Socioeconomic and Health Determinants of the Prevalence of COVID-19 in a Population of Children with Respiratory Diseases and Symptoms

BACKGROUND

Most epidemiological studies indicate that bronchial asthma is not a risk factor for COVID-19, but previous analyses have not additionally focused on the socioeconomic determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms.

AIMS

This research aimed to investigate the correlation between the socioeconomic status of families and the prevalence of respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms in children, in addition to exploring their association with the prevalence of COVID-19. The study involved a cross-sectional epidemiological investigation conducted in 2022, encompassing 2454 students from elementary schools in Poland. The parents of the students completed a questionnaire modeled after the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Socioeconomic status (SES) indicators were determined based on parental education, self-reported economic status, and housing conditions. To assess the impact of social factors and health on the occurrence of COVID-19, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. The findings revealed several COVID-19 risk factors, including higher maternal (OR 2.2; 95%CI: 1.3-3.0) and paternal education (OR 1.9; 95%CI: 1.3-2.4), urban residence (OR 1.7; 95%CI: 1.3-2.1), the presence of mold in residences (OR 1.7; 95%CI: 1.0-2.3), bronchitis (OR 1.5; 95%CI: 1.2-2.0), and chronic cough (OR 1.8; 95%CI: 1.3-2.4). Further analysis, stratifying children based on their baseline health status (i.e., presence or absence of asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough), indicated that higher parental education increased the risk of COVID-19 solely for children without pre-existing conditions. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was found to be notably associated with mold exposure in children who did not have bronchial asthma. Rigorous multivariate analyses substantiated the collective impact of factors such as residential environment, the existence of mold and moisture, and a history of bronchitis. This study's conclusions highlight a higher frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cases where bronchitis had been diagnosed previously and chronic cough was prevalent. Interestingly, the initially hypothesized higher prevalence of COVID-19 among children with bronchial asthma did not receive confirmation in our findings. This study highlights the importance of urban residence, exposure to mold or dampness, and higher parental education in the incidence of COVID-19. Higher parental education was a significant factor in increasing the risk of COVID-19 among children without bronchitis, chronic cough, and asthma.

Risk factors for reoperation after surgical treatment for degenerative spinal disease in Poland: a nationwide retrospective study of 38,953 hospitalisations

INTRODUCTION

Degenerative spinal disease (DSD) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions and a leading cause of sickness absence. It also contributes significantly to the global burden of disease. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of reoperation after surgical treatment of DSDs in Poland, and to identify risk factors for reoperation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of hospitalisations for DSD in 2018 that were reported to Poland's National Health Fund (NHF) was performed. Reoperations reported within 365 days of hospital discharge were identified. Demographic factors and multimorbidities were included in the analysis. A logistic regression model was then performed to assess risk factors for reoperations.

RESULTS

In 2018, 38,953 surgical hospitalszations for DSD were reported. A total of 3,942 hospitalised patients (10.12%) required reoperation within 365 days. Patients requiring reoperation were predominantly female (female-to-male ratio 1.34:1) and elderly (mean age of reoperated patients 56.66 years, mean age of other patients 53.24). The percentage reoperated upon correlated with multiple diseases (from 8.81% in the group of patients without comorbidities to 15.31% in the group of patients with three or more comorbidities). The risk of reoperation was most increased by comorbid depression, neurological diseases, obesity, and older age. The risk of reoperation was reduced by instrumented spinal surgery, surgery in a neurosurgical unit, and hospitalisations other than same-day surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Reoperations within a year after DSD surgical treatment are common. Identifying risk factors for reoperation, including those related to the presence of comorbidities and the phenomenon of multimorbidity, can be an important tool in reducing reoperation rates.

