Reduced cord blood immune effector-cell responsiveness mediated by CD4+ cells induced in utero as a consequence of placental Plasmodium falciparum infection

To determine mechanisms of neonatal parasite antigen (Ag)-specific immune suppression associated with placental Plasmodium falciparum infection, we isolated cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) from Gabonese neonates born to mothers with differing histories of P. falciparum infection and performed ex vivo and in vitro studies to evaluate immune regulatory activity. We found increased ex vivo percentages of CD4(+)CD25(hi) and CD4(+)CD25(+)CTLA-4(+) cells and increased interleukin (IL)-10 responses to parasite Ag in vitro in CBMCs from neonates born to mothers with placental P. falciparum infection at delivery. Depleting CBMCs of CD4(+)CD25(+) cells before cell culture led to the abrogation of parasite Ag-specific IL-10 responses, to enhanced interferon- gamma responses, and to enhanced expression of CD25 on CD8(+) T cells and of major histocompatibility complex class I and II on monocytes. These data demonstrate that parasite Ag-specific CD4(+) regulatory cells are generated in utero as a consequence of placental P. falciparum infection.     

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy--a case report

Genetic profile od four-generation family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is presented. The alterations in the MYH7 gene sequences were identified. Genetic background of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is reviewed and discussed.     

The diagnostic value of G-CSF measurement in the sera of colorectal cancer and adenoma patients

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) regulates the growth of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Cancer cells, including colorectal cancer, can produce this cytokine. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of measurement of G-CSF and classic tumor markers--carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in the sera of colorectal cancer with adenoma patients and to determine its usefulness in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum levels of G-CSF and tumor markers were assayed in 76 colorectal cancer, 35 colorectal adenoma patients and in 65 healthy subjects. We defined the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and areas under ROC curves for the measurands. RESULTS: Median values of G-CSF and tumor markers were significantly higher in colorectal cancer patients than those in healthy subjects. There were significant differences in the serum levels of G-CSF between adenoma patients and healthy subjects. The concentrations of tumor markers in colorectal cancer patients were higher than those in polyps. Combined use of G-CSF with CEA improved their diagnostic sensitivity in colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of G-CSF might be useful in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer patients, but not in the differentiation between colorectal cancer and polyps.     

Doubtful Justification of the Gluten-Free Diet in the Course of Hashimoto’s Disease

The popularization of the gluten-free diet brings with it a fashion for its use, which can harm the treatment of Hashimoto’s disease. The few studies in this regard do not confirm positive changes resulting from a gluten-free diet. At the same time, the presence of other comorbid autoimmune diseases in this group of patients is increasing. This may have important implications for the interpretation of test results and the need for a gluten-free diet in some patients. In this review, the PubMed database was searched for links between a gluten-free diet, Hashimoto’s disease, and autoimmune diseases. When analyzing the available literature, we found no basis for introducing a gluten-free diet for the standard management of Hashimoto patients. The recommended diet is instead an anti-inflammatory diet that levels the supply (to compensate for deficiencies) of vitamin D, iodine, and selenium, which are found in plant products rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, as illustrated in this article.     

Role of Phytoestrogen-Rich Bioactive Substances (Linum usitatissimum L., Glycine max L., Trifolium pratense L.) in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this report was to determine the impact of flaxseed, soy and red clover, and their bioactive substances on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women in cardiovascular diseases prevention. We used the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Meta-analysis indicates that the intake of flaxseed by postmenopausal women is associated with a statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) levels (weighted-mean difference (WMD) = −0.26; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): −0.38 to −0.13; p = 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (WMD = −0.19; 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.08; p = 0.0006), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (WMD = −0.06; 95% CI: −0.11 to −0.01; p = 0.0150). The effect of soy protein on the lipid profile showed a significant decrease in TC levels: WMD = −0.15; 95% CI: −0.25–0.05; p = 0.0048, LDL-C levels: WMD = −0.15; 95% CI: −0.25–0.05; p = 0.0067, as well as a significant increase in HDL-C levels: WMD = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02–0.08; p = 0.0034. Changes in the lipid profile showed a significant reduction in TC levels after the use of red clover (WMD = −0.11; 95% CI: −0.18–−0.04; p = 0.0017) and a significant increase in HDL-C levels (WMD = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.07; p = 0.0165). This meta-analysis provides evidence that consuming flaxseed, soy and red clover can have a beneficial effect on lipids in postmenopausal women and suggest a favorable effect in preventing cardiovascular diseases.     

Changes in Synthetic Soda Ash Production and Its Consequences for the Environment

This publication presents a series of data of one of the most difficult chemical processes to implement in industrial conditions. Obtaining soda using the Solvay technique is a process with a world volume of about 28 Tg per year. The process is extremely physico-chemically complex and environmentally burdensome. The paper presents information on a multi-component system containing three phases with a chemical reaction. Calculations for such systems and their engineering are very complicated, but the authors show how the results of this work can be applied. This paper also describes modifications of the soda process to minimize the environmental burden and minimize the production input of Na₂CO₃. The modifications were beneficial in reducing CO₂ emissions and increased the efficiency of the soda process, resulting in a measurable financial benefit. At the scale of the plant where the experiment was carried out, this reduction in CO₂ emissions amounts to 7.93 Gg per year.     

Methods of coping with neoplastic disease in men with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Only limited data evaluating coping methods in patients with bladder cancer are available in the literature. Also, it is unclear how the mental status of these patients affects their stress coping strategies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the stress coping strategies in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors, presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and degree of sexual satisfaction on stress coping strategies. This prospective cohort study included 100 male patients qualified for control cystoscopy who underwent at least one transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURB) procedure in the past for NMIBC and at least one control cystoscopy. The minimal follow-up period after primary TURB was 1 year. The MiniCOPE, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire were used. The questionnaires were completed anonymously before cystoscopy in a room that provided privacy. Majority patients with NMIBC chosen adaptive strategies, with ‘accepting’ and ‘seeking emotional support’ being the most common. The choice of strategy was influenced by the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as the level of sexual satisfaction and pain sensations. Also, sociodemographic variables, such as marriage status, progeniture or the level of education played a role in strategy selection. The results of this study indicate that patients with NMIBC choose adaptive stress coping strategies. It also provides a better understanding of the impact of various aspects of mental health in patients with NMIBC on coping with stress. Each patient treated for NMIBC should undergo appropriate psychological and sociodemographic evaluation, which will allow easier identification of patients at high risk of treatment and postoperative surveillance discontinuation.