ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4745-1226
Current Organisation
Wroclaw Medical University
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-10-2022
Abstract: Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) is considered a valuable spice plant with a high thymol content. Seed yield, essential oil constituents, polyphenolic composition, and antioxidant capacity of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) populations were evaluated in three (normal, moderate, and severe) water irrigation regimes. The highest essential oil content (5.55%) was obtained under normal condition in the Yazd population. However, both essential oil and seed yield showed significant reductions as a result of water stress. According to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, thymol (61.44%), γ-terpinene (26.96%), and p-cymene (20.32%) were identified as the major components of the oil. The highest (89.01%) and the lowest (37.54%) thymol contents were in Farsmar and Hamadan populations in severe stress condition, respectively. Based on HPLC analysis, chlorogenic (3.75–47.35 mg/100 g), caffeic (13.2–40.10 mg/100 g), and ferulic acid (11.25–40.10 mg/100 g) were identified as the major phenolic acids, while rutin was determined as the major flavonoid (11.741–20.123 mg/100 g). Moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were elevated under drought stress treatment, while antioxidants responded inconsistently to stress based on two model systems. Overall, the Yazd population exhibited a superior response to water stress, as evidenced by its less reduced thymol and oil yield content, while Arak and Khormo had the highest accumulation of polyphenolic compounds.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2017
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 04-2006
DOI: 10.1002/HEP.21112
Abstract: Insights into the early infection events of the human hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) have been limited because of the lack of a cell culture system supporting the full replication cycle for these important pathogens. The human hepatoma cell line HepaRG allows the experimental induction of a differentiated state, thereby gaining susceptibility toward HBV and HDV infection. We recently identified HBV envelope protein-derived lipopeptides comprising amino acids 2 though 48 of the preS-domain of the L-surface protein, which block infection already at picomolar concentrations. To map the responsible sequence for the peptides' activity we describe an Escherichia coli expression system that permits myristoylation and investigated recombinant HBVpreS-GST fusion proteins with deletion- and point-mutations for their ability to prevent HBV and HDV infection. We found that (1) a myristoylated HBVpreS/2-48-GST fusion protein efficiently interferes with HBV infection of HepaRG cells (2) deletions and point mutations in the highly conserved preS1 sequence between amino acids 11 through 21 result in the loss of infection inhibition activity (3) hepatitis B viruses carrying single amino acid exchanges within this region lose infectivity and (4) HDV infection of HepaRG cells can be inhibited by myristoylated HBVpreS peptides with the same specificity. In conclusion, HBV and HDV use at least one common step to enter hepatocytes and require a highly conserved preS1-sequence within the L-protein. This step is exceptionally sensitive toward inactivation by acylated HBVpreS1 peptides, which therefore represent a novel group of entry inhibitors that could be used for the treatment of hepatitis B and D.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 24-09-2020
DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000005189
Abstract: Although invasive monitoring is the standard method for intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement, it is not without potential for serious complications. Noninvasive methods have been proposed as alternatives to invasive ICP monitoring. The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the currently available noninvasive methods for intracranial hypertension (ICH) monitoring. We searched 5 databases for articles evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive methods in diagnosing ICH in PubMed, Institute of Science Index, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase. The quantitative analysis was conducted if there were at least 2 studies evaluating a specific method. The accuracy measures included the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio. We included 134 articles. Ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter (US ONSD) had high diagnostic accuracy (estimated sensitivity of 90% 95% confidence interval [CI], 87–92, estimated specificity of 88% 95% CI, 84–91) while the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ONSD had estimated sensitivity of 77% 95% CI, 64–87 and estimated specificity of 89% 95% CI, 84–93, and computed tomography (CT) ONSD had estimated sensitivity of 93% 95% CI, 90–96 and estimated specificity of 79% 95% CI, 56–92. All MRI signs had a very high estimated specificity ranging from 90% to 99% but a low estimated sensitivity except for sinus stenosis which had high estimated sensitivity as well as specificity (90% 95% CI, 75–96 and 96% 95% CI, 91–99, respectively). Among the physical examination signs, pupillary dilation had a high estimated specificity (86% 95% CI, 76–93). Other diagnostic tests to be considered included pulsatility index, papilledema, transcranial Doppler, compression or absence of basal cisterns, and ≥10 mm midline shift. Setting the cutoff value of ICH to ≥20 mm Hg instead of values mm Hg was associated with higher sensitivity. Moreover, if the delay between invasive and noninvasive methods was within 1 hour, the MRI ONSD and papilledema had a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy compared to the hour subgroup. Our study showed several promising tools for diagnosing ICH. Moreover, we demonstrated that using multiple, readily available, noninvasive methods is better than depending on a single sign such as physical examination or CT alone.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1039/C8DT05054F
