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Introduction: Diabetes is a disease whose course is strongly determined by self-monitoring and self-care. Ensuring metabolic control of diabetes is not only important for the current state of health, it also allows to maintain the body in the best condition despite the existing chronic disease. Purpose: To assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors and depression symptoms and the level of disease acceptance in diabetes. Materials and methods: The study used a diagnostic survey method with a questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Acceptance of Illness Scale. The study group consisted of 43 women (51%) and 41 men (49%). A total of 67% of respondents had diagnosed type 2 diabetes, 24% type 1 diabetes, and 6% LADA. Average disease duration was 15 years. Results: In the studied group, 15% of patients had diagnosed symptoms of depression; while according to the Beck Depression Inventory, depressive episodes occurred more often in mild (30%) and moderate (23%) severity. They were observed more often in people over 50 years old. Depression symptoms were significantly more common in the group of overweight and obese people (p=0.022, r(X,Y)=0.2490). Conclusions: The problem of depression increases with disease duration. People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have lower levels of disease acceptance. Disease acceptance is a factor that eliminates the occurrence of depressive disorders of varying severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented issues concern the analysis of barriers limiting large-scale underground hydrogen storage. Prospects for the rapid development of the hydrogen economy, the role of hydrogen in a carbon-neutral economy, and the production, use, and demand for hydrogen today and in the perspective of 2050 are indicated. The decreasing costs of producing 'green' hydrogen, rising prices of CO 2 emission allowances, and the development of carbon capture and storage technology will have a significant impact on the rapid deployment of underground hydrogen storage (UHS). Underground storage of large quantities of hydrogen from surplus renewable energy production is of interest to government institutions interested in the construction of hydrogen storage sites, geological services, large renewable energy sources electricity producers, and chemical and petrochemical plants. It offers the possibility of long-term, safe storage of this gas at relatively low costs. The prospect of quick implementation of UHS technology on an industrial scale is associated with the definition and overcoming of numerous barriers and obstacles that stand in its way today. Based on the recent literature, they are discussed in the present article. The following have been identified as significant barriers to the implementation of UHS: geological and reservoir constraints, technical and safety limitations, legal barriers, conflicts of interest, and social acceptance of underground hydrogen storage. The most important obstacles in this regard have been identified. • Interactions of H 2 with rocks and fluids in storage sites must be recognized. • The insufficiently recognized impact of hydrogen properties on storage safety. • The lack of H 2 storage regulations may inhibit the development of this technology. • Knowledge of underground H 2 storage is essential for public acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal of the ongoing work is to understand the dynamic interactions of neuroimmune components in the transition from normal brain function to dysfunction at the molecular, cellular levels in patients with schizophrenia especially deficite type. We have recruited and examined n=195 Non-deficit and n= 309 Deficit schizophrenia patients. In this study, we tested whether schizophrenia patients at different stages of illness might present alterations in the levels of HERV-K methylation. No significant differences in HERV-K methylation levels between D-SCZ and ND-SCZ as well as HCs were found. Our results indicate lower HERV-K methylation levels at early stages of schizophrenia. This difference might normalize with subsequent exacerbations of schizophrenia, likely due to the effects of anti-psychotics. Additionally we have tested a hypothesis whether variation in immune-inflammatory genes (IL-6, TGF-ß, CTLA-4 and CD28) might be associated with susceptibility to deficit schizophrenia. Polymorphisms in immune-inflammatory response genes are believed to impact schizophrenia susceptibility. However, it remains unknown whether immunogenetic factors play a role in the etiology of deficit schizophrenia (D-SCZ). Therefore, we genotyped four polymorphisms in genes encoding two immune system regulatory proteins (CTLA-4 rs231775 and CD28 rs3116496), interleukin-6 (IL6 rs1800795) and transforming growth factor-ß (TGFB1 rs1800470) in 513 schizophrenia patients and 374 controls. The CD28 rs3116496-CC genotype and C-allele were significantly more frequent in the whole group of patients and D-SCZ patients compared to controls. Our results indicate that the CD28 rs3116496 polymorphism might impact the risk of schizophrenia, especially D-SCZ. Immune-inflammatory alterations hold a great promise for better understanding disease etiopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the most favourable conditions for the use of geothermal energy are found in the Tatra region, in addition, the Foreland of the Carpathians in Poland is rich in low-temperature geothermal waters, both in Cenomanian sandstones and Middle Jurassic sandstones. The