Intestinal microflora of autistic children

Autistic behavior is often accompanied by numerous disturbing symptoms on the part of gastrointestinal system, such as abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea. These problems are often connected with deregulation of physiological microflora in intestine. The aim of this study was to determine differences in intestinal microflora of autistic and healthy children. Strains of Clostridium spp. and enterococci were isolated more frequently from stool samples of autistic children and rarely lactobacilli. Quantitative differences were observed maliny among staphylococci, Candida spp. and Clostridium perfringens. Monitoring and stabilization of intestinal microflora and knowledge about role of particular strains in etiology of autistic disorders can increase the chances for appropriate therapy.     

Role of the guanidine group in the N-terminal fragment of PTH(1–11)

A series of PTH hybrids containing a diamine [NH₂(CH₂) _n NH₂; n = 4, 5, 6] in the C-terminal position was synthesized based on the H-Aib-Val-Aib-Glu-Ile-Gln-Leu-Nle-His-Gln-Har-NH₂ (Har = homoarginine) template. The compounds were pharmacologically characterized at PTH1R receptors for agonist activity.     

Morphometric classification of hairy cell leukemia in bone marrow trephine biopsy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze cytologic and histologic parameters in bone marrow trephine biopsy in an attempt to define heterogeneity of hairy cell leukemia cells. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of 28 trephine biopsies. Immunohistochemistry for CD20 antigen was used. Image processing and measurements were performed with AnalySIS 3.0 image analysis system (Soft Imaging System GmbH, Germany) and custom built programs. For planimetric measurements of nuclei, automatic segmentation was implemented. The measured parameters were: surface area, perimeter, minimum, mean and maximum diameter, and a set of form factors. Relative volumes of bone trabeculae, adipose tissue, hematopoietic tissue and neoplastic infiltrate were assessed by the point counting method. Nuclear volume was measured by the point sampled intercept method. Bone marrow fibrosis was assessed using a curvilinear line test system. RESULTS: Significant variability of cell nuclei was found, and their classification into 3 types was possible. The relative frequency of those types was different in various cases and allowed subdivision of cases into 3 groups that differed in some clinical and histologic manifestations. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the heterogeneity of cell populations of hairy cell leukemia.     

The Role of Selenium in Arsenic and Cadmium Toxicity: an Updated Review of Scientific Literature

Biological Trace Element Research - Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) are elements arousing major public health concerns associated with environmental pollution, high toxicity potential, and...     

The comparison of two different embryo culture methods in the course of in vitro fertilization program

The objective of the study was to compare two different embryo culture methods in the course of in vitro fertilization program by means of fertilization rate, embryo development, total time and cost. 98 patients undergoing assisted reproduction procedures due to infertility were analyzed. The inclusion criteria for the study: first IVF-ET program, at least 10 MII oocytes, no indications for ICSI. Oocytes were divided into two study groups: group A- open culture (oocytes placed in four-well dishes together, then inseminated and cultured in successive wells) and group B - a closed culture (oocytes placed in microdroplets, each embryo cultured separately). The fertilization rate was assessed around 18 hours from insemination. The embryos were classified into four classes. The best embryos were chosen for transfer. In the group A the fertilization rate obtained was lower than in group B (68% vs. 78%, respectively). The microdroplet culture required more time on the insemination day and on the second day of culture, while the four-well dish method required more time on the first day of culture and on the day of transfer. On analyzing the total cost of the above procedures (MI medium and oil costs) it occurred that the microdroplet culture was more expensive than the four-well dish method (due to the intake of paraffin oil). However, the difference was of no practical importance. In the conclusion, microdroplet culture gives a higher fertilization rate than four-well dish culture, probably due to a homogenous sperm distribution. Despite the differences in time outside the incubator and laboratory expenses (which are after all insignificant) microdroplet culture allows a better control over the embryo development. The embryos of best developmental potential can therefore be chosen for ET.     

Functional domains and interdomain communication in Candida albicans glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase

Functional and structural properties of several truncated or mutated variants of Candida albicans Gfa1p (glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase) were compared with those of the wild-type enzyme. Fragments encompassing residues 1-345 and 346-712 of Gfa1p, expressed heterogeneously in bacterial host as His6 fusions, were identified as the functional GAH (glutamine amidehydrolysing) and ISOM (hexose phosphate-isomerizing) domains respectively. It was found that the native GAH domain is monomeric, whereas the native ISOM domain forms tetramers, as does the whole enzyme. Spectrofluorimetric and kinetic studies of the isolated domains, the Delta218-283Gfa1p mutein and the wild-type enzyme revealed that the binding site for the feedback inhibitor, uridine 5'-diphospho-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, is located in the ISOM domain. Inhibitor binding affects amidohydrolysing activity of the GAH domain and, as a consequence, the GlcN-6-P (D-glucosamine-6-phosphate)-synthetic activity of the whole enzyme. The fragment containing residues 218-283 is neither involved in ligand binding nor in protein oligomerization. Comparison of the catalytic activities of Gfa1p(V711F), Delta709-712Gfa1p, Gfa1p(W97F) and Gfa1p(W97G) with those of the native Gfa1p and the isolated domains provided evidence for an intramolecular channel connecting the GAH and ISOM domains of Gfa1p. The channel becomes leaky upon deletion of amino acids 709-712 and in the W97F and W97G mutants. The Trp97 residue was found to function as a molecular gate, opening and closing the channel. The W97G and V711F mutations resulted in an almost complete elimination of the GlcN-6-P-synthetic activity, with the retention of the amidohydrolase and sugar phosphate-isomerizing activities.     

A new view on dam lines in Polish Arabian horses based on mtDNA analysis

Polish Arabian horses are one of the oldest and the most important Arab populations in the world. The Polish Arabian Stud Book and the Genealogical Charts by Skorkowski are the main sources of information on the ancestors of Polish Arabs. Both publications were viewed as credible sources of information until the 1990s when the data regarding one of the dam lines was questioned. The aim of the current study was to check the accuracy of the pedigree data of Polish dam lines using mtDNA analysis. The analyses of a 458 bp mtDNA D-loop fragment from representatives of 15 Polish Arabian dam lines revealed 14 distinct haplotypes. The results were inconsistent with pedigree data in the case of two lines. A detailed analysis of the historical sources was performed to explain these discrepancies. Our study revealed that representatives of different lines shared the same haplotypes. We also noted a genetic identity between some lines founded by Polish mares of unknown origin and lines established by desert-bred mares.     

Analysis of 5-methylcytosine in DNA of breast and colon cancer tissues

5-methylcytosine (m(5)C) can be used as a sensitive marker of progress of the tumor formation induced by the oxidative damage reactions. We have analyzed the amount of m(5)C in DNA of patients with breast and colon cancers. Two dimensional thin layer chromatography (TLC) has been used to monitor 5-methylcytosine level in DNA extracted from cancer tissues. The level of methylation of cytosine at C-5 position in DNA from breast cancer patients correlates well with the malignancy of tumors. Interestingly higher amount of m(5)C in DNA for the breast cancer patients treated with different chemotherapeutics was observed. It suggests an activation of DNA methyltransferase as well as a genomic suppression of the DNA repair genes expression. These differences clearly reflect the health condition of patients and support the global analysis of m(5)C in DNA as a good marker for diagnosis of neoplasia in clinical practice.