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This paper describes the origin of the groundwater chemistry in the regional aquifer located in the Wielkopolska region of western Poland. Factor analysis was used for the identification of geochemical processes that influence the groundwater chemistry. Two groups of processes were identified: anthropogenic (i.e., caused by groundwater contamination) and geogenic (i.e., caused by natural geochemical processes). Based on a background of the natural variations in the groundwater chemistry, the effect of upward groundwater flow from the deep part of the flow system on the groundwater chemistry was identified. The boron concentrations and isotope data allowed for the identification of zones of relatively old groundwater. The spatial distribution of fluoride concentrations allowed for the identification of recharge zones. This study demonstrates the general usefulness of groundwater chemistry differentiation for supporting identification of groundwater flow patterns. It also demonstrates the importance of using chemical data to evaluate the connectivity between different aquifers. These interpretations can be used for better management of water resources on a regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Treating major depressive disorder (MDD) with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) devices at home has various logistic advantages compared to tDCS treatment in the clinic. However, preliminary (controlled) studies showed side effects such as skin lesions and difficulties in the implementation of home-based tDCS. Thus, more data are needed regarding the feasibility and possible disadvantages of home-based tDCS., Methods: Ten outpatients (23-69 years) with an acute depressive episode were included for this one-arm feasibility study testing home-based tDCS. All patients self-administered prefrontal tDCS (2 mA, 20 min, anodal left, cathodal right) at home on 30 consecutive working days supported by video consultations. Correct implementation of the home-based treatment was analyzed with tDCS recordings. Feasibility was examined by treatment compliance. For additional analyses of effectiveness, three depression scores were used: Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS-21), Major Depression Inventory (MDI), and the subscale depression of the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS). Furthermore, usability was measured with the user experience questionnaire (UEQ). Tolerability was analyzed by the number of reported adverse events (AEs)., Results: Eight patients did not stick to the protocol. AEs were minimal. Four patients responded to the home treatment according to the MDI. Usability was judged positive by the patients., Conclusions: Regular video consultations or other safety concepts are recommended regardless of the number of video sessions actually conducted. Home-based tDCS seems to be safe and handy in our feasibility study, warranting further investigation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declare that this study received three home-tDCS devices free of charge from Neuroconn Illmenau, Germany. The company was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of the data, the writing or editing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication., (Copyright © 2024 Dragon, Abdelnaim, Weber, Heuschert, Englert, Langguth, Hebel and Schecklmann.)

Background : Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most prevalent non-dental pain issues in the maxillofacial region. Despite advancements, diagnosing and managing TMDs continues to pose challenges. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD) formulations, with different concentrations, in patients experiencing sleep bruxism and muscle-related TMDs, with a particular emphasis on their myorelaxant, pain-relieving, and bruxism-reducing properties. Methods : The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMDs) was utilized as the diagnostic framework. Sixty patients completed the study, which followed a parallel-group, three-arm, randomized, double-blind clinical trial design, with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio across three groups: 1a, 1b, and 2. Groups 1a and 1b received CBD formulations at concentrations of 10% and 5%, respectively, while Group 2 received a placebo formulation. The trial consisted of four main visits, namely screening, baseline, first follow-up after 14 days, and second follow-up after 30 days, during which surface electromyography (sEMG), the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain assessment, and Bruxoff examinations were conducted. Results : The reduction in pain, as measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), among patients using the 10% CBD formulation was 57.4% ( p < 0.05), accompanied by a decrease in sEMG activity by 42.1% ( p < 0.05). Conversely, individuals using the 5% CBD formulation experienced a 40.8% ( p < 0.05) decrease in pain. Regarding the decrease in the sleep bruxism index, users of the 10% CBD formulation saw the highest reduction of 51% ( p < 0.05). These findings underscore the efficacy of the proposed treatment in both experimental groups, with a notable advantage observed in Group 1a. Conversely, the outcomes of the selected variables for the control group did not exhibit significant differences throughout the study. Conclusions : The intraoral use of CBD formulations in patients with TMDs have proven to be a successful treatment for reducing pain, muscle tension, and bruxing activity in individuals with sleep bruxism and muscle-related TMDs. Specifically, a concentration of 10% CBD has demonstrated superior results compared to 5% CBD.

