Free radicals properties of gamma-irradiated penicillin-derived antibiotics : piperacillin, ampicillin, and crystalline penicillin

The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations and properties of free radicals in piperacillin, ampicillin, and crystalline penicillin after gamma irradiation. The radicals were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using an X-band spectrometer (9.3 GHz). Gamma irradiation was performed at a dose of 25 kGy. One- and two-exponential functions were fitted to the experimental data, in order to assess the influence of the antibiotics’ storage time on the measured EPR lines. After gamma irradiation, complex EPR lines were recorded confirming the presence of a large number of free radicals formed during the irradiation. For all tested antibiotics, concentrations of free radicals and parameters of EPR spectra changed with storage time. The results obtained demonstrate that concentration of free radicals and other spectroscopic parameters can be used to select the optimal parameters of radiation sterilization of β-lactam antibiotics. The most important parameters are the constants τ (τ 1(A),(I) and τ 2(A),(I)) and K (K 0(A),(I), K 1(A),(I), K 2(A),(I)) of the exponential functions that describe free radicals decay during samples storage

Metastasis inhibition after proton beam, β- and γ-irradiation of melanoma growing in the hamster eye

Standard ocular tumor treatment includes brachytherapy, as well as proton therapy, particularly for large melanoma tumors. However, the effects of different radiation types on the metastatic spread is not clear. We aimed at comparing ruthenium (106 Ru, emitting β electrons) and iodine (125I, γ-radiation) brachytherapy and proton beam therapy of melanoma implanted into the hamster eye on development of spontaneous lung metastases. Tumors of Bomirski Hamster Melanoma (BHM) implanted into the anterior chamber of the hamster eye grew aggressively and completely filled the anterior chamber within 8–10 days. Metastases, mainly in the lung, were found in 100% of untreated animals 30 days after enucleation. Tumors were irradiated at a dose of 3–10 Gy with a 106Ru plaque and at a dose of 6–14 Gy using a 125I plaque. The protons were accelerated using the AIC-144 isochronous cyclotron operating at 60 MeV. BHM tumors located in the anterior chamber of the eye were irradiated with 10 Gy, for the depth of 3.88 mm. All radiation types caused inhibition of tumor growth by about 10 days. An increase in the number of metastases was observed for 3 Gy of β-irradiation, whereas at 10 Gy an inhibition of metastasis was found. γ-radiation reduced the metastatic mass at all applied doses, and proton beam therapy at 10 Gy also inhibited the metastastic spread. These results are discussed in the context of recent clinical and molecular data on radiation effects on metastasis

Wilson’s disease - a current approach to diagnostics and treatment. A literature review

Introduction and purpose Wilson’s disease is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder of copper metabolism. Its global genetic prevalence is estimated at around 1:30 000. However, in the case of many patients, it takes a long time to make a diagnosis, which delays introducing the right treatment.  This review aims to gather current knowledge about clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Wilson’s disease. Material and methods This review was based on available data collected in the PubMed database, using the following keywords:  „Wilson’s disease”, „Wilson’s disease treatment”, „Wilson’s disease Pathogenesis”, and “Wilson’s disease Diagnosis”. ConclusionsThe diagnosis of Wilson’s disease is often delayed due to the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Screening of family members of people affected with Wilson’s disease can speed up the diagnosis in yet asymptomatic patients.Raising awareness about Wilson’s disease and diagnosing patients before the onset of serious symptoms may bring earlier diagnosis and improvement in the patient’s quality of life

CBD and THC - influence on insomnia, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome - review based on recent advances

