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Journal Article 2013; 34(1): 62-70 PubMed PMID: 23524626 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Axonal Transport:physiology, Horseradish Peroxidase:pharmacokinetics, Lactic Acid:pharmacology, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Myelin Sheath:physiology, Nerve Regeneration:drug effects, Polyesters, Polymers:pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Sprague-.   

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the poly(dextrogyr-levogyr) lactide acid-triiodothyronine (PDLLA-T3) seeded with Schwann cells conduit for repairing sciatic nerve defect.

MATERIALS & METHODS: The rats were divided into three groups: autologous nerve transplantation (Group A), PDLLA-T3 + Schwann cells (Group B) and PDLLA + Schwann cells (Group C).

RESULTS: Myelin sheath thickness was significantly greater in Group A compared with Group B and Group C. The regenerated nerves had nearly normal structure in Group A, and in Groups B and C nerve tissues filled in the anastomotic site and angiogenesis was noted. The mean number of myelinated nerve fibers and neurons in Group B was greater than in Group C.

CONCLUSIONS: PDLLA-T3 is superior to PDLLA alone for repairing nerve defects....

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Journal Article 2011; 32(3): 286-291 PubMed PMID: 21712780 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Argyria:metabolism, Dental Prosthesis:adverse effects, Electron Probe Microanalysis, Female, Gingiva:chemistry, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Middle Aged, Mouth:metabolism, Mouth Diseases:chemically induced, Mouth Mucosa:m.   

OBJECTIVE: Argyria is generally classified as localized or generalized condition. Distinct pigmentation of the oral mucosa in the vicinity of amalgam fillings is often referred to as amalgam tattoos. Pigmented areas can also be associated with silver-containing corrosion products of dental alloys used for prosthetic restorations. Silver-containing electron dense particles (Ag-EDPs) are frequently found in pigmented areas. We attempted to correlate results of the elemental composition of Ag-EDPs with excerpts from health profiles of our study paticipants.

DESIGN/SETTING: Eight patients with diagnosed signs of localized argyria were investigated in this study. Biopsies from distinctly pigmented gingival areas were subjected to histological examination, electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis.

RESULTS: Elemental composition of Ag-EDPs determined by x-ray microanalysis showed mainly silver in combination with sulfur or selenium or a combination of both chalcogens. Elemental analyzes results of Ag-EDPs were analyzed along with excerpts from the patient's clinical records. Two patients with low or undetectable selenium in the Ag-EDPs suffered from autoimmune thyroiditis, Parkinson's disease, bronchial asthma, and allergies to molds, pollen and dust.

CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that selenium in Ag-EDPs is a product of the detoxification process for Ag(+) ions in gingival tissue and that it may reflect the availability of endogenous selenium for physiological processes in the human body. Its presence or absence might thus be used as another marker of a patient's health status....

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Journal Article 2011; 32(1): 44-50 PubMed PMID: 21407158 Citation  Keywords:  Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity:epidemiology, Female, Fetal Blood:metabolism, Fetal Diseases:epidemiology, Humans, Lead:pharmacokinetics, Lead Poisoning:epidemiology, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, Phagocytosis:physiology, Placenta:meta.   

OBJECTIVE: This work is aiming at broadening knowledge about placenta and giving evidence that lead penetrates through transplacental barrier. We have intended to find further possible reasons of the rise of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to suggest ways of preventing development of this syndrome.

METHODS: For revealing presence of lead in placenta and umbilical cord blood we used histochemical methods, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis of element composition and infrared spectroscopy.

RESULTS: We are presenting new findings that emphasize importance of Hofbauer cells. These cells have high phagocyting activity and form filter regulating entering lead into umbilical cord blood and thus influence possibility of the ADHD rise. We found positivity on lipids in placenta. Importance of this finding consists in the fact that lead is lipophilic metal and tissue containing lipid is available path for the transport of lead. We explained why just striatum is affected with toxic action of lead in case of ADHD syndrome. We have also shown that more blood elements circulate in umbilical cord blood than in a common circulation.

