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Uncinaria stenocephala belongs to Ancylostomatidae family. Members of this family – hookworms – infect millions of people and animals worldwide. U. stenocephala is most pathogenic in dogs and other Canidae, which are the main hosts, and infection causes anemia or even death. So far no effective hookworm vaccine has been developed that is economically viable. Attempts to identify vaccine antigens have led to a group of aspartic proteases, which play a key role in parasite feeding, migration through host tissues and immune evasion. The cDNA of an aspartic protease from U. stenocephala was cloned using the RACE-PCR method. Computational analysis showed that the cDNA encodes a 447 amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 52 kDa that shows high homology to aspartic proteases from related hookworms. Analysis identified 1 potential N-glycosylation site, 3 potential disulfide bonds and no O-glycosylation sites. The recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli followed by purification and mouse immunization. Using raised anti-Us-APR-1 2 (Uncinaria stenocephala Aspartic protease-1) serum the presence of Us-APR-1 in the adult stage of U. stenocephala and the expression of homologous protease in L3 and adult stages of A. ceylanicum was confirmed. This analysis is the first phase of work exploring the biological role of Us-APR-1 in parasite-host interactions and raises hope for successful vaccine development against Uncinaria sp. and possibly Ancylostoma sp.

Fasciolosis is a considerable veterinary problem, causing significant economic losses to livestock production and the food industry. Research in the area of Fasciola hepatica infection immunology is necessary to improve our knowledge about immunological mechanism evoked by the parasite and to develop new control strategies against liver fluke. In this present paper we analyzed the expression levels of cytokines in rats infected with F. hepatica following immunization with F. hepatica phosphoglycerate kinase - a novel vaccine antigen. Immune response analysis using microarray was undertaken six weeks after infection. Expression levels of INF-γ and IL-4, which are characteristic cytokines secreted during Th1-like and Th2-like immune responses, respectively, were unchanged in vaccinated animals as compared to control animals. This indicates the vaccine did not influence the major modulation of immune responses typically observed during Fasciola infections, however, other subtle but significant variations were observed that indicated altered inflammatory and possibly T helper cell responses. A significant rise in IL-12α chain expression levels was observed. Expression levels of TNF-α and some related molecules, such as ADAM17, FasL, CD40 and TRAF3 were also elevated. Expression levels of molecules involved in IL-1 signaling pathways were reduced, although a rise in IL-1α expression was noted.

We study the existence of mild solutions to the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau ((TDGL), for short) equations on an unbounded interval. The rapidity of the growth of those solutions is characterized. We investigate the local and global attractivity of solutions of TDGL equations and we describe their asymptotic behaviour. The TDGL equations model the state of a superconducting sample in a magnetic field near critical temperature. This paper is based on the theory of Banach space, Fréchet space, and Sobolew space.

We formulate a criterion for the existence of an invariant measure for a Feller semigroup defined on a metric space with the e-property for bounded continuous functions and use it to prove the asymptotic stability of a semigroup satisfying a lower bound condition. Our results complement those of A. Lasota and J. A. Yorke in proper metric spaces and of T. Szarek in Polish spaces., 14 pages, revised version, to appear in Studia Mathematica

Purpose A sutureless gastroschisis repair allows for spontaneous closure of abdominal wall defect. We report our experience focusing on final esthetic outcome. Methods Retrospective data were collected from medical reports of all neonates with gastroschisis operated from January 2009 to December 2013. Variables recorded included patients descriptors, management modality, and cosmetic outcome. Results From the overall group of 38 patients with gastroschisis, 20 infants treated with sutureless closure were included in this study. In the analyzed cohort, 17 (85%) children were operated under general anesthesia and 3 (15%) without intubation. Primary reduction was possible in 15 (75%) cases, and in 5 (25%) we used silo. There were two (10%) deaths in late postoperative course due to septic complications. Three (15%) infants needed laparotomy because of adhesions and bowel obstruction. There were no infectious complications of the wound. Only 55% (10/18) of children presented umbilical hernia prior to discharge. Only two (11%) children with umbilical hernia were operated until now. Almost all patients (16/18; 89%) present excellent final cosmetic result without scar formation. Conclusion Sutureless closure of uncomplicated gastroschisis is a safe technique that reduces need of intubation and provides excellent cosmetic results.