Abstract: Anti -bimetallic transition metal complexes based on the permethylpentanyl ligand: anti -(MCp R 5 ) 2 Pn* (M = Fe, Co and Ni) have been synthesised and fully characterised.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-06-2000
DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(00)01703-8
Abstract: Plasmodium falciparum causes the most lethal form of malaria in humans and is responsible for over two million deaths per year. The development of a vaccine against this parasite is an urgent priority and potential protein targets include those on the surface of the asexual merozoite stage, the form that invades the host erythrocyte. The development of methods to transfect P. falciparum has enabled the construction of gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutants and provided new strategies to analyse the role of parasite proteins. In this review, we describe the use of this technology to examine the role of merozoite antigens in erythrocyte invasion and to address their potential as vaccine candidates.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-11-2019
DOI: 10.1111/OBR.12791
Abstract: Low glycaemic index (GI) diets may aid in weight loss by reducing postprandial blood glucose excursions, leading to more stable blood glucose concentrations and therefore a reduction in hunger. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing low GI diets with other diet types. We included 101 studies involving 109 study arms and 8,527 participants. We meta-analysed the studies using a random-effects model and conducted subgroup analyses and meta-regression based on control diet, blood glucose control, baseline BMI and dietary GI. Low GI diets resulted in small but significant improvements in body weight, BMI, LDL and total cholesterol overall, although no in idual control diet was significantly different from low GI diets. Studies in people with normal blood glucose who achieved a difference in GI of 20 points or more resulted in a larger reduction in body weight (SMD = -0.26 95% CIs [-0.43, -0.09]), and total cholesterol (SMD = -0.24 95% CIs [-0.42, -0.05]) than studies that only achieved a smaller reduction in GI. Low GI diets, especially diets achieving a substantial decrease in GI, were moderately effective in lowering body weight. However, efforts should be made to increase compliance with low GI diets, in order for them to be effective in people with overweight and obesity.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-08-2019
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Date: 14-08-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-08-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
DOI: 10.1016/J.AJOG.2020.09.011
Abstract: After strong evidence and major organizations recommending salpingectomy over tubal ligation, we sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the intraoperative attributes and complication rates associated with these 2 procedures. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and clinical trials registries without time or language restrictions. The search was conducted in February 2020. Database searches revealed 74 potential studies, of which 11 were examined at the full-text level. Of these, 6 studies were included in the qualitative analysis and 5 studies were included in the meta-analysis. We included randomized controlled trials comparing salpingectomy with tubal ligation in women seeking sterilization. We included studies that also had at least 1 outcome listed in the population atient problem, intervention, comparison, outcome, and time. Articles were excluded if they did not meet the inclusion criteria or if data were not reported and the authors did not respond to inquiries. Abstracts and full-text articles were assessed by 2 authors independently using the blinded coding assignment function or EPPI-Reviewer 4. Conflicting selections were resolved by consensus. The quality of included studies was determined using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials. Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias for each study disagreements were resolved by consensus. There were few differences between the procedures, with no differences in most important clinical outcomes (antimüllerian hormone, blood loss, length of hospital stay, pre- or postoperative complications, or wound infections). A single study reported a reduced rate of pregnancies with salpingectomy (risk ratio, 0.22 95% confidence interval, 0.05-1.02), but this did not reach statistical significance (P=.05). We conclude from these data that salpingectomy is as safe and efficacious as tubal ligation for sterilization and may be preferred, where appropriate, to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-01-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2005
DOI: 10.1016/J.MOLBIOPARA.2004.09.012
Abstract: The merozoite surface of the pathogenic malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is comprised of proteins that are important for the identification and invasion of human red cells. Merozoite surface protein (MSP)3 is a polymorphic protein associated with the surface of merozoites and is also a vaccine candidate. A distinct feature of the MSP3 sequence is three blocks of alanine-rich heptad repeats that are predicted to form an intramolecular coiled-coil. Three orthologues of MSP3 that also contain alanine-rich heptad repeats have been described in P. vivax and we therefore searched the P. falciparum genome database for MSP3 paralogues. We have identified two genes, H101 and H103 related to MSP3, however like another MSP3 paralogue, MSP6, H101 and H103 do not contain heptad repeats. H101 and H103 are expressed during the asexual cycle and immunofluorescence indicates H103 localises to the merozoite surface as a peripheral membrane protein. Transfected parasite lines that express truncated forms of H101 or H103 were viable and grew at the same rate as the parental parasite line. This result may reflect redundancy in function among members of the MSP3/MSP6 gene family as has been described for other families of paralogue genes in P. falciparum.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2019
DOI: 10.1093/AJCN/NQZ149
