Topical matrix-based siRNA silences local gene expression in a murine wound model.

The ability to affect gene expression via topical therapy has profound therapeutic implications for conditions characterized by open wounds including cutaneous neoplasms, thermal injury, skin disorders and dysfunctional wound healing. Specifically targeting local gene expression avoids systemic toxicity and simplifies treatment. We have developed a new method of topical matrix-based short interfering RNA application to precisely and effectively silence local gene expression in nondelimited wounds.

The assessment of the umbilical blood flow of the surviving twin after the intrauterine death of the other twin.

This paper summarizes our experience with Doppler velocimetry in survivors of intrauterine co-twin demise. In the first trimester, ten dichorionic deaths occurred; none of the survivors developed flow disorders. During the second trimester, there were three intrauterine demises, two of them were monochorionic and the survivors developed flow disorders: one presented transitory venous flow aberration, the other one an impaired development of diastolic flow. In the third trimester, two intrauterine deaths occurred. One case of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was complicated by the donor's death and the recipient showed a loss of diastolic flow. The second one happened during a dichorionic twin pregnancy. The survivor presented high systolic/diastolic daily ratio (S/D = 7.8).

[Effect of blood flow velocity on umbilical vessels in twin pregnancy]. / Ocena przeplywu krwi w naczyniach pepowinowych w ciazy blizniaczej.

The authors did analyzed Doppler indices in 26 twin pregnancies recognized by ultrasound in the first trimester, 20% of them resulted in singleton birth. There were disturbances of arterial and venous flow in cases of fetal demise occurring in the second and third trimester.

[Asymmetry phenomenon of the placenta. The role of Doppler examination]. / Zjawisko asymetrii lozyska. Rola badania Dopplerowskiego.

Authors characterized the Doppler indices asymmetry phenomenon on two exemplary cases. This phenomenon is due to placenta asymmetry. The impact on methodology of the Doppler examination is pinpointed.

Sad fetus syndrome--gestational trophoblastic disease concurrent with a living fetus or fetuses.

The term gestational trophoblastic disease is used to indicate a group of both benign and malignant trophoblast, including molar degeneration of villi, hydatid mole, invasive mole and choriocarcinoma. This study shows a new classification of trophoblastic disease existing with a living fetus or fetuses. Benign hydatid mole is the initial stage of the disease continuum, whereas highly malignant choriocarcinoma is the final stage of this spectrum.

A comparison of VVIR and DDDR pacing following cardiac transplantation.

UNLABELLED: We compared the clinical course of patients paced in VVIR versus DDDR mode to determine the most appropriate method of pacing following cardiac transplantation. Pacemaker implantation was required in 9 of 90 orthotopic cardiac transplants (10%). Indications included sinus bradycardia or sinus arrest (8 patients) and AV node dysfunction (1 patient). VVIR pacemakers were implanted in four patients and DDDR in five patients. DDDR patients: The mean P wave was 1.7 mV and the mean atrial stimulation threshold was 0.8 V (at 0.5 msec). During follow-up of 20 months, two atrial lead complications developed (29% of leads in 33% of patients). No lead complications were directly related to endomyocardial biopsy. VVIR patients: All four patients developed VA conduction with mean VA time 180 msec (160-240 msec). Two patients developed pacemaker syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: VA conduction and pacemaker syndrome may develop in cardiac transplant recipients paced in the VVIR mode. Dual chamber pacing is technically feasible and preferable following cardiac transplantation.

[Evaluating the effect of smoking tobacco on some semen parameters in men of reproductive age]. / Ocena wplywu palenia tytoniu na niektóre parametry nasienia mezczyzn w wieku rozrodczym.

Seminal fluid indexes (sperm count, motility, pH, morphology) were examined in 40 smokers and 30 nonsmokers. The sperm count and motility were lower in smokers. Smokers have also higher incidence of oligospermia compared to nonsmokers. There was no difference between pH and sperm morphology in smokers and nonsmokers. Additionally, smokers have higher levels of endogenous 17 beta-estradiol and sperm count below normal in nonsmokers. These results suggest that inveterate smoking can diminish fertility in men.

