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Background: Vedolizumab (VDZ) demonstrated efficacy in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in the GEMINI trials. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of VDZ at week 14 in inflammatory bowel disease in a multicenter cohort of patients., Methods: Patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital were considered for inclusion. VDZ (300 mg) was administered at weeks 0, 2, 6, and 14. Efficacy was assessed using the Harvey-Bradshaw index for CD, the simple clinical colitis activity index for UC and physician assessment, along with C-reactive protein and decrease of corticosteroid therapy. Clinical response was defined as decrease in Harvey-Bradshaw index ≥3 and simple clinical colitis activity index ≥3 and remission as Harvey-Bradshaw index ≤4, simple clinical colitis activity index ≤2 and physician assessment of response and remission., Results: Our study included 172 patients (107 CD, 59 UC, 6 inflammatory bowel disease-unclassified, men 48.3%, mean age 40 years and disease duration 14 years). Fourteen patients had ostomy and 9 ileoanal pouch, and only 35.5% fulfilled eligibility for the GEMINI trials. Previous treatment failures with ≥ 2 anti-TNFs occurred in 70.9%, one-third were on an immunomodulator and 46% systemic steroids at baseline. In CD, 48.9% and 23.9% and in UC, 53.9% and 29.3% had clinical response and clinical remission at week 14, respectively. Adverse events occurred in 10.5%., Conclusions: VDZ is safe and well tolerated in refractory inflammatory bowel disease patients in a clinical practice with efficacy in UC and CD with responses similar to what was seen in clinical trials.

Objective: IBD is a group of complex, systemic disorders associated with intestinal inflammation and extraintestinal manifestations. Recent studies revealed Mendelian forms of IBD, which contributed significantly to our understanding of disease pathogenesis and the heritability of IBD., Design: We performed exome sequencing in a family with Crohn's disease (CD) and severe autoimmunity, analysed immune cell phenotype and function in affected and non-affected individuals, and performed in silico and in vitro analyses of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) structure and function., Results: A novel missense variant was identified in CTLA4 encoding CTLA-4, a coinhibitory protein expressed by T cells and required for regulation of T cell activation. The residue affected by the mutation, CTLA-4 Tyr60, is evolutionarily highly conserved, and the identified Y60C variant is predicted to affect protein folding and structural stability and demonstrated to cause impaired CTLA-4 dimerisation and CD80 binding. Intestinal inflammation and autoimmunity in carriers of CTLA-4 Y60C exhibit incomplete penetrance with a spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic carrier status to fatal autoimmunity and intestinal inflammation. In a clinically affected CTLA-4 Y60C carrier, T cell proliferation was increased in vitro and associated with an increased ratio of memory to naive T cells in vivo, consistent with impaired regulation of T cell activation., Conclusions: Our results support the concept that variants in CTLA4 provide the basis for a novel Mendelian form of early-onset CD associated with systemic autoimmunity. Incomplete penetrance of autoimmunity further indicates the presence of other genetic and/or environmental modifiers., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Background: The high incidence and inconsistencies in diagnostic and therapeutic process of low back pain (LBP) stimulate the continuing search for more efficient treatment modalities. Integration of the information obtained with various therapeutic methods and a holistic approach to the patient seem to be associated with positive outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of combined treatment with McKenzie method and Muscle Energy Technique (MET), and to compare it with the outcomes of treatment with McKenzie method or standard physiotherapy in specific chronic lumbar pain., Material and Methods: The study included 60 men and women with LBP (mean age 44 years). The patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 therapeutic groups, which were further treated with: 1) McKenzie method and MET, 2) McKenzie method alone, or 3) standard physiotherapy for 10 days. The extent of spinal movements (electrogoniometry), level of experienced pain (Visual Analogue Scale and Revised Oswestry Pain Questionnaire), and structure of the spinal discs (MRI) were examined prior to the intervention, immediately thereafter, and 3 months after the intervention., Results: McKenzie method enriched with MET had the best therapeutic outcomes. The mobility of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine normalized at levels corresponding to 87.1%, 66.7%, and 95% of respective average normative values. Implementation of McKenzie method, both alone and combined with MET, was associated with a significant decrease in Oswestry Disability Index, significant alleviation of pain (VAS), and significantly reduced size of spinal disc herniation., Conclusions: The combined method can be effectively used in the treatment of chronic LBP.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body image, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity in adolescents. The study included 1702 girls and 1547 boys aged 14-16 years. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was evaluated by the Physical Activity Screening Measure. Body image was assessed using the Feelings and Attitudes Towards the Body Scale, and participants' BMI was determined based on measured height and weight. Compared to boys, girls reported more negative body image (p<.05). The results of the three-way hierarchical regression revealed that body image was a statistically significant positive predictor of MVPA for adolescents, regardless of BMI. Additionally, body image was a stronger predictor of MVPA in boys than in girls. These findings suggest that body image, rather than BMI, is important in undertaking physical activity in adolescents and should be considered when preparing programs aimed at improving physical activity., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explain the relationship between work locus of control and burnout in Polish physiotherapists through the mediation of coping styles. In particular, we hypothesized that external work locus of control may have a positive direct relationship with burnout symptoms via positive relationship with emotion-focused and avoidant coping styles, and a negative relationship with problem-focused style., Material and Methods: We tested the mediational hypothesis using structural equation modeling of self-report data from 155 Polish physiotherapists., Results: The relationship between external work locus of control and physiotherapists' burnout was shown to be mediated by a positive relationship with emotion-focused coping and an inverse relationship with problem-focused coping. The variables included in the model explained about 15% of the variance of emotional exhaustion, 14% of depersonalization, and 14% of personal accomplishment., Conclusions: Physiotherapists perceiving the situation as difficult to control, feel more burned out when they use more emotion-focused strategies, and less problem-focused strategies. This indicates the importance of including both, problem-focused coping training and increasing the perception of the situation controllability in preventing physiotherapists' burnout programs., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

