Positron annihilation spectroscopy study of radiation-induced defects in W and Fe irradiated with neutrons with different spectra.

The paper presents new knowledge on primary defect formation in tungsten (W) and iron (Fe) irradiated by fission and high-energy neutrons at near-room temperature. Using a well-established method of positron-annihilation lifetime-spectroscopy (PALS), it was found that irradiation of W in the fission reactor and by high-energy neutrons from the p(35 MeV)-Be generator leads to the formation of small radiation-induced vacancy clusters with comparable mean size. In the case of Fe, smaller mean size of primary radiation-induced vacancy clusters was measured after irradiation with fission neutrons compared to irradiation with high-energy neutrons from the p(35 MeV)-Be generator. It was found that one of the reasons of the formation of the larger size of the defects with lower density in Fe is lower flux in the case of irradiation with high-energy neutrons from the p(35 MeV)-Be source. The second reason is enhanced defect agglomeration and recombination within the energetic displacement cascade at high energy primary knock-on-atoms (PKAs). This is consistent with the concept of the athermal recombination corrected (arc-dpa) model, although the measured dpa cross-section of both fission neutrons and wide-spectrum high-energy neutrons in W is between the conventional Norgett-Robinson-Torrens (NRT-dpa) and arc-dpa predictions. This means that the physics of the primary radiation effects in materials is still not fully known and requires further study through a combination of modeling and experimental efforts. The present data serve as a basis for the development of an improved concept of the displacement process.

The intensities of γ-rays from the decay of 196m2Au.

The intensities of γ-rays from the 196m2Au decay adopted in 1998 and 2007 ENSDF evaluations differ up to 20%. Gold samples were irradiated in intensive neutron fluxes with energies up to 35 MeV to produce the isotopes 196Au in all isomeric states. The intensities of gammas from the radioactive decay of the isomer 196m2Au were measured by means of the nuclear γ-ray spectrometry (HPGe detectors) and compared to the existing adopted data.

Treatment efficiency of resistant hypertension in cardiologist's office.

BACKGROUND: The target values of blood pressure have not been achieved in our population of patients sufficiently. The most difficult is a control of patients with resistant hypertension. We do not have data about efficiency treatment of these patients today. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to assess current treatment status and by antihypertensive treatment modification we tried to reach an adequate blood pressure control. METHODS: Fifty two patients suffering from resistant hypertension 2-3 degree ESC/ESH with high cardiovascular risk have been observed. Reaching of the target blood pressure values was verified by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: The target blood pressure values were achieved in 50 % of patients during 18 months. We noticed a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in a decrease of casual and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in the group of controlled hypertensive patients in comparison with a group where blood pressure did not decrease sufficiently. In case of 50 % patients, the target blood pressure values have not been reached in spite of more antihypertensive drugs and a higher dose. CONCLUSION: Adequately and systematically controlled patients were treated less intensively in comparison with an inadequately controlled group. 24-hour blood pressure monitoring analysis confirmed correction of the patological diurnal rhythm mostly in adequate blood pressure controlled group. In this group, we have noticed a statistically significant decrease of blood urea and creatinin levels and albumin/creatinin ratio in urine. Resistant hypertension needs multi-faceted approach with consistent control of all comorbidities in a case of problematic blood pressure control (Tab. 6, Fig. 1, Ref. 21).

[Diagnosis of acquired toxoplasmosis using simultaneous determination of specific immunoglobulins M, A and E]. / Diagnostika získané toxoplazmózy pomocí simultánního stanovení specifických imunoglobulinu trídy M, A a E.

Simultaneous estimation of specific immunoglobulins M,A,E was tested in sera of 57 patients with confirmed acquired toxoplasmosis (24 acute and 33 subacute or chronic) using immunosorbent agglutination assay (ISAGA) and immunofluorescent tests (toxoplasma antibody-total and IgM). The antigen for ISAGA was prepared from tissue cultures HeLa infected with Toxoplasma gondii virulent strain P. Toxoplasmas were maintained in tissue cultures continuously for 18 years. High levels of IgM antibodies were found in all 24 patients during the acute phase of toxoplasmosis (0-5 month after onset). IgA antibodies were found also in all but one and IgE in 71% of these patients. IgM antibodies persisted for the longest period and it was possible to find them in 14% of patients 3 years or longer after the onset, IgA antibodies persisted for 9 months similarly as IgE (with one exception after 2 years). Simultaneous estimation of specific immunoglobulins M,A,E combined with immunofluorescent tests makes the diagnosis of Toxoplasma infection more reliable.

Aphidicolin induces myogenic differentiation in the human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line KFR.

