112 research outputs found
Evaluation of neutrophile elastase and isoprostane 8epiPGF2α concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood serum and in amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes
Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the total isoprostane 8-epi-PGF2α and neutrophil elastase (NE) concentrations in pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Material and methods: 128 pregnant women were divided into four groups: pregnancies complicated by PROM between 24.-36.(PPBP-N) and between 38 a 41 weeks of gestation (PPBP-D), uncomplicated pregnancies between 24-36 gestation weeks (K1) and pregnancies delivered by cesarean section (before uterine contractions had started) after 38 weeks (K2). The concentrations of NE and isoprostane 8-epi-PGF2α were measured in maternal serum, cord blood serum and in the amniotic fluid. Results: The following study revealed higher concentrations of NE in maternal serum and in the amniotic fluid than in the umbilical cord blood in PROM cases, and lower amniotic fluid than maternal serum concentrations in the control groups. Also, the levels of isoprostane differentiated between compartments in particular groups. In both groups complicated with PROM, higher maternal serum and amniotic fluid NE concentrations than in controls were found. There were no differences in isoprostane levels between the groups. Conclusions: 1. Higher concentrations of NE in maternal blood serum and in the amniotic fluid than in the umbilical cord blood in PROM cases, as well as lower amniotic fluid than maternal serum concentrations in the controls, may be connected with pathogenesis of PROM. 2. Differentiated maternal serum, cord serum and amniotic fluid isoprostane concentrations may suggest various intensity of oxidative stress in particular compartments. 3. Lack of differences in maternal serum, cord serum and amniotic fluid isoprostane concentrations may suggest similar intensity of oxidative stress in cases with PROM and intact membranes
Trans unsaturated fatty acids are components of atheromatous plaque
Wstęp. Przeprowadzono badania chromatograficzne blaszek miażdżycowych
pobranych od 21 pacjentów w Klinice Chirurgii Naczyniowej PAM w Szczecinie, których
operowano z powodu powikłań zaawansowanej miażdżycy tętnic brzusznych i udowych.
Cel pracy. Celem analizy było ustalenie czy izomery trans nienasyconych
kwasów tłuszczowych (występujące w utwardzonych tłuszczach spożywczych pochodzenia
roślinnego) są istotnymi składnikami blaszki miażdżycowej.
Materiał i metody. Kwasy tłuszczowe ekstrahowano mieszaniną Folcha,
zmydlano metanolowym 2-procentowym roztworem KOH i metylowano 14-procentowym BF3
w metanolu, otrzymując estry metylowe kwasów tłuszczowych. Analizę badanego materiału
przeprowadzono przy użyciu chromatografu gazowego Perkin-Elmer 8500, stosując
program Chromed PI. Oceny zależności pomiędzy otrzymanymi parametrami dokonano
na podstawie współczynnika korelacji rang Spearmana, przyjmując za istotne statystycznie
wartości p < 0,05.
Wyniki. W badanym materiale stwierdzono obecność różnych izomerów
kwasów tłuszczowych, w tym także charakterystycznych dla utwardzanych tłuszczów
roślinnych (zwłaszcza margaryn). Kwas elaidynowy (trans 9 C18:1) okazał się dominującym
trans izomerem wśród jednonienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych. Głównym reprezentantem
wielonienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych był jeden ze sprzężonych dienów kwasu linolowego:
cis 9 trans 11 C18:2.
Wnioski. Wyniki badań wskazują na zależność pomiędzy występowaniem
w diecie izomerów trans nienasyconych kwasów tłuszczowych a ich udziałem w metabolizmie
blaszki miażdżycowej, a nawet w ewentualnym indukowaniu procesu aterogenezy.Background. Chromatographic studies on fatty acid composition
of atheromatous plaques obtained from 21 patients treated surgically in the Department
of Vascular Surgery (Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, Szczecin, Poland) for complications
of atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta, iliac or femoral arteries, were carried
out.
Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to assess if the trans
unsaturated fatty acids (occurring in hardened fats of plant origin) are substantial
components of the atheromatous plaques.
Material and methods. Fatty acids were extracted using Folch
mixture, saponified in 2% KOH solution and methylated with 14% solution of BF3
in methanol, obtaining fatty acid methyl esters. The analysis of obtained material
was carried out with a gas chromatograph Perkin-Elmer 8500, applying Chromed PI
software.
Correlations between obtained parameters were calculated using the Spearman’s
correlation coefficient, taking p < 0.05 as statistically significant.
Results. The presence of varied isomers of fatty acids in the
analysed material (among them typical for the hardened plant fats) was established.
Elaidic acid (trans-9 C18:1) served as a major trans isomer among monounsaturated
fatty acids. The main representative of polyunsaturated fatty acids was one of
conjugated diens of linoleic acid: cis-9, trans-11 C18:2.
Conclusions. The results of the study show the relationship between
trans unsaturated fatty acids content in the diet and their importance in the
metabolism of atheromatous plaque and possible induction of atherogenesis
Możliwe interakcje fluorków, wapnia i kwasów tłuszczowych w blaszkach miażdżycowych izolowanych z tętnic szyjnych
Background. Quantitative and qualitative changes in the mineral composition
of the arterial wall seem to be engaged in the formation of the atherosclerotic
plaque. The aim of this study was to determine the content of fluoride and calcium
in atherosclerotic plaques and to understand the process of fluorine ions binding
into the plaque.
