From physiological complexity to data interactions-A case study of recordings from exercise monitoring

The popularity of nonlinear analysis has been growing simultaneously with the technology of effort monitoring. Therefore, considering the simple methods of physiological data collection and the approaches from the information domain, we proposed integrating univariate and bivariate analysis for the rest and effort comparison. Two sessions separated by an intensive training program were studied. Nine subjects participated in the first session (S1) and seven in the second session (S2). The protocol included baseline (BAS), exercise, and recovery phase. During all phases, electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded. For the analysis, we selected corresponding data lengths of BAS and exercise usually lasting less than 5 min. We found the utility of the differences between original data and their surrogates for sample entropy Sdiff and Kullback-Leibler divergence KLDdiff. Sdiff of heart rate variability was negative in BAS and exercise but its sensitivity for phases discrimination was not satisfactory. We studied the bivariate analysis of RR intervals and corresponding QT peaks by Interlayer Mutual Information (IMI) and average edge overlap (AVO) markers. While the IMI parameter decreases in exercise conditions, AVO increased in effort compared to BAS. These findings conclude that researchers should consider a bivariate analysis of extracted RR intervals and corresponding QT datasets, when only ECG is recorded during tests.

The response and resistance to drugs in ovarian cancer cell lines in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids

Ovarian cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer. One of the leading causes of high mortality is chemoresistance, developed primarily or during treatment. Different mechanisms of drug resistance appear at the cellular and cancer tissue organization levels. We examined the differences in response to the cytotoxic drugs CIS, MTX, DOX, VIN, PAC, and TOP using 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) culture methods. We tested the drug-sensitive ovarian cancer cell line W1 and established resistant cell lines to appropriate cytotoxic drugs. The following qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess: 1) morphology - inverted microscope and hematoxylin & eosin staining; 2) viability - MTT assay; 3) gene expression - a quantitative polymerase chain reaction; 4) identification of proteins - immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Our results indicate that the drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cells cultured in 3D conditions exhibit stronger resistance than the cells cultured in 2D conditions. A traditional 2D model shows that drug resistance of cancer cells is caused mainly by changes in the expression of genes encoding ATP-binding cassette transporter proteins, components of the extracellular matrix, "new" established genes related to drug resistance in ovarian cancer cell lines, and universal marker of cancer stem cells. Whereas in a 3D model, the drug resistance in spheroids can be related to other mechanisms such as the structure of the spheroid (dense or loose), the cell type (necrotic, quiescent, proliferating cells), drug concentrations or drug diffusion into the dense cellular/ECM structure.

Genetic relatedness, virulence, and drug susceptibility of Campylobacter isolated from water and wild birds

Introduction

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of Campylobacter isolated from wild birds (Black-headed gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus and Great tits Parus major) and collect surface water samples (from rivers, ponds, ornamental lakes, freshwater beaches). Research material included 33 Campylobacter isolates. All the strains were isolated by different monitoring and surveillance plans.

Methods

The prevalence of selected genes (flaA, cadF, iam, cdtB, wlaN, sodB, tet0) encoding virulence factors and resistance among Campylobacter spp. was assessed by the PCR method. The genetic similarities of isolates were determined by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). The susceptibility of Campylobacter isolates to clinically important antimicrobials: erythromycin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin, previously assessed by E-test, was presented in the form of drug susceptibility profiles depending on the origin of the isolates.

Results

The cadF, flaA, cdtB, and sodB genes exhibited the highest detection rate. Statistically significant differences between the presence of wlaN virulence genes were noted among different species of the isolates. No genetically identical isolates were found. The most numerous antibiotic susceptibility profile included strains susceptible to all antibiotics studied (profile A-33.3%). The second most common were the tetracycline - and ciprofloxacin-resistant (profile B-27.2%), and tetracycline-resistant profile (C-24.2%) respectively.

Discussion

The study revealed the virulent properties of Campylobacter isolated from water samples, and wild birds, and high resistance rates to tetracycline, and fluoroquinolones. The lack of genetic relatedness among strains isolated from water, and birds may indicate other sources of surface water contamination with Campylobacter bacteria than birds. The presence of Campylobacter spp. in wild birds could also have other environmental origins.

