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The fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a new biomarker of mitochondrial diseases (MD). FGF21 concentration may be used to define the severity of mitochondrial disease.The study objective was to verify if the FGF21 concentration in paediatric patients with MD was correlated with the disease severity and stage and to assess the correlation between FGF21 levels and the genetic background of MD.The disease stage in MD subjects was determined on the basis of the International Paediatric Mitochondrial Disease Scale (IPMDS) and the concentrations of FGF21, lactic and pyruvic acids, alanine and creatine kinase in serum were assessed in those patients.The median age of children with MD (n = 32) was 33 months (range: 2-213), in the control group (n = 21) the median age was 42 months (range: 8-202). The concentrations of FGF21, lactic acid and pyruvic acid were higher in MD patients than in the control group. No correlation between the disease severity (IPMDS) and serum FGF21 concentration was found. The FGF21 concentration was higher in patients whose MD resulted from nuclear gene damage (nDNA), median FGF21 = 1022 (84-8873) pg/ml, than in patients with MD resulting from mitochondrial damage (mtDNA), median FGF21 = 736 (188-2906) pg/ml, or with an abnormal variant in the PDHA1 gene, median FGF21 = 58 (25-637) pg/ml.There is no correlation between the stage of MD and FGF21 level. Higher FGF21 values are seen in patients whose MD results from an abnormal nDNA variant rather than mtDNA damage.Czynnik wzrostu fibroblastów 21 (FGF21) jest nowym biomarkerem chorób mitochondrialnych. Wieksze stężenia FGF21 obserwowano w końcowej fazie choroby, dlatego FGF21 może być wykorzystane do określenia stopnia zaawansowania choroby mitochondrialnej (MD).Sprawdzenie, czy stężenie FGF21 u pacjentów pediatrycznych z MD jest skorelowane z ciężkością i choroby oraz ocena korelacji pomiędzy stężeniem FGF21 a podłożem genetycznym MD.Stopień zaawansowania MD określono na podstawie Międzynarodowej Pediatrycznej Skali Zaawansowania Choroby Mitochondrialnej (IPMDS). Jednocześnie u pacjentów oceniano stężenie FGF21, kwasu mlekowego i pirogronowego, alaniny i kinazy kreatynowej w surowicy.Mediana wieku dzieci z MD (n = 32) wynosiła 33 miesiące (2213), natomiast w grupie kontrolnej (n = 21) było 42 miesiące (zakres: 8202). Stężenia FGF21, kwasu mlekowego i kwasu pirogronowego były większe u pacjentów z MD niż w grupie kontrolnej. Nie stwierdzono korelacji pomiędzy stopniem zaawansowania choroby (IPMDS) a stężeniem FGF21. Stężenie FGF21 było większe u pacjentów, u których MD wynikało z uszkodzenia genu jądrowego (nDNA), mediana FGF21 = 1022 (84–8873) pg/ml, niż u pacjentów z MD wynikającym z uszkodzenia mitochondrialnego DNA (mtDNA), mediana FGF21 = 736 (188–2906) pg/ml, lub z nieprawidłowym wariantem w genie PDHA1, mediana FGF21 = 58 (25–637) pg/ml.Nie ma korelacji między stopniem zaawansowania MD a FGF21. Wyższe wartości FGF21 obserwowano u pacjentów, u których MD wynika z nieprawidłowego wariantu w nDNA niż z uszkodzenia mtDNA.

