Analysis of density changes of selected brain receptors after a 14-day supply of chromium(III) and evaluation of chromium(III) affinity to selected receptors and transporters

Chromium(III) is one of the most controversial biometals. Although, it is no longer on the list of minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the human body, and its pharmacological effect is still under discussion. One of the purposes of Cr(III) administration is to use it in patients with mood disorders and it is strictly related to its pharmacological, not dietary effect. This is because its high doses are necessary to obtain the results and additionally, no deficiencies in human population have been noted. In this study, the affinity of chromium(III) to selected receptors and transporters in the rat brain was evaluated, and the effect of the 14-day administration of thismetal was assessed on the density of selected receptors. All analyses were performed in vitro using radioligand binding assays, and the results indicated lack of affinity to β1 and α1 receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT), furthermore very weak affinity to the 5-HT1A receptor (30% inhibition at 10−4 and 10−5 M). Analysis of the α1 and β1 adrenergic receptor density indicated lack of any adaptive effects after 14 days of Cr(III) administration through intraperitoneal injections (doses 6 and 12 mg/kg). The antidepressant activity of chromium(III) indicated in clinical trials concerned patients with atypical, seasonal, or dystonic symptoms. This effect, as it seems based on the presented results, does not depend on direct affinity to serotonin receptors and transporter nor is the result of adaptive changes in the adrenoreceptor system

Restoring the patency of fallopian tubes using the transcervical selective hysterosalpingography methods - a clinical case analysis

Abstract Introduction: Infertility caused by tubal occlusion is a relatively frequent affliction among women of child-bearing age. A common cause of tubal occlusion are mucous plugs accumulated inside the fallopian tubes, which results in blocking them. Selective hysterosalpingography (SHSG) is a method of removing the obstruction located in a proximal section of the fallopian tube. The most serious complication developed from this procedure is a fallopian tube perforation, however, it affects less than 1% of patients who undergo the treatment. The clinical success of recanalization of the fallopian tubes is estimated at about 85-88% and the frequency of successful pregnancies after the treatment is about 27%. Aim: To show the usage and effectiveness of SHSG in diagnosis and treatment in the obstruction of proximal section of fallopian tube. Case report: The patient, 33 years old, diagnosed with primary infertility, qualified to the SHSG at Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin. The first stage of SHSG was the insertion of a catheter into the uterine cavity and introduction of a contrast agent to the uterine cavity. The fallopian tubes did not release the contrast into the peritoneal cavity. After increasing the contrast, delivery pressure agent obtained the free flow of the contrast agent into the peritoneal cavity through the right fallopian tube. The uterine outlet of the left fallopian tube was selectively catheterized and a micro tool was inserted into the left fallopian tube. As the result, both fallopian tubes were unblocked. Summary: SHSG is a non-invasive and safe method of removing the obstruction located in the proximal section of the fallopian tube. Women subjected to SHSG can return to their normal activities in a few hours after treatment

The SLIM1 transcription factor affects sugar signaling during sulfur deficiency in Arabidopsis

The homeostasis of major macronutrient metabolism needs to be tightly regulated, especially when the availability of one or more nutrients fluctuates in the environment. Both sulfur metabolism and glucose signaling are important processes throughout plant growth and development, as well as during stress responses. Still, very little is known about how these processes affect each other, although they are positively connected. Here, we showed in Arabidopsis that the crucial transcription factor of sulfur metabolism, SLIM1, is involved in glucose signaling during shortage of sulfur. The germination rate of the slim1_KO mutant was severely affected by high glucose and osmotic stress. The expression of SLIM1-dependent genes in sulfur deficiency appeared to be additionally induced by a high concentration of either mannitol or glucose, but also by sucrose, which is not only the source of glucose but another signaling molecule. Additionally, SLIM1 affects PAP1 expression during sulfur deficiency by directly binding to its promoter. The lack of PAP1 induction in such conditions leads to much lower anthocyanin production. Taken together, our results indicate that SLIM1 is involved in the glucose response by modulating sulfur metabolism and directly controlling PAP1 expression in Arabidopsis during sulfur deficiency stress

