Treatment regimens and disease activity could alter salivary myeloperoxidase levels in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) present with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission; therefore, it is necessary to develop noninvasive diagnostic tools to control the disease activity and improve therapeutic effectiveness. Recently, we have found that patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who qualified for biologic therapy had significantly lower salivary myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels.

OBJECTIVES

This cross‑sectional study aimed to assess the impact of IBD activity and applied treatment on salivary antioxidant system as reflected by the levels of catalase, total antioxidant status, and MPO.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group comprised 99 patients diagnosed with Crohn disease (CD) and 61 patients with UC. The Crohn Disease Activity Index and modified Mayo scale were used to estimate the clinical activity of CD and UC, respectively. Unstimulated whole mixed saliva was collected. Salivary levels of selected markers were measured with enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays and colorimetric assays.

RESULTS

The patients with clinically active UC showed significantly decreased median (interquartile range) salivary MPO levels (79.4 [30.1-157.5] vs 94.8 [58.2-274.7] ng/ml) with significant correlations with the endoscopic stage on the Mayo scale (R = 0.423; P = 0.02). Receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed a potential usefulness of MPO concentrations in predicting clinically active UC (area under the curve = 0.654; P = 0.03; cutoff <210.4 ng/ml). Moreover, in the patients treated with biologics and without steroid therapy, salivary MPO concentrations negatively correlated with neutrophil counts in the individuals with UC and positively with C‑reactive protein level in the patients with CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Salivary MPO levels changed depending on the disease activity in the patients with UC. Decreased MPO concentration in the saliva could be a predictor of clinically active UC.

Systemic Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Autistic Children

Aim: Autistic disorders in children cover three developmental areas: social interaction, communication development disorders, and repetitive behavioral repertoire. Autistic children are a group resistant to therapeutic intervention due to their imapired contact with the environment, but the correction and compensation of disturbed functions through the interaction of motor and seems to be the most important goal of therapy. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 57 students of two special schools diagnosed with autism (age 6-16 (AVG 10 +/- 6), whose parents consented to participate in the research program, this 12 (21%) girls and 45 (79) %) boys. Fine and gross motor skills were assessed. The assessment of fine motoricity included the evaluation of the functions of individual parts of the body: throwing and catching a large ball, throwing tennis balls accurately into the basket while sitting on a chair, standing, lying on a mattress, pedalling on a stationary bike, performing unassisted squats, lifting the knees high in a standing position,unassisted jumping on a baton and kicking a volleyball. Large motor activity (change of place) included: walking up the stairs holding on to the handrail, stepping back and forth,going through the tunnel, walking on a ramp inclined at an angle of 45, traversing an obstacle course made of soft rollers of different sizes with the help of another person. After a two-week break, the subjects received a series of 10 treatments temperature at a temperature of - 110°C, each treatment lasting 2 minutes. The treatments took place once a day from Monday to Friday, excluding Saturdays and Sundays. After each treatment, the patient exercised for 1 hour in accordance with the previous results of fine and gross motor skills. Results: 1 child (10 entries) completed a full series of treatments. Other children: - 9 entries - 1 child, - 8 entries - 2 children, - 4 entrances – 2 children, - 3 entries - 1 child, - 2 children refused to continue the procedure after 30 seconds, - 2 child refused to enter the cryochamber. Conclusions: 1. It seems that cryogenic therapy should not be used in autistic children due to safety and the amount of work involved in preparing and conducting the procedures. 2. Parents’ attitudes towards the disease and their child’s treatment options make it difficult to cooperate and plan the therapy.3. In adult high-functioning autistics being treated at ZUL there is a very good tolerance of the procedure.

Adaptive changes in muscle activity after cryotherapy treatment: Potential mechanism for improvement the functional state in patients with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

The available literature lacks data about the influence of whole body cryotherapy (WBC) on muscle activity in patients with sclerosis multiplex (MS).

OBJECTIVE

Assessment of the influence of the 20 WBC series on the surface electromyography (sEMG) signal and the relationship between it and the functional state in patients with MS.

METHODS

The study group was 114 of MS patients (aged 45.24±11.88yr.,) which 74 of them received 20 of WBC. An assessment was made of: the hand grip (HGS), Timed 25-Foot Walk, Fatigue Severity Scale, sEMG signal from the dominant limb.

