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Proper embryo implantation depends on the tolerance of the maternal immune system to the fetus and its foreign paternal antigens. During implantation and early pregnancy, the dominant leukocytes in the uterus are uterine NK cells, expressing killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). KIRs recognize human leukocyte antigens (HLA-C) on the human trophoblast inherited from the father and mother. The antigenic peptides presented by the HLA are formed via their cleavage by endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases ERAP1 and ERAP2. The aim of this study was to assess the association of combined KIR genes and their HLA-C ligands, as well as ERAP1 and ERAP2 polymorphisms with recurrent implantation failure after in vitro fertilization (RIF). We tested 491 couples who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and 322 fertile couples. Genotype CC rs27044 ERAP1 in female with a male’s HLA-C1C1 or HLA-C1C2 protected from RIF (p/pcorr. = 0.005/0.044, OR = 0.343; p/pcorr. = 0.003/0.027, OR = 0.442, respectively). Genotype TT rs30187 ERAP1 in female with a male’s HLA-C1C2 genotype increased the risk of RIF. Summarizing, in the combination of female ERAP1 and an HLA-C partner, the rs30187 C>T and rs27044 C>G polymorphisms play an important role in implantation failure.

Successful reproduction depends on many factors. Male factors contribute to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive. Seminal plasma consists of secretions from different accessory glands containing a mixture of various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, which together can induce a local immune response that might impact on a male’s as well as a female’s fertility. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G expression has been suggested as an immunomodulatory molecule that influences pregnancy outcome. The HLA-G gene encodes either membrane-bound or/and soluble proteins. The aim of this study was the evaluation of HLA-G polymorphisms and their impact on soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) production. We tested the HLA-G polymorphism in three positions: rs1632947: c.-964G>A; rs1233334: c.-725G>C/T in the promoter region; rs371194629: c.∗65_∗66insATTTGTTCATGCCT in the 3′ untranslated region. We tested two cohorts of men: 663 who participated in in vitro fertilization (test material was blood or sperm), and 320 fertile controls who possessed children born after natural conception (test material was blood). Since 50% of men visiting assisted reproductive clinics have abnormal semen parameters, we wondered if men with normal sperm parameters differ from those with abnormal parameters in terms of HLA-G polymorphism and secretion of sHLA-G into semen. We found that certain rs1632947-rs1233334-rs371194629 HLA-G haplotypes and diplotypes were associated with male infertility, while others were protective. Normozoospermic men with the A-C-del haplotype and A-C-del/A-C-del diplotype secreted the most sHLA-G into semen (574.1 IU/mL and 1047.0 IU/mL, respectively), while those with the G-C-ins haplotype and G-C-ins/G-C-ins diplotype – the least (80.8 IU/mL and 75.7 IU/mL, respectively). Men with the remaining haplotypes/diplotypes secreted sHLA-G at an intermediate level. However, only in one haplotype, namely G-C-ins, did we observe strong significant differences in the concentration of sHLA-G in the semen of men with teratozoospermia compared to men with normal sperm parameters (p = 0.009). In conclusion, fertile men differ in the profile of HLA-G polymorphism from men participating in IVF. Among all HLA-G haplotypes, the most unfavorable for male fertility is the G-C-ins haplotype, which determines the secretion of the lowest concentration of the soluble HLA-G molecule. This haplotype may reduce sperm parameters.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the eating habits of students in the field of management and engineering of food products compared to students from faculties not related to food science. Furthermore, another aim is to conduct gender-wise assessment to determine the type of eating habit, i.e., careful or binge eating. Design/methodology/approach The research involved 400 students from all years of study. The survey was conducted in 2017–2018 and the selection of the sample was intentional. The research used a questionnaire form. Additionally, χ2 test was performed to assess the statistical independence of characteristics. Findings It is found that most students who pledge proper nutrition are women. The majority of respondents ate 3–4 meals in day and regular consumption of breakfast was declared among 42 percent of respondents. The consumption of sweet snacks between meals is reaffirmed by the half of the respondents. Students of the food sciences more often than others believed that they eat healthier and more regularly, although students of non-food directions most often declared intake of five or more meals a day. Research limitations/implications An important limitation of the conducted study is a relatively small research sample. It consisted of university students from one of the largest academic centers in Poland. The results cannot be generalized to all students in this country. In the future, a similar survey should be conducted on a larger scale and cover all similar fields of management and engineering of food products in Poland. In addition, it would be worth expanding the research and examine graduates who found employment in the food industry. Practical implications The results of the conducted research are a good source of information on the differences in the way of feeding studying women and men. While such studies are not very revealing, the comparison between students in food and non-food fields can be considered a novelty. The described results can be used by the students themselves, but above all, by the authorities of universities conducting food science programs. Social implications The students do not eat properly which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and can deteriorate mental and physical endurance damaging overall health. Originality/value The described research is important due to the observed deteriorating eating habits and growing overweight of young adults in developed countries like Poland. They show that education of food technologists, even at the academic level, does not always allow to avoid mistakes in their own nutrition.

