Post-mortem detection of six human herpesviruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6) in trigeminal and facial nerve ganglia by PCR

Background Among over 100 types of Herpesviridae viruses, eight can infect humans: herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpesviruses 6, 7, and 8 (HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8). After initial infection, the viruses remain latent for the lifetime of the host. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of six different herpesviruses: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, and HHV-6 in trigeminal and facial nerve ganglia among a random group of Polish population. Methods The studied group consisted of 47 individuals (40 male, seven female); mean age of 47.4 ± 16.5 years) who died of independent causes (suicide, traffic accident, and poisoning, among others). Bilateral trigeminal and facial nerve ganglia of each cadaver were collected during the autopsy. Herpesviruses were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique. Results Herpesviruses were found in trigeminal and/or facial ganglia in 30/47 (63.8%) of cadavers. HHV-6 was the most prevalent of the herpesviruses and was found in nearly half of cadavers (n = 22; 46.8%), followed by HSV-1 (n = 7; 14.9%), VZV (n = 4; 8.5%), EBV (n = 4; 8.5%), HSV-2 (n = 2; 4.3%), and CMV (n = 1; 2.1%). Facial nerve ganglia (n = 23; 48.9%) were more often infected than trigeminal ganglia (n = 13; 27.7%). Discussion The results of this study have revealed a common presence of the herpesviruses in trigeminal and facial nerve ganglia among a random group of Polish population. Furthermore, the data also demonstrate simultaneous infection of the ganglia with different herpesviruses. This study has contributed to the knowledge of prevalence and localization of herpesviruses in different structures of the nervous system

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer in children in the multicenter analysis in Poland for PPGGL

Wstęp: Zróżnicowane raki tarczycy (DTC, differentiated thyroid carcinoma) występują u dzieci rzadko. Większość przypadków wykrywanych jest w wieku 11–17 lat. W odróżnieniu od dorosłych DTC u dzieci prezentują odmienne zachowanie biologiczne. Mała liczba przypadków DTC w poszczególnych ośrodkach oraz względnie łagodny ich przebieg utrudniają ocenę występowania i leczenia DTC u dzieci w Polsce, uzależniając ją od wysiłków włożonych w uzyskanie rzetelnych danych. Autorzy przedstawiają wstępne wyniki analizy wieloośrodkowej dotyczące występowania, diagnostyki i leczenia DTC u dzieci. Materiał i metody: Podjęte badania są retrospektywną analizą obejmującą lata 2000–2005, opartą na danych z historii chorób uzyskanych z ankiet rozesłanych do ośrodków dla dzieci i dorosłych podejmujących leczenie DTC. Do analizy zgłoszono 107 pacjentów z 14 ośrodków akademickich w Polsce. Analizie poddano wiek i płeć dzieci z DTC, wielkość i lokalizację zmian w tarczycy, sposoby rozpoznawania DTC, rodzaje i zakres wykonywanych zabiegów operacyjnych oraz leczenie uzupełniające izotopem J131. Wyniki: Raka brodawkowatego stwierdzono u 83 dzieci, pęcherzykowego u 10 dzieci, a rdzeniastego u 14 dzieci. Częstość występowania DTC u dzieci w Polsce wahała się między 18 a 23 przypadkami rocznie. W województwach: mazowieckim i połączonych wielkopolskim i lubuskim wykazano w okresie 2000–2005 wyższą (24 i 25) częstość występowania DTC, w pozostałych województwach wykazywano od 2 do 10 przypadków DTC. Największą grupę pacjentów stanowiły dzieci w wieku 11–15 lat, a stosunek dziewcząt do chłopców wynosił 3,3 : 1. Klinicznie DTC prezentowały się najczęściej jako pojedyncze guzki tarczycy. Limfadenopatię szyjną w badaniu klinicznym stwierdzono u 42% pacjentów, a śródoperacyjnie u 50% dzieci. U większości pacjentów dominowały niższe stopnie zaawansowania DTC (T1 u 36% i T2 u 26% dzieci). Operacje jednoetapowe wykonano u 65% dzieci, operacje dwuetapowe u 25% dzieci, a profilaktyczne tyreoidektomie u 79% dzieci z grupy pacjentów z rakiem rdzeniastym tarczycy (MTC, medullary thyroid cancinoma) i mutacją genu Ret. Leczenie izotopowe J131 podjęto u 80% dzieci. Przerzuty do płuc w scyntygrafii poterapeutycznej wykazano u 14% dzieci z DTC. Wnioski: We wnioskach podkreśla się konieczność wdrożenia na terenie całego kraju ujednoliconego i ocenianego na podstawie obiektywnych przesłanek sposobu postępowania z dziećmi z DTC.Introduction: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in children presents different biological behavior in comparison to adults. Authors presents preliminary results of multicenter analysis concerning incidence, diagnostics and treatment of DTC in children. Material and methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of 107 pediatric patients from 14 academic centers based on the data from 2000 to 2005 obtained by questionnaire in hospitals involved in the treatment of DTC in children. Results: Papillary thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 83 children, follicular thyroid cancer in 10 children and medullary thyroid cancer in 14 children. Incidence of DTC in children was estimated between 18 and 23 cases per year. The biggest group of patients consisted of children between 11 and 15 years of age, with girls to boys ratio 3.3 : 1. Clinically DTC in children presented most often as solitary thyroid nodule. Cervical lymphadenopathy was observed in 42% of patients. Intraoperative verification indicated metastatic nodes in 50% of children. Low stage DTC predominated (T1 in 36% and T2 in 26% of children). One step surgery was performed in 65% of children with DTC, two step surgery in 25% of patients. I131 therapy was undertaken in 80% of children. Lung metastases were indicated in post therapeutic studies in 14% of children with DTC. Prophylactic thyroidectomies were performed in 79% of children in the group of patients with MTC and RET gene mutations. Conclusions: The necessity of introduction of unified therapeutic standard in children with DTC in Poland is underlined

