Sex determination based on the analysis of a contemporary Polish population's palatine bones: a computed tomography study of 1,200 patients.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to assess whether the hard palate reveals any measurable sex-related differences, and to create a mathematical model which would differentiate between males and females using hard palate measurements alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on 1,200 archived sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. Each cranial measurement was taken twice by the same observer, and in cases of any discrepancies, the mean of the two values was recorded. Twenty per cent of randomly chosen samples were re-measured by an observer who did not partake in assessing the samples the first time. Logistic regression was used to derivate two mathematical formulas which would calculate the probability of a skull being male. RESULTS: The studied group comprised 1,200 head CT's (627 female; 52.3%). The mean age of the group was 43.5 ± 17.4 years - no age difference between sexes was noted (p = 0.37). All of the performed measurements were significantly (p < 0.0001) larger in males than in females. The mathematical formula based on the "orale-spina nasalis posterior" (O-SNP) distance alone had a reliability rate of 68.35%. The equation based on the depth of the right greater palatine canal (GPC), the O-SNP distance and the anterior width of the palatal arch (AWPA) had a reliability rate of 78.37%. CONCLUSIONS: The most prominent sexually dimorphic parameters were the O-SNP, the GPC depth and the AWPA. The mathematical models presented in the current study can be used to successfully distinguish between sexes during forensic examination.

Effect of gliclazide on DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and insulinoma mouse cells.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased oxidative stress. Free radicals produced during this stress may damage various cellular components. Gliclazide, a second-generation sulfonylurea, is an oral hypoglycemic drug that possesses antioxidant properties. Therefore, gliclazide may diminish the harmful consequences of oxidative stress in diabetic patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the action of gliclazide on DNA damage and repair in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes and insulinoma mouse cells (beta-TC-6). DNA damage and repair were induced by hydrogen peroxide, gamma and ultraviolet radiation and MNNG (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) in the presence or absence of gliclazide and were analysed by the alkaline comet assay. DNA double-strand breaks were assayed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Gliclazide protected DNA of both kinds of cells from DNA damage induced by chemicals and radiations. These results suggest that gliclazide may diminish the risk of free radical-related diseases associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and possibly cancer.

Autosomal localization of interstitial telomeric sites (ITS) in brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Pisces, Salmonidae).

Cytogenetic analysis of brook trout performed with molecular and conventional methods led to identification of interstitial telomeric sites on one or two subtelocentric chromosomes within the same pair. Morphology and specific patterns of these chromosomes using fluorochromes associated with A/T- or G/C-rich DNA proved that these chromosomes are not sex related. The chromomycin-positive region was located on the short arms of the ITS bearing chromosome pair and flanked by telomeric sequences, suggesting that this part of the chromosome had been translocated from another one. Our observations confirm that GC-rich regions are highly mobile genetic structures, and led to ITS formation on brook trout chromosomes.

Antimicrobial activity of Polyscias filicifolia cell biomass extracts.

Antibacterial activity of extracts of Polyscias filicifolia biomass from bioreactor and callus was determined using the agar disc-diffusion method. The microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus (three strains) showed the highest sensitivity to extracts of P. filicifolia biomass from a bioreactor. The values were comparable with nitrofurantoine used as a standard. Micrococcus flavus, Sreptococcus pyogenes and S. agalatiae were less sensitive. The effect of P. filicifolia callus extract on the above bacteria was less pronounced than that of extracts of biomass from a bioreactor.

[Transvaginal color Doppler study of the uteroplacental circulation in early pregnancy]. / Analiza przeplywu krwi w krazeniu maciczno-lozyskowym metoda "kolorowego Dopplera" we wczesnej ciazy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) values of blood flow in arteries of uteroplacental circulation in normal and threatened abortion first trimester pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: We have analysed 36 pregnant woman between 5th and 12th weeks of pregnancy--17 patients with threatened abortion as a test group and 19 patients with normal intrauterine pregnancy taken as controls. In all patients transvaginal ultrasonography with pulse color Doppler was performed. The RI and PI values were calculated for blood flow velocity waveforms obtained from uterine artery and its branches--arcuate, radial and spiral arteries. RESULTS: In the test group we have analysed 17 flow velocity waveforms from uterine artery (mean RI 0.852; SD 0.080, mean PI 2.324; SD 0.693), 16 from arcuate artery (mean RI 0.638; SD 0.049, mean PI 1.315; SD 0.064,), 17 from radial artery (mean RI 0.638; SD 0.049, mean PI 1.009; SD 0.177) and 15 from spiral artery (mean RI 0.548; SD 0.068, mean PI 0.804; SD 0.160); in controls we have analysed 16 flow velocity waveforms from uterine artery (mean RI 0.866; SD 0.066, mean PI 2.469; SD 0.618), 17 from arcuate artery (mean RI 0.728; SD 0.123, mean PI 1.352; SD 0.362), 19 from radial artery (mean RI 0.630; SD 0.092, mean PI 1.017; SD 0.261) and 16 from spiral artery (mean RI 0.511; SD 0.100, mean PI 0.760; SD 0.202). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in mean RI and PI values between normal and abnormal pregnancies. A gradual statistically significant decrease of RI and PI values during time of pregnancy we have observed only in radial arteries in both groups. For other vessels in the control group the RI and PI values tended to decrease during the time of pregnancy while in the test group some even rose up.

