New photosensitive nanometric graphite oxide composites as antimicrobial material with prolonged action.

A new conjugate material based on partially reduced graphite oxide (rGO), silver nanoparticles (Ag), and bis(lysinato)zirconium(IV) phthalocyanine complex (ZrPc) was obtained. Its optical properties (absorption and photoluminescence) after dispersion in solvents were examined. The antimicrobial properties were tested to determine the effect of the composite on the following bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, which are responsible for many infections and are one of the pathogens the most difficult to treatment.

Teenagers and young adults with cancer in Europe: from national programmes to a European integrated coordinated project.

Over 14 000 patients aged 15-24 are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer in the European Union (EU) each year. Teenagers and young adults (TYA) often fall down gaps between children's and adults cancer services. The specific challenges of providing optimal care to them are described, but we present a summary of recent progress.

Diastematomyelia - a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Case study.

Background: Diastematomyelia is a type of dysraphism with a double or bifid spinal cord divided by an osseous septum. This defect often co-occurs with other developmental disorders of the skull or the atlanto-occipital junction. The course may be benign or aggressive.

Magnesium supplementation significantly reduces serum S100beta concentrations in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery.

Unlabelled: Magnesium (Mg) plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) damage. This pathology is a serious problem in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Its biochemical diagnosis is mainly based on S100beta protein observations.

beta-adrenergic enhancement of brain kynurenic acid production mediated via cAMP-related protein kinase A signaling.

The central levels of endogenous tryptophan metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA), an antagonist of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha7-nicotinic receptors, affect glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Here, we demonstrate that selective agonists of beta(1)-receptors (xamoterol and denopamine), beta(2)-receptors (formoterol and albuterol), alpha- and beta-receptors (epinephrine), 8pCPT-cAMP and 8-Br-cAMP (analogues of cAMP) increase the production of KYNA in rat brain cortical slices and in mixed glial cultures. Neither betaxolol, beta(1)-adrenergic antagonist, nor timolol, a non-selective beta(1,2)-adrenergic antagonist has influenced synthesis of KYNA in both paradigms.

Determination of diclofenac sodium and papaverine hydrochloride in tablets by HPLC method.

A HPLC method for simultaneous determination of diclofenac sodium and papaverine hydrochloride in tablets was developed and validated. The determination was performed with a Zorbax SB-C18 column, mobile phase: methanol-water (60:40, v/v), flow rate: 1 mL min(-1) and UV detection at 278 nm.

Do preoperative cytokine levels offer a prognostic factor for polypropylene mesh erosion after suburethral sling surgery for stress urinary incontinence?

When polypropylene meshes are used in reconstructive urogynecological surgery, the erosion rates vary from 3.3% to 14% and causative factors for such erosions are still unknown in many cases. Therefore, the aim of our study was to establish the role of immunologic factors in the process of polypropylene tapes erosions after suburethral sling procedures.

Dendritic cells based immunotherapy of patient with chondrosarcoma--case report.

We present a case report of patient with intracranial chondrosarcoma and attempt to use vaccination of dendritic cells as the salvage therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of DCs vaccination in the head and neck chondrosarcoma. Immunotherapy with allogeneic DCs stimulated with tumor cell lysates in this case was demonstrated to be feasible, safe and well tolerated.

Interaction of memantine and ketamine in morphine- and pentazocine-induced antinociception in mice.

The interaction between uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists (memantine and ketamine), and morphine (mu-opioid receptor agonist) and pentazocine (kappa-opioid receptor agonist) was studied in the writhing test in mice. Memantine and ketamine, administered at subthreshold doses, potentiated antinociceptive effect of the threshold (1 mg/kg) dose of morphine. The effects of the threshold (6 mg/kg) dose of pentazocine were not significantly changed by ketamine, and were significantly enhanced by the higher dose of memantine (15 mg/kg).

Memantine increases brain production of kynurenic acid via protein kinase A-dependent mechanism.

We describe a novel aspect of action of memantine ex vivo, in the brain cortical slices and in vitro, in mixed glial cultures. The drug potently increased the production of kynurenic acid, an endogenous tryptophan metabolite blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and nicotinic alpha7 receptors. In cortical slices memantine, an open-channel NMDA blocker (100-150 microM), but not the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, LY235959 increased the production of kynurenic acid.

Attitudes of medical staff in delivering women's opinion.

Purpose: The growing competitiveness between various health centres in the scope of offered medical services is accompanied by growth of patients' expectations concerning the quality of the abovementioned services. That is why knowledge of the patients' needs and expectations concerning medical services may significantly contribute to the improvement in the quality of the services to be rendered. The aim of the study was to analyse the evaluation of attitudes of medical staff by delivering women.

Gynaecological operation as an objective stressor in women.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to verify the usefulness of Number Scale of 0-10 points (used to assess pain) and the concentration of prolactin (PRL) in the blood serum for the evaluation of stress in patients undergoing surgical intervention on gynaecological wards.

Material And Methods: The study was carried out among 200 patients with different gynaecological illnesses operated in The Department of Reproduction and Andrology Skubiszewski Medical University of Lublin. The study used a questionnaire and Medical Documentation Analysis Sheet, especially constructed for the purpose of study, and Numerical Scale 0-10 to self-evaluate the stress level.

