Suicide ideators and attempters with schizophrenia--the role of 5-HTTLPR, rs25531, and 5-HTT VNTR Intron 2 variants.

AIM: To examine the role of 5-HTTLPR, rs25531 and 5-HTT VNTR Intron 2 variants in subjects with psychotic disorders manifesting suicide ideation and behaviour. METHODS: The study included 519 subsequently hospitalized subjects who were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR, rs25531 and 5-HTT VNTR In2 variants. Clinical assessments included structured psychiatric interview, sociodemographic characteristics, suicide ideation and behaviour (SIBQ), severity of psychopathology (PANSS) and depression (CDSS). RESULTS: Three subgroups were identified: suicide attempters (N = 161), suicide ideators (N = 174) and subjects who never reported suicide ideation or behaviour (comparative group, N = 184). MAJOR FINDINGS: 1) Suicide attempters scored highest on the CDSS, while no differences between the three clinical subgroups were detected in the PANSS scores; 2) Suicide attempters were more frequently the carriers of L(A) allele, while subjects in the comparative group were more frequently the carriers of low expression 5-HTTLPR/5-HTT rs25531 haplotype SL(G); 3) No difference was found between the three clinical groups in the 5-HTT VNTR In2 variants; 4) Subjects with 5-HTTLPR/5-HTT rs25531 intermediate expression haplotype (L(A)L(G,)SL(A)) scored higher on the PANSS general psychopathology subscale; 5) There was no association between suicide attempt or ideation and 5-HTTLPR/In2 or 5-HTTLPR/rs25531/In2 haplotype distribution. CONCLUSION: The suicide ideators, attempters and controls did not differ significantly in 5-HTTLPR or 5-HTT VNTR In 2 variants, but 5-HTTLPR/5-HTT rs25531 haplotype might be a useful genetic marker in distinguishing these three clinical groups.

Diagnostic potential of carcinoembryonic antigen and ferritine in tuberculous and malignant pleural effusion.

The aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and ferritine in malignant and tuberculous non-bloody pleural effusion. The etiology of diseases was determined by cytologic, histologic and microbiologic methods. CEA concentration above 5 ng/ml and ferritine concentration above 200 ng/ml were considered to be positive. There was significant difference in the value of CEA measured in malignant and in tuberculous pleural effusion (P < 0.005) as well as in the sera (P < 0.01) of these two groups. There was no correlation between concentration of CEA and ferritine in malignant pleural effusion. Ratio between CEA and ferritine in effusions and sera was of no help in discriminating malignant from tuberculous effusions. No correlation between examined markers and physical status of patients was observed. The sensitivity and specificity of CEA assay in malignant pleural effusion was 65% and 90%, respectively, and for ferritine 67% and 80%, respectively. A high correlation was observed between the CEA concentration in malignant pleural effusion and sera patients (r = 0.95). Combined sensitivity and specificity of CEA and ferritine was 65.9% and 85%. Bayes theorem was used to calculate the positive predictive values for CEA and ferritine, which were 53% and 37%, respectively. Results obtained in the study show the relatively good diagnostic potential of CEA.

The role of sialic acid and Ca2+ ions in rabies virus-infected foxes brain.

The receptors for rabies virus on the neuron membranes are polysialogangliosides arranged in multicomponent gelate structures. The impulse conductivity at the synapse membranes also depends on the interactions between negatively charged sialic acid from the oligosaccharide parts of gangliosides and positively charged Ca ions. From individual brain regions of healthy foxes and foxes naturally infected with rabies virus glycolipoprotein preparations were isolated. In them, the presence of polysialogangliosides and the concentration of sialic acid, Ca ions, and proteins were evidenced. The concentration of sialic acid was increased in all tested brain regions of the infected foxes. In the preparations from the cortex cerebri or cornu Ammonis of the infected foxes, 20-fold higher levels of sialic acid and the decreased concentrations of Ca ions were recorded. The increase in sialic acid levels is directly responsible for the augmented negative charge at synaptic membranes and, consequently, for a much higher permeability of these membranes, which results in a persistent stimulation followed by the release of neuro-transmitters.

Creatine kinase-BB activity in malignant tumors and in sera from patients with malignant diseases.

