Immunohistochemical identification and assessment of the location of leptin, visfatin and chemerin in the liver of men with different body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Adipokines such as leptin, visfatin and chemerin play a pivotal role not only in the pathogenesis of excessive weight gain but also impact on hepatic metabolism. However, alterations in the production of these peptides in the liver of overweight individuals have not been fully elucidated yet. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in leptin, visfatin and chemerin biosynthesis in the liver of men with different BMI. METHODS: Fourteen adult men without symptoms from the digestive system were recruited. Research material consisted of liver samples. Study participants were divided into two groups: lean (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2) and overweight subjects (BMI > 25 kg/m2). Paraffin liver sections were processed by immunohistochemistry for detection of leptin, visfatin and chemerin. Hepatic expression of leptin, visfatin and chemerin genes was determined by qRT-PCR method. RESULTS: Increased immunoreactivity for leptin and chemerin, and decreased immunoreaction for visfatin were observed in the liver of overweight men in comparison to lean subjects. Overweight subjects with hepatic steatosis displayed increased immunoreactivity for leptin and weaker immunoreaction against visfatin and chemerin in the liver, compared to individuals with normal organ structure. Expression of leptin and chemerin was enhanced in the liver of overweight individuals, with the highest expression observed in subjects with hepatic steatosis. Conversely, expression of visfatin in the male liver was decreased in overweight subjects and those with and liver steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study proves that the expression of leptin, visfatin and chemerin in the male liver is altered in overweight individuals. Our report also indicates the potential importance of these peptides in hepatic steatosis associated with overweight.

The role of occlusion and micro-incontinence in the pathogenesis of penile lichen sclerosus: an observational study of pro-inflammatory cytokines' gene expression.

PURPOSE: To assess the expression of selected cytokines in penile lichen sclerosus (PLS) and associate them with the occurrence of micro-incontinence (MI) in different stages of PLS. METHODS: The skin biopsies from 49 PLS affected, and 13 from nonlesional foreskins (healthy control adult males undergoing circumcision due to phimosis caused by short frenulum) were obtained. All specimens were used for RNA extraction and RT-qPCR. Quantitative assessment of the gene expression of interleukin 1-A (IL-1A), interleukin 1-B (IL-1B), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN), interleukin 6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) was performed. To determinate the presence of MI, the patients were asked about voiding patterns, especially leaking tiny drops of urine from the urethral meatus after urination. RESULTS: IL-1A, IL-6, and INF-γ mRNA levels were approximately 150, 16, and 59 times higher in PLS than in control samples, respectively. The highest IL-1A mRNA levels were observed in early PLS (n = 13), INF-γ in moderate PLS (n = 32), while IL-6 in severe PLS (n = 4). MI was noted in 45 PLS patients vs. 0 in control (p < 0.0001). IL-1A and IL-6 vs control ratios were concentration (ca.) 400 and 30 times higher, respectively, in MI PLS samples than in PLS without MI. CONCLUSION: Occlusion and irritating urine effect are associated with the clinical progression of penile LS with increased mRNA expression of IL-1A, INF-γ, and IL-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines in the foreskin.

Variety of endosomal TLRs and Interferons (IFN-α, IFN-ß, IFN-γ) expression profiles in patients with SLE, SSc and MCTD.

We investigated Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3/-7/-8/-9 and interferon (IFN)-α/ß/γ mRNA expression in whole blood and serum IFN-α/ß/γ levels in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in healthy subjects to assess the association between the TLR-IFN expression and severity of and susceptibility to diseases, and identify potential biomarkers. Expression of the IFN-γ, TLR-3 and TLR-8 was detected only in SLE patients. TLR-7, IFN-α and IFN-ß expression was highest in SLE, while TLR-9 expression was highest in SSc patients. In SLE and MCTD patients a strong correlation was observed between TLR-7 and IFN-α expression and IFN-ß and IFN-α expression. In MCTD patients, negative correlation between IFN-α and TLR-9 and TLR-7 and TLR-9 was revealed. TLR-9 expression in anti-U1-70k-negative, anti-C negative and anti-SmB-negative MCTD patients was higher than in MCTD-positive patients. We observed negative correlations between serum IFN-α levels and TLR-7 expression and C3 and C4 levels in SLE patients. In SLE patients we observed that with increased IFN-γ, TLR-3 and TLR-8 expression increased the value of C3 and C4. Our results confirmed that the endosomal TLR-IFN pathway seems to be more important in SLE than in MCTD or SSc, and that IFN-α and IFN-ß may be possible biomarkers for SLE.

