Search

Pancreatic cancer still has a 5-year survival rate in the single digits, making it one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers. The therapy of pancreatic cancer presents considerable hurdles because of its late diagnosis, fast development, and resistance to traditional therapies, even with advancements in oncological research. This study offers a thorough summary of the various treatment options available today, including as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, and the newly recognized roles of immunotherapy and targeted medicines. We examine the most recent advancements in personalized medicine and molecular profiling, which are starting to challenge established therapy paradigms and provide fresh hope for bettering patient outcomes. The study also outlines ongoing clinical trials that attempt to address the shortcomings of current therapy, such as the toxicity and limited efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pancreatic cancer therapy landscape by analyzing both conventional and cutting-edge treatments. It also identifies promising directions for future research and clinical practice.

Introduction: The presence of excessive noise poses a significant risk to the overall well-being and health of individuals. The presence of elevated noise levels within Intensive Care Units (ICUs) has the potential to exert detrimental effects on both the well-being of patients and the healthcare personnel. The aim of this study: This study aims to gather knowledge about the effects of noise pollution on patient’s wellbeing within Intensive Care Units, analyze various investigations around the world and discuss the possible preventive methods of reducing noise and thus sleep disturbances. Materials and methods: This review was based on available data collected in the PubMed database and Google Scholar web search engine using the key words Intensive Care Unit, sleep deprivation, noise pollution Conclusions: Intensive Care Unit noise disrupts patient’s sleep, communication, and increases stress, potentially leading to medical errors and longer recovery times. Addressing this issue is vital, aligning with patient-centered care and holistic therapy trends. Solutions include architectural changes, quieter equipment, staff education, clinical guidelines, and providing earplugs and eye masks for patient comfort. Noise negatively impacts sleep, causing circadian disruptions, cognitive impairments, and health issues. Identifying and mitigating noise sources can significantly enhance patient well-being and treatment outcomes.

Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic condition affecting millions of women globally, characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. This review highlights the latest advancements in understanding and treating endometriosis, focusing on new therapeutic strategies aimed at improving patient care. The article briefly discusses the pathogenesis of endometriosis and reviews traditional treatment methods, including hormonal therapies (progestins, GnRH agonists, and oral contraceptives) and surgical interventions. It then explores the limitations of these conventional therapies and delves into newer strategies targeting specific molecular pathways, offering more effective symptom relief with fewer side effects. Emerging treatments that modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation are also examined, along with innovative approaches to pain management, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. The review further considers alternative and supportive therapies, such as dietary changes, gut microbiota interventions, and complementary treatments like acupuncture, which may improve the overall management of endometriosis. This review emphasizes the shift toward more personalized, holistic care in treating endometriosis, with a focus on emerging therapies like Aromatase Inhibitors, GnRH receptor antagonists, and hormone receptor modulators. These approaches represent a significant advancement in improving the quality of life for women with this condition.

The global prevalence of tobacco use has significantly decreased over the years, with projections indicating further decline. However, the rise of new nicotine products suggests that nicotine addiction will remain a major public health issue. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly recognized as potential tools for smoking cessation and harm reduction. This review evaluates the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes both as standalone treatments and in combination with other therapies, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, cytisine, and behavioral approaches. A comprehensive analysis of studies published over the past decade, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials, shows that e-cigarettes can enhance smoking cessation rates and reduce tobacco-related harm. They exhibit comparable short-term efficacy to traditional treatments, with promising results in alleviating withdrawal symptoms and lowering smoking rates. However, the long-term safety and effectiveness of combining e-cigarettes with other therapies remain uncertain and require further investigation. Despite their potential benefits, e-cigarettes pose significant safety concerns, underscoring the need for ongoing research to refine cessation strategies and ensure their safe, long-term use. Rigorous evaluation and regulatory oversight are essential to optimize e-cigarettes' role in reducing tobacco harm.

The review article discusses the latest therapeutic approaches in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), with a particular focus on metastatic disease. Despite advancements in standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies, the prognosis for patients with metastatic CRC remains poor, with five-year survival rates still low. The article examines the potential of immunotherapy, including PD-1 inhibitors like dostarlimab, which have shown promising results in treating selected patient groups. Additionally, the role of the ketogenic diet and probiotics as supportive strategies in CRC treatment is discussed, highlighting their potential to influence cancer metabolism and improve therapeutic outcomes. The article also addresses the development of nanotechnology-based therapies, such as PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles and sphingomyelin nanosystems, which may enhance drug delivery precision, thereby improving treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects. The conclusion emphasizes the need for further research into these innovative therapies and their integration with existing treatment protocols to improve survival and quality of life for CRC patients.