Effect of Radiant Catalytic Ionization and Ozonation on Salmonella spp. on Eggshells

Three Salmonella enterica strains were used in the study (serovars: S. enteritidis, S. typhimurim and S. virchow). This study evaluated the efficacy of radiant catalytic ionization (RCI) and ozonation against Salmonella spp. on eggshell (expressed as log CFU/egg). The egg surface was contaminated three different bacterial suspension (10³ CFU/mL, 10⁵ CFU/mL and 10⁸ CFU/mL) with or without poultry manure. Experiments were conducted at 4 °C and 20 °C in three different time period: 30 min, 60 min and 120 min. Treatment with RCI reduced Salmonella numbers from 0.26 log CFU/egg in bacterial suspension 10⁸ CFU/mL, 4 °C and 20 °C, with manure for 30 min to level decrease in bacteria number below the detection limit (BDL) in bacterial suspension 10⁵ CFU/mL, 20 °C, with or without manure for 120 min. The populations of Salmonella spp. on eggs treated by ozonizer ranged from 0.20 log CFU/egg in bacteria suspension 10⁸ CFU/mL, 20 °C, with manure for 30 min to 2.73 log CFU/egg in bacterial suspension 10⁵ CFU/mL, 20 °C, with manure for 120 min. In all treatment conditions contamination with poultry manure decrease effectiveness the RCI and ozonation. In summary, RCI technology shows similar effectiveness to the ozonation, but it is safer for poultry plant workers and consumers.

Two Faces of Fermented Foods-The Benefits and Threats of Its Consumption

In underdeveloped and developing countries, due to poverty, fermentation is one of the most widely used preservation methods. It not only allows extending the shelf life of food, but also brings other benefits, including inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, improving the organoleptic properties and product digestibility, and can be a valuable source of functional microorganisms. Today, there is a great interest in functional strains, which, in addition to typical probiotic strains, can participate in the treatment of numerous diseases, disorders of the digestive system, but also mental diseases, or stimulate our immune system. Hence, fermented foods and beverages are not only a part of the traditional diet, e.g., in Africa but also play a role in the nutrition of people around the world. The fermentation process for some products occurs spontaneously, without the use of well-defined starter cultures, under poorly controlled or uncontrolled conditions. Therefore, while this affordable technology has many advantages, it can also pose a potential health risk. The use of poor-quality ingredients, inadequate hygiene conditions in the manufacturing processes, the lack of standards for safety and hygiene controls lead to the failure food safety systems implementation, especially in low- and middle-income countries or for small-scale products (at household level, in villages and scale cottage industries). This can result in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins in the food contributing to cases of illness or even outbreaks. Also, improper processing and storage, as by well as the conditions of sale affect the food safety. Foodborne diseases through the consumption of traditional fermented foods are not reported frequently, but this may be related, among other things, to a low percentage of people entering healthcare care or weaknesses in foodborne disease surveillance systems. In many parts of the world, especially in Africa and Asia, pathogens such as enterotoxigenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus have been detected in fermented foods. Therefore, this review, in addition to the positive aspects, presents the potential risk associated with the consumption of this type of products.

Assessment of time irreversibility in a time series using visibility graphs

In this paper, we studied the time-domain irreversibility of time series, which is a fundamental property of systems in a nonequilibrium state. We analyzed a subgroup of the databases provided by University of Rochester, namely from the THEW Project. Our data consists of LQTS (Long QT Syndrome) patients and healthy persons. LQTS may be associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), which is still a big clinical problem. ECG-based artificial intelligence methods can identify sudden cardiac death with a high accuracy. It follows that heart rate variability contains information about the possibility of SCD, which may be extracted, provided that appropriate methods are developed for this purpose. Our aim was to assess the complexity of both groups using visibility graph (VG) methods. Multivariate analysis of connection patterns of graphs built from time series was performed using multiplex visibility graph methods. For univariate time series, time irreversibility of the ECG interval QT of patients with LQTS was lower than for the healthy. However, we did not observe statistically significant difference in the comparison of RR intervals time series of the two groups studied. The connection patterns retrieved from multiplex VGs have more similarity with each other in the case of LQTS patients. This observation may be used to develop better methods for SCD risk stratification.