The importance of cyanobacteria and microalgae present in aerosols to human health and the environment - Review study.

Airborne microalgae and cyanobacteria are among the least studied organisms in aerobiology. While those of them living in freshwater and seawater are well recognized, those constituting the components of aerosols are rarely the focus of research. However, their presence has been noted by scientists from all over the world. The presence of these organisms is not indifferent to the environment as they participate in the formation of clouds and influence both the hydrological cycle and Earth's climate. Recent studies have concentrated mostly on the negative impact of airborne cyanobacteria and microalgae, as well as the toxic compounds they produce, on human health. This review focuses on measurement results published on those bioaerosols, combining the achievements of scientists from the last century with the latest reports and trends. Within it gaps in current knowledge are discussed, including the role of airborne organisms in the transport of harmful chemicals like PAHs and heavy metals. The current studies on which it is based emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of the measurement methods used in sampling and analysing. It also visualizes, in the form of maps, where research on bioaerosols has so far been conducted, while at the same time determining the share of organisms potentially dangerous to human health. In addition, we have also tried to recommend future research directions for both environmental and laboratory-based studies.

Mandibular Advancement Devices in Patients with Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder resulting from the repetitive narrowing and collapse of the upper respiratory tract. The results of previous epidemiological studies confirm a significant impact of OSA on the health situation around the world. Untreated OSA is associated with many adverse health effects, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and daytime sleepiness. Excessive mortality of OSA patients, especially in men under 50 years of age, associated with advanced disease, obesity, cardiovascular complications, and a greater risk of road accidents, requires an urgent extension of the diagnostic-therapeutic database dealing with this problem. It is estimated that in the adult population, OSA occurs in 4% of men and in 2% of women. In recent years, intraoral devices have become an increasingly common method of OSA and snoring treatment. Nevertheless, the use of devices producing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the most effective treatment method. However, intraoral devices have the advantage of not requiring a source of electricity and are less troublesome in everyday use. Intraoral devices are well tolerated by the majority of patients, and their therapeutic efficacy is confirmed. Since such devices become commoner, the purpose of this work was to present the procedures, indications, and recommendations involved with intraoral devices while taking into consideration a variety of dental conditions. The side effects of the use of intraoral devices and their influence on the entire stomatognathic system were also described.

Mercury bonds with carbon (OC and EC) in small aerosols (PM1) in the urbanized coastal zone of the Gulf of Gdansk (southern Baltic).

PM1 aerosols were collected at the coastal station in Gdynia between 1st January and 31st December 2012. The main purpose of the study was to determine the variability in concentrations of mercury Hg(p), organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM1 aerosols under varying synoptic conditions in heating and non-heating periods. Additionally, sources of origin and bonds of mercury with carbon species were identified. The highest concentrations of Hg(p), OC and EC were found during the heating period. Then all analyzed PM1 components had a common, local origin related to the consumption of fossil fuels for heating purposes under conditions of lower air temperatures and poor dispersion of pollutants. Long periods without precipitation also led to the increase in concentration of all measured PM1 compounds. In heating period mercury correlated well with elemental carbon and primary and secondary organic carbon when air masses were transported from over the land. At that time, the role of transportation was of minor importance. In the non-heating period, the concentration of all analyzed compounds were lower than in the heating period, which could be associated with the reduced influence of combustion processes, higher precipitation and, in the case of mercury, also the evaporation of aerosols at higher air temperatures. However, when air masses were transported from over the sea or from the port/shipyard areas the mercury concentration increased significantly. In the first case higher air humidity, solar radiation and ozone concentration as well as the presence of marine aerosols could further facilitate the conversion of gaseous mercury into particulate mercury and its concentration increase. In the second case Hg(p) could be adsorbed on particles rich in elemental carbon and primary organic carbon emitted from ships.

