Family history of allergy and symptoms of atopic dermatitis

Three hundred sixty five children and hundred thirty nine adults with atopic dermatitis were divided into three groups. Group A included patients with negative family history of allergy; group B--allergy history in one parent or his family; group C--allergy in both parents or their families. It was found that total IgE level was higher in patients of group C in comparison with group A. Similarly, bronchial asthma and/or rhinitis coexisted more frequently, incidence of urticaria was higher and its onset earlier in patients of group C. The results noted in patients of group B occupied middle position between those in group A and group C. Results related to the incidence of RAST positive reactions and multiple sensitivity were similar but the differences were lower. Radioimmunologic assays were performed only in part of the tested patients.     

Comparison of insecticidal paint and deltamethrin against Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) feeding and mortality in simulated natural conditions

The vector of Chagas disease, Triatoma infestans, is largely controlled by the household application of pyrethroid insecticides. Because effective, large‐scale insecticide application is costly and necessitates numerous trained personnel, alternative control techniques are badly needed. We compared the residual effect of organophosphate‐based insecticidal paint (Inesfly 5A IGR? (I5A)) to standard deltamethrin, and a negative control, against T. infestans in a simulated natural environment. We evaluated mortality, knockdown, and ability to take a blood meal among 5^th instar nymphs. I5A paint caused significantly greater mortality at time points up to nine months compared to deltamethrin (Fisher's Exact Test, p < 0.01 in all instances). A year following application, mortality among nymphs in the I5A was similar to those in the deltamethrin (χ2 = 0.76, df=1, p < 0.76). At months 0 and 1 after application, fewer nymphs exposed to deltamethrin took a blood meal compared to insects exposed to paint (Fisher's Exact Tests, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Insecticidal paint may provide an easily‐applied means of protection against vectors of Chagas disease.     

Only neutral polymorphisms found in the TIGR/myocilin gene of 45 Polish patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

The aim of the study was to identify mutations of the TIGR gene in Polish patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to define possible genotype-phenotype correlations. The study included 45 patients with a verified diagnosis of POAG. The PCR amplification of all three exons of the TIGR gene and screening for the sequence changes by CSGE analysis was done for every patient. The probes with identified heteroduplexes were sequenced. Altogether 315 PCR products were obtained. The CSGE analysis detected 60 possible changes of the sequence in 28 patients. 34 heteroduplexes were chosen for sequencing, including 29 unique changes and 5 changes representative of identical heteroduplexes. Direct sequencing enabled detection of only four different changes in the TIGR gene sequence. Three of them: 5'UTR -83G-->A (in 14 patients), +227 exon 1 G-->A, Arg76Lys (in 14 patients) and +311 exon 3 T-->C, Tyr347Tyr (in 4 patients) have already been described in the literature as neutral polymorphisms of the gene. Only one change in the promoter, 5'UTR -126T-->C (in 2 patients), has not been described in the literature to date. However, this change does not alter directly the sequence of amino acids in myocilin, so it is difficult to conclude on its pathogenetic role. Thus our study showed only neutral polymorphisms of the TIGR gene. This suggests that the patients probably have mutations in other genes, so other loci that predispose to POAG must be analyzed.     

The Effect of Different Types of Musculoskeletal Injuries on Blood Concentration of Serum Amyloid A in Thoroughbred Racehorses

BackgroundTraining-induced muscle, skeletal and joint trauma may result in acute phase response reflected by the changes in the blood concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA) in racehorses. It remains yet unclear if such systemic reaction could be triggered by sport injuries and what is the impact of different types of musculoskeletal trauma on SAA concentrations in racehorses. This study aimed to determine changes in the SAA blood concentration in racehorses with different types of injuries of musculoskeletal system.ResultsMean SAA concentration within the first 4 days of the injury of muscle and tendon was significantly higher than in bone fractures, dorsal metacarpal disease, joint trauma or in the healthy horses (p<0,001). There were no significant differences between the other groups.ConclusionsStrain injuries of muscle and tendons can cause a moderate increase in SAA blood concentration in racehorses, reflecting the occurrence of the acute phase response. Similar reaction is not observed in the stress-related bone injuries.     

Basic endocrinological disorders in chronic renal failure

The aim of this study was to look at basic endocrinological disorders in chronic kidney disease, acquainting endocrinologists with information about the definition and classification of kidney diseases and basic metabolic disorders in uraemia. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism, growth hormone disorders and the possibility of growth hormone treatment, the reasons for and the consequences of hyperprolactinaemia are presented in a practical way. Thyroid hormones management, a problem which requires further study, is portrayed extensively. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis disorders are equally complex and not yet fully examined. We have largely concentrated on the practical aspects of diagnostics of the presented disorders.     

Changes in the composition of fatty acids and sterols of membrane lipids during induction and differentiation of Brassica napus (var. oleifera L.) callus

Changes in the membrane lipid and sterols content and composition were studied during induction and differentiation in callus cultures of Brassica napus var. oleifera. Callus induction was associated with an increase of DGDG content, significant changes in fatty acids composition of all lipid fractions and increased degree of lipid unsaturation. The membrane lipid composition of tissue at different degrees of differentiation was found to vary significantly, particularly two weeks after transfer of callus to regeneration medium. The main differences concerned the content and composition of galactolipids. Curiously in many cases, these differences declined during subsequent culture, in spite of the morphogenesis process which was in progress. Another result of differentiation was the change in free sterol composition: in shoot regenerating calli the content of stigmasterol had rose whereas the accumulation of campesterol decreased. Even though observed changes in membrane properties may not play a role in morphogenesis they are nevertheless useful as developmental markers and can be invaluable in understanding biochemical basis of morphogenesis.