scholarly journals Crosstalk Between Plasma Cytokines, Inflammation, and Liver Damage as a New Strategy to Monitoring NAFLD Progression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza C. M. Fontes-Cal ◽  
Rafael T. Mattos ◽  
Nayara I. Medeiros ◽  
Bruna F. Pinto ◽  
Mayara Belchior-Bezerra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Damage ◽  
Transient Elastography ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Nash Group ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Plasma Cytokines ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
New Biomarkers ◽  
The Relationship

Cytokines are involved in the immunopathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the relationship between them and clinical parameters of NAFLD progression is still unknown. Using flow cytometry, we evaluated the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF and IL-10 and their association with clinical and biochemical parameters of liver function during simple steatosis (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in biopsy-proven patients. The NASH patients showed higher levels of IL-6 associated with a lower IL-10/IL-6 ratio. Besides heatmaps were similar in the NAFL and NASH groups, the same did not occur in signature curves, the NASH patients were high producers to IL-12 and IL-6 while the NAFL patients were not high producers of any cytokines evaluated. Integrative biomarker network analysis revealed that cytokines are differently correlated with clinical parameters, while IL-12, IL-10 presented moderate and negative correlations with glycemic and lipid profile in the NAFL group. The NASH group IL-12 and TNF revealed stronger and positive correlations with transient elastography parameters and NAFLD liver fibrosis score. These data suggest that IL-6 and IL-10 might act in chronic inflammation and insulin resistance whereas IL-12 and TNF may be involved in promoting liver damage and NAFLD progression. Plasma concentration analysis of these molecules and their association with clinical parameters can be used as new biomarkers to monitoring NAFLD progression and to reflect NASH development.

NR1H4 rs35724 G>C Variant Modulates Liver Damage in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Grimaudo ◽  
Paola Dongiovanni ◽  
Jussi Pihlajamäki ◽  
Mohammed Eslam ◽  
Hannele Yki-Järvinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

Acetaminophen Oxidation and Inflammatory Markers – A Review of Hepatic Molecular Mechanisms and Preclinical Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 1225-1236
Author(s):  
Silvio Terra Stefanello ◽  
Nelson Rodrigues de Carvalho ◽  
Simone Beder Reis ◽  
Felix Alexandre Antunes Soares ◽  
Rômulo Pillon Barcelos
Keyword(s):  
Liver Damage ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Severe Liver ◽  
Clinical Biomarkers ◽  
Severe Liver Damage ◽  
Acetaminophen Intoxication ◽  
New Biomarkers

Acetaminophen is a widely used analgesic for pain management, especially useful in chronic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, easy access to this medicine has increased the occurrence of episodes of poisoning. Patients often develop severe liver damage, which may quickly lead to death. Consequently, numerous studies have been conducted to identify new biomarkers that allow the prediction of the degree of acetaminophen intoxication and thus intervene in a timely manner to save patients’ lives. This review highlights the main mechanisms of the induction and progression of liver damage arising from acetaminophen poisoning. In addition, we have discussed the possibility of using new clinical biomarkers for detecting acetaminophen poisoning.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Dynamic Balance and Jumping Tests among Adolescent Amateur Rugby Players. A Preliminary Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 312
Author(s):  
Bartosz Wilczyński ◽  
Jakub Hinca ◽  
Daniel Ślęzak ◽  
Katarzyna Zorena
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Counter Movement Jump ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Rugby Players

Rugby is a demanding contact sport. In light of research, poor balance, reduced jumping ability, muscle strength, and incorrect landing patterns might contribute to the increased risk of injury in athletes. Investigating the relationship between tests assessing these abilities might not only allow for the skillful programming of preventive training but also helps in assessing the risk of injury to athletes. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dynamic balance, vertical and horizontal jumps, and jump-landings movement patterns. Thirty-one healthy amateur adolescent rugby players (age: 14.3 ± 1.6 years, height 171.4 ± 9.7 cm, body mass 80 ± 26 kg) participated in the study. Data were collected by the Y-balance Test (YBT), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Single Leg Hop for Distance (SLHD), and Landing Error Score System (LESS). Significant positive correlations were found between SLHD both legs (SLHDb) and YBT Composite both legs (COMb) (r = 0.51, p = 0.0037) and between SLHDb and CMJ (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). A relationship was also observed between the CMJ and YBT COMb test (r = 0.51, p = 0.006). Moderate positive correlations were found between the dominant legs in SLHD and the posterolateral (r = 0.40, p = 0.027), posteromedial (r = 0.43, p = 0.014), and composite (r = 0.48, p = 0.006) directions of the YBT. These results indicate that variables that are dependent on each other can support in the assessment of injury-risk and in enhancing sports performance of young athletes.

