Glass Fibre-Reinforced Extrusion 3D-Printed Composites: Experimental and Numerical Study of Mechanical Properties.

The properties of 3D-printed bodies are an essential part of both the industrial and research sectors, as the manufacturers try to improve them in order to make this now additive manufacturing method more appealing compared to conventional manufacturing methods, like injection moulding. Great achievements were accomplished in both 3D printing materials and machines that made 3D printing a viable way to produce parts in recent years. However, in terms of printing parameters, there is still much room for advancements. This paper discusses four of the 3D printing parameters that affect the properties of the final products made by chopped glass fibre-filled nylon filaments; these parameters are the printing temperature, nozzle diameter, layer height, and infill orientation. Furthermore, a polynomial function was fitted to the measured data points, which made it possible to calculate the tensile strength, flexural strength, and Young's modulus of the 3D-printed samples based on their printing parameters. A Pearson correlation analysis was also carried out to determine the impact of each parameter on all three mechanical properties studied. Both the infill orientation and printing temperature had a significant effect on both strengths and Young's modulus, while the effect of nozzle diameters and layer heights were dependent on the infill orientation used. Also, a model with excellent performance was established to predict the three mechanical properties of the samples based on the four major parameters used. As expected from a fibre-reinforced material, the infill orientation had the most significant effect on the tensile strength, flexural strength, and Young's modulus. The temperature was also quite significant, while the nozzle diameters and layer height effect were situational. The highest values for the tensile strength, flexural strength, and Young's modulus were 72 MPa, 78.63 MPa, and 4243 MPa, respectively, which are around the same values the manufacturer states.

The Investigation of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Training on Athletic Performance-systematic Review / La investigación del entrenamiento de biorretroalimentación y neurorretroalimentación en el rendimiento deportivo: revisión sistemática

The investigation of biofeedback and neurofeedback training on athletic performance-systematic review. The present study aimed to systematically review the impact of biofeedback and neurofeedback training on sports performance. We investigated both theoretical and practical aspects of biofeedback and neurofeedback techniques. The screened articles involved athletes from various individual and team sports. Participants of the reviewed studies had different levels of experience, from novice to professional. We examined multiple devices and instrumentation (EEG, EMG, Nexus 10, telemetry, etc.) that may facilitate athletes' mental preparation. We also provided an overview of the protocols used with different monitoring devices. This study reviewed current biofeedback and neurofeedback techniques for preparing competitive athletes. Research has shown that athletes using the biofeedback method in their training routines are far more effective in terms of mental preparation than control groups. The researchers also found that the techniques used by athletes needed to be developed and adapted to more sports. This review identified different groups that could benefit from biofeedback-based interventions in sports. Interventions have generally had a positive effect on coping with anxiety.(AU)

A Transcriptomic Analysis of Smoking-Induced Gene Expression Alterations in Coronary Artery Disease Patients.

Smoking is a well established risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite this, there have been no previous studies investigating the effects of smoking on blood gene expression in CAD patients. This single-centre cross-sectional study was designed with clearly defined inclusion criteria to address this gap. We conducted a high-throughput approach using next generation sequencing analysis with a single-end sequencing protocol and a read length of 75-cycles. Sixty-one patients with a median age of 67 years (range: 28-88 years) were recruited, and only 44 subjects were included for further analyses. Our investigation revealed 120 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between smokers and nonsmokers, with a fold change (FC) of ≥1.5 and a p-value < 0.05. Among these DEGs, 15 were upregulated and 105 were downregulated. Notably, when applying a more stringent adjusted FC ≥ 2.0, 31 DEGs (5 upregulated, annotated to immune response pathways, and 26 downregulated, involving oxygen and haem binding or activity, with FDR ≤ 0.03) remained statistically significant at an alpha level of <0.05. Our results illuminate the molecular mechanisms underlying CAD, fortifying existing epidemiological evidence. Of particular interest is the unexplored overexpression of RCAN3, TRAV4, and JCHAIN genes, which may hold promising implications for the involvement of these genes in CAD among smokers.

