Association between vitamin D, antimicrobial peptides and urinary tract infection in infants and young children.

AIM: Vitamin D stimulates production of the endogenous antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin and ß-defensin-2, which are expressed in the urinary tract. We investigated vitamin D status and levels of cathelicidin and ß-defensin-2 and their association with urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: The study included 120 children under three years of age: 76 children with UTIs and 44 otherwise healthy children with congenital hydronephrosis. Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were measured by direct competitive electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay, and plasma cathelicidin and ß-defensin-2 concentrations were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are prevalent in young children (21%). Serum vitamin D levels negatively correlated with age and were significantly lower in girls. Levels of vitamin D positively correlated with levels of cathelicidin but not with ß-defensin-2. Low concentrations of vitamin D were associated with UTIs in girls, but we did not see any correlation with the recurrence of infection at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common and may prove to be a risk factor for UTIs especially in girls. We hypothesise that adequate supplementation with vitamin D may become a way to prevent first-time UTIs.

[SEX HORMONE INFLUENCE ON PERIPHERAL NATURAL KILLER CELLS COUNT].

Proper evaluation of immunological factors connected with pregnancy establishment increased the possibility for exact treatment in high risk gestation cases. Hormonal changes during an ovarian cycle may affect immune response, which is crucial for the embryonic implantation. Peripheral Natural killer (pNK) cells are key components of immune systems and their activities could be regulated by sex hormones. In the present study we investigated the effects of estrogen fluctuation on the number of NK cells in vivo during the early follicular and middle luteal phase of menstrual cycle. In 63 healthy women with at least one full term pregnancy and regular menstrual cycle with duration between 24 and 32 days, blood samples have been collected twice for investigation of CD3/CD16/CD56 positive lymphocytes. The mean pNK count in follicular phase was 11.6% with 4.7% variation. The median was 10.6%. The mean pNK count in luteal phase was 12.1% with 5.1% variation, respectively median for cell number 11.8%. The two-tailed t-test comparison did not find any statistical difference despite the slight elevation of pNK cells count in luteal phase. The insignificant variation in pNK cells count objected the suggestion to evaluate immunological status in women with adverse pregnancy outcome in specific phase of menstrual cycle.

Spastin gene mutations in Bulgarian patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is an extremely heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders affecting the longest axons in the central nervous system. The most common genetic form accounting for about 40% of the autosomal-dominant HSP (ADHSP) cases is spastin gene, SPG4. We performed mutation screening of the spastin gene on 36 unrelated HSP patients from three different ethnic groups (Bulgarian, Turks and Gypsies) and found four new mutations and one already reported. The phenotype-genotype correlations in Bulgarian SPG4 patients showed a great difference in the age at disease onset between patients with missense mutations and those harboring deletions and splice-site mutations. Our study is the first to present corroborative clinical data in favor of the general hypothesis that the clinical course of the disease is related to the type of the spastin mutation. The clinical and genealogical findings in Bulgarian SPG4 patients suggest that a positive family history for inheritance as an autosomal-dominant trait is a strong indication for spastin mutation screening.

Negative ion behavior in single- and dual-frequency plasma etching reactors: particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision study.

Particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo simulations are used to simulate the trajectories and energies of randomly sampled F- and CF-(3) ions in capacitively coupled radio-frequency discharges, in order to clarify the movement of the negative ions in the sheaths and plasma in both single- and dual-frequency regimes, as well as in symmetric and asymmetric discharges. In the single-frequency reactor both types of negative ions are confined in the plasma and the main loss mechanism is recombination with positive ions. In the dual-frequency reactor under certain operating conditions when the sheaths are wide and the bulk plasma is narrow the light F- ions move across from one sheath to the other, and they can even be lost at the electrodes. The main loss mechanisms are then electron detachment and absorption at the electrodes. The much heavier CF-(3) ions are still confined in the bulk and represent the major negative charge. In an asymmetric discharge the electric field in the sheath to the smaller (powered) electrode is much stronger than that in the sheath to the grounded electrode. Consequently, the F- ions reach mainly the grounded electrode.

