Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: Women who develop GDM present a metabolic condition similar to that found in type 2 diabetes, characterized by impaired insulin response. Due to similar pathophysiologic mechanisms found between type 2DM and GDM, there is a great interest in finding markers that will lead to the understanding of a possible common origin to both diseases. The aim of this study was to determine serum FGF21 levels in 2DM and GDM and its correlation with selected metabolic parameters. Method: The study included 54 2DM patients and 52 nondiabetic individuals (control group 1) as well as 74 GDM women and 32 healthy pregnant controls (control group 2). Serum FGF21 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in all groups, and correlated with biochemical parameters of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (HbA1c, HOMA index, TG, and HDL cholesterol). Results: FGF21 concentration was significantly higher in 2DM as compared with control group 1 (p < 0.01). In the 2DM group, FGF21 was positively correlated with HOMA index (p = 0.022, R = 0.398). In the GDM group, the positive relationships with FGF21 were observed with glucose (p = 0.020, R = 0.264) and TG (p = 0.013, R = 0.283) while HDL-C levels were correlated negatively (p = 0.004, R = -0.326). Conclusion: Serum FGF21 levels were significantly higher in 2DM patients than those without diabetes. Moreover, serum FGF21 levels were associated with selected metabolic parameters, suggesting that it may play acrolein glucose and lipid metabolism.

Circulation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum among invasive and native carnivore species living in sympatry in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is characterized by a worldwide distribution and distinguished from other Anaplasmataceae by the broadest range of mammalian hosts and high genetic diversity. The role carnivores play in the life cycle of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is uncertain. Currently, only the red fox is considered a suitable reservoir host. In this study, we focused on native and invasive medium-sized carnivore species that live in sympatry and represent the most abundant species of wild carnivores in Poland. METHODS: A total of 275 individual spleen samples from six carnivore species (Vulpes vulpes, Meles meles, Procyon lotor, Nyctereutes procyonoides and Martes spp.) were screened combining nested PCR and sequencing for A. phagocytophilum targeting a partial groEL gene with subsequent phylogenetic analysis inferred by the maximum likelihood method. RESULTS: The DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected in 16 of 275 individuals (5.8%). Eight unique genetic variants of A. phagocytophilum were obtained. All detected haplotypes clustered in the clade representing European ecotype I. Three variants belonged to the subclade with European human cases together with strains from dogs, foxes, cats, and wild boars. CONCLUSIONS: While carnivores might have a restricted role in the dissemination of A. phagocytophilum due to their relatively low to moderate infection rates, they hold significance as hosts for ticks. Consequently, they could contribute to the transmission of tick-borne infections to humans indirectly, primarily through tick infection. This underscores the potential risk of urbanization for the A. phagocytophilum life cycle, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive understanding of its ecological dynamics.

Angiogenic and Microvascular Status Alterations after Endovascular Revascularization of Lower Limb Arteries among Patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome: A Prospective 12-Month Follow-Up Study.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)-induced ischemia is an important component of diabetic foot syndrome (DFS). The results of revascularization of the lower extremity arteries (including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA]) do not always give satisfactory long-term results, which is due to many factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the alterations in selected circulating angiogenic factors and microcirculation parameters in 41 patients with DFS following PTA and analyze their relationships with clinical outcomes during 1-year follow-up. Our study revealed a general decrease in pro-angiogenic factor levels after PTA and their subsequent stabilization during subsequent observation. The results indicated a significant association between plasma circulating FGF-2 level and poor outcomes (including the incidence of restenosis/reocclusion of treated arteries) during 12 months of observation. The perioperative changes in FGF-2 showed a significant association with LDF alterations after PTA. Follow-up 1-3 months post-intervention showed a tendency towards elevated TcpO2, VEGF-A, and VEGF-R2 levels in patients free from adverse events. These results may provide a basis for further research on the potential use of selected circulating angiogenic factors for monitoring the treatment of patients with DFS following PTA.

