Influence of a montmorency cherry juice blend on indices of exercise-induced stress and upper respiratory tract symptoms following marathon running—a pilot investigation

Background: Prolonged exercise, such as marathon running, has been associated with an increase in respiratory mucosal inflammation. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of Montmorency cherry juice on markers of stress, immunity and inflammation following a Marathon. Methods: Twenty recreational Marathon runners consumed either cherry juice (CJ) or placebo (PL) before and after a Marathon race. Markers of mucosal immunity secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), salivary cortisol, inflammation (CRP) and self-reported incidence and severity of upper respiratory tract symptoms (URTS) were measured before and following the race. Results: All variables except secretory IgA and IgG concentrations in saliva showed a significant time effect (P < 0.01). Serum CRP showed a significant interaction and treatment effect (P < 0.01). The CRP increase at 24 and 48 h post-Marathon was lower (P < 0.01) in the CJ group compared to PL group. Mucosal immunity and salivary cortisol showed no interaction effect or treatment effect. The incidence and severity of URTS was significantly greater than baseline at 24 h and 48 h following the race in the PL group and was also greater than the CJ group (P < 0.05). No URTS were reported in the CJ group whereas 50 % of runners in the PL group reported URTS at 24 h and 48 h post-Marathon. Conclusions: This is the first study that provides encouraging evidence of the potential role of Montmorency cherries in reducing the development of URTS post-Marathon possibly caused by exercise-induced hyperventilation trauma, and/or other infectious and non-infectious factors

Stratification of asthma phenotypes by airway proteomic signatures

© 2019 Background: Stratification by eosinophil and neutrophil counts increases our understanding of asthma and helps target therapy, but there is room for improvement in our accuracy in prediction of treatment responses and a need for better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Objective: We sought to identify molecular subphenotypes of asthma defined by proteomic signatures for improved stratification. Methods: Unbiased label-free quantitative mass spectrometry and topological data analysis were used to analyze the proteomes of sputum supernatants from 246 participants (206 asthmatic patients) as a novel means of asthma stratification. Microarray analysis of sputum cells provided transcriptomics data additionally to inform on underlying mechanisms. Results: Analysis of the sputum proteome resulted in 10 clusters (ie, proteotypes) based on similarity in proteomic features, representing discrete molecular subphenotypes of asthma. Overlaying granulocyte counts onto the 10 clusters as metadata further defined 3 of these as highly eosinophilic, 3 as highly neutrophilic, and 2 as highly atopic with relatively low granulocytic inflammation. For each of these 3 phenotypes, logistic regression analysis identified candidate protein biomarkers, and matched transcriptomic data pointed to differentially activated underlying mechanisms. Conclusion: This study provides further stratification of asthma currently classified based on quantification of granulocytic inflammation and provided additional insight into their underlying mechanisms, which could become targets for novel therapies

Comunicación corta. Efecto del periodo de post-maduración sobre la germinación de semillas y crecimiento de plántulas en tres especies de festuca

After-ripening is a complex enzymatic and biochemical process resulting in the breakage of non-deep physiological dormancy. The experiment was set up to identify the minimum duration of storage after harvest for completion of afterripening in meadow (Festuca pratensis Huds.), tall (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.). The seeds were stored under ware-house conditions for 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 days after harvest (DAH). After the storage periods, the seeds were tested for germination and the primary root length, shoot length and seedlings biomass were measured. The final counts in all three species amounted to 60-65% germination immediately after harvest, suggesting a medium level of embryonic dormancy. The after-ripening during storage improved the final germination in all three species with decreasing intensity. In meadow fescue, the final germination was significantly improved up to 150 DAH, while the seedling size did not change significantly. In tall and red fescue, after ripening significantly improved the final germination up to 120 DAH, while the seedling size variables reached maximum values after 150 DAH. The obtained data can serve for the determination of proper storage duration management between harvest and sowing (autumn/spring) of the tested fescue species under agro-ecological conditions of south-eastern Europe.La post-maduración es un proceso enzimático y bioquímico complejo que resulta en la rotura de la latencia fisiológicapoco profunda. El experimento se estableció para identificar el tiempo mínimo de almacenamiento después dela cosecha para la terminación de la post-maduración en festuca de prados (Festuca pratensis Huds.), festuca alta (Festucaarundinacea Schreb.) y festuca roja (Festuca rubra L.). Las semillas se almacenaron durante 0, 30, 60, 90, 120,150, 180, 210 y 240 días después de la cosecha (DAH). Después de los períodos de almacenamiento, se analizó la germinaciónde las semillas y se midieron la longitud de la raíz primaria, la longitud del vástago y la biomasa de las plántulas.Las tres especies tuvieron 60-65% de germinación inmediatamente después de la cosecha, lo que indica un nivelmedio de latencia de embriones. La post-maduración durante el almacenamiento mejoró la germinación final enlas tres especies, con una intensidad decreciente. En F. pratensis la germinación final aumentó considerablemente hasta150 DAH, mientras que el tamaño de plántulas no cambió significativamente. En F. arundinacea y F. rubra la postmaduraciónmejoró significativamente la germinación final hasta 120 DAH, mientras que el tamaño de las plántulasalcanzó valores máximos después de 150 DAH. Los datos obtenidos pueden servir para una gestión adecuada de laduración de almacenamiento entre la cosecha y la siembra (otoño/primavera) de las especies de festuca examinadasen las condiciones agro-ecológicas del sudeste de Europa

Plasma glucose, serum insulin and C-peptide in patients with various stages of chronic renal failure [Glikemija, insulinemija i ce-peptidemija kod bolesnika s razlicitim stepenom bubrezne insuficijencije.]

