Search

Artykuł przybliża relacje XIX-wiecznych ojców (Wincenty Pol i Gustaw Zieliński) z dziećmi. Analiza ich korespondencji wydaje się potwierdzać tezę, że uczestniczyli w życiu swoich najbliższych nieco korespondencyjnie. Obaj ojcowie, osoby-instytucje, postaci ważne w polskim społeczeństwie, zaangażowane w obowiązki publiczne nie mieli wystarczająco dużo okazji, aby w pełni uczestniczyć w dorastaniu dzieci. Pobyty z bliskimi, czego świadectwem (opublikowana w przypadku Pola i ogłaszana po raz pierwszy w przypadku Zielińskiego) korespondencja – wypełnione były przygotowaniami do kolejnych podróży, wypraw i prac badawczych, organizowanych uroczystości. Brak ten rekompensowali więc systematyczną korespondencją.

Renal impairment (RI) is one of the multiple myeloma (MM)-defining events for initiating therapy. After induction therapy, high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with MM. According to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG), the organ criterion for kidney damage is defined by a serum creatinine concentration (CrC)2 mg/dL or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 40 mL/min. In this long-term study, we evaluated the impact of CrC and eGFR calculated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation on progression-free and overall survival using a lower threshold than the IMWG criteria.We studied the longitudinal outcomes as measured by progression-free survival and overall survival in 59 transplant-eligible patients with MM: 38 patients with normal renal function and 21 patients with RI defined as a CrC higher than upper limit of normal (≥ 1.1 mg/dL), eGFR 60 mL/min, treated with ASCT from 1998 to 2004.The risk of disease progression and death following ASCT increased by 16.5% (P = .005) and 19% (P .0009) per 1 mg/dL of CrC, respectively. The thresholds for the association of renal insufficiency and negative outcomes were CrC1.4 mg/dL and eGFR 55mL/min.We observed a negative correlation between minimal renal insufficiency and long-term outcomes. Management of patients with even marginally increased CrC and/or decreased eGFR not fulfilling IMWG RI criteria requires more concentrated effort to reverse even minimal renal insufficiency.

„Najbardziej niezmiennym i ważnym pytaniem życia jest: Co robisz dla innych?” (Martin Luther King Jr). To właśnie jest istota wolontariatu, która polega na świadomej oraz bezinteresownej pracy na rzecz społeczności, to okazywanie pomocy, ale też lekcja proszenia o nią. Odpowiedź na tak postawione pytanie nie jest łatwa, zwłaszcza dla osoby niepełnosprawnej. Celem artykułu jest próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy osoba niepełnosprawna może być również dawcą działań wolontariackich, a nie tylko ich biorcą. Szczególne miejsce w analizie aktywności społecznej, jaką jest między innymi wolontariat, mają kwestie dotyczące osób niepełnosprawnych. Uczestnictwo społeczne, związane z nim mechanizmy integracji lub wykluczenia są zjawiskami o charakterze procesualnym. Prowadzone przeze mnie badania niepełnosprawnych wolontariuszy są próbą odpowiedzi na pytania: jakie czynniki, procedury czy mechanizmy stoją za podjęciem aktywności społecznej lub jej brakiem, czy działalność wolontariacka osób niepełnosprawnych jest pożądaną drogą wyjścia z kręgu osób biernych, wykluczonych. Dla osób z ograniczeniami sprawności, aktywność społeczna mogłaby bowiem stać się alternatywnym źródłem pozyskiwania pomocy, wsparcia, a także pozytywnym „lustrem”, mogącym wpłynąć na podniesienie ich samooceny. Badanie skoncentrowałam na wolontariuszach z niepełnosprawnością ruchową.

Since English as a lingua franca is extending into virtually all domains of public life, non-Anglophone countries move away from the approach of English being taught as a foreign language (EFL) to the practice of English being a medium of instruction for content subjects. The methodology is increasingly implemented at all educational levels from primary to tertiary education. Yet few empirical studies have been undertaken into how the programmes are run. Thus, the article presents the findings of a research project, which attempted to provide a broad picture of this phenomenon in the Polish context. The article explores the two most recognized bilingual programmes in the European Union, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and English Medium Instruction (EMI), both being thoroughly investigated in the paper. The article attempts to shed light on the teaching approaches applied in EMI classes. In addition, it discusses the extent to which the English language is used in such classes (partial or exclusive). Further, it focuses on the implications L1 interference has for the L2 learning process taking place in the classroom. Last but not least, the study gives a brief account of students’ and teachers’ perspectives on and attitudes towards EMI. Regarding the methodology, the triangulation of methods was adopted including questionnaires, interviews and observations.

