Additional primary malignancies in a Polish cohort of uveal melanoma patients: a review of 644 patients with long-term follow-up.

AIM: To investigate the frequency and location of additional primary malignancies in a Polish cohort of uveal melanoma (UM) patients registered in a single centre database. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective data analysis of patients treated for uveal melanoma at the Department of Ophthalmology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland between 1991 and 2017. Data on the diagnosis of the additional malignancies were obtained during the follow-up visits in our Department and/or from the Greater Poland Cancer Registry. The exclusion criteria comprised no confirmed follow-up or incomplete clinical entry data. RESULTS: Among 644 UM patients registered in the database up to 2017, the additional malignancy was diagnosed in 126 (20%) patients: 71 men, 55 women at the median age of 67 years (range: 34-94). In 48 patients (38%), the additional malignancy occurred prior to the diagnosis of UM, in 73 (58%) patients - after it. The most common locations of second cancer were skin (20 cases / 15%), breast (17 cases / 13%) and lungs (15 cases / 12%). The median follow-up was 36 months (range: 3-242). 87 patients (69%) died by the study close, 32 (37%) of them due to metastatic disease from uveal melanoma, 41 (47%) due to another cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of additional primary malignancies was higher in our cohort than reported by most of other groups. If there is a certain predisposition to a specific type of additional primary carcinoma in UM patients, the analysis of larger database is required.

Asphericity derived from [18F]FDG PET as a new prognostic parameter in cervical cancer patients.

The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic value of asphericity (ASP) and standardized uptake ratio (SUR) in cervical cancer patients. Retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 508 (aged 55 ± 12 years) previously untreated cervical cancer patients. All patients underwent a pretreatment [18F]FDG PET/CT study to assess the severity of the disease. The metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of the cervical cancer was delineated with an adaptive threshold method. For the resulting ROIs the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was measured. In addition, ASP and SUR were determined as previously described. Univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis with respect to event free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM) and locoregional control (LRC) was performed. Additionally, a multivariate Cox regression including clinically relevant parameters was performed. In the survival analysis, MTV and ASP were shown to be prognostic factors for all investigated endpoints. Tumor metabolism quantified with the SUVmax was not prognostic for any of the endpoints (p > 0.2). The SUR did not reach statistical significance either (p = 0.1, 0.25, 0.066, 0.053, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, the ASP remained a significant factor for EFS and LRC, while MTV was a significant factor for FFDM, indicating their independent prognostic value for the respective endpoints. The alternative parameter ASP has the potential to improve the prognostic value of [18F]FDG PET/CT for event-free survival and locoregional control in radically treated cervical cancer patients.

Influence of Semiquantitative [18F]FDG PET and Hematological Parameters on Survival in HNSCC Patients Using Neural Network Analysis.

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of semiquantitative PET-derived parameters as well as hematological parameters in overall survival in HNSCC patients using neural network analysis. Retrospective analysis was performed on 106 previously untreated HNSCC patients. Several PET-derived parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, TotalSUV, MTV, TLG, TLRmax, TLRmean, TLRTLG, and HI) for primary tumor and lymph node with highest activity were assessed. Additionally, hematological parameters (LEU, LEU%, NEU, NEU%, MON, MON%, PLT, PLT%, NRL, and LMR) were also assessed. Patients were divided according to the diagnosis into the good and bad group. The data were evaluated using an artificial neural network (Neural Analyzer version 2.9.5) and conventional statistic. Statistically significant differences in PET-derived parameters in 5-year survival rate between group of patients with worse prognosis and good prognosis were shown in primary tumor SUVmax (10.0 vs. 7.7; p = 0.040), SUVmean (5.4 vs. 4.4; p = 0.047), MTV (23.2 vs. 14.5; p = 0.010), and TLG (155.0 vs. 87.5; p = 0.05), and mean liver TLG (27.8 vs. 30.4; p = 0.031), TLRmax (3.8 vs. 2.6; p = 0.019), TLRmean (2.8 vs. 1.9; p = 0.018), and in TLRTLG (5.6 vs. 2.3; p = 0.042). From hematological parameters, only LMR showed significant differences (2.5 vs. 3.2; p = 0.009). Final neural network showed that for ages above 60, primary tumors SUVmax, TotalSUV, MTV, TLG, TLRmax, and TLRmean over (9.7, 2255, 20.6, 145, 3.6, 2.6, respectively) are associated with worse survival. Our study shows that the neural network could serve as a supplement to PET-derived parameters and is helpful in finding prognostic parameters for overall survival in HNSCC.