Abstract: Low-glycemic index (GI) diets are thought to reduce postprandial glycemia, resulting in more stable blood glucose concentrations. We hypothesized that low-GI diets would be superior to other diet types in lowering measures of blood glucose control in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and clinical trials registries for published and unpublished studies up until 1 March, 2019. We included 54 randomized controlled trials in adults or children with impaired glucose tolerance, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes. Continuous data were synthesized using a random effects, inverse variance model, and presented as standardized mean differences with 95% CIs. Low-GI diets were effective at reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucose, BMI, total cholesterol, and LDL, but had no effect on fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HDL, triglycerides, or insulin requirements. The reduction in fasting glucose and HbA1c was inversely correlated with body weight. The greatest reduction in fasting blood glucose was seen in the studies of the longest duration. Low-GI diets may be useful for glycemic control and may reduce body weight in people with prediabetes or diabetes.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2002
DOI: 10.1046/J.1365-2958.2002.02834.X
Abstract: Merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3), an important vaccine candidate, is a soluble polymorphic antigen associated with the surface of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites. The MSP3 sequence contains three blocks of heptad repeats that are consistent with the formation of an intramolecular coiled-coil. MSP3 also contains a glutamic acid-rich region and a putative leucine zipper sequence at the C-terminus. We have disrupted the msp3 gene by homologous recombination, resulting in the expression of a truncated form of MSP3 that lacks the putative leucine zipper sequence but retains the glutamic acid-rich region and the heptad repeats. Here, we show that truncated MSP3, lacking the putative leucine zipper region, does not localize to the parasitophorous vacuole or interact with the merozoite surface. Furthermore, the acidic-basic repeat antigen (ABRA), which is present on the merozoite surface, also was not localized to the merozoite surface in parasites expressing the truncated form of MSP3. The P. falciparum merozoites lacking MSP3 and ABRA on the surface show reduced invasion into erythrocytes. These results suggest that MSP3 is not absolutely essential for blood stage growth and that the putative leucine zipper region is required for the trafficking of both MSP3 and ABRA to the parasitophorous vacuole.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-08-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-03-2023
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 28-04-2021
Abstract: Despite the publication of several of meta-analyses in recent years, the effects of fructose on human health remains a topic of debate. We previously undertook two meta-analyses on post-prandial and chronic responses to isoenergetic replacement of fructose for sucrose or glucose in food or beverages (Evans et al. 2017, AJCN 106:506–518 & 519–529). Here we report on the results of an updated search with a complete re-extraction of previously identified studies and a new and more detailed subgroup-analysis and meta-regression. We identified two studies that were published after our previous analyses, which slightly altered effect sizes and conclusions. Overall, the isoenergetic substitution of fructose for glucose resulted in a statistically significant but clinically irrelevant reduction in fasting blood glucose, insulin, and triglyceride concentrations. A subgroup analysis by diabetes status revealed much larger reductions in fasting blood glucose in people with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. However, each of these subgroups contained only a single study. In people with a healthy body mass index, fructose consumption was associated with statistically significant, but clinically irrelevant reductions in fasting blood glucose and fasting blood insulin. Meta-regression of the outcomes by a number of pre-identified and post-hoc covariates revealed some sources of heterogeneity, such as year of publication, age of the participants at baseline, and participants' sex. However, the small number of studies and the large number of potential covariates precluded detailed investigations of effect sizes in different subpopulations. For ex le, well-controlled, high quality studies in people with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes are still lacking. Taken together, the available data suggest that chronic consumption of fructose is neither more beneficial, nor more harmful than equivalent doses of sucrose or glucose for glycemic and other metabolic outcomes.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-2002
Abstract: The Vpu protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 forms cation-selective ion channels and enhances the process of virion budding and release. Mutagenesis studies have shown that the N-terminal transmembrane domain primarily controls both of these activities. Here we report that the Vpu ion channel is inhibited by the amiloride derivatives 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride and 5-(N,N-dimethyl)amiloride but not by amiloride itself, nor by amantadine. Hexamethyleneamiloride also inhibits budding of virus-like particles from HeLa cells expressing HIV-1 Gag and Vpu proteins. These results confirm the link between Vpu ion channel activity and the budding process and also suggest that amiloride derivatives might have useful anti-HIV-1 properties.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-05-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-08-2004
DOI: 10.1007/S00125-004-1485-5
