Sulfakinins influence lipid composition and insulin-like peptides level in oenocytes of Zophobas atratus beetles.

Insect sulfakinins are pleiotropic neuropeptides with the homology to vertebrate gastrin/cholecystokinin peptide family. They have been identified in many insect species and affect different metabolic processes. They have a strong influence on feeding and digestion as well as on carbohydrate and lipid processing. Our study reveals that sulfakinins influence fatty acids composition in Zophobas atratus oenocytes and regulate insulin-like peptides (ILPs) level in these cells. Oenocytes are cells responsible for maintenance of the body homeostasis and have an important role in the regulation of intermediary metabolism, especially of lipids. To analyze the lipid composition in oenocytes after sulfakinins injections we used gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry and for ILPs level determination an immunoenzymatic test was used. Because sulfakinin peptides and their receptors are the main components of sulfakinin signaling, we also analyzed the presence of sulfakinin receptor transcript (SKR2) in insect tissues. We have identified for the first time the sulfakinin receptor transcript (SKR2) in insect oenocytes and found its distribution more widespread in the peripheral tissues (gut, fat body and haemolymph) as well as in the nervous and neuro-endocrine systems (brain, ventral nerve cord, corpora cardiaca/corpora allata CC/CA) of Z. atratus larvae. The presence of sulfakinin receptor transcript (SKR2) in oenocytes suggests that observed effects on oenocytes lipid and ILPs content may result from direction action of these peptides on oenocytes.

Reversal of stage 5 chronic kidney disease by aortic valve replacement in kidney transplant recipient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a group of pathophysiological disorders affecting heart and kidneys. CASE PRESENTATION: We present 44-year-old kidney transplant recipient with acute-on-chronic graft failure in the course of CRS due to acutely decompensated heart failure associated with severe aortic regurgitation successfully treated with aortic valve replacement. Because of graft failure progression and difficult to eradicate infections he was treated with dialysis and radical minimization of immunosuppression. After 74 days of renal replacement therapy the patient regained graft function after successful aortic valve replacement. The dialysis could be stopped and immunosuppressive therapy was reintroduced. Heart and renal function are stable and patient is doing well without dialysis for 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: The return of kidney graft function can occur even after a long period of dialysis therapy due to improved cardiovascular function. Therefore, distinguishing an acute-on-chronic CRS subtype is mandatory to enable specific patient approach.

Cuticle hydrolysis in four medically important fly species by enzymes of the entomopathogenic fungus Conidiobolus coronatus.

Entomopathogenic fungi infect insects via penetration through the cuticle, which varies remarkably in chemical composition across species and life stages. Fungal infection involves the production of enzymes that hydrolyse cuticular proteins, chitin and lipids. Host specificity is associated with fungus-cuticle interactions related to substrate utilization and resistance to host-specific inhibitors. The soil fungus Conidiobolus coronatus (Constantin) (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae) shows virulence against susceptible species. The larvae and pupae of Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Musca domestica (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae) are resistant, but adults exposed to C. coronatus quickly perish. Fungus was cultivated for 3 weeks in a minimal medium. Cell-free filtrate, for which activity of elastase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, chitobiosidase and lipase was determined, was used for in vitro hydrolysis of the cuticle from larvae, puparia and adults. Amounts of amino acids, N-glucosamine and fatty acids released were measured after 8 h of incubation. The effectiveness of fungal enzymes was correlated with concentrations of compounds detected in the cuticles of tested insects. Positive correlations suggest compounds used by the fungus as nutrients, whereas negative correlations may indicate compounds responsible for insect resistance. Adult deaths result from the ingestion of conidia or fungal excretions.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of kidneys in healthy volunteers and living kidney donors.

