Effect of Ag modification on TiO2 and melem/g-C3N4 composite on photocatalytic performances.

Here, the comparison of two different semiconductor materials is demonstrated, TiO2 and melem/g-C3N4 composites-modified with balls of approximately 5 nm Ag nanoparticles (NPs) as photocatalysts for the degradation of the model dye acid orange 7 (AO7). The melem molecule synthesized here is one of a series of organic compounds consisting of triazine ring compounds with a structure similar to that of melam and melamine. The photodegradation process of AO7 was carried out to examine all powder materials as a potential photocatalyst. Additionally, two different lamps of wavelengths 368 nm (UV light) and 420 nm (VIS light) were applied to compare the photodegradation tests. A new synthesis route for the acquisition of Ag NPs (Ag content 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 wt%), based on a wet and low temperature method without the use of reducing reagents was proposed. The best photocatalytic performances under UV and VIS light were obtained for both, TiO2 and melem/g-C3N4 materials (new synthesis route) modified with a very low Ag content-0.5 wt%. The photodegradation activities using UV lamp (3 h, 368 nm irradiation) for samples with 0.5 wt% of Ag: TiO2 and melem/g-C3N4, in excess of 95 and 94%, respectively, were achieved. The highest photoactive materials melem/g-C3N4 with 0.5 and 1 wt% Ag revealed 98% of activity under the VIS lamp after 3 h long irradiation. Our work demonstrates a novel, environmentally acceptable, and cost-effective chemical strategy for preparation of photocatalysts suitable for degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater treatment.

Association of adiponectin and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio with the function of platelets in morbidly obese patients.

Adipokines regulate glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, lipids metabolism, reproduction, as well as endothelial and platelets function. The study compares the plasma and adipose tissue concentrations of total adiponectin, leptin, leptin receptor and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (LAR) in morbidly obese patients. Additionally it evaluates selected adipokines (leptin, adiponectin), endothelial markers and LAR depending on the gender in morbidly obese and non-obese subjects. The study involved 51 patients (31 women aged 21 - 60 (mean age of 39) and 20 men aged 24 to 60 (mean age of 41)). The eligibility criterion included the BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. The non-obese group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers with the BMI < 24.9 kg/m2; nineteen women, aged 24 - 53 (mean age of 41), and 11 men aged 21 - 52 (mean age of 38). In the plasma and adipose tissue, the concentrations of total adiponectin, leptin, leptin receptor and plasma soluble forms of E-selectin, P-selectin, thrombomodulin were measured applying immunoassay techniques. There were noted significantly higher plasma leptin and sE-selectin concentrations, leptin-to-adiponectin ratio, additionally lower concentrations of plasma leptin receptor and sP-selectin in obese subjects regardless of the gender. Significantly higher concentrations of total adiponectin, leptin, leptin receptor expressed per 1 mg of total protein in adipose tissue, as compared to plasma in morbidly obese patients, were observed. Significant positive correlations between the BMI and the concentration of leptin and between total adiponectin and sP-selectin were reported in the subject group. Similarly there were noted significant negative correlations between leptin receptor and the BMI and between leptin-to-adiponectin ratio and sP-selectin in obese patients. The study has shown that adiponectin has a positive impact on platelets through a possible reduction in sP-selectin, and thus on platelets activation. On the other hand an elevated sE-selectin reveals perspective about the endothelium stimulation and a higher risk of endothelial damage in morbidly obese patients. Also in morbidly obese the higher leptin level and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio and simultaneously lower concentration of leptin receptor are associated with leptin resistance, additionally in possible future risk of insulin resistance and diabetes type 2.

STEM study of Li4 Ti5 O12 anode material modified with Ag nanoparticles.

