Activity Index Values Research Articles

Electrophysiological Correlates of Dream Recall During REM Sleep: Evidence from Multiple Awakenings and Within-Subjects Design.

PurposeIn the current study, we aimed to investigate the EEG correlates of dream recall (DR) monitoring both the homeostatic and state-trait like factors. We assessed the influence of the time of night on the EEG correlates of DR from REM sleep. Specifically, we tested the continuity-hypothesis (on the theta EEG band) and the activation-hypothesis (on the delta and beta bands).MethodsTwenty-seven subjects underwent polysomnography with multiple provoked awakenings during REM sleep. Only the subjects showing combinations of dream recall (REC) and non-REC (NREC) conditions in both first (1st–2nd sleep cycle) and second (3rd–4th sleep cycle) part of the night were included in the analyses. The final sample was composed of 10 subjects (mean age 24±0.70). EEG power spectra of the 5-min of REM sleep preceding each awakening were computed by a fast Fourier transform. The following frequency bands were considered: delta (0.50–4.75 Hz), theta (5.00–7.75 Hz), and beta (16.00–24.75 Hz). We also calculated the delta/beta power ratio as an integrated EEG index of activation.ResultsThe 2×2 within-subjects ANOVA recall × time revealed: a) no significant effect for time and no interaction; b) significant differences over the occipital area in the beta band; c) significant differences over the parietal area for the activation index values. Overall, the results indicated that DR is associated with higher activation regardless of homeostatic pressure across the night of sleep.ConclusionIn line with recent findings, we have shown that DR is predicted by desynchronized EEG activity during REM sleep, providing clear evidence in favor of the activation-hypothesis. We have also confirmed that the EEG pattern of DR can be ascribed to state-like factors. Further studies should assess whether homeostatic modulation may interact with some dream features and the related EEG predictors.

JINLING (Judicious INdex of Luminal INflammation Grade) score, an effective indicator to assess inflammation severity in Crohn's disease.

With the increasing demand for individualized treatment in Crohn's disease, a score for accurate evaluation of inflammation grade will be of great significance. We have developed the JINLING score to assess inflammation severity for Crohn's disease, which incorporates an endoscopic score (SES-CD) and a 2-item patient-reported outcome (PRO2). The aim of this study was to examine the performance of JINLING score in evaluating inflammation grade and the correlation with the clinical outcomes. The correlation between JINLING score and Global Histologic Disease Activity Score (GHAS), fecal calprotectin (FCP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level was performed in an exploration phase with a retrospective data set. The data on clinical outcomes including medication effects, Crohn's disease-related surgery and biochemical results were collected from a single-center prospective validation cohort. JINLING score correlated significantly with FCP, CRP, and hemoglobin in the exploration cohort (all P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves based on a threshold Crohn's disease activity index value of 150, GHAS of 4, and FCP of 60 μg/g to identify disease activity, all showed a higher area under the curve with JINLING score than SES-CD or PRO2 alone. In the validation cohort, patients with high inflammation grade (JINLING ≥4) had higher GHAS, CRP, and FCP than low inflammation grade patients. High JINLING score was associated with an increased risk of treatment failure (hazard ratio 2.93; 95% confidence interval 1.13-7.61, P = 0.021). This newly developed index served well for quantifying inflammation grade and predicting clinical outcomes. JINLING score has the potential to facilitate clinical decision-making and personalized therapy for Crohn's disease patients.

