Higher number of steps is related to lower endogenous progesterone but not estradiol levels in women

OBJECTIVES

Sex steroid hormones are important not only for reproduction but also for many aspects of women's health, including the risk of breast cancer. Physical activity has been shown to influence sex hormone levels in women. This study aimed to investigate a relationship between the average daily number of steps and the sex hormone (estradiol and progesterone) levels in premenopausal women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from 85 healthy, urban women of reproductive age who performed at least 180 minutes/week of moderate physical activity for two complete menstrual cycles. Physical activity was measured using wrist bands. Estradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured in daily-collected saliva samples in the second menstrual cycle.

RESULTS

There was a significant negative association between the average number of steps taken daily and salivary progesterone levels after adjusting for potential confounding factors (age, BMI). Women who took more than 10,000 steps a day had significantly lower progesterone levels compared to women who took less than 10,000 steps. The association between physical activity and estradiol levels was statistically insignificant.

DISCUSSION

Our results indicate that taking at least 10,000 steps a day reduces progesterone levels, but this intensity of physical activity may not be high enough to affect estradiol levels. Daily step tracking is a valuable element of health promotion, but currently recommended levels of physical activity may not be high enough for healthy premenopausal women to significantly reduce both sex hormone levels and thus their risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Despite the odds: formation of the SARS-CoV-2 methylation complex

Coronaviruses modify their single-stranded RNA genome with a methylated cap during replication to mimic the eukaryotic mRNAs. The capping process is initiated by several nonstructural proteins (nsp) encoded in the viral genome. The methylation is performed by two methyltransferases, nsp14 and nsp16, while nsp10 acts as a co-factor to both. Additionally, nsp14 carries an exonuclease domain which operates in the proofreading system during RNA replication of the viral genome. Both nsp14 and nsp16 were reported to independently bind nsp10, but the available structural information suggests that the concomitant interaction between these three proteins would be impossible due to steric clashes. Here, we show that nsp14, nsp10, and nsp16 can form a heterotrimer complex upon significant allosteric change. This interaction is expected to encourage the formation of mature capped viral mRNA, modulating nsp14's exonuclease activity, and protecting the viral RNA. Our findings show that nsp14 is amenable to allosteric regulation and may serve as a novel target for therapeutic approaches.

The impact of the mountain barrier on the spread of heavy metal pollution on the example of Gorce Mountains, Southern Poland

The main objective of this study was to determine the content, mobility, and the variability of concentration of zinc, lead, and cadmium in soils from the Gorce Mountains (south Poland), located over 100 km south-east from the potential industrial sources of contamination-zinc-lead sulfide ore mine and smelter in Bukowno, as well as hard coal mines of Silesia region and Kraków Nowa-Huta steelwork. The abovementioned problem is crucial in the context of the traditional mountain farming still extant in the region, as well as intensively developing tourism. The geoaccumulation index and potential ecological risk index were adopted to evaluate soil pollution in the study area and the BCR sequential extraction technique to assess mobility of the abovementioned elements. The obtained results clearly show that the pollution from distant industrial sources in the mountains is detectable. Apart from the increased concentrations of the tested metals in the soil (especially available forms), there is also a strong correlation between the concentrations of lead, zinc, and cadmium, which proves their common source of origin. The main evidence is the fact that differences in the concentrations of the tested metals on the windward and leeward sides were statistically significant. This also means that the studied mountain area, despite relatively low altitudes (up to 1310 m above sea level), constitutes a measurable barrier to the spread of atmospheric pollutants.

The role of heme oxygenase-1 in hematopoietic system and its microenvironment

Hematopoietic system transports all necessary nutrients to the whole organism and provides the immunological protection. Blood cells have high turnover, therefore, this system must be dynamically controlled and must have broad regeneration potential. In this review, we summarize how this complex system is regulated by the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-an enzyme, which degrades heme to biliverdin, ferrous ion and carbon monoxide. First, we discuss how HO-1 influences hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) self-renewal, aging and differentiation. We also describe a critical role of HO-1 in endothelial cells and mesenchymal stromal cells that constitute the specialized bone marrow niche of HSC. We further discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which HO-1 modulates innate and adaptive immune responses. Finally, we highlight how modulation of HO-1 activity regulates the mobilization of bone marrow hematopoietic cells to peripheral blood. We critically discuss the issue of metalloporphyrins, commonly used pharmacological modulators of HO-1 activity, and raise the issue of their important HO-1-independent activities.

