Electromyogram Power Spectrum and Cardiac Function Changes After Combined Aerobic Interval Training and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Chronic Heart Failure Patients.

Exercise intolerance and dyspnea are the major symptoms of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and are associated with a poor quality of life. In addition to impaired central hemodynamics, symptoms may be attributed to changes in peripheral skeletal muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic interval training (AIT) combined with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on cardiac and skeletal muscle function and on functional capacity and dyspnea in patients with CHF and inspiratory muscle weakness.

Impact of GSM-EMW exposure on the markers of oxidative stress in fetal rat liver.

The current study investigated the effects of 24 h/day prenatal exposure to global system for mobile communication electromagnetic fields (GSM-EMFs), 900 MHZ-induced electromagnetic radiation (EMR), on oxidative stress (OS) status, apoptotic, and inflammatory changes in liver of rats during their fetal development period. Fifty-two Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were equally divided into control and exposed groups. Whole embryos were removed at 7.

Effects of continuous prenatal and postnatal global system for mobile communications electromagnetic waves (GSM-EMW) exposure on the oxidative stress biomarkers in female rat liver.

In light of the increased use of communication technologies, the harm caused by continuous exposure to emitted radiation on pregnancy and developing newborns is among the public concerns. Using Sprague-Dawley rats, our study investigates the effects of 24 h/day prenatal and postnatal 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) exposure of female rats on liver oxidative stress (OS) and other hepatic parameters at postnatal days (PND) 1, 9, and 21. Our results showed that RF-EMR exposure led to an increase in oxidative stress status as indicated by a significant elevation in MDA level at PND9 and PND21, a decrease in catalase (CAT) activity at all ages, a reduction (PND1 and PND9) in catalase amounts and mRNA expression, in addition to a decrease in GPx activity at PND21 in the exposed group.

Novel Missense and Splice Site Mutations in , , , and Are Associated With Usher Syndrome in Lebanon.

The purpose of this study was to expand the mutation spectrum by searching the causative mutations in nine Lebanese families with Usher syndrome (USH) using whole-exome sequencing. The pathogenicity of candidate mutations was first evaluated according to their frequency, conservation, and prediction tools. Then, it was confirmed Sanger sequencing, followed by segregation analysis.

Prevalence, Laboratory Findings and Clinical Characteristics of Campylobacteriosis Agents among Hospitalized Children with Acute Gastroenteritis in Lebanon.

Purpose: species are currently the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. In Lebanon, infection occurrence is underdiagnosed owing to the lack of specific culture and rapid test kits, particularly among children. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, laboratory findings, and clinical characteristics of infection in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in South Lebanon.

A randomized controlled trial of high-intensity interval training and inspiratory muscle training for chronic heart failure patients with inspiratory muscle weakness.

Objectives: Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem in which supervised exercise programs are recommended as part of non-pharmacological management. There are various reports of the success of high-intensity aerobic interval training (HI-AIT) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in the management of chronic heart failure patients. This study tested the hypothesis that the combination of HI-AIT and IMT could result in additional benefits over the IMT and the HI-AIT alone in terms of inspiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure and inspiratory muscle weakness.

Does the perigestational exposure to chlorpyrifos and/or high-fat diet affect respiratory parameters and diaphragmatic muscle contractility in young rats?

The perinatal period is characterized by developmental stages with high sensitivity to environmental factors. Among the risk factors, maternal High-Fat Diet (HFD) consumption and early-life pesticide exposure can induce metabolic disorders at adulthood. We established the effects of perigestational exposure to Chlorpyrifos (CPF) and/or HFD on respiratory parameters, sleep apnea and diaphragm contractility in adult rats.

Next Generation Sequencing Identifies Five Novel Mutations in Lebanese Patients with Bardet-Biedl and Usher Syndromes.

Aim: To identify disease-causing mutations in four Lebanese families: three families with Bardet-Biedl and one family with Usher syndrome (BBS and USH respectively), using next generation sequencing (NGS).

Methods: We applied targeted NGS in two families and whole exome sequencing (WES) in two other families. Pathogenicity of candidate mutations was evaluated according to frequency, conservation, in silico prediction tools, segregation with disease, and compatibility with inheritance pattern.

Data on dysfunctional muscle contraction and genes contractile expression associated with chlorpyrifos exposure in slow twitch skeletal muscle.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a toxic organophosphate commonly used worldwide. Its residues are being detected in different environmental matrixes and hence in the food chain. Repeated CPF exposure might pose health risk for the general population on long term.

The impact of exposure of diabetic rats to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phone antenna on hepatic oxidative stress.

The excessive exposure of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from mobile phones or their base stations antenna may influence oxidative stress and development of diabetic complications. Here, we investigated the effects of exposing type 2 diabetic rats to EMR of 900 MHz emitted from GSM mobile phone antenna for 24 hours/day over a period of 28 days on hyperglycemia and hepatic oxidative stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (12 rats/group): control rats, normal rats exposed to EMR, T2DM rats generated by nicotinamide/streptozotocin administration, and T2DM rats exposed to EMR.

Impacts of prolonged chlorpyrifos exposure on locomotion and slow-and fast- twitch skeletal muscles contractility in rats.

Aim: Investigate the effect of dietary exposure to chlorpyrifos on locomotion and contraction of soleus and () involved in locomotion. Methods: Rats were fed diets containing 1 or 5 mg kg of chlorpyrifos for six weeks. Locomotion has been assessed weekly using beam walking and beam balance tests.

