Polymorphisms of the GCLC Gene Are Novel Genetic Markers for Susceptibility to Psoriasis Associated with Alcohol Abuse and Cigarette Smoking

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase are associated with the risk and clinical features of psoriasi

ФИЗИОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ ЭФФЕКТ ПРОБИОТИКА ЗООВЕСТИНА В ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАХ НА НЕПРОДУКТИВНЫХ ЖИВОТНЫХ

The article focuses on the fact, that probiotic specimens affect insufficiently due to lack of specific microorganisms for gut colonization, response to antibiotics or some feeds, way of applying and doses and periods of applying. The authors explain the importance of estimating the effect of applying new probiotics on domestic animals. The researchers conducted experiments on cats and dogs; the experimental results show the effect of probiotic Zoovestin. The paper estimates the state of blood in the beginning of the experiment and declares that blood of cats and dogs corresponds to the standards. The authors observed the microorganisms as coccus, coliform bacillus with low enzyme ability, yeast-like fungi, globulolytic coliform bacillus and proteus in gut microflora of pets. There were no changes in blood indexes of pets observed. Zoovestin improved gut flora of cats and dogs and made its indexescorrepond to the physiological standards. The researchers observed an increase in number of bifid bacterium and coliform bacillus with low enzyme ability. The number of coccus flora and coliform bacillus with low enzyme ability was reduced and globulolytic coliform bacillus and proteus were removed. The researchers observed better appetite and exterior that characterizes their welfare. Пробиотические препараты иногда дают недостаточный эффект, что связывается с необходимостью специфических типов микроорганизмов для колонизации кишечника определенного вида животных, чувствительностью к антибиотикам или некоторым кормам, способом применения, включая дозы и периоды использования. В связи с этим особую актуальность приобретает оценка физиологического эффекта на организм животных новых пробиотических препаратов. В опытах на кошках и собаках показано действие пробиотика на основе бифидобактерий – зоовестина. Оценка гематологического статуса в начале эксперимента показала, что и кошки, и собаки характеризуются показателями крови в границах нормы. В то же время в кишечной микрофлоре были в значительной степени представлены такие микроорганизмы, как кокки, кишечная палочка с низкой ферментативной активностью, дрожжеподобные грибы, гемолитическая кишечная палочка и протей. Гематологические показатели животных в процессе исследований значительных изменений не претерпели. Зоовестин стабилизировал кишечную флору кошек и собак и привел ее показатели к физиологическим нормам. Произошло некоторое повышение количества бифидобактерий и кишечной палочки с нормальной ферментативной активностью. Снизилось до нормы количество кокковой флоры и кишечной палочки с низкой ферментативной активностью, элиминирована гемолитическая кишечная палочка и протей. Улучшился аппетит и внешний вид животных, что характеризует их благополучие

Relationship of depressive disorders with hypertension, its control and other metabolic risk factors in the Tyumen Oblast population of men and women. Data from the study “Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and their Risk Factors in Regions of Russian Federation” (ESSE-RF)

Aim. To study the association between depression and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension (HTN) and its control in a random sample of Tyumen Oblast population of men and women aged 25-64 years.Material and methods. The study object was a random sample of the population of the Tyumen and the Tyumen Oblast aged 25-64 years, examined as part of the ESSE-RF epidemiological study. The study included 1658 participants. Among them, 30,3% (n=503) were men, while 69,7% (n=1155) — women. Mean age was 48,9±11,4 years. The prevalence of metabolic risk factors (hyperlipidemia, carbohydrate metabolism disorder, obesity), hypertension and the likelihood of its control in men and women with different levels of depressive disorders diagnosed using the HADS scale were assessed.Results. Compared with participants without depression, persons with psychological disorders were significantly more likely to have HTN (55,5% vs 47,6%, p<0,01), elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC) (63,9% vs 54,0%, p<0,01) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (66,7% vs 60,3%, p<0,05), carbohydrate metabolism disorders (8,3% vs 5,2% p<0,05), obesity (49,2% vs 37,7%, p<0,01). Significantly more often hypertensive subjects without depression took antihypertensive drugs effectively (odds ratio (OR) — 1,747, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1,001-3,053) and controlled blood pressure (OR — 1,533, 95% CI, 1,05-2,36). There was no association between the use of antihypertensives and the level of depressive disorders. Among women with depression (HADS>7), dyslipidemia (65,5% vs 57,4% for TC, p<0,05; 71,0% vs 62,9% for LDL, p<0,05), carbohydrate metabolism disorders (10,1% vs 5,2%, p<0,01), obesity (53,3% vs 43,2%, p<0,01), HTN (60,6% vs 45,6%, p<0,01) were more common. Men with clinical depression were more likely to have HTN (69,0% vs 47,7%, p<0,05), with a high level of depression — hyperlipidemia (58,9% vs 46,7% for TC, p<0,05; 67,1% vs 53,9% for LDL, p<0,05). Women with elevated depression levels were less likely to take antihypertensive drugs (30% vs 49,4%, p<0,01) and control hypertension (13,8% vs 21,2%, p<0,05).Conclusion. The data obtained confirm the association of depressive disorders with metabolic risk factors and the likelihood of HTN control, which is especially significant among women

