AIM: This study aimed to identify sleep profiles in a representative sample of Slovak adolescents and investigate their associations with adiposity indicators and cardiorespiratory fitness. METHODS: Data from the 2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in Slovakia were analysed. Survey questions on sleep duration and problems from the entire HBSC sample (n = 8906) were used to identify sleep profiles. Associations with adiposity indicators and cardiorespiratory fitness were investigated in a subsample of 924 adolescents (average age 13.3 ± 1.48; 56.2% boys) who completed the HBSC survey, bioimpedance analysis, and 20-metre shuttle run test. RESULTS: Three sleep profiles were identified-optimal sleepers, optimal sleepers with sporadic sleep problems and poor sleepers. Crude models showed that poor sleepers had significantly higher body fat percentage and fat mass index, along with lower cardiorespiratory fitness, compared to optimal sleepers. After adjustment, only the association between sleep profiles and cardiorespiratory fitness remained significant. CONCLUSION: The observed associations between sleep profiles and cardiorespiratory fitness may help better target future intervention resources towards adolescents with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels.
- MeSH
- adipozita * MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- kardiorespirační zdatnost * fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- spánek * fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has gained popularity among scientists and researchers in every field due to its potential to drastically reduce energy costs for the production of customized products by utilizing less energy-intensive machines as well as minimizing material waste. The 3D printing technology is an additive manufacturing approach that uses material layer-by-layer fabrication to produce the digitally specified 3D model. The use of 3D printing technology in the pharmaceutical sector has the potential to revolutionize research and development by providing a quick and easy means to manufacture personalized one-off batches, each with unique dosages, distinct substances, shapes, and sizes, as well as variable release rates. This overview addresses the concept of 3D printing, its evolution, and its operation, as well as the most popular types of 3D printing processes utilized in the health care industry. It also discusses the application of these cutting-edge technologies to the pharmaceutical industry, advancements in various medical fields and medical equipment, 3D bioprinting, the most recent initiatives to combat COVID-19, regulatory frameworks, and the major challenges that this technology currently faces. In addition, we attempt to provide some futuristic approaches to 3DP applications.
- MeSH
- 3D tisk * MeSH
- bioprinting metody MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- farmaceutický průmysl MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- poskytování zdravotní péče MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels lead to hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition associated with various neurological disorders affecting multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus. In this study, we investigated the effects of exposing cultured rat hippocampal neurons to Hcy concentrations corresponding to mild, moderate, and severe hyperhomocysteinemia. A short 24-hour exposure had minimal effects, whereas prolonged exposure up to 14 days moderately enhanced hippocampal excitability without altering the gene expression of voltage-dependent calcium, sodium, or potassium channels or intracellular calcium levels. These findings suggest that Hcy-induced changes in neuronal excitability may contribute to neuropathologies associated with hyperhomocysteinemia.
- MeSH
- hipokampus * cytologie účinky léků MeSH
- homocystein * farmakologie MeSH
- iontové kanály * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- kultivované buňky MeSH
- neurony * účinky léků metabolismus cytologie MeSH
- potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
- regulace genové exprese * účinky léků MeSH
- vápník metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The cerebral biomarkers, neurofilament light chain (NfL), amyloid-β, tau, and neuron specific enolase (NSE) reflect a wide spectrum of neurological damage in the brain and spinal cord. With this study, we aimed to assess whether these biomarkers hold any potential diagnostic value for the three most common canine neurological diseases. Canines suffering from meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), brain tumors, and selected non-infectious myelopathies were included. For each diagnosis, we analyzed these biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid collected via cranial puncture from the cisterna magna. Elevated levels of CSF tau, NfL, and NSE were observed in MUO, with all three biomarkers being intercorrelated. Tau and NSE were increased while amyloid-β was decreased in dogs suffering from tumors. In contrast, no biomarker changes were observed in dogs with myelopathies. Covariates such as age, sex, or castration had minimal impact. CSF biomarkers may reflect molecular changes related to MUO and tumors, but not to non-infectious myelopathies. The combination of NfL, tau, and NSE may represent useful biomarkers for MUO as they reflect the same pathology and are not influenced by age.
