Transition metal-carbonyl labeling of biotin and avidin for use in solid-phase carbonyl metallo immunoassay (CMIA)

The preparation of several transition metal-carbonyl tracers of biotin and avidin is described. Multiple labeling of avidin was achieved by acylation of some of its amine-bearing residues with N-succinimidyl 4-pentynoate (dicobalt hexacarbonyl). By varying the initial amount of this complex, protein conjugates with the extent of derivatization of up to 13 were obtained. Biotin was labeled with one (eta5-cyclopentadienyl)manganese tricarbonyl moiety by reaction of biotin hydrazide, whereas multiple labeling was reached by successive conjugation of biotin and N-succinimidyl 4-pentynoate (dicobalt hexacarbonyl) or (eta5-cyclopentadienyl)iron dicarbonyl (eta1-N-maleimidato) to poly-L-lysine or fourth generation Starburst dendrimer. All the conjugates displayed a good to excellent bioaffinity toward their respective counterparts, as measured by competitive enzymatic assays.     

Comparison of CD15, galectin-3 and HBME-1 expression in follicular thyroid neoplasms

INTRODUCTION: Estimation of malignancy in thyroid follicular neoplasms is a common diagnostic problem, thus revealing of differences in expression of some antigens in both benign and malignant lesions seems to be essential. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD15, galectin-3 and HBME-1 in follicular adenomas and carcinomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples of 38 follicular adenomas (23 "classical", 5 with intracapsular invasion, 10 oncocytic) and 15 follicular carcinomas (9 "classic", 6 oncocytic) were stained immunohistochemically with anti-CD15, galectin-3 and HBME-1. RESULTS: In the whole group we found statistically significant differences in CD15 expression between follicular adenomas and carcinomas. "Classic" follicular carcinomas (without oncocytic tumors) showed stronger CD15 and HBME- 1 expression than "classic" adenomas. Adenomas with intracapsular invasion differed from "classic" adenomas only in HBME-1 expression. In oncocytic tumors the expression of examined antigens was similar. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In the group of nonoxyphilic tumors positive reaction with HBME-1 was more common in adenomas with intracapsular invasion and carcinomas, but positive reaction with anti-CD15--only in carcinomas. We suggest that reactivity with these antibodies could mark malignancy. 2. Oncocytic tumors had similar expression of CD15 and HBME-1 and galectin-3.     

Evaluation of K-RAS gene in colorectal cancer

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of K-RAS gene mutations in colorectal cancer and their role in diagnosis and prognosis. The study involved 36 patients with colorectal cancer at different stages of the disease progression and with different histopathologic grading. Mutations of codon 12 of K-RAS gene investigated using PCR-RFLP technique were found in 15 patients (41.67%). Although no statistically significant correlation was observed between the disease progression, histopathologic findings, gender and age, we suppose that assessment of K-RAS gene mutations might be of clinical value in the prognosis of colorectal cancer.     

Organospecific responses of lupin seedlings to lead Localization of hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase activity

In an earlier work using tissue printing method, we found that the PR-10 stress protein was observed in leaf petiole of lupin seedling where lead was not detected (Przymusiński et al. 2001). These results suggested the presence of substance(s) mediating a signal transduction from directly affected cells to distant organs. As the hydrogen peroxide was found to be involved in signal transduction pathway, in the present paper, we analysed the level of H₂O₂ in the organ of lupin seedlings exposed to Pb²⁺ with spectrophotometric method and tissue printing technique. It was unequivocally demonstrated that the level of H₂O₂ and the activity of peroxidase increased in every tested organ of lead-treated lupin seedling. Both the level of H₂O₂ and the activity of POX were correlated with amount of Pb²⁺ ions in the cells (Przymusiński et al. 2001) and decreased in tissues more and more distant from the site of metal application. On the other hand, there was no correlation between the histological localization of H₂O₂ and peroxidase. Our results seem to confirm the hypothesis that H₂O₂ may act as a signalling substance involved in the induction of PR protein synthesis. It was indicated that there is high degree of correlation between the localization of H₂O₂ and the histological localization of PR-10 proteins (Przymusiński et al. 2001) in every tested organ of lupin seedling. The presented hypothesis is also supported by the fact that H₂O₂ and PR-10 proteins are detected in organs and tissues where Pb²⁺ was not found at all.     

