Airgun shot wound to the orbit with retention of pellet. Case report and review of the literature

Shot wounds become a growing clinical concern in the civilian setting, due to increasing popularity of air guns among minors. We present a pediatric case of a shot wound to the orbit with sparing of the eyeball and retention of airgun pellet in the retrobulbar space. The pellet was removed 3 months after injury via lateral orbitotomy. Pathophysiology and ballistics of shot wounds are briefly reviewed and current views on the management strategy of shot wounds with retained projectile are discussed

Preparation and characterization of novel polymer-based gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) and poly(acrylonitrile-cobutadiene) or poly(dimethylsiloxane) bis(3-aminopropyl) copolymers

Polymer gel electrolytes based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene) (PAB) or poly(dimethylsiloxane) bis(3-aminopropyl)-terminated (PDES-bAP) copolymers were prepared and investigated in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Selected optical and electrochemical properties of all compositions with various ratio from 9:1 to 6:4 were investigated towards DSSC applications. The highest value of power conversion efficiency equal to 5.07% was found for DSSCs containing a PVDF-HPF:PAB (9:1) gel electrolyte. Compositions of electrolytes were additionally tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The influence of the ratio and type of polymers used as an additive to PVDF-HPF on absorption wavelengths, energy gap, and Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) levels were investigated. Individual components of DSSCs, such as the TiO2 layer and platinum nanoparticles, were imaged by scanning electron microscope. Finally, a DSSC module with six electrically separated solar cells with a 7 × 80 mm2 active area was constructed based on gel electrolytes and tested. © 2020 by the authors

The coexistence of the impaired exercise tolerance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea with gastroesophageal reflux

Wstęp: U chorych na obturacyjny bezdech senny (OBS) często stwierdza się refluks żołądkowo-przełykowy (RŻP), co pogarsza ich komfort życia i wymaga dodatkowego leczenia. Postanowiono sprawdzić, czy obniżenie tolerancji wysiłku u tych chorych ma związek z występowaniem i zaawansowaniem kwaśnego refluksu żołądkowo-przełykowego. Materiał i metody: Zbadano 18 chorych (6K i 12 M) w wieku średnio 55 ± 9 lat, z ciężką postacią OBS, wskaźnik bezdechów i spłycenia oddychania (AHI) wynosił średnio 44 ± 22. Wszyscy byli leczeni z powodu chorób metabolicznych i/lub nadciśnienia tętniczego lub przewlekłej choroby wieńcowej. U wszystkich chorych, poza ogólną oceną stanu zdrowia, stanu układu krążenia i oddychania, wykonano gastroskopię, 24-godzinne badanie pH w dolnym odcinku przełyku (pHmetria) i 6-minutowy test chodu (6MWT). Wyniki: U 12 badanych rozpoznano RŻP. U 14 chorych gastroskopia wykazała zmiany zapalne przełyku (w tym u 3, u których nie stwierdzono refluksu). Chorzy z RŻP w porównaniu z chorymi bez RŻP mieli nieco bardziej nasilony OBS (AHI — 46 ± 24 vs. 39 ± 18), byli nieco młodsi (53 ± 7 vs. 59 ± 11 lat), bardziej otyli (BMI - 38 ± 5 vs. 36 ± 9 kg/m2), a podczas 6MWT pokonali mniejszy dystans (różnica w odsetku wartości należnej: 78 ± 17% vs. 86 ± 22%) i pod koniec wysiłku mieli niższe wysycenie krwi tętniczej tlenem - SaO2: 91 ± 3% vs. 94 ± 3%. Wnioski: Mimo pewnych różnic w tolerancji wysiłku u chorych na OBS z RŻP i bez RŻP, nie stwierdzono statystycznie istotnych zależności między występowaniem RŻP a upośledzoną tolerancją wysiłku. W celu pełnego wyjaśnienia problemu wskazane byłoby zbadanie większej grupy chorych.Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a frequent disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The aim of the study was to evaluate possible correlation between the impairement of exercise tolerance and GERD. Material and methods: We examined 18 patients with OSA, mean AHI - 44 ± 22; 6 females, 12 males, mean age 55 ± 9 years. All patients were treated for metabolic disorders and for hypertension or coronary artery disease. In all patients gastroscopy was performed with 24h pHmetry and 6MWT. Results: In 12 patients GERD was found, in 14 patients esophagitis was diagnosed (among them there were 3 patients without GERD). Patients with GERD were younger (53 ± 7 vs. 59 ± 11 years) and more obese (BMI - 38 ± 5 vs. 36 ± 9 kg/m2). During 6MWT the distance covered was shorter (in % of normal values) in GERD subjects: 78 ± 17 vs. 86 ± 22%) and desaturation was deeper (91 ± 3 vs. 94 ± 3%). Conclusions: Despite some tendencies the relationship between GERD and impairement of exercise tolerance in OSA patients was not statistically significant. Perhaps study in larger group of subjects will be more reliable

