Handling of endoscopic equipment after use in the case of a patient with suspected prion disease

Introduction. Prion diseases are slow-acting, neurodegenerative diseases found in humans and many species of animals. Although they occur very rarely in humans, currently, an increase in this type of disease is being observed, probably as a result of exposure to infectious prions causing BSE disease in cows. Objective. The aim of the procedures described in the article is to minimize the risk of human-to-human transfer of all forms of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, including variant CJD (vCJD) by contaminated medical equipment. Brief description of the state of knowledge. All diseases caused by prions, referred to as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are fatal. They are characterized by a long development period (up to several decades). Enormous problems are connected with the risk of transferring prions from patient to patient on the surface of instruments used in medical procedures. Laboratory tests indicate that standard disinfection and sterilization procedures may be insufficient to completely remove infectious proteins from contaminated instruments. One of the methods of infection prevention involves taking equipment used for surgery within the brain, tonsils or appendix, into quarantine until biopsy results of these organs have been received that exclude, as far as possible, asymptomatic carriage of prions. Conclusions. Whenever possible and justified, disposable-use instruments should be used for invasive surgery in patients with definite, clinically probable cases of CJD (vCJD). After use, these instruments should be incinerated

Preliminary information on prevention of infections caused by SARS-COV-2 virus in endoscopic laboratories

Introduction. On 11 March 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) as a global pandemic Currently, no vaccines are available and there is little evidence of the efficacy of potential therapeutic agents. Furthermore, there is presumably no pre-existing immunity in the population to the new coronavirus, and it is as-sumed that everyone in the population is susceptible. Objective. The aim of the procedures described in the article is to minimize the risk of human-to-human transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome – coronavirus 2) virus during procedures carried out in endoscopic laboratories. Brief description of the state of the art. SARS-CoV-2 infection can be asymptomatic, cause severe pneumonia, or lead to death. Symptoms of COVID-19 range from none (asymptomatic) to severe pneumonia and it can be fatal. Case studies to-date indicate that this infection causes a mild illness (i.e. pneumonia or mild pneumonia) in approximately 80% of cases, and most cases recove; 14% have a more severe illness, 6% experience a critical illness. The vast majority of the most serious illnesses and deaths have occurred among the elderly and people with other chronic underlying diseases. Average progression times include: • in mild cases: from the onset of symptoms to recovery in almost 2 weeks; • in severe cases: from the onset of symptoms to recovery in 3–6 weeks, and from symptoms to death in 2–8 weeks. Conclusions. Special precautions should be taken and procedures followed when performing invasive medical procedures in endoscopic laboratories in patients with specific or clinically probable SARS-CoV-2 infection. This article contains up-to-date information as at 04/04/2020

Analysis methods of surface texturing silicon crystal used in photovoltaics

W pracy przeprowadzono analizę metod teksturowania powierzchni płytek krzemowych stosowanych w ogniwach fotowoltaicznych. Omówiono metody trawienia płytek krzemu monokrystalicznego w roztworach alkaicznych, metody trawienia krzemu polikrystalicznego w środowisku kwasowym, obróbkę laserową i obróbki mieszane wykorzystujące laser i trawienie chemiczne. Na podstawie opublikowanych wyników badań absorpcji promieniowania świetlnego oceniono poszczególne technologie pod kątem ich praktycznej przydatności do budowy wysokosprawnych paneli słonecznych.This paper analyzes the methods of texturing the surface of silicon wafers used in solar cells. The methods of etching monocrystalline silicon plate in alkaline solutions, methods for etching polycrystalline silicon in an acid medium, and the laser treatment using laser machining mixed and chemical etching. On the basis of published studies, the absorption of light radiation rated the different technologies in terms of their practical usefulness for the construction ofhigh-performance solar panels

Microbiological assessment of cleanliness of surfaces and equipment in a children’s operating theatre on the example of a selected hospital

Introduction. The operating theatre is one of the most important places in a hospital. Due to the presence of numerous reservoirs of microorganisms and the invasiveness of surgical procedures it is necessary to ensure high hygiene standards in these locations. Objective. The aim of the study was to carry out a qualitative assessment of the microbiological cleanliness of the surfaces and equipment in an operating theatre. Materials and method. The results of microbiological tests of the surfaces and equipment of the Children’s Operating Theatre in Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 2 in Rzeszów, southeast Poland, during 2007–2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Results and conclusions. For the analysis, a total of 1,819 swabs were collected, of which 1.05% were positive. Positive results were obtained mainly from samples taken from moist places (57.9%). Among the microorganisms isolated, Gram- negative bacteria constituted the majority (57.9%), Pseudomonas bacteria were found most frequently (31,6%). Isolated microbes can be the etiological agent of nosocomial infections

