Massive burn > 90% of body surface – case report

Severe burns are life-threatening injuries very difficult to heal. Multidisciplinary treatment is necessary due to complicated pathophysiological cascades induced by massive tissue destruction. Children and elderly people are especially endangered in being burnt. We present case of 73 years old woman with massive burn injury of >90% body surface

Mycobacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium avium in allogenic bone marrow transplant recipient with concomittant bronchiolitis obliterans as a manifestation of graft versus host disease - case report and review of the literature

Chorzy po przeszczepieniach narządów są zaliczani do grupy ryzyka zachorowania na mikobakteriozy. Częstość tych zakażeń po przeszczepieniu komórek krwiotwórczych nie jest jednak tak wysoka, jak by się można spodziewać i szacuje się ją na 0,4-4,9% chorych. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek mikobakteriozy wywołanej przez M. avium u pacjentki po allogenicznym przeszczepieniu szpiku kostnego przeprowadzonym z powodu przewlekłej białaczki szpikowej. U chorej występowała również patologia płucna pod postacią zarostowego zapalenia oskrzelików płucnych, będąca wyrazem przewlekłej reakcji przeszczep przeciw gospodarzowi, leczonej glikokortykosteroidami. Chora została przyjęta z powodu pojawienia się duszności spoczynkowej, kaszlu z obfitym odkrztuszaniem i stanów podgorączkowych. W badaniach czynnościowych stwierdzono częściową niewydolność oddechową (O2 - 47,9 mm Hg, CO2 - 41 mm Hg) oraz zaburzenia wentylacji typu obturacyjnego (FEV1 - 0,67 l, tj. 22% w.n.) z obniżeniem VC (2,23 l, tj. 64% w.n.). W tomografii komputerowej wysokiej rozdzielczości (HRCT) uwidoczniono zmiany naciekowe i rozstrzenie oskrzeli w polach górnych i środkowych obu płuc, które były nieobecne w badaniu przeprowadzonym w 2002 roku. Z wydzieliny oskrzelowej wyhodowano prątki kwasoodporne oraz Pseudomonas aeruginosa ESBL (+). W badaniu metodą wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej (HPLC) zidentyfikowano Mycobacterium avium. Wdrożono leczenie klarytromycyną, ciprofloksacyną, izoniazydem (INH), etambutolem (EMB), amikacyną oraz optymalne leczenie infekcji współistniejącej, nie uzyskując odprątkowania w okresie 3 miesięcy ani też eradykacji Ps. aeruginosa. Leczenie kontynuowano w ośrodku macierzystym, gdzie po wielu miesiącach uzyskano odprątkowanie. Po ponad roku chora zmarła wskutek postępu choroby podstawowej - zarostowego zapalenia oskrzelików płucnych. Pacjentka należała do grupy ryzyka infekcji atypowymi mikobakteriami, przebieg zakażenia zaś był typowy, zdecydowano się jednak opisać ten przepadek ze względu na niewielką liczbę doniesień na ten temat.Patients after organ transplantations are at risk for mycobacteriosis development. Frequency of the mycobacterial infection after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is not as high as one could expect. It ranges from 0.4 to 4.9%. We present a case of a female patient after allogenic BMT as a treatment of chronic myelogenous leucaemia, with bronchiolitis obliterans as a symptom of graft versus host disease (GvHD), treated with corticosteroids and infected with Mycobacterium avium. She was admitted to the hospital with dyspnoea, cough with large amount of sputum production and subfebrile status. She had partial respiratory insufficiency and obturative disturbances of respiration (FEV1 0.67 l i.e. 22% of normal) with decline of VC (2.23 l i.e. 64% of normal). The high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed multifocal infiltrations and bronchiectases in the upper and middle pulmonary fields, which were absent in the previous HRCT taken 3 years earlier. In the bronchial secretion acid-fast bacilli were found by smear and culture. The isolate was classified as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The patient was treated with clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, isoniazide (INH), ethambutol (EMB), amikacin, but M. avium was still present in the sputum after 3 months. Treatment was continued in her parent hospital, where after a few months her sputum became negative for M. avium. But she died over a year later from progressive respiratory insufficiency in the course of bronchiolitis obliterans. The patient was in the group of high risk for mycobacterial infection development and the course of her illness was typical. We decided however to present the case as the topic seems to be quite neglected in the literature

Evaluation of protamines 1 and 2 transcript contents in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men.

