Perspectives on translation of positronium imaging into clinics

The image of positronium properties created in the patient’s body during PET examination tells about the inter- and intra-molecular structure of the tissue and the concentration of bio-active molecules in the tissue [2–4]. In this article, we advocate the opinion that total-body PET systems, thanks to their high imaging sensitivity and high time resolution, open up the prospect of translating positronium imaging into clinics

POLITYKA SAMORZĄDU TERYTORIALNEGO W SFERZE EDUKACJI I ZDROWIA W POLSCE PO 2015 ROKU

Rozważania prowadzone w artykule koncentrują się wokół roli samorządu terytorialnego w dwóch istotnych sferach działania państwa typu welfare state – w zapewnieniu dostępu do edukacji oraz w ochronie zdrowia. Autorzy charakteryzują sytuację w Polsce po wygranych w 2015 roku przez Prawo i Sprawiedliwość wyborach parlamentarnych. W pierwszej części opracowania analizie poddano reformy podjęte w systemie oświaty i ich konsekwencje dla samorządu terytorialnego, w tym przede wszystkim podwyższenie wieku obowiązkowej edukacji, a także zmianę ustroju szkolnego. Druga część zawiera natomiast opis planowanych oraz wdrożonych zmian w ochronie zdrowia

Feasibility study of positronium application for blood clots structural characteristics

Positron-electron annihilation in living organisms occurs in about 30% via the formation of a metastable ortho-positronium atom that annihilates into two 511 keV photons in tissues because of the pick-off and conversion processes. Positronium (Ps) annihilation lifetime and intensities can be used to determine the size and quantity of defects in a material's microstructure, such as voids or pores in the range of nanometers. This is particularly true for blood clots. Here we present pilot investigations of positronium properties in fibrin clots. The studies are complemented by the use of SEM Edax and micro-computed tomography (μCT) to evaluate the extracted thrombotic material's properties. μCT is a versatile characterization method offering in situ and in operando possibilities and is a qualitative diagnostic tool. With μCT the presence of pores, cracks, and structural errors can be verified, and hence the 3D inner structure of samples can be investigated

Organic Waste Torrefaction – A Review: Reactor Systems, and the Biochar Properties

Torrefaction is a thermochemical process in a narrow temperature ranging from 200 to 300°C, where primarily hemicellulose fibers are depolymerized. This process is carried out under atmospheric pressure and in anaerobic conditions; heating ratio is low (<50°C/min) and the residence time is relatively long, up to 1 h. During the process, a biomass is partially decomposed and forms different condensing and noncondensing gases. The final product is a constant substance rich in carbon, which is called a torrefied biomass—biochar and biocarbon. Currently an increase in energy demand is impacting the environment considerably. For this reason, in this chapter the organic waste torrefaction technology will be presented, including the reactor systems review. Torrefaction process may be conducted in different types of reactors, with diverse technologies. From this variety, two main groups of reactors can be distinguished, with direct and indirect heating. Direct heating group consists of reactors with multiple design, such as Multiple Hearth Furnace, microwave reactor, moving bed, vibrating belt, the reactor belt, and auger. Indirect heating reactors are less common and this group consists of rotating drum and auger reactor. All mentioned reactor types will be presented and discussed

Radiovesicolomics-new approach in medical imaging

This review introduce extracellular vesicles (EVs) to a molecular imaging field. The idea of modern analyses based on the use of omics studies, using high-throughput methods to characterize the molecular content of a single biological system, vesicolomics seems to be the new approach to collect molecular data about EV content, to find novel biomarkers or therapeutic targets. The use of various imaging techniques, including those based on radionuclides as positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), combining molecular data on EVs, opens up the new space for radiovesicolomics—a new approach to be used in theranostics

Study of the influence of hyperglycemia on the abundance of amino acids, fatty acids, and selected lipids in extracellular vesicles using TOF-SIMS

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) with the Bi$_{3}^{+}$ liquid metal ion gun was used to investigate the content of lipids and amino acids (AAs) in extracellular vesicles (EVs). We induced metabolic changes in human pancreatic β-cells by stimulation with high glucose concentrations (35 mM) and tested the hypothesis of hyperglycemia (HG) has a detrimental effect on lipids and AAs in released EV subpopulations: ectosomes and exosomes. As a result of HG treatment, selected fatty acids (FAs) such as arachidonic, myristic and palmitic acids, changed their abundance in ectosomes and exosomes. Also, intensities of the characteristic peaks for cholesterol (m/z 95.09; 147.07; 161.11; 369.45) along with the molecular ion m/z 386.37 [C$_{27}$H$_{46}$O$^{+}$] under HG conditions, both for ectosomes and exosomes, have changed significantly. Comparative analysis of HG EVs and normoglycemic (NG) ones showed statistically significant differences in the signal intensities of four AAs: valine (m/z 72.08 and 83.05), isoleucine (m/z 86.10), phenylalanine (m/z 120.08 and 132.05) and tyrosine (m/z 107.05 and 136.09). We confirmed that ToF-SIMS is a useful technique to study selected AAs and lipid profiles in various EV subpopulations. Our study is the first demonstration of changes in FAs and AAs in exosomes and ectosomes derived from β-cells under the influence of HG

