HIV induces expression of complement component C3 in astrocytes by NF-κB-dependent activation of interleukin-6 synthesis

Background Abnormal activation of the complement system contributes to some central nervous system diseases but the role of complement in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is unclear. Methods We used real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry to detect complement expression in postmortem brain tissue from HAND patients and controls. To further investigate the basis for viral induction of gene expression in the brain, we studied the effect of HIV on C3 expression by astrocytes, innate immune effector cells, and targets of HIV. Human fetal astrocytes (HFA) were infected with HIV in culture and cellular pathways and factors involved in signaling to C3 expression were elucidated using pharmacological pathway inhibitors, antisense RNA, promoter mutational analysis, and fluorescence microscopy. Results We found significantly increased expression of complement components including C3 in brain tissues from patients with HAND and C3 was identified by immunocytochemistry in astrocytes and neurons. Exposure of HFA to HIV in culture-induced C3 promoter activity, mRNA expression, and protein production. Use of pharmacological inhibitors indicated that induction of C3 expression by HIV requires NF-κB and protein kinase signaling. The relevance of NF-κB regulation to C3 induction was confirmed through detection of NF-κB translocation into nuclei and inhibition through overexpression of the physiological NF-κB inhibitor, I-κBα. C3 promoter mutation analysis revealed that the NF-κB and SP binding sites are dispensable for the induction by HIV, while the proximal IL-1β/IL-6 responsive element is essential. HIV-treated HFA secreted IL-6, exogenous IL-6 activated the C3 promoter, and anti-IL-6 antibodies blocked HIV activation of the C3 promoter. The activation of IL-6 transcription by HIV was dependent upon an NF-κB element within the IL-6 promoter. Conclusions These results suggest that HIV activates C3 expression in primary astrocytes indirectly, through NF-κB-dependent induction of IL-6, which in turn activates the C3 promoter. HIV induction of C3 and IL-6 in astrocytes may contribute to HIV-mediated inflammation in the brain and cognitive dysfunction

THE DRINKING PATTERNS OF AMERICAN AND POLISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY

This is the post-print version of an article published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence located at http://www.journals.elsevier.com/drug-and-alcohol-dependence/. No DOI is listed for this article.Other research PUBLICATIONS and PAPERS on university students drinking, drug use and health concerns and behaviors can be found at: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17130/browse?type=title; https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17127/browse?type=title and https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17124/browse?type=title. Further information about the questionnaire, calculations, and the original data base used can be found in the following item records within IUScholarworks repository. Details about the reliability and validity of the SAQ are found at: http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17337; http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17154; http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17181. The classic 1975 copy of the SAQ is found at http://hdl.handle.net/2022/17153. ALL QUESTIONNAIRES developed by Engs are found in the repository at: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/17141/browse?type=dateissuedA study of 3375 American and 1408 Polish university students was accomplished to test the hypotheses that cultural differences influence drinking patterns and beverage preferences between countries. Using the same questionnaire in both samples, the results revealed that significantly (p < .001) more drinks per week were consumed by both Polish male (24.9) and female (15.2) students compared to American male (15.0) and female (7.6) students. Significantly (p < .001) more wine was consumed by Polish (8.7) compared to the American (0.8) students. American female students consumed more beer than Polish female students. There was no difference between beer and spirits consumption between American and Polish males and Polish students in latter school years consumed more alcohol compared to students in the first years of school. It was concluded that the samples of students in this study reflected their cultures in terms of drinking patterns and beverage preference

Infekcyjne zapalenie wsierdzia wywołane przez Streptococcus anginosus z następowym wypruciem zastawki aortalnej i wegetacją zastawki mitralnej u pacjenta po wymianie zastawek mitralnej i aortalnej na protezy biologiczne