[Results of a multi-year use of combined laser-surgical treatment in tumors of the epibulbar and limbocorneal localizations]. / Rezul'taty mnogoletnego opyta ispol'zovaniia kombinirovannogo lazerno-khirurgicheskogo lecheniia opukholei épibul'barnoí i limborogovichnoí lokalizatsii.

Fifty-five patients (55 eyes) were followed up. The "Romashka-2" CO2-laser plant was used for treatment of epithelial and epibulbar tumors (41 patients, 41 eyes). Microsurgical interventions with subsequent lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty were made in 14 patients (14 eyes). The experimental group of patients was followed up from 3 to 10 years. Relapses were registered in 4 eyes (4 patients). The CO2-laser treatment had a number of advantages before surgery or cryotreatment in removing the epibulbar tumors without growth in the cornea. Ablasticity, minimal trauma to tissues and evaporation of diffusive neoplasms can be named among such advantages. In cases of growth of epibulbar tumors in the cornea, there were direct indications for keratoplasty with preliminary barrage of CO2 irradiation on the sides of the mucous tunic of epibulbar tumor. Tumors were surgically removed with subsequent lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty being made with respect to a tumor type. The perfection of surgical technique consists in that one transplant of a bigger diameter is used instead of a corneoscleral transplant.

Numerical investigation of ion-energy-distribution functions in single and dual frequency capacitively coupled plasma reactors.

Ion-energy-distribution functions (IEDFs) are numerically investigated in capacitively coupled (cc) radio frequency (rf) Ar/CF(4)/N(2) discharges by a one-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo model. The simulation considers electron-neutral collisions, various kinds of collisions of ions (Ar+, CF+3, N+2, F-, and CF-3) with neutral, positive-negative ion, and electron-ion recombination. The influence of pressure, applied voltage amplitude, and applied frequency on the Ar+, CF+3, and N+2 IEDFs is presented. The dependence on the frequency regime is investigated by simulations of the Ar/CF(4)/N(2) mixture in single (13.56 MHz) and dual frequency (2+27 MHz or 1+27 MHz) cc reactors. A comparison of the simulation results with analytical calculations in a collisionless rf sheath is discussed. The results show that the IEDFs shift toward the low energies with increasing pressure or decreasing applied voltage amplitude. The Ar+ and N+2 IEDFs exhibit secondary maxima due to the charge transfer collisions. The CF+3 IEDF has a peak at high energies in consistency with the average sheath potential drop. The IEDFs in the dual frequency regime are broad and bimodal.

[Lansinoh in the treatment of sore nipples in breastfeeding women]. / Prilozhenie na lansinoh pri vuzpalenie na grudnite zurna u kurmachki.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and side effects of purified lanolin (Lansinoh) in the prophylactics and treatment of sore nipples. Fifty-seven women aged 20-35 years have been treated - 41 (72%) with phototype III-IV and 16 (28%) with phototype I-II. Thirty-seven (65%) of them were primiparous and 20 (35%) were multiparous. Pre-delivery preparation of the breast has been performed in 16 (28%) of the women. Two groups of patients were formed: I gr. - 10 women (17,5%) with no complaints applying the preparation with preventive aim and II gr. - 47 (82,5%) women with sore nipples of different severity. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed according to the nipple attribute score. In the first group of patients due to the application of Lansinoh the skin remained smooth and elastic and breast-feeding was not disturbed. In the II group Lansinoh lead to a statistically significant difference in the nipple attribute score before and after treatment. The improvement was most pronounced in patients with light and moderate forms of inflammation, in women with phototype III-IV, in multipara and in patients with pre-delivery preparation of the breast. CONCLUSION: Lansinoh is purified lanolin suitable for prophylactics and treatment of sore nipples.

