Tick-borne encephalitis epidemiology and surveillance in Poland, and comparison with selected European countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2008 to 2020.

BackgroundTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common viral central nervous system (CNS) infection in Poland. Previous research suggests that its incidence was underestimated in the pre-pandemic period. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a considerable burden on surveillance systems, which could further impact reporting.AimWe aimed to assess the completeness of reporting of TBE in the years 2008 to 2020 and explore the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reporting to the epidemiological surveillance system, compared with hospitalisations for TBEV and other viral neuro-infections.MethodsWe compared the Polish epidemiology of TBE and other viral infections of the CNS from national surveillance reports with data on hospitalisations from 2008 to 2020 and data from selected European countries.ResultsBetween 2008 and 2020, 3,016 TBE cases were reported to surveillance compared with 3,620 hospitalisations. There was an increasing trend in hospitalisations, while surveillance data demonstrated the opposite, with the largest discrepancy observed in the first pandemic year (354 hospitalisations vs 159 cases reported to surveillance). Serological testing for TBE was used more in the known endemic region of north-eastern Poland and less in non-endemic areas. Other European countries reported higher TBE case numbers and an increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas Poland observed an opposite trend.ConclusionThe sensitivity of TBE surveillance in Poland requires improvement. There are considerable regional differences. Regions that test for TBE intensively report most cases. Policymakers should be made aware of the value of quality epidemiological data for planning prophylactic measures in risk areas.

Gene copy numbers of erbB oncogenes in human pheochromocytoma.

ErbB-1, -2, -3 and -4 proteins are growth factor receptors, encoded by the family of respective erbB protooncogenes. These receptor-encoding proto-oncogenes frequently undergo amplification, and less frequently, a deletion, in several human neoplasms. The role of the ErbB family in human endocrine neoplasms, including pheochromocytoma (PHEO), was not extensively tested and not previously established. The expression/overexpression of erbB oncogenes in pheochromocytoma tissue was determined only in a few cases, and to the best of our knowledge, their mutations (amplification or deletion) were not examined in any series of PHEO cases. We, therefore, used a double differential polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) for determination of the amplification/deletion profiles of erbB-1, -2, -3 and -4 genes in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens of human PHEOs. We examined the average gene copy number (AGCN) of the genes in 36 samples of pheochromocytomas (2 extra-adrenal and 34 adrenal tumors). We found the mean AGCNs of the oncogenes equal 1.18 for erbB-1 [amplification was found in 11/35 cases (31%) and deletion in 6/35 cases (17%)], 2.00 for erbB-2 [amplification was found in 8/34 cases (24%), no deletion was found], 1.36 for erbB-3 [amplification was found in 4/36 cases (11%) and deletion in 1/36 cases (3%)], and 1.22 for erbB-4 [amplification was found in 5/30 cases (17%) and deletion in 1/30 cases (3%)]. A mutation(s) of any erbB oncogene was found in 25/36 (69%) samples tested. Some abnormalities of the erbB oncogenes showed interesting correlations with one another and with clinical features of the tumors. The frequent occurrence of amplifications and deletions of the erbB oncogenes in human pheochromocytoma implies the importance of the gene family in the development of these tumors.

Application of Mitsunobu reaction to solid-phase peptide nucleic acid (PNA) monomer synthesis.

PNA type I monomer backbone with a reduced peptide bond was synthesized on a Merrifield resin in Mitsunobu reaction of Boc-aminoethanol with resin-bound o-nitrobenzenesulfonylglycine. The pseudodipeptide secondary amine group was deprotected by thiolysis and acylated with thymin-1-ylacetic acid. The monomer was released as a methyl ester. The procedure seems to be of general applicability and allows various modifications of PNA structure by using diverse alcohols and amino acid esters.

[Detection of HCV-RNA in liver tissue does not correlate with inflammatory process and fibrosis activity in chronic hepatitis C]. / Wykrycie HCV-RNA w tkance watroby nie koreluje z aktywnoscia i wlóknieniem watroby w przebiegu przewleklego zapalenia watroby typu C (wzw-C).