Pre- and Postnatal Determinants Shaping the Microbiome of the Newborn in the Opinion of Pregnant Women from Silesia (Poland)

Pre- and postnatal factors influence the formation of the newborn's microbiome as early as birth and the intrauterine period has a substantial impact on the composition of the baby's gastrointestinal microbiota and its subsequent development. This study intends to measure pregnant women's knowledge of the importance of microbiota for the health of the newborn. The sample was selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The assessment of women's knowledge was assessed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests. This study population comprised 291 adult pregnant women with a mean age of 28.4 ± 4.7 years. A total of 34% (n = 99), 35% (n = 101), and 31.3% (n = 91) were at the 1-3 trimester, respectively. The results showed that 36.4% of the women were aware that the intrauterine period changes the makeup of the gastrointestinal microbiota, whereas 5.8% exhibited awareness of the composition of the child's normal gut microbiota. Most of the women surveyed-(72.1%)-know that colonization of the tract occurs as early as the birth period. Women with student status (those who will pursue higher education in the future) and those who had given birth to the most children exhibited higher levels of knowledge.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition, Sleep, Physical Activity, and Mood Disorders of Polish Children

The harmful consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on children are its impact on eating habits, physical activity, sleep, and mood disorders. In the future, this may result in a higher prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's eating behavior and lifestyle. The study was conducted using a proprietary questionnaire on dietary and lifestyle habits before and during the pandemic, and the reasons for changes due to the pandemic. The study involved 294 parents of children in grades 1-8 in elementary schools in two regions of Poland. The survey showed that during the pandemic, the percentage of children eating five regular meals daily, including fruits and vegetables, and engaging in daily physical activity decreased. However, the percentage of children spending more than 4 h a day in front of a screen increased (p < 0.05). The main reasons for changes in eating habits and physical activity were less eating out, lack of motivation, obstruction, and lack of access to sports facilities (p < 0.05). The pandemic had a significant impact on reduced levels of physical activity and increased time spent in front of a screen. In summary, among the reasons for changes in children's dietary and lifestyle habits, factors related to the pandemic itself, i.e., social restrictions, restrictions, closure of schools and other facilities, and fear of coronavirus infection, had the greatest impact.

Global Self-Esteem, Physical Activity, and Body Composition Changes Following a 12-Week Dietary and Physical Activity Intervention in Older Women

Older adults show lower physical activity. These changes altogether promote the development of overweight, obesity, and other chronic diseases. These factors substantially influence the quality of life and self-esteem of older adults. This phenomenon is especially visible after the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 12-week reductive diet and a 12-week physical activity plan for older adults on the global self-esteem of lifestyle in 60-70-year-old women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our participants were 600 women with increased body mass (BMI > 25 kg/m²) aged 60-70 years. After the initial evaluation, the participants were randomly divided into three groups: CG-control group (n =200); DI-dietary group (n =200) that committed to a 12-week reductive diet; PA-physical activity group (n =200) that committed to a 12-week physical activity plan. The global self-esteem score (using the SES Rosenberg scale) and the anthropometric measurements were collected before and after the 12-week study. In the statistical analysis of data, the significance level was assumed to be 0.05.

RESULTS

The global self-esteem score for all groups before the study started was 30-31 points, which corresponded to average self-esteem. After a 12-week dietary or physical activity intervention, the score in the DI group was 33, which corresponded with high self-esteem. In the CG group, the self-esteem score remained unchanged (30 points). The average body mass loss was 0.5 kg/m² for CG, 1.92 kg/m² for DI, and 1.10 kg/m² for the PA group. The average waist-hip ratio (WHR) change for CG, DI, and PA was 1 cm, 1 cm, and 2 cm, respectively. A decrease in body mass and body composition indicators (BMI and WHR) corresponded to participants' global self-esteem increase (p <0.05); the greater the decrease noted for BMI and WHR, the greater the global self-esteem score that was achieved. In the CG group, a negative correlation between global self-esteem and BMI value (p <0.05) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A 12-week reductive diet and a 12-week regular physical activity plan lowered participants' body mass. Adipose tissue content was reflected by decreased BMI and WHR indicators of participants from the DI and PA groups and was accompanied by higher global self-esteem scores.