Intra- and postoperative adverse events in awake craniotomy for intrinsic supratentorial brain tumors

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency and consequences of intra- and postoperative adverse events in awake craniotomy for intrinsic supratentorial brain tumors. Despite the growing prevalence of awake craniotomy intra- and postoperative, adverse events related to this surgery are poorly discussed.

METHODS

We studied 25 patients undergoing awake craniotomy with maximum safe resection of intrinsic supratentorial brain tumors in the awake-asleep-awake protocol.

RESULTS

Surgery-related inconveniences occurred in 23 patients (92%), while postoperative adverse events were observed in 17 cases (68%). Seven patients suffered from more than one postoperative complication. The most common surgery-related inconvenience was intraoperative hypertension (8 cases, 32%), followed by discomfort (7 cases, 28%), pain during surgery (5 cases, 20%), and tachycardia (3 cases, 12%). The most common postoperative adverse event was a new language deficit that occurred in 10 cases (40%) and remained permanent in one case (4%). Motor deficits occurred in 36% of cases and were permanent in one case (1%). Seizures were observed in 4 cases (16%) intra- and in 2 cases (8%) postoperatively. Seizures appeared more frequently in patients with multilobar insular-involving gliomas and in patients without prophylactic antiepileptic drug therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery-related inconveniences and postoperative adverse events occur in most awake craniotomies. The most common intraoperative adverse event is hypertension, pain, and tachycardia. The most frequent postoperative adverse events are new language deficits and new motor deficits.

Support for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients-a Systematic Review

Our study objective was to evaluate existing evidence on different types of support received by metastatic breast cancer patients as well as the need for support expressed by such patients. We searched Medline and EMBASE up to January 2019 for survey studies that aimed to assess any type of support among women of any age, with metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, then full texts of retrieved records against inclusion/exclusion criteria, and extracted the data and assessed the quality of included studies with AXIS tool. From a total of 2876 abstracts, we selected 100 potentially eligible full-text articles, and finally, we included 12 records reporting on 11 studies. Due to the variability of methods used to measure and define support, it was not possible to quantitatively synthesize data; therefore, we synthesized them narratively. The quality of the included studies was moderate. We found that most patients are satisfied with the received psychosocial, emotional, informational, and medical support. In the analysis of any support received from a certain type of group of people, we found that the majority of patients reported receiving sufficient support from their family, friends, and healthcare providers. Ten studies showed a high need for informational support. If asked about the need for psychosocial, medical, and sexual support, women also declared the need for such support. Our review revealed that the patients generally receive support from their community but they express high need for information and treatment choice. PROSPERO CRD42019127496.

Metagenomic Studies in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies together with an improved access to compute performance led to a cost-effective genome sequencing over the past several years. This allowed researchers to fully unleash the potential of genomic and metagenomic analyses to better elucidate two-way interactions between host cells and microbiome, both in steady-state and in pathological conditions. Experimental research involving metagenomics shows that skin resident microbes can influence the cutaneous pathophysiology. Here, we review metagenome approaches to study microbiota at this barrier site. We also describe the consequences of changes in the skin microbiota burden and composition, mostly revealed by these technologies, in the development of common inflammatory skin diseases.

Coevolution of body size and metabolic rate in vertebrates: a life-history perspective

Despite many decades of research, the allometric scaling of metabolic rates (MRs) remains poorly understood. Here, we argue that scaling exponents of these allometries do not themselves mirror one universal law of nature but instead statistically approximate the non-linearity of the relationship between MR and body mass. This 'statistical' view must be replaced with the life-history perspective that 'allows' organisms to evolve myriad different life strategies with distinct physiological features. We posit that the hypoallometric allometry of MRs (mass scaling with an exponent smaller than 1) is an indirect outcome of the selective pressure of ecological mortality on allocation 'decisions' that divide resources among growth, reproduction, and the basic metabolic costs of repair and maintenance reflected in the standard or basal metabolic rate (SMR or BMR), which are customarily subjected to allometric analyses. Those 'decisions' form a wealth of life-history variation that can be defined based on the axis dictated by ecological mortality and the axis governed by the efficiency of energy use. We link this variation as well as hypoallometric scaling to the mechanistic determinants of MR, such as metabolically inert component proportions, internal organ relative size and activity, cell size and cell membrane composition, and muscle contributions to dramatic metabolic shifts between the resting and active states. The multitude of mechanisms determining MR leads us to conclude that the quest for a single-cause explanation of the mass scaling of MRs is futile. We argue that an explanation based on the theory of life-history evolution is the best way forward.

