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Abstract Polyphasic approach has become a generally accepted method for the classification of cyanobacteria. In this study, we present a detailed characterisation of two strains, KUCC C1 and KUCC C2, isolated from the Curonian Lagoon and classified to the Aphanizomenon genus. Despite phylogenetic similarity, the strains differ with respect to morphology, ultrastructure characteristics, and the metabolite profile. In the KUCC C1 extract, three unknown peptides and eight anabaenopeptins were detected, while KUCC C2 produced one unknown peptide and one aeruginosin. In both strains, a total of eleven pigments were detected. The production of myxoxantophyll, chlorophyll-a, chlorophylide-a, and zeaxanthin was higher in KUCC C2 than in KUCC C1. Extracts from both strains of Aphanizomenon also had different effects in antibacterial, anticancer and enzyme inhibition assays. Comprehensive analyses of Aphanizomenon strains performed in this study showed significant diversity between the isolates from the same bloom sample. These differences should be considered when exploring the ecological significance and biotechnological potential of a given population.

The Tatra Mountains stand out as the wettest and most water-rich region in Poland. Despite this, limited studies addressed this issue, and current knowledge largely relies on data obtained in the mid-20th century, with a substantial lack of current estimates. This study aims to fill this gap by evaluating the contemporary water resources of springs in the Tatra Mountains. The study bases on the most recent hydrological mapping of 1,018 springs. The spring resources were evaluated using parameters such as the number of springs, specific runoff, and crenological index, analysed across different physiographic regions, tectonic units, and altitudinal zones. Our studies showed that the highest number of springs occurs in the Western Tatras (66%) between 1000 and 1400 m a.s.l., especially within the Sub-Tatric unit. Springs with discharges ranging from 0.1–1.0 dm3∙s−1 constitute approximately 70% of all springs but they contribute to only 8.1% of spring water resources. Total spring discharge amounted to 2726 dm3∙s−1 and was higher in the Western Tatras (1982.5 dm3∙s−1 than in the High Tatras (743.5 dm3∙s−1 . The specific runoff amounted to 12.9 dm3∙s−1 m−2 with the highest total runoff at altitudes occupied by the most abundant karst springs (1000–1100 m a.s.l.). The crenological index amounted to 4.8 springs∙km−2 and was higher in the Western Tatras (6.5 springs∙km−2) than in the High Tatras (4.9 springs∙kmup−2) . The analysis revealed that the only five largest karst springs, constituting a mere 0.5% of all springs, account for 65% of spring water resources in the Tatras.

Abstract One-third of people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa start antiretroviral therapy (ART) with advanced disease. We investigated associations between immune biomarkers and mortality in participants with advanced HIV randomised to cotrimoxazole or enhanced antimicrobial prophylaxis in the Reduction of Early Mortality in HIV-Infected Adults and Children Starting Antiretroviral Therapy (REALITY) trial (ISRCTN43622374). Biomarkers were assayed using ELISA and Luminex. Associations between baseline values and all-cause 24-week mortality were analysed using Cox models, and for cause-specific mortality used Fine & Gray models, including prophylaxis randomisation, viral load, CD4, WHO stage, age, BMI, and site as covariates; and weighted according to inverse probability of selection into the substudy. Higher baseline CRP, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IP-10 were associated with higher all-cause mortality; and higher IL-23, IL-2 and RANTES with lower all-cause mortality. Associations varied by cause of death: tuberculosis-associated mortality was most strongly associated with higher CRP and sST2, and cryptococcosis-associated mortality with higher IL-4 and lower IL-8. Changes in I-FABP (p = 0.002), faecal alpha-1 antitrypsin (p = 0.01) and faecal myeloperoxidase (p = 0.005) between baseline and 4 weeks post-ART were greater in those receiving enhanced versus cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Our findings highlight how the immune milieu shapes outcomes following ART initiation, and how adjunctive antimicrobials can modulate the gut environment in advanced HIV.

In dem vorliegenden Beitrag wird der Frage nachgegangen, ob die epistemischen Implikationen der Annahme der Binarität der Rechtswahrnehmung auf die bisherige Auffassung der Beschaffenheit der festen Wortverbindungen in der Fachsprache des Rechts Einfluss haben können. Diese Frage ist insbesondere im Kontext des Merkmals der semantischen Festigkeit derjenigen festen Wortverbindungen relevant, welche Termini sind. Nach der Meinung des Autors können Merkmale der festen Wortverbindungen der juristischen Fachsprache, welche Termini sind, nicht ohne Einbeziehung der Begriffsgeschichte erörtert werden.

Abstract The aim of this study was to create a dataset of building locations in Poland from the 1970s–1980s. The source information was the historical 1:10 000 Polish topographic map. Building footprints were detected and extracted from approximately 8,500 scanned map sheets using the Mask R-CNN model implemented in Esri ArcGIS Pro software, and converted to point building locations. The dataset of building locations covers the entire country and contains approximately 11 million points representing buildings. The accuracy of the dataset was assessed manually on randomly selected map sheets. The overall accuracy is 95% (F1 = 0.98). The dataset may be used in conjunction with various contemporary land use, land cover and cadastral datasets in a broad range of applications related to long-term changes in rural and urban areas, including urban sprawl and its environmental and social consequences. It can also serve as a highly reliable reference dataset for regional or global settlement products derived, e.g., from early Landsat data.

The possibilities of metals recovery from copper ores with the biotechnological methods are widely known. The methods consist in bioleaching of copper ores, copper concentrates and byproducts of their production, as well as metals recovery from leaching solutions. Biohydrometallurgical methods were tested for years to be applied at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., in order to improve efficiency of copper production. Several different research units worked on the topic, and the most significant and wide range initiatives in this area are mentioned in this article. One of the initiatives is an ongoing German and French Ecometals project. KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. and KGHM Cuprum Ltd. Research and Development Centre are this project Partners. In the frame of the project different metals bearing materials (ores, concentrates and tailings) are tested. Among them three lithological types of the copper ore from Rudna mine and the copper concentrate from Lubin concentrator are used for studies. The article gives a general overview of these activities, with the main focus on results of bioleaching studies of selected materials, conducted by KGHM Cuprum. In these studies sandstone and shale, as well as so called “shale concentrate” (containing 39% of the shale) were used for experiments, and possibilities of their bioleaching were evaluated.

The possibilities of metals recovery from copper ores with the biotechnological methods are widely known. The methods consist in bioleaching of copper ores, copper concentrates and byproducts of their production, as well as metals recovery from leaching solutions. Biohydrometallurgical methods were tested for years to be applied at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., in order to improve efficiency of copper production. Several different research units worked on the topic, and the most significant and wide range initiatives in this area are mentioned in this article. One of the initiatives is an ongoing German and French Ecometals project. KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. and KGHM Cuprum Ltd. Research and Development Centre are this project Partners. In the frame of the project different metals bearing materials (ores, concentrates and tailings) are tested. Among them three lithological types of the copper ore from Rudna mine and the copper concentrate from Lubin concentrator are used for studies. The article gives a general overview of these activities, with the main focus on results of bioleaching studies of selected materials, conducted by KGHM Cuprum. In these studies sandstone and shale, as well as so called “shale concentrate” (containing 39% of the shale) were used for experiments, and possibilities of their bioleaching were evaluated.

