Expression of microRNAs and their target genes and pathways associated with ovarian follicle development in cattle.

Development of ovarian follicles is controlled at the molecular level by several gene products whose precise expression leads to regression or ovulation of follicles. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through sequence-specific base pairing with target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) causing translation repression or mRNA degradation. The aim of this study was to identify miRNAs expressed in theca and/or granulosa layers and their putative target genes/pathways that are involved in bovine ovarian follicle development. By using miRCURY microarray (Exiqon) we identified 14 and 49 differentially expressed miRNAs (P < 0.01) between dominant and subordinate follicles in theca and granulosa cells, respectively. The expression levels of four selected miRNAs were confirmed by qRT-PCR. To identify target prediction and pathways of differentially expressed miRNAs we used Union of Genes option in DIANA miRPath v.2.0 software. The predicted targets for these miRNAs were enriched for pathways involving oocyte meiosis, Wnt, TGF-beta, ErbB, insulin, P13K-Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways. This study identified differentially expressed miRNAs in the theca and granulosa cells of dominant and subordinate follicles and implicates them in having important roles in regulating known molecular pathways that determine the fate of ovarian follicle development.

Health behaviors and quality of life among patients with chronic respiratory disease.

The purpose of this study was to analyze health behaviors of patients with chronic respiratory disease and the correlations between health behaviors (HB) and quality of life (QoL). The study involved 256 adult patients (135 women and 121 men), mean age was 62.6 ± 16.1 years, with chronic respiratory disease. The research tools consisted of the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Short Form. The mean general score for HB was 85.6 ± 17.8. Most patients (74 persons) obtained high scores (7-10 stens). The strongest correlations between QoL and HB were as follows: Psychological Domain correlated with positive mental attitude (r = 0.308, p < 0.001), healthy eating habits (r = 0.224, p = 0.001), and with the level of health behaviors (r = 0.222, p = 0.003); Social Relationship Domain correlated with positive mental attitude (r = 0.282, p < 0.001) and healthy eating habits (r = 0.238, p < 0.001). We conclude that QoL in patients with chronic respiratory diseases is significantly shaped by their health behaviors.

Causes and consequences of the variation in the number of ovarian follicles in cattle.

In cattle we have noted that the antral follicle count (AFC, follicles > or = 3 mm in diameter) varies greatly among animals (from 5 to 50), is repeatable within animals, and is highly correlated with the total number of healthy follicles in ovaries. Also, animals with low AFC have higher serum concentrations of FSH and LH, but lower concentrations of Anti-Mullerian Hormone, progesterone and androgens than animals with high AFC. We have investigated the effect of maternal environment during gestation on their offspring AFC by restricting maternal nutrition to 60% of maintenance requirements (compared with 100% in controls) during the first third of gestation. Calves born to nutritionally restricted mothers had 60% lower AFC compared with calves born to mothers fed control diets. In other studies we have evidence to indicate that fertility may be compromised in animals with low AFC due to effects on oocytes, progesterone and the endometrium compared with animals with high AFC. To examine this directly we assessed AFC in post-partum dairy cows and found that cows with a high AFC had higher pregnancy rates, shorter calving to conception intervals and received fewer services during the breeding season compared with cows with a low AFC. In addition, the high variation in follicle numbers in adults may not only be reflective of reproductive disorders and suboptimal fertility, but there is evidence to indicate that it may be associated with alterations in the function of other non-reproductive systems (e.g. cardiovascular) that may have profound effects on the animal's health and welfare.

Variation in the ovarian reserve is linked to alterations in intrafollicular estradiol production and ovarian biomarkers of follicular differentiation and oocyte quality in cattle.

