Obese Childhood Dyslipidemia Management Beyond Statins — MUFA, PUFA, and Sea-buckthorn Supplements

The dyslipidemia pattern usually associated with childhood obesity consists of a combination of elevated triglyceridemia, decreased plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and LDL-c concentration at the upper limit of the normal range. This type of dyslipidemia is associated with dense and small LDL, which are proatherogenic. High circulating levels of oxidized LDL were described in extreme pediatric obesity, in children with high fructose intake and are associated with insulin resistance. The worst effect on blood lipids have trans and saturated fatty acids. But the amount of total energy intake plays more important role in lipid profiles. In childhood obesity it seems that insulin resistance precedes the development of the metabolic syndrome feature and insulin resistance is correlated with dyslipidemia. Insulin resistance increases free fatty acid flux to the liver by decreased inhibition of lipolysis and also by increased de novo lipogenesis. Fish oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and has hypotriglyceridemic effect in comparison to monounsaturated fatty acids. Passive in utero exposure to a hyperlipidemic environment may have programmed these children for accelerated atherosclerosis. The infant formula should be enriched with long chain fatty acids because this supplementation is associated with lower blood pressure during later childhood. In obese children, supplements with Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improve lipid profile, blood pressure values and inflammatory markers. Omega-3 fatty acids prevent metabolic syndrome, by reducing hepatic steatosis, visceral fat, by reducing serum triglycerides and improving insulin sensitivity. Potentially all compounds of the Sea buckthorn berry, including flavonols, carotenoids, fatty acids, tocopherols and phytosterols can affect the metabolic profile. Special features of the berry oils are high proportions of palmitoleic acid as well as vitamin E, carotenoids, and sterols. The palmitoleic acid stimulates muscle insulin action, suppresses hepatosteatosis and prevent the deleterious effects of saturated fatty acids and high glucose on human pancreatic beta-cell turnover and function. Phenolic compounds and flavonoids from sea buckthorn ameliorate bodyweight, blood glucose, and serum lipid profile. By reducing triglyceridemia and by improving the blood pressure levels, sea buckthorn pulp oil may prevent metabolic syndrome in obese children. The treatment is recommended in hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype obese children. Omega-3 supplements and sea buckthorn pulp oil supplements reversed the carotid intima media thickness values in obese children and they have beneficial effects in childhood obesit

The Challenging Triad: Microbiota, Immune System and Anticancer Drugs

Gut microbiota is essential for the development of the intestinal immune system, protecting the host against pathogens and harmful inflammatory processes. Germ‐free animals have smaller Peyer\u27s patches, fewer immune cells and impaired immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion, fewer intraepithelial lymphocytes, as well as compromised production of antimicrobial peptides. Mucositis (mucosal barrier injury) is a major oncological problem caused by chemotherapeutic agents. Intestinal mucositis translates into a broad spectra of clinical symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting) and can be worsened by neutropenia and antibiotics. Since IECs do not regulate intestinal homeostasis by themselves, but require symbiotic coordination with commensal bacteria and local gut leukocytic cells, the role of intestinal microbiota in the development and severity of mucositis induced by chemotherapeutic products became an issue. The present chapter reviews the interplay between microbiota, immune system, and anticancer therapy. The published researches in this field showed that microbiota has immunomodulatory effect on the anticancer immune response, both in the presence and in the absence of chemotherapy. Animal and human studies evoked that the anticancer response depends on microbiota variability

Melatonin: A Silent Regulator of the Glucose Homeostasis

In the human organism, the circadian regulation of carbohydrates metabolism is essential for the glucose homeostasis and energy balance. Unbalances in glucose and insulin tissue and blood levels have been linked to a variety of metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Melatonin, the pineal hormone, is the key mediator molecule for the integration between the cyclic environment and the circadian distribution of physiological and behavioral processes and for the optimization of energy balance and body weight regulation, events that are crucial for a healthy organism. This chapter reviews the interplay between melatonin modulatory physiological effects, glucose homeostasis and metabolic balance, from the endocrinology perspective. The tremendous effect of melatonin in the regulation of metabolic processes is observed from the chronobiology perspective, considering melatonin as a major synchronizer of the circadian internal order of the physiological processes involved in energy metabolism

