Assessment of the Impact of Increased Physical Activity on Body Mass and Adipose Tissue Reduction in Overweight and Obese Children

(1) Background: Within the last 30 years, growing rates of child overweight and obesity have been observed as a very concerning phenomenon in most countries worldwide. The research aim was to assess what effect increased physical activity has on reducing body mass and adipose tissue in children between 10 and 11 years of age as well as to answer the question of whether physical activity could be considered as a factor in preventing child overweight and obesity when maintaining their existing diet and lifestyle. (2) Material and methods: There were 419 sports class primary school pupils in the experimental group who, in addition to four obligatory weekly physical education hours, attended six training hours. The control group comprised 485 children from parallel non-sports classes. In all pupils, height and weight measurements as well as physical fitness measurements were taken twice, at the beginning and end of the school year. Cole's method was used to assess the children's normal body weight. With the help of this method, children with excessive body weight were selected from the entire study group (N = 904), who additionally had skinfolds and adipose tissue measured using the BIA electrical bioimpedance method. The obtained results were interpreted using the variance analysis for repeated measurements and LSD test. (3) Results: The number of children with excessive body mass after 10 months of increased physical activity decreased (in the case of overweight: p = 0.0014, obesity: p = 0.0022), as did their skinfolds (p ≤ 0.001) and body fat (p ≤ 0.001), while their physical fitness considerably improved compared to the control group. (4) Conclusions: The introduction of increased physical activity in the experimental group children when maintaining their existing diet and lifestyle contributed to reducing their obesity and overweight and, at the same time, proved to be an effective factor in the process of decreasing their excessive body mass.

Sexual dimorphism of lumbar lordosis and lumbar spine mobility during the period of progressive development

Objective: The objective of this paper is to present possible differences in spondylometric dimorphic characteristics of lumbar spine in the period of progressive development. Material and methods: The research material included 24,517 individuals of both sexes aged from 3 to 25. Individuals that showed abnormal structure of the motor system and individuals reporting pain in the joints of the spine were excluded. Spondylometric research was carried out using the Penny & Giles electrogoniometric measuring system. Significance tests concerning position measurements (Student's t-test, Welch's t-test) were used as well as biometric profiles formed on the basis of Mollison index for each characteristic in the studied period of ontogenesis. The progress of development of the examined spondylometric characteristics in both sex groups was calculated on the basis of expressing the size of the feature in successive age groups as a percentage of its final size. Using the linear and polynomial regression models, the developmental lines of the studied spondylometric parameters were obtained in males and females. Results: In the development process of the studied spondylometric parameters, dimorphic diversity can be observed essentially only in adolescence. In general, in the whole studied period of ontogenetic development, the greater range of lumbar spine mobility is found in females. Minor sexual dimorphism is also evident in the dynamics of development and in the stage of development of the majority of examined characteristics in individual age ranges in relation to the final values, for the benefit of the female sex.

Effect of morphological and functional changes in the secundines on biometric parameters of newborns from dichorionic twin pregnancies

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to determine if, and to what extent, structural and functional changes of the secundines influence biometric parameters of neonates from dichorionic twin pregnancies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included neonates from dichorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancies, along with their secundines. Based on histopathological examination of the secundines, the mass and dimensions of the placenta, length and condition of the umbilical cord, chorionicity, focal lesions, and microscopic placental abnormalities were determined for 445 pairs of twins. Morphological development of examined twins was characterized on the basis of their six somatic traits, while birth status of the newborns was assessed based on their Apgar scores. Statistical analysis included Student t-tests, Snedecor's F-tests, post-hoc tests, non-parametric chi-squared Pearson's tests, and determination of Spearman coefficients of rank correlation.