Respiratory Symptoms, Allergies, and Environmental Exposures in Children with and without Asthma

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological data concerning the level of asthma morbidity indicate that in Poland, asthma is diagnosed in 5-10% of the pediatric population. Aim The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and allergies in a group of children with and without asthma and to evaluate the association between exposure to environmental factors and the prevalence of bronchial asthma in a pediatric population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of 995 children attending primary schools in the province of Silesia in 2018-2019. The research tool was an anonymous questionnaire developed based on the form used in The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Children's health status, the prevalence of bronchial asthma, and the performance of allergic skin tests were assessed based on parents' indications in a questionnaire. Environmental exposures such as mold and dampness in apartments or ETS were similarly assessed. Analyses were performed using Statistica 13.0; p < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 88 subjects (8.8%) suffered from bronchial asthma. Parents of children with asthma, compared to parents of children without the disease, were more likely to rate their children's health as rather good (43.2% vs. 38.0%) or average (21.6% vs. 3.1%). All analyzed respiratory symptoms, as well as allergies, were statistically more frequent in children with bronchial asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

The parent's subjective assessment of the child's health varied significantly according to the asthma diagnosis. Asthma is also associated with other diseases: allergic reactions to pollen, house dust, hay fever, and AD (atopic dermatitis) were statistically significantly more frequent among children diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

Expression of the Endothelin-1 Gene and Its Type a Receptor including Physical Activity among Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death, in both Poland and the world. Their development and progression are largely influenced by the lifestyle with the presence/occurrence of classic, modifiable risk factors. Among them, low physical activity plays a significant role. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of the endothelin-1 gene and its type A receptor, taking into account physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire—IPAQ) among patients with acute myocardial infarction. A total of 234 patients with acute myocardial infarction were examined, including 167 patients undergoing early post-hospital cardiac rehabilitation and 67 not participating in it. All of them were assessed with the IPAQ questionnaire and the quantitative real-time polymerase reaction method (QRT-PCR). Physical activity in the group of patients after early post-hospital cardiac rehabilitation increased after rehabilitation. Transcriptional activity of the endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene in both studied group of patients increased significantly, but in a group of patients not participating in early post-hospital cardiac rehabilitation more than in a group of patients participating in it. In our study, the expression of ET-1 was also significantly higher in the group of patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation, without diabetes, with lipid disorders, smoking, with normal body weight. Expression of the ENDRA (Endothelin receptor A) gene increased with age. These results prove the beneficial effect of rehabilitation and may indicate another pathomechanism of pro-atherogenic activity of above-mentioned factors.

Can the expression of the metalloproteinase 9 gene and its inhibitor be considered as markers of heart failure?

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality in developed countries. Its formation is associated with a change in the transcriptional activity of many genes. The aim of the study was to select, from the group of genes related to coronary atherosclerosis and heart failure, genes differentiating patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure on the basis of myocardial ischemia from healthy people, and then genes differentiating patients with various stages of heart failure.

METHODS

The study was carried out using the oligonucleotide microarray technique HG-U133A (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Cluster analysis showed a homogeneous division of the study group into patients with heart failure and healthy patients with excluded coronary artery disease and patients with heart failure depending on the size of the left ventricle ejection fraction.

RESULTS

The study showed that genes differentiating the group of patients from healthy people were: TGF-β1, TIMP-1 and MMP-9. The analysis also showed that genes differentiated patients with advanced heart failure in the course of coronary disease and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 20% and patients from the group with 40% LVEF were MMP-9 and TIMP-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracting from the group of genes related to coronary atherosclerosis and cardiac failure: MMP-9, TGF-β1 and TIMP-1 differentiating patients with heart failure on the basis of myocardial ischemia in varying degrees of severity from healthy people may indicate their significant contribution to disease development. Also increased expression of the metalloproteinase gene 9 (MMP-9) with a simultaneous decrease in the expression of its tissue inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) in the studied group of patients with ischemic heart failure differing in left ventricular ejection fraction LVEF makes them the markers of progression in failure.