MVP Expression Facilitates Tumor Cell Proliferation and Migration Supporting the Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Cancer cells show significant dysregulation of genes expression, which may favor their survival in the tumor environment. In this study, the cellular vault's components MVP (major vault protein), TEP1 (telomerase-associated protein 1) and vPARP (vault poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase) were transiently or completely inhibited in U2OS cells (human bone osteosarcoma epithelial cells) to evaluate their impact on the cell proliferative and migratory capacity as well as on the development of their resistance to the drug vinorelbine. Comparative analysis of MVP protein expression level in normal colon tissue, primary colorectal tumor, and metastasis showed that the expression of this protein does not increase significantly in the primary tumor, but its expression increases in metastatic cells. Further comparative molecular analysis using the whole transcriptome microarrays for MVP-positive and MVP-negative cells showed that MVP is involved in regulating proliferation and migration of cancer cells. MVP may facilitate metastasis of colon cancer due to its impact on cell migration. Moreover, two vault proteins, MVP and TEP1, contribute the resistance to vinorelbine, while vPARP does not.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Campylobacter spp. in Urban and Rural Black-Headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus

We investigate the role of black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus), an omnivorous species that is among the most likely wild bird candidates for transmission of zoonotic agents, as a potential reservoir of Campylobacter spp. Colonies with different anthropogenic pressures were studied to examine differences in exposure to sources of Campylobacter between rural and urban birds. We recorded Campylobacter spp. in 4.87% of adult black-headed gulls and 2.22% of their chicks after analysing 1036 cloacal swabs collected over two breeding seasons in three colonies in northern Poland. Campylobacter jejuni was found most frequently (85.72%), and Campylobacter lari and Campylobacter coli were much scarcer. Prevalence of Campylobacter did not differ significantly between black-headed gulls breeding in urban (4.27%) and rural (3.80%) habitats. Almost all isolates from chicks and adults were susceptible to azithromycin (97.62%) and erythromycin (95.24%), but fewer to tetracycline (50.00%) and ciprofloxacin (47.62%). Campylobacter prevalence was unrelated to the date of sampling. Our study indicates that black-headed gulls are carriers of resistant to antibiotics Campylobacter and they can contaminate natural waterbodies with their faeces, which poses a threat to human and farm animal health.

Campylobacter in wintering great tits Parus major in Poland

Domestic and wild mammals, domestic birds and particularly wild birds are considered to be reservoirs of many species of Enterobacteriaceae, and also important human enteric pathogens, e.g., the bacteria of the genus Campylobacter that occur in their digestive tracts. These species may be vectors of antimicrobial resistance dissemination in the environment, because they may have contact with an environment contaminated with antibiotics. Bird feeders have been suggested as potential dispersal centres between wild wintering birds whose feeding is supported by humans. Therefore, we checked for the presence of Campylobacter bacteria among great tits Parus major, the most common bird species on bird feeders in Poland. Samples (n = 787 cloacal swabs) were collected in urban and rural areas of Poland. Bacterial species were identified using multiplex PCR, and 23 (2.9%) positive tests for Campylobacter spp. were found; in ten samples, C. jejuni was detected. The odds ratio of Campylobacter infection in rural birds was over 2.5 times higher than urban birds. Ten samples with C. jejuni were tested for antibiotic resistance, and all were sensitive to azithromycin, erythromycin and gentamycin, while six isolates were resistant to tetracycline, and five were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Four Campylobacter isolates were resistant to both these antibiotics.

Prevalence, Virulence, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter spp. in Raw Milk, Beef, and Pork Meat in Northern Poland

The purpose of this study was to determine whether raw milk, unpasteurized dairy products, pork, and beef available for sale in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Wielkopolska regions in Poland are contaminated with Campylobacter spp. bacteria and may be a potential source of infection. For isolated strains, antibiotic susceptibility and the presence of genes responsible for virulence were examined. Material for research included 1058 food samples collected between 2014 and 2018 with 454 samples of raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products (milk from vending machines, milk from owners of dairy cows, cheese, milk cream) and 604 samples of raw meat (pork, beef). The results indicated that 9.3% of the samples were positive for Campylobacter spp., and Campylobacter jejuni was predominant in this study. Campylobacter bacteria was not found in milk collected from vending machines, as well as cheese and milk cream samples. Campylobacter was noted in 12.7% of beef samples, 11.8% of raw milk purchased from individual suppliers, and 10.9% of pork samples. Resistance to erythromycin (2.0%), azithromycin (3.1%), gentamicin (4.1%), tetracycline (65.3%), and ciprofloxacin (71.4%) was determined using the disc diffusion method. Furthermore, the prevalence of racR, sodB, csrA, virB11, cdtB, iam, and wlaN genes were examined using the PCR method. The sodB, csrA, and cdtB genes exhibited the highest detection rate, but none of the genes were identified in 100% of the isolates. Statistically significant differences between the presence of virulence marker genes, including for iam, racR, and csrA markers, were noted among different sources of the isolates. Differences in the distribution of iam, wlaN, and virB11 were also shown between C. jejuni and C. coli strains. As a result of the analysis, it has been concluded that unpasteurized milk, beef, and pork could be a sources of Campylobacter pathogens. Moreover, this study revealed virulent properties of Campylobacter isolated from such food products and high resistance rates to fluoroquinolones, which may represent difficulties in campylobacteriosis treatment.