Background: Plant-based diets (PBDs) are increasingly recommended for human and planetary health. However, comprehensive evidence on the health effects of PBDs in children remains incomplete, particularly in vegans. Objectives: To quantify differences in body composition, cardiovascular risk, and micronutrient status of vegetarian and vegan children relative to omnivores and to estimate prevalence of abnormal micronutrient and cholesterol status in each group. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, Polish children aged 5–10 y (63 vegetarian, 52 vegan, 72 matched omnivores) were assessed using anthropometry, deuterium dilution, DXA, and carotid ultrasound. Fasting blood samples, dietary intake, and accelerometry data were collected. Results: All results are reported relative to omnivores. Vegetarians had lower gluteofemoral adiposity but similar total fat and lean mass. Vegans had lower fat indices in all regions but similar lean mass. Both groups had lower bone mineral content (BMC). The difference for vegetarians attenuated after accounting for body size but remained in vegans (total body minus the head: –3.7%; 95% CI: –7.0, –0.4; lumbar spine: –5.6%; 95% CI: –10.6, –0.5). Vegetarians had lower total cholesterol, HDL, and serum B-12 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] without supplementation but higher glucose, VLDL, and triglycerides. Vegans were shorter and had lower total LDL (–24 mg/dL; 95% CI: –35.2, –12.9) and HDL (–12.2 mg/dL; 95% CI: –17.3, –7.1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, iron status, and serum B-12 (–217.6 pmol/L; 95% CI: –305.7, –129.5) and 25(OH)D without supplementation but higher homocysteine and mean corpuscular volume. Vitamin B-12 deficiency, iron-deficiency anemia, low ferritin, and low HDL were more prevalent in vegans, who also had the lowest prevalence of high LDL. Supplementation resolved low B-12 and 25(OH)D concentrations. Conclusions: Vegan diets were associated with a healthier cardiovascular risk profile but also with increased risk of nutritional deficiencies and lower BMC and height. Vegetarians showed less pronounced nutritional deficiencies but, unexpectedly, a less favorable cardiometabolic risk profile. Further research may help maximize the benefits of PBDs in children.

Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute, generalized vasculitis, is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in childhood. The incidence of KD is increasing worldwide.Our study aims to analyze KD's clinical course in children and to evaluate risk factors for persistent changes in coronary vessels after 6-8 weeks of treatment.The retrospective analysis included patients with KD hospitalized in a single tertiary carehospital. The diagnosis, as well as treatment, were based on the current worldwide treatment standards. The clinical course, selected laboratory parameters, the treatment effect, and following cardiac complications were analyzed in different age groups.In the years 2006-2019, 140 patients aged from two months to 16 years: 52 girls and 88 boys, were diagnosed with KD. Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) at weeks 6-8 of disease were found in 16% of patients. Boys and infants were more likely to develop aneurysms at weeks 6-8 of the disease (P = 0.045; P = 0.03; respectively). The CAA frequency was related to the atypical course (P = 0.02), late diagnosis (P = 0.04), presence of changes in the coronary arteries at the time of diag nosis (P0.001), immunoglobulin resistance (P = 0.002), a lower hemoglobin concentraction (P0.001), and a higher platelet count (P = 0.02). There were 28% of patients resistant to first-line time treatment. In this group, we found CAA in 31% of children.We found that late diagnosis, low hemoglobin level, high platelet count, CAA presence at diagnosis, atypical course of KD, and resistance to intravenous immunoglobulins are predictors of CAA after 6-8 weeks in KD patients.

In this paper, we propose a recursive variant of the Parzen kernel density estimator (KDE) to track changes of dynamic density over data streams in a nonstationary environment. In stationary environments, well-established traditional KDE techniques have nice asymptotic properties. Their existing extensions to deal with stream data are mostly based on various heuristic concepts (losing convergence properties). In this paper, we study recursive KDEs, called recursive concept drift tracking KDEs, and prove their weak (in probability) and strong (with probability one) convergence, resulting in perfect tracking properties as the sample size approaches infinity. In three theorems and subsequent examples, we show how to choose the bandwidth and learning rate of a recursive KDE in order to ensure weak and strong convergence. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of our algorithm both for density estimation and classification over time-varying stream data.