The mechanisms whereby the high variation in numbers of morphologically healthy oocytes and follicles in ovaries (ovarian reserve) may have an impact onovarian function, oocyte quality, and fertility are poorly understood. The objective was to determine whether previously validated biomarkers for follicular differentiation and function, as well as oocyte quality differed between cattle with low versus a high antral follicle count (AFC). Ovaries were removed (n = 5 per group) near the beginning of the nonovulatory follicular wave, before follicles could be identified via ultrasonography as being dominant, from heifers with high versus a low AFC. The F1, F2, and F3 follicles were dissected and diameters determined. Follicular fluid and thecal, granulosal, and cumulus cells and the oocyte were isolated and subjected to biomarker analyses. Although the size and numerous biomarkers of differentiation, such as mRNAs for the gonadotropin receptors, were similar, intrafollicular concentrations of estradiol and the abundance of mRNAs for CYP19A1 in granulosal cells and ESR1, ESR2, and CTSB in cumulus cells were greater, whereas mRNAs for AMH in granulosal cells and TBC1D1 in thecal cells were lower for animals with low versus a high AFC during follicle waves. Hence, variation in the ovarian reserve may have an impact on follicular function and oocyte quality via alterations in intrafollicular estradiol production and expression of key genes involved in follicle-stimulating hormone action (AMH) and estradiol (CYP19A1) production by granulosal cells, function and survival of thecal cells (TBC1D1), responsiveness of cumulus cells to estradiol (ESR1, ESR2), and cumulus cell determinants of oocyte quality (CTSB).

Effects of neuraminidase on apoptosis of blood lymphocytes in rats with implanted Morris tumor.

In this study we examined the influence of neuraminidase on apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes in rats with an implanted Morris tumor. The main objectives of the study were to determine whether the percentage of apoptotic blood lymphocytes would depend on the dosing regimen of neuraminidase and whether neuraminidase would affect caspase-3 activity, a marker of the apoptosis, in blood lymphocytes. A total of 51 rats were used for the study. In three groups, totalling 39 animals, Morris tumor was implanted and neuraminidase was injected intravenously using two dosing regimens: 10 units three times on Day 4, Day 7, and Day 14 and 5 units as a single dose on Day 4 of the experiment or was skipped (control). The remaining 12 rats constituted a reference group of healthy animals. At the end of the experimental period on Day 21, blood was drawn from the heart, and mononuclear cells were separated and cultured. Apoptosis of blood lymphocytes was assessed in cell cultures from fluorescence spectra generated by a Sybr Green I dye forming bonds with nuclear DNA. Caspase-3 activity was measured colorimetrically in homogenates of lymphocyte cultures using a CASP-3-C kit (Sigma, St. Louis, MO). On the whole, the results demonstrate that the bigger, but not the smaller, dose of neuraminidase was markedly effective in preserving the vitality of blood lymphocytes and in decreasing both the number of apoptotic lymphocytes and capsase-3 activity in the rats with Morris tumor. Neuraminidase treatment failed, however, to lessen the tumor size. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that neuraminidase caused an appreciable decline in apoptosis of blood lymphocytes in rats with the Morris tumor; the effect was dose-dependent. Although neuraminidase failed to influence the local cancer development in terms of tumor size, its anti-apoptotic effect toward the cells of the immune system of a cancer host is of research interest as it may potentially offer a way to strengthen the host's immune response.

Comparison of a statin vs. hypolipemic diet on the oxidant status in hemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure.

Hemodialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease are prone to atherosclerosis, which occurs due mainly to lipid abnormalities. Abnormal lipid metabolism could result, among others, from increased formation of free radicals and, consequently, oxidative stress in these patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of therapy with lovastatin or with a hypolipemic diet only on oxidative stress in hemodialyzed patients. We addressed the issue by measuring the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the level of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), an oxidative DNA damage metabolite, in the serum. The study group consisted of 71 patients. They were divided into 3 groups: treated with lovastatin (20 mg/day, n=30), with a hypolipemic diet alone (n=28), and untreated controls (n=13). Serum levels of TAS and 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) were determined. Blood samples were collected at the beginning of the study and then after a 6 months' therapy. We found that the level of 8-OHdG decreased considerably only in the lovastatin-treated group; the decrease was from 15.6+/-8.1 to 12.5+/-4.8 ng/ml (P=0.04). In the other two groups changes in 8-OHdG were insignificant. The level of TAS increased significantly in the lovastatin-treated group from 1.28+/-0.20 to 1.37+/-0.116 mmol/l (P=0.011), decreased in the diet-treated group from 1.55+/-0.14 to 1.45+/-0.11 mmol/l (P=0.007), and remained unchanged in the untreated group (1.42+/-0.11 vs. 1.40+/-0.12 mmol/l). We conclude that lovastatin, but not a hypolipemic diet alone, exerts an antioxidant effect in hemodialyzed patients. However, the determinants of the antioxidant effect of statins in patients with chronic renal failure are unclear and their resolution would require alternative study designs.

