The efficiency of the respiratory system of men at risk of social exclusion

Background: Some part of the Polish society, after 1989, especially that coming from the remote farming areas – on the bankrupt State Agriculatural Farm could not cope in the new reality. Unemployment and the associated bad financial situation, poor housing conditions, and even homelessness, difficult access to medical care often generated the beginnings of social exclusion. Did those aspects also generate the impairment of the respiratory system or do the socio-demographic conditions demonstrate the relationship with the efficiency of the respiratory system? Material and Methods: 210 people from Tuchola County at risk of social exclusion underwent spirometry testing. The spirometry results were demonstrated against a background of the same measurements carried out on the group of 95 people – physical labourers and white-collar workers of Kazimierz Wielki University. Basic socio-demographic conditions of people at risk of social exclusion were surveyed. Results: Low efficiency of the respiratory system is a characteristic feature of people at risk of social exclusion. Social and living conditions (including housing conditions and unemployment period) demonstrate vital relations with the efficiency of the respiratory system. Conclusions: Poor social and living conditions and smoking of the examined people significantly change their chances of the standard spirometry results. However, good social and living conditions suggest that there is a possibility of the compensation of bad effects of smoking

TMEM244 Is a Long Non-Coding RNA Necessary for CTCL Cell Growth

Transmembrane protein 244 (TMEM244) was annotated to be a member of the TMEM family, which are is a component of cell membranes and is involved in many cellular processes. To date, the expression of the TMEM244 protein has not been experimentally confirmed, and its function has not been clarified. Recently, the expression of the TMEM244 gene was acknowledged to be a diagnostic marker for Sézary syndrome, a rare cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). In this study, we aimed to determine the role of the TMEM244 gene in CTCL cells. Two CTCL cell lines were transfected with shRNAs targeting the TMEM244 transcript. The phenotypic effect of TMEM244 knockdown was validated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) growth competition assays and AnnexinV/7AAD staining. Western blot analysis was performed to identify the TMEM244 protein. Our results indicate that TMEM244 is not a protein-coding gene but a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that is necessary for the growth of CTCL cells.</p

Analiza poziomu wybranych parametrów stanu zapalnego, krążących kompleksów immunologicznych oraz związanych z nimi wskaźników (neutrofi l/limfocyt, płytki/limfocyt, CRP/KKI) w raku płuc

Wprowadzenie: Rak płuca jest najczęstszym nowotworem w Polsce i pierwszą przyczyną zgonów w onkologii. Celem pracy jest analiza wybranych parametrów stanu zapalnego w raku płuca. Materiał i metody: Grupę badaną stanowiło 48 chorych z rakiem płuca oraz 30 przypadków grupy kontrolnej. Chorych podzielono wg stopnia zaawansowania - 19 z niskim/ umiarkowanym stopniem zaawansowania (I-IIIA), 29 z wysokim (IIIB i IV), a także wg typu histopatologicznego - 9 z rakiem drobnokomórkowym, 39 z niedrobnokomórkowym (w tym 18 z gruczolakorakiem i 21 z rakiem płaskonabłonkowym). Zbadano stężenia krążących kompleksów immunologiocznych (KKI), białka C-reaktywnego (ang. C-reactive protein, CRP), neutrofilów, limfocytów oraz związanych z nimi wskaźników: CRP/KKI, neutrofil/limfocyt (ang. neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, NLR), płytka krwi/limfocyt (ang. platelet/lymphocyte ratio, PLR). Wyniki: Średnie wartości badanych parametrów były istotnie wyższe wśród osób z rakiem płuca. Mediana wartości KKI była istotnie wyższa w grupie z zaawansowanym nowotworem (0,30 vs 0,23, p<0,01 w porównaniu ze stopniem I-IIIA). Mediany wskaźnika PLR oraz liczby płytek krwi wśród osób z rakiem płaskonabłonkowym były istotnie wyższe porównując do gruczolakoraka (215 vs 138,5, p = 0,037; 388,0 tys/ul vs 277,5 tys/ul, p = 0,034). Wnioski: Na podstawie wyników pracy zasugerowaliśmy dominację swoistej odpowiedzi humoralnej w bardziej zaawansowanym stadium kancerogenezy płuca. Proces kancerogenezy związany jest z różną aktywnością neutrofili i limfocytów.Introduction: Lung cancer is the most frequent malignancy in Poland and is the first cause of death in oncology. The aim of the study is to analyze selected parameters of inflammation in lung cancer. Material and methods: 48 patients with lung cancer were included in the study group and 30 persons in the control group. The group was divided according to the level of severity - 19 with low/moderate stage (I-IIIA), 29 with high (IIIB and IV) and to histopathological type - 9 with small cell carcinomas, 39 with non-small cell carcinomas (therein 18 - adenocarcinomas and 21 squamous carcinomas). The concentrations of circulating immune complexes (CIC), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophils, lymphocytes and their associated indicators were examined: CRP/CIC, NLR (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio), PLR (platelet/lymphocyte ratio). Results: The average parameter values were significantly higher among people with lung cancer. The median value of CIC was significantly higher in the group with advanced cancer (0.30 vs 0.23, p<0.01 compare to stage I-IIIA). The median PLR and platelet counts among patients with squamous cell carcinoma were significantly higher compared to adenocarcinomas (215 vs 138.5, p = 0.037, 388.0 thousand/ul vs 277.5 thousand/ul, p = 0.034). Conclusion: Based on the results of our work, we suggested the dominance of a specific humoral response in the more advanced stage of lung cancerogenesis. The process of carcinogenesis is associated with various activities of neutrophils and lymphocytes