Salivary matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a biomarker of periodontitis in pregnant patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and diabetes increase the risk of developing pathological conditions in the periodontium. Salivary biomarkers, such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), as well as antioxidants can be used as diagnostic indicators in monitoring periodontitis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the periodontal status of pregnant women with regard to the presence of diabetes. In addition, we aimed to assess antioxidant activity and the level of MMP-9 in saliva in order to establish the optimal noninvasive determinants of periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 104 pregnant women: 35 patients had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); 30 patients had type 1 diabetes (T1D); and 39 patients did not have diabetes (the control group). The physical examination included the assessment of the approximal plaque index (API), the gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), the probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). In the saliva study, MMP-9 concentration as well as the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were measured. RESULTS: The pregnant patients with GDM and T1D had higher GI, BOP, PPD, and CAL scores than the control women (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0040, p = 0.0100, p = 0.0030, and p < 0.0001, p < 0.0009, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). The T1D patients had higher API scores as compared to the control women (p = 0.0010). The patients with periodontitis had higher salivary MMP-9 levels than the patients without periodontitis (p = 0.0001). The salivary antioxidant levels and activity were comparable among the study groups. The determinants of periodontitis (p < 0.0001) were MMP-9 concentration (p = 0.0008) and oral hygiene (p = 0.0001). The concentration of MMP-9 was also a useful determiner of the presence of periodontitis (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In the pregnant women with diabetes, we observed worse gingival conditions, deeper periodontal pockets and greater attachment loss in comparison with the women from the control group. The concentration of MMP-9 in saliva is a good predictor of periodontitis and might be a useful tool for diagnosing periodontitis.

The Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Wild-Living Carnivores in Poland-A Question Concerning Its Host Specificity.

Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that primarily infects the gastrointestinal epithelium in humans and domestic and wild animals. The majority of studies have been focused on human, livestock, and pet infections. Hence, Cryptosporidium spp. in wildlife, including wild carnivores, remained neglected. There are several studies reporting the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild foxes, but these are only a few molecular surveys; no data is available concerning the occurrence of this parasite in raccoon dogs and martens in Europe, and to the best of our knowledge to date, only one study has reported Cryptosporidium from badgers in Spain. Therefore, we used molecular analyses to identify and genotype Cryptosporidium spp. in wild-living mesocarnivores in Poland. A total of 322 individual fecal samples from six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine, and beech martens were collected and then analyzed for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using the nested PCR method. The appearance of PCR products in the reaction with Cryptosporidium-specific primers against the 18S rRNA and actin genes demonstrated that Cryptosporidium spp. occurred in 23.0% of all examined species of animals. Performed sequence analyses showed the presence of the Cryptosporidium skunk genotype, Cryptosporidium vole genotype II, Cryptosporidium canis dog and fox genotypes, as well as Cryptosporidium erinacei, Cryptosporidium ditrichi, Cryptosporidium suis, and Cryptosporidium alticolis, in these hosts. Molecular data presented here indicate that examined mesocarnivores may be a significant reservoir of specific and non-specific Cryptosporidium species, including those with zoonotic potential. Most studies of carnivores have described the presence of non-specific Cryptosporidium spp. in carnivore hosts, and this is probably the result of the transfer of these parasites from prey species through the digestive tract or the transfer of the parasite from a contaminated environment.

Remote assessment of quality, processing and economic criteria in qualification of suppliers to the meat packaging foil producer-A Greek case study.

Supervision over the suppliers of packaging as well as suppliers of raw materials for packaging production is important to ensure the quality and safety of meat products. The aim of this study was to verify the remote evaluation procedure of quality, processing and economic criteria in qualification of raw materials suppliers to the meat packaging foil producer during the Covid-19 pandemic. The evaluation was done remotely in terms of meeting some of the requirements of the quality management system (QMS) in conditions where regular audit could not be carried out. The survey was conducted in one of the biggest packaging foil producers in Greece via its supplier evaluation. The evaluation consisted of: 1/ economic criteria and 2/ quality and processing criteria. The highest and the lowest rated economic criteria were procedural compliance and price of raw materials. Among the quality and processing criteria, the highest score was given to warranties and claims policies and material quality, and the lowest one to lead time. The highest ratings obtained suppliers of raw materials directly involved in production, suppliers from Greece, the USA and Denmark, as well as suppliers to the R&D department. The results of the study showed that the quality of the raw materials directly used in the production of packaging foil was adequate. Therefore, their use ensure production of packaging foil and finally packaged meat products of adequate quality and safety. The presented procedure occurred to be useful for remote evaluation of quality, processing and economic criteria in qualification of suppliers during the Covid-19 pandemic. It may inspire other producers of food packaging materials to continuing supervision over their suppliers while regular methods of control are limited.

