Soluble adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, P-selectin in children with Helicobacter pylori infection

AIM: To assess the sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sP-selectin levels in children with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection and to evaluate their significance for the morphological changes found in gastric mucosa. METHODS: The study included 106 children: 59 children (55.7%) with chronic gastritis and positive IgG against H pylori, 29 children (27.3%) after previous H pylori infection without the bacterium colonization but with positive IgG against H pylori, and 18 children (17%) with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal system but with normal IgG against H pylori. Endoscopic and histopathological evaluation of gastric mucosa was performed based on the Sydney System classification. The evaluation of sP-selectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 levels in the sera of children was carried out using ELISA test. RESULTS: The assessment of gastritis activity degrees indicated statistically significant values in the antrum and corpus (P＜0.001) of children examined. Serum sVCAM-1 levels were higher in group with gastritis due to H pylori infection than in group without infection and differed statistically (P＜0.05). Serum sVCAM-1 levels proved to be the highest among other adhesive molecules in infected children and decreased after eradication of H pylori. Serum sICAM-1 levels were similar in all examined groups. Serum sP-selectin levels were similar in children with and without H pylori infection. CONCLUSION: Assessment of adhesive molecules (sP-selectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1) in the sera of children with active H pylori infection can show the participation of sVCAM-1 in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal inflammation. sP-selectin and sICAM-1 concentrations in the sera of children with H pylori infection after eradication cannot reveal any significant differences as compared to healthy children.     

Value of short exercise and short exercise with cooling tests in the diagnosis of myotonic dystrophies (DM1 AND DM2)

Introduction: Standard electromyography (EMG) is useful in the diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2), but it does not differentiate between them. The aim of this study was to estimate the utility of the short exercise test (SET) and short exercise test with cooling (SETC) in differentiating between DM1 and DM2. Methods: SET and SETC were performed in 32 patients with DM1 (mean age 35.8 ± 12.7 years) and 28 patients with DM2 (mean age 44.5 ± 12.5 years). Results: We observed a significant decline in compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitude in DM1 with both SET and SETC immediately after effort. In DM2, there was no marked change in CMAP amplitude with either SET or SETC. Conclusions: SET and SETC may serve as useful tools for clinical differentiation between DM1 and DM2, and they may be used as a guide for molecular testing. Muscle Nerve 49 : 277–283, 2014     

First survey of the occurrence of duck enteritis virus (DEV) in free-ranging Polish water birds

Duck plague (DP) caused by anatid herpesvirus 1, also called duck enteritis virus (DEV), presents one of the most important concerns in mass waterfowl production. Apart from geese and ducks, free-ranging water birds are the most notorious infection carriers. The epidemiology of DEV in Western Europe remains unknown. Therefore, it was reasonable to conduct a study on its occurrence using modern but simple real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Analysis of 132 field isolates showed the presence of DEV in 96 birds (72.7 %), and it was found predominantly in wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and mute swans (Cygnus olor). This virus was also found in graylag geese (Anser anser), tundra bean geese (Anser fabalis), and grey herons (Ardea cinerea). The results were recorded as green colour of positive samples, fluorescence under ultraviolet light, and florescent curves in a real-time PCR system. This study indicates the high prevalence of DEV among free-ranging water birds in Poland and the possible transmission to other birds settling in the water environment. This is the first report of DEV detection among free-ranging water birds in Poland.     

Elevated hemoglobin concentration in 3 children with HFE mutation

Aim

The aim of the study was to analyse the reason of elevated hemoglobin concentration in childhood.

Background

Elevated hemoglobin concentration is a rare abnormality during childhood. There are disorders of hereditary or acquired hyperproliferations of red cells or pseudo high hemoglobin conditions.

Materials and methods

We present 3 asymptomatic children in whom high hemoglobin concentration was diagnosed by a family doctor.

Results

Given that the iron concentration was elevated, genetic testing for HFE mutation was carried out.

Conclusion

Patients presented with HFE mutation might have an increased hemoglobin production.     

Early wheezing phenotypes and cognitive development of 3‐yr‐olds. Community‐recruited birth cohort study

Jedrychowski W, Perera FP, Jankowski J, Maugeri U, Mrozek‐Budzyn D, Mroz E, Flak E, Skarupa A, Edwards S, Lisowska‐Miszczyk I. Early wheezing phenotypes and cognitive development of 3‐yr‐olds. Community‐recruited birth cohort study.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 550–556.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S The main purpose of the study was to answer the question whether young children without clinical diagnosis of asthma but experiencing early wheezing disorders and therefore being at high risk of developing asthma may have cognitive deficits. In the ongoing birth cohort study wheezing symptoms were recorded postpartum over two first years of age and subsequently cognitive status of children at the age of 3 yr was assessed with the Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI). In the statistical analysis a wide range of modifying and confounding factors (maternal education, gender of children, prenatal exposure to lead and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were considered to assess the independent effect of early wheezing phenotypes on cognitive development of children. The MDI score correlated inversely with the number of wheezing days recorded over 24 months (r = ?0.13, p = 0.007), lead cord blood concentration (r = ?0.12, p = ?0.02), number of siblings (r = ?0.17, p = 0.0006) and the number of cigarettes smoked daily by other household members at home over the pregnancy period (r = ?0.18, p = 0.0002). While the children who experienced wheezing over the first year of age showed deficit of 2 MDI scores (beta coeff. = ?2.31, 95%CI: ?4.63 to 0.02), those with persistent wheezing had the score deficit of 4 points (beta coeff. = ?4.41, 95%CI: ?8.27 to ?0.55). To our knowledge, it is the first report in the iterature showing that early wheezing is associated the cognitive deficit in a community‐recruited very young children. Observed cognitive deficit in early wheezers may be caused by RSV infections or can be related to lower lung function attributed to persistent wheezing, which reducing oxygen supply would affect rapidly developing brain.     

