Correlation of atherogenesis with an infection of Candida albicans.

PURPOSE: To study contents of atherosclerotic plaques for the presence of fungi of the genus Candida; and an analysis of some immunological and biochemical indices in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that are positive for Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To test for the presence of fungi in an atherosclerotic plaque, we used a method developed by us (patent NO 531, a priority from 6/28/2010). A total of 47 atherosclerotic plaques were obtained during 20 autopsies. In addition, 80 individuals (58 male, 22 female; age range from 29 to 85) with acute coronary syndrome were subjected to a blood biochemical test, including quantification of TNF-α levels and IgG and IgM to Candida albicans was determined. RESULTS: Fungi of the genus Candida were identified in 31.9% (15 out of 47) of atherosclerotic plaques. Particularly, Candida krusii and Candida grabrata were identified in overwhelming majority, although solitary colonies of Candida tropicalis and a single colony of Candida albicans were also detected. 80 (100%) patients were negative for IgM, but 30 (37.5%) were positive for IgG to Candida albicans. TNF-α was detected in a smaller quantity of IgG-negative patients (36.7%) relative to patients of IgG-positive group (70%), however its levels were considerably above in the first group (511.73±195.80 pg/ml) than in the second one (326.68±259.91 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Differences in the levels of ASAT and ALAT in patients positive to Candida albicans and negative for TNF-α were significantly higher than in the rest of patients. CONCLUSION: It is conceivable that fungi of the genus Candida are capable of inducing an inflammation of the vascular wall that in turn can lead to the development of atherosclerosis.

Expression of survivin, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in the domestic cat (Felis catus) endometrium during the oestrus cycle.

Apoptosis has been shown to be an important regulator of endometrium function. To clarify the regulation of apoptosis in the cat endometrium during the normal oestrus cycle, the expressions of the apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) and their correlation to the inhibitor of apoptosis protein Survivin were analysed using immunohistochemistry. The TUNEL technique (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling) was also used to detect DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptotic cells. The results demonstrated that TUNEL labelling is not effective for the detection of apoptosis in cat endometrium. Survivin was expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells of cat endometrium during all phases of the oestrus cycle. Survivin was localized in both the cytoplasm and nuclei of superficial and deep uterine gland cells during the luteal phase, while only cytoplasmic staining was observed during the follicular and anoestrus phases. Bax immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of luminal and glandular epithelial cells as well as the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels was weak in the anoestrus phase. Compared with anoestrus, the intensity of Bax immunostaining was moderate in the follicular phase and increased dramatically in the luteal phase. Bcl-2 immunostaining in the cytoplasm of luminal and glandular epithelial cells was moderate in the anoestrus phase. During the early follicular phase, cytoplasmic Bcl-2 immunostaining was detected mostly in glandular epithelial cells. In the mid-follicular phase, in glands, the amount of Bcl-2 protein increased progressively from the superficial to the deep layer. In contrast, the expression of Bcl-2 decreased in the secretory phase, being very low or absent in the mid- and late luteal phases. The overall results suggest that Survivin, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins may cooperatively contribute to cell apoptosis and cell proliferation in the cat uterus during the oestrus cycle.

Histological and histochemical studies on the lingual, preglottal and laryngeal salivary glands of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at the post-hatching period.

The postnatal development and histochemistry of mucins of the lingual, preglottal and laryngeal glands in the quails were investigated by means of light microscopy using specific staining for complex carbohydrates. In this study, the tongues were taken from female and male quails from day 1 to day 60 after hatching. The salivary glands in quail's tongue comprised the lingual gland, with lateral and medial (paraentoglossal gland) portions that differ in morphology and histochemical staining, and the preglottal gland, with two lateral portions and one medial portion. The medial portion of the preglottal gland, which extended to the row of the laryngeal papillae on each side of the glottis, was described as the laryngeal gland. The salivary glands were present at hatching and their cells were functionally mature and secreted mucins. In quail of all ages, the histochemical reactions revealed that the cytoplasms of the secretory cells of the preglottal, laryngeal and paraentoglossal gland (medial portion of lingual gland) contained sialomucins and weakly sulphated epithelial mucins. Neutral mucins were absent in the paraentoglossal gland, while a small amount of neutral mucins was present in other glands. The mucins with vicinal diol groups, sialomucins and weakly sulphated epithelial mucins were mixed within the secretory cells of all the glands. All the histochemical reactions were restricted to the supranuclear regions of the secretory cells within the lateral portion of the lingual gland. In conclusion, the contents of mucins in the lingual, preglottal and laryngeal glands varied between different age groups, however, no differences in the glands' histochemistry between male and female quails were observed.

Childhood achalasia.

Achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by absence of normal peristalsis and failure of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Among the most common clinical findings are vomiting and weight loss. Roentgenographically, a narrowed gastroesophageal junction and dilated esophagus are observed. This condition is uncommon in children. Here a seven-year old female patient with achalasia is reported.