Increased expression of ORMDL3 in allergic asthma: a case control and in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most frequent chronic disease in children. One of the most replicated genetic findings in childhood asthma is the ORMDL3 gene confirmed in several GWA studies in several pediatric populations. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze ORMDL3 variants and expression in childhood asthma in the Polish population. METHODS: In the study we included 416 subject, 223 asthmatic children and 193 healthy control subjects. The analysis of two SNPs (rs3744246 and rs8076131) was performed using genotyping with TaqMan probes. The methylation of the ORMDL3 promoter was examined with Methylation Sensitive HRM (MS-HRM), covering 9 CpG sites. The expression of ORMDL3 was analyzed in PBMCs from pediatric patients diagnosed with allergic asthma and primary human bronchial epithelial cells derived from healthy subjects treated with IL-13, IL-4, or co-treatment with both cytokines to model allergic airway inflammation. RESULTS: We found that ORMDL3 expression was increased in allergic asthma both in PBMCs from asthmatic patients as well as in human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with the current cytokines. We did not observe significant differences between cases and controls either in the genotype distribution of analyzed SNPs (rs3744246 and rs8076131) nor in the level of promoter methylation. CONCLUSIONS: Increased ORMDL3 expression is associated with pediatric allergic asthma and upregulated in the airways upon Th2-cytokines stimulation, but further functional studies are required to fully understand its role in this disease.

Effect of lead exposure on memory processes in mice after cerebral oligemia.

The purpose of this study was to find out whether the effect of acute exposure to lead on memory processes in mice could be exacerbated by cerebral oligemia. Adult mice were subjected to 30 min of bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) and then treated intraperitoneally with lead acetate at a single dose of: 29.3 mg/kg, 58.6 mg/kg or 87.9 mg/kg. Long-term memory was assessed in the passive avoidance task while spontaneous alternation was evaluated using the Y-maze task. Performance of the tasks was tested on the 2nd, 7th and 14th post-surgical day. On the 14th post-surgical day, significant retention deficits in passive avoidance performance were only observed in BCCA mice injected with the 87.9 mg/kg lead. Co-exposure to cerebral oligemia and lead did not change spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze task. These results show that cerebral oligemic hypoxia combined with acute lead exposure may cause selective and long-lasting impairment in memory function.

Cerebral oligemic hypoxia and MK-801 treatment: effect on alternation behavior in mice.

It is known that glutamatergic system is one of neurotransmitter systems affected by a transiently reduced oxygen supply. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on spontaneous alternation in mice exposed to cerebral oligemic hypoxia. Spontaneous alternation behavior and locomotor activity were evaluated using the Y-maze task. Transient cerebral oligemia was induced by bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) for 30 min under pentobarbital anesthesia. MK-801 was injected 48 h after BCCA or sham surgery, 30 min before the test session. Treatment with MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg ip) impaired spontaneous alternation both in sham-operated and BCCA mice. MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg ip) significantly enhanced the locomotion of mice. The effects of MK-801 were not exacerbated by BCCA. These results show that cerebral oligemic hypoxia induced by BCCA does not change alternation behavior of mice treated with MK-801.

Effects of cadmium on memory processes in mice exposed to transient cerebral oligemia.

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the effects of chronic or acute exposure to cadmium on memory processes in mice could be exacerbated by transiently reducing cerebral oxygen supply. Adult mice were subjected to bilateral clamping of the carotid artery (BCCA) for 30 min under anesthesia. Cadmium chloride was administered intraperitoneally after surgery at single doses of: 0.7 mg/kg (low dose), 1.4 mg/kg (high dose), or at a prolonged dose of 0.7 mg/kg for up to 10 days. Long-term memory was evaluated in a step-through passive avoidance task while spatial working memory was evaluated using a Y-maze spontaneous alternation task. BCCA mice injected with the 1.4 mg/kg dose of cadmium exhibited recall deficits in the step-through passive avoidance task. Combined treatment at either dose had no effect on the acquisition of passive avoidance. In the Y-maze task, spontaneous alternation behavior was only impaired in BCCA mice treated with the prolonged cadmium dose. These results indicate that cerebral oligemic hypoxia may alter cadmium neurotoxicity and potentiate the tendency for cadmium-induced memory impairments in the passive avoidance task and spontaneous alternation deficits.