Leigh syndrome is a devastating mitochondrial disease for which there are no proven therapies. We previously showed that breathing chronic, continuous hypoxia can prevent and even reverse neurological disease in the Ndufs4 knockout (KO) mouse model of complex I (CI) deficiency and Leigh syndrome. Here, we show that genetic activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor transcriptional program via any of four different strategies is insufficient to rescue disease. Rather, we observe an age-dependent decline in whole-body oxygen consumption. These mice exhibit brain tissue hyperoxia, which is normalized by hypoxic breathing. Alternative experimental strategies to reduce oxygen delivery, including breathing carbon monoxide (600 ppm in air) or severe anemia, can reverse neurological disease. Therefore, unused oxygen is the most likely culprit in the pathology of this disease. While pharmacologic activation of the hypoxia response is unlikely to alleviate disease in vivo , interventions that safely normalize brain tissue hyperoxia may hold therapeutic potential. • The Ndufs4 KO mouse model of mitochondrial Leigh syndrome exhibits brain hyperoxia • Genetically activating the hypoxia transcriptional response is not beneficial • CO treatment and anemia reverse disease by decreasing oxygen delivery Leigh syndrome is a severe mitochondrial disorder. Here, Jain et al. show, in a mouse model of the disease, that excess oxygen in the brain is a likely cause of tissue damage and that distinct interventions that reduce oxygen delivery to the brain can prevent and even reverse the neurological disease, likely by normalizing tissue hyperoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) is a low-grade subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that can affect any mucosal tissue, most commonly the GI tract. Primary involvement of the breast, known as primary breast lymphoma (PBL), is a very rare manifestation. We report an unusual case of a 65-year-old woman with primary breast EMZL presenting as calcifications discovered during screening mammography. This represents an exceedingly atypical appearance of primary breast lymphoma that is rarely described in the literature.

A major problem associated with material cultural heritage is the ability to protect and preserve historic movable objects, such as sculptures, paintings, and various works of art. The traditional way has been to amass them in state or private collections, aiming to systematically record, catalog, describe, and photograph them. Due to various circumstances, including acts of theft and warfare, either paper inventories or the artworks themselves have often been lost. The lack of actual catalogs has made it impossible to reconstruct lists of museum objects, including those with significant historical and artistic value, making it difficult to search for and identify them in the future. With technological advances, a variety of media, including modern methods of digitization, have been used to enable universal access to cultural heritage. This article identifies stages in the evolution of the need for preserving and presenting cultural heritage, taking into account the advanced creation of three-dimensional reproduction.

Chronotypes play a crucial role in regulating sleep–wake cycles and overall health. The aim of this study was to investigate chronotype, sleep quality, polymorphisms of clock genes and the level of leptin in serum. We used standardized questionnaires to assess chronotype and sleep quality. Genetic analysis was performed to determine the selected clock gene polymorphism. Serum leptin level was measured by the Elisa method. The results showed that serum leptin concentration was elevated in women, as well as in men who had a high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI). The evidence indicated that younger students (T (rs2735611) and PER2 c.-12C>G (rs2304672) genes were associated with serum leptin level and chronotype, respectively. These findings provide insights into the relationships between chronotype, sleep quality, clock gene polymorphisms and obesity risk in biomedical students. Understanding these factors can contribute to better sleep management and potential interventions to improve health outcomes in humans.

