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ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to identify allergenic cross-reacting allergens in patients with inhalation and food allergy using molecular diagnostics ISAC test. The study group consisted of 50 adult patients. The control group contained 20 healthy people. In the study group 92% patients were found to have the asIgE component responsible for cross-allergy between plant pollens and foods. The presence of asIgE was the most common for the Bet v 1 component. AsIgE was also detected for the component responsible for the presence of a true allergy to 26% patients. A statistically significant frequency of sensitization to 12 cross-reactive components was demonstrated, 10 of them belonged to the PR-10 proteins. An allergy profile of the studied population was created based on the ISAC results. The results of the study suggest that cross-reactions are the main cause of food allergy, and their frequency rises with increased sensitization to inhaled allergens.

In this study, a series of four surface-active compounds—N-alkyl betaine ethyl ester chlorides, CnBetC2Cl—were synthesized and characterized in aqueous solutions. As with other alkyl betaines, these amphiphiles can be practically used, for example, as co-surfactants and/or solubility enhancers acting according to hydrotropic or micellar mechanisms, depending on the alkyl chain length in the amine. We focused on the representatives of the medium alkyl chain length (C6–C12) to find the dependence between the alkyl chain length in N-alkyl betaine ethyl ester chlorides and the surface, volumetric, acoustic, and viscometric properties of their solutions. Ethyl esters, the derivatives of amino acids, were chosen to increase functionality and take advantage of possible hydrolysis in solutions at higher pH, which is also a key parameter in biodegradability. The micellization parameters were calculated based on the physicochemical characteristics. We focused our interest on the ester with a dodecyl substituent since we can compare and discuss its properties with some other C12 representatives that are available in literature. Surprisingly, its micellization characteristic is almost temperature-independent in the investigated temperature range, t = (15–45) °C. Particularly interesting are the results of dynamic light scattering (DLS), which show that the changes in physicochemical parameters of the C12 homolog around the CMC are caused by the two types of micelles of different sizes present in solutions.

In response to the persistent challenge of heavy and noble metal environmental contamination, our research explores a new idea to capture silver through porous spherical silica nanostructures. The aim was realized using microwave radiation at varying power (P = 150 or 800 W) and exposure times (t = 60 or 150 s). It led to the development of a silica surface with enhanced metal-capture capacity. The microwave-assisted silica surface modification influences the notable changes within the carrier but also enforces the crystallization process of silver nanoparticles with different morphology, structure, and chemical composition. Microwave treatment can also stimulate the formation of core–shell bioactive Ag/Ag2CO3 heterojunctions. Due to the silver nanoparticles’ sphericity and silver carbonate’s presence, the modified nanocomposites exhibited heightened toxicity against common microorganisms, such as E. coli and S. epidermidis. Toxicological assessments, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) determinations, underscored the efficacy of the nanocomposites. This research represents a significant stride in addressing pollution challenges. It shows the potential of microwave-modified silicas in the fight against environmental contamination. Microwave engineering underscores a sophisticated approach to pollution remediation and emphasizes the pivotal role of nanotechnology in shaping sustainable solutions for environmental stewardship.

In the current study, it was hypothesized that the addition of strawberry polyphenol-rich fractions to a high-fructose diet mitigates disorders in liver functions, lipid metabolism, and in the antioxidant and pro-inflammatory status of rats. Therefore, a fraction rich in ellagitannins and proanthocyanidins (EP), and a fraction containing compounds of both mentioned classes of polyphenols and additionally anthocyanins (EPA), in doses of 0.28 and 0.70 g/100 g, respectively, were added to a standard or a high-fructose diet administered to rats for six weeks. The EPA fraction was more beneficial in alleviating the consequences of consuming excess fructose in the diet than the EP fraction. Probably, that fraction containing considerable amounts of carbohydrates was more extensively metabolized by intestinal bacteria, which resulted in higher levels of cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as well as cecal and urinal ellagitannin metabolites. As a further consequence, diet supplementation with the EPA fraction caused more favorable changes in the levels of serum interleukin 6 and serum antioxidant capacity of water-soluble substances (ACW), in atherogenicity index lg((triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), hepatic oxidized glutathione as well as reduced to oxidized glutathione ratio). Efforts should be made to develop strawberry polyphenol-rich preparations containing the preferred anthocyanins, which is, however, difficult due to the instability of this class of phenolic compounds during the technological process.

