Lack of influence of the COX inhibitors metamizol and diclofenac on platelet GPIIb/IIIa and P-selectin expression in vitro

BACKGROUND: The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reduced platelet aggregation and thromboxane A(2 )synthesis has been well documented. However, the influence on platelet function is not fully explained. Aim of this study was to examine the influence of the COX-1 inhibiting NSAIDs, diclofenac and metamizol on platelet activation and leukocyte-platelet complexes, in vitro. Surface expression of GPIIb/IIIa and P-selectin on platelets, and the percentage of platelet-leukocyte complexes were investigated. METHODS: Whole blood was incubated with three different concentrations of diclofenac and metamizol for 5 and 30 minutes, followed by activation with TRAP-6 and ADP. Rates of GPIIb/IIIa and P-selectin expression, and the percentage of platelet-leukocyte complexes were analyzed by a flow-cytometric assay. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the expression of GPIIb/IIIa and P-selectin, and in the formation of platelet-leukocyte complexes after activation with ADP and TRAP-6, regarding both the time of incubation and the concentrations of diclofenac and metamizol. CONCLUSIONS: Accordingly, the inhibitory effect of diclofenac and metamizol on platelet aggregation is not related to a reduced surface expression of P-selectin and GPIIb/IIIa on platelets

Augmented instructions : analysis of performance and efficiency of assembly tasks

Augmented Reality (AR) technology makes it possible to present information in the user’s line of sight, right at the point of use. This brings the capability to visualise complex information for industrial maintenance applications in an effective manner, which typically rely on paper instructions and tacit knowledge developed over time. Existing research in AR instruction manuals has already shown its potential to reduce the time taken to complete assembly tasks, as well as improving accuracy [1–3]. In this study, the outcomes of several aspects of AR instructions are explored and their effects on the chosen Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of task completion time, error rate, cognitive effort and usability are assessed. A standardised AR assembly task is also described for performance comparison, and a novel AR experimental tool is presented, which takes advantage of the flexibility of internet connected peripherals, to explore various different aspects of AR app design to isolate their effects. Results of the experiments are given here, providing insight into the most effective way of delivering information and promoting interaction between user and computer, in terms of user performance and acceptance

Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are useful markers for assessing effects of anti-inflammatory diet in patients before coronary artery bypass grafting

Background. One of the risk factors responsible for coronary artery disease (CAD) is an inadequate diet that is frequently deficient in anti-inflammatory components, such as polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are inflammatory markers that may reflect a diet’s anti- inflammatory potential. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects that CAD patients’ nutrition patterns have on NLR and SII. Material and methods. A retrospective study assessed the dietary habits and inflammatory marker levels in patients with advanced CAD before they underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n=101). Patients were divided into subgroups based on their NLR and SII levels. Results. Subgroups with lower NLR and SII levels had consumed significantly more eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p=0.02). The group with alower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (<4:1) also had lower NLR and SII levels (p=0.007 and p=0.01, respectively). Statistically significant negative correlations were found between EPA and DHA, as well as omega-3 intake, and both NLR and SII values. No statistically significant differences were found between the subgroups with lower and higher NLR and SII values for polyphenol intakes. Conclusions. Inflammatory markers such as NLR and SII may reflect an anti-inflammatory diet consumed by cardiac patients. A simultaneous assessment of dietary habits and inflammatory parameters is beneficial in the possible prevention of adverse cardiovascular incidents after CABG. There is also a need to establish reference values for SII and NL