Creatine kinase (CK EC 2.7.3.2) and CK-BB activity was analyzed in 41 malignant tumors of 6 different sites and different histological structures. The same analyses were done on 150 sera of patients with malignant diseases of various localizations. The rate of CK activity was determined kinetically, whereas tissue and serum CK-BB were separated chromatographically (Mercer). Insofar as malignant tumor tissues are concerned, the highest average rate of CK-BB activity was detected in tumors of the prostate (mean 1450 IU/g), and the lowest in tumors of the parotid gland (mean 5.2 IU/g). CK-BB was detected by the Mercer technique in 56 (37.3%) of 150 analyzed sera of patients with malignant diseases. The rate of CK activity in sera of patients with malignant diseases was 8 to 74 IU/I. In comparison with the site of the malignant process no significant CK serum activity differences were observed. T2-T3 tumors did not significantly influence the activity of either CK or CK-BB in the case of either tissues or sera (T1-T3). Enzyme activity was found to be much higher--both in tumoral tissue and in sera--with T4 tumors. The highest rate of CK-BB activity was found in sera of patients with malignant tumors of the stomach (mean 8.1 IU/I), and the lowest in malignant tumors of the rectum (mean 1.8 IU/l).

Iron, copper, and zinc liver tissue levels in patients with malignant lymphomas.

Levels of iron, copper, and zinc in liver tissue and of copper in serum were studied in 53 cases of untreated malignant lymphoma (14 cases of Hodgkin's disease and 17 of lymphocytic and 22 of histiocytic lymphoma). The values were compared with the levels of these metals in the liver tissue of 23 healthy persons. Liver tissue was obtained by means of percutaneous biopsy examination with a Menghini needle. Part of the samples was used for histologic examination, and the remainder for metal level determination. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used in determining metal levels in dry liver tissue and in sera. In all malignant lymphoma patients, a significantly higher serum copper level was established (P < 0.05). A lower iron level in liver tissue was only found in those patients with lymphocytic lymphomas without a lymphomatous process in the liver (P < 0.05), while lymphomatous hepatic infiltration was associated with a higher iron level and lower copper level (P < 9.05). Significant changes in liver zinc levels were only proved by higher levels of this metal in patients with histiocytic lymphoma and lymphomatous hepatic infiltration (P < 0.05). The only redistribution of copper between the serum and liver tissue was found in those patients with lymphocytic lymphomas and lymphomatous hepatic infiltration.

A biochemical characterization of human breast tumors.

The activities of PHI, LDH and LDH isoenzymes were examined in 45 samples of human breast tissue. There were 25 carcinomas, 10 fibroadenomas and 10 nontumor tissue samples. In the group of nontumor breast tissue, values were as follows: PHI (X = 574 SD = 69), LDH (X = 634 SD = 91), LDH5/LDH1 (X = 0.42 SD = 0.23); in the benign group, PHI (X = 425 SD = 95), LDH (X = 59 SD = 188), LDH5/LDH1 (X = 0.55 SD = 0.38); and in the malignant tumor group, PHI (X = 2871 SD = 1350), LDH (X = 3108 SD = 1417), LDH5/LDH1 (X = 3.33 SD = 0.95). The enzyme activities of nontumor and benign tissue were statistically similar, but when these parameters were compared with the enzyme values of malignant tissue, there was a significant statistical difference. Based on these results, it is possible to establish a biochemical criterion for malignancy with the PHI and LDH activity levels greater than 720 U/g and the LDH5/LDH1 ration greater than 1.3. By using this criterion, the examined specimens can be categorized as nontumor or benign in one group and malignant in another group. This corresponds to the histiopathologic system of classification.

Comparative investigations of some enzymatic parameters and liver scanning in the early detection of the malignant liver process.

In 30 patients with histologically verified malignant liver processes, the authors have examined the value of the serum activity of liver lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and in a number of patients, 5'-nucleotidase. These values were compared with the findings received from scintigraphy of the liver. Based on the results obtained, the authors have concluded that the activities of the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gammaGT), 5'-nucleotidase and liver lactate dehydrogenase are more significantly increased in malignant processes of the liver than scintigraphy of the liver could register.

Serum copper levels in patients with solid tumors.

The serum copper levels were investigated in 125 patients with solid tumors: 34 patients with bronchial cancer, 35 with gastric cancer, 31 with breast cancer and 25 with melanoma. Analysis showed that serum copper was extremely high in 82% of the patients with bronchial carcinoma, while in the other examined groups no significant changes were observed. According to these results, serum copper could be a diagnostic factor in patients with bronchial carcinoma.