Differential expression of mucin 1 and mucin 2 in colorectal cancer

AIM

To determine tissue expression (mRNA, protein) of two types of mucins [mucin 1 (MUC1) and mucin 2 (MUC2)] in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

Expression of membrane-bound mucin (MUC1) and secretory mucin (MUC2) in CRC (mRNA, protein) were analyzed in tissue material including fragments of tumors obtained from CRC patients (n = 34), and fragments of normal colorectal tissue from the same patients (control). The analysis was conducted using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) (transcripts), immunohistochemistry (IHC) (apomucins), and the modern approach for morphometric analysis of IHC reaction (HSV filter software). Results on tissue expression of both mucins (mRNA, protein) were compared to histological alterations in colorectal cancer samples and correlated with selected clinical data in the patients. The statistical analysis was conducted using Statistica PL v. 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Significantly higher expression of the MUC1 mRNA in the CRC, compared with the control and the borderline correlation of mRNA expression with MUC1 protein levels in colorectal samples was observed. The expression of apomucins concerned cell membranes (MUC1) and cytoplasm (MUC2) and occurred both in control tissues and in most cancerous samples. There were no significant relationships between MUC1 (mRNA, protein) and the clinicopathological data of patients. MUC2 protein expression was significantly lower as compared to the control, while MUC2 mRNA expression was comparable in both groups. The MUC1/MUC2 ratio was significantly higher in CRC tissues than in the control. The higher expression of MUC2 was a feature of mucinous CRC subtypes, and characterized higher histological stage of tumors. Negative correlations have been obtained between MUC2 and the Ki-67 antigen, as well as between MUC2 and p53 protein expressions in CRC.

CONCLUSION

A combination of tissue overexpression of MUC1, reduced MUC2 expression, and high ratio of MUC1/MUC2 is a factor of poor prognosis in CRC patients. MUC2 tissue expression allows to differentiate mucinous and nonmucinous CRC subtypes.

The Role of Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) Expression in Paclitaxel and Topotecan Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

The major cause of ovarian cancer treatment failure in cancer patients is inherent or acquired during treatment drug resistance of cancer. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a secreted, non-collagenous extracellular matrix protein involved in inhibition of tissue calcification. Recently, MGP expression was related to cellular differentiation and tumor progression. A detailed MGP expression analysis in sensitive (A2780) and resistant to paclitaxel (PAC) (A2780PR) and topotecan (TOP) (A2780TR) ovarian cancer cell lines and their corresponding media was performed. MGP mRNA level (real time PCR analysis) and protein expression in cell lysates and cell culture medium (Western blot analysis) and protein expression in cancer cells (immunofluorescence analysis) and cancer patient lesions (immunohistochemistry) were determined in this study. We observed increased expression of MGP in PAC and TOP resistant cell lines at both mRNA and protein level. MGP protein was also detected in the corresponding culture media. Finally, we detected expression of MGP protein in ovarian cancer lesions from different histological type of cancer. MGP is an important factor that might contribute to cancer resistance mechanism by augmenting the interaction of cells with ECM components leading to increased resistance of ovarian cancer cells to paclitaxel and topotecan. Expression found in ovarian cancer tissue suggests its possible role in ovarian cancer pathogenesis.

[The rehabilitation of a child with a sotos syndrome. case report]

OBJECTIVE

Introduction: Sotos syndrome is a rare genetic disease characterized by various physical and mental development disorders. The article proposes and discusses the developmental changes of a child with cerebral gigantism after 8 months improvement according to the proposed scheme.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Material and methods: A six-months-old girl with Sotos syndrome was referred for rehabilitation due to a delay in development. After the neurokinesiological examination, the physiotherapy with use of the Vojta method was started, which after 5 months was supplemented with cranio-sacral and speech therapy. The effects of treatment were evaluated after 5 and 8 months using the Vojty method and 2 developmental profiles according to the Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics.