Expression profile of integrin family genes in patients with myocardial infarction and in healthy subjects: an oligonucleotide microarray and QRT-PCR assessment. Preliminary results

BACKGROUND

Pathogenesis and clinical course of all known cardiovascular diseases are rooted in endothelial dysfunction. Coronary thrombosis which can aggravate the coronary condition leading to myocardial infarction (MI) is closely linked to cellular adhesion processes involving numerous adhesion molecules. The goal of our study was to find and quantitate the expression of integrin genes that differentiate between MI patients and healthy subjects.

METHODS

The study included 171 individuals, among whom 8 were chosen to provide study material for the oligonucleotide microarray investigation (4 MI patients and 4 healthy subjects). The investigated material consisted of RNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

RESULTS

Analysis of gene expression data from eight HG-U133A microarrays allowed identification of three genes differentiating the examined groups. The differentiating genes were found using the Bland-Altman method. Two of them showed increased expression (beta 2 integrin and beta 7 integrin genes), whereas expression level of the third (beta 3 integrin gene) was decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The differences in integrin gene expression levels that were observed in MI patients, as compared to healthy individuals, might be responsible for endothelial dysfunction as well as rise in adhesion and aggregation processes in this group of patients and might lead to coronary vessel occlusion by thrombi and myocardial infarction.

Expression analysis of intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (ICAM-2) in the context of classical cardiovascular risk factors in acute coronary syndrome patients

INTRODUCTION

Cardiopulmonary diseases are the most common cause of hospitalization and death. Often the basic problem is endothelial dysfunction leading to elevated expression of adhesion proteins as well as increased adhesion and aggregation of blood cells. The goal of the study was to assess expression level of intercellular adhesive molecule-2 (ICAM-2) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The obtained data were analysed in the context of the occurrence of classical cardiovascular risk factors. The two studied groups consisted of 60 ACS patients and 20 healthy individuals who both were qualified based on electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiography and biochemical tests. The ACS patients additionally had coronary angiography performed. The number of ICAM-2 gene mRNA molecules was evaluated on the basis of QRT-PCR reaction kinetics. To compare the results the Mann-Whitney U test was used. Results were judged statistically significant if p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Analysis of the results showed a significantly higher number of ICAM-2 gene mRNA copies in ACS patients compared to healthy subjects (140920 ±105207 and 15023 ±14325, respectively). Furthermore, our results indicate a correlation between obesity (p = 0.012) and positive burdening family history (p = 0.041) and increased ICAM-2 levels in patients with ACS.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased ICAM-2 gene expression in ACS patients is probably symptomatic of endothelium dysfunction and may be responsible for intensified adhesion and aggregation processes as well as for appearance of acute coronary syndrome. These results indicate a correlation between obesity and burdening family history on the one hand, and increased ICAM-2 levels in patients with ACS, on the other.

Expression of angiogenesis-related genes in right atrial appendages from patients with advanced myocardial ischemia - preliminary results

INTRODUCTION

The most frequent cause of myocardial ischemia is atherosclerotic lesions which narrow coronary vessels leading to impaired blood flow or their total occlusion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using HG-U133A oligonucleotide microarrays (Affymetrix) we studied the expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes in patients with different types of heart failure. We analyzed the RNA from right atrial appendages from patients: 1) with advanced coronary disease and myocardial infarction history, 2) with advanced stable coronary disease and no infarction history, and 3) after surgery due to mitral stenosis, but with no coronary vessel lesions.

RESULTS

Analysis of the data from oligonucleotide microarrays allowed identification of 2 genes (ENG and NPPB) differentiating the examination grups.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of the expression profile of genes involved in angiogenesis, carried out using data obtained from examined individuals' samples, suggests that necrosis accompanying myocardial infarction is a significant factor leading to elevated expression levels of genes involved in neoangiogenesis.

