Transcriptional Levels of Intercellular Junction Proteins in an Alveolar Epithelial Cell Line Exposed to Irradiation or Bleomycin.

We performed a comparative study of the effects of X-ray irradiation and bleomycin on the mRNA levels of E-cadherin and tight junction proteins (claudin-3, claudin-4, claudin-18, ZO-2, and occludin) in an alveolar epithelial cell line L2. Irradiation decreased claudin-4 levels and increased occludin levels, while the levels of other mRNAs remained unchanged. Bleomycin increased the expression levels of all proteins examined except claudin-3. Irradiation and bleomycin have different effects on the expression level of intercellular junction proteins, indicating different reactions triggered in alveolar epithelial cells and a great prospects of further comparative studies.

Rupture prone aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery complicated by mid aortic syndrome with occluded celiac and superior mesenteric arteries.

We present the case of a 45-year-old male patient with a large aneurysm of the inferior mesenteric artery complicated by mid aortic syndrome with occlusion of the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. The vascular pathology was detected by CT imaging after presentation and hospitalization with symptoms of acute cholecystitis. After resolve of the acute symptoms, the aneurysm was resected and the proximal inferior mesenteric artery interponated with a reversed saphenous vein bypass graft. Besides presenting this case we review the literature concerning the rare descriptions of inferior mesenteric artery aneurysms.

Novel LaCl3(Ce)-based spectrometer for deuterium plasma neutron diagnostics.

This work studies in detail the application possibility of a chlorine-based cerium-doped scintillator crystal [LaCl3(Ce)] to the task of D-D neutron spectrometry. We conducted an experimental campaign aimed at deriving the optimal setup parameters and energy calibration using a variety of available neutrons and γ-sources. The GEANT4 code was used for modeling the detector response to γ-ray irradiation. By observing the intrinsic background α-activity of the crystal, we were able to fine-tune the pulse-shape discrimination parameters, achieving a satisfactory α/n/γ pulse selection. We also investigated the LaCl3(Ce)-based spectrometer response under D-D-neutron irradiation by means of the ING-07D neutron generator with the yield of 1 × 107 n/s. The GEANT4 simulation provided us with the comprehensive overview of detector performance. The acquired results demonstrate the possibility of using the LaCl3(Ce) scintillation spectrometer for the purposes of deuterium plasma neutron diagnostics.

Homocysteine in lipoprotein apheresis patients--retrospective data analysis in apheresis center of a university hospital.

INTRODUCTION: There is an obvious contrast between the data from the epidemiological studies on hyperhomocysteinemia and the negative results of the homocysteine-lowering clinical trials. Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia might only be relevant in certain subgroups of subjects. The current study was focused on lipoprotein apheresis patients; the study goals were to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, to identify the association between homocysteine levels and cardiovascular events and to test the effects of lipoprotein apheresis and of the conventional homocysteine-lowering therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients from our Lipoprotein Apheresis Center (37 males, 23 females, age 63.1 ± 10.8 years) were included in the study. All patients' records were reviewed with respect to age, sex, BMI, dyslipidemias, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and incidence of vascular events in coronaries, carotids and lower extremities. Homocysteine was measured before and immediately after the apheresis procedure. We also observed the effects of conventional homocysteine-lowering therapy. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 50%. Homocysteine levels correlated positively with number of cardiovascular events (p < 0.03) and serum creatinine (p < 0.0001) and negatively with serum HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.03). Neither oral nor intravenous medication with vitamin B and folic acid showed a significant homocysteine lowering effect. The median relative change value of homocysteine after apheresis session was -12% but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in lipoprotein apheresis patients is high. Neither apheresis nor more conventional methods appear to markedly influence homocysteine serum levels.