Arch Med Sci
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Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is the most common cause of aortic stenosis. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of aortic valve, coronary artery and aortic calcifications and to evaluate the correlation between calcification of the aortic valve, coronary arteries and aorta. ⋯ Despite some similarities in pathological mechanism and risk factors, a degenerative defect of the aortic valve could be independent of atheromatous lesions in the coronary arteries and aorta.
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignant tumor of the head and neck. The STGC3 gene is related to development of nasopharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study is to explore the promoter region of the STGC3 gene. ⋯ The pGL3-en281 plasmid showed stronger promoter activity than pGL3-en571 in the three cells, indicating that -11048 bp to -653 bp might be the core promoter region.
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Etiological factors of bone metabolism disorders in inflammatory bowel diseases have been the subject of interest of many researchers. One of the questions often raised is vitamin D deficiency. Calcitriol acts on cells, tissues and organs through a vitamin D receptor. ⋯ This leads not only to osteomalacia but also to osteoporosis. Of significance may be the effect of vitamin D on the course of the disease itself, through modulation of the inflammatory mechanisms. It is also necessary to pay attention to the role of vitamin D in skeletal pathology in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and thus take measures aimed at preventing and treating these disorders through the supplementation of vitamin D.
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Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% are eligible for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement in the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Nevertheless, other risk factors facilitating the selection of individuals with highest mortality are still sought. The aim of the study was to verify the usefulness of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) testing in the assessment of all-cause mortality and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (EVENTs) in these patients. Previous data from the literature are inconclusive. ⋯ In the group of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, with the exclusion of patients with the history of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia and individuals not being on chronic β-adrenolytic therapy, the abnormal result of MTWA testing is associated with significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia during 1 year of follow-up, thus identifying the individuals at the highest risk.
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The aim of the study was to evaluate two methods of macroprolactin (MaPRL) detection - precipitation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ultrafiltration and to compare these techniques with "gold standard" - gel filtration chromatography (GFC). ⋯ Efficacy of MaPRL detection with precipitation and ultrafiltration is comparable especially in cases of functional hyperprolactinaemia. In patients with prolactinoma, precipitation seems to be a more efficient separation method.