The Impact of Growth Hormone Therapy on the Apoptosis Assessment in CD34+ Hematopoietic Cells from Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency.

Growth hormone (GH) modulates hematopoietic cell homeostasis and is associated with apoptosis control, but with limited mechanistic insights. Aim of the study was to determine whether GH therapeutic supplementation (GH-TS) could affect apoptosis of CD34+ cells enriched in hematopoietic progenitor cells of GH deficient (GHD) children. CD34+ cells from peripheral blood of 40 GHD children were collected before and in 3rd and 6th month of GH-TS and compared to 60 controls adjusted for bone age, sex, and pubertal development. Next, apoptosis assessment via different molecular techniques was performed. Finally, to comprehensively characterize apoptosis process, global gene expression profile was determined using genome-wide RNA microarray technology. Results showed that GH-TS significantly reduced spontaneous apoptosis in CD34+ cells (p < 0.01) and results obtained using different methods to detect early and late apoptosis in analyzed cells population were consistent. GH-TS was also associated with significant downregulation of several members of TNF-alpha superfamily and other genes associated with apoptosis and stress response. Moreover, the significant overexpression of cyto-protective and cell cycle-associated genes was detected. These findings suggest that recombinant human GH has a direct anti-apoptotic activity in hematopoietic CD34+ cells derived from GHD subjects in course of GH-TS.

Influence of subinhibitory concentrations of cefotaxime, imipenem and ciprofloxacin on adhesion of Escherichia coli strains to polystyrene.

The present study investigated the ability of sub MICs of cefotaxime, imipenem and ciprofloxacin to interfere with adhesion of E. coli strains to polystyrene (selected polymer used in studies on microorganisms' adhesion). It was observed that cefotaxime and imipenem at 1/2 and 1/4 MICs decreased the adherence of E. coli strains to polystyrene significantly. 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 MICs of ciprofloxacin generally decreased the adhesive properties of E. coli strains, but two E. coli strains showed a noticeable enhancement of adhesion after incubation at sub MICs of this antibiotic.

[Antimicrobial sensitivity and adhesive properties of Escherichia coli strains isolated from urine and blood samples]. / Lekowrazliwosc i wlasciwosci adhezyjne szczepów Escherichia coli izolowanych z moczu i z krwi.

The aim of this study was comparison of the antimicrobial sensitivity and adhesive properties of E. coli strains isolated from urine and blood samples. This study included 169 of E. coli strains isolated in the Clinical Microbiology Department of dr. A. Jurasz University Hospital in 2003-2006. E. coli strains isolated from urine samples revealed statistically higher production of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases and multidrug resistance than strains isolated from blood samples. Stains isolated from the blood adhered to latex and PCV catheters more frequently when compared with strains isolated from urine.

[Extracellular slime production and adhesion of Escherichia coli strains to polystyrene]. / Wytwarzanie sluzu pozakomórkowego, a adhezja paleczek Escherichia coli do polistyrenu.

The aim of this study was evaluation of relationship between the ability of extracellular slime production and adhesive properties of E. coli strains. This study included 169 of E. coli strains isolated from urine and blood samples. All of these strains were isolated in the Clinical Microbiology Department of dr. A. Jurasz University Hospital in 2003-2006. After incubation in BHI and TSB medium adherence to polystyrene demonstrated 28 (16.6%) and 20 (11.8%) of E. coli strains, respectively. Strains incubated in TSB medium demonstrated higher production of extracellular slime than strains incubated in BHI medium. Non-adhering strains were producing more extracellular slime than adhering strains both after incubation in BHI as well as TSB medium.

[Adhesion of Escherichia coli rods to urological catheters]. / Adhezja paleczek Escherichia coli do cewników moczowych.

The aim of this study was evaluation of adhesion of E. coli rods to urological catheters made of different synthetic materials. This study included 74 of E. coli strains isolated from urine and blood samples. All of these strains were isolated in the Clinical Microbiology Department of dr A. Jurasz University Hospital in 2003-2006. Analized strains significantly more often adhered to latex catheters than latex catheters covered by silicon and significantly more often adhered to PCV catheters than latex catheters covered by silicon. Four strains were characterized by a strong adhesion to all kinds used urological catheters, used in this study. Among E. coli strains isolated from the blood a higher percentage of strains demonstated adhesion to latex and PCV catheters than in the group of E. coli strains isolated from urine samples (79.3% vs. 68.9% and 69.0% vs. 55.6%, respectively). Out of strains demonstrating the adhesion to urological catheters, the most came from the patients from Clinic of the Nephrology, of Arterial Hypertension and Internal Diseases with the Station of Dialyses. All of lactose-negative E. coli strains adhered weakly to urological catheters.

[Influence of culture conditions on adhesion Escherichia coli strains to polystyrene]. / Wplyw warunków hodowli na adhezje paleczek Escherichia coli do polistyrenu.

The aim of this study was evaluation of influence of culture conditions (nutrient availability, pH, temperature) on adhesion E. coli strains to polystyrene. This study included 74 of E. coli strains isolated from urine and blood samples. All of these strains were isolated in the Clinical Microbiology Department of Dr. A. Jurasz University Hospital in 2003-2006. Analyzed strains most often adhered to polystyrene after incubation in high-nutrient medium, at pH values between 5.0 and 7.0, at 37 degrees C.

