Genetic variants associated with physical and mental characteristics of the elite athletes in the Polish population.

The aim of the study was to assess whether selected genetic variants are associated with elite athlete performance in a group of 413 elite athletes and 451 sedentary controls. Polymorphisms in ACE, ACTN3, AGT, NRF-2, PGC1A, PPARG, and TFAM implicated in physical performance traits were analyzed. Additionally, polymorphisms in CHRNB3 and FAAH coding for proteins modulating activity of brain's emotion centers were included. The results of univariate analyses indicated that the elite athletic performance is associated with four polymorphisms: ACE (rs4341, P = 0.0095), NRF-2 (rs12594956, P = 0.011), TFAM (rs2306604, P = 0.049), and FAAH (rs324420, P = 0.0041). The multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender confirmed this association. The higher number of ACE D alleles (P = 0.0021) and the presence of NRF-2 rs12594956 A allele (P = 0.0067) are positive predictors, whereas TFAM rs2306604 GG genotype (P = 0.031) and FAAH rs324420 AA genotype (P = 0.0084) negatively affect the elite athletic performance. The CHRNB3 variant (rs4950, G allele) is significantly more frequent in the endurance athletes compared with the power ones (P = 0.025). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of rs4950 G allele contributes to endurance performance (P = 0.0047). Our results suggest that genetic inheritance of psychological traits should be taken into consideration while trying to decipher a genetic profile of top athletic performance.

[Mortality of male members of the Polish olympic teams in 1981-1998]. / Umieralnosc polskich olimpijczyków w latach 1981-1998.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of the mortality of male members of the Polish Olympic teams with the general Polish male population for the period 1981-1998 and for two sub-periods 1981-1991 and 1992-1998. METHODS: Statistical approach based on the follow-up method. Comparison with the reference population (Polish males from urban areas) was made by means of the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and their 95% confidence intervals. The series test (Wald-Wolfowitz test) was applied to assess the mortality difference in 1981-1991 and 1992-1998. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: A total number of 1,769 male members of the Polish Olympic teams were identified. Of those, 148 died before 1981 and 116 were excluded from the analysis because of incomplete data records. Finally analyzed cohort included 1,505 athletes of the age 14-99 years, who contributed 21,575.8 person-years of observation. 131 deaths were noted during the analyzed period. RESULTS: Calculated SMR for the analyzed group of sportsmen was 0.420; 95% confidence interval: 0.351-0.498. All age-specific SMRs was lower than in general population. The athletes' mortality in 1992-1998 was significantly lower than in 1981-1991. CONCLUSION: Polish participants in Olympic Games were proved to exhibit significantly lower mortality than general Polish male population throughout their life. The decrease in sportsmen mortality decrease in 1992-1998 was stronger than observed for the reference population.

Induction of micronuclei in bone marrow and sperm head abnormalities after combined exposure of mice to low doses of X-rays and acrylamide.

People come into contact with chemical and physical agents which are present in the environment and in workplaces. We investigated the effects of combined exposures to low doses of X-rays (0.05-0.25 Gy) and acrylamide (AA; 75 mg/kg bw) in the somatic and germ cells of outbred male mice by using a bone-marrow micronucleus test and a sperm morphology test. Combined treatment of germ cells to 0.25 Gy of X-rays + 75 mg/kg bw of acrylamide enhanced the effect induced by each agent given alone. The results confirmed the sensitivity to damage of spermatozoa and late spermatids, which can be demonstrated by sperm head abnormalities and reduced fertility. The sensitivity of somatic cells to acrylamide alone was similar to that of germ cells. Combined exposure to 0.05 Gy + 75 mg/kg bw of AA induced micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow although each dose did not produce a mutagenic effect. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 20:133-140, 2000.

[Biological effect of exposure to butadiene]. / Biologiczne skutki ekspozycji na butadien.

