Controlling Optomechanical Libration with the Degree of Polarization.

Control of the potential energy and free evolution lie at the heart of levitodynamics as key requirements for sensing, wave function expansion, and mechanical squeezing protocols. Here, we experimentally demonstrate versatile control over the optical potential governing the libration motion of a levitated anisotropic nanoparticle. This control is achieved by introducing the degree of polarization as a new tool for rotational levitodynamics. We demonstrate thermally driven free rotation of a levitated anisotropic scatterer around its short axis and we use the rotational degrees of freedom to probe the local spin of a strongly focused laser beam.

An association between the matrix metalloproteinase 1 promoter gene polymorphism and lymphnode metastasis in breast cancer.

A single guanine insertion (1G/2G polymorphism) in the promoter of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) gene creates a binding site for the transcription factor and may affect the level of transcription of MMP-1. An elevated level of MMP-1 in cancer cells may facilitate their invasion and contribute to metastasis. To evaluate the contribution of 1G/2G polymorphism in the development and/or progression of breast cancer we genotyped 135 subjects with breast cancer. The 1G/2G polymorphism was determined by the method based on restriction endonuclease digestion. We found that the frequency of the 2G allele was higher in lymphnode-metastasis patients than in the group without metastasis (p < 0.001). We did not find differences between distribution of the genotypes and frequencies of alleles in cancer patients and in healthy subjects served as control. Our results suggest that allele 2G may be associated with lymphnode metastasis in patients with breast cancer and therefore it can be considered as a prognostic marker in this disease.

Conductometric determination of phenothiazine derivatives.

In this study, a conductometric titration method is proposed for the determination of phenothiazine derivatives in pure and dosage forms. The measurements were carried out in aqueous solution using sodium arsenite as titrant. The breaks in conductometric titration curves have been advantageously utilised for the quantitative determination of these drugs in pharmaceutical preparations. The method was found highly accurate and precise, having a relative standard deviation of less than 1.0% for all solutions containing from 1 to 25 mg of phenothiazine derivative compounds.

Elevated levels of anti-heat shock protein antibodies in patients with cerebral ischemia.

One of the important mechanisms involved in the development of vascular lesions leading to ischemic stroke could be an immune response to heat shock proteins (hsp). For carotid atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, an association with an increase in anti-hsp 65 antibodies has been demonstrated. The aim of our study was (1) to investigate whether ischemic stroke is associated with a humoral immune response to hsp; (2) to study the connection between anti-hsp antibodies and other stroke risk factors; (3) to estimate if the elevated levels of anti-hsp antibodies could be an independent risk factor for stroke. We examined 180 patients (in the first 48 h after stroke onset) and 64 age-matched healthy controls. The levels of IgG and IgM antibodies to hsp 65 and 70 were measured by ELISA. Ischemic stroke was connected with a significant elevation of anti-hsp 65 and anti-hsp 70 antibody levels (IgG and IgM) compared with controls (p < 0.0001). The multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that increased levels of anti-hsp 65 and anti-hsp 70 IgG antibodies are independent risk factors for stroke. Our results suggest that humoral immunity to hsp is common in stroke patients and that elevated levels of anti-hsp antibodies could be triggering factors for stroke.

[Effectiveness coefficient for laryngographic closure of the glottis as a way of evaluating airway protection against aspiration of gastric contents]. / Wskaznik skutecznosci zwarcia glosni (w.s.z.g.) jako sposób oceny zabezpieczenia dróg oddechowych przed aspiracja tresci pokarmowej.

Laryngographic examination was conducted on 35 men aged 45 to 65 with good hearing and proper pronunciation. Based on the examination, the proposed by the authors of this paper laryngographic closure effectiveness coefficient of the glottis (LCEC) was calculated as a way for evaluating protection of airways against the aspiration of food. Glottis occlusion serves an essential function as a mechanism protecting airways, especially in patients who have undergone horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy. The examination was conducted with the purpose of obtaining numerical values of LCEC, which will be treated as results of the controlled group during the examination of swallowing disorders in patients with partial laryngectomy.

[Evaluation of airway protection against aspiration of gastric contents in patients after partial laryngectomy using the laryngographic closure effectiveness coefficient of the glottis/neoglottis]. / Ocena zabezpieczenia dróg oddechowych przed aspiracja tresci pokarmowej u chorych po operacjach czesciowego usuniecia krtani za pomoca wspólczynnika skutecznosci zwarcia glosni/neoglosni (w.s.z.g.).

