We are using an SV40-based shuttle vector, pZ189, to study mechanisms of mutagenesis in mammalian cells. The vector can be treated with mutagens in vitro and replicated in animal cells; resulting mutants can be selected and amplified in bacteria for DNA sequencing. This versatile vector system has allowed us to explore several different questions relating to the mutagenic process. We have studied the direct effects of template damage caused by UV or benzo[a]pyrene diolepoxide by treating vector DNA with these agents and then replicating the damaged DNA in monkey cells. Mutational mechanisms were deduced from the spectrum of mutations induced in the supF target gene of the vector DNA. To study the role of indirect effects of DNA damage on mutagenesis in mammalian cells, we have treated the cells and the vector DNA separately with DNA-damaging agents. We find that pretreatment of cells with DNA-damaging agents, or with conditioned medium from damaged cells, causes an enhancement of mutagenesis of a UV-damaged vector. Thus, DNA damage can act indirectly to enhance the mutagenic process. We also have preliminary evidence that pZ189 can be used in an in vitro DNA replication system to study the process of mutation fixation on the biochemical level. We believe that the pZ189 vector will prove to be as useful for in vitro studies of mutational mechanisms as it has been for in vivo studies.

7,8-Dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene 9,10-oxide↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone-iodine liposome hydrogel improves epithelialization by combining moisture and antisepis. A new concept in wound therapy.

Moist treatment of wounds has been shown to improve epithelialization, however at an increased risk of bacterial infection. In this monocentric, randomized, open, phase II pilot study of polyvinyl pyrrolidone-iodine, a well-established topical antiseptic was tested in a new liposomal complexed form in patients receiving meshed skin grafts after burns or reconstructive procedures. Mesh skin graft sites of 36 patients were dressed either with the new polyvinyl-pyrrolidone-iodine liposome hydrogel formulation (Betasom hydrogel) (n = 21), or chlorhexidine-gauze (n = 15). After the first dressing change, wounds were assessed daily and documented every other day until they were healed. Methods of analysis included clinical assessment, photoplanimetry (rate of epithelialization), impedance measurement (moisture of surface and wound healing quality), patient's assessment of pain and other sensations, and thyroid hormones (T3, T4, and TSH). The rate of epithelialization was improved with Betasom hydrogel compared to chlorhexidine-gauze on day 11 (96.3% vs. 75.9% p = 0.056) and significantly on day 13 (100% vs. 82.3% p = 0.005), respectively. Impedance measurements showed an earlier return to normal values (day 9) in Betasom-hydrogel-treated wounds as opposed to chlorhexidine treatment (day 11). Clinical assessment indicated significantly better antiseptic efficacy (p = 0.002) and wound healing quality (p = 0.004) of Betasom hydrogel. Graft loss occurred at a significantly lower rate in Betasom treatment (n = 1; 5%), than in chlorhexidine treatment (n = 5; 35.7%) (p = 0.001). No relevant adverse events or clinically relevant changes of thyroid hormones were observed with Betasom hydrogel. The rationale of this new polyvinyl pyrrolidone-iodine liposomal formulation was based on the properties of liposomes that provide higher moisture to the wound surface, release PVP-iodine at a low rate, and target the substance more exactly by interaction with the cell surface. These initial clinical results show earlier epithelialization and better healing in wounds treated with polyvinyl pyrrolidone-iodine liposome hydrogel, which combines moisture and antisepsis, compared to wounds treated with a conventional antiseptic chlorhexidine-gauze.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The study of candidates' genes in psychiatric diseases. I. Schizophrenia].

The study concerning the importance of genetic factors in etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia is presented below. In molecular genetics research there are two most frequently applied strategies: searching of the whole genome in order to find new genes; and molecular analysis of a candidate gene. Candidate gene analysis consist in choosing a gene which could theoretically have a connection with a given certain disease. The presented reference review includes the results of study concerning candidate genes analysis referring to biochemical hypothesis of schizophrenia. The aim of the study is to find changes at the level of nucleotide sequence in DNA, which have a connection with the disease. It was stated in many medical centres that in case of schizophrenia the polymorphism of gene's receptor D3 and gene's receptor 5HT2A can be of etiological importance. It was also proved that the clinical effect of clozapine could be connected with polymorphism of gene's receptor 5HT2A.

Genetic Linkage↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The study of candidate genes in psychiatric disease. II. Affective disorders].

The results of research concerning the importance of genetic factors in etiopathogenesis of affective diseases are presented. In molecular genetics research there are two most frequently applied strategies: searching of the whole genome in order to find new genes and molecular analysis of candidate genes. Candidate gene analysis consist in choosing a gene which could theoretically have a connection with the disease. The polymorphism of a chosen gene is estimated and then its connection with the disease is defined. The presented reference review concerns the results of candidate genes research, which refer to biochemical hypothesis of affective diseases. In many medical centers it was found that in affective disorders the polymorphism of gene's receptor D4, GABA and serotonin transporter could be of etiological importance.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Genetic factors in the etiology of anorexia nervosa].

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disease of complex ethiopatogenesis. Population genetics studies suggest a significant role of genetic factors in the morbidity risk. Family and twin studies allow for the estimation of the heritability--the influence of genetic factors on the specific phenotype--of the anorexia nervosa in 50-80%. Due to the low prevalence of the disease, the adoption studies have not been performed. The rapid development of the molecular biology methods gives possibility for the searching of the specific genes increasing the risk of anorexia nervosa. Linkage studies are based on scanning the whole genome for loci associated with susceptibility to a certain disease. In the preliminary studies, no linkage was found between anorexia nervosa and the markers on the chromosomes 1-5, 13 and X. In the association studies, relationship between vulnerability to AN and polymorphism in 5-HT2a receptor and uncoupling proteins gene were reported. These results need further confirmation.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Polish version of Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI): the analysis of reliability].

The reliability of every main scale of the Polish version of Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was proven on the group of 144 students.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Usefulness of Widlöcher scale in assessment of psychomotor activity disorders in endogenous depression].

A group of 50 patients with a diagnosis of affective disease was examined. Dependence between the intensification of depression psychomotor activity measured according to Widlöcher scale was established. Neurophysiological factors (such as thinking productivity, letter drafting, tapping test, simple reaction time) correlated with the intensification of psychomotor activation disorders.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Depressive disorders with psychomotor activity in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome].

In a group of 85 men with alcohol dependence syndrome occurrence of depressive symptoms was examined and the intensification of psychomotor activation disorders was assessed. 60% of patients showed symptoms of depression during alcohol intoxication. Relationship between the intensification of depressive symptoms and psychomotor activity disorders was testified.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[2 cases of lesions in the medulla oblongata of probable inflammatory origin].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