Topography and morphometry of intestinal mast cells in children with Hirschsprung's disease

Mast cells (MC) are source of many biological active compounds like cytokines, arachidonic acid derivates, proteoglicanes, prostaglandins, proteases, free oxygen radials, NGF, PAF and many more. The role of MC in pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is not clear. Substances produced by MC may exert an important effect on embryology, growth, differentiation and regeneration of intestinal nervous system. Additionally, MC products modulate inflammation processes thus influencing on the clinical course of HD. Present study was established to evaluate the morphologic MC examination as a support of making diagnosis in HD. The MC topography and morphometry were evaluated in specimens collected from aganglionic colon of patients with diagnosed HD. The results were compared with corresponding data from normally innervated colon of patients suffering from constipation, and normal colon of children not presenting defecation problems. MC were visualized using indirect immunohistochemical method LSAB with mouse antibody against human tryptase. The MC visualized in submucosa and muscular layer in Hirschsprung's disease were significantly larger in comparison with control group (p<0.05). Also the number of MC/mm2 in mucosa and lamina propria in HD was significantly elevated (p<0.05). However, the MC density in submucosa was also higher but it was not high statistically significant. In muscular layer and in serosa density of MC/mm2 was not statistically significant. In the intestinal wall MC in aganglionic segment in Hirschsprung's disease are significantly activated comparing with normally innervated colon segments taken from the patients from other groups. This may confirm the role of MC both in pathogenesis of HD and in the reparation processes of bowel nervous system.     

Comparison of essential and non-essential element distribution in leaves of the Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox as revealed by micro-PIXE

A detailed localization of elements in leaf tissues of the field-collected Cd/Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox (Brassicaceae) growing at a highly metal-polluted site was determined by micro-proton-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) in order to reveal and compare nutrient and non-essential element accumulation patterns in the case of multiple metal accumulation within particular leaf tissues, including the detailed distribution between apoplast and symplast regions. On the larger scans, the highest concentrations of metals were observed in the epidermis, S and Ca in the palisade mesophyll, Cl in the spongy mesophyll and vascular bundles, and P and K in the vascular bundles. On the more detailed scans, the highest Cd, Pb, Cl and K concentrations were observed in vascular bundle collenchyma. The relative element distribution (%) was calculated based on concentrations of elements in particular leaf tissues and their relative weight portions, indicating that most of the accumulated Zn was located in epidermises, while the majority of Cd and Pb was distributed within the mesophyll. Detailed scans of epidermal/mesophyll tissues revealed that Zn was mainly accumulated and detoxified in the symplast of large vacuolated epidermal cells, Cd in the mesophyll symplast, and Pb in the mesophyll symplast and apoplast.     

Shoot meristem differentiation in shoot primordia culture (SPC) obtained from root primordia culture (RPC) of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun.

We present a unique example of conversion of the morphogenesis type (from rhisogenesis to shoot organogenesis) in in vitro cultures of Solanum lycopersicoides. Liquid shoot primordia cultures (SPC) were obtained from root primordia culture (RPC) on two kinds of MS-based media with BA. The first SMS₈, contained a full set of organic compounds; the second, ²SMS₈, was devoid of organic compounds except sucrose and edamine. Two weeks after passage of RPC onto both the media, disintegration of root primordia and cell aggregates began. After 8 weeks of cultivation on SMS₈ and ²SMS₈ media, SPC aggregates developed from meristematic cells located near the vascular tissue of disintegrating RPC aggregates. Initiation of shoot meristems started from meristematic cells centers which were localised under the surface of the newly formed SPC aggregates. The change in the type of morphogenesis occurred faster on medium SMS₈, but the SPC on medium ²SMS₈ was characterized by more frequent formation of shoots and plants (45% of aggregates, in the case of SPC on medium SMS₈, and 90% in the case of SPC on medium ²SMS₈). This fact was correlated with the structural organization of the meristematic centers. Our results indicate that an RPC system has high morphogenetic potential due to the continual presence of meristematic cells. The change in the type of morphogenesis was followed by a rebuilding of the aggregate structure on the basis of the meristematic cells already existing in RPC, which gave rise to SPC aggregates from which shoot meristems developed.     

The role of leptin and orexins in the dysfunction of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal regulation and in the mechanism of hyperactivity in patients with anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) belongs to a group of eating disorders and is characterized by extreme body weight loss. AN patients show combination of physical, psychological and behavioral disturbances. Neuropeptides partly control energy homeostasis and modulate hormone release. Leptin, a peptide secreted by adipocytes, may influence the interactions between central and peripheral signals. Hypoleptinaemia found in AN is connected with disturbed control of appetite and hormonal dysfunction as well as has implications for the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, bone mineral density and physical hyperactivity. Low leptin levels are increased with refeeding. However, the prolonged hypoleptinaemia in weight recovered AN patients may result in persistent hypothalamic amenorrhoea. The hyperactivity has been observed in 31-80 % of AN cases. The mechanisms underlying the hyperactivity found in patients with anorexia nervosa seem to be more complicated as many factors including neuropeptides may be involved. Orexins may affect not only appetite but also behavior and psychophysical activity as they may regulate reproductive and stress hormone secretion, stimulate a variety of stereotypic behaviors including eating and stress reaction, and affect the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, alter glucocorticoid and catecholamine secretion and activate the sympathetic nervous system. Orexins influence the mechanism regulating arousal and sleep, cardiovascular function, temperature, metabolic rate and locomotive activity. It is worth considering how abnormal activity of hypothalamic neuropeptides or their receptors may play a role in the mechanisms of hyperactivity, disturbed control of appetite and hormonal dysfunction in patients with anorexia nervosa.     