RESULTS

The lowest values of analyzed somatic traits were observed in twins who had placentas with velamentous or marginal cord insertion. Inflammatory lesions in the placenta and placental abruption turned out to have the greatest impact of all analyzed abnormalities of the secundines. Inflammatory lesions in the placenta were associated with lower values of biometric parameters and a greater likelihood of preterm birth. Neonates with a history of placental abruption were characterized by significantly lower birth weight and smaller chest circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

Morphological changes in the secundines have a limited impact on biometric parameters of neonates from dichorionic twin pregnancies. In turn, functional changes exert a significant effect and more often contribute to impaired fetal development.

Distribution of plantar pressure during jogging barefoot or in minimalistic shoes in people who used to run in cushioned shoes

BACKGROUND

In recent years, an increasing number of runners prefer jogging barefoot or in minimalistic shoes. The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of plantar pressure during jogging barefoot, in minimalistic shoes, or in shoes with cushioned soles, as these forces modulate the risk of injury.

METHODS

The study included nine men aged between 24 and 25 years, who engaged in long-distance running. The plantar pressure of three foot zones (forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot) was examined with WIN-POD electronic podometer during running barefoot, in minimalistic shoes, or in shoes with cushioned soles.

RESULTS

Individuals who ran barefoot showed the greatest forefoot pressure, followed by those running in minimalistic shoes and cushioned shoes. In contrast, the heel pressure in individuals running in cushioned shoes was significantly greater than in those using minimalistic shoes or running barefoot.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching from running in cushioned shoes to jogging barefoot is associated with the accumulation of greatest pressure in the forefoot and midfoot. The accumulation of the greatest pressure at the insertion of plantar aponeurosis can lead to the injuries of musculoskeletal system, in particular plantar aponeurositis. Even distribution of pressure among various parts of the foot in persons running in minimalistic shoes is associated with lower risk of injury than in the case of running barefoot.

Analysis of the validity of assumptions underlying a research on the heritability of quantitative traits

INTRODUCTION

Heritability is a statistical measure, expressing the proportion of phenotypic variance that is explained by the genetic variance. Heritability of a given trait can vary in time and may differ between populations, which is inter alia associated with interactions and correlations between genotype and environment or population-specific differences. Therefore, heritability measures are modulated by both genetic and environmental factors. Twin studies constitute one of the methods used to determine contributions of genes and environment to a given trait. However, studies of this type suffer from some methodological limitations and require certain conditions to be satisfied; both these factors were analyzed in the present study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The studied material, including 1,263 pairs of male and female twins (among them 424 pairs of monozygotic twins and 839 pairs of dizygotic twins), born between the 22nd and 41st week of gestation, was collected at the Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, between 2002 and 2009. We analyzed the variance of six somatic traits. The contribution of genetic factors to the phenotypic variance of the studied twin population was estimated on the basis of the two heritability measures.

RESULTS

Failure to meet the assumption of additivity of genetic and environmental effects probably is the cause of high values of heritability coefficients documented in our study. Analyzing the phenotypic variance of a trait, one cannot ignore the role of genotype-environment interactions and covariance, as these are their effects which increase the genetic variance and related coefficients of heritability. Therefore, it can be concluded that the genotypic component of the phenotypic variance of the trait is potentiated by the effects of various environmental factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed that the critical remarks regarding the methodology of heritability estimation are fully justified. Consequently, the heritability indices of somatic traits should be considered only a provisional measure of genetic polymorphism, expressing an estimated relative contribution of genotypic variance to the phenotypic variance of a given trait.

Ecosensitivity and genetic polymorphism of somatic traits in the perinatal development of twins