RESULTS

Results: At the beginning of the therapy, in the neurokinesiological examination was found: 6 abnormal postural positions with asymmetry, spontaneous motor activity at the level below 3 months of age, abnormal primitive reflexes. After 8 months of therapy, 4 abnormal postural positions without asymmetry, spontaneous motor activity at the level of 7.5 months of age, primitive reflexes appropriate to age were found in a neurokinesiological examination. In addition, the child's development was rated the highest in terms of social functions - at 10 months of age, while the age of perception, sitting, crawling, walking and speech function respectively on: 8,7,6,5 and 4 months of age.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The proposed improvement procedure has contributed to the improvement of the quality of motor patterns and cognitive activation of the child.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from children and environmental sources in urban and suburban areas

BACKGROUND

Campylobacteriosis is a dominant bacterial cause of foodborne infection and is considered the main public health problem in Europe and many other countries worldwide. In the study lasting from 2011 to 2013 we compared the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from children, domestic animals, poultry meat and surface water in Northern Poland.

RESULTS

During a 3-years study 1973 samples were analysed. The results proved the presence of Campylobacter spp. in 306 (15.5%) samples. The percentage of Campylobacter-positive samples differed among the sample types, from 0% (freshwater beaches) to 38.6% (poultry meat in 2011). Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in children isolates was 9.6%. It decreased from 13.2% in 2011 to 8.0% in 2013. It should be highlighted with a particular concern that Campylobacter jejuni was detected in 20.0% of fountains. All children and poultry meat isolates were susceptible to azithromycin. Two C. coli (3.7%) and four C. jejuni (3.3%) isolated from poultry meat were resistant to erythromycin. The highest percentage of C. jejuni isolates with resistance to ciprofloxacin were found in samples from 80% dogs and 85% ponds. Among isolates resistant to two antimicrobials 74.7% C. jejuni and 59.2% C. coli isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin as well as to tetracycline. Only one cat C. coli isolate was resistant to both azithromycin and erythromycin. One C. jejuni isolate from a fountain was resistant to four antimicrobial agents (erythromycin, azithromycin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin).

CONCLUSIONS

The study proved that surface water, poultry meat and pets constituted potential sources of Campylobacter to children. Fountains can be a direct source of children campylobacteriosis but can also pollute other environments with multidrug-resistant Campylobacter. The high resistance to some antimicrobials among the isolates may lead to increasing numbers of difficult-to-treat campylobacteriosis cases among children.

On the risk of aortic valve replacement surgery assessed by heart rate variability parameters

In recent years the number of arterial stenosis (AS) patients has grown rapidly and valvular disease is expected to be the next great epidemic. We studied a group of 385 arterial valve replacement (AVR) surgery patients, of whom 16 had died in the postoperational period (up to 30 d after the operation). Each patient had a heart rate variability (HRV) recording made prior to the operation in addition to a full set of medical diagnostics including echocardiography. We formed 16 age, sex, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and BMI adjusted control pairs for each person who died in the perioperative period. Our aim was to find indications of the risk from AVR surgery based on the medical data and HRV properties. Besides standard, linear HRV methods, we used indexes of time irreversibility introduced by Guzik (G%), Porta (P%), Ehlers (index E) and Hou (index D). In addition, we analyzed the multiscale multifractal properties of HRV calculating the Hurst surface. The nonlinear analysis methods show statistically significant indications of the risk of AVR surgery in an increase of multifractality and an increase of time irreversibility of the HRV measured prior to the operation.

Prevalence, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in white stork Ciconia ciconia in Poland

