An influence of melatonin on circadian blood pressure rhythm in hypertensive subjects with lack of nocturnal blood pressure decline

Wstęp Melatonina może wywierać wpływ na aktywność układu współczulnego i ciśnienie tętnicze. Celem badania była ocena wpływu endogennej melatoniny oraz katecholamin na profil dobowy ciśnienia u chorych bez nocnego obniżenia ciśnienia tętniczego. Materiał i metody Do badania włączono 21 (M 7/K 14, wiek 55,4 ± 10,7 roku) pacjentów typu dippers (D) i 12 (M 4/K 8 wiek 59 ± 6,4 roku) i non-dippers (ND) podzielonych według kryterium obecności nocnego obniżenia ciśnienia tętniczego powyżej 10% wartości dziennych. U wszystkich badanych wykonano ambulatoryjny pomiar ciśnienia (SpaceLabs 90207) oraz co 4 godziny pobierano krew w celu oznaczenia stężenia melatoniny (MT) (RIA, pg/ml), noradrenaliny (NA) (HPLC, pg/ml) i adrenaliny (A) (HPLC, pg/ml). Wyniki Stężenie MT było istotnie niższe u ND niż u D o 02:00 rano (odpowiednio: 19,7 ± 14,4 v. 63,3 ± 33,2; p < 0,001), o 06:00 rano (odpowiednio: 20,0 ± 12,2 v. 45,1 ± 25,0; p < 0,004) i o 14:00 (odpowiednio: 5,4 ± 2,3 v. 7,6 ± 2,3; p < 0,015). Nie stwierdzono różnic między grupami w innych godzinach 10:00 rano (6,5 ± 2,2 v. 8,4 ± 7,0), 18:00 (15,1 ± 14,5 v. 26,4 ± 25,4) i 22:00 (15,3 ± 15,2 v. 27,6 ± 26,3). Stężenie NA i A było w obu grupach podobne. Wnioski Chorzy dippers i non-dippers charakteryzują się różnym profilem dobowym MT z niższym jej wydzielaniem w grupie non-dippers. Melatonina wywiera wpływ na kontrolę profilu dobowego ciśnienia tętniczego, jakkolwiek nie przez regulację wydzielania katecholamin.Background Melatonin may influence autonomic nervous system and affect circadian blood pressure rhythm. The aim of the study was to investigate and influence of endogenous plasma melatonin an catecholamines on circadian blood pressure in hypertensive subjects with lack of nocturnal blood pressure decline. Material and methods The study included 21 dippers (D) (M 7/F 14, age 55.4 ± 10.7 yrs) and 12 non-dippers (ND) (M 4/F 8 age 59 ± 6.4 yrs) divided according to systolic and mean blood pressure nocturnal decline < 10% of daytime values. Ambulatory BP monitoring (SpaceLabs 90207) was performed and blood samples for melatonin (MT) (RIA, pg/mL), noradrenaline (NA) (HPLC, pg/mL) and adrenaline (A) (HPLC, pg/mL) determination were withdrawn every 4 hours during day and night time. Results MT was significantly lower in ND as compared to D at 02 AM, (19.7 ± 14.4 vs 63.3 ± 33.2; P < 0.001, respectively), 06 AM (20.0 ± 12.2 vs 45.1 ± 25.0; P < 0.004, respectively) and 02 PM (5.4 ± 2.3 vs 7.6 ± 2.3, P < 0.015, respectively) while no differences were found in MEL between groups at 10 AM (6.5 ± 2.2 vs 8.4 ± 7.0), 06 PM (5.9 ± 2.3 vs 8.6 ± 5.1) and 10PM (15.1 ± 14.5 vs 26.4 ± 25.4, respectively). NA as well as A were similar in ND and D. Conclusions Dippers and non-dippers are characterized by different diurnal profile of melatonin. Melatonin may play a role in regulation of circadian blood pressure rhythm, however its influence is not exerted by catecholamines

First step to eradication of Poa annua L. from Point Thomas Oasis (King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica)

Poa annua, an alien species reported from the Antarctic continent and many Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands, was accidentally introduced in the vicinity of the Polish Antarctic Station H. Arctowski. Recently the species has been found entering native plant communities. In almost 30 years it dispersed over 250 m from the site it was first observed and can therefore be considered invasive. We report the first steps to eradicate the species following the initial research to quantify the biology, ecology and genetics of the species. After detailed mapping of all 1439 tussocks located in the Arctowski Station area we removed 314 tussocks closest to a moss carpet formation (native plant community of high conservation value). All of the 49 tussocks growing in the Ecology Glacier forefield were removed. It is the biggest alien plant eradication act conducted so far in Antarctica. We plan to continue the eradication process and monitor the eradicated sites. This will provide valuable information on impacts and issuesrelated to removal of alien species in the maritime Antarctic and will help in informing future decisions on management of other plant invasions in the region. Given the increasing human traffic to the Antarctic and the associated risks of invasion our results will be important not only for Arctowski but also for the whole Antarctic region

