An "in Vitro" study of polymer-based composites

Structures of most tissues in the human body can be simulated with fibrous composite materials. A major problem associated with designing biocompatible composites for reconstruction of damaged or missing tissues is the ability to mimic such structures. The physical, chemical and mechanical properties of composite materials should be similar to those of the native tissue. Another very important factor of polymer-based fibrous composite materials, which can relatively easily be modified, is their surface microstructure. This surface microstructure depends on the way of preparation, type of polymer matrix and kind of reinforcement. This work was aimed to determine the biological properties of composites obtained from carbon fibres and a polymer matrix, which can be used as biomaterial in the reconstruction of cartilage tissue. Two types of samples made from short carbon fibres and two kinds of polymers were tested. The samples were prepared by casting technique. MTT tests were carried out in the presence of hFOB-1.19-line human osteoblasts and HS-5-line human fibroblasts. The results show differences in viability of living cells. Results of the work show significant differences in biocompatibility of pure polymers and composites with short carbon fibres

Impact of a simulated marine heatwave in the hematological profile of a temperate shark (Scyliorhinus canicula)

As Earth's temperature continues to rise, sudden warming events, designated as marine heatwaves (MHWs), are becoming more frequent and longer. This phenomenon is already shown to significantly impact marine ecosystems and respective fauna. While experimental acclimation to higher temperatures is known to affect predatory behavior, metabolism and overall fitness of sharks, the effects of short-term exposure to high temperatures on sharks’ physiology has yet to be investigated in a MHW context. Thus, the aim of our work was to study the impact of a category II MHW (Δ3 °C, 15 days) on: i) hematological parameters (total erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes, erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) counts, and nucleus to cytoplasmic ratio), ii) heart and spleen to body ratios, and iii) ventilation rates of juvenile catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula). We found that MHW exposure led to significant changes in normal blood cell counts, by lowering erythrocyte counts and nucleus to cytoplasm ratio, and increasing leukocyte and thrombocyte counts. Moreover, ventilation rates increased consistently over the course of the MHW. However, there were no changes regarding the presence of ENA, as well as spleen and heart to body ratios. Our findings indicate limited capabilities for coping with sudden warming events, suggesting potential disruption in shark physiological homeostasis as the frequency, duration and intensity of MHWs are expected to be strengthened.publishersversionpublishe

Role of NAFLD on the Health Related QoL Response to Lifestyle in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: The PREDIMED Plus Cohort

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) status in the impact of lifestyle over Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). MethodsBaseline and 1 year follow up data from the PREDIMED-plus cohort (men and women, 55-75 years old with overweight/obesity and MetS) were studied. Adherence to an energy-restricted Mediterranean Diet (er-MeDiet) and Physical Activity (PA) were assessed with a validated screeners. Hepatic steatosis index (HSI) was implemented to evaluate NAFLD while the SF-36 questionnaire provided HRQoL evaluation. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of baseline NAFLD on HRQoL as affected by lifestyle during 1 year of follow up. ResultsData from 5205 patients with mean age of 65 years and a 48% of female participants. Adjusted linear multivariate mixed regression models showed that patients with lower probability of NAFLD (HSI < 36 points) were more responsive to er-MeDiet (beta 0.64 vs beta 0.05 per er-MeDiet adherence point, p< 0.01) and PA (beta 0.05 vs beta 0.01 per MET-h/week, p = 0.001) than those with high probability for NAFLD in terms Physical SF-36 summary in the 1 year follow up. 10 points of er-MeDiet adherence and 50 MET-h/week were thresholds for a beneficial effect of lifestyle on HRQoL physical domain in patients with lower probability of NAFLD. ConclusionThe evaluation of NAFLD by the HSI index in patients with MetS might identify subjects with different prospective sensitivity to lifestyle changes in terms of physical HRQoL (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870)

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke – Five years of experience in Poland

Objectives Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland. Methods and results We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures. Results Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250±99min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% – emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization – in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 – in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases. Conclusion Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guidelines

Speciation analysis of iron in water samples using flow technique

Przedstawiona praca dotyczy oznaczania Fe(II) i Fe(III) w próbkach wody z wykorzystaniem techniki wstrzykowej analizy sekwencyjnej. Opracowano dwie metody, które umożliwiają przeprowadzenie analizy specjacyjnej żelaza. Metoda I bazuje na reakcji jonów Fe(II) z 1,10-fenantroliną. W metodzie tej wykorzystano nowe podejście kalibracyjne, w którym równoczesne zastosowanie dwóch metod kalibracyjnych interpolacyjnej i ekstrapolacyjnej umożliwia bezpośrednie oznaczanie dwóch form analitu. Metoda II opiera się na miareczkowaniu kompleksometrycznym próbki roztworem EDTA w obecności kwasu sulfosalicylowego. Fe(III) oznaczano również z wykorzystaniem metody miareczkowania ze znacznikiem. Jako znacznik zastosowano 1,10-fenantrolinę, którą wprowadzano do roztworu titranta. W części literaturowej pracy scharakteryzowano analit, opisano rodzaje specjacji chemicznej, zaprezentowano wybrane techniki analizy przepływowej, przykłady ich wykorzystania do analizy specjacyjnej żelaza oraz przedstawiono metodę miareczkowania ze znacznikiem. W części doświadczalnej pracy opisano przebieg badań. Metody sprawdzano przeprowadzając analizę próbek syntetycznych i certyfikowanych materiałów odniesienia. Wyznaczono parametry walidacyjne metod, takie jak zakres oznaczalności, dokładność i powtarzalność. Opracowane metody zastosowano do analizy próbek wody pochodzących ze studni artezyjskich.The work concerns the determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in water samples using the sequential injection analysis technique. Two methods have been developed for iron speciation analysis. Method I is based on the reaction of Fe(II) with 1,10-phenanthroline. In the method, a novel calibration approach that relies on the simultaneous use of two calibration methods, interpolative and extrapolative to the determination of two forms of an analyte has been applied. Method II is based on the complexometric titration of Fe(III) with EDTA solution in the presence of sulfosalicylic acid. Determination of Fe(III) was also performed using tracer monitored titration method. 1,10-phenanthroline introduced into the titrant solution was used as the tracer. The theoretical part of the work includes the description of the analyte and types of chemical speciation, the presentation of selected flow analysis techniques, examples of their application for iron speciation analysis and the description of tracer monitored titration method. The experimental part of the work includes the research description. The developed methods were verified by analysis of synthetic and certified reference materials’ samples. Parameters of validation, like range of determination, accuracy and repeatability were established. The developed methods were applied to analysis of water samples collected from artesian wells

