THE MORPHOLOGICAL PICTURE OF LOCAL IMMUNE RESPONSES IN THE KIDNEYS, URETERS AND BLADDER OF THE FOETUSES AND NEWBORNS, WHO DEVELOPED IN CONDITIONS OF MATERNAL PREECLAMPSIA.

The purpose of the research consisted in revealing morphological peculiarities of local immune responses in the kidneys, ureters and bladder of the foetuses and newborns, who developed in conditions of maternal preeclampsia with different degrees of its severity. The research was conducted on autopsy material: the kidneys, ureters and bladders of mature foetuses and newborns. Four groups were formed in the study: group I - foetuses and newborns from mothers with physiological pregnancy; group II - foetuses and newborns from mothers, whose pregnancy was complicated with a mild degree of preeclampsia; group III - foetuses and newborns from mothers, whose pregnancy was complicated with a moderately severe degree of preeclampsia; group IV - foetuses and newborns from mothers, whose pregnancy was complicated with severe preeclampsia. An immune infiltration in the organs of the urinary system of foetuses and newborns was studied with help of histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric methods of examination. In the course of the study it was revealed that local immune responses in the kidneys, ureters and bladder of the foetuses and newborns passed with some abnormal deviations characterized by quantitative changes of СD3, СD4, СD8, СD20 and СD68 cells, whose degree of manifestation increased from the foetus to the newborn and with an aggravation of maternal preeclampsia. Mild, moderately severe as well as severe preeclampsia resulted in an extreme activation of the macrophage system, T cell and B cell immunity in the kidneys, ureters and bladder of foetuses and newborns that manifested itself with an increase of the absolute count of CD3, CD20 and CD68 cells. Mild preeclampsia caused an increase of the absolute count of CD8 cells and a decrease of the absolute count of CD4 cells with a resultant lowering of the immunoregulatory index. Moderately severe and severe preeclampsia caused an increase of the absolute count of CD4 cells and a decrease of the absolute count of CD8 cells with a corresponding elevation of the immunoregulatory index. In foetuses and newborns from mothers with physiological pregnancy as well as from mothers, whose pregnancy was complicated with preeclampsia having different degrees of severity, their kidneys were characterized by a more marked infiltration with immune cells versus their ureters and bladder. Thus, as a result of an excessive antigenic stimulation caused by maternal preeclampsia the local immune responses in the organs of the urinary system, which in physiological conditions fulfill exclusively protective functions, can become alterative and develop morphofunctional changes in the kidneys, ureters and bladder of foetuses and newborns.

[(COMPARATIvE EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC SCANNING MICROSCOPY IN THE PARASITOLOGICAL STUDIES OF FOODSTUFFS)].

The paper gives the results of experimental studies, as well as sanitary parasitological ones investigating meat and fish, which have been performed using manual microscopy and Mecos-C2 automated digital microscopy and scanning micro- scopy. It shows the effectiveness of automated versus manual microscopy in performing parasitological studies of foods and the possibility of rationalizing production labor. The investigation has been conducted to develop the reform of labora- tory services of the healthcare system in the Russian Federation and proposes to introduce a hardware technology into a group of mass methods for parasitological analyses in sanitary-epidemiological, veterinary and environmental areas.

Alterations of microsatellite loci GSN and D18S51 in urinary bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of urinary bladder cancer is the most common malignancy in the urinary system. Genetic instability is an essential property of malignant neoplasms and could be evaluated by microsatellite analysis. Alterations in numerous microsatellite loci are already described in urinary bladder TCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of only two microsatellite loci for the detection of bladder TCC, and their correlation with the major clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: We analyzed the tissue samples derived from 70 patients with histopathologically confirmed TCC of the urinary bladder, collected by transurethral resection, and samples of normal bladder mucosa derived from 40 patients with nonmalignant diseases. Microsatellite alleles GSN and D18S51 were amplified in paired samples of tissue and leukocyte DNA from each patient, and were analyzed by electrophoresis. RESULTS: Microsatellite alterations at either GSN or D18S51locus, or in both, were detected in 46 out of the 70 patients (65.71 %) with TCC, but not in the patients of the control group. We found a significant statistical correlation between the frequencies of patients with microsatellite alterations in the examined loci and all three grades of histopathological T-classification. No significant correlation was found regarding the stages or the occurrence of recidivism, metastasis or cancer-related death within the two-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that two selected microsatellite markers could have a potential value in clinical and pathological evaluation of urinary bladder TCC, especially regarding the prediction of tumor differentiation. Additional studies and further validation of the method are needed. Hippokratia 2015; 19 (3): 200-204.

