Placental expression of Fatty Acid Desaturases 1, 2 and 3 in selected pregnancy pathologies.

Intrauterine development is a key period in human life. The foetal progress largely depends on the function of the placenta, whose responsibility is transportation and biosynthesis of fatty acids. Desaturation enzymes play a key role in placental fatty acid metabolism. Expression of genes coding for desaturases may be associated with pregnancy abnormalities. The objective of this study was to determine the transcriptional activity of the placental genes Fatty Acid Desaturases 1, 2 and 3 (FADS 1, 2 and 3) in women who gave birth to the infants appropriate for gestational age, large for gestational age, small for gestational age, with intrauterine growth restriction and born preterm. 34 pregnant women aged 21-37 years old participated in the study. The placental samples were taken from a site located 2-3 cm away from the umbilical cord attachment. The collected tissue sections were stored in RNAlater according to the manufacturer's protocol, until required for molecular analysis. The expression profiles of FADS1, FADS2 and FADS3 were determined with RT-qPCR. There was no difference in FADS1 and FADS2 expression between the groups. However, the differences in the expression of the FADS3 were found. Analysis of the FADS1, FADS2 and FADS3 transcription showed significant differences between most of the examined groups. Our findings suggest that the transcriptional activity of FADS genes changes with the severity of intrauterine disorders and is associated with foetal lipid disorders linked to a greater accumulation of fat in the foetal tissues.

The Influence of Graphene Content on the Antibacterial Properties of Polycaprolactone.

This work contains an analysis of the impact of modifying a bioresorbable polymer-polycaprolactone (PCL)-with various additives on its antibacterial properties. To this end, samples of PCL filament containing various content levels of graphene (GNP), 0.5%, 5%, 10%, were obtained using injection molding. Polymer samples without additives were used for comparison. The next step was to assess the antimicrobial impact of the preparations under study against the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25293, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Effective bactericidal activity of PCL with small amount of GNP, especially against C. albicans and S. aureus was confirmed. A decrease in this property or even multiplication of microorganisms was observed in direct proportion to the graphene content in the samples.

Open craniocerebral trauma in a patient at work: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Craniocerebral injuries belong to the category of bodily injuries which are characterised by high mortality and a high percentage of permanent effects in the form of disability. The likelihood of this injury exists in the workplace too. Performing works at a height or using high-pressure or mechanical machinery exposes employees to a higher risk of a craniocerebral injury. CASE REPORT: This case study deals with the topic of open craniocerebral trauma suffered by a 20-year-old man who was wearing no head protection at his place of work. It details the management of this trauma at the site of the accident, during transfer to the hospital and during hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: Fast transport, effective diagnostics and implementation of surgical treatment contributed to a good final result.

Osteoprotegerin and RANKL-RANK-OPG-TRAIL signalling axis in heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a glycoprotein involved in the regulation of bone remodelling. OPG regulates osteoclast activity by blocking the interaction between the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL). More and more studies confirm the relationship between OPG and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous studies have confirmed that a high plasma concentration of OPG and a low concentration of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) together with a high OPG/TRAIL ratio are predictors of poor prognosis in patients with myocardial infarction. A high plasma OPG concentration and a high ratio of OPG/TRAIL in the acute myocardial infarction are a prognostic indicator of adverse left ventricular remodelling and of the development of heart failure. Ever more data indicates the participation of OPG in the regulation of the function of vascular endothelial cells and the initiation of the atherosclerotic process in the arteries. Additionally, it has been shown that TRAIL has a protective effect on blood vessels and exerts an anti-atherosclerotic effect. The mechanisms of action of both OPG and TRAIL within the cells of the vascular wall are complex and remain largely unclear. However, these mechanisms of action as well as their interaction in the local vascular environment are of great interest to researchers. This article presents the current state of knowledge on the mechanisms of action of OPG and TRAIL in the circulatory system and their role in cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these mechanisms may allow their use as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases in the future.

Analysis of the antibacterial properties of polycaprolactone modified with graphene, bioglass and zinc-doped bioglass.