People can be exposed to 1,3-butadiene in work place (rubber industry) as well as in natural environment (car exhausts fumes, cigarette smoke). Butadien on its own is not genotoxic, but is metabolized to mutagenic and carcinogenic epoxydes, 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane and 3,4-epoxybutene in the organism of mammals and human. 1,3-butadiene has been shown to be a potent carcinogen in animals and human. Laboratory investigations showed also toxic and mutagenic abilities of butadiene and its metabolities. Interspecies differences in sensitivity to butadiene are caused by differences in metabolic transformations of butadiene in different species.

Induction of micronuclei in mouse bone marrow after combined X-rays-cyclophosphamide and X-rays-mitomycin C treatments.

The induction of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow of Pzh:SWISS mice after combined treatment with X-rays and cyclophosphamide (CP) or X-rays and mitomycin C (MMC) were investigated. Combinations of high (1.00 Gy + 100 mg/kg bw CP and 1. 00 Gy + 5.25 mg/kg bw MMC) and low (0.25 Gy + 25 mg/kg bw CP and 0. 25 Gy + 1.75 mg/kg bw MMC) doses were used. Both chemicals enhanced the mutagenic effects caused by irradiation. After combined treatment with high doses of X-rays + CP and X-rays + MMC at different sample times increases in frequency of micronuclei were observed. Mutagenic effects were found also after treatment with two low doses, when irradiation alone produced no effects. The effects of combined treatments are generally similar to the additive effect of the single treatments.

[Morphological changes in mice sperm head after exposure to radiation and to cyclophosphamide]. / Zmiany morfologiczne mysich plemników po skojarzonym dzialaniu promieniowania X i cyklofosfamidu.

Male mice Sfis:Pzh were exposed to X-rays, cyclophosphamide or combination of both agents. Each of agent was given in low (0.25 Gy, 25 mg/kg bw CP) or high (1.00 Gy, 100 mg/kg bw CP) doses. Germ cells were exposed to agents as spermatogonia. After 35 days sperm abnormalities test was performed. Exposure to one of agents only, did not enhance statistically significant frequency of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa. Combined treatment of spermatogonia to both agents in low as well in high doses induce clear biological effects, but only combination of high doses (1.00 Gy + 100 mg/kg bw CP) induce statistically significant effect. Results obtained in this study confirmed, that ability of different agents to induce sperm-shape abnormalities is related to its ability to induce mutations in germ cells.

[Risk analysis of menstrual disorders in young women from urban population]. / Analiza ryzyka wystepowania zaburzen cykli miesia czkowych u mlodych kobiet z populacji wielkomiejskiej.

In the sample of 734 women, randomly chosen from the Warsaw population, we collected interviews dealing with menstrual cycle abnormalities. The frequency of amenorrhoea in this sample was 0.3% and that of oligomenorrhoea was 6.7%. Dysmenorrhoea (more or less pronounced) was apparent in 56.3% of women, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was claimed by 40.5% women. For the assessment of the potential risk factors causing the menstrual cycle abnormalities we used an univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic analysis. The highest values of the oligo/amenorrhoea relative risk (RR = 5.6) were found in the youngest (< or = 16.4 y) group and among women using oral contraceptives. Dysmenorrhoea was more frequent among women who had no children (RR = 1.7) and RR for PMS was higher in women, who were previously pregnant (RR = 1.5) and in women who used oral contraceptives.

Mouse dominant lethal and sperm abnormality studies with combined exposure to X-rays and mitomycin C.

The induction of dominant lethal effects and sperm abnormalities in Pzh:Swiss male mice after treatments with X-rays and mitomycin C (MMC) was investigated. Combinations of high (1.00 Gy + 5.25 mg/kg bw MMC) and low (0.25 Gy + 1.75 mg/kg bw MMC) doses of both agents were used. Exposure to high doses of X-rays + MMC induced an increased rate of dominant lethal mutations in spermatogonia and late spermatocytes. Combined treatment with low doses of X-rays and MMC was not mutagenic in any stage of spermatogenesis. MMC increased the frequency of abnormal spermatozoa after exposure alone and in combination with X-rays. Treatment with two high doses (1.00 Gy + 5.25 mg/kg bw MMC) induced 58.4% abnormal spermatozoa. After combined exposure to low doses of both agents 35.7% spermatozoa with malformations were observed.

