A recent data set for 22 poly- and per-fluorinated compounds (PFASs) in Ponar grab samples of surface sediments and cores from the Great Lakes of North America was examined for concentrations, loads, correlations with geographical coordinates and depth (time), and for sources. Correlations were determined by multivariate regression analyses. Source apportionment of PFASs was carried out by positive matrix factorization (PMF) for two cores from Lake Ontario. For the five lakes together, the total load of PFASs in sediments was estimated to be 245 ± 24 tonnes, which is about half the load for total PCBs. The recent annual loading was 1812 ± 320 kg/yr. Concentrations and inventories of PFASs were greatest in Lakes Erie and Ontario. Since 1947, concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in ten cores have increased exponentially as a function of time with doubling times between 10 and 54 yr and have leveled off in three cores since 2000. PMF demonstrated an effective grouping of two particle-associated factors, characterized mainly by longer-chain PFASs (C ≥ 8) and two other factors of mainly shorter-chain compounds (C ≤ 6). Two factors feature only one dominant compound: factor 1, PFOS, and factor 3, perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). Of all factors, factor 3 with PFBS has the largest contribution (47.8%). Significant scores for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and PFBS, along with flat or decreasing PFOS contributions since 2003, indicate that the replacement of PFOS with these compounds is beginning to take effect in the environment.

• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   MeSH
• fluorokarbony MeSH
• geologické sedimenty MeSH
• jezera MeSH
• kyseliny alkansulfonové MeSH
• kyseliny sulfonové analýza   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• oblast Velkých jezer MeSH
• Ontario MeSH
• Severní Amerika MeSH

Idiopathic pes equinovarus (clubfoot) is a congenital deformity of the feet and lower legs. Clubfoot belongs to a group of fibro-proliferative disorders but its origin remains unknown. Our study aimed to achieve the first complex proteomic comparison of clubfoot contracted tissue of the foot (medial side; n = 16), with non-contracted tissue (lateral side; n = 13). We used label-free mass spectrometry quantification and immunohistochemistry. Seven proteins were observed to be significantly upregulated in the medial side (asporin, collagen type III, V, and VI, versican, tenascin-C, and transforming growth factor beta induced protein) and four in the lateral side (collagen types XII and XIV, fibromodulin, and cartilage intermediate layer protein 2) of the clubfoot. Comparison of control samples from cadavers brought only two different protein concentrations (collagen types I and VI). We also revealed pathological calcification and intracellular positivity of transforming growth factor beta only in the contracted tissue of clubfoot. Most of the 11 differently expressed proteins are strongly related to the extracellular matrix architecture and we assume that they may play specific roles in the pathogenesis of this deformity. These proteins seem to be promising targets for future investigations and treatment of this disease. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res.

• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• extracelulární matrix - proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• kalcinóza MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pes equinovarus etiologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• proteom MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

BACKGROUND/AIM: Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment are primarily considered as sources of promalignant factors. The objective of our study was to define the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by normal dermal or cancer-associated fibroblasts exposed to adhesion/growth-regulatory lectin galectin-1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fibroblasts were cultured for 10 days with lectin, followed by removing cellular constituents after an osmotic shock. Freshly-isolated HUVECs were placed on the ECM. In parallel, HUVECs were seeded on untreated and gelatin-coated surfaces as controls. A positive control for growth of HUVECs culture using medium supplemented with vascular endothelial growth factor completed the test panel. Cells were kept in contact to the substratum for two days and then processed for immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: HUVECs seeded on fibroblast-generated ECM presented a comparatively high degree of proliferation. Furthermore, contact to substratum produced by tumor-associated fibroblasts led to generation of a meshwork especially rich in fibronectin. CONCLUSION: Galectin-1 is apparently capable to trigger ECM production favorable for growth of HUVECs, prompting further work on characterizing structural features of the ECM and in situ correlation of lectin presence, ECM constitution and neoangiogenesis.

