Physiotherapy and Physical Activity as Factors Improving the Psychological State of Patients With Cancer.

Physiotherapy in oncology is a process closely related to cancer treatment methods. Rehabilitation is based on physical activity in various forms involving the musculoskeletal system but also affects the emotional state. Physical activity influences physical and psychological well-being of people undergoing oncological treatment, in the course of which the most common psychiatric disorders are depression, substance use disorder, sleep disorders, fatigue syndrome, resulting in worsening of the quality of life.

Endothelial function may be enhanced in the cutaneous microcirculation after a single air dive.

Introduction: The effects of scuba diving on the vessel wall have been studied mainly at the level of large conduit arteries. Data regarding the microcirculation are scarce and indicate that these two vascular beds are affected differently by diving.

Methods: We assessed the changes in cutaneous microcirculation before an air scuba dive, then 30 min and 24 h after surfacing.

Metabolic Syndrome and Cognitive Functions in Schizophrenia-Implementation of Dietary Intervention.

Introduction: The co-existence of schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome is a widely described phenomenon that contributes to the worse functioning of patients in everyday life. A relatively new area of research is the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the study was to verify the relationship between the presence of metabolic syndrome and cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia and to assess the possibility of changing cognitive function by introducing appropriate dietary intervention.

Simulated air dives induce superoxide, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and Ca alterations in endothelial cells.

Human diving is known to induce endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to decipher the mechanism of ROS production during diving through the measure of mitochondrial calcium concentration, peroxynitrite, NO°, and superoxide towards better understanding of dive-induced endothelial dysfunction. Air diving simulation using bovine arterial endothelial cells (compression rate 101 kPa/min to 808 kPa, time at depth 45 min) was performed in a system allowing real-time fluorescent measurement.

Perivascular Adipose Tissue Contributes to the Modulation of Vascular Tone in vivo.

Background: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) reduces vascular tone in isolated arteries in vitro, however there are no studies of PVAT effects on vascular tone in vivo. In vitro adipocyte β3-adrenoceptors play a role in PVAT function via secretion of the vasodilator adiponectin.

Objective: We have investigated the effects of PVAT on vessel diameter in vivo, and the contributions of β3-adrenoceptors and adiponectin.

Rat mesenteric small artery neurogenic dilatation is predominantly mediated by β -adrenoceptors in vivo.

Key Points: The prevailing dogma about neurogenic regulation of vascular tone consists of major vasodilatation caused by CGRP (and possibly substance P) released from sensory-motor nerves and vasoconstriction caused by noradrenaline, ATP and neuropeptode Y release from sympathetic nerves. Most studies on perivascular nerve-mediated vasodilatation are made in vitro. In the present study, we provide evidence indicating that in vivo electrical perivascular nerve stimulation in rat mesenteric small arteries causes a large β1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasodilatation, which contrasts with a smaller vasodilatation caused by endogenous CGRP that is only visible after inhibition of Y1 NPY receptors.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Has a Protective Effect on Decompression Sickness in Rats.

Commercial divers, high altitude pilots, and astronauts are exposed to some inherent risk of decompression sickness (DCS), though the mechanisms that trigger are still unclear. It has been previously showed that diving may induce increased levels of serum angiotensin converting enzyme. The renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) is one of the most important regulators of blood pressure and fluid volume.

Intravital investigation of rat mesenteric small artery tone and blood flow.

Key Points: Substantial information on rat mesenteric small artery physiology and pharmacology based on in vitro experiments is available. Little is known about the relevance of this for artery function in vivo. We here present an intravital model where rat mesenteric small artery diameters are studied under isolated and controlled conditions in situ with simultaneous measurement of blood flow.

GLP-1 inhibits VEGFA-mediated signaling in isolated human endothelial cells and VEGFA-induced dilation of rat mesenteric arteries.

We investigated the acute effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), GLP-1(1-36), and GLP-1(7-36) on vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA)-induced endothelium-dependent signaling and vasodilation. Our hypothesis was that GLP-1 released from intestinal l-cells modulates processes related to PLCγ activation, Src, and endothelial NOS (eNOS) signaling, thereby controlling endothelial vessel tone. By using RT-PCR analysis, we found mRNA for the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC), human retinal microvascular endothelial cells, and rat arteries.

Effect of simulated air dive and decompression sickness on the plasma proteome of rats.

Purpose: Decompression sickness (DCS) is a poorly understood systemic disease caused by inadequate desaturation following a reduction in ambient pressure. Although recent studies highlight the importance of circulating factors, the available data are still puzzling. In this study, we aimed to identify proteins and biological pathways involved in the development of DCS in rats.

Influence of decompression sickness on vasocontraction of isolated rat vessels.

Studies conducted in divers indicate that endothelium function is impaired following a dive even without decompression sickness (DCS). Our previous experiment conducted on rat isolated vessels showed no differences in endothelium-dependent vasodilation after a simulated dive even in the presence of DCS, while contractile response to phenylephrine was progressively impaired with increased decompression stress. This study aimed to further investigate the effect of DCS on vascular smooth muscle.

Age, weight and decompression sickness in rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if, after controlling for weight, age is associated with decompression sickness (DCS) in rats.

Methods: Following compression-decompression, male rats aged 11 weeks were observed for DCS. After two weeks recovery, surviving rats were re-dived using the same compression-decompression profile.

Antioxidants, endothelial dysfunction, and DCS: in vitro and in vivo study.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is a well-known effect in individuals after an undersea dive. This study aimed to delineate the links between ROS, endothelial dysfunction, and decompression sickness (DCS) through the use of antioxidants in vitro and in vivo. The effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on superoxide and peroxynitrite, nitric oxide (NO) generation, and cell viability during in vitro diving simulation were analyzed.

