Study on the Properties of Waste Apatite Phosphogypsum as a Raw Material of Prospective Applications

Waste and Biomass Valorization, Vol. 0, iss. 0 (2018) (online first)This paper presents the results of the study on chemical and the physical properties of waste phosphogypsum (PG) of apatite origin from the former chemical plant Wizow, Poland which are important for further processing and economic use. The research was carried out to verify whether the waste might be useful as a raw material for rare earth elements (REE) recovery and the manufacture of building materials. The following methods were chosen: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, and gamma spectrometry with natural radioactive contamination analyzer. It has been proven that the chemical physical properties of phosphogypsum provide an opportunity to utilize this waste material as a source of REE and raw material for building purposes. PG contains an overall amount of REE in the interval of 0.343–0.637% by mass and does not show radioactivity level which would exclude it from construction purposes. The presented results serve as the basis for currently available technological directions in the management of apatite PG for useful trade products, which creates a chance for the elimination of its storage necessity by further processing

Skin Microbiome in Prurigo Nodularis

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic condition characterized by the presence of nodular lesions accompanied by intense pruritus. The disease has been linked to several infectious factors, but data on the direct presence of microorganisms in the lesions of PN are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity and composition of the bacterial microbiome in PN lesions by targeting the region V3-V4 of 16S rRNA. Skin swabs were obtained from active nodules in 24 patients with PN, inflammatory patches of 14 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and corresponding skin areas of 9 healthy volunteers (HV). After DNA extraction, the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. Sequencing was performed using the Illumina platform on the MiSeq instrument. Operational taxonomic units (OTU) were identified. The identification of taxa was carried out using the Silva v.138 database. There was no statistically significant difference in the alpha-diversity (intra-sample diversity) between the PN, AD and HV groups. The beta-diversity (inter-sample diversity) showed statistically significant differences between the three groups on a global level and in paired analyses. Staphylococcus was significantly more abundant in samples from PN and AD patients than in controls. The difference was maintained across all taxonomic levels. The PN microbiome is highly similar to that of AD. It remains unclear whether the disturbed composition of the microbiome and the domination of Staphylococcus in PN lesions may be the trigger factor of pruritus and lead to the development of cutaneous changes or is a secondary phenomenon. Our preliminary results support the theory that the composition of the skin microbiome in PN is altered and justify further research on the role of the microbiome in this debilitating condition.This research was supported by the mini-Dgrant provided by the Polish Dermatological Society to Dr. Magdalena Zychowska (1/2020)

Unusual cause of right heart failure decompensation in 21-years old patient with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension - a case report

W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek 21-letniej pacjentki z idiopatycznym tętniczym nadciśnieniem płucnym, u której doszło do zaostrzenia prawokomorowej niewydolności serca z podwyższonym stężeniem troponiny T w przebiegu masywnego krwawienia do jamy brzusznej. Krwotok był spowodowany pęknięciem torbieli jajnika w trakcie terapii doustnym antykoagulantem z podwyższonym INR (5,14). U pacjentki, przyjętej z objawami wstrząsu, stwierdzono również cechy zaostrzenia prawokomorowej niewydolności serca w obrazie echokardiograficznym i podwyższenie stężenia NT-proBNP. W opisywanym przypadku zmniejszenie perfuzji wieńcowej i hipoksja tkankowa, pogłębiona utratą krwi i nośnika tlenowego, prawdopodobnie doprowadziły do uszkodzenia prawej komory serca i uwolnienia troponiny T z kardiomiocytów. Po podaniu dożylnym witaminy K, krystaloidów oraz przetoczeniu krwi uzyskano stabilizację stanu chorej oraz powrót wartości biomarkerów do poziomu sprzed zaostrzenia. Po odstawieniu leczenia przeciwzakrzepowego nie obserwowano nawrotu krwawienia. W wykonanym po 15 miesiącach badaniu hemodynamicznym nie stwierdzono trwałego upośledzenia funkcji prawej komory serca.The authors describe a case of 21-years old woman with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension with atypical clinical consequences of massive internal bleeding. Despite significant hypovolemia clinical and laboratory presentation was one of RV failure with dilatation of right heart ventricle and increased plasma level of markers of myocardial stretch and injury (NT-proBNP and troponin, respectively). This is attributed to impaired right ventricular coronary perfusion and hypoxia. Intensive treatment restored baseline RV conditions and at 15 months follow-up no persistent right heart impairment was observed. This case demonstrates that bleeding should be also considered in differential diagnosis of exacerbation of right ventricular failure in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Clinical course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies — the Polish experience

Introduction. The aim of this study was to report the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. A major concern for neurologists worldwide is the course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with MS treated with different DMTs. Although initial studies do not suggest an unfavourable course of infection in this group of patients, the data is limited.Materials and methods. This study included 396 MS patients treated with DMTs and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 28 Polish MS centres. Information concerning patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical course of MS, current DMT use, as well as symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, need for pharmacotherapy, oxygen therapy, and/or hospitalisation, and short-term outcomes was collected up to 30 January 2021. Additional data about COVID-19 cases in the general population in Poland was obtained from official reports of the Polish Ministry of Health.Results. There were 114 males (28.8%) and 282 females (71.2%). The median age was 39 years (IQR 13). The great majority of patients with MS exhibited relapsing-remitting course (372 patients; 93.9%). The median EDSS was 2 (SD 1.38), and the mean disease duration was 8.95 (IQR 8) years. Most of the MS patients were treated with dimethyl fumarate (164; 41.41%). Other DMTs were less frequently used: interferon beta (82; 20.70%), glatiramer acetate (42; 10.60%), natalizumab (35;8.84%), teriflunomide (25; 6.31%), ocrelizumab (20; 5.05%), fingolimod (16; 4.04), cladribine (5; 1.26%), mitoxantrone (3; 0.76%), ozanimod (3; 0.76%), and alemtuzumab (1; 0.25%). The overall hospitalisation rate due to COVID-19 in the cohort was 6.81% (27 patients). Only one patient (0.3%) died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and three (0.76%) patients were treated with mechanical ventilation; 106 (26.8%) patients had at least one comorbid condition. There were no significant differences in the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection regarding patient age, duration of the disease, degree of disability (EDSS), lymphocyte count, or type of DMT used.Conclusions and clinical implications. Most MS patients included in this study had a favourable course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The hospitalisation rate and the mortality rate were not higher in the MS cohort compared to the general Polish population. Continued multicentre data collection is needed to increase the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection impact on the course of MS in patients treated with DMTs