Transcriptional activity of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in patients with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis - preliminary results

The most frequent cause of ischaemic heart disease is coronary arteriosclerosis. This study was aimed at assessing gene expression of TNFA and its two receptors (TNFR1, TNFR2), as well as determining coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in the context of occurrence of classical risk factors in patients with subclinical atherosclerosis of coronary vessels. The study involved 47 subjects with complaints of chest pain and suspicion of acute coronary syndrome or stable coronary disease. Additionally, CACS was assessed by 64-slice computerized tomography. QRT-PCR molecular studies were performed using RNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Preliminary results of molecular studies on patients with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis revealed a significantly lower numbers of TNFR1 and TNFR2 gene copies as compared with healthy subjects. In addition, it can be demonstrated that among classical risk factors hypertension is of substantial importance in the progression of coronary arteries' calcification, and that in the examined group CACS increases together with the rising number of classical risk factors involved. No correlation was observed, however, between expression of TNFA, TNFR1 and TNFR2 genes and the value of CACS.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The occurrence of hypertension facilitates initiation and progression of arteriosclerotic lesions in blood vessels including the coronary ones; the raised number of circulatory disease classical risk factors involved correlates with elevated calcification of coronary arteries as shown by 64-slice computerized tomography scans. 2. Significantly decreased numbers of TNFR1 and TNFR2 gene copies observed in the investigated group may play a significant role in initiation and progression of arteriosclerosis.

Age-and sex-dependent mRNA expression of KCNQ1 and HERG in patients with long QT syndrome type 1 and 2

INTRODUCTION

The main goal of this study was to examine the patient age and sex dependent expression of KCNQ1 and HERG genes that encode potassium channels responsible for the occurrence of long QT syndrome (LQTS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study enrolled 43 families whose members suffered from LQTS type 1 (LQTS1) or 2 (LQTS2) or were healthy. The study attempted to prove that β-actin is a good endogenous control when determining the expression of the studied genes. Examination of gene expression was achieved with quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR). Expression of the investigated genes was inferred from the analysis of the number of mRNA copies per 1 μg total RNA isolated from whole blood.

RESULTS

Significantly lower KCNQ1 and KCNH2 mRNA levels in healthy females than healthy males were observed (p = 0.032; p = 0.02). In male patients both transcripts were expressed at a lower level (p = 0.0084; p = 0.035). The comparison of transcriptional activity of KCNQ1 and KCNH2 in healthy adults and children revealed higher KCNQ1 and lower KCNH2 mRNA levels in healthy adults (p = 0.033; p = 0.04), higher KCNQ1 and lower KCNH2 mRNA levels in adult patients below 55 years old than in adults over 55 years old (p=0.036; p = 0.044), and significantly higher KCNQ1 and lower KCNH2 mRNA levels in adult patients (over 55 years) than in paediatric patients (below 15 years) (p=0.047; p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the hypothesis that KCNQ1 and HERG gene expression is influenced by age and gender in human patients with long QT syndrome and in healthy subjects.

[B hepatitis vaccination evaluated in population of non-medical staff members]

Hepatitis belongs to a group of diseases caused by different hepatotropic viruses, which are responsible for inflamation of the liver. The most common form of liver infection is hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted by blood and other body fluids. The infection can also occur during pregnancy--the fetus contact with mother physiological fluids, direct contact with infected blood, unprotected sexual contact and intravenous administration of drugs using of unsterile needles. Chronic hepatitis B accounts for approximately 80% of liver cancer. HBV constitutes a major epidemiological threat. According to statistical data over 2 billion people worldwide are infected. 60% of patients are non-symptomatic, while 40-50 develop disease symptoms. All this often lead to inflamation, cirrhosis hepatis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV vaccinaton presents the only effective way to prevent the disease. Therefore it is extremely important to make people fully aware of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate hepatitis virus B vaccination and hepatitis incidence rate in the patients, who are non-medical staff members.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Family Doctor Office and Cardiology Clinic patients were included in the study. The source of data was questionnaire concerning anti-hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis occurrence.