Air pollution is a significant problem in city centers. According to public health care in Poland, there is a need for local authorities to propose good purification solutions in both outdoor and indoor conditions. The main objective of this study is the development of an appropriate filtration system for public transport, especially for buses and bus stops. Firstly, the authors justify the need for air filtration in the capital of Poland, Warsaw. The average concentration level of PM10 and PM2.5 dust particles in large Polish cities is presented. In addition, it is underlined that PM2.5 dust particles are carriers for coronavirus COVID-19 and easily inhaled by humans. In the next step, the authors introduce an experimental stand used in the examination of different filtration baffles. The filtration efficiency is defined and calculated according to experimental examinations. In these experiments, an antismog cover for air-conditioning split systems, an H13 HEPA filter and a three-stage filtration baffle (active carbon + F5 filter + EPA11 filter) were taken into consideration, and the efficiency of filtration under pressure-drop conditions and the influence of moisture were ascertained. The best filter setup was thereby determined to be the three-stage filtration baffle, being the most efficient in cleaning air on account of having the smallest mass concentration of PM2.5. This indicates that three-stage filtration is the most suitable air-filtration method for public transportation in cities where air pollution is a serious concern.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is the most common intrauterine infection with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. There is limited data on the associations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involving the first-line defense mechanism and the risk of CNS damage during cCMV. We investigated the associations between neuroimaging findings and SNPs in genes encoding the following cytokines and cytokine receptors in 92 infants with cCMV: interleukins (IL1B rs16944, IL12B rs3212227, IL28B rs12979860), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2 rs1024611), dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN rs735240), Toll-like receptors (TLR2 rs5743708, TLR4 rs4986791, TLR9 rs352140). The SNP of IL1B rs16944 (G/A) was associated with a reduced risk of ventriculomegaly on MRI (OR = 0.46, 95% CI, 0.22–0.95, p = 0.03) and cUS (OR = 0.38, 95% CI, 0.0–0.93, p = 0.034). Infants carrying heterozygous (T/C) genotype at IL28B rs12979860 had an increased risk of cystic lesions on cUS (OR = 3.31, 95% CI, 1.37–8.01, p = 0.0064) and MRI (OR = 4.97, 95% CI, 1.84–13.43, p = 0.001), and an increased risk of ventriculomegaly on MRI (OR = 2.46, 95% CI, 1.03–5.90, p = 0.04). No other associations between genotyped SNPs and neuroimaging results were found. This is the first study demonstrating new associations between SNPs of IL1B and IL28B and abnormal neuroimaging in infants with cCMV.

Objectives: Peripheral quantitative computed tomography is utilised in increasing numbers of paediatric studies, however, very little is known about the reference limits for pQCT tibia measurements. The purpose of this study was to establish country-specific reference data for bone densities, cross-sectional sizes, strength and regional muscle distribution measured by pQCT in children and adolescents. Methods: Stratec XCT 2000L apparatus was used. The measurement sites were 4%, 14%, 38% and 66% of the tibia length. The study group consisted of 222 participants (103 girls) aged 4,3-19,4 yrs. ANCOVA was used to assess the main determinants of pQCT outcomes. The LMS method was used to fit the percentile curves for each outcomes. Results: Weight and age were the main determinants for most of the pQCT outcomes. Smoothed percentile curves were developed by age and by height for both sexes. Conclusion: In this study we present reference data for bone densities, cross-sectional size and strength as well as for regional muscle distribution measured by pQCT at certain sites of the lower leg to allow simple calculation of reliable Z scores.

Background Loss of bone mineral is a common concomitant of the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) due mainly to chemotherapy, especially with corticosteroids. Osteopenia/osteoporosis may be encountered long into survivorship. Measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is limited to two-dimensionality and cannot distinguish trabecular from cortical bone. Methods A sample of 74 subjects, ages 13.5-38.3 years more than 10 years from diagnosis, underwent peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at metaphyseal (trabecular bone) and diaphyseal (cortical bone) sites in the radius and tibia. pQCT provides three-dimensional assessment of bone geometry, density, and architecture. Results Average values in multiple metrics were similar to those in healthy individuals, but deficits in both trabecular and cortical bones were revealed by lower Z scores using an ethnically comparable sample of healthy individuals. Connectivity, a measure of bone architecture and a surrogate measure of bone strength, was lower in females than males. Survivors of standard-risk ALL had greater connectivity in and more compact trabecular bone than high-risk survivors who had received more intensive osteotoxic chemotherapy. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the metrics at any of the sites between subjects who had or had not a history of fracture, cranial irradiation, or use of a bisphosphonate. Conclusions These long-term survivors of ALL have somewhat compromised bone health, but data in comparable healthy populations are limited. Longitudinal studies in larger and more ethnically diverse cohorts will provide greater insight into bone health in this vulnerable population.