geothermal activity is manifested by thermal waters in boreholes situated between the towns of Wl̵oszczowa, Mys´lenice and Tarno´w. Here the Mesozoic waters occur 200 to 2000 m below the surface and their temperatures vary between 20 and 70 °C. The continuous artesian outflow of geothermal waters was observed in many wells during long-term tests. The maximum artesian outflow of fresh water was observed in the zone north of Cracow, i.e. 100 m3/h with a temperature of about 20 °C. The results of the analyses which were carried out on the Mesozoic formation confirmed considerable zonation and the existence of local constraints on the reservoir parameters which result from the characteristics of the deposited environment. A distinct relationship was also noted between the total thickness and other reservoir parameters. Moreover, a strong correlation was observed between the degree of water mineralization and the distance from the infiltration zone or depth at which the waters occurred. In the western zones, located close to the recharge areas, waters are fresh or nearly fresh and their temperatures are influenced by surface waters. Favourable conditions for the financial investment in geothermal energy in the Mesozoic Basin of this region are associated with the low mineralization (allowing for exploitation with a single well) and shallowness of the aquifers (i.e. low drilling costs). The paper presents results of analyses of the temperature characteristics of the Mesozoic formation, yields from existing wells and the energy potential of geothermal waters from the point of view of future geothermal projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction There is a scarcity of prospective studies addressing the influence of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) gene polymorphisms on antipsychotic-induced metabolic changes in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients. Objectives We aimed at investigating metabolic side effects of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) with respect to the MTHFR gene polymorphisms in FES patients. Methods Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene (C677T and A1298C) were investigated with respect to changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) together with serum levels of glucose, lipids, homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate after 12 weeks of treatment with SGAs in 135 FES patients. Results The 677TT genotype was associated with significantly higher BMI, WC and serum levels of triglycerides, as well as significantly lower folate levels at baseline. Additionally, the 677T allele was associated with significantly lower folate levels at baseline. The 677CC homozygotes had significantly higher increase in BMI and serum levels of triglycerides. The 677TT genotype predicted significantly higher increase in homocysteine levels and significantly higher decrease in folate levels. These associations were also significant in the allelic analysis. Only the patients with the 677T allele had significantly lower folate levels and significantly higher homocysteine levels at the follow-up. The 677T allele was also related to significantly lower increase in WC. The 1298CC homozygotes had significantly higher weight gain in the course of treatment with SGAs. Conclusions The MTHFR gene polymorphisms might predict antipsychotic-induced weight gain in FES patients. In addition, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism might be also predictive with respect to other metabolic adversities of SGAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The influence of the immune deregulation on the risk and psychopathology of schizophrenia is increasingly recognized in the literature. Aim To assess the association between serum IL-1RA on schizophrenia psychopathology. Methods We recruited 88 schizophrenia patients (38 males and 49 females, mean age 38.12 ± 12.67 years) and 88 healthy adult control subjects (68 males, 20 females, mean age 40.63 ± 7.99 years). Lifetime psychopathology was evaluated using Operational Criteria for Psychotic Illness (OPCRIT) checklist, while current psychopathology was assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Serum samples were stored in aliquots at –80 °C. Serum levels of IL1-RA were measured using Immunoassay (ELISA). Results There were statistically significant differences between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls (median ± interquartile range: 350,81 ± 227.04 and 888.74 ± 762.63, respectively [pg/ml]) ( U Mann–Whitney test, Z = –7.99, P < 0.0001). There were no differences in serum IL1-RA levels between male and female among patients with schizophrenia ( U Mann–Whitney test, Z = –0.22, P = 0.82) nor among healthy control subjects ( U Mann–Whitney test, Z = –0.17, P = 0.86). Among schizophrenia patients, there was a trend-level association between IL-1RA serum level with negative symptoms (Spearman correlation coefficient, r = –0.23, P = 0.056), positive symptoms (Spearman correlation coefficient r = –0.22, P = 0.066), and on a statistically significant level with general symptoms (Spearman correlation coefficient r = –0.28, P = 0.018). Conclusion Serum IL1-RA level is higher in schizophrenia patients in comparison to healthy controls and it is associated with schizophrenia psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Accumulating evidence indicates concordant epigenetic dysregulation in the brain and peripheral blood leukocytes in schizophrenia. It has also been found that stressful and traumatic events may alter DNA methylation; however, such