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Biomedical subjects

Z Tabka

Publications and source records attributed to Z Tabka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Modulation of adipokines and cytokines in gestational diabetes and macrosomia.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE: Not much is known about the implication of adipokines and different cytokines in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and macrosomia. The purpose of this study was to assess the profile of these hormones and cytokines in macrosomic babies, born to gestational diabetic women. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: A total of 59 women (age, 19-42 yr) suffering from GDM with their macrosomic babies (4.35 +/- 0.06 kg) and 60 healthy age-matched pregnant women and their newborns (3.22 +/- 0.08 kg) were selected. METHODS: Serum adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) were quantified using an obesity-related multiple ELISA microarray kit. The concentrations of serum cytokines were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin levels were decreased, whereas the concentrations of leptin, inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha, were significantly increased in gestational diabetic mothers compared with control women. The levels of these adipocytokines were diminished in macrosomic babies in comparison with their age-matched control newborns. Serum concentrations of T helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines (IL-2 and interferon-gamma) were decreased, whereas IL-10 levels were significantly enhanced in gestational diabetic mothers compared with control women. Macrosomic children exhibited high levels of Th1 cytokines and low levels of IL-10 compared with control infants. Serum IL-4 levels were not altered between gestational diabetic mothers and control mothers or the macrosomic babies and newborn control babies. CONCLUSIONS: GDM is linked to the down-regulation of adiponectin along with Th1 cytokines and up-regulation of leptin and inflammatory cytokines. Macrosomia was associated with the up-regulation of Th1 cytokines and the down-regulation of the obesity-related agents (IL-6 and TNF-alpha, leptin, and adiponectin).

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2006

[Physiological factors influencing pulmonary capillary volume and membrane diffusion].

BACKGROUND: The lung is subject to many physiological changes during life. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence gas transfer, which depends on membrane diffusion (Dm) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc). METHODS: Dm and Vc measurements were performed at rest in 135 healthy patients divided into three groups according to age and after an exercise in 22 non-trained children. Measurements were made using a simultaneous transfer of 2 gases; nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). RESULTS: Dm was correlated with height in the adult group and with weight in the elderly group. Vc was not correlated with weight in the three studied groups, but correlated with height in the adult group. Dm and Vc declined with age (p<0.05), For Dm this started at the age of forty whereas a fall in Vc was apparent at sixty. Pulmonary and vascular ageing could explain these results. Sex had no effect on Dm and Vc. Exercise led to a significant rise in Dm and Vc (p<0.05) which was attributed to pulmonary capillary distension and recruitment. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of these physiological changes permits a better understanding of pathological changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Factors influencing pulmonary function in Tunisian women aged 45 years and more].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyse the factors influencing pulmonary function and inspiratory muscle strength in healthy Tunisian women aged >or=45 years and in particular to determine the effect of parity. METHODS: A medical questionnaire together with an evaluation of sporting activity score and 2 levels for schooling and socio-economic status was administered. Parity was introduced as numeric, as dichotomous (G1: or=4) and in 3 classes (C1:<2; C2:=3-4; C3: > 4). Plethysmography with measurement of airway conductance and maximal inspiratory pressure was performed. RESULTS: 108 women were included. According to the ascending multiple linear regression, and in decreasing order, the following influencing factors are noted: Age and height, parity, weight and daily activity, schooling level, and finally leisure activity, body mass index, and physical activity. With high parity, and especially in women aged >or=60 years, there was a decrease in inspiratory muscle strength and an obstructive tendency, without associated restrictive component. Parity effects are age independent. CONCLUSIONS: Factors influencing the pulmonary function of healthy Tunisian women aged >or=45 years are multiple. Lung function declines with increasing parity.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Bone mineral content and density of Tunisian male rugby players: differences between forwards and backs.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of long-term rugby participation on bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) of male rugby players and to determine if the diverse stimuli elicited by the actions of forwards and backs affect their skeleton differently. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were obtained from 20 male rugby players (10 Forwards and 10 Backs) who actively participated in rugby for the past 13 yr, and from 29 age matched non active subjects of the same ethnic origin. Both groups (rugby players and controls) had comparable age (23.6 +/- 3.7 yr vs. 25.6 +/- 3.4 yr), height (178.1 +/- 4.0 cm vs. 178.3 +/- 6.0 cm), and body fat percentage (14.2 +/- 4.4 vs. 16.5 +/- 5.1). Rugby players showed greater total body mass, and greater total lean and fat body masses than control subjects (p < 0.01). Whole spine BMC and BMD were 52 % and 15 % higher, respectively, in the rugby players than in the control subjects (p < 0.001). Furthermore, rugby players displayed higher skeletal BMC (40 %, 37 % and 58 % for legs, arms and pelvis, respectively) and BMD (16 %, 21 % and 17 %, respectively) than controls. Within the rugby group, forwards were taller, heavier and had greater body fat percentage, and greater total lean and fat body masses than backs (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Likewise, BMC, BMD and bone area for the whole body and at specific sites such as arms, spine and legs were also greater in the forwards (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Long-term rugby participation, starting at pubertal age, is associated with markedly increased BMC, BMD and bone size at all skeletal sites, except at the head. The musculo-skeletal adaptations, greater in forwards than in backs, could mimic training responses and therefore explain the bone features, localized in specific stressed regions.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effect of combined active recovery from supramaximal exercise on blood lactate disappearance in trained and untrained man.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different modalities of individualized active recovery on blood lactate disappearance after supramaximal exercise in subjects with different levels of aerobic fitness. Fourteen healthy subjects (7 trained and 7 untrained subjects mean age 20 +/- 1.5 and 19.5 +/- 1.5, respectively) participated in this study. They performed three supramaximal intermittent exercises at 60 % of the time to exhaustion at 120 % of the maximum aerobic power (MAP) with 5-min recovery periods (2 x 5 min). The third exercise was followed by 20 min of recovery. The effects of four types of recovery were compared in trained and untrained subjects: passive recovery (PR), an active recovery at an intensity corresponding to the first anaerobic ventilatory threshold minus 20 % (VT1), an active recovery at an intensity corresponding to the second anaerobic ventilatory threshold minus 20 % (VT2) and a combined active recovery (CR) which consisted of 7 min at VT2 followed by 13 min at VT1. Blood lactate levels were measured at rest and during the recovery periods. Peak blood lactate after supramaximal exercise was observed significantly earlier with VT2 and CR (4th min) than VT1 and PR (7th min) in trained and in untrained subjects. Combined active recovery (CR) showed a significantly faster lactate disappearance than did PR, VT1, or VT2 from the 7th min of recovery in trained subjects (p < 0.05) and at the 20th min in untrained subjects (p < 0.05). CR and VT2 conditions showed earlier peak blood lactate (4th min) than PR or VT1 (7th min). Blood lactate disappearance was faster in trained than untrained subjects during combined active recovery. This result suggests that the level of physical fitness plays an important role mainly in the pattern of blood lactate decrease during combined active recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

