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Purpose: Urolithiasis significantly affects patient quality of life, yet the global standard of care predominantly focuses on achieving a stone free status, often ignoring patient reported outcomes. Currently, there are no specific measures available to assess the quality of life in the Polish population suffering from kidney stones. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate the Polish version of the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire., Methods: The translation of WISQOL was carried out in accordance with the best available guidelines. Patients treated for kidney stones at a tertiary centre were recruited and completed both POL-WISQOL and SF36 questionnaires. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to assess internal consistency, inter-item and inter-domain correlations, as well as convergent and construct validity. Additionally, test-retest reliability was evaluated to ensure the accuracy and stability of the findings., Results: A total of 102 participants fully completed both questionnaires and were included in the analysis. The translated survey demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's coefficient 0.967) and significant convergent validity (Spearman's correlation = 0.847, p < 0.001). Furthermore, an ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc analysis revealed a significant decline in WISQOL scores between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, thereby confirming tool's construct validity., Conclusion: POL-WISQoL turned out to be a valid disease specific health related quality of life measuring tool. Its widespread utilisation has the potential to shift the standard of care towards patient centered outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare but aggressive neoplasm. Currently, there are few reliable and widely used prognostic biomarkers of this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of blood-, tissue- and urine-based biomarkers in patients with UTUC. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases. Case reports, editorials and non-peer-reviewed literature were excluded from the analysis. As a result, 94 articles were included in this review. We evaluated the impact of 22 blood-based, 13 tissue-based and 4 urine-based biomarkers and their influence on survival outcomes. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, albumin, C-reactive protein, De Ritis ratio, renal function and fibrinogen, which are currently mentioned in the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines, are well researched and most probably allow for a reliable prognosis estimate. However, our review highlights a number of other promising biomarkers that could potentially predict oncological outcomes in patients with UTUC. Nonetheless, the clinical value of some prognostic factors remains uncertain due to the lack of comprehensive studies.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common liver disorder affecting about 25% of the global population. The causes of its development include poor diet, low physical activity, overweight, obesity, older age, diabetes, and lipid disorders. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is identified by some researchers as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. It has been observed that patients with NAFLD have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, as well as a higher number of deaths from myocardial infarction compared to the general population., Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 237 patients diagnosed with hepatic steatosis, treated in the Department of Geriatrics at the University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław from 2019 to 2022, focusing on coexisting overweight, obesity, and concomitant diseases. Laboratory results and the degree of left ventricular muscle hypertrophy were analyzed. Parameters assessed by echocardiography, including interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWd), and IVSd + LVPWd/2, were used to evaluate left ventricular hypertrophy., Results: Data from 237 patients were analyzed: 79 men (age: 77.2±7.1 years) and 158 women (age: 78.4±7.7 years). Body mass index (BMI) values for men and women were 30.5±5.0 kg/m² and 31.9±5.6 kg/m², respectively. There was a positive correlation between BMI and the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy for the parameters IVSd (ρ = 0.36, p < 0.001), LVPWd (ρ = 0.36, p < 0.001), and IVSd + LVPWd/2 (ρ = 0.38, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The study demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between BMI and the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients diagnosed with hepatic steatosis. These findings indicate the necessity of actively searching for cardiovascular risk factors, including the evaluation of echocardiographic parameters in patients with NAFLD. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(3):223-231., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

Car wash wastewaters (CWWs) contain various pollutants with different contents. Hence, selecting an appropriate process for their treatment is a great challenge. Undoubtedly, the ultrafiltration (UF) process is one of the most interesting and reliable choices. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to investigate the performance of the UF membranes used for the long-term treatment of real CWWs. For this purpose, two polyethersulfone (PES) membranes with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) values equal to 10 and 100 kDa were applied. As expected, a significant decrease in the permeate flux during the UF run was observed. However, it was immediately demonstrated that the systematic cleaning of membranes (every day) with Insect agent (pH = 11.5) prevented a further decline in the process's performance. In addition, this study focused on the relative flux during the process run with breaks lasting a few days when the UF installation was filled with distilled water. The results of this research indicated that aqueous media favor microorganism adherence to the surface which leads to the formation of biofilms inside processing installations. As a consequence, many attempts have been made to restore the initial membrane performance. It has been found that the application of several chemical agents is required. More precisely, the use of an Insect solution, P3 Ultrasil 11 agent, and phosphoric acid increases the relative flux to a value of 0.8. Finally, it has been indicated that the membranes used in this work are resistant to the long-term exposure to bacteria and chemical agents. However, during the separation of CWWs for the membrane with an MWCO of 10 kDa, a lesser fouling influence and higher effectiveness of cleaning were obtained. Finally, the present study demonstrates a novel analysis and innovative implications towards applying the UF process for the CWW treatment.