Introduction: Radiotherapy (RT) in combination with chemotherapy is a standard of care for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The RT is associated with side effects, which impact on quality of life (QoL). Thus, the aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to investigate the impact of RT on the QoL of patients with HNSCC during RT., Material and Methods: From September 2008 to February 2010, 205 patients with locally advanced HNSCC were enrolled. The data pertaining to their QoL were collected using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC Head and Neck Module (QLQ-H&N35) and then all items were transformed to a 0-100 scale according to the guidelines of the EORTC. The following clinical factors were chosen to study their potential influence on the QoL; site of primary, clinical stage, and methods of therapy: RT vs. chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Additionally, the sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education, habit of smoking) were studied., Results: Deterioration of almost all scales and items in the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire were noted at the end of RT. The following factors negatively influenced the QoL: age < 60 years (p < 0.05), female gender (p < 0.05), habit of smoking (p < 0.01), advanced clinical stage (III and IV) (p < 0.05), site of primary (larynx, hypopharynx) (p < 0.01), and CRT (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Our study showed that RT significantly negatively influenced QoL at the end of the RT course. Additionally, this study demonstrated that age, gender, smoking habit, tumor site, and clinical stage of disease showed a significant effect on the QoL of HNSCC patients during RT.

Survivin has been implicated as a potential prognostic marker in a wide range of malignant tumours. However, the prognostic impact of survivin in gastric cancer remains to be controversial and published data are sometimes heterogeneous. Thus, aim of this study was to review the literature by performing an electronical database search via PubMed and EMBASE to identify eligible studies that assessed the impact of survivin as prognostic marker and its association with clinicopathological variables. Database search until November 21st 2012 retrieved 20 studies comprising 2,695 gastric cancer patients that assessed expression of survivin by immunohistochemistry or RT-PCR analyses in gastric cancer specimens. Meta-analyses of clinicopathological variables revealed an association between the expression of survivin and the presence of lymph node metastases (pooled OR: 0.58; 95 % CI 0.35-0.96). In addition, a correlation between the expression of survivin and overall survival for patients with gastric cancer (pooled HR 1.93; 95 % CI 1.51-2.48) became evident. More importantly, we were able to exclude a severe heterogeneity (I(2) = 31 %) or publication bias for the survival analyses. Furthermore, one-way sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses regarding the method used to detect survivin, the type of survival analysis, the study quality and whether information was provided regarding neoadjuvant therapy supported our initial results. In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicates the prognostic significance of survivin in patients with gastric cancer.

