Lowered DNA methyltransferase (DNMT-3b) mRNA expression is associated with genomic DNA hypermethylation in patients with chronic alcoholism.

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are involved within the epigenetic control of DNA methylation processes. Recently, it has been shown that the genomic DNA methylation in patients with alcoholism is increased. In the present controlled study we observed a significant decrease of mRNA expression of DNMT-3a and DNMT-3b when comparing alcoholic patients (n = 59) with healthy controls (n = 66): DNMT-3a (t = -2.38, p = 0.019), DNMT-3b (t = -2.65, p = 0.008). No significant differences were seen for DNMT-1 and Mbd-2 (Methyl-CpG-Binding-Domain protein 2) expression. Additionally, we observed a significant negative correlation between DNMT-3b expression and the blood alcohol concentration (r = -0.45, p = 0.003) which might explain the decrease of DNMT-3b mRNA expression in alcoholic patients. Using a multivariate model we observed that the increase (10%) of genomic DNA methylation in patients with alcoholism was significantly associated with their lowered DNMT-3b mRNA expression (multiple linear regression, p = 0.014). Since methylation of DNA is an important epigenetic factor in regulation of gene expression these findings may have important implications for a possible subsequent derangement of epigenetic control in these patients.

Homocysteine plasma levels are elevated in females with anorexia nervosa.

In the present pilot study significantly (T = 2.46, P = 0.018) higher levels of homocysteine were found in female anorectic patients (14.07, SD 7.3 micromol/l; n = 18) when compared with bulimic patients (10.25, SD 2.82; n = 27) or healthy controls (8.10, SD 1.79; n = 25). Since homocysteine can induce neuronal cell death leading to brain atrophy in different diseases and since it has been linked to depressive disorders these findings may have important implications for understanding common symptoms in patients suffering from anorexia.

[Contrast echocardiography in children]. / Echokardiografia kontrastowa u dzieci.

The purpose of this study was to present the use of contrast echocardiography in congenital heart disease such as atrial septum defect or in complex congenital heart disease for the identification of valve atresia. In spite of better and better methods of heart structure imaging with high resolution picture and the flow direction with the help of colour-Doppler the contrast echocardiography is a very useful method for the identification of pathological intracardiac flows. The analysis of contrast flow with the use of freeze frame allows the recognition of valve atresia accompanied by backwards inflow into the vessel.

[Reproduction problems in women with cardiovascular diseases]. / Problemy prokreacyjne u kobiet z patologia ukladu krazenia.

53 female patients who informed the obstetrician about their cardiological problems were examined. In 44 cases the heart defects were diagnosed, in 39 cases of the congenital origin. In 20 patients the shunt congenital heart disease were recognized, in 13 cases the valvular defects, in 6--Fallot Syndrome and in the single cases tricuspid atresia, pulmonary atresia, Ebstein anomaly were observed. The next 9 patients were diagnosed as: in 4 cases hyperthrophy cardiomyopathy, in 2 cases the post myocarditis status, in 2 cases complete atrioventricular block and in 1 case WPW syndrome. The analysed women were pregnancy together 98 times, finished the delivery in 86 times. The physiological delivery were observed in 53 cases. 3 neonates died in the first day of live, 6 children were born prematured. Among 83 newborns who alived 7 required intensive care. The congenital heart diseases was diagnosed in 4 children--the atrial septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, coarctation of the aorta and mitral valve malformation were seen. Two children of the mothers with hyperthrophy cardiomyopathy have the same cardiological problems. The child of mother with congenital aortic stenosis suffered from the anal atresia and agenesis of the kidney.

[The closure of persistent ductus arteriosus using coils in a child with Wilm's tumor]. / Zamkniecie droznego przewodu tetniczego za pomoca sprezynki wewnatrznaczyniowej u dziecka z guzem Wilmsa.

In Pediatric Institute of Medical University of Gdansk in all children with neoplasmatic diseases the echo examination is performed, due to exclude coexisting abnormalities of cardiovascular system. During this kind of procedure in 4.5-year-old girl with Wilms tumour the persistent ductus arteriosus was described. Because of the chemotherapy design and its potential cardiotoxicity the closure of PDA using coils was performed immediately. The successful closure of PDA gave the chance to apply the whole therapeutic protocol.

[Recanalization of the ductus arteriosus in a child with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]. / Rekanalizacja przewodu tetniczego u dziecka z non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Dissertation describes the case of 7.5-year-old boy with recanalization of the ductus arteriosus. In this patient treated because of the non-Hodgkin lymphoma during the chemotherapy the respiratory failure occurred and mechanical ventilation was required. After the respiratorotherapy in the controlled echocardiography examination the patency of previously closed ductus arteriosus, was described. There was no description of the similar case in available references.