Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with heart failure - review.

Research conducted in the last two decades suggests that neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the lower limb muscles (NMES) may be a "bridge" to conventional exercise or an alternative for patients with advanced chronic heart failure (CHF), non-compliant or non-responsive to physical training. Through stimulating the work of the skeletal muscles, NMES increases the functional capacity, muscle mass and endurance in patients with CHF. A beneficial effect of NMES on functional capacity, vascular endothelial function, quality of life and aerobic enzymes activity has been shown. A significant benefit of this novel therapy in heart failure is the fact that the procedure can be home-based, after prior guidance of the patient.

The relationship between self-reported oral health, self-regulation, proactive coping, procrastination and proactive attitude.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between self-regulation, proactive coping, procrastination and proactive attitude, perceived oral health and self-reported oral-health behaviours. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 198 first year medical students. The questionnaire included information about socio-demographic factors, behavioural variables, self-reported oral health status, proactive coping (proactive coping subscale of the Proactive Coping Inventory), procrastination (Procrastination Scale) and proactive attitude (Proactive Attitude Scale). RESULTS: Significant differences were found on self-regulation, proactive coping, procrastination and proactive attitude scales between participants who rated their gingival condition as very good/excellent and those who evaluated it as being poor, very poor or normal (p < 0.05). Results revealed significant differences in procrastination level among individuals who never visit their dentist and those who visit their dentist for check-up or for tooth cleaning and scaling (p = 0.001) or when treatment is needed or when in pain (p < 0.05). In multiple linear regression analyses, proactive coping was associated with toothbrushing frequency and reason for dental visiting. CONCLUSIONS: The result suggested that procrastination and proactive coping are important determinants of perceived oral health and self-reported oral-health behaviours.

Body weight, shame, guilt and oral health: a path analysis model in undergraduate students.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the present study was to answer the question of whether experiences of shame, guilt and body investment can explain such the association between BMI, oral health behaviours and status in an undergraduate student population-based sample. METHODS: The study was performed on a sample of 150 first year medical students (19.62 +/- 2.62 years old). Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, Weight- and Body-Related Shame and Guilt Scale and Body Investment Scale. RESULTS: 61.3% of students were of normal weight, 21.3% were underweight and 11.3% were overweight. Statistically significant differences were observed between males and females regarding the body mass index (P < 0.0001) and WEB-shame (P < 0.0001). Among females, statically significant higher values of WEB-Shame, WEB-Guilt and lower levels of Body investment were noted among normal weight compared with under-weight students (P < 0.05). The normal-weight female and underweight participants reported statistically significant different frequency of gingival involvement (P < 0.05). Among males, WEB-S was correlated with satisfaction by appearance of own teeth, current extracted teeth and self-reported gum bleeding, while WEB-G, self-reported current extracted teeth, toothbrushing and mouthrinse frequency were also correlated. Among females, WEB-S was correlated with flossing and dental visit frequency. The structural equation model demonstrated a good fit among female students but not among males. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of targeting and understanding the realm of body-related self-conscious emotions and the associated links to regulations and health investment behavior.

So many options but one choice: the human body prefers alpha-tocopherol. A matter of stereochemistry.

alpha-Tocopherol belongs to the group of vitamin E vitamers. Recent years findings indicate that alpha-tocopherol is more than just a simple fat-soluble anti-oxidant as it was found that it can also regulate gene expression. From all vitamin E vitamers human body preferentially retains alpha-tocopherol, but the reasons for this preference are still elusive. Different studies indicated that human body, through the action of two hepatic proteins, alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) and cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2), is able to make subtle structural differences between different vitamin E forms. This is an example of stereochemistry used as a discrimination factor between molecules with different biological activities.

IL-6 - STAT-3 - hepcidin: linking inflammation to the iron metabolism.

Recently discovered peptide hormone hepcidin is the key regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. Iron metabolism is regulated in response to variations in hepcidin plasma levels. Hepcidin levels that are inappropriately low or high result in iron overload or iron deficiency, respectively. The early studies showed that hypoxia, iron concentration, and inflammation influence hepcidin levels, but the exact mechanism remained elusive. Very recently, different research groups discovered that IL-6, through the Jak/STAT-3 signaling pathway, is involved in regulation of hepcidin levels in response to inflammatory stimuli. In this review we present a general view of hepcidin biology, with emphasis on regulation in inflammatory conditions.

Oxidative stress parameters in hemodialysis patients with or without diabetes.

Oxidative stress (imbalance of antioxidant and prooxidants in favour of the later) is considered to be a feature of diabetes and chronic renal failure. Carbonyl stress defined as accumulation of reactive carbonyl compounds due to excess production or disturbed clearance from the body is thought to amplify oxidative stress in these conditions. The accumulation of carbonyl compounds can be also a consequence of oxidative stress. A vicious cycle can thus be formed. We have studied the association between carbonyl stress markers (dicarbonyl compounds, Amadori products) and oxidative stress markers (total plasmatic thiols and malondialdehyde level) in hemodialysed patients with or without diabetes taking into account the levels of possible excess substrates (glucose and triglycerides). We have concluded that hemodialysed diabetes patients are more susceptible to oxidative stress than hemodialysed patients without diabetes.

Hepcidin the link between inflammation and anemia in chronic renal failure.

A chronic inflammatory state characterized the patients with chronic renal failure. The causes of this situation are multiple and inter-connected. The break of the equilibrium between pro-inflammatory agents and anti-inflammatory ones in haemodialysis patients leads to anemia of chronic inflammation, characterized by a functional iron deficiency. Very recently it was discovered a peptide produced by the liver, named hepcidin, that provides a good link between inflammation and metabolism of iron, rendering more understandable the interdependence of inflammation and anemia.