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• Kroh Antoni 2014: Wesołego Alleluja Polsko Ludowa, Warszawa: Iskry. • Gruszka Dorota, Kożuch Barbara, Majkowska-Szajer Dorota, Małeta Alicja, Szczurek Małgorzata, Tenerowicz Eleonora, Zych Magdalena 2011: Sto i pół. Opowieści z Muzeum Etnograficznego w Krakowie, Kraków: Muzeum Etnograficzne im. Seweryna Udzieli.

Introduction: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves the use of 100% pure oxygen in conditions of increased pressure, exceeding atmospheric pressure. This allows the supply of several times more oxygen to the internal organs and blood serum than when using standard pressure. HBOT has proven to support the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases, complications of metabolic diseases and burns, as confirmed by clinical studies. In addition, this therapy can also be used to improve the physiological condition of the skin after cosmetology procedures.Objectives: The aim of this work is to review information on the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of skin diseases, especially atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, diabetic foot, 2nd-degree burns and complications following cosmetic procedures.Method: The review was based on the works published in the last 20 years (1999-2019), available in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar and PEDro.Results and conclusions: The use of HBOT is becoming more common in the treatment of skin complications related to diabetes, as well as burn wounds. It is estimated that HBOT reduces the risk of foot ulcers and amputation in diabetic foot syndrome. In addition, HBOT promotes faster healing of burn wounds, also with the use of allogenic skin grafts. By increasing the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly supports the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Despite this, the exact mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen are still poorly understood, and the use of HBOT in the treatment of skin diseases has not yet been included in treatment protocols.

The article examines the process, methods and results of a 3-year-long research project (2016-2019) concerning the 19th century Siberian collection from the resources of the Ethnographic Museum in Kraków which was donated by political prisoners, scientists and travellers. The authors discuss how the contemporary knowledge of many local experts from different ethnic groups (such as local residents, reindeer herders, whale hunters, museum staff, donators’ families) combined with archival sources could help to understand the unique connections between the past and the future of such heritage and its consequences in our lives. After the research, the collection is now accessible in a digital repository along with audio and visual materials from the fieldwork and the available archive data. Some of the stories are presented also in the exhibition “Siberia. Voices from the North”

W artykule przedstawiono przebieg, metody i wyniki trzyletniego projektu badawczego (2016-2019) dotyczącego XIX-wiecznej kolekcji syberyjskiej z zasobów Muzeum Etnograficznego w Krakowie przekazanej przez więźniów politycznych, naukowców i podróżników. Autorzy omawiają, w jaki sposób współczesna wiedza wielu lokalnych ekspertów z różnych grup etnicznych (m.in. mieszkańców, hodowców reniferów, łowców wielorybów, pracowników muzeów, rodziny darczyńców) w połączeniu ze źródłami archiwalnymi może pomóc w zrozumieniu unikalnych związków między przeszłością a przyszłość takiego dziedzictwa i jego konsekwencje w naszym życiu. Po przeprowadzeniu badań kolekcja jest teraz dostępna w repozytorium cyfrowym wraz z materiałami dźwiękowymi i wizualnymi z badań terenowych oraz dostępnymi danymi archiwalnymi. Niektóre historie prezentowane są także na wystawie „Syberia. Głosy z Północy”.

Forward and backward walking are remarkably similar motor behaviors to the extent that backward walking has been described as a time-reversed version of forward walking. However, because they display different muscle activity patterns, it has been questioned if forward and backward walking share common control strategies. To investigate this point, we used a split-belt treadmill experimental paradigm designed to elicit healthy individuals’ motor adaptation by changing the speed of one of the treadmill belts, while keeping the speed of the other belt constant. We applied this experimental paradigm to both forward and backward walking. We analyzed several adaptation parameters including step symmetry, stability, and energy expenditure as well as the characteristics of the synergies of lower-limb muscles. We found that forward and backward walking share the same muscle synergy modules. We showed that these modules are marked by similar patterns of adaptation driven by stability and energy consumption minimization criteria, both relying on modulating the temporal activation of the muscle synergies. Our results provide evidence that forward and backward walking are governed by the same control and adaptation mechanisms.

Time has a fundamentally different character in quantum mechanics and in general relativity. Here, the authors consider a thought experiment where a massive body in a spatial superposition leads to entanglement of temporal orders between time-like events, resulting in a violation of a Bell-type inequality.