Atrial Fibrillation Related Coronary Embolism: Diagnosis in the Focus.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in myocardial infarction (MI). AF can be caused by ischemia, and MI can be caused by AF. Additionally, 4-5% of MI cases are related to coronary embolism (CE), and one-third of cases are attributed to AF. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of AF-related CE cases among 3 consecutive years of STEMI cases. We also aimed to reveal the diagnostic accuracy of the Shibata criteria scoring system and the role of thrombus aspiration. Among 1181 STEMI patients, 157 had AF (13.2%). By using the Shibata's diagnostic criteria, 10 cases were classified as 'definitive' and 31 as 'probable' CE. After re-evaluation, a further five cases were classified as 'definitive'. Further analysis of the 15 CE cases revealed that CE was more prevalent in patients with previously known (n = 10) compared to those with new-onset (n = 5) AF (16.7% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.024). A PubMed search was performed, and 40 AF-related cases were found where the Shibata's criteria could be applied. Further, 31 cases could be classified as 'definitive', 4 as 'probable' and, in 5 cases, the embolic origin could be excluded. In 40% of reported cases and in 47% of our cases, thrombus aspiration helped in diagnosis.

[Left ventricular deformation: similarities and dissimilarities in elite sport activity- and acromegaly-related abnormalities. Results from the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Sport and MAGYAR-Path Studies] / Bal kamrai deformitás: az aktív élsporthoz és az acromegaliához kötheto eltérések hasonlóságai és különbségei. Eredmények a háromdimenziós speckle-tracking echokardiográfiás MAGYAR-Sport és MAGYAR-Path Tanulmányokból

INTRODUCTION: Acromegaly is a chronic endocrine disorder, which produces a significant amount of human growth hormone and consequently insulin-like growth factor in adulthood due to a tumor in the pituitary gland. If left untreated, it can have a significant effect on the cardiovascular system. It is also known that elite sport activity is also associated with physiologic cardiac transformation, the so-called athletes' heart, in which volumetric and functional adaptation of the heart cavities can be observed. OBJECTIVE: In accordance with the above facts, the question may rightly arise as to what differences can be observed in left ventricular morphology and function in acromegaly, and what similarities and dissimilarities do the obtained results show compared to the values of healthy non-athlete adults compared to the values of the left ventricle of young elite athletes. METHOD: The present study comprised 21 elite athletes playing high dynamic sports (mean age: 31.2 ± 6.4 years, 13 males) and 18 acromegaly patients (mean age: 47.9 ± 8.9 years, 9 males). Their results were compared to those of 22 negative controls (mean age: 47.7 ± 10.6 years, 13 males). RESULTS: Left ventricle is dilated, but its function is preserved in both elite athletes and patients with acromegaly. While increased longitudinal and circumferential left ventricular strains could be seen in elite athletes primarily due to the more pronounced contractility of left ventricular apical segments, increased radial left ventricular strain was detected in acromegaly due to increased function of the left ventricular basal region. Left ventricular rotational mechanics show different patterns as well: while basal left ventricular rotation is decreased in elite athletes, apical left ventricular rotation showed a reduction leading to the significant deterioration of left ventricular twist in acromegaly. CONCLUSION: Both elite athletes playing high dynamic sports and acromegaly patients have dilated left ventricle, more pronounced regional left ventricular contractility and left ventricular rotational abnormalities with differences in nature and extent of these alterations as compared to those of non-sporting healthy subjects. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(8): 308-316.

Left ventricular deformation in athletes playing sports with high dynamics-insights from the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Sport Study.

