Acupuncture as complementary treatment for lower back pain

Abstract Introduction: Lower back pain is one of the most common disorders in the world. Acupuncture is one the methods of treatment, but its efficiency is still researched. Aim of the study: To verify the effectiveness of acupuncture on low back pain. Material and Methods: Search of the PubMed database using the following keywords: acupuncture, lower back pain. Only full-length articles were taken into consideration. Results: The studies show that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of chronic low back pain and is not inferior to the usual care. However its efficiency in treatment of acute low back pain is not satisfactory and patients still require additional pharmacotherapy. Conclusion: Acupuncture is efficient in the treatment of chronic low back pain, however more research is needed on its efficiency in treatment of acute low back pain.   Keywords: acupuncture, lower back pai

The solution to drug resistance of Gram-negative bacteria – Cefiderocol

Introduction: A major public health problem is the emergence of anti-gram-negative antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Cefiderocol is a new agent targeting Gram-negative bacteria, including strains with resistance to carbapenems. Aim of the study: Analysis of the efficiency of cefiderocol in the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, the drug's mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug. Material and Methods: Search of the PubMed database using the following keywords: cefiderocol, resistance, gram negative bacteria. Only full-length articles were taken into consideration. Results: The studies show that cefiderocol is active against Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa, B. cepacia and A. baumannii and effective in the treatment of pneumonia in both non-ventilated and ventilated patients. Moreover, it has been used in the treatment of sepsis as a rescue therapy. Conclusion: Cefiderocol is an effective treatment for infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. However, more research is needed to learn more about the use of this drug, side effects and resistance mechanisms

SMA Therapy in Poland: New Hopes and Challenges

Abstract: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetically inherited disease whose symptoms appear in children at a fairly early age. The main cause of the disease is a mutation of the SMN1 gene, which causes the lack of production of SMN This results in the disappearance of motoneurons, which consequently leads to the disappearance of the patient's ability to move and his death. An important element of coping with the disease is its early detection in newborn screening, because the earlier we start the drug, the greater the chance that the patient will maintain motor efficiency. The article describes treatment options for children in Poland, i. e. the use of such drugs as Nusinersen, which increases the amount of SMN protein, gene therapy Onasemnogen aeparvovec, which increases the amount of SMN gene, Ridisplam, which increases the amount of SMN protein, and salbutamol, which helps patients to breathe. The article also provides information about new drug therapies for the treatment of SMA and the stage of clinical trials at which they are currently being developed. It is important to look for new solutions in the treatment of SMA. Objective: To familiarize the readers of the article with the problems of SMA treatment in Poland, as well as to broaden their knowledge of new available drugs for the treatment of this disease

The solution to drug resistance of Gram-negative bacteria – Cefiderocol

Introduction: A major public health problem is the emergence of anti-gram-negative antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Cefiderocol is a new agent targeting Gram-negative bacteria, including strains with resistance to carbapenems. Aim of the study: Analysis of the efficiency of cefiderocol in the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, the drug's mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug. Material and Methods: Search of the PubMed database using the following keywords: cefiderocol, resistance, gram negative bacteria. Only full-length articles were taken into consideration. Results: The studies show that cefiderocol is active against Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa, B. cepacia and A. baumannii and effective in the treatment of pneumonia in both non-ventilated and ventilated patients. Moreover, it has been used in the treatment of sepsis as a rescue therapy. Conclusion: Cefiderocol is an effective treatment for infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. However, more research is needed to learn more about the use of this drug, side effects and resistance mechanisms

Troska o zdrowie w aspekcie społecznym. Cz. 1

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed pape

Traditional vs. Automated Computer Image Analysis—A Comparative Assessment of Use for Analysis of Digital SEM Images of High-Temperature Ceramic Material

Image analysis is a powerful tool that can be applied in scientific research, industry, and everyday life, but still, there is more room to use it in materials science. The interdisciplinary cooperation between materials scientists and computer scientists can unlock the potential of digital image analysis. Traditional image analysis used in materials science, manual or computer-aided, permits for the quantitative assessment of the coexisting components at the cross-sections, based on stereological law. However, currently used cutting-edge tools for computer image analysis can greatly speed up the process of microstructure analysis, e.g., via simultaneous extraction of quantitative data of all phases in an SEM image. The dedicated digital image processing software Aphelion was applied to develop an algorithm for the automated image analysis of multi-phase high-temperature ceramic material. The algorithm recognizes each phase and simultaneously calculates its quantity. In this work, we compare the traditional stereology-based methods of image analysis (linear and planimetry) to the automated method using a developed algorithm. The analysis was performed on a digital SEM microstructural image of high-temperature ceramic material from the Cu-Al-Fe-O system, containing four different phase components. The results show the good agreement of data obtained by classical stereology-based methods and the developed automated method. This presents an opportunity for the fast extraction of both qualitative and quantitative from the SEM images

Current State of Application of Machine Learning for Investigation of MgO-C Refractories: A Review

Nowadays, digitalization and automation in both industrial and research activities are driving forces of innovations. In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques have been widely applied in these areas. A paramount direction in the application of ML models is the prediction of the material service time in heating devices. The results of ML algorithms are easy to interpret and can significantly shorten the time required for research and decision-making, substituting the trial-and-error approach and allowing for more sustainable processes. This work presents the state of the art in the application of machine learning for the investigation of MgO-C refractories, which are materials mainly consumed by the steel industry. Firstly, ML algorithms are presented, with an emphasis on the most commonly used ones in refractories engineering. Then, we reveal the application of ML in laboratory and industrial-scale investigations of MgO-C refractories. The first group reveals the implementation of ML techniques in the prediction of the most critical properties of MgO-C, including oxidation resistance, optimization of the C content, corrosion resistance, and thermomechanical properties. For the second group, ML was shown to be mostly utilized for the prediction of the service time of refractories. The work is summarized by indicating the opportunities and limitations of ML in the refractories engineering field. Above all, reliable models require an appropriate amount of high-quality data, which is the greatest current challenge and a call to the industry for data sharing, which will be reimbursed over the longer lifetimes of devices

The role and position of iron in 0.8CaZrO3-0.2CaFe2O4

The aim of the study was to characterize the 0.8CaZrO3-0.2CaFe2O4 composite structure with particular emphasis on the role and position of iron in the function of sintering temperature. The paper presents the results of 57Fe Mössbauer effect at room temperature. It was found that the increase of sintering temperature causes an increase in the amount of incorporated iron ions in the CaZrO3-crystal structure. Based on Mössbauer spectroscopy analysis, it was found that three different environments of Fe3+ ions were observed in the obtained materials. Two of them corresponded to CaFe2O4 phase and one was associated with the substitution of Zr4+ by Fe3+ in the CaZrO3 structure

Position of Fe ions in MgO crystalline structure

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is one of the most important raw materials in many branches of industry. Magnesium oxide is a popular refractory raw material because of its high refractoriness and high resistance to basic slags and environment. In many cases, use of MgO is limited by its properties, especially the presence of secondary phases like iron oxides. The amount and distribution of iron oxides can strongly influence the technological properties of MgO and depend on the manufacturing method, particularly the heat-treatment process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the heat-treatment process on amount and distribution of iron ions in a magnesium oxide lattice. The 57Fe Mössbauer effect measurements of fused and sintered magnesium oxide samples doped by the iron oxide were conducted. Investigation reveals in both cases the presence of Fe2+ as well as Fe3+ ions. Fe2+ ions occupy Mg2+ octahedral sites in the MgO lattice, whereas the Fe3+ ions are located in highly distorted octahedral coordination. The amount of Fe2+ varies from around 66% for fused samples to 30% for sintered samples