A rat model of chronic moderate alcohol consumption and risk of decompression sickness.

Introduction: This study aimed to establish if chronic, moderate, pre-dive alcohol consumption had any affect upon susceptibility to decompression sickness (DCS) in rats.

Methods: A treatment group of 15 rats were given water containing 12 mL ·L ⁻¹ of ethanol for four weeks. Controls (n = 15) were given water.

Mechanism of action of antiplatelet drugs on decompression sickness in rats: a protective effect of anti-GPIIbIIIa therapy.

Literature highlights the involvement of disseminated thrombosis in the pathophysiology of decompression sickness (DCS). We examined the effect of several antithrombotic treatments targeting various pathways on DCS outcome: acetyl salicylate, prasugrel, abciximab, and enoxaparin. Rats were randomly assigned to six groups.

A ternary model of decompression sickness in rats.

Background: Decompression sickness (DCS) in rats is commonly modelled as a binary outcome. The present study aimed to develop a ternary model of predicting probability of DCS in rats, (as no-DCS, survivable-DCS or death), based upon the compression/decompression profile and physiological characteristics of each rat.

Methods: A literature search identified dive profiles with outcomes no-DCS, survivable-DCS or death by DCS.

Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondria, and Endothelial Cell Death during In Vitro Simulated Dives.

Purpose: Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered a consequence of hyperoxia and a major contributor to diving-derived vascular endothelial damage and decompression sickness. The aims of this work were: 1) to directly observe endothelial ROS production during simulated air dives as well as its relation with both mitochondrial activity and cell survival; and 2) to determine which ambient factor during air diving (hydrostatic pressure or oxygen and/or nitrogen partial pressure) is responsible for the observed modifications.

Methods: In vitro diving simulation was performed with bovine arterial endothelial cells under real-time observation.

Effect of splenectomy on platelet activation and decompression sickness outcome in a rat model of decompression.

Introduction: Splenic platelets have been recognized to have a greater prothrombotic potential than others platelets. We studied whether platelets released by splenic contraction could influence the severity and outcome of decompression sickness (DCS) and bubble-induced platelet activation.

Methods: Sixteen, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a control or a splenectomized group.

Different effect of l-NAME treatment on susceptibility to decompression sickness in male and female rats.

Vascular bubble formation results from supersaturation during inadequate decompression contributes to endothelial injuries, which form the basis for the development of decompression sickness (DCS). Risk factors for DCS include increased age, weight-fat mass, decreased maximal oxygen uptake, chronic diseases, dehydration, and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Production of NO is often affected by diving and its expression-activity varies between the genders.

A new measure of decompression sickness in the rat.

In this study we assessed the reliability of a tilting-board grip score as a measure of decompression sickness in rats. In experiments using a hyperbaric compression/decompression protocol, rats were observed for signs of decompression sickness and their grip strength measured on a tilting particle board hinged to a metal frame. Angles at which rats lost grip were converted to gravitational vectors.

Effect of decompression-induced bubble formation on highly trained divers microvascular function.

We previously showed microvascular alteration of both endothelium-dependent and -independent reactivity after a single SCUBA dive. We aimed to study mechanisms involved in this postdive vascular dysfunction. Ten divers each completed three protocols: (1) a SCUBA dive at 400 kPa for 30 min; (2) a 41-min duration of seawater surface head immersed finning exercise to determine the effect of immersion and moderate physical activity; and (3) a simulated 41-min dive breathing 100% oxygen (hyperbaric oxygen [HBO]) at 170 kPa in order to analyze the effect of diving-induced hyperoxia.

Dark chocolate reduces endothelial dysfunction after successive breath-hold dives in cool water.

Objective: The aim of this study is to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after a series of successive apnea dives in non-thermoneutral water.

Methods: Twenty breath-hold divers were divided into two groups: a control group (8 males and 2 females) and a chocolate group (9 males and 1 female). The control group was asked to perform a series of dives to 20 m adding up to 20 min in the quiet diving pool of Conflans-Ste-Honorine (Paris, France), water temperature was 27 °C.

Effect of a single, open-sea, air scuba dive on human micro- and macrovascular function.

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that bubble formation induced endothelial damage on conduit arteries. We aim to evaluate the effect of diving on microvascular and macrovascular function.

Methods: Nine divers took part in a SCUBA dive at 30 msw (400 kPa), for 30 min of bottom time.

Diving under a microscope--a new simple and versatile in vitro diving device for fluorescence and confocal microscopy allowing the controls of hydrostatic pressure, gas pressures, and kinetics of gas saturation.

How underwater diving effects the function of the arterial wall and the activities of endothelial cells is the focus of recent studies on decompression sickness. Here we describe an in vitro diving system constructed to achieve real-time monitoring of cell activity during simulated dives under fluorescent microscopy and confocal microscopy. A 1-mL chamber with sapphire windows on both sides and located on the stage of an inverted microscope was built to allow in vitro diving simulation of isolated cells or arteries in which activities during diving are monitored in real-time via fluorescent microscopy and confocal microscopy.

The immunohistochemical analysis of antigens such as RCAS1 and B7H4 in the cervical cancer nest and within the fibroblasts and macrophages infiltrating the cancer microenvironment.

Introduction: The presence of the aggressive phenotype of the tumor seems to be indicated by the local infiltration of cancer cells and by the development of metastases in the lymph nodes. This phenotype is related to the intensity of the suppressive profile of the tumor microenvironment. The aim of our study has been to gather information about the expression of both RCAS1 and B7H4 proteins in the macrophages and fibroblasts present within both the microenvironment of cervical cancer tumors and the cancer cells present on the front of the cancer nest.