CNS-Related Effects Caused by Vanadium at Realistic Exposure Levels in Humans: A Comprehensive Overview Supplemented with Selected Animal Studies.

Neurodegenerative disorders, which are currently incurable diseases of the nervous system, are a constantly growing social concern. They are progressive and lead to gradual degeneration and/or death of nerve cells, resulting in cognitive deterioration or impaired motor functions. New therapies that would ensure better treatment results and contribute to a significant slowdown in the progression of neurodegenerative syndromes are constantly being sought. Vanadium (V), which is an element with a wide range of impacts on the mammalian organism, is at the forefront among the different metals studied for their potential therapeutic use. On the other hand, it is a well-known environmental and occupational pollutant and can exert adverse effects on human health. As a strong pro-oxidant, it can generate oxidative stress involved in neurodegeneration. Although the detrimental effects of vanadium on the CNS are relatively well recognized, the role of this metal in the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, at realistic exposure levels in humans, is not yet well characterized. Hence, the main goal of this review is to summarize data on the neurological side effects/neurobehavioral alterations in humans, in relation to vanadium exposure, with the focus on the levels of this metal in biological fluids/brain tissues of subjects with some neurodegenerative syndromes. Data collected in the present review indicate that vanadium cannot be excluded as a factor playing a pivotal role in the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative illnesses, and point to the need for additional extensive epidemiological studies that will provide more evidence supporting the relationship between vanadium exposure and neurodegeneration in humans. Simultaneously, the reviewed data, clearly showing the environmental impact of vanadium on health, suggest that more attention should be paid to chronic diseases related to vanadium and to the assessment of the dose-response relationship.

Religious Coping and Life Satisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Polish Catholics. The Mediating Effect of Coronavirus Anxiety.

Recent data have indicated that people may have experienced fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between religious coping and life satisfaction by analysing the indirect effects of fear of COVID-19. METHODS: This study included 365 people (75% women) aged 18-78 years. The procedure consisted of completing questionnaires to measure religious coping, COVID-19 anxiety, satisfaction with life, and satisfaction with social support. RESULTS: Structural equation modelling showed that positive religious coping was related to greater life satisfaction and greater satisfaction with social support during the pandemic. Moreover, fear of COVID-19 mediated the relationship between negative religious coping and life satisfaction and social support satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest a need for practitioners to focus on interventions that enhance positive religious coping to improve life satisfaction during the spread of infectious diseases.

Resilience and Mental Health in the Polish Population during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mediation Analysis.

The aim of this paper was to assess the state of resilience and well-being in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also assessed the relationship between resilience and mental health. Finally, we tested the mediating role of COVID-19 anxiety, persistent thinking, and the stress burden in the relationship between mental health and resilience. This research perspective can provide important insights into how individuals can become mentally stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study included 1758 people (73% women) aged 18-80 years. The procedure consisted of completing a questionnaire measuring well-being, COVID-19 anxiety, obsession with COVID-19, stress over COVID-19, and resilience. RESULTS: Bootstrap sampling analysis showed significant partial mediators for the relationship between resilience and well-being. Important mediators were coronavirus anxiety, persistent thinking, and perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study clearly indicate that resilience as a protective factor is associated with reduced anxiety about COVID-19, perceived stress burden, obsessive thoughts about the pandemic, and increased well-being of individuals. Resilience plays an important role in minimizing negative and enhancing positive health indicators in the face of challenging life events.

IS IT WORTH EXAMINING EEG FUNCTION IN PEOPLE UNDERGOING ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY?

The vast majority of hip or knee arthroplasty finishes with improved limb functional status. Despite this, some patients do not recover; they "save" the operated limb; they cannot trust it. This also happens in patients whose range of motion and muscle strength are rated as very good. It is possible, therefore, that the causes must be located in the movement initiating centre, in the motor cortex. We can link the activation and changes in the metabolism of the cerebral cortex, e.g. during limb movement, with the changes in bioelectrical activity visible in electroencephalography (EEG). Conclusions: Our literature analysis shows that so far, no study has been conducted to check whether EEG activity changes over the sensory-motor region after lower limb arthroplasty. We propose the design of such a study with an analysis of potential difficulties that would have to be overcome by the team undertaking the challenge. The obtained data could be the basis for neurorehabilitation using the EEG biofeedback method. Effective interventions would further improve the quality of life.

MR-guided focused ultrasound: a new generation treatment of Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and neuropathic pain.

The application of high intense focused ultrasound (HIFU) is currently the subject of many experimental and clinical trials. The combination of HIFU with MRI guidance known as MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) appears to be particularly promising to ablate tissues located deep in the brain. The method can be the beginning of interventional neurology and an important alternative to neurosurgery. Studies conducted to date show the effectiveness of the method both in chronic diseases and in emergency cases. The safety and effectiveness of this method have been observed in parkinsonian and essential tremor as well as in neuropathic pain. The procedure does not require anaesthesia. Ionizing radiation is not used and there is no risk of cumulative dose. Such advantages may result in low complication rates and medical justification for further development of MRgFUS.