Effect of soil and water environment on typeability of PowerPlex Y (Promega) in selected tissue samples.

In cases of decomposed bodies Y chromosomal STR markers may be useful in identification of a male relative. The authors assessed typeability PowerPlex Y (Promega) loci in tissue material stored in water and soil environment. Tissue material was collected during autopsies of five persons aged 20-30 years with time of death determined within the limit of 14 hours. Heart muscle, liver and lung specimens were stored in pond water, sea water, sand and peat soil. DNA was extracted by organic method from tissue samples collected in 7-day intervals. Liver specimens were typeable in all PowerPlex Y loci within 100 days of storage in pond water with gradual decline at DYS392 in sea water. Heart muscle specimens stored in pond water exhibited allelic loss at DYS19, DYS385, DYS389II and DYS392, while all loci were typeable in sea water stored samples. For lung specimens allelic loss was noted throughout the profile. Storage of liver specimens in peat soil for more than 14 days resulted in allelic drop-out, and after 21 days no profiles were typeable. Heart muscle specimens were typeable in all PowerPlex Y systems after 35-day storage in sand, while allelic drop-out and subsequent lack of profiles were noted after 14 and 35 days respectively. Lung specimens stored in garden soil exhibited allelic drop-out and subsequent lack of profiles after 7 and 21 days, respectively. All PowerPlex Y loci were typeable in the latter material in sand up to day 35 with gradual decline of longer amplicons (DYS19, DYS385, DYS389II and DYS392)

Przydatność szarokopasmowego odwróconego w fazie obrazowania harmonicznego z wykorzystaniem Dopplera mocy w diagnostyce naczyniaków wątroby

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of echo-enhanced phase-inversion power Doppler sonography (PI) in depicting the vascular enhancement of hemangiomas, thus confirming the exact diagnosis. Material/Methods: Twenty patients were examined. The presence of hemangioma was confirmed by surgical resection (n=2), two-phase (hepatic arterial and portal phases) contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography (n=8), or sonographic follow-up, which showed no change in lesion size for at least 6 months (n=10). Prior to enhanced sonography, all patients had undergone both native B-mode and tissue harmonic imaging mode sonography, color Doppler, and power Doppler helical CT examinations. After injection of 2.5 g of Levovist intravenously, analysis of the arrival of contrast agent was performed by phase-inversion power Doppler sonography. Results: Evaluation of the 20 patients revealed 37 hemangiomas. Color and power Doppler sonography were non-specific for hemangioma in our examination. However, based on the phase-inversion power Doppler sonography findings, the 20 patients with the 37 hemangiomas were diagnosed. Typical features of hemangioma, such as peripheral globular and rim-like enhancement followed by a slow centripetal fill-in, were clearly visible. In 3 cases of small hemangiomas, computed tomography had failed to disclose the pathology, while phase-inversion sonographic images were completely suggestive of what was later confirmed at 6 months follow-up. Conclusions: Based on our results, we can recommend phase-inversion power Doppler sonography in the differential diagnosis of hemangioma by visualizing the characteristic rim-like enhancement pattern followed by a slow centripetal fill-in as an excellent diagnostic modality

Leczenie mózgowych malformacji tętniczo-żylnych metodą przezskórnej embolizacji

Background: In this paper we present our results of treating cerebral arteriovenous malformations implementing percutaneous embolization between 2001-2003. Material/Methods: From year 2001 to 2003, a group of 34 patients underwent endovascular embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. This group consisted of 10 female and 24 male patients aged 15 to 78 (mean: 45.3). DSA examination was performed to assess the possibility of percutaneous embolization. Microcatheters 1.2 F, 1.5 F, or 1.8 F were used in accordance with the dimensions of the malformation. The tip of the catheter was placed close to the nidus of the malformation. Results: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations were localized mainly in the temple region (38%) or in the parietal region (27%). Primary embolization resulted in total occlusion in 41% of AVMs fed by up to three vessels, Repeated interventions led to occlusion of the additional hemangiomas in up to 70.5% of all lesions. In cases of AMVs fed by more than 4 vessels, the second embolization did not result in total occlusion of the hemangiomas. Curative results were obtained in only 12 patients (35%). Total or partial occlusion resulted in the partial reduction of the diameters of the malformations by 30 to 80% (mean: 74%). Conclusions: The best results of embolization were achieved in cases of small and medium malformations fed by 1-3 vessels (70.5% of cases). In our opinion, percutaneous embolization could be applied as an independent curative method in adult patients with small and medium arteriovenous malformations, grades I - III of the Spetzler-Martine scale

Invitation to participate in a multi-center study for validation of cerebral computed tomography angiography and computed tomography perfusion in the determination of cerebral circulatory arrest during brain death/death by neurological criteria diagnosis procedure in paediatric population below 12 years of age

In recent years commensal microorganisms are not just “passive occupants”, but important element of homeostasis. There are numerous reports documenting the composition and role of the gut, skin or vagina microbiome but the role of commensal organisms living in the lungs is relatively unknown. Pulmonary microbiome impact on the immune response of the host organism and may indicate new therapeutic directions. Lung microbiome, by modulating the expression of innate immunity genes, causes an increase in the concentration of IL-5, IL-10, IFNγ and CCL11, affects the TLR4 dependent response of pulmonary macrophages and modulate the production of antibacterial peptides contained in the mucus. It is documented that disorders of the lung microbiome contribute to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However it is known that pulmonary dysbiosis also occurs in critically ill patients. It is possible, therefore, that microbiota-targeted therapy may constitute the future therapeutic direction in ICU