Background. The type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic systemic autoimmune-mediated disease characterised by the insulin deficiency and hyperglycaemia. Its deleterious effect on bones concerns not only bone mass, density, and fracture risk but also may involve the linear growth of long bones. Studies on the lower leg in children with T1DM by pQCT have generated conflicting results, and most of the studies published so far focused only on a selected features of the bone. An additional information about growth, modelling, and remodelling processes can be gathered by the bone turnover marker measurement. The objective of the study was to evaluate bone mineral density, mass, and geometry using peripheral quantitative computed tomography as well as bone turnover markers in the patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods. Bone mineral density, mass, and geometry on the lower leg using peripheral quantitative computed tomography and serum osteocalcin (OC) and carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTx) were measured in 35 adolescents with T1DM (15 girls) aged 12.3-17.9 yrs. The results were compared to age- and sex-adjusted reference values for healthy controls. Results. Both sexes reveal lower than zero Z -scores for lower leg 66% total cortical bone cross-sectional area to muscle cross-sectional area ratio ( − 0.97 ± 1.02 , p = 0.002517 and − 0.98 ± 1.40 , p = 0.007050 , respectively) while tibia 4% trabecular bone density Z -score was lowered in boys ( − 0.67 ± 1.20 , p = 0.02259 ). In boys in Tanner stage 5 bone mass and dimensions were diminished in comparison to Tanner stages 3 and 4, while in girls, such a phenomenon was not observed. Similarly, bone formation and resorption were decreased in boys but not in girls. Consistently, bone turnover markers correlated positively with bone size, dimensions, and strength in boys only. Conclusions. T1DM patients revealed a decreased ratio of cortical bone area/muscle area, reflecting disturbed adaptation of the cortical shaft to the muscle force. When analyzing bone mass and dimensions, boys in Tanner stage 5 diverged from “less-mature” individuals, which may suggest that bone development in these individuals was impaired, affecting all three: mass, size, and strength. Noted in boys, suppressed bone metabolism may result in impairment of bone strength because of inadequate repair of microdamage and accumulation of microfractures.

Impregnation of textiles (fabrics) by phase change materials (PCMs) changes their thermal properties. High thermal capacity of PCMs, due to large enthalpy of phase change (latent heat), increase the potential of these materials for heat accumulation, but also modifies heat transfer in transient states what improves their insulating characteristics. The paper presents selected results of the research that was focused on the development of mathematical and numerical models of heat transfer in the fabrics laminated by the layers containing phase change materials. Different modes of interaction with the environment were taken into account, including radiative heating, cooling in natural convection and direct contact of the fabric with a solid body of large thermal capacity. The models were validated with the use of experimental measurement of thermal performance characteristics of the fabrics with PCM incorporated. Validation allowed also quantitative identification of some parameters characterizing heat transfer both inside the fabrics and interaction with the environment, such as absorption an transmission coefficient for radiation. In the study the real thermal characteristics of the fabrics were used, e.g. enthalpy vs. temperature determined with the use of DSC. Overall thermal characteristics of the textiles, i.e. temperature variations under different thermal loads, are also presented in the paper.

A shift toward the endovascular treatment of ophthalmic segment aneurysms is noticeable. However, it is not clear if the long-term treatment results improve with the development of endovascular methods. The aim of this study was to present the outcomes of the treatment of unruptured ophthalmic aneurysms using flow diverting devices (FDD) with or without coiling. This retrospective study included 52 patients with 65 UIAs treated in 2009–2016. The mean aneurysm size was 8.8 mm. Eight aneurysms were symptomatic. Therapeutic procedures included: 5 failed attempts, 55 first sessions with FDD deployment (bilateral procedures in 3) and 3 retreatment procedures. To cover 55 ICAs, 25 Silk, 26 Pipeline, 9 Fred and 1 Surpass FDD were used. FDD with coiling was applied in 19(29.2%), mainly for symptomatic and larger aneurysms. Mean radiological and clinical follow-up was 12 and 61 months, respectively. Postprocedural deterioration was noted in 3(5.8%) patients, but in long-term the modified Rankin Scale grades 0–2 were achieved in 98.1% of patients. One patient died from the treated aneurysm rupture (annual risk—0.07%). Raymond–Roy occlusion classification class I or II was achieved in 98.5% in the long term, with similar results in both groups. Complications occurred in 40.4% of patients and the most frequent were: imperfect FDD deployment (15%), failed attempt of FDD deployment (9.6%) and late FDD stenosis (9.6%). Flow-diverting devices, with additional coiling in selected cases, may offer a very high proportion of satisfactory outcomes. However, in our experience the high risk of complications remains.

