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Dariusz Kulus,1 Alicja Tymoszuk,1 Alicja Kulpińska,1 Bożena Dębska,2 Agata Michalska,2 Julita Nowakowska,3 Dorota Wichrowska,4 Jacek Wojnarowicz,5 Urszula Szałaj5 1Laboratory of Horticulture, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Biogeochemistry and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 3Imaging Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 4Department of Microbiology and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 5Laboratory of Nanostructures, Institute of High Pressure Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, PolandCorrespondence: Dariusz Kulus, Laboratory of Horticulture, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bernardyńska 6, Bydgoszcz, 85-029, Poland, Email dkulus@gmail.comPurpose: Studying the role of nanoparticles in plant cryopreservation is essential for developing innovative methods to conserve plant genetic resources amid environmental challenges. This research investigated the effects of gold (AuNPs), silver (AgNPs), and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles on the structural integrity, genetic stability, and metabolic activity of cryopreserved plant materials with medicinal properties.Methods: Shoot tips from two bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L). Fukuhara) cultivars, ‘Gold Heart’ and ‘Valentine’, were cryopreserved using the encapsulation-vitrification technique, with nanoparticles added at concentrations of 5 or 15 ppm during either the preculture phase or the alginate bead matrix formation. Post-recovery, the plants underwent histological, molecular, and biochemical analyses.Results: Electron microscopy observations of LN-derived plant material confirmed the production of micro-morpho-structurally stable cells. It was found that nanoparticles could penetrate the cell and accumulate in its various compartments, including the nucleus. As for the genetic analysis, SCoT markers identified polymorphisms in 11.5% of ‘Gold Heart’ plants, while RAPDs detected mutations in 1.9% of ‘Valentine’ specimens. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that in the ‘Valentine’ cultivar, all genetic variation detected was within populations and not significantly affected by nanoparticle treatments. In ‘Gold Heart’, the majority (94%) of genetic variation detected was within populations, while 6% was attributed to nanoparticle treatments (mostly the application of 15 ppm ZnONPs). The application of nanoparticles significantly influenced the metabolic profile of bleeding heart plants, particularly affecting the synthesis of phenolic acids and aldehydes, as well as the antioxidant mechanisms in both ‘Gold Heart’ and ‘Valentine’ cultivars. The content of proteins was altered in ‘Gold Heart’ plants but not in ‘Valentine’.Conclusion: The results suggest that different types and concentrations of NPs have varying effects on the production of specific metabolites, which could be harnessed to modulate plant secondary metabolism for desired pharmacological outcomes.Keywords: antioxidant capacity, genotyping, HPLC, Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L.) Fukuhara, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoid pathway, TEM

Albert Stec,1 Magdalena Maciejewska,1 Karolina Paralusz-Stec,1 Milena Michalska,2 Joanna Giebu&lstrok;towicz,3 Lidia Rudnicka,1 Mariusz Sikora4 1Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 2Department of General, Vascular and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 3Department of Bioanalysis and Drugs Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 4National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, PolandCorrespondence: Mariusz Sikora, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Sparta&nacute;ska 1, Warsaw, 02-637, Poland, Tel +48 22 670 91 00, Fax +48 22 844 77 97, Email drmariuszsikora@gmail.comBackground: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare immune-mediated connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, whose pathogenesis is not fully understood. Recent studies have revealed dysbiosis in patients with systemic sclerosis and have indicated the possible role of the microbiota and its metabolites in the pathogenesis of the disease. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a compound produced by dysbiotic microbiota observed at higher concentrations in several autoimmune diseases.Objective: To determine concentrations of the bacteria-derived metabolite TMAO in patients with systemic sclerosis and to assess possible correlation between TMAO and a specific manifestation of the disease.Patients and Methods: The study included 63 patients with SSc and 47 matched control subjects. The concentration of TMAO was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography.Results: Plasma TMAO level was significantly increased in patients with SSc (283.0 [188.5– 367.5] ng/mL versus 205.5 [101.0– 318.0] ng/mL; p < 0.01). An increased concentration of TMAO was observed in patients with concomitant interstitial lung disease (ILD) (302.0 ng/mL [212.0– 385.5] ng/mL versus 204.0 [135.5– 292.0] ng/mL; p < 0.01) and esophageal dysmotility (289.75 [213.75– 387.5] ng/mL versus 209.5 ng/mL [141.5– 315.0] ng/mL; p < 0.05) compared to patients without these complications. Furthermore, TMAO concentration exhibited significant correlation with markers of heart involvement (left ventricle ejection fraction, NT-proBNP), marker of ILD severity and Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Damage Index.Conclusion: The concentration of TMAO, gut microbiota-associated metabolite, is increased in systemic sclerosis, particularly in patients with advanced organ involvement. This is the first study evaluating plasma TMAO in systemic sclerosis. Bacterial metabolites may be a link between dysbiosis and organ involvement in the course of the disease. Modulation of gut bacterial-derived metabolites may represent a new therapeutic approach in the management of systemic sclerosis.Keywords: gut microbiota, systemic sclerosis, trimethylamine N-oxide, bacterial metabolites, dysbiosis, damage index

