Antioxidant and neuroprotective activity of vitamin E homologues : in vitro study

Here we present comparative data on the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by a variety of tocochromanols in liposomes. We also show for the first time the potential neuroprotective role of all the vitamin E homologues investigated on the neuronally differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. α-Tocopherol had nearly no effect in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, while β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols inhibited the reaction completely when it was initiated in a lipid phase. Similar effects were observed for tocotrienol homologues. Moreover, in this respect plastochromanol-8 was as effective as β-, γ-, and δ-tocochromanols. When the prenyllipids were investigated in a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and incorporated into different lipid carriers, the radical oxidation was most pronounced in liposomes, followed by mixed micelles and the micellar system. When the reaction of tocochromanols was examined in niosomes, the oxidation was most pronounced for α-tocopherol and plastochromanol-8, followed by α-tocotrienol. Next, using retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, we tested the protective effects of the compounds investigated on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cell damage. We showed that tocotrienols were more active than tocopherols in the oxidative stress model. Plastochromanol-8 had a strong inhibitory effect on H(2)O(2)-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and H(2)O(2)-induced decrease in cell viability. The water-soluble α-tocopherol phosphate had neuroprotective effects at all the concentrations analyzed. The results clearly indicate that structural differences between vitamin E homologues reflect their different biological activity and indicate their potential application in pharmacological treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. In this respect, the application of optimal tocochromanol-carrying structures might be critical

Effect of trimethyltin chloride on slow vacuolar (SV) channels in vacuoles from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) taproots

In the present study, patch-clamp techniques have been used to investigate the effect of trimethyltin chloride (Met3SnCl) on the slow vacuolar (SV) channels in vacuoles from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) taproots. Activity of SV channels has been measured in whole-vacuole and cytosolic side-out patch configurations. It was found that addition of trimethyltin chloride to the bath solution suppressed, in a concentration-dependent manner, SV currents in red beet vacuoles. The time constant, τ, increased significantly in the presence of the organotin. When single channel activity was analyzed, only little channel activity could be recorded at 100 μM Met3SnCl. Trimethyltin chloride added to the bath medium significantly decreased (by ca. threefold at 100 μM Met3SnCl and at 100 mV voltage, as compared to the control medium) the open probability of single channels. Single channel recordings obtained in the presence and absence of trimethyltin chloride showed that the organotin only slightly (by <10%) decreased the unitary conductance of single channels. It was also found that Met3SnCl significantly diminished the number of SV channel openings, whereas it did not change the opening times of the channels. Taking into account the above and the fact that under the here applied experimental conditions (pH = 7.5) Met3SnCl is a non-dissociated (more lipophilic) compound, we suggest that the suppression of SV currents observed in the presence of the organotin results probably from its hydrophobic properties allowing this compound to translocate near the selectivity filter of the channel

Role of auxin (IAA) in the regulation of slow vacuolar (SV) channels and the volume of red beet taproot vacuoles

Background: Auxin (IAA) is a central player in plant cell growth. In contrast to the well-established function of the plasma membrane in plant cell expansion, little is known about the role of the vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) in this process. Results: It was found that under symmetrical 100 mM K+ and 100 μM cytoplasmic Ca2+ the macroscopic currents showed a typical slow activation and a strong outward rectification of the steady-state currents. The addition of IAA at a final concentration of 1 μM to the bath medium stimulated the SV currents, whereas at 0.1 and 10 μM slight inhibition of SV currents was observed. The time constant, decreased in the presence of this hormone. When single channels were analyzed, an increase in their activity was recorded with IAA compared to the control. The single-channel recordings that were obtained in the presence of IAA showed that auxin increased the amplitude of the single-channel currents. Interestingly, the addition of IAA to the bath medium with the same composition as the one that was used in the patch-clamp experiments showed that auxin decreased the volume of the vacuoles. Conclusions: It is suggested that the SV channels and the volume of red beet taproot vacuoles are modulated by auxin (IAA)

Wykorzystanie urządzenia Pragma w rehabilitacji kończyny górnej

Introduction. PNF patterns are one of the physiotherapeutic methods used in upper limb rehabilitation. Intensification of the effect can be achieved by application of additional resistance. Muscles of the therapist are usually the resistance generator, but in this case there is no possibility to make objective estimation of the applied force value.Material and method. In the present study using of accordingly fixed rubbers with different modulus of elasticity is proposed to monitor the resistant overcame by patient’s muscles. Values of these forces were determined, both at the beginning and the end of the motion patterns, using six different rubbers.Results . Study shows that a possibility of choices of the initial protraction and a color of rubber allows a smooth and controlled increase of additional forces of resistance along with progress of the treatment.Conclusions. Knowledge of the value of these forces allows an objective assessment of the patient’s motor system abilities.Jedną z metod rehabilitacji kończyny górnej jest wykonywanie ruchów według wzorców PNF. Wzmocnienie efektu można uzyskać poprzez zastosowanie dodatkowego oporu. Zazwyczaj jego źródłem są mięśnie terapeuty, jednak nie ma wówczas możliwości obiektywnej oceny wartości przyłożonej siły.Materiał i metody. W pracy zaproponowano zastosowanie odpowiednio mocowanych gum lateksowych o różnych współczynnikach sprężystości do monitorowania oporów pokonywanych przez mięśnie pacjenta. Wyznaczono wartości tych sił, zarówno na początku, jak i na końcu wybranych wzorców ruchów dla sześciu różnych gum.Wyniki. Pokazano, że możliwość wyboru wydłużenia początkowego oraz koloru gumy pozwala na płynne i kontrolowane zwiększanie siły dodatkowego oporu wraz z postępem rehabilitacji.Wnioski. Znajomość wartości tych sił umożliwia obiektywną ocenę możliwości układu ruchu pacjenta