Comprehensive scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) analysis of Li4 Ti5 O12 (LTO) powder modified by deposited Ag nanoparticles was performed. Nanocomposite powders with Ag content of 1 wt.%, 4 wt.%, 10 wt.% were fabricated in a chemical process from suspensions of Ag and LTO. Apart from the STEM results, the presence of pure silver on the surface of the ceramic powder was confirmed by XRD and XPS analyses. The silver particles deposited on the LTO particles were characterized using the EDS mapping technique. The quantified results of the EDS mapping showed a relatively homogenous distribution of silver nanoparticles on the powder surface for every metal content. The mean diameter of the nanoparticles deposited on the LTO powder was about 4 nm in all cases. An increase in the Ag content during chemical surface modification did not cause changes in the microstructure. Focusing on an analysis of the metallic nanoparticles on the ceramic powder, electron tomography was used as an investigative technique. A very precise analysis of three-dimensional nanostructures is desirable for a comprehensive analysis of complex materials. The quantified analysis of the Ag nanoparticles visualized using electron tomography confirmed the results of the size measurements taken from the two-dimensional EDS maps.

Association between polymorphisms of the DNA repair gene RAD51 and ovarian cancer.

Genetic polymorphisms in the RAD51 gene may be associated with increased cancer risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between the risk of ovarian cancer and 135G>C (rs1801320) and 172G>T (rs1801321) polymorphisms in the RAD51 gene. We analysed the distribution of genotypes and frequency of alleles of the RAD51 polymorphisms in 210 women with ovarian cancer and 210 healthy controls. Both polymorphisms were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP). In the present study only 135G>C polymorphism of the RAD51 gene was associated with ovarian cancer risk. The distribution of genotypes for 135G>C in ovarian cancer patients vs. controls was: 20% vs. 30% for G/G, 22% vs. 47% for G/C, and 58% vs. 23% for C/C genotype, respectively. We found evidence of an increased ovarian cancer risk in C/C homozygotes but not in heterozygotes. The 135C allele of RAD51 increased cancer risk. In the present work we demonstrated a significant positive association between the RAD51 135G>C polymorphism and ovarian carcinoma in Poland. However, this gene requires further understanding of its interaction with other genes involved in tumour development.

Phototherapy with low-level laser influences the proliferation of endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta secretion.

The healing process and the angiogenesis associated with it, is a very important but currently poorly understood area. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been reported to modulate the process of tissue repair by stimulation of cellular reaction such as migration, proliferation, apoptosis and cellular differentiation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of laser radiation in the range of visible and infrared light on the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells in vitro and the secretion of angiogenic factors: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß. Vascular human endothelial cells (Ecs) were exposed to radiation with laser beam of the wavelengths: 635 nm (1.875 mW/cm²) and 830 nm (3.75 mW/cm²). Depending on the radiation energy density, the experiment was conducted in four groups : I) the control group (no radiation, 0 J/cm²); II) 635 nm - the energy density was 2 J/cm²; III) 635 nm - 4 J/cm²; IV635 nm - 8 J/cm², II) 830 nm - the energy density was 2 J/cm²; III) 830 nm - 4 J/cm²; IV) 830 nm - 8 J/cm². The proliferation and concentration of VEGF-A and TGF-ß were examined. LLLT with wavelength 635 nm increases endothelial cell proliferation. Significant increase in endothelial cell proliferation and corresponding decrease in VEGF concentration may suggest the role for VEGF in this process. The wavelength of 830 nm was associated with a decrease in TGF-ß secretion.

Comparison of one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) method and routine histological investigation for intraoperative detection of lymph node metastasis in Polish women with breast cancer.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is a part of the staging procedure in breast cancer patients. Intraoperative molecular analysis for SLN metastases using the one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) method based on reverse-transcription loop-mediated amplification (RT-LAMP) has already been validated in breast cancer. In this study, we compare the intraoperative OSNA method to our routine histological investigation. To evaluate the performance of OSNA in comparison to histology, analysis of 74 SLN from 60 breast cancer patients was conducted with both methods. Of the 22 histologically positive samples, 14 were attributed to macrometastases (++) in the OSNA-CK19 assay and 8 to micrometastases (+). Two samples negative in histopathology were positive in the OSNA method (micrometastases +). Our results show that OSNA is an excellent method for the detection of metastases in lymph nodes and can be applied as an intraoperative diagnostic approach. Intraoperative molecular analysis for SLN metastases using the OSNA method reduces the number of admission days and duration of surgery. To our knowledge this is the first study referring to Polish women.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' untranslated region of RAD51 and ovarian cancer risk in Polish women.