Social and environmental factors and their impact on the quality of life of patients undergoing radiation therapy

Wstęp. Jakość życia jest nierozerwalnie związana ze zdrowiem. Na odpowiednim poziomie umożliwia realizowanie swoich zdolności, radzenie sobie ze stresem, wydajną i produktywną pracę oraz współuczestnictwo w życiu społecznym. Ocena jakości życia powinna być stałym elementem nadzoru lekarskiego, gdyż pozwala w pewien sposób analizować skutki leczenia oraz stopień powrotu do funkcjonowania zgodnego ze stanem przed wystąpieniem choroby. Cel pracy. Ocena wpływu trybu radioterapii (ambulatoryjnego i całodobowego) na jakość życia chorych. Ocena związku wieku, stanu cywilnego, wykształcenia z jakością życia. Zbadanie, czy istnieje związek zaburzeń nastroju z obniżeniem jakości życia pacjentów poddanych radioterapii. Materiał i metody. Do oceny jakości życia zastosowano ogólny kwestionariusz dla pacjentów chorych na nowotwory złośliwe (EORTC QLQ-30). Dodatkowo stworzono ankietę zawierającą pytania dotyczące wybranych czynników demograficznych. Do oceny zaburzeń nastroju użyto Skali Depresji Becka. Wyniki. Badaniem objęto 198 pacjentów leczonych onkologicznie – 46 mężczyzn (23,23%) i 152 kobiety (76,77%). W Zakładzie leczonych było 126 badanych (63,64% uczestników badania), a w Oddziale 72 osoby (36,36%). Średnia wieku włączonych do badania pacjentów wynosiła 57,05 lat (± SD = 11,05 lat). Wnioski. Zaburzenia nastroju mogą sprzyjać znacznie pogorszonej ocenie jakości życia – aby nie wypaczyć wyników oceny jakości życia pacjentów chorych onkologicznie, należy uwzględnić w analizie efekt zaburzeń afektywnych. Kwestionariusz QLQ-C30 spełnia wiarygodność na społeczeństwie polskim, o czym świadczy wysoki współczynnik Cronbacha rzetelności w podgrupach. Nie stwierdzono istotnych korelacji między płcią, wiekiem, wykształceniem a testem QLQ-C30.Background. The quality of life is inextricably associated with health. Quality of life at an appropriate level allows you to realize your abilities, cope with stress, efficient and productive work and participation in social life. The assessment of quality of life should be a permanent element of medical supervision, because it allows in some way to analyze the effects of treatment and the degree of return to functioning consistent with the state before the onset of the disease. Objectives. Evaluation of the influence of radiotherapy (ambulatory and 24-hr) on the quality of life of patients. It is related with assessment of age relationship, marital status, education with quality of life. It has been proved that there is a relationship of mood disorders with a decrease in the quality of life of patients undergoing radiation therapy. Material and methods. The general questionnaire for patients with malignant tumors (EORTC QLQ-30) was used to assess the quality of life. In addition, a questionnaire was created containing questions about selected demographic factors. The Beck Depression Scale was used to assess mood disorders. Results. The study included 198 patients treated oncologically, 46 men (23.23%) and 152 women (76.77% of the sample tested). 126 patients were treated in the Department (63.64% of the study participants) and 72 people in the Department (36.36%). The average age of patients included in the study was 57.05 years (± SD = 11.05 years) Conclusions. Mood disorders can be conducive to a significantly deteriorated assessment of the quality of life – in order not to distort the results of the assessment of the quality of life of oncological patients, the effect of affective disorders should be included in the analysis. The QLQ-C30 questionnaire meets credibility on the Polish society, as evidenced by the high coefficient of Cronbach’s reliability in the subgroups. There were no significant correlations between gender, age, education and the test QLQ-C30

