Janusz Śmigielski

Analysis of two polymorphisms of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene (Ile-58Thr and Ala-9Val) in patients with recurrent depressive disorder

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the pathogenesis of depressive disorder (DD). Functional genetic polymorphisms of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) are candidates for DD susceptibility. The study examined the relationship between MnSOD gene polymorphisms (Ala-9Val, Ile-58Thr) and DD in the Polish population. The association study was conducted in a case-control design in DD patients (n=149) and healthy controls (CG; n=149) by genotyping. Assessment of Ala-9Val genotype distribution and disease odds ratio demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the compared groups only in the female subgroup. The obtained results suggest a role of the MnSOD polymorphism in the development and course of depression.

Functional polymorphism of the myeloperoxidase gene (G-463A) in depressive patients

Gałecki P, Florkowski A, Bobińska K, Śmigielski J, Bieńkiewicz M, Szemraj J. Functional polymorphism of the myeloperoxidase gene (G-463A) in depressive patients. Objective: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme involved in the production of hypochloric acid as well as other reactive oxygen species. This enzyme plays a significant role in inflammatory processes. In view of the observed associations between depression and such inflammatory processes, as well as of the reports that confirm the presence of oxidative stress in depression, this study was designed to assess the correlation, if any, between the single nucleotide polymorphism G-463A of the MPO gene and the risk of recurrent depressive disorders (DD). Methods: The study was carried out in a group of 149 patients with recurrent DD and 149 healthy control subjects. Genotyping was performed by PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: A comparison between healthy controls and depressive patients showed a statistically significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency in the studied groups. Genotype distribution and allele frequency did not correlate with clinical variables of the patients. Conclusion: The obtained results of the study allow us to draw a cautious conclusion about the role of the analysed G-463A MPO polymorphism in recurrent DD development, which, however, requires eventual confirmation in further studies.

Pain perception in schizophrenia: influence of neuropeptides, cognitive disorders, and negative symptoms

Objectives The causes and nature of insensitivity to pain in schizophrenia remain unknown. The role of endorphins and the association of cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms are postulated. Methods In this study, 43 patients with schizophrenia, five first-degree relatives, and 34 healthy controls were examined. Participants’ plasma concentrations of substance P, β-endorphin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were assessed. In patients, the Trail-Making Test, the Color Reading Interference Test (Stroop test), and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Negative Syndrome subscale (PANSS N) test were performed. We also evaluated pain threshold using nociceptive reflex (RTIII) testing. Results The mean β-endorphin concentration was about 20% higher in patients than in healthy controls (P<0.05). CGRP concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in controls (5.34 ng/mL versus 4.16 ng/mL; P<0.01). Subjects treated with antipsychotic polytherapy had higher concentrations of CGRP than did patients treated with second-generation antipsychotic monotherapy (5.92 ng/mL versus 5.02 ng/mL; P<0.05). There were no correlations between any biochemical parameters and Trail-Making Test, Stroop test, and PANSS N scores. There were no differences in RTIII among study groups. Strong negative correlation (P<0.001) was found between PANSS N scores and subjective pain threshold on the right lower limb. Conclusion The insensitivity to pain in schizophrenia is a complex phenomenon that is probably not related to changes in nociceptive pathways. Increase in β-endorphin level may be related to this issue, but it is uncertain if such concentration ensures analgesic effect. It is unknown if patients with schizophrenia in fact experience less pain. Cognitive impairment and excess negative symptoms may strongly influence the patient’s expression of pain.