Background There are limited data on factors that determine viral load (VL) in congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) might influence individual host response to infection. This study aimed to investigate the association between SNPs in genes encoding cytokines or cytokine receptors and VL in newborns with cCMV. Material and methods Eight polymorphisms (IL1B rs16944, IL12B rs3212227, IL28B rs12979860, CCL2 rs1024611, DC-SIGN rs735240, TLR2 rs5743708, TLR4 rs4986791 and TLR9 rs352140) were analyzed in study population of 233 newborns, including 92 cCMV-infected newborns (73 symptomatic and 19 asymptomatic) by TaqMan SNP Predesigned Genotyping Assays. The association analysis was performed using SNPStats software and STATISTICA10. Results The association between IL12B polymorphism and viruria was observed (p = 0.029). In multiple comparison tests, heterozygous T/G genotype of IL12B was associated with higher viruria than T/T genotype (p = 0.041) in cCMV-infected newborns. In allele analysis, T allele of IL12B was associated with higher viremia (p = 0.037) in symptomatic newborns. We observed higher VL in symptomatic newborns in comparison to asymptomatic (median viremia: 1.7 × 104 copies/mL vs. 2.0 × 103 copies/mL (p = 0.002), median viruria: 1.0 × 107 copies/mL versus 6.9 × 105 copies/mL (p = 0.001), respectively). Conclusions IL12B rs3212227 was associated with VL in cCMV. Symptomatic newborns had significantly higher viremia and viruria. The role of SNPs in pathogenesis of cCMV warrants further investigations.

In this paper, we propose the Convolutional Restricted Boltzmann Machine (CRBM) as a tool for detecting concept drift in time-varying data streams. Recently, it was demonstrated that the Restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM) can be successfully applied to this task. A properly learned RBM contains information about the data probability distribution. Trained on one part of the stream it can be used to detect possible changes in the incoming data. In this work we replace the fully-connected layer in the standard RBM with the convolutional layer, composing the CRBM. We show that it is more suitable for the drift detection task regarding the image data. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate the usefulness of the CRBM as a tool for drift detection in data streams with such type of data.

Background: Retinal morphology changes may be associated with prematurity and can lead to visual impairment. Optical coherence tomography angiography may contribute to understanding the pathomechanism of structural and vascular retinal impairment in premature children. The aim of this study was to assess an influence of prematurity, neonatal clinical characteristics, and a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) on the morphology and retinal vascularity of macula in children. Methods: A case–control study of 123 preterm children and 86 full-term children was performed. The age of the subjects was 10.45 years (IQR: 8.12–12.77), while the age of the control group was 11.78 years (IQR: 8.81–13.79). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA, angio-OCT) were performed using RTVueXR Avanti (Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). Ganglion cell complex (GCC), foveal thickness (FT), parafoveal thickness (PFT), size of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in superficial plexus, superficial capillary vessel density (sVD), deep capillary vessel density (dVD), central choroidal thickness (CCT), and presence of macular hypoplasia were analyzed. The association between OCT/angio-OCT results and clinical characteristics including the degree of ROP and therapy requirements was assessed in preterm infants. Results: Foveal morphology was affected in preterm children with high incidence of foveal hypoplasia (24.77%). GCC was thinner in preterm children compared to controls: avgGG 93 μm vs. 100 μm, p < 0.001. No associations between GCC and gestational age (R = −0.085; p = 0.228) and birth weight (R = −0.054; p = 0.446) were found. FAZ in preterm group was smaller than in controls (0.13 ± 0.09 vs. 0.22 ± 0.09; p < 0.001). FAZ area correlated with gestational age (R = 0.456; p < 0.001) and birth weight (R = 0.472; p < 0.001). Deep vessel density in the fovea was higher in preterm children than in control group (p < 0.001). PFT was significantly lower in preterm children compared to control group. However, increased thickness in the fovea was noted in preterm children (p < 0.001). FT was inversely correlated with gestational age (R = −0.562; p < 0.001) and birth weight (R = −0.508, p < 0.001). CCT was lower in preterm children (312 μm vs. 337.5 μm, p < 0.001) Parameters of GCC and FT were higher in patients with ROP required treatment compared to patients without ROP and spontaneously regressed retinopathy. FAZ was smaller in patients with retinopathy than in preterm children without ROP. Conclusion: Prematurity has a significant negative impact on GCC, macular morphology, and vascularization. In premature children, decreased FAZ, increased FT, and vessel density were strongly associated with gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, ROP stage, and treatment requirement. Optical coherence tomography angiography is a useful tool for detecting retinal changes in premature children.

