Functional Anatomy of the Thoracic Limb of the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis).

Since the Komodo dragon has been included on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, it is crucial to know in detail its biology as there is a limited availability of research material on these animals-mainly those who died in zoos or whose remains were found in the wild. Anatomy is essential for understanding physiology, identification of diseases, adaptations in the environment, and behavior. In this dissection study, the relationship of individual anatomical structures was analyzed, the anatomy of the active and passive movement system of the thoracic limb was described, photographs were taken, and a radiographic examination was conducted. This species has its own differences, even within closely related lizard species. Varanus komodoensis possesses triceps muscles with three heads, and the wrist is extended with additional bones for greater flexibility of the hand. The muscles of the forelimb are analogous to the hind limb; however, they differ in the mass of individual muscles, especially those predisposed to perform the most important antigravity and locomotive functions.

Mercury Content in Impacted Wisdom Teeth from Patients of the Legnica-Glogów Copper Area-An In Vitro Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the content of mercury in impacted third molars from Legnica-Glogów Copper Area residents to emphasize the effects of environmental pollution on the human body. A group of 72 patients with an average age of 27.3 ± 6.9 years participated in the study. Within this study, the research group (Legnica-Glogów Copper Area residents) comprised 51 individuals, while the control group (residents of Wroclaw) consisted of 21 participants. A higher number of female individuals participated in the research (55). The amount of mercury present in the samples was determined through atomic absorption spectrometry with the use of a SpectraAA atomic absorption spectrometer and a V2 AA240FS flame attachment that utilized an air-acetylene flame. The accumulation of Hg in the teeth of members of the control group residing in Wroclaw was studied, with a focus on identifying the risk factors that contribute to this phenomenon. The final model analyzed the presence of various factors, including thyroid and parathyroid gland diseases, cardiac diseases, and interval-scale Vit. D3 concentration. Among these factors, the presence of cardiac diseases was deemed statistically significant in relation to an increase in Hg concentration in third molars (rate ratio = 2.27, p < 0.0001). The concentration of mercury increased with the age and time of residence in the L-G Copper District.

An epidemiological and retrospective study in a cohort qualified for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in the region of Lower Silesia, Poland.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous infections have been observed with various symptoms and degrees of severity. Not all patients have had a confirmation of infection made using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or antigen tests. It has been observed that some people, including convalescents or those without knowledge of a past infection, perform serological tests to detect anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in a cohort of convalescents and in individuals not previously infected, who were willing to get vaccinated. We also aimed to assess several socio-clinical factors associated with participants' humoral responses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 298 individuals from the region of Lower Silesia who were willing to get vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2. The participants were divided into 2 groups: convalescents (group I) and participants without a past infection (group II). Several seropositive individuals in group II were identified, and they were transferred to group I, resulting in a final distribution of 171 individuals in group I and 127 individuals in group II. For serological testing, the QuantiVac anti-SARS-CoV-2 (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used. RESULTS: The results showed the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in participants from group I, with an average number of 190.3 IU/mL. Twenty-three participants (13.45%) did not have a detectable level of antibodies despite a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. In 21 participants (12.28%), antibodies were detected despite no previous symptoms of infection (average level: 145.0 IU/mL). CONCLUSION: Older participants were more likely to experience a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the severity of the symptoms was related to higher antibody titers seen later after COVID-19. Numerous individuals from group II were unaware of past SARS-CoV-2 infections. In several participants, antibodies were not detected despite a previous infection.

How Humoral Response and Side Effects Depend on the Type of Vaccine and Past SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Since the end of December 2020, it has been possible to vaccinate against COVID-19. Our aim was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the vaccines available at the time of the mass vaccination program in Poland and also to look into the most common adverse side effects. Patients' anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies levels were checked before vaccination and after the first and after the second/last dose by the anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA (IgG) (EUROIMMUN MedicinischeLabordiagnostica AG; Luebeck; Germany) test. Before each blood collection, all patients filled out a questionnaire regarding experienced side effects. We observed that 100% of patients responded to the vaccinations. After the first dose, convalescents had much higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than naive patients, although after the second dose, 61 out of 162 convalescents (37.7%) had lower results than before. The comparison of immunological responses in the convalescents group after the first dose and in the naive group after the second dose showed that convalescents had higher antibody titers, which may suggest the possibility of changing the vaccination schedule for convalescents. The highest antibody titers after both the first and second doses were observed after Moderna shots. Fever was identified as a significant factor regarding higher levels of antibodies after the first and second doses of the vaccine.

Medical students' knowledge about COVID-19 and evaluation of the effectiveness of the applied preventive strategies.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus which has caused a global pandemic. Due to the lack of available treatment for COVID-19 infections, prevention plays the most important role in combating the virus. Educational programs among students of medical faculties is necessary, because in the future they will act as health educators in the healthcare system. The aim of the study is to assess the students' knowledge as an initial stage to the implementation of further preventive strategies against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus infections and to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented preventive measures by continuous monitoring of the number of implemented administrative procedures. METHODS: The study involved 482 students of medical faculties. Participants completed a questionnaire based on knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Additionally, a number of preventive measures were introduced, including vaccination against COVID-19. During the entire period of the study, the number of administrative procedures (isolation and quarantine) were monitored. RESULTS: The results of the knowledge test about COVID-19 were generally low and amounted to 11.0 (SD = 2.2). Significant differences in knowledge about COVID-19 between students of particular medical faculties were found. The most appropriate answers to questions about the incubation time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were given by students of medicine (55%), followed by nursing (42.14%) and pharmacy (26%) students. Nursing students were the most correct in identifying the 3 main symptoms of COVID-19 (91.07%), followed by students of medicine (85.83%), and finally dentistry (77.27%) and pharmacy (76.67%) students. The Median (IQR) of students quarantined or isolating during steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 117,5 (142); 40 (43); 38, (20); and 9,5 (15), respectively. CONCLUSION: Students of certain faculties showed a low level of knowledge about transmission routes and procedures for dealing with a person suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 or who has tested positive for COVID-19. Additional educational programs were conducted among medical students, along with other prevention strategies, which contributed to a decrease in the number of applied administrative procedures (isolation or quarantine).

