Analýza exportu medzi Ukrajinou a krajinami vyšehradskej skupiny

The dynamic development of foreign trade is important for the stable economic position. It can be considered as a confi rmation of the actual efficiency of the national economy and its ability to be competitive in the global economics. In this paper, we analyze main tendencies of export trade of Ukraine with Visegrad countries and examine whether there is a relationship between the level of GDP and the volume of export activities between these countries. It should be noted that various agreements were concluded between Ukraine and each country of the V4 group regarding economic and trade relations. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate development of export of goods between Ukraine and Visegrad countries between years 2002-2013. The data of State Statistics Service of Ukraine, Eurostat and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) were used. The development of export from Ukraine to V4 countries is investigated using the software GRETL and log-log linear model. It is discovered that Ukraine’s export operations are impacted by export to other trade partners and GDP per capita of the country. The strongest positive link to Ukraine export from V4 group is represented by Poland. It is identified that, when the GDP per capita of the concerned country goes up, the export to that country declines. It is also revealed that there is a substantial difference with respect to export of agricultural commodities from Ukraine to the above-mentioned countries. To a significant extent, Ukraine’s export is oriented towards plant products. Ukraine should elaborate a well-defined trade strategy and extend its current export activities with V4 countries. It should be more deeply integrated into the EU’s market for using more efficiently possibilities, which exist in the frame of the signed Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement. © 2018, Technical University of Liberec. All rights reserved

The analysis of export trade between Ukraine and Visegrad countries

The dynamic development of foreign trade is important for the stable economic position. It can be considered as a confirmation of the actual efficiency of the national economy and its ability to be competitive in the global economics. In this paper, we analyze main tendencies of export trade of Ukraine with Visegrad countries and examine whether there is a relationship between the level of GDP and the volume of export activities between these countries. It should be noted that various agreements were concluded between Ukraine and each country of the V4 group regarding economic and trade relations. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate development of export of goods between Ukraine and Visegrad countries between years 2002-2013. The data of State Statistics Service of Ukraine, Eurostat and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) were used. The development of export from Ukraine to V4 countries is investigated using the software GRETL and log-log linear model. It is discovered that Ukraine’s export operations are impacted by export to other trade partners and GDP per capita of the country. The strongest positive link to Ukraine export from V4 group is represented by Poland. It is identified that, when the GDP per capita of the concerned country goes up, the export to that country declines. It is also revealed that there is a substantial difference with respect to export of agricultural commodities from Ukraine to the above-mentioned countries. To a significant extent, Ukraine’s export is oriented towards plant products. Ukraine should elaborate a well-defined trade strategy and extend its current export activities with V4 countries. It should be more deeply integrated into the EU’s market for using more efficiently possibilities, which exist in the frame of the signed Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement

The Differences in Postprandial Serum Concentrations of Peptides That Regulate Satiety/Hunger and Metabolism after Various Meal Intake, in Men with Normal vs. Excessive BMI

The energy balance regulation may differ in lean and obese people. The purposes of our study were to evaluate the hormonal response to meals with varying macronutrient content, and the differences depending on body weight. Methods. The crossover study included 46 men, 21⁻58 years old, normal-weight and overweight/obese. Every subject participated in two meal-challenge-tests with high-carbohydrate (HC), and normo-carbohydrate (NC) or high-fat (HF) meals. Fasting and postprandial blood was collected for a further 240 min, to determine adiponectin, leptin and total ghrelin concentrations. Results. In normal-weight individuals after HC-meal we observed at 60min higher adiponectin concentrations (12,554 ± 1531 vs. 8691 ± 1070 ng/mL, p = 0.01) and significantly (p < 0.05) lower total ghrelin concentrations during the first 120 min, than after HF-meal intake. Fasting and postprandial leptin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in overweigh/obese men. Leptin concentrations in normal-weight men were higher (2.72 ± 0.8 vs. 1.56 ± 0.4 ng/mL, p = 0.01) 180 min after HC-meal than after NC-meal intake. Conclusions. Our results suggest that in normal-body weight men we can expect more beneficial leptin, adiponectin, and total ghrelin response after HC-meal intake, whereas, in overweight/obese men, the HC-meal intake may exacerbate the feeling of hunger, and satiety may be induced more by meals with lower carbohydrate content

Informational support on creation of the geoportal “Environmental Safety Of Ukrainian-Polish Transboundary Territories” by technologies of robotized monitoring

