Interferon-λ3 as a Predictor of Survival in Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: IFNL4 polymorphisms are associated with circulating IFN-λ3, and higher plasma IFN-λ3 are associated with higher production of antibodies to HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs). The IFNL4 rs8099917 T allele and anti-HBs development in response to HBV vaccine are associated with better survival in hemodialysis (HD) patients. OBJECTIVE: To show whether plasma IFN-λ3 is also a predictor of survival in HD patients. METHODS: Plasma IFN-λ3 was measured in 135 HD patients who were followed-up for 2.6 years. Survival probability was tested using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Plasma IFN-λ3 (ng/L) was 116.8 (20.4-227.5) in survivors on HD (n=89, 65.9%), 75.1 (36.0-228.8) in deceased patients (n=37, 27.4%), and 109.0 (40.0-232.7) in subjects submitted to kidney transplantation (n=9, 6.7%). IFN-λ3 was lower in deceased patients than that in all remaining patients (P=0.039) and patients who continued HD without transplantation (P=0.028). IFN-λ3 and anti-HBs titers were correlated (r=0.587, P<0.000001). Patients showing IFN-λ3 >126.1 ng/L (3rd tertile) presented better survival compared with patients with IFN-λ3 in the 1st (<73.8 ng/L, P=0.005) and 2nd (≥73.8 - <126.1 ng/L, P=0.013) tertiles. Each decrease in IFN-λ3 per 10 ng/L was associated with a hazard ratio equal to 1.076 (95%CI 1.015-1.140, P=0.013). In multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of survival were age (P=0.008), dialysis modality (P=0.038), circulating IFN-λ3 (P=0.044), and diabetic nephropathy (P=0.047), but not gender, dialysis duration prior to the study, mean arterial pressure, BMI, CRP, albumin, 25(OH)D, or anti-HBs. CONCLUSION: Circulating IFN-λ3 is a promising predictor of HD patient survival.

Serum Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 is Increased in Patients with Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP) have been recognized as predictors of these systemic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess correlations between levels of serum heart and adipocyte fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP3, FABP4) and disease severity, indicators of inflammation or metabolic disturbances, and topical treatment in psoriatic patients. Thirty-seven patients with relapse of plaque-type psoriasis and 16 healthy volunteers were recruited. Blood samples were collected before and after 14 days of therapy. Serum FABP concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for correlation with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory or metabolic parameters, and treatment used. The median FABP4 serum levels were significantly increased (p = 0.038) in psoriatic patients, while FABP3 levels did not differ (p = 0.47) compared to the controls. No significant correlations were noted between the proteins and PASI, C-reactive protein (CRP), BMI, or levels of glucose or lipids. FABP3 significantly correlated with white blood count (p = 0.03) and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.04). After topical treatment, there was no significant change in serum FABP3 [11.5 (4.9-30.3) vs. 12.9 (3.5-30.3) ng/ml] (p = 0.96), whereas FABP4 was decreased [27,286 (20,344-32,257) vs. 23,034 (18,320-29,874) pg/ml] (p = 0.12), losing its basal significance. FABP4 may be a marker of psoriasis, and FABP3 may be associated with inflammation or liver disorders in psoriatic patients. FABP do not appear to be useful for determining disease severity or the effectiveness of antipsoriatic treatment.

Effect of psoriasis activity and topical treatment on serum lipocalin-2 levels.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis has been considered as systemic disorder. Lipocalin-2 might be a link between psoriasis and its comorbidities. Aim of the study was to investigate the associations between serum lipocalin-2 levels and the disease activity, markers of inflammation or metabolic disturbances and changes after topical treatment in psoriatic patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven individuals with active plaque-type psoriasis and 15 healthy controls were recruited. Blood samples were collected before and after 14 days of therapy. Serum lipocalin-2 concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory and biochemical markers, lipid profile and with effectiveness of topical treatment. RESULTS: Lipocalin-2 serum levels were significantly increased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the controls (p = 0.023). No significant correlations with indicators of inflammation, nor BMI or PASI were noted. A statistical association between lipocalin-2 and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was shown. After topical treatment serum lipocalin-2 level did not significantly change (p = 0.9), still remaining higher than in the controls, despite clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Lipocalin-2 might be a marker of psoriasis and convey cardiovascular or metabolic risk in psoriatic patients, but may not be a reliable indicator of inflammation, severity of psoriasis nor efficacy of antipsoriatic treatment.

The effect of topical treatment and psoriasis severity on serum retinol-binding protein-4 levels.

