Human X-chromosomal lineages in Europe reveal Middle Eastern and Asiatic contacts

Within Europe, classical genetic markers, nuclear autosomal and Y-chromosome DNA polymorphisms display an east-west frequency gradient. This has been taken as evidence for the westward migration of Neolithic farmers from the Middle East. In contrast, most studies of mtDNA variation in Europe and the Middle East have not revealed clinal distributions. Here we report an analysis of dys44 haplotypes, consisting of 35 polymorphisms on an 8 kb segment of the dystrophin gene on Xp21, in a sample of 1203 Eurasian chromosomes. Our results do not show a significant genetic structure in Europe, though when Middle Eastern samples are included a very low but significant genetic structure, rooted in Middle Eastern heterogeneity, is observed. This structure was not correlated to either geography or language, indicating that neither of these factors are a barrier to gene flow within Europe and/or the Middle East. Spatial autocorrelation analysis did not show clinal variation from the Middle East to Europe, though an underlying and ancient east-west cline across the Eurasian continent was detected. Clines provide a strong signal of ancient major population migration(s), and we suggest that the observed cline likely resulted from an ancient, bifurcating migration out of Africa that influenced the colonizing of Europe, Asia and the Americas. Our study reveals that, in addition to settlements from the Near East, Europe has been influenced by other major population movements, such as expansion(s) from Asia, as well as by recent gene flow from within Europe and the Middle East.     

MR properties of excised neural tissue following experimentally induced demyelination

Changes in the magnetic resonance (MR) parameters of demyelinated neural tissue were measured in vitro using an experimental animal model. A tellurium (Te) diet was applied to weanling rats to induce the demyelination process in the sciatic nerve. The quantitative MR parameters, such as T(1), T(2) relaxation time constants and magnetization transfer (MT) were measured each day after applying the Te diet (up to 7 days) and were found to be substantially different from those of normal nerves. An increase in the average T(1) and T(2) was observed along with a decrease in the MT ratio (MTR) and the quantitative MT parameter M(0B), which describes the semisolid pool of protons. Most of the MR parameters correlated very well with the myelin fraction of neural tissue evaluated by quantitative histopathology. The T(2) relaxation spectrum provided the most efficient quantitative assessment of changes in neural tissue microstructure and its analysis resulted in a powerful tool to distinguish the processes of demyelination and inflammation. In comparison, the MT measurements were less successful.     

Comparison of leukocyte populations from bronchoalveolar lavage and induced sputum in the evaluation of cellular composition and nitric oxide production in patients with bronchial asthma

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or induced sputum (IS) techniques may provide leukocytes for the evaluation of airway inflammatory response in bronchial asthma. The aim of the present study was to compare features of leukocyte populations obtained by the two different methods regarding the cell types and their activity in patients with bronchial asthma. The nitric oxide (NO) level released from the cells was measured as a marker of their activity. Pulmonary leukocytes were obtained from the BAL and IS of 11 asthmatic patients in stable condition at the time of the study. The BAL and IS leukocyte populations varied in cell count and NO production. Macrophages were the predominant leukocyte population in BAL (median (Me) = 83.0%, range 67.9-88.4%), whereas sputum sediments were found to consist mainly of neutrophils (Me = 55.7%, range 29.0-64.9%). The IS leukocytes released much more NO (p = 0.0022) than the BAL leukocytes. In spite of these quantitative differences, a similar pattern of NO production was observed in BAL and in IS cells. Both BAL and IS leukocyte populations produced almost the same amounts of NO before and after lipopolysaccharide stimulation (p = 0.9063, p = 0.4801, respectively). Furthermore, a slight positive correlation Spearman's rank (RS) = 0.5578, p = 0.0594) was noticed between the neutrophil percentages and NO levels produced by BAL cells, whereas in IS a statistically significant correlation between the percentage of neutrophils and the levels of NO (RS = 0.6643, p = 0.0184) was observed. In conclusion, the BAL and IS leukocyte populations are different in cell type, their size and activity. Depending on the asthma severity and the type of cells needed in a study, either BAL or IS specimens may be chosen as a source of pulmonary leukocytes. The use of IS as a noninvasive technique is supposed to be potential value particularly in the study of the airway inflammatory response mediated mainly by neutrophils, i.e. during and/or after exacerbation of the disease. Based on our results, a possible contribution of neutrophils in the production of NO in the airways of asthmatic patients can be proposed apart from other cells such as macrophages.     

Dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline changes in the striatum of C57BL mice following myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 and complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) administration.

Many data suggest involvement of inflammation in neurodegeneration. However, the exact mechanisms of this cooperation are poorly understood. We have previously shown that induction of inflammatory reaction, both before and after injury of the striatum, affects regeneration of dopaminergic neurons. In the present research we studied the role of inflammatory reaction in non-injured striatum. We used myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to elicit experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model. As determined by HPLC, striatal dopamine (DA) and serotonin levels in mice treated with either MOG 35-55 in CFA or CFA alone were significantly higher compared to vehicle-treated controls on 13th day after induction. The ratio of homovanilic acid/dopamine (HVA/DA) and 3, 4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/dopamine (DOPAC/DA) were significantly lower in the MOG and CFA groups on 13th day, indicating decreased DA metabolism. Noradrenaline (NA) concentration did not differ between groups. Moreover, the striatal mRNA IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were elevated during induction phase of EAE in both groups, as determined by RT-PCR. Our data indicate regulatory connection between dopaminergic and immune systems.     

Oxidative modification of type II collagen differentially affects its arthritogenic and tolerogenic capacity in experimental arthritis

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative modification of proteins affects their biological properties. Previously we have shown that hypochlorite (HOCl), the product of activated neutrophils, enhances protein immunogenecity. Collagen type II, a primary component of cartilage, is commonly used in the induction of arthritis in animals (CIA). The aim of this study was to examine whether HOCl may affect immunogenic, tolerogenic, and arthritogenic properties of collagen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DBA/J mice were injected with either native (CNAT) or chlorinated collagen (CHOCl) to induce arthritis. The effect of chlorination on collagen properties was measured by evaluation of incidence and severity of CIA. Moreover, the concentration of serum anti-collagen IgG antibodies and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in inflamed joints was determined. RESULTS: Mice immunized with CNAT in adjuvant developed arthritis (CIA) with an incidence of 69%. CNAT also exerted tolerogenic properties when injected intravenously either before or shortly after primary immunization, resulting in decreased incidence and severity of CIA, reduced MPO activity in inflamed joints, and lowered serum levels of anti-CNAT IgG anti-bodies. Chlorination of collagen significantly diminished its ability to induce CIA and to trigger generation of anti-CNAT IgG antibodies. Interestingly, chlorination did not affect tolerogenic properties of collagen administered prior to primary immunization with CNAT. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that chlorination of collagen may selectively affect functional epitopes of collagen. It is likely that in inflamed joints, neutrophil derived HOCl, in some circumstances, will destroy arthritogenic and immunogenic B cell epitopes, while regulatory T cell epitopes will be preserved.     

Genetic and biochemical background of chronic granulomatous disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited immunodeficiency syndrome caused by a profound defect in the oxygen metabolic burst machinery. Activity of NADPH oxidase is absent or profoundly diminished, as at least one of its components (gp91(phox), p22(phox), p47(phox) and p67(phox)) is lacking or non-functional. This review explains the molecular basis of NADPH oxidase dysfunction by the effects of mutations in genes coding for particular oxidase components. Among the four types of CGD, the most common is X-linked CGD (approximately 65%), with defects in the CYBB gene encoding gp91(phox). A wide spectrum of mutations has been described in the CYBB gene with no predominant genotype. The second most common subtype of CGD caused by NCF1 mutation accounts for 30% of CGD patients and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, with predominance of a homozygotous deltaGT deletion in the genotype. The other two CGD subtypes having an autosomal recessive pattern together account for no more than 10% of CGD cases. A strategy for the molecular diagnostics in CGD patients is proposed and principles of genetic counseling are discussed here.     