Hookworms, a group to which Ancylostoma ceylanicum belongs, are gastrointestinal nematodes that infect more than 700 million people around the world. They are a leading cause of anemia in developing countries. In order to effectively prevent hookworm infections research is conducted to develop an effective vaccine using recombinant antigens of the parasite. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the hosts' on protection against ancylostomiasis and the shaping of the humoral immune response among Syrian hamsters after immunization with a cocktail of five A. ceylanicum recombinant antigens. Ace-ASP-3, Ace-ASP-4, Ace-APR-1, Ace-MEP-6 and Ace-MEP-7 were obtained in the pET expression system. Immunization with a vaccine cocktail resulted in a 33.5% worm burden reduction. The immunogenicity of the recombinant proteins were determined using ELISA. Statistical analysis showed that vaccinated hamsters developed stronger humoral responses to four of five recombinant antigens (the exception being Ace-ASP-3) compared to hamsters from the control group.

Objectives. The aim of the study was to establish whether fecal calprotectin concentration (FCC) may be useful in children with chronic abdominal pain to differentiate between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Methods. The study included 163 patients (median age 13 years), who were assigned to four study groups: group 0 (control), 22 healthy children; group 1, 33 children with functional gastrointestinal disorders; group 2, 71 children with inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders other than IBD; group 3, 37 children with IBD. FCC was measured using ELISA assay. Results. In group 0 and group 1 FCCs were below 100 μg/g. Low FCCs were found in 91% of patients in group 2. In patients with IBD FCCs were markedly elevated with median value of 1191.5 μg/g. However, in children with inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders other than IBD and in children with IBD mean FCCs were significantly higher compared with the control group. Significant differences in FCCs were also found between group 1 and group 2, between group 1 and group 3, and between group 2 and group 3. Conclusion. FCC is the best parameter allowing for differentiation between IBD, other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, and functional gastrointestinal disorders. High FCC is associated with a high probability of IBD and/or other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, and it allows excluding functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are chronic, life-long, and relapsing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, there are no complete cure possibilities, but combined pharmacological and nutritional therapy may induce remission of the disease. Malnutrition and specific nutritional deficiencies are frequent among IBD patients, so the majority of them need nutritional treatment, which not only improves the state of nutrition of the patients but has strong anti-inflammatory activity as well. Moreover, some nutrients, from early stages of life are suspected as triggering factors in the etiopathogenesis of IBD. Both parenteral and enteral nutrition is used in IBD therapy, but their practical utility in different populations and in different countries is not clearly established, and there are sometimes conflicting theories concerning the role of nutrition in IBD. This review presents the actual data from research studies on the influence of nutrition on the etiopathogenesis of IBD and the latest findings regarding its mechanisms of action. The use of both parenteral and enteral nutrition as therapeutic methods in induction and maintenance therapy in IBD treatment is also extensively discussed. Comparison of the latest research data, scientific theories concerning the role of nutrition in IBD, and different opinions about them are also presented and discussed. Additionally, some potential future perspectives for nutritional therapy are highlighted.

The aim of the study was cloning and analysis of the entire coding sequence of hamster IL-2 by the method of RACE-PCR, its expression in Escherichia coli cells, and production of IL-2 specific antibodies. These antibodies were used to determine in vitro IL-2 production by cells derived from the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of Ancylostoma ceylanicum infected hamsters. The highest concentration of IL-2 was noted in supernatants from cell cultures coming from the oldest, most resistant hamsters.

