Anxiolytic-like effects of preferential dopamine D3 receptor agonists in an animal model

The aim of the present study was to examine a potential anxiolytic-like action of (+)-7-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (7-OH-DPAT), a preferential dopamine D(3) receptor agonist, and (N-[4-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butyl]-2-naphthylcarboxamide (BP 897), partial dopamine D(3) receptor agonist. Diazepam was used as a reference compound. The anxiolytic-like effect of those drugs was tested in the conflict drinking test (Vogel test) in male Wistar rats. The obtained results showed that 7-OH-DPAT and BP 897 (like diazepam) induced anxiolytic-like effects in the conflict drinking test. 7-OH-DPAT (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg), BP 897 (0.5 mg/kg) and diazepam (5 and 10 mg/kg), tested at the effective doses in an animal model, did not affect motor coordination but produced significant reduction in exploratory activity in the open field test. These data suggest that preferential dopamine D(3) agonists may play a role in the therapy of anxiety, however, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of these actions.     

The influence of split doses of gamma-radiation on human erythrocytes

Human erythrocyte suspensions in an isotonic Na-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, of hematocrit of 2% were exposed under air to gamma radiation at a dose rate of 2.2 kGy. Erythrocytes were irradiated with single doses, and identical doses split into two fractions with an interval time of 3.5 h between following exposures. The obtained results indicated that the irradiation of enucleated human erythrocytes with split doses caused a reduction of hemolysis (2.4 times), a decrease in the level of damage to membrane lipids and the contents of MetHb, compared with identical single doses. However, the splitting of radiation doses did not change the level of damage to the membrane proteins, as was estimated with a maleimide spin label. The obtained results suggest that a decrease in the level of damage to lipids was related to a decrease in hemolysis.     

Use of chitosan in medicine and biomedical engineering

Applicability of different forms of chitosan in medicine and biomedical engineering has been discussed on the basis of a literature survey. Attention was paid to the use of chitosan as a drug carrier and as a pharmacological agent in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Suitability of the polymer was proved in the process of blood purification (LDL-apheresis, haemoperfusion, dialysis) and wound healing (dressings). A possibility of using it in biohybrid artificial organs and as athrombogenic surfaces was also mentioned.     

Preliminary results of objective audiological assessment of children with hearing impairment selected in neonatal hearing screening

The aim of the paper was to present the results of the objective audiological assessment of 48 babies and infants at the age of 1-16 months, referred the Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology in Poznań (Poland) from January 2001 to July 2002. The children were selected in neonatal hearing screening, based on the OAE, questionnaire of hearing loss with high risk factors. We discuss high percentage of false positive results of OAE, late referrals for hearing screening, difficulties of follow-up.     

The competence of physical education teachers in the health education program

The Minister of National Education introduces relevant changes into the content and aims of health education in virtue of the resolution of 23 December 2008 that relates to the essential curricula of pre-school and general education in particular types of schools. Special responsibility for the realization of the health education programme in schools rests, according to the content of the above mentioned document, with the teachers of physical education. Placing physical education teachers in the role of the leading executor of the health education aims in schools induces a reflection on the degree of the teachers'preparation to fulfill such a role. In order to carry out such evaluation it is essential to determine more accurately the scope of competences, which are requisite of an efficient realization of health education in conditions appropriate to school physical education. In the study we work on the characteristics of the subject competences and of the pedagogical competences of the physical education teacher, which are indispensable in the effective realization of the health education programme. As far as the first competences we focus on the knowledge and didactic and organizational skills which a physical education teacher should possess, and as far as the second competences we discuss five categories of competences: moral, praxiological, communicational, creative and informative.     

Effects of the CDC2 gene on adaptive mutation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have studied the influence of a temperature-sensitive cdc2-1 mutation in DNA polymerase on the selection-induced mutation occurring at the LYS-2 locus in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It was found that in cells plated on synthetic complete medium lacking only lysine, the numbers of Lys⁺ revertant colonies accumulated in a time-dependent manner in the absence of any detectable increase in cell number. When cdc2-1 mutant cells, after selective plating, were incubated at the restrictive temperature of 37°C for 5 h daily for 7 days, the frequency of an adaptive reversion of lys ^- Lys⁺ was significantly higher than the frequency in cells incubated only at the permissive temperature, or in wild-type cells incubated either at 23°C or 37°C. Therefore, when the proof-reading activity of DNA polymerase is impaired under restrictive conditions, the frequency of adaptive mutations is markedly enhanced.     

Choroidal detachment--pathogenesis, etiology and clinical features

Serous choroidal detachment is characterized by exudative detachment of the retina and choroid following leakage of fluid from the choriocapillaris into suprachoroidal space. This accumulation of fluid has been known to be a complication of various intraocular surgeries (cataract, glaucoma and retinal detachment surgery), where hypotony is combined with postoperative inflammation. Among other non surgical conditions associated with uveal effusion are idiopathic (uveal effusion syndrome, microphthalmia) and inflammatory diseases (scleritis, sympathic ophthalmia, pars planitis, Harada's disease). Idiopathic serous detachment of choroids is caused by scleral abnormalities associated with hypoplasia or partial absence of the vortex venous system. The most cases of postoperative choroidal detachment resolve spontaneously. Resolution is usually associated with rapid normalization of the intraocular pressure and reduction of intraocular inflammation. The natural course of idiopathic condition is variable but tends to be prolonged with remissions and exacerbations. Surgical management involving vortex vein decompression and/or sclerotomy is the most effective treatment in this patients.     

Evaluation of selected serum protein markers as early detectors of ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: an attempt to determine the value of the simultaneous quantization of osteopontin (OPN), insulin-growth factor II (IGF II), leptin, prolactin and CA 125 for early detection of ovarian cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 69 women including: 15 females with ovarian cancer; 33 females with benign ovarian neoplasm; 21 disease-free females; The levels of IGF II, prolactin, leptin and CA 125 were determined in serum, while the level of OPN was checked in plasma. RESULTS: The concentrations of IGF II, leptin and prolactin do not let us distinguish among disease-free females, females with ovarian cancer and those with benign ovarian neoplasms on the basis of biochemical markers. The comparison of OPN and CA 125 levels showed significant differences in the concentrations of the biomarkers between disease-free females and females with ovarian cancer, as well as between females with benign ovarian neoplasms and females with ovarian cancer. The ROC curves for two groups: disease-free females and females with ovarian cancer, proved the diagnostic value of OPN and CA 125. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneous quantization of OPN, IGF II leptin and prolactin has not been proved useful for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Statistically significant increase of OPN & CA 125 levels was noted in case of women with ovarian cancer diagnosed through microscopic examination. The analysis of ROC curves showed comparable diagnostic usefulness of both markers. Quantization of OPN may have an additional value for treatment monitoring of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer but with concentration of CA 125 within the reference value.