IntroductionThe prognostic factors in autotransplanted multiple myeloma (MM) patients with concomitant advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are poorly understood, limited, and controversial.Material and methodsWe retrospectively analysed 44 patients with MM and CKD (eGFR < 40 ml/min), present both at diagnosis and at autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), with no improvement of renal function in-between.ResultsPatients exhibiting deeper paraprotein responses to pre-transplant treatment predicted better response post ASCT (odds ratio (OR) = 11.6, p = 0.028) and longer progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.23, p = 0.017). Higher albumin concentration (per increase of 1 g/dl) (HR = 0.41, p = 0.03) and melphalan 140 mg/m2 versus higher melphalan doses (HR = 0.86, p = 0.008) were associated with longer PFS. Performance status (ECOG 0-1 versus ≥ 2) (HR = 0.28, p = 0.0036), higher albumin concentration (HR = 0.43, p < 0.037), and melphalan 140 mg/m2 versus higher melphalan doses (HR = 0.48, p = 0.081) decreased the risk of death. Three of 32 dialysis-dependent patients became dialysis independent (DID), and 5 of 12 in the DID group had eGFR improvement post ASCT. The median PFS was 2.3 years, which was shorter for DID compared to DD patients (0.7 vs. 3.3 years, respectively). The median overall survival (OS) was 3.6 years, there was no difference in median OS between the groups (4.0 vs. 3.5 years, respectively).ConclusionsOptimal patient selection including good performance status and higher albumin concentration (with every increase of 1 g/dl), chemotherapy-responsive disease pre-ASCT, melphalan dose adjusted to CKD, and intensive post-transplant supportive care are crucial to achieve acceptable results of treatment of MM patients with CKD.

Background Recently, novel protocol utilizing Continuous Mononuclear Cell Collection (cMNC) have been introduced for leukapheresis. We compared the efficacy of cMNC with an older protocol – mononuclear cell collection (MNC) for CD34+ cell collection in unrelated donors with negative stem cell collection predictors. Material and methods Retrospective data from a series of 258 consecutive unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donors was included in this single-center study (80 donors collected with cMNC and 178 with MNC). The donors with poor predictors for collection such as low number of circulating CD34+ cells and/or weight disproportion were assigned to the cMNC arm. Results The cMNC protocol yielded a higher number of CD34 + cells per donor body weight (7.63 × 106/kg vs 6.82 × 106/kg, p = 0.027). One apheresis was sufficient for collection of target cell number in 89% individuals from both groups despite negative predictors in the cMNC group. In donors with CD34 + cell count Conclusion cMNC protocol is more efficient in donors with low pre-apheresis CD34+ cell count and weight disproportion between donor and recipient. This suggests that the use of cMNC in unrelated donors could possibly further improve the results of HSC collections.

We report on the determination of the spore concentration and the species composition of the airborne fungi in selected caves of the Tatra Mountains, Poland. The following caves were surveyed: Mylna, Oblazkowa, Mroźna, Zimna and Naciekowa. The sampling was carried out in July 2015 and in January 2016. The aeromycological analyses were performed with the impact method, using the Air Ideal 3P apparatus and potato dextrose agar (PDA, Biocorp) culture medium. In the course of the July 2015 analysis, 17 species of fungi were isolated and 11 species were isolated in January 2016. In Mylna and Naciekowa caves, the dominant species were Cladosporium cladosporioides and Stachybotrys cylindrospora. In Oblazkowa cave, Rhizoctonia predominated and in Zimna cave—the colonies of the yeast-like fungi, along with S. cylindrospora. In Mroźna cave, Penicillium notatum was the most abundant taxon. In the winter time, in the majority of the caves Penicillium spp. predominated, with the exception of Mroźna and Naciekowa caves where Aspergillus niger was dominant. We propose that aeromycological monitoring be performed regularly in the following caves: Mroźna, Naciekowa and Zimna.