Abstract The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 aims to better protect natural ecosystems with high biodiversity and climate change mitigation potential. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to identify forests worth protecting, such as those characterized by long continuity and old age. Here, we propose a robust approach that combines historical maps from the mid‐19th century with remote sensing data to identify areas that have been forested for over 150 years, aiming to reduce the need for detailed and time‐consuming field investigations in potential conservation areas. We tested this approach in a 20,000 km2 region in the Polish Carpathians, an area likely containing many unprotected forests of high conservation value, where historical maps from the mid‐19th century are representative of much of Central Europe. Our results showed that an area of approximately 4200 km2 has been continuously forested since at least the mid‐19th century. Currently, 50% of these forests are outside protected areas, representing an important conservation opportunity. More generally, our approach can support the identification of valuable forests worth protecting before they are lost and provide useful insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the ongoing debate on the challenges of improving forest conservation in the Carpathians, and Europe more widely.

Introduction and Objectives: Despite the huge clinical burden of MASLD, validated tools for early risk stratification are lacking, and heterogeneous disease expression and a highly variable rate of progression to clinical outcomes result in prognostic uncertainty. We aimed to investigate longitudinal electronic health record-based outcome prediction in MASLD using a state-of-the-art machine learning model. Patients and Methods: n = 940 patients with histologically-defined MASLD were used to develop a deep-learning model for all-cause mortality prediction. Patient timelines, spanning 12 years, were fully-annotated with demographic/clinical characteristics, ICD-9 and -10 codes, blood test results, prescribing data, and secondary care activity. A Transformer neural network (TNN) was trained to output concomitant probabilities of 12-, 24-, and 36-month all-cause mortality. In-sample performance was assessed using 5-fold cross-validation. Out-of-sample performance was assessed in an independent set of n = 528 MASLD patients. Results: In-sample model performance achieved AUROC curve 0.74–0.90 (95 % CI: 0.72–0.94), sensitivity 64 %-82 %, specificity 75 %–92 % and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 94 %-98 %. Out-of-sample model validation had AUROC 0.70–0.86 (95 % CI: 0.67–0.90), sensitivity 69 %–70 %, specificity 96 %–97 % and PPV 75 %–77 %. Key predictive factors, identified using coefficients of determination, were age, presence of type 2 diabetes, and history of hospital admissions with length of stay >14 days. Conclusions: A TNN, applied to routinely-collected longitudinal electronic health records, achieved good performance in prediction of 12-, 24-, and 36-month all-cause mortality in patients with MASLD. Extrapolation of our technique to population-level data will enable scalable and accurate risk stratification to identify people most likely to benefit from anticipatory health care and personalized interventions.

Michal Zygarowicz,1,* Joanna Kacperczyk-Bartnik,2,3,* Janusz Sierdzinski,4 Cezary Wojtyla,5,6 Piotr Pierzynski,5,6 Grzegorz Manka,7 Mariusz Kiecka,7 Robert Z Spaczynski,8 Piotr Piekarski,9 Beata Banaszewska,10 Artur Jakimiuk,11,12 Tadeusz Issat,13 Wojciech Rokita14,15 ,† Jakub Mlodawski,14,15 Maria Szubert,3,16,17 Piotr Sieroszewski,16,18 Grzegorz Raba,19,20 Kamil Szczupak,19,20 Tomasz Kluz,21 Marek Kluza,21 Michal Lipa,3,22 Damian Warzecha,5,22 Miroslaw Wielgos,23,24 Ewa Koc-Zorawska,25,26 Marcin Zorawski,26,27 Piotr Laudanski5,6,28 1Students’ Scientific Group Affiliated to the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 2II Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 3Club 35. Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, Wrocław, Poland; 4Department of Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 5OVIklinika Infertility Center, Warsaw, Poland; 6Women’s Health Research Institute, Calisia University, Kalisz, Poland; 7Angelius Provita Hospital, Katowice, Poland; 8Center for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Infertility Treatment Pastelova, Poznan, Poland; 9Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; 10Chair and Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; 11Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior, Warsaw, Poland; 12Center of Reproductive Health, Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 13Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 14Collegium Medicum Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Kielce, Poland; 15Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Provincial Combined Hospital in Kielce, Kielce, Poland; 16Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; 17Department of Surgical Gynecology and Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; 18Department of Fetal Medicine and Gynecology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; 19Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Provincial Hospital, Przemysl, Poland; 20Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland; 21Department of Gynecology, Gynecology Oncology and Obstetrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, Rzeszow, Poland; 22Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Warsaw Southern Hospital, Warsaw, Poland; 23Premium Medical, Warsaw, Poland; 24Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, Warsaw, Poland; 25II Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Internal Medicine with Dialysis Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 26The Academy of Applied Medical and Social Sciences, Elbląg, Poland; 27Department of Cardiology, Lipidology and Internal Medicine with Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 28Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland*These authors contributed equally to this work†Professor Wojciech Rokita passed away on March 18, 2020Correspondence: Piotr Laudanski, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Kondratowicza Street 8, Warsaw, 03-242, Poland, Tel +48 22 326 53 80, Email piotr.laudanski@wum.edu.plIntroduction: Endometriosis is an inflammatory-related reproductive age disease characterized by the presence of endometrial cells outside the uterine cavity. Current laboratory practice does not provide specific markers for detecting and assessing the advancement of endometriosis in either plasma or peritoneal fluid. The severity of disease is assessed in stages from I to IV based on the results of laparoscopic inspection. The protein annexin A2 (ANXA2) has been reported to be associated with inflammatory processes.Aim of the Study: The study aimed to investigate and compare ANXA2 protein concentration using the ELISA method in plasma and peritoneal fluid in a group of women with endometriosis compared to controls.Materials and Methods: Biological material was collected during a multicenter, cross-sectional study, which was conducted at eight departments during elective laparoscopy from 53 women with and 40 women without endometriosis. Patients were divided by endometriosis stage and infertility status, and then compared with subgroups. Analysis included the Chi-square test for categorical variables, Mann–Whitney U-test and two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables.Results: Women with endometriosis had significantly elevated plasma ANXA2 levels compared to women without endometriosis (mean concentrations 28.69 vs 19.61 ng/L, p=0.01). Differences in peritoneal fluid ANXA2 levels were statistically insignificant (mean concentrations of 23.7 vs 22.97 ng/L, p=0.06). Plasma concentrations in patients with stage III and IV endometriosis were significantly higher compared to controls (mean concentrations of 24.19 vs 19.71 ng/L, p=0.03). No such differences were observed in plasma when comparing stages I–II vs III–IV, and stages I–II vs controls (mean concentrations of 33.82 vs 24.19 ng/L, p=0.72 and 33.82 vs 19.71 ng/L, p=0.12, respectively). Comparison of samples from patients with or without infertility, primary or secondary infertility, endometriosis with or without infertility, and non-endometriosis with or without infertility showed no significant differences in the plasma nor in the peritoneal fluid concentrations.Conclusion: ANXA2 is possibly involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, especially in advanced stages. Due to the limited group of tested samples, further studies are needed to confirm its role.Keywords: annexin A2, endometriosis, infertility

