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This paper summarizes the contribution of Polish scientific units to the development of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) in recent years. We discuss the issues related to the integration of space geodetic techniques and co-location in space onboard Global Navigation Satellites Systems (GNSS) and Low Earth Orbiters (LEO), as well as perspectives introduced by the new European Space Agency's (ESA) mission GENESIS. We summarize recent developments in terms of the European Galileo system and its contribution to satellite geodesy and general relativity, as well as ESA's recent initiative - Moonlight to establish a satellite navigation and communication system for the Moon. Recent progress in troposphere delay modeling in Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) allowed for better handling of systematic errors in SLR, such as range biases and tropospheric biases. We discuss enhanced tropospheric delay models for SLR based on numerical weather models with empirical corrections, which improve the consistency between space geodetic parameters derived using different techniques, such as SLR, GNSS, and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). Finally, we review recent progress in the development of Polish GGOS scientific infrastructure in the framework of the European Plate Observing System project EPOS-PL+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1). An essential component of any treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an adequate diet. Currently, a low FODMAP diet is recommended as a first-line therapy, but it does not relieve abdominal discomfort in all patients, and alternative nutritional treatment is required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a tryptophan-lowering diet (TRP) on abdominal and mental symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D). (2). The study included 40 patients with IBS-D, and 40 healthy subjects served as a baseline for IBS-D patients, after excluding comorbidities. The TRP intake was calculated using the nutritional calculator. The severity of abdominal symptoms was assessed using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS-IBS). Mental state was assessed using the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D), and the insomnia severity index (ISI). The serum levels of serotonin and melatonin and the urinary excretion of their metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6) were determined by the ELISA method. The severity of symptoms and laboratory data were analyzed before and after a 12 week diet with tryptophan restricted to a daily dose 10 mg per kilogram body weight. (3). Compared to the control group, patients with IBS-D had a higher serum level of serotonin (198.2 ± 38.1 vs. 142.3 ± 36.4 ng/mL; p < 0.001) but a similar level of melatonin (8.6 ± 1.1 vs. 9.4 ± 3.0 pg/mL; p > 0.05). The urinary excretion of 5-HIAA was also higher in patients with IBS-D patients (7.7 ± 1.5 vs. 6.0 ± 1.7 mg/24 h; p < 0.001). After nutritional treatment, both the serum serotonin level and the urinary 5-HIAA excretion significantly decreased (p < 0.001). The severity of the abdominal symptoms and anxiety also decreased, while the HAM-D score and the ISI score remained unchanged (4). Lowering the dietary intake of tryptophan may reduce abdominal complaints and does not alter the mental state of IBS-D patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide use of electronic cigarettes has been rapidly expanding over recent years, but the long-term effect of e-cigarette vapor exposure on human health and environment is not well established; however, its mechanism of action entails the production of reactive oxygen species and trace metals, and the exacerbation of inflammation, which are associated with potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The present study examines the effects of selected liquid chemicals used in e-cigarettes, such as propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin, nicotine and flavorings, on living organisms; the data collected indicates that exposure to e-cigarette liquid has potentially detrimental effects on cells in vitro, and on animals and humans in vivo. While e-liquid exposure can adversely influence the physiology of living organisms, vaping is recommended as an alternative for tobacco smoking. The study also compares the impact of e-cigarette liquid exposure and traditional cigarette smoke on organisms and the environmental impact. The environmental influence of e-cigarette use is closely connected with the emission of airborne particulate matter, suggesting the possibility of passive smoking. The obtained data provides an insight into the impact of nicotine delivery systems on living organisms and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric pressure loading plays a crucial role in precise space geodesy, thus its omission, especially the nontidal loading (ANTL) part, leads to the inconsistency between solutions based on the microwave [Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)] and optical [satellite laser ranging (SLR)] observations. SLR observations are performed only during the cloudless conditions coincident with high values of air pressure that deforms the earth’s crust downward. The systematic shift of the estimated SLR station coordinates, which arises from the ANTL omission, is called the Blue-Sky effect. The offset is related to the long-term averaging of ANTL for SLR observations which are provided in sparse intervals, unlike GNSS, which observes continuously. Based on the ANTL model applied on SLR observations to GNSS, we determined the values of the Blue-Sky effect. The largest values of the Blue-Sky effect are observed for the inland stations, i.e., 2.3, 2.1, 2.0, and 1.9 mm for Svetloe, Potsdam, Baikonur, and Altay, respectively. We also investigate the impact of the omission of ANTL corrections on geodetic parameters, i.e., earth rotation parameters, geocenter motion, precise GNSS orbits, as well as on the global SLR network. The negligence of ANTL causes a systematic effect on geocenter coordinates with the amplitude of the annual signal at the level of 1.9 mm for the Z-component. The omission of ANTL corrections causes also a systematic shift of the multi-GNSS orbit constellation with the amplitude of the annual signal at the level of 2.7 mm for the Z-component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With such a low percentage of patients having open surgery comparison with laparoscopic surgery group is difficult. Fahim et al. [1] report increased mortality after open colorectal cancer surgery (HR1.26). [Extracted from the article]

