PAK-dependent STAT5 serine phosphorylation is required for BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis.

The transcription factor STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5) is frequently activated in hematological malignancies and represents an essential signaling node downstream of the BCR-ABL oncogene. STAT5 can be phosphorylated at three positions, on a tyrosine and on the two serines S725 and S779. We have investigated the importance of STAT5 serine phosphorylation for BCR-ABL-induced leukemogenesis. In cultured bone marrow cells, expression of a STAT5 mutant lacking the S725 and S779 phosphorylation sites (STAT5(SASA)) prohibits transformation and induces apoptosis. Accordingly, STAT5(SASA) BCR-ABL(+) cells display a strongly reduced leukemic potential in vivo, predominantly caused by loss of S779 phosphorylation that prevents the nuclear translocation of STAT5. Three distinct lines of evidence indicate that S779 is phosphorylated by group I p21-activated kinase (PAK). We show further that PAK-dependent serine phosphorylation of STAT5 is unaffected by BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. Interfering with STAT5 phosphorylation could thus be a novel therapeutic approach to target BCR-ABL-induced malignancies.

Distribution and genotypic characterization of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from poultry in Split and Dalmatia County, Croatia.

Consumption of poultry contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni has been recognized worldwide as the leading cause of campylobacteriosis. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence and genotype diversity of Campylobacter jejuni in poultry meat intended for consumption in Split and Dalmatia County, which is the second biggest County in Croatia. Furthermore, we also wanted to discover possibly stable clones of C. jejuni appearing in different samples and periods of time, which would indicate their ability to persist in or adapt to poultry. In the period from March 2008 until June 2010, 834 samples of poultry from various sources were examined using a surface swab technique. Isolation of C. jejuni was performed by Preston broth and Karmali agar. Identification of the isolates was carried out using biochemical tests. C. jejuni was found in 84 of 574 chicken samples (14.6%) and in nine of 260 samples of turkey (3.5%). Pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to analyse 61 obtained isolates using SmaI and KpnI. Of 22 different macrorestriction profiles (MRP) that were found, five were detected in poultry from both different locations and periods of time. Samples from 11 locations were found to be contaminated with more than two different genotypes of C. jejuni. Interestingly, the same MRP were found both in poultry declared to be of domestic origin and in the poultry imported from abroad. The prevalence of C. jejuni in poultry samples was in accordance with previously reported results. Genotypic analysis indicated that the population of C. jejuni in Split and Dalmatia County was diverse and that multiple strains of C. jejuni could be found in the same poultry samples. Furthermore, the same genotypes were identified from the samples obtained from different locations and periods of time, which could support the theory of a global existence of certain MRP that are able to persist in or adapt to poultry.

Chromosome localization and characterization of the mouse and human zinc finger protein 265 gene.

The chromosome location and pattern of expression of the gene encoding the zinc finger protein 265 (alias "Zis") in human (ZNF265) and mouse (Zfp265) was determined. By interspecific backcross analysis, we mapped Zfp265 to mouse chromosome 3q. ZNF265 was localized to human chromosome 1p31 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Since discovery of Zfp265 (in rat) came from studies of changes in renin expression in kidney cell lines, we examined the cell specificity of expression in kidney and also determined hybridization of cDNA with RNA in other tissues. We found that expression was not confined to renin mRNA-containing cells but was ubiquitous. Moreover, the fact that highly conserved homologs of ZNF265p exist in lower organisms (e.g., C4SR in Xenopus), suggests that this protein may have a generalized role in posttranscriptional mechanisms in various cell types and species.

Chromosome 3p23 break with ring formation and translocation of displaced 3p23-->pter segment to 6pter.

An 11 year old boy with short stature, learning difficulties, and no obvious facial anomalies has a ring (3)(p23q29) formed by a break in the short arm at 3p23 and subsequent fusion with 3qter. A second rearrangement involving translocation of the displaced 3p23-->pter segment to chromosome 6 at 6pter is non-reciprocal with no obvious loss of distal 6pter material. The involvement of one chromosome in two separate rearrangements is uncommon. The patient's relatively mild phenotype appears to be associated with the "ring syndrome" and ring instability in division rather than from any segmental aneuploidy resulting from the presence of the two rearrangements.