Objective and Subjective Outcomes in Patients with Hearing Aids: A Cross-Sectional, Comparative, Associational Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xunyi Wang ◽  
Yun Zheng ◽  
Gang Li ◽  
Jingzhe Lu ◽  
Yan Yin
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Objective Tests ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Subjective Outcomes

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Outcome assessment for hearing aids (HAs) is an essential part of HA fitting and validation. There is no consensus about the best or standard approach for evaluating HA outcomes. And, the relationship between objective and subjective measures is ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the outcomes after HA fitting, explore correlations between subjective benefit and acoustic gain improvement as well as objective audiologic tests, and investigate several variables that may improve patients’ perceived benefits. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eighty adults with bilateral symmetrical hearing loss using HAs for at least 1 month were included in this study. All subjects completed the pure tone average (PTA) threshold and word recognition score (WRS) tests in unaided and aided conditions. We also administered the Chinese version of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), to measure participants’ subjective benefits. Objective HA benefit (acoustic gain improvement) was defined as the difference in thresholds or scores between aided and unaided conditions indicated with ΔPTA and ΔWRS. Thus, patients’ baseline hearing levels were taken into account. Correlations were assessed among objective audiologic tests (PTA and WRS), acoustic gain improvement (ΔPTA and ΔWRS), multiple potential factors, and IOI-HA overall scores. <b><i>Results:</i></b> PTA decreased significantly, but WRS did not increase when aided listening was compared to unaided listening. Negative correlations between PTAs and IOI-HA scores were significant but weak (<i>r</i> = −0.370 and <i>r</i> = −0.393, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). Significant weak positive correlations were found between WRSs and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.386 and <i>r</i> = 0.309, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). However, there was no correlation among ΔPTA, ΔWRS, and IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = 0.056 and <i>r</i> = −0.086, all <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Moreover, 2 nonaudiological factors (age and daily use time) were significantly correlated with IOI-HA (<i>r</i> = −0.269 and <i>r</i> = 0.242, all <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Correlations among objective audiologic tests, acoustic gain, and subjective patient-reported outcomes were weak or absent. Subjective questionnaires and objective tests do not reflect the same hearing capability. Therefore, it is advisable to evaluate both objective and subjective outcomes when analyzing HA benefits on a regular basis and pay equal attention to nonaudiological and audiological factors.

scholarly journals A ΔSOC-based equalization strategy applied to industry

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maonan Wang ◽  
Chun Chang ◽  
Feng Ji
Keyword(s):  
Open Circuit ◽  
Battery Pack ◽  
Battery Management System ◽  
Battery Management ◽  
Battery Cell ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Relative Errors ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Battery Cells

Abstract The voltage-based equalization strategy is widely used in the industry because the voltage (U) of the battery cell is very easy to obtain, but it is difficult to provide an accurate parameter for the battery management system (BMS). This study proposes a new equalization strategy, which is based on the difference between the state of charge (SOC) of any two battery cells in the battery pack, that is, a ΔSOC-based equalization strategy. The new strategy is not only as simple as the voltage-based equalization strategy, but it can also provide an accurate parameter for the BMS. Simply put, using the relationship between the open circuit voltage and the SOC of the battery pack, the proposed strategy can convert the difference between the voltage of the battery cells into ΔSOC, which renders a good performance. Additionally, the required parameters are all from the BMS, and no additional calculation is required, which makes the strategy as simple as the voltage-based balancing strategy. The four experiments show that the relative errors of ΔSOC estimated by the ΔSOC-based equalization strategy are 0.37%, 0.39%, 0.1% and 0.17%, and thereby demonstrate that the ΔSOC-based equalization strategy proposed in this study shows promise in replacing the voltage-based equalization strategy within the industry to obtain better performance.