Drinking water wells on a riverbank filtration sites are exposed to contamination from farmlands (like pesticides) that had migrated from the contaminated river. In this study, pesticide contamination of the Warta River and riverbank filtration water at the Mosina-Krajkowo well field (Poland) were examined during the annual cycle. Among the 164 pesticides analysed, 25 were identified. The highest concentrations occurred in the river water and decreased along the flow path from the river to wells. Only the most persistent substances were detected at the farthest points. During the study, seasonal changes in pesticide concentrations and differences in the types of occurring substances were observed. Most substances and the highest concentrations were detected in May 2018, while the lowest number and the lowest concentrations were detected in February 2018. Spring is the period of increased exposure of water to pollution, which is correlated with increased pesticides use and increased rainfall. Seven toxic and persistent pesticides were found with the highest concentrations in water: isoproturon, nicosulfuron, imidacloprid, terbuthylazine, chlorotoluron, S-metalachlor, and prometryn. Pesticides are widely used in the study area; therefore, a potential health risk assessment was performed. The hazard quotient (HQ) values did not exceed one, which indicated a less significant health risk., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Conducted studies indicate the relationship between oral health and systemic diseases. Moreover, the latest research indicated that cariogenic bacteria may severely influence the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and increase risk of COVID-19 complications. This article aims to review various applications of propolis and pay attention to a healthy diet rich in polyphenols, which may allow the reduction of dental plaque accumulation. A literature review has been conducted from June until November 2021. It showed that propolis could be a useful agent in decreasing the accumulation of dental plaque. Moreover, a diet rich in polyphenols prevents cariogenic bacteria and reduces the accumulation of dental plaque. A reduction of a dental plaque may influence the risk of a severe course of COVID-19. Therefore, propolis and a diet rich in polyphenols may play an important role in prophylaxis of systemic diseases. Recently, it has been proven that oral infection may affect cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, nervous system, as well as may be a risk factor for diabetes mellitus. These aspects should stimulate clinicians to further research about polyphenols.

Current studies suggest that cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque influence the severity of COVID-19 complications since the oral cavity is a reservoir for respiratory pathogens potentially responsible for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia. This article focuses on the association between dental plaque and COVID-19 concerning the influence of altered oral biofilm on the risk of increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, it concentrates on the usefulness of propolis, with its apitherapeutic antibacterial properties, for treating oral bacterial infections co-occurring with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A review of the literature on PubMed, Cochrane Library and Medline between 2000 and 2021 revealed 56 published articles indicating that a link between dental plaque and COVID-19 complications was probable. Furthermore, they indicated that propolis may minimize COVID-19 severity by reducing dental plaque accumulation. The possibility that improved oral health could reduce the risk of COVID-19 complications should be of interest to scientists.

(1) Background: The healing properties of cannabidiol (CBD) have been known for centuries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the myorelaxant effect of CBD after the transdermal application in patients with myofascial pain. (2) Methods: The Polish version of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD Ia and Ib) was used. A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into two groups: Group1 and Group2. The average age in Group1 was 23.2 years (SD) = 1.6 years) and in Group2, it was 22.6 years (SD = 1.86). This was a parallel and double-blind trial. Group1 received CBD formulation, whereas Group2 received placebo formulation for topical use. The masseter muscle activity was measured on days 0 and 14, with surface electromyography (sEMG) (Neurobit Optima 4, Neurobit System, Gdynia, Poland). Pain intensity in VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was measured on days 0 and 14. (3) Results: in Group1, the sEMG masseter activity significantly decreased (11% in the right and 12.6% in the left masseter muscles). In Group2, the sEMG masseter activity was recorded as 0.23% in the right and 3.3% in the left masseter muscles. Pain intensity in VAS scale was significantly decreased in Group1: 70.2% compared to Group2: 9.81% reduction. Patients were asked to apply formulation twice a day for a period of 14 days. (4) Conclusion: The application of CBD formulation over masseter muscle reduced the activity of masseter muscles and improved the condition of masticatory muscles in patients with myofascial pain.

Background and Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the nociceptive effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intramuscular injections in myofascial pain of masseter muscles in patients with TMD. Methods: Patients diagnosed with myofascial pain were assessed for eligibility for the study. Masticatory muscle disorder was diagnosed based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (Ia and Ib). A total of 80 patients were enrolled in the study; 58 of them (21 male and 37 female, 29.4 ± 6.53 years old) met the inclusion criteria and were randomized to one of the two groups: Group I ( n = 29) and Group II ( n = 29). The first group received injections with PRP and the second group received injections with isotonic saline as the control group (0.9% NaCl). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to determine the pain intensity changes during follow-up visit s in each group. Results: A significant improvement in pain intensity in VAS scale was observed, with 58% reduction in the experimental group and 10.38% in the control placebo group, 5 days after the injections (Day 5). The pain intensity reduction (VAS) 14 days after the injections (Day 14) in experimental group was 47.16 and 4.62% in control group, according to the baseline values (Day 0). Conclusions: Intramuscular injection of PRP was a successful method for reducing myofascial pain within masseter muscles in temporomandibular disorders patients. However, the use of PRP for the treatment of myofascial pain within masticatory muscles requires further, clinical trials evaluation. Clinical Trial Registration: Bioethical Commission at the Silesian Medical Chamber in Katowice, Poland 44/2017 as well as at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03323567 (December 13, 2017).

