Comparison of hyaluronic acid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the concentration of hyaluronic acid (HA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its correlation with parameters of disease activity and duration. The hypothesis was that HA should be increased in rheumatic diseases. We also expected that HA could be a marker of disease activity and inflammation in some of these diseases. The study group comprised 149 patients with RA, SSc and SLE hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok (Bialystok, Poland) and 30 healthy controls. The concentrations of HA, C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were measured using Architect ci8200; haemoglobin, platelets on Sysmex XS-800i; and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) on Sediplus S 2000 analysers. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13.3 PL. Hyaluronic acid was increased in RA, SLE and SSc when compared to controls (P < 0.001, P = 0.011, and P = 0.015, respectively). There were no differences in HA between rheumatic diseases (P = 0.840). Hyaluronic acid positively correlated with SLE activity (P = 0.025). In RA, HA positively correlated with ESR (P = 0.028) and CRP (P = 0.009). However, HA was not found to correlate with the duration of rheumatic diseases. Hyaluronic acid concentration undergoes changes in rheumatic diseases with no difference between RA, SLE and SSc. In RA, HA concentration can be a marker of inflammation, while in SLE patients an indicator of disease activity

The relationship between body mass index, body composition and premenstrual syndrome prevalence in girls

Objectives: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a cluster of physical and emotional symptoms occurring in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The study aim was to determine the relationship between PMS, and state of nutrition expressed as Body Mass Index (BMI) and body composition in 18-year-old females.  Material and methods: The study was conducted on 476 women divided into two groups i.e. those suffering from PMS (n = 233) and those without symptoms (n = 243). The women were examined during their luteal phase using bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine their body composition. Height and weight were measured using digital medical scales with an electronic height rod. BMI was calculated thus: BMI = body mass (weight) (kg)/height (m2). The subjects were di- vided into two sub-groups: BMI &lt; 25 kg/m2 and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATISTICA 10 PL software and the Mann-Whitney test.  Results: The women with normal BMI suffered from PMS twice as often as the women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (68.2% vs. 31.8%). There were significantly higher values for Fat Mass (FM) (%) (p &lt; 0.01) and FM (kg) (p &lt; 0.001) in women without PMS, and significantly higher values for Fat-Free Mass (FFM) (%) (p &lt; 0.001) and Total Body Water (TBW) (%) (p &lt; 0.001) in women with PMS. Higher values were reported for FFM (kg) and TBW (kg) (p &lt; 0.05) in girls with PMS and BMI ≥ 25. Conclusions: These results show PMS is more frequent in patients with BMI &lt; 25, and less frequent in patients with higher FM (kg) and FM (%). Moreover, significant frequency of PMS was observed in patients with higher FFM and TBW. Such statistical significance was not confirmed in girls with a BMI &lt; 25.

Towards philosophy in medicine and nursing. Anthropological and ethical aspects of sexology.

Towards philosophy in medicine and nursing. Anthropological and ethical aspects of sexology SUMMARY               Medical and nursing activities are an inexhaustible source for philosophical reflections [1].We present 10 philosophy reflections in the context of science, of sexology too. Sexology, as a science, studies human sexuality taking into account sexual behaviour, functions and preferences. This definition goes beyond non-scientific research on sexuality, such as analyses of the political situation, or social criticism. In modern sexology researchers use tools from different academic fields. Sexology is an interdisciplinary study which perceives sexuality in various aspects: medical, psychological, sociological, educational, legal, ethnographic, anthropological, biological, religious, ethical and moral.key words: ethics, sexology, scienceW stronę filozofii w medycynie i pielęniarstwie-antropologiczne i etyczne aspekty seksuologiiSTRESZCZENIEDziałalność lekarska i pielęgniarska stanowi niewyczerpane źródło dla przemyśleń filozoficznych [1]. Z drugiej strony, dziedziny medyczne potrzebują filozofii, dlatego też zaprezentowano 10 refleksji nad filozofią w kontekście rozważań nad nauką ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem seksuologii, czyli nauki o płci.Seksuologia będąc nauką o płci, bada ludzką seksualność, biorąc pod uwagę zachowania seksualne, funkcje i preferencje. Ta definicja wykracza poza nienaukowe badania nad seksualnością, takie jak analiza sytuacji politycznej lub krytyka społeczna. We współczesnej seksuologii badacze wykorzystują narzędzia z różnych dziedzin nauki.Nauka ta ma charakter interdyscyplinarny, ujmuje seksualność człowieka nie tylko w aspekcie medycznym, ale i w aspekcie psychologicznym, socjologicznym, pedagogicznym, prawnym, etnograficznym, antropologicznym, biologicznym, religioznawczym i etyczno-moralnym.słowa kluczowe: etyka, seksuologia, nauk