What influences the level of oxidative stress as measured by 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in patients on hemodialysis?

Oxidative stress is at play in the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) and in the genesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the factors that might influence the oxidative-antioxidative balance in patients on hemodialysis. The study group consisted of 71 hemodialysis patients due to CRF. Sixteen healthy subjects constituted a control group. The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), C-reactive protein (CRP), and the blood lipid profile were measured in both groups. The results showed significantly higher mean levels of both 8-OHdG and CRP in the hemodialysis patients compared with that in the control subjects. The highest level of 8-OHdG was found in the subgroups of the patients with CRF primarily caused by diabetes (16.4 ng/ml) and with hypertensive nephropathy (15.8 ng/ml). More than a 2.5-fold higher level of 8-OHdG in the hemodialysis patients compared with the control subjects points to the presence of intensive oxidative stress in the patients.

Principles of family practitioners and nephrologists collaboration.

There is a need to establish clear standards of cooperation family doctors with specialists and arrange specialist service for family practitioners to improve a care for patients with urinary system diseases. Our paper presents attempt on the estimation of medical care system reform and state of general practitioners with specialists cooperation level as well as draw conclusions regarding possibilities of specialist and primary care contacts improvement and by this--increasing of comprehensive patients care quality. Family doctor never tried to replace with a specialist. Only constructive and professional cooperation specialists with family doctors can secure proper care for patients.

[The biological role of the basement membranes. Filtering barrier of the glomerulus]. / Znaczenie biologiczne blon podstawnych. Bariera filtracyjna klebuszków nerkowych.

This article presents the latest information about biological functions of basement membranes. We drew a special attention to glomerular basement membrane. Besides, this article contains information about filter barrier and interactions between basal membranes and tissues.

[Structural elements and conformation of basement membranes]. / Elementy budowy i konformacja przestrzenna blon podstawnych.

This article presents the latest information about biological functions of basement membranes. It describes all important basement membranes' components and their structure. Schemes showing modular sequence of collagens, nidogen, laminins and other polypeptides and also structural model of basement membranes were included.

System of telemedicine services designed for family doctors' practices.

The main goal of the most European telemedicine programs is to increase access to emergency and primary care; however, telemedicine presents both profound opportunities and challenges to general practice/family medicine. The aim of this project is to develop and demonstrate a regional primary care teleconsulting system in Poland linking an academic family medicine center and 10 family doctors' practices (both urban and rural) within a range of 100-200 km, serving a local population of 25,000 individuals. It is designed to support real-time consultations among health care providers via a computer network, provide secure access to multimedia patient records, and facilitate an innovative home monitoring and remote care from doctors to their patients. The entire process (planned for 3 years) includes: selecting the best technology (i.e., teletransmission system, communication protocols, etc.) and equipment; preparing the assumptions and conditions for formats and transmission rates; analysis of the existing techniques of compression and preparing own specific solution; finding an optimal infrastructure (i.e., equipment and communication configuration); implementing the system; evaluation of the medical, economic, organizational, and sociological aspects of the system (i.e., accessibility to primary health care, cost feasibility and cost-effectiveness of telemedicine services, quality of care assessment, etc.). The project offers the potential to improve: access to high-quality primary health care; the patient-physician bond and the attending physician's level of confidence; education of family doctors; use of expensive resources; and a convenient mode of delivering medical services to the patient.

[Biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation]. / Biologiczne oddzialywanie niejonizujacego promieniowania elektromagnetycznego.