The article presents analyses of long-term water quality data from the Warta River between 1958 and 2016. A clear increasing trend in nitrate concentrations was observed from 1958 to the early 1990s. This trend was mainly related to the increasing use of fertilizers in Poland in this period. Then, after the early 1990s, a slow decreasing trend related to improvements in water and sewage management and more rational fertilizer use was observed after political and economic changes in Poland. The influence of long-term hydrological droughts on nitrate concentrations was also investigated. Sharp increases in the nitrate concentration in surface water were related to the accumulation of contaminants in the soil and aeration zone during drought periods and the subsequent transport of these contaminants to groundwater and surface water via recharge infiltration after each drought period. The presented results highlight the importance of surface water-groundwater interactions and suggest that groundwater protection in an entire catchment area is essential for surface water quality protection.

Background and Objective: A novel option for myofascial pain (MFP) management and muscle regeneration is intramuscular collagen injections. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of intramuscular injections of collagen and lidocaine in decreasing MFP within masseter muscles., Methods: Myofascial pain within masseter muscles was diagnosed on the basis of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (II.1.A. 2 and 3). A total of 43 patients with diagnosed MFP within masseter muscles were enrolled to the study (17 male and 26 female, 40 ± 3.8 years old) and randomly divided into three groups. The first group received injections using 2 ml of collagen MD Muscle (Guna), the second group received 2 ml of 2% lidocaine without a vasoconstrictor, and the third group 2 ml of saline as a control (0.9% NaCl). All patients received repeated injections at one-week intervals (days 0 and 7). The visual analogue scale was used to determine pain intensity changes during each follow-up visit (days 0, 7, and 14) in each group. The masseter muscle activity was measured on each visit (days 0, 7, and 14) with surface electromyography (sEMG) (Neurobit Optima 4, Neurobit Systems)., Results: We found that sEMG masseter muscle activity was significantly decreased in Group I (59.2%), less in Group II (39.3%), and least in Group III (14%). Pain intensity reduction was 53.75% in Group I, 25% in Group II, and 20.1% in Group III., Conclusions: The study confirmed that intramuscular injection of collagen is a more efficient method for reducing myofascial pain within masseter muscles than intramuscular injection of lidocaine.

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is considered to be associated with imbalance of the whole body. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of TMD therapy on cervical spine range of movement (ROM) and reduction of spinal pain. The study group consisted of 60 patients with TMD, cervical spine pain, and limited cervical spine range of movements. Subjects were interviewed by a questionnaire about symptoms of TMD and neck pain and had also masticatory motor system physically examined (according to RDC-TMD) and analysed by JMA ultrasound device. The cervical spine motion was analysed using an MCS device. Subjects were randomly admitted to two groups, treated and control. Patients from the treated group were treated with an occlusal splint. Patients from control group were ordered to self-control parafunctional habits. Subsequent examinations were planned in both groups 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment was introduced. The results of tests performed 3 months after the beginning of occlusal splint therapy showed a significant improvement in TMJ function (P > 0.05), cervical spine ROM, and a reduction of spinal pain. The conclusion is that there is a significant association between TMD treatment and reduction of cervical spine pain, as far as improvement of cervical spine mobility.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of TMD on spinal pain and to check whether TMD therapy helps to cure spinal pain. The total number of 44 evaluated patients underwent physical examination of masticatory motor system, including an evaluation of TMJ function with a Zebris JMA device and an analysis of the cervical spine motion using a Zebris MCS device. Patients from the treated (tested) group, who were diagnosed with TMD, were treated with an occlusal splint. Subsequent examinations were planned 3 weeks and 3 months after the treatment. The results show that there is a close correlation between TMD and spinal pain. The results of the tests performed 3 months after the beginning of occlusal splint therapy show a significant improvement in TMJ function as well as a reduction in spinal pain, as general motor parameters of spinal movements improved.