Introduction. Health behaviours are understood as any behaviours (habits, attitudes, customs, values) that are concerned with health. Pro-health behaviours are all deliberate activities aimed at maintaining or improving health. Aim. The aim of the research was the determination of health behaviours in family nurses. Material and method. The research was performed in 152 family nurses from the Lublin and Mazovian Region by means of Health Behaviour Inventory (the HBI). The research tool comprises 24 items in four categories: proper eating habits, preventive health behaviours, health practices, positive attitude. Results. The mean value of health behaviours indicator in the group researched was 85.86 points. A total of 49.34% of nurses presented a high level of health behaviours. The group of 40.97% of family nurses were individuals who depicted a moderate level of health behaviours. Merely 9.87% of the nurses researched showed a low level of health behaviours. On the basis of the analysis of the data collected it was found that preventive health behaviours were rated the highest (3.76 points), whereas health practices were rated the lowest (3.36 points). Proper eating habits and positive attitude were determined on a very similar level. Conclusion. The family nurses researched showed moderate level of health behaviours. The best results were obtained in preventive health behaviours, whereas health practices were rated the lowest. Professional experience of the nurses affected their health behaviours in terms of preventive behaviours.

Abstract Introduction. Due to the numerous responsibilities, perceived accountability and significant psychophysical workload, there is a decrease in self-assessment concerning the quality of life among nurses of various specializations. The level of quality of life depends on various factors, which impact is individually dependent according to one’s subjective perception. Aim. The aim of the research was to determine the self-assessment concerning the quality of life among family nurses. Materials and method. The group of respondents consisted of 152 professionally active family nurses. The quality of life was examined with a standardized tool: the WHOQOL-Bref scale. Results. The examined family nurses rated their quality of life at an average of 3.79±0.78, while the self-assessment regarding their health amounted to the average of 3.69±0.84. The highest marks were received by the social field (72.25±18.44) among respondents. They slightly lower rated the physical domain (69.59 ±14.46) as well as the environmental domain (66.46±13.08). Whereas, the lowest rating was assigned to the psychological domain (59.96±12.13). Conclusion. The self-assessment concerning the quality of life among family nurses is characterized as on an average level. The age of the respondents significantly differentiates the quality of life of the researched occupational group. Moreover, along with an increase in vocational education, the quality of life perception of the nurses’ increases. Key words: quality of life, family nurses

The adaptation to visuomotor rotations is one of the most studied paradigms of motor learning. Previous literature has presented evidence of a dependency between the process of adaptation to visuomotor rotations and the constrains dictated by the workspace of the biological actuators, the muscles, and their co-activation strategies, modeled using muscle synergies analysis. To better understand this relationship, we asked a sample of healthy individuals (N = 7) to perform two experiments aiming at characterizing the adaptation to visuomotor rotations in terms of rotations of the activation space of the muscle synergies during isometric reaching tasks. In both experiments, subjects were asked to adapt to visual rotations altering the position mapping between the force exerted on a fixed manipulandum and the movement of a cursor on a screen. In the first experiment subjects adapted to three different visuomotor rotation angles (30°, 40°, and 50° clockwise) applied to the whole experimental workspace. In the second experiment subjects adapted to a single visuomotor rotation angle (45° clockwise) applied to eight different sub-spaces of the whole workspace, while also performing movements in the rest of the unperturbed workspace. The results from the first experiment confirmed the hypothesis that visuomotor rotations induce rotations in the synergies activation workspace that are proportional to the visuomotor rotation angle. The results from the second experiment showed that rotations affecting limited sub-spaces of the whole workspace are adapted for by rotating only the synergies involved in the movement, with an angle proportional to the distance between the preferred angle of the synergy and the sub-space covered by the rotation. Moreover, we show that the activation of a synergy is only rotated when the sub-space covered by the visual perturbation is applied at the boundaries of the workspace of the synergy. We found these results to be consistent across subjects, synergies and sub-spaces. Moreover, we found a correlation between synergies and muscle rotations further confirming that the adaptation process can be well described, at the neuromuscular level, using the muscle synergies model. These results provide information on how visuomotor rotations can be used to induce a desired neuromuscular response.

The study of causal relations has recently been applied to the quantum realm, leading to the discovery that not all physical processes have a definite causal structure. While indefinite causal processes have previously been experimentally shown, these proofs relied on the quantum description of the experiments. Yet, the same experimental data could also be compatible with definite causal structures within different descriptions. Here, we present the first demonstration of indefinite temporal order outside of quantum formalism. We show that our experimental outcomes are incompatible with a class of generalised probabilistic theories satisfying the assumptions of locality and definite temporal order. To this end, we derive physical constraints (in the form of a Bell-like inequality) on experimental outcomes within such a class of theories. We then experimentally invalidate these theories by violating the inequality using entangled temporal order. This provides experimental evidence that there exist correlations in nature which are incompatible with the assumptions of locality and definite temporal order.

