Role of galectin-3 in subclinical myocardial impairment in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis has been shown to increase cardiovascular risk, and a contributor to this might be enhanced myocardial fibrosis promoted by the disease-associated pro-inflammatory milieu. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the relationship of galectin-3 (Gal-3) - a recognized mediator of fibrosis with inflammatory activation and left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: We enrolled 102 psoriatic patients (mean age: 52.5 ± 12.6 years). Sixty-five age- and sex-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Echocardiographic assessment of myocardial function included estimation of LV longitudinal systolic deformation (GLS) and diastolic indices: tissue e' velocity and E/e' ratio. Laboratory measurements encompassed blood Gal-3, creatinine, glucose, insulin, CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). RESULTS: Patients with psoriasis were characterized by elevated Gal-3 (12.3 [9.3-13.4] vs. 6.3 [5.5-9.4] ng/mL in healthy controls, P < 0.001), ESR (17.0 [11.0-29.0] vs. 8.5 [6.0-13.0] mm, respectively, P < 0.001) and CRP (3.1 [1.7-10.6] vs. 1.9 [1.5-4.0] mg/L, respectively, P < 0.001), and reduced GLS (19.9 ± 3.7 vs. 22.0 ± 3.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). Progressive deterioration of GLS was demonstrated across Gal-3 tertiles. Significant associations between GLS and age (beta = -0.21, P < 0.04), Gal-3 (beta = -0.27, P < 0.01), CRP (beta = -0.22, P < 0.03), ESR (beta = -0.25, P < 0.01), waist circumference (beta = -0.22, P < 0.03) and waist-to-hip ratio (beta = -0.20, P < 0.05) were found. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the independent determinants of GLS in psoriatic patients were Gal-3 (beta = -0.24, P < 0.01) and ESR (beta = -0.21, P < 0.03). Regression-based mediation analysis demonstrated that the relationship between ESR and GLS was partially mediated by Gal-3. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in psoriasis, as evidenced by reduced GLS, is linked with the inflammatory upregulation, and enhanced profibrotic activity (as reflected by elevated serum Gal-3) may be involved in this process. These putative mechanisms may be responsible for the observed higher incidence of heart failure in this disease condition and should be considered as a potential target for preventive and therapeutic measures.

A 'dynamic' landscape of fear: prey responses to spatiotemporal variations in predation risk across the lunar cycle.

Ambiguous empirical support for 'landscapes of fear' in natural systems may stem from failure to consider dynamic temporal changes in predation risk. The lunar cycle dramatically alters night-time visibility, with low luminosity increasing hunting success of African lions. We used camera-trap data from Serengeti National Park to examine nocturnal anti-predator behaviours of four herbivore species. Interactions between predictable fluctuations in night-time luminosity and the underlying risk-resource landscape shaped herbivore distribution, herding propensity and the incidence of 'relaxed' behaviours. Buffalo responded least to temporal risk cues and minimised risk primarily through spatial redistribution. Gazelle and zebra made decisions based on current light levels and lunar phase, and wildebeest responded to lunar phase alone. These three species avoided areas where likelihood of encountering lions was high and changed their behaviours in risky areas to minimise predation threat. These patterns support the hypothesis that fear landscapes vary heterogeneously in both space and time.

Antioxidant status of blood and liver of turkeys fed diets enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids and fruit pomaces as a source of polyphenols.

It was hypothesized that dietary polyphenol-rich fruit pomaces can improve the antioxidant status of both diets and the tissues of turkeys fed such diets. Turkeys were fed diets containing a cellulose preparation (C) or 5% dried apple pomace (AP), blackcurrant pomace (BCP), strawberry pomace (SP) and seedless strawberry pomace (SSP). Blood and liver biochemical parameters were determined in 7 birds from each experimental group slaughtered at 15 weeks of age, after 5 weeks of feeding diets containing soybean oil and linseed oil (approx. 1:1 ratio). Dietary linseed oil added to diets at 2.5% lowered the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio from approx. 7:1 to below 2:1, thus reducing the antioxidant properties of diets measured using DPPH, ABTS and photo-chemiluminescence assays, compared with diets containing only soybean oil and administered to birds in the first phase of feeding. Fruit pomaces, in particular SSP with the highest polyphenol content (32.81 g/kg) and the highest antioxidant activity (256.4 µM Trolox/g), increased the antioxidant capacity of turkey diets. In comparison with the control group, the dietary treatments with fruit pomaces improved blood antioxidant parameters, including catalase activity (groups AP and BCP), the total antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic (group AP) and lipophilic (groups AP, SP, and SSP) compounds, peroxide levels (groups AP and SSP) and antioxidant capacity measured by the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power of plasma) assay (groups AP, BCP and SSP). Significantly lower concentrations of both vitamin E and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were noted in the livers of turkeys fed all diets with dried fruit pomaces.