Variations and morphometric analysis of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery

Introduction: The superior cerebral artery is a clinically significant vessel, but little is known about its radiological anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery using Computed Tomography Angiography. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 200 subjects (54.5% female, mean age ± SD 56.2 ± 17.2 years) that had undergone head Computed Tomography Angiography. Subjects with any intracranial pathologies were excluded. Images in Maximum Intensity Projections were used to study the anatomical anomalies of the superior cerebellar artery. Results: In 200 subject 388 superior cerebellar arteries were found. Twelve (3.09%) SCAs were duplicated in 11 patients and all originated from the basilar artery. In 8 (4.00%) patients the superior cerebellar artery was absent. The origin of the SCA was most often bilateral, mainly from the basilar artery (76.29%). The superior cerebellar artery diameter, measured atthe site of the origin, was statistically significantly different depending on the place of the origin: wider when originating from the basilar artery as a single vessel (1.48 ± 0.42 mm vs. 1.34 ± 0.52 mm; p = 0.03) and narrower when originating as duplicated one (1.38 ± 0.48 mm vs. 1.46 ± 0.44 mm; p = 0.55). Conclusion: Superior cerebellar artery usually originates bilaterally from the basilar artery as a single trunk. Its diameter is significantly wider in that type in comparison to other anatomical variations

Analiza porównawcza wyników terapii wewnątrzmacicznej obustronnej i jednostronnej uropatii zaporowej

Objective: The goal of the work was a comparative analysis of intrauterine therapy among pregnant women with diagnosed fetal uropathy and unilateral hydronephrosis. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 98 pregnant women hospitalized at the Department of Gynecology, Fertility and Fetal Therapy, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital between 2006-2012. The study group included 77 cases of fetal obstructive uropathy (79%) and 21 cases of unilateral hydronephrosis (21%). Both groups have been analyzed in terms of prognosis. Follow-up has been conducted and results have been statistically analyzed. Results: In 11% of cases of obstructive uropathy therapy early complications were observed. The remaining 89% of the patients delivered at a later date, of which 54% after 34 weeks of pregnancy. The average weight of a newborn was 2645g and Apgar score – 7.45. 73% of newborns were discharged home in good condition, with preserved diuresis. Conclusions: 1. The use of intrauterine therapy has a positive effect on fetal condition and newborn postnatal state. 2. Unilateral hydronephrosis group was characterized by a significantly longer duration of pregnancy, higher birth weight, Apgar score, and greater survival of newborns. 3. In the group of obstructive uropathy survival improvement was achieved and dieresis was preserved. Intrauterine interventions were associated with a low risk of complications.Cel pracy: Celem pracy była ocena porównawcza terapii wewnątrzmacicznej u ciężarnych ze stwierdzoną uropatią zaporową i wodonerczem jednostronnym u płodu. Materiał i metody: Badaniem objęto 98 ciężarnych hospitalizowanych w Klinice Ginekologii, Rozrodczości i Terapii Płodu Instytutu Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki w Łodzi w latach 2006-2012. W badanej grupie było 77 przypadków uropatii zaporowej obustronnej (79%) i 21 przypadków wodonercza jednostronnego (21%). Obie grupy zanalizowano pod kątem rokowania. Przeprowadzono follow up, a otrzymane wyniki położnicze poddano analizie statystycznej. Wyniki: W 11% przypadków uropatii zaporowej zaobserwowano wczesne powikłania terapii. Pozostałe 89% pacjentek urodziło w późniejszym terminie, z czego 54% po 34 tc. Średnia masa noworodka wyniosła 2645g, a punktacja w skali Apgar – 7,45. 73% noworodków wypisano do domu w stanie dobrym, z zachowaną diurezą. Wnioski: 1. Zastosowanie terapii wewnątrzmacicznej w uropatiach wpływa korzystnie na dobrostan płodu i stan pourodzeniowy noworodka. 2. Grupa wodonercza jednostronnego charakteryzowała się istotnie statystycznie dłuższym czasem trwania ciąży, wyższą masą urodzeniową, punktacją w skali Apgar oraz większą przeżywalnością noworodków. 3. W grupie uropatii zaporowej uzyskano poprawę przeżywalności z zachowaną diurezą u noworodków

