FACTOR ANALYSIS AS OPTIMAL METHOD IN DETERMINING MOTORIC ABILITIES AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE, HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELLNESS OF PERSPECTIVE JUDOKAS

The goal of this study is a comparative analysis of the possibilities of physical education for children with health problems and the current status in boys and girls. Understanding the concept of impaired health is a precondition for the realization of the training process and possible integration in the process of physical education, according to the structure of health disadvantages. Quality of life assessment is performed on three levels. The first level are items that are given in the form of a statement. On the second level, item-like particles are observed in the sub-segments (scales that cover different dimensions of health and quality of life). The raw scores of each scale are transformed into standardized ones with a possible value of 1-4, which facilitates the interpretation of the results. The third level represents total physical and psycho-social health. Up to this level, there are certain mathematical procedures, based on the individual scale scores. Comparative analyses in regard of the cultural and gender specificities are provided, based on MANOVA and DISCRA analyses, within the introductory part, and 11 scales of the Questionnaire. Analysis of the data point out major differences in the possibility of physical activity application in children with medical conditions, with a special overview of boys and girls from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, in Serbia and the Northern Aegean region of Greece

Study of pathological lesions in rats after the experimental administration of Lindane

Σε αυτή την πειραματική εργασία μελετήθηκαν οι αλλοιώσεις που προκαλούνται στον οργανισμό από τη χημική ουσία Lindane. Ως πειραματόζωα χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 16 επίμυες. Στους 10 επίμυς (5 θηλυκοί και 5 αρσενικοί) χορηγήθηκε η ουσία από το στόμα με την τροφή, τις πρώτες 10 ημέρες στη δόση των 8,2 mg/kg σ.β./3 ημ. και τις επόμενες 40 ημέρες στη δόση των 33 mg/kg σ.β./2 ημ. Οι υπόλοιποι 6 επίμυες (4 θηλυκοί και 2 αρσενικοί) χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ως μάρτυρες. Τα κυριότερα κλινικά συμπτώματα που παρατηρήθηκαν στα πειραματόζωα, στο τέλος του πειραματισμού, ήταν ανορεξία, λήθαργος, υποθερμία και μυϊκός τρόμος. Όλοι οι επίμυες θανατώθηκαν 5 ημέρες μετά τη χορήγηση της τελευταίας δόσης της ουσίας και νεκροτομήθηκαν. Στη μακροσκοπική εξέταση παρατηρήθηκε οίδημα του εγκεφάλου και υπεραιμία των αγγείων του. Στην ιστολογική εξέταση διαπιστώθηκε σπογγίωση της λευκής ουσίας του εγκεφάλου, διάμεση πνευμονία, οίδημα και απώλεια της εγκάρσιας γράμμωσης των καρδιακών μυϊκών κυττάρων, πηκτική νέκρωση μεμονωμένων ομάδων ηπατικών κυττάρων και εκφύλιση των επιθηλιακών κυττάρων των ουροφόρων σωληναρίων. Συμπεραίνεται, ότι το Lindane, χορηγούμενο σε υποτοξικές δόσεις, για μεγάλο χρονικό διάστημα, είναι δυνατό να προκαλέσει βλάβες στον οργανισμό των πειραματόζωων, οι οποίες εντοπίζονται κυρίως στον εγκέφαλο και δευτερευόντως στο ήπαρ, στους νεφρούς και στα άλλα όργανα.In this experimental study, the lesions that are caused from the chemical substance Lindane were studied. Sixteen rats were used as experimental animals. The substance was orally administered, with food, to 10 rats (5 females and 5 males) in a dose of 8,2 mg/kg b.w./3 days during the first 10 days and in a dose of the 33 mg/kg b.w./ 2 days during the following 40 days. The remaining 6 rats (4 females and 2 males) were used as controls. The mainly clinical symptoms which were observed in the experimental animals, in the end of the experimentation, were anorexia, lethargy, hypothermia and muscular rigor. All the rats were sacrificed 5 days after the administration of the last dose of the substance and they were autopsied. In the macroscopical examination oedema and vascular hyperhaemia were observed in the brain. In the histological examination spongiosis of the white matter of the brain, interstitial pneumonia, oedema and loss of the cross striation of the cardiac muscle cells, coagulative necrosis of individual groups of hepatic cells and degeneration of the epithelial cells of the urinary tubules were detected. In conclusion, when Lindane is administered in subtoxical doses for a long period of time it is possible to cause damages to the organism of the experimental animals, which are located mainly in the brain and secondary in the liver, the kidneys and the other organs