Background: Earlier results suggest the role of speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived left ventricular (LV) strains in screening and could help better understanding of adaptation to exercise. The present retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate three-dimensional STE-derived LV strains representing its deformation in athletes playing sports with high dynamics with different grades of static components of their training. Methods: The study consisted of 67 athletes (mean age: 23.6±6.4 years, 39 males). This group of athletes was further divided into the following groups: Group C.I. (high dynamic/low static) (n=12), Group C.II. (high dynamic/moderate static) (n=22) and Group C.III. (high dynamic/high static) (n=33). The control group comprised 83 age- and gender-matched non-athletic healthy volunteers (mean age: 23.6±3.2 years, 50 males). Results: Global LV longitudinal strain (LS) representing LV lengthening or shortening (-18.5%±3.0% vs. -16.3%±2.3%, P<0.05), LV circumferential strain (CS) representing LV widening or narrowing (-29.9%±5.2% vs. -28.1%±4.8%, P<0.05) and LV area strain (AS; combination of LS and CS; -43.7%±5.4% vs. -40.9%±4.8%, P<0.05) were increased in elite athletes as compared to those of non-athlete controls. All apical LV strains proved to be increased in all athletes with enhanced basal radial strain (RS, representing LV thickening and thinning) and LS and midventricular LS, AS and 3D strain (3DS, combination of RS, LS and CS). Conclusions: Increased LV-LS, LV-CS and LV-AS represents enhanced LV deformation in longitudinal and circumferential directions in athletes playing sports with high dynamics. This enhancement is not related to the grade of the static component of training. Some regional differences in LV strains could be detected.

The Effect of Ten-week Ballroom Dance Therapy on Cognitive Abilities, Balance, and Perceived Stress Among Individuals over-60s / El efecto de la terapia de baile de salón de diez semanas sobre las capacidades cognitivas, el equilibrio y el estrés percibido entre personas mayores de 60 años

Nowadays, aging is a popular research topic. Several articles describe the positive effects of dance and music therapies on older individuals' cognitive and physical abilities. Our research examined the effects of ten-week dance therapy on senior participants over 60s. We also assessed their cognitive abilities, physical endurance, and perceived stress levels. The Vienna Test System, Determination Test (VTS DT) was performed to assess the cognitive stress for 12 minutes. We measured a significant increase in the effect of the training program. We observed an elevation in mean pre-training values. After the intensive ballroom dance program, there was also a significant improvement, in mean score. We also examined the acute effect of a single dance class. We observed a significant improvement in acute values. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSS-14) and a Flamingo balance test before and after the dance program. We used a paired T-test to determine the effect of dance therapy on participants' perceived stress. The results indicated a significantly improved ability to balance after completing the dance program. We may conclude that the dance program has improved the current cognitive abilities of the elderly. Practical implications of our study includes improvement the quality of life, and support healthy lifespan of the elderly. Future studies, with higher number of participants, involving various physical activities,would be helpful to support our hypothesis.(AU)

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Low-Impact Pilates Workout on the Adaptive Immune System.

Growing evidence indicates the pronounced effects of physical activity on immune functions, which may largely depend on the type of exercise, intensity, and duration. However, limited information is available regarding the effects of low-impact exercises, especially on the level of adaptive immune system. Our study aimed to investigate and compare the changes in a broad spectrum of lymphocyte subtypes after 14 weeks of aerobic-type total-body-shaping workouts (TBSW) and Pilates workouts (PW) among healthy individuals. We determined the percentages of peripheral natural killer cells and different T and B lymphocyte subtypes with flow cytometry. At the end of the exercise program, significant changes in naïve and memory lymphocyte ratios were observed in TBSW group. Percentages of naïve cytotoxic T (Tc) cells elevated, frequencies of memory Tc and T-helper cell subsets decreased, and distribution of naïve and memory B cells rearranged. Proportions of activated T cells also showed significant changes. Nonetheless, percentages of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10-producing regulatory type 1 cells and immunosuppressive CD4+CD127lo/-CD25bright T regulative cells decreased not only after TBSW but also after PW. Although weekly performed aerobic workouts may have a more pronounced impact on the adaptive immune system than low-impact exercises, both still affect immune regulation in healthy individuals.