RESULTS

The research was conducted on a group of 312 patient (109 male and 203 female). In this group, 168 people got vaccinated against the hepatitis B (53.84%). 29 patients (9.29%) had little knowledge about such a possibility of immunization, while 17 people (5.44%) knew nothing about the vaccination. The most common reason for vaccination was preventive action (preparation for medical treatment)--83 people (49.40%). Only 10 people (3.20%) from the studied group got infected. The most frequent reason were medical procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

In Poland, the number of people vaccinated against B hepatitis is still very low. Therefore it is necessary to run a nationwide informative campaign and to intensify pro-vaccination activities. All this is extremely important for prevention of serious complications such as: liver failure, cirrhosis hepatis and hapatocelluar carcinoma. In the studied group it was medical procedures that became the source of infection. To guard ourselves against such situations in future it is vital to introduce and follow septic and antiseptic regime.

Expression of genes KCNQ1 and HERG encoding potassium ion channels Ikr, Iks in long QT syndrome

BACKGROUND

The KCNQ1 and HERG genes mutations are responsible for specific types of congenital long QT syndrome (LQT).

AIM

To examine the expression of KCNQ1 and HERG genes that encode potassium channels (rapid and slow) responsible for the occurrence of particular types of LQT syndrome. The study also attempted to prove that beta-actin is a good endogenous control when determining the expression of the studied genes.

METHODS

The study enrolled six families whose members suffered from either LQT1 or LQT2, or were healthy. Examination of gene expression was achieved with quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR). Expression of the investigated genes was inferred from the analysis of the number of mRNA copies per 1 mg total RNA isolated from whole blood. On the basis of KCNQ1 gene expression profile, the presence of, or absence of, LQT1 could be confirmed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.031) between the number of KCNQ1 gene copies in patients and healthy controls. On the basis of HERG (KCNH2) gene expression profile, patients with LQT2 cannot be unequivocally differentiated from healthy subjects (p = 0.37).

[Expression of genes connected with nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) estimated by oligonucleotide microarray analysis HG-U133A in patients with acute myocardial infarction]

Atherosclerosis is a permanently progressive chronic inflammatory disorder which nuclear factor kappaKB (NFkappaB) is involved. Therefore NFkappaB has become integral aspect of atherogenesis and its complications.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

Estimation of genes expression involved in NFkappaB signaling pathway and separation genes differentiate patients with acute myocardial infarction from healthy subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The examination was assess using the Affymetrix HG-U133A oligonucleotide microarray. Differentiating genes were determined using Bland-Altman graph analysis. Patients wasn't treated due to cardiac diseases before. All patients were subjected to 12-lead ECG, 2-D echocardiography, coronarography and laboratory studies including cardiac troponin, CK and CK-MB. The healthy individuals were subjected to coronarography and computed tomography (calcium score)--coronary artery disease was out of the question.

RESULTS

Hierarchical clusterization has demonstrated that the genes expression of patients with acute myocardial infarction was different from healthy individuals. It also demonstrated that the individual groups are homogeneous, especially the group of patients with acute myocardial infarction, regardless of diagnosis, number of risk factors and progression of coronary artery disease. Further Bland-Altman graph analysis showed three important differentiating genes: TLR2, TNFRSF1A i IKBKAP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirmed the share of genes involved in NFkappaB signaling pathway in acute complications of atherosclerosis. Noticed differences in genes expression of patients with acute myocardial infarction and healthy subjects can show important role isolated differentiating genes in destabilization of atherogenic plaque and acute myocardial infarction occurrence.

