There are concerns about altered vascular functions that could play an important role in the pathogenesis and influence the severity of chronic disease, however, increased cardiovascular risk in paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) has not been yet fully understood. Aim was to analyze vascular disease risk and investigate changes over times in CF and controls. We prospectively enrolled 22 CF subjects (a median age of 16.07 years), and 22 healthy demographically matched controls (a median age of 17.28 years) and determined endothelial function. We utilized a combined diagnostic approach by measuring the plethysmographic Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) as the post-to preocclusive endothelium-dependent changes of vascular tone, and biomarkers that are known to be related to endothelial dysfunction (ED): asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), VCAM-1 and E-selectin. RHI values were significantly lower in CF young adults (p<0.005). HsCRP (p<0.005), E-selectin (p<0.001) and VCAM-1 (p<0.001) were significantly increased in CF patients since childhood. The findings have provided a detailed account of the ongoing process of microvascular dysfunction with gradual progression with the age of CF patients, making them further at risk of advanced vascular disease. Elevations of biomarkers in CF children with not yet demonstrated RHI changes but with significantly reduced RHI in adulthood and lipid profile changes indicate the possible occurrence of ED with CF-related specific risk factors over time and will enable us to provide the best possible support.
In cases of human malaria, children suffer very high rates of morbidity and mortality. To analyze the mechanisms involved in age-dependent protection against malaria, we investigated the characterization of immune responses to Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL (P.y 17XNL) in young (3 weeks) and middle-aged (8 months) C57BL/6 mice. In this study, we found that 100% of young mice succumbed to P.y 17XNL infection with higher parasitemia, while middle-aged mice were able to clear blood parasites and no mortality was observed. These observations suggested that the young C57BL/6 mice were susceptible to P.y 17XNL infection, whereas the middle-aged mice were resistant. Cellular analysis revealed that both the numbers of splenic myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) as well as the expression of DC maturation markers were higher in middle-aged mice than those in young mice. The numbers of IgG1- or IgG2a-secreting B cells increased markedly in middle-aged mice after infection with P.y 17XNL. The dynamic change of the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in mice infected with P.y 17XNL was also different between the two groups. In addition, the levels of IFN-γ and NO increased in both groups during early parasite infection, while there was also an obvious increase in IL-4 production in the infected middle-aged mice. The change in IL-10 levels following infection was consistent with that of the change in the number of Tregs. The survival of middle-aged mice following P.y 17XNL infection was dependent upon the establishment of effective Th1 and Th2 responses and a successful switch between Th1 and Th2 responses, as well as appropriate functioning of Tregs.
Hypertension-induced myocardial metabolic, structural and electrophysiological remodeling deteriorates with aging and contributes to both heart failure and occurrence of malignant arrhythmias. It has been shown in clinical trials that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and sudden cardiac death. We investigated the cardioprotective effects of n-3 PUFA in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and possible cellular mechanisms involved. Male and female 14-month-old SHR were fed with n-3 PUFA (Vesteralens, Norway, 20 mg/day for two months) and compared with untreated SHR. Results showed that n-3 PUFA supplementation led to 1) significant decline of blood pressure; 2) suppression of inducible ventricular fibrillation (VF) by 57 % (male) and 67 % (female) , although the arrhythmogenic substrates, like fibrosis, hypertrophy and abnormal gap junctions distribution were not eliminated; 3) preservation of the cardiomyocytes and the inte grity of their junctions; 4) enhancement of energetic metabolism enzyme activity; 5) augmentation of capillary density associated with increased alkaline phosphatase and decreased dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) activity and 6/ increase in gap junction channel connexin-43 expression. Thus, aged male as well as female SHR benefit from n-3 PUFA supplementation that results in decrease in VF susceptibility, partly due to an improvement of myocardial metabolic state, cardiomyocyte and cell-to-cell junctions integrity and Cx43 up-regulation., M. Mitašíková, S. Šmidová, A. Mascaliová, V. Knezl, K. Dlugošová, Ľ. Okruhlicová, P. Weismann, N. Tribulová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Background: We have analyzed