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Absolute radial impurity density profiles in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator (W7-X) are derived from charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) using modelling of the neutral beam. The approach is validated via cross comparisons of the neutral beam attenuation, the radial localization of ion temperature measurements, as well as a comparison of the effective plasma charge determined by other diagnostics. The latter implies the validity of the obtained absolute density levels. The simulation based approach novel to W7-X allows to assess the neutral beam halo population, introducing corrections to the shape and amplitude of determined impurity density profiles. To illustrate the capabilities of the derived impurity density profiles, the particle transport properties in a W7-X discharge heated by electron cyclotron resonance heating were assessed. Density profiles for various impurities are found to be flat, consistent with dominant anomalous diffusion in the range 0.1−5.0 m2 s−1. This range of the anomalous transport in such plasmas is in line with other impurity diagnostics at W7-X.

Łukasz Piskorz,1 Kryspin Mitura,2,3 Witold Olejniczak,1 Piotr Misiak,4 Slawomir Jablonski4 1Department of General Surgery, Brothers of St John of God Hospital, Lodz, Poland; 2Department of General Surgery, Siedlce Hospital, Siedlce, Poland; 3Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce, Siedlce, Poland; 4Clinic of the Chest Surgery, General and Oncological Surgery, Military Medical Academy University Teaching Hospital – Central Veterans’ Hospital, Lodz, PolandCorrespondence: Kryspin Mitura Narutowicza 25, Siedlce 08-110 Tel +48602809035Email chirurgia.siedlce@gmail.comIntroduction: Pancreatic tumors account for a small percentage of all malignancies. Most of them are primary and originate from cells of the exocrine pancreas. The remaining primary changes are neuroendocrine tumors. The pancreas may also be a target of metastatic lesions. The most common cancer that metastasizes to the pancreas is renal cell carcinoma.Case Studies: The paper presents two cases of rare metastases to organs of the abdominal cavity: the first patient treated surgically due to two metastatic lesions of renal cell carcinoma in the pancreas, diagnosed many years after radical nephrectomy. The second case of high gastrointestinal obstruction in the course of metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to the duodenum. The first patient underwent distal laparotomic resection of the pancreas. The second patient underwent resection of the duodenum and the first jejunal loop with side-to-side duodeno-jejunal anastomosis. Both patients remain under oncological supervision.Conclusion: Patients after radical nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma require long-term systematic monitoring. Due to the anatomical position of the pancreas and duodenum as well as the number, location and size of metastatic lesions, the course of the disease may be initially asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic. Aggressive surgical treatment of pancreatic metastases creates opportunities for long-term survival.Keywords: renal cell carcinoma, metastases, pancreas, duodenum, surgery

The chemokine receptor 7/C-C ligand 19 chemokine (CCR7/CCL19) has been implicated in the development and progression of NSCLC. Its expression is regulated by various epigenetic factors including miRNAs. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of CCR7/CCL19 in cancer tissue in relation to that of miRNAs (miR-let-7a, miR-335) as transcriptional regulators. The expression of the tested miRNAs was also evaluated in serum exosomes. Sixty patients (n = 60) were enrolled in the study. The total expression of the studied mRNA and miRNAs were evaluated using qPCR. Tumor tissue fragments, macroscopically unchanged adjacent tissue, and serum were used as controls. Higher CCR7 and CCL19 mRNA expression levels were observed in tumor tissue compared to control. According to stages of the disease (AJCC tumor staging), the greatest expression level of the studied genes’ mRNA was observed in patients with stage III. In NSCLC patients, lower miR let-7a expression level was observed in tumor tissue compared to serum; however, miR-335 expression level was higher (p < 0.05). The expression level of miR-335 positively correlated with tumor size (T features according to pTNM staging) and AJCC tumor staging, while miR let-7a had a negative correlation (p > 0.05) with liquid biopsy. Significantly greater miR-335 expression level and lower miR let-7a expression level in serum were observed in patients with metastases to lymph nodes. Our findings reveal a significant correlation between the expression levels of the mRNA of the studied genes and miRNAs. Changes in miR-335 and miR let-7a expression levels in the serum exosomes of NSCLC patients in relation to lymph node metastases and tumor stage may serve as a non-invasive molecular biomarker of tumor progression.