Abstract Background Rodent models are commonly employed to validate preclinical disease models through the evaluation of postoperative behavior and allodynia. Our study investigates the dynamic interplay between pain and functional recovery in the context of traumatic osteotomy and surgical repair. Specifically, we established a rat model of tibial osteotomy, followed by internal fixation using a 5-hole Y-plate with 4 screws, to explore the hypothesis that histological bone healing is closely associated with functional recovery. Objective Our primary objective was to assess the correlation between bone healing and functional outcomes in a rat model of tibial osteotomy and plate fixation. Methods Seventeen male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent a metaphyseal transverse osteotomy of the proximal tibia, simulating a fracture-like injury. The resultant bone defect was meticulously repaired by realigning and stabilizing the bone surfaces with the Y-plate. To comprehensively assess recovery and healing, we performed quantitative and qualitative evaluations at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks post-surgery. Evaluation methods included micro-CT imaging, X-ray analysis, and histological examination to monitor bone defect healing. Concurrently, we employed video recording and gait analysis to evaluate functional recovery, encompassing parameters such as temporal symmetry, hindlimb duty factor imbalance, phase dispersion, and toe spread. Results Our findings revealed complete healing of the bone defect at 8 weeks, as confirmed by micro-CT and histological assessments. Specifically, micro-CT data showed a decline in fracture volume over time, indicating progressive healing. Histological examination demonstrated the formation of new trabecular bone and the resolution of inflammation. Importantly, specific gait analysis parameters exhibited longitudinal changes consistent with bone healing. Hindlimb duty factor imbalance, hindlimb temporal symmetry, and phase dispersion correlated strongly with the healing process, emphasizing the direct link between bone healing and functional outcomes. Conclusions The establishment of this tibia osteotomy model underscores the association between bone healing and functional outcomes, emphasizing the feasibility of monitoring postoperative recovery using endpoint measurements. Our overarching objective is to employ this model for assessing the local efficacy of drug delivery devices in ameliorating post-surgical pain and enhancing functional recovery.

Abstract Background Higher circulating levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a metabolite that can be produced by the gut microbiota from L-carnitine (LC), have been associated with bone mineral density (BMD). Because LC supplementation can improve bone density and microstructural properties in animal models, this study aimed to examine the effects of 12 weeks of LC supplementation on BMD and selected blood markers involved in bone metabolism of postmenopausal women participating in a resistance training (RT) program. Methods Twenty-seven postmenopausal women, who had not been treated for osteoporosis, with a total T-score above − 3.0 and no diet differences completed 12 weeks of RT. The participants’ diets were supplemented with either 1 g of LC-L-tartrate and 3 g of leucine per day (LC group) or 4 g of leucine per day as a placebo (PLA group), in a double-blind fashion. Results After the intervention in the LC group, plasma total carnitine and serum decorin levels were higher than the corresponding preintervention values (p = 0.040 and p = 0.042, respectively). Moreover, plasma TMAO and serum SPARC levels were higher in the LC group than the corresponding postintervention values in the PLA group (p

Introduction and purpose. Hendra and Nipah are two highly dangerous zoonotic viruses belonging to the group of henipaviruses. Although they have been known for more than 20 years, no human drug or vaccine has been invented for them. The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiology of the reported paramyxoviruses, the pandemic potential of henipaviruses and a standardised action plan to counter their spread. This paper is a review of scientific articles from 2012-2023 published in the scientific databases such as Pubmed, Researchgate and Google Scholar. The following keywords were used: pandemic potential of henipaviruses, Hendra virus, Nipah virus, henipavirus epidemics. Description of the state of knowledge. The mortality rate of henipaviruses varies between 50-100%. The Nipah virus is particularly dangerous, with epidemics recurring virtually every year in Asia since 1998. The Hendra virus situation is more manageable because there is an effective vaccine for horses, which are most vulnerable to infection. Through anthropogenic changes, the terrain and climate where the animals that are the reservoir of the virus are found are changing. Due to the numerous outbreaks of henipaviruses in areas of Asia and Australia, great care is being taken to quickly neutralise the outbreaks that occur. Conclusions. Due to the high pandemic threat from henipaviruses, more research into drugs and vaccines is required. It is also important to develop effective bio-assurance plans, introduce controls on their operation and educate the population on the issue. Reservoir animals, through anthropogenic changes in the environment, are changing habitats and feeding sites, making more and more territories vulnerable to the disease. New species of henipaviruses are emerging all the time, posing an epizootic challenge to public health, so a key action is to increase the amount of research into the epidemic development of the virus and to conduct it as widely as possible.