In recent years, the use of biogas as a natural gas substitute has gained great attention. Typically, in addition to methane (CH 4 ), biogas contains carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), as well as small amounts of impurities, e.g., hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), nitrogen (N 2 ), oxygen (O 2 ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). One of the latest trends in biogas purification is the application of membrane processes. However, literature reports are ambiguous regarding the specific requirement for biogas pretreatment prior to its upgrading using membranes. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to comprehensively examine and discuss the most recent achievements in the use of single-membrane separation units for biogas upgrading. Performing a literature review allowed to indicate that, in recent years, considerable progress has been made on the use of polymeric membranes for this purpose. For instance, it has been documented that the application of thin-film composite (TFC) membranes with a swollen polyamide (PA) layer ensures the successful upgrading of raw biogas and eliminates the need for its pretreatment. The importance of the performed literature review is the inference drawn that biogas enrichment performed in a single step allows to obtain upgraded biogas that could be employed for household uses. Nevertheless, this solution may not be sufficient for obtaining high-purity gas at high recovery efficiency. Hence, in order to obtain biogas that could be used for applications designed for natural gas, a membrane cascade may be required. Moreover, it has been documented that a significant number of experimental studies have been focused on the upgrading of synthetic biogas; meanwhile, the data on the raw biogas are very limited. In addition, it has been noted that, although ceramic membranes demonstrate several advantages, experimental studies on their applications in single-membrane systems have been neglected. Summarizing the literature data, it can be concluded that, in order to thoroughly evaluate the presented issue, the long-term experimental studies on the upgrading of raw biogas with the use of polymeric and ceramic membranes in pilot-scale systems are required. The presented literature review has practical implications as it would be beneficial in supporting the development of membrane processes used for biogas upgrading., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) can be an alternative to partial nephrectomy (PN) in selected patients with stage T1 renal tumours. Existing meta-analyses regarding ablative techniques compared both laparoscopic and PCA with PN. That is why we decided to perform a meta-analysis that focused solely on PCA. The aim of this study was to compare the complications and functional and oncological outcomes between PCA and PN. A systematic literature search was performed in January 2024. Data for dichotomous and continuous variables were expressed as pooled odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs), both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Effect measures for the local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were expressed as pooled hazard ratios with 95% CIs. Among 6487 patients included in the 14 selected papers, 1554 (23.9%) and 4924 (76.1%) underwent PCA and PN, respectively. Compared with the PN group, patients undergoing PCA had significantly lower overall and major postoperative complication rates. There was no difference in renal function between PCA and PN groups. When analysing collective data for cT1 renal carcinoma, PCA was associated with worse LRFS compared with PN. However, subgroup analysis revealed that in the case of PCA, LRFS was not decreased in patients with cT1a tumours. Moreover, patients undergoing robotic-assisted PN had improved LRFS compared with those undergoing PCA. No significant differences were observed between PCA and PN in terms of MFS and CSS. Finally, PCA was associated with worse OS than PN in both collective and subgroup analyses. In conclusion, PCA is associated with favourable postoperative complication rates relative to PN. Regarding LRFS, PCA is not worse than PN in cT1a tumours but has a substantially relevant disadvantage in cT1b tumours. Also, RAPN might be the only surgical modality that provides better LRFS than PCA. In cT1 tumours, PCA shows MFS and CSS comparable to PN. Lastly, PCA is associated with a shorter OS than PN.