Competitive NMDA receptor antagonists and agonists: effects on spontaneous alternation in mice exposed to cerebral oligemia.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of competitive NMDA receptor antagonists,D,L-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid (CGP 37849) and its ethyl ester (CGP 39551), or agonist, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) on spontaneous alternation in mice exposed to cerebral oligemia. Alternation behavior was evaluated in an Y-maze. Transient cerebral oligemic hypoxia was induced by bilateral clamping of carotid arteries (BCCA) for 30 min under pentobarbital anesthesia. In BCCA mice, CGP 37849 (5 mg/kg, ip) impaired spontaneous alternation when given 48 h or 7 days after surgery. CGP 39551 (5 mg/kg, ip) had no effect.NMDA (50 mg/kg, sc) improved performance of the task in BCCA mice when tested 48 h after surgery. These results suggest that cerebral oligemic hypoxia induced by BCCA leads to functional disturbances in the central nervous system, such as spontaneous alternation impairment and increased susceptibility to NMDA receptor-related drugs. Adverse potential of cerebral oligemia may limit a therapeutic use of NMDA receptor antagonists.

The influence of adenosine A3 receptor agonist: IB-MECA, on scopolamine- and MK-801-induced memory impairment.

The effects of adenosine A3 agonist IB-MECA on scopolamine- and MK-801-induced impairment of spontaneous alternation and learning abilities were examined using Y-maze and passive avoidance tasks in mice. IB-MECA given 20 min before test had no effect on spontaneous alternation performance. Similarly learning abilities tested in passive avoidance were not disturbed after IB-MECA administration before training session. IB-MECA significantly diminished scopolamine- and MK-801-induced impairment of spontaneous alternation in Y-maze and learning abilities in passive avoidance task as well as reduced higher locomotor activity in MK-801-treated group. This ameliorating effect of IB-MECA was not antagonised by adenosine A1 antagonists CPX. Obtained results indicate that adenosine A3 receptor stimulation may ameliorate spatial memory and long term memory impairments in terms of cholinergic and glutamatergic deficits induced by scopolamine and MK-801, respectively.

The epileptogenic effect of seizures induced by hypoxia: the role of NMDA and AMPA/KA antagonists.

Hypoxia of the brain may alter further seizure susceptibility in a different way. In this study, we tried to answer the question how episode of convulsion induced by hypoxia (HS) changes further seizure susceptibility, and how N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and AMPA/KA receptor antagonists influence this process. Adult Albino Swiss mice exposed to hypoxia (5% O(2)) developed clonic/tonic convulsions after about 340 s. Mice which underwent 10 s but not 5 s seizures episode subsequently exhibited significantly increased seizure susceptibility to low doses (equal ED(16)) of bicuculline (BCC) and NMDA during a 3-week observation period. No morphological signs of brain tissue damage were seen in light microscope on the third day after a hypoxia-induced seizure (HS). Learning abilities assessed in passive avoidance test as well as spontaneous alternation were not disturbed after an HS episode. Pretreatment with AMPA/KA receptor antagonist NBQX effectively prolonged latency to HS and given immediately after seizure episode also attenuated subsequent convulsive susceptibility rise, however, NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, appeared to be ineffective. These results suggest that a seizure episode induced by hypoxia, depending on its duration, may play an epileptogenic role. The AMPA/KA receptor antagonist prolongs the latency to HS, and given after this episode, prevents the long-term epileptogenic effect.

Urine iodine excretion in schoolchildren living in urban area.

Iodine is a microelement necessary for thyroid gland hormones production. It is essential for the growth and development of human body. The aim of the study was to determine urine iodine excretion in schoolchildren living in urban area. We found out that approximately 42% of the examined children excreted small amounts of iodine with urine, which proves low dietary intake of the element. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the right dietary patterns and iodine supplementation in developing children.

Investigations on the synthesis and pharmacological properties of 4-alkoxy-2-[2-hydroxy-3-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)propyl]-6-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3(2H)-diones.

Synthesis of 2-[2-hydroxy-3-(4-aryl-1-piperazinyl)propyl] derivatives of 4-alkoxy-6-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3(2H)-diones (8-12) is described. The chlorides used in the above synthesis can exist in two isomeric forms: chain (18-20) and cyclic (19a, 20a). The compounds 8-12 exhibited potent analgesic activity which was superior than that of acetylsalicylic acid in two different tests. Most of the investigated imides suppressed significantly spontaneous locomotor activity in mice.

Nociceptin, OP4 receptor ligand in different models of experimental epilepsy.

