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Anemia and iron deficiency (ID) are common complications in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but their underlying causes remain unclear. This study investigated the incidence and characteristics of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in PDAC patients before initiating chemotherapy. A total of 103 PDAC patients were included, comprising 67 in the palliative and 36 in the adjuvant groups. The overall incidence of anemia was 42.7% (n = 44), with comparable rates in both groups. Normocytic and normochromic anemia were predominant, with mild and moderate cases observed in 32% and 10.7% of the cohort, respectively. ID was evident in 51.4% of patients, with absolute ID more frequent in the adjuvant than in the palliative group (19.4% vs. 13.4%). Functional ID occurred more often in the palliative than in the adjuvant group (41.8% vs. 25%). Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency occurred in n = 5) of patients. Furthermore, 8.7% (n = 9) of patients had chronic kidney disease and anemia. To elucidate mechanisms of iron deficiency, the study explored the expression of iron regulators (hepcidin (HEP), ferroportin (FPN), and ZIP14 protein) and mitochondrial mass in PDAC tissue with immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Perl’s Prussian blue to detect iron deposits on available tumor samples (n = 56). ZIP14 expression was significantly higher in less advanced tumors (p = 0.01) and correlated with mitochondrial mass (p < 0.001), potentially indicating its role in local iron homeostasis. However, no significant impact of tissue iron regulators on patient survival was observed. Perl’s Prussian blue staining revealed iron deposits within macrophages, but not in pancreatic duct cells. Furthermore, the GEPIA database was used to compare mRNA expression of iron regulators (HEP, FPN, and ZIP14) and other genes encoding iron transport and storage, including Transferrin Receptor Protein 1 (TfR1) and both ferritin chain subunits (FTH and FTL), in PDAC and normal pancreatic samples. FPN, TfR1, FTH, and FTL showed higher expression in tumor tissues, indicating increased iron usage by cancer. ZIP14 expression was higher in the pancreas than in PDAC and was correlated with FPN expression. The study highlights the importance of baseline iron status assessment in managing PDAC patients due to the high incidence of anemia and iron deficiency. Furthermore, ZIP14, in addition to HEP and FPN, may play a crucial role in local iron homeostasis in PDAC patients, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of iron dysregulation.

Orthotopic liver transplantation stands as the sole curative solution for end-stage liver disease. Nevertheless, the discrepancy between the demand and supply of grafts in transplant medicine greatly limits the success of this treatment. The increasing global shortage of organs necessitates the utilization of extended criteria donors (ECD) for liver transplantation, thereby increasing the risk of primary graft dysfunction (PGD). Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) encompasses early allograft dysfunction (EAD) and the more severe primary nonfunction (PNF), both of which stem from ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) and mitochondrial damage. Currently, the only effective treatment for PNF is secondary transplantation within the initial post-transplant week, and the occurrence of EAD suggests an elevated, albeit still uncertain, likelihood of retransplantation urgency. Nonetheless, the ongoing exploration of novel IRI mitigation strategies offers hope for future improvements in PGD outcomes. Establishing an intuitive and reliable tool to predict upcoming graft dysfunction is vital for early identification of high-risk patients and for making informed retransplantation decisions. Accurate diagnostics for PNF and EAD constitute essential initial steps in implementing future mitigation strategies. Recently, novel methods for PNF prediction have been developed, and several models for EAD assessments have been introduced. Here, we provide an overview of the currently scrutinized predictive tools for PNF and EAD evaluation strategies, accompanied by recommendations for future studies.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the world and it requires a comprehensive study of the methods performed. As less-invasive techniques are sought, tissue fillers have found its purpose in these procedures. However, it has been revealed that some of them may be associated with serious complications. One of them is the Aquafilling/Los Deline gel. A case report of a female patient who developed unprecedented sequelae after Aquafilling injection—distant migration of the gel in the hand—was presented in this study. The patient underwent total gel removal from the left forearm, arm, and both breasts as well as wound debridement and irrigation. We discovered a canal connecting the left breast to the left forearm, created by a polyacrylamide hydrogel dislocation. It was thoroughly revised using an endoscope. Despite the advantages of tissue fillers such as simplicity of use and less invasiveness, certain complications can occur after injection. Although a few of them have been banned due to these sequelae, new ones continue to appear. Every new product should be examined very carefully before it is introduced to the market.

Leukaemia cutis (LC) describes infiltration of the skin by leukaemia cells, resulting in clinically identifiable cutaneous lesions. LC has a wide range of clinical manifestations, which can make it difficult to distinguish LC from other skin changes. In a group of patients, LC can be the first manifestation of leukaemia, therefore skin biopsy is crucial for the diagnosis. In this mini review, we discuss various types of leukaemia most frequently represented in leukaemia cutis, in both children and adults and skin changes in multiple myeloma, focusing on the clinical presentation of LC and prognosis in patients.