Metabolomic experiments usually contain many different steps, each of which can strongly influence the obtained results. In this work, metabolic analyses of six bacterial strains were performed in light of three different bacterial cell disintegration methods. Three strains were gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae), and three were gram-positive (Corynebacterium glutamicum, Bacillus cereus, and Enterococcus faecalis). For extraction, the methanol–water extraction method (1:1) was chosen. To compare the efficiency of different cell disintegration methods, sonication, sand mill, and tissue lyser were used. For bacterial extract metabolite analysis, 1H NMR together with univariate and multivariate analyses were applied. The obtained results showed that metabolite concentrations are strongly dependent on the cell lysing methodology used and are different for various bacterial strains. The results clearly show that one of the disruption methods gives the highest concentration for most identified compounds (e. g. sand mill for E. faecalis and tissue lyser for B. cereus). This study indicated that the comparison of samples prepared by different procedures can lead to false or imprecise results, leaving an imprint of the disintegration method. Furthermore, the presented results showed that NMR might be a useful bacterial strain identification and differentiation method. In addition to disintegration method comparison, the metabolic profiles of each elaborated strain were analyzed, and each exhibited its metabolic profile. Some metabolites were identified by the 1H NMR method in only one strain. The results of multivariate data analyses (PCA) show that regardless of the disintegration method used, the strain group can be identified. Presented results can be significant for all types of microbial studies containing the metabolomic targeted and non-targeted analysis.

A pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-17A, is associated with increased risk of developing numerous cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). IL-17A is a target gene for miR-9. This encouraged us to analyze these two genes in terms of their usefulness as prognostic markers in NSCLC. The expression levels of IL-17A gene and miR-9 was assessed in 26 NSCLC tissue samples and 26 unchanged lung tissue adjacent to lung tumors (control tissue), using qPCR. In both tissue groups, a decreased expression of IL-17A was observed in 100% of samples. Increased expression of miRNA-9 was observed in 92% of tumor samples, and in 100% of control samples. Neither statistical differences in the level of expression IL-17A depending on the patient’s age, gender, smoking status, nor histopathology of the cancer was found. Regarding the presence of nodule metastasis (‘N’ value in TNM classification), significantly lower expression level of IL-17A was observed in cN2 as compared with cN1 group. Additionally, statistically lower IL-17A expression was found in III versus II tumor stage (cAJCC classification). Significant negative correlation between both studied genes was revealed in SCC subgroup. This leads to the conclusion that miRNA-9 can regulate the expression of IL-17A as an IL-17A mRNA antagonistic mediator. Inhibition of proinflammatory action of IL-17A in correlation with tumor progression can be related to various activity of Th17 cells on cancer development according to its immunogenicity, and also may suggest suppressive role of IL-17A in tumor progression. However, because of low number of analyzed samples, further studies on the functional role of IL-17A in development and/or progression NSCLC seem warranted.

CC chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) and its ligands has been implicated in the occurrence and progression of NSCLC. Previous studies have revealed that the diagnostic value of CCR7/CCL19 axis in lung tumorigenesis remains controversial. The present study evaluates the relationship between the mRNA expression of CCR7/CCL19 axis and selected regulatory miRNAs in NSCLC patients. It analyzes the expression level of CCR7 mRNA and its ligand in tumor tissue in relation to expression level of two miRNAs: miR let-7a and miR-335, as transcriptional regulators of study genes. Twenty-seven patients (n = 27) were enrolled. The expression of the studied genes and miRNAs was evaluated by qPCR. Tumour tissue fragments, adjacent macroscopically-unchanged lung tissue (control) and patient serum were used as biological material for study. Elevated expression of CCR7 and CCL19 mRNA was observed in patients with metastasis to lymph nodes. We noticed upregulated miR-335 expression and downregulated miR let-7a expression in patient serum with regard to AJCC tumor staging. Higher miR-335 expression and lower miR let-7a expression level was observed in patients with metastasis to lymph node. The presence of changes observed in the expression level of miR-335 and miR let-7a in the serum of NSCLC patients in relation to lymph node metastases and tumor stage may serve as a non-invasive molecular biomarker of tumor progression; however, this observation requires further investigation.

Duodenal perforation is an infrequent and severe acute surgical condition which commonly follows the complications resulting from endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures. Small size of damages arisen in this mechanism and an early diagnosis allows for their effective primary management. The most difficult surgical challenge is an effective management of retroperitoneal duodenal part perforation together with coexisting pathological changes of its wall. In this work we present the case of duodenal necrosis with excessive necrosis of the fragment of its wall due to the course of perinephric abscess and an effective method of defect management on the isolated free small enteral loop in association with gastric-duodenal passage exclusion.

Duodenal perforation is a rare and severe acute surgical condition which commonly follows the complications of endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures. Small degree of damage in this mechanism and an early diagnosis allow for an effective primary management. The most difficult surgical challenge is an effective management of retroperitoneal duodenal perforation together with coexisting pathological changes of its wall. In this work we present a case of duodenal necrosis with excessive necrosis of a fragment of its wall due to perinephric abscess, with an effective method of management of a defect in an isolated free small intestinal loop in association with gastroduodenal passage exclusion.