The food industry is an important economic sector in Poland and Spain, two EU countries with the most similar production and land-use potential. The aim of the article was to compare the directions and pace of development of this industry against the EU. Spain, after its accession to the Community, has developed economically and infrastructurally. In recent years, however, the effects of the global economic crisis have been strongly affected Spain economy. It also affected the food industry, which is relatively less susceptible to fluctuations in economic conditions. For Poland this is an instructive experience, because after its accession to the EU it develops in a similar way. The analysis of activity results of the Polish food industry is evidence of its rapid growth and its ability to compete with Spain in the future mainly in the dairy and feed industry. / Synopsis. Przemysl spozywczy jest waznym sektorem gospodarki Polski i Hiszpanii, dwoch krajow UE o najbardziej zblizonych potencjalach produkcyjnych ziemi i pracy. Celem artykulu bylo porownanie kierunkow i tempa rozwoju tego przemyslu na tle UE. Hiszpania po przystąpieniu do Wspolnoty bardzo sie rozwinela gospodarczo i infrastrukturalnie. Jednak w ostatnich latach mocno odczula skutki globalnego kryzysu gospodarczego. Wplynąl on rowniez na przemysl spozywczy, ktory jest relatywnie malo podatny na wahania koniunktury. Dla Polski jest to pouczające doświadczenie, gdyz po akcesji do UE rozwija sie w podobny sposob. Analiza wynikow dzialalności polskiego przemyslu spozywczego świadczy o szybkim jego wzroście i mozliwościach konkurowania z Hiszpanią w przyszlości glownie w branzy mleczarskiej i paszowej.

OBJECTIVES To compare subcutaneous "Z"-stitch versus manual compression in attaining hemostasis after large bore femoral venous access, and to assess its impact on venous patency. BACKGROUND Structural interventions increasingly require large caliber venous access, for which convenient, safe, and effective method of postprocedural hemostasis is needed. "Z"-stitch has been introduced for this purpose in some centers but systematic data on its performance is limited. METHODS This single center study randomized consecutive patients with femoral venous access sites requiring ≥10F sheaths to the "Z"-stitch or manual compression for hemostasis in a 2:1 fashion. There were three co-primary endpoints: time to hemostasis, time to ambulation, and a composite safety endpoint comprising vascular access site complications. Groin Doppler-Duplex was performed with the stitch in place and after its removal. RESULTS 86 consecutive patients with 90 access sites were randomized. Mean age was 61.7 ± 19.1 years, 33.3% were men. Median sheath size was 14 F (range 10-22 F). Patients randomized to "Z"-stitch achieved hemostasis quicker [

In our previous study (Jaskula et al., Blood 2017 130:1420) we reported that the number of CNVs within the KANSL1 gene was associated with the phenotype of AML. In the present study we looked at the presence of CNV across the whole genome. One hundred and twenty seven AML patients (diagnosed according to the FAB/WHO criteria, F/M=62/65, age median: 57, range: 21 - 84 years) were included to the present study. The patients were genetically analysed including GTG karyotyping and/or FISH for X or Y deletion, inv (3), -5/5q-, -7/7q-,+8, MLL, RUNX1, PML/RARA or RARA, inv(16). In all patients the microarray analysis of the bone marrow cells having blasts cells (median value 56%) at diagnosis Agilent - Catalog Agilent Cancer CGH+SNP 180K (74 patients) or Roche - WG Catalog NimbleGene 12x270K (53 patients) microarrays were employed and the results were analysed with the use the Partek software employing the Partek Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and segmentation algorithms. Results: The number of CNV in M0 AML marrow cells was significantly lower (median: 0 aberration), as compared to secondary to MDS AML (median: 4.5 aberrations, p=0.006). Patients with AML subtypes from M1 to M6 had higher number of CNV amplifications (median: 2) as compared to the patients with minimally differentiated blasts (M0, median: 0 amplifications, p=0.030). Knowing that (i) changes in the chromatin structure may be associated with the CNV prevalence within the genome (Gheldof et al., PLoS One. 2013 Nov 12;8(11):e79973) and (ii) the aberrant expression of CD19 in AML blasts results from the chromatin structure variations (Walter et al., Oncogene. 2010 May 20;29(20):2927-37) we looked at the presence of association between the numbers of CNV and the presence of the aberrant CD19 expression in the leukemic blasts. It appeared that 11 AML patients having aberrant expression of CD19 (within whom 4 had t(8:21)) had more frequently CNV deletions than those lacking this aberrant expression (median: 2 vs 1 deletions, p=0.018, HMM algorithm). Having the survival curves of the patients plotted accordingly to the high and low numbers of CNV, the situation is more complex and shows that: the patients having higher numbers of CNV aberrations (exceeding the mean of the whole group +SD) enjoyed better survival (20% vs 11%, p=0.090) when segmentation algorithm was employed. HMM analysis also suggested that the higher values of CNV (amplifications, exceeding the mean of the whole group +SD) was associated with better 5-year survival as compared to those with low numbers (42% vs 20%, ns). The aberrant expression of CD19 analysis was associated with higher numbers of deletions (see above) and with better 5-year survival than those lacking this aberrant expression (45% vs 20%, p=0.064). In conclusion, the prevalence of CNV within the genome shapes the phenotype of the leukemia and facilitates the survival. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

