Homozygosity for human leucocyte antigen-C ligands of KIR2DL1 is associated with increased risk of relapse after human leucocyte antigen-C-matched unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-C molecules regulate the function of natural killer cells and may be subdivided into two groups, C(1) and C(2), based on their specificity for inhibitory killer immunoglobulin-like receptors. We analysed the impact of the HLA-C genotype on outcome of HLA-C-matched unrelated donor haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (URD-HSCT) recipients. HLA-C(2) homozygous patients (n = 18) had lower probability of overall survival (P = 0.01) and disease-free survival (P = 0.02), resulting from increased relapse rate (P = 0.02) when compared with both HLA-C(1) homozygous (n = 43) and HLA-C(1),C(2) heterozygous (n = 50) subgroups. Patients lacking HLA-C(1) should, therefore, be considered at increased risk of relapse following HLA-C-matched URD-HSCT.     

Type A aortic intramural haematoma--clinical course in two patients

Aortic intramural haematoma (AIH) is a variation of aortic dissection where blood collects within the aortic media without the presence of an intimal flap. The natural history of the disease has not yet been definitely established. Two cases of AIH type A are presented--an 81-year-old hypertensive male, and a 60-year-old male, both admitted to the hospital with sudden-onset severe chest pain. In both cases AIH type A was confirmed using computed tomography. One patient underwent successful conservative treatment, whereas another one had urgent surgery.     

The effects of anagrelide on human megakaryocytopoiesis

Anagrelide, an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, decreases the number of platelets in normal subjects and in patients with myeloproliferative disorders. We describe studies aimed at discovering the general mechanism(s) by which anagrelide acts. We examined three hypotheses: (1) anagrelide shortens platelet survival, (2) anagrelide inhibits the proliferation of megakaryocytic-committed progenitor cells (CFU-M), and (3) anagrelide inhibits maturation of megakaryocytes. We observed that anagrelide did not shorten platelet survival. Proliferation of CFU-M in vivo was not affected by anagrelide, although high concentrations of anagrelide inhibited CFU-M in vitro . In-vivo and in-vitro anagrelide altered the maturation of megakaryocytes, causing a decrease in their size and changing other morphometric features. We conclude that anagrelide decreases the number of platelets primarily by interfering with the maturation of megakaryocytes.     

Acute hepatitis E complicated by acute pancreatitis: a case report and literature review

The coincidence of viral hepatitis and acute pancreatitis is well described. Most of the cases are related to acute hepatitis A or B. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are rare in Europe, and very few reports describe HEV as a causative agent of acute pancreatitis in areas of endemic hepatitis E prevalence. We report a case of acute pancreatitis in the course of acute hepatitis E in a 28-year-old male patient. The majority of reported cases, including our case, show several common epidemiological and clinical features: young age, male predominance, onset of acute pancreatitis at the early stage of acute hepatitis, and favorable outcome. Acute pancreatitis should be considered in acute hepatitis E, especially in young, male patients presenting with severe epigastric pain early in the course of disease. The pancreatitis in these patients usually runs a benign course. The patients should be closely monitored because life-threatening complications have been reported.     

External Quality Assessment of Blood Glucose Monitors: Quality Control of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: Why and How?

The control of analytical quality of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is recommended as a routine procedure in diabetes management. This control procedure should be easily accessible to patients, convenient, not time-consuming, and provide a reliable assessment of glucose meter performance. Optimally it should be located in the diabetes outpatient clinic. Presently there are two approaches to carrying out SMBG quality control. The first is based on the comparison of results obtained by a controlled glucose meter and use of the laboratory method or point-of-care testing device as a surrogate reference analyzer. The second one is a traditionally organized external quality assessment scheme with use of a dedicated control material, which is distributed to all participants. The recommended allowable meter error in SMBG can be realistically set at 10%.     

Antiphospholipid antibodies as risk factor for venous thromboembolism

The aim of the following study was to determine the prevalence of lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL) in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The patient group comprised 218 subjects with VTE before the age of 45, recurrent VTE or thrombosis in an unusual site. The control group consisted of 218 age, and sex-matched healthy individuals. LA and/or ACL were detected in 19 among 218 patients (8.7%). Lupus anticoagulant was found in 17 patients with VTE and in none out of 218 controls. The odds ratio for having venous thromboembolism was 14.1 (95% CI: 1.8-108.8) for patients with LA. Lupus anticoagulant is significantly associated with VTE. The prevalence of anticardiolipin was similar in patients and in controls. The results of our study indicate that anticardiolipin antibodies are not associated with venous thromboembolism.     

Differences in photoinduced optical transients in perovskite absorbers for solar cells

Methylammonium lead iodide films and powdered crystals were studied by time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy on the time scales from femtoseconds to nanoseconds. Strikingly different transient absorption signals were observed, changing from strong long-wavelength band-edge bleach to weak signatures of band-shift, which depended on the absorber form (films or polycrystals) and preparation method (stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric). The observed differences were correlated with the variation in absorption and emission spectra, changes in photo-induced carrier lifetimes and solar cell efficiency. These differences also pointed out that similar perovskite absorbers can provide significantly different transient responses and emphasize that special care must be taken when interpolating the obtained findings to the processes occurring in the most efficient devices.

Striking differences in transient absorption signal are observed for perovskite absorbers prepared with different methods.     

siRNA drug development against hepatitis B virus infection

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the worldwide leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently available medication can suppress viral replication in the majority of patients, but clearance of the viral antigens can be achieved in only about 10%.

Areas covered: RNA interference is a very attractive therapeutic option since a well-designed compound could possibly inhibit all HBV mRNA and thus synthesis of all its antigens, which could combine antiviral and immunomodulatory modes of action. The aim of the article is to provide current knowledge on possible use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules in the treatment of chronic HBV infection.

Expert opinion: Based on the current status of clinical trials, we should expect that within the coming five years at least one siRNA molecule will be registered for clinical use. However, most important at this stage of development will be the safety profile, improving the route of administration, selection of the optimal combination with other anti-HBV drugs (nucleoside analogues, interferons) and finally selection of the optimal system introducing siRNA molecules into infected cells. Current therapeutic options for HBV, the siRNA mechanism of action, as well as preclinical and clinical studies with siRNA molecules are presented in this article.