A representative of arylcyanomethylenequinone oximes effectively inhibits growth and formation of hyphae in Candida albicans and influences the activity of protein kinases in vitro

In this study, we applied various assays to reveal new activities of phenylcyanomethylenequinone oxime-4-(hydroxyimino) cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene](phenyl)ethanenitrile (4-AN) for potential anti-microbial applications. These assays demonstrated (a) the antimicrobial effect on bacterial and fungal cultures, (b) the effect on the in vitro activity of the kinase CK2, (c) toxicity towards human erythrocytes, the Caco-2 cancer cell line, and embryonic development of Zebrafish. We demonstrated the activity of 4-AN against selected bacteria and Candida spp. The MIC ranging from 4?µg/ml to 125?µg/ml proved effective in inhibition of formation of hyphae and cell aggregation in Candida, which was demonstrated at the cytological level. Noteworthy, 4-AN was found to inhibit the CK2 kinase with moderate potency. Moreover, at low concentrations, it did not exert any evident toxic effects on human erythrocytes, Caco-2 cells, or Zebrafish embryos. 4-AN can be a potential candidate as a novel drug against Candida infections.     

The prevalence and potential aetiological factors associated with restless legs syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

International Urology and Nephrology - There is limited understanding of aetiological factors of and treatment options for restless leg syndrome (RLS) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD)....     

Review article: the role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

In this review, we focus on the role of oxidative stress in the aetiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colitis-associated colorectal cancer and discuss free radicals and free radical-stimulated pathways as pharmacological targets for anti-IBD drugs. We also suggest novel anti-oxidative agents, which may become effective and less-toxic alternatives in IBD and colitis-associated colorectal cancer treatment. A Medline search was performed to identify relevant bibliography using search terms including: ‘free radicals,’ ‘antioxidants,’ ‘oxidative stress,’ ‘colon cancer,’ ‘ulcerative colitis,’ ‘Crohn’s disease,’ ‘inflammatory bowel disease.’ Several therapeutics commonly used in IBD treatment, among which are immunosuppressants, corticosteroids and anti-TNF-α antibodies, could also affect the IBD progression by interfering with cellular oxidative stress and cytokine production. Experimental data shows that these drugs may effectively scavenge free radicals, increase anti-oxidative capacity of cells, influence multiple signalling pathways, e.g. MAPK and NF-kB, and inhibit pro-oxidative enzyme and cytokine concentration. However, their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effectiveness still needs further investigation. A highly specific antioxidative activity may be important for the clinical treatment and relapse of IBD. In the future, a combination of currently used pharmaceutics, together with natural and synthetic anti-oxidative compounds, like lipoic acid or curcumine, could be taken into account in the design of novel anti-IBD therapies.     

Effect of Co Substitution and Thermo-Magnetic Treatment on the Structure and Induced Magnetic Anisotropy of Fe84.5−xCoxNb5B8.5P2 Nanocrystalline Alloys

In the present work, we investigated in detail the thermal/crystallization behavior and magnetic properties of materials with Fe_84.5-xCo_xNb₅B_8.5P₂ (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 at.%) composition. The amorphous ribbons were manufactured on a semi-industrial scale by the melt-spinning technique. The subsequent nanocrystallization processes were carried out under different conditions (with/without magnetic field). The comprehensive studies have been carried out using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, hysteresis loop analyses, vibrating sample magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Moreover, the frequency (up to 300 kHz) dependence of power losses and permeability at a magnetic induction up to 0.9 T was investigated. On the basis of some of the results obtained, we calculated the values of the activation energies and the induced magnetic anisotropies. The X-ray diffraction results confirm the surface crystallization effect previously observed for phosphorous-containing alloys. The in situ microscopic observations of crystallization describe this process in detail in accordance with the calorimetry results. Furthermore, the effect of Co content on the phase composition and the influence of annealing in an external magnetic field on magnetic properties, including the orientation of the magnetic spins, have been studied using various magnetic techniques. Finally, nanocrystalline Fe_64.5Co₂₀Nb₅B_8.5P₂ cores were prepared after transverse thermo-magnetic heat treatment and installed in industrially available portable heating equipment.     

Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome in a 13-year-old girl with chronic renal failure and severe growth retardation

Introduction: The tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome type III (TRPS III) is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited condition. The main clinical features are sparse and slow-growing hair and nails, a pear-shaped nose with a bulbous tip, elongated and flat philtrum, thin upper lip, cone-shaped epiphyses of the phalanges, and short stature. All patients have a point mutation in the TRPS1 gene. Case report: In this paper, we present a 13-year-old female with the typical clinical features of TRPS III, extreme growth retardation, severe deformities of both proximal radii resulting in limited extension of the elbows, and chronic renal failure (CRF) in addition. Molecular diagnostics revealed a missense mutation in exon 6 of TRPS1 that she inherited from her father who is also affected with TRPS III, but does not have CRF. In the index patient, the CRF was found to be due to bilateral renal hypodysplasia (RHD). Conclusion: Beside the renal dysplasia, the girl had severe deformities of the proximal radii – findings which have not been reported so far in TRPS III.     

Adherence to transition guidelines in European paediatric nephrology units

Background

There is increasing focus on the problems involved in the transition and transfer of young adult patients from paediatric to adult renal units. This situation was addressed by the 2011 International Pediatric Nephrology Association/International Society of Nephrology (IPNA/ISN) Consensus Statement on transition.

Methods

We performed a survey of transition practices of 15 paediatric nephrology units across Europe 2 years after publication of the consensus statement.

Results

Two thirds of units were aware of the guidelines, and one third had integrated them into their transition practice. Forty-seven per cent of units transfer five or fewer patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 per year to a median of five adult centres, with higher numbers of CKD stages 2–4 patients. Seventy-three per cent of units were required by the hospital or government to transfer patients by a certain age. Eighty per cent of units commenced transition planning after the patient turned 15 years of age and usually within 1–2 years of the compulsory transfer age. Forty-seven per cent of units used a transition or transfer clinic. Prominent barriers to effective transition were patient and parent attachment to the paediatric unit and difficulty in allowing the young person to perform self-care.

Conclusions

Whereas awareness of the consensus statement is suboptimal, it has had some impact on practice. Adult nephrologists receive transferred patients infrequently, and the process of transition is introduced too late by paediatricians. Government- and hospital-driven age-based transfer policies distract focus from the achievement of competencies in self care. Variable use of transition clinics, written patient information and support groups is probably due to economic and human-resource limitations. The consensus statement provides a standard for evolving and evaluating transition policies jointly agreed upon by paediatric and adult units.     

Association of the thickness of carotid intima-media complex and ancle brachial index with coronary disease severity

Abstract

Our aim was to establish the association of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and ankle-brachial index(ABI) with the severity of coronary artery dissease (CAD). The study enrolled 150 examinees and divided them into two groups. The patients with stenotic changes in the coronary artery, constituted the first group (CP)(n=100); the second group consisted of the examinees without CAD — control goup (CG) (n=50). The following methods were used in the study: Color Doppler sonography of the carotid arteries, ABI, calculation of SCORE risk and coronary angiography.

Results

The number of coronary blood vessels affected by atherosclerosis was significantly higher with the increase of CIMT, CV risk score, and waist-hip ratio by one measurement unit: CIMT by 0.729; p<0.05; CV risk score by 0.033; p<0.05; and waist-hip ratio by 3.182; p<0.01. With each increase of ABI value by one measurement unit, the number of involved blood vessels dropped by 0.844; p<0.05.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that reduced ABI value, increased CIMT and number of plaques in the carotid arteries were in correlation with the severity of coronary artery disease.