Neuropsychiatric dimensions of COVID-19 - literature review

SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to severe multiple organ failure. The immune system is stimulated by activating the inflammatory mechanism and by releasing inflammatory cytokines. COVID-19 is able to penetrate the central nervous system, inducing neuritis and neurodegeneration. In our study, we analyzed the latest available articles. We focused on the subject of COVID-19 infection and consequences of neuroinflammation. For this study, we searched the literature available in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases using keywords. There is evidence of a common background of COVID-19 complications and neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. This type of complication is more frequently observed in serious cases of COVID-19, with a more intense immune response, with higher levels of CRP, ferritin and D-dimers. Organic changes in conjunction with environmental stress caused by the experience of severe illness, fear of becoming ill and social limitations, lead to neuropsychiatric pathologies, including major depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress. The neuropsychiatric implications of COVID-19 represent a severe clinical problem that deserves special attention in the treatment of COVID-19 infection. There is a need to monitor the neuropsychiatric consequences of COVID-19, in order to completely understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This knowledge is necessary to be able to confront the public health crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp

#Hashtag: How Selected Texts of Popular Culture Engaged With Sexual Assault In the Context of the Me Too Movement in 2019

The paper seeks to explore recent shifts within the popular culture with regard to oppression involving gender, class, race, and ethnicity that can be traced back to the #MeToo movement which was revived as a social media hashtag in October 2017 and has since spread all over the world. The paper starts with a brief overview of Western popular culture that “has recently been seen as a champion for feminism . . . with many high-profile female musicians and actresses visibly promoting the movement in their work” (Woodacre 2018, 21). Next, the paper discusses the origins of the Me Too Movement and the way it approaches the meaning of gendered oppressions as well as individualized and collective experiences of survivors of sexual abuse. This is later explored in the examination of the impact of the hashtag-led movement on three works of popular culture: Amazon’s TV series Lorena (2019), Nancy Schwartzman’s documentary Roll Red Roll (2019), and We Believe: the Best Men Can Be (2019) advertisement by Gillette. The entire case study is informed primarily by feminist theory understood as inseparable from feminist activism, following bell hooks’ Feminist theory from margin to center (1984)

Sad and Rabid Puppies: Politicization of the Hugo Award Nomination Procedure

Originally a conservative genre, in the second half of the twentieth century, science fiction (sf) became a discourse whose progressive presentation of virtually all controversial political issues and critical questioning of the political status quo have remained unmatched in the so-called popular culture, among others. There is no other literary convention that so boldly challenges such issues as racism, sexism, social justice, and ecological devastation. However, the progressive stance of many science fiction writers, editors, and readers has been, in recent years, challenged by loose coalitions of groups calling themselves Sad Puppies and Rabid Puppies, who have acted against what they perceive as the repression of more traditional voices in science fiction communities. The paper will seek to explore recent political shifts within the science fiction fandom, with regard to oppression involving gender, class, race, and ethnicity. I will provide an account of the fandom’s political tensions, disentangle some of the convoluted discussions that have taken place across blogs, Twitter accounts, and Facebook pages of those involved in these debates, and specifically address the controversies related to the 2014 and 2015 Hugo Awards. I will also attempt to illuminate the violent conservative backlash that the aforementioned groups launched against the perceived political correctness and repression of certain viewpoints within sf communities.

The problem of pregnancy complicated by chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in high-risk pregnancies is a challenge for multidisciplinary teams of doctors. Due to the fact that the disease affects both the mother and the fetus, and the course of the pregnancy. The following article reviews the literature about the interaction between pregnancy and CKD and dialysis therapy. Even pregnancy itself can lead to a worsening of kidney dysfunction. The risk of this consequence increases with the degree of renal failure, therefore renal parameters and other pregnancy test results should be monitored. On the other hand, the most common complications of chronic kidney disease in pregnancy described in the literature include pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or low birth weight, surgical delivery by caesarean section and miscarriage. Dialysis therapy also leads to abnormalities in the course of pregnancy, and patients require constant monitoring during its course. Attention is also drawn to the high percentage of newborns requiring intensive postpartum care. Due to the risk for the fetus and mother mentioned in the article, nephrologists and gynecologists should cooperate closely from the pre-contraceptive period in order to reduce the risk of sequelae and better control of the underlying disease

Depression in regard to postcovid syndrome - literature review

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic health problem that causes a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Recovered patients who survive COVID-19 may continue to report a wide variety of clinical manifestations such as depression, which is named post covid syndrome. In our article, we sought to determine the frequency and possible causes of depressive symptoms and clinically-significant depression in the post COVID syndrome. We conducted a review of postcovid manifestations by searching PubMed, Scopus, World health organization (WHO) databases. The symptoms of postcovid syndrome have been shown as a weakness, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance, and depression, among others. Persistent mental disorders among people who suffer from long-term COVID-19 may be related to psychological factors, as well as from infection and the associated neurobiological trauma. According to available studies, a significant percentage of depression symptoms is observed among people with postcovid syndrome, especially in older age groups. Also symptoms of mental, neurological and physical illness as well as inflammatory brain injury in people with post-COVID syndrome are likely to increase suicidal ideation and behavior in this patient population

Aristolochic acid nephropathy - still real danger

Arystolocholic acid nephropathy is chronic kidney disease caused by the use of substances of natural origin that contain arystolocholic acid. The effects of their use are arystolochic acid nephropathies, which include "Chinese Herbs" nephropathy. The course of the disease is very fast, resulting in progression to end-stage renal disease, and in the future it results in the development of urinary tract cancer. That is why it is so important to recognize it early and start treatment. However, due to disease progression, some patients require dialysis and even kidney transplantation. Although the World Health Organization is trying to stop the spread of the use of harmful substances, there are still reports of this nephropathy appearing in some populations. Despite warnings from the Food and Drug Administration regarding the safety of botanicals containing arystolochic acid and its classification as a human carcinogen, products containing it are still available for purchase online. The purpose of the literature review below is to analyze the latest knowledge on aristolochic acid nephropathy and its associated complication

