Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 is predictive of combined cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes at a relatively short-term follow-up.

AIMS: We hypothesised that serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), a novel adipokine with postulated insulin-sensitizing effects, may be predictive of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) at a relatively short-term follow-up. METHODS: Serum FGF-21 levels were assessed in 87 DM2 patients, aged 57-66 years, with the median duration of diabetes of 10 years, who were referred to the Department of Endocrinology for routine annual metabolic assessment. During a follow-up of 24 months, overall mortality, CV mortality and CV nonfatal events were registered. Cox proportional hazards regression assessed adjusted differences in CV morbidity and mortality risk. RESULTS: Patients stratified according to serum FGF-21 levels ≤ and > the median value of 240.7 pg/mL showed no significant differences at baseline in gender distribution, diabetes duration, insulin therapy, BMI, biochemical profiles and previous CV events. At 24-month follow-up, 21 (24.1%) patients experienced a nonfatal CV event. A significantly (P=0.0013) higher incidence of the combined end point of CV morbidity and mortality was observed in the FGF-21>240.7 pg/mL group. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model, the presence of FGF-21>the median value was associated with a significant increase in the risk of the combined end point of CV morbidity and mortality (HR: 4.7, 95% CI 1.67-13.24). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results support the prognostic value of FGF-21 in DM2 and may provide a useful tool for stratification of CV prognosis in DM2 patients.

The dynamics of the non-heme iron in bacterial reaction centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

We investigate the dynamical properties of the non-heme iron (NHFe) in His-tagged photosynthetic bacterial reaction centers (RCs) isolated from Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides. Mössbauer spectroscopy and nuclear inelastic scattering of synchrotron radiation (NIS) were applied to monitor the arrangement and flexibility of the NHFe binding site. In His-tagged RCs, NHFe was stabilized only in a high spin ferrous state. Its hyperfine parameters (IS=1.06±0.01mm/s and QS=2.12±0.01mm/s), and Debye temperature (θ(D0)~167K) are comparable to those detected for the high spin state of NHFe in non-His-tagged RCs. For the first time, pure vibrational modes characteristic of NHFe in a high spin ferrous state are revealed. The vibrational density of states (DOS) shows some maxima between 22 and 33meV, 33 and 42meV, and 53 and 60meV and a very sharp one at 44.5meV. In addition, we observe a large contribution of vibrational modes at low energies. This iron atom is directly connected to the protein matrix via all its ligands, and it is therefore extremely sensitive to the collective motions of the RC protein core. A comparison of the DOS spectra of His-tagged and non-His-tagged RCs from Rb. sphaeroides shows that in the latter case the spectrum was overlapped by the vibrations of the heme iron of residual cytochrome c(2), and a low spin state of NHFe in addition to its high spin one. This enabled us to pin-point vibrations characteristic for the low spin state of NHFe.

Increased serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in women with gestational diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which has effects similar to insulin, reduces blood glucose level, improves insulin sensitivity and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes (GDM). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to estimate the concentration of IGF-1 in pregnant women with GDM and 3 months after delivery and find relationships between IGF-1 and clinical and biochemical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 67 women between 24th - 28th week of pregnancy were enrolled in the study (46 with GDM and 21 as a control group). All women underwent clinical and biochemical examinations. Concentrations of IGF-1, adiponectin, fasting glucose, insulin, lipids, CRP, fibrinogen were measured during pregnancy, additionally IGF-1 concentration was determined 3 months after delivery. RESULTS: IGF-1, glucose, insulin, CRP, fibrinogen, lipids concentrations and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in women with GDM than in the control group (p<0.05). A significant decrease in IGF-1 concentration was observed in both groups after delivery. In the GDM group significant correlations between IGF-1 and BMI (r=0.370, p<0.05), insulin (r=0.469, p<0.01) and HOMA-IR (r=0.439, p<0.01) were observed. Regression analysis with IGF-1 as a dependent parameter showed that only BMI and insulin remained as predictors, explaining 32% of plasma IGF-1 variation. Re-evaluation after delivery revealed impaired glucose tolerance in 9% of the population studied. CONCLUSIONS: Increased IGF-1 concentrations in pregnancy complicated with GDM may partly reflect metabolic disturbances, especially insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, and may be one of possible compensatory reactions of the organism in response to these disturbances.

