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...     

Oestrogen receptor α gene polymorphisms,insomnia, and cognitive functions in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in non-manual employment

IntroductionA potential way to explain the relationships between sleep disorders and cognitive disorders during menopausal transition is the identification of genetic markers related to changes in cognitive functions, as well as changes in quality of sleep during menopause. The objective was an analysis of the relationship between sleep disorders and cognitive disorders, according to the possessed oestrogen receptor α gene polymorphism (ESR1) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.Material and methodsThe study included 300 women aged 44–66 years, employed as non-manual workers. A computerised battery of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. ESR1 polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP methods. The Athens Insomnia Scale was used to diagnose sleep disorders.ResultsMore severe insomnia was related to worse complex memory, visual memory, and simple attention in the total group of examined women. More severe insomnia was related to worse simple attention in women with genotypes AG Xba I or TC Pvu II ESR1, in perimenopausal women with genotypes AG Xba I or TC Pvu II ESR1. During the postmenopausal period, the severity of insomnia negatively correlated with visual memory in carriers of Pvu II TT, and with reaction time in carriers of Xba I AA.ConclusionsThe results indicate an important role of oestrogen receptor α gene polymorphism in the modulation of the effect of insomnia on cognitive functions in peri- and postmenopausal women.     

Infectious complications during immunochemotherapy of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease–can we decrease the risk? Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUNDPost-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases that develop after solid organ and hematopoietic stem cells transplantation related to intensive immunosuppression regimen, T-cell depletion and Epstein-Barr virus infection. Despite the improvement in the management of PTLD, the prognosis remains poor. Here we report the management of two transplanted patients with PTLD and infections during immunochemotherapy (ICTH).CASE SUMMARYOf 65-year-old woman 11 years after kidney transplantation (first case) presented with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) CS III and started ICHT according to R-CHOP protocol. Despite the secondary prevention of neutropenic fever, the patient developed grade 4 neutropenia with urinary and pulmonary tract infections after the fifth cycle. ICTH was continued in reduced doses up to 7 cycles followed by involved-field radiation therapy of the residual disease. The second case presents a 49-year-old man, 8 years after liver transplantation due to cirrhosis in the course of chronic hepatitis B, who started ICTH for DLBCL Burkitt-like CS IV. The patient received four cycles of ICTH according to R-CODOX/R-IVAC protocol, with reduced doses. In both cases initially undertaken reduction of immunosuppression was ineffective to prevent infectious complications. Despite one incomplete ICHT treatment due to recurrent infections, both our patients remain in complete remission.CONCLUSIONReduction of immunosuppression and the doses of chemotherapeutics may be insufficient to prevent infectious complications during ICTH in PTLD patients.     

Gold—Polyoxoborates Nanocomposite Prohibits Adsorption of Bacteriophages on Inner Surfaces of Polypropylene Labware and Protects Samples from Bacterial and Yeast Infections

Bacteriophages (phages) are a specific type of viruses that infect bacteria. Because of growing antibiotic resistance among bacterial strains, phage-based therapies are becoming more and more attractive. The critical problem is the storage of bacteriophages. Recently, it was found that bacteriophages might adsorb on the surfaces of plastic containers, effectively decreasing the titer of phage suspensions. Here, we showed that a BOA nanocomposite (gold nanoparticles embedded in polyoxoborate matrix) deposited onto the inner walls of the containers stabilizes phage suspensions against uncontrolled adsorption and titer decrease. Additionally, BOA provides antibacterial and antifungal protection. The application of BOA assures safe and sterile means for the storage of bacteriophages.     

Survival analysis of Escherichia coli encapsulated in a hollow fiber membrane in vitro and in vivo: preliminary report

The purpose of the observations was the viability and quality evaluation of E. coli bacteria encapsulated in hollow fiber membranes (HF) in short in vivo and in vitro experiments. A polypropylene, surface-modified hollow fiber was applied for immunoisolation of E. coli bacteria transfected with a green fluorescent protein (E. coli GFPI). The presence of GFP fluorescence of organisms was assessed with the use of flow cytometry. The E. coli GFPIs were then observed for the period of 5 days in in vitro experiments in the culture medium. A single IPTG (isopropyl beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside) induction of GFP gene appeared to be adequate for an expression of GFP protein for 5 days. The GFP expression values observed for E. coli GFPs encapsulated in HF during culture in different culture media were comparable. The survival of E. coli GFPIs encapsulated in HF after 1, 2, 4, or 5 days of subcutaneous implantation into mice was evaluated. The explanted E. coli GFPIs exhibited mean expression 603 +/- 17 (n = 32) units of fluorescence during the implantation period. The values obtained were comparable for selected days of observation. It was observed that the membranes applied ensured the bacteria growth within the HF's space only.     

Serum TEM5 and TEM7 concentrations correlate with clinicopathologic features and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer patients

PurposeColorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious threat worldwide; therefore, discovering sensitive and specific serum biomarkers for early stages of CRC is a great challenge. In this study, we evaluated whether tumour endothelial marker 5 (TEM5) and 7 (TEM7) circulating in blood serum can be useful as blood-based markers for detection, progression, and prognosis in CRC patients. Moreover, their specificity and sensitivity in the early diagnosis of CRC were compared with common carcinoma diagnostic markers, i.e. CEA and Ca 19-9.Materials and methodsThe study included 45 CRC patients and 35 healthy individuals. The serum concentration of TEM5 and TEM7 were quantified using sandwich ELISA.ResultsThe mean TEM5 and TEM7 serum concentrations were statistically significantly higher in the CRC patients than in the healthy controls. Moreover, the mean TEM5 and TEM7 concentrations were statistically significantly higher in the serum of patients with late stage (III/IV) compared to early stage (I/II) cancer. The TEM5 and TEM7 values increased along the development of the T, N, and M stages. The TEM5 and TEM7 sensitivity and specificity in CRC detection were higher than routinely used blood markers (CEA, Ca19-9). The high TEM5 and TEM7 concentrations were associated with worse overall survival compared to CRC patients of low TEM5 and TEM7 concentrations.ConclusionsTaken together, these findings suggest that TEM5 and TEM7 serum concentrations can be considered as useful biomarkers for the detection of CRC patients and for monitoring cancer progression and identifying patients with a high possibility of poor survival.     

Bioavailability of Hesperidin and Its Aglycone Hesperetin—Compounds Found in Citrus Fruits as a Parameter Conditioning the Pro-Health Potential (Neuroprotective and Antidiabetic Activity)—Mini-Review

Hesperidin and hesperetin are polyphenols that can be found predominantly in citrus fruits. They possess a variety of pharmacological properties such as neuroprotective and antidiabetic activity. However, the bioavailability of these compounds is limited due to low solubility and restricts their use as pro-healthy agents. This paper described the limitations resulting from the low bioavailability of the presented compounds and gathered the methods aiming at its improvement. Moreover, this work reviewed studies providing pieces of evidence for neuroprotective and antidiabetic properties of hesperidin and hesperetin as well as providing a detailed look into the significance of reported modes of action in chronic diseases. On account of a well-documented pro-healthy activity, it is important to look for ways to overcome the problem of poor bioavailability.