Performance of yellowfin tuna spawning (Thunnus albacares) in floating net cage

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is an important export commodity in Indonesia. This tuna has an important economic value, so it becomes one of the foreign exchange that can provide solutions to the national economy. Yellowfin tuna hatchery technology that was carried out at the Research Institute for Mariculture and Fisheries Extension, with the management of broodstock maintenance in floating net cages has successfully spawned. However, the quality and quantity of eggs produced are still not optimal. This research was conducted in floating net cage with a diameter of 48.8 m with a depth of 8 meters, filled with 30 fishes of yellowfin tuna with body weights ranging from 60-80 kg per fish. Feed given is: fresh fish, squid and added vitamin C and vitamin E. The parameters observed were : spawning frequency, number of eggs produced, hatching rate, egg diameter, diameter of oil globule and the survival activity index value of newly hatched larvae (SAI). As supporting data, water quality observations were carried out which included: temperature, salinity, and water brightness on the floating net cage. This research was conducted for 10 months, from January to October 2019. Data analysis was carried out in discriptively. The results showed that yellowfin tuna reared in floating net cage can spawn well. Spawning occurs every month. The highest spawning frequency in October is 20 times spawning. While the highest total number of eggs successfully harvested was 11,030,000 eggs in August. Hatching rate between 70.5-92.2%. The survival activity index of newly hatched larvae (SAI) is 2.4-3.7

Enzymatic Activities of Streptomyces spp. Isolated from Natural Habitat of Nipah Worm in Sungai Kakap District, West Kalimantan

Streptomyces involves in the degradation process of organic compounds on the soils, including mangrove forests. In this process, Streptomyces secretes several enzymes to convert the substrates into other substances, which will readily be available for detritus feeders, including nipah worms (Namalycastis rhodochorde). This study investigated the enzyme activities of six Streptomyces spp. that has been isolated from mangrove soil in Sungai Kakap District, West Kalimantan. Enzymatic activities were detected on four different media: CMC-congo red agar, skim milk agar, gelatine nutritive agar, starch casein agar. Catalase activity was detected using 3% of H2O2 solution. The results showed that six Streptomyces spp. had proteolytic, cellulolytic, amylolytic, gelatin liquefaction, and catalase activities. Streptomyces NrASA1 has the highest proteolytic activity index values, namely 0.57. Streptomyces NrASA3 and Streptomyces NrASA4 have the highest amylolytic and cellulolytic activity index values, respectively 0.76 and 1.15. The enzymatic activity profile of indigenous Streptomyces spp. can be utilized for the development of feed formula for nipah worm cultivation.

A Review on Use of Crushed Brick Powder as a Supplementary Cementitious Material

In India, it is estimated that 250 billion bricks are produced annually in about 100,000 kilns present all over the country. Mainly due to inefficient production processes, most of the blocks manufactured are of inferior quality, which ultimately becomes a significant source of waste production. The characteristics of Construction and Demolition wastes (C&D) are difficult to predict, but a considerable component of this type of solid waste comprises of bricks in masonry work. As more and more civil structures are nearing the end of their expected lifespan, proper management and disposal of C&D wastes are necessary to obtain a sustainable environment. Ground waste clay brick is a prospective pozzolanic material due to dehydroxylation of clay minerals during its manufacturing process at temperatures between 450°C and 700°C, leading to the disintegration of crystalline phases and formation of reactive anhydrous amorphous phases. A review of the existing literature regarding the use of crushed brick powder (CBP) from waste bricks as well as demolition debris as a supplementary cementitious material has been conducted. It has been observed that the pozzolanic character of clay used for making brick comes from calcining it at an optimum temperature, which is different for different clays. Cement replacement by CBP in concrete mostly causes increased compressive, flexural, and split – tensile strength at 28 and 90 days, indicating good pozzolanic behaviour. 10 – 25% replacement by CBP gives acceptable values of Strength Activity Index (SAI) at 7 and 28 days. Pore refinement causing the formation of additional hydration products due to pozzolanic reaction as well as filler effect of CBP are the primary factors causing improved durability of concrete. Limited research has been done on the effect of the chemical composition of raw clay on the pozzolanic potential of CBP. Future scope in this area can be on enhancement of pozzolanicity in CBP, the study of high volume replacement of CBP in concrete, and the effect of CBP replacement on corrosion of rebar.

Crystal Guava (Psidium guajava L. "Crystal"): Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant Capacities and Phytochemical Content.

