Virological Quality of Irrigation Water in Leafy Green Vegetables and Berry Fruits Production Chains.

This study condenses data acquired during investigations of the virological quality of irrigation water used in production of fresh produce. One hundred and eight samples of irrigation water were collected from five berry fruit farms in Finland (1), the Czech Republic (1), Serbia (2), and Poland (1), and sixty-one samples were collected from three leafy green vegetable farms in Poland, Serbia, and Greece. Samples were analyzed for index viruses of human or animal fecal contamination (human and porcine adenoviruses, and bovine polyoma viruses), and human pathogenic viruses (hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, and noroviruses GI/GII). Both index and pathogenic viruses were found in irrigation water samples from the leafy green vegetables production chain. The data on the presence of index viruses indicated that the highest percentage of fecal contamination was of human origin (28.1 %, 18/64), followed by that of porcine (15.4 %, 6/39) and bovine (5.1 %, 2/39) origins. Hepatitis E virus (5 %, 1/20) and noroviruses GII (14.3 %, 4/28) were also detected. Samples from berry fruit production were also positive for both index and pathogenic viruses. The highest percentage of fecal contamination was of human origin (8.3 %, 9/108), followed by that of porcine, 4.5 % (4/89) and bovine, 1.1 % (1/89) origins. Norovirus GII (3.6 %, 2/56) was also detected. These data demonstrate that irrigation water used in primary production is an important vehicle of viral contamination for fresh produce, and thus is a critical control point which should be integrated into food safety management systems for viruses. The recommendations of Codex Alimentarius, as well as regulations on the use of water of appropriate quality for irrigation purposes, should be followed.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Mycobacterium neoaurum detection in an immunocompromised patient.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria are increasingly described as infectious agents in immunocompromised patients. A 17-year-old male patient suffering from secondary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and treated with chemotherapeutic agents was admitted to hospital due to pleuropneumonia. Mycobacterium neoaurum was cultured repeatedly from his sputum and, Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (M. a. avium) was detected by IS901 qPCR from detached fragments of his intestinal mucosa. We attempted to determine the possible sources of infection by analysing environmental samples from the closed oncology unit and conventional unit in the hospital, and from the patient's home residence and places which he frequented. The environment of the patient harboured mycobacteria (41 isolates in total); however, M. neoaurum was not recovered. M. a. avium was detected by qPCR in the environmental samples from a small flock of hens kept by his neighbour. Although it was not confirmed by DNA fingerprinting methods, the M. a. avium infection could have been acquired through the eating of incompletely cooked eggs.

First identification of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis sheep strain in Argentina

We here identified for the first time the presence of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) sheep (S) strain in Argentina. IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive. The S strain was compared with MAP cattle (C) strains by using IS1311 PCR-restriction endonuclease analysis (PCR-REA), multiplex PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

Morphology and distribution of granulomatous inflammation in freshwater ornamental fish infected with mycobacteria.

Mycobacteriosis in fish is a chronic progressive ubiquitous disease caused by Mycobacterium marinum, M. gordonae and M. fortuitum in most cases. The aim of this study was to describe the morphology and distribution of lesions in 322 freshwater ornamental fish across 36 species. Granulomatous inflammation was diagnosed by gross examination and histopathology testing in 188 fish (58.4%); acid-fast rods (AFR) were determined in only 96 (51.1%) fish from 19 species after Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The most often affected organs with AFR were the kidney (81.2%), digestive tract (54.1%), liver (48.2%), spleen (45.9%) and skin (21.2%); sporadically, AFR were found in the branchiae (9.4%) and gonads (4.7%). In 14 randomly selected fish originating from four different fish tanks, the distribution of mycobacterial infection was studied by culture examination of the skin, gills, muscle tissue, digestive tract, liver, spleen and kidney. In 12 fish, the species M. marinum, M. gordonae, M. fortuitum, M. triviale, and M. avium subsp. hominissuis (serotypes 6 and 8 and genotype IS901- and IS1245+) were detected; mixed infection caused by different mycobacterial species was documented in five of them.