Lung cancer is one of the most common neoplasms globally, with about 2.2 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths annually. Although the most important factor in reducing lung cancer risk is lifestyle change, most patients favour the use of supplements, for example, rather than quitting smoking or following a healthy diet. To better understand the efficacy of such interventions, a systematic review was performed of data from randomized controlled trials concerning the influence of beta-carotene supplementation on lung cancer risk in subjects with no lung cancer before the intervention. The search corpus comprised a number of databases and eight studies involving 167,141 participants, published by November 2021. The findings indicate that beta-carotene supplementation was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (RR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.06–1.26). This effect was even more noticeable among smokers and asbestos workers (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.08–1.35) and non-medics (RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.07–1.29). A meta-regression found no relationship between the beta-carotene supplementation dose and the size of the negative effect associated with lung cancer risk. Our findings indicate that beta-carotene supplementation has no effect on lung cancer risk. Moreover, when used as the primary chemoprevention, beta-carotene may, in fact, increase the risk of lung cancer.

The technological problems occurring in the co-firing of biomass and brown coal (lignite) prompted this research project. During the fuel preparation, accidental self-ignition and explosions were several times reported by power plants operators. The aim of this study was to evaluate brown coal, sunflower husks and sunflower husk pellets as fuels for co-firing in energetic boilers. Sunflower husk had a lower ash content and calorific value than the pellets. The range of the combustion temperatures of the biomass (200–300 °C) was narrower than that of brown coal (200–800 °C). The formation of highly alkaline ash from the biomass resulted in the formation in boiler of agglomerates of ash. The elemental composition, thermogravimetric and biological analyses suggested that the pellets contained synthetic additives difficult to identify. The biological method was proposed for evaluating biomass additives. The use of additional agents in the pelletizing process may influence on the combustion parameters. Mixing biomass with brown coal may occasionally result in self-ignition in the logistic chain. Plastic additives and biological activity may contribute to self-ignition.

The vast biodiversity of the microbial world and how little is known about it, has already been revealed by extensive metagenomics analyses. Our rudimentary knowledge of microbes stems from difficulties concerning their isolation and culture in laboratory conditions, which is necessary for describing their phenotype, among other things, for biotechnological purposes. An important component of the understudied ecosystems is methanogens, archaea producing a potent greenhouse-effect gas methane. Therefore, we created PhyMet2 , the first database that combines descriptions of methanogens and their culturing conditions with genetic information. The database contains a set of utilities that facilitate interactive data browsing, data comparison, phylogeny exploration and searching for sequence homologues. The most unique feature of the database is the web server MethanoGram, which can be used to significantly reduce the time and cost of searching for the optimal culturing conditions of methanogens by predicting them based on 16S RNA sequences. The database will aid many researchers in exploring the world of methanogens and their applications in biotechnological processes. PhyMet2 with the MethanoGram predictor is available at http://metanogen.biotech.uni.wroc.pl.

Recently, extensive studies investigating executive functions in children with specific language impairment (SLI) have been performed. In the present study, we compared the level of executive functions (i.e., inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility) and literacy skills between 53 healthy children and 53 children with SLIs between the ages of 3 and 11 years. The groups were matched by age, gender and parental education level. Executive functions were assessed using the Children Card Sort, and the Literacy Assessment Battery was applied to measure literacy skills. The patients with SLI displayed a significantly lower level of cognitive flexibility than that of the healthy children. No significant differences were observed between the groups in inhibitory control and the majority of literacy skills. The results confirm the hypothesis that patients with SLI experience difficulties in cognitive flexibility. Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, under grant no. NN106 047839 en-titled: Construction of tools for psychological assessment of learning readiness of children between the age of 3 and 11.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common human pathogen belonging to the ESKAPE group. The multidrug resistance of bacteria is a considerable problem in treating patients and may lead to increased morbidity and mortality rate. The natural resistance in these organisms is caused by the production of specific enzymes and biofilm formation, while acquired resistance is multifactorial. Precise recognition of potential antibiotic resistance on different molecular levels is essential. Metabolomics tools may aid in the observation of the flux of low molecular weight compounds in biochemical pathways yielding additional information about drug-resistant bacteria. In this study, the metabolisms of two P. aeruginosa strains were compared—antibiotic susceptible vs. resistant. Analysis was performed on both intra- and extracellular metabolites. The 1H NMR method was used together with multivariate and univariate data analysis, additionally analysis of the metabolic pathways with the FELLA package was performed. The results revealed the differences in P. aeruginosa metabolism of drug-resistant and drug-susceptible strains and provided direct molecular information about P. aeruginosa response for different types of antibiotics. The most significant differences were found in the turnover of amino acids. This study can be a valuable source of information to complement research on drug resistance in P. aeruginosa.