RESULTS

After a series of 20 WBC: in the rest electromyograms, an increase of extensor carpi radialis (ECR) and a decrease of flexor carpi radialis (FCR) amplitude were demonstrated (non-normalized signal ECR p = 0.0001); significant differences in sEMG rest signals between ECR and FCR have decreased; for voluntary contraction in both assessed antagonistic muscle amplitude was significantly decreased (p = 0.0005; p = 0.0316, p = 0.0185); an increase of HGS (p < 0.001); gait improvement (p = 0.001); decrease fatigue (p = 0.024). No significant changes were observed in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Series of 20 WBC improves the functional state and reduces fatigue in patients with MS, which may be due to adaptive changes in bioelectrical muscle activity.

The Role of Iron Metabolism in Fatigue, Depression, and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of autoimmune origin for which there is currently no available cure. In the course of MS, next to neurological disorders, patients often present with chronic fatigue syndrome and depressive disorders, which impact on their daily function and quality of life. The aim of study was to analyse the relationship between serum parameters of iron metabolism and the severity of fatigue, depressive symptoms, and quality of life in MS patients.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 90 people with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, age range 19-67 years, whose functional status evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale in 90% of the participants did not exceed 3.5 points. Venous blood samples were collected for blood cell count determination and for the purposes of obtaining serum analysed for the concentrations of iron, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation, unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). The participants were also evaluated according to the Fatigue Severity Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis.

RESULTS

Ferritin levels were significantly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms (r = -0.22; p = 0.04) and quality of life assessment (r = 0.22; p = 0.04) in the MS patients. Moreover, the severity of fatigue and depressive symptoms was significantly linked to a deterioration in quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Ferritin deficiency in MS patients is associated with an exacerbation of depressive disorders and a decline in quality of life. Symptoms of fatigue in MS patients are inversely proportional to mood and quality of life.

Characteristics of salivary inflammation in obesity

INTRODUCTION

The discovery of the secretory function of adipose tissue has led to a new direction in research on obesity‑ related health problems. Adipokines are present not only in blood but also in saliva. Numerous studies have indicated that obesity affects salivary concentrations of adipokines.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of selected inflammatory markers in saliva and to determine their discriminatory value in obese individuals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 125 patients (82 women and 43 men), aged from 20 to 65 years. There were 59 patients with obesity (body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m2) and 66 controls with normal body weight (BMI <25 kg/m2). Mixed saliva samples were collected from all participants to determine the concentrations of the following inflammatory markers: tumor necrosis factor‑ α receptors 1 and 2, pentraxin 3, interleukin 15, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L).

RESULTS

Compared with controls, individuals with obesity had significantly higher levels of all inflammatory markers except sCD40L levels, which were lower. The salivary marker sCD40L seems to have the best discriminatory value in obesity regardless of sex, with the optimal cutoff point of 3.28 pg/ml and the area under the curve of 0.8.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity may be associated with altered levels of selected inflammatory markers in saliva. The discriminatory values determined in this study may facilitate the diagnosis of metabolic diseases.

Structural, magnetic and spectral properties of tetrahedral cobalt(ii) silanethiolates: a variety of structures and manifestation of field-induced slow magnetic relaxation

