Interleukin-6 and its considerable role in the pathogenesis of thyrotoxicosis-related disturbances of bone turnover in postmenopausal women

Background: Thyrotoxicosis is more frequent in postmenopausal women than in the general population, effectively accelerating bone turnover. Interleukin-6 has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of bone disorders. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the role of IL-6 and its soluble receptor in the pathogenesis of thyrotoxicosis-related disturbances of bone turnover in oestrogen-deficient women. Material and methods: The study was carried out in 40 subjects with toxic nodular goitre in three groups: Group 1 &#8212; 13 premenopausal females, mean age 36 &#177; 15 years (PremTx&#8594;PremEu); Group 2 &#8212; 12 postmenopausal females, mean age 66 &#177; 14 years (PostTx&#8594;PostEu); and Group 3 &#8212; 15 males, mean age 45 &#177; 21 years (MTx&#8594;MEu). Overt thyrotoxicosis and euthyreosis after treatment with thyrostatics were confirmed by thyrotropin, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronin concentrations. Serum levels of bone turnover markers: TRACP5b and osteocalcin as well as serum IL-6 and IL-6sR were determined using ELISA kits. Results: TRACP5b/osteocalcin quotient was significantly elevated in the PostTx females compared to the PremTx women (p < 0.02). There was a positive correlation between serum TRACP5b and osteocalcin in the studied patients (R = 0.45, p < 0.001). Levels of serum IL-6 values were significantly elevated in PostTx: 3.0 (2.14&#8211;6.40) and MTx: 2.24 (1.60&#8211;5.10), compared to PremTx females: 1.39 (0.96&#8211;2.14) (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively). There were significant positive correlations between IL-6 and IL-6sR concentrations (R = 0.22, p < 0.05) and between IL-6sR and TRACP5b serum levels (R = 0.23, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that interleukin-6 plays a considerable role in the pathogenesis of thyrotoxicosis-related disturbances of bone turnover in oestrogen-deficient women. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (4): 299&#8211;302)Wstęp: Nadczynność tarczycy występuje częściej u kobiet po menopauzie w porównaniu z populacją ogólną, skutecznie przyspieszając obrót kostny. Wykazano, że interleukina 6 (IL-6) odgrywa istotną rolę w regulacji obrotu kostnego. Uwzględniając ten fakt, celem obecnej pracy była próba oceny roli IL-6 i jej rozpuszczalnego receptora w patogenezie zaburzeń obrotu kostnego w przebiegu tyreotoksykozy u kobiet po menopauzie. Materiał i metody: Badanie przeprowadzono u 40 osób z nadczynnym wolem guzkowym w 3 grupach: 1 &#8212; 13 kobiet przed menopauzą w wieku 36 &#177; 15 lat (PremTx&#198;PremEu), 2 &#8212; 12 kobiet po menopauzie w wieku 66 &#177; 14 lat (PostTx&#198;PostEu) i 3 &#8212; 15 mężczyzn w wieku 45 &#177; 21 lat (MTx&#198;MEu). Stan czynnościowy tarczycy potwierdzono oznaczeniem TSH, fT3 i fT4 w surowicy. Markery obrotu kostnego: TRACP5b i osteokalcyna oraz IL-6 i IL-6sR w surowicy, oznaczono zestawami ELISA. Wyniki: Iloraz TRACP5b/osteokalcyna był istotnie zwiększony u kobiet PostTx w porównaniu z grupą PremTx (p < 0,02). Stwierdzono dodatnią korelację między TRACP5b i osteokalcyną (R = 0,45, p < 0,001). Stężenie IL-6 było istotnie zwiększone w grupie PostTx: 3,0 (2,14&#8211;6,40) i MTx: 2,24 (1,60&#8211;5,10) w porównaniu z odnotowanym u kobiet z grupy PremTx: 1,39 (0,96&#8211;2,14) (odpowiednio: p < 0,01 i p < 0,05). Wykazano istotną dodatnią korelację pomiędzy IL-6 i IL-6sR (R = 0,22, p < 0,05) oraz pomiędzy IL-6sR i TRACP5b (R = 0,23, p < 0,05). Wnioski: Podsumowując, wyniki obecnej pracy wskazują, że IL-6 odgrywa ważną rolę w patogenezie zaburzeń obrotu kostnego w przebiegu tyreotoksykozy u kobiet po menopauzie. (Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (4): 299&#8211;302

ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSORS AS SIMPLE AND CHEAP DEVICES FOR RAPID DETERMINATION OF VARIOUS SPECIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

The electrochemical methods are very good tool for determination of trace concentrations of various species in water samples. The analysis carried out using these methods are usually simple, fast and also the cost of the required equipment is much lower comparing to other instrumental methods. Furthermore, the electroanalytical methods are easy to automate and computerize. Among five major groups of these methods (potentiometry, voltammetry, coulometry, conductometry and dielectrometry), potentiometry and voltammetry attract the greatest attention of researchers. In this paper, experimental results of research related to development of procedures (voltammetric and potentiometric) for the determination of elements in environmental water samples were presented. Due to their common occurrence in environment and possible toxic effects on living organisms, vanadium and nitrate ions were selected for investigation. Optimization of voltammetric procedure for V(V) determination were carried out in matrix containing different surfactants and humic acids, using lead film electrode as a working electrode. Results showed that only nonionic surfactant Brij-35 did not interfere with the voltammetric signal. Other surfactants as well as humic acids reduced the signal, and possibility of their elimination with suitable resins were also investigated. Potentiometric measurements were consisted of preparation and determination of analytical properties of nitrate ion-selective electrodes with solid contact. The results showed that among three different membrane composition, the best response was achieved by membrane containing: Ni(Phen)2, THTDPCl, PVC and NPOE in the ratio of 1:2:33:64 wt. %, respectively. With the detection limit of 2.8 × 10^-6 mol L^-1, the working concentration range from 5 × 10^-5 to 1 × 10^-1 mol L-1 and a slope of -55.1 mV per decade, this electrode showed good selectivity to sulfate, acetate, carbonate, dihydrogen phosphate, fluoride and chloride ions, and also good potential reversibility

Follow-up of children with antenatally diagnosed idiopathic polyhydramnios

Objectives: The aim of our work was to assess the development of children with antenatally diagnosed idiopathic poly- hydramnios, over 12 months from the end of pregnancy.  Material and methods: The study included 91 healthy pregnant patients with idiopathic polyhydramnios. Diagnostic tests results and perinatal medical history were obtained retrospectively. Parents of children were contacted by phone and by mail. The answers were obtained from 64 (70%) parents. For statistical analysis SigmaStat3.5 software was used.  Results: Ninety six percent of parents declared that in their opinion the development of children was normal. Abnormali- ties were found in 44% of the children. Thirty percent of neonates demonstrated mild abnormalities which may be due to organic or functional neuromuscular disorders: abnormal muscle tone, speech apparatus and development disorders, swallowing and breathing problems (manifested as vomiting, excessive regurgitation, idiopathic apnoeas).  Isolated small malformations were diagnosed in 12 (19%) children. Two children (3%) with SGA were diagnosed with genetic syndromes. More than one of the abnormalities described above were diagnosed in 14% of children. Gestational age at the time of polyhydramnios diagnosis and its severity were not prognostic factors for abnormalities. Seventy percent of newborns were male.  Conclusions: Despite the subjectively positive assessment of the development of children by the majority of parents, groups of common disorders requiring long-term follow-up have been identified. Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, CNS and the group of neuromuscular disorders may be responsible for idiopathic polyhydramnios. SGA with co-existing idiopathic polyhydramnios is associated with the risk of genetic diseases. The more frequent incidence of idiopathic poly- hydramnios in male fetuses requires further research.

How do relatives remember the dying of lung cancer patients after 2-8 years? A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with family members