Drought and pest resistance, together with high oil content in its seeds, make Jatropha curcas a good oil source for biodiesel. Oil cake from J. curcas is not suitable for animal feeding and thus may be profitably used for additional energy production by conversion into biogas; however, the anaerobic digestion process must be optimized to obtain good efficiency. We subjected oil cake to thermal and acidic pretreatment to deactivate protease inhibitors and partially hydrolyze phytate. We then digested the samples in batch conditions to determine the effects of pretreatment on biogas production. Thermal pretreatment changed the kinetics of anaerobic digestion and reduced protease inhibitor activity and the concentration of phytate; however, biogas production efficiency was not affected (0.281 m 3 kg −1 ). To evaluate the possibility of recirculating water for SSF hydrolysis, ammonium nitrogen recovery from effluent was evaluated by its precipitation in the form of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate).Concentration of ammonium ions was reduced by 53% (to 980 mg L −1 ). We propose a water-saving concept based on percolation of J. curcas cake using anaerobic digestion effluent and feeding that percolate into a methanogenic bioreactor.

Background Pig manure utilization and valorization is an important topic with tightening regulations focused on ecological and safety issues. By itself pig manure is a poor substrate for biogas production because of its excessive nitrogen content relative to available organic carbon. Such substrate is alkaline, and methanogenesis can be suppressed, and so additional substrates with high organic carbon must be added. The most promising is straw, which is available from adjacent biogas plant cultures. However, the abundant lignocellulosic biomass of wheat straw undergoes slow decomposition, and only a fraction of the chemical energy can be converted into biogas; thus economical methods for pretreatment increasing bioavailability are sought. Results A method was investigated to increase the methane yield in a full-scale plant for co-fermenting pig manure with corn silage, which was the default substrate in the original source reactors. Increased lignocellulosic bioavailability of wheat straw was achieved by combining liquid hot water (LHW) and steam explosion (SE). According to FT-IR analysis, the treatment resulted in hemicellulose hydrolysis, partial cellulose depolymerization, and lignin bond destruction. Low-mass polysaccharides (0.6 × 103 g mol−1) had significantly higher concentration in the leachate of LHW-SE wheat straw than raw wheat straw. The methanogenic potential was evaluated using inoculum from two different biogas plants to study the influence of microorganism consortia. The yield was 24–34% higher after the pretreatment process. In a full-scale biogas plant, the optimal conditions were ~ 165 °C, ~ 2.33 MPa, and 10 min in LHW and ~ 65 °C and ~ 0.1 MPa for SE. The processes did not generate detectable inhibitors according to GC–MS analysis, such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Conclusions The LHW-SE combined pretreatment process increases the bioavailability of carbohydrates from wheat straw. The LHW-SE treated wheat straw gave similar biogas yields to corn silage, thus enables at least partial replacement of corn silage and is good for diversification of substrates. Surprisingly, microorganisms consortia from other biogas plant fed with other substrates may have higher efficiency in utilization of tested substrate. Thus, methanogenic consortia may be considered in the process of optimization at industrial scale. The efficiency was calculated, and the LHW-SE may be profitable at full industrial scale and further optimization is proposed.

Background: Esophageal perforation is a life-threatening condition of a complex etiology. No clear guidelines are available regarding the management of this condition. In this study, we review publications related to esophageal perforation, and analyze patients treated for this condition at our Department of Thoracic, General and Oncological Surgery. Objective: The objective of the study was to retrospectively assess and analyze management methods for esophageal perforations of different etiologies. All patients were treated in the Department of Thoracic, General and Oncological Surgery in years 2009-2015. Patients with perforations resulting from post-operational leaks within surgical anastomoses were excluded from the study. Material, methods, results: The analysis involved a total of 16 cases of esophageal ruptures. All cases were treated in years 2009-2015. Patients with perforations resulting from postoperative leaks within surgical anastomoses following elective surgeries for either oncological or non-oncological causes were excluded. The most common reason for esophageal rupture was iatrogenic injury (7 cases, 44%). Other causes included Boerhaave syndrome (5 cases, 31.2%), blunt trauma (2 cases, 12.5%), abscess perforation (1 case, 6.2%), and ulcer perforation (1 case, 6.2%). Ten patients underwent surgery, and the rest underwent esophageal prosthesis placement, of whom 2 cases required drainage of the mediastinum and pleural cavity. The mortality rate in the study group was 9/16 cases (56.2%). Conclusions: Esophageal perforation poses a significant interdisciplinary challenge regarding diagnostic workup, selection of treatment methods, and management of potential postoperative complications. This retrospective study was conducted in a single center. Although the analyzed period was long, we found only 16 cases. In spite of a variety of etiologies present, we found several statistically significant results of potential clinical value. 1. Most perforations that are not diagnosed within 48 hours affected the lower part of the esophagus and presented with unclear symptoms and imaging findings 2. Delaying diagnosis and treatment beyond 24 hours was associated with a higher mortality rate.