Dorota &Sacute;piewak,1 Anna Heinke,2,3 Katarzyna Michalska-Ma&lstrok;ecka4,5 1University Clinical Center, University Hospital Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 2University of California San Diego Department of Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; 3Joan and Irwin Jacobs Retina Center, La Jolla, CA, USA; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Gda&nacute;sk, Gda&nacute;sk, Poland; 5University Clinical Center, University Hospital Medical University of Gda&nacute;sk, Gda&nacute;sk, PolandCorrespondence: Katarzyna Michalska-Ma&lstrok;ecka, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Medical University of Gda&nacute;sk, Mariana Smoluchowskiego 17, Gda&nacute;sk, 80-214, Poland, Tel +48 600 064 150, Email k.michalska.malecka@gmail.comPurpose: To assess the effect of the prolonged-release dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) in patients with retinal venous thrombosis on blood rheological parameters and evaluate the impact on morphological and functional parameters.Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study involved 35 subjects treated with central retinal vein and vein branch occlusion with intravitreal dexamethasone implant and 35 healthy subjects in control group. Hematocrit, blood and plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation amplitude (EAA), index (EAI), aggregation half-life time (EAT1/2), and erythrocyte deformability (ED) were evaluated. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and visual field (VF) were examined. All the parameters were examined at the baseline, 7 and 30 days after the treatment. The results were analyzed with correlation and regression and compared to the baseline values.Results: In the studied group, three hemorheological parameters improved as early as on the 7th day after the drug administration, and this improvement remained at a similar level on the 30th day. The EAA increased by 21.26% on day 7 and by 19.78% on day 30, the EAI decreased by 10.55% on day 7 and by 9.14% on day 30 and the EAT1/2 time increased by 38.50% on day 7 and by 31.02% on day 30. On day 7, the BCVA was improved by 1 row, CRT was reduced by 170.77 μm (24.49%), and the VF was improved by 9.8 dB (49.92%) compared to baseline parameters. On day 30, the BCVA was improved by three rows, CRT reduced by 244.68 μm (35.09%), and VF improved by 12.09 dB (61.59%).Conclusion: The intravitreal dexamethasone implant used in treating macular oedema in patients with RVO has a statistically significant effect on some rheological parameters of blood, reduction of CRT and clinical improvement in BCVA and VF.Keywords: retinal venous vein thrombosis, dexamethasone, hemorheology

