Studies of new antiferroelectric liquid crystal based on quantum-chemical model

Physical properties of new thermotropic antiferroelectric liquid crystal have been studied. Experiments were done by use of complementary methods such as differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry. Acquired data from X-ray powder diffractometry was examined under application of quantum chemical approach. It has been found that compound studied exhibits stable enantiotropic antiferroelectric SmC_{A}^{*} phase in the wide temperature range while ferroelectric phase SmC^{*} is very narrow

Echium oil is not protective against weight loss in head and neck cancer patients undergoing curative radio(chemo)therapy: a randomised-controlled trial

Background: Therapy-induced mucositis and dysphagia puts head and neck (H&N) cancer patients at increased risk for developing cachexia. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) have been suggested to protect against cachexia. We aimed to examine if echium oil, a plant source of n-3 FA, could reduce weight loss in H&N cancer patients undergoing radio(chemo)therapy with curative intent. Methods: In a double-blind trial, patients were randomly assigned to echium oil (intervention (I) group; 7.5 ml bis in die (b.i.d.), 235 mg/ml α-linolenic acid (ALA) + 95 mg/ml stearidonic acid (SDA) + 79 mg/ml γ-linolenic acid (GLA)) or n-3 FA deficient sunflower oil high oleic (control (C) group; 7.5 ml b.i.d.) additional to standard nutritional support during treatment. Differences in percentage weight loss between both groups were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Erythrocyte FA profile, body composition, nutritional status and quality of life were collected. Results: Ninety-one eligible patients were randomised, of whom 83 were evaluable. Dietary supplement adherence was comparable in both groups (median, I: 87%, C: 81%). At week 4, the I group showed significantly increased values of erythrocyte n-3 eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, 14% vs −5%) and n-6 GLA (42% vs −20%) compared to the C group, without a significant change in n-6 arachidonic acid (AA, 2% vs −1%). Intention-to-treat analysis could not reveal a significant reduction in weight loss related to echium oil consumption (median weight loss, I: 8.9%, C: 7.6%). Also, no significant improvement was observed in the other evaluated anthropometric parameters. Conclusions: Echium oil effectively increased erythrocyte EPA and GLA FAs in H&N cancer patients. It failed however to protect against weight loss, or improve nutritional parameters. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01596933

The association of hydration status with physical signs, symptoms and survival in advanced cancer-The use of Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) technology to evaluate fluid volume in palliative care: An observational study

Background Hydration in advanced cancer is a controversial area; however, current hydration assessments methods are poorly developed. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is an accurate hydration tool; however its application in advanced cancer has not been explored. This study used BIVA to evaluate hydration status in advanced cancer to examine the association of fluid status with symptoms, physical signs, renal biochemical measures and survival. Materials and methods An observational study of 90 adults with advanced cancer receiving care in a UK specialist palliative care inpatient unit was conducted. Hydration status was assessed using BIVA in addition to assessments of symptoms, physical signs, performance status, renal biochemical measures, oral fluid intake and medications. The association of clinical variables with hydration was evaluated using regression analysis. A survival analysis was conducted to examine the influence of hydration status and renal failure. Results The hydration status of participants was normal in 43 (47.8%), 'more hydrated' in 37 (41.1%) and 'less hydrated' in 10 (11.1%). Lower hydration was associated with increased symptom intensity (Beta = -0.29, p = 0.04) and higher scores for physical signs associated with dehydration (Beta = 10.94, p = 0.02). Higher hydration was associated with oedema (Beta = 2.55, p<0.001). Median survival was statistically significantly shorter in 'less hydrated' patients (44 vs. 68 days; p = 0.049) and in pre-renal failure (44 vs. 100 days; p = 0.003). Conclusions In advanced cancer, hydration status was associated with clinical signs and symptoms. Hydration status and pre-renal failure were independent predictors of survival. Further studies can establish the utility of BIVA as a standardised hydration assessment tool and explore its potential research application, in order to inform the clinical management of fluid balance in patients with advanced cancer

Nichrome Capacitors on Polycarbonate Substrate for Monitoring Cell Culture Using Impedance Sensing Technique