Blue crystals of five heteroleptic cobalt(ii) silanethiolates 1-5 have been obtained by the reaction of [Co{SSi(tBuO)3}2(NH3)]2 with aminopyridines and aminomethylpyridines at an appropriate molar ratio and their structural, spectral, thermal and magnetic properties have been established and described. All complexes 1-5 contain Co(ii) ions in a tetrahedral CoN2S2 environment formed by (tBuO)3SiS- residues and pyridines and present variable structures. Complexes 1-3 are mononuclear [Co{SSi(tBuO)3}2(L1)2] (L1 = 2-aminopyridine 2AP, 3-aminopyridine 3AP, and 4-aminopyridine 4AP). The application of 3AMP and 4AMP (3-aminomethylpyridine and 4-aminomethylpyridine) allows either dinuclear complex 4 [Co{SSi(tBuO)3}2(μ-3AMP)]2 or 1D coordination polymer 5 with the formula of [Co{SSi(tBuO)3}2(μ-4AMP)]n to be obtained. The molecular structures of 1-5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray and powder diffraction, UV-vis and FTIR spectrocopy for solid samples and their thermal properties were characterized by TG-DSC and TG-FTIR methods. The dc and ac magnetic and EPR studies of polycrystalline samples have been performed. For all complexes, the obtained data show a behavior typical of paramagnetic high-spin Co(ii) ions in a tetrahedral geometry, with a considerable contribution of the ZFS effect in a low temperature range. All complexes were also probed for SIM behavior. The modeling of the magnetic and EPR data was done for samples 1, 3, 4 and 5 to estimate ZFS parameters. The obtained results imply a negative value of the axial parameter D in complex 4 and positive D values for the rest of the compounds. A comparative magneto-structural analysis of complexes 4 and 5 points to the high sensitivity of the single-ion magnetic anisotropy of tetrahedral Co(ii) complexes to subtle changes in the first and second coordination spheres of Co(ii) ions.

The association of serum soluble Klotho levels and residual diuresis and overhydration in peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Klotho, originally identified as an anti-aging factor, is a transmembrane protein expressed in the kidney. It has been reported that Klotho deficiency could be associated with a loss of residual renal function and cardiovascular complications in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the study was to evaluate whether serum levels of Klotho correlate with residual diuresis and hydration status in PD patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The cross-sectional study involved 57 PD patients ≥18 years of age who had been on PD ≥ 3 months. Serum Klotho was measured using high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hydration status was assessed with bioimpedance analysis (BIA).

RESULTS

Serum levels of soluble Klotho ranged from 100 pg/mL to 700 pg/mL. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups, with Klotho levels below and above the median (260 pg/mL). The data revealed a tendency for lower residual diuresis (1.3 ±1.0 L vs 1.8 ±0.8 L; p = 0.055) in patients with lower levels of Klotho in serum. Serum Klotho correlated negatively with overhydration according to BIA (r = -0.27; p = 0.044) and positively with residual diuresis (r = 0.26; p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Soluble Klotho correlates inversely with hydration status in BIA. Residual urine output, but not dialysis parameters, could be associated with the levels of serum soluble Klotho in PD patients.

Utilization of shale cuttings in production of lightweight aggregates

The development of technologies for unconventional hydrocarbon exploration requires designing procedures to manage drilling waste that are consistent with the waste management hierarchy. In view of this, the possibility to apply shale drill cuttings as a prospective additive (replacing bentonite) to fly ash used for the production of lightweight aggregates (LWAs) was investigated. Moreover, a facile, waste-free method of LWAs production with using shales was proposed. Cuttings were characterized in terms of their mineralogical and elemental composition (XRD and XRF) as well as thermophysical behavior (TG-DTA and fusibility test). The sintered product, in turn, was assessed taking into account its structure, physicochemical and mechanical properties. It was found that the composition of the shale drill cuttings meets the conditions required for the bloating (as expressed by the SiO₂/ΣFlux and Al₂O₃/SiO₂ ratios) and binding processes (Al₂O₃ content), essential for the aggregates production. In comparison to bentonite, shales provided an additional source of kaolinite, which thermal transformation to mullite is crucial for the formation of mechanically durable structure of the aggregate. Moreover, the bulk density of the sintered product was found to be less than 1200 kg/m³, and the dry particle density below 2000 kg/m³, confirming that the obtained porous material belong to lightweight aggregates with accordance to European standard (UNE-EN-13055-1). The porosity of LWA was found to be higher (even up to 50%), thus the apparent density lower, compared with the reference product containing bentonite. These properties were accompanied by the relatively high crushing resistance which was up to 4.4 N/mm². Hereby, usefulness of shale drill cuttings for LWAs production was confirmed.

