Search

In the world, almost 10% of people have a variety of hearing disorders. Nearly 500 million people live with deafness; more than 32 million of them are children. Therefore, the problem of studying the human hearing system to improve the theoretical and practical equipment of diagnosis for the further treatment of people with hearing impairments is extremely acute.This article is devoted to the analysis of experimentally obtained amplitude-frequency characteristics of the middle ear and to the development of theoretical foundations and the method of electromechanical analogies for the construction of middle ear frequency response.The main possible approaches for theoretical obtaining of the external and middle ear frequency response based on the results of the average frequency response of a healthy person are analyzed, namely: a mechanical model with concentrated parameters, a finite element method and an electromechanical analogy method.The first approach proposes a "mechanical model" in which each component of the system, namely: malleus, incus and stapes, ladder is described as an object having certain mechanical and physical characteristics. The simplest oscillatory system is the mass suspended on a spring. It is commonly believed that movement occurs in the absence of friction. This oscillatory system is a system with lumped parameters, however, this model is designed for objective diagnostic methods that involve the placement of an acoustic probe in the external auditory canal.A further development of mechanical analogies is the Finite Element Method (FEM). In this case, all the objects of the system are broken down into components in three-dimensional space, as a system with distributed parameters, each of which has strictly specified mechanical properties, its own way of connecting with the surrounding parts.Another approach is the method of electromechanical analogies, which is based on the similarity of equations describing oscillatory processes of mechanical and electrical nature. If the equations are similar, then their solutions are the same, so the solution of the mechanical problem can be replaced by the solution of similar electromechanical. By analogy to a mechanical system, the simplest electrical oscillating circuit is the connection of a coil and a capacitor. The oscillations in this circuit are the mutual conversion of the capacitor's electrical energy and the coil's magnetic energy.Electromechanical analogies were used to analyze the oscillations of the outer and middle ears. In this electrical quantities: voltage, capacitance, active resistance, inductance are mechanical: strength, flexibility, active mechanical resistance, mass. The equivalent circuit of the human middle ear was constructed and analyzed using the Simulink application package. The values of the resonant frequencies of the outer and middle ear (364, 748, 1430, 2390 Hz) obtained in this model are in good agreement with the experimental results.As a result, an equivalent electrical circuit is proposed that takes into account both the outer ear and the middle ear, and allows you to reproduce more of the characteristic resonances of the frequency response of the average healthy person.

A detailed description of the speech intelligibility prediction algorithm using analytical modeling is presented. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is tested for four types of noise interference: white, pink, brown and typical for classrooms. The consistency of the results with known similar results indicates the correctness of the proposed components of the analytical algorithm. In addition, we compared the results of evaluating speech intelligibility obtained in accordance with the “classical” approach with the results of evaluating the STI index of speech intelligibility, which allowed us to confirm the thesis of a low camouflage ability of white noise at low signal-to-noise ratios.

A number of scientific, technical, medical and linguistic tasks require the establishment of an acoustic affinity or a peculiarity of the Ukrainian language in comparison with European languages. Today these issues are not thoroughly investigated. The objective parameters of the speech process as a random signal are not given sufficient attention. And understanding the processes of how the brain receives information can be obtained by analyzing the relationship of the acoustic characteristics of the signal with its phonetic parameters. The most objective acoustic characteristic of a language is its integral characteristic, namely the averaged spectral density of the speech signal power. The first assessment of this characteristic for the Ukrainian language was made by the authors in previous work. The purpose of the article is to study the averaged spectra of languages of the Indo-European family, namely, Russian, Polish, Italian and English, as well as to compare them with the corresponding spectral characteristics of the Ukrainian language. Audiobook audio recordings from the electronic resources indicated in the text were used for the research. The analysis was performed for two styles of language: artistic and nonfiction, followed by averaging the results. To find the average power density spectrum of speech signals, their processing was performed in the MATLAB ® software environment. The duration of the studied records was 2 minutes. 30 s. ± 5 s. The tested frequency range is selected from 100 Hz to 20 kHz. The results obtained are presented in the form of graphical representations of the spectral characteristics of linguistic signals averaged over styles in comparison with the Ukrainian language. The basic regularities of the spectrum of the Ukrainian language are analyzed. The high level of spectral components of the low-frequency range is characteristic, which indicates the thoracic nature of the loud sounds. Some decrease in the level of the spectrum of the Ukrainian language in the midrange indicates a lower representation of ringing consonants and, in general, no emphasizing of consonant sounds. The high frequency formant with a maximum in the region of 4 kHz, which can be called a "singing formant", is essential. At higher frequencies there is a significant decrease in the level of the spectrum, which indicates the absence of whistles and whispers in the Ukrainian language. The results obtained are in line with the main conclusions of linguists who distinguish the particular sweetness of the Ukrainian language compared to Russian A comparison of the spectra of Ukrainian and Polish obvious that they are sufficiently similar to the frequency of about 1.5 kHz. At higher frequencies in Polish the presence of clanging and rustling sounds, while in the Ukrainian language appears "singing formant" and there is a sharp decline in the levels of spectral components. The level of components of the spectrum of the Italian language is much lower than in the Ukrainian, in the frequency range 100-1500 Hz. Italian has powerful high-frequency spectral components, with its high-frequency formants also occur in the region of 4 kHz, but a more significant rise in frequency response is observed within 7-9 kHz. There is a significant similarity between the English and Ukrainian spectra at almost the frequency of 1800 Hz. Further up to 8 kHz, while the level of high-frequency components is maintained in English, a “singing” formant is formed in the Ukrainian language. After 8 kHz, the spectra fall almost equally, unlike the other languages considered.

