Identification of alemtuzumab-suitable multiple sclerosis patients in Slovakia and sequencing of post-alemtuzumab immunomodulatory treatment.

Background: Alemtuzumab (ALEM) is a humanised monoclonal antibody that depletes circulating lymphocytes by selectively targeting CD52, which is expressed in high levels on T- and B-lymphocytes. This depletion is followed by lymphocyte repopulation and a cytokine expression shift towards a lesser inflammatory profile, both of which may contribute to prolonged efficacy. National recommendations for enrolling and treating multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with ALEM have been established.

Impact of land use-induced soil heterogeneity on the adsorption of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, tested on organic matter pools.

The effects on the adsorption of fluoroquinolone antibiotics of long-term soil heterogeneity induced by land-use were investigated. Three different land use areas with their two organic matter (OM) pools were tested for the adsorption of three antibiotics widely detected in the environment (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin). The soils were separated into two size fractions, > 63 µm fraction and < 63 µm fractions for the fast and slow OM pools, respectively.

Clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with NMOSD: a longitudinal retrospective analysis of a Slovak cohort of 63 patients.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are autoantibody-mediated inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system predominantly targeting optic nerves and the spinal cord. Two distinct phenotypes are recognized based on the presence of serum aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG) antibodies. However, contrasting clinical course patterns have been identified between AQP4-IgG-positive and AQP4-IgG-negative patients.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered CoCrFeNiNbX High-Entropy Alloys with Si Addition.

Three mechanically alloyed (MA) and spark plasma sintered (SPS) CoCrFeNiNbX (X = 5, 20, and 35 at.%) alloys with an addition of 5 at.% of SiC were investigated.

Can Assessment of Rheological Properties of Whole Blood and Plasma Be Useful in the Diagnosis of Tinnitus? A Pilot Study.

Tinnitus is a sensation of ringing in the ears in the absence of any physical source in the environment. Between 9-35% of adults experience some form of tinnitus. Common causes of tinnitus include noise, head injury, ototoxic substances, as well as disorders of blood and blood vessels.

Interface-Driven Strain in Heavy Ion-Irradiated Zr/Nb Nanoscale Metallic Multilayers: Validation of Distortion Modeling via Local Strain Mapping.

Nanolayered metallic alloys are promising materials for nuclear applications thanks to their resistance to radiation damage. Here, we investigate the effect of ion (C, Si, and Cu) irradiation at room temperature with different fluences into sputtered Zr/Nb metallic multilayer films with periods 27 nm (thin) and 96 nm (thick). After irradiation, while a high strain in the entire thin nanoscale metallic multilayer (NMM) is observed, a quite small strain in the entire thick NMM is established.

Indentation Size Effect in CoCrFeMnNi HEA Prepared by Various Techniques.

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are materials of great application potential and which have been extensively studied during the last two decades. As the number of possible element combinations is enormous, model materials representing certain groups of HEAs are used for the description of microstructure, properties, and deformation mechanisms. In this study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the so-called Cantor alloy composed of Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Ni in equiatomic ratios prepared by various techniques (casting, melt-spinning, spark plasma sintering) were examined.

Incidence and prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in Slovakia.

Objective: : Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) are a group of rare, inflammatory, demyelinating diseases that affect the central nervous system. Neither the incidence nor the prevalence of NMOSD has been determined in Slovakia thus far. The aim of this study was to determine both the incidence and the prevalence of NMOSD in Slovakia using the 2015 International Panel of NMOSD diagnosis (IPND) criteria.

Influence of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of NiTi46 Alloy Consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering.

Ni-Ti alloys are considered to be very important shape memory alloys with a wide application area including, e.g., biomaterials, actuators, couplings, and components in automotive, aerospace, and robotics industries.

Effect of Initial Powders on Properties of FeAlSi Intermetallics.

FeAlSi intermetallics are materials with promising high-temperature mechanical properties and oxidation resistance. Nevertheless, their production by standard metallurgical processes is complicated. In this study, preparation of powders by mechanical alloying and properties of the samples compacted by spark plasma sintering was studied.

Current indications for cochlear implantation in adults and children.

Introduction: Surgical treatment of deafness by cochlear implants is used for more than 40 years, and during this period permanently, gradual and significant expansion of indications for this surgery has been observed.

Material And Methods: In our Department in the years 1994-2018 1480 cochlear implantations were performed, both in adults (647) and in children (883). In this study current indications and the rules for eligibility of patients based on 25 years of experience are presented.

Evaluation of quality of life in patients after cochlear implantation surgery in 2014-2017.

Introduction: Profound hearing loss significantly affects the quality of life of deaf people as well as their families. Observation of the benefit from the use of cochlear implants in deaf patients allows to assess the success of treatment with this method and its impact on the quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life in patient after the cochlear implantation in the material of Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology of the Medical University in Poznań.

