Cytokine profiling in exhaled breath condensate after exercise challenge in asthmatic children with post-exercise symptoms

Introduction: Markers of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) correlate with lung function impairment, airway remodeling and different aspects of the disease such as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Aim of the study was to determine the cytokine profile in EBC of children with asthma after an exercise treadmill challenge in order to obtain clinically useful information about mechanisms of EIB; also, to assess correlations between cytokine concentrations in EBC and clinical characteristics of the patients. Material and methods: The study population consisted of 25 randomly selected children, aged 8 to 19 years, with asthma and EIB symptoms despite the use of control medications. Patients on the day of the study visit underwent fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement (FeNO) and baseline spirometry, performed an exercise treadmill challenge (ETC), and EBC samples were obtained at the end of the ETC. Results: In asthmatic children with positive ETC, monocyte hemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-16 adjusted to pre-EBC forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were significantly higher compared to children with negative ETC (p = 0.022 and p = 0.017 respectively). After adjustment to pre-EBC FEV1 other cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, MIG, TNF-) were not related to post-exercise changes in FEV1. Conclusions: We observed a specific inflammatory profile in the airways of asthmatic children with bronchoconstriction induced by exercise. The concentration of cytokines in EBC depended on the post-exercise decrease in FEV1, which was measured by the area under the curve (AUC). MCP-1 and IL-16, adjusted to pre-EBC FEV1, were significantly higher in children with a positive exercise challenge compared to those with a negative one.This study was funded by grant 503-2056-1 from the Medical University of Lodz, Poland. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01798823. The study was approved by the Medical University of Lodz Ethics committee, Poland. Written consent from the patients and their parents was obtained

Taste disorders in the elderly

Sykuła Magdalena, Stelmach Aleksandra, Szacoń Monika, Kuśmierz Katarzyna, Sutuła Małgorzata, Rząca Marcin, Kachaniuk Hanna. Taste disorders in the elderly. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2017;7(12):501-516. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1123528 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/5136 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/sedno-webapp/works/842243 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 1223 (26.01.2017). 1223 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7 © The Authors 2017; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 10.11.2017. Revised: 15.11.2017. Accepted: 21.12.2017. Taste disorders in the elderly Magdalena Sykuła, Aleksandra Stelmach, Monika Szacoń, Katarzyna Kuśmierz, Małgorzata Sutuła, Marcin Rząca, Hanna Kachaniuk Introduction: Disorders of the sense of taste mainly affect the elderly. There are many factors that contribute to their development, including various types of chronic diseases, polypharmacy, and the use of stimulants. Taste impairments lead to improper nutritional behaviour in the elderly, which may cause deterioration of their health and reduce their quality of life. Goal: The aim of the study was to estimate taste deficits in the elderly. Method: The participants were 24 persons aged 70–86. Sample size was limited by the number of available professional taste test kits (for identification of the four basic gustatory qualities: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter). The respondents were assisted by a researcher to fill in a survey about their health status, eating habits, and subjective assessment of their taste function. Results: Most of the elderly persons assessed their taste function as being good, and the rating increased with the age of the participants. However, the organoleptic test showed that taste identification became less accurate with age. The participants had the greatest trouble recognizing the salty (58%) and sour (79%) tastes and had much less difficulty identifying the sweet (96%) and bitter (92%) tastes. The subjects' perception of taste became less and less intense with age. Conclusions: The seniors were the least likely to accurately recognize the salty taste. With age, the accuracy of identification of sweet, sour, bitter and salty gustatory qualities became lower. The positive subjective assessment of the taste function in the elderly did not go hand in hand with their actual taste perception, which declined with age. The use of stimulants such as alcohol and tobacco, pharmacological treatment of chronic diseases, and use dental prostheses reduced the perceived intensity of taste. The taste disorders observed among the elderly can lead to dietary mistakes and thus negatively affect their health. Key words: dysgeusia, seniors, eating habits, health risk

Twice repeated ischemic brain infarct in patient with primary antiphospholipid syndrome and S-protein deficiency

Nie ma jednolitej koncepcji dotyczącej roli dziedzicznego niedoboru naturalnych inhibitorów koagulacji (do których należy białko S) w występowaniu udarów niedokrwiennych u młodych osób. W pracy przedstawiono przypadek obecnie 50-letniego mężczyzny z obciążającym wywiadem rodzinnym (matka i ojciec) w kierunku choroby zakrzepowej, u którego 3-krotnie wystąpiło zapalenie żył kończyn dolnych, a w 46 i 47 roku życia kolejne udary niedokrwienne lewego, a następnie prawego płata skroniowego. Ponadto, w wieku 24 lat przebył kilka krótkotrwałych epizodów zaburzeń widzenia. Wykonane badania (przeciwciała antykardiolipinowe klasy IgG i IgM) pozwoliły na rozpoznanie pierwotnego zespołu antyfosfolipidowego. Analiza układu krzepnięcia ujawniła niedobór białka S (50- i 45-procentowy) najprawdopodobniej o charakterze dziedzicznym, gdyż wykluczono możliwe nabyte przyczyny obniżonego stężenia tego białka. Wydaje się, że, obok zespołu antyfosfolipidowego, niedobór białka S u wymienionego wyżej pacjenta był dodatkowym czynnikiem sprzyjającym zakrzepom.There is no uniform conception dealing with the role that hereditary deficit of natural coagulation inhibitors (to which belong S-protein) plays in cases of brain ischemic infarcts in young persons. We present the case of man (at present 50-years-old) with history of thrombotic disease in family (mother and father), who experienced triple inflammation of pelvic limbs veins and in his 46th and 47th years of life experienced in succeeding ischemic strokes of the left and next of the right temporal lobe. Moreover since his 24th year he had transitory episodes of sight disturbances. Examinations carried out (IgG and IgM class anticardiolipin antibodies) permitted to diagnose the primary antiphospholipid syndrome. Analysis of coagulation showed decreased serum concentration (50% and 45%) likely of hereditary nature because acquired causes of diminished serum S concentration of this protein were excluded. It seems, that S-protein deficiency in our patient was next to antiphospholipid syndrome and additional factor favouring thrombosis

Comparison of prediction models for two different peripheral stem cell collection protocols in autologous patients. How to avoid errors in calculating total blood volume to process?