BACKGROUND: DNA repair gene polymorphisms are known to influence cancer risk. The RAD51 gene encodes proteins essential for maintaining genomic stability by playing a central role in holmology-dependent recombinational repair of the DNA double-strand breaks. Aims. We investigated the association of polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes RAD51-135G > C and 172G >T with ovarian cancer risk. METHODS: 120 Polish ovarian cancer patients and 120 healthy controls were genotyped for RAD51 (135G > C and 172G > T) by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: In the present work no association was detected between ovarian cancer risk and 172G > T polymorphism of the RAD51 gene. The 135G > C polymorphism was associated with ovarian cancer risk. We found evidence of an increased ovarian cancer risk in CC homozygotes (OR 12.97 [95% confidence interval {CI} (5.73-29.36)]) but not in heterozygotes (OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.23-1.29]). We demonstrated a significant positive association between the RAD51 variant 135C allele and ovarian carcinoma, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 6.24 (p < .0001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the polymorphism 135G > C of RAD51 may be positively associated with ovarian carcinoma in the Polish population. Further studies on the role of the RAD51 gene on ovarian cancer are warranted.

Influence of antibiotic therapy on the level of selected angiogenic factors in patients with benign gynecologic tumors--preliminary report.

An increased fibrin level enhances the activity of proangiogenic factors and may contribute to tumor formation. Formation of new blood vessels during angiogenesis leads to neoplasm development through interaction with factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukins. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of perioperative antibiotic therapy in women with benign gynecological tumors with regard to basic fibroblast growth factor level, fibrinogen concentration and fibrin viscosity. The influence of clindamycin plus metronidazole therapy (group I) and cephazolin therapy (group II) on fibrinogen concentration, level of bFGF and fibrin viscosity was studied in women diagnosed with nonmalignant myomas and cysts. In patients with benign gynecologic tumors, higher bFGF levels (51.40 +/- 13.72 pg/ml), fibrinogen concentration (348.26 +/- 164.74 mg/dl) and fibrin viscosity (2.63 +/- 0.36 mPa) were observed, as compared with healthy women. There were strong indications that antiangiogenic activity occurred with both clindamycin plus metronidazole and cephazolin, although the response to these particular antibiotic therapies was different. The use of various drug therapies in groups I and II resulted in faster and delayed antiangiogenic effects, respectively. Further research is essential to provide more detailed information about the mechanisms of the induction of antiangiogenic activity by perioperative adjuvant antibiotic treatment.

Chromosomal localization of two novel repetitive sequences isolated from the Chenopodium quinoa Willd. genome.

The chromosomal organization of two novel repetitive DNA sequences isolated from the Chenopodium quinoa Willd. genome was analyzed across the genomes of selected Chenopodium species. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis with the repetitive DNA clone 18-24J in the closely related allotetraploids C. quinoa and Chenopodium berlandieri Moq. (2n = 4x = 36) evidenced hybridization signals that were mainly present on 18 chromosomes; however, in the allohexaploid Chenopodium album L. (2n = 6x = 54), cross-hybridization was observed on all of the chromosomes. In situ hybridization with rRNA gene probes indicated that during the evolution of polyploidy, the chenopods lost some of their rDNA loci. Reprobing with rDNA indicated that in the subgenome labeled with 18-24J, one 35S rRNA locus and at least half of the 5S rDNA loci were present. A second analyzed sequence, 12-13P, localized exclusively in pericentromeric regions of each chromosome of C. quinoa and related species. The intensity of the FISH signals differed considerably among chromosomes. The pattern observed on C. quinoa chromosomes after FISH with 12-13P was very similar to GISH results, suggesting that the 12-13P sequence constitutes a major part of the repetitive DNA of C. quinoa.

Efficiency of postoperative pain management after gynecologic oncological surgeries with the use of morphine + acetaminophen + ketoprofen versus morphine + metamizol + ketoprofen.

