Effective microorganism water treatment method for rapid eutrophic reservoir restoration.

Since reservoirs perform many important functions, they are exposed to various types of unfavorable phenomena, e.g., eutrophication which leads to a rapid growth of algae (blooms) that degrade water quality. One of the solutions to combat phytoplankton blooms are effective microorganisms (EM). The study aims to evaluate the potential of EM in improving the water quality of the Turawa reservoir on the Mala Panew River in Poland. It is one of the first studies providing insights into the effectiveness of using EM in the bioremediation of water in a eutrophic reservoir. Samples for the study were collected in 2019-2021. The analysis showed that EM could be one of the most effective methods for cleaning water from unfavorable microorganisms (HBN22, HBN36, CBN, FCBN, FEN) - after the application of EM, a reduction in their concentration was observed (from 46.44 to 58.38% on average). The duration of their effect ranged from 17.6 to 34.1 days. The application of EM improved the trophic status of the Turawa reservoir, expressed by the Carlson index, by 7.78%. As shown in the literature review, the use of other methods of water purification (e.g., constructed wetlands, floating beds, or intermittent aeration) leads to an increase in the effectiveness and a prolongation of the duration of the EM action. The findings of the study might serve as a guide for the restoration of eutrophic reservoirs by supporting sustainable management of water resources. Nevertheless, further research should be conducted on the effectiveness of EM and their application in the remediation of eutrophic water reservoirs.

The assessment of lower extremity peripheral artery disease impact on body mass center disorders.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity peripheral artery disease is a problem of contemporary medicine and along with the ischemic heart disease it is considered to be a civilization disease. The risk of the disease increases significantly within a group of people reaching the age of 55 years and is closely related to co-occurring hazardous factors, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension or tobacco smoking. The first symptom reported by patients is intermittent claudication. Such symptoms may indicate that lower extremity peripheral artery disease does have an impact on posture disorders and motor skills. METHODS: The study covered four stages. The first stage involved medical interviews to obtain information regarding anthropometry, age, motor organ surgery, concomitant diseases and the lifestyle. In the following stage the value of the ankle brachial index for both lower limbs were calculated. In case of symptomatic patients, additionally, the location of artery stenosis/aortoiliac section, was verified. The third stage involved using a dynamometric platform for determination of the body mass center position for both studied groups. In the fourth stage a treadmill walk test was used to assess the participants for intermittent claudication. FINDINGS: Based on the obtained results, an attempt was taken to observe the relationship between the clinical characteristics of the disease and the body mass center position deviations. INTERPRETATION: The attempt was undertaken to assess whether the measurement of body mass center position might be a diagnostic parameter to evaluate the patient's condition and thus an indication for taking a decision for surgical treatment or rehabilitation.

Cross-sectional study of the ankle-brachial index and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and cardiovascular (CV) events in the female population has been on the increase. AIM: To analyse the risk factors of a CV event and PAD in women and to assess the usefulness of the ankle-brachial index (ABI). METHODS: Evaluation of selected parameters in a cohort of 365 women living in the same district. The following data were prospectively recorded: weight, height, waist size, hip circumference, smoking, the intima-media complex, ABI value, and laboratory results. PAD symptoms, CV events and neurological events were noted. ABI was analysed assuming pathology for values: ≤ 0.9 or ≤ 1.0. RESULTS: Age, plasma glucose level, atrial fibrillation, and nicotine addiction were correlated independently with CV disease and stroke (p < 0.001). The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, height, and systolic blood pressure were correlated independently with ABI values (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the occurrence of a CV event in the past and the ABI, irrespective of the cut-off point for the reference value (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence that stricter criteria for the assessment of ABI better represent the vascular status in the female population.

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding - risk factors and the value of emergency endoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding (UGIB) remains a valid issue of modern medicine. The mortality and recurrence rates remain high and have not decreased as expected over the past decades. AIM OF THE STUDY: to assess the treatment outcomes of nonvariceal UGIB depending on the timing of endoscopy (urgent vs. elective) and to perform an analysis of risk factors for death in patients with nonvariceal UGIB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Comparative evaluation of treatment outcomes in two groups of patients. Group A consisted of patients undergoing elective endoscopy (n = 187). Group B consisted of patients undergoing emergency endoscopy (n = 295). Moreover, the influence of selected factors on the risk of death and bleeding recurrence was analyzed in the combined population of the two groups. This was done by constructing a logistic regression model and testing dependence hypotheses. RESULTS: In group A the mortality rate was 9.1%, and the recurrence rate was 18.2%. In group B the values were 6.8% and 12.2%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found (p = NS). In group B the number of surgical interventions, blood transfusions and intensive care admissions was significantly lower (p < 0.05). An analysis of the combined material showed that the factors which correlated with an elevated risk of death included: old age, hemodynamic state (shock), elevated Charlson Comorbidity Index score, hemoglobin concentration, bleeding from a malignant lesion, recurrent bleeding and the need for surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of emergency endoscopy improves the treatment outcomes in patients with UGIB, although no statistically significant decrease in the mortality and recurrence rates could be observed.

Urgent endoscopy in elderly patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Age of the patient is an important prognostic factor in patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Despite that fact, current treatment algorithms do not differentiate UGIB management according to the patient's age. AIM: To compare treatment outcomes in patients below and above 75 years of age, treated for UGIB with urgent endoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of treatment outcomes in 295 patients with non-variceal UGIB divided into two age groups (group A < 75 years of age, group B > 75 years of age). Urgent endoscopy (up to 3 h since admission) was performed in 292 patients. The groups were compared in regards to the duration of symptoms, previous UGIB, presence of factors predisposing to UGIB (NSAIDs, peptic ulcer disease, liver cirrhosis, and previous gastrointestinal surgery), haemodynamic state and haemoglobin (Hb) levels on admission. We analysed the causes of UGIB, severity of UGIB on the Forrest scale, type of endoscopic bleeding control method, and co-morbidities with use of the Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI). Treatment outcomes were assessed in regard of mortality rate, UGIB-recurrence rate, duration of hospital stay, amount of transfused blood products and the requirement of intensive therapy unit (ITU) or other departments' admissions. Patients were followed until their discharge home. RESULTS: Mortality rate was 6.8% (group A vs. B: 3.5% vs. 18.7%; p = 0.001). Upper gastrointestinal bleeding recurrence was noted in 12.2% of patients (group A vs. B: 12.5% vs. 10.9%; p = 0.73). 2.4% of patients required surgery for UGIB (group A vs. B: 1.7% vs. 4.7%; p = 0.16). Patients in group B required ITU admission more frequently (group A vs. B: 1% vs. 4.7%; p < 0.01). The mean hospital stay (4.3 days) and the mean number of transfused packed red blood cells (PRBCs) (2.35 Units) did not differ between the groups. Patients in group B used NSAIDS much more frequently, more often had hypovolaemic shock and had a higher CCI score. CONCLUSIONS: Urgent endoscopy is an important and broadly accepted method of treatment of UGIB. Despite strict adherence to the modern UGIB-treatment algorithms, mortality remains high in the elderly. Thus, these patients need particular attention. The presented study indicates that the standard management might not be sufficient in elderly patients.