The role of bracket fungi in creating alpha diversity of invertebrates in the Białowieża National Park,Poland

Bracket fungi are seen mainly as the cause of economic losses in forestry, and their role as creators of biodiversity is relatively poorly understood. The aim of the study was defining the manner in which the degree of decay (DD) of the fruiting bodies determines the character of the invertebrate assemblages colonising them. The effect of this group of fungi on the modification of biodiversity of invertebrates (Aranae, Opiliones, Pseudoscorpionida, two groups of mites—Mesostigmata and Oribatida, and Collembola and Insecta) was investigated by analyzing 100 fruiting bodies of 10 species of bracket fungi divided into four DD classes. The material was collected at Białowieża National Park, which is considered to be the largest area of natural forests in the North European Plain. 16 068 invertebrate individuals classified into 224 species were obtained. Oribatid mites (12 543 individuals) constituted the largest group of individuals, which were classified into 115 species with the most numerous Carabodes femoralis (8,811 individuals). Representatives of this group of mites have been reported previously in the publications on bracket fungi; however, the contributions of Oribatida and other groups of invertebrates were not broadly compared. Moreover, the species such as Hoploseius mariae and H. oblongus, which were predominantly found in fruiting bodies of bracket fungi, have also been discerned. The invertebrate fauna differs depending on DD of the samples: In the more decayed samples, a higher number of both individuals and species were recorded compared to the samples with lower DDs; however, this trend proved to be nonlinear. The DCA and cluster analysis revealed a similarity of the invertebrate assemblages from the 2 DD and 4 DD samples. They also indicated that the group 3 DD differed the most from all the other samples. The indicator species analysis identified species characteristic to individual DDs: For group 1 DD, it was, for example, Hoploseius oblongus; for 2 DD—Orchesella bifasciata; and for 3 DD—Chernes cimicoides, while for 4 DD—Dinychus perforatus.     

A Patient with Posterior Cortical Atrophy Possesses a Novel Mutation in the Presenilin 1 Gene

Posterior cortical atrophy is a dementia syndrome with symptoms of cortical visual dysfunction, associated with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles predominantly affecting visual association cortex. Most patients diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy will finally develop a typical Alzheimer''s disease. However, there are a variety of neuropathological processes, which could lead towards a clinical presentation of posterior cortical atrophy. Mutations in the presenilin 1 gene, affecting the function of γ-secretase, are the most common genetic cause of familial, early-onset Alzheimer''s disease. Here we present a patient with a clinical diagnosis of posterior cortical atrophy who harbors a novel Presenilin 1 mutation (I211M). In silico analysis predicts that the mutation could influence the interaction between presenilin 1 and presenilin1 enhancer-2 protein, a protein partner within the γ-secretase complex. These findings along with published literature support the inclusion of posterior cortical atrophy on the Alzheimer''s disease spectrum.     

Osteonecrosis of the jaw

The paper concerns osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). It is a rare but serious clinical condition. It can develop in patients treated in oncologic doses with bisphosphonates but also with denosumab. In osteoporosis ONJ seems to be very rare. Definition, pathogenesis, risk factors, prevention and treatment, and the frequency of ONJ are presented.     

Mite communities (Acari: Mesostigmata,Oribatida) in the red belt conk,Fomitopsis pinicola (Polyporales), in Polish forests

Experimental and Applied Acarology - The fruiting bodies of bracket fungi are a specific microhabitat colonized by various invertebrates of which mites (Acari) are rarely studied, and if they are,...