Microbiome: A Potential Component in the Origin of Mental Disorders.

It is not surprising to find microbiome abnormalities present in psychiatric disorders such as depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, etc. Evolutionary pressure may provide an existential advantage to the host eukaryotic cells in that it survives in an extracellular environment containing non-self cells (e.g.

Reciprocal Evolution of Opiate Science from Medical and Cultural Perspectives.

Over the course of human history, it has been common to use plants for medicinal purposes, such as for providing relief from particular maladies and self-medication. Opium represents one longstanding remedy that has been used to address a range of medical conditions, alleviating discomfort often in ways that have proven pleasurable. Opium is a combination of compounds obtained from the mature fruit of opium poppy, papaver somniferum.

MxA mRNA decrease preceding NAb detection in IFNβ-treated MS patients.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with interferon beta (IFNβ) are at risk of a declining response to treatment because of the production of IFNβ-neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). The expression of Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) mRNA is regarded as a marker of IFNβ bioactivity.

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the kinetics of MxA mRNA expression during long-term IFNβ treatment and assess its relationship to NAb production.

A possible role of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile in screening for autism: a proof-of-concept study in the specific sample of prematurely born children with birth weights <1,500 g.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the potential of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP) as a screening tool for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in prematurely born children.

Methods: Parents of 157 children with birth weights <1,500 g (aged 2 years, corrected for prematurity; 88 boys, 69 girls) completed a screening battery that included the ITSP, Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), and the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-ITC). Children with known disabilities were excluded.

Guidelines for diagnosis and management of the cobalamin-related remethylation disorders cblC, cblD, cblE, cblF, cblG, cblJ and MTHFR deficiency.

Background: Remethylation defects are rare inherited disorders in which impaired remethylation of homocysteine to methionine leads to accumulation of homocysteine and perturbation of numerous methylation reactions.

Objective: To summarise clinical and biochemical characteristics of these severe disorders and to provide guidelines on diagnosis and management.

Data Sources: Review, evaluation and discussion of the medical literature (Medline, Cochrane databases) by a panel of experts on these rare diseases following the GRADE approach.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Panitumumab After Progression on Cetuximab and Predictive Value of MiR-31-5p in Metastatic Wild-type KRAS Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Background: In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), panitumumab is generally considered to be ineffective after the progression on cetuximab therapy. However, few studies have demonstrated that a small subset of mCRC patients may benefit from panitumumab in this setting.

Patients And Methods: In our study, wild-type KRAS mCRC patients, enrolled into the nationwide Czech registry CORECT between January 2007 and December 2012, were screened for panitumumab therapy after progression on cetuximab.

Outcomes for Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Achieving a Complete Response on Targeted Therapy: A Registry-based Analysis.

Background: It is currently not known whether treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) can be safely discontinued in patients achieving a complete response (CR).

Objective: To assess outcomes for patients with mRCC achieving CR on targeted therapy (TT) and the survival of patients discontinuing TT after CR.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A national registry was used to identify patients achieving CR during first-line TT using bevacizumab, sunitinib, sorafenib, or pazopanib.

Efficacy of sunitinib in patients with metastatic or unresectable renal cell carcinoma and renal insufficiency.

Aim: The aim of this retrospective, registry-based study was to analyse treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with sunitinib and renal insufficiency (RI).

Methods: The cohort included 790 patients treated with sunitinib between 2006 and 2013. At the start of sunitinib therapy 22, 234, and 534 patients had severe (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] <30ml/min/1.

Comparison of three screening tests for autism in preterm children with birth weights less than 1,500 grams.

Background: Preterm children seem to be at increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Methods: Parents of 157 children with birth weights less than 1,500 g (age 2 years, corrected for prematurity; 88 boys, 69 girls) completed screening questionnaires. The screening battery included the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-ITC), and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP).

