Risk assessment of hollow-bearing trees in urban forests

The paper is a study of risk assessment posed by trees in selected urban woodlands (urban forests) of Warsaw. Two groups of trees were analysed and compared: exhibiting signs of maturity and ageing (hollow-bearing trees with open or hidden cavities and/or caries) and with no signs of decay. 373 individual trees growing near routes frequently or continuously used for recreational purposes were examined using Roloff's vitality classification, and tree risk assessment method, complemented by instrumental studies: a resistance resistograph, pulling tests, and sonic tomography (SoT). The collected data was analysed using the Chi-square test. The results indicate that it is not possible to conclude unequivocally that the presence of hollows in aged trees significantly increases the risk of falling. According to the safety factor results from the SoT and pulling tests, no correlation was demonstrated between the presence of hollow trees and an increase in risk class. The highest proportion of hollow trees (89.42%) was in the low risk group for trunk fracture and uprooting. The results also indicate the coherence of the diagnostic methods to be necessary for providing sufficient information to assess the statics and, ultimately, as our study showed, the protection of hollow trees.

The Latest Craniofacial Reconstructive Techniques Using Anchored Implants after Surgical Treatment of Nasal and Paranasal Sinuses Tumors

Reconstructive surgery after surgical treatment of neoplasms in the head and neck region is always a challenge. Many factors are responsible for the success of reconstruction. The anatomy of the facial region is complex, which significantly influences the aesthetic effect of the reconstruction. Moreover, many patients undergo postoperative radiotherapy after surgical treatment, which affects the range of reconstructive techniques. The aim of this study is to review current reconstructive methods in the craniofacial region, using bone-anchored implants to attach nasal prostheses. The article also comprises the authors' own experience with successful single-stage, Vistafix 3 osseointegrated implants for the attachment of an external nasal prosthesis in a 51-year-old man after surgical removal of squamous cell carcinoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The literature search for articles regarding implants in craniofacial reconstructions was performed using the three following databases: Scopus, Web of Science and MEDLINE (through PubMed), and follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement (PRISMA). A systematic literature search was set for 2018-2023 and retrieved 92 studies. From them, 18 articles were included in the review.

Old trees are perceived as a valuable element of the municipal forest landscape

Urban trees are important to maintain biodiversity and, therefore, need public acceptance. Few studies, however, have addressed the topic of social acceptability of old trees. The aim of this research was to examine city residents' perception of old trees, including hollow-bearing ones, mainly in the aspect of safety and aesthetics. A total of 448 Warsaw municipal forest' users expressed their opinions by completing an online questionnaire. Several methods were used to analyse the results of the study: the Chi-square test of independence, the Kruskal-Wallis H test, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Quartimax method of factor rotation analysis. The results revealed a correlation between the frequency of forest visits and the level of sensitivity toward old trees, which translates to less radical notion of danger and less radical decisions about cutting such trees down. Age of the respondents (56+) was a factor contributing to higher willingness to protect and care for old trees. The results also indicated that outdoor activity in the urban forest may increase ancient trees acceptance by developing emotional connection with them, and eventually contribute to their protection.

Raman imaging and statistical methods for analysis various type of human brain tumors and breast cancers

Spectroscopic methods provide information on the spatial localization of biochemical components based on the analysis of vibrational spectra. Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging can be used to analyze various types of human brain tumors and breast cancers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the Raman biomarkers to distinguish tumor types by Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging. We have demonstrated that bands characteristic for carotenoids (1156 cm^-1, 1520 cm^-1), proteins (1004 cm^-1), fatty acids (1444 cm^-1, 1655 cm^-1) and cytochrome (1585 cm^-1) can be used as universal biomarkers to assess aggressiveness of human brain tumors. The sensitivity and specificity obtained from PLS-DA have been over 73%. Only for gliosarcoma WHO IV the specificity is lower and takes equal 50%. The presented results confirm clinical potential of Raman spectroscopy in oncological diagnostics.

Piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant Osia® - audiological and quality of life benefits

