Determinants of Psychosocial Resilience Resources in Obese Pregnant Women with Threatened Preterm Labor-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of such psychosocial resilience resources as self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and health locus of control in pregnant women with obesity with threatened premature labor. Methods: The study was performed in the years 2017-2020 in a group of 328 pregnant women hospitalized due to threatened preterm labor and diagnosed with obesity before the pregnancy. The following instruments were applied: the Life Orientation Test, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results: Obese pregnant women with threatened premature labor have a moderate level of generalized self-efficacy (28.02) and a moderate level of dispositional optimism (16.20). Out of the three health locus of control dimensions, the highest scores were recorded in the "internal control" subscale (26.08). Statistically significant predictors for the self-efficacy variable model included: satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.156; p = 0.004), being nulliparous (ß = -0.191; p = 0.002), and the absence of comorbidities (ß = -0.145; p = 0.008). Higher levels of dispositional optimism were found in women who were married (ß = 0.381; p = 0.000), reported a satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.137; p = 0.005), were between 23 and 27 weeks pregnant (ß = -0.231; p = 0.000), and had no comorbidities (ß = -0.129; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Generalized self-efficacy in obese women with threatened preterm labor is associated with satisfactory socio-economic standing, being nulliparous, and the absence of chronic disease. Dispositional optimism in obese pregnant women with threatened preterm labor is determined by their marital status, socio-economic standing, gestational age, and the absence of comorbidities.

Physicochemical and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of inclusion complex between gemcitabine and cucurbit[7]uril host.

Gemcitabine, a cytostatic drug from the pyrimidine antimetabolite group, exhibits limited storage stability and numerous side effects during therapy. One of the strategies to improve the effectiveness of therapy with such drugs is the use of supramolecular nano-containers, including dendrimers and macrocyclic compounds. The ability of gemcitabine to attach a proton in an aqueous environment necessitates the search for a carrier that is well-tolerated by an organism and capable of supramolecular binding of a ligand (drug) in a cationic form. In the current study a promising strategy was tested for using cucurbituril Q7 to bind gemcitabine cations for its efficient intracellular delivery on three selected cancer cell lines (MOLT4, THP-1 and U937). Based on physicochemical studies (equilibrium dialysis, UV and 1H NMR titrations, DOSY 1H NMR measurements, DSC calorimetry) and cytotoxicity tests on cells with a free and blocked hENT1 transporter, the conclusion was drawn about the binding and penetration of the cucurbituril-drug complex into cancer cells.

The N34S mutation of the SPINK1 gene and alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION:  Recent studies have shown the key role of genetic factors in the development of chronic pancreatitis. OBJECTIVES:  The aim of the study was to establish whether the frequency of the N34S mutation of serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene differs between patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, patients with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis, alcoholics without any digestive organ damage, and controls. We also sought to investigate whether the frequency of this mutation differs between women and men, and whether the mutation is associated with the age of patients at first diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS:  The study included 207 patients: 67 with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, 35 with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis, 43 alcoholics with no damage to digestive organs, and 62 healthy volunteers who served as controls. The N34S mutation of the SPINK1 gene was detected with the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS:  The N34S mutation of the SPINK1 gene occurred in 15 of 207 patients (7.25%). The mutation was most frequent in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (10 patients, 16.39%) and was more frequent compared with the control group (2 patients, 3.23%) (P = 0.047). There were no statistically significant differences between the other groups: patients with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis (2 patients, 5.71%), alcoholics without digestive organ damage (1 patient, 2.33%), and controls. The mutation was more frequent in men than in women (P = 0.043). There were no differences between patients with and without the mutation in terms of the age at first diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS:  The N34S mutation of the SPINK1 gene seems to be significantly correlated with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.

[Molecular and cytogenetic prognostic factors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)]. / Molekularne i cytogenetyczne czynniki prognostyczne w ostrej bialaczce szpikowej (OBS).