Corporate social responsibility is the responsibility of an individual company for the impact of its decisions and actions on society, the environment, through transparent and ethical behavior that promotes sustainable development, health and well-being of society, takes into account the expectations of stakeholders, complies with applicable law and international conduct. Taking into account that the main economic role of banks is to provide financial opportunities for business by increasing the monetization of the economy through cheap credit, promoting the production of high value-added goods, so that not to become a raw material appendage and a powerful supplier of labor to other countries it is important to analyse the social responsibility of banks in the context of ensuring the social and economic development of the state. The urgent task in the near future for Ukraine involves the formation of the concept of its development, focused on people, concentrating on financial investments in the basic infrastructure of cities in the field of education, medicine, ecology. One of the tools for this strategic task is the social responsibility of banks, based on their interaction with regional and local governments in order to form and develop partnerships to ensure the efficiency of business processes, soften the monetary policy of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) at the expense of money issued by commercial banks in the form of cheap loans. The article monitors the main areas of social responsibility in the banks of Ukraine, identifies obstacles to the active development of social responsibility of banks. The priority tasks set for Ukrainian banks to intensify their social responsibility are the formation and publication of a mandatory Management Report, also partnership of banks with influence groups, non-governmental organizations, as well as with local authorities, their systematic transition from project-based social responsibility to program-based activity in their initiatives, adaptation of international projects and strategies of banks to the Ukrainian market, introduction of innovative products and services in the operational activities of banks, which help to solve specific social problems and create new opportunities for people.

Background/Objectives Fatty acid handling proteins are involved in the process of accumulation of lipids in different fat tissue depots. Thus, the aim of the study was to estimate the expression of both fatty acid transport and binding proteins in the subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of patients with morbid obesity without metabolic syndrome, as well as the plasma concentrations of these transporters. Subjects/Methods Protein (Western blotting) and mRNA (Real-time PCR) expression of selected fatty acid handling proteins was assessed in the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of 30 patients with morbid obesity. The control group consisted of 10 lean age-matched patients. Plasma levels of fatty acid protein transporters were also evaluated using ELISA method. Moreover, total plasma fatty acid composition and concentration was determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Results Significant increase in fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) mRNA (P = 0.03) and plasmalemmal (P = 0.01) expression was observed in VAT of patients with morbid obesity vs. lean subjects together with elevation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), as well as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in both examined compartments of adipose tissue. Moreover, in obese subjects plasma concentration of RBP4 was markedly elevated (P = 0.04) and sCD36 level presented a tendency for an increase (P = 0.08) with concomitant lack of changes in FABP4 concentration (P > 0.05). Conclusions Fatty acid transport into adipocytes may be, at least in part, related to the increased expression of FAT/CD36 in the VAT of morbidly obese patients, which is accompanied by augmented expression of LPL, as well as PPARγ. Probably, alternations in plasma concentrations of RBP4 and sCD36 in obese patients are associated with “unhealthy” fat distribution.

In the world, almost 10% of people have a variety of hearing disorders. Nearly 500 million people live with deafness; more than 32 million of them are children. Therefore, the problem of studying the human hearing system to improve the theoretical and practical equipment of diagnosis for the further treatment of people with hearing impairments is extremely acute.This article is devoted to the analysis of experimentally obtained amplitude-frequency characteristics of the middle ear and to the development of theoretical foundations and the method of electromechanical analogies for the construction of middle ear frequency response.The main possible approaches for theoretical obtaining of the external and middle ear frequency response based on the results of the average frequency response of a healthy person are analyzed, namely: a mechanical model with concentrated parameters, a finite element method and an electromechanical analogy method.The first approach proposes a "mechanical model" in which each component of the system, namely: malleus, incus and stapes, ladder is described as an object having certain mechanical and physical characteristics. The simplest oscillatory system is the mass suspended on a spring. It is commonly believed that movement occurs in the absence of friction. This oscillatory system is a system with lumped parameters, however, this model is designed for objective diagnostic methods that involve the placement of an acoustic probe in the external auditory canal.A further development of mechanical analogies is the Finite Element Method (FEM). In this case, all the objects of the system are broken down into components in three-dimensional space, as a system with distributed parameters, each of which has strictly specified mechanical properties, its own way of connecting with the surrounding parts.Another approach is the method of electromechanical analogies, which is based on the similarity of equations describing oscillatory processes of mechanical and electrical nature. If the equations are similar, then their solutions are the same, so the solution of the mechanical problem can be replaced by the solution of similar electromechanical. By analogy to a mechanical system, the simplest electrical oscillating circuit is the connection of a coil and a capacitor. The oscillations in this circuit are the mutual conversion of the capacitor's electrical energy and the coil's magnetic energy.Electromechanical analogies were used to analyze the oscillations of the outer and middle ears. In this electrical quantities: voltage, capacitance, active resistance, inductance are mechanical: strength, flexibility, active mechanical resistance, mass. The equivalent circuit of the human middle ear was constructed and analyzed using the Simulink application package. The values of the resonant frequencies of the outer and middle ear (364, 748, 1430, 2390 Hz) obtained in this model are in good agreement with the experimental results.As a result, an equivalent electrical circuit is proposed that takes into account both the outer ear and the middle ear, and allows you to reproduce more of the characteristic resonances of the frequency response of the average healthy person., Розглядаються основні підходи моделювання роботи зовнішнього та середнього вуха людини. На основі результатів експериментів професора Борисенка О. М. змодельовано зовнішнє і середнє вухо людини за допомогою методу електромеханічних аналогій. У роботі запропоновано розширену модель слухової системи з використанням якої знайдено парціальні частоти елементів, які входять до складу зовнішнього та середнього вуха людини.