Donor-recipient repositories and improvement of blood transfusion safety

W pracy omówiono rolę, jaką odegrało bankowanie próbek krwi od dawców krwi i chorych po przetoczeniach krwi w wykrywaniu i opracowaniu testów do diagnostyki zakażenia wirusa hepatitis C. Omówiono przyczyny, dla których w wielu krajach wprowadzono obligatoryjny obowiązek archiwizowania próbek dawców krwi. Scharakteryzowano prowadzone na świecie banki próbek dawców i biorców krwi oraz omówiono ich osiągnięcia. Omówiono także znaczenie monitorowania pojawiania się nowych czynników zakaźnych i rolę, jaką w tych badaniach odgrywają banki archiwalnych próbek. Szczególną uwagę poświęcono charakterystyce projektu Blood and Organ Transmissible Infectious Agents zrealizowanego w ramach VI programu ramowego Unii Europejskiej przez konsorcjum zawiązane przez ośrodki naukowe Belgii, Francji, Hiszpanii, Holandii, Niemiec, Polski i Wielkiej Brytanii. Jednym z celów tego projektu było utworzenie repozytorium próbek dawców i biorców krwi, które mają służyć badaniom znaczenia klinicznego, występowania oraz przenoszenia przez przetoczenie nowo wykrywanych i nowo pojawiających się czynników zakaźnych. J. Transf. Med. 2011; 3: 136&#8211;142The study discusses the significance of post-transfusion donor/recipient sample banking for hepatitis C virus identification and development of diagnostic tests. The reasons for donor/ /recipient sample archiving, which is obligatory in some countries, are forwarded together with characteristics and achievements of such repositories worldwide. The importance of emergingpathogen monitoring and the role of donor/recipient repositories in this context was also stressed. Particular attention was paid to the EU &#8220;Blood and Organ Transmissible Infectious Agents Project&#8221; as example of such repository prepared by a Consortium of scientific research centers from Belgium, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Great Britain. J. Transf. Med. 2011; 3: 136&#8211;14

Discovery of novel potential reversible peptidyl arginine deiminase inhibitor

Citrullination, a posttranslational modification, is catalyzed by peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), a unique family of enzymes that converts peptidyl-arginine to peptidyl-citrulline. Overexpression and/or increased PAD activity is observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Moreover, bacterial PADs, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis PAD (PPAD), may have a role in the pathogenesis of RA, indicating PADs as promising therapeutic targets. Herein, six novel compounds were examined as potential inhibitors of human PAD4 and PPAD, and compared to an irreversible PAD inhibitor, Cl-amidine. Four of the tested compounds (compounds 2, 3, 4, and 6) exhibited a micromolar-range inhibition potency against PAD4 and no effect against PPAD in the in vitro assays. Compound 4 was able to inhibit the PAD4-induced citrullination of H3 histone with higher efficiency than Cl-amidine. In conclusion, compound 4 was highly effective and presents a promising direction in the search for novel RA treatment strategies

Recommendations for the management of tuberculosis in children — KOMPASS TB. Part 1: Tuberculosis prevention

Since the second half of the 20th century the incidence of tuberculosis has been declining in Poland. Despite this, current epidemiological data still support the need for the continued mass BCG vaccination in Poland in the near future. Apart from the protection against severe hematogenous forms of tuberculosis, vaccination lowers the risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Primary and acquired immunodeficiency, including immunity disorders associated with an ongoing treatment, are contraindications to BCG vaccination. The most common adverse effects following BCG vaccination are reactions at the site of injection and in regional lymph nodes, which usually does not require treatment. Methods of tuberculosis prevention, particularly recommended in low-incidence countries, include: diagnostic investigations of patients who had contacts with pulmonary tuberculosis as well as an active detection and treatment of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Latent tuberculosis infection can be identified on the basis of positive results of the tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assays after the active disease has been ruled out. This condition does require prophylactic treatment

Reactivity of pulmonary circulation and right ventricle function to inhaled nitric oxide in systemic sclerosis patients

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is complicated by pulmonary hypertension and right ventricle (RV) failure in approximately 10% of the patients. Factors influencing the reactivity of pulmonary circulation to vasodilators are not established, while the examination of vasoreactivity is important in determining the treatment, because systemic administration of oral vasodilators can induce severe adverse events in nonresponders. The mechanism of RV failure in SSc is unclear and may result either from increased RV afterload or intrinsic myocardial disease. The aim of the study was to assess the reactivity of pulmonary circulation to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and to evaluate its influence on RV function in SSc patients with elevated right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP). In 60 SSc patients aged 24–73 (58 females, two males; 33 patients with limited SSc and 27 with diffuse SSc), echocardiographic examination with tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) was performed. RV function was measured by systolic (S) and early diastolic (E) velocity of tricuspid annulus by TDE. In patients with RVSP >45 mmHg, the reactivity of pulmonary circulation was assessed by iNO test. High-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) was performed to assess the extent of pulmonary fibrosis. Of 14 SSc subjects with elevated RVSP (13 females, one male; RVSP 47–62 mmHg), positive reaction to iNO was observed in five (RVSP decreased from 51.6 ± 3.7 to 32.24 ± 2.3 mmHg); nine patients were not reactive (RVSP 53.5 ± 5.7 mmHg before iNO vs. 49.6 ± 6.7 mmHg). RV systolic function was decreased in patients with elevated RVSP as compared to the patients with normal pulmonary pressure (S velocity 13.2 ± 1.3 vs. 14.4 ± 1.6 cm/s, respectively, p < 0.05). Significant increase of RV systolic function during iNO test was found in reactive patients only (S velocity before iNO 12.8 ± 1.2 cm/s, during iNO 14.5 ± 1.5 cm/s, p < 0.01). RVSP decrease strongly correlated with S velocity increase (r = 0.95, p < 0.0001). Response to iNO was found only in limited form of SSc; diffuse SSc patients showed no response. Pulmonary fibrosis on HRCT was more frequent in subjects nonreactive to iNO (67% of patients) than in the reactive group (40% of patients). The reactivity of pulmonary circulation to iNO in SSc patients with elevated RVSP was found predominantly in limited form of the disease. Pulmonary fibrosis typical for diffuse SSc was more frequent in nonreactive subjects. Elevated pulmonary pressure plays an important role in RV systolic dysfunction. Pulmonary pressure decrease during iNO test leads to the improvement of RV systolic function. Therapy for right-heart failure in reactive SSc patients should be directed, if possible, at the decrease in pulmonary resistance