Background and Purpose— In a murine model of stroke, we identified a population of very small embryonic-like (VSEL) stem cells (SCs) in adult murine bone marrow that could be mobilized into peripheral blood (PB). This raised the question of whether a similar population of cells is mobilized in human stroke patients. Methods— We evaluated a number of cells that corresponded to VSEL SCs in the PB of 44 stroke patients and 22 age-matched controls. After each patient’s stroke, PB samples were harvested during the first 24 hours, on day +3, and on day +7 and then compared with normal controls. The circulating human cells with the phenotype of VSEL SCs were evaluated in PB by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, and direct immunofluorescence staining. In parallel, we also measured the serum concentration of stromal derived factor-1 by ELISA. Results— In stroke patients, we found an increase in the number of circulating cells expressing SC-associated antigens, such as CD133, CD34, and CXCR4. More important, we found an increase in the number of circulating primitive cells expressing the VSEL phenotype (CXCR4 ⁺ lin ⁻ CD45 ⁻ small cells), mRNA for Octamer-4 and Nanog, and Octamer-4 protein. All changes were accompanied by an increased serum concentration of stromal derived factor-1. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between stroke extensiveness, stromal derived factor-1 concentration in serum, and the number of CXCR4 ⁺ VSEL SCs circulating in the PB. Conclusions— We conclude that stroke triggers the mobilization of CXCR4 ⁺ VSEL SCs that have potential prognostic value in stroke patients. However, the potential role of these mobilized cells in brain regeneration requires further study.

Heavy metals may exacerbate metabolic syndrome (MS) but abnormal serum concentrations of bioelements may also co-exist with MS. The primary aim of the study was to assess the relationship of blood heavy metal and bioelement concentrations and MS, in men aged 50–75 years. Heavy metals—lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), tungsten (W), Macroelements—magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), and microelements—iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se) and manganese (Mn), body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), abdominal circumference (AC) and blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TCh), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, and Homeostasis Model Assessment—Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The men with MS showed statistically significant higher Zn and lower Mg concentrations. Those with diabetes had higher Ca concentration and lower Mg concentration. Cr and Mn concentrations were significantly higher in obese men. The participants with hypertension had lower Mg concentration. We found statistically significant positive correlations (W-TCh, W-LDL, Mg-TCh, Mg-LDL, Ca-TCh, Ca-LDL, Ca-insulin, Ca-HOMAR-IR, Zn-TG, Zn-insulin, Zn-HOMA-IR, Cu-BP systolic, Mn-BMI, Mn-AC, Mn-WHR, Mn-insulin, Mn-HOMA-IR, Se-TCh, Se-LDL, Se-TG, Se-insulin, Se-HOMA-IR, Cr-TCh, Cr-HDL, Cr-LDL, Cr-TG) and negative correlations (Cd-insulin, Hg-WHR, W-insulin, W-HOMA-IR, Mg-BMI, Mg-AC, Mg-WHR, Mg-BP systolic, Mo-insulin, Mn-HDL). Tungsten may contribute to lipid disorders. Magnesium appears to play the protective role in the occurrence of metabolic disorders. Microelements Mn, Cr and Se may intensify MS.

Background: Wide-necked intracranial aneurysms have been a challenge for endovascular techniques. With the advent of adjunctive devices such as balloons or stents, recanalisation rates have decreased secondary to better packing.Purpose: The purpose of this registry was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the new Low-profiled Visualized Intraluminal Support LVIS and LVIS Jr. stents in the treatment of unruptured wide-neck intracranial aneurysms.Methods: The LVIS or LVIS Jr. stent-assisted coil embolisation was performed in 78 patients harbouring 78 intracranial aneurysms. There were 59 aneurysms located in the anterior circulation and 19 in the posterior circulation. Clinical data and 6-month follow-up angiograms are presented.Results: The LVIS and LVIS Jr. stents were successfully delivered to the target aneurysm; however, there were seven cases in which the LVIS/LVIS Jr. stents had suboptimal opening and apposition to the parent vessel wall. The overall technical success for all groups was 91% (71 of 78 stents). There was complete angiographic occlusion in 66 (85%) of 78 cases and residual neck remnants in 12 (15%) cases. All patients had 6-month angiographic follow-up, which demonstrated complete occlusion of the target aneurysm in 64 (82%) cases, residual neck remnants in 5 (6%) cases and there was aneurysm filling in 9 (12%) cases.Conclusions: The LVIS/LVIS Jr. stent system is safe and effective for the treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms, providing suitable support of the coil mass, which allows for a high level of occlusion with low rates of recanalisation and subsequent treatments.

Background:The aim of this study was to determine the type and frequency of ophthalmologic changes occurring in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Material andMethods:One hundred consecutive patients (196 eyes) with idiopathic PD and a control gro...

This longitudinal study aimed at investigating Polish medical students’ career choice motivation, factors influencing specialty choices, professional plans and expectations. The same cohort of students responded to the same questionnaire, at the end of Year 1 and Year 6. The Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U tests and logistic regression were used in analyses. The results showed that altruistic and scientific reasons were the main motives for choosing a medical career. The motives remained stable over time. The effect of gender on altruistic motivation was stronger at the end of the study, with females’ rating higher. The most favored career paths were associated with non-primary care specializations and work in a hospital. Results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that primary care specializations were more attractive to females, final year students, those from small agglomerations, and those less concerned about high earnings. Preferences regarding sector of work were formed at later stages of training. A preference shift was observed, between Year 1 and Year 6, towards favoring work in the public sector. Predictors of the desire to work in the public sector were: being a male and the final year student, paying less attention to high earnings, wanting certainty of finding work, having a stronger need for interesting and socially important work. A significant decline in the level of interest in seeking employment abroad was observed with the progress of studies. Our findings are likely to provide useful information for educators, policy planners and policy makers.