Preliminary study of external interatrial muscle fascicles

The atria are highly complex multidimensional structures composed of a heterogeneous branching network of subendocardial muscular bundles. The relief of the inner part of the right atrium includes the crista terminalis as well as multiple pectinate muscles that bridge the thinner atrial free walls and appendages. However, a handful of studies have focused attention on the role of the naturally occurring complexities of the atrial subendocardial muscle structures in the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias. In accordance with the facts mentioned above, it was decided to examine the morphology and topography of the external interatrial junctions and related structures in order to define the possible anatomical basis of impulse propagation in focal atrial fibrillation. Research was conducted on material consisting of 15 human hearts of both sexes (female - 6, male - 9) from 18 to 82 years of age. In addition we were concerned, on the basis of the history and electrocardiograph tracings, that none of the patients had shown focal and non-focal type of atrial fibrillation. The classic macroscopic methods of anatomical evaluation were used. The walls of the atria were prepared via a stereoscopic microscope, the pericardium and fatty tissue were eliminated from the surface of the atria, visualising muscle fibres linking both of the atria, and the beginnings and the endpoints of fascicles in the right and left atrium were estimated. The structure, large muscle bundle, was present in all examined hearts. The muscle fascicle was descending from the anterior wall of the right atrium just below the orifice of the superior vena cava. The fascicle, running towards the left atrium, divided into two branches, one of which joined with the superior fascicle from the posterior wall and created one running above the interatrial septum and infiltrating into the wall of the left atrium on its superior surface between the superior pulmonary veins. The other branch of the anterior fascicle was running across the anterior wall of the atria and it penetrated into the left atrium muscle in the region of the inferior pole of the left auricle outlet. On the posterior wall of the atria three types of interatrial fascicles were distinguished: unifascicular, bifascicular and trifascicular. The bifascicular type was the most frequent configuration (9 cases - 60.0%), in 5 cases it was trifascicular (33.3%) and finally the unifascicular configuration was observed in just 1 heart (6.7%). On the basis of our study we can conclude that the external interatrial fascicles are the constant structure of the heart,although they may have a variable morphology. Those structures could be responsible for physiological conduction between the atria and may play an important role in patients with atrial fibrillation

N-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-[3-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1Hbenzimidazol-1-yl)propyl]piperidine-4-Carboxamide (D2AAK4), a Multi-Target Ligand of Aminergic GPCRs, as a Potential Antipsychotic

N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-[3-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol -1-yl)propyl]piperidine-4-carboxamide (D2AAK4) is a multitarget ligand of aminergic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) identified in structure-based virtual screening. Here we present detailed in vitro, in silico and in vivo investigations of this virtual hit. D2AAK4 has an atypical antipsychotic profile and low affinity to off-targets. It interacts with aminergic GPCRs, forming an electrostatic interaction between its protonatable nitrogen atom and the conserved Asp 3.32 of the receptors. At the dose of 100 mg/kg D2AAK4 decreases amphetamine-induced hyperactivity predictive of antipsychotic activity, improves memory consolidation in passive avoidance test and has anxiogenic properties in elevated plus maze test (EPM). Further optimization of the virtual hit D2AAK4 will be aimed to balance its multitarget profile and to obtain analogs with anxiolytic activity.The research was performed under OPUS grant from National Science Center (NCN, Poland), grant number 2017/27/B/NZ7/01767 (to A.A.K). Calculations were partially performed under a computational grant by Interdisciplinary Center for Mathematical and Computational Modeling (ICM), Warsaw, Poland, grant number G30-18 (to A.A.K.), under resources and licenses from CSC, Finland (to A.A.K). In vitro pharmacology assays were performed with support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) (grant number SAF2014-57138-C2-1-R to M.C.). A.G.S. acknowledges funding from XUNTA de Galicia (Spain)S

Relevance of Serology for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection Among Children with Persistent Cough

Abstract Background. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. cough and tracheobronchitis are the commonest features of M. pneumoniae infection but diagnosis based on clinical symptoms that may be due to other respiratory pathogens is impossible. Thus laboratory testing for M. pneumoniae is particularly important. correct and rapid diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections is of prime importance to introduce appropriate antibiotic treatment. Objectives. evaluation of the incidence of IgM and IgG antibodies specific to M. pneumoniae among children with pneumonia and/or chronic cough. Material and Methods. Serum samples from 148 children with a history of chronic cough (lasting at least one month), recurrent respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, and/or inflammatory changes on X-chest ray. first, all sera were screened for specific anti-M. pneumoniae antibodies using agglutination test following the detection of specific IgM and IgG anti-M. pneumoniae antibodies using immunoenzymatic assays. Results. Out of the 148 serum samples, 57 (38.5%) gave positive screening results. However, the presence of M. pneumoniae-specific IgM and/or IgG antibodies was confirmed by immunoenzymatic assays in only 30 (52.6%) of these 57 positive samples. These results indicated that in as many as 27 (47.4%) out of the 57 serum samples screened, false-positive results occurred. Conclusions. evaluation of acute-and convalescent-phase sera is necessary to make possible accurate interpretation of the serological testing results (Adv Clin Exp Med 2014, 23, 2, 185-190)

Home-based treatment with subcutaneous trastuzumab: safe and acceptable not only during a pandemic — final analysis of the RWD project ‘FlexCare’

