Altered cytokine expression in Helicobacter pylori infected patients with bleeding duodenal ulcer

Objective Peptic ulcer disease is a condition in which an important role has infection with H. pylori. The most common complication of peptic ulcer is bleeding. The presence of H. pylori triggers local and systemic cytokine signaling which may affect processes such as healing, gastric or duodenal rupture, and carcinogenesis. In this study, we examined the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, TGF-β and IL-17A in serum by enzyme immunoassay and their mRNA expressions in periulcer biopsies obtained from patients with bleeding peptic ulcer by means of real-time-PCR. Results We have shown that pro-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF concentrations in serum were significantly higher in patients who were infected with H. pylori, while the concentrations of TGF-β and IL-17A were significantly lower compared to non-infected subjects. IL-17A expression in periulcer mucosa was significantly higher in patients who were infected with H. pylori, while the expression of other cytokines, there was no significant difference compared to non-infected controls. Considering higher serum concentrations in non-infected subjects and higher IL-17A expression in mucosal tissue of infected patients, our data support the studies that found IL-17A has protective role in eradication of H. pylori infection in infected patients

Fatty acid in colorectal cancer in adult and aged patients of both sexes

Purpose: Colorectal cancer represents the second most common type of cancer in Serbia. Alteration of lipid metabolism begins early, and can represent a central hallmark in cancer evolution. Fatty acids have various important functions as building components of cell membranes, as signaling molecules in immune responses and also manage the general cancer signaling network. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of various fatty acids content between colorectal cancer and adjacent healthy intestinal tissue in adult and aged patients of both sexes. Methods: 52 subjects participated in this study. Healthy colon mucosa and tumor tissue samples were obtained from patients previously diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma. Simplified method of Berstad et al was used for direct transesterification of total lipids in tumor and healthy mucosa tissue samples and separations of the methyl esters was carried out using a gas chromatograph equipped with a split/ splitless injector and a flame ionization detector. Results: 18 0, 18 1 n7, 20 3, 20 4, 20 5, 22 4, 22 5 22 6, SFA, PUFA, n6, n3 and AA/EPA were significantly higher in tumor tissue. On the other hand, 18 1 n9, 18 2, 18 3 n3, MUFA, n6/ n3 were significantly higher in healthy tissue. Conclusions: Saturation index (SI) could be a valuable tool to delineate robust immune response and worse prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Our study demonstrated significant differences in fatty acid profiles between tumor tissue and healthy mucosa. Parameters, such as gender, age, stage and mucinous component didn't influence altered fatty acid content

The longitudinal pattern of crustacean (Peracarida, Malacostraca) 3 assemblages in a large south European river: bank reinforcement 4 structures as stepping stones of invasion

The Q1 spread of alien crustaceans has significantly contributed to the homogenization of macroinvertebrate fauna of European freshwaters. However, little is known about alien Peracarida crustaceans of the Sava River, which represents the most important corridor for the spread of invasive species into Dinaric rivers with highly endemic fauna. In this study, we investigated Peracarida (Amphipoda, Isopoda and Mysida) collected during three years (2011, 2012 and 2015) from a total of 61 sites along the entire course of the Sava River. Besides describing the longitudinal pattern of Peracarida assemblages, we tested the hypothesis that bank reinforcement structures facilitate peracarid invasions by comparing densities and assemblages on natural and artificial substrate at 15 sites. In a total, 14 peracarid crustacean species (5 native and 9 alien) were recorded. The Upper third of Sava was inhabited by native peracarids only, while the Middle and Lower Sava were dominated by alien species. The invasive amphipods Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, Chelicorophium sowinskyi and Chelicorophium curvispinum, and invasive isopod, Jaera istri, were the most abundant species along the middle course. Densities of alien peracarids in the Middle Sava were the highest and their share in macroinvertebrate assemblages was very variable, while the Lower Sava had the highest number of alien species in low densities. The densities of alien amphipods and isopods were in most cases significantly higher on bank reinforcement structures than on natural substrate. Therefore, artificial stony substrates act as stepping stones of invasion for alien peracarids and largely contribute to their success in large lowland rivers

The longitudinal pattern of crustacean (Peracarida, Malacostraca) assemblages in a large south European river: Bank reinforcement structures as stepping stones of invasion

© 2018 EDP Sciences. The spread of alien crustaceans has significantly contributed to the homogenization of macroinvertebrate fauna of European freshwaters. However, little is known about alien Peracarida crustaceans of the Sava River, which represents the most important corridor for the spread of invasive species into Dinaric rivers with highly endemic fauna. In this study, we investigated Peracarida (Amphipoda, Isopoda and Mysida) collected during three years (2011, 2012 and 2015) from a total of 61 sites along the entire course of the Sava River. Besides describing the longitudinal pattern of Peracarida assemblages, we tested the hypothesis that bank reinforcement structures facilitate peracarid invasions by comparing densities and assemblages on natural and artificial substrate at 15 sites. In a total, 14 peracarid crustacean species (5 native and 9 alien) were recorded. The Upper third of Sava was inhabited by native peracarids only, while the Middle and Lower Sava were dominated by alien species. The invasive amphipods Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, Chelicorophium sowinskyi and Chelicorophium curvispinum, and invasive isopod, Jaera istri, were the most abundant species along the middle course. Densities of alien peracarids in the Middle Sava were the highest and their share in macroinvertebrate assemblages was very variable, while the Lower Sava had the highest number of alien species in low densities. The densities of alien amphipods and isopods were in most cases significantly higher on bank reinforcement structures than on natural substrate. Therefore, artificial stony substrates act as stepping stones of invasion for alien peracarids and largely contribute to their success in large lowland rivers