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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 1): 57-63 PubMed PMID: 26757114 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Arsenic:pharmacology, Bacterial Infections:blood, Carcinogens:pharmacology, Cyanobacteria, Erythrocyte Indices:drug effects, Iron:blood, Leukocyte Count, Microcystins:pharmacology, Microcystis, Neutrophils:drug effects, Oncorhynchus mykiss:blood,.   

OBJECTIVES: Under environmental conditions, fish are simultaneously exposed to multiple stressors. This study provides new knowledge on the effects of controlled exposure to multiple stressors, namely cyanobacterial biomass and food contaminated with arsenic.

METHODS: Rainbow trout were divided into six groups of 25 fish and exposed to different contaminant combinations for 30 days: 1) control group, 2) cyanobacterial biomass, 3 & 4) two groups exposed to arsenic at concentrations of 5 mg.kg(-1) and 50 mg.kg(-1) fish feed, and 5 & 6) two groups exposed to cyanobacterial biomass and arsenic combined. We then evaluated pathological, haematological and immunological parameters at 10, 20 and 30 days after exposure.

RESULTS: Marked gross pathological findings were present in groups exposed to arsenic and arsenic/cyanobacteria after 30 days. A strong decrease in haemoglobin concentration was observed in all experimental groups receiving arsenic after 10 days exposure. Total leukocyte count increased markedly in fish exposed to cyanobacterial biomass, and to higher arsenic concentrations by the end of the experiment. Neutrophils decreased significantly at the end of exposure. Similarly, exposure to cyanobacteria and/or arsenic led to suppression of opsonised zymosan particle-induced neutrophil respiratory bursts.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the effects of exposure to toxic cyanobacterial biomass and arsenic on fish are enhanced when the contaminants are combined. In particular, long-term exposure led to disturbances in the white blood-cell count. Modulation of phagocytosis, which is the first line of defence against invading pathogens, suggests that the combined action leads to a decreased ability to control infection....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 62-68 PubMed PMID: 26748529 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Czech Republic:ethnology, Family Relations:ethnology, Female, Humans, Male, Masculinity, Roma:ethnology,.   

: This article is intended to describe the current hegemonic masculinity within the Roma family structure in the Czech Republic, with regard to changes related to developments in the majority society and the current socioeconomic situation of the Roma. The theoretical context of this article is based on the paradigm of masculine hegemony as it exists and has existed in the Roma families. Data for the study came from semi-structured interviews with 30 Roma females and 30 Roma males living as couples, in three Czech cities. The main finding reveals a dichotomy between the traditional roles of Roma women, i.e. care for the family and the household, and the present functions, i.e. contributing to the family income through social benefits. We observed a decline in the traditional role of Roma men, who were often unemployed. We related the change in the roles of men to the "non-functionality of the men", contributing to the emerging potential for emancipation of Roma women. However, the traditional patriarchal Roma family is structured such that men are given the main decision making powers, which has slowed changes in marginalized Roma families. Additionally, social pressures against women as well as socially conditioned pressures that act to preserve hegemonic masculinity, have largely prevented the realization of the potential for emancipation of Roma women, or if a woman tries to leave her non-functioning husband....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(5): 458-464 PubMed PMID: 26707047 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Autoantibodies:immunology, Candida albicans, Candidiasis:immunology, Carrier State:immunology, Child, Child, Preschool, Cross Reactions, Female, Ghrelin:immunology, Growth Disorders:immunology, Helicobacter Infections:immunology, Helicobacter .   

OBJECTIVES: Many of peptides synthesized in gastrointestinal tract (GI) and adipose tissues, regulate growth and food intake. The GI microflora is an antigenic source. Based on the molecular mimicry hypothesis, intestinal microbe-derived antigens may trigger the production of autoantibodies cross-reacting with some neuropeptides.

DESIGN: The aim of the study was to assess whether in idiopathic short stature (ISS) children with Candida albicans (C.albicans) colonisation and/or Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection the autoantibodies (in positive levels) against selected neuropeptides [anti-NP Abs(+)]: ghrelin, leptin, orexin A, αMSH are more prevalent than in Controls.

SETTING: The study group comprised 64 children with ISS and 36 children with normal height (Controls). In each child, IgG antibodies against H.pylori, ghrelin, leptin, orexin A and αMSH were assessed in serum, while presence of C.albicans - in stool samples.

RESULTS: The higher prevalence of anti-NP Abs(+) in ISS children with C.albicans and/or H.pylori than in normal height children with the colonization in question (34.4% vs 21.1%, p<0.01) was found. The prevalence of anti-NP Abs(+) in groups of children without C.albicans and H.pylori were low, anti-NP Abs(+) were detected in 9.4% of ISS children only, while in Controls they were not found.

CONCLUSIONS: In short children with C.albicans and/or H.pylori the incidence of autoantibodies against selected neuropeptides is high. It probably is connected with molecular mimicry between antigens of these microbiota and the mentioned peptides. It is tempting to speculate that presence of cross-reacting autoantibodies against regulatory neuropeptides may results in worse growth velocity. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate this issue....

