Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis can counterbalance the negative influence of the exotic tree species Eucalyptus camaldulensis on the structure and functioning of soil microbial communities in a sahelian soil

The hypothesis of the present study was that bacterial communities would differentiate under Eucalyptus camaldulensis and that an enhancement of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) density would minimize this exotic plant species effect. Treatments consisted of control plants, preplanting fertilizer application and AM inoculation. After 4 months of culture in autoclaved soil, E. camaldulensis seedlings were either harvested for growth measurement or transferred into containers filled with the same soil but not sterilized. Other containers were kept without E. camaldulensis seedlings. After 12 months, effects of fertilizer amendment and AM inoculation were measured on the growth of Eucalyptus seedlings and on soil microbial communities. The results clearly show that this plant species significantly modified the soil bacterial community. Both community structure (assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles) and function (assessed by substrate-induced respiration responses including soil catabolic evenness) were significantly affected. Such changes in the bacterial structure and function were accompanied by disturbances in the composition of the herbaceous plant species layer. These results highlight the role of AM symbiosis in the processes involved in soil bio-functioning and plant coexistence and in afforestation programmes with exotic tree species that target preservation of native plant diversity.     

Changes in body size of newborns in Lithuania, 1974-2004

The purpose of this study was to analyse body size of Lithuanian newborns born in 1998 and 2004, and to compare results with the data from 1974. The main body size measurements - body weight, body length and body mass index (BMI) of 3281 (1705 boys and 1576 girls) live term singleton Lithuanian newborns' were analysed according to gestational age, sex and health status. The data were collected in the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Vilnius University (VU COG), and the comparison with the data of Lithuanian Medical Birth Register of (LMBR) was performed. No significant differences between height, weight and body mass index in 1998 and the same characteristics in 2004 were observed. Means and principal percentiles (10th, 50th, 90th) of body measurements of 37-42 weeks of gestational age newborns were obtained. The mean body length was 52.8/52.19 cm (boys/girls), body weight--3589/3454 g, BMI 12.82/12.64 correspondingly. The recent data were compared with the similar data from 1974 cohort. Statistically significant increment of body length of Lithuanian newborns was observed in all age and sex groups, whereas weight changes were less evident. The analysis of BMI demonstrated the following trend: newborns became longer, but not relatively heavier in comparison with the similar data 30 years ago. Hence, it is important to evaluate weight changes of neonate in relation with the changes in height. Further investigation of prevalence of neonatal macrosomia, possible factors of body size changes, their relationship to general health status and further health issues of the child should be explored.     

Psychological status and coping with illness in patients with malignant melanoma

Melanoma patients are subject to different degrees of psychosocial distress. The emotional impact of malignant melanoma can be long lasting and profound, with the most common reactions to melanoma being depression, anxiety and deterioration in quality of life. Coping styles have been shown to have a significant influence on patients' quality of life and their emotional reaction to the illness. The aim of this paper was to investigate the quality of life, emotional status and coping styles in patients with melanoma. 31 patients suffering from malignant melanoma were included in the study. Results of this study show that melanoma has a medium influence on patients' psychological status and quality of life. The most "constructive" coping style--problem focused coping is the mostly used style by the patients, which might be one of the reasons why the illness didn't have a more severe influence on patients' psychological status.     

The case of asymptomatic primary actinomycosis of the greater omentum in the patient with intrauterine contraceptive device

This paper describes a case of asymptomatic multifocal actinomycosis of the greater omentum which was detected accidentally in a patient who was suspected of uterus myoma. The patient was a 40 year old woman who had a copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) for three years. After the gynecological examination and pelvic ultrasound she was diagnosed with sub serous myoma of uterus. Since she did not give a birth it was suggested to have myoma enucleating. However during the surgery a dermoid teratoma of the right ovary was detected so it was removed together with tumor and there were two thickenings on the greater omentum, suspicious of inflammation, whereas one grew together with the front abdominal wall. Due to these conditions, she had partial omentectomy done and omentum was sent for path histological examination. The path histological examination confirmed it to be actinomycosis. The patient had an intensive antibiotic therapy prescribed (Penicillin) in order to prevent a disease relapse because we could not be sure whether the remaining part of omentum was affected by microscopic actinomycosis.     