In view of criticism regarding the usefulness of heritability coefficients, the aim of this study was to analyze separately the information on genetic and environmental variability. Such an approach, based on the normalization of trait's variability for its value, is determined by the coefficients of genetic polymorphism (Pg) and ecosensitivity (De). The studied material included 1263 twin pairs of both sexes (among them 424 pairs of monozygotic twins and 839 pairs of dizygotic twins) born between the 22nd and 41st week of gestation. Variability of six somatic traits was analyzed. The zygosity of same-sex twins was determined based on the polymorphism of DNA from lymphocytes of the umbilical cord blood, obtained at birth. The coefficients of genetic polymorphism and ecosensitivity for analyzed traits of male and female twins born at various months of gestation were calculated. Our study revealed that a contribution of the genetic component predominated over that of the environmental component in determining the phenotypic variability of somatic traits of newborns from twin pregnancies. The genetically determined phenotypic variability in male twins was greater than in the females. The genetic polymorphism and ecosensitivity of somatic traits were relatively stable during the period of fetal ontogeny analyzed in this study. Only in the case of body weight, a slight increase in the genetic contribution of polygenes to the phenotypic variance could be observed with gestational age, along with a slight decrease in the influence of environmental factors.

Impact of McKenzie Method Therapy Enriched by Muscular Energy Techniques on Subjective and Objective Parameters Related to Spine Function in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Background

The high incidence and inconsistencies in diagnostic and therapeutic process of low back pain (LBP) stimulate the continuing search for more efficient treatment modalities. Integration of the information obtained with various therapeutic methods and a holistic approach to the patient seem to be associated with positive outcomes.

The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of combined treatment with McKenzie method and Muscle Energy Technique (MET), and to compare it with the outcomes of treatment with McKenzie method or standard physiotherapy in specific chronic lumbar pain.

Material/Methods

The study included 60 men and women with LBP (mean age 44 years). The patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 therapeutic groups, which were further treated with: 1) McKenzie method and MET, 2) McKenzie method alone, or 3) standard physiotherapy for 10 days. The extent of spinal movements (electrogoniometry), level of experienced pain (Visual Analogue Scale and Revised Oswestry Pain Questionnaire), and structure of the spinal discs (MRI) were examined prior to the intervention, immediately thereafter, and 3 months after the intervention.

Results

McKenzie method enriched with MET had the best therapeutic outcomes. The mobility of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine normalized at levels corresponding to 87.1%, 66.7%, and 95% of respective average normative values. Implementation of McKenzie method, both alone and combined with MET, was associated with a significant decrease in Oswestry Disability Index, significant alleviation of pain (VAS), and significantly reduced size of spinal disc herniation.

Conclusions

The combined method can be effectively used in the treatment of chronic LBP.

Heritability estimates for somatic traits determined perinatally with the twin method

The aim of this study was to establish estimates for heritability of somatic traits determined perinatally with the twin method. The studied material, including 1263 twin pairs live-born at various stages of prenatal life, i.e. between the 22nd and 41st week of gestation, was collected at the Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, between 2002 and 2009. The zygosity of 821 pairs of same-sex twins was determined at the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics in Poznań using analysis of single and multiple nucleotide polymorphisms. The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by genetic variability was determined using heritability indices based on intrapair variances and correlations. Analysis of these indices revealed that genetic variability predominated over environmental variability in determining the phenotypic variance of all studied traits. Heritability was the highest for body weight and shoulder width. The high values of heritability coefficients documented in our study were to a certain extent associated with an inconsistency of the assumption on the additive effect of genetic and environmental effects. While analyzing the phenotypic variance of a trait, the role of genotype-environment interactions and covariance cannot be ignored, as these are their effects which increase the genetic variance and related coefficients of heritability. Therefore, it can be concluded that the genotypic component of the phenotypic variance of the trait is enhanced by the effects of various environmental factors.

Microchimerism in twins

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this paper was to report the occurrence of peripheral blood chimerism in newborns from bigeminal pregnancies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cord blood collected from 50 pairs of twins constituted the biological material studied. Analyses included: DNA isolation, quantitative and qualitative assessment of DNA preparations, hybridization analysis of SLS type as well as of MLS type, and analysis of microsatellite sequences with regard to polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The presence of additional fragments of DNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes was found in four out of fifty pairs of monozygotic twins (8%) at locus D7S21 (7p22, n = 3) and locus D12S11 (12q24.3, n = 1). In these cases, the presence of additional DNA fragments was also proved by analysis of microsatellite sequence polymorphisms at loci HUMPLA2A1 (pancreatic phospholipase A-2, 12q23), HUMCYARO (cytochrome P450, 15q21.1) and HUMvWF (von Willebrand factor, 12p13).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study confirm the occurrence of chimerism in twins and constitutes the starting point for further studies aimed at determining the clinical significance of chimerism in twins both for women and fetuses.

