The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the qualitative abnormalities on nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), and the concentrations of selected biomarkers (sE-selectin, ...endothelin-1, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP)) and lipid metabolism parameters in children and adolescents with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Raynaud's phenomenon, to assess whether nailfold capillary changes may reflect the degree of systemic blood vessel abnormalities. The study group included 66 patients (34 undifferentiated-uRP and 32 secondary-sRP) aged 6-19 years and the control group. In both groups, NVC was performed and the selected biomarkers were measured (sE-selectin, endothelin-1, hsCRP) and lipid profile. Endothelin-1, sE-selectin and hsCRP concentrations in patients from both RP groups were significantly higher; concentration of HDL fraction was significantly lower compared with the control group. The analysis of multiple linear regression demonstrated that megacapillaries most strongly determine the sE-selectin value (
= 0.04) and hsCRP (
= 0.03). Both the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction concentrations were determined by the presence of avascular areas (
= 0.02). In conclusion, specific pathologic NVC changes were associated with higher endothelial damage biomarkers concentration and adverse changes in the lipid profile.
Objective
(1) To assess long-term outcomes 4 years following guided tissue regeneration (GTR) of intrabony defects in patients diagnosed with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and (2) to identify ...predictors of clinical attachment level (CAL) gain and bone/graft density gain.
Materials and methods
In 15 patients, two deep intrabony defects were randomly treated with xenogenic graft plus modified perforated membranes (MPM, tests) or xenogenic graft plus standard collagen membranes (CM, controls). After 4 years, clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated and compared with outcomes at baseline and after 1 year.
Results
After 4 years, 14 test sites and 13 control sites were available for analysis. One tooth was lost as a result of root fracture. There were significant improvements in all evaluated parameters after 1 and 4 years in relation to baseline, but no differences were observed between tests and controls. However, some non-significant changes were found between 1 and 4 years. Regression analyses showed that recurrence of periodontitis was a significant predictor for CAL gain (
p
= 0.001) and bone/graft density gain (
p
= 0.024) from 1 to 4 years.
Conclusions
GTR of intrabony defects in AgP with either standard or modified CM yielded similarly successful and maintainable clinical benefits for compromised teeth 4 years following the surgery. The use of MPM showed no additional benefit.
Clinical relevance
This study demonstrates that most of the positive outcomes of GTR in AgP may be preserved over 4 years. Periodontitis recurrence might influence long-term outcomes.
Currently, mobile phones and Wi-Fi are the most commonly used forms of telecommunication. The popularity of mobile telecommunications has made it necessary to investigate the problem more ...comprehensively and cautiously assess the possible risks, because never before in history has such a substantial proportion of the population been exposed to microwaves at comparably high levels. Some studies indicate that the high frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phone and Wi-Fi connections can have a negative effect on human health, and can cause cancer.
The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the radiofrquency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the metaboloc activity and morphology of normal human cells (fibroblasts) and cancer cells (prostate cancer cells).
The cell cultures (human fibroblasts and prostate cancer cells) were exposed to RF-EMF at the frequency of 2.5 GHz for 24, 48 and 72h. To quantify changes in cell viability, the Cell Counting Kit - 8 was used.
It was found that the RF electromagnetic field exposure caused a significant decrease in the viability of fibroblasts, and a significant increase in cancer cells. Morphological analysis did not show significant changes in both cell lines after exposure to RF-EMF.
On the basis of the obtained results, the hypothesis can be formulated that a high frequency electromagnetic field can have harmful effects on human cells.
Introduction: The effect of two smear staining methods on the dimensions and shape of sperm cells in the semen of domestic pigs was evaluated. Material and Methods: The studies were carried out on 30 ...ejaculates collected from 15 boars, which included five Duroc boars, five Pietrain boars, and five hybrid Duroc × Pietrain boars. Each ejaculate was next sampled to make two microscopic slides, of which one was stained with eosin-nigrosin and the other with eosin-gentian dye. In total, 600 measurements of sperm cells were made. Each sperm was measured for the following morphometric parameters: head length, head width, head area, head perimeter, tail length, and the total sperm length. Results: Sperms measured on slides stained with eosin-nigrosin showed lower dimensions as compared with those stained with the eosin-gentian dye method. Sperm stained with eosin-nigrosin had shorter and narrower heads than sperm stained with eosin-gentian dye. The method of staining, therefore, affected not only the dimensions of the sperm, but also the proportions of the dimensions defining the shape of the sperm. Conclusions: The size and shape parameters in porcine sperm may take on different values depending on the method of semen staining. Sperm cells stained with eosin-nigrosin are smaller than the sperm stained with eosin-gentian dye. The sensitivity of the sperm to the type of dye used for the fixation may be associated with genetic factors.
To indicate predictors of witnessed hypothermic cardiac arrest.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 182 patients with severe accidental hypothermia (i.e., with core body temperature of ≤28 °C) ...who presented with preserved spontaneous circulation at first contact with medical services. We divided the study population into two groups: patients who suffered hypothermic cardiac arrest (HCA) at any time between encounter with medical service and restoration of normothermia, and those who did not sustain HCA. The analyzed outcome was the occurrence of cardiac arrest prior to achieving normothermia. Hemodynamic and biochemical parameters were analyzed with regard to their association with the outcome.
