Modeling the Initiation Phase of the Catalytic Cycle in the Glycyl-Radical Enzyme Benzylsuccinate Synthase.

The reaction of benzylsuccinate synthase, the radical-based addition of toluene to a fumarate cosubstrate, is initiated by hydrogen transfer from a conserved cysteine to the nearby glycyl radical in the active center of the enzyme. In this study, we analyze this step by comprehensive computer modeling, predicting (i) the influence of bound substrates or products, (ii) the energy profiles of forward- and backward hydrogen-transfer reactions, (iii) their kinetic constants and potential mechanisms, (iv) enantiospecificity differences, and (v) kinetic isotope effects. Moreover, we support several of the computational predictions experimentally, providing evidence for the predicted H/D-exchange reactions into the product and at the glycyl radical site.

Validation process of automatic DNA extraction from bone material using a new advanced protocol for the EZ2 Connect instrument.

Identification of human remains using genetic methods is an important task of forensic science. DNA markers are proving essential in the identification of unknown human remains. However, environmental factors can lead to poor preservation of DNA, including in bone material.

De novo missense variants in exon 9 of SEPHS1 cause a neurodevelopmental condition with developmental delay, poor growth, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features.

Selenophosphate synthetase (SEPHS) plays an essential role in selenium metabolism. Two mammalian SEPHS paralogues, SEPHS1 and SEPHS2, share high sequence identity and structural homology with SEPHS. Here, we report nine individuals from eight families with developmental delay, growth and feeding problems, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features, all with heterozygous missense variants in SEPHS1.

Virtual Reality as a Moderator of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy with the use of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), has demonstrated promise in treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, addiction, and treatment-resistant depression. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PP) represents a unique psychopharmacological model that leverages the profound effects of the psychedelic experience. That experience is characterized by strong dependency on two key factors: participant mindset and the therapeutic environment.

Subjective and Objective Assessments of Post-traumatic Olfactory Dysfunction.

Traumatic brain injuries are the most common cause of olfactory dysfunction. Deficits in olfaction may be conductive or neurosensory in nature, with varying degrees of impairment resulting in a diminished quality of life and an increased risk for personal injury among patients. The aim of this research is to evaluate the results of the subjective and objective quantitative examinations of olfactory function in a group of patients with post-traumatic anosmia in order to predict its value in identifying olfactory deficits in clinical practice.

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.

Quality of life and hearing after cochlear implant placement in patients over 60 years of age.

Objective: Multicenter evaluation of the quality of life and quality of hearing after Nucleus® cochlear implant placement in patients over 60 years of age.

Reference And Method: Evaluation was performed in patients receiving cochlear implants after the age of 60 years as a part of the Cochlear-Implanted Recipient Observational Study (Cochlear-IROS). This study is a prospective, international and long-term assessment which enables observation of recipients for up to three years after implantation.

Practical aspects of genetic identification of hallucinogenic and other poisonous mushrooms for clinical and forensic purposes.

Aim: To assess the usefulness of a DNA-based method for identifying mushroom species for application in forensic laboratory practice.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-one samples of clinical forensic material (dried mushrooms, food remains, stomach contents, feces, etc) were analyzed. ITS2 region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) was sequenced and the sequen-ces were compared with reference sequences collected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information gene bank (GenBank).

[The assessment of hearing impairment in patients over 60 years of age using hearing aids].

Objective: To assess the hearing impairment in people over 60 years old using hearing aids. This was a single-center study, but it is planned to extend it further to the whole country.

Materials And Methods: The study was focused on patients with hearing aids.

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.

[Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome in patients with hypoacusis and deafness].

Unlabelled: In 1978 Valvassori and Clemis have reported that enlarged vestibular aqueduct can cause progressive perceptive hearing loss and finally deafness.

Aim: Analysis of CT scans of patients with cochlear implants. Analysis of radiological data of 120 implanted patients was performed.

Poznań's program of cochlear and brainstem implantation: a general review.

The cochlear implantation program in Poznań started in January 1994. Within 8 years, 151 patients were implanted (149 cochlear and 2 auditory brain-stem implants). The implanted group comprised 111 children and 40 adults.

[An attempt to identify the most frequent genomic mutations responsible for isolated deafness in patients after cochlear implantation].

The aim of this study was to identify subjects with 35delG mutation of GJB2 gene as the most frequent genetic cause of deafness. Deaf patients receiving cochlear implantation at the ENT Clinic at University of Medical Sciences in Poznań and their family members were recruited to the study. Peripheral blood lymphocytes DNA was amplified in allele-specific PCR and analysed for single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) to detect mutation at DFNB1 locus.

Audiological assessment of unilateral deafness.

Unilateral deafness constitute medical (aetiological diagnosis, treatment, hearing aid fitting) and social problems (no certification of disability). Following audiological examinations were performed in the study: pure tone audiometry (PTA), impedance audiometry, auditory brainstem responses (ABR), otoacoustic emissions (OAE), as well as balance, taste, examinations and electric sensitivity of the acoustic nerve. In cases of tinnitus the parameters of its character were done.

[Diagnostic problems in a rapid course of Wegener's disease with sudden sensorineural hearing loss].

A rapid course of Wegener's disease with a sudden sensorineural hearing loss was described. The definitive diagnosis was established post mortem.

[Critical evaluation of the audiological test results in children].

Factors influencing results of objective hearing examination in children, i.e. auditory evoked potentials, based on own experiences are presented.

Hard-of-hearing children: factors negatively influencing rehabilitation.

In 78 hard-of-hearing children born in 1983-1985 a set of 14 factors influencing the rehabilitation result negatively was analyzed. As a measure of the success of rehabilitation of the children we employed the sufficient mastery of speech to start education at a public school. Unsuccessful results (statistically significant) were due to the following factors: severity and late diagnosis of hearing loss, late rehabilitation onset, diminished care of parents, delayed intellectual development and additional organic impairments and deafness of the parents.

[CT examination of the temporal bones for cochlear implantation].

CT examinations of temporal bones were performed in 31 deaf patients from qualify diagnostic stage prepared for cochlear implants. Essential for surgical treatment anatomic details were estimated, especially canalis spiralis cochleae was paid to attention. In our group, 8 patients had some CT changes (abnormal findings) which corresponded to different stages of obliteration the cochlea.

[The Poznan program of the treatment of deafness by multichannel cochlear implants].

The authors presented 5 deaf patients with postlingual deafness and application of cochlear implant "Nucleus Mini System 22". In details operative technics and postoperative proceeding were described as well as rehabilitation results in 3-6 months after operation. The authors consider, that in adults with postlingual deafness, application of cochlear implants were giving very good effects.

[Bilateral carotid glomus tumor].

In 42 year-old patient operated on neck tumour chemodectomy was diagnosed intraoperatively. Due to the substantial size of the tumour the treatment was additionally radiated. During control examination, 2 months after the end of the treatment, a tumour was diagnosed on the neck.

[The first experience in diagnosis and rehabiliation in patients with cochlear implant "Nuclear Mini System 22"].

The first qualification for cochlear implant "Nucleus" was performed on the basis of audiological tests. Next stage was conversation with a patient and his family about motivation of longterm rehabilitation. Then the two very important investigations were carried out--the computer tomography which showed inner ear structure, and electric promotory test.

[Post-influenza parageusia].

A case of postinfluenzal qualitative taste disorders lasting over two years was described. After short treatment subjective symptoms subsided completely and the results of the gustometric tests normalized themselves.