Anticancer activity of a trans-platinum(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone to ovarian cancer cells

Objectives: Cisplatin is a classical anticancer drug used in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, the treatment is associated with numerous adverse effects. Studies concerning new platinum derivatives with less organ toxicity are conducted. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of a new trans-platinum(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone on the viability and mortality of the cells from OVCAR 3 and CAOV 3 ovarian cancer cell lines and on the expression of the selected genes involved in the process of apoptosis. Material and methods: The viability of ovarian cancer cells and the cytotoxicity of a trans-platinum(II) complex of 3-amino­flavone: [trans-Pt(3-af )2Cl2), trans-bis-(3-aminoflavone) dichloridoplatinum(II)] and cisplatin were analysed using a spectrophotometric method with the use of MTT assay and LDH assay. BAX, BCL2, BIRC5 gene expression analysis on mRNA level was conducted with the use of Real-Time PCR method. Results: It was observed that parallel to an increase in the concentration of the new complex compound and cisplatin there is a decrease in viability and an increase in mortality of ovarian cancer cells. As a result of exposure to the studied compound and cisplatin, an increased BAX gene expression and decreased BCL2 and BIRC5 gene expression were observed in the studied ovarian cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Trans-Pt(3-af )2Cl2 exhibits anticancer activity towards OVCAR 3 and CAOV 3 ovarian cancer cell lines. The studied complex compound can be considered as a potential anticancer drug

Assessment of hydrocephalus in children based on digital image processing and analysis

Hydrocephalus is a pathological condition of the central nervous system which often affects neonates and young children. It manifests itself as an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular system of the brain with its subsequent progression. One of the most important diagnostic methods of identifying hydrocephalus is Computer Tomography (CT). The enlarged ventricular system is clearly visible on CT scans. However, the assessment of the disease progress usually relies on the radiologist’s judgment and manual measurements, which are subjective, cumbersome and have limited accuracy. Therefore, this paper regards the problem of semi-automatic assessment of hydrocephalus using image processing and analysis algorithms. In particular, automated determination of popular indices of the disease progress is considered. Algorithms for the detection, semi-automatic segmentation and numerical description of the lesion are proposed. Specifically, the disease progress is determined using shape analysis algorithms. Numerical results provided by the introduced methods are presented and compared with those calculated manually by a radiologist and a trained operator. The comparison proves the correctness of the introduced approach

Strategie doboru krwinek czerwonych dla biorców w różnych sytuacjach klinicznych

Przed transfuzją krwinek czerwonych wykonuje się rutynowe testy immunohematologiczne, dzięki którym przetacza się biorcom serologicznie zgodną krew dawców. Wyzwaniem dla serologów jest dobór koncentratu krwinek czerwonych (KKCz), gdy uodpornieni biorcy mają alloprzeciwciała z powodu wcześniejszych transfuzji lub ciąż albo wytworzą autoprzeciwciała w niedokrwistościach autoimmunohemolitycznych (NAIH). Wyzwaniem dla klinicystów jest pilna, ratująca życie transfuzja bez próby zgodności. Są to przetoczenia nagłe (krwawienie) oraz sytuacje, gdy brak jest krwi o wyjątkowych fenotypach. Ważne jest tworzenie narodowych rejestrów rzadkich dawców krwinek czerwonych i uczestnictwo w rejestrze międzynarodowym oraz przekazywanie informacji o skutkach niezgodnego przetoczenia i leczeniu ograniczającym hemolizę. Inne problemy dotyczą szczególnych grup biorców krwi, czyli: płodów, noworodków, niemowląt i pozostałych dzieci. Różnią się one cechami hematologicznymi i immunologicznymi, więc testy zgodności muszą się też różnić. Skomplikowane są transfuzje po transplantacjach komórek krwiotwórczych i narządów, gdy z powodu immunologicznego chimeryzmu dochodzi do hemolizy. Ścisła współpraca między klinicystami i immunohematologami jest konieczna, by zapewnić bezpieczeństwo transfuzji w wymienionych sytuacjach klinicznych opisanych w prezentowanej publikacji

THERMO-WET - skomputeryzowany system pomiarowy własności fizyko-chemicznych wybranych materiałów w wysokich temperaturach

