Application of Chemical Sensors and Olfactometry Method in Ecological Audits of Degraded Areas.

Mineral excavation is a common process throughout the world. The open pits remaining after the closure of a mine require well-considered and meticulous reclamation activities aimed at restoring the environmental properties of a given area. The inspections carried out in Poland indicate numerous irregularities in implementing the reclamation process. The research in this study was conducted in six measurement series and includes both chemical and olfactometry determinations by devices: multisensor portable gas detector and field olfactometer. Statistical analysis of the results obtained show high concentrations in ambient air of both chemical compounds (NH3, VOCs, H2S, CH3SH) and odour, excluding the possibility of occurrence in the pit of only waste types contained in the administrative decision on reclamation. In addition to the unpleasant odour, the listed compounds can have dangerous effects on the health and life of living organisms. This paper presents a suitable method of control and detection of irregularities in the conducted processes. The main advantage is the relatively low cost of purchasing sensors and field olfactometers compared to other devices, and the possibility to test the polluted air in situ, without the risk of chemical processes occurring during transport of gas samples to the laboratory.

Secretion of cytokines and heat shock protein (HspA1A) by ovarian cancer cells depending on the tumor type and stage of disease.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprising several tumor types that each have multiple histopathological features and different biological behaviors. Recent morphologic and molecular genetic studies have allowed for the categorization of various types of ovarian cancer into two groups: type I and type II. Type I tumors are low-grade and are genetically more stable, while type II tumors are high-grade and genetically unstable. The determination of the type of ovarian cancer may have implications in terms of the appropriate therapeutic strategy because different prognoses and responses to chemotherapeutic agents are observed. Therefore, the current challenge is better recognition of the features of cancer cells, which may result in more individualized therapy. The aim of the current studies was to compare the ability of ovarian cancer cells isolated from tumors, which were classified as type I or type II ovarian cancer, to release pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokines and heat shock protein (HspA1A). These factors are known to facilitate tumor cell survival, invasion and metastasis. Our studies demonstrated that ovarian cancer cells isolated from patients with type II tumors released high levels of immunosuppressive cytokines (i.e., interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor ß) and HspA1A in vitro. Conversely, ovarian cancer cells obtained from of type I tumors were significantly less active. We did not observe any difference in the ability of the isolated cancer cells to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, regardless of the type of ovarian cancer. In this study, we found that cancer cells from patients with type II tumors demonstrated more intense activity in regards to survival and metastasis, which should be considered during therapy.

Comparison of different measurement methods of odour and odorants used in the odour impact assessment of wastewater treatment plants in Poland.

The aim of this study was to compare sensory and analytical methods used to measure odour and odorants concentrations for odour impact assessment on municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A range of sources and odour or odorants concentrations were used to compare the methods. Four different odours and odorants measurement methods were compared: field olfactometry using Nasal Ranger® field olfactometer, dynamic olfactometry according to PN-EN 13725:2007 standard, colorimetric assays (hydrogen sulphide, ammonia) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods (methanethiol, ethanethiol, dimethyl sulphide). Mechanical-biological and mechanical-biological-chemical WWTPs were chosen. Receptor points were selected inside of 'closed' facilities of the technological line (screening rooms, mechanical thickening and dewatering building) and downwind at 'open' facilities (collection chambers, sand trap, mechanical thickeners) which were the most significant regarding the potential for odour nuisance. By the research, it is not possible to specify explicit dependencies between results obtained from different research methods used in the odour impact assessment of WWTPs. A strong correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient was equal R = 0.79) was determined only once between odour concentrations measured by dynamic olfactometry and methanethiol concentrations in the screen room at the WWTP No. 3.

The presence of A5935G, G5949A, G6081A, G6267A, T9540C mutations in MT-CO1 and MT-CO3 genes and other variants of MT-CO1 and MT-CO3 gene fragments in the study population diagnosed with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The specific purpose of this study was the assessment of A5935G, G5949A, G6081A, G6267A mutations in MT-CO1 and T9540C in MT-CO3, and alterations detected during the analysis of MT-CO gene fragments in subject and control groups. A secondary aim was to assess the relationship between MT-CO1 and MT-CO3 gene alterations and endometrial cancer incidence and evaluation of the prognostic value of MT-CO1 and MT-CO3 gene alterations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we investigated A5935G, G5949A, G6081A, G6267A mutations in MT-CO1 and T9540C in MT-CO3, and alterations detected during the analysis of MT-CO gene fragments in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded endometrial and benign endometrial hyperplasia of a cohort of 125 subjects. RESULTS: The T9540C mutation in MT-CO3 was detected in one patient from the subject group. None of the remaining muta-tions were detected. The research showed that the presence of alterations in MT-CO1 and MT-CO3 typical of other types of cancer is not a risk factor for endometrial cancer. Analysis of MT-CO1 and MT-CO3 gene fragments revealed 10 alterations (6 and 4 respectively). The alterations detected were identified in 10% of the tested group and 8% of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The research showed that the presence of alterations in MT-CO1 (A5935G, G5949A, G6081A, G6267A) typical of other types of cancer is not a risk factor for endometrial cancer. Three new alterations detected in this study (A6052G, A9545G, G9575A) were described for the first time.