• MeSH
• endoteliální buňky pupečníkové žíly (lidské) fyziologie   MeSH
• extracelulární matrix metabolismus   MeSH
• fibroblasty fyziologie   MeSH
• galektin 1 farmakologie   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové mikroprostředí * MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor A farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Cíl: SYNTAX skóre popisuje rozsah postižení koronárního řečiště aterosklerózou. Matrixové metaloproteinázy hrají mimo jiné důležitou roli v patogenezi cévních onemocnění, jako je ateroskleróza, ruptura plátu či aneurysma. Cílem práce bylo zjistit, koreluje-li matrixová metaloproteináza-3 (MMP-3) s hodnotou SYNTAX skóre u pacientů s chronickými formami ICHS. Metodika: U 128 náhodně vybraných pacientů s chronickými formami ICHS (75 % mužů, 69 % diabetiků, vylučovacím kritériem byla pozitivita troponinu I, srdeční selhání, renální insufi cience, systémové a zánětlivé onemocnění) byl proveden odběr krve ke stanovení koncentrace MMP-3 metodou ELISA. Následně byla provedena koronární angiografi e a stanoveno SYNTAX skóre. Výsledky: Hodnoty MMP-3 byly signifi kantně vyšší u diabetiků – 37,0 µg/l (13,7–82,5 µg/l) než u nediabetiků – 25,8 µg/l (11,9–82,8 µg/l), p = 0,044. Hodnoty MMP-3 byly signifi kantně vyšší u mužů – 42,1 µg/l (15,7–85,2 µg/l) než u žen – 21,9 µg/l (11,3–44,8 µg/l), p < 0,001. Pomocí Spearmanova korelačního koefi cientu je prokázána statisticky významná korelace mezi hodnotou SYNTAX skóre a MMP-3 v celém souboru i v podskupinách diabetiků a nediabetiků. Závěr: U pacientů s chronickými formami ICHS koreluje hodnota MMP-3 s rozsahem postižení koronárních tepen aterosklerózou bez ohledu na přítomnost diabetes mellitus.

Aim: The SYNTAX Score is designed to describe the extent of coronary artery involvement by atherosclerosis. Among other things, matrix metalloproteinases play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, plaque rupture, and aneurysm. The study was conducted to determine whether or not there is a correlation between matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels and the SYNTAX Score in patients with chronic coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 128 randomly selected patients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) (75% of men, 69% of individuals with diabetes; the exclusion criteria included troponin I positivity, heart failure, renal insuffi ciency, systemic and infl ammatory conditions) had blood samples obtained to determine MMP-3 levels using ELISA. Subsequently, the patients had coronary angiography and their SYNTAX Score was determined. Results: MMP-3 levels were signifi cantly higher in patients with diabetes, 37.0 µg/l (13.7–82.5), compared with individuals without diabetes, 25.8 µg/l (11.9–82.8 µg/l); p = 0.044. MMP-3 levels were signifi cantly higher in males, 42.1 µg/l (15.7–85.2 µg/l), than in females, 21,9 µg/l (11,3–44,8 µg/l); p < 0.001. Using Spearman‘s rank correlation coeffi cient, a signifi cant correlation was demonstrated between the SYNTAX Score and MMP-3 levels in the whole group of patients as well as in subgroups of individuals with and without diabetes. Conclusion: In patients with chronic CHD, MMP-3 levels correlate with the extent of coronary artery involvement regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus. Key words: Atherosclerosis - SYNTAX Score

• MeSH
• ateroskleróza diagnóza   etiologie   komplikace   MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• diabetes mellitus MeSH
• ELISA metody   využití   MeSH
• farmakoterapie metody   využití   MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• ischemická choroba srdeční komplikace   krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• koronární angiografie metody   využití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• matrixová metaloproteinasa 3 izolace a purifikace   krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• medicína založená na důkazech statistika a číselné údaje   trendy   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• statistika jako téma MeSH
• vzorkové studie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is independently associated with cardiovascular risk, probably via inflammatory activity in sclerotic plaque. We speculated whether Lp-PLA2 has a role in the aetiology of vascular calcifications, estimated from circulating uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (MGP) species and whether we could find a potential interaction of Lp-PLA2 and MGP in terms of mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 798 patients (mean age 65.1 years) with stable vascular disease and followed them in a prospective study. Both, desphospho-uncarboxylated and total MGP (dp-ucMGP or t-ucMGP) were quantified by pre-commercial ELISA assays, developed by VitaK (Maastricht, The Netherland) RESULTS: Lp-PLA2 activity was independently positively associated with desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) [β coeff = 0.098, p=0.006]. 1SD of Lp-PLA2 activity was associated with 37% increased risk (p=0.001) of elevated dp-ucMGP (≥977 pmol/L, top quartile). In the Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for conventional risk factors, the patients in the highest quartile of dp-ucMGP or lowest quintile of total-uncarboxylated ucMGP (<2660 nmol/L) had higher risk of all-cause mortality [HRR 2.79 (95% CI 1.97-3.94) and HRR 1.69 (95% CI 1.18-2.42), respectively]. We observed no effect of high Lp-PLA2 activity (≥195 nmol/min/mL) on total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We assume that Lp-PLA2 is involved in vascular calcification and that dp-ucMGP is a more appropriate biomarker of residual risk than Lp-PLA2 itself.

