Background: Case presentation: Conclusions: SUMMARY Cognitive and emotional disturbances are increasingly reported in patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly when complicated by cerebrovascular events. This study examines the recovery of cognitive and emotional functioning in a female patient who experienced COVID-19 followed by ruptured intracranial aneurysms requiring multiple neurosurgical interventions. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted neurotherapy during the post-embolization rehabilitation process and to document the patient's functional improvement. A 41-year-old female patient contracted COVID-19, confirmed by PCR testing, and required two weeks of oxygen therapy. Shortly after discharge, she developed worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting, and right-leg numbness. On November 2, 2020, she presented with speech disturbances and right-sided weakness. CT angiography revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage and three saccular aneurysms: one at the anterior communicating artery and two at the middle cerebral artery bifurcations. She underwent embolization of the ruptured ACoA aneurysm, followed by elective pterional craniotomies with clipping of the left (January 21, 2021) and right (July 6, 2021) MCA aneurysms. All procedures were completed without complications, and she was discharged in good neurological condition. Despite stable postoperative recovery, the patient reported persistent difficulties in attention, memory, and emotional functioning. Neuropsychological assessment, quantitative EEG, event-related potentials (ERPs), and sLORETA tomography revealed dysfunction of the premotor cortex in two independent ERP components during a GO/NOGO task. Based on these findings, an integrated neurotherapy program was implemented, combining EEG-based neurofeedback with structured art therapy, delivered twice weekly over 10 weeks. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in sustained attention, working memory, executive functioning, and emotional stability. This case highlights the potential benefits of combining EEG-based neurofeedback with art therapy in the recovery of cognitive and emotional disturbances following COVID-19 infection and neurosurgical treatment of ruptured brain aneurysms. Integrated neurotherapy may support neuroplasticity, enhance frontal lobe functioning, and facilitate return to daily activities in complex post-neurosurgical cases.
Background: Differences between the methods and content of palliative care teaching in various countries, centers, as well as within various medical disciplines, are noteworthy. Involving patients during the learning process is increasingly considered. Obtaining patients opinions and recognizing future professionals' knowledge and attitudes are important issues. This project had three aims: 1) descriptive analysis of university palliative curricula, 2) a cohort study based on medical, nursing and physiotherapy students' attitudes regarding palliative care before starting the training and after its completion, and 3) cross-sectional analysis of hospice patients' preferences according to practical bedside teaching. Methods: The structures of curricula were analyzed for knowledge and attitudes regarding care of seriously ill patients using 9-item Italian version of the Frommelt Attitude Toward the Care of the Dying (FATCOD-B) scale. The hospice patients' acceptance of bedside teaching was also addressed (authors' questionnaire). Results: Palliative undergraduate teaching differed among the examined domains in terms of content (practical or theoretical), quantity and trainers' professions. The attitudes both before and after the teaching were found to be moderate, but were slightly lower in the physiotherapy subgroup. The vast majority of the surveyed hospice patients accepted the general concept of bedside teaching, but they were less likely to consent to more intimate/invasive procedures. Conclusions: All efforts should be made to foster a compassionate and committed attitude towards future work in palliative care. Enhanced cooperation between universities and delivery of palliative care in in-patient units are needed. When planning bedside teaching, everything should be done to minimize the risk of affecting patients' autonomy and dignity. Palliat Med Pract 2026; 20: e01326030
The proper course of pregnancy and fetal development depends, among other factors, on maintaining adequate levels of micronutrients in the maternal body. This integrative, concept-driven narrative review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the impact of selected elements, referred to as oncoelements, on placental function and obstetric outcomes. These include both potentially protective elements (selenium, zinc, copper) and toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic), which, in excess may disrupt oxidative, hormonal, and epigenetic homeostasis. Rather than providing a quantitative synthesis, the article is structured around a four-level conceptual model integrating molecular mechanisms, placental protection, clinical outcomes, and umbilical cord blood as a biomarker of prenatal exposure. Mechanisms of toxicity include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and altered gene expression. Given the observational nature of most studies, clinical recommendations remain cautious. Micronutrient assessment may be useful in selected high-risk groups, but requires further validation. In environmentally burdened regions, screening for toxic metals may be considered. Future research should clarify dose-response relationships, define threshold concentrations, and explore molecular biomarkers of exposure. Umbilical cord blood offers a promising matrix for assessing fetal exposure, although interpretation is limited by methodological variability and the lack of reference values.
Microgreens, the young edible seedlings of vegetables and herbs, have emerged as nutrient-rich alternatives in contemporary diets due to their enhanced sensory and nutritional attributes. This study investigates the nutritional composition and microbial quality of mung bean microgreens in comparison to mung bean sprouts. A consumer perception survey conducted via social media revealed that while awareness of microgreens’ health benefits is relatively high, actual consumption remains limited. On a fresh‑weight basis, microgreens showed lower protein and fat contents but nearly double the dietary fiber content compared to sprouts. Microgreens also exhibited elevated levels of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, with a slight reduction in potassium content. Furthermore, a significant increase in ascorbic acid (p < 0.05) was observed, whereas chlorophyll content showed no notable difference (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that mung bean microgreens may serve as a superior functional food component, offering a convenient, sustainable option to increase dietary fiber, selected minerals, and vitamin C in modern diets.