AIM: To establish the normal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in healthy kidneys, comparing them with the literature, and assessing the correlation between ADC values, creatinine blood level, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers and 26 living kidney donors were examined on a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit. Two diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences were included in the study protocol (protocol 1 with 16 b-values, protocol 2 with 10 b-values) before the examination blood and urine samples were collected. The GFR was calculated using Cockcroft & Gault and MDRD (Modification of Diet In Renal Disease) formulas and the ADC values were measured separately for the cortex and medulla of each kidney by two independent observers. All statistical analyses were performed using the STATISTICA (version 10.0) software package. Data were analysed using an unpaired t-test; p < 0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: The average ADC value for protocol 1 for the cortex was 2.26 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, for the medulla 2.21 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s. In protocol 2, the respective values were 2.13 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s and 2.06 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s. Neither statistically significant interobserver differences nor correlation between ADC values, GFR, and creatinine serum level were observed. CONCLUSION: The reference ADC values were established. The measurements show high interobserver consistency. The differences in ADC values reported in the literature suggest dependence on the equipment and methodology and point to the necessity of obtaining ADC norms for each MRI unit.

Antimicrobial activity of untypical lipid compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four fly species.

AIMS: This article describes the qualitative and quantitative analyses of untypical compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four dipteran species. For isolated compounds, antimicrobial activity against 18 reference strains of bacteria and fungi was determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, gas chromatography (GC) combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the surface and internal compounds of four fly species. Seven untypical compounds from both pre-imaginal and imaginal stages of examined insects were identified. Azelaic acid (AA) was the most abundant, while phenylacetic and phenylpropionic acids occurred in lower concentration. Minor quantities of sebacic acid, 2-methyl-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, tocopherol acetate and trace amounts of 2,4-decadienal were also detected. Tocopherol acetate was found only in cuticular lipids of Musca domestica larvae. Each compound was tested against several species of fungi and bacteria by determining minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Human pathogenic fungi were also investigated. Phenylpropionic acid showed the greatest antifungal activity. Bacterial strains were insensitive to the presence of identified compounds, apart from 2,4-decadienal which strongly inhibited bacterial growth. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that the chemical composition and the antimicrobial activity of untypical compounds in the cuticular and internal lipids of four fly species has been analysed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Determination of untypical compounds and their antimicrobial activity can effectively contribute to the knowledge concerning insect defence mechanisms.

Late onset GM2 gangliosidosis mimicking spinal muscular atrophy.

A case of late onset GM2 gangliosidodis with spinal muscular atrophy phenotype followed by cerebellar and extrapyramidal symptoms is presented. Genetic analysis revealed compound heterozygous mutation in exon 10 of the HEXA gene. Patient has normal intelligence and emotional reactivity. Neuroimaging tests of the brain showed only cerebellar atrophy consistent with MR spectroscopy (MRS) abnormalities. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18)F-FDG PET/CT of the brain revealed glucose hypometabolism in cerebellum and in temporal and occipital lobes bilaterally.

Intracranial aneurysms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: ADPKD correlates with an increased frequency of ICANs, but universal screening for ICANs in patients with ADPKD is not currently recommended. The aim of our study was to determine which groups might benefit from screening by determining the prevalence of ICANs in the Polish ADPKD population and identifying any subgroups with an increased risk for ICANs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-three adult, predialysis-phase patients with ADPKD underwent screening for ICANs with MRA of the brain. RESULTS: The prevalence of ICANs in the studied population was 16.9%, with 6% of the screened group requiring neurosurgical intervention. We also found that the frequency of ICANs increases with age, reaching 22.4% in patients older than 45 years. All diagnosed ICANs were small (< 9 mm) and were localized in the anterior circulation. In addition, MR imaging revealed arachnoid cysts in 4.8% of patients with ADPKD. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that patients older than 45 years with ADPKD be considered as candidates for screening for ICANs, and we propose a clinical algorithm for this subgroup. However, we could not find risk factors for ICANs in younger patients with ADPKD.

The effect of gender on brain MRI pathology in Wilson's disease.