Introduction: Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, which significantly affects the development of children and youth. Unfortunately, students take less and less physical activity devoting much more time to surfing the Internet. Aim: Determining the relationship between the degree of the Internet addition and the level of physical activity of primary school students and lower and upper secondary school students. Material and methods: The study covered 463 students in the fifth and sixth grades of primary schools and the second and third classes of lower and upper secondary schools. The research was carried out from February 2017 to April 2017 in schools in Lublin, Radom and nearby villages. The applied research method was a diagnostic survey, and tools: Internet addiction test, Dr. Kimberly Young and the authors’ self-designed survey containing questions about physical activity. Results: Dr. Young test pointed out the addiction in 53 out of 463 tested pupils (11.4%). The dependence concerned 12 primary school students (7.9%), 26 lower secondary school students (16.0%) and 15 upper secondary school students (10.0%). In contrast, the risk of addiction occurred in 33 (7.1%) students. Moderate physical activity during the last week for a minimum of 10 minutes 88.8% of respondents declared. Conclusions: • Internet addiction affects the level of physical activity. • The least time for physical activity have those diagnosed with addiction. • It is advisable to undertake educational and activative actions on the forms of leisure time for pupils at all stages of education.

Particle detector models such as the Unruh–deWitt detector are widely used in relativistic quantum information and field theory to probe the global features of spacetime and quantum fields. These detectors are typically modeled as coupling locally to the field along a classical worldline. In this paper, we utilize a recent framework that enables us to prepare the detector in a quantum-controlled superposition of trajectories and study its response to a massless scalar field in finite-temperature Minkowski spacetime and an expanding de Sitter universe. Unlike a detector on a classical path, which cannot distinguish these spacetimes, the superposed detector can do so by acquiring nonlocal information about the geometric and causal structure of its environment, demonstrating its capability as a probe of these global properties.

Quantum interference of "clocks", namely of particles with time-evolving internal degrees of freedom (DOFs), is a promising avenue to test genuine general relativistic effects in quantum systems. The clock acquires which path information while experiencing different proper times on traversing the arms of the interferometer, leading to a drop in its path visibility. We consider scenarios where the clock is subject to environmental noise as it transits through the interferometer. In particular, we develop a generalized formulation of interferometric visibility affected by noise on the clock. We find that, for small noise and small proper time difference between the arms, the noise further reduces the visibility, while in more general situations it can either increase or reduce the visibility. As an example, we investigate the effect of a thermal environment constituted by a single field mode and show that the visibility drops further as the temperature is increased. Additionally, by considering noise models based on standard quantum channels, we show that interferometric visibility can increase or decrease depending on the type of noise and also the time scale and transition probabilities. The quantification of the effect of noise on the visibility – particularly in the case of a thermal environment paves the way for a better estimate on the expected outcome in an actual experiment.

Composite particles—atoms, molecules, or microspheres—are unique tools for testing joint quantum and general relativistic effects, macroscopic limits of quantum mechanics, and searching for new physics. However, all studies of the free propagation of these particles find that they delocalize into separate internal energy components, destroying their spatial coherence. This renders them unsuitable for experimental applications, as well as theoretical studies where they are used as idealized test masses or clocks. Here we solve this problem by introducing a class of states with minimal uncertainty in spacetime that fully overcome the delocalization. The relevant physics comes from minimizing the uncertainty between position and velocity, rather than position and momentum, while directly accounting for mass as an operator. Our results clarify the nature of composite particles, providing a currently missing theoretical tool with direct relevance for studies of joint foundations of quantum and relativistic phenomena, which removes a roadblock that could limit near-future quantum tests using composite particles.

Observers following special classes of finite-lifetime trajectories have been shown to experience an effective temperature, a generalisation of the Unruh temperature for uniformly accelerated observers. We consider a mirror following such a trajectory—and is hence localised to a strictly bounded causal diamond—that perfectly reflects incoming field modes. We find that inertial observers in the Minkowski vacuum detect particles along the half null-rays at the beginning and end of the mirror’s lifetime. These particle distributions exhibit multi-partite entanglement, which reveals novel structure within the vacuum correlations. The interaction is modelled using a non-perturbative circuit model and does not suffer from energy divergences.

Both quantum mechanics and general relativity are based on principles that defy our daily intuitions, such as time dilation, quantum interference and entanglement. Because the regimes where the two theories are typically tested are widely separated, their foundational principles are rarely jointly studied. Recent works have found that novel phenomena appear for quantum particles with an internal structure in the presence of time dilation, which can take place at low energies and in weak gravitational fields. Here we briefly review the effects of time dilation on quantum interference and generalize the results to a variety of systems. In addition, we provide an extended study of the basic principles of quantum theory and relativity that are of relevance for the effects and also address several questions that have been raised, such as the description in different reference frames, the role of the equivalence principle and the effective irreversibility of the decoherence. The manuscript clarifies some of the counterintuitive aspects arising when quantum phenomena and general relativistic effects are jointly considered.

Motivated by the recent efforts to describe the gravitational interaction as a classical channel arising from continuous quantum measurements, we study what types of dynamics can emerge from a collisional model of repeated interactions between a system and a set of ancillae. We show that contingent on the model parameters the resulting dynamics ranges from exact unitarity to arbitrarily fast decoherence (quantum Zeno effect). For a series of measurements the effective dynamics includes feedback-control, which for a composite system yields effective interactions between the subsystems. We quantify the amount of decoherence accompanying such induced interactions, generalizing the lower bound found for the gravitational example. However, by allowing multipartite measurements, we show that interactions can be induced with arbitrarily low decoherence. These results have implications for gravity-inspired decoherence models. Moreover, we show how the framework can include terms beyond the usual second-order approxiation, which can spark new quantum control or simulation protocols. Finally, within our simple approach we re-derive the quantum filtering equations for the different regimes of effective dynamics, which can facilitate new connections between different formulations of open systems.

