Serum soluble adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin) in healthy school aged children and adults

The aim of this study was to map normal levels of serum soluble isoforms of adhesion molecules in relation to age and sex in the group of school-aged children. sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin were determined in the group of 158 normal children subdivided into two subgroups; 6-10 years (68 children, median age 8 years) and 11-15 years (90 children, median age 12 years) and in 70 normal adult blood donors (25 females and 45 males, median age 46 years). The levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin fell down significantly over the age range 6-15 years, while the level of sVCAM-1 was remained. Age-related normal ranges were established using correlation analysis and were expressed as the 5%-95% percentiles intervals: sICAM-1 206.8-486.8 ng/ml, sE-selectin 36.7-153.2 ng/ml in the group of 6-10 years old children, sICAM-1 184.1-354.0 ng/ml, sE-selectin 29.9-114.1 ng/ml in group of 11-15 years old children. The levels of sVCAM-1 were 359.6-822.0 ng/ml and were constant within the examined age interval from 6 to 15 years. The influence of sex was also assayed and it was not statistically significant in any age category tested. Normal ranges of sICAM-1 (60.2-218.4 ng/ml), sE-selectin (8.3-116.9 ng/ml) and sVCAM-1 (338.0-1148.0 ng/ml) were established for adult population of healthy blood donors using the same methods.     

Changes in molecular structure of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene hostalen GUR upon ageing of its solutions at elevated temperature

Changes in solutions of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene Hostalen GUR in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene with time were studied by means of viscometry and light scattering. The decrease of viscosity during ageing indicates that both the degradation of polyethylene chains and destroying of aggregates may occur. The former fact makes questionable the ultra-high molecular weight character of the sample.     

Stimulation of ileal epithelium growth and regeneration by dietary nucleotide extracts

The gastrointestinal tract epithelium plays an important role not only in digestion and absorption of nutrients, but also in antigen and pathogen signal translocation toward the gut associated lymphoid tissue. Malnutrition in various degrees is recognized as the most common cause of the immune system dysfunction. Research done in the past several years has revealed that dietary nucleotides (dNT) represent an essential compound of nutrition because of their importance in metabolic pathways, energetic processes and nucleic acid synthesis during tissue renewal. Much evidence accumulated suggests that dNT are essential for the growth and maturation of the gut epithelia. In previous experiments we have documented immunoregulative properties of dNT-containing extracts. In this study Balb/c female mice were fed (1) standard diet, (2) dNT-supplemented diet, and (3) dNT-supplemented water for 4 weeks. The supplement in dose of 100 mg/kg/l comprised original extract (Imuregen, Uniregen Ltd., Náchod, Czech Republic). Samples of terminal ileum in each dietary group were removed for histological examination. The length of villi was evaluated by computer morphometry. The highest growth of intestinal villi was observed in group administered dNT-supplemented water. We have found no pathological changes of intestinal epithelium in any experimental group.     

The effect of alpha-glucosidase inhibition on intestinal disaccharidase activity in normal and diabetic mice

Acarbose is a potent alpha-glycosidase inhibitor which decreases postprandial hyperglycemia when administered with a carbohydrate-containing meal. The genetically diabetic mouse C57 BLKsJ db/db represents a model of type II, noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Characteristic features of this animal include hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperphagia, and the development of obesity and widespread pathologic abnormalities. To evaluate the effects of Acarbose on intestinal disaccharidase activity, groups of normal and diabetic mice were given Acarbose as a drug-food mixture in doses of 20 (A-20) and $\text{40 (A-40) mg}\text{100 g}$ food. Sucrase activity was measured in intestinal homogenates and on the mucosal surface of proximal, middle, and distal segments of jejunoileum. In normal mice, sucrase activity was significantly increased in mid- and distal-intestinal segments following 2 wk of Acarbose in both A-20 and A-40 groups. No changes were noted following 5 and 10 days of drug treatment. Acarbose did not influence body weight, food:water intake or fasting blood glucose. When compared to normal mice, untreated diabetics had significantly more protein, DNA, and sucrase activity throughout the small intestine. Following 10 wk of Acarbose administration, both A-20 and A-40 groups showed increased sucrase activity in intestinal homogenates of distal segments. Surface mucosal sucrase activity however was slightly decreased in proximal intestinal segments as a result of drug therapy, with no changes in middle and distal segments. Acarbose did not influence body weight, food intake or fasting blood glucose, but water consumption and glucosuria were significantly decreased. Experimental diabetes mellitus is associated with significant alterations in enzyme activity and protein content of the brush border membrane of the small intestine. Acarbose administration influences both sucrase activity and distribution in normal and diabetic mice. The mechanisms responsible for these changes and their potential clinical importance remain to be determined.     

