Niekonwencjonalne efekty w widmach podczerwonych wiązania wodorowego w kryształach molekularnych

Z przedstawionych i omówionych wyników badań spektralnych widm podczerwonych układów wiązań wodorowych w kryształach molekularnych wnioskować należy, że widma te mają niezwykle złożoną naturę, a mechanizm ich generowania w dalszym ciągu nie jest do końca jasny. Podstawowy mechanizm generowania widm podczerwonych opisany teoriami silnego sprzężenia, a potem teorią relaksacyjną,, uwzględnia fakt, że na własności widm podczerwonych wiązań wodorowych mają wpływ liczne czynniki zewnętrzne. Na pewno uwzględnić należy nie tylko samą geometrię rozmieszczenia wiązań wodorowych w komórce elementarnej kryształu, gdyż takie podejście nie tłumaczy obserwowanych w widmach, m.in. tych przedstawionych w mojej dysertacji doktorskiej, efektów spektralnych. W rozważaniach natury powstawania widm podczerwonych należy wyjść poza teorię ekscytonów molekularnych. W szczególności trzeba uwzględnić strukturę elektronową zaasocjowanych wodorowo molekuł. Właśnie ten aspekt, dotychczas pomijany w teoriach wiązań wodorowych, jest w największym stopniu odpowiedzialny za dobór odpowiedniej pary wiązań wodorowych, między którymi oddziaływanie ekscytonowe jest źródłem obserwowanych w podczerwieni efektów spektralnych wiązań wodorowych. Trzeba także uwzględnić czynnik geometryczny, ale nie w takim sensie jak do tej pory, tzn. nie chodzi raczej o rozmieszczenie wszystkich wiązań wodorowych w komórce elementarnej kryształu, lecz istotne przy powstawaniu widma podczerwonego jest wzajemne położenie tej dwójki wiązań wodorowych, która jak wynika z czynnika elektronowego, decyduje o widmie w największym stopniu. Opisane czynniki, wpływające na podstawowy mechanizm generowania widm podczerwonych wiązań wodorowych, tzn. aspekt elektronowy i aspekt geometryczny, współgrają ze sobą i jedynie uwzględnienie ich razem umożliwia wytłumaczenie kształtu, struktury subtelnej i efektów spektralnych widm podczerwonych wiązań wodorowych Nie są to z pewnością jedyne czynniki decydujące o widmie, ale uwzględnienie ich obydwu umożliwia zrozumienie elementarnych efektów spektralnych, chociażby takich jak obserwowane dla układów molekularnych zawierających w sieci krystalicznej jako jednostki strukturalne dimery wiązań wodorowych widma podczerwone, charakterystyczne dla układów łańcuchowych i odwrotnie, dla układów łańcuchowych, widma typowe dla dimerów. Obydwa te aspekty należy uwzględniać przy tworzeniu kolejnych teorii widm podczerwonych wiązań wodorowych. Ponadto zauważono, że najsilniejsze dynamiczne oddziaływania kooperatywne dotyczą tej samej pary wiązań wodorowych w sieci krystalicznej, między którymi zachodzą oddziaływania ekscytonowe, decydujące w największym stopniu o charakterze powstającego widma podczerwonego w zakresie protonowych i deuteronowych drgań rozciągających. Taka korelacja pomiędzy dynamicznymi oddziaływaniami kooperatywnymi a oddziaływaniami ekscytonowymi w układach wiązań wodorowych jest przyczyną obserwowanego braku zmienności kształtów i własności spektralnych pasm v x -h i Vx -d podczas rozcieńczania izotopowego próbki deuterem. Dzięki takiej współzależności możliwym stało się odkrycie zjawiska samoorganizacji izotopowej H/D, które jest przejawem silnych dynamicznych oddziaływań kooperatywnych. W pracy doktorskiej opisano powszechność występowania omawianego zjawiska w przyrodzie, a konkretnie zaproponowano wytłumaczenie destrukcyjnego wpływu wody ciężkiej na organizmy żywe w oparciu o zjawiska samoorganizacji izotopowej H/D w układach wiązań wodorowych