Gender influence on the clinical manifestations of Wilson's Disease (WD) has been suggested; however, brain MRI pathology based on sexual dimorphism in WD has not yet been examined. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of gender on brain MRI pathology according to the predominant form of WD. We retrospectively analysed the brain MR images of 204 newly diagnosed and untreated WD patients. The predominant form of the disease was neuropsychiatric (n = 105), hepatic (n = 67) or presymptomatic (n = 32). Overall, neuroimaging pathologies were found in 64.2 % WD patients. The clinical form analysis revealed significant gender-related differences. In the neuropsychiatric form, men presented with cerebellar atrophy and cortical brain atrophy more often than women (25/58 vs. 11/47; p < 0.05) and (23/58 vs. 12/47; p = 0.09), respectively. In contrast, women tended to present with globus pallidus lesions more often than men (25/47 vs. 20/58; p = 0.054). There were no gender differences observed in the hepatic form, but cortical brain atrophy presented more often in men than women (3/12 vs. 0/20; p < 0.05) in the presymptomatic form. According to our findings, there is a gender-dependent brain vulnerability to copper toxicity. We speculate that these differences are potentially related to an oestrogen protective effect and are due to differences in gender-related clinical forms.

Cuticular and internal n-alkane composition of Lucilia sericata larvae, pupae, male and female imagines: application of HPLC-LLSD and GC/MS-SIM.

The composition of cuticular and internal n-alkanes in Lucilia sericata larvae, pupae, and male and female imagines were studied. The cuticular and internal lipid extracts were separated by HPLC-LLSD, after which the hydrocarbon fraction was identified by GC/MS in selected ion monitoring (SIM) and total ion current (TIC) modes. The cuticular lipids of the larvae contained seven n-alkanes from C23 to C31. The major n-alkane in L. sericata larvae was C29 (42.1%). The total cuticular n-alkane content in the cuticular lipids was 31.46 µg g-1 of the insect body. The internal lipids of L. sericata larvae contained five n-alkanes ranged from C25 to C31. The most abundant compound was C27 (61.71 µg g-1 of the insect body). Eighteen n-alkanes from C14 to C31 were identified in the cuticular lipids of the pupae. The most abundant n-alkanes ranged from C25 to C31; those with odd-numbered carbon chains were particularly abundant, the major one being C29:0 (59.5%). Traces of eight cuticular n-alkanes were present. The internal lipids of L. sericata pupae contained five n-alkanes, ranging from C25 to C31. The cuticular lipids of female imagines contained 17 n-alkanes from C12 to C30. Among the cuticular n-alkanes of females, C27 (47.5%) was the most abundant compound. Four n-alkanes, with only odd-numbered carbon chains, were identified in the internal lipids of females. The lipids from both sexes of L. sericata had similar n-alkane profiles. The cuticular lipids of adult males contained 16 n-alkanes ranging from C13 to C31. C27 (47.9%) was the most abundant cuticular n-alkanes in males. The same n-alkanes only with odd-numbered carbon chains and in smaller quantities of C27 (0.1%) were also identified in the internal lipids of males. The highest amounts of total cuticular n-alkanes were detected in males and females of L. sericata (330.4 and 158.93 µg g-1 of the insect body, respectively). The quantities of total cuticular alcohols in larvae and pupae were smaller (31.46 µg g-1 and 42.08 µg g-1, respectively). The internal n-alkane contents of larvae, pupae, and male and female imagines were significantly higher than the cuticular n-alkane contents (153.53, 99.60, 360.06 and 838.76 µg g-1 of the insect body, respectively).

Identification of ionic liquid breakdown products in an advanced oxidation system.

Commonly used alkylimidazolium ionic liquids are poorly to negligibly biodegradable, and some are toxic, with the potential to poison typical biological test systems. Therefore, when ionic liquids are present in technological wastewaters they could break through classical wastewater treatment systems into natural waters and become potentially persistent pollutants. A recent study investigating different advanced oxidation processes found that the H(2)O(2)/UV system degraded dissolved imidazolium ionic liquids with the greatest efficiency. In the present study, high performance liquid chromatography was coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry to separate, analyse and identify degradation products following the treatment of ionic liquid solutions with H(2)O(2) in the presence of UV irradiation. It was found that hydroxylation in short-chain entities occurred mainly within the ring moiety, whereas in the case of longer alkylated cations, oxidation of the alkyl chain yielded several products. The potential transformation products were identified structurally by MS/MS analysis and are discussed in the light of their putative toxicity and biodegradability.