INTRODUCTION Resection of manubrium or body of the sternum is associated with a necessity of chest wall reconstruction. Large sternal defects require the use of different types of implants to ensure acceptable esthetic effect for the patient and chest stabilization. AIM The purpose of this case report is to present a novel method of reconstruction of manubrium removed due to renal cancer metastasis to the sternum. CASE We present the case of a patient, who had underwent right nephrectomy for clear cell kidney cancer, diagnosed with a metastatic tumor in the sternum resulting in destruction of manubrium. The patient undergone tumor resection with primary reconstruction with an individual prosthesis. Sternal defect was filled with a personalized, computed tomography scan-based 3D-milled implant made of polyethylene. RESULTS Sternal reconstruction was uneventful. The patient endured surgery well, and has been under surveillance in outpatient clinic, without any respiration disorders, implant movement or local recurrence. CONCLUSION Custom-designed sternal implants created by 3D technique constitute an interesting alternative for previous methods of filling defects after resection of a tumor in this location.

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common, Gram-negative environmental organism. It can be a significant pathogenic factor of severe infections in humans, especially in cystic fibrosis patients. Due to its natural resistance to antibiotics and the ability to form biofilms, infection with this pathogen can cause severe therapeutic problems. In recent years, metabolomic studies of P. aeruginosa have been performed. Therefore, in this review, we discussed recent achievements in the use of metabolomics methods in bacterial identification, differentiation, the interconnection between genome and metabolome, the influence of external factors on the bacterial metabolome and identification of new metabolites produced by P. aeruginosa. All of these studies may provide valuable information about metabolic pathways leading to an understanding of the adaptations of bacterial strains to a host environment, which can lead to new drug development and/or elaboration of new treatment and diagnostics strategies for Pseudomonas. Graphic abstract

Background: One of serious problems in the management of health care units is rational management of financial resources allocated by the government for health care. This management is significantly influenced by the valuation tariff of health care services, including surgical procedures. The assessment of the cost-effectiveness of a particular service has a key role in the selection of procedures performed in a given health care unit. The aim of the study is to assess the costs of lobectomy via thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in terms of the impact on the overall hospitalization cost and the answer to the question whether differences in hospitalization costs depending on the access are large enough to justify different valuation tariffs for surgery via traditional and minimally invasive access. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data on the costs of treatment of patients who underwent lobectomy via traditional access or VATS due to non-small cell lung cancer. Data concerning valuation of the procedure and hospitalization were compared with general costs of hospital treatment of these patients. Results: The study has proven that duration of the procedure (VATS: 145 min, thoracotomy: 143 min) and total value of hospitalization costs depending on the type of access (VATS: €2,235, thoracotomy: €1,500) were similar—the differences did not show statistical significance (P=0.96 and 0.05118). In contrast, the average time of patient stay in the hospital after surgery and the average cost of surgery were significantly different (3.69 for VATS vs . 5.71 days for thoracotomy with P=0.0000084 and €1,705 for VATS and €682 for thoracotomy with P=0.0114). Conclusions: The total cost of patient hospitalization after lobectomy via VATS is similar to the cost of hospitalization after thoracotomy. Similar costs of both treatments with well-known benefits of VATS including shorter hospitalization and better quality of life of the patient speak in favor of a wider use of minimally invasive access with a good effect in the form of economical use of financial resources.

The problems of children and adolescents with epilepsy pose an important challenge for educational systems around the world. Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease, which occurs in up to 1% of children and adolescents. The largest incidence of onset is from early childhood to adolescence, therefore, mostly the emotional, cognitive and social problems experienced by patients coincide with the school period. It is commonly believed, as indicated by research, that some of the children and adolescents with epilepsy experience learning difficulties and school problems. This article presents the educational problems of a group of patients in Poland with epilepsy and the co-occurring specific difficulties in the acquisition of scholastic skills like dyslexia, spelling disorder or dyscalculia. The work is a review with an analysis of a case study.

The study aimed to assess whether Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from different sources can be distinguished by the metabolomic fingerprint and to check whether antibiotic susceptibility distinctions are available through metabolomic analysis. 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis of the bacteria metabolites was performed. Twenty-nine strains were tested (18 isolated form cystic fibrosis patients and 11 environmental). Thirty-one metabolites were identified, 12 were up-regulated in strains from CF patients, while 2 were higher level in strains from the environment. Changed carbohydrate catabolic metabolism and the metabolic shift toward the utilization of amino acids is suggested in strains from CF patients.

