The review of selected biomarkers of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease affecting the main artery transporting oxidized blood to theabdominal and pelvic organs. Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur 4-8 times more often in men than in women,usually develop after the age of 55. Among men over 65, 4–7.6%, this diagnosis can be expected. More aneurysmsoccur in Caucasian people. Among the most frequently mentioned in the literature, AAA risk factors areolder age, male gender, positive family history, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension,hypercholesterolemia, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, ischemic heart disease. Biochemical tests to determinethe level of AAA-specific markers appear with potential. There are reports in the literature on the possibleuse of concentrations of selected molecules in the diagnosis of AAA. According to cadaveric research, there arenoticed dimensions of the abdominal aorta at its different levels. The relation between aortic size and shapecan be the factor contributing to the development of AAA. Previous studies have shown that the developmentof AAA is a crucial fundamental inflammatory response in conjunction with proteolysis tissue, which causes thedestruction and reconstruction of the blood vessel wall. Numerous factors contribute to the pathogenesis ofAAA: proteins, transcription factors, enzymes and microRNAs. The increase in the concentration of most factorsis associated with inflammation. The biomarkers presented in the paper are not limited to AAA, and thus canbe used only for visual assessment of the degree of abdominal aortic aneurysm development

Selected biomarkers of atherosclerosis - clinical aspects

Atherosclerosis is a inflammatory-immunological-degenerative process. Cardiovascular diseases account for 42% of premature deaths among men and 52% of premature deaths among woman. Identification of classical biomarkers of atherosclerosis, such as LDL, HDL and triglycerides may not be helpful in patients with moderate or unusual cardiovascular risk. Non-classical indicators of atherosclerosis include markers of the inflammatory proces, mar-kers of atherosclerotic plaque injury, acute phase proteins, ischemic markers, markers of tissue necrosis, markers of myocardial dysfunction. The identification of CVD biomarkers enables the classification of patients to appropriate cardiovascular risk groups. Knowledge about the CVD risk group makes it possible to take rapid therapeutic intervention aimed at limiting this risk. Pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular diseases is primarily based on lowering cholesterol’s level in the blood. Additional properties of statins (the most important lipid-lowering drugs) enable their pleiotropic effect by limiting the progression of atherosclerotic lesions by reducing the volume of atherosclerotic plaque. Further research on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis will allow to learn new risk factors and new biomarkers of this disease

Feasibility and accuracy of new insertion technique of S1 transpedicular screw. Computed tomography-based morphometric analysis

Objective To assess feasibility and accuracy of a new insertion technique of S1 transpedicular screw. Summary of background data Transpedicular stabilization in the first sacral vertebra (S1) is a technically demanding surgical procedure with inherent risk of loosening of the implant. A modification of the technique was recently proposed, along with the analytical verification which was performed based on the available literature. In the study, we performed radiological assessment of screws inserted into the S1 using the classical and modified techniques. Methods The analysis was performed in two parts. The first part was performed on eight cadaver specimens after implantation of the screws. In the second part, we used computed tomography images of patients with degenerative disk disease with a superimposed representation of screws. The thickness of the posterior cortex adherent to the screws, screw trajectory and their position with regard to the spinal canal was measured. The area of posterior cortex in contact with the screws was also calculated. Results The contact length and area was found to be two times greater for screws introduced with the modified technique. The convergence angle was comparable between the techniques, despite the shift of entry point. There was no canal breach, although with the modified technique the screws passed closer to the spinal canal. Conclusions The modified technique is considered safe. In this technique, the screws pass through a thicker portion of the posterior cortex compared to the classical technique that aims at improving the stability of the fixation

Nesfatin-1, a unique regulatory neuropeptide of the brain

Nesfatin-1, a newly discovered NUCB2-derived satiety neuropeptide is expressed in several neurons of forebrain, hindbrain, brainstem and spinal cord. This novel anorexigenic substance seems to play an important role in hypothalamic pathways regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. Nesfatin-1 immunoreactive cells are detectable in arcuate (ARC), paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic nuclei (SON), where the peptide is colocalized with POMC/CART, NPY, oxytocin and vasopressin. The nesfatin-1 molecule interacts with a G-protein coupled receptor and its cytophysiological effect depends on inhibitory hyperpolarization of NPY/AgRP neurons in ARC and melanocortin signaling in PVN. Administration of nesfatin-1 significantly inhibits consumatory behavior and decreases weight gain in experimental animals. These recent findings suggest the evidence for nesfatin-1 involvement in other important brain functions such as reproduction, sleep, cognition and anxiety- or stress-related responses. The neuroprotective and antiapoptotic properties of nesfatin-1 were also reported. From the clinical viewpoint it should be noteworthy, that the serum concentration of nesfatin-1 may be a sensitive marker of epileptic seizures. However, the details of nesfatin-1 physiology ought to be clarified, and it may be considered suitable in the future, as a potential drug in the pharmacotherapy of obesity, especially in patients treated with antipsychotics and antidepressants. On the other hand, some putative nesfatin-1 antagonists may improve eating disorders. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Changes of ponto-cerebellar angle and temporal bone piramid in the course of neuro-cutaneous diseases

