New data on straggled eyeworm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxyspirura chabaudi</Emphasis> (Baruš, 1965) (Nematoda,Thelaziidae) in Europe

Three male specimens of the eyeworm, Oxyspirura chabaudi, were found during the post mortem examination of one individual of Turdus merula L. (Passeriformes). This is the first record of Turdus merula as a host for O. chabaudi.     

False positive results of mitochondrial DNA depletion/deletion due to single nucleotide substitutions causing appearance of additional PvuII restriction sites.

Human mitochondrial diseases are usually caused by dysfunction of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), particularly by point mutations, deletions, or depletions. In commonly used procedures for molecular diagnostics of mitochondrial dysfunction, one of the first steps is linearization of circular mitochondrial genomes with either BamHI or PvuII restriction endonulease, which cuts human mtDNA at a unique site. Here, we describe a case of false positive results, which suggested mtDNA depletion or a large deletion in a patient's tissue sample. More detailed analysis (mtDNA sequencing) revealed that these false positive results were caused by the presence of the 12753A>G substitution in the gene coding for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5). This substitution results in no change in amino acid sequence of the gene product but creates an additional PvuII site. Investigating a population of 200 patients not affected by mitochondrial diseases, we found an additional case of 12753A>G, and also another substitution, 12804T>C, which also results in no change in amino acid sequence of ND5 but creates an additional PvuII site. A few cases of 12753A>G and 12804T>C substitutions were found previously in Asian, American, African, and European populations (though they were not reported to date in the MITOMAP), but those samples were used in population studies and not tested for mtDNA deletion or depletion. Therefore, we present a cautionary report indicating that these mtDNA polymorphisms exist in various human populations (and thus, they are panethnic) and may cause false positive results of standard molecular analyses, including molecular diagnostics, of human mtDNA.     

Aging of the erythrocyte. X. Immunoelectrophoretic studies on the denaturation of superoxide dismutase

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) content estimated by rocket immunoelectrophoresis did not differ in various density (age) fractions of bovine erythrocytes though its specific activity decreased with increasing cell density. No changes were found, either, in the crossed immunoelectrophoretic pattern of SOD with increasing red cell age. Effects of different denaturing agents on the immunoelectrophoretic pattern and activity of the enzyme were compared, including H₂O₂ and free radicals generated by ionizing radiation. The yield for inactivation was higher than that for loss of antigenic properties in all cases studied which could correspond to the in vivo situation. However, changes in electro-phoretic mobility were revealed for all the denaturing agents, which is contrary to a main causative role of these agents in the in vivo inactivation of SOD. The results suggest spontaneous “subtle denaturation” as a chief cause for the SOD inactivation during erythrocyte aging.     

Identification of a new cluster of T-cell receptor delta recombining elements

Within the human T-cell receptor delta (TCRD) gene we have identified a new cluster of seven delta recombining elements (deltaRec2.1-2.7), located 2.6-5.2 kilobases downstream of the Vdelta2 gene segment. The deltaRec2 elements are isolated recombining signal sequences (RSS), which were shown to rearrange with the Ddelta3 and Jdelta1 segments of the TCRD gene as well as with the psiJalpha of the TCRA gene. Rearrangements involving the deltaRec2 elements were found in all peripheral blood (PB) samples from 10 healthy individuals, although their frequency was about 100-fold lower than that of classical deltaRec rearrangements. The total frequency of deltaRec2 rearrangements was lower in PB T lymphocytes, as compared with thymocytes, suggesting that they are deleted during T-cell development. The decrease of the frequency of the deltaRec2-Ddelta3 rearrangements was most prominent: 11 times lower in PB T lymphocytes than in thymocytes. Since the deltaRec2-Jdelta1 rearrangements contained the Ddelta3 segment in the junctional region, we assume that they are derived from the deltaRec2-Ddelta3 rearrangements. In contrast, the majority of deltaRec2-psiJalpha rearrangements did not contain the Ddelta3 segment, indicating that they are single step rearrangements. The deltaRec2-Jdelta1 and deltaRec2-psiJalpha rearrangements seem to be T-lineage specific, but the deltaRec2-Ddelta3 rearrangements were also found at very low frequencies in B lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Our results suggest that deltaRec2 rearrangements are transient steps in the recombinatorial process of the TCRAD locus and are probably deleted by subsequent Valpha-Jalpha rearrangements. We hypothesize, that in a similar manner to the classical deltaRec rearrangements, the deltaRec2 rearrangements might also contribute to T-cell differentiation towards the TCR-alphabeta lineage.     

