Imaging assessment of children presenting with suspected or known juvenile idiopathic arthritis : ESSR-ESPR points to consider

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common paediatric rheumatic disease. It represents a group of heterogenous inflammatory disorders with unknown origin and is a diagnosis of exclusion in which imaging plays an important role. JIA is defined as arthritis of one or more joints that begins before the age of 16 years, persists for more than 6 weeks and is of unknown aetiology and pathophysiology. The clinical goal is early suppression of inflammation to prevent irreversible joint damage which has shifted the emphasis from detecting established joint damage to proactively detecting inflammatory change. This drives the need for imaging techniques that are more sensitive than conventional radiography in the evaluation of inflammatory processes as well as early osteochondral change. Physical examination has limited reliability, even if performed by an experienced clinician, emphasising the importance of imaging to aid in clinical decision-making. On behalf of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) arthritis subcommittee and the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) musculoskeletal imaging taskforce, based on literature review and/or expert opinion, we discuss paediatric-specific imaging characteristics of the most commonly involved, in literature best documented and clinically important joints in JIA, namely the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), spine, sacroiliac (SI) joints, wrists, hips and knees, followed by a clinically applicable point to consider for each joint. We will also touch upon controversies in the current literature that remain to be resolved with ongoing research

The High-Acceptance Dielectron Spectrometer HADES

HADES is a versatile magnetic spectrometer aimed at studying dielectron production in pion, proton and heavy-ion induced collisions. Its main features include a ring imaging gas Cherenkov detector for electron-hadron discrimination, a tracking system consisting of a set of 6 superconducting coils producing a toroidal field and drift chambers and a multiplicity and electron trigger array for additional electron-hadron discrimination and event characterization. A two-stage trigger system enhances events containing electrons. The physics program is focused on the investigation of hadron properties in nuclei and in the hot and dense hadronic matter. The detector system is characterized by an 85% azimuthal coverage over a polar angle interval from 18 to 85 degree, a single electron efficiency of 50% and a vector meson mass resolution of 2.5%. Identification of pions, kaons and protons is achieved combining time-of-flight and energy loss measurements over a large momentum range. This paper describes the main features and the performance of the detector system

Synthesis, computational and experimental pharmacological studies for (thio)ether-triazine 5-HT6R ligands with noticeable action on AChE/BChE and chalcogen-dependent intrinsic activity in search for new class of drugs against Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is becoming a growing problem increasing at a tremendous rate. Serotonin 5-HT6 receptors appear to be a particularly attractive target from a therapeutic perspective, due to their involvement not only in cognitive processes, but also in depression and psychosis. In this work, we present the synthesis and broad biological characterization of a new series of 18 compounds with a unique 1,3,5-triazine backbone, as potent 5-HT6 receptor ligands. The main aim of this research is to compare the biological activity of the newly synthesized sulfur derivatives with their oxygen analogues and their N-demethylated O- and S-metabolites obtained for the first time. Most of the new triazines displayed high affinity (Ki < 200 nM) and selectivity towards 5-HT6R, with respect to 5-HT2AR, 5-HT7R, and D2R, in the radioligand binding assays. For selected, active compounds crystallographic studies, functional bioassays, and ADME-Tox profile in vitro were performed. The exciting novelty is that the sulfur derivatives exhibit an agonistic mode of action contrary to all other compounds obtained to date in this chemical class herein and previously reported. Advanced computational studies indicated that this intriguing functional shift might be caused by presence of chalcogen bonds formed only by the sulfur atom. In addition, the N-demethylated derivatives have emerged highly potent antioxidants and, moreover, show a significant improvement in metabolic stability compared to the parent structures. The cholinesterase study present micromolar inhibitory AChE and BChE activity for both 5-HT6 agonist 19 and potent antagonist 5. Finally, the behavioral experiments of compound 19 demonstrated its antidepressant-like properties and slight ability to improve cognitive deficits, without inducing memory impairments by itself. Described pharmacological properties of both compounds (5 and 19) allow to give a design clue for the development of multitarget compounds with 5-HT6 (both agonist and antagonist)/AChE and/or BChE mechanism in the group of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives

An assessment of the unfavourable influence of microclimate - the Thermal Load Research Centre

