Window seals as a source of yeast contamination.

The study aimed to assess the taxonomic diversity of fungi isolated from window seals and analyse their ecophysiological properties, understood as a description of morphological and biochemical features, creating a biofilm, growth rate on model mediums with different water activity. The study material was swabs collected from the lower window seals in 28 bedrooms and five kitchens in temperate climate zone, taken during heating season. A total of 26 fungal isolates were obtained: 20 isolates from eight species on the bedroom and six out of four species on the kitchen. The chance of fungus occurrence on kitchen seals is almost twice as high as in the bedroom, while the expected species diversity is nearly six times higher in the bedroom than on kitchen windows. The low-carbohydrate environment with variable physical parameters promoted nonfermenting vitamin prototrophs with high adhesion abilities. The only species that can use nutrients derived from plasticizers of window seals were Aureobasidium pullulans. The presence of potentially pathogenic species on window seals is disturbing. All obtained fungi showed the ability to create a biofilm and produce dyes. Many isolates with dye on seals are related to the rooms' biota diversity. Their presence on windows should be constantly monitored.

Host genotype and exercise exhibit species-level selection for members of the gut bacterial communities in the mouse digestive system.

The mammalian gut microbiome can potentially impact host health and disease state. It is known that the mouse-genome, eating-behavior, and exercise-status promotes higher taxonomic rank-level alterations (e.g. family to phyla-level) of the gut microbiota. Here, host genotype or activity status was investigated to determine if selection of individual bacterial species or strains could be discerned within the murine digestive system. For this study, the fecal bacterial community of adenylyl cyclase 5 knock-out (AC5KO, n = 7) mice or their wild-type (WT, n = 10) littermates under exercise or sedentary conditions were profiled by sequencing rRNA operons. AC5KO mice were chosen since this genotype displays enhanced longevity/exercise capacity and protects against cardiovascular/metabolic disease. Profiling of rRNA operons using the Oxford MinION yielded 65,706 2-D sequences (after size selection of 3.7-5.7 kb) which were screened against an NCBI 16S rRNA gene database. These sequences were binned into 1,566 different best BLAST hits (BBHs) and counted for each mouse sample. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of the gut microbial community demonstrated clustering by physical activity (p = 0.001) but not by host genotype. Additionally, sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that different bacterial species (closely related to Muribaculum intestinale and Parasutterella excrementihominis) inhabit AC5KO or WT mice depending on activity status. Other bacterial species of the gut microbiota did not follow such patterning (e.g. Turicibacter sanguinis and Turicimonas muris). Our results support the need of improved taxonomic resolution for better characterization of bacterial communities to deepen our understanding of the role of the gut microbiome on host health.

Beware the bolus size: understanding intrarenal pressure during ureteroscopic fluid administration.

BACKGROUND: Flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) and laser lithotripsy for ureteric and renal calculi requires adequate irrigation for visualisation. This study aimed to evaluate how bolus administration of irrigant fluid impacts intrarenal pressure (IRP) during FURS. We also investigated how ureteral access sheaths (UAS) of varying sizes mitigate elevated IRP. METHODS: Using a porcine cadaveric model, IRP was evaluated using an arterial invasive pressure measurement system. Given a fluid column height (driving force) of 80 cm H2O, and varying bolus administration (1, 2, 3, 5, 10 ml), IRP was studied with and without a UAS. An IRP of < 40 mmHg was considered the cut off for "safe" FURS. The flow (drainage capacity) of UAS was also evaluated. At varying fluid column heights, three sizes of UAS were used, 10/12 French size (Fr), 11/13 Fr and 12/14 Fr, all 36 cm long. RESULTS: Bolus administration with a UAS of < 5 ml with a starting fluid column height of 80 cm H2O was "safe" (< 40 mmHg). In contrast, where no UAS was used, bolus sizes as small as 2 ml produced "unsafe" peak pressures. The flow through a 10/12 Fr UAS was poor but improved greatly with larger UAS diameters. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that 10/12 Fr UAS may be inadequate to maintain drainage from the kidney at acceptable pressures. Bolus fluid administration produces "unsafe" (> 40 mmHg) elevated IRP in the absence of a UAS. When a UAS is used, a fluid bolus of < 5 ml is likely "safe".

Search for unconventional superconductors among the YTE 2Si2 compounds (TE = Cr, Co, Ni, Rh, Pd, Pt).