The C-Terminal Region of SLIM1 Transcription Factor Is Required for Sulfur Deficiency Response

Sulfur LIMitation1 (SLIM1) transcription factor coordinates gene expression in plants in response to sulfur deficiency (-S). SLIM1 belongs to the family of plant-specific EIL transcription factors with EIN3 and EIL1, which regulate the ethylene-responsive gene expression. The EIL domains consist of DNA binding and dimerization domains highly conserved among EIL family members, while the N- and C-terminal regions are structurally variable and postulated to have regulatory roles in this protein family, such that the EIN3 C-terminal region is essential for its ethylene-responsive activation. In this study, we focused on the roles of the SLIM1 C-terminal region. We examined the transactivation activity of the full-length and the truncated SLIM1 in yeast and Arabidopsis. The full-length SLIM1 and the truncated form of SLIM1 with a deletion of C-terminal 106 amino acids (dC105) transactivated the reporter gene expression in yeast when they were fused to the GAL4 DNA binding domain, whereas the deletion of additional 15 amino acids to remove the C-terminal 120 amino acids (dC120) eliminated such an activity, identifying the necessity of that 15-amino-acid segment for transactivation. In the Arabidopsis slim1-2 mutant, the transcript levels of SULTR1;2 sulfate transporter and the GFP expression derived from the SULTR1;2 promoter-GFP (PSULTR1;2-GFP) transgene construct were restored under -S by introducing the full-length SLIM1, but not with the C-terminal truncated forms dC105 and dC57. Furthermore, the transcript levels of S-responsive genes were restored concomitantly with an increase in glutathione accumulation in the complementing lines with the full-length SLIM1 but not with DC57. The C-terminal 57 amino acids of SLIM1 were also shown to be necessary for transactivation of a S-inducible gene, SHM7/MSA1, in a transient expression system using the SHM7/MSA1 promoter-GUS as a reporter. These findings suggest that the C-terminal region is essential for the SLIM1 activity

Variations and morphometric analysis of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery

Introduction The superior cerebral artery is a clinically significant vessel, but little is known about its radiological anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery using Computed Tomography Angiography. Materials and methods The study group consisted of 200 subjects (54.5% female, mean age±SD 56.2±17.2 years) that had undergone head Computed Tomography Angiography. Subjects with any intracranial pathologies were excluded. Images in Maximum Intensity Projections were used to study the anatomical anomalies of the superior cerebellar artery. Results In 200 subject 388 superior cerebellar arteries were found. Twelve (3.09%) SCAs were duplicated in 11 patients and all originated from the basilar artery. In 8 (4.00%) patients the superior cerebellar artery was absent. The origin of the SCA was most often bilateral, mainly from the basilar artery (76.29%). The superior cerebellar artery diameter, measured at the site of the origin, was statistically significantly different depending on the place of the origin: wider when originating from the basilar artery as a single vessel (1.48±0.42mm vs. 1.34±0.52mm; p=0.03) and narrower when originating as duplicated one (1.38±0.48mm vs. 1.46±0.44mm; p=0.55). Conclusion Superior cerebellar artery usually originates bilaterally from the basilar artery as a single trunk. Its diameter is significantly wider in that type in comparison to other anatomical variations