The World Marrow Donor Organization recommends original granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the mobilization of stem cells in healthy unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donors. We report the comparison of a biosimilar G-CSF (Zarzio) with two original G-CSFs (filgrastim and lenograstim) in mobilization in unrelated donors. We included data of 313 consecutive donors who were mobilized during the period from October 2014 to March 2016 at the Medical University of Warsaw. The primary endpoints of this study were the efficiency of CD34+ cell mobilization to the circulation and results of the first apheresis. The mean daily dose of G-CSF was 9.1 μg/kg for lenograstim, 9.8 μg/kg for biosimilar filgrastim, and 9.3 μg/kg for filgrastim (p

Niniejszy dział tematyczny Zeszytów Naukowych KUL zatytułowany „Świat Wincentego Pola” stanowi pokłosie IX ogólnopolskiej konferencji z cyklu „Świat Wincentego Pola” – Wincenty Pol w relacjach rodzinnych, zawodowych, towarzyskich, która miała miejsce w Lublinie 20-21 kwietnia 2017 r. i łączyła się 200 urodzinami nietuzinkowej postaci – poety, geografa i etnografa, uczestnika powstania listopadowego, kawalera Orderu Virtuti Militari, profesora geografii na Uniwersytecie Jagiellońskim.

There are many reports on factors predicting the outcome of PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell) mobilization, such as the donor's gender, age, weight, white blood cell count, platelets pre apheresis, LDH and iron status. Although there are reports of seasonal variation in the physiology of the human immune system and hematopoiesis there are no data that such differences play a role in the response to G-CSF in healthy hematopoietic stem cell donors. The response to G-CSF could also impact the collection results during different seasons. To assess the possible impact of seasonal variation we performed a retrospective, single-center analysis of mobilization and harvest of PBSC in 330 healthy unrelated donors. We found no significant differences in the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood after G-CSF mobilization and in collection results when all donors were analyzed. In the subgroup of male donors the number of CD34+ stem cells after G-CSF mobilization was higher than average in summer and autumn (p = 0.036), however, it did not translate into clinically relevant differences in stem cell harvest. We conclude that although there is possible seasonal variation in the response to G-CSF in male donors there is no impact on PBSC harvest in healthy unrelated donors.

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Core Sets for children and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) offer service providers and stakeholders a specific framework to explore functioning and disability for assessment, treatment, evaluation, and policy purposes in a global context. Objective: Describe global initiatives applying the ICF Core Sets for children and youth with CP, with a focus on contributions to clinical practice and challenges in their implementation. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Ongoing initiatives applying the ICF Core Sets for CP in Russia, Poland, Malawi, and Brazil are included. Results: The main contributions of applying the ICF Core Sets for children and youth with CP include: (1) an objective description of abilities and limitations in everyday activities, (2) a consistent identification of facilitators and barriers influencing functioning, (3) a practical communication tool promoting client-centered care and multidisciplinary teamwork, and, (4) a useful guideline for measurement selection. The main challenges of adopting the ICF Core Sets are related to lack of ICF knowledge requiring intense training and translating results from standardized measures into the ICF qualifiers in a consistent way. Conclusions: Global initiatives include research and clinical applications at the program, service and system levels. The ICF Core Sets for CP are useful tools to guide service provision and build profiles of functioning and disability. Global interprofessional collaboration, capacity training, and informatics (e-records) will maximize their applications and accelerate adoption.

Studies exploring the significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in plasma cell myeloma (PCM) have proven its prognostic value, regardless of the type of administered treatment. In order to assess the current practice for evaluating MRD in Poland, we conducted a survey on the methods for assessing MRD and on the MRD testing time points at Polish hematological centres. Seven out of 15 institutions surveyed use of the flow cytometry (FC) method for MRD assessment. The FC-MRD assessment is performed uniformly only in those patients achieving complete remission (CR). However, the specific indications and assessment time points differed at the tested centres including: testing MRD only after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT), after auto-HSCT and consolidation, after completion of first line chemotherapy or after obtaining CR in any line of treatment. The study also showed considerable heterogeneity in the FC-MRD methodology, which affects test sensitivity (from 10–3 to 10–5). None of the surveyed centres uses molecular techniques for MRD assessment. In 8 of the 15 institutions, patients are monitored by imaging techniques. Our survey may thus be useful for developing guidelines and standardization of MRD assessment in PCM in Poland.