[Examining the effects of tobacco smoking on levels of certain hormones in serum of young men]. / Badania nad wplywem palenia tytoniu na stezenie wybranych hormonów w surowicy krwi u mlodych mezczyzn.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone (T), 17 beta-estradiol (E), prolactin (PRL) and gonadotropins (FSH, LH) were examined in 30 smokers and 25 nonsmokers. The mean E level was higher in smokers than nonsmokers, whereas the levels of T and DHEA are similar and did not differ significantly in smokers compared to nonsmokers. Smokers have also lower mean levels of LH, FSH and PRL than nonsmokers. However, smokers with low prolactin levels have also low sperm percent motility, these results suggest that changes in endocrine profile due to cigarette smoking can reduce the fertility.

[HELLP syndrome]. / Zespól HELLP.

The course of preeclamptic/eclamptic patients may be complicated by HELLP syndrome, a syndrome of intravascular hemolysis (H), elevated liver enzymes (EL) and low platelets count (LP). These patients typically present at early third trimester with epigastric or right upper quadrant pain, nausea and vomiting. They may present without the clinical signs of preeclampsia. The most frequent maternal complication are intravascular coagulopathy and acute renal failure. The grave prognosis for mother and fetus warrants physician awareness in order to accomplish early diagnosis and proper management.

[Formation of an artificial vagina using Vecchietti's method]. / Wytwarzanie sztucznej pochwy metoda vecchiettiego.

In our report we present the use of the Vecchietti method in our modification to form an artificial vagina in women with Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome. Five surgical procedures were carried out and expected therapeutic result was obtained in the all cases. This method was estimated as very safe. No side effects were observed.

[Severe EPH gestosis complicated by development of complete HELLP syndrome]. / Ciezka gestoza EPH powiklana wystapieniem pelnoobjawowego zespolu HELLP.

This is the first in Poland report on fully developed HELLP syndrome complicating severe EPH gestosis. The diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome are discussed in the light of a literature survey.

Two-stage surgical treatment for male transsexuals.

A plan for complex treatment of male-to-female transsexuals is presented. On the basis of our experience in the management of 15 patients, two-stage surgical treatment aiming at the change of external genitals, as well as the obtained cosmetic and functional results are described.

Cytotoxic activity of graft-infiltrating lymphocytes correlates with cellular rejection in cardiac transplant patients.

Lymphocytes propagated from allografts have shown a wide spectrum of activity during rejection including cytotoxicity, proliferation, and lymphokine production. It is necessary to correlate these activities to the rejection process to understand the in vivo immune response. The frequent need to obtain a biopsy of human cardiac allografts permits the evaluation of the function of the graft-infiltrating lymphocytes (GIL) as related to development of the rejection process. Lymphocyte cultures established from biopsies taken before, during, and after rejection episodes of grade 1.0 or greater were assayed for surface antigen expression using flow cytometry, proliferative activity using a primed lymphocyte test (PLT), and cytotoxicity using a cell-mediated lympholysis assay. Fifteen rejection episodes were followed from 10 patients. Two patients were followed through two different rejection episodes and one patient through four rejection episodes. CD8+ cells usually predominated during the rejection episode. Following the rejection episodes the GIL showed a shift toward higher proportion of CD4+ cells. Most cultures taken prior to and during rejection episodes (8/9 and 12/13 assayed, respectively) demonstrated greater than 30% killing of targets bearing donor-related HLA antigens. Seven of 15 cultures remained cytotoxic after a rejection episode whereas 8 of 15 lost cytotoxicity. The patients whose cultures remained cytotoxic after a rejection episode went on to further rejection episodes at 6, 7, 11, 20, 37, or 118 days later. Those patients whose cultures were no longer cytotoxic did not experience any subsequent rejection episode until at least 257 days later.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effect of work performed by pregnant women on birth weight and fetal hypotrophy]. / Wplyw pracy wykonywanej przez kobiete ciezarna na mase urodzeniowa i hipotrofie plodu.

The studies have been aimed at evaluation of the effects of occupational and non-occupational work on foetal maturity and foetal intrauterine hypotrophy. The studies involved 17,134 women who gave birth to 17,324 newborns. The parturients have been divided into 5 groups: I--mental workers, II--physical workers, III--housewives, IV--farmers, V--peasant working also as labourers. The highest percentage of low birth weight newborns was found in peasant-labourers--16.96, housewives--12.42, and physical workers--11.77.