TTN gene truncating variants are common in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), although data on their clinical significance is still limited. We sought to examine the frequency of truncating variants in TTN in patients with DCM, including familial DCM (FDCM), and to look for genotype-phenotype correlations. Clinical cardiovascular data, family histories and blood samples were collected from 72 DCM probands, mean age of 34 years, 45.8% FDCM. DNA samples were examined by next generation sequencing (NGS) with a focus on the TTN gene. Truncating mutations were followed up by segregation study among family members. We identified 16 TTN truncating variants (TTN trunc) in 17 probands (23.6% of all cases, 30.3% of FDCM, 17.9% of sporadic DCM). During mean 63 months from diagnosis, there was no difference in adverse cardiac events between probands with and without TTN truncating mutations. Among relatives 29 mutation carriers were identified, nine were definitely affected (31%), eight probably affected (27.6%) one possibly affected (3.4%) and eleven were not affected (37.9%). When relatives with all affected statuses were combined, disease penetrance was still incomplete (62.1%) even after exclusion of unaffected relatives under 40 (82%) and was higher in males versus females. In all mutation carriers, during follow-up, 17.4% had major adverse cardiac events, and prognosis was significantly worse in men than in women. In conclusion, TTN truncating variants were observed in nearly one fourth of young DCM patient population, in vast majority without conduction system disease. Incomplete penetrance suggests possible influence of other genetic and/or environmental factors on the course of cardiotitinopathy. Counseling should take into account sex and incomplete penetrance.

To compare subcutaneous "Z"-stitch versus manual compression in attaining hemostasis after large bore femoral venous access, and to assess its impact on venous patency.Structural interventions increasingly require large caliber venous access, for which convenient, safe, and effective method of postprocedural hemostasis is needed. "Z"-stitch has been introduced for this purpose in some centers but systematic data on its performance is limited.This single center study randomized consecutive patients with femoral venous access sites requiring ≥10F sheaths to the "Z"-stitch or manual compression for hemostasis in a 2:1 fashion. There were three co-primary endpoints: time to hemostasis, time to ambulation, and a composite safety endpoint comprising vascular access site complications. Groin Doppler-Duplex was performed with the stitch in place and after its removal.86 consecutive patients with 90 access sites were randomized. Mean age was 61.7 ± 19.1 years, 33.3% were men. Median sheath size was 14 F (range 10-22 F). Patients randomized to "Z"-stitch achieved hemostasis quicker [1 min vs. 12.0 (IQR 10.0-15.0) min, P 0.001] and ambulated sooner [7.0 (IQR 4.0-12.0) vs. 16.0 (IQR 11.8-20.3) hr post procedure, P 0.001] when compared with manual compression alone. The "Z"-stitch reduced rates of access site complications (OR = 0.27, 95%CI 0.09-0.76, P = 0.01). All imaged veins were patent before and after stitch removal.The "Z"-stitch is a safe and effective method of achieving hemostasis after large bore femoral venous sheath removal and results in faster hemostasis, early patient ambulation and less access site complications, without compromising vein patency when compared with manual compression alone. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

