Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Bangladesh: a systematic scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: Lack of physical activity (PA) contributes to increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. However, little is known about PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) among populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This systematic review examined prevalence of PA and SB in Bangladesh. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature. METHODS: A systematic electronic search in eight databases and a manual search of retrieved articles' references were conducted. Original research conducted in Bangladesh with PA- and/or SB-related outcome(s) were included. RESULTS: Out of 1,162 retrieved titles, 33 articles (32 cross-sectional and one case-control study) met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-nine studies were with healthy populations: adults (n = 19); children and adolescents (n = 7); and children, adolescents and adults (n = 3). Five studies used nationally representative samples of adults and one of adolescents. Most studies (n = 26) assessed PA only; three only SB, and four both PA and SB. All studies used self-reported measures. Among healthy adults, prevalence of insufficient PA ranged from 5% to 83%. Occupational and transport-related PA contributed the most towards total PA with negligible contribution of recreational PA. Among children and adolescents, the prevalence of insufficient PA ranged between 20% and 67%. Females engaged in less PA compared to males. Limited evidence currently exists about the prevalence of SB, especially among adults. CONCLUSIONS: PA and SB research has received little attention in Bangladesh. Critical knowledge gaps identified in this review should be taken into account when designing new research and programmes in Bangladesh and other LMICs with similar socio-economic and cultural settings.

Electrospray ionization linear trap quadrupole Orbitrap in analysis of old tempera paintings: application to nineteenth-century Orthodox icons.

Proteomic approach in combination with mass spectrometry demonstrates a great potential for identification of proteinaceous materials in works of art. In this study we used a linear trap quadrupole Orbitrap (LTQ-Orbitrap), a state-of-the-art mass spectrometer for parts per million accuracy analyses of peptides behind tryptic hydrolysis. After the efficiency of the proteomic method was confirmed for reference and model samples, micro-samples from historical paintings were for the first time analysed using this technique. Superior performances of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach using a LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer allowed identification of egg yolk peptides in two samples from nineteenth-century Orthodox icons, indicating egg tempera as the painting technique. Accurate precursor ion masses, in the range of ±2 ppm, and retention times of tryptic peptides strengthen protein identification. Additionally, in all historical samples the presence of animal glues suggested that the ground layer was likely bound using bovine collagen. Comparing to results acquired using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry in our previous study, here we achieved higher ion scores and protein scores, better sequence coverage and more identified proteins. In fact, a combination of the two mass spectrometric techniques provided overlapping and complementary data, related to the detection of peptides with different physicochemical properties.

Light scattering as an intrinsic indicator for pancreatic islet cell mass and secretion.

The pancreatic islet of Langerhans is composed of endocrine cells producing and releasing hormones from secretory granules in response to various stimuli for maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis. In order to adapt to a variation in functional demands, these islets are capable of modulating their hormone secretion by increasing the number of endocrine cells as well as the functional response of individual cells. A failure in adaptive mechanisms will lead to inadequate blood glucose regulation and thereby to the development of diabetes. It is therefore necessary to develop tools for the assessment of both pancreatic islet mass and function, with the aim of understanding cellular regulatory mechanisms and factors guiding islet plasticity. Although most of the existing techniques rely on the use of artificial indicators, we present an imaging methodology based on intrinsic optical properties originating from mature insulin secretory granules within endocrine cells that reveals both pancreatic islet mass and function. We demonstrate the advantage of using this imaging strategy by monitoring in vivo scattering signal from pancreatic islets engrafted into the anterior chamber of the mouse eye, and how this versatile and noninvasive methodology permits the characterization of islet morphology and plasticity as well as hormone secretory status.

Secondary metabolites of Seseli rigidum: Chemical composition plus antioxidant, antimicrobial and cholinesterase inhibition activity.

