Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis based on bacteriological and biochemical results

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is frequent and insidious complication of liver cirrhosis regardless of its aetiology. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of biochemical markers in the blood and ascitic fluid, including the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in the diagnosis of SBP in the patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. The material and methods: 117 examinations in 88 patients were performed as following: ascitic fluid and blood cultures, throat and anus smears, biochemical examinations in the serum and ascitic fluid including concentration of procalcitonin, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and neopterin. The results: 25% of patients have died during the hospitalisation, the positive blood cultures were found in 7 cases (5.9%), whereas the positive ascitic culture in 17 (14.5%) cases. The procalcitonin level were increased in 56.6% of the cases, the remaining levels of cytokines were increased considerably in one case with SBP. Biochemical examinations in the blood, performed on the admission, revealed: hyperbilirubineamia, increased level of ALT, AST, GGTP, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, WBC and gamma-protein and decreased level of haemoglobin and albumin. Conclusions: We have obtained Gram positive bacteria in 57% of cases in the ascitic fluid and Gram negative in the 43%. The results of the cytokines concentration seam do not have significant importance in the SBP diagnosis. However our study was performed on the small amount of the cases and requires further investigations including the control group.     

Exposure to ticks and erythema chronicum migrans among borreliosis patients in Lower Silesia

The aim of the study was the analysis of Lyme borreliosis cases notified by Clinic for Infections Diseases in Wroc?aw in connection with exposure to ticks in year 2002. In the analyzed group of patients tick bites were confirmed in 77.9% and the most common places of exposition were forest regions in Lower Silesia (Masyw Slezy, Wzgórza Twardógorskie, Kotlina K?odzka, Wzgórza Trzebnickie, Bory Dolno?laskie) and in Wroc?aw area. EM appeared in 55.8% cases. In cases of multiple ticks professionally exposured persons EM appeared only in 22.2%.     

The activity of Codex Alimentarius Commission FAO/WHO Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

In the light of issues discussed during 24th Session of Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling that was held in Budapest, 18-22 November 2002, the current activity of this Committee is presented. More detailed information about some of the most advanced or interesting documents is included, i. e. Proposed Draft General Guidelines On Sampling, Harmonized IUPAC Guidelines for Single-Laboratory Validation of Methods of Analysis, Consideration of methods for the detection and identification of food derived from biotechnology.     

Estimated risk for altered fetal growth resulting from exposure to fine particles during pregnancy: an epidemiologic prospective cohort study in Poland

The purpose of this study was to estimate exposure of pregnant women in Poland to fine particulate matter [less than or equal to 2.5 microm in diameter (PM 2.5)] and to assess its effect on the birth outcomes. The cohort consisted of 362 pregnant women who gave birth between 34 and 43 weeks of gestation. The enrollment included only nonsmoking women with singleton pregnancies, 18-35 years of age, who were free from chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. PM 2.5 was measured by personal air monitoring over 48 hr during the second trimester of pregnancy. All assessed birth effects were adjusted in multiple linear regression models for potential confounding factors such as the size of mother (maternal height, prepregnancy weight), parity, sex of child, gestational age, season of birth, and self-reported environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The regression model explained 35% of the variability in birth weight (beta = -200.8, p = 0.03), and both regression coefficients for PM 2.5 and birth length (beta = -1.44, p = 0.01) and head circumference (HC; beta = -0.73, p = 0.02) were significant as well. In all regression models, the effect of ETS was insignificant. Predicted reduction in birth weight at an increase of exposure from 10 to 50 microg/m3 was 140.3 g. The corresponding predicted reduction of birth length would be 1.0 cm, and of HC, 0.5 cm. The study provides new and convincing epidemiologic evidence that high personal exposure to fine particles is associated with adverse effects on the developing fetus. These results indicate the need to reduce ambient fine particulate concentrations. However, further research should establish possible biologic mechanisms explaining the observed relationship.     

Stereoselective synthesis of sugar-modified enyne analogues of adenosine and uridine. Interaction with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase and antiviral and cytotoxic effects

