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Na powierzchni elektrolitu stałego wytwarzano kompozytowe katody dla stałotlenkowych ogniw paliwowych zbudowane z metalicznego srebra rozproszonego w osnowie z La0.8Sr0,3MnO3-σ Osnowę o kontrolowanej porowatości otrzymywano przez prażenie mieszaniny proszku La0.8Sr0.2MnO3-σ z kulkami z tworzywa organicznego. Porowatą osnowę nasycano roztworem AgNCb i ponownie wyprażano. Tak otrzymane katody wykazywały wyższą przewodność elektryczną i niższą oporność akty- wacyjną w reakcji redukcji tlenu w porównaniu z katodami z czystej ceramiki.

This study uses anthropological and forensic medical analyses to determine the cause of fractures found in the remains of 15 individuals buried at a site associated with the Globular Amphora Culture (2875-2670 BC). The intent was to determine the mechanism underlying the injuries and to indicate the types of tools that might have inflicted the blows. The fractures were diversified in their forms, but the majority of the injuries appear to have been inflicted by a flint axe, which is frequently found in graves of the Globular Amphora Culture. Apart from the forearm being severed in one of the victims, all the remaining skeletons showed from 1 to 4 injuries involving solely the skulls. The grave might contain victims attacked by invaders who executed the captives, or else the feature is ritual in character and it reflects the beliefs of the Neolithic community.

Maritime transport is facing a significant set of technical challenges due to planned by the International Maritime Organization implementation of ecological criterions on 01 January 2020 and 2021 regarding the emission of sulphur oxides, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The advantageous properties of natural gas (NG) as fuel in conjunction with dual fuel (DF) internal combustion (IC) engines potentially enables the fulfilment of all planned criterions. However, if the methane emission of DF IC is taken into consideration in CO2 emission balance it completely devaluates the advantages arising from high hydrogen to carbon ratio of NG. On the other hand, the planned global sulphur cap in combination with its low content in NG potentially enables to recover higher rates of waste heat and exergy of combustion products without the risk of low temperature corrosion (compared to liquid fuel). In this study the influence of sulphur content in NG and pilot fuel on the sulphuric acid condensation temperature was investigated in order to determine the rate of waste heat (quantity) and exergy (quality) of four stroke DF IC engine combustion products. In ideal process scenario (exergy based) the methane slip effect compensation was achieved only for a 0,5 engine load.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the HFMI (high-frequency mechanical impact) treatment of each weld bead on the properties of a butt joint with a ceramic backing welded by robotic method 135 (MAG-metal active gas welding method) and to determine the effect of HMFI on the stress level. This analysis was based on a comparison of three butt joints made of a S690QL plate, in the as-welded condition, with the HFMI of each bead and with the heat treatment carried out with PWHT stress relief annealing. The high-frequency (90 Hz) peening of each weld bead was linked with a stress reduction in the weld via the implementation of compressive stresses into the joint. The HFMI pneumatic hammer was used for this. The correctness of treatment was achieved when 100% of the surface of each bead including the face was treated. As part of the post-welding tests, basic tests were carried out based on the standards for the qualification of welding technology, and as a supplementary test, a stress state analysis using the Barkhausen effect was carried out. The tests carried out showed that the use of high-frequency peening after each pass did not affect the negative results of all the required tests when qualifying the welding technology of S690QL sheet metal compared to the test plates in the as-welded condition and after heat treatment-stress relief annealing. Inter-pass peening of the welded face and HAZ (heat-affected zone) resulted in a reduction in post-weld residual stresses at a distance of 12 mm from the joint axis compared to the stress measurement result for the sample in the as-welded condition. This allowed for a positive assessment of peening in the context of reducing the notch, which is the concentration of tensile stresses in the area of the fusion line and HAZ. The tests carried out showed that the peening process does not reduce the strength properties of welded joints, and the results obtained allow the technology to be qualified based on applicable standards.