Biomarkers which are indicative of acute physiological and emotional states are studied in a number of different areas in cognitive neuroscience. Currently, many cognitive studies are conducted based on programmed tasks followed by timed biofluid sampling, central laboratory processing, and followed by data analysis. In this work, we present a sensor platform capable of rapid biomarker detection specific for detecting neuropeptide orexin A, found in blood and saliva and known as an indicator of fatigue and cognitive performance. A peptide recognition element that selectively binds to orexin A was designed, characterized, and functionalized onto a zinc oxide field effect transistor to enable rapid detection. The detection limit using the sensor platform was sub-picomolar in water, and picomolar to nanomolar levels in saliva and serum. The transistor and recognition element sensor platform can be easily expanded, allowing for multiple biomarkers to be detected simultaneously, lending itself to complex biomarker analysis applicable to rapid feedback for neuroscience research and physiological monitoring.

Periodontitis is accompanied by the proliferation of small blood vessels in the gingival lamina propria. Specialized postcapillary venules, termed periodontal high endothelial-like venules, are also present, and demonstrate morphological and functional traits similar to those of high endothelial venules (HEVs) in lymphatic organs. The suggested role of HEVs in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis involves participation in leukocyte transendothelial migration and therefore proinflammatory effects appear. Recent observations suggest that chronic periodontitis is an independent risk factor for systemic vascular disease and may result in stimulation of the synthesis of acute phase protein by cytokines released by periodontal high endothelial cells (HECs). However, tissue expression of HEV-linked adhesion molecules has not been evaluated in the gingiva of patients with chronic periodontitis. This is significant in relation to potential therapy targeting expression of the adhesion molecules. In this review, current knowledge of HEV structure and the related expression of four surface adhesion molecules of HECs [CD34, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1, endoglin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)], involved in the key steps of the adhesion cascade in periodontal diseases, are discussed. Most studies on the expression of adhesion molecules in the development and progression of periodontal diseases pertain to ICAM-1 (CD54). Studies by the authors demonstrated quantitatively similar expression of three of four selected surface markers in gingival HEVs of patients with chronic periodontitis and in HEVs of reactive lymph nodes, confirming morphological and functional similarity of HEVs in pathologically altered tissues with those in lymphoid tissues., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of exercise on postural control (PC) among the elderly with lower or higher level of habitual physical activity (HPA). The study involved 17 elderly men (mean age 72.9 ± 4.79 years). Mean velocity of the center of pressure (COP) displacements was measured using a force plate both before and after cycle ergometer exercise. A significantly higher increase in mean velocity of COP displacements and its component in the sagittal plane were observed in the group with lower level of HPA in comparison with the group with higher HPA level. Simultaneously, a relatively similar reaction to the exercise in the frontal plane was observed in both groups, possibly connected to the specific type of used exercise, which mainly activated the sagittal muscles.

