Zespół hemofagocytowy indukowany terapią hormonalną – studium przypadku klinicznego

Zespół hemofagocytowy (ang. – HLH) charakteryzuje się nieprawidłową aktywacją układu immunologicznego, u podłoża której leżą zmiany genetyczne lub nabyte zaburzenia cytotoksyczności limfocytów T i NK. Objawy kliniczne są niespecyficzne i różnorodne, a postawienie rozpoznania, pomimo dostępności badań dodatkowych, jest niezwykle trudne. W artykule zaprezentowano przypadek kliniczny chorej, u której pierwotnie w obrazie klinicznym dominowała nawracająca gorączka oraz zmiany skórne sugerujące rozpoznanie rumienia guzowatego. Pomimo rozpoczęcia steroidoterapii oraz stosowania empirycznej antybiotykoterapii stan pacjentki nie ulegał poprawie. Do objawów klinicznych dołączyły się splenomegalia oraz zaburzenia w badaniach dodatkowych: trójukładowa cytopenia, hiperferrytynemia, hipertriglicerydemia, hipofibrynogenemia. Ponadto w obrazie histopatologicznym szpiku kostnego stwierdzono obecność hemofagocytów. Na podstawie obrazu klinicznego oraz badań dodatkowych postawiono rozpoznanie HLH. W terapii zastosowano chemioterapię zgodnie z protokołem HLH-2004, uzyskując całkowitą remisję

Editing of hnRNP K protein mRNA in colorectal adenocarcinoma and surrounding mucosa

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) protein is an RNA-binding protein involved in many processes that compose gene expression. K protein is upregulated in the malignant processes and has been shown to modulate the expression of genes involved in mitogenic responses and tumorigenesis. To explore the possibility that there are alternative isoforms of K protein expressed in colon cancer, we amplified and sequenced K protein mRNA that was isolated from colorectal cancers as well as from normal tissues surrounding the tumours. Sequencing revealed a single G-to-A base substitution at position 274 that was found in tumours and surrounding mucosa, but not in individuals that had no colorectal tumour. This substitution most likely reflects an RNA editing event because it was not found in the corresponding genomic DNAs. Sequencing of RNA from normal colonic mucosa of patients with prior resection of colorectal cancer revealed only the wild-type K protein transcript, indicating that G274A isoform is tumour related. To our knowledge, this is the first example of an RNA editing event in cancer and its surrounding tissue, a finding that may offer a new diagnostic and treatment marker

Upregulation of UCP2 by Adiponectin: The Involvement of Mitochondrial Superoxide and hnRNP K

Background: The adipocyte-derived hormone adiponectin elicits protective functions against fatty liver diseases and hepatic injuries at least in part by stimulating the expression of a mitochondrial inner membrane transporter, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). The present study was designed to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying adiponectin-induced UCP2 expression. Methodology/Principal Findnigs: Mice were treated with adiponectin and/or different drug inhibitors. Parenchymal (PCs) and nonparenchymal (NPCs) cells were fractionated from the liver tissues for mitochondria isolation, Western blotting and quantitative PCR analysis. Mitochondrial superoxide production was monitored by MitoSOX staining and flow cytometry analysis. Compared to control mice, the expression of UCP2 was significantly lower in NPCs, but not PCs of adiponectin knockout mice (AKO). Both chronic and acute treatment with adiponectin selectively increased the mRNA and protein abundance of UCP2 in NPCs, especially in the enriched endothelial cell fractions. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D could not block adiponectin-induced UCP2 expression, whereas the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide inhibited the elevation of UCP2 protein but not its mRNA levels. Mitochondrial content of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), a nucleic acid binding protein involved in regulating mRNA transportation and stabilization, was significantly enhanced by adiponectin, which also evoked a transient elevation of mitochondrial superoxide. Rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiratory complex I, abolished adiponectin-induced superoxide production, hnRNP K recruitment and UCP2 expression. Conclusions/Significance: Mitochondrial superoxide production stimulated by adiponectin serves as a trigger to initiate the translocation of hnRNP K, which in turn promotes UCP2 expressions in liver. © 2012 Zhou et al.published_or_final_versio

The Effect of Beech (<i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L.) Bark Stripping by Deer on Depreciation of Wood

The aim of the study was to analyse the changes in the infection rate development inside the beech stem as a result of browsing by deer (Cervus elaphus). The research materials were collected from three research plots located in the Polanów Forest Inspectorate from March to April 2020. For the study, 80 beech trees were selected, for which the size of the fallow tree, the percentage of the section taken from its centre infected with rot, and the number of years passed since the tree was wounded were determined. The study shows that the infection affects only the rings formed before the tree was injured. The average size of stem rot was 7.75% of its area, and it spread at the rate of 2.52% of the cross-sectional area per year. The analysis of the obtained results proved that both the size of the wound (splits) and the time elapsed since the tree was damaged are significantly correlated with each other. It is also possible to build a model for estimating the size of decay in stunted beech trees based on easy-to-determine predictors, such as maximum wound width and elapsed time since tree damage

