Desmoglein autoantibodies and disease severity in pemphigus patients – correlations and discrepancies

Aim: To assess the correlation between the levels of anti-desmoglein-1 and anti-desmoglein-3 autoantibodies and disease severity in pemphigus patients. Materials and methods: Thirty-eight pemphigus patients aged 30 to 87 years were included in the study. All patients underwent clinical examination, pemphigus disease zone index assessment, histopathological and direct immunofluorescence tests, and assessment of desmoglein-1 and desmoglein-3 autoantibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Twenty-eight out of 38 serum samples exceeded the cut-off value of anti-desmoglein-1, and 26 of 38 sera had positive anti-desmoglein-3 antibodies. One serum from 38 controls had positive anti-desmoglein-1 antibodies. Seven (18.4%) patients experienced a mild course of the disease, 16 (42.1%) patients experienced moderate, and 15 (39.5%) patients suffered from severe pemphigus. A significant correlation between disease severity and both autoantibody levels was observed, but there were exceptions. Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between anti-desmoglein antibodies and disease severity in the entire group, but there are also discrepancies in some cases

Experimental Investigations: Micromeritic Procedures In Assessing Antinuclear Antibody Patterns In Immunofluorescent Assay

ЦЕЛЬ: Работа ставит себе целью ввести микрометрическую процедуру (статистический анализ, применя- емый для небольших объектов) в индиректный флюоресцентный анализ в целях получения объективных количественных параметров при анализе локализации антинуклеарных антител в диагностике аутоим- мунных заболеваний. МАТЕРИАЛЫ И МЕТОДЫ: Применены: сыворотки пациентов с системными аутоим- мунными заболяваниями; безсывороточная клеточная линия McCoy-Plovdiv; маркированный флюорохро- мом FITC иммуноглобулин; флюоресцентный микроскоп; цифровизирование и обработка изображений; микрометрический анализ; ANOVA статистическая обработка данных. РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ: Три вида локализации антиген-антитела (ANA) реакции - гомогенная, периферическая и петнистая - анализированы микроме- трическим методом. Считается, что яркость пикселов флюоресцентных изображений служит объектив- ной характеристикой вида локализации. Максимальный объем и поверхностная плотность связанных с субстратом ANA получены для петнистого типа локализации. ЗАКЛЮЧЕНИЕ: Mикрометрический метод количественной характеристики типа ANA локализации в индиректной иммунофлюоресценции может оказаться ценным дополнительным инструментом для анализа в иммунологических диагностических ла- бораториях с возможностью для включения в пакет программного обепечения (sofware) компьютерной программы для обработки изображений

Do Human Endogenous Retroviruses Contribute to Multiple Sclerosis, and if So, How?

The gammaretroviral human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) families MRSV/HERV-W and HERV-H (including the closely related HERV-Fc1) are associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Complete HERV sequences betray their endogenous retroviral origin, with open reading frames in gag, pro, pol and env being flanked by two long terminal repeats containing promoter and enhancer sequences with the capacity to regulate HERV transactivation and the activity of host genes in spite of endogenous epigenetic repression mechanisms. HERV virions, RNA, cDNA, Gag and Env, and antibodies to HERV transcriptional products, have variously been found in the blood and/or brain and/or cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients, with the HERV expression level being associated with disease status. Furthermore, some HERV-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), such as rs662139 T/C in a 3-kb region of Xq22.3 containing a HERV-W env locus, and rs391745, upstream of the HERV-Fc1 locus on the X chromosome, are associated with MS susceptibility, while a negative association has been reported with SNPs in the tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) protein-encoding genes TRIM5 and TRIM22. Factors affecting HERV transcription include immune activation and inflammation, since HERV promoter regions possess binding sites for related transcription factors; oxidative stress, with oxidation of guanine to 8-oxoguanine and conversion of cytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine preventing binding of methyl groups transferred by DNA methyltransferases; oxidative stress also inhibits the activity of deacetylases, thereby favouring the acetylation of histone lysine residues favouring gene expression; interferon beta; natalizumab treatment; impaired epigenetic regulation; and the sex of patients

