α-Helicomimetic foldamers as electron transfer mediators.

α-Helical peptides are known as efficient mediators of electron transfer; however, their use is limited to compounds longer that 7-10 residues. To overcome this limitation, α-helicomimetic foldamers, based on the oligourea backbone with the general formula [-CH(R)-CH2-NH-CO-NH]n, were synthesized. Oligoureas are known to adopt a robust 2.5-helical conformation where only four residues are enough to form stable 1.5 helical turns. This feature makes them great models to study the charge transfer process and the dependence of the mechanism of the electron transition on the length of the mediator. Two families of different chain length (2, 4 and 6 residues) oligoureas were synthesized with a thiol group attached to the δ+ or δ- helix dipole pole. This enables the adsorption of the molecules onto the gold surface, leading to the formation of self-assembled monolayers. The helicity of compounds was confirmed in solution and in the solid state. Such systems were used to study the electron transfer process by current sensing atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM). The results showed that oligoureas may act as electron transfer mediators. Additionally, it was shown by the increasing force applied to the AFM tip that the oligourea helix is more stable than the helix formed by peptides.

Resource activation for treating post-traumatic stress disorder, co-morbid symptoms and impaired functioning: a randomized controlled trial in Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: Mental health morbidity in post-conflict settings is high. Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials of psychotherapy on site are rare. Our aim was to integrate rigorous research procedures into a humanitarian programme and test the efficacy of resource activation (ROTATE) in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), co-morbid symptoms and impaired functioning in Cambodia. METHOD: A total of 86 out-patients with PTSD were randomly assigned to five sessions of ROTATE (n = 53) or a 5-week waiting-list control (WLC) condition (n = 33). Treatment was provided by six Cambodian psychologists who had received extensive training in ROTATE. Masked assessments were made before and after therapy. RESULTS: PTSD remission rates according to the DSM-IV algorithm of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire were 95.9% in ROTATE and 24.1% in the WLC condition. Thus, patients receiving ROTATE had a significantly higher likelihood of PTSD remission (odds ratio 0.012, 95% confidence interval 0.002-0.071, p < 0.00001). Additionally, levels of anxiety, depression and impaired functioning were significantly reduced compared with the WLC condition (p < 0.00001, between-group effect sizes d = 2.41, 2.26 and 2.54, respectively). No harms were reported. CONCLUSIONS: ROTATE was efficacious in treating Cambodian patients with high symptom levels of PTSD, emotional distress and impaired functioning. ROTATE is a brief, culturally adaptable intervention focusing on stabilization and strengthening resources rather than trauma confrontation. It can be taught to local professionals and paraprofessionals and enhance access to mental health care for patients in need.

A total internal reflection ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy study of interactions between Proteus mirabilis lipopolysaccharides and antibodies.

Specific antigen-antibody interactions play a central role in the human immune system. The objective of this paper is to detect immune complexes using label-free detection techniques, that is, total internal reflection ellipsometry (TIRE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based topography and recognition imaging. Interactions of purified rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies with bacterial endotoxins (Proteus mirabilis S1959 O3 lipopolysaccharides) were studied. Lipopolysaccharide was adsorbed on gold surface for TIRE. In the AFM imaging experiments, LPS was attachment to the PEG linker (AFM tip modification). The mica surface was covered by IgG. In TIRE, the optical parameters Ψ and Δ change when a complex is formed. It was found that even highly structured molecules, such as IgG antibodies (anti-O3 LPS rabbit serum), preserve their specific affinity to their antigens (LPS O3). LPS P. mirabilis O3 response of rabbit serum anti-O3 was also tested by topography and recognition imaging. Both TIRE and AFM techniques were recruited to check for possible detection of antigen-antibody recognition event. The presented data allow for determination of interactions between a variety of biomolecules. In future research, this technique has considerable potential for studying a wide range of antigen-antibody interactions and its use may be extended to other biomacromolecular systems.

[Prognostic factors in patients with lymphoplasmacytic lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma in stage IV of clinical progression]. / Czynniki prognostyczne u chorych na chloniaka limfoplazmatycznego limfoplazmocytoidalnego w IV stadium zaawansowania klinicznego.