<b>Introduction:</b> Nowadays, there are many options to treat hearing-impaired patients: tympanoplastic surgery, hearing aids and a wide range of implantable devices.</br></br> <b>Aim:</b> The aim of this study is to present the mid-term audiological and quality of life benefits after the implantation of Osia®, an active piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant. </br></br> <b>Material and methods:</b> The state of the tissues in the implanted area, as well as audiological and quality of life results were analyzed at six, nine and twelve months after implantation in a group of four adult patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss (1 after bilateral canal-wall-down mastoidectomy, 2 with chronic simple otitis media and after myringoplasty in the opposite ear, 1 with bilateral otosclerosis and after stapedotomy in the opposite ear). </br></br> <b>Results:</b> No postoperative complications were found in any of the cases. One year after surgery the mean audiological gain in FF PTA4 (pure tone average for 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) was 52.2 ± 3.5 dB in comparison to the unaided situation, the mean speech understanding with Osia® in quiet was 90 ± 8.2% for 50 dB SPL, 98.8 ± 2.5% for 65 dB SPL and 100 ± 0% for 80 dB SPL, and the mean speech understanding with Osia® in noise was 37.5% ± 23.6 for 50 dB SPL, 93.8 ± 4.8% for 65 dB SPL and 98.8 ± 2.5% for 80 dB SPL. There was also an evident improvement in the quality of hearing as well as in the quality of life, measured by APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit) and SSQ (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale). </br></br> <b>Conclusions:</b> The Osia® is an effective treatment option for patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss. The mid-term audiological and quality of life results are excellent, but further observations including bigger groups of patients and a longer follow- -up are required.

Quality of urban parks in the perception of city residents with mobility difficulties

Urban parks should be inclusive for all. Availability and accessibility of urban parks determine the quality of life in cities. The importance of access increases for residents with limited mobility who, facing obstacles due to inadequate adjustment of the surrounding physical space, are exposed to social exclusion. Five groups of respondents completed a survey questionnaire revealing their attitudes towards green areas and indicating barriers to parks' accessibility. The groups were designed to include blind and vision impaired people, those who use a wheelchair, have a physical disability of any kind, their carers/assistants and parents pushing strollers. The results revealed more similarities than differences among the five groups (the differences included preferences towards the neighbourhood and destination parks, physical barriers in parks, as well as using assistive technology devices and mobile assistive applications). Overall, city residents with mobility difficulties find those green public spaces as an important element of their life quality.

The evaluation of a surgery and the short-term benefits of a new active bone conduction hearing implant - the Osia®

Introduction

Modern medicine offers a wide spectrum of different hearing devices, and bone conduction implants can be found among them.

Objective

The presentation of the outcomes of the implantation of a new active bone conduction hearing implant – the Osia®, and its comparison with the well-known passive transcutaneous system – the Baha® Attract.

Methods

Eight adult patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was implanted with the Osia®, and group 2 was implanted with the Baha® Attract. The details of the surgery were analyzed, along with the functional and audiological results.

Results

In all the cases, the surgery was successful, and the healing uneventful. In both groups, it was observed that pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry in free field improved significantly after the implantation (mean gain in pure tone audiometry for the Osia group 42.8 dB SPL and for the Baha group 38.8 dB SPL). In the Osia group, the results after the surgery were much better than with the Baha® 5 Power processor on the Softband. The patients implanted with the Osia® evaluated the quality of their hearing as being superior to those implanted with the Baha® Attract. There was an evident improvement in the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit questionnaire and in the speech, spatial and qualities of hearing scale for both systems. In the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit, changes were more evident in the Osia group (in global score 49% vs. 37.2%).

Conclusion

Implantation of the Osia® is an effective treatment option for the patients with bilateral mixed hearing loss. The surgery is safe but more complex and time-consuming than the Baha® Attract implantation. The preliminary audiological results as well as the overall quality of life indicate that the Osia® is a better solution than the Baha® Attract. However, future studies should be carried out to make further observations in a larger group of patients, and with longer follow-up.

Urban-rural differences in perception of trees described by parents bringing up children in Warsaw and Jedlińsk, Poland

Parents’ attitudes to trees and nature are reflected not only in their children’s outdoor activity, but also in the way they perceive, learn and value the environment. One hundred and eleven respondents, divided into two groups by place of residence, assessed statements in a survey questionnaire. Two groups of questions aimed at evaluating tree benefits and disservices as perceived by urban and rural parents, and identifying their preferences concerning outdoor activity of their children. Tree benefits and disadvantages were grouped into five categories (social, economic, environmental, health and aesthetic). Both urban and rural parents presented similar attitudes to trees as well as to their children’s play environments. Among 37 statements concerning tree benefits, only five revealed statistically significant differences. The most important difference appeared in the way urban and rural parents perceived the aspects of danger. Trees were not perceived as posing any risk on playgrounds for city residents, who—unlike villagers—opposed to the removal of trees from playgrounds.

Changes in the prevalence of cigarette smoking and quitting smoking determinants in adult inhabitants of rural areas in Poland between 2003 and 2012

OBJECTIVES

We investigate trends in the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults at all ages in two time points 9 years apart in two neighbouring rural populations and examine social and respiratory health determinants of quitting smoking.

