Glucocorticoids are crucial components of standard chemotherapy regimens used for the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, little is known on significance of the inherited ...genetic background for response to steroids in adult ALL. We hypothesized that functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes important for steroid pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may contribute to sensitivity or resistance to steroids. In this study we investigated whether analysis of common functional SNP in drug transporter P-glycoprotein gene (MDR1 or ABCB1), phase I cytochrome P450A metabolizing enzymes genes (CYP3A4 and CYP3A5) and glucocorticoid receptor gene NR3C1 can be useful to predict response to induction chemotherapy and survival of adult ALL patients. Sixty-two uniformly treated adult ALL patients were investigated for 6 common SNPs affecting steroid pathway including MDR1 exon 26 C3435T, CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A5*3, CYP3A5*6, NR3C1 bcl I and NR3C1 N363S polymorphisms. Genotypes were identified using direct sequencing or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. In the genotyped cohort 60% patients achieved complete remission after first induction chemotherapy. The analysis of the prognostic impact of the genotyped SNPs on treatment response showed that carriers of the glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1 gene 363S allele had a significantly greater probability of achievement of complete remission as compared to the non-carriers, odds ratio(OR)=1.23, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.02 −1.47, p=0.042). None of the analyzed polymorphic variants showed significant impact on probability of progression-free and overall survival of the included patients. In conclusion, we found that glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1 gene N363S polymorphism contributes to the response to steroids in patients with adult ALL. Inherited functional polymorphisms in pharmacokinetic pathways of anti-leukemic drugs should be considered as determinants of response potentially useful for individualization of chemotherapy of adult ALL of in the future.
Respiratory distress and the need for mechanical ventilation, have been the most common reasons for ITU hospitalization. Pulmonary pathology is sometimes difficult to diagnose and differentiate; ...therefore we are on a continuous search for diagnostic tools and markers. It has been suggested that in patients intubated for acute lung injury, lower concentrations of surfactant proteins A and D in bronchoalveolar fluid and higher concentrations in the plasma are associated with more severe lung injury and worse clinical outcomes. Surfactant protein D (SP-D) plays a crucial role in defense mechanisms and immunomodulation, binding with various pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. SP-D is a valuable marker in ARDS and other specific and non-specific pulmonary pathologies, and may find a place as a valuable marker of the severity of disease.
The MIC of nine different disinfectants and antiseptics were determined for the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Strains originated from clinical specimens, drugs and environment. A ...sensitivity was determined against chlorhexidinum digluconate (Gram-negative: 0,625-80 mg/L, Gram-positive: 0,3-10 mg/L), benzalconium chloride (Gram-negative: 2,5-1280 mg/L, Gram-positive: 1,25-20 mg/L), salicilic acid (Gram-negative and Gram-positive: 400-1600 mg/L), benzoic acid (Gram-negative: 800-1600 mg/L, Gram-positive: 400-1 600 mg/L), boric acid (Gram-negative: 800-12 800 mg/L, Gram-positive: 1 600-6400 mg/L), chloramine B (Gram-negative: 1600-6400 mg/L, Gram-positive:800- 6400 mg/L), jodine (Gram-negative: 200-1600 mg/L, Gram-positive: 200-1600 mg/L), etacridine lactate (Gram-negative: 40 do > 20480 mg/L, Gram-positive: 40-1280 mg/L) and resorcine (Gram-negative: 1600-6400 mg/L, Gram-positive: 800-6400 mg/L). Diversified values of MIC for different strains were obtained, especially in the case of benzalconium chloride, etacridine lactate, chlorhexidinum digluconate, boric acid and iodine. Strains isolated from environment were usually more susceptible to examined compounds than clinical strains. The biggest diversification of sensitivity was observed among strains originated from drugs where besides sensitive appeared strains characterizing by very high MIC values of some substances, eg. boric acid.
The aim of the study was to assess receptor CD11b and CD62L expression on neutrophils and IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 level in children with ulcerative colitis. Thirty children aged 8-17 years were ...included in the study. The investigations were performed in the acute phase, prior to the treatment and during remission, 2 months after clinical improvement was obtained. The control group consisted of 12 children with chronic obstipation. IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 serum level and receptor CD11b expression, especially on resting neutrophils, in children with severe and moderate course of the disease were statistically significantly higher; whereas CD62L expression was significantly lower in comparison with the controls and got back to normal during remission. Increased IL-1beta level was observed only in children with severe disease course. In children with mild process the results of the investigations were similar to the control group. In children with severe disease activity the proinflammatory cytokines levels in serum were elevated. The neutrophils in children with severe course of the disease manifested priming in peripheral blood before leaving the circulation.
The aim of this study was to develop the models based on the texture parameters of images of selected parts of pepper fruit for cultivar discrimination. This study was aimed to compare the usefulness ...of textures from cross‐sections (slices) and seeds of pepper for distinguishing the different cultivars using the discriminative classifiers. The textures from the cross‐sections and seeds were calculated based on images converted to individual color channels. The texture selections and discriminant analyzes were performed separately for color spaces RGB, Lab, XYZ and color channels R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, Z. In the case of pepper cross‐sections, the discriminant models built for color space RGB, color channel G, color space Lab, color channel L, color space XYZ and color channel Y provided the total accuracies reaching 100%. In the case of pepper seeds, the total accuracies reached 89% for models built based on textures selected from color space RGB, 90% for color space Lab and 82% for color space XYZ. Among the color channels from individual color spaces, the highest total accuracies were determined for color channel R (84%), color channel L (81%), and color channel X (83%).
Practical Applications
The developed discrimination models can be practically applied for the identification of pepper cultivars in a fast, objective and inexpensive way. Both, in the case of pepper cross‐sections and pepper seeds, the cultivar may be distinguished with a very high probability. In order to increase the range of use of the developed procedure, the research may be extended to other cultivars. It may allow to avoid adulteration of pepper fruit and seeds.
was the evaluation of dependencies occurring between constipation and observed nocturia, pressing tenesmus and daytime urinary incontinence.
the studies were conducted in 51 children aged between 3 ...and 17 years including 25 girls and 26 boys hospitalized in the Clinical Department because of nocturia, pressing tenesmus and daytime urinary incontinence. In all children a complex diagnostic work up of the urinary system and the lower segment of alimentary tract was performed. Results of the examinations were compared to the control group.
analysis of the results of the conducted examinations indicates that the overblown rectal ampulla, through the pressure exerted on the urinary bladder, seemingly decreases its volume causing the occurrence of pressing tenesmus, nocturia and daytime urinary incontinence. This process leads to the formation of detrusor hyperactivity syndrome characterized by: chronic constipation, increase of miction frequency and simultaneous decrease of volume of each portion of urine, nocturia and/or daytime urinary incontinence.
chronic constipation disturbs the functional-morphological equilibrium between the end segment of alimentary tract and the urinary bladder. By influencing the process of filling and accumulation of urine in the bladder they lead to the formation of detrusor hyperactivity syndrome.
