Quality of life in women with endometriosis: a cross-sectional survey

Quality of Life Research - The aim of the study was to assess QoL and identify and analyse its determinants in women with endometriosis. The study was performed in 2019 in health centres in Lublin...     

Pathophysiology and management of sensitive skin: position paper from the special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI)

The special interest group on sensitive skin of the International Forum for the Study of Itch previously defined sensitive skin as a syndrome defined by the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus and tingling sensations) in response to stimuli that normally should not provoke such sensations. This additional paper focuses on the pathophysiology and the management of sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is not an immunological disorder but is related to alterations of the skin nervous system. Skin barrier abnormalities are frequently associated, but there is no cause and direct relationship. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of sensitive skin – as well as the inducing factors. Avoidance of possible triggering factors and the use of well-tolerated cosmetics, especially those containing inhibitors of unpleasant sensations, might be suggested for patients with sensitive skin. The role of psychosocial factors, such as stress or negative expectations, might be relevant for subgroups of patients. To date, there is no clinical trial supporting the use of topical or systemic drugs in sensitive skin. The published data are not sufficient to reach a consensus on sensitive skin management. In general, patients with sensitive skin require a personalized approach, taking into account various biomedical, neural and psychosocial factors affecting sensitive skin.     

Right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome - influence on early and late haemodynamic status.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess changes in early and late haemodynamic status after the Norwood procedure (NP), caused by the implementation of right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt (RV-PA). METHODS: A consecutive series of 68 children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome underwent NP: Group 1 (n=31) with the application of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and Group 2 (n=37) with RV-PA. Haemodynamic data from the early postoperative period (72 h after the operation) and cardiac catheterisation data, as well as blood tests before the hemi-Fontan procedure (HF) were analysed. Univariate (chi(2) test, Mann-Whitney's and Student's t-tests) and multiple regression analysis were carried out. RESULTS: In Group 1, circulatory collapse requiring resuscitation occurred in 15 (48.4%) children, within 72 h after the procedure. The resuscitation was unsuccessful in nine (29%) cases. The operative mortality (30 days) was 35%. In Group 2, two (5%) children died within the early and two (5%) within the late postoperative period. The postoperative course in the remaining children from Group 2 was uneventful. In Group 2 there was a significantly higher mean diastolic pressure after NP (P<0.05). The arterial pulse pressure after NP was significantly lower in Group 2 (P<0.05). Before HF, the application of RV-PA was associated with a lower Qp:Qs ratio (P=0.020), lower aortic pulse pressure (P=0.004) and lower aortic oxygen saturation (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: A stable haemodynamic status due to independent coronary perfusion, higher diastolic and lower pulse pressure is the most advantageous effect of RV-PA, resulting in a lower mortality and morbidity after NP. A lower Qp:Qs ratio eliminates the danger of the ventricular volume overload and ensures good conditions for the development of the pulmonary circulation before HF.     

Reactions in rat gluteal muscle to titanium implants

A new approach to the analysis of tissue-implant interaction is presented using rat gluteal muscle as implantation site and using monoclonal antibodies to identify and quantify cells around the implant. The method can be used for comparative studies on biocompatibility. In this methodological investigation, pure titanium (Ti) was studied, revealing an initial response of macrophages, followed by the formation of a fibrous membrane, in which, even at 50 and 70 d, la-expressing cells and suppressor T-lymphocytes were present.     

The cellulose-binding domain of the major cellobiohydrolase of Trichoderma reesei exhibits true reversibility and a high exchange rate on crystalline cellulose.

Cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) bind specifically to cellulose, and form distinct domains of most cellulose degrading enzymes. The CBD-mediated binding of the enzyme has a fundamental role in the hydrolysis of the solid cellulose substrate. In this work we have investigated the reversibility and kinetics of the binding of the CBD from Trichoderma reesei cellobiohydrolase I on microcrystalline cellulose. The CBD was produced in Escherichia coli, purified, and radioactively labeled by reductive alkylation with 3H. Sensitive detection of the labeled CBD allowed more detailed analysis of its behavior than has been possible before, and important novel features were resolved. Binding of the CBD was found to be temperature sensitive, with an increased affinity at lower temperatures. The interaction of the CBD with cellulose was shown to be fully reversible and the CBD could be eluted from cellulose by simple dilution. The rate of exchange measured for the CBD-cellulose interaction compares well with the hydrolysis rate of cellobiohydrolase I, which is consistent with its proposed mode of action as a processive exoglucanase.