Multifunctional materials based on the double-perovskite organic-inorganic hybrid (CH3NH3)2[KCr(CN)6] showing switchable dielectric, magnetic, and semiconducting behaviour.

Herein, we have synthesised and characterised a novel organic-inorganic hybrid crystal, [CH3NH3]2KCr(CN)6 (MACr). Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA-DTA) indicates one structural phase transition (PT) at 450 K. The modified equation of the tolerance factor, t, was used to estimate the theoretical PT temperature for a crystal with Mn(iii). According to the X-ray diffraction experiment, in the low-temperature (LT) phase, the solid-to-solid PT is described by the monoclinic space group C2/c. The creation of the ferroelastic domain structure in phase II was proved on the basis of the observation under a polarising microscope. The crystals of MACr and its isomorphous analogues with Fe(iii) and Co(iii) appeared to be semiconducting materials in the LT phase. The type of PT is order-disorder and occurs between "low" (ordered-frozen) and "high" (orientationally disordered) dielectric states. Dielectric spectroscopy was used to characterise the switching properties of the dipole moments in the vicinity of the PTs. The magnetic properties of the MACr hybrid were investigated in DC and AC modes. The DC data show a sizeable weak exchange interaction between the nearest Cr(iii) centres in the crystal lattice. The AC susceptibility data confirm a slow magnetic relaxation in the applied DC field with two relaxation channels. The low-frequency relaxation time is very long as τLF = 1.4(1) s at T = 2.0 K. The organic-inorganic hybrid, described above, can be considered a rare example of multifunctional materials which exhibit dielectric, magnetic, and conductive activities.

Common genomic HLA haplotypes contributing to successful donor search in unrelated hematopoietic transplantation.

The aim of the study was to identify the most frequent HLA haplotypes in order to optimize donor searches in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Pediatric patients from the north of France who underwent initial HLA typing for donor search in our center were included. Patients and family members were broadly typed for HLA class I and II. Patients were further DNA typed at the sequence level for HLA-A, -B, -Cw, -DRB1, and -DQB1 alleles. In 200 of 207 patients HLA haplotypes were assigned by the mode of inheritance. The most common haplotypes were defined based on frequencies over 0.75%. Searches for unrelated donors were completed for 86 patients lacking a family donor. Matching criteria were either the optimal level of 10 alleles or a one-HLA class I mismatch as a second choice. Rates of successful search reach 85% for patients (n=20) who express at least one common five-allele (HLA-A/B/Cw/DRB1/DQB1) haplotype, but also 77% for more patients (n=53) who express at least one of the 20 most frequent three-allele (HLA-A/B/Cw) haplotypes. Success rates are clearly less (39%) in patients lacking these haplotypes. The use of these data to delineate search strategies is discussed.

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-dependent release from contact inhibition in WB-F344 cells: involvement of cyclin A.

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most potent tumor promoter ever tested in rodents. Although it is known that most of TCDD actions are mediated by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), the mechanisms leading to tumor promotion still remain to be elucidated. Loss of contact inhibition is one characteristic hallmark in tumorigenesis. In rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells, TCDD induces a release from contact inhibition, which is manifested by a twofold increase in cell number when TCDD (1 nM for 48 h) is added to confluent cells in the presence of serum, but not when given to exponentially growing or subconfluent, serum-deprived WB-F344 cells. Loss of G1 arrest was also shown by flow cytometric analysis. We demonstrate that TCDD treatment significantly increases cyclin D2 and cyclin A protein levels and show by immunofluorescence that these proteins accumulate in the nucleus. Although TCDD treatment leads to a strong increase in cyclin D2/cdk4 and cyclin A/cdk2 complex formation, we could only detect an elevation of cyclin A/cdk2 activity. In accordance with a lack of elevated cdk4 activity, no decrease in the amount of hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma protein could be shown after TCDD treatment. The importance of increased cyclin A/cdk2 activity for TCDD-dependent release from contact inhibition was shown by the fact that the cdk2/cdc2-specific inhibitor olomoucine (25 microM) abolished TCDD response. These data indicate cyclin A-dependent loss of G1 arrest after TCDD treatment mainly downstream of the retinoblastoma protein.

[Psychophysiological correlates of primary insomnia]. / Psychofizjologiczne wskazniki bezsennosci przewleklej.

