05) and a significantly lower percentage - as satisfactory (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS. Irrespectively of sex, 6.4% of the studied physicians evaluated their health as very good; 55.2%, as good; 33.7%, as satisfactory; 4.7%, as poor; and 0.3%, as very poor. A higher percentage of physicians who evaluated their health as very good or good were 26-37 and 38-43 years of age, whereas more physicians in older age groups evaluated their health as satisfactory. A higher percentage of physicians working in hospital evaluated their health as very good, whereas more physicians who worked in polyclinics evaluated their health as satisfactory. Compared to general practitioners and therapists, surgeons more frequently evaluated their health as very good and significantly less frequently - as satisfactory.
Asunto(s)
Estado de Salud , Médicos , Calidad de Vida , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria , Femenino , Cirugía General , Felicidad , Hospitales de Distrito , Hospitales Urbanos , Humanos , Lituania , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores Sexuales , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Lugar de TrabajoRESUMEN
The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on Hashimoto's thyroiditis and its pathogenesis and to introduce the readers to the basic concept of autoimmune thyroid disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are different expressions of a basically similar autoimmune process, and the clinical appearance reflects the spectrum of the immune response in a particular patient. During this response, cytotoxic autoantibodies, stimulatory autoantibodies, blocking autoantibodies, or cell-mediated autoimmunity may be observed. Persons with classic Hashimoto's thyroiditis have serum antibodies reacting with thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase. These antibodies (particularly antibodies against thyroid peroxidase) are complement-fixing immunoglobulins and may be cytotoxic. In addition, many patients have cell-mediated immunity directed against thyroid antigens. Cell mediated-immunity is also a feature of experimental thyroiditis induced in animals by injection of thyroid antigen with adjuvants. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is predominantly the clinical expression of cell-mediated immunity leading to destruction of thyroid cells, which in its severest form causes thyroid failure. The significance of genetic component and nongenetic risk factors (pregnancy, drugs, age, sex, infection, and irradiation) in the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is also reviewed. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that the genetic component is important in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, although the pattern of inheritance is non-Mendelian and is likely to be influenced by subtle variations in the functions of multiple genes. Nongenetic risk factors (environmental factors) are also etiologically important, because the concordance rate in monozygotic twins is below 1.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Hashimoto , Adulto , Animales , Anticuerpos , Autoanticuerpos/análisis , Autoanticuerpos/inmunología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Enfermedad de Hashimoto/etiología , Enfermedad de Hashimoto/genética , Enfermedad de Hashimoto/inmunología , Humanos , Inmunidad Celular , Inmunidad Humoral , Masculino , Ratones , Persona de Mediana Edad , Embarazo , Conejos , Ratas , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Linfocitos T/inmunología , Linfocitos T Citotóxicos , Tiroglobulina/inmunología , Glándula Tiroides/inmunologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: During the photodynamic treatment, complement system is activated and tumor cells are opsonized with iC3b fragment. beta-glucans can enhance cytotoxicity of iC3b-opsonized cells due to their specific interaction with complement receptor 3 (CR3; CD11b/CD18) on the surface of the effector cells. In contrast to microorganisms, tumor cells lack beta-glucan as a surface component and cannot trigger complement receptor 3-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and initiate tumor-killing activity. This mechanism could be induced in the presence of beta-glucans. This study aimed at determining the influence of coadministration of beta-glucan from barley on the efficacy of photodynamic tumor therapy (PDT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: C57 Bl/6 female mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma were used throughout the study. Mice were randomized into groups (15 in each group) and exposed to the treatment with intravenous Photofrin injection (dose, 10 mg/kg) and after 24 h following laser illumination, or with oral administration of beta-glucan from barley at a dose of 400 microg/mouse per day up to 5 days, or with their combination. Tumor growth dynamics and survival of the treated and untreated mice were monitored. RESULTS: Tumor volume in all treated groups was significantly lower (P<0.001) than that in the control group. The most effective tumor growth suppression (P=0.033) was achieved in mice treated with combination of PDT and beta-glucan from barley as compared with PDT alone. The best survival was achieved in the same group, but difference was not significant as compared to the control group (P=0.143) and to PDT alone group (P=0.319). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that coadministration of beta-glucan from barley can enhance efficacy of photodynamic therapy.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma Pulmonar de Lewis/tratamiento farmacológico , Hordeum , Fotoquimioterapia/métodos , beta-Glucanos/uso terapéutico , Administración Oral , Animales , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Lewis/inmunología , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Lewis/mortalidad , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Lewis/patología , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Distribución Aleatoria , Receptores de Complemento , Factores de Tiempo , beta-Glucanos/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The present study was intended to evaluate the antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of the Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antioxidant properties of Perilla frutescens were analyzed employing neutrophil leukocytes stimulated by the nonopsonized Escherichia coli. The neutrophil leukocytes were affected by adding an aqueous extract of Perilla. The generation of the reactive oxygen species by neutrophil leukocytes was investigated using assessment of luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence. RESULTS: We found out that the treatment of neutrophil leukocytes with the Perilla aqueous extract inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species, measured as luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence, by about 30% and more than 90%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the aqueous extract of the Perilla frutescens inhibits significantly free radical production by neutrophil leukocytes, which was especially obvious when the lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence assessment method was applied.
Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes , Neutrófilos/efectos de los fármacos , Perilla frutescens , Extractos Vegetales , Acridinas , Adolescente , Adulto , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Escherichia coli , Radicales Libres/metabolismo , Humanos , Indicadores y Reactivos , Luminiscencia , Luminol , Persona de Mediana Edad , Activación Neutrófila , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Especies Reactivas de Oxígeno/metabolismo , Estadísticas no Paramétricas , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate antiradical activity of aqueous and ethanolic hawthorn fruit extracts, their flavonoids, and flavonoid combinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total amount of phenolic compounds and the constituents of flavonoids were determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of Crataegus monogyna extracts and flavonoids (chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, rutin, quercetin, vitexin-2O-rhamnoside, epicatechin, catechin, and procyanidin B(2)) quantitatively was determined using the method of spectrophotometry (diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH.) radical scavenging assay and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)(ABTS.+) radical cation decolorization assay). The level of tyrosine nitration inhibition was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Ethanolic hawthorn fruit extract contained 182+/-4 mg/100 mL phenolic compounds, i.e. threefold more, as compared to aqueous extract. The antioxidant activity according to DPPH. reduction in the ethanolic extracts was higher 2.3 times (P<0.05). The ABTS.+ technique showed that the effect of ethanolic extracts was by 2.5 times stronger than that of aqueous extracts. Tyrosine nitration inhibition test showed that the effect of ethanolic extracts was by 1.4 times stronger than that of aqueous extracts. The investigation of the antiradical activity of the active constituents in aqueous and ethanolic extracts revealed that epicatechin and catechin contribute to radical-scavenging properties more than other components. Procyanidin B(2) only insignificantly influenced the antiradical activity of the extracts. CONCLUSION: Both aqueous and ethanolic hawthorn extracts had antiradical activity, but ethanolic extract had stronger free radical-scavenging properties, compared to the aqueous extract. The antioxidant activity of the studied preparations was mostly conditioned by epicatechin and catechin. The individual constituents of both extracts had weaker free radical-scavenging properties than the combination of these substances did.
Asunto(s)
Antioxidantes , Crataegus/química , Depuradores de Radicales Libres , Extractos Vegetales/química , Preparaciones de Plantas/química , Antioxidantes/análisis , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Flavonoides/análisis , Depuradores de Radicales Libres/análisis , Frutas/química , Fenoles/análisis , EspectrofotometríaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening condition that can rapidly progress into coma and death due to the cerebral edema and multi-organ dysfunction. The ALF etiology and risk factors have been investigated in West Europe, North America, and Asia; however, there are still no published data about the causes and prognosis of ALF in Central and East European countries. The aim of our study was to analyze the causes, outcomes, and prognostic factors of ALF in patients referred to tertiary care center in Lithuania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 28 consecutive patients admitted to the tertiary care center (one of two university-level medical centers in Lithuania) over the period of January 1996 and December 2004 and who fulfilled the entry criteria of ALF (presence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and prothrombin international normalized ratio (INR) >1.5) were included into a prospective study. RESULTS: In our study the most frequent causes of ALF were acute viral hepatitis B (21.4 %), drug-induced hepatitis (21.4%), and indeterminate hepatitis (17.9%); other etiologies included Budd-Chiari syndrome (10.7%), ischemic hepatitis (10.7%), Wilson's disease (7.1%), Amanita phalloides-induced liver damage (3.6%), acute fatty liver of pregnancy (3.6%), and malignant infiltration of the liver (3.6%). Among patients with drug-induced liver injury, only one case of acetaminophen poisoning was diagnosed. Clinical status of 9 persons in all patients with ALF corresponded to criteria for liver transplantation (LT) (one liver transplantation was performed), 6 of them had contraindications, and 13 patients did not fulfill requirements for urgent LT. The patients' survival rate in these groups was 11.1%, 16.7% and 69.2%, respectively. In 27 non-transplanted patients univariate analysis revealed the grade of HE on the day of enrolment, total serum bilirubin, pH, and prothrombin INR as risk factors for death from ALF. Multivariate logistic regressive analysis determined only prothrombin INR >3.24 and serum pH Asunto(s)