W opracowaniu poddano analizie przede wszystkim zmiany infrastruktury edukacyjnej i jej wykorzystania w wojewodztwie dolnośląskim na tle Polski ogolem, jakie nastąpily w okresie 1999-2012, tj. od reformy szkolnictwa i podzialu administracyjnego kraju. Szczegolną uwage zwrocono na obszary wiejskie, poniewaz wyksztalcenie ich mieszkancow wyraźnie odbiega od poziomu krajowego. Celem opracowania byla ocena, czy mlodzi mieszkancy wsi mają podobne mozliwości edukacyjne do mieszkancow kraju ogolem oraz z czego wynikają roznice w poziomie ich wyksztalcenia. Analizą objeto edukacje dzieci i mlodziezy począwszy od wychowania w zlobkach, a na wyksztalceniu średnim koncząc. W oparciu o dane GUS wykazano cześciową poprawe warunkow i mozliwości edukacyjnych, takze na wsi, gdzie np. wieksza cześc dzieci objeta zostala wychowaniem przedszkolnym.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G (anti-CMV-IgG) positive donors facilitated immunological recovery post-transplant, which may indicate that chronic CMV infection has an effect on the immune system. This can be seen in the recipients after reconstitution with donor lymphocytes. We evaluated the composition of lymphocytes at hematologic recovery in 99 patients with hematologic malignancies post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Anti-CMV-IgG seropositivity of the donor was associated with higher proportions of CD4+ (227.963 ± 304.858 × 106 vs. 102.050 ± 17.247 × 106 cells/L, p = 0.009) and CD4+CD25high (3.456 ± 0.436 × 106 vs. 1.589 ± 0.218 × 106 cells/L, p = 0.003) lymphocytes in the blood at hematologic recovery. The latter parameter exerted a diverse influence on the risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) if low (1.483 ± 0.360 × 106 vs. 3.778 ± 0.484 × 106 cells/L, p &lt, 0.001) and de novo chronic GvHD (cGvHD) if high (3.778 ± 0.780 × 106 vs. 2.042 ± 0.261 × 106 cells/L, p = 0.041). Higher values of CD4+ lymphocytes in patients who received transplants from anti-CMV-IgG-positive donors translated into a reduced demand for IgG support (23/63 vs. 19/33, p = 0.048), and these patients also exhibited reduced susceptibility to cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and/or human herpes 6 virus (HHV6) infection/reactivation (12/50 vs. 21/47, p = 0.032). Finally, high levels (³0.4%) of CD4+CD25high lymphocytes were significantly associated with better post-transplant survival (56% vs. 38%, four-year survival, p = 0.040). Donors who experience CMV infection/reactivation provide the recipients with lymphocytes, which readily reinforce the recovery of the transplanted patients’ immune system.

W opracowaniu poddano analizie powierzchnie upraw, wolumen i wartoścprodukcji podstawowych warzyw świezych w celu ustalenia pozycji konkurencyjnej polskiegosektora warzywniczego po stronie podazowej rynku unijnego. Korzystając glowniez danych FAOSTAT-u z lat 2004-2012 i stosując elementy WAP, wytypowano cztery grupywarzyw dominujących na rynku unijnym, tj. pomidory, cebula, warzywa kapustne, marchewi rzepa. Obliczone wspolczynnik koncentracji Giniego oraz indeks Herfindahla-Hirschmanawykazaly, ze najbardziej konkurencyjny byl rynek marchwi i rzepy, najmniej – pomidorow.Polska jest wyrozniającym sie w Unii Europejskiej producentem pomidorow i cebuli. (abstrakt oryginalny)

Background LMNA mutations are most frequently involved in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction disease. The goal of this study was to identify LMNA mutations, estimate their frequency among Polish dilated cardiomyopathy patients and characterize their effect both in vivo and in vitro. Methods Between January, 2008 and June, 2012 two patient populations were screened for the presence of LMNA mutations by direct sequencing: 66 dilated cardiomyopathy patients including 27 heart transplant recipients and 39 dilated cardiomyopathy patients with heart failure referred for heart transplantation evaluation, and 44 consecutive dilated cardiomyopathy patients, referred for a family evaluation and mutation screening. Results We detected nine non-synonymous mutations including three novel mutations: p.Ser431*, p.Val256Gly and p.Gly400Argfs*11 deletion. There were 25 carriers altogether in nine families. The carriers were mostly characterized by dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure with conduction system disease and/or complex ventricular arrhythmia, although five were asymptomatic. Among the LMNA mutation carriers, six underwent heart transplantation, fourteen ICD implantation and eight had pacemaker. In addition, we obtained ultrastructural images of cardiomyocytes from the patient carrying p.Thr510Tyrfs*42. Furthermore, because the novel p.Val256Gly mutation was found in a sporadic case, we verified its pathogenicity by expressing the mutation in a cellular model. Conclusions In conclusion, in the two referral centre populations, the screening revealed five mutations among 66 heart transplant recipients or patients referred for heart transplantation (7.6%) and four mutations among 44 consecutive dilated cardiomyopathy patients referred for familial evaluation (9.1%). Dilated cardiomyopathy patients with LMNA mutations have poor prognosis, however considerable clinical variability is present among family members.