W artykule przedstawiono skomputeryzowany system do pomiaru własności fizyczno-chemicznych (kąt zwilżania, napięcie powierzchniowe) wybranych materiałów w wysokotemperaturowych procesach przemian fazowych. Zastosowanie w omówionym systemie, specjalnie opracowanych metod przetwarzania i analizy obrazów, pozwoliło na uzyskanie większej dokładności oraz powtarzalności pomiarów, niż w systemach stosowanych obecnie. Przedstawiona została historia stanowiska oraz aktualnie prowadzone prace rozwojowe

POPRAWA JAKOŚCI OBRAZÓW TOMOGRAFICZNYCH O NISKIEJ DAWCE PROMIENIOWANIA

In this paper the problem of enhancement of low-dose CT scans was considered. In particular, popular pre-processing algorithms (such as anisotropic diffusion filter, non-local means filter, mean-shift filter) were tested and analyzed. The assessment of image quality improvement was performed based on the artificially generated artifacts, similar to those appearing in low-dose CT scans . Their effectiveness was investigated using the image quality measures, such as the mean square error and the structural similarity index.W artykule rozważono problem poprawy jakości obrazów z tomografu komputerowego, uzyskanych z wykorzystaniem niskich dawek promieniowania. W szczególności, przetestowano popularne algorytmy przetwarzania wstępnego (m.in. algorytm filtracji anizotropowej, średnich nielokalnych, przesunięcia do średniej) oraz przeanalizowano skuteczność ich działania. Oceny jakości poprawy dokonano w oparciu o sztucznie wygenerowane zakłócenia, symulujące artefakty towarzyszące w obrazach TK niskim dawkom promieniowania. Do ilościowego porównania stopnia poprawy jakości wykorzystano takie miary, jak błąd średniokwadratowy oraz indeks strukturalnego podobieństwa

Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference -IMTC

Abstract

Application of flow cytometry to immunohematological tests of red blood cells

Flow cytometry (FC) has been primarily applied to the diagnosis of hematological malignancies, and thereafter, to detection and quantification of CD34+ cells in bone marrow transplants, and granulocytes in neutropenias and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). In PNH and hereditary spherocytosis, changes in some of the erythrocyte membrane proteins are tested (CD59, CD55, and band 3). The purpose of this paper is to focus on the use of FC in RBC testing. With anti-D, -HbF, and -CA (carbonic anhydrase), we can detect RhD+, HbF+, and CA- fetal RBCs in the maternal RhD-, HbF-, and CA+ blood sample. Obtained results allow to select the appropriate dose of anti-D Ig in the RhD prophylaxis of feto-maternal incompatibility, or to detect the cause of fetal anemia. Expression of antigens and their weak variants, and concentration of specific antibodies, can also be assessed. It is possible to observe changes in selected CD molecules during storage of RBC units. If RBCs for transfusion are unavailable, due to patient's unusual antibody specificity, some of the available RBCs are opsonised, and then phagocytosis with the recipient monocytes is assessed. The microscopic time-consuming and subjective assay is usually used. Stained CD14+ monocytes and CD235a+ erythrocytes are visible on cytograms as well as their interaction. It makes evaluation of phagocytosis easier and objective. Microparticles of RBCs released during storage are also detected. They are 235a+. In differentiation of hemolysis causes, it is important to measure osmotic fragility, and that can be also achieved using FC. Flow cytometry should be applied to immunohematological testing of red blood cells more often than now

Troublesome Tinnitus in Children: Epidemiology, Audiological Profile, and Preliminary Results of Treatment

Introduction. Although tinnitus often has a significant impact on individual's life, there are still few reports relating to tinnitus in children. In our tinnitus clinic, children with distressing tinnitus constitute about 0,5% of all our patients. Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyse children with troublesome tinnitus as regards epidemiology, audiological profile, and preliminary effects of the therapy. Methods. A retrospective study was carried out involving the cases of 143 children consulted in our Tinnitus Clinic in 2009. The selected group with troublesome tinnitus was evaluated and classified for proper category of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT). Results. The study showed that 41.3% of the children suffered from bothersome tinnitus. In this group 44.1% of the patients demonstrated normal hearing. The success of the therapy after 6 months was estimated on 81.4% of significant improvement. Conclusions. It is recommended that a questionnaire include an inquiry about the presence of tinnitus during hearing screening tests