STUDY DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in the same rural area of lower Silesia in Poland in 2003 and 2012. A total of 1328 (91% of adult eligible individuals) in 2003 and 1449 (92% of eligible) in 2012 adult inhabitants were surveyed, 908 people (560 villagers and 348 town inhabitants) participated in both surveys. Participants completed a questionnaire on smoking behaviour, education level and respiratory diseases.

RESULTS

Current smoking was higher in the villages than the town, among men than women and those with a middle level of education. The prevalence of current smokers decreased over time, although this decline was much more pronounced in the town than in the villages (30.2% vs 23% and 35.5% vs 33.7%, respectively). Men were more likely to stop smoking than women both in villages and in town. The prevalence of current smokers among village women even increased between the two surveys from 27.6% to 29.3%. Respiratory diseases did not influence quitting smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of decreasing trend in smoking prevalence varied considerably within neighbouring populations. It was mainly seen in the town and among younger people. Men and those better educated were more willing to quit smoking. The discrepancies between two close rural populations indicates the need for an individual approach when designing programs of tobacco control.

Tumor necrosis factor-α alters integrins and metalloprotease ADAM12 levels and signaling in differentiating myoblasts

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important in the regulation of myogenesis. We hypothesized that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) modifies ECM during differentiation of mouse C2C12 myoblasts. Exogenous TNF-α (1 ng/ml) stimulated myoblast fusion on the 3rd day (by 160% vs control) but not on the 5th day of myogenesis. The level of integrin α5 was significantly augmented by TNF-α during 5 day-differentiation; however, integrin β1 was higher than control only on the 3rd day of cytokine treatment. Both the abundance of integrin α5 bound to actin and the level of integrin β1 complexed with integrin α5 increased in the presence of TNF-α, especially on the 3rd day of differentiation. Similarly, the stimulatory effects of TNF-α on integrin α3, metalloprotease ADAM12 and kinases related to integrins, FAK and ILK, were limited to the 3rd day of differentiation. We concluded that TNF-α-induced changes in ECM components in differentiating myogenic cells, i.e. i) increased expression of integrin α5, β1, α3, and metalloprotease ADAM12, ii) enhanced formation of α5β1 integrin receptors and interaction of integrin α5-cytoskeleton, and iii) increased expression of kinases associated with integrin signaling, FAK and ILK, were temporarily associated with the onset of myocyte fusion.

The Beneficial Augmentative Effect of Micronised Purified Flavonoid Fraction (MPFF) on the Healing of Leg Ulcers: An Open, Multicentre, Controlled, Randomised Study

Objective:

To determine the increase in healing rate of venous ulcer in patients receiving a micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) as supplementation to standard local care.

Design:

A randomised, open, controlled, multicentre study.

Setting:

Departments of Dermatology and University Outpatients Clinics.

Patients:

One hundred and forty patients with chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers.

Intervention:

Patients received standard compressive therapy plus external treatment alone or 2 tablets of MPFF daily in addition to the above treatment for 24 weeks.

Main outcome measure:

Healing of ulcers and their reduction in size after 24 weeks of treatment.

Results:

The percentage of patients whose ulcers healed completely was found to be markedly higher in those receiving MPFF in addition to standard external and compressive treatment than in those treated with conventional therapy alone (46.5% vs 27.5%; p<0.05, OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–4.6). Ulcers with diameters <3 cm were cured in 71% of patients in the MPFF group and in 50% of patients in the control group, whereas ulcers between 3 and 6 cm in diameter were cured in 60% and 32% of patients ( p<0.05), respectively. The mean reduction in ulcer size was also found to be greater in patients treated with MPFF (80%) than in the control group (65%) ( p<0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio (cost per healed ulcer) in the MPFF group was €1026.2 compared with €1871.8 in the control group.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that MPFF significantly improves the cure rate in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

The effect of palmitate supplementation on gene expression profile in proliferating myoblasts

High-fat diet, exposure to saturated fatty acids, or the presence of adipocytes in myoblast microenvironment affects skeletal muscle growth and function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of palmitate supplementation on transcriptomic profile of mouse C2C12 myoblasts. Global gene expression was evaluated using whole mouse genome oligonucleotide microarrays, and the results were validated through qPCR. A total of 4047 genes were identified as differentially expressed, including 3492 downregulated and 555 upregulated genes, during a 48-h exposure to palmitate (0.1 mmol/l). Functional classification showed the involvement of these genes in several processes which regulate cell growth. In conclusion, the addition of palmitate modifies the expression of genes associated with (1) myoblast responsiveness to hormones and growth factors, (2) cytokine and growth factor expression, and (3) regulation of cell-cell and cell-matrix communication. Such alterations can affect myoblast growth and differentiation; however, further studies in this field are required.