The effect of paclitaxel (taxol) on the reproductive system and the semen parameters as well as on other organs of male rats.

Στην παρούσα εργασία μελετήθηκε η ενέργεια της πακλιταξέλης (paclitaxel, taxol) στο αναπαραγωγικό σύστημα αρρένων επιμΰων, καθώς επίσης στο σπέρμα και σε άλλα όργανα. Για το σκοπό αυτό σε επίμυες ηλικίας 14 εβδομάδων γινόταν ενδοπεριτοναϊκή έγχυση μια φορά την εβδομάδα και για τέσσερις εβδομάδες 12,4 mg πακλιταξέλης/kg σ.β. Έξι (6) ημέρες μετά την τελευταία έγχυση της πακλιταξέλης δέκα ζώα, πέντε (η=5) πειραματόζωα (ομάδαΑΙ) και πέντε (η=5) μάρτυρες (ομάδα Α2) θυσιάστηκαν,ενώ άλλα δέκα ζώα, πέντε (η=5) πειραματόζωα (ομάδα Β1) και πέντε (η=5) μάρτυρες (ομάδα Β2) θυσιάστηκαν ένδεκα (11) εβδομάδες μετά την τελευταία έγχυση της πακλιταξέλης. Στα ζώα της ομάδας ΑΙ (πειραματόζωα) τα βάρη των όρχεων, των επιδιδυμίδων και του προστάτη αδένα ήταν μειωμένα σε σύγκριση με εκείνα των ζώων της ομάδας Α2 (μαρτύρων). Επίσης, μείωση παρατηρήθηκε στον αριθμό και στην κινητικότητα των σπερματοζωαρίων, ενώ αρκετά σπερματοζωάρια παρουσίαζαν ανωμαλίες. Στην ιστολογική εξέταση παρατηρήθηκε ότι τα διαιρούμενα κύτταρα καθώς και οι στρογγυλές σπερματίδες είχαν τις περισσότερες αλλοιώσεις.Τα κύτταρα του Leydig παρουσιάζονταν εκφυλισμένα.Το επιθήλιο του πόρου της επιδιδυμίδας εμφανιζόταν κυβοειδές, ενώ απουσίαζαν οι κυτταρικές μικρολάχνες. Παρατηρήθηκε, επίσης, διήθηση από ουδετερόφιλα κύτταρα. Ο προστάτης αδένας ήταν κυστικός και εμφάνιζε εκφύλιση και απόπτωση των επιθηλιακών κυττάρων. Τα επινεφρίδια παρουσίαζαν εκφύλιση και διηθήσεις ιστιοκυττάρων. Παρατηρήθηκε, επίσης, μυελώδης μετάπλαση του σπλήνα καθώς και τοπική αλλεργική αντίδραση γύρω από τα μεσολόβια χολαγγεία του ήπατος. Στους επίμυς της ομάδας Β1 (πειραματόζωα) παρατηρήθηκε ότι το βάρος των όρχεων, των επιδιδυμίδων και του προστάτη αδένα καθώςκαι η κινητικότητα του σπέρματος επανήλθαν στα φυσιολογικά επίπεδα, καθώς οι τιμές ομοίαζαν με τις αντίστοιχες των ζώων της ομάδας Β2 (μάρτυρες). Όμως, ο αριθμός των σπερματοζωαρίων εξακολουθούσε να είναι μειωμένος σε σύγκριση με εκείνο των μαρτύρων (ομάδα Β2). Ιστοπαθολογικά, όλα τα όργανα που εξετάστηκαν δε διέφεραν από εκείνατων μαρτύρων.The effect of the administration of paclitaxel on the male reproductive organs as well as on several semen parameters and other organs of Wis tar rats was studied. To 14 weeks old rats 12,4 mg paclitaxel/kg b.w.were administered i.p. once a week for 4 weeks. Six days after the last injection of paclitaxel ten animals, five (n=5) test (group Al) and five control animals (group A2) were sacrificed. Another ten animals, five (n=5) test (group Bl) and five (n=5) control animals (group B2) were sacrificed eleven weeks after the last injection of paclitaxel. The weights of the testes, the epididymis and the prostate gland of the test animals (group Al) were decreased as compared to the control animals (group A2). The number and the motility of the test animal spermatozoa were decreased, and many of them were abnormal. Histologically, the dividing cells and round spermatids were most affected. Leydig cells appeared degenerated. The epithelium of the ductucs epididymis was cuboidal and cell microvilli were absent. There was infiltration of neutrophils. The prostate gland was cystic with degeneration and desquamation of the epithelial cells. In the adrenals cellular degeneration and histiocytic infiltration were observed. In the spleen myeloid metaplasis and in the liver local allergic reaction around the interlobular bile ducts were observed. The weights of the testes, the epididymis and the prostate glands of the test animals (group Bl) were normal as compared with the control animals (group B2). The sperm motility was also normal but the number of spermatozoa was still decreased as compared with the control animals (group B2). Histologically, all examined organs were similar to those of the control animals

