Poland introduced the 10-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV10) into the childhood immunization program in January 2017. During previous decades, considerable changes had occurred in the surveillance system for invasive pneumococcal disease. Therefore, to provide baseline data on pneumococcal diseases before PCV10 introduction, we evaluated the epidemiology of pneumococcal meningitis (PM), the only syndrome monitored consistently since 1970.
Methods
Based on laboratory-confirmed cases reported during 2005-2015, we calculated the reported rates, serotypes distribution and antimicrobial resistance of pneumococcal meningitis isolates. Data from the mandatory national surveillance system was linked with data on cerebrospinal fluid isolates submitted to the National Reference Centre for Bacterial Meningitis. We used negative binomial regression with Newey West method to test for trend in rates of pneumococcal meningitis notified during 2005-2015 and Chi-squared test to assess changes in the serotype distribution from 2008-2011 to 2012-2015.
Results
From 2005 to 2015, the overall reported incidence of PM increased from 0.21 to 0.47 cases per 100,000 population, average yearly increase of 7% (rate ratio 1.07; 95% CI 1.06–1.08). The increase was primarily due to annual increase of 3% (1.02–1.05) among 15–49?years of age, 12% (95% CI: 1.10–1.13) among 50–64?years of age, 18% (95% CI: 1.16–1.19) among persons 65–74?years of age and 9% (95% CI 1.07–1.10) among persons ≥75?years of age. In children <5?years of age, serotypes included in PCV10 and PCV13 accounted for 75% and 80% of reported isolates, respectively. From 2008-2011 to 2012-2015, the proportion of PM cases caused by PCV10 serotypes decreased from 52% to 41% (p?<?0.01). Overall, 28% of isolates were resistant to penicillin and 13% were non-susceptible to cefotaxime.
Conclusions
The introduction of PCV10 into national immunization program may have considerable impact on disease burden, especially on number of cases caused by isolates non-susceptible to antimicrobials. 相似文献
Purpose: To describe a case series of ocular complications associated with upper respiratory tract infections.
Methods: Four patients aged 21–61 years (three females, one male) had confirmed ocular complications connected with a general upper respiratory tract infection with myalgia and fever. Ophthalmological examination, including a visual acuity test, a slit-lamp exam, intraocular pressure measurements, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and diagnostic tests for influenza were performed in the patients (RT-PCR, HAI).
Results: Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) was diagnosed in three patients and serous macular detachment (SME) in one. Influenza virus infection was confirmed by molecular biological methods (RT-PCR) or the hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI) in two patients. All patients were treated with systemic prednisone.
Conclusion: A coincidence between APMPPE and SME epitheliopathy and influenza virus infection was observed in different months of a given epidemic season. 相似文献
The aim of the study was to evaluate the loss of truncal rotation over 54 hours after removing Chêneau brace.
Methods
The studied groups consisted of 39 girls aged 10–18 years old, diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and treated with Chêneau brace (CAST) and 20 AIS girls aged 10–18 years old, not treated with bracing. Posterior-anterior radiographs were obtained from the clinical assessment of all subjects and were subsequently used to determine Cobb angles. The measurements of the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) were taken with the Scoliometer® and back-contour device during Adams forward bending test by the two evaluators. The changes in ATRs during 54 hours of observation were performed after the brace had been taken off (0, 2, 24, 30, 48 and 54 hours after debracing). This was described using VATR variable, defined as the change in the absolute Scoliometer® readings in the time intervals against the time interval Δt between the measurements. During back-contour assessment the differential factor (kra) has been used for the digital analysis. The changes in kra over 54 hours of observation were expressed as Vkra factor, defined as the difference in the absolute value of the amplitude differential factor (kra) in the time intervals against the time interval Δt between the measurements.
Results
The highest changes were observed in the thoracic as well as in lumbar spine in patients with Cobb angle ≥30°, axial rotation of the apical vertebrae within 5–15°, Risser sign 0–2. The biggest change in the trunk rotation after Chêneau brace had been taken off was noted within the first two hours of observation.
Conclusion
The patients should be advised to take the brace off for a minimum of two hours before the scheduled x-ray, to allow full relaxation of the trunk in order to obtain reliable radiological images of the deformation.