OBJECTIVE: Psoriasis has been considered as chronic systemic disease. Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) might play a role in psoriasis and its comorbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between serum RBP-4 levels and disease severity, indicators of inflammation or metabolic syndrome and changes after topical treatment in psoriatic patients. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with relapse of plaque-type psoriasis and 16 healthy volunteers were examined. Blood samples were collected before and after 14 days of therapy. Serum RBP-4 concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for correlation with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory and biochemical markers and with efficacy of topical treatment. RESULTS: RBP-4 serum levels were increased in psoriatics compared to the controls, but without statistical significance (p = 0.2). No significant correlations between investigated adipokine and several indicators of metabolic disorders, nor BMI or PASI were found. A significant negative correlation with CRP was noted. After topical treatment serum RBP-4 level did not significantly change (p = 0.3), despite clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: RBP-4 might have a protective role in terms of chronic inflammation and comorbidities of psoriasis. The adipokine is presumably not useful in determining severity and the effectiveness of antipsoriatic treatment.

Serum adiponectin and leptin levels in psoriatic patients according to topical treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis has been considered as a systemic disease associated with obesity, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. Adipokines have influence on many metabolic processes. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of conventional topical treatment on serum adiponectin and leptin levels in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with relapse of plaque-type psoriasis and 16 healthy controls were examined. Blood samples were collected before therapy and after 14 days of application. Serum adiponectin and leptin concentrations were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for correlations with effectiveness of topical treatment. RESULTS: Adiponectin and leptin serum levels were significantly decreased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the controls. As a result of the topical treatment, serum adiponectin level did not significantly change. Serum leptin level increased significantly, still remaining lower than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Leptin might be a useful marker in assessing the efficacy of the treatment for psoriasis.

Dynamics of LDL oxidation in ischemic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative modification of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative modification of LDL in the group of patients with ischemic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the group of 43 patients 3 months after ischemic stroke and in the age and sex-matched control group, the kinetics of LDL oxidation and level of vitamin E were estimated. The susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was evaluated in isolated LDL exposed to in vitro oxidation. In 26 patients, after diet change, clinical and laboratory investigations were repeated 9 months later. RESULTS: In the patient group, susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was enhanced, lag phase was significantly shorter in comparison with the control group. After a change in diet, significant elongation of the lag phase was observed. CONCLUSION: Diet change improves LDL resistance to oxidation and may influence prognosis in stroke patients.

Humoral response in hamsters following vaccination with cDNA encoding acey-1 cysteine proteinase of Ancylostoma ceylanicum.

The humoral response in hamsters following vaccination against Ancylostoma ceylanicum infections with DNA construct was investigated. Groups of hamsters were injected intramuscularly with plasmid pcDNA 3.1. containing cDNA of ACEY-1 cysteine proteinase. Vaccination resulted in IgG antibody response to somatic extracts of adult A. ceylanicum. The highest level of antibodies was observed seven weeks after vaccination.

The level of serum lipids, vitamin E and low density lipoprotein oxidation in Wilson's disease patients.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to estimate the level of lipids and of the main serum antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), and to evaluate the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation in Wilson's disease patients. It was assumed that enhanced LDL peroxidation caused by high copper levels could contribute to the injury of liver and other tissues. The group investigated comprised 45 individuals with Wilson's disease treated with penicillamine or zinc salts and a control group of 36 healthy individuals. Lipids were determined by enzymatic methods, alpha-tocopherol by high performance liquid chromatography, the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro by absorption changes at 234 nm during 5 h and end-products of LDL lipid oxidation as thiobarbituric acid reacting substances. In Wilson's disease patients total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol levels were significantly lower compared with the control group. No difference in LDL oxidation in vitro between the patients and the controls was stated. CONCLUSION: enhanced susceptibility of isolated LDL for lipid peroxidation in vitro was not observed in Wilson's disease patients. One cannot exclude, however, that because of low alpha-tocopherol level lipid peroxidation in the tissues can play a role in the pathogenesis of tissue injury in this disease.

[In vitro oxidation of low density lipoproteins in patients after ischemic stroke]. / Utlenianie in vitro lipoprotein niskiej gestosci u osób po przebytym niedokrwiennym udarze mózgu.

