Franciszek Burdan

Introduction: Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, i.e., aspirin, diclofenac, dipyrone, ibuprofen, naproxen) and paracetamol are commonly ingested medications during pregnancy that for a long time were classified as relatively safe for mothers and fetuses. Areas covered: The review focuses on developmental toxicity of OTC NSAIDs. Expert opinion: Same epidemiological studies show that OTC antipyretics and painkillers may increase risk of spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth retardation, preterm constriction of ductus arteriosus with secondary persistent pulmonary hypertension, reduced fetal renal perfusion that leads to oligohydramion, prolonged pregnancy, as well as selected congenital anomalies, including orofacial cleft, cardiovascular (i.e. ventricular septal defect, pulmonary valve stenosis) and neural tube defects (i.e., anophthalmia/microphthalmia, encephalocele, spina bifida), amniotic bands/limb body wall defects, and transverse limb deficiencies. However, other reports prove high prenatal tolerability or even beneficial effect in case of selected maternal sicknesses, especially influenza or disease with fever and thrombotic complications. The best advice for pregnant women is to avoid any xenobiotic, especially multidrug therapy, but in case OTC NSAIDs are needed they should be ingested in lowest effective dose under physician consultation. After gestational week 20, NSAIDs could be ingested with caution and withdrawn at gestational week 32, since they may induce constriction of the ductus arteriosus and affect renal function. The only exception is low-dose of aspirin, ingestion of which should be stopped one week before delivery with epidural anesthesia or could be prolonged until the end of pregnancy in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of new thiosemicarbazone derivatives with potential applications as antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer agents. Six thiosemicarbazone derivatives (L–L5) were synthesized by reacting an appropriate thiosemicarbazide derivative with 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde. The structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed using mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by using the microdilution method, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Compound L1 showed the most potent antibacterial activity, especially against Bacillus cereus (MIC 10 mg/L). Molecular docking to topoisomerase II and transcriptional regulator PrfA suggests that the studied compounds can effectively bind to molecular targets recognized in anticancer and antibacterial therapies. An assessment of physicochemical properties (ADME) indicates favorable parameters of the compounds as potential drugs. Compounds L and L2 showed the highest antioxidant activity, surpassing the activity of the Trolox standard. Cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells was evaluated by the MTT assay. Compound L4 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on cancer cell survival. The obtained results indicate that the synthesized thiosemicarbazide derivatives, especially L1, L2, and L4, are promising compounds with potential applications as antibacterial and anticancer drugs.

Signs, including pictograms, present in public space are intended to enforce a specific behavior. Due to their simplicity and unambiguity of the message, they can be an effective tool of public healthcare. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge referred to the meaning of the sign prohibiting alcohol consumption during pregnancy among first-year medical students who do not have vast knowledge at present level in this field. The study was conducted among academic youth in Poland, and assumed a 5% risk of error, hence, for p <0.05 the differences were considered statistically significant. Out of the total number, there were 1,123 questionnaire forms correctly completed and these were further selected for the final analysis, which comprised of 751 by women and 372 by men. Among the respondents, over 92% properly recognized the sign warning against the use of alcohol during pregnancy. Moreover, more than 45% declared previous contact with this sign and above 53% claimed that they already had knowledge of the sing’s meaning. The graphic form of the sign allows for its correct interpretation, thus products which may become harmful especially to pregnant women and fetus can be clearly and legibly marked.

Late cardiotoxicity is a formidable challenge in anthracycline-based anticancer treatments. Previous research hypothesized that co-administration of carvedilol (CVD) and dexrazoxane (DEX) might provide superior protection against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity compared to DEX alone. However, the anticipated benefits were not substantiated by the findings. This study focuses on investigating the impact of CVD on myocardial redox system parameters in rats treated with DOX + DEX, examining its influence on overall toxicity and iron metabolism. Additionally, considering the previously observed DOX-induced ascites, a seldom-discussed condition, the study explores the potential involvement of the liver in ascites development. Compounds were administered weekly for ten weeks, with a specific emphasis on comparing parameter changes between DOX + DEX + CVD and DOX + DEX groups. Evaluation included alterations in body weight, feed and water consumption, and analysis of NADPH₂, NADP⁺, NADPH₂/NADP⁺, lipid peroxidation, oxidized DNA, and mRNA for superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase expressions in cardiac muscle. The iron management panel included markers for iron, transferrin, and ferritin. Liver abnormalities were assessed through histological examinations, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and serum albumin level measurements. During weeks 11 and 21, reduced NADPH₂ levels were observed in almost all examined groups. Co-administration of DEX and CVD negatively affected transferrin levels in DOX-treated rats but did not influence body weight changes. Ascites predominantly resulted from cardiac muscle dysfunction rather than liver-related effects. The study’s findings, exploring the impact of DEX and CVD on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, indicate a lack of scientific justification for advocating the combined use of these drugs at histological, biochemical, and molecular levels.

Introduction: The overweight and obesity epidemic represents a rapidly growing threat to the health of populations in an increasing number of countries. Nearly one-third of the world’s population has excess adipose tissue. Nowadays, obesity occurrence is so common that it is replacing more...

A rare case of asymptomatic traumatic neuroma, triggered by the performed amputation within the right thigh due to the osteosarcoma is reported. The MRI examination has shown a focal lesion at the end of the sciatic nerve, with isointense signal and weak contrast enhancement on T1-, high signal on T2-weighted images, without restriction diffusion on DWI. The morphology did not significantly change after 12 months, which confirms the primary diagnosis. The main limitation of the case is the lack of histological confirmation, since the lesion was not removed.

Primary liver neoplasms occurs relatively rarely in Poland. The most frequently occurring type of cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which globally constitutes 7% of all the occurrences of cancer. The incidence increases with age and is the highest in patients around the age of 70. It also varies significantly depending on the geographic location. The main factors that cause HCC are infection of HBV and HCV, whose genome integrates into the DNA of the host, causing mutations. The other factors include excessive alcohol consumption, contact or consumption of Aspergillus toxins as well as various metabolic disorders, such as α1-antitrypsin deficiency, hemochromatosis, tyrosinemia, porphyria, von Gierke disease and in person with gene mutation p.I148M of adiponutrin. HCC is usually detected incidentally, during ultrasound examination or during clinical diagnosis of liver failure. HCC can be diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is considered the most accurate diagnostic method. A core needle biopsy or the examination of the level of markers such as: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), D-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), tumourassociated glycoprotein 72 (CA 72-4, TAG-72), are advised for a complete diagnostics.

[b]Introduction and objective.[/b] Cervical squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies of women. Its incidence and morphology was analyzed based on the magnetic resonance (MR) data among rural and urban residents. [b]Materials and method.[/b] The study involved 61 Caucasian...

Uniform international terminology is a fundamental issue of medicine. Names of various organs or structures have developed since early human history. The first proper anatomical books were written by Hippocrates, Aristotle and Galen. For this reason the modern terms originated from Latin or Greek. In a modern time the terminology was improved in particular by Vasalius, Fabricius and Harvey. Presently each known structure has internationally approved term that is explained in anatomical or histological terminology. However, some elements received eponyms, terms that incorporate the surname of the people that usually describe them for the first time or studied them (e.g., circle of Willis, follicle of Graff, fossa of Sylvious, foramen of Monro, Adamkiewicz artery). Literature and historical hero also influenced medical vocabulary (e.g. Achilles tendon and Atlas). According to various scientists, all the eponyms bring colour to medicine, embed medical traditions and culture to our history but lack accuracy, lead of confusion, and hamper scientific discussion. The current article presents a wide list of the anatomical eponyms with their proper anatomical term or description according to international anatomical terminology. However, since different eponyms are used in various countries, the list could be expanded.