SARS-CoV-2 IgG Amongst Dental Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2019, special safety protocols have been introduced in dentistry. Dental professionals were determined to be mostly at risk for contracting the virus due to aerosol-generating procedures used. This preliminary study starts the cycle of the laboratory protocols describing the quality and efficacy of laboratory tests in the SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) detection in the serum of asymptomatic dental personnel during the last quarter of 2020. METHODS: IgG levels were measured with the use of a semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in vitro diagnostic kit in the serum of a study group that consisted of 127 employees of the dental clinic divided into 3 subgroups: SUB1: dentists (n = 67); SUB2: dental assistants, dental hygienists, nurses, laboratory workers (n = 40); SUB3: administrative workers (n = 20). Pearson analysis of results from the questionnaires attached to the study protocol were provided to assure that the results compare to the participants' impressions about their general health. RESULTS: Positive ELISA IgG results were found in 6% (n = 4) of the SUB1 group, 7.50% (n =3) of the SUB2 group, and 5% of the SUB3 group. The percentage of participants without work interruption from the beginning of the pandemic was 54% of dentists and 60% of chairside assistants. CONCLUSIONS: Serum IgG prevalence with the use of a semi-quantitative test was low, and further research on the biobanked samples should follow to determine the levels of IgG with quantitative methods and/or to evaluate the presence of neutralising antibodies in dental personnel. Because of the low representation of seropositivity studies in this group, it will be crucial to confirm the risk of COVID-19 transmission in dental offices.

Exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 and COVID-19 infection rates and mortality: A one-year observational study in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Atmospheric contamination, especially particulate matter (PM), can be associated viral infections connected with respiratory failure. Literature data indicates that intensity of SARS-CoV-2 infections worldwide can be associated with PM pollution levels. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between atmospheric contamination, measured as PM2.5 and PM10 levels, and the number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Poland in a one-year observation study. METHODS: Number and geographical distribution of COVID-19 incidents and related deaths, as well as PM2.5 and PM10 exposure levels in Poland were obtained from publicly accessible databases. Average monthly values of these parameters for individual provinces were calculated. Multiple regression analysis was performed for the period between March 2020 and February 2021, taking into account average monthly exposure to PM2.5 and PM10, monthly COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants and the population density across Polish provinces. RESULTS: Only December 2020 the number of new infections was significantly related to the three analyzed factors: PM2.5, population density and the number of laboratory COVID-19 tests (R2 = 0.882). For COVID-19 mortality, a model with all three significant factors: PM10, population density and number of tests was obtained as significant only in November 2020 (R2 = 0.468). CONCLUSION: The distribution of COVID-19 incidents across Poland was independent from annual levels of particulate matter concentration in provinces. Exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with COVID-19 incidence and mortality in different provinces only in certain months. Other cofactors such as population density and the number of performed COVID-19 tests also corresponded with both COVID-19-related infections and deaths only in certain months. Particulate matter should not be treated as the sole determinant of the spread and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic but its importance in the incidence of infectious diseases should not be forgotten.

Sirtuins as Interesting Players in the Course of HIV Infection and Comorbidities.

The sirtuins (SIRTs) are a family of enzymes from the group of NAD+-dependent deacetylases. Through the reaction of splitting the acetyl group of various transcription factors and histones they regulate many processes in the organism. The activity of sirtuins is linked to metabolic control, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, and they also affect the course of viral infections. For this reason, they may participate in the pathogenesis and development of many diseases, but little is known about their role in the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which is the subject of this review. In the course of HIV infection, comorbidities such as: neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes, lipid disorders and cardiovascular diseases, renal and bone diseases developed more frequently and faster compared to the general population. The role of sirtuins in the development of accompanying diseases in the course of HIV infection may also be interesting. There is still a lack of detailed information on this subject. The role of sirtuins, especially SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT6, are indicated to be of great importance in the course of HIV infection and the development of the abovementioned comorbidities.

Evaluation of Interactions of Selected Olivacine Derivatives with DNA and Topoisomerase II.

Olivacine and ellipticine are model anticancer drugs acting as topoisomerase II inhibitors. Here, we present investigations performed on four olivacine derivatives in light of their antitumor activity. The aim of this study was to identify the best antitumor compound among the four tested olivacine derivatives. The study was performed using CCRF/CEM and MCF-7 cell lines. Comet assay, polarography, inhibition of topoisomerase II activity, histone acetylation, and molecular docking studies were performed. Each tested compound displayed interaction with DNA and topoisomerase II, but did not cause histone acetylation. Compound 2 (9-methoxy-5,6-dimethyl-1-({[1-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)butan-2-yl]amino}methyl)-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole) was found to be the best candidate as an anticancer drug because it had the highest affinity for topoisomerase II and caused the least genotoxic damage in cells.

Interactions of Amyloid-ß with Membrane Proteins.

In developing and developed countries, an increasing elderly population is observed. This affects the growing percentage of people struggling with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, the pathomechanism of this disease is still unknown. This contributes to problems with early diagnosis of the disease as well as with treatment. One of the most popular hypotheses of Alzheimer's disease is related to the pathological deposition of amyloid-ß (Aß) in the brain of ill people. In this paper, we discuss issues related to Aß and its relationship in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The structure of Aß and its interaction with the cell membrane are discussed. Not only do the extracellular plaques affect nerve cells, but other forms of this peptide as well.