Post-pneumonectomy empyemas: causes,clinical course,management

Between 1984 and 2000 in the Thoracic Surgery Centre pneumonectomies were performed in 947 patients. Postpneumonectomy empyema (PE) occurred in 67 (7%) patients. The aim of this paper were: analysis the reasons of postpneumonectomy empyema appearance, defined bacterial flora, clinical course and optimal management. The causes of PE were: pleural cavity haematoma (20 patients-29.8%), wound suppuration (18 patients-26.8%), bronchial fistula (31 patients-46.2%). These complications appeared singly or together in 49 (73.1%) patients. In 2 (3.0%) patients a long treatment in the Intensive Care Unit because of postoperative shock was the cause of infection. In 3 (4.5%) cases the cause of empyema was associated with infection during the operation. In 13(19.4%) cases the cause of empyema was not established. In 55 patients infections of pleural cavities were diagnosed in the first 8 weeks after operations. In 12 patients empyemas were established later. 12 (17.9%) patients died during the analyzed 1 year period after operation. In 18 (26.9%) patients infections were caused by only one bacterial strain and in 49 (73.1%) by two or three bacterial strains. The different methods of treatment (thoracentesis, drainage, operation) depending on general condition of patient were done.     

How Do Dieticians on Instagram Teach? The Potential of the Kirkpatrick Model in the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Nutritional Education in Social Media

The growing popularity of health education on social media indicates the need for its appropriate evaluation. This paper aims to present the potential of the Kirkpatrick Model (KM) with New World Kirkpatrick Model (NWKM) additions to evaluate the nutritional education provided by dieticians via Instagram. Instagram profiles of ten dieticians providing nutritional education for their followers were analyzed in March and April 2021. The study sample included profiles of both macro- and micro-influencers. The analyzed quantitative data included Instagram Engagement Rate and the number of likes and comments per post. The qualitative analysis of the comments was performed following the theoretical framework provided by the KM and NWKM. Collected data showed followers’ satisfaction, commitment, and relevance of the presented content, fulfilling the Level 1 of NWKM. Level 2 of NWKM was represented by 4 out of 5 dimensions (knowledge, attitude, confidence, commitment). No comments were found only for skills. Both Levels 3 (Behavior) and 4 (Results) of the KM were met. However, the use of the NWKM for them seems limited. The KM can be used to evaluate nutritional education on social media. The NWKM additions seem applicable mostly for Levels 1 and 2.     

Problems, obstacles and complications of femoral lengthening with the use of the Italian modification of the Ilizarov device]

The results of femoral lengthening using the Italian modification of the Ilizarov are presented. Mean age of the patients was 14 years (ranging from 7 to 29). The most frequent etiology of limb shortening was femoral hypoplasia (7 patients) and sequelae of septic arthritis of the hip and/or the knee (6 patients). Indications for surgical treatment were limb shortening from 3 to 12 cm (mean 6.5 cm), along with axial deviation ranging from 10 degrees to 40 degrees in 6 patients. Mean follow-up time was 15 months (ranging from 6 to 35 months). The Ilizarov apparatus was based on two distal rings, stabilized by "K" wires, and proximally by a ring connected with an Italian femoral arch, stabilized by a Schanz screw. Planned lengthening (ranging from 3.5 cm to 12 cm) was achieved in all treated patients. The healing index ranged from 0.8 to 2.1 month/cm (mean 1.4). Problems, obstacles and complications were analyzed according to the Paley classification. In all 16 patients without primary knee stabilization, limited knee flexion ranging from 5 degrees to 90 degrees (mean 40 degrees) was noted during the distraction phase, which didn't improve significantly during the consolidation phase. Knee flexion improved to a mean 90 degrees after a 6 month follow-up. Bone regenerate defects (cysts, narrowing) were noted in 4 patients. Secondary knee stabilization was performed in 2 cases. In the first case because of knee pain and a severe limitation of knee motion. In the second, during a revision procedure because of distal femur angulation. Premature consolidation was noted in one patient and was treated by osteotomy. In one case axial deviation during the consolidation phase required osteotomy. In another case a fracture of the femur was treated by a plaster cast. In one case 1.5 years after the lengthening procedure subluxation of the hip was noted. Permanent knee flexion limitation to less than 90 degrees was noted in 6 patients. Femoral lengthening with the use of the Italian modification of the Ilizarov device give a high incidence of knee range of motion limitation, which can be decreased by preserving more than 30 degrees knee flexion during the distraction phase.     

