Association of refractory complex partial seizures with a polymorphism of ApoE genotype

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a constituent of many types of lipoproteins that play a role in metabolism of cholesterol and lipids in the body as well as in the brain. ApoE is synthesised in astrocytes and microglia and enter to neurons through LDL, LRP and VLDL receptors. Recently it was shown that ApoE is also produced in neurons. ApoE has a role in modulating learning and memory, structural plasticity, mobilization of cholesterol in repair, growth and maintenance of myelin and neuronal membranes during development and aging, and cell death after ischemic, convulsive, or other type of brain injury. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible association of ApoE gene polymorphism with the development of resistance to pharmacological therapy in patients with partial complex seizures with or without secondary generalization. In this prospective matched-pair controlled study, 60 patients with cryptogenic epilepsy with complex partial seizures, with or without secondary generalization, who have been suffering for five or more years, were studied. The first group comprised 30 patients refractory to the current therapy, while the second group consisted of patients with well-controlled seizures. The refractory and non-refractory groups of patients differed significantly in their phenotypes. Phenotype E3/4 was six times more frequent in refractory group than among non-refractory group. The lack of response was shown to be significantly associated with the presence of epsilon4 allele. This study provided evidence that the presence of epsilon4 allele is more often associated with a lack of response to current antiepileptic drugs as compared to epsilon2 and epsilon3 alleles.     

Efficiency of polylactide/polyglycolide copolymers bone replacements in bone defects healing measured by densitometry

Healing of bone defects is the most frequent cause of failure in surgical treatments of an odontogenic ostitic processes. The aim of this study was to determine successfulness in healing of bone defects after implantation of alloplastic co-polymer-polyglycol bone implant. A group of 45 cases with periradicular ostitic processes were examined. The densitometric measurements were taken from radiovisiographic dental x-ray images. Patients were observed throughout a period of one year. The results obtained were analyzed and presented graphically. Thirty-eight patients (84%) were treated successfully, and seven patients (16%) showed unsuccessful healing of the bone defects. The results obtained indicate that polyglycol copolymer bone implants can be successfully used in a treatment of odontogenically caused bone defects. Their fundamental advantage is a slow biodegradation, which ensures a more suitable area for the apposition of a new bone in the defect, simple application in clinical work and the possibility of a mutual combination of all three available forms.     

Non-Fc receptor-binding humanized anti-CD3 antibodies induce apoptosis of activated human T cells

Human trials in organ allografts have demonstrated that murine anti-CD3 mAbs are immunosuppressive. By mimicking Ag, anti-CD3 can produce T cell activation, anergy, or death. Activation of resting T cells in vivo results in dose-limiting cytokine release and is caused by Ab-mediated cross-linking of T cells and Fcgamma receptor (FcR)-bearing cells. With the goal of minimizing cytokine-induced toxicity, anti-CD3 have been engineered to lower Fc binding avidity. Preclinical murine studies have indicated that non-FcR-binding anti-CD3 can induce apoptosis of Ag-activated T cells. Since induction of T cell apoptosis may be an important mechanism of immunosuppression by anti-CD3, we tested whether Fc mutations affect the ability of anti-human CD3 to induce apoptosis of activated T cells. We compared wild-type murine anti-CD3, M291, and OKT3 and their humanized, FcR- and non-FcR-binding structural variants in quantitative assays of T cell apoptosis. Non-FcR-binding variants produced more sustainable phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2, greater release of IFN-gamma, and more effectively caused activation-dependent T cell apoptosis. Non-FcR-binding variants dissociated more quickly from the T cell surface and caused less internalization of the TCR, which then remained available in greater abundance on the cell surface for signaling. Cross-linking of non-FcR-binding variants by antiglobulin enhanced TCR internalization and minimized induction of T cell apoptosis. We conclude that non-FcR-binding, humanized anti-CD3 have improved ability to induce apoptosis of activated T cells, presumably by allowing durable expression of the TCR and sustained signaling.     

Nutritional risk screening in hospitalized and haemodialysis patients

Malnutrition is an independent risk factor impacting on higher complications and increased length of hospital stay and costs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of nutritional risk among patients on regular haemodialysis (HD) (Group I, N = 105) and among the patients at Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology (Group II, N = 652). Cross-sectional nutritional evaluation was done using Nottingham Hospital Screening Tool (NS). The prevalence of nutritional risk was 9% in Group I and 21% in Group II (p = 0.0002). We found statistically significant larger quantity of malnourished patients among acute internistic patients than among chronic from the same Group II. Malnutrition among patients on HD didn't differ statistically to chronic internistic patients. We didn't found a significantly higher percentage of nutritional risk among elderly patients (65 years and more). Correlation between body mass index (BMI) and NS was significant, but weak (r = -0.32). We can conclude that the prevalence of nutritional risk among HD patients was lower than we had expected. It seems that the screening tool we used is not sensitive enough for HD patients and needs further investigations.     

Histopathological analysis of UV-B irradiated retina by Cavia Coba'ya and with protection of transmission light lambda 550-600 nm

In 14 experimental Cavia Coba'ya eyes were irradiated with UV-B light, lambda 312 nm, 25 J/cm2 in 15 minute exposure. Including the transmission of light through optical media: cornea, lens, humor aqueous and vitreous body, and pupil surface of 7 mm2, we can calculate that in these conditions retina can be really irradiated with 10 J/cm2. The half number of Cavia Coba'ya was simultaneously irradiated with visible light, lambda of 550-600 nm (1000 Lx). Control group was 5 Cavia Coba'ya. Two months after irradiation, eyes were enucleated and fixed in 4% formaldehyde. Histopathological findings showed alterations of all retinal layers: loss of ganglion cells, axons, reduction of photoreceptors, vacuolar degeneration and hyperplasia of retinal pigment epithelium. In the second group of irradiance, the eyes with visible light lambda 550-600 nm, all retinal alterations were in 50% decreased.     

Plitvice Lakes National park harbors ancient,yet endangered diversity of trout (genus Salmo)

National park Plitvice Lakes is the oldest, the largest and the most visited national park in Croatia, well known for its stunning karstic watersheds that supply Plitvice Lakes and exceptionally valuable biodiversity. Lack of knowledge on the taxonomic status, population structure and viability of trout in the Plitvice Lakes National park, as well as the possibility of existence of cryptic diversity, motivated this study which aimed to determine: taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationship of Plitvice Lakes trout with other Salmo species, genetic structure and diversity of their populations, as well as future viability of populations. 150 samples of trout were obtained from 17 localities. Two mitochondrial gene markers, gene for cytochrome b and mitochondrial control region were used in phylogenetic reconstruction, as well as in population genetic investigation. Intraspecific and intrapopulation genetic diversity was described by calculating several measures of genetic polymorphism, while gene flow among populations was estimated as the migration rates and as the number of immigrants per generation. Phylogenetic trees revealed that Plitvice Lakes watershed is inhabited by two evolutionary independent units of the genus Salmo, representing two species, Salmo labrax Pallas, 1814 and Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758. Possibly ‘pure’ populations of both species were found alongside several admixed ones in which both species are present. Our data has shown low intraspecific and intrapopulational diversities for Plitvice Lakes trout and restricted gene flow. Small effective sizes of populations and weak interconnections between them, which are most likely a consequence of fragmentation and habitat degradation, accentuating the need for urgent conservation measures.