An Analysis of IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17RA, IL-23A and IL-23R Expression and Their Correlation with Clinical Course in Patients with Psoriasis.

Being one of the most common dermatological inflammatory disorders, psoriasis is a frequent subject of research. It is considered to be a T cell-dependent immune disease whose pathogenesis is influenced by cytokines, such as IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17RA, IL-23A and IL-23R. The present study examines whether the expression of selected genes is correlated with the clinical course of psoriasis, assessed by the PASI, BSA and DLQI scales. Skin biopsies and blood from 60 patients with psoriasis and 24 healthy controls were obtained for RNA isolation. These were subjected to RT-PCR for IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17RA, IL-23A and IL-23R genes. The results were presented as an RQ value. IL-17A and IL-23R expression levels were higher in psoriatic skin compared to controls, while IL-10 expression was lower. A positive correlation was also found between RQ for IL-23A and PASI index. Psoriatic skin is characterised by elevated expression of IL-17A and IL-23R and decreased expression of IL-10. This indicates that the selected cytokines may be one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis and pathomechanism of psoriasis, but more studies need to be made before we can elucidate the exact reason for the unbalance in cytokine expression levels

Are We Sentenced to Pharmacotherapy? Promising Role of Lycopene and Vitamin A in Benign Urologic Conditions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, urolithiasis, recurrent urinary tract infections, and chronic prostatitis are diseases that are commonly diagnosed worldwide. Carotenoids, including lycopene, are widely available in fruits and vegetables, and it is postulated that they can be used in the prevention and treatment of benign urological conditions. The aim of this review is to familiarize doctors and their patients with the current knowledge on carotenoids and their conversion products in selected urological diseases. Most of the experimental and clinical trials show a moderate effect of lycopene and vitamin A on studied parameters. Lycopene was shown to improve the IPSS score in BPH patients, and alleviate symptoms in those with chronic prostatitis. Intake of Vitamin A was associated with decrease of urinary tract reinfection rates. In studied rat models retinol also decreased urolithiasis formation. Although the results of the cited studies are generally promising, it is evident that more detailed and extensive research must be done in this field of medicine

Necrosis of the duodenal wall with retroperitoneal perforation as a complication of perirenal abcess. Case report and management

Duodenal perforation is a rare and severe acute surgical condition which commonly follows the complications of endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures. Small degree of damage in this mechanism and an early diagnosis allow for an effective primary management. The most difficult surgical challenge is an effective management of retroperitoneal duodenal perforation together with coexisting pathological changes of its wall. In this work we present a case of duodenal necrosis with excessive necrosis of a fragment of its wall due to perinephric abscess, with an effective method of management of a defect in an isolated free small intestinal loop in association with gastroduodenal passage exclusion

Martwica ściany dwunastnicy z perforacją do przestrzeni zaotrzewnowej w przebiegu ropnia okołonerkowego. Opis przypadku i sposób zaopatrzenia

Perforacja dwunastnicy jest rzadkim i groźnym ostrym stanem chirurgicznym, do którego dochodzi zazwyczaj w wyniku powikłania zabiegów endoskopowych oraz laparoskopowych. Niewielki rozmiar uszkodzeń powstałych w tym mechanizmie i wczesne rozpoznanie pozwala na ich skuteczne pierwotne zaopatrzenie. Najtrudniejszym wyzwaniem chirurgicznym jest skuteczne zaopatrzenie perforacji części zaotrzewnowej dwunastnicy ze współistniejącymi zmianami patologicznymi jej ściany. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek perforacji dwunastnicy z rozległą martwicą fragmentu jej ściany, powstałej w przebiegu ropnia okołonerkowego, oraz skuteczną metodę zaopatrzenia ubytku na wyizolowanej wolnej pętli jelita cienkiego w skojarzeniu z wyłączeniem pasażu żołądkowo-dwunastniczego

Revolutionizing Treatment: Breakthrough Approaches for BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the 10th most popular cancer in the world, and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is diagnosed in ~80% of all cases. Treatments for NMIBC include transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) and intravesical instillations of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Treatment of BCG-unresponsive tumors is scarce and usually leads to Radical Cystectomy. In this paper, we review recent advancements in conservative treatment of BCG-unresponsive tumors. The main focus of the paper is FDA-approved medications: Pembrolizumab and Nadofaragene Firadenovec (Adstiladrin). Other, less researched therapeutic possibilities are also included, namely: N-803 immunotherapy, TAR-200 and TAR-210 intravesical delivery systems and combined Cabazitaxel, Gemcitabine and Cisplatin chemotherapy. Conservative treatment and delaying radical cystectomy would greatly benefit patients’ quality of life; it is undoubtedly the future of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC

Analysis of molecular markers as IL-12, IL-22 and IFN-γ in correlation with a clinical course in patients with psoriasis