The appearance of the dysfunction affects in a specific way the functioning of the human, his environment, the relationships with others. A physically disabled person needs skills that allow him/her to regain self-reliance, self-esteem. The activities of many institutions aim at providing equal opportunities, working against all of the many forms of discrimination, social and professional included, against physically disabled/handicapped. However, despite the multiple actions undertaken, the social alienation of the people with various motor dysfunctions can be observed. One of the most interesting initiative that meets the needs and expectations of the handicapped/physically disabled people, especially those after spinal cord injury, is the idea of community/environmental rehabilitation that originated in the United States, and then developed in Sweden as an Active Rehabilitation movement. In Poland, Foundation for Active Rehabilitation (FAR) is an organization that promotes and implements the ideas of an active rehabilitation. It is a non-governmental organization, established on the initiative of “wheelchair users for wheelchair users”. In this paper we present the results of research of the effects of various forms of Active Rehabilitation supporting the process of the social activation of the physically disabled, aiming at their inclusion in the mainstream of social life, and the increase of their independence in life. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of personality model in the Active Rehabilitation. Pojawienie się dysfunkcji wpływa w określony sposób na funkcjonowanie człowieka, jego środowisko, relacje z innymi. Osoba z niepełnosprawnością ruchową potrzebuje umiejętności, które pozwolą jej odzyskać samodzielność, poczucie własnej wartości. Działanie wielu instytucji nakierowane jest na wyrównywanie szans, przeciwdziałanie dyskryminacji społecznej i zawodowej. Mimo wielotorowych działań, nadal zauważa się wykluczenie społeczne osób z różnorodnymi dysfunkcjami. Jedną z ciekawszych inicjatyw, wychodzącą naprzeciw potrzebom i oczekiwaniom osób niepełnosprawnych ruchowo, zwłaszcza po urazie rdzenia kręgowego, jest idea rehabilitacji środowiskowej, mająca swój rodowód w USA, a rozwinięta w Szwecji jako ruch Aktywnej Rehabilitacji. W Polsce propagowaniem i realizacją aktywnej rehabilitacji zajmuje się organizacja pozarządowa – Fundacja Aktywnej Rehabilitacji (FAR), która powstała z inicjatywy „wózkowiczów dla wózkowiczów”. W niniejszym artykule zostały zaprezentowane wyniki badań efektów działań Aktywnej Rehabilitacji, wspierających proces aktywizacji społecznej osób niepełnosprawnych ruchowo, a mających na celu aktywne włączanie tych osób w nurt życia społecznego, zwiększanie ich niezależności życiowej. Szczególny nacisk został położony na rolę wzorca osobowego w Aktywnej Rehabilitacji.

Introduction High-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) improves the outcome of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). It seems that auto-HSCT is also a feasible therapeutic option in MM dialysis-dependent (MMDD) patients. However, to perform transplantation, a sufficient number of stem cells must be collected. Materials and Methods Given that data on mobilization of auto-HSC efficacy and safety in dialysis-dependent patients are limited, we report data from all Polish Centers belonging to the Polish Multiple Myeloma Group. Twenty-eight dialysis-dependent MM-patients were enrolled into this retrospective analysis. The study population comprised patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 in whom an attempt to collect auto-HSC was made (68%: women, median age: 56). Patients received granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone or in combination with chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cells (auto-PBSCs) were collected by leukapheresis. Results and Conclusions The success rate in terms of obtaining sufficient number of CD34(+) cells/kg for an auto-HSCT (≥2 × 106 cells/kg body weight) during the first mobilization attempt was 92% (26/28 patients), and for 2 auto-HSCTs (≥4 × 106 cells/kg) – was 75% (21/28 patients). After the second mobilization attempt (undertaken in 8 patients), a sufficient number of CD34(+)/kg cells for an auto-HSCT was obtained for all patients and the number of CD34(+)/kg collected cells was sufficient for 2 auto-HSCT in 6 additional patients. Hematologic toxicity and infections were the most frequent complications. Higher doses of cytarabine (>1.6 g/m2) and cyclophosphamide (> 2 g/m2) should be avoided in MMDD patients due to toxicity. Further studies are needed to establish mobilization regimens, confirm their safety, and dosing in MMDD patients.

