Effectiveness of rituximab in nephrotic syndrome treatment

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a common chronic illness characterized by massive proteinuria and hypo-albuminemia in children. Baseline treatment is 6 month-corticotherapy. In cases of steroid resistant/dependent INS several types of treatment are used, including course of methyloprednisolone “pulses”, alkylating agents, cyclosporin A, levamisole and mycophenolate mofetil. It has been suggested that children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome or steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome had a significantly longer relapse-free period if rituximab (RTX) treatment was additionally applied. We present a case of a 4.5 boy who due to steroid-sensitive, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome has been successfully treated with RTX. Administration of the one dose of Rituximab in the patient caused immediate decrease of CD19/CD20 positive B lymphocyte population. The depletion of B cells has been observed for the next six months. With regard to the fact that RTX treatment may affect patient’s immune response, comprehensive immunodiagnostic has been conducted in a course of the Therapy

Determination of the band structure diagram of semiconductor heterostructures applied in photovoltaics

Recently it has been found that the heterostructures of n-ZnO/p-Si are promising photovoltaic alternatives to silicon homojunctions. It is well known that the energy band diagram of a heterostructure is crucial for the understanding of its operation. This paper analyzes the ZnO/p-Si heterostructure band by using free AMPS-1D computer program simulations. The obtained numerical results are compared with theoretical calculations based on the depletion region approximation model and the Poisson’s equation for electric potential. The results of the simulation are also compared with the experimental C-V characteristics of the test n-ZnO/p-Si heterostructure. The simulated C-V characteristics is qualitatively consistent with the experimental C-V curve, which confirms the correctness of the determined band diagram of the n-ZnO/p-Si heterostructure

Effect of the New Plant Growth Biostimulants Based on Amino Acids on Yield and Grain Quality of Winter Wheat

Field and laboratory experiments were carried out in 2012–2013, aimed at evaluating the influence of new products stimulating plant growth based on amino acids on crop yield, characteristics of grain and content of macro- and micronutrients in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The tests included two formulations produced in cooperation with INTERMAG Co. (Olkusz, Poland)—AminoPrim and AminoHort, containing 15% and 20% amino acids, respectively, and 0.27% and 2.1% microelements, respectively. Field experiments showed that the application of products based on amino acids influenced the increase of grain yield of winter wheat (5.4% and 11%, respectively, for the application of AminoPrim at a dose 1.0 L/ha and AminoHort at dose 1.25 L/ha) when compared to the control group without biostimulant. Laboratory tests showed an increase of technological characteristics of grain such as ash content, Zeleny sedimentation index and content of protein. The use of the tested preparations at different doses also contributed to the increase of the nutrients content in grains, in particular copper (ranging 31–50%), as well as sodium (35–43%), calcium (4.3–7.9%) and molybdenum (3.9–16%). Biostimulants based on amino acids, tested in the present study, can be recommended for an efficient agricultural production

Celiac antibodies in children with type 1 diabetes – A diagnostic validation study

Introduction: Autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease (CD) and diabetes mellitus type 1, tend to co-occur within the same patient. The prevalence of CD in diabetic children is higher than in the general population, and is estimated to be 0.6–16.4%. The diagnosis of CD is based on histopathological examination and serological testing, however, these methods are still imperfect and new diagnostic algorithms should be considered. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of serological tests detecting antibodies against deamidated gliadin peptide, endomysium, tissue transglutaminase, neo-epitope tissue transglutaminase and to identify HLA-related genetic predisposition to CD in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). Methods: Autoantibodies were measured in the sera of 392 children suffering from DM1 aged 1–19 years old (mean 11.76 ± 4.14 years old). Additionally, PCR-based assessment of HLA DQ2/DQ8 genotyping was performed. Results: A positive result of at least one serological test was obtained from 81 children (20.66%). The sensitivity and specificity were 76.47% and 91.67% for anti-DGP IgA, 70.59% and 58.33% for IgG anti-DGP, respectively. A positive predictive value was 100% for the anti-TG IgA at cutoff levels of 5 and 10 times higher than upper limit of reference values. HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8 were found in 97.6% of examined children. Conclusions: Tests based on anti-TG IgA are more accurate for detecting CD in children with type 1 diabetes than anti-DGP IgA. A high percentage of diabetic children carry HLA alleles predisposing to CD, which indicates that genetic screening in this group of patients is not obligated

Decreased Levels of Circulating Carboxylated Osteocalcin in Children with Low Energy Fractures:A Pilot Study

Objective: In the past decades, an increased interest in the roles of vitamin D and K has become evident, in particular in relation to bone health and prevention of bone fractures. The aim of the current study was to evaluate vitamin D and K status in children with low-energy fractures and in children without fractures. Methods: The study group of 20 children (14 boys, 6 girls) aged 5 to 15 years old, with radiologically confirmed low-energy fractures was compared with the control group of 19 healthy children (9 boys, 10 girls), aged 7 to 17 years old, without fractures. Total vitamin D (25(OH)D3 plus 25(OH)D2), calcium, BALP (bone alkaline phosphatase), NTx (N-terminal telopeptide), and uncarboxylated (ucOC) and carboxylated osteocalcin (cOC) serum concentrations were evaluated. Ratio of serum uncarboxylated osteocalcin to serum carboxylated osteocalcin ucOC:cOC (UCR) was used as an indicator of bone vitamin K status. Logistic regression models were created to establish UCR influence for odds ratio of low-energy fractures in both groups. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the serum calcium, NTx, BALP, or total vitamin D levels between the two groups. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in the UCR ratio. The median UCR in the fracture group was 0.471 compared with the control group value of 0.245 (p < 0.0001). In the logistic regression analysis, odds ratio of low-energy fractures for UCR was calculated, with an increased risk of fractures by some 78.3 times. Conclusions: In this pilot study, better vitamin K status expressed as the ratio of ucOC:cOC-UCR—is positively and statistically significantly correlated with lower rate of low-energy fracture incidence