Proper and healthy sleep is an element of everyday life necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Unfortunately, a large part of humanity cannot experience proper rest, due to sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, obturative sleep apnea and other diseases that complicate sleep. There are not many ways to treat sleep disorders and their use is often associated with difficulties in everyday life and side effects of the used methods. Work on this subject is still ongoing, with time there are more and more new possibilities and different, unconventional applications of substances discovered long ago. Plants containing cannabinoids have been known to mankind since ancient times. And this cannabinoids can have huge importance and contribute to the treatment and prevention of sleep disorders. Studies on the impact of these substances on sleep and sleep disorders are limited, which leads to the fact that in many countries their use is still prohibited. And therefore undertaking research on this topic requires a lot of effort. However, the data that has been collected so far on the subject of the influence of cannabinoids on sleep disorders carry optimistic information. Cannabinoids in the correct doses and ratio as to the content of individual subgroups can bring relief to people suffering from lack of proper sleep. However, the negative effects of these substances should not be forgotten. Chronic use, too high doses or improper application can have a negative impact on the quality of sleep

Type 2 diabetes - factors of occurrence and its complications

Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a collective term for heterogeneous metabolic disorders, the main factor of which is chronic hyperglycemia resulting from a defect in insulin secretion or action. It affects the damage, dysfunction and performance of various organs. The aim of the study The purpose of this article is to discuss type 2 diabetes mellitus. Presentation of the mechanisms involved in it and the complications it causes in the various organs. Material and methods This review was based on available data collected in the PubMed data base. The research was done by looking through keywords such as: ,,type 2 diabetes”, ,,diabetic cardiomyopathy”, ,,diabetic nephropathy”, ,,diabetic neuropathy”, ,,diabetic foot”, ,,diabetic retinopathy”, ,, risk factors for type 2 diabetes”.   Conclusions Many studies have shown that the presence of type 2 diabetes adversely affects the body. Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of organ complications, which significantly reduces the quality and shortens the life of patients. For that reason, care should be taken to reduce the incidence rate of this type of diabetes and to prevent and detect its complications early. Therefore, new initiatives and research should be undertaken to broadly understand the risk factors and mechanisms of developing type 2 diabetes complications

Microscopic colitis - state of current knowledge on pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment

Introduction and purpose Microscopic colitis is multicausal inflammatory bowel disease, which affects mostly elderly, particularly women. It is a cause of chronic, watery diarrhea. MC usually presents macroscopically normal, thus diagnosis requires colonoscopy and histological examination of colonic biopsies. MC doesn’t increase risk of colon cancer. However, it leads to impaired patients’ quality of life and reduced living activity. This review aims to sum up the current state of knowledge  about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of microscopic colitis.   Material and methods This review was based on available data collected in the PubMed database, using the following keywords:  „microscopic colitis”, “microscopic colitis treatment”, „microscopic colitis pathogenesis”, and “ microscopic colitis diagnosis”.  ConclusionsDiagnosis of MC is often delayed due to similarity of clinical manifestation with other inflammatory bowel diseases, like IBS or IBD. Raising awareness about MC as a potential cause of chronic diarrhea can lead to earlier diagnosis and increased patients’ quality of life

Treatment of hyperhidrosis and the role of Botulinum Toxin Type A in therapy - a literature review

Introduction: Sweat secretion is a physiological process controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and it operates independently of our will. Primary hyperhidrosis is a disease characterized by excessive sweating, which is thought to result from localized hyperstimulation of sweat glands by cholinergic sympathetic nerve fibers. It can be associated with significant occupational, physical and emotional impairment, as well as significant difficulties in social situations and personal relationships. Available therapies are limited by their short-term efficacy and, in some cases, significant side effects that can expose patients to potentially serious complications. One treatment for primary hyperhidrosis is chemodenervation of the sweat glands using botulinum toxin type A. Objective: To review the current literature and recent reports on hyperhidrosis treatment therapies. To discuss the mechanism of action and the role of botulinum toxin in treatment, as well as the potential risks associated with undertaking treatment. Materials and method: Literature review of PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct Conclusions: Intradermal injection of botulinum toxin A is an effective and safe therapy for severe axillary, palmar, forehead, neck and foot hyperhidrosis. Current knowledge does not indicate that this therapy is associated with dangerous complications. Unfortunately, it is not a method that permanently solves the problem of sufferers

