Rad-by-rad (bit-by-bit): triumph of evidence over activities fostering fear of radiogenic cancers at low doses.

Large segments of Western populations hold sciences in low esteem. This trend became particularly pervasive in the field of radiation sciences in recent decades. The resulting lack of knowledge, easily filled with fear that feeds on itself, makes people susceptible to prevailing dogmas. Decades-long moratorium on nuclear power in the US, resentment of "anything nuclear", and delay/refusal to obtain medical radiation procedures are some of the societal consequences. The problem has been exacerbated by promulgation of the linear-no-threshold (LNT) dose response model by advisory bodies such as the ICRP, NCRP and others. This model assumes no safe level of radiation and implies that response is the same per unit dose regardless of the total dose. The most recent (June 2005) report from the National Research Council, BEIR VII (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation) continues this approach and quantifies potential cancer risks at low doses by linear extrapolation of risk values obtained from epidemiological observations of populations exposed to high doses, 0.2 Sv to 3 Sv. It minimizes the significance of a lack of evidence for adverse effects in populations exposed to low doses, and discounts documented beneficial effects of low dose exposures on the human immune system. The LNT doctrine is in direct conflict with current findings of radiobiology and important features of modern radiation oncology. Fortunately, these aspects are addressed in-depth in another major report-issued jointly in March 2005 by two French Academies, of Sciences and of Medicine. The latter report is much less publicized, and thus it is a responsibility of radiation professionals, physicists, nuclear engineers, and physicians to become familiar with its content and relevant studies, and to widely disseminate this information. To counteract biased media, we need to be creative in developing means of sharing good news about radiation with co-workers, patients, and the general public.

[Cholecystokinin--hormone and neuromodulator]. / Cholecystokinina--hormon i neuromodulator.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a polipeptide having many functions in digestive system (regulating motor activity and secretion) and acting as a neuromodulator in central and peripheral nervous systems. Recent research shows that CCK increases insulin and glukagon secretion and activates hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. It also plays a role in cardiovascular system (CCK has a positive inotropic effect). The aim of this study is to show some recent knowledge in the subject of CCK structure and its function in human body.

Sequencing of caprine alpha-S1 casein cDNAs confirms the accuracy of the RT-PCR approach for detecting of the variants of the gene.

Polymorphism of the casein gene in goats determines milk processing quality and cheese flavour. The main 7 alleles belong to 4 groups: strong alleles A, B, C (which code for 3.6 g/l), medium allele E (1.6 g/1), weak alleles F and D (0.6 g/1) and zero allele, connected with lack of alphaS1 casein in milk. Milk cells (mononuclear milk cells plus epithelium cells) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were mRNA sources for reverse transcription. Three specific primers were used for polymerase chain reaction, which enabled to differentiate between alleles from four expression groups. The length of PCR products varied since allele F has a 111- nucleotide (nt) deletion of exons 9-11, allele D has a deletion of 36 nt (exon 9), and the medium allele E is associated with a 457 nt insertion in the 19th non-coding exon. Sequencing of amplified fragments, performed on PCR products isolated from milk, confirmed the correctness of the RT-PCR - based alphaS1 casein genotyping method.

[The role of beta 3-adrenergic receptors in the human organism]. / Rola receptorów beta 3-adrenergicznych w organizmie czlowieka.

Beta 3-adrenergic receptors (beta 3 ARs) are important structures in the human body but the role they play is not yet very clear. Stimulation of beta 3 AR in adipose tissue causes greater energy expenditure and increases thermogenesis and lipolysis. Mutation of the gene coding beta 3 AR in position 64 with thymidine instead of cytosine leads to the replacement of tryptophan (Trp 64) with arginine (Arg 64) and may be the cause of greater increase in body mass and the decrease in basic metabolism. The data however, is differentiated in populations and cannot be conclusive. The connection has been discovered between the state of the beta 3 ARs and the blood lipid concentration (also differing in populations). In some patients beta 3 AR mutation is correlated with high arterial diastolic pressure, increased incidence of noninsulin-dependent diabetes in younger, increased insulin resistance and diabetes in pregnant. beta 3-AR agonists might be used in treatment of many diseases, which obviously demands further investigations.

[Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)--structure, clinical importance and the role in human body]. / Dehydroepiandrosteron (DHEA)--budowa, znaczenie kliniczne i rola w organizmie.

DHEA and DHEA-S are hormones synthetized primarily by the adrenal cortex. The levels oh this hormones are systematically decreased, beginning from the fourth life decade. The levels of this hormones are also abberrated as a consequence of divorce systematical diseases like cardiovascular diseases, skeletal diseases, diabetes mellitus or obesity. This hormones, probably, have antiaheromatic facilities. There are also data suggesting their influence on stimulation of immunological system. It is already confirmed that the levels of this hormones are modified in congenital function disorders that are present in different diseases, like Alzheimer diseases, and oral administration of DHEA can improves the memory. Presumably DHEA-S have also anticarcinogenic facilities. The levels of this hormones can be also a marker monitoring the course of pregnancy. There are still a lot of discrepancies between results of different studies and it is very difficult to describe their role in human body. Because their levels are decreased with ageing process, this observation makes the researchers call them as the "youth hormones".

[Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)--youth hormone?]. / Dehydroepiandrosteron (DHEA)--hormon mlodosci?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite (DHEA-S) are endogenous steroid hormones, synthesized by the adrenal cortex, gonads and CNS. The secretion profile changes with age and depends on the sex. Human DHEA and DHEA-S levels decline linearly and systematically with age and suggest the potential importance of that parameter as a biomarker of ageing. The counteraction of DHEA against atherosclerotic disease, cancer growth, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, obesity and the influence on immunological functions are observed in researches. DHEA influences the condition of mind, cognition functions, memory and well-being. DHEA hormonal replacement therapy is expected to lengthen human life by the stoppage of physiological degeneration changes and prevention of age-related clinical disorders.

[Thyrotoxicosis: indications and contraindications for radioiodine treatment]. / Tyreotoksykoza--wskazania i przeciwwskazania do leczenia jodem promieniotwórczym.

Treatment of tyrotoxicosis with I131 has been performed successfully for more than 50 years. In the beginning some fears occurred concerning possible oncogenity and gonadal lesions in children. Those restrictions are a history now. Radiotherapy can be used as a method of choice in merely intensified thyrotoxicosis especially with diffused thyroid gland enlargement (with the exception of trachea and oesophagus compression cases), after depletion of other efficient treatment methods, with the lack of patient's consent to operation or to thyrostatic treatment. Gravidity, high possibility of pregnancy (4-12 months after the end of treatment) and breast-feeding time are the obvious contraindications. Though hypothyroidism is inevitable side effect after the therapy (replacement therapy is needed) generally proposed doses of I131 should not be limited to avoid low efficacy of the treatment.

[The significance of galanin in physiologic and pathologic processes in humans]. / Znaczenie galaniny w procesach fizjologicznych i patologicznych w organizmie czlowieka.

Galanin (GAL) a 29 amino-acid peptide, is distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system, the pituitary gland, the gastrointestinal tract and also in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas. The endogenous and exogenous effects of galanin are mediated by three receptor subtypes, which are termed: GALR1, GALR2, GALR3. Galanin has a significant role in physiological and pathological processes (acromegally, diarhoea, collitis, Alzheimer's disease, oberitas depression, pituitary gland adenomas) in a human body and animals. It has an ability to contract smooth muscles in gastrointestinal tract, stimulates reflexes in the central nervous system, decreases pancreatic amylase release, changes transport of electrolytes Na+ and Cl-, exerts tonic inhibition of nociceptive input to the central nervous system, stimulates glucagon release, inhibits insulin and somatostatin release, takes part in prolactin secretion, stimulates growth hormone--releasing hormone, hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone and corticotropin releasing hormone. It causes increase of somatotropin secretion, foliculotropin and luteinizing hormone release and adrenocorticotropin secretion.