Changes in atopy prevalence and sibship effect in rural population at all ages

BACKGROUND

We examined the associations of family size and birth order with atopy prevalence in rural Poland at two time periods.

METHODS

Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in the same villages and a small town of lower Silesia at an interval of 9 years. In 2003, 1700 (88% of eligible individuals), and in 2012, 1730 (86%) inhabitants aged 5 years or more completed a questionnaire and had a skin prick test for atopy.

RESULTS

There was an inverse association between family size and atopy in the village population in 2003; the prevalence of atopy was the highest for those with no siblings (15.2%) and decreased to 5.4% for those with three and more siblings (OR = 0.22; 0.07-0.66). In contrast, there was little or no such protective effect in the town population where the prevalence of atopy was much higher (7.3% in the villages, 20.0% in the town). Nine years later, the prevalence of atopy had increased in the village to be similar to that in the town (19.6% and 19.9% respectively), and the protective effects of family size and birth order in the villages were much weaker (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.33-1.27 for three or more siblings). Both protective effects were strongest among children.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effects of family size and birth order on atopy were much stronger in children than in adults and among those living in a village. They largely disappeared with the steep increase in atopy prevalence at all ages; this followed environmental changes on the village farms.

[Clinical variability of Juvenile Huntington's Disease phenotype]

Huntington's disease is rare, genetically determinated, neurodegenerative disorder. It is determined by dynamic mutation of IT15 gene on short arm of 4 chromosome. Characteristic symptomatology include involuntary movements, cognitive decline and wide spectrum of mood and behaviour disorders. It typically becomes noticeable in mid-adult life, but there are reported cases of appaers of symptoms between 2 and 80 year of life. Especially interesting is juvenile Huntington's disease- the Westphal variant with the beginning in childchood (before 20 year of age) because of clinical differences causing diagnostic difficulties. It affects 5-10% of carries of the mutant gene. Symptoms became noticeable before 10 year of age only in 1% of them.

The influence of high glucose and high insulin on mechanisms controlling cell cycle progression and arrest in mouse C2C12 myoblasts: the comparison with IGF-I effect

BACKGROUND

Myogenesis is susceptible to the availability of nutrients and humoral factors and suboptimal fetal environments affect the number of myofibers and muscle mass.

AIM

We examined the mechanisms regulating cell cycle progression and arrest in skeletal myoblasts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mouse C2C12 myoblasts were subjected to proliferation or induction of differentiation in the presence of high glucose and high insulin (HGHI glucose 15 mmol/l, insulin 50 nmol/l), and these effects were compared with the influence of anabolic factor for skeletal muscle, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I 30 nmol/l).

RESULTS

High glucose and high insulin, similarly to IGF-I, increased the intracellular level of cyclin A, cyclin B1 and cyclin D1 during myoblast proliferation. In HGHI-treated myoblasts, these cyclins were localized mostly in the nuclei, and the level of cdk4-bound cyclin D1 was augmented. HGHI significantly stimulated the expression of cyclin D3, total level of p21 and cdk-bound fraction of p21 in differentiating cells. The cellular level of MyoD was augmented by HGHI both in proliferating and differentiating myogenic cells.

CONCLUSIONS

High glucose and insulin modify the mechanisms controlling cell cycle progression and the onset of myogenesis by: (1) increase of cyclin A, cyclin B1 and cyclin D1 in myoblast nuclei, and stimulation of cyclin D1-cdk4 binding; (2) increase in cyclin D3 and MyoD levels, and the p21-cdk4 complexes after induction of differentiation. Hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia during fetal or postnatal life could exert effects similar to IGF-I and can be, therefore, favourable for skeletal muscle growth and regeneration.

Tumorous variant of scleromyxedema. Successful therapy with intravenous immunoglobulins

We present an unusual tumorous variety of scleromyxedema mimicking facies leonina in lymphoma. In spite of pronounced and widespread cutaneous changes, hypergammaglobulinaemia and paraproteinaemia, the general condition of the patient was satisfactory, there was no internal involvement and no symptoms of any malignancy. Initially, melphalan and corticosteroids were applied but were not effective. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy had dramatic effect, and after five 5-day monthly courses the tumours almost regressed and the skin became less hard. After a further five courses in the following year there was complete clearance, which was sustained without any therapy for 1 year (until now). IVIG appears to be the therapy of choice for scleromyxedema. We stress, however, that at the start of therapy, IVIG applications should be supplemented with small doses of melphalan and/or corticosteroids.

