Physiology international最新文献

Background: Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly used in the evaluation of renal lesions, however, its availability remains limited. Thus, sensitive noncontrast ultrasound evaluation of renal lesion vascularity is an unmet need.

Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study we assessed microvascular flow imaging (MV-flow) compared to CEUS in the evaluation of complex renal cysts and solid lesions. Out of 92 patients 28 were evaluated with both CEUS and MV-flow. Color Doppler, CEUS, and MV-flow was performed in 13 cases, whilst MV-flow, CEUS, and contrast-enhanced MV-flow (CE-MV-flow) was done in 16 cases. The CEUS diagnosis was considered gold standard.

Results: MV-flow showed a substantial agreement with the CEUS diagnosis (weighted Kappa = 0.806), excluding equivocal lesions (Bosniak 2F). MV-flow substantially outperformed color Doppler (weighted Kappa = 0.77 vs. 0.133). The agreement of CE-MV-flow and MV-flow was comparable (weighted Kappa = 0.79 vs. 0.69).

Conclusion: MV-flow significantly improves evaluation of renal lesion vascularity compared to conventional techniques. However, the sensitivity is limited for equivocal lesions (e.g. Bosniak 2F cysts). Thus, MV-flow should be used as an ancillary technique, not as a substitute to CEUS. Current MV-flow presets are ill-suited for postcontrast imaging, therefore specific presets optimized for this purpose are needed to establish its potential.

We aimed to examine the effects of brain ischemia-reperfusion (IR) especially on serum parameters or liver enzymes, free radicals, cytokines, oxidatively damaged DNA, spermidine/spermine N-1-acetyltransferase (SSAT). The effects of addition of putrescine on IR will be evaluated in terms of inflammation and oxidant-antioxidant balance in liver.The study was conducted on 46 male Albino Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g. The rats were grouped into: 1-Sham group (n = 6). 2-IR group (n = 8): The carotid arteries were ligated for 30-min and reperfusion was achieved for 30-min under general anesthesia. 3-Ischemia + putrescine + reperfusion group (IPR) (n = 8): Unlike the IR group, a single dose of 250 μmol kg-1 putrescine was given by gavage at the beginning of reperfusion. In putrescine treatment groups in addition to the procedures performed in the IR group a total of 4 doses of 250 μmol kg-1 putrescine were given at 12-h intervals, with the first dose immediately after 30-min reperfusion (4-IR+putrescine group (IR+P1) (n = 8)); 3 h after the 30-min reperfusion (5-IR+putrescine group (IR+P2) (n = 8)); 6 h after the 30-min reperfusion (6-IR+putrescine group (IR+P3) (n = 8)). ALT, AST, ATP, NO, SSAT, 8-OHdG levels were analyzed in the serum, and liver samples. NF-κB and IL-6 levels were analyzed in the liver samples.Brain IR causes inflammatory, oxidative and DNA damage in the liver, and putrescine supplementation through gavage reduces liver damage by showing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Hypothermic conditions enhance the incidence of cardiovascular diseases due to increased blood pressure. Cold-induced adaptive thermogenesis increased mitochondrial biogenesis and function in skeletal muscles and adipocytes. Here, we studied the effect of intermittent cold exposure on the regulators of cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis, function, and its regulation by SIRT-3. Intermittent cold exposed mice hearts showed normal histopathology with increased mitochondrial antioxidant and metabolic function, as evidenced by an increase in the activity and expression of MnSOD and SDH. A substantial increase in mitochondrial DNA copy number and increase in the expression of PGC-1α and its downstream targets NRF-1 and Tfam indicated the possibility of enhanced cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis and function on intermittent cold exposure. Increased mitochondrial SIRT-3 level and decreased total protein lysine acetylation indicate increased sirtuin activity in cold exposed mice hearts. Ex vivo cold mimic using norepinephrine showed a significant increase in PGC-1α, NRF-1, and Tfam levels. AGK-7, a SIRT-3 inhibitor, reversed the norepinephrine-induced upregulation of PGC-1α and NRF-1, indicating the role of SIRT-3 on the production of PGC-1α and NRF-1. Inhibition of PKA with KT5720 in norepinephrine treated cardiac tissue slices indicates the role of PKA in regulating the production of PGC-1α and NRF-1. In conclusion, intermittent cold exposure upregulated the regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and function through PKA and SIRT-3 mediated pathway. Our results emphasize the role of intermittent cold-induced adaptive thermogenesis in overcoming chronic cold-induced cardiac damage.

Objective: Creatine kinase (CK) is widely used as a monitoring tool to make inferences on fatigue and readiness in elite soccer. Previous studies have examined the relationship between CK and GPS parameters, however these metrics may not accurately describe the players' load during soccer-specific movements. Football Movement Profile (FMP) monitoring is a viable option for such purposes, providing solely inertial sensor-based data and categorizing movements according to intensity (very low, low, medium, high) and movement type (running-linear locomotive, dynamic - change of direction or speed).