Introduction. Trastuzumab shows similar efficacy and safety profile regardless of IV or SC administration. Subcutaneous administration enables reduction of treatment costs and time as well as equipment savings and is more convenient for both patients and healthcare providers. In Poland, home-based programs of treatment with biological drugs are already implemented; however, to date they do not include trastuzumab in BC patients. The project aimed to evaluate the organizational and therapeutic procedures related to home-based treatment with subcutaneous trastuzumab and satisfaction of patients and healthcare providers based on RWE. Material and methods. Early HER2(+) BC patients treated with trastuzumab were enrolled in the study. Monitoring and duration of treatment were consistent with the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) and reimbursement rules. The first 3–6 doses of trastuzumab were administered at the cancer center, followed by home doses. Medical visits took place every 3 months. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A positive opinion of the Bioethics Committee was obtained. Results. Twenty patients participated in the project. The median age was 59 years (36–72 years). The average distance from the place of residence to the hospital was 24 km (2–65 km). We administered 232 doses, with an average of 11.6 doses per patient (range 6–14). The tolerance of trastuzumab was good and consistent with the SmPC. The average duration of a nurse’s stay at home was 60 minutes. Almost all patients (19/20) appreciated the possibility of saving time and continuing their professional work as well as avoiding crowds and the risk of infection in the hospital. Two patients felt that nurse visits violated their privacy. No logistical or technical problems were observed. Conclusions. Home-based treatment with subcutaneously administered trastuzumab is safe and easy to organize, positively perceived by both patients and nurses. It can be particularly important for disabled patients who have difficulty reaching the hospital, as well as for professionally active patients

Strategia kształcenia wyprzedzającego

Strategia kształcenia wyprzedzającego (SKW) była przedmiotem trzyletniego projektu „Kolegium Śniadeckich – innowacyjny program nauczania przedmiotów przyrodniczych”, realizowanego w partnerstwie między Uniwersytetem im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu a Ogólnopolską Fundacją Edukacji Komputerowej (Oddział w Poznaniu), współfinansowanego ze środków Unii Europejskiej w ramach Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego. Naczelnym efektem projektu była modyfikacja metodyki nauczania przedmiotów przyrodniczych oraz matematyki, podniesienie poziomu nauczania tych przedmiotów, a także zwiększenie uczniowskiego zainteresowania nimi. Dynamiczny rozwój technologii informacyjno-komunikacyjnych oraz aktywność uczniów w tej dziedzinie skłoniły autorów do uwzględnienia tego stanu w projektowaniu zmian w nauczaniu przedmiotów przyrodniczych

Effect of Mycophenolate Mofetil on Plasma Bioelements in Renal Transplant Recipients

The proper concentrations of plasma bioelements may favorably reduce the incidence of metabolic disorders, which often occur during immunosuppressive therapy. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is currently one of the most frequently administered immunosuppressive agents; however, MMF treatment is often related to gastrointestinal side effects. The aim of this study was thus to verify whether the MMF treatment itself, or its metabolite pharmacokinetics, has an effect on the concentrations of plasma bioelements. To determine this, the effect of MMF on the levels of both major (sodium [Na], potassium [K], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg]), and trace (iron [Fe], zinc [Zn], copper [Cu]) plasma bioelements in 61 renal transplant recipients was assessed in comparison to a control group (n = 45). The pharmacokinetic parameters of mycophenolic acid were determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography method. All patients filled out a 24-h diet history questionnaire. The results showed high plasma concentrations of Fe and low plasma concentrations of Mg and Zn as compared with diagnostic norms. The patients treated with MMF had significantly lower plasma Na (P < 0.001) and significantly higher plasma Zn (P = 0.030) and Cu concentrations (P < 0.001). In conclusion, MMF treatment was found to affect plasma Fe, Zn, and Cu levels by increasing their concentrations while decreasing the plasma Na concentration. Mg and Zn deficiencies, as well as excessive Fe levels, are frequently observed irrespective of the immunosuppressive regimen applied, which suggests that monitoring of these bioelements may be favorable

W poszukiwaniu jakości życia współczesnej rodziny polskiej

Praca recenzowana / peer-reveiwed pape

Wymiary przestrzeni życiowej współczesnej rodziny

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed pape

Vitamins and minerals pharmaceutical preparations for elderly people

Do preparatów witaminowo-mineralnych przeznaczonych dla osób w starszym wieku i dostępnych na polskim rynku bez recepty należą zarówno tak zwane suplementy, jak i produkty lecznicze. Tylko w stosunku do części z nich wyraźnie sprecyzowano ich zastosowanie u osób w określonym wieku (najczęściej > 50. rż.). Pozostałe są zalecane w stanach niedoboru i określonych dolegliwościach nie tylko związanych z wiekiem. Producenci omawianych preparatów nie zawsze uwzględniają zmieniające się, zwłaszcza u osób w starszym wieku, zapotrzebowanie na występujące w nich składniki. W praktyce, różnorodność składu tego typu preparatów stwarza duże możliwości ich doboru, z uwzględnieniem indywidualnych potrzeb każdej starszej osoby.Vitamin and mineral preparations that are designated for elderly people and available over the counter are part of the group belonging to supplements as well as all the medicinal products. Only some of them have been clearly defined as far as their application by people in certain age (most often over 50) is concerned. The remaining rest of the products are recommended in deficiency states and specific ailments resulting not only from the age of a patient. However, the producers of the discussed preparations not always take into consideration changing recommended dietary allowances, especially when it comes to elderly people. In practice, the variety of the composition of this kind of preparations allows to select the ingredients accounting the needs of an individual elder patient