SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre in Krakow, Poland

The SOLARIS synchrotron located in Krakow, Poland, is a third-generation light source operating at medium electron energy. The first synchrotron light was observed in 2015, and the consequent development of infrastructure lead to the first users’ experiments at soft X-ray energies in 2018. Presently, SOLARIS expands its operation towards hard X-rays with continuous developments of the beamlines and concurrent infrastructure. In the following, we will summarize the SOLARIS synchrotron design, and describe the beamlines and research infrastructure together with the main performance parameters, upgrade, and development plans

Prevotella intermedia produces two proteins homologous to Porphyromonas gingivalis HmuY but with different heme coordination mode

As part of the infective process, Porphyromonas gingivalis must acquire heme which is indispensable for life and enables the microorganism to survive and multiply at the infection site. This oral pathogenic bacterium uses a newly discovered novel hmu heme uptake system with a leading role played by the HmuY hemophore-like protein, responsible for acquiring heme and increasing virulence of this periodontopathogen. We demonstrated that Prevotella intermedia produces two HmuY homologs, termed PinO and PinA. Both proteins were produced at higher mRNA and protein levels when the bacterium grew under low-iron/heme conditions. PinO and PinA bound heme, but preferentially under reducing conditions, and in a manner different from that of the P. gingivalis HmuY. The analysis of the three-dimensional structures confirmed differences between apo-PinO and apo-HmuY, mainly in the fold forming the heme-binding pocket. Instead of two histidine residues coordinating heme iron in P. gingivalis HmuY, PinO and PinA could use one methionine residue to fulfill this function, with potential support of additional methionine residue/s. The P. intermedia proteins sequestered heme only from the host albumin-heme complex under reducing conditions. Our findings suggest that HmuY-like family might comprise proteins subjected during evolution to significant diversification, resulting in different heme coordination modes. The newer data presented in this manuscript on HmuY homologs produced by P. intermedia sheds more light on the novel mechanism of heme uptake, could be helpful in discovering their biological function, and in developing novel therapeutic approaches

Wokół rekodyfikacji prawa cywilnego. Prace jubileuszowe

Praca recenzowana / Peer-reviewed paperPrezentowana książka to głos w debacie nad stanem naszej kodyfikacji cywilnej. Jubileusz 50-lecia uchwalenia Kodeksu cywilnego, Kodeksu rodzinnego i opiekuńczego oraz Kodeksu postępowania cywilnego zbiega się z jubileuszem Profesora Janusza Szwai1. Profesor, wybitny cywilista, obchodzi swoje 80. urodziny, mija także 50 lat od obrony przez Niego doktoratu. Jest to doskonała okazja by przyjrzeć się propozycjom zmian prawa cywilnego płynących z różnych środowisk akademickich. Wszak dużą część swojego życia Profesor Szwaja poświęcił pracom legislacyjnym, ich komentowaniu czy krytykowaniu. Sam aktywnie w zmianach różnych kodyfikacji uczestniczył. Jego poglądy zawsze były wyważone. Dziś właśnie taki wyważony głos w dyskusji nad kształtem polskiego prawa cywilnego stał się niezbędny