Presowing seed treatment with melatonin protects red cabbage seedlings against toxic copper ion concentrations

Abstract:  One of the targets of modern plant physiology is to identify tools for improving seed germination and plant growth under unfavorable environmental conditions. Seeds of Brassica oleracea rubrum were pretreated with melatonin at concentrations: 1, 10, and 100 μ m using a hydropriming method. Air-dried seeds of each experimental variants that were nonpretreated (control), hydroprimed (H) or hydroprimed with melatonin (HM1, HM10, and HM100) were germinated in darkness for 3 days at 25°C. Young seedlings were then transferred to the light and grown for an additional 5 days. Both germination and growth tests were performed in water and in CuSO₄ water solutions in concentrations of 0.5 and 1 m m . H, HM1 and HM10 improved seed germination both in water and in the presence of Cu²⁺. One or 10 μ m melatonin eliminated the inhibitory effect of the 0.5 m m metal concentration on the fresh weight of seedlings. HM100 had a negative effect; thus seed germination was lower and seedlings had poor establishment. The toxic effect of Cu²⁺ manifested by membrane peroxidation and DNA endoreplication blocking in the seedlings grown from nontreated (control) and H seeds was not observed in the seedlings grown from HM1 and HM10 seeds; in contrast, HM100 enhanced the toxic effect of Cu²⁺.     

Dietary Natural Compounds and Vitamins as Potential Cofactors in Uterine Fibroids Growth and Development

An analysis of the literature generated within the past 20 year-span concerning risks of uterine fibroids (UFs) occurrence and dietary factors was carried out. A link between Vitamin D deficiency and UFs formation is strongly indicated, making it a potent compound in leiomyoma therapy. Analogs of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, not susceptible to degradation by tissue 24-hydroxylase, appear to be especially promising and tend to show better therapeutic results. Although research on the role of Vitamin A in the formation of fibroids is contradictory, Vitamin A-enriched diet, as well as synthetic retinoid analogues, may be preventative or limit the growth of fibroids. Unambiguous conclusions cannot be drawn regarding Vitamin E and C supplementation, except for alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol as a phytoestrogen taking part in the modulation of estrogen receptors (ERs) involved in UF etiology, should be particularly avoided in therapy. A diet enriched in fruits and vegetables, as sources of carotenoids, polyphenols, quercetin, and indole-3-carbinol, constitutes an easily modifiable lifestyle element with beneficial results in patients with UFs. Other natural substances, such as curcumin, can reduce the oxidative stress and protect against inflammation in leiomyoma. Although the exact effect of probiotics on uterine fibroids has not yet been thoroughly evaluated at this point, the protective role of dairy products, i.e., yogurt consumption, has been indicated. Trace elements such as selenium can also contribute to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of a recommended diet. In contrast, heavy metals, endocrine disrupting chemicals, cigarette smoking, and a diet low in antioxidants and fiber were, alongside genetic predispositions, associated with UFs formation.     

All near-infrared multiparametric luminescence thermometry using Er3+, Yb3+-doped YAG nanoparticles

This paper presents four new temperature readout approaches to luminescence nanothermometry in spectral regions of biological transparency demonstrated on Yb³⁺/Er³⁺-doped yttrium aluminum garnet nanoparticles. Under the 10 638 cm⁻¹ excitation, down-shifting near infrared emissions (>10 000 cm⁻¹) are identified as those originating from Yb³⁺ ions'' ²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 (∼9709 cm⁻¹) and Er³⁺ ions'' ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 (∼6494 cm⁻¹) electronic transitions and used for 4 conceptually different luminescence thermometry approaches. Observed variations in luminescence parameters with temperature offered an exceptional base for studying multiparametric temperature readouts. These include the temperature-dependence of: (i) intensity ratio between emissions from Stark components of Er^{3+ 4}I_13/2 level; (ii) intensity ratio between emissions of Yb³⁺ (²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition) and Er³⁺ (⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition); (iii) band shift and bandwidth and (iv) lifetime of the Yb³⁺ emission (²F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition) with maximal sensitivities of 1% K⁻¹, 0.8% K⁻¹, 0.09 cm⁻¹ K⁻¹, 0.46% K⁻¹ and 0.86% K⁻¹, respectively. The multimodal temperature readout provided by this material enables its application in different luminescence thermometry setups as well as improved the reliability of the temperature sensing by the cross-validation between measurements.

Four completely new NIR luminescence temperature readouts in the second and third biological windows are demonstrated with YAG:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanoparticles.