Infertility affects approximately 48 million couples globally. Despite the enormous progress of the methods of reproductive medicine that has been made since the first test-tube baby was born in 1978, the implantation rate of day-3 embryos is only around 15-20 % and 30 % of day-5 embryos. Numerous strategies aim to improve implantation rates and prevent repeated implantation failure. However, there is no specific general recommendation leading to satisfying results. One of the many risk factors relevant in this regard is the uterine immunological make-up, mainly the uterine Natural Killer (uNK) cells. They orchestrate the overall immune response during implantation by influencing trophoblast invasion and vascular remodeling and throughout pregnancy, uNK cells are also the main immune cells at the maternal–fetal interface. Previously, uNK count has been correlated with various fertility issues including idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. The present study used endometrial samples collected from 256 patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF), habitual abortion (HA) and idiopathic sterility. Samples were collected between day 19 and 21 of the menstrual cycle mainly by Pipelle endometrial sampling. The samples were fixed in formalin for 24 hours and further processed for immunohistochemistry using anti-CD56 to visualize this antigen marker of uNK cells. Immunohistochemical counting was performed to assess the low, normal, or elevated count of uNK cells. According to the one-way ANOVA test, the age of our patients did not have any influence on the count of uNK cells. With Spearman correlation analysis, we found statistically significant correlation (p-value 0.05) of -0.133 between prior miscarriage and lower uNK cell count. Using the same analysis we found statistically significant correlation (correlation 0.233 with p-value 0.01) between number of uNK cells and activation status. Patients with higher uNK cells were more frequenty diagnosed with endometriosis (p-value 0.05, correlation 0.130). Patients with an immunological factor of sterility (defined by a clinical immunologist) had a lower chance of gravidity (-0.203 with p-value 0.01). Based on our results, we can confirm that there is a correlation between RIF, HA, idiopathic sterility, endometriosis, and immunological factor of sterility (uNK cell count). The true predictive value with regard to fertility outcomes needs to be addressed in future research.
How can European social housing institutions contribute to combating housing deprivation in the context of the post-2009 crisis? The paper examines the main issues and constraints in the Greek case by first questioning the extent of the immediate relevance of major established social housing models in western Europe vis-a-vis housing assistance for the needy and second by highlighting the exceptional conditions in the European South that make for very limited social housing sectors and a predominant bias in favour of widespread owner-occupation across all social classes. Both features are especially pronounced in Greece, where, in fact, social rented housing has never emerged as a viable model. Nevertheless, social housing assistance for renters based on fair allowances should be the main priority under the present crisis conditions, while ‘bricks-and-mortar’ social rented housing can only have a marginal role.
This paper summarizes work done in this laboratory over the last two years on the cloning of microsporidian rRNA by homology PCR and its subsequent use in diagnostic tests and phylogenetic studies. Using highly conserved primers in the 16S or small subunit rRNA (SSU-rRNA) these genes were cloned from human intestinal biopsies with transmission electron microscopy proven Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Septata intestinalis. The SSU-rRNA genes were then used to design and test several primer pairs for the diagnosis of microsporidian infection. Utilizing the polymerase chain reaction and primers V1 and EB45Ü Ent. bieneusi infected duodenal aspirates or intestinal biopsies could be detected. Using V I and SI500 infection with S. intestinalis could be detected. In addition to diagnostic tests, phylogenetic relationships were examined using sequence data from the fragment amplified by PCR by primer 530f in the SSU-rRNA and primer 580r in the large subunit rRNA. This data supported the placement of S. intestinalis in the family Encephalitozoonidae. In addition, it confirmed that Encephalitozoon cuniculi, E. hellem and S. intestinalis are distinct organisms. These techniques have broad applications to the study of other microsporidia and the development of a molecular phylogeny.
The energy utilization of the alternative fuels is one of the main topics for future developments of recoverable sources in the European Union and in the Czech Republic. The aim of research is combustion tests in the fluidized-bed boiler Foster Wheeler located at Štětí. The experiments are carried out for Czech brown coal, wood, sewage sludge and wastes including analyses and recommendations for optimal thermal utilization and minimizing harmful emissions. The second step is thermal analyses of coal, alternative fuel- wood pellets and sewage sludge from treatment plant. From the results of experiments and thermal modeling it is clear that 15 % of alternative fuels can be used in the large fluidized-bed boilers located in the Czech Republic., Pavel Kolat, Bohumir Čech, Dagmar Juchelková, Helena Raclavská and Juraj Leško., and Obsahuje bibliografii