Detection of a second primary cancer in a 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT - multicentre retrospective analysis on a group of 1345 prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of incidental detection of second primary cancer (SPC) at 18F-fluorocholine ([18F]FCH) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) performed in prostate cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 1345 prostate cancer patients, who underwent [18F]FCH PET/CT study because of suspicion of recurrence (n = 937) or for initial staging (n = 408). Images were acquired after intravenous injection [18F]FCH with a mean activity of 200 ± 75 MBq (5.4 ± 2 mCi), from the top of the head to the half of the thigh. The confirmation of second primary cancer was obtained from the cancer registry. RESULTS: Based on the [18F]FCH PET/CT scans, a second primary cancer was suspected in 89 patients (6.6%). Of these, a malignancy was histologically confirmed in 26 patients (29% of all suspected findings and 1.9% of the complete cohort). Lung cancer (including adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine cancer) was diagnosed in 13 patients (50%) and hematologic neoplasm (including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and multiple myeloma) in 5 patients (19%). 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT also revealed esophageal cancer, mesothelioma, testicular, renal, bladder, and colorectal cancer inindividual patients, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin as well as head and neck SCC with unknown primary. CONCLUSION: We conclude that incidental detection of a second primary cancer in prostate cancer patients using [18F]FCH PET/CT is not very common and that lung cancer and hematologic malignancies are most frequently detected.

Prognostic Value of Pretherapeutic Primary Tumor MTV from [18F]FDG PET in Radically Treated Cervical Cancer Patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of pretherapeutic primary tumor metabolic tumor volume (MTV) in the prognosis of radically treated cervical cancer patients. Retrospective, single-centre analysis was performed on a group of 508 cervical cancer patients. All patients underwent a pretreatment [18F]FDG PET/CT study for the assessment of the disease stage. Several PET-derived parameters-namely, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and MTV, as well as the clinical parameters, were analysed in terms of the overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), locoregional control (LRC) and freedom from distant metastases (FFDM). Hyperthermia and brachytherapy were prognostic for EFS, OS, and LRC.FIGO stage > II showed a significant effect on EFS, OS, and FFDM. Moreover, hysterectomy was prognostic for OS and histology was prognostic for FFDM. From the PET-derived parameters only MTV of the primary tumor had a significant influence on OS (cutoff point: >12.7 mL, HR: 2.8, 1.75-4.48 95% CI, p < 0.001), LRC (cutoff point: >13.7 mL, HR 2.82, 1.42-5.61 95% CI, p = 0.003), EFS (cutoff point: >10.4 mL, HR: 2.57, 1.67-3.97 95% CI, p < 0.001) and FFDM (cutoff point: >10.4 mL, HR: 5.04, 1.82-13.99 95% CI, p = 0.002). Pretreatment MTV from the primary tumor is the only independent prognostic parameter in OS, LRC, EFS, and FFDM in radically treated cervical cancer patients and should be used in clinical practice in assessing prognosis in these patients.

Effects of Synbiotic Supplementation and Lifestyle Modifications on Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

CONTEXT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate effects of lifestyle modifications and synbiotic supplementation on PCOS. DESIGN: A randomized (1:1) double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Academic hospital. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Overweight and obese women with PCOS were identified according to the Rotterdam criteria. Evaluations were performed at baseline and repeated after 3 months of treatment. INTERVENTION: Lifestyle modifications in combination with synbiotic supplementation or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in body mass index (BMI) and testosterone level. RESULTS: In the placebo group, a 5% decrease in BMI was accompanied by significant decreases of the waist, hip, and thigh circumferences. The synbiotic group experienced an 8% decrease in BMI, which was significantly greater than that in the control group (P = 0.03) and was accompanied by decreases in the waist, hip, and thigh circumferences. Testosterone did not decrease significantly in the placebo group (decrease of 6%), whereas in the synbiotic group it decreased by 32% (P < 0.0001). The decrease of testosterone was significantly greater in the synbiotic group than in the placebo group (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Synbiotic supplementation potentiated effects of lifestyle modifications on weight loss and led to significant reduction of serum testosterone.

Pretreatment [18F]FDG PET/CT Prognostic Factors in Patients with Squamous Cell Cervical Carcinoma FIGO IIIC1.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine whether semiquantitative parameters obtained from both the primary tumor and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) diagnosed in fluoro-18-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET-CT) are associated with disease-free survival (DFS), local control (LC), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced squamous cervical cancer (LACC) and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes. MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 93 female patients with FIGO IIIC1. The median age was 53 years (27-75). The PET parameters both in the primary tumor and metastatic pelvic lymph nodes, including SUVmax, SUVmean, TLG, MTV, heterogeneity, along with clinical variables, before radical cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy (RCT) were analyzed. The p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 38 months (4.5-92.6). Three years and five years OS were 75% and 70% respectively. Patients with SUVmax above 12.6, SUVmean above 7.6 and with TLG in tumors >245.7 lived longer (p < 0.05). The higher SUVmax or SUVmean reduced increased DMFS (HR 0.3 95%CI 0.56-0.96 and 0.59 95%CI 0.37-0.93). The clinical factors and other FDG PET CT parameters were not found to be statistically relevant in terms of OS, DFS, DM and LC. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first report showing that in LACC patient population with PLN involvement treated with definitive RCT, high SUVmean, SUVmax and TLG of the primary tumor in FDG-PET-CT were linked with longer OS. Lower SUVmean and SUVmax were linked with shorter DMFS. None of the clinical factors and the nodal FDG-PET-CT parameters influenced the outcome.

Solid phase-extraction procedure for the determination of amitraz degradation products in honey.

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was carefully optimised for preconcentration of 2-4-dimethylaniline (2,4-DMA) and 2,4-dimethylformanilide (DMF) from honey samples. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the separation and quantification of these analytes. By applying the SPE procedure with 200 mg of OASIS HLB sorbent, the limits of detection achieved in honey samples can be lowered to 0.41 µg·kg-1 for 2,4-DMA and 0.69 µg L-1 for DMF. The proposed method achieves good recoveries (81.1-114%) and precision (RSD 1.07-4.05%, n = 3) for analysed honey sample spiked at two concentration levels 1 µg L-1 and 2 µg L-1. The results demonstrated our method can be applied as a simple way for sample preparation of honey samples for determination of amitraz degradation products. In 1 out of 5 of the analysed Polish honey samples, the DMF residues exceed the maximum residual limits (0.2 mg·kg-1 for total amitraz residues).

Peyronie Disease as an Example of Nononcological, Inflammatory Uptake of 18F-Fluorocholine in Patient With Prostate Cancer.

F-fluorocholine PET/CT is commonly used for staging and assessing treatment response in prostate cancer patients. Growing clinical experience has shown that F-fluorocholine can actually accumulate in sites of inflammation. We report a rare case of a prostate cancer patient with incidentally detected Peyronie disease.

Comparison of semiquantitative metabolic parameters of the primary tumor obtained in PET/CT with 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT in patients with cervical cancer.