A method for phosphorylating oligonucleotides using a thermosensitive "trigger" is hereby presented. The recovery of the phosphate specifically takes place under neutral conditions when subjected to an elevated temperature. Two identical thermolabile protecting groups are differentially removed with the initial release occurring swiftly and the second at a more gradual pace. The delayed deprotection of the second group led to the development of a method for the purification of 5'-phosphorylated oligonucleotides. Microwave irradiation enables the rapid attainment of complete deprotection, in contrast to conventional heating methods.

As a journal page for full details. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been established as a treatment for epilepsy, but more recently it has been explored as an alternative or add-on therapy for many other diseases ranging from weight loss to neurological disorders. Animal models are widely used in studies investigating the therapeutic effects of the KD as well as underlying mechanisms. Especially in the context of neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders essential endpoints are assessed by behavioral and motor tests. Here we summarized research evaluating the influence of the KD on cognition, depressive and anxiety-related behaviors, and social and nutritional behaviors of laboratory rodents. Each section contains a brief description of commonly used behavioral tests highlighting their limitations. Ninety original research articles, written in English, performed on mice or rats, providing measurement of blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels and behavioral evaluation were selected for the review. The majority of research performed in various disease models shows that the KD positively impacts cognition. Almost an equal number of studies report a reduction or no effect of the KD on depressive-related behaviors. For anxiety-related behaviors, the majority of studies show no effect. Despite the increasing use of the KD in weight loss and its appetite-reducing properties the behavioral evaluation of appetite regulation has not been addressed in preclinical studies. This review provides an overview of the behavioral effects of nutritional ketosis addressed to a broad audience of scientists interested in the KD field but not necessarily specializing in behavioral tests., 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., (Copyright © 2024 Grabowska, Grabowski, Przybyła, Pondel, Barski, Nowacka-Chmielewska and Liśkiewicz.)

Western Eurasia witnessed several large-scale human migrations during the Holocene 1-5 . Here, to investigate the cross-continental effects of these migrations, we shotgun-sequenced 317 genomes-mainly from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods-from across northern and western Eurasia. These were imputed alongside published data to obtain diploid genotypes from more than 1,600 ancient humans. Our analyses revealed a 'great divide' genomic boundary extending from the Black Sea to the Baltic. Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were highly genetically differentiated east and west of this zone, and the effect of the neolithization was equally disparate. Large-scale ancestry shifts occurred in the west as farming was introduced, including near-total replacement of hunter-gatherers in many areas, whereas no substantial ancestry shifts happened east of the zone during the same period. Similarly, relatedness decreased in the west from the Neolithic transition onwards, whereas, east of the Urals, relatedness remained high until around 4,000 BP, consistent with the persistence of localized groups of hunter-gatherers. The boundary dissolved when Yamnaya-related ancestry spread across western Eurasia around 5,000 BP, resulting in a second major turnover that reached most parts of Europe within a 1,000-year span. The genetic origin and fate of the Yamnaya have remained elusive, but we show that hunter-gatherers from the Middle Don region contributed ancestry to them. Yamnaya groups later admixed with individuals associated with the Globular Amphora culture before expanding into Europe. Similar turnovers occurred in western Siberia, where we report new genomic data from a 'Neolithic steppe' cline spanning the Siberian forest steppe to Lake Baikal. These prehistoric migrations had profound and lasting effects on the genetic diversity of Eurasian populations., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Filtering facepieces (FFP), mainly class FFP2 particle half masks (EN 149:2001#x02009;+ A1:2009), are commonly used in European mines to protect workers from respirable dust, especially from particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of 4 µm or less (PM4). The aerosol associated with diesel exhaust (DE) is dominated by submicrometer particles (with a diameter of less than 1 µm) and nanoparticles (size in the range between 10 and 500 nm). In the European Union (EU), the occupational exposure level (OEL) for DE has been defined in terms of elemental carbon (EC) concentration. Based on measurements in underground mines, on average, 60% of EC associated with PM4 was contained in PM with a diameter of 1 µm or less (PM1). Particle number size distribution (PNSD) of PM1 showed that the most numerous were particles in the size range of 20 to 300 nm. Four popular types of certified FFP2 half masks were tested for penetration. Brand new and thermally conditioned masks of each type were included in the study. NaCl aerosol in the particle size range of 7 to 270 nm was used for tests. Filtration efficiencies of 98.5% (median) or higher were achieved. Aerosol penetration was a function of particle size. Maximum penetration was observed between 20 and 60 nm, depending on the type of mask. During filtration, aerosol characteristics changed. Nanoparticles ranging in size from 7 to about 60 nm were removed to a very limited extent. The change was more noticeable for brand-new masks compared to the thermally conditioned ones. Usually, aerosol penetration through thermally conditioned masks was lower and more consistent. It was confirmed that the half masks of the FFP2 class are capable of filtering submicrometer aerosol in particle size range 7 to 270 nm with an efficiency exceeding 96% and can contribute to achieving compliance with the OEL for DE in the mining sector.