“Pornographic binges” as a key characteristic of males seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behaviors: Qualitative and quantitative 10-week-long diary assessment

Background and aims Compulsive sexual behaviors (CSBs) are an important clinical and social issue. Despite the increasing number of studies, some of CSB’s aspects remain under-investigated. Here, we explore the nature of CSB, such as binge pornography use and masturbation (PuM), and verify the correspondence between self-perceived factors leading to such behavior with its measures obtained in a diary assessment. Methods Semi-structuralized interviews with nine treatment-seeking males aged 22–37 years (M = 31.7, SD = 4.85) were followed by a questionnaire and a 10-week-long diary assessment, allowing us to acquire real-life daily patterns of CSB. Results Six out of nine subjects experienced binge (multiple hours or times a day) PuM. All subjects presented a high level of anxiety and perceived PuM as a way to regulate mood and stress. Data collected in the diary assessment uncovered a high diversity in the patterns of sexual behaviors (such as frequency of regular and binge PuM) and its correlates. Binge PuM was related to decreased mood and/or increased stress or anxiety. The causal relation between these correlates remains undetermined. Discussion and conclusions Binge PuM seems to be one of the most characteristic behavior among males who are seeking treatment for CSB and is related to the feeling of losing control over one’s sexual activity. CSB individuals indicate a variety of binge triggers. Also, diary assessment data indicate that specific correlates of binge PuM (decreased mood, increased stress, and anxiety) differ between subjects. It suggests the existence of significant individual differences in binge PuM behaviors, and a need to study these differences, as it may help guide personalized treatment

Wpływ przedoperacyjnej chemioterapii na powikłania po leczeniu operacyjnym chorych na niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy before resection is being the standard of care for stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer in many institutions. The risk of complications in patients undergoing thoracotomy after induction chemotherapy remain controversial. We reviewed our experience. From 1998 to 2003, 29 patients underwent pulmonary resection after induction chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Pneumonectomies were performed for 16 (55,2%) patients (2 right sleeve pneumonectomy and 1 pneumonectomy with wedge excision of tracheal carina), lobectomies for 11 (37,9%) patients (3 right upper sleeve lobectomy), segmentectomies for 1 (3,45%) patient and explorative thoracotomy for 1 (3,45%) patient. There were 3 (10,3%) postoperative deaths, all after right pneumonectomy; 2 caused by pneumonia of the left lung, 1 caused by pulmonary embolism in patient after rethoracotmy for hemothorax. The postoperative complications included pneumonia in 2 patients, postoperative bleeding in 2, hemothorax in 1, prolonged intubation in 1, vocal cord paralysis in 2, cardiac arrhythmia in 2, atelectasis in 1 and residual air space in 1, resulting in 41,4% morbidity. Most of complications occured after right pneumonectomy (45,5%). The mortality of patients who had received induction chemotherapy was higher than that of a comparative group of 1529 who underwent lung resection or only exploration without induction chemotherapy during the same period, and the difference was significant(10,3% vs 4,1%; p=0,01). Morbidity differences were not significant(p=0,94). Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2004, 72, 477:48

Barwnikowe ogniwa słoneczne [Dye-sensitized solar cells]

This paper studies color photovoltaic cells - their construction, manufacture, characteristics and application. Color photovoltaic cells are third generation cells, using a non-silicon technology based on new functional materials, such as nanoparticles of metals, metal oxides and conductive polymers. In comparison to typical silicon cells, color photovoltaic cells don't require a very clean atmosphere and the ability to control the color or transparency of a photovoltaic cell allows for a wide range of applications: as shadowing surfaces, building fronts or decorative parts.</p

New Supramolecular Drug Carriers: The Study of Organogel Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles

An aqueous solution of sodium citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNP) in the presence of N-lauroyl-L-alanine (C12ALA) forms a stable gel. The structure of the gel and the distribution profile of AuNP in it were analyzed. Will nanoparticles separated from each other with sodium citrate behave in the same way in solution and trapped in the gel matrix? Will the spatial limitation of solvent molecules aggregate nanoparticles and destroy their homogeneity? These questions are very important from the point of view of the use of gold nanoparticles, trapped in the gel structure as carriers of drugs in the slow-release process. The lack of homogeneity of this distribution will have a major impact on the rate of release of the appropriate amount of therapeutic drug from the matrix. In this work, we attempt to answer these questions. The performed biological assays revealed that both C12ALA and C12ALA-AuNP show an excellent level of biological neutrality. They might be used as a transporting medium for a drug delivery without affecting the drug’s activity