Два Нови Безсерумни И Без Протеинни Щама, Получени От Клетъчна Линия Hep-2: Културални Условия И Пролиферативна Активност

Two new cell strains – HEp-2-Plovdiv E and HEp-2-Plovdiv F were derived from the HEp-2 cell line. They could be cultivated indefinitely in vitro in DMEM/Ham’s F12 1:1 medium. These are serum-free and protein-free cultures because they grown only in medium that is chemically defined. Serum-free cultures could be distinguished by morphological characteristics, growth dynamics, sensitivity to trypsinization, prolife-ration activity and doubling time. The number of cell population’s doublings of the initial carcinoma cell line and the two serum-free cultures was calculated. The dynamics of cell proliferation was investigated and doubling time for HEp-2 cell line (22.6 h), HEp-2-Plovdiv F strain (25.8 h) and HEp-2-Plovdiv E strain (28.4 h) was calculated. DMSO of 7 % was added in the growth medium for storage in liquid nitrogen. Optimized parameters for cultivation and subcultivation of the cell cultures are suggested. Possible ways of application of the new serum free cell cultures, based on preliminary studies for viral cultivation and detection of serum autoantibodies are discussed.От клетъчна линия HEp-2 са получени два нови клетъчни щама HEp-2-Plovdiv E и HEp-2-Plovdiv F, които могат да се култивират неограничено вре-е в условия ин витро в среда DMEM/Ham’s F-12 (1:1). Те са безсерумни и без протеинни култури, защото се отглеждат само в среда, която е хими-чески дефинирана. Безсерумните култури се различават по морфологични характеристики, динамика на развитие на културата, чувствителност при трипсинизиране, пролиферативна активност и време на удвояване. Изчис-лени са броят удвоявания на клетъчната популация за изходната серумна карциномна клетъчна линия и двете нови безсерумни култури, заложени в шест различни начални посевни гъстоти. Проследена е динамиката на про-лиферативната активност и е изчислено времето на удвояване на клетъч-ната култура HEp-2 (22,6 часа), щам HEp-2-Plovdiv F (25,8 часа) и щам HEp-2-Plovdiv E (28,4 часа). Съхраняването в течен азот на безсерумните клетки от двата щама се осъществява в растежна среда, допълнена с 7 % DMSO. Препоръчват се оптимизирани параметри при процедурите на култивиране и субкултивиране на клетъчните култури. Дискутират се някои възможни направления за приложение на новите безсерумни клетки, базирани на пред-варителни изследвания за култивиране на вируси и детекция на серумни автоантитела