The need for sustainable, biodegradable materials to address environmental challenges, such as oil-water separation, is growing. Cellulose-based absorbents offer an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials. However, their hydrophobicity must be enhanced for efficient application. In this study, cellulose-based sorbents derived from Kraft and half-bleached chemo-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) were hydrophobized using silanization and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) techniques. Hydrophobic properties were successfully imparted using methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS), n-octyltriethoxysilane (NTES), and N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AATMS), with water contact angles ranging from 120° to 140°. The water sorption capacity was significantly reduced to below 1 g/g, whereas the oil sorption capacity remained high (19–28 g/g). The most substantial reduction in water vapor absorption (3–6%) was observed for the MTMOS- and AATMS-silanized samples. These results demonstrate the potential of hydrophobized cellulose-based sorbents as sustainable alternatives for oil-water separation, contributing to environmentally friendly water treatment solutions.

The subject of this review article is the Festschrift „Grenzgänge: Eine Spritztour durch Text-, Stil- und Zeichengefilde“ (Border Crossings: A Journey through Textual, Stylistic and Significant Fields), edited by Bettina M. Bock, Steffen Pappert and Tanja Škerlavaj, published by Frank & Timme, Berlin, on the occasion of Ulla Fix‘s eightieth birthday. Based on the thesis formulated in the title of the Festschrift, the essence of the philological-scientific contribution of the jubilarian is reflected upon against the background of the model of the linguistic sign and the terminological considerations. The short contributions collected in the Festschrift present fields of research by Ulla Fix. These fields of research are thematised, reflected upon and thought about further. They are not rambling analyses, but succinct, apt brushstrokes to the research questions Ulla Fix opened up and worked on. The construction of the Festschrift and the contributions presented in it can be read as a model representation of the linguistic sign. The contributions provide the semantic equipment for what the naming signalled in the title contains. They are the imagined, thematised, reflected content, concept of what the name Grenzgängerin essentially means. This method of reading the contributions corresponds epistemologically with the anti-essentialist approach to meaning-making opened up by Karl Popper in opposition to Aristotle‘s naïve method and intuitive conception of knowledge. Thus, the jubilarian‘s border crossings become synonymous with the epistemological search for truth in the sense of classical, traditionally grounded and forward-looking philological research. The contributions are also forward-looking in their message - communicative, but above all stimulating and inspiring for every lover of language - for experienced scholars and for those who want to become one.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyze the concentration of leptin in peritoneal fluid and plasma and to assess their role as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of endometriosis.Materials & methodsLeptin adjusted for BMI (leptin/BMI ratio) was measured using surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRI) biosensors. Patients with suspected endometriosis were included in the study. Plasma was collected from 70 cases, and peritoneal fluid from 67 cases. Based on the presence of endometriosis lesions detected during laparoscopy, patients were divided into a study group and a control group (patients without endometriosis).ResultsLeptin/BMI ratio in plasma did not differ between women with endometriosis and the control group (0.7159 ± 0.259 vs 0.6992 ± 0.273, p= 0,7988). No significant differences were observed in peritoneal leptin/BMI ratio levels in patients with and without endometriosis (0.6206 ± 0.258 vs 0.6215 ± 0.264, p= 0,9896). Plasma and peritoneal leptin/BMI ratios were significantly lower in women with endometriosis - related primary infertility compared to women with endometriosis without primary infertility (0.640 ± 0.502 vs 0.878 ± 0.623, p < 0.05). The difference was observed in case of primary infertility, but not in terms of the secondary one. No significant differences were noted between leptin/BMI ratio in the proliferative phase and the secretory phase (0.716 ± 0.252 vs 0.697 ± 0.288, p= 0,7785).ConclusionThe results of present study do not support the relevance of leptin concentration determination as a biomarker of the endometriosis. Due to the limited number of samples in the tested group, further studies are needed to confirm its role.

The goal of this article is to assess the views of university students on their mobility in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this goal, a survey was conducted to analyze changes in student mobility patterns before and during the pandemic. The research was conducted in March 2021, during the pandemic, and for its purpose, information was collected on various aspects of student mobility, including the form of study, destination, mode of transportation, and shopping location. The sample group consisted of university students from different backgrounds, and various features, including age, gender, residence, and driver's license status, were considered. In addition, the study examined the impact of COVID-19 on student mobility. The study found that the pandemic has significantly affected student mobility, with a shift towards remote or hybrid learning and preference for cars, bicycles, and walking over public transportation in bigger towns while in smaller towns and rural areas, student mobility behavior has remained relatively unchanged.

Languages influence each other, and Danish is no exception in this context. In the times of globalization the influence comes mainly from English. The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate the historical ties between the two above-mentioned languages and, based on multiple linguistic studies, to gauge whether Danish is endangered by English or not. In addition, the paper touches on topics such as language policy, Danish speakers’ attitudes towards English, and statistical research.

In the epistemological consideration of the function of language, an attempt is made to record how man (the author) linguistically gives existence to his thoughts. In my contribution, I will address the structu- ral dependence of the meaning of the term fiction in private law on the choice of the reference variable on which this term is based. With reference to the conference theme, I will discuss the interaction of different factors in the linguistic formulation of a concept that is central to private law. Epistemological, ontological, historical, etymological and axiological factors will be dealt with. The conclusion of the lecture will argue for the assumption that knowledge of unadulterated truth should not be sought in fragmented images.

