The obesity paradox in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation : is there any effect of body mass index on survival?

Background: Conflicting results have been presented regarding the influence of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Aims: To investigate the impact of BMI on clinical outcomes after TAVI. Methods: A total of 148 consecutive patients were categorised using baseline BMI according to the World Health Organization criteria. Baseline patient characteristics, frailty, and procedural and clinical outcomes including 30-day and 12-month all-cause mortality were compared between the BMI categories. Patients were followed up for a median of 460.0 (182.0–1042.0) days. Results: Obesity was diagnosed in 37 (25.2%) patients, 73 (49.7%) patients were overweight, and 37 (25.2%) had normal weight. Prevalence of lower frailty as assessed by five-metre walk test was confirmed in obese patients as compared to other groups. A trend towards a lower rate of in-hospital bleeding complications (18 [48.6%] vs. 21 [28.8%] vs. 9 [24.3%] in normal-weight, overweight, and obese patients, respectively; p = 0.06) and less frequent blood transfusions (18 [48.6%] vs. 17 [23.3%) vs. 8 [21.6%]; p = 0.016) was observed in overweight and obese groups. The rate of grade 3 acute kidney injury was lowest in the overweight group (4 [10.8%] vs. 1 [1.4%] vs. 3 [8.1%]; p = 0.05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of 30-day all-cause mortality (p = 0.15). However, 12-month all-cause mortality was lowest in obese pa­tients (12 [32.4%] vs. 10 [13.7%] vs. 2 [5.4%]; p = 0.004). Increase in BMI was independently associated with lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] per 1 kg/m2 increase: 0.91 [0.845–0.98]; p = 0.018). Conclusions: Increased BMI was independently associated with survival benefit after TAVI

Construction of bionanoparticles with the use of a recombinant DNA vector-enzymatic system, containing artificial poliepitopic proteins, for the delivery of new generation vaccines

DNA/RNA amplification technologies, such as the Polymerase Chain Reaction have revolutionized modern biology, medical diagnostics and forensic analyses, among others. A number of alternative nucleic acids amplification methods have been developed, tailored to specific applications. Here we present a refined version of a DNA fragment amplification technology, which enables the construction of ordered concatemers in a head-to-tail-orientation. A very high number of DNA segments, at least 500 copies, can be consecutively linked. Other key features include: (i) the application of a dedicated vector-enzymatic system, including selected subtype IIS restriction endonucleases, which has been designed to automatically generate long Open Reading Frames and (ii) an amplification-expression vector with a built-in strong transcription promoter along with optimal translation initiation signals, which allow for a high level of expression of the constructed artificial poliepitopic protein. This highly advanced technology makes it possible to obtain ordered polymers of monomeric, synthetic or natural, DNA far beyond the capabilities of current chemical synthesis methods. The constructed poliepitopic proteins are further used for construction of several types of nanoparticles, including inclusion bodies and bacteriophages, containing multiple genetic fusion with poliepitopic proteins.The technology offers significant advances in a number of scientific, industrial and medical applications, including new vaccines and tissue pro-regenerative methods. The technology is protected by an international patent application and is available for licensing. Acknowledgments: project was supported by National Center for Research and Development, Warsaw, Poland, grant no STRATEGMED1/235077/9/NCBR/2014 and POIG.01.04.00-22-140/12; Jagiellonian Center for Innovation, Krakow, Poland; SATUS VC, Warsaw, Poland and BioVentures Institute Ltd, Poznan, Poland

Chemiluminescence-driven Dye Excitation for Dark Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a treatment that uses a combination of light-absorbing photosensitizers and dissolved oxygen to kill cancer. One specific limitation of photodynamic therapy is that the visible light used for photosensitizer excitation has a short tissue penetration depth of several millimeters. This limits the application of photodynamic therapy to surface cancers in the absence of a technique to illuminate deeper tissue. Efforts to extend tissue depth to which photodynamic therapy can be applied have been attempted with use of up-conversion and persistent-luminescent nanoparticles that absorb near infrared light and emit visible light for photosensitizer excitation, yet an initial excitation with an external light source is still required. More recently, systems employing chemiluminescence as an excitation energy source designed to bypass the use of external light have been developed and investigated as potential agents that could overcome the problem of achieving photodynamic therapy in deep tissue. We wish to provide an overview of several systems that have been recently reported that employ both radiative and non-radiative chemiluminescent energy transfer for photosensitizer excitation that have been developed in the hope of achieving “dark” photodynamic therapy. This article reviews several of these important new developments in the design of photodynamic therapeutic systems that utilize chemiluminescence

