Randomized benchmarking of single-qubit gates in a 2D array of neutral-atom qubits.

We characterize single-qubit Clifford gate operations with randomized benchmarking in a 2D array of neutral-atom qubits and demonstrate global and site selected gates with high fidelity. An average fidelity of F2=0.9983(14) is measured for global microwave-driven gates applied to a 49-qubit array. Single-site gates are implemented with a focused laser beam to Stark shift the microwaves into resonance at a selected site. At Stark selected single sites we observe F2=0.9923(7) and an average spin-flip crosstalk error at other sites of 0.002(9).

Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia in host-seeking biting midges.

The distribution and morphology of antennal sensilla coeloconica in parasitic and predaceous biting midges were studied in females of Forcipomyia (feeding on the blood of frogs), Atrichopogon (feeding on haemolymph), Austroconops, Culicoides (feeding on the blood of birds and mammals) and Brachypogon (feeding on haemolymph and dissolved tissues of insects) (all: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). A Lower Cretaceous female of Archiculicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Lebanese amber, which fed on the blood of unknown vertebrates, was also examined. In sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia, the peg is grooved longitudinally and protrudes distinctly from the pit. We suggest that the microtrichia encircling the protruding peg form a structure resembling a picket fence in order to maintain a higher level of humidity, which facilitates the capture and transport of odour molecules through the channels in the peg wall. Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia function as very effective chemoreceptors in host- and prey-seeking activity. During the evolution of Ceratopogonidae, sensilla coeloconica with a fence of microtrichia have evolved twice in groups feeding on the blood of vertebrates (i.e. in the basal lineage: Lower Cretaceous or earlier) and in the subgenus Lasiohelea of Forcipomyia (Palaeogene). Sensilla coeloconica ringed by microtrichia are described for the first time in the relict genus Austroconops.

DHCR7 mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation in 37 Polish patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive disorder of cholesterol biosynthesis caused by mutations in the DHCR7 gene. Thirty-seven ethnic Polish patients with SLOS underwent mutation analysis. The mutation frequencies in Polish patients were significantly different from those observed in Western European populations. Two mutations, W151X (22/68 alleles, 32%) and V326L (19/68 alleles, 28%), accounted for 60% of all observed in our cohort. Two missense mutations L68P and L360P have not been reported previously. In total, we report 15 DHCR7 mutations identified in Polish patients. By comparing clinical severity scores and the biochemical and molecular data, a genotype-phenotype correlation was attempted. In compound heterozygotes with one null mutation, the phenotype severity depends on the localization and type of the second mutation: mild phenotypes are correlated with mutations affecting the putative transmembrane domains TM1-TM6 or CT regions and severe phenotypes with mutations localized in TM7 and 4L region. The phenotypic differences of patients with the same genotype suggest that severity of the disease may be affected by other factors.

[Analysis of causes for anemia in patients with multiple myeloma]. / Analiza przyczyn niedokrwistosci u chorych na szpiczaka mnogiego.

UNLABELLED: Pathogenetic mechanism of myeloma (MM) associated anaemia may involve: decreased level of erythropoietin (Epo) production, insufficient response to this hormone, bone marrow replacement by tumour cells, and cytokine mediated suppressive effect on erythropoiesis (ACD type of anaemia). We evaluated some possible causes of MM associated anaemia in a group of MM patients before treatment, using tests of in vitro culture of erythroid precursors and determination of the level of selected cytokines and evaluation of patient sera and media conditioned by patient cells for haematopoietic growth in vitro inhibitory/stimulatory activity. The study group included 15 patients with advanced MM at III clinical stage (according Durie and Salmon classification) prior treatment with a median age 61.8 women and 7 men. Diagnostic work-up included cytogenetics and serum Epo level as well as routine tests. We determined number of CFU-E, BFU-E and CFU-GM in the bone marrow of patients and healthy donors after mononuclear and T cell depletion in serum free culture under different conditions: 1) with conditioned medium (CM) by patients T cells, 2) CM by T cells of healthy donors and 3) without CM. IL-6, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha level in the serum and CM was determined. All patients were slightly anaemic--mean Hb 6 mmol/l (9.6 g/dl), transferrin level was increased--mean 1612 pmol/l (732 ng/ml) whereas iron level was normal. The average frequency of erythropoietic cells in myelogram was decreased (12%), however, the frequency of plasmocytes was increased (32%). Epo serum level was decreased in comparison with degree of anaemia (mean 22.2 U/ml). The average number of CFU-E/10(5) was slightly lower--212 and in the cultures containing CM by patient T cell and CM-by T cells of healthy donor decreased significantly to 138 and 183, accordingly. This phenomenon was not observed in cultures containing normal bone marrow cells. IL-6 level was increased in patients' serum and CM by patients T cells (27 ng/ml and 51 ng/ml, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the notion on the multifactorial origin of anaemia in myeloma patients. The factors specified in this study include 1. defective response of Epo to the degree of anaemia 2. decreased number of committed erythroid cells in the marrow 3. suppression of erythropoiesis by IL-6.

Tyrosine residues of the erythropoietin receptor are dispensable for erythroid differentiation of human CD34+ progenitors.