In this paper, we propose a method for rules generation for images, which can be further used to enhance the classification accuracy of a convolutional neural network as well as to increase the level of explainability of neural network decisions. For each image from the training set, a descriptor is created based on the information contained in the convolutional layers of the network. The descriptors of images of the same class are then used to create a single-class prototype, which is characteristic of that class. The prototypes of different but semantically similar prototypes are then grouped into major categories using the DBSCAN algorithm. The analysis is carried out using the ILSVRC dataset and the VGG16 net is used. The experimental verification performed on the validation set demonstrated the validity and general nature of the rules obtained using the proposed method.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the most common intrauterine infection. A non-specific immune response is the first line of host defense mechanism against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). There is limited data on associations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involving innate immunity and the risk and clinical manifestation of cCMV infection. The aim of the study was to investigate association between selected SNPs in genes encoding cytokines and cytokine receptors, and predisposition to cCMV infection including symptomatic course of disease and symptoms. A panel of eight SNPs: IL1B rs16944, IL12B rs3212227, IL28B rs12979860, CCL2 rs1024611, DC-SIGN rs735240, TLR2 rs5743708, TLR4 rs4986791, TLR9 rs352140 was analyzed in 233 infants (92 cCMV-infected and 141 healthy controls). Associations between genotyped SNPs and predisposition to cCMV infection and symptoms were analyzed. The association analysis was performed using SNPStats software. No statistically significant association was found between any genotyped SNPs and predisposition to cCMV infection and symptomatic course of disease. In relation to particular symptoms, polymorphism of IL12B rs3212227 was linked to decreased risk of prematurity (OR = 0.37;95%CI,0.14-0.98;p = 0.025), while polymorphism of IL1B rs16944 was linked to reduced risk of splenomegaly (OR = 0.36;95%CI,0.14-0.98; p = 0.034) in infants with cCMV infection. An increased risk of thrombocytopenia was associated with IL28B rs12979860 polymorphism (OR = 2.55;95%CI,1.03-6.32;p = 0.042), while hepatitis was associated with SNP of TLR4rs4986791 (OR = 7.80;95%CI,1.49-40,81; p = 0.024). This is the first study to demonstrate four new associations between SNPs in selected genes (IL1B, IL12B, IL28B, TLR4) and particular symptoms in cCMV disease. Further studies on the role of SNPs in the pathogenesis of cCMV infection and incorporation of selected SNPs in the clinical practice might be considered in the future.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the results of six balance tests collected on AMTI AccuSway Plus ACS force platform between healthy female and male children and adolescents. We also searched for possible correlation of the balance measures with subjects’ age. Methods: 228 healthy 6- to 18-year-old subjects (111 boys and 117 girls) participated in the study. Six balance tests were performed with the use of AMTI AccuSway Plus ACS platform: quiet standing for 30s, maximal voluntary sways of the body in the sagittal plane (anterior-posterior – AP test) for 30 s, and in the frontal plane (left-right – ML test) for 30s. All tests were performed in two conditions: eyes open and eyes closed. Results: During quiet standing with eyes open, most balance measures were lower in girls (p < 0.05). In AP and ML tests with eyes open, a few balance parameters were different between boys and girls (p < 0.05). In quiet standing, AP and ML tests with eyes closed, there were no between-gender differences (p > 0.05). In quiet standing with eyes open and closed most balance parameters were negatively correlated with age (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Quiet standing postural sway characteristics depended on gender under normal visual conditions and it was similar in boys and girls under visual deprivation conditions. The vision was differently used by females and males in balance tasks. Static postural stability improved with age regardless of visual conditions.

