First-trimester spontaneous pregnancy loss - molecular analysis using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.

Spontaneous miscarriages are the most frequent complications of pregnancy and, in at least half of cases, are caused by chromosomal abnormalities, mainly aneuploidies. We present the preliminary results of the implementation of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in the detection of chromosomal aberrations in the tissue derived from first-trimester miscarriage and evaluate the limitations and requirements of the method. We studied 181 MLPA analyses with subtelomeric and subcentromeric probe kits for all chromosomes (SALSA P070 and SALSA P181) performed on the first-trimester spontaneous miscarriage products in our Department of Genetics between September 2012 and December 2014. Conclusive MLPA results were obtained in 97.2% of samples. Chromosomal aberrations were detected in 40.3% of samples: 61.8% samples of good quality and 12.6% samples of poor quality (p < 0.001). The normal female karyotype was detected in 14.7% of good quality samples and 84.8% of poor quality samples (p < 0.001). MLPA is a useful tool for the detection of chromosomal aberrations in first-trimester miscarriage products. However, the tissue has to be well prepared before testing and the results 46,XX should be interpreted with caution.

Caffeine in tea Camellia sinensis--content, absorption, benefits and risks of consumption.

Therapeutic properties of tea Camellia sinensis are of particular interest since it has been consumed for ages and was always regarded as safe beverage. Tea is most popular beverage in the world because of its attractive aroma, exceptional taste, health promoting and pharmaceutical potential. Current results showed that antioxidative, antibacterial and other health effects are attributed to its caffeine content and caffeine - polyphenols interactions. An overview is given on caffeine content in different tea leaves beverage. Special attention is drawn to caffeine physiological effect on human organism. Controversies concerning the possible caffeine influence on human physical and psychological health are briefly summarized and presented.

[Effectiveness of antiviral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (a Polish multicenter study)]. / Efektywnosc leczenia przeciwwirusowego przewleklego zapalenia watroby typu C (wieloosrodkowe badania pòlskie).

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.

Physical maps of the chromosomes of Haemophilus influenzae Sb.

The physical maps the Haemophilus influenzae Sb genomes were constructed by the comparison of restriction fragment sizes of complete single and double digests, as well as by the analysis of partial DNA digests. Sites for four restriction endonucleases NotI, RsrII, SmaI and SrfI were located on the bacterial chromosomes, which are circular, and 2028 and 2045 kb in circumferences. The order of fragments was deduced from fragment patterns of the combinations of double digestion and by two-dimensional Field-Inversion Gel Electrophoresis (FIGE).

[Central nervous system infections in patients with AIDS]. / Zakazenia osrodkowego ukladu nerwowego u chorych na AIDS.

Central Nervous System (CNS) is very common site of the opportunistic infections in patients with AIDS. Patients, who died because of AIDS have described pathology of CNS in 80% in autopsy series. Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is the most common infection in the course of AIDS, and it touches 25-50% of the HIV-infected people. The treatment of TE is very difficult, but relapses are very often and primary and secondary prophylaxis of TE is necessary. Fungal infections (particularly cryptococcal meningitis) are very unpopular in immunocompetent patients; in HIV-infected people Cryptococcus neoformans is the cause of the 30% of encephalitis. Viral and bacterial encephalitis, they are not very common in AIDS patients.