Surgical treatment used in gynecological oncology involves acute postoperative pain which requires efficient treatment. This study covered a group of 128 patients who were randomly divided into two groups. In the postoperative period patients in group I were administered morphine subcutaneously, acetaminophen intravenously and naproxen per rectum. The pain intensity level was checked by means of the pain intensity numeric rating scale (NRS). In the instances of pain rated at 5 or more, patients were additionally administered ketoprofen intravenously. Patients in group II were administered morphine, naproxen, and metamizole instead of acetaminophen and ketoprofen additionally. In group I after the administration of morphine and acetaminophen 22 patients (34.37%) needed additional doses of ketoprofen. In group II 33 women (51.56%) required ketoprofen after the administration of morphine and metamizole (N1 = 22 vs N2 = 33, p < 0.05). The use of metamizol with morphine (without ketoprofen) gave worse analgesic results than acetaminophen with morphine, but the combination of morphine, acetaminophen and ketoprofen or morphine, metamizol and ketoprofen gave satisfactory analgesic results.

Difficulties in diagnosing and treating phyllodes tumor of the breast--case report.

A phyllodes tumor is a rare breast neoplasm, and in the majority of cases is benign. Its diagnosis is difficult because many characteristics of this neoplasm are also typical for other changes within the breast, especially for fibroadenoma. Palpable examination and imaging diagnostics are obviously very important in the process of establishing a diagnosis. However, histopathological examination is the most important one. Currently, the treatment process boils down to surgical removal of this tumor. It is essential to keep a sufficient margin of healthy tissues, which reduces the risk of local recurrence. In the described case the patient was admitted to hospital due to single tumors in both breasts. Mammosonography allowed us to pre-exclude changes of a malignant character. The right breast tumor was removed during mammotomy. Histopathological examination showed a phyllodes tumor, which is why the mass on the other side was removed surgically. In the period of an 18-month-observation no local recurrence was revealed.

Release kinetics of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) from certain biopolymers in the presence of ketoprofen.

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) release in vitro from four types of polymer bases (carriers), fibrin, microcrystalline chitosan (MCCh), fibrin and MCCh, as well as MCCh and methylcellulose (MC) in the presence or absence of ketoprofen (KTA). Amount of released basic fibroblast growth factor was measured immunoenzymatically using Elisa (R&D System). Ketoprofen concentration was determined spectrophoto-metrically at 255 nm, using an appropriate absorbance factor, alpha 1 cm (1%) = 662. The most significant influence of ketoprofen on bFGF release was seen in the case of microcrystalline chitosan carrier elution. Parameters of the equation which describe the amount of bFGF released from chitosan carrier with and without KTA are y = 6.842 +/- 1.637 In(t) + 14.935 +/- 2.378, determination coefficient, R2 = 0.9332 and y = 4.070 +/- 0.622 In(t) + 10.589 +/- 1.011, determination coefficient, R2 = 0.9606. The time after which 20% of bFGF was released (t 20%) in the presence of ketoprofen was 2.1 h whereas it was significantly longer without ketoprofen (10.1 h). The amount of bFGF released from fibrin carrier was lower in the presence of ketoprofen. The time taken for 20% of bFGF to be released (t 20%) was very long (41.7h) in the presence of KTA and 16.3 h. without KTA. The other carriers (fibrin + MCCh and MCCh + MC) in the presence of ketoprofen appear to have an insignificant influence on the kinetics of basic fibroblast growth factor release. For the chitosan carrier (p = 0.05, and also p = 0.01, when t(theoret) = 2.921), there is a statistically significant difference between the coefficients (a1 and a2) of the regression equation describing the process of basic fibroblast growth factor release from the base with and without ketoprofen. It was also found that the amount of ketoprofen released varied considerably according to the carrier. All results clearly indicate that the type of carrier not only has an impact on the amount of bFGF released, but also on the kinetics of ketoprofen release.

Evaluation of preoperative diagnosis with results of histopathological examinations of ovarian tumors in women of reproductive age.

Ovarian tumors are the most frequent lesions encountered by gynecologists. Ovarian carcinoma most often develops asymptomatically and until now no sufficient screening diagnostic methods have been developed, which is why various diagnostic methods are being tried concurrently to increase diagnostic sensitivity. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the compliance of the preoperative diagnoses with the results of histopathological examinations of ovarian tumors and to determine the usefulness of simultaneous application of gynecological, ultrasonographic, and Doppler examinations together with determination of CA-125 antigen in the diagnostic process of ovarian tumors. The study comprised a group of 250 women in reproductive age who were operated on for tumors of the ovary. Results of histopathological examinations were compared with the preoperative diagnosis based on the above-mentioned examinations and prognostic indicators: sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive prediction value as well as accuracy were determined. The results showed that combining the four diagnostic methods is a useful research panel in the preoperative diagnostic process of ovarian tumors and makes selecting the appropriate procedure and surgical treatment viable.

