[Correlation of leptin and anthropometric parameters during weight reduction therapy in obese children]. / Korelace leptinu s antropometrickými parametry behem redukcní lécby obézních detí.

At present, obesity is considered one of the major health problems. It is a predisposing factor of several chronic diseases including non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Leptin levels in humans have been found to be highly correlated with total adiposity. We performed statistic analysis in order to identify linkage between leptin levels and anthropometric parameters in a group of 285 Czech obese children (152 girls and 133 boys) aged 7 to 18 years. The children were measured using the standard anthropometric technique according to Martin and Saller [16] at the beginning and end of a five-week therapeutic weight reduction programme. The skin fold thickness at 14 sites was assessed by means of Best calliper. The body composition was evaluated using Matiegka's technique. The leptin levels were investigated on the beginning and end of the reduction programme by direct enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the evaluation of the grade of obesity, body weight, BMI (body mass index), RI (Rohrer's index), FMI (fat mass index) and normalized body weight, normalized BMI and RI were plotted. Correlation analysis shows relation between leptin concentration and FMI to be the most significant. As to ponderal indexes, normalized RI shows the most significant positive correlation. Leptin concentrations are negatively correlated with the proportion of the weight of skeletal muscles by Matiegka both in girls and boys. Intersexual differences in correlations between leptin concentrations and normalized circumferences are observed, as well as in correlations between leptin and particular skin fold thickness. We also tested relations between the magnitude of leptin decreases and magnitude of decreases of anthropometric parameters. There is a strong endorsement both in girls and boys of positive correlation between decrease of leptin concentration and fat reduction. Interestingly, differences between boys and girls in relations between leptin decrease and change in lean body mass had been observed.

[Anthropologic methods in the evaluation of the weight reduction process in obese children]. / Moznosti vyuzití antropologických metod pri hodnocení redukcního procesu obézních detí.

Childhood obesity is considered at present one of the most difficult problems in paediatrics and it is one of the major health problems of industrialized society. Growth and development of obese children is different in several aspects. The authors submit the results of an anthropometric survey implemented in 1989 to 1996 in a group of 1949 Czech obese children (720 boys and 1229 girls) aged 6 to 18 years. The patients were measured by the standard anthropometric technique according to Matrin and Saller at the beginning and end of six-week therapeutic weight reduction programme. The skinfold thickness at 14 sites was assessed by means of a Best caliper. The body composition was evaluated using Matiegka's equations. For evaluation of the weight reduction programme the paired t-test was used a criterium of the quality of the evaluated parameters. For the needs of the medical profession curves of the empirical percentiles of BMI for both sexes were plotted to evaluate the grade of obesity. From the analysis of anthropometric data using the paired t-test in 1949 probands ensues that the most valuable information as regards circumferential measurements in boys is provided by the circumference of the abdomen, the gluteal area followed by the chest circumference. In girls the results are partly different--a gluteal circumference of thigh highly dominates, gluteal circumference follows, chest circumference mesoeternal is the third. As to skinfolds the authors recommended to monitor in boys the supraileac, subscapular and abdominal skinfold. In girls the following order was assessed: supraileac, thoracic (at the level of the 10th rib) and subscapular skinfold. From the accurate assessment of the body composition of obese children subjected to weight reduction ensues our recommendation that the loss of adipose tissue should be at least seven times greater than the loss of musculature. A lower ratio should be an indication for changing the reducing treatment. Methods of direct anthropometry, incl. calipering can be unequivocally recommended as the method of first choice because of their non-invasive character.

An abnormally high occurrence of malformed kinocilia in the tracheal epithelium of a clinically healthy rabbit.

An abnormally high occurrence of malformed kinocilia containing axonemes with different number or arrangement of microtubules compared with the typical 9+2 pattern of motile cilia was encountered in the tracheal epithelium of one clinically healthy rabbit. The malformed cilia amounted to 6.87% of all kinocilia. Individual types of ciliary malformations were further classified. The frequency of ciliary malformations was compared with that in all other rabbits the ciliary border of which has been quantitatively evaluated in our laboratory. Using Grubbs test the extremely low probability of occurrence of such a high number of malformed kinocilia in the rabbits' population was verified. The studied rabbit suffered from a mild form of the immotile cilia syndrome, but the loss of less than 10% of moving cilia did not lead to the expression of the clinical signs of the impaired function of cilia in the organism.

Plasma beta-endorphin, bombesin and pancreatic polypeptide immunoreactivity in healthy subjects and ulcer patients and changes during treatment with pirenzepine.

