http://www.phmd.plTable of contents Volume 66, 2012.en-usCopyright 2012 by the Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnejhttp://www.phmd.pl/rssIndexCopernicus Journal Management System RSS GENERATORE-mail (Irena Frydeckawebmaster@www.phmd.pl (ADM)Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 ESThttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=973505Suboptimal fetal environments due to inadequate maternal nutrition, obesity, inflammation or gestational diabetes expose the fetus to humoral cues that alter metabolism and growth parameters leading to metabolic disturbances later in life. The fetal stage is crucial for the development of skeletal muscle, a tissue playing an important role in metabolism. Maternal obesity induces inflammation in the fetus causing modifications in the development of fetal skeletal muscle. Changes in the normal course of myogenesis may arise through several mechanisms: changes in WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, decreased AMPK activity evoked by TNF-α, increased activity of NF-κB in response to inflammation, which leads to a decrease in myogenic factor MyoD, and increased expression of TGF β1. Modification in fetal development associated with maternal obesity is attributed to epigenetic changes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids supplied in the diet did affect the development of insulin-sensitive tissues during both the fetal and postnatal period. The specific phenotype of skeletal muscle fibers may play a role in the development of obesity, i.e. fiber phenotype I (slow, oxidative) may protect against obesity and insulin resistance. Exploring the mechanisms of direct impact of maternal obesity on the development of tissues in the offspring may help to reduce the occurrence of metabolic diseases in later life. Kamil Grabiec, Marta Milewska, Katarzyna Grzelkowska-Kowalczyk Review articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=973505http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=974647Nutritional factors are known to be important in the development of different metabolic diseases. The history of nodular or diffuse goiter is closely related to risk of thyroid carcinoma. On account of the function of the thyroid gland, many studies focus on iodine intake. The aim of the study was to assess whether dietary patterns could be risk factors of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Material/Methods: The case-control study was based on a questionnaire, which included information about dietary patterns and was carried out on 284 patients comprising 30 males (mean age 58.4±13.7 years), and 254 females (mean age 52.1±13.8 years), as well as 345 randomly selected controls: 58 males (mean age 60.2±12 years) and 287 females (mean age 53.4±14.3 years) randomly selected from the Population Register and adjusted by age and gender to the group of TC. The main groups of nutritional products, i.e. starchy foods, meat, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and beverages, were analyzed. Results: Consumption of vegetables, fruits, saltwater fish and cottage cheese was significantly lower in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma than in controls, quite the contrary to starchy foods, especially white bread. Conclusions: Dietary patterns appear to modify the risk of thyroid carcinoma. A diet rich in vegetables and fruit, as well as saltwater fish (a source of iodine) and low-fat meat, could be an important protective factor. Elwira Przybylik-Mazurek, Alicja Hubalewska-Dydejczyk, Sylwia Kuźniarz-Rymarz, Małgorzata Kieć-Klimczak, Anna Skalniak, Anna Sowa-Staszczak, Filip Gołkowski, Marta Kostecka-Matyja, Dorota Pach Original articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=974647http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=975145Immune contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin resulting from exposure to allergens in the environment. The aim of this study was to compare the actions of lactoferrin (LF), a natural immunomodulator, on the elicitation phases of the cellular and humoral, cutaneous immune responses to oxazolone and toluene diisocyanate (TDI), respectively. LF was given i.v. in a 10 mg/mouse dose, together with the eliciting doses of the antigens. The ear edema and the number of lymphocytes in the draining lymph nodes were measured. In addition, the production of IL-2 in the cultures of lymph node cells and the content of IL-4 in lymph node cells were determined. LF had a profound inhibitory effect on the eliciting phase of the immune response to oxazolone as measured by the ear edema and lymph node cell number. The suppressive effect of LF on the effector phase of the immune response to TDI was moderate. LF had some stimulatory effect on the ex vivo content of IL-4 in lymphocytes in the immune response to TDI. On the other hand, it significantly inhibited IL-2 in vitro production in the immune response to oxazolone. The data strongly suggest that LF exerted differential actions on the activities of antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 cells involved in respective types of the cutaneous immune responses. Michał Zimecki, Jolanta Artym, Maja Kocięba, Marian Kruzel Review articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=975145http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979386Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumor of the female genital tract. Their epidemiology is probably highly underestimated because a high percentage of them are in the asymptomatic