Introduction: The aim was to evaluate ChatGPT generated responses to patient-important questions regarding upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC)., Material and Methods: Fifteen common inquiries asked by patients regarding UTUC were assigned to 4 categories: general information; symptoms and diagnosis; treatment; and prognosis. These questions were entered into ChatGPT and its responses were recorded. In every answer 5 criteria (adequate length, comprehensible language, precision in addressing the question, compliance with European Association of Urology guidelines and safety of the response for the patient) were assessed by the urologists using a numerical scale of 1-5 (a score of 5 being the best)., Results: Sixteen questionnaires were included. A score of five was assigned 336 times (28.0%); 4 - 527 times, (43.9%); 3 - 268 times (22.3%); 2 - 53 ti- mes (4.4%); and 1 - 16 times (1.3%). The average overall score was 3.93. Responses to each question received average scores within the range 3.34-4.18. Answers regarding "general information" were graded the highest - mean score 4.14. Artificial intelligence scored the lowest in the "treatment" category - mean score 3.68. A mean score of 4.02 was given for the safety of the response. However, a few urologists considered several answers as unsafe for the patient, by grading them 1 or 2 in this criterion., Conclusions: ChatGPT does not provide fully adequate information on UTUC, and inquiries regarding treatment can be misleading for the patients. In particular cases, patients might receive potentially unsafe answers. However, ChatGPT can be used with caution to provide basic information regarding epidemiology and risk factors of UTUC., Competing Interests: None., (Copyright © 2024 Termedia.)

Introduction: Nitroxoline is an old antimicrobial agent with a broad spectrum of pharmacological applications and a unique mechanism of action. However, its use in the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) has not been popular in the recent past. Recently, nitroxoline is gaining interest, due to frequent drug-resistance in uropathogens. Unfortunately, there are few modern clinical trials assessing this antibiotic. Also, older researchers often do not meet current scientific standards. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of nitroxoline as a viable option in treating uncomplicated lower UTIs., Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search regarding the use of nitroxoline in UTIs was conducted using Pubmed, Cochrane Library and Embase databases. A cross-reference search was also performed. Case reports, editorials and non-peer-reviewed literature were excluded from further analysis. As a result, 21 publications were included in this review., Results: The available literature on nitroxoline's mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, minimum inhibitory concentrations, in vitro activity and resistance rates strongly suggests that nitroxoline is a potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Moreover, clinical efficacy of the drug was analyzed - 2 articles proved high eradication rates in women with uncomplicated lower UTIs and 1 reported unsuccessful treatment in geriatric patients with lower complicated and uncomplicated UTIs. Finally, the present data on adverse effects indicate that nitroxoline is well-tolerated., Conclusions: Nitroxoline is an obscure, yet potentially effective and safe antimicrobial agent in uncomplicated lower UTIs. Unfortunately, it is available only in a few countries. Nonetheless, nitroxoline can be useful in urological practice., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright by Polish Urological Association.)

Introduction: The ILY robotic flexible ureteroscope has been introduced in order to improve intraoperative ergonomics, reduce operator distance from radiation and shorten the learning curve. In this study we aimed to assess the clinical performance and feasibility of the ILY robot during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and combined endoscopic procedures (miniECIRS)., Material and Methods: The RIRS procedures were performed using the ILY robotic arm in 57 adult patients (46 RIRS and 11 miniECIRS) from 2022 to 2023. All procedures were performed in the supine position. Pre-stenting was not the standard of care., Results: Turning on and calibration of the device took approximately 100 s. Average draping time was 93 s using original ILY drapes and 47 s using classic drapes designed for C-arm covering. Mean docking time was 73 s in procedures with ureteral access sheath (UAS) and 61 s in procedures without it. The undocking took less than 60 s in every case. Average procedure time was 63 min for RIRS and 55 min for miniECIRS. Endoscopically proven stone-free rate was achieved in 37 (80.4%) RIRS and 10 (90.9%) miniECIRS patients. A total of 17 (36.9%) RIRS and 8 (72.7%) miniECIRS procedures required conversion in order to perform basketing and stone fragments retrieval/transposition., Conclusions: The use of ILY robot during endourological procedures is feasible and urologists that are familiar with the device controller do not require extensive training. The time needed for device draping, docking and undocking was approximately 4 minutes. Moreover, use of the robot resulted in satisfactory stone-free rates., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright by Polish Urological Association.)