Incidence of spinal cord injuries in Constanta County (Romania) between 2017-2021

The purpose of this study was to investigated cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) during the years 2017-2021, in Constanta County (Romania) to update the data on SCI and thus identify the SCI trends in this region of Romania. Methods: The study retrospectively analysed patients with SCI in Constanța County, whose data (medical records) were provided to us by the Romania Motivation Foundation. This analysis was made for the period January 1, 2017 - August 31, 2021. Results: Ninety-six new traumatic cases of SCI were reported between 2017 and 2021 in Constanța County. It was found that the annual incidence is 2.48 per hundred thousand inhabitants. The male / female ratio was 5:1 and the mean age at injury was 33.52 ± 15.1 (33.41 ± 14.80 for men and 33.92 ± 16.01 for women). The most common cause of injury was unintentional fall (48.95%), followed by road accidents (39.58%), stab wounds (4.16%), gunshot wounds (3.12%) and injuries caused by diving 2.08%). Fifteen patients (15.62%) were quadriplegic, and 81 patients (84.37%) were paraplegic. The most common level of lesions was C4 (33.33%) in tetraplegics and T12 (25.92%) in paraplegics. The most common associated injury was head trauma (15.8%), followed by limb fractures (9.5%). The incidence rate of SCI in Constanta County increased (p <0.05) and the highest increase in the incidence of spinal cord injuries was observed among patients in the age groups 29 - 49 years. Conclusions: Due to the existence of limitations, it is difficult to obtain accurate epidemiological data for SCI. Therefore, more studies are needed to provide a large amount of data and evidence. Our data indicate the need to take measures both for prevention and to provide specialized care for this type of traumatic pathology

multicentre analysis, I-MOVE-COVID-19 and ECDC networks, July to August 2021

Funding Information: This project received funding from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) under the contract ECD.11486. Funding Information: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101003673. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All rights reserved.Introduction: In July and August 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant dominated in Europe. Aim: Using a multicentre test-negative study, we measured COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection. Methods: Individuals with COVID-19 or acute respiratory symptoms at primary care/community level in 10 European countries were tested for SARS-CoV-2. We measured complete primary course overall VE by vaccine brand and by time since vaccination. Results: Overall VE was 74% (95% CI: 69-79), 76% (95% CI: 71-80), 63% (95% CI: 48-75) and 63% (95% CI: 16-83) among those aged 30-44, 45-59, 60-74 and ≥ 75 years, respectively. VE among those aged 30-59 years was 78% (95% CI: 75-81), 66% (95% CI: 58-73), 91% (95% CI: 87-94) and 52% (95% CI: 40-61), for Comirnaty, Vaxzevria, Spikevax and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, respectively. VE among people 60 years and older was 67% (95% CI: 52-77), 65% (95% CI: 48-76) and 83% (95% CI: 64-92) for Comirnaty, Vaxzevria and Spikevax, respectively. Comirnaty VE among those aged 30-59 years was 87% (95% CI: 83-89) at 14-29 days and 65% (95% CI: 56-71%) at ≥ 90 days between vaccination and onset of symptoms. Conclusions: VE against symptomatic infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant varied among brands, ranging from 52% to 91%. While some waning of the vaccine effect may be present (sample size limited this analysis to only Comirnaty), protection was 65% at 90 days or more between vaccination and onset.publishersversionpublishe

BACK MUSCLES STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT BY MEANS OF INCREASE AND DECREASE OF EFFORT LOAD DURING GIANT SETS IN BODYBUILDING FOR MASSES

