Intramyocellular lipids and their dynamics assessed by 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

This report provides an overview on the present knowledge on intramyocellular lipids (IMCL) and their dynamics in the course of interventions with physical activity of variable type and intensity in different population groups, as accessible by examinations using non-invasive volume-selective 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H MRS). IMCL serve as energy source in skeletal muscle for fat oxidation in the mitochondria and became intensively studied after discovery of their relation with insulin sensitivity. While baseline levels of IMCL concentration have been shown to be mainly dependent on the metabolic status (insulin sensitivity), on the level of training and on fibre composition in the muscles, studies applying different physical activity protocols revealed the dynamic of their depletion and replenishment. From the findings in human studies, it can be concluded that IMCL levels are potentially useful markers for monitoring metabolic adaptation of skeletal muscle to sportive activities and training.

Influence of graded exercise therapy on anxiety levels and health-related quality of life in chronic fatigue syndrome.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was twofold: 1) to determine to what extent graded exercise therapy (GET) improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and anxiety levels in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and 2) to correlate scores of HRQOL and anxiety levels in CFS patients. METHODS: Anxiety and HRQOL were assessed in 26 CFS patients before and after 12 weeks of GET. Anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire (STAI) and HRQOL using the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form questionnaire (SF-36). RESULTS: GET significantly decreased trait anxiety (STAI-T) levels in patients with CFS. Patients' scores on SF-36 following GET showed higher levels of functioning, but only the "vitality" subscale scores showed a statistically significant difference. A negative correlation was present between all eight subscales of SF-36 and anxiety levels. The strongest negative correlation for both state and trait anxiety scores (STAI-S and STAI-T) was found with the scores on the "Limitations due to emotional problems" subscale of SF-36 (r=-0.69 and r=-0.55, respectively), while the weakest negative correlation was with the "Physical functioning" subscale scores (r=-0.30 and r=-0.31, respectively). CONCLUSION: Graded exercise therapy has a positive effect on both physical and psychological state of CFS patients. GET can decrease anxiety and improve quality of life of CFS patients. CFS patients with higher state and trait anxiety levels have lower quality of life, and vice versa.

Association between intramuscular fat in the arm following arm training and INSIG2.

Insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs7566605) is linked to lipid metabolism, and this study assessed its potential influence on fat in the upper arm following arm training. Twenty healthy sedentary volunteers (22.0 ± 1.1 years, body mass index 25.4 ± 4.0 kg/m(2) ; mean ± standard deviation) carried out a 12-week two-arm elbow extensor training (10 maximal extensions with 1 min recovery between bouts) five times per day, five times per week. For 17 volunteers, upper arm muscle and adipose tissue [subcutaneous (SCAT) and intramuscular (IMAT)] volumes were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging before, immediately after, and 12 months after training and variables were related to the subjects' INSIG2 SNP rs7566605 genotype. Muscle volume and SCAT for the upper arm, as the decrease in IMAT during training were not related to INSIG2 SNP rs7566605: GG: %IMAT 1.0 ± 0.9%; GC/CC: %IMAT 0.6 ± 0.5% (P > 0.05). However, in the year following the training, accumulation of upper arm IMAT was twice as large in participants homozygous for the G allele (GG: Δ%IMAT +2.5 ± 0.8%; GC/CC: Δ%IMAT +1.1 ± 0.7%; P < 0.01). This study suggests that the G allele in the INSIG2 SNP rs7566605 is more relevant for changes in IMAT following training than for the amount of subcutaneous fat.