Delta deletion 4977 in mitochondrial DNA in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

AIM: To determine the presence of delta deletion 4977 in mitochondrial DNA in patients with Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This has been a prospective, clinically genetic study, lasting for whole two years. The clinical part of this study was made at the University Clinic of Neurology in Skopje, Unit for extrapyramidal diseases. The laboratory-genetic part of the study was elaborated at the Laboratory for molecular biology at the Institute for Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University "Sts. Cyril and Methodius". This study comprised a total of 32 subjects with a clinically verified diagnosis for idiopathic Parkinson's disease; 18 men and 14 women (with mean age of 52.7 years). Control group consisted of 31 randomly selected, literally healthy persons, at similar age, with similar gender distribution, and no clinical and anamnestic data for parkinsonism or similar clinical entities. RESULTS: Objective neurologic results of all 32 investigated subjects (100%) showed presence of rigor, tremor and bradykinesia.The difference tested between the investigated and control group, concerning the present or absent deletion and heteroplasmia, has been highly statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: It could be concluded with a great statistical significance that deletion 4977 in mitochondrial genome has been registered more frequently in the group of patients with IPD (Tab. 10, Fig. 6, Ref. 36).

Digital quantitative immunofluorescent detection of p53 protein in urinary bladder cancer tissue samples.

Bladder cancer is a significant health problem and is the fourth most common malignancy in the Western world. Histologically, transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common subtype and represents nearly 90% of all bladder cancers. Mutations of the tumour suppressor gene p53 are the most frequent genetic alteration found in human cancers, including urinary bladder carcinoma. Numerous studies have attempted to define p53 as a molecular marker with clinicopathological and predictive values. In this study we have investigated tissue samples of histopathologically confirmed TCC of the urinary bladder from 70 patients. Normal urinary bladder mucosa obtained from 40 patients with nonmalignant diseases were used as a negative control group. Immunofluorescence detection was performed using double-sandwich antibody technique, the microscope images were captured by digital camera and analyzed by ImageJ software. Corrected fluorescent intensity values corresponding to average malignant cells' nuclear p53 staining were calculated from each patient sample. We found that the mean corrected fluorescence intensity values of TCC samples grade I and II did not differ statistically significantly. On the contrary, those values were significant between the TCC grades II and III, as well as between grade I and III. In addition, a high correlation of p53 fluorescence intensity values from superficial TCC samples with the invasive TCC samples was found. However, the data showed no predictive value of p53 nuclear accumulation in TCC samples in terms of recidive, metastasis or cancer-related death, at least within the 2-years follow-up period. Given the relatively small size and heterogeneity of our patient groups, however, further studies are needed to demonstrate the clinicopathological value of digital quantitative immunofluorescent detection of nuclear p53 in TCC samples.

[Respiratory and olfactory cilia molecular machines of locomotor apparatus].

Physical activity of respiratory and olfactory cilia of animals and humans in the context of L.A. Blumenfeld concept, according to which protein molecules are "machines that perform chemical transformation" and create "a meaningful order", has been investigated and analyzed.

