1. Metabolic consequences of anabolic steroids, insulin, and growth hormone abuse in recreational bodybuilders : implications for the world anti-doping agency passportFilippo Giorgio Di Girolamo, Chiara Biasinutto, Alessandro Mangogna, Nicola Fiotti, Pierandrea Vinci, Rado Pišot, Filippo Mearelli, Boštjan Šimunič, Chiara Roni, Gianni Biolo, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background Hormonal doping in recreational sports is a public-health concern. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) promoted the creation of the Athlete Biological Passport, aiming to monitor athlete’s biological variables over time to facilitate indirect detection of doping. Detection tests for anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and growth hormone (GH) are available while insulin abuse cannot be revealed. We have determined in recreational bodybuilders the metabolic effects associated with different patterns of hormone abuse. All analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0 software (SPSS Chicago, IL). Results We have assessed plasma concentrations of selected metabolic markers and fatty acid content in erythrocyte membranes of 92 male bodybuilders and in 45 healthy controls. Hormonal abuse was identified by anonymous questionnaires. 43% (%) of recruited bodybuilders regularly abused hormones, i.e., anabolic androgenic steroids (95%) often associated with GH (30%) and/or insulin (38%). HDL-cholesterol was lower in insulin and/or GH abusers. Alanine (ALT) and aspartic (AST) transaminases were greater in hormone abusing bodybuilders than in non-doping bodybuilders and controls. Insulin doping was selectively associated with increased plasma ALT-to-AST ratio. In erythrocyte membranes, elongase activity (i.e., stearic-to-palmitic ratio) was lower in insulin and/or growth hormone doping, whereas increased Δ-9 desaturase activity (i.e., palmitoleic-to-palmitic ratio) was selectively associated with insulin doping. Conclusions In conclusion, our study demonstrates that insulin and GH abuse are characterized by multiple alterations of specific metabolic markers. Although further studies are needed to test whether longitudinal monitoring of selected metabolic marker such as muscle contraction time, HDL levels, ALT-AST ratio as well as the activities of selected enzymes (e.g. Δ-9 desaturase and elongase), could contribute to the detection of insulin and GH abuse in sport.
Ključne besede: bodybuilders, doping, drug abuse, matabolism
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.04.2024; Ogledov: 42; Prenosov: 21
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2. Recombinant human erythropoietin alters gene expression and stimulates proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cellsNina Trošt, Tina Stepišnik, Sabina Berne, Anja Pucer Janež, Toni Petan, Radovan Komel, Nataša Debeljak, 2013, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: Background. Functional erythropoietin (EPO) signaling is not specific only to erythroid lineages and has been confirmed in several solid tumors, including breast. Three different isoforms of erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) have been reported, the soluble (EPOR-S) and truncated (EPOR-T) forms acting antagonistically to the functional EPOR. In this study, we investigated the effect of human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on cell proliferation, early gene response and the expression of EPOR isoforms in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.Materials and methods. The MCF-7 cells were cultured with or without rHuEPO for 72 h or 10 weeks and assessed for their growth characteristics, expression of early response genes and different EPOR isoforms. The expression profile of EPOR and EPOR-T was determined in a range of breast cancer cell lines and compared with their invasive properties.Results. MCF-7 cell proliferation after rHuEPO treatment was dependent on the time of treatment and the concentration used. High rHuEPO concentrations (40 U/ml) stimulated cell proliferation independently of a preceding long-term exposure of MCF-7 cells to rHuEPO, while lower concentrations increased MCF-7 proliferation only after 10 weeks of treatment. Gene expression analysis showed activation of EGR1 and FOS, confirming the functionality of EPOR. rHuEPO treatment also slightly increased the expression of the functional EPOR isoform, which, however, persisted throughout the 10 weeks of treatment. The expression levels of EPOR-T were not influenced. There were no correlations between EPOR expression and the invasiveness of MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, Hs578T, Hs578Bst, SKBR3, T-47D and MCF-10A cell lines.Conclusions. rHuEPO modulates MCF-7 cell proliferation in time- and concentration-dependent manner. We confirmed EGR1, FOS and EPOR as transcription targets of the EPO-EPOR signaling loop, but could not correlate the expression of different EPOR isoforms with the invasiveness of breast cancer cell lines.
