Ruthenium-106 Plaque Therapy for Diffuse Choroidal Hemangioma in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

Diffuse choroidal hemangiomas associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) are classically treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBR), but there are a few reports usually of single cases indicating the usefulness of plaque therapy. We present our observations on two cases of diffuse choroidal hemangiomas with exudative retinal detachment associated with SWS treated with Ruthenium-106 plaque therapy. Outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and regression in tumor thickness measured by ultrasonography. The initial BCVA of the affected eyes was counting fingers at 1 meter and light projection. Pretreatment tumors thickness was 3.5 mm and 4.7 mm. In a follow-up period of 18–24 months, significant reduction in thickness of choroidal hemangiomas up to 1.2 mm and 1.4 mm with prompt resolution of exudative retinal detachment was observed. BCVA achieved 20/200 and 20/400, respectively. The findings in this paper indicate that Ruthenium-106 plaque therapy is effective in treatment of diffuse choroidal hemangiomas associated with SWS

Success of SMEs in the era of pandemics

Purpose: The objective of this article is the identification of SMEs‘ business environment factors affecting success during a pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was based on a deductive approach and was conducted in the first months of the pandemic in 2020 in the Lower Silesia. The research technique used GOOGLE electronic survey questionnaire and the collected data were statistically processed (SPSS). Nonparametric tests were used to analyze the data. Findings: The results of the collected data confirmed the previous literature analysis conducted in the theoretical part of the paper. The verification of the research hypotheses on the assumptions of the influence of the environment on the success of enterprises during pandemmic did not confirm what may be the reason for the initial shock of the market and the lack of preparation of entrepreneurs for the new economic reality during pandemic. The verification of the specific hypotheses showed that the empirical approach adopted coincided with the conceptual approach formed based on the theoretical analysis of the literature on the subject. Practical Implications: The analysis of the results is partially consistent with the literature studies on the impact of the environment on micro and small enterprises conducted before the pandemic. Nevertheless, the assumptions made at the stage of selecting the research sample, allow to formulate a thesis about the broader universality of the confirmed regularities, which should be confirmed in extended research. Originality/value: The paper describes the diagnosed competence gap in the area of SMEs management in the current economic conditions of the pandemic. Which is an extremely complicated task due to the lack of precedents giving guidance to enterprises resulting from history and literature on the subject. In view of this, the identification of environmental factors leading to the maintenance of success in such unusual conditions is a desirable goal to achieve in scientific and practical aspects.peer-reviewe

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) - diagnosis and treatment

Background Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis is the most common pathology of the hip joint in preschool children and adolescents consisting of migration of the proximal femoral epiphysis, posteriorly and inferiorly, to the metaphysis (neck of the femur), which occurs through the epiphyseal (growth) cartilage. SCFE occurs with a frequency of 0.33 per 100,000 to 24.58 per 100,000 children aged 8–15 years. Purpouse The aim of the article is to characterize the disease which is SCFE, draw attention to its etiology, diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. Materials and methods The article was based on scientific publications in the Pubmed database. The database was searched on 12 February 2023 using the phrases 'SCFE', 'Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis'. After reading the titles of found articles, 23 publications were selected. After the pre-analysis of the abstracts, 15 full-text works were selected to prepare the article. Results Most SCFE is idiopathic. The relationship between the development of SCFE and endocrine disorders, renal dysfunction and Down syndrome has been noted. The displacement is presumed to be caused by the application of a large axial load to the relatively fragile growth plate. Symptoms of the disease may include atraumatic pain in the hip, thigh or knee, especially if accompanied by a limp or inability to support weight. The first imaging test performed is a radiograph. If radiographs do not show changes consistent with SCFE but clinical suspicion is high, the physician may consider magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for further evaluation. The goal of treating the lesions is to prevent further scaling of the head and to correct the deformity and to avoid osteonecrosis and chondrolysis, so various surgical procedures are used. Conclusions SCFE is an insidious disease that should always be ruled out in the diagnosis of hip pain in children. Its early treatment prevents later complications

Amanitine poisoning - cases, management, therapy results

Mushroom poisoning continues to be a serious clinical problem. The most serious are intoxications with mushrooms containing cytotropic toxins with predominant injury of liver, kidneys and heart. The toxic properties of the phalloides are mainly due to α-amanitin, which is an inhibitor of RNA polymerase II. The clinical course of poisoning can be divided for 4 periods. The asymptomatic period usually lasts 6-24 hours after mushroom consumption. Then the period of the gastrointestinal disorder lasting on average 12-24 hours. The second latency period with apparent improvement of the patient's general condition lasting 12-24 hours is subjected to the stage, during which biochemical markers of hepatocyte activity appear. After a few days (usually on the 4-5th day) from poisoning, kidney function may occur (oliguria or anuria), and circulatory system disorders may also occur. Death usually occurs between 4-16 days after poisoning. The treatment of poisoning with amanita phalloides includes a number of procedures, including rapid removal of toxins, blocking the penetration of amatoxins into the hepatic cell, compensation of systemic metabolic disorders, and extracorporeal support of liver function