Metabolic changes in 37 newly diagnosed Wilson's disease patients assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Wilson's Disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The literature about proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) in WD is based mostly on data derived from patients undergoing treatment. The aim of this study was to identify brain metabolic changes in newly diagnosed WD patients using MRS to elucidate the pathomechanism of the cerebral pathology of WD. The globus pallidus and thalamus of 37 patients with WD were examined bilaterally with MRS. The calculations were performed for: myoinositol (mI), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), lipid (Lip), glutamine, and glutamate (Glx). In all WD patients a significantly decreased mI/Cr and NAA/Cr ratio levels and an increased Lip/Cr ratio in the pallidum were observed. Analysis revealed a significantly increased Glx/Cr and Lip/Cr ratio in the thalamus. In the pallidum of neurologically impaired patients, Cho/Cr, Glx/Cr and Lip/Cr ratios were higher than in control subjects, and the NAA/Cr was significantly lower. In hepatic patients, the mI/Cr, Cho/Cr and NAA/Cr ratio levels were lower than in controls. The Cho/Cr and Lip/Cr ratios were higher in the thalami of neurologically impaired patients, and Lip/Cr ratios were higher than controls' in hepatic patients. Both findings were statistically significant. Compared to the thalamus, the basal ganglia are more sensitive to ongoing degenerative changes and portal-systemic encephalopathy in WD. The NAA/Cr reduction in hepatic and neurologically impaired patients could indicate that neurodegeneration is associated with all presentations of WD. In hepatic patients a mI and Cho decrease and in neurological Glx increase can be caused by porto-systemic shunting.

Assessing toxicity and biodegradation of novel, environmentally benign ionic liquids (1-alkoxymethyl-3-hydroxypyridinium chloride, saccharinate and acesulfamates) on cellular and molecular level.

Ionic liquids are widely studied as alternative solvents in organic synthesis and catalysis, in electrochemistry and the separation sciences; with their many applications they will soon be produced on an industrial scale. Available toxicological data of ionic liquids have already suggested initial guidelines for the conscious design of safer chemicals. In this study a new group of such redesigned ionic liquids-1-alkoxymethyl-3-hydroxypyridinium cations+acesulphamate, saccharinate and chloride anions-was assayed with respect to their inhibitory activity towards acetylcholinesterase and their cellular toxicity towards the IPC-81 rat promyelocytic leukaemia cell line: the acute biological activity of these compounds is very low. Effective concentrations lie in the millimole range, which is well above possible intracellular concentrations. Only the compounds with the longest alkoxymethyl chain inhibit the enzyme at effective concentrations that are one order of magnitude smaller. No significant differences are observed when the anion compartment in the enzymatic assay is varied. However, the cytotoxicity data show EC(50) for acesulphamates and saccharinates to be higher than the values for the chloride analogues. Also, a slight alkoxymethyl chain length effect on the overall cytotoxicity is discernible. The biodegradability of the 1-alkoxymethyl-3-hydroxypyridinium salts varies from 21% to 72% and depends on the type of anion the cation is linked with. It improves with lengthening alkyl chain, but only in the range from 4 to 11 carbon atoms.

Effective biotic elicitation of Ruta graveolens L. shoot cultures by lysates from Pectobacterium atrosepticum and Bacillus sp.

Growth of Ruta graveolens shoots was induced when Bacillus sp. cell lysates were added to the culture medium. Elicitation of coumarin by this lysate was also very effective; the concentrations of isopimpinelin, xanthotoxin and bergapten increased to 610, 2120 and 1460 microg g(-1) dry wt, respectively. It also had a significant effect on the production of psoralen and rutamarin (680 and 380 microg g(-1) dry wt) and induced the biosynthesis of chalepin, which was not detected in the control sample, up to 47 microg g(-1) dry wt With lysates of the Pectobacterium atrosepticum, their effect on growth was not so significant and had no effect on the induction of coumarin accumulation. But elicitation with this lysate was much more effective for inducing the production of furoquinolone alkaloids; the concentrations of gamma-fagarine, skimmianine, dictamnine and kokusaginine rose to 99, 680, 172 and 480 microg g(-1) dry wt, respectively.