The demographic history of East-Central Europe after the Neolithic period remains poorly explored, despite this region being on the confluence of various ecological zones and cultural entities. Here, the descendants of societies associated with steppe pastoralists form Early Bronze Age were followed by Middle Bronze Age populations displaying unique characteristics. Particularly, the predominance of collective burials, the scale of which, was previously seen only in the Neolithic. The extent to which this re-emergence of older traditions is a result of genetic shift or social changes in the MBA is a subject of debate. Here by analysing 91 newly generated genomes from Bronze Age individuals from present Poland and Ukraine, we discovered that Middle Bronze Age populations were formed by an additional admixture event involving a population with relatively high proportions of genetic component associated with European hunter-gatherers and that their social structure was based on, primarily patrilocal, multigenerational kin-groups., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The increasing consumption of highly processed foods with high amounts of saturated fatty acids and simple carbohydrates is a major contributor to the burden of overweight and obesity. Additionally, an unhealthy diet in combination with chronic stress exposure is known to be associated with the increased prevalence of central nervous system diseases. In the present study, the global brain proteome approach was applied to explore protein alterations after exposure to the Western diet and/or stress. Female adult rats were fed with the Western diet with human snacks and/or subjected to chronic stress induced by social instability for 12 weeks. The consumption of the Western diet resulted in an obese phenotype and induced changes in the serum metabolic parameters. Consuming the Western diet resulted in changes in only 5.4% of the proteins, whereas 48% of all detected proteins were affected by chronic stress, of which 86.3% were down-regulated due to this exposure to chronic stress. However, feeding with a particular diet modified stress-induced changes in the brain proteome. The down-regulation of proteins involved in axonogenesis and mediating the synaptic clustering of AMPA glutamate receptors (Nptx1), as well as proteins related to metabolic processes (Atp5i, Mrps36, Ndufb4), were identified, while increased expression was detected for proteins involved in the development and differentiation of the CNS (Basp1, Cend1), response to stress, learning and memory (Prrt2), and modulation of synaptic transmission (Ncam1, Prrt2). In summary, global proteome analysis provides information about the impact of the combination of the Western diet and stress exposure on cerebrocortical protein alterations and yields insight into the underlying mechanisms and pathways involved in functional and morphological brain alterations as well as behavioral disturbances described in the literature.