Do Criminals Live Faster Than Soldiers and Firefighters? : A Comparison of Biodemographic and Psychosocial Dimensions of Life History Theory

A high risk of morbidity-mortality caused by a harsh and unpredictable environment is considered to be associated with a fast life history (LH) strategy, commonly linked with criminal behavior. However, offenders are not the only group with a high exposure to extrinsic morbidity-mortality. In the present study, we investigated the LH strategies employed by two groups of Polish men: incarcerated offenders (N = 84) as well as soldiers and firefighters (N = 117), whose professions involve an elevated risk of injury and premature death. The subjects were asked to complete the Mini-K (used as a psychosocial LH indicator) and a questionnaire which included a number of biodemographic LH variables. Although biodemographic and psychosocial LH indicators should be closely linked with each other, the actual connection between them is unclear. Thus, this study was driven by two aims: comparing LH strategies in two groups of men with a high risk of premature morbidity-mortality and investigating the relationship between the biodemographic and psychosocial LH dimensions. The study showed that incarcerated men employed faster LH strategies than soldiers and firefighters, but only in relation to biodemographic variables (e.g., number of siblings, age of sexual initiation, life expectancy). No intergroup differences emerged regarding psychosocial LH indicators. Moreover, the correlation analysis showed a weak association between biodemographic and psychosocial LH indicators. The results strengthen the legitimacy of incorporating biodemographic LH traits into research models and indicate the need for further research on the accuracy of the Mini-K. The possible explanations for the intergroup differences in LH strategies are discussed.

Disgust Sensitivity and Support for Organ Donation: Time to Take Disgust Seriously

BACKGROUND

There are currently roughly 10,000 Germans on the organ waiting list, and that number is over 113,000 in the USA. There is a clear need to increase support for organ donation in general and to increase the number of registered donors in particular.

OBJECTIVE

The current study examines the relationship between disgust sensitivity and attitudes towards organ donation and the possession of an organ donor card. The study also examines other important correlates of attitudes towards organ donation, such as fear, trust, and knowledge regarding organ donation.

DESIGN

The study involved an online questionnaire.

PARTICIPANTS

Six hundred and eighteen Germans filled out an online questionnaire.

MAIN MEASURES

The questionnaire contained the following measures: attitude towards organ donation, disgust sensitivity, trust towards the medical community, fear of organ donation, and knowledge regarding organ donation, as well as such demographic information as age, biological sex, degree of formal education, religious affiliation and level of religiosity, political orientation, and possession of an organ donor card.

KEY RESULTS

The results replicated previous findings regarding the influence of trust and fear on attitudes towards organ donation, but only partially supported those regarding the importance of knowledge. Importantly, disgust sensitivity had a significant impact on attitudes towards organ donation, even after controlling for other variables hereto identified as important correlates in the literature (e.g., fear, trust, knowledge). What is more, there was a significant interaction between biological sex and disgust sensitivity indicating that the relationship between disgust sensitivity and attitudes towards organ donation was stronger among women than men.

CONCLUSIONS

While disgust is often disregarded as a "silly," bairnish emotion and unbefitting of discussions of serious issues such as organ donation, in line with the "affective turn" in psychology, the results of the current study suggest that in order to improve attitudes towards organ donation, we should take feelings of disgust seriously.

The relationship between increased air pollution expressed as PM10 concentration and the frequency of percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with acute coronary syndromes-a seasonal differences

The aim of the presented study was to assess the relationship between air pollution expressed as particulate air matters less than 10 μm (PM10) and acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). In this observational study, we selected regions with low pollution according to PM10 (non-polluted) and with the highest pollution (polluted). The occurrence of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in patients with ACSs was matched according to the location. The current study included 7678 patients in polluted areas and 4327 patients from non-polluted regions. Analysing the period from January to December 2017, the number of patients undergoing angioplasty in monitored catheterization laboratories and the mean daily concentration of PM10 in all selected cities were calculated for each day. The annual average concentration of PM10 amounts to 50.95 μg/m3 in polluted and 26.62 μg/m3 in non-polluted cities (P < 0.01). The rise in PM10 pollution levels was related with the increased frequency of PCIs in patients with ACSs in polluted (P < 0.01) and non-polluted (P < 0.01) areas. In the non-polluted regions, the increase in PM10 concentration by every 1 μg/m3 causes 0.22 additional ACS angioplasties per week. In polluted regions, the same increase in PM10 concentration causes 0.18 additional ACS angioplasties per week. In non-winter weeks, the mean number of ACS PCIs expressed in promiles was lower than in winter weeks in polluted (P = 0.03) and non-polluted cities (P = 0.02). The study shows that the increase in air pollution expressed as PM10 concentration and winter time influences the frequency of ACS-related PCIs.

