Combined effects of exposure to engineered silver nanoparticles and the water-soluble fraction of crude oil in the marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus.

While it is likely that ENPs may occur together with other contaminants in nature, the combined effects of exposure to both ENPs and environmental contaminants are not studied sufficiently. In this study, we investigated the acute and sublethal toxicity of PVP coated silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and ionic silver (Ag+; administered as AgNO3) to the marine copepod Calanus finmarchicus. We further studied effects of single exposures to AgNPs (nominal concentrations: low 15 µg L-1 NPL, high 150 µg L-1 NPH) or Ag+ (60 µg L-1), and effects of co-exposure to AgNPs, Ag+ and the water-soluble fraction (WSF; 100 µg L-1) of a crude oil (AgNP + WSF; Ag++WSF). The gene expression and the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes SOD, CAT and GST, as well as the gene expression of HSP90 and CYP330A1 were determined as sublethal endpoints. Results show that Ag+ was more acutely toxic compared to AgNPs, with 96 h LC50 concentrations of 403 µg L-1 for AgNPs, and 147 µg L-1 for Ag+. Organismal uptake of Ag following exposure was similar for AgNP and Ag+, and was not significantly different when co-exposed to WSF. Exposure to AgNPs alone caused increases in gene expressions of GST and SOD, whereas WSF exposure caused an induction in SOD. Responses in enzyme activities were generally low, with significant effects observed only on SOD activity in NPL and WSF exposures and on GST activity in NPL and NPH exposures. Combined AgNP and WSF exposures caused slightly altered responses in expression of SOD, GST and CYP330A1 genes compared to the single exposures of either AgNPs or WSF. However, there was no clear pattern of cumulative effects caused by co-exposures of AgNPs and WSF. The present study indicates that the exposure to AgNPs, Ag+, and to a lesser degree WSF cause an oxidative stress response in C. finmarchicus, which was slightly, but mostly not significantly altered in combined exposures. This indicated that the combined effects between Ag and WSF are relatively limited, at least with regard to oxidative stress.

The impact of TiO2 nanoparticles on uptake and toxicity of benzo(a)pyrene in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis).

Nanoparticles are emerging contaminants of concern. Knowledge on their environmental impacts is scarce, especially on their interactive effects with other contaminants. In this study we investigated effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NP) on the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and determined their influence on the bioavailability and toxicity of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), a carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Blue mussels were exposed to either TiO2NP (0.2 and 2.0 mg L(-1)) or B(a)P (20 µg L(-1)) and to the respective combinations of these two compounds. Aqueous contaminant concentrations, the uptake of Ti and B(a)P into mussel soft tissue, effects on oxidative stress and chromosomal damage were analyzed. The uncoated TiO2NP agglomerated rapidly in the seawater. The presence of TiO2NP significantly reduced the bioavailability of B(a)P, shown by lowered B(a)P concentrations in exposure tanks and in mussel tissue. The activities of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were impacted by the various exposure regimes, indicating oxidative stress in the contaminant exposure groups. While SOD activity was increased only in the 0.2TiO2NP exposure group, CAT activity was enhanced in both combined exposure groups. The GPx activity was increased only in the groups exposed to the two single compounds. In hemocytes, increased chromosomal damage was detected in mussels exposed to the single compounds, which was further increased after exposure to the combination of compounds. In this study we show that the presence of TiO2NP in the exposure system reduced B(a)P uptake in blue mussels. However, since most biomarker responses did not decrease despite of the lower B(a)P uptake in combined exposures, the results suggest that TiO2NP can act as additional stressor, or potentially alters B(a)P toxicity by activation.

Bioaccumulation of mercury in the pelagic food chain of the Lake Baikal.

Mercury (Hg) concentrations were analyzed in the livers of Baikal seals and in plankton, zoobenthos and fish which constitute food items for the seals. Concentrations of Hg in the liver of Baikal seals were up to two orders of magnitude lower than those in seals inhabiting other lakes. The low levels of Hg are due to the low levels of the Hg in the fish from the family Comephoride, which reflect the very low concentrations of Hg in Baikal water. The development stage (pups and adults) and the sex of the seals have significant influence on their hepatic Hg concentrations. The differences between Hg accumulation in adult males, adult females and pups could be attributed to the reproductive cycle of the Baikal seals. In spite of low concentrations, Hg is characterized by high values of the concentration factor (CF) for the livers of for Baikal seals. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) suggest biomagnifications of Hg in the fish-seal trophic link.

