The adsorptive properties of powdered carbon materials with a strongly differentiated porosity and their applications in electroanalysis and solid phase microextraction.

The adsorption of 4-chlorophenol from an aqueous solution on carbonaceous materials (one carbon black and two powdered activated carbons) with a strongly differentiated porosity was investigated. The kinetic data were fitted well to the pseudo-second order model. The amount of 4-chlorophenol adsorbed at equilibrium was increased with an increase in the specific surface area of the tested materials. The adsorption isotherms were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The Langmuir isotherm was slightly favorable (R(2)>0.99) rather than the Freundlich isotherm (R(2)>0.98). Carbon materials were also used for the modification of carbon paste electrodes as well as for the preparation of novel solid phase microextraction fibers. The peak current of the differential pulse voltammetry curves was increased along with the amount of added carbon paste electrode modifier. The signal response was closely related to the porosity of the materials used, and increased with the increase in the specific surface area. The amount of 4-chlorophenol extracted from the samples by the solid phase microextraction fiber's surface was also correlated with the specific surface area of the tested materials. All the novel fibers were better than the commercially available fibers prepared from polidimethylosiloxane.

[Polymorphism of histocompatibility class II antigens coded with the DRB gene in in familial sarcoidosis in Poland]. / Polimorfizm ukladu antygenów zgodnosci tkankowej klasy II kodowanych genem DRB w sarkoidozie rodzinnej w Polsce.

Several studies suggested association between some human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and sarcoidosis, but none has been conclusive. To confirm possible association of sarcoidosis with HLA-DRB1, -DRB3,- DRB4, -DRB5 associated alleles HLA-DR genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 17 polish families with familial sarcoidosis and in 101 healthy controls. The families with sarcoidosis consisted of 31 affected first-degree relatives from 16 families, 2 affected cousins from 1 family and 78 healthy relatives of those patients. We found 3 varieties of familial sarcoidosis: a) in parent and offspring (5 pairs), b) in siblings (10 sib pairs and 1 sib triplet) and in cousins (1 family). Genotyping for HLA-DRB1,-DRB3,-DRB4,-DRB5 revealed an over-representation of HLA-DR5(12) and DRw52 among antigens shared by affected relatives comparing to the control group. A significant increase in the frequency of HLA-DR7 and HLA-DRw53 antigens (p < 0.05) was found in subjects from the control group. Comparing the group of family members (affected and healthy relatives taken together, n = 111) with the control group (n = 101) we found a significant differences in the distribution of HLA-DR2(15), HLA-DR5(12), HLA-DR6, HLA-DR9 and HLA-DRw52. Those antigens were more frequent (p < 0.05) in members from families with sarcoidosis. The frequencies of HLA-DR1, HLA-DR2(16), HLA-DR7 and HLA-DRw53 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the control group. Presented results suggest that HLA-DRB alleles contribute to the susceptibility to sarcoidosis in the Polish population.

[A probe for evaluating the role of HLA class II antigens coded with the DRB gene in etiopathogenesis of familial sarcoidosis in Poland using the K-nearest neighbor experimental statistical method]. / Próba oceny roli antygenów ukladu HLA klasy II kodowanych genem DRB w etiopatogenezie sarkoidozy rodzinnej w Polsce eksperymentalna metoda statystyczna K-najblizszych sasiadów.

The aim of this study was evaluation of the significance of HLA-DRB1,-DRB3,-DRB4,-DRB5 associated alleles in the genetic susceptibility to sarcoidosis. We investigated 17 Polish 'families with' familial occurrence of the disease. Thirty three affected family members and 78 healthy relatives and 101 healthy individuals (control group) have been typed for HLA class II DR antigens. Assuming that relatives from families with two or more affected members are more susceptible to develop sarcoidosis we considered two classes: affected and healthy family members taken together (class 1, N = 111) and healthy control group (class 2, N = 101). HLA antigens from both classes were compared using a statistical pattern recognition method. This method, called k-NN method, assumes that objects (individuals) are described by a certain number of variables called features. Selected features that played an important role in the decision to which class an individual person would be classified were: HLA-DR7, HLA-DR2(16), HLA-DR1, HLA-DR5(12), HLA-DR6(14), HLA-DR6(13), HLA-DR9, HLA-DR5(11) and HLA-DRw52. K-NN method allowed to classify properly 76% of studied subjects to healthy or disease susceptible group. However, 24 out of 100 individuals would be misclassified which gives the total error rate of 0.24. We concluded that using HLA-DR antigens as features characterising every individual we can predict with high probability to which class ("high risk" or "healthy") individual would belong.

PCR for identification and typing of Helicobacter pylori isolated from children.

From 191 children with upper gastroduodenal disease 236 gastric biopsy specimens were taken. H. pylori was detected by use of culture Gram staining histological examination and PCR technique. A segment of DNA coding protein synthesis of 26 kDa or urease A and B gene were used for PCR amplification. PCR technique was also used for determination of the presence of Cag A gene in 72 strains of H. pylori isolated from children. Genetic typing of H. pylori strains by RFLP analysis of PCR amplified urease B gene 933 bp fragment and RAPD were performed. Biopsy specimens taken from children with gastritis were in 52% H. pylori culture and PCR positive, while 18.1% PCR positive only. Similarly, specimens taken from children with duodenal ulcer were in 50% H. pylori culture and PCR positive, while 12.5% PCR positive only. Fifty one (70.8%) from 72 strains of H. pylori were Cag A positive. Molecular typing of the strains isolated during first and follow-up endoscopy allowed the differentiation between reinfection or new infection and coinfection. It was shown that RAPD typing had better discrimination power in comparison to PCR--RFLP method.

[A relationship between the breakpoint of the bcr gene and some hematologic parameters in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia]. / Zaleznosc miedzy miejscem zlamania genu bcr a niektórymi parametrami hematologicznymi u chorych na przewlekla bialaczke szpikowa.

We examined the hybrid bcr/abl mRNA present in 59 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, using the reverse transcription method and polymerase chain reaction. Bcr/abl gene was found in 98% of patients. 60% of patients had b3a2 type of translocation, 40% type b2a2. Patients with b3a2 type had higher platelet count at diagnosis presentation than patients with b2a2. Other hematological data were similar in both groups.

DRB polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting, DQA oligotyping and mixed lymphocyte culture results in related bone marrow donors and recipients.

Donor and recipient are usually regarded as well matched for bone marrow transplantation when they are compatible in HLA class I and II antigens and in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). However, results of serological typing of class II antigens may be unreliable. Hence, polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting of HLA DRB (PCR FP) was introduced for the screening of related donors for 29 patients awaiting bone marrow transplantation. In addition, the sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) typing of DQA alleles was performed. In 18 pairs the results of DNA analysis methods were compared with the results of MLC. 72% of pairs were HLA DQA compatible and 59% showed compatibility in PCR FP. MLC compatibility was found in 61%. A higher correlation of PCR FP and MLC results was observed.