Vectors and delivery systems in gene therapy.

Gene therapy provides modern medicine with new perspectives that were unthinkable two decades ago. Progress in molecular biology and, especially, molecular medicine is now changing the basics of clinical medicine. Reports of long-term side effects of the first successful human gene therapy study have slowed the penetration of DNA usage into clinical routine.

The use of transformed Escherichia coli for experimental angiogenesis induced by regulated in situ production of vascular endothelial growth factor--an alternative gene therapy.

Background: Defects in angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) are responsible for two most important causes of death in developed countries (ischemic heart disease and cancer). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in physiological and pathological regulation of angiogenesis. In the last years several studies have indicated the possibilities of VEGF in the therapy of ischemic heart disease.

Analysis of rhythmic variance--ANORVA. A new simple method for detecting rhythms in biological time series.

Cyclic variations of variables are ubiquitous in biomedical science. A number of methods for detecting rhythms have been developed, but they are often difficult to interpret. A simple procedure for detecting cyclic variations in biological time series and quantification of their probability is presented here.

Endocrine and cognitive effects of short-time soybean consumption in women.

Background: Soy phytoestrogens are known to influence the hormonal status acting as partial estrogen agonists. Soy-derived food supplements are advised for hormone replacement therapy, prevention of atherosclerosis, age-related cognitive decline and even hormone-dependent cancer, although results from clinical studies are controversial. Whether increased soybean intake can affect the endocrine status and cognitive abilities is largely unknown.

Vascular endothelial growth factor - basic science and its clinical implications.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important signaling molecule involved in the regulation of the formation of new vessels. Results of recent studies have provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the VEGF signaling pathways. VEGF local or systemic application represents a new approach in the therapy of ischemic diseases, especially of the coronary artery disease.

Sleep apnea syndrome and its complications.

In this article we summarize the available information regarding the epidemiology, the pathophysiology as well as the risk factors and complications of the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). Central, obstructive and mixed forms of SAS are known, however, the obstructive form is (resulting from the actual high prevalence of obesity) definitely the most frequent. Latest years of experimental and clinical research have pointed towards the clinical importance of this sleep related breathing disorder.

Nuclear factor kappa B--molecular biomedicine: the next generation.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) as a transcription factor plays an important integrating role in the intracellular regulation of immune response, inflammation and cell cycle regulation. Nouvelle insights into the structure and regulation of activation of NFkappaB have brought a detailed picture of the function of this transcription factor. In this review the findings of interactions of NFkappaB with its inhibitors, tumour necrosis factor alpha and glucocorticoids are presented.

Effects of anabolic steroids and antioxidant vitamins on ethanol-induced tissue injury.

Various mechanisms are involved in the process of ethanol-induced tissue impairment. Oxidative stress and its effects are among the most important. We compared the effects of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and E in combination) and steroids (testosterone and nandrolone separately) on the toxicity of ethanol in rats.

Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and the role of heme oxygenase: new perspectives and hypothesis.

In this article, we have discussed some of the latest and most important information from literature concerning the interactions of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO-synthase and, especially, heme oxygenase (HO) in relation to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, a new hypothesis of the possible pathomechanism in AD is presented. On the basis of the results from clinical and experimental studies, the role of dynamic changes in activity of NO and later CO producing reactions is postulated to play a crucial role in the development of AD at subcellular and molecular level.

On the origin of cardiovascular complications of sleep apnea syndrome by the means of molecular interactions.

In this article we present a novel hypothesis of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). Chronic intermittent hypoxia occurring in association with SAS represents a variation of chronic ischaemia reperfusion injury of the heart. In the hypoxic cells hypoxia inducible factor induces adaptation processes, including production of vascular endothelial growth factor and suppression of antioxidative mechanisms.

Dehydroepiandrosterone - is the fountain of youth drying out?

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphate-bound form (DHEAS) are important steroids mainly of adrenal origin. Their physiological and pathophysiological functions are not yet fully identified, although a number of various possible features have been hypothesized. Most popular is the description of the "hormone of youth" as the long-term dynamics of DHEA levels are characterized by a sharp age-related decline in the late adulthood and later.

The circalunar cycle of salivary testosterone and the visual-spatial performance.

Background: A circalunar cycle is thought to be female sex specific. Results of studies observing the relationship of testosterone and spatial abilities are controversial.

Objective: To describe the infradian variations of testosterone and the correlations between salivary testosterone levels and spatial abilities in young healthy volunteers of both sexes.