Background and Aims: The commensal microbiota of the gastrointestinaltract plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory boweldisease. We examined the horizontal structure of the fecal microbiota in thecolon in adolescents with Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis and a controlgroup.Patients and Methods: Fecal samples were collected in 3 fractions frompatients with Crohn disease (n¼22), ulcerative colitis (n¼12), and controls(n¼24) during preparation for colonoscopy. Additionally, biopsies fromcolon tissue were taken. Samples were examined using a culture techniqueand a fluorescent in situ hybridization method. The mucin degradation assaywas carried out.Results: Quantitative composition of the microbiota was different in theconsecutive 3 fecal fractions and in the colon tissue of the study groups,but in patients from the control group, the composition of microbiota inthe consecutive fractions was similar. Statistical analyses showed that thetotal distribution of the studied bacterial taxons in the contents in all 3 fecalfractions and in the colon tissue in the given disease group, and in the controlgroup was characteristic for the studied patient group. Differences in speciesdistribution among the cohorts studied were highly significant (P

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is an effective method of treatment in achieving remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, its mechanism of action is still poorly understood. The objective of our study was to assess the influence of EEN on serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in children and adolescents with IBD.Thirty-nine children and adolescents with IBD (24 with Crohn disease [CD] and 15 with ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. VEGF and TGF-β1 were assessed at the baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of EEN in CD and UC groups and once in controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoassays.At the baseline, we found increased serum VEGF in the CD versus UC group and controls (P 0.05) and serum TGF-β1 in the UC versus CD group and controls (P 0.05). During EEN, VEGF decreased in the UC and CD groups, whereas TGF-β1 increased in the CD group and decreased in the UC group. The CD group achieved disease remission faster than the UC group, and the weight gain of patients with CD during EEN was higher compared with patients with UC. Additionally, TGF-β1 concentration correlated with protein and energies daily intake in the CD group (R = 0.95; P 0.05).Different effectiveness of EEN in achieving remission in CD and UC may result from a modification of growth factor production. EEN stimulated TGF-β1 production in CD but not in UC, which possibly resulted in higher effectiveness of EEN in this group of patients.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is phagocytic cell metabolic disorder resulting in recurrent infections and granuloma formation. This paper reports the favourable outcome of allogeneic transplantation in six high-risk CGD patients. The following donors were used: HLA-matched, related (two) and unrelated (three), and HLA-mismatched, unrelated (one). One patient was transplanted twice using the same sibling donor because of graft rejection at 6 months after reduced-intensity conditioning transplant (fludarabine and melphalan). Myeloablative conditioning regimen consisted of busulphan and cyclophosphamide. Stem cell source was unmanipulated bone marrow containing: 5.2 (2.6-6.5) × 10(8) nucleated cells, 3.8 (2.0-8.0) × 10(6) CD34+ cells and 45 (27-64) × 10(6) CD3+ cells per kilogramme. Graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine A and, for unrelated donors, short course of methotrexate and anti-T-lymphocyte globulin. Mean neutrophile and platelet engraftments were observed at day 22 (20-23) and day 20 (16-29), respectively. Pre-existing infections and inflammatory granulomas resolved. With the follow-up of 4-35 months (mean, 20 months), all patients are alive and well with full donor chimerism and normalized superoxide production.

Giardia intestinalis is a complex species divided into 7 assemblages (A - G). Two of them (A and B) are infective for both humans and animals. In cats four assemblages can occur: A, B, D, and F Assemblages A and B infect either cats, dogs and humans, assemblage D infects cats and dogs and assemblage F only cats. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypes of G. intestinalis in cats from Warsaw. From November 2006 to March 2007 a hundred sixty samples of stool were collected and examined by light microscopy. G. intestinalis cysts were detected in 3.75% of samples. DNA extracted from positive samples was used as template for PCR-RFLP using Giardia specific primers and the amplicons were sequenced. A comparison of the obtained DNA sequences with the Giardia sequences in the GeneBank database revealed assemblage A in 1.25% of the investigated cats, assemblage B in 1.25% and D in 1.25%.

Fasciola hepatica infections cause huge economic losses to livestock production and are a serious problem in human and veterinary medicine. The main difficulty in the control of infections is progressing drug resistance. Moreover, pharmacological therapy is expensive and harmful for the environment. The best way of prophylaxis against infections seems to be vaccination. A new generation of vaccines could be the best possible way of controlling fasciolosis. This paper is focused on first vaccination trials based on a new vaccine candidate antigen, F. hepatica phosphoglycerate kinase (FhPGK) performed on a rat model. We obtained protection levels ranging from 0% to 69% depending on the way of delivery and form of vaccine.

