Pre-Transplant Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)-Derived Body Composition Measures as Predictors of Treatment Outcomes and Early Post-Transplant Complications in Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) Treated with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AutoHSCT).

: Changes in muscle mass and bone density are common in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) offers precise, non-invasive insights into a patient's physical condition before autologous stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT). This study examines how pre-transplant body composition impacts treatment outcomes and early complications in MM patients undergoing autoHSCT.

A hybrid protocol CLAG-M, a possible player for the first-line therapy of patients with mixed phenotype acute leukemia. A Polish Adult Leukemia Group experience.

Introduction: Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) is a rare disease with poor prognosis. So far, no standard approach has been established as the "know-how" of MPAL is based only on retrospective analyses performed on small groups of patients.

Materials And Methods: In this study, a retrospective analysis of the outcomes of adult MPAL patients included in the PALG registry between 2005 and 2024 who received the CLAG-M hybrid protocol as induction or salvage therapy was performed.

Sinus bradycardia as a rare adverse event in patients receiving cyclosporine A after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Cyclosporine A (CSA) is a commonly used immunosuppressive agent for the prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). While tachycardia is a known adverse effect of CSA, bradycardia remains a phenomenon rarely described in the literature. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of the incidence of bradycardia in patients after alloHSCT treated with CSA between January 2020 and February 2023 at our center.

Flying Into the Wind: Insects and Bio-Inspired Micro-Air-Vehicles With a Wing-Stroke Dihedral Steer Passively Into Wind-Gusts.

Natural fliers utilize passive and active flight control strategies to cope with windy conditions. This capability makes them incredibly agile and resistant to wind gusts. Here, we study how insects achieve this, by combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses of flying fruit flies with freely-flying robotic experiments.

Two Doses of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in Patients after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Humoral Response and Serological Conversion Predictors.

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is currently the best tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are limited data on its efficacy and safety after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We present the results of a prospective analysis of the humoral response to two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in 93 adult patients, including 29 after autologous HCT (autoHCT) and 64 after allogeneic HCT (alloHCT).

Endovascular Coil Embolization of Superior Mesenteric Artery Branch Pseudoaneurysm.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms are rare but potentially life-threatening. Among visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (VAPA), the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) pseudoaneurysm is the rarest type. VAPAs are usually related with infection, inflammatory disease, trauma, or arises as a postoperative complication.

Real-life use of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) in melanoma patients in centers in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

Background: Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is a licensed therapy for use in melanoma patients of stage IIIB-IVM1a with injectable, unresectable metastatic lesions in Europe. Approval was based on the Oncovex Pivotal Trial in Melanoma study, which also included patients with distant metastases and demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 40.5% and a complete response (CR) rate of 16.

Good vibrations for flapping-wing flyers.

Studies of insect flight reveal how flapping-induced vibrations augment flight stability of tailless flapping-wing flyers.

A comparison of experimental compressive axial loading testing with a numerical simulation of topologically optimized cervical implants made by selective laser melting.

In recent years, the number of cervical interventions has increased. The stress shielding effect is a serious complication in cervical spine interventions. Topological optimization is based on finite element method structural analysis and numerical simulations.

Social participation of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: The effect multiple sclerosis (MS) has on the social functioning and integration of patients has been recently considered as an important factor of the disease.

Objectives: To assess social participation of MS patients with regard to demographic and disease-related variables.

Material And Methods: The study comprised 201 MS patients: 140 women, 61 men, aged 24-69 years.

The Wedding with a Stolen Goddess: The Ethnography of a Cult in Rural Tamil Nadu.

The paper provides a critical overview of the perspective that stratifies society in India into a series of different classes, resulting in the mobility of particular castes or social groups. For this purpose, the study presents ethnographic material concerning the foundation and development of a non-Brahman temple in the Tamil low-caste settlement of Line Kollai, which is in a neighbourhood close to the city of Krishnagiri. The presented ethnographic material shows how a religious folk cult has been established on the grounds of actualized and modified motives in the vernacular environment.

A minimal longitudinal dynamic model of a tailless flapping wing robot for control design.

Recently, several insect- and hummingbird-inspired tailless flapping wing robots have been introduced. However, their flight dynamics, which are likely to be similar to that of their biological counterparts, remain yet to be fully understood. We propose a minimal dynamic model that is not only validated with experimental data, but also able to predict the consequences of various important design changes.

