Assessment of mobility impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (Lat. sclerosis multiplex, SM) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Common symptoms of the SM include mobility impairment, sensory loss (paraesthesia), cerebellar dysfunctions (balance problems), visual disturbances, autonomic dysfunctions and pain syndromes as well as psychiatric disorders (cognitive and emotional disturbances). Aim of work was to assess mobility impairment symptoms among patients with SM in relation to progression of the disease, length of time a patient suffered from it, and influence of the symptoms on functional capacity and self-care management. The study was conducted on a group of 67 patients (74.6% women, 22-74 age range) of Neurology Ward of Medical Care Centre in Jarosław (south-eastern Poland) and its Neurology Clinic who were diagnosed with SM. The study was based on a self-constructed diagnostic questionnaire. The most prevalent (32; 47.8%) type of SM was progressive-relapsing. Balance and coordination impairment (from 1 to 7, average 4.38) were indicated by 74.6% respondents. The incidence of spasticity and problems caused by it were indicated by 31.3%. Mobility dysfunctions were reported by respondents who had the disease longer in comparison to those who did not indicate such impairment (average 10.92 years vs 3.02;

The utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in brain tumours diagnosis

Background: The purpose of the study was to discuss whether 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) study protocol should include brain imaging. Materials and methods: Analysis of international societies recommendations compared with the original data obtained in over 1000 consecutive torso and brain 18F-FDG PET/CT studies collected in 2010. Results: According to the international societies recommendations, the 18F-FDG should not be the radiotracer of choice considering the brain region PET/CT study. However, it can be performed as an additional brain imaging tool. Based on at least a 3-year follow-up, we detected 8 cases of suspicious brain findings and no primary lesion among over 1000 consecutive torso and brain 18F-FDG PET/CT scans performed in 2010. However, in 5 out of 8 patients, the brain lesion was the only metastasis detected, affecting further therapy. Conclusions: The 18F-FDG PET/CT study may help detect malignant brain lesions and, therefore, including brain region imaging into the study protocol should be considered.

Rodzina w zdrowiu i w chorobie. Uwarunkowania środowiskowe zdrowia

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed pape

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts. June 4-7, 2019, Szczyrk, Polan

Search for gravitational-lensing signatures in the full third observing run of the LIGO-Virgo network

Gravitational lensing by massive objects along the line of sight to the source causes distortions of gravitational wave-signals; such distortions may reveal information about fundamental physics, cosmology and astrophysics. In this work, we have extended the search for lensing signatures to all binary black hole events from the third observing run of the LIGO--Virgo network. We search for repeated signals from strong lensing by 1) performing targeted searches for subthreshold signals, 2) calculating the degree of overlap amongst the intrinsic parameters and sky location of pairs of signals, 3) comparing the similarities of the spectrograms amongst pairs of signals, and 4) performing dual-signal Bayesian analysis that takes into account selection effects and astrophysical knowledge. We also search for distortions to the gravitational waveform caused by 1) frequency-independent phase shifts in strongly lensed images, and 2) frequency-dependent modulation of the amplitude and phase due to point masses. None of these searches yields significant evidence for lensing. Finally, we use the non-detection of gravitational-wave lensing to constrain the lensing rate based on the latest merger-rate estimates and the fraction of dark matter composed of compact objects

Influence of auxins on somatic embryogenesis and alkaloid accumulation in Leucojum aestivum callus

International audienceIn vitro cultures of Leucojum aestivum are considered as an alternative for the production of galanthamine, which is used for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We studied the effects of auxins 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram), 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid (dicamba) at concentrations of 25 and 50 A mu M on the induction of embryogenic callus and its capacity to induce somatic embryogenesis and alkaloid accumulation. The embryogenic response of the explants was from 30% for 25 A mu M of dicamba to 100% for picloram (for both 25 and 50 A mu M). 2,4-D (50 A mu M) stimulated greater callus proliferation and somatic embryo induction as compared to the other auxins. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) stimulated somatic embryo maturation. Callus grown on media containing 50 A mu M of auxins produced fewer phenolic compounds as compared with callus grown on media containing 25 A mu M of auxins. GC-MS analyses showed seven alkaloids in the in vivo bulbs and two to four in callus culture. Galanthamine was detected in callus cultivated with 2,4-D (25, 50 A mu M), picloram (25 A mu M), and dicamba (50 A mu M). Other alkaloids, trisphaeridine, tazettine, and 11-hydroxyvittatine were accumulated only in callus growing on medium with picloram (50 A mu M)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: from the prenatal to the postnatal period

Objectives: To analyse a population of foetuses with prenatally diagnosed hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Material and methods: Retrospective study of foetuses diagnosed with HLHS between 2013 and 2017 in a referral centre. Results: HLHS was found in 9.7% (65/665) of foetuses with cardiovascular abnormalities (CVA). As an isolated anomaly, HLHS was present in 40% of cases; in 24.5% other CVA were detected; in 14%, CVA and extracardiac anomalies; and in 21.5% only extracardiac malformations. Genetic disorders were present in 18.4% (12/65) of foetuses. 42% of cardiovascular and 25% of extracardiac anomalies were diagnosed postnatally. There were 10 (15.4%) elective terminations, 1 (1.5%) spontaneous foetal demise. Two newborns died after birth before surgery. Of the 52 children who underwent Norwood surgery, 13 (25%) died (9 with additional anomalies, and 4 with isolated HLHS). Of the 38 children who underwent stage II surgery, 2 (5.2%) with isolated HLHS died, and 1 (2.6%) with CVA. Conclusions: A diagnosis of HLHS is an indication for a detailed examination of cardiac and noncardiac structures. It is advisable to consider genetic testing, together with the microarray assessment. The prognosis depends on underlying cardiac and extracardiac anomalies and coexisting genetic defects

Primary and Metastatic Brain Tumours Assessed with the Brain and Torso [18F]FDG PET/CT Study Protocol—10 Years of Single-Institutional Experiences

According to the international societies’ recommendations, the 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) technique should not be used as the method of choice in brain tumour diagnosis. Therefore, the brain region can be omitted during standard [18F]FDG PET/CT scanning. We performed comprehensive literature research and analysed results from 14,222 brain and torso [18F]FDG PET/CT studies collected in 2010–2020. We found 131 clinically silent primary and metastatic brain tumours and 24 benign lesions. We concluded that the brain and torso [18F]FDG PET/CT study provides valuable data that may support therapeutic management by detecting clinically silent primary and metastatic brain tumours