Human life begins at the moment of conception. According to science the fetus is a human being, and as such obtains the right to life and all the other human rights, from the very moment of conception. To respect these rights, it is crucial to prepare parents for their parenthood in mental, physical and financial aspects, both in their private life and in medical field. The vital aspects in perinatal care are: proper pregnant women care, access to professional examination, three-level prenatal care system as well as promoting healthy nutrition and life style. In case of perinatal diagnosis indicating a fetal disease, an attempt can be made to treat an ill child during pregnancy and to plan the child’s delivery in a highly – specialized medical centre, where the newborn can obtain appropriate help just after birth. If, however, the modern medicine is not able to help, the child’s parents should be well prepared for the bad ending of the pregnancy, including the baby’s death. According to current Polish law the woman (the mother) or both parents – are not allowed to make a decision to terminate pregnancy in case of congenital defect causing impairment or incurable disease in a child. Due to that fact, the parents’, especially mother’s acceptance of continuation of the pregnancy after negative prenatal diagnosis seems to be of vital importance. Child care is a basic test of human attitude towards one another. The right to life is the basic human right. It is not an issue of a worldview or a religious law, as some public opinion may claim. Helping parents in accepting continuation of the pregnancy in case of fetal defect involves professional medical as well as psychological, psychotherapeutic, pedagogical and spiritual help.

This study investigated the effect of low-intensity blue light on the albino Wistar rat retina, including intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Three groups of nine albino Wistar rats were used. One group was continuously exposed to blue light (150 lx) for 2 d (STE); one was exposed to 12 h of blue light and 12 h of darkness for 10 d (LTE); one was maintained in 12 h of white light (150 lx) and 12 h of darkness for 10 d (control). Melanopsin (Opn4) was immunolabelled on retinal whole-mounts. To count and measure Opn4-positive ipRGC somas and dendrites (including Sholl profiles), Neuron J was used. Retinal cryosections were immunolabeled for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling for apoptosis detection. LTE reduced the length of Opn4-positive ipRGC dendrites (p = 0.03) and decreased Opn4-immunoreactivity in ipRGC outer stratifying dendrites. LTE and STE decreased the complexity of dendritic arborization (Sholl profile; p < 0.001, p = 0.03, respectively), increased retinal GFAP immunoreactivity (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively), and caused outer segment vesiculation and outer nuclear layer apoptosis. Ultrastructural analysis showed that LTE damaged mitochondria in retinal ganglion cells and in the inner plexiform layer. Thus, LTE to low-intensity blue light harms the retinas of albino Wistar rats.

Background: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a plasma cell tumor that is very rarely reported in ocular and adnexal tissue and is usually solitary and benign. Methods: This study evaluated seven cases from different ophthalmology referrals submitted for histopathological analysis between 2013 and 2022. Results: EMPs were diagnosed in a 9-year-old domestic short-haired cat and in six dogs (median age, 10 years): three English Cocker Spaniels, a Golden Retriever, a Maltese, and a Pinscher. EMPs affected the third eyelid conjunctiva in five cases (5/7), followed by the superior bulbar (1/7) and palpebral conjunctivae (1/7), respectively, and were presented mostly as well-defined, salmon-colored nodules. Histopathologically, the masses were composed of sheets and packets of round cells morphologically consistent with mature plasma cells with mild anisocytosis and anisokaryosis; mitosis and binucleated giant cells were rarely observed. Follow up for 6/7 cases ranged from 6 months to 2 years. No signs of recurrence or systemic involvement (multiple myeloma) were observed. Conclusions: EMP should be included in the differential diagnoses of canine and feline conjunctival masses. Staging recommendations should include multiple myeloma diagnostic evaluation. Our results suggest that primary conjunctival EMP does not appear to be locally aggressive and has low systemic involvement behavior. The local surgical excision alone or combined with cryotherapy should be curative.