[Prevention of hepatitis B virus infection in individuals at high risk in the Cakovec Medical Center]. / Sprecavanje hepatitis B-virusne infekcije u osoba visokog rizika u Medicinskom centru Cakovec.

The results of hepatitis B vaccination (H-B-VAX, 1 ml = 20 micrograms HBsAg, scheme 0, 1, 6) in nine susceptible health care workers of hemodialysis unit are described. Seroconversion was achieved in 100% of recipients. The mean titer of anti-HBs was 11,691 mIU/ml at three years, 5,879 mIU/ml at four years and 2,770 mIU/ml at five years after the beginning of vaccination. H-B-VAX vaccine (first dose 40 micrograms HBsAg, second and third = 20 micrograms) was administered in three patients on hemodialysis (scheme 0, 1, 2). In all of these patients, seroconversion occurred (titers of anti-HBs from 23 to 104 mIU/ml). Of the 55 workers of dental units, nine (16.4%) showed signs of previous HBV infection. Twenty were vaccinated with H-B-VAX vaccine (scheme 0, 1, 2) and of these patients one (5%) was nonresponder, two (10%) poor responders, 13 (65%) good responders and four (20%) excellent responders, with the mean anti-HBs titer of 1,540 mIU/ml. Seven dental workers received recombinant vaccine also using a scheme 0, 1, 2. Four (57%) of these workers were poor responders, and three (43%) good responders, with the mean anti-Hbs titer of 168 mIU/ml. All of our vaccinated subjects had no serious side effects except local soreness at the injection site. Thus, vaccination against hepatitis B in health care personnel and other high-risk patients may control efficiently the spread of HBV infection.

[Morphometric characteristics of the glomerular zone--reparative processes after the administration of detergent]. / Morfometrijska svojstva klupcaste zone--reparativni procesi nakon dejstva deterdzenata.

Results of the effect of detergent on the excretory mechanism were presented in this paper. Thereby, the authors investigated the glomerular zone of the adrenal gland in white laboratory rats living 30 days in the conditions of the detergent factory. The changes were registered in the augmented nuclei of the glomerular zone with presented incisuras. Reactive changes as well as the changes due to hyperactivity of the adrenal gland observed also after one month were in question.

Deletion 15q21.1----q22.1 resulting from a paternal insertion into chromosome 5.

A 15 month old boy with an interstitial deletion 15q derived from a paternal insertion (5;15)(q31.3;q21.1q22.1) is described and compared with one other reported case. A beak like nose with hypoplastic nasal alae, a thin upper lip, failure to thrive in infancy with later onset of obesity, and severe mental retardation are features common to both.

Pheromone-induced aggregation of ixodid ticks before host contact.

The presence of a pre-feeding aggregation pheromone was demonstrated in the species Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor andersoni, Dermacentor parumapertus, Amblyomma americanum and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris by assay within a petri dish. However, Amblyomma maculatum and Amblyomma cajennense did not aggregate in the sector containing discs of presumed pheromone within the hour period. D. andersoni and A. americanum recognized each other's pheromone and A. americanum recognized that of H. leporispalustris. Preliminary experiments with guanine and hemin as possible aggregating factors have thus far given inconsistent results.

[12 years' experience in surgery of the biliary tract]. / Nasa dvanaestogodisnja iskustva u hirurgiji bilijarnog trakta.

Operations on the biliary tract increase constantly, not only in our country, but around the world. From a total number of operations performed in our department in one year period, those caused by biliary disorders increased from 6.4% (1970) to 28% (1980). The authors present a low mortality rate and few intra- and postoperative complications. By contrasting X-ray and ultrasound, the diagnosis in 97.5% of the cases was exact. Having combined intraoperative cholangiography and choledochoscopy, the percentage of residual stones decrease do 1.5%; there have also been reduced indications of bilio-digestive anastomosis and papillotomy. The common bile duct is not to be closed primarily, instead a T-Tube is to be put in. The authors insist on retrograde cholecystectomy and they place a drain in the majority of cases.