Preferences in Suture Skills Instruction: Virtual Versus In-Person Instruction.

Introduction: As medical education increasingly incorporates digital methods such as video lectures, e-learning, and virtual meetings, it becomes crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual classrooms in teaching surgical techniques. This study aims to assess whether live virtual classrooms can effectively convey surgical skills to medical students.

Methods: First- and second-y medical students were randomized to in-person or live-video sessions once a week, for 2 wk.

The Effect of Season and Meteorological Conditions on Parasite Infection in Farm-Maintained Mouflons ().

Due to their limited environment, farm animals are at greater risk of parasitic infection than free-living animals, which also have greater natural resistance to parasitic diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of season and meteorological conditions (temperature and humidity) on the species composition and dynamics of parasitic infections in farmed mouflons. The study was conducted in a herd of mouflon ( = 40) in an extensive system: the animals remained on pasture all year round.

Estimating localization of various statins within a POPC bilayer.

As a class of drugs prescribed to heart disease patients, statins are among the most popular prescription drugs in the world. Over the years, statins have been shown to have beneficial effects on patients via pathways independent of their effect on cholesterol. These pleiotropic effects vary across the different statins, and a growing hypothesis is that they are related to the localization of the statins in and their effect on the membrane.

Advanced cryo-tomography workflow developments - correlative microscopy, milling automation and cryo-lift-out.

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is a groundbreaking technology for 3D visualisation and analysis of biomolecules in the context of cellular structures. It allows structural investigations of single proteins as well as their spatial arrangements within the cell. Cryo-tomograms provide a snapshot of the complex, heterogeneous and transient subcellular environment.

Effect of bisphenol A on reproductive processes: A review of in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies.

As bisphenol A (BPA) is characterized by a pronounced influence on human hormonal regulation, particular attention has been aimed at understanding its role in reproductive processes in males and females, as well as on fetal development. Owing to the increasing number of alarming reports on the negative consequences of the presence of BPA in human surroundings, more and more studies are being undertaken to clarify the negative effects of BPA on human reproductive processes. The aim of this work was to collect and summarize data on the influence of BPA exposure on reproductive health.

Magneto-Optical Signature of Massless Kane Electrons in Cd_{3}As_{2}.

We report on optical reflectivity experiments performed on Cd_{3}As_{2} over a broad range of photon energies and magnetic fields. The observed response clearly indicates the presence of 3D massless charge carriers. The specific cyclotron resonance absorption in the quantum limit implies that we are probing massless Kane electrons rather than symmetry-protected 3D Dirac particles.

Circannual changes in serum concentrations of thyroxine, calcitonin and parathormone in immature and mature red deer females (Cervus elaphus).

The aim of this study was to determine circannual changes in the serum concentrations of thyroxine, calcitonin and parathormone in mature and immature red deer females. Blood samples from 8 hinds were collected monthly for 26 months. Secretions of thyroxine and calcitonin showed circannual rhythms with significantly higher levels in the immature hinds compared to the mature animals (p<0.

Analysis of Annual Changes in the Concentrations of Selected Macro- and Microelements, Thyroxine, and Testosterone in the Serum of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Stags.

The aim of the study was to analyze seasonal changes in the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and selenium as well as thyroxine and testosterone in adult red deer stags. The highest testosterone concentrations (mean 6.29±4.

Comparison of DDT and its metabolites concentrations in cow milk from agricultural and industrial areas.

The risk of pesticidal intoxication in humans is severe, especially because of the strongly negative impact on human health. The consequences of the exposure to these substances may include cancerogenesis or endocrine abnormalities resulting for example in decreased fertility. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the content of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites in cow milk from two regions of Poland, varying by level of industrialization.

Serum selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium content in testes of Polish Konik horses from selenium--deficient area in North-Western Poland.

The aim of this study was to determine serum selenium concentrations in Polish Konik horses residing in the Odra Delta Nature Park (Poland) and to evaluate the activity of glutathione peroxidase and Se content in testes of this horse breed. In over 95% of cases, serum Se concentration was below the optimal range, and none of the horses examined was deficient in this trace element. The lack of Se deficiency in the animals examined suggests however, that the Polish Konik horses have a natural ability to the optimal use of nutrients available in their life area.

MicroRNA-150 Is up-regulated in extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of MALT type.

Background: The mechanisms promoting malignant transformation from chronic Helicobacter pylori-gastritis to gastric extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) are insufficiently characterized. This follow-up study aimed to validate candidate microRNAs (miRs) in the process of neoplastic transformation.

Materials And Methods: MicroRNA expression signatures (n=20) were generated for a total of 60 cases of gastric lesions ranging from Wotherspoon 0-5 employing a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach.

The effect of chitosan on the concentration of 17β-estradiol and free triiodothyronine in mice exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The aim of this work was to examine (i) how the applied PCB mixture influences the level of 17β-estradiol (E2) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in the blood plasma of mice (C57/BL/6J) and (ii) whether supplementation with chitosan would protect against the observed changes in the examined plasma hormone concentrations. In the study we used a mixture of indicator PCBs (CB no. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) and our results showed their anti-estrogenic effects.