Organisation of cervical cytology screening in Croatia: past, present and future

This presentation highlights strengths and weaknesses of cervical cytology screening in Croatia, with particular reference to the opportunistic screening, the use of conventional Papanicolaou (Pap) test and the analysis of some organizational, educational and performance issues that are associated with it. Its aim is to propose measures to improve the efficacy of cervical cytology screening in order to reduce cervical cancer mortality. Currently, in excess of 450,000 Pap tests/ year are examined at 35 laboratories scattered throughout the country. All of these laboratories use standard operating procedures including internal and external quality control. They employ a total of 68 cytologists and 91 cytotechnologists. The sensitivity of cervical screening in Croatia is 90.0%, specificity 98.6%, positive predictive value 92.3%, negative predictive value 98.1% and overall diagnostic accuracy 97.2%. The high diagnostic accuracy of cervical cytology is attributed to the long-standing tradition of education and training of cytologists (postgraduate MSc course since 1967, independent residency since 1974) and cytotechnologists (since 1968). This tradition spanning more than half a century means that today in Croatia there is a developed network of cytology laboratories staffed by highly competent cytologists and trained cytotechnologists. The high accuracy of cancer detection through Pap tests provides strong evidence in support of cervical cytology screening remaining the basic method of prevention for cervical carcinoma. However, some modifications to the current situation are needed. These relate primarily to opportunistic screening. The current screening coverage rate is 68%, although there is capacity, which would allow for all women at risk, i.e. those aged 25-64, to be screened once in three years. The screening coverage relates mainly to those women visiting gynecological out patient clinics for unrelated conditions. A properly organized and controlled national screening programme should replace this. This should be accompanied by the introduction of alternative, highly sensitive methods of sample collection and preparation, such as are available through the introduction of new technologies, e.g. liquid based cytology.     

Antibody profile of pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome and pregnancy outcome after treatment with low dose aspirin and low-weight-molecular heparin

The aim of the research was to show our diagnostic and therapeutic experience with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in pregnant women. 36 pregnant women suspect on APS were included in the study: 32 with primary antiphospholipd syndrome (PAPS) and 4 with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (SAPS). All pregnant women received low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH) and low dose aspirin (LDA) therapy. Control group represented 26 women with SAPS and previous bad reproductive anamnesis. Average pregnancy lasted 37.06 +/- 0.707 weeks. LMWH and LDA therapy was successful in 97.22%. Lupus anticoagulant (LA) was found to be more frequent in PAPS group (71.87%). Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) were found to be more frequent in SAPS (26.66%). For three patients (3.37%), PAPS was diagnosed due to a fact that they had positive antibeta2-glycoproteinl (antibeta-GP1). To make APS diagnosis, it is of great importance to search for all antiphospholipid antibodies. LMWH and low dose of acetylsalicylic acid should be the first choice therapy.     

Human dipeptidyl peptidase III acts as a post-proline-cleaving enzyme on endomorphins

Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPP III) is a zinc exopeptidase with an implied role in the mammalian pain-modulatory system owing to its high affinity for enkephalins and localisation in the superficial laminae of the spinal cord dorsal horn. Our study revealed that this human enzyme hydrolyses opioid peptides belonging to three new groups, endomorphins, hemorphins and exorphins. The enzymatic hydrolysis products of endomorphin-1 were separated and quantified by capillary electrophoresis and the kinetic parameters were determined for human DPP III and rat DPP IV. Both peptidases cleave endomorphin-1 at comparable rates, with liberation of the N-terminal Tyr-Pro. This is the first evidence of DPP III acting as an endomorphin-cleaving enzyme.