ABSTRACT
The subject of this work is the characterisation of the metric features of deciduous dentition in a Medieval population of central Poland with the use of the jackknife technique leave one out (LOO)-supporting multivariate methods, which are important for deriving discrimination equations that would result in sex determination of children's skeletal remains. The sex of the individuals was assessed through analysis of sex-specific DNA sequences (AMELY/AMELX, SRY and alpha satellite sequences). Discriminant analysis concerned only teeth of those individuals whose sex was confirmed by the primary structure of three DNA sequences. The deciduous tooth diameters of males were found to be significantly larger than those of females in four respects: MD diameter of the maxillary second molar, MD and BL diameters of the mandibular first molar and BL diameter of the mandibular second molar. A two-group discriminant analysis considered all those measurements as independent variables. A multiple regression procedure produced a linear equation predicting the sex of children's skeletons with a significant probability amounting to approximately 78%. The accuracy of the sex assessment of an individual, using dental measurements, was established at 69% in deciduous male and 88% in deciduous female teeth.
Subject(s)
Archaeology , Molar/anatomy & histology , Sex Determination by Skeleton/methods , Tooth, Deciduous , Child , Female , History, Medieval , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Multivariate Analysis , PolandABSTRACT
From 1983 to 1990, at the I Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Silesian Academy of Medicine in Bytom, 995 patients with meningitis and encephalitis were treated; the average age was 17.86 years. After cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations the patients were divided into groups. The first group consisted of patients with suppurative meningitis and encephalitis (202-20.30%), the other group were patients with aseptic meningitis (309-31.06%), a separate group consisted of patients with mumps meningitis (484-48.06% cases). In the group with suppurative meningitis and encephalitis etiological agents were isolated (Gram stain smear and/or culture of CSF) in 50.99% of cases. The most common causes of suppurative neuroinfections were: Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus pneumoniae (in 23.76% cases). The increasing number of bacteriological tests positive results was observed during the analyzed period. The etiology of aseptic inflammation diseases of the central nervous system was defined with the help of serologic blood tests in 10-15%, and serologic confirmation of mumps meningitis was as high as 80% of cases. In the group of purulent neuroinfections, during the 8-year observation, 36 deaths occurred (17.82% of these patients). The observed tendency of the death rate decrease is concerned to be a result of better microbiological diagnostics and the possibility of an early aimed antibiotic therapy.
Subject(s)
Encephalitis/epidemiology , Meningitis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Encephalitis/microbiology , Encephalitis/mortality , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Meningitis/microbiology , Meningitis/mortality , Middle Aged , Poland/epidemiology , Serologic Tests , Survival RateABSTRACT
The main an etiological agents of chronic hepatitis are viral infections. The viral infection course and outcome depend mostly on the immunological response. Infected hepatocytes are damaged by appropriately viral antigen-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes. Those sensitised T cells react only with those hepatocytes which express viral antigen and antigen HLA on membrane surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of selected histocompatibility antigens HLA in liver biopsy specimens of patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Seventeen patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (inflammatory activity 1-4 points according to Scheuer scale modified by Gabriel) and 27 patients with chronic active hepatitis (5-10 points) were studied. In these groups of patients the intensity of HLA-I (A, B, C), HLA-II (DR) expression in liver biopsy specimens, alanine aminotransferase activity, markers of HBV and HCV in serum were examined. The monoclonal mouse anti-human antibodies and streptavidin-biotin with alkaline phosphatase method for estimation of HLA-I, HLA-II was used. Results were statistically analysed using Mann-Whitney's U test and Spearman's rank correlation test. Generally, the expression of HLA-I and HLA-II on hepatocyte membrane was shown. Significant differences in expression of HLA-II among studied groups were observed, moreover the highest degree of HLA-II intensity in the group of patients with greater inflammation activity was significantly more frequently observed. The expression of HLA-I, HLA-II was regardless of the viral a etiology and serological markers of HBV replication. The degree of studied parameters expression was positively correlated with biochemical activity of inflammation.
Subject(s)
HLA-DR Antigens/immunology , Hepatitis B, Chronic/diagnosis , Hepatitis B, Chronic/immunology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/diagnosis , Hepatitis C, Chronic/immunology , Liver/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Biopsy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Interferon alpha (INF) is routine treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Many controlled investigations were evaluated to establish the optimal schedule of treatment with sustained virological and biochemical response. Recently, multicentre meta-analyses suggest that combination therapy (INF + Ribavirin) was more effective than treatment with interferon alone. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of four schedules of antiviral treatment in 445 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Combination therapy (INF + Ribavirin) given for 6 mo. and monotherapy (INF) for 18 mo. were more effective than interferon alone given for 6 mo. Treatment with INF alone for 6 mo. was demonstrated to be insufficient.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage , Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy , Interferon-alpha/administration & dosage , Ribavirin/administration & dosage , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Interferon-alpha/adverse effects , Male , Poland/epidemiology , Ribavirin/adverse effects , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Hepatitis C is a major health problem also in children. General screening is not advisable. Screening should be limited to the risk groups. Nowadays there are not any large studies on the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children. Available studies suggest that children have response rates to interferon monotherapy similar to adults.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Age Distribution , Biomarkers/analysis , Child , Child, Preschool , Hepatitis C/diagnosis , Hepatitis C/drug therapy , Humans , Infant , Interferons/therapeutic use , Mass Screening/methods , Poland/epidemiology , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Up to date studies have demonstrated that more and more young people are affected by liver diseases. There is a close relationship between the liver and endocrine system as far as hormone inactivation and synthesis of protein binding hormones in the liver are related. Impairment of the hepatocyte function may lead to disturbed homeostasis of the endocrine system. In part II current opinions on plasma levels of pituitary--gonadal and--adrenal axis hormones and their binding proteins in chronic hepatic disorders are presented.
Subject(s)
Endocrine System Diseases/diagnosis , Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System , Liver Diseases/diagnosis , Pituitary-Adrenal System , Adult , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Recent studies have demonstrated that more and more young people suffer from liver diseases. There is a close relationship between endocrine system and the liver, where the hormone inactivation and synthesis of protein binding hormones takes place. Impairment of hepatocyte function may lead to disturbed homeostasis of the endocrine system. In part I current opinions on thyreometabolic state as well as plasma levels of pituitary-thyroidal axis hormones and their binding proteins in chronic hepatic disorders are presented.