NR1H4 rs35724 G>C Variant Modulates Liver Damage in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefania Grimaudo ◽  
Paola Dongiovanni ◽  
Jussi Pihlajamäki ◽  
Mohammed Eslam ◽  
Hannele Yki‐Järvinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

scholarly journals Clinical characteristics and risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children with obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luting Peng ◽  
Su Wu ◽  
Nan Zhou ◽  
Shanliang Zhu ◽  
Qianqi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Enzymes ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Nash Group

Abstract Background With the increasing number of children with obesity worldwide, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disease among children. It is necessary to recognize the risk factors of NAFLD for prevention in childhood since NAFLD is asymptomatic in the early stage. Objectives. The objective of this study was to investigate possible risk factors of NAFLD in children with obesity, providing evidence for monitoring and prevention strategies at an early stage for obese children with NAFLD. Methods Data were collected from 428 children and adolescents aged 6-16 years recruited from the Children’s Hospital at Nanjing Medical University from September 2015 to April 2018 and analyzed. Based on a combination of ultrasound results and alanine transaminase levels, subjects were divided into three groups: simple obesity (SOB), simple steatosis (SS), and nonalcoholic fatty hepatitis (NASH). Blood biochemical examination included glucose, insulin, uric acid, lipid profile and liver enzymes. Results Among 428 children with obesity, 235 (54.9%) had SS and 45 (10.5%) had NASH. Body mass index, body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), waist circumference, body fat, liver enzymes, uric acid and HOMA-IR level were significantly higher in the NASH group than in the SS and SOB groups (p < 0.001). 53.3% of the SS group and 49.8% of the NASH group had metabolic syndrome, significantly more than in the SOB group (19.6%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, logistic regression models revealed that NASH was associated with BMI-SDS ≥ 3, gender, hyperuricemia and insulin resistance. Conclusions The prevalence of NASH in children with obesity is closely related to high BMI-SDS, gender, insulin resistance and hyperuricemia. These findings provide evidence that monitoring risk factors of childhood obesity can assist in developing prevention strategies for liver disease at an early stage.

scholarly journals The Influence of Countermovement Jump Protocol on Reactive Strength Index Modified and Flight Time: Contraction Time in Collegiate Basketball Players

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Heishman ◽  
Brady Brown ◽  
Bryce Daub ◽  
Ryan Miller ◽  
Eduardo Freitas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Force Plate ◽  
Flight Time ◽  
Contraction Time ◽  
Strength Index ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Arm Swing ◽  
Collegiate Basketball ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate differences in Reactive Strength Index Modified (RSIMod) and Flight Time to Contraction Time Ratio (FT:CT) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) performed without the arm swing (CMJNAS) compared to the CMJ with the arm swing (CMJAS), while exploring the relationship within each variable between jump protocols. A secondary purpose sought to explore the relationship between RSIMod and FT:CT during both jump protocols. Twenty-two collegiate basketball players performed both three CMJNAS and three CMJAS on a force plate, during two separate testing sessions. RSIMod was calculated by the flight-time (RSIModFT) and impulse-momentum methods (RSIModIMP). CMJ variables were significantly greater during the CMJAS compared to CMJNAS (p < 0.001). There were large to very large correlations within each variable between the CMJAS and CMJNAS. There were significant positive correlations among RSIModFT, RSIModIMP, and FT:CT during both the CMJAS (r ≥ 0.864, p < 0.001) and CMJNAS (r ≥ 0.960, p < 0.001). These findings identify an increase in RSIMod or FT:CT during the CMJAS, that may provide independent information from the CMJNAS. In addition, either RSIMod or FT:CT may be utilized to monitor changes in performance, but simultaneous inclusion may be unnecessary.

On the Relationship between Machiavellianism and Anxiety among Italian Undergraduates

1985 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Nigro ◽  
I. Galli
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
State Trait Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Italian Version ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Relationship

139 Italian undergraduates (61 men and 78 women) responded to the Italian version of the Christie's Mach IV scale and to the Italian version of the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Positive correlations between Mach IV scores and both State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety scores were found for both sexes. The authors hypothesized that moderate anxiety may be associated with high Machiavellianism. Further implications of the findings were discussed.

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