Retinoids, 585-nm laser, and carbon dioxide laser: a numeric comparison of neocollagen formation in photoaged hairless mouse skin.

BACKGROUND: A variety of new methods for treating photoaging have been recently introduced. There has been increasing interest in comparing the relative efficacy of multiple methods for photoaging. However, the efficacy of a single method is difficult to assess from the data reported in the literature. METHODS: Photoaged hairless mice were randomly divided into seven treatment groups: control, retinoids (tretinoin and adapalene), lasers (585 nm and CO(2)), and combination groups (585 nm + adapalene and CO(2 )+ adapalene). Biopsies were taken from the treated regions, and the results were analyzed based on the repair zone. The repair zones of the various methods for photoaging were compared. RESULTS: Retinoids produced a wider repair zone than the control condition. The 585-nm and CO(2) laser resurfacing produced a result equivalent to that of the control condition. A combination of these lasers with adapalene produced a wider repair zone than the lasers alone, but the combination produced a result equivalent to that of adapalene alone. CONCLUSION: Retinoids are potent stimuli for neocollagen formation. The 585-nm or CO(2) laser alone did not induce more neocollagen than the control condition. In addition, no synergistic effect was observed with the combination treatments. The repair zone of the combination treatment is mainly attributable to adapalene.

Interspecific distribution and co-associations of chemical elements in the liver tissue of marine mammals from the Polish Economical Exclusive Zone, Baltic Sea.

Concentrations of Al, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sr, Tl, V, Zn, Ca, K, Mg, Na and P in the livers of marine mammals obtained from by-catches or stranded on beaches on the Polish Baltic coast were determined by ICP-MS or ICP-AES and CV AAS. Interspecific diversity with respect to the contents of these elements was found in cetaceans and pinnipeds. The diverse Cd contents in the livers of these mammals can be attributed to the variable concentrations of this element in their food. Mercury was correlated with age and can reach high concentration associated with higher level of Se in older specimens. No significant relationships were found between concentration of the chemical elements studied and nutritional status/condition of the Baltic harbour porpoises as well as between their concentration in specimens from the Gulf of Gdansk and open Baltic. It seems that the nutritional and health status of the specimens studied is generally enough good since the specimens studied were not stranded on beach because of starvation but almost incidentally caught in salmon gill nets. Strong correlations were found between the macroelements analysed, i.e. for the Ba-Ca-Sr, Ca-K, Ca-Mg, Mg-P, Zn-Mg and Zn-P assemblies. Significantly higher content of Al was found in males of harbour porpoises.

Distribution and relationships of trace metals in soft tissue, byssus and shells of Mytilus edulis trossulus from the southern Baltic.

Concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Ag, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Mn, and Fe in soft tissues, shells and byssus of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis trossulus) from 23 sites along the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea were determined by AAS method. Byssus, as compared with the soft tissue, concentrated more effectively Pb, Cu, Cr, and especially Ag, Ni, Mn and Fe, moderately Hg and Zn and less effectively Cd. Significant inter-regional and inter-size differences in metal concentrations in both soft tissues and byssus were recorded. Highly significant correlations (P<0.01, P<0.05) were observed between tissue and byssal concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni and Ag. Factor analysis showed clear separation of both the tissue and byssi samples based on their geographic distribution, possibly reflecting a different rate of deposition of clay minerals at the head of the Pomeranian Bay and the Gulf of Gdansk. The Pomeranian Bay differs from the Gulf of Gdansk in respect to geological structure of bottom sediments as a substrata for the M. edulis trossulus as well as in relation to various sources of metallic pollutants. From the data obtained in the present study and those reported previously the soft tissue and especially byssus of M. edulis, in contrast to shells, appear to be a significantly better bioindicator for identification of coastal areas exposed to metallic contaminants.

Cytokeratin 7 and 20 staining for the diagnosis of lung and colorectal adenocarcinoma.

