The Effects of Synthetic Auxin and a Seaweed-based Biostimulator on Physiological Aspects of Rhizogenesis in Ninebark Stem Cuttings

Recently, a trend can be observed to replace plant protection chemicals in nursery production by products of natural origin. Such products increase plants' resistance to stressful conditions and lower their susceptibility to pathogens. They may also offer an alternative to chemicals stimulating rhizogenesis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of foliar applications of AlgaminoPlant, a biostimulator based on a seaweed extract, relative to auxin-containing preparations, on root growth in stem cuttings of common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius). Cuttings were sprayed with water solution of IBA or AlgaminoPlant once, twice or three times during the rooting period at one week intervals and powder IBA was also applied directly to the bases of cuttings. The best rooting was observed after powder IBA application and satisfactory results were observed for AlgaminoPlant and aqueous IBA solution. Treatments with AlgaminoPlant and IBA increased photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll contents, total soluble sugars, soluble proteins, indole derivatives and catalase activity while the hydrogen peroxide level and peroxidase activity were reduced. The effects of AlgaminoPlant on rhizogenesis were comparable to synthetic IBA, or only slightly lower. Hence, if needed, synthetic auxin IBA may be replaced by AlgaminoPlant which is considered an environmentally friendly product

Management of wet AMD in an elderly patient - case report

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of central vision loss in elderly people over 50 years of age. It is characterized by the presence of drusen on the fundus and may be associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or geographic atrophy. AMD is a condition caused by many factors including environmental, genetic, and vascular. Currently, it affects over 25 million people worldwide, but with the progressive aging of the population, the incidence of the disease is increasing. Disease is therefore an important issue in geriatrics.Case report: A 75-year-old patient was referred to the General and Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic of the Medical University of Lublin due to the three-week deterioration of visual acuity in the left eye. The visual acuity of the left eye was: counting fingers at a distance of 1.5 m. Initial cataracts of this eye and wet AMD were diagnosed. In July 2018. an injection of ranibizumab was administered into the vitreous humor of the left eye. After achieving an improvement in visual acuity to 0.2 (on Snellen charts), in September the patient was qualified to the Drug Program for the treatment of the wet form of AMD. From September to October 2019. the patient received 9 doses of ranibizumab. In October 2019. visual acuity improved to 0.4. In November, due to the unsatisfactory results of the therapy, the drug was changed to aflibercept. The patient received a total of 3 injections of this drug and his visual acuity improved to a value of 0.7. The last injection was given in July 2020 and the clinical condition and visual acuity stabilized. After the end of the drug program, the patient regularly shows up for checkups, and the visual acuity of the left eye has normalized since July 2020. and is now 0.4 (due in part to atrophic changes and scarring).Conclusions: Treatment of the wet form of AMD is a difficult and lengthy process. Early diagnosis of the disease, starting treatment as soon as possible, regular checkups and cooperation with the patient are very important for the success of the therapy. During 3 years of treatment, the patient experienced a significant improvement in visual acuity for one year. The treatment allowed the disease progression to slow down. The morphological condition of the retina improved. The applied treatment and management of the elderly patient turned out to be effective, and the achieved effects of the therapy are satisfactory

Maximizing the efficiency of resistance training

Introduction and objective: Resistance training is the main intervention that can develop an individual’s strength and muscle mass. When executed regularly, it provides significant health benefits. The aim of this study is to analyze the current level of knowledge on maximizing the efficiency of resistance training in the context of muscle hypertrophy and increase in muscle strength. Materials and methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched. The criteria for qualifying the article for the review were the following keywords: hypertrophy, resistance training, muscle strength, and efficiency. 10 articles from 2017 to 2022 were analyzed. Description of the state of knowledge: To optimize the way of performing RT, its assumptions should be individually adapted to the exercising person.  In the conventional model of muscle hypertrophy, three main factors are distinguished: muscle tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage. Maintaining greater mechanical muscle tension during training primarily promotes an increase in its strength while increasing metabolic stress is responsible for the intensification of hypertrophy. In terms of hypertrophy, it has been observed that more series of exercises per week means greater gains in muscle mass. Multi-joint exercises involve more muscle mass than single-joint exercises. Summary: To control the effectiveness of training 1RM should be measured before and after the training cycle. Performing exercises with a high load (RM ≤7) may be the most effective training method for people with limited time resources. To maximize the efficiency of training, only multi-joint exercises may be used.Introduction and objective: Resistance training is the main intervention that can develop an individual’s strength and muscle mass. When executed regularly, it provides significant health benefits. The aim of this study is to analyze the current level of knowledge on maximizing the efficiency of resistance training in the context of muscle hypertrophy and increase in muscle strength. Materials and methods: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched. The criteria for qualifying the article for the review were the following keywords: hypertrophy, resistance training, muscle strength, and efficiency. 10 articles from 2017 to 2022 were analyzed. Description of the state of knowledge: To optimize the way of performing RT, its assumptions should be individually adapted to the exercising person.  In the conventional model of muscle hypertrophy, three main factors are distinguished: muscle tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage. Maintaining greater mechanical muscle tension during training primarily promotes an increase in its strength while increasing metabolic stress is responsible for the intensification of hypertrophy. In terms of hypertrophy, it has been observed that more series of exercises per week means greater gains in muscle mass. Multi-joint exercises involve more muscle mass than single-joint exercises. Summary: To control the effectiveness of training 1RM should be measured before and after the training cycle. Performing exercises with a high load (RM ≤7) may be the most effective training method for people with limited time resources. To maximize the efficiency of training, only multi-joint exercises may be used. Key words: hypertrophy; resistance training; muscle strength; efficienc

Mindfulness sessions delivered via smartphone applications and their potential benefits