Summary: Background: Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulated self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is well tolerated and immunogenic in SARS-CoV-2 seronegative and seropositive individuals aged 18–75. Methods: A phase 2a expanded safety and immunogenicity study of a saRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate LNP-nCoVsaRNA, was conducted at participating centres in the UK between 10th August 2020 and 30th July 2021. Participants received 1 μg then 10 μg of LNP-nCoVsaRNA, ∼14 weeks apart. Solicited adverse events (AEs) were collected for one week post-each vaccine, and unsolicited AEs throughout. Binding and neutralisating anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody raised in participant sera was measured by means of an anti-Spike (S) IgG ELISA, and SARS-CoV-2 pseudoneutralisation assay. (The trial is registered: ISRCTN17072692, EudraCT 2020-001646-20). Findings: 216 healthy individuals (median age 51 years) received 1.0 μg followed by 10.0 μg of the vaccine. 28/216 participants were either known to have previous SARS-CoV2 infection and/or were positive for anti-Spike (S) IgG at baseline. Reactogenicity was as expected based on the reactions following licensed COVID-19 vaccines, and there were no serious AEs related to vaccination. 80% of baseline SARS-CoV-2 naïve individuals (147/183) seroconverted two weeks post second immunization, irrespective of age (18–75); 56% (102/183) had detectable neutralising antibodies. Almost all (28/31) SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals had increased S IgG binding antibodies following their first 1.0 μg dose with a ≥0.5log10 increase in 71% (22/31). Interpretation: Encapsulated saRNA was well tolerated and immunogenic in adults aged 18–75 years. Seroconversion rates in antigen naïve were higher than those reported in our dose-ranging study. Further work is required to determine if this difference is related to a longer dosing interval (14 vs. 4 weeks) or dosing with 1.0 μg followed by 10.0 μg. Boosting of S IgG antibodies was observed with a single 1.0 μg injection in those with pre-existing immune responses. Funding: Grants and gifts from the Medical Research Council UKRI (MC_PC_19076), the National Institute for Health Research/Vaccine Task Force, Partners of Citadel and Citadel Securities, Sir Joseph Hotung Charitable Settlement, Jon Moulton Charity Trust, Pierre Andurand, and Restore the Earth.

BackgroundChildren living with perinatally acquired HIV (CLWH) survive into adulthood on antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV, ART, and malnutrition can all lead to low bone mineral density (BMD). Few studies have described bone health among CLWH in Sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with low BMD among CLWH switching to second-line ART in the CHAPAS-4 trial (ISRCTN22964075) in Uganda.MethodsBMD was determined using dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). BMD Z-scores were adjusted for age, sex, height and race. Demographic characteristics were summarized using median interquartile range (IQR) for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables. Logistic regression was used to determine the associations between each variable and low BMD.ResultsA total of 159 children were enrolled (50% male) with median age (IQR) 10 (7-12) years, median duration of first -line ART 5.2(3.3-6.8) years; CD4 count 774 (528-1083) cells/mm3, weight-for-age Z-score -1.36 (-2.19, -0.65) and body mass index Z-score (BMIZ) -1.31 (-2.06, -0.6). Low (Z-score≤ -2) total body less head (TBLH) BMD was observed in 28 (18%) children, 21(13%) had low lumbar spine (LS) BMD, and15 (9%) had both. Low TBLH BMD was associated with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.37; 95% CI: 1.13-1.65, p = 0.001), female sex (aOR: 3.8; 95% CL: 1.31-10.81, p = 0.014), low BMI (aOR 0.36:95% CI: 0.21-0.61, pConclusionNearly 20% CLWH failing first-line ART had low BMD which was associated with female sex, older age, first-line ZDV exposure, and low BMI. Prevention, monitoring, and implications following transition to adult care should be prioritized to identify poor bone health in HIV+adolescents entering adulthood.

Cyanopeptolins (CPs) are one of the most commonly occurring class of cyanobacterial nonribosomal peptides. For the majority of these compounds, protease inhibition has been reported. In the current work, the structural diversity of cyanopeptolins produced by Nostoc edaphicum CCNP1411 was explored. As a result, 93 CPs, including 79 new variants, were detected and structurally characterized based on their mass fragmentation spectra. CPs isolated in higher amounts were additionally characterized by NMR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest number of cyanopeptides found in one strain. The biological assays performed with the 34 isolated CPs confirmed the significance of the amino acid located between Thr and the unique 3-amino-6-hydroxy-2-piperidone (Ahp) on the activity of the compounds against serine protease and HeLa cancer cells.

This article pertains to the heritage of the ancient Rome in the Western European cities as a theme of cultural tourism. The main objective is to describe this heritage and to present it as a tourist value of particularly high historical and cultural worth. The main goal is to develop the authors’ concept of a cultural heritage route named the Rhineland Route of the Roman Civilization that includes 11 cities where 30 selected monuments of legacy of the ancient Roman civilization have been depicted. A cartographic method, namely the signature one, has been applied in the article. It was used to mark, among other locations, towns with Roman roots on a map of the Rhineland, showing a proposed route through the ancient Roman monuments. The heritage of the ancient Rome can serve to raise historical and cultural awareness at many levels – from local and regional to international ones. This historical legacy has a real impact on the tourist attractiveness in all the characterised cities, being well-adapted and attractively developed for tourist use.

Introduction In some individuals, interest in healthy attitudes and behaviours towards food may show obsessive signs. Preoccupation with ‘healthful’ eating may contribute to orthorexia nervosa (ON) – a strong preoccupation with “healthy eating” manifested by the avoidance of all foods considered by the individual to be “unhealthy”. Objectives The objective of the present study was to determine whether disordered eating behaviour, physical activity and self-esteem are predictors of ON in young adults. Methods Five hundred fifty-four Polish and Italian university students participated in the present study. Participants were asked to answer the Eating Habits Questionnaire, the Eating Attitudes Test, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results Our findings found that higher levels of concern about dieting and moderate-intensity physical activity were related to ON. Particularly, higher levels of concern about dieting, bulimic behaviour and thoughts about food and moderate-intensity physical activity predicted problems associated with healthy eating. Higher levels of concern about dieting, self-esteem as well as self-control of eating and perceived pressure from others to gain weight were associated with knowledge of healthy eating. Whereas, higher levels of concern about dieting with country factor (Poland) predicted feeling positively about healthy eating. Conclusions In ON treatment, reduction in symptoms and concerns characteristic of eating disorders and adequate levels of physical activity should be taken into consideration. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Abstract Background Pelvic exenteration (PE) may be associated with prolonged overall survival (OS) in selected patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. However, the factors related to improved survival following PE are not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of OS rates in a group of patients undergoing PE in order to identify the factors related to improved long-term outcomes. Methods Our study group consisted of 44 patients, including 21 squamous cell cancer (SCC) patients, 22 patients with adenocarcinomas (AC) of the cervix, and one patient with undifferentiated cervical carcinoma. The patients were categorized according to the type of surgery, namely, primary surgery (12 patients) or surgery due to cancer recurrence (32 patients). Results In the group of patients with recurrent cervical cancer, we found that improved OS correlated with the SCC histological type and the presence of vaginal fistula. The need for reoperation within 30 days and the presence of severe adverse events significantly worsened the prognosis. We found a non significant trend toward improved survival in those patients with tumor-free margins. Lymph node metastases, the initial stage of the disease, the time to recurrence, and a history of hysterectomy had no impact on patients’ OS. In the group of patients undergoing primary PE, we observed a trend toward improved survival among those diagnosed with vaginal fistula. Conclusions Pelvic exenteration seemed to improve the long-term outcomes for patients with SCC cancer recurrence and vaginal fistula whose surgery was unrelated to severe adverse events.