The Genetic Architecture of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Hungary: Analysis of 242 Patients with a Panel of 98 Genes.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary disease of the myocardium most commonly caused by mutations in sarcomeric genes. We aimed to perform a nationwide large-scale genetic analysis of a previously unreported, representative HCM cohort in Hungary. A total of 242 consecutive HCM index patients (127 men, 44 ± 11 years) were studied with next generation sequencing using a custom-designed gene-panel comprising 98 cardiomyopathy-related genes. A total of 90 patients (37%) carried pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants. The percentage of patients with P/LP variants in genes with definitive evidence for HCM association was 93%. Most of the patients with P/LP variants had mutations in MYBPC3 (55 pts, 61%) and in MYH7 (21 pts, 23%). Double P/LP variants were present in four patients (1.7%). P/LP variants in other genes could be detected in ≤3% of patients. Of the patients without P/LP variants, 46 patients (19%) carried a variant of unknown significance. Non-HCM P/LP variants were identified in six patients (2.5%), with two in RAF1 (p.Leu633Val, p.Ser257Leu) and one in DES (p.Arg406Trp), FHL1 (p.Glu96Ter), TTN (p.Lys23480fs), and in the mitochondrial genome (m.3243A>G). Frameshift, nonsense, and splice-variants made up 82% of all P/LP MYBPC3 variants. In all the other genes, missense mutations were the dominant form of variants. The MYBPC3 p.Gln1233Ter, the MYBPC3 p.Pro955ArgfsTer95, and the MYBPC3 p.Ser593ProfsTer11 variants were identified in 12, 7, and 13 patients, respectively. These three variants made up 36% of all patients with identified P/LP variants, raising the possibility of a possible founder effect for these mutations. Similar to other HCM populations, the MYBPC3 and the MYH7 genes seemed to be the most frequently affected genes in Hungarian HCM patients. The high prevalence of three MYBPC3 mutations raises the possibility of a founder effect in our HCM cohort.

Your Physical Activity Is in Your Hand-Objective Activity Tracking Among University Students in Hungary, One of the Most Obese Countries in Europe.

Inadequate physical activity is currently one of the leading risk factors for mortality worldwide. University students are a high-risk group in terms of rates of obesity and lack of physical activity. In recent years, activity trackers have become increasingly popular for measuring physical activity. The aim of the present study is to examine whether university students in Hungary meet the health recommendations (10,000 steps/day) for physical activity and investigate the impact of different variables (semester-exam period, days-weekdays, days, months, sex) on the level of physical activity in free-living conditions for 3 months period. In free-living conditions, 57 healthy university students (male: 25 female: 32 mean age: 19.50 SD = 1.58) wore MiBand 1S activity tracker for 3 months. Independent sample t-tests were used to explore differences between sexes. A One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to explore differences in measures among different grouping variables and step count. A Two-way ANOVA was conducted to test for differences in the number of steps by days of the week, months, seasons and for sex differences. Tukey HSD post-hoc tests were used to examine significant differences. Students in the study achieved 10,000 steps per day on 17% of days (minimum: 0%; maximum: 76.5%; median: 11.1%). Unfortunately, 70% of the participants did not comply the 10,000 steps at least 80% of the days studied. No statistical difference were found between sexes. However, significant differences were found between BMI categories (underweight <18.50 kg/m2; normal range 18.50-24.99 kg/m2; overweight: 25.00-29.99 kg/m2 obese > 30 kg/m2, the number of steps in the overweight category was significantly lower (F = 72.073, p < 0.001). The average daily steps were significantly higher in autumn (t = 11.457, p < 0.001) than in winter. During exam period average steps/day were significantly lower than during fall semester (t = 13.696, p < 0.001). On weekdays, steps were significantly higher than on weekends (F = 14.017, p < 0.001), and even within this, the greatest physical activity can be done by the middle of the week. Our data suggest that university students may be priority groups for future physical activity interventions. Commercial activity trackers provide huge amount of data for relatively low cost therefore it has the potential to objectively analyze physical activity and plan interventions.

