INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE IN PREADOLESCENT AGE

Cardiorespiratory or aerobic endurance is the ability of the whole body to sustain physical activity for an extended period of time, involving relatively large groups of muscles. The attitudes on the possible impact of training on cardiorespiratory endurance in preadolescents are contradictory. Our study enrolled 195 boys aged 11 to 12 years. Experimental group (n=92) consisted of the children who had been involved with planned and programmed water polo training for at least two years. Control group (n=103) consisted of schoolchildren who only had had regular physical education in schools. Our investigation protocol included standardized anthropometric measurements and tests, performed respecting the appropriate protocols. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that there were no significant differences in age and relative values of oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Body height and mass, as well as the skinfold thickness, were significantly higher in experimental group subjects. The values of absolute VO2peak, FVC and FEV1.0 were also significantly higher in the examinees involved with water polo training. These findings stress the importance of a systematic training process even in this early period of growth and development in order for the trainees to acquire important functional advantages. We believe that a properly planned and programmed physical training can significantly contribute to the development of cardiorespiratory endurance even as early as preadolescent age

EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTATION WITH VITAMIN E ON GENTAMYCIN-INDUCED ACUTE RENAL FAILURE IN RATS

A frequent administration of gentamicin in clinical practice has shown its bactericidal activity, and besides being vestibulotoxic it is highly nephrotoxic, which can further result in acute renal insufficiency. The study analyzed 24 Wistar rats, divided into three equal groups. GM group received gentamicin (100 mg/kg), GME group received vitamin E (100 mg/kg) and the same dose of gentamicin as GM rats, while the third group served as the control group and received saline (1 ml/24h) for 8 days. Pathohistological examination of the kidney tissues from GM group rats showed areas of coagulation-type necrosis in a large number of proximal tubules, while their glomeruli were considerably enlarged compared both to control and GME group rats. In GME rats, changes in glomeruli were less visible, while areas of coagulation-type necrosis were not found.  Biochemical analysis showed significantly higher values of blood urea and creatinine in GM group rats in comparison to C group and GME group (p<0.001). The concentrations of potassium in blood serum was significantly lower in GM group compared to control group (p<0.01), whereas the concentration of sodium was lower, however, without statistical significance. The concentrations of AOPP for GM group were significantly higher when compared to C group (p<0.001), whereas the values for GME group of rats were statistically significantly lower than AOPP recorded for GM group (p<0.001). Our experimental study has shown that gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity can be significantly reduced by simultaneous administration of vitamin E.Key words: Gentamicin, vitamin E, nephrotoxicity, Wistar rat

Salicylic Acid Attenuates Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Gentamicin (GM) is a widely used antibiotic against serious and life-threatening infections, but its usefulness is limited by the development of nephrotoxicity. The present study was designed to determine the protective effect of salicylic acid (SA) in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Quantitative evaluation of gentamicin-induced structural alterations and degree of functional alterations in the kidneys were performed by histopathological and biochemical analyses in order to determine potential beneficial effects of SA coadministration with gentamicin. Gentamicin was observed to cause a severe nephrotoxicity which was evidenced by an elevation of serum urea and creatinine levels. The significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and protein carbonyl groups indicated that GM-induced tissue injury was mediated through oxidative reactions. On the other hand, simultaneous SA administration protected kidney tissue against the oxidative damage and the nephrotoxic effect caused by GM treatment. Exposure to GM caused necrosis of tubular epithelial cells. Necrosis of tubules was found to be prevented by SA pretreatment. The results from our study indicate that SA supplement attenuates oxidative-stress associated renal injury by reducing oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation in gentamicin-treated rats