Das Thema dieses Artikels ist der Vergleich der Konzeptualisierung von FREUNDSCHAFT im Dänischen und Polnischen. Die Ergebnisse des Vergleichs weisen darauf hin, dass sich die Lexeme ven und przyjacielhinsichtlich der Exklusivität der zwischenmenschlichen Beziehung, die sie bezeichnen, unterscheiden. Die Differenzen spiegeln sich ebenfalls in den respektiven lexikalisch-semantischen Feldern wider, wo die dänischen Lexeme (kammerat, kollega und bekendt)nur teilweise mit ihren polnischen Entsprechungen (kolega, znajomy) äquivalent sind. Andererseits scheinen die traditionellen Ideale von FREUNDSCHAFT im Lichte des untersuchten Materials in beiden Sprachen sehr ähnlich zu sein. // The objective of the present paper is to compare the conceptualization of friendship in Danish and Po-lish. The results of the comparison indicate that the lexemes przyjaciel and ven differ with regards to the exclusiveness of the relation that they denote. The differences are also reflected in the respective lexico-semantical fields where the Danish lexemes (kammerat, kollega and bekendt)are only partially equivalent to their Polish counterparts (kolega, znajomy). On the other hand, in the light of the gathered material, the traditional ideal of FRIENDSHIPseems to be very similar in both languages.

The valley of the upper course of the San River in the Bieszczady Wysokie mountain range is, after the Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin, the area with the largest number of peat bogs in the Polish Carpathians. This study combined a levelling survey with data from dense networks of boreholes on two riparian bogs (Łokieć and Dźwiniacz) in the Bieszczady Mountains (East Carpathians) to characterise the morphology of the two peatlands, create a digital elevation model (DEM) for Łokieć, and describe the underlying sediments. Previous radiocarbon dating of basal peat samples has indicated that both peat bogs began to grow during the younger part of the Holocene, but not at the same time. The results of the coring undertaken in our study demonstrated that both bogs fill 0.5–1.5 m deep troughs cut into a fluvial terrace situated 4–6 m above the level of the San River. The bog domes are asymmetrical, more than 2 m high, and their summits lie directly above the deepest parts of the troughs. The troughs are lined by sediments of mainly fluvial origin (silt, sand, fine gravel), and in their deepest parts the peat lies directly on clays originating from weathering of shales in the terrace base. On this basis, the troughs are interpreted as palaeochannels (infilled oxbows) representing fragments of the ancient San River channel, cut off by erosion and situated at the former level of the valley bottom. Raised bogs seldom occur in mountain valleys, where reworking of floodplain deposits proceeds at a higher rate and peatlands are frequently eroded by fluvial action. The two bogs that we studied in the Bieszczady Mountains are exceptional in that they are set in preserved palaeochannels.

Background and Objectives: Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological disorders in women of reproductive age. Causing pelvic pain and infertility, it is considered one of the most serious health problems, being responsible for work absences or productivity loss. Its diagnosis is often delayed because of the need for an invasive laparoscopic approach. Despite years of studies, no single marker for endometriosis has been discovered. The aim of this research was to find an algorithm based on symptoms and laboratory tests that could diagnose endometriosis in a non-invasive way. Materials and Methods: The research group consisted of 101 women hospitalized for diagnostic laparoscopy, among which 71 had confirmed endometriosis. Data on reproductive history were collected in detail. CA125 (cancer antigen-125) level and VEGF1(vascular endothelial growth factor 1) were tested in blood samples. Among the used statistical methods, the LASSO regression—a new important statistical tool eliminating the least useful features—was the only method to have significant results. Results: Out of 19 features based on results of LASSO, 7 variables were chosen: body mass index, age of menarche, cycle length, painful periods, information about using contraception, CA125, and VEGF1. After multivariate logistic regression with a backward strategy, the three most significant features were evaluated. The strongest impact on endometriosis prediction had information about painful periods, CA125 over 15 u/mL, and the lowest BMI, with a sensitivity of 0.8800 and a specificity of 0.8000, respectively. Conclusions: Advanced statistical methods are crucial when creating non-invasive tests for endometriosis. An algorithm based on three easy features, including painful menses, BMI level, and CA125 concentration could have an important place in the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. If confirmed in a prospective study, implementing such an algorithm in populations with a high risk of endometriosis will allow us to cover patients suspected of endometriosis with proper treatment.

In der bisherigen linguistischen Forschung ist die Analyse von Fachwörtern im Allgemeinen an einzelnen Fachwörtern bzw. Termini oder an ganzen Fachwortschätzen bzw. Terminologien orientiert. Im Rahmen dieser Forschung ist bislang ein wichtiger Aspekt fachlicher Lexik weitgehend unbeachtet geblieben: Das Problem der textuellen Konstitution von Terminologie – oder anders formuliert: die Frage, wie ein Fachwortschatz in einem Fachtext eingeführt wird. Meine Überlegungen werden mit Beispielen aus den Texten der Rechtswissenschaftler der historischen Rechtsschule des 19. Jahrhunderts illustriert.

The research focuses on Poles’ attitudes towards selected aspects associated with social relations. Responses to the following 6 statements were examined: 1 – People try to help others above all, 2 – Homosexuals should be allowed to live according to their beliefs, 3 – Foreigners have too much to say in our country, 4 – Some people are worth more than others, 5 – Some groups of persons are not worthy of respect, 6 – We should seek to make the income of all persons more or less equal. The first aim of the study was to check how the level of agreement with those statements was distributed spatially in terms of districts. Then it was checked whether those attitudes were differentiated by 8 characteristics describing Poles: sex, marital status, education level, health status, participation in church services, age and income level, also taking into account the spatial aspect. Finally, regression models (classical and spatial) were constructed to check whether several features describing districts (rather than individual respondents) could help to build a model explaining why in some regions the population agreed with the statements more and in other areas less. The data needed for the analysis were taken from the nationwide study entitled “Social Diagnosis” and all calculations were carried out in the PQStat and Geoda programmes.

Background and Objectives: Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent chronic inflammatory disease with serious reproductive and general health consequences. It is viewed as a multifactorial problem, consisting of matters related to altered immunity and genetics. In this study, we determined the correlation between endometriosis and allergic and autoimmune diseases in patients at reproductive age. Materials and Methods: Online surveys distributed through websites related to gynecological problems. The questionnaire was composed of 63 single and multiple-choice questions concerning the course of endometriosis, diet, and allergic and autoimmune diseases. The obtained data were assessed using statistical tests. Results: 501 female patients (mean age 31.1 SD = 6.8) were included in the study. The control group (n = 155) consisted of healthy females, whereas the study group (n = 346) consisted of female patients with endometriosis; each group was subdivided according to allergy status. There were statistically significant differences between groups for the following: positive family history of endometriosis (p = 0.0002), onset of allergic symptoms (p = 0.0003), frequency and duration of abdominal pain (p = 0.00625), and defecation disorders (p = 0.0006). Asthma was less common in the study group (p = 0.00611). The group of patients with endometriosis and allergies had a high median of consumption of red meat (p = 0.0143), fish (p = 0.0016), and dairy products (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Endometriosis did not affect autoimmune diseases and their courses. Patients with diagnosed endometriosis presented allergy symptoms much earlier than the healthy patients. The consumption of dietary products such as soya products, red meat, and alcohol had an influence on the occurrence of endometriosis.