Background Adipokines in serum derive mainly from subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), being a relatively small but unique fat depot, probably does not make an important contribution to systemic concentrations of adipokines. However, proximity of EAT to cardiac muscle and coronary arteries allows cells and proteins to penetrate between tissues. It is hypothesized that overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines in EAT plays an important role in pathophysiology of the heart. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between echocardiographic heart parameters and adipokines in plasma, epicardial, and subcutaneous fat in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additionally, we evaluate proinflammatory properties of EAT by comparing that depot with subcutaneous adipose tissue. Methods The study included 55 male individuals diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent planned coronary artery bypass graft. Plasma concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin, apelin, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as their mRNA and protein expressions in EAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were determined. Results Obesity and diabetes were associated with increased leptin and decreased adiponectin plasma levels, higher protein expression of leptin and IL-6 in SAT, and higher visfatin protein expression in EAT. Impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic function was associated with increased plasma concentrations of leptin, resistin, IL-6, and adiponectin, as well as with increased expressions of resistin, apelin, and adiponectin in SAT, and leptin in EAT. Conclusions Obesity and T2DM in individuals with CAD have a limited effect on adipokines. Expression of adipokines in EAT and SAT is linked to certain heart parameters, however diastolic dysfunction of the LV is strongly associated with circulating adipokines.

A number of scientific, technical, medical and linguistic tasks require the establishment of an acoustic affinity or a peculiarity of the Ukrainian language in comparison with European languages. Today these issues are not thoroughly investigated.The objective parameters of the speech process as a random signal are not given sufficient attention. And understanding the processes of how the brain receives information can be obtained by analyzing the relationship of the acoustic characteristics of the signal with its phonetic parameters.The most objective acoustic characteristic of a language is its integral characteristic, namely the averaged spectral density of the speech signal power. The first assessment of this characteristic for the Ukrainian language was made by the authors in previous work. The purpose of the article is to study the averaged spectra of languages of the Indo-European family, namely, Russian, Polish, Italian and English, as well as to compare them with the corresponding spectral characteristics of the Ukrainian language.Audiobook audio recordings from the electronic resources indicated in the text were used for the research. The analysis was performed for two styles of language: artistic and nonfiction, followed by averaging the results.To find the average power density spectrum of speech signals, their processing was performed in the MATLAB® software environment.The duration of the studied records was 2 minutes. 30 s. ± 5 s. The tested frequency range is selected from 100 Hz to 20 kHz.The results obtained are presented in the form of graphical representations of the spectral characteristics of linguistic signals averaged over styles in comparison with the Ukrainian language.The basic regularities of the spectrum of the Ukrainian language are analyzed. The high level of spectral components of the low-frequency range is characteristic, which indicates the thoracic nature of the loud sounds. Some decrease in the level of the spectrum of the Ukrainian language in the midrange indicates a lower representation of ringing consonants and, in general, no emphasizing of consonant sounds. The high frequency formant with a maximum in the region of 4 kHz, which can be called a "singing formant", is essential. At higher frequencies there is a significant decrease in the level of the spectrum, which indicates the absence of whistles and whispers in the Ukrainian language. The results obtained are in line with the main conclusions of linguists who distinguish the particular sweetness of the Ukrainian language compared to RussianA comparison of the spectra of Ukrainian and Polish obvious that they are sufficiently similar to the frequency of about 1.5 kHz. At higher frequencies in Polish the presence of clanging and rustling sounds, while in the Ukrainian language appears "singing formant" and there is a sharp decline in the levels of spectral components.The level of components of the spectrum of the Italian language is much lower than in the Ukrainian, in the frequency range 100-1500 Hz. Italian has powerful high-frequency spectral components, with its high-frequency formants also occur in the region of 4 kHz, but a more significant rise in frequency response is observed within 7-9 kHz.There is a significant similarity between the English and Ukrainian spectra at almost the frequency of 1800 Hz. Further up to 8 kHz, while the level of high-frequency components is maintained in English, a “singing” formant is formed in the Ukrainian language. After 8 kHz, the spectra fall almost equally, unlike the other languages considered., Было исследовано наиболее объективную характеристику языка, — усредненную спектральную плотность сигнала. Первая оценка такой характеристики для украинского языка выполнена авторами в предыдущей работе. В этой статье полученные интегральные спектральные характеристики языков индоевропейской семьи, а именно: украинского, русского, польского, итальянского и английского языков на основе аудиозаписей публицистического и художественного стилей речи. Выполнено сравнение усредненных по стилям спектров иностранных языков с соответствующими характеристиками украинского языка. Проанализированы общие и отличительные черты этих характеристик в различных частотных областях спектра., Для вирішення ряду задач науково-технічного, медичного та лінгвістичного спрямування існує потреба встановлення акустичних особливостей української мови у порівнянні з європейськими мовами. Дослідження виконується на основі найбільш об’єктивної акустичної характеристик мовного сигналу — усередненої спектральної густини потужності. Одержані спектральні характеристики української, російської, польської, італійської та англійської мов шляхом обробки звукових сигналів аудіозаписів публіцистичного та художнього стилів мовлення. Виконане порівняння усереднених за стилями спектрів іноземних мов із відповідними характеристиками української мови. Проаналізовані спільні та відмінні риси цих характеристик у різних частотних областях спектру.