Free radicals can cause many diseases, such as cancer. Antioxidant is a compound that could scavenge free radicals. One of the natural antioxidants is guava. The goals of this research were to investigate the antioxidant activity of leaves and fruit of crystal guava by determining the value of the Antioxidant Activity Index (AAI) using DPPH, CUPRAC, and FRAP; evaluate the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC); analyse the correlation between the TPC and TFC with AAI DPPH, CUPRAC, and FRAP, and analyse the correlation between the 3 methods. Extraction was performed by the reflux method using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol. Determination of AAI DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP, the TPC, and the TFC was performed by UV-visible spectrophotometry. The correlation of the TPC and TFC with AAI DPPH, CUPRAC, and FRAP and, also, the correlation of the 3 methods were investigated by Pearson's method. The antioxidant activity of leaves and fruit extracts of crystal guava showed AAI DPPH in the range of 0.33–56.46, CUPRAC 0.20–7.31, and FRAP 1.65–59.89. The highest TPC was given by ethanol leaf extracts (49.55 ± 1.45 g GAE/100 g), while the highest TFC was for n-hexane leaf extracts (9.68 ± 0.210 g QE/100 g). The TPC of leaves extract had a significantly positive correlation with AAI DPPH, CUPRAC, and FRAP. AAI DPPH, AAI CUPRAC, and AAI FRAP of leaves and fruit extract of crystal guava showed a significantly positive correlation. In general, leaves extract had strong antioxidant activity by the three methods. For the highest antioxidant activity, ethanol was the best solvent for extraction leaves and ethyl acetate for extraction fruit of crystal guava. The TPC in leaves extract contributed to the antioxidant activity by DPPH, CUPRAC, and FRAP methods. The Antioxidant activity of leaves and fruit extracts of crystal guava was linear by the three methods.

Distribution and molecular characterization of biosurfactant-producing bacteria

Abstract. Alyousif NA, Luaibi YYYA, Hussein W. 2020. Distribution and molecular characterization of biosurfactant-producing bacteria. Biodiversitas 21: 4034-4040. Biosurfactants (BSs) are biological surface-active compounds produced by several microorganisms with many areas of application, as such become an important product in biotechnology and consequence to be used in industries. In recent years, many researchers pay attention to BSs producers' microorganisms. The present study was aimed to isolate, identify, and screening BS producing bacteria from six various sites in two different cities in Iraq. Four samples were collected from four sites in Basrah governorate and the rest two samples from Al-Garraf oilfield in Thi-Qar governorate. A total of 33 different bacterial isolates were obtained, 20 out of the 33 were found to be biosurfactants producing isolates that detected through the emulsification index (E24%), oil spreading test, and emulsification activity. The isolated bacterial strains were more identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the biosurfactants producing isolates belonged to genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, and Aerococcus. Bacillus jeotgali and Aerococcus viridans are reporting as biosurfactant producing bacteria for the first time and Bacillus jeotgali is isolated for first time from crude oil of oilfield reservoir in this study in world. Moreover, six bacterial isolates were identified as new strains and deposited at NCBI Genbank under accession numbers MT261834 (Bacillus subtilis strain IRQNWYA3), MT261835 (Bacillus licheniformis strain IRQNWYB4), MT261836 (Pseudomonas stutzeri strain IRQNWYF2), MT261837 (Pseudomonas zhaodongensis strain IRQNWYF3), MT261838 (Pseudomonas sp. IRQNWYF4) and MT261839 (Bacillus licheniformis strain IRQNWYF5). A2 isolate that was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa has shown the highest values of emulsification activity and emulsification index (1.678±0.050 absorbance at 540 nm and 56.6% respectively) that show efficient potential of biosurfactant production. Phylogenetic tree was also constructed in this study based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of biosurfactant-producing bacteria to evaluate their close relationship and evolution between them.

PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND ACE INHIBITORY CAPACITY OF HAZELNUT PROTEIN ISOLATE AND HYDROLYSATES

Protein solubility, water holding capacity, fat absorption capacity, emulsion activity index, emulsion stability index, gel formation capacity and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitory capacity of hazelnut protein isolate (HPI) and its hydrolysate were determined. The results showed that protein solubility had U shape solubility profile with an isoelectric point at pH 4.5-5 and highest value at pH 2 and pH 10. Water holding capacity and fat absorption capacity of HPI was found as 1.95 mL water/g protein and 2.1 g fat/g protein, respectively. Emulsion activity index and emulsion stability index values were found as 44 m2/g and 46 min at pH 7.0, respectively. Weak gel formation of HPI was seen at 8% and firm gel (LGC) was observed at 12% protein concentration. The concentration of pepsin hydrolysates needed to inhibit 50% of the ACE activity values (IC50) at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min of hydrolysis were 1.47 mg protein/mL, 0.27 mg protein/mL, 0.27 mg protein/mL and 0.26 mg protein/mL respectively. Whereas, IC50 of trypsin hydrolysates at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min were 5.51 mg protein/mL, 0.61 mg protein/mL, 0.56 mg protein/mL and 0.54 mg protein/mL. These results showed that isolates and hydrolysates of hazelnut has valuable functional properties and noted as good candidates for effectively reducing hypertension.

The effect of early trough level of infliximab on subsequent disease course in patients with Crohn disease

Decreased trough level of infliximab (TLI) is associated with diminished efficacy in patients with Crohn disease (CD). We examined whether TLI at 14 weeks subsequent to the start of infliximab (IFX) treatment would impact long-term clinical course.Serum IFX levels and antibodies to IFX (ATI) at 14 and 54 weeks after IFX administration were measured in 12 patients with mild to moderate CD. We examined patient background, clinical severity, blood test values, and the relationship between ATI and TLI up to 108 weeks.We compared the group with TLI < 3 μg/mL at 14 weeks (TLI(14) < 3 group) the group with TLI > 3 μg/mL (TLI(14) ≥ 3 group). Patients in the TLI(14) ≥ 3 group were significantly more likely to use immunomodulators before IFX treatment induction (P = .01). At 54 weeks, 2 cases of ATI production were observed in the TLI(14) < 3 group, but no ATI production was observed in the TLI(14) ≥ 3 group. TLI in the TLI(14) ≥ 3 group at 54 weeks was significantly higher than in the TLI(14) < 3 group (6.5 μg/mL vs 1.0 μg/mL; P < .01). Although CD activity index and serum albumin values in the TLI(14) ≥ 3 group at 14, 54, and 108 weeks significantly improved compared to baseline, these improvements were not observed in the TLI(14) < 3 group. The remission maintenance rate at 108 weeks evaluated with the Kaplan–Meier method was significantly higher in the TLI(14) ≥ 3 group than the TLI(14) < 3 group (100% vs 33.3%; P = .02).The TLI 14 weeks after IFX treatment in patients with CD affects long-term outcome.

Antibacterial Activity Evaluation of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) Crude Extracts Against Selected Bacterial Pathogens

Methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and hot water extracts of different parts (leaves, seeds, fruits and twigs fractions) of Psidium guajava L. were investigated for their antibacterial activities against 8 bacterial isolates. Inhibitory effects of P. guajava L. extracts have been screened by disc- diffusion method (Zone of inhibition, ZI), activity index (AI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. Ciprofloxacin antibiotic was used as standard for P. guajava L. antimicrobial activity comparison. From the ZI, AI and MIC values, methanolic and hot water extracts of twigs &lt; 1cm diameter were the most potent against all tested micro-organisms by showing the highest ZI and AI value and the lowest MIC values. Whereas, no inhibitory activity was recorded for both seeds and fruits extracts using all tested solvents. These observations make this plant a potential source that can be used in management of bacterial infections. Moreover, methanolic and hot water extracts of twigs &lt; 1cm required further in depth study.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Determination of Geotechnical Properties of Local Claystones in Northeast Koya City, Iraqi Kurdistan Region

