Effector Mechanisms in Low-Dose Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes

The cellular and molecular requirements for β-cell damages in an immune-mediated toxininduced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus have been studied in the model of multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats and mice. It was found that strain-related susceptibility to diabetes induction correlated with a higher level of IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α production, whereas such differences were not observed when IL-1 and NO production by macrophages were analyzed; elimination of immunoregulatory RT6+T cells that increases IFN-γ production, enhances susceptibility to MLD-STZ-induced diabetes; mercury-induced Th-2 cells downregulated the disease; IFN-γ-mediated macrophage activation to produce proinflammatory cytokines rather than NO is an important event in early diabetogenic effects of invading macrophages; inhibition of IL-1 activity downregulates diabetes induction; and generation of NO in β cells appears to be important for diabetogenic effects. Taken together, data indicate that MLD-STZ diabetes is induced by Th-1 lymphocytes that secrete soluble effector molecules that activate macrophages and promote destruction of β cells possibly by both nitric oxide and nonnitric oxide-mediated mechanisms

Pentoxifylline Prevents Autoimmune Mediated Inflammation in Low Dose Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes

Xanthine derivative, pentoxifylline (PTX), has been recently shown to exert a protective effects in certain animal models of autoimmunity, including diabetes in NOD mice. In the present study, the immunomodulatory potential of PTX was investigated in autoimmune diabetes induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-SZ) in genetically susceptible CBA/H mice (tested with 40 mg SZ/kg b.w. for 5 days) and DA rats (tested with 20 mg/kg b.w. for 5 days). In both species, 2 – 3 weeks following the MLD-SZ treatment, sustained hyperglycemia developed, as an outcome of inflammatory reaction with endothelial cell activation and accumulation of mononuclear cells. Although there was no evidence of typical insulitis in early disease development (day 10), in both rats and mice, macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were present in the islets of Langerhans as diffuse mononuclear infiltrates with the expression of IFN-γ and inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Administration of PTX (200 mg/kg/day for 10 days) in combination with MLD-SZ reduced insulitis and the production of mediators tested, and prevented the development of hyperglycemia. These results suggest that beneficial effects of PTX involve down-regulation of local proinflammatory cytokine-mediated NO synthase pathway. They also demonstrate that in addition to ameliorating spontaneous autoimmunity in NOD mice, PTX may be effective in downregulating an inflammatory autoimmune process triggered in susceptible host by an external agents, such as streptozotocin

A 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging volumetric analysis of the hippocampal formation: dependence on handedness and age

Background: The hippocampal formation (HF) is one of the most important parts of the brain in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric analysis in various domains, but not completely from all aspects, including the handedness. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible differences in the volume of the right and left HF among the healthy right-handed and left-handed subjects, and to determine whether the volume differences are age related. Materials and methods: The MRI of this prospective study was performed using T1 fast field echo (FFE) sequence. The 124 subsequent coronal slices (thickness 1.5 mm) were performed in each participant. The obtained HF volumes were normalised and statistically compared. Volunteers comprised 30 persons aged 22.0 years, 12 of whom were the left-handed, and 30 persons aged 75.2 years on average, 9 of whom were the left-handed. Results: The right and left HF volumes averaged 2.986 cm3 and 2.858 cm3 in the right-handed, and 2.879 cm3 and 3.020 cm3 in the left-handed young volunteers, as well as 2.728 cm3 and 2.650 cm3 in the right-handed, and 2.617 cm3 and 2.780 cm3 in the left-handed elderly persons. The HF volume ratios in the young left-handed participants showed a significant left-greater-than-right asymmetry. A significant difference was also noticed within the right-to-left volume ratios of the right- and left-handed young and elderly participants. The latter reduction in the HF volume within the aged group can be interpreted as a slight atrophy of the HF. Conclusions: There is a significant difference in the volumes of the left and right HF of the left-handed young participants. The age related HF volume differences were proven between the groups of the young and elderly volunteers. The obtained data should be included into the future MRI studies of the HF volumes in various clinical domains.