Difficulties in the diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma: case report of squamous cell ovarian carcinoma in a 26-year-old woman.

A 26-year-old woman who was admitted to the Gynecology Department with abdominal pain was later diagnosed with a multi-chamber tumor in the left ovary. Neoplastic markers were within normal limits. It was proposed that the patient should be operated on in order to remove the tumor, and a left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. During the intraoperative histopathological examination, the tumor was described as being benign. However, in the final histopathological examination, a malignant neoplasm, a squamous cell carcinoma (G-2) of the ovary (pT1a), was found. It was decided that a hysterectomy and a right salpingo-oophorectomy should be performed. No other neoplastic foci were found in the postoperational material. The patient is currently undergoing periodic control examinations.

Vaginal hysterectomy aided with surgery by the abdominal approach as a method of hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy due to endometrial carcinoma in a woman with morbid obesity. Case report.

The most important risk factors of endometrial carcinoma are fat consumption, obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) and use of unbalanced estrogen therapy. Other factors include lack of physical activity, a high-calorie diet, arterial blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg and high concentrations of glucose in the blood. The basic treatment in cases of endometrial carcinoma is surgery including hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy and complete interoperational assessment of the development degree of the disease. Basic operational treatment is difficult as far as obese women are concerned (BMI > or = 50 kg/m2). This is linked with poor access to operated tissues and limited visibility, mainly in the area of the bottom of the pelvis minor. Our 69-year-old patient was admitted to and operated on at the Gynecological Department due to endometrial carcinoma. Because of her giant obesity, BMI - 51.30 kg/m2, surgery by the abdominal approach was very difficult to perform, so vaginal hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy was carried out.

Bone pain in dialysis patients is not associated with bone mineral density but with serum concentration of small uremic toxins.

PURPOSE: Abnormalities in bone mineral density (BMD) are frequent disorder in dialysis patients. In our study we checked if such clinical symptom as bone pain may be associated with BMD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed in 30 dialysis patients. They were divided according to declared or not declared bone pain in any localization. The group with bone pain (n=10) included 7 women and 3 men, age 57.4 +/- 16.2 years, dialysis vintage 19.3, 6.5-45.5 months. The group without bone pain (n=20) consisted of 11 women and 9 men, age 55.5 +/- 18.9 years, dialysis vintage 20.5, 6.3-59.6 months. BMD was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in femoral neck (N) and lumbar spine from the second to the fourth lumbar vertebra (L2-L4). Routine clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated and compared in both groups. RESULTS: The group with bone pain had higher serum concentrations of phosphate (6.2 +/- 1.4 mg/dl vs 4.9 +/- 1.1 mg/dl, p = 0.012) and urea (136.0 +/- 37.4 mg/dl vs 111.3 +/- 23.5 mg/dl, p = 0.035) than the group without bone pain. After adjustment of results to gender, age and dialysis vintage these differences remained significant, additionally the group with bone pain had higher serum creatinine concentration than the group without bone pain (9.5 +/- 2.4 mg/dl vs 7.5 +/- 2.9 mg/dl, p = 0.009). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in BMD measured in N and L2-L4. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that bone pain in dialysis patients is associated rather with serum concentration of small uremic toxins than with BMD.