The aim of the current study is to determine the geotechnical properties of the investigated claystones /clayey soils in Koya area, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. This paper deals with the evaluating of the physical, mechanical and index properties of claystones. The study based on the field reconnaissance for twenty-five claystones samples were collected from five outcrops location within Fat'ha Formation. The results obtained from the laboratory tests revealed that the averages of specific gravity, porosity, void ratio, water absorption, natural water content and uniaxial compressive strength values of claystones are (1.5, 4.45%,4.5, 0.3, 3%, 65 MPa) respectively. Whereas the results of the index geotechnical characterization of clayey soils revealed that the averages values of liquid limit, plastic limit, plastic index, flow index, toughness index, liquidity index, consistency index, swelling potential, activity index, and expansive potential are (25.2, 15.0, 10.2, 0.2, 0.5, -1.2, 2.2, 0.62, 0.31, low or non-expansive) respectively. Among the index properties, the clayey soils are suitable for foundation and building materials industry. Furthermore, the regression coefficients of their correlation (R²) obtained from the analysis show that there are strong relationships between the physical and mechanical properties of claystones. Concluding remark is that geotechnical properties of examined natural claystones satisfy the relevant regulation to be used for construction purposes.

Implication of baseline levels and early changes of C-reactive protein for subsequent clinical outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with tocilizumab

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by clinical joint swelling and elevation of acute phase reactant levels, typically measured by the C-reactive protein (CRP). Clinical and inflammatory responses are usually concordant,...

Prevalence of functional dyspepsia-like symptoms in ulcerative colitis patients in clinical remission and overlap with irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms

Objective: Quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC) patients often have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms and we recently showed that the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in UC patients in clinical remission was significantly higher as compared to healthy control subjects. However, the prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD)-like symptoms in quiescent UC patients remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of FD-like symptoms and the overlap with IBS-like symptoms in such patients.Materials and Methods: We reanalyzed the records of UC patients in remission using the subject cohort from our previous study. Clinical remission was defined as a clinical activity index (CAI) value ≤4 for at least 6 months. Diagnoses of FD- and IBS-like symptoms were evaluated by questionnaire according to the Rome III criteria.Results: One hundred seventy-two UC patients in clinical remission and 330 healthy control subjects were analyzed. Of the 172 patients, 9 (5.2%) met the criteria of FD, which was comparable with the controls (22/330, 6.7%). The prevalence rate of FD-like symptoms in UC patients with IBS-like symptoms (7/46, 15.2%) was lower as compared to that of the control subjects (6/16, 37.5%). On the other hand, a high percentage of the UC patients with FD-like symptoms also had IBS-like symptoms (7/9, 77.8%).Conclusions: Although the prevalence of FD-like symptoms in quiescent UC patients with IBS-like symptoms was low, UC patients with FD-like symptoms frequently had IBS-like symptoms.

The Mitotic Activity Index in combination with Her2neu: a strong prognosticator in breast cancer.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of the Mitotic Activity Index (MAI) in combination with the human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her2) for distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in breast cancer and compare it with the immunohistochemically (IHC) profile types. Analyses were based on 2.923 breast-conserving breast cancer specimens with known MAI, Her2 status, and hormone receptor status, resulting in 2.678 Her2MAI combinations, MAI ≤ 12/Her2negative, MAI > 12/Her2negative, MAI > 12/Her2positive, and MAI ≤ 12/Her2positive, and 2.560 IHC profile types, luminal A, luminal B, triple negative, and non-luminal Her2positive. For DMFS, the MAI > 12/Her2negative combination showed a significantly worse outcome in multivariate analyses compared to the MAI ≤ 12/Her2negative combination. None of the IHC profile types showed significantly different outcomes for DMFS and DSS as compared to luminal A. We performed a separate analysis on age and lymph node status. The significance of MAI > 12/Her2negative seems to be limited to women ≤ 55years for both DMFS and DSS. However, with respect to DSS, this seems to be limited to node negative cases. The IHC profile types for DSS, luminal B showed a significantly worse outcome for women > 55years compared to that for luminal A, although it showed rather wide confidence interval. The MAI > 12/Her2negative combination seems to be a strong prognosticator for DMFS and DSS, particularly for women ≤ 55years. However, none of the IHC profile types seems to be a prognosticator in breast cancer.