Objective: Obesity is a multidimensional condition that is treatable by the restoration of a lean phenotype; however, some obesity-related outcomes may persist after weight normalization. Among the organs of the human body, the brain possesses a relatively low regenerative capacity and could retain perturbations established as a result of developmental obesity. Calorie restriction (CR) or a restricted ketogenic diet (KD) are successfully used as weight loss approaches, but their impact on obesity-related effects in the brain have not been previously evaluated., Methods: We performed a series of experiments in a rat model of developmental obesity induced by a 12-week cafeteria diet, followed by CR to implement weight loss. First, we assessed the impact of obesity on neurogenesis (BrdU incorporation into the hippocampus), cognitive function (water maze), and concomitant changes in hippocampal protein expression (GC/MS-MS, western blot). Next, we repeated these experiments in a rat model of weight loss induced by CR. We also measured mitochondrial enzyme activity in rats after weight loss during the fed or fasting state. This study was extended by additional experiments with restricted KD used as a weight loss approach in order to compare the efficacy of two different nutritional interventions used in the treatment of obesity on hippocampal functions. By using a modified version of the water maze we evaluated cognitive abilities in rats subjected to weight loss by CR or a restricted KD., Results: In this study, obesity affected metabolic processes, upregulated hippocampal NF-κB, and induced proteomic differences which were associated with impaired cognition and neurogenesis. Weight loss improved neurogenesis and enhanced cognition. While the expression pattern of some proteins persisted after weight loss, most of the changes appeared de novo revealing metabolic adjustment by overactivation of citrate synthase and downregulation of ATP synthase. As a consequence of fasting, the activity of these enzymes indicated hippocampal adaptation to negative energy balance during the weight loss phase of CR. Moreover, the effects on cognitive abilities measured after weight loss were negatively correlated with the animal weight measured at the final stage of weight gain. This was alleviated by KD, which improved cognition when used as a weight loss approach., Conclusions: The study shows that cognition and mitochondrial metabolism in the hippocampus are affected by CR- or KD-induced weight loss., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obesity cardiomyopathy increases the risk of heart failure and death. Obesity is curable, leading to the restoration of the heart phenotype, but it is not clear if there are any after-effects of obesity present after weight loss. We characterize the proteomic landscape of obesity cardiomyopathy with an evaluation of whether the cardiac phenotype is still shaped after weight loss. Cardiomyopathy was validated by cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, oversized myocytes, and mTOR upregulation in a rat model of cafeteria diet-induced developmental obesity. By global proteomic techniques (LC-MS/MS) a plethora of molecular changes was observed in the heart and circulation of obese animals, suggesting abnormal utilization of metabolic substrates. This was confirmed by increased levels of cardiac ACSL-1, a key enzyme for fatty acid degradation and decreased GLUT-1, a glucose transporter in obese rats. Calorie restriction and weight loss led to the normalization of the heart's size, but fibrosis was still excessive. The proteomic compositions of cardiac tissue and plasma were different after weight loss as compared to control. In addition to morphological consequences, obesity cardiomyopathy involves many proteomic changes. Weight loss provides for a partial repair of the heart's architecture, but the trace of fibrotic deposition and proteomic alterations may occur., 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., (Copyright © 2021 Liśkiewicz, Marczak, Bogus, Liśkiewicz, Przybyła and Lewin-Kowalik.)

Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 is mentioned among the most common arthritogenic pathogens. Bacterial components (including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) may persist in the joint after eradication of infection. Having an adjuvant activity, LPS may enhance production of anticollagen antibodies, involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, its ability to activate complement contributes to the inflammation. The aim of this work was to investigate whether Yersinia LPS (coinjected with collagen) is associated with arthritis progression or other pathological effects and to elucidate the mechanism of this association. It was demonstrated that murine mannose-binding lectin C (MBL-C) recognizes the inner core heptoses of the Rd1 chemotype LPS of Yersinia. In addition, the Rd1 LPS activates the MBL-associated serine protease 1 (MASP-1) stronger than the S and Ra chemotype LPS and comparable to Klebsiella pneumoniae O:3 LPS. However, in contrast to the latter, Yersinia Rd1 LPS was associated neither with the adjuvancity nor with the enhancement of pathological changes in animal paws/impairment of motility. On the other hand, it seemed to be more hepatotoxic when compared with the other tested endotoxins, while the enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes and drop in hepatic MBL-C expression (at the mRNA level) were independent of LPS chemotype. Our data did not suggest no greater impact Y . enterocolitica O:3 on the development or severity of arthropathy related to anticollagen antibody-induced arthritis in mice, although its interaction with MBL-C and subsequent complement activation may contribute to some adverse effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Katarzyna Kasperkiewicz et al.)