Mindfulness, as a practice of focusing one’s attention on the present moment without evaluating, is used in mindfulness based interventions (MBI) therapy. Traditionally, these sessions are conducted in person. At this moment, we are witnessing a global trend in which patients are turning to technology and are looking for alternative, more convenient solutions. There are studies assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness training conducted in a new unconventional way, which is using an application installed on patient's smartphone. This paper discusses possible benefits of online conducted mindfulness sessions.&nbsp

The ketogenic diet in the treatment of diabetes type 2

Despite  advances in the medical world, obesity remains a major worldwide health hazard .The majority of chronic diseases like diabetes is largely related to obesity which is usually a product of an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits. The ketogenic diet has become an increasingly popular approach for both weight loss and as an alternative diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, this diet has a positive effect on body weight, blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin and plasma lipid profile. This review focuses on the therapeutic effectiveness of using LCKD for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Despite  advances in the medical world, obesity remains a major worldwide health hazard .The majority of chronic diseases like diabetes is largely related to obesity which is usually a product of an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits. The ketogenic diet has become an increasingly popular approach for both weight loss and as an alternative diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition, this diet has a positive effect on body weight, blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin and plasma lipid profile. This review focuses on the therapeutic effectiveness of using LCKD for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Efficacy and safety of atropine to control childhood myopia progression

Introduction: Nearsightedness is one of the most common eye defects in people all over the world. If left untreated, it leads to a number of serious eye complications that can result in irreversible loss of vision. It is estimated that by 2050. Half of humanity will be burdened with this disadvantage, so it has become a priority to try to find ways to prevent and treat myopia, among which the administration of atropine drops is very effective. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atropine in controlling the progression of myopia and to investigate the relationship between the dose of atropine and the effectiveness of controlling the progression of myopia. Material and methods: The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used to review the literature. Results: Eye drops with 1% atropine showed the greatest efficacy in the control of myopia. However, their use was limited due to the occurrence of side effects such as impaired accommodation and photophobia. In the ATOM 2 study, which investigated the use of atropine in a variety of concentrations, it was found that 0.01% is the optimal concentration with good efficacy and minimal side effects. One of the breakthroughs was the LAMP study using atropine at a concentration of 0.05%, 0.025%, 0.01% in eye drops. This study provided evidence for the first time that low-concentration atropine is effective compared with placebo in myopia. In addition, both efficacy and side effects followed a concentration-dependent response ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% of atropine. Among them, 0.05% of atropine was the optimal concentration to achieve the best efficacy and safety profile. Conclusion: Low concentration of atropine is effective in the control of myopia. Its widespread use can help prevent the progression of myopia. However, further investigation of the rebound phenomenon and a long term, individualized approach to treatment are warranted.   &nbsp

Therapeutic methods in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer - a review

Breast cancer is a common female malignancy characterized by the presence of multiple subtypes taking into account, among other things, hormonal activity. The purpose of this study is to show the therapeutic options for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A review of the literature in databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science by keywords was performed, taking into account papers from 2017-2022. The main therapeutic approaches are surgical intervention and systemic chemotherapy (neoadjuvant and adjuvant). Unsatisfactory results from chemotherapy have prompted researchers to work on other methods to combat TNBC. Clinical trials are being conducted on the use of immunotherapy focusing mainly on molecules against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. Targeted therapy is the latest proposed form of therapy, which offers the possibility of introducing a drug in the future that will be tailored to the patient's needs limiting the negative therapeutic impact

Bilateral preventive mastectomy as a preventive method of breast cancer in the opinion of women

Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Despite of the progress of medicine and develop of treatment, it is still the second couse of death among women. To reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, the more ofen teratement is "preventive mastectomies" which completely remove the breast gland by healty women that are in the "high risk" group. Material and Methods To conduct the research I develop a survey, written by my own. The study included 252 women from Poland over the age of 18. Results The opinion about the performance of preventive mastectomies in case of women in "high risk" was very diverse. Only 13% of interviewees were convinced that they would have the surgery and up to 29% could not give an answer. Most woman (86%) are convinced that breast cancer is genetically determined. That mastectomy can be a way to prevent breast cancer agrees 69% of respondents. More than half of respondents (52%) don't know if such surgery is in Poland available. Only half of the respondents could indicate the place where an examination of an increased risk of breast cancer can be made (49%). 81% of respondents examine there breasts at least with one method, and 19% did not check it at all. Conclusions The knowledge about the heredity of cancer and the availability of treatments is insufficient. Women are not convinced that they would have gone to radical preventive treatment, and they are afraid of many consequences connected with it. It is essential to educate the public including the medical stuff in this scope. It is also important that the patient together with his doctor examined all the possible options for limiting the risk of cancer

Water-deficiency conditions differently modulate the methylome of roots and leaves in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

One of the strategies of plant adaptation to stress is the modulation of gene expression, which may result from the regulation of DNA methylation. This study attempted to characterize and compare the barley methylome of leaves and roots under water-deficiency treatment and in the subsequent rewatering phase. Our results, obtained using methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism sequencing analysis, indicated that the overall DNA methylation level in the barley genome was high and in general stable under water-deficiency conditions. Nevertheless, numerous differentially methylated sites (DMSs) were induced by stress in the leaves and roots. Equal proportions of novel stress-induced methylation and demethylation events were observed within the genes in the leaves, but new methylations dominated in the roots. Repetitive elements preferentially underwent demethylation in the leaves and novel methylations in the roots. Importantly, rewatering and plant recovery resulted in the reversibility of the majority of stress-induced methylation events, but this process was more efficient in the leaves than in the roots. Different biological processes were enriched within the subsets of the DMSs that were identified in the genic regions of leaves and roots. We assume that the organ specificity of the methylome changes in response to water deficiency might be an important regulatory mechanism that leads to multi-level mechanisms of stress tolerance in barley