The concept of creation of the geoportal “Environmental Safety of Ukrainian-Polish Transboundary Territories” has been developed. General principles and methodological approaches of spatiotemporal geographically distributed thematic data integration were substantiated. The geoinformation system, which is based on results of monitoring researches of objects of the nature reserve fund in the biosphere reserve “Roztochya”, is considered. The geoinformation monitoring technologies ensure ecological safety management. The proposed geoportal determines directions of information technology implementation for transboundary monitoring of ecosystems in the euroregions

Dietary Fiber Intake May Influence the Impact of FTO Genetic Variants on Obesity Parameters and Lipid Profile—A Cohort Study of a Caucasian Population of Polish Origin

Genetic and environmental factors play a key role in the development of obesity. The aim of this study was to explore the potential effect of fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) rs3751812, rs8050136, rs9939609, rs6499640, rs8044769, and rs7190492 genotypes and dietary fiber intake on the obesity-related parameters and lipid profile in the Polish population. We selected 819 Polish Caucasian adult subjects (52.5% female and 47.5% male) for a final gene–diet interaction analysis, with mean BMI 28.5 (±6.6) kg/m2. We performed measurements of anthropometric parameters, total body fat content and distribution, and blood glucose, insulin, and lipid concentrations. Daily fiber intake was analyzed based on 3-day food-intake diaries, and daily physical activity was evaluated based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Long Form. Our study shows that carriers of the GG genotype (rs3751812), CC genotype (rs8050136), and GG genotype (rs6499640) presented lower hip circumference if daily fiber intake was above 18 g per day. Additionally, GG genotype (rs3751812) and CC genotype (rs8050136) carriers showed surprisingly higher total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels when they were stratified to the group with higher than median fiber intake. The results of this study highlight that high-fiber diets may positively affect anthropometric parameters but may also worsen lipid profile dependent on the FTO genotype

The Impact of FTO Genetic Variants on Obesity and Its Metabolic Consequences is Dependent on Daily Macronutrient Intake

Numerous studies have identified the various fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) genetic variants associated with obesity and its metabolic consequences; however, the impact of dietary factors on these associations remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), daily macronutrient intake, and obesity and its metabolic consequences. From 1549 Caucasian subjects of Polish origin, genotyped for the FTO SNPs (rs3751812, rs8044769, rs8050136, and rs9939609), 819 subjects were selected for gene–diet interaction analysis. Anthropometric measurements were performed and total body fat content and distribution, blood glucose and insulin concentration during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and lipid profile were determined. Macronutrient intake was analyzed based on three-day food records, and daily physical activity levels were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Long Form (IPAQ-LF). Our study shows that carriers of the GG genotype of rs3751812 presented lower body weight, body mass index (BMI), total body fat content, and hip and waist circumference and presented lower obesity-related markers if more than 48% of daily energy intake was derived from carbohydrates and lower subcutaneous and visceral fat content when energy intake derived from dietary fat did not exceed 30%. Similar results were observed for rs8050136 CC genotype carriers. We did not notice any significant differences in obesity markers between genotypes of rs8044769, but we did observe a significant impact of diet-gene associations. Body weight and BMI were significantly higher in TT and CT genotype carriers if daily energy intake derived from carbohydrates was less than 48%. Moreover, in TT genotype carriers, we observed higher blood glucose concentration while fasting and during the OGTT test if more than 18% of total energy intake was derived from proteins. In conclusion, our results indicate that daily macronutrient intake may modulate the impact of FTO genetic SNPs on obesity and obesity-related metabolic consequences

Dietary Macronutrient Intake May Influence the Effects of TCF7L2 rs7901695 Genetic Variants on Glucose Homeostasis and Obesity-Related Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study