TWENTY YEARS OF THE FACTA UNIVERSITATIS, SERIES PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT: THE HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The aim of this paper was to use the analysis of all the articles published in the journal Facta Universitatis – series: Physical Education and Sport since it was first published  in 1994, up to 2013 to gain insight into the research methodology used in sport and physical education. For the purpose of this analysis, the authors classified the articles based on various criteria which are considered good methodological indicators (type of article, research design, field of study, characteristics of the sample of participants, measuring instruments, data processing methods). By monitoring the individual methodological characteristics of the research done in sport and physical education, we were able to explain the development of research methodology in this field, as well as the trends of research methodology both in theory and practice, including whether there is a possible imbalance between the number of published articles in various fields of study, what the relationship between the longitudinal and transversal studies is and so on. By gaining insight into the improvements made in the applied testing procedures, study design, choice of participants and methods of statistical data processing in the articles published in the journal Facta Universitatis - series: Physical Education and Sport, we can conclude that our science over the past twenty years has achieved a significant improvement in terms of research methodology

The Encapsulation of Lycopene in Nanoliposomes Enhances Its Protective Potential in Methotrexate-Induced Kidney Injury Model

Methotrexate is an antimetabolic drug with a myriad of serious side effects including nephrotoxicity, which presumably occurs due to oxidative tissue damage. Here, we evaluated the potential protective effect of lycopene, a potent antioxidant carotenoid, given in two different pharmaceutical forms in methotrexate-induced kidney damage in rats. Serum biochemical (urea and creatinine) and tissue oxidative damage markers and histopathological kidney changes were evaluated after systemic administration of both lycopene dissolved in corn oil and lycopene encapsulated in nanoliposomes. Similar to previous studies, single dose of methotrexate induced severe functional and morphological alterations of kidneys with cell desquamation, tubular vacuolation, and focal necrosis, which were followed by serum urea and creatinine increase and disturbances of tissue antioxidant status. Application of both forms of lycopene concomitantly with methotrexate ameliorated changes in serum urea and creatinine and oxidative damage markers and markedly reversed structural changes of kidney tissue. Moreover, animals that received lycopene in nanoliposome-encapsulated form showed higher degree of recovery than those treated with free lycopene form. The findings of this study indicate that treatment with nanoliposome-encapsulated lycopene comparing to lycopene in standard vehicle has an advantage as it more efficiently reduces methotrexate-induced kidney dysfunction