Background Despite being highly preventable and treatable if diagnosed early, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe. Limited information is available from the patient perspective on the persisting unmet needs of the journey of the patient with CRC.Objective To capture European metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients’ insights during the patient journey (prediagnosis; diagnosis; postdiagnosis) through a patient survey.Methods In total, 883 patients from 15 European countries participated. Participants were divided into four groups from Hungary, Poland, Serbia and ‘other European countries’ (n=103, 163, 170 and 447 patients, respectively).Results General awareness of CRC and its symptoms prediagnosis varied among groups, with patients from Poland recording the lowest levels. Screening practices and attitudes also varied; while more patients from Serbia had been invited to CRC screening (~15%) compared with the other groups, the ones not invited claimed mostly (~20%) that would not have attended if they had been invited. Whereas most patients were diagnosed within a month after the first consultation/positive screening, the percentages varied substantially being lowest among patients in Poland (~30%) and Serbia (~25%). Although CRC-related information provision varied, with most informed patients from Hungary (~90%) and least from Serbia (~50%), all groups requested an easier-to-understand language by the healthcare team. Approximately 50% of patients from Eastern Europe had to wait longer than a month to receive treatment, in contrast to ~30% from other European countries. All groups emphasised the unmet need for support from psychologists and other patients.Conclusions Our survey reveals the key aspects of the journey of the patient with mCRC and highlights the areas of similarities and differences between patients with mCRC from Eastern Europe versus those from other European countries as well as among patients from different Eastern European countries, calling for improvement particularly around awareness, screening, treatment availability, communication and support networks.

In every aspect of human life, we encounter value analysis, and the value system has a definite impact on social life and education. Hierarchical ordering of values (taken from the family home) is a condition for greater activity of young people in matters that are socially and morally important. Values in social life are desirable and valuable. The changes that took place in Poland after 1989, as well as the previously propagated Marxist ideology had an impact on the lives of families and raising children. The destruction of values concerned and often concerns the national, social and religious dimensions. The laicization of life and the adoption of a consumer model of life appeared. Specific changes concerned the value of the family and family home. The breakup and dysfunction of the family, conflicts in generations mean that children run away from home, and the peer group and its subculture become a role model. In this way, the basic culture-forming role of the family home breaks down. The modern family has become “open” and “receptive” to everything that reaches her from the outside. There were tendencies to achieve a high material standard and to gain free time. The divorce rate and the so-called extramarital communities of life. The crisis has seriously embraced the educational function of a family home. Some of the children growing up in the family accept the parents’ morality, but alternative forms of moral life are also emerging. Mass media have a special role in rebuilding the value system. They influence people, especially the young generation. The patterns and behaviors conveyed in them are often uncritically imitated, and it is difficult to find a positive attitude towards such values as God, religion, homeland, upbringing, and self-improvement. The crisis of upbringing primarily affected such values as authority and discipline. Young people are starting to lack values, norms and patterns regulating their behavior. Often, what is possible and what is not blurred, which life plans are real and which are not. Good educators who can show real life values but also show goals in life can be helpful here. Raising by both parents, grandparents and teachers is to help in the socialization of the young generation. This is done primarily through the assimilation of social values and norms, assistance in adopting and fulfilling social roles, and in shaping conscience. Education should introduce into cultural reality, and help a young person discover himself as a person, his personal values, both vital, intellectual, aesthetic and moral. For a young person to be useful to society, he or she should be characterized not only by creative individuality, but also by the ability to cooperate and be responsible for others. When parental education increases, it often has educational failure and a lack of understanding of the needs of the offspring. Filling this emptiness is also a challenge for educators and educators who can show young people true values and thus help find the meaning of life.

We hypothesised that the dietary addition of the bioactive antimicrobial protein lactoferrin (LF) and peptides melittin (MT) or cecropin A (CR) at a dosage of 100 mg/kg to the diet of Wistar rats would result in strong modulatory effects on faecal microbial enzymatic activity, short-chain fatty acid and ammonia concentrations. To date, the changes in bacterial extracellular and intracellular enzymatic activities upon addition of dietary AMPs have not yet been studied. This experiment lasted 15 days; during the first 5 day period, the rats were fed the control diet (S) and diets supplemented with LF, MT or CR. On days 6–15, all rats were fed the control S diet. The faecal fermentation processes were substantially stopped after two days of treatment, on average, in all rats receiving LF and two AMPs. The deepest suppression effect was observed on the last day of treatment (day 5) and persisted through days 5–8. The highest decreases in faecal bacterial β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase activities as well as in SCFA and ammonia concentrations were observed in the rats fed the CR diet. Only in the CR animals did the mechanism of suppressed microbial fermentation involve diminished enzyme release from bacterial cells to the digesta.