Localizing a putative mutation as the major contributor to the development of sporadic Hirschsprung disease to the RET genomic sequence between the promoter region and exon 2

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), a congenital disorder characterized by intestinal obstruction due to absence of enteric ganglia along variable lengths of the intestinal tract, occurs both in familial and sporadic cases. RET mutations have been found in approximately 50% of the families, but explains only a minority of sporadic cases. This study aims at investigating a possible role of RET in sporadic HSCR patients. Haplotypes of 13 DNA markers, within and flanking RET, have been determined for 117 sporadic HSCR patients and their parents. Strong association was observed for six markers in the 5' region of RET. The largest distortions in allele transmission were found at the same markers. One single haplotype composed of these six markers was present in 55.6% of patients versus 16.2% of controls. Odds ratios (ORs) revealed a highly increased risk of homozygotes for this haplotype to develop HSCR (OR>20). These results allowed us to conclude that RET plays a crucial role in HSCR even when no RET mutations are found. An unknown functional disease variant(s) with a dosage-dependent effect in HSCR is likely located between the promoter region and exon 2 of RET.     

Strong association of HLA-Cw6 allele with juvenile psoriasis in Polish patients

Association of psoriasis vulgaris with HLA-C is not equally strong in different human populations. It has not yet been studied in Polish patients at DNA level, but only by serology that is inadequate for HLA-C. Therefore, we examined the distribution of HLA-C alleles by means of low resolution PCR-SSP in 102 Polish psoriatics and 123 healthy controls. We have found significantly higher representation of HLA-Cw*06 (odds ratio, 18.73; P(cor)<0.001) and significantly lower representation of HLA-Cw*07 (odds ratio, 0.41; P(cor)<0.038) in patients than in controls. Association of HLA-Cw*06 with psoriasis was even stronger in early age at onset (0-20 years) group: odds ratio, 77.71; P(cor)<0.001. Therefore, our population seems to belong to those with strong association of psoriasis with HLA-Cw*06.     

Post-pneumonectomy empyemas: causes,clinical course,management

Between 1984 and 2000 in the Thoracic Surgery Centre pneumonectomies were performed in 947 patients. Postpneumonectomy empyema (PE) occurred in 67 (7%) patients. The aim of this paper were: analysis the reasons of postpneumonectomy empyema appearance, defined bacterial flora, clinical course and optimal management. The causes of PE were: pleural cavity haematoma (20 patients-29.8%), wound suppuration (18 patients-26.8%), bronchial fistula (31 patients-46.2%). These complications appeared singly or together in 49 (73.1%) patients. In 2 (3.0%) patients a long treatment in the Intensive Care Unit because of postoperative shock was the cause of infection. In 3 (4.5%) cases the cause of empyema was associated with infection during the operation. In 13(19.4%) cases the cause of empyema was not established. In 55 patients infections of pleural cavities were diagnosed in the first 8 weeks after operations. In 12 patients empyemas were established later. 12 (17.9%) patients died during the analyzed 1 year period after operation. In 18 (26.9%) patients infections were caused by only one bacterial strain and in 49 (73.1%) by two or three bacterial strains. The different methods of treatment (thoracentesis, drainage, operation) depending on general condition of patient were done.     

Fibroblasts from recurrent fibrotic overgrowths reveal high rate of proliferation in vitro - findings from the study of hereditary and idiopathic gingival fibromatosis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Investigate the content of fibrotic fibrils in gingival tissue and the proliferation of fibroblasts collected from recurrent and non-recurrent hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and idiopathic gingival fibromatosis (IGF).