Motivated by the recent discovery of exotic superconductivity in YFe2Ge2 we undertook reinvestigation of formation and physical properties of yttrium-based 1:2:2 silicides. Here we report on syntheses and crystal structures of the YTE 2Si2 compounds with TE = Cr, Co, Ni, Rh, Pd and Pt, and their low-temperature physical properties measurements, supplemented by results of fully relativistic full-potential local-orbital minimum basis band structure calculations. We confirm that most of the members of that family crystallize in a tetragonal ThCr2Si2-type structure (space group I4/mmm) and have three-dimensional Fermi surface, while only one of them (YPt2Si2) forms with a closely-related primitive CaBe2Ge2-type unit cell (space group P4/nmm) and possess quasi-two-dimensional Fermi surface sheets. Physical measurements indicated that BCS-like superconductivity is observed only in YPt2Si2 (T c = 1.54 K) and YPd2Si2 (T c = 0.43 K), while no superconducting phase transition was found in other systems at least down to 0.35 K. Thermal analysis showed no polymorphism in both superconducting phases. No clear relation between the superconductivity and the crystal structure (and dimensionality of the Fermi surface) was observed.

Superconductivity in CaBi2.

Superconductivity is observed with critical temperature Tc = 2.0 K in self-flux-grown single crystals of CaBi2. This material adopts the ZrSi2 structure type with lattice parameters a = 4.696(1) Å, b = 17.081(2) Å and c = 4.611(1) Å. The crystals of CaBi2 were studied by means of magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and electrical resistivity measurements. The heat capacity jump at Tc is ΔC/γTc = 1.41, confirming bulk superconductivity; the Sommerfeld coefficient γ = 4.1 mJ mol(-1) K(-2) and the Debye temperature ΘD = 157 K. The electron-phonon coupling strength is λel-ph = 0.59, and the thermodynamic critical field Hc is low, between 111 and 124 Oe CaBi2 is a moderate coupling type-I superconductor. Results of electronic structure calculations are reported and charge densities, electronic bands, densities of states and Fermi surfaces are discussed, focusing on the effects of spin-orbit coupling and electronic property anisotropy. We find a mixed quasi-2D + 3D character in the electronic structure, which reflects the layered crystal structure of the material.

Tumour-processed osteopontin and lactadherin drive the protumorigenic reprogramming of microglia and glioma progression.

Tumour tissue is infiltrated by myeloid cells that are reprogrammed into alternatively activated/regenerative (M2) macrophages. The contribution of major signalling pathways and their modulators/targets involved in the macrophage reprogramming is poorly known. Glioblastoma (malignant brain tumour) attracts and reprograms brain-resident microglia and peripheral macrophages into cells that increase invasion, angiogenesis and suppress antitumour immunity. Using a 'function-first' approach and glioma secretome proteomics we identified osteopontin and lactadherin as proteins that cooperatively activate amoeboid transformation, phagocytosis and motility of primary microglia cultures via integrins and FAK-Akt (focal adhesion kinase-Akt) signalling. A synthetic peptide interfering with integrin ligands blocks glioma-microglia communication, functional activation and M2 gene expression. We found that osteopontin/secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1) produced by non-transformed cells acts as a proinflammatory factor inducing inflammatory signalling and M1 genes, and counteracts the action of lactadherin. Using constructs encoding functional mutants of osteopontin, we demonstrated sequential processing of Spp1 by thrombin and matrix metalloproteinase-3 and/or -7 (MMP-3 and/or -7) in glioma cells, which generates a microglia-activating form devoid of the inflammatory activity, while retaining the M2 reprogramming potential. A similar form of osteopontin is secreted by human glioma cells but not normal human astrocytes. Knockdown of osteopontin or lactadherin in glioma cells reduces intracranial glioma growth, blocks amoeboid transformation of myeloid cells and affects M2 reprogramming of microglia/macrophages. Our findings demonstrate how glioma cells misuse macrophage-activating signals and redesign primarily proinflammatory signals towards their advantage to induce M2 reprogramming of tumour-infiltrating brain macrophages.

The use of Tenckhoff catheters for draining of symptomatic lymphoceles: a review of literature and our experience.

BACKGROUND: Lymphoceles are one of the common complications of kidney transplantations. While small, asymptomatic lypmhoceles do not require intervention, however, larger, high-pressure cases can lead to graft dysfunction and are thus an indication for decompression. The aim of this study is to present the drainage using a Tenckhoff catheter as effective treatment for recurrence of symptomatic lymphoceles based on both a single center's experience as well as existing literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our database, two patients were operated with a Tenckhoff catheter for the recurrence of symptomatic lymphocele. A review of MEDLINE in search of cases with lymphoceles treated with Tenckhoff catheterization yielded only five articles published between 1990 and 2014. The reports covered 15 cases in which 11 patients were treated for a primary lymphocele whereas 4 were treated for a recurring lymphocele. RESULTS: There was no evidence of lymphocele recurrence or infections after Tenckhoff catheterization in either the material review or our database. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal drainage with a Tenckhoff catheter seems to be an effective and safe method for treating recurrent, symptomatic lymphoceles after renal transplantation.