COVID-19 Infection Alters the Microbiome: Elite Athletes and Sedentary Patients Have Similar Bacterial Flora.

Regular exercise can upgrade the efficiency of the immune system and beneficially alter the composition of the gastro-intestinal microbiome. We tested the hypothesis that active athletes have a more diverse microbiome than sedentary subjects, which could provide better protection against COVID-19 during infection. Twenty active competing athletes (CA) (16 male and 4 females of the national first and second leagues), aged 24.15 ± 4.7 years, and 20 sedentary subjects (SED) (15 male and 5 females), aged 27.75 ± 7.5 years, who had been diagnosed as positive for COVID-19 by a PCR test, served as subjects for the study. Fecal samples collected five to eight days after diagnosis and three weeks after a negative COVID-19 PCR test were used for microbiome analysis. Except for two individuals, all subjects reported very mild and/or mild symptoms of COVID-19 and stayed at home under quarantine. Significant differences were not found in the bacterial flora of trained and untrained subjects. On the other hand, during COVID-19 infection, at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was elevated during COVID-19 compared to the level measured three weeks after a negative PCR test (p < 0.05) when all subjects were included in the statistical analysis. Since it is known that Bacteroidetes can suppress toll-like receptor 4 and ACE2-dependent signaling, thus enhancing resistance against pro-inflammatory cytokines, it is suggested that Bacteroidetes provide protection against severe COVID-19 infection. There is no difference in the microbiome bacterial flora of trained and untrained subjects during and after a mild level of COVID-19 infection.

The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Agility, Explosive Power, and Speed-Endurance Capacity in Youth Soccer Players.

Our goal was to assess agility, explosive power, and speed-endurance capacity by implementing noninvasive procedures and sport-specific tests. We hypothesized that agility, speed, explosive power, and speed-endurance capacity might be maintained or increased by an individualized home-based training program. Eleven adolescent athletes participated in our study; they executed three tests before the coronavirus outbreak and 13 weeks later, after the pandemic curfew. We used the SpeedCourt System to assess the sport-specific speed and agility parameters and monitor speed-endurance capacity. We conducted the first measurement at the end of the preparatory period, on 28 February 2020. The second session consisted of 4 weeks of regular training and 9 weeks of individual, home-based activities. Compared to the first (pre-pandemic) testing session, our participants demonstrated a significantly improved capacity of the lower limbs' explosive strength after completing the home-based exercise routine, compared to the first (pre-pandemic) testing session. We found that agility, speed, and explosive power might be maintained at the same level under home-based conditions. We found that it was challenging for the participants to increase their "pre-pandemic" endurance capacities.

Effects of Functional Training on Sarcopenia in Elderly Women in the Presence or Absence of ACE Inhibitors.

Sarcopenia, defined as loss of muscle mass and strength, develops gradually with aging or after chronic disease. Efforts are ongoing to identify the best interventions that can slow down or stop sarcopenia. Nutrition-based interventions and exercise therapy may be beneficial; however, pharmacotherapy also could play a role. The effect of ACE inhibitors on physical performance is controversial. The present study investigates the impact of functional training on sarcopenia in the presence or absence of ACEi in elderly females. A total of 35 women over 65 years of age were selected for two groups on the basis that they were taking ACEi (n = 18) or not (n = 17). All subjects conducted a training program two times a week for 6 months. We examined various factors related to sarcopenia. After completing the short physical performance battery (SPPB) test, we found a significant improvement after 6 months of functional training. SPPB values of the ACEi group were significantly lower at the beginning of the study; however, we observed no difference between the SPPB results of the two groups after the training period. We conducted further studies to measure posture and spine mobility. Our Schober and Cobra test results revealed significantly improved spine mobility (both flexor and extensor) in both groups after 6 months of training. Furthermore, the grip strength of the hands, studied by an electric dynamometer, was significantly improved in both groups at the end of the training period. Our results indicated that functional training may improve body composition and muscle strength in patients diagnosed with sarcopenia. Furthermore, ACEi may be a helpful additional therapy in older adult patients suffering from severe sarcopenia.