Adipokines are cytokines that presumably connect the pathologies of metabolic syndrome. One of the adipokines is resistin, the role of which in insulin resistance, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) needs to be determined. Liver biopsy specimens were obtained intraoperatively from 214 obese patients. Histological assessment was based on NAFLD activity score according to Kleiner. Statistical analysis involved semi-quantitive immunohistochemistry assessment of resistin staining and: NAFLD status in obese patients compared with a non-obese control group, selected clinical data (age, sex, body mass index – BMI), selected biochemical data, comorbidities (hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia), and metformin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Resistin expression was observed in the histiocytes of inflammatory infiltrate, Kupffer cells, and histiocytes surrounding the hepatocytes with steatosis. There was a positive correlation between the total expression of resistin and: (1) NAFLD advancement (NAFLD Activity Score- NAS), (2) AST, ALT, BMI, glucose, insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA), LDH, GGT, triglycerides (TG), and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Resistin expression was more intense in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia and less intense in the control group. Resistin probably plays a role in the pathogenesis of hepatic insulin resistance and aggravates pathologic changes in the liver of patients with NAFLD.

The article presents the analysis of complex stress states in the concrete structure of grain silos, caused by non-centric emptying. The authors present a combination of loads from the pressure of bulk solid on the silo chamber according to Eurocode 1, Part 4 [11], which should be taken into account when emptying on large eccentricities in action assessment class 3 (AAC3) silos. For the example of a cylindrical wheat silo with a height of 25 m and a diameter of 10 m, the researchers carried out an analysis regarding the impact of the size of the eccentric discharge outlet on the distributions of forces and bending moments in a reinforced concrete wall.

Despite knowledge of classical coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease remain high. Therefore, new factors that may affect the development of CAD, such as the gut microbiome, are extensively investigated. This study aimed to evaluate gut microbiome composition in CAD patients in relation to the control group. We examined 169 CAD patients and 166 people in the control group, without CAD, matched in terms of age and sex to the study group. Both populations underwent a detailed health assessment. The microbiome analysis was based on the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene (NGS method). Among 4074 identified taxonomic units in the whole population, 1070 differed between study groups. The most common bacterial types were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Furthermore, a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the CAD group compared with the control was demonstrated. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, independent of age, sex, CAD status, LDL cholesterol concentration, and statins treatment, was related to altered phosphatidylcholine concentrations obtained in targeted metabolomics. Altered alpha-biodiversity (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.001) and beta-biodiversity (Bray–Curtis metric, p < 0.001) in the CAD group were observed. Moreover, a predicted functional analysis revealed some taxonomic units, metabolic pathways, and proteins that might be characteristic of the CAD patients’ microbiome, such as increased expressions of 6-phospho-β-glucosidase and protein-N(pi)-phosphohistidine-sugar phosphotransferase and decreased expressions of DNA topoisomerase, oxaloacetate decarboxylase, and 6-beta-glucosidase. In summary, CAD is associated with altered gut microbiome composition and function.

This article reviews selected issues related to the use of Big Data in the industry. The aim is to define the potential scope and forms of using large data sets in manufacturing companies. By systematically reviewing scientific and professional literature, selected issues related to the use of mass data analytics in production were analyzed. A definition of Big Data was presented, detailing its main attributes. The importance of mass data processing technology in the development of Industry 4.0 concept has been highlighted. Subsequently, attention was paid to issues such as production process optimization, decision making and mass production individualisation, and indicated the potential for large volumes of data. As a result, conclusions were drawn regarding the potential of using Big Data in the industry.

The limited penetration depth of visible light in biological tissues has encouraged researchers to develop novel implantable light-guiding devices. Optical fibers and waveguides that are made from biocompatible and biodegradable materials offer a straightforward but effective approach to overcome this issue. In the last decade, various optically transparent biomaterials, as well as different fabrication techniques, have been investigated for this purpose, and in view of obtaining fully fledged optical fibers. This article reviews the state-of-the-art in the development of biocompatible and biodegradable optical fibers. Whilst several reviews that focus on the chemical properties of the biomaterials from which these optical waveguides can be made have been published, a systematic review about the actual optical fibers made from these materials and the different fabrication processes is not available yet. This prompted us to investigate the essential properties of these biomaterials, in view of fabricating optical fibers, and in particular to look into the issues related to fabrication techniques, and also to discuss the challenges in the use and operation of these optical fibers. We close our review with a summary and an outline of the applications that may benefit from these novel optical waveguides.