Ankyrin is the major oxidised protein in erythrocyte membranes from end-stage renal disease patients on chronic haemodialysis and oxidation is decreased by dialysis and vitamin C supplementation

Chronically haemodialysed end-stage renal disease patients are at high risk of morbidity arising from complications of dialysis, the underlying pathology that has led to renal disease and the complex pathology of chronic kidney disease. Anaemia is commonplace and its origins are multifactorial, involving reduced renal erythropoietin production, accumulation of uremic toxins and an increase in erythrocyte fragility. Oxidative damage is a common risk factor in renal disease and its co-morbidities and is known to cause erythrocyte fragility. Therefore, we have investigated the hypothesis that specific erythrocyte membrane proteins are more oxidised in end-stage renal disease patients and that vitamin C supplementation can ameliorate membrane protein oxidation. Eleven patients and 15 control subjects were recruited to the study. Patients were supplemented with 2 × 500 mg vitamin C per day for 4 weeks. Erythrocyte membrane proteins were prepared pre- and post-vitamin C supplementation for determination of protein oxidation. Total protein carbonyls were reduced by vitamin C supplementation but not by dialysis when investigated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Using a western blot to detect oxidised proteins, one protein band, later identified as containing ankyrin, was found to be oxidised in patients but not controls and was reduced significantly by 60% in all patients after dialysis and by 20% after vitamin C treatment pre-dialysis. Ankyrin oxidation analysis may be useful in a stratified medicines approach as a possible marker to identify requirements for intervention in dialysis patients

Uremic myopathy: Is oxidative stress implicated in muscle dysfunction in uremia?