Background. The aim of our study was to assess how relatives remember the dying of lung cancer patients several years after their death. Methods. The family members of 45 non small-cell lung cancer patients who died up to 7 years after radical surgical treatment were telephoned and asked to meet the research team. Only 20 of them agreed to talk about the dying and death of their relatives; for the rest the issue was still too painful. During the meeting with 2 researchers, participants were asked to comment freely on the points of the Assessment of Dying in Lung Cancer Patients questionnaire and to score the Quality of Dying Apgar. Results. Family members of 15 of the patients stated recognizing the dying of their loved one. They concluded this on the basis of exacerbation of symptoms, "typical" appearance, change in behaviour or particular words the patient said to them. The median score of the quality of dying was 6.5/10 (range 3-9). Lower scoring was observed for patients who died in hospital, without the family present at the moment of death and with uncontrolled symptoms. Only 5 of the relatives assessed pain and other symptom control as satisfactory. Other family members remembered pain (n = 9), dyspnoea (n = 8), delirium (n = 4) and other symptoms as disturbing the dying in a severe or moderate way. Three relatives assessed that their loved one's dying was not "dignified", mostly due to the severe physical suffering, the nursing being crucially remiss at the hospital and the patient's being alone at the moment of death. All family members were able to describe the healthcare professionals' attitudes and even repeat the statements they heard from them. Conclusion. We have demonstrated that several years after death many of the words and the behaviour of the dying patients were still alive in their relatives' memories. The family members remember how the healthcare professionals behaved and what they said to them. While caring for dying people, we should bear in mind that the way in which we behave may either give strength to the family or destroy their peace of mind for many years.Background. The aim of our study was to assess how relatives remember the dying of lung cancer patients several years after their death. Methods. The family members of 45 non small-cell lung cancer patients who died up to 7 years after radical surgical treatment were telephoned and asked to meet the research team. Only 20 of them agreed to talk about the dying and death of their relatives; for the rest the issue was still too painful. During the meeting with 2 researchers, participants were asked to comment freely on the points of the Assessment of Dying in Lung Cancer Patients questionnaire and to score the Quality of Dying Apgar. Results. Family members of 15 of the patients stated recognizing the dying of their loved one. They concluded this on the basis of exacerbation of symptoms, "typical" appearance, change in behaviour or particular words the patient said to them. The median score of the quality of dying was 6.5/10 (range 3-9). Lower scoring was observed for patients who died in hospital, without the family present at the moment of death and with uncontrolled symptoms. Only 5 of the relatives assessed pain and other symptom control as satisfactory. Other family members remembered pain (n = 9), dyspnoea (n = 8), delirium (n = 4) and other symptoms as disturbing the dying in a severe or moderate way. Three relatives assessed that their loved one's dying was not "dignified", mostly due to the severe physical suffering, the nursing being crucially remiss at the hospital and the patient's being alone at the moment of death. All family members were able to describe the healthcare professionals' attitudes and even repeat the statements they heard from them. Conclusion. We have demonstrated that several years after death many of the words and the behaviour of the dying patients were still alive in their relatives' memories. The family members remember how the healthcare professionals behaved and what they said to them. While caring for dying people, we should bear in mind that the way in which we behave may either give strength to the family or destroy their peace of mind for many years

The last months of lung cancer patients&#8217; lives, in the memory of their relatives. A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with family members

