Long-term outcomes of prenatally diagnosed ventriculomegaly — 10 years of Polish tertiary centre experience

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, associated anomalies, and postnatal outcomes in infants prenatally diagnosed with ventriculomegaly.  Material and methods: All cases of ventriculomegaly that were examined and treated by the 1st Department of Obstet- rics and Gynecology, at the Medical University of Warsaw, from August 2007 until November 2017 were included in this study. Ultrasound data, and information on perinatal outcomes and long-term postnatal follow up were retrospectively collected by a standardised telephone survey. Ventriculomegaly was diagnosed when the atrial width of the lateral ventri- cles was ≥ 10 mm. The cases analyzed were divided into two subgroups: isolated ventriculomegaly (IVM) and non-isolated ventriculomegaly (NIVM). Neurodevelopmental complications were differentiated as either moderate or severe and were compared within each group and between groups.  Results: There were 118 cases of prenatally diagnosed ventriculomegaly. Complete follow up records were collected for 54 cases (45.8%). IVM was diagnosed in 29/54 (53.7%) cases, while NIVM was diagnosed in the remaining 25 (46.3%). The mean ventricular width for IVM was 16.93 mm (range 10.0 mm–73.0 mm) and 14.08 mm (range 9.0 mm–27.1 mm) for NIVM (p = 0.28). The mean gestational age at delivery for the IVM cases was 36 + 4 weeks and in the NIVM group 33 + 4 weeks (p = 0.022). Mild VM (10–12 mm) was diagnosed in 22/54 cases (40.7%), moderate VM (13–15 mm) in 12/54 (22.3%) and severe (≥ 15 mm) in 20/54 (37%). Among the infants with IVM the rate of severe medical complications was 29.6% (8/28) and for NIVM 667% (8/12) (p = 0.041). Less severe medical conditions affected 6/28 of the infants with IVM (21.4%) vs 9/12 NIVM cases (75%) (p = 0.012).  Conclusions: In terms of prenatal diagnosis, treatment of ventriculomegaly remains challenging due to a lack of specific prognostic factors and the significant risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Nevertheless, isolated ventriculomegaly has significantly better long-term outcomes compared with non-isolated ventriculomegaly. In our material, the rate of severe neurodevelopmental disorders in the non-isolated ventriculomegaly cases was associated with a 52% rate of adverse perinatal outcomes. On the other hand, less severe medical conditions occurred in 21.4% of the infants with IVM and in 75% of the NIVM cases. Furthermore, obstetrical data suggest that the risks of premature delivery and caesarean section are significantly higher in cases of non-isolated ventriculomegaly.

Lack of NWC protein (c11orf74 homolog) in murine spermatogenesis results in reduced sperm competitiveness and impaired ability to fertilize egg cells in vitro

<div><p>NWC is an uncharacterised protein containing three strongly conserved domains not found in any other known protein. Previously, we reported that the NWC protein is detected in cells in the germinal layer in murine testes (strain: C57BL/6), and its knockout results in no obvious phenotype. We determined the NWC expression pattern during spermatogenesis, and found this protein in spermatocytes and round spermatids, but not in epididymal sperm. Although NWC knockout males are fertile, we further characterised their reproductive potential employing non-standard mating that better simulates the natural conditions by including sperm competition. Such an approach revealed that the sperm of knockout males fail to successfully compete with control sperm. After analysing selected characteristics of the male reproductive system, we found that <i>NWC</i> knockout sperm had a reduced ability to fertilize cumulus-intact eggs during IVF. This is the first report describing a subtle phenotype of <i>NWC</i> knockout mice that could be detected under non-standard mating conditions. Our results indicate that NWC plays an important role in spermatogenesis and its deficiency results in the production of functionally impaired sperm.</p></div

Trust Building and Fake News on Social Media from the Perspective of University Students from Four Visegrad Countries

There is an important need in the literature to explore the effects of social media use on young people’s behaviour. The main purpose of this research is to explore which factors of users´ gratifications are associated with using social media by university students from four countries in Central Europe. Online communication on social media may be affected by a variety of factors that affect the development of mutual relationships. Thus, research is also focused on trust building on social media. The research team conducted qualitative research aimed on the deeper understanding of students’ opinions on “trust and social media” and their view on the phenomenon “fake news". Using focus groups in four countries showed that university students, who are frequent users of social media, are inclined to trust certain pages they like but generally, they do not trust social media. They use social media for maintaining relationships at first place and they believe in people who are connected to their network. It is obvious that students use social media to satisfy their needs, especially in the field of entertainment, partly also for obtaining information. The findings show that expected gratifications of students are built on their practical experience with medi

COVID-19 : is there evidence for the use of herbal medicines as adjuvant symptomatic therapy?