studies have not been performed in schizophrenia patients. Objectives This study aimed at comparing LINE-1 methylation in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and healthy control (HC) subjects with respect to the history of trauma. Methods We recruited 40 FES patients and 49 HC subjects matched for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The early trauma self-report – short form (ETISR-SF) was administered to assess traumatic events. In addition to assessment of LINE-1 methylation, serum levels of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 were measured in all subjects. Results There was no significant difference in LINE-1 methylation between FES patients and HC subjects. However, LINE-1 methylation was significantly lower in FES patients with positive history of trauma when compared with FES patients and HC subjects with negative history of trauma (58.08±3.27% vs. 61.28±4.12%, p = 0.022 and 58.08±3.27% vs. 61.12±4.73%, p = 0.038, respectively). There was no significant difference in LINE-1 methylation between FES patients and HC subjects with negative history of trauma. There was a negative correlation between total trauma score and LINE-1 methylation (r = −0.390, p = 0.012). After controlling for confounding variables (age, gender, treatment duration, pack-year index, metabolic parameters), LINE-1 methylation was associated with total trauma score (p = 0.011). Conclusions Traumatic events might be associated with lower global DNA methylation in FES patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Humans learn how to behave both through rules and instructions (explicit learning) as well as through environmental experiences (implicit learning). It has been shown that instructions can powerfully control people's choices, often leading to a confirmation bias. Aim To explore confirmation bias with respect to cognitive functioning in healthy adult participants. Methods We recruited 25 healthy adult control subjects (9 males, 16 females, age 31.40 ± 6.08 years). Participants completed Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Status (RBANSS) as well as Instructed Version of Probabilistic Selection Task (IPST) (Doll et al., 2009). Results Based on the performance on IPST into two groups: a group with higher and lower susceptibility to confirmation bias. We found no difference between these groups with respect to any of the cognitive domains measured with RBANSS (immediate memory, visuospatial abilities, language, attention and delayed memory) ( U Mann-Whitney test, P > 0.05). Conclusion In healthy adults, susceptibility to confirmation bias is independent of cognitive functioning (immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial abilities, language and attention). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social disability in persons diagnosed with mental disorder is one of the factors preventing them from achieving the broadly defined well-being, even when appropriate and effective treatment is applied. Improvement in the field of social disability is therefore one of the main challenges for the mental health and social welfare policy makers. The second version of the Groningen Social Disabilities Schedule (GSDS-II) is widely used in the assessment of social disability, however the relationship between its degree and many of the clinical and demographic factors have not been investigated thoroughly enough. The objective of the study is to assess the degree of social disability using GSDS-II as well as to analyze the relationship between the degree of social disability and clinical, social and demographic factors, in patients with a mental disorder diagnosis of F20–F48 according to ICD-10, aged 18–65, in a day ward and an inpatient ward settings. The paper presents the data gathered from a preliminary sample of 20 patients of both genders diagnosed with mental disorders who gave their informed consent to participate in the study, thus comprising 10% of the targeted total study sample. Our study, performed on a larger, targeted sample, will provide a better insight into the social functioning of persons with a burden of mental disorder. A precise presentation of the social disability shall improve the model of care offered to these persons. Any possible parallel studies in other countries, employing analogical methodology, could allow for a cross-national and cross-cultural comparison of the received outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) syndrome is caused by mutations in THRB gene and is inherited mainly as an autosomal dominant trait with dominant negative effect. Most of up-to-now described RTH cases were heterozygous. We studied a 19-year-old woman presenting severe mental impairment, hyperkinetic behavior, learning disability, hearing loss, tachycardia, goiter, strabismus, nystagmus, and normal stature. The laboratory findings revealed elevated TSH, T3, and T4 serum levels. Her parents were healthy with normal serum level of TSH, fT3, and fT4. Sequence based prediction of a substitution was analyzed by SDM, PolPhen, and SNAP software whereas structural visualizations were performed in UCSF Chimera. We found a novel mutation in THRB gene in position 1216 (G to A transition, codon 311) resulting in novel Glu- 311-Lys (p.E311K) substitution, homozygous in proband presenting with severe symptoms of RTH and heterozygous in both of her healthy parents, thus suggesting autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. p.E311K substitution was not found in 50 healthy, unrelated individuals. p.E311K was shown to be deleterious