the aged population disability processes to establish specifics and regularities of the causal structure of disability among the working and nonworking aged population. Methods: In total, 1208 examination reports of the Medical & Social Expert Commission have been subjected to excerption in Almaty. Results: Persons having the second disability status prevail in the working aged contingent 4,4%, which is much higher than the ratios for the first and second disability statuses (0,4% and 0,6%, respectively). Among the nonworking population, persons having the second disability status largely prevail too 8,1% (3,1% and 1,1%, respectively). The casual structure of disability among the nonworking disabled persons includes as follows: blood circulatory system diseases (40%), malignant neoplasms (27,2%), and diseases of the eye and its appendages (10,2%). They are followed by endocrine diseases, nutritional and metabolic disturbances (7,6%), bodily injuries (3%), and urogenital system diseases with musculoskeletal system ones 2,3% each. The data collection for the working aged population contingent has found out blood circulatory system diseases (47%) and malignant neoplasms (34,4%). Alongside with that, the distinctive feature among the said aged population cohort is a substantial predominance of bodily injuries (7,4%), endocrine diseases, nutritional and metabolic disturbances (2,3%), and only 1,4% is accounted for diseases of the eye and its appendages., Akmaral K. Abikulova, Kazbek A. Tulebaev, Aikan A. Akanov, Botagoz S. Turdalieva, Sundetgali B. Kalmahanov, Mussaeva A. Bakhit, Aldamzharova K. Madina, and Literatura
Irreversible moisture expansion of specimens made from porous ceramics of historical fired tiles is analysed here. Irreversible moisture expansion values, which reflect the rate of body ageing, were determined by heating at a temperature of 650 °C for 20 minutes and by repeated dilatometric measurement until a te mperature of 700 °C. To evaluate body ageing due to moisture expansion, it is necessary to specify the non-crystalline phase content. The causative factors influencing body ageing can be determined on bodies that have comparable non-crystalline phase content and are of similar chemical and mineralogical composition. Sufficient data set may facilitate a roughestimate of the age of historical ceramics., Vladimír Hanykýř, Alexandra Koužková, Petr Bouška and Miroslav Vokáč., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, particularly in aged population, are not fully elucidated. We have previously shown an increased propensity of old guinea pigs (GPs) heart to inducible AF when comparing to young animals. This study aimed to verify our hypothesis that susceptibility of aged heart to AF may be attributed to abnormalities in myocardial connexin-43 (Cx43) and extracellular matrix that affect cardiac electrical properties. Experiments were conducted on male and female 4-week-old and 24-week-old GPs. Atrial tissue was processed for analysis of Cx43 topology using immunohistochemistry, expression of Cx43 protein using immunobloting, and expression of mRNA of Cx43 and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) using real time PCR. Immunohistochemistry revealed uniform Cx43 distribution predominantly on lateral sides of the cardiomyocytes of young male and female GP atria. In contrast, non-uniform distribution, mislocalization and reduced immunolabeling of Cx43 were detected in atria of old GPs. In parallel, the atrial tissue levels of Cx43 mRNA were significantly decreased, while mRNA expression of MMP-2 was significantly increased in old versus young GPs. The changes were more pronounced in old GPs males comparing to females. Findings indicate that age-related down-regulation of atrial Cx43 and up-regulation of MMP-2 as well as disordered Cx43 distribution can facilitate development of AF in old guinea pig hearts., V. Nagibin, T. Egan Benova, C. Viczenczova, B. Szeiffova Bacova, I. Dovinova, M. Barancik, N. Tribulova., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The ageing trajectory (trend in ageing) and reproduction-longevity trade-off in both sexes of the ladybird Propylea dissecta were studied. The ageing trajectories of both sexes were investigated in terms of reproductive performance, using initial oviposition (egg laying within 24 h of mating) acting as an indicator of the effect of female age and initial viability (percentage of eggs laid within 24 h of mating that hatched) of the effect of male age. Ageing trends were sex dependent, with reproductive performance declining later in females than in males. Initial oviposition of females was largely age dependent and the initial viability of males was age dependent but less so than for females. There is a strong trade-off between number of matings and longevity. Statistical analyses reveal that this trade-off results from an early onset of mortality rather than an increase in mortality rate. A minimum lifespan was observed in this ladybird beyond which the longevity did not further decline.
