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Journal Article 2005; 26(6): 815-818 PubMed PMID: 16380680 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomarkers, Tumor:genetics, Carcinoma:classification, Carcinoma, Medullary:metabolism, Carcinoma, Papillary:metabolism, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic:metabolism, Cyclin D1:genetics, Female, Gene Expression Reg.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to demonstrate and evaluate the expression of cyclin D1, a protein connected with a cell cycle, by means of the immunohistochemical method in malignant thyroid neoplasms. The purpose of the analysis of the results was to explain the relation between cyclin D1 in thyroid cells and neoplasm transformation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on thyroid neoplasms from 35 patients who were diagnosed with the thyroid carcinoma (30 women and 5 men). Detection DAKO LSAB + system was applied with use of monoclonal antibodies against cyclin D1. The results of immunohistochemical reaction was described as an index (percentage of cells showing a characteristic brown color in 1000 counted cells). As a positive result of reaction an intensive brown color of carcinomas cellular nuclei was acknowledged.

RESULTS: The mean value of cyclin D1 expression index in papillary carcinoma was 14.44% +/- 9.37, in medullary carcinoma 27.35% +/- 5.40, in nonpapillary carcinomas originating from A cells 18.0% +/- 10.20. The results were statistically analyzed. In medullary carcinoma the highest values of positive cells cyclin D1 index were revealed.

CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained encourage continued studies on cyclin D1 expression in thyroid neoplasms and a more accurate analysis with a larger number of cases. Perhaps the index of this protein will become a recognized prognostic marker in thyroid neoplasms or an objective risk factor of the thyroid epithelial cells neoplastic transformation....

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Clinical Trial 2005; 26(6): 696-698 PubMed PMID: 16380679 Citation  Keywords:  Aged, Alzheimer Disease:blood, Amyloid beta-Peptides:cerebrospinal fluid, Biomarkers:blood, Female, Humans, Male, Multivariate Analysis, Peptide Fragments:cerebrospinal fluid, beta Carotene:blood, tau Proteins:cerebrospinal fluid,.   

: We studied the plasma beta carotene concentrations in 40 Alzheimer's disease patients and the association with cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-40, (Abeta40), cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-42 (Abeta42) and cerebrospinal fluid total Tau. We found that patients with plasma beta carotene levels below the 25th percentile had 55% reduced ratios of Abeta40/Tau and 51% reduced ratios of Abeta 40/Abeta 42 compared with patients in the highest quartile. Mean Tau concentrations in the lowest quartile of plasma beta-carotene levels were 74% higher compared with the highest quartile of plasma beta-carotene levels. Thus, we could demonstrate an statistically significant association between beta carotene levels in plasma and neurochemical markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease patients....

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Journal Article 2005; 26(6): 699-703 PubMed PMID: 16380677 Citation  Keywords:  Adenoma:diagnosis, Adolescent, Adult, Biomarkers, Tumor:genetics, Carcinoma:diagnosis, Female, Goiter:diagnosis, Humans, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I:genetics, Male, Middle Aged, Polymorphism, Genetic:genetics, Promoter Regions, Genetic:genetics, Risk Ass.   

OBJECTIVES: Due to the recent increase of incidence of thyroid nodules and the known risk of malignant transformation, there is an elevated risk of thyroid cancer in Poland. Several approaches, including molecular, have been proposed to support fine needle aspiration biopsy in the early detection of malignant lesions. Although the IGF-I system in thyroid cancer has been studied, little is known about the gene and its promoter structure changes. Our aim was to assess, whether the analysis of the IGF-I gene promoter region and 5'UTR exon 1 structure may be useful in assessing the risk of thyroid carcinoma.

MATERIAL: Our study included 46 patients that underwent strumectomy due to a presence of thyroid nodules.

METHODS: All patients underwent clinical examination and laboratory investigations to assess their thyroid structure and function. Tissues obtained during the surgery were used for DNA extraction, PCR, SSCP and direct sequencing.

RESULTS: Among 46 patients, 14 had a nucleotide difference in one of the examined regions. In our study we revealed no significant difference between carcinomatous and non-carcinomatous groups of patients in terms of presence of nucleotide change, but Fisher's exact test gave a significant result in terms of the efficacy of detecting follicular adenoma. Moreover, the patients with nucleotide change had thyroid glands significantly smaller in volume.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the molecular analysis of the IGF-I gene promoter is thought to be of a functional significance, but probably could not be considered useful in the assessment of risk of thyroid cancer in thyroid nodules....

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Clinical Trial 2005; 26(5): 473-479 PubMed PMID: 16264416 Citation  Keywords:  Acute-Phase Reaction:physiopathology, Adipose Tissue:physiology, Adolescent, Anthropometry, Biomarkers, Blood Glucose:metabolism, Body Composition:physiology, Child, Cytokines:blood, Endothelium, Vascular:physiology, Female, Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated:met.   

OBJECTIVES: There is increasing evidence that an ongoing cytokine-induced acute-phase response is closely involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and associated complications such as dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of inflammation and endothelial activation with insulin resistance in childhood obesity.

METHODS: Two hundred and eleven (122 boys) obese children and adolescents were examined. Fasting levels of ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), glucose, insulin, and HbA1c were determined. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis method.

RESULTS: HOMA IR correlated significantly with all measures of adiposity as well as with majority of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction markers. After adjustment for age, gender, BMI and fat mass, the correlation with insulin resistance remained significant for CRP, ICAM-1 and von Willebrand factor. There was a trend for association between HOMA IR and IL-6 as well as HOMA IR and fibrinogen.