The effects of dietary dried fruit pomaces on growth performance and gastrointestinal biochemistry of turkey poults.

One-day-old female turkeys were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments and were fed for 15 weeks diets containing 5% of cellulose (control, C) or 5% of dried fruit pomaces (apple, black currant, strawberry, seedless strawberry; AP, BCP, SP, SSP respectively). In weeks 11-15 of feeding, all diets were supplemented with 2.5% of linseed oil. The crude fibre content of fruit pomaces ranged from 56.5% in AP to 62.9% in SP. In comparison with AP, berry fruit pomaces (BCP, SP and SSP) were characterised by a higher content of neutral detergent fibre - NDF (41.2% vs. 52.7-59.3%) and lignin (13.24% vs. 21.80-25.56%). A monomer analysis revealed that cellulose was the main non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) in fruit pomaces, whereas their pectin content was low. Polyphenol content was determined at below 6 g/kg in AP, at approximately 12 g/kg in BCP and SP, and at 32.8 g/kg in SSP. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in final body weight of birds. After 15 weeks of feeding fruit pomaces to turkeys, the relative weight of the small intestine with digesta was higher in group AP, and lower in group SSP, as compared to controls. Dietary fruit pomaces decreased the dry matter (DM) concentration and lowered the pH of the small intestinal digesta, except the AP and SSP treatments respectively. In the caeca, significantly reduced concentrations of ammonia or putrefactive short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) upon dietary fruit pomaces were observed. Fruit pomaces did not influence the concentrations or the total pool of short-chain fatty acids, but led to a significant increase in butyric proportion in the SCFA profile at the expense propionate.

Impact of the PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphism on left ventricular structural and functional abnormalities in patients with hypertension.

The Gly482Ser polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PPARGC1A) has been reported to contribute to the development of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Little is known, however, about its possible impact on cardiac dysfunction. Enhanced myocardial fibrosis accompanying increased LV mass might represent a link with coexisting functional abnormalities. We investigated the association between the PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphism and LV morphology and performance in essential hypertension, with special consideration of fibrosis intensity. A total of 205 hypertensive patients (60±8 years) underwent echocardiography with assessment of cardiac morphology, LV systolic (strain and strain rate) and diastolic function (peak early diastolic mitral flow velocity/peak late diastolic mitral flow velocity (E/A) ratio, peak early diastolic myocardial velocity (Em), and E/e' ratio (where e' is the peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity)), evaluation of serum procollagen type III amino-terminal propeptide (PIIINP) and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP)-markers of fibrosis and the PPARGC1A Gly482Ser genotyping. Subjects with the Ser-Ser genotype demonstrated more profound LV hypertrophy and diastolic function impairment, and higher PICP/PIIINP than the Ser-Gly and Gly-Gly groups. In multivariable analysis, the presence of the Ser-Ser allele was an independent correlate of E/e' (ß=0.17, P<0.02), Em (ß=-0.18, P<0.01) and LV mass index (ß=0.28, P<0.001). In conclusion, in hypertensive patients, the PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphism is associated with LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, with the presence of the Ser-Ser allele promoting these abnormalities. One of the possible mechanisms mediating the adverse effect on diastolic performance might be a relative increase in the anabolism of rigid collagen type I over that of the more elastic collagen type III, as indicated by an increased ratio of PICP to PIIINP.

Improvement of left ventricular function by lifestyle intervention in obesity: contributions of weight loss and reduced insulin resistance.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Weight excess and insulin resistance mediate the link between obesity and left ventricular dysfunction. We investigated the effect and mechanisms of lifestyle modification on left ventricular function changes in obese patients. METHODS: Reduction of body weight and insulin resistance was sought using a behavioural intervention programme including dietary restrictions and exercise training in 261 patients (age 45 +/- 13 years) with BMI >or=30 kg/m(2), no history of cardiac disease and a normal stress echocardiogram. Each patient underwent echocardiographic measurement of myocardial deformation and velocity at baseline and at 6 month follow-up. RESULTS: Improvements in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function were demonstrated only in patients with significant reduction of weight and/or insulin resistance. Left ventricular improvement was less frequent in patients with diabetes than in those without (52% vs 82% for strain, 50% vs 81% for strain rate and 59% vs 80% for peak early diastolic myocardial velocity). The independent predictors of improved left ventricular systolic function (increase in strain) were: weight reduction (beta = 0.14, p < 0.05), decrease in the HOMA insulin resistance index (beta = 0.20, p < 0.005) and absence of diabetes (beta = 0.18, p < 0.02). A decrease in HbA(1c) also predicted improvement of left ventricular diastolic function (beta = 0.26, p < 0.001). There was a parallel increment in exercise capacity with intervention and increase in strain was independently correlated with increase in VO(2) (beta = 0.13, p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Effective lifestyle modifications in obese patients improve left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, but appear less effective with co-existing diabetes. The reversal of left ventricular function abnormalities is associated with reduction of both weight and insulin resistance, and is accompanied by an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness.

