Subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood and lymphocytes reactivity to non-specific mitogens (PHA, Con A, PWM) in in vitro cultures in patients suffering from in vitro cultures in patients suffering from glomerulonephritis.

Studies were performed on 79 subjects, out of which 32 belonged to the control group and 47 suffered from glomerulonephritis. The number of T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood was determined using the technique of E, EA and EAC-rosette tests. Also, the lymphocyte blast response to non-specific mitogens (PHA, Con A, PWM) was established in vitro. Patients suffering from acute proliferative glomerulonephritis, as compared to the control group, displayed a statistically significant increase of lymphocytes with the receptor for complement (EAC-rosettes). Their reactivity to all three mitogens did not differ from the values obtained in the control group. In patients suffering from chronic glomerulonephritis (proliferative, membranous-proliferative, membranous), shiftings in the contents of the peripheral blood lymphocytes pools were of opposite directions, i.e., statistically significant in comparison with the control group. Also an increase in the absolute number of T lymphocytes (E-rosettes) was observed. Generally speaking, the values of blast transformations after mitogen stimulations were smaller in patients suffering from chronic than in those suffering from acute glomerulonephritis. In 1/3 of them, the decrease of blast response to one of the three mitogens was detected. The decrease exceeded the lower limit of values of healthy subjects, and most often, it was connected with Con A stimulation.     

Cross-reactivity of TNP immune effector T cells that mediate contact hypersensitivity and inflammatory bowel disease in the mouse

BACKGROUND: Experiments were aimed to test the cross-reactivity of immune Th1 cells that mediate contact hypersensitivity (CHS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to TNP in the mouse. METHODS: CBA/J mice were immunized either epicutaneously or intrarectally with TNP and after appropriate time intervals were challenged with antigen in a crossed manner. The CHS reaction was measured by the ear swelling test. IBD was quantified by increase of colon weight and myeloperoxidase level. Both reactions were confirmed histologically. In passive-transfer experiments, mesenteric lymph node cells of animals sensitized intrarectally and peripheral lymph node and spleen cells of mice immunized epicutaneously were used. In some experiments, before being immunized mice were made either unresponsive to the TNP hapten by induction of suppressor T cells, or resistant to suppression after induction of upregulatory T cells. RESULTS: Irrespective of the mode of sensitization upon appropriate challenge with antigen all mice developed a good CHS reaction as well as significant IBD. This cross-reactivity could be passively transferred by immune cells. In mice in which antigen-specific down- or upregulatory cells were induced before sensitization both CHS and IBD to TNP were modulated accordingly. CONCLUSION: TNP hapten deposited on skin or on mucosal surfaces induces effector cells that recognize antigen independent of its tissue localization, and produce a local inflammatory reaction. TNP-specific up- and downregulatory cells, shown before to regulate the CHS reaction, similarly modulate the generation and development of hapten-induced IBD.     

Numerical and Experimental Study of Five-Layer Non-Symmetrical Paperboard Panel Stiffness

This paper concerns the analysis of five-layer corrugated paperboard subjected to a four-point bending test. The segment of paperboard was tested to determine the bending stiffness. The investigations were conducted experimentally and numerically. The non-damaging tests of bending were carried out in an elastic range of samples. The detailed layers of paperboard were modelled as an orthotropic material. The simulation of flexure was based on a finite element method using Ansys^® software. Several material properties and thicknesses of papers in the samples were taken into account to analyse the influence on general stiffness. Two different discrete models based on two geometries of paperboard were considered in this study to validate the experimental stiffness. The present analysis shows the possibility of numerical modelling to achieve a good correlation with experimental results. Moreover, the results of numerical estimations indicate that modelling of the perfect structure gives a lower bending stiffness and some corrections of geometry should be implemented. The discrepancy in stiffness between both methods ranged from 3.04 to 32.88% depending on the analysed variant.     

Randomized study assessing the influence of supervised exercises on ankle joint mobility in patients with venous leg ulcerations

Introduction

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of a supervised programme of exercises on ankle joint mobility in patients with venous leg ulcerations.

Material and methods

The study was carried out between 2008 and 2009 at the Venous Ulcer Treatment Outpatient Clinic and Clinic of General and Vascular Surgery of the Dr Jan Biziel University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz. It was a randomized control study in which 32 patients with venous leg ulcerations were qualified. Patients with ulcerations were randomized to 2 groups – 16 patients were included in the group with a supervised programme of exercises and the other 16 patients were included in the control group performing physical exercises by themselves, without supervision. The ranges of ankle joint mobility were assessed before, during and after the end of the 9-week exercise programme. A 32 cm goniometer with a scale from 0° to 180° with accuracy to 1° was used for measurements.