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is not one of the founder crops domesticated in Southwest Asia in the early Holocene, but was domesticated in northeast China by 6000 BC. In Europe, millet was reported in Early Neolithic contexts formed by 6000 BC, but recent radiocarbon dating of a dozen 'early' grains cast doubt on these claims. Archaeobotanical evidence reveals that millet was common in Europe from the 2nd millennium BC, when major societal and economic transformations took place in the Bronze Age. We conducted an extensive programme of AMS-dating of charred broomcorn millet grains from 75 prehistoric sites in Europe. Our Bayesian model reveals that millet cultivation began in Europe at the earliest during the sixteenth century BC, and spread rapidly during the fifteenth/fourteenth centuries BC. Broomcorn millet succeeds in exceptionally wide range of growing conditions and completes its lifecycle in less than three summer months. Offering an additional harvest and thus surplus food/fodder, it likely was a transformative innovation in European prehistoric agriculture previously based mainly on (winter) cropping of wheat and barley. We provide a new, high-resolution chronological framework for this key agricultural development that likely contributed to far-reaching changes in lifestyle in late 2nd millennium BC Europe.

Physical activity impacts brain functions, but the direct mechanisms of this effect are not fully recognized or understood. Among multidimensional changes induced by physical activity, brain fatty acids (FA) appear to play an important role; however, the knowledge in this area is particularly scarce. Here we performed global metabolomics profiling of the hippocampus and the frontal cortex (FC) in a model of voluntary running in mice. Examined brain structures responded differentially to physical activity. Specifically, the markers of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were downregulated in the FC, whereas glycolysis was enhanced in the hippocampus. Physical activity stimulated production of myristic, palmitic and stearic FA; i.e., the primary end products of de novo lipogenesis in the brain, which was accompanied by increased expression of hippocampal fatty acid synthase (FASN), suggesting stimulation of lipid synthesis. The changes in the brain fatty acid profile were associated with reduced anxiety level in the running mice. Overall, the study examines exercise-related metabolic changes in the brain and links them to behavioral outcomes.

Methamphetamine (METH) abusers are prone to develop a variety of comorbidities, including cognitive disabilities, and the immunological responses have been recognized as an important component involved in the toxicity of this drug. Cytokines are among the key mediators between systemic inflammatory status and tissue responses. One of these, interleukin 1 (IL-1), has been hypothesized to be involved in cognitive functions and also appears to play a pivotal role among inflammatory molecules. In the present study, we demonstrate that exposure of mice to METH markedly increased the protein level of IL-1β in hippocampal tissue. Additionally, METH administration induced a decline in spatial learning as determined by the Morris water maze test. We next evaluated the hypothesis that blocking IL-1β signaling can protect against METH-induced loss of cognitive functioning. The results indicated that METH-induced impaired spatial learning abilities were attenuated by co-administration of mouse IL-1 Trap, a dimeric fusion protein that incorporates the extracellular domains of both of the IL-1 receptor components required for IL-1 signaling (IL-1 receptor type 1 and IL-1 receptor accessory protein), linked to the Fc portion of murine IgG2a. This effect was associated with a decrease in hippocampal IL-1β level. The current study indicates for the first time that the loss of METH-related cognitive decline can be attenuated by neutralizing IL-1 signaling. Our findings suggest a potential new therapeutic pathway for treatment of altered cognitive abilities that occur in METH abusing individuals., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dexmedetomidine and propofol are commonly used sedative agents in non-invasive ventilation as they allow for easy arousal and are relatively well controllable. Moreover dexmedetomidine is associated with low risk of respiratory depression. However, both agents are associated with significant hemodynamic side effects. The primary objective of this study is to compare the influence of both drugs on hemodynamic effects in patients after thoracic surgical procedures receiving dexmedetomidine or propofol for noninvasive postoperative ventilation., Methods: A prospective, randomised, observational study University Hospital. Interventions: Continuous sedation with dexmedetomidine or propofol for six hours of postoperative non-invasive ventilation after thoracic surgery, with concomitant use of continuous epidural analgesia., Results: A total of 38 patients (20 dexmedetomidine and 18 propofol) were included in the analysis. The primary outcomes of this study is that heart rate, systolic and mean arterial blood pressure did not differ significantly between the groups, but diastolic arterial blood pressure was significantly higher in propofol group. Comparison analysis of epinephrine usage did not reveal significant differences between the groups. Cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) analysis did not show significant differences between the groups, but there is a clear tendency of lower values of CO/CI in group receiving propofol. We also observed similar tendency in stroke volume index (SVI) and stroke volume variation (SVV) values, but also those differences did not reach statistical significance. Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) values were higher in propofol group, exceeding reference values, but similarly, the difference between the groups was not significant., Conclusions: The main finding of this study is that dexmedetomidine and propofol provide similar advantages in haemodynamic stability during short-term sedation for non-invasive ventilation after thoracic surgical procedures in patients receiving continuous epidural analgesia.