Penetrating deep into the cells of the human body in real time has become increasingly possible with the implementation of modern technologies in medicine. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables the effective live imaging of cellular and molecular structures of biological samples (such as cells surfaces, components of biological membranes, cell nuclei, actin networks, proteins, and DNA) and provides three-dimensional surface visualization (in X-, Y-, and Z-planes). Furthermore, the AFM technique enables the study of the mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties of cells and cell organelles and the measurements of interaction forces between biomolecules. The technique has found wide application in cancer research. With the use of AFM, it is not only possible to differentiate between healthy and cancerous cells, but also to distinguish between the stages of cancerous conditions. For many years, AFM has been an important tool for the study of neurodegenerative diseases associated with the deposition of peptide amyloid plaques. In recent years, a significant amount of research has been conducted on the application of AFM in the evaluation of connective tissue cell mechanics. This review aims to provide the spectrum of the most important applications of the AFM technique in medicine to date.

Abstract Alopecia areata (AA) is a cell-mediated autoimmune disease in which a cytotoxic T-cell response against hair follicles occurs. AA has been demonstrated to frequently co-exist with atopic dermatitis (AD), and the coincidence of atopy predisposes to a more severe course of the disease. To date, therapeutic options in AA, especially in the pediatric population, are mainly limited to corticosteroids, irritants, sensitizers, and immunosuppressive agents. Recently, innovative therapies have emerged, among which Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, effective in both AD and AA, appear to be the most promising. Here, a 14-year-old girl with alopecia universalis (AU) and mild AD is demonstrated, who was successfully treated with a selective JAK1 inhibitor, upadacitinib, which has been approved for the treatment of AD in adults and children aged 12 years and older. Resolution of eczema and complete hair regrowth was achieved after 3 months of therapy. Apart from transient mild leukopenia at weeks 4 and 8, no adverse events were noted. Data in the literature on the efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in the treatment of AA in the pediatric population is based on single case reports and case series. So far, topical tofacitinib and ruxolitinib, as well as systemic tofacitinib, ruxolitinib, and baricitinib have been used off-label in this indication in children. Upadacitinib is another effective treatment option with a good benefit–risk ratio for patients with AA, including cases coexisting with AD.

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic condition characterized by the presence of nodular lesions accompanied by intense pruritus. The disease has been linked to several infectious factors, but data on the direct presence of microorganisms in the lesions of PN are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity and composition of the bacterial microbiome in PN lesions by targeting the region V3-V4 of 16S rRNA. Skin swabs were obtained from active nodules in 24 patients with PN, inflammatory patches of 14 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and corresponding skin areas of 9 healthy volunteers (HV). After DNA extraction, the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. Sequencing was performed using the Illumina platform on the MiSeq instrument. Operational taxonomic units (OTU) were identified. The identification of taxa was carried out using the Silva v.138 database. There was no statistically significant difference in the alpha-diversity (intra-sample diversity) between the PN, AD and HV groups. The beta-diversity (inter-sample diversity) showed statistically significant differences between the three groups on a global level and in paired analyses. Staphylococcus was significantly more abundant in samples from PN and AD patients than in controls. The difference was maintained across all taxonomic levels. The PN microbiome is highly similar to that of AD. It remains unclear whether the disturbed composition of the microbiome and the domination of Staphylococcus in PN lesions may be the trigger factor of pruritus and lead to the development of cutaneous changes or is a secondary phenomenon. Our preliminary results support the theory that the composition of the skin microbiome in PN is altered and justify further research on the role of the microbiome in this debilitating condition.

Abstract Eosinophilic annular erythema (EAE) is a rare condition with a chronic relapsing and remitting course, characterized by the presence of annular or polycyclic erythematous and plaque lesions and prominent tissue eosinophilia on histopathology. There is an ongoing discussion on whether EAE is a subset of Wells syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis) or a separate entity. To date, few cases of EAE have been reported in the literature; of these, about 40 cases were in adults and fewer than ten cases were in children. Given the rarity of this condition, there are no clear recommendations for its management. Systemic corticosteroids and antimalarials are the most commonly used medications used to treat EAE, but many cases have been reported in the literature that are resistant to treatment with these medications. Here, we present a 65-year-old female with EAE refractory to numerous systemic therapies (corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, dapsone, doxycycline, methotrexate) who showed a good response to mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-5. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of mepolizumab therapy in a patient with EAE. We also review other treatment strategies that have been used to manage this condition to date. Targeting cytokines crucial for the functioning of eosinophils may be a novel direction in the management of EAE, but prospective, double-blinded and placebo-controlled studies are needed to provide further evidence.