The Genetic Landscape and Epidemiology of Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU), caused by variants in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene, is the most common autosomal-recessive Mendelian phenotype of amino acid metabolism. We estimated that globally 0.45 million individuals have PKU, with global prevalence 1:23,930 live births (range 1:4,500 [Italy]–1:125,000 [Japan]). Comparing genotypes and metabolic phenotypes from 16,092 affected subjects revealed differences in disease severity in 51 countries from 17 world regions, with the global phenotype distribution of 62% classic PKU, 22% mild PKU, and 16% mild hyperphenylalaninemia. A gradient in genotype and phenotype distribution exists across Europe, from classic PKU in the east to mild PKU in the southwest and mild hyperphenylalaninemia in the south. The c.1241A>G (p.Tyr414Cys)-associated genotype can be traced from Northern to Western Europe, from Sweden via Norway, to Denmark, to the Netherlands. The frequency of classic PKU increases from Europe (56%) via Middle East (71%) to Australia (80%). Of 758 PAH variants, c.1222C>T (p.Arg408Trp) (22.2%), c.1066−11G>A (IVS10−11G>A) (6.4%), and c.782G>A (p.Arg261Gln) (5.5%) were most common and responsible for two prevalent genotypes: p.[Arg408Trp];[Arg408Trp] (11.4%) and c.[1066−11G>A];[1066−11G>A] (2.6%). Most genotypes (73%) were compound heterozygous, 27% were homozygous, and 55% of 3,659 different genotypes occurred in only a single individual. PAH variants were scored using an allelic phenotype value and correlated with pre-treatment blood phenylalanine concentrations (n = 6,115) and tetrahydrobiopterin loading test results (n = 4,381), enabling prediction of both a genotype-based phenotype (88%) and tetrahydrobiopterin responsiveness (83%). This study shows that large genotype databases enable accurate phenotype prediction, allowing appropriate targeting of therapies to optimize clinical outcome.Fil: Hillert, Alicia. No especifíca;Fil: Anikster, Yair. No especifíca;Fil: Belanger Quintana, Amaya. No especifíca;Fil: Burlina, Alberto. No especifíca;Fil: Burton, Barbara K.. No especifíca;Fil: Carducci, Carla. No especifíca;Fil: Chiesa, Ana Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Christodoulou, John. No especifíca;Fil: Dordevic, Maja. No especifíca;Fil: Desviat, Lourdes R.. No especifíca;Fil: Eliyahu, Aviva. No especifíca;Fil: Evers, Roeland A.F.. No especifíca;Fil: Fajkusova, Lena. No especifíca;Fil: Feillet, Francois. No especifíca;Fil: Bonfim Freitas, Pedro E.. No especifíca;Fil: Gizewska, María. No especifíca;Fil: Gundorova, Polina. No especifíca;Fil: Karall, Daniela. No especifíca;Fil: Kneller, Katya. No especifíca;Fil: Kutsev, Sergey I.. No especifíca;Fil: Leuzzi, Vincenzo. No especifíca;Fil: Levy, Harvey L.. No especifíca;Fil: Lichter Koneck, Uta. No especifíca;Fil: Muntau, Ania C.. No especifíca;Fil: Namour, Fares. No especifíca;Fil: Oltarzewsk, Mariusz. No especifíca;Fil: Paras, Andrea. No especifíca;Fil: Perez, Belén. No especifíca;Fil: Polak, Emil. No especifíca;Fil: Polyakov, Alexander V.. No especifíca;Fil: Porta, Francesco. No especifíca;Fil: Rohrbach, Marianne. No especifíca;Fil: Scholl Bürgi, Sabine. No especifíca;Fil: Spécola, Norma. No especifíca;Fil: Stojiljkovic, Maja. No especifíca;Fil: Shen, Nan. No especifíca;Fil: Santana da Silva, Luiz C.. No especifíca;Fil: Skouma, Anastasia. No especifíca;Fil: van Spronsen, Francjan. No especifíca;Fil: Stoppioni, Vera. No especifíca;Fil: Thöny, Beat. No especifíca;Fil: Trefz, Friedrich K.. No especifíca;Fil: Vockley, Jerry. No especifíca;Fil: Yu, Youngguo. No especifíca;Fil: Zschocke, Johannes. No especifíca;Fil: Hoffmann, Georg F.. No especifíca;Fil: Garbade, Sven F.. No especifíca;Fil: Blau, Nenad. No especifíca

IGRAČKI OBLICI UMETNOSTI – PRIMENA PLESA U NASTAVI FIZIČKOG VASPITANJA

The paper gives a critical review of the application of different forms of dance in physical education teaching. Dance as a playful form of art was considered in many respects - as a kind of art, by its basic characteristics, its essence, as an aesthetic expression through essentially and formally beautiful. Dance forms are organized into three areas: folk dance, social dance and artistic dance. For each of the forms, as a part of art in space and time the basic types and their essential characteristics and benefits they can provide are specified. The study of dance in general embraces the historical, creative, aesthetic and critical dimensions. Dance is considered as a means of preserving culture and tradition, physical exercise and as an expression.U radu je dat kritički osvrt na primenu različitih oblika plesa u nastavi fizičkog vaspitanja. Ples kao igrački oblik umetnosti razmatran je sa stanovišta vrste umetnosti, osnovnih karakteristika, suštine, estetskog izraza kroz suštinski i formalno lepo. Plesnih oblici su sistematizovani u tri oblasti: narodne igre, društveni ples i umetnički ples. Za svaki od oblika, kao dela prostorno-vremenske umetnosti navedene su osnovne vrste i njihove suštinske karakteristike i benefite koje mogu da pruže. Proučavanje plesa uopšte obuhvata istorijsku, kreativnu, estetsku i kritičku dimenziju. Sagledan je ples kao sredstvo očuvanja kulture i tradicije, ples kao fizičko vežbanje i ples kao ekspresija

TOPOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION OF THE PONTOMEDULLARY RESPIRATORI-SENSITIVE NUCLEI OF THE RAT BRAIN BY GLUTAMATE MICRO-STIMULATIONS

Automatic control of breathing is highly dependent on the integrity of the pontomedullary network of reciprocally connected neurons localized in a number of functionally and neurochemically different compartments. Glutamate is considered the key neurotransmitter mediating signal transmission in the respiratory regions of the brainstem. Identification of the respiratory-sensitive neurons using this neurotransmitter for microstimulations provides an insight into the topographic organization of the pontomedullary nuclei involved in the modulation and control of breathing.Three types of respiratory responses were observed following glutamate microinjections: hyperpnea, apneusis (inspiratory cramp) and hypopnea or apnea. Hyperpnea was obtained as a result of microstimulations in the region of lateral parabrachium and caudal Kölliker-Fuse nuclei. Apneustic response was observed in the region localized ventrally from superior cerebellar peduncle, while hypopneic or apneic responses followed glutamate microinjections in the region of ventral Kölliker-Fuse nucleus and a narrow area between motor and principal sensory trigeminal nucleus, which is referred to as intertrigeminal region.Anatomical distribution of the obtained respiratory responses depends on the localization of microinjections and ascendant and descendent projections stemming from the sites of stimulation

Lycopene improves methotrexate-induced functional alterations of the Madin-Darby kidney cells in a concentration-dependent manner

Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants among carotenoids due to its ability to quench singlet oxygen and react with free radicals to reduce DNA damage. Methotrexate is widely used in the treatment of several types of cancers and autoimmune diseases. One of the most common side effects of high-dose of methotrexate is kidney injury. In this study we evaluated effects of lycopene on the Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK)treated with methotrexate through the estimation of their mitochondrial and lysosomal functions (MTT reduction assay and NR uptake assay) and changes in cell oxidative status (determination of advanced oxidized proteins concentrations and reduced glutathione levels) and lysosomal enzymes activity (β-N acetyl glucosaminidase activity).Results of our study showed that lycopene applied in high concentration caused significant impairment of the MDCK function leading to cell death. Contrary, in relatively low concentrations lycopene moderately ameliorated methotrexate-induced MDCK cells’ death estimated by both biochemical and microscopic analyses. It also prevented a significant decline in the MDCK cells’ lysosomal function estimated by neutral red accumulation ability and activity of lysosomal enzyme β-N acetyl glucosaminidase.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Morphometric analysis of structural renal alterations and beneficial effects of aminoguanidine in acute kidney injury induced by cisplatin in rats

Since cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity has very important clinical consequences, purpose of this study was to determine the potential protective effect of aminoguanidine on the acute kidney injury caused by cisplatin. Experiments were done on 40 Wistar rats divided into four groups. CIS group received cisplatin in a single dose of 8 mg/kg, while CISAG group received the same dose of cisplatin and aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injections. Animals in AG group received only aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg) and those in C group received saline. Quantitative evaluation of structural and functional alterations in the kidneys were performed by analysis of biochemical and parameters of oxidative stress and by histological and morphometric analysis of renal sections. Histological sections of kidney ameliorated structural damages of proximal tubules and glomeruli which were induced by cisplatin. Morphometric analysis revealed statistically significant differences in the area of proximal tubules, size and cellularity of glomeruli between CIS and CISAG group. Glomerular basement membrane thickness was increased in CIS group, while aminoguanidine attenuated these changes in CISAG group of rats. Our results suggest that aminoguanidine acts protectively and repairs structural and functional damages of kidney by engaging the existent antioxidative potential at the level of renal tissue.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author