Purkinje cell protein-2 (PCP2), also known as L7, is a member of the GoLoco protein family with highly cell-specific expression, being restricted to cerebellar Purkinje cells and retinal bipolar neurons in various species. However, its function in these tissues is unknown. Previous studies have suggested that PCP2 is a guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor, or a guanine nucleotide exchange factor. The Pcp2 gene is known to have many splice variants in both cerebellar Purkinje cells and retinal bipolar neurons. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a novel Pcp2 splice variant is conserved in closely related laboratory rodents (mice, rats, and hamsters). After analyzing alternative splicing of this gene in the Purkinje cells and retinas of these rodent species, we confirmed the presence of the novel longer transcript in mice. However, assessment of Pcp2 transcripts using polymerase chain reaction amplification of complementary DNA revealed this long splice variant containing the additional exon 3B to be absent from rats and hamsters. Thus, the novel Pcp2 transcript is particular to mouse cerebellar Purkinje cells and retinal bipolar neurons. It is likely to have arisen in this species, as a result of spontaneous mutation or de novo rearrangements. This gene presumably serves a very specific and, as yet, unknown function in the eyes and/or Purkinje cells of mice., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Brain stroke is a grave society problem. About 20% ischemic strokes are cardiac related problems. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cause of ischemic strokes. Decision to deploy anticoagulant treatment with AF patient depends on bleeding and thrombo-embolic risk which summerise scale CHA(2)DS(2)VASc and HAS-BLED. Past recent years in AF treatment anticoagulants from the group of vitamin K antagonist were used. At present in brain stroke prevention and systemic emboilment, new oral anticoagulants (NOA) which weren't worst than vitamin K antagonists, and they are recomendet in most cases of AF unrelated with heart valve defets. Useing NOA causes lower risk of bleeding, including intracranial heamorrhage. It is believed that this is related to the selective inhibition of specific coagulation factors, and respect other hemostatic mechanisms. Results from clinical studies NOA are encouraging, but still lacks clear answers regarding, among other things: long-term safety of treatment and economically viable in everyday clinical practice. In addition, to date there is no specific antidote for this group of drugs., (© 2016 MEDPRESS.)

The aim of this study was to assess platelet reactivity in patients after ischemic stroke and to investigate the influence of hyperlipidemia (HL) on platelet activity markers. A total of 41 patients after ischemic stroke were divided into the following 2 groups: patients with HL and patients with normolipidemia. Expression of CD42b on resting, thrombin-activated blood platelets, and fibrinogen level was assessed. The CD42b-positive platelets were analyzed using the flow cytometer, anti-CD61, and anti-CD42b monoclonal antibodies. The results confirmed increased platelet reactivity to thrombin in all patients after ischemic stroke manifested by significantly lower CD42b expression and percentage of CD42b(+) platelets after activation by thrombin. The influence of HL on the expression of CD42b on resting and thrombin-activated platelets was not found. However, increased level of fibrinogen but no influence of HL on fibrinogen concentration was observed in patients after ischemic stroke. Increased susceptibility to platelet agonists was found in patients after ischemic stroke in the convalescent phase., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