Východiska: Vzhledem ke geriatrizaci ošetřovatelské péče se ageismus stává často diskutovaným tématem. Z tohoto důvodu je velmi důležité, aby nelékařští zdravotničtí pracovníci byli v tomto ohledu dostatečně vzděláváni, protože právě dostatečná informovanost a praktická zkušenost může ovlivnit míru inklinace k ageistickým postojům. Cíl: Cílem výzkumného šetření bylo zhodnotit ageistické postoje u studentů středních zdravotnických škol v závislosti na škole a ročníku, kterou respondenti navštěvovali a zjistit rozdíly ve vnímání seniorské populace. Metody: V souladu s cíli práce byl proveden kvantitativní výzkum formou dotazníkového šetření. Na základě bodového ohodnocení odpovědí v dotazníku byla zjištěna míra ageistických postojů u respondentů. Výsledky: Práce prokázala, že je statisticky významný vztah mezi ageistickými postoji u studentů a jejich příslušností ke střední škole. Stejně tak byl prokázán rozdíl mezi ageistickými postoji u studentů druhých a čtvrtých ročníků středních zdravotnických škol. Závěry: Z práce vyplývá, že ve sledovaném souboru se u většiny studentů objevuje střední inklinace k ageistickým postojům s ohledem na navštěvovanou školu. Dále pak, že k ageistickým postojům inklinují více studenti čtvrtých ročníků, kteří již absolvovali odbornou praxi u lůžka nemocného, než studenti druhých ročníků, kteří tuto praxi ještě neabsolvovali., Background: Due to geriatrization of nursing care becomes oen discussed theme. Because of this it’s very important that non-medical health staff will be enough educated. It is that sufficient awareness and practical experience that can affect the rate of inclination to ageist attitudes. Objective: e objective of this research was to evaluate ageist attitudes of nursing school students according to school which the respondents visited and find out the differences in perception of senior population among the students of second and fourth grade. Methods: Due to the aims of this work the quantitative research has been done through a questionnaire survey. e rate of ageist attitudes was observed based on scoring responses. Results: A statistically significant relationship between symptoms of ageist attitudes this work proved as well as the differences between symptoms of ageist attitudes among second and fourth grade students. Conclusions: e work shows that in the sample survey, the majority of students appearing middle inclination to the myths of old age. Furthermore, the myths of old age tend more fourth grade students who have already completed work experience at the bedside than second grade students who have not completed this practice yet., and Kristýna Šoukalová, Jana Holá, Markéta Nemšovská
Konečné produkty pokročilé glykace (advanced glycation end products – AGEs) hrají významnou roli v patogenezi řady chronických onemocnění a jejich komplikací, především diabetických komplikací, aterosklerózy, komplikací chronických onemocnění ledvin a neurodegenerativních onemocnění. Tyto látky vznikají neenzymatickou glykací a jejich tvorba je potencována vlivem karbonylového stresu. AGEs tvoří heterogenní skupinu látek a patří mezi ně např. karboxymetyllyzin, pentozin, metylglyoxallyzin dimer, vesperlyzin, imidazolony a další. AGEs jednak modifikují proteiny a mění jejich fyzikální a chemické vlastnosti, jednak mají účinky zprostředkované přes receptory, z nichž nejznámější, ale ne jediný, je receptor RAGE (receptor pro konečné produkty pokročilé glykace). RAGE je receptor multiligandový, váže také HMGB1 (high mobility group box protein 1), S100 proteiny či amyloidové fibrily. Vazba ligand na tento receptor má za následek aktivaci řady signálních cest včetně indukce oxidačního stresu a aktivace nukleárního faktoru κB a následnou prozánětlivou odpověď v závislosti na buněčném typu. AGEs a RAGE se spolu s dalšími mechanizmy – hexosaminovou cestou, polyolovou cestou, poruchou metabolizmu lipidů, aktivací proteinkinázy C, oxidačním stresem a zánětlivou reakcí spoluúčastní v patogenezi diabetických komplikací. Terapeuticky je možné snižovat endogenní tvorbu AGEs, ovlivnit přísun AGEs do organizmu stravou a jejich absorpci ve střevě či stimulovat jejich degradaci. Klíčová slova: AGEs – diabetes mellitus – karbonylový stres – konečné produkty pokročilé glykace – oxidační stres – RAGE – receptor pro AGEs – sRAGE – zánět, Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases and their complications, especially diabetic complications, atherosclerosis, complications of chronic kidney diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. These substances are formed via non-enzymatic glycation and their formation is potentiated in case of carbonyl stress. AGEs are represented by a heterogeneous group of compounds, e.g. carboxymethyllysine, pentosine, methylglyoxallysin dimer, vesperlysine, imidazolones etc. AGEs can modify proteins and so change their physical and chemical properties and can act also via specific receptors, among them RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) is the best known but not the unique one. RAGE is a multiligand receptor capable to bind also HMGB1 (high mobility group box protein 1), S100 proteins or amyloid fibrils. RAGE – ligand interactions results to activation of a variety of signaling pathways including oxidative stress and activation of nuclear factor κB and subsequent proinflammatory response depending on the cell type. AGEs and RAGE together with further mechanisms – hexosamine pathway, polyol pathway, lipid metabolism disorder, activation of proteinkinase C, oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction take part in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Terapeuticaly it is possible to decrease endogenous formation of AGEs, influence the AGEs intake to the organism and their absorption in the intestine or stimulate their degradation. Key words: AGEs – advanced glycation end-products – carbonyl stress – diabetes mellitus – inflammation – oxidative stress – RAGE – receptor for AGEs – sRAGE, and Marta Kalousová, Tomáš Zima