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare semiquantitative metabolic parameters of primary tumor assessed in vivo in 18F-FDG- and 18F-FLT in cervical cancer patients. MATERIAL & METHODS: 39 patients with histologically confirmed cervical cancer underwent PET/CT scans acquired on separate days 60 min after i. v. injection of 364 ±â€Š75 MBq of 18F-FDG and 259 ±â€Š40 MBq of 18F-FLT. The reconstructed PET images were evaluated using a dedicated workstation for primary tumor semiquantitative parameters: SUVmax, MTV, TLG (for 18F-FLT-TLP) and heterogeneity (AUC-CSH). Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis. Based on data from the local cancer registry and 3y- to -5y follow up patients were divided into 2 groups with regard to prognosis. Also differences between histopathological type and FIGO classification in two tracers were assessed. RESULTS: Depending on PET/CT results, patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 with disease limited only to the cervix, group 2 with disease limited to the cervix and iliac lymph nodes, and group 3 with disseminated disease. Statistically significant differences were found between keratinizing and non-keratinizing SCC in SUVmax (p = 0.03) and AUC-CSH (p = 0.04) only in 18F-FLT-PET/CT. Following cut-off values for nodal involvement in SUVmax, MTV, TLG/TLP and AUC-CSH were calculated using ROC curves: 13.5, 39.22, 255.94, 0.59 respectively for 18F-FDG and 12.1, 37.59, 140.01, 0.46 respectively for 18F-FLT. Higher values in both tracers in MTV and TLG/TLP were found in a group with worse prognosis. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that higher values in MTV and TLG/TLP in both tracers might be associated with worse outcome in cervical cancer patients.

Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Bisphenols Extraction from Food Samples - A Review.

Bisphenols are the most-known endocrine disrupting compounds. Due to the possible migration of these compounds from plastics used as food packaging, the food may become contaminated. During past years, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were excessively being used as sorbents for bisphenols preconcentration from food samples. This review intended to comprehensively discuss and evaluate the recent applications of MIPs in determination of bisphenols in food samples. The fundamentals of MIPs devoted to preconcentration of bisphenols are outlined. Recent studies were discussed in terms of food sample preparation, determination methods, MIP synthesis, and extraction procedure aspects. The significant aspects of applications of the molecular imprinting polymers in food chemistry are evaluated focusing majorly on literature appeared in the last years.

Influence of Biological Parameters Assessed in [18F]FDG PET/CT on Overall Survival in Cervical Cancer Patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of biological parameters assessed in [F]FDG PET/CT on overall survival (OS) in cervical cancer patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on a group of 371 patients with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed cervical cancer. PET biological parameters in primary tumor including SUVmax, SUVmean, total lesion glycolysis (TLG), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), heterogeneity, and parameters referring both to primary tumor and metastatic lesions: SUVtotal, TLGtotal, and MTVtotal, were analyzed. RESULTS: Based on PET/CT results, 3 subgroups were identified: cervical only-with disease limited only to the cervix (38%), +regional nodes-where increased glucose accumulation in addition to the cervical area was also observed in regional lymph nodes (36%), and +distal metastases-where PET scan showed a disseminated disease (26%). Depending on the stage of the disease, in the cervical-only group, 5-year survival rate was 86%; in the +regional nodes group, it was 80%; whereas in the +distal metastases group, 5-year survival rate was only 55%. However, based on Cox regression model, significant influence on OS was found only in heterogeneity of primary tumor; more inhomogeneous tumors suggest worse prognosis (0.25 ± 0.04 vs 0.16 ± 0.09, P < 0.001), SUVtotal (76.6 ± 130.1 vs 45.4 ± 73.4, P = 0.002), and MTVtotal (79.03 ± 88.27 vs 63.00 ± 83.80 cm, P = 0.03). For heterogeneity, cutoff point suggesting worse prognosis was 0.18; for SUVtotal, 52.3; and for MTVtotal, 66.55 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Stage of disease assessed in [F]FDG PET/CT significantly influences survival rate in patients with cervical cancer. SUVtotal, MTVtotal, and heterogeneity of primary tumor are independent prognostic factors on OS in cervical cancer patients.

MicroRNA Analysis Using the Quantitative Real-Time PCR Reaction.

The analysis of microRNA expression patterns provides new insights into numerous cellular processes and their aberrances in diseases. Despite its potential pitfalls, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the most commonly used tool for microRNA profiling. The method requires extraction and quality analysis of RNA, which is further reverse transcribed using specific primers and used as a template in a qPCR reaction. All these elements have been addressed in this chapter.

