Polyphenolic compounds from propolis modulate immune responses and increase host resistance to tumour cells

Propolis contains a variety of polyphenolic compounds. We investigated the effect of a water-soluble derivatives of propolis (WSDP) and polyphenolic compounds, components of propolis, on growth of Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) in mice. Tumour in peritoneal cavity was produced by 2×10⁶ EAT cells. WSDP and polyphenolic compounds (caffeic acid-CA, caffeic acid phenethyl ester-CAPE and quercetin-QU) were given to mice perorally (po). It was found that the volume of ascitic fluid induced by EAT cells and total number of cells present in the peritoneal cavity was markedly reduced in EAT-bearing mice treated with test components and the survival time of treated mice was prolonged. Inhibition of EAT growth was due to their effect on the immune system of mice. When innate and acquired immune responses were evaluated, a dose-related increase of cytotoxic T-cell, NK and B cells activity was observed in test components-treated mice. Furthermore, exposure of animals to test components increased functional activity of macrophages to produce factors regulating the function of B-, T-, and NK- cells respectively. In conclusion, these findings imply that the antitumour activity of WSDP and polyphenolic compounds of propolis enhanced host resistance in the EAT tumour model, increasing the activities of macrophages, cytotoxic T cells, B cells and NK cells.     

Polymorphism of HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐DRB1, ‐DQA1 and ‐DQB1 haplotypes in a Croatian population

We describe for the first time extended haplotypes in a Croatian population. The present study gives the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐DRB1, ‐DQA1 and ‐DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies in 105 families with at least two offspring. All individuals were studied by conventional serology for HLA class I antigens (A and B), while class II alleles (DRB1, DQA1, DQB1) were typed using the PCR–SSOP method. HLA genotyping was performed by segregation in all 105 families. For extended haplotype analysis, 420 independent parental haplotypes were included. Fourteen HLA‐A, 18 HLA‐B, 28 DRB1, 9 DQA1 and 11 DQB1 alleles were found in the studied population. Most of the DRB1 alleles in our population had an exclusive association with one specific DQA1‐DQB1 combination. This strong linkage disequilibrium within the HLA class II region is often extended to the HLA‐B locus. A total of 10 HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐DRB1, ‐DQA1, ‐DQB1 haplotypes were observed with a frequency ≤ 1.0%. The three most frequent haplotypes were HLA‐A1, B8, DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501, DQB1*0201; HLA‐A3, B7, DRB1*1501, DQA1*0102, DQB1*0602 and HLA‐A24, B44, DRB1*0701, DQA1*0201, DQB1*02. These results should provide a useful reference for further anthropological studies, transplantation studies, and studies of associations between HLA and diseases.     

Optodynamic energy-conversion efficiency during an Er:YAG-laser-pulse delivery into a liquid through different fiber-tip geometries

When an erbium-laser pulse is directed into water through a small-diameter fiber tip (FT), the absorption of the laser energy superheats the water and its boiling induces a vapor bubble. We present the influence of different FT geometries and pulse parameters on the vapor-bubble dynamics. In our investigation, we use a free-running erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) (λ=2.94 μm) laser that was designed for laser dentistry. Its pulse is directed into the water through FTs with a flat and conical geometry. Our results show that in the case of the conical FT, a spherical bubble is induced, while a channel-like bubble develops for the flat FT. The ratio between the mechanical energy of the liquid medium and the pulse energy, which we call the optodynamic energy-conversion efficiency, is examined using shadow photography. The results indicate that this efficiency is significantly larger when a conical FT is used and it increases with increasing pulse energy and decreasing pulse duration. The spherical bubbles are compared with the Rayleigh model in order to present the influence of the pulse duration on the dynamics of the bubble's expansion.     

Biomechanical comparison of the three techniques for arthroscopic suprapectoral biceps tenodesis: implant-free intraosseous tendon fixation with Cobra Guide,interference screw and suture anchor

MUSCULOSKELETAL SURGERY - A new arthroscopic technique with Cobra Guide (CG) was developed to enable fast, controlled and strong intraosseous biceps tenodesis while avoiding an implant. The purpose...     

Slovenian population data for five new European Standard Set Short tandem repeat loci and SE33 locus

Aim

To establish the allele distribution and statistical parameters of forensic interest for the D10S1248, D22S1045, D2S441, D1S1656, D12S391, and SE33 loci in Slovenian population and to compare allele frequencies with those from other populations.