Parathyroid cancer — difficult diagnosis — a case report

Parathyroid cancer is a rare disorder of unclear etiology that is difficult to diagnose and treat. It is most often diagnosed incidentally based on multi-organ non-specific symptoms of hypercalcemia as a consequence of parathyroid hormone oversecretion. We present a case of a male with primary hyperparathyroidism who was diagnosed with parathyroid cancer ectopically located in the mediastinum only after the third surgery. However, due to chronic hypercalcemia, problems with localization and a bad clinical condition, the patient was not able to undergo a radical resection and one year after the first pathological fracture died. Taking into consideration the whole clinical picture we want to emphasize the need to apply comprehensive differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia and localization diagnosis of parathyroid tissue with a use of MIBI scintigraphy accompanied by the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as the most specific diagnostic tools employed in this pathology.Parathyroid cancer is a rare disorder of unclear etiology that is difficult to diagnose and treat. It is most often diagnosed incidentally based on multi-organ non-specific symptoms of hypercalcemia as a consequence of parathyroid hormone oversecretion. We present a case of a male with primary hyperparathyroidism who was diagnosed with parathyroid cancer ectopically located in the mediastinum only after the third surgery. However, due to chronic hypercalcemia, problems with localization and a bad clinical condition, the patient was not able to undergo a radical resection and one year after the first pathological fracture died. Taking into consideration the whole clinical picture we want to emphasize the need to apply comprehensive differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia and localization diagnosis of parathyroid tissue with a use of MIBI scintigraphy accompanied by the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as the most specific diagnostic tools employed in this pathology

The effect of the source of microorganisms on adaptation of hydrolytic consortia dedicated to anaerobic digestion of maize silage

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the source of microorganisms on the selection of hydrolytic consortia dedicated to anaerobic digestion of maize silage. The selection process was investigated based on the analysis of changes in the hydrolytic activity and the diversity of microbial communities derived from (i) a hydrolyzer of a commercial agricultural biogas plant, (ii) cattle slurry and (iii) raw sewage sludge, during a series of 10 passages. Following the selection process, the adapted consortia were thoroughly analyzed for their ability to utilize maize silage and augmentation of anaerobic digestion communities. The results of selection of the consortia showed that every subsequent passage of each consortium leads to their adaptation to degradation of maize silage, which was manifested by the increased hydrolytic activity of the adapted consortia. Biodiversity analysis (based on the 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing) confirmed the changes microbial community of each consortium, and showed that after the last (10th) passage all microbial communities were dominated by the representatives of Lactobacillaceae, Prevotellaceae, Veillonellaceae. The results of the functional analyses showed that the adapted consortia improved the efficiency of maize silage degradation, as indicated by the increase in the concentration of glucose and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), as well as the soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD). Moreover, bioaugmentation of anaerobic digestion communities by the adapted hydrolytic consortia increased biogas yield by 10-29%, depending on the origin of the community. The obtained results also indicate that substrate input (not community origin) was the driving force responsible for the changes in the community structure of hydrolytic consortia dedicated to anaerobic digestion

Immune Disorders in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: What Do We Know So Far?

This review of literature attempts to identify the factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto thyroiditis, an immune defect in an individual with genetic susceptibility accompanied with environmental factors. The frequency of Hashimoto’s disease is a growing trend and among Caucasians it is estimated at approximately 5%. The dysfunction of the gland may be clinically evident (0.1–2% of the population) or subclinical (10–15%). The pathology is diagnosed five to ten times more often in women than men and its incidence increases with the age (the peak of the number of cases is between 45 and 65); however, it can also be diagnosed in children. The pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is still not fully comprehended. In the etiology of Hashimoto thyroiditis excessively stimulated T CD4+ cells are known to play the most important role. Recent research has demonstrated an increasing role of newly discovered cells such as Th17 (CD4+IL-17+) or T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+highFoxP3+) in the induction of autoimmune disorders. The process of programmed cell death also plays an equally important role in the pathogenesis and the development of hypothyroidism

Does the Epstein–Barr Virus Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease (GD) it the most common chronic organ-specific thyroid disorder without a fully recognized etiology. The pathogenesis of the disease accounts for an interaction between genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. The most important environmental factors include viral and bacterial infections. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common latent human viruses. Literature has suggested its role in the development of certain allergic and autoimmune diseases. EBV also exhibits oncogenic properties. The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the presence of EBV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with newly recognized GD and to find a correlation between EBV infection and the clinical picture of GD. The study included 39 untreated patients with newly diagnosed GD and a control group of 20 healthy volunteers who were gender and age matched. EBV DNA was detected with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) assay. The studies showed a significantly higher incidence of EBV copies in PBMCs among GD patients compared to the control group. Whereas, no significant correlations were found between the incidence of EBV copies and the evaluated clinical parameters. Our results suggest a probable role of EBV in GD development. EBV infection does not affect the clinical picture of Graves’ disease