Non celiac gluten sensitivity — facts and controversies

W ostatnich latach na całym świecie obserwuje się rosnącą liczbę pacjentów cierpiących na nowy rodzaj nadwrażliwości pokarmowej nazwanej nadwrażliwością na gluten (NCGS). Częściej dotyczy ona nastolatków i dorosłych, szczególnie płci żeńskiej, z dużą liczbą przypadków diagnozowanych w wieku starszym. Obecnie szacuje się, że obejmuje ona 6% populacji. Nadwrażliwość na gluten charakteryzuje się wystąpieniem wielu objawów zarówno gastro-jelitowych, tj.: wzdęcia, biegunki, bóle brzucha, jak i pozajelitowych symptomów, między innymi: uczucia splątania, bólów głowy, bólów stawów i mięśni, poczucia niepokoju, a także depresji. Objawy pojawiają się krótko po spożyciu glutenu i ulegają poprawie lub znikają po przejściu na dietę bezglutenową. Rozpoznanie nadwrażliwości na gluten wymaga wykluczenia celiakii (negatywny wynik przeciwciał, brak zaniku kosmków jelitowych) oraz alergii na pszenicę (brak podwyższonego stężenia IgE). W przeciwieństwie do dobrze poznanej celiakii, mechanizm patogenetyczne NCGS nadal nie został jasno określony. Obecnie uważa się, że istotną rolę w rozwoju NCGS odgrywa kilka mechanizmów — aktywacja wrodzonej odpowiedzi immunolo gicznej, zmiana funkcji barier y błony śluzowej jelit, spożywanie żywności zawierającej inhibi tory amylaz, a także istnienie wieloskładnikowej nadwrażliwości pokar mowej, związanej z dietą bogatą w FOODMAPs lub dodatki do żywności. Leczenie nadwrażliwości na gluten opiera się na głównie na zmianie nawyków żywieniowych oraz wprowadzeniu diety bezglutenowej.In recent years all over the world there is an increasing number of patients suffering from food hypersensitivity new type called non celiac gluten sensitivity or NCGS. More often, it relates to teens and adults, especially females, with a large number of cases diagnosed in the elderly. Currently, it is estimated that it covers 6% of the population. Gluten sensitivity is characterized by the occur rence of a number of gastro-intestinal symptoms such as: bloati ng, diarrhea, abdominal pain and parenteral symptoms include: confusion, headaches, joint and muscle pain, zafeeling of anxiety, and depression. Symptoms occur shortly after ingestion of gluten and are improved or disappeared after going on a gluten-free diet. The diagnosis of non celiac gluten sensitivity requires exclusion celiac disease (antibody negative, no atrophy of intestinal villi), and allergy to wheat (no elevated levels of IgE). In contrast t o the well acknowledged celiac disease, NCGS pathogenic mechanism is still not clearly defined. Currently, it is believed that an important role in the development of NCGS plays several mechanisms such as: activation of the innate immune response, the change in the bar rier function of the intestinal m ucosa, food containing amylase inhibitors, and the existence of multi-component food hypersensitivity associated with a diet high in FOODMAP s or food additives. Treatment of hypersensitivity to gluten is based mainly on the change of dietary habits and the introduction of a gluten-free diet

Typical variant of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in oncological patients : two case reports and review of the literature

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) represents an acute systolic left ventricular dysfunction typically triggered by severe psychological or physical stress. Oncological patients due to emotional distress of the diagnosis, proinflammatory and prothrombotic nature of cancer and also physical stress often following complex anticancer therapies are at high-risk of TCM. Moreover, there are also few reports of TCM associated with oncological treatment, mostly chemotherapy. Recent data from large registries indicate a surprisingly high incidence of malignancy in TCM, significant differences in clinical characteristics and unfavorable short- and long-term clinical outcomes in this specific group of patients. Therefore, we present two case reports of TCM that occurred during active anticancer therapy. Both women were admitted with suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. The first patient underwent mastectomy two years before due to hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and on admission she was during adjuvant hormonotherapy with tamoxifen. The admission of the second patient was preceded by fifteen fractions of adjuvant external beam radiotherapy due to intermediate-risk endometrial cancer after radical hysterectomy. Based on coronary angiography type I of acute coronary syndrome was excluded. Both patients negated stressful situations in the period immediately before the symptoms onset. Within hospital course baseline apical ballooning observed in both cases fully recovered and enabled subsequent completion of oncological treatment in accordance with adopted treatment protocols without recurrence of TCM. To our knowledge, presented cases are the first reports showing direct relationship between TCM and adjuvant hormonotherapy with tamoxifen or pelvic radiotherapy

Isolated systolic hypertension — evaluation of the scale of the problem among medical students — pilot study

Introduction. Interest in isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in young people has increased in recent years. The applanation tonometry technique provides new diagnostic opportunities in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of ISH among young adults and factors contributing to its occurrence. Material and methods. One hundred and two medical students aged 21 to 26 years were examined. The study was based on three peripheral blood pressure measurements and central blood pressure measurement. Information on health status and physical activity was collected using the author-developed questionnaire. Results. Based on the mean of peripheral blood pressure measurements, hypertension (HT) was detected in 23 students (22.55%): 18 had ISH, 4 — combined systolic/diastolic HT and 1 — isolated diastolic HT. Pulse wave analysis showed that all individuals with ISH had central blood pressure within the normal range — higher than those without HT, but lower than in the combined systolic/diastolic HT group (p &lt; 0.001). Subjects with ISH were characterized by higher pulse pressure amplitude and lower augmentation index (AIx) compared to those with normal blood pressure. Subjects with ISH were taller, had a higher body mass index (BMI) and were more likely to have a positive family history of HT compared to normotensives. They also reported more frequent coffee consumption; and 22% of them used creatine supplements (vs. 0% in non-HT group). Conclusions. Measurement of central arterial blood pressure by applanation tonometry should be an integral part of the assessment of young patients with ISH. The study confirmed that ISH patients are characterized by higher growth, weight and physical activity. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of ISH