Studies of the bacterial surfaces by XPS and SEM methods

This work presents the results of studies on bacteria Bacillus subtilis which was grown at di erent temperatures. The experiments were carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope equipped with cryo-chamber , which gives the possibility of testing biological samples in a frozen state. These methods enabled receiving images of surface topography of the bacteria and demarcated their chemical composition. After deconvolution of the lines C 1s and O 1s information concerning the intensity of the various functional groups in the bindings presented in the cell walls surface of tested strain and reallocation in relation to the temperaturę of incubation was obtained. These changes are visible in the form of an additional peak in both the C 1s and O 1s in bacteria cultured in suboptimum temperature

Preliminary report on a study of health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

There are studies about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but few studies prospectively assessed HRQoL. The main purpose of this study was to analyze HRQoL in patients hospitalized due to RA exacerbation and observed over a planned 2-year follow-up in an outpatient setting. The study involved 42 women and 9 men, at mean age of 62.5 years (SD ± 12.6). The mean duration of the study was 22–23 months. The HRQoL analysis was performed using the SF-36 survey. At the beginning of the study, basic data on age, sex, selected biochemical (ESR, CRP, GFR, hemoglobin, plasma albumin, plasma protein), and clinical parameters (the duration of RA, VAS, DAS28, BMI, the presence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, osteoporotic fractures, osteoarthritis, neoplasm) were collected. Questionnaires were completed at the beginning and end of the study. Statistically significant reductions in HRQoL scores were observed in social functioning (SF; 0.42 vs 0.32, P < 0.05), whereas role-emotional health (RE; 0.48 vs 0.59, P < 0.05) and mental health (MH; 0.47 vs 0.54, P < 0.05) scores were increased. A decrease in the SF was positively correlated with the lack of osteoporosis at baseline (r = 0.35, P > 0.02). An increase in the MH was inversely correlated with BMI (r = −0.31, P < 0.05), and the level of hemoglobin (r = −0.32, P < 0.028) and positively correlated with the presence of osteoarthritis at baseline (r = 0.29, P < 0.05). In RA patients, dimensions of HRQoL as SF, RE, and MH could change within 2 years and these changes could be related to comorbidities. Although preliminary findings are promising, further studies are needed

Analysis of density changes of selected brain receptors after a 14-day supply of chromium(III) and evaluation of chromium(III) affinity to selected receptors and transporters

Chromium(III) is one of the most controversial biometals. Although, it is no longer on the list of minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the human body, and its pharmacological effect is still under discussion. One of the purposes of Cr(III) administration is to use it in patients with mood disorders and it is strictly related to its pharmacological, not dietary effect. This is because its high doses are necessary to obtain the results and additionally, no deficiencies in human population have been noted. In this study, the affinity of chromium(III) to selected receptors and transporters in the rat brain was evaluated, and the effect of the 14-day administration of thismetal was assessed on the density of selected receptors. All analyses were performed in vitro using radioligand binding assays, and the results indicated lack of affinity to β1 and α1 receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT), furthermore very weak affinity to the 5-HT1A receptor (30% inhibition at 10−4 and 10−5 M). Analysis of the α1 and β1 adrenergic receptor density indicated lack of any adaptive effects after 14 days of Cr(III) administration through intraperitoneal injections (doses 6 and 12 mg/kg). The antidepressant activity of chromium(III) indicated in clinical trials concerned patients with atypical, seasonal, or dystonic symptoms. This effect, as it seems based on the presented results, does not depend on direct affinity to serotonin receptors and transporter nor is the result of adaptive changes in the adrenoreceptor system

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - risk factor, diagnostic and current treatment

Introduction:  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorders in women in reproductive age, defined as a combination of signs and symptoms resulting from androgen excess and ovarian dysfunction in the absence of other specific diagnoses. PCOS is often associated with an increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic disorders and cardiovascular events. The aim of the study: The purpose of this systemic review was to collect and analyze materials about risk factors, diagnostics, and the current treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.Material and method: Review of the literature published in 2004-2018.Description of the state of knowledge: PCOS is characterized by an excessive secretion of androgens from the ovaries and / or adrenal glands. Intrinsic ovarian factors, such as altered steroidogenesis, and factors external to the ovary, such as hyperinsulinemia, contribute to the ovarian overproduction of androgens. PCOS requires careful selection of an appropriate diagnostic method and therapeutic approach to combat hyperandrogenism, a consequence of ovarian dysfunction and related metabolic disorders. Treatment of both women at risk of PCOS and those with a confirmed diagnosis of PCOS includes education, healthy lifestyle interventions and symptomatic therapeutic interventions.Summary:  PCOS is a complex disorder involving many organs and affecting many body functions. It is important to diagnose this disease as soon as possible in order to implement appropriately selected therapeutic treatment aimed at eliminating disease symptoms and reducing the systemic consequences of hyperandrogenism in patients