The application of combined (35)Cl-NQR/X-ray/DFT/QTAIM methods to study the temperature variation of anisotropic displacement parameters and ultralow frequency modes of anharmonic torsional vibrations in the solid state is illustrated on the example of 2,4-dichloro-5-sulfamolybenzoic acid (lasamide, DSBA) which is a diuretic and an intermediate in the synthesis of furosemide and thus its common impurity. The crystallographic structure of lasamide is solved by X-ray diffraction and refined to a final R-factor of 3.06% at room temperature. Lasamide is found to crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1, with two equivalent molecules in the unit cell a = 7.5984(3) Å, b = 8.3158(3) Å, c = 8.6892(3) Å; α = 81.212(3)°, β = 73.799(3)°, γ = 67.599(3)°. Its molecules form symmetric dimers linked by two short and linear intermolecular hydrogen bonds O-H···O (O-H···O = 2.648 Å and ∠OHO = 171.5°), which are further linked by weaker and longer intermolecular hydrogen bonds N-H···O (N-H···O = 2.965 Å and ∠NHO = 166.4°). Two (35)Cl-NQR resonance frequencies, 36.899 and 37.129 MHz, revealed at room temperature are assigned to chlorine sites at the ortho and para positions, relative to the carboxyl functional group, respectively. The difference in C-Cl(1) and C-Cl(2) bond lengths only slightly affects the value of (35)Cl-NQR frequencies, which results mainly from chemical inequivalence of chlorine atoms but also involvement in different intermolecular interactions pattern. The smooth decrease in both (35)Cl-NQR frequencies with increasing temperature in the range of 77-300 K testifies to the averaging of EFG tensor at each chlorine site due to anharmonic torsional vibrations. Lasamide is thermally stable; no temperature-induced release of chlorine or decomposition of this compound is detected. The temperature dependence of ultralow frequency modes of anharmonic small-angle internal torsional vibrations averaging EFG tensor and mean square angle displacements at both chlorine sites is derived from the (35)Cl-NQR temperature dependence. The frequencies of torsional vibrations higher for the para site than the ortho site are in good agreement with those obtained from thermal parameters obtained from X-ray studies. The mean square angle displacements are in good agreement with those estimated from X-ray data with the use of the TLS model. The detailed DFT/QTAIM analysis suggests that the interplay between different hydrogen bonds in adjacent molecules forming dimers is responsible for the differences in flexibility of the carboxyl and sulphonamide substituents as well as both C-Cl(1) and C-Cl(2) bonds. Three ultralow wavenumber modes of internal vibrations in Raman and IR spectra obtained at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level close to those obtained within the TLS model suggest that internal and external modes of vibrations are not well separated.

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the postural control (PC) during quiet stance among elderly men with fatigue induced by moderate exercise, and to assess the relationships between changes in PC and somatic indices (body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR)), load during exercise, and post-exercise blood lactate (BL) concentration. The study involved 17 elderly men (68.4±2.9 years of age, ranging between 65 and 74 years). Mean velocity of the center of pressure (COP) displacements was measured using a force plate both before and after fatigue induced by a cycle ergometer exercise. Following physical exercise, the mean velocity of the COP and its components, both in the sagittal and frontal plane, increased significantly. It was found that increasing BMI was associated with increasing exercise-induced changes in the mean velocity of the frontal plane. Additionally, BL level was positively correlated with changes in the mean velocity of the sagittal plane. Higher post-exercise values of the mean velocity of the COP may suggest a temporary increase in the risk of falls. Therefore, it seems advisable to caution the elderly men in regards to the increased risk of falling following exercise. Analysis showed that the changes in the PC as indicated by the increase in the COP displacements velocity may be related to the level of fatigue (as indicated by BL). Moreover, elderly men possessing a higher BMI may exhibit a tendency toward the greater increase in the postural sway after exercise-induced fatigue., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Two antibacterial and antifungal agents, chloroxylenol (4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-phenol) and triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2',4'-dichlorophenoxy)-phenol), were studied experimentally in solid state with an X-ray, (35)Cl-nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) and (17)O-nuclear quadrupole double resonance (NQDR) spectroscopies and, theoretically, with the density functional theory/quantum theory of atoms in molecules (DFT/QTAIM). The crystallographic structure of triclosan, which crystallises in space group P31 with one molecule in the asymmetric unit [a = 12.64100(10), b = 12.64100(10), c = 6.71630(10) Å], was solved with an X-ray and refined to a final R-factor of 2.81% at room temperature. The NQR frequencies of (35)Cl and (17)O were detected with the help of the density functional theory (DFT) assigned to particular chlorine and oxygen sites in the molecules of both compounds. The NQR frequencies at (35)Cl sites in chloroxylenol and triclosan were found to be more differentiated than frequencies at the (17)O site. The former better describes the substituent withdrawing effects connected to π-electron delocalization within the benzene rings and the influence of temperature; whereas, those at the (17)O site provide more information on O-H bond and intermolecular interactions pattern. The conformation adopted by diphenyl ether of triclosan in solid state was found to be typical of diphenyl ethers, but the opposite to those adopted when it was bound to different inhibitors. According to an X-ray study, temperature had no effect on the conformation of the diphenyl ring of triclosan, which was the same at 90 K and at room temperature (RT). The scattering of NQR frequencies reproduced by the DFT under assumption of the X-ray data at 90 K and RT is found to be a good indicator of the quality of resolution of the crystallographic structure., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Aim of the Study: Helical tomotherapy is one of the methods of radiotherapy. This method enables treatment implementation for a wide spectrum of clinical cases. The vast array of therapeutic uses of helical tomotherapy results directly from the method of dose delivery, which is significantly different from the classic method developed for conventional linear accelerators. The paper discusses the method of dose delivery by a tomotherapy machine. Moreover, an analysis and presentation of treatment plans was performed in order to show the therapeutic possibilities of the applied technology. Dose distributions were obtained for anaplastic medulloblastoma, multifocal metastases to brain, vulva cancer, tongue cancer, metastases to bones, and advanced skin cancer. Tomotherapy treatment plans were compared with conventional linear accelerator plans., Results: Following the comparative analysis of tomotherapy and conventional linear accelerator plans, in each case we obtained the increase in dose distribution conformity manifested in greater homogeneity of doses in the radiation target area for anaplastic medulloblastoma, multifocal metastases to brain, vulva cancer, metastases to bones, and advanced skin cancer, and the reduction of doses in organs at risk (OAR) for anaplastic medulloblastoma, vulva cancer, tongue cancer, and advanced skin cancer. The time of treatment delivery in the case of a tomotherapy machine is comparable to the implementation of the plan prepared in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique for a conventional linear accelerator. In the case of tomotherapy the application of a fractional dose was carried out in each case during one working period of the machine. For a conventional linear accelerator the total value of the fractional dose in the case of anaplastic medulloblastoma and metastases to bones was delivered using several treatment plans, for which a change of set-up was necessary during a fraction., Conclusion: The obtained results confirm that tomotherapy offers the possibility to obtain precise treatment plans together with the simplification of the therapeutic system.