Obstetrical complications and Apgar score in subjects at risk of psychosis

The objective of the study was to identify associations between a history of obstetrical complications (OCs) and the future development of symptoms indicating risk of psychosis (At Risk Mental State - ARMS). The frequency of OCs was assessed in 66 ARMS subjects, 50 subjects with the first episode of schizophrenia (FES) and 50 healthy controls. Obstetrical data was obtained from medical documentation and evaluated with the Lewis and Murray Scale. Definite OCs, according to the Lewis and Murray Scale, occurred significantly more frequently in the ARMS group compared to the controls (χ(2) = 7.79, p = 0.005; OR = 4.20, 95% CI = 1.46-12.11), as well as in the FES subjects compared to the controls (χ(2) = 8.39, p = 0.004; OR = 4.64, 95% CI = 1.56-13.20). Apgar scores in the first (Apgar 1) and the fifth minute after birth (Apgar 5) were significantly lower in the FES subjects compared to the controls (for Apgar 1 score Z = 4.439, p < 0.0001; for Apgar 5 score Z = 5.250, p < 0.0001). The ARMS subjects demonstrated significantly lower Apgar 5 scores compared to the healthy controls (Z = 3.458, p = 0.0016). The results indicate that OCs and low Apgar 5 score should be considered important factors in identifying subjects at risk of developing psychosis.

THE EFFECT OF 50 Hz MAGNETIC FIELD OF DIFFERENT SHAPE ON OXYGEN METABOLISM IN BLOOD PLATELETS: IN VITRO STUDIES

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to assess the influence that the shape of low frequency magnetic field may have on catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde concentration and free radicals generation in human blood platelets. MATERIALS AND METHODS The suspension of human blood platelets was exposed for 15 min to 50 Hz magnetic field of different shape, and flux density of 10 mT. RESULTS The determinations of free radicals, malondialdehyde and catalase showed increased values compared with the initial level, regardless of the shape of the magnetic field applied. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activity was lower than at the onset of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that the oxidative stress resulting from exposure to 50 Hz magnetic field of 10 mT induction may produce a number of adverse effects within the cell and thus may lead to systemic disturbances in the human body.

Electroconvulsive therapy in patient with psychotic depression and multiple sclerosis

Safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in depressive patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is still discussed and based solely on case reports. This kind of therapy was used in both unipolar depression and depression in bipolar disorder. It was suggested that ECT might cause the deterioration of neurological state (new MS lesions in magnetic resonance imaging). Moreover, there were also data indicating some anesthesiological complications and difficulties in patients with MS. We have presented a case of a patient who was treated with ECT and developed grand mal seizure after 14th electroconvulsive treatment.

A prospective study on different methods for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization. The efficacy of verteporfin photodynamic therapy, intravitreal bevacizumab and transpupillary thermotherapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Summary Background The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) and transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Material/Methods The study design was a prospective, interventional, comparative case series. Between December 2006 and March 2009, 426 eyes of 426 consecutive patients presenting with neovascular AMD were included into the study. Patients presented with subfoveal CNV predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult with no classic component; lesion size less than 5000 μm in the greatest linear dimension, and the area of hemorrhages ≤1/3 were randomized to receive either PDT (group I) or IVB (group II) in a 1:1 ratio. Other patients with CNV were included into the group III and received TTT. Results One hundred eyes were treated with PDT. Mean baseline logMAR BCVA was 0.62 and final visual acuity decreased to 0.74 (p<0.05, Wilcoxon test); 104 eyes were treated with IVB. Mean baseline BCVA was 0.82 and final visual acuity increased to 0.79 (p>0.05, Wilcoxon test); 222 patients were treated with TTT. Mean baseline BCVA was 1.10 and final visual acuity decreased to 1.15 (p>0.05, Wilcoxon test). Among all eyes the average number of treatment sessions was 2.34 (SD 1.17). Conclusions Our study shows that IVB injections had the best efficacy in the improvement of final BCVA. However, both IVB and TTT demonstrated good stabilization of vision. Although after PDT final BCVA was significantly worse from baseline, it may also be beneficial for some patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

The effect of electromagnetic radiation emitted by display screens on cell oxygen metabolism – in vitro studies