The Effect of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Bark Stripping by Deer on Depreciation of Wood

The aim of the study was to analyse the changes in the infection rate development inside the beech stem as a result of browsing by deer (Cervus elaphus). The research materials were collected from three research plots located in the Polan&oacute;w Forest Inspectorate from March to April 2020. For the study, 80 beech trees were selected, for which the size of the fallow tree, the percentage of the section taken from its centre infected with rot, and the number of years passed since the tree was wounded were determined. The study shows that the infection affects only the rings formed before the tree was injured. The average size of stem rot was 7.75% of its area, and it spread at the rate of 2.52% of the cross-sectional area per year. The analysis of the obtained results proved that both the size of the wound (splits) and the time elapsed since the tree was damaged are significantly correlated with each other. It is also possible to build a model for estimating the size of decay in stunted beech trees based on easy-to-determine predictors, such as maximum wound width and elapsed time since tree damage

Mitochondria-associated satellite I RNA binds to hnRNP K protein

hnRNP K protein, which localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm and mitochondria, is involved in the various cellular processes that compose gene expression. We used a SAGE-based assay to profile RNAs associated with hnRNP K protein in rat mitochondria. RNA was isolated from mitoplasts obtained from highly purified and RNase-treated mitochondria. Total RNA and RNA associated with hnRNP K protein were then used as input material for generating two SAGE libraries. Mitochondrion-derived tags isolated from the total mitoplast RNA library represented 86.3%, while those isolated from the library constructed from RNA associated with hnRNP K protein represented only 28.2% of selected tags. Thus, an unexpected number of nuclear-encoded RNAs were purified from mitochondria. Many of these transcripts were co-purified with hnRNP K protein, and high levels of nuclear-encoded RNAs co-immunoprecipitating with K protein corresponded to elevated hnRNP K protein levels of the organelle. The most abundant RNAs that were co-purified with hnRNP K protein represented transcripts originating from satellite I DNA. While satellite I RNA levels were higher in the nucleus and cytoplasm than in mitochondria, the most abundant binding of satellite I transcripts to hnRNP K protein was found in mitochondria. The role of satellite I RNA in mitochondria remains to be elucidated

How Wood Quality Can Be Shaped: Results of 70 Years of Experience

This experiment was conducted in the pine woods of central Europe at a research area established in 1951. The experimental area of 1.35 ha was set up in a 14-year-old pine tree stand, which was divided into lots, and the pruning procedure took place in different variants. Some lots constituted control lots without pruned trees. The trees were pruned in four variants, reducing the living tree crown by 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 of its length. The study&rsquo;s main aim was to determine the influence of pruning forest trees on the tree tissue. Moreover, the study attempted to answer whether pruning was a significant procedure for wood valorisation, and if yes, then which variant was the optimal one for Scots pine growing on the European plain. The results indicated a significant impact of pruning young pine tree stands on the properties of wood tissue, which differed regarding the adopted pruning variant. Significant differences in the width of annual rings, the size of the particular areas of the annual rings (latewood or earlywood), and the wood density depending on the pruning variant were observed. Furthermore, the results indicated that pruning induced numerous processes, which optimised the physiological and mechanical functions of the tree trunks. The outcome of this optimisation was, among others, the diversification of the vascular and strengthening area of the annual ring as well as the wood density, which was a reaction to reducing a part of the assimilation apparatus. From the technical wood value viewpoint, the optimal pruning variant for pine was between 1/3 to 1/2 of the living crown

How Wood Quality Can Be Shaped: Results of 70 Years of Experience

This experiment was conducted in the pine woods of central Europe at a research area established in 1951. The experimental area of 1.35 ha was set up in a 14-year-old pine tree stand, which was divided into lots, and the pruning procedure took place in different variants. Some lots constituted control lots without pruned trees. The trees were pruned in four variants, reducing the living tree crown by 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 of its length. The study’s main aim was to determine the influence of pruning forest trees on the tree tissue. Moreover, the study attempted to answer whether pruning was a significant procedure for wood valorisation, and if yes, then which variant was the optimal one for Scots pine growing on the European plain. The results indicated a significant impact of pruning young pine tree stands on the properties of wood tissue, which differed regarding the adopted pruning variant. Significant differences in the width of annual rings, the size of the particular areas of the annual rings (latewood or earlywood), and the wood density depending on the pruning variant were observed. Furthermore, the results indicated that pruning induced numerous processes, which optimised the physiological and mechanical functions of the tree trunks. The outcome of this optimisation was, among others, the diversification of the vascular and strengthening area of the annual ring as well as the wood density, which was a reaction to reducing a part of the assimilation apparatus. From the technical wood value viewpoint, the optimal pruning variant for pine was between 1/3 to 1/2 of the living crown