The Dynamics of Changes in the Concentration of IgG against the S1 Subunit in Polish Healthcare Workers in the Period from 1 to 12 Months after Injection, Including Four COVID-19 Vaccines

Background: The presented research made it possible to obtain the characteristics of changes in anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG within one year of vaccination in healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: The research group consisted of 18,610 participants represented by medical and administration staff. IgG antibody concentrations were determined by ELISA. Results: At 5–8 months after full vaccination, the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG with equal vaccines were similar. The exception was JNJ-78436735, for which IgG levels were significantly lower. In the 9th month after vaccination, an increase in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level, suggesting asymptomatic infection, was observed in a large group of participants. Significantly higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were observed after the booster dose compared to the second dose. The increase in antibodies was observed already around the 5th day after the injection of the booster dose, and was maximized at approximately the 14th day. Conclusion: The cut-off date for protection against the disease seems to be the period 8–9 months from the vaccination for mRNA vaccines and 5–6 months for vector vaccines. The introduction of a booster dose was the right decision, which could have a real impact on restricting the further transmission of the virus

New Peptide Based Fluconazole Conjugates with Expanded Molecular Targets

Infections of Candida spp. etiology are frequently treated with azole drugs. Among azoles, the most widely used in the clinical scenario remains fluconazole (FLC). Promising results in treatment of dangerous, systemic Candida infections demonstrate the advantages of combined therapies carried out with combinations of at least two different antifungal agents. Here, we report five conjugates composed of covalently linked FLC and cell penetrating or antimicrobial peptide: TP10-7-NH2, TP10-NH2, LFcinB(2-11)-NH2, LFcinB[Nle1,11]-NH2, and HLopt2-NH2, with aspects of design, chemical synthesis and their biological activities. Two of these compounds, namely FLCpOH-TP10-NH2 and FLCpOH-TP10-7-NH2, exhibit high activity against reference strains and fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans, including strains overproducing drug transporters. Moreover, both of them demonstrate higher fungicidal effects compared to fluconazole. Analysis performed with fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy as well as flow cytometry indicated the cell membrane as a molecular target of synthesized conjugates. An important advantage of FLCpOH-TP10-NH2 and FLCpOH-TP10-7-NH2 is their low cytotoxicity. The IC90 value for the human cells after 72 h treatment was comparable to the MIC50 value after 24 h treatment for most strains of C. albicans. In reported conjugates, FLC was linked to the peptide by its hydroxyl group. It is worth noting that conjugation of FLC by the nitrogen atom of the triazole ring led to practically inactive compounds. Two compounds produced by us and reported herein appear to be potential candidates for novel antifungal agents

Evaluation of Chosen Cytokine Levels among Patients with Herpes Zoster as Ability to Provide Immune Response.

Herpes zoster is a viral disease caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which remained latent in the cranial nerve or dorsal root ganglia. Cell-mediated immunity is known to decline with age as part of immunosenescence and can lead to the reactivation of VZV. Whereas herpes zoster is usually mild in healthy young persons, older patients are at increased risk for complications. In the present study we investigated the serum cytokine profile (IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4, IL-12), representing cellular and humoral immunity and assessed the level of VZV IgG antibodies in patients with herpes zoster.We investigated the serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4, IL-12 and the level of VZV IgG antibodies in 23 patients with herpes zoster who did not develop superinfection. The control group was represented by 21 individuals in similar age with no inflammatory and infectious diseases. Cytokine and antibodies levels were measured by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed using the ROC curve (receiver operating characteristic), t-test, Welch's t-test, and nonparametric tests with STATISTICA 10 software.In patients with herpes zoster, the serum level of IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4 and IL-12 as well as VZV IgG antibodies titer were statistically significantly increased compared to control group.Our results confirm the broad activation of the immune system involving humoral and cell-mediated immunity

The patients’ characteristic.

<p>The patients’ characteristic.</p

The results of measured antibody titers, mean, range and median in the group 1 (HZ) and group 2 (control).

<p>The results of measured antibody titers, mean, range and median in the group 1 (HZ) and group 2 (control).</p

The mean results of IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4, IL-12 cytokine concentration (pg/ml) in group 1 n = 23 (patients with HZ) and group 2 n = 21 (control group), including x ±SD.

<p>The mean results of IL-17, IL-23, IL-21, IL-4, IL-12 cytokine concentration (pg/ml) in group 1 n = 23 (patients with HZ) and group 2 n = 21 (control group), including x ±SD.</p