To study the role of the cytoplasmic domain and particularly the tyrosine residues of the erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) in erythroid differentiation of human primary stem cells, we infected cord blood-derived CD34+ cells with retroviruses encoding chimeric receptors containing the extracellular domain of the prolactin receptor (PRLR) and the cytoplasmic domain of either the normal EpoR or a truncated EpoR devoid of tyrosine residues. Erythroid differentiation of the infected progenitors could thus be studied after stimulation by PRL. The complete PRLR was used to assess its ability to substitute for EpoR in erythroid differentiation. Typical erythroid day-14 colonies were observed from CD34+ cells grown in PRL when infected with any of the three viral constructs. These results demonstrate that: (i) the activation of the virally transduced PRLR leads to erythroid colony formation showing that erythroid terminal differentiation can be induced by a non-erythroid receptor in human progenitors; (ii) a chimeric receptor PRLR/EpoR is able to transduce a signal leading to terminal erythroid differentiation of human CD34+ cells; (iii) in contrast to results previously reported in murine models, tyrosine residues of the EpoR are not required for growth and terminal differentiation of human erythroid progenitors.

[Erythropoietin in the pathogenesis of anemia in patients with multiple myeloma]. / Erytropoetyna w patogenezie niedokrwistosci u chorych na szpiczaka mnogiego.

UNLABELLED: Anemia is a common symptom in multiple myeloma (MM) patients but the pathogenesis of it is still unknown. The aim of the study was to explain the causes of anemia in MM patients. Peripheral blood count, bone marrow aspirate, iron and ferritin level, serum erythropoietin (EPO) level, T cell subsets and in vitro CFU-E count were analyzed in the group od 31 MM patients. Erythropoietin and iron deficiency in the study group were not observed. EPO serum level was not significantly different in patients with multiple myeloma and in comparison to patients with sideroblastic anemia with solid tumors. Absolute CD8 T lymphocyte count was not significantly increased in the study group. CFU-E colonies count in vitro was not decreased in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the study group of the MM patients anemia probably does not depend on EPO production. Diminished proliferative response of erythropoietic cells on normal serum level of EPO and abnormal iron utilisation probably occur in these patients. Replacement of normal erythropoiesis by tumor plasma cells is probably not decisive.

[Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) in diagnosis of anemia]. / Protoporfiryna cynkowa (ZPP) w diagnostyce niedokrwistosci.

In iron deficiency, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) is produced instead of heme, and the ZPP concentration in erythrocytes increased (normal value < 2.3 micrograms ZPP/g Hb). The ZPP level and comparison with the other normally used tests in iron deficiency in the group of the patients with iron deficiency, ACD, MDS, AML, plasmocytoma was investigated. The ZPP level was determined by hematofluorometry in samples from 96 patients. Thirty five patients with iron depletion showed decreased both serum ferritin (median 5.9 ng/ml), and hemoglobin level (median 9.8 g/dl) with significantly increased ZPP level (median 8.5 micrograms/gHb). An increased level of ZPP (median 3.95 micrograms/gHb) with normal level of ferritin (median 24 ng/ml) and iron (median 50 (g/dl) in the serum of patients with ACD was determined. Measurement of ZPP level in the combination with ferritin and peripheral blood morphology allows to classify the degree of iron deficiency. The ZPP levels higher than 4.55 micrograms/gHb confirms iron deficiency in the group of anaemic patients.

[Perforation in the gastrointestinal tract as a complication of acute leukemia]. / Perforacja w obrebie przewodu pokarmowego jako powiklanie ostrej bialaczki.

Two cases of gastrointestinal perforation in patients with acute leukemia are reported. They were thrombocytopenic, but successfully surgically treated.

[Anemia and erythropoietin level in some hematology malignancies]. / Niedokrwistosc a stezenie erytropoetyny w niektórych chorobach nowotworowych ukladu krwiotwórczego.

UNLABELLED: Pathogenesis of anemia in patients with myeloma, low grade lymphoma and acute leukaemia was the aim of the study. Erythropoietin (Epo) serum level was detected according to ELISA test. Significant increase of Epo serum level in 13 myeloma and 30 low grade lymphoma patients was found. In 21 acute leukemia cases the Epo serum level was significantly increased (disproportional to Hb concentration). CONCLUSION: in the studied myeloma and low grade lymphoma patients anemia did not depend on defective Epo secretion. Significant increase of Epo serum level in acute leukaemia, strongly suggested additional stimulation mechanism for hormone synthesis. Further studies of this mechanism are needed.

[Erythroid stem (CFU-E) cells and erythropoietin levels in certain hematological diseases]. / Erytroidalne komórki macierzyste (CFU-E) i stezenie erytropoetyny w niektórych chorobach hematologicznych.

The aim of this paper is the trial of explanation of anaemia in certain immunological disorders. This approach consists measure of the Epo serum level and clot culture of bone marrow CFU-E cells. In the plasmocytoma patients inversely proportional dependence between number of CFU-E colonies and percentage of plasmocytes in bone marrow was observed. In low grade lymphoma patients the number of CFU-E colonies in vitro was greater than the standard value. Non proportional increase of Epo serum concentration to the level of anaemia in patients with acute leukemia was observed.

[Fetal hemoglobin]. / Hemoglobina plodowa.

The paper presents a current state of knowledge on the regulation of Hb synthesis in physiology and pathology. Possible mechanisms of HbF synthesis switching and an influence of different drugs on HbF production have been described.

Computer data processing in the examination of retinal vessels in essential hypertension and atherosclerosis.

The mean retinal venoarterial width ratio in 100 healthy subjects was measured with a PZO stereoscopic microscope equipped with a calibrated ocular and with an automatic digital image transformer coupled with an ODRA 1204 computer. The mean value was estimated as equal to 1.21 with an SD of 0.071. The same study was performed in 75 atherosclerotic patients and 75 patients with essential hypertension. In the first group the mean retinal venoarterial width ratio amounted to 1.51 (SD 0.054), while in the second one it was equal to 1.53 (SD 0.079).