Sonogashira coupling of (E)-6'-iodohomovinyl nucleosides 1 with (trimethylsilyl)acetylene gave the conjugated 8'-(trimethylsilyl)enyne derivatives of the adenosine 2a and uridine 2b with expected E-stereochemistry. Desilylation of 2a,b with tetrabutylammonium fluoride followed by treatment with N-iodosuccinimide/AgNO(3) afforded 8'-iodoenynes 4a,b. Analogous coupling of (Z)-6'-iodohomovinyl nucleosides 7a,b produced (Z)-8'-(trimethylsilyl)enynes 8a,b, which were deprotected with aqueous trifluoroacetic acid to give the Z-enynes 9a,b. Stereoselective coupling of the adenosine 4'-acetylenic 11 and ethyl (Z)-3-bromoacrylate followed by deprotection gave the conjugated enyne system attached in the reverse orientation at C4' 13. Because of their diverse stereochemical attributes, deprotected enyne analogues 5a, 6a, 9a, and 13 derived from adenosine require a different vicinity for binding with S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase and/or addition of enzyme-bound water across the conjugated enyne system. Enyne 5a and 8'-iodoenyne 6a produced time-dependent and concentration-dependent inhibition of AdoHcy hydrolase (K(i), 0.55 and 118.5 microM, respectively). No reduction in NAD(+) content of the enzyme and no iodide ion released were observed upon incubation of 6a with the enzyme, while incubation of 5a produced 30% reduction in the NAD(+) content of the enzyme. No specific antiviral activity was noted for 5a,b, 6a,b, 9a,b, and 13 against any of the viruses tested; the E-iodoenynes 6a and 6b inhibited HIV-1 virus (IC(50), 1.1 and 1.8 microM; selectivity index, 7 and 3, respectively). The E-enyne 5a showed activity against cytomegalovirus at a concentration (EC(50), 30 microM) that was 3- to 10-fold lower than the cytotoxic concentration.     

Influence of beta-adrenergic antagonists on tear secretion in children

The aim of the study was to compare the results of tear film volume, conjunctival and corneal state of children eyes both treated with beta-blocker and healthy ones. We have examined 40 eyes of 20 children at the age from 7 to 17 years. Group I - 20 glaucomatous eyes treated with 0.5% timolol twice daily during at least 12 months. Group II - 20 eyes of control age-matched group. Schirmer I test without anesthesia and lissamine green staining was performed to evaluate conjunctival and corneal surface. The values of Schirmer I test were: group I from 12 to 24 mm, the mean 17.06 +/- 1.78 mm and group II from 16 to 35 mm, the mean 29.3 +/- 2.67, p = 0.000004. Keratoepitheliopathy was observed in 4 eyes (20%) of group I and was rated as 3rd and 6th degree of Franck classification. In the group II, there were only single staining points classified as 1st degree noticed in 2 eyes (10%), p = 0.37. The long-term treatment with timolol causes a decrease in tear secretion in children, which can further generate keratoepiteliopathy. Therefore, we suggest application of the artificial tears in these patients.     

Pharmacokinetic interaction after joint administration of zinc and imipramine in forced swim test in mice

Recent preclinical and clinical data indicate beneficial role of zinc in the antidepressant treatment. To evaluate the mechanism of interaction between zinc and antidepressants, in the present study we examined the brain zinc, imipramine and desipramine concentrations in mice treated with combinations of zinc and imipramine and subjected to the forced swim test. We have chosen doses of zinc (10 mg/kg) and imipramine (15 mg/kg) which we have previously found to be ineffective in the forced swim test when given alone. However, when administered jointly, a significant reduction in the immobility time in this test was demonstrated. In the present study, we demonstrated a significant ca. 60% reduction in the brain desipramine and non-significant reduction (ca. 40%) in brain imipramine concentrations in the group of animals treated with zinc plus imipramine compared with animals treated with imipramine alone. The brain zinc concentration in the zinc plus imipramine group was reduced when compared with the group treated with zinc or imipramine alone. Since there was no increase in brain imipramine/desipramine or zinc brain concentration after combined zinc and imipramine treatment, the data suggest that pharmacodynamic rather than pharmacokinetic interaction between zinc and imipramine is responsible for behavioral effect in the forced swim test.     

The epidemiology of asbestos-related diseases

Asbestos has been recognised as a potential health hazard since the 1940s. Of the two major species of asbestos; white asbestos (chrysotile) and blue asbestos (crocidolite), both of which are hazardous. The workers at extraction facilities are at the greatest risk of exposure to asbestos and, therefore, the development of asbestos-related diseases, commonly mesothelioma. However, other individuals at a high risk of exposure include asbestos-cement workers, insulation workers and ship-yard workers. Environmental exposure to asbestos can occur as a result of living in areas either characterised by natural outcrops of asbestos or asbestos-related materials, or those close to asbestos-producing or -using plants. Unfortunately, man-made fibre alternatives to asbestos, such as rock and slag-wool and glass wool, have also been shown to have a detrimental effect on human health. A characteristic of mesothelioma is that there is a long latency period (20-30 years) before the signs and symptoms of the disease become apparent. In addition, diagnosis of the disease can be difficult. The use of biological markers, such as tissue polypeptide antigen, may play a useful role in the early detection of the disease in individuals at risk.