The electronic phase diagram of the LaO(1-x)F(x)FeAs superconductor.

The competition of magnetic order and superconductivity is a key element in the physics of all unconventional superconductors, for example in high-transition-temperature cuprates, heavy fermions and organic superconductors. Here superconductivity is often found close to a quantum critical point where long-range antiferromagnetic order is gradually suppressed as a function of a control parameter, for example charge-carrier doping or pressure. It is believed that dynamic spin fluctuations associated with this quantum critical behaviour are crucial for the mechanism of superconductivity. Recently, high-temperature superconductivity has been discovered in iron pnictides, providing a new class of unconventional superconductors. Similar to other unconventional superconductors, the parent compounds of the pnictides show a magnetic ground state and superconductivity is induced on charge-carrier doping. In this Letter the structural and electronic phase diagram is investigated by means of X-ray scattering, muon spin relaxation and Mössbauer spectroscopy on the series LaO(1-x)F(x)FeAs. We find a discontinuous first-order-like change of the Néel temperature, the superconducting transition temperature and the respective order parameters. Our results strongly question the relevance of quantum critical behaviour in iron pnictides and prove a strong coupling of the structural orthorhombic distortion and the magnetic order both disappearing at the phase boundary to the superconducting state.

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 and their tissue inhibitors 1 and 2 in premenopausal obese women: relationship to cardiac function.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial fibrosis is one of the mechanisms underlying left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in obese patients and may result from dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) represent a regulatory system playing a crucial role in ECM metabolism. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess plasma levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in obese young women and to evaluate the association between MMP/TIMP system components and LV function in this population. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy-one women aged < 35 years with body mass index > 30 kg m(-2) and 30 healthy slim female controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 measurements and echocardiographic studies, including LV strain/strain rate evaluation. RESULTS: We demonstrated increased levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and decreased MMP-2 in the obese population. LV dysfunction shown in patients with obesity was characterized by significantly lower values of strain/strain rate parameters. Plasma MMP-2 correlated positively and TIMP-1 negatively with systolic strain (r = 0.39, P < 0.001 and r = -0.40, P < 0.001, respectively), peak systolic strain rate (r = 0.38, P < 0.001 and r = -0.27, P < 0.03, respectively) and peak early diastolic strain rate (r = 0.40, P < 0.001 and r = -0.24, P < 0.05, respectively). Plasma MMP-2, fasting insulin and body mass index proved the only independent determinants of strain/strain rate parameters of LV systolic and diastolic performance in obese subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In premenopausal obese women (1) plasma MMP/TIMP profile is altered, (2) abnormalities of LV function are related to the changes in the MMP/TIMP system that might promote attenuated ECM degradation, mainly to the downregulation of MMP-2.

Subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in diabetes mellitus--an ultrasonic strain/strain rate study.

AIMS: While left ventricular dysfunction has been recognized to be a common complication of diabetes mellitus, data regarding right ventricular (RV) performance in patients with diabetes are incomplete. The aim of the study was to determine the preclinical effects of diabetes on regional RV systolic and diastolic function in asymptomatic persons with diabetes using the echocardiographic strain/strain rate technique. METHODS: Groups studied consisted of 33 subjects with diabetes only (DM; aged 57.3 +/- 12.9 years) and 40 subjects with coexisting diabetes and hypertension (DMHT; aged 57.5 +/- 10.5 years). In all patients with diabetes, coronary artery disease and pulmonary hypertension were excluded. Thirty-six healthy age-matched persons served as control subjects. In each patient an echocardiographic study with strain/strain rate imaging was performed. Analysis of RV deformation data included assessment of systolic strain, peak systolic strain rate (SRs) and peak early diastolic strain rate (SRe) obtained from the basal and apical segments of the RV free wall. RESULTS: Significantly lower values of systolic strain and SRs in the basal and apical segment of the RV free wall in the DM and DMHT groups as compared with control subjects indicated impairment of RV systolic function. Similarly, decreased SRe in patients with diabetes in both RV segments examined reflected abnormalities of RV diastolic performance. The systolic defects were more pronounced in the apical than in the basal segment. All measured parameters were similar in the two groups with diabetes. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus is associated with subclinical RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction, regardless of coexisting hypertension.