Orliki, czyli ogólnodostępne kompleksy boisk ze sztuczną nawierzchnią, przeznaczone przede wszystkim dla dzieci i młodzieży, to obiekty, które pełnią zróżnicowane funkcje (m.in. edukacyjne, rekreacyjne, sportowe). W przestrzeni miejskiej rola orlików jest szczególna, istotne jest ich właściwe wykorzystanie, gdyż są one komplementarne lub konkurencyjne wobec innych obiektów sportowych i rekreacyjnych. Celem artykułu jest analiza funkcjonowania orlików w Częstochowie ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wpływu różnorodnych form dostępności oraz zagospodarowania na możliwości ich użytkowania. Przeprowadzone badania jakościowe, w tym inwentaryzacja, wywiady eksperckie, obserwacja czynna i bierna, umożliwiły także ocenę zależności między podejmowanymi aktywnościami a stanem obiektów w 2022 r. oraz zidentyfikowanie problemów związanych z ich utrzymaniem. W wyniku wykonanych analiz autorzy zaproponowali obszary w Częstochowie, które potencjalnie mogą zostać zagospodarowane na cele rozwoju infrastruktury sportowo-rekreacyjnej, oraz wskazali możliwości zmian w zarządzaniu obiektami, które mogą przyczynić się do optymalizacji ich wykorzystania i utrzymania w dobrym stanie.

Background and objectivesEncephalitis is a devastating neurologic disorder with high morbidity and mortality. Autoimmune causes are roughly as common as infectious ones. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis (NMDARE), characterized by serum and/or spinal fluid NMDAR antibodies, is the most common form of autoimmune encephalitis (AE). A translational rodent NMDARE model would allow for pathophysiologic studies of AE, leading to advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder. The main objective of this work was to identify optimal active immunization conditions for NMDARE in mice.MethodsFemale C57BL/6J mice aged 8 weeks old were injected subcutaneously with an emulsion of complete Freund’s adjuvant, killed and dessicated Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and a 30 amino acid peptide flanking the NMDAR GluN1 subunit N368/G369 residue targeted by NMDARE patients’ antibodies. Three different induction methods were examined using subcutaneous injection of the peptide emulsion mixture into mice in 1) the ventral surface, 2) the dorsal surface, or 3) the dorsal surface with reimmunization at 4 and 8 weeks (boosted). Mice were bled biweekly and sacrificed at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 14 weeks. Serum and CSF NMDAR antibody titer, mouse behavior, hippocampal cell surface and postsynaptic NMDAR cluster density, and brain immune cell entry and cytokine content were examined.ResultsAll immunized mice produced serum and CSF NMDAR antibodies, which peaked at 6 weeks in the serum and at 6 (ventral and dorsal boosted) or 8 weeks (dorsal unboosted) post-immunization in the CSF, and demonstrated decreased hippocampal NMDAR cluster density by 6 weeks post-immunization. In contrast to dorsally-immunized mice, ventrally-induced mice displayed a translationally-relevant phenotype including memory deficits and depressive behavior, changes in cerebral cytokines, and entry of T-cells into the brain at the 4-week timepoint. A similar phenotype of memory dysfunction and anxiety was seen in dorsally-immunized mice only when they were serially boosted, which also resulted in higher antibody titers.DiscussionOur study revealed induction method-dependent differences in active immunization mouse models of NMDARE disease. A novel ventrally-induced NMDARE model demonstrated characteristics of AE earlier compared to dorsally-induced animals and is likely suitable for most short-term studies. However, boosting and improving the durability of the immune response might be preferred in prolonged longitudinal studies.

Myo-inositol belongs to one of the sugar alcohol groups known as cyclitols. Phosphatidylinositols are one of the derivatives of Myo-inositol, and constitute important mediators in many intracellular processes such as cell growth, cell differentiation, receptor recycling, cytoskeletal organization, and membrane fusion. They also have even more functions that are essential for cell survival. Mutations in genes encoding phosphatidylinositols and their derivatives can lead to many disorders. This review aims to perform an in-depth analysis of these connections. Many authors emphasize the significant influence of phosphatidylinositols and phosphatidylinositols’ phosphates in the pathogenesis of myotubular myopathies, neurodegenerative disorders, carcinogenesis, and other less frequently observed diseases. In our review, we have focused on three of the most often mentioned groups of disorders. Inositols are the topic of many studies, and yet, there are no clear results of successful clinical trials. Analysis of the available literature gives promising results and shows that further research is still needed.

Lead is known to be highly toxic to humans, causing various disorders infetal development. An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of lead acetate on the structural organization of female rat ovaries. The study involved 40 non-linear female rats divided into four groups: a control group, a low-dose group, a moderate-dose group, and a high-dose group. The rats were given lead acetate solutions in varying doses for 30 days, and their ovarian tissue was examined using light microscopy.The results showed that increasing doses of lead acetate led to morphological changes in the cortex and medulla of the rat ovaries. The changes were characterized by a decrease in ovarian mass, alterations in the thickness of the tunica albuginea (protein envelope), and a reduction in the number of follicles. Light microscopy revealed that exposure to lead acetate resulted in a significant decrease in the number of follicles in all experimental groups, with the high-dose group experiencing the most significant decrease.These findings suggest that lead acetate has a dose-dependent negative impact on the morphology and function of female rat ovaries. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential impact of lead on human ovarian tissue.