The origin of metastatic adenocarcinoma lesions can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. The objectives of our study were to establish the cytokeratin staining pattern of primary and metastatic lung and colorectal adenocarcinomas, and to determine if this helps to identify the site of origin of metastatic lesions. We reviewed a total of 102 tissue samples from patients in our tumour registry, with either primary or metastatic lung or colorectal adenocarcinoma. Tissue sections were stained for cytokeratin 7 and 20 and read as positive or negative for staining. Clinical and radiologic information was reviewed from computerised charts. The cytokeratin 7+/cytokeratin 20- pattern characterised 96% (29 out of 30) of primary and 95% (21 out of 22) of metastatic lung adenocarcinomas. All the primary (26), and 88% (21 out of 24) of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas stained cytokeratin 7-/cytokeratin 20+. Samples from a variety of metastatic sites were evaluated for cytokeratin 7 and 20 staining. Out of the 102 samples, in 95% (97 out of 102) of the cases, the cytokeratin 7 and cytokeratin 20 staining pattern characterised and differentiated between lung and colorectal adenocarcinoma. Primary and metastatic lung adenocarcinomas show a cytokeratin 7+/cytokeratin 20- staining pattern, while colorectal adenocarcinomas stain cytokeratin 7-/cytokeratin 20+. Cytokeratin staining is helpful in the diagnostic differentiation of metastatic lesions from these two common primaries, and assists in determining the site of origin of metastatic lesions.

Cytokeratin staining for primary and metastatic colorectal cancer.

Determining the site of origin of metastatic adenocarcinoma lesions has obvious therapeutic and prognostic implications. Immunostaining for cytokeratin subtypes 7 and 20 is increasingly used to evaluate metastatic colorectal cancer lesions. We present the case of a patient with a history of colorectal cancer who subsequently developed an isolated metastatic lesion in the lung. As illustrated by our case, staining for cytokeratin subtypes can be helpful in determining the site of origin of metastatic lesions.

Deletion screening and carrier detection in Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Polish population via direct analysis of DNA and RNA transcripts.

Analysis of 102 Polish Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (D/BMD) patients was performed by 'multiplex' amplification of 22 fragments of the DMD/BMD gene and deletions were found in 55% of the patients. The data obtained using PCR were compared with results of 25 Southern blotting and hybridization experiments with cDNA probes and with immunostaining using anti-dystrophin antibodies. In order to determine more precise deletion breakpoints, additional experiments were performed on dystrophin transcripts isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes. These data found direct application in carrier analysis in the respective families by detection or exclusion of aberrant cDNA fragments. Carrier detection was also performed by RFLP-PCR, analysis of polymorphic (CA)n repeats and single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) for selected exons of the DMD gene.

Mantle-cell lymphoma in a patient with human immunodeficiency viral infection.

Rare cases of low-grade lymphomas have been described in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, this is the first reported case of mantle-cell lymphoma, a type of low-grade lymphoma, in a patient who also had HIV infection. Salient clinical features included lymphocytosis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and involvement of the bone marrow and meninges. The disease proved to be unusually aggressive and response to chemotherapy was insignificant. The patient survived only 4 months.

[Subdural hygroma in children]. / Wodniak podtwardówkowy u dzieci.

In the analysed material of 55 cases of subdural hygroma in children the authors found that the hygroma was most frequently a complication of inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system and diarrhoea. The analysis showed that recurrent vomiting, febrile states, failure to thrive should be an indication to diagnostic investigations for subdural hygroma. The simplest and most useful method is transillumination of the skull which was positive in 84% of cases.

[Disorders of the development of perceptual functions in children with epilepsy]. / Zaburzenia rozwoju funkcji poznawczych u dzieci z padaczka.

The study was carried out for determination of the profile and for the analysis of disturbances in the development of perceptive functions in children with epilepsy. The psychological-statistical analysis was carried out in 80 children aged 7-14 years. Disturbances of general intellectual development were found in 31 cases (38.75%). Normal intelligence level was demonstrated in 43 children (53.75%), while in 6 cases (7.5%) the intelligence quotient was above normal. Disturbances in the development of visual perception and visuomotor coordination were discovered in 46 children (57.5%). Weakening was observed also of the memory function, mainly recent auditory memory (8.75%) and other partial deficits in the development of higher nervous system functions.

