Bozena Czarkowska-Paczek

Age-dependent increase in serum levels of indoxyl sulphate and p-cresol sulphate is not related to their precursors: Tryptophan and tyrosine.

Retention of indoxyl sulphate and p‐cresol sulphate is associated with many diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine serum levels of indoxyl sulphate and p‐cresol sulphate, the dynamics of their changes according to age, and their precursors.

Training differentially regulates elastin level and proteolysis in skeletal and heart muscles and aorta in healthy rats

ABSTRACT Exercise induces changes in muscle fibers and the extracellular matrix that may depend on elastin content and the activity of proteolytic enzymes. We investigated the influence of endurance training on the gene expression and protein content and/or activity of elastin, elastase, cathepsin K, and plasmin in skeletal and heart muscles and in the aorta. Healthy rats were randomly divided into untrained (n=10) and trained (n=10; 6 weeks of endurance training with increasing load) groups. Gene expression was evaluated via qRT-PCR. Elastin content was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzyme activity was measured fluorometrically. Elastin content was significantly higher in skeletal (P=0.0014) and heart muscle (P=0.000022) from trained rats versus untrained rats, but not in the aorta. Although mRNA levels in skeletal muscle did not differ between groups, the activities of elastase (P=0.0434), cathepsin K (P=0.0343) and plasmin (P=0.000046) were higher in trained rats. The levels of cathepsin K (P=0.0288) and plasminogen (P=0.0005) mRNA were higher in heart muscle from trained rats, but enzyme activity was not. Enzyme activity in the aorta did not differ between groups. Increased elastin content in muscles may result in better adaption to exercise, as may remodeling of the extracellular matrix in skeletal muscle. Summary: Endurance training increases elastin content in muscles but not in the aorta. The activities of enzymes responsible for ECM remodeling increase only in skeletal muscle. These changes seem to be adaptive.

Serum cystatin C and serum and urine NGAL in the kidney function assessment of patients with MGUS

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) occurs without other symptoms, although monoclonal proteins can cause kidney injuries. Here, we assessed kidney function and identified the best follow‐up parameters in patients with MGUS without kidney damage symptoms.

Radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy increase serum levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in patients with head and neck cancers

Background: Inflammation influences cancer growth and treatment susceptibility. We investigated the influence of radiochemotherapy and radiotherapy on serum interleukine-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) levels in patients with head and neck cancers. Methods: Of 26 patients enrolled, 8 received radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT, 2.25 Gy/fraction, 30 fractions) and 18 received radiochemotherapy [cisplatin 100 mg/m 2 and SIB–IMRT (n=9) or IMRT (2 Gy/fraction, 35 fractions, n=9)]. The control group consisted of healthy individuals. IL-6 and TGF-β concentrations were determined by ELISA and CRP by an immunoturbidimetric method before treatment, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment started, at the end of treatment, and 4 weeks post-treatment. Results: IL-6 levels were higher in the treatment group compared to controls and increased at all-time points compared to pre-treatment levels (P Conclusions: Serum levels of proinflammatory markers, IL-6 and CRP are increased after radiotherapy and radiochemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancers. The adverse effects of IL-6 and CRP could by suppressed by concomitantly decreased TGF-β levels.

Activity of daily living on non-working and working days in Polish urban society

OBJECTIVES Activities of daily living are currently the simplest form of activity. For many people this is the only activity in which they participate. In this connection, it is important to determine the level of physical activity connected with daily habits including occupational activities. The main goal of the presented study has been to assess the level of activities of daily living in different age groups and its differentiation by season and working (WD) and non-working days (NWD). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group (urban citizens, N = 106) was divided into young (Y) (N = 40), middle-aged (M) (N = 38), and senior (S) (N = 28) participants. The daily step number on 7 consecutive days during 4 seasons between June 2012 and 2013 was counted objectively using pedometers. The long-form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was completed each season as a subjective assessment. RESULTS The daily step number for the whole group for the year was (median) 6615 (range: 3648-10 709), fewer than recommended. The median (Me) was highest in group M (Me = 6994, range: 3648-10 709) followed by Y (Me = 6957, range: 4094-10 321) and S (Me = 5469, range: 3743-8955). The lowest daily step number occurred in winter (M = 6208, Y = 6063, S = 5242), and the highest in spring (Y = 7385) or summer (M = 7717; S = 6095). All groups had a greater daily step number on WDs compared to NWDs (Y: 8411 vs. 5744, M: 7612 vs. 5839, S: 6327 vs. 4580; p < 0.01 for all). Pedometer-tracked values did not correlate with the IPAQ results. CONCLUSIONS Activity level in Polish urban society is low, especially on NWDs and in colder months. The daily number of steps is highest in the middle-aged group, which may be connected with working status. Objective methods are recommended for assessing physical activity level. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(1):47-54.

Activities of Daily Living Decrease Serum Levels of C-Reactive Protein in Elderly Adults but Not in Young and Middle-Aged Adults

likely than normal-weight individuals to die from sepsis (thus modestly increasing the overall mortality of the nonobese group). Nonetheless, this study reports the novel finding that age may modify the association between obesity and mortality in individuals with sepsis. Future studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between obesity and sepsis outcomes and to determine the biological effects of adipose tissue immune function in aging and sepsis.

Scuba diving does not affect bone mineral density or bone mineral content.

OBJECTIVES Scuba diving is a very specialized, physically demanding activity. The bones of divers are subjected to stress from water pressure, from the forces generated when their muscles resist water pressure, and from weightlessness. Notably, few studies have addressed the effects of diving on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), and the results have been controversial. The goal of the study was to assess BMD and BMC in a group of professional scuba divers. METHODS The study group (diving group [D]) included 16 male professional scuba divers who also worked as firemen. The control group included 14 firemen who did not scuba dive (non-diving group [ND]). The groups were matched by age, weight, and height. The BMD and BMC of the whole skeleton, L1-L4, total hip, and femoral neck were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS There were no differences in BMD or in BMC in the two groups, and the BMD and BMC values were within one standard deviation in terms of Z- and T-scores. There was no correlation between total diving time (hours) and BMD in the D group. CONCLUSION Scuba diving does not negatively influence bone turnover.