Methods: Gingival biopsies were collected from HGF (n = 3) and IGF (n = 3) donors with recurrent and non-recurrent gingival overgrowths and from a control group (Ctrl, n = 3). Hematoxylin staining was performed to evaluate the histomorphology of gingival tissue. Heidenhain’s AZAN trichrome staining served for visualization of fibrotic fibrils in gingiva. Quantitative analysis of the content of fibrotic fibrils in gingival tissue was performed using a polarized light microscope. Proliferation was evaluated at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h in fibroblast cultures using a cell proliferation ELISA assay based on 5-bromo-2?-deoxyuridine (BrdU).

Results: Numerous blood vessels and fibroblasts were observed in recurrent overgrowths, whereas moderate blood vessels and moderate to scanty fibroblasts were detected in non-recurrent overgrowths. Heidenhain’s staining revealed numerous collagen fibers in both recurrent and non-recurrent overgrowths. Quantitative analysis in a polarizing microscope showed significant accumulation of fibrotic fibrils exclusively in the overgrowths with the recurrence. In all time-points, increased proliferation of cells from all recurrent overgrowths was observed, but not from overgrowths which do not reoccur.

Conclusions: The study revealed that recurrent gingival overgrowths consist of highly fibrotic and dense connective tissue with numerous blood vessels and abundant fibroblasts. We also demonstrated that unlike fibroblasts derived from overgrowths, which did not present recurrence, fibroblasts derived from highly fibrotic and recurrent overgrowths maintain high rate of proliferation in vitro.     

P-glycoprotein expression influences the result of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in tertiary hyperparathyroidism

Precise localization of parathyroid glands using 99mTc-labeled hexakis-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) scintigraphy could be affected by various biological factors. There is increasing evidence that radiotracer retention could be controlled by members of multidrug resistance (MDR) system, especially P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Since the role of P-gp in tertiary hyperparathyroidism (T-HPTH) scintigraphic studies is poorly recognized, the aim of the study was to compare the correlation between parathyroid P-gp expression and results of their scintigraphy in T-HPTH versus primary hyperparathyroidism (P-HPTH). P-HPTH (n = 19) and T-HPTH (n = 18) patients were subjected to 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy followed by surgical treatment. The parathyroid glands were assessed in routine hematoxylin-eosin staining and P-gp expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Parathyroids collected during cadaver donor multi-organ harvesting were used as a control. It has been found that P-HPTH-derived parathyroid glands with predominating adenoma morphology expressed less P-gp, as compared to P-gp-rich T-HPTH glands, mainly displaying nodular or diffused hyperplasia phenotype. This finding reversely correlated with results of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy. However, we did not observe any difference in P-gp expression nor scintigraphy result between nodular or diffused hyperplasia. Altogether, these data suggest that P-gp overexpression in T-HPTH could be responsible for decreased sensitivity of 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in those patients. Therefore, the recently proposed reduced neck exploration or limited parathyroid resection on the basis of scintigraphy could create the risk of persisted/recurrent hyperparathyroidism. However, this problem requires further study.     

Tuberculosis of the tongue in a patient with disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis

A 51-year-old man, heavy cigarette smoker, a homeless alcoholic, with disseminated lesions in lungs and with ulceration and infiltration of the tongue is presented. Treatment with antibiotics was ineffective. He was admitted to the otolaryngological department because of suspicion of the tongue cancer. The histological examination of the tongue biopsy revealed tuberculous granuloma. In the pulmonological department, on admission the patient was cachectic, with massive oedema and ulceration of the tongue, and enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. He was fed through the gastric tube. He had severe pain of the tongue demanding treatment with opiates analgesics. Chest x-ray revealed disseminated lesions in lungs. Antituberculous therapy was administered because of suspicion of tuberculosis of the tongue and lungs. During the treatment clinical improvement was observed. Tubercule bacilli were grown in the sputum culture after 6 weeks of observation. After 8 weeks of antituberculous therapy regression of lung lesions and healing of the tongue were observed. The patient continued treatment for 6 months in the Lung Disease Outpatient Clinic.