CD1c+ and CD303+ dendritic cells in peripheral blood, lymph nodes and tumor tissue of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells, which can stimulate a cellular immune response against malignant tumor cells. Many authors have described the phenomenon of tumor infiltration by dendritic cells and emphasized an immunosuppressive tumor influence on DC function. In the present study, we examined the presence of myeloid CD1c+ (BDCA-1+) dendritic cells and lymphoid/plasmacytoid CD303+ (BDCA-2+) dendritic cells in peripheral blood, lymph nodes and cancer tissue of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Changes in intra-abdominal pressure and central venous and brain venous blood pressure in patients during extracorporeal circulation.

Background: The aim was to analyze IAP changes and the relationships between IAP, CVP, and brain venous blood pressure, which are still unknown, in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with extracorporeal circulation.

Material/methods: Twenty-five male patients (aged 53-67 years) underwent CABG under general anesthesia with normovolemic hemodilution. IAPs were measured in the urinary bladder, CVP by left internal jugular vein cannulation, and brain venous blood pressure by retrograde cannulation of the right jugular vein bulb (JVP, jugular vein pressure) at seven time-points: 1) after induction of anesthesia before the operation, 2) during internal thoracic artery preparation, 3) 10 minutes after heart-lung machine disconnection, 4) after procedure completion, before sending the patient to the intensive postoperative care unit, 5) one hour after the procedure, 6) 6 hours after the procedure, and 7) 18 hours after the procedure.

Activation of the NMDA/glutamate receptor complex antagonizes the NMDA antagonist-induced antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test.

The antidepressant activity of NMDA receptor antagonists has been demonstrated, and their mechanism of action was based on the assumption of their selectivity for the NMDA receptor only. However, no direct evidence for the NMDA receptor role in this activity was demonstrated. Now, in order to prove the NMDA pathway of antidepressant-like action of the NMDA antagonists in the mouse forced swim test (FST) we examined if antidepressant activity of NMDA receptor antagonists is mediated by NMDA receptors and whether the activation of different modulatory sites of the NMDA receptor complex influence the action of the antagonists of different sites of NMDA receptor.

Do changes in S100beta protein correlate with serum magnesium concentrations in patients undergoing extracorporeal circulation?

Unlabelled: There are many biochemical markers demonstrating the central nervous system (CNS) damage following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The protein S100beta is one of them and its concentrations depend on the severity of CNS damage. On the other hand, it is well known that the brain injury results in a decrease in brain magnesium (Mg) concentration, which is strictly correlated with the serum Mg concentration.

Enhanced glutamatergic transmission reduces the anticonvulsant potential of lamotrigine but not of felbamate against tonic-clonic seizures.

The efficacy of lamotrigine and felbamate against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures was assessed under conditions mimicking the pharmacoresistance associated with an increased excitatory neurotransmission. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), but not kainate applied at subconvulsive dose, reduced the activity of lamotrigine against MES-induced seizures increasing its ED50 value from 4.3 (3.

Synthesis, structure elucidation and identification of antitumoural properties of novel fused 1,2,4-triazine aryl derivatives.

Synthesis, structure elucidation and anticancer activities of novel fused 1,2,4-triazine aryl derivatives containing the ethoxycarbonyl (6-10) and carbohydrazide formations (11-15) are presented. Molecular structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, EI-MS spectra and elemental analyses. Antitumour activities in vitro for heterobicyclic hydrazides of the type 11-14 were evaluated by BrdU method for human LS180, SiHa and T47D carcinoma cells.

NMDA/glutamate mechanism of antidepressant-like action of magnesium in forced swim test in mice.

Antidepressant-like activity of magnesium in forced swim test (FST) was demonstrated previously. Also, enhancement of such activity by joint administration of magnesium and antidepressants was shown. However, the mechanism(s) involved in such activity remain to be established.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene polymorphism correlates with cardiovascular disease in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background And Objective: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine. Through its effects on lipid metabolism and endothelial function, TNFalpha is involved in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We have studied two polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TNFalpha gene (TNF -308G/A and TNF -238G/A) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with and without CVD.

Interleukin-6 gene polymorphism and faster progression to end-stage renal failure in chronic glomerulonephritis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by different cell types, including monocytes, lymphocytes, endothelial and mesangial cells. Deregulated production of IL-6 was found to be involved in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. We investigated whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of the IL-6 gene is associated with a development of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN).

Oral administration of lithium increases tissue magnesium contents but not plasma magnesium level in rats.

The aim of this work was to determine the influence of different doses of lithium on magnesium concentration in plasma and tissues of rats. For a period of eight weeks rats had been provided with aqueous solutions of Li(2)CO(3) whose concentrations were established as follows: 0.7; 1.

Hyperglycemia enhances the inhibitory effect of mitochondrial toxins and D,L-homocysteine on the brain production of kynurenic acid.

We have evaluated the effect of diabetes-mimicking conditions on the inhibition of kynurenic acid (KYNA) production exerted by mitochondrial toxins: 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) and aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), by endogenous agonists of glutamate receptors: L-glutamate and L-cysteine sulfinate, and by a risk factor of atherosclerosis, D,L-homocysteine. Hyperglycemia (30 mM; 2 h) itself did not influence KYNA synthesis in brain cortical slices. However, it significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects of 3-NPA, AOAA and D,L-homocysteine, but not of L-glutamate and L-cysteine sulfinate, on KYNA production.

TGF-beta1 and TSC-22 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

Background/aim: There is a strong evidence for the involvement of genetic factors in diabetic microvascular complications. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of molecular variants of the TGF-beta1 (transforming growth factor beta 1) and the TSC-22 (transforming growth factor beta stimulated clone 22) genes in diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 503 patients and 400 healthy subjects.