Digit ratios and their asymmetries as risk factors of developmental instability and hospitalization for COVID-19.

COVID-19 presents with mild symptoms in the majority of patients but in a minority it progresses to acute illness and hospitalization. Here we consider whether markers for prenatal sex hormones and postnatal stressors on developmental instability, i.e. digit ratios and their directional and unsigned asymmetries, are predictive of hospitalization. We focus on six ratios: 2D:3D; 2D:4D; 2D:5D; 3D:4D; 3D:5D; 4D:5D and compare hospitalized patient and control means for right, and left ratios, directional asymmetries (right-left) and unsigned asymmetries [|(right-left)|]. There were 54 patients and 100 controls. We found (i) patients differed in their digit ratios from controls (patients > controls) in all three ratios that included 5D (2D:5D, 3D:5D and 4D:5D) with small to medium effect sizes (d = 0.3 to 0.64), (ii) they did not differ in their directional asymmetries, and (iii) patients had greater |(right-left)| asymmetry than controls for 2D:4D (d = .74) , and all ratios that included 5D; 2D:5D (d = 0.66), 3D:5D (d = .79), 4D:5D (d = 0.47). The Composite Asymmetry of the two largest effects (2D:4D + 3D:5D) gave a patient and control difference with effect size d = 1.04. All patient versus control differences were independent of sex. We conclude that digit ratio patterns differ between patients and controls and this was most evident in ratios that included 5D. Large |(right-left)| asymmetries in the patients are likely to be a marker for postnatal stressors resulting in developmental perturbations and for potential severity of COVID-19.

The significance of DNA methylation profile in metastasis-related genes for the progression of colorectal cancer.

DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification plays a role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC cases, both sporadic and familial, are often characterized by abnormal pattern of the cytosine methylation in CpG dinucleotides in regulatory regions of genes important for cancer transformation. Also genes mutated in CRC can have their epigenetic pattern altered and we suggest that changes in DNA methylation array can be important for CRC metastatic potential ‒ the main reason of CRC-associated mortality. These genes are: KRAS, genes of the Rho family of GTPases, MACC1, Met, MTA1 and RASSF1A. In addition, genes encoding miRNA important for epithelial mesenchymal transition and other metastasis-related effects, such as mir-9, miR-34 and miR-210 can be good candidates for associating their DNA methylation profiles with CRC metastasis. Analysis of DNA methylation profile in various stages of CRC along with other genetic/epigenetic changes specific for all main stages of CRC transformation could help in anti-metastatic therapy immediately after CRC diagnosis. However, targeting DNA methylation pattern in CRC therapy is a conception, which requires further work to precisely change DNA methylation array, without affecting genes, whose expression should not be changed.

99mTc-HEPIDA plasma clearance as a diagnostic tool. Total plasma v. specific hepatic clearance.

BACKGROUND: (99m)Tc-HEPIDA total plasma clearance has been used for assessment of hepatic parenchyma damage. However, the radiopharmaceutical used is being partly cleared from plasma also by the urinary tract. As the share of the latter route in total elimination of the compound is not well known, the aim of the study was to investigate the percentage of (99m)Tc-HEPIDA eliminated by the kidneys and by the liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To this aim total plasma clearance of the compound and urinary part were determined by the methods employed here in 117 patients and in 16 healthy volunteers. The pure hepatic clearance was calculated as the difference between total plasma and the urinary clearance of (99m)Tc-HEPIDA. RESULTS: The urinary clearance in patients amounted from 2.6 to 78% of total clearance; in the healthy volunteers the corresponding range was from 8.6 to 28%. Pronounced spread of the urinary clearance (coefficient of variation = 35%) and lack of correlation between the urinary and total clearance make it necessary to take account of urinary elimination in each patient in whom reasonably accurate assessment of hepatic clearance is required. CONCLUSION: Further studies on the diagnostic efficacy of pure hepatic clearance and its change with age in healthy patients appear necessary.

[Epidemiologic-clinical analysis of purulent meningitis in adults: material from the Clinic of Infectious Diseases AM in Lodz in the years 1990-1991]. / Analiza epidemiologiczno-kliniczna ropnego zapalenia opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych u doroslych: material Kliniki Chorób Zakaznych AM w Lodzi w latach 1990-1991.

Authors have presented 81 cases of bacterial meningitis in adult patients (pts) treated in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in the years 1990-1991. The aim of the study was the clinical and epidemiological analysis of the bacterial meningitis. Clinical symptoms, time between first symptoms and onset of hospitalisation and treatment, coexisting diseases and their influence on the course of the disease were considered in the analysis. The aetiological agent was found in 21% of cases. In the study group 75.3% were pts 26-65 years old. 77.8% were male pts. In 65.4% pts delay in hospitalisation and therapy exceeded 24 hours, 41.9% was longer than 48 hours. 18% of pts were afebrile. In the study group only 34.6% of pts were free of coexisting diseases.

[Treatment outcome of purulent meningitis in adults from material of the Clinic of Infectious Diseases AM in Lodz in the years 1990-1991]. / Wyniki leczenia ropnego zapalenia opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych u doroslych w materiale Kliniki Chorób Zakaznych AM w Lodzi w latach 1990-1991.

81 patients (pts) with bacterial meningitis hospitalised in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in the years 1990-1991 were treated according to two therapeutic schedules. First: young pts (under 40 years), without coexisting diseases obtained Penicillin G and aminoglycoside and/or synthetic penicillin. Second: pts over 40 years old with coexisting diseases or cases of recurrent meningitis were treated with third-generation cephalosporins and aminoglycoside and/or synthetic penicillin. The mortality was 16% in the study group. 11 of 13 pts with coexisting diseases died. Neurologic sequelae were found in 23% of pts. The complete recovery was obtained in 34% of pts, more often (35.9%) in a group treated with third--generation cephalosporins comparing to 29.4% with other antibiotic therapy.