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of white stork Ciconia ciconia as a potential reservoir of Campylobacter spp. Antimicrobial resistance and the presence of putative virulence genes of the isolates were also examined. A total of 398 white stork chicks sampled in Western Poland in habitats with high density of breeding were examined. Rectal swabs were collected during breeding season 2009-2012 from storks developing in a relatively pure environment (Odra meadows), in polluted areas (a copper mining-smelting complex), and in suburbs. Of the anal swabs collected, 7.6% were positive for Campylobacter among chicks (5.3% samples positive for C. jejuni and 2.3% samples positive for C. coli). Samples from polluted areas had the highest prevalence of Campylobacter (12.2%). The prevalence of resistance among C. jejuni and C. coli isolates from young storks was as follows: to ciprofloxacin (52.4%, 44.4%), and to tetracycline (19%, 77.8%). All of the analyzed isolates were susceptible to macrolides. The resistance to both classes of antibiotics was found in the 23.3% of Campylobacter spp. All Campylobacter spp. isolates had cadF gene and flaA gene responsible for adherence and motility. CdtB gene associated with toxin production was present in 88.9% of C. coli isolates and 57.1% of C. jejuni isolates. The iam marker was found more often in C. coli strains (55.6%) compared to C. jejuni isolates (42.9%). Our results confirm the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in the white stork in natural conditions and, because it lives in open farmlands with access to marshy wetlands, the environmental sources such as water reservoirs and soil-water can be contaminated from white stork feces and the pathogens can be widely disseminated. We can thus conclude that Campylobacter spp. may easily be transmitted to waterfowl, other birds, and humans via its environmental sources and/or by immediate contact.

Expression profiles of vault components MVP, TEP1 and vPARP and their correlation to other multidrug resistance proteins in ovarian cancer

Vaults are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein particles composed of three proteins (MVP, TEP1, vPARP) and vault‑associated RNAs (vRNAs). Although the cellular functions of vaults remain unclear, vaults are strongly linked to the development of multidrug resistance (MDR), the major obstacle to the efficient treatment of cancers. Available published data suggest that vaults and their components are frequently upregulated in broad variety of multidrug-resistant cancer cell lines and tumors of different histological origin. Here, we provide detailed analysis of vault protein expression in post-surgery ovarian cancer samples from patients that were not exposed to chemotherapy. Our analysis suggests that vault proteins are expressed in the ovaries of healthy individuals but their expression in cancer patients is changed. Specifically, MVP, TEP1 and vPARP mRNA levels are significantly decreased in cancer samples with tendency of lower expression in higher-grade tumors. The pattern of vault protein mRNA expression is strongly correlated with the expression of other MDR-associated proteins such as MDR1, MRP1 and BCRP. Surprisingly, the protein levels of MVP, TEP1 and vPARP are actually increased in the higher‑grade tumors suggesting existence of post-transcriptional regulation of vault component production.

Results of liver transplantation in the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C viruses infection

INTRODUCTION

Cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most frequent indication for liver transplantation worldwide. Progress in prophylaxis of posttransplant HBV recurrence has led to major improvements in long-term outcomes of patients after liver transplantation. Conversely, impaired posttransplant survival of patients with HCV infection was reported in several studies, mainly due to recurrence of viral infection. The purpose of this study was to compare long-term results of liver transplantation between patients with HBV monoinfection, HCV monoinfection and HBV/HCV coinfection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 1090 liver transplantations were performed in the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery in cooperation with the Department of Immunology, Internal Medicine, and Transplantology at the Transplantation Institute Medical University of Warsaw between December 1994 and May 2012. After exclusion of patients with cirrhosis of non-viral etiology, patients with malignant tumors, and patients with acute liver failure, the final study cohort comprised 209 patients with HBV (HBV+/HCV- subgroup; n = 56) or HCV (HBV-/HCV+ subgroup; n = 119) monoinfection or HBV/HCV coinfection (HBV+/HCV+; n = 34). These subgroups of patients were compared in terms of long-term results of transplantations, defined by 5-year patient and 5-year graft survival estimates.

RESULTS

Overall and graft survival rates after 5-years for the whole study cohort were 74.5% and 72.6%, respectively. Five-year overall survival was 70.4% for patients within the HBV+/HCV- subgroup, 77.8% for patients within the HBV-/HCV+ subgroup, and 68.5% for patients within the HBV+/HCV+ subgroup. The corresponding rates of graft survival were 67.0%, 76.3%, and 68.5% for patients within the HBV+/HCV-, HBV-/ HCV+, and HBV+/HCV+ subgroups, respectively. Observed differences were non-significant, both in terms of overall (p = 0.472) and graft (p = 0.461) survival rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Both overall and graft survival rates after liver transplantations performed in the Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery in cooperation with the Department of Immunology, Internal Medicine, and Transplantology at the Transplantation Institute Medical University of Warsaw in patients with HBV and HCV infection are comparable to those reported by other European and American centers. In contrast to other studies, obtained results do not confirm the negative impact of HCV infection on long-term outcomes of patients.

Microarray-based detection and expression analysis of ABC and SLC transporters in drug-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines

Multiple drug resistance of cancer cells is multifactorial. A microarray technique may provide information about new candidate genes playing a role in drug resistance. Drug membrane transporters from ABC and SLC families play a main role in this phenomenon. This study demonstrates alterations in ABC and SLC gene expression levels in methotrexate, cisplatin, doxorubicin, vincristine, topotecan and paclitaxel-resistant variant of W1 ovarian cancer cell line. Resistant W1 cell lines were derived by stepwise selection of cells in increasing concentration of drugs. Affymetrix GeneChip(®) Human Genome U219 Array Strip was used for hybridizations. Statistical significance was determined by independent sample t-test. The genes having altered expression levels in drug-resistant sublines were selected and filtered by scater plot. Genes up/downregulated more than threefolds were selected and listed. Among ABC genes, seven were upregulated and three were downregulated. Three genes: ABCB1, ABCB4 and ABCG2 were upregulated very significantly (over tenfold). One ABCA8 was significantly downregulated. Among 38 SLC genes, 18 were upregulated, 16 were downregulated and four were up- or downregulated dependent on the cell line. Expression of 10 SLC genes was changed very significantly (over tenfold). Four genes were significantly increased: SLC6A1, SLC9A2, SLC12A1, SLC16A6 and six genes were significantly decreased: SLC2A14, SLC7A3, SLC7A8, SLC7A11, SLC16A14, SLC38A9. Based on the expression profiles, our results provide a preliminary insight into the relationship between drug resistance and expression of membrane transporters involved in drug resistance. Correlation of specific drug transporter with drug resistance requires further analysis.

Differential expression of IGF-1 mRNA isoforms in colorectal carcinoma and normal colon tissue

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 gene consists of 6 exons resulting in the expression of 6 variant forms of mRNA (IA, IB, IC, IIA, IIB and IIC) due to an alternative splicing. The mechanisms of IGF-1 gene splicing and the role of local expression manifested by IGF-1 mRNA variants in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have not been extensively investigated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyse the expression of IGF-1 mRNA isoforms [A, B, C, P1 (class I) and P2 (class II)], as well as the protein expression in CRC and control samples isolated from 28 patients. The expression of Ki-67 was also analysed and clinical data were obtained. For this purpose, we used quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunocytochemistry. The expression of mRNAs coding for all splicing isoforms of IGF-1 was observed in every tissue sample studied, with a significantly lower expression noted in the CRC as compared to the control samples. The cytoplasmic expression of IGF-1 protein was found in 50% of the CRC and in ~40% of the non-tumor tissues; however, no significant quantitative inter-group differences were observed. The expression of the IGF-1 gene in the 2 groups of tissues was controlled by the P1 and P2 promoters in a similar manner. No significant differences were detected in the expression of the IGF-1 A and B isoforms; however, their expression was significantly higher compared to that of isoform C. No significant differences were observed between the expression of Ki-67 mRNA in the CRC and control tissue even though the expression of the Ki-67 protein was higher in the CRC compared to the control samples. Ki-67 protein expression was associated with the macroscopic and microscopic aspects of CRC. A significant positive correlation was found between the local production of total mRNA and isoform A and the expression of Ki-67 mRNA, although only in the non-tumor tissues. In CRC samples, the local expression of the total IGF-1 mRNA and all splicing isoforms of IGF-1 mRNA decreased as compared to the normal colon tissues, although however, with conservation of both gene promoter activities and with the continued principal splicing IGF-1 mRNA isoforms.

[Iatrogenic left lateral thoracic artery injury during pacemaker implantation successfully treated with stentgraft implantation]

Left lateral thoracic artery iatrogenic injury is a rare complication during pacemaker implantation procedure. We present a case, where this complication occurred and was followed with massive tissue and pleural haemorrhage. The injury was successfully sealed with stentgraft device without any complications.

[Radiological imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant hepatic neoplasm. 80% of HCC's occur in cirrhotic liver. This article describes symptomatology of this neoplasm and its special, rare form - fibrolamellar carcinoma. The authors present current knowledge on liver imaging - especially ultrasound, computed tomography, and MRI, radiological findings, limitations of imaging the cirrhotic liver and usefulness of these procedures in diagnosis of HCC.

L-nucleosides containing modified nucleobases

The synthesis of base modified L-nucleosides is described with pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines, pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines, benzimidazoles, and imidazo[1,2-a]-s-triazines as nucleobases. The conformation of the nucleosides is studied and the antiviral activity is evaluated.