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) constitutes a group of diseases that are very heterogeneous with regard to clinical course, response to therapy as well as cytogenetic aberrations and gene mutations. Such lesions are of prognostic value. Patients with t(8;21), inv(16)/t(16;16) or t(15;17) have a favorable prognosis. Patients with normal karyotype and aberrations +6, +8 ­Y, t(9;11) and del(12p) are classified in the group of intermediate prognosis. In the case of patients with complex karyotype or with the aberrations inv(3)/t(3;3), t(6;9), ­5, ­7, del(5q), del(7q) and 11q23 rearrangements, the prognosis is poor. Unfavorable molecular factors include C-MYC amplification, MLL amplification and rearrangement, FLT3-ITD, WT1 mutation and overexpression of BAALC, ERG or MN1. The changes in miRNA expression may also be important for AML prognosis. That is why the cases with normal karyotype (CN-AML) and cases with complex aberrations remain to be better characterized at the genetic level. Array technology enables the analysis of genomic DNA and gene expression. This approach may be used in the search for new prognostic and predictive markers in AML.

Usefulness of 1H MR spectroscopy in the evaluation of myocardial metabolism in patients with dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy: pilot study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Primary dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of unknown etiology, and it leads to severe heart failure. Abnormalities of the cardiac metabolism can play an important role in prognosis and influence the symptomatology in this group. The aim of this study was to assess cardiac metabolism using proton spectroscopy magnetic resonance (1H MRS) and to examine whether there is any correlation between cardiac metabolites and functional New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and left ventricular function parameters obtained in echocardiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with documented idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and 12 healthy volunteers were examined. The study protocol included clinical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram, two-dimensional echocardiogram, and 1H MRS with voxel localized at interventricular septum area. The contents of total creatine (CR) ie, creatine + phosphocreatine, lipids (LIP), lactates (LAC) and their ratios (CR1A, CR2A, CR1/H20, CR2/H20, CR2/CR1, LIPA, LIP/H20, LIP/CR1, LACA, LAC/H20, LAC/CR1) were examined. RESULTS: Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy had significantly lower levels of creatine CRIA (5.04 +/- 0.88 vs 5.94 +/- 1.15, P < .02) and ratios LIP/H20 (4.34 +/- 2.3 vs 15.46 +/- 20.39, P < .04) and LIP/CR1 (24.49 +/- 21.26 vs 34.08 +/- 13.36, P < .05) compared with healthy volunteers. Significant correlations between NYHA functional class and the ratios CR2/CR1, CR2/H20 (r = 0.59, P < .038, r = 0.59, P < .02, respectively) and between %LVEF and LIP/CR1 (r = 0.64, P < .036), as well as between the duration of the disease (TCH) and LIP/CR1 (r = 0.67, P < .046) were found. CONCLUSION: A pilot study with proton spectroscopy magnetic resonance showed impairment of the cardiac metabolism in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. A trend to lower values of creatine and lipids, and to lower ratios of some of these metabolites was observed in the dilated cardiomyopathy group compared with healthy subjects. The results require further study.

[Use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in cardiology. State of the art]. / Zastosowanie spektroskopii rezonansu magnetycznego w kardiologii. State of the art.

Magnetic resonance imaging of tissues and organs, specifically the use of magnetic resonance specroscopy (MRS) for examination of metabolism in vivo, is a relatively new modality with a very dynamic development and a promising future. In the past few years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used more widely in cardiology. A certain stereotype has been broken that this modality is dedicated strictly for neuroradiology. The technological advances in MRI include introduction of new systems with short acquisition times and software for imaging of the heart and large vessels (cardiac package). Potent and fast gradients in new MR systems make it possible to use cardiac MRS in clinical practice. The introduction of in vitro spectroscopy is an important step in the identification of the metabolic components of the myocardium, just as the in vivo spectroscopy was important in neuroradiology. This method has been used over many years for basic science, and only now is it being used widely in clinical practice. In the examination of heart metabolism two types of MRS are frequently used: phosphate (31PMRS) and proton (1HMRS). The phosphate spectroscopy examines the composition and metabolism of high energy compounds, intracellular pH and indirectly provides information about glucose metabolism. Proton spectro-scopy determines lipid (Lip), lactate (Lac) and high-energy compounds--creatine (Cr) levels. Heart MRS examinations are performed in many clinical centers around the world. In this review about MRS, the authors will attempt to present the opportunities for practical application of this method in cardiology based on the experience of renowned medical centers and first experience of the authors themselves.