Decreased immunoreactivity of visfatin in the pancreas and liver of rats with renovascular hypertension.

Hypertension is one of the major endocrine and metabolic disorders, in which visfatin plays a significant role. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunoreactivity of visfatin in pancreas and liver of “two kidney, one clip” (2K1C) renovascular hypertension model in rats. The studies were carried out on the pancreas and liver of rats. After a 6-week period of the renal artery clipping procedure, 2K1C rats developed a stable hypertension. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (for general histological examination) and processed for immunolocalization of visfatin. The intensity of immunohistochemical reaction was measured using Nikon NIS-Elements Advanced Research software. The hypertension significantly weakened the immunohistochemical reaction exhibiting visfatin in the pancreas and liver of hypertensive rats, compared to control animals. The changes induced by hypertension in the visfatin-containing cells in the pancreas and liver of the rats are discussed and needs further study.

The study of possible application of sodium selenite as an adjuvant in lithium treatment: an effect on oxidative processes in heart of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Despite numerous side effects, including heart disturbances, lithium is still used in medicine. Selenium treatment can protect against toxicity of harmful substances and side effects of other drugs. In this study possibility of sodium selenite application as an adjuvant in lithium treatment was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with: control - saline; Li group - Li2CO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.); Se group - Na2SeO3 (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.); Li+Se group simultaneously with Li2CO3 and Na2SeO3 (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w. and 0.5 mg Se/kg b.w., respectively) by stomach tube for a period of six weeks, once a day. In heart homogenates total antioxidant status (TAS), activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were determined. SOD/GPx, CAT/GPx and SOD/CAT ratios were evaluated. RESULTS: TAS was insignificantly increased, particularly in groups receiving selenium. GPx was slightly decreased in Li group and partially restored by Li+Se treatment. Selenium markedly enhanced AA concentration vs. CONTROL: MDA was increased significantly in Li and Se groups and restored in Li+Se treated. SOD/GPx and CAT/GPx. Ratios were slightly increased in Li group and restored by selenium co-administration. CONCLUSIONS: As Li+Se treatment resulted in no significant differences vs. control and restored MDA, SOD/GPx and CAT/GPx ratios. Research on selenium application during lithium therapy seems to be worth continuation.

The protective influence of selenium on oxidant disturbances in brain of rats exposed to lithium.

For more than sixty years lithium carbonate has been used in medicine. However, during its administration different side effects including oxidative stress can occur. Selenium belongs to essential elements possessing antioxidant properties. This study aimed at evaluating if selenium could be used as a protective adjuvant in lithium therapy. The experiment was performed on four groups of Wistar rats: I (control), II (Li), III (Se), IV (Li + Se) treated with saline, lithium carbonate (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.), sodium selenite (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.) and lithium carbonate (2.7 mg Li/kg b.w.) + sodium selenite (0.5 mg Se/kg b.w.), respectively. All substances were administered as water solutions by stomach tube for 3 or 6 weeks. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were determined in brain homogenates. Lithium slightly enhanced MDA and depressed CAT and SOD after 6 weeks as well as GPx after 3 weeks. Selenium co-administration showed tendency to restore the disturbed parameters. Selenium alone and given with lithium significantly increased GPx vs. Li-treated group after 3 weeks. Having regarded the outcomes of this study, the research on application of selenium during lithium treatment seems to be worth continuation.

Growth performance and physiological parameters of conventional and specified pathogen-free rats fed autoclaved diets with different protein sources.