[The transfer of genes for Brown Rust resistance from Aegilops umbellulata Eig. to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome]. / Perenos genoc ustoichivosti k buroi listovoi rzhavchine ot Aegilops umbellulata Eig. v genom pshenitsy (Triticum arstivum L.).

The potential of a genome-substituted form Avrolata (AABBUU) as a genetic system in genomic and chromosome manipulations for gene transfer from the wild species Aegilops umbellulata Eig. (UU) to cultivated wheat was studied. It was shown that plants combining resistance to leaf brown rust with high productivity may be produced from this form by classical hybridization procedures. The resistance gene introduced to line R-12 is dominant and probably identical to the Lr9 gene. By N-banding, chromosome staining technique and gliadin electrophoresis, the structural changes in chromosomes 1A, 2A, 4B, 6B, 7B, 1D, and 2D of the resistant line R-12 were revealed.

Gene mapping in Gypsies identifies a novel demyelinating neuropathy on chromosome 8q24.

Founder effect and linkage disequilibrium have been successfully exploited to map single gene disorders, and the study of isolated populations is emerging as a major approach to the investigation of genetically complex diseases. In the search for genetic isolates ranging from Pacific islands to Middle East deserts, the 10 million Gypsies resident in Europe have largely escaped the attention of geneticists. Because of their geographical ubiquity, lack of written history and the presumed social and cultural nature of their isolation, Gypsies are construed as not meeting the criteria for a well defined founder population. Gypsy society has a complex structure with subdivisions and stratifications that are incomprehensible to the surrounding populations. Marginalization by the health care systems in most countries results in a lack of information on causes of morbidity and mortality and little is known about hereditary disorders or the population genetic characteristics of Gypsies. This study is the first example of mapping a disease gene in endogamous Gypsy groups. Using lod score analysis and linkage disequilibrium, we have located a novel demyelinating neuropathy to a narrow interval on chromosome 8q24. We show that the disease, occurring in Gypsy groups of different identity and history of migrations, is caused by a single mutation whose origin predates the divergence of these groups.

Comparative analysis of sister-chromatid exchanges in plant and human chromosomes.

Species specificity concerning the two main SCE characteristics, namely frequency and localization, of "spontaneous" SCEs in plant cells (root tips of Crepis capillaris) and in human lymphocytes was investigated under comparable conditions. The FPG technique was used for detection of SCEs after bifilar incorporation of BrdU into DNA (TB-BB). Data of parallel experiments showed that the frequency of SCEs in plant cells was considerably higher than that observed in human lymphocytes--13.2 and 7.3 SCEs per cell respectively. The difference was even more pronounced when the SCE frequency was estimated on the basis of DNA content/cell (pg). Analysis of SCE distribution was limited to SCEs localized in the centromere, since contradictory results most frequently concerned this chromosome region. The data of the present experiments showed that the frequency of SCEs localized in the centromere regions of plant chromosomes was considerably lower than that observed in human chromosomes. Compared with the relative sizes of the centromere regions in the two genomes, however, these frequencies proved to be quite similar. In both systems the centromeres were involved in SCE, as could be expected for random distribution, along the length of the chromosomes.

[Changes in the cell cycle of cultured lymphocytes from patients subjected to halothane anesthesia]. / Promeni v kletuchniia tsikul na kultivirani limfotsiti ot bolni, podlozheni na khalotanova anesteziia.

The effect of halothane anesthesia on the proliferative activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes was analyzed. Included in the study were 7 patients. Lymphocyte cultures were prepared by standard methods with blood samples obtained immediately before the operation, after the effect of halothane anesthesia was over and 24 hours later. 5-bromodeoxyuridine in concentration 10 micrograms/ml was used for labelling cells which had passed 1, 2 or more mitotic cycles within the cultivation time. Cell proliferation rate was evaluated by the proportion of metaphases from I, II and III mitotic cycle. Lymphocyte proliferation in the cultures was shown to be inhibited after halothane anesthesia. Inhibition was particularly strong in the first post-halothane sample, but kept on being strong also 24 hours later. The first mitotic cycle was markedly prolonged--to such a degree that subsequent cycles within the 72-hour cultivation period were fully absent. The results were discussed in the light of the overall effect of halothane in the process of its metabolism, its effect on DNA synthesis and eventual implication of additional immunologic mechanisms.