Middle Fossa Approach for Cochlear Implantation.

Objective: To present qualification criteria, surgery, and results of cochlear implantation via the middle fossa approach.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of medical charts of patients.

Setting: Cochlear implant program in academic medical center.

Fallout isotope chronology of the near-surface sediment record of Lake Bolătău.

Fallout isotope (PbCs and Am) based dating has been carried out on the near-surface sediment core collected from Lake Bolătău-Feredeu (Bukovina, Romania). The motivation was to improve the chronology of this recent section in connection with significant fluctuations observed in sediment accumulation rates, particle size distribution and primordial radioisotope (i.e.

Skin flap complications after cochlear implantations.

The objective of the study was to analyse and present the surgical management strategy for major skin flap complications (MSFC) after cochlear implantations. Patients fitted with a titanium-silicone-coated implant of the same kind, operated on between 1994 and 2013 with a standardised procedure (1076 medical charts) were analysed. Analysis aimed to identify and study individuals with skin problems related to the cochlear implant treatment, i.

Surgical, functional and audiological evaluation of new Baha(®) Attract system implantations.

Bone-anchored hearing aids are well-established solutions for treatment of hearing-impaired patients. However, classical systems with percutaneous abutments have disadvantages concerning aesthetics, hygiene and adverse soft tissue reactions. The study aimed to evaluate surgical, functional and audiological results of a new Baha(®) Attract system, in which the sound processor is attached by magnetic force.

The Knowledge of the Role of Papillomavirus-Related Head and Neck Pathologies among General Practitioners, Otolaryngologists and Trainees. A Survey-Based Study.

Objectives: The aim of the survey was to introduce knowledge of HPV's role in head and neck pathologies to general physicians (GPs), otorhinolaryngologists (ENTs) and newly graduated doctors, as well as to promote HPV-related diseases prevention.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Self-designed questionnaire was sent to 2100 doctors.

Markers of oxidative stress in plasma and saliva in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Backround: Oxidative stress plays a role in multiple sclerosis. Saliva can be potentially used to study the disease progression or treatment, because of its non-invasiveness and easy collection. But studies on saliva and multiple sclerosis are missing.

Observations on hearing preservation in patients with hybrid-L electrode implanted at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland.

The objective of the paper is to evaluate the hearing preservation rate in patients with high frequency hearing loss, treated with Cochlear Nucleus Freedom Hybrid-L implant in the Otolaryngology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland. Study was designed as the retrospective analysis. Twenty-one patients were operated and implanted with Nucleus Freedom Hybrid-L implant.

Navigated three-dimensional intraoperative ultrasound-guided awake resection of low-grade glioma partially infiltrating optic radiation.

We report a case of awake resection of temporal low-grade glioma infiltrating the optic radiation (OR). The OR was localized by direct electrical stimulation (DES) and the tumor was delineated by navigated intraoperative 3D ultrasound. Ultrasound artifacts were eliminated by 3D-ultrasound data acquisition with a miniature probe inserted into the resection cavity.

[Comparison of different deafening strategies based on ototoxic drugs on mouse animals model].

Aim Of The Study: To compare safety, reliability and usefulness of two deafening protocols on animal mouse model, based on aminoglycosides exposure

Material And Method: Adults mice, Bulb/C, deafened with kanamycine 14 days treatment (group I), single kanamycin injection followed by etacrinic acid administration (group II) and control group. Hearing evaluation performed with ABR recordings on 6th day after drug exposure

Results: Both protocols were not able to guarantee complete ablation of the inner ear in tested animals. Although short deafening strategy was more effective (83.

Simple technique for RNA purification from mouse inner ear hair cells.

Obtaining a good quality of RNA from small population of cells remain an issue. Isolation for a special anatomic location such as inner ear placed in the temporal bone become a challenge, especially in terms of time needed for isolation of living tissue from the bone, which is a key factor to preserve the RNA. Due to limited accessibility to the technologies such as laser dissection, we present a simplified procedure for isolation of good quality of RNA from the inner ear for further studies.

Polish universal neonatal hearing screening program-4-year experience (2003-2006).

Objective: The aim of this paper is to share our experience and observations in running the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program on a national level, present results and indicate some problems that have arisen during these 4 years.

Methods: Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program started back in 2002 in all neonatal units in Poland. Implemented testing methods consisted of test of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) performed in all new born children in their first 2-3 days of life and auditory brainstem response testing (ABR) conducted on children, who did not meet the TEOAE pass criteria.

Comparison of rehabilitation results in deaf patients with and without genetically related hearing loss.

The introduction of prognostic tools to evaluate rehabilitation progress in cochlear implant patients (CI patients) is of great importance. The authors attempted to verify whether the identified 35delG mutation in the GJB2 gene can serve as a valuable indicator for rehabilitation progress of CI patients. A group of 51 subjects was studied.