Barbiturate poisoning

Wstęp: Barbiturany to grupa leków o działaniu nasennym. Zatrucia nimi mogą być zarówno przewlekłe, jak i ostre. W zależności od dawki i przyjętego preparatu pierwsze objawy mogą wystąpić już po kilku minutach. Dlatego bardzo ważna jest szybka reakcja świadków, rodziny oraz zespołu ratownictwa medycznego. Cel pracy: Celem pracy jest przedstawienie zatruć barbituranami na podstawie opisu przypadku. Jednocześnie praca ukierunkowana jest na podkreślenie znaczącej roli członków zespołu ratownictwa medycznego w działaniach ratowniczo-diagnostycznych na miejscu zdarzenia oraz w postępowaniu z pacjentem w warunkach szpitalnych. Materiał i metody: Na podstawie dokumentacji z wyjazdu zespołu ratownictwa medycznego podstawowego (ZRMRM P), dokonano analizy przypadku zatrucia barbituranami. Opis przypadku: Zespół ratownictwa medycznego otrzymał wezwanie do mężczyzny lat 35, bez kontaktu, z oddechem nieregularnym. Wstępna diagnoza – prawdopodobnie zatrucie lekami. Po wykonaniu podstawowych badań (badanie podmiotowe i przedmiotowe) na miejscu zdarzenia, potwierdzono zatrucie barbituranami. Natychmiastowe działanie zespołu ratownictwa medycznego, wdrożenie medycznych czynności ratunkowych i szybki transport do oddziału ratunkowego przyczyniło się do poprawy stanu ogólnego pacjenta. Po szybkiej kwalifikacji trafił on na oddział intensywnej terapii celem dalszej diagnostyki i leczenia. Wnioski: Zatrucia barbituranami zdarzają się rzadko. Ich zażycie pozaszpitalne może być wynikiem próby samobójczej. Tylko rzetelnie przeprowadzone badania podmiotowe i przedmiotowe mogą przyczynić się do rozpoznania zatrucia barbituranami oraz szybkiego wdrożenia intensywnej terapii zachowawczej. Zatrucia barbituranami prowadzą do zaburzeń oddychania, na wskutek porażenia mięśni oddechowych, dlatego priorytetem jest pełne przygotowanie do wentylacji, tlenoterapii oraz odsysania dróg oddechowych. Zaburzenia poziomu elektrolitów oraz wpływ barbituranów na organizm mogą doprowadzić do zaburzeń rytmu serca. Prowadzona płynoterapia będzie odwracać możliwe przyczyny nagłego zatrzymania krążenia. W przypadku wątpliwości odnośnie do zatrucia barbituranami, należy pamiętać o możliwości kontaktu z ośrodkiem toksykologicznym. Leczenie szpitalne uwarunkowane jest stanem pacjenta, pełną diagnostyką laboratoryjną na obecność barbituranów, bilansem wodnym i wartościami elektrolitów.Background: Barbiturates are a group of drugs with soporific properties. Poisoning can be chronic as well as acute. Depending on the dose and adopted preparation, the first symptoms may appear as quickly as after a few minutes following the intake. Therefore an instant response on the part of witnesses, family and a medical rescue team is very important. Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to present the problem of barbiturate poisoning, based on the description of a case study. At the same time, the author intends to highlight the significant role of a rescue team members performing emergency medical rescue action and diagnostic activities on the scene, as well as procedures connected with management of the patient in the hospital. Material and methods: Based on documentation of emergency medical services of the basic type, an analysis of a case of barbiturate poisoning is carried out. Case description: Emergency medical service received a summons to a man 35 years without contact, breathing irregularly. The initial diagnosis – probably drug intoxication. After completing basic research (physical examination) at the scene, confirmed barbiturate poisoning. Immediate action emergency medical services, the implementation of medical rescue operations and fast transport to the emergency department contributed to the improvement of the general condition of the patient. The patient after a quick qualification went to the ICU for further diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: Barbiturate poisoning is rare. An intake of the substance outside hospital may be the result of a suicidal attempt. Only a responsibly conducted physical examination may contribute to the effective diagnosis of barbiturate poisoning and an instant implementation of intensive conservative therapy. Barbiturate poisoning leads to respiratory disorders due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which is why full preparation for ventilation, oxygen therapy and suction of the airway are the utmost priority. Disturbance of the electrolytes levels and the impact of barbiturates on the body may lead to cardiac arrhythmia. Application of fluid-based therapy will reverse the possible causes of sudden cardiac arrest. In the case of taking a doubt about the barbiturate poisoning, one must remember about the possibility of contacting a poison control center. Hospital treatment is conditioned by the patient’s state, running a complete set of laboratory tests aimed at confirming the presence of barbiturates,as well as is dependent on the water balance and values of electrolytes levels

How Does Personality Affect Perception of Advertising Messages? The Big Five Model and Advertising Responses: A Meta-Analysis

To identify personality traits (Big Five model) sensitive to advertising appeals a meta-analysis of 15 studies (308 correlations) was performed. Variables of brand familiarity, types of advertising appeals and types of responses to advertisements were used as moderators of responses to advertisements. The overall correlation effect between personality traits and response to advertisement was positive and significant, with Agreeableness, Extraversion and Openness to Experience responsible for this effect. Moderating effect of brand familiarity was positive and significant for both familiar and unfamiliar brands. Moderating effect of advertising appeals was positive and significant for value-expressive appeals but not utilitarian appeals. The moderation effect of a type of advertising response showed that the relationship between advertising response and personality is mostly shaped by advertising attitude (AAd) and brand attitude (ABrand). Interaction effects between personality traits and moderators were also analyzed. Results are discussed in the context of micro-targeting