Folic acid supplementation among students

Introduction: Pregnancy is a period in which the supply of vitamins, micro- and macroelements is essential for the proper growth of the fetus. One of the most important substances, which is believed to have a considerable influence on the proper fetus growth is folic acid. Folic acid (i.e. vitamin B9) plays a significant role in rapidly dividing cells and lack of this vitamin causes serious fetal defects - for example neural tube anomalies. Supplementation is important not only during pregnancy but also during the period of pregnancy planning. Methods: Students' knowledge regarding the importance of folic acid supplementation was verified using anonymous Internet questionnaire. The obtained results were analyzed using statistical methods and checked on the basis of scientific literature. Results: The percentage of students who supply folic acid is 18,1% and only 9,5% do this regularly. The most common cause of supply is due to the fact that that folate can be found in vitamin kits students usually take. Part of respondents claim that they plan the pregnancy and want the fetus to develop correctly. Other causes of vitamin B9 intake is prevention of arteriosclerosis, vascular system diseases, anemia, lung, esophagus and uterus cancer. Conclusion: Outcomes showed that students are not fully aware of the importance of vitamin B9 during pregnancy and there is a great need to share knowledge about folic acid supplementation among people in procreative age

Restoring the patency of fallopian tubes using the transcervical selective hysterosalpingography methods - a clinical case analysis

Abstract Introduction: Infertility caused by tubal occlusion is a relatively frequent affliction among women of child-bearing age. A common cause of tubal occlusion are mucous plugs accumulated inside the fallopian tubes, which results in blocking them. Selective hysterosalpingography (SHSG) is a method of removing the obstruction located in a proximal section of the fallopian tube. The most serious complication developed from this procedure is a fallopian tube perforation, however, it affects less than 1% of patients who undergo the treatment. The clinical success of recanalization of the fallopian tubes is estimated at about 85-88% and the frequency of successful pregnancies after the treatment is about 27%. Aim: To show the usage and effectiveness of SHSG in diagnosis and treatment in the obstruction of proximal section of fallopian tube. Case report: The patient, 33 years old, diagnosed with primary infertility, qualified to the SHSG at Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4 in Lublin. The first stage of SHSG was the insertion of a catheter into the uterine cavity and introduction of a contrast agent to the uterine cavity. The fallopian tubes did not release the contrast into the peritoneal cavity. After increasing the contrast, delivery pressure agent obtained the free flow of the contrast agent into the peritoneal cavity through the right fallopian tube. The uterine outlet of the left fallopian tube was selectively catheterized and a micro tool was inserted into the left fallopian tube. As the result, both fallopian tubes were unblocked. Summary: SHSG is a non-invasive and safe method of removing the obstruction located in the proximal section of the fallopian tube. Women subjected to SHSG can return to their normal activities in a few hours after treatment