Additional file 1. The panel shows representative blots for each protein: SAT is labeled with 1, EAT with 2. Four patients in each study group were selected randomly (12 in total). GAPDH was used as a loading control. EAT, epicardial adipose tissue; SAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue; IL-6, interleukin 6; GAPDH, Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Результати акустичної експертизи приміщень та засобів зв’язку, що полягає в оцінюванні розбірливості мовних сигналів, є необхідними для сертифікації приміщень та комунікаційних систем. Оскільки технічні засоби звукоінженерів постійно змінюються й удосконалюються, а також з огляду на зростання переліку факторів, що можуть бути врахованими при оцінюванні розбірливості мови, зростає й кількість апаратно-програмних додатків для такого оцінювання. Таким чином, розробка математичного та програмного забезпечення для прогнозування та вимірювання розбірливості мови є актуальним завданням. Найбільш поширеними на сьогодні є формантний та модуляційний методи оцінювання розбірливості мови. Формантний метод є дещо обмеженим, оскільки не дозволяє враховувати дію реверберації. Модуляційний метод, в якому мірою оцінювання розбірливості мови є індекс передачі мови (Speech Transmission Index), є вільним від цього недоліку. Тому в деяких роботах можна зустріти висловлювання про «застарілість» формантного методу. Проте, ретельне зіставлення потенційних можливостей формантного та модуляційного методів свідчить, що формантний метод перевершує свого конкурента за точністю і швидкістю обчислень в умовах, коли дія шуму переважає над дією реверберації. Найбільшого поширення набули такі версії формантного методу оцінювання розбірливості мови як індекс артикуляції (Articulation Index) й індекс розбірливості мови (Speech Intelligibility Index). На території колишнього СРСР найбільш поширеними були версії формантного методу, розвинуті в наукових школах, очолюваних Н. Б. Покровським, М. А. Сапожковим і Ю. С. Биковим. Згідно із формантним методом, область частот мовного сигналу розбивають на суміжні частотні смуги, в межах кожної з яких спектри мови та шуму можна вважати практично незмінними, й формантну розбірливість обчислюють як певну функцію парціальних відношень сигнал-шум, а словесну розбірливість обчислюють через формантну розбірливість. У даній статті представлено детальний опис алгоритму прогнозування розбірливості мови шляхом аналітичного моделювання. У загальному вигляді алгоритм складається з наступних кроків: на першому етапі обчислень здійснюється формування первинних моделей мовного сигналу і шуму у вигляді масивів вибірок стаціонарних випадкових процесів із заданими спектральними характеристиками. Потім виконується корекція дисперсій цих модельних процесів, щоб забезпечити необхідне інтегральне відношення сигнал-шум. Після такої корекції оцінюються парціальні відношення сигнал-шум. На заключному етапі обчислюються показники розбірливості мови, такі як формантна розбірливість, словесна розбірливість, індекс передачі мови. Працездатність запропонованого алгоритму перевірена для 4-х видів шумової завади: білої, рожевої, коричневої та типової для навчальних приміщень. Узгодженість отриманих результатів з відомими аналогічними результатами свідчить про коректність запропонованих компонентів аналітичного алгоритму. Окрім того, виконано співставлення результатів оцінювання розбірливості мови, отриманих у відповідності до «класичного» підходу, з результатами оцінювання індексу передачі мови, що дозволило підтвердити тезу про низьку маскувальну здатність білого шуму при малих відношеннях сигнал-шум. Запропонований в даній роботі алгоритм прогнозування розбірливості мови буде корисним студентам в галузі звукоінженерії, фахівцям в галузях розробки та налагодження систем зв’язку, архітектурного проектування, озвучення залів різного призначення, а також керівникам установ, де розбірливість мови є важливим показником. A detailed description of the speech intelligibility prediction algorithm using analytical modeling is presented. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is tested for four types of noise interference: white, pink, brown and typical for classrooms. The consistency of the results with known similar results indicates the correctness of the proposed components of the analytical algorithm. In addition, we compared the results of evaluating speech intelligibility obtained in accordance with the “classical” approach with the results of evaluating the STI index of speech intelligibility, which allowed us to confirm the thesis of a low camouflage ability of white noise at low signal-to-noise ratios. Представлено детальное описание алгоритма прогнозирования разборчивости речи методом аналитического моделирования. Работоспособность предложенного алгоритма проверена для 4-х видов шумовой помехи: белой, розовой, коричневой и типовой для учебных помещений. Согласованность полученных результатов с известными аналогичными результатами свидетельствует о корректности предложенных компонентов аналитического алгоритма. Кроме того, произведено сопоставление результатов оценивания разборчивости речи, полученных в соответствии с «классическим» подходом, с результатами оценивания индекса разборчивости речи STI, что позволило подтвердить тезис о низкой маскировочной способности белого шума при малых отношениях сигнал-шум.

