Meeting the WHO 90% target : antiretroviral treatment efficacy in Poland is associated with baseline clinical patient characteristics

Introduction: Modern combined antiretroviral therapies (cART) allow to effectively suppress HIV-1 viral load, with the 90% virologic success rate, meeting the WHO target in most clinical settings. The aim of this study was to analyse antiretroviral treatment efficacy in Poland and to identify variables associated with virologic suppression. Methods: Cross-sectional data on 5152 (56.92% of the countrywide treated at the time-point of analysis) patients on cART for more than six months with at least one HIV-RNA measurement in 2016 were collected from 14 Polish centres. Patients’ characteristics and treatment type-based outcomes were analysed for the virologic suppression thresholds of <50 and <200 HIV-RNA copies/ml. CART was categorized into two nucleos(t)ide (2NRTI) plus non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRTI) inhibitors, 2NRTI plus protease (PI) inhibitor, 2NRTI plus integrase (InI) inhibitor, nucleos(t)ide sparing PI/r+InI and three drug class regimens. For statistics Chi-square and U-Mann Whitney tests and adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were used. Results: Virologic suppression rates of <50 copies/mL were observed in 4672 (90.68%) and <200 copies/mL in 4934 (95.77%) individuals. In univariate analyses, for the suppression threshold <50 copies/mL higher efficacy was noted for 2NRTI+NNRTI-based combinations (94.73%) compared to 2NRTI+PI (89.93%), 2NRTI+InI (90.61%), nucleos(t)ide sparing PI/r+InI (82.02%) and three drug class regimens (74.49%) (p < 0.0001), with less pronounced but significant differences for the threshold of 200 copies/mL [2NRTI+NNRTI-97.61%, 2NRTI+PI-95.27%, 2NRTI+InI-96.61%, PI/r+InI- 95.51% and 86.22% for three drug class cART) (p < 0.0001). However, in multivariate model, virologic efficacy for viral load <50 copies/mL was similar across treatment groups with significant influence by history of AIDS [OR:1.48 (95%CI:1.01–2.17) if AIDS diagnosed, p = 0.046], viral load < 5 log copies/mL at care entry [OR:1.47 (95%CI:1.08–2.01), p = 0.016], baseline lymphocyte CD4 count ≥200 cells/µL [OR:1.72 (95%CI:1.04–2.78), p = 0.034] and negative HCV serology [OR:1.97 (95%CI:1.29–2.94), p = 0.002]. For viral load threshold <200 copies/mL higher likelihood of virologic success was only associated with baseline lymphocyte CD4 count ≥200 cells/µL [OR:2.08 (95%CI:1.01–4.35), p = 0.049] and negative HCV status [OR:2.84 (95%CI:1.52–5.26), p = 0.001]. Conclusions: Proportion of virologically suppressed patients is in line with WHO treatment target confirming successful application of antiretroviral treatment strategy in Poland. Virological suppression rates depend on baseline patient characteristics, which should guide individualized antiretroviral tre0atment decisions

Three Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with different protease profiles

The proteolytic activity of three Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, ATCC 27853 - a reference strain, and two clinical isolates was tested. The activity was examined after culturing the bacteria in two different growth media: the minimal M9 medium and rich Luria-Bertani broth (LB). Based on zymograms and protease activity specific assays, it was concluded that the reference strain produced three proteolytic enzymes in the LB medium: protease IV, elastase B and elastase A, while alkaline protease was only produced in the M9 medium. The clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa produced elastase B and alkaline protease when grown in the LB medium and the minimal M9 medium, respectively. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of both the lasB gene encoding elastase B and aprA coding for alkaline protease in the genomes of the three P. aeruginosa strains analyzed. The expression of these genes coding for two important P. aeruginosa virulence factors was dependent on the growth conditions in all the strains studied. The contribution of the extracellular proteinases to the virulence of P. aeruginosa strains used in this study was investigated using an insect model, the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella

Klasyfikacja pacjentów ze względu na wybraną grupę czynników badanych

Bazując na wynikach analiz metod statystyki wielowymiarowej przeprowadzono klasyfikację grupy badanych pacjentów ze względu na grupę badanych cech. Celem analizy jest próba wyodrębnienia charakterystycznych grup czynników wśród pacjentów chorujących na raka jelita grubego w różnym stopniu zaawansowania klinicznego. Analizie poddano wybrane dane epidemiologiczne pochodzące z dokumentacji medycznej chorych z ustalonym rozpoznaniem - rak jelita grubego. Do analizy wykorzystano zmienne jakościowe: płeć, stopień zaawansowania klinicznego choroby, typ i złośliwość histopatologiczną, podział na osoby z wagą prawidłową, nadwagą i otyłością, podział ze względu na stężenie glukozy na czczo w surowicy krwi oraz współistnienie występowania innych chorób.In this paper a classification o f examined patients was carried out based on results o f multivariate analysis using classification trees. The aim o f the analysis was to identify characteristic factors describing groups o f patients suffering from colorectal cancer with different stage o f disease. Clinical data from medical documentation o f the patients with colon cancer were analyzed. Qualitative variables such as sex, clinical stage, histopathology type o f cancer and malignancy, weight class, glucose level class and coexistence with other illnesses were used in the analysis.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Rhizobial exopolysaccharides: genetic control and symbiotic functions

Abstract Specific complex interactions between soil bacteria belonging to Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Phylorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium and Azorhizobium commonly known as rhizobia, and their host leguminous plants result in development of root nodules. Nodules are new organs that consist mainly of plant cells infected with bacteroids that provide the host plant with fixed nitrogen. Proper nodule development requires the synthesis and perception of signal molecules such as lipochitooligosaccharides, called Nod factors that are important for induction of nodule development. Bacterial surface polysaccharides are also crucial for establishment of successful symbiosis with legumes. Sugar polymers of rhizobia are composed of a number of different polysaccharides, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), capsular polysaccharides (CPS or K-antigens), neutral β-1, 2-glucans and acidic extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). Despite extensive research, the molecular function of the surface polysaccharides in symbiosis remains unclear. This review focuses on exopolysaccharides that are especially important for the invasion that leads to formation of indetermined (with persistent meristem) type of nodules on legumes such as clover, vetch, peas or alfalfa. The significance of EPS synthesis in symbiotic interactions of Rhizobium leguminosarum with clover is especially noticed. Accumulating data suggest that exopolysaccharides may be involved in invasion and nodule development, bacterial release from infection threads, bacteroid development, suppression of plant defense response and protection against plant antimicrobial compounds. Rhizobial exopolysaccharides are species-specific heteropolysaccharide polymers composed of common sugars that are substituted with non-carbohydrate residues. Synthesis of repeating units of exopolysaccharide, their modification, polymerization and export to the cell surface is controlled by clusters of genes, named exo/exs, exp or pss that are localized on rhizobial megaplasmids or chromosome. The function of these genes was identified by isolation and characterization of several mutants disabled in exopolysaccharide synthesis. The effect of exopolysaccharide deficiency on nodule development has been extensively studied. Production of exopolysaccharides is influenced by a complex network of environmental factors such as phosphate, nitrogen or sulphur. There is a strong suggestion that production of a variety of symbiotically active polysaccharides may allow rhizobial strains to adapt to changing environmental conditions and interact efficiently with legumes.</p

The Two-Phase Conical Swirl Atomizers: Spray Characteristics

This paper presents the results of experimental studies on two-phase conical swirl atomizers. The impact of various atomizer geometries and different operational parameters of the atomization process on the spray characteristics was investigated. The influence of the mixing chamber height HS to diameter DS ratio and the volumetric flow rates of liquid and gas on the discharge coefficient values, spray angle, droplet size expressed by Sauter mean diameter D32, volumetric and radial distributions of droplet diameters in the spray stream were determined. The analysis of results showed that the discharge coefficient values depend on the Reynolds number for liquid and gas and the atomizer geometry. The spray angle increases as the flow rate of liquid and gas increases depending on the applied atomizer construction. The Sauter mean diameter value is correlated with the geometric dimensions of the atomizer swirl chamber. The rapid increase in D32 occurs after exceeding the value HS/DS &asymp; 3. The Sauter mean diameter also depends on the operating parameters. A central area of stream is filled with smaller sized droplets as the gas flow rate increases

Bacterial strains used in this study.

<p>Bacterial strains used in this study.</p

Free energy of interaction between cell surfaces of two bacterial cells immersed in water (ΔG_BWB) calculated for the wild-type <i>R</i>. <i>leguminosarum</i> bv. <i>trifolii</i> strain 24.2 and its derivatives cultured in TY and 79CA media.

<p>Free energy of interaction between cell surfaces of two bacterial cells immersed in water (ΔG_BWB) calculated for the wild-type <i>R</i>. <i>leguminosarum</i> bv. <i>trifolii</i> strain 24.2 and its derivatives cultured in TY and 79CA media.</p