Homocysteine, apolipoproteine E and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia disorder in elderly people. Currently, the only known genetic factor associated with the development of sporadic AD is the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) 4 allele. There is a need to identify other environmental and genetic risk factors that could modulate the risk of developing sporadic AD. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the correlation between the ApoE and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and plasma homocysteine levels and vitamins (B(12) and folic acid) concentrations in serum from patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as compared with control group. METHODS: The study was carried out in 99 AD patients, 98 subjects with MCI and 100 healthy subjects. Diagnosis of probable AD was made according to the NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV criteria. The following factors were analysed: age, gender, duration of disease, concentration of plasma total homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B(12) in the serum and the polymorphism of MTHRF and ApoE genes. The results obtained were analysed by multivariate analysis of regression. RESULTS: We found that plasma total homocysteine is increased in AD patients (p < 0.0001) and depended on the MTHFR T/T genotype in the presence of low folate levels (p < 0.05). The increased frequency of ApoE4 allele in the AD population was independent of homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B(12) levels and MTHFR status. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the concentration of plasma total homocysteine is increased in AD patients. This may be associated with the T/T genotype in the MTHFR gene; however, the distribution of the MTHRF C677T polymorphism in the Polish population does not differ in AD and controls.

Behavioural pathology in Alzheimer's disease with special reference to apolipoprotein E genotype.

The aim of this study was to define the co-occurrence of behavioural symptoms and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in relation to apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Probable AD patients from the Alzheimer's Day Clinic (n = 139) were assessed with the 'Behavioural Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease' rating scale, and their APOE genotype was determined. This study demonstrated no relationship between presence of the APOE epsilon4 allele and any of the behavioural symptoms assessed, including delusions, hallucinations, depression, activity disturbances, aggressiveness and anxiety. Activity disturbances, delusions, hallucinations and aggressiveness paralleled the severity of AD, increasing in frequency with the severity of the dementia. The prevalence of delusions, hallucinations, aggressiveness and depression were found to be associated with lower levels of education.

[Vascular risk factors in demented elderly: analysis of Alzheimer Clinic materials]. / Naczyniowe czynniki ryzyka wybranych zespolów otepiennych--analiza materialu Poradni Alzheimerowskiej.

UNLABELLED: In recent years evidence is increasing that vascular disease is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Moreover, presence of cerebrovascular disease may intensify the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of vascular risk factors in age and sex matched patients with dementia. We studied 109 patients with AD and 37 patients vascular dementia (VD). DSM-III-R test for dementia, NINCDS-ADRDA guidelines for AD and NINDS-ARIEN for VD were applied. RESULTS: Mean age of dementia onset in AD and VD was 65.8 SD 7.8 and 67.4 SD 7.0 years (p > 0.05), the duration of dementia, MMS and GDS for patients with AD and VD was not significantly different. Arterial hypertension was associated in 51.3% VD and 30.3% AD (p < 0.05), hypotension in 11.1 and 23.6% respectively (p > 0.05), atrial fibrillation was similar in AD and VD, coronary artery disease was presents 64.8% AD and 46.8 VD (p > 0.05) and type 2 diabetes in 21.6% and 10.1% (p > 0.05) respectively. No significant differences in serum lipid profile were found in both groups, except two times higher incidence of normal HDL-cholesterol concentration in AD compare to VD. The relation between alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and head trauma was similar in both types of dementia. CONCLUSION: Vascular disease and AD have to some extent a shared aetiology, and risk factors that they have in common increase the risk of both disorders independently and vascular disease is perhaps involved in the aetiology of AD.