Infective endocarditis (IE) is defined as an infection of the endocardial surface of the heart, which may include one or more heart valves. Its intracardiac effects include severe valvular insufficiency, which may lead to intractable congestive heart failure. It is estimated that mortality reaches approximately 15% in previously normal native heart valves and equals 60% in artificial heart valves infections. Taking into account the above mentioned fact, every patient after valve surgery needs special attention to prevent infections. It is not a rare case that formally trivial infection causes drastic consequences leading to repeated cardiac surgery. We present a case of patient with prosthetic mitral and aortic valves, in which prior subclinical infection with Streptococcus anginosus led to severe mitral valve regurgitation with the coexisting mitral valve vegetation and a concomitant paravalvular aortic leak.Zapalenie wsierdzia (IE) zdefiniowano jako zakażenie warstwy wyściełającej wewnętrzną powierzchnię serca, które może obejmować jedną lub więcej zastawek serca. Jego skutki wewnątrzsercowe obejmują ciężką niedomykalność zastawki, co może prowadzić do opornej na leczenie niewydolności serca. Ocenia się, że śmiertelność sięga 15% w zakażeniach wcześniej zdrowych zastawek serca i 60% w przypadku zakażenia sztucznych protez zastawkowych. Ze względu na powyższe każdy chory po operacji zastawkowej wymaga szczególnej uwagi i prewencji przed zakażeniami. Często zdarza się, że z pozoru błaha infekcja powoduje drastyczne następstwa prowadzące do ponownej interwencji kardiochirurgicznej. Opisano przypadek pacjenta z wszczepioną sztuczną zastawką w pozycjach mitralnej oraz aortalnej, u którego niewielka infekcja Streptococcus anginosus doprowadziła do niedomykalności mitralnej z wegetacją zastawki mitralnej oraz współistniejącym przeciekiem okołozastawkowym aortalnym

Influence of the quasi-biennial oscillation and El Niño-Southern Oscillation on the frequency of sudden stratospheric warmings

Stratospheric sudden warmings (SSWs) are a major source of variability during Northern Hemisphere winter. The frequency of occurrence of SSWs is influenced by El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), the 11 year solar cycle, and volcanic eruptions. This study investigates the role of ENSO and the QBO on the frequency of SSWs using the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, version 3.5 (WACCM3.5). In addition to a control simulation, WACCM3.5 simulations with different combinations of natural variability factors such as the QBO and variable sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are performed to investigate the role of QBO and ENSO. Removing only one forcing, variable SSTs or QBO, yields a SSW frequency similar to that in the control experiment; however, removing both forcings results in a significantly decreased SSW frequency. These results imply nonlinear interactions between ENSO and QBO signals in the polar stratosphere during Northern Hemisphere winter. This study also suggests that ENSO and QBO force SSWs differently. The QBO forces SSW events that are very intense and whose impact on the stratospheric temperature can be seen between December and June, whereas ENSO forces less intense SSWs whose response is primarily confined to the months of January, February, and March. The effects of SSWs on the stratospheric background climate is also addressed here

Ostra duszność krtaniowa jako pierwszy objaw ziarniniakowatości z zapaleniem naczyń

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a multi-organ disease which mostly affects lungs, kidney, and head and neck region. We report a rare case of acute laryngeal dyspnea and rapidly progressive pulmonary changes as first manifestations of disease. A 53 year-old woman presented with symptoms of two-week dyspnea, which aggravated rapidly in the preceding hours. Laryngological examination revealed subglottic infiltrations and vocal fold oedema which required urgent tracheotomy. During few days she developed gingival ulcerations and pulmonary infiltration with negative serum c-ANCA titers. The histopathological examination of subglottic and gingival biopsies and the clinical picture established the diagnosis of GPA. She was treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide with recovery; however, during over 3 years of follow-up, pulmonary symptoms relapsed and subglottic stenosis persisted. The difficulties in diagnosis and treatment in this unusual presentation of GPA are outlined with conclusion that in patients with subglottic infiltration, which develops rapidly, even when this is a sole presentation of the disease, and when c-ANCA are negative, GPA should always be considered.Ziarniniakowatość z zapaleniem naczyń (GPA) jest wielonarządową chorobą, która najczęściej dotyczy płuc, nerek oraz regionu głowy i szyi. Autorzy przedstawiają rzadki przypadek ostrej duszności krtaniowej jako pierwszego objawu choroby. Kobieta lat 53 zgłosiła się z powodu trwającej od 2 tygodni duszności, która nasiliła się znacznie na kilka godzin przed przyjęciem. W badaniu laryngologicznym stwierdzono naciek okolicy podgłośniowej i obrzęk fałdów głosowych, wymagające pilnej tracheotomii. W kolejnych dniach u chorej wystąpiły owrzodzenia dziąseł i nacieki w płucach, przy braku obecności przeciwciał c-ANCA. Na podstawie badania histopatologicznego wycinków z okolicy podgłośniowej i dziąseł oraz obrazu klinicznego ustalono rozpoznanie GPA. W leczeniu zastosowano prednison z cyklofosfamidem i uzyskano poprawę, w okresie ponad 3-letniej obserwacji wystąpił jednak nawrót objawów płucnych, utrzymywało się zwężenie podgłośniowe. W pracy zwrócono uwagę na trudności w postępowaniu diagnostyczno-terapeutycznym podkreślając rolę podgłośniowego obrzęku krtani jako jedynej początkowo manifestacji GPA, nawet przy braku obecności przeciwciał c-ANCA