Prognostic value of HER3, PTEN and p-HER2 expression in patients with HER2positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: HER2 overexpression is an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer, but it is also a target for the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, which is effective in adjuvant and palliative settings. HER2 positivity is an inclusion criterion for immunotherapy, but it is not a positive predictive factor, and only half of patients benefit from the treatment. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of HER3, PTEN and phosphorylated HER2 (p-HER2) expression in primary breast tumors of patients treated with trastuzumab in an adjuvant or palliative regimen. MATERIAL/METHODS: Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis with 3 antibodies specific to the proteins was performed in tumor specimens obtained from 81 HER2-positive patients treated with trastuzumab. RESULTS: HER3 overexpression was present in 55.6% of the examined tumors, and PTEN or pHER2 positivity was present in 32.0% and 34.6% of them, respectively. HER3 overexpression and PTEN positivity correlated with larger tumor size (p=0.016 and p=0.008, respectively). p-HER2 positivity correlated with more advanced clinical stage of the disease (p=0.032). There was no correlation between the proteins' expression and survival for 31 patients treated with trastuzumab in the palliative regimen. DISCUSSION: HER3 overexpression, PTEN positivity and p-HER2 positivity in tumor cells of HER2-positive patients correlate with more advanced clinical stage of breast cancer. Expression of these proteins does not predict outcome of trastuzumab treatment.

Interdisciplinary treatment of the patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland resulting in 15 years' survival: a case report and review of literature.

Carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland is very rare, comprises below 2% of Bartholin's gland lesions and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ADC) is one of the most uncommon variants and accounts for 10-15% of Bartholin's gland malignancies. There is no consensus on treatment of ADC of the Bartholin's gland: reported cases were treated with local excision or vulvectomy with or without lymphadenectomy followed or not by radiotherapy. The survival of patients varies significantly, so we present a case of interdisciplinary treatment of ADC resulting in 15 years' survival. The patient was initially treated with local excision, but the margins were not clear. Then vulvectomy, inguinal lymphadenectomy and adjuvant brachytherapy were performed resulting in 7 years free of the disease. Relapses were excised by abdominoperineal amputation of the rectum and distal part of the vagina with sigmoideostomy, excisions of local recurrences in vagina and metastasectomy of isolated lung metastases. The patient died manifesting multiple lung metastases 15 years after the initial diagnosis. Based on our experience and world literature, in cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland, vulvectomy with or without lymphadenectomy should be considered as a treatment of choice and in patients with positive margin, surgery should be extended by adjuvant radiotherapy.

The prevalence of cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1) and serine protease inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene mutations in Polish patients with alcoholic and idiopathic chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The main cause of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is excessive alcohol consumption. On the other hand, only 5-10% of heavy drinkers develop chronic pancreatitis. We have only limited information regarding the pathogenic mechanism by which alcohol leads to the disease. Mutations of the PRSS1 and SPINK 1 have been mostly implicated in hereditary and idiopathic CP, but their presence in other types of this disease have also been reported. AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of PRSS1 and SPINK1 mutations in patients with chronic alcoholic (ACP) and idiopathic pancreatitis (ICP) as well as to investigate their relation to the clinical course of the disease. METHODS: The study included 33 ACP and 14 ICP patients as well 46 healthy subjects. The diagnosis of CP was based on clinical data, ultrasound, and computed tomography. After isolation of DNA from peripheral blood two trypsinogen mutations were detected N29I and R122H by allelo-specific amplification polymerase chain reaction (ASA-PCR) and by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Beside this N34S mutation of SPINK1 was analyzed by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: PRSS1 mutations have been detected in 11 (33%) patients with ACP. The frequency of the PRSS1 mutations was higher in patients with ACP than in controls (4.3%) (p < 0.001). The frequency of PRSS1 mutation was present in 21.4% of ICP patients, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in controls. Overall, six (18%) SPINK1 mutations in ACP group have been detected. Among 14 patients with ICP, in four (28.6%) of them SPINK1 has been detected. The same mutations have also been found in three (6.5%) control subjects. The frequency of the N34S mutation was higher in patients with ICP than in the controls (p < 0.05), but the frequency of N34S mutation did not differ between ACP and the control group. No relations have been detected between PRSS1 and SPINK1 mutations presence and clinical course and complications of CP. CONCLUSIONS: Those preliminary data suggest the high prevalence of SPINK1 and PRSS1 mutations in the Polish population, generally, as well as in CP patients. It may be speculated that those mutations contribute to the development of chronic pancreatitis, especially in patients with alcohol overindulgence.

