Evaluation of peritoneal tissue by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

Abdominal surgeries alter the integrity of the peritoneal layer and cause imbalances among immunological, inflammatory and angiogenic mechanisms within the tissue. During laparoscopic procedures a protective function of the peritoneal layer can be disturbed by the gas used to create a pneumoperitoneum. The aim of this study was to characterize peritoneal tissue by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a reference for future investigations on the influence of surgical procedures on the physicochemical state of the peritoneum. Thirty-seven patients participated in the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to the type of surgery: group H — patients who underwent hernia repair; group Ch — patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy; and group C — patients operated due to rectal cancer. It was observed that onset temperature (To), denaturation temperature (Tm) and change of enthalpy (ΔH) during thermal denaturation of peritoneal collagen in were significantly different for these three groups of patients. The mean values of onset temperature (To) and denaturation temperature (Tm) in group H were significantly lower, while DH in this group was significantly higher than in the two other groups (Ch and C). This preliminary study does not answer whether the differences in collagen denaturation found in peritoneal tissue from different groups of patients resulted from a different inherent state of the tissue, or from surgical procedures. However, the results suggest that DSC is an appropriate method to study subtle changes in the physicochemical condition of the peritoneum using small samples obtained during surgical procedures. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 700–705

El "IMACO": un índice mensual líder de la actividad económica en Colombia

En este trabajo se describe la construcción de un nuevo indicador mensual líder de la actividad económica en Colombia (IMACO). El procedimiento se basa en un algoritmo de búsqueda heurístico que identifica siete variables líderes del nivel de actividad, que anticipan los movimientos del PIB con cinco meses de adelanto y una correlación del 93%. Asimismo, el IMACO tiene otras propiedades predictivas deseables: anticipa los puntos de quiebre del ciclo económico colombiano sin arrojar señales falsas, y minimiza los errores de pronóstico sobre el crecimiento del PIB. Dada su simplicidad y bajo costo computacional, el IMACO provee una herramienta para el seguimiento continuo de la coyuntura y el diseño de la política económica, que puede ser replicado tanto para otros agregados macroeconómicos en Colombia así como en otros países de la región.Índice líder, ciclo económico, componentes principales. Classification JEL: E23, E27, E37.

Serum ROBO4 and CLEC14A: preliminary evaluation as diagnostic and progression biomarkers in colorectal cancer patients

Introduction. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important global burden, and the discovery of biomarkers for screening and monitoring is a current challenge. The present study aimed to determine the serum concentration of ROBO4 and CLEC14A in CRC patients and assess the diagnostic and progression value of these biomarkers in CRC. Material and methods. Serum samples were collected from 32 patients with CRC and from 16 healthy individuals. Blood serum of CRC patients were tested before and after surgery. Serum concentration of ROBO4 and CLEC14A were measured using ELISA tests. Results. The serum concentrations of ROBO4 and CLEC14A were significantly higher in CRC patients than non-cancer controls. The sensitivitiy and specificity of ROBO4 and CLEC14A in distiguishing cancer patients from controls ranged from 71.9% to 100% and from 84.5% to 100%, respectively. The serum ROBO4 concentration was associated with the TNM stage, depth of invasion, and lymph node and distant metastases. The level of ROBO4 was statistically lower 3 months after the surgery, compared to the level noted prior to the operation. Conclusions. Our preliminary study has provided evidence that ROOB4 and CLEC14A seem to be suitable biomarkers for clinical diagnostic purposes in colorectal cancer

Major regulators of microRNAs biogenesis Dicer and Drosha are down-regulated in endometrial cancer

Alterations in microRNAs expression have been proposed to play role in endometrial cancer pathogenesis. Dicer and Drosha are main regulators of microRNA biogenesis and deregulation of their expression has been indicated as a possible cause of microRNAs alterations observed in various cancers. The objective of this study was to investigate Dicer and Drosha genes expression in endometrial cancer and to analyze the impact of clinicopathological characteristics on their expression. Fresh tissue samples were collected from 44 patients (26 endometroid endometrial carcinoma and 18 controls). Clinical and pathological data were acquired from medical documentation. Dicer and Drosha genes expressions were assessed by qRT-PCR using validated reference genes. Dicer and Drosha expression levels were significantly lower in endometrial cancer samples comparing to controls. Dicer was down-regulated by the factor of 1.54 (p = 0.009) and Drosha gene mean expression value was 1.4 times lower in endometrial cancer group versus control group (p = 0.008). Down-regulation of Dicer significantly correlated with decreased expression of Drosha (coefficient value 0.75). Decreased expression of Drosha correlated with higher histological grade and was influenced by BMI. Lower Dicer expression was found in nulli- and uniparous females comparing to multiparous individuals (p = 0.002). Neither the FIGO stage nor the menstrual status had significant influence on the expression of studied genes. This study revealed for the first time that expression alterations of main regulators of microRNAs biogenesis are present in endometrial cancer tissue and could be potentially responsible for altered microRNAs profiles observed in this malignancy