[The clastogenic effect of halothane on the lymphocytes from patients operated on under halothane anesthesia]. / Klastogenen efekt na khalotana vurkhu limfotsiti ot bolni, operirani pod khalotanova anesteziia.

The clastogenic effect of halothane anesthesia on peripheral blood lymphocytes from operated patients was studied. Chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatic exchanges in lymphocyte cultures of 7 patients were analyzed. Blood samples were obtained before the operative intervention, immediately after the effect of anesthesia was over and 24 hours later. To differentiate sister chromatids in the culture medium, on the 24th cultivation hour bromodeoxyuridine in final concentration 10 micrograms/ml was added. Increased incidence of structural chromosomal aberrations was recorded in lymphocyte cultures of patients after anesthesia--6.43 per cent cells with aberrations in the first post-halothane culture and 8.28 per cent in the second. Comparison of the cell affection index with the total number of affected cells revealed a continuous clastogenic effect pattern within the study period. Reliable evidence for induction of sister chromatid exchanges after the anesthesia was not found. The results were debated in the light of the possible mechanisms of clastogenicity of halothane anesthesia, the initial state of the patients and the consequences for them.

[Reconstructive surgery in epibulbar tumors]. / Rekonstruktivnaia khirurgiia épibul'barnykh opukholei.

Fourteen patients (14 eyes) were followed up after removal of epibulbar tumors (Bowen's disease, 6 patients, 6 eyes; squamous-cell carcinoma, 6 patients, 6 eyes; progressive nevus, 2 patients, 2 eyes). The vision acuity attained after the treatment was 0.3-0.8 diopters. A recurrence was recorded in 1 case of the 14. Surgical removal of the tumor was carried out with layer-by-layer or perforating keratoplasty. Despite the severity of the condition, the size and infiltrative growth of the tumor, its removal by reconstructive microsurgical methods with preliminary blocking of the vessels with CO2 laser of diathermocoagulation provided the absence of blasts and permitted a reliable and effective recovery of vision in the patients.

Genotoxic activity of benomyl in different test systems.

Benomyl (methyl-1-[butylcarbamoyl]-2-benzimidazole carbamate), a benzimidazole derivative fungicide, was tested in the Ames test for point mutations; in human lymphocyte cultures for cell division disturbances, chromosomal aberrations, and SCE; in rat bone marrow cells in vivo for micronuclei; and in rats in vivo for dominant lethals. Benomyl was negative in the Ames test. In human lymphocytes, benomyl at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 micrograms/ml decreased the number of cells undergoing third division whereas at the concentrations of 0.25 to 4.0 micrograms/ml it strongly increased the number of aneuploid cells. Benomyl was also shown to induce sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei but not chromosome aberrations. Benomyl decreased the number of female rats with implants but did not cause any dominant lethals.

Cytogenetic investigations of human subjects occupationally exposed to chemicals from the petroleum-processing industry.

A cytogenetic investigation was carried out of 55 workers from the petroleum-processing industry and of 30 control subjects. The frequencies of both structural and numerical chromosome aberrations and of sister chromatid exchanges were determined simultaneously and the relationship among these cytogenic indices were analyzed. The incidence of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges among the petroleum workers was higher than that among the controls. The cytogenic indices demonstrated a clear dependence on the working environment of the subjects and a correlation with the existence of some reproductive failures in the families of the exposed workers. Our results indicate the presence of some mutagenic risk in the working environment of some of the divisions in the petroleum-processing industry due to the genotoxic influence on the somatic cells of the exposed workers at a cytogenetic level. This potential risk is mainly associated with the presence of some heavy oil-fractions and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the working environment.