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of the angiogenesis rate in chronic periodontitis (CP). A total of 61 human gingival samples were taken from patients with CP (n = 40) obtained during open curettage with gingivectomy, healthy periodontia (n = 15), and reactive lymph nodes (n = 7). Quantitative immunocytochemistry studies of VEGF, CD31 (PECAM-1) and CD105 (endoglin) were performed using the spatial visualization method. CD105/CD31 and VEGF/CD31 angiogenetic ratios (ARs) were established to determine the proliferation fraction of the endothelium. In patients with CP, the proliferation of blood vessels was observed, including the presence of numerous high endothelial venules (HEVs) and ordinary vessels. In gingival HEVs of patients with CP, the higher expression was shown by CD31 and, in turn CD105 and VEGF. The entire vascular expression of CD31 in the gingiva correlates with grading in lamina propria, but our study failed to document correlations between the expression of VEGF and CD105 and clinical data of patients with CP. Higher ARs were seen in gingivae of CP patients compared to controls. We concluded that overexpression of the angiogenesis-associated factors in CP suggests its significance in protracting the inflammatory process or periodic exacerbations of the process and destruction of the periodontium. The increased CD105/CD31 and VEGF/CD31 ratios in gingiva confirms an augmented proliferative fraction of the endothelium in gingiva with CP.

Nature is an exquisite designer of inorganic materials using biomolecules as templates. Diatoms create intricate silica wall structures with fine features using the protein family of silaffins as templates. Marine sponges create silica spicules also using proteins, termed silicateins. In recent years, our group and others have used biomolecules as templates for the deposition of inorganic materials. In contrast with the traditional materials science approach, which requires high heat, extreme pH and non-aqueous solutions, the bio-based approaches allow the reactions to proceed usually at near ambient conditions. Additionally, the biological templates allow for the control of the inorganic nanoparticle morphology. The use of peptides and biomolecules for templating and assembling inorganics will be discussed here.

Two cases of pneumomediastinum were presented. Diagnosis was confirmed by plain chest X - ray and CT examination of the chest. None remarkable abnormality was found in a lung parenchyma or any other organs. Therefore the authors conclude that the direct cause of pneumomediastinum was psychostimulants administration--amphetamine. Typical treatment was successful.