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Two new cell strains \u2013 HEp-2-Plovdiv E and HEp-2-Plovdiv F were derived from the HEp-2 cell line. They could be cultivated indefinitely in vitro in DMEM/Ham\u2019s F12 1:1 medium. These are serum-free and protein-free cultures because they grown only in medium that is chemically defined. Serum-free cultures could be distinguished by morphological characteristics, growth dynamics, sensitivity to trypsinization, prolife-ration activity and doubling time. The number of cell population\u2019s doublings of the initial carcinoma cell line and the two serum-free cultures was calculated. The dynamics of cell proliferation was investigated and doubling time for HEp-2 cell line (22.6 h), HEp-2-Plovdiv F strain (25.8 h) and HEp-2-Plovdiv E strain (28.4 h) was calculated. DMSO of 7 % was added in the growth medium for storage in liquid nitrogen. Optimized parameters for cultivation and subcultivation of the cell cultures are suggested. Possible ways of application of the new serum free cell cultures, based on preliminary studies for viral cultivation and detection of serum autoantibodies are discussed.\u41e\u442 \u43a\u43b\u435\u442\u44a\u447\u43d\u430 \u43b\u438\u43d\u438\u44f HEp-2 \u441\u430 \u43f\u43e\u43b\u443\u447\u435\u43d\u438 \u434\u432\u430 \u43d\u43e\u432\u438 \u43a\u43b\u435\u442\u44a\u447\u43d\u438 \u449\u430\u43c\u430 HEp-2-Plovdiv E \u438 HEp-2-Plovdiv F, \u43a\u43e\u438\u442\u43e \u43c\u43e\u433\u430\u442 \u434\u430 \u441\u435 \u43a\u443\u43b\u442\u438\u432\u438\u440\u430\u442 \u43d\u435\u43e\u433\u440\u430\u43d\u438\u447\u435\u43d\u43e \u432\u440\u435-\u435 \u432 \u443\u441\u43b\u43e\u432\u438\u44f \u438\u43d \u432\u438\u442\u440\u43e \u432 \u441\u440\u435\u434\u430 DMEM/Ham\u2019s F-12 (1:1). \u422\u435 \u441\u430 \u431\u435\u437\u441\u435\u440\u443\u43c\u43d\u438 \u438 \u431\u435\u437 \u43f\u440\u43e\u442\u435\u438\u43d\u43d\u438 \u43a\u443\u43b\u442\u443\u440\u438, \u437\u430\u449\u43e\u442\u43e 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\u434\u438\u43d\u430\u43c\u438\u43a\u430\u442\u430 \u43d\u430 \u43f\u440\u43e-\u43b\u438\u444\u435\u440\u430\u442\u438\u432\u43d\u430\u442\u430 \u430\u43a\u442\u438\u432\u43d\u43e\u441\u442 \u438 \u435 \u438\u437\u447\u438\u441\u43b\u435\u43d\u43e \u432\u440\u435\u43c\u435\u442\u43e \u43d\u430 \u443\u434\u432\u43e\u44f\u432\u430\u43d\u435 \u43d\u430 \u43a\u43b\u435\u442\u44a\u447-\u43d\u430\u442\u430 \u43a\u443\u43b\u442\u443\u440\u430 HEp-2 (22,6 \u447\u430\u441\u430), \u449\u430\u43c HEp-2-Plovdiv F (25,8 \u447\u430\u441\u430) \u438 \u449\u430\u43c HEp-2-Plovdiv E (28,4 \u447\u430\u441\u430). \u421\u44a\u445\u440\u430\u43d\u44f\u432\u430\u43d\u435\u442\u43e \u432 \u442\u435\u447\u435\u43d \u430\u437\u43e\u442 \u43d\u430 \u431\u435\u437\u441\u435\u440\u443\u43c\u43d\u438\u442\u435 \u43a\u43b\u435\u442\u43a\u438 \u43e\u442 \u434\u432\u430\u442\u430 \u449\u430\u43c\u430 \u441\u435 \u43e\u441\u44a\u449\u435\u441\u442\u432\u44f\u432\u430 \u432 \u440\u430\u441\u442\u435\u436\u43d\u430 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Informational text structures by contents of the specialised text

Text is de fined in text linguistics as a communicative occurrence which should necessarily meet the criteria of textuality. Theoretical knowledge in medicine is presented in a particular type of texts that con vey generally valid information about rules, principles and instructions, that is, in descriptive texts. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2008; 40(1):95-9

Ccl-11 or eotaxin-1: An immune marker for ageing and accelerated ageing in neuro-psychiatric disorders