Material and methods. Plaques were obtained from patients operated for
atherosclerosis of carotid arteries. Median content of fluoride and calcium in
the atherosclerotic plaques were 0.75 and 207 μmol/g, respectively.
Results. No correlation between the content of fluoride and calcium (R
= 0.11, p = 0.60) was disclosed.
Conclusions. We are of the opinion that fluoride reacts with fatty acids
of the plaque, disrupting carbon bonds of the fatty acid molecule. Fluoride is
a component of the atherosclerotic plaque but apparently is not deposited together
with calcium ions. Fluoride is capable of interacting with fatty acids of the
atherosclerotic plaque.Wstęp. Zmiany ilościowe oraz jakościowe składników mineralnych w ścianie
tętniczej mogą być jednym z czynników stymulujących rozwój blaszki miażdżycowej.
Celem niniejszej pracy było oznaczenie zawartości fluorku oraz wapnia w blaszce
oraz zbadanie sposobu wiązania jonu fluorkowego w złogu miażdżycowym.
Materiał i metody. Pomiary zawartości fluorku i wapnia prowadzono w blaszkach
miażdżycowych uzyskanych od chorych operowanych z powodu zaawansowanej miażdżycy
tętnic szyjnych. Zmierzona mediana zawartości fluorku w blaszce osiągnęła 0,75
μmola/gram.
Wyniki. Nie odnotowano istotnej statystycznie korelacji pomiędzy zawartością
fluorku oraz wapnia w blaszce miażdżycowej (R = 0,11, p = 0,60).
Wnioski. Fluorek może reagować z zawartymi w blaszce miażdżycowej kwasami
tłuszczowymi, prawdopodobnie przyczyniając się do degradacji wiązania pomiędzy
atomami węgla w cząsteczce kwasu tłuszczowego. Fluorek jest składnikiem blaszki
miażdżycowej, ale nie odkłada się w niej w połączeniu z jonami wapnia i może on
oddziaływać w blaszce z zawartymi w niej kwasami tłuszczowymi
Polymorphism of the CD36 Gene and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Manifested at a Young Age
This study investigates potential associations between CD36 gene variants and the presence of risk factors in Caucasians with coronary artery disease (CAD) manifested at a young age. The study group consisted of 90 patients; the men were ≤ 50 years old and the women were ≤ 55 years old. Amplicons of exons 4 and 5 including fragments of introns were analyzed by DHPLC. Two polymorphisms were found: IVS3-6 T/C (rs3173798) and IVS4-10 G/A (rs3211892). The C allele of the IVS3-6 T/C polymorphism was associated with higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes, higher hsCRP, lower Lp(a) serum concentrations, and younger age at myocardial infarction. The A allele of the IVS4-10 G/A polymorphism was associated with older age of myocardial infarction and higher white blood cell count. The functional role of CD36 polymorphisms in CAD development needs further research
Fluoride and Pineal Gland
The pineal gland is an endocrine gland whose main function is the biosynthesis and secretion of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating circadian rhythms, e.g., the sleep/wake cycle. Due to its exceptionally high vascularization and its location outside the blood–brain barrier, the pineal gland may accumulate significant amounts of calcium and fluoride, making it the most fluoride-saturated organ of the human body. Both the calcification and accumulation of fluoride may result in melatonin deficiency
Plant-Derived Terpenoids: A Promising Tool in the Fight against Melanoma
Melanoma is responsible for the highest number of skin cancer-caused deaths worldwide. Despite the numerous melanoma-treating options, the fight against it remains challenging, mainly due to its great heterogeneity and plasticity, as well as the high toxicity of standard drugs. Plant-derived terpenoids are a group of plant defense molecules that have been proven effective in killing many different types of cancer cells, both in in vitro experiments and in vivo models. In this review, we focus on recent results in the search for plant terpenoids with anti-melanoma activity. We also report on the synergistic action of combining terpenoids with other plant-derived substances, MAP kinase inhibitors, or radiation. Additionally, we present examples of terpenoid-loaded nanoparticle carriers as anti-melanoma agents that have increased permeation through the cancer tissue
Retro-Auricular Approach to the Fractures of the Mandibular Condyle: A Systematic Review
This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the retro-auricular trans-meatal approach (RA) to mandibular head fractures. Fractures of the mandibular head (8%) are a specific type of mandibular condyle fractures (34%). Despite numerous complications of conservative treatment, e.g., limited mobility and even ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, as well as shortening of the mandibular ramus resulting in malocclusion, surgical intervention in this type of fracture is still problematic. The main problems with the dominant pre-auricular approach are the high risk of paralysis of the facial nerve and persistence of a visible scar. An attractive alternative is RA, which, despite its long history, has been described in English very few times, i.e., in only two clinical trials described in three articles in the last 21 years. According to these studies, RA gives a minimum of 90% of ideal positions of bone fragments and an always fully preserved function of the facial nerve in the course of long-term observation. RA allows the application of long screws for fixation, which provide good stabilization. In addition, new types of headless screws leave a smooth, non-irritating bone surface, and the immediate future may be dominated by their resorbable varieties. RA can, therefore, be treated as a very favorable access to fractures of the mandibular head, especially due to the protection of the facial nerve and the possibility of providing a stable and predictable fixation
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