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Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and laser diffraction are commonly applied methods to assess the quality of activated and digested sludge. However, the effect of particle size on FTIR data has never been thoroughly explored. There is also scarce literature on the application of FTIR spectroscopy in conjunction with laser diffraction to investigate changes in the composition and structure of the raw, untreated activated and sewage sludge. In this paper, laser diffraction and FTIR analyses were applied to evaluate the composition, structure and properties of particles in suspensions of activated, thickened and digested sludge samples collected at Janówek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located in Wrocław, Poland. FTIR analyses led to the identification of characteristic compounds in the aforementioned types of sludge and processes which they had undergone, for example, decarboxylation and deamination. Laser diffraction tracked the changes in the size and structure of particles in the suspension. Thickened sludge suspensions, which had the largest active surface and the lowest compactness, were characterized by the highest sorption capacity and catalytic activity. The conducted research has shown that the intensity of infrared (IR) absorption is size dependent – smaller particles in the suspension had a higher absorbance intensity in a given wavenumber ranges than larger ones.

Bronchial asthma is the most frequent chronic pulmonary disorder in the world. Population studies indicate about 10% of children in Poland suffer from it. Nowadays, the illness is mild and rarely severe due to specialized treatment. Regardless of how the illness develops, recurring asthma attacks can cause a person suffering from it to feel stigmatized, and result in tension and stress. When under stress, a sick person activates their own characteristic coping strategies, which help them to reduce discomfort. Our paper analyzes both the anxiety intensity levels experienced by children suffering from bronchial asthma and how they cope. Seventy-one children diagnosed with chronic respiratory condition, aged 12–15, were examined during their sanatorium treatment, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) by Spielberger, adapted by Sosnowski, Iwaniszczuk, and Spielberger, and the Jak Sobie Radzisz?(How Are You Coping?– HAYC) Scale by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik. Thirty-eight per cent of the examined children had a high anxiety level, and 33% were diagnosed with a high anxiety-as-a-trait level. The results show significant differences between boys and girls on the anxiety trait scale, focusing on emotions strategy and seeking social support strategy. Girls have higher results on the above-mentioned scales. It was observed in the whole group of examined children that there is a statistically significant positive interrelationship between anxiety-trait results and focusing-on-emotions strategy in a dispositional stress-coping style. It is recommended to include psychotherapeutic assistance for children in standard bronchial asthma treatment.

Do zaburzeń kościotworzenia u chorych na PKU mogą doprowadzić: niekorzystne oddziaływanie samego procesu chorobowego zaburzającego budowę macierzy kostnej, stosowanie diety eliminacyjnej, zaburzone procesy wchłaniania składników mineralnych z diety, w tym wapnia, a także dość częste zjawisko odstępowania od ścisłej diety przez pacjentów w wieku dorastania.

Background:The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of clinical periodontal parameters and the presence of periodontal pathogens in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods:A total of 104 subjects (54 patients with AMI and 50 healthy controls) were included. Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed for periodontal pathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans(Aa; previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg), Tannerella forsythia(Tf; previously T. forsythensis), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) using dot‐blot hybridization. Results:Patients with AMI had a significantly higher frequency of probing depths (PDs) ≥4 mm than controls (39.2% versus 14.9%; P<0.0001). Among different cutoff levels, the frequency of >50% sites with PDs ≥4 mm showed the highest discrepancy between both groups (33% versus 0%; P<0.001). All periodontal pathogens were overrepresented in patients with AMI and positively correlated with increased periodontal PD and clinical attachment level (CAL). After adjustment for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, hypertension, plaque index, statin intake, and ratio of cholesterol to high‐density lipoprotein, Pgremained a significant predictor for AMI (odds ratio [OR]: 13.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1 to 59.8; P= 0.0005). Furthermore, the simultaneous presence of Aa+ Pg(P= 0.0005) and Aa+ Pg+ Tf(P= 0.0018) were found with significantly higher frequency in patients with AMI than controls. Conclusions:The results of our study confirm an association between periodontitis and AMI in which periodontal destruction was correlated with the presence of periodontal pathogens. In particular, Pgmight be considered a potential risk indicator for AMI.