Infection control : point prevalence study versus incidence study in Polish long-term care facilities in 2009-2010 in the Małopolska Region

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of infection in Polish long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and to analyse the capabilities and legitimacy of implementing continuous targeted surveillance. METHODS: The study investigated the relationship between the presence of infection and health status, tested using a point prevalence study (PPS) and incidence study. A 1-day PPS was carried out in October 2009, with prospective continuous surveillance between December 2009 and November 2010. Infections were defined according to McGeer’s criteria. RESULTS: The surveillance encompassed 193 people. The prevalence was 14.0 % in residential homes (RHs) and 18.7 % in the nursing home (NH). Various types of infections (in the PPS) were observed significantly more frequently in patients with asthma, wounds, atherosclerosis of lower extremities, tracheotomy tubes and conditions in patients hospitalised in intensive care units (ICUs) up to 1 year before the PPS day. The incidence rate was 2.7/1,000 patient days (pds). CONCLUSIONS: The factors determined to be important for the risk of infection (in the continuous study) include the general status of patients, expressed using Barthel, abbreviated mental and Katz scales, as well as limited physical activity, stool incontinence and urinary catheterisation. In the PPS study, only a slight relationship was shown between the general status of residents and the risk of infection. None of the general status scales used clinically were shown to be helpful in estimating that risk, similarly to the five-point physical activity scale. Prospective continuous surveillance shows a possibility of limiting the range of infection control in the LTCFs within targeted surveillance in a population of patients that requires intensive nursing procedures. As a marker, one could point to the low score in the Barthel or Katz scales or low physical activity/bedridden persons

Zdolności kondycyjne młodzieży akademickiej- na przykładzie studentów kierunku turystyki i rekreacji oraz fizjoterapii

Introduction . Changes in physical fitness of younger generations are a fact and they include most of its components. Young adults, who decide on the specializations of tourism and recreation as well as physical therapy, will in the future undertake tasks in the area of physical education, and the need of proper strength and endurance forming in those students is a result of that. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of both of those features in students of both specializations of the University in Toruń.Material and methods 32 male and 77 female second year students of tourism and recreation were examined, together with 28 male and 52 female first year students of physical therapy. Body height and mass were measured for those students as well as Rohrer index and BMI. A trial of static strength and endurance was realized according to Eurofit Physical Fitness Test Battery. Differences in results of both groups of subjects were evaluated by means of U test.Results. It was observed that male students of both specializations were characterized by similar values of the studied motoric and morphological determinants, while female physical therapy students were characterized by slightly greater means of morphological features and significantly greater means of fitness trials.Conclusions. It was concluded that identification of students with their profession by means of motoric and morphological conditioning influences succeeding in their future jobs, while men, as a result of their physiologically higher level of physical fitness, pay less attention than women to its importance in selection of specialization and further realization of their profession.Wstęp. Zmiany w strukturze sprawności fizycznej młodych pokoleń są faktem i dotyczą one większości jej komponentów. Studia turystyki i rekreacji oraz fizjoterapii skupiają młodzież, która w przyszłości będzie podejmowała zadania w obszarze kultury fizycznej, stąd potrzeba odpowiedniego ukształtowania siły i wytrzymałości wśród osób studiujących na tych kierunkach. Ocenę i porównanie ich poziomu wśród młodzieży obu kierunków na UMK w Toruniu uczyniono celem podjętej pracy.Materiał i metody. Zbadano 32 studentów i 77 studentek drugiego roku kierunku turystyki i rekreacji oraz 28 studentów i 52 studentki pierwszego roku kieruku fizjoterapii. Zmierzono wysokość i masę ciała oraz wyliczono wskaźnik Rohrera i BMI. Zrealizowano próbę siły statycznej i wytrzymałości Europejskiego Testu Sprawności Fizycznej „EUROFIF”. Różnice wyników badań obu zespołów studenckich oceniono przy zastosowaniu testu U.Wynikibadań . Stwierdzono, że młodzież męską obu kierunków cechowały podobne wielkości badanych wyznaczników morfologicznych i motorycznych, a studentki fizjoterapii nieznacznie większe średnie cech morfologicznych i istotnie wyższe przeciętne rezultatów prób sprawnościowych.Wnioski. Uznano, że samoidentyfikacja kandydatów na studia z wybranym zawodem pozostawia ślad morfologicznego i motorycznego uwarunkowania powodzenia w późniejszej pracy, a mężczyźni z tytułu fizjologicznie wyższego poziomu zdolności kondycyjny przywiązują mniejszą, niż kobiety, wagę do ich znaczenia podczas wyboru studiów i późniejszej realizacji zawodu