Methods: We investigated the relationship between the FMP distribution of youth (U16-U21) national team soccer players and the absolute day-to-day change in CK. We applied Spearman's correlations, principal component analysis and K-means clustering to classify players' CK responses according to their specific FMP.

Results: Moderate to large negative associations were found between very low intensity FMP parameters and CK change (r = -0.43 ± 0.12) while large positive associations were identified between CK change and other FMP metrics (r = 0.62 ± 0.12). Best fitting clustering methods were used to group players depending on their CK sensitivity to FMP values. Principal component analysis explained 83.0% of the variation with a Silhouette score of 0.61 for the 4 clusters.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that soccer players can be clustered based on the relationship between FMP measures and the CK change. These findings can help to plan soccer training or recovery sessions according to the desired load on skeletal muscle, as FMP monitoring might bridge the limitations of GPS telemetry.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in a worldwide pandemic, due to its great capacity to invade the human body. Previous studies have shown that the primary route of invasion of this virus is the human respiratory tract via the co-expression of ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2, a serine protease on the cellular surface. Interestingly, this condition is present not only on the respiratory epithelium but on the conjunctival mucosa, as well. Thus, we hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 is present on the conjunctival mucosa.

Aim: To prove that SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the conjunctiva.

Methods: Previously nasopharyngeal swab-sample based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive COVID-19 infected patients were selected at the COVID Care Centers of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. The study was approved by the ethical committee of Semmelweis University. During their recovery, both nasopharyngeal and conjunctival swab-samples were taken and PCR method was used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed.

Results: The study population consisted of 97 patients, 49 females (50.5%) and 48 males (49.5%), with a mean age of 67.2 ± 11.9 years. During recovery, with nasopharyngeal swabs, the PCR test was positive in 55 cases (56.70%), whereas with conjunctival swabs it was positive in 8 cases (8.25%). Both tests were positive in 5 cases (5.15%). In some patients, ocular symptoms were observed as well. The rest of the patients (29 cases) had negative nasopharyngeal PCR tests during recovery.

Conclusions: Although only in few cases, the data of the present study provides a proof of concept that SARS-CoV-2 can be present on the conjunctival mucosa even in nasopharyngeal negative patients, a finding, which can have clinical importance. Also, on the basis of these findings one can hypothesize that - in addition to the respiratory tract - the conjunctiva can be an entrance route for SARS-CoV-2 to the human body. Thus, in high-risk conditions, in addition to covering the mouth and nose with mask, the protection of the eyes is also strongly recommended.

Background and aim: A continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) helps the user stay continuously informed about blood glucose levels and reach the right target range. This study aimed to compare glycemic control and mental health of adults with type 1 diabetes with or without CGM and to examine their experiences using it.

Methods: Patients were included in the survey, whether or not they had used a CGM. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess mental health, problems with disease management, hypoglycemia attitudes and behavior, as well as glucose monitoring satisfaction.

Results: 277 people participated in the study. CGM users (61.3%) had a more favorable glycemic control than those who were not. No differences were observed between the 2 groups in mental health and in response to hypoglycemic events; however, users reported more disease-related problems. CGM users reported they felt more open and free about diabetes, however, the pain and skin irritation caused by the device was disturbing and it was difficult to cope emotionally with the constant thought and worrying about diabetes.

Conclusions: CGM did not show clear satisfaction among users, however, less fear of hypoglycemia, fewer depression symptomology and improved glycemic control indicate better clinical status, which is one of the most important goals of disease management.

Background: Organization of mass sport events in the COVID-19 era is utterly complicated. Containments measures, required to avoid a virus outbreak, force athletes to compete under circumstances they never experienced before, most likely having a deleterious effect on their performance.

Purpose: We aimed to design a so-called athlete-friendly bubble system for the International Swimming League 2020 event, which is strict enough to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak, but still provides a supportive environment for the athletes.

Methods: To avoid the feeling of imprisonment, athletes were permitted to spend a certain amount of time in the parks surrounding the hotels. Such alleviations were possible to apply with strict adherence to the hygienic and social distancing protocols and regular COVID-19 testing. Evaluation of every COVID-19 positive case was key, and if prolonged PCR positivity or false positive PCR result was identified, the unnecessary quarantine was planned to be lifted. Return to play protocol (RTP) was planned, in case of a COVID-19 infection of an athlete inside the bubble. To test, if the athlete-friendly system provided a supportive environment, we evaluated athlete performance.

Results: 11,480 PCR tests were performed for 1,421 individuals. 63 COVID-19 positive cases were detected, of which 5 turned out to be clinically insignificant, either because of prolonged PCR positivity or because of a false positive result. 93.1% of the positive cases were detected in the local crew, while no athlete got infected inside the bubble, as the two infected athletes were tested positive upon arrival. RTP was provided for two athletes. 85% of the athletes showed improvement during the bubble and 8 world records were broken.

Conclusion: The applied protocol proved to be effective, as no athlete got infected inside the bubble, moreover, the athlete-friendly system supported the athletes to improve their performance.