Hageman factor C46T promoter gene polymorphism in patients with hypercortisolism.

Glucocorticoids are a group of hormones with a particularly significant effect on hemostasis. In hypercortisolemic patients increased concentrations of II, VIII, and von Willebrand factors were reported. Considerably fewer studies were concerned with factor XII (FXII). There are reports of decreased FXII concentrations in both venous and arterial thrombosis patients. Also, it was determined that FXII C46T promoter gene polymorphism leads to changes of its concentration. The aim of the study was to determine the C46T polymorphism of FXII promoter gene in hypercortisolemic patients. Thirty hypercortisolemic patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine healthy individuals served as controls. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. To analyse the polymorphism, PCR products were digested by Hga I at 37°C for 23 h, subjected to 2% agarose gel, and stained with ethidium bromide. In all subjects FXII activity was determined using a clot-based method. All statistical calculations were performed using STATA 12.0 software. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Prevalence of FXII C46T polymorphism did not differ significantly between hypercortisolemic patients and controls. No correlation was found between FXII activity and its gene promoter polymorphism in the hypercortisolemic group; however, a clear trend was recorded toward higher FXII activities in 46C homozygotes, and lower in 46T homozygotes. Mean FXII activities did not differ significantly between hypercortisolemic patients and the control group. It seems that in hypercortisolemic patients no significant disorders are present concerning FXII concentrations due to the C46T polymorphism of its gene promoter.

Influence of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, osteoprotegerin and interleukin-33 on bone metabolism in patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease with periods of remission and recurrences. Dysfunction of the local immune response leads to chronic inflammation within the large intestine which triggers morphological changes in the intestinal wall as well as induces the synthesis of numerous factors that have an adverse impact on the bone metabolism. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of RANKL, OPG and IL-33 in mucosal biopsies of UC patients with long disease duration as well as serum level of these cytokines in the context of bone density and bone metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The UC group consisted of 56 patients with average disease duration of 16y. The control group comprised 37 healthy individuals. Local expression of cytokines was assessed in the biopsies of colonic mucosa by the real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and their serum concentration was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The increased bone resorption observed in patients with UC was reflected by low bone density and high serum level of C-terminal telopeptide (CTX). Mucosal RANKL expression and serum concentration were similar in UC group and healthy subjects, however, UC patients had higher local expression of OPG and serum OPG concentration. Increased IL-33 gene expression was observed only in UC at the mRNA level. We propose that bone resorption in UC patients despite OPG up-regulation could be caused by IL-33-induced mucosal synthesis of a potent proinflammatory cytokine, such as TNF-α, known as a possible inducer of osteoclastogenesis in the way independent of RANKL.

Homocysteine and alpha-1 antitrypsin concentration in patients with subclinical hypercortisolemia.

PURPOSE: Glucocorticoids have particularly strong impact on the thromboembolic complications. A factor which increases the risk of thrombosis is hyperhomocysteinemia, observed in patients with hypercortisolemia. Proinflammatory factors also affect the haemostatic balance. There has been an extensive research which estimates hemostatic system in patients with Cushing's syndrome. Undoubtedly, much fewer publications are available on thromboembolic complications in patients with Subclinical Cushing's Syndrome (SCS). The purpose of this study was to estimate of homocysteine (HCY) and alpha-1 antitrypsin (α1ATp) concentrations in patients with SCS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 35 patients (56.0 ± 15.0 years) with SCS and 33 healthy volunteers (53.3 ± 17.7 years). In all subjects the analysis of HCY and α1ATp concentration in serum was determined with an immunonephelometric method. P-values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A comparison of HCY and α1ATp mean concentrations in patients with SCS and healthy representatives indicated statistically higher values of both analysed parameters in the sera of patients than in the healthy controls (p values were 0.018 and 0.008, respectively). In the patients with SCS a negative correlation between α1ATp and cortisol concentration in overnight dexamethasone test was found (p=0.017, R=-0.40). We did not reveal any statistically significant correlation between the concentrations of HCY and α1ATp, and coagulation parameters such as INR, APTT, fibrinogen concentration in patients with SCS. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the obtained results, a slight increase in the concentration of homocysteine and α1ATp is observed in patients with SCS, which may influence vascular complications.