IGFBP-3, a sensitive marker of physical training and overtraining.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the response of the somatotrope axis (insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)) to intense exercise in relation to tiredness. METHODS: The study involved 11 rugby players who completed a questionnaire intended to evaluate fitness or, conversely, overtraining and who agreed to plasma samples being taken before and after an international rugby match. RESULTS: The main finding of our study is that we observed strong negative correlations between IGF-1 (r = 0.652) and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.824) levels and the overtraining state estimated using the French Society of Sport Medicine questionnaire. In particular, there was a fall (of up to 25%) in IGFBP-3 levels after the match in the more fatigued subjects compared to an increase (of up to 40%) in fit subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A fall in IGFBP-3 in response to an intense bout of exercise may represent an index of tiredness in highly trained sportsmen, as indicated by the scores obtained from the overtraining questionnaire.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Vital capacity and peak expiratory flow rates in a North-African population aged 60 years and over: influence of anthropometric data and parity].

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to calculate predictive equations for respiratory variables (FVC, FEV1, FEF25%-75%, and PEFR) in elderly north-African people and to study the effect of parity on the respiratory function. METHODS: FVC and forced expiratory flows were measured in a "healthy" sample of 186 subjects aged 60 years and over (66% women). The measurements were made in health centres using portable spirometers. Predictive equations were determined by the technique of multiple linear regression using standing height and age as independent variables. The effect of parity on ventilatory function was studied by comparing two groups defined by a parity greater or less than 4. RESULTS: The respiratory variables measured in this elderly north-african population were significantly different from those established references ranges. CONCLUSIONS: High parity is associated with a significant reduction in peak flow rate.