Plant medicinal products and drug interactions

Introduction. Some herbal medicinal products may be beneficial in certain respects but many can be dangerous for patients taking doctor-prescribed medications. Plant medicinal products are often taken with conventional drugs by patients. Interactions are possible between herbal medicinal products and conventional medications that can lead to toxicity due to increaseddrug plasma levels or drug treatment failure. Aim. The aim of the study was to review the study of plant medicinal products and drug interactions. Materials and method. Analysis of literature

The larynx cancer in vitro study by MRI relaxtion time of water

Introduction. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx accounts for a significant percentage of all head and neck cancers. Aim. In this paper we determine the differences in magnetic resonance relaxation time (MRI) of water in cancerous and healthy larynx tissues. Material and methods. This study is aimed on T2 MRI modalities for monitoring morphology of larynx tissue. Results. Our results showed that T2 MRI relaxation time measured in larynx tissue can be used to assess early cancer condition of larynx tissues. The changes of T2 MRI correspond to tumor growth within normal tissue. Conclusion. The study showed potential of MRI for the non-invasive monitoring of larynx condition

Plant medicinal products and drug interactions

Introduction. Some herbal medicinal products may be beneficial in certain respects but many can be dangerous for patients taking doctor-prescribed medications. Plant medicinal products are often taken with conventional drugs by patients. Interactions are possible between herbal medicinal products and conventional medications that can lead to toxicity due to increaseddrug plasma levels or drug treatment failure. Aim. The aim of the study was to review the study of plant medicinal products and drug interactions. Materials and method. Analysis of literature

Plants – a source of therapeutic material?

Introduction. The use of plants with therapeutic or medicinal properties is as ancient as human civilization and for many years prior to the 20th century, plants and animal products were the main source of therapeutic medicinal drugs. Aim. The discovery of new plant-derived drugs continues to be an active field of research in medical science today. The aim of this article is to describe several main classes of natural products currently under investigation. Material and methods. Analysis of literature

The potential of phythotherapy in otorhinolaryngology

Introduction. The objective of this paper is to review the evidence of the use of herbs in phytotherapy. Aim. To discuss plant properties and applications in otorhinolaryngology. Materials and methods. We analysed literature and collected information of phythotherapy in otorhinolaryngology. Results. The databases were searched using various keywords such as phytotherapy, otorhinolaryngology, and herbs such as: echinacea, eucalyptus, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, kava, pelargonium sidoides, rosemary, spirulina, St John’s wort, and thyme. Conclusions. Due to the beneficial impact of meicinal plants in medicine there is a growing interest in analytical identification and quantification for clinical medicine and forensic toxicology

Plants – a source of therapeutic material?

Introduction. The use of plants with therapeutic or medicinal properties is as ancient as human civilization and for many years prior to the 20th century, plants and animal products were the main source of therapeutic medicinal drugs. Aim. The discovery of new plant-derived drugs continues to be an active field of research in medical science today. The aim of this article is to describe several main classes of natural products currently under investigation. Material and methods. Analysis of literature

Fundamentals of the use of Berberis as a medicinal plant

Introduction. The daily use of medicinal plants has increased in recent years. The study of drugs of natural origin as an academic discipline and its applications in healthcare has changed remarkably but still focus on the quality of products and the development of new medicines. Aim. This study covers all fundamental aspects of pharmacognosy as well as topics relating to the therapeutic use of plant drugs known as phythotherapy. The purpose of the study was to review the literature about the use of Berberis. Materials and method. We reviewed the literature regarding the use of Berberis published between 1933 and 2018. We found more than 500 articles studying the properties of Berberis for digestive disorders, antibacterial, antidiabetic, hypotensive effects, anti-inflammatory effects, cholesterol regulation, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, cerebral ischemia trauma, mental disease, Alzheimer disease and osteoporosis. Our review includes recent studies regarding chemical composition and medicinal outcomes of Berberi