Pregnancy, thyroid, and the potential use of selenium

The management of pregnant women is a major concern of health care around the world. There is growing evidence regarding the influence of selenium (Se) on pregnancy and fetus outcomes. However, due to as yet insufficient evidence, lack of measurable markers to assess the effect of Se supplementation on the human metabolism, and Se's narrow therapeutic index, the majority of experts and the current guidelines published by several scientific societies do not recommend the use of Se in pregnancy and in women of childbearing age. Further research based on well-designed studies, including assessment of the complex interactions between different micronutrients and individual response to different doses of Se, is needed.

Unusual developmental morphology and anatomy of vegetative organs in Utricularia dichotoma-leaf, shoot and root dynamics

The terrestrial carnivorous species Utricularia dichotoma is known for a great phenotypic plasticity and unusual vegetative organs. Our investigation on 22 sources/populations revealed that after initiation of a leaf and two bladders on a stolon, a bud was formed in the proximal axil of the leaf, developing into a rosette with up to seven organs. The first two primordia of the bud grew into almost every possible combination of organs, but often into two anchor stolons. The patterns were generally not population specific. The interchangeability of organs increased with increasing rank in the succession of organs on stolon nodes. A high potential of switching developmental programs may be successful in a fluctuating environment. In this respect, we were able to show that bladders developed from anchor stolons experimentally when raising the water table. Anatomical structures were simple, lacunate and largely homogenous throughout all organs. They showed similarities with many hydrophytes, reflecting the plant's adaptation to (temporarily) submerged conditions. The principal component analysis was used in the context of dynamic morphology to illustrate correlations between organ types in the morphospace of U. dichotoma, revealing an organ specific patchwork of developmental processes for typical leaves and shoots, and less pronounced for a typical root. The concept and methods we applied may prove beneficial for future studies on the evolution of Lentibulariaceae, and on developmental morphology and genetics of unusual structures in plants.

Flower nectar trichome structure of carnivorous plants from the genus butterworts Pinguicula L. (Lentibulariaceae)

Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) is a genus comprising around 96 species of herbaceous, carnivorous plants, which are extremely diverse in flower size, colour and spur length and structure as well as pollination strategy. In Pinguicula, nectar is formed in the flower spur; however, there is a gap in the knowledge about the nectary trichome structure in this genus. Our aim was to compare the nectary trichome structure of various Pinguicula species in order to determine whether there are any differences among the species in this genus. The taxa that were sampled were Pinguicula moctezumae, P. moranensis, P. rectifolia, P. emarginata and P. esseriana. We used light microscopy, histochemistry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to address those aims. We show a conservative nectary trichome structure and spur anatomy in various Mexican Pinguicula species. The gross structural similarities between the examined species were the spur anatomy, the occurrence of papillae, the architecture of the nectary trichomes and the ultrastructure characters of the trichome cells. However, there were some differences in the spur length, the size of spur trichomes, the occurrence of starch grains in the spur parenchyma and the occurrence of cell wall ingrowths in the terminal cells of the nectary trichomes. Similar nectary capitate trichomes, as are described here, were recorded in the spurs of species from other Lentibulariaceae genera. There are many ultrastructural similarities between the cells of nectary trichomes in Pinguicula and Utricularia.

The Relations Between Predatory Fungus and Its Rotifer Preys as a Noteworthy Example of Intraguild Predation (IGP)

Intraguild predation (IGP) is a widespread interaction combining predation and competition. We investigated a unique IGP example among predacious fungus Zoophagus sp. and two rotifers, the predacious Cephalodella gibba and the common prey Lecane inermis. We checked the influence of the fungus on its competitor C. gibba and their joint influence on shared prey L. inermis, and the impact of the competitive predator on the growth of predacious fungus. The experiment on grown mycelium showed that Zoophagus strongly, negatively influences the growth of C. gibba (intermediate consumer) whose number did not increase throughout the experiment. The intermediate consumer was also trapped by Zoophagus and become extinct when it was its only prey, whereas in the absence of the fungus and with unlimited access to prey, its number grew quickly. As only few C. gibba were trapped by fungi when common preys were present, competition for food seems to have stronger effect on intermediate consumer population than predation. The experiment with conidia of the fungus showed that intermediate consumer significantly limits the growth of Zoophagus by reducing the number of available prey. It was observed that although the fungus can trap C. gibba, the latter does not support its growth. Trapping the intermediate consumer might serve to eliminate a competitor rather than to find a source of food. The chances of survival for L. inermis under the pressure of the two competing predators are scarce. It is the first example of IGP involving representatives of two kingdoms: Fungi and Animalia.