A lower level of BEI was demonstrated in duodenal ulcer patients in both acute and chronic cases (P less than 0.01). Treatment of patients with PI increases BEI up to values found in healthy subjects, in accordance with our previous findings (17). The basal level of BOI in ulcer patients did not differ from that in healthy subjects. A transient increase of BOI was recorded during the first phase after PI application, however, BOI decreased to basal levels at the end of the therapy (P less than 0.05). The basal PPI level was higher in both groups, primarily in acute ulcer patients (P less than 0.01). During the treatment with PI the PPI level slightly increased. Mathematical correlation between BEI and BOI, and BEI and PPI revealed a significant negative correlation (P less than 0.001). However, this correlation was found in healthy subjects only, indicating that healthy subjects with a high BEI level have lower BOI and PPI values and this relation depends on BEI. This dependence is absent in ulcer patients.

Mutual correlation between levels of plasma beta-endorphin, bombesin and pancreatic polypeptide in healthy subjects and ulcer patients.

A lower level of beta-endorphin (BE) was demonstrated in patients with both acute and chronic duodenal ulcer (P less than 0.01), while the basal level of bombesin (BO) in such patients did not differ from that in healthy subjects. The basal pancreatic polypeptide (PP) level was higher in both groups of patients, primarily in those with acute ulcer (P less than 0.01). A significantly negative correlation (P less than 0.001) between the levels of BE and BO, and between those of BE and PP, was found in healthy subjects. Similar interrelation was absent in ulcer patients.

Correlations of clinical and laboratory data for prognosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Correlation of 24 different clinical and laboratory measures was performed for a calculation of the prognosis in 65 children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The hematologic as well as genetic parameters were studied at the time of diagnosis. It was shown that the initial blast count in peripheral blood is the most important risk factor for the prognosis of ALL. Cytogenetic, DNA cytometric, and pedigree data correlate with blast count and also seem to be very important determinants for ALL prognosis. The statistically significant increase in the incidence of neoplasms in ALL families is reported.

Heterogeneity of pepsinogens in the urine of children.

The existence of a significant linear relationship between the concentration of chlorides and the activity of pepsinogen (PG) in the urine was ascertained in the case of full-term infants 3 days to 6 weeks of age. At the age of 4-6 weeks, a significant relationship was found between the urinary pepsinogen activity and the urinary creatinine concentration, and between the urinary pepsinogen activity in the urine and the urine osmolality. Immediately after birth, the Pg7 fraction of PG II in the urine was found in all cases and, at the age of 4-6 weeks, in 11% of cases. In regard to the time factor, the conspicuous drop in the occurrence of the Pg7 fraction corresponds to the new qualitative relationship between the pepsinogen activity in the urine and the creatinine concentration in the urine and between the former and the urine osmolality. In premature infants, the Pg7 fraction disappears more slowly. The spectrum of pepsinogens in the urine was examined in children suffering from various diseases. In a girl with lymphoma, we found the Pg7 fraction, but this finding was temporary only.

Correlation between changed biophysical properties of surface membranes and embryonic brain cell adhesivity. Influence of detergents, fixation, EGTA, colchicine, vinblastine, increased K+, ouabain and DMA on the primary cellular adhesivity of embryonic brain cell.

Embryonic mouse brain cells were rotated for 120 min and cellular adhesivity was tested under normal conditions and in the presence of substances which change the membrane properties. A marked decrease of cellular adhesivity (but not complete inhibition) was recorded in the presence of anionic detergents, while fixation of cells caused only non-significant inhibition Colchicine (1 mumol/l) and vinblastine (10 micrograms/ml) did not significantly affect the adhesivity. Increased external K+ (10 mumol/l) and ouabain (10 mmol/l) were also without a significant effect, however, EGTA (0.1 and 0.01 mmol/l) inhibited the adhesivity significantly. 2,3 dimethyl maleinic anhydride (DMA) which removes a part of the positive charge, caused a slight decrease of adhesivity. It is suggested that the primary adhesivity of brain cells is dependent upon the structural integrity of surface membranes, while the organization of the tubular system does not play a significant role. Isotonic concentration of monovalent cations is optimal for adhesivity and an increased concentration of external K+ or ouabain did not affect adhesivity significantly.

Influence of increased concentration of Ca2+, La3+, PVP and urea on primary adhesivity of embryonic brain cells. Ultrastructural pattern of adhering cells.