Angiogenesis represents one of the critical mechanisms that facilitates carcinoma development. The study objective was to evaluate whether the microsatellite instability of colorectal carcinoma has impact on the angiogenesis activity in liver metastases. In a cohort of 80 randomly selected patients with stage IV colorectal carcinoma, 30% were recognized as microsatellite unstable (Microsatellite instability high-frequency (MSI-H)). The endothelial progenitor cell fraction (CD309+) was counted within the subpopulation of CD34+CD45+ cell and CD34+CD45- cells by flow cytometer. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) factor levels were quantified in serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A control group consisted of 36 healthy volunteers. The relationship of genomic instability to angiogenesis activity was evaluated by multivariate analysis in comparison to the controls, adopting a P

Cel badan. Badania poświecono identyfikacji i ocenie znaczenia endotelialnych komorek progenitorowych we krwi obwodowej chorych na HCC. Material i metoda. Badania przeprowadzono u 133 chorych na HCC, dotychczas nieleczonych, z ktorych 46 zostalo zakwalifikowanych do resekcji wątroby, 45 do przeszczepienia wątroby i 42 do leczenia paliatywnego. Grupe kontrolną stanowilo 43 osob zdrowych i 42 chorych na marskośc wątroby, bez stwierdzonego raka. Od badanych pobierano probki świezej krwi w objetości 2 ml i niezwlocznie wykonywano badanie fenotypu komorek metodą cytometrii przeplywowej z uzyciem cytometru FACS CANTO II. Frakcje endotelialnych komorek progenitorowych (EPCs) o fenotypie CD34(+)CD133(+)CD45(dim)CD309(+) identyfikowano za pomocą wymienionych markerow powierzchniowych. Populacje hematopoetycznych komorek macierzystych (HSCs) identyfikowano na podstawie fenotypu CD34(+)CD133+)CD45(dim), zgodnie z regulami ISHAGE. Wyniki, przedstawione jako odsetek endotelialnych komorek progenitorowych w populacji hematopoetycznych komorek macierzystych (%EPCs/HSCs) oraz odsetek HSCs w pulileukocytow CD45(+) (%HSCs/WBC) opracowano statystycznie. Wyniki. Badanie wykazalo znamienne roznice we frakcji EPCs i subpopulacji HSCs pomiedzy chorymi na raka i osobami zdrowymi (test U Manna-Whitneya: chisq = –5,92; p < 0,0001 i chisq 3,85; p < 0,0001, odpowiednio) oraz pomiedzy chorymi na raka i na marskośc wątroby (chisq = –6,09; p < 0,0001 i 2,47; p < 0,01, odpowiednio). Roznice te nie byly znamienne pomiedzy chorymi na HCC a chorymi na marskośc wątroby (NS). Wnioski. Wzrost odsetka hematopoetycznych komorek macierzystych i ich frakcji, endotelialnych komorek progenitorowych, wskazuje na role, jaką odgrywają w rozwoju raka wątrobowokomorkowego. Nieistotne roznice pomiedzy chorymi na raka i na marskośc wątroby potwierdzają teze o przedrakowym charakterze marskości.

Background The immunoablation with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a new experimental treatment of early diabetes type 1. The treatment is based on destruction of immune system with cytotoxic drugs which leads to halt of immune reaction directed against beta cells of pancreas. During that treatment young patients with diabetes type 1 who are otherwise healthy undergo mobilization with cyclophosphamide (CY) and G-CSF. They are naive to cytotoxic drugs and mobilization is their first contact with chemotherapy. We analyzed the efficiency of mobilization with cyclophosphamide and G-CSF in this population. Methods We analyzed the medical records of 25 patients with diabetes who underwent mobilization with cyclophosphamide and G-CSF. Results The median white blood cell count on the first day of apheresis was 14.6 × 103/μL (range 1.5–33.3) in CY + G-CSF mobilized patients. Median absolute CD 34+ cell count in peripheral blood on the first apheresis day was 0.095 127 × 103/μL (range 0.026–0.477). The median total number of collected CD34+ cells during one or two (if needed) aphereses was 466 × 106 (range 204–816) or 7.24 × 106 CD34+ cells per kg of patient body weight (range 3.03–13.1). There were no poor mobilizers who were unable to collect sufficient cell numbers. Conclusion The mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells with CY + G-CSF in patients with early diabetes type 1 is efficient and the underlying diabetes does not impair the efficiency of hematopoietic stem cell collection.