Due to appearance in the world scientific literature of reports on occurrence of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) as an adverse effect of treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin administered for anemia correction in the course of chronic renal failure, the paper presents rules of diagnosis and treatment of this complication. PRCA is more frequently observed during subcutaneous administration of erythropoietin a than erythropoietin beta. According to currently available analysis, prophylaxis of PRCA may include changing of the route of erythropoietin alpha administration from subcutaneous to intravenous one.

This paper presents a non-iterative, fast, and almost automated time-data analysis method for NMR spectroscopy, based on a new adaptive implementation of high resolution methods used in spectral subbands. It is intended to avoid the choice of the decimation factor (or the width of the spectral windows) which, in the case of a uniform decomposition, strongly conditions the estimation results, and to diminish the computational burden. It is achieved through successive decimation/estimation stages each followed by a test procedure in order to decide whether or not the process should continue. The proposed test is based on a local spectral flatness measure of the estimation residuals. This stop-criterion involves an a posteriori validation of the estimation, thus the method proposed allows one to obtain a better detection rate at a lower complexity comparatively to other stopping rules, while preserving a reasonable estimation variance. Moreover, the reliability of the fitting algorithms considered is improved, by decreasing the influence of the model order and the number of false detections. Finally, the method is more efficient than Fourier transform (FT) at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by analyzing a simulation signal and raw carbon-13 experimental data.

The importance of demodicids (Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis) infestation and their effect on skin lesions has been described based on literature data and our own clinical and parasitological investigations. Hair follicle mites have been detected in 45% of patients with rosacea, 27% of patients with perioral dermatitis, 28% of patients suffering from seborrhoeic dermatitis and in 3 out of 7 patients with chronic blepharitis. Clinical picture of demodecosis included erythemato-papulous and pustulous (rosacea-like) skin lesions together with erythemato-desquamative changes of the face.

Roles for host immune response in carcinogenesis are not well defined. Recent studies have shown that microbially driven inflammation can lead to colon cancer and that prior transfer of regulatory lymphocytes expressing CD4 and CD25 prevents the innate inflammatory events that lead to colon cancer in mice. To further examine the ability of regulatory lymphocytes to inhibit carcinogenesis, 129/SvEv Rag-2-deficient mice were inoculated by gastric gavage with Helicobacter hepaticus, an enteric bacterial pathogen of mice. Mice were then treated at 1, 3, or 12 months after infection with adoptive transfer of CD4(+)CD45RB(lo)CD25(+)-regulatory cells. Mice dosed with regulatory cells at 4 or 12 weeks after H. hepaticus infection had reduced severity of inflammatory bowel disease and significantly lower risk of colon cancer during the 8 month observation period, compared with infected mice that had not received cells. This suggested that regulatory cells were able to interrupt the ongoing innate immune events in the stepwise progression to cancer. Transfer of regulatory cells into chronically infected mice with established cancer reduced severity of colitis, epithelial dysplasia, and cancer, but did not eliminate all tumors. Regulatory cells lacking anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 were unable to inhibit inflammatory bowel disease, dysplasia, or cancer, showing that IL-10 was required for the protective effects of lymphocytes in this setting. Taken together, the data suggest that IL-10-mediated suppression of host innate inflammatory response was pivotal in interrupting carcinogenesis. Regulatory lymphocytes and cytokines may have implications for novel therapies for colon cancer in humans.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, increase the risk of colorectal cancer in humans. It has been recently shown in humans and animal models that intestinal microbiota and host immunity are integral in the progression of large bowel diseases. Lymphocytes are widely believed to prevent bacterially induced inflammation in the bowel, and lymphocytes are also critical in protecting against primary tumors of intestinal epithelia in mice. Taken together, this raises the possibility that lymphocytes may inhibit colon carcinogenesis by reducing bacterially driven inflammation. To examine the role of bacteria, lymphocytes, and inflammatory bowel disease in the development of colon cancer, 129/SvEv Rag-2-deficient and congenic wild-type mice were orally inoculated with a widespread enteric mouse bacterial pathogen, Helicobacter hepaticus, or sham-dosed with media only. H. hepaticus-infected Rag2-/-, but not sham-dosed Rag2-/- mice, rapidly developed colitis and large bowel carcinoma. This demonstrated a link between microbially driven inflammation and cancer in the lower bowel and suggested that innate immune dysregulation may have an important role in inflammatory bowel disease and progression to cancer. H. hepaticus-infected wild-type mice did not develop inflammation or carcinoma showing that lymphocytes were required to prevent bacterially induced cancer at this site. Adoptive transfer with CD4+ CD45RBlo CD25+ regulatory T cells into Rag-deficient hosts significantly inhibited H. hepaticus-induced inflammation and development of cancer. These results suggested that the ability of CD4+ T cells to protect against intestinal cancer was correlated with their ability to reduce bacterially induced inflammatory bowel disease. Further, regulatory T cells may act directly on the innate immune system to reduce or prevent disease. These roles for T cells in protection against colon carcinoma may have implications for new modes of prevention and treatment of cancer in humans.