Efficacy of add-on iguratimod in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who inadequately respond to either tocilizumab or tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of add-on iguratimod (IGU) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA patients) who inadequately respond to either tocilizumab (TCZ) or tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors (TNFi). Methods Twenty-three RA patients treated with TCZ (the TCZ group) and 23 RA patients treated with TNFi (the TNFi group) were enrolled in this 24-week retrospective study from our multicenter registry. All inadequate responders to either TCZ or TNFi received add-on IGU. Baseline demographics and disease activity at 24 weeks after initiating add-on IGU were compared between the two groups. Results Baseline clinical disease activity index (CDAI) values in the TCZ group and TNFi group were 14.1 and 11.8 (p = .24 between the two groups). At 24 weeks, CDAI values in the TCZ group and TNFi group were 5.1 and 7.5 (p = .002 and .002 compared to baseline, respectively) and ΔCDAI values were −9.0 and −4.3 (p = .007 between the two groups). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that add-on IGU in the TCZ group was associated with greater improvement in CDAI relative to the TNFi group. Conclusion Add-on IGU was more effective in inadequate responders to TCZ than in inadequate responders to TNFi.

Development of environmentally friendly flame retardant to achieve low flammability for asphalt binder used in tunnel pavements

This paper reports the development of an environmentally friendly flame retardant, referred to as FRC-Si, to improve the fire resistance of asphalt binder without compromising mixture performance. This flame-retardant composite (FRC) contains four halogen-free flame-retardant components: expandable graphite (EG), magnesium hydroxide (MH), calcium hydroxide (CH), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). These four components have different ranges of thermal reaction temperature so they can effectively absorb heat throughout the entire process of binder combustion. An orthogonal experiment with six binder properties as the influential factors was designed for this study. Then, a multi-criteria decision analysis method was employed to find the optimal proportion of the combined EG, MH, CH, and APP to be 5:5:4:9, respectively. A silane coupling agent was added to modify the surface properties and improve stability of the asphalt binder, thereby transforming the preliminary FRC to FRC-Si. Based on activation index values and oil absorption of the binder, the optimum content of the silane coupling agent was determined to be 1.2% by mass of FRC. In addition, the rheological properties and flammability of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) binder with various dosages of FRC-Si were obtained and the optimum content of FRC-Si was determined to be 8% by mass of binder. Finally, cone calorimeter tests were performed to evaluate the flame retardancy of asphalt mixtures with SBS, FRC, and FRC-Si binders. Results indicate that FRC-Si not only reduced the amounts of heat and carbon monoxide (CO) released, but also delayed the release of CO, thereby supporting the application of FRC-Si as a flame retardant for asphalt pavements in tunnels.

Study on Properties of Waste Concrete Powder by Thermal Treatment and Application in Mortar

Waste concrete must be crushed, screened, and ground in order to produce high-quality recycled aggregate. In this treatment process, 15–30% waste concrete powder (&lt;0.125 mm) can be generated. Hydration activity and the reuse of waste concrete powders (WCPs) were studied in this work, and the results illustrated that the particle size changed after a series of thermal treatments at temperatures from 400 ℃ to 800 ℃. The particle size of waste concrete powder decreased by 700 ℃ thermal treatment, and by 600 ℃ thermal treatment, it increased. More active elements appeared in WCP heated by 800 ℃. Nevertheless, the activity index (AI) of WCP, measured by the ratio of mechanical strengths between mortar with a 30% replacement of the cement with WCP and normal mortar without WCP, indicated that the WCP by 700 ℃ thermal treatment had an optimal AI value, which meant WCP treated at 700 ℃ could be used in mortar or concrete as an admixture.

Extra virgin olive oil and flaxseed oil have no preventive effects on DSS-induced acute ulcerative colitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or flaxseed oil (FO) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute ulcerative colitis in female mice. Eighty C57BL/6J mice of 8-weeks-old were divided in four groups: Control (SO), 10%EVOO, 10%FO and 5%EVOO+5%FO. The oils were given through the AIN-93M diet. After 30 days, animals were divided in four more groups, in which half received 3%DSS in water for 5 days. Body weight loss, bleeding and stool consistency were verified for the Disease Activity Index (DAI). Animals were euthanized and their colon and spleen weighted and measured. Histopathological analysis, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10 and the iNOS expression were evaluated in the colon samples. Animals that received DSS presented with elevated disease activity index values; increased colon weight-to-length ratio; augmented leukocyte infiltration into the lamina propria and submucosa; and increased production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, and greater inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the distal colon. Individually or in combination, the oils were not able to reverse or mitigate any of the DSS-induced symptoms or damage. Additionally, the group of animals treated with DSS and supplemented with FO displayed increased spleen weight-to-body weight ratio, and the group that received a combination of EVOO and FO presented increased TNF-α levels compared with the respective control group. Consumption of large amounts of EVOO and FO as a treatment for or prevention against ulcerative colitis could potentially elicit unwanted adverse effects.