ObjectivesAs a chronic, recurrent, immunologically mediated systemic disease and a common cause of dermatological problems, psoriasis is often a subject of scientific research. Skin changes located on the hands can cause difficulties and limitations in the performance of professional activities, especially manual ones. The main role in pathogenesis is played by immunological factors – improper functioning of the components of the immune system, among others, T lymphocytes and cytokines like interleukin-12 (IL-12), interleukin-22 (IL-22) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ).Material and MethodsThe obtained tissue and blood were destined for RNA isolation. The RNA was then subjected to a reverse transcription reaction. The relative gene expression level was evaluated by the real-time polymerase chain reaction for IL-12B, IL-22 and IFN-γ genes, and presented as the relative quantification (RQ) value, relative to the reference gene GAPDH. In addition, a correlation analysis of the expression level of selected genes with the clinical course of the disease, as assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), the Body Surface Area (BSA) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores was performed.ResultsStatistical analysis confirmed a significant increase in RQ values for IL-12B, IL-22 and IFN-γ in the group of psoriatic patients vs. the control group. A positive correlation was also found between BSA and PASI and RQ for the IL-12B gene.ConclusionsIncreased expression levels of IL-12B, IL-22 and IFN-γ genes in psoriatic skin confirm that selected cytokines play an important role in the initiation and sustenance of psoriasis

Assessment of quality of life in patients with non-operated pancreatic cancer after videothoracoscopic splanchnicectomy

Introduction: Pancreatic tumours are a crucial medical issue. The majority of patients report sick in the late stage ofcarcinoma clinical advancement, which considerably limits the possibility of surgical treatment. Pancreatic cancerpatients with no other alternative but palliative treatment constitute a large group.Aim: To assess pain intensity levels and quality of life of pancreatic cancer patients after videothoracoscopic splanchnicectomy.Material and methods: Between 2001 January and 2010 November in the Department of Thorax, General Surgery andOncology of the Medical University of Lodz 262 patients with pancreatic tumours were hospitalized. In 121 casesgrade 3 and grade 4 tumours were observed. Hundred and twenty-one videothoracoscopic procedures of sympathetictrunk and ganglion excision were performed in 89 patients.Results: Before the procedure the pain intensity level according to VAS was 5.66 (3.9-7.2; SD 1.24) in the trial groupand 5.46 (4.1-7.1; SD 1.15) in the control group. The quality of life average assessment in both groups did not differ statistically(p = 1.07) and was 46.3 (32-66; SD 0.92) in patients before the operation and in the control group 50.3(41-63; SD 0.75). On the 7th postoperative day the pain intensity on average was 2.33 (1.2-3.9; SD 0.78) and 4.57(3.6-5.5; SD 0.69) respectively. One week after the procedure the quality of patients’ life was estimated at 64.1(39-83; SD 1.38) and in the control group at 52.2 (42-65; SD 0.71); the differences are significant (p < 0.05). Thirty daysafter the procedure 12 patients did not t ake any painkillers (13.5%), and in the others a considerable decrease of thetaken drugs was observed. On average, the pain intensity was estimated at 1.78 (0.6-3.6; SD 0.68). The quality of life,on the other hand, improved considerably in relation to the state prior to the procedure, but increased insignificantlyin relation to the state on the 7th postoperative day to 70.9 (52-88; SD 1.14).Conclusions: Splanchnicectomy is a safe method of cancer pain treatment in patients with advanced pancreatictumours. Videothoracoscopic excision of visceral nerve thoracic section contributes to the statistically significantdecrease of cancer pain intensity and considerably improves the quality of patients’ lives

Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of New <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> Ecotypes

The purpose of this study was to characterize ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers of two ecotypes (PL—intended for industrial plantations and KC—intended for cut flowers) of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. The plant was cultivated in 2019 in southern Poland as part of a long-term research plan to develop new varieties resistant to difficult environmental conditions. The collected leaves and flowers were used to prepare ethanol extracts, which were then analyzed in terms of phytochemical composition and antioxidant, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties. Using UPLC techniques, 22 compounds belonging to phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified. UPLC test results indicated that ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers differ in phytochemical composition. Lower amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in leaf extracts than in flower extracts. The predominant substances in the flower extracts were rosmarinic acid (829.68–1229.33 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside III (810.97–980.55 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside II (789.30–885.06 µg/g). Ferulic acid glucoside II (3981.95–6561.19 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside I (2349.46–5503.81 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside III (1303.84–2774.17 µg/g) contained the highest amounts in the ethanol extracts of the leaves. The following substances were present in the extracts in trace amounts or at low levels: apigenin, kaempferol, and caftaric acid. Leaf extracts of the PL ecotype quantitatively (µg/g) contained more phytochemicals than leaf extracts of the KC ecotype. The results obtained in this study indicate that antioxidant activity depends on the ecotype. Extracts from the PL ecotype have a better ability to eliminate free radicals than extracts from the KC ecotype. At the same time, it was found that the antioxidant activity (total phenolic content, ABTS•+, DPPH•, and FRAP) of PL ecotype leaf extracts was higher (24.49, 177.75, 164.88, and 89.10 μmol (TE)/g) than that determined in flower extracts (15.84, 125.05, 82.35, and 54.64 μmol (TE)/g). The test results confirmed that leaf and flower extracts, even at low concentrations (0.313–0.63%), significantly inhibit the growth of selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and Candida yeasts. Inhibition of mold growth was observed at a dose extract of at least 1 mL/100 mL