CONCLUSIONS: High number of patients with the ADHD syndrome inspired us to suggest establishment of centers where these children would be registered. Staff of specialists consisting of psychologist, physician and physicist (responsible for application of methods of early diagnosis) will take care of the development of their health conditions and further treatment....

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Journal Article 2008; 29(5): 702-705 PubMed PMID: 18987602 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Electric Stimulation, Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials:physiology, Hippocampus:blood supply, Ischemic Attack, Transient:physiopathology, Long-Term Potentiation:physiology, Male, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Synaptic Transmission:physiology,.   

OBJECTIVES: Long-term potentiation (LTP) of neuronal activity in the hippocampus is thought to be a substrate for learning and memory. The influence of ischemia (IS) (hypoxia/hypoglycemia) on induction of LTP of synaptic transmission (ST) by high frequency stimulation (HFS) was investigated in rat hippocampal slices.

METHODS: Neurons were stimulated via Schäffer collaterals and field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) were recorded extracellularly from the CA1 region. LTP was induced by one single train (100 Hz, 1s).

RESULTS: In controls LTP of ST after HFS was 179.70+/-12.53%. Short IS of 2.5-4.5 min elicited a transient failure of ST, with return to former value followed by further increase of fEPSP amplitude to 142.28+/-16.24%, compared to amplitude before IS. HFS was elicited 40 min after exposure to IS and LTP was measured over further 40-60 min. LTP in slices exposed to 2.5-4.5-min IS was 139.94+/-14.01%. IS of 6-7.5 min elicited a prolonged failure of ST, with almost full recovery (96.69+/-14.42%). LTP was not activated 40 min after 6-7.5-min IS and the amplitude of fEPSP was even reduced to 80.14+/-19.19% compared to the former mean value of fEPSP 10 min before HFS.

CONCLUSION: The results revealed that prolonged 6-7.5-min IS influenced induction of LTP of ST in the hippocampus and thus it could have deleterious effects on learning and memory. These findings may have clinical implications in stroke, brain ischemia, sleep apnoe and call for studying the effect of neuroprotectants on the induction of LTP in hippocampus exposed to oxidative stress....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(4): 529-534 PubMed PMID: 16891989 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Condylomata Acuminata:epidemiology, Female, Human papillomavirus 11, Human papillomavirus 16, Human papillomavirus 6, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical, Kidney Failure, Chronic:epidemiology, Kidney Transplantation:s.   

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate: 1) The prevalence of human papillomavirus (types 6 and 11 carrying a low risk of neoplasia, and type 16 implicated as cause of cervical neoplasia and cancer) in normal pregnant women and pregnant renal transplant recipients. 2) The correlation between maternal HPV infection and HPV presence in the cord blood and the oral cavity of the neonate. Evaluation of a likely, additional route of HPV transmission to the fetus, apart from the infected birth canal during vaginal delivery. The correlation between the mode of delivery in HPV-infected patients and the presence of HPV in their offspring.

DESIGN: Thirty-nine pregnant patients were included in the study. The study group consisted of nine pregnant renal transplant recipients. The control group consisted of 30 patients with normal pregnancy. The DNA of HPV types 6, 11 and 16 was studied in the discharge from the cervical canal, the maternal venous blood, the cord blood and the buccal smear obtained from the neonates.

SETTING: A university teaching hospital delivering approximately 2000 women annually.

RESULTS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) was found in 10 (26%) of 39 subjects. HPV types 6 and 11 was found in 7 (18%) of 39 subjects while HPV type 16 was present in 5 (13%) of the subjects. The co-occurrence of HPV types 6, 11 and 16 was detected in 2 patients from the control group. Transmission of HPV was established in 70% of study patients and their offspring.