Statistical analysis of symptoms, endoscopy and urothelial morphology in 58 female bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis patients.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of the study was to assess the course of painful syndrome in patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis and to assess the changes in endoscopic and histopathological findings in relation to the type of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included a total of 58 patients with histologically diagnosed interstitial cystitis. Out of these, 31 patients were treated with oral pharmacotherapy and 27 patients were treated by intravesical application of heparin. The patients were followed from time of diagnosis for 6.9 +/- 2.5 and 6.6 +/- 2.7 years, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment - irrespective of its type - had a clear demonstrable effect on the monitored parameters; intravesical treatment was more effective than oral. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes could be observed in both groups (with two exceptions). When evaluating the relationship between subjective symptoms and objective criteria, and patients' age and time to diagnosis, it is clear that the higher the age and the longer the time from symptoms to diagnosis, the more severe the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: When evaluating the monitored parameters, we found significant correlations (both positive and negative). However, these relationships cannot be used to simplify the evaluation algorithm (according to ESSIC) and the initial criteria cannot predict the course of the disease.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in cow bulk tank milk in Cyprus detected by culture and quantitative IS900 and F57 real-time PCR.

The possibility that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) plays some role in the development of Crohn's disease in humans is attracting attention to milk and milk products originating from infected animals. In this study, we focused on the detection of MAP in 220 bulk tank milk (BTM) samples from all dairy cattle herds in Cyprus. In total, 63 (28.6%) BTM milk samples were found to be positive for MAP using quantitative real-time PCR assays for IS900 and F57. The presence of MAP in BTM was low, and was assessed to be several tens of MAP cells per one ml of BTM. Milk samples examined by cultivation were found to be negative for MAP in all 220 BTM. In two BTM samples cultivation and subsequent sequencing of 16S rRNA revealed two isolates of M. fortuitum.

Urinary cytology and quantitative BTA and UBC tests in surveillance of patients with pTapT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To compare results of urinary cytology, quantitative detection of human complement factor H-related protein (BTA TRAK), and urinary fragments of cytokeratins 8 and 18 (UBC IRMA) with the recurrence status in patients with pTapT1 bladder cancer and to define the possible role of these methods in a surveillance protocol. METHODS: We collected urine from 88 consecutive patients with primary pTapT1 tumors before the first transurethral resection (TURB) and before each follow-up cystoscopy. In all samples urinary cytology and quantitative BTA and UBC tests were performed. We compared results with recurrence status and with tumor characteristics in the case of recurrence. We constructed receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for quantitative methods. In addition, we evaluated individual cutoffs based on pretreatment levels. RESULTS: During the mean follow-up of 16.96 months, we performed 313 cystoscopies, 93 of which were positive in 51 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology, BTA, and UBC were 19.8% and 99%, 53.8% and 83.9%, and 12.1% and 97.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of pTis detection was 66.6%, 0%, and 100%, respectively. With cutoffs set to a sensitivity of 90%, the specificity of BTA and UBC dropped to 24.8% and 20.4%, respectively. Individually calculated cutoffs did not provide a significant benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Because of high specificity and sensitivity in pTis detection, urinary cytology fulfills requirements for an adjunctive method to cystoscopy. Quantitative BTA and UBC tests have a low sensitivity in the detection of bladder cancer recurrence and cannot be used routinely to reduce the number of cystoscopies during follow-up.