[Gene of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 expression profile in patients with acute coronary syndrome and in healthy subjects performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using quantitative QRT-PCR reaction]

Cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction cause 50 percent of all deaths cases and range before cancer as the cause of death. The term 'ischemic heart disease' covers wide range of diseases including all ischemic conditions of myocardium. It's the most common reason (98%) is atherosclerosis, which causes a restriction or occlusion of a coronary artery lumen resulting in myocardial ischemia. Acute coronary syndromes are caused by the rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaque resulting in clot formation which blocks the blood vessel. In this process an important role play adhesion molecules triggering adhesion, aggregation and the whole blood coagulation cascade.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to assess PECAM-1 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome during first 24 hours of hospitalization in comparison with healthy individuals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 80 subjects included to the study divided into two groups. First group, consecutive patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology due to acute coronary syndrome and the second group, 20 healthy subjects. The total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) using Chomczynski and Scchaci method. Transcription activity was assessed using commercially available TaqMan Gene Expression Assays. The PECAM-1 gene PCR reaction was preformed with ABI PRISM 7000 Sequence Detector (Applied Biosystems, USA).

RESULTS

The comparison of PECAM-1 gene expression revealed statistically significant difference, between increased level of PECAM-1 in patients with acute coronary syndrome and it's lower level in healthy individuals.

CONCLUSION

Observed in peripherial blood mononuclear cells increase of PECAM-1 protein gene expression may be responsible for increased adhesion and aggregation process and acute coronary syndrome occurrence.

The G16319A substitution frequency in a hemorrhagic stroke

BACKGROUND

The aim of this paper is to trace the nucleotide alterations within the D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA, affecting both the mtDNA ability to replicate and the transcription activity of the coding genes located in the H and L threads, in Caucasian patients with an ischemic and hemorrhagic brain strokes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The DNA from the peripheral blood of 85 patients with recent sustained ischemic and primary hemorrhagic brain stroke was analysed. The control group consisted of 24 volunteers. The genetic studies were conducted by the PCR method, with the application of the primers for the tRNA-treonine.

RESULTS

In the blood samples examined, 3-striatal mtDNA patterns were detected. Pattern-1 is characterised by the C16126T substitution, pattern-2 by the G16319A substitution, and pattern-3 by the C16242T substitution. The frequency of occurrence for the particular mtDNA-1, -2, and -3 patterns, established for the group with an ischemic stroke (77.3, 15.2, and 7.6%), the group with a hemorrhagic stroke (0, 73.7, and 26.3%), and the control group (75, 0, and 25%), differs significantly.

DISCUSSION

The exchange of the nucleotides within the D-loop region may affect both the mtDNA replication ability and the transcription activity of the coding genes located in the H and L threads. A hypothesis might be made. The G16319A mutation may result in the formation of lesions within the vascular wall. These lesions have a tendency to form microaneurysms or other defects, which, in turn, will decrease the strength of the vascular wall, making it more susceptible to ruptures.

CONCLUSION

The G16319A substitution may be considered a factor that increases the risk of a hemorrhagic brain stroke.

The transcript expression profile of the leptin receptor-coding gene assayed with the oligonucleotide microarray technique--could this be an anorexia nervosa marker?

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. The DSM-IV classification differentiates two AN types: the restricting type (AN-R) and the binge-eating/purging type (AN-BP). Leptin (LEP) levels can be thought of as a signal to the body of its energy reserves. The leptin receptor (including all its mRNA isoforms) is expressed in many tissues. Our aim was to discover the transcript expression profile of the LEP receptor-coding gene in the peripheral blood mononuclears in AN-R and AN-BP patients. Three young women suffering from Anorexia nervosa (one with AN-BP and two with AN-R) took part in the study, along with three non-anorexic subjects as our reference group. LEP receptor gene expression was examined using the oligonucleotide microarray method (HG-U133A, Affymetrix). The results were normalized using RMAExpress. Next, the accumulation analysis method was used (clustering). Hierarchical clustering resulted in three groups of separate clusters. The first group (cluster I) consisted of AN-R patients. The next group (cluster II) consisted of reference group patients suffering from different psychic disorders not related to eating disorders. Cluster III consisted of two patients--the first with AN-BP and the second with an adaptive disorder.