With the help of a previously described experimental arrangement the influence of increased external concentration of Ca2+, La3+, PVP and urea was tested on the initial stages of brain cell adhesivity and its kinetics. Urea, an inhibitor of hydrogen bonds, significantly inhibited the adhesivity of the treated cells. PVP significantly increased cell adhesivity. The adhesivity was enhanced and speeded up by increased concentrations of Ca2+ and La3+. It is evident that the membrane surface potential, zeta potential and formation of H+ bonds and bridges are highly important for cellular adhesivity. EM control of freshly dissociated cells disclosed that a part of the cells had been damaged. According to the ultrastructural organisation, the surface membrane is damaged to a small or greater extent. Intercellular contacts were formed in vitro either between non damaged surfaces of membranes, or between fragments of membranes, or contacts were mediated by membrane debris. Because cellular debris disappeared during rotation from single adhesive complexes, it is probable, that disrupted membranes are used for restoration of membranes, or serve as a metabolic substrates, or are catabolized.

Cell-to-cell adhesion of dissociated embryonic brain cells; the effects of metabolic inhibitors and temperature.

Brain cells from 16 to 18-day-old mice embryos were dissociated by mild trypsinization and rotated for 120 min. The area and density of of the adhesive complexes formed were registered using the method described previously. The adhesiveness of dissociated embryonic brain cells (measured during the 120 min of rotation) was diminished in the presence of inhibitors of protein synthesis (puromycin, cycloheximide and inhibition of mRNA synthesis actinomycin D). The inhibition was, however, not distinct, because 1 microgram/ml of cycloheximide and actinomycin was without any significant effect, and the degree of inhibition evoked by 10 micrograms/ml and 25 micrograms/ml of puromycin bordered on significance. However, protein synthesis inhibitors in long-term aggregation experiments had a pronounced inhibitory effect and/or induced destruction of the aggregates. Metabolic inhibitors (KCN and NaN3) caused an inhibition at the lowest level of significance (p less than 0.05) 10(-3) mol/l KCN reduced the final adhesive product significantly. Cells rotated at room temperature and at +5 degrees C adhere to the same extent as in control experiments (37 degrees C). The adhesion was significantly inhibited at +60 degrees C and also after freezing at -80 degrees C with subsequent thawing. The adhesion of cells exposed for 30 min to between +80 degrees C and 100 degrees C was completely abolished. The process of embryonic brain cell adhesion requires a low energy supply, and is relatively independent of biosynthetic processes and of temperature changes between +5 degrees C and +50 degrees C.

The effect of short-term temperature changes on the adhesivity of nerve cells. Participation of DNA molecules on non-specific cellular adhesion.

Brain cells from 16 to 18-day-old mice embryos were dissociated by mild trypsinization and sieving. Immediately after dissociation the cells were preincubated in a PBS solution at -6 to +54 degrees C for 3 and 20 min. After this preincubation cells were rotated for 60 min at 37 degrees C in the PBS solution. Cellular adhesivity was estimated during this time period and EM pictures of organized in vitro aggregates after 24-28 h were taken. In a separate series of experiments, freshly dissociated were treated with DNAase before the rotation procedure. Preincubation in a cold or a warm medium did not alter the inhibition of cellular adhesivity significantly. Distinct inhibition of cellular adhesion was observed in cells preincubated above 53 degrees C. Adhesion was also inhibited below -5 degrees C, however, this effect was mainly dependent on the rate of freezing and thawing. Digestion of dissociated cells with DNAase (20 micrograms/ml) decreased cell adhesion. At 37 degrees C the adhesivity decreased by about 20%. Aggregates of cells preincubated at 0 degrees C for 20 min did not exhibit marked EM changes after 24-28 h in vitro. The present results have shown the rather high resistance of molecules responsible for cellular adhesion and its reversibility to temperature changes. Furthermore, non-specific cellular adhesion was shown on physically active DNA molecules.

Inhibitory effect of tunicamycin on the adhesivity and aggregation of embryonic brain cells.

Tunicamycin (TM) - (0.1, 1.0 and 10 micrograms/ml) inhibits insignificantly the adhesivity of embryonic mice brain cells during the first 120 min of incubation. The effect is not dose dependent. The concentration of 10 micrograms/ml added at the onset of experiments has a drastic effect during the time period in which cell regeneration, cell movement and formation of aggregates occurs. Up to the 5th day in vitro (DIV), aggregation is completely inhibited and disrupted parts of cells are mostly present in the medium. The concentration of 1 microgram/ml is less effective, and 0.1 microgram/ml is practically without effect. EM analysis shows that tunicamycin (10 micrograms and 1 microgram/ml) diminish the regeneration and integrity of plasmatic membranes, 10 micrograms/ml of tunicamycin destroys cytoplasmatic organelles which is probably the cause of the decline of cellular regeneration and of aggregate formation. Tunicamycin (10 micrograms/ml), if added to the already formed aggregates evokes their disintegration and lower doses (1 microgram/ml) liberated cells from aggregates into the medium.