Growth and phenol activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 101/1 in batch cultures

Strain 101/1, isolated from petroleum wastewater sediment was classified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In wild type condition the strain tolerated phenol in concentration 1,000 mg/L under aerobic conditions and 800 mg/L under denitrifying conditions. As a result of adaptation to phenol the resistance of the strain to the compound increased to 1,600 and 1,400 mg/L, respectively. Maximum phenol activity under aerobic and denitrifying conditions was 350 and 65 mg/L x day-1, respectively. Under denitrifying conditions a reduction in incubation temperature from 30 degrees C to 20 degrees C resulted in two-fold drop in phenol activity of the adapted strain and reduction in tolerance to phenol by 400 mg/L.

Sympathetic skin response in scleroderma, scleroderma overlap syndromes and inflammatory myopathies

Sympathetic skin response (SSR), a non-invasive method for evaluation of the autonomic nervous system, was studied in 57 patients with various connective tissue disorders: scleroderma, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, scleromyositis and unclassified collagenoses. The patients were divided into three main groups: scleroderma (SSc), myositis or other inflammatory myopathy (M) and scleromyositis (ScM). The aim of the study was to detect abnormalities of the SSR in the connective tissue diseases, to define the pattern for each group and to evaluate the usefulness of SSR in detection of subclinical impairment of sympathetic cholinergic function. In the myositis group, an abnormal SSR was found in 88% of patients; the main abnormality was absence of the response from the lower limbs (in 50% of patients). In scleroderma, the SSR was abnormal in 77% of patients, consisting mainly of absence of the response from the lower limbs, whereas responses from the upper limbs were normal. In scleromyositis, the SSR was abnormal in 80% of patients, the most frequent finding was an increase in latency in one limb. The SSR changes were most pronounced in connective tissue disorders with myositis or inflammatory myopathy. The SSR, although non-disease-specific, because of its sensitivity, seems to be useful in the assessment of the abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system in scleroderma and inflammatory myopathies. The study showed a very high prevalence of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in connective tissue diseases associated with myopathy or myositis, displaying no clinical symptoms of autonomic system involvement.

Adaptation of a phenol-degrading denitrifying bacteria to high concentration of phenol in the medium

The growth and uptake of phenol by 8 strains isolated from wastewater sediments in stationary cultures in medium with increasing concentrations of phenol (from 100 to 600 mg/L) under denitrifying conditions were studied. All the strains grew in media containing 250 mg phenol/L and only strains 101/1, 83/2 and 21/1/ in consecutive passages visibly increased both specific growth rate (mu day-1) as well as phenol-degrading activity (mg/L x day). Consecutive passages of the culture in medium containing 400 mg phenol/L resulted in the elimination of 3 out of the 5 strains growing in the medium in the first passage. Only strain 101/1 demonstrated high specific growth rate and phenol-degrading activity in medium containing 600 mg phenol/L. In consecutive passages in medium containing 250, 400 and 600 mg phenol/L the specific growth (mu day-1) and phenol-degrading activity (mg/L x day) of P. aeruginosa 101/1 were 0.38 and 36; 0.12 and 19; 0.09 and 20, respectively.

Phenol-degrading denitrifying bacteria in wastewater sediments

An attempt was made to isolate denitrifying bacteria capable of degrading phenol from anoxic wastewater sediments and compost (vegetable soil). The greatest phenol-degrading activity was shown by autochthonous microflora from petroleum wastewater sediments (PWS) and by denitrifying microflora from nitrogenous wastewater reservoir sediment (NWRS). Eight strains of denitrifying bacteria able to degrade phenolic compounds were isolated, six of which were from the petroleum wastewater sediments. The highest activity of phenol degradation (23.5 and 23 mg/L/day) in denitrifying conditions was shown by strains 54/1 and 83/2, both from petroleum wastewater sediments, which were classified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcaligenes faecalis, respectively.

Microbial degradation of phenol in denitrifying conditions

The biodegradation of phenpol in anaerobic conditions by mixed population of bacteria in batch cultures or continuous cultures in packed bed reactor in medium with phenol as sole carbon source was effective. Phenol in concentrations up to 500 mg/l was degraded by bacteria in batch cultures (incubation temperature 30 degrees C) with increasing maximal rate without lag phase and at higher concentrations (up to 1000 mg/l) the activity of the bacteria was preceded by a lag phase lasting from 9 to 15 days. Phenol was degraded in continuous cultures with maximum efficiency (about 2500 mg/l x day) in the following conditions: incubation temperature 30 degrees C, phenol concentration in the medium of 200 mg/l and retention time of about 2 hours. Lowering of the temperature of the culture to 13 degrees C and 20 degrees C resulted in 10 and 5-fold decrease in the efficiency of the process, expressed as mg/l X day, respectively. Analysis of the composition of the bacteria among the facultatively growing Gram-negative rods showed that the incubation temperature visibly affected the species composition and domination pattern of denitrifying bacteria although their percent participation remained the same.