stage. The etiology of fibroids and their biology are still poorly understood, although steroid ovarian hormones, both estrogen and progestins, have played an important role in etiopathogenesis of this disease. Also no single candidate gene has been detected for commonly occurring uterine fibroids. Cytogenetic abnormalities, particularly translocation, duplication and deletions of chromosome 7, which are found in up to 50% of fibroid specimens, seem to play an important role during abnormal transformation of uterus smooth muscle. The key regulators that transform normal uterine tissue to fibroids are growth factors (VEGF, TGF, PDGF, etc.), angiogenesis and the process of apoptosis. In this review, current knowledge about molecular and cytogenetic evidence on fibroid development is presented. Paweł Knapp, Adrian Chabowski Review articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979386http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979388The article presents the melanogenesis pathway and the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) in regulation of this process. Products of melanogenesis are eu- and/or pheomelanins synthesized in a multistage process of tyrosine oxidation and polymerization. The conversions require the presence of tyrosinase (TYR, key enzyme), tyrosine hydroxylase isoform I (THI) and tyrosinase related proteins (TRP1 and TRP2). Many types of signal molecules and transcription factors participate in regulation of melanin synthesis, but the most important are cAMP and MITF. cAMP is the second messenger in the intracellular signal cascade, which is synthesized from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by adenylyl cyclase, activated among others by the melanocortin receptor and the αS subunit of G protein. The signal molecule cAMP regulates MITF, TYR, THI, GTP-cyclohydroxylase I (GTP-CHI) transcription and phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) phosphorylation at Ser16 by protein kinase A (PKA). Mutations of genes encoding proteins belonging to the cAMP signal cascade may lead to McCune-Albright and Carney syndromes. MITF is one of the most important nuclear transcription factors regulating melanogenesis. Currently 10 isoforms of human MITF are known, but in melanocytes only MITF-M, MITF-Mdel, MITF-A and MITF-H occur. MITF transcription factor regulates melanogenesis by activation of tyrosinase, TRP1 and TRP2 transcription. It also affects expression of other factors regulating melanosome maturation, biogenesis and transport. Moreover, it regulates melanocyte proliferation and protection against apoptosis. Mutations of the MITF gene may lead to hereditary diseases: Waardenburg type II and Tietz syndromes. Michał Otręba, Jakub Rok, Ewa Buszman, Dorota Wrześniok Review articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979388http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979392Introduction: External hemorrhoids are located outside of the dentate line and covered by anoderm. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids are one of the frequent acute anorectal diseases which are treated successfully in the proctology outpatient room. The etiology of this disease is still unknown. Knowledge of the etiology of thrombosed external hemorrhoids could prevent recurrence of this disease and help prepare good prophylaxis. Material/Methods: A group of 50 patients with a diagnosis of thrombosed external hemorrhoids and treated in the Mikolaj Pirogow Regional Specialist Hospital in Lodz was interviewed by means of the author’s own questionnaire concerning demography and published hypothesis. The necessary statistics were conducted by means of STATISTICA 7.1 and EXCEL 2008 programs. Results: The analysis of the survey results shows a significant relationship of thrombosed external hemorrhoids and presence of internal hemorrhoids, practice of anoreceptive sex and consumption of more alcohol products than usual. There was no statistical relationship between lifting heavy objects, eating spicy food, having hard stools or straining at toilet during motions and thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Conclusions: This study confirmed three hypotheses on the causes of thrombosed external hemorrhoids which were presented in medical journals available in the MEDLINE database. The author of this article believes that it is necessary to conduct a multi-center study, which would explain the exact etiology of this disease. Knowledge about the etiology of thrombosed external disease would help develop effective prevention and treatment. Konrad Wronski Original articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979392http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979394Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases play an important role in the regulation of mesangial cell proliferation and may be involved in ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Preservation solutions are thought to diminish the ischemic injury and appropriate choice of the solution should guarantee a better graft function and good prognosis for graft survival. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of preservation solutions UW and EC on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase II and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase II genes in rat kidney. The study was carried out on Wistar rat kidneys divided into 3 groups: kidneys perfused with 0.9% NaCl (control group), with UW, and with EC preservation solution. The results show an enhancement of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 gene expression after 12 min of cold ischemia. This increase was more expressed in kidneys preserved with UW solution in comparison with kidneys perfused with EC solution and 0.9% NaCl. After 24 h of cold ischemia the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 genes in kidney perfused with UW solution decreased, while in kidneys perfused with EC it was increased. After warm ischemia the MMP-2 and TIMP-2 gene expression increased, whereas it was significantly lower in kidneys perfused with EC solution. Tadeusz Sulikowski, Leszek Domanski, Zbigniew Zietek, Grażyna Adler, Andrzej Pawlik, Andrzej Ciechanowicz, Kazimierz Ciechanowski, Marek Ostrowski Original articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979394http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979395Introduction: The aim of this work was a quantitative and qualitative assessment of a selected part of the microcirculation in children with diabetes type 1 using videocapillaroscopy technique. Material/Methods: The authors tested a group consisting of 145 children (70 boys, 75 girls) diagnosed and treated for diabetes type 1 in the Diabetic Clinic of GCZD in Katowice for at least one year. The study included history, clinical examination (including dermatological examination) and videocapillaroscopy. Capillaroscopy, a non-invasive, painless and easily repeatable test, was performed using videocapillaroscopy with digital storage of the obtained images. All nailfolds were examined in all children using videocapillaroscopy, and the obtained images were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively for changes in capillary loops in the tested children according to the defined diagnostic procedure. Results: The analysis of capillaroscopic images described selected quantitative and qualitative characteristics. The conducted analysis showed an increase in the number of capillaries and their elongation, the presence of megacapillaries and Raynaud loops, which were accompanied by an intensive red background, indicating possible neoangiogenesis. The increase in the number of capillaries, disturbances in distribution of capillaries and the presence of abnormal capillaries were correlated with the longer duration of diabetes. Raynaud loops were more frequently found in the cases of increased mean values of HbA1c. Higher values of HbA1c influenced the capillaroscopic images, mainly the number of vessels, including Raynaud loops. Conclusions: Videocapillaroscopy technique could be a useful tool to detect the early changes of microangiopathy in children with diabetes type 1. Grażyna Kaminska-Winciorek, Grażyna Deja, Joanna Polańska, Przemysława Jarosz-Chobot Original articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979395http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979396Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium which colonizes the stomach of over 50% of the world’s population. The pathogen is responsible for many diseases including gastritis, ulcers and also gastric cancers. It is said that adherence of bacteria to epithelial cells plays a key role in infection development. Two gastric mucins, components of mucus, are assumed to have an important role in protection against adhesion and in this way in progression of infection. These are a secretory MUC5AC mucin, produced by mucous epithelial cells, and a membrane-bound MUC1 mucin, expressed by epical surfaces of epithelial cells. Interactions with bacteria occur between carbohydrate antigens of mucins and specific adhesins of the Helicobacter pylori surface. In this paper we present the latest knowledge about these intriguing interactions of both mucins and their interplay with the pathogen providing protection against infection. Iwona Radziejewska Review articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979396http://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979916The basis for targeting specific components of the apoptotic machinery for anticancer therapy is the detailed knowledge on molecular mechanisms that regulate this complex cell death pathway. As the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis is the major route to respond to stress stimuli including anticancer drugs, and that pathway is largely impaired in cancer cells, leading to tumor formation and treatment resistance, a variety of approaches have been developed to restore the function of the mitochondrial pathway in cancer cells. BH3-only proteins, being important inducers of the mitochondrial pathway, either directly stimulate proapoptotic Bax-like proteins or interfere with antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. Therefore, the development of molecules able to mimic the function of BH3-only proteins is considered a promising strategy to improve cancer cell response to treatment. Several BH3 mimetics have been designed and studied in various tumors, in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Some of them are currently being evaluated in clinical trials either alone or in combination with conventional anticancer drugs. BH3 profiling of cancer cells was introduced to better predict the responsiveness of tumor cells to BH3 mimetics combined with conventional therapies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on BH3-only proteins and describe the spectrum of strategies employing BH3 mimetics in preclinical and clinical studies that aim at tumor targeting. Mariusz Ł. Hartman, Małgorzata Czyż Review articlehttp://www.phmd.pl/abstracted.php?level=5&ICID=979916