The aim of this work was to present a method of tissue culture research by measuring the impedance of cells cultured in the presence of nichrome. For this purpose, the Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing system was used with a prototype substrate containing comb capacitors made of nichrome. Magnetron sputtering, photolithography and etching processes were used to produce the thin-film electrodes. In the experimental part, cells of mouse fibroblast cell line L929 were cultured according to the instruction manual in complete medium, under controlled growth conditions. Inoculation of arrays was carried out by 300 microliters per well of cell suspension at ~1.2×105 cells/ml. The results of the monitoring cells behavior in tissue culture indicate good cell viability and proliferative potential

SAT0218 SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS LOCATED IN REGULATORY REGIONS OF GENES INVOLVED IN SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION (MAMDC1, ITGAM, AND CRP) CORRELATION WITH THE CLINICAL PICTURE OF DISEASE AND ACTIVITY PARAMETERS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Background:The exact pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is poorly understood. It is an autoimmune disease that leads to a chronic inflammatory process involving numerous tissues and organs (skin, kidneys, joints, central nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and hematopoietic systems). However, despite the advancement of SLE molecular biology and the wide availability of tests and diagnostic tools, the knowledge about factors predicting the clinical disease activity as well as related changes in the laboratory results is insufficient.Objectives:The goal of the study was to assess the relationship between selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the clinical picture of diseaseand some activity parametersin patients with SLE.Methods:We conducted a study of adult patients with SLE diagnosed and treated in the Rheumatology Department of Medical University of Lublin between 2016-2019. We enrolled 80 patients with SLE (71 women, 9 men), with the median (range) age 36 (19-72) and disease duration 6 (1-37) years. To objectively assess disease activity, standardized SLE activity scale - SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) was used. Using the Real-Time PCR method and specific TaqMan probes SNPs of 3 genes:MAMDC1(rs910875; c.-1687G&gt; C),CRP(rs3091244; c.-390C&gt; A), andITGAM(rs7193943; c.-323G&gt; A) were analyzed and then their relationship with specific clinical picture of disease, activity and laboratory results were assessed.Results:Carriers of the CC genotype compared to the remaining polymorphic variants (CG and GG) of theMAMDC1gene had an approximately 4-fold higher risk of skin disease compared to other clinical pictures of disease (renal, articular, neuro-psychiatric, hematological) (OR = 4.04; p = 0.0110)). Carriers of this genotype also had a higher risk of hematuria (OR = 4.57; p = 0.0082), sterile leukocyturia (OR = 53.91; p = 0.0071), the presence of anti-Sm / RNP antinuclear antibodies (OR = 4.15, p = 0.0074), reduced values of the C3 complement component (OR = 6.11; p = 0.0071) and the need for oral glucocorticosteroids (OR = 7.01; p = 0.0028). In addition, significantly higher values of SLEDAI disease activity scale were observed in carriers of the CC genotype of theMAMDC1gene (medians: 6 vs 4; p = 0.0220). Moreover, we observed a trend towards a higher risk of hepatomegaly in GG genotype carriers of theITGAMgene (OR=18.50; p=0.0525). In addition, the AA genotype of theCRPgene was associated with a higher risk of proteinuria (OR = 84; p &lt;0.0001), Anti-SSA / Ro autoantibodies (OR = 3.29; p = 0.0484), and aCL IgM (OR = 3.42; p = 0.0332) occurrence. Carriers of AA genotype of the above gene were also at higher risk of earlier occurrence of first disease symptoms as well as disease diagnosis at a younger age (respectively: 24 vs 31 years; p=0.0225, 23 vs 29 years; 0.0442).Conclusion:The results suggest the relationship between SNPs in genes involved in systemic inflammation (MAMDC1, ITGAM, CRP) and disease activity as well as the occurrence of some specific clinical pictures of disease in patients with SLE.The genetic dispositions described above may serve as attractive markers in SLE, potentially useful in clinical practice.Disclosure of Interests:Aleksandra Majdan: None declared, Radosław Mlak: None declared, Marcin Mazurek: None declared, Dominika Pigon: None declared, Maria Majdan Consultant of: Roche, Amgen, Speakers bureau: Roche, Amgen, Teresa Malecka Massalska: None declared</jats:sec