The relationship between the severity of clinical symptoms of chronic urticaria and serum D-dimer levels.

IntroductionUrticaria and angioedema belong to a heterogeneous group of diseases and it is often very difficult to determine the specific cause of clinical symptoms. Coagulation factors play an important role, and patients with chronic urticaria have elevated plasma concentrations of coagulation factor VII, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and D-dimers.AimTo assess the relationship between the severity of clinical symptoms of chronic urticaria and serum D-dimer levels.Material and methodsSixty patients with a diagnosis of chronic spontaneous urticaria, diagnosed and treated in the Dermatology Department of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences were qualified for the tests. The control group consisted of 35 healthy volunteers. All patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria were previously subjected to individual stages of the diagnostic process, in accordance with the guidelines of EAACI and the Polish team of specialists in the field of dermatology and venereology, and allergology. The dermatological condition was assessed using the UAS scale. The serum D-dimer concentration was determined by immunoturbidimetry.ResultsIn the basic group, statistically significant, positive and high correlations between the serum D-dimer concentration and the severity of urticaria symptoms were shown, as well as between the severity of pruritus and the value of the disease activity index were shown.ConclusionsElevated levels of D-imers are significantly correlated with the severity of urticaria.

Качество жизни детей с болезнью Крона как потенциальный критерий мониторинга активности заболевания

Study Objective: To analyse the activity dynamics of Crohn’s disease (CD) and the quality of life (QoL) of children aged 8–17 years. Study Design: Open prospective non-randomized comparative study. Materials and Methods. The quality of life was assessed in 37 healthy children and 28 children with Crohn's disease (17 boys and 11 girls). Disease activity (Paediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index, PCDAI) was determined using PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales questionnaire which comprises assessment of health and activity, child’s attitude, problems with interpersonal relations, and progress at school. Observation spanned over 18 months; tests parameters were assessed at the beginning (first visit), after 6, 12 and 18 months. QoL was assessed by both children and their parents, the indicators were assessed over time and compared with the levels of activity, the duration of the disease, and the presence of extraintestinal manifestations of the disease. Study Results. Children with CD aged 8–17 years demonstrated a decrease in the majority of PedsQL 4.0 parameters. The shifts are observed both when QoL is assessed by children and their parents. The therapy in these patients is accompanied by positive QoL dynamics; these changes occur in parallel with a decrease in the values of the CD activity index, suggesting the possibility of using the QoL parameters to predict the course of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment in this population. PCDAI values in subjects demonstrated moderate statistically significant negative correlations with “Physical activity” (r = –0.412), “Attitude” (r = –0.364), “Psychosocial functioning” (r = –0.306) and “School life” (r = –0.344) and the overall PedsQL 4.0 values (r = –0.406). The duration of the disease has statistically significant negative correlation with “Physical activity” (r = –0.386), “Attitude” (r = –0.423), “Psychosocial functioning” (r = –0.345), and the integral PedsQL 4.0 value (r = –0.397); the presence of extraintestinal manifestations demonstrated moderate negative correlation with “Physical activity” (r = –0.342), “School life” (r = –0.431) and overall value (r = –0.372). Conclusion. Monitoring of the health-related quality of life should become a mandatory component of the examination and management of children with inflammatory bowel diseases, since this category of patients is characterized by a significant decrease relative to the corresponding indicators in healthy peers. Keywords: inflammatory bowel disorder, Crohn’s disease, quality of life, disease activity, extraintestinal manifestations.