The current literature suggests that the antibacterial effect of leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) is directly related to platelet and leukocyte concentrations. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of L-PRP against selected bacterial strains in vitro, and second, to correlate this effect with leukocyte and platelet content in the final concentration. Blood was collected from 20 healthy males, and L-PRP, acellular plasma (AP), and autologous thrombin were consecutively prepared. Flow cytometry analysis of the blood, L-PRP, and AP was performed. The L-PRP gel, liquid L-PRP, and thrombin samples were tested in vitro for their antibacterial properties against seven selected bacterial strains using the Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion method. There was notable antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial strains. No statistically significant correlations between antimicrobial activities and the platelet concentration in L-PRP were observed. Statistically significant positive correlations between selected leukocyte subtypes and antimicrobial activity were noted. A negative correlation was found between elevated monocyte count and antimicrobial activity of L-PRP against one bacterial strain studied. L-PRP possesses antimicrobial activity and can be potentially useful in the fight against certain postoperative infections. The bactericidal effect of L-PRP is caused by leukocytes, and there exists a relationship among selected leukocyte subtypes and L-PRP antimicrobial activity. 相似文献
Carbon-based quantum dots are widely suggested as fluorescent carriers of drugs, genes or other bioactive molecules. In this work, we thoroughly examine the easy-to-obtain, biocompatible, nitrogen-containing carbonaceous quantum dots (N-CQDs) with stable fluorescent properties that are resistant to wide-range pH changes. Moreover, we explain the mechanism of fluorescence quenching at extreme pH conditions. Our in vitro results indicate that N-CQDs penetrate the cell membrane; however, fluorescence intensity measured inside the cells was lower than expected from carbonaceous dots extracellular concentration decrease. We studied the mechanism of quenching and identified reduced form of β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as one of the intracellular quenchers. We proved it experimentally that the elucidated redox process triggers the efficient reduction of amide functionalities to non-fluorescent amines on carbonaceous dots surface. We determined the 5 nm–wide reactive redox zone around the N-CQD surface. The better understanding of fluorescence quenching will help to accurately quantify and dose the internalized carbonaceous quantum dots for biomedical applications. 相似文献
Human skin graft mouse models are widely used to investigate and develop therapeutic strategies for the severe generalized form of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), which is caused by biallelic null mutations in COL7A1 and the complete absence of type VII collagen (C7). Most therapeutic approaches are focused on reintroducing C7. Therefore, C7 and anchoring fibrils are widely used as readouts in therapeutic research with skin graft models. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of human and murine C7 in a grafting model, in which human skin is reconstituted out of in vitro cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The model revealed that murine C7 was deposited in both human healthy control and RDEB skin grafts. Moreover, we found that murine C7 is able to form anchoring fibrils in human grafts. Therefore, we advocate the use of human‐specific antibodies when assessing the reintroduction of C7 using RDEB skin graft mouse models. 相似文献
The Polish dietary supplement market is growing steadily. However, even though these products may have an impact on health they are not as strongly regulated as pharmaceuticals. In 2016/17 the introduction of new regulations covering the marketing of dietary supplements in Poland was proposed. This article briefly describes the Polish market for dietary supplements and assesses the benefits and risks associated with its development. A range of potential legislative changes, such as a total ban on dietary supplements, a ban on using the images and recommendations of authoritative entities, increased fines for breaking the law, and other measures are under consideration. We describe the advantages (e.g., better customer protection, and the limitation of inappropriate, misleading advertising) and disadvantages (e.g., a decrease in product innovation, deterioration in product offerings, and rises in product prices) of the proposed changes. As a European Union member, Poland adopts EU law, but EU directives have only harmonized some issues relating to dietary supplement marketing, other key aspects remaining within the competence of member states, but it is noted that some proposed changes in Polish law (e.g., an advertising ban) are so strict that they are unlikely to be acceptable to the EU. 相似文献
Radiodermatitis is one of the commonest side effects of radiotherapy. They are usually assessed by semi‐quantitative clinical scores, which are not validated and may be subject to inter‐observer variability. A few previous studies suggested that high‐frequency ultrasonography (HF‐USG) is useful in the assessment of the acute phase of radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients. (a) To monitor skin changes by HF‐USG during the course of radiotherapy due to head and neck cancers, and (b) to determine whether there is any connection between skin sonograms and the skin scoring criteria. This prospective, observational study includes patients diagnosed with head and neck cancers, treated with radiotherapy or concomitant chemoradiation. The final analysis includes six patients. In every patient, the HF‐USG as well as dermatological assessment (target lesion score—TLS and CACE v. 4.0) were performed 4×: before, in the middle, day after, and 3 months after radiotherapy. There were significant differences between non‐irradiated skin thickness and thickness of skin with clinically obvious radiodermatitis (TLS grade 1‐4; P < .0001), as well as between irradiated, unchanged skin thickness (TLS grade 0) and thickness of skin with clinically obvious radiodermatitis (TLS grade 1‐4; P = .0002). There was no significant difference between non‐irradiated and irradiated, unchanged skin thickness (TLS grade 0; P = .9318). In four patients, we demonstrated subepidermal low echogenic band (SLEB). HF‐USG can be useful tool to noninvasive and objective assessment of skin changes during radiotherapy. 相似文献