Background/Aims: Liver X receptors (LXRα and LXRβ) are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate expression of genes involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism. LXR expression has been identified in the heart, and enhanced LXR activity in the streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic myocardium was reported recently. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of in vivo LXR activation on myocardial lipid metabolism under conditions of STZ-induced diabetes. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: non-diabetic control, treated with STZ, and treated with STZ and LXR agonist - TO901317. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitonal injection of STZ at a dose of 55 mg/kg. LXR agonist was administrated once daily in the morning by an oral gavage at a dose of 10 mg/kg/d during the last week of the experiment. After anesthesia samples of blood and the left ventricle were taken. Results: TO901317 administration increased expression of both LXR isoforms and its target genes: sterol response element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (ACC1) in the heart of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Treatment with LXR agonist had no effect on plasma lipids and glucose in the diabetic rats. Concomitantly, content of the examined lipid classes in the diabetic heart (nonesterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, cholesterol esters, ceramide) was unchanged after treatment with TO901317. On the contrary, myocardial level of cholesterol and diacylglycerols (DAG) was decreased after LXR activation in diabetic rats, the change in DAG level was associated with downregulated expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Conclusion: Activation of LXRs by TO901317 protects cardiomyocytes against DAG accumulation and thus may reverse disturbances in lipid metabolism observed in streptozotocin-diabetic heart.

Aim: Liver X receptors (LXRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that play an important role in regulation of hepatic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. However, to date there is very few information on the role of LXRs in skeletal muscle. Moreover, it remains obscure whether LXR activation affects physical endurance. Therefore, we aimed to examine effects of selective LXR activator – T0901317 – on running endurance and skeletal muscle exercise metabolism in rats. Methods: The animals were assigned to two groups (n = 20) receiving either vehicle or T0901317 (10 mg kg−1 day−1) for 1 week. One day after the final administration, half of the rats in each group were exercised until exhaustion on the electrically driven treadmill. All animals were then anaesthetized and samples of the soleus, red and white sections of the gastrocnemius muscle, epididymal fat pad and liver were excised. Results: We found that LXR activation prevented exhaustive exercise-induced hypoglycaemia. T0901317 also shifted substrate utilization in working muscles in favour of fatty acids as indicated by its glycogen sparing effect, enhanced consumption of intramuscular triacylglycerol and upregulation of genes promoting fatty acid oxidation and suppressing carbohydrate oxidation. However, running time to exhaustion was not improved. Conclusion: We conclude that LXR activation increases fatty acid utilization during exercise which, however, does not translate into measurable enhancement of exercise endurance.

Immunoterapia jest jednym z najnowszych kierunkow w leczeniu nowotworow. W ostrej bialaczce limfoblastycznej (ALL) u dzieci mozliwe jest przeksztalcenie komorek nowotworowych w komorki dendrytyczne prezentujące antygeny bialaczkowe limfocytom T gospodarza. W ten sposob, byc moze, bedzie mozna uzyskac eliminacje klonu bialaczkowego, tym samym wyleczenie pacjenta. Celem pracy byla ocena ekspresji genow dla wybranych chemokin w komorkach ALL po przeksztalceniu ich w komorki dendrytyczne. Material i metoda Do badania zakwalifikowano 25 dzieci leczonych w ośrodkach hematologii i onkologii dzieciecej w Polsce. Komorki ALL stymulowano za pomocą CD40L i IL-4. Ocene fenotypu komorek nowotworowych przed i po hodowli wykonano z uzyciem cytometrii przeplywowej (cząsteczki kostymulujące i adhezyjne), natomiast ekspresje genow chemokin na poziomie mRNA badano lancuchową reakcją polimerazową czasu rzeczywistego (real-time PCR). Wyniki 1. potwierdzono mozliwośc uzyskania fenotypu komorek dendrytycznych przez komorki ALL po stymulacji CD40L, 2. wykazano wzrost ekspresji chemokin MDC i TARC w komorkach ALL po przeksztalceniu do komorek dendrytycznych. Wniosek Wzrost wytwarzania chemokin MDC i TARC, biorących udzial w przyciąganiu limfocytow T do ognisk nowotworzenia, moze byc przydatny w konstruowaniu schematow immunoterapii u dzieci z bialaczkami.

Cancer cells exhibit accelerated rates of metabolism favoring glucose over fatty acid (FA) utilization. For both energy substrates, protein-mediated transport plays an essential role in facilitating glucose or FA movement across plasma membrane into the cells. Scarce data exist regarding the expression of glucose and/or FA transporter in cancer tissue. Therefore, we examined glucose (GLUT-1, GLUT-3, GLUT-4) and FA (FAT/CD36, FABPpm, FATP-1) transporter expressions at the protein and post-transcript (mRNA) levels in 35 endometrial carcinomas (G1, type endometrioid, FIGO I) and compared them with normal endometrial mucosa (n=10). Endometrial cancer tissue had significantly greater protein expression of GLUT-1, GLUT-3, and GLUT-4 (+ 40%; + 20%; + 24%; p0.05, respectively) and, conversely, lower fatty acid (FAT/CD36 and FATP-1) transporter expression ( - 25%; p0.05 and - 15%, p0.05 respectively). Interestingly, mRNA content closely mirrors the changes, but only for glucose transporters and not fatty acid transporters. These results suggest the presence of metabolic switch of energy utilization in endometrial cancers favoring glucose consumption as the major source of energy.