• MeSH
• 1-alkyl-2-acetylglycerofosfocholinesterasa krev   MeSH
• analýza přežití MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• extracelulární matrix - proteiny krev   MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci krev   mortalita   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• proporcionální rizikové modely MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• proteiny vázající vápník krev   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Nizozemsko MeSH

Members of the galectin family of endogenous lectins are potent adhesion/growth-regulatory effectors. Their multifunctionality opens possibilities for their use in bioapplications. We studied whether human galectins induce the conversion of human dermal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts (MFBs) and the production of a bioactive extracellular matrix scaffold is suitable for cell culture. Testing a panel of galectins of all three subgroups, including natural and engineered variants, we detected activity for the proto-type galectin-1 and galectin-7, the chimera-type galectin-3 and the tandem-repeat-type galectin-4. The activity of galectin-1 required the integrity of the carbohydrate recognition domain. It was independent of the presence of TGF-β1, but it yielded an additive effect. The resulting MFBs, relevant, for example, for tumor progression, generated a matrix scaffold rich in fibronectin and galectin-1 that supported keratinocyte culture without feeder cells. Of note, keratinocytes cultured on this substratum presented a stem-like cell phenotype with small size and keratin-19 expression. In vivo in rats, galectin-1 had a positive effect on skin wound closure 21 days after surgery. In conclusion, we describe the differential potential of certain human galectins to induce the conversion of dermal fibroblasts into MFBs and the generation of a bioactive cell culture substratum.

• MeSH
• extracelulární matrix metabolismus   MeSH
• fibroblasty metabolismus   MeSH
• galektin 1 metabolismus   MeSH
• galektin 3 metabolismus   MeSH
• galektin 4 metabolismus   MeSH
• galektiny metabolismus   MeSH
• hojení ran MeSH
• keratin-19 metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myofibroblasty metabolismus   MeSH
• tkáňové inženýrství metody   MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta1 metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: Members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are implicated in the chronic remodeling in periodontal diseases. Therefore, we performed a case-control study to investigate a plausible association between susceptibility to chronic periodontitis (CP) and the polymorphisms in the MMP-9 (gelatinase B) gene. METHODS: Using polymerase chain reaction with subsequent restriction analyses, MMP-9 -1562C/T and R+279Q variants were determined in 304 subjects (169 patients with CP, 76 with a mild to moderate form and 93 with severe generalized CP, and 135 age- and gender-matched unrelated control subjects). RESULTS: The distribution of the MMP-9 -1562C/T and R+279Q genotypes and alleles did not significantly differ between cases and controls. However, the frequency of the T variant at position -1562 was marginally higher in patients with severe disease compared to those with mild to moderate forms (P <0.05; P(corr) >0.05). In further analysis, the -1562T allele was associated with a severe form of CP in men (odds ratio: 3.87; 95% confidence interval: 1.40 to 10.65; P <0.01 and P(corr) <0.05 for allele; P <0.05 and P(corr) >0.05 for genotype) but not in women. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms of the MMP-9 gene are not associated with the susceptibility to CP in the Czech population; however, the promoter variant may influence the severity of the disease in men.

• MeSH
• alely MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• cytosin MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• frekvence genu MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• matrixová metaloproteinasa 9 * genetika   MeSH
• parodontitida * enzymologie   genetika   MeSH
• polymorfismus délky restrikčních fragmentů MeSH
• promotorové oblasti (genetika) genetika   MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

AIMS: To evaluate the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) as a potential marker of disease activity and joint damage in 92 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), compared to 24 osteoarthritis (OA) patients and 26 healthy controls. METHODS: The concentrations of MMP-3 were measured by ELISA using the commercial kit AESKULISA DF MMP-3 (AESKU.Diagnostics, Germany) and compared with other laboratory parameters routinely used to assess the disease status, clinical score (DAS28) and radiographic stage in the group of RA patients. RESULTS: The mean serum concentrations of MMP-3 were 199.1 ± 160 ng/mL in RA patients, 113.9 ± 96.9 ng/mL in OA patients and 48.3 ± 19.2 in healthy controls. The differences were highly significant: RA patients and healthy controls (P<0.0001), RA and OA patients (P=0.008) as well as between OA patients and controls (P=0.009). MMP-3 concentrations were further compared with other laboratory parameters and clinical and structural damage data. There were correlations between MMP-3 and CRP (r=0.304, P<0.01), DAS28 (r=0.301, P<0.05), levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (r=0.241, P<0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.200, P=0.059) and radiographic disease stage (r=0.197, P=0.063). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that measurement of MMP-3 could become a marker of disease activity in RA patients.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• krevní sedimentace MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• matrixová metaloproteinasa 3 krev   MeSH
• osteoartróza diagnostické zobrazování   enzymologie   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• progrese nemoci MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• radiografie MeSH
• revmatoidní artritida diagnostické zobrazování   enzymologie   patologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• revmatoidní faktor krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