Indirect Self-Destructiveness in Women who Experience Domestic Violence

Lives of people experiencing domestic or/and intimate partner violence abound in many unpleasant events and physical and psychological suffering, which affects their psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to explore indirect self-destructiveness as a generalised behavioural tendency and its manifestations in women experiencing domestic violence. The "Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale" (CS-DS) was used to study two groups of women: 52 women aged 30-65 years (mean age: 40.15) using assistance of the Crisis Intervention Centre due to experienced domestic violence (V group) and 150 well-matched women not experiencing domestic violence (NV group). Women suffering domestic violence (V) obtained significantly higher scores than women not experiencing domestic violence (NV) for both the general index and a majority of CS-DS subscales; it was only for the A1 (Transgression and Risk) subscale that they achieved somewhat lower scores. Correlation coefficients between particular CS-DS subscales in the V group were higher than in the NV group; there were also certain differences in coefficients between the groups. Subscale factor analysis results were different too: only one factor was isolated in the V group while two were distinguished in the NV group. It can be inferred from the results that the intensity of indirect self-destructiveness as a generalised behavioural tendency as well as of most its categories was higher in women experiencing domestic violence. Tendencies and categories of indirectly self-destructive behaviours in women suffering domestic violence were more closely connected with one another, and the internal coherence of indirect self-destructiveness in those women might also be higher.

Anti-inflammatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Galinsoga Parviflora Cav

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a hydroalcoholic extract from Galinsoga parviflora herb (GP) in some aspects of the endothelial cell function necessary for anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing and relate these to the GP phytochemical profile. This study demonstrated that the GP extract caused a dose-dependent reduction of IL-6 secretion on IL-1β-stimulated endothelial cells. The IL-6 release was decreased to 33% ± 9% while this did not influence the IL-6 secretion without stimulation. Additionally, the GP extract exhibited an anti-hyaluronidase activity (IC₅₀ = 0.47 mg/mL), which was evidently stronger than the positive control kaempferol (IC₅₀ = 0.78 mg/mL) as well as a moderate and concentration-dependent, antioxidant activity. The results of the scratch assay showed that exposure of the endothelial cells to GP induced complete healing of the damage after 12 h of the study. The phytochemical profile of the extract was studied by using spectrophotometric (total amount of polyphenols and flavonoids) and UPLC (phenolic acids) methods. The main compound in the GP extract was a chlorogenic acid (2.00 ± 0.01 mg/g by UPLC). The total content of polyphenols was 98.30 ± 0.14 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalent/g of the dry herb and content of flavonoids amounted to 6.15 ± 0.41 mg quercetin equivalent/g of the dry herb. Moreover, the presence of flavonoids in G. parviflora was provided after their isolation and identification by spectroscopic methods. In conclusion, it demonstrated that application of GP in the treatment of skin lesions gives possibility of wound healing based on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hyaluronidase-inhibiting activities of G. parviflora herb extract.

Salivary fingerprint of simple obesity

BACKGROUND

The nature of a link between poor oral health and obesity is not fully understood. It is also unclear if saliva contributes to it and whether the properties of saliva change as a result of an increase in body mass or rather as a consequence of obesity-associated comorbidities. This pilot study was undertaken in an attempt to determine if salivary biomarkers can identify obesity per se.

METHODS

Whole mixed saliva was analysed for 16 soluble parameters covering 4 categories (inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, adipokines). In the discovery group, 19 obese and 25 non-obese women matched for age, with similar hygiene habits, with no comorbidities and not taking any medication known to affect saliva secretion were analysed. In the validation group, a cohort of no-preselected 81 individuals (34 obese) were analysed.

RESULTS

Individuals with obesity had significantly higher salivary concentrations of several cytokines and adipokines, of which TNF-R1, serpin A12 and PAI-1 were identified as parameters discriminating between obese and non-obese subjects with the highest sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity per se leads to distinct changes in the concentration of several parameters in saliva. These findings may have diagnostic implications for distinguishing the effects of obesity and obesity-linked comorbidities on oral health.

An increase in serum tumour necrosis factor-α during anti-tumour necrosis factor-α therapy for Crohn's disease - A paradox or a predictive index?

BACKGROUND

Soluble tumour necrosis factor-α (sTNF-α) has been reported to increase in the course of anti-TNF-α therapy for rheumatoid and skin diseases.

AIMS

To assess changes in sTNF-α and clinical efficacy of anti-TNF-α agents in Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

Sixty-four patients on infliximab or adalimumab were analyzed. Clinical outcomes were assessed by using CD Activity Index after the induction therapy and at week 52. sTNF-α was measured before and after the induction therapy with high-sensitivity immunoassay.