Galectin-9 (Gal-9), very poorly characterized in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), was chosen in our study to examine its potential role as a CLL biomarker. The relation of Gal-9 expression in malignant B-cells and other routinely measured CLL markers, as well as its clinical relevance are poorly understood. Gal-9 mRNA expression was quantified with RT-qPCR in purified CD19+ B-cells of 100 CLL patients and analyzed in the context of existing clinical data. Our results revealed the upregulation of Gal-9 mRNA in CLL cells. High Gal-9 mRNA expression was closely associated with unfavorable prognostic markers. In addition, Gal-9 expression in leukemic cells was significantly elevated in CLL patients who did not respond to the first-line therapy compared to those who did respond. This suggests its potential predictive value. Importantly, Gal-9 was an independent predictor for the time to treatment parameters. Thus, we can suggest an adverse role of Gal-9 expression in CLL. Interestingly, it is possible that Gal-9 expression is induced in B-cells by EBV infection, so we determined the patients' EBV status. Our suggestion is that EBV coinfection could worsen prognosis in CLL, partly due to Gal-9 expression upregulation caused by EBV.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) is a condition in which excess material builds up not only in the structures of the anterior chamber but also throughout the body. The frequency of the syndrome varies significantly (0.3-18%) depending on the region and the method of examination. Environmental risk factors for XFS include a large number of sunny days, proximity to the equator, dietary factors such as higher consumption of coffee and tea, long-term alcohol consumption, exposure to UV, and outdoor work. The pathognomonic sign of XFS is the presence of white material on the lens capsule and other anterior chamber components. In addition, a characteristic Sampaolesi line can be observed during gonioscopy. Systemic alterations indicative of XFS have been observed in the extracellular matrix of the eyelid skin, the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, gallbladder, meninges, and endothelium of the blood vessels. XFS is the most common cause of secondary open-angle glaucoma, which is called pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and is more severe than primary open-angle glaucoma. It is plausible that a combination of environmental factors and genetic alterations promotes the onset of pseudoexfoliation syndrome, which requires additional research.

The use of stem cells (SCs) has emerged as a promising avenue in ophthalmology, offering potential therapeutic solutions for various vision impairments and degenerative eye diseases. SCs possess the unique ability to self-renew and differentiate into specialised cell types, making them valuable tools for repairing damaged tissues and restoring visual function. Stem cell-based therapies hold significant potential for addressing conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), corneal disorders, and optic nerve damage. Therefore, researchers have explored different sources of stem cells, including embryonic stem cells (ESC), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and adult stem cells, for ocular tissue regeneration. Preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials have demonstrated promising outcomes, with some patients experiencing improved vision following stem cell-based interventions. However, several challenges remain, including optimising the differentiation protocols, ensuring transplanted cells' safety and long-term viability, and developing effective delivery methods. The field of stem cell research in ophthalmology witnesses a constant influx of new reports and discoveries. To effectively navigate these tons of information, it becomes crucial to summarise and systematise these findings periodically. In light of recent discoveries, this paper demonstrates the potential applications of stem cells in ophthalmology, focusing on their use in various eye tissues, including the cornea, retina, conjunctiva, iris, trabecular meshwork, lens, ciliary body, sclera, and orbital fat.