Electrochemical properties and structure evolution of starch-based carbon nanomaterials as Li-ion anodes with regard to thermal treatment

The influence of the pyrolysis temperature on the structural, textural, and electrochemical properties of carbon aerogels obtained from potato, maize, and rice starches was analyzed. The carbonization of organic precursors, followed by gelatinization, exchange of solvent, and drying process, was carried out in an argon atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 600 °C to 1600 °C. The nanostructured carbons were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) as well as N2-adsorption/desorption (N2-BET) methods. The electrochemical behavior of Li-ion cells based on the fabricated carbon anodes was investigated using the galvanostatic charge/discharge tests (GCDT) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the thermal treatment stage has a crucial impact on the proper formation of the aerogel material’s porous structures and also on their working parameters as anode materials. The highest relative development of the external surface was obtained for the samples pyrolysed at 700 °C, which exhibited the best electrochemical characteristics (the highest specific capacities as well as the lowest charge transfer resistances)

Vitamin D - do we need suplementation?

The role of vitamin D in the human body is not only participation in the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism, prevention of rickets in children or osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by a variety of health conditions. Currently, epidemiological studies confirm the relationship between vitamin D deficiency in the body and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, autoimmune diseases and in cancer prevention. Vitamin D deficiency has been identified as a common metabolic abnormality. Despite known dietary sources of vitamin D and the role of sunlight in its production, a significant proportion of the population may have insufficient serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Training employees in sustainability and assessing their ability to implement bottom-up changes in companies for the green revolution : a comparative analysis in Poland and India

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the opinions of employees from Poland and India on the sustainability training they have received.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study was conducted based on a survey questionnaire, the preparation of which was preceded by preliminary research. The study involved 497 employees of companies from Poland and India. The results of the study were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test. Associations between variables were analyzed using the chi^2 test, as well as estimating Spearman's and Kendall's rank correlation coefficients.FINDINGS: The opinions of employees regarding participation in training courses on sustainability and the possibility of grassroots implementation of changes for the green revolution were determined using the example of companies from Poland and India. According to their opinions, there is not enough of these trainings and they have negligible opportunities to implement changes from below. A significant relationship was identified between the number of trainings received by employees on sustainability and their assessment of the sustainability of their company's operations.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of the study can support managers responsible for sustainability in companies. This is because they will allow them to better recognize how employees evaluate the sustainability training offered to them and their ability to implement changes in their companies from the bottom up for the green revolution.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: It was found that in India, employees participate in significantly more training than in Poland on sustainability and have more opportunities to implement changes.peer-reviewe

Toxic substances in the household - cases of poisoning, therapy, complications

There are many toxic substances used in our houses. Rodent poisons are not the most common group of substances, but cases of poisoning still occur. Long-acting anticoagulant rodenticides, also called superwarfarins, are known for their greater potency, longer half-life and delayed onset of symptoms. Cases of superwarfarin poisoning can pose a diagnostic and clinical challenge due to a wide array of presentations and prolonged severe coagulopathy requiring months of high-dose oral vitamin K therapy. The most common presentation of long-acting anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning is mucocutaneous bleeding, with other common presentations including haematuria, gingival bleeding, epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding.We discuss a case of self-poisoning with long-acting anticoagulant rodenticides with a little presentation of sympthoms and disscus about another cases based on the found articles

Carbon monoxide poisoning - cases, pathophysiology, management

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common clinical problem, especially in autumn and winter. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas and poisoning causes hypoxia, cell damage and consequently, can lead to death. Carbon monoxide exposure is measured directly from blood samples and expressed as a percentage of carboxyhemoglobin or indirectly using carbon monoxide in the breath. Carboxyhemoglobin percentage is the most commonly used biomarker of carbon monoxide exposure. Although the diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confirmed by the detection of elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, the presence of clinical signs after known exposure to carbon monoxide should not be ignored. Carbon monoxide poisoning can have lasting effects. Physicians evaluating patients with acute poisoning should initiate treatment with normobaric oxygen and consider treatment with hyperbaric oxygen. Often, complete recovery after poisoning may not be possible and you should then refer for the treatment of complications to appropriate specialists