Correlates of Restless Legs Syndrome in Older People.

Background: We examined the association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) data in two older European populations. The second goal was to evaluate correlates of their quality of life (QoL). Methods: Diagnostic criteria of the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) and elements of CGA were used in this study. Results: Among the examined 246 participants, 77 (31.3%) suffered from RLS, more often in the UK (39.4%) than in Poland (25.4%) (p = 0.019). In the multivariate logistic regression model, female sex [OR (CI) = 3.29 (1.51-7.21); p = 0.0014], the number of medications per day [OR (CI) = 1.11 (1.02-1.20); p = 0.011] and alcohol consumption [OR (CI) = 5.41 (2.67-10.95); p < 0.001] increased the probability of RLS. Residing in Poland [OR (CI) = 3.06 (1.36-6.88); p = 0.005], the presence of RLS [OR (CI) = 2.90 (1.36-6.17); p = 0.004], chronic heart failure, [OR (CI) = 3.60 (1.75-7.41); p < 0.001], osteoarthritis [OR (CI) = 2.85 (1.47-5.49); p = 0.0016], and urinary incontinence [OR (CI) = 4.74 (1.87-11.9); p < 0.001] were associated with a higher probability of mobility dimension problems in the QoL. Higher physical activity was related to a lower probability of mobility problems [OR (CI) = 0.85 (0.78-0.92); p < 0.001]. Conclusions: female sex, the number of medications and alcohol consumption are independent correlates of RLS in older adults. RLS together with several chronic medical conditions and a low physical activity level were independent correlates of the mobility dimension of the QoL.

Apple metabolism under oxidative stress affects plant cell wall structure and mechanical properties.

Several studies have shown beneficial effects of short exposure to oxidative stress on stored fruit, such as better preservation, increased firmness, preservation of polyphenolic compounds, and reduced risk of postharvest disorders such as bitter pit and superficial scald in apples. In this study the effect of short-term oxidative stress conditions on the physiology of apple fruit was investigated. Apple fruit of three cultivars were exposed to hypoxic storage conditions of various lengths to induce anaerobiosis. The response of apple fruit to short-term oxidative stress was evaluated by means of cell wall immunolabeling and atomic force microscopy. In addition, the antioxidant capacity and antioxidative activity of apple peels was assessed. Through various techniques, it was shown that short-term oxidative stress conditions promote specific enzymatic activity that induces changes in the cell wall of apple fruit cells. Exposure to short-term stress resulted in the remodeling of cell wall pectic polysaccharides, observed as an increase in the size and complexity of extracted oxalate pectin. Structural changes in the cell wall were followed by an increase in Young's modulus (compressive stiffness of a solid material, expressed as the relationship between stress and axial strain) of the cell wall material. The data presented in this paper show in a novel way how storage under short-term oxidative stress modifies the cell wall of apple fruit at the molecular level.

Influence of pectin and hemicelluloses on physical properties of bacterial cellulose.

The properties of bacterial cellulose (BC)-based films produced by in situ biosynthesis with various polysaccharides (water-soluble pectin, arabinan, rhamnogalacturonan I, arabinoxylan, xyloglucan, glucomannan) were investigated. The addition of the polysaccharides to the bacterial growth environment changed the composition of the films by incorporating characteristic monosaccharides. BC-based films contained up to 26.7 % of non-cellulosic polysaccharides. The applied modification had a clear impact on water sorption and caused a decrease in the thermal stability of most BC films, which was connected with the depletion of geometrical dimensions of cellulose nanofibers observed with AFM. The FT-IR and Raman spectra demonstrated a decrease in % Iα of cellulose films, most notably for xyloglucan and glucomannan, as well as a change in their degree of crystallinity and the length of cellulose chains. The addition of xyloglucan had the most pronounced effect on film hardening; the other additives had a similar but lesser effect.

Analysis of the chemical composition of natural carbohydrates - An overview of methods.

Natural carbohydrates are gaining importance over a wide spectrum of human activity due to their versatile functionalities. The properties of carbohydrates are currently used in many branches of industry and new possibilities of their utilization, like in medicine or materials science, are demonstrated systematically. The attractive properties of carbohydrates result from their chemical structure and ability to form macromolecules and derivatives. Each application of carbohydrate requires a knowledge of their chemical composition, which due to the number and differentiation of monosaccharides and their spatial forms is often challenging. This review presents an overview on sample preparation and the methods used for the determination of the fine chemical structure of natural carbohydrates. Most popular and reliable colorimetric, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods are presented with an emphasis on their pros and cons.

Changes of pectin structure and microbial community composition in strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) during cold storage.

Strawberry is very perishable fruit with rapid postharvest loss of quality and high susceptibility to microbial infections. In this work we study pectin modifications and microbiota and mycobiota composition in strawberry in conventional and organic cultivation systems. The enzymatic activity during postharvest storage of both types of strawberry was divided at the fifth day of storage into two phases: postharvest changes and rotting. Pectin molecules extracted from organic strawberries were longer and more branched compared to the conventional strawberries; however a more noticeable reorganization of molecular structure occurred. The sequential action of the pectinolytic enzymes had a direct effect on the molecular structure of pectin fractions. The observed changes in pectin structure relate to the synergistic activity of pectinolytic enzymes and some microorganisms. The organic system was characterized by a greater number and variety of bacteria and fungi during storage as compared to the conventional system.

Investigations of changes in the arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) structure, size and composition during the fruit ripening process.