RESULTS

In the majority of patients, sTNF-α increased significantly. Those with the greatest increase were more likely to experience long-term response, were more often treated with infliximab, had less frequently isolated small bowel CD, and tended to have sTNF-α levels at baseline that correlated with C-reactive protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Neutralization of sTNF-α does not seem to be critical for the efficacy of anti-TNF-α therapy in CD. Paradoxically - an increase in sTNF-α may reflect an ongoing process that is beneficial for the clinical outcome.

Manifestations of Indirect Self-Destructiveness and Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence

While indirect self-destructiveness exerts a rather negative influence on the life and psychological and social functioning of the individual, emotional intelligence may have a favourable effect. The aim of this study has been to explore possible relationships between manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness and dimensions of emotional intelligence. A population of 260 individuals (130 females and 130 males) aged 20-30 (mean age of 24.5) was studied by using the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale and INTE, i.e., the Polish version of the Assessing Emotions Scale. Manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness show many significant correlations with variables of the INTE, and those correlations are negative. Generally, it can be said that low emotional intelligence is associated with poor psychosocial and social functioning, which, in turn, is associated with indirect self-destructiveness and its manifestations. It seems advisable to use emotional intelligence in the prophylactic and therapeutic work with individuals suffering from various types of disorders, especially the syndrome of indirect self-destructiveness.

Gender Differentiation of Relationships Between Manifestations of Indirect Self-Destructiveness and Dimensions of Emotional Intelligence

The aim of this study has been to explore the gender differentiation of relationships between individual manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness and particular dimensions of emotional intelligence. A population of 260 individuals (130 women and 130 men) aged 20-30 (mean age of 24.5) was studied by using the Polish version of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (CS-DS) and INTE, i.e. the Polish version of the Assessing Emotions Scale (AES). Manifestations of indirect self-destructiveness showed significant correlations with INTE variables, and those correlations were mainly negative. Relationships between specific dimensions of emotional intelligence and specific manifestations of self-destructiveness differed between women and men. One of the most important differences was the relationship between transgression and ability to recognize emotions. The knowledge of the differentiation of the above relationships may allow to orient prophylactic and therapeutic actions, and adjust them to the specific gender.

Changes in lipid profile in response to three different protocols of whole-body cryostimulation treatments

Systemic cryostimulation is useful treatment, both in sport and medicine, during which human body is exposed to very low, cryogenic temperature (below -100 degrees C). Although there exists some evidence of its beneficial effect in biological regeneration, so far it has not been unequivocally determined if the positive effect of repeated stimulations depends on their number in a series. The aim of this research was to estimate the influence of 5, 10 and 20 sessions of 3 min-long exposures to cryogenic temperature (-130 degrees C) on the lipid profile in physically active men. Sixty-nine healthy volunteers participated in the study. The blood samples were taken in the morning, after overnight fasting, before the first cryostimulation session, and the following morning after the last one (5th,10th, 20th). In serum specimens the concentration of total cholesterol (TCh), HDL cholesterol and triglicerydes were determined using enzymatic methods. LDL cholesterol level was calculated using Friedewald formula. The changes in lipid profile (LDL decrease with simultaneously HDL increase) occurred after at least 10 sessions of cryostimulation.

[The meaning of health evaluation and its assessment in forming healthy behaviors of children and young people]

Healthy behaviour of children and adolescents and their determinants are subject of many research studies in modern psychology and health pedagogy. The most frequently mentioned predictors are: a sense of self-efficacy, coping with stress, optimism and health locus of control. The aim of the conducted study was to try and answer whether such variables as value of health and subjective valuation of own health can be predictors of children and adolescents' health behaviours. The article shows the results of the research on 903 students of primary schools, high schools and secondary schools. The following methods were used: the Juczyński Health Behaviours Inventory, the Juczyński Personal Value Scale (LWO) and VAS scale. The results indicated significant influence of the value of health and its valuation on taking up health behaviours of the researched group. The examined children and adolescents who highly value health take up more wellness behaviours. Those who consider their health to be in a very good condition avoid behaviours and places threatening health, are more active physically and take up health practices more often.