Since the mid 1970's, when Adey discovered that extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) may affect the calcium ions efflux from various cells, bioeffects of non-ionizing radiation (NIR) have become the subject of growing interest and numerous research projects. At present, the fact that NIR exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on different physiological cellular parameters is rather unquestionable. At the same time, some epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to EMF is potentially harmful even if its intensity is very low. It has been proved that thermal factors are not responsible for these effects, therefore nowadays, they are called 'non-thermal effects'. Our paper deals with three different aspects of biological effects of non-ionizing radiation, bioelectromagnetism, electromagnetobiology and electromagnetic bioinformation. Firstly, we describe how EMF and photons can be produced within a living cell, how biological cycles are controlled, and what are the features of endogenous electromagnetic radiation. Secondly, we discuss various facets of external EMF interactions with living matter, focusing on extremely-low-frequencies, radio- and microwaves. Possible mechanisms of these interactions are also mentioned. Finally, we present a short overview of current theories which explain how electromagnetic couplings may control an open and dissipative structure, namely the living organism. The theory of electromagnetic bioinformation seems to explain how different physiological processes are triggered and controlled, as well as how long-range interactions may possibly occur within the complex biological system. The review points out that the presented research data must be assessed very carefully since its evaluation is crucial to set the proper limits of EMF exposure, both occupational and environmental. The study of biological effects of non-ioinizing radiation may also contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

[Electrosmog as a health risk factor: sources of artificial electromagnetic fields, evaluation of health risk, prevention methods]. / Elektrosmog jako czynnik zagrozenia zdrowia: zródla sztucznych pól elektromagnetycznych, ocena ryzyka zdrowotnego, metody zapobiegania.

In recent years we have observed how electromagnetic (EM) radiation enters our daily life. The strength of man-made EM field is often far above the natural level and this finding has encouraged a large group of researchers to investigate its possible health effect. Non-ionizing radiation and extremely low-frequency electric and magnetic fields have been the subject of intensive theoretical and experimental works since Adey published his observations concerning non-linear and non-thermal biological effects. At the same time an epidemiological material appeared suggesting that EM field generates various diseases including leukemia and brain tumors. Possible mechanisms of EM field interactions with living matter remain unknown although theoretical models have been proposed by many authors. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as epidemiological data have not provided the ground for decisive conclusions. Nevertheless, the relationship between EM fields and biological effects seems to be most likely. Any international standards for safety limits have not as yet been established and regulations in this regard vary in different countries. However, occupational and residential exposure to EM field can be efficiently measured using an appropriate equipment and such measurements should become a standard procedure wherever electrosmog is suspected to be a pathogenic factor.

[Evaluation of magnesium, zinc, copper and calcium levels in workers exposed to organic solvents, hydrogen cyanide and harmful physical factors]. / Ocena stezen magnezu, cynku, miedzi i wapnia u pracowników narazonych na dzialanie rozpuszczalników organicznych, cyjanowodoru iszkodliwych czynników fizycznych.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the work was to assess te effect of chronic occupational exposure to organic solvents, hydrogen cyanide, and harmful physical factors (noise, vibration and electromagnetic fields) on intra- and extracellular concentration of magnesium, zinc, copper and calcium. The study converted 83 persons (25 males and 57 females), aged 20-58 years (median: 37.8 +/- 8.64), employed in the MERA PAFAL SA Factory of Measuring Equipment, Swidnica, for 0.42 +/- 34 years (median: 11.84 +/- 9.28). The subjects were divided into four groups: Group A-25 persons exposed to organic solvents; Group B-24 persons exposed to hydrogen cyanide; Group C-19 persons exposed to noise and vibration; and Group D-8 persons exposed to electromagnetic fields. Blood samples (10 ml) were collected from each person. Intra- and extracellular concentrations of magnesium, zinc, copper and calcium were estimated. CONCLUSIONS: exposure to 1) organic solvents induces depletion of calcium and zinc from the body and intracellular cumulation of magnesium; 2) to hydrogen cyanide induces depletion of intracellular zinc and intracellular cumulation of magnesium and zinc; 3) to noise and vibration induces depletion of calcium, zinc and copper and intracellular cumulation of magnesium; and 4) electromagnetic fields does not induce any significant changes in ionic concentrations.

