Barbora Staňková

Background: Burnout syndrome is a psychological condition arising from factors such as prolonged stress, emotional strain, and excessive workload. It is most common in helping professions such as physicians, nurses, teachers, and social workers, who work in intensive contact with people. Objective: To determine the validity and reliability of the Czech version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and to provide a culturally adapted version for use among Czech healthcare workers. Methods: A convenience sample of 51 healthcare workers from multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams was recruited (12 nurses, 7 physicians, 13 physiotherapists, 4 occupational therapists, 6 psychologists, 2 social workers, and 5 others). The scale was administered to subgroups of respondents twice within seven days to verify test-retest reliability. Reliability of the Czech version of the CBI was evaluated using Cronbach's α, and concurrent validity was assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients. Results: The Czech version of the CBI demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.94) and very good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC 2.1 ] = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99). Correlations with the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure were moderate to strong. Conclusion: The Czech version of the CBI showed excellent internal consistency and good concurrent validity with the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. These findings are consistent with international studies and support the use of the Czech version of the CBI in both clinical practice and research.

The unicellular green microalga Dunaliella is a potential source of a wide range of nutritionally important compounds applicable to the food industry. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Dunaliella salina dried biomass on the growth and adherence of 10 strains of Lactobacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, and Bifidobacterium. The immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects of D. salina on human peripheral mononuclear cells and simulated intestinal epithelial cell lines Caco-2 and HT-29 were evaluated. Furthermore, the hypocholesterolemic effects of the microalgae on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet were analyzed. The addition of D. salina biomass had a positive effect on the growth of nine out of 10 probiotics and promoted the adherence of three bifidobacteria strains to human cell lines. The antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of D. salina were concentration-dependent. The inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were significantly increased following Dunaliella stimulation at the lowest concentration (0.5% w/v). Eight week supplementation of D. salina to the diet of hypercholesteromic rats significantly decreased the serum concentrations of LDL-C, VLDL, IDL-B, and IDL-C. D. salina is not cytotoxic in intestinal cell models; it promotes adherence of selected bifidobacteria, it affords immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects, and its addition to diets may help decrease atherosclerosis risk factors.

Introduction. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are understood to have therapeutic and preventive effects on chronic complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, there are differences between individual MUFAs. Although the effects of palmitoleic acid (POA) are still debated, POA can regulate glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and cytokine production, thus improving metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigated and compared the metabolic effects of POA and oleic acid (OA) supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation in a prediabetic model, the hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rat (HHTg). HHTg rats exhibiting genetically determined hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance were fed a standard diet. POA and OA were each administered intragastrically at a dose of 100mg/kg b.wt. for four weeks. Results. Supplementation with both MUFAs significantly elevated insulin and glucagon levels, but only POA decreased nonfasting glucose. POA-treated rats showed elevated circulating NEFA associated with increased lipolysis, lipoprotein lipase gene expression, and fatty acid reesterification in visceral adipose tissue (VAT). The mechanism of improved insulin sensitivity of peripheral tissues (measured as insulin-stimulated lipogenesis and glycogenesis) in POA-treated HHTg rats could contribute increased circulating adiponectin and omentin levels together with elevated FADS1 gene expression in VAT. POA-supplemented rats exhibited markedly decreased proinflammatory cytokine production by VAT, which can alleviate chronic inflammation. OA-supplemented rats exhibited decreased arachidonic acid (AA) profiles and decreased proinflammatory AA-derived metabolites (20-HETE) in membrane phospholipids of peripheral tissues. Slightly increased FADS1 gene expression after OA along with increased adiponectin production by VAT was reflected in slightly ameliorated adipose tissue insulin sensitivity (increased insulin-stimulated lipogenesis). Conclusions. Our results show that POA served as a lipokine, ameliorating insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissue and markedly modulating the metabolic activity of VAT including cytokine secretion. OA had a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism and improved inflammation by modulating AA metabolism.