[Contemporary views on the subject of male hormonal contraception]. / Wspólczesne poglady na temat meskiej hormonalnej antykoncepcji.

Contemporary studies of male hormonal contraception are presented. The authors used many forms of testosterone (testosterone enanthate, testosterone buciclate), in their works and they estimated its activity in mono- and politherapy. Parallely the effect of this hormone was tested on some parameters of endocrine system, blood cell count, mood and sexuality of normal men. The alternative forms for intramuscular injections can be oral administrations, implants or vaccines.

[The role of galanin in the endocrine system]. / Rola galaniny w ukladzie wewnetrznego wydzielania.

Galanin, a 29-30 amino-acid neuropeptide is distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, the pituitary gland, the gastrointestinal tract and also in the pancreas. The endogenous and exogenous effects of galanin are mediated by three receptor subtypes, which are termed: GALR1, GALR2, and GALR3. Galanin has a significant role in physiological and pathological processes in adults as well as in children. It has an ability to contract smooth muscles in GI (facilitation and inhibition), stimulates reflexes in the CNS, decreases pancreatic amylase secretion, changes transport of electrolytes Na+ and CL-. It takes part in etiopathogenesis of depression, Alzheimer's disease and diarrhoea, exerts tonic inhibition of nociceptive input to the central nervous system and regulates a function of hypothalamic-pituitary system. Galanin decreases insulin and somatostatin secretion, increases glucagon secretion, takes part in prolactin release, stimulates growth hormone-releasing hormone, hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone and corticotropin releasing hormone. It causes increase of somatotropin secretion, luteinizing hormone and foliculotropin release and adrenocorticotropin secretion. The hypothalamic galanin takes part in etiopathogenesis of obesity not only in human reproductive period, but also in adolescence, increasing the appetite and changing fat metabolism. This variety of actions emphasizes the potential importance of this peptide in the regulation of cells function and the need to understand the mechanism by which they act.

[The role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in human body]. / Rola wazoaktywnego peptydu jelitowego w organizmie czlowieka.

The quick progress of medical sciences changed somewhat our point of view on the role of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide in human body. In the following article we have tried to gather all the latest information concerning VIP and its regulatory function. The role in menstrual cycle regulation, in prolactine and in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis secretion as well as in pancreas' hormones secretion has been described. We also emphasized the role in maintaining the blood pressure. The influence on the digestion, hematopoiesis, cell growth and differentiation was also discussed.

[The activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAA) and possibilities of application angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE I) in selected diseases of endocrine glands]. / Aktywnosc ukladu renina-angiotensyna-aldosteron (RAA) i mozliwosci zastosowania inhibitorów enzymu konwertujacego angiotensyne I (ACE I) w wybranych chorobach gruczolów wewnetrznego wydzielania.

The aim of this presentation is evaluation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAA) in selected diseases of endocrine glands. In patients with acromegaly, Conn's syndrome, hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, phaeochromocytoma and Cushing's disease is possible to formulate the temporarily conclusions according to subsidiary meaning of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE I) in these endocrinopathies. Whereas the ACE I play an important role in the treatment of nephropathy and hypertension in diabetes mellitus.

[The assessment of thyroid gland function in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type II)]. / Ocena funkcji tarczycy u osób chorych na cukrzyce niezalezna od insuliny (typu II).

The aim of the study was to assess thyroid gland function in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients under different therapeutic regimens. There were examined 75 patients with type II diabetes mellitus, age range 33-80 years (average 65.24 +/- 14.32 years) including 46 women and 29 men. Group I was treated with insulin, group II--with diet, and group III--with sulfonylurea derivatives oral antidiabetic agents. Control group consisted of 91 healthy persons in appropriate age. The highest glucose levels were in insulin treated group--174.17 +/- 40.31 mg%, and were significantly higher from the values observed in oral antidiabetic agents treated group (169.89 +/- 41.34 mg%), and in diet treated group, where glucose levels were the lowest--134.57 +/- 25.06 mg%. In both groups--patients treated with insulin and with oral antidiabetic agents a positive correlation between fT4 and glycated hemoglobin levels were observed. Performed experiments and investigations suggest: 1. There are no differences in thyroid gland function in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. 2. Different therapies (diet, insulin therapy, oral antidiabetic agents) have no influence on thyroid gland function.

