Since physicians play a key role in vaccination, the initial training of medical students (MS) should aim to help shape their attitude in this regard. The beginning of vaccination programs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an excellent time to assess the attitudes held by both medical and non-medical students regarding vaccination. A 51- to 53-item questionnaire including the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale was administered to 1971 students (49.21% male; 34.86% MS); two career-related questions were also addressed to the MS. The majority of surveyed students indicated a desire to get vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, with more medical than non-medical students planning to get vaccinated (91.99% vs. 59.42%). The most common concern about SARS-CoV-2 infection was the risk of passing on the disease to elderly relatives. While conspiracy theories regarding the COVID-19 vaccine are less popular among MS, both groups indicated concerns that vaccines may cause autism is equally common (~5%). Further studies exploring social attitudes towards the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are a necessary first step to optimizing vaccination programs and achieving herd immunity.

Healthcare workers are particularly exposed to biological risk during their daily occupational activities. Nowadays, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become one of the most widespread infectious agents. In the current study, we performed a survey on the attitude and behavior of Polish healthcare workers (HCW), which comprise physicians (MD) and administrative healthcare assistants (HA) towards the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Our study involved 2300 subjects (42.17% female; 10.96% MD; 5.87% HA). The evaluation was conducted using a Google Forms survey based on original questions and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items questionnaire. HCW significantly more often demonstrated their willingness to get vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 as compared to the control group (82.95% vs. 54.31%, respectively). The main concern, as regards all groups, was the development of long-term side effects after getting COVID-19 vaccine. The study revealed that depression significantly affects the willingness to get vaccinated. The readiness was significantly strengthened by positive medical history of recommended vaccinations, fear of catching COVID-19, as well as fear of passing on the disease to the relatives. Overall, the percentage of HCW, who want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 remains unsatisfactory. Further works exploring this subject are needed to take a step closer to achieving the herd immunity in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neurovascular compression syndromes (NVC) are challenging disorders resulting from the compression of cranial nerves at the root entry/exit zone. Clinically, we can distinguish the following NVC conditions: trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Also, rare cases of geniculate neuralgia and superior laryngeal neuralgia are reported. Other syndromes, e.g., disabling positional vertigo, arterial hypertension in the course of NVC at the CN IX-X REZ and torticollis, have insufficient clinical evidence for microvascular decompression. The exact pathomechanism leading to characteristic NVC-related symptoms remains unclear. Proposed etiologies have limited explanatory scope. Therefore, we have examined the underlying pathomechanisms stated in the medical literature. To achieve our goal, we systematically reviewed original English language papers available in Pubmed and Web of Science databases before 2 October 2021. We obtained 1694 papers after eliminating duplicates. Only 357 original papers potentially pertaining to the pathogenesis of NVC were enrolled in full-text assessment for eligibility. Of these, 63 were included in the final analysis. The systematic review suggests that the anatomical and/or hemodynamical changes described are insufficient to account for NVC-related symptoms by themselves. They must coexist with additional changes such as factors associated with the affected nerve (e.g., demyelination, REZ modeling, vasculature pathology), nucleus hyperexcitability, white and/or gray matter changes in the brain, or disturbances in ion channels. Moreover, the effects of inflammatory background, altered proteome, and biochemical parameters on symptomatic NVC cannot be ignored. Further studies are needed to gain better insight into NVC pathophysiology.

To monitor redox state changes and biological mechanisms occurring in mitochondrial cytochromes in cancers improving methods are required. We used Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging to monitor changes in the redox state of the mitochondrial cytochromes in ex vivo human brain and breast tissues at 532 nm, 633 nm, 785 nm. We identified the oncogenic processes that characterize human infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) and human brain tumors: gliomas; astrocytoma and medulloblastoma based on the quantification of cytochrome redox status by exploiting the resonance-enhancement effect of Raman scattering. We visualized localization of cytochromes by Raman imaging in the breast and brain tissues and analyzed cytochrome c vibrations at 750, 1126, 1337 and 1584 cm⁻¹ as a function of malignancy grade. We found that the concentration of reduced cytochrome c becomes abnormally high in human brain tumors and breast cancers and correlates with the grade of cancer. We showed that Raman imaging provides additional insight into the biology of astrocytomas and breast ductal invasive cancer, which can be used for noninvasive grading, differential diagnosis.

We developed a practical and cost-effective method of production of a 3D-printed model of the arterial Circle of Willis of patients treated because of an intracranial aneurysm. We present and explain the steps necessary to produce a 3D model from medical image data, and express the significant value such models have in patient-specific pre-operative planning as well as education. A Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) viewer is used to create 3D visualization from a patient’s Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) images. After generating the reconstruction, we manually remove the anatomical components that we wish to exclude from the print by utilizing tools provided with the imaging software. We then export this 3D reconstructions file into a Standard Triangulation Language (STL) file which is then run through a “Slicer” software to generate a G-code file for the printer. After the print is complete, the supports created during the printing process are removed manually. The 3D-printed models we created were of good accuracy and scale. The median production time used for the models described in this manuscript was 4.4 h (range: 3.9–4.5 h). Models were evaluated by neurosurgical teams at local hospital for quality and practicality for use in urgent and non-urgent care. We hope we have provided readers adequate insight into the equipment and software they would require to quickly produce their own accurate and cost-effective 3D models from CT angiography images. It has become quite clear to us that the cost-benefit ratio in the production of such a simplified model is worthwhile.

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a main public health problem, the prevalence of which is continuously increasing worldwide. Due to adverse effects of renal replacement therapies, kidney transplantation seems to be the optimal form of therapy with significantly improved survival, quality of life and diminished overall costs compared with dialysis. However, post-transplant patients frequently suffer from post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) which an important risk factor for cardiovascular and cardiovascular-related deaths after transplantation. The management of post-transplant diabetes resembles that of diabetes in the general population as it is based on strict glycemic control as well as screening and treatment of common complications. Lifestyle interventions accompanied by the tailoring of immunosuppressive regimen may be of key importance to mitigate PTDM-associated complications in kidney transplant patients. More transplant-specific approach can include the exchange of tacrolimus with an alternative immunosuppressant (cyclosporine or mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor), the decrease or cessation of corticosteroid therapy and caution in the prescribing of diuretics since they are independently connected with post-transplant diabetes. Early identification of high-risk patients for cardiovascular diseases enables timely introduction of appropriate therapeutic strategy and results in higher survival rates for patients with a transplanted kidney.