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Journal Article 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 116-120 PubMed PMID: 17159794 Citation  Keywords:  Brain Injuries:blood, Gene Expression Profiling, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Metallothionein:blood, Nerve Growth Factors:blood, Phosphopyruvate Hydratase:blood, Radiography, S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit, S100 Proteins:blood,.   

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of neuron specific enolase (NSE), protein S100B and time-profile of Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) development with metallothionein (MT) blood levels in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) during 10 days of hospitalization. Patients were divided into 2 groups with respect to NSE and S100B levels - with (group I) and without (group II) GCS improvement.

METHODS: Serum NSE and S100B concentrations were measured by immunochemical methods; serum metallothionein concentration by electrochemical technique. Cortical biopsies were investigated immunohistochemically and by electron microscope. A cDNA microarray containing 700 gene probes was used to study the changes in gene expression in the ipsilateral cortex.

RESULTS: Values of MT in the blood of group I showed a non-significant decrease compared to group II during 1-3 days after admission. There was an increase of MT during 4-8 days in comparison with values of 1-3 days. The highest value of MT during hospitalization was found in a patient with diffuse axonal injury (group II). The data of cDNA microarray suggested an increase in expression of gene transcripts for oxygen free radical scavenger proteins corresponding with the increase of MT during 4-8 days in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The experimental data indicate that monitoring the content of MT in patients with trauma brain injury would be a suitable approach to evaluate the degree of injury or duration of prolonging unconsciousness, particularly in diagnosis of diffuse axonal injury....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 112-115 PubMed PMID: 17159793 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, DNA Damage, Diet, Female, Fruit, Humans, Male, Malondialdehyde:blood, Middle Aged, Mineral Fibers:toxicity, Occupational Diseases:prevention & control, Oxidative Stress, Vegetables, Vitamins:blood,.   

OBJECTIVES: In humans, epidemiological evidence suggests that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables can substantially enhance the protection against many common types of cancer.

METHODS & RESULTS: A molecular epidemiological study in 3 Slovak factories producing asbestos, glass fibres and rockwool was conducted. Altogether 388 subjects (239 exposed, 148 controls) were investigated. Food frequency questionnaire was used to ascertain nutrient intake and compared to plasma levels of selected micronutrients, as well as to markers of oxidative stress (MDA, oxidative DNA damage and DNA repair) and antioxidant protection. We found a negative correlation between MDA concentrations and consumption of fruits (p=0.05) and vegetables (p=0.05) in all control subjects. Intake of fruits (p=0.05), vegetables (p=0.01), milk (p=0.01) and cereals (p=0.05) inversely correlated with oxidative DNA damage (net FPG) in all subjects investigated. There was a negative correlation between the intake of fruits (p=0.05) and vegetables (p=0.01) in all exposed subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that well balanced food consumption with higher fruits and vegetables intake has a protective effect against oxidative damage....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 100-103 PubMed PMID: 17159790 Citation  Keywords:  Asbestos:toxicity, Asbestosis:genetics, Epoxide Hydrolases:genetics, Gene Frequency, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Glutathione S-Transferase pi:genetics, Glutathione Transferase:genetics, Health, Humans, Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective:chemically i.   

OBJECTIVES: As asbestos presents a direct genetic hazard for humans, a small-scale molecular epidemiological study was conducted to monitor 61 subjects long-term exposed to asbestos in comparison with 49 town controls and 21 control subjects from administration of the same factory.

RESULTS: Asbestos exposed workers had significantly higher numbers of chromosomal aberrations compared with both control groups (P=0.003). Clinical examination showed that 44.3% of exposed workers developed symptoms of asbestosis. We were interested in the relationship between the risk of asbestos-coupled diseases and individual variability in biotransformation enzymes, especially in glutathione S-transferases and microsomal epoxide hydrolase. GSTP1*105Val allele appeared less in the group of workers with asbestosis compared to those without asbestosis (18.5% vs 34.7%, P=0.044), and in subjects with developed asbestosis coupled with bronchitis compared to those without bronchitis (0% vs 25%, P=0.048). Similarly, the genotype corresponding to low activity of microsomal epoxide hydrolase was significantly decreased in workers with fibrotic plaques compared to those without plaques (26.7% vs 56.3%, P=0.045).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that GSTP1*105Val allele and low EPHX1 activity genotype may be protective for people occupationally exposed to asbestos. However, more extensive studies are needed to confirm our results....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 86-90 PubMed PMID: 17159787 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Bystander Effect:radiation effects, Carcinoma:etiology, Computer Simulation, Humans, Lung:radiation effects, Lung Neoplasms:etiology, Models, Biological, Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced, Radon Daughters:toxicity, Risk Factors, Smoking:adverse effects,.   

