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Biomedical subjects

Z Mikes

Publications and source records attributed to Z Mikes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

One-year application of probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium M-74 decreases serum cholesterol levels.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of long-term orally administered probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium (EF) M-74 enriched with selenium on lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDH, HDL, and triglycerides) in humans. BACKGROUND: The discovery that hypercholesterolemia plays a major role in the development of atherosclerosis has led to a number of pharmacological and non-pharmacological (including dietary) approaches resulting in its elimination. Up to now, the question of supposed hypocholesterolemic effect of probiotics has not been definitely established. METHODS: 43 volunteers were randomized into two groups. Participants were given single capsule a day containing 2x10(9) of EF M-74 plus 50 microg of organically bound selenium (E-group) or placebo (P-group). The study was double-blind and lasted 60 weeks. Peripheral blood was analyzed for lipid parameters before intervention, after 6, 12, 23, 44, and 56 weeks of capsule administration, and four weeks following interruption of administration. RESULTS: After 56 weeks of application, decrease in total cholesterol in E-group (17/3 women/men, mean age 75.4+/-1.5 year) was observed (5.94+/-0.29 mmol/l at week 0 vs 5.22+/-0.25 mmol/l after 56 weeks, p<0.001). This reduction was achieved mainly due to a fall in LDL cholesterol (3.85+/-0.27 vs 3.09+/-0.21 mmol/l, p<0.001), as no significant alterations in HDL and triglycerides were noted. In placebo group (14/4, 78.1+/-1.7 year), no statistically important changes were observed after one-year capsule administration. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the administration of E. faecium M-74 probiotic strain was associated with reduction of serum cholesterol concentration by 12% after 56 weeks. The crescent amount of facts on this issue gives a solid reason to assume that probiotics will find their place as a therapeutic alternative in human medicine. (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref: 36.)

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Long-term (56-week) oral administration of probiotic Enterococcus faecium M-74 decreases the expression of sICAM-1 and monocyte CD54, and increases that of lymphocyte CD49d in humans.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of long-term probiotic [Enterococcus faecium (EF) M-74 strain] application in humans with respect to adhesion molecules, both soluble forms (sICAM-1, sPECAM-1) and their expression on leukocytes. METHODS: Double-blinded randomized and placebo controlled study lasting for 60 weeks. A single capsule containing either 2x10(9) of bacteria EF M-74 with 50 microg of organically bound selenium (E-group) or placebo (P-group) was given to volunteers. Peripheral blood was analyzed for the expression of particular adhesive molecules. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We observed significant changes in CAMs expression in terms of a decrease in sICAM-1, CD54 on monocytes and CD11b on lymphocytes after one-year administration of Enterococcus faecium M-74 in humans. Anti-adhesion-aimed therapeutic modalities may provide the future approach to prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Application of probiotics may be part of such strategies. (Tab. 2, Fig. 6, Ref. 41.)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

[Methods in stress ECG].

In spite of the continuous development of methods of examination, the exercise ECG still retains its position in the palette of examination methods for ischaemic heart disease. The examination mostly employs a mechanical load on bicycle ergometer or a treadmill. In the changes in the ST segment (horizontal or descending regression of ST surpassing 1 mm, i.e. 0.1 mV, measured 60-80 ms from junction) is still considered as the most indicative ECG index. The detection rate of ischaemic changes is proportional to the number of used leads. Sensitivity of visually evaluated exercise ECG is in the rang of 54 to 66%, specificity is around 82%. The elevation of ST-segment in aVR and V1 leads during exercise is considered as a manifestation of ischaemia. The regions affected by myocardial infarction it may indicate an aneurysm or dyskinesis and is considered as a manifestation myocardial ischaemia and a marker of poor prognosis. An adequate heart rate is presently considered significant. Sensitivity of the test is increased by ECG registration up to 8 to 10 minutes of the recovery phase.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed2002

The effect of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy on resting ECG in type 1 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. AIM: To assess the manifestations of CAN on ECG at rest. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 100 type I diabetic patients, mean age 36.5 (range 17-62) years, mean duration of diabetes 14.6 (range 0-49) years were examined. The control group consisted of 88 healthy subjects, mean age 37 (range 15-65) years. Cardiovascular reflexes (respiration sinus arrhythmia, orthostatic test and Valsalva's maneuvre) were examined, and ECG at rest was analysed. RESULTS: In 35 (35%) diabetics CAN was established. In comparison to diabetic patients without neuropathy, patients with CAN had a higher heart rate (94, 89-99 vs. 79, 75-82 heart beats.min-1, p < 0.001), higher P wave voltage (0.13, 0.12-0.15 vs 0.11, 0.09-0.12 mV, p < 0.001), as well as QTc interval length (422, 410-433 vs 396, 388-404 ms, p < 0.001), but they had a lower voltage of R wave (0.83, 0.72-0.94 vs. 1.0, 0.91-1.09 mV, p < 0.05) and lower T wave voltage (0.18, 0.15-0.21 vs 0.23, 0.19-0.27 mV, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The higher voltage of P wave, lower voltage of T wave, shorter PQ interval and prolonged QTc interval with tachycardia may be the manifestation of relative sympatheticotonia. Lower R wave voltage and the prolonged QRS complex are the possible signs of cardiomyopathy. (Tab. 4, Ref. 31.)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Immunostimulatory and other beneficial health effects of lactic acid bacteria].