Multiple myeloma (MM) arises following malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, that secrete high amounts of specific monoclonal immunoglobulins or light chains, resulting in the massive production of unfolded or misfolded proteins. Autophagy can have a dual role in tumorigenesis, by eliminating these abnormal proteins to avoid cancer development, but also ensuring MM cell survival and promoting resistance to treatments. To date no studies have determined the impact of genetic variation in autophagy-related genes on MM risk. We performed meta-analysis of germline genetic data on 234 autophagy-related genes from three independent study populations including 13,387 subjects of European ancestry (6863 MM patients and 6524 controls) and examined correlations of statistically significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; p < 1 × 10 -9 ) with immune responses in whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from a large population of healthy donors from the Human Functional Genomic Project (HFGP). We identified SNPs in six loci, CD46 , IKBKE , PARK2 , ULK4 , ATG5 , and CDKN2A associated with MM risk ( p = 4.47 × 10 -4 -5.79 × 10 -14 ). Mechanistically, we found that the ULK4 rs6599175 SNP correlated with circulating concentrations of vitamin D3 ( p = 4.0 × 10 -4 ), whereas the IKBKE rs17433804 SNP correlated with the number of transitional CD24 + CD38 + B cells ( p = 4.8 × 10 -4 ) and circulating serum concentrations of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP)-2 ( p = 3.6 × 10 -4 ). We also found that the CD46 rs1142469 SNP correlated with numbers of CD19 + B cells, CD19 + CD3 - B cells, CD5 + IgD - cells, IgM - cells, IgD - IgM - cells, and CD4 - CD8 - PBMCs ( p = 4.9 × 10 -4 -8.6 × 10 -4 ) and circulating concentrations of interleukin (IL)-20 ( p = 0.00082). Finally, we observed that the CDKN2A rs2811710 SNP correlated with levels of CD4 + EMCD45RO + CD27 - cells ( p = 9.3 × 10 -4 ). These results suggest that genetic variants within these six loci influence MM risk through the modulation of specific subsets of immune cells, as well as vitamin D3 - , MCP-2 - , and IL20-dependent pathways.

The wastewater generated as a result of car washes is considered a new source of water. However, recovered water must meet the required quality criteria for reuse. For this purpose, the ultrafiltration (UF) process can be successfully used. The main aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of the membrane's molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) on the UF performance in terms of the fouling phenomenon and retention degree of car wash wastewater. Moreover, for a better understanding of the fouling mechanisms, Hermia's model was used. The experimental studies were conducted with the use of two polyethersulfone (PES) membranes (MWCO of 10 kDa and 100 kDa). It has been noted that the used membranes provided a high-quality permeate and excellent turbidity removal, up to 99%. Moreover, it has been noted that the MWCO membrane has a significant impact on the fouling mechanism. Generally, a much greater intensity of fouling for the membrane with MWCO of 100 kDa was observed. Results obtained in the present study showed that both real wastewaters and the clean solutions used for washing cars cause the fouling phenomenon. It has been proven that rinsing the membranes with water is not sufficient to recover the initial membrane's performance. Hence, periodic chemical cleaning of the membranes was required. Fitting the experimental data to Hermia's model allowed us to indicate that membranes with MWCO of 100 kDa are more prone to intermediate blocking. To sum up, the findings suggest that for the UF of the car wash wastewater, the use of membranes with MWCO equal to 10 kDa is recommended.

The past decade has seen a rise in the importance of the ultrafiltration (UF) technique in the separation of various complex solutions. However, the fouling phenomenon is the main limitation to faster process development. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present paper is the first to aim to identify the role of corrosion fouling in long-term UF. For this purpose, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were used. The investigations were carried out with the use of both pilot-scale and laboratory-scale units. Results obtained in the present study have clearly demonstrated that the oil concentration has a significant impact on the process performance. Indeed, it has been noted that a reduction in oil concentration from 160 to 100 mg/L resulted in an increase in the PVDF membrane flux from 57 to 77 L/m 2 h. In addition, it has been shown that the feed temperature has a significant influence on the UF performance. Importantly, it has been shown that corrosion fouling is of vital importance in UF membranes. Indeed, corrosion products such as iron oxides contaminated the membrane surface leading to an irreversible decrease in the UF process performance. In addition, it has been found that repeating the chemical cleaning of the membrane units significantly reduced the intensity of the fouling phenomenon. However, the complete elimination of its effects was not achieved. Therefore, it has been indicated that cleaning agents recommended by membrane manufacturers do not remove corrosion products deposited on the membrane surface. Undoubtedly, the obtained results can be used in the design of UF units leading to the extension of membrane installation lifetime.