The cGMP synthesis and PKG1 expression in murine lymphoid organs

Numerous reports indicate that cyclic 3',5' guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is involved in the regulation of immune processes. However, the mechanisms responsible for the synthesis of this nucleotide and its signaling pathways in immune cells are still not well recognized. The aim of our studies was to establish: 1) which form of guanylyl cyclase (GC) synthesizes cGMP in murine lymphoid organs and 2) whether the same organs express the isoforms PKG1alpha and/or PKG1beta of protein kinase G, known as possible target for synthesized cGMP. Cells isolated from thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen were treated with activators (SNP, ANP, CNP, STa) of soluble or particulate cyclases. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) elevated intracellular cGMP 2-fold in thymic and lymph node cells and about 10-fold in spleen cells. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) caused modest but statistically significant increases of cGMP in cells of all three organs. Additionally, spleen cells elevated their cGMP content about 2-fold in response to C-type natriuretic protein (CNP). In cellular homogenates of the all analyzed organs, the antibody anti-PKG1beta stained the 78 kDa band corresponding to the molecular mass of PKG1. Only homogenates of spleen cells were stained by the antibody recognizing PKG1alpha. Our results indicate that in the investigated organs cGMP may be synthesized mainly by soluble GC in response to nitric oxide. The modest increase of cGMP upon stimulation by ANP suggests that in all these organs either exists only a small subpopulation of cells that express particulate cyclase GC-A or GC-A is expressed at very low level. In spleen cells, however, cyclase GC-B appears to be the more active enzyme. Elevated cGMP concentration may in turn activate PKG1beta in thymus, lymph node, and spleen cells and also PKG1alpha in spleen cells.     

Identification of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in Poland by multilocus sequence typing

Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of 35 isolates of multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae recovered in Poland during 1995-1996 distinguished 10 different sequence types (ST). The majority of the isolates were assigned to two Polish clones of serotypes 6B and 23F, although the international clones, Spain23F-1 and Spain9V-3, were also identified. Similar results were obtained using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), providing a direct comparison of these two typing methods.     

The relationship between exposure duration,carboxyhemoglobin, blood glucose,pyruvate and lactate and the severity of intoxication in 39 cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning in man

The relationship between exposure duration, COHb, blood glucose, pyruvate and lactate and the severity of intoxication was investigated in a group of 39 cases of acute CO poisoning treated in the Clinical Toxicology Center in ód, Poland.On the basis of clinical criteria the patients were classified into cases of mild, moderate, severe and very severe CO poisoning. COHb and carbohydrate metabolites were estimated in venous blood taken immediately after admission of the patient to hospital prior to treatment.The severity of intoxication did not correlate with blood COHb; variation in exposure duration seems to be responsible for this phenomenon. Severe and very severe poisonings were associated with longer exposures and were accompanied by a markedly higher blood lactate level, compared to mild and moderate cases. Blood pyruvate depended less than lactate on the severity of intoxication. Blood glucose depended neither on exposure duration nor on the severity of intoxication.Among the carbohydrate metabolic parameters studied, blood lactate determination can be helpful in the evaluation of the severity of CO poisoning in man.     

Does Drinking Coffee and Tea Affect Bone Metabolism in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

Patients suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are at higher risk of osteoporosis due to lower bone mineral density. Risk factors of osteoporosis are divided into unmodifiable, namely, age, gender, genetic factors, as well as modifiable, including diet, level of physical activity, and the use of stimulants. Coffee and tea contain numerous compounds affecting bone metabolism. Certain substances such as antioxidants may protect bones; other substances may increase bone resorption. Nevertheless, the influence of coffee and tea on the development and course of inflammatory bowel diseases is contradictory.