The aim of this work was to develop a PCR assay for the detection of F. hepatica in Galba truncatula snails and to evaluate its performance in field studies. Primers were designed to amplify a 124 bp non-coding tandem repeat found in the Fasciola genome. The result was a banding pattern corresponding to multiples of the initial target sequence. The sensitivity of the PCR was determined on experimentally infected snails. The test was sensitive enough to detect fluke DNA in snails experimentally infected with 1 miracidium, within 12 h after exposure. The specificity was determined with Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Paramphistomum cervi and snail DNA. No cross-reactions occurred with DNA of the trematodes or snail DNA. G. truncatula specimens were collected from 4 localities in Eastern Poland, with a total of 192 snails from 12 habitats. The overall prevalence of F. hepatica infection was 26.6% (51/192), ranging from 21.4% to 84.6% in the individual sites. The designed assay was shown to be a valuable epidemiological tool for the purpose of snail infection monitoring. The results on F. hepatica prevalence in snail hosts are the first data from Poland since the 1950s and the only such data based on molecular methods.

In the presented study we evaluated the hematological changes in samples of blood obtained from 248 dogs naturally infected with large Babesia. The evaluation included red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leucocyte counts, thrombocyte counts, mean platelet volume (MPV), morphology of erythrocytes and leucogram. The most common disorders in affected dogs were thrombocytopenia and anisocytosis. The count of erythrocytes below reference values was detected in 26.2% of dogs and 31.4% of affected animals presented hematocrit below the reference values. Hemoglobin concentration below the reference values was noted in 29% of dogs, an increase of MCHC above normal values was detected in 21% of examinated dogs and MCV below normal values was recognized in 2% of dogs. 60.5% of dogs presented anisocytosis, 25% poikilocytosis, 23.8% polychromasia, 19.7% hypochromia and 4.4% erythroblastosis. Thrombocytopenia was detected in 99.5% of dogs, but only 15.3% of examined animals showed increase of MPV, which suggests a response of the bone marrow. 36.3% of dogs had neutropenia, and 21.8% presented a left shift, 14.9% had the lymphocytosis and 7.2% lymphopenia.

Immune responses of rats and sheep following vaccination with cDNA encoding phosphoglycerate kinase of Fasciola hepatica (cDNA-FhPGK/pCMV) and F. hepatica infection were investigated in the present study. cDNA-FhPGK/pCMV vaccinated female Sprague-Dawley rats were better protected by vaccination than their male counterparts - 48% reduction in fluke burden for females and no protection for males when compared with appropriate infection control groups. Moreover, male rats developed marked leukocytosis during the study with higher neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte responses than females. Additionally, dynamics of eosinophil and monocyte responses varied between sexes. Increased titres of anti-FhPGK IgG1 and IgG2a correlated with the protective effect of vaccination that was observed among female rats. In the case of male sheep, no differences in worm burdens and in the course of the immune response were observed following vaccination. Titres of specific antibodies detected were low, and cellular responses were not significant. Apparently, sheep immune responses induced by cDNA-FhPGK/pCMV vaccination are not effective at controlling F. hepatica infection. Poor immunogenicity of DNA vaccines in large animals is still a major obstacle of this technology that has to be overcome.

Fasciola hepatica infections cause large economic losses and are a serious veterinary medicine problem in many regions of the world. Recent studies examining fascioliasis in the bison population from Bialowieza National Park have shown that the prevalence of infection with this parasite is up to 100%. Liver flukes isolated from bison from Bialowieza National Park in Poland were compared with a fluke strain originally obtained from the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, UK, to determine variations in cercarial production and establish the ability of their metacercariae to activate in vitro. Some small differences in cercarial production between the two isolates are shown, while significant differences in the ability of their metacercariae to activate in vitro were observed.