Association between vascular endothelial growth factor and hypertension in children and adolescents type I diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the incidence of hypertension (HT) in children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM). One hundred and five patients with T1DM were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 30 healthy controls. All the T1DM patients were subjected to biochemical analyses, ophthalmologic examination and 24-h blood pressure monitoring. Besides, all the patients and healthy controls had serum VEGF levels measured with the use of the ELISA methodology. The essence of our research is that patients with T1DM and HT and with microalbuminuria (MA) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) (MA/DR) are characterized by a significantly higher level of VEGF (340.23±93.22 pg ml(-1)) in blood serum in comparison with the group of T1DM patients without HT and MA/DR (183.6±96.6 pg ml(-1)) and with healthy controls (145.32±75.58 pg ml(-1)). In addition, the VEGF level was significantly higher in T1DM patients, who presented all three complications, that is HT, retinopathy and MA in comparison with T1DM patients without HT, but with MA/DR (P=0.036). On the other hand, no statistically significant differences (P=0.19) were noted in the level of VEGF in serum between T1DM patients without HT and MA/DR and the healthy control group. At a further stage of analysis, using the method of multiple regression, it was shown that systolic pressure, HbA1c and duration of disease are independent factors influencing the concentration of VEGF. Summarizing, the measurement of VEGF serum levels allows for the identification of groups of patients who have the highest risk of HT and, subsequently, progression of vascular complications.

Transferrin-receptor-mediated iron accumulation controls proliferation and glutamate release in glioma cells.

Transferrin receptors (TfR) are overexpressed in brain tumors, but the pathological relevance has not been fully explored. Here, we show that TfR is an important downstream effector of ets transcription factors that promotes glioma proliferation and increases glioma-evoked neuronal death. TfR mediates iron accumulation and reactive oxygen formation and thereby enhanced proliferation in clonal human glioma lines, as shown by the following experiments: (1) downregulating TfR expression reduced proliferation in vitro and in vivo; (2) forced TfR expression in low-grade glioma accelerated proliferation to the level of high-grade glioma; (3) iron and oxidant chelators attenuated tumor proliferation in vitro and tumor size in vivo. TfR-induced oxidant accumulation modified cellular signaling by inactivating a protein tyrosine phosphatase (low-molecular-weight protein tyrosine phosphatase), activating mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt and by inactivating p21/cdkn1a and pRB. Inactivation of these cell cycle regulators facilitated S-phase entry. Besides its effect on proliferation, TfR also boosted glutamate release, which caused N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor-mediated reduction of neuron cell mass. Our results indicate that TfR promotes glioma progression by two mechanisms, an increase in proliferation rate and glutamate production, the latter mechanism providing space for the progressing tumor mass.

The role of immunohistochemistry in histopathological diagnostics of clinically "silent" incidentally detected adrenal masses.

BACKGROUND: The detectability of adrenal incidentalomas (incidentally found adrenal tumours) in the whole population is estimated at 0.1%; 0.42% in non-endocrine patients and at 4.3% in oncologically diagnosed ones. Even up to 16% of incidentalomas of adrenal glands can be malignant lesions. The issue of crucial importance is the histopathological differentiation between benign lesions and malignant tumours of the adrenal cortex and medulla. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of p53, p21, PCNA and Ki67 in the tumour's tissue can be useful in the histopathological diagnostics of adrenal incidentalomas and whether it is important for prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our series consisted of 74 tumour samples from 164 patients operated for incidentalomas. There were 43 cortical adenomas, 11 cortical adrenocarcinomas and 20 PHEOs (including 5 malignant lesions). Using monoclonal antibodies, the expression of p53, p21, PCNA and Ki67 was evaluated. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant correlation between the expression of p53, p21, Ki67 and the differential diagnosis of adrenal cortical adenoma and adrenocortical carcinoma (for proteins: p53 p=0.010, for p21 p=0.010, for Ki67 p<0.001). The statistical significant correlation between PCNA protein and diagnosis of adrenal cortical adenoma and adrenocortical carcinoma was not found. The statistically significant correlation between p21, PCNA proteins and the diagnosis of benign and malignant PHEOs was not estimated. There was no expression of Ki67 or p53 protein above the assumed level in benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. The statistically significant correlation between p53, p21, PCNA or Ki67 and the occurrence of metastases in adrenocarcinoma and malignant PHEOs was not found.

