Arteries to the proximal part of the olfactory tract

Destruction of the vascularisation of the olfactory structures during fronto-orbital surgical approaches to the sellar region may result in anosmia as a complication. The goal of this study was to describe the sources of blood supply to the proximal olfactory tract and the macroscopic distribution of these vessels. 20 human brains fixed in formalin with arteries injected with ink-coloured gelatine were studied using a surgical microscope and the micro-dissection technique. The vessels running along the olfactory tract posteriorly and anteriorly on its inferior and superior surface were observed. These arteries and arterioles were most often branches of the constant artery supplying the posterior part of the straight gyrus and orbital gyri (38/40). Similarly, as branches of the medial orbitofrontal artery (7/40), they were found on the superior aspect of the tract. Branches of the distal medial striate artery directed to the olfactory structures were observed on the basal surface of the tract (20/40)

COVID-19 - postinfectious hypercoagulable state as a probable cause of basilar artery occlusion - Case Report

Covid-19 can manifest with serious neurological complications and hypercoagulability. Latest data from China showed neurological complications in 36% of 214 COVID-19 patients- mainly ischemic stroke. Coagulopathy associated with Covid-19 was reported to increase the risk of stroke also in young adults without comorbidities. A 29-year-old patient with hypertension admitted to the hospital with dysarthric speech and balance disorders and dizziness with vomiting was referred for thrombectomy of an occluded basilar artery after ineffective RTPA therapy. After the thrombectomy, a gradual reduction in the neurological deficit was observed-the permeability of the basilar artery was restored. However, during the intervention, the posterior right cerebral artery was damaged and a short-term extravasation of the contrast blood to the subarachnoid space occurred. MRI showed minor multifocal ischemic changes in the area of the cerebellum, pons and cerebral peduncle. In the pre-hospital interview a week earlier, transient changes in smell and taste were noted. On the day of admission, the patient had a negative antigen and PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2- virus. Laboratory tests showed high D-Dimers (5696 H ng /ml) and reduced fibrinogen. After mechanical thrombectomy, the patient reported double vision when looking straight and left. He was correctly oriented with slight ataxia and a deficit of strength in the left limbs, meningeal symptoms were negative. It is important to understand the association between Covid 19 and the possibility of an ischemic stroke and coagulation changes in order to choose appropriate stroke treatment methods

Tuning the photophysical features of self-assembling photoactive polypeptides for light-harvesting

The LH1 complex is the major light-harvesting antenna of purple photosynthetic bacteria. Its role is to capture photons, and then store them and transfer the excitation energy to the photosynthetic reaction center. The structure of LH1 is modular and it cooperatively self-assembles from the subunits composed of short transmembrane polypeptides that reversibly bind the photoactive cofactors: bacteriochlorophyll and carotenoid. LH1 assembly, the intra-complex interactions and the light-harvesting features of LH1 can be controlled in micellar media by varying the surfactant concentration and by adding carotenoid and/or a co-solvent. By exploiting this approach, we can manipulate the size of the assembly, the intensity of light absorption, and the energy and lifetime of its first excited singlet state. For instance, via the introduction of Ni-substituted bacteriochlorophyll into LH1, the lifetime of this electronic state of the antenna can be shortened by almost three orders of magnitude. On the other hand, via the exchange of carotenoid, light absorption in the visible range can be tuned. These results show how in a relatively simple self-assembling pigment-polypeptide system a sophisticated functional tuning can be achieved and thus they provide guidelines for the construction of bio-inspired photoactive nanodevices

Physicians' Perspectives on Vaccinations

Protective vaccinations are crucial for preventing infectious diseases and their complications, offering a high safety profile and minimal adverse effects. However, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a public health concern, leading to outbreaks of communicable diseases. This study aims to investigate the attitudes towards vaccinations among doctors and nurses, as well as their knowledge level and vaccination frequency. The research employed a cross-sectional design and collected data using an anonymous questionnaire. The study was conducted in southern Poland, involving Primary Healthcare Centers and hospitals. A total of 878 paper surveys were collected among 542 doctors and 336 nurses

Capillary coating as an important factor in optimization of the off-line and on-line MEKC assays of the highly hydrophobic enzyme chlorophyllase

The choice between bare and coated capillaries is a key decision in the development and use of any methods based on capillary electrophoresis. In this work several permanently and dynamically coated capillaries were successfully implemented in a previously developed micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) assay of the plant membrane enzyme chlorophyllase. The results obtained demonstrate the rationale behind the use of capillary coating, which is crucial for successful optimization of both the off-line mode and the on-line/electrophoretically mediated microanalysis assay mode. The application of an amine permanently coated capillary (eCAP) is a simple way to significantly increase the repeatability of migration times and peak areas, and to ensure a strong electroosmotic flow that considerably decreases the overall analysis time. A dynamic coating (CEofix) allows one to apply an on-line incubation to control the reaction progress inside the capillary, and to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and peak efficiency. The dynamic coating is possible with use of both the normally applied uncoated silica capillary and the precoated amine capillary, which ensures more repeatable migration times. The strong points of the uncoated silica capillary are its attractive price and wide range of pH that can be applied. The characteristics presented may simplify the choice of capillary modification, especially in the case of hydrophobic analytes, MEKC-based separations, and other enzymatic assays. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00216-016-0097-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Physical Activity in Patients with IBD - Challenge, Opportunity, or Both?