Occurrence of Borrelia sp. among Wild Living Invasive and Native Mesocarnivores in Poland.

Wild living mesocarnivores, both introduced and native species, are able to adapt well to peri-urban environments, facilitating cross-species pathogen transmission with domestic animals, and potentially humans. Individual tissue samples derived from 284 specimens of six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine marten and stone marten, were used for molecular investigations with the nested PCR method. The animals were sampled in the Ruszów Forest District (Poland). We aimed to examine the relative importance of the studied mesocarnivores as hosts of Borrelia spp. and investigated their role in this spirochaete's transmission cycle. We also aimed to trace the reservoir competence of these invasive and native predators and borreliosis eco-epidemiology in the context of a dilution effect. The overall prevalence of Borrelia spp. in the tested carnivores was 8.8%. Almost all of the consensus sequences of the partial flaB gene shared identity with a sequence of specific Borrelia species, i.e., B. afzelii, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi. Our results suggest that raccoons may play a role as reservoir hosts for these spirochaetal bacteria. The role of invasive species seems to be worthy of further analysis with reference to the circulation of vector-borne pathogens as well as in the context of the "dilution effect" hypothesis.

A molecular survey of spotted fever group rickettsiae in introduced raccoons (Procyon lotor).

BACKGROUND: The raccoon Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Carnivora; Procyonidae) is one of the most important and most intensively studied invasive mammal species in Europe. Within the last 30 years the raccoon has spread at an increasing rate, resulting in the establishment of local populations in various regions of Europe. In these newly colonised areas, gaps in knowledge of the raccoon's biology concern not only most aspects of its ecology in a broad sense, but also its pathogens and parasites. Most micropathogens recorded hitherto in the raccoons that have colonised Europe have documented epizootic and zoonotic potential. Thus, it is considered especially important to investigate the role played by the raccoon in the spread of pathogens through both animal-animal and animal-human pathways. METHODS: Tissue samples of raccoons from Poland and Germany were examined in this study. In total, 384 tissue samples from 220 raccoons (170 spleen samples, 82 liver biopsies, 132 ear biopsies) were examined using molecular methods. The presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA was screened through amplification of a fragment of the gltA gene. Samples that were PCR positive for gltA were tested for other rickettsial genes, ompB and a 17-kDa antigen. For taxonomic purposes, the obtained sequences were compared with corresponding sequences deposited in GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Bayesian inference implemented in MrBayes software. RESULTS: Rickettsia DNA was confirmed only in skin biopsies; no isolates from the spleen or liver were positive for Rickettsia DNA. With the exception of one sample from Germany, which was positive for Rickettsia helvetica DNA, all the samples positive for Rickettsia DNA derived from the Polish population of raccoons. DNA of Rickettsia spp. was detected in 25 samples, i.e. 11.4% of the tested raccoons, and R. helvetica was confirmed in 52% of the positive samples. Additionally, single cases of Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia raoultii, and Candidatus Rickettsia kotlanii-like were found, and in 32% of all the positive samples similarity was shown to different Rickettsia endosymbionts. Out of the samples that tested positive for gltA, amplicons of ompB and 17 kDa were successfully sequenced from 14 and three samples, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this study provides, for the first time, evidence of the occurrence of Rickettsia pathogens and endosymbionts in the European population of raccoons. Further, broader research on different species of wild vertebrates, and ticks, as potential vectors and hosts for tick-borne pathogens, in natural as well as in peri-urban environments, is therefore required.

Copro-Molecular Identification of Tapeworms in Introduced Invasive Carnivores in Poland.

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were introduced to Europe and, in the past decades, their populations have increased and adapted to synanthropic environments across Europe. In view of their possible further spread in Europe, the invasive species should be examined as potential reservoirs for helminths, including tapeworms. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and diversity of tapeworms in introduced wild carnivores in Poland by identifying cestode species based on copro-DNA analysis. A total of 214 individual fecal samples from non-native invasive carnivores, i.e., raccoons and raccoon dogs, and additionally 47 samples from native carnivores, i.e., European badgers (Meles meles), were analyzed for the presence of cestodes. PCR analysis of fecal samples targeting a fragment of mitochondrial (mt) 12S rRNA gene revealed the presence of cestode DNA in 19 of 103 (18.4%) raccoons, in 13 of 111 (11.7%) raccoon dogs and in 23 of 47 (48.9%) badgers. Sequence analysis demonstrated the presence of Mesocestoides litteratus in raccoons and raccoon dogs, while Mesocestoides lineatus was identified only in two samples derived from raccoon dogs. Moreover, in this study, Atriotaenia incisa was for the first time molecularly characterized by using fragments of mt 12S rRNA gene, and the DNA of this cestode species was detected in the fecal samples of all the examined host species.