The effects of aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha, on cell growth, DNA synthesis and myogenic differentiation in the human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell line KFR were studied. The treatment with aphidicolin at 5 x 10(-6) M concentration, which completely inhibited DNA synthesis and cell growth, induced morphological differentiation of small mononuclear cells to elongated, multinucleated (myotube-like) structures. The morphological differentiation was accompanied by the expression of skeletal muscle myosin; about 30% myosin-positive cells were observed after 14 days of treatment, compared to 2.3% in untreated cultures. The results showed that aphidicolin induces differentiation of human rhabdomyosarcoma cells and that multinucleated myotube-like elements may develop simply by cell fusion without cell division and DNA synthesis.

Microbial causative agents of male urethritis.

The incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis was studied in men with urethritis. Out of 150 examined men 48.7% had the positive isolation of U. urealyticum, 26.0% C. trachomatis, 22.7% N. gonorrhoeae, 18.7% M. hominis and in one (0.7%) patient T. vaginalis was found. None of the above mentioned microorganisms was detected in 24.7% of examined men. In 43.3% cases only one agent was isolated. In 23.3% of the men the combination of two agents, in 8.0% the combination of three and in 0.7% even the combination of four studied microorganisms was observed. C. trachomatis was most frequently observed in combination with N. gonorrhoeae (15 cases) and U. urealyticum (14 cases). M. hominis and U. urealyticum occurred simultaneously in 22 examined men.N.gonorrhoeae was most frequently found together with U. urealyticum (16 cases). Concerning the occurrence of other bacteria and yeasts, no significant difference was found between the groups positive and negative for the above mentioned microorganisms.

[Factors affecting the results of culture of Chlamydia trachomatis in a McCoy cell culture]. / Faktory ovplyvnujúce výsledok kultivácie Chlamydia trachomatis v kultúre buniek McCoy.

The authors confirmed that the sensitivity of cultivation of the laboratory strain Chlamydia trachomatis, serotype E in a McCoy cell culture is increased by centrifuging of the inoculum and addition of cycloximidine to the cultivation medium. Conversely, postcentrifugation sedimentation of the inoculum and addition of glucose to the medium has no effect. To meet the needs of the parasite and the host cells the glucose content in the basic p component of the medium--MEM is sufficient. Exchange of the basic constituent of the medium--MEM for RPMI 1640 did not prove useful in the cultivation of the laboratory strain of chlamydia. In cell cultures where medium with RPMI 1640 was used chlamydia inclusions were not found.

Laboratory diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis by immunosorbent agglutination assay (IgM ISA).

A group of 401 patients suspected for toxoplasmosis was examined by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). All patients positive in IFAT (176) were examined by the immunosorbent agglutination assay (IgM ISA). In the IgM ISA 154 of them were negative, 10 temporarily and 12 high-positive. Some of high-positive patients were examined repeatedly; decrease of high levels of specific IgM antibodies occurred 2-9 months after the first examination. For the IgM ISA antigen prepared from peritoneal exudate of experimentally infected mice was used. The antigen was stable at 4 degrees C or in liquid nitrogen at least 1 year. The IgM ISA combined with IFAT and IgM IFAT was proved satisfactory for the diagnosis of acquired acute toxoplasmosis and can be recommended for laboratories with lower capacity.

[Visualization of the developmental cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis using electron transmission microscopy]. / Zobrazenie vývojového cyklu Chlamydia trachomatis pomocou transmisného elektrónového mikroskopu.

Using a transmission electron microscope, the authors investigated the developmental cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis, serotype L2 in McCoy cells. The cell monolayer was examined closely after inoculation with the laboratory strain and subsequently after intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 hours. Soon after inoculation the authors observed attachment of elementary bodies to the cell surface and their penetration into the cytoplasm. The transformation of the elementary body into a reticular one occurred via an intermediate body and was completed within 10 hours after inoculation. By division of reticular bodies an intracytoplasmic inclusion developed which attained 20 hours after inoculation the size of a cell nucleus. After a 30-hours interval the inclusion filled practically the whole cell and contained in addition to the elementary body also reticular and intermediate bodies.

[Methods of treating experimental Neguvon poisoning and a comparison of their effects]. / Zpusoby lécení experimentální otravy Neguvonem a srovnání jejich úcinku.

The effect of conventional antidotal therapy of oral intoxication due to organophosphorus insecticide Neguvon in male mice is compared to the effect of peritoneal dialysis. As a dialysate, the combination of ACHE reactivator with atropine, distilled water and ACHE preparation has been used. In order to evaluate treatment results, the clinical course of intoxication and the increase of blood ACHE activity inhibited with perorally Neguvon were investigated. The highest increase in activity of inhibited blood ACHE has been stated by the peritoneal dialysis with ACHE preparation. Furthermore, the effects of two dialysates were compared. The first one consisted in ACHE reactivator with atropine, and the second one in ACHE preparation, respectively. The ACHE containing dialysate showed better therapeutical results. The mentioned acetylcholinesterase is stated to be inhibited through the treatment with 50% of Neguvon dosage applied to the experimental animals. Thus the actual dose of Neguvon inducing proper intoxication was reduced to its half amount.