Ma&lstrok;gorzata Michalska-Jakubus,1 Anita Wdowiak-Filip,2 Cezary Kowalewski,3 Katarzyna Wo&zacute;niak,3 Dorota Krasowska1 1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Pediatric Dermatology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland; 2Department of Cosmetology and Aesthetic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland; 3Department of Dermatology, Immunodermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandCorrespondence: Anita Wdowiak-Filip, Staszica 11, Lublin, 20-081, Poland, Tel +48 798 64 75 07, Email anita.wdowiak@gmail.comAbstract: We describe a 36-year-old woman with erythematous lesions and well-tense blisters confined to the face and neck of two months history, without mucosal involvement and no triggering factors. A lesional skin biopsy showed a subepidermal blister. Direct immunofluorescence of peribullous skin identified linear deposits of IgG, IgA, and C3 complement along the basement membrane zone, whereas indirect immunofluorescence was negative. Using fluorescence overlay antigen mapping by laser scanning confocal microscopy, linear immunoglobulins deposits were found to be located above collagen IV and below laminin 332 (formerly named laminin 5), in a pattern typical of mucous membrane pemphigoid (formerly named cicatricial pemphigoid). Consequently, in terms of the clinical picture and confocal study, a rare variant of mucous membrane pemphigoid was established, namely Brunsting-Perry type. Combined therapy with oral prednisone and dapsone healed the lesions, leaving atrophic scars and milia. The paper also provides a review of previous reports on this item as well as a comprehensive differential diagnosis of facial blistering lesions.Keywords: mucous membrane pemphigoid, Brunsting-Perry pemphigoid, laser scanning confocal microscopy

Agnieszka Wosiak,1 Damian Wodziński,1 Katarzyna Michalska,1 Jacek Pietrzak,1 Radzisław Kordek,2 Ewa Balcerczak1 1Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Pharmacogenomics, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Interfaculty Cathedral of Laboratory and Molecular Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 90-151, Poland; 2Department of Pathology, Cathedral of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 92-213, PolandCorrespondence: Ewa BalcerczakMedical University of Lodz, Muszynskiego 1, Lodz 90-151, PolandTel/Fax +48 42 677 91 30Email ewa.balcerczak@umed.lodz.plBackground: Colon cancer is one of the most common types of malignant tumor worldwide. The molecular mechanism of colorectal carcinogenesis is very complex and not yet fully understood. The TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) signaling pathway plays a significant role in the development of many cancers, including colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Changes in TGFβ pathway are associated with increased colorectal cancer risk, because this pathway participates in the control of important cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, or apoptosis. The family of SMAD (similar to mother against decapentaplegic) proteins is closely correlated to this pathway. SMADs genes expression affects modulation of the transcription of many genes, which leads to the inhibition of cell-growth and apoptosis in colon epithelial cells. The presence of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in SMADs genes encoding proteins involved in the control of biological processes important for the cell may play a significant role in the predisposition to the development of colorectal cancer, or in the regulation of the severity of changes related to tumor growth. Extension of data in this field may provide clinically significant conclusions influencing the implementation of personalized treatment based on specific changes characteristic of a patient with colorectal cancer.Purpose: The subject of this research was genotyping polymorphisms of SMAD3 (rs6494629) and SMAD4 (rs10502913, rs12968012, rs1057520801) genes in the group of patients with colorectal cancer and in the control group, and comparing the genotypic frequency distributions with clinical-pathological features within the study group and between the groups.Materials and Methods: SNP genotyping analysis was performed on genomic DNA isolated from 84 frozen tissue sections of colorectal cancer and from 60 peripheral blood samples of patients without cancer. To evaluate the polymorphic variants of SMAD genes, the restricted fragment length of a polymorphism reaction (PCR-RFLP) was used.Results: The results obtained in the study showed no significant association between the examined polymorphisms and the risk of developing colorectal cancer.Conclusion: More extensive studies to confirm the results obtained in this study are needed. Further studies on a larger study group divided according to the clinical stage and histological differentiation may allow finding or excluding the significance of the studied SNPs as potential markers of colorectal cancer in relation to the clinico-pathological data.Keywords: SMAD3 gene, SNP, colorectal cancer, SMAD4 gene

In the methodology of science, intersubjectivity is usually associated with replicability of experimental results. A related, judicial conception of objectivity as impartiality has it that a theory or judgment is objective if it covers all the relevant angles of the object or phenomenon in question, ensuring that the latter is not ephemeral and the concepts referring to them are valid. Based on the assumption that in the social sciences, the researcher is also a participant, an alternative view was conceived, according to the notion that intersubjectivity rests on either sharing of a lifeworld and its associated practices or on empathy, or on some form of direct social cognition.

