Lymphocytes are less sensitive to autophagy than monocytes during fasting and exercise conditions.

The concomitant investigation of apoptosis (a regulated cell death) and autophagy (a conserved cell survival mechanism) in immune cells is rare. More detailed knowledge of these two types of self-consumption in circulating lymphocytes and monocytes would be important, since conditions such as fasting and acute exercise could promote health by a coordinated/linked modulation of autophagy and apoptosis in these mononuclear cells. In this study we performed flow cytometry to quantify numbers of apoptotic and autophagic mononuclear cells, lymphocytes and monocytes in fasting, standardized fed, and exercise conditions, using Annexin V, LC3B, and p62, respectively.

How Is CYP17A1 Activity Altered in Autism? A Pilot Study to Identify Potential Pharmacological Targets.

Increasing evidence exists that higher levels of androgens can be found in individuals with autism. Evidence yields to a susceptible role of Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) with its catalyzation of the two distinct types of substrate oxidation by a hydroxylase activity (17-alpha hydroxylase) and C17/20 lyase activity. However, to what extent steps are altered in affected children with autism versus healthy controls remains to be elucidated.

Microvascular endothelial dysfunction in heart failure patients: An indication for exercise treatment?

Background: Endothelial dysfunction represents a diagnostic marker to differentiate disease severity in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Retinal vessel phenotyping was applied in CHF patients as it has been acknowledged as a sensitive diagnostic tool to quantify microvascular health and overall cardiovascular risk.

Methods: The central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and venular diameter equivalents (CRVE) as well as the retinal microvascular function, quantified by arteriolar (aFID) and venular flicker-light induced dilatation (vFID), were analyzed in 26 CHF patients.

Has Being Lost While High-Altitude Mountaineering Become Less Frequent? A Retrospective Analysis from the Swiss Alps.

Background: High-altitude mountaineering is becoming more popular. Despite technical developments such as global positioning systems, mountaineers still lose their way. This study aimed to analyze characteristics of alpinists that lost their way while high-altitude mountaineering in Switzerland.

Hyperandrogenism? Increased 17, 20-Lyase Activity? A Metanalysis and Systematic Review of Altered Androgens in Boys and Girls with Autism.

There is increasing evidence that steroid hormone levels and, especially, androgen levels are elevated in autism. An overactivity of 17, 20-lyase with a higher production of the testosterone precursors dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione/androstenediol seems especially present in autism. An encompassing literature analysis was performed, searching for altered androgens in children with autism and using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

High-Intensity Interval Training for Heart Failure Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HIT-HF)-Rational and Design of a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

The pathophysiology of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has not yet been fully understood and HFpEF is often misdiagnosed. Remodeling and fibrosis stimulated by inflammation appear to be main factors for the progression of HFpEF. In contrast to patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, medical treatment in HFpEF is limited to relieving HF symptoms.

[Accidents with Animals While Hiking in the Swiss Alps].

Accidents with Animals While Hiking in the Swiss Alps Mountain hiking is very popular. However, despite potential benefits, there are risks, also by animals. Retrospectively, all mountain hiking emergencies (n = 10 185) from the years 2009-2018 were analyzed using the registry of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC), with 104 mountain emergencies caused by animals.

Stress-induced alterations of social behavior are reversible by antagonism of steroid hormones in C57/BL6 mice.

Various disturbances of social behavior, such as autism, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder, have been associated with an altered steroid hormone homeostasis and a dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. A link between steroid hormone antagonists and the treatment of stress-related conditions has been suggested. We evaluated the effects of stress induction on social behavior in the three chambers and its potential reversibility upon specific steroid hormone antagonism in mice.

Are Steroid Hormones Dysregulated in Autistic Girls?

Evidence of altered cholesterol and steroid hormones in autism is increasing. However, as boys are more often affected, evidence mainly relates to autistic males, whereas evidence for affected autistic girls is sparse. Therefore, a comprehensive gas chromatography mass spectrometry-based steroid hormone metabolite analysis was conducted from autistic girls.

Steroid Metabolites Support Evidence of Autism as a Spectrum.

: It is common nowadays to refer to autism as a spectrum. Increased evidence of the involvement of steroid metabolites has been shown by the presence of stronger alterations in Kanner's syndrome compared with Asperger syndrome. : 24 h urine samples were collected from 20 boys with Asperger syndrome, 21 boys with Kanner's syndrome, and identically sized control groups, each matched for age, weight, and height for comprehensive steroid hormone metabolite analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

[Analysis of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young Backcountry Skiers in the Gotthard Region].

 Although the frequency of cardiovascular events, especially the end manifestation of myocardial infarction, has decreased in recent years, cardiovascular disease continues to be one of the most frequent illnesses. Also it is known that the cardiac system sustains more stress at high altitudes than it does at intermediate altitudes. This leads to the question if young alpinists should undergo cardiac evaluation before setting out for a trip to the Himalayas or the Andes Mountains.

[Patrouille des Glaciers - Analysis of Course Times].

 Backcountry skiing has become more and more popular. The development of skis and equipment has been impressive and suggests that achieving a good performance level is much easier today than it was in the past. Taking the most popular backcountry skiing race in Switzerland, the "Patrouille des Glaciers (PDG)", we addressed the question as to whether this development has led to faster course times over the past ten years and what recommendations can be made for participants.