Pregnancy in a woman with treated bladder extrophy, split pelvis and hypoplasia of ischial bones. Case report

We present a case of a pregnancy in a 24 year old woman who was born with ectopia vesicae, split pelvis and hypoplasia of ischial bones. From childhood to adulthood she had undergone reconstructive surgeries of the abdomen and perineum, as well as urine diversion surgery. During pregnancy she experienced recurrent urinary tract infections which were treated with antibiotics. In spite of tocolysis, she delivered by cesarean section a premature baby boy at 35th week of gestation due to premature uterine contractions. The postoperative period was uneventful and they were discharged from the hospital in a good general condition.     

Consensus statement of the Polish Society for Endocrinology: presurgical somatostatin analogs therapy in acromegaly

Consensus statement of the Polish Society for Endocrinology, regarding presurgical somatostatin analogs in acromegaly has been presented. It is suggested to administer depot somatostatin analog (Octreotide LAR at the dose 20 mg and then 30 mg or equivalent doses of Lanreotide Autogel 90/120 mg every 4 weeks) in order to normalize or suppress to a maximal extent GH and IGF-1 concentrations. The period of therapy in case of microadenoma would be at least 3 months (targets: biochemical improvement, reduced risk of disease's complications, perioperative risk reduction, inhibition of tumor growth). The period of therapy in case of macroadenoma would be at least 6 months, until maximal possible reduction of GH and IGF-1 concentrations (targets: tumor shrinkage, biochemical improvement, reduced risk of disease's complications, perioperative risk reduction). Using an uniform approach in a group, as numerous as possible, of treated patients would allow objective evaluation of long-term efficacy of the treatment.     

Tachyplesin III and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor enhance the efficacy of tazobactam/piperacillin in a neutropenic mouse model of polymicrobial peritonitis

We investigated the efficacy of tazobactam/piperacillin (TZP), tachyplesin III and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in an experimental murine neutropenic intraabdominal infection. BALB/c male mice were rendered neutropenic by intraperitoneal administration of cyclophosphamide on days -4 and -2 pre-infection. Septic shock was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Animals received intravenously isotonic sodium chloride solution (control group C1), 1mg/kg of tachyplesin III, 120 mg/kg of TZP, 0.1mg/kg of G-CSF, tachyplesin III plus TZP, G-CSF plus TZP and finally tachyplesin III plus G-CSF plus TZP, respectively. Lethality, bacterial growth in blood, peritoneum, spleen, liver, and mesenteric lymph nodes, endotoxin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations in plasma were evaluated. All compounds reduced the lethality when compared to controls. Endotoxin and cytokine plasma levels were significantly higher in TZP-treated animals compared to tachyplesin III-treated animals. Finally, all drug combinations showed to be the most effective treatment in reducing all variables measured. Interestingly, the strongest results concerning the bacterial growth inhibition, lethality and endotoxemia were obtained when the three compounds were contemporaneously administered. The presence of their positive interaction makes tachyplesin III and G-CSF potentially valuable as an adjuvant for antimicrobial chemotherapy of sepsis.     

A serological and epidemiological evaluation of risk factors for toxocariasis in children in central Poland

The level of specific anti-Toxocara IgG was examined in 343 children from central Poland with suspected Toxocara infection. Based on the presence of specific IgG antibodies and clinical signs and symptoms, toxocariasis was confirmed in 249 patients. The serological results of diagnosed cases were analysed in connection with epidemiological data (contamination of soil around the children's homes and presence of a dog or a cat). A higher prevalence of soil contamination with Toxocara eggs was found in suburban and rural areas (30.9% and 24.6%, respectively) whereas it was lower in urban areas (10.3%). In about 40% of the children whose households were not contaminated, a decrease in the antibody level was observed 2 years after treatment for toxocariasis, while there was no such decline in those living in contaminated places. The logistic regression model employed to determine the correlation between seropositivity in the children and selected epidemiological risk factors showed a statistically significant relationship in connection only with dog ownership (P = 0.0238). The present results have demonstrated the high risk of toxocariasis for children from rural and suburban areas in Poland. The sero-epidemiological investigations indicated that re-infection might be the reason for persistence of seropositivity after treatment.