Obesity is a complex disease of great public health significance worldwide: It entails several complications including diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular dysfunction and hypertension, and its prevalence is increasing around the world. The pathogenesis of obesity is closely related to reactive oxygen species. The role of reactive oxygen species as regulatory factors in mitochondrial activity in obese subjects, molecules taking part in inflammation processes linked to excessive size and number of adipocytes, and as agents governing the energy balance in hypothalamus neurons has been examined. Phytotherapy is the traditional form of treating health problems using plant-derived medications. Some plant extracts are known to act as anti-obesity agents and have been screened in in vitro models based on the inhibition of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and activity of pancreatic lipase methods and in in vivo high-fat diet-induced obesity rat/mouse models and human models. Plant products may be a good natural alternative for weight management and a source of numerous biologically-active chemicals, including antioxidant polyphenols that can counteract the oxidative stress associated with obesity. This review presents polyphenols as natural complementary therapy, and a good nutritional strategy, for treating obesity without serious side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The doctor's decision whether to save the life of a minor who has attempted to commit suicide depends on the decision of the person who, under legal regulations, is responsible for the minor. In everyday medical practice doctors are often placed in difficult situations and often cannot make any decision. Such doubts arise when it is impossible to contact the person(s) responsible for the minor. The doctor encounters similar issues when the parents of a minor under 16 years of age express different opinions on the recommended procedures, and are against the doctor's decision and do not want their child to be hospitalized., Materials and Methods: The current legislation and doctrine was analyzed and an attempt was made to determine the way of conduct with regard to suicidal minors, and algorithmize the way of conduct towards such suicidal minors. The conduct was discussed on the two examples, based on real clinical cases., Results: With regard to minors in a clinical state demanding urgent procedures, who have of the decision made by the guardian, and regardless of the fact there is no contact with the guardian. If the status is stable, the physician's modus operandi depends on various accompanying circumstances. However, he is still obliged to provide medical help., Discussion: A practical algorithm is presented and all the possible legal variations discussed and clarified.

Introduction: According to the general idea a doctor can start the medical management process in an adult and not legally incapacitated patient after the patient has given consent to initiate such a process. The patient's refusal makes rendering medical services impossible, irrespective of their scope and kind. It should be emphasized that such a refusal is respected if it is expressed fully, clearly and consciously. Cases in which such a refusal is expressed by an intoxicated suicidal patient, remaining under the influence of narcotics, drugs or medicaments which characterize with a similar activity should be particularly analysed. Although such a person is able to verbally declare his objection, his ability to process the information given by the doctor before initiating medical procedures is limited, or even non-existant. The refusal therefore cannot be regarded as reliable, which results in rendering medical services to the patient., Materials and Methods: An analysis was made of Acts of Law and the opinions of the judiciar by comparing and excluding contradictory and incoherent elements., Results: Despite the lack of clear regulations of a patient rejecting procedures aimed at saving the patient's life, or the prevention of serious health impairment or sustaining injury, it should be assumed that the objection expressed by the patient who does not demonstrate the ability to process the information provided by the doctor is not reliable, and the doctor is therefore still obliged to render medical services. External factors, such as consumption of alcohol, narcotics and drugs, which characterize with a similar activity impair perception and make the taking of a conscious decision impossible. Not providing medical help and introducing direct compulsion would mean neglecting provision of due diligence in the process of treatment and, as a consequence, placing the patient's health at risk, and suffering from negative implications for the patient's life and/or health in the future., Conclusions: Current provisions should directly regulate the negligence of respecting a refusal expressed 'unconsciously' by a patient who remains under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, drugs or medicaments which characterize with a similar activity. Moreover, apart from legal provisions, the law providers should consider introducing a direct compulsion in patients who are unable to make a conscious decision in the treatment process.

Introduction: Mobile phone conversation decreases the ability to concentrate and impairs the attention necessary to perform complex activities, such as driving a car. Does the ringing sound of a mobile phone affect the driver's ability to perform complex sensory-motor activities? We compared a subject's reaction time while performing a test either with a mobile phone ringing or without., Material and Methods: The examination was performed on a PC-based reaction time self-constructed system Reactor. The study group consisted of 42 healthy students. The protocol included instruction, control without phone and a proper session with subject's mobile phone ringing. The terms of the study were standardised., Results: There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in reaction time in control (597 ms), mobile (633 ms) and instruction session (673 ms). The differences in female subpopulation were also significant (p < 0.01). Women revealed the longest reaction time in instruction session (707 ms), were significantly quicker in mobile (657 ms, p < 0.01) and in control session (612 ms, p < 0.001). In men, the significant difference was recorded only between instruction (622 ms) and control session (573 ms, p < 0.01). The other differences were not significant (p > 0.08). Men proofed to complete significantly quicker than women in instruction (p < 0.01) and in mobile session (p < 0.05). Differences amongst the genders in control session was not significant (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: The results obtained proofed the ringing of a phone exerts a significant influence on complex reaction time and quality of performed task.

Current legal regulations do not explicitly state whether the doctor should or should not ignore the patient's refusal to be provided with medical services when such refusal is given by the patients who is temporarily unable to take conscious decisions. The fact that there is no clear jurisdiction over the issue makes the relation between doctor and patient legally complicated. The doctor has no doubts whether he/she should or should not initiate the medical procedure when the patient clearly expresses the declaration of will, in which either refusal or consent is given to be provided with medical care. However, the patient remaining under the influence of alcohol, i.e. a substance which to some or great extent impairs cognitive functions, rational thinking, and the ability to evaluate incoming information. Alcohol makes the patient unable to interpret the information given by the doctor. Thus, the patient's consent or refusal to be provided with medical care is lacking in the needed elements of "informing" and "conscious declaration of will", which are considered by doctors and lawyers to be absolutely necessary to make such will valid. There are no clear, unambiguous regulations explaining how the doctor should behave in such cases. The authors of the presented study state that it is highly important to determine whether the intoxicated patient is able to understand the incoming information, evaluate it, make a conscious decision and finally, express an explicit (and therefore binding) refusal to accept recommended medical services. In the opinion of the authors, while dealing with such patients, the doctor should bear in mind the patient's right to make autonomous decisions, but that it is also the doctor's duty to provide the patient with medical services.