MicroRNA Analysis Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables the analysis of both microRNA expression and sequence, allowing for elucidation of a comprehensive landscape of miRNAs in a given tissue and sample type. NGS analysis requires high-quality RNA extraction and preparation of microRNA libraries. In this chapter, we describe the methods used for RNA extraction from tissue specimens, serum, cytological slides, and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. Although the described library preparation and sequencing approaches are based on Illumina NextSeq 500 sequencing technology, the presented principles shall be compatible with other commercially available sequencing platforms.

The rs2910164 Genetic Variant of miR-146a-3p Is Associated with Increased Overall Mortality in Patients with Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Aberrant expression of the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) and the resistance to post-operative radioactive iodide treatment is a crucial cause of higher mortality of some thyroid cancer patients. In this study, we analyzed the impact of miR-146a on the expression and function of NIS and on the overall survival of thyroid cancer patients. The study included 2441 patients (2163 women; 278 men); including 359 cases with follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (fvPTC). miR:NIS interactions were analyzed in cell lines using in vivo binding and inhibition assays and radioactive iodine uptake assays. Tumor/blood DNA was used for rs2910164 genotyping. Overall survival was assessed retrospectively. In the results, we showed that miR-146a-3p directly binds to and inhibits NIS. Inhibition of miR-146a-3p restores the expression and function of NIS, increasing radioactive iodine uptake. Rs2910164 functional variant within miR-146a-3p is associated with increased overall mortality among fvPTC female patients. The deaths per 1000 person-years were 29.7 in CC carriers vs. 5.08 in GG/GC-carriers (HR = 6.21, p = 0.006). Higher mortality of CC vs. GG/GC carriers was also observed in patients with lower clinical stage (HR = 22.72, p < 0.001), smaller tumor size (pT1/pT2) (HR = 25.05, p < 0.001), lack of extrathyroidal invasion (HR = 9.03, p = 0.02), lack of nodular invasion (HR = 7.84, p = 0.002), lack of metastases (HR = 6.5, p = 0.005) and older (age at diagnosis >50 years) (HR = 7.8, p = 0.002). MiR-146a-3p underwent somatic mutations in 16.1% of analyzed specimens, mainly towards the deleterious C allele. In this report we propose a novel molecular marker of the clinical outcome of fvPTC patients. Rs2910164 increases the overall mortality with inhibition of NIS and disruption of radioiodine uptake as a possible mechanism.

Functional analysis of a novel, thyroglobulin-embedded microRNA gene deregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

MicroRNAs, non-coding regulators of gene expression, are known culprits of thyroid cancer. Using next-generation sequencing, we identified a novel microRNA gene, encoded within an important thyroid regulator - thyroglobulin, and analyzed its functionality in the thyroid gland. In vitro and in silico analyses proved that the novel miR-TG is processed from the precursor, and co-expressed with thyroglobulin. Both genes are specific for thyroid tissue and downregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma by 44% (p = 0.04) and 48% (p = 0.001), respectively. Putative target genes for miR-TG were identified using in silico tools, which pinpointed MAP4K4, an oncogene upregulated in thyroid cancer. Analysis of transcriptome by RNA-seq revealed that overexpression of miR-TG in PTC-derived cell line led to downregulation of several genes, including MAP4K4 (fold change 0,82; p = 0.036). The finding was confirmed by SQ-PCR (fold change 071; p = 0.004). Direct interaction between miR-TG and MAP4K4 was confirmed in the luciferase assay (p = 0.0006). Functional studies showed increase proliferation in K1 cell line transfected with miR-TG. We propose that in normal thyroid miR-TG plays a fine-tuning effect on the maintenance of MAPK pathway, inhibiting the expression of miR's target MAP4K4. This regulation is disturbed in cancer due to downregulation of the novel, thyroglobulin-embedded microRNA, characterized in this study.

Impact of selected environmental factors on attendance in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programme in the Wielkopolska Province of Poland during 2007-2012.