Pragma Device in Upper Limb Rehabilitation

Introduction. PNF patterns are one of the physiotherapeutic methods used in upper limb rehabilitation. Intensification of the effect can be achieved by application of additional resistance. Muscles of the therapist are usually the resistance generator, but in this case there is no possibility to make objective estimation of the applied force value. Material and method. In the present study using of accordingly fixed rubbers with different modulus of elasticity is proposed to monitor the resistant overcame by patient’s muscles. Values of these forces were determined, both at the beginning and the end of the motion patterns, using six different rubbers. Results. Study shows that a possibility of choices of the initial protraction and a color of rubber allows a smooth and controlled increase of additional forces of resistance along with progress of the treatment. Conclusions. Knowledge of the value of these forces allows an objective assessment of the patient’s motor system abilities.Jedną z metod rehabilitacji kończyny górnej jest wykonywanie ruchów według wzorców PNF. Wzmocnienie efektu można uzyskać poprzez zastosowanie dodatkowego oporu. Zazwyczaj jego źródłem są mięśnie terapeuty, jednak nie ma wówczas możliwości obiektywnej oceny wartości przyłożonej siły. Materiał i metody. W pracy zaproponowano zastosowanie odpowiednio mocowanych gum lateksowych o różnych współczynnikach sprężystości do monitorowania oporów pokonywanych przez mięśnie pacjenta. Wyznaczono wartości tych sił, zarówno na początku, jak i na końcu wybranych wzorców ruchów dla sześciu różnych gum. Wyniki. Pokazano, że możliwość wyboru wydłużenia początkowego oraz koloru gumy pozwala na płynne i kontrolowane zwiększanie siły dodatkowego oporu wraz z postępem rehabilitacji. Wnioski. Znajomość wartości tych sił umożliwia obiektywną ocenę możliwości układu ruchu pacjenta

Tocochromanols and fatty acid composition in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) accessions

Flax, Linum usitatissimum, cultivars are grown throughout the world. Flax oil is a dietary source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, as well as phospholipids, sterols, and phenolic acids. Linseed plays a pivotal role in protecting cells from oxidative damage associated diseases, i.e., atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and inflammation. In this study, two groups of L. usitatissimum seeds were used to evaluate and compare the content and composition of tocochromanols (vitamin E) and fatty acids. Group I included accessions originating from Poland and the Ukraine, while Group II encompassed worldwide flax cultivars (such as from the United States, Argentina, and Italy). A comparison of the tocochromanol profiles showed a higher content in Group I, although there were no significant differences in tocopherol content and composition between the genotypes within this group. All accessions in Groups I and II contained γ-tocotrienol and plastochromanol-8, which confirms the high nutritional value of flaxseeds. The composition of fatty acids varied depending on the varieties, with linolenic acid showing the greatest discrepancy. Based on the tocochromanol content and fatty acid composition, we conducted a principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, which revealed a greater similarity among the accessions in Group I. An analysis of the tocochromanol and fatty acid composition of flaxseeds is important from an agronomic and medicinal perspective and can be used to select the most appropriate flax cultivar

FLUKA simulations of the target thickness dependence of Cu-Kβ\beta/Kα\alpha intensity ratios

The numerical Monte-Carlo simulations of Cu-K$\alpha$ and Cu-K$\beta$ fluorescence lines induced by monoenergetic Am-241 radiation in copper have been presented. The simulations included modeling the K$\beta$/K$\alpha$ intensity ratios for various thicknesses of copper. The results obtained using the FLUKA code were compared to available experimental and theoretical values. A clear relationship was observed between the simulated K$\beta$/K$\alpha$ intensity ratios and the sample thickness: as the thickness increased, the K$\beta$/K$\alpha$ ratio also increased until it reached saturation