Role of 3D echocardiography-determined atrial volumes in distinguishing between pre-capillary and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension.

AIMS: The current guidelines on pulmonary hypertension (PH) recommend the use of invasive examination for differentiating between left-sided heart disease-related (post-capillary) and pre-capillary PH. However, atrial sizes are considered markers of ventricular filling pressures. Therefore, we aimed to test the clinical applicability of atrial volumes measured by transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) in differentiating between pre-capillary and post-capillary PH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-five consecutive patients with PH were prospectively examined with transthoracic 3DE. After less than 24 h, the patients underwent right heart catheterization and 3DE and were classified as pre-capillary or post-capillary PH according to the recommendations of the ESC guidelines. The atrial volumes were measured offline with dedicated commercial software. Thirty-eight patients (13 men, age 65 ± 18 year) had pre-capillary PH, and 37 (23 men, age 62 ± year) had post-capillary PH. The mean pulmonary artery pressures were similar in patients with pre-capillary and post-capillary PH (38 [IQR 26, 54] mmHg vs. 41 [IQR 33, 48] mmHg, respectively, P = 0.49). The left atrial indexed maximum (LAVi max) and minimum (LAVi min) volumes were significantly larger in the post-capillary PH patient group than in the pre-capillary PH patient group (LAVi max: 64 ± 32 mL/m2 vs. 41 ± 25 mL/m2 , P = 0.001; LAVi min: 50 ± 22 mL/m2 vs. 26 ± 24 mL/m2 , P < 0.0001). The indexed right atrial minimum volume (RAVi min) was also higher in patients with post-capillary PH (51 ± 27 mL/m2 vs. 38 ± 26 mL/m2 ; P = 0.02). Both the left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) volumes, especially the LA minimum volume, correlated with the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) (r = 0.62 (P < 0.0001) for LAV min vs. r = 0.49 (P < 0.0001) for LAV max; r = 0.32 (P = 0.005) for RAV min vs. r = 0.24 (P = 0.04) for RAV max). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LAVi min was an independent predictor of post-capillary PH. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of parameters predicting the post-capillary PH, the areas under the curve (AUC) for LAVi min, LAVi max, and RAVi min were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.76-0.95), 0.78 (95% CI, 0.67-0.89), and 0.66 (0.53-0.78), respectively. Concerning the performance of the atrial volume ratio for differentiating post-capillary PH, the AUC of the atrial volume ratio was significantly lower [AUC: 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53-0.78)]. The ROC analysis indicated a possible cutoff value of 27.7 mL/m2 for LAVi min to predict post-capillary PH (AUC = 0.86; sensitivity = 86%, specificity = 76%). CONCLUSIONS: The BSA-indexed left atrial minimum volume measured by transthoracic 3DE is a useful parameter for differentiating pre-capillary from post-capillary pulmonary hypertension.

Regular Exercise May Restore Certain Age-Related Alterations of Adaptive Immunity and Rebalance Immune Regulation.