PURPOSE: Innovative biomedical filaments for 3D printing in the form of short and biodegradable composite sticks modified with various additives were used to prepare biomaterials for further nasal implants. As the respiratory tract is considered to be potentially exposed to contamination during the implantation procedure there is a need to modify the implant with an antibacterial additives. The purpose of this work was to analyze the effect of biodegradable polymer - polycaprolactone (PCL) modification with various additives on its antibacterial properties. METHODS: PCL filament modified with graphene (0.5, 5, 10% wt.), bioglass (0.4% wt.) and zinc-doped bioglass (0.4% wt.) were used to print spatial biomaterials using FDM 3D printer. Pure polymer biomaterials without additives were used as reference samples. The key task was to assess the antimicrobial impact of the prepared biomaterials against the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25293, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Candida albicans ATCC 10231. RESULTS: The research results point to a significant antibacterial efficacy of the tested materials against S. aureus and C. albicans, which, however, seems to decrease with increasing graphene content in the filaments. A complete lack of antibacterial efficacy against E. coli was determined. CONCLUSIONS: The tested biomaterials have important antibacterial properties, especially against C. albicans. The obtained results showed that biomaterials made of modified filaments can be successfully used in implantology, where a need to create temporary tissue scaffolds occurs.

Patient knowledge at the Respiratory Ward of the Railway Hospital in Wilkowice-Bystra about preventive treatments to combat house dust mites and alleviate allergy symptoms.

House dust mite allergy is a serious problem that affects about six million people in Poland and if left untreated could be the reason for the development of bronchial asthma. The main purpose of this study was to analyse how aware the patients in the respiratory ward were about the prevention of allergic diseases caused by house dust mites and the prophylactic measures that can be taken. The study took place between September 2018 and November 2018 and involved 109 patients, hospitalised in the Respiratory Ward of the Railway Hospital in Wilkowic-Bystra, who had been diagnosed with asthma and house dust mite allergy. People between 51 and 60 years of age comprised the largest group of respondents. A diagnostic survey method was utilised for the study, whereby the survey data was collected by way of a questionnaire completed by the participants. Most people (45.0%) experience an increase in allergy symptoms when cleaning the house and when sleeping at night (35.0%). Over half of the respondents (59.0%) believe, that the main places in which dust mites are found in the home are rugs, blankets and bedding. According to respondents (40.0%), prophylactic treatments against dust mite allergy at home are effective in alleviating the symptoms. Most respondents use preventive measures to combat house dust mites and relieve allergy symptoms. The main source of information about the prevention of allergic diseases is a doctor.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors: mechanisms of action in heart failure.

Diabetes is a key independent risk factor in the development of heart failure (HF) and a strong, adverse prognostic factor in HF patients. HF remains the primary cause of hospitalisation for diabetics and, as previous studies have shown, when HF occurs in these patients, intensive glycaemic control does not directly improve the prognosis. Recent clinical studies assessing a new class of antidiabetic drugs, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) showed some unexpected beneficial results. Patients treated with SGLT2is had a significant decrease in both cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause mortality and less hospitalisations due to HF compared to those given a placebo. These significant clinical benefits occurred quickly after the drugs were administered and were not solely due to improved glycaemic control. These groundbreaking clinical trials' results have already changed clinical practice in the management of patients with diabetes at high CV risk. These trials have triggered numerous experimental studies aimed at explaining the mechanisms of action of this unique group of drugs. This article presents the current state of knowledge about the mechanisms of action of SGLT2is developed for the treatment of diabetes and which, thanks to their cardioprotective effects, may, in the future, become a treatment for patients with HF.

Various aspects of inflammation in heart failure.

Despite significant advances in the prevention and treatment of heart failure (HF), the prognosis in patients who have been hospitalised on at least one occasion due to exacerbation of HF is still poor. Therefore, a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of HF is crucial in order to achieve better results in the treatment of this clinical syndrome. One of the areas that, for years, has aroused the interest of researchers is the activation of the immune system and the elevated levels of biomarkers of inflammation in patients with both ischaemic and non-ischaemic HF. Additionally, it is intriguing that the level of circulating pro-inflammatory biomarkers correlates with the severity of the disease and prognosis in this group of patients. Unfortunately, clinical trials aimed at assessing interventions to modulate the inflammatory response in HF have been disappointing, and the modulation of the inflammatory response has had either no effect or even a negative effect on the HF prognosis. The article presents a summary of current knowledge on the role of immune system activation and inflammation in the pathogenesis of HF. Understanding the immunological mechanisms pathogenetically associated with left ventricular remodelling and progression of HF may open up new therapeutic possibilities for HF.

