Effects of melatonin, extremely-low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF), and their combination on AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma line were studied. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were used as markers of cells antioxidative status, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was used as a marker of lipid peroxidation. After melatonin treatment, antioxidative enzyme activities were increased and MDA level was decreased. Application of ELF-MF on treated cells caused an increase of both superoxide dismutases activity and MDA level, but influence of ELF-MF on GSH-Px activity was negligible. All enzyme activity in culture medium containing melatonin (10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5) M) after exposure to ELF-MF were significantly diminished compared to cells treated only with melatonin. Also MDA levels after combined treatment with melatonin and ELF-MF were significantly decreased. Observed changes were statistically significant (p<0.05). These results strongly suggest that ELF-MF attenuates antioxidative actions of melatonin on cellular level.

Background and ObjectivesSince vaccination against COVID-19 is available for over a year and the population of immunized individuals with autoimmune disorders is higher than several months before, an evaluation of safety and registered adverse events can be made. We conducted a large study of side effects following the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with multiple (MS) sclerosis treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and analyzed factors predisposing for particular adverse events.MethodsWe gathered data of individuals with MS treated with DMTs from 19 Polish MS Centers, who reported at least one adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination. The information was obtained by neurologists using a questionnaire. The same questionnaire was used at all MS Centers. To assess the relevance of reported adverse events, we used Fisher's exact test, t-test, and U-Menn-Whutney test.ResultsA total of 1,668 patients with MS and reports of adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination were finally included in the study. Besides one case marked as “red flag”, all adverse events were classified as mild. Pain at the injection site was the most common adverse event, with a greater frequency after the first dose. Pain at the injection site was significantly more frequent after the first dose among individuals with a lower disability (EDSS ≤2). The reported adverse events following immunization did not differ over sex. According to age, pain at the injection site was more common among individuals between 30 and 40 years old, only after the first vaccination dose. None of the DMTs predisposed for particular side effects.ConclusionsAccording to our findings, vaccination against COVID-19 among patients with MS treated with DMTs is safe. Our study can contribute to reducing hesitancy toward vaccination among patients with MS.

Abstract:It is suspected that the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be affected by oxidative stress (OS). In the acute phase of the disease, OS is responsible for initiating inflammation, whereas in the chronic phase it sustains neurodegenerative process. Redox processes in MS are related to dysregulation of axonal bioenergetics, cerebral iron accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired oxidant/antioxidant balance, and OS memory. This chapter gives an overview of the role of OS in MS.

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Background COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV 2 has rapidly developed into pandemic. This infectious disease affecting mainly respiratory system may cause multiple systemic disorders. With increasing number of new infected patients there are more and more cases with neurological complications secondary to COVID-19. Case presentation Here we present a case of 67-years old Polish male with previously no comorbidities, who has developed bilateral paralysis of peroneal nerve after SARS-CoV 2 infection. Prior to the hospitalization he presented cough and fever and weakness. RT-PCR was reported positive for COVID-19 infection. Then he developed pneumonia and respiratory failure with bilateral lung consolidations on radiological examination. Laboratory findings revealed elevated levels of D-dimer, CRP, AspAT, GGTP, PCT and serum glucose. After discharge from hospital he was diagnosed with thrombophlebitis and prediabetes on follow-up visits. Due to problems with walking, numbness of toes and involuntary muscle spasms in hands, the patient went to the Neurological Outpatient Clinic. After neurological examination bilateral paralysis of peroneal nerve was revealed. Conclusions In this report we want to highlight one of the unexpected presentations of SARS-CoV 2 infection and emphasize the importance of neurological examination in COVID-19 patients.

Migrena i depresja często współwystępują, stanowiąc ważny problem kliniczny. Oba zaburzenia związane są z koniecznością przewlekłego leczenia, a ich wzajemne współwystępowanie sprzyja zjawisku lekooporności. Wpływając na funkcjonowanie pacjentów powodują także liczne konsekwnecje społeczne - oddziałując na jakość życia i realizację celów osobistych osób chorych. W prezentowanej pracy przeglądowej przedstawiono czynniki, które mogą wyjaśniać wspólne patomechanizmy depresji i migreny. Uwzględniono zaburzenia strukturalne i czynnościowe ośrodkowego układu nerwowego (OUN), zaburzenia w zakresie układów neuroprzekaźników, teorie zapalne, zaburzenia hormonalne, a także możliwe podłoże genetyczne. Ze względu na fakt, że zarówno depresja, jak i migrena mają etiologię wieloczynnikową i na obecnym etapie badań naukowych trudno jednoznacznie określić, który czynnik jest tym najważniejszym, zaprezentowano tak szeroki przegląd. Trudno także określić, które z wymienionych czynników, dobrze udokumentowanych w międzynarodowych badaniach, jedycznie współwystępują, a które z nich mogą mieć związek przyczynowo-skutkowy w opisywanych zaburzeniach. Podjęcie dalszych badań w zakresie współwystępowania migreny i depresji oraz przyczyn tego zjawiska wydają się warte rozważenia.

Scientific achievements concerning the direct relation between personality traits and positive orientation among patients with multiple sclerosis do not explain the role of potential mediators. In fact, some researchers argue that the traits–positivity association is much more complex than it seems to be. For this reason, we made an attempt to analyze the indirect relationship between the above-mentioned variables, including meaning in life as a mediator. In total, 618 patients with MS took part in the study. The NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Positive Orientation Scale, and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire were used. The results showed that positive orientation/the presence of meaning/searching for meaning correlated positively with extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and were negatively associated with neuroticism. Moreover, meaning in life in both its dimensions acted as a mediator in 9 of 10 models. It can be assumed that a propensity to establish interpersonal relationships (extraversion), use active imagination (openness), inspire confidence among others (agreeableness), and take responsibility (conscientiousness) can have an impact on someone’s positive attitude toward oneself and the surrounding world (positive orientation) when people have meaning in life and when they are seeking it.

Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of patients hospitalized and undergoing surgery due to parotid gland tumors. We have observed an increase in the total number of salivary gland tumors, and hence an increased number of malignant tumors. Etiological factors of salivary gland tumors are still unknown. Oxidative stress (OS) has been suggested to be an important indicator of carcinogenesis in some tumors. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the state of OS in patients with selected benign and malignant parotid gland tumors. After final postoperative histological diagnosis of the tumor, patients were divided into the following groups i.e. pleomorphic adenoma – 35 patients, Warthin’s tumor (WT) - 17 patients, mucoepidermoid carcinoma - 9 patients and 45 controls. The final study group included 106 patients. We found an increase in plasma lipofuscin levels in patients with all investigated parotid gland tumors. Furthermore, the activity of Cu/Zn-SOD in Warthin’s tumor patients was statistically lower compared to the controls, pleomorphic adenoma or mucoepidermoid carcinoma.In conclusion, we sustain the hypothesis on the presence of a low intensity whole-body OS in patients with parotid gland tumors. Furthermore, LPS may be a useful marker of OS in patients with benign and malignant tumors. Moreover, pathological mechanisms connected with WT seem to be different compared to malignant neoplasms and other benign tumors. It seems that Cu/Zn-SOD, as an antioxidative enzyme, may play an important role in those mechanisms taking part in WT.