Theta-like activity in hippocampal formation slices: the effect of strong disinhibition of GABAA and GABAB receptors

The involvement of GABAA and GABAB receptors in neural mechanisms responsible for the production of theta rhythms in hippocampal formation (HPC) slices is addressed in the present study. In a number of papers published in the last decade, we have demonstrated that theta-like activity can be successfully recorded in the limbic cortex maintained in vitro when the cholinergic agonists, acetylcholine, carbachol or muscarine, were added to the bath. Recently, we have also shown a strong GABAA modulation of the cholinergic-induced in vitro theta-like activity. This study presents a report of the first demonstration of in vitro theta-like field responses induced a consequence of simultaneously inhibiting hippocampal GABAA and GABAB receptors. HPC slices (350 microns) were maintained in a gas-liquid interface chamber (35 degrees C). Theta-like activity was induced in the presence of bath perfusion of bicuculline (GABAA antagonist) and 2-hydroxysaclophen (GABAB antagonist). This in vitro induced field response was antagonized both by muscimol (GABAA agonist) and baclophen (GABAB agonist). In addition, the experiments presented here revealed that bicuculline/2-hydroxysaclophen-induced in vitro theta-like activity also had a strong cholinergic M1 involvement: it was abolished by hemicholinium-3 (choline transport blocker) and pirenzepine (specific antagonist of M1 receptor), but not by gallamine (specific antagonist of M2 receptor). The results of the present study provided further evidence for a strong GABAergic/cholinergic interaction in the neural mechanism responsible for production of theta-like activity in the hippocampal formation slices.

The spontaneous theta rhythm recorded from the hypothalamus posterior in the cat in vivo

Rhythmical slow activity (theta) was mapped in the hypothalamic region in freely moving cats. We recorded well synchronized and high amplitude theta rhythm in the medial part of the hypothalamus posterior area. The EEG recordings made from lateral part of this hypothalamic region contained only irregular activity. These findings support earlier observations concerning the topography of hippocampal formation desynchrony and synchrony system. The observations of the present study also suggest that the hypothalamus posterior area is actively involved in the mechanisms responsible for generating theta oscillations in the cat.

The rhythmic slow activity recorded from entorhinal cortex in freely moving cats

The relationships between the entorhinal cortex (EC) and the hippocampal formation (Hipp) field potentials were examined in the present study. The detailed analyses of the signal let us group the patterns of theta appearance into three categories: (1) Theta rhythm dominating in both recordings from the EC and from the Hipp (2) Theta rhythm dominating in the Hipp with irregular activity in the EC (3) Theta rhythm dominating in the EC with irregular activity in the Hipp. These findings provide the evidence for the intrinsic generator of theta rhythm to be localized in entorhinal cortex in cats.

Muscarinic (M1) mediation of carbachol-induced theta in the cat entorhinal cortex in vitro

Entorhinal cortex slice preparations obtained from the cat exhibited theta rhythm during perfusion with 50 microM carbachol. The effect of carbachol was antagonized by the muscarinic blocker atropine sulphate, but not by hexamethonium and mecamylamine, which are antagonists of the nicotinic receptor. Further analysis of the pharmacological profile of these carbachol-induced theta oscillations showed that M1 receptor subtype to be involved in mediation of this EEG activity: the theta rhythm was antagonized by the M1 receptor blocker pirenzepine, but was unaffected by gallamine, an antagonist of the M2 receptor subtype.

Sympathetic skin response in scleroderma

Examination of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) was performed in 32 patients with systemic sclerosis, morphea and mixed connective tissue disease displaying scleroderma-like features. The control group consisted of 26 healthy subjects and 12 patients with other skin diseases and asymmetrical cutaneous changes. Right and left median and tibial nerves were stimulated successively and the responses were recorded from the palms and soles simultaneously. SSR abnormalities (delayed latency, decrease and/or asymmetry of amplitude, absent response) were observed in 68.8% of the patients, most frequently in linear scleroderma. An amplitude asymmetry of the responses from upper extremities was the most characteristic pattern of abnormalities. There was no correlation between the SSR and the localization, degree and character (inclurated oedema, atrophy, sclerosis) of skin changes, the duration of the disease, symptoms of the disorder of the autonomic nervous system symptoms (vasomotor and/or sudomotor) and the changes in capillaroscopy. All patients with slow motor conduction and sensor conduction velocities (MCV and SCV) had lower SSR amplitude and the patients with prolonged skin sensory chronaxy had more often delayed latency. The results revealed presence of disturbances of the autonomic nervous system in all varieties of scleroderma, both systemic and localized forms, even without any other signs of autonomic dysfunction.