[Experimental in vitro model of an artificial kidney--measurement of trace element levels using the ICP method. Preliminary studies]. / Eksperymentalny uklad in vitro sztucznej nerki--badania stezen pierwiastków sladowych metoda ICP. Doniesienie wstepne.

Trace elements in blood serum is significantly changed in hemodialysed patients. The result of our experiment showed the manner and directions of the evaluated trace elements -Sr, Zn, Ni, Ba, B, Si, Mn and Cu movements. It was confirmed that reverse osmosis is efficient in the most tracers elimination, except Si, B, and Cu. The trace elements being present in the whole arrangement diffuse easily through the dialysers membrane used in our experiment, except Ni. In the membrane of the new, non-rinsed dialyser we detected Pb, Fe, V, Be, Ti and Al. It could possibly be the source of their contamination into the human organism. ICP-AES method of trace elements analysis reveals the possibilities of precisely, fast and simultaneous evaluation of big number various trace elements.

High prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in three haemodialysis centres in south-western Poland.

We assessed the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibodies and markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients of three haemodialysis centres before initiating anti-HBV vaccinations. Of the 94 patients, 39 (41.5%) were anti-HCV positive (+) and 81 (86.2%) were anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) positive. There was a high rate of anti-HBc positivity among anti-HCV (+) patients (92.3%), although the presence of anti-HCV and anti-HBc antibodies were not significantly related to each other. Multiple blood transfusions (> 5 units) was a risk factor for development of HCV infection (P < 0.02), while none of our patients admitted intravenous drug abuse. Although 53.8% of anti-HCV (+) patients have had moderate serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations during the study period, none has had considerable liver disease, nor did the increased ALT correlate with the presence of anti-HCV. Only two of 17 staff members participating in the survey were anti-HCV (+), though almost every one gave a history of accidental needlestick exposure. All the study subjects were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative. Our results, obtained with the second-generation, highly specific enzyme immunoassay and verified by the immunoblot assay for anti-HCV antibodies, support a recent suggestion that earlier reports might have underestimated the true prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in haemodialysis patients.

The variety of clinical and histopathologic presentations of glomerulonephritis associated with latent syphilis.

Glomerulonephritis is a well established but rather uncommon complication of latent secondary syphilis. We present three cases of glomerulopathies associated with luetic infection, observed and managed in our institutions in the past three years. They illustrate a variety of clinicopathologic presentations of this nephropathy, from acute nephrotic syndrome through membranous glomerulopathy up to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Regardless of the clinical course and histologic type, they were all characterized by strongly positive results of serologic tests for syphilis. Our observations suggest the necessity of eliminating luetic infection in aetiologic considerations of each newly diagnosed case of nephrotic syndrome.

[Superimposition of IgA nephropathy upon membranous glomerulonephritis in a 13-month-old boy]. / Zespól nakladania sie nefropatii IgA i bloniastego klebkowego zapalenia nerek u 13-miesiecznego chlopca.

A rare is reported of superimposition of IgA nephropathy upon membranaceous glomerulonephritis in a boy aged 13 months with fatal outcome. Attention is called to unresponsiveness of the disease to the trials of treatment, high dynamics of inflammatory changes and rapidly progressing impairment of renal function.

[Structure and properties of neuraminidase originating from various sources]. / Struktura i wlasciwosci neuraminidaz pochodzacych z róznych zródel.

Glycoprotein such as neuraminidase is an enzyme occurring in some viruses and bacteria. It is characterized by a series of specific biochemical, enzymatic and immunological properties. The observed prevalence of chronic virus infections as well as liver diseases, glomerulonephritis, conjunctive tissue diseases and other autoaggressive illnesses which occur in their course have become the reason for experimental studies in which according to established patterns enzymatically active and inactive neuraminidase was administered to rabbits in a prolonged way.