Background. The aim of the study was to assess how family members remember the final months of their loved ones 2&#8211;8 years after their death. We focused particularly on their recognition of the patients&#8217; physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs. Methods. The family members of 45 non small-cell lung cancer patients who died up to 7 years after radical surgical treatment were telephoned and asked to meet the research team. Only 20 of them agreed to talk about the dying and death of their relatives; for the rest the issue was still too painful. During the meeting with two researchers, participants were asked to comment freely on the points of the Assessment of Dying in Lung Cancer Patients questionnaire. Results. Almost all the relatives interviewed in our study were able to recognize the beginning of the terminal phase. They connected the beginning of dying with the deterioration of the physical and/or psychological status of patients, such as the exacerbation of weakness and/or other symptoms or with clearly distinguished incidents such as cancer recurrence or hip fracture. The majority were able to define the length of this phase as being several months (median = 3, range 1&#8211;11 months). The most common physical symptoms mentioned by the relatives interviewed were, in sequential order: pain (n = 13) and fatigue (n = 13), anorexia (n = 9), dyspnoea (n = 7) and cachexia (n = 7). Of the 20 decedents, 18 regularly received painkillers at least at some period during their final months. Apart from medicines prescribed by the doctors, 9 patients were treated with &#8220;anticancer&#8221; herbs, or homeopathy, or by bioenergotherapy. From the relatives&#8217; perspectives, the main approach was focused on the physical aspects of care while there was a lack of psychological and social support, the latter often causing severe financial burden. Most relatives believed that chaplains are the main source of spiritual comfort and there was easy access to such a service both in their parish and in the hospice or hospitals. Conclusion. Our study showed that the families remembered feelings of loneliness and helplessness when confronted with the psychological suffering of their loved ones and the financial burdens caused by the caregivers. Professionals involved in palliative care should acknowledge that holistic care requires sensitivity, not only to the physical but also to the psychosocial and spiritual aspects of end-of-life care.Background. The aim of the study was to assess how family members remember the final months of their loved ones 2&#8211;8 years after their death. We focused particularly on their recognition of the patients&#8217; physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs. Methods. The family members of 45 non small-cell lung cancer patients who died up to 7 years after radical surgical treatment were telephoned and asked to meet the research team. Only 20 of them agreed to talk about the dying and death of their relatives; for the rest the issue was still too painful. During the meeting with two researchers, participants were asked to comment freely on the points of the Assessment of Dying in Lung Cancer Patients questionnaire. Results. Almost all the relatives interviewed in our study were able to recognize the beginning of the terminal phase. They connected the beginning of dying with the deterioration of the physical and/or psychological status of patients, such as the exacerbation of weakness and/or other symptoms or with clearly distinguished incidents such as cancer recurrence or hip fracture. The majority were able to define the length of this phase as being several months (median = 3, range 1&#8211;11 months). The most common physical symptoms mentioned by the relatives interviewed were, in sequential order: pain (n = 13) and fatigue (n = 13), anorexia (n = 9), dyspnoea (n = 7) and cachexia (n = 7). Of the 20 decedents, 18 regularly received painkillers at least at some period during their final months. Apart from medicines prescribed by the doctors, 9 patients were treated with &#8220;anticancer&#8221; herbs, or homeopathy, or by bioenergotherapy. From the relatives&#8217; perspectives, the main approach was focused on the physical aspects of care while there was a lack of psychological and social support, the latter often causing severe financial burden. Most relatives believed that chaplains are the main source of spiritual comfort and there was easy access to such a service both in their parish and in the hospice or hospitals. Conclusion. Our study showed that the families remembered feelings of loneliness and helplessness when confronted with the psychological suffering of their loved ones and the financial burdens caused by the caregivers. Professionals involved in palliative care should acknowledge that holistic care requires sensitivity, not only to the physical but also to the psychosocial and spiritual aspects of end-of-life care

High Frequency Ultrasonography of the Skin and Its Role as an Auxillary Tool in Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Cutaneous Tumors – A Comparison of Two Clinical Cases

The number of dermatologic entities that can be studied by ultrasound examination (US) of the skin is increasing. Conventional US and high frequency US (HFUS) are considered useful additional tools in improving the diagnosis and management of common benign and malignant skin tumors. US may help in positive and differential diagnosis of primary melanocytic neoplasms and of locoregional spread in melanoma patients. US preoperative evaluation of primary melanoma thickness correlates with histologically estimated melanoma thickness, and can help determine surgical margins and indications for sentinel lymph node biopsy. It is also useful during follow-up after surgical treatment for early detection of recurrence or metastases. In this case report, we present two cases of skin lesions clinically suspicious for malignancy. The first lesion was a round nodule 3 mm in diameter, resembling a blue nevus. In HFUS it was well delimited, hypoechoic, and well vascularized. The second lesion presented as an elevated, well-circumscribed nodule, 5-6 mm in diameter, inhomogeneous in color. HFUS depicted a poorly delimited, irregular, hypoechoic lesion crossing the dermoepidermal junction. At the first exam it was not vascularized, but 6 months later a number of vascular flow signals within the lesion were found. In histopathological examination the lesions were finally diagnosed as, respectively: benign cavernous hemangioma and melanoma. In both presented cases HFUS proved to be useful in a differential diagnosis of suspicious skin lesions. Noninvasive and easy to perform, HFUS is a valuable diagnostic method in dermatology.</p

Glycolytic flux in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is dependent on RNA polymerase III and its negative regulator Maf1.

