Correction: A novel biomass-based support (Starbon) for TiO2 hybrid photocatalysts: a versatile green tool for water purification

Correction for ‘A novel biomass-based support (Starbon) for TiO₂ hybrid photocatalysts: a versatile green tool for water purification’ by Juan Carlos Colmenares et al., RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 20186–20192.

The authors regret that the Experimental section (2.2 Preparation of hybrid TiO₂-based carbonaceous materials) of the original article requires a small correction. There was apparently some minor arithmetic error involved in the calculation of the nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ which was deposited on carbonaceous carbon materials. The nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ deposited on carbonaceous carbon materials was calculated incorrectly (should be 20.9 wt% TiO₂ instead of 25 wt% TiO₂). It should be recognized that this error does not affect any discussion and conclusions reported in this publication. However, this correction is necessary to determine the nominal mass percentage of TiO₂ which was deposited on carbon materials and improve the quality of this scientific publication.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Powikłania infekcyjne i autoimmunologiczne w przewlekłej białaczce limfocytowej

Profound disturbances of different elements of the immune system in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) lead to impaired elimination of allogeneic antigens, like pathogenic microorganisms, and deficient tolerance of self-antigens, which is responsible for autoimmunological disorders. Susceptibility to infections in CLL patients is due to disease-related immunodeficiency, mainly hypogammaglobulinemia, and aggravated by myelo- and immunosuppressive properties of currently used antileukemic drugs, especially alkylating agents and purine analogues. Severe infections occur in the majority of CLL patients, they may be life-threatening and shortening the patients’ survival. They affect most frequently the respiratory system, and are caused mainly by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and common viruses like Herpes and Varicella-Zoster. In some patients, especially those treated with purine analogues, opportunistic infections can occur. There are no generally admitted guidelines for the prophylaxis of infections. Vaccinations against influenza and encapsulated bacteria, intravenous immunoglobulins and prophylaxis with cotrimoxazol and antiviral drugs for selected patients under purine analogues or alemtuzumab have been proposed. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) due to the production of anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies is the most common autoimmunological complication of CLL, especially in patients with positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT). It can be also triggered by alkylating agents and purine analogues. The treatment of AIHA includes corticosteroids, rituximab, immunosuppressive agents and splenectomy. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia, pure red cell aplasia, autoimmune neutropenia and non-hematological autoimmune manifestations can also occur.     

In‐Depth Analysis of Hyaline Fibromatosis Syndrome Frameshift Mutations at the Same Site Reveal the Necessity of Personalized Therapy

Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in ANTXR2, a gene involved in extracellular matrix homeostasis. Sixty percent of patients carry frameshift mutations at a mutational hotspot in exon 13. We show in patient cells that these mutations lead to low ANTXR2 mRNA and undetectable protein levels. Ectopic expression of the proteins encoded by the mutated genes reveals that a two base insertion leads to the synthesis of a protein that is rapidly targeted to the ER‐associated degradation pathway due to the modified structure of the cytosolic tail, which instead of being hydrophilic and highly disordered as in wild type ANTXR2, is folded and exposes hydrophobic patches. In contrast, one base insertion leads to a truncated protein that properly localizes to the plasma membrane and retains partial function. We next show that targeting the nonsense mediated mRNA decay pathway in patient cells leads to a rescue of ANTXR2 protein in patients carrying one base insertion but not in those carrying two base insertions. This study highlights the importance of in‐depth analysis of the molecular consequences of specific patient mutations, which even when they occur at the same site can have drastically different consequences.     

Cutting Edge Issues in the Churg–Strauss Syndrome

Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare systemic small-vessel vasculitis that develops in the background of bronchial asthma, which is characterized by eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of various tissues. It belongs to the group of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides. The triggering factors and pathogenesis of CSS are still unknown. The possible role of eotaxin-3 and CCR4-related chemokines in selective recruitment of eosinophils to the target tissues in CSS has been recently suggested, but the role of eosinophilic inflammation in the development of vasculitic lesions is not completely understood. From the clinical view, two distinct phenotypes of the disease are slowly emerging depending on the ANCA-positivity status. Glucocorticoids are still the mainstay of treatment; however, data are accumulating regarding the beneficial role of novel immunosuppressants and biologic compounds, especially in patients with poorer prognosis.     

Predictors of Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Severe Degenerative Aortic Stenosis

Background. Patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) exhibit elevated prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS). Our aim was to investigate prevalence of significant CAD and ICAS in relation to demographic and cardiovascular risk profile among patients with severe degenerative AS.Methods. We studied 145 consecutive patients (77 men and 68 women) aged 49-91 years (median, 76) with severe degenerative AS who underwent coronary angiography and carotid ultrasonography in our tertiary care center. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of either significant CAD (n=86) or ICAS (n=22).Results. The prevalence of significant CAD or ICAS was higher with increasing number of traditional risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, smoking habit) and decreasing renal function. We found interactions between age and gender in terms of CAD (p=0.01) and ICAS (p=0.06), which was confirmed by multivariate approach. With the reference to men with a below-median age, the prevalence of CAD or ICAS increased in men aged >76 years (89% vs. 55% and 28% vs. 14%, respectively), whereas the respective percentages were lower in older vs. younger women (48% vs. 54% and 7% vs. 17%).Conclusions. In severe degenerative AS gender modulates the association of age with coronary and carotid atherosclerosis with its lower prevalence in women aged >76 years compared to their younger counterparts. This may result from a hypothetical “survival bias”, i.e., an excessive risk of death in very elderly women with severe AS and coexisting relevant coronary or carotid atherosclerosis.     

Plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide is related to the duration of atrial fibrillation in patients with advanced heart failure

BACKGROUND: Plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Aim. To assess ANP level in patients with permanent AF and advanced CHF. METHODS: The study group consisted of 41 patients (27 males, mean age 62+/-8 years) with AF of a mean duration of 8.8 months. Twenty six (63%) patients were in NYHA class II, and 15 (37%) - in NYHA class III or IV. All patients underwent clinical and echocardiographic evaluation as well as ANP plasma concentration assessment. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors which determine ANP plasma concentration. RESULTS: Mean ANP plasma concentration was 52.4+/-22.7 pg/ml in the whole study group; 38.6+/-10.8 pg/ml in NYHA class II patients and 74.9+/-18.7 pg/ml in NYHA class III-IV subjects (p<0.0001). Among echocardiographic parameters, patients with NYHA class III or IV had significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction and greater left atrial volume than patients with NYHA class II (32% versus 56%, p<0.0001 and 101.0+/-23.8 cm(3) versus 83.4+/-16.1 cm(3), p<0.006, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between AF duration and ANP level (p=0.0013) in a group of patients with NYHA class III or IV and identified AF duration as an independent predictor of ANP plasma concentration in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: ANP plasma concentration in patients with persistent AF and advanced CHF is determined by AF duration - the longer the AF duration the lower the ANP level.