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, that often develops below the age of 18. In an integrated approach to childhood psoriasis, the impact of psoriasis on family members merits consideration. In this study, the impact of childhood psoriasis on caregivers (61 mothers and 4 fathers) of 65 children (age range 5-17.5 years) was measured using Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). Childhood psoriasis exerted a substantial impact on the QoL of caregivers (mean FDLQI 13.62±6.15 points). Caregivers rated routine household expenditure, time spent caring for the skin of the child, and emotional distress as the areas most impacted by psoriasis. The areas least affected were parent-child relationships, and caregivers’ social lives. The impact of other people’s reactions to the child’s disease was rated as more severe by caregivers of girls compared with those of boys (p=0.004).

Background and Objectives: Some respiratory viruses demonstrate neurotropic capacities. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has recently taken over the globe, causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on postural control in subjects who have recently recovered from the infection. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three convalescents who underwent COVID-19 within the preceding 2–4 weeks, and 35 healthy controls were enrolled. The ground reaction forces were registered with the use of a force platform during quiet standing. The analysis of the resultant center of foot pressure (COP) decomposed into rambling (RAMB) and trembling (TREMB) and sample entropy was conducted. Results: Range of TREMB was significantly increased in subjects who experienced anosmia/hyposmia during COVID-19 when the measurement was performed with closed eyes (p = 0.03). In addition, subjects who reported dyspnea during COVID-19 demonstrated significant increase of length and velocity of COP (p < 0.001), RAMB (p < 0.001), and TREMB (p < 0.001), indicating substantial changes in postural control. Conclusions: Subjects who had experienced olfactory dysfunction or respiratory distress during COVID-19 demonstrate symptoms of balance deficits after COVID-19 recovery, and the analysis using rambling-trembling decomposition method might point at less efficient peripheral control. Monitoring for neurological sequelae of COVID-19 should be considered.

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) is characterized by the extracellular deposition of amyloid in the skin without systemic involvement. It comprises several clinical variants, the most common of which are macular amyloidosis (MA) and lichen amyloidosis (LA). PCA is frequently observed in Asians, while it is considered to be very rare in Caucasians. In the latter population, the condition often poses a diagnostic challenge. Dermoscopy has already been proved to be a useful, non-invasive diagnostic tool in various non-neoplastic skin diseases. In the paper, we present three Caucasian patients (skin phototypes I–II) with histologically confirmed LA. Under dermoscopy, central white hubs with grayish-brown dots and globules were observed in all three cases. Vascular structures were present in two cases and had the morphology of red globules and thick, unfocused branching lines intersecting the white hubs. A comprehensive review of the literature retrieved twelve papers presenting the dermoscopic features of PCA, including five articles on the dermoscopy of LA. The vast majority of these studies have been conducted on the Asian population, and there is a lack of data on the dermoscopic findings for patients with skin type I or II. The literature review revealed that MA and LA share several dermoscopic similarities (the presence of a white central hub and grayish dots), but also display distinct features. Compared to the dermoscopic features of LA in darker skin phototypes, our patients presented less pronounced pigmentation and more evident vascular structures. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in order to reliably evaluate the dermoscopic features of PCA in various ethnicities.

Introduction . It is estimated that erythroderma affects about 1–2% of patients with psoriasis. Objective . To present a case of psoriatic erythroderma, which was effectively treated with cyclosporin A. Case report . A 31-year-old man was admitted to the department to treat erythroderma. Approximately 3 weeks prior to hospital admission he discontinued methotrexate treatment which, in addition with upper respiratory tract infection resulted in rapid recurrence of psoriatic lesions and development of erythroderma. Methotrexate 20 mg weekly was re-introduced to treat skin lesions. Despite such treatment, no satisfactory improvement was achieved. On the 13th day of hospitalization it was decided to start cyclosporin A (initially 200 mg/day, next increased to 300 mg/day). Cyclosporin A treatment was effective and well tolerated. Conclusions . Discontinuation of systemic treatment in patients with psoriasis may be associated with an exacerbation of the skin condition including erythroderma. Cyclosporin A is a valuable therapeutic option for patients with psoriatic erythroderma. The treatment is characterized by a rap­id onset of action, good efficacy and generally favourable safety profile.

Introduction . The number of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantations is increasing year by year. The most common long-term complication is chronic graft-versus-host disease, with skin involvement noted in over 90% of cases. Objective . To present and discuss skin lesions occurring in chronic graft-versus-host disease with a particular focus on available dermatological treatment modalities. Case report . A 45-year-old male patient, who received allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantations in December 2012, presented for the treatment of skin lesions secondary to chronic graft-versus-host disease. Clinical examination revealed hyperpigmented lichenoid eruption on the trunk; irregular patches of non-scarring alopecia; poikiloderma on the face and upper limbs; and sclerodermatous lesions on the hands with diffuse epidermal exfoliation on the palms and soles. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Treatment consisting of phototherapy and intensive topical treatment was introduced. Conclusions . Skin lesions secondary to chronic graft-versus-host disease may impair the daily functioning of post-transplant patients. Comprehensive therapeutic management should be based on the cooperation between haematologists and dermatologists.