Introduction Research studies carried out for decades have not solved the problem of the effect of electromagnetic radiation of various frequency and strength on the human organism. Due to this fact, we decided to investigate the changes taking place in human blood platelets under the effect of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by LCD monitors. Material and methods The changes of selected parameters of oxygen metabolism were measured, i.e. reactive oxygen species concentration, enzymatic activity of antioxidant defence proteins – superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) and catalase (CAT) – and malondialdehyde concentration (MDA). A suspension of human blood platelets was exposed to electromagnetic radiation of 1 kHz frequency and 150 V/m and 220 V/m intensity for 30 and 60 min. The level of changes of the selected parameters of oxidative stress was determined after the exposure and compared to the control samples (not exposed). Results The measurements revealed an increase of the concentration of reactive oxygen species. The largest increase of ROS concentration vs. the control sample was observed after exposure to EMF of 220 V/m intensity for 60 min (from x = 54.64 to x = 72.92). The measurement of MDA concentration demonstrated a statistically significant increase after 30-min exposure to an EMF of 220 V/m intensity in relation to the initial values (from x = 3.18 to x = 4.41). The enzymatic activity of SOD-1 decreased after exposure (the most prominent change was observed after 60-min and 220 V/m intensity from x = 3556.41 to x = 1084.83). The most significant change in activity of catalase was observed after 60 min and 220 v/m exposure (from x = 6.28 to x = 4.15). Conclusions The findings indicate that exposure to electromagnetic radiation of 1 kHz frequency and 150 V/m and 220 V/m intensity may cause adverse effects within blood platelets’ oxygen metabolism and thus may lead to physiological dysfunction of the organism.

CD44 expression in curettage and postoperative specimens of endometrial cancer

BackgroundAdhesive molecules like CD44 are well defined key players in the metastatic cascade in many cancers, including endometrial cancer. They could play a role of markers of invasion, metastasis and prognostic factors.Aim of the studyThe aim of the study is to assess a possible role of the CD44 as a marker of invasion in endometrial cancer, both at the moment of preoperative workup and final staging.Materials and methodsAvailable for analysis were archival specimens of 51 patients who had underwent curettage and surgery between 2002 and 2007. An immunohistochemical study for CD44 expression was performed in curettage and postoperative specimens. Normal endometrium of 20 randomly chosen patients was used as a control group.ResultsIn endometrial cancer the expression of CD44 was significantly more intensive than in normal endometrium. In postoperative specimens, the CD44 expression was weaker in serous than in endometrioid cancer. There was no significant correlation between the adhesion molecule expression and clinicopathological features: grade,depth of invasion, cervical involvement, serosal and adnexal involvement, lymph-vascular space involvement, lymph node and distant metastases nor FIGO stage.ConclusionsAn increased expression of CD44 in endometrial cancer suggests its possible role in pathogenesis of this disease, however, it doesn’t seem to be crucial. Different expression of the CD44 in endometrioid and papillary-serous type may reflect different pathogenesis of these types of cancer. No statistically proved relation between the investigated molecule expression and clinicopathological parameters suggests scepticism about its use in diagnostic process of endometrial cancer.

Cell phone ringtone, but not landline phone ringtone, affects complex reaction time

IntroductionLegislation systems of most countries prohibited using the handheld mobile phone while driving due to the fact that it disturbs concentration and causes hand involvement. Every phone owner is accustomed to the ringtone of his phone and almost involuntarily endeavors to pick it up or check who calls. This engages one’s psychomotor skills, which in our opinion contributes to the attenuation of reaction time needed for performing other crucial functions.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was: (1) to evaluate the influence of the sound of a ringing mobile phone on the complex reaction time (RT) score in healthy subjects (owners), and (2) to check if there are any differences in RT when a landline phone and mobile phone ring.MethodsTo assess RT we used our system and protocol of examination, previously validated. The examination conditions were standardized. All tests were performed in the same room with the same light and general acoustic conditions. The test group consisted of 23 women and 24 men, aged 19–24 years. The examination comprised 4 sessions: Training Session (TS) during which the subjects were accustomed with the application and sample stimuli, Control Session (CS) with no telephone ringing, Landline Session (LS) with landline phone ringing, Mobile Session (MS) with mobile phone ringing.ResultsThe median RT in the study population was significantly elongated (p < 0.001) in MS. In women and in men RTs were significantly longer in MS than in CS and non-significantly longer than in LS. Reaction times in CS, LS and MS were longer in women, however the differences were not significant (p > 0.05).ConclusionsWe think that the specific ‘bond’ between a person and their private phone can significantly disrupt their attention and thus affect the attention-demanding activities.