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that play an important role in regulation of hepatic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. However, to date there is very few information on the role of LXRs in skeletal muscle. Moreover, it remains obscure whether LXR activation affects physical endurance. Therefore, we aimed to examine effects of selective LXR activator--T0901317--on running endurance and skeletal muscle exercise metabolism in rats.The animals were assigned to two groups (n=20) receiving either vehicle or T0901317 (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1) ) for 1 week. One day after the final administration, half of the rats in each group were exercised until exhaustion on the electrically driven treadmill. All animals were then anaesthetized and samples of the soleus, red and white sections of the gastrocnemius muscle, epididymal fat pad and liver were excised.We found that LXR activation prevented exhaustive exercise-induced hypoglycaemia. T0901317 also shifted substrate utilization in working muscles in favour of fatty acids as indicated by its glycogen sparing effect, enhanced consumption of intramuscular triacylglycerol and upregulation of genes promoting fatty acid oxidation and suppressing carbohydrate oxidation. However, running time to exhaustion was not improved.We conclude that LXR activation increases fatty acid utilization during exercise which, however, does not translate into measurable enhancement of exercise endurance.

Data from animal experiments strongly suggest that ceramide is an important mediator of lipotoxicity in the heart and that accumulation of ceramide contributes to cardiomyocyte apoptosis associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, it remains unknown whether a similar relationship is present also in the human heart. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether myocardial apoptosis in obese and type 2 diabetic patients is associated with elevated ceramide level. The study included 11 lean and 26 overweight or moderately obese subjects without (n = 11, OWT) or with (n = 15, T2D-OWT) a history of type 2 diabetes. Samples of the right atrial appendage were obtained from patients at the time of coronary bypass surgery. Compared with lean subjects, the extent of DNA fragmentation (a marker of apoptosis) was significantly higher in the myocardium of OWT patients and increased further in T2D-OWT subjects. However, the content of ceramide and sphingoid bases remained stable. Interestingly, the mRNA level of enzymes involved in synthesis and degradation of ceramide including serine palmitoyltransferase, sphingosine kinase 1, neutral sphingomyelinase, and ceramidases was markedly higher in the myocardium of OWT and T2D-OWT patients compared with lean subjects. Our results indicate that in the human heart, or at least in the atrium, ceramide is not a major factor in cardiomyocyte apoptosis associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The experimental data show that in mucosal injury of the alimentary system serotonin metabolism and secretion is disturbed. Such suggestions are also drawn in discussions concerning pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.To perform a quantitative evaluation of 24-hour urine excretion of a major serotonin metabolite-5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).The studied group comprised 50 patients with exacerbated UC, aged 21-56 years. Among them 25 had mild and 25 severe exacerbation according to Trulove's and Witts criteria. The control group comprised 25 healthy persons. On the study day the patients remained on standard liquid diet--Nutrdrink 3 x 400 ml with the caloric value of 1800 kcal. 5-HIAA concentration was measured by ELISA method applying IBL antibodies (RE 59131), and the results were presented in mg/dl and then the value of 24-hour urine excretion was calculated. Results. In the group o patients with severely exacerbated UC 5-HIAA excretion was significantly lower that in healthy volunteers--1.66 +/- 0.98 mg/24 hi 5.77 +/- 0.46 mg/24 respectively (p0.05). The results of 5-HIAA excretion showed positive correlation with serum albumin concentration. In the group of patients with mild colitis such significant changes and correlations were not observed.(1) In severe exacerbations of UC serotonin metabolism is largely changed. (2) 24-hour serotonin excretion can have a predictive value in UC.

Melatonin possesses enteroprotective proprieties. An action of a gastrointestinal motility modulator is also attributed to this hormone. Clinical investigations have proven that melatonin plays a role mainly in the pathogenesis of upper gastrointestinal tract disorders, much less data have been published on its action in intestinal disorders.To evaluate melatonin (MEL) secretion and its metabolism to 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6HMS) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).75 subjects, aged 18-52 years were included in this study. Three groups were distinguished: K (n=25)--healthy volunteers, IBS-D (n=25)--patients with diarrhoea predominant IBS, IBS-C (n=25)--subjects with constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C). IBS was diagnosed according to Rome III Criteria. Blood samples were taken from cubital vein at 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on the next day. Concentrations of MEL in serum and 6HMS in 24-hour urine collection were determined by immunoenzyme ELISA method employing standard kits IBL nr RE59121 i RE59131).The average melatonin concentration at 2:00 a.m. was found to be in the studied groups: K-55.3 +/- 6,6 pg/ml, IBS-D--57.5 +/- 16.7 pg/ml (p0.05), IBS-C--75.5 +/- .3 pg/ml (p0.01) and at 8:00 a.m. adequately--7.3 +/- 4.0 pg/ml, 14.9 +/- 8.9 pg/ml (p0.001) and 15.1 +/- 7.2 pg/ml (p0.001). 24-hour urinary 6HMS excretion amounted to: K--15.10 +/- 6.37 microg/ 24h, IBS-D--27.67 +/- 26.71 microg/24h (p0.05), IBS-C--31.47 +/- 29.19 microg/24h (p0.01).Melatonin secretion in patients with IBS, especially in patients with IBS-C, is significantly increased compared with healthy volunteers. Melatonin metabolism in patients with IBS is not disturbed.