Our data show that botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) didn’t influence motor functions in naïve and CCI-exposed rats, but diminished the neuropathic pain-related behavior. The results indicate that BoNT/A administration diminished the spinal Iba-1 positive cells activation and, in parallel, downregulated IL-1beta. Moreover, we observed that in DRG the protein level of pronociceptive factors (IL-1beta and IL-18) decreased and antinociceptive (IL-10 and IL-1RA) factors increased. Additionally, our behavioral analysis shows that chronic minocycline treatment together with a single BoNT/A injection in CCI-exposed rats has beneficial analgesic effects (M. Zychowska, E. Rojewska, W. Makuch, S. Luvisetto, F. Pavone, S. Marinelli, B. Przewlocka, J. Mika, 2016) [1].

Introduction . Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRI) are commonly used in the treatment of solid tumors. Cutaneous side effects occur in 80% of patients and are the most frequent adverse events. However, cicatricial alopecia is a rarely described side effect of EGFRI. Objective . To present cutaneous toxicities in a patient treated with erlotinib and underscore cicatricial alopecia, rarely described in the literature. Case report. We present a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and treated with erlotinib, who developed extensive papulo-pustular eruption with severe involvement of the scalp and cicatricial alopecia. Other adverse events included trichomegaly, paronychia, granuloma pyogenicum-like lesions, dryness of the skin and pruritus. Conclusions . Cicatricial alopecia in the presented patient may be a result of delayed introduction of dermatological treatment. Therefore, all dermatologists should be aware of treatment modalities of EGFRI-induced toxicities.

Dapsone has been used in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP) for over 50 years. According to the 2015 European Recommendations, the treatment of choice in BP are potent topical corticosteroids. In this article, we present data from the literature on the mechanism of action, efficacy and safety of dapsone in BP. After an extensive search of the PubMed database, we identified one systemic review and 7 nonrandomized clinical trials assessing the efficacy of dapson in BP. Data from the literature indicate that monotherapy with dapsone may be effective in 20–45.4% of BP cases. Combined treatment with dapsone and topical potent corticosteroids increases the efficacy up to 63–76%. The combination of oral corticosteroids and dapsone induces remission in 92–100% of cases. According to many authors, dapsone may be an effective and safe corticosteroid-sparing drug. Still there is a need for randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of different treatment options in BP cases.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder of a not fully understood pathophysiology. Microbial factors, although not precisely characterized, are speculated to contribute to the development of the condition. The aim of the current review was to summarize the rosacea-associated alterations in the skin, blood, and gut microbiome, investigated using culture-independent, metagenomic techniques. A systematic review of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases was performed, according to PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses) guidelines. Nine out of 185 papers were eligible for analysis. Skin microbiome was investigated in six studies, and in a total number of 115 rosacea patients. Blood microbiome was the subject of one piece of research, conducted in 10 patients with rosacea, and gut microbiome was studied in two papers, and in a total of 23 rosacea subjects. Although all of the studies showed significant alterations in the composition of the skin, blood, or gut microbiome in rosacea, the results were highly inconsistent, or even, in some cases, contradictory. Major limitations included the low number of participants, and different study populations (mainly Asians). Further studies are needed in order to reliably analyze the composition of microbiota in rosacea, and the potential application of microbiome modifications for the treatment of this dermatosis.

Current investigations underline the important roles of C–C motif ligands in the development of neuropathic pain; however, their participation in diabetic neuropathy is still undefined. Therefore, the goal of our study was to evaluate the participation of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1) family members (CCL3, CCL4, CCL9) in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mouse model of diabetic neuropathic pain. Single intrathecal administration of each MIP-1 member (10, 100, or 500 ng/5 μl) in naïve mice evoked hypersensitivity to mechanical (von Frey test) and thermal (cold plate test) stimuli. Concomitantly, protein analysis has shown that, 7 days following STZ injection, the levels of CCL3 and CCL9 (but not CCL4) are increased in the lumbar spinal cord. Performed additionally, immunofluorescence staining undoubtedly revealed that CCL3, CCL9, and their receptors (CCR1 and CCR5) are expressed predominantly by neurons. In vitro studies provided evidence that the observed expression of CCL3 and CCL9 may be partially of glial origin; however, this observation was only partially possible to confirm by immunohistochemical study. Single intrathecal administration of CCL3 or CCL9 neutralizing antibody (2 and 4 μg/5 μl) delayed neuropathic pain symptoms as measured at day 7 following STZ administration. Single intrathecal injection of a CCR1 antagonist (J113863; 15 and 20 μg/5 μl) also attenuated pain-related behavior as evaluated at day 7 after STZ. Both neutralizing antibodies, as well as the CCR1 antagonist, enhanced the effectiveness of morphine in STZ-induced diabetic neuropathy. These findings highlight the important roles of CCL3 and CCL9 in the pathology of diabetic neuropathic pain and suggest that they play pivotal roles in opioid analgesia.

Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used in dermatology, mainly in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Gastrointestinal disorders, mouth ulcerations, malaise, hair loss, hepatic dysfunction and bone marrow suppression are the most common adverse effects of MTX therapy. The occurrence of side effects is suggested to be the main reason for discontinuation of the therapy. Supplementation with folates seems to be a good strategy in limiting adverse effects; however, excessive doses may decrease the efficacy of MTX therapy. Currently, there are no consistent recommendations for folate supplementation in psoriatic patients. An extensive PubMed search (1960 – March 2014) revealed only a few studies, with one randomized controlled trial concerning the impact of folate supplementation in patients with psoriasis. These studies support the protective effect of folate supplementation and suggest that folic acid may reduce gastrointestinal disturbances. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, should be performed.

Udar mózgu stanowi trzecią co do częstości, po chorobach serca i nowotworach, przyczynę zgonów oraz najczęstszą przyczynę trwałej niesprawności u osób powyżej 40. roku życia. Złośliwy zespół z zakresu unaczynienia tętnicy środkowej mózgu (MCA) cechuje się bardzo złym rokowaniem, w którym śmiertelność sięga 80% przy standardowym sposobie postępowania leczniczego. Leczenie farmakologiczne nie jest zwykle skuteczne w terapii tego zespołu. Niekiedy zaleca się również inne metody, takie jak leczenie neurochirurgiczne lub stosowanie hipotermii. Hemikraniektomia polega na zdję- ciu fragmentu pokrywy czaszki w celu umożliwienia swobodnego powiększania się obrzękniętej tkanki mózgowej i obni- żenia ciśnienia wewnątrzczaszkowego. Zbiorcza analiza trzech europejskich randomizowanych badań wieloośrodkowych wykazała, że hemikraniektomia w złośliwym udarze mózgu z rejonu unaczynienia MCA może zwiększyć szansę przeżycia i poprawić stan funkcjonalny pacjentów poddanych temu zabiegowi w ciągu 48 godzin od wystąpienia pierwszych objawów. Pojęciem hipotermii określa się ciepłotę ciała poniżej 35°C. W leczeniu może znaleźć zastosowanie jedynie hipotermia łagodna do umiarkowanej, co oznacza, że ciepłota ciała powinna mieścić się w przedziale 34-32°C. Niektóre badania wskazują, iż hipotermia do 33°C stosowana przez 72 godziny pozwala zmniejszyć śmiertelność chorych do 44%. Stosowanie hemikraniektomii i hipotermii może w znaczący sposób wpływać na zmniejszenie śmiertelności i poprawienie stanu funkcjonalnego pacjentów z ciężkim udarem niedokrwiennym mózgu. Należy jednak mieć świadomość, że dotychczasowe wyniki badań są często niewystarczające i istnieje potrzeba przeprowadzenia dalszych dużych badań klinicznych.

General relativity allows for the existence of closed time-like curves, along which a material object could travel back in time and interact with its past self. This possibility raises the question whether certain initial conditions, or more generally local operations, lead to inconsistencies and should thus be forbidden. Here we consider the most general deterministic dynamics connecting classical degrees of freedom defined on a set of bounded space-time regions, requiring that it is compatible with arbitrary operations performed in the local regions. We find that any such dynamics can be realised through reversible interactions. We further find that consistency with local operations is compatible with non-trivial time travel: three parties can interact in such a way to be all both in the future and in the past of each other, while being free to perform arbitrary local operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain treatment remains challenging due to ineffective therapy and resistance to opioid analgesia. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) have been identified as the crucial regulators of pro- and antinociceptive factors. We used PD98059, an inhibitor of the MAPKK family members MEK1/2. The aim of study was to examine the influence of single and/or repeated PD98059 on nociception and opioid effectiveness in neuropathy. Moreover, we examined how PD98059 influences selected members of cellular pathways and cytokines. The PD98059 (2.5 mcg) was intrathecally preemptively administered before chronic constriction injury (CCI), and then once daily for 7 days. Additionally, at day 7 after CCI the PD98059-treated rats received a single injection of opioids. Using Western blot and qRT-PCR techniques in PD98059-treated rats we analyzed the mRNA and/or protein level of p38, ERK1/2, JNK, NF-kappaB, IL-1beta, IL-6, iNOS and IL-10 in the lumbar spinal cord. Our results indicate that PD98059 has an analgesic effects and potentiates morphine and/or buprenorphine analgesia. Parallel we observed that PD98059 inhibit upregulation of the CCI-elevated p38, ERK1/2, JNK and NF-kappaB protein levels. Moreover, PD98059 also prevented increase of pro- (IL-1beta, IL-6, and iNOS) but enhances anti-nociceptive (IL-10) factors. Summing up, PD98059 diminished pain and increased the effectiveness of opioids in neuropathy. The inhibition of MEKs might inactivate a variety of cell signaling pathways that are implicated in nociception.