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are ubiquitous cell wall and plasma membrane components and are characterised by extensive glycosylation and heterogeneity of their carbohydrate and protein units. The aim of the study was to evaluate the structural features of AGPs present in apple fruits at different stages of the ripening process. AGPs were extracted using the Yariv reagent and examined using SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, FT-IR, and AFM. In situ analysis, immunofluorescence (CLSM) and immunogold-labelling (TEM), were performed. We demonstrated that AGPs were indeed present in apple fruits at the different stages of the ripening process. The changes in the amount (1.52-2.08 mg g-1), diameter (152.73-75.05 nm), molecular mass (50-250 kDa), and distribution in the cell of AGPs demonstrate their variable presence and changeable structure during the ripening process. We propose specific wavenumbers, i.e. 1265 cm-1, 1117 cm-1, and 960 cm-1, which could be assigned to AGPs. The immunofluorescence and immunogold-labelling results indicate that the JIM13 antibody is the most characteristic for AGPs in apple fruits. This study quantitatively demonstrated for the first time that AGP accumulation occurs in ripe fruits, which is supported by the highest AGPs content, the highest molecular mass, and the appearance of a specific distribution pattern at the cellular level.

The impact of the use of amalgam in dental treatment on the prevalence of restless legs syndrome in older people.

BACKGROUND: The link between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and the number of amalgam fillings in older people was investigated. Restless legs syndrome decreases the quality of life and impairs normal functioning. Mercury (in amalgam) may be toxic to nerve cells and may account for the incidence of RLS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The relationship between RLS and the presence of amalgam in the teeth of 104 people aged 60-97 years old was determined. By using 4 questions, together with the diagnostic criteria from the internationally used questionnaire produced by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG), authors assessed the extent of the symptoms and occurrence of RLS. Careful medical history and medical examination were used for ascertaining each subject's type of restorative materials (i.e., amalgam or other metal) and the number of such fillings. RESULTS: Subjects who answered "yes" (indicating presence of RLS) to the 4 subsequent questions had a significantly higher number of amalgam dental fillings as compared to the subjects without RLS symptoms. Presence of other metal dental restorative materials and the number of amalgam dental fillings reported in the past had no significant influence on RLS symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: Authors conclude that while examining the correlates of the appearance of restless legs syndrome the use of amalgam in the dentition should be taken into account. Med Pr. 2019;70(1):9-16.

Correlates of habitual physical activity in chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Results of physical performance tests may not reflect the level of habitual physical activity and health status of the dialysis patients. The aim of our study was to assess interdialytic spontaneous physical activity in chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients in relation to their nutritional status, severity of anaemia, inflammation and dialysis adequacy. METHODS: Sixty HD patients [27 female, 33 male; mean age 60+/-13 years, time on dialysis 46.2+/-62.1 months and body mass index (BMI) 25.1+/-4.7 kg/m2] without physical and neurological disabilities and 16 healthy individuals (10 female, six male, mean age 56+/-6 years, BMI 26.6+/-4.9 kg/m2) were enrolled into the study. In all patients, spontaneous daily physical activity was measured during 48 h between mid-week dialysis sessions by pedometers. Nutritional status was estimated by anthropometric methods (BMI and mid-arm muscle circumference) and serum albumin concentration. Additionally, body composition was estimated using a multifrequency phase-sensitive bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Severity of anaemia was determined by blood haemoglobin level and haematocrit value, and the presence of inflammatory state was determined by high sensitivity plasma C-reactive (CRP) protein measurements. RESULTS: The total number of steps during daily activities in dialysis patients and in healthy individuals was 6896+/-2357 vs 14 181+/-5383 per 48 h, respectively (P<0.001). Dialysis patients showed typical signs of malnutrition in the BIA, i.e. high extracellular mass/body cell mass index (1.17+/-0.28 in dialysis patients vs 0.97+/-0.1 in controls; P<0.001), low percentage cell mass (46.7+/-5.6 and 51.0+/-3.6, respectively; P = 0.002) and low phase angle (5.1+/-0.9 and 5.8+/-0.7, respectively; P = 0.006). Dialysis patients also showed lower serum albumin and blood haemoglobin and higher serum CRP levels than healthy controls. In dialysis patients, the number of steps taken positively correlated with body water (R = 0.28, P = 0.03), fat mass (r = 0.29, P = 0.04), BMI (R = 0.25, P = 0.04), lean body mass (R = 0.26, P = 0.04), intracellular water (r = 0.30, P<0.01), phase angle (R = 0.40, P = 0.002), serum albumin (R = 0.32, P = 0.01), haematocrit (R = 0.46, P = 0.001) and haemoglobin (R = 0.44, P = 0.001). Furthermore, the number of steps taken correlated significantly with mid-arm muscle circumference (r = 0.35, P = 0.006). A negative correlation was found between the number of steps and extracellular mass/body cell mass index (R = -0.37; P = 0.004). No significant relationships were found between the measures of physical activity and high sensitivity CRP or adequacy of dialysis. Multiple regression analysis revealed the independent associations between the number of steps taken by the patients and haemoglobin concentration, age, total body water, extracellular mass/body cell mass index and phase angle. CONCLUSIONS: Low habitual physical activity assessed in HD patients with simple portable pedometers is strongly related to several factors of major clinical importance in this population.

[Microalbuminuria--underestimated cardiovascular risk factor]. / Mikroalbuminuria--niedoceniany wskaznik ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego.

The term microalbuminuria stands for an increased urinary excretion of albumin undetectable by routine methods for determination of proteinuria. Microalbuminuria is found in a substantial proportion of patients with diabetes, arterial hypertension and in the elderly. New data has provided strong evidence that albuminuria not only indicates early glomerular damage but also widespread endothelial dysfunction, early atherogenesis and increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. It has been shown that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have a potential to decrease urinary albumin excretion, which confirms their well-established nephro- and vasoprotective action.