Novel Missense Mutations in Are Associated with Bestrophinopathies in Lebanese Patients.

To identify () causative mutations in six Lebanese patients from three families, of whom four had a presumed clinical diagnosis of autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB) and two showed a phenotype with a single vitelliform lesion, patients were subjected to standard ophthalmic examinations. In addition, exons and their flanking regions were amplified and sequenced by Sanger sequencing. Co-segregation and detailed bio-informatic analyses were performed.

Dataset on significant role of Candesartan on cognitive functions in rats having memory impairment induced by electromagnetic waves.

Rapid growing of mobile phones users has raised about the possible effects of these electromagnetic waves (EMW) on human health. Many studies have examined the role of these EMW on biological systems, but the results are still contradictory and controversial. In addition to EMW, over-activation of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) has been associated with cognitive decline, incidence and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Best mode of inspiratory muscle training in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity and dyspnoea for patients with chronic heart failure, by summarising the published research on the effects of inspiratory muscle training. To identify the best mode of intervention in terms of: the load of maximal inspiratory pressure; the frequency of sessions; and the total duration of intervention. Methods A relevant literature research using the PubMed database, Cochrane and references of published studies, from 1998 to 2016, was conducted.

Surveillance Study of Acute Gastroenteritis Etiologies in Hospitalized Children in South Lebanon (SAGE study).

Purpose: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and remains a major cause of hospitalization. Following the Syrian refugee crisis and insufficient clean water in the region, this study reviews the etiological and epidemiological data in Lebanon.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed demographic, clinical and routine laboratory data of 198 children from the age of 1 month to 10 years old who were admitted with the diagnosis of AGE to a private tertiary care hospital located in the district of Nabatieh in south Lebanon.

Impact of chronic exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos on respiratory parameters and sleep apnea in juvenile and adult rats.

The widely used organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) is often detected in food. CPF inhibits acetylcholinesterase and can modify muscle contractility and respiratory patterns. We studied the effects of chronic exposure to CPF on respiratory parameters and diaphragm contractility in 21- and 60-days old rats.

The rs3957357C>T SNP in GSTA1 Is Associated with a Higher Risk of Occurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in European Individuals.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) detoxify toxic molecules by conjugation with reduced glutathione and regulate cell signaling. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GST genes have been suggested to affect GST functions and thus to increase the risk of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As GSTA1 is expressed in hepatocytes and the rs3957357C>T (TT) SNP is known to downregulate GSTA1 mRNA expression, the aims of this study were: (i) to explore the relationship between the TT SNP in GSTA1 and the occurrence of HCC; (ii) to measure GSTA1 mRNA expression in HCCs.

Thyroxine transfer from cerebrospinal fluid into choroid plexus and brain is affected by brefeldin A, low sodium, BCH, and phloretin, in ventriculo-cisternal perfused rabbits.

Background: Thyroxine (T4) hormone is synthesized by the thyroid gland and then released into the systemic circulation where it binds to a number of proteins. Dysfunction in T4 transport mechanisms has been demonstrated in multiple central nervous system (CNS) diseases including Alzheimer's disease. In the presence of different compounds that inhibit potential T4 transport mechanisms, this study investigated the transfer of T4 from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into Choroid Plexus (CP) and other brain tissues.

Effects of disulfiram on excitation-contraction coupling in rat soleus muscle.

The aim of this study was to analyze whether disulfiram could affect excitation-contraction coupling in rat slow-twitch ( soleus) muscle.In small bundles of intact fibers, the amplitude and the time constant of relaxation of twitch and potassium contractures were dose-dependently and reversibly reduced by disulfiram at concentrations up to 27 microM. At larger concentrations (up to 67.

Nandrolone decanoate reduces changes induced by hindlimb suspension in voltage-dependent tension of rat soleus muscle.

The effect of 8 weeks of nandrolone decanoate treatment (15 mg kg(-1)/week, 5 weeks under normal conditions followed by 3 weeks of unloading) was tested for the voltage-dependence of activation and steady-state inactivation of contraction in isolated small bundles (2-4 cells) of intact slow-twitch skeletal muscle in rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided into three groups (8 rats/group, weight matched) for 8 weeks: (1) control, (2) unloaded, and (3) unloaded-treated. Compared with age-matched control values (unloaded vs.

Nandrolone decanoate treatment affects sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase function in skinned rat slow- and fast-twitch fibres.

The effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid administration on the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) pump were investigated in chemically skinned fibres from the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles of sedentary rats. Twenty male rats were divided into two groups, one group received an intramuscular injection of nandrolone decanoate (15 mg x kg(-1)) weekly for 8 weeks, the second received similar weekly doses of vehicle (sterile peanut oil). Compared with control muscles, nandrolone decanoate treatment reduced SR Ca(2+) loading in EDL and soleus fibres by 49% and 29%, respectively.

Post-effects of nandrolone decanoate treatment on contractile responses of rat skeletal muscles.

The post-effects of nandrolone decanoate treatment (15 mg.kg(-1).week(-1)) were studied on contractile responses of isolated small bundles of intact slow-(soleus) and fast-(extensor digitorum longus, edl) twitch fibers in rat.

Methyl jasmonate-induced stimulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase affects contractile responses in rat slow-twitch skeletal muscle.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether methyl jasmonate, a stimulator of Ca(2+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of the purified ATPase from fast-twitch skeletal muscle, could affect contractile responses in small bundles of rat isolated slow-twitch (soleus) fibers. In saponin-skinned fibers, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) loading was performed in pCa 7.0 solution.