The anticonvulsive activity of nociceptin, endogenous OP4 receptors agonist was investigated in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), N-methyl D-aspartic acid (NMDA), bicucculine (BCC) and electrically evoked seizure models of experimental epilepsy. Nociceptin, at the dose of 10 nmol, suppressed the clonic seizures induced by PTZ, NMDA and BCC. [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 which has been proposed to be selective antagonist OP4 receptors, did not prevent the action of nociceptin. The effect of [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 on seizures induced by PTZ, NMDA and BCC was very similar to that of nociceptin. These data support the hypothesis that it possesses agonistic properties. Naloxone did not reverse the anticonvulsive action of nociceptin as well as [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 which excludes the participation of opioid receptor in this action. On the other hand in the electroconvulsive model of generalized seizures, nociceptin as well as [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 influenced neither the electroconvulsive threshold nor the maximal electroshock test. The data suggest that nociceptin and [Phe1(psi)(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin-(1-13)-NH2 can exert anticonvulsive action. These properties depend on OP4 but not opioid receptors activation.

[Frequency analysis of the use of addictive substances by adolescents attending secondary schools in Sanok]. / Analiza czestosci uzywania substancji uzalezniajacych przez uczniów szkól srednich w Sanoku.

In recent years more and more adolescents use addictive and psychoactive substances. Lack of love and safety feeling in their families, being in conflict with peer group and the need for acting opposite to social rules are amongst the most pertinent reasons of the matter in hand. The aim of this paper is to find out how may teenagers use and fall in dependence on alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We interviewed 140 pupils aged 17-18 years attending secondary schools in Sanok. 91.4% of the interviewed students said that they had been informed at school about health hazards resulting from drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco and use of drugs. In spite of that all of them said that they did use alcohol. 46.4% of them confirmed that they overused it. 35.7% of the examined students smoked cigarettes. 25.7% of the respondents used drugs at least once in their lives. 62.5% of them used marihuana, 25% hashish, 5.7% hallucinogenic mushrooms, 3.6% LSD, 1.8% amphetamine and 1.8% ecstasy. When asked to evaluate how difficult for them the access to drugs was 27.9% of pupils said that it was easy, 6.45--diffucult, 65.7% didn't know. The results obtained in our study show that adolescents use addictive substances in spite of having knowledge about their hazardous influence on their health.

[Study of hygienic habits of children and youth in the commune of Horyniec]. / Badanie nawyków higienicznych dzieci i mlodzieiy w gminie Horyniec.

Health behaviour of children and youth is being taught from the earliest years of their lives. Hygiene, dental care, hygiene of work and rest as well as proper nutritional habits determinate health condition of a child and, later on, of an adult. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hygienic habits of children and youth in the commune of Horyniec. An especially designed questionnaire was used as an examination tool. It consisted of 27 questions. 151 students of primary and grammar school were examined. The highest percentage of the interviewed students (37.1%) washed their hands 4-5 times a day. After using WC 78.1% of them washed hands, whereas the rest of them neglected that routine. Only 21.2% of the examined children brushed their teeth after every meal. An average student of the primary or grammar school spent daily 7 hours at school. They did homework or studied themselves usually 2 hours a day. Vast majority of them slept 8-9 hours every night. The most numerous group of the examined children watched TV about 2 hours a day. 57% of the students did physical activities more of ten than twice a week, 29.1% once a week and 13.3% less frequently. 85% of the kids regularly had three meals a day. The study of hygienic habits of children and youth in the commune of Horyniec shows that most of them have proper nutritional habits. Unfortunately, majority of them neglect brushing teeth after every meal and washing hands. Too many children don't do sports intensively enough.

[Assessment of health state in the selected population of rural environment in the aspect of environmental exposure to lead]. / Ocena stanu zdrowia wybranej populacji wiejskiej w aspekcie srodowiskowego narazenia na olów.

The research was conducted in the selected population of rural environment. Health state was assessed in the aspect of environmental exposure to lead. While analyzing obtained research results, the higher incidence of the disease was revealed among female population in comparison with male population and it was the highest in the age group above 60 years of age. The predominating group was the diseases of the circulatory system including chronic hypertensive disease and coronary heart disease, then dermatoses and the diseases of the osteo-articular system. The values of delta-amino-laevulinic acid were within the range of valid standards and no toxic risk of the investigated population was revealed.