Transcription factor-7–like 2 (TCF7L2) is one of the most important susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of our cross-sectional population-based study was to analyze whether daily macronutrient intake may influence the effects of the TCF7L2 rs7901695 genotype on glucose homeostasis and obesity-related parameters. We recruited 810 participants (47.5% men and 52.5% women), 18–79 years old (mean age, 42.1 (±14.5) years), who were genotyped for the common TCF7L2 rs7901695 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and anthropometric measurements, body composition, body fat distribution (visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) content), blood glucose and insulin concentrations after fasting and during OGTTs, and HbA1c were assessed. The VAT/SAT ratio, HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), HOMA-B (homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function), and CIR30 (corrected insulin response) were calculated. The daily macronutrient intake was evaluated based on 3-day food-intake diaries. Daily physical activity was evaluated based on a validated questionnaire. We performed ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests, and multivariate linear regression models were created to evaluate the effects of dietary macronutrient intake on glucose homeostasis and obesity-related parameters in carriers of the investigated genotypes. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT03792685. The TT-genotype carriers stratified to the upper protein intake quantiles presented higher HbA1c levels than the CT- and CC-genotype participants in the same quantiles (p = 0.038 and p = 0.022, respectively). Moreover, we observed higher HOMA-IR (p = 0.014), as well as significantly higher blood glucose and insulin concentrations, during the OGTTs for those in the upper quantiles, when compared to subjects from the lower quantiles of protein intake, while the CC-genotype carriers presented significantly lower HbA1c (p = 0.033) and significantly higher CIR30 (p = 0.03). The linear regression models revealed that an increase in energy derived from proteins in TT carriers was associated with higher HbA1c levels (β = 0.37 (95% CI: 0.01–0.74, p = 0.05)), although, in general, carrying the TT genotype, but without considering protein intake, showed an opposite tendency—to lower HbA1c levels (β = −0.22 (95% CI: 0.47 to −0.01, p = 0.05). Among the subjects stratified to the lower quantile of carbohydrate intake, the TT-genotype individuals presented higher HbA1c (p = 0.041), and the CC-genotype subjects presented higher VAT (p = 0.033), lower SAT (p = 0.033), and higher VAT/SAT ratios (p = 0.034). In both the CC- and TT-genotype carriers, we noted higher VAT (p = 0.012 and p = 0.0006, respectively), lower SAT (p = 0.012 and p = 0.0006, respectively) and higher VAT/SAT ratios (p = 0.016 and p = 0.00062, respectively) when dietary fat provided more than 30% of total daily energy intake, without any differences in total body fat content. Our findings suggest that associations of the common TCF7L2 SNP with glucose homeostasis and obesity-related parameters may be dependent on daily macronutrient intake, which warrants further investigations in a larger population, as well as interventional studies

The Role of Muscle Decline in Type 2 Diabetes Development: A 5-Year Prospective Observational Cohort Study

The major risk factors of T2DM (type 2 diabetes mellitus) development are still under investigation. We evaluate the possible risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in adult subjects during a five-year prospective cohort study. We recruited 1160 subjects who underwent oral glucose tolerance test, anthropometric measurements, and body composition and body fat distribution analysis at a baseline visit and again at follow-up after approximately five years. The conclusions of this study are based on observation of 219 subjects who attended both the first and follow-up visits. The fasting serum insulin was measured, and HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance) was calculated. During the follow-up period, T2DM was diagnosed in 7.4% of participants, impaired fasting glucose in 37.7%, and impaired glucose tolerance in 9.3%. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, were constructed. The changes in glucose concentration, visceral fat tissue content, insulin resistance, and %loss of muscle mass were chosen as the potential predictors for T2DM development. A set of independent variables was extracted. The constructed feature set comprised change in HOMA-IR (OR (odds ratio) = 1.01, p < 0.01) and change in %loss of muscle mass (OR = 0.84, p < 0.03). With an aim to validate the prediction capability using the selected attributes, a support vector machine classifier and leave-one-out cross-validation procedure was applied, yielding 92.78% classification accuracy. Our results show the correlation between the %loss of muscle mass and T2DM development in adults, independent of changes in insulin resistance

The Beneficial Effect of Cinnamon and Red Capsicum Intake on Postprandial Changes in Plasma Metabolites Evoked by a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Men with Overweight/Obesity

The relationship of high-carbohydrate (HC) meal intake to metabolic syndrome is still not fully explained. Metabolomics has the potential to indicate metabolic pathways altered by HC meals, which may improve our knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which HC meals may contribute to metabolic syndrome development. The fasting and postprandial metabolic response to HC or normo-carbohydrate (NC) meals with/without cinnamon + capsicum intake was evaluated using untargeted metabolomics and compared between normal-weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) healthy men. Healthy male participants (age-matched) were divided into two groups (12 subjects per group). One was composed of men with normal weight (NW) and the other of men with overweight/obesity (OW/OB). On separate visits (with 2–3 week intervals), the participants received standardized HC or NC meals (89% or 45% carbohydrates, respectively). Fasting (0 min) and postprandial (30, 60, 120, 180 min) blood were collected for untargeted plasma metabolomics. Based on each metabolic feature’s intensity change in time, the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Obtained AUCs were analyzed using multivariate statistics. Several metabolic pathways were found dysregulated after an HC meal in people from the OW/OB group but not the NW group. The consumption of HC meals by people with overweight/obesity led to a substantial increase in AUC, mainly for metabolites belonging to phospholipids and fatty acid amides. The opposite was observed for selected sphingolipids. The intake of cinnamon and capsicum normalized the concentration of selected altered metabolites induced by the intake of HC meals. A HC meal may induce an unfavourable postprandial metabolic response in individuals with overweight/obesity, and such persons should avoid HC meals