Lactic acid bacteria in functional foods can transiently colonize the intestine of man and exert beneficial probiotic effects. These were observed in a group of adult subjects administered daily by a lyophilized Enterococcus faecium M-74 in the form of waffles (Dr. Ebi) during nine weeks of a double blind placebo controlled clinical trial. The results showed significant immunostimulatory effect on both phagocytosis by neutrophils and antibody production.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1999

[Successful modification of human intestinal microflora with oral administration of lactic acid bacteria].

Lactic acid bacteria in food can transiently colonize the intestine and exert health beneficial (probiotic) effects. These include: 1. Lactose digestion, improvement of diarrheal disorders (including traveller's diarrhea), prophylaxis of intestinal and urogenital infections--as a result of formation or reconstruction of a balanced indigenous microflora. 2. Inhibition of the mutagenicity of the intestinal contents and reduction of the incidence of intestinal tumours. 3. Immunomodulatory effects resulting in the improved host resistance. 4. Depression of the serum cholesterol level. The most of these effects were observed in a group of adult subjects administered daily by a lyophilized Enterococcus faecium M-74 in the form of waffles (Dr. Ebi) during nine weeks of a double blind placebo controlled clinical trial. The bacterium temporarily colonized the host intestine and its secretion in stool persisted for six weeks after the last dose. The mean activities of beta-D-glucuronidase in stools of subjects given waffles containing enterococci were reduced comparing to stools of placebo subjects. After six weeks of daily eating the waffles with enterococci, an increased production of superoxide and other reactive oxygen intermediates by peripheral neutrophils was observed. The increase corresponded in time with an elevated formation of IgG by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after polyclonal activation with mitogenes. Higher activities of myeloperoxidase and elastase in peripheral neutrophils were also ascertained during eating of waffles containing of E. faecium M-74. Hence, intake of E. faecium M-74 in the form of waffles may have an significant immunostimulatory effect on both phagocytosis performed by neutrophils and antibody production. (Tab. 6, Ref. 29.)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

ECG changes and exercise tolerance in patients after myocardial infarction.

The aim of the study was to analyse the type of ECG changes in patients after acute myocardial infarction and to compare them with changes in their physical performance. The authors examined 218 patients with acute myocardial infarction after discharge from hospital. Resting ECG and step-wise graded exercise ECG test on a bicycle ergometer was carried out. The technique of examination was in accordance with WHO recommendations. Statistical evaluation was performed by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney's U-test. The workload in patients showing ECG changes of "transmural" myocardial infarction was not different compared with that of persons with "non-ransmural" lesion (70.00 W versus 71.7 W). When evaluating the relation between the site of ECG changes and the workload, the authors found that the lowest tolerated workload was in cases where ECG changes suggested an extensive damage to the myocardium (53.5 W, p less than 0.05). The authors conclude that the extent of ECG changes after myocardial infarction is a better marker of the level of impairment of physical performance than patient classification to Q or non-Q types.

Electrocardiography↗
PubMed1989

[The significance of longitudinal Holter electrocardiogram monitoring in the differential diagnosis of syncope in elderly patients].

Longitudinal monitoring of the electrocardiogram by Holter's method is indicated in particular for the diagnosis of intermittent dysrhythmia which may be related to the symptom of syncope in elderly patients. Transient dysrhythmia with subsequent cerebral ischemia may be the cause of altered consciousness, vertige, presyncopes, or true syncopes. Transient dysrhythmias may be therefore considered after elimination of other causes of syncopes as their aetiology, in particular in elderly patients and old age groups where organic heart disease is already present. In those instances Holter's ECG is a useful non-invasive examination method which makes it possible to start appropriate treatment, and later by using serial monitoring, it makes it possible to follow up the effectiveness of antiarrhytmic treatment, or to follow up the function of an implanted cardiostimulator (pacemaker).

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Physical fitness does not reflect physical activity patterns in middle-aged workers.

Questionnaires and a sub-maximal exercise test were used to assess occupational and leisure time physical activity as well as physical fitness in a standardized prospective study in 2,565 Belgian and Slovakian middle-aged healthy workers. Less than 5% of the subjects engaged in strenuous work requiring an energy expenditure above 31.5 kJ.min-1. One-third of the Belgians and 50% of the Slovakians reported no heavy leisure time activity during the preceding 12 months. Physical fitness, defined as the workload at heart rate 150 beats.min-1 (standardized for body weight), was significantly higher in Slovakians as compared to Belgians (1.52 +/- 0.28 W.kg-1 and 1.48 +/- 0.28 W.kg-1; P less than 0.001). Occupational physical activity in Belgians and heavy leisure time activity in Slovakians were independently related to fitness levels. However, each activity score explained less than 1% of the variance of physical fitness. We conclude that in these mainly sedentary, middle-aged subjects, fitness levels are independent from the usual physical activity patterns.

Adult↗