Środowisko termiczne, w jakim przebywa człowiek wykonujący pracę w warunkach obciążeń termicznych może mieć ujemny wpływ na jego zdrowie. Dotyczy to zarówno środowisk nadmiernie gorących jak i nadmiernie zimnych. Ciało ludzkie jest zaopatrzone w naturalne mechanizmy termoregulacji. Gdy zostaną przekroczone granice tolerancji organizmu na oddziaływanie tych czynników, konieczne staje się zapobieganie wystąpieniu negatywnych następstw. Aby chronić człowieka w środowisku pracy należy zapewnić mu odpowiednie środki ochrony. Zagrożenia tego typu można oceniać poprzez pomiar parametrów charakteryzujących dane środowisko i wyznaczenie odpowiednich wskaźników umożliwiających określenie stopnia zagrożenia ze strony stresu termicznego.The thermal environment in the workplace may have a negative influence on human health. This refers both to too hot and too cold environments. The human body is equipped with natural thermoregulation mechanisms. When tolerance limits on the influence of this exposure is exceeded, it becomes necessary to prevent negative consequences. To protect humans in the working environment it is necessary to provide them with suitable protection measures in the form of appropriate types of clothing and organization of their working time. Climatic and demographic changes favour the appearance of thermal loads. This type of risk can be assessed through measurements of parameters characterizing a given environment and calculation or assessment of appropriate rates. To this end the Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute is in the process of setting up a National Centre on Research Dealing with Limiting Risks of Employees Resulting from Hot or Cold Environments. Its activity will target minimization or elimination of this type of hazard in the workplace

Studies of material resistance against natural environmental factors

W publikacji przedstawiono zagadnienia związane z odpornością materiałów na czynniki środowiska, obejmujące zespół warunków atmosferycznych oraz biosfery. Obszary te stanowią od wielu lat problematykę badawczą zespołu pracowników Katedry Technologii Chemicznej i Chemii Polimerów Wydziału Chemii Uniwersytetu Opolskiego, w ramach której prowadzone są badania foto-, termio biodegradacji materiałów, głównie polimerowych. Kompleksowość takich badań pozwala na określenie czasu użytkowania wyrobów wytworzonych z badanych materiałów w warunkach potencjalnego obszaru ich zastosowań. Rosnące zainteresowanie otrzymywaniem i produkcją nowego typu materiałów wynika z ich zastosowania do wytwarzania różnorodnych, użytecznych wyrobów eksploatowanych w różnych warunkach. Warunki te, w zależności od rodzaju, intensywności i czasu oddziaływania, wywołują wielorakie zmiany w materiale, które z kolei wywierają wpływ na jego właściwości użytkowe. Dlatego przy opracowywaniu nowych materiałów istotna jest wiedza odnośnie do kierunków ich zastosowania i warunków eksploatacji wraz z nieodłączną potrzebą określania użyteczności w planowanym zakresie. Zagadnienie to ma szczególne znaczenie w przypadku materiałów, w tym materiałów polimerowych, eksploatowanych na zewnątrz pomieszczeń.This work presents fundamental aspects of material resistance to environmental conditions, including number of atmospheric conditions and biosphere. These areas for many years have been important research topics in the Division of Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry of the Faculty of Chemistry, Opole University – the research involves studies on photo-, thermo- and biodegradation of materials, mainly polymer materials. The complexity of such studies allows to determine lifetime of products manufactured from studied materials under the conditions corresponding to their potential area of application. The growing interest in obtaining and manufacturing new types of materials is a result of their application for manufacturing of various, useful products exploited under various conditions. These conditions, depending on their type, intensity and exposure time, cause diverse changes in the material, and that in turn affects its functional properties. Therefore, the knowledge about material applications and exploitation conditions combined with the essential need to specify their functionality in intended range is crucial in developing new materials. This issue is especially important for materials, including polymeric materials, exploited outdoors

Concurrent Bilateral Emphysematous Pyelonephritis and Emphysematous Cystitis: A Case Report of Glomerulonephritis Severe Complication

Michał Godzisz, Przemysław Mitura, Damian Widz, Damian Sudoł, Iga Kuliniec, Krzysztof Bar Department of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PolandCorrespondence: Michał GodziszMedical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, 20-819, PolandTel +48660346267Email [email protected]: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) and emphysematous cystitis (EC) are severe, necrotizing emphysematous urinary tract infections (EUTI) characterized by the presence of gas in the lumen and wall of the urinary tract and renal parenchyma. EUTIs are quite uncommon, but combination of bilateral EPN and EC is extremely rare. We report a case of 57-year-old diabetic female diagnosed with septic shock due to concurrent bilateral EPN and EC. Patient was successfully treated with a drainage of pelvicalyceal systems and the bladder combined with a conservative approach. This unique case presents a possible association between glomerulonephritis and EUTI.Keywords: emphysematous pyelonephritis, emphysematous cystitis, glomerulonephritis, diabetes, septic shock, urinary tract infection