Acute-phase protein gene expression in rat liver following whole body X-irradiation or partial hepatectomy

We studied the effect of total body X-irradiation and partial hepatectomy on the acute phase protein gene expression in rat liver. Male rats of AO strain were irradiated with high X-ray doses, without any visible tissue damage. In contrast, partial hepatectomy consisted of surgical removal of 40% liver tissue. The changes in liver mRNA concentrations for positive acute-phase reactants including cysteine protease inhibitor, alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein, fibrinogen and haptoglobin, and albumin as a negative reactant were monitored by Northern blot and slot-blot hybridizations using corresponding [32P]dCTP labeled cDNA probes. While in the first 24 h after the partial hepatectomy, liver mRNA levels for the positive acute-phase reactants increased, briefly followed by an immediate decrease, the duration and timing of the acute-phase responses to the whole body X-irradiation were slightly different and lasted for as long as 72 h. Although both treatments induced the mRNA expression of acute-phase reactants in rat liver, the observed variations in the duration and intensity of the changes in mRNA levels for the acute-phase proteins in these two types of tissue damage suggest the involvement of specific mechanisms in a fine tuning of the non-specific acute-phase responses to meet the unique requirements of the particular injury.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic and redox properties of copper(II) complexes of N-alkyl(aryl) tBu-salicylaldimines

A series of novel copper(II) complexes, L₂Cu with newly synthesized 3,5--salicylaldimine (or 5--salicylaldimine) ligands derived from 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol (or 4-tert-butyl phenol) and alkyl (aryl) amines have been prepared and their spectroscopic (IR, UV-Vis, ESI-MS), X-ray, magnetic and redox properties have been investigated. The X-ray crystallography analysis shows that all complexes are monomeric and their copper(II) centers are surrounded by phenolate oxygens and imine nitrogen atoms. Therefore, the coordination sphere around the copper atoms is N₂O₂ as seen in galactose oxidase active site. In addition, the geometric configurations of all complexes are square planar or slightly distorted square planar. The crystal system for all complexes is monoclinic, except for which is orthorhombic. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility of complexes confirms the mononuclear structure of complexes. Oxidation of the Cu(II) complexes yielded the corresponding Cu(II)-phenoxyl radical species during the cyclic voltammetry experiments.     

Radiation therapy in treatment of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a case report and review of the literature

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an extremely rare genetic disorder with diffuse extra-skeletal bone formation. The genetic mutation responsible for FOP has recently been discovered and is connected with excessive activation of bone morphogenetic protein receptor. This disease usually begins with typical ossification pattern in early childhood, causing increasing disability and making patients totally disabled by the age of 30. Ectopic ossification develops spontaneously and can be triggered by any trauma and even intramuscular injections. The symptoms of FOP are often misdiagnosed as cancer, causing unnecessary biopsies, which can precipitate further progressive heterotopic ossification. There is no effective treatment for this severe condition. Radiotherapy can be helpful in impeding ossification, although the strict evidence for that is lacking. There are only two reports in the literature referring to the use of radiotherapy in treatment of FOP. Herein, we present a 35-year-old patient successfully treated with small doses of fractionated radiotherapy in several courses. This case indicates that radiotherapy can be useful in treating patients with FOP.     

Postoperative use of radioiodine (131-I): review of recommendations and guidelines

In the management of large number of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, the radioactive iodine (131-I) administration plays an important role. The guidelines of numerous international and national medical societies regarding the issue of postoperative 131-I administration have been published and updated in the last few years. The guidelines differ in the shape and content, and contain some specific features. The different methods for evaluation and analysis of clinical evidence level and resulting grades of recommendations have been used in line with the very guidelines. The postoperative 131-I administration refers to the radioiodine ablation as a form of adjuvant treatment and radioiodine therapy in the management of patients with recurrent cancer, persistent disease and regional or distant metastases. According to the indications for the postoperative 131-I administration, the patients could be divided into the three risk groups: the very low risk group in which there is no indication for the postoperative 131-I administration, the low risk group in which the indication could be considered, and the high risk group in which there is a clear indication for the 131-I administration. The different criteria for distribution of patients into these three groups are expressed in a certain guidelines. There are different opinions about the necessary dosage of 131-I for the efficient ablation in the low risk group. Moreover, the opinions are also divided regarding the conduction of postoperative (preablative or pretherapeutic) scintigraphy with 131-I. As regards the instructions on preparation of patients for the radioiodine ablation and therapy, all the guidelines recommend the low iodine diet and endogenous or exogenous stimulation of TSH. The endogenous stimulation is accomplished by the withdrawal of thyroid hormones, whereas the recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) is used for exogenous stimulation. For conducting the therapy with 131-I the level of TSH has to be > 25-30 mU/L.     

Sagittal plane assessment of spino-pelvic complex in a Central European population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case control study

Background

Scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional deformity. While the frontal profile is well understood, increasing attention has turned to balance in the sagittal plane. The present study evaluated changes in sagittal spino-pelvic parameters in a large Hungarian population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods

EOS 2D/3D images of 458 scoliotic and 69 control cases were analyzed. After performing 3D reconstructions, the sagittal parameters were assessed as a whole and by curve type using independent sample t test and linear regression analysis.

Results

Patients with scoliosis had significantly decreased thoracic kyphosis (p <?0.001) with values T1–T12, 34.1?±?17.1^o vs. 43.4?±?12.7^o in control; T4–T12, 27.1?±?18.8^o vs. 37.7?±?15.1^o in control; and T5–T12, 24.9?±?15.8^o vs. 32.9?±?15.0^o in control. Changes in thoracic kyphosis correlated with magnitude of the Cobb angle (p <?0.001). No significant change was found in lumbar lordosis and the pelvic parameters. After substratification according to the Lenke classification and individually evaluating subgroups, results were similar with a significant decrease in only the thoracic kyphosis. A strong correlation was seen between sacral slope, pelvic incidence, and lumbar lordosis, and between pelvic version and thoracic kyphosis in control and scoliotic groups, whereas pelvic incidence was also seen to be correlated with thoracic kyphosis in scoliosis patients.

Conclusion

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients showed a significant decrease in thoracic kyphosis, and the magnitude of the decrease was directly related to the Cobb angle. Changes in pelvic incidence were minimal but were also significantly correlated with thoracic changes. Changes were similar though not identical to those seen in other Caucasian studies and differed from those in other ethnicities. Scoliotic curves and their effect on pelvic balance must still be regarded as individual to each patient, necessitating individual assessment, although changes perhaps can be predicted by patient ethnicity.

     

Development of the cartilage canals and the secondary center of ossification in the distal chondroepiphysis of the prenatal human femur.

The cartilaginous epiphysis of the distal femur is vascularized by a network of cartilage canals during prenatal development. The vascular invasion of the epiphysis begins at approximately eight to ten weeks of gestation with the initiation of cartilage canal formation. A complex vascular system develops within the canals and is well defined by fourteen weeks of gestation. The vascular system is fully developed several months prior to the development of the secondary center of ossification. The formation of the secondary center of ossification within the distal femoral epiphysis is preceded by changes that occur simultaneously within both the chondrocytes in the central portion of the epiphysis and the vascular and perivascular elements contained within the cartilage canals in the central portion of the epiphysis. These concurrent changes in the cellular morphology of the central chondrocytes and in the cellular structure of the central cartilage canals appear to be linked with the initiation of the process of osteogenesis.     

The carcinoid tumour in Meckel's diverticulum: how to treat young adults with appendicitis?--Case report

This case reports the concomitant and unexpected finding of carcinoid tumour within a Meckel's diverticulum presenting as an acute abdomen due to gangrenous appendicitis in a young adult male. Both Meckel's diverticula and carcinoid tumour are rare clinical entities, and carcinoid tumours occurring within a Meckel's diverticulum are even more uncommon. The initial clinical presentation of carcinoid tumours occurring in a Meckel's diverticulum is usually similar to that of appendicle carcinoids.Carcinoid tumours are the most common primary tumour of the small bowel. They resemble appendicle carcinoids to the extent that they are usually small, single, and asymptomatic. Surgical treatment of Meckel's diverticula is recommended procedure. By presenting this case we wished to stress the value of systematic identification and removal of the diverticulum during laparotomy and to underline the importance of exploration the Meckel's diverticulum particularly in case of young adult subjects.     

History of endemic goiter in Croatia: from severe iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency

At the time after the Second World War, endemic goiter was present in most parts of Croatia with a prevalence of more than 50% and presence of cretinism. In the village of Rude near Zagreb, goiter was detected in 85% of school children with 2.3% of cretins in the village population. In 1953 the first regulation on obligatory salt iodination, requiring 10 mg of potassium iodide (KI) per kg of salt was established in former Yugoslavia. A three-fold reduction of goiter prevalence, together with disappearance of cretinism was recorded ten years later In 1992, the National Committee for Eradication of Goiter was founded. The survey performed during 1991-1993 exhibited prevalence of goiter among school children between 8% and 35% and urinary iodine excretion under 10 microg/dL in most of the children from continental parts of the country. The new obligatory regulation, requiring 25 mg of KI/kg of salt, was proposed by the National Comittee and finally established in 1996. In 2002 thyroid volumes and medians of urinary iodine excretion were normal according to the ICCIDD criteria. Overall median of urinary iodine excretion for schoolchildren in Croatia was 14 ug/dL. Croatia crossed a path from severe iodine deficiency detected in the 1950's to the period of mild to moderate iodine deficiency during the 1990's, and finally, nowadays, iodine sufficiency has been achieved.     

Cobalt(II) coordination compounds with acetate and 2-aminopyridine ligands: Synthesis, characterization, structures and magnetic properties of two polymorphic forms

The synthesis and characterization of two polymorphic modifications of new cobalt coordination compound with 2-aminopyridine are reported. The modifications were prepared by the reaction of a solution of cobalt acetate tetrahydrate and 2-aminopyridine. The crystal structures of both polymorphic modifications have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structures of both modifications are quite similar. In both of them the Co²⁺ is six coordinated by four O atoms from two bidentate chelate acetate ligands and by two N atoms from two 2-aminopyridine molecules. Acetate and 2-aminopyridine ligands are lying cis about the metal centre. The most important difference is in asymmetry of acetate ligand chelate bonding and in H-bonding network. Compounds exhibit an extensive system of intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Magnetic properties of both modifications were studied between 2 K and 300 K giving the result μ_eff = 4.6 BM for modification I and μ_eff = 4.7 BM for modification II in paramagnetic region.     

Pregnancy outcome after treatment with radioiodine for differentiated thyroid carcinoma

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of radioiodine (RAI) therapy on pregnancies and the health status of children born to mothers who had received therapeutic doses of I-131 for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Gestational histories of 76 women treated for DTC from 1971-2005 were retrospectively analyzed. The outcome of 49 pregnancies after RAI was: 35 children (72%), 5 (10%) miscarriages and 9 (18%) induced abortions. RAI did not adversely affect the rate of successful delivery and live birth demographics. Congenital malformation and first year mortality were not observed. The children's ages range from 1 month to 29 years (chi+/-SD=8.0+/-8.4). A higher therapeutic dose (>100 mCi) did not significantly alter the pregnancy outcome. There is no reason to discourage females treated with 1-131 from becoming pregnant. Patients should avoid pregnancy after RAI administration for 1 year.