Background:Recent data indicate that interleukin (IL)‐1 polymorphism may influence the susceptibility to periodontitis and coronary heart diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the composite IL‐1 genotype (allele 2 at IL‐1A −889 and IL‐1B +3954) in the association between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and periodontitis. Methods:One hundred four white subjects (54 patients with AMI and 50 healthy controls) were studied; each received a comprehensive periodontal examination, including measurement of periodontal probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The extent of periodontitis was assessed by the percentage of sites with clinical AL >3 mm. Polymorphisms in the IL‐1 gene cluster were assessed using a reverse hybridization assay. Results:Compared to controls, mean values for PD (4.6 mm versus 3.7 mm; P<0.0001) and CAL (5.4 mm versus 4.5 mm; P= 0.0001) were significantly increased among patients with AMI. Significantly more subjects with moderate or severe periodontitis (≥33% of sites with clinical AL >3 mm) were found in the AMI group compared to controls (31.5% versus 8%; P= 0.0016). These differences remained statistically significant after adjustment for smoking, age, and gender. No significant differences were observed in the allele frequencies of the gene loci IL‐1A −889 and IL‐1B +C3954 between patients with AMI and controls. Also, there was no difference in the frequency of the composite IL‐1 genotype. IL‐1 genotype–positive patients with AMI had slightly increased PD and AL compared to IL‐1 genotype–negative patients with AMI. Conclusions:The results confirmed an association between periodontitis and AMI but failed to detect a modifying impact of the composite IL‐1 genotype. Although the IL‐1 genotype was only weakly associated with compromised periodontal health, it was not associated with AMI.

Immunogenicity of the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzaeprotein D-conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) was evaluated when coadministered with DTPw-HBV/Hib and OPV at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age in the Philippines, or with DTPw-HBV/Hib and IPV at 2, 4, and 6 months of age in Poland.

Nous présentons une application industrielle de certaines fonctionnalités du système de traitement de grands corpus intex dans le domaine d’aide à la traduction. Il s’agit du logiciel LexPro CD Databank réalisé et commercialisé par la société lci (Jouy-en-Josas, France) qui est partenaire du ladl.

Nous présentons une application industrielle de certaines fonctionnalités du système de traitement de grands corpus intex dans le domaine d'aide à la traduction. Il s'agit du logiciel LexPro CD Databank réalisé et commercialisé par la société lci (Jouy-en-Josas, France) qui est partenaire du ladl.

Nous présentons une application industrielle de certaines fonctionnalités du système de traitement de grands corpus intex dans le domaine d’aide à la traduction. Il s’agit du logiciel LexPro CD Databank réalisé et commercialisé par la société lci (Jouy-en-Josas, France) qui est partenaire du ladl.

•Image and FTIR analyses shed more light on the organic fouling of an ion exchanger.•FTIR spectroscopy enables the identification of the ion exchanger foulants.•Image analyser helps to observe the changes of the resin beads size and shape.

In this article, the author reflects upon the views of Pope John Paul II related to the issue ethnic identity for Polish Americans. The author discusses a workshop attended by several Polish bishops in Michigan in 1976, who discussed the Church's conditions in Poland and mentions the importance of ethnic identity for John Paul II, who during his visit to Nowy Targ, Poland in 1979 stressed Polish Americans to remember their country of origin, Church, and spiritual heritage.

In this article the author discusses the ethnic identity of Polish Americans. He observes that the key to Polish identity was Catholic religion and the Polish language. He recalls the preaching of Pope John Paul II in the U.S. on one's identity, spirituality, history and the Christian culture. He thinks that Polish in the U.S. consider themselves as Americans, of Polish heritage, who are proud of their heritage but are more concerned with problems in the U.S.