Rickettsiae among mustelids - new data from south-west Poland.

Information on the prevalence on Rickettsia spp. in free-ranging mustelids and their specific ectoparasites is scarce. However, stone martens (Martes foina), pine martens (Martes martes) and European badgers (Meles meles) are common predators in many regions of Poland. In the present study we used tissue fragments to determine Rickettsia prevalence in these carnivores by molecular biology techniques. In addition, we included a data on several species of invertebrates that commonly feed on badgers.

Zoonotic Genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Wild Living Invasive and Native Carnivores in Poland.

Wild carnivores, both introduced and native species, are able to adapt well to peri-urban environments, facilitating cross-species pathogen transmission with domestic animals, and potentially humans. The role of wild living reservoir hosts cannot be ignored because of their known carriage of E. bieneusi zoonotic genotypes. In the past decades, populations of wild living carnivores, i.e., native, such as red foxes, and invasive, such as raccoon dogs and raccoons, have increased and adapted to synanthropic environments across Europe, including Poland. The knowledge concerning E. bieneusi genotype identification and distribution in wild carnivores is limited worldwide. A total of 322 individual fecal samples from six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine and beech martens, were collected and then analysed for the presence of E. bieneusi using the nested PCR method. Overall prevalence of the pathogen was estimated to be as high as 27.3%. The infection rates for E. bieneusi varied between the carnivore species, from 13.7% in beech martens to 40.4% in raccoon dogs. Based on sequence analysis of the ITS region of the rRNA gene marker, we detected five known genotypes of E. bieneusi in examined animals. In the invasive species, E. bieneusi NCF2 and D genotypes have been identified, whereas in the native ones, E. bieneusi NCF2, D, C, EbCar2 and Type IV genotypes were identified. All E. bieneusi genotypes recorded in this survey clustered in Group 1, showing their zoonotic potential. Our results provide the first description of the occurrence and genotypes of the microsporidian E. bieneusi in wild living population of raccoon dogs in Europe. Our findings are important for the study of pathogen epidemiology and emphasize the fact that the invasive and the native wild living carnivores, both widely distributed, should be considered more seriously as significant sources of zoonotic pathogens hazardous to domestic and farmed animals and humans.

Serum inflammatory markers in the diagnosis and assessment of Crohn's disease activity.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic characteristics of selected inflammatory markers and the results of multiplication of their concentrations in the diagnosis and assessment of Crohn's disease (CD) activity. METHODS: We studied 49 patients with CD and 31 healthy controls. The CD patients were assigned to subgroups with active and inactive disease based on the Crohn's Disease Activity Index score. Serum interleukins and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using immunoassays. RESULTS: Serum CRP and interleukins: IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23 were significantly higher in the CD group than in controls, with the best diagnostic performance for IL-23. Only serum IL-6 and CRP were significantly higher in active than in inactive disease, with the better performance of CRP. Multiplication results did not perform better than individual multipliers. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CRP may be useful in the assessment of CD activity and there is a need for introduction of IL-23 for the CD diagnosis.

Redox Balance Correlates with Nutritional Status among Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Treated with Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Over 50% of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients die of cardiovascular disease. ESRD patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis are repeatedly exposed to oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to find the relationship between lifestyle factors, nutritional status, calcium-phosphate metabolism, and selected redox parameters such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), uric acid (UA), and total antioxidant capacity expressed as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The study included 97 ESRD hemodialysis patients and 42 controls with no renal disease. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire which gathered information on their physical activity, hours of sleep, smoking, and frequency of fruit and vegetable intake; the blood samples were then drawn before the midweek dialysis session. The ESRD patients had lower levels of GR, GPx, and SOD activity, a lower level of FRAP, and a higher UA concentration than the control group. The FRAP value decreased with age (ρ = -0.32, p = 0.001); smokers had a significantly lower SOD activity in comparison to nonsmokers (p = 0.03). In the ESRD patients, FRAP and UA correlated with both albumin (ρ = 0.26, p = 0.011; ρ = 0.41, p = 0.006, respectively) and prealbumin (ρ = 0.34, p ≤ 0.001; ρ = 0.28, p = 0.006, respectively), whereas UA, GR, GPx, and SOD correlated with calcium, UA, GR, and GPx with phosphate level. Based on the findings, there are weak associations between nutritional status and selected redox parameters in hemodialyzed patients. Further studies are needed to establish if diet modifications and adequate nutritional status can positively impact the antioxidant capacity in this group of patients.

