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Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha, has gained popularity in recent years among individuals interested in healthy lifestyles, natural medicine, and sports. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the effects of ashwagandha supplementation on various aspects of physical performance, particularly in the context of resistance training. Studies have shown that ashwagandha can positively impact muscle strength, with significant increase of muscle force and power output. Additionally, it has demonstrated potential in modulating body composition, with reduction of body fat percentage noted in certain populations. However, results of studies on ashwagandha's effect on muscle size remain inconclusive and may depend on various factors such as training status and individual responses. In terms of endurance, ashwagandha supplementation has been associated with improvement in maximal oxygen uptake, indicating enhanced aerobic capacity and delayed exhaustion during endurance activities. Furthermore, ashwagandha was shown to aid muscle recovery by reducing exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammatory response, potentially accelerating the muscle regeneration process. Ashwagandha may also influence hormone levels, such as testosterone and cortisol, with potential implications for muscle growth and recovery. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these effects. Overall, ashwagandha supplementation appears to hold promise for enhancing physical performance and overall well-being. Further research is needed to elucidate optimal dosages, long-term safety, and potential interactions with other supplements or medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to present an analysis of the assessment of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in conventional textbooks for teaching English. After presenting the theoretical framework of the new core curriculum in terms of autonomy and ICT application, the study describes the way in which ICT tools are integrated or ignored in current English textbooks. The study covered textbooks used in the seventh grade of primary school. Six of the eight (one per publisher) textbooks available on the market were selected for this purpose. Qualitative research comprised a thorough evaluation of tasks which comprised explicit references to ICT. The quality of the analysed didactic materials was determined by the potential level of supporting students' autonomy by using the coursebook tasks in question, measured through a specially designed Likert scale. The conclusions served to propose changes and improvements to these textbooks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional methods of migratory management alone cannot withstand the challenges the migration authorities are facing today, therefore the state-of-art solutions have become indispensable for situation monitoring. This paper gives a brief overview of the surveillance tools - Eurosur Fusion Services (EFS) applied by Frontex under the EUROSUR framework. Special attention was paid to optical and radar imagery, airborne aerial surveillance technologies, maritime surveillance tools enabling detection and tracking of the vessels of interest, geographical information system (GIS) technology for data integration and dissemination. The paper provides valuable insights into the full EFS lifecycle - from service design integration to transition and implementation, and stresses the importance of the customer-oriented approach and continuous service improvement to better respond to the situation monitoring needs of Member States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Thin-needle aspiration biopsy ranks at the top position in the diagnostic algorithm of patients with tumorous changes of the thyroid. This examination is relatively free of the risk of complications and is of high sensitivity. Aim. Evaluation of the reliability of biopsy results in patients who underwent surgical treatment and the specimen from the resected thyroid were examined histopathologically. Materials and methods. 178 patients treated surgically at the Department of Surgery of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn participated in the prospective study. In the preoperative period guided thin-needle aspiration biopsy was performed on all the patients. The resected thyroid specimen were examined histopathologically. Guided thin-needle aspiration biopsy results were compared with postoperative histopathology. Results and discussion. 217 cytology results from guided thin-needle aspiration biopsy of 178 patients were analysed. Benign changes were diagnosed in 71% of the cases, follicular carcinoma was revealed in 25% of the biopsies, and malignant carcinoma in 4%. The postoperative examination revealed benign results in 91% of the cases, and malignant carcinoma was diagnosed in 9%. In the group of patients diagnosed with follicular carcinoma, neoplasm was diagnosed in 13% of the cases. Sensitivity of guided thin-needle aspiration biopsy amounted to 75%, specificity to 76%, reliability of a positive diagnosis to 24%. Reliability of a negative diagnosis amounted to 97%. Conclusions. Guided thin-needle aspiration biopsy is a reliable diagnostic method for tumorous changes of the thyroid gland. Guided thin-needle aspiration biopsy is characterized by a low capacity to differentiate between follicular carcinoma and follicular adenoma of the thyroid. In the group of patients diagnosed with follicular carcinoma on the basis of guided thin-needle aspiration biopsy, a postoperative histopathological verification confirmed the presence of carcinoma in a relatively low percentage of the cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Surgical treatment is a "golden standard" in treating internal carotid arteries stenosis. Performing a surgical procedure - the internal carotid artery thrombendarterectomy - requires a careful analysis of the risk of perioperative complications. Aim. The aim of this work is to consider age and sex of patients as risk factors of postoperative neurological complications. This may help to determine a sub-population of patients with a potentially higher risk of complications. Materials and methods. 142 patients operated for internal carotid arteries stenosis at the Department of General and Vascular Surgery of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn between 2000 and 2004 participated in the prospective study. Two groups of patients were analysed: group I, diagnosed with neurological symptoms before the surgery, consisted of 102 patients (7 1.8%), control group II, with no neurological symptoms before the surgery, consisted of 40 patients (28.2%). 41 women (28.9%) and 101 (71.1%) men underwent surgical treatment. Age of the patients oscillated between 42-80 years (61.6 on average) in research group I and 45-81 years (63.3 on average) in control group II. The chi2 test, logistic analysis and log-linear analysis were employed for the statistical analysis. Results and discussion. In the control group II, transient brain ischaemia was revealed in 2 women and 1 man over 65 years old. Ischaemic cerebral stroke occurred in 2 men (1 in each age group). In the study group I, transient brain ischaemia was observed in 4 men and 1 woman below 65 years of age. Ischaemic cerebral stroke occurred in 2 women and 2 men below 65 and in 2 men over 65 years of age. Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant correlation between particular groups. Conclusions. No statistically significant correlation between the frequency of post- operative neurological complications and age and sex of the operated patients was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]