Burdensome factors occurring at school according to students.

The aim of the work was to find out about school environment and burdensome factors that occur at school according to students. The research was conducted at Primary School no. 23 in Tarnów. 244 students were examined, including 135 students of 8th form and 109 students of 4th form. Troublesome factors, which students are exposed to, may be divided into two groups. The first group is related to physiochemical environment, the second group are the factors which result from a child's way of living and working in the school environment. On the basis of the analysis of the results, the necessity of restriction of both physical and psychosocial burden of students is emphasised. What seems to be especially crucial is ergonomic school furniture, diminishing of noise, improvement of hygienic condition of toilets, rational school timetable, and elimination of dangers resulting from other students' behaviour.

Urinary iodine excretion in inhabitants of rural region living in the Lublin Province.

Iodine is the element necessary for the human organism to function properly. Iodine is essential especially for the synthesis of thyroid hormones that regulate the cellular metabolism of the whole organism. The purpose of the work was to estimate the concentration of iodine in urine among the inhabitants of a typical agricultural region as a simple method of detecting deficiency of iodine in the human organism. The biggest iodine excretion was observed in a group above 40 years of age. The amount of the excretion of iodine together with urine was similar among men and women up to 40 years old. Monitoring of iodine concentration in urine is a sensitive marker of iodine deficiency in the human organism.

Leisure time activities in teenagers in urban and rural areas.

The work aimed to determine the leisure time activities in teenagers on weekdays, weekends, during winter and summer holidays. Vast majority of teenagers spend their leisure time resting in a passive way, i.e. watching TV or playing computer games irrespectively of the season. As a result of this, the number of kids with posture defects increase. On weekdays the country teenagers spend much more time doing outdoor sports and games than town children. They also more often help their parents and less frequently travel away from their homes than children living in towns.

Life style and the risk of development of circulatory system diseases.

Circulatory system diseases (c.s.d.) belong to the group of civilization diseases. The risk factors of circulatory system diseases are: stress, overuse of alcohol, smoking cigarettes, bad eating habits, sitting life style. Calorie overconsumption, animal fat rich diet, sitting life style result in the development of android obesity, hypercholesterolemia, that enhance atheromatosis. The most dangerous consequences of atheromatosis are: angina pectoris, hypertension, myocardial infarction, brain insult, type II diabetes. The aim of the work was to evaluate life style and its correlation with development of circulatory system diseases. The results obtained significantly indicate how important is health education about the danger of widely understood unhealthy life style. Propagation of staying healthy model with emphasizing real profit resulting from leading healthy life style is the only righteous way to improve it.

Causes and circumstances of injuries in children.

The problem of the incidence of traumas among children is still topical and statistical data confirm an increasing tendency in the last decades. The purpose of the work was to estimate the causes and circumstances of injuries in children at the age of 7 to 15, who were admitted to Surgical Ward of Specialist Paediatric Hospital in Kielce between 30th June 1997 and 30th June 1998. A retrospective analysis of medical documentation concerned 768 patients. Our studies showed that the biggest number of injuries was related to children 10-12 years old (46%). The majority of patients were boys. Most injuries occurred in summer (33%). In the studied population dominant were accidents at home (56%) and then road accidents (18%), injuries at school (13%) and on farms (7%). Accidents and injuries occurred more often in children from the rural areas (53%).

Psycho-social problems of HIV carriers.

HIV carrier state and AIDS generate multiple medical, psychological, social and legal problems. The aim of the work was to evaluate selected psycho-social problems among HIV carriers. The examination method was a questionnaire. We interviewed 60 HIV carriers. The results obtained confirmed the existence of the problems affecting the carriers and their families. It creates need for social education in this field.

Interaction between local anesthetics and centrally acting antihypertensive drugs.

UNLABELLED: Local anesthetics are widely used in alleviating pain concomitant with small surgery procedures and in dentistry. Especially medication in ductal anesthesia after penetrating into systemic circulation can have significant influence on the central nervous system and stimulus conduction in the heart. Clonidine and reserpine are centrally acting antihypertensive drugs. The aim of this study was to examine an interaction of lidocaine, articaine and mepivacaine with some antihypertensive drugs clonidine and reserpine on the pentylenetetrazole induced seizures. IN CONCLUSION: articaine is the most safe local anesthetic and can be used in epileptic patients Co-administration of local anesthetics with centrally acting antihypertensive drugs did not influence seizures activity in mice.