Coupling of collective motions of the protein matrix to vibrations of the non-heme iron in bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers.

Non-heme iron is a conservative component of type II photosynthetic reaction centers of unknown function. We found that in the reaction center from Rba. sphaeroides it exists in two forms, high and low spin ferrous states, whereas in Rsp. rubrum mostly in a low spin state, in line with our earlier finding of its low spin state in the algal photosystem II reaction center (Burda et al., 2003). The temperature dependence of the non-heme iron displacement studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy shows that the surrounding of the high spin iron is more flexible (Debye temperature ~165K) than that of the low spin atom (~207K). Nuclear inelastic scattering measurements of the collective motions in the Rba. sphaeroides reaction center show that the density of vibrational states, originating from non-heme iron, has well-separated modes between lower (4-17meV) and higher (17-25meV) energies while in the one from Rsp. rubrum its distribution is more uniform with only little contribution of low energy (~6meV) vibrations. It is the first experimental evidence that the fluctuations of the protein matrix in type II reaction center are correlated to the spin state of non-heme iron. We propose a simple mechanism in which the spin state of non-heme iron directly determines the strength of coupling between the two quinone acceptors (Q(A) and Q(B)) and fast collective motions of protein matrix that play a crucial role in activation and regulation of the electron and proton transfer between these two quinones. We suggest that hydrogen bond network on the acceptor side of reaction center is responsible for stabilization of non-heme iron in different spin states.

[Proteolytic activity of Candida albicans strains isolated from women's genital organs with clinical diagnosis of mycosis]. / Aktywnosc proteolityczna szczepów Candida albicans izolowanych z narzadów plciowych kobiet z klinicznymi objawami grzybicy.

The aim of the presented study was to assess the in vitro activity of aspartate proteinase of strains isolated from women's genital organs with clinical diagnosis of mycosis. We have evaluated the activity of proteinase of 75 Candida albicans strains using Staib method with Rózga modification, in agar medium with human albumin at pH 4.6. The proteolysis zone ranged from 4.0 to 11.0 mm. The values of proteolysis zones in human albumin of C. albicans were similar to left-oblique normal distribution. High and extremely high proteolytic activity is characteristic for more than 50% of strains.

[Some aspects of fungi multifocal invasions connected with the genital organs in women]. / Niektóre aspekty zarazen wieloogniskowych grzybami zwiazanych z narzadami plciowymi kobiet.

The aim of presented study was analysis of fungal invasions of the genital organs, oral cavity and digestive tract in 799 women. Fungal strains were identified using API 20C and API 20C AUX (bioMérieux); they were as follows: Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. kefyr, C. glabrata, C. famata, C. parapsilosis, Rhodotorula rubra, Geotrichum candidum. The number of fungal strains isolated from the oral cavity ontocenosis was the highest (41.8 +/- 2.4%). Fungal strains isolated from the vagina were less numerous (34.6 +/- 2.3%), and from the rectum the least numerous (23.6 +/- 2.1%). Multifocal invasions (limited to one ontocenosis) were present in about 50% of women; bifocal were less frequent, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01): fungi in the vagina and oral cavity were detected in 28.6 +/- 3.0%, in the oral cavity and rectum in 19.0 +/- 2.6%, and in the vagina and rectum in 13.0 +/- 2.2%. Trifocal invasions were more frequent (39.4 +/- 3.2%). There was a visible trend of increasing prevalence of fungi in genital organs over 10 year period from 17.9 +/- 1.4% to 34.5 +/- 1.7%.

