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Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) is accompanied by a local immune reaction in the affected brain regions. It is well established that a-synuclein is directly implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. Development of the disease is often associated with changes of expression and cellular compartmentalisation of this protein; moreover, its oligomers or protofibrils are often released to the CSF and plasma of patients. Aggregated a-synuclein can trigger the activation of microglia; however, its capacity to induce production of specific autoantibodies (AAb) has not been assessed. In this study, we examined the presence of AAb against synuclein family members in the peripheral blood serum of PD patients and control individuals. Presence of AAb against b-synuclein or c-synuclein showed no association with PD. Multi-epitopic AAb against a-synuclein were detected in 65% of all patients tested and their presence strongly correlated with an inherited mode of the disease but not with other disease-related factors. The frequency of the presence of AAb in the studied group of patients with sporadic form of PD was not significantly different from the frequency in the control group but very high proportion (90%) of patients with familial form of the disease were positive for AAb against a-synuclein. We hypothesise that these AAb could be involved in pathogenesis of the inherited form of PD.

Histological abnormalities were observed more frequently in the diabetic placentas compared to the controls. These findings support the hypothesis that impaired placental function is one of the main reasons for the increased frequency of fetal complications in diabetic pregnancies.

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Objective To examine whether a previous caesarean section increases the risk for complications in women undergoing a mid-trimester pregnancy termination by labour induction. Design Retrospective analysis of case records between 1997 and 2002.Setting Fetal Medicine Unit of a large teaching hospital.Population One hundred and eight women with a previous caesarean section (study group) and 216 women without such a history (controls), who underwent a second trimester termination of pregnancy. Methods All the terminations were performed between 17 and 24 weeks of gestation by using 400 Ag of oral administration of misoprostol in combination with 400 Ag of intravaginal misoprostol. The same dose of intravaginal misoprostol was repeated every 6 hours for a maximum of five doses. Main outcome measures Severe haemorrhage requiring blood transfusion, post-abortal infection, retained placenta and uterine rupture. Result Complications occurred in 16 out of 108 women of the study group (15%) and in 26 out of 216 of the controls (12%), with only one ruptured uterus in the control group. Conclusion We found no evidence that a previous caesarean delivery affects the incidence of complications when women with such a history undergo a mid-trimester pregnancy termination with misoprostol.

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The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory responses between male and female soccer players for a period of 48 hours after an official match. Blood samples were taken from 83 subjects (22 elite male and 21 elite female soccer players and 20 male and 20 female inactive individuals) in the morning of the game day, immediately after the soccer game and 24 and 48 hours after the match. Average relative exercise intensity during the match was similar in male and female players, as indicated by mean heart rate that was 86.9 ± 4.3 and 85.6 ± 2.3% of maximal heart rate (p = 0.23), respectively. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) increased 2- to 4-fold above resting values, peaking immediately after the match. C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine kinase peaked 24 hours after the match. Interleukin 6, CRP, and creatine kinase responses were similar in male and female players, but the peak in TNF-α was 18% higher in male players. Interleukin 6, TNF-α, and CRP at rest were lower in male and female players compared with the control subjects, suggesting a protective effect of regular exercise training regarding the inflammatory profile. The results of this study show that a soccer match induces significant inflammatory responses in both male and female players, with only TNF-α peak values being lower in females. Because of the effects of inflammatory responses on performance and health of the players, it is suggested that coaches and trainers should adjust exercise training programs after a match to promote recovery and protect the athletes' health.