The lack of influence of normobaric oxygen on the generalized Shwartzman reaction in the rabbit

The influence of breathing oxygen on the generalized Shwartzman reaction in the rabbit was studied. We did not observe any effect of oxygen in the results of the ethanol gelation test, on the fibrinogen level in plasma nor on the fibrinolytic activity in euglobulins and in the renal cortex and outer medulla. The endotoxin-induced intraglomerular fibrin deposition was also unchanged in oxygen-breathing rabbits. It is concluded that the mechanism of the generalized Shwartzman reaction is unaffected by breathing normobaric oxygen.     

Enhanced P53 and BAX gene expression and apoptosis in A549 cells by cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone in comparison with cis-DDP

Lung cancer remains one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Approximately 80% is histologically non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and in about 70% of patients it is an unresectable type. Clinical studies indicated that application of platinum derivatives caused good results and combinations of platinum with other agents could improve median survivals. In view of the central problem of sufficient efficiency of drugs in chemotherapy, efforts have focused on the development of alternative platinum-based analogues that can be more effective in cancer treatment. cis-bis(3-aminoflavone)dichloroplatinum(II) (cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone) represents a novel class of platinum-based potential antitumour agents. In order to evaluate the degree of apoptosis, acridine orange/ethidium bromide and Hoechst 33258/propidum iodide double staining as well as RT-PCR (P53 and BAX expression evaluation) were used in lung cancer cell line A549 after treatment with this compound in comparison with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP). Apoptotic cells at early and late stages and also necrotic ones were observed after usage of cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone and the percentage of these cells outnumbered the values obtained after cis-DDP application. The former compound induced a higher percentage of P53 and BAX expression in A549 cells in comparison with the latter one. Results indicate the beneficial properties of cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone as a potential antitumor drug.     

Human trichinellosis in Poland in 2003

The total number of 40 cases of human trichinellosis was reported in Poland in 2003. Out of 40 cases 33 were notified from 6 outbreaks. In each outbreak the boar meat was the source of infections. The presence of Trichinella endemic areas in the north, central and east part of the country still determines the necessity of careful meat survey on Trichinella sp.     

Preventive action of green tea from changes in the liver antioxidant abilities of different aged rats intoxicated with ethanol

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the influence of green tea as a source of water-soluble antioxidants on the liver antioxidant potential of different aged rats chronically intoxicated with ethanol. METHODS: Rats (2, 12, and 24 mo old) were fed for 5 wk on a control or an ethanol Lieber-DeCarli diet with and without green tea (7 g/L). The activity and level of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and the level of markers of protein and lipid oxidation in the liver of rats were examined. RESULTS: The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and levels of vitamins C, E, A, and beta-carotene were significantly decreased, whereas activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase and the level of reduced glutathione significantly increased during aging. The ethanol diet caused a significant decrease in activity of antioxidant enzymes and in the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants tested. Administration of green tea to ethanol-treated rats of different ages partly normalized the activity of enzymes and the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants. Changes in antioxidant ability observed during aging were accompanied by increased levels of markers of lipid and protein modifications that also were intensified by ethanol. Green tea caused a decrease in lipid and protein oxidation in aged and ethanol-treated rats. The protective effect of green tea was confirmed by the significantly lower activity of biomarkers of liver damage (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases) in the serum of rats that received green tea with ethanol compared with rats from the control ethanol group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of green tea appears to be beneficial to rat liver by decreasing oxidative stress caused by ethanol and/or aging.     

Atrial septal defect in adults: echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity associated with hemodynamics before and after surgical closure

The study aimed to evaluate pre and postoperative echocardiographic data and exercise capacity in relation to age and hemodynamics in adults with atrial septal defect (ASD). Fifty-two subjects with ASD (mean age: 38.6+/-15 years) were enrolled. Echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test were performed before and a year after surgery. Pre and postoperative data were analyzed for the entire group and then compared in terms of age: <40 and >or=40 years, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP): 30 mmHg and pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs): <2.5 and >or=2.5. After surgery right ventricle dimension decreased in all patients, although it remained significantly larger in patients over 40 years. There was a negative correlation between peak oxygen uptake and preoperative RVSP (r=-0.69, P<0.001). Exercise capacity improved irrespective of the age at surgery, preoperative RVSP and Qp/Qs, although it failed to normalize in patients with RVSP >30 mmHg. Adults with ASD benefit from surgical closure irrespective of the actual age at surgery. Patient's age at surgery and pulmonary hypertension crucially impact the results of surgical intervention. Early defect correction is therefore highly recommendable, specifically with a view to preventing the hemodynamic consequences of ASD.     

Lymphocyte subpopulations in the surface secretion on the adenoid

The significance and protective efficacy of surface secretions on mucosal membranes in the upper airways are well recognized. The aim of our study was to reveal the role of the adenoids as a source of cellular components in the mucosal secretion. The adenoid removed because of its hypertrophy and the samples of surface secretions taken by "imprint method" described by Ebenfelt et al. from the group of 38 children were examined. By flow cytometry the lymphocyte subsets with following antigens: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD23, CD16+56, CD45RA, CD45RO, HLA-DR were analyzed. The results were compared between the groups of younger and older children and in the group of concomitant otitis media with effusion (OMS) and pure adenoid hypertrophy. The percentage of lymphocyte subsets in adenoid and secretion were similar, except for lymphocytes Th with memory phenotype which were more numerous in the adenoid and lymphocytes B CD23+ which were more numerous in the secretion. In the adenoid the percentage of T and Th lymphocytes increased with age and the percentage of B lymphocytes decreased. In the secretion the percentage of lymphocytes Th and B CD23+ was higher among older children. In cases of otitis media with effusion higher percentage of lymphocytes B (CD19+ and CD19+CD23+) and lower of lymphocytes Ts and Th with naive phenotype were observed in the secretion. In adenoid however lower percentage of lymphocytes B and higher of lymphocytes Ts was observed in cases of OMS.     

Infantile mitochondrial leucodystrophy - a case report

We retrospectively analyzed a case of a 7-month-old infant with a delay of psychomotor development, slow pupillary light reflexes, horizontal nystagmus, spasticity and bilateral optic nerve atrophy. At the end of life there were problems with swallowing. Ventriculography showed widening of the lateral ventricles and atrophy in the frontal lobes. EEG revealed generalized changes. Clinically, leucodystrophy was diagnosed. General autopsy revealed cardiac hypertrophy. Neuropathological picture showed orthochromatic leucodystrophy with some features characteristic of neuropathology of mitochondrial disease: capillary hyperplasia and hypertrophy, spongiosis and symmetrical, bilateral damage of brain stem structures. The last one is characteristic of Leigh syndrome. Electron microscopic evaluation showed abnormal mitochondria, myelin and neurofibrils destruction. Hypertrophy of the heart may be also connected with mitochondrial disease.