Study of molecular organization of lipid - sterol layers.

Celem niniejszej pracy było zbadanie organizacji molekularnej warstw lipidowo-sterolowych. Badania prowadzono w układach dwuskładnikowych (oksysterol/lipid) oraz wieloskładnikowych (oksysterol/mieszanina lipidów). Analiza monowarstw dokonywana była na podstawie izoterm π – A rejestrowanych podczas kompresji monomolekularnego filmu. Pomiary zostały przeprowadzone z wykorzystaniem wagi Langmuira. Do badań użyto lipidów obecnych w błonach biologicznych: N-palmitoilo-sfingomieliny i POPC oraz oksysterolu, który spełnia istotne funkcje w organizmie ludzkim – 4β-hydroksycholesterol. Uzyskane wyniki dowiodły stabilności wytworzonych monowarstw, a także potwierdziły wzajemną mieszalność badanych substancji w całym zakresie ułamków molowych oksysterolu. Analiza rezultatów dowiodła również, że 4β-OH-Chol wykazuje efekt kondensujący i porządkujący.The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular organization of lipid - sterol layers. The study was conducted in binary (oxysterol/lipid) and multicomponet (oxysterol/lipid mixture) systems . The analysis of the monolayers was made on the basis of the isotherms π - A registered during the compression of the monomolecular film. The measurements were carried out using the Langmuir trough. For the investigations the lipids present in the biological membranes were used: N-palmitoyl sphingomyelin and POPC and oxysterol, which play many important functions in a human’s body - 4β-hydroxycholesterol. The obtained results demonstrated the stability of the investigated monolayers and also confirmed the mutual miscibility of the components within the whole range of oxysterol mole fractions. The analysis of the results also showed that the 4β - OH - Chol has the condensing and ordering effect

Post exposure prophylaxis of rabies patients treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital in Krakow

Tytułem pracy była profilaktyka poekspozycyjna wścieklizny u pacjentów w Klinice Chorób Zakaźnych Szpitala Uniwersyteckiego w Krakowie w latach 2009-2012 Celem pracy było przedstawienie epidemiologii wścieklizny przez zebranie stanu wiedzy medycznej na temat tej jednostki chorobowej, zgodnej z czasem powstawania pracy oraz przedstawienie prowadzonej profilaktyki poekspozycyjnej a także jej skuteczności. W oparciu o analizę dokumentacji pacjentów zgłaszających się do poradni, utworzone zostały tabele oraz wykresy. Posłużyły one do wyciągnięcia wniosków.Najwięcej ekspozycji odnotowano w 2010 roku, częściej były to kobiety. Miesiącami, w których jesteśmy najbardziej narażeni, są miesiące letnie. Na koniec nasuwa się jeszcze jeden wniosek, że zwierzętami, przez które najczęściej dochodzi do ekspozycji, są psy.Preliminary study was prevention of rabies exposure prophylaxis in patients Department of Infectious Diseases at the University Hospital in Krakow in 2009-2012. The aim of this study was to present the epidemiology of rabies by collecting state of medical knowledge about this disease, according to the time of creation and presentation of work carried out post-exposure prophylaxis as well as its effectiveness.Based on an analysis of record of patients admitted to the clinic were set up tables and charts. They were used to draw conclusions. Most exposures were recorded in 2010, most were women. For months, in which we are most vulnerable, are summer months. At the end of another is that the application of the animals, by which often results in exposures, are dogs

Quantitative estimation of lysosomal storage in mucopolysaccharidoses by electron microscopy analysis

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are severe inherited metabolic disorders caused by storage of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The level of accumulated GAGs is an important parameter in assessment of the severity of the disease and the efficacy of treatment; unfortunately, biochemical methods are often unreliable and only semi-quantitative. Therefore, finding other methods for estimation of GAG levels and/or assessment of the efficacy of applied therapy is very important. Although monitoring of GAG levels during therapy is crucial, in this work it is proposed that analysis of the ultrastructure of MPS cells by electron microscopic techniques can be considered as an alternative and reliable method for assessment of lysosomal storage. The number of complex lysosomal structures was found to be significantly higher in MPS cells relative to controls, while it decreased significantly in response to either enzyme replacement therapy or substrate reduction therapy. Thus, this parameter, easily assessed by electron microscopy, appears to correspond to the physiological state of MPS cells