Introduction: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been reported to increase platelet activation. Reducing the level of LDL-C with statins induces important pleiotropic effects such as platelet inhibition. This association between platelet activity and statin therapy may be clinically important in reducing the risk of ischemic stroke. We investigated the effect of simvastatin therapy on platelet activation markers (platelet CD62P, sP-selectin, and platelet-derived microparticles (PDMPs)) in hyperlipidemic patients after ischemic stroke., Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 21 hyperlipidemic patients after ischemic stroke confirmed by CT, and 20 healthy subjects served as controls. We assessed the CD62P expression on resting and thrombin-activated blood platelets. CD62P and PDMPs were analyzed by the use of monoclonal antibodies anti-CD61 and anti-CD62 on a flow cytometer. The level of sP-selectin in serum was measured by the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method. All markers were re-analyzed after 6 months of treatment with simvastatin (20 mg/day)., Results: Hyperlipidemic patients presented a significantly higher percentage of CD62+ platelets and higher reactivity to thrombin compared to control subjects. After simvastatin therapy hyperlipidemic patients showed a reduction of the percentage of resting CD62P(+) platelets (p = 0.005) and a reduction of expression and percentage of CD62P(+) platelets after activation by thrombin (median p < 0.05; percentage: p = 0.001). A decrease of sP-selectin levels (p = 0.001) and percentage of PDMPs (p < 0.05) in this group was also observed., Conclusions: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor therapy in stroke patients with hyperlipidemia may be useful not only due to the lipid-lowering effect but also because of a significant role in reduction of platelet activation and reactivity.

Background: Health-care associated infections (HAI) are common complications in ICU patients as an effect of high invasive device utilization rate. The aim of the study was to analyze the epidemiology of ventilator - associated pneumonia (VAP), blood stream infections (BSI), urinary tract infections (UTI) and surgical site infections (SSI) in newly opened medical-surgical intensive care unit., Methods: VAP, BSI, UTI and SSI were detected and registered by hospital Infection Control Team according to CDC criteria during first 12 months following opening of new ICU., Results: During 12-month period HAI was diagnosed in 44 out of 168 patients (26%). The ventilator utilization rate was 72%. The incidence density of VAP was 15.5/1000 ventilator days. The central line utilization was 100%. The BSI rate was 5/1000 catheter days. The urinary catheter utilization was 95%. The UTI rate was 1.9/1000 catheterization days. In 8 out of 60 surgical patients SSI occurred (13%). The most common isolates were Gram negative bacteria., Conclusions: The incidence of VAP was higher than the mean values reported for USA, western Europe and similar to the mean value reported for developing countries. BSI and UTI rate was comparable to those given in NNIS and HELICS reports. Effective prevention strategies should be introduced in order to reduce high VAP rates

We report the case of patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated by sulfasalazin. He was hospitalized because of general erythrodermia and diarrhoea with dysproteinemia. The consciousness disturbances and the meningitis syndrome occured in the course of disease. The findings of cerebrospinal fluid suggested viral meningitis and encephalitis. The treatment was started. After short-term improvement, the focal neurological deficits and the consciousness disturbances appeared again. The examinations of the computed tomography and the magnetic resonance image suggested inflammatory or neoplasmatic process. The inflammatory process seemed to be more probable and antibiotic treatment was administered. The following CT and MRI findings confirmed inflammatory changes of brain tissue and abscess formation tendency. After the neurosurgeon consultation the conservatively treatment was continued. The 2 month therapy achieved a successful outcome. We report this case because of the difficulties of diagnostic and treatment choices and the 50% mortality connected with the multiple brain abscesses. It seems that in our case the bacterial infection was secondary to the viral encephalomeningitis. We couldn't find the primary focus of bacterial infection, although the infection cause was undoubtedly hematogenous (abscesses location on the boundaries of cerebral cortex and white matter). There is no evident therapeutic standards and the choice of the best treatment is still under discussion. However, neuroimagining techniques are very useful in the correct diagnosis and optimal treatment.