During mammalian spermatogenesis, the chromatin structure undergoes substantial condensation. The key role in this process is played by protamines 1 and 2 (PRM1, PRM2). We attempted to compare the levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in mature spermatozoa of normospermic and asthenozoospermic men. Human ejaculates from normozoospermic (n=70) and asthenozoospermic (n=100) donors were purified by centrifugation through discontinuous Percoll density gradient. RNA was isolated from spermatozoa according to the ChomczyĂąski and Sacchi method, treated with DNase I, and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. Using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we found a reduction in the levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men, as compared to controls (

Expression and cellular distribution of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) and connexin 43 (Cx43) in porcine oocytes before and after in vitro maturation

It is recognised that connexin 43 (Cx43) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4) are involved in the cumulus cell-oocyte communication via gap junctions and the control of cell cycle progress. However, little is known about their mRNA expression pattern and encoded proteins distribution in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 31 puberal crossbred Landrace gilts and analysed for their Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA expression using RQ-PCR and for the respective protein expression by confocal microscopic observations. An increased Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA expression was found in oocytes after IVM (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Confocal microscopic observations revealed a significant increase of Cdk4 protein expression in the cytoplasm of oocytes during the maturation process. The localisation of Cx43 changed from zona pellucida before to cytoplasm of oocytes after IVM. It is supposed that the increased expression of Cdk4 and Cx43 mRNA in oocytes after IVM is linked with the accumulation of a large amount of templates during the process of oocyte maturation. The translocation especially of Cx43 from the zona pellucida into the cytoplasm may be associated with a decrease in gap junction activity in fully grown porcine oocytes. Both Cdk4 and Cx43 can be used as ‘checkpoints’ of oocyte maturation

Infiltration of CD68+ cells correlates positively with matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression in the arteries used as aortocoronary bypass grafts. Possible clinical implications

Background: Late failure of arterial aortocoronary conduits may result from abnormal activity of cells found in the vessel wall, including macrophages. The purpose of this study was to assess if there are any associations between the number of macrophages and overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the wall of arterial grafts, as well as their clinical significance. Methods: This study involved 128 consecutive patients with a mean age of 64.9 ± 9.7 years who underwent elective surgery for coronary artery disease (CAD). The surplus segments of internal thoracic artery (ITA) and radial arteries (RA) were taken for immunohistochemical analysis of macrophage numbers and MMPs expression. The participants who reached the clinical primary end-point (cardiacrelated death, acute coronary syndrome or progression of CAD) had a follow-up angiography. Results: The mean numbers of macrophages were higher on RA (70 [24; 112]) than ITA cross-sections (44 [24; 59]; p &lt; 0.001). Median expression of both MMP2 and MMP9 were stronger in the ITA than RA cross-sections (p &lt; 0.001). A significant positive correlation of MMP2 expression and a number of macrophages infiltrating the tunica media of arterial segments were noted on both ITA and RA cross-sections. In addition, the arterial segments of the 6 patients who reached clinical end-point had higher numbers of macrophages and stronger MMP2 expression when compared to the rest of the participants. Conclusions: Macrophage infiltration of arterial wall grafts prior to harvesting may be associated with higher risk of late occlusion and MMP2 might be facilitating this process

Variability in gelatinase expression in the walls of vessels used as aortocoronary conduits may impact long-term graft patency

Background: An imbalance between the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly gelatinases, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is considered as one of the mechanisms leading to aortocoronary graft failure. Aims: We aimed to assess the variability in gelatinase expression in the walls of aortocoronary conduits and to evaluate its impact on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) outcomes. Methods: The study included 101 consecutive patients (61 men and 40 women) who underwent CABG. An immunohisto­chemical analysis of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 expression was performed on the cross-sections of the internal thoracic artery (ITA), radial artery (RA), and saphenous vein (SV). The histological findings were compared between patients with SV graft disease (SVGD[+] group) and those without occlusions in the SV (SVGD[–] group). Results: The median MMP and TIMP expression was the weakest in the ITA wall. MMP expression was comparable between the RA and SV cross-sections, whereas TIMP expression was stronger in the RA than in the SV wall (p &lt; 0.05). In most SV segments, but not in the arteries, immunostaining intensity for MMP was comparable to or stronger than for TIMPs. In the veins harvested from the SVGD(+) group, MMP-2 and MMP-9 tissue expression was more pronounced than in the SVGD(–) group. TIMP levels were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Imbalance in the metalloproteinase-to-inhibitor tissue expression in the vessel wall might predispose to graft failure. A stronger expression of TIMPs than MMPs in the arterial grafts might explain favourable long-term outcomes

Mycobacterial Infection Caused by Mycobacterium avium in Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient with Concomittant Bronchiolitis Obliterans as a Manifestation of Graft Versus Host Disease—Case Report and Review of the Literature