BACKGROUND This is a single-center, retrospective study in the field of mobilization of hematopoietic stem cell from unrelated donors. We aimed to investigate whether delaying the last G-CSF dose after the start of apheresis influences its results. MATERIAL AND METHODS The medical records of 55 unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donors during the period 2010-2013 were analysed. In this series, 40 received donors the last G-CSF injection prior to the leukapheresis procedure, and 15 received the last injection after apheresis was initiated. RESULTS In the delayed G-CSF application group, more donors had already reached the requested cell number during first apheresis than in the group treated following the standard procedure (73% vs. 35%, respectively; p

Objective To assess the cellular and humoral immunity in patients with reticular and atrophic-erosive oral lichen planus (OLP). Study design Lymphocyte phenotype analysis of 50 patients with OLP and 16 control subjects was performed by means of flow cytometry. The results were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. Results In the patient group the percentage of naive helper T cells was significantly decreased, while that of memory cells was increased, resulting in a significantly higher ratio of memory to naive cells in the OLP group than in the control group. In the group of patients with atrophic-erosive OLP, the percentages of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells and cytotoxic/suppressor naive T cells were found to be slightly decreased. Conclusions The results indicate that the relative ratio of immunocompetent cells in the peripheral blood is altered in patients with lichen planus and that the exact character of these disturbances depends on OLP form. Some of the alterations observed in these patients are typical to autoimmune diseases, thus promoting the concept of autoimmune etiopathogenesis of lichen planus.

Background: Tumor grading and architectural growth patterns impact the results, but the unfavorable tumor biology is revealed no sooner than on explant examination. Thus, they are not concerned in preoperative calculations. Aim of study: To evaluate the correlation between circulating EPCS, soluble angiogenesis factors and architectural growth patterns of HCC in surgical patients. Methods: The study reported on 159 patients treated for HCC in 2009/2013; 58 were suitable for surgery, 55 for liver transplantation and 46 for palliation. The rate of circulating EPCs was assessed by the flow cytometer; the serum VEGF concentration was measured by ELISA. The tissue samples were examined for tumor grading and architectural growth patterns of HCC, and for the expression of VGEF/VEGFR-2 by immunohistochemical staining. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: There were 58 trabecular, 43 tubular, and 58 solid tumors of HCC. There were significant differences in the rate of circulating HSCs and EPCs in the blood of their possessors (Chisq=5.8, p

Objective: Development of HCC is associated with the process of angiogenesis and leads to the increment of the number of stem cells in the peripheral blood circulation. This study evaluated whether the level of hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells (HSCs & EPCs) could indicate the unfavorable tumour biology and the progress of disease in HCC. Methods: The study covered 146 HCC patients; 53 selected for liver resection, 49 for liver transplantation, 44 for palliation. Control consisted of 42 patients with liver cirrhosis and 43 healthy individuals. The cells were enumerated with CD45, CD34, CD133, CD309 markers. The cell rates were measured by phenotypic analysis of 2 ml fresh blood in a flow cytometer. The data were evaluated statistically. Results: There were significant differences in the levels of HSCs and EPCs between patients with HCC, with liver cirrhosis and healthy volunteers (Chisq = 45.92, p

The addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy has improved the results of the treatment of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Under specific circumstances, it can be administered locally, as an alternative to systemic administration. We administered rituximab intrapericardially in an attempt to control pericardial effusion. We report the case of an 85-year-old woman, diagnosed with marginal zone lymphoma, who developed heart failure due to lymphomatous infiltration of the pericardium. We discuss in detail the possibility of intrapericardial treatment of such patients. The patient received rituximab intrapericardially at a dose of 100 mg in addition to systemic rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone immunochemotherapy. The treatment proved to be safe and effective. The patient has remained in good health for more than 3 years at the time of writing. Intrapericardial administration of rituximab may be a valuable therapeutic option for patients with lymphoma that involves the pericardium and heart.