[Methods of treatment of ureteral stenosis after radiotherapy in patients with gynecological tumors]. / Postepowanie w popromiennych zwezeniach moczowodów u chorych na nowotwory narzadu rodnego.

Authors present methods of treatments at the Clinic of Urology Medical University of Lódz in patients after gynecological tumors with ureteral strictures caused by radiotherapy or progression of cancer.

Structural and immunochemical studies on the lipopolysaccharide of the 'T-antigen'-containing mutant Proteus mirabilis R14/1959.

In DOC-PAGE, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Proteus mirabilis R14/1959 (Rb-type) mutant showed a ladder-like migration pattern indicating the presence of a high molecular weight polysaccharide chain. The isolated polysaccharide, called T-antigen because of similarity with the T1 chain of Salmonella friedenau LPS, contained D-glucose, D-galacturonic acid (D-GalA), and D-GlcNAc in molar ratios 2:1:1 and was structurally different from the O-antigen of the parental S-strain P. mirabilis S1959 but identical to the O-antigen of another S-strain Proteus penneri 42. The importance of a D-GalA(L-Lys)-containing epitope, most likely present in the core region of LPS, and of GalA present in the T-antigen chain in manifesting the serological specificity of P. mirabilis R14/1959 were revealed using rabbit polyclonal homologous and heterologous R- and O-specific antisera and the appropriate antigens, including synthetic antigens which represent partial structures of various Proteus LPS.

[Trial of characterizing bacterial strains isolated from vaginal discharge of girls]. / Próba charakterystyki szczepów bakterii wyodrebnionych z ontocenozy pochwy dziewczat.

Evaluation of vaginal discharge in children. Vulvovaginitis is one of the most common problems in clinical medicine and it is the cause cited most often for visits of children to gynecologists. The purpose of the study was to examine vaginal discharge and the sensitivity of there microorganisms to antibiotics. In this study the most (prevalent organism) was Escherichia coli (47.5%). We observed high sensitivity of Escherichia coli to examined antibiotics.

[Occurrence of correlation between occurrence of genital tract candidiasis in young girls and some subjective and objective examination parameters]. / Poszukiwanie zbieznosci miedzy wystepowaniem zarazen grzybami narzadów plciowych dziewczat a niektórymi parametrami badania podmiotowego i przedmiotowego.

The authors tried to find the correlation between the occurrence of genital tract candidiasis in adolescents and some subjective and objective examination parameters. The highest correlation rates were found for pudendal pruritus, lower abdominal pains and early applied antibiotic therapy material: 188 adolescent girls.

[Coexistence of genito-urinary system malformation and endometriosis in a 13 year old girl]. / Wspóistnienie wady rozwojowej ukladu moczowo-plciowego z endometrioza u 13-letniej dziewczynki.

One presents the case of 13 aged girl with malformation of internal genitals in the form of double uterus, cervix and vagina (one vagina was obliterated) and total lack of kidney on the side of vaginal atresia. Simultaneously tumoral endometriosis of external genitals was found.

[Further types of core lipopolysaccharides in Proteus]. / Dalsze typy polisacharydu rdzeniowego (core) rodzaju Proteus.

Comparative analysis of the chemical composition of 11 core oligosaccharides isolated from lipopolysaccharides of the wild (S) and phenotypically rough (R) strains Proteus mirabilis (nine) and Proteus vulgaris (two) allowed to recognize three new types Proteus core, classified as IV, V, VI. All of them contained D-galactose and D-galactosamine in addition to common core constituents: D-glucose, D-galacturonic acid, L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, KDO, EtN described for Proteus core types I, II, III (6, 7, 8). D-glucosamine was characteristic for Proteus core type VI whereas D-glycero-D-manno-heptose for types V and VI.

[Immunochemical studies of O-specific polysaccharide from Proteus penneri 14 lipopolysaccharide]. / Badania immunochemiczne polisacharydu O-swoistego lipopolisacharydu Proteus penneri 14.

