Body Size of the Monomorphic Ant Lasius niger

Metal pollution may cause the decrease in the individual body size. In ants, the morphological diversity within and between colonies may be much higher than that considered before, even in monomorphic ants. In this study we measured the body size, expressed as head width, of Lasius niger workers collected from 44 young colonies in their ergonomic stage along a well-known gradient exhibiting chronic metal pollution. We calculated statistics describing the body size distribution curve, namely, average, median, data range, skewness, and kurtosis. None of these statistics correlated with the pollution level. Contrary to our previous study performed on mature colonies, workers from young colonies do not display pollution-related morphological changes. The results stress the importance of developmental stage of colony on diversifying body size of the worker cast, in monomorphic ants living in metal-polluted areas

Evaluation of the Safety of Neauvia Stimulate Injectable Product in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases Based on Histopathological Examinations and Retrospective Analysis of Medical Records

The aim of this study was to test the effect of hyaluronic acid cross-linked with polyethylene glycol containing micronized portions of calcium hydroxyapatite (Neauvia Stimulate) on both local tissue and systemic consequences, which are crucial from the perspective of long-term safety, in patients suffering from Hashimoto's disease. This most common autoimmune disease is a frequently mentioned contraindication to the use of fillers based on hyaluronic acid as well as biostimulants based on calcium hydroxyapatite. Broad-spectrum aspects of histopathology were analyzed to identify key features of inflammatory infiltration before the procedure and 5, 21, and 150 days after the procedure. A statistically significant effect on the reduction of the intensity of the inflammatory infiltration in the tissue in relation to the state before the procedure was demonstrated, combined with a reduction in the occurrence of both antigen-recognizing (CD4) and cytotoxic (CD8) T lymphocytes. With complete statistical certainty, it was demonstrated that the treatment with Neauvia Stimulate had no effect on the levels of these antibodies. All this corresponds with the risk analysis that showed no alarming symptoms during the time of observation. The choice of hyaluronic acid fillers cross-linked with polyethylene glycol should be considered justified and safe in the case of patients suffering from Hashimoto's disease

Management of acute ischaemic stroke due to Sheldon catheter insertion into the right common carotid artery using the aspiration thrombectomy: a case report

Accidental carotid cannulation using a large-bore catheter is one of the complications of central venous catheter insertion, reported in 1 % of performed procedures. Management of arterial catheterization contains direct manual compression, endovascular treatment, and open surgical repair. Inadvertent arterial cannulation can lead to hemorrhage, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, stroke or death. Mechanical removal of thrombotic material is presently the most effective method of stroke treatment. Rapid and early restoration of blood flow is crucial for the improvement of the neurological condition. This report describes a case of a patient with signs of severe stroke after management of accidental carotid catheterization using balloon tamponade. Aspiration thrombectomy was successfully performed to manage acute ischaemia of the brain

Effect of SiO2 particle size and length of polypropylene glycol) chain on rheological properties of shear thickening fluids

Effect of SiO2 particle size and length of polypropylene glycol) chain on rheological properties of shear thickening fluids The rheological properties of shear thickening fluids based on silica powder of particles size in range 0.10 - 2.80 μm and poly(propylene glycol) of 425, 1000, 2000 g/mol molar mass were investigated. The effect of particle size and the length of the polymeric chain was considered. The objective of this study was to understand basic trends of physicochemical properties of used materials on the onset and the maximum of shear thickening and dilatant effect. Outcome of the research suggested that an increase in the particle size caused a decrease in dilatant effect and shift towards higher shear rate values. Application of carrier fluid of higher molar mass allowed to increase dilatant effect but it resulted in the increase of the initial viscosity of the fluid

Vitamin D in SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background. SARS-CoV-2 virus is one of the largest RNA viruses, included in the coronavirus group, showing tropism to airway epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 causes an acute respiratory infectious disease, Covid-19. According to WHO reports, mortality due to Covid-19 is higher in the elderly and in those burdened with comorbidities such as diabetes, obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, cancer, hypertension, hepatitis B, obesity or chronic kidney disease. Objective. The aim of the study was to review the current literature on the influence and importance of vitamin D levels on the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Material and method. A systematic review of studies published from January 1, 2009 to June 31, 2021 has been performed. For this purpose, bibliographic databases such as PubMed and Scopus were searched. The following keywords and combinations were used: Covid-19, vitamin D, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, vitamin D supplementation, SARS-CoV-2. Results. It has been shown that vitamin D plays an important role in the mechanisms of the innate immunity in the course of the acute respiratory infections. The overlapping factors of the severity of COVID-19 disease, vitamin D deficiency, and the prevalence of obesity, age scare, ethnicity, has led some researchers to hypothesize that vitamin D supplementation may be promising as a preventive or therapeutic measure for COVID-19. Conclusions. A very important factor that has an immunomodulatory character is vitamin D, the adequate supplementation of which can be a preventive or therapeutic measure in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in elderly people, with obesity and other chronic diseases