Functional role of Hsp60 as a positive regulator of human viral infection progression.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are a family of proteins highly conserved in evolution. Members of the Hsp family are mainly responsible for proper protein folding, however they perform many other functions in living organisms. Hsp60 is a molecular chaperone that is present in mitochondria and cytosol of eukaryotic cells, as well as on their surface. It is also found in the extracellular space and in the peripheral blood. Apart from its role in assisting protein folding in cooperation with Hsp10, Hsp60 contributes to regulation of apoptosis, as well as participates in modulation of the immune system activity. Hsp60 may favor oncogenesis by promoting survival or growth of some tumor cell types. Hsp60 is a subject of medical research due to its role in pathogenesis of certain tumors and infectious diseases. In this review we discuss mechanisms by which Hsp60 promotes development and progression of infections caused by three human viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and influenza A virus.

Concentric and eccentric shoulder rehabilitation biomechanics.

The use of an impulse-momentum (IM) exercise technique was investigated for end-stage shoulder rehabilitation. The objectives of this study were to: (a) quantify the net shoulder joint forces and moments while using an IM system and (b) test the influence of gender and muscle loading type (concentric or eccentric) on kinetic and kinematic parameters. Fourteen healthy adults (eight males, six females) performed a repeated measures experiment on an instrumented device utilizing a cabled shuttle system. While maintaining 90 degrees of shoulder abduction and 90 degrees of elbow flexion, the subjects externally rotated their upper arm from 0 degrees to 90 degrees (concentric acceleration) and then internally rotated their upper arm back from 90 degrees to the 0 degrees position (eccentric deceleration). Shoulder joint forces and moments as well as rotational work and power were calculated using inverse dynamics (free-body forces and moments calculated at intersegmental joint centres). Overall concentric peak forces and moments were greater than eccentric peak forces and moments (P < 0.0001). Joint forces and moments reached a maximum during the initial phase of concentric loading (0 degrees to 45 degrees) compared with any other rotational position in the loading cycle (concentric 45 degrees to 90 degrees or eccentric 90 degrees to 0 degrees). The results also indicate that males experienced higher (P < 0.0001) average resultant peak joint forces (concentric 0 degrees to 45 degrees = 108.0 N and eccentric 90 degrees to 45 degrees = 87.2 N) than females (concentric 0 degrees to 45 degrees = 74.7 N and eccentric 45 degrees to 0 degrees = 56.0 N). In addition, males experienced higher (P < 0.0001) average resultant peak joint moments (concentric 0 degrees to 45 degrees = 30.4 N m and eccentric 45 degrees to 0 degrees = 21.0 N m) than females (concentric 0 degrees to 45 degrees = 19.7 N m and eccentric 45 degrees to 0 degrees = 12.8 N m).

[ECG picture in rats exposed to the action of petroleum]. / Obraz EKG u szczurów narazonych na dzialanie ropy naftowej

The male rats of Wistar strain were exposed to the vapours of arabic petroleum Abu-Dhaki Zakun at concentration 1500 mg/m(3) during 16 weeks, 6 times weekly per 90 minutes daily. The ECG examinations revealed progressive bradycardia, increase of the percentage of conduction disturbances appearing as the bundle-right branch block, changes of the shape of P deflection, decrease of the angle of inclination of QRS vector, and increase of the percentage of nonspecific changes of ST-T syndrome. The obtained results can suggest a noxious effect of petroleum on the heart muscle when given by inhalation in a determined concentration.

[Modern serological diagnosis of syphilis (author's transl)]. / Moderne serologische Luesdiagnostik

After discussion of the antigen structure of Treponema pallidum it is shown that only reactions with the pallidum antigen can establish a serological diagnosis of syphilis. Reactions with Reiter antigen are superfluous, reactions with lipoid antigen (cardiolipin) are non-specific and not very sensitive and consequently only conditionally useful as a test reaction. The behavior of the Treponema and lipoid antigen reactions is different in the various stages of lues, and consequently permits certain conclusions to be drawn from the reaction pattern on the stage of lues present or on the therapeutic success by quantitative longitudinal assessment. The special conditions in the cerebrospinal fluid are discussed.