Retrospective investigations were carried out in 50 patients with L-LP in clinical stage IV. All those patients died of this disease. The life time of the studied patients varied from 2 to 120 months and the median was 29 months. Advanced age, co-occurrence of anaemia and increased serum gammaglobulin level were found to be bad prognostic factors. No correlation was found between life time and tumour size, platelet number, lymphocyte count of blood and bone marrow.

[Treatment of respiratory tract infections with pefloxacin]. / Leczenie stanów zapalnych ukladu oddechowego pefloksacyna.

Pefloxacin, a 4-quinolone derivative, was administered in the dose of 800-1200 mg for the mean of 12 days to 24 patients with respiratory tract infection complicating chronic bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease. Patients with positive sputum culture and bacteria sensitive to pefloxacin were included in the study. Total eradication of the offending microorganisms was achieved in 54% of patients, and partial--in the next 20%. A poor efficacy of pefloxacin against Streptococcus species has been confirmed. In a few cases we have observed the development of resistance of isolated bacteria to pefloxacin during the course of treatment.

[Intraocular pressure in patients with infiltrative-edematous exophthalmos in Graves' disease treated with prednisone]. / Cisnienie sródgalkowe u chorych z wytrzeszczem naciekowo-obrzekowym w chorobie Gravesa-Basedowa leczonych prednisonem.

Hydrodynamics of the eyes was evaluated in 29 patients in the period of one to one and a half years after completion of prednisone therapy. Open angle glaucoma was observed in 2 patients, in 3--only a raised intraocular pressure (21-25 mm Hg) in the period of exacerbation of the infiltrative changes in the tissues of the orbit.

[Effect of parental longevity and smoking on the pulmonary function in elderly persons]. / Znaczenie dlugowiecznosci rodziców oraz wplyw palenia tytoniu na czynnosc pluc w wieku podeszlym.

The significance of smoking habits and long age of parents on lung function in a large population of elderly people (559 males and 1073 females) living in the city of Cracow were analyzed. The lung function parameters correlated negatively with age of analyzed subjects (males and females). Mean values of FVC in men from long living families were 400 ml higher in comparison with other subjects, while the mean FEV1 was 330 ml higher. Such differences were not seen in females. Smoking also affected negatively lung function in the analyzed subjects. Chronic cough and sputum production did not hamper lung function, if such variables as age, height and smoking habits were not included in the analysis.

[Predictive value of ventilatory indices in elderly subjects]. / Wartosci nalezne wskazników wentylacji pluc u osób w wieku starszym.

Epidemiological studies of Kraków citizens enabled to calculate spirometric predictive values of elderly subjects. The study group was composed of 341 males and 843 females, aged 65-89 years. In every subject anthropomorphic and spirometric (FVC, FEV1.0, FEV0.5) calculations were carried out. Using the multiple regression analysis predictive indices of normal spirometric values were calculated. Monograms were also made, allowing easy access to normal values.

Hydrocortisone and airflow impairment in aspirin-induced asthma.

We studied the effects of intravenous injection of hydrocortisone, as compared to its solvent, in 31 patients with aspirin-induced asthma. Mean FEV1 fell significantly 5 minutes after an intravenous bolus of 300 mg of hydrocortisone, but not after the solvent, and returned to the initial values 1 hour later. Only three of 31 patients displayed at this time clinical signs of increased impairment of airflow that resolved spontaneously. Neither in these three patients nor in another patient known already to respond with bronchoconstriction to 30 to 50 mg of hydrocortisone did intravenous injections of 20 mg of methylprednisolone, 4 mg of dexamethasone, or 4 mg of betamethasone produce any signs of bronchial obstruction. In the whole group of patients, mean FEV1 increased significantly 3 to 5 hours after hydrocortisone injection. It is hypothesized that hydrocortisone might induce early bronchoconstriction in patients with aspirin-induced asthma through its inhibitory effects on prostanoid biosynthesis. Use of intravenous steroids other than hydrocortisone is advisable in patients with aspirin-induced asthma.