- MeSH
- amyloidní beta-protein mozkomíšní mok MeSH
- biologické markery * mozkomíšní mok MeSH
- fosfopyruváthydratasa mozkomíšní mok MeSH
- meningoencefalitida mozkomíšní mok veterinární diagnóza MeSH
- nádory mozku mozkomíšní mok veterinární MeSH
- nemoci nervového systému mozkomíšní mok veterinární diagnóza MeSH
- nemoci psů * mozkomíšní mok diagnóza MeSH
- neurofilamentové proteiny * mozkomíšní mok MeSH
- proteiny tau * mozkomíšní mok MeSH
- psi MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- psi MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Heart failure (HF) is life-threatening disease due to electro-mechanical dysfunction associated with hemodynamic overload, while alterations of extracellular matrix (ECM) along with perturbed connexin-43 (Cx43) might be key factors involved. We aimed to explore a dual impact of pressure, and volume overload due to aorto-caval fistula (ACF) on Cx43 and ECM as well as effect of renin-angiotensin blockade. Hypertensive Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) and normotensive Hannover Sprague-Dawley rats (HSD) that underwent ACF were treated for 15-weeks with trandolapril or losartan. Blood serum and heart tissue samples of the right (RV) and left ventricles (LV) were used for analyses. ACF-HF increased RV, LV and lung mass in HSD and to lesser extent in TGR, while treatment attenuated it and normalized serum ANP, BNP-45 and TBARS. Cx43 protein and its ser368 variant along with PKCε were lower in TGR vs HSD and suppressed in both rat strains due to ACF but prevented more by trandolapril. Pro-hypertrophic PKCδ, collagen I and hydroxyproline were elevated in TGR and increased due to ACF in both rat strains. While SMAD2/3 and MMP2 levels were lower in TGR vs HSD and reduced due to ACF in both strains. Findings point out the strain-related differences in response to volume overload. Disorders of Cx43 and ECM signalling may contribute not only to HF but also to the formation of arrhythmogenic substrate. There is benefit of treatment with trandolapril and losartan indicating their pleiotropic anti-arrhythmic potential. It may provide novel input to therapy.
- MeSH
- extracelulární matrix MeSH
- hypertenze * MeSH
- konexin 43 genetika MeSH
- krevní tlak MeSH
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- losartan farmakologie MeSH
- píštěle * MeSH
- potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
- potkani transgenní MeSH
- renin MeSH
- srdeční selhání * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu rattus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Laboratory production of recombinant mammalian proteins, particularly antibodies, requires an expression pipeline assuring sufficient yield and correct folding with appropriate posttranslational modifications. Transient gene expression (TGE) in the suspension-adapted Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines has become the method of choice for this task. The antibodies can be secreted into the media, which facilitates subsequent purification, and can be glycosylated. However, in general, protein production in CHO cells is expensive and may provide variable outcomes, namely in laboratories without previous experience. While achievable yields may be influenced by the nucleotide sequence, there are other aspects of the process which offer space for optimization, like gene delivery method, cultivation process or expression plasmid design. Polyethylenimine (PEI)-mediated gene delivery is frequently employed as a low-cost alternative to liposome-based methods. In this work, we are proposing a TGE platform for universal medium-scale production of antibodies and other proteins in CHO cells, with a novel expression vector allowing fast and flexible cloning of new genes and secretion of translated proteins. The production cost has been further reduced using recyclable labware. Nine days after transfection, we routinely obtain milligrams of antibody Fabs or human lactoferrin in a 25 mL culture volume. Potential of the platform is established based on the production and crystallization of antibody Fabs and their complexes.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
A number of materials are studied in the field of magnetic hyperthermia. In general, the most promising ones appear to be iron oxide particle nanosystems. This is also indicated in some clinical trial studies where iron-based oxides were used. On the other hand, the type of material itself provides a number of variations on how to tune hyperthermia indicators. In this paper, magnetite nanoparticles in various forms were analyzed. The nanoparticles differed in the core size as well as in the form of their arrangement. The arrangement was determined by the nature of the surfactant. The individual particles were covered chemically by dextran; in the case of chain-like particles, they were encapsulated naturally in a lipid bilayer. It was shown that in the case of chain-like nanoparticles, except for relaxation, a contribution from magnetic hysteresis to the heating process also appears. The influence of the chosen methodology of magnetic field generation was also analyzed. In addition, the influence of the chosen methodology of magnetic field generation was analyzed. The application of a rotating magnetic field was shown to be more efficient in generating heat than the application of an alternating magnetic field. However, the degree of efficiency depended on the arrangement of the magnetite nanoparticles. The difference in the efficiency of the rotating magnetic field versus the alternating magnetic field was much more pronounced for individual nanoparticles (in the form of a magnetic fluid) than for systems containing chain nanoparticles (magnetosomes and a mix of magnetic fluid with magnetosomes in a ratio 1:1).