Even cyanobacteria from ecosystems of low biodiversity, such as the Baltic Sea, can constitute a rich source of bioactive metabolites. Potent toxins, enzyme inhibitors, and anticancer and antifungal agents were detected in both bloom-forming species and less commonly occurring cyanobacteria. In previous work on the Baltic Pseudanabaena galeata CCNP1313, the induction of apoptosis in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was documented. Here, the activity of the strain was further explored using human dermal fibroblasts, African green monkey kidney, cancer cell lines (T47D, HCT-8, and A549ACE2/TMPRSS2) and viruses (SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-OC43, and WNV). In the tests, extracts, chromatographic fractions, and the main components of the P. galeata CCNP1313 fractions were used. The LC-MS/MS analyses of the tested samples led to the detection of forty-five peptides. For fourteen of the new peptides, putative structures were proposed based on MS/MS spectra. Although the complex samples (i.e., extracts and chromatographic fractions) showed potent cytotoxic and antiviral activities, the effects of the isolated compounds were minor. The study confirmed the significance of P. galeata CCNP1313 as a source of metabolites with potent activity. It also illustrated the difficulties in assigning the observed biological effects to specific metabolites, especially when they are produced in minute amounts.

Aeruginosamides (AEGs) are classified as cyanobactins, ribosomally synthesized peptides with post-translational modifications. They have been identified in cyanobacteria of genera Microcystis, Oscillatoria, and Limnoraphis. In this work, the new data on the in vitro activities of three AEG variants, AEG A, AEG625 and AEG657, and their interactions with metabolic enzymes are reported. Two aeruginosamides, AEG625 and AEG657, decreased the viability of human breast cancer cell line T47D, but neither of the peptides was active against human liver cancer cell line Huh7. AEGs also did not change the expression of MIR92b-3p, but for AEG625, the induction of oxidative stress was observed. In the presence of a liver S9 fraction containing microsomal and cytosolic enzymes, AEG625 and AEG657 showed high stability. In the same assays, quick removal of AEG A was recorded. The peptides had mild activity against three cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, but only at the highest concentration used in the study (60 µM). The properties of AEGs, i.e., cytotoxic activity and in vitro interactions with important metabolic enzymes, form a good basis for further studies on their pharmacological potential.

The study examines the level of satisfaction with 21 different areas of life among 300 respondents from Wielkopolska voivodship at the age of 30 and over. What distinguishes this analysis from other such studies is the fact that when examining partial satisfaction, it was weighed by, specified subjectively by respondents, the importance of the areas for which this satisfaction was measured. In the course of the analysis, it turned out that the respondents were the most satisfied with their private life, life as parent and independence. The smallest satisfaction of the respondents derives from social activity, but it is above all the effect of the lack of meaning of this sphere of life in the hierarchy of respected life values. In addition, it has been noticed that within individual fields there are certain factors that differentiate probability of being more satisfied for some categories of people in comparison with others. Especially personality traits strongly affect the diversity of life satisfaction. Being a social person, trusting other people, being conscientious, peaceful and open to new experiences increase the probability of being a more satisfied person (especially with social areas) and having traits from the second pole of the personality scale reduces this probability.

Summary: Cyanobacteria are known producers of compounds with possible medical applications. So far, the biotechnological potential of Spirulina subsalsa has been explored in few studies. They were mainly focused on the use of this cyanobacterium as a bioremediation agent. In our study, seven fractions from Baltic-derived S. subsalsa CCNP1310 were obtained and their cytotoxic effect on the T47D breast cancer cell line as well as inhibitory effects against elastase, trypsin, thrombin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase A were examined. Four fractions revealed a significant decrease in relative viability of cancer cells. Two inhibited the activity of chymotrypsin and one carboxypeptidase A, but at a moderate level. No effect was observed against other tested proteases. Active fractions were screened with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) optimized for the detection of peptides, for preliminary characterization of bioactive compounds. We identified three groups of compounds which share the same fragment ions and are possibly linked with effects observed in conducted tests. Our research indicates for the first time that compounds produced by Baltic strain of S. subsalsa not only have high activity against T47D cancer cells but also seem to work selectively as they do not have strong inhibitory effect against the tested enzymes. That indicates the existing potential of the cyanobacterium to be used as a source of important cytotoxic agents. Keywords: Spirulina subsalsa, Cyanometabolites, Cytotoxicity, Proteases inhibitors, Mass spectrometry

Podjęte badanie skupiało się na Polakach w wieku 35 lat i więcej, a więc reprezentujących tzw. pokolenie X. Głównym celem badania było sprawdzenie, które czynniki oraz w jakim kierunku i w jakim stopniu wpływają na ogólne zadowolenie z życia (mierzone jako średnia ważona cząstkowych wskaźników zadowolenia z 21 różnych sfer życia a wagami stosowanymi do ustalenia tego ogólnego wskaźnika). Podstawą badania były deklaracje respondentów, jak ważna w ich życiu jest dana sfera, jak bardzo chcą się w niej realizować. Do zrealizowania tego celu wykorzystano wyniki badania ankietowego przeprowadzonego w pierwszym półroczu 2017 na próbie 1110 respondentów z województwa wielkopolskiego, a w ustaleniu, jakie czynniki istotnie determinują wysoki lub niski poziom zadowolenia, posłużono się wielowymiarową analizą regresji. Wyniki modelowania wskazały na 14 spośród potencjalnych 41 determinant szczęścia, a w zestawie tych czynników znalazły się następujące cechy respondentów: posiadanie dzieci, liczba dzieci, bycie niezależnym finansowo, wartość majątku, miejsce zamieszkania, doznanie bądź nie wielkiej życiowej porażki, poziom wolności/ swobody, poziom bezpieczeństwa, poziom sprawności, samoocena stanu zdrowia, liczba kontaktów seksualnych, poziom prestiżu, poziom ekstrawersji oraz poziom sumienności. Ponadto okazało się, że niektóre z nich na poziom zadowolenia wpływają dodatnio, niektóre ujemnie, wpływ ten zaś ujawnia się też z różną intensywnością.

Introduction A rectocele is a hernation of the rectum into the vaginal lumen developing as a consequence of weakness of the rectovaginal septum. It affects about 18% of women after childbearing age. Symptoms associated with a rectocele include constipation, vaginal fullness or heaviness, feeling of a bulging mass within vagina, incomplete stool evacuation and dyspareunia. Current methods of surgical treatment of a rectocele often require implantation of a mesh graft. In most of cases, synthetic and non-absorbable meshes are used. Although implantation of a synthetic and non-absorbable mesh is effective in the treatment of rectocele, a high rate of mesh erosion has been reported. Case report This study presents a surgical technique and case report for the treatment of a rectocele in a 46-year-old women by implantation of a porcine-derived absorbable collagen mesh (Pelvicol®) by transvaginal approach, with six year follow-up. A review of the literature concerning implantation of Pelvicol® for the treatment of rectocele was also undertaken. Conclusions The clinical experience and review of the literature by the authors suggest that a porcine-derived acellular mesh is non-cytotoxic, pyrogenic or allergenic, and the application of a biomesh in the management of rectocele is effective and safe, and the risk of mesh erosion is very low.