The potential for nanofiltration (NF) in removing both relatively low molecular weight (MW) organic species and charged solutes from complex media is noteworthy. The main aim of the current work was to improve understanding of the separation mechanisms of fermentation broths components in the NF process. For this purpose, the experimental investigations were performed using the commercial polyamide NF270 membrane. The feed solution was ultrafiltered 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) broths. The separation results were analyzed and discussed in light of the detailed characteristics of both the membrane and the broth components. It has been noted that the membrane ensured the complete 1,3-PD permeability and significant rejection of some feed components. A thorough analysis showed that the retention of carboxylic acids was based on both the Donnan effect and sieve mechanism, according to the following order: succinic acid > lactic acid > acetic acid > formic acid. Indeed, acids retention increased with increasing charged acids ions valency, Stokes radius (rS) as well as MW, and decreasing diffusion coefficient (D). In turn, for ions, the following orders retention was determined: SO42− = PO43− > Cl− and Ca2+ > Na+ > NH4+ ~ K+. It indicated that the ions retention increased with increasing ions charge density, hydrated radius (rH), and hydration energy (Eh). It showed that the separation of the ions was based on the Donnan exclusion, sieving effect, and dielectric exclusion.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an important systemic disorder of the extracellular matrix, in which granular amyloid-like protein fibers accumulate in the anterior segment of the eyeball as well as in other organs. PEX is currently considered to be a multifactorial systemic disorder with genetic and environmental risk factors. The aim of this manuscript was to analyze miR expression in PEX. In recent years, an attempt has been made to investigate and describe the level of expression of selected miRs in PEX. Four polymorphisms of genes isolated from the blood that may be related to PEX were identified and miR-122-5p was found to be upregulated in patient blood. Furthermore, 18 miRs were identified with a statistically different expression in the aqueous humor. A significantly elevated expression of miR-125b was found in the anterior lens capsule, and four miRs were described, which may have a significant impact on the development of PEX. Regulatory miR molecules are gaining more and more importance in research aimed at identifying and isolating molecular markers related to the pathogenesis and prognosis of PEX, but further studies are needed.

Objectives: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a lymphoproliferative disease with heterogeneous clinical course. Recent studies revealed a link between NOTCH1 mutation and the overexpression of MYC and MYC-related genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and protein biosynthesis, such as nucleophosmin-1 (NPM1), in CLL cells. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the impact of the NOTCH1 mutation on the MYC and MYC induced NPM1 expression in CLL cells via quantification of their transcripts., Methods: Using qRT-PCR, we analyzed the levels of MYC and three main NPM1 splice variants in 214 samples collected from CLL patients. We assessed the impact of each splice variant on CLL prognostic markers, including the IGHV, TP53, NOTCH1, SF3B1, and MYD88 mutational status, cytogenetic aberrations, and laboratory features., Results: Significantly higher levels of NPM1.R1 transcripts in patients with unmutated compared to mutated IGHV status were found. The median time to first treatment (TTFT) in patients with a high level of NPM1.R1 was significantly shorter compared to the group with low NPM1.R1 levels (1.5 vs 33 months, p = 0.0002). Moreover, in Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazard Regression Model NPM1.R1 splice variant provided an independent prognostic value for TTFT., Conclusion: In conclusion, our study indicates the prognostic significance of the level of NPM1.R1 expression and suggests the importance of splicing alterations in the pathogenesis of CLL., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Recently, there has been a special research focus on the bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) due to its significance in the chemical industry. However, the treatment and separation of fermentation broths is a great challenge. Currently, the reverse osmosis (RO) process is a reliable state-of-the-art technique for separation of biological solutions. This study (as the first to do so) investigated the feasibility of separation of 1,3-PD broths with the use of cellulose acetate (CA) membrane by the RO process. The experiments were carried out using the installation equipped with the plate module, under the transmembrane pressure (TMP) and temperature of 1 MPa and 298 K, respectively. It was found that the used membrane was suitable for broth separation. Indeed, it was noted that 1,3-PD, as a target product, migrated through the membrane; meanwhile, other broth components were rejected in various degrees. Moreover, it was proven that retention of carboxylic acids tended to increase with increasing molecular weight, according to the following order: succinic acid > lactic acid > acetic acid > formic acid. With regards to ions, retention degree increased with the increase of ionic radius and decrease of diffusion coefficient. Finally, it was demonstrated that the CA membrane is resistant to irreversible fouling, which has a positive effect on the economic viability of the process.