Breast and cervical cancer represent a significant health and economic issue for Polish society, although if detected early, both can be cured successfully. For this reason, since 2006, according to the National Cancer Combat Programme, population-based screening programmes have been implemented, aimed at reducing the mortality and morbidity for breast and cervical cancer. The aim of this study is to determine which of the selected four environmental factors affect attendance for screening mammography and cytology. Analysis included data from questionnaires filled in during mammography by 582,959 women aged 50-69 years, and 288,142 women during cytology, aged 25-59 years, in 2007-2012 in the Wielkopolska Province of Poland. It was found that the impact of medical staff on the attendance for cytological screening was the strongest statistically significant factor (p = 0,0001). Invitation by name (p=0,001) and other factors (p= 0,0001) also affected the attendance. In the cytological screening, medical staff was the factor that had the greatest impact on attendance. Other factors, such as self-reporting, increased participation in the next screening rounds, although the factors that affect attendance changed over time. Their constant analysis is essential for the efficient and effective evaluation of screening programsme.

Next-generation sequencing reveals microRNA markers of adrenocortical tumors malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare finding among common adrenocortical tumors, but it is highly aggressive and requires early detection and treatment. Still, the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions is difficult even for experienced pathologists and there is a significant need for novel diagnostic methods. In this study we aimed to reveal a complete set of microRNAs expressed in the adrenal gland and to identify easily detectable, stable and objective biomarkers of adrenocortical malignancy. METHODS: We employed next-generation sequencing to analyze microRNA profiles in a unique set of 51 samples, assigned to either a learning dataset including 7 adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs), 8 adrenocortical adenomas (AAs) and 8 control samples (NAs), or a validation dataset including 8 ACCs, 10 AAs and 10 NAs. The results were validated in real-time Q-PCR. RESULTS: We detected 411 miRNAs expressed in 1763 length isoforms in the examined samples. Fifteen miRNAs differentiate between malignant (ACC) and non-malignant (AA + NA) tissue in the test set of independent samples. Expression levels of 6 microRNAs, miR-503-5p, miR-483-3p, miR-450a-5p, miR-210, miR-483-5p, miR-421, predict sample status (malignancy/non-malignancy) with at least 95% accuracy in both datasets. The best single-gene malignancy marker, miR-483-3p, has been validated by real-time RT PCR. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the study we propose clinically valid and easily detectable biomarkers of adrenocortical malignancy that may significantly facilitate morphological examination. Since microRNAs can be detected in blood, the study brings tools for development of non-invasive diagnostics of adrenocortical carcinomas.

Application of solid phase extraction procedures for rare earth elements determination in environmental samples.

Determination of rare earth elements in environmental samples requires often pre-concentration and separation step due to a low metal content and high concentration of the interfering matrix components. A solid phase extraction technique with different kind of solid sorbents offers a high enrichment factor, rapid phase separation and the possibility of its combination with various detection techniques used either in on-line or off-line mode. The recent developments in this area published over the last five years are presented and discussed in this paper.

Repetetive self-Injury and the body self.

OBJECTIVES: The assessment of differences in body self and pain thresholds between people inflicting self-injuries in a repetitive manner and those, who do not engage in such behavior. METHODS: The participants were selected through screening and purposive sampling (the study group consisted of 34 people: 29 women, 5 men; and the control group of 32 people: 28 women, 4 men). The Tension Situations Questionnaire and the Inventory of Questions Concerning Self-injury were used in the study. These measures served to assess the presence and circumstances of self-injury. TempTest apparatus (measuring sensitivity to pain) and the Body Self Questionnaire were also used. RESULTS: Individuals inflicting self-injury are characterised by higher indices of body self maladaptiveness than individuals from the control group. In the study group, disorders were found in such aspects of body self as: the perception of sensations, the interpretation and regulation of emotions and physical needs, emotional attitude to body, and the sense of body identity. Women inflicting self-injuries had a higher pain threshold than women from the control group, the reverse pattern was observed in the group of men. However, due to the small size of the male group, the obtained result should be treated with caution. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed, that the distorted aspect of personality - the body self - is the important risk factor for the repetetive self-injuries. The lowered pain threshold in men engaging in self-harm, in combination with the increased threshold of pain in self-injuring women is surprising result and demands further investigation.