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a global public health problem, and their incidence is continuously increasing. IBD is characterized by a relapsing nature and is associated with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, malabsorption, and nutritional deficiencies. Patients affected by this disease are typically young individuals, and physical activity plays a significant role in this age group. Understanding the role of exercise and sports activities in individuals with IBD can help consider potential therapeutic interventions for these patients. Objective: The aim of this study is to summarize the knowledge regarding the role of physical activity in patients with IBD. Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the following keywords: IBD, physical activity, stress and fatigue in individuals with IBD, anxiety in patients with IBD. State of knowledge: The role of physical activity in promoting health and preventing various diseases is well-established. However, there is limited research on the association between exercise and IBD. Conclusions: Physical activity, by reducing fatigue and stress, has a positive impact on the functioning of patients with IBD. There are reports suggesting a reduction in gastroenterological symptoms in patients after engaging in exercise. With appropriate control of the underlying disease using pharmacological and other recommended methods, participating in sports activities does not pose a barrier for patients. Physicians should encourage patients to engage in exercise with tailored intensity due to its beneficial effects on various aspects of life for individuals with IBD. Further research is necessary to explore this topic more extensively

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the mental health in sport and among society

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global mental health, affecting individuals of all age groups and various demographic backgrounds including athletes. Anxiety disorders have become more prevalent during the pandemic, attributed to factors such as quarantine, social isolation, fear of the virus, job insecurity, and the psychological impact of a pandemic. This narrative review aims to summarize the existing literature addressing mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the associated risk factors and potential interventions. Additionally, the review explores the impact of COVID-19 on specific populations, including athletes, frontline healthcare workers, children and adolescents, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. In addition, the review explores the long-term consequences of the pandemic on mental health, including the potential for a surge in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders. Overall, this review underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Reconstitution Approach to Tune Spectral Features of Light Harvesting Complexes for Improved Light Absorption and Energy Transfer

AbstractLight harvesting complexes developed by living organisms render themselves as an excellent system for understanding basic physical and chemical processes behind the conversion of sunlight energy. Although light harvesting complexes are pretty robust, biochemical reconstitution and genetic modifications have proven the flexibility to tailor their absorption spectra and energy transfer. Importantly, the refolding of the protein and the exchanging of the pigment in micellar media results in very similar pigment arrangement within the native complexes. Here, we show reconstitution approaches with different pigments that have been carried out in PCP, LHCII, and LHI complexes. Monitoring on the spectral changes and energy transfer has also been described

Controlling structural and functional features of photosynthetic antenna

In order to gain control over the assembly and functioning of photosynthetic antenna, we have developed methods to manipulate pigment composition of bacterial LH1 complexes via their reconstitution with modified bacteriochlorophylls or carotenoids, major photoactive cofactors of these antennae. In the present work we show how the reconstitution and pigment exchange approach is applied to control structural and functional parameters of LH1 and its subunits. The size of the subunits and the energy of the first excited singlet state can be controlled via the use of detergent while the thermodynamics of LH1 formation can be modified using carotenoids and/or a co-solvent. Carotenoids affect the efficiency of the intracomplex energy transfer, while the replacement of native bacteriochlorophyll a with its Ni-substituted analog allows one to control the excited state properties of LH1. These results show that LH1 is a very promising model system applicable for the design of bio-inspired device performing solar energy conversion

Coexistence of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) - a case report

Introduction: MEN 2B syndrome is distinguished by the occurrence of medullary thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma, mucosal neuromas, marfanoid features, and skeletal anomalies, including kyphoscoliosis, joint laxity, pes cavus, and, in a smaller number of cases, slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Case report: We describe a case report of a 15-years-old patient with the diagnosis of the MEN2B syndrome with a rare manifestation of Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE). A 15-year-old female presented to the orthopedics out-patient department (OPD) with complaints of pain around the right hip and knee and walking with a limp for approximately four months. Additionally, the feeling of enlarged thyroid gland was reported. X-ray confirmed the presence of the SCFE, while thyroid biopsy revealed the presence of  medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Thus, the diagnosis of MEN2B was made. Conclusion: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) can occasionally be a manifestation of MEN 2B syndrome. It is important for physicians to be aware of this association, as it can contribute to the early detection of a potentially life-threatening condition