The main aim of the research was a characteristic of selected personality traits and coping as well as estimation of a level of melatonin in serum in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).36 patients with FD (14 men and 24 women) at age 19-43 (mean: 31.6) were examined. The control group consisted of 30 healthy persons at age 21-23 (mean: 37.2). CO-16 and CISS questionnaires were used to diagnose selected traits of personality and coping styles. Furthermore, melatonin concentration in serum was examined at 10 p.m., 2 a.m. and at 6 a.m. with the immunoenzymatic method (ELISA).Coping style focused on problems and emotions were the most frequent ones in the examined group. Cyclothymia, tendency towards neuroticism and depression, submission and sensitivity were these that characterised patients with FD well. It was also stated that the level of melatonin was higher than in healthy subjects.There are common personality traits and coping styles in the group of patients with FD. A level of melatonin in serum is increased.

The pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia is very complicated and its etiology is still not clear. One of the supposed pathophysiological mechanisms is the deficiency of melatonin. The deficiency of melatonin leads to increase the oxide reactive form's concentration as nitric oxide metabolites and to decrease of antyoxidative enzymes activity. This last factor seems to be very important in correct digestive tract function. The aim of our study was answer the question if is the difference between NO metabolites concentraction in gastric juice in patients with functional dyspepsia and in healthy subjects and wheather the treatment with melatonin plays the role in normal digestive tract function.The study included 60 subjects between of 18 to 48 years with diagnosed functional dyspepsia (according to the Rome III Criteria). The study group was divided into two subgroups: group I--30 subjects with Epigastric Pain Syndrome-EPS and group II--30 subjects with Postprandial Disorders Syndrome-PDS. Control group comprised 25 healthy subjects (without any clinical or morphological symptoms of digestive tract disease). In each patient the gastroscopy was performed. During gastroscopy 5 ml gastric juice was collected. The juice was centrifuged for 15 min (4500 rotations). The undiluted supernatant was frozen in the temperature -70 degrees C. The concentration of nitric oxide metabolites in gastric juice was determined with spectrophotometric based on ELISA test (540 nm wavelength) using a microplates reader (Multiscan, Labsystems). In patients with functional dyspepsja the investigations were performer twice before and after 6 weeks treatment with melatonin. Melatonin was applied in dose 5 mg daily, in the evening.The concentration of nitric oxide metabolites in gastric juice in healthy subjects was 6.81 +/- 2.23 microM. In patients with functional dyspepsia was significantly higher; in patients with Epigastric Pain Syndrome--10.99 +/- 2.46 microM (p0.05), in patients with Postprandial Disorders Syndrome--9.28 +/- 2.18 microM (p0.05). After treatment with melatonin the concentration of nitric oxide metabolites in gastric juice in both groups decreased and were 8.21 +/- 1.83 microM in patients with Epigastric Pain Syndrome and 6.93 +/- 1.61 microM in patients with Postprandial Disorders Syndrome.In patients with functional dyspepsia the concentration of nitric oxide metabolites in gastric juice was significantly higher than in control group. After treatment with melatonin the concentration of nitric oxide metabolites in gastric juice in both groups decreased--in patients with Epigastric Pain Syndrome as well as in patients with Postprandial Disorders Syndrome. The treatment with melatonin seems to be suitable in combined therapy of functional dyspepsia.

It was confirmed that enterochromaffin cells (EC) in the digestive system are a source of serotonin and melatonin. Both hormones possess an important, but opposed, influence on secretory and motoric function of gut. The aim of our study was to evaluate fasting secretion of serotonin and melatonin in patients with functional dyspepsia. Material and methods. 25 healthy subjects (K, group I), 25 patients with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS, group II) and 25 patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS, group III), aged 18-50 years, were included in this study. Diagnosis of functional dyspepsia was established according to the Rome Criteria III. Organic diseases of gut, H. pylori infection and another disorders were excluded. Seven days before the examinations the patients were told to abstain from drugs intake and equal diet was applied. On the day of investigation the subjects remained in a red-light room at night and received standard liquid diet (Nutridrink, 4 x 200 ml, 1800 kcal). Blood samples were taken for examination at 8 am on the subsequent day and serum was frozen in -80 degrees C. The concentration of serotonin and melatonin was measured by ELSA, using antibodies from IBL (catalogue no. RE 59121, RE 54021).The mean concentration of serotonin in group I (K) was 162.9 +/- 49.1 ng/ml, in group II (EPS)--225.8 +/- 111.3 ng/ml (p0.05) and in group III (PDS)--152.7 +/- 83.2 ng/ml (p0.05). The concentration of melatonin was in group I--7.3 +/- 4.0 pg/ml, in group II 8.7 +/- 8.0 (p0.05) and in group III 14.3 +/- 10.1 (p0.01).During fasting time secretion of serotonin is higher in patients with EPS, and similarly higher secretion of melatonin in patients with PDS, compared to healthy subjects.

Melatonin may inhibit reactive oxygen species-related pathogenesis in the alimentary tract by neutralizing free radicals. In the present study we assessed the potential protective action of melatonin in ulcerlike dyspepsia.Sixty patients aged 19 to 39 years with the diagnosis of functional dyspepsia according to the Rome Criteria II and no Helicobacter pylori infection were involved in the study. Melatonin, at a dose of 5 mg (n=30), or placebo (n=30) were taken in the evening for a period of 12 weeks. At this time, patients were on an equivalent diet and were only to take an alkaline drug in case of the abdominal pain.After 12 weeks, the dyspeptic symptoms completely subsided in 17 patients in the melatonin-treatment group (56.6%). In other 9 individuals (30.0%) a partial improvement in health was achieved, especially in the frequency and intensity of nocturnal pain. After placebo, the majority of patients (93.3%) did not experience any improvement in symptoms. Multivariate analysis indicated that melatonin (odds ratio 95.86, 95% confidence interval 3.72-2469.37, P0.01) correlated independently with significantly improved patients health. H. pylori past infection decreased positive effect of melatonin in ulcerlike dyspepsia.Melatonin can be considered as an auxiliary drug in the treatment of ulcerlike dyspepsia.