Posttransplantation diabetus mellitus under calcineurin inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: The development of postransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a serious complication of kidney transplantation. PTDM has a major impact on quality of life decreasing rates of patient and graft survival. It is well known that some currently used immunosuppressants are diabetogenic. Greater diabetogenicity of FK-506 has been reported in multicenter trials. We initiated a study of conversion from tacrolimus (FK-506) to cyclosporine (CsA) among kidney allograft recipients presenting with PTDM to evaluate whether this maneuver would ameliorate a diabetic state. METHODS: This analysis of 20 adult, renal allograft recipients presenting with PTDM assumed the need for insulin therapy or oral hypoglycemics before and after conversion of the immunosuppressive regimen. The criteria for evaluating the outcome were as follows: dose reduction of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, adequacy of glucose control, C-peptide levels, and insulin concentration. RESULTS: During the follow-up, we observed an improvement in the control of blood glucose in the converted group. In 13 patients, satisfactory glucose control was obtained without insulin or any other agent. In 3 patients a significant dose reduction of required insulin was possible. In another 2 patients who were insulin-dependent, the switch to oral hypoglycemic treatment was clinically possible after conversion. After conversion we observed significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels and increased C-peptide levels. CONCLUSIONS: The conversion from a tacrolimus to a CsA-based immunosuppressive regimen resulted in better glucose metabolism. We demonstrated a positive effect of conversion on the diabetic state of patients with PTDM.

Uptake of radiolabelled alpha-fetoprotein by experimental mammary adenocarcinoma and adenoma: in vivo and in vitro studies.

The biodistribution of iodine-labelled alpha-fetoprotein ( I-AFP) in experimental mammary tumours was studied. C3H mice with subcutaneously transplanted mammary adenocarcinoma and Sprague-Dawley rats treated with -methyl- -nitrosourea for mammary adenoma induction were used as animal models. The accumulation of labelled I-AFP in mouse mammary adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in rat mammary adenoma. The tumour/muscle radioactivity ratios increased with time and, 48 h after intravenous injection, were estimated as 23.4 and 6.7, respectively. For experiments, extracts from both mammary tumours were prepared. The extracts were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes and incubated with I-AFP. A single major AFP-binding protein with a molecular weight of about 30 kDa was detected in both extracts. The amount of AFP-binding protein was clearly higher for adenocarcinoma than for adenoma. In the presence of cross-linking reagent, I-AFP formed a complex (about 100 kDa) with adenocarcinoma proteins.

[Character of the big-city municipal waste water bacterial contamination and assessment of its elimination degree as a result of biological treatment process]. / Charakterystyka bakteryjnego zanieczyszczenia scieków komunalnych z duzej aglomeracji miejskiej i ocena stopnia redukcji tego zanieczyszczenia w procesie biologicznego oczyszczania scieków.

The highest possible effectiveness of sewage treatment is of particular significance when the sewage is discharged into surface waters used for recreational purposes. The Gulf of Gdansk, with its much frequented beaches along the shore, is the disposal reservoir for the wastewater from two large biological treatment plants collecting the sewage from Gdansk and Gdynia. The purpose of this work was to perform bacteriological examination of the communal sewage from these two large agglomerations before and after their biological treatment. On that basis the degree of reduction of bacteriological contamination of sewage as a result of biological treatment was determined. The examination included determining of coliform and faecal coliform bacteria MPN (Most Probably Number), faecal streptococci index as well as Salmonella sp. and coagulase positive staphylococci. An extremely high level of bacterial contamination of raw sewage was found amounting from 9.3 x 10(18) (Gdansk) to 1.8 x 10(20) (Gdynia) faecal coliform bacteria in 100 cm3 of sewage and respectively from 5.6 x 10(5) to 1.8 x 10(6) faecal streptococci in 100 cm3 of sewage on average. It was also observed that the effectiveness of the sewage treatment plants is so high that it assures the level of reduction of bacterial contamination within the limits of 92% for staphylococci and streptococci to 99.999% for coliform bacteria. It was also pointed out that despite a very effective work of sewage treatment stations the level of contamination of treated sewage discharged into the surface waters is often high. Hence the necessity of verification of data concerning level of sewage contamination which are usually assumed in the project documentation.

Systemic lupus erythematosus. Measures to keep this unpredictable disease under control.

SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease with an unpredictable history and course. It can occur in men or women at any age, but it is most prevalent in women of childbearing age. SLE displays a variety of clinical and laboratory manifestations that vary from vague constitutional symptoms to findings of end-organ dysfunction. Early recognition can lead to better treatment and preventive care, thereby avoiding the more aggressive renal, cardiovascular, and septic manifestations. Recognition and management of lupus flares and of medication side effects can markedly reduce morbidity and mortality, allowing patients to live more functional lives.