Extracts of different polarity obtained from various plant parts (root, leaf, flower and fruit) of Seseli rigidum were studied by different antioxidant assays: DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, by total reducing power method as well as via total content of flavonoids and polyphenols. Essential oils of all plant parts showed weak antioxidant characteristics. The inhibitory concentration range of the tested extracts, against bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was 0.01-1.50 mg/mL and of a microbicidal 0.02-3.00 mg/mL. In the interaction with cholinesterase, all essential oils proved effective as inhibitors. The highest percentage of inhibition versus human and horse cholinesterase was shown by root essential oil (38.20% and 48.30%, respectively) among oils, and root hexane extract (40.56% and 50.65% respectively). Essential oils and volatile components of all plant parts were identified by GC, GC-MS and headspace/GC-MS. Statistical analysis of the ensemble of results showed that the root essential oil composition differed significantly from essential oils of other parts of the plant. Taking into account all of the studied activities, the root hexane extract showed the best overall properties. By means of high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry, the 30 most abundant constituents were identified in extracts of different polarity. The presence of identified constituents was linked to observed specific biological activities, thus designating compounds potentially responsible for each exhibited activity.

Identification of protein binders in artworks by MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry.

Aim of this work is to propose an analytical protocol for proteinaceous binder identification in paintings using tryptic peptide analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry strengthened with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry (LIFT method). Proteinaceous binders are enzymatically digested with trypsin. From each individual protein frequently occurring in binders, a specific set of peptides is releasing during enzymatic digestion giving a peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) of that particular protein. The most intensive peptide peaks in PMF were determined and annotated with their corresponding amino acid sequence by MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis and subsequent database search. Before analyzing historical painting samples, procedure was tested and optimized on several painting model samples for a reliable and efficient identification of proteinaceous materials. The method is avoiding sample manipulation as much as possible in order to reduce sample loss. Since the applied procedures led to protein identification of binding media in model samples, MALDI-TOF/TOF was for the first time applied for analysis of proteinaceous binders in old painting samples.

Wild fire impact on copper, zinc, lead and cadmium distribution in soil and relation with abundance in selected plants of Lamiaceae family from Vidlic Mountain (Serbia).

Fire has been considered as an improving factor in soil quality, but only if it is controlled. Severe wild fire occurred in the summer 2007 on the Vidlic Mountain (Serbia) overspreading a huge area of meadows and forests. Main soil characteristics and content of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn) in different fractions obtained after sequential extraction of soil from post-fire areas and from fire non disturbed areas were studied. In four plant species of Lamiaceae family (Ajuga genevensis L., Lamium galeobdolon (L.) L., Teucrium chamaedrys L., Acinos alpinus (L.) Moench.), that grow in typical habitats of the mountain, distribution of heavy metals in aerial parts and roots was investigated too. For all samples from post-fire area cation exchange capacity and soil organic matter content are increased while rH is decreased. Fire caused slightly increased bioavailability of the observed metals but more significant rise happened in metal amounts bound to oxides and organics. The plants showed variable behavior. T. chamaedrys collected on the post-fire area contained elevated concentrations of all analyzed metals. A. alpinus showed higher phytoaccumulation for Zn and Cd, while the other two plant species for Pb and Cd in the post-fire areas.

A modification of the kinetic determination of pancuronium bromide based on its inhibitory effect on cholinesterase.