Methods

We analyzed blood and buccal swab samples from 333 unrelated, healthy Slovenian individuals. All samples were genotyped using the AmpFlSTR NGM Kit to obtain the allele frequency data for the loci D10S1248, D22S1045, D2S441, D1S1656, and D12S391. Samples from 113 individuals were also analyzed using the PowerPlex ESX 17 system to obtain the allele frequency data for the SE33 locus. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters of forensic interest were determined and frequency profiles compared between Slovenian and other European Caucasian populations using the Arlequin software, version 3.5.1.3.

Results

The investigated short tandem repeat (STR) loci in Slovenian population had a great discriminating potential with a combined discrimination power of 0.99999998. The highest discrimination power and polymorphism information content were observed for the SE33 locus, followed by loci D1S1656, D12S391, D10S1248, D2S441, and D22S1045. When Slovenian allele frequency distribution was compared with other European populations, deviations were found only for Spanish and Italian population for D2S441 and D12S391.

Conclusion

Slovenian population does not differ significantly from other European populations in terms of allele frequency distributions for the six analyzed STR loci. Based on forensic efficiency values, SE33 may be considered the most informative locus, which makes it especially useful in forensic investigations.In their recommendations for autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) DNA typing in forensic casework, the European Network of Forensic Institutes (ENFSI) and the European DNA Profiling (EDNAP) Group proposed the use of additional five STRs, three mini-STRs (D2S441, D10S1248, D22S1045), and two highly polymorphic STRs (D1S1656 and D12S391). The increased number of the European Standard Set (ESS) loci resulted in improved discrimination power, sensitivity, and reproducibility for the analysis of minute amounts of DNA (1,2). In the last few years, several commercial STR typing kits have been released, with five new ESS loci. The new kits have been shown to be robust enough to successfully genotype even degraded DNA from old bone material (3-5). These kits also include the AmpFlSTR NGM^TM PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) and the PowerPlex ESX 17 System (Promega, Madison, WI, USA), which we used for our population study. Allele frequencies for autosomal STRs (6,7), Y-chromosomal STRs (8), and mitochondrial DNA (9) were already determined for Slovenian population and the aim of this study was to apply new genetic markers in routine forensic casework to achieve higher evidential value of STR typing and to increase the number of short STR loci, which are better preserved in degraded samples. Some European population studies have already investigated the new ESS loci (D10S1248, D22S1045, D2S441, D1S1656, D12S391) and we compared Slovenian allele frequencies with them (10-17). Beside the analysis of 5 new ESS loci we also analyzed SE33 locus and compared allele frequencies with Austrian (15), Italian (16), German (18), and Spanish population (19).     

Abscesses of psoas in diabetic patients: anatomo-clinical and therapeutical peculiarities

Difficulties of diagnosis and of an adequate treatment of psoas muscle abscesses are increased by the evolution of the suppurative process in diabetic patients. We review 3 cases of poses muscle abscesses, characterized by a long-term evolution until revealing the initial source of the abscess and by particular clinical features, due to the exteriorization of suppuration far away from its source (retrosacral, hip, thigh). Computerized tomography is essential for diagnosis and for an accurate therapeutical approach, consisting in incision and drainage of primary abscess in psoas muscle and of its expansions as well in the same time, with an adequate antibiotherapy.     

Amniotic fluid embolism with involvement of the brain,lungs, adrenal glands,and heart

The case of a healthy 31-year-old woman in the 40th week of second pregnancy is presented. During preparation for an emergency caesarean section, she developed an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) with unusual and unique features. The acute onset of disease with cardiorespiratory failure with hypotension, tachycardia, cyanosis, respiratory disturbances and loss of consciousness, suggested at first a pulmonary thromboembolism, but the appearance of convulsions led to the diagnosis of AFE. The patient died after 5 days due to an untreatable brain edema. At autopsy, AFE with the usually associated disseminated intravascular coagulation was found in the lungs, brain, left adrenal gland, kidneys, liver and heart. Eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrates were found in the lungs, hepatic portal fields and especially in the heart, suggesting a specific hypersensitivity reaction to fetal antigens. Moreover, intravascular accumulation of macrophages in the lungs also favored a non-specific immune reaction to amniotic fluid constituents.     

Abdominal hemangiopericytomas

We present two cases of hemangiopericytoma, which are analyzed according to medical literature, although only few cases have been reported. Clinical, imagistic and histological findings of these rare vascular tumors are discussed.