Assessment of serum extracellular matrix (ECM) metalloproteinase MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase TIMP-2 concentrations in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients considering TNM staging. Assessment of the prognostic value of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations in NSCLC patients.The study group consisted of 81 NSCLC patients (24 females and 57 males) aged 46 to 86 years (mean age of 67±8.2 years). The control group comprised 39 randomly selected patients (20 females and 19 males) aged 27 to 73 years (mean age of 47±15.0 years) in whom primary lung cancer was excluded and who were operated on for a calculus of the gallbladder without cholecystitis. Blood serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based test.Statistically significantly higher mean MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations were found in NSCLC patients compared to those in the control group (P0.001). Statistically significant differences in MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations between patients with T1 and T2 tumour and patients with T3 and T4 tumour, as well as between the group without metastases (N0) and the group with metastases to lymph nodes were demonstrated. Moreover, a significant fall in mean MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations was observed in the postoperative compared to preoperative period (P0.001).Serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations in NSCLC patients correlated with the tumour size and presence of metastases to lymph nodes and thus may serve as an auxiliary parameter indicating probability of a more advanced stage of lung cancer.

Global warming and the reduction in our fossil fuel reservoir have forced humanity to look for new means of energy production. Agricultural waste remains a large source for biofuel and bioenergy production. Flax shives are a waste product obtained during the processing of flax fibers. We investigated the possibility of using low-lignin flax shives for biogas production, specifically by assessing the impact of CAD deficiency on the biochemical and structural properties of shives. The study used genetically modified flax plants with a silenced CAD gene, which encodes the key enzyme for lignin synthesis. Reducing the lignin content modified cellulose crystallinity, improved flax shive fermentation and optimized biogas production. Chemical pretreatment of the shive biomass further increased biogas production efficiency.

The methanogenic archaea are a group of micro-organisms that have developed a unique metabolic pathway for obtaining energy. There are 150 characterized species in this group; however, novel species continue to be discovered. Since methanogens are considered a crucial part of the carbon cycle in the anaerobic ecosystem, characterization of these micro-organisms is important for understanding anaerobic ecology. A methanogens database (MDB; http://metanogen.biotech.uni.wroc.pl/), including physiological and biochemical characteristics of methanogens, was constructed based on the descriptions of isolated type strains. Analysis of the data revealed that methanogens are able to grow from 0 to 122 °C. Methanogens growing at the same temperature may have very different growth rates. There is no clear correlation between the optimal growth temperature and the DNA G+C content. The following substrate preferences are observed in the database: 74.5 % of archaea species utilize H2+CO2, 33 % utilize methyl compounds and 8.5 % utilize acetate. Utilization of methyl compounds (mainly micro-organisms belonging to the genera Methanosarcina and Methanolobus ) is seldom accompanied by an ability to utilize H2+CO2. Very often, data for described species are incomplete, especially substrate preferences. Additional research leading to completion of missing information and development of standards, especially for substrate utilization, would be very helpful.

W artykule podjęto problem gotowości szkolnej dzieci z klas 1–3, różniących się wiekiem rozpoczęcia edukacji w szkole. Skupiono się na analizie poziomu umiejętności posługiwania się pismem w porównywanych grupach. Czytanie i pisanie zostały przedstawione z perspektywy kulturowo-historycznej psychologii Lwa Wygotskiego jako dwie formy wyższej funkcji psychicznej – mowy pisanej i jednocześnie jako główne wskaźniki interakcyjnie ujętej gotowości szkolnej w pierwszych latach edukacji wczesnoszkolnej. W celu identyfikacji różnic pomiędzy dziećmi, które rozpoczęły naukę w szkole w wieku 6 i 7 lat, poddano analizie wyniki badania grupy 314 uczniów klas 1–3. Badanie przeprowadzono z wykorzystaniem Baterii do oceny czytania i pisania oraz Testu matryc Ravena w wersji kolorowej. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują na brak różnic w zakresie poziomu mowy pisanej w badanych grupach. Najbardziej prawdopodobnym tego powodem jest elitarność grupy dzieci posłanych do szkoły w wieku 6 lat. Cechuje je bowiem wyższy poziom inteligencji płynnej oraz wyższy poziom wykształcenia ich rodziców.

Traumatic perforation of the cervical esophagus due to blunt trauma is a very rare condition which continues to be associated with significant mortality rates. The symptoms and signs of this injury are often masked by or ascribed to more common blunt thoracic injuries. This paper presents a case of cervical esophageal perforation secondary to blunt trauma resulting from a car accident. The injury was diagnosed early by computed tomography examination, and the patient underwent prompt and successful surgical repair performed to prevent the development of descending mediastinitis.