[Mixed connective tissue disease--etiology, pathogenesis, clinical significance, treatment]. / Mieszana choroba tkanki lacznej--etiologia, patogeneza, znaczenie kliniczne, leczenie.

Some patients have features of more than one rheumatic disease and thus do not fit into traditional classification. Patients with combination of clinical finding similar to those of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and with unusually high titers of circulating antinuclear antibody with specificity for nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP) are considered to have mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The overlap was described by Sharp and colleagues in 1972. During the post 20 years many studies exposed the clinical correlates of this antibody system (now called anti U1RNP). Controversy arose about whether MCTD was a distinct entity or would be better defined as subset of SLE. Anti RNP antibodies precipitate three proteins uniquely associated with U1RNP. Clinical correlates considered to be distinctive of MCTD are associated with 68 kD antigen specificity. Its to be expected that T cells receptors and HLA molecules are involved in the generation of these antibodies. Several observations have indicated, that 68 kD anti U1RNP antibody response in associated with HLA DR 4 and DR2 phenotype. Several studies have pointed a role of viruses initiating an antibody response against URNPs. Initial observations of MCTD suggested infrequent renal disease, a good response to corticosteroids and favourable prognosis. Future study has shown that some patients may require aggressive and prolonged pharmacologic therapy and that pulmonary involvement is common. Pulmonary hypertension associated proliferative vascular lesions may be serious complication with not always favourable prognosis.

[Current opinions about the role of peptide C in the human organism]. / Wspólczesne poglady na temat roli peptydu C w ustroju.

This article present a review on the physiological activity and possible mechanism of action of C-peptide and clinical significance of using this hormone in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present results might suggest that, contrary to the prevailing view, C-peptide possesses biological activity and plays an important part in the attenuating or preventing from diabetic complications. It is important to realize that this discovery might someday revolutionize diabetes treatment, however further studies will be required to define and confirm the exact mechanism of C-peptide activity.

[The evaluation of a threat of osteoporosis among the employees at the pharmaceutical firm "Jelfa" in Jelenia Góra]. / Ocena zagrozenia osteoporoza wsród zalogi Przedsiebiorstwa Farmaceutycznego "Jelfa" S.A. w Jeleniej Górze.

Nine hundred eight workers of Pharmaceutical Firm "Jelfa" at Jelenia Góra at the age over 35 were examined. Examinations were done in the form of inquiry, what gave all necessary data about age, weight, feeding habits, kind of work, fractures in the past and menstruations in women. The information were elaborated together with densitometric tests. We measured bone density (BMD) with densimeter DTX-200 (Osteometer) in the distal part of not dominant antebrachium. 23% of women and 37% of men had the results of bone density below the norm.

[Serotonin--structure, activity and clinical significance]. / Serotonina--budowa, dzialanie, znaczenie kliniczne.

In the article we discuss the role of serotonin in maintaining homeostasis paying special attention to the endocrinological aspect of the matter. It has been proved that it contributes to hypothalamus and hypophysis secretion regulation and interferes with paracrine activity in digestive and reproductive system. It is also an important constituent of platelets and takes part in aggregation and coagulation. It is known to be an atherogenic factor and to act as a growth stimulator for blood cells. It can be produced in exceed amounts by neoplasm or be released by activated thrombocytes during stress or coagulation. The influence of this hormone on the most of regulation mechanisms seems obvious. Presence of many different receptors as well as their number in all the structures of mammalian body makes it possible to use a range of agonists and antagonists in research concerning psychiatric diseases (e.g. bulimia, anorexia, depression), Alzheimer disease, migraine, hypertension, carcinoid related syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasms and pre-menstrual syndrome. The promising results enable to use some of the modifiers in their clinical treatment though more research is needed for fully satisfactory effects.

[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.