Assessment of the Physical Activity of Children with Asthma Bronchiale

Physical activity is an especially important part of everyday life for children with chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to show whether asthma is a barrier to physical activity in our society. The correlations between the severity of the disease, body mass index, and physical activity were analyzed, and parents' opinions on whether children should participate in active sports were assessed. Physical activity of children with asthma was analyzed by questionnaires; 93 parents and their 93 children were involved in the survey. The age of children was 12.6 ± 3.5 years (mean ± SD), 69.9% were boys, 30.1% were girls. A total of 93.4% of the respondents participated in a physical education program and 56.5% also attended sporting activities on a regular basis. In terms of disease severity, 61.2% of the children had mild asthma, 37.6% moderate, and 1.2% severe, and 6.5% of the respondents also stated that their children's illness had been consistently or frequently limiting their performance concerning their school or home duties over the past four weeks. Of the parents surveyed, 12% felt that physical activity was not appropriate in the context of this disease. We concluded that fear of the consequences of physical activity depends largely on education, which should involve parents, teachers, and coaches.

The Importance of Physical Activity in Preventing Fatigue and Burnout in Healthcare Workers

The workers of the health sector are important to the country's economy in many ways. Healthy and rested workers are highly valuable to the public health sector and give a good perception of their work to patients and society. It is thus important to have a sufficient number of healthy working staff in healthcare institutions who do not have work fatigue and burnout. A total of 987 employees-doctors, professional staff, and others-of a large healthcare institution in Hungary voluntarily participated in a survey regarding their lifestyle and physical activity habits and answered the questions anonymously. Women reported less leisure time (p < 0.02), with 54.9% of female respondents saying that they did not exercise regularly, and fatigue was more common among them (p < 0.001). In this respect, the healthcare workers' responses did not differ from those of the overall population. The most common sports were cycling (17.7%), running (15.4%), and working out in a gym (12.3%). Reasons for not participating in sports included lack of time (70.2%) and fatigue (43.9%) as the most frequent responses. Healthcare workers are exposed to a number of risks that require particular attention to maintain their health. Employers should thus focus on implementing programs that prevent burnout and promote healthy lifestyles.

New perspectives in application of kidney biomarkers in mycotoxin induced nephrotoxicity, with a particular focus on domestic pigs

The gradual spread of Aspergilli worldwide is adding to the global shortage of food and is affecting its safe consumption. Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins, including aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, and fumonisins (members of the fusariotoxin group) can cause pathological damage to vital organs, including the kidney or liver. Although the kidney functions as the major excretory system in mammals, monitoring and screening for mycotoxin induced nephrotoxicity is only now a developmental area in the field of livestock feed toxicology. Currently the assessment of individual exposure to mycotoxins in man and animals is usually based on the analysis of toxin and/or metabolite contamination in the blood or urine. However, this requires selective and sensitive analytical methods (e.g., HPLC-MS/MS), which are time consuming and expensive. The toxicokinetic of mycotoxin metabolites is becoming better understood. Several kidney biomarkers are used successfully in drug development, however cost-efficient, and reliable kidney biomarkers are urgently needed for monitoring farm animals for early signs of kidney disease. β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) are the dominant biomarkers employed routinely in environmental toxicology research, while kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are also emerging as effective markers to identify mycotoxin induced nephropathy. Pigs are exposed to mycotoxins due to their cereal-based diet and are particularly susceptible to Aspergillus mycotoxins. In addition to commonly used diagnostic markers for nephrotoxicity including plasma creatinine, NAG, KIM-1 and NGAL can be used in pigs. In this review, the currently available techniques are summarized, which are used for screening mycotoxin induced nephrotoxicity in farm animals. Possible approaches are considered, which could be used to detect mycotoxin induced nephropathy.

The mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels contribute to the arterial medial calcification

Vascular calcification (VC) is associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases, as well as chronic kidney disease. The role of smooth muscle cells (SMC) has already been widely explored in VC, as has the role of intracellular Ca²⁺ in regulating SMC function. Increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in vascular SMC has been proposed to stimulate VC. However, the contribution of the non-selective Piezo1 mechanosensitive cation channels to the elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i, and consequently to the process of VC has never been examined. In this work the essential contribution of Piezo1 channels to arterial medial calcification is demonstrated. The presence of Piezo1 was proved on human aortic smooth muscle samples using immunohistochemistry. Quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of the channel on the human aortic smooth muscle cell line (HAoSMC). Functional measurements were done on HAoSMC under control and calcifying condition. Calcification was induced by supplementing the growth medium with inorganic phosphate (1.5 mmol/L, pH 7.4) and calcium (CaCl₂, 0.6 mmol/L) for 7 days. Measurement of [Ca²⁺]_i using fluorescent Fura-2 dye upon stimulation of Piezo1 channels (either by hypoosmolarity, or Yoda1) demonstrated significantly higher calcium transients in calcified as compared to control HAoSMCs. The expression of mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel is augmented in calcified arterial SMCs leading to a higher calcium influx upon stimulation. Activation of the channel by Yoda1 (10 μmol/L) enhanced calcification of HAoSMCs, while Dooku1, which antagonizes the effect of Yoda1, reduced this amplification. Application of Dooku1 alone inhibited the calcification. Knockdown of Piezo1 by siRNA suppressed the calcification evoked by Yoda1 under calcifying conditions. Our results demonstrate the pivotal role of Piezo1 channels in arterial medial calcification.

Whole blood transcriptome characterization of young female triathlon athletes following an endurance exercise: a pilot study

The vast majority of studies focusing on the effects of endurance exercise on hematological parameters and leukocyte gene expression were performed in adult men, so our aim was to investigate these changes in young females. Four young (age 15.3 ± 1.3 yr) elite female athletes completed an exercise session, in which they accomplished the cycling and running disciplines of a junior triathlon race. Blood samples were taken immediately before the exercise, right after the exercise, and then 1, 2, and 7 days later. Analysis of cell counts and routine biochemical parameters were complemented by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to whole blood samples. The applied exercise load did not trigger remarkable changes in either cardiovascular or biochemical parameters; however, it caused a significant increase in the percentage of neutrophils and a significant reduction in the ratio of lymphocytes immediately after exercise. Furthermore, endurance exercise induced a characteristic gene expression pattern change in the blood transcriptome. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using the Reactome database revealed that the expression of genes involved in immune processes and neutrophil granulocyte activation was upregulated, whereas the expression of genes important in translation and rRNA metabolism was downregulated. Comparison of a set of immune cell gene signatures (ImSig) and our transcriptomic data identified 15 overlapping genes related to T-cell functions and involved in podosome formation and adhesion to the vessel wall. Our results suggest that RNA-seq to whole blood together with ImSig analysis are useful tools for the investigation of systemic responses to endurance exercise.

The Role of Orai1 in Regulating Sarcoplasmic Calcium Release, Mitochondrial Morphology and Function in Myostatin Deficient Skeletal Muscle

In mice a naturally occurring 12-bp deletion in the myostatin gene is considered responsible for the compact phenotype (Mstn^{Cmpt–dl1Abc}, Cmpt) labeled by a tremendous increase in body weight along with signs of muscle weakness, easier fatigability, decreased Orai1 expression and store operated calcium entry (SOCE). Here, on the one hand, Cmpt fibers were reconstructed with venus-Orai1 but this failed to restore SOCE. On the other hand, the endogenous Orai1 was silenced in fibers from wild type C57Bl6 mice which resulted in ∼70% of Orai1 being silenced in whole muscle homogenates as confirmed by Western blot, accompanied by an inhibitory effect on the voltage dependence of SR calcium release that manifested in a slight shift toward more positive potential values. This maneuver completely hampered SOCE. Our observations are consistent with the idea that Orai1 channels are present in distinct pools responsible for either a rapid refilling of the SR terminal cisternae connected to each voltage-activated calcium transient, or a slow SOCE associated with an overall depletion of calcium in the SR lumen. Furthermore, when Cmpt cells were loaded with the mitochondrial membrane potential sensitive dye TMRE, fiber segments with depolarized mitochondria were identified covering on average 26.5 ± 1.5% of the fiber area. These defective areas were located around the neuromuscular junction and displayed significantly smaller calcium transients. The ultrastructural analysis of the Cmpt fibers revealed changes in the mitochondrial morphology. In addition, the mitochondrial calcium uptake during repetitive stimulation was higher in the Cmpt fibers. Our results favor the idea that reduced function and/or expression of SOCE partners (in this study Orai1) and mitochondrial defects could play an important role in muscle weakness and degeneration associated with certain pathologies, perhaps including loss of function of the neuromuscular junction and aging.