[Radical cystectomy in the treatment for bladder carcinoma: results of 125 operated patients]. / Radikální cystektomie u pacientu s nádory mocového mechýre--výsledky u 125 operovaných pacientu.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion is standard treatment in patients with muscle-invasive and selected high-risk superficial bladder cancers. The aim of our study was to evaluate oncological results and correlate prognosis with the extent of the disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data of 125 patients (33 females and 92 males) with mean age of 59.8 years were analysed. Histological diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma in 114, squamous cell carcinoma in 8 and small-cell carcinoma in 3 patients respectively. During the mean follow-up of 22.4 months the disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were evaluated according to the extent of the disease. Tumours were classified as pTa, pT1, pTis in 31 (24.8%), as pT2 in 39 (31.2%), as pT3 in 24 (19.2%) and pT4 in 20 (16%) patients respectively. There was no tumour detected in the specimen in 11 (8.8%) of cases (pT0). Lymph node metastases were confirmed in 36 (28.8%) of patients. Three-year DFS and DSS were 100% and 100% in pT0, 76% and 87.1% in pTa, pT1, pTis, 69.2% and 82.9% in pT2, 32.9% and 62.4% in pT3 and 39.5% and 36.8% in pT4 tumours respectively (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0004). Three-year DFS and DSS reached 69.4% and 51.8% in patients with negative lymph nodes and 51.8% and 44.8% in patients with lymph node involvement (p = 0.0008, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: DFS and DSS after radical cystectomy depend from the local extent of the tumour and from lymph node status, which is a strong argument for its timely indication.

[Cystectomy in the treatment of bladder cancer]. / Cystektomie v léce nádoru mocového mechýre.

Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion is an important component in the treatment of bladder cancer. It is considered the most important method in the therapy for muscle invasive and selected high-risk non-muscle invasive tumours with excellent local control and high complete remission rate. It consists of complete removal of tumour tissue in the bladder, small pelvis and regional lymph nodes. In males, urinary bladder and prostate are routinely removed; in females, bladder, uterus and anterior vaginal wall are removed. Urethrectomy is indicated only in selected situations. An integral part of the operation is the bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Extravesical disease extension and lymph node positivity are unfavourable prognostic factors. Better prognosis is expected in patients with less than 5 positive nodes. Important prognostic factor is also the number of removed lymph nodes, which is a strong argument for meticulous bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Lymph node density (number of positive nodes/ number of removed nodes) is considered as very important prognostic factor. Better prognosis can be expected in patients with less positive and more removed nodes.

[Detection of prostate cancer by ultrasonographically-guided transrectal prostate biopsies at the Department of Urology of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General Teaching Hospital in Prague, analysis of 1464 cases]. / Detekce karcinomu prostaty transrektální ultrasonograficky cílenou biopsií na urologické klinice 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze: analýza 1464 pozorování.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnostics of prostate cancer is still the most important factor in tumor-specific survival of patients harbouring this malignant disease. Without better understanding of the etiology and without relevant markers of the disease progression, only the early diagnostics of organ-confined disease can save the patient's life. METHODS AND RESULTS: Throughout 7 consecutive years, 1464 transrectal prostate biopsies in 1302 patients were performed. In all cases, the age, DRE (positive or negative), prostatic volume (ccm), total PSA in peripheral blood (ng/ml) were assigned, as well as free/total PSA ratio (%) in most of them. Apart from previously used linear regression, we applied logistic regression, since only age grows linear and DRE is determined only as positive or negative. The surrogate endpoint was ROC, which determines the area applying to the relations of sensitivity and specificity of any marker. Multifactorial logistic regression then reached best results at values over 0.8 in all tested age categories with maximal deviation of 8%, which had not been achieved before. CONCLUSIONS: Despite hundreds of papers published on this topic, the question of when and how the patient is indicated to the biopsy of the prostate has not been solved. A computer driven model based on 1464 documented examinations on the relatively homogeneous population is presented. On the basis of the combination of biological and statistical methods, the model can give correct predictions in 9 out of 10 cases.