Ključne besede: breast cancer, erythropoietin, gene expression
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 22.03.2024; Ogledov: 96; Prenosov: 39
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3. Brain meningioma invading and destructing the skull bone : replacement of the missing bone in vivoTomaž Velnar, Rado Pregelj, Clara Limbaeck Stanic, 2011, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background. Meningiomas are frequently encountered tumours. In those invading locally into the adjacent tissue, reconstructions may pose a problem. Case report. We report a case of a benign convexity brain meningioma with invasion into the skull bone and subcutaneous tissue. The tumour was removed completely, together with the infiltrated tissue and the defects were successfully closed with in vivo bone reconstruction. Conclusions. The reconstruction of the skull bone is sometimes needed after the benign meningioma excision. Artificial bone may be a suitable material, allowing fastintraoperative reconstruction with excellent brain protection andcosmetic effect during the one-stage procedure.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.03.2024; Ogledov: 88; Prenosov: 55
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4. Assessment of differential expression of oncogenes in adenocarcinoma of stomach with fluorescent labeling and simultaneous amplification of gene transcriptsUroš Rajčević, Petra Hudler, Gordan Mijovski, Gregor Gorjanc, Georg Hölzl, Stanislav Repše, Robert Juvan, Milena Kovač, Christian G. Huber, Radovan Komel, 2007, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background. Gastric cancer is one of the leading malignancies with a poor prognosis and low survival rates. Although the mechanisms underlying its development are still unknown, there is a consensus that genetic instability, inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and over-expression of oncogenes are involved in the early and late stages of gastric carcinogenesis. In the present study we wanted to display differential expression of seven oncogenes,namely CCNE1, EGF, ERBB3, FGF4, HRG1, HGFR and TDGF1. Patients and methods. We employed a method based on the multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-PCR) method with a fluorescence detection. Results. More than half of patients (74.3%) out of total 74 with gastric adenocarcinoma had over-expressed at least one oncogene, with the exception of FGF4, which was expressed in tumor tissue of less than one third of patients. 56.8% of the patients patients showed over-expression of two or more oncogenes. Conclusions. Patients with precancerous lesions had elevated levels of TDGF1 or cripto-1 (64.9%) and CCNE1 (57.1%), suggesting that they could be used as markers for an early detection of malignant changes in stomach. Finally, the fluorescent multiplex RT-PCR method could be of value for rapid assessment of oncogene mRNA levels in small samples of tumor or precancerous biopsies.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 20.02.2024; Ogledov: 113; Prenosov: 32
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6. Retinal venular vessel diameters are smaller during ten days of bed restAdam Salon, Göktuğ Mert Çiftci, Damir Zubac, Boštjan Šimunič, Rado Pišot, Marco Vicenzo Narici, Per Morten Fredriksen, Benedicta Ngwenchi Nkeh-Chungag, Harald Sourij, Nandu Goswami, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Older individuals experience cardiovascular dysfunction during extended bedridden hospital or care home stays. Bed rest is also used as a model to simulate accelerated vascular deconditioning occurring during spacefight. This study investigates changes in retinal microcirculation during a tenday bed rest protocol. Ten healthy young males (22.9± 4.7 years; body mass index: 23.6± 2.5 kg·m–2) participated in a strictly controlled repeated-measures bed rest study lasting ten days. High-resolution images were obtained using a hand-held fundus camera at baseline, daily during the 10 days of bed rest, and 1 day after re-ambulation. Retinal vessel analysis was performed using a semi-automated software system to obtain metrics for retinal arteriolar and venular diameters, central retinal artery equivalent and central retinal vein equivalent, respectively. Data analysis employed a mixed linear model. At the end of the bed rest period, a signifcant decrease in retinal venular diameter was observed, indicated by a signifcantly lower central retinal vein equivalent (from 226.1 µm, CI 8.90, to 211.4 µm, CI 8.28, p= .026), while no signifcant changes in central retinal artery equivalent were noted. Prolonged bed rest confnement resulted in a signifcant (up to 6.5%) reduction in retinal venular diameter. These fndings suggest that the changes in retinal venular diameter during bedrest may be attributed to plasma volume losses and refect overall (cardio)-vascular deconditioning.
Ključne besede: eyes, retinal venular vessel, venske žile, bed rest, gibalna neaktivnost
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.11.2023; Ogledov: 622; Prenosov: 130
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7. Participation in youth sports influences sarcopenia parameters in older adultsKaja Teraž, Miloš Kalc, Boštjan Šimunič, Uroš Marušič, Primož Pori, Saša Pišot, Rado Pišot, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background The degree of deterioration in sarcopenia parameters may be affected by a person’s level of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB). Our study focused on examining the PA and SB of active older adults including those with and without history of sports in youth. Methods Forty-four participants (20 men and 24 women, mean age of total sample 76.1 ± 5.2 years) were included in analysis of PA, SB habits and sarcopenia parameters, determined by skeletal muscle index, hand-grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go tests (TUG). PA and SB were recorded with accelerometers. Our primary aim was to compare participants with (AH) or without a sport history in youth (NAH), in their sarcopenia parameters and PA and SB habits. Results When divided participants in two groups (AH and NAH) and adjusting for age, we have detected the differences for skeletal muscle index (p = 0.007) and hand-grip strength (p = 0.004) in favor of participants who were engaged in sports in youth. We did not find any differences in PA and SB habits between the AH and NAH groups. After adjusting for age, participants with a higher number of daily steps, longer moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bouts, a higher number of MVPA bouts in a day and higher overall MVPA engagement achieved better results in hand-grip strength and TUG. Participants with lower SB had better TUG and gait speed results. Conclusions Our findings suggest that engaging in sports activities in youth can make a difference with sarcopenia parameters. Although we found no differences in PA and SB habits between participants with AH and NAH, participants with an athlete history performed better results in sarcopenia parameters.