Transgenic Overexpression of Active Calcineurin in β-Cells Results in Decreased β-Cell Mass and Hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND:Glucose modulates beta-cell mass and function through an initial depolarization and Ca(2+) influx, which then triggers a number of growth regulating signaling pathways. One of the most important downstream effectors in Ca(2+) signaling is the calcium/Calmodulin activated serine threonine phosphatase, calcineurin. Recent evidence suggests that calcineurin/NFAT is essential for beta-cell proliferation, and that in its absence loss of beta-cells results in diabetes. We hypothesized that in contrast, activation of calcineurin might result in expansion of beta-cell mass and resistance to diabetes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:To determine the role of activation of calcineurin signaling in the regulation of pancreatic beta-cell mass and proliferation, we created mice that expressed a constitutively active form of calcineurin under the insulin gene promoter (caCn(RIP)). To our surprise, these mice exhibited glucose intolerance. In vitro studies demonstrated that while the second phase of Insulin secretion is enhanced, the overall insulin secretory response was conserved. Islet morphometric studies demonstrated decreased beta-cell mass suggesting that this was a major component responsible for altered Insulin secretion and glucose intolerance in caCn(RIP) mice. The reduced beta-cell mass was accompanied by decreased proliferation and enhanced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS:Our studies identify calcineurin as an important factor in controlling glucose homeostasis and indicate that chronic depolarization leading to increased calcineurin activity may contribute, along with other genetic and environmental factors, to beta-cell dysfunction and diabetes

Association of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha gene polymorphism with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in a Caucasian (Hungarian) sample

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in neo-vascularisation, embryonic pancreas beta-cell mass development, and beta cell protection. Recently a non synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (g.C45035T SNP, rs11549465) of HIF-1alpha gene, resulting in the p.P582S amino acid change has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in a Japanese population. Our aim was to replicate these findings on a Caucasian (Hungarian) population, as well as to study whether this genetic effect is restricted to T2DM or can be expanded to diabetes in general. METHODS: A large Caucasian sample (N = 890) was recruited including 370 T2DM, 166 T1DM and 354 healthy subjects. Genotyping was validated by two independent methods: a restriction fragment analysis (RFLP) and a real time PCR using TaqMan probes. An overestimation of heterozygotes by RFLP was observed as a consequence of a nearby SNP (rs34005929). Therefore genotyping results of the justified TaqMan system were accepted. The measured genotype distribution corresponded to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.740) RESULTS: As the TT genotype was extremely rare in the population (0.6% in clinical sample and 2.5% in controls), the genotypes were grouped as T absent (CC) and T present (CT and TT). Genotype-wise analysis showed a significant increase of T present group in controls (24.0%) as compared to patients (16.8%, P = 0.008). This genetic effect was demonstrated in the separated samples of type 1 (15.1%, P = 0.020), and also in type 2 (17.6%, P = 0.032) diabetes. Allele-wise analysis gave identical results showing a higher frequency of the T allele in the control sample (13.3%) than in the clinical sample (8.7%, P = 0.002) with similar results in type 1 (7.8%, P = 0.010) and type 2 (9.1%, P = 0.011) diabetes. The odds ratio for diabetes (either type 1 or 2) was 1.56 in the presence of the C allele. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the protective effect of a rare genetic variant of HIF-1alpha gene against type 2 diabetes in a Caucasian sample. Moreover we demonstrated a genetic contribution of the same polymorphism in type 1 diabetes as well, supporting a possible overlap in pathomechanism for T2DM and a T1DM

Trichotillomania and Trichobezoar in Teenager: a Clinical Case

Background. Trichotillomania is one of the topical problems in dermatovenerology. Annually the number of people who visit dermatologists with hair loss problem is increasing and makes up to 8–10% in structure of dermatologic illnesses.Clinical Case Description. There are patients with primary psychiatric disorders in practice of dermatologist. This disorders are accompanied by self-injurious behavior and secondary skin changes and/or its appendages. We are performing clinical survey of trichotillomania of hairy part of the head, onychophagy, trichophagy with following developing of trichobezoar in teenage girl. To treat this girl we have carried out surgical operation. Later we have performed complex drug and non-drug treatment under control of pediatric psychiatrist, psychotherapist and dermatologist. The prognosis and perspectives of pathologic process development have been estimated. Possible etiology, clinical signs and dermatological aspects of diagnosis and treatment of disease were discussed.Conclusion. This clinical case has to draw attention of dermatovenerologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists to the problem of factitial dermatitis

Signaling and sites of interaction for RX-871024 and sulfonylurea in the stimulation of insulin release

The objective of this study was to compare effects of RX-871024, a compound with imidazoline structure, and the sulfonylurea glibenclamide, representatives of two groups of ATP-dependent potassium channel (K ATP ) blockers, on insulin secretion and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i ). Furthermore, we studied the interaction of the compounds on these two parameters. The experiments were performed in the perfused rat pancreas, isolated rat pancreatic islets, and dispersed β-cells. At maximal effective concentrations of the compounds, RX-871024 had a more pronounced insulinotropic effect than glibenclamide, but the increase in [Ca 2+ ] i was similar. Glibenclamide enhanced the insulinotropic effect of suboptimal concentrations of RX-871024 at 3.3 and 16.7 mM glucose. Notably, glibenclamide and RX-871024 also stimulated insulin secretion under Ca 2+ -clamped conditions, i.e., during plasma membrane depolarization with KCl and glucose or in permeabilized islets. The magnitudes of insulin stimulation under the latter types of conditions were similar for both compounds. It is concluded that RX-871024 and the sulfonylurea glibenclamide promote insulin secretion by two mechanisms, namely closure of K ATP channels and a direct stimulation of exocytosis. At a similar increase in [Ca 2+ ] i , the maximal stimulatory effect of RX-871024 on insulin secretion was stronger than that of glibenclamide, implying that RX-871024 also affects insulin secretion by a signal transduction pathway that is not activated by glibenclamide