Background: The relative physical load (% VO2max) is the quotient of oxygen uptake (Vo2) during physical effort and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) by the human body. For this purpose the stress test must be performed. The relative load shows a high correlation with minute ventilation, cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, increased concentrations of catecholamines in the blood, inner temperature, weight, height and human body surface area. The relative load is a criterion for the maximum workloads admissible for healthy and sick workers. Besides, the classification of effort can be more precise when based on the relative load than on the energy output. Material and Methods: Based on our own and international empirical evidence and the laws of heat transfer and fluid mechanics, a model of temperature control system has been developed, involving the elements of human cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Using this model, we have been able to develop our own methods of determining the relative load, applying only the body core temperature (TW) or heart rate within one minute (HR), body mass (m), height (H), and body surface area (AD) instead of VO2max. Results: The values of the relative physical load (% VO2max) obtained by using our own methods do not differ significantly from those obtained by other methods and by other researchers. Conclusions: The developed methods for determining the relative physical load (% VO2max) do not require the exercise test to be performed, therefore, they may be considered (after verification in an experimental study) a feasible alternative to current methods. Med Pr 2014;65(2):189–195

Background: The aim of this study was to highlight major predictors of the frequency of sickness absence in a group of workers directly involved in customer service. Material and Methods: The study was carried out on a random sample of 229 women employed as assistants and clerks in post offices. The survey was based on the Subjective Work, Health Status and Life Style Characteristics Questionnaire, and sickness absence data for the years 2004–2006. Results: The negative binominal regression model of sickness absence risk revealed the following significant predictors of short-term absence spells (1–29 days): 1) marital status, sickness absence risk for single women was (rate ratio (RR)) = 1.56 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–2.39) vs. married women; 2) post offices employing 7 workers had a rate ratio of sickness absence of 1.6 (95% CI: 1.04–2.42); 13–25 workers – RR = 2.03 (95% CI: 1.41–2.93); > 25 workers – RR = 1.82 (95% CI: 1.15–2.88) compared with an average number of 8–12 workers; 3) shift work, RR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.14–2.14); 4) breaks from work – the risk of absence in the case of any breaks amounted to RR = 1.5 (95% CI: 1.07–2.07) in comparison with the statutory breaks; 5) self-rated health reported as moderate relative to good health, RR = 1.71 (95% CI: 1.26–2.32); and 6) occurrence of respiratory diseases resulted in the risk of RR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.08–2.08). The Poisson regression model of long-term sickness absence spells (≥ 30 days) revealed the following significant predictors: 1) number of clients per shift: 51–100 clients, RR = 3.62 (95% CI: 1.07–22.6) compared with a lower number of clients; 2) self-rated health, assessed as moderate, RR = 1.97 (95% CI: 1.06–3.78) and 3) household chores performed for at least 4 h a day, RR = 0.4 (95% CI: 0.18–0.79). Conclusions: Association between sickness absence and workload as well as work organization indicates directions of corrective actions, which could reduce the scale of the problem.

Introduction: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma is a rare type of ovarian cancer. In recent years, issues of the common genetic origin of endometriosis and ovarian clear cell carcinoma have been raised. Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of this type of cancer, risk factors, prognosis and its potential aetiological association with endometriosis. Material and methods: In a retrospective study, we analysed histopathological data of patients operated in the First Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (MU, Lodz) due to ovarian cancer in 2004-2014. Among the 394 patients operated on for ovarian cancer, clear cell carcinoma was found in 0.02% (9/394). Menstrual history, parity, comorbidities, data from physical examination, operational protocols and histopathological diagnoses were analysed. Follow-up was obtained from 77.8% of patients. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013. Results: The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 57.6 years; the BMI in the study group was 27.2; the majority of patients were multiparous (77.8%). Clear cell carcinoma was detected mostly at stage Ia (n = 4). The concentration of Ca125 in the study group had an average of 142.75 U/ml and a median of 69.3 U/ml. The coexistence of endometriosis could not be clinically or histologically confirmed amongst our patients. The most common comorbidity in the study group was hypertension. Conclusions : In our clinical material, ovarian clear cell carcinoma is a rare histopathological specimen with a prognostic value comparable to that of serous ovarian cancer. Due to the rarity of this histopathological subtype, proving a cause-and-effect relationship between it and endometriosis can only be elucidated through statistical studies of the entire population.

Cyanobactins are a large family of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified cyanopeptides (RiPPs). Thus far, over a hundred cyanobactins have been detected in different free-living and symbiotic cyanobacteria. The majority of these peptides have a cyclic structure. The occurrence of linear cyanobactins, aeruginosamides and virenamide, has been reported sporadically and in few cyanobacterial taxa. In the current work, the production of cyanobactins by Limnoraphis sp. CCNP1324, isolated from the brackish water Baltic Sea, has been studied for the first time. In the strain, eighteen new aeruginosamide (AEG) variants have been detected. These compounds are characterized by the presence of prenyl and thiazole groups. A common element of AEGs produced by Limnoraphis sp. CCNP1324 is the sequence of the three C-terminal residues containing proline, pyrrolidine and methyl ester of thiazolidyne-4-carboxylic acid (Pro-Pyr-TzlCOOMe) or thiazolidyne-4-carboxylic acid (Pro-Pyr-TzlCOOH). The aeruginosamides with methylhomotyrosine (MeHTyr1) and with the unidentified N-terminal amino acids showed strong cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cells (T47D).

Background: Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia is a common and frequently fatal infection. Adjunctive rifampicin may enhance early S. aureus killing, sterilise infected foci and blood faster, and thereby reduce the risk of dissemination, metastatic infection and death. Objectives: To determine whether or not adjunctive rifampicin reduces bacteriological (microbiologically confirmed) failure/recurrence or death through 12 weeks from randomisation. Secondary objectives included evaluating the impact of rifampicin on all-cause mortality, clinically defined failure/recurrence or death, toxicity, resistance emergence, and duration of bacteraemia; and assessing the cost-effectiveness of rifampicin. Design: Parallel-group, randomised (1 : 1), blinded, placebo-controlled multicentre trial. Setting: UK NHS trust hospitals. Participants: Adult inpatients (≥ 18 years) with meticillin-resistant or susceptible S. aureus grown from one or more blood cultures, who had received

Objective: The main aim of this case report was to present the method of diagnosis, management, and the 12-year-follow-up of a patient diagnosed with primary uterine lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Case Report: A 47-year-old woman was admitted to the Department of Thoracosurgery due to pulmonary lesions suspected to be metastatic. The potential primary site of the neoplasm was not identified by previous imaging studies and specialist counseling. The patient had a history of total abdominal hysterectomy without ovaries due to a uterine tumor recognized as cellular leiomyoma and left salpingo-oophorectomy due to a solid ovarian tumor also recognized as leiomyoma. She had previously undergone the removal of a left kidney angiomyolipoma. After histopathological examination of the pulmonary lesions and repeated evaluation of the ovarian and uterine tumors, the diagnosis of primary uterine LAM with metastases to the ovary and the lungs was established. Although new metastatic lesions occurred, the patient remained in good condition during the 12-year-follow-up. Conclusion: The history of our patient and review of the literature suggest that although uterine LAM presents malignant features (i.e., metastasis), the disease is long lasting and the patient can be in good condition for a number of years.