[Qualitative blood flow parameters in the spiral artery and progesterone concentration in pregnancy complicated by threatened abortion]. / Jakosciowe parametry przeplywu krwi w tetnicach spiralnych a stezenie progesteronu w surowicy krwi u ciezarnych zagrozonych poronieniem.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the values of i.e. resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) in the spiral arteries and to evaluate the maternal serum concentration of progesterone trying to find correlation between these parameters in the group of patients in early pregnancy complicated by threatened abortion. STUDY METHODS: We have analysed 30 pregnant women between 5th and 12th weeks of pregnancy with the symptoms of vaginal bleeding & lower abdominal pains diagnosed as threatened abortion. In all patients transvaginal ultrasound examination with pulse color Doppler was performed. The RI and PI values were calculated for blood flow velocity waveforms obtained from the spiral arteries. The concentration of progesterone in maternal serum was evaluated by Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay. The correlation between analysed parameters and pregnancy duration was examined with use of linear correlation by Pearson. The correlation between Doppler and biochemical parameters were analysed with use of rang correlation method by Spearman. RESULTS: Thirty flow velocity waveforms from spiral arteries were analysed and blood flow indices were calculated. We have found statistically significant negative correlation between the values of both blood flow parameters (RI & PI) and successive weeks of pregnancy (p < 0.001) and statistically significant positive correlation between maternal serum concentration of progesterone and pregnancy duration (p < 0.05). In the tested group in 40% of patients the level of progesterone was abnormal. We have not find any correlation between serum progesterone concentration and doppler parameters in our study. CONCLUSIONS: There is observed the characteristic drop of resistance to the blood flow in the vessels of the uteroplacental circulation in the successive weeks of early pregnancy in patients with threatened abortion similar to normal early pregnancies. Lack of correlation between maternal serum concentration of progesterone and blood flow parameters indicates that other hormonal factors play major role in the regulation of the blood flow in these vessels in early pregnancy. Only the combination of Doppler blood flow analysis in spiral arteries and progesterone evaluation in the maternal serum performed in first trimester may be useful for the intensive fetal monitoring of high risk pregnancies.

[Operative treatment of early cancerous stages and a woman's quality of life]. / Leczenie operacyjne wczesnych stanów nowotworowych szyjki macicy, a jakosc zycia kobiety.

The operative treatment of early cervical cancerous stages changes the womans quality of life. In the literature there exist works on influence of radical treatment of invasive cervical cancer on the psychical and psychological state of the operated woman. There are few works on the influence of early cancerous stages and social activity of woman. The aim of this work is the assessment of influence of precancerous and cancerous cervical disease of psychical state, partnership, family life and professional and social activity of woman. The material were 153 women aged 20-47 years diagnosed and treated in the Department of Gynaecology and Oncology CM UJ Krakow in the period 1989-1994 for CIN 3 and the cervical cancer in IA stage. During the hospitalisation the women were tested psychologically and were performed special examination with originally constructed formula in 3, 6 and 12 month after the treatment. There has been stated that the precancerous and early cancerous disease diagnosis causes the disease awareness in these women who stated themselves as healthy, causes the fear of the life and saving the reproductive organ and protection the reproduction ability, their further family, professional activities i.e. woman's quality of life.

Inappropriate metformin prescribing in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

PURPOSE: Metformin is the most commonly prescribed anti-diabetic medication. However, it is often used despite the presence of contraindications and in unlicensed indications. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of metformin use before hospitalization in spite of contraindications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to evaluate the prevalence of metformin - associated side effects. MATERIAL/METHODS: 558 hospitalized patients (mean age = 66.65 ± 12.73 years) with poorly controlled T2DM were enrolled. Detailed medical history including the duration of T2DM, duration of hypoglycemic agents usage prior to hospitalization and possible metformin-associated side effects was recorded. Patients were subjected to a thorough physical examination and indispensable biochemical and diagnostic research panel was performed to establish the degree of heart failure, sufficiency of the respiratory system and kidney function. RESULTS: 335 out of 558 patients were treated before hospitalization with metformin alone or in combination with other hypoglycemic agents, mostly sulfonylureas. Contraindications to metformin were found in 275 patients and despite this 120 of them were using this medication in an average dose of 1793.91 ± 701.61 mg. However, none of them reported any serious adverse effects and no significant pH changes were observed. Only three patients reported moderate dyspepsia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate a relatively good tolerability of metformin by patients with the traditional contraindications to this drug. These findings support other authors' suggestion that indications and contraindications to metformin should be re-evaluated.

Effect of gliclazide on nucleotide excision repair (NER) and non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) in normal and cancer cells.

The results of clinical studies revealed that gliclazide may reduce the risk of cancer in type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM), although the mechanism of possible protective effect is not sufficiently explored. The increased level of DNA damage and impaired DNA repair system in diabetes mellitus may play a substantial role in neoplastic transformation. Recently, we have demonstrated that gliclazide protected DNA against damage introduced by the oxidative stress, but its action on the DNA repair mechanisms is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether gliclazide has any effect on the DNA repair pathways, e.g. nucleotide excision repair (NER) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). NER activity was assessed in the extract of human lymphocytes and pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1) treated or not with gliclazide by use of an UV-irradiated plasmid as a substrate and by quantitative PCR performed to evaluate the efficacy of the removal of UV-induced lesions from the p53 gene by intact cells. The efficacy of NHEJ pathway was examined by a simple and rapid in vitro assay based on fluorescent detection of repair products. We did not observe significant differences between the efficiency of NER and NHEJ for extracts of lymphocytes alone and lymphocytes treated with gliclazide. Contrary, gliclazide increased the efficacy of NER (46.0% vs. 84.0%, p<0.01) and NHEJ (58.0% vs. 66.0%, p<0.05) in PANC-1 cells. In conclusion, the present study showed that gliclazide did not affect NER and NHEJ in human normal cells, but it may stimulate DNA repair in cancer cells.