Virtual histology to evaluate mechanisms of pulmonary artery lumen enlargement in response to balloon pulmonary angioplasty in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) results from an obstruction of pulmonary arteries (PAs) by organized thrombi. The stenosed PAs are targeted during balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). We aimed to evaluate the mechanism of BPA in inoperable patients with CTEPH. We analyzed stenosed PAs with intravascular grey-scale ultrasound (IVUS) to determine the cross-sectional area (CSA) of arterial lumen and of organized thrombi. The composition of organized thrombi was assessed using virtual histology. We distinguished two mechanisms of BPA: Type A with dominant vessel stretching, and type B with dominant thrombus compression. PAs were assessed before (n = 159) and after (n = 98) BPA in 20 consecutive patients. Organized thrombi were composed of dark-green (57.1 (48.0–64.0)%), light-green (34.0 (21.4–46.4)%), red (6.4 (2.9–11.7)%;) and white (0.2 (0.0–0.9)%) components. The mechanism type depended on vessel diameter (OR = 1.09(1.01–1.17); p = 0.03). In type B mechanism, decrease in the amount of light-green component positively correlated with an increase in lumen area after BPA (r = 0.50; p = 0.001). The mechanism of BPA depends on the diameter of the vessel. Dilation of more proximal PAs depends mainly on stretching of the vessel wall while dilation of smaller PAs depends on compression of the organized thrombi. The composition of the organized thrombi contributes to the effect of BPA

Fast approach for clarification of chromosomal aberrations by using LM-PCR and FT-CGH in leukaemic sample

Chromosomal abnormalities, like deletions, amplifications, inversions or translocations, are recurrent features in haematological malignancies. However, the precise molecular breakpoints are frequently not determined. Here we describe a rapid analysis of genetic imbalances combining fine tiling comparative genomic hybridization (FT-CGH) and ligation-mediated PCR (LM-PCR). We clarified an inv(14)(q11q32) in a case of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with a breakpoint in the TRA/D in 68% of cells detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. FT-CGH showed several mono- and biallelic losses within TRA/D. LM-PCR disclosed a TRA/D rearrangement on one allele. The other allele revealed an inv(14)(q11q32), joining TRDD2 at 21,977,000 of 14q11 together with the IGH locus at 105,948,000 and 3'-sequence of TRAC at 22,092,000 joined together with IGHV4-61 at 106,166,000. This sensitive approach can unravel complex chromosomal abnormalities in patient samples with a limited amount of aberrant cells and may lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic options

Electrochemically deposited nanocrystalline InSb thin films and their electrical properties

We present an electrochemical route to prepare nanocrystalline InSb thin films that can be transferred to an industrial scale. The morphology, composition, and crystallinity of the prepared uniform and compact thin films with a surface area of around 1 cm2 were investigated. The essential electrical characteristics such as conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, the type, concentration and mobility of charge carriers have been examined and compared with InSb nanowires obtained in the same system for electrochemical deposition (fixed pulse sequence, temperature, electrolyte composition, and system geometry). Moreover, obtained thin films show much higher band gap energy (0.53 eV) compared to the bulk material (0.17 eV) and InSb nanowires (0.195 eV)

Two Subsets of Naive T Helper Cells with Distinct T Cell Receptor Excision Circle Content in Human Adult Peripheral Blood