In situ simulation training in First Aid. Pilot study. First aid in a dangerous workplace

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the newly develop course prepared for the employees working in the forest and mountain environmentMethodology 31 people participated in the course. They were employees of Roztocze National Park and the Forestry Commission Lutowiska. A diagnostic survey was implemented in a form of a questionnaire. The respondents were provided with two original questionnaires and a telephone survey. Surveys were anonymous and voluntary.Findings The average assessment of First Aid knowledge before the workshop was 2.48 and majority of participants assesed First Aid as difficult. After the workshop, the respondents assessed the knowledge on average as 3.87 and as much as 58% declared that definitely would provide First Aid to a stranger; 81% to a close person. Over 80% of respondents noticed the need of  regular training in First Aid.Research implication The analysis showed that regular improvement of First Aid skills is required by the participants. The training should be adjusted to the group’s needs in terms of the program, teaching techniques and the place of training. There is a need to implement such training on a wider scale among forestry and mountain workers.OriginalityUncovering the gaps in First Aid training in mountain and forest workers in their professional training

Morphometric parameters of the human pineal gland in relation to age, body weight and height

The aim of the study was to compare the size, weight, volume and density of the pineal gland in several groups divided by age, body weight and height. 80 human pineal glands were included in the study. Obtained data were statistically analysed by means of Statistica by Statsoft to check existing differences. Obtained data show some significant differences between pineal gland morphometry in weight- and height-related groups. However, these differences do not influence pineal volume significantly. Differences between the pineal gland volume in the maximal and in the minimal weight groups may suggest some relationship between the gland’s structure and body weight. No age-related changes in the morphometry of the pineal gland were observed

Thoracic ectopic kidney in adults. A report of 2 cases

Thoracic kidney is the rarest, usually asymptomatic type of kidney ectopia. 2 cases of thoracic kidney discovered incidentally through chest radiography are reported. In both patients renal function tests were normal and no further treatment was necessary. Ultrasonography and computed tomography studies performed for confirmation of the diagnosis are presented. An embryonic background of this abnormality is discussed

A developmental anomaly of the mammary glands - gigantomastia. A case report

Developmental anomalies of the breast are frequently observed in women. The most serious pathology is gigantomastia. This type of breast hypertrophy may be caused by hypersensitivity of the breast oestrogen and progesterone receptors, by disturbances of the normal balance of oestrogen and androgen hormones, by hyperthyroidism or by hormonal activity of the neoplasm. In most cases gigantomastia produces pathological changes in the vertebral column which become manifest as discopathia, scoliosis or scoliokyphosis. A case of gigantomastia treated with surgery is presented and the effect of plastic operation is demonstrated. Surgery may be recommended as an excellent therapeutic treatment of gigantomastia

Selected metabolites of neutrophils in patients with 2-type diabetes complicated and non complicated with diabetic foot syndrome during colonization of E. coli toxin.

Neutrophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of complications of diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was to evaluate the metabolism of neutrophiles activation markers during the colonization of E. coli endotoxin in order to determine their potential role in the treatment of 2-type diabetes complicated and non-complicated with the diabetic foot syndrome and to evaluate production of peroxide anions by stimulated and non-stimulated neutrophils depending on the exposition time. 54 patients were divided into 3 groups (15 healthy volunteers--control group (1), group 2 - 17 patients with 2-type non-complicated diabetes group 3 - 22 patients with diabetes and diabetic foot syndrome). Blood samples from all subjects were examined. Results show significant differences of E.coli endotoxin influence on metabolism of neutrophiles in study groups. Production of peroxide anions by non-stimulated neutrophils in 20th minute of the experiment was 15 times higher in the group with no diabetic foot and 18 times higher in the group with diabetic foot as compared to the control group. Production of peroxide anions produced by neutrophils increased significantly with the exposure time. The results correspond to data in the literature, that suggest, that type, time of exposition and concentration of pathogens may significantly interfere with neutrophiles activity in the course of diabetes