What does the future look like - home hemodialysis

Home hemodialysis (HHD) is a discovery from 1961 that is now experiencing a revival. It is a convenient and modern method of renal replacement therapy that allows the patient to undergo hemodialysis sessions at home. Due to the growing interest in home hemodialysis, we decided to present the potential of this renal replacement method, show both its benefits and complications resulting from its use. Undoubtedly, HHD has many benefits resulting mainly from the possibility of regulating the duration of the sessions and increasing their frequency. However, this method is also burdened with numerous complications. There are training courses in the use of HHD for patients who have just been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease as well as for patients undergoing dialysis using other methods. Appropriate patient selection is an important factor for the success of home therapy. There is a fierce battle in the home hemodialysis machine market. Manufacturers are outdoing each other in innovative technologies to ensure ease of use, trouble-free operation and minimize complications. The costs of home hemodialysis include more components than the dialysis treatment itself. Home hemodialysis gives patients comfort and independence above all. This is part of nephrology that undoubtedly requires a lot of work and development, but is certainly an invention of the 21st century

Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity

Introduction and purpose Due to the growing tendency to diagnose obesity in patients, scientists are trying to find drugs that facilitate weight reduction.  An example of such a formulation is the GLP-1 analogue semaglutide. The following article is an analysis of the current knowledge on the effectiveness and safety of obesity treatment with semaglutide based on available publications in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases. State of knowledge The main mechanism of semaglutide is based on a stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, and inhibition of glucagon from alpha cells, inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and reduction of energy consumption with minimal impact on energy expenditure. In clinical trials, it showed the best results compared to placebo and other drugs used in weight reduction. Participants treated with semaglutide achieved a reduction in waist circumference, improvements in blood pressure parameters, HbA1c levels, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and CRP protein, and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Semaglutide is well tolerated by patients, and its main side effects come from the gastrointestinal tract, including nausea, emesis, diarrhea. Summary The analysis of the latest publications and meta-analyzes of the literature shows that the use of semaglutide is safe and effective in the treatment of obesity. The positive effect of semaglutide on weight reduction also contributes to the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular events and other obesity-related complications. It is also well tolerated by patients, which translates into possible longer use, and weekly subcutaneous injections are not burdensome for patients. Key words: semaglutide; obesity; GLP-1 analogue; overweigh

The use of mathematical models describing the spread of Covid-19 in strategic state security management

Purpose: The security system of each country should be capable of identifying and eliminating potential threats. However, such events' variety and unpredictability make it impossible to be ready for each scenario, should one materialize. Situations posing a national security threat require that effective actions be undertaken, including risk prevention and mitigation of its effects. Decisions must be taken responsibly and competently. However, they also must be taken quickly, as time is a key factor in any emergency. Extreme caution must be exercised, as citizens' lives and health may depend on the strategic level decisions. Therefore, any instruments to support the decisions, enabling the best choices to be made, are very much desirable. Knowledge of the scale of the phenomenon and its evolution is particularly useful and important here. It is easier to fight an opponent knowing their strengths and potential. Design/Methodology/Approach: To know required, mathematical models may be constructed describing the phenomenon in question and its development over time. This paper presents and compares mathematical models describing the SARS-Cov-2 virus's evolution in four EU countries (Poland, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy). Findings: The ability to describe the evolution of the pandemic in mathematical terms and rely on the results of such modeling in strategic state security management. The results obtained were compared with the actions taken in the countries in question. Practical Implications: Furthermore, the importance of reliable information in making crucial decisions on the national level and achieving the appropriate degree of citizen security was emphasized.peer-reviewe

Apoptosis of HeLa and CaSki cell lines incubated with All-trans retinoid acid.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of a soluble form of APO-1/Fas antigen (sFas, CD95) and a soluble Ligand for APO-1/Fas antigen (sCD95L, sFasL) in supernatants from CaSki and HeLa cell line cultures after the incubation with All-trans-retinoic acid. HPV-16 and HPV18 - positive cell lines were cultivated with All-trans-retinoic acid in concentrations of 1 x 10(-6) M/L and 1 x 10(-8) M/L. The cultures were incubated for 24 hours. Control culture with 3 microl of dimethyl-sulphoxide (DMSO) was incubated under identical conditions. The concentrations of soluble APO-1/Fas antigen and Fas Ligand in cell culture supernatants were estimated using immunoenzymatic methods. The obtained results showed significant decrease of concentrations of soluble APO-1/Fas antigen in supernatants from HeLa cell lines incubated with retinol in comparison with the control culture. Moreover, the concentrations of soluble Ligand for APO-1/Fas antigen in the supernatants of CaSki and HeLa cell lines were significantly lower in the culture incubated with All-trans retinoid acid when compared to the control culture. Higher concentrations of soluble APO-1/Fas antigen in supernatants from HeLa cell line without retinol may constitute a protective mechanism of the cells infected with the virus before undergoing Fas/FasL-dependent apoptosis. Lower concentrations of soluble APO-1/Fas antigen and soluble Ligand for APO-1/Fas in the supernatants from CaSki and HeLa cell cultures incubated with retinol suggest that retinoids can decrease the synthesis of soluble APO-1//Fas and soluble FasL in HPV-16 and HPV - 18 positive cells and that mechanisms protecting infected cells against Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis become defective under the influence of retinol