Background: CCL-11 (eotaxin) is a chemokine with an important role in allergic conditions. Recent evidence indicates that CCL-11 plays a role in brain disorders as well. This paper reviews the associations between CCL-11 and aging, neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory and neuropsychiatric disorders. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for original articles examining CCL-11 in neuropsychiatric disorders. Results: CCL-11 is rapidly transported from the blood to the brain through the blood-brain barrier. Age-related increases in CCL-11 are associated with cognitive impairments in executive functions and episodic and semantic memory, and therefore, this chemokine has been described as an “Endogenous Cognition Deteriorating Chemokine” (ECDC) or “Accelerated Brain-Aging Chemokine” (ABAC). In schizophrenia, increased CCL-11 is not only associated with impairments in cognitive functions, but also with key symptoms including formal thought disorders. Some patients with mood disorders and premenstrual syndrome show increased plasma CCL-11 levels. In diseases of old age, CCL-11 is associated with lowered neurogenesis and neurodegenerative processes, and as a consequence, increased CCL-11 increases risk towards Alzheimer’s disease. Polymorphisms in the CCL-11 gene are associated with stroke. Increased CCL-11 also plays a role in neuroinflammatory disease including multiple sclerosis. In animal models, neutralization of CCL-11 may protect against nigrostriatal neurodegeneration. Increased production of CCL-11 may be attenuated by glucocorticoids, minocycline, resveratrol and anti-CCL11 antibodies. Conclusions: Increased CCL-11 production during inflammatory conditions may play a role in human disease including age-related cognitive decline, schizophrenia, mood disorders and neurodegenerative disorders. Increased CCL-11 production is a new drug target in the treatment and prevention of those disorders

Postsurgical Complications in Lung Cancers

Patients undergoing thoracotomy in cases of lung cancer are highly susceptible to early postoperative complications. They can be life-threatening. The aim of this study was to analyze the early postoperative inflammatory changes in lung cancer patients. 71 lung cancer patients, prior and following thoracotomy, were included in the study. They were admitted to the Second Surgical Clinic of the University Hospital `St. George`-Plovdiv in the period 2013-2015. The subjects were analyzed based on sex, age, volume of surgery and the incidence of early postoperative complications. The results showed that 60 (85%) of the surgically-treated patients were male and 11 (15%) - women. Out of all, 9 (13%) were aged 50 years, 56 (79%) - from 51 - 75, and 6 (8%) - older than 75. Atypical resection was performed in 8 patients (11%), lobectomy - in 22 (31%), pulmonectomy - in 1 (15%), exploratory thoracotomy - in 9 (13%) and others - VATS or combined operational approaches - in 21 patients (30%). The following complications were observed in 8 (11%) out of all surveyed: surgical wound suppuration (1), empyema (1), retained collection without evidence of suppuration (2), subcutaneous emphysema (1), hydropneumothorax (1), fever (1), partial pneumothorax (1). Seven out of all 8 complications were with inflammatory origin. In conclusion, the postoperative inflammatory complications occur more frequently in male patients. The surgical approach was most frequent one in the age group between 51 and 75 years. The most frequent surgical technique was lobectomy followed by pulmonectomy. The most often encountered postsurgical complications are with inflammatory nature and arise in patients after lobectomy and in patients with right lung location of the cancer

Carbapenemase Production of Clinical Isolates Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a Bulgarian University Hospital

Background: Production of Bla OXA-23, OXA-24, OXA-58 and hyperexpression of OXA-51 due to ISAba1 insertion sequence are the leading causes of carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. The loss of OprD transmembrane protein and the overexpression of some effl ux pumps are considered to be the main factors for carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa whereas metallo-enzymes’ production has a secondary role. Aim: Тo examine the carbapenem resistance due to carbapenemase production among clinically signifi cant Gram-negative non-fermenters from St George University hospital, Plovdiv: A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. Materials and methods: Forty three A. baumannii and 43 P. aeruginosa isolates, resistant or with intermediate resistance to imipenem and/or meropenem were included in the study. They were collected from patients admitted in 14 various hospital wards between 2010 and 2014. Both phenotypic and genetic methods were used for identifi cation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: All A. baumannii demonstrated carbapenemase production determined by a modifi ed Hodge test whereas P. aeruginosa isolates did not show this phenomenon. OXA-23 genes were determined in 97.7% (42 out of 43) of A. baumannii isolates indistinguishable from the sequence of the classical ARI-1 gene. OXA-24, OXA-58 and overexpression of OXA-51 were not registered in any of the isolates. All P. aeruginosa were negative for blaVIM and blaIMP genes. Conclusion: The leading cause of carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii isolates from our hospital is the carbapenemase production due to the expression of OXA- 23 gene, whereas in P. aeruginosa - the loss of transmembrane OprD protein and the effl ux pumps’ hyperexpression are suspected to be the main mechanisms