Laryngographic examinations were conducted on 97 patients who had undergone partial laryngectomy and on 35 subjects being a control group. The study of effectiveness of glottis or neoglottis performed with the use of laryngograph showed no relation between glottis/neoglottis occlusion effectiveness index and intensified swallowing disorders. This shows the lack of compensating option in swallowing disorders with the help of a mechanism based on an efficient glottis or neoglottis occlusion alone.

Anticardiolipin antibodies are an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke.

Our aim was to determine if anticardiolipin antibodies are an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and to determine their influence on stroke type and clinical outcome. We prospectively studied 194 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke admitted within 48 h of stroke. A control group consisted of 100, age and sex matched, healthy individuals. Neurological and functional status was assessed on admission, at 30 days, and at 1 year. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were significantly more frequent in stroke patients (25.3%) than controls (6%, p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis suggested that anticardiolipin antibodies are an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in addition to hypertension and atrial fibrillation (RR = 2.94, p < 0.05). Elevated IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were associated with cognitive impairment as measured by the Mini Mental State Examination at 30 days and at 1 year. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies did not correlate with stroke recurrence, or mortality at 30 days or 1 year.

Effectiveness of classical chordectomy in the treatment of cancer of the glottis.

From 1980 to 1992, 85 patients diagnosed with tumour of the glottis, localized exclusively in the vocal cord area, had undergone surgery. A 90% 5-year survival rate without recurrences had been obtained. Taking into account the cases of life-saving surgery, the percentage of the 5-year survivals amounted to 94%. Considerably better results were obtained by the excision of the entire vocal cord and not just one of its sections (1/2, 2/3 etc.). The degree of deformation of the voice following chordectomy was assessed by means of acoustic and laryngographic methods (Laryngograph Processor PCLX). A 13% rate of irregularity in the functioning of the neoglottis, following surgery, was observed. The Jitter-Shimmer co-efficients were established. The results of the deformation of the voice following chordectomy were presented on the J-S scale and compared with other partial surgeries performed on patients with tumours of the glottis. All of the acoustic and laryngographic findings were presented in the from of mean values most representative of chordectomy.

Iodimetric determination of 2-mercaptopyrimidines.

A new method for the determination of 2-mercaptopyrimidines, using their reaction with iodine in neutral and alkaline medium, is presented. The determinability range in the volumetric titration, in phosphate buffer with starch as an indicator, was found to be equal to 40-1000 mumol for 2-mercaptopyrimidine (I) and 100-2000 mumol for 2-mercapto-4-methylpyrimidine (II), and 200-2000 mumol for 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine (III). In the volumetric titration in alkaline medium, with the potentiometric end-point detection, the determinability range is 50-250 mumol for 2-mercapto-4-methylpyrimidine (II), 50-500 mumol for 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine (III), 20-250 mumol for 4,5-diamino-2,6-dimercaptopyrimidine (IV), and 20-1000 mumol for 2-thioorotic acid (V). In the coulometric titration, using the biamperometric end-point detection, 0.1-4.0 mumol of 2-mercaptopyrimidine (I) and 0.1-5.0 mumol of 2-thioorotic acid (V) were successfully determined.

[Evaluation of the chorioallantoic membrane in the chick embryo to test the irritation potential of chemical and cosmetic products]. / Ocena przyatnosci blony omoczniowo-kosmówkowej zarodka kury do testowania drazniacych wlasciwosci substancji chemicznych.

A large number of new chemicals and cosmetics are introduced every year and it is necessary to find a reliable method for the detection of potential irritants. Hitherto used, for this purpose, in vivo rabbit eye test (Draize's test) should be substituted by alternatives because of ethical and legal aspects. One of the most promising method predicting the irritant potential is test performed on the chorioallantoic membrane of the chick embryo (CAM-test) [5]. This membrane is a complete tissue including arteries, capillaries and veins and is technically easy to study. The aim of the study was to check reliability and sensitivity of the test. The principles of the method are simple. The test substance (pure, dissolved or suspended) is applied to the CAM at a volume of 200 microliters. The blood vessels and the remaining parts of the membrane are examined and scored for irritant effects (hyperaemia, lysis or coagulation) after 0.5, 2 and 5 minutes treatment. The numerical, time-dependent score (Table III) are summed to give a single numerical value indicating the irritation potential of the tested substance (Table II). The final assessment is based on the mean value from four experiments. A summary of the results of CAM irritation testing of some of chemicals and cosmetics is given in Tables IV, V and VI. Table VII shows results of assessment of irritation potential of various cosmetics tested by two methods: CAM and Draize eye tests. It was found that CAM test is a rapid and very sensitive method which can give an information on the potential of irritation of chemical substances and cosmetics.