Human heat shock protein 60 (409-424) fragment is recognized by serum antibodies of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including unstable angina (UA) and acute myocardial infarction (MI), are clinical manifestations of a progressive atherosclerotic process. Antibodies (Ab) to heat shock proteins (hsp) have been reported to be associated with atherosclerosis. Blood samples from 35 patients with ACS and 20 healthy volunteers were tested for Ab to human hsp60 by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of specific serum Ab against hsp60 were significantly elevated in patients with ACS when compared to clinically healthy subjects. To determine the antigenic determinants recognized by these Ab, antibody binding to seven peptides, selected from the hydrophilic and acrophilic regions of the human hsp60 molecule, was assessed. Despite the individual variation in the immune response among patients, one immunodominant region was revealed corresponding to the hsp60 (409-424) peptide. The identification of this epitope may be important for understanding the function of this protein in the atherosclerotic process.     

Survival of Patients with Multi-Level Malignant Bowel Obstruction on Total Parenteral Nutrition at Home

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) may improve the survival in selected patients with malignant bowel obstruction. This retrospective, medical registry-based study aimed to identify clinical and laboratory markers predicting short survival, which would allow a more accurate selection of patients that would benefit from HPN in inoperative bowel obstruction. In a retrospective analysis of 114 patients receiving HPN, the median survival was 89 days after discharge home, and the three and six-month survival probability was 48% and 26%, respectively. Parenteral nutrition was provided during 98% of overall survival time and ended on a median of one day before the patient’s death. Discontinuing chemotherapy, anemia, severe hypoalbuminemia, and water retention appeared correlated with survival shorter than three months. In these cases, routine initiation of HPN should be discouraged, as it may not bring any benefits to the patient. The decision on the initiation of HPN should be made along with continuing or initiating chemotherapy.     

Potential Immunomodulatory Effects from Consumption of Nutrients in Whole Foods and Supplements on the Frequency and Course of Infection: Preliminary Results

A diet rich in nutrients should be implemented in order to boost the immune system and prevent infections. To investigate which nutrients are commonly consumed, an anonymous survey was given to 120 individuals and their responses were collected. The respondents answered questions relating to their health status, and their consumption of nutrients and supplements that produce immunomodulating effects. The participants were also asked about any prior viral, bacterial or fungal infections experienced, and in particular, infection frequency, course, and duration. The data collected were subjected to a statistical analyses to assess the relationship between the reported frequency of infections and nutrients consumed including vitamins D3, A, C, E, selenium, zinc, iron, β-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids as well as live active probiotic bacteria. The findings show that vitamin and mineral supplementation did not positively affect the duration, frequency, or course of infections in the surveyed sample. An exception was vitamin D3 supplementation that was correlated to sporadic incidence of viral infections. Conversely, immunity was positively affected by consumption of natural nutrients contained in whole food (vitamin C, iron, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids), evidenced by lower incidences and milder courses of infection.     

Kniegelenksmeniskusverletzungen im Kindesalter mit Berücksichtigung der Nachuntersuchungen

Zusammenfassung Es wurden 30 Fälle der Kniegelenksmeniskusverletzung im Kindesalter vorgestellt, die operativ behandelt waren. 20 der Behandelten wurden nach 1–12 Jahren nach dem operativen Eingriff nachuntersucht. Es wurden n die Ätiologie, der Verletzungsmechanismus und der klinische Befund besprochen. Die klinische und radiologische Nachuntersuchung ermöglichte die morphologische und funktionelle Auswertung des Kniegelenks nach der Meniskusverletzung.

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Injury of the semilunar cartilages of the knee-joint in childhood

Summary In the paper, 30 patients at the age of 5 till 14 with injuries of the semilunar cartilages of the knee-joint, are presented. All the children were subjected to surgery, and 20 of them underwent same examinations performed in a delay of 1 to 12 years after they had been operated. Both etiology and the injury mechanism subjects are hadled together with the clinical pictures, specific to the age of the young patients. Basing on the clinical and X-ray examinations, the state of the morphological and functional condition of the knee of a child after semilunar cartilage had been removed, was considered and estimated.

