Factors determining dry deposition of total mercury and organic carbon in house dust of residents of the Tri-city and the surrounding area (Baltic Sea coast)

The purpose of this study was to find out what factors determine the deposition levels of mercury and organic carbon in household dust in the Tri-city region (southern Baltic Sea coast). Analyses were performed on samples collected over the period of 2 years, from 2013 to 2015, always in the heating season. The deposition of organic carbon was between 4and 210 mg m^?2 month^?1, while mercury deposition ranged from 4 to 1336 ng m^?2 month^?1. Deposition of mercury in household dust during the heating season was three times lower and deposition of organic carbon one and a half times lower than outdoor deposition obtained in the Baltic Sea region by other researchers. In the non-heating period, deposition of mercury in household dust was similar to outdoor deposition while deposition of OC was one and a half times higher. Both of the analyzed dust components reached higher deposition in rural areas than in cities, and both mercury and organic carbon were found to have higher deposition in single-family houses than in buildings housing several families. The increased level of OC was conditioned by the vicinity of the building to a road or street with a high level of traffic, and dust collected on the ground floor had higher Hg depositions. The presence of plants and pets, as well as smoking more than ten cigarettes per day, resulted in higher depositions of both the compounds present in household dust within the Tri-city region.     

Rapid identification of tuberculosis epididymo-orchitis by INNO-LiPA Rif TB and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube tests: case report

Diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is often missed or delayed because of nonspecific clinical and laboratory findings. Novel detection methods, such as polymerase chain reaction and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In Tube, can aid in the diagnosis of active extrapulmonary TB. Here, we demonstrate a case of epididymo-orchitis as the sole presentation of TB in a 32-year-old man.     

Estimation of the risk factors of the congenital urinary system defects

Material and methods  

Analysis covered a retrospective group of 334 neonates (194 male neonates and 140 female neonates), reported to the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM), between 2001–2005.     

Immunophenotype of peripheral blood natural killer cells and IL‐10 serum levels in relation to Helicobacter pylori status

Recent findings suggest that NK (Natural Killer) cells may directly modulate the antimicrobial immune responses. In this study, we performed immunophenotypic analysis of peripheral blood NK cells with regard to CD56, CD16, Nkp46, and CD25 markers, as well as IL‐10 levels quantification in the sera samples of asymptomatic, H. pylori (Hp)‐infected or uninfected individuals, and combined these results with our previous findings on lymphocyte cytotoxic activity. Twenty healthy volunteers [10 Hp(?);10 Hp(+)] were included in the study. The percentages of classic lymphocytes (CD3⁺) and NK cells (CD3^?CD56⁺, CD3^?Nkp46⁺, CD3^?CD16⁺) with or without CD25 receptor were evaluated by fluorochrome‐conjugated monoclonal antibody staining and flow cytometry analysis. IL‐10 quantification was performed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay‐ELISA. Our study showed elevated levels of IL‐10 and higher NK cell numbers of both CD3^?CD56⁺CD25⁺ and CD3^?Nkp46⁺CD25⁺ phenotypes, as well as CD3⁺CD25⁺ classic lymphocytes in Hp(+) compared with Hp(?) individuals. No differences between Hp(?) and Hp(+) individuals were found either in total number of classic lymphocytes or NK cell subtypes. Our data suggest that in Hp(+) donors, there is a domination of lymphocytes and NK cells co‐expressing CD25 marker, which might be influenced by the regulatory IL‐10. This phenomenon may be a result of H. pylori adaptation to a changing environment in vivo leading to a chronic infection and lack of severe gastric pathologies.     

Diagnostic difficulties of paroxysmal symptoms in a boy with Parry-Romberg syndrome

Parry-Romberg syndrome is characterized by progressive unilateral facial atrophy affecting subcutaneous tissue, cartilage and bone structures. Headache attacks and epilepsy are commonly associated with this syndrome but the underlying pathophysiology is still unknown. A case of a 12-year-old boy with Parry-Romberg syndrome and syringomyelia suffering from severe headache attacks and epileptic seizures is reported herein.Headache attacks were associated with bilateral autonomic symptoms and hyperventilation and were usually followed by complex partial and sometimes by secondary generalized tonic seizures. Detailed neuroimaging examinations were performed (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] of the head, orbits, and spinal cord, MR angiography, and MR spectroscopy of the cerebellum). The EEG pattern revealed localized discharges contralaterally to the affected side. Antiepileptic treatment with carbamazepine was instituted with minimal effect. Modification of treatment (replacement with oxcarbazepine) was successful.In the reported patient interesting correlation of headache attacks, autonomic symptoms and epileptic seizures was observed. Additionally we believe it is the first report of coincident syringomyelia and Parry-Romberg syndrome.