The influence of “biorhythm” on the incidence of injuries among forest workers

Summary The paper investigates effects of the three basic cyclic rhythms including a 23-day physical cycle, a 28-day emotional cycle and a 33-day intellectual cycle on the incidence of injuries among 322 forest workers, using the mathematical system of Khalil and Kurucz (1977). Results of the present work based on the examination of samples representing another sphere of human activity in two out of five cases studied support the conclusions of the above mentioned authors. In the remaining three cases the application of the method neither confirmed nor disproved the statement that biorhythms do not affect the incidence of injuries.     

Age- and sex-associated differences in the relationship of serum hexosaminidase and T4 levels in human neonates

N-Acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (HEX) activity (total, A and B) and serum thyroxine (T₄) were determined in 22 cord serum samples, 240 serum samples from newborns up to 7 days of life, and 18 samples from infants one month of age, approximately equally divided by sex. Normal values for HEX activity in the neonatal period are given for both sexes. Cord serum values showed no significant sex differences in T₄ levels, total HEX activity, and ratio of A:B isozymes. During the first week of life, highest levels of HEX activity (males: 1378 ± 337 U/ml; females: 1149 ± 178 U/ml; P < 0.01) occur between the first and second day, and coincide with peak serum T₄ levels (males: 15.5 ± 2.9 μg/dl; females: 18.3 ± 3.3 μg/dl; P < 0.025). Although serum HEX activities in males are significantly elevated above female values throughout the first 7 days of life, no sex difference is seen in the (A:B) isozyme ratio (males = 51%:49%; females = 52%:48%). Sera from male infants at one month of age have a mean HEX level of 1734 ± 306 U/ml, which is significantly greater than that at one week of life (1231 ± 190 U/ml) (P < 0.0005). The ratio of A:B, however, remains constant (51%:49% at 1 week; 53%:47% at 1 month). Females show less-pronounced changes in total HEX values between one week (966 ± 155 U/ml) and one month (1174 ± 163 U/ml) (P < 0.005), but exhibit a marked alteration in the (A:B) isozyme ratio (52%:48% at 1 week to 61%:39% at 1 month, P < 0.0005). The percentage of HEX A in females at one month thus approaches prepubertal and adult values. The observed sex differences in HEX activity during the first month of life suggest that not only T₄ but other sex-and/or developmentally related factors as well influence total HEX activity by specific regulation of its isozymes.     

Zur GC Analyse und zu chemischen Typen von Kamillenöl

GLC Analysis and Chemical Types of Chamomile Essential Oil Using the silicone phase QF-1 the best separation so far of the chamomile essential oil components, especially α-bisabolol and α-bisabolone oxide A, was carried out. Bisabolone oxide A¹ occurs in the majority of chamomile essential oils and it represents the dominant substance in the essential oil of Bulgarian origin. A high content of α-bisabolol was also found in the essential oil of Spanish origin.     

Direct PCR detection of Burkholderia cepacia complex and identification of its genomovars by using sputum as source of DNA

We developed a nested PCR assay that detects the recA gene of the Burkholderia cepacia complex in sputum. The product of the first PCR round is also used to identify the genomovar of the pathogen. The protocol achieves high sensitivity and specificity with simple interpretation of genomovar status.     

The role of calcium in parenchymal cell injury in subarachnoid haemorrhage

Experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage and intraparenchymal haematoma were produced in 20 cats serving as a model for parenchymal cell injury in patients with head trauma. There was a typical and constant cellular membrane dysfunction characterized by K⁺ outflux and Ca²⁺ influx. It appears that both of these events have a major influence on subsequent development of cellular dysfunction, anatomically characterized as cellular swelling. In addition, the calcium influx appears to have a specific role in the cell membrane destruction process by initiating an autolytic destruction of cell membranes. This mechanism may be crucial in the development of secondary irreversible injuries in cells destabilized, but not completely destroyedat the time of the initial trauma.