Evaluation of spermatogenic response of mice to the induction of mutations by combined treatment with X rays and antineoplastic drugs.

Combined treatment with low doses of X-rays plus cyclophosphamide (0.25 Gy + 25 mg/kg body weight) or X-rays plus mitomycin C (0.25 Gy + 1.75 mg/kg body weight) did not induce significant dominant lethal effects in any stage of spermatogenesis when a parameter representing pre- and postimplantation loss, such as the decrease of live implants per female, was applied. After combined exposure to high dose of X-rays plus cyclophosphamide (1.00 Gy + 100 mg/kg body weight) an increase of dominant lethal mutations (DLMs) was observed in differentiating spermatogonia, spermatids, and spermatozoa with the same parameter. Combined treatment with high doses of X-rays plus mitomycin C (1.00 Gy + 5.25 mg/kg body weight) produced DLMs in differentiating spermatogonia and late spermatocytes. A calculation of "enhanced risk" was applied to the data of DLMs from the combined treatment regimen and was based on the proportion of dead implants (postimplantation loss only). Enhanced risk could be shown not only after high but also after low combined exposure to X-rays plus cyclophosphamide and X-rays plus mitomycin C. With low doses this enhanced risk was observed in spermatids for X-rays plus cyclophosphamide and in differentiating spermatogonia to early spermatocytes for X-rays plus mitomycin C.

Exposure to electromagnetic fields and risk of leukemia.

Using the data from a case-control study performed in 958 age, sex and place of residence matched pairs of adult inhabitants of Polish towns, the risk of leukemia related to work in electromagnetic fields. Information concerning exposure to electromagnetic fields for 958 cases and corresponding number of nonionizing electromagnetic fields were mainly: short-wave diathermy, heat sealer, capacitor discharge welder and induction welder. For workers exposed to electromagnetic fields, the odds ratio (OR) was not significantly elevated all leukemias (p greater than 0.05).

Induction of dominant lethal mutations by combined X-ray-acrylamide treatment in male mice.

The induction of mutations following combined treatment with acrylamide (AA) plus X-rays has been determined using the dominant lethal mutations test in Pzh:SFISS male mice. Combinations of a mutagenic dose of both agents (1.00 Gy, 125 mg/kg b.w.) and a non-mutagenic dose, i.e., a dose that alone does not produce dominant lethals (0.25 Gy, 25 mg/kg b.w.), were used. For the discussion of the effects of combined action of X-rays and acrylamide the term 'enhancement in risk' was used whenever the effects observed after combined exposure significantly exceeded the sum of the effects produced separately by the agents. Such an enhanced risk has been observed in late spermatids after combined action of X-rays and AA at non-mutagenic doses, and in spermatozoa, spermatids and late spermatocytes after exposure to mutagenic doses.

Building materials and risk of leukemia.

Using information data obtained from 958 patients with leukemia and the same number of healthy controls matched for sex, age and place of residence the relative risk of leukemia was calculated in relation to the character of the material from which the building was built where the patients and controls were living. The information on the type of the building materials was obtained by inquiry. Three types of buildings were isolated: buildings built from wood, bricks and concrete or prefabricated products. In the analysis the number of years during which the patients and controls were living in these buildings was considered. No statistically significant correlation was noted between the risk of leukaemia development and the character of the building material. No increase was noted in this probability in relation to the time of living in a building built from any of these building materials. Additional analysis demonstrated that in Poland no so called "leukemic houses" are found, that is houses where during 5 years three of more cases of leukemia occurred.

Occupational exposures and leukemia.

Using the data from a case-control study performed in 958 age, sex and place of residence matched pairs of adult inhabitants of Polish towns, the risk of leukemia related to work in several occupations was analyzed. The risk of myeloid leukemia was found to be increased by some 90% in electrical workers (p less than 0.10). Also in some medical occupations the risk was significantly increased though small numbers do not allow to establish valid estimates of risk, and all medical occupations, treated as a whole group, do not increase the risk. No increase of leukemia risk was found for occupations connected with agriculture.