We would like to present a case report of a very unusual suicide attempt. A 48-year-old female patient tried to commit suicide by stabbing herself with a kitchen knife into her neck. Suicide by self-stabbing is uncommon, constituting only 1-3% of suicide attempts. Patients with self-inflicted stab wounds may have a higher incidence of surgical interventions based on the stab location. Surprisingly, the mortality associated with this kind of wound is low. Most medical centers have very limited experience with this infrequent injury. There are only a few case reports and small series published in the literature of the subject.

The vast biodiversity of the microbial world and how little is known about it, has already been revealed by extensive metagenomics analyses. Our rudimentary knowledge of microbes stems from difficulties concerning their isolation and culture in laboratory conditions, which is necessary for describing their phenotype, among other things, for biotechnological purposes. An important component of the understudied ecosystems is methanogens, archaea producing a potent greenhouse-effect gas methane. Therefore, we created PhyMet

From the perspective of Lev S. Vygotsky’s theory, literacy develops as a tool for executing the task of communicating with the use of script and this, in consequence, results in the development of a new higher mental function—written speech (WS). Both components of this function improve in parallel with acquisition of reading and writing: the impressive component (comprehending the meaning of a written text) and the expressive component (conveying meaning in a written form). These components reflect two directions of one process of communication and are like ‘two sides of the same coin’. Reading and writing demand not only written speech activity but also activity of other mental functions, especially those necessary for planning and controlling behavior which are known as executive functions (EF). Little is found about how EF and two components of WS interact between the age of 3 and 11 when they develop quickly. The main research hypotheses are that (1) the relative dominance of the impres-sive and the expressive component of written speech is different across age groups, and that (2) the level of EF development is connected to patterns of dominance between the impressive and the expres-sive component of WS. A database from a previous cross-sectional study of 1103 healthy, Polish speak-ing children between the age of 3 and 11 was used for exploratory analysis of the EF-WS relationship. The subjects were examined with the use of the Literacy Assessment Battery and the paradigm of di-mensional change card sort. The conducted analyses of the results confirmed both research hypotheses. Differences in the relative dominance of either the impressive or the expressive component of WS sug-gest that advances in the reading ability and in the writing ability cannot have the same dynamics. In turn, the level of EF development seems to predict the relation between both WS components most strongly in the age periods where the most dynamic progress in inhibitory control or cognitive flexibility takes place. Further longitudinal studies with a wider range of EF measures, which would give an oppor-tunity to explore causal relations between EF and WS, could be promising, especially in view of identifi-cation of literacy development factors. Badania zostały przeprowadzone w ramach projektu badawczego nr N N106 047839 pt. Konstrukcja narzędzi do psychologicznej diagnozy gotowości do uczenia się dzieci w wieku od 3 do 11 roku życia sfinansowanego przez Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego. Kierownik projektu: dr Sławomir Jabłoński, Instytut Psychologii UAM. Zespół: prof. dr hab. Anna I. Brzezińska – UAM, dr Izabela Kaczmarek – Uniwersytet Medyczny w Poznaniu, dr Paweł Kleka - UAM.

The aim of this research is to gather preliminary information from a range of countries to develop an international perspective on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Currently, there is no cohesive international statement on the minimum requirements to provide SEL in schools. By bringing together a range of international perspectives it is intended that clarity will be provided from which new approaches and initiatives can be developed and researched. International researchers familiar with SEL programs in their country were asked to answer five questions about the context and processes used to teach SEL in specific countries to begin an understanding and synthesis of best practice. These questions relate to: (1) sociocultural contexts of school systems, (2) the range of SEL programs presented in each country and what is common about these programs, (3) the effectiveness of prominent SEL programs, (4) the facilitators and barriers that exist to effectively present SEL programs within the country, and (5) recommendations for the future of SEL programs. A synthesis is followed by a discussion of the future of SEL and how the SEL Interest Group may make a contribution to the current state of the literature, curriculum, pedagogy, and research that informs SEL in schools.

Development of balanced community of microorganisms is one of the obligatory for stable anaerobic digestion. Application of mathematical models might be helpful in development of reliable procedures during the process start-up period. Yet, the accuracy of forecast depends on the quality of input and parameters. In this study, the specific anaerobic activity (SAA) tests were applied in order to estimate microbial community structure. Obtained data was applied as input conditions for mathematical model of anaerobic digestion. The initial values of variables describing the amount of acetate and propionate utilizing microorganisms could be calculated on the basis of SAA results. The modelling based on those optimized variables could successfully reproduce the behavior of a real system during the continuous fermentation.

