The aim of this research was to synthesize and characterize alginate-calcium composites using a freeze-drying method, with a focus on their potential applications in biomedicine. This study specifically explored the biochemical properties of these composites, emphasizing their role in blood coagulation and their capacity to interact with DNA. Additionally, the research aimed to assess how the cross-linking process influences the structural and chemical characteristics of the composites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Funct Morphol Kinesiol
July 2024
While there is clear evidence in the literature that the hematological parameters in athletes of different sports are affected by exercise and varying loads, to our knowledge, there are limited studies on the real impact of kickboxing matches on kickboxers' hematological parameters. In this context, this cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the acute changes in the hematological parameters of kickboxers following K1 matches. With the participation of 10 kickboxing K1 athletes, the hematological parameters, including the WBC, Plt, Neut, Lymph, Mono, RBC, Hgb, Hct, CK, La, and glucose levels, were examined before and after matches.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe discussion paper synthesises the insights shared during a keynote panel at the 26th International Philosophy of Nursing Conference, themed "Reimagining a nursing ecosystem in an uncertain world." It delves into the substantial impact uncertainty has on nursing, offering innovative strategies for reconceptualization. Through a critical examination of evidence-based practice, the tendency to homogenise nursing is discussed, prompting advocacy for a Nietzschean political framework as a form of resistance and emancipation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Kickboxing is a popular striking combat sport, and K-1 is a type of kickboxing. Direct head blows can cause significant long-term injury and affect brain wave activity.
Objectives: We aim to compare the changes in brain wave activities of fighters during a K-1 kickboxing contest to those in a control group, who were striking a punching bag and were not hit by another K-1 athlete.
Objective: Physiotherapists and physicians continue to seek effective conservative treatments for Achilles tendinopathy. This study aimed to subjectively and objectively determine the therapeutic efficacy of radial shock wave therapy (RSWT) and ultrasound therapy in non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.
Materials And Methods: Thirty-nine patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, i.
Introduction: Little is known of the processes that trigger neutrophil activation in the joint of patients with oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oJIA), and if synovial fibroblasts (S-Fib) play an important role in the activation. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether S-Fib derived from oJIA patients drive neutrophil activation.
Methods: Synovial fluid (SF) was collected from patients with oJIA.
In the 1960s, the integration of nursing training into university led to the development of theories specific to the discipline. Although described as "nursing-specific", these theories have significant conceptual shortcomings. Since 1990, interdisciplinary approaches have been emerging to enrich nursing practice and theory.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe paper presents the investigation of the biological properties of Poly(Lactide)-Copper composite material obtained by sputter deposition of copper onto Poly(lactide) melt-blown nonwoven fabrics. The functionalized composite material was subjected to microbial activity tests against colonies of Gram-positive (), Gram-negative (, ) bacteria, and fungal mold species and biochemical-hematological tests including the evaluation of the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, Prothrombin Time, Thrombin Time and electron microscopy fibrin network imaging. The substantial antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the Poly(Lactide)-Copper composite suggests potential applications as an antibacterial/antifungal material.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMood disorders are highly prevalent and heterogenous mental illnesses with devastating rates of mortality and treatment resistance. The molecular basis of those conditions involves complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Currently, there are no objective procedures for diagnosis, prognosis and personalization of patients' treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: This population-based study investigated the occurrence of capillary leak syndrome (CLS) in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), associated with COVID-19. We also examined associations between CLS and MIS-C disease severity.
Methods: All eligible individuals aged 0-18 years, who were diagnosed with MIS-C in Skåne, southern Sweden, from 1 April 2020 to 31 July 2021, were studied.
The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of cariprazine augmentation of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia in a retrospective chart review. Among 916 medical records of schizophrenia patients, we identified 12 individuals treated with a combination of those drugs for a duration of 3-60 weeks [median 32 (10-40)]. Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores were used to measure the treatment response between the introduction of cariprazine augmentation of clozapine and the last point of observation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe phenomenon of platinum resistance is a very serious problem in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, no molecular, genetic marker that could be used in assigning women suffering from ovarian cancer to the platinum-resistant or platinum-sensitive group has been discovered so far. Therefore, in this study, for the first time, we used FT-Raman spectroscopy to determine chemical differences and chemical markers presented in serum, which could be used to differentiate platinum-resistant and platinum-sensitive women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLiterature reviews have described the applications of silver, copper, and zinc ions and metallic particles of Cu, Ti, and Zn oxides, which have been found to be useful antimicrobial reagents for the biofunctionalization of various materials and their surfaces. For this purpose, compositions of water dispersions containing emulsions of synthetic copolymers based on acrylic and vinyl monomers, polysaccharides (hydroxyethyl cellulose and starch), and various additives with wetting and stabilizing properties were used. Many stable water dispersions of different chemical compositions containing bioactive chemical compounds (copper silicate hydrate, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide (and other auxiliary substances)) were developed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMotivation: The advent of T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing experiments allowed for a significant increase in the amount of peptide:TCR binding data available and a number of machine-learning models appeared in recent years. High-quality prediction models for a fixed epitope sequence are feasible, provided enough known binding TCR sequences are available. However, their performance drops significantly for previously unseen peptides.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The outcomes of physical therapy are commonly assessed with subjective scales and questionnaires. Hence, a continuous search to identify diagnostic tests that would facilitate objective assessment of symptom reduction in those patients with Achilles tendinopathy who undergo mechanotherapy. The main aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of shock wave and ultrasound treatments, using objective posturographic assessment during step-up and step-down initiation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Monocytes are key effector cells in inflammatory processes. We and others have previously shown that synovial monocytes in childhood-onset arthritis are activated. However, very little is known about how they contribute to disease and attain their pathological features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFK1 kickboxing fighting is characterised by high injury rates due to the low restrictions of fighting rules. In recent years, much attention has been paid to research on changes in brain function among athletes, including those in combat sports. One of the tools that are likely to help diagnose and assess brain function is quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lurasidone augmentation of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (SZ) in a retrospective chart review. From the medical records of 916 SZ patients, we identified 16 individuals treated with a combination of clozapine and lurasidone. The detailed clinical data are described separately for each patient.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Many children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have autoantibodies, targeting nuclear components (anti-nuclear antibodies, ANA). ANA in JIA is associated with uveitis, an eye inflammation which may cause permanent vision impairment if not detected and treated. However, ANA-testing is neither specific nor sensitive enough to be a clinically reliable predictor of uveitis risk, and the precise autoantigens targeted by ANA in JIA are largely unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous cardiology departments were reorganized to provide care for COVID-19 patients. We aimed to compare the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality in reorganized vs. unaltered cardiology departments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The troublesome symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy prompt patients to seek effective forms of conservative treatment. The main aim of the study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of shock wave and ultrasound therapies for Achilles tendinopathy in reducing pain intensity. Treatment efficacy was also assessed using objective posturographic measurements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for athletes with patellar tendinopathy. We searched PubMed, EBSCOHost and Ovid for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of ESWT in athletes with jumper's knee. The methodological quality of RCTs was rated with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale.
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