CONCLUSIONS: 1) The HPV was found with 26% pregnant women. 2) The occurrence of HPV infections with pregnant renal transplant recipients in comparison with normal pregnancy was on similar level. High percentage of HPV transmission from mother to neonate was obtained. 3) The cesarean section probably doesn't protect from HPV infection. 4) There's a suggestion, the HPV infection of fetus may occur in utero....

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Comparative Study 2005; 26(6): 766-770 PubMed PMID: 16380676 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Comorbidity, DNA, Viral:analysis, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1:epidemiology, Female, Fetal Blood:virology, Genitalia, Female:virology, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical:statistics & numerical data, Mouth:virology, Papi.   

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of human papillomavirus, both types of a low oncogenic risk (HPV 6, 11) and a type carrying a high oncogenic risk (HPV 16) in the genital tract of the pregnant patients, their venous blood, the cord blood and the oral cavities of the neonates. Normal pregnant women and pregnant women with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) diagnosed before pregnancy were included in the study.

DESIGN: The study group consisted of 15 pregnant women aged 22 to 32 years with IDDM diagnosed before pregnancy. The control group consisted of 30 patients aged 18 to 38 years, with normal pregnancy. The DNA of HPV types 6, 11 and 16 was studied in the discharge from the cervical canal, the maternal venous blood, the cord blood and the buccal smear obtained from the neonates. To detect of viral DNA the PCR was used.

SETTING: A university teaching hospital delivering approximately 2000 women annually.

RESULTS: Human papillomavirus (HPV) was found in 12 (26.7%) of the 45 pregnant women. Of the 15 patients with pregestational IDDM the DNA of HPV was detected in four (26.7%) of the patients. The DNA of HPV types 6 and 11 was found in three (20%) patients. The DNA of HPV type 16 was detected in one pregnant patient in the study group (6.67%). Of the 30 control patients, HPV DNA was detected in eight (26%). In two (6.6%), infection with oncogenic and non-oncogenic types of HPV was diagnosed. The DNA of HPV types 6 and 11 was found in six (20%) subjects. Of the 30 control patients, the DNA of HPV type 16 was detected in four (13.3%). The transmission of HPV from HPV-positive mother to fetus was found in 50% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS: (i) There was a similar level of occurrence of HPV infections in pregnant women with IDDM when compare with normal pregnancy. (ii) High percentage of HPV transmission from mother to neonate was determined. (iii) The cesarean section probably does not protect the neonate from HPV infection. (iv) There is a suggestion that fetus may be affected by HPV infection during intrauterine life....

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Journal Article 2004; 25(3): 219-222 PubMed PMID: 15349089 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Estradiol:pharmacology, Female, Hypothalamus:enzymology, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Sexual Maturation:physiology, Synaptic Transmission:drug effects,.   

OBJECTIVES: To determine the hypothalamic activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS, the enzyme involved in the synthesis of nitric oxide NO) during sexual maturation in prepubertal (15 days old) and peripubertal female rats (30 days old) as well as the effect of estradiol administration on this neurotransmitter system.

METHODS: Hypothalamic samples containing the anterior preoptic and medial basal areas (APOA-MBH) were homogenized with HEPES 20 mM, pH = 7.4 and NOS activity was determined in APO-MBH after 10 minutes of incubation by the conversion of 14C arginine to 14C citrulline.

RESULTS: The hypothalamic concentration of NOS is significantly higher in peripubertal than in prepubertal rats. Treatment with EB increased significantly the activity of the enzyme in both groups compared with control and the increases was similar at both ages.

CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly demonstrated that the hypothalamic NOS activity increases in peripubertal rats as compared with prepubertal animals. Estradiol has a similar stimulatory effect on hypothalamic NOS activity at both ages of sexual maturation, indicating that the increase in NOS during sexual maturation is connected with the peripubertal increase of estradiol rather than an increase in the sensitivity of the enzyme to the ovarian hormone....

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