Psychophysiological differences between 16 patients with primary insomnia, 7 men and 9 women, of mean age 40.8 years, and 16 controls, matched according to age, sex and education, were studied. Insomniacs differed from controls in the following results: their motor activity level was higher during night, sleep efficiency was lower and complexity in slow wave sleep was higher. The Hyperarousal Scale score was higher in insomniacs and it correlated with severity of insomnia in Athens Insomnia Scale. Sleep latency in MSLT was not shorter in patients group. Reaction time was shorter, moreover, the number of presentations necessary to memorize all items of Selective Reminding Test was greater in these patients. Degree of the learning disturbance correlated with the Athens Insomnia Scale score. No correlations were found between Selective Reminding Test and standard polysomnographic parameters. To sum up, the hypothesis on 24-hour hyperarousal in primary insomnia has been confirmed and learning impairment has been documented in the present study, independent of standard polysomnographic parameters.

Prevention of EBV-induced B-lymphoproliferative disorder by ex vivo marrow B-cell depletion in HLA-phenoidentical or non-identical T-depleted bone marrow transplantation.

HLA-mismatched bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is hampered by three major complications: graft rejection, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and delayed immune reconstitution. Infusion of anti-LFA1 plus anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies (MAb), combined with ex-vivo T-cell depletion of the graft, was efficient in preventing graft rejection and aGVHD. Nevertheless, disease-free survival was limited by the high frequency of lethal infections, including EBV-induced lymphoproliferative disease (BLPD), which originates mostly from donor B cells, with an incidence of 5-30%. To decrease the rate of this complication, ex-vivo B-cell depletion was attempted. This study compares a group of 19 patients who received a T- and B-cell-depleted marrow from an HLA-mismatched related donor with a retrospective control group of 19 patients, who had received T-cell-depleted marrow by the same method. The level of T-cell depletion was similar in the two groups. For B-cell depletion, two different methods were compared. The median number of B cells infused in the study group was 0.46/kg. Engraftment and aGVHD incidence were similar in the two groups. No EBV donor-derived BPLD occurred in the study group, compared with seven in the control group, four of whom died because of EBV-BPLD. Event-free survival was significantly different between the two groups. We conclude that ex-vivo B-cell depletion of the graft may be a useful means of preventing EBV-BPLD, and warrants further study on a larger group of patients.

[Coexistence of colloid cyst of the third ventricle with pituitary dwarfism in a female aged 16]. / Wspólistnienie torbieli koloidowej III komory z karlowatoscia przysadkowa u 16-letniej chorej.

A 16-year-old patient with pituitary dwarfism is reported, in whom a colloid cyst was found in the III ventricle. The authors believe that pituitary disorder and colloid cyst were a result of developmental anomalies manifesting themselves at various times.

[Brain tumors in the records of the Department of Neurosurgery in Rzeszów 1976-1989]. / Guzy mózgu w materiale Oddzialu Neurochirurgii w Rzeszowie w latach 1976-1989.

The authors present the results of surgical treatment of 232 patients with brain tumours operated on in the neurosurgery centre in Rzeszów. In 84% of cases it was possible to remove the tumor radically, 44% of the patients were subjected to postoperative radiotherapy. The relationship is discussed between the operative results and the location of tumor, its microscopic structure and patient's age.

[Immediate and late results of the treatment of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea at the Department of Neurosurgery of the District Hospital in Rzeszów]. / Bezposrednie i odlegle wyniki leczenia plynotoków nosowych w Oddziale Neurochirurgii Wojewódzkiego Szpitala w Rzeszowie.

In the period 1976-1989 in the Neurosurgery Department, Province Hospital in Rzeszów 130 patients were treated for CSF rhinorrhoea and 104 of them were treated surgically. Out of these 104 patients 6 died after the operation because of purulent complications and severe brain injury following extensive open fractures of the anterior cranial fossa. The follow-up examinations are performed 1 to 13 years after the operation and conservative treatment. From the surgical group 77 (79%) came for the examination: 75 led active life, 50 resumed occupational work, 25 had disability pensions, 2 died, the cause of death was not established. From the group treated conservatively 15 patients responded (71%). Seven resumed occupation, 8 received disability pension, one died of cerebral abscess 3 years after head trauma.

[A case of multiple tuberculomas of the brain in a 17-year-old male]. / Przypadek mnogich gruzliczaków mózgu u 17-letniego mezczyzny.

The authors describe a case of multiple intracerebral tuberculomas in a man aged 17 years. History data and results of investigations failed to suggest the presence of tuberculoma. The diagnosis was established after histological examination of a surgically removed lesion in the right occipital area. Intensive antituberculous treatment gave complete cure confirmed by CT examination.

Biological properties and clinical application of propolis. II. Studies on the antiprotozoan activity of ethanol extract of propolis.

Solutions of the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) have shown a lethal effect on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro. Similar lethal action was exhibited by EEP after a 24-h contact with Toxoplasma gondii.