During ageing thymic function declines and is unable to meet the demand for peripheral T helper (Th) cell replenishment. Therefore, population maintenance of naive Th cells must be at least partly peripherally based. Such peripheral postthymic expansion of recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) during ageing consequently should lead to loss or dilution of T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) from a subset of naive T cells. We have identified two subsets of naive Th cells in human adult peripheral blood characterized by a striking unequal content of TRECs, indicating different peripheral proliferative histories. TRECs are highly enriched in peripheral naive CD45RA+ Th cells coexpressing CD31 compared with peripheral naive CD45RA+ Th cells lacking CD31 expression, in which TRECs can hardly be detected. Furthermore we show that CD31−CD45RA+ Th cells account for increasing percentages of the naive peripheral Th cell pool during ageing but retain phenotypic and functional features of naive Th cells. As CD31 is lost upon T cell receptor (TCR) engagement in vitro, we hypothesize that TCR triggering is a prerequisite for homeostatically driven peripheral postthymic expansion of human naive RTEs. We describe here the identification of peripherally expanded naive Th cells in human adult blood characterized by the loss of CD31 expression and a highly reduced TREC content

Enhanced expression of Fas Ligand (FasL) in the lower airways of patients with fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs)

The exact role of FasL, and particularly its soluble and membrane-bound forms, in the development of chronic ILDs and lung fibrosis has not been extensively explored. We aimed at analyzing membrane-bound FasL expression on alveolar macrophages (AM) and lymphocytes (AL) as well as soluble FasL (sFasL) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from ILDs patients, incl. pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), silicosis, asbestosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and healthy subjects (n = 89, 12, 7, 8, 23, 6, 17, respectively). In IPF, significantly increased percentage of AM FasL+ and CD8+FasL+ cells as well as sFasL levels in BAL were found. Increased sFasL levels were also observed in HP. NSIP and asbestosis were characterized by higher AM FasL+ relative number; CD8+FasL+ population was expanded in asbestosis only. There was a significant decline in AL FasL+ percentage in PS and HP. Vital capacity was negatively correlated with sFasL levels, AM FasL+ and CD8+FasL+ cell relative count. CD4+FasL+ and CD8+FasL+ percentage strongly correlated with BAL neutrophilia, an unfavorable prognostic factor in lung fibrosis. The concurrent comparative BAL analysis of FasL expression indicates that FasL+ AM and AL (mainly Tc cells) comprise an important element of the fibrotic process, mostly in IPF. FasL might play a crucial role in other fibrosis-complicated ILDs, like NSIP and asbestosis. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 636&#8211;645

Limfangioleiomiomatoza (LAM) : trudności diagnostyczne

Background: LAM is a rare idiopathic disorder found almost exclusively in premenopausal women. It is characterized by a proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cell in the pulmonary interstitium, in the lymphatic system of the thorax, retroperitoneum and by the formation of pulmonary parenchymal cysts. The most common clinical manifestations of LAM are pulmonary symptoms including progressive dyspnoea, pneumothorax and chylous effusion. Case report: The authors describe a case of a 43-year-old woman with lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) with initial manifestation of pneumothorax and retroperitoneal cystic mass. Conclusions: HRCT is the best method for cyst detection and is essential for diagnosis. A radiologist is often the first physician to suggest the diagnosis of LAM. However, misdiagnosis is common and may result in inappropriate therapeutic procedures that can further complicate the treatment. There are characteristic abdominal findings in patients with LAM, that in conjunction with the HRCT findings of pulmonary cysts, prove to be useful in establishing this diagnosis

Occurrence and extraction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads with conductor externalization

   Background: The increasing number of patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) contributes to the rising number of patients qualifying for a transvenous lead extraction (TLE) due to infection, vascular or lead failure related indications. The purpose of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the occurrence of conductor externalization in TLE patients and to assess the success rate in the extraction of these leads. Methods: TLE procedure was performed between 2012 and 2014 of 428 electrodes in 259 patients. Out of these, 143 (33.4%) leads in 138 (52.9%) patients were ICD leads. The indications for the TLE in ICD patients were: infection in 37 patients, lead failure in 84 patients, and others in 17 patients. Conductor externalization was observed in 8 ICD leads (5.6%) in 8 (5.8%) patients. The mean dwell­ing time for externalized leads was 87.9 (55 to 132) months compared to 60.1 (3 to 246) months of the remaining 135 ICD leads (p = 0.0329). All externalized leads were successfully and completely extracted using device traction, mechanical telescopic sheaths and/or autorotational cutting sheaths. No complica­tions of lead extraction procedures were observed in 8 patients with externalization. Results: Patients with lead externalization were often in a better New York Heart Association func­tional class (I or II) compared to those in the rest of the study group (p = 0.0212). Conclusions: Conductor externalization is a rare finding in patients undergoing TLE. This occurs with different manufacturers and lead types. In this complication transvenous lead extraction with the mechanical extraction tools can be safely performed.