Medicina

403 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of vitamin D levels in allergic and non-allergic asthma

by Laura Tamašauskienė, Edita Gasiūnienė, Simona Lavinskienė, Raimundas Sakalauskas and Brigita Šitkauskienė

Medicina 2015, 51(6), 321-327; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.003 - 24 Nov 2015

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 898

Abstract

Background and objective: Some researches show that low vitamin D may play a role in asthma pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum vitamin D level in asthmatics with different phenotypes and to determine its associations with lung function, [...] Read more.

Background and objective: Some researches show that low vitamin D may play a role in asthma pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum vitamin D level in asthmatics with different phenotypes and to determine its associations with lung function, IgE, eosinophil count and body mass index (BMI).
Materials and methods: The study population comprised 85 patients with asthma and 73 healthy persons. Patients with asthma were divided into groups according to phenotypes. Allergy was assessed using a skin prick test and measuring eosinophil count in peripheral blood and total IgE in serum. Lung function was evaluated by spirometry. Concentration of vitamin D (25(OH)D3) was measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Smoking history was assessed and BMI was calculated for all individuals.
Results: The vitamin D level was lower in asthmatics than in the control group (14.36 ± 0.57 vs. 22.13 ± 0.84 ng/mL, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the vitamin D level between the groups with allergic and non-allergic asthma (14.36 ± 0.77 vs. 14.35 ± 0.74 ng/ mL). The low vitamin D level increased the risk of asthma 1.2 times (OR, 1.194; 95% CI, 1.109– 1.286, P < 0.01). The vitamin D level did not correlate with lung function and markers of allergy in asthmatic patients. The vitamin D level correlated with FEV1/FVC (rs = 0.72, P < 0.05) in smoking patients with asthma. Correlation between the vitamin D level and BMI was found in all studied subjects (rs = −0.18, P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The vitamin D level was lower in asthmatic patients than in healthy individuals despite their hypersensitivity and increase risk of asthma. There was no relation between the vitamin D level and lung function, eosinophil count and total IgE level, whereas the lower vitamin D level was associated with higher BMI. Full article

355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation between suicide and meteorological parameters

by Misuzu Kurokouchi, Nobuyuki Miyatake, Hiroshi Kinoshita, Naoko Tanaka and Tatsushige Fukunaga

Medicina 2015, 51(6), 363-367; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.006 - 21 Nov 2015

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 844

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the link between suicide and meteorological parameters in the 23 wards of Tokyo, Japan.
Materials and methods: Monthly data (from January 2008 to December 2012) of suicide stratified by the type of suicide, i.e. [...] Read more.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the link between suicide and meteorological parameters in the 23 wards of Tokyo, Japan.
Materials and methods: Monthly data (from January 2008 to December 2012) of suicide stratified by the type of suicide, i.e. hanging, drowning and jumping, were obtained from the Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office official web site. Monthly meteorological parameters (atmospheric pressure, air temperature, humidity and daylight hours) in the 23 wards of Tokyo were also used for the required period. The effects of meteorological parameters on suicide were explored.
Results: The number of suicides was 110.4 ± 14.7 (80–149) for men and 55.6 ± 9.1 (41–87) for women in the 23 wards of Tokyo, Japan. The mean air temperature was 16.6 8C ± 7.7 8C (4.8–29.6 8C). The number of suicides by drowning for men was significantly and positively correlated with air temperature, and weakly and positively correlated with humidity. In addition, the number of suicides by drowning for men was significantly and negatively correlated with atmospheric pressure.
Conclusions: The number of suicides by drowning was associated with meteorological parameters, especially in men, in the 23 wards of Tokyo, Japan. Full article

893 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of human papillomavirus type 16 variants in Lithuanian women with cervical cancer

by Živilė Gudlevičienė, Aušra Stumbrytė, Gabrielė Juknė, Vaida Simanavičienė and Aurelija Žvirblienė

Medicina 2015, 51(6), 328-335; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.005 - 19 Nov 2015

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 758

Abstract

Background and objective: Cervical cancer usually is caused by HPV 16. However, HPV 16 varies within type; different genotypes are described as prototype or variants. Prevalence of different variants differ according the geographic regions and has an unequal impact for cervical cancer development. [...] Read more.