Background: Current recommendations for the self-management of SARS-Cov-2 disease (COVID-19) include self-isolation, rest, hydration, and the use of NSAID in case of high fever only. It is expected that many patients will add other symptomatic/adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines. Aims: To provide a benefits/risks assessment of selected herbal medicines traditionally indicated for “respiratory diseases” within the current frame of the COVID-19 pandemic as an adjuvant treatment. Method: The plant selection was primarily based on species listed by the WHO and EMA, but some other herbal remedies were considered due to their widespread use in respiratory conditions. Preclinical and clinical data on their efficacy and safety were collected from authoritative sources. The target population were adults with early and mild flu symptoms without underlying conditions. These were evaluated according to a modified PrOACT-URL method with paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine as reference drugs. The benefits/risks balance of the treatments was classified as positive, promising, negative, and unknown. Results: A total of 39 herbal medicines were identified as very likely to appeal to the COVID-19 patient. According to our method, the benefits/risks assessment of the herbal medicines was found to be positive in 5 cases (Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix, and Sambucus nigra), promising in 12 cases (Allium sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis, Mikania glomerata, Pelargonium sidoides, Pimpinella anisum, Salix sp, Zingiber officinale), and unknown for the rest. On the same grounds, only ibuprofen resulted promising, but we could not find compelling evidence to endorse the use of paracetamol and/or codeine. Conclusions: Our work suggests that several herbal medicines have safety margins superior to those of reference drugs and enough levels of evidence to start a clinical discussion about their potential use as adjuvants in the treatment of early/mild common flu in otherwise healthy adults within the context of COVID-19. While these herbal medicines will not cure or prevent the flu, they may both improve general patient well-being and offer them an opportunity to personalize the therapeutic approaches

Lycopene: total-scale literature landscape analysis of a valuable nutraceutical with numerous potential applications in the promotion of human and animal health

Lycopene intake from tomatoes and other food sources has multiple potential health benefits. This report aimed to evaluate the current research literature on lycopene concerning human and animal health. The electronic Web of Science Core Collection database was searched with (lycopene*) AND (health* OR illness* OR disease* OR medic* OR pharma* OR drug* OR therap*). The resulted 3972 papers were analyzed with the aid of bibliometric software. Besides the United States, the lycopene papers received global contributions, particularly from China, Italy, India, and Spain. Examples of frequently mentioned chemicals/chemical classes were carotenoid, beta carotene, alpha carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, and alpha tocopherol. Examples of frequently mentioned medical conditions were prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Published scientific articles reveal the diverse potential of lycopene in prompting human and animal health, and the knowledge on the bioactivities of this phytoche(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Post-impact sedimentation in the Ritland impact structure, Southwestern Norway

A succession of crater infill sediments is preserved within the Ritland impact structure. Ritland is good example of a small depositional basin where a range of processes from debris flows to turbiditic currents and finally suspension fall-out took place within a very restricted area. Immediately after impact slumps/slides, and mass flows dominated, later to be replaced by running water activities in much calmer basin environment, like fine-grained sedimentation. The sedimentary successions of this small crater, which most likely was a terrestrial impact structure, reveal a shifting depositional environment. Just after the impact accommodation space for sediments was created in an extremely short period. The postimpact breccias covering the crater floor were most likely deposited by rock avalanches, triggered by collapse of crater rim. Breccia deposits interfingering with melt rocks (suevite) and ejecta, which were formed and deposited seconds after impact. The overlying lacustrine sediments, around the center of the crater, suggesting that a temporary lake was present at some time after the impact. Probably groundwater seepage, through the crushed basement, filled the structure to some level and initiated sediment deposition in water reservoir. The succeeding conglomeratic and sandy sequence characterizes local thickness variation. This sequence was deposited by various catastrophic sediment gravity flows, such as turbidity currents, debris flows, slides and slumps, likely triggered by the resurging water, during the Cambrian marine transgression. The resurging water breached the crater rim, which caused its collapse, producing series of rock avalanches. The crater was finally covered by sea and previous rapid depositional procceses switched into deep water sedimentation processes probably not very deep – epicontinental sea. Shales covering gravity flow deposits represent the reestablishment of quiet conditions

In vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties of Rubus caesius L

The genus Rubus (Rosaceae) has great potential for and a history of use as natural agents in several traditional folk remedies. Based on this concept, this study focused on the antioxidant activities and enzyme inhibitory effects of extracts and fractions from Rubus caesius. Different chemical assays were performed to detect antioxidant capacity, namely, free radical scavenging (ABTS and DPPH assays), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating. Enzyme inhibitory effects were tested towards cholinesterases (AChE and BChE), tyrosinase, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. In addition, total amounts of phenolics and flavonoids were detected by colorimetric assays. Among the samples, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest antioxidant potential with its higher concentration of total phenolics. The highest AChE and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities were observed in the diethyl ether fraction, while the n-butanol fraction had the strongest anti-tyrosinase inhibitor ability. The present study demonstrated that R. caesius may be considered a source of biologically active compounds to develop novel functional products or drugs in the pharmaceutical field

Trust Building and Fake News on Social Media from the Perspective of University Students from Four Visegrad Countries

There is an important need in the literature to explore the effects of social media use on young people’s behaviour. The main purpose of this research is to explore which factors of users´ gratifications are associated with using social media by university students from four countries in Central Europe. Online communication on social media may be affected by a variety of factors that affect the development of mutual relationships. Thus, research is also focused on trust building on social media. The research team conducted qualitative research aimed on the deeper understanding of students’ opinions on “trust and social media” and their view on the phenomenon “fake news". Using focus groups in four countries showed that university students, who are frequent users of social media, are inclined to trust certain pages they like but generally, they do not trust social media. They use social media for maintaining relationships at first place and they believe in people who are connected to their network. It is obvious that students use social media to satisfy their needs, especially in the field of entertainment, partly also for obtaining information. The findings show that expected gratifications of students are built on their practical experience with medi

Functional morphometry of the pterygoid hamulus. A comparative study of modern and medieval populations

The pterygoid hamulus (PH) is located in the infratemporal fossa and is part of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. Its location on the cranial base and the multitude of anatomical structures whose attachments lie on the surface of the pterygoid hamulus make it of high functional and topographic significance. Due to insufficient literature on the PH morphometry, we decided to study this issue using modern and archaeological material. In total, 99 observations were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis (50 - from modern times and 49 - from medieval times). On the basis of the statistical analysis, statistically significant differences in the length of PH were found with respect to age and sex. Statistically significant differences in the PH width were also noticed with respect to sex and the period of origin. The results obtained may help better understand the development mechanism of the pterygoid hamulus bursitis

LC-ESI-MS profiling of Potentilla norvegica and evaluation of its biological activities

Potentilla L. species have a long history of use in folk medicine for the management of various human ailments. Despite the tremendous number of studies describing the phytochemical and pharmacological profile of a number of Potentilla species, there is a paucity of scientific data regarding the biological activity of Potentilla norvegica. Thus, the present study endeavored to assess the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and secondary metabolite composition of this plant using LC-ESI-MS-TOF analysis and determined the biological potential of P. norvegica extracts and fractions. Assessment of the antioxidant potential was performed in vitro by using five standard assays (FRAP, CUPRAC, ABTS, DPPH, and metal chelation assays). Moreover, the inhibition of selected enzymes (alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase) was examined. During the study, the following extracts and fractions of aerial parts of P. norvegica were analyzed: water (PN1), 50% MeOH (PN2), MeOH (PN3), Et2O (PN4), EtOAc (PN5), and n-BuOH (PN6). The highest TPC and TFC were found in the PN4 fraction (486.21 14.58 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g extract and 24.22 +/- 0.93 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/g extract, respectively), which may be attributed to the highest ABTS, CUPRAC and metal chelation activities of this fraction (with values of 3.01 +/- 0.01, 5.90 +/- 0.73 mmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g extract and 20.15 +/- 0.11 mg EDTA equivalents (EDTAE)/g extract, respectively). Furthermore, the PN5 fraction was found to be the most effective in the phosphomolybdenum, DPPH and FRAP assays (5.06 +/- 0.02, 1.55 +/- 0.01 and 5.19 +/- 0.12 mmol TE/ g extract, respectively). PN2 exhibited the highest inhibitory potential against AChE and BChE (2.58 +/- 0.01 and 2.31 +/- 0.13 mg galantamine equivalents (GALAE)/g extract, respectively), which is probably related to the more complete fingerprint of the analyzed extract. Tyrosinase was inhibited most potently by the PN1 extract (50.33 +/- 1.63 mg kojic acid equivalents (KAE)/g extract). However, all the extracts and fractions exerted mild activity against alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase (the highest values were 2.03 +/- 0.02 and 0.30 +/- 0.03 mmol acarbose equivalents (ACE)/g extract for PN4 and PN3, respectively). Furthermore, LC-ESI-MS analysis revealed the predominant presence of polyphenolics, with the presence of acacetin indicated in the Potentilla genus for the second time. These observations highlighted the potential applications of P. norvegica as a valuable source of antioxidants, with interesting activities for the development of new treatment strategies against several human diseases in the pharmaceutical sector. (C) 2021 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved