Mercury accumulation in plants from contaminated arable lands in Eastern Slovakia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Contamination of soil by mercury poses several risks to human health through consumption of fruits and vegetables. In Slovakia, a high concentration of mercury is found in the soil of the Central Spis region. The objective of the study is to measure the mercury concentrations in the parts of selected plant species and trees growing within 100 meters of a former ore processing facility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 samples of plants, 20 samples of parts of needle-leaved trees and 9 samples of parts of broad-leaved trees were collected from soils with a high concentration of mercury. The concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in different parts of the plants: leaves - 18 species, roots - 15 species, stems - 11 species, flowers - 7 species), and different parts of trees (crust - 8 species, branches - 8 species, needles - 5 species, cones - 5 species, leaves - 3 species). RESULTS: The concentrations of mercury in the soils taken at a depth of 0.25 m exceeded the maximum allowed levels more than 50-times. Potatoes, parsley and carrots from these soils exceeded the maximum allowed mercury levels 6-times, 5-times and twice, respectively. The average concentrations of mercury in the roots of 2-year onions exceeded the limit more than 50-times. The flowers of cornflower contain 18.20 mg*kg -1 , leaves of dandelion 10.61 mg*kg -1 and roots of plantain 6.80 mg*kg -1 of mercury. Regarding trees, the highest concentrations were found in the branches of juniper and leaves of aspen - more than 1 mg*kg -1. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic monitoring of mercury is still very important, since it was found that the end of ore processing does not solve the issue of contamination in the Central Spis region. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables from the areas of former ore processing facilities is not recommended.

The Association of Education, Employment and Living with a Partner with the Treatment among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

The aim of this study was to explore possible associations between social and socioeconomic status and ongoing treatment among patients with head and neck cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 159 examined patients treated with head and neck cancer during the period from 2011 to 2012 were explored. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess association of social status (living with somebody vs. living alone), socioeconomic status (employed vs. unemployed) and education (primary/secondary/university) with treatment. RESULTS: The results from logistic regression showed significant association of employment status and education with both interruption in radiochemotherapy and searching for additional help after surgery. Interruption of radiochemotherapy was almost 3 times more likely in a group of unemployed compared to the employed patients. Lack of searching for help after surgery was almost 4 times more likely in a group of unemployed compared to the employed and 5 times more likely in the group with the lowest education compared with the group with the highest education. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that special attention needs to be paid, not only during but also after treatment, to the patients from low socioeconomic groups.

Sigmoidal polyp with adenocarcinoma discovered by transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasonographic virtual colonoscopy.

Adenocarcinoma of the colon represents the third most frequent cause of death from cancer, being surpassed only by lung and stomach cancer. Early screening and diagnosis of polyps are important for a good prognosis. Based on a clinical case, a novel approach is presented for screening of sigmoidal polyps and neoplasia using transvaginal 2D, 3D mode in women. This novel and simple technique can be used to visualize the sigmoid diverticula during routine gynecological examination via 3D transvaginal ultrasound probe.

Matrix metalloproteinases.

Remodeling of extracellular matrix is crucial for many physiological (cell migration, proliferation, growth, and development) and pathological (remodeling of heart, carcinogenesis, metastasis, etc.) events. Thus, the interaction between cells and extracellular matrix plays a key role in normal development and differentiation of organism and many pathological states as well. Changes in extracellular matrix are regulated by a system of proteolytic enzymes that are responsible for proteolysis of huge quantity of extracellular matrix components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) represent the main group of regulating proteases in ECM. Ability of matrix metalloproteinases to modify the structural integrity of tissues is essential for certain aspects of normal physiology and pathology. The ability to process molecules such as growth factors, receptors, adhesion molecules, other proteinases, and proteinase inhibitors makes MMPs potent controllers of physiological and pathological events in the cell microenvironment. Overactivation of MMPs has been implicated in numerous disease states.

Matrix metalloproteinases and their role in oncogenesis: a review.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a physical framework for the cells and functions as a gel medium. Remodeling of the ECM is crucial during physiological cell migration, proliferation, growth, and development. Thus, the interaction between cells and the ECM plays a key role in normal development and differentiation of organisms. However, remodeling of the ECM also occurs in many pathological states. Changes in the ECM are regulated by a system of proteolytic enzymes that are responsible for the proteolysis of a huge quantity of ECM components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) represent the main group of regulating proteases in the ECM. By regulating the composition and integrity of the ECM, this group of enzymes is essential for cell proliferation, differentiation, and processes of apoptosis. However, deregulation or activation of MMP expression is a feature of numerous pathologic conditions including tumorigenesis and metastasis. The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of MMPs, their nomenclature and structure, and their role in the development of tumors and metastases.