Radiogallium hot spleen in Trousseau's syndrome with splenic vein occlusion.

A 75-year-old man had multiple findings that indicated thromboembolic disease. A radiocolloid study showed splenic defects. The remainder of the spleen was hot on radiogallium imaging. The patient had Trousseau's syndrome (tumor-associated thromboembolism) due to carcinoma of the pancreas. The splenic vein was obstructed. Vascular compromise should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the radiogallium hot spleen.

Ventilatory support by pacing of the conditioned diaphragm in quadriplegia.

We provided full-time ventilatory support in five patients with respiratory paralysis accompanying quadriplegia by continuous electrical pacing of both hemidiaphragms simultaneously for 11 to 33 months through the application to the phrenic nerves of a low-frequency stimulus. The strength and endurance of the diaphragm muscle increased with pacing. Biopsy specimens taken from two patients who had uninterrupted stimulation for 6 and 16 weeks showed changes suggestive of the development of fatigue-resistant muscle fibers. When we compared these results with those of our earlier experience with intermittent unilateral stimulation of the diaphragm in 17 patients with respiratory paralysis, we found that continuous bilateral pacing using low-frequency stimulation appeared to be superior because of more efficient ventilation of both lungs, fewer total coulombs required to effect the same ventilation, and absence of myopathic changes in the diaphragm muscle. For patients with respiratory paralysis and intact phrenic nerves, continuous simultaneous pacing of both hemidiaphragms with low-frequency stimulation and a slow respiratory rate is a satisfactory method of providing full-time ventilatory support.

[A case of post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula in a 9-year-old girl]. / Przypadek pourazowej przetoki tetniczo-zylnej szyjno-jamistej u 9-letniej dziewczynki.

The authors report a case of carotidocavernous fistula with late (after 5 months) development of clinical signs confirmed by right-sided carotic angiography. Such cases are rare in children.

[Epidemiologic and clinical studies of patients with tick-borne encephalitis from northeastern Poland]. / Epidemiologische und klinische Untersuchungen von Kranken mit Zecken-Enzephalitis aus Nord-Ostpolen.

The authors discussed the epidemiological and serological evaluation as well as the clinical symptomatology of thick-borne encephalitis in 215 patients from North-East Poland. They found, among other things, that in 94 per cent of cases the infection was percutaneous from the tick bite and caused via the digestive route in 6 per cent of cases by drinking unboiled cow milk. It was demonstrated that during the late phase of convalescence i.e. one to five years after the outbreak of the disease, the injuries to the nervous system were more frequently manifest than in patients during the acute phase. The authors pointed out that 25.3 per cent of those who recovered from tick-borne encephalitis, suffered to a varying degree from a limited physical and psychic efficiency. This condition originated from the existing injuries to the nervous system and led not infrequently to a permanent disability of the persons concerned.

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma of the scrotum.

We report a rare case of basal cell carcinoma of the scrotum presenting with distant metastases. Rationale and treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy and subsequent combination chemotherapy are detailed.

Response of the diaphragm muscle to electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve. A histochemical and ultrastructural study.

The histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural features of canine diaphragms subjected to pacing by high-frequency electrical stimulation (27 to 33 Hz) of the phrenic nerve are compared with unstimulated diaphragms and with diaphragms subjected to pacing by low-frequency stimulation (11 to 13 Hz). The high-frequency group showed a reduced tidal volume (fatigue) after long-term stimulation, and myopathic changes which included enlarged internal and sarcolemmal nuclei, ring fibers, moth-eaten fibers with irregular histochemical staining, core/targetoid fibers, and smearing and aggregation of Z-band material with electron microscopy. The low-frequency group did not develop a significant degree of fatigue or pathological changes, and showed histochemical evidence of transformation to fast-twitch (type II) fibers. Possible pathogenic mechanisms and their similarity to those in certain human neuromuscular diseases are discussed. The application of the findings resulting from high- and low-frequency stimulation to long-term diaphragm pacing in humans with chronic ventilatory insufficiency is also discussed.