Protein biosynthesis is energetically costly, is tightly regulated and is coupled to stress conditions including glucose deprivation. RNA polymerase III (RNAP III)-driven transcription of tDNA genes for production of tRNAs is a key element in efficient protein biosynthesis. Here we present an analysis of the effects of altered RNAP III activity on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteome and metabolism under glucose-rich conditions. We show for the first time that RNAP III is tightly coupled to the glycolytic system at the molecular systems level. Decreased RNAP III activity or the absence of the RNAP III negative regulator, Maf1 elicit broad changes in the abundance profiles of enzymes engaged in fundamental metabolism in S. cerevisiae In a mutant compromised in RNAP III activity, there is a repartitioning towards amino acids synthesis de novo at the expense of glycolytic throughput. Conversely, cells lacking Maf1 protein have greater potential for glycolytic flu

The Barfie handbook of pedagogical and scientific approaches to children's books and intercultural education

BARFIE (Books and Reading for Intercultural Education) is a European thematic network in intercultural education aimed at teachers, librarians, parents, children and school authorities that uses books and other media for children aged 6 to 16. BARFIE was developed in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with funding from the European Union as a Comenius network, involving at its core 14 European countries, with its teaching institutions, schools, libraries, and school authorities, while reaching out to involve schoolchildren, teachers, researchers, publishers and the public in general not only in those countries but all over Europe. BARFIE has developed a collection and catalogue of books for children and young people on intercultural education, which can be consulted at www.barfie.net and in book form. In the collection there are around 10 books from each of 14 European states that are members or partners of the BARFIE network. The books were carefully selected by experts on children’s books and young adult books, librarians, teachers and educators with the aim of developing ideas and concepts for teaching multiculturality, being European, fighting xenophobia and racism, integrating difference and celebrating similarities. Simultaneously, BARFIE developed an online catalogue of projects on intercultural education and children’s fiction, which pools together resources of European projects developed under the European Union framework, such as The Reader’s Corner. European Style Fairy Tales, at www.autopen.com/euro.fairy.shtml; Children’s Polar Library, at www.barnenspolarbibliotek.com/; Communicating tradition and culture across the internet: Traditional Tales at www.eurotales.eril.net; Europe of Tales, at www.europeoftales.net; Netlibris, at www.netlibris.net; and The European Picture Book Collection, at www.ncrcl.ac.uk/epbc/ . BARFIE further developed pedagogical materials to be used in connection with the books in the collection in the form of seminars for teachers on: Global Citizenship; Getting to Know Central European Countries through Their Books; the European Picture Book Collection; Netlibris International; or Art Basics for Children; A Handful of Stories. In order to reach schoolchildren and teachers BARFIE developed teaching packages at European and local levels on: Learning English as a Foreign Language through BARFIE books; Introducing Portuguese and the Portuguese Culture through BARFIE Books; the BARFIE Picture Book Collection, as well as introductory sessions on particular books of the collection for school use. Finally, BARFIE brought together teachers, librarians, and researchers on its three seminars: the first took place in Vienna and was hosted by the Austrian Ministry of Education and the Kinderliteraturhaus in Vienna; the second venue was Bratislava and the BARFIE seminar joined efforts with the Biennial of Illustration in Children’s Literature and IBBY in Slovakia; the third seminar was held in Warsaw and was sponsored by the IBBY section of Poland and the Polish National Library and the Austrian Kinderliteraturhaus. This collection of articles tells you more about BARFIE, its efforts, aims and achievements. It describes work done under BARFIE inspiration and the enthusiasm of teachers who were keen to take the BARFIE books into their schools and thus broaden national curricula into European spaces of communication, exchange and intercultural learning. It offers you pedagogical materials to work from, ideas to take back into libraries and schools, as well as resources to integrate with your teaching and living. The collection of articles also presents scientific and pedagogical frameworks to think about children’s books, reading and interactive learning in contemporary Europe. In the three sections of the collection – Using the Resources of the BARFIE Network (section 1), From Books into Other Media: Reading, Using & Performing, (Section 2), and Children’s Books and Children’s Literature – Research and Position Papers (section 3) there is material for you to use in the classroom, in the library or at home, as well as material to reflect on and to improve your professional practice. This collection does not, however, describe all BARFIE activities. You can find more about these on the BARFIE webpage, at www.barfie.net, through the BARFIE newsletters, as well as through the contact persons in each European country that are on the partner section of the BARFIE webpage. Feel free to use the BARFIE resources and to join our network!Este documento foi elaborado no ãmbito do programa Comenius 3 Network (Comenius contract 90769-CP-1-2001-1-AT-COMENIUS-C3