The effects of severe burn injuries on the cardiovascular system, specifically the atria and auricles of the heart, were investigated. The potential benefits of using lyophilized xenodermotransplants as a treatment option were also evaluated. The experiments were conducted on adult guinea pigs divided into three groups: intact animals, animals with burns, and animals with burns who underwent early necrectomy followed by wound closure with lyophilized xenodermotransplants. Third-degree burns caused significant ultrastructural changes in atrial cardiomyocytes, leading to long-term destructive changes in the structural components of the atria. However, the use of lyophilized xenodermotransplants had a positive effect on the atrial ultrastructure over time. This study highlights the complex and varied effects of burn injuries on the body and the potential benefits of lyophilized xenodermotransplants in treating severe burn injuries. By preventing destructive changes in the heart and activating regenerative processes, lyophilized xenodermotransplants can improve the condition of the heart after thermal injury. Further research and development in this area are necessary for understanding the potential of lyophilized xenodermotransplants in tissue repair and regeneration.

The paper presents a simple method for estimating nonlinear frequency distortions of linear frequency modulated (LFM) signals used in FMCW radars. This method, derived from the polynomial model of the nonlinear FM signal phase, is based on finding the maximum of two-dimensional chirp-like transform of the IF video signal. The IF signal is obtained by mixing transmitted FM signal with its delayed copy. Using suggested transform we show that the presented method is able to detect and classify signal distortions.

Consistent with a role in catalyzing rate-limiting step of protein folding, removal of genes encoding cytoplasmic protein folding catalysts belonging to the family of peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIs) in Escherichia coli confers conditional lethality. To address the molecular basis of the essentiality of PPIs, a multicopy suppressor approach revealed that overexpression of genes encoding chaperones (DnaK/J and GroL/S), transcriptional factors (DksA and SrrA), replication proteins Hda/DiaA, asparatokinase MetL, Cmk and acid resistance regulator (AriR) overcome some defects of Δ6 ppi strains. Interestingly, viability of Δ6 ppi bacteria requires the presence of transcriptional factors DksA, SrrA, Cmk or Hda. DksA, MetL and Cmk are for the first time shown to exhibit PPIase activity in chymotrypsin-coupled and RNase T1 refolding assays and their overexpression also restores growth of a Δ( dnaK/J/tig ) strain, revealing their mechanism of suppression. Mutagenesis of DksA identified that D74, F82 and L84 amino acid residues are critical for its PPIase activity and their replacement abrogated multicopy suppression ability. Mutational studies revealed that DksA-mediated suppression of either Δ6 ppi or Δ dnaK/J is abolished if GroL/S and RpoE are limiting, or in the absence of either major porin regulatory sensory kinase EnvZ or RNase H, transporter TatC or LepA GTPase or P i -signaling regulator PhoU.

Protein folding often requires molecular chaperones and folding catalysts, such as peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (PPIs). The Escherichia coli cytoplasm contains six well-known PPIs, although a requirement of their PPIase activity, the identity of their substrates and relative enzymatic contribution is unknown. Thus, strains lacking all periplasmic and one of the cytoplasmic PPIs were constructed. Measurement of their PPIase activity revealed that PpiB is the major source of PPIase activity in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, viable Δ6 ppi strains could be constructed only on minimal medium in the temperature range of 30-37 °C, but not on rich medium. To address the molecular basis of essentiality of PPIs, proteins that aggregate in their absence were identified. Next, wild-type and putative active site variants of FkpB, FklB, PpiB and PpiC were purified and in pull-down experiments substrates specific to each of these PPIs identified, revealing an overlap of some substrates. Substrates of PpiC were validated by immunoprecipitations using extracts from wild-type and PpiC-H81A strains carrying a 3xFLAG-tag appended to the C-terminal end of the ppiC gene on the chromosome. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, RpoE, RseA, S2, and AhpC were established as FkpB substrates and PpiC's PPIase activity was shown to be required for interaction with AhpC.

