Comparison of Frequency and Severity of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders in Children with Simple Obesity and Paediatric Patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) can be present in children with simple obesity and with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and influence an individual diagnostic and treatment approach. We compared frequency and severity of SRBDs in children with simple obesity and with PWS, both without and on recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment, and correlation of SRBDs with insulin resistance tests. A screening polysomnography-polygraphy (PSG), the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were analysed in three groups of patients-with simple obesity (group 1, n = 30, mean age 14.2 years), patients with PWS without the rhGH therapy (group 2, n = 8, mean age 13.0 years) and during the rhGH treatment (group 3, n = 17, mean age 8.9 years). The oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was significantly higher in groups 2 and 3, compared to group 1 (p = 0.00), and hypopnea index (HI) was higher in group 1 (p = 0.03). Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and apnea index (AI) results positively correlated with the insulin resistance parameters in groups 1 and 3. The PSG values worsened along with the increasing insulin resistance in children with simple obesity and patients with PWS treated with rhGH that may lead to a change in the patients' care.

Sleep-related breathing disorders in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome depending on the period of growth hormone treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) are commonly present in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment is reported to improve breathing function in PWS, but the findings are not explicit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Screening polysomnography- polygraphy (PSG), assessing nasal respiratory flow, respiratory effort, and blood oxygen saturation, was used. Group 1 - before rhGH therapy (n = 11, mean age 3.0 years); PSG was repeated after the start of rhGH therapy in a mean time of 0.9 years in six patients (Group 1a). Group 2 - on rhGH treatment, for a mean time of four years (n = 17, mean age 8.8 years). Group 3 - without rhGH therapy due to severe obesity (n = 8, mean age 13.1 years). RESULTS: Group 1 - mean apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was 10.2, oxygen desaturation index (ODI)- 36.3, Group 1a- AHI 12.0, ODI 60.9, Group 2-AHI 9.0, ODI 25.1, Group 3- AHI 8.2, ODI 22.0. ODI was significantly higher in Group 1a than in the other groups (p < 0.005), but not strictly related to SRBD. The results in Group 2 did not differ significantly from those of Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proves the high frequency of SRBD among PWS patients, with worsening of ODI after short-term rhGH therapy.

Revision of the species complex Amidostomum acutum (Lundahl, 1848) (Nematoda: Amidostomatidae) by use of molecular techniques.

The aim of the work is to confirm the species differentiation of the nematodes of the Amidostomatidae family: Amidostomoides acutum (Lundahl, 1848) Lomakin, 1991; Amidostomoides monodon (Linstow, 1882) Lomakin, 1991, and Amidostomoides petrovi (Shakhtahtinskaya, 1956) Lomakin, 1991, which still are used in the parasitological literature as synonyms of Amidostomum acutum (Lundahl, 1848). The research material consisted of nematodes isolated from gizzards of dabbling ducks from the north-west of Poland. To confirm the species differentiation, DNA from the nematodes was isolated and approximately 630bp of the 28S rRNA gene were sequenced. The obtained DNA sequences were tabulated and then phylogenetic analysis were conducted using the UPGMA method. The results of the research distinctly diversify the nematodes of the genus Amidostomoides at the DNA level, which together with morphological and ecological differences among them (hosts from different systematic groups) enables to classify them into the separate species.

Chemical and magnetic functionalization of graphene oxide as a route to enhance its biocompatibility.

The novel approach for deposition of iron oxide nanoparticles with narrow size distribution supported on different sized graphene oxide was reported. Two different samples with different size distributions of graphene oxide (0.5 to 7 µm and 1 to 3 µm) were selectively prepared, and the influence of the flake size distribution on the mitochondrial activity of L929 with WST1 assay in vitro study was also evaluated. Little reduction of mitochondrial activity of the GO-Fe3O4 samples with broader size distribution (0.5 to 7 µm) was observed. The pristine GO samples (0.5 to 7 µm) in the highest concentrations reduced the mitochondrial activity significantly. For GO-Fe3O4 samples with narrower size distribution, the best biocompatibility was noticed at concentration 12.5 µg/mL. The highest reduction of cell viability was noted at a dose 100 µg/mL for GO (1 to 3 µm). It is worth noting that the chemical functionalization of GO and Fe3O4 is a way to enhance the biocompatibility and makes the system independent of the size distribution of graphene oxide.

[Preterm delivery by cesarean section in patient with polycythemia vera]. / Przedwczesne ukonczenie ciazy cieciem cesarskim u pacjentki z czerwienica prawdziwa.

Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disease most commonly diagnosed in male 60-70 years old patients. It is associated with a higher risk of thrombosis and bleeding. It is very rarely diagnosed in young patients, and thus only few cases of pregnant women have been reported in the literature. These reports show that polycythemia vera may have a detrimental effect on outcome of the pregnancy (PIH, spontaneous miscarriages, preterm delivery, and stillbirth). We report a 33-year-old woman with polycythemia vera who underwent caesarean delivery in 34 weeks gestation. This case demonstrates fully successful result of our intensive perinatal care.