The mechanism involved in the development of diabetic neuropathy is complex. Currently, it is thought that chemokines play an important role in this process. The aim of this study was to determine how the level of some chemokines from the CXC subfamily varies in diabetic neuropathy and how the chemokines affect nociceptive transmission. A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 200 mg/kg) resulted in an increased plasma glucose. The development of allodynia and hyperalgesia was measured at day 7 after STZ administration. Using Antibody Array techniques, the increases in CXCL1 (KC), CXCL5 (LIX), CXCL9 (MIG), and CXCL12 (SDF-1) protein levels were detected in STZ-injected mice. No changes in CXCL11 (I-TAC) or CXCL13 (BLC) protein levels were observed. The single intrathecal (i.t.) administration of CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL12 (each in doses of 10, 100, and 500 ng/5 μL) shows their pronociceptive properties as measured 1, 4, and 24 hours after injection using the tail-flick, von Frey, and cold plate tests. These findings indicate that the chemokines CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL12 are important in nociceptive transmission and may play a role in the development of diabetic neuropathy.

It is currently believed that there is no experimental evidence on possibly quantum features of gravity or gravity-motivated modifications of quantum mechanics. Here we show that single-atom interference experiments achieving large spatial superpositions can rule out a framework where the Newtonian gravitational interaction is fundamentally classical in the information-theoretic sense: it cannot convey entanglement. Specifically, in this framework gravity acts pairwise between massive particles via classical channels, which effectively induce approximately Newtonian forces between the masses. The experiments indicate that if gravity does reduce to the pairwise Newtonian interaction between atoms at low energies, this interaction cannot arise from the exchange of just classical information, and in principle has the capacity to create entanglement. We clarify that, contrary to current belief, the classical-channel description of gravity differs from the model of Diosi and Penrose, which is not constrained by the same data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain elevates spinal anandamide (AEA) levels in a way further increased when URB597, an inhibitor of AEA hydrolysis by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), is injected intrathecally. Spinal AEA reduces neuropathic pain by acting at both cannabinoid CB1 receptors and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels. Yet, intrathecal URB597 is only partially effective at counteracting neuropathic pain. We investigated the effect of high doses of intrathecal URB597 on allodynia and hyperalgesia in rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Among those tested, the 200 µg/rat dose of URB597 was the only one that elevated the levels of the FAAH non-endocannabinoid and anti-inflammatory substrates, oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and of the endocannabinoid FAAH substrate, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and fully inhibited thermal and tactile nociception, although in a manner blocked almost uniquely by TRPV1 antagonism. Surprisingly, this dose of URB597 decreased spinal AEA levels. RT-qPCR and western blot analyses demonstrated altered spinal expression of lipoxygenases (LOX), and baicalein, an inhibitor of 12/15-LOX, significantly reduced URB597 analgesic effects, suggesting the occurrence of alternative pathways of AEA metabolism. Using immunofluorescence techniques, FAAH, 15-LOX and TRPV1 were found to co-localize in dorsal spinal horn neurons of CCI rats. Finally, 15-hydroxy-AEA, a 15-LOX derivative of AEA, potently and efficaciously activated the rat recombinant TRPV1 channel. We suggest that intrathecally injected URB597 at full analgesic efficacy unmasks a secondary route of AEA metabolism via 15-LOX with possible formation of 15-hydroxy-AEA, which, together with OEA and PEA, may contribute at producing TRPV1-mediated analgesia in CCI rats.

Several human malignancies are associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and more than 95% of the adult human population carries this virus lifelong. EBV efficiently infects human B cells and persists in this cellular compartment latently. EBV-infected B cells become activated and growth transformed, express a characteristic set of viral latent genes, and acquire the status of proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines in vitro. Because EBV infects only primate cells, it has not been possible to establish a model of infection in immunocompetent rodents. Such a model would be most desirable in order to study EBV's pathogenesis and latency in a suitable and amenable host.We stably introduced recombinant EBV genomes into mouse embryonic stem cells and induced their differentiation to B cells in vitro to develop the desired model. In vitro differentiated murine B cells maintained the EBV genomes but expression of viral genes was restricted to the latent membrane proteins (LMPs). In contrast to human B cells, EBV's nuclear antigens (EBNAs) were not expressed detectably and growth transformed murine B cells did not arise in vitro. Aberrant splicing and premature termination of EBNA mRNAs most likely prevented the expression of EBNA genes required for B-cell transformation.Our findings indicate that fundamental differences in gene regulation between mouse and man might block the route towards a tractable murine model for EBV.