The aim of the present study was to establish a relationship between serum haptoglobin (HTG) concentration, peritoneal dialysis (PD) adequacy, and nutrition status in PD patients with and without diabetes. We measured serum concentrations of HTG, albumin, iron, and cholesterol; platelet count; transferrin saturation (TSAT); weekly Kt/V; and total weekly creatinine clearance (CCr) in 60 patients with and without diabetes who were being treated with continuous ambulatory PD or automated PD. The mean serum HTG concentration in PD patients without diabetes (2.5 +/- 1.2 g/L) was elevated and differed significantly from that in PD patients with diabetes (2.0 +/- 1.1 g/L). In patients without diabetes the correlation of serum HTG concentration with serum albumin level was r = -0.330 (p < 0.030), with platelet count was r = 0.320 (p < 0.040), with serum iron concentration was r = -0.450 (p < 0.002), with TSAT was r = -0.4200 (p < 0.005), and with age was r = 0.337 (p = 0.003). No such relationships were seen in patients with diabetes. In both subgroups, no dependence was seen between serum HTG concentration and weekly Kt/V, total weekly CCr, or serum cholesterol concentration. Serum HTG concentration in PD patients without diabetes may be a valid inflammatory marker. The HTG serum level displays a significant statistical dependence on age, platelet count, and markers of nutrition such as serum albumin level, iron, and TSAT. It does not depend on markers of dialysis adequacy (weekly Kt/V, total weekly CCr) or on serum cholesterol concentration. The serum HTG concentration in PD patients with diabetes is lower than that in patients without diabetes, and it is not related to examined factors of inflammation, nutrition, or adequacy of dialysis.

We have examined the effects of combinations between egg-phosphatidylcholine (EPC) or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes with either bovine spermatozoa or oocytes on cellular chilling sensitivity, lipid phase transition temperature (T(m)), and the ability of the oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage. Spermatozoa and oocytes were exposed to EPC and DPPC liposomes at various temperatures (spermatozoa: 4, 12, 16, and 25 degrees C; oocytes: 4, 16, and 32 degrees C). The membrane integrity of the spermatozoa-control group decreased significantly following exposure to 16 or 12 degrees C, compared to ambient temperature (25 degrees C). In contrast, the EPC-sperm group had a greater resistance to chilling at each temperature and showed a decline in membrane integrity only at the lowest temperatures investigated. However, the DPPC-sperm group was injured significantly at all temperatures tested. Similar to the sperm, oocytes from the control group that were exposed to 16 degrees C were injured more severely than oocytes that were electrofused with EPC or DPPC liposomes. The membrane integrity of the oocytes at 16 degrees C that were electrofused with either EPC or DPPC liposomes was approximately the same as the control group held at 32 degrees C (normalized to 100%), compared to 46% in the control group at 16 degrees C (P<0.01). The transition temperatures of the sperm and oocyte membranes revealed different T(m) for the different liposome treatments. All groups had a significantly higher cleavage rate, as well as increased blastocyst formation when oocytes were exposed to temperatures above or below their T(m). We suggest that the T(m) of spermatozoa or oocytes can be changed by spontaneous association or electrofusion of liposomes with cellular membranes and, consequently, the chilling sensitivity can be altered. The resulting possibility is that embryo development after cryopreservation could be improved with such a method.