Fallo Hepático Agudo
, Acetaminofén/envenenamiento
, Adulto
, Anciano
, Anciano de 80 o más Años
, Bilirrubina/sangre
, Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/complicaciones
, Intervalos de Confianza
, Interpretación Estadística de Datos
, Hígado Graso/complicaciones
, Femenino
, Encefalopatía Hepática/mortalidad
, Hepatitis/complicaciones
, Humanos
, Lituania/epidemiología
, Fallo Hepático Agudo/sangre
, Fallo Hepático Agudo/inducido químicamente
, Fallo Hepático Agudo/diagnóstico
, Fallo Hepático Agudo/epidemiología
, Fallo Hepático Agudo/etiología
, Fallo Hepático Agudo/mortalidad
, Fallo Hepático Agudo/terapia
, Trasplante de Hígado
, Modelos Logísticos
, Masculino
, Persona de Mediana Edad
, Análisis Multivariante
, Oportunidad Relativa
, Embarazo
, Complicaciones del Embarazo
, Pronóstico
, Estudios Prospectivos
, Protrombina/análisis
, Factores de Riesgo
RESUMEN
Vasopressin is a 9-amino acid peptide synthesized by magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamus and released from posterior pituitary gland. The primary physiological role of vasopressin is the maintenance of fluid homeostasis. In this review, the classification of vasopressin receptors, namely V1 vascular, V2 renal, V3 pituitary, oxytocin receptors, and purinergic receptors, and the effects of vasopressin on vascular smooth muscles, the heart, and the kidneys are discussed. Mortality rates of vasodilatory (or distributive), for example septic shock, are high. The use of vasopressin is an alternative therapy for vasodilatory shock with better outcome. Vasopressin is effective in resuscitation of adults after ventricular fibrillation or pulseless tachycardia, when epinephrine is not effective.
Asunto(s)
Choque Séptico/tratamiento farmacológico , Choque/tratamiento farmacológico , Vasoconstrictores/uso terapéutico , Vasopresinas/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Dilatación Patológica , Corazón/efectos de los fármacos , Paro Cardíaco/tratamiento farmacológico , Homeostasis , Humanos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Riñón/efectos de los fármacos , Músculo Liso Vascular/efectos de los fármacos , Receptores de Vasopresinas/clasificación , Receptores de Vasopresinas/fisiología , Resucitación , Choque/etiología , Choque/mortalidad , Choque/fisiopatología , Choque Séptico/mortalidad , Análisis de Supervivencia , Taquicardia/tratamiento farmacológico , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Vasoconstrictores/administración & dosificación , Vasoconstrictores/efectos adversos , Vasoconstrictores/farmacología , Vasodilatación , Vasopresinas/administración & dosificación , Vasopresinas/efectos adversos , Vasopresinas/farmacología , Vasopresinas/fisiología , Fibrilación Ventricular/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the impairment of the body functions on the participation of people with disabilities in sports activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in the institutions mostly attended by people with severe physical disabilities. The participants took a modified Kenny test and answered the questions of a questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 35 persons with severe physical disabilities. RESULTS: The findings of this study showed that people with disabilities who were not engaged in sports were of much worse opinion about their health condition (P=0.02) and they needed more help from family or friends (P=0.035) compared to the disabled who were not engaged in sports, but in the group of people with disabilities who were engaged in sports, the correlations of those indicators were statistically significant (r=0.59 and r=0.68, respectively). The main motivation of sports participation of people with disabilities (about 80%) was the need for communication and gaining independence. Health improvement was mentioned by less than half of people with disabilities (about 41%) engaged in sports. CONCLUSIONS: The syndrome of movement function impairment, duration of impairment, marital status, the age of persons with disabilities, and objectively determined impairment of biosocial self-service functions did not impact sports participation of people with disabilities. However, subjective sensation of pain and the need of medical aid, which did not match the objective functional impairments, could be the obstacle for people with disabilities to participate in sports.