by SDM, PolPhen, and SNAP software. Structural visualizations of mutated protein performed by UCSF Chimera software disclosed a loss of hydrogen bonds between E311, R383, and R429 along with abnormal residue-residue contact between K311 and L377. This is a very rare case of a homozygous mutation in a patient with severe symptoms of RTH and lack of symptoms in both heterozygous parents. Although, computational analyses have provided the evidence that p.E311K substitution may affect THRB function, lack of dominant negative effect typical for THRB mutations could not be explained by structure-based modeling. Further in vitro analysis is required to assess the functional consequences of this substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Humans learn how to behave both through rules and instructions as well as through environmental experiences. It has been shown that instructions can powerfully control people's choices, often leading to a confirmation bias. Aim To compare learning parameters in reinforcement learning task with and without instructions. Methods We recruited 52 healthy adult control subjects (21 males, 31 females, age 30 ± 6.5 years). Participants completed Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Status (RBANSS). Twenty-seven participants completed additionally Probabilistic Selection Task (PST) while twenty-five participants completed Instructional Probabilistic Selection Task (IPST). To analyze learning parameters, we used Q-learning model with 3 parameters: learning rate due to positive and negative reinforcements as well as exploration-exploitation parameter. Results Both groups did not differ with respect to cognitive functioning measured with RBANSS (immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial abilities, language and attention); however, participants who completed PST had trend-level statistically faster learning rates due to positive ( P = 0.099) and negative reinforcements (0.057) in comparison to participants who completed IPST. Both groups did not differ with respect to exploration-exploitation parameter (0.409). Conclusion In healthy adults, interference of confirmation bias can influence learning speed independent of cognitive functioning (immediate and delayed memory, visuospatial abilities, language and attention). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic severe psychiatric disorder with multiple environmental and genetic determinants. Several reports indicate the possible role of immune system dysregulation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. An accumulating body of evidence indicates an association of schizophrenia and its psychopathology with altered cytokine production. The variation of the level of cytokines might be partly due to their functional gene polymorphism. Purpose: The study was carried out to investigate the association of schizophrenia with the following cytokine polymorphisms: IL-2 (-330T/G), IL-6 (-174G/C), IFN-gamma (+874 T/A), TGF-beta (+869 T/C and +915 G/C). Material and methods: We included 130 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 184 controls in our study. The patients were evaluated for lifetime psychotic symptomatology using the Operational Criteria for Psychotic Illness (OPCRIT) checklist. The patients having history of traumatic brain injury, neurologic disorders, substance abuse or immune related diseases were excluded from the study by detailed medical examination. Results: The polymorphisms were in HWE both in the cases’ and controls’ groups. In single marker analysis, we did not find an association for the tested polymorphisms. Conclusion: Our data do not support the role of IL-2, IL-6, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta gene polymorphisms in the predisposition to schizophrenia in the Polish population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) may be an important factor in pathogenesis of schizophrenia due to its role in neurodevelopmental processes: myelination, neurotransmitter receptor expression and synaptic plasticity. NRG1 has been also implied to play role in cognitive impairments, which are considered to be endophenotypes of schizophrenia, i.e. subclinical, heritable and independent of clinical state traits associated with genetic susceptibility. Surprisingly, a recent meta-analysis (Dickinson, 2007) demonstrated that reliable and easy to administer Digit Symbol Coding Task (DSCT) discriminate people with schizophrenia from comparison individuals better than the more widely studied neuropsychological instruments. Purpose: The study was carried out to investigate the association of a polymorphisms of the NRG1 gene (rs62510682) and schizophrenia with respect to performance on DSCT. Material and methods: We included 103 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria and 578 controls in our study. The patients were evaluated for lifetime psychotic symptomatology using the Operational Criteria for Psychotic Illness (OPCRIT) checklist. DSCT was administered to 80 patients. Results: The polymorphisms were in HWE both in the cases’ and controls’ groups. In single marker analysis, we did not find an association for the SNP tested. However; we have found that T allel carriers (TT and/or GT genotype) performed worse than G allel carriers (p=0.4) suggesting weaker cognitive processing efficiency. Conclusion: Our data do not support the role of the NRG1 gene polymorphism (rs62510682) in the predisposition to schizophrenia; however, the studied SNP might be considered to be a risk factor for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]