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Case Reports 2015; 36(5): 410-413 PubMed PMID: 26707038 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antidiuretic Agents:therapeutic use, Deamino Arginine Vasopressin:therapeutic use, Diabetes Insipidus:diagnosis, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications:diagnosis,.   

: Gestational diabetes insipidus is a very rare complication. However, undiagnosed and untreated may lead to serious complications in both mother and fetus. In this study, a case of 34-year-old female patient with diabetes insipidus associated with pregnancy was reported. We discussed process of diagnosis and treatment with particular emphasis on the monitoring of water-electrolyte imbalance during labor....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(4): 387-393 PubMed PMID: 26454496 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Age Factors, Female, Gravidity:physiology, Humans, Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced:epidemiology, Obstetric Labor Complications:epidemiology, Oligohydramnios:epidemiology, Parity:physiology, Poland:epidemiology, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome:epidemio.   

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the pregnancy course and neonatal outcome in women at least 40 years old during conception.

DESIGN: Data were collected on the basis of medical records of patients who gave birth between 2009-2014 at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw. Women enrolled were at least 40 years old at the moment of conception and delivered after 22 completed weeks of gestation - they were also assigned into 2 groups: primiparas and multiparas. Demographic features, pregnancy and delivery complications, mode of delivery and neonatal outcome were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS: 9760 women delivered at the Department during the study period, among them 193 met the inclusion criteria for the study: 40 primiparas (average age 40.9 ± 1.14) and 153 multiparas (average age 41.3 ± 1.35). No relation between parity and preterm delivery was observed (5% primiparas vs 11.1% multiparas; p>0.05). However, gestational age at delivery was associated with the number of pregnancies - the higher the pregnancy number, the lower the gestational age (p=0.009; R=-0.188). Primiparity was associated with an increased rate of oligohydramnios (RR=4.78; 95% CI 1.15-20.63) and pregnancy induced hypertension (RR=2.34; 95% CI 0.93-5.58). Primiparas had a significantly greater risk of operative delivery (RR=1.83; 95% CI 1.42-2.12) and unsuccessful labor inductions (RR=3.60; 95% CI 1.04-5.29). They were more often diagnosed with fibroids (RR=3.04; 95%CI 1.15-7.81). No relations between parity and birth weight, fetal abnormalities or Apgar score were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Delayed childbearing of a first child seems to increase the risk of perinatal complications, which is important for counseling purposes....

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Case Reports 2015; 36(4): 311-315 PubMed PMID: 26454485 Citation  Keywords:  Heavy Metal Poisoning, Nervous System:complications, Humans, Male, Metals, Heavy:poisoning, Poisoning:complications, Self-Injurious Behavior:complications, Thallium:poisoning, Young Adult,.   

: We report a rare case of serious voluntary intoxication by laboratory thallium monobromate combined with alcohol intake by a 24-years old man. The diagnosis of thallium intoxication was based on history, nonspecific but typical clinical symptoms including gastrointestinal complaints, painful polyneuropathy, alopecia, and confirmed by the finding of increased thallium concentration in the urine. The treatment, performed at the due time, consisted of decontamination of the stomach by irrigation, administration of active charcoal and Prussian blue, correction of water and mineral dysbalance, symptomatic treatment, and led to complete recovery....

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Case Reports 2015; 36(4): 306-310 PubMed PMID: 26454484 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Hyponatremia:drug therapy, Male, Sodium:blood, Tuberculosis, Meningeal:complications,.   

: Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) is characterized by severe natriuresis and volume depletion in the presence of cerebral pathology. In literature, there are few reports about tuberculous meningitis and cerebral CSWS. In this article, we report two tuberculous meningitis cases with CSWS and present a review of the literature on this topic. Cerebral salt wasting diagnosis was based on hyponatraemia associated with high urinary sodium excretion and inappropriately high urine output in the presence of dehydration. Treatment was made with sodium-fluid replacement plus fludrocortisone therapy in both cases. In agreement with the literature we argue that cerebral salt wasting syndrome might be more common than the syndromes of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) in cerebral disorders. Differentiating the cerebral salt wasting syndrome from the SIADH is very important because unrecognized cerebral salt wasting syndrome can lead to inadequate management and result in unnecessary hyponatremia-related morbidity. The electrolyte and hydration status of patients should be monitored closely in patients with tuberculous meningitis....

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Case Reports 2015; 36(4): 303-305 PubMed PMID: 26454483 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Female, Hashimoto Disease:complications, Hormone Replacement Therapy:methods, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Oculomotor Nerve Diseases:drug therapy, Recurrence, Steroids:therapeutic use, Thyroiditis, Autoimmune:complications,.   

: Ophthalmopathy related to thyroid disease is due mainly to diffuse periorbital or eye muscle inflammation. It is more common in Grave's hyperthyroidism and rare in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. Here we report a case of recurrent oculomotor nerve palsy associated with autoimmune hypothyroidism. Brain MRI revealed enhancement of the oculomotor nerves. Despite thyroid hormone replacement therapy, oculomotor nerve palsy recurred at the side contralateral to the initially involved nerve and the autoimmune antibody titer remained high. The symptom was responsive to high-dose steroid therapy....

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