Asunto(s)
Personas con Discapacidad/rehabilitación , Socialización , Deportes , Adulto , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Personas con Discapacidad/psicología , Educación , Ejercicio Físico , Familia , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Estado Civil , Motivación , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides. These glucose polymers are constituents of the cell wall of certain pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The healing and immunostimulating properties of mushrooms have been known for thousands of years in the Eastern countries. These mushrooms contain biologically active polysaccharides that mostly belong to group of beta-glucans. These substances increase host immune defense by activating complement system, enhancing macrophages and natural killer cell function. The induction of cellular responses by mushroom and other beta-glucans is likely to involve their specific interaction with several cell surface receptors, as complement receptor 3 (CR3; CD11b/CD18), lactosylceramide, selected scavenger receptors, and dectin-1 (betaGR). beta-Glucans also show anticarcinogenic activity. They can prevent oncogenesis due to the protective effect against potent genotoxic carcinogens. As immunostimulating agent, which acts through the activation of macrophages and NK cell cytotoxicity, beta-glucan can inhibit tumor growth in promotion stage too. Anti-angiogenesis can be one of the pathways through which beta-glucans can reduce tumor proliferation, prevent tumor metastasis. beta-Glucan as adjuvant to cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy demonstrated the positive role in the restoration of hematopiesis following by bone marrow injury. Immunotherapy using monoclonal antibodies is a novel strategy of cancer treatment. These antibodies activate complement system and opsonize tumor cells with iC3b fragment. In contrast to microorganisms, tumor cells, as well as other host cells, lack beta-glucan as a surface component and cannot trigger complement receptor 3-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and initiate tumor-killing activity. This mechanism could be induced in the presence of beta-glucans.
Asunto(s)
Adyuvantes Inmunológicos/farmacología , Anticuerpos Monoclonales/farmacología , Sistema Inmunológico/efectos de los fármacos , Inmunoterapia/métodos , Neoplasias/terapia , beta-Glucanos/farmacología , Adulto , Agaricales/química , Inhibidores de la Angiogénesis , Animales , Humanos , Inmunidad/efectos de los fármacos , Ratones , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Receptores de Complemento/fisiología , beta-Glucanos/aislamiento & purificación , beta-Glucanos/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to investigate the immunostimulatory properties of bigroot geranium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Possible nonspecific characteristics of bigroot geranium were evaluated by the total leukocyte count in the peripheral blood, and qualitative changes of blood were assessed using Shilling's formula by evaluating changes in lymphocyte counts. In addition, we also studied changes in the counts of T-cell precursors in the thymus and B lymphocytes in the spleen. Ethanol extract of the leaves of bigroot geranium was produced at the Department of Food Technology, Kaunas University of Technology. Studies were performed on mice Bl 57 (n=21). The control group (n=7) received distilled water at a dose of 1 mL/day. The second and third groups received 1% and 10% extract of bigroot geranium, respectively, as a food supplement. Changes in cell counts were investigated after 4 weeks following the initiation of the trial. RESULTS: After a 4-week administration of 1% extract of bigroot geranium (1 mL/day) (mice group, n=7), leukocyte count in the peripheral blood increased to 6.1 x 10(9) cells/L, and lymphocyte count - to 70%, but changes were not statistically significant. The other case group of mice (n=7) received 10% extract of bigroot geranium for 4 weeks at a dose of 1 mL/day. In this group, leukocyte count in the peripheral blood increased statistically significantly from 4.4 x 10(9) cells/L to 7.2 x 10(9) cells/L (p<0.01), and lymphocyte percentage--from 52% to 80% (p<0.001), as compared to control. Thymocyte (T lymphocytes) counts in thymus and splenocyte (B lymphocytes) counts in the spleen showed a tendency to increase after the administration of 1% and 10% extracts. After a 4-week administration of 1% extract of bigroot geranium, thymocyte and splenocyte counts increased from 0.342 x 10(6) cells to 0.372 x 10(6) cells per mg of tissue and from 0.395 x 10(6) cells to 0.405 x 10(6) cells per mg of tissue, respectively, as compared to control group (p>0.1). After the administration of 10% extract of bigroot geranium, thymocyte count increased to 0.488 x 10(6) cells per mg of tissue (p<0.01), and splenocyte count--to 0.504 x 10(6) cells per mg of tissue (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The extracts of the leaves of bigroot geranium increased leukocyte count and lymphocyte percentage in the peripheral blood, and after a 4-week administration of 10% extract of bigroot geranium, a statistically significant increase in the counts of T lymphocytes (in the thymus) and B lymphocytes (in the spleen) was observed. The immunostimulatory effect depends on the dose of the extract.