Africa, Northern↗
PubMed2002

Parathyroid hormone concentrations during and after two periods of high intensity exercise with and without an intervening recovery period.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a recovery period between two periods of exercise on bone metabolism and related hormones. Concentrations of serum parathyroid hormone ([PTH]), plasma ionized calcium ([Ca(2+)]) and total calcium were measured. A group of 12 healthy men aged 20-27 years participated in this study. They took part in two exercise protocols (P(1) and P(2)) on two separate weeks. The exercise in P(1) comprised two successive periods of 21 min each at 70% and 85% of maximal oxygen uptake; P(2) comprised two periods of exercise at the same intensities but separated by 40 min of recovery. Venous blood samples were collected 1 day before the sessions (control), before each protocol, during (7th and 21st min), at the end (42nd min in P(1) and 82nd min in P(2)) and after 24 h of recovery. The [PTH] was significantly elevated during the two protocols ( P<0.01), remained raised in P(1) after 24 h of recovery ( P<0.05) and was significantly lower ( P<0.01) at the end of P(2) when compared to P(1). The [Ca(2+)] decreased significantly during and at the end of the two protocols ( P<0.01) and had returned to control values after 24 h of recovery. Plasma lactate concentration increased during the two protocols ( P<0.01) and returned to control values after recovery. These results indicate firstly that [Ca(2+)] decreases during continuous exercise as [PTH] increases and remains raised after 24 h of recovery, secondly that a recovery period between two periods of exercise attenuates the variations in [Ca(2+)] and [PTH], and thirdly that recovery may have anabolic effects on bone. However, the small physiological changes observed prevent us from forming any firm conclusion about this.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Post-partum autoimmune thyroiditis in a patient presenting with Sheehan's syndrome].

A 30-year-old women developed post-partum thyroiditis associated with post- partum pituitary infarction. Pituitary stimulation tests demonstrated global pituitary deficiency but there was no thyrotropin response to TRH stimulation and free T4 was normal. Associated goiter and high circulating levels of microsomal antibodies led to the diagnosis of post-partum thyroiditis associated with pituitary deficiency. Two cases of this unusual association have been reported. The underlying pathogenesis might involve post-partum immunological rebound and/or hypocorticism-induced immunological disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Value of maximum expiratory volume per second and peak expiratory flow monitoring in asthma. 77 patients].

A retrospective study was conducted on a sample of 77 subjects to assess the interest of computerized flowmeter "one-flow" in the diagnosis and follow up of asthma. 77 patients and a control group matched for age and sex, measured four times by day, the forced expiratory volume in one second as well as the peak expiratory flow during 15 to 30 days. The monitoring of these two variables allowed to participate to the exclusion from the study of fifteen patients whose asthma diagnosis was informed. It also allowed the confirmation of four occupational asthma. Concerning the adherence of the treatment by patients, the conclusion of the study showed that 47% of patients modified their treatment at home without consulting their doctors, 38% resorted to their doctor and only 3% resorted to the emergencies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Pulmonary emphysema: quantification using computed tomography and correlations with respiratory function tests].

Pulmonary emphysema can be defined in precise anatomical terms. Only histological examination of an entire lung will enable the extension and the severity of the emphysema to be fully assessed. The authors propose a visual score, using computed tomography to quantify emphysema in 61 subjects. 51 had chronic airflow obstruction (BPCO) and were divided into 31 chronic bronchitics (BC) and 20 emphysematous subjects (EP). 10 volunteers who were free of any respiratory pathology were chosen as controls. A visual score for the computed tomography was established for the subjects as a whole. Double reading of the data enabled the reproducibility of the method to be checked in 10 subjects (r = 0.98, p < 0.001). No emphysema was found in the 10 controls, the computed tomography score was appreciably more elevated in the EP subjects than in the BC group at 1.3 and 0.44 respectively (p < 0.001). In the BC, the computed tomographic score was not correlated with the PaO2 (r = 0.54, p < 0.001) and the FEV1 (VEMS) (r = < 0.44, p < 0.05). On the other hand, in the PE group, the score was correlated with the FEV1 (r = 0.52, p < 0.05) and the residual volume (r = 0.06, p < 0.05) and the total lung capacity (r = 0.63, p < 0.05) and the TLCO (r = 0.56, p < 0.05) and the TLCO/VA (r = 0.59, p < 0.05). The adoption of a visual computed tomographic score enabled the authors to find the correlations between pulmonary emphysema and the most specific tests of respiratory function.

Adult↗