Unlabelled: The consequence of consuming excessive amount of alcohol is the damage of internal organs, particularly liver. In the liver there comes in turn to its fatty degeneration, hepatitis, fibrosis and finally to its cirrhosis. The aim of the study was the analysis of P300 potential in subjects chronically abusing alcohol with alcohol-related toxic liver damage and the assessment of the usefulness of this potential in the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy., Material and Methods: Group I--consisted of 30 men meeting the criteria of alcohol dependency syndrome, with diagnosed alcohol-related toxic liver damage. Comparative group--consisted of 30 physically and mentally healthy men, with no alcohol dependency syndrome. The following were carried out in all the examined: examination of auditory endogenic P300 potential., Results: In subjects chronically abusing alcohol, with diagnosed toxic liver damage statistically significant prolonged latency and also reduced amplitude (p < 0.001) were found in comparison with the control group., Conclusions: 1. Changes in P300 parameters (latency elongation and amplitude reduction) in alcohol-dependent subjects with alcohol-related liver damage were confirmed. 2. P300 potential may be a complementary method in the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy.

Diabetic neuropathy is most common chronic complication of diabetes mellitus. It is responsible for substantial morbidity, increased mortality and impaired quality of life. Patogenesis of diabetic neuropathy is complex. Chronic hyperglycemia is a major factor induces nerve fibers injury. High level of glucose stimulate the polyol pathway causing osmotic stress and enhance reactive oxygen species generation, as well as it play an important role in diabetic angiopathy development. Distal symmetric polineuropathy is most common type of diabetic neuropathy. Many patient may develop combinations of neuropathies concerning somatic and autonomic system. Early diagnosis and administered suitable treatment are necessary to reduce severe complication of diabetic neuropathy as well as strict glycemic control and risk factor increased.

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a neurologic disorder, consists of demyelinisation without inflammation in the base of pons, with a relative sparing of the axons and the nerve cells. Clinical symptoms have various manifestations. They include pseudobalbular paralysis, tetraparesis, locked-in syndrome, coma. Rapid correction of persistence hyponatremia is a well recognized factor predisposing to CPM and nutritional deficiency is a commonly evoked cause of CMP as well. In more than half the cases it appeared in the late stages of chronic alcoholism. Among other medical conditions conjoined with CMP are liver failure and transplantation, electrolyte disturbances, cachexia from various causes, carcinoma, and severe bacterial infections. The autors report the cases of 31 year old patient with 4 year history of alkohol abuse in whom CPM developed with mild tetraparesis.

The occurrence of stroke increases with age, particularly affecting the older elderly, a population also at higher risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Epidemiological and observational studies have not shown a clear association between cholesterol levels and all causes of stroke. Nevertheless, large, long-term statin trials in patients with established CHD or et high risk for CHD (diabetes, hypertension) have shown that statins decrease stroke incidence in these populations even with a normal baseline cholesterol concentration. In patients with previous stroke statins reduce the incidence of coronary events, but whether they actually reduce the incidence of recurrent strokes in secondary prevention is unproved. In this review we discuss the potential reason for the effects of statins on stroke and the mechanisms of action. Statins probably reduce stroke by a variety of mechanisms. Several studies indicate that statins have multiple effects beyond lowering the cholesterol level. There is evidence that statins have neuroprotective properties for the acute ischaemic brain. Statins interfere with platelet aggregation and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Also statins promote stabilisation of atherosclerotic plaques and improve blood flow to the ischaemic brain. The protective effects of statins might be due to their direct effect on endothelial cells leading to improved nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. However further studies are needed to understand the full role of statins in the prevention of stroke in patients without established cardiovascular disease, representative of the typical stroke population.

On the base of accessible literature and own experience general information concerning potential P300, the methodology of its research as well as the influence of different factors on each its components were reviewed. The possibilities of the clinical use of potential P300 in the diagnostics of cognitive disturbances were presented. It emerges that P300 potential can have practical use in the diagnostics of dementias, but because of its physiological and individual changeability it cannot be treated as a fully objective diagnostic method.