Multiple congenital epuli (congenital granular cell tumours) in the newborn: a case report and review of literature.

Congenital epulis of newborn is very rare benign intraoral entity of uncertain ethiology. Histologically the lesion is similar to the granular cell tumour of an adult but immunohistochemical stainings prove their different origin. Treatment involves surgical excision, recurrences are rare.

Proinflammatory and immunosuppressive serum, ascites and cyst fluid cytokines in patients with early and advanced ovarian cancer and benign ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the profiles of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in serum and the tumor microenvironment (cyst fluid, ascites) in women with ovarian cancer or benign ovarian tumors to find the differences in their immunological status. We also estimated serum cytokines as biomarkers to distinguish preoperatively between malignant or benign character of tumors. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. POPULATION: 51 women with epithelial ovarian cancer, 26 with benign ovarian tumors of epithelial origin and 21 healthy controls. METHODS: The levels of cytokines were measured using ELISA sets. RESULTS: We did not found differences in the levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2 in all fluids isolated from patients with malignant or benign tumors. Women with advanced cancer had significantly higher serum IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 levels than women with early stages or benign tumors. Moreover, women with very advanced cancer in whom the optimal cytoreduction was disabled had the highest serum levels of IL-10, TGF-beta1 and IL-8. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were higher in ascites of cancer patients than in ascites of women with benign tumors. The areas under curves constructed for the selected cutoff serum cytokines levels (AUC-ROC) showed good predictive values for IL-6 (0.87), IL-10 (0.836) and IL-8 (0.797). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate on intensified inflammatory process in women with ovarian cancer (accompanied by their immunosuppression). Preoperative analysis of serum IL-6, IL-10 and IL-8 may improve the differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors.

Segmental congenital defect of the intestinal musculature.

Congenital defect of the small intestine muscular layer is rare cause of spontaneous bowel perforation or obstruction in premature infants. Etiology is still unknown. The authors report one case of segmental absence of small bowel muscular layer in preterm born infant. Some ideas concerning the pathogenesis of this entity and review of the literature is presented.

Genetics polymorphism in DNA repair genes by base excision repair pathway (XRCC1) and homologous recombination (XRCC2 and RAD51) and the risk of breast carcinoma in the Polish population.

Background : Several polymorphisms in the DNA repair gene have been extensively studied in the association with various human cancers such as breast cancer. Material and methods : We investigated the association of polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes XRCC1-Arg399Gln, XRCC2-Arg188His and RAD51-135G/C with the breast cancer risk. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP assays in 220 patients with breast cancer and 220 age-matched healthy controls. Results : Our results demonstrated a significant positive association between the XRCC1 399Gln/Gln homozygous genotype and breast carcinoma, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.08 [1.08-3.98]. The 399Gln allele variant was also associated with type I breast cancer (OR = 1.41 [0.98-2.01], p = 0.034). The distributions of genotypes and alleles of the genes XRCC2 and RAD51 polymorphism were not significantly associated with the different stages of breast carcinoma (p > 0.05). Conclusion : These results suggest that 399Gln allele of XRCC1 Arg399Gln may be a risk factor for breast cancer in the Polish population.

[Prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of congenital epulis--two case reports and literature review]. / Prenatalna diagnostyka guzów jamy ustnej--opis dwóch przypadków oraz przeglad pismiennictwa.

The following work presents prenatal ultrasonographic examination of two rare fetal cases of epulis, among 13 792 fetuses referred to our unit due to suspected fetal anomalies by obstetricians (estimated prevalence 1/7000 among fetuses with different anomalies). Sonographic differential diagnosis, value of fetal nasal amniotic fluid flow assessment by color Doppler and the probability of EXIT procedure have been described.

Clinical significance of interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene polymorphism and IL-6 serum level in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis.