© 2015 The Authors. Published by Frontiers Media. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2015.00102Renal failure is accompanied by progressive muscle weakness and premature fatigue, in part linked to hypokinesis and in part to uremic toxicity. These changes are associated with various detrimental biochemical and morphological alterations. All of these pathological parameters are collectively termed uremic myopathy. Various interventions while helpful can't fully remedy the pathological phenotype. Complex mechanisms that stimulate muscle dysfunction in uremia have been proposed, and oxidative stress could be implicated. Skeletal muscles continuously produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) at rest and more so during contraction. The aim of this mini review is to provide an update on recent advances in our understanding of how ROS and RNS generation might contribute to muscle dysfunction in uremia. Thus, a systematic review was conducted searching PubMed and Scopus by using the Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. While few studies met our criteria their findings are discussed making reference to other available literature data. Oxidative stress can direct muscle cells into a catabolic state and chronic exposure to it leads to wasting. Moreover, redox disturbances can significantly affect force production per se. We conclude that oxidative stress can be in part responsible for some aspects of uremic myopathy. Further research is needed to discern clear mechanisms and to help efforts to counteract muscle weakness and exercise intolerance in uremic patients.This work has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund—ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “Educational and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF)—Research Funding Program: Thales (MuscleFun Project-MIS 377260) Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund.Published versio

Hodnocení motorických schopností a časná intervence u dětí předškolního věku s mentálními a vývojovými poruchami (případové studie) Motor skills assessment and early intervention for preschoolers with mental and developmental disorders (case studies)

Cílem této studie bylo hodnocení výkonu motorických schopností u dětí předškolního věku s mentálními a vývojovými poruchami a navrhnout individualizované programy intervence. Mezi účastníky bylo 6 dětí, 5 chlapců a 1 dívka, ve věku 48 až 79 měsíců, které navštěvovaly tutéž speciální mateřskou školu. Zkoumány byly jak kvantitativní, tak i kvalitativní aspekty jejich výkonu. Pokud jde o kvantitativní zkoumání, byli účastníci posuzováni pomocí následujících testů – baterie pro posuzování pohybu u dětí (Henderson & Sugden, 1992). Kvalitativní výsledky byly získávány osobním pozorováním. Podle výsledků byl nakonec u každého dítěte naplánován intervenční program pro rozvoj motorických schopností. The purpose of the present study was to assess the motor skills performance of preschoolers with mental and developmental disorders and to propose individualized intervention programs. Participants included 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl, 48 to 79 months old, who were attending the same special kindergarten. Both quantitative and qualitative aspects of their performance were examined. With regards to quantitative examination, participants were measured using the following test – the movement assessment battery for children (Henderson & Sugden, 1992). Meanwhile qualitative results were obtained through personal observation. Finally a motor skill intervention program was planned for each child according to his/her results

Prognostic and Diagnostic Value of Endocan in Kidney Diseases

Endocan, previously called endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, is a soluble proteoglycan that is predominantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells of the lungs and kidneys. It is upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines and plays a critical role in inflammatory, proliferative, and neovascularization processes. The utility of endocan as a biomarker in a wide spectrum of diseases is being increasingly acknowledged. In this review, we summarize the current evidence concerning the role of endocan in kidney diseases, with emphasis on its prognostic and diagnostic value. It seems that the determination of plasma endocan levels may provide useful prognostic information in many types of renal failure such as chronic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. Endocan could additionally improve the early diagnostic evaluation of acute kidney disease, chronic renal allograft injury, and acute rejection after kidney transplantation, thus contributing to endothelial cell injury monitoring in a timely manner

Prognostic and Diagnostic Value of Endocan in Kidney Diseases

Endocan, previously called endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, is a soluble proteoglycan that is predominantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells of the lungs and kidneys. It is upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines and plays a critical role in inflammatory, proliferative, and neovascularization processes. The utility of endocan as a biomarker in a wide spectrum of diseases is being increasingly acknowledged. In this review, we summarize the current evidence concerning the role of endocan in kidney diseases, with emphasis on its prognostic and diagnostic value. It seems that the determination of plasma endocan levels may provide useful prognostic information in many types of renal failure such as chronic kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy. Endocan could additionally improve the early diagnostic evaluation of acute kidney disease, chronic renal allograft injury, and acute rejection after kidney transplantation, thus contributing to endothelial cell injury monitoring in a timely manner. © 2022 Elisabeth Samouilidou et al