Results

In both groups a substantial increase of ankle joint mobility (p < 0.05) was observed. The total ankle joint mobility after completion of the exercises was significantly higher in the group performing exercises under the supervision of a nurse. Having a significant effect on the mobility of the ankle were the ulceration area, the extent of lipodermatosclerosis, and the intensity of symptoms and signs of CVI (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Supervised physical exercises broaden the range of ankle joint mobility. They should constitute an integral part of a holistic model of care for patients with venous leg ulcerations.     

Inter‐relationships of the chronobiotic,melatonin, with leptin and adiponectin: implications for obesity

Obesity and its medical complications represent a significant problem throughout the world. In recent decades, mechanisms underlying the progression of obesity have been intensively examined. The involvement of both the behavioral aspects, such as calorie‐rich diet, low physical activity and sleep deprivation, and the intrinsic factors, including adipose tissue deregulation, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronodisruption, has been identified. The circadian disturbances of the adipose tissue endocrine function have been correlated with obesity. Leptin and adiponectin are adipokines strongly associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and with energy balance. Their synthesis and secretion display circadian rhythms that are disturbed in the obese state. Hyperleptinemia resulting in leptin resistance, and hypo‐adiponectinemia have been linked to the pathophysiology of the obesity‐related disorders. A deficiency of melatonin, one of the consequences of sleep deprivation, has also been demonstrated to correlate with obesity. Melatonin is a pineal secretory product involved in numerous actions, such as regulation of internal biological clocks and energy metabolism, and it functions as an antioxidant and as an anti‐inflammatory agent. There exists a substantial amount of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on obesity and its complications. In the current review, the results of studies related to the interactions between melatonin, and both leptin and adiponectin are discussed. Despite the existence of some inconsistencies, melatonin has been found to normalize the expression and secretion patterns of both adipokines. These results support the concept of melatonin as a potential therapeutic agent for obesity and related disorders.     

Effect of Graphene Addition on the Thermal and Persistent Luminescence Properties of Gd2.994Ce0.006Ga3Al2O12 and Gd2.964Ce0.006Dy0.03Ga3Al2O12 Ceramics

The gadolinium, gallium, aluminum garnet doped with cerium and co-doped with dysprosium ions were prepared using sol gel method. The SEM images show that after synthesis, the grains are below 100 nm. The powders were ultrasonically mixed with graphene nanoflakes and ceramics were prepared using the high pressure low temperature sintering technique. A series of the ceramics was prepared using different graphene content. The structure of the samples was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Raman techniques. The spectroscopic properties were checked using conventional and persistent luminescence spectra measurements. The thermoluminescence glow curves and fading time of persistent luminescence measurements were performed to check how the graphene presence affects the electron traps number and depth. It was found that the addition of graphene improved the thermal conductivity of co-doped samples. This resulted in faster release of deeper traps and an increase in fading of persistent luminescence. The possibility of releasing energy from deep traps without additional stimulation may allow the use in different applications, the matrices and luminescent ions, which so far did not show persistent luminescence at room temperature.     

Histamine H4 receptors in human placenta in diabetes-complicated pregnancy

Inflammation Research -     

Histamine H4 receptors on mammary epithelial cells of the human breast with different types of carcinoma

Inflammation Research - .     

Increase in deoxyribonuclease activity in uraemic lymphocytes is caused by the cleavage of the largest polymerase I subunit

Deoxyribonucleases and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activitiesin T and B lymphocytes isolated from patients with chronic renalfailure and control subjects were studied. The data clearlyshows that the nuclease activity in T and B cells isolated fromuraemic patients is remarkably enhanced when compared to thecontrol cells. Concomitant with the enhancement in enzyme activity,the reduction in RNA polymerase I activity and quantity wasobserved. It was found that the increase in nuclease activityand quantity was limited to the group of relatively small nucleaseswith molecular weights ranging from 14kDa to 18kDa. It has beenreported previously that these nucleases are among the cleavageproducts of the largest subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymeraseI. Thus we suggest that the depressed metabolic activity isa characteristic feature of the uraemic lymphocyte cells andthe observed increased in DNase activity in those cells is aresult of polymerase I degradation.