Background: Asbestos dust is one of the most dangerous pneumoconiotic and carcinogenic agents. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of asbestosis and pleural mesothelioma, depending on asbestos consumption and the type of manufactured products, among former asbestos workers in Poland. Material and Methods: The study subjects included employees of 18 large state-owned asbestos processing enterprises operating in the Polish market in 1945–1998. The study is based on data obtained from asbestos company records and the Central Register of Occupational Diseases data on the cases of asbestosis and mesothelioma for the period from 1970 till 2012 as well as data from Amiantus Programme. The analysis was performed for 5 sectors comprising plants classified according to the products manufactured and applied production technology. Results: In the study period, 2160 cases of asbestosis and 138 cases of mesothelioma were reported. The plants processed a total of about 2 million tonnes of asbestos, including about 7.5% of crocidolite. Total asbestos consumption was a strong predictor of the rate of asbestosis incidence (R2 = 0.68, p = 0.055). The highest risk occurrence of asbestosis was observed in the production of textiles and sealing products. Mesothelioma occurred only in plants where crocidolite had been ever processed. Conclusions: Total asbestos consumption was a strong predictor of the rate of asbestosis incidence. The observation confirms the relationship between exposure to crocidolite and the occurrence of mesothelioma, regardless of the manufactured products, and suggests the absence of such a link for the total volume of asbestos consumption. Med Pr 2015;66(1):1–9

Objective: High levels of toxic reactive oxygen species have been found in many types of cancer cells. Serum arylesterase (ARE) and paraoxonase (PON) are esterase enzymes that have strong antioxidant characteristics. The main purpose of our study was to evaluate the activity of ARE and PON in the sera of patients with ovarian cancer and benign ovarian tumors. Materials and methods: This study included 30 patients with ovarian cancer, 42 patients with benign ovarian tumors, and 19 healthy age- and sex-matched individuals. ARE and PON activities were measured using spectrophotometry. Results: Serum ARE activity was significantly different among the three studied groups (p

The MASTER Automation System is an entirely Polish system developed in the Institute of Power Systems Automation Ltd. It is currently being updated and optimized in the range of hardware and software. Apart from an unlimited ability to extend the amount of standard communication links it will enable application of protocols of any company. It ensures sufficient resources and mechanisms for complex plant automation as well as for creating heterogeneous installations through easy integration with other producers’ systems.

Background: The aim of the analysis was to determine the magnitude and causes of the sickness-related temporary incapacity for work in Poland, and to identify changes in sickness absence and its differences by the type of economic activity and region. Material and Methods: This analysis is based on the 2006-2012 data on sickness absence compiled from medical certificates of temporary incapacity for work and published by the Social Insurance Institution (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych). The sickness absence is described in terms of the number of sick leave days relative to the number of the employed or insured people. Results: In 2012, the number of days of disability per one employed was 14.5 (12.1 men, 17.4 women), representing 3.98% of the time lost due to illness. The main causes of absence were: complications of pregnancy and mother's diseases during pregnancy (33% of the sick leave days in women), injury and poisoning (men: 24%; women: 8%), diseases of the musculoskeletal system (men: 17%; woman: 11%). The highest level of sickness absence was noted in the łódzkie, śląskie and warmińsko-mazurskie provinces (38-19% higher than nationwide) and in the administrative and support sectors (22.2 days per 1 employee), when analyzed by sectors of the national economy. Conclusions: The high increase in sickness absence over the recent 7 years due to cancer, mental and muscloskeletal disorders may be an important risk factor for early assessment of permanent incapacity for work. Another major problem is female sickness absence due to pregnancy complications and mother's diseases during pregnancy. Med Pr 2014;65(1):73–84

Tourists’ decisions on selecting their destinations are driven by their imagination of available offers, rather than by the real offers. The special role of the image of tourism destination in the process of building a competitive position result, among other things, comes from the fact the image is a factor of competitiveness influenced by both intentional and accidental actions of entities, whom are active in a particular tourism destination as well as environmental elements, which are beyond the influence of these entities. The cities of the Upper Silesian Conurbation were for many years perceived as completely dominated by heavy industry. Nowadays, after significant changes in their economy and environment, local authorities are struggling to fight that negative perception. The aim of the paper is to examine if the negative image of the Conurbation is grounded by the textbooks for geography for secondary schools in Poland. The textbooks were studied using the content analysis as an example of important autonomous sources of information. Particular stress was put on analysis of the heading and pictures in the chapters on the Conurbation. The results prove that industrial image of the region is being grounded by the geography textbooks. It was discovered that the picture of Upper Silesian Conurbation that might be found in researched textbooks is almost identical with what was previously presented in the literature as tourists’ perception of the Conurbation. The results prove the role of the textbooks and the whole school education as factors shaping the image of particular places that people have also as adults. That role was neither researched nor clearly stated in the literature so far.

Background: The aim of the project is to identify the risk of osteoporotic fractures in women aged over 50, the evaluation of FRAX® BMD and FRAX® BMI in women with and without osteoporotic fractures and the proposal of therapeutic starting points for treatment of osteoporosis. Material and Methods: A group of 1014 women aged 50-89, living in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie province, was investigated. The analysis was based on the WHO definition of osteoporosis. Calculations of 10-year absolute risk of major osteoporotic fractures (AR-10 MOF Fx) and femoral neck fractures (AR-10 FN Fx) were done using Polish 3.3 version of FRAX® tool. The analysis of fracture risk employed the logistic regression method. Results: A statistically significant relationship was found between the risk of osteoporotic fractures and age, femoral neck BMD, a history of previous osteoporotic fractures, estimated calcaneal BMD and vertebral column BMD. The differences between 10-year absolute risk of major osteoporotic fractures BMD and BMI was small, which means that FRAX® BMI might be a useful tool for GPs and occupational medicine specialists. Conclusions: A high usefulness of the FRAX® BMI tool for evaluating the risk of major osteoporotic fractures provide a new possibility of identifying women at risk of such events. The mean value of 10-year absolute risk of major osteoporotic fractures for FRAX® BMD and BMI was identified as 10% and 12%, respectively and these values were proposed as therapeutic starting points for treatment of osteoporosis in women living in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie province. Med Pr 2013;64(3):327–333