Concentration of collagenases (MMP-1, -8, -13) in patients with chronically inflamed dental pulp tissue.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) form an enzyme family capable of degrading almost all extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane (BM) components. They play an important role in normal tissue remodelling and growth, as well as in many destructive pathological conditions such as inflammation, tumour growth and metastasis. The role of MMPs in the breakdown of pulp tissue of teeth with pulpitis has not yet been directly elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tissue levels of collagenases (MMP-1, -8, -13) and their distributions in the clinically healthy and chronically inflamed human dental pulps of 30 patients, aged 15-70 years. Twenty pulps were collected from subjects diagnosed with chronic pulpitis, and 10 control pulps were obtained from 10 subjects following molar extraction for orthodontic reasons. The levels of collagenases were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results reveal that levels of collagenases were significantly higher in chronically inflamed vs. clinically normal pulps. Overall, these results show that MMPs play an important role in ECM destruction during the inflammatory processes of pulpitis, as well as reflecting the special characteristics of them. This investigation opens a new opportunity for one contemporary method for the diagnosis of pulp inflammations and monitoring of the inflammatory processes.

[Effect of steam bath on gastric secretion and some endocrine changes of athlete-fighters].

The issues of adaptation of the gastric glands to thermal load (steam bath) of athlete-fighters. The differences in adaptation to thermal load of gastric glands in connection with a weight category, seniority and age of athletes. Discovered the relationship in reaction to thermal load of gastric and endocrine glands. The stability of steam bath of gastric glands in the middle weight class athlete-fighters combined with the preservation of endocrine homeostasis. The high sensitivity of athlete-fighters of light and middleweight category combined with an authentic increase in serum of blood the concentrations of gastric and aldosterone, and with decrease the concentrations of cortisol.

[Participation of growth hormone and insulin in the regulation of gastric secretion in athletes wrestler in sportive and post sportive ontogenesis].

The role of gastrin, STH, insulin and glucose in the formation, and long-term adaptation of gastric secretion in athletes--wrestlers in the sportive and post sportive ontogeny Revealed an undulation in the age dynamics of the basal secretion of hormones and glucose in the blood. The ups and downs of different waves in the dynamics occur in sensitive periods of ontogeny. In a bicycle stress load changes in the secretion of hormones and glucose levels in 90% of cases are not statistically significant, but insufficient to achieve the end result of regulation--an adequate level of hydrolysis of proteins in response to physical stress.

Are there any clinical and EEG features associated with the occurrence of executive dysfunctions in patients with JME?

The aim of the study was to determine the possible relationship between different clinical and EEG features and executive functions in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), i.e. to determine if sex, age, duration, absences, clinical asymmetric seizures, asymmetry or focality in epileptiform activity in EEG, EEG slow activity and familiar occurrences are associated with frontal dysfunction in JME patients. 28 patients (17 females, 11 males), mean age--22 y. were enrolled in the study. Executive functions were evaluated with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Crosstabulation of certain characteristics have been used. The mean age at the beginning of epilepsy for the whole group was 13.5 y. and duration 8.5 y. All patients had myoclonic jerks, 28.6% of patients described unilateral predominance. Absences were registered in 42.9% patients. Bilateral spike or polyspikes/wave complexes were registered in 89.2% of patients, asymmetry of generalized discharges or focality in at least one EEG in 53.6% of patients, with anterior slow activity in 25% of them. Familiar occurrence was found in 42.9%. Of 28 patients, 14 had normal findings on WCST, while the other half of the patients did very poorly, achieving only 1-3 categories. Statistical analysis showed that only the female sex had p-value of 0.05, while other clinical and EEG features were not significantly associated with the occurrence of frontal impairment. Aside from female sex, no other clinical or EEG parameters were associated with the occurrence of executive dysfunction. But considering the relatively small sample size, our study may have been underpowered to detect subtle association and in our opinion, the current results must be replicated with a larger group of subjects to confirm the findings.

Association of PvuII polymorphism in the lipoprotein lipase gene with the coronary artery disease in Macedonian population.