Asunto(s)
Adyuvantes Inmunológicos , Geranium , Extractos Vegetales , Animales , Linfocitos B , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Estudios de Seguimiento , Recuento de Leucocitos , Recuento de Linfocitos , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos , Extractos Vegetales/administración & dosificación , Bazo/citología , Linfocitos T , Timo/citología , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) form a subfamily of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). These signalling pathways regulate various processes such as mitosis, cellular differentiation, stress response or apoptosis in multicellular organisms. There is rising evidence about the role of JNKs activities in neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases as well as in immunological disorders. The physiological functions of JNKs, however, remain to be elucidated. Recent data have demonstrated an essential role of JNKs in the cardiovascular system and the regulation of carbon hydrate and glucose metabolism. Therefore, we have investigated the contractility of blood vessels in mice with genetically deleted JNK1, JNK2, JNK3 and JNK2+3 isoforms and their respective wildtypes. The contractility of the isolated segments from A. carotis communis was measured by small blood vessel wire myograph. Contraction induced by 80 mM KCl was significantly increased in arteries from JNK2+3 double knockout compared to controls and single knockouts. The maximal contraction generated by the alpha-agonists phenylephrine or noradrenaline (10 microM) was significantly enhanced in JNK2+3 knockout arteries compared with arteries from the remaining strains. Inhibition of NOS by Nw-nitro-l-arginine did not change the pattern of vasoconstriction, but vasoconstriction by noradrenaline following NOS inhibition was significantly enhanced in the arteries from JNK2+3 double knockout mice. In conclusion, genetic deletion of JNK2+3 in mice results in altered contractility of carotid arteries and this might depend on the function of the smooth muscles rather than on the endothelium. These findings have implications for the long-term treatment with pharmacological JNK inhibitors for neurodegenerative or metabolic diseases such as stroke or diabetes.
Asunto(s)
Arterias/fisiología , Proteínas Quinasas JNK Activadas por Mitógenos/deficiencia , Vasoconstricción/fisiología , Animales , Arterias/efectos de los fármacos , Regulación Enzimológica de la Expresión Génica , Proteínas Quinasas JNK Activadas por Mitógenos/genética , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa/antagonistas & inhibidores , Norepinefrina/farmacología , Fenilefrina/farmacología , Isoformas de Proteínas/deficiencia , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Vasoconstricción/efectos de los fármacos , Vasoconstricción/genéticaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Common perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) is a plant cultivated in many countries around the world. Although its immunomodulating and antioxidative properties are well known, there is a lack of data about the cardiotropic activity of the plant. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Perilla frutescens extract on the myocardial contractility in vitro and as a food supplement in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rabbits of the experimental group were fed with a supplement of 100 mg/kg of Perilla frutescens extract for 14 days. Rabbits of control group were fed with ordinary food. The maximal mechanical activity of isolated myocardial preparations, obtained from the rabbits of both groups, was tested during the perfusion with Ringer's solution containing 5 microM of adrenaline and 4.5 mM of CaCl2. For the assessment of the direct influence of Perilla frutescens extract on the myocardial contractility in vitro isolated heart preparations were perfused with 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/ml of Perilla frutescens extract. RESULTS: The maximum force of isometric contraction, maximum velocity of force development, and maximum velocity of relaxation were higher among the atrial and ventricular preparations from the experimental group, as compared with the control group. Perfusion of the myocardial preparations with different concentrations of Perilla frutescens extract revealed slight dose-dependent increase in the parameters of contraction and relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of Perilla frutescens extract as a food supplement leads to an increase in the contractility of the rabbit myocardium. Perilla frutescens extract in vitro had a dose-dependent positive inotropic and lusitropic effect on the rabbit myocardium.
Asunto(s)
Cardiotónicos/farmacología , Suplementos Dietéticos , Contracción Miocárdica/efectos de los fármacos , Perilla frutescens , Animales , Cardiotónicos/administración & dosificación , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Femenino , Técnicas In Vitro , Contracción Isométrica , Masculino , Extractos Vegetales/administración & dosificación , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Conejos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Interaction between diabetes mellitus and cellular immunity is reviewed in several aspects. Importance of cellular immunity in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus is discussed. Experimental mice models of this disease are presented which after the evaluation of similarities of immunologic parameters provide clues to potential mechanisms of the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. In an animal model of spontaneous type 1 diabetes mellitus, the non-obese diabetic mouse develops a spontaneous T cell-mediated insulitis, which is followed by overt diabetes. Disease can be transferred to young non-obese diabetic mice with diabetogenic T cells from older, affected animals. T cells can recognize various islet antigens, including insulin and islet cell enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase. Induction of T cell tolerance to these antigens retards the onset of diabetes in mice. Transgenic mouse models of type 1 diabetes mellitus confirm above-mentioned facts. Later alterations of cellular immunity are under the investigation. Disorders of mobilization and chemotaxis, phagocytosis and adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocyte function, defects of acquired cellular immunity are thoroughly discussed. Diabetes mellitus, particularly poorly controlled diabetes, impairs different functions and links of cellular immunity. Infections, which are found relatively more frequently in diabetic patients and against which primarily cellular immunity protects, are also reviewed.