Inoculation experiments with 12 genotypes of oats (9 lines: CHD 894, CHD 1095, CHD 1296, CHD 1607, CHD 1653, CHD 1692, STH 2293, STH 2393, STH 2494, STH 2694 and 2 cultivars: Farys, Slawko) were performed during the vegetation seasons of 1999 - 2000 in Zamosc region in the South - Eastern part of Poland.Panicles of oats were inoculated with a conidial suspension ofFusarium avenaceum, which caused the following average reductions of traits: yield by 37.8 % and weight of 1000 kernels by 40.2 % respectively.The highest susceptibility to scab development caused by theF. avenaceum inoculation was found particularly for two lines (CHD 894, and CHD 1296) while cultivar Farys and line CHD 1607 exhibited the highest resistance to the disease in terms of TKW and yield reductions after inoculation. During 2 consecutive years (1999 and 2000 respectively) the average level of moniliformin accumulation (mg/kg) in positive samples was respectively 0.51 and 0.12 the highest being 1.11 and 0.26, while the lowest was 0.30 and 0.01.

Over the past decade antifreeze proteins from polar fish have been shown either to stabilize or disrupt membrane structure during low temperature and freezing stress. However, there has been no systematic study on how membrane composition affects the interaction of antifreeze proteins with membranes under stress conditions. Therefore, it is not possible at present to predict which antifreeze proteins will protect, and which will damage a particular membrane during chilling or freezing. Here, we analyze the effects of freezing on spinach thylakoid membranes and on model membranes of varying lipid composition in the presence of antifreeze protein type I (AFP I) and specific fractions of antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGP). We find that the addition of galactolipids to phospholipid model membranes changes the effect each protein has on the membrane during freezing. However, the greatest differences observed in this study are between the different types of antifreeze proteins. We find that AFP type I and the largest molecular weight fractions of AFGP induce concentration dependent leakage from, and are fusogenic to the liposomes. This is the first report that an antifreeze protein induces membrane fusion. In contrast, the smallest fraction of AFGP offers a limited degree of protection during freezing and does not induce membrane fusion at concentrations up to 10 mg/ml.

In most previously described membrane-based immunoassays a separate negative control assay is always carried out to evaluate the performance of the assay. To overcome this problem, a membrane-based flow-through enzyme immunoassay with an internal control has been developed for the detection of T-2 toxin in cereals (patent pending). An Immunodyne ABC membrane was coated with 2 microL of goat anti-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) (internal control spot) (1:1000) and 2 microL of rabbit anti-mouse (test spot) (undiluted) immunoglobulins, and the free binding sites were blocked. In addition to the antibody-coated Immunodyne ABC membrane, the assay also comprises a plastic snap-fit device, absorbent cotton wool, mouse anti-T-2 monoclonal antibodies (Mab), and T-2-HRP conjugate. The color intensity (Delta) of the internal control and that of the negative sample showed no difference (P > 0.05), whereas there was a significant difference between the internal control and positive samples (P < 0.05). The minimum detectable limit that could be visually detected with confidence was 50 ng of T-2 per gram of cereal sample.

The effect of furosemide (1500 mg/21 of peritoneal dialysis fluid) on excretion of hydroxyproline in dialysate and its renal clearance was investigated in 12 patients with end-stage renal disease on regular dialysis treatment. The 37 +/- 8% and 20 +/- 6% increase of D/S ratio of hydroxyproline after 5 and 8 hours of dwell, respectively, and 52 +/- 24% increase of renal clearance of hydroxyproline were induced by furosemide, which indicate its significant influence on peritoneal and renal removal of hydroxyproline.

The paper presents the results of the measurements of natural radioactivity of building components and materials used in the North-East part of Poland performed by the Department of Biophysics, Medical Academy of Białystok. The natural radioactivity (40K, 224Ra and 232Th) of 133 samples was measured and the qualifying coefficients f1 and f2 were calculated. All measured samples of different materials had radioactivity level below legally accepted value. The lowest values of f1 and f2 were observed in prefabricated building materials; and they were lower then in traditional red brick. Only one sample of furnace slag had increased value of natural radioactivity, which was higher than legally permitted level.