The aim of our study was to assess the clinical significance of -174G/C Il-6 gene polymorphism and Il-6 serum level in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). The study included 41 with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 56 with chronic pancreatitis, and 50 healthy volunteers, hospitalized between 2003 and 2006. Il-6 serum levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunoassay and Il-6 gene polymorphism was studied in DNA isolated from peripheral blood. In PA and CP patients Il-6 serum levels were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). The levels of Il-6 in the patients with tumor size >or=3.5 cm were higher than that in patients with smaller tumors (P < 0.01). The elevated Il-6 levels were also correlated with the presence of liver metastases (P < 0.01). Mean Il-6 serum level was significantly higher in patients homozygous G/G for -174 Il-6 gene compared with patients with at least one C allele. Our findings indicate that -174G/C Il-6 gene polymorphism influences circulating Il-6 levels. Increased Il-6 serum levels may be correlated with tumor size and the presence of liver metastases in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

[Intensification of Helicobacter pylori colonization and serological markers of Helicobacter pylori infection and cytotoxicity in blood]. / Nasilenie kolonizacji bakterii Helicobacter pylori, a serologiczne markery zakazenia i cytotoksycznosci Helicobacter pylori we krwi.

UNLABELLED: Colonization of H. pylori bacteria on the surface of gastric epithelium is the first stage of infection in alimentary tract. Despite the local cell-mediated reaction, in the majority of patients there does not come to the elimination of bacteria: there develops an acute and then chronic inflammatory process. B lymphocytes begin the production of all classes of specific antibodies against H. pylori proteins presented to them. The number of anti-H. pylori antibodies increases both in gastric mucosa and in peripheral blood. According to some researchers the intensification of colonization influences the severity of inflammatory process. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess whether on the basis of examination of anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA H. pylori surface antibodies in blood it may be concluded that there is an intensification of H. pylori colonization in the stomach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 154 children aged 5-18 years (mean 13.6 +/- 3.6 years) with alimentary tract ailments: 99 children with active H. pylori infection (Hp+) and 55 children without current H. pylori infection (Hp_). In blood there were examined anti-H. pylori surface antigens IgG class (with ELISA), anti-CagA H. pylori antibodies IgG class (with ELISA), and in gastric mucosa specimens the intensification of H. pylori colonization was tested with the use of semi quantitative method. Statistic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Anti-H. pylori antibodies IgG class were present in the serum of 88.3% of the examined children, including in 96% of children from Hp+ group and 75% from Hp_ group. Anti-CagA H. pylori specific antibodies were found in 56.7% of children from Hp+ group and were not detected in Hp_ children. Spiral H. pylori forms were more frequently revealed in the prepyloric part of the stomach (of medium or small intensification) than in the corpus (of small intensification) (77.8% vs. 56.5%, p < 0.001). Positive correlation was demonstrated between the number of bacteria in tissue and index value of antibodies against anti-H. pylori surface antigens in serum (R = 0.45, p < 0.001) (particularly in the prepyloric part of the stomach) and high positive correlation was shown between density of spiral H. pylori bacteria in gastric mucosa bioptates and the occurrence of anti-CagA antibodies in serum (R = 0.59, p < 0.001) and index value of anti-CagA H. pylori antibodies in serum (R = 0.58, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High concentrations of anti- H. pylori IgG class surface antibodies and occurrence of anti-CagA antibodies in blood correlate with high intensification of H. pylori colonization in the prepyloric part of the stomach.

Antigen levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and its gene polymorphism related to microvessel density in colorectal cancer.

We determined the distribution of genotypes and frequencies of alleles of the (CA)(n) repeat polymorphism in intron 3 of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) gene, uPAR antigen levels and microvessel density (MVD) in tumour and distant mucosa samples from 52 patients with colorectal cancer. The uPAR level was higher for patients with high MVD comparing to patients with lower MVD which may suggest that uPAR can be correlated with progression of colorectal cancer. The significant relationship between the high MVD and uPAR antigen level appeared to be independent of the (CA)(n) repeat polymorphism because no differences in the level of uPAR antigen between carriers of alleles were found. The received results, indicate that uPAR might be considered as a target in colorectal cancer patients' therapy.

Dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms of RAD51, BRCA1, BRCA2 gene regions in breast cancer.

Recent studies suggest that genetic polymorphisms of the DNA repair genes have been implicated in breast cancer risk. BRCA1 and BRCA2, two breast cancer susceptibility genes, are essential to maintain chromosomal integrity. This is mediated via regulation of RAD51 during homologous recombination. Dinucleotide polymorphism repeats in the 15q14-21, 17q21 and 13q12-13 regions, where the RAD51, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are located, respectively, have been evaluated. The polymorphism was determined using the following microsatellite markers: D15S118, D15S214, D15S1006, D17S855, D17S1323, D13S260 and D13S290. Genotypes containing the (CA)(17) or (CA)(19) alleles in the RAD51 region were found to be associated with a decreased breast cancer risk. Genotype containing the (CA)(17) allele in the 13q12-13 region was found to be associated with an increased breast cancer risk. The results indicate that dinucleotide CA repeat polymorphism at RAD51 and BRCA2 gene regions might be associated with genetic susceptibility to breast cancer.

