Photodynamic enhancement of the activity of antibiotics used in urinary tract infections.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proven to kill different microbial cells. However, to our knowledge, none of the available reports describes the modulatory effect of this therapy on the antibacterial activity of antibiotics against Escherichia coli rods being the main causative agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Therefore, the aim of our study was to verify if the PDT can enhance the antibacterial activity of antibiotics recommended in the treatment of UTIs.

Assessment of in vivo experiments: The newly synthesized porphyrin with proper light source enhanced effectiveness of PDT comparing to 5-ALA-mediated PDT.

Background: The search for new photosensitizers for application in photodynamic therapy has quite a long history. In the past, a large number of potent photosensitizers were used in both basic and clinical studies; however, only a few turned out to be effective and safe.

Methods: In the present study, two compounds were used: 5-aminolevulinic acid in two formulations (free and liposomal), and the newly synthesized porphyrin, 5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolyl-22,24-dithiadibenzocarbaporphyrin, termed DTDB.

Expression of metallothioneins I and II in kidney of doxorubicin-treated rats.

Metallothioneins I/II (MT) are commonly expressed in mammalian tissues and are highly inducible in the response to stress conditions. Doxorubicin (DOX) intoxication promotes oxidative stress and subsequent apoptosis leading to kidney damage. The present study investigates a correlation between endogenous MT expression and DOX-induced apoptosis in renal tubular cells.

Immunohistochemical study of nuclear ubiquitous casein and cyclin-dependent kinase substrate 1 in invasive breast carcinoma of no special type.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of nuclear ubiquitous casein and cyclin-dependent kinases substrate 1 (NUCKS1) in invasive breast carcinoma of no special type, in association with clinicopathological characteristics, including the tumor grade, frequency of lymph node involvement and distant metastasis. In addition, associations between NUCKS1 and other tumor subtype markers, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67 and cytokeratin 5/6 (CK 5/6), were investigated. NUCKS1 expression was shown to be associated with the formation of distant metastases and lymph node involvement.

The comparison of nuclear ubiquitous casein and cyclin-dependent kinases substrate (NUCKS) with Ki67 proliferation marker expression in common skin tumors.

Nuclear ubiquitous casein and cyclin-dependent kinases substrate (NUCKS) is a chromosomal protein of unknown function. Its amino acid composition and structure of its DNA binding domain resemble those of high mobility group A (HMGA) proteins which are associated with various malignancies. Since changes in expression of HMGA are considered as a marker of tumor progression, it is possible that similar changes in expression of NUCKS could be a useful tool in diagnosis of malignant skin tumors.

In vitro and in vivo matrix metalloproteinase expression after photodynamic therapy with a liposomal formulation of aminolevulinic acid and its methyl ester.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well-known method for the treatment of malignant tumors, and its principles have been well established over the past 30 years. This therapy involves the application of a chemical called a photosensitizer and its subsequent excitation with light at the appropriate wavelength and energy. Topical photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is an alternative therapy for many malignant processes, including nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal-cell carcinoma (BCC).

A brief history of photodynamic therapy in Wrocław.

A brief history of photodynamic therapy in Wroclaw was presented in this paper.

[A case of Edwards' syndrome in pregnancy complicated by serologic incompatibility and preeclampsia].

A case of Edwards' syndrome (trisomy 18) diagnosed in the third pregnancy trimester is described. The diagnosis was based on sonographic examination and cytogenetic amniocentesis. Lethal genetic fetal malformation determined the medical indication to preterm delivery.

Determination of cysteine peptidases-like activity and their inhibitors in the serum of patients with ovarian cancer treated by conventional chemotherapy and vitamin E.

Enzymatic activity of cysteine peptidases (cathepsins B and L) --associated with carcinogenesis is controlled by their specific inhibitors. The study was objected to the effects enhanced by taxol and cisplatin in patients pretreated with the vitamin E, by determining the levels of cathepsins B and L in sera of patients with ovarian cancer. The activity of cysteine peptidase (CP) and their inhibitors (CPI) in serum from patients with ovarian cancer and noncancerous patients were measured by using fluorogenic substrate before and after the routine anticancer chemotherapy, and a complementary combination of chemotherapy with vitamin E.

Enhancement of photodynamic therapy by use of aminolevulinic acid/glycolic acid drug mixture.

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a precursor in synthesis of endogenous porphyrins used to sensitize tumor tissues in photodynamic therapy (PDT). It is administered topically into a tumor which after the certain time, required for porphyrins to accumulate, is irradiated with visible light from the proper source at established wavelength. Our main aim in the present study was to increase the penetration of 5-ALA through the skin and other tissues by addition of glycolic acid (GA) to 5-ALA on cell lines in vitro and on animals.