B cell-activating factor enhances interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 production by ODN-activated human B cells.

We aim to investigate the additive value of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) when added to oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN)-activated B cells with respect to TLR-9, CD69, MHC-II expression, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion and B cell cycling. Therefore, B cells from healthy individuals were incubated under the following conditions: (1) B cells with medium, (2) B cells with ODN 0.5 µm, (3) B cells with BAFF 20 µm and (4) B cells with both ODN 0.5 µm and BAFF 20 µm. We found that addition of BAFF did not enhance the expression of TLR-9, CD69 and MHC-II in ODN-activated B cells. Incubation of B cells with BAFF and ODN together leads to a marked elevation of IL-6 and IL-10 levels compared to ODN alone. Synthesis and mitosis were higher in B cells stimulated by BAFF than in B cells stimulated by ODN. These findings suggest that both BAFF and TLR-9 contribute independently to B cell function.

Preliminary notes on dual relevance of ITS sequences and pigments in Hygrocybe taxonomy.

The relationships based on ITS sequences of 48 Hygrocybe s.l. specimens were studied and compared with previously described taxonomic groups. Our specimens formed two well separated genetic groups. The first one includes the species characterized by vivid yellow and red colours, while species belonging to other clades were pallid or pale brown, and in most cases with pink or olive tones. This separation is supported by the presence of muscaflavin pigments among some species referred to Hygrocybe (Bresinsky & Kronawitter 1986). The subgenera distinguished by morphological features can be relatively well recognized on phylogenetic trees, however, the majority of sections were not supported. Variability in the ITS region of Hygrocybe species is unusually high. In some cases sequences differed by more than 25 %, and the lengths of ITS regions also showed large differences. Taxa that were considered as closely related, e.g. the H. conica aggregate, were found to have identical or highly similar sequences. Our results seem to confirm the taxonomic concept of Bresinsky (2008) who proposed the division of the genus Hygrocybe. Hence H. calyptriformis and all examined members of subg. Gliophorus (H. irrigata, H. laeta, H. nitrata, H. psittacina) and subg. Cuphophyllus could be excluded from the genus Hygrocybe s.str. Based on these results further research using DNA markers at the intergeneric level is suggested to revaluate the taxonomy of former Hygrocybe species.

Transthyretin mutation (serine 84) associated with familial amyloid polyneuropathy in a Hungarian family.

A Hungarian family with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) was studied. The disease presented in two individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome in the fourth and fifth decades of life. The proband subsequently developed vitreous opacities requiring vitrectomy and now has evidence of cardiomyopathy. Single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct DNA sequencing revealed a variant AGC (serine) codon at amino acid position 84 of the amyloid precursor protein, transthyretin (TTR). The same single amino acid substitution in TTR was detected in an Indiana kindred with Swiss/German origin. Six individuals of the 11 tested being at risk for FAP proved to have the mutation in the present Hungarian kindred. This is the first description of this TTR gene mutation in Europe. Despite TTR gene haplotype analysis which suggests that the Hungarian and Indiana kindreds may have a common origin, no genealogical link has been identified between the families living in Indiana and Hungary.

[Possibilities of earlier evidence of the lead load]. / Die Möglichkeiten des früheren Nachweises der Bleibelastung.

A total of 138 workers of a motorcar transportation plant were examined to show a degree of lead damage. The analysis of obtained results was conducted from the two points of view: 1) according to employment time in plant; 2) according to work groups. The following laboratory examinations were carried out: delta-aminolevulin acid and coproporphyrin urinary excretion; determination of serous transaminase of glutaminoxalacetic acid and glutamin and piruvic acid, leucinaminopeptidase, whole protein, albumin-globulin coefficient, protein fractions (albumin alpha 1-, alpha 2-, beta 1-, beta 2, gamma) as well as of dehydratase activity of delta-aminolevulin acid in erythrocytes. In conformity with literary data an increased urinary excretion of delta-aminolevulin acid and of coproporphyrin to a different degree, as well as a decrease of dehydratase content of delta-aminolevulin acid in erythrocytes were detected. In the authors' view attention is to be drawn to a minor or greater extent to proportional increase of leucinaminopeptidase content however, in all the age groups and all the professional categories. The results of present examinations are considered by authors an important and sensitive parameter to evidence of lead damage.