Risk of exposure of a selected rural population in South Poland to allergenic mites. Part II: acarofauna of farm buildings.

Exposure to mite allergens, especially from storage and dust mites, has been recognized as a risk factor for sensitization and allergy symptoms that could develop into asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of mites in debris and litter from selected farm buildings of the Malopolskie province, South Poland, with particular reference to allergenic and/or parasitic species as a potential risk factor of diseases among farmers. Sixty samples of various materials (organic dust, litter, debris and residues) from farm buildings (cowsheds, barns, chaff-cutter buildings, pigsties and poultry houses) were subjected to acarological examination. The samples were collected in Lachowice and Kurów (Suski district, Malopolskie). A total of 16,719 mites were isolated including specimens from the cohort Astigmatina (27 species) which comprised species considered as allergenic (e.g., Acarus siro complex, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Glycyphagus domesticus, Chortoglyphus arcuatus and Gymnoglyphus longior). Species of the families Acaridae (A. siro, A. farris and A. immobilis), Glycyphagidae (G. domesticus, L. destructor and L. michaeli) and Chortoglyphidae (C. arcuatus) have been found as numerically dominant among astigmatid mites. The majority of mites were found in cowsheds (approx. 32%) and in pigsties (25.9%). The remaining mites were found in barns (19.6%), chaff-cutter buildings (13.9%) and poultry houses (8.8%). The results suggest that the allergenic mites may constitute an occupational hazard for agricultural workers in all farming environments examined.

Risk of exposure of a selected rural population in South Poland to allergenic mites. Part I: indoor acarofauna of one-family houses.

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of mites in dust samples from houses in agricultural areas of South Poland, with particular reference to allergenic and parasitic species as a potential risk factor of diseases among people. A total of 250 dust samples from 50 single-family houses situated in Stryszawa and vicinity (Malopolskie province) were examined for the presence of domestic mites. Dust was taken from beds, floors in bedrooms, upholstery furniture, floors in family rooms and from floors in kitchens. Mites were found in 74.8% of samples collected. A total of 5340 mite specimens were isolated, including 2771 members of the family Pyroglyphidae (51.9%). Dominants were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (36.4% of all mites) and Gohieria fusca (25.1%), followed by Chortoglyphus arcuatus (18.3%) and D. farinae (15.1%). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was also the most frequent species (53.2% of the total count of samples examined), followed by G. fusca (42.4%), D. farinae (37.2%) and C. arcuatus (36.4%). Lepidoglyphus destructor was found more frequently than Glycyphagus domesticus in the examined samples. Density of D. pteronyssinus was associated with beds, presence of pets, coal stoves used for heating, lower number of rooms, higher cooking frequency, higher washing frequency, working housewife, open kitchen, wooden floors in kitchens, lower cleaning frequency, type of upholstery furniture in living rooms (arm chairs), lower humidity and higher temperature.

The risk of exposure to parasitic mites and insects occurring on pets in Southern Poland

Companion animals, including pets, can be infested by many species of parasitic mites and insects, which can pose a threat to the health of both animals and humans. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of exposure of companion animals to various species of external parasites which can be transferred to humans and cause many skin diseases. External parasites were collected in 2012­2014 from the patients of veterinary clinics in the provinces of Silesia and Malopolska (Southern Poland). Parasitic mites and insects were collected using preparation needles. Parasites were classified to species and life stage under a Stemi 2000-C stereomicroscope (Zeiss) or an ECLIPSE E-200 optical microscope (Nikon). They were then analysed by an Optika Vision Pro system (Nikon). In total, 77 samples were taken: 62 from the Malopolska and 15 from Silesia. A total of 999 specimens of parasitic mites and 225 specimens of parasitic insects were isolated from the samples. The dominant mite species was Otodectes cynotis var. cati (Astigmatina, Psoroptidae) with 855 isolated specimens (85.6% of the total number of isolated mites). Polyplax spinulosa was the predominant parasitic insect species: 209 specimens were identified, constituting 92.9% of all examined insects. Our findings indicate that companion animals and their owners have a high risk of exposure to ectoparasites.