COVID-19: Specific and Non-Specific Clinical Manifestations and Symptoms: The Current State of Knowledge

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become an epidemiological threat and a worldwide concern. SARS-CoV-2 has spread to 210 countries worldwide and more than 6,500,000 confirmed cases and 384,643 deaths have been reported, while the number of both confirmed and fatal cases is continually increasing. COVID-19 is a viral disease that can affect every age group-from infants to the elderly-resulting in a wide spectrum of various clinical manifestations. COVID-19 might present different degrees of severity-from mild or even asymptomatic carriers, even to fatal cases. The most common complications include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Fever, dry cough, muscle weakness, and chest pain are the most prevalent and typical symptoms of COVID-19. However, patients might also present atypical symptoms that can occur alone, which might indicate the possible SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this paper is to review and summarize all of the findings regarding clinical manifestations of COVID-19 patients, which include respiratory, neurological, olfactory and gustatory, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, dermatological, cardiac, and rheumatologic manifestations, as well as specific symptoms in pediatric patients

Utilization of Galvanic Sewage Sludge to Produce Alkali-Activated Materials

The development of civilization is causing an increase in the amount of industrial wastes, especially hazardous wastes. Among the methods of utilisation of this type of waste, the methods of stabilisation and solidification deserve attention, which enable the transformation of hazardous waste and the heavy metals it contains into an environmentally safe form, that is, immobilised. This paper proposes a method to stabilize and solidify galvanic sludge using geopolymerization reactions. The surface morphology was studied, and the chemical composition was analyzed using the SEM-EDS method. The presence of characteristic functional groups on the surface of the galvanic sludge and the geopolymer obtained on its basis was determined by FTIR spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, we evaluated of the recovery of selected heavy metals were performed on the basis of leaching tests. It was found that, as a consequence of geopolymerization of galvanic sludge, this hazardous waste is transformed in such a way that the heavy metals it contains, which occur in the form of soluble compounds are immobilised. In relation to the metals analyzed, reduction in solubility were obtained at a practical level of 100% for Zn and Mn, for the remaining metals, respectively, 94% for Cu and in the range of 40 to 90% for Pb. Analysis of the FTIR spectra showed that the ions of the metals studied were permanently immobilised in the aluminosilicate structure of the geopolymers obtained. This shows, that galvanic sewage sludge, as hazardous waste, is chemically transformed into inert waste that may be deposited in landfills

EFFICIENCY OF LEACHING TESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE FLY ASH ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The leachability of heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) from the coal fly ash samples was studied. The investigations executed using three leachability tests (USEPA, TCLP, ASTM). The effect of different parameters was determined (the diameter of ash grains, the kind of leaching solutions, pH of leaching solutions, the volume ratio of leaching solutions to the mass of ash samples, and the leaching time) on the leachability of the heavy metals from fly ash samples. Moreover, the influence of pH and changes in the redox potential of the leaching solutions as well as the presence of organic compounds that could potentially form complexes with metals and solubility changes of metals. The concentration of the metals studied (Cu, Pb and Zn) in all obtained solutions was determined by FAAS method. On the basis of the research investigations, optimal leachability conditions for Cu, Pb and Zn from fly ash in this study have been determined. We have also found that pH of the leaching solution, and the presence of organic compounds which have a potential capacity of complexion the metals are the important factors in determining the solubility of Cu, Pb and Zn

Inhibition or Reversal of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gastric Cancer: Pharmacological Approaches

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) constitutes one of the hallmarks of carcinogenesis consisting in the re-differentiation of the epithelial cells into mesenchymal ones changing the cellular phenotype into a malignant one. EMT has been shown to play a role in the malignant transformation and while occurring in the tumor microenvironment, it significantly affects the aggressiveness of gastric cancer, among others. Importantly, after EMT occurs, gastric cancer patients are more susceptible to the induction of resistance to various therapeutic agents, worsening the clinical outcome of patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to search for the newest pharmacological agents targeting EMT to prevent further progression of gastric carcinogenesis and potential metastases. Therapies targeted at EMT might be combined with other currently available treatment modalities, which seems to be an effective strategy to treat gastric cancer patients. In this review, we have summarized recent advances in gastric cancer treatment in terms of targeting EMT specifically, such as the administration of polyphenols, resveratrol, tangeretin, luteolin, genistein, proton pump inhibitors, terpenes, other plant extracts, or inorganic compounds

Porównanie właściwości geopolimerów na bazie lotnego popiołu ze spalania węgla i biomasy

