Far field combined AFM and micro-Raman imaging for characterisation of surface of structured catalysts : example of Pd Doped CoOxCoO_x catalysts on precalcined kanthal steel

A coupled AFM-Raman system was used to study the surface heterogeneity of catalytic materials at various stages of their preparation. The catalysts chosen for the analyses were cobalt oxide with and without palladium dopant deposited on surface of pre-calcined steel carriers. Steel carriers are surveyed here in terms of their application as fillers for structured reactors for the catalytic combustion of volatile organic compounds. Upon steel precalcination stage the interfaced AFM-Raman and in situ Raman analyses revealed the evolution of alumina and iron oxide phases on the surface with their final stable forms found as being α-Al_{2}O_{3} and α-Fe_{2}O_{3}. Upon catalyst layering stage AFM-Raman mapping evidenced uniform coverage of precalcined steel carrier with cobalt spinel oxide Co_{3}O_{4}. For the doped catalyst except Co_{3}O_{4} palladium(II) oxide grains were also found on the surface. The differences in the composition of cobalt catalysts were correlated with the differences in their catalytic activity

Cervical cancer - is there anything to worry about? Research on knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer among Poles

Cervical cancer poses a global health challenge, being one of the most common cancers of the reproductive organs and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease, resulting from infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), tends to develop in advanced stages, significantly complicating effective treatment. Despite advancements in medicine, diagnostics, and therapy, cervical cancer remains a serious public health threat. Periodic surveillance through screening has significantly reduced the incidence of cervical cancer; however, in Poland, there is a notable gap between potentially available preventive measures and their actual utilization by the population. It has been observed that only around 20% of Polish women participate in screening programs, contributing to Poland having one of the highest rates of incidence and mortality from this type of cancer in Europe. This leads to the conclusion that cervical cancer constitutes an unresolved oncological and epidemiological problem in Poland. In the context of these challenges, a crucial aspect is understanding the level of public knowledge about cervical cancer, its risk factors, and available preventive measures. This study focuses on evaluating the societal knowledge regarding the risk factors of cervical cancer, identifying existing gaps, and suggesting potential areas for educational interventions

Wilson's disease - clinical picture, factors influencing disease progression, treatment methods

Wilson's disease, also known as hepatolenticular degeneration, is a rare genetic metabolic disorder that leads to excessive accumulation of copper in the body, particularly in the liver and brain. This results in the gradual damage of these organs and leads to a variety of clinical symptoms. The symptoms of Wilson's disease can be diverse, leading to a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations including fatigue, jaundice, hand tremors, mood disorders, difficulty walking, speech disturbances, as well as neurological and psychiatric issues.The treatment of Wilson's disease typically involves the oral administration of copper-chelating agents, which help the body to eliminate the excess copper. In some cases, symptomatic treatment related to liver or brain damage may also be necessary. The diagnosis of Wilson's disease is based on laboratory tests, imaging studies (such as MRI or CT scans), and the assessment of clinical symptoms. Due to the variety of symptoms, patients are often misdiagnosed, and untreated Wilson's disease inevitably leads to death. Genetic testing can also be useful in confirming the diagnosis. Although Wilson's disease is a chronic condition, with appropriate treatment and monitoring, its symptoms can be effectively managed, and further damage to the liver and brain can be prevented. Regular monitoring of copper levels in the blood, as well as liver and brain function, is crucial for the effective management of Wilson's disease

I'm sick? I don't train!" – Relation between training during upper respiratory infection and myocarditis

IntrocudtionMyocarditis is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac deaths among athletes. One of the factors increasing the risk of this disease is engaging in sports training during an infection. Many athletes, regardless of their level of advancement, are not aware of the risks associated with training during an infection, and those who are aware often ignore them and continue training. Purpose Assessment of behaviors and awareness among runners in Poland regarding the risk of developing myocarditis as a result of training during respiratory tract infections. Material and method In December 2023, a voluntary and anonymous online survey was conducted among a group of 399 adult runners from Poland. The survey included 13 questions, consisting of 11 single-choice questions and 2 multiple-choice questions. Results The percentage of individuals who do not associate training during an infection with an increased risk of myocarditis amounts to as much as 44.4% (n=177), while a staggering 86.7% (n=346) of respondents declare that they undertake training during respiratory infections. Conslusion After analyzing the survey, it's evident that while the Polish running community recognizes the risks of training during infections, many still exercise despite symptoms. Although most understand that intense training and early return to sports can harm health, awareness of myocarditis risks from exertion during infection is lacking. Despite protocols for post-illness return to sports, there's a need for campaigns to educate the running community on infection-related training risks. &nbsp

Hypoglycemia impact on psychiatric symptoms and brain changes in anorexia nervosa