Abstract: Diabetes is a rapidly rising independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and serious illness. This risk can be reduced by lifestyle changes and/or various drugs. Novel therapies to prevent diabetes, as well as new risk factors for diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity require testing and identification. People with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance were randomised to ramipril (15 mg/day) or placebo and rosiglitazone (8 mg/day) or placebo with a 2x2 factorial design. They are assessed semi-annually for the primary outcome (diabetes or death). Diabetes is diagnosed if two consecutive plasma glucose levels exceed diagnostic thresholds (i.e. fasting >/=7.0 mmol/l or 2-h >/=11.1 mmol/l) within a 3-month period. Assuming an annual primary outcome incidence of 5%, there is more than 90% power to detect a 22% reduction. Approximately 20% of participants are having annual carotid ultrasounds to assess the effects on atherosclerosis. Patients screened but not randomised are being followed prospectively to identify determinants of obesity, diabetes and related disorders. A total of 24,872 in iduals in 21 countries were screened over 2 years and are eligible for follow-up. Of these, 5269 were randomised: 1835 (35%) had isolated impaired glucose tolerance, 739 (14%) had isolated impaired fasting glucose, and 2692 (51%) had both disorders. Annual carotid ultrasounds are currently being performed in 1406 randomised in iduals. The DREAM trial and related studies will determine if ramipril or rosiglitazone reduces the number of cases of diabetes and atherosclerosis, and will identify novel risk factors for diabetes.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000004114
Abstract: Tracheostomy is a very common clinical intervention in critically ill adult patients. The indications for tracheostomy procedures in pediatric patients with complex conditions have increased dramatically in recent years, but there are currently no guidelines on the optimal timing of tracheostomy in pediatric patients undergoing prolonged ventilation. We performed a systematic search of the existing literature in MEDLINE via PubMed and Embase databases and the Cochrane Library to identify clinical trials, observational studies, and cohort studies that compare early and late tracheostomy in children. The date of the last search was August 27, 2018. Included articles were subjected to manual searching. Studies in mechanically ventilated children that compared early with late tracheostomy were included. Data were extracted into a spreadsheet and copied into Review Manager 5.3 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Data were meta-analyzed using an inverse variance, random effects model. Continuous outcomes were calculated as mean differences with 95% CIs, and dichotomous outcomes were calculated as Mantel-Haenszel risk ratios with 95% CIs. We included eight studies (10 study arms). These studies were all retrospective cohort studies. Early tracheostomy was associated with significant reductions in mortality, days on mechanical ventilation, and length of intensive care and total hospital stay, although the lack of randomized, controlled trials limits the validity of these findings. Although variance was imputed for some studies, these conclusions did not change after removing these studies from the analysis. In children on mechanical ventilation, early tracheostomy may improve important medical outcomes. However, our data demonstrate the urgent need for high-quality, randomized controlled trials in the pediatric population.
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 29-01-2002
Abstract: Malaria is a major human health problem and is responsible for over 2 million deaths per year. It is caused by a number of species of the genus Plasmodium , and Plasmodium falciparum is the causative agent of the most lethal form. Consequently, the development of a vaccine against this parasite is a priority. There are a number of stages of the parasite life cycle that are being targeted for the development of vaccines. Important candidate antigens include proteins on the surface of the asexual merozoite stage, the form that invades the host erythrocyte. The development of methods to manipulate the genome of Plasmodium species has enabled the construction of gain–of–function and loss–of–function mutants and provided new strategies to analyse the role of parasite proteins. This has provided new information on the role of merozoite antigens in erythrocyte invasion and also allows new approaches to address their potential as vaccine candidates.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 16-12-2012
DOI: 10.1002/HEP.24707
Abstract: Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is characterized by a high species specificity and a distinct liver tropism. Within the liver, HBV replication occurs in differentiated and polarized hepatocytes. Accordingly, the in vitro HBV infection of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) and the human hepatoma cell line, HepaRG, is restricted to differentiated, hepatocyte-like cells. Though preparations of PHH contain up to 100% hepatic cells, cultures of differentiated HepaRG cells are a mixture of hepatocyte-like and biliary-like epithelial cells. We used PHH and HepaRG cells and compared the influence of virus inoculation dose, cell differentiation, and polarization on productive HBV infection. At multiplicities of genome equivalents (mge) >8,000, almost 100% of PHHs could be infected. In contrast, only a subset of HepaRG cells stained positive for HBcAg at comparable or even higher mge. Infection predominantly occurred at the edges of islands of hepatocyte-like HepaRG cells. This indicates a limited accessibility of the HBV receptor, possibly as a result of its polar sorting. Multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2), a marker selectively transported to the apical (i.e., canalicular) cell membrane, revealed two polarization phenotypes of HepaRG cells. HBV infection within the islands of hepatocyte-like HepaRG cells preferentially occurred in cells that resemble PHH, exhibiting canalicular structures. However, disruption of cell-cell junctions allowed the additional infection of cells that do not display a PHH-like polarization. HBV enters hepatocytes via the basolateral membrane. This model, at least partially, explains the difference of PHH and HepaRG cells in infection efficacy, provides insights into natural HBV infection, and establishes a basis for optimization of the HepaRG infection system.
No related grants have been discovered for Kerry Mills.