Ogilvie Syndrome - summary of knowledge, diagnostics and treatment

Introduction and purpose: Ogilvie's syndrome is an acute pseudo-obstruction of the colon characterized by massive dilatation of the large intestine without mechanical obstruction. The aim of this publication is to review publications and case reports concerning this disease and therapeutic management. A brief description of the state of knowledge: Ogilvie's syndrome was first described in 1948. The assumed pathogenesis of the disease is increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and/or decreased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. Most often it concerns hospitalized patients, in a serious general condition, after major injuries, operations, and pregnant or postpartum women. The importance of viral infections in the pathogenesis, including COVID-19 in recent years, is also indicated. It is important to eliminate possible organic causes of obstruction and to assess the diameter of the dilated bowel. Therapeutic options include conservative treatment, pharmacological treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, endoscopic bowel decompression and surgical treatment. Lack of medical intervention can lead to ischemia and intestinal perforation. Conclusion: Ogilvie's syndrome is a rare condition in which complications can be minimized with proper assessment, care and treatment. The progress of pharmacological and endoscopic therapy allows to reduce the need for surgical intervention, and thus - the patient's unnecessary burden

HPV virus as the main cause of cervical cancer, vaccination - literature review

HPV infection is one of the most common viral infection of the female and male reproductive tract worldwide. Most of the human papillomavirus infections cause no symptoms and go away on their own. Some infections develop into persistent infection, which can lead to the development of cancer of the cervix, anogenital, oral cavity and pharynx.In this paper, we focused on cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer in the world among women. More than 300,000 women died from this cancer in 2020. The invention and introduction of prophylactic HPV vaccines has played a significant role in reducing the number of viral infections, thus reducing the incidence of benign and malignant diseases caused by them and the mortality resulting from them. There are three vaccines on the pharmaceutical marketfor prevention of specific HPV infection. They are: a bivalent vaccine Cervarix, a tetravalent vaccine Gardasil and a nonavalent vaccine Gardasil 9. These vaccines are safe because they do not contain an attenuated virus particle, but their production is based on a virus-like particle of the main capsid protein L1-VLP. Gardasil 9 targets nine HPV types andcomparing to the other two vaccines it is the most effective at preventing the development of preinvasive cervical cancer. WHO recommends administering them to girls aged 9 to 14 in a two-dose schedule or from 15 years of age in a three-dose schedule. The side effects of the above-mentioned vaccines were mostly associated with a cutaneous reactions around the site of injection (pain, redness, swelling), and some people also experienced systemic symptoms such as a headache, a fever, vomiting, a dizziness, muscle pain and a diarrhea. The following article is an analysis of the current knowledge on the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic HPV vaccines based on publications available in the Pubmed and Google Scholar databases

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome - a review based on recent advances in medicine

Introduction   Meyer-Rokitanski-Küster-Hauser syndrome, also reffered to as Müllerian aplasia, is a congenital disorder characterized by agenesis or hypoplasia of the uterus and upper part of the vagina in female with normal female karyotype (46,XX). In these women the external genitalia have a normal structure and their internal endocrine organs function properly. Most often, this syndrome is diagnosed in adolescence due to primary amenorrhea.    Material and methods   This review was based on available data collected in the PubMed data base and Google Scholar data and published between 2011 and 2021. The research was done by looking through keywords such as:“Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome”, “MRKH syndrome”, “uterine agenesis” and “primary amenorrhea”, "vaginal agenesis", "uterus transplantation".   Conclusions   Recent scientific achievements have shown how much can be changed in the lives of patients with MRKH syndrome. It should be remembered that this is a disease that needs treatment by specialists in many fields. Treatment should include not only medical side of problem but also should take care of psychical side of patients life. During the last 10 years several advances have been made in MRKH syndrome research, especially within the fields of genetics, non-surgical management, and uterus transplantation as the first available fertility treatment