FRAME-Monte Carlo model for evaluation of the stable isotope mixing and fractionation.

Bayesian stable isotope mixing models are widely used in geochemical and ecological studies for partitioning sources that contribute to various mixtures. However, none of the existing tools allows accounting for the influence of processes other than mixing, especially stable isotope fractionation. Bridging this gap, new software for the stable isotope Fractionation And Mixing Evaluation (FRAME) has been developed with a user-friendly graphical interface (malewick.

Defining Blood Processing Parameters for Optimal Detection of γ-H2AX Foci: A Small Blood Volume Method.

Biodosimetric methods used to measure the effects of radiation are critical for estimating the health risks to irradiated individuals or populations. The direct measurement of radiation-induced γ-H2AX foci in peripheral blood lymphocytes is one approach that provides a useful end point for triage. Despite the documented advantages of the γ-H2AX assay, there is considerable variation among laboratories regarding foci formation in the same exposure conditions and cell lines.

Infliximab treatment increases left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: assessment of heart function by echocardiography, endothelin 1, interleukin 6, and NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide.

Objective: To study the influence of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) treatment on echocardiographic measures and concentrations of endothelin 1 (ET-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and amino-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in a cohort of 23 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We recruited 23 patients (mean age 51.3 ± 1.

[Biological agents in treatment of psoriatic arthritis].

Psoriatic arthritis was reported in approximately 6-39% of patients with psoriasis. It is a chronic disease that commonly leads to disability. The paper reviews TNF-alpha inhibitors, the drugs which resulted in a substantial progress in management of psoriatic arthritis.

[The role of adiponectin in atherosclerosis].

Adiponectin is a adipose tissue-derived protein. In the light of current investigations, the role of adiponectin goes far beyond only adipose tissue regulatory factor, being involved in some pathological processes as endothelium damage or atherosclerosis. Unique properties of adiponectin make it a very promising agent that posses ability to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis.

[Pathogenesis of bone involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Mechanisms that connect immunoinflammatory disturbances with enhanced bone resorption in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and potential methods of prevention and management of bone involvement in these patients are reviewed.