[Painful bladder syndrome in interstitial cystitis: relation between symptoms, endoscopy and biopsia results and the treatment effects]. / Syndrom bolestivého mechýre u intersticiální cystitidy: závislost mezi príznaky, endoskopickým nálezem, biopsií a lécbou.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome (IC) is a chronic abacterial inflammatory disease of the bladder wall. It is accompanied by predominant neuropathic pain. Typical symptoms of IC include: suprapubic pain, bladder pain even between voiding, urgency, short intervals between micturition with frequency and nocturia. The objective of the study was to find a correlation between a symptom score and endoscopy together with histopathologic findings from the detrusor biopsy and a correlation between symptoms before and after the intravesical treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have evaluated a group of 30 patients with newly diagnosed IC prospectively. These patients were in the group 1. Control group 2 consisted of 10 patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Group 3 consisted of 15 patients with no voiding symptoms. Validated questionnaire (O'Leary-Sant Symptom (ICSI) and Problem Index (ICPI) was used to objectify subjective symptoms. The diagnosis of IC was based on the clinical assessment of subjective symptoms, urodynamic results, endoscopy and histology. The efficacy of therapy was found statistically significant only in the intravesical therapy. In the patients with immunohistochemically identified increased numbers of mast cells per one microscopic field, the correlation with ICSI and ICPI score was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in symptom score in the patients before and after the treatment were found significantly higher after the intravesical (with heparin) treatment then after peroral therapy. Significant differences in the correlations of ICSI and ICPI score values with the histopathologic finding (i.e. number of mast cells) were found.

Distribution of mycobacteria in clinically healthy ornamental fish and their aquarium environment.

Some mycobacterial species (particularly Mycobacterium marinum) found in aquarium environments may cause chronic diseases in fish and cutaneous infections in humans, the so-called 'fish tank granuloma'. The presence and distribution of mycobacterial species in clinically healthy aquarium fish and their environment has not been adequately explored. The present study analysed the occurrence of mycobacteria in a decorative aquarium (Brno, South Moravia) and in five aquaria of a professional fish breeder (Bohumin, North Moravia). After Ziehl-Neelsen staining, acid-fast rods (AFR) were observed in six (14.3%) and mycobacteria were detected by culture in 18 (42.9%) of 42 tissue samples from 19 fish. Sixty-five samples of the aqueous environment from all six aquaria were examined; AFR were found in 16 (24.6%) and mycobacteria were detected by culture in 49 (75.4%) samples. Forty-one (70.7%) of 58 selected mycobacterial isolates were identified biochemically as follows: M. fortuitum, M. flavescens, M. chelonae, M. gordonae, M. terrae, M. triviale, M. diernhoferi, M. celatum, M. kansasii and M. intracellulare. The clinically important species for humans and fish, M. marinum, was not detected. Mycobacterium kansasii was isolated from one sample of the aquarium environment from North Moravia, which is a region of the Czech Republic with endemic incidence of M. kansasii in water. The incidence of other conditionally pathogenic mycobacterial species in healthy fish and in all investigated constituents of the aquarium environment including snails and crustaceans used for fish feeding, was quite high. Accordingly, mycobacterial species from aquarium environments may serve as a possible source of infection for both aquarium fish and immunodeficient fish handlers.

Association of PAX5 expression with clinical outcome in patients with TaT1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency and intensity of PAX5 gene messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in TaT1 bladder cancer tissue, as well as its correlation with clinicopathologic variables and patient outcome. METHODS: The RNA expression of PAX5 was evaluated with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in the tumor tissue of 75 patients with stage TaT1 bladder cancer treated with transurethral resection. Patients were observed with cystoscopy and urinary cytologic evaluation. The association between PAX5 expression and clinicopathologic variables and patient outcome was evaluated. Benign urothelium from 8 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia was obtained. These patients were used as a control group. RESULTS: PAX5 expression was found in 62 patients with bladder cancer (82.7%) but in no patient from the control group. High PAX5 expression (greater than 0.2) was confirmed in 19 patients (25.3%). No significant relationship was observed between quantity of PAX5 expression and clinicopathologic variables. The 3-year recurrence-free and progression-free survival rates in highly positive patients were 13.2% and 71.6%, compared with 40.6% and 92.8%, respectively, in patients with weak or negative expression (log-rank test, P = 0.0075, P = 0.022). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analysis identified PAX5 expression as an independent predictor of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: PAX5 gene expression is a frequent finding in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. High levels of PAX5 are associated with poorer recurrence-free and progression-free survival rates. Moreover, PAX5 expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival by a multivariate analysis.