Elektrowaffe Taser?

Taser? ECDs (electronic control devices) are battery powered, handheld devices, which deliver short high-voltage, low current energy pulses to stimulate motor neurons, causing transient paralysis. This article reports the results of a prospective, non-blinded study, where human volunteers were exposed to the Taser? X26 during a police training exercise. The objective of this study was to determine the immediate effects of the Taser? CEW (conducted electrical weapon) discharges on the heart with possible arrhythmia development and changes in blood parameters. Furthermore, this study gives an overview of the wide range of research works devoted to different subjects surrounding Taser? ECDs, produced by university scientific groups as well as by military and police research departments. The experiments, as well as the literature review showed no indications that Taser? X26 pulses could reach the threshold for causing immediate or delayed onset ventricular fibrillation or any other significant changes in the heart. Furthermore, no pathophysiological changes in blood parameters could be detected. Electronic control devices, such as the Taser? are a relatively safe, less than lethal alternative to the use of firearms.     

Sektionsdaten des Instituts f��r Rechtsmedizin der Universit?t M��nchen aus dem Jahr 2003

In 2003 a total of 2,352 deceased were admitted to the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University of Munich/Germany. Within the framework of several dissertations the applicability of the software WinLIMS.net was reappraised by a retrospective entry of epidemiological data and autopsy findings. These data are presented in this article and the comparison with data from the Federal Statistical Office is discussed. WinLIMS.net proved to be user-friendly software and enabled the user to easily collect statistical data. Some suggestions for improvements of the software are discussed.     

De novo minimal change disease associated with reversible post-transplant nephrotic syndrome. A report of five cases and review of literature

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is frequent in renal transplant recipients and may be related to a large variety of glomerular lesions. In some of these cases, the transplant biopsy showed no significant glomerular changes and the NS was reversible, but the primary renal disease was not minimal change disease (MCD), suggesting that MCD may develop de novo in renal transplant setting. Knowledge of this entity, however, is limited. Among 67 cases of post-transplant NS encountered in a 12-yr period, five were found to be associated with de novo MCD. A critical review of the literature revealed nine additional cases of de novo MCD. The data from these 14 cases show that patients with de novo MCD had a large variety of primary renal diseases but MCD or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was not among them. Eight of the 14 transplanted kidneys (60%) were from living related donors, suggesting this as a risk factor. Nephrotic range proteinuria (3-76 g/d) developed immediately or shortly after transplantation (within 4 months for all reported cases, except for one at 24 months). The serum creatinine when NS was first diagnosed was normal or mildly elevated, but acute renal failure occurred in three patients. On biopsy, the glomeruli were normal or, more frequently, displayed mild, focal segmental mesangial sclerosis, hypercellularity, deposition of IgM/C3, or accumulation of mononuclear inflammatory cells in some glomerular capillaries. The tubulointerstitial compartment was normal in cases with normal renal function; displayed mild acute and/or chronic rejection that correlated with a mildly elevated serum creatinine; or showed acute changes including acute rejection, acute tubular necrosis, or acute cyclosporin A toxicity, which accounted for both acute renal failure at presentation and its subsequent reversibility. Under various treatments, including increased steroids, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers, sustained remission of NS was achieved in 13 cases, within a year (0.5-12 months) in 10 and later (24, 34 and 98 months, respectively) in three. In the remaining case, the patient died of septic shock 2 months after transplantation. After remission of the NS, the grafts functioned well without or with minimal proteinuria for several years. De novo MCD has characteristic clinical and pathologic features. It represents an important but hitherto underemphasized cause of post-transplant NS, which is potentially reversible and does not adversely affect the renal transplants.     

The endothelin-1 level in blood serum of patients with primary open angle glaucoma abd its influence on the static perimetry abd Gdx changes

PURPOSE: The aim of the work was to define the relationships between the endothelin-1 level in blood serum of glaucoma patients concerning the visual field defects and the number of nerve fibers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 women and 14 men, aged 38-74 year (mean 53.4 year) with primary open angle glaucoma, without any systemic diseases. The control group consisted of 20 healthy women and men, aged 34-70 year (mean 52.6 year). The endothelin-1 level was tested with the enzymo-immunologic method from the blood serum. The visual field defects were examined with the Humphrey static perimetry. The nerve fibers were analyzed with the Gdx apparatus. RESULTS: Mean value of ET-1 in blood serum were similar in both examined groups, it was 0.51 in group of glaucoma patients and 0.54(fmol/l) in the control group. There were no significant correlations between ET-1 level, static perimetry, GDx parameters and age in the group of patients with POAG. The statistics significances were stated for ET-1 level and MD-parameter in static perimetry (p < 0.03) and ET-1 level with The Number--the GDx parameter (p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: There was no significant level of ET-1 in blood serum in group of patients with POAG. There have not been stated any relationships between the static perimetry and GDx changes in patients with POAG to endothelin-1 level in blood serum. It is the preliminary communication.