PEComa (perivascular epithelioid cell tumor) is a rare liver tumor. Decisions regarding patient management are currently based on a few small case series. The aim of this study was to report the clinicopathological features of PEComa in order to provide guidance for management, complemented by our own experience. This retrospective observational study included all patients with PEComa who underwent surgical treatment in two departments between 2002 and 2020. A total of 20 patients were diagnosed with PEComa following histopathological examination. The age of the patients ranged from 21 to 73 years. The majority of patients were women (85%). In most patients, the tumors were incidental. In diagnostic studies, PEComas with high arterial vascularization have been described. Liver resection was the treatment of choice. There was only one postoperative complication. During histopathological evaluation, tumors were composed mostly of epithelioid cells, rarely with spindle cell components, thick-walled vessels, and adipocytes in different proportions. Melanocytic markers (HMB45, MelanA) and at least one smooth muscle marker were expressed in all tumors. Features suggestive of malignancy were found in three cases. In conclusion, PEComa is a rare liver tumor that is usually diagnosed incidentally. In radiological studies, tumors with high arterial vascularization are observed. Liver resection is the treatment of choice.

The purpose of this article is to analyse and present some techniques that support the design of a value proposition in the context of the outcome-economy. The proposed techniques are intended to support traditional companies in the design of innovative solutions. Also, the discussed techniques were compared to identify the most effective. The study was conducted based on the information available in the literature on the impact of the Industrial Internet of Things on the economy and creation of a value proposition.

The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of CD5-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the Polish population and to describe its morphologic and clinical characteristics. The study included 36 patients with CD5-positive DLBCL, diagnosed and treated in the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute and Oncology Centre, Warsaw, Poland and the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland in the years 2002-2013. The control group consisted of 28 patients with CD5-negative DLBCL. CD5-positive DLBCL accounted for 6.26% of all DLBCL cases diagnosed in the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Institute and Oncology Centre in the years 2008-2012. The incidence is comparable to other European countries, lower than noted in Japan and higher than in the US. Patients with CD5-positive DLBCL, in comparison to the CD5-negative group, were characterized by: (1) older age (≥ 60 vs. younger) and worse general status (ECOG ≥ 2 vs. < 2), (2) lower frequency of complete remission (CR), (3) higher expression of unfavorable prognostic factors (BCL2, FOXP1, CD44) and MMP-9, and (4) lower expression of favorable prognostic factors (CD30, cyclin D1, cyclin D3) and TIMP-2.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the world and it requires a comprehensive study of the methods performed. As less-invasive techniques are sought, tissue fillers have found its purpose in these procedures. However, it has been revealed that some of them may be associated with serious complications. One of them is the Aquafilling/Los Deline gel. A case report of a female patient who developed unprecedented sequelae after Aquafilling injection—distant migration of the gel in the hand—was presented in this study. The patient underwent total gel removal from the left forearm, arm, and both breasts as well as wound debridement and irrigation. We discovered a canal connecting the left breast to the left forearm, created by a polyacrylamide hydrogel dislocation. It was thoroughly revised using an endoscope. Despite the advantages of tissue fillers such as simplicity of use and less invasiveness, certain complications can occur after injection. Although a few of them have been banned due to these sequelae, new ones continue to appear. Every new product should be examined very carefully before it is introduced to the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ICERs proteins (Inducible cAMP Early Repressors) are the most effective endogenous repressors of CREB/CREM/ATF transcription factors family (CREB-cAMP Responsive Element Binding protein, CREM-cAMP Responsive Element Modulator, ATF-Activating Transcription Factor) that have repeatedly been shown to have a prosurvival function. It has been reported previously that neuronal death is accompanied by increased expression of ICERs and, furthermore, their overexpression provokes neuronal cell death in culture. However, it was not explained whether endogenously activated by proapoptotic stimuli ICERs contribute to the neuronal cell death. Herein, we have examined the involvement of endogenous ICERs in the apoptosis by checking whether it is possible to protect neurons from cell death by blocking the ICER gene.We applied two different in vitro models of neuronal death of primary neuronal cultures: excitotoxic death of neurons derived from dentate gyrus, and cortical cell loss provoked by trophic deprivation. Using the lentiviral vector (LV) to deliver shRNA, specifically silencing ICERs, but not other CREM proteins, we have found that silencing of ICERs enhances the CRE-driven transcription and exerts a mild, although significant, neuroprotective effect in both models. Since we demonstrated that silencing of endogenous ICERs have protective effect on neurons exposed to apoptosis-provoking conditions, targeting ICERs might be a novel strategy to prevent neuronal loss during degenerative processes.

We present two similar case reports of patients who, due to formation of adhesions, were reoperated on followingIPOM procedures. The first case is a 21-year-old woman after primary operation: WTP fundoplication and IPOM ventral(linea alba) hernia repair. Chronic pain was the reason for two second-look laparoscopies. There were massiveadhesions between the Dynamesh® and the greater omentum as well as the left lobe of the liver. The second casewas a male patient after the same primary procedure, reoperated on because of pain and recurrent subileus causedby adhesions between the Dynamesh® and the stomach. Although laparoscopic IPOM hernia repairs are nowadaysbecoming very popular, one should remember their disadvantages and limitations: anti-adhesive properties of IPOMmeshes can still be insufficient in some cases in the long term; further studies and technical progress are needed.