Evaluation of the natural killer cytotoxicity and the levels of cytokines in rats with type I diabetes mellitus

Type I diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent DM = IDDM) is a chronic disease characterized by specific destruction of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in an absolute lack of insulin. Immune mechanisms, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors are all implicated in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes. This study was aimed at determining the efficiency of cytokines, natural killer (NK) cells in the pathophysiology of IDDM. Therefore, we evaluated the plasma levels of cytokines by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the cytotoxicity activity of NK cells by anti-candididal index in rats with type I diabetes. We found that the cytotoxicity activity of NK cells in IDDM groups significantly decreased compared to the control groups. The levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in IDDM groups were slightly higher than in healthy controls. These results indicate that the changes of T H1 type cytokines such as IFN-gamma and NK cell activity can play a role in the etiology of IDDM. The data may provide new strategies for the treatment of IDDM.     

Slime production and proteinase activity of Candida species isolated from blood samples and the comparison of these activities with minimum inhibitory concentration values of antifungal agents

Slime and proteinase activity of 54 strains consisting of 19 Candida parapsilosis and 35 C. albicans strains isolated from blood samples were investigated in this study. Ketoconazole, amphothericin B, and fluconazole susceptibility of Candida species were compared with slime production and proteinase activity of these species. For both Candida species, no correlation was detected between the slime activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the three antifungal agents. For both Candida species no correlation was detected between the proteinase activity and the MIC values of amphothericin B, and fluconazole however, statistically significant difference, was determined between the proteinase activity and MIC values of ketoconazole (p = 0.007). Slime production was determined by using modified Christensen macrotube method and proteinase activity was measured by the method of Staib. Antifungal susceptibility was determined through the guidelines of National Committee for Laboratory Standards (NCCLS M27-A).     

Efficient <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> bulblet regeneration from immature embryos of endangered <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sternbergia fischeriana</Emphasis>

Sternbergia fischeriana is an endangered geophyte and therefore in vitro micropropagation of this plant will have great importance for germplasm conservation and commercial production. Bulb scale and immature embryo explants of S. fischeriana were cultured on different nutrient media supplemented with various concentrations of plant growth regulators. Immature embryos produced higher number of bulblets than bulb scales. Large numbers of bulblets were regenerated (over 80 bulblets/explants) from immature embryos on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4 mg l^–1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.25 mg l^–1 -naphthaleneacetic (NAA) or 2 mg l^–12,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) after 14 months of culture initiation. Regenerated bulblets were kept at 5 °C for 5 weeks and then transplanted to a potting mixture.     

Assessment of DNA damage in glue sniffers by use of the alkaline comet assay

Toluene is used widely, not only in industry, but also in households where toluene exposure and abuse can occur. To estimate the genotoxic risk of toluene exposure, DNA damage was determined in peripheral lymphocytes of 20 glue sniffers and 20 age-matched controls by use of the alkaline comet assay. Urinary hippuric acid and o-cresol excretion rates, which are used as a marker for toluene exposure, were also measured in sniffers and compared with historical control values. The increase in genetic damage in sniffers was statistically significant as compared to control subjects (P<0.0001). The mean values of the hippuric acid and o-cresol excretion rate for glue sniffers was 73- and 1582-fold higher, respectively, than in controls and confirms the putative exposure. Education of the general public and efforts to keep adolescents away from volatile solvent-based products, which may lead to a desire of sniffing in the future, would be advisable.     

Fryns syndrome with atypical findings--with large midline cleft on forehead but normal cranial MRI findings

We report a newborn with Fryns syndrome and atypical findings like a large midline cleft on forehead. Abnormal findings included congenital left diaphragmatic hernia, prominent forehead, hypertelorism, broad nasal bridge, anteverted nostrils, cleft palate, low set ears, tapered fingers, macrocephaly, congenital heart defect, midline defects and renal anomalies. This is the first case that has a midline cleft on forehead with normal cranial MRI findings.     

In vitro activity of sodium benzoate against clinically relevant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates

The antimicrobial effects of sodium benzoate against Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium were investigated. The MIC(90) of sodium benzoate were 64 mg/L for E. faecalis and 32 mg/L for E. faecium, while the MBC(90) were 128 mg/L and 64 mg/L, respectively. Although further studies are required for clinical evidence, sodium benzoate seems to be effective against Enterococcus spp.     

Cerebrovascular insult hospital cases in the Clinical Hospital Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) from 1999 to 2003--an example of an institutional register

The analysis of a cerebro-vascular insult hospitalized cases in the Clinical Hospital Mostar as a retrospective epidemiological study was done in the Clinical Hospital Mostar for the period from 1999 to 2003. The major source of data was medical documentation of this hospital (an institutional register), the only hospital for the treatments of 457,491 inhabitants who gravitate by a health insurance for the treatment in this hospital. The study included a total of 1,555 cerebro-vascular insult cases treated in the Clinical Hospital Mostar Among them 727 (46.8%) were male patients, while 828 (53.2%) cases were female. The majority of the cases were above 50 years of life. Majority of treated female patients were older than 61 (45.6% of all cases), as well as among male patients (31.3%). The least number of cases was under 41 years in both groups (1.2%). Prevalence of risk factors was 2,035 cases (74%). During the same period risk factors research for entire Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) was performed on the sample of 2,750 national insurance holders, out of which 852 gravitate for treatment in CB Mostar. Out of them 1.7% was found to suffer of cerebro vascular insult.