The effects of feeding autoclaved commercial SSNIFF (SN) diet and diets containing soya bean (S) and casein (C) to growing conventional (CON) and specified pathogen-free (SPF) rats were determined. Diets S, C and SN, autoclaved at 121 °C during 20 min (T1), at 134 °C during 10 min (T2) and non-autoclaved (T0), were fed during four weeks, each to 8 CON males and 8 females of mean initial body weight 56 g, kept individually. Diets S, C and SN, autoclaved at T1, were fed during two months, each to 20 SPF males and 20 females of mean initial body weight 58 g, kept in group of 5 animals per cage. In CON rats, autoclaving did not affect feed intake and weight gain, decreased thyroid and stomach weight, increased caecal tissue and digesta weight, and concentrations of isobutyric, isovaleric and valeric acid in caecal digesta. Among biochemical blood parameters, autoclaving decreased only total protein concentration and aspartate aminotransferase activity. Feeding C diet resulted in lower feed intake and weight gain in CON and SPF males. Diet affected organ weights and the greatest differences were found in rats on SN diet for weights of stomach, caecum and female reproductive organs. Diet affected concentration of all short-chain fatty acids, pH and weight of caecal digesta, the most important being the greatest butyric acid concentration on SN diet and isoacids on C diet. It is concluded that autoclaving of both soya-containing and soya-free diets does not affect negatively animal performance and physiology.

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of CART-containing cells in adrenal glands of male rats with hypertension.

Adrenal activity is stimulated and secretion of stress hormones is increased during advanced stages of renovascular hypertension. The literature suggests that the neuropeptide, cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), might regulate adrenal secretory function and thus could influence its activity. We assessed potential quantitative and qualitative changes in the cells that contained CART in the adrenal glands of rats with renovascular hypertension. The renal arteries of ten rats were subjected to a clipping procedure, i.e., two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) model of arterial hypertension, and after 6 weeks each rat developed stable hypertension. CART was localized using immunohistochemistry. CART was detected in a large population of cells in the medulla, sparse nerve fibers in the cortex and the capsule of the adrenal gland. The population of CART-positive cells in adrenal glands of two kidney-one clip (2K1C) treated rats was greater and their immunoreactivity was increased compared to controls. Similarly, the length, width, area and diameter of CART-immunoreactive cells were significantly greater in the hypertensive rats than in controls. We demonstrated that renovascular hypertension alters the number and immunoreactivity of CART-containing cells in adrenal glands.

Immunohistochemical identification and localisation of gastrin and somatostatin in endocrine cells of human pyloric gastric mucosa.

The detailed description of the distribution of endocrine cells G and D producing important hormones that regulate activation of other cells in the human stomach may be a valuable source of information for opinions about mucosa changes in different diseases of the alimentary tract. The density and distribution of immunoreactive G and D cells in the pylorus of humans (donors of organs) were evaluated. The pylorus samples were collected after other organs were harvested for transplantation. The number of G cells in the pyloric mucosa of healthy people was higher than the number of D cells. G and D cells were distributed between columnar cells of epithelium mucosa. Multiform endocrine cells generally occurred: gastrin in the middle third of the mucosa and somatostatin cells in the basal half of the pyloric mucosa. The investigation of the pyloric part of the healthy human stomach showed a characteristic distribution of cells that reacted with antisera against gastrin and somatostatin.

Reutilization of Cr-Y zeolite obtained by biosorption in the catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds.

This work aims at the reutilization of a Cr-loaded NaY zeolite obtained by biorecovery of chromium from water as catalyst in the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Cr-NaY catalysts were obtained after biosorption of Cr(VI) using a bacterium, Arthrobacter viscosus, supported on the zeolite. The biosorption experiments were conducted at different pH values in the range 1-4. The catalysts were characterized by several techniques, namely ICP-AES, SEM-EDS, XRD, XPS, Raman, H(2)-TPR and N(2) adsorption. The zeolite obtained at pH 4 has the highest content of chromium, 0.9%, and was selected as the best catalyst for the oxidation of different VOC, namely ethyl acetate, ethanol and toluene. For all VOC tested, the catalyst with chromium showed higher activity and selectivity to CO(2), in comparison with the starting zeolite NaY. The presence of chromium shifted also the reaction pathways. In terms of selectivity to CO(2), the following sequence was observed: ethyl acetate>toluene>ethanol.