Background and objective: Cervical cancer usually is caused by HPV 16. However, HPV 16 varies within type; different genotypes are described as prototype or variants. Prevalence of different variants differ according the geographic regions and has an unequal impact for cervical cancer development. Our study aimed to identify which variant of HPV 16 was most prevalent in biological samples taken from Lithuanian women with cervical cancer.
Materials and methods: A total of 122 HPV 16 positive cervical samples (invasive cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) were investigated and sequenced to identify different variants. HPV 16 was detected using type specific PCR, exact sequence of the virus was obtained by viral DNA sequencing.
Results: Adequate HPV sequence was detected in 106 cases from 122 (86.9% of all cases). After histological confirmation, 96 cases were included in the final analysis. In 33 cases (34.4%) HPV 16 prototype was detected; in 50 cases (52.1%), L83V variant; and in remaining 13 cases (13.5%), multivariant of HPV 16. The frequency of L83V variant in invasive cancer and carcinoma in situ samples was the same (66.7% and 62.0%, respectively; P = 0.696). Of analyzed multivariants, 10 were attributed to the European phylogenetic line; 1, to the North American, and 1, to the Asian-American. One sample was not attributed to any of the known phylogenetic lines.
Conclusions: The European HPV 16 L83V variant is usually associated with high risk of cervical cancer among women. However, statistically significant difference was not achieved when comparing difference of L83V variants between investigated groups and in HPV 16 L83V variant and prototype distribution in CIN3/Ca in situ and cancer. Full article

430 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional habits among high-performance endurance athletes

by Marius Baranauskas, Rimantas Stukas, Linas Tubelis, Kęstutis Žagminas, Genė Šurkienė, Edmundas Švedas, Vincentas Rolandas Giedraitis, Valerij Dobrovolskij and Jonas Algis Abaravičius

Medicina 2015, 51(6), 351-362; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.004 - 18 Nov 2015

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 4037

Abstract

Background and objective: For athletes, the main purpose of nutrition is to ensure the compensation of increased energy consumption and the need for nutrients in the athlete's body, thereby enabling maximum adaptation to physical loads. The aim of this study was to determine [...] Read more.

Background and objective: For athletes, the main purpose of nutrition is to ensure the compensation of increased energy consumption and the need for nutrients in the athlete's body, thereby enabling maximum adaptation to physical loads. The aim of this study was to determine the habits of highly trained endurance athletes depending on sports type, sex and age in order to improve the planning and management of the training of athletes using targeted measures.
Materials and methods: In 2009–2012, the dietary habits of 146 endurance athletes were analyzed. The actual diet of Lithuania endurance athletes was investigated using a 24-h dietary survey method. Data on the athletes' actual diet were collected for the previous day.
Results: It was found that 80.8% of endurance athletes used lower-than-recommended amounts of carbohydrates in their diet, and more than 70% of athletes used higher-than- recommended levels of fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. The diet of female athletes was low in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and zinc. Athletes aged 14–18 years tended to consume quantities of protein that were either lower than recommended or excessive.
Conclusions: The diet of highly trained endurance athletes does not fully meet their requirements and in this situation cannot ensure maximum adaptation to very intense and/or long-duration physical loads. The diet of highly trained endurance athletes must be optimized, adjusted and individualized. Particular attention should be focused on female athletes. Full article

1086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of physical training on indices of platelet aggregation and fibrinogen concentration in patients with chronic heart failure

by Aušra Mongirdienė and Raimondas Kubilius

Medicina 2015, 51(6), 343-350; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.001 - 18 Nov 2015

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 629

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of long-term physical load on the changes in the fibrinogen concentration and platelet aggregation.
Material and methods: Platelet aggregation was investigated in 144 patients while fibrinogen concentration in 138 patients with CHF. [...] Read more.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of long-term physical load on the changes in the fibrinogen concentration and platelet aggregation.
Material and methods: Platelet aggregation was investigated in 144 patients while fibrinogen concentration in 138 patients with CHF. The patients were divided into the groups of the trained patients and the controls and were investigated as follows: on admission to the hospital (stage 1); after treatment in the hospital (stage 2); after 3 months (stage 3); after 6 months (stage 4); and after 1 year (stage 5). The indices were investigated before and after physical load.
Results: It was determined that fibrinogen concentration significantly increased after physical load in all the treatment stages in both groups of the patients (P = 0.045). In the course of the treatment, fibrinogen concentration gradually decreased in the group of the trained patients (P = 0.02). Platelet aggregation investigated with ADP significantly increased after physical load in all the stages in both groups of the patients and decreased during the different investigation stages in the groups of the untrained (P = 0.02) and trained patients. Platelet aggregation investigated with ADR consistently decreased before physical load during the different investigation stages in the groups of the trained (difference is not significant) and untrained patients (P = 0.02).
Conclusions: Physical training reduces fibrinogen concentration in patients with CHF. It remains unclear whether physical training can have an effect on the decrease in platelet aggregation in patients who have long-term physical training applied. Full article