CMV donor/recipient serostatus was analyzed in 200 patients allografted in our institution from unrelated (122 patients) donors and 78 sibling donors in the years 2002–2011 in relation to posttransplant complications. On a group basis independently of the CMV serostatus of donor-recipient pairs sibling transplantations and those from unrelated donors that matched 10/10 at allele level had a similar rate of CMV reactivation (17/78 versus 19/71, P=ns). The rate of CMV reactivation/infection was higher in patients grafted from donors accepted at the lower level of matching than 10/10 (18/38 versus 36/149, P=0.008). The incidence of aGvHD followed frequencies of CMV reactivation in the tested groups, being 40/156 and 25/44 in patients grafted from sibling or unrelated donors that 10/10 matched and in those grafted from donors taht HLA mismatched, respectively (P=0.001). Regarding the rate of reactivation in both groups seropositive patients receiving a transplant from seronegative donors had more frequently CMV reactivation as compared to those with another donor-recipient matching CMV serostatus constellation (22/43 versus 32/143, P=0<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that seropositivity of recipients with concomitant seronegativity of donors plays an independent role in the CMV reactivation/infection (OR=2.669, P=0.037; OR=5.322, P=0.078; OR=23.034, P=0.023 for optimally matched and mismatched patients and the whole group of patients, resp.).

Herpes viruses reactivation is frequent post HSCT and constitutes a major complication when the reactivation becomes clinically symptomatic. 102 patients at several time points (1058 measurements for each Herpes virus, on average 10 measurements per one patient, from one week to one year post transplant) were investigated with the use of quantitative PCR for the presence of DNA viral copies in blood cells. CMV, EBV and HHV6 DNA copies in blood cells were determined with the use of the real-time PCR technique employing an Opticon 2 thermocycler (MJ Research, Watertown, USA). PCR conditions and the sequences of PCR primers and probes were selected from BALF5 region of EBV, US17 region of CMV and U67 region of HHV6 as described by Kimura et al, (1999), Machida et al, (2000) and Locatelli et al, (2000), respectively. It was found: CMV and EBV DNA copies (above 100 copies/100 000 cells) were detected in 35% and 23% of patients, respectively. HHV6 reactivation was considered as significant at lower number of copies (above 10 copies/100 000 cells) and was found in 41% of HSCT recipients. Reactivations were more common at early stage post HSCT, with a peak between +31 and +60 day, then at later time. This difference was statistical significant for CMV (p=0.021) and similar trends were also seen when EBV and HHV6 reactivation were analyzed. CMV and EBV reactivations were associated with severe post transplant complications what resulted with poorer 5 year survival (30% vs 72% p=0.015 and 35% vs 65% p=0.016) in patients with CMV and EBV reactivation, respectively. This was not seen when HHV6 was considered. The poorest 5 year survival was seen in patients having aGvHD and presenting reactivation of CMV (23% vs 67%, p= 0.023). Patients with hepatitis were more frequently positive for CMV (0.54 vs 0.30, p=0.071) and EBV (0.41 vs 0.20, p=0.091) reactivation as compared to those lacking clinically apparent hepatitis. Full blown post transplant limbic encephalitis was seen in one case only and was associated with the presence of HHV6 DNA copies in blood (10 copies/100 000 cells) and in spinal fluid (5865 copies/200μl). However, in 11 cases some neurological, psychological and/or psychiatric symptoms were seen. Notably, among these encephalitis cases nine, six and three patients had HHV6, EBV and CMV reactivation, respectively. In five patients with encephalitis reactivation of two Herpes viruses were detected. Separate analysis of investigated Herpes viruses showed the statically significant association of encephalitis with HHV6 (0.75 vs 0.37 p=0.008) and EBV (0.54 vs 0.20 p=0.019) reactivation. Encephalitis was diagnosed in 25% and 21 percentages of pts with EBV and HHV6 reactive respectively. Seven out of 11 patients with encephalitis died. It appears that HHV6 and EBV reactivations may associate with encephalitis that affects the survival post HSCT.