Introduction Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defined as a reccurent bleeding to gastrointestinal tract without evaluated origin, despite detiled endoscopic and image diagnostics. Mots common reason of OGIB i small bowel bleeding (SBB). Methodology Retrospective analysis of patients hospitalised in Gastroenterology Department of 7 Szpital Marynarki Wojennej w Gdańsku with suspicion of OIGB. Results Double balloon enteroscopy was performed in 31 cases. Origin of bleeding was founded in small bowel in 87% of cases and in 64 % successfull,simultaneous therapeutic procedure was performed. No clinically relevant complications were noticed. Conclusion According to actual diagnostic algorythms of OGIB, double balloon enteroscopy is highly effective also in polish medical care system. This tehnique is a safe and effective tool in diagnostics and treatment of SBB, but its availability is still limited in Poland. Abstrakt.

The RpoE σ factor is essential for the viability of Escherichia coli RpoE regulates extracytoplasmic functions including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation and some of its non-stoichiometric modifications. Transcription of the rpoE gene is positively autoregulated by Eσ E and by unknown mechanisms that control the expression of its distally located promoter(s). Mapping of 5' ends of rpoE mRNA identified five new transcriptional initiation sites (P1 to P5) located distal to Eσ E -regulated promoter. These promoters are activated in response to unique signals. Of these P2, P3, and P4 defined major promoters, recognized by RpoN, RpoD, and RpoS σ factors, respectively. Isolation of trans-acting factors, in vitro transcriptional and gel retardation assays revealed that the RpoN-recognized P2 promoter is positively regulated by a QseE/F two-component system and NtrC activator, whereas the RpoD-regulated P3 promoter is positively regulated by a Rcs system in response to defects in LPS core biosynthesis, overproduction of certain lipoproteins, and the global regulator CRP. Strains synthesizing Kdo 2 -LA LPS caused up to 7-fold increase in the rpoEP3 activity, which was abrogated in Δ(waaC rcsB). Overexpression of a novel 73-nucleotide sRNA rirA (RfaH interacting RNA) generated by the processing of 5' UTR of the waaQ mRNA induces the rpoEP3 promoter activity concomitant with a decrease in LPS content and defects in the O-antigen incorporation. In the presence of RNA polymerase, RirA binds LPS regulator RfaH known to prevent premature transcriptional termination of waaQ and rfb operons. RirA in excess could titrate out RfaH causing LPS defects and the activation of rpoE transcription., (© 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)

Electrokinetic injection (EI) is the primary method used in forensic laboratories to load amplified PCR product in capillary electrophoresis for short tandem repeat (STR) fragment separation. Because all samples subjected to capillary electrophoresis use internal lane standard (ILS), this study investigated the consequence of varying the volume of ILS and its effects on allele peak heights and number of alleles detected. Results demonstrated that when the volume of ILS is reduced, the average peak height and number of alleles increased, thereby increasing the sensitivity of the detection method. Sizing anomalies were observed; however, they did not adversely affect accuracy and precision. The method developed in this study offers a simple and universal procedure to increase the alleles detected in forensic STR analysis. Reducing the volume of ILS to achieve greater sensitivity is applicable to all STR amplification kits and capillary electrophoresis instruments currently used in forensic DNA analysis., (© 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)

Unlabelled: Functional dyspepsia is often accompanied by emotional disturbances, especially in postmenopausal women. Impaired homeostasis of the dopaminergic system maybe one of the common pathogenetic factors. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of drugs which block dopamine D2 receptors on psychosomatic condition in postmenopausal women., Material and Methods: The study was conducted in a group of 60 women, aged 53-61 years, with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) that met the Rome Criteria III. The severity of dyspeptic symptoms was determined statistically using a 10-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The emotional state was estimated with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), whereas the body mass index (BMI) was the indicator of the nutritional status. Sulpiride (2 x 50 mg) was administered to 30 women for 16 weeks and itopride (2 x 50 mg) to 30 others., Results: After sulpiride and itopride treatment equal decrease of dyspeptic symptoms was observed, respectively from 9.08 to 4.76 pts and from 9.02 to 4.64 pts. Significant reduction in the level of anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression (p < 0.01) was obtained in both groups, slightly higher after sulpiride. However, no significant change in BMI was found., Conclusions: Sulpiride and itopride are effective in the treatment of dyspepsia in the form of postprandial distress syndrome. These drugs in the several-month treatment have no significant effect on body weight.