Fisher zeros of the Q-state Potts model in the complex temperature plane for nonzero external magnetic field

The microcanonical transfer matrix is used to study the distribution of the Fisher zeros of the $Q>2$ Potts models in the complex temperature plane with nonzero external magnetic field $H_q$. Unlike the Ising model for $H_q\ne0$ which has only a non-physical critical point (the Fisher edge singularity), the $Q>2$ Potts models have physical critical points for $H_q<0$ as well as the Fisher edge singularities for $H_q>0$. For $H_q<0$ the cross-over of the Fisher zeros of the $Q$-state Potts model into those of the ($Q-1$)-state Potts model is discussed, and the critical line of the three-state Potts ferromagnet is determined. For $H_q>0$ we investigate the edge singularity for finite lattices and compare our results with high-field, low-temperature series expansion of Enting. For $3\le Q\le6$ we find that the specific heat, magnetization, susceptibility, and the density of zeros diverge at the Fisher edge singularity with exponents $\alpha_e$, $\beta_e$, and $\gamma_e$ which satisfy the scaling law $\alpha_e+2\beta_e+\gamma_e=2$.Comment: 24 pages, 7 figures, RevTeX, submitted to Physical Review

Accessing parental perspectives to inform the development of parent training in autism in south-eastern Europe

Parent training has been shown to be an important means of supporting families living with autism – but such services are not universally accessible. A multinational project funded by the European Commission has been developed in order to establish such parent training in three south-eastern European countries. To ensure that the training was relevant and appropriate, a survey was carried out in autumn 2015 to ascertain the attitudes of parents of children with autism in Croatia, Cyprus and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia regarding this issue, and to identify the areas of training that they felt most important. Two hundred and fifty-three surveys were distributed, and 148 were returned, a response rate of 58%. Respondents in the three counties were overwhelmingly positive about parent training, with almost 90% stating that they would like to attend such training. Weekend training sessions were preferred by the majority of respondents. There was wide variation between the three countries with regard to what content was felt important to be included, with parents in the FYR of Macedonia seeking information in the greatest number of areas. Five topics were prioritised by parents across all three countries. These were: • Strategies for enhancing my child’s communication • Strategies on facilitating my child’s interaction with other children • Sensory integration and development • General information on behavioural management strategies • Identifying and/or developing socialisation opportunitie

Folk Songs from Ethnomusicological Material in the Function of Applying the Vasiljević Method – Methodological Aspect of the Selection of Supplementary Music Material for Younger School Age

n accordance with the current Vasiljević method, model songs and songs for special occasions are the starting point in the process of developing students’ music literacy. At the same time, these songs are used for developing students’ voice. In order to investigate the methodological functionality of the model songs and songs for special occasions, we analyzed the textbooks of eight publishing houses (Zavod za udžbenike, Klet, Vulkan, Eduka, Bigz, Novi logos, Freska, Kreativni centar). The results indicate that the textbooks mostly contain the models recommended in the curriculum, but that the models are often composed by the textbook authors themselves with a didactic purpose. It was also observed that the authors in the textbook literature, especially in the first-grade textbooks, do not follow the methodological guidelines of the Vasiljević method in terms of working on the development of the voice volume. In order to point to the ethnomusicological material as a good source for the selection of songs, we first explained the procedures for adapting the songs from the ethnomusicological material, and then provided several models and songs for special occasions. The aim of the research is to improve the lessons of music literacy in primary schools in Serbia using the Vasiljević method and to point out the importance of folk songs as basic and initial music material, both for the music literacy of children and for vocal development. The researchers used the method of theoretical content analysis. The implications of the research refer to raising the professional competence of primary school teachers in the selection of music material for teaching music literacy, the design of operational curricula, familiarization of the wider academic public with the importance of adapting musical material from ethnomusicological collections, the improvement of work in schools and teacher training colleges in terms of an adequate application of the Vasiljević method

Fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery MR sequence in the evaluation of low-grade astrocytomas

(Conclusion) Flair was found to be better for detection of the lesion and for definition of its margins in comparison with T2W se and PD sequences (6). Comparing with surrounding white matter, tumors on FLAIR images are isointense or hyperintense. Because of the suppression of CSF signal, contrast between FLAIR is currently used for supplementing basic MRI protocols. FLAIR technique may be used as an adjunct to T2W or PD SE imaging and may even replace PD imaging. FLAIR is superior for appreciation of the lesion and for demonstration of its margin. However, peritumoral edema is clearly demonstrated, and the FLAIR images often delineate edema from tumor, and distinguish CSF from a cystic or necrotic component, better than T2W and PD images. In cases when tumor has a cystic or necrotic component, the signal intensities of such areas are different from that of CSF on FLAIR images. FLAIR demonstrates better local spread of the tumor than T2W and PD images

Enhancement of Th2-type activity downregulated diabetes induction

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