Fitness Skills of University Students – As Exemplified by Tourism and Recreation and Physiotherapy Students

Introduction. Changes in physical fitness of younger generations are a fact and they include most of its components. Young adults, who decide on the specializations of tourism and recreation as well as physical therapy, will in the future undertake tasks in the area of physical education, and the need of proper strength and endurance forming in those students is a result of that. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of both of those features in students of both specializations of the University in Toruń. Material and methods 32 male and 77 female second year students of tourism and recreation were examined, together with 28 male and 52 female first year students of physical therapy. Body height and mass were measured for those students as well as Rohrer index and BMI. A trial of static strength and endurance was realized according to Eurofit Physical Fitness Test Battery. Differences in results of both groups of subjects were evaluated by means of U test. Results. It was observed that male students of both specializations were characterized by similar values of the studied motoric and morphological determinants, while female physical therapy students were characterized by slightly greater means of morphological features and significantly greater means of fitness trials. Conclusions. It was concluded that identification of students with their profession by means of motoric and morphological conditioning influences succeeding in their future jobs, while men, as a result of their physiologically higher level of physical fitness, pay less attention than women to its importance in selection of specialization and further realization of their profession.Wstęp. Zmiany w strukturze sprawności fizycznej młodych pokoleń są faktem i dotyczą one większości jej komponentów. Studia turystyki i rekreacji oraz fizjoterapii skupiają młodzież, która w przyszłości będzie podejmowała zadania w obszarze kultury fizycznej, stąd potrzeba odpowiedniego ukształtowania siły i wytrzymałości wśród osób studiujących na tych kierunkach. Ocenę i porównanie ich poziomu wśród młodzieży obu kierunków na UMK w Toruniu uczyniono celem podjętej pracy. Materiał i metody. Zbadano 32 studentów i 77 studentek drugiego roku kierunku turystyki i rekreacji oraz 28 studentów i 52 studentki pierwszego roku kieruku fizjoterapii. Zmierzono wysokość i masę ciała oraz wyliczono wskaźnik Rohrera i BMI. Zrealizowano próbę siły statycznej i wytrzymałości Europejskiego Testu Sprawności Fizycznej „EUROFIF”. Różnice wyników badań obu zespołów studenckich oceniono przy zastosowaniu testu U. Wynikibadań. Stwierdzono, że młodzież męską obu kierunków cechowały podobne wielkości badanych wyznaczników morfologicznych i motorycznych, a studentki fizjoterapii nieznacznie większe średnie cech morfologicznych i istotnie wyższe przeciętne rezultatów prób sprawnościowych. Wnioski. Uznano, że samoidentyfikacja kandydatów na studia z wybranym zawodem pozostawia ślad morfologicznego i motorycznego uwarunkowania powodzenia w późniejszej pracy, a mężczyźni z tytułu fizjologicznie wyższego poziomu zdolności kondycyjny przywiązują mniejszą, niż kobiety, wagę do ich znaczenia podczas wyboru studiów i późniejszej realizacji zawodu