The aim of this work was the evaluation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) susceptibility to oxidation in the survivors of ischaemic stroke. The investigations were performed in 65 individuals at least three months after the onset of acute symptoms. In 24 patients stroke was caused by alterations in main cerebral arteries, in 19 by considerable narrowing of carotid artery, in 15 by alterations in small cerebral arteries with often accompanying hypertension and/or diabetes (lacunar stroke) and in 7 by embolism of cardiac origin in individuals with cardiac arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. The control group comprised 25 age matched persons without pathological symptoms. Plasma lipids and apolipoprotein B levels were determined as well as two antioxidants: alpha-tocopherol level and superoxide dismutase activity. The evaluation of lipid peroxidation was performed by determining thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and lipid peroxides (LPO) increase after 5 hours oxidation of isolated LDL in vitro in the presence of copper ions. The level of IgG directed against modified LDL was also evaluated. In the patients decreased HDL cholesterol level was observed as well as increased apolipoprotein B. In the group of thrombotic strokes high triglycerides were observed. alpha-tocopherol level was decreased in the group of cerebral strokes. The amounts of oxidation products did not differ between the whole group of patients after stroke and the controls. A significant increase concerned only the group of lacunar strokes. The evaluation of LDL susceptibility to oxidation in patients after stroke by measuring absorption at 234 nm and determining the time period necessary to the onset of intensive LDL oxidation will be the subject of a separate publication.

Peptide-specific antibodies as probes of the topography of the Ca2+-binging motifs in alphaIIbbeta3.

Antibodies against synthetic peptides corresponding to four Ca2+-binding motifs of the alphaIIb subunit have been obtained and used as molecular probes to analyze the topography of the alphaIIbeta3 complex. The specificity of the antibodies has been characterized by ELISA and Western immunoblotting in terms of binding capacity and affinity to the isolated alphaIIbbeta3 and its alphaIIb subunit. Our data suggest that: (a) all four Ca2+-binding motifs of the alphaIIb are partially exposed on the surface of the intact molecule and accessible to antipeptide antibodies. However, they are not in close vicinity to the ligand recognition domain since the antibodies do not produce complete inhibition of platelet aggregation. (b) The conformation of amino acid stretches which form the second Ca2+-binding motif of alphaIIb is particularly dependent upon the presence of cation, and this region undergoes significant conformational alterations upon Ca2+ expulsion.

[The effect of loratadine on skin and bronchial reactivity and histamine liberation from basophils in patients with atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis]. / Wplyw loratadyny na reaktywnosc skóry i oskrzeli oraz na uwalnianie histaminy z granulocytów zasadochlonnych u chorych na atopowa dychawice oskrzelowa i alergiczny niezyt nosa.

The effect of the therapy with Loratadine on skin and bronchial reactivity to histamine and on a specific histamine release from isolated basophils of allergic patients was assessed. The studies were carried out on a 34 patients (23 with pollen rhinitis and 11 with a mild bronchial asthma). The effect loratadine versus placebo on the skin reactivity to histamine was measured in patients suffering from pollen rhinitis. Outside the pollen season in 12 patients from the above group a histamine release from isolated basophils was evaluated by Shore method, using a-IgE and pollen allergen as liberators, before and after 4 days therapy with loratadine. In the group of the 11 asthmatic patients the effect of the single dose of 10 mg Loratadine on spirometric parameters and on a bronchial response to histamine was studied. The Bronchial Provocation Test with histamine was performed by the Ryan's method. The results were expressed as PC20 FEV1. It was shown that loratadine statistically significant limited of the skin reactivity to histamine and specific histamine release from basophils. The one tablet of Loratadine have not changed of spirometric parameters in the patients with mild asthma, but statistically significant reduced their bronchial response to histamine.

[An epidemiologic assessment of viral hepatitis type A morbidity in the Gdansk province in the years 1989-1990]. / Próba oceny epidemiologicznej wzrostu zachorowan na wzw A na terenie województwa gdanskiego w latach 1989-1990.

The considerable increase in viral hepatitis type A morbidity was observed in 1989-1990 in the area of Gdansk province. That increase was clearly focusing, it concerned only the chosen towns and communities. In these areas and also in regions where the increase in morbidity did not take place, the special researches have been carried out among children and adults which determined the frequency of passed HAV infection. It has been tried to investigate the ways and to describe the reasons of epidemic enlargement. It was proved that in adults group, the difference of the passed infection HAV frequency was not significant statistically comparing to the towns and villages dwellers, either for the regions where epidemic took place or without it. Comparison of the examined children revealed statistically the essential differences between the towns and villages-dwellers and significantly higher anti-HAV frequency among the children from the areas with morbidity increase. For explanation of the epidemic enlargement ways, the fast spreading of infection was emphasised on the areas situated at Wierzyca river and all its tributary streams.

Histamine catabolism in proliferating skin.

The histamine (HI) content and the activities of the enzymes involved in its degradation have been studied in guinea pig skin after stimulation of epidermal proliferation. As compared with unstimulated skin the HI content and histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT) activity in the stripped skin were reduced at the time of increased epidermal proliferation and were higher than the normal when the epidermis becomes hyperplastic. Diamine oxidase (DAO) followed an inverse pattern.