The impact of spa treatment on quality of life of elderly people

Wardeńska Marta, Perzyńska Agnieszka, Kochanowicz Magdalena, Pabianek Łukasz, Trela Ewa, Zukow Walery. The impact of spa treatment on quality of life of elderly people. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2017;7(3):341-360. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.343945 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/4293 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 1223 (26.01.2017). 1223 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7 © The Author (s) 2017; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 01.02.2017. Revised 23.02.2017. Accepted: 24.02.2017. WPŁYW LECZENIA UZDROWISKOWEGO NA JAKOŚĆ ŻYCIA OSÓB STARSZYH The impact of spa treatment on quality of life of elderly people Marta Wardeńska a, Agnieszka Perzyńska a, Magdalena Kochanowicz b, Łukasz Pabianek c, Ewa Trela a, Walery Zukow c a Nicolaus Copernicus University Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland b Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland c Institute of Physical Culture, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Key words: quality of life, spa, spa treatment, aging Słowa kluczowe: jakość życia, uzdrowisko, leczenie uzdrowiskowe, starość STRESZCZENIE Celem pracy była ocena wpływu korzystania z leczenia uzdrowiskowego na jakość życie osób starszych. Badaniem objęto 18 kobiet i 22 mężczyzn po 60. życia. Posłużono się metodą sondażu diagnostycznego - kwestionariusza ankiety zawierającego pytania zamknięte oraz otwarte, dotyczące subiektywnej oceny własnej jakości życia, a także leczenia uzdrowiskowego i jego wpływu na zdrowie oraz samopoczucie. Badanie to pozwoliło na stwierdzenie, iż dzięki leczeniu sanatoryjnemu, jakość życia kuracjuszy po 60. roku życia wyrażona ich subiektywną oceną poprawia się. Potwierdza to hipotezę zakładającą, że osoby starsze chętnie korzystające z leczenia uzdrowiskowego cechują się wyraźnie wyższą jakością życia. SUMMARY The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the spa treatment on the quality of life of the older people. The study included 18 women and 22 men over 60 years of age. Method used was diagnostic survey - a questionnaire containing closed and open questions, on the subjective assessment of their own quality of life, as well as spa treatment and its impact on health and well-being. This study lead to a conclusion that due the spa treatment, the quality of life of patients over 60 ages expressed their subjective assessment improves. This confirms the hypothesis that older people using spa treatment are characterized by a significantly higher level of quality of life

Kliniczne zasady planowania i realizacji radioterapii modulacją intensywności wiązki (IMRT) u chorych na nowotwory głowy i szyi - część 1

Intensity modulated radiation therapy is one of the newest method in use in contemporary radiotherapy. In the presented article the authors show the advantages of using IMRT in patients with head and neck cancers. The detailed method´s description, protecting normal tissue and treatment planning were presented.Jedną z najnowocześniejszych technik radioterapii konformalnej jest napromienianie z zastosowaniem modulacji intensywności wiązki (IMRT). W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono korzyści z zastosowania IMRT u pacjentów z nowotworami głowy i szyi. Szczegółowo opisano techniki, według których należy tę metodę stosować, oraz sposoby ochrony narządów krytycznych, a także zasady powstawania planu leczenia metodą IMRT

Sexuality of disabled women : cultural and art aspects

Kobiety niepełnosprawne w wielu krajach doznają znaczącego ograniczenia swojej seksualności. Traktowane są niejednokrotnie jako osoby pozbawione uczuć i pragnień, w tym związanych z ich fizycznością. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie zagadnienia seksualności kobiet niepełnosprawnych w wymiarze kultury i sztuki w różnych kontekstach historycznych oraz odmiennych kontekstach kulturowych. Analizy dokonano na podstawie publikacji naukowych autorów uznanych za wiodących w tym zakresie tematycznym, obejmującym przede wszystkim rozmaite obszary funkcjonowania kobiet niepełnosprawnych we współczesnym świecie, a także publikacji internetowych związanych z poruszanym zagadnieniem. Z przeprowadzonej eksploracji możliwe staje się wyprowadzenie wniosku, odnoszącego się do odmiennej niż w starożytności, aktualnej obecności kobiet niepełnosprawnych w przestrzeni publicznej, w tym w wydarzeniach kulturalnych i artystycznych, które odnosiłyby się wprost lub symbolicznie do ich kobiecości i seksualności. Doświadczenia polskie wskazują, iż w tym zakresie jesteśmy znacząco opóźnieni w stosunku do krajów zachodnich, gdzie zróżnicowanie piękna istoty ludzkiej, bez względu na fizyczne przymioty, to jest sprawność lub jej brak, jest o wiele częściej dostrzegane niż w Polsce. Podejmowane jednak są działania, których celem staje się przedstawienie piękna kobiecego ciała w każdym wymiarze, także niepełnosprawnym, istnienia człowieka.In many countries disabled women experience significant limitations of their sexuality. Also they are often treated as persons without feelings and physical desires. The main goal of this article is to show issues of disabled women’s sexuality in cultural and art aspects of different historical and cultural contexts. The analysis was made on the basis of scientific articles of authors reputed in this topic, examining various areas of disabled women’s functioning in the present conditions. The second source were Internet articles about disabled women and their lives. The completed analysis reveals that in the present times (in opposition to antiquity) disabled women are significantly absent in public life, including cultural and art events which would be directly or symbolically correlated with their femininity and sexuality. Our experience indicates that in this respect Poland is still behind the European countries, where human beauty can be appreciated regardless physical imperfections. However, some actions are undertaken to present the beauty of a female body in all aspects of human existence, including physical disabilities