Patients after organ transplantations are at risk for mycobacteriosis development. Frequency of the mycobacterial infection after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is not as high as one could expect. It ranges from 0.4 to 4.9%. We present a case of a female patient after allogenic BMT as a treatment of chronic myelogenous leucaemia, with bronchiolitis obliterans as a symptom of graft versus host disease (GvHD), treated with corticosteroids and infected with Mycobacterium avium. She was admitted to the hospital with dyspnoea, cough with large amount of sputum production and subfebrile status. She had partial respiratory insufficiency and obturative disturbances of respiration (FEV1 0.67 l i.e., 22% of normal) with decline of VC (2.23 l i.e., 64% of normal). The high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed multifocal infiltrations and bronchiectases in the upper and middle pulmonary fields, which were absent in the previous HRCT taken 3 years earlier. In the bronchial secretion acid-fast bacilli were found by smear and culture. The isolate was classified as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The patient was treated with clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, isoniazide (INH), ethambutol (EMB), amikacin, but M. avium was still present in the sputum after 3 months. Treatment was continued in her parent hospital, where after a few months her sputum became negative for M. avium. But she died over a year later from progressive respiratory insufficiency in the course of bronchiolitis obliterans. The patient was in the group of high risk for mycobacterial infection development and the course of her illness was typical. We decided however to present the case as the topic seems to be quite neglected in the literature

Expression Profile of New Marker Genes Involved in Differentiation of Human Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Chondrocytes, Osteoblasts, Adipocytes and Neural-like Cells

Wharton’s jelly (WJ) contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibiting broad immunomodulatory properties and differentiation capacity, which makes them a promising tool for cellular therapies. Although the osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation is a gold standard for proper identification of MSCs, it is important to elucidate the exact molecular mechanisms governing these processes to develop safe and efficient cellular therapies. Umbilical cords were collected from healthy, full-term deliveries, for subsequent MSCs (WJ-MSCs) isolation. WJ-MSCs were cultivated in vitro for osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic and neurogenic differentiation. The RNA samples were isolated and the transcript levels were evaluated using NovaSeq platform, which led to the identification of differentially expressed genes. Expression of H19 and SLPI was enhanced in adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts, and NPPB was decreased in all analyzed groups compared to the control. KISS1 was down-regulated in adipocytes, chondrocytes, and neural-like cells compared to the control. The most of identified genes were already implicated in differentiation of MSCs; however, some genes (PROK1, OCA2) have not yet been associated with initiating final cell fate. The current results indicate that both osteo- and adipo-induced WJ-MSCs share many similarities regarding the most overexpressed genes, while the neuro-induced WJ-MSCs are quite distinctive from the other three groups. Overall, this study provides an insight into the transcriptomic changes occurring during the differentiation of WJ-MSCs and enables the identification of novel markers involved in this process, which may serve as a reference for further research exploring the role of these genes in physiology of WJ-MSCs and in regenerative medicine

Cancer Stem Cells—The Insight into Non-Coding RNAs

Since their initial identification three decades ago, there has been extensive research regarding cancer stem cells (CSCs). It is important to consider the biology of cancer stem cells with a particular focus on their phenotypic and metabolic plasticity, the most important signaling pathways, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulating these cellular entities. Furthermore, the current status of therapeutic approaches against CSCs is an important consideration regarding employing the technology to improve human health. Cancer stem cells have claimed to be one of the most important group of cells for the development of several common cancers as they dictate features, such as resistance to radio- and chemotherapy, metastasis, and secondary tumor formation. Therapies which could target these cells may develop into an effective strategy for tumor eradication and a hope for patients for whom this disease remains uncurable

Evaluation of protamines 1 and 2 transcript contents in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men.

During mammalian spermatogenesis, the chromatin structure undergoes substantial condensation. The key role in this process is played by protamines 1 and 2 (PRM1, PRM2). We attempted to compare the levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in mature spermatozoa of normospermic and asthenozoospermic men. Human ejaculates from normozoospermic (n=70) and asthenozoospermic (n=100) donors were purified by centrifugation through discontinuous Percoll density gradient. RNA was isolated from spermatozoa according to the ChomczyĂąski and Sacchi method, treated with DNase I, and reverse-transcribed into cDNA. Using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we found a reduction in the levels of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic men, as compared to controls (P&lt;0.001). Our findings indicate that a reduction in contents of PRM1 and PRM2 transcripts in spermatozoa may be linked with asthenozoospermia