Stabilność postawy i test ryzyka upadku w obiektywnej ocenie balansu u pacjentów z ektopową tkanką kostną po endoprotezoplastyce całkowitej stawu biodrowego

Introduction. Total hip replacement is an operative treatment method for end-stage osteoarthritis, considered the most effective nowadays. One of the typical complications after the procedure is heterotopic ossification which may influence patient posture stability and increase the risk of falls. Aim. The study aimed to assess whether patients developing heterotopic ossifications after total hip replacement have a higher risk of falls in comparison to the matched-cohort group without them. Materials and methods. 46 out of 312 patients undergoing a total hip replacement in 2020 who developed heterotopic ossifications were observed. For these patients, a propensity score based on age, sex, and BMI was generated, and a matched-cohort control group consisting of 39 patients was selected. Each patient was operated on via an anterolateral approach, and an uncemented total hip prosthesis was implanted. Patients from both cohorts underwent postoperative radiological and biomechanical assessment and fulfilled WOMAC and Oxford questionnaires pre-and postoperatively. Statistical analyses of the results were performed. Results. There were statistically significant differences between cohorts in the postural stability test (4.9±1.1 vs 2.0±1.0 p<0.05), antero-posterior stability index (3.6±1.2 vs 1.6±0.9, p<0.05), medio-lateral stability index (3.0±1.3 vs 1.0±0.7, p<0.05) and risk of fall test (9.8±1.0 vs 7.8±1.0, p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in the WOMAC and Oxford questionnaires. Conclusions. Our study proved that heterotopic ossifications, which appear in hip abductor muscles, could have an impact on balance and the risk of falls in patients after total hip replacement. In the elderly population, this can result in serious consequences such as a periprosthetic fracture or head trauma after total hip replacement.Wstęp. Endoprotezoplastyka całkowita stawu biodrowego jest operacyjną metodą leczenia schyłkowej choroby zwyrodnieniowej stawów uznawaną obecnie za najskuteczniejszą. Jednym z typowych powikłań po zabiegu są skostnienia pozaszkieletowe, które mogą wpływać na stabilność postawy pacjenta i zwiększać ryzyko upadków. Cel. Celem badania była ocena, czy pacjenci, u których dochodzi do powstania skostnień pozaszkieletowych po całkowitej aloplastyce stawu biodrowego mają większe ryzyko upadków w porównaniu z grupą z dobranej kohorty bez skostnień. Materiał i metody. Zaobserwowano 46 z 312 pacjentów poddanych całkowitej aloplastyce stawu biodrowego w 2020 roku, u których rozwinęły się heterotopowe skostnienia. Dla tych pacjentów wygenerowano wskaźnik skłonności oparty na wieku, płci oraz BMI i wybrano dopasowaną grupę kontrolną składającą się z 39 pacjentów. Każdy pacjent był operowany z dostępu przednio-bocznego z użyciem bezcementowej protezy całkowitej stawu biodrowego. Pacjenci z obu kohort przeszli pooperacyjną ocenę radiologiczną i biomechaniczną oraz wypełnili przed- i pooperacyjnie kwestionariusze WOMAC i Oxford. Przeprowadzono analizę statystyczną wyników. Wyniki. Wystąpiły statystycznie istotne różnice między kohortami w teście stabilności postawy (4,9±1,1 vs 2,0±1,0 p<0,05), wskaźniku stabilności przednio-tylnej (3,6±1,2 vs 1,6±0,9, p<0,05), wskaźniku stabilności przyśrodkowo-bocznej (3,0±1,3 vs 1,0±0,7, p<0,05) oraz test ryzyka upadku (9,8±1,0 vs 7,8±1,0, p<0,05). Nie zaobserwowano statystycznie istotnych różnic w kwestionariuszach WOMAC i Oxford. Wnioski. Nasze badanie wykazało, że heterotopowe skostnienia pojawiające się w mięśniach odwodzących biodra mogą mieć wpływ na równowagę i ryzyko upadków u pacjentów po całkowitej aloplastyce stawu biodrowego. W populacji osób starszych po całkowitej aloplastyce stawu biodrowego może to skutkować bardzo poważnymi konsekwencjami, takimi jak złamanie okołoprotezowe lub uraz głowy