Expression of galectin-3 in nephrotic syndrome glomerulopaties in children.

BACKGROUNDGalectins are a family of ancient animal carbohydrate binding proteins; the name is from their description as beta-galactoside-specific lectins. They have been strongly implicated in inflammation and cancer. Studies of the association of galectins with various aspects of kidney disease in humans are still at an early stage. In line with the above, the aim of the present report was to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 (the only chimera galectin currently identified) in renal biopsy specimens of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS).PATIENTS AND METHODSEighteen children with minimal change disease (MCD), 30 with diffuse mesangial proliferation (DMP) and 11 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treated between 2003 and 2006 in the Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Nephrology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences. An indirect immunohistochemical protocol using a polyclonal rabbit antibody against human galectin-3 was employed.RESULTSIn the control, MCD and DMP children who responded to steroid therapy anti-galectin-3 reactivity was present both in renal cortex and medulla. It was the strongest within cortical collecting ducts and subjectively less expressed in distal tubules. The total number of galectin-3 positive cortical and medullary segments of collecting ducts was significantly higher in the subjects who did not respond to steroid therapy These patients revealed also immunohistochemical reactivity of galectin-3 within nuclei of individual glomerular mesangial cells (

Perinatal outcome in preterm premature rupture of membranes before 37 weeks of gestation

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the maternal and neonatal outcome in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes between 22 to 37 weeks of gestation in comparison to preterm birth patients.  Material and methods: Group of PPROM patients consisted of 127 women, the control group counted 141 women who delivered prematurely. The control group was formed by matching patient with the same gestational age at delivery and neonatal birth weight to every woman from study group. In both groups speculum and ultrasound examinations were performed, microbiological swabs were taken. In unclear cases of PPROM tests detecting amniotic proteins, such as PAMG-1 or IGFBP-1, were performed. According to gestational age at delivery, neonates were divided into subgroups: extremely premature infants (< 27 weeks 6 days), moderate premature infants (from 28 weeks 0 days to 33 weeks 6 days), late premature infants (from 34 weeks 0 days to 37 weeks 0 days).  Results: In the study group, median gestational age of delivery was 34 weeks 1 day and the same in control group — 34 weeks and 5 days (p > 0.05). Parameters of inflammatory status were more often reported in the PPROM group than in the preterm birth group, even if they weren’t statistically significant (positive culture of cervical swab, increased leukocytosis, CRP above 5). The rate of neonate survival was similar in both groups (93.7% and 94.1%). Congenital infection was more often diagnosed in group of neonates from PPROM pregnancies than in neonates from control group; (36% and 21.2% respectively; p = 0.009).  Conclusions: Our research appears to be consistent with theory of inflammatory etiology of PPROM. Optimal management of infection in PPROM patients seems to be the most important in efforts to prolong pregnancy

Expansion of Nature Conservation Areas: Problems with Natura 2000 Implementation in Poland?

In spite of widespread support from most member countries’ societies for European Union policy, including support for the sustainable development idea, in many EU countries the levels of acceptance of new environmental protection programmes have been and, in particular in new member states, still are considerably low. The experience of the countries which were the first to implement union directives show that they cannot be effectively applied without widespread public participation. The goal of this study was, using the example of Poland, to assess public acceptance of the expansion of nature conservation in the context of sustainable development principles and to discover whether existing nature governance should be modified when establishing new protected areas. The increase in protected areas in Poland has become a hotbed of numerous conflicts. In spite of the generally favourable attitudes to nature which Polish people generally have, Natura 2000 is perceived as an unnecessary additional conservation tool. Both local authorities and communities residing in the Natura areas think that the programme is a hindrance, rather than a help in the economic development of municipalities or regions, as was initially supposed. This lack of acceptance results from many factors, mainly social, historic and economic. The implications of these findings for current approach to the nature governance in Poland are discussed

Expression of galectin-3 in nephrotic syndrome glomerulopaties in children.

<strong>BACKGROUND</strong><br />Galectins are a family of ancient animal carbohydrate binding proteins; the name is from their description as beta-galactoside-specific lectins. They have been strongly implicated in inflammation and cancer. Studies of the association of galectins with various aspects of kidney disease in humans are still at an early stage. In line with the above, the aim of the present report was to analyse the immunohistochemical expression of galectin-3 (the only chimera galectin currently identified) in renal biopsy specimens of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS).<br /><br /><strong>PATIENTS AND METHODS</strong><br />Eighteen children with minimal change disease (MCD), 30 with diffuse mesangial proliferation (DMP) and 11 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) treated between 2003 and 2006 in the Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Nephrology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences. An indirect immunohistochemical protocol using a polyclonal rabbit antibody against human galectin-3 was employed.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS</strong><br />In the control, MCD and DMP children who responded to steroid therapy anti-galectin-3 reactivity was present both in renal cortex and medulla. It was the strongest within cortical collecting ducts and subjectively less expressed in distal tubules. The total number of galectin-3 positive cortical and medullary segments of collecting ducts was significantly higher in the subjects who did not respond to steroid therapy These patients revealed also immunohistochemical reactivity of galectin-3 within nuclei of individual glomerular mesangial cells (p<0,001).<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong><br />A suggested galectin-3 authority in mature human glomeruli during proteinuric glomerulopathies may indicate, on the one hand, its anti-inflammatory effect, but on the other can prognosticate a further glomerular reconstruction leading to FSGS. Taken together, both glomerular and extraglomerular galectin-3 immunoreactivity in certain DMP individuals could be regarded as the factor of unfavourable prognosis.<br /><br /&gt