Introduction: Calculating accurate blood volume to process is a critical practice in apheresis planning; therefore, researchers try to develop dedicated prediction models. In this analysis, we have attempted to compare three algorithms for two different apheresis collection protocols. Methods: In a retrospective study, we have analyzed 137 apheresis procedures performed on 100 autologous patients. Apheresis procedures were performed with the Spectra Optia apheresis device with two protocols: mononuclear cell collection (MNC) and continuous mononuclear cell collection (cMNC). Three algorithms: a model based on mean collection efficiency (CE2), a linear regression model, and a power regression model were validated by plotting collected CD34+ cell dose versus predicted CD34+ cell dose. Results: All models showed high predictability for MNC procedure, a high correlation of predicted CD34+ yield and actual CD34+ yield (R2 = 0.9547; 0.9487; 0.9474 for CE2-based model, linear and power regression model, respectively). In contrast, alteration between models for the cMNC procedure was greater (R2 = 0.8049, 0.7970, and 0.8169) with a higher number of overpredictions. Further analysis revealed that for low CD34+ precounts blood volume to process, calculated with the three models, differ significantly up to fivefold times. Conclusions: Utilizing regression models may lead to calculation errors, which can affect undercollection, repetition of apheresis, or even mobilization failure. Contrary to regression models, the model based on mean CE2 gave the most accurate prediction both for MNC and cMNC procedures. Although new prediction algorithms are created, this simple formula remains a reliable tool that promotes careful planning of apheresis, thus improving patient safety

The role of neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) in acute myeloid leukemia patients

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous, highly malignant neoplasm. Apoptosis is a complex process executed by caspases and suppressed by the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family. Neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP), IAP’s member, may play an exceptional role in the mechanisms of tumors’ resistance to chemotherapy. The aims of the study were to assess the expression of NAIP in leukemic blasts of AML patients using flow cytometry and to evaluate its influence on disease outcome. NAIP expression was found in 106 out of 108 patients. A higher complete response rate was associated with a low expression of NAIP, age < 60 yo, and white blood cell count < 20 G/L ( = 0.009, = 0.033, and = 0.076, respectively) in univariate analyses and a low NAIP expression and age < 60 yo ( = 0.025 and = 0.013, respectively) in multivariate analyses. Longer overall survival (OS) in the univariate analysis was influenced by a low NAIP expression, age < 60 yo, and intensive chemotherapy ( = 0.033, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). In the intensively treated group, better OS was observed in patients with age < 60 yo, AML, and a low NAIP expression ( = 0.03, = 0.024, and = 0.07, respectively). In multivariate analysis, longer OS was associated with age < 60 yo ( = 0.009) and AML ( = 0.007). In conclusion, we suggest that NAIP might play an adverse role in response to chemotherapy

An Overview of Long COVID Support Services in Australia and International Clinical Guidelines, With a Proposed Care Model in a Global Context

Objective: To identify gaps among Australian Long COVID support services and guidelines alongside recommendations for future health programs.Methods: Electronic databases and seven government health websites were searched for Long COVID-specific programs or clinics available in Australia as well as international and Australian management guidelines.Results: Five Long COVID specific guidelines and sixteen Australian services were reviewed. The majority of Australian services provided multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs with service models generally consistent with international and national guidelines. Most services included physiotherapists and psychologists. While early investigation at week 4 after contraction of COVID-19 is recommended by the Australian, UK and US guidelines, this was not consistently implemented.Conclusion: Besides Long COVID clinics, future solutions should focus on early identification that can be delivered by General Practitioners and all credentialed allied health professions. Study findings highlight an urgent need for innovative care models that address individual patient needs at an affordable cost. We propose a model that focuses on patient-led self-care with further enhancement via multi-disciplinary care tools

Antyamerykanizm jako istotny element Arabskiej Wiosny

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the occurrence of anti-Americanism in the Muslim world and its influence on US-Arab relations. Since the outbreak of the Arab Spring, this phenomenon has been an important issue in this region. Anti-regime revolts evolved immediately into anti-American uprisings, as evidenced by the brutal assassination of the American Ambassador Chris Stevens and three US diplomats in Benghazi. This tragic event showed that anti-Americanism is not the exclusive domain of terroristorganizations anymore; it is an attitude of ordinary citizens. Al-Qaeda, apparently playing second fiddle, continues to operate by promoting propagandistic magazines that stir up hatred towards the United States.Celem pracy jest przeanalizowanie zjawiska antyamerykanizmu w świecie muzułmańskim oraz jego wpływu na stosunki amerykańsko-arabskie. Od wybuchu Arabskiej Wiosny fenomen ten stanowi znaczący problem w regionie. Antyrządowe protesty szybko zaczęły zamieniać się w antyamerykańskie, czego dowodem było brutalne zamordowanie amerykańskiego ambasadora, Chrisa Stevensa, oraz trzech dyplomatów w Benghazi. Te wydarzenia pokazały, że antyamerykanizm nie jest obecnie wyłączną domeną organizacji terrorystycznych, ale stał się również postawą przeciętnych obywateli. Pomimo pozornego ukrycia się w cień Al-Kaida działa nadal, między innymi poprzez upowszechnianie propagandowych pism szerzących nienawiść wobec Stanów Zjednoczonych