Demands for effective vaccines to control parasitic diseases of humans and livestock have been recently exacerbated by the development of resistance of most pathogenic parasites to anti-parasitic drugs. Novel genomic and proteomic technologies have provided opportunities for the discovery and improvement of DNA vaccines which are relatively easy as well as cheap to fabricate and stable at room temperatures. However, their main limitation is rather poor immunogenicity, which makes it necessary to couple the antigens with adjuvant molecules. This paper review recent advances in the development of DNA vaccines to some pathogenic protozoa and helminths. Numerous studies were conducted over the past 14 years of 21st century, employing various administration techniques, adjuvants and new immunogenic antigens to increase efficacy of DNA vaccines. Unfortunately, the results have not been rewarding. Further research is necessary using more extensive combinations of antigens; alternate delivery systems and more efficient adjuvants based on knowledge of the immunomodulatory capacities of parasitic protozoa and helminths.

Interruption of spinal cord (SC) continuity leads to functional loss below the lesion level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) and multiple mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantations in spinal cord injury (SCI). A patient with total SC interruption at the Th2-3 level underwent experimental therapy with BMNC and MSC transplantations followed with intensive neurorehabilitation treatment. At admission, 6 h after SCI, the patient was scored ASIA A, had a Th1 sensation level, paraplegia with sphincter palsy, and was without the ability to control trunk movement. Neurophysiology examination showed bilateral axonal damage to the motor and sensory neural fibers with no motor unit potentials or peripheral motor nerve conduction in the lower extremities. The standard therapy had been applied and had not produced any positive results. The patient was treated with autologous BMNCs injected intravenously (3.2 × 109) and intrathecally (0.5 × 109) 10 weeks after the SCI and with five rounds of MSCs every 3-4 months (1.3-3.65 × 107) administered via lumbar puncture. Total number of transplanted MSC cells during the course of treatment was 1.54 × 108. There were no complications related to transplantations and no side effects related to the therapy during 2 years of treatment. The ASIA score improved from A to C/D (from 112 to 231 points). The sensation level expanded from Th1 to L3-4, and the patient's ability to control the body trunk was fully restored. Bladder filling sensation, bladder control, and anal sensation were also restored. Muscle strength in the left lower extremities improved from plegia to deep paresis (1 on the Lovett scale). The patient's ability to move lower extremities against gravity supported by the movements in quadriceps was restored. The patient gained the ability to stand in a standing frame and was able to walk with the support of hip and knee ortheses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that at the Th2/Th3 level, where the hemorrhagic necrosis was initially observed, small tissue structures appeared. Our results suggest that repeated intrathecal infusions of MSCs might have the potential to produce clinically meaningful improvements for SCI patients.

Toxocariasis was diagnosed in 3 out of 22 children (14%) treated in our center with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The patients were coming from rural areas in the southeastern Poland and did not present any clinical symptoms of toxocariasis upon admission to the hospital. Although no neurological and ophthalmological abnormalities were noticed, the atypical form of toxacariasis was diagnosed based on elevated eosinophils counts, positive serological tests, and biochemical symptoms of liver damage. The authors conclude that toxocariasis should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilia in children undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and HSCT, especially if they are coming from rural areas.

Background/Aims: Numerous clinical and experimental studies suggest that growth factors may contribute to the development of diabetic microvascular complications. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that in adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria (MA) there are specific disorders of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and concentrations of its binding proteins, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3, that could be of importance in the pathogenesis of microvascular diabetic complications. Methods: 25 adolescents with MA, 24 adolescents with diabetes without complications, and 17 controls were examined. There were no differences with regard to age, puberty stage, HbA1c and body mass index between the groups examined. Two of the patients in the first group also had diabetic retinopathy. Serum fasting concentrations of IGF-1 and overnight urine albumin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations by immunoradiometric assay and HbA1c by high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Diabetic patients were examined by an experienced ophthalmologist and neurologist. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Results: Significantly lower IGF-1 concentrations were found in adolescents with diabetes and MA compared to diabetic patients without complications and healthy contemporaries. IGFBP-1 concentrations were significantly higher and IGFBP-3 concentrations were statistically lower in diabetic patients with MA than in patients without complications. Conclusions: The IGF-IGFBP system is deranged in adolescents with type-1 diabetes mellitus and MA. Our results suggest the participation of circulating IGFBP-1 in the origin of diabetic complications. It could be also possible that IGFBP-3 takes part in the protection from them.