This study examines the potential impact of hypoglycemia on mental comorbidity in anorexia, comparing it to similar changes in diabetes. Anorexia, characterized by low body weight, is linked to hypoglycemia, possibly affecting mental health. Recurrent hypoglycemia in diabetes leads to mood changes and cognitive impairment. Anorexic individuals may experience deficits in cognitive functioning and psychiatric comorbidities, including affective disorders and anxiety. Imaging studies show structural changes in the brains of both anorexia and diabetes patients, but the direct link between hypoglycemia and psychoorganic changes in anorexia remains inconclusive, warranting further investigation

Bouveret's Syndrome: Diagnostic Dilemmas and Therapeutic Strategies - A Comprehensive Educational Approach for Healthcare Professionals

Bouveret's syndrome, a rare complication of gallstone disease, poses a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly in elderly individuals with multiple comorbidities. The mortality rate ranges from 12-30%, emphasizing the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis. Nonspecific symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, contribute to delayed diagnosis. Healthcare professionals, especially those involved in gastroenterology and surgery, require comprehensive education on Bouveret's syndrome. Training should emphasize the diverse diagnostic modalities, including the use of imaging techniques such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI. Awareness of the syndrome's rarity and collaboration among specialists from various fields are crucial for effective management. Additionally, educational programs should underscore the need for individualized treatment plans, considering patient parameters such as age, comorbidities, and the inflammatory state of surrounding tissues. While endoscopic procedures exhibit lower success rates, they are often preferred due to the high risk associated with open surgical procedures in elderly patients. Continuous medical education should also highlight the potential link between diabetes and Bouveret's syndrome, emphasizing the importance of recognizing risk factors and ensuring timely medical intervention. In conclusion, enhancing the knowledge base of healthcare professionals through targeted education is essential for improving the diagnosis and management of Bouveret's syndrome, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes

Onychocryptosis: A review of epidemiology, risk factors, classification, complications and effective therapeutic strategies.

Abstract: Ingrown toenails, clinically known as onychocryptosis, represent a prevalent nail pathology. The clinical manifestation involves symptoms typical for a foreign body reaction and in severe cases, tissue hypertrophy with complications may occur.  Key risk factors include improper nail care, trauma, obesity, tight footwear, poor foot hygiene, and genetic predisposition. The condition predominantly affects individuals between the first and the third decades of life and older adults, with a predilection for the great toe, especially the lateral skin fold. The Heifetz and Scholz classifications delineate the stages of ingrown toenails based on severity. Therapeutic approaches range from conservative procedures, such as taping, dental floss, gutter treatment, cotton nail cast, braces and super elastic wire to surgical interventions like partial or total nail avulsion, matricectomy and advanced techniques like the Vandebos procedure or the Winograd procedure. Although many studies have analysed available treatment methods, there is no consensus among specialists regarding the best therapeutic strategy. Complications include paronychia, infection, and scarring. A comprehensive therapeutic approach should consider clinical severity, patient preferences, and both conservative and surgical interventions, emphasizing the importance of larger randomized clinical trials to establish definitive guidelines

In search of governing gas flow mechanism through metal solid foams

Solid foams have been intensely studied as promising structured catalytic internals. However, mechanisms governing flow and transport phenomena within the foam structures have not been properly addressed in the literature. The aim of this study was to consider such flow mechanisms based on our experimental results on flow resistance. Two mechanisms were considered: developing laminar flow in a short capillary channel (flow-through model), and flow around an immersed solid body, either a cylinder or sphere (flow-around model). Flow resistance experiments were performed on three aluminum foams of 10, 20, and 40 PPI (pores per inch), using a 57 mm ID test column filled with the foams studied. The foam morphology was examined using microtomography and optical microscopy to derive the geometric parameters applied in the model equations. The flow-through model provided an accuracy of 25% for the experiments. The model channel diameter was the foam cell diameter, and the channel length was the strut thickness. The accuracy of the flow-around model was only slightly worse (35%). It was difficult to establish the geometry of the immersed solid body (sphere or cylinder) because experiment characteristics tended to change from sphere to cylinder with increasing PPI value

Prospective catalytic structured converters for NH3−SCRNH_3-SCR of NOxNO_x from biogas stationary engines : in situ template-free synthesis of ZSM-5 Cu exchanged catalysts on steel carriers

The main objective of this study is to develop highly active catalyst and its preparation method that would meet the requirements of steel carriers for short- channel structured converters for NO x abatement from stationary biogas engines. The in situ synthesis was applied to deposit a series of Cu-exchanged MFI zeolite (ZSM-5) on kanthal sheets. The samples differ in preparation con- ditions: organic template assisted and template-free syn- thesis, Si/Al ratio and catalyst carrier pretreatment (calcined vs. non-calcined). Dip-coating method was used as a reference to compare loading efficiency. In order to evaluate preparation quality and purity of resulting struc- ture the samples were examined by XRD and SEM/EDS at various stages of preparation. For the assessment of mechanical endurance of the deposited catalyst layers the ultrasonication method was used. The results demonstrated high depositing efficiency of the in situ synthesis as well as high activity and selectivity of the Cu-exchanged MFI samples prepared without costly organic template