[Evaluation of clinical and radiological results of operative treatment of patellar fractures]. / Zlamania rzepki w klinicznej i radiologicznej ocenie wyników leczenia operacyjnego.

The paper presents the clinical and radiological evaluation of surgical treatment of patellar fractures in the years 1984-1999. Th study group included 45 patients (18 female and 27 males). The observation period ranged from 2 to 6 years; on average 6 years. The most common procedure was tension band fixation (20 patients), followed by hemipatellectomy (14 patients) and patellectomy (11 patients). Radiological assessment revealed the highest number of excellent and very good results in patients treated with tension band fixation. No excellent results and 50% food results were noted in patients treated by partial patellectomy. The worst radiological resulted were noted in patients treated by total patellectomy. Clinical results were similar to radiological results: 75% of patients treated by tension band fixation had no pain, while the group treated by total patellectomy revealed only 27.3% excellent and very good results.

Anti-inflammatory effects of zileuton in a subpopulation of allergic asthmatics.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of allergen exposure on leukotriene generation and inflammation within the airways of allergic asthmatics and evaluate the effects of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton on these responses. We measured leukotriene-B(4) (LTB(4)) and LTC(4)/D(4)/E(4), inflammatory cytokine mediators, and cellular responses in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) before and 24 h after segmental ragweed antigen challenge in 18 asthmatic subjects at baseline. Before initiating therapy with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor or placebo, only nine of 18 asthmatic subjects had a significant increase (234 +/- 102-fold, mean +/- SE) in BALF LTC(4)/D(4)/E(4) levels 24 h after segmental antigen challenge, whereas leukotriene levels were essentially unchanged (1.14 +/- 0.22-fold) in the other nine subjects. The high LT producers also had higher postantigen BALF levels of LTB(4), total protein, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and recovery of more eosinophils than the low LT producers. Treatment with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton reduced postantigen BALF eosinophil count by 68% in the high LT producers, but had no detectable effect on BALF composition in the low LT producers. These data suggest that leukotriene inhibition may be more effective in a subset of asthmatics in whom leukotrienes are a major contributory factor in causing allergic inflammation.

[Research on strength of the grafts that are used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]. / Doswiadczalne badania nad wytrzymaloscia przeszczepów stosowanych w rekonstrukcji wiezadla krzyzowego przedniego.

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using autogenous tissue is a frequently performed procedure used to restore functional stability in ACL--deficient knees. The purpose of this study was to determine the structural mechanical properties of the ACL and the grafts that are used in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We tested specimens of human tissue including: ACL, medial third patellar tendon B-PT-B, central third patellar tendon B-PT-B, gracilis tendon, semitendinosus tendon (single-stranded, double-stranded and quadrupled-stranded), distal iliotibial tract and plantaris tendon (single-stranded and double-stranded). Specimens were obtained at autopsy from 32 young male cadavers. Biomechanical tests were performed using the FPZ-100 machine (produced by VEB Rauenstein). The following grafts have shown higher values than ACL: quadrupled semitendinosus--229% of ACL, doubled semitendinosus--130% of ACL, central third patellar tendon B-PT-B--114% of ACL and medial third patellar tendon B-PT-B--107% of ACL. The following grafts have shown lower values than ACL: semitendinosus tendon--72% of ACL, gracilis tendon--49% of ACL, distal iliotibial tract--47% of ACL, doubled plantaris--18% of ACL and single plantaris--10% of ACL.

[Results of treatment of acute grade III acro-myo-clavicular dislocation by closed reduction and Kirschner wires fixation]. / Wyniki leczenia swiezych zwichniec stawu barkowo-obojczykowego III stopnia za pomoca zamknietej repozycji i stabilizacji drutami Kirschnera.

Eight patients with acute, grade III acromioclavicular dislocation were treated by closed reduction and fixation with Kirschner wires introduced through the acromion into distal end of the clavicle. Desault plaster cast was discarded and K-wires removed after 6 weeks (in 3 patients after 4 weeks due to loosening). Minimum follow-up was 2 years. Patients were assessed with a 100 points scale of Kawabe et al., initial and final radiographs were compared. Four results were rated excellent (between 90 and 100 points), 3 results good (between 80 and 89 points) and in one case result was fair. Normal anatomy of acromioclavicular joint has been found in 75% of patients. Partial loss of reduction was found in two patients. It has been concluded, that closed reduction and fixation with Kirschner wires is simple, barely invasive method of treatment for acromioclavicular dislocation and gives good final results.