BACKGROUND: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a natural inhibitor of tissue calcification. In a previous study, we observed the positive association between abnormal concentrations of uncarboxylated MGP species and increased mortality risk in stable vascular patients. We explore whether co-incidence of abnormal status of uncarboxylated MPG and heart failure (HF) affects the mortality risk. METHODS: We examined 799 patients (mean age 65.1 years) with stable vascular disease and followed them in a prospective study. Both, desphospho-uncarboxylated and total uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP or t-ucMGP) were quantified by pre-commercial ELISA assays. RESULTS: Elevated (>100 ng/L) circulating brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and abnormal status of plasma uncarboxylated MGP species (i.e.: dp-ucMGP ≥ 977 pmol/L or t-ucMGP ≤ 2825 nmol/L) were all identified as robust predictors of all-cause 5-year mortality. However, their co-incidence represented a substantial additional risk. We observed the highest mortality risk in patients with elevated BNP plus high dp-ucMGP compared to those with normal BNP plus low dp-ucMGP; fully adjusted HRR's were 4.86 (3.15-7.49). Likewise, the risk was increased when compared with patients with elevated BNP plus low dp-ucMGP; HRR 2.57 (1.60-4.10). Similar result we observed when co-incidence of elevated BNP and low t-ucMGP was analyzed [corresponding HRR's were 4.16 (2.62-6.61) and 1.96 (1.24-3.12)]. CONCLUSIONS: The concomitant abnormality of uncarboxylated MGP and mild elevation of BNP leads in chronic patients with vascular disease to about two-fold increase of the relative mortality risk. We hypothesize that abnormal homeostasis of MGP is involved in the pathophysiology of HF.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• extracelulární matrix - proteiny krev   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik * MeSH
• kalcinóza MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• míra přežití trendy   MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• nemoci cév krev   komplikace   mortalita   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• proteiny vázající vápník krev   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční selhání krev   komplikace   mortalita   MeSH
• vitamin K MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Only limited information exists concerning the microbiota in beaver (Castor fiber). This study has been focused on the virulence factors genes detection in enterococci from beavers. In general, animals are not affected by enterococcal infections, but they can be a reservoir of, e.g. pathogenic strains. Moreover, detection of virulence factors genes in enterococci from beavers was never tested before. Free-living beavers (12), male and female (age 4-5 years) were caught in the north-east part of Poland. Sampling of lower gut and faeces was provided according to all ethical rules for animal handling. Samples were treated using a standard microbiological method. Pure bacterial colonies were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) identification system. Virulence factors genes-gelE (gelatinase), agg (aggregation), cylA (cytolysin A), efaAfs (adhesin Enterococcus faecalis), efaAfm (adhesin Enterococcus faecium) and esp (surface protein) were tested by PCR. Moreover, gelatinase and antibiotic phenotypes were tested. Species detected were Enterococcus thailandicus, E. faecium, E. faecalis and Enterococcus durans. In literature, enterococcal species distribution was never reported yet up to now. Strains were mostly sensitive to antibiotics. Vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis EE9Tr1 possess cylA, efaAfs, esp and gelE genes. Strains were aggregation substance genes absent. Adhesin E. faecium (efaAfm) gene was detected in two of three E. faecium strains, but it was present also in E. thailandicus. Esp gene was present in EE9Tr1 and E. durans EDTr92. The most detected were gelE, efaAfm genes; in EF 4Hc1 also gelatinase phenotype was found. Strains with virulence factors genes will be tested for their sensitivity to antimicrobial enterocins.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• bakteriologické techniky MeSH
• Enterococcus klasifikace   účinky léků   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• faktory virulence analýza   genetika   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• hlodavci mikrobiologie   MeSH
• mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• rektum mikrobiologie   MeSH
• spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice MeSH
• želatinasy analýza   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Polsko MeSH