Resistance of triticale hybrids with Pm4b and Pm6 genes to powdery mildew

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is one of the most important foliar diseases of cereals. Infection by this pathogen on triticale has intensified in Poland in the last few years. In this study we examined resistance to powdery mildew in triticale hybrids possessing resistance genes Pm4b and Pm6 introduced from common wheat. The materials tested were hybrids derived from triticale crosses with common wheat cultivars carrying the desired resistance genes. The presence of the transferred genes was reflected in increased field resistance and shown by the use of molecular markers. The paper discusses the potential introduction of the genes to improve powdery mildew resistance

Relevance of low-pressure compression corsets in physiotherapeutic treatment of patients after mastectomy and lymphadenectomy

Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon,1 Jacek Teodorczyk,2 Agnieszka Gruszecka,3 Jacek Wydra,4 Piotr Lass2,5 1Department of Physiotherapy, 2Depart­ment of Nuclear Medicine, 3Department of Informatics and Statistics, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, 4Department of Oncological Surgery, “Szpital Morski im. PCK” Hospital in Gdynia, 5Department of Molecular Spectroscopy, Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland Abstract: There is no fully effective treatment for secondary lymphedema. In patients with breast cancer, lymphedema may present immediately after axillary dissection or years later. It typically occurs in a limb (such as an arm), but it can also occur in the torso, especially in breast cancer patients. It is, therefore, essential to prevent or minimize the condition. The currently used compression therapy has varying efficiency. Thus, researchers are still looking for better solutions, especially for primary prevention. The aim of this study was to find whether compression corsets therapy with a class I compression garment could prevent truncal lymphedema on the operated side in females who underwent mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection as the standard of care for breast cancer treatment without subsequent reconstruction. We also investigated whether this therapy is efficient in prevention and treatment of truncal lymphedema in patients who underwent mastectomy and additional radiotherapy, and finally whether this method could be implemented for pain reduction strategies in this treatment group. The study was carried out in 50 randomly selected breast cancer patients classified by the oncologist as candidates for surgery. The final study was completed in 37 patients who underwent mastectomy and lymphadenectomy. The study group was randomly divided into two subgroups: subgroup G (received compression corsets 1 month following the surgery) and subgroup K (control) in which the patients underwent no physiotherapeutic treatment. The size of truncal lymphedema was measured using ultrasound in presentation B. Measurements were carried out symmetrically on both sides of the chest wall. The patients were examined four times. The follow-up was for 7 months in total. After the second measurement, a randomly selected subgroup of patients received properly fitted compression corsets, which they had to wear throughout the study, whereas the control subgroup had no physiotherapy treatment. The results were statistically analyzed. In both subgroups, we analyzed the reduction of pain using a visual analog scale. The results strongly suggest that when properly fitted, class I compression corsets not only are an effective treatment for lymphedema but also could be used for antiedematous prevention in patients who underwent removal of axillary lymph nodes as well as radiotherapy. Results of these studies have also confirmed that the use of compression corsets could reduce pain associated with surgical treatment of breast cancer. Keywords: breast cancer, lymphedema, compressio

Are compression corsets beneficial for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema? New opportunities in physiotherapy treatment – a preliminary report

Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon,1 Jacek Teodorczyk,2 Agnieszka Gruszecka,3 Piotr Lass2,4 1Department of Physiotherapy, 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, 3Department of Informatics and Statistics, 4Department of Molecular Spectroscopy, Institute of Experimental Physics, Gdansk, Poland Introduction: Treatment of secondary lymphedema still remains an important medical issue. Treatment response is characterized by periodic remission rather than complete recovery. Compression methods currently used as part of complete decongestive therapy vary considerably in efficacy. Manual drainage, bandaging, and compression pumps are ineffective in everyday practice. Positive results have increasingly been reported where compression garments have been used as part of the treatment. This pilot study demonstrates a beneficial effect following the use of compression corsets in the treatment of edema in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Material: A total of 35 women with BCRL were enrolled. Of these, 29 patients completed the study. Methods: Ultrasound (B-mode) was used to evaluate lymphedema in the side of the chest after mastectomy. This test was performed three times at a specific site on the operated side and symmetrically on the opposite side. Subsequently, patients were fit with an appropriate compression corset. The data were then statistically analyzed. Conclusion: After the surgical treatment of breast cancer, lymphatic fluid reservoirs may form at the side of the chest. The use of carefully selected compression corsets is an effective treatment for BCRL. Corsets are an important item, which we recommend should be included in compression clothing sets. We anticipate this finding will form the foundation for further work on the use of modern compression garments for the treatment of BCRL as well as contribute to the limited number of published reports that exist on the subject. Keywords: lymphedema, breast cancer, physical therap