This study investigated whether sacubitril/valsartan and ivabradine are able to prevent left ventricular (LV) fibrotic remodelling and dysfunction in a rat experimental model of spontaneous hypertension (spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHRs) and whether this potential protection is associated with RAAS alterations. Five groups of three-month-old male Wistar rats and SHRs were treated for six weeks as follows: untreated Wistar controls, Wistar plus sacubitril/valsartan, SHR, SHR plus sacubitril/valsartan, and SHR plus ivabradine. The SHRs developed a systolic blood pressure (SBP) increase, LV hypertrophy and fibrosis, and LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. However, no changes in serum RAAS were observed in SHRs compared with the controls. Elevated SBP in SHRs was decreased by sacubitril/valsartan but not by ivabradine, and only sacubitril/valsartan attenuated LV hypertrophy. Both sacubitril/valsartan and ivabradine reduced LV collagen content and attenuated LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Sacubitril/valsartan increased the serum levels of angiotensin (Ang) II, Ang III, Ang IV, Ang 1-5, Ang 1-7, and aldosterone, while ivabradine did not affect the RAAS. We conclude that the SHR is a normal-to-low serum RAAS model of experimental hypertension. While the protection of the hypertensive heart in SHRs by sacubitril/valsartan may be related to an Ang II blockade and the protective Ang 1-7, the benefits of ivabradine were not associated with RAAS modulation.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Atranorin (ATR) is a secondary metabolite of lichens. While previous studies investigated the effects of this substance predominantly in an in vitro environment, in our study we investigated the basic physicochemical properties, the binding affinity to human serum albumin (HSA), basic pharmacokinetics, and, mainly, on the systematic effects of ATR in vivo. Sporadic studies describe its effects during, predominantly, cancer. This project is original in terms of testing the efficacy of ATR on a healthy organism, where we can possibly attribute negative effects directly to ATR and not to the disease. For the experiment, 24 Sprague Dawley rats (Velaz, Únetice, Czech Republic) were used. The animals were divided into four groups. The first group (n = 6) included healthy males as control intact rats (♂INT) and the second group (n = 6) included healthy females as control intact rats (♀INT). Groups three and four (♂ATR/n = 6 and ♀ATR/n = 6) consisted of animals with daily administered ATR (10mg/kg body weight) in an ethanol-water solution per os for a one-month period. Our results demonstrate that ATR binds to HSA near the binding site TRP214 and acts on a systemic level. ATR caused mild anemia during the treatment. However, based on the levels of hepatic enzymes in the blood (ALT, ALP, or bilirubin levels), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), or liver histology, no impact on liver was recorded. Significantly increased creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase levels together with increased defecation activity during behavioral testing may indicate the anabolic effect of ATR in skeletal muscles. Interestingly, ATR changed some forms of behavior. ATR at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight is non-toxic and, therefore, could be used in further research.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
New screen-printed sensor with a boron-doped diamond working electrode (SP/BDDE) was fabricated using a large-area linear antenna microwave chemical deposition vapor system (LA-MWCVD) with a novel precursor composition. It combines the advantages of disposable printed sensors, such as tailored design, low cost, and easy mass production, with excellent electrochemical properties of BDDE, including a wide available potential window, low background currents, chemical resistance, and resistance to passivation. The newly prepared SP/BDDEs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Their electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using inner sphere ([Fe(CN)6]4-/3-) and outer sphere ([Ru(NH3)6]2+/3+) redox probes. Moreover, the applicability of these new sensors was verified by analysis of the anti-inflammatory drug lornoxicam in model and pharmaceutical samples. Using optimized differential pulse voltammetry in Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 3, detection limits for lornoxicam were 9 × 10-8 mol L-1. The oxidation mechanism of lornoxicam was investigated using bulk electrolysis and online electrochemical cell with mass spectrometry; nine distinct reaction steps and corresponding products and intermediates were identified.
- MeSH
- bor * chemie MeSH
- elektrody MeSH
- elektrolýza * MeSH
- oxidace-redukce MeSH
- Ramanova spektroskopie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