The significance of HCV-RNA presence in the liver tissue in chronic hepatitis C activity or prognosis has not yet been clearly explained. Therefore, we have examined the relationship between the presence of HCV-RNA in the liver and selected parameters of disease activity and liver damage. A group of 48 chronically HCV infected patients (7-63 years old, mean 39 years) was evaluated. In the patients we assessed the activity of transaminases (ALT, AST), gammaglutamyltransferase (GGTP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The patients underwent routine liver biopsies and the liver tissue was examined histopathologically and in order to detect the presence of HCV-RNA, by means of a combined procedure joining a new method of HCV-RNA extraction from the liver tissue and HCV-RNA detection with RT-PCR automatic Cobas Amplicor Hepatitis C ver. 2.0 assay (Roche Diagnostics). At the time of the liver biopsy, 44 of the patients were identified as having detectable serum HCV-RNA (as examined by means of Cobas Amplicor Hepatitis C ver. 2.0 assay), 3 patients were negative, and 1 was not tested. The presence of HCV-RNA in the liver tissues was detected in 39 cases (81.2%). In the parameters examined we have not found any significant differences between currently liver HCV-RNA positive and negative patients. Presence of the detectable HCV-RNA in the liver bioptats from chronic hepatitis C patients does not correlate with disease activity or level of liver damage.

Molecular and clinical consequences of in vivo silicones biodegradation.

The object of the publication is the presentation of data referring to in vivo silicones biodegradation and their potential clinical and molecular consequences. Summing up, one needs to state that the products of silicones biodegradation are not biologically indifferent. In particular, different types of silanols are inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes and regulators of many metabolic processes as well as affect the cell growth and division, which distinctly indicates the potentially strong pharmacological action. The main objective of the molecular consequences of the biodegradation of siloxanes was the verification what impact siloxanes of various molecular weights and of various chain lengths exert on the conformational stability of biological molecules.

Treatment of Wilson's disease.

On the basis of literature review and own experience we presented the method of treatment of Wilson's disease. Causative treatment has been impossible so far, although gene therapy could be real in the future. Nowadays the principle of treatment is the elimination of the excess of easily mobilized copper by chelating agents or blocking the intestinal absorption of copper. Chelation therapy, aimed at mobilizing copper from the affected organs and promoting its excretion in the urine or stool is the most important. The major chelating agent is d-penicillamine, which is quite effective but not without some side effects. Alternative chelating agents such as trientine and tetrathiomolybdate have also been successfully employed. Zinc salts are also of therapeutic value. They promote copper excretion by inducing the synthesis of metallothionein in the intestine, thereby blocking copper absorption from the gut. Zinc salts have almost no side effects. They cannot be used as an initial treatment, but are very effective for maintenance therapy. The chelation therapy is ineffective in patients with acute liver failure with encephalopathy and hemolysis. In these cases, liver transplantation is the only hope for survival. Liver transplantations in patients with dominating psychoneurological symptoms are open to discussion.

Serum selenium levels in alcoholic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The pathomechanism of liver damage in chronic alcoholic liver disease has not been fully elucidated yet. It seems undoubted that one of the mechanisms of alcohol-induced liver damage involves free radical reactions leading to peroxidation of proteins and lipids. The most important defense mechanisms are associated with the activity of antioxidative enzymes, among which glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), belonging to so-called 'free radical scavengers' should be mentioned. Selenium, regarded as a bioelement, is present in GSH-Px. Involved in numerous redox reactions, it belongs to the factors protecting the organism from oxidative shock. The aim of the study was to determine the selenium levels in blood serum of chronic alcohol abusers and to find potential correlations with the parameters of liver damage. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 25 subjects (21 males, 4 females), treated in the Clinic or Outpatient Department of Hepatology for chronic alcoholic liver disease. At the time of the study, the patients had abstained from drinking for a period from one month to a year. Selenium was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy method, using the hydride generation technique. The control group consisted of 11 males and 7 females. RESULTS: Statistical analyses of the control group indicated a significantly higher blood serum selenium level in males than in females. The patients demonstrated elevated aminotransferase activity, normal Falk, markedly increased GGTP. Mean INR was 1.4 and albumin concentration 3.3 g/l. Blood serum selenium levels in male patients were significantly lower in comparison with normal values. The analysis of correlations between some liver function parameters and selenium levels demonstrated a positive correlation between the levels of albumin and selenium. Serum selenium level was inversely proportional to ALAT activity. No correlations between selenium levels and INR levels, or GGTP activity were found. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Serum selenium levels differ in male and female populations. In healthy men, the level of Se in the serum is higher. 2. Antioxidative activity measured by serum Se level is low in men with chronic alcoholic liver disease (during the abstinence period). 3. Increased selenium level in the hair may indicate the presence of certain antioxidative reserve, which requires further studies.