Ključne besede: muscles, muscle disorder, elderly, exercise, sedentarism
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 10.11.2023; Ogledov: 270; Prenosov: 494
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8. Radioimunološko določanje luteinizirajočega hormona (LH), folikel stimulirajočega hormona (FSH) in testosterona v krvi in spermi fertilnih in infertilnih moškihElko Borko, Radovan Breznik, Ksenija Ogrizek-Pelkič, Majda Rižnik, Jurij Šubic, Rudi Turk, 1978, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Avtorji poročajo o svojih izkušnjah z določanjem LH, FSH in testosterona v krvi in v spermi pri fertilnih in infertilnih moških. Naše dosedanje preiskave so pokazale, da je količina FSH v krvi v primeru okvarjene spermatogeneze povečana. Vrednosti LH so v spermi višje kot statistično signifikantne korelacije glede na spermatogenezo. Avtorji načrtujejo nadaljne raziskave o gibanju teh hormonov v krvi in spermi pri različnih oblikah okvarjene sprematogeneze.
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 14.09.2023; Ogledov: 194; Prenosov: 64
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9. Environmental enrichment through virtual reality as multisensory stimulation to mitigate the negative effects of prolonged bed restLuka Šlosar, Manca Peskar, Rado Pišot, Uroš Marušič, 2023, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Prolonged bed rest causes a multitude of deleterious physiological changes in the human body that require interventions even during immobilization to prevent or minimize these negative effects. In addition to other interventions such as physical and nutritional therapy, non-physical interventions such as cognitive training, motor imagery, and action observation have demonstrated efficacy in mitigating or improving not only cognitive but also motor outcomes in bedridden patients. Recent technological advances have opened new opportunities to implement such non-physical interventions in semi- or fully-immersive environments to enable the development of bed rest countermeasures. Extended Reality (XR), which covers augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), can enhance the training process by further engaging the kinesthetic, visual, and auditory senses. XR-based enriched environments offer a promising research avenue to investigate the effects of multisensory stimulation on motor rehabilitation and to counteract dysfunctional brain mechanisms that occur during prolonged bed rest. This review discussed the use of enriched environment applications in bedridden patients as a promising tool to improve patient rehabilitation outcomes and suggested their integration into existing treatment protocols to improve patient care. Finally, the neurobiological mechanisms associated with the positive cognitive and motor effects of an enriched environment are highlighted.
Ključne besede: physical inactivity, bed rest, nonphysical interventions, virtual reality
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 11.09.2023; Ogledov: 312; Prenosov: 157
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10. Functional characteristics and subjective disease perception in patients with COVID-19 two months after hospital dischargeKaja Teraž, Boštjan Šimunič, Manca Peskar, Uroš Marušič, Saša Pišot, Luka Šlosar, Mladen Gasparini, Rado Pišot, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Introduction: Although early inpatient and post-hospital rehabilitation is recognized as necessary, not all COVID-19 patients have access to rehabilitation. There are no published reports in the literature that investigate the outcomes of patients who do not receive rehabilitation after COVID-19. Our aim was to evaluate possible improvements in determinate functional and psychological parameters in COVID19 patients two months after their hospital discharge. Methods: On both time points various motor, cognitive, and clinical measurements such as body composition, tensiomyography, blood pressure, spirometry, grip strength test, Timed Up and Go test, gait speed, 30-second chair-stand test, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment, were performed. Additionally, questionnaires such as the SARC-CalF test, Edmonton frail scale, International Physical Activity questionnaire andThe Mediterranean Lifestyle index were conducted to assess lifestyle characteristics. Results: A total of 39 patients (87.2% male; mean age of 59.1 ± 10.3 years), who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 at the Izola General Hospital (IGH), Slovenia between December 2020 and April 2021, were included. Patients were assessed at two time points (T1 and T2): T1 was taken after receiving a negative COVID-19 test and T2 was taken two months after T1. After two months of self-rehabilitation, we have detected a BMI increase (p < .001), fat free mass increase (p < .001), better Edmonton frail scale (p < .001), SARC-CalF score (p = .014) and MoCA score (p = .014). There were no detected changes in lifestyle habits nor in physical performance tests. Discussion: It is already known that COVID-19 has long-term negative consequences regardless of the stage of the disease. Our findings support the notion that patients cannot fully regain all their functions within a two-month period without receiving structured or supervised rehabilitation. Therefore, it is crucial to offer patients comprehensive and structured rehabilitation that incorporates clinical, cognitive, and motor exercises.
Ključne besede: pandemics, coronavirus, functional improvement, hospital stay, health perception
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 26.07.2023; Ogledov: 324; Prenosov: 160
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