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common cause of chronic cough, heartburn, epigastric or retrosternal discomfort, chest pain and abdominal pain or esophagitis. Our patients with OSAS seldom manifest GERD symptoms. We suspected that obesity and high pressure in abdominal cavity may induce acid gastroesophageal reflux in these patients. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that obesity, cigarettes smoking or ventilatory and gas exchange abnormalities provoke GERD. We studied 21 consecutive patients with severe OSAS (mean AHI 44.9±23.8) before CPAP treatment, all without GERD clinical symptoms. Standard polysomnography, gastroscopy and 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring was performed. There were 6 females, 15 males, mean age 57±9 years, mean BMI 38±6 kg/m2. All patients presented with normal spirometric and gas exchange values (mean VC 3.64±1.23 1, 90% of normal, mean FEV1 2.61±0.95 1, 83% of normal, mean FEV1%VC 72%, mean PaO2 68.1±7.7 mmHg, mean PaCO2 40.8±5.8 mmHg, mean pH 7.42±0.02). GERD was diagnosed in 14 patients. Patients with GERD were younger, more often were cigarettes smokers (5/14). We did not fi nd statistically signifi cant differences between severity of OSAS, BMI, ventilatory or gas exchange parameters and GERD

Consensus statement on a screening programme for the detection of early lung cancer in Poland

Introduction: Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Poland and worldwide, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.Compared to the present day, the annual number of new cases of lung cancer will have increased by approximately 50%, by 2030.The overall ratio of mortality to incidence totals 0.87 and is among the highest. The five-year survival rate in Poland has recentlyachieved 13.4%. In 2015, lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) was introduced to routine clinicalpractice in the United States following the publication of the largest randomised study, The National Lung Screening Trial. Theimplementation of screening programmes in Poland and the rest of Europe also seems unavoidable. Due to the differences, bothin the socioeconomic considerations and healthcare funding, compared to that in the United States, the current approach comesdown to the awaited results of the European randomised study, NELSON. Material and methods: During the meeting of an expert panel at the “Torakoneptunalia 2016” conference in Jastarnia, Poland,a decision was made to summarise and publish the current data on LDCT lung cancer screening in the form of recommendations,or a position statement. The document was prepared by a team composed of a radiologist, thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists,clinical oncologists, epidemiologists, internists, health prevention specialists and pathologists. It reflects the current body ofknowledge about lung cancer, its diagnosis and treatment, and provides recommendations on early detection of lung cancer usingLDCT. The recommendations address the screening procedure, the requirements for the teams conducting the screening, and therequirements for radiologists, pathologists and surgeons involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Results: While awaiting the results of the NELSON study and the European position statement on lung cancer screening methodology,the multidisciplinary group of experts presents their position, laying grounds for the development of an action plan forearly detection of lung cancer in the upcoming future in Poland. Conclusions: Primary and secondary prophylaxis are the principal ways to reduce lung cancer mortality. While smoking cessation is a taskof utmost importance, it must be accompanied by an effective screening programme if the outcome of the disease is to be improved

Experimental Plant Biology: Why Not?! Genistein: a natural isoflavone with a potential for treatment of genetic diseases

Abstract Genistein [4 ,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone or 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] is a natural isoflavone occurring in many plants known to possess various biological activities, ranging from phyto-oestrogenic to antioxidative actions. Recent studies indicated that this isoflavone can also be considered as a drug for as yet untreatable genetic diseases. In the present review, we discuss a plausible use of genistein in treatment of two genetic disorders: CF (cystic fibrosis) and MPS (mucopolysaccharidosis). Although various biological actions of genistein are employed in these two cases, in vitro studies, tests on animal models and pilot clinical trials suggest that this plant-derived compound might be a real hope for patients suffering from severe inherited disorders with relatively complicated pathomechanisms, including those affecting the central nervous system

Experimental Plant Biology: Why Not?! Genistein: a natural isoflavone with a potential for treatment of genetic diseases

Abstract Genistein [4 ,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone or 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] is a natural isoflavone occurring in many plants known to possess various biological activities, ranging from phyto-oestrogenic to antioxidative actions. Recent studies indicated that this isoflavone can also be considered as a drug for as yet untreatable genetic diseases. In the present review, we discuss a plausible use of genistein in treatment of two genetic disorders: CF (cystic fibrosis) and MPS (mucopolysaccharidosis). Although various biological actions of genistein are employed in these two cases, in vitro studies, tests on animal models and pilot clinical trials suggest that this plant-derived compound might be a real hope for patients suffering from severe inherited disorders with relatively complicated pathomechanisms, including those affecting the central nervous system

New challenges in diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies: Migration of populations

The current influx of economic migrants and asylum seekers from countries with a high prevalence of haemoglobinopathies creates new challenges for health care systems and diagnostic laboratories. The migration of carriers introduces new and novel haemoglobinopathy mutations to the diagnostic repertoire of a laboratory, often creating new pressures to improve and update the carrier screening technology and diagnostic scope. For antenatal screening programmes, the marriage of partners from different ethnic groups can lead to the risk of compound heterozygote children being born novel mutation combinations, creating problems in the provision of accurate advice regarding the expected phenotype of the thalassaemia or haemoglobinopathy disorder. In the UK, the impact of immigration required the National Haemoglobinopathy Reference laboratory to change the strategy and techniques used for the molecular diagnosis of thalassaemia and the haemoglobinopathies. In 2005, due to the increasingly large range of β-thalassaemia mutations that needed to be diagnosed, the laboratory switched from a three-step screening procedure using ARMS-PCR to a simpler but more expensive one-step strategy of DNA sequencing of the beta and alpha globin genes for all referrals. After ten years of employing this strategy, a further 57 novel thalassaemia and haemoglobionpopthy alleles were discovered (11 new β-chain variants, 15 α-chain variants, 19 β-thalassaemia mutations and 12 α+-thalassaemia mutations), increasing further the extremely heterogeneous spectrum of globin gene mutations in the UK population

Kultura i społeczeństwo na Środkowym Nadodrzu w XIX i XX wieku

303 s. : il., portr.