[Role of maternal risk factors in foetal growth impairment]

INTRODUCTION

Clinical goal of foetal growth evaluation is primarily to identify foetuses with an accelerated or decelerated growth rate. Chief criterion of normal intrauterine development is a timely delivery of a neonate meeting applicable health norms. Obstetrician's decisions on how a pregnancy should be handled are based on foetal development and growth forecast and take into account whether foetal growth is normal, accelerated or decelerated. Such assessment requires correct determination of foetal age, selection of the most appropriate growth rate standards and defining potential risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pre-selected risk factors on foetal growth. Material was 3889 foetuses (2203 males and 1686 females) stillborn between 20th and 42nd week of pregnancy. Morphological development of the study material was characterised based upon the values of seven pre-defined somatic features and the weight of eight internal organs. Clinical classification of maternal risk factors revealed four factors of most potent impact on foetal development, ie. maternal age, number of pregnancy and artificial and natural miscarriage history.

RESULTS

Verification of developmental status of foetuses, ie. exposed vs. non-exposed to risk factors, allowed to determine the potency of selected risk factors. The non-exposed group was characterised by normal growth rate during each of stage of development meaning that despite being stillborn these foetuses did not differ significantly in their development of the selected features from live born foetuses. In the exposed group, however, the rate of development, compared to the standard, was significantly reduced and starting from the 35th week it was below the 5th percentile. It can, therefore, be seen that the exposed group development was significantly influenced by an adverse impact of risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the risk factors for the exposed group are a group of maternal risk factors impairing foetal growth and leading to hypotrophy. The abnormalities induced by the environmental risk factors did not, however, lead to foetal death. Neither risk factors, nor the potency of their impact were the causes of deaths of the analysed foetuses.

Developmental interdependence between selected somatic features and the weight of internal organs in human male and female foetuses

The study material comprised 3889 foetuses of both sexes, aged 20-42 weeks and focused on developmental interdependence between the weight of the internal organs and their relation to selected somatic features during the prenatal period. The study also attempted to distinguish potential sex-related differences in the degree of statistical interdependence between the analysed variables. As a result, the analysis of linear and canonical correlation coefficients for consecutive weeks of foetal life has been carried out. High correlation coefficients have been obtained which indicate strong developmental interdependence between those organs and the somatic features. However, no significant sex-related differences in the developmental interdependence of the analysed variables have been observed.

Sex dimorphism in development dynamics and in development progression of morphological features in human foetuses

The study material comprised 3889 foetuses of both sexes, aged 20-42 weeks. t-Student test has been applied to evaluate the existence of potential sex-dependent differentiation of developmental trends as assessed by weekly measurements of selected somatic features and by the weight of internal organs. The regression coefficients of the analysed variables have been compared against the opposite sex. The rate of development of the analysed features in consecutive weeks has been found to be sex-related. Highest sex-related differences have been observed for the total body weight and for the weight of internal organs, with the exception of the adrenals, and the differences have been significant enough to justify the existence of contrasting, sex-dependent patterns of development of the analysed variables. The development of the analysed morphological features has been depicted by curvilinear regression. When described by various degree polynomials the development course of the analysed features displays sex-related differences. Only the change in the weight of the adrenals is similar for both sexes. The evaluation of the developmental advancement of the analysed features has revealed that they are usually at a more advanced development level in female foetuses.