A tailless aerial robotic flapper reveals that flies use torque coupling in rapid banked turns.

Insects are among the most agile natural flyers. Hypotheses on their flight control cannot always be validated by experiments with animals or tethered robots. To this end, we developed a programmable and agile autonomous free-flying robot controlled through bio-inspired motion changes of its flapping wings.

Attitude control system for a lightweight flapping wing MAV.

Robust attitude control is an essential aspect of research on autonomous flight of flapping wing Micro Air Vehicles. The mechanical solutions by which the necessary control moments are realised come at the price of extra weight and possible loss of aerodynamic efficiency. Stable flight of these vehicles has been shown by several designs using a conventional tail, but also by tailless designs that use active control of the wings.

Large Retroperitoneal Haemorrhage Following Cyst Rupture in a Patient with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

The complications of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) include cyst rupture and haemorrhage leading to loin pain and frank haematuria. Risk factors include large kidney volume, hypertension, and renal impairment. We present a case of a young male who, following trauma to the kidney, had a life threatening bleed from his polycystic kidney.

Experimental optimization of wing shape for a hummingbird-like flapping wing micro air vehicle.

Flapping wing micro air vehicles (MAVs) take inspiration from natural fliers, such as insects and hummingbirds. Existing designs manage to mimic the wing motion of natural fliers to a certain extent; nevertheless, differences will always exist due to completely different building blocks of biological and man-made systems. The same holds true for the design of the wings themselves, as biological and engineering materials differ significantly.

The influence of the low-frequency magnetic fields of different parameters on the secretion of cortisol in men.

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to test the influence of long-term application of the low-frequency magnetic fields in magnetotherapy and magnetostimulation on cortisol secretion in men.

Materials And Methods: Patients were divided into three groups: 16 men underwent magnetotherapy and 20 men (divided into two groups) underwent magnetostimulation. Magnetotherapy - 2 mT induction, 40 Hz, bipolar square wave, was applied for 20 min to lumbar area.

Clinically driven design of multi-scale cancer models: the ContraCancrum project paradigm.

The challenge of modelling cancer presents a major opportunity to improve our ability to reduce mortality from malignant neoplasms, improve treatments and meet the demands associated with the individualization of care needs. This is the central motivation behind the ContraCancrum project. By developing integrated multi-scale cancer models, ContraCancrum is expected to contribute to the advancement of in silico oncology through the optimization of cancer treatment in the patient-individualized context by simulating the response to various therapeutic regimens.

Luzindole but not 4-phenyl-2- propionamidotetralin (4P-PDOT) diminishes the inhibitory effect of melatonin on murine Colon 38 cancer growth in vitro.

Objective: Our earlier studies have shown that MLT exerts the inhibitory effect on murine cancer via membrane and nuclear receptors. We have found that the antagonist of MT1 receptors does not diminish the antiproliferative effect of MLT on Colon 38 cells, and the contribution of MT2 receptors has been suggested to be responsible. Therefore, in the present study we have examined the influence of the 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4P-PDOT), which is a selective antagonist of MT2 membrane receptor, and luzindole - an antagonist of both membrane receptors, on an oncostatic action of MLT.

High repeatability of circadian prolactin rhythm assessment results in children.

Objectives: In normal conditions, prolactin (Prl) secretion manifests a circadian pattern. So far, there have only been but few studies, concerning intrasubject variability and repeatability of the circadian Prl secretion pattern, based on pulse analysis. It seems, that macroscopic analysis based on measurement of Prl concentration at nine time points every 3 hours during 24 hours is an appropriate method to assess Prl profile for clinical purposes.

Does melatonin play a role in aging processes?

Increasing number of people in advanced age is one of the most distinctive demographic events of the 21(st) century which raise many social and medical issues. Therefore, there is a search for any therapeutic agent improving the quality of life of the elderly. Melatonin, the hormone of the pineal gland, received recently a great deal of attention because of its suggested role in aging processes and availability as over-the-counter drug or food supplement in some countries, including Poland.

Human sexuality and sex steroids.

Studies on human sexuality are considered to be extremely difficult. Moreover, their results appear often unclear and contradictory. Sexuality is perceived as the identity, feelings and behavior associated with sex.