Melatonin is synthesized not only in the pineal gland, but also in gastrointestinal tract by enterochromaffin cells (EC) and it has a gastroprotective properties. Helicobacter pylori infection causes functional and organic changes of gastric mucosa, particularly in endocrine cells (D, G, ECL, EC).The aim of own studies was to evaluate nocturnal secretion of Melatonin in subjects with asymptomatic and symptomatic (dyspepsia, duodenal ulcer disease) H. pylori infection (Hp).116 subjects, aged 19-61 years were included in this study. Four groups were distinguished: group I (n=30) healthy subjects, Hp (-), group II (n=26)--subjects with asymptomatic infection Hp, group III (n=32) patients with ulcer-like dyspepsia, Hp (+), and group IV (n=28) patients with duodenal ulcer Hp(+). H. pylori infection was diagnosed by using urea breath test (UBT-(13)C) and rapid urease test. The concentration of melatonin in serum was measured with ELISA method, before and after eradication of H. pylori. Blood samples were taken for examination at 10:00 p.m., 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.The average melatonin concentration at night hours was found in group I--34.74 +/- 4.77 pg/ml, in group II--48.29 +/- 12.22 pg/ml (pO.005), in group III--41.56 +/- 12.31 pg/ml (p0.05) and in group IV--26.16 +/- 6.89 pg/ml p0.01). Such statistical differences were not observed in all group after eradication H. pylori.(1) Nocturnal secretion of melatonin in subjects with asymptomatic infection of H. pylori is higher than in patients with ulcer-like dyspepsia and with duodenal ulcer disease. (2) Lower nocturnal secretion of melatonin probably may play role in pathogenesis of upper digestive tract diseases.

Recently, the results of many experimental investigations have shown that melatonin possesses gastroprotective properties. On the other hand its role in pathogenesis of upper digestive tract diseases in man still remains unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate nocturnal secretion of melatonin in patients with functional and organic diseases of the upper part of digestive tract. The investigations were carried out in 149 persons, aged 21-51 years, including healthy subjects (group I, n=30), and patients with non-erosive gastroduodenal reflux (NERD, group II, n=24), with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, group III, n=25), with functional dyspepsia (FD, according to the Rome III Criteria, group IV, n=36) and with recurrent duodenal ulcer (DUD, group V, n=34). Diagnoses were established on the basis of endoscopic imaging and histological examination, 24-hour pH-metry and laboratory tests. Melatonin serum concentration was measured with ELISA method. Blood samples were taken for examination in red-lighted room at 10 p.m. and on the following day at 2 and 6 a.m. The highest concentration of melatonin in all examined groups was determined at 2 a.m. The average melatonin concentration in healthy subjects was 34,7 +/- 4,8 pg/ml. In patients with GERD and DUD melatonin concentration was lower than in healthy subjects - 27,2 +/- 8,5 pg/ml and 25,5 +/- 6,2 pg/ml respectively (p0,05; p0,01). The highest concentration of melatonin was found in patients with NERD and FD - 43,2 +/- 10,8 pg/ml and 42,4 +/- 10,1 pg/ml (p0,01; p0,05). The findings of this study support the notion that melatonin exerts beneficial influences on the upper digestive tract. It is likely that high or relatively correct secretion of melatonin is sufficient to prevent peptic changes in esophageal and duodenal mucosa.

Batchwise heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of model wastewater (solutions of the azo dye "Acid Orange 7" in tap water) has been performed in a laboratory-scale stirred vessel reactor with non-submerged UV-A lamps using titanium dioxide "P25" as photocatalyst. Comparison to results of solar pilot-scale Plexiglass double-skin sheet reactor (DSSR) experiments indicates that the lab-scale method may predict area demand for technical-scale DSSR design. Characteristic UV-A fluences leading to TOC or COD reduction to e(-1) of the initial concentrations were determined in lab-scale stirred vessel experiments for treated effluents of seven different industrial branches, secondary municipal effluent and biologically treated greywater. Predicted areas for solar photocatalytic oxidation of these effluents in DSSRs yielding mineralization of 95% of organics in 100 m3 of the respective effluents for a TiO2 concentration of 2 g l(-1) and a sky and solar radiation of 3.9kWh m(-2) d(-1) within one day greatly varied from below 6,000 m2 (biologically treated lubricating oil refinery effluent) to more than 100,000 m2 (highly saline biologically treated effluent of chemical industry). Especially municipal and refinery effluents (except oil reclaiming) have been identified as promising candidates for reuse after solar photocatalytic oxidation. Mineralization efficiency was decreasing with increasing alkalinity of effluents. This was interpreted by competition of hydrogen carbonate anions with organics for binding sites on photocatalyst surface and by OH radical scavenging by hydrogen carbonate. Dependence on alkalinity was superimposed by salinity influence as some effluents with high alkalinity also exhibited high salt concentrations (especially chloride).