Locomotion of human skin keratinocytes on polystyrene, fibrin, and collagen substrata and its modification by cell-to-cell contacts

Epithelial wound repair assures the recovery of the epithelial barrier after wounding. During wound healing epithelial cells migrate to cover the wound surface. The presented experiments were carried out to compare the migration of human keratinocytes from primary and secondary culture on polystyrene, collagen, and fibrin glue used in clinical techniques. The images of migrating keratinocytes were recorded and analyzed using computer-aided methods. The results show that the character of the substrate strongly affects the speed and turning behavior of keratinocytes locomoting over it. The highest motile activity of human skin keratinocytes was found on fibrin glue substratum. It was found that locomotion of freely moving isolated cells was much faster than that of cell sheets. The autologous keratinocytes cultured in vitro were applied with fibrin glue to cover trophic wounds. The transplantation of human autologous keratinocyte suspension in fibrin glue upon long-lasting trophic wounds appeared to induce rapid and permanent wound healing.

Cyanonitrosylmetallates as potential NO-donors

The [M(CN)xNOy]n- complexes (where M = Cr(I), Mn(I), Mn(II), Fe(I), Fe(II), Fe(III)) were studied as potential NO-donors using both pharmacological and theoretical semi-empirical methods. Only iron complexes appeared to be pharmacologically active. The quantum chemical calculations indicated that these complexes have the highest predisposition to undergo a nucleophilic attack followed by the NO+ release. The results allowed us to interpret the metabolism of the [M(CN)xNOy]n- complexes in terms of the NO(+)-donation.

The effect of nitric oxide donors on the release of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) from rabbit platelets in vitro

Here we describe effects of four nitric oxide (NO) donors, 4-arylsubstituted oxatriazol derivatives and 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1) at concentrations of 30-1000 microM on the release of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) from rabbit platelets in vitro. At 37 degrees C, pH of 7.4 and a concentration of 30 microM, all compounds released NO as measured by the Werringloer's technique. The NO-generating potency of the compounds correlated with their capacity to inhibit the release of PAI from platelets and both phenomena were concentration-dependent. We conclude that various types of NO-donors activate plasma fibrinolytic system through inhibition of the release of PAI from platelets.

Mesoionic oxatriazole derivatives--a new group of NO-donors

A number of new 3-aryl-1,2,3,4-oxatriazole-5-imine derivatives (GEA Compounds--GEAC) were synthetized. GEAC are NO-releasers as evidenced by direct measurement of NO in headspace/NO-analyzer, by cooxygenation of oxyhaemoglobin to methaemoglobin in the Werringloer's test and by generation of nitrite in the Griess' reaction. During the release of NO from GEAC the consumption of O2 could be detected only when high concentrations of GEAC were used. The mechanism of release of NO from molecules of GEAC still remains hypothetical. Some of GEAC were found to remain stable for long periods of time, even at 37 degrees C. Both mutagenic properties and the pharmacodynamic profile of GEAC can be controlled by a mindful choosing of appropriate substituents.

Immunomodulatory activities of Nocardia opaca

Nocardia lysozyme digest (NLD), a particulate fraction from Nocardia opaca, is able to induce antitumor activity to SaL-1 tumor cells (lung sarcoma) in Balb/c mice. In mice immunized with NLD inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged survival of tumor bearing animals was observed. Macrophages isolated from peritoneal cavity and stimulated with NLD release a few arachidonic acid metabolites, mostly PGE 2. Macrophages from tumor bearing mice are more sensitive to Nocardia antigens than normal. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have documented that Nocardia is an active immunomodulator.

[Early mechanical strength of sutures of the finger flexor tendons]

The authors observed the behaviour of flexor tendon repair under the influence of distracting loads. The methods of Bunnell, Kleinert and Kessler, who use the imbedded suture, were compared with the method of Becker, in which an external cross suture is used. The authors tested their own technique, using transplants or implants of corium, fascia, dura mater and polyester net, internally in the tendons, fastening them with an external cross suture. In the authors' technique the disruption of the tenorrhaphy occurs only with forces much greater than those needed for treatment by controlled mobilization.