Celem niniejszej pracy jest zwrócenie uwagi na występowanie zmian w obrębie kąta mostowo-móżdżkowego ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem nerwiaków nerwu słuchowego z innymi objawami spotykanymi w fakomatozach. Fakomatozy, zwane także chorobami nerwowo-skórnymi lub neurodermatozami, są genetycznie uwarunkowanymi chorobami, w których obserwuje się liczne nowotwory wielu narządów, w tym szczególnie często nerwiaki bądź nerwiakowłókniaki. W związku z tym istnieje możliwość zetknięcia się z tą grupą chorób również przez lekarzy otolaryngologów, przy okazji diagnostyki zmian zlokalizowanych w kątach mostowo-móżdżkowych. Do najczęstszych fakomatoz należą: choroba von Recklinghausena (nerwiakowłókniakowatość), zespół Sturge’a-Webera, zespół von Hippla-Lindaua, zespół Klippla-Trénaunaya.The aim of this study is to draw attention to the occurrence of changes within ponto-cerebellar angle with the emphasis neurinomas of auditory nerve with other symptoms commonly found in facomatoses. Facomatoses otherwise known as neuro-cutaneous diseases are genetically conditioned diseases in which multiple tumors observed in many organs, especially the often neurinomas or neurofibromas. Therefore, there is a possibility of contact with this group of diseases of the ENT doctors on the occasion of diagnostic changes are located in the ponto-cerebellar angle. The most common facomatoses are: Von Recklinghausen’s disease (neurofibromatosis), Sturge-Weber’s syndrome, von Hipple-Lindau’s syndrome, Klippl-Trénaunay’s syndrome

The efficacy of isolated bacteriophages from pig farms against ESBL/AmpC- producing Escherichia coli from pig and Turkey farms

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases are plasmid (but also chromosomally) encoded enzymes found in Enterobacteriaceae, determining resistance to a variety of important antibiotics including penicillins, cephalosporins, and monobactams. In recent decades, the prevalence of ESBL /AmpC-producing bacteria has increased rapidly across the world. Here, we evaluate the potential use of bacteriophages in terms of a reduction of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in healthy animals. The aim of our studies was to isolate bacteriophages capable of destroying ESBL/AmpC-producing Escherichia coli isolated from livestock habitats. The efficacy of isolated phages against ESBL/AmpC E. coli strains varies, but creation of a phage cocktail with broad activity spectrum is possible. This may indicate that the role of phages may not be limited to phage therapy, but bacterial viruses may also be applied against spread of bacteria with antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. We also addressed the hypothesis, that phages, effective for therapeutic purposes may be isolated from distant places and even from different environments other than the actual location of the targeted bacteria. This may be beneficial for practical purposes, as the construction of effective phage preparations does not require access to disease outbreaks

Neointima development in externally stented saphenous vein grafts

Introduction : The main limitation of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is rapid neointimal hyperplasia leading to graft failure. Aim : To assess plaque formation in saphenous vein grafts (SVG) covered by an external Dacron stent in comparison with the classical technique. Material and methods : In the study group vein grafts covered by external stent mesh made of Dacron were implanted. An intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) study was performed in 35 aorto-coronary SVG covered by an external Dacron stent and in 64 normal SVG during the first year after CABG. In each SVG 25 mm of good quality IVUS image, volumes of lumen, plaque (neointima), outer border of the vein graft (external SVG) and adventitia were calculated in three time periods: 0–130 days, 130–260 days and 260–390 days. Results : Between the first and second time period, lumen volume (mm3) was reduced from 10.33 ±4.4, to 6.80 ±2.23 in the second period and 5.69 ±1.26 in the third one. This effect was much less marked in normal grafts. The corresponding lumen volume (mm3) was: 10.90 ±3.9, 9.15 ±2.94 and 8.92 ±2.93 in consecutive time periods. Plaque volume (mm3) did not change in control grafts during the course of the study, but it increased very significantly in stented grafts from 0.86 ±1.24 in the first period to 2.70 ±1.58 in the second and 3.29 ±2.66 in the third one. Conclusions : The experimental technique of implanting SVG covered with an external elastic Dacron stent seems to be inferior to traditional ones. This is probably due to the more complicated process of vein implantation and higher micro-injury occurrence during the surgery

Inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase induces differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia cells

Acute myeloid leukemia is a malignant disease of immature myeloid cells. Despite significant therapeutic effects of differentiation-inducing agents in some acute myeloid leukemia subtypes, the disease remains incurable in a large fraction of patients. Here we show that SK053, a thioredoxin inhibitor, induces differentiation and cell death of acute myeloid leukemia cells. Considering that thioredoxin knock-down with short hairpin RNA failed to exert antiproliferative effects in one of the acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, we used a biotin affinity probe-labeling approach to identify potential molecular targets for the effects of SK053. Mass spectrometry of proteins precipitated from acute myeloid leukemia cells incubated with biotinylated SK053 used as a bait revealed protein disulfide isomerase as a potential binding partner for the compound. Biochemical, enzymatic and functional assays using fluorescence lifetime imaging confirmed that SK053 binds to and inhibits the activity of protein disulfide isomerase. Protein disulfide isomerase knockdown with short hairpin RNA was associated with inhibition of cell growth, increased CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α levels, and induction of differentiation of HL-60 cells. Molecular dynamics simulation followed by the covalent docking indicated that SK053 binds to the fourth thioredoxin-like domain of protein disulfide isomerase. Differentiation of myeloid precursor cells requires the activity of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α, the function of which is impaired in acute myeloid leukemia cells through various mechanisms, including translational block by protein disulfide isomerase. SK053 increased the levels of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α and upregulated mRNA levels for differentiation-associated genes. Finally, SK053 decreased the survival of blasts and increased the percentage of cells expressing the maturation-associated CD11b marker in primary cells isolated from bone marrow or peripheral blood of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Collectively, these results provide a proof-of-concept that protein disulfide isomerase inhibition has potential as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of protein disulfide isomerase

Nanosilver - does it have only one face?

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) have at least one dimension of a particle smaller than 100 nm and contain 20-15,000 silver atoms. Due to its antibacterial activity nanosilver (NS) is used for medical purposes. NS particles can be obtained by various methods. Potentially, the best method of the NS synthesis for medical purposes is based on a brief flow of electric current between two silver electrodes placed in deionized water. It is accepted that the major antibacterial effect of silver is its partial oxidation and releasing silver ions, which interact with thiol groups of peptidoglicans of bacterial cell wall, and proteins of the cell membrane causing cell lysis. Silver ions can also bind to bacterial DNA preventing its replication and stopping synthesis of bacterial proteins. The rise in exposure to silver NPs has spurred interest into their toxicology. NS undergoes a set of biochemical transformations including accelerated oxidative dissolution in gastric acid, binding to thiol groups of serum and tissue proteins, exchange between thiol groups, sulfides and selenides, binding to selenoproroteins and photoreduction in skin to zerovalent metallic silver. Animal studies have shown that exposure to NS may lead to liver and spleen damage. NS can also stimulate an increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes. As a spectrum of NS applications is still growing, the complex evaluation of a safety of its use becomes an important task. This requires an elucidation of not only the influence of NS on human cells and organism, but also its biotransformation in organism and in environment

Hermann Boerhaave (1668–1738) – the father of clinical medicine in modern times

The aim of the study is to present the life and work of the Dutch physician. This study presents his contribution to the development of medicine and anatomy in Europe in the 18th century. Hermann Boerhaave (1668–1738) was a Dutch physician and humanist of worldwide fame. He is considered to be the founder of clinical science. He introduced tutoring at a patient’s bed and applied measuring temperature with a thermometer in diagnosis . He examined digestion processes and was the first author to describe perspiratory glands. He founded the first clinical hospital in Leida. The eponym, Boerhaave syndrome is connected with his person. It is a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus wall. The rupture occurs most often as a result of chronic massive vomiting.Praca dotyczy życia i działalności naukowej holenderskiego lekarza i uczonego, przedstawiając jego wkład w rozwój medycyny i anatomii w Europie w XVIII wieku. Hermann Boerhaave (1668–1738) był lekarzem i i humanistą światowej sławy, uważa się go za ojca medycyny klinicznej. Jest założycielem pierwszego szpitala klinicznego w Lejdzie. Wprowadził nauczanie przy łóżku chorego, zastosował w diagnostyce mierzenie temperatury za pomocą termometru. Badał procesy trawienia oraz jako pierwszy opisał gruczoły potowe. Z jego nazwiskiem związany jest jeden eponim, mianowicie zespół Boerhaave’a, określający samoistne pęknięcie ściany przełyku na całej jego grubości. Do pęknięcia dochodzi najczęściej na skutek przewlekłych, masywnych wymiotów