The treatment of adults with Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) depends on the presence of risk factors including age, white blood cell count, immunophenotype and time to complete remission. In recent years, status of minimal residual disease (MRD) has been postulated as an additional risk criterion. This study prospectively evaluated the significance of MRD. Patients were treated with a uniform Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG) 4-2002 protocol. MRD status was assessed after induction and consolidation by multiparametric flow cytometry. Out of 132 patients included (age, 17-60 years), 116 patients were suitable for analysis. MRD level >/=0.1% of bone marrow cells after induction was found to be a strong and independent predictor for relapse in the whole study population (P < 0.0001), as well as in the standard risk (SR, P = 0.0003) and high-risk (P = 0.008) groups. The impact of MRD after consolidation on outcome was not significant. The combination of MRD status with conventional risk stratification system identified a subgroup of patients allocated to the SR group with MRD

Adult patients with high risk acute leukemia have allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation as the only therapeutic option with some curative potential. Those who lack related or unrelated marrow donor are deprived of this possibility. Patients of smaller size may benefit from the transplantation of single cord blood unit, but for heavier patients two units may be required as reported by Barker et al. (Blood2005;105:1343). For very heavy patients even more units would be necessary to approximate the preferred threshold of 37 millions of cells per kilo. Moreover, cord blood units have variable size and it is always a risk that the only HLA-matched units for given patients would be small and two units would not provide adequate number of cells even for patients of moderate size. This is yet another argument to attempt transplantation of more than two units. Three patients have so far been included. Patient No 1 was 24 yrs old male (body weight 87 kg) with resistant AML transplanted with 3 units (two matched at 4/6 HLA antigens, one matched at 3/6 HLA antigens) on March 29, 2004 following conditioning with standard BuCy4 + ATG regimen. This patient died d. +42 of Gram negative sepsis without hematopoietic reconstitution. Patient No 2 is 22 yrs old male (body weight 100 kg) with Ph+ ALL in complete remission, who was transplanted on October 11, 2004 with 3 units (two matched at 4/6 HLA antigens, one matched at 3/6 antigens) following conditioning with TBI, etoposide and ATG. This patient had neutrophil recovery d. +27, and platelet recovery d. +49. He is alive and well 9 months after the transplant fully chimeric with progeny of only one of transplanted units. Patient No 3 is 31 yrs old male (body weight of 100 kg) with ALL relapsed after autologous BMT with multiple cytogenetic abnormalities. He was transplanted May 24, 2005 with 3 units (one matched at 5/6 HLA antigens, two matched at 4/6 HLA antigens) following conditioning with treosulfan, cyclophosphamide, melphalan and ATG (he earlier received TBI prior auto-BMT). Patient obtained neutrophil recovery d. +36 and as of d.+60 still has low platelets. No data on chimerism are yet available. These data confirm that transplantation of more than two cord blood units is feasible and may provide therapeutic option for patients with high risk leukemia who lack marrow donor and for whom two cord blood units do not provide sufficient number of cells. As in the case of the transplantation of two units patients seem to be reconstituted with progeny of only one “winning” unit.

Summary The development of the photosynthetic activities and the polypeptide pattern in plastids of dark- and light-grown pine seedlings were investigated. Photosystem I activity and cyclic photophosphorylation were developed independently of light conditions. Plastids of dark-grown seedlings were deficient in Photosystem II activity and non-cyclic photophosphor lation. These activities were detected after the exposure of dark-grown seedlings to light. Chlorophyll-protein complex I was synthesized regardless of the illumination conditions.Chlorophyll-protein complex II was mostly synthesized in light. Vitamin K 1 of pine seedlings, in contrast to angiosperms, is able to be synthesized in darkness. Synthesis of chlorophylls and carotenoids in dark-grown seedlings was enhanced on exposure to light.

Tomato plants (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv. Moneymaker) grown on nutrient medium containing cadmium exhibit reduced net photosynthesis and reduced contents of chlorophyll and accessory pigments. In chloroplasts isolated from cadmiumtreated plants photosystem II activity, as measured by 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol photoreduction, and photosystem II + I activity (H2O methyl viologen) were both inhibited to about 60%. When 1,5-diphenylcarbazide was used as artificial electron donor, no significant cadmium effect was observed. Photosystem I activity was not affected by cadmium. The fine structure of chloroplasts in cadmium-treated plants was degenerated, similarly to senescence response. The principal symptom of cadmium action was the occurrence of large plastoglobules and a disorganization of the lamellar structure, mainly grana stacks. Transfer of cadmium-treated plants into a medium with increased manganese level caused grana stacking and restoration of photosystem II activity.