Exercise in treating hypertension

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the impact of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) on skin sensitization caused by chemicals. OBJECTIVES: We determined the ability of different ENPs (TiO2 , Ag and SiO2 ) and aged paint particles containing ENPs to modulate dermal sensitization by a known potent dermal sensitizer. METHODS: The fur of BALB/c mice in the area around the ears was cut with scissors 1 day prior to topical exposure to ENPs (0.4, 4 or 40 mg mL(-1) ), paint particles containing ENPs (4 mg mL(-1) ) or vehicle (day 0). On days 1, 2 and 3, the mice received dermal applications on the back of both ears of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) or vehicle. The stimulation index (SI) was calculated on day 6. RESULTS: Topical exposure to TiO2 , Ag or SiO2 ENPs, or aged paint particles followed by vehicle treatment as a control, did not influence the SI. When 4 mg mL(-1) TiO2 ENPs were applied prior to DNCB sensitization, we found an increased SI compared with vehicle-exposed mice prior to DNCB sensitization. Furthermore, an increased titanium concentration was found in the draining lymph node cells of this group. Topical exposure to Ag or SiO2 ENPs or aged paint particles prior to DNCB sensitization did not influence the SI. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that topical exposure to TiO2 ENPs increases chemical-induced dermal sensitization

Polyphenol-rich diet is associated with decreased level of inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer patients

Background. The study investigated the relationship between dietary intake of polyphenols and inflammatory markers: CRP, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), medium platelet volume/lymphocyte ratio (MPVRL), in newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients. Objectives. The aim of this work was to verify whether diet rich in plant polyphenols affects inflammatory markers in breast cancer patients. Materials and methods. 78 patients (55.3±14.5 years) treated surgically for breast cancer were studied. A modified FFQ and authorial worksheet based on the Phenol Explorer database was used to measure the amount of plant polyphenols in a diet. Basing on the median of polyphenols intake (1780 mg/day), the group was divided into two subgroups: low- and high- dietary intake of polyphenols (LDIP and HDIP, respectively). Plasma CRP level was measured and NLR, PLR and MPVLR were calculated using results from peripheral blood morphology. Results. LDIP was associated with significantly higher CRP (elevated in 34.5% LDIP patients vs. 8.3% HDIP, p<0.003), NLR (elevated in 46.2% LDIP patients vs. 25.6% HDIP, p<0.006) and PLR level (elevated in 25.6% LDIP patients vs. 12.8% HDIP, p<0.03). MPVLR was not significantly different between both the subgroups. Conclusion. High dietary intake of polyphenols remarkably reduced process of inflammation in breast cancer patients, which has important clinical implications. The study demonstrated also an usefulness of simple, cheap and commonly available biomarkers for monitoring anti-inflammatory effects of diet.Wprowadzenie. Badano zależność pomiędzy pobraniem polifenoli wraz z dietą a poziomem markerów stanu zapalnego: CRP, wskaźnika neutrofile/limfocyty (NLR), płytki/limfocyty (PLR) oraz średnia objętość płytek/limfocyty (MPVLR) wśród nowo zdiagnozowanych pacjentek z rakiem piersi. Cel. Celem pracy było zweryfikowanie czy dieta bogata w polifenole roślinne wpływa na parametry stanu zapalnego u pacjentek z rakiem piersi. Materiały i metody. Do badania włączono 78 pacjentek (55.3±14.5 lat) klasyfikowanych do leczenia chirurgicznego raka piersi. Do oszacowania zawartości polifenoli w diecie użyto zmodyfikowanego zwalidowanego FFQ i autorskiego arkusza opartego na bazie Phenol Explorer. Po wyliczeniu median spożycia polifenoli (1780mg/dobę), podzielono pacjentki na dwie grupy: niskiego i wysokiego spożycia polifenoli (odpowiednio LDIP I HDIP). Zmierzono stężenie CRP oraz na podstawie wyników morfologii krwi obwodowej wyliczono wskaźniki NLR, PLR oraz MPVLR. Wyniki. W grupie z niższym pobraniem polifenoli zaobserwowano znacząco wyższe wartości CRP (podwyższone u 34.5% vs grupa wysokiego spożycia 8.3%, p<0.003), NLR (podwyższone w 46.2% vs 25.6%, p<0.006) oraz poziom PLR (podwyższone u 25.6% vs 12.8%, p<0.03). Wartości MPVLR nie różniły się istotnie pomiędzy podgrupami. Wnioski. Wysokie spożycie polifenoli znacząco redukowało proces zapalny u pacjentek z rakiem piersi, co ma znaczące implikacje kliniczne. Badanie przedstawiło również użyteczność prostych, tanich i powszechnie dostępnych biomarkerów do monitorowania przeciwzapalnego wpływu diety