Cadmium-induced oxidative stress in Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio Bloch) hepatopancreas: ameliorating effect of melatonin.

The oxidative status of the hepatopancreas of Prussian carp females (Carassius gibelio) co-exposed to sublethal cadmium in water and melatonin was studied. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in homogenates of the hepatopancreas. Furthermore, concentrations of cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in the hepatopancreas were assayed. These females received melatonin implants and were exposed to 0.4 mg/L or 4.0 mg/L Cd in water for either a 13- or a 7-week period, followed by further 6 weeks of purification in clear water. Exposure to Cd influenced the increase in this metal concentration in fish hepatopancreas. In contrast, the fish exposed to cadmium with additional administration of melatonin had a lower accumulation of this metal. Exposure to Cd caused the increase in GSH content and the activity of GR, and a reduction in GPx activity, whereas the SOD activity varies depending on the exposure time on cadmium. In the hepatopancreas of fish treated with Cd alone, the content of Cu and Zn were increased and that of Fe was changed. After melatonin administration to Cd-exposed fish, a decrease in copper and zinc hepatopancreas content was noted. The present findings imply that melatonin co-treatment can effectively protect the fish against the toxic effects of cadmium on endogenous antioxidant status in hepatopancreas tissues and variations in metal concentration, such as Zn, Cu, and Fe.

Evaluation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status and biomarkers of oxidative stress in saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral leukoplakia: a pilot study.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate total antioxidant capacity as well as levels of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, and oxidative stress markers in saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral leukoplakia (OL). Material and methods: Twenty patients with OSCC, 20 patients with OL and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled into this prospective study. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) as well as levels of total glutathione (tGSH), reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratio, uric acid (UA), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated in saliva using appropriate biochemical methods. Results: The activity of SOD was significantly higher in OSCC group in comparison with OL and control groups. The levels of GSH were markedly lower in OSCC and OL patients as compared to the control group. Likewise, we found that GSH/GSSG ratio was markedly lower in the OSCC and OL groups. Levels of some biomarkers were influenced by clinical staging of OSCC and OL as well as by sociodemographic factors. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study suggest that salivary activity of SOD is higher in OSCC patients, whereas levels of GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio are lower in saliva of patients with OSCC and OL. Clinical staging of OSCC and OL, as well as some sociodemographic factors may also influence salivary antioxidant status.

The opportunistic pathogen Encephalitozoon cuniculi in wild living Murinae and Arvicolinae in Central Europe.

Encephalitozoon spp. is an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite that infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including humans. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Encephalitozoon spp. in wild living rodents from Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Faecal and spleen samples were collected from individuals of Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, and Myodes glareolus (n = 465) and used for DNA extraction. PCR, targeting the ITS region of the rRNA gene was performed. The overall prevalence of microsporidia was 15.1%. The occurrence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the abovementioned host species of rodents has been presented for the first time, with the highest infection rate recorded for A. flavicollis. Sequence analysis showed that the most frequent species was E. cuniculi genotype II (92.5%). E. cuniculi genotypes I (1.5%) and III (6.0%) were also identified.

Paralogs vs. genotypes? Variability of Babesia canis assessed by 18S rDNA and two mitochondrial markers.

Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis sensu stricto became an emerging disease of dogs across Europe calling for attention also in countries where it was an only rare imported disease. An easy accessibility of molecular methods and the growing amount of sequencing data led to the description of intraspecific variability in 18S rDNA sequences designated as "genotypes". Using material from a homogenous cohort of dogs with microscopically confirmed canine babesiosis caused by B. canis, we evaluated Babesia intraspecific variability and amplification sensitivity of three different genes (18S rDNA, COI, Cytb) to assess their potential as diagnostic or phylogenetic markers. In raw sequencing data obtained, we observed at least 3 ambiguous positions in up to 86% of chromatograms within the ∼560 bp fragment of 18S rDNA suggesting the existence of several, not identical copies of this gene. Our COI haplotype analysis resulted in a star-like pattern indicating a recent origin of most haplotypes, but not supporting the existence of two dominant haplotypes. Similarly, the Cytb sequences obtained from samples with all variants of 18S rDNA were identical. We corroborate previous observations from three other European countries and bring the evidence of the existence of 18S rDNA paralogs in B. canis genome replacing currently used "genotype" theory.

Boronate Affinity Chromatography Accurately Measures HbA1c also in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease - Performance Evaluation of the A1c HPLC Analyzer.

BACKGROUND: Boronate affinity chromatography is widely used, and the method has lately been improved and designed for HbA1c measurements. We report performance evaluation of the affinity chromatography HbA1c HPLC analyzer. METHODS: Within- and between-run imprecision was assessed based on the results of a series of measurements in three different EDTA blood samples and in control materials. HbA1c levels were measured and compared in 349 EDTA blood samples and 50 samples from patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) using the Premier Hb9210 analyzer (affinity chromatography) and the D-10 Hemoglobin Testing System (ion-exchange chromatography). RESULTS: The within- and between-run imprecision CVs ranged from 0.72% to 2.01%. Median HbA1c level measured by the Premier Hb9210 was significantly lower (6.4% [46 mmol/mol] vs. 6.6% [49 mmol/mol], p < 0.001). The Passing-Bablok agreement test yielded a slope of 1.0 (95% CI: 1.0 to 1.0) and intercept of -0.1 (95% CI: -0.1 to -0.1). Correlation coefficient and the mean difference amounted to 0.992 and -0.13% (95% CI: -0.11 to -0.15), respectively. Similar results were obtained for HbA1c levels < 7% [< 53 mmol/mol] and ≥ 7% [≥ 53 mmol/mol]. In ESRD patients, median HbA1c level measured by the Premier Hb9210 was also significantly lower (6.0% [42 mmol/mol] vs. 6.5 [48 mmol/mol], p < 0.001) with the mean difference equal to -0.52% (95% CI: -0.59 to -0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Although the Premier Hb9210 gave lower HbA1c levels, good results agreement with the D-10 Hemoglobin Testing System was found. Analytical performance found for HbA1c measurements in ESRD patients was similar. The Premier Hb9210 analyzer is suitable for routine HbA1c testing in clinical practice.

The occurrence of Anaplasmataceae in European populations of invasive carnivores.

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) belong to a group of the invasive species. The introduced species as potential reservoirs for vector-borne pathogens have been the subject of recent research, though there are still no data with reference to the European population of the raccoon, and few studies concern only the raccoon dog. This study shows the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae representatives in raccoons and a sympatric population of the raccoon dogs obtained from the area of Poland and Germany. During the study, the occurrence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum ecotype I in the introduced raccoon in northwestern Poland was revealed. Additionally, Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) was identified for the first time in the raccoon dog in Central Europe and thereby the raccoon dog is a new host for this pathogen.

Malnutrition, Inflammation, Atherosclerosis Syndrome (MIA) and Diet Recommendations among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Treated with Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis syndrome is one of the causes of increased mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the study was to assess the inflammation and nutritional status of patients in end-stage kidney disease treated with maintenance hemodialysis. The study included a group of 98 hemodialyzed patients with stage 5 CKD (38 women and 60 men). Albumin, prealbumin (PRE), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum samples collected before mid-week dialysis. Fruit and vegetables frequency intakes were assessed with a questionnaire. CRP was above the reference limit of 5 mg/L in 53% of patients. Moreover, the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) indicated the co-occurrence of inflammation and protein calorie malnutrition in 11% of patients, and the presence of either inflammation or malnutrition in 25%. The questionnaire revealed that hemodialyzed patients frequently exclude fruit and vegetables from their diets. Nearly 43% of the interviewed patients declared frequently eating vegetables, and 35% declared frequently eating fruit, a few times per week or less. The most frequently selected fruit and vegetables had a low antioxidant capacity. The strict dietary restrictions in CKD are difficult to fulfill, and if strictly followed, may lead to protein-calorie malnutrition.