UNLABELLED: In the etiology of coronary artery disease there are many factors involved as a result of the complex interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental influences. The lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a very important role in lipid metabolism. It hydrolyzes the triglycerides in hylomicrones and very low density lipoproteins - VLDL. PvuII polymorphism in the LPL gene is a frequent variant and it increases triglyceride levels and the risk of the appearance of coronary arterial disease. AIM: The aim of this work is to show LPL-PvuII polymorphism as an independent risk factor and also as a predictor of coronary arterial disease in the Macedonian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 109 randomized patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (83 males, 26 females), treated at the Cardiology Clinic. The stenosis of coronary arteries greater than 70% of the artery lumen was angiographically documented in the CAD group. The control group consisted of 32 patients (25 males, 7 females) with documented normal coronarographic findings. The patients' age ranged from 50 to 59; the mean age in the CAD group was 59.4 and the mean age in the control group was 57.9. LPL-PvuII polymorphism in the intron 6 in the CAD and control group was detected by PCR amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. RESULTS: A statistically significant association between CAD and the control group was found regarding the presence of hyperlipidaemia (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.05) and the use of antilipidaemic drugs (p < 0.049). The presence of LPL-PvuII polymorphism in both investigated groups does not represent a statistically significant risk factor for the appearance of coronary artery disease (p = 0.816). The PvuII + allele frequency of 0.495 and 0,469 was obtained in both the angiographically confirmed CAD and the control groups, respectively. This finding indicates no significant differences between the prevalence of the LPL-PvuII genotypes in both study groups, suggesting a lack of association of LPL-PvuII polymorphism with CAD. However, the homozygous genotype (PvuII +/+) was more prevalent in the CAD group (22.9%) in comparison with the control group (15.6%). CONCLUSION: In our study LPL-PvuII polymorphism was not identified as an independent risk factor for the appearance of CAD.

[Controlled radon emanatorium].

Functioning of emanatorium for conduction of artificially prepared air radon procedures with utilization of both pure radon and its short-living daughter products is described as well as principal setting of the emanatorium and radiological parameters of the radon procedures. The conditions of possible clinical studies in the above emanatorium are outlined.

[The role of the von Willebrand factor in renal diseases and haemodialysis patients]. / Bioloskata aktivnost na fon Vilebranodoviot faktor kaj bubrezni i hemodijalizni bolni.

During a period of twenty years, the von Willebrand factor (VWf) biological activity was evaluated in 805 patients with vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure and ischemic heart disease. The examined patients were 168 with vein thrombosis, 129 with diabetes mellitus, 412 with chronic renal failure (CRF), and 96 with ischemic heart disease. The biological activity was also determined in 104 haemodialysis patients using four different haemodialytic membranes: 30 on cuprophan membrane, 30 on polymethylmetacrylate membrane (PMMA), 24 on hemophane and 20 patients on polysulphone (PS) membrane. In 42 patients with arterio-venous fistula prone to thrombosis, the biological activity of the von Willebrand Factor was 178% in comparison to 106% in the control group. The biological activity of VWF was increased in patients with vein thrombosis (p < 0.02), in patients with diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01), CRF (p < 0.05), and in patients with ischemic heart disease (p < 0.01). The highest biological activity was found in patients on PMMA (p < 0.001), then cuprophan (p < 0.05) and hemophane membrane (p < 0.01), while the lowest increase of its concentration was noticed in patients on PS without statistical significance. In arteriovenous fistula prone to thrombosis patients biological activity of the von Willebrand Factor was significantly increased (p < 0.01). Our investigations show the importance of VWF as a marker of endothelial disfunction, a possible predictor of A-V fistula thrombosis, and a possible marker of haemodialysis membranes biocompatibility.

[A light-scattering spectrometer for medical diagnostic tasks]. / Spektrometr svetovogo rasseianiia dlia zadach meditskinskikh diagnostiki.

Whether a high-resolving light scattering spectrometer may be used in medical practice is discussed in the paper. The results of the experiments on blood components and microorganisms are discussed.