Abstract The aim of the study is to highlight methodological issues on the back muscle strength development by combining methodological procedures in masses bodybuilding.Methods. The study was conducted in three stages over a period of two months (March-April 2011), performing three workouts per week, monitoring the effective use of strength exercises to develop back muscles in the same muscle area by means of giant sets during workouts. In this context, we conducted a case study in "Tonik Fitness Club" in Bucharest, applied to two athletes of 28 and 34 years old. We recorded subjects’ evolutions during the training session, using statistical and mathematical method and graphical representation method.Results. The study content highlights the training programs depending on muscle zone and the specific methodological aspects, the weekly training program per muscle groups, the stages of study carrying out, the test and control trials applied in terms of anthropometric measurements and of back muscle strength development, and the application of the methodical procedure of effort load increase and decrease within the giant sets in a training micro-cycle.Discussion. The study focused on the training programs over two months, monitoring statistically the development of back muscle strength through the application of the procedure of effort load increase and decrease during giant sets in bodybuilding for masses. From the analysis of training programs content we noticed that three giant sets of exercises were used, performed in four series; each exercise within the giant sets was applied by means of the procedure of increasing and decreasing effort load. Study results emphasize the anthropometric measurement results: the study subjects have the age mean of 24.75, with a size of 175.2 cm and a weight of 83.75 kg at initial testing and a decrease by 2.12 kg in final testing. Regarding the chest perimeter, the inspiration is averaging 89.5 in initial testing and an increase of 2.25 cm in final testing; the expiration is averaging 85.25 cm in initial testing and an increase of 1.75 cm in final testing, while the amplitude has an average of 4.25 cm at initial testing and an increase of 1.0 cm at final testing. As for arms perimeter, at the initial testing of the right arm they had an average of 38.25 cm and 0.65 cm increase in final testing, the left arm - an average of 38.88 cm at initial testing and an increase by 0.12 cm in final testing. From the analysis of back muscle strength, it was noticed an increase by 4.5 reps in "pull-downs" final testing, an increase by 16kg of the load in " cable machine chest pull-downs ", with an average of 84kg at initial testing and 100 kg in final testing, performed with 13 reps at initial testing and a decrease by 4 reps in final testing. In "seated rowing at machine" there is an increase of the average by 16 kg of load, with an average of 92kg at initial testing and an average of 108kg in final testing, with 11 reps performed in initial testing and a decrease by 2 reps in final testing.Conclusions. The study results show that the regular exercising leads to a decrease of body weight, an increase of thoracic amplitude, of arms perimeters and last, but not least, to strength development per different muscle groups.The study highlights methodological issues on the back muscles strength development by combining methodological procedures in bodybuilding for masses, by increasing and decreasing effort load during giant sets. And the effective use of strength exercises for back on the same muscle area by means of giant sets during a training session helps to improve muscle endurance and to increase strength at different machines. Also the division of back muscles areas during each training micro-cycle emphasizes the dynamics of muscle strength and the possibility to combine muscle groups together during a training mezzo-cycle

Learning and Transfer in Women's Artistic Gymnastics

AbstractThe scientific argument is to highlight the methodological aspects of learning and transfer in women's artistic gymnastics. Purpose of the paper: to present the effectiveness of using transfer and biomechanical analysis in learning technical elements in women's artistic gymnastics. This approach led to the organization of a study of case in School Sports Club no.7 Dinamo Bucharest. Methods. The study was conducted during the period (11.03.2011- 10.04.12), applied to only one female gymnast 10 years old, Junior IV and III level. Gymnast's evolutions throughout training and competition preparation stages were monitored by means of video method of biomechanical analysis (World in motion), statistical-mathematical method and graphical representation. Results. The study points out the influence of transfer and biomechanical analysis in learning and perfecting the technical elements. Comparative analysis highlights the dynamics of technical elements learning on each apparatus, the relationship of transfer achievement, the detection and correction of technical mistakes and the performances obtained in competitions. The results of statistical-mathematical calculations in terms of dynamics of technical elements learning on apparatus show significant differences between tests at p<0.05, p<0.01 and not significant differences at p>0.05, while the results achieved in competitions emphasize the increase of A1 score mean (difficulty), improvement of B score mean (execution) and of final score and the achievement of good performances both in all-round finals and apparatus finals. Conclusions. The efficient use of transfer and biomechanical analysis in learning technical elements in women's artistic gymnastics contributes to improving the preparation level and getting better performances in competitions