CONCLUSION: Acute-phase reaction and endothelial activation correlate with insulin resistance in obese youth. It is possible that the cluster of these pro-atherogenic factors may contribute to the accelerated atherosclerosis in obese children....

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Journal Article 2005; 26(5): 487-492 PubMed PMID: 16264414 Citation  Keywords:  Aging:metabolism, Antigens, CD:metabolism, Antigens, CD3:metabolism, Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte:metabolism, Biomarkers, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate:blood, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic:blood, Female, Humans, Inflamm.   

: There are a few reports that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may be accompanied by changes in hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF1). This study examines the serum concentrations of DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS), IGF1 and IGF1 binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) in 20 patients with CFS and in 12 normal controls. The IGFBP3/IGF1 ratio was computed as an index for IGF1 availability. We found significantly lower serum DHEAS concentrations in CFS, but no significant differences either in IGF1 or the IGFBP3/IGF1 ratio between CFS patients and normal controls. The decrease in serum DHEAS was highly sensitive and specific for CFS. There were significant and positive correlations between serum DHEAS and serum zinc and the mitogen-induced expression of the CD69 molecule on CD3+CD8+ T cells (an indicator of early T cell activation). There was a significant and negative correlation between serum DHEAS and the increase in the serum alpha-2 protein fraction (an inflammatory marker). Serum IGF1, but not DHEAS, was significantly and inversely correlated to age. The results show that CFS is accompanied by lowered levels of DHEAS and that the latter may play a role in the immune (defect in the early activation of T cells) and the inflammatory pathophysiology of CFS....

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Comparative Study 2005; 26(4): 337-341 PubMed PMID: 16136013 Citation  Keywords:  Adrenocorticotropic Hormone:blood, Adult, Biomarkers:blood, Cystinyl Aminopeptidase:blood, Female, Homeostasis:physiology, Humans, Immunoassay, Pregnancy:blood, Pregnancy Trimester, First, Pregnancy Trimester, Second, Pregnancy Trimester, Third,.   

INTRODUCTION: Normal function of the hypothalamo-adrenal axis is important for the regulation of feto-maternal intrauterine homeostasis including immunomodulating activity and may influence the timing of parturition. ACTH is produced during pregnancy by mother pituitary gland and by trophoblast cells, which are the place of oxytocinase production. Oxytocinase is basically secreted by syncytiotrophoblast cells and rises progressively during pregnancy until the labor. Oxytocinase may play a role as one of the main factors suppressing uterine contractions, controlling the vascular resistance and the volume of the retroplacental blood pool.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 102 patients with pregnancy following infertility treatment. The assessment was provided longitudinally in six selected groups progressively according to the gestational age. Immunoassay was used to measure ACTH plasma concentration. Oxytocinase plasma activity was established using l-cystine-di-beta-naphthylamide as a substrate.

RESULTS: Significantly increased oxytocinase plasma level was identified during pregnancy, progressive rise was observed beginning with the first trimester of pregnancy, until the labor. ACTH plasma concentration was observed to be at comparable level in the first and second trimester of pregnancy, while sudden statistically significant increase of ACTH plasma level was noted beginning with 28th week of gestation.

CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of ACTH and oxytocinase plasma concentration might be useful for the evaluation of pregnancy development....

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Journal Article 2005; 26(4): 423-430 PubMed PMID: 16135997 Citation  Keywords:  Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity:genetics, Biomarkers, Brain Chemistry:genetics, Genetic Markers, Humans,.   

: ADHD (attention hyperactivity disorder) is a polygenetic disorder with various candidate genes. At this time, more than thirty dopaminergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic and GABA-ergic genes are known. The research of only some candidate genes (DRD4, DAT, DRD5, DBH, 5HTT, HTR1B and SNAP25) brought relatively consistent results confirming the heredity of ADHD syndromes. The results of research of other genes (DRD2, DRD3, MAO, ADR2A, GABA A3, GABA B3) are not clear yet. This paper summarizes the most important genetic data in correlations with biochemical periphery parameters (especially for DBH, HVA, MHPG, serotonin). Hypothetically, certain subgroups of ADHD may be identified by correlation of biochemical characteristics and some candidate genes. The paper discusses some implications for future research. Review....

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Journal Article 2005; 26(3): 242-246 PubMed PMID: 15990729 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Biomarkers:blood, C-Reactive Protein:metabolism, Child, Endothelium, Vascular:immunology, Female, Humans, Hypertension:etiology, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1:blood, Interleukin-1:blood, Interleukin-6:blood, Lipids:blood, Male, Obesity:com.   

OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that a rise in blood pressure (BP) causes low-grade inflammation of the endothelium which, in turn, may be responsible for further damage of endothelium and worsening of BP control. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of inflammation and endothelial activation markers in children with obesity-related hypertension and normotensive controls in relation to other traditional risk factors of arterial hypertension.

METHODS: Plasma insulin, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FB) interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and lipids levels were determined in 50 children with obesity-related hypertension and 143 obese children with normal BP. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model.

RESULTS: Children with hypertension had significantly higher levels of all inflammatory markers as well as endothelial activation indices compared with normotensive subjects. In the stepwise regression model significant independent correlates for systolic BP were CRP, FB, VCAM-1, HOMA IR, LDL cholesterol and fat mass, whereas CRP, IL-6, ICAM-1, FB, LDL and HDL cholesterol were the determinants of diastolic BP in children with obesity-related hypertension.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are closely involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related hypertension relatively early in life....

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