The influence of change in the size of face elements on the perception of a woman's portrait.

This research attempts to answer the question how the change of selected face elements influences the likeness between the original portrait (sketch) and its modified versions. For this purpose, several series of portraits were created into which changes to the original sizes of eyes, mouth and nose within a scope of +/-14% (every 2%) were introduced. The task for a subject consisted of indicating one portrait out of each row that was the first to be "clearly unlike the original image". In this way, two values were obtained for each feature (lesser and greater than the initial one). These values have been called "the terminal values", i.e. those which, according to the subjects, once exceeded, the portrait becomes unlike the original. The results obtained indicate that the majority of the subjects, as much as 61.7%, consider the face they observe to be "clearly different" when the change of the studied features amounts to at least 8% of the original value, or even 6% in some cases. In addition, it has been noticed that, in the process of identification, men much earlier than women (p=0.049) consider the portraits in the row with the reduction of eye size unlike the original image.

Modified polycarbonate urethane: synthesis, properties and biological investigation in vitro.

A new polycarbonate urethane (PCU-I) was synthesized from aliphatic monomers, i.e. polyhexamethylene carbonate diol and 4,4'-methylene-bis cyclohexane diisocyanate, a mixture of low molecular diols, and castor oil (containing mainly the triglyceride of 12-hydroxyoleic acid). The second synthesized polymer (PCU-II) did not contain castor oil. Both PCUs had good tensile strength, i.e. 32.5 and 27.8 MPa for PCU-I and PCU-II, respectively. Modification by castor oil led to a decrease in glass transition temperature (T(g) = -14 degrees C for PCU-I and -6 degrees C for PCU-II) and an increase in the softening temperature (135 and 125 degrees C for PCU-I and PCU-II, respectively). Partial crosslinking of PCU-I increased the storage modulus of elasticity and provided better resistance to sterilization by ETO and gamma radiation. Both PCUs displayed good stability when subjected to sterilization by hydrogen peroxide plasma. Neither PCU caused cytotoxic effect in mouse fibroblasts (3T3 Balb C). They also had no toxic effects on the morphotic components and did not influence changes in the hematologic parameters or plasmatic coagulation system of human blood.

PTEN mutation, expression and LOH at its locus in ovarian carcinomas. Relation to TP53, K-RAS and BRCA1 mutations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate frequency of PTEN mutation, LOH and expression in ovarian tumors. In search for a molecular pathway, we confronted PTEN gene mutations with TP53, K-RAS and BRCA1 gene status in the same tumors. We also evaluated clinical significance of PTEN expression in a subgroup of patients uniformly treated with platinum-based regimens. METHODS: Molecular analysis was performed on 105 ovarian tumors (100 carcinomas) with the use of the SSCP and sequencing. Seventy-six tumors were analyzed for LOH at 10q23 locus with the use of six polymorphic markers. Immunohistochemical PTEN expression was done on paraffin-embedded material. Multivariate and univariate analysis was performed with the STATA program. RESULTS: PTEN mutations occurred in 5/100 (5%) of all carcinomas and in 3/15 (20%) of endometrioid carcinomas (EC). Low-grade EC that developed in borderline tumors had PTEN and/or K-RAS mutation (4/5, 80%), while high-grade EC had TP53 mutations only. There was a reverse association between PTEN and TP53 mutations (P = 0.005). LOH at PTEN locus was found in 60% of endometrioid and in 28% of serous and clear cell carcinomas. PTEN expression did not associate with PTEN mutations or LOH. Strong PTEN expression diminished risk of death in a TP53 positive group only (HR = 0.35, P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PTEN mutations may play a role in a development of low-grade endometrioid tumors. PTEN haploinsufficiency caused by LOH or epigenetic events may possibly contribute to development of other histological types and may be an adverse prognostic factor.