Childhood scleromyositis: an overlap syndrome associated with PM-Scl antibody

Fourteen patients with childhood scleromyositis followed from 1 to more than 10 years experienced concomitant sclerodermoid and dermatomyositis features, variably expressed at one time or another during the course of the disease. The most characteristic features were myalgia-myositis, arthralgia-arthritis, puffy, atrophic, sclerotic fingers, and Raynaud's phenomenon. This overlap syndrome was the most frequent sclerodermoid condition in children, differing from both systemic scleroderma and dermatomyositis. The course of the disease was protracted and rather benign, and PM-Scl antibody was an important diagnostic and prognostic marker. We present criteria for diagnosis of scleromyositis and its differentiation from systemic scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and Sharp overlap syndrome.

Immunologic markers of systemic scleroderma in children

This study was performed on seven children with systemic scleroderma, three with the diffuse and four with the limited type. All three patients with diffuse scleroderma had high titers of clumpy pattern antinucleolar antibody on HEp-2 cells. The course of the disease was severe, and two children died. Four children with limited scleroderma had mild disease, and Scl-70 antibody, an immunologic marker that in adults is associated mostly with diffuse scleroderma. In one child Scl-70 antibody and anticentromere antibody coexisted, although previously the two were believed to be mutually exclusive. This study shows that limited scleroderma of childhood with slight cutaneous involvement may be associated with the Scl-70 marker. The findings in 10 adults in whom Raynaud's phenomenon developed in childhood and indurations appeared some years later, point to the significance of careful observation of these children, with repeated testing for immunologic markers of SSc. An important new finding is the association of different types of systemic sclerodermas with specific immunologic markers.

Autoantibodies to nucleolar antigens in systemic scleroderma: clinical correlations

Indirect immunofluorescence(IIF) and double immunodiffusion (DID) were performed on the sera of 64 patients who had a nucleolar immunofluorescence pattern on HEp-2 cells. Forty-nine of the sera were from 296 patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc) and 15 sera were from 214 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A homogeneous nucleolar staining pattern was found in 45 of the 64 sera (70.3%), a clumpy fluorescence associated with fibrillarin antibody in 14 (21.8%) and a speckled pattern was found in five of the sera (7.8%). There was a clear correlation between the sera which showed a homogeneous nucleolar staining pattern with symptoms of the polymyositis/scleroderma overlap syndrome that differed from SSc with concomitant myositis. The clumpy pattern was mainly associated with diffuse scleroderma and the speckled pattern with limited scleroderma (previously called acrosclerosis).

[Diagnostic value of the lupus band test in patients treated by chronic hemodialysis]

The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in cases with advanced renal failure is a serious clinical problem. The purpose of the study was an analysis of the incidence of various non-renal criteria (according to ARA) for the diagnosis of SLE in patients with chronic renal failure of various aetiology and find out whether the lupus band test in these patients may serve as an additional criterion for the diagnosis of SLE. The studied group comprised 39 patients with chronic renal failure (28 men and 13 women) aged 17-58 years. In this group 29 cases were treated with dialyses and 10 conservatively. The most frequent clinical sign (apart from renal changes) accepted as diagnostic criteria for the SLE was polyserositis and leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. In no case antinuclear antibodies, antibodies against DNA and against soluble nuclear antigens were found. Positive LBT was obtained in 72.4% of cases with chronic renal failure, particularly frequently in the dialysed patients. A positive result of the LBT cannot be of decisive importance in the diagnosis of SLE but may suggest a need of more detailed investigations (determination of Ro antibodies) for confirmation of the diagnosis.

[Studies of the role of cellular immunity and angiogenetic changes in the pathogenesis of circumscribed scleroderma]

The studies were performed in 48 patients with morphea and included evaluation of 1) antinuclear antibodies 2) lymphocyte induced angiogenesis 3) natural killer (NK) cell activity and 4) T cell subpopulations in peripheral blood. The presence of antinuclear antibodies was found in 44.4% (8/18) patients with scleroderma linearis and in 21% (4/19) patients with morphea disseminata. Lymphocyte induced angiogenesis was increased in 41.5% (17/41) morphea patients, mainly in cases with pronounced vascular changes. The E rosette forming test showed a decreased percentage of active rosette forming cells (ARFC) and total rosette forming cells (TRFC) in peripheral blood and the NK cell activity was lowered in patients with morphea. These results obtained in patients with morphea show some similarities and differences in comparison to cellular immunity disturbances in patients with systemic scleroderma.