Impact of insomnia on sleep quality and structure in hypertensive patients

Wstęp Celem badania była ocena związku pomiędzy jakością snu a profilem ciśnienia tętniczego u chorych na nadciśnienie tętnicze ze współistniejącą bezsennością lub bez niej. Materiał i metody Badaniem objęto 67 osób (średni wiek 39,8 ± 12,2 lat; 54 mężczyzn, 13 kobiet). Włączone osoby zostały przydzielone do czterech grup: chorzy z nadciśnieniem tętniczym i bezsennością (n = 17), chorzy z nadciśnieniem tętniczym bez bezsenności (n = 16), osoby z prawidłowym ciśnieniem tętniczym i bezsennością (n = 17), osoby z prawidłowym ciśnieniem tętniczym bez bezsenności (n = 17). U wszystkich chorych wykonano jednoczasowo całodobową rejestrację ciśnienia tętniczego oraz badanie polisomnograficzne. Wyniki Nie stwierdzono różnicy w wysokości ciśnienia tętniczego we wszystkich analizowanych okresach pomiędzy chorymi na nadciśnienie tętnicze z bezsennością i bez niej oraz pomiędzy osobami z prawidłowym ciśnieniem tętniczym z bezsennością i bez niej. Nie stwierdzono również różnicy w częstości występowania braku nocnego spadku ciśnienia tętniczego pomiędzy ocenianymi grupami. Wykazano, że chorzy na nadciśnienie tętnicze z bezsennością, w porównaniu do chorych z bezsennością z prawidłowym ciśnieniem tętniczym oraz z osobami bez bezsenności z nadciśnieniem tętniczym i bez niego, charakteryzują się najbardziej wyrażonymi zmianami struktury snu — najniższym wskaźnikiem snu, dłuższym czasem stadium 1. oraz najdłuższym czasem czuwania wtrąconego. W analizie, którą objęto wszystkich chorych włączonych do badania, wykazano związek pomiędzy wielkością obniżenia ciśnienia tętniczego w nocy a latencją snu i długością stadium 3. snu. Wykazano również związek pomiędzy wysokością ciśnienia tętniczego w nocy a czasem czuwania porannego oraz czasem i latencją snu głębokiego. Wnioski Skrócenie i fragmentacja snu oraz krótszy czas trwania snu wolnofalowego, mogą mieć związek z brakiem obniżenia ciśnienia tętniczego w nocy. Niekorzystne zmiany struktury snu były najbardziej wyrażone u chorych na nadciśnienie tętnicze współistniejące z bezsennością.Background It has been postulated that essential hypertensive (EHT) patients with insomnia may be characterized by disturbed sleep structure. The aim of the study was to compare polysomnographic features in EHT patients with and without insomnia, normotensive insomniacs and healthy volunteers. Material and methods 67 subjects (mean age: 39.8 ± 12.2 years; 54 M, 13 F) participated in the study. Patients were divided into 4 groups: patients with EHT and insomnia, patients with EHT without insomnia, patients with insomnia without EHT and subjects without EHT and insomnia. Antihypertensive treatment was discontinued 4 weeks prior to study in the group II. All subjects participated in two-days evaluation that included ambulatory blood pressure measurement and polysomnography (PSG). Results There were no differences in blood pressure levels in all analyzed time periods between patients with hypertension with and without insomnia and between subjects without hypertension with and without insomnia. There were no differences in the frequency of non-dipping patterns between the groups. Patients with hypertension coexisting with insomnia as compared with insomniacs without hypertension and subjects without insomnia with and without hypertension were characterized by most pronounced sleep structure changes: the lowest sleep efficiency index, the longest stage 1 sleep time and by the longest wake after sleep onset time. In the analysis of pooled all subjects data correlations between nocturnal dip and sleep latency time and stage 3 sleep time were found. There were also correlations between nocturnal blood pressure levels and wake time after final awakening and time and latency of deep sleep. Conclusions Sleep shortening and fragmentation as well as shorter slow wave sleep might be related to the lack of nocturnal dip. The most pronounced sleep structure changes were observed in patients with hypertension coexisting with insomnia