The microalga Chlorella and strains of Bifidobacterium have been used in human or animal food supplements for decades because of their positive health effects. The presented study assessed different properties of C. vulgaris and its combination with bifidobacteria with the aim to develop new functional foods. The growth of four bifidobacteria strains in milk and whey supplemented with 1.0% (w/v) C. vulgaris and the immunomodulatory effects of aqueous Chlorella solutions (0.5%, 1.0%, and 3.0%) on human peripheral mononuclear cells were evaluated. Furthermore, synergistic effects on lipid metabolism of rats fed a high-fat diet with Chlorella and B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12^® were analysed. Chlorella had a positive growth-promoting effect on the tested bifidobacteria (p < 0.05), and significantly increased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, and interleukin-6), depending on the concentration of Chlorella (p < 0.05). After 8 weeks, significant synergistic effects of Chlorella and bifidobacteria on triglyceride levels in rat heart, liver, and serum were observed (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate that various combinations of Chlorella and bifidobacteria have significant potential for the development of new fermented products, dependent on the algal species, probiotic strain, application form, and concentrations for acceptable sensory quality for consumers.

The market for new functional foods and food supplements is rapidly evolving, with a current emphasis on using natural sources. Algae, probiotics, and colostrum are rich sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds with positive effects on human and animal health. To determine the potential for developing new functional foods combining these components, we evaluated their synergistic effects. We assessed the growth of selected bifidobacteria in a medium supplemented with Chlorella vulgaris and its immunomodulatory and cytotoxic effects on the human peripheral mononuclear cells and colon cancer cell lines Caco-2 and HT29. The hypocholesterolemic effects of Chlorella powder and bovine colostrum fermented by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12^® on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet were also determined. Chlorella addition promoted Bifidobacteria growth, with significantly increased inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) levels following 1.0% (w/v) Chlorella stimulation. Rats fed diets containing fermented colostrum with 0.5% (w/v) added Chlorella powder exhibited significantly decreased triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein, and alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels, compared to those of the control group. These results support that C. vulgaris is not cytotoxic in intestinal cell models and affords prebiotic and immunomodulatory effects, as well as synergistic triglyceride-lowering effects with bovine colostrum and B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12.

The selenium (Se) enrichment of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has recently emerged as a novel concept; the individual health effects of these beneficial microorganisms are combined by supplying the essential micronutrient Se in a more bioavailable and less toxic form. This study investigated the bioavailability of Se in the strains Enterococcus faecium CCDM 922A (EF) and Streptococcus thermophilus CCDM 144 (ST) and their respective Se-enriched forms, SeEF and SeST, in a CD (SD-Sprague Dawley) IGS rat model. Se-enriched LAB administration resulted in higher Se concentrations in the liver and kidneys of rats, where selenocystine was the prevalent Se species. The administration of both Se-enriched strains improved the antioxidant status of the animals. The effect of the diet was more pronounced in the heart tissue, where a lower glutathione reductase content was observed, irrespective of the Se fortification in LAB. Interestingly, rats fed diets with EF and SeEF had higher glutathione reductase activity. Reduced concentrations of serum malondialdehyde were noted following Se supplementation. Diets containing Se-enriched strains showed no macroscopic effects on the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain and had no apparent influence on the basic parameters of the lipid metabolism. Both the strains tested herein showed potential for further applications as promising sources of organically bound Se and Se nanoparticles.

