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

Adhesives based on formaldehyde – environmental problems

Adhesives are substances that increase the surface adhesion of bonded items. Unfortunately, they also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which negatively impact upon human and animal health. VOCs have carcinogenic and mutagenic properties and can cause migraines, irritation to the eyes, nasal passages, mouth, and lungs, and respiratory problems. Wastewater from adhesive production is characterized by high levels of pollutants and contains high concentrations of compounds including formaldehyde that are toxic to water biocenoses. Moreover, its purification causes many problems and requires the application of specific methods. This review presents data concerning the toxicity and ecotoxicity of selected adhesives components. VOC emission rates from adhesives and wooden construction elements with adhesives are also discussed and assessed. Current knowledge on the treatment methods for wastewater containing adhesive components is reviewed. Finally, the treatment and disposal methods for solid wooden waste containing adhesives are also analyzed and discussed

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease which develops in patients with psoriasis. It is characteristic that the rheumatoid factor in serum is absent. Etiology of the disease is still unclear but a number of genetic associations have been identified. Inheritance of the disease is multilevel and the role of environmental factors is emphasized. Immunology of PsA is also complex. Inflammation is caused by immunological reactions leading to release of kinins. Destructive changes in bones usually appear after a few months from the onset of clinical symptoms. Typically PsA involves joints of the axial skeleton with an asymmetrical pattern. The spectrum of symptoms include inflammatory changes in attachments of articular capsules, tendons, and ligaments to bone surface. The disease can have divers clinical course but usually manifests as oligoarthritis. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of PsA. Classical radiography has been used for this purpose for over a hundred years. It allows to identify late stages of the disease, when bone tissue is affected. In the last 20 years many new imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), have been developed and became important diagnostic tools for evaluation of rheumatoid diseases. They enable the assessment and monitoring of early inflammatory changes. As a result, patients have earlier access to modern treatment and thus formation of destructive changes in joints can be markedly delayed or even avoided

Biologia środowiska

Podręcznik w przejrzysty sposób opisuje wybrane zagadnienia z ekologii, morfologii wybranych grup organizmów zasiedlających biosferę, rolę mikroorganizmów w obiegu pierwiastków w przyrodzie czy biologiczne metody klasyfikacji wód. Przedstawia wodę, glebę i powietrze jako środowiska bytowania i przenoszenia mikroorganizmów. Podręcznik przeznaczony jest dla studentów i pracowników naukowych uniwersytetów, akademii rolniczych i uczelni technicznych zajmujących się ochroną i inżynierią środowiska

Body Composition, Serum Concentrations of Androgens and Insulin Resistance in Different Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes

Insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia observed in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are associated with metabolic disturbances and could be connected with body composition pattern. To date, several studies defining the parameters of body composition using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method in the group of PCOS patients have been published, however, without the analysis in different phenotypes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between serum androgens concentration, insulin resistance and distribution of fat mass using DXA method in various PCOS phenotypes according to the Rotterdam criteria. We examined 146 women: 34 (38%) had PCOS phenotype A, 20 (23%) phenotype B, 20 (23%) phenotype C and 15 (16%) phenotype D (with mean age of each phenotype 25 years), and 57 control subjects (mean age of 25.5 years). Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Serum concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were assessed and free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. In phenotypes A, B and C, we observed higher FAI in comparison to the control group (all p < 0.01). Serum concentrations of androstenedione and DHEA-S were higher in phenotypes A and C in comparison to the control group (all p < 0.01). However, only in phenotype A we found higher visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass and android/gynoid ratio (A/G ratio) in comparison to the control group (all p < 0.01). In phenotype A, we observed connection of VAT with FAI (r = 0.58, p < 0.01). Accordingly, A/G ratio was related with FAI in all phenotypes (all p < 0.05). Additionally, in phenotype C, A/G ratio was related to serum concentrations of DHEA-S and androstenedione (r = 0.46, p = 0.03; r = 0.53, p = 0.01, respectively). We also found connections of HOMA-IR with VAT and A/G ratio in all phenotypes (all p < 0.05). Women with phenotype A had higher amount of VAT and A/G ratio in comparison to the control group. Serum concentration of androgens and insulin resistance are connected with VAT and A/G ratio in normoandrogenic and hyperandrogenic PCOS phenotypes

Biologia środowiska

Podręcznik w przejrzysty sposób opisuje wybrane zagadnienia z ekologii, morfologii wybranych grup organizmów zasiedlających biosferę, rolę mikroorganizmów w obiegu pierwiastków w przyrodzie czy biologiczne metody klasyfikacji wód. Przedstawia wodę, glebę i powietrze jako środowiska bytowania i przenoszenia mikroorganizmów. Podręcznik przeznaczony jest dla studentów i pracowników naukowych uniwersytetów, akademii rolniczych i uczelni technicznych zajmujących się ochroną i inżynierią środowiska

Serum Concentrations of Betatrophin and Its Association with Indirect Indices of Insulin Resistance and Beta Cell Function in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction. Data underline the role of betatrophin in glucose homeostasis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by insulin resistance (IR). The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of serum betatrophin concentrations with indirect indices of IR and insulin secretion in women with PCOS, compared to the control group. Methods. The study group comprised 43 women with PCOS and 16 controls. IR was assessed by HOMA-IR and Matsuda index. Insulin secretion was evaluated with HOMA-B. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with estimation of serum betatrophin concentrations was performed. Results. Glucose load resulted in an increase in serum betatrophin concentrations in the control group (p=0.02). Serum betatrophin concentrations at 120 min of OGTT were lower in women with PCOS than in the control group (p=0.02). We observed positive correlations between baseline serum betatrophin concentrations and HOMA-IR (r=0.39, p=0.008), negative correlations with Matsuda index (r=−0.31, p=0.004), and a positive relationship with HOMA-B (r=0.38, p=0.01) in women with PCOS. Multiple regression analysis revealed that HOMA-B (β=0.47, p=0.001) was an independent factor connected to serum betatrophin levels in PCOS. Conclusions. Serum concentrations of betatrophin are connected with insulin resistance and beta cell function and did not change after glucose load in women with PCOS

Serum Concentrations of Betatrophin and Its Association with Indirect Indices of Insulin Resistance and Beta Cell Function in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction. Data underline the role of betatrophin in glucose homeostasis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by insulin resistance (IR). The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship of serum betatrophin concentrations with indirect indices of IR and insulin secretion in women with PCOS, compared to the control group. Methods. The study group comprised 43 women with PCOS and 16 controls. IR was assessed by HOMA-IR and Matsuda index. Insulin secretion was evaluated with HOMA-B. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with estimation of serum betatrophin concentrations was performed. Results. Glucose load resulted in an increase in serum betatrophin concentrations in the control group (p=0.02). Serum betatrophin concentrations at 120 min of OGTT were lower in women with PCOS than in the control group (p=0.02). We observed positive correlations between baseline serum betatrophin concentrations and HOMA-IR (r=0.39, p=0.008), negative correlations with Matsuda index (r=−0.31, p=0.004), and a positive relationship with HOMA-B (r=0.38, p=0.01) in women with PCOS. Multiple regression analysis revealed that HOMA-B (β=0.47, p=0.001) was an independent factor connected to serum betatrophin levels in PCOS. Conclusions. Serum concentrations of betatrophin are connected with insulin resistance and beta cell function and did not change after glucose load in women with PCOS