In this paper, a method for nonparametric regression estimation in a time-varying environment is presented. The orthogonal series-based kernels are used to design learning procedures tracking non-stationary systems changes under non-stationary noise. The presented procedures, constructed in the spirit of generalized regression neural networks, are a very effective tool to deal with stream data. The convergences in probability and with probability one are proved, experimental results are given and discussed.

Objectives: The mechanical components of bone strength (size, shape and density) in adolescents with T1DM are not extensively studied Methods: The studied group comprises 39 adolescents, aged 11,9-18,0 yrs. The bone and muscle properties were investigated at the forearm (66% and 4% site). All measurements were performed using pQCT method Results: The mean Z-score calculated for the ratio of the total cortical bone cross-sectional area to muscle cross-sectional area at 66% was lower than zero in girls (-0,93+/-1,06; p=0,0042). Significant differences between Tanner stages were noted in boys for mean Z-scores for bone masses, cross-sectional dimensions and strength Conclusions: T1DM girls revealed a decreased ratio of cortical bone area/muscle area, reflecting disturbed adaptation of the cortical shaft to the muscle force. When the Z-scores of cortical shell dimensions were investigated, cases in Tanner stage 5 diverged from “less mature” individuals, which may suggests that bone shaft development in these individuals was impaired, affecting both size and strength.

Aim Children with ultra‐short bowel syndrome (USBS) have not been extensively studied to date because the condition is rare. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of children with USBS receiving home parenteral nutrition, using citrulline serum concentration and cholestasis. Methods We studied 17 patients with USBS, with a median age of 6.6 years and median duration of parenteral nutrition of 6.6 years. The study was carried out at The Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, from January 2014 to January 2015. Results The median standard deviation score (SDS) was −1.2 for body mass according to chronological age, −1.72 according to height and −0.59 according to height for age. Patients requiring seven days per week parenteral nutrition had a citrulline concentration below 10 μmol/L. Decreased bone‐mineral density was observed in 87% of the patients. Low values of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D were found in 53% of the children. None of the patients had elevated conjugated bilirubin levels above 34.2 μmol/L. Conclusion Children with USBS were growth deficient according to their chronological age, with frequent abnormal bone mineralisation and vitamin D deficiency. Children requiring parenteral nutrition seven days a week had citrulline concentrations below 10 μmol/L. Cholestasis was not seen.

The paper presents the results of parametric study of thermal performance characteristics of thermal energy storage unit integrated in building structure being also a part of building’s ventilation system. A storage unit is in the form of a ceiling panel with internal channels through which air taken from the environment flows before it is delivered into the rooms. Thermal storage potential of the panel is thanks to phase change material (PCM) which is mixed with gypsum mortar, creating in this way a composite of high thermal capacity in the temperature range corresponding to the temperature required for thermal comfort. In order to perform the analysis of the storage unit a computer program was developed which was based on the mathematical model of complex heat transfer occurring inside the panel, inside a composite material, as well as on the boundary between the panel and air flowing through internal channels. A procedure describing variations of convective heat transfer intensity along the channel can be regarded as a unique achievement in this research. This function was validated based on measurements conducted on the experimental set-up specially prepared for this study. Using the program many computer simulations were performed. Based on the results of this analysis a detailed information on the performance of the panel for different operational parameters, e.g. air mass flow rates, were obtained. Contrary to the study reported in an earlier publication, these simulations were conducted for real environmental conditions, i.e. real ambient temperatures during summer in Central Poland. Also, important conclusions regarding selection of PCM, mainly its melting temperature range, were formulated.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to analyse selected densitometric and geometric parameters in the third metacarpal bone along the long axis in horses. The densitometric parameters included the cortical and trabecular bone mineral density, while the geometric parameters included the cortical, trabecular, and total areas, strength strain index X, strength strain index Y, and the polar strength strain index. Material and Methods: The parameters were analysed using eight sections from 10% to 80% of the length of the bone. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used in the study. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Friedman analysis of variance and post-hoc tests. Results: The proximal metaphyseal region showed the highest predicted resistance to bone fractures in the transverse (back-front) plane, the distal metaphyseal region had the highest predicted resistance to transverse and torsional fractures in the transverse (side-side) plane. The cross-sectional area and the shape of the cross-section of the cortical bone of the MCIII had the highest coefficient of variation. The density of the cortical bone was least variable. Conclusions: The cortical area and cortical bone mineral density assumed the highest values in the diaphyseal region, while the highest total area, trabecular area and trabecular bone mineral density values were obtained in the metaphyseal proximal and distal region.