[Diaphragmatic hernia in reference hospital ICZMP--diagnostic problems and outcome]. / Problemy diagnostyczne i losy plodów z przepuklina przeponowa w osrodku referencyjnym ICZMP w latach 1994-2006.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze US/ECHO examinations in fetuses with diaphragmatic hernia (DH) diagnosed and treated in our institution from 1994-2006, and their follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the data base from Department for Diagnoses & Prevention of Fetal Malformations, Research Institute of the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital: 14,481 fetal echo/ultrasound examinations in 10,077 fetuses have been analyzed to retrieve 115 fetuses with DH. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at the targeted US/ECHO examination was 30 wks. There were 8 terminations of pregnancies (at mean 21 wks), 6 intrauterine demises, 60 neonatal deaths after delivery (in 1-3rd day of postnatal life), 8 deaths after surgery, 19 neonates were discharged home and in 14 cases the follow-up could not be monitored. The most common anomalies accompanying DH have been central nervous system anomalies (20%), polyhydramnion (16%) and cong heart defects (10%). In this subgroup, there was 100% mortality. Isolated DH has been diagnosed in every third case. In this subgroup, 27 neonates had undergone surgery and the survival rate was 70%, however since 2004 there was not a single death on record. CONCLUSIONS: Late gestational age of US/ECHO examinations in our tertiary center suggests that DH has been relatively difficult to detect during ultrasound screening. DH and the other structural malformations have been a lethal disease in our series in 100%. Isolated DH was much less frequent and was present in every third case (29%), and in this group the survival rate was 70%, regardless of the way of the delivery (CS or Vaginal).

Genetic instability in the RAD51 and BRCA1 regions in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer type in women. Accumulating evidence indicates that the fidelity of double-strand break repair in response to DNA damage is an important step in mammary neoplasias. The RAD51 and BRCA1 proteins are involved in the repair of double-strand DNA breaks by homologous recombination. In this study, we evaluated loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the RAD51 and BRCA1 regions, and their association with breast cancer. The polymorphic markers D15S118, D15S214 and D15S1006 were the focus for RAD51, and D17S855 and D17S1323 for BRCA1. Genomic deletion detected by allelic loss varied according to the regions tested, and ranged from 29 to 46% of informative cases for the RAD51 region and from 38 to 42% of informative cases for the BRCA1 region. 25% of breast cancer cases displayed LOH for at least one studied marker in the RAD51 region exclusively. On the other hand, 31% of breast cancer cases manifested LOH for at least one microsatellite marker concomitantly in the RAD51 and BRCA1 regions. LOH in the RAD51 region, similarly as in the BRCA1 region, appeared to correlate with steroid receptor status. The obtained results indicate that alteration in the RAD51 region may contribute to the disturbances of DNA repair involving RAD51 and BRCA1 and thus enhance the risk of breast cancer development.

The -173 G/C polymorphism of the promoter region macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene is not associated with incidence of pulmonary hamartoma.

Hamartomas are the third most common cause of solitary pulmonary nodule and the most common benign tumors of lung. Recent study indicated that hamartoma may be associated with a chronic inflammatory diseases. Histochemical analysis of the expression profile of growth-relevant was shown the upregulation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in hamartomas and surrounding lung parenchyma. We investigated polymorphism G/C at position -173 promoter gene of MIF, pro-inflammatory cytokine in pulmonary hamartoma. This polymorphism of the MIF gene are association with increased production of MIF and have been found to confer increased risk of susceptibility to chronic inflammatory diseases. DNA samples were obtained from hamartoma tissue fixed with formalin, embedded in paraffin, from 52 patients and from blood samples of 123 sex and age matched healthy person served as control. The G/C polymorphism of MIF gene was determined by PCR-based AluI restriction fragment length polimorphism. The frequencies of the C allele did not differ significantly between pulmonary hamartoma patients and healthy controls (18% vs 15%, OR 1.26 CI95% 0.68-2.40). The obtained results suggest no association between G/C polymorphism at promoter gene of MIF and the incidence of pulmonary hamartoma, but our study has a preliminary character and should be extended on larger population.