The aims of this study were estimation of thyroxin status in dogs infected with B. canis, and determination of the association between azotaemia and concentrations of total thyroxin (TT4) and free thyroxin (FT4) in canine babesiosis. Concentrations of TT4 and FT4 were determined using an immunoassay in 23 dogs infected with B. canis (nine azotaemic dogs and 14 non-azotaemic dogs). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the concentrations of TT4 and FT4 in groups of azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs. Correlations between azotaemic parameters (i.e. serum urea and creatinine) and TT4 and FT4 concentrations were calculated. The obtained results showed high prevalence of dogs infected with B. canis showing decreased TT4 and FT4 concentrations. No difference between concentrations of TT4 and FT4 in azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs was demonstrated, but statistically significant correlations between the level of TT4 and FT4 and serum levels of urea and creatinine were shown.

Plastic consolidation of highly fragmented materials is a cost-effective way to recover aluminum alloys. In this process, metal in the form of chips, powders, or ribbons omits the melting step that is typical for conventional scrap recycling; by that, it significantly reduces both energy expenses and material losses. By reducing the number of operations, the cost of labor and expenditures on environmental protection can be decreased. In addition, the solid bonding of metals in highly dispersed forms allows us to create heterogeneous structures that could be difficult to obtain in traditional processes. In the present study, the influence of the addition of Cu powder (99.7 wt.%) on the bonding quality of aluminum powder (99.7 wt.%) during hot extrusion is being examined. The examined materials contained aluminum powder with the addition of 5 wt.% of Cu powder. The mixture of these powders were cold compacted to produce an 80-mm-long charge for the extrusion process. Plastic consolidation was conducted at three different temperatures: 300°, 350°, and 400°C. As a result, rods 8 mm in diameter were obtained. Mechanical tests combined with microstructure observations and electrical conductivity tests were performed for the as-extruded materials.

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) can be diagnosed from the age of 10 years, when the coexistence of abdominal obesity, glucose metabolism disorders, dyslipidemia, and hypertension is observed. A binding part of MS is insulin resistance. Severe insulin resistance may be caused by a mutation in lamin (LMNA) gene. A teenager with MS due to mutation in LMNA gene is presented. A 17.5-yr-old Caucasian girl was admitted to the hospital with the suspicion of diabetes mellitus due to causal blood glucose 393 mg/dl (21.8 mmol/l), without typical diabetic symptoms. Since the age of 13 years she had been presented with excessive weight gain, hirsutism, and oligomenorrhoea. Her family history was positive for diabetes and partial lipodystrophy in three generations. Physical examination revealed abdominal obesity (waist-circumference 86 cm, BMI 27 kg/m2), android/cushingoidal habitus, acanthosis nigricans in axillae and neck, hirsutism, enlarged liver, and pseudohypertrophy of muscles of limbs with partial lipodystrophy. Based on oral glucose tolerance test diabetes was diagnosed (HOMA-IR 14). HbA1c was 9.2% (78 mmol/mol). Diabetes autoantibodies were negative. Lab tests revealed also dyslipidemia (total cholesterol 6.42 mmol/l, triglicerydes 7.42 mmol/l, HDL cholesterol 0.73 mmol/l) and elevated liver enzymes. Ultrasonography revealed steatosis hepatis and polycystic ovaries. Genetic tests confirmed that she is a carrier of heterozygous missense mutation (c.1444C>T; R482W) in the LMNA gene. Lifestyle changes, metformin dosage 500 mg three times a day and ursodeoxycholic acid were introduced as her therapy. After 4 months of this treatment HbA1c levels dropped 5.8% (40 mmol/mol). Moreover an improvement of lipid profile, liver tests and 2 kg body weight loss were observed. Diabetes mellitus as a component of MS in a young obese patient should be diagnosed individually. When other nontypical for diabetes mellitus clinical signs and symptoms exist with positive, multigenerational family history, genetic causes of MS should be taken into consideration.