Polymer composites with natural fibers prepared by melt blending were investigated. Synthetic and natural macromolecules were used, including poly(lactic acid), polyhydroxybutyrate-co-polyhydroxyvalerate and low density polyethylene. These polymers were filled with flax fibers. Mechanical properties of the composites, biogas production and mass loss under anaerobic digestion have been presented. It has been shown that the mechanical properties sustain after 28 days of biodegradation. Such materials can be found in applications as packaging, as well as in medicine as polymeric scaffolds, and drug delivery systems etc.

In the article, two competences crucial for the development of school readiness have been analyzed: literacy and inhibitory control. The author, availing himself of the premises of Lev S. Vygotsky’s theory, views the process of acquiring reading and writing skills as the development of a higher mental function – written speech. Early stages of the development of this function coincide also with the period of forming the so-called readiness to acquire reading and writing skills. It enables treating both the period before and after the beginning of formal training in literacy skills as the time during which the same devel-opmental process operates. In addition, the author analyzes the importance of inhibitory control changes for consecutive stages of written speech development in preschoolers. This one of the most pivotal components of executive functions can be investigated already in two and a half year old children, enabling early identification of groups at risk of school difficulties. Assumptions concerning relationships between inhibitory control and literacy in the process of development were verified in a study of 336 children at the age of 3-5, with the use of Children Card Sort and Literacy Assessment Battery. Badania zostały przeprowadzone w ramach projektu badawczego nr N N106 047839 pt. Konstrukcja narzędzi do psychologicznej diagnozy gotowości do uczenia się dzieci w wieku od 3 do 11 roku życia sfinansowanego przez Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego. Kierownik projektu: dr Sławomir Jabłoński, Instytut Psychologii UAM; prof. dr hab. Anna I. Brzezińska – UAM, dr Izabela Kaczmarek – Uniwersytet Medyczny w Poznaniu.

Aim The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the treatment of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax with air leak (AL) using two different chest drainage systems. Methods Patients were randomized into two groups: group A included 30 patients (23 males and 7 females, mean age 41.1 ± 16.29 y, range 17–71 y) in which digital drainage system was used, group B with 30 patients (22 males and 8 females, mean age 40.3 ± 15.74 y, range 18–72 y) in which traditional suction drainage system was applied. The following variables were evaluated: intensity of AL, duration of the chest tube drainage, delay in surgery, length of stay, and the overall hospitalization costs. Results In group A the mean drainage duration was 47.63 hours, the hospitalization time was about 5.10 days, and the cost of hospitalization was €1,495. In group B the mean drainage duration was 84.93 hours, the hospitalization time was 6.97 days, and the hospitalization cost was €1,925. Conclusion The digital drainage system applied in the treatment of AL in patients with pneumothoraces reduced the duration of the drainage, the length of hospital stay, and overall hospitalization costs.

Effective closure of the postpneumonectomy bronchopleural fistula (PBF) with the use of different techniques still remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of modified method of PBF closure using pedicled pericardial flap (PPF) supported by fibrin glue (FG). The efficacy of the late PBF closure with the use of two surgical methods was compared. In 10 patients, the edges of the PBF were covered with FG and PPF. In the second group of nine patients, myoplasty was used to close the bronchial fistula. Postsurgical follow-up was for 1 year. In the first group, the healing of the fistula was achieved in 100% of the cases, whereas in the second, myoplasty group, healing was achieved in only 66·67% of the cases. The number of complications was similar in both groups. Pericardial flap supported by fibrin glue can be an effective method adjunctive to the treatment of PBF in selected patients.

Background Acute mediastinitis (AM) is the most lethal form of infection within the thorax. The authors of this study, using statistical tools, made an attempt to determine the most important clinical risk factors in retrospective material of patients treated surgically due to AM. Methods A total of 44 consecutive patients with AM were subjected to surgery. The aetiology was differentiated: iatrogenic (19), traumatic (11), descending mediastinitis (9) and neoplastic (5). A statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test with Yates correction and analysis of variance test to investigate the correlation between mortality and selected risk factors such as age, gender, aetiology, microbiology, delay between the diagnosis and surgery, coexisting diseases and the kind and number of post-operative complications. Results The general death rate was 31.82%. Aetiology was associated with mortality: neoplastic (100%), descending (33.3%), iatrogenic (26.3%) and post-traumatic (9.1%). The following types of bacteria were isolated: aerobes (65.9%), anaerobes (25%) and mixed flora (9.1%). The prognosis was not related to age, gender or the kind of the pathogen. The risk of death increased depending on the number of preoperative co-morbidities (P = 0.0446), particularly on the occurrence of a neoplasm (P = 0.0104). Early qualification for surgery (