     

Nuclear Pedigree Criteria for the Identification of Individuals Suspected to Be at Risk of an Inherited Predisposition to Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide and therefore represents a significant healthcare burden. Environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of gastric cancer. To date only one clear genetic predisposition has been identified involving mutations in the E-cadherin gene. The disease phenotype in patients harbouring E-cadherin mutations appears to be specifically related to diffuse gastric cancer. Little is known genetically about the other forms of gastric cancer. Since there is a growing awareness about the necessity of early intervention criteria have been developed that aid the identification of hereditary forms of gastric cancer. The aim of the current study was to identify minimal inclusion criteria so that nuclear pedigree families can be provided with risk assessment and/or genetic testing.The results reveal that inclusion features described herein such as (a) gastric cancer diagnosed before 46 years of age; (b) two gastric cancers among first degree relatives diagnosed over the age of 50 are useful in identifying suspected hereditary gastric cancer patients.     

Usefulness of high doses of glucocorticoids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of pharmacologic (steroids, vasodilators, vitamins, and Betaserc) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: The pharmacologic arm of the study consisted of 52 patients with defined sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated simultaneously in the ENT Department and National Center for Hyperbaric Medicine of the Medical University of Gdansk, Poland, from 1997 to 2000 (Group A). The hyperbaric oxygen therapy consisted of exposure to 100% oxygen at a pressure of 250 kPa for a total of 60 minutes in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. The control group included 81 patients with defined sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated in the ENT Department, Medical University of Gdansk, from 1980 to 1996 (Group B). Both groups were comparable regarding the age of the patients, season of hearing loss occurrence, tinnitus and vestibular symptom frequency, delay before therapy, and average threshold loss before the start of treatment. The treatment results (hearing gain) were estimated using pure-tone audiometry. We retrospectively analyzed the audiograms of all patients. RESULTS: Patients from Group A (blood flow-promoting drugs, glucocorticoids in high doses, betahistine, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy) showed significantly better recovery of hearing levels compared with those from Group B (blood flow-promoting drugs and glucocorticoids in low doses) at seven frequencies (500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 6,000, and 8,000 Hz) (p < 0.05) and four groups of frequencies (pure-tone average, high-tone average, pure middle-tone average, and overall average) (p < 0.05). Percentage hearing gain in all investigated frequencies was also better in Group A versus Group B, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that hyperbaric oxygen therapy with high doses of glucocorticoids improves the results of conventional sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment and should be recommended. In addition, the best results are achieved if the treatment is started as early as possible.     

Water thermal regimes in selected antropogenic resorvoirs in Western Pomerania

Lake Szmaragdowe and Czarnog?owy Reservoir are both characterized by atypical origin as both were formed when quarries were flooded. The geological substrates of the two basins are unique, and they are both highly valued as recreational and tourist destinations. These two basins are among the most interesting in northwestern Poland. Studies of their thermal regimes confirmed that water mass mixing in Lake Szmaragdowe is bradymictic. The waters in the Czarnog?owy Reservoir mix entirely to a depth of 20 m, and this layer is also characterized by bradymixia. Deeper waters do not mix. This indicates that mixing in this basin is of the meromictic type.     

Application of 3D Scanning as an Indirect Method to Analyze and Eliminate Errors on the Manufactured Yoke-Type Forgings Forged in SMED Device on Modernized Crank Press

This article proposes an indirect measurement method based on a dimensional and shape analysis of forgings for the evaluation of the manufacture and the proper operation of the key elements of the crank press, in which after modernization, a quick tool assembly based on SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) was implemented. As a result of the introduced changes aiming at improving the forging aggregate and increasing the production efficiency, errors were observed on the manufactured products-forgings in the form of twists and joggles. In order to solve the problem, a lot of advanced methods was used, including: dynamic system of deformation analysis, numerical modeling and as well as dimensional and shape analysis by 3d scanning. Despite the above, this approach (classic way) did not solve the problem. A proprietary method with the use of 3D reverse scanning was proposed, which allows to solve the problem of forgings errors. Based on the measurement results and analyses for a few variants of production cycles, the necessary changes were obtained, making it possible to minimize the errors and obtain proper products in respect of geometry and quality.