Blood transfusions and the development of cytotoxic antibodies in dialyzed patients

In our work we investigated factors which can influence the alloimmunization and especially the ranges of cytotoxic antibodies that develop in patients on dialysis awaiting their first graft. Up to 15 liters of administered blood the proportion of immunized patients is rather stabile, not exceeding 50%. After further transfusions the percentage of immunized patients is growing rapidly reaching about 85%. Hyperimmunization, marked by cytotoxic antibodies with more than 80% panel reactivity is significantly more frequent in patients who obtained 15 and more liters of blood. In females the hyperimmunization is about 4 times more frequent than in males.     

Prevalence and estimated incidence of Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women in Poland: a decreasing trend in the younger population

This study investigated the prevalence of specific Toxoplasma gondii IgG in pregnancy, the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis and the prevalence trend of T. gondii infection among pregnant Polish women between 1998 and 2003. The study population comprised 4916 women who were admitted to the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute in Łódź. Their sera were tested for specific IgG and IgM antibodies to T. gondii, and the incidence of T. gondii infection was calculated from the increase in prevalence rates of IgG antibodies in various age groups. Specific IgG antibody was found in 41.3% (95% CI 39.9–42.7) of pregnant women, and the prevalence of IgG increased with age. The linear trend was significant (p <0.001), with an annual seroconversion rate of 0.7% (95% CI 0.004–0.010). The risk of primary infection was estimated to be 0.5% for 9 months, i.e., an incidence of 5/1000 pregnancies. Assuming a 30% maternofetal transmission rate, 1.5/1000 neonates were infected in utero. Seroprevalence during the 6-year study period decreased from 45.4% in 1998 to 39.4% in 2003, with a yearly decline in prevalence of 1.0% (p 0.02). The most important contributory factor to this decline was the group of women aged 19–29 years, among whom seroprevalence decreased significantly (p 0.007). Specific IgM was found in 244 (4.9%) women.     

Fibroblasts from recurrent fibrotic overgrowths reveal high rate of proliferation in vitro - findings from the study of hereditary and idiopathic gingival fibromatosis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Investigate the content of fibrotic fibrils in gingival tissue and the proliferation of fibroblasts collected from recurrent and non-recurrent hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and idiopathic gingival fibromatosis (IGF).

Methods: Gingival biopsies were collected from HGF (n = 3) and IGF (n = 3) donors with recurrent and non-recurrent gingival overgrowths and from a control group (Ctrl, n = 3). Hematoxylin staining was performed to evaluate the histomorphology of gingival tissue. Heidenhain’s AZAN trichrome staining served for visualization of fibrotic fibrils in gingiva. Quantitative analysis of the content of fibrotic fibrils in gingival tissue was performed using a polarized light microscope. Proliferation was evaluated at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h in fibroblast cultures using a cell proliferation ELISA assay based on 5-bromo-2?-deoxyuridine (BrdU).

Results: Numerous blood vessels and fibroblasts were observed in recurrent overgrowths, whereas moderate blood vessels and moderate to scanty fibroblasts were detected in non-recurrent overgrowths. Heidenhain’s staining revealed numerous collagen fibers in both recurrent and non-recurrent overgrowths. Quantitative analysis in a polarizing microscope showed significant accumulation of fibrotic fibrils exclusively in the overgrowths with the recurrence. In all time-points, increased proliferation of cells from all recurrent overgrowths was observed, but not from overgrowths which do not reoccur.

Conclusions: The study revealed that recurrent gingival overgrowths consist of highly fibrotic and dense connective tissue with numerous blood vessels and abundant fibroblasts. We also demonstrated that unlike fibroblasts derived from overgrowths, which did not present recurrence, fibroblasts derived from highly fibrotic and recurrent overgrowths maintain high rate of proliferation in vitro.     

Highly selective inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase by a novel melatonin–tacrine heterodimers

Novel inhibitors of cholinesterases, especially butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), were obtained by coupling melatonin–tacrine heterodimers via the carbamate bond. Compounds 14a‐i possessed potent cholinesterase inhibitory activity (with IC₅₀ values as low as 1.18 nm for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and 0.24 nm for butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE)). These heterodimers exhibit selectivity toward BuChE, being from 4‐ to 256‐fold more active toward BuChE than AChE, but still acting as better AChE inhibitors than tacrine 4 .     

Facing Antibiotic Resistance: Staphylococcus aureus Phages as a Medical Tool

Staphylococcus aureus is a common and often virulent pathogen in humans. This bacterium is widespread, being present on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. Staphylococcus aureus can cause infections with severe outcomes ranging from pustules to sepsis and death. The introduction of antibiotics led to a general belief that the problem of bacterial infections would be solved. Nonetheless, pathogens including staphylococci have evolved mechanisms of drug resistance. Among current attempts to address this problem, phage therapy offers a promising alternative to combat staphylococcal infections. Here, we present an overview of current knowledge on staphylococcal infections and bacteriophages able to kill Staphylococcus, including experimental studies and available data on their clinical use.     

Relationship between activity of hydrolases in fungi isolated from vagina of pregnant women and selected symptoms

Pregnancy is considered a factor of vulvovaginal mycosis. Secretion of hydrolases is an important determinant of Candida virulence. Thus, the aim of the study was to found the relationship between activity of 19 hydrolases in fungi isolated from vagina of pregnant women and symptoms of mycosis. 251 pregnant women were examined. Samples were collected from vagina and cultured on Sabouraud media. Activity of hydrolytic enzymes was evaluated using API ZYM (bioMerieux) test Fungi were found in 20.1% of vaginal samples. Symptoms were detected in 45.8% of women. Only 32.1% of women with discharge and 26.4% with pruritus had mycosis. Out of the 19 examined hydrolazes, 13 active enzymes were detected in fungal strains. We found for the first time the relationship between activity of fungal esterase lipase and the presence of vaginal discharge in pregnant women.     

LPS alters pattern of sickness behavior but does not affect glutathione level in aged male rats

Behavioral symptoms of sickness, such as fever and motor activity are a coordinated set of changes that develop during infection. The aim of study was to compare the sickness behaviour (SB) in healthy old and young rats treated with pyrogenic dose of endotoxin and to check their glutathione level. Before experimentation male Wistar rats were selected according to standard body mass, motor activity, and white blood cells count. Intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli was used to provoke SB. The level of liver glutathione, interleukin (IL) -6, deep body temperature (Tb) and motor activity were measured. Glutathione level in old and young rats did not differ significantly. In both young and old rats LPS administration provoked fever (the mean value of Tb was 38.06 ± 0.01 °C in old rats, and 38.19 ± 0.06 °C in young rats). LPS injection affected night-time activity in both groups (12 h averages were 1.56 ± 0.40 counts in old LPS-treated rats vs 2.74 ± 0.53 counts in not-treated old rats and 3.44 ± 0.60 counts for young LPS-treated vs 4.28 ± 0.57 counts for young not-treated rats). The injection of LPS provoked an elevation of plasma IL-6 concentration (from values below the lowest detectable standard in not-treated groups of animals to 6322.82 ± 537.00 pg/mL in old LPS-treated rats and 7415.62 ± 451.88 pg/mL in young LPS-treated rats). Based on these data, we conclude that good health of aged rats prevents decrease in the glutathione level. Old rats are still able to develop SB in response to pyrogenic dose of LPS, although its components have changed pattern compared to young animals.