533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of herbal preparation EM 1201 in adjuvant arthritic rats

by Laimis Akramas, Laima Leonavičienė, Audrius Vasiliauskas, Rūta Bradūnaitė, Dalia Vaitkienė, Danguolė Zabulytė, Teresa Normantienė, Audronis Lukošius and Irena Jonauskienė

Medicina 2015, 51(6), 368-377; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2015.11.002 - 17 Nov 2015

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 785

Abstract

Background and objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the anti-arthritic and antioxidant effects of herbal and active organic ingredient complex (EM 1201) in rats with experimental adjuvant arthritis (AA).
Materials and methods: AA was induced in 30 male Wistar [...] Read more.

Background and objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the anti-arthritic and antioxidant effects of herbal and active organic ingredient complex (EM 1201) in rats with experimental adjuvant arthritis (AA).
Materials and methods: AA was induced in 30 male Wistar rats by intradermal injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the left hind paw. The course of disease in 30 rats in response to the treatment with EM 1201 and diclofenac, the parameters including body weight, joint swelling, blood indices pro-/antioxidant status of blood serum, and histology of joints and the liver, were investigated.
Results: Preparation EM 1201 showed anti-inflammatory effect analogous to diclofenac, improved blood indices, significantly decreased joint swelling and histological changes in them. Joint swelling was suppressed by 29%–42.8% and 9.3%–34.4% in response to administration of EM 1201 and diclofenac during the entire experiment. Both preparations significantly suppressed pannus formation, general inflammatory reaction and edema in soft periarticular tissues and synovium, diminished MDA level and elevated AOA in the blood serum. Significantly lower absolute and relative weight of the liver and lower dystrophic processes in it, and general inflammatory infiltration of hepatic stroma proved the positive effect of treatment with EM 1201.
Conclusions: The present study suggests that EM 1201 has protective activity against arthritis and demonstrated its potential beneficiary effect analogical to diclofenac. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect of EM 1201 in rats with AA support the need of further investigations by using it as supplementary agent alone or together with other anti-arthritic drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Full article

420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Early sport practice is related to lower prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes in adults independently of overweight and current physical activity

by Rômulo Araújo Fernandes and Angelina Zanesco

Medicina 2015, 51(6), 336-342; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medici.2015.10.003 - 17 Nov 2015

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 712

Abstract

Background and objective: Early sport practice prevents development of diseases in children/ adolescents, but still unclear its effect over health in adulthood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the association between sport practice in early life and chronic diseases in [...] Read more.

Background and objective: Early sport practice prevents development of diseases in children/ adolescents, but still unclear its effect over health in adulthood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the association between sport practice in early life and chronic diseases in adulthood.
Materials and methods: A retrospective population-based survey carried out in eight Brazilian cities with adults of both genders. Throughout a multistage random process 2720 adults (1096 male and 1624 female) were selected and interviewed. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension were assessed in a face-to-face interview through a self-report, which was necessarily based on previous medical diagnosis. Early sport practice was assessed in childhood (7–10 years old) and adolescence (11–17 years old). Current physical activity and body mass index were assessed in adulthood throughout a face-to-face interview.
Results: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension were identified in 8.1% (95% CI, 7.1–9.2) and 23.5% (95% CI, 21.9–25.1) of the sample, respectively. Early sport practice during childhood and adolescence was associated with lower occurrence of arterial hypertension (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.33–0.73) and type 2 diabetes (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.88) in adulthood.
Conclusions: Independently of obesity and current physical activity, early sport practice in early life was positively associated with lower occurrence of chronic diseases in adulthood. Full article

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Medicina, Volume 51, Issue 6 (December 2015) – 7 articles , Pages 321-377

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