O-specific polysaccharide was obtained on mild acid degradation of Proteus penneri strain 14 lipopolysaccharide and found to contain equimolar of D-galactose, D-ribose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, N-(D-galacturonoyl)-L-alanine and 3-(Nacety-L-alanyl)-amido-3,6-dideoxy-D-glucose. On the basis of non-destructive NMR analysis it was concluded that repeat unit of the 0-specific polysaccharide of P. penneri 14 has the following structure: -2-beta-D- Quip3NAlaAc-(1-->4)-alfa-D-GalpAAla-(1-->2)-beta-D- Ribf-(1-->4)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D--GlcpNAc-(1--> This structure was confirmed by structural elucidation of trisaccharide and disaccharide fragments prepared on mild acid hydrolysis of the polysaccharide. Immunodominant role of the partial structures of the pentasaccharide repeating unit in manifesting serological specificity of P. penneri 14 was discussed. Very weak cross-reactions of P. penneri anti-serum were observed with E. coli 0114 and Shigella boydii 08 LPS's, which showed some structural similarities. No cross-reaction with P. mirabilis 027 LPs was detected.

[Proteolytic activity of Candida strains--parameter of their identity or similarity]. / Proteolityczna aktywnosc szczepów Candida--parametr ich identycznosci lub podobienstwa.

Proteolytic activity of 238 strains of Candida was investigated by the Staib method in Rózga modification, permitting for quantitative evaluation of the result (agar medium with albumin). Analyzing size of proteolysis zones--obtained for strains isolated from selected ontocenoses of the same women--a linear correlation coefficient was used; for confirmation of identity of tested strains a conformity coefficient was used. Isolated strains were identified as C. albicans, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. pseudotropicalis, C. tropicalis and other species (singular). It was found that the curve of distribution of proteolysis zone sizes of all strains is normal and that statistically significant correlation between size of proteolysis zone of strains isolated from vagina and oral cavity of the same women does exist.

[Studies of epitope specificity of polyclonal antibodies against Proteus mirabilis R mutants]. / Badania swoistosci epitopowej przeciwcial poliklonalnych przeciwko mutantom R Proteus mirabilis.

The chemical structure of the following P. mirabilis R mutants lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were already established: R110/1959 (Ra), R4/028 (Rc) and R45/1959 (Re). In this report we focus on P. mirabilis R5/O28, R13/1959 and R14/1959 and R14/1959. The last one corresponds to Salmonella transient forms, and synthesis truncated core oligosaccharide lacking terminal DD-Hep and nevertheless substituted by T polysaccharide whose structure occurred to be similar to P. penneri 42 O-repeating unit. The knowledge of chemical structure of P. mirabilis R mutants lipopolysaccharides led us to the study of the epitope specificity of rabbit polyclonal R specific antisera. The results show strong structural and serological relatedness of LPS from P. mirabilis R110 and R13. Antibodies against P. mirabilis R4 recognize in homologous LPS an epitope sharing oligosaccharide Glc-Hep. The serological studies revealed also close similarities of LPS from P. mirabilis R14 and P. mirabilis S1959, O28 as well as P. penneri 42. These data indicate that polyclonal antibodies against P. mirabilis R14 are directed against four epitopes: two in T-polysaccharide (D-Glc-(beta 1,4)-D-Glc and terminal GalA residue) and two in core oligosaccharide (D-Glc-(alfa 1,6)-D-Glc and terminal GlcNAc residue) of lipopolysaccharide molecule.

Studies on the role of humoral and cell-mediated immunity in pigs after vaccination with Aujeszky's disease virus.

Humoral and cellular immunity in pigs vaccinated twice with Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) was studied by seroneutralizing test and direct leucocyte migration inhibition technique. Significant migration inhibition of leucocytes (LMI) was found on the fifth day, whereas specific antibodies began to appear at that time only in very low titers. Anamnestic reaction due to the second injection of ADV did not bring about a significant increase of migration inhibition of leucocytes, instead the level of antibodies elevated markedly.