A prospective, randomised study to compare two palliative radiotherapy schedules for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

A prospective randomised study compared two palliative radiotherapy schedules for inoperable symptomatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). After stratification, 100 patients were randomly assigned to 20 Gy/5 fractions (fr)/5 days (arm A) or 16 Gy/2 fr/day 1 and 8 (arm B). There were 90 men and 10 women aged 47-81 years (mean 66), performance status 1-4 (median 2). The major clinical characteristics and incidence and degree of initial disease-related symptoms were similar in both groups. Treatment effects were assessed using patient's chart, doctor's scoring of symptomatic change and chest X-ray. Study end points included degree and duration of symptomatic relief, treatment side effects, objective response rates and overall survival. A total of 55 patients were assigned to arm A and 45 to arm B. In all, 98 patients received assigned treatment, whereas two patients died before its termination. Treatment tolerance was good and did not differ between study arms. No significant differences between study arms were observed in the degree of relief of all analysed symptoms. Overall survival time differed significantly in favour of arm B (median 8.0 vs 5.3 months; P=0.016). Both irradiation schedules provided comparable, effective palliation of tumour-related symptoms. The improved overall survival and treatment convenience of 2-fraction schedule suggest its usefulness in the routine management of symptomatic inoperable NSCLC.

Inhibition of nasal polyp mast cell and eosinophil activation by desloratadine.

Nasal polyp tissue which contains mast cells and eosinophils is similar to the inflamed airway mucosa in cellular composition and mediator content. This investigation assessed the effect of desloratadine (DL), on activation of cells in nasal polyp tissue. Polyps were obtained from 22 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis [nine aspirin acetylosalitic acid (ASA)-sensitive and 13 ASA-tolerant]. Polyp tissue was dispersed by digestion, and preincubated with DL and incubated with anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) or calcium ionophore. LTC4, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase concentrations in supernatants were measured by immunoassays. Desloratadine (1, 10 and 50 microM) inhibited calcium ionophore-induced LTC4 release by a mean of 29%, 50% and 63% respectively, and anti-IgE-induced LTC4 release by a mean of 27%, 35% and 39% respectively. Calcium ionophore-induced tryptase release was inhibited 60% and 69% by 10 and 50 microM of DL, respectively, and anti-IgE-induced tryptase release was inhibited 33%, 47% and 66% for 1, 10 and 50 microM of DL. Desloratadine 10 microM and 50 microM inhibited ECP release by and 45% and 48% respectively. Polyp tissue from ASA-sensitive patients when compared with ASA-tolerant patients released at baseline significantly more ECP (medians 120.0 microg/ml, range: 69.0-182.0 vs 63.4 microg/ml, range: 3.7-172.0; P <0.05), but similar amounts of tryptase and LTC4. This study demonstrated that DL inhibits activation of both eosinophils and mast cells derived from a site of airway mucosal inflammation.

Synthesis, physical properties and preliminary investigation of hemocompatibility of polyurethanes from aliphatic resources with castor oil participation.

The synthesis of polyurethanes (PURs) from oligoetherdiol, two low molecular diols, castor oil and 4,4'-Methylenebis(cyclohexylisocyanate) is described. These polymers are characterized by measurements of the mechanical bulk and surface properties, preliminary investigation of compatibility with human blood and calcification in static conditions. The critical surface energy of synthesized PURs is similar to the critical surface energy of natural surfaces. Material-induced hemolysis and the changes of platelet counts in blood samples after contact with PURs are very low. Static seven-weeks-calcification testing in a synthetic calcification fluid did not indicate calcification by optical density measurements and by visual inspection and computer image processing of the X-ray films for PURs with and without castor oil.