Variability of trace element concentrations in deposits of the Wolbrom and Otrębowskie Brzegi peatlands: a reflection of an anthropogenic impact

W artykule zaprezentowano analizę geochemiczną profili torfowych z dwóch torfowisk, położonych w Polsce Południowej, dokumentujących przedział czasowy od okresu atlantyckiego (od 4900 BC Wolbrom i od 4200 BC Otrębowskie Brzegi) do czasów współczesnych. Jej wyniki poddano analizie statystycznej z użyciem programu PAST, celem porównania badanych torfowisk pod względem wpływu działalności człowieka oraz położenia w różnych zlewniach, z uwzględnieniem przeprowadzonych wcześniej analiz botanicznych, datowania radiowęglowego i ołowiem-210 oraz analizy składu izotopowego Pb. Koncentracja pierwiastków w badanych profilach torfowych zależała od rodzaju osadu i była mocno zróżnicowana, wahając się w przedziale od wartości niskich, zbliżonych do lokalnego tła geochemicznego, aż do ekstremalnie wysokich (w szczególności w przypadku metali ciężkich, takich jak cynk i ołów). Przeprowadzona analiza porównawcza pozwoliła na zaobserwowanie synchronicznego zapisu lokalnych, jak i regionalnych zmian składu chemicznego w dwóch torfowiskach, różniących się lokalizacją, litologią i rodzajem torfu.A geochemical analysis was conducted on peat cores from two peatlands in Southern Poland that cover a time span from the Atlantic period (from 4900 BC in Wolbrom and from 4200 BC in Otrębowskie Brzegi) to modern times. The results were subjected to a statistical analysis using PAST software. The analysis was conducted taking into account previous botanical analyses, radiocarbon dating and lead-210 dating. The aim was to compare these two study sites in terms of their locations in different basins and anthropogenic activity. Elemental concentrations in the tested peat profiles were dependent on sediment type and their values range between very low (close to geochemical background values) and extremely high – especially in the case of heavy metals, like zinc and lead. The comparative analysis showed a synchronous record of local and regional changes of chemical composition in the two peatlands, which vary in terms of location, lithology and type of peat sediment

Treatment of Recurrent Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax – Own Experience

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax could be a serious therapeutic problem in case of recurrence. Lack of therapeutic standards sometimes leads to delay in definitive surgical treatment and could cause respiratory complications. The aim of the studywas the evaluation of treatment results in patients with recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax and looking for optimal therapeutic method after first recurrence (surgical treatment vs. pleural drainage). Material and methods.Between 01.01.2009 and 31.07.2010 fifty four patients with recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax was hospitalized in Wrocław Thoracic Surgery Centre (24.3% of all patients with pneumothorax). The recurrence was treated surgically in 24 cases, in 30 pleural drainage was performed: simple drainage (n=14) or drainage with chemical pleurodesis (n=16). Mean age of patients treated without surgery was higher than surgically treated (p=0,012). Results.In surgery group no recurrence was found, in drainage group 11 recurrences occurred (p=0.0009). In group of 11 patients with second recurrence, pleurodesis was performed four times (36%) vs. 12 times (63%) in 19 patients without a recurrence of the disease. 70% of non-surgically treated patients vs. 50% of surgically treated were afraid of recurrence (p=0.01). Among 11 patients in drainage group, nine underwent surgery at the second episode of recurrence. Conclusions.The optimal treatment method in case of first recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is surgical treatment. When it is not possible chemical pleurodesis should be performed during pleural drainage. Most of the patients after second recurrence are treated surgically anyway. The surgical treatment significantly reduces patient’s fears for future recurrence of the disease. Younger patients are most often surgically treated

Impact of Implant Size and Position on Subsidence Degree after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Radiological and Clinical Analysis

Background: Implant subsidence is recognized as a complication of interbody stabilization, although its relevance remains ambiguous, particularly in terms of relating the effect of the position and depth of subsidence on the clinical outcome of the procedure. This study aimed to evaluate how implant positioning and size influence the incidence and degree of subsidence and to examine their implications for clinical outcomes. Methods: An observational study of 94 patients (157 levels) who underwent ACDF was conducted. Radiological parameters (implant position, implant height, vertebral body height, segmental height and intervertebral height) were assessed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Subsidence was evaluated in groups according to its degree, and statistical analyses were performed. Results: The findings revealed that implant-to-endplate ratio and implant height were significant risk factors associated with the incidence and degree of subsidence. The incidence of subsidence varied as follows: 34 cases (41.5%) exhibited displacement of the implant into the adjacent endplate by 2–3 mm, 32 cases (39%) by 3–4 mm, 16 cases (19.5%) by ≥4 mm and 75 (47.8%) cases exhibited no subsidence. Conclusions: The findings underscore that oversized or undersized implants relative to the disc space or endplate length elevate the risk and severity of subsidence