[Studies of the mechanism of disorders of the natural killer cell activity in patients with systemic scleroderma]

The NK activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was evaluated in 90 patients with various subsets of systemic scleroderma (SSc). The NK activity, as performed with K-562 as target cell, was found to be significantly lowered in patients with diffuse scleroderma, but did not differ from the healthy control in patients with acrosclerosis. The lowest values in the NK activity assay were obtained in patients with most extensive skin involvement and severe internal organ changes. The NK activity of healthy donors' PBMC was significantly decreased by addition of SSc patients PBMC (50:1) to the cytotoxicity assay, but was not influenced by the patients sera.

Cytotoxic effects of sera from patients with systemic scleroderma: comparison of three different in vitro methods

Sera from 93 patients with systemic scleroderma including incipient or prodromal acroscleroderma and from 43 healthy individuals were studied for cytotoxic effects on endothelial cells by means of three different in vitro methods. Inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation by endothelium was caused by about 33% of sera, almost exclusively from patients with diffuse scleroderma and the transitional form: acroscleroderma--diffuse scleroderma. An antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay revealed cytotoxicity of about 37% of sera from patients with diffuse scleroderma and the transitional form but also of a proportion of sera from patients with CREST syndrome with pronounced vascular changes. Serum cytotoxic activity, revealed by both methods, was related with more frequent involvement of muscle and kidney in the patients. A direct 51Cr release assay showed the cytotoxicity only in 4 of 68 cases in diffuse scleroderma with pronounced internal organ involvement. Thus, depending on the method used, various types of cytotoxicity could be detected in sera from patients with systemic scleroderma.

Are ACA and Scl 70 antibodies mutually exclusive?

Serological studies using indirect immunofluorescence, double immunodiffusion and immunoblot with recombinant Topo I and kinetochore antigens were performed in 180 patients with systemic scleroderma. In the sera of 10 patients, we found coexisting ACA and Scl 70 antibodies, and this was confirmed by all three methods. The relationship between the coexistence of these antibodies and the clinical features of the disease is not clear, although in all these cases there was pronounced vascular involvement.

Phototests in patients with various forms of lupus erythematosus

Responses to ultraviolet B (UVB; 290-320 nm) were tested in 227 patients with main forms of lupus erythematosus (LE): discoid LE (DLE), discoid disseminated LE (DDLE), systemic LE (SLE), and subacute cutaneous LE (SCLE). Four parameters were evaluated: minimal erythema dose (MED), its distribution, persistence of erythema, and photoreproduction of lesions. Patients with LE differed considerably from controls in their UVB reactivity. In addition, there were significant differences between various LE forms, even after a single UV exposure. Lowered MED in comparison to controls was observed most frequently in SLE patients (64.4%) and least frequently in DLE patients (32.1%). Prolonged persistence of erythema induced by 1-2 MED was a constant finding in SCLE. In SLE and DDLE, it was observed in more than 80% of patients, and in DLE in 56.7% of examined cases. Photoreproduction of lesions after single UVB exposure was observed most frequently in SCLE (62.5%) and only in 10% of DLE patients.

Theophylline-resistant and theophylline-sensitive "active" and "total" E rosette-forming lymphocytes in patients with systemic scleroderma

Using the E rosette test and its modification with theophylline, we have studied T regulatory lymphocytes in various forms of systemic scleroderma. Mean percentages of active rosette-forming cells (ARFC) as well as the fraction resistant to theophylline incubation (ARFC-res) were significantly decreased, irrespective of the variety of the disease, compared to the age-matched controls. Late ("cold") rosette-forming fractions were unimpaired. The theophylline-sensitive fraction of total rosette-forming cells (TRFC-sens), which contains mainly cells from the suppressor circuit, was found to be lowered in all patients groups studied, whereas the ARFC-sens fraction was significantly decreased only in patients with diffuse scleroderma over 50 years of age, in whom there was a tendency to a more severe course, as manifested by pronounced systemic organ involvement. The lowered values of E rosette tests were found in a majority of SSc patients and were correlated with the appearance in the sera of factors capable of inhibiting ARFC formation by normal human peripheral blood T lymphocytes. Normal values of the E rosette test were related to the presence in the patients' sera of factors stimulating ARFC formation by normal lymphocytes. We surmise from the results that in SSc patients the T-cell defect is not only restricted to T suppressor cells but also refers to the active theophylline-resistant fraction containing mainly T inducer and T cytotoxic cells.

Natural killer cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with various forms of lupus erythematosus

Natural killer (NK) cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 28 patients with cutaneous discoid lupus erythematosus, seven with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and 17 with systemic lupus erythematosus was studied using a 4 h 51Cr release assay using K-562 cells as target cells. NK cell activity was found to be markedly decreased not only in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus but also in a proportion of cases of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and cutaneous discoid lupus erythematosus (57% and 39% respectively). There was a relationship between the activity and severity of LE and the decrease in NK cell activity.