[Fluorescence cystoscopy in the diagnostics and treatment of superficial urinary bladder tumors]. / Fluorescencní cystoskopie a její místo v diagnostice a lécbe povrchových nádoru mocového mechýre.

BACKGROUND: 5-aminolevulinic acid induced fluorescence cystoscopy can detect more tumour lesions comparing to standard cystoscopy. The goal of our study was to assess the influence of fluorescence cystoscopy used during transurethral resection on the recurrence rate and the length of tumor-free interval in stage Ta, Tl transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. METHODS AND RESULTS: In prospective randomized study 109 patients with primary or recurrent stage Ta Tl bladder transitional cell carcinoma treated with transurethral resection were enrolled. 17 patients with high grade tumors were evaluated separately. In group A the transurethral resection was performed with standard white light endoscopy, in group B with fluorescence cystoscopy. The patients were followed using standard cystoscopy and urinary cytology. Recurrence free interval was evaluated in whole groups and also for single and multiple and for primary and recurrent tumors separately. The median time to recurrence was 8.05 months in group A and was significantly shorter than 13.54 months in group B (p = 0.04, log-rank test). In separate analyses the median time to recurrence was significantly shorter using fluorescence cystoscopy in multiple (p = 0.004) and in recurrent (p = 0.02) tumors, but not in solitary and primary tumors. CONCLUSIONS: 5-aminolevulinic acid induced fluorescence cystoscopy used during transurethral resection reduces the early recurrence rate in stage Ta Tl bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

[Interstitial cystitis--its diagnostics and treatment]. / Intersticiální cystitida--diagnostika a lécba.

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic, non-bacterial inflammatory disorder of the wall of the urinary bladder and it manifests with very painful symptoms. Initially it can resemble a bacterial inflammation of the urinary bladder. This syndrome is characterised with motor and sensory dysfunction of the urinary bladder. The difficulties can be classified into so-called syndrome of the chronic pelvic pain. Increasing incidence, chronicity of this disorder and specific treatment leads to the reinterpretation of the chronic inflammation of the urinary tract diagnosed in the past and to the modification of the treatment of these patients. Because of the polymorphic difficulties and the psychosomatic manifestations, IC can lead to invalidity of the patient.

[Reconstruction surgical procedures for iatrogenic injuries to the ureter. Examples of uncommon, however successful approaches to their management]. / Rekonstrukcní operace po iatrogenním poskození mocovodu--príklady méne obvyklých avsak uspesných resení.

The authors present several less usual reconstructions of ureters after the primary iatrogenic lesions. The appropriate ureteric capacity to drain the urine after previous injury is quite demanding and hence before the definitive decision is made the wholesome health status of the patient is to be considered and all possible solutions should be weighted. The efficient primary urinary diversion above the lesion is unavoidable. The genuine reconstruction could be deferred by several weeks or months in the view that in some cases the least invasive (endourologic) methods can completely avoid the need of open surgery in difficult adhesions after previous major surgery.

Bovine tuberculosis: an old disease but a new threat to Africa.

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a disease characterised by progressive development of specific granulomatous lesions or tubercles in lung tissue, lymph nodes or other organs. Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of the disease. Bovine species, including bison and buffaloes, are susceptible to the disease, but nearly all warm-blooded animals can be affected. All species are not equally susceptible to the disease; some are spill-over (end) hosts and others maintenance hosts. In Africa, bovine TB primarily affects cattle; however, infection in other farm and domestic animals, such as sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and cats, is not uncommon. Wild ruminants and carnivores are also affected and are the natural reservoirs of the infectious agent in the wild. Man is also susceptible to the disease, the highest risk groups being individuals with concomitant HIV/AIDS infection. In Africa, human TB is widely known to be caused by M. tuberculosis; however, an unknown proportion of cases are due to M. bovis. This infection in humans is under-reported as a result of the diagnostic limitations of many laboratories in distinguishing M. bovis from M. tuberculosis. None of the national reports submitted to the OIE and WHO by African member states mention the importance of M. bovis in human TB cases. Consumption of unpasteurised milk and poorly heat-treated meat and close contact with infected animals represent the main sources of infection for humans. This review attempts to examine the impact of bovine TB on the health of animals and humans.