Summary Zea mays L. was cultivated under different nitrogen supplies. The effect of nitrogen deficiency on photosynthesis in the maize leaves was examined. Photosystem II activity of mesophyll chloroplasts, measured by photoreduction of ferricyanide or DCIP, increased due to the decrease of nitrogen in the medium. Photosystem I activity changed to a smaller extent. The rates of photosynthesis, expressed as O 2 evolved per leaf area, were lower in the deficient than in the control plants. On the basis of chlorophyll, the O 2 evolution rate was higher in the deficient plants. Also a higher light intensity was needed for the saturation of the nitrogen deficient systems than for the control systems. Plastid pigments and quinones synthesis per unit of fresh weight in the nitrogen-deficient plants was inhibited. However, quinones were less inhibited than plastid pigments. The ratio of carotenoids to chlorophyll was similar both in the deficient and the control leaves. The ratio of quinones to chlorophyll increased several times due to a lower nitrogen supply. Quinones were synthesized to a higher degree and were probably deposited in the osmiophilic plastoglobules. The effect of nitrogen deficiency on photosynthesis is discussed with regard to light-harvested chlorophyll deficiency.

Summary The photosynthetic apparatus of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. var. Matador) grown in sandy soil containing excess amounts of copper was investigated. In chloroplasts isolated from the leaves of copper-treated spinach the synthesis of plastid pigments and lipoquinones was slightly higher than in the controls, relative to the increase of copper content in the soil. Under experimental conditions the growth rate of roots was decreased but that of leaves and stems was almost unaffected. Photosystem II activity as measured by 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol photoreduction was not influenced, but photosystem I activity measured in terms of O2 uptake and NADP photoreduction were slightly enhanced due to copper concentration. This increase was related to plastocyanin synthesis, the content of which was also dependent, to some extent, on the amounts of copper in the growth medium of the spinach. Among chlorophyll-protein complexes only CP1 depended on excess copper. Results obtained are discussed with regard to the tolerance of spinach exposed to high concentrations of the metal.

Summary The photosynthetic activities of chloroplasts isolated from Mg2+-deficient leaves of rape and buckwheat plants were investigated. Photosystem II electron flow (water or DPC to DCIP) is markedly inhibited (30 %) in Mg2+-deficient chloroplasts isolated from rape leaves, whereas that in chloroplasts of buckwheat leaves is not significantly affected. Mg2+ deficiency caused a large increase in the rate of photosystem I activity (Ascorbate/TMPD-methyl viologen) in chloroplasts of both plant species examined. The changes observed are probably due to a disorganization in the fine structure of chloroplasts caused by Mg2+ deficiency. This view is supported by the decrease in the chlorophyll content and the increase in the relative concentration of lipoquinones supposedly resulting from the formation of plastoglobules in deficient chloroplasts. It was found that Mg2+ added to a chloroplast suspension from the full-nutrient plants studied causes an increase in the light-limited rate of photosystem II activity and a decrease in photosystem I activity as in chloroplasts of the other plant species investigated so far. The addition of Mg2+ affects the photosynthetic activities of Mg2+-deficient chloroplasts in a manner parallel to full-nutrient chloroplasts.

Summary The effect of copper deficiency on the photochemical reactions, plastid pigments and lipoquinones of oat and spinach chloroplasts was investigated. The synthesis of all thylakoid prenyl lipids as well as of chlorophylls was lower during copper deficiency. The inhibition was observed to a different degree for the individual lipids. The formation of plastoquinones (C45-chain) was much more strongly inhibited than that of phytol derivatives and carotenoids. The rates of photosynthesis, expressed as O2 evolved per leaf area, were lower in the deficient than in the control plants. On the basis of chlorophyll, the O2-evolution was slightly higher in deficient plants. The Photosystem I activity of deficient chloroplasts measured in terms of O2-uptake and the photoreduction of NADP from water was much lower than that of the control ones. Cyclic photophosphorylation was inhibited to the same degree. Photosystem II activity was affected to a lesser extent. Plastocyanin and total copper content in deficient chloroplasts decreased over 50% in comparison with control chloroplasts. The effect of copper deficiency on electron transport was discussed with regard to the plastocyanin content of the chloroplasts.