[Frequency and intensity of behavioral and psychological symptoms in the course of Alzheimer's disease]. / Czestosc oraz intensywnosc wystepowania zaburzen psychicznych i zachowania w otepieniu o róznym nasileniu w przebiegu choroby Alzheimera.

The aim of the study was: 1) to estimate the occurrence and intensity of some psychopathological symptoms in the course of Alzheimer's disease, and 2) to examine whether the occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms increases with the deepening of dementia process among persons with Alzheimer's disease living in their homes with outpatient treatment. The study was conducted among 94 persons (38 men and 56 women ageing from 52 to 86 years (x = 72.4 +/- 6.9), with education: from 2 to 17 years (x = 11.2 +/- 3.7). Three subgroups were selected for study with regard to the intensity of dementia process, estimated according to Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR): very mild (n = 16, x = 71.4 +/- 6.7), mild (n = 43, x = 72.6 +/- 7.9), moderate (n = 35, x = 72.5 +/- 6.9). Subjects in group II and III fulfill diagnostic criteria of dementia according to ICD-10, DSM IV and criteria of probable AD according to NINCDS-ADRDA. In the estimation of occurrence of behavioral and psychological disturbances: Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale--non-cognitive behavior (ADAS-non-cog) and subscale "Change in Personality, Interests, Drive" of Blessed Dementia Scale were used. The results have shown that with the progress of dementia process, the occurrence of the following psychopathological symptoms such as: hallucinations, intensive motor activity, purposeless hyperactivity, pacing, rigidity increases and there is a relinquishment of hobbies. In addition, regardless of the stage of dementia, such behaviors as: apathy, depression, tearfullness, impaired emotional control and disturbances of appetite were observed relatively frequently.

[Morphologic and functional assessment of renal artery stenosis: use of combined MR angiography and MR renography--preliminary report]. / Morfologiczna i czynnosciowa ocena zwezenia tetnicy nerkowej: zastosowanie polaczonej angiografii i renografii MR--doniesienie wstepne.

PURPOSE: To assess the possibility of use of multiphase magnetic resonance angiography for simultaneous acquiring of angiographic images and curves of contrast enhancement of renal cortex, medulla and pyelocalyceal system and evaluation of quality of obtained images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients suspected of having renal artery stenosis underwent power-injection of 30 ml of Gd-DTPA (3 ml/sec). From 10 to 360 seconds after the beginning of the injection, 3D MRA sequence was performed multiple times. Acquisition time of single phase of MR examination was 7.5-8 sec (TR = 5 ms, TE = 1:6 ms, single 7 cm thick slab with 35 partitions, 164 x 512 matrix). First three phases were used to obtain angiographic images. All phases were used to obtain curves of renal cortical, medullary and pyelocaliceal enhancement. Two readers evaluated quality of MRA images, as well as, quality of enhancement curves. RESULTS: 21 of 24 MRA examinations were of good, 2 of fair and none of poor quality. Quality of enhancement curves was good in 22 cases. It was suboptimal in 2 cases because of irregular breath-holding. Maximum number of acquisitions per minute was 4-5. Eight accessory, 2 obstructed and 9 stenosed renal arteries were visualized. Renographic curves were abnormal in 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: MRA sequence with short acquisition time enables simultaneous acquisition of angiographic images and renographic curves of good quality. With further reduction in acquisition time it may be possible to obtain more points on MR renographic curves.

[Interaction evaluation between APOE epsilon 4 alleles and hippocampal atrophy. Preliminary communication]. / Ocena zwiazku wystepowania alleli APOE epsilon 4 z wielkoscia hipokampa w obrazie tomografii komputerowej. Doniesienie wstepne.

In CT images the atrophy of medial parts of temporal lobes was evaluated in 60 patients with Alzheimer-type dementia. In the genotype of 30 patients at least one APOE epsilon 4 allele was identified, the other 30 patients served as the control group. The results of in vivo measurements of temporal lobe atrophy in the examined patients did not show statistically significant relations with APOE genotype which was probably due to entirely different nature and application of both tests.