Deregulation of a distinct set of microRNAs is associated with transformation of gastritis into MALT lymphoma.

The mechanisms underlying the transformation from chronic Helicobacter pylori gastritis to gastric extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MALT lymphoma) are poorly understood. This study aims to identify microRNAs that might be involved in the process of neoplastic transformation. We generated microRNA signatures by RT-PCR in 68 gastric biopsy samples representing normal mucosa, gastritis, suspicious lymphoid infiltrates, and overt MALT lymphoma according to Wotherspoon criteria.

Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity in the liver of red deer in relation to hepatic selenium concentrations, sex, body weight and season of the year.

The purpose of this study was to determine glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity in the liver of red deer in relation to selenium concentrations in the liver, as well as to evaluate changes in GSHPx activity according to sex, body weight and season of the year. Total selenium concentration in the liver of red deer averaged 0.095 ± 0.

Identification of parvalbumin-like protein as a major protein of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) spermatozoa which appears during final stage of spermatogenesis.

Parvalbumin is well known as the major fish allergen that is typically present in high amounts in muscles, where it functions in calcium buffering and is involved in the relaxation process in fast-twitch muscles. We show in our current study that parvalbumin-like protein is present in high amounts in carp spermatozoa. It is the first report to demonstrate the presence of parvalbumin-like protein in fish spermatozoa.

Mortality rates and diabetic foot ulcers: is it time to communicate mortality risk to patients with diabetic foot ulceration?

Five-year mortality rates after new-onset diabetic ulceration have been reported between 43% and 55% and up to 74% for patients with lower-extremity amputation. These rates are higher than those for several types of cancer including prostate, breast, colon, and Hodgkin's disease. These alarmingly high 5-year mortality rates should be addressed more aggressively by patients and providers alike.

Subnanometer-scale measurements of the interaction of ultrafast soft x-ray free-electron-laser pulses with matter.

At the recently built FLASH x-ray free-electron laser, we studied the reflectivity of Si/C multilayers with fluxes up to 3 x 10(14) W/cm2. Even though the nanostructures were ultimately completely destroyed, we found that they maintained their integrity and reflectance characteristics during the 25-fs-long pulse, with no evidence for any structural changes over lengths greater than 3 A. This experiment demonstrates that with intense ultrafast pulses, structural damage does not occur during the pulse, giving credence to the concept of diffraction imaging of single macromolecules.

Characteristics of focused soft X-ray free-electron laser beam determined by ablation of organic molecular solids.

A linear accelerator based source of coherent radiation, FLASH (Free-electron LASer in Hamburg) provides ultra-intense femtosecond radiation pulses at wavelengths from the extreme ultraviolet (XUV; lambda<100nm) to the soft X-ray (SXR; lambda<30nm) spectral regions. 25-fs pulses of 32-nm FLASH radiation were used to determine the ablation parameters of PMMA - poly (methyl methacrylate). Under these irradiation conditions the attenuation length and ablation threshold were found to be (56.

[Determination of differential renal function using dynamic scintigraphy].

By examination of 71 patients, using static and dynamic scintigraphy of the kidneys, the authors tested whether dynamic scintigraphy provides correct results of the separate renal function in case of a symmetrical localization of the kidneys. In case of slight asymmetry the error of calculation is feasible. In case of major differences in the position of the kidneys the results cannot be used for clinical purposes.

[Determination of differential renal function using 99m Tc-DMSA scintigraphy].

By examination of 331 patients, using 99mTc-DMSA, the authors confirmed that static scintigraphy is an accurate method for assessment of the separate renal function. In four groups of patients with different positions of the kidneys the authors proved that correction for different absorption of gamma radiation from the left and right kidney is essential. Without correction results with a significant error are obtained, in particular in patients with an asymmetric position of the kidneys, where the results calculated without correction cannot be used for clinical purposes.

[Antibodies against thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyroglobulin as a possible cause of error in the diagnosis of disorders of thyroid gland function].

The authors examined in a 82-year-old female patient T4, T3, free T4, TSH, thyroglobulin and made the TRH-TSH functional test because of suspected thyroid disease. For thyroid hormones they obtained controversial resulting levels: in T4 signalizing an unreasonable negative value, in T3 a very high level, in TSH and the TRH-TSH test levels suggesting normal thyroid function which was consistent with the clinical picture. A more detailed laboratory analysis revealed the presence of antibodies binding 125I-T4 and 125I-T3 (radioindicators used for assessment of T4 and T3).

Indications for endarterectomy and STA-MCA shunts in the brain atherosclerosis.

Altogether 169 operations of patients with occlusion or stenosis of the brain arteries and brain magistral arteries are reviewed. In 151 patients the cause of disease was atherosclerosis. No one of the patients has died.