Geopolymers are a new class of materials that can be synthesized using natural minerals, and waste materials. Among these substrates, the use of fly ash is desirable as it involves the conversion of a copious waste material into a useful product. The aim of the research was geopolymers synthesis from coal fly ash and biomass ash. Concentrated sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solutions were used as activators in geopolymerisation reaction. The results show that both coal fly ash and biomass ash can be utilized as source materials for the production of geopolymers. The surface morphology and chemical composition analysis were examined for the obtained geopolymers and ashes from coal and biomass combustion by SEM-EDS methods. It was found almost total disappearance of spherical forms of grains and reduction the porosity of structure for geopolymer based on fly ash from coal combustion. While the structure of the geopolymer based ash from biomass combustion is more porous. The UV-VIS-NIR spectra were performed on the coal fly ash, biomass ash and geopolymers. They showed that the obtained geopolymers possess optical and photocatalytic properties. The similarity of the geopolymer network and the zeolite framework in relation to ion exchange and accommodation of metal ions open questions on possibilities for the application of geopolymer materials as amorphous analogues of zeolite. The FT-IR spectra analyses were used on the geopolymers before and after metals sorption. It was found that geopolymer based on ash from biomass combustion has better sorption properties compared to geopolymer based on ash from coal combustion.Geopolimery są nową klasą materiałów, które mogą być syntetyzowane z użyciem naturalnych minerałów i materiałów odpadowych. Wśród tych substratów, użycie popiołu lotnego jest pożądane ponieważ wiąże się z możliwością konwersji materiału odpadowego w użyteczny produkt. Celem badań była synteza geopolimerów z lotnego popiołu węglowego oraz z popiołu z biomasy. Jako aktywatory reakcji geopolimeryzacji były stosowane stężony wodorotlenek sodu i roztwór krzemianu sodu. Rezultaty pokazują, że zarówno lotny popiół węglowy i popiół z biomasy mogą być wykorzystane jako źródło materiałów do produkcji geopolimerów. Badania morfologii powierzchni i analizę składu chemicznego dla otrzymanych geopolimerów i popiołów ze spalania węgla i biomasy wykonano metodą SEM-EDS. Stwierdzono prawie całkowity zanik form kulistych ziaren i zmniejszenie porowatości struktury dla geopolimeru na bazie popiołu lotnego ze spalania węgla. W przypadku geopolimeru na bazie popiołu ze spalania biomasy występuje struktura bardziej porowata. Widma UV-VIS zostały wykonane dla lotnego popiołu węglowego, popiołu z biomasy oraz geopolimerów. Pokazują one, że otrzymane geopolimery wykazują właściwości optyczne i fotokatalityczne. Podobieństwo sieci geopolimeru i struktury zeolitu w związku z wymianą jonową i akomodacją jonów metali otwiera pytania dotyczące możliwości zastosowania materiałów geopolimerowych, jako bezpostaciowych analogów zeolitu. Widma FT-IR zostały wykonane dla geopolimerów przed i po sorpcji metali. Stwierdzono, że geopolimer na bazie popiołu z biomasy ma lepsze właściwości sorpcyjne w porównaniu do geopolimeru na bazie popiołu lotnego ze spalania węgla

EVALUATION OF THE CONTENT OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN SAMPLES OF POLISH HONEYS

This paper presents the result of the determination of the total content of Cu, Pb and Zn by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry with atomization in an air-acetylene flame in Polish honeys samples. The research material was a honeydew, monofloral honey and buckwheat honey. For the mineralization of samples, the following solutions were applied: 1) HNO3(conc), 2) HNO3(conc) and H2O2(conc) in the volume ratio equal to 4:1 and 3:1. On the basis of the results and recommended food standards the percentage of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) in connection with the consumption of 100 g of product were estimated. To verify the results validation of analytical method used was carried out. It was included defining the following validation parameters values: the limit of detection and quantification; linearity and measurement range; repeatability and accuracy of the results. The contamination of the analyzed honeys by Pb is higher than the acceptable level of contamination of this element. The highest contents of Cu and Zn were characterized by monofloral honeys

Alterations in the Nervous System and Gut Microbiota after β-Hemolytic Streptococcus Group A Infection—Characteristics and Diagnostic Criteria of PANDAS Recognition

The objective of this paper is to review and summarize conclusions from the available literature regarding Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). The authors have independently reviewed articles from 1977 onwards, primarily focusing on the etiopathology, symptoms, differentiation between similar psychiatric conditions, immunological reactions, alterations in the nervous system and gut microbiota, genetics, and the available treatment for PANDAS. Recent research indicates that PANDAS patients show noticeable alterations within the structures of the central nervous system, including caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and striatum, as well as bilateral and lentiform nuclei. Likewise, the presence of autoantibodies that interact with basal ganglia was observed in PANDAS patients. Several studies also suggest a relationship between the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorders like PANDAS and alterations to the gut microbiota. Further, genetic predispositions—including variations in the MBL gene and TNF-α—seem to be relevant regarding PANDAS syndrome. Even though the literature is still scarce, the authors have attempted to provide a thorough insight into the PANDAS syndrome, bearing in mind the diagnostic difficulties of this condition