R-CHOP with or without bevacizumab in patients with previously untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: final MAIN study outcomes.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is involved in lymphoma growth, suggesting a potential role for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies in hematologic malignancies. In this phase III study, patients with CD20-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were randomized to rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone plus either placebo (R-CHOP) or bevacizumab (RA-CHOP). Treatment was administered every 21 (8 cycles) or 14 days (6 cycles plus 2 rituximab cycles) as per institutional practice.

Efficacy of everolimus in second- and third-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a registry-based analysis.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to describe the efficacy and safety of everolimus in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) after administration of 1 vs. 2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Patients And Methods: A national renal information system database was used as the data source for the retrospective study.

Screening for autism in preterm children with extremely low and very low birth weight.

Background: Studies of children with very low birth weight (VLBW, 1,000-1,500 g) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW, less than 1,000 g) indicate that this population seems to be at increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: Parents of 101 VLBW and ELBW children (age 2 years, corrected for prematurity) agreed to participate in the study and signed informed consents; however, parents of only 75 children (44 boys, 31 girls) completed the screening questionnaires. The screening battery included the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-ITC), and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP).

Semisynthesis of C17:0 isoforms of sulphatide and glucosylceramide using immobilised sphingolipid ceramide N-deacylase for application in analytical mass spectrometry.

Sphingolipid ceramide N-deacylase (SCDase, EC 3.5.1.

Experimental hypoxia and embryonic angiogenesis.

We examined the role of hypoxia and HIF factors in embryonic angiogenesis and correlated the degree of hypoxia with the level of HIF and VEGF expression and blood vessel formation. Quail eggs were incubated in normoxic and hypoxic (16% O(2)) conditions. Tissue hypoxia marker, pimonidazol hydrochloride, was applied in vivo for 1 hr and detected in sections with Hypoxyprobe-1 Ab.

Identification and functional analysis of two novel mutations in the CBS gene in Polish patients with homocystinuria.

Homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency is an inherited disorder of homocysteine transsulfuration, which manifests by neurological, vascular and connective tissue involvement. So far, 130 pathogenic mutations have been recognized in the CBS gene. We examined 10 independent alleles in Polish patients suffering from CBS deficiency, and we detected four already described mutations (c.

Homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency: novel biochemical findings and treatment efficacy.

To explore the pathogenesis of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency and to test the efficacy of pharmacological therapy we examined a panel of metabolites in nine homocystinuric patients under treated and/or untreated conditions. Off pharmacological treatment, the biochemical phenotype was characterized by accumulation of plasma total homocysteine (median 135 micromol/L) and blood S -adenosylhomocysteine (median 246 nmol/L), and by normal levels of guanidinoacetate and creatine. In addition, enhanced remethylation was demonstrated by low serine level (median 81 micromol/L), and by increased concentration of methionine (median 76 micromol/L) and N -methylglycine (median 6.

Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) quality assurance network in the Czech Republic.

Introduction: The Czech thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) quality assurance network was established in 1997. Its aim is to pursue a regular independent quality audit in Czech radiotherapy centres and to support state supervision.

Materials And Methods: The audit is realised via mailed TL dosimetry.

Impaired heme binding and aggregation of mutant cystathionine beta-synthase subunits in homocystinuria.

During the past 20 years, cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency has been detected in the former Czechoslovakia with a calculated frequency of 1:349,000. The clinical manifestation was typical of homocystinuria, and about half of the 21 patients were not responsive to pyridoxine. Twelve distinct mutations were detected in 30 independent homocystinuric alleles.

Studies on agenesis of third molars amongst populations of different origin.

This study contains information on the occurrence of agenesis of one to four third molars among the population and ethnic groups of Europe, North America, Africa and Asia (Japan), based on the results of investigations carried out by dozens of authors. Recent discoveries have been supplemented with corresponding data concerning the skeletal remains of the jaws of individuals living from the ice age to the middle ages. The results show unbelievably large diversities as regards the frequency of agenesis of third molars in different populations from practically zero (Tasmania) to nearly 100% (Mexican Indians).