Fifty-two (29%) patients suffered HCA. In a univariable analysis, four variables were significantly associated with the outcome, namely heart rate (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), ventricular arrhythmia (p = 0.001), and arterial oxygen partial pressure (p = 0.002). In the multivariable logistic regression the best model predicting HCA included heart rate, PaO2, and Base Excess (AUROC = 0.78). In prehospital settings, when blood gas analysis is not available, other multivariable model including heart rate and occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (AUROC = 0.74) can be used. In this study population, threshold values of heart rate of 43/min, temperature-corrected PaO2 of 72 mmHg, and uncorrected PaO2 of 109 mmHg, presented satisfactory sensitivity and specificity for HCA prediction.
In patients with severe accidental hypothermia, the occurrence of HCA is associated with a lower heart rate, hypoxemia, ventricular arrhythmia, lower BE, and lower blood pressure. These parameters can be helpful in the early selection of high-risk patients and their allocation to extracorporeal rewarming facilities.
Mobile phones and Wi-Fi are the most commonly used forms of telecommunications. Initiated with the first generation, the mobile telephony is currently in its fifth generation without being screened ...extensively for any biological effects that it may have on humans or on animals. Some studies indicate that high frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phone and Wi-Fi connection can have a negative effect upon human health, and can cause cancer, including brain tumour.
The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the proliferation and morphology of normal (human embryonic kidney cell line Hek-293) and cancer cells (glioblastoma cell line U-118 MG).
The cell cultures were incubated in RF-EMF at the frequency of 2.4 GHz, with or without dielectric screen, for 24, 48 and 72h. In order to analyse the influence of the electromagnetic field on cell lines, Cytotoxicity test Cell Counting Kit-8 was performed. To protect cells against emission of the electromagnetic field, a dielectric screen was used.
It was found that 2.4 GHz RF electromagnetic field exposure caused a significant decrease in viability of U-118 MG and Hek-293 cells. The impact of the electromagnetic field was strongest in the case of cancer cells, and the decrease in their survival was much greater compared to the healthy (normal) cells of the Hek-293 line.
Results of the study indicate that using a radio frequency electromagnetic field (2.4 GHz) has a clearly negative effect on the metabolic activity of glioblastoma cells. RF-EMF has much less impact on reducing the viability of normal cells (Hek -293) than cancer cells.
ObjectivesConcept maps are a learning tool that fosters clinical reasoning skills in healthcare education. They can be developed by students in combination with virtual patients to create a visual ...representation of the clinical reasoning process while solving a case. However, in order to optimize feedback, there is a need to better understand the role of connections between concepts in student-generated maps. Therefore, in this study we investigated whether the quality of these connections is indicative of diagnostic accuracy.MethodsWe analyzed 40 concept maps created by fifth-year medical students in the context of four virtual patients with commonly encountered diagnoses. Half of the maps were created by students who made a correct diagnosis on the first attempt; the other half were created by students who made an error in their first diagnosis. The connections in the maps were rated by two reviewers using a relational scoring system. Analysis of covariance was employed to examine the difference in mean connection scores among groups while controlling for the number of connections.ResultsThere were no differences between the groups in the number of concepts or connections in the maps; however, maps made by students who made a correct first diagnosis had higher scores for the quality of connections than those created by students who made an incorrect first diagnosis (12.13 vs 9.09; p=0.03). We also observed students' general reluctance to use connections in their concept maps.ConclusionOur results suggest that the quality, not the quantity, of connections in concept maps is indicative of their diagnostic accuracy.
Treatment recommendations for rewarming patients in severe accidental hypothermia with preserved spontaneous circulation have a weak evidence due to the absence of randomized clinical trials. We ...aimed to compare the outcomes of extracorporeal versus less-invasive rewarming of severely hypothermic patients with preserved spontaneous circulation. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study. The patient population was compiled based on data from the HELP Registry, the International Hypothermia Registry, and a literature review. Adult patients with a core temperature <28°C and preserved spontaneous circulation were included. Patients who underwent extracorporeal rewarming were compared with patients rewarmed with less-invasive methods, using a matched-pair analysis. The study population consisted of 50 patients rewarmed extracorporeally and 85 patients rewarmed with other, less-invasive methods. Variables significantly associated with survival included: lower age; outdoor cooling circumstances; higher blood pressure; higher PaCO 2 ; higher BE; higher HCO 3 ; and the absence of comorbidities. The survival rate was higher in patients rewarmed extracorporeally ( p = 0.049). The relative risk of death was twice as high in patients rewarmed less invasively. Based on our data, we conclude that patients in severe accidental hypothermia with circulatory instability can benefit from extracorporeal rewarming without an increased risk of complications.
Abstract Objectives Cardiac auscultation remains a crucial part of physical examination. In preclinical training, there are multiple approaches for teaching that skill. Our goal was to find a ...compromise between expensive and complicated high-fidelity simulators and simple devices with a lack of realism. Methods Our project is made up of three main parts: a manikin’s torso, a specially prepared stethoscope, and a smartphone application. The position of the stethoscope’s head is recognized by Hall effect sensors inside of a manikin, and the information is sent via Bluetooth to the smartphone. Data are interpreted by the application, and proper recording is selected from sounds’ base. The user can easily adjust additional settings (e.g., main volume, playback speed, background noises). Then, the processed sound is played via a Bluetooth headset that is a part of the stethoscope. Results The solution that we suggest is easy to use with minimal adversely affecting the quality of learning. Handling of our device is intuitive, and minimal prior training is required. The low cost of the device itself and the widespread use of smartphones make it easy to implement. Conclusions We believe that this solution could be a complement for the currently used methods for teaching cardiac auscultation in preclinical training.
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