This study aimed to document normal ophthalmic findings and ocular anomalies in captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and to establish reference intervals for the Schirmer tear test-1 (STT) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Sixty healthy adult lemurs (22 females, 38 males) aged from 6 months to 28 years underwent ophthalmic examination. Direct illumination, STT, diffuse and slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fluorescein dye test, IOP measurement, and indirect ophthalmoscopy were performed on each eye. Reference intervals were calculated non-parametrically for STT and IOP. The eyes of three lemurs, which had died from unrelated reasons, were examined histopathologically. The median STT in the lemurs was 9 mm/minute, with an estimated 95% reference interval of 2–15 mm/minute. The median IOP was 18 mmHg, with an estimated 95% reference interval of 11–24 mm Hg. Ophthalmic abnormalities were noted in 21 of 120 (17.5%) eyes, including third eyelid laceration, corneal leukoma, cataracts, chronic uveitis, and vitreous degeneration. Reference intervals of physiological ophthalmic parameters and the most common ophthalmic findings are defined and can be useful for clinical veterinarians during the eye examinations of ring-tailed lemurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a comprehensive study of the photophysical behaviour of heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes with imidazo[4,5- f ][1,10]phenanthroline (imphen) as an ancillary ligand, represented by the general formula [Ir(N∩C) 2 (imphen)]PF 6 . As cyclometalating ligands, 2-phenylpyridine (Hppy), 2-phenylquinoline (Hpquin), 2-phenylbenzothiazole (Hpbztz), and 2-(2-pyridyl)benzothiophene (pybzthH) were used. The impact of structural modifications of cyclometalating ligands was widely explored by a combination of steady-state and time-resolved optical techniques accompanied by theoretical calculations. We evidenced that the cyclometalating ligands induce essential changes in the nature of the emissive excited state and the emission characteristics of [Ir(N∩C) 2 (imphen)]PF 6 . While the complex [Ir(ppy) 2 (imphen)]PF 6 (1) is a typical 3 MLLCT emitter, the lowest triplet states of [Ir(pquin) 2 (imphen)]PF 6 (2), [Ir(pbztz) 2 (imphen)]PF 6 (3) and [Ir(pybzth) 2 (imphen)]PF 6 (4) have a predominant 3 LC N∩C character. The phosphorescence colour of the investigated Ir(III) complexes changes from greenish-yellow to red, their quantum yields vary from 56 to 2%, and their triplet excited-state lifetimes fall in the 743-3840 ns range. The highest photoluminescence quantum yield was revealed for 2 in CH 2 Cl 2 , while complex 3 in MeCN shows the most pronounced increase in the lifetime. Both complexes 2 and 3 show an increased efficiency of singlet oxygen generation. The herein discussed structure-property relationships are of high significance for controlling photoinduced processes in heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes with the imphen-based ancillary ligand, and making further progress in effectively tuning the emission energies, quantum yields and excited-state lifetimes of these systems by structural modifications of cyclometalating ligands, especially the π-conjugation, the position of the N-donor and the presence of sulfur heteroatoms.

Iron plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes. However, the impact of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in combination with iron chelators on iron metabolism and the efficacy of ALA-photodynamic therapy (PDT) remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to examine the effect of thiosemicarbazone derivatives during ALA treatment on specific genes related to iron metabolism, with a particular emphasis on mitochondrial iron metabolism genes. In our study, we observed differences depending on the cell line studied. For the HCT116 and MCF-7 cell lines, in most cases, the decrease in the expression of selected targets correlated with the increase in protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) concentration and the observed photodynamic effect, aligning with existing literature data. The Hs683 cell line showed a different gene expression pattern, previously not described in the literature. In this study, we collected an extensive analysis of the gene variation occurring after the application of novel thiosemicarbazone derivatives and presented versatile and effective compounds with great potential for use in ALA-PDT.