Left ventricular circumferential function in patients with essential hypertension.

The aim of the study was to investigate left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic circumferential myocardial function using tissue Doppler imaging in patients with essential hypertension. One hundred and two patients and 33 healthy age-matched controls were studied. Each patient underwent echocardiographic study with analysis of tissue velocity curves, which included mean peak systolic (Sm), early (Em) and late diastolic velocity (Am) and isovolumic relaxation time (IRTm). These parameters were expressed as means from the six basal segments of left ventricle reflecting its longitudinal function (L). The same indices estimated in mid-anteroseptal (C-AS) and mid-posterior (C-P) segments in parasternal short-axis view served as a measure of LV circumferential function. Higher value of C-AS-Sm and a similar trend in C-P-Sm suggest increased LV circumferential systolic function in hypertensive patients, whereas lower values of C-AS-Em, C-P-Em, C-AS-Em/Am and C-P-Em/Am indicate impaired LV circumferential diastolic function. Decreased L-Sm as well as decreased L-Em and L-Em/Am reflects LV longitudinal systolic and diastolic dysfunction, respectively. By univariate analysis, positive correlations were demonstrated between C-AS-Sm and LV mass index (LVMI) (r=0.61, P<0.001), interventricular septum thickness (IVS) (r=0.55, P<0.001) and LV posterior wall thickness (PW) (r=0.43, P<0.01) and negative ones between L-Sm and LVMI (r=-0.51, P<0.001) and PW (r=-0.36, P<0.04). By stepwise multivariate regression analysis, LVMI, IVS and age independently predicted C-AS-Sm and LVMI predicted L-Sm. Our study demonstrated in hypertensive patients increased LV circumferential systolic and decreased diastolic function. The former may be a compensatory response to the impairment in LV longitudinal systolic performance.

Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 functions as a ligand for P-selectin.

The malarial protein Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is a parasite protein that is exported to the surface of the infected erythrocyte, where it is inserted into the red cell cytoskeleton in the second half of the parasite life cycle. The surface expression of PfEMP1 coincides with the occurrence of the adhesion of infected erythrocytes to vascular endothelium. This protein has been shown to interact with CD36, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). In this study, it is demonstrated by affinity purification and western blot analysis that PfEMP1 also functions as a cell surface ligand for P-selectin, an adhesion molecule that has been shown to mediate the rolling of infected erythrocytes under physiologic flow conditions, leading to a significant increase in adhesion to CD36 on activated platelets and microvascular endothelium.

[Vasocardiogenic syncope: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment]. / Omdlenia z przyczyn kardiologicznych: patogeneza, diagnostyka i leczenie.

Syncope is important clinical problem which is a cause of 1-2% cases of hospitalization. Annual mortality in patients with vaso-cardiogenic syncope is 30%. Vaso-cardiogenic syncope can be related to reduced cardiac output, reduced venous return or disturbations of blood flow in vessels supplying central nervous system. The basis of diagnosing of syncope is precise physical examination and anamnesis. In further diagnosis one can use: echocardiography, ecg Holter monitoring, exercise test, transesophageal atrial stimulation, tilt-up test, electrophysiologic examination. Treatment of syncope consists in elimination of causes or factors inducing syncope.

[Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and its prevention]. / Restenoza po przezskórnej angioplastyce naczyn wiencowych i jej zapobieganie.

The high prevalence of restenosis is considered as a main problem concerning transluminal coronary angioplasty--known and popular invasive method of treatment of coronary heart disease. Mechanisms responsible for vascular wall healing and--also--restenosis as well as the role of cells and its mediators are discussed. The prevention of restenosis is a big challenge for contemporary medicine. The investigations concerning methods which theoretically seem to be justified are being conducted. Unfortunately the results of many trials are unconvincing. At present the most important ways of prevention of restenosis are stent implantation and antiplatelet drugs.

[Diurnal variation of blood pressure in type II diabetic patients]. / Profil dobowy cisnienia tetniczego u chorych na cukrzyce typu II.

The aim of the study was to evaluate diurnal variation of blood pressure in type II diabetic patients and to reveal important factors influencing 24-hour blood pressure profile in these patients. Investigations were carried out in 52 patients with type II diabetes mellitus including 28 patients with hypertension. Control group was 26 healthy men. In all subjects 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed. In patients with diabetes mellitus both with and without concomitant hypertension significantly smaller night drop in blood pressure and heart rate was found out. There was no significant differences between subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus with and without concomitant hypertension in night drop in blood pressure and heart rate. In patients with microalbuminuria where was smaller night drop in blood pressure and heart rate compared to patients with normal renal function.

