Innervation of the pineal gland in the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) by nerve fibres immunoreactive to substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide

Background: The study demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the nerve fibres supplying the pineal gland in the Arctic fox. Materials and methods: The expression and distribution pattern of the studied substances were examined by double-labelling immunofluorescence technique. Results: The SP-positive fibres enter into the pineal gland through the capsule as the nervi conarii. The fibres formed thick bundles in the capsule and connective tissue septa, from where they penetrated into the pineal parenchyma. Inside the parenchyma, the nerve fibres created basket-like structures surrounding clusters of pinealocytes. The density of intrapineal SP positive fibres was slightly higher in the distal and middle parts of the gland than in the proximal one. Double immunostaining with antibodies against SP and CGRP revealed that the vast majority of SP positive fibres were also CGRP positive. The fibres showing a positive reaction to SP and negative to CGRP were scattered within the whole gland. The fibres immunopositive to CGRP and immunonegative to SP were not observed. In the habenular and posterior commissural areas adjoining to the pineal gland the immunoreactive nerve fibres were not found. Moreover, no immunopositive cell bodies were observed in both the pineal gland and the commissural areas. Conclusions: These results reveal that SP and CGRP are involved in the innervation of pineal gland in carnivores. In turn we suggest that these peptides can regulate/modulate melatonin secretion

Attitudes of Slovenian family practice patients toward changing unhealthy lifestyle and the role of family physicians: cross-sectional study

Aim To assess patients’ attitudes toward changing unhealthy lifestyle, confidence in the success, and desired involvement of their family physicians in facilitating this change. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in 15 family physicians’ practices on a consecutive sample of 472 patients (44.9% men, mean age (± standard deviation) 49.3 ± 10.9 years) from October 2007 to May 2008. Patients were given a self-administered questionnaire on attitudes toward changing unhealthy diet, increasing physical activity, and reducing body weight. It also included questions on confidence in the success, planning lifestyle changes, and advice from family physicians. Results Nearly 20% of patients planned to change their eating habits, increase physical activity, and reach normal body weight. Approximately 30% of patients (more men than women) said that they wanted to receive advice on this issue from their family physicians. Younger patients and patients with higher education were more confident that they could improve their lifestyle. Patients who planned to change their lifestyle and were more confident in the success wanted to receive advice from their family physicians. Conclusion Family physicians should regularly ask the patients about the intention of changing their lifestyle and offer them help in carrying out this intention

Twelve-year Blood Pressure Dynamics in Adults in Ljubljana Area, Slovenia: Contribution of WHO Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Diseases Intervention Program

Aim: To determine 12-year dynamics of the average value of arterial blood pressure and arterial hypertension prevalence among adult residents of Ljubljana area in Slovenia, and to assess the probable contribution of World Health Organization’s Countrywide Integrated Noncommunicable Diseases Intervention Program (CINDI) to observed dynamics. Methods: A total of 4409 adults aged 25-64 participated in three successive cross-sectional surveys performed in Ljubljana area from late autumn to early spring 1990/1991, 1996/1997, and 2002/2003 (n1990/91=1692, n1996/97=1342, n1990/91=1375). Standardized measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were performed. The subjects were considered to have hypertension if systolic/diastolic blood pressure was ≥140/90 mm Hg. The dynamics of average values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures and arterial hypertension was statistically assessed with multiple linear or logistic regression. Results: After the adjustment for the effects of sex, age, and education, the average value of systolic blood pressure remained almost the same between 1990/1991 and 1996/1997 (130.6±20.3 and 130.6±19.6 mm Hg, respectively; P=0.728), whereas it significantly decreased to 127.6±17.8 mm Hg in 2002/2003 (P<0.001). The average value of diastolic blood pressure was not significantly different in 1990/1991, 1996/1997, and 2002/2003 (83.4±11.6 mm Hg, 84.1±11.4 mm Hg, and 83.5±11.2 mm Hg, respectively; P=0.059). The odds ratio for arterial hypertension increased significantly between 1990/1991 and 1996/1997 (P=0.001), but decreased between 1996/1997 and 2002/2003 (P=0.135). Conclusions: The values of blood pressure remained unchanged or increased during the first half of 12-year period, but decreased during the second half. The favorable decrease in average blood pressure could be attributed to systematic intervention promoted by CINDI program activities in Slovenia, which started in the late 1990s

EUROPREV guide on promoting health through physical activity

This booklet was developed by EUROPREV - the European Network for Prevention and Health Promotion in Family Medicine / General Practice. EUROPREV is the official network for preventive activities within WONCA- Europe, the European regional branch of WONCA - the World Organization of Family Doctors. This guide is aimed at practicing general practitioners/family physicians, who need a simple, short and practical guide for counselling physical activity to their patients. EUROPREV's objective was to cover most of the questions and dilemmas patients have while considering a health behaviour change. We hope that this booklet will help general practitioners/family physicians to be more efficient in helping their patients change health related behaviour.peer-reviewe

Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Causes Changes in Serotonin-Positive Neurons in the Small Intestine in Pig Model

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter of the central and peripheral nervous systems, predominantly secreted in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the gut. 5-HT is a crucial enteric signaling molecule and is well known for playing a key role in sensory-motor and secretory functions in the gut. Gastroenteropathy is one of the most clinical problems in diabetic patients with frequent episodes of hyperglycemia. Changes in 5-HT expression may mediate gastrointestinal tract disturbances seen in diabetes, such as nausea and diarrhea. Based on the double immunohistochemical staining, this study determined the variability in the population of 5-HT-positive neurons in the porcine small intestinal enteric neurons in the course of streptozotocininduced diabetes. The results show changes in the number of 5-HT-positive neurons in the examined intestinal sections. The greatest changes were observed in the jejunum, particularly within the myenteric plexus. In the ileum, both de novo 5-HT synthesis in the inner submucosal plexus neurons and an increase in the number of neurons in the outer submucosal plexus were noted. The changes observed in the duodenum were also increasing in nature. The results of the current study confirm the previous observations concerning the involvement of 5-HT in inflammatory processes, and an increase in the number of 5-HT -positive neurons may also be a result of increased concentration of the 5-HT in the gastrointestinal tract wall and affects the motor and secretory processes, which are particularly intense in the small intestines

Performance analysis of small wastewater treatment plants for mountain lodges

This paper presents the operation of seven small municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) at mountain huts all over Slovenia. The studied WWTPs were selected as a representative sample based on inventory of all WWTPs of Alpine Association of Slovenia. Performance efficiency of selected WWTPs was carried out on the basis of 20 parameters obtained by field measurements and laboratory analyses of wastewater, which was sampled in winter and summer. Together, we carried out 200 hours of field research in the mountains.\ud Based on the assessment of the operation efficiency of selected WWTPs, proposals for their improvements were suggested. In addition to improvement proposals, the paper includes suggestions for Slovenian legislation complementation, proposals for engineers and planers, operators, producers, and suggestions for improvement and standardization of field measurements and sampling. This paper presents the first extensive survey of WWTP performance in the frame of Alpine Association of Slovenia and can serve as a basis for further studies of WWTPs at mountain huts, characterized by high fluctuations of influent wastewater.\ud The paper presents research, primarily based on field work, the key results and describes the main findings and unanswered questions. It also presents the key changes in the frame of new Regulation (2012) regarding mountain huts or non-permanent inhabited buildings.\u