Age-related changes of the immune system lead to an increased morbidity and mortality due to enhanced vulnerability to infectious diseases and malignancies. Recent studies revealed the important effects of physical activity on immune functions, which may largely depend on the type of exercise, its intensity and duration. However, limited information is available regarding the immunological effects of sport activities in older ages. The aim of our study was to examine the changes in a wide spectrum of lymphocyte subtypes after regular workout among healthy elderly individuals. We enrolled 29 elderly women with sedentary lifestyle (mean age: 67.03 ± 3.74 years) to take part in a 6-week long functional conditioning gymnastic exercise program. The percentages of peripheral natural killer (NK), NKT cells, T and B lymphocyte subtypes (early-/late-activated T, naïve and memory T, cytotoxic T (Tc), T-helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17, T regulatory type 1 (Tr1), CD4+CD127lo/-CD25bright Treg, as well as naïve and memory B cells) were determined by flow cytometry. Evaluation of the changes in functional capability of Treg cells was based on in vitro functional assays. At the end of exercise program, in parallel with improvements in body composition and physical performance, significant changes in naïve and memory lymphocyte ratios were observed. Importantly, levels of naïve Tc cells elevated, ratios of effector memory Tc cells decreased and distribution of memory B cells rearranged as well. Additionally, proportions of late-activated HLA-DR+ T cells increased, while percentages of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 producing Tr1 cells, as well as immunosuppressive CD4+CD127lo/-CD25bright Treg cells decreased following the exercise workout. Changes observed after the regular exercise program indicate an improvement in the age-related redistribution of certain naïve and memory cell proportions and a retuned immune regulation in older ages.

Left ventricular rotational mechanics in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports. Insights from the 3D speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Sport Study.

BACKGROUND: In normal circumstances while left ventricular (LV) apex rotates counterclockwise, LV base has a clockwise movement at the same time. This sort of towel-wringing-like movement is called LV twist. The present study was designed to test whether differences in LV rotational mechanics could be detected in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports with different static components in their training. METHODS: The subject group comprised 80 elite sportsmen. The following groups were created regarding their physical activity: group CI (high dynamic/low static)(N.=13, mean age: 24.0±5.1 years, group CII (high dynamic/moderate static)(N.=23, mean age: 24.6±7.7 years) and group CIII (high dynamic/high static)(N.=34, mean age: 22.8±6.0 years). Their results were compared to 67 age- and gender-matched non-athletic healthy controls (mean age: 24.0±5.1 years). Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was used for the evaluation of LV rotational abnormalities. RESULTS: Reduced LV basal rotation was seen in group CII and CIII subjects compared to the control group (-4.31±1.82 degrees vs. -3.17±2.81 degrees and -2.88±1.88 degrees, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). It was accompanied with LV twist reduction in groups CII and CIII subjects compared to the control group (14.0±3.4 degree vs. 11.3±4.3 degrees and 11.5±4.1 degrees, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). None of the elite athletes showed absence of LV twist called as LV "rigid body rotation." CONCLUSIONS: Significant LV rotational abnormalities including reduced LV basal rotation and twist could be detected in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports with moderate/high static components in their training.

Age and Origin of the Founder Antithrombin Budapest 3 (p.Leu131Phe) Mutation; Its High Prevalence in the Roma Population and Its Association With Cardiovascular Diseases.

Background: Antithrombin (AT) is one of the most important regulator of hemostasis. AT Budapest 3 (ATBp3) is a prevalent type II heparin-binding site (IIHBS) deficiency due to founder effect. Thrombosis is a complex disease including arterial (ATE) and venous thrombotic events (VTE) and the Roma population, the largest ethnic minority in Europe has increased susceptibility to these diseases partly due to their unfavorable genetic load. We aimed to calculate the age and origin of ATBp3 and to explore whether the frequency of it is higher in the Roma population as compared with the general population from the corresponding geographical area. We investigated the association of ATBp3 with thrombotic events in well-defined patients' populations in order to refine the recommendation when testing for ATBp3 is useful. Methods and Results: Prevalence of ATBp3, investigated in large samples (n = 1,000 and 1,185 for general Hungarian and Roma populations, respectively) was considerably high, almost 3%, among Roma and the founder effect was confirmed in their samples, while it was absent in the Hungarian general population. Age of ATBp3-as calculated by analysis of 8 short tandem repeat sequences surrounding SERPINC1-was dated back to XVII Century, when Roma migration in Central and Eastern Europe occurred. In our IIHBS cohort (n = 230), VTE was registered in almost all ATBp3 homozygotes (93%) and in 44% of heterozygotes. ATE occurred with lower frequency in ATBp3 (around 6%); it was rather associated with AT Basel (44%). All patients with ATE were young at the time of diagnosis. Upon investigating consecutive young (<40 years) patients with ATE (n = 92) and VTE (n = 110), the presence of ATBp3 was remarkable. Conclusions: ATBp3, a 400-year-old founder mutation is prevalent in Roma population and its Roma origin can reasonably be assumed. By the demonstration of the presence of ATBp3 in ATE patients, we draw the attention to consider type IIHBS AT deficiency in the background of not only VTE but also ATE, especially in selected populations as young patients without advanced atherosclerosis. We recommend including the investigation of ATBp3 as part of thrombosis risk assessment and stratification in Roma individuals.