In this study, a series of four surface-active compounds- N -alkyl betaine ethyl ester chlorides, C n BetC 2 Cl-were synthesized and characterized in aqueous solutions. As with other alkyl betaines, these amphiphiles can be practically used, for example, as co-surfactants and/or solubility enhancers acting according to hydrotropic or micellar mechanisms, depending on the alkyl chain length in the amine. We focused on the representatives of the medium alkyl chain length (C 6 -C 12 ) to find the dependence between the alkyl chain length in N -alkyl betaine ethyl ester chlorides and the surface, volumetric, acoustic, and viscometric properties of their solutions. Ethyl esters, the derivatives of amino acids, were chosen to increase functionality and take advantage of possible hydrolysis in solutions at higher pH, which is also a key parameter in biodegradability. The micellization parameters were calculated based on the physicochemical characteristics. We focused our interest on the ester with a dodecyl substituent since we can compare and discuss its properties with some other C 12 representatives that are available in literature. Surprisingly, its micellization characteristic is almost temperature-independent in the investigated temperature range, t = (15-45) °C. Particularly interesting are the results of dynamic light scattering (DLS), which show that the changes in physicochemical parameters of the C 12 homolog around the CMC are caused by the two types of micelles of different sizes present in solutions.

In response to the persistent challenge of heavy and noble metal environmental contamination, our research explores a new idea to capture silver through porous spherical silica nanostructures. The aim was realized using microwave radiation at varying power (P = 150 or 800 W) and exposure times (t = 60 or 150 s). It led to the development of a silica surface with enhanced metal-capture capacity. The microwave-assisted silica surface modification influences the notable changes within the carrier but also enforces the crystallization process of silver nanoparticles with different morphology, structure, and chemical composition. Microwave treatment can also stimulate the formation of core-shell bioactive Ag/Ag 2 CO 3 heterojunctions. Due to the silver nanoparticles' sphericity and silver carbonate's presence, the modified nanocomposites exhibited heightened toxicity against common microorganisms, such as E. coli and S. epidermidis . Toxicological assessments, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) determinations, underscored the efficacy of the nanocomposites. This research represents a significant stride in addressing pollution challenges. It shows the potential of microwave-modified silicas in the fight against environmental contamination. Microwave engineering underscores a sophisticated approach to pollution remediation and emphasizes the pivotal role of nanotechnology in shaping sustainable solutions for environmental stewardship.

The objective of this research was to develop a surface modification for the NiTi shape memory alloy, thereby enabling its long-term application in implant medicine. This was achieved through the creation of innovative multifunctional hybrid layers comprising a nanometric molecular system of silver-rutile (Ag-TiO 2 ), known for its antibacterial properties, in conjunction with bioactive submicro- and nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp). The multifunctional, continuous, crack-free coatings were produced using the electrophoretic deposition method (EPD) at 20 V/1 min. Structural and morphological analyses through Raman spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided comprehensive insights into the obtained coating. The silver within the layer existed in the form of nanometric silver carbonates (Ag 2 CO 3 ) and metallic nanosilver. Based on DTA/TG results, dilatometric measurements, and high-temperature microscopy, the heat treatment temperature for the deposited layers was set at 800 °C for 2 h. The procedures applied resulted in the creation of a new generation of materials with a distinct structure compared with the initial nanopowders. The resulting composite layer, measuring 2 μm in thickness, comprised hydroxyapatite (HAp), apatite carbonate (CHAp), metallic silver, silver oxides, Ag@C, and rutile exhibiting a defective structure. This structural characteristic contributes significantly to its heightened activity, influencing both bioactivity and biocompatibility properties.

Heavy metals and other organic pollutants burden the environment, and their removal or neutralization is still inadequate. The great potential for development in this area includes porous, spherical silica nanostructures with a well-developed active surface and open porosity. In this context, we modified the surface of silica spheres using a microwave field (variable power and exposure time) to increase the metal uptake potential and build stable bioactive Ag 2 O/Ag 2 CO 3 heterojunctions. The results showed that the power of the microwave field (P = 150 or 700 W) had a more negligible effect on carrier modification than time (t = 60 or 150 s). The surface-activated and silver-loaded silica carrier features like morphology, structure, and chemical composition correlate with microbial and antioxidant enzyme activity. We demonstrated that the increased sphericity of silver nanoparticles enormously increased toxicity against E. coli , B. cereus , and S. epidermidis . Furthermore, such structures negatively affected the antioxidant defense system of E. coli , B. cereus , and S. epidermidis through the induction of oxidative stress, leading to cell death. The most robust effects were found for nanocomposites in which the carrier was treated for an extended period in a microwave field.