How Does Personality Affect Perception of Advertising Messages? The Big Five Model and Advertising Responses: A Meta-Analysis

To identify personality traits (Big Five model) sensitive to advertising appeals a meta- analysis of 14 studies (288 correlations) was performed. Variables of brand familiarity and types of advertising appeals were used as moderators of responses to advertisements. Moderation effects of a type of advertising response showed that the overall relationship between advertising response and personality is mostly shaped by emotional and behavioral aspects of advertising response. Relationship between individual personality traits and response to advertising was also examined. Positive relationship was established for Extraversion and Openness: extraverts and individuals open to experience respond positively to advertisements that are tailored to Extraversion and Openness, respectively; and they respond more positively to unfamiliar brands than to the familiar ones. The results are in line with literature emphasizing the role of personality in regulation of perception, information processing and behavior. Results are discussed in the context of micro-targeting

Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Performing Advanced Resuscitation Procedures Undertaken by Two- and Three- Person Basic Medical Rescue Teams in Adults under Simulated Conditions

(1) Objective: Paramedics as a profession are a pillar of the State Medical Rescue system. The basic difference between a specialist and a basic team is the composition of members. The aim of the study was to benchmark the effectiveness of performing advanced resuscitation procedures undertaken by two- and three-person basic emergency medical teams in adults under simulated conditions. (2) Design: The research was observational. 200 two- and three-people basic emergency medical teams were analyzed during advanced resuscitation procedures, ALS (Advanced Life Support) in adults under simulated conditions. (3) Method: The study was carried out among professionally active and certified paramedics. It lasted over two years. The study took place under simulated conditions using prepared scenarios. (4) Results: In total, 463 people took part in the study. The analysis of the survey results indicates that the efficiency of three-person teams is superior to the activities performed by two-person teams. Three-person teams were quicker to perform rescue actions than two-person teams. The two-person teams were much quicker to assess the condition of victims than the three-person teams. The three-person teams were more likely to check an open airway. The three-person teams were more efficient in assessing the heart rhythm and current condition of victims. It was demonstrated that three-person teams were more effective during electrotherapy. The analysis demonstrated that three-person teams were significantly faster and more efficient in chest compressions. Three-person teams were less likely to use emergency airway techniques than two-person teams. The results indicate that three-person teams administered the first dose of adrenaline significantly faster than two-person teams. For the “call for help”, the three-person teams were found to be more effective. (5) Conclusion: Paramedics in three-person teams work more effectively, make a proper assessment of heart rhythm and monitor when taking advanced actions. The quality of ventilation and BLS in both groups studied is insufficient. Numerous errors have been observed in two-person teams during pharmacotherapy

Evaluation of Capillary Blood Gases in Medical Personnel Caring for Patients Isolated Due to SARS-CoV-2 in Intensive Care Units before and after Using Enhanced Filtration Masks: A Prospective Cohort Study

The dynamically changing epidemiological situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with the increased burden and fatigue of medical personnel. The aim of the study was to evaluate: (1) oxygen and carbon dioxide blood pressure and saturation levels in medical personnel caring for patients isolated due to SARS-CoV-2 in ICUs; (2) adverse symptoms reported by medical personnel after leaving the isolation zone. Design: A Prospective Cohort Study. Methods: The project was implemented in the first quarter of 2021. Medical personnel working with patients isolated due to SARS-CoV-2 in the ICU of three hospitals were eligible for the study. The participants of the study were subjected to two analyses of capillary blood by a laboratory diagnostician. Results: In the studied group of medical personnel (n = 110) using FFP2/FFP3 masks, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between the parameters of geometric examination performed before and after leaving the isolation ward of the hospital. After working in the isolation ward, nurses reported malaise (somnolence, fatigue, sweating, dizziness) more often than paramedics (44% vs. 9%; p = 0.00002). The risk of ill-being in nurses was approximately nine times higher than in paramedics (OR = 8.6; Cl 95%: 2.7 to 26.8) and increased with the age of the subjects (OR = 1.05; Cl 95%: 1.01 to 1.08). Conclusion: FFP2/FFP3 filter masks did not worsen blood oxygenation in medical staff caring for patients isolated due to SARS-CoV-2 in the ICU. The presence of subjective symptoms such as fatigue may be due to lack of adequate hydration