[Quality of life of asthmatic patients after complex rehabilitation treatment]

Asthma is a serious public health challenge for all age groups around the world. Heightened attention surrounds the use of the natural therapeutic factors that potentially make medication more cost-efficient in the treatment of diseases. Our research has tried to reveal how the medical conditions, quality of life of asthmatic patients change after medical treatments that are accompanied by climate therapy. Asthma patients (514 patients) participated in a 3-week complex therapy at Mátra Health Resort. Beyond medical examinations and treatments, patients were involved in breathing exercises on the curing terraces or outdoors twice a day, they were to attend the rehabilitative physical exercises led by a physiotherapist once a day, were given dietetic and lifestyle advice and provided with diets that were fitted to their individual medical conditions. Their respiratory function was examined before the commencement of the cure as well as after the therapy just before departing from the institution. The patients' exercise capacities were assessed with the 6-minute walk test before the treatment and then 3 weeks later. For the patients, a questionnaire was compiled to reveal information in relation to their conditions in the first 6 months after leaving the institution. Our results show that values of respiratory function in the sample and 6-minute walk test significantly improved with the treatment. After leaving the institute, the results of the Asthma Control Test in the 1st month after treatment revealed a significantly better quality of life and better control-level of patients than after the 3rd month. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(27): 1103-1112.

Dietary selenium augments sarcoplasmic calcium release and mechanical performance in mice

Background

As an essential trace element selenium plays a significant role in many physiological functions of the organs. It is found within muscles as selenocystein in selenoprotein N, which is involved in redox-modulated calcium homeostasis and in protection against oxidative stress.

Methods

The effects of two different selenium compounds (selenate and NanoSe in 0.5 and 5 ppm concentration for two weeks) on muscle properties of mice were examined by measuring in vivo muscle performance, in vitro force in soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles and changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in single fibers from flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle.. Western-blot analysis on muscle lysates of EDL and SOL were used to measure the selenoprotein N expression. Control mice received 0.3 ppm Se.

Results

While the grip force did not change, 5 ppm selenium diets significantly increased the speed of voluntary running and the daily distance covered. Both forms of selenium increased significantly the amplitude of single twitches in EDL and SOL muscle in a concentration dependent manner. Selenate increased fatigue resistance in SOL. The amplitude of the calcium transients evoked by KCl depolarization increased significantly from the control of 343 ± 44 nM to 671 ± 51 nM in the presence of 0.5 ppm selenate in FDB fibers. In parallel, the rate of calcium release during short depolarizations increased significantly from 28.4 ± 2.2 to 45.5 ± 3.8 and 52.1 ± 1.9 μM/ms in the presence of 0.5 ppm NanoSe and selenate, respectively. In 0.5 ppm concentration both selenium compounds increased significantly the selenoprotein N expression only in EDL muscle.

Conclusions

Selenium supplementation augments calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum thus improves skeletal muscle performance. These effects are accompanied by the increased selenoprotein N expression in the muscles which could result in increased oxidative stress tolerance in case of long lasting contraction.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12986-016-0134-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[Effect of the introduction of quality control on the working standards of specialist outpatient clinics]

The Traumatology Department of the University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Center and that of the Kenezy Gyula Hospital of Hajdu Bihar County guarantees 24 hour service for outpatient trauma patients, which makes up around one hundred thousand cases per year. A very important element of the quality control is the continual assessment and supervision of the specialist performance, and the indicator is the change in the number of selected, incorrectly treated cases. The supervised cases make up a total of 24% of the total outpatient turnover. In 2003, 24313 injury cases, and in 2004, 23705 cases were examined with respect to documentation, and x-ray films. During the supervision, the treatment of the chosen cases are assessed weekly and discussed in conference. The case discussion is one of the valuable pillars of residence training. Our method contributes to the safeguarding of an appropriate standard for specialist work in an outpatient setting, and for this reason we wish to present it.