First Report of the Pale Potato Cyst Nematode Globodera pallida from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), the golden cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis (Woll.) Bahrens, and the pale potato cyst nematode G. pallida (Stone) stand out by their remarkable and efficient parasitic adaptations causing high economic losses in potato production worldwide. They are A2 quarantine pests in EPPO countries as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Up to now, only G. rostochiensis was reported from Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2011 (1). A systematic survey on the presence of PCN on entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina started in 2011. During the PCN survey, each year 120 soil samples of 1.5 liters were collected in the Republic of Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The samples were collected by soil auger 10 cm in length with a diameter of 1.5 cm consisting of 100 cores. Entire samples were processed by Seinhorst elutriator (4). In autumn of 2012, PCN viable cysts were found in two soil samples originating from one field. From one sample, 12 cysts were extracted, and 2 from another sample. The morphology of cysts and second stage juveniles and molecular analysis established the identity of this species as pale cyst nematode G. pallida (3). In addition, the sequencing of the ribosomal DNA region revealed unequivocal similarity to G. pallida (GenBank Accession No. HF968449), while PCR-RFLP analysis (2) showed European type of G. pallida. The infested field is located in Rogatica, 70 km east of Sarajevo, which is one of the main seed and potato production areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The field history revealed that farm-propagated, farm-saved seed potatoes could spread the nematodes to other fields as well. Therefore, 26 additional samples were taken from the fields that belong to the infested field owner and the surrounding fields, but no cysts were found in additional samples. To determine infestation focus and its size, the infested field (1.1 ha) was divided into 46 plots (25 × 10 m) and resampled by taking samples of 60 cores per plot. The detailed sampling of the field revealed a high infestation of 1 cyst per gram of soil in the infestation focus. The high infestation level and the propagation of farm-own seed potatoes suggest that the introduction of G. pallida might have occurred several years ago, probably with imported seed potatoes. The infested field was subjected to the phytosanitary measure of banning potato production for a period of 6 years with the possibility of its prolongation, if cysts with live content are found afterward. It is expected that the nematode is present in other fields due to the farmer's practices of propagating farm-saved seed potatoes and deficient field machinery hygiene. Therefore, the whole area will be intensively monitored for the presence of PCN in the future. An adequate pest management plan will be prepared after PCN pathotype identification. To our knowledge, only one field was found infested with G. pallida during the 3-year PCN survey in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Strict phytosanitary measures for preventing further PCN introductions and spreading should be intensified. References: (1) I. Ostojic et al. Plant Dis. 95:883, 2011. (2) S. Sirca et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 49:361, 2010. (3) A. M. Skantar et al. J. Nematol. 39:133, 2007. (4) J. van Bezooijen. Methods and Techniques for Nematology, Wageningen University, 2006.

Assessment of elbow extensors endurance in young athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare different endurance parameters of elbow extensors between senior and junior athletes. A group of 23 junior (16.2 ± 0.8 years, BMI 21.8 ± 2.9 kg/m(2)) and 16 senior athletes (23.1 ± 6.2 y, BMI 23.6 ± 4.2 kg/m(2)) volunteered for the study. Strength measurements were performed on the isoacceleration dynamometer (5 sets of 10 maximal elbow extensions, 1 min resting period between each set). The following strength parameters were measured: maximal strength (MS), endurance strength (ES), fatigue rate (FR) and decrease in strength (DS). Both arms triceps brachii muscle mass (MM) was calculated using a series of cross-sectional images of upper arms obtained by the MRI. Triceps brachii muscle mass for both arms in senior athletes showed significantly higher values (1286.9 ± 323.7 g) compared to young athletes (948.9 ± 171.1 g, p<0.01). ES was 50% higher in seniors, while FR was 10% higher in juniors. MS was 35% higher in seniors, but no difference was discovered when this parameter was expressed in relation to muscle mass. DS was significantly different between juniors and seniors, except in absolute values. No significant correlation was found between triceps brachii muscle mass and FR or DS. Different values of strength decrease throughout multiple contractions could be attributed to different characteristics of various sports.

[100 years since the birth of Academician Petr Kuzmic Anohin]. / Sto godina od rodenja akademika Petra Kuzmica Anohina.

This paper provides a brief biography of an outstanding physiologist and academician Petr Kuzmich Anokhin. With his functional system theory, academician P. K. Anokhin was the first to introduce a systematic approach to discussing functioning of an organism. Principles of functional systems have been applied in technical systems as well.

[The effect of clonazepam on experimental epilepsy induced by electrostimulation]. / Dejstvo Clonazepama na eksperimentalne epilepsije uzrokovane elektrostimulacijom.

The investigations were aimed at the study of effects of preparations which belong to the benzodiazepine group-Clonazepam (CZ), on total bioelectric activity (EEG) and epileptic discharge induced by electrostimulation of the hippocampus in the experimental animals (awake adult rabbits). Clonazepam was administered both intramuscularly (i.m.) and intravenously (i.v.) at a dose of 0.2-2.5 mg/kg of the body mass. The obtained results show that the administration of clonazepam prolongs the duration and the arrangement of the spindle in the bioelectric activity in rabbits and stops epileptic attacks of the grand mal type.