Doksycyklina w terapii amyloidozy układowej z zajęciem serca

The leading strategy in the management of systemic amyloidosis is currently focused on reducing the production of amyloid precursor proteins. This approach is based on the use of chemotherapy in light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) or liver transplantation, or attempts to suppress transthyretin gene expression (TTR) in patients with transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Recently, however, therapies have been increasingly developed to reduce the formation of amyloid deposits from circulating precursors or to eliminate already formed amyloid deposits. This approach includes, in particular, the chronic use of doxycycline, a well-known bacteriostatic antibiotic from the tetracycline group. In preclinical studies it was shown that the anti-amyloidogenic potential of doxycycline in AL amyloidosis depends on interference in the process of amyloidogenesis and the destruction of amyloid deposits. Clinical retrospective studies indicate that doxycycline used with standard chemotherapy improves prognosis in patients with AL amyloidosis with heart involvement, which is the most unfavorable prognostic group, while maintaining a favorable safety profile of therapy. In contrast, in ATTR, doxycycline appears to stabilize the clinical course of the disease. In this paper, we review literature on the role of doxycycline therapy in the treatment of systemic amyloidosis.W leczeniu chorych na amyloidozy układowe dominują obecnie strategie ukierunkowane na zmniejszenie produkcji białek prekursorowych amyloidu. Takie podejście jest między innymi reprezentowane przez stosowanie chemioterapii w amyloidozie łańcuchów lekkich (amyloidozie AL) lub transplantację wątroby czy próby supresji ekspresji genu transtyretyny u chorych na amyloidozy transtyretynowe (ATTR). Ostatnio jednak coraz aktywniej są rozwijane terapie służące ograniczeniu powstawania amyloidu z krążących prekursorów lub eliminacji już uformowanych depozytów amyloidowych. Do tej grupy metod można zaliczyć przewlekłe stosowanie doksycykliny, powszechnie znanego antybiotyku bakteriostatycznego z grupy tetracyklin. W badaniach przedklinicznych wykazano, że potencjał antyamyloidogenny doksycykliny w amyloidozie AL polega zarówno na interferencji w proces amyloidogenezy, jak i destrukcji depozytów amyloidowych. Kliniczne badania retrospektywne wskazują, że doksycyklina stosowana wraz ze standardową chemioterapią poprawia rokowanie u chorych na amyloidozę AL z zajęciem serca, którzy stanowią najgorzej rokującą grupę pacjentów, zachowując przy tym korzystny profil bezpieczeństwa terapii. Z kolei wydaje się, że w ATTR doksycyklina stablizuje przebieg kliniczny choroby. W pracy dokonano przeglądu piśmiennictwa dotyczącego roli doksycykliny w leczeniu chorych na amyloidozy układowe

Variations and morphometric analysis of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery

Introduction: The superior cerebral artery is a clinically significant vessel, but little is known about its radiological anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery using Computed Tomography Angiography. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 200 subjects (54.5% female, mean age ± SD 56.2 ± 17.2 years) that had undergone head Computed Tomography Angiography. Subjects with any intracranial pathologies were excluded. Images in Maximum Intensity Projections were used to study the anatomical anomalies of the superior cerebellar artery. Results: In 200 subject 388 superior cerebellar arteries were found. Twelve (3.09%) SCAs were duplicated in 11 patients and all originated from the basilar artery. In 8 (4.00%) patients the superior cerebellar artery was absent. The origin of the SCA was most often bilateral, mainly from the basilar artery (76.29%). The superior cerebellar artery diameter, measured atthe site of the origin, was statistically significantly different depending on the place of the origin: wider when originating from the basilar artery as a single vessel (1.48 ± 0.42 mm vs. 1.34 ± 0.52 mm; p = 0.03) and narrower when originating as duplicated one (1.38 ± 0.48 mm vs. 1.46 ± 0.44 mm; p = 0.55). Conclusion: Superior cerebellar artery usually originates bilaterally from the basilar artery as a single trunk. Its diameter is significantly wider in that type in comparison to other anatomical variations

Jak leczymy pacjenta z nowo rozpoznaną amyloidozą łańcuchów lekkich pośredniego ryzyka? Rola doksycykliny w terapii amyloidozy z zajęciem serca

Treatment of patients with light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) is a challenge in routine clinical practice. Although deep and durable hematologic response is crucial for the success of the therapy, in this group of patients the proper conduct of supportive care becomes particularly important. Because AL amyloidosis is an interdisciplinary disease entity, the therapeutic process should be coordinated by an interdisciplinary team consisting of a hematologist, cardiologist, nephrologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist and clinical dietician. In this paper, we present a strategy for treating a patient with a newly diagnosed systemic intermediate-risk AL amyloidosis with cardiac involvement in the Department of Hematology of the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine in Warsaw, in which, apart of standard chemotherapy, doxycycline was used.Leczenie pacjentów z amyloidozą łańcuchów lekkich (amyloidozą AL) stanowi wyzywanie w codziennej praktyce klinicznej. Choć uzyskanie głębokiej i długotrwałej odpowiedzi hematologicznej w głównej mierze decyduje o powodzeniu terapii, to w odniesieniu do tej grupy chorych szczególnego znaczenia nabiera odpowiednie prowadzenie leczenia wspomagającego. Ponieważ amyloidoza AL stanowi interdyscyplinarną jednostkę chorobową, to proces terapeutyczny powinien być koordynowany przez interdyscyplinarny zespół złożony z hematologa, kardiologa, nefrologa, gastroenterologa, neurologa i dietetyka klinicznego. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono strategię postępowania u pacjenta z nowo rozpoznaną wieloukładową amyloidozą AL pośredniego ryzyka, z zajęciem serca, leczonego w Klinice Hematologii Instytutu Hematologii i Transfuzjologii w Warszawie, u którego poza standardową chemioterapią zastosowano doksycyklinę