Plasma glucose, serum insulin and C-peptide were measured in patients with various stages of chronic renal failure (CRF). In this study we observed 50 patients: 26 women and 24 men, between the ages of 17 and 73. Following various stages of CRF our patients were devided into IV groups, with 10 patients in each. V-th group was control group with 10 healthy persons. Plasma glucose, serum insulin and C-peptide were measured in the fasting state and following the 2 hours oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In the fasting state, plasma glucose and serum insulin levels were normal in all groups. With deterioration of the renal function plasma glucose and serum insulin increased slower during OGTT but their levels also decreased slower. Fasting levels of C-peptide increased continually with deterioration of renal function in all patients and values were significantly higher than in control group

Plasma glucose, serum insulin and C-peptide in patients with various stages of chronic renal failure [Glikemija, insulinemija i ce-peptidemija kod bolesnika s razlicitim stepenom bubrezne insuficijencije.]

Plasma glucose, serum insulin and C-peptide were measured in patients with various stages of chronic renal failure (CRF). In this study we observed 50 patients: 26 women and 24 men, between the ages of 17 and 73. Following various stages of CRF our patients were devided into IV groups, with 10 patients in each. V-th group was control group with 10 healthy persons. Plasma glucose, serum insulin and C-peptide were measured in the fasting state and following the 2 hours oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In the fasting state, plasma glucose and serum insulin levels were normal in all groups. With deterioration of the renal function plasma glucose and serum insulin increased slower during OGTT but their levels also decreased slower. Fasting levels of C-peptide increased continually with deterioration of renal function in all patients and values were significantly higher than in control group

Influence of biological markers on overall survival in surgically treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background/Aim. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common malignant tumors and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of biological markers on the overall sur-vival rate in surgically treated NSCLC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Methods. This retrospective case series study included patients with NSCLC treated in the period between 2008 and 2017 at the Pulmonology Clinic and the Clinic for Chest Surgery, Mili-tary Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. The survival analy-sis performed was based on immunohistological findings, histology type, and tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stages. Results. The mortality rate was higher in the adenocarci-noma patient group compared to the squamous cell carci-noma group, albeit without statistical significance (58.3% vs. 31.2%, respectively; p = 0.175). Overall survival was shorter in the adenocarcinoma patient group compared to the squamous cell carcinoma group by approximately 750 days. Likewise, overall survival was shorter in the adenocarcino-ma patient group compared to the squamous cell carcinoma group for CD31 positive (p = 0.029), p-63 positive (p = 0.049), MMP-9 positive (p = 0.032), and matrix metallopro-teinase (MMP)-2 positive patients (p = 0.016). Conclusion. Adenocarcinoma is a more aggressive cancer type compared to squamous cell carcinoma with shorter overall survival. Our research showed a poorer overall survival in the adeno-carcinoma group of patients compared to the squamous cell carcinoma group in CD31, p-63, MMP-9, and MMP-2 posi-tive patients

The effect of inhaled IFN-β on worsening of asthma symptoms caused by viral infections. A randomized trial

Rationale: Ex vivo, bronchial epithelial cells from people with asthma are more susceptible to rhinovirus infection caused by deficient induction of the antiviral protein, IFN-β. Exogenous IFN-β restores antiviral activity. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of inhaled IFN-β with placebo administered to people with asthma after onset of cold symptoms to prevent or attenuate asthma symptoms caused by respiratory viruses. Methods: A total of 147 people with asthma on inhaled corticosteroids (British Thoracic Society Steps 2-5), with a history of virus-associated exacerbations, were randomized to 14-day treatment with inhaled IFN-β (n = 72) or placebo (n = 75) within 24 hours of developing cold symptoms and were assessed clinically, with relevant samples collected to assess virus infection and antiviral responses. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 91% of randomized patients developed a defined cold. In this modified intention-to-treat population, asthma symptoms did not get clinically significantly worse (mean change in six-item Asthma Control Questionnaire &lt;0.5) and IFN-β treatment had no significant effect on this primary endpoint, although it enhanced morning peak expiratory flow recovery (P = 0.033), reduced the need for additional treatment, and boosted innate immunity as assessed by blood and sputum biomarkers. In an exploratory analysis of the subset of more difficult-to-treat, Step 4-5 people with asthma (n = 27 IFN-β; n = 31 placebo), Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 increased significantly on placebo; this was prevented by IFN-β (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Although the trial did not meet its primary endpoint, it suggests that inhaled IFN-β is a potential treatment for virus-induced deteriorations of asthma in difficult-to-treat people with asthma and supports the need for further, adequately powered, trials in this population. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01126177)