Singh's verbal autopsy questionnaire for the assessment of causes of death, social autopsy, tobacco autopsy and dietary autopsy, based on medical records and interview.

INTRODUCTION: The exact causes of death in India are not known because autopsy studies are difficult to conduct due to religious considerations. There are rapid changes in diet and lifestyle amongst social classes causing changes in the pattern of risk factors and mortality. In the present study, we attempt to develop a verbal autopsy questionnaire based on medical records and interview of a family member, for the assessment of causes of death, social class, tobacco consumption and dietary intakes among urban decedents in north India. METHODS: For the period 1999-2001, we studied the randomly selected records of death of 2222 (1385 men and 837 women) decedents, aged 25-64 years, out of 3034 death records overall from the records at the Municipal Corporation, Moradabad. Families of these decedents were contacted individually to find out the causes of death, by scientist- administered, informed-consented, verbal autopsy questionnaire, completed with the help of the spouse and local treating doctor practicing in the appropriate health care region. Clinical data and causes of death were assessed by a questionnaire based on available hospital records and a modified WHO verbal autopsy questionnaire. Dietary intakes of the dead individuals were estimated by finding out the food intake of the spouse from 3-day dietary diaries and by asking probing questions about differences in food intake by the decedents. Tobacco consumption of the victim was studied by a questionnaire administered to family members. Social classes were assessed by a questionnaire based on attributes of per capita income, occupation, education, housing and ownership of consumer luxury items in the household. The diagnoses of overweight and obesity were based on the new WHO and International College of Nutrition criteria. RESULTS: Cardiac diseases (23.4%, n = 520) including coronary artery disease (10%), valvular heart disease (7.2%, n = 160), diabetic heart disease (2.2%, n = 49), sudden cardiac death and inflammatory cardiac disease, each (2.0%, n = 44) were the most common causes of deaths as reported using the modified verbal autopsy questionnaire. Brain diseases including stroke (7.8%, n = 175) and inflammatory brain disease were reported amongst 1.9% (n = 42) victims.Thus, NCDs (37.0%, n = 651); circulatory diseases (31.2%, n = 695) including stroke and cardiac diseases, and malignant neoplasms (5.8%, n = 131) emerged as the most common causes of death. Injury and accidents (14.0%, n = 313) including fire, falls and poisonings were also common. Miscellaneous causes of death were observed amongst 8.5% (n = 189) of victims. Pregnancy and perinatal causes (0.72%, n = 15) were not commonly recorded in our study. Renal diseases (11.2%, n = 250), pulmonary diseases (22.3%, n = 495) and liver diseases (4.8%, n =107) were also commonly recorded causes of death. It is clear that causes of death related to various body systems can be more accurately assessed by the modified verbal autopsy questionnaire. Circulatory diseases as the cause of mortality were significantly more common among higher social classes (1-3) than in lower social classes (4 and 5) who died more often, due to infections. Death due to coronary disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes and obesity were significantly more common among higher social classes 1-3 and among victims with higher body mass index (BMI) compared to social class 4 and 5 who had lower BMI. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that causes of death, social class, tobacco and dietary intakes, can be accurately assessed by a modified verbal autopsy questionnaire based on medical records and by interview of family members. Circulatory diseases, injury-accidents and maligant diseases have become the major causes of death in India, apart from infections.

Maternal autoimmune thyroiditis and congenital malformations of newborns in a cohort of Slovak women.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to compare the thyroidal status of mothers to children with and without congenital malformations (CM). METHODS: We examined 129 mothers of newborns with CM and 228 mothers without CM. The assessment included particular history, physical examination, thyroid ultrasonography, fT4, TSH, and anti-TPO measurement of mothers and comparison to birth proportions of newborns. RESULTS: The total volume of the thyroid gland and anti-TPO levels were significantly higher in mothers of the group with CM (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). The birth weight and length were significantly lower in the group with congenital malformation when compared to controls (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our study, we suggest that thyroid diseases of a mother might participate in congenital malformations of their newborn, although no direct association between thyroid autoantibodies and congenital malformations has been described as of yet.