Patients with heterozygous inactivating mutations in the gene encoding glucokinase, which causes type 2 maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY2), have mild fasting hyperglycemia that usually remains considerably stable during life and requires only diabetic diet as treatment. Atypical course of disease is uncommon. An 11-year-old, prepubertal, Caucasian overweight boy (BMI 22.5 kg/m2) with gynecomastia/steatomastia and diabetes was diagnosed on the basis of an oral glucose tolerance test without any typical symptoms (2-h blood glucose 215 mg/dL). Insulin levels were quite high (fasting 17.1 IU/mL, 2-h 114 IU/mL). Since 6 years of age he had been treated for Asperger syndrome, currently with risperidone. His family history was positive for diabetes in the previous three generations. At the time of diabetes diagnosis, dyslipidemia with elevated total cholesterol (212 mg/dL), triglycerides (150 mg/dL), and LDL cholesterol (133.1 mg/dL) was observed. Diabetes autoantibodies were significantly positive: islet antigen 2 antibodies …

Introduction: The direct effect of parenteral nutrition on secretion of regulatory peptides in infants has not been yet reported. Aim: The aim of the study was the analysis of secretion of chosen regulatory peptides from the gut and adipose tissue in parenterally fed infants comparing to children fed orally as well as hydrated intravenously. Materials and Methods: In this study, the response of glucose, ghrelin, leptin, PYY, GLP1 and adiponectin to the enteral and parenteral feeding in babies has been investigated. We compared three groups of infants: formula-fed infants, infants on TPN and fasted, awaiting for general anaesthesia before CT examination, receiving an i.v. 5% Original Research Article Annual Research R and calorie intake and PYY concentration (r=0.76, p

Aims: To investigate the relationship between bone-derived osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor NF-ĸB ligand (RANKL), and fat tissue-derived leptin and adiponectin with a clinical outcome of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children and adolescents. Methods: 78 patients (43 girls and 35 boys), aged 11.5±4.3 years with T1DM and 11 age- and BMI-matched controls were included into the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to HbA1c level, I – below 7% [53 mmol/mol], II – 7–9% [53–75 mmol/mol] and III – above 9% [75 mmol/mol]. Blood samples for biochemical measurements were drawn at 8.00 AM, when the patients were in a fasting state. HbA1c was measured by the standardized IFCC method. OC, OPG, RANKL, leptin and adiponectin were measured by ELISA. ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant differences in leptin and osteocalcin levels between groups with different HbA1c values were observed (p=0.03, p=0.04). Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age showed that serum OC and leptin negatively correlated with HbA1c levels (r=−0.22, p=0.004 and r=−0.27, p=0.0001, respectively). In contrast, serum OPG correlated positively with HbA1c (r=0.26, p=0.02) as well as with adiponectin (r=0.26, p=0.02) and RANKL (r=0.27, p=0.02) levels. The correlation of OC with HbA1c was the strongest in group I – patients with good metabolic control of DM (r=−0.43, p=0.03). In that group, in multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and BMI leptin correlated positively with daily dose of insulin (r=0.52, r=0.009). In group II and III in multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and BMI OC correlated negatively with leptin (r=−0.37, p=0.01). Conclusions: Our data suggest significant relationships between bone, fat tissue and glucose metabolism in pediatric patients with T1DM. The results can confirm that poor metabolic control is associated with reduced bone formation. On the other hand fat and bone tissue can influence glucose metabolism, potentiality in insulin-dependent manner. From these data leptin or OC may be potentially used as additional therapeutic agents for T1DM.

Adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ that is essential to regulation of metabolism in humans. A new approach to mental disorders led to research on involvement of adipokines in the etiology of mental disorders and mood states and their impact on the health status of psychiatric patients, as well as the effects of treatment for mental health disorders on plasma levels of adipokines. There is evidence that disturbances in adipokine secretion are important in the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and outcome of mental disorders. Admittedly leptin and adiponectin are involved in pathophysiology of depression. A lot of disturbances in secretion and plasma levels of adipokines are observed in eating disorders with a significant impact on the symptoms and course of a disease. It is still a question whether observed dysregulation of adipokines secretion are primary or secondary. Moreover findings in this area are somewhat inconsistent, owing to differences in patient age, sex, socioeconomic status, smoking habits, level of physical activity, eating pathology, general health or medication. This was the rationale for our detailed investigation into the role of the endocrine functions of adipose tissue in mental disorders. It seems that we are continually at the beginning of understanding of the relation between adipose tissue and mental disorders.