Inherited thrombophilia and the risk of myocardial infarction: current evidence and uncertainties.

Atherothrombotic diseases (ATEs) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been traditionally considered to have a distinct pathogenesis. Today, a growing body of evidence on the pathophysiology of thrombus formation has convincingly proved that they share more mutual risk factors than previously recognized. It has been shown in a number of case­control studies that there is a significant risk for a subsequent cardiovascular disease after VTE, although this risk is low or at most moderate. In the past 2 decades, the role of each inherited risk factor for VTE in relation to ATE has been intensively studied. Unfortunately, a large body of contradictory findings has been published that hinders consensus and transformation of knowledge into clinical practice. Complicated gene­gene interactions, small sample sizes, heterogeneous genetic and environmental patient backgrounds, confounding factors, and varied methodological designs may have contributed to opposing findings. In the case of rare thrombophilias, conclusions must be summarized based on case reports or case series, as only few case­control and cohort studies are available. In this review we focus on available evidence and controversies regarding the relationship between the classic inherited VTE risk factors (factor V Leiden, prothrombin 20210A, deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S) and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI). We conclude that the risk of MI in patients with common inherited thrombophilia is generally modest. However, in patients with deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C, or protein S, the risk of MI or other ATEs is not negligible. A personalized clinical approach is suggested when testing for inherited thrombophilia in a patient with MI.

Short-term high-fat meal intake alters the expression of circadian clock-, inflammation-, and oxidative stress-related genes in human skeletal muscle.

Dietary food, depending on timing, amount and composition can influence gene expression in various tissues. Here, we investigated the effect of high-fat meal diets of different compositions on the gene expression pattern of human skeletal muscle. Gene expression data of skeletal muscle samples from human volunteers prior and 4 h after the consumption of high lipid-containing meal consisting of either saturated-, monounsaturated- or polyunsaturated fatty acids were downloaded from the public repository. List of 843 differently expressed genes (DEGs) was generated. Functional analysis revealed that circadian rhythm-, inflammation- and oxidative stress-related genes are highly overrepresented among the DEGs. The magnitude of gene expression changes significantly increases with the saturation level of the dietary fatty acids and the majority of the DEGs are upregulated. We propose that, by altering circadian clock gene expression and inducing inflammation and oxidative stress, high lipid intake can contribute to muscle function decay in the long run.

Exercise effects on physiological function during aging.

The decrease in cognitive/motor functions and physical abilities severely affects the aging population in carrying out daily activities. These disabilities become a burden on individuals, families and society in general. It is known that aging conditions are ameliorated with regular exercise, which attenuates the age-associated decline in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreases in oxidative damage to molecules, and functional impairment in various organs. While benefits of physical exercise are well-documented, the molecular mechanisms responsible for functional improvement and increases in health span are not well understood. Recent findings imply that exercise training attenuates the age-related deterioration in the cellular housekeeping system, which includes the proteasome, Lon protease, autophagy, mitophagy, and DNA repair systems, which beneficially impacts multiple organ functions. Accumulating evidence suggests that exercise lessens the deleterious effects of aging. However, it seems unlikely that systemic effects are mediated through a specific biomarker. Rather, complex multifactorial mechanisms are involved to maintain homeostatic functions that tend to decline with age.