Floral micromorphology and nectar composition of the early evolutionary lineage Utricularia (subgenus Polypompholyx, Lentibulariaceae)

Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) is a genus comprising around 240 species of herbaceous, carnivorous plants. Utricularia is usually viewed as an insect-pollinated genus, with the exception of a few bird-pollinated species. The bladderworts Utricularia multifida and U. tenella are interesting species because they represent an early evolutionary Utricularia branch and have some unusual morphological characters in their traps and calyx. Thus, our aims were to (i) determine whether the nectar sugar concentrations and composition in U. multifida and U. tenella are similar to those of other Utricularia species from the subgenera Polypompholyx and Utricularia, (ii) compare the nectary structure of U. multifida and U. tenella with those of other Utricularia species, and (iii) determine whether U. multifida and U. tenella use some of their floral trichomes as an alternative food reward for pollinators. We used light microscopy, histochemistry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy to address those aims. The concentration and composition of nectar sugars were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. In all of the examined species, the floral nectary consisted of a spur bearing glandular trichomes. The spur produced and stored the nectar. We detected hexose-dominated (fructose + glucose) nectar in U. multifida and U. tenella as well as in U. violacea. In both U. multifida and U. tenella, there were trichomes that blocked the entrance into the throat and spur. Because these trichomes were rich in chromoplasts and contained lipid droplets, they may form an additional visual attractant. Bearing in mind the phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus, we suggest that an early ancestor of Utricularia had a nectariferous spur flower with a lower lip that formed a wide landing platform for bee pollinators.

Artery of Adamkiewicz: a meta-analysis of anatomical characteristics

PURPOSE

The artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) provides the major blood supply to the anterior thoracolumbar spinal cord and iatrogenic injury or inadequate reconstruction of this vessel during vascular and endovascular surgery can result in postoperative neurological deficit due to spinal cord ischemia. The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive data on the prevalence and anatomical characteristics of the AKA.

METHODS

An extensive search was conducted through the major electronic databases to identify eligible articles. Data extracted included study type, prevalence of the AKA, gender, number of AKA per patient, laterality, origin based on vertebral level, side of origin, morphometric data, and ethnicity subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 60 studies (n = 5437 subjects) were included in the meta-analysis. Our main findings revealed that the AKA was present in 84.6% of the population, and patients most frequently had a single AKA (87.4%) on the left side (76.6%) originating between T8 and L1 (89%).

CONCLUSION

As an AKA is present in the majority of the population, caution should be taken during vascular and endovascular surgical procedures to avoid injury or ensure proper reconstruction. All surgeons operating in the thoracolumbar spinal cord should have a thorough understanding of the anatomical characteristics and surgical implications of an AKA.

The Influence of Viscosity and Non-freezing Water Contents Bounded to Different Hydroxypropyl Celluloses (HPC) and Hydroxypropyl Methylcelluloses (HPMC) on Stability of Acetylsalicylic Acid

The aim of the study was to examine the influence of non-freezing water (NFW) contents bound to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) binary mixtures using acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as a model moisture-sensitive ingredient. Polysaccharides with significantly different physicochemical properties were mixed with acetylsalicylic acid at a ratio 1:1 (w/w). The measurements of NFW contents of hydrated samples were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the method used, the dry mass normalized dependency of melting enthalpy (ΔH) and respective contents of water was found to be linear. NFW values were calculated after extrapolation ΔH to 0. For stability studies, HPC/ASA and HPMC/ASA mixtures were stored at 40°C and 75% RH for 5 weeks in the climatic chamber. The ASA hydrolysis was investigated using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The amounts of NFW calculated for raw HPMC 3 cP and 100,000 cP were 0.49 and 0.42 g g-1, while for polymer and ASA mixtures, prepared from HPC type LF (126 cP) and MF (6300 cP) as well as from HPMC 3 cP and 100,000 cP were 0.23, 0.28 g g-1, 0.21 g g-1, and 0.33 g g-1 respectively. The measured NFW values were connected with appropriate concentrations of unhydrolyzed ASA.