Detection of disbond defects in adhesively bonded aluminum plates using laser-generated ultrasounds

W referacie zostało przedstawione podejście wykorzystujące laserowe wzbudzanie i pomiar ultradźwięków do badania połączeń klejonych blach aluminiowych w trybie echa. Wiązka lasera impulsowego została tak zogniskowana, aby generować falę poprzeczną propagującą pod kątem od normalnej do powierzchni. W celu rejestracji odpowiedzi wykorzystano wysokoczuły interferometr zbalansowany typu Sagnac. Po to, aby dobrać optymalną odległość nadajnika i odbiornika wykorzystano wielofizyczne symulacje numeryczne. Przedstawiono obrazowanie połączeń między 3 blachami o grubościach 1, 1.5 i 3.5 mm. Ukazano obrazowanie wady w pierwszej warstwie kleju, jednak obrazowanie może być też wykonane dla innych warstw.The paper presents an approach that utilizes laser for ultrasound excitation and measurement to study adhesively bonded aluminum plates in pulseecho mode. The pulse laser beam generates shear waves propagating at an oblique angle from normal to the surface. The response is measured with a high-sensitivity Sagnac interferometer. To select the optimal distance between the transmitter and receiver, multiphysics numerical simulations were performed. The work presents imaging of bonding layer quality between aluminum 3 sheets of thickness 1, 1.5 and 3.5 mm. The results are shown for the defect in the first adhesive layer, however disbond imaging can also be performed for other layers

Analiza obrazu klinicznego niedoczynności tarczycy u kobiet w okresie menopauzy

The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical picture of hypothyroidism in women, inrelation to their menopausal status. Materials and methods: A total of 694 female ambulatory patients were divided into 3 groups: group I – 258menstruating patients aged up to 45, group II – 124 perimenopausal patients aged between 46 and 52, group III– 312 postmenopausal patients aged over 52. Medical documentation of the patients with hypothyroidism wasevaluated in terms of the selected features of their medical history and clinical picture of the disease. Results: The main cause of hypothyroidism was the chronic autoimmune thyroid gland inflammation; ingroup I it concerned 62.8% of patients, in the remaining two groups it was 50.0% and 51.6%, respectively. Analysing the prevalence of clinical symptoms it was found that the most frequent ones were: weight gain (18.6%),weakness (16.3%) and drowsiness (14.7%). In group II the prevailing symptoms were: hypertension (37.1%),weight gain (21.8%), drowsiness and weakness (12.1%) whereas in group III hypertension (60.3%), symptoms ofischemic heart disease (24.4%) and weight gain (14.4%) were dominant. Mean daily doses of levothyroxine usedin the 3 groups of patients were 90 μg, 81 μg ,74 μg, respectively. In women from groups II and III, a lipid balancedisorder (hypercholesterolemia) was observed significantly more often than in younger patients. Conclusions: Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed most frequently in postmenopausal women. The main causeof hypothyroidism was the chronic autoimmune thyroid gland inflammation. In postmenopausal women unusualclinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism dominated, which resulted from the coexistence of other diseases,mainly cardiovascular disorders. A 24-hour long-dose of levothyroxine in postmenopausal women was lower ascompared to menstruating women. Hypercholesterolemia was a considerably frequent element of the clinicalpicture of hypothyroidism in postmenopausal women

Insights into Facilitated Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Use in Patients with Secondary Immunodeficiency Diseases: A FIGARO Subgroup Analysis

The Facilitated Immunoglobulin Administration Registry And Outcomes (FIGARO) Study was a European, multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted across Europe designed to provide insights on the clinical use and tolerability of facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG). Data herein are reported for the cohort of patients with secondary immunodeficiency (SID), with a subgroup analysis by age. The SID cohort included 31 patients: 1 pediatric, 15 adult, and 15 older adult patients. Over the 36-month observation period, the median monthly dose of fSCIG (30 g) and median monthly infusion volume per patient (300 mL) remained constant in both adult-age cohorts. Serum trough levels tended to increase over time. Most patients required only one infusion site and could receive the full dose every 3–4 weeks. There was a trend toward self-administration at home. In the adult group, infusion site inflammation and headache were reported at the inclusion visit (n = 1 each), with no adverse drug reactions reported at any of the follow-up visits. No acute severe bacterial infections were reported during the study follow-up. These results demonstrate the feasibility and tolerability of fSCIG use in patients with SID and the flexibility of administration settings including self-administration at home in patients aged ≥65 years