Nymphs of the Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis) as passive vectors of causal agents of avian tuberculosis and paratuberculosis.

The potential transmission of the causal agent of paratuberculosis Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis and avian tuberculosis Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium (Actinomycetales: Mycobacteriaceae) by nymphs of the Oriental cockroach Blatta orientalis L. (Blattodea: Blattidae) was investigated by oral infection with mycobacterial suspensions and examination of their droppings and bodies. Both the subspecies of M. avium were isolated from droppings at 3 days post-infection and M. a. avium was found in homogenized bodies at 10 days post-infection. The identity of M. a. avium and M. a. paratuberculosis isolates was demonstrated by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The M. a. avium isolate used as the inoculum and the isolates from the bodies and droppings of the nymphs were shown to be virulent in chickens. The results show that orally infected nymphs of B. orientalis can harbour and shed viable and virulent mycobacteria. This hazard should be considered in the implementation of control measures against mycobacterial infections of animals and humans, which should include destruction of all developmental stages of cockroaches and prevention of their access to materials that can be contaminated by mycobacteria.

BoLA DYA polymorphism in Czech cattle.

Polymorphism at the BoLA DYA locus was determined in two groups of Czech Black Pied cattle by PCR-RFLP detecting substitutions at nucleotide positions 112 and 219. Animals for this study were nonrandomly selected according to their health status in two BoLA-associated infections: bovine leukosis (n = 59) and Johne's disease (n = 36). A group of noninfected Czech Red Pied cows (n = 37) was used for comparison. The frequencies of DYA alleles and haplotypes were virtually identical in the two selected groups as well as in the infection-free animals. In contrast, distribution of BoLA DRB3.2 alleles differed considerably between the infected groups as expected based on the previously detected associations with BoLA. The results suggest that the polymorphism of the DYA unexpressed gene was not influenced by selecting animals for this study according to their health status.

Behaviour of the Antitumor Agent Vanadocene Dichloride in Physiological and Therapeutic Media, Blood Plasma and Human Blood - An EPR Study.

By means of EPR spectroscopy the behaviour of the vanadocene dichloride (I), Cp(2)VCl(2) (Cp=eta(5)-C(5)H(5)), in various deoxygenated and non-deoxygenated physiological media and therapeutic solution as well as in blood plasma and stabilized human blood was studied. On the basis of measured values of isotropic spectroscopic splitting factor g(iso) and isotropic hyperfine coupling constant A(iso), the vanadocene species, [Cp(2)V(H(2)O)Cl](+) (II; g(iso)= 1.985, |A(iso)| = 7.68 mT), [Cp(2)V(H(2)O)(2)](2+) (III; g(iso)= 1.983, |A(iso)| = 7.92 mT), [Cp(2)V(OH(2) (IV; g(iso)= 1.991, |A(iso)| = 6.285 mT), [Cp(2)VCl(DMSO)](+) (V; g(iso)= 1.985, |A(iso)| = 7.69 mT), the vanadyl species [VO(DMSO)(5)](2+) (VI; g(iso)= 1.964, |A(iso)| = 10.78mT) and [VO(H(2)O)(5)](2+) (VII; g(iso)= 1.955, |A(iso)| = 11.56 mT) have been identified. From the measurements it follows that I does not react in its first coordination sphere with any component of a system used other than water and DMSO, resp. As to water-containing media, its behaviour is fully consistent with that of I in pure aqueous media. It was found the only vanadocene species present after application of the therapeutic solution of I into human blood to be IV not interacting in its first coordination sphere with any blood component.