[The effect of the duration of corpse immersion on the occurrence of selected morphological findings]. / Wplyw czasu przebywania zwlok w wodzie na pojawienie sie wybranych zmian morfologicznych.

The report presents a method of estimation the duration of corpse immersion based on fully developed morphological findings. The authors demonstrated that the duration of body immersion affects the occurrence of marked putrid color, separation of hair, the "washerwoman's skin" effect on the macerated fingertips, separation of fingernails, fimbriated separation of epidermis involving the feet, lack of blood in the heart ventricles and putrid encephalomalacia. The report further stated that the duration of immersion does not necessarily affect the occurrence of marbling, corpse distension, separation of epidermis from the body surface, detachment of fingernails from fingernail bed, fimbriated separation of epidermis involving the hand, the "washerwoman's skin" effect on the toes, detachment of toenails from toenail bed and the presence of over 500 ml of pleural putrefied "effusion".

Mixed chimerism and transplant tolerance are not effectively induced in C3a-deficient mice.

Mixed chimerism, a phenomenon involved in the development of specific alloantigen tolerance, could be achieved through the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells into properly prepared recipients. Because the C3a complement component modulates hematopoietic cell trafficking after transplantation, in the present study, we investigated the influence of the C3a deficiency on mixed chimerism and alloantigen tolerance induction. To induce mixed chimerism, C57BL/6J (wild-type strain; H-2K(b); I-E(-)) and B6.129S4-C3(tm1Crr)/J (C3a-deficient) mice were exposed to 3 G total body irradiation (day -1). Subsequently, these mice were treated with CD8-blocking (day -2) and CD40L-blocking (days 0 and 4) antibodies, followed by transplantation with 20 × 10(6) Balb/c (H-2K(d); I-E(+)) bone marrow cells (day 0). The degree of mixed chimerism in peripheral blood leukocytes was measured several times during the 20-week experiment. The tolerance to Balb/c mouse antigens was assessed based on the number of lymphocytes expressing Vß5 and Vß11 T-cell receptor and on skin-graft (day 0) acceptance. Applying our experimental model, mixed chimerism and alloantigen tolerance were effectively induced in C57BL/6J (wild-type) mice, but not in C3a(-/-) animals. The present study is, to our knowledge, the first to demonstrate that C3a is vital for achieving stable mixed chimerism and related to this induction of transplant tolerance.

The influence of BDNF on human umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cells: implications for stem cell-based therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived stem/progenitor cells (SPCs) have demonstrated the potential to improve neurologic function in different experimental models. SPCs can survive after transplantation in the neural microenvironment and indu ce neuroprotection, endogenous neurogenesis by secreting a broad repertoire of trophic and immunomodulatory cytokines. In this study, the influence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pre-treatment was comprehensively evaluated in a UCB-derived lineage-negative (Lin-) SPC population. UCB-derived Lin- cells were evaluated with respect to the expression of (i) neuronal markers using immunofluorescence staining and (ii) specific (TrkB) receptors for BDNF using flow cytometry. Next, after BDNF pre-treatment, Lin- cells were extensively assessed with respect to apoptosis using Western blotting and proliferation via BrdU incorporation. Furthermore, NT-3 expression levels in Lin- cells using RQ PCR and antioxidative enzyme activities were assessed. We demonstrated neuronal markers as well as TrkB expression in Lin- cells and the activation of the TrkB receptor by BDNF. BDNF pre-treatment diminished apoptosis in Lin- cells and influenced the proliferation of these cells. We observed significant changes in antioxidants as well as in the increased expression of NT-3 in Lin- cells following BDNF exposure. Complex global miRNA and mRNA profiling analyses using microarray technology and GSEA revealed the differential regulation of genes involved in the proliferation, gene expression, biosynthetic processes, translation, and protein targeting. Our results support the hypothesis that pre-treatment of stem/progenitor cells could be beneficial and may be used as an auxiliary strategy for improving the properties of SPCs.

Evidence for proangiogenic cellular and humoral systemic response in patients with acute onset of spinal cord injury.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to disruption of local vasculature inducing secondary damage of neural tissue. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in post-injury regeneration of vasculature, whereas endothelial cells (ECs) reflect endothelial damage. METHODS: Twenty patients with SCI were assessed during the first 24 hours, at day 3, and day 7 post-injury and compared to 25 healthy subjects. We herein investigated EPC and EC counts by flow cytometry as well as the levels of soluble factors (SDF-1, HGF, VEGF, Ang2, EGF, endoglin, PLGF, FGF-2, ET-1, BDNF, IGF-1) regulating their migration and proangiogenic function. To better characterize peripheral blood (PB) cells, global gene expression profiles of PB-derived cells were determined using genome-wide RNA microarray technology. RESULTS: We found significantly higher EPC (CD34(+)/CD133(+)/VEGFR2(+)) as well as EC (VEGFR2(+)) count in PB of patients with SCI within 7 days post-injury and the increased HGF, ET-1, Ang2, EGF, and PLGF plasma levels. Global gene expression analysis revealed considerably lower expression of genes associated with both innate and adaptive immune response in PB cells in patients. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our findings demonstrate that SCI triggers bone marrow-derived EPC mobilization accompanied by increased circulating EC numbers. Significant changes in both chemoattractive and proangiogenic cytokines plasma levels occurring rapidly after SCI suggest their role in SCI-related regenerative responses to injury. Broadened knowledge concerning the mechanisms governing of human organism response to the SCI might be helpful in developing effective therapeutic strategies.