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to radon and radon decay products represents one of the greatest risks of ionizing radiation from natural sources in some residential and working areas. Recently increasing attention has been paid to accurate estimations of this health risk by using various models.

METHODS: In the presented study, a bystander model was used to predict biological effects of radon products on lung tissue target cells. The model considers radiation response as a superposition of the direct alpha particles hit effect and the bystander (cells communication) effect. Energy deposition in the lung tissue and in the air gap was calculated using the Bethe-Bloch equation. The exponential distribution of radon progenies in the mucous layer of smokers and non-smokers was evaluated.

RESULTS: The excess relative risk value of lung cancer occurrence per unit exposure obtained in our study was ERR/WLM=0.0047 for smokers and ERR/WLM=0.0171 (taking into account the environment in radioactive ore mines) for non-smokers. Other published results give the average excess relative risk values per unit exposure in the dwellings for smokers ERR=0.050 per 100 Bq.m(-3) and for non-smokers ERR=0.198 per 100 B.qm(-3). Results presented in this study are in good agreement with the published epidemiological data on lung cancer incidence for mines and residential areas.

CONCLUSIONS: The bystander model is suitable for radon risk prediction in dwellings and at workplaces (residential and working areas)....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 74-77 PubMed PMID: 17159784 Citation  Keywords:  Anticonvulsants:adverse effects, Congenital Abnormalities:epidemiology, Czech Republic, Developmental Disabilities:chemically induced, Epilepsy:complications, Female, Fetal Death:chemically induced, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Information Services, Pregnancy.   

OBJECTIVES: Care, treatment and follow-up in psychiatric and epileptic pregnant women were compared with women inquiring Czech Teratology Information Service (CZTIS) due to other exposure to drugs during pregnancy.

METHODS: Data were collected by CZTIS, member of European Network of Teratology Information Services from 1996. Exposed groups were compared with pregnant women exposed to drugs which were not classified as major teratogens or hyperthermia. Groups do not vary in age, reproductive history and other parameters.

RESULTS: We observed higher frequency of miscarriage and voluntary termination of pregnancy in the group of psychiatric patients. The number of malformation in prospective follow-up cases was lower than in control group.

CONCLUSIONS: Chronic diseases as epilepsy or psychiatric disorders have to be treated during pregnancy. Women should obtain accurate information about possible risk before pregnancy. Co-operation is needed in these cases. Physicians should keep in mind that appropriate information is to be given to the patient according to her disease, education and comprehension of the problem. If there is any doubt they should organize help for their patients....

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Comparative Study 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 65-68 PubMed PMID: 17159782 Citation  Keywords:  Asphyxia Neonatorum:blood, Delivery, Obstetric, Glutathione Peroxidase:blood, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Malondialdehyde:blood, Oxidative Stress, Stress, Physiological:blood, Superoxide Dismutase:blood, Term Birth:blood,.   

OBJECTIVES: In healthy term newborns (HTN) to determine on the 1st and 5th day of life the activity of total antioxidant capacity (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and to compare the values with the group of asphyxiated term newborns (ATN).

PATIENTS/METHODS: The series consisted of 15 HTN and 24 ATN. In both groups TAS, MDA, GPX and SOD were investigated.

RESULTS: Reference values in HTN (1st/5th day of life) for TAS were 0.52+/-0.03/0.49+/-0.04 mmol/l, for MDA 0.72+/-0.07/1.08+/-0.09 micromol/l, for SOD 594.20+/-16.47/591.23+/-14.14 Ug/Hb and for GPX 25.48+/-1.32/25.98+/-1.20 Ug/Hb. In a group of ATN the obtained values were (1st/5th day of life): TAS 1.1+/-0.08/0.98+/-0.08 mmol/l, MDA 2.08+/-0.22/2.21+/-0.34 micromol/l, SOD 509.18+/-26.8/564.49+/-36.4 Ug/Hb and GPX 30.2+/-1.9/32.45+/-2.69 Ug/Hb.

CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences were found on the 1st and 5th day of life between the two groups investigated in values of MDA (**p<0.01) and TAS (**p<0.01). Increased values of MDA in the group of ATN on the 1st and 5th day of life confirmed the presence of lipoperoxidation. The obtained values of TAS on the 1st and 5th day of life in the group of ATN were surprisingly higher than in HTN. The increase of TAS in ATN could point to a certain ability of ATN to prevent the damage of balance between overproduction of MDA and antioxidants. The results of SOD and GPX activity were not statistically significant, yet they are indicative of the biochemical reaction of the organism of term newborns to asphyxia....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 61-64 PubMed PMID: 17159781 Citation  Keywords:  Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome:microbiology, Animals, Bacteria:isolation & purification, Colon:microbiology, Colony Count, Microbial, Endocytosis, Female, HIV-1, HL-60 Cells, Humans, Male, Microbial Viability, Models, Biological, Rabbits,.   

OBJECTIVES: Bacteria purified from the intestinal tract of HIV/AIDS patients were tested for the capacity to be internalised by cells of the HL-60 cell line. Secondly, the bacteria have been applied to the rabbit's colon in order to test their pathogenic ability.

RESULTS: The ability of the bacteria to be internalised by HL-60 cells was found to be very expressive. For a more complex biological characterisation of internalised bacteria, these were applied in 6-day intervals per rectum to NZB x CA rabbits during 8 months. The administered bacteria were detected by dot blot hybridisation using HIV-1 PCR probes in the rabbits' intestinal tract after 2 months. No histological and pathological changes were recorded in the gastrointestinal epithelial cells of rabbits.

CONCLUSIONS: The applied bacteria of HIV/AIDS patients were not colonised in the rabbit's colon and disappeared after 2 months. Differences between HL-60 and rabbit model are discussed....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(Suppl 2): 57-60 PubMed PMID: 17159780 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antineoplastic Agents:toxicity, Chromosomes, Human, DNA Damage, DNA-Binding Proteins:genetics, Female, Gene Frequency, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Humans, Male, Medical Staff, Hospital, Middle Aged, Occupational Diseases:chemically induced, .   

OBJECTIVES: Medical workers in oncological units have chronically been exposed to low doses of cytostatics (C) with potential consequences on DNA and chromosomal integrity. Our study addresses relationships between chromosomal aberrations (CAs), chromosome (CSA), and chromatid (CTA) types and polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XRCC3.

METHODS: The study was conducted on 72 exposed individuals from hospitals in Martin (HMT; 28 individuals), Ruzomberok (HRK; 31 medical workers) and in Trstená (HTS; 13 individuals), and on 34 unexposed individuals. Conventional cytogenetic analysis was employed for the detection of CAs. XRCC1 and XRCC3 polymorphisms were assayed for by Taqman SNP genotyping assays ("Assay-by-Demand") using Real-Time allelic discrimination on AB 7 500 equipment (all from Applied Biosystems, Foster City, USA).

RESULTS: Higher frequencies of CAs were detected in exposed individuals than in controls (1.78% versus 1.32%, respectively). The frequency of aberrant cells (Ab.c.) was highest among workers from HRK (1.97%), followed by those from HMT and HTS (1.54% and 1.85 %, respectively). In the exposed group a moderately higher frequency of CTA (0.93%) in comparison with CSA (0.85%) was detected. Higher CAs were detected in individuals with homozygous variant polymorphism in XRCC1 exon 10 gene than in those with wild-type genotype (1.87% versus 1.60%). Variant T allele in XRCC3 exon 7 was also associated with higher CAs (1.71% and 1.74%) as compared to the wild-type C allele (1.45%).

CONCLUSIONS: The detection of individuals with increased susceptibility to genotoxic agents enables to take preventive measures during the working process....

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