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of 2-substituted halogenobenzimidazoles

A series of substituted 2-polyfluoroalkyl and 2-nitrobenzylsulphanyl benzimidazoles was synthesized. The compounds were evaluated for their activity against four Mycobacterium strains; the activities were expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The substances tested showed appreciable antimycobacterial activity, particularly 5,6-dichloro-2-nonafluorobutylbenzimidazole (2h), and 5-halogeno- (5a-c) and 4,6-dihalogeno- (5d and 5g) 2-(3,5-dinitrobenzylsulphanyl)benzimidazoles, whose MIC values for Mycobacterium kansasii and Mycobacterium avium exceeded that of isoniazide that was used as a reference compound. Relationships between structure and biological activity of the tested benzimidazole derivatives are discussed.

Vascular complications after liver transplantation

Vascular complications following liver transplantation is reviewed based upon literature data and our own results. Our study conclusions are mostly based on literature data, because our center does not have the liver transplantation experience of other centers worldwide. Thus, we may conclude, that the number and character of complications does not differ from those reported by other centers. The enbloc technique used in liver harvesting minimizes the risk of arterial damage in case of vascular anomalies. Recipient retransplantation is the most effective treatment method in cases of hepatic arterial occlusion. Doppler ultrasound examinations are effective to monitor vascular blood flow in the transplanted liver.

The impact of experience of a transplantation center on the outcomes of orthotopic liver transplantation

The so-called learning factor has been disregarded for many years in analyzing the causes of surgical complications and post-operative mortality; it is also the case for OLT. In our center until April 2003, 209 OLT were performed in 196 patients. We evaluated the impact of experience of the transplantation team on the outcomes of liver transplantation. Thirty-four patients died (mortality rate, 16%) and 1-year survival rate, 64%. Mortality rates varied during different periods of observation due to increasing experience of the transplantation team. The causes of mortality were assessed for a series of 34 patients: it was 75% at the beginning of transplantation procedures while recent deaths have not recently exceeded 10% of cases.

Alkaline hydrolysis of cladribine

The kinetics of hydrolysis of 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (cladribine) was studied at various sodium hydroxide concentrations and temperatures. HPLC analysis of reaction mixtures showed that the main products were 2'-deoxyisoguanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine. The first one was the result of the hydroxyl anion attack, whereas the presence of the other nucleoside has evidenced the existence of hitherto undescribed rearrangement reaction in purine derivatives.

[Poisonings by selected drugs: analysis of 1995-1999 data files of the Clinic of Acute Poisonings Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź]

Over the period of 1995-1999 a total number of 439 cases were admitted to the Clinic of Acute Poisonings, Łódź, Poland, due to poisoning with opiates, opioids, amphetamine, cannabis products, LSD and cocaine. Most of the patients were males, the male to female ratio was 1:1.5 (266 to 173). The distribution by age indicated the persons aged 21-30 yr as the highest risk group, then those aged 14-21 yr. Over the period under study the structure of poisonings changed significantly. Since 1997 the number of poisonings with amphetamine and cannabis products increased dramatically, while that of opiate poisonings declined. Approximately 84% of cases were found to be addicted to a combination of drugs and psychotropic agents, mostly benzodiazepine and ethyl alcohol. Drug addiction was reported by over 80% patients with opiate poisoning, 44.8% with tetrahydrocannabinole poisoning and only 9.5% with amphetamine poisoning. The efficacy of treatment in cases of drug addiction is very low. Repeated treatment was reported by almost 100% of patients who had attempted to quit drug abuse. Among opiate poisoning cases, only 8 out of 45 patients did not question the effectiveness of the withdrawal treatment.

Imaging techniques in patients with biliary obstruction

The most frequent causes of cholestasis include choledocholithiasis and neoplasms (pancreatic head carcinoma, ampullary carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma). The authors discussed imaging modalities currently applied in the diagnostics of patients with suspected obstruction biliary tract obstruction. Special attention was paid to the efficacy of these techniques in detecting the obstruction and determining its level and nature. In general, US or CT are first performed in patients with cholestasis. The use of percutaneous cholangiography and retrograde cholangiopancreatography is often limited to therapeutic interventions. Magnetic resonance offers images similar to both conventional cholangiography and computed tomography. This technique offers complex evaluation of bile ducts and other abdominal organs.