[The role of neurohormonal mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of essential hypertension]. / Poglady na udzial mechanizmów neurohormonalnych w etiopatogenezie pierwotnego nadcisnienia tetniczego.

Outcomes of recently published studies showed that cause of primary hypertension may lay in dysregulation of one of physiological mechanisms. Accordingly to current knowledge one can state that disturbance of every of these mechanisms results in cascade of changes in function of sympathetic and endocrine systems with special impact in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Better understanding of mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of primary hypertension is crucial in development of such a treatment that not only reduces blood pressure but also prevents cardiovascular complications of hypertension.

[Activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme in serum and its association with left ventricular mass and blood pressure level in patients with essential hypertension]. / Aktywnosc enzymu konwertujacego angiotensyne w surowicy oraz jej zwiazek z masa miesnia serca i wysokoscia cisnienia tetniczego u chorych na nadcisnienie tetnicze pierwotne.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays an important role in regulation of blood pressure and it is one of causative factors in left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension. The results of previous studies did not answer the question of the relation between elevated plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and presence of essential hypertension or left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension. The aim of the present study was to compare plasma ACE activity in patients with hypertension and healthy subjects and to explore the relation between the level of blood pressure, left ventricular mass (LVM) and plasma ACE activity in patients with essential hypertension. The investigations were carried out in 21 patients with mild and 29 patients with moderate hypertension. Control group for the evaluation of plasma ACE activity was 28 healthy subjects. Plasma ACE activity was determined by spectrophotometric method. LVM was calculated on the basis of echocardiographic examination and was indexed to height (LVM/HT) and to body surface area (LVM/BSA). No significant differences in plasma ACE activity between patients with mild and moderate hypertension and healthy subjects were found out. Groups of patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy did not differ significantly in plasma ACE activity. We did not find any relation between plasma ACE activity and left ventricular mass indexes as well as between plasma ACE activity and the level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

[The analysis of frequency, causes and consequences of accidents on children's playgrounds]. / Analiza rozmiarów, przyczyn i skutków wypadków dzieci na terenach zabaw.

Several dozen studies from Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the USA were analysed. Wide differences found in the evaluation of the frequency and causes (circumstances) of children's playground accidents. Prevention is by no means easy. Nevertheless, on the grounds of these studies it can be stated that playground, accidents rank third after home and traffic accidents. At least every tenth accident is associated with playing on a playground. Every twentieth of them requires hospital admission. Boys (about two-thirds) and young children, mainly up to the age of 7, are the main victims of playground accidents. Analysis of the consequences of this category of accidents shows that they do not differ much from those of other categories of children's accidents. This category of children's accidents has received almost no notice in Poland. There is urgent need to do research work in this field.

Derivatives of 2-mercaptobenzenesulphonamide. XVII. Synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 1-[4-R-5-cyano-2-dialkylaminoalkylthio)benzenesulphonyl]-2-imidiazolidi none hydrochlorides.

Syntheses of 1-[4-R-5-cyano-2-(dialkylaminoalkylthio)-benzenesulphonyl]- 2-imidiazolidinones [IIIa-h,IVa-m] and their hydrochlorides [Va-h, VIa-m] are described herein. The results of preliminary pharmacological examinations, such as acute toxicity and influence on the circulatory system are presented. Some structure-activity relationship are also discussed.

Pharmacological properties of the extract of thymus gland (Thymomodulin-TFX) and its effect on reproduction.

The effect of Thymomodulin-TFX on pentetrazole convulsions, tremorine-induced tremor, pain response to intraperitoneal acetic acid injection, hexobarbital sleeping time, isolated guinea pig ileum, isolated rat uterus, rabbit skeletal muscle response, diuresis and corneal response was tested. In addition the effect of TFX on reproduction of albino rats was investigated. In doses up to 20 mg/kg, 8 times higher than clinical doses, TFX did not reveal any unwanted effects. The results of tests widen the security margin for TFX's usage.

A comparative studies of antiarrhythmic activity of Mexicord-Poland and its foreign counterpart.

Antiarrhythmic activity of Mexicord-Poland and Mexitil-Böehringer Ingelheim (D) was compared. In three models of experimentally evoked arrhythmia in animals, in used doses, both of examined preparations in the same degree prevented the occurrence of arrhythmia.