A modification of the existing spectrophotometric kinetic method for the determination of pancuronium bromide (PCBr), based on pooled human serum cholinesterase (ChE, EC 3.1.1.8 acylcholine acylhydrolase) inhibition, was developed. Butyrylthiocholine iodide (concentration 1.667 mmol/L) was used as substrate and determination was performed at pH 7.6. Essential basic kinetic parameters were also determined: Michaelis-Menten's constant KM=0.33 mmol/L, maximal reaction rate Vmax=42.29 micromol/L min, inhibition constant KI=0.34 micromol/L, and IC50=0.235 micromol/L. Linear dependence between the reaction rate and the inhibitor concentration exists in PCBr concentration range 8.29-265.28 nmol/L, which corresponds to the real sample concentrations from 0.166 to 5.306 micromol/L. The method detection limit was established to be 1.86 nmol/L and the quantification limit was 6.18 nmol/L. Precision of the method was tested for three pancuronium concentrations (16.58, 99.48, and 198.96 nmol/L). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was in the range 0.78-5.13%. Accuracy was examined by the standard addition method. The influence of substances usually present in serum and urine on the reaction rate was determined. The method developed was applied for PCBr determination in spiked serum and urine samples and in the urine taken during surgery. The method was proven to have good sensitivity, accuracy, and precision and can be considered suitable for clinical practice.

Modification of the Wingate anaerobic power test for rowing: optimization of the resistance setting.

The purpose of the study was to determine the resistance factor that would elicit the highest peak 5 s and mean 30 s power output (PO) during a maximal 30 s anaerobic power test on a rowing ergometer. Thirty-one rowers (17 male and 14 female) were recruited based on the light-weight (LW) (6 male; age 23 +/- 6 yrs and 6 female; age 19 +/- 2 yrs) and heavy-weight (HW) (11 male; age 24 +/- 4 yrs and 8 female; age 27 +/- 8 yrs) rowing categories. Each group completed 5 randomized series of maximal 30 s sprints equivalent to the following forces: 58.9, 63.8, 68.7, 73.7 and 78.6 N for LW males; 83.5, 88.4, 93.4, 98.2 and 103.1 N for HW males; 29.4, 34.3, 39.2, 44.1 and 49.1 N for LW females; and 44.1, 49.1, 54.0, 58.6 and 63.8 N for HW females. The tests were performed on a Gjessing rowing ergometer modified to accommodate greater resistance settings and computer linked to obtain the necessary data. The peak 5 s and mean 30 s PO (W) were determined for each test. A relative load factor (RLF) for determining the amount of resistance to be applied was calculated based on body mass (BM). The RLF settings that elicited the highest peak 5 s PO were 0.109 and 0.102 kg. kg (-1) BM for LW and HW male rowers and 0.111 kg. kg (-1) BM and 0.076 kg. kg (-1) BM for LW and HW female rowers, respectively. The RLF settings for eliciting the highest mean 30 s PO were 0.102 and 0.095 kg. kg (-1) BM for LW and HW male rowers and 0.103 kg. kg (-1) BM and 0.068 kg. kg (-1) BM for LW and HW female rowers, respectively. A 30 second anaerobic test was also performed on a Concept II rowing machine for comparison and it was found to elicit a significantly lower peak 5 s but not 30 s PO in both male and female rowers. Our findings provide RLFs for assessing anaerobic power using a 30 s test in male and female rowers. As well, peak 5 s but not mean 30 s PO is underestimated using the Concept II rowing machine.

Circadian variations of platelet aggregability and fibrinolytic activity in healthy subjects.

With a view to investigating whether in circadian variations of platelet aggregation (PA) and fibrinolytic activity there is an elevated risk period for incidence and development of ischemic stroke, 25 healthy subjects (5 females and 20 males), their age ranging from 29 to 51, were exposed to the analysis of PA, euglobulin lysis time (ELT), fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), antithrombin III (AT III) and heparin tolerance test (HTT) in blood samples drawn by venepuncture at 08.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00 and 18.00 h; beside these intervals in the case of 10 healthy males, whose age ranged from 32 to 45, blood samples were taken at midnight as well. The group of 25 subjects comprised those who usually worked daily and nightly shifts, as well as those who were either at bed rest or doing their duties during daytime. The findings of this investigation have demonstrated that all the parameters studied exhibited circadian variations irrespective of sex, age or daily/nightly activities of the subjects. The most pronounced PA interval, which was not accompanied by corresponding increase of fibrinolytic activity, was that around 11.00 h and it is marked as the highest risk period for onset of ischemic stroke.