Elevated plasma concentration of apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) is a rate-limiting lipogenic enzyme and a key regulator of fuel metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyse associations between clinical, biochemical, and genetic factors and different apoB-48 levels in subjects at increased cardiometabolic risk. We examined 220 subjects exhibiting at least one metabolic syndrome (MetS) component. In conjunction with basic clinical, anthropometric and laboratory measurements, we analysed various polymorphisms of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 ( SCD1 ). Subjects were divided into two groups according to the median apoB-48 level: (1) high apoB-48 (≥ 7.9 mg/l, N = 112) and (2) low apoB-48 (< 7.9 mg/l, N = 108). Neither group differed significantly in anthropometric measures. High plasma apoB-48 levels were associated with increased systolic blood pressure (+3 %; P < 0.05), MetS prevalence (59.8 vs. 32.4 %; P < 0.001), small-dense LDL frequency (46.4 vs. 20.4 %; P < 0.001), triglycerides (+97 %; P < 0.001), non-HDLcholesterol (+27 %; P < 0.001), and lower concentrations of HDL-cholesterol (–11 %; P < 0.01). This group was further characterized by a higher HOMA-IR index (+54 %; P < 0.001) and increased concentrations of conjugated dienes (+11 %; P < 0.001) and oxidatively modified LDL (+ 38 %; P < 0.05). Lower frequencies of SCD1 minor genotypes (rs2167444, rs508384, P < 0.05) were observed in subjects with elevated plasma concentrations of apoB-48. Elevated plasma concentrations of apoB-48 are associated with an adverse lipid profile, higher systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. Lower proportions of minor SCD1 genotypes (rs2167444, rs508384) implicate the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of elevated levels of apoB-48.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) exhibit high morbidity as well as mortality for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, we investigated differences in individual lipoprotein classes and subclasses in ESRD patients under chronic high volume hemodiafiltration (HV-HDF) in comparison with a control group. We also assessed the prognosis of these patients and analyzed these parameters after 5 years follow-up. Methods: 57 patients and 50 controls were enrolled. We analysed high density (HDL) and low density (LDL) lipoprotein subfractions using the Quantimetrix Lipoprint(R) system. Subfractions were correlated with selected clinical-biochemical parameters including risk factors for atherosclerotic CVD at the beginning of and after 5 years follow-up. Results: Fourteen patients survived the 5-year follow-up. Follow-up results revealed a shift toward smaller HDL subfractions. In lipoproteins carrying apolipoprotein B, there was a shift of cholesterol from very low density (VLDL) to intermediate density (IDL) lipoproteins and LDLs. Hypolipidaemic therapy did not influence lipoprotein profiles in HV-HDF patients. Conclusions: 1. HV-HDF patients exhibit specific lipid profiles with elevated triacylglycerol, low HDL and LDL and higher content of cholesterol in remnant particles (VLDL and IDL) at the expense of large LDL. HDL subfractions were linked to the number of risk factors for CVD in the control group only. 2. Baseline lipoprotein profiles did not differ between survivors and non-survivors. Non-survivors had higher CRP and lower HDL-C. 3. During the 5 year follow-up period, cholesterol in HDL particles and lipoproteins carrying apolipoprotein B redistributed in survivors towards smaller particles, thus resembling the profile of control patients.

Background: This study examines the associations of fatty acids (FAs) in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) with the anthropometrical and biochemical characteristic of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related traits. Methods: We analyzed the FA profiles of PC in 300 persons with MetS-related traits (152 M/148F, mean age 46.9 ± 9.0 years) and in 70 healthy controls of the same age using a balanced men/women ratio and gas–liquid chromatography. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the coefficients of determination (R²) using FA proportions of the mentioned proband characteristics. Results: The FA composition of PC in patients with MetS traits was only associated with waist circumference (R² = 0.27), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; R² = 0.41), body fat percentage (R² = 0.62), and fat mass (R² = 0.29). Positive associations were found for dihomo-γ-linolenic (DGLA), palmitic, stearic (SA), α-linolenic (ALA), and eicosapentaenoic acids, whereas negative associations were found for linoleic (LA), oleic, and docosapentaenoic acids. Palmitoleic acid (POA) was positively associated with waist circumference but negatively with fat percentage. In controls, significant associations were found for waist circumference (R² = 0.51), WHR (R² = 0.53), body fat percentage (R² = 0.60), and fat mass (R² = 0.34). DGLA and saturated FA (SFA) were positively associated, whereas docosahexaenoic, adrenic, and cis-vaccenic acids were negatively associated. The study group differed from controls as follows: lower concentrations of LA and total n-6 FA, higher indices of delta-9-desaturase and delta-6 desaturase activity and higher proportions of POA, SA, ALA, DGLA, and SFA. Conclusions: We found significant associations (R² >0.25) of FA in plasma PC with adiposity in middle-aged persons with MetS-related traits, but not with metabolic indices.