Expression and distribution of carboxypeptidase B in the hippocampal subregions of normal and Alzheimer's disease brain

Earlier neurochemical studies suggested that human brain carboxypeptidase B may play a significant role in the degradation of amyloid-beta1-42 in the brain. Using an immimohistochemical technique we report here on the neuronal expression and distribution of this enzyme in the segments (CA1a, CA1b and CA1c) of the CA1 subfield and in area CA4 of the hippocampus in normal and Alzheimer's disease brain samples. Its distribution was compared with the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles in the same brain sample. For immunohistochemical localization of carboxypeptidase B, a specific C14-module antibody was applied, together with the Gallyas silver impregnation technique for the demonstration of neurofibrillary tangles. The results revealed that, in the control samples, most of the immunoreactivity appeared in segment CA1a in the pyramidal cells, less in segment CA1b and least in segment CA1c. In the Alzheimer's disease samples, there was no particular immunostaining in the neurons, but, a large number of silver-impregnated degenerated neurons appeared. The results support the suggestion that carboxypeptidase B may play a significant role in elimination of the intracellular accumulation and toxicity of amyloid-beta in the human brain and thereby protect the neurons from degeneration.     

Endothelial cell markers reflecting endothelial cell dysfunction in patients with mixed connective tissue disease

Introduction  

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between cardiovascular risk factors and endothelial dysfunction in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and to determine which biomarkers are associated with atherosclerotic complications, such as cardiovascular disease.     

Altered elementary calcium release events and enhanced calcium release by thymol in rat skeletal muscle

The effects of thymol on steps of excitation-contraction coupling were studied on fast-twitch muscles of rodents. Thymol was found to increase the depolarization-induced release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which could not be attributed to a decreased calcium-dependent inactivation of calcium release channels/ryanodine receptors or altered intramembrane charge movement, but rather to a more efficient coupling of depolarization to channel opening. Thymol increased ryanodine binding to heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, with a half-activating concentration of 144 micro M and a Hill coefficient of 1.89, and the open probability of the isolated and reconstituted ryanodine receptors, from 0.09 +/- 0.03 to 0.22 +/- 0.04 at 30 micro M. At higher concentrations the drug induced long-lasting open events on a full conducting state. Elementary calcium release events imaged using laser scanning confocal microscopy in the line-scan mode were reduced in size, 0.92 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.70 +/- 0.01, but increased in duration, 56 +/- 1 vs. 79 +/- 1 ms, by 30 micro M thymol, with an increase in the relative proportion of lone embers. Higher concentrations favored long events, resembling embers in control, with duration often exceeding 500 ms. These findings provide direct experimental evidence that the opening of a single release channel will generate an ember, rather than a spark, in mammalian skeletal muscle.     

Hip fractures in elderly--ten years analysis

Geriatric hip fractures (GHP) are the major problem in the geriatric traumatology and it is estimated that treatment of GHF will spend a large amount of health care resources. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare differences in incidence of operatively treated patients with GHF, type of treatment depending of the type of fracture, early postoperative mortality, length of stay and costs of used implants within a 10 years period. Surgically treated 2478 patients, older than 65 years with hip fractures were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to the type of fracture (femoral neck fracture or intertrochanteric femoral fracture) and used implant. Results showed increasing trend in GHF in our County in the last 10 years. There was a shifting trend in used implants, and new surgical techniques were used more commonly in the last few years. In observed period there were no significant changes in revision surgery and length of hospital stay. The mortality decreased, especially in males, but generally it was not in correlation with used implant. At the 10-years period increase in patients with GHF of 179% was followed with 4 time higher increase in implant prices. Present reimbursement in health care system does not calculate the difference of implant costs in hospital expenses, therefore proper usage of modern implants and careful planning in the treatment of GHF is necessary.     

The antifungal protein AFP secreted by Aspergillus giganteus does not cause detrimental effects on certain mammalian cells

The antifungal protein AFP is a small, cystein-rich protein secreted by the imperfect ascomycete Aspergillus giganteus. The protein efficiently inhibits the growth of filamentous fungi, including a variety of serious human and plant pathogens mainly of the genera Aspergillus and Fusarium, whereas AFP does not affect the growth of yeast and bacteria. This restricted susceptibility range makes it very attractive for medical or biotechnological use to combat fungal infection and contamination. We, therefore, analyzed whether AFP affects the growth or function of a number of mammalian cells. Here we show that the protein neither provokes any cytotoxic effects on human endothelial cells isolated from the umbilical vein nor activates the immune system. Moreover, potassium currents of neurons and astrocytes do not change in the presence of AFP and neither excitatory processes nor the intracellular calcium homeostasis of cultured skeletal muscle myotubes are affected by AFP. Our data, therefore, suggest that AFP is indeed a promising candidate for the therapeutic or biotechnological use as a potential antifungal agent.     

New policies for using anthelmintics in high risk groups

The 'Informal Consultation on the Use of Praziquantel during Pregnancy/Lactation, and Albendazole/Mebendazole in Children under 24 Months' was held 8-9 April 2002, in Geneva, Switzerland.     

Five-years cumulative incidence of alcohol consumption in Croatian adult population: the CroHort study

Alcohol consumption is traditionally part of most human cultures, and with the onset of industrial revolution it was recognized as a health and social problem. The aim of this article is to investigate cumulative incidence of alcohol consumption in Croatia. Data were obtained from the Croatian Adult health Survey in 2003 followed by 2008. The cohort consisted of 3229 participants. Questions regarding alcohol consumption were calculated into two factors describing existence or non-existence of risk behavior. Results revealed higher incidence of risk alcohol consumption in man than in women and highest in the 35-65, age group. Due to the some study limitations results might be underestimated. Present problem of alcohol is alarming, even more so, in women's population it might be only the tip of the iceberg. Cultural and regional differences should be taken into account when educational programs are constructed, especially due to the different type of alcohol consumed.