Evidence suggests that pathogen-associated pattern recognition receptors (Toll-like receptors, TLRs) are implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. TLRs are important in both peripheral immune responses and neuronal plasticity. However, the relationship between peripheral TLR expression and regional brain volumes is unknown in schizophrenia. We therefore assessed 30 drug-naïve, first-episode patients with schizophrenia. TLR4+/TLR1+ monocytes were measured using flow-cytometry. High resolution magnetic resonance images (T1 MRI) were obtained and analyzed with FreeSurfer. Results revealed significant negative correlations between the percentage of TLR4+ monocytes, mean fluorescent intensities, and brain volumes in frontal and anterior cingulate regions. The measures of TLR1+ monocytes did not show significant relationships with regional brain volumes. These results raise the possibility that abnormal TLR-activation is associated with decreased brain volumes in schizophrenia.

Background - Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) causes major disabilities worldwide. Several studies in the literature had reported the correlation between radiculopathy and inflammatory markers. Mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio are parameters of hemogram which have been found to be associated with inflammatory conditions. Purpose - Since inflammation has an important role in lumbar disc hernias, and RDW, MPV and N/L ratio are also known to be in correlation with inflammation, we have investigated these parameters of the patients with lumbar disc hernias and compared them with the results of the healthy subjects. Methods - Our study group was composed of patients with lumbar disc hernia, whereas the control group was consisted of healthy volunteers whom visited our outpatient clinics for a routine check-up. Patient characteristics and hemogram parameters of the study cohort were obtained from computerized database system of our institution. SPSS software (SPSS 15.0 for Windows, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for the analysis. Results - There was no significant difference between study and control groups in terms of WBC, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, neu\lym ratio, Hb, Htc, MCV, and PLT levels (all p>0.05). RDW was significantly increased in study group [15.6 (12.3-22.5)] when compared to control group [14.5(11.9-16.3)] (p=0.004). And MPV in the study group [9.25 (6.38-14.5)] was also significantly increased in comparison to the control subjects [8.8 (6-10.1)] (p=0.013). Discussion - In this retrospective study, we found that, RDW and MPV values in hemograms were increased in patients with lumbar disc herniation when compared to the control group. Conclusions - We suggest that, elevated RDW and MPV may help physicians in decision taking to order radiological imagings in patients with symptoms which can be associated with possible LDH diagnosis. However, for the sake of precision, prospective studies with larger populations are needed.

[Endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme is regulated through the phosphorylation of the Ser(1177) and the Thr(495) sites, which influence the biological availabilaty of nitric oxide. We examined the acute effect of cigarette smoke, which decreases nitric oxide production. Endothelial cells were treated with different concentrations and for different times with cigarette smoke buffer, then with reduced glutathione or different protein kinase inhibitors. We determined the total and the phosphorylated nitric oxide synthase levels with Western blot. Cigarette smoke increased phosphorylation in a concentration- and time dependent manner at the Ser(1177) site and more pronounced at the Thr(495) site. Besides, it also led to the dissociation of the active dimer form of the enzyme. Reduced glutathione inhibited these phosphorylations and prevented the dissociation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme. The inhibition of protein kinase A or B did not influence the effect of cigarette smoke. However, protein kinase C inhibitors increased the phosphorylation caused by cigarette smoke at Ser(1177), but decreased it at Thr(495) sites. Summarized, cigarette smoke shifts the phosphorylation of the enzyme towards an inhibitory state, further on, it leads to the dissociation of the enzymatically active form. This results in the decreased biological availabilaty of nitric oxide, in which protein kinase C may play an important role.]

[Author presents the formation of nitric oxide as a largest vasodilator of human endothelium as well as the endothelial dysfunction a result of formation at adrenergic stimulus. He demonstrates in detail the benefits of selective β-1 blocker and β-3 adrenergic agonist nebivolol in the vascular system. This drug has also receptor independent effects. Complex effects of nebivolol causes vasodilation, inhibits oxidative stress and it is capable to neutralize the effects of free oxygen radicals and as a result the endothelial function will be better. Its clinical effects and the less wellknown beneficial properties are listed. The use of drug is discussed especially in hypertensives with smoking, COPD or PAD. The β-3 agonist effect provides positive reactions not only in the adipocytes and the myocardial tissue. but in the skeletal muscle as well: Increase in energy expenditure - as a compensatory mechanism - is increased in obesity and the glucose uptake + storage on skeletal muscle cells are increased in hyperglycemia. The insulin sensitivity will be better, leptin level is decreased, adiponectin level is increased by nebivolol. It is assumed this drug has antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects.]

[Inclusion body myositis is the most common disabling inflammatory myopathy in the elderly. It is more frequent in men and after the age of 50 years. Inflammatory and degenerative features coexist. There is a T-cell mediated autoimmunity driven by in situ clonally expanded cytotoxic CD8-positive T-cells invading non-necrotic muscle fibres expressing MHC-I antigen. The hallmarks of degeneration are the deposition of protein aggregates and the formation of vesicles. The course of the disease is slow and the diagnosis is usually set after several years. The muscle weakness and wasting is assymetric, affecting predominantly distal muscles of the upper extremity and proximal muscles of the legs. The signs and clinical course can be characteristic, but the diagnosis is established by muscle biopsy. There is currently no evidence based effective treatment for sIBM. Prednisone, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporine and IFN-β failed. Oxandrolon did not improve symptoms. Treatment with intravenous immunglobuline (IVIG) induced in some patients a transient improvement of swallowing and of muscle strenght, but the overall study results were negative. A T-cell depleting monoclonal antibody (alemtuzumab), in a small uncontrolled study slowed down disease progression for a six-month period. Repeated muscle biopsies showed the reduction of T-cells in the muscle and the suppression of some degeneration associated molecules. An effective therapeutic mean should act on both aspects of the pathomechanism, on the inflammatory and the degenerative processes as well.]