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Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a potent effector molecule for a post-resuscitation disease as a result of the low-energy defibrillation. In this article, the authors anlysed the changes of endogenous nitric oxide levels in serum of 35 healthy rabbits after the transthoracic application of low-energy two-phase shock impulse. The animals were randomised into four groups according to the electrical energy dose to be applied during the experiment. Life parameters of the animals were monitored using the BeneViev T5 patient monitor. The nitric oxide concentration in the groups was measured before, 15 and 360 minutes after applying the low-energy two-phase linear electrical impulse. From 15 to 360 minutes the decrease in nitric oxide concentration was observed. The effect was dependent on single impulse and accumulated energy volumes. The highest decrease of NO concentration was observed in 15 minutes following the application of two electrical impulses of accumulated energy of 8 J/kg/bm. After 360 minutes following the application, a significant increase in nitric oxide levels was recorded. The changes in the nitric oxide levels in the blood serum 15 minutes after the defibrillation may initiate the vasomotor disorders as a result of the low-energy influence of the shock impulse.

The aim of this study was to identify the best prognostic parameters for quickly assessing fluid volume status in the context of nutritional status and water balance in older persons and to facilitate decision-making of the general practitioner (GP). This pilot study was conducted with 142 volunteers aged 60 years or older who were Polish students of the University of the Third Age. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study were defined. Assessment tools included: the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire (MNA®) and the anthropometric measurements. Weight and body composition analysis were determined by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) using the Tanita MC-780 multi frequency segmental Body Composition Analyzer. According to the MNA scale, 89.2% of the sample was wellnourished and 10.8% were at risk of malnutrition. A total of 47.1% participants had normal body mass index, 20.6% were overweight, and 32.3% were obese. The BIA showed that females had more fat mass (FM) compared to males (35.84% vs 23.90%), while men had more free fat mass (FFM) and total body water (TBW; 61.16% vs 45.22% and 53.31% vs 45.22%respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in FM, FFM, and TBW by age. The ratio of Extracellular to Total Body Water (ECW/TBW) was higher in women than in men (46.76% vs 43.66%). Of all measures, only ECW/TBW increased significantly with age and sex, especially after 65 years. We propose that ECW/TBW may be used as the first, simple, and fast indicator of water volume status in the context of nutritional status and water balance in older subjects. Systematic control of the ECW/TBW by GP or nurse may increase senior independence, resulting in longer self-maintenance at home and reduced hospital admissions.

The influence of magnesium and ethanol on the fatty acid content in isolated rat hepatocytes was examined in this study. The isolated liver cells were obtained according to the Selgen method and then subjected to ethanol alone or both ethanol and magnesium activity. MgCl2 was used in two concentrations: 2 and 4 mM. The profile of fatty acids in the hepatocytes was evaluated after 5 hours of incubation. Our results revealed that magnesium ions presented together with ethanol in hepatocyte medium changed the hepatocyte fatty acid profile. The total amounts depended on the concentration of magnesium ions.

The expression of the genes coding TNFalpha and TNF RII receptors (TNF RII: TNFR2 membrane and soluble domain, TNFR2/R7 soluble domain) was analysed in colon cancer at the II and III stage of disease, by estimation of mRNA expression. The study included 80 patients with histopathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma. The number of TNFalpha mRNA, TNFR2 mRNA and TNFR2/R7 mRNA copies were estimated in tumour and healthy tissue. The highest number of mRNA TNF-alpha copies were investigated in all samples of tissue and independently of the stage of disease. Simultaneously, we noticed the largest number of mRNA copies for TNFalpha and TNF R2/R7 in healthy cells at stage III of the disease. It is possible to draw a hypothetical line separating the anti-cancer activity of TNFalpha and its influence on cancer progression.

TNFalpha plays a role in the pathogenesis of septic shock, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, graft rejection reaction, acute, and chronic respiratory inefficiency among others. Its activity depends on the type of target cells and different regulating factors, but the effect of biological activity is conditioned by specific receptors such as p55 (type I, TNF R55) and p75 (type II, TNF R75). The aim of the study was to answer the following questions: 1) Is it possible to apply elements of non-linear dynamics to assess the level of expression of TNF, TNFRI, TNFRII genes in tumor cells, pathologically unchanged tissue and metastatically changed lymph nodes? 2) Is theoretically anticipated variability of cytokine and its receptors in colorectal carcinoma cells and the immediate vicinity justified in the developed mathematical model? The research material--specimens taken from tumor, unchanged tissue and metastatic lymph nodes--were histopathologically and molecularly analysed. Results of the molecular research were used to develop a mathematical model using the basic studies on the theory of chaos and biological system modelling.

The objective of the study was to investigate the dynamic changes in soluble TNFalpha p-55 and p-75 receptors in serum of advanced cancer patients during 24 hours. The group examined consisted of 42 patients suffering from advanced gastrointestinal neoplasms (colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer). Serum levels of the cytokine and both receptors in cancer patients were measured using ELISA type kits 6 times a day (8.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m., 10.00 p.m., 2.00 a.m. and again 8.00 a.m.) as well as in healthy controls. The levels of TNFalpha and its soluble receptors were substantially increased in the examined group and displayed statistically significant circadian fluctuations. The presence of circadian rhythm of the cytokine was proved (acrophase - 00.36 a.m.), however no diurnal rhythm of soluble TNF receptors was observed. The concentration of p-55 receptor was distinctly lower then p-75. The peak p-55 value appeared at 10.00 p.m. while the p-75 reached its minimum level at the same time. Although there was no statistical correlation between the receptor concentrations the shapes of both curves remained inversely proportional. The present results may suggest the presence of complex self-regulation mechanisms in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis of a fluctuation of circulating levels of endogenous Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF alpha) in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer., Methods: Serum levels of TNF alpha were measured at 8 a.m., 3 p.m., midnight and 3 a.m. in 21 patients with advanced cancer., Results: Serum TNF alpha levels were substantially increased in patients with advanced cancer as compared to healthy subjects. Peak value appeared at 3 a.m., and gradually declined to very low levels in the afternoon (3 p.m.). Using cosinor least square methods we could not find the circadian rhythm of TNF alpha.