In this paper we propose a new approach for designing an ensemble applied to stream data classification. Our approach is supported by two theorems showing how to decide whether a new component should be added to the ensemble or not, based on the assumption that such an action should increase the accuracy of the ensemble not only for the current portion of observations but also for the whole (infinite) data stream. The conclusions of these theorems hold with a certain probability (confidence) set by the user. Through computer simulations, among others, we show that decreasing the confidence that decision based on the finite portion of the stream is the same as based on the whole (infinite) data stream only slightly improves the accuracy at the expense of significant memory consumption. Moreover, we will introduce a novel procedure of weighting ensemble components, i.e. decision trees, by assigning a weight to each leaf of the tree. In previous approaches a weight was assigned to the whole ensemble component. The new approach is based on the observation that probability of the correct tree outcome is different in various tree sections.

ObjectiveDietary Ca is now being recognized to play an important role not only in skeletal integrity, but also in the regulation of energy and metabolism. The aim of the present study was to estimate the relationship of dairy Ca intake with BMI and blood pressure (BP) in a sample derived from the Polish population.DesignCa intake was calculated from an interviewer-administered semi-quantitative FFQ. BMI was calculated from measured weight and height, and BP was measured by a physician.SettingCross-sectional epidemiological study on osteoporosis risk factors in Poland.SubjectsRandomly selected healthy adult persons (n1259; 750 women and 509 men).ResultsDairy Ca intake was significantly lower in individuals with overweight/obesity (BMI≥25·00 kg/m2) and/or with elevated BP (systolic/diastolic ≥140/≥90 mmHg) than in those with normal body mass and BP, respectively. Ca intake was negatively correlated with BMI (r=−0·12,Pr=−0·11,Pr=−0·08,P2(OR=1·44,PConclusionsThe obtained results indicate the role of low dairy Ca intake in the development of obesity and hypertension, notably in premenopausal women.

The paper presents a passive method aimed at limiting the energy demand for air-conditioning purposes, the essence of which is to increase the thermal inertia of the building structure by using phase change materials, PCM. Different methods of incorporation of PCMs into various building elements are described. The results of experimental research on selected types of heat storage units with PCM showing the effect of increased thermal inertia of the structure of the building on the stabilization of indoor temperature were also presented. In particular, the research describes a heat/cold storage unit produced of a gypsum composite with the addition of PCM, integrated with the building ventilation system.

The problems of learning in non-stationary situations has rarely been a subject of studies even in a parametric case. Historically the first papers on learning in non-stationary environments where occasionally published in the sixties and seventies. The proper tool for solving such a type of problems seemed to be the dynamic stochastic approximation technique [1, 2] as an extension of the Robbins-Monro [3] procedure for the non-stationary case. The traditional procedure of stochastic approximation was also used [4, 5] with a good effect for tracking the changing regression function root.

Data stream mining, as its name suggests, is connected with two basic fields of computer science, i.e. data mining and data streams. Data mining [1, 2, 3, 4] is an interdisciplinary subfield of computer science whose main aim is to develop tools and methods for exploring knowledge from large datasets. Data mining is strictly related to statistics, pattern recognition [5] and machine learning [6], using methods like neural networks, decision trees, Bayesian networks or support vector machines. Neural networks are often considered a method belonging to soft computing or computational intelligence [7]. Another soft computing concept used in data mining is fuzzy logic. It should be noted that all mentioned above subfields of computer science are not strictly defined and overlap in many issues. Moreover, data mining is something more than learning or extracting knowledge, and includes, among others, database systems or data visualization as well. However, this book focuses mainly on the learning aspect of data mining.