Jennie H Best,1 Amanda M Kong,2 David M Smith,2 Ibrahim Abbass,1 Margaret Michalska1 1Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA; 2IBM Watson Health, Cambridge, MA, USACorrespondence: Jennie H BestGenentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USATel +1 858 361-4937Email best.jennie@gene.comObjective: To quantify the healthcare expenditures associated with potential oral glucocorticoid (OGC)-related adverse events (AEs) in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA).Methods: Patients with GCA and ≥ 1 OGC prescription fill between 2009 and 2014 were identified from the MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental claims databases. Patients were stratified into four groups based on cumulative OGC dose (> 0 to ≤ 2607 mg, > 2607 to ≤ 4800 mg, > 4800 to ≤ 7200 mg, and > 7200 mg) during the 1-year follow-up period; incidence of potential AEs and AE-related direct healthcare costs in USD were assessed. Association between the log of cumulative OGC dose and AE-related direct healthcare costs was evaluated, adjusting for baseline characteristics.Results: Of 1602 patients with GCA included, 69% were women; the mean age was 73 years. The mean cumulative OGC dose was 5806 mg during the 1-year follow-up; most exposure occurred in the first 6 months. The proportion of patients with potential OGC-related AEs was 36.5% overall and increased as cumulative dose increased (30.7%–45.3% across dose groups). Unadjusted mean AE-related costs for patients with an AE was USD $12,818. In the multivariable model including all patients, increasing OGC dose was associated with increasing AE-related healthcare costs (cost ratio, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.16–1.64] per 1-unit increase in log of cumulative OGC dose [P < 0.001]). Mean (median)-predicted AE costs for the dose groups were USD $4389 ($2749) for > 0 to ≤ 2607 mg, USD $5176 ($3009) for > 2607 to ≤ 4800 mg, USD $5576 ($3633) for > 4800 to ≤ 7200 mg, and USD $6609 ($4447) for > 7200 mg.Conclusion: In patients with GCA, OGC-related AEs increased with increasing cumulative OGC dose, resulting in increased healthcare costs. These results highlight the need for efficacious therapies that reduce the exposure to and potential risks associated with OGCs.Keywords: giant cell arteritis, glucocorticoid, adverse events, healthcare expenditures

Małgorzata Michalska,1,* Piotr Wąż,2,* Katarzyna Zorena,1 Maria Bartoszewicz,1 Katarzyna Korzeniowska,3 Sylwia Krawczyk,4 Iwona Beń-Skowronek,4 Małgorzata Myśliwiec31Department of Immunobiology and Environment Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland; 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland; 3Clinic of Pediatrics, Diabetology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland; 4Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland*These authors contributed equally to this workAim: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the concentration of psychrophilic bacteria, mesophilic bacteria and mold fungi in bioaerosols, and the number of new cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children.Methods: Air samples from the Lubelskie and Pomeranian voivodeships in Poland were collected from January 2015 to December 2016 in winter, spring, summer and autumn. Thirty-three samples were collected in the Pomeranian and 27 in the Lubelskie voivodeship. The air samples were collected on the first day of each month at 1:00 pm for 10 mins at a height of 1.5 m above the ground. The number of mesophilic bacteria was detected after 24–48 hrs incubation at 37°C on tryptone soya agar (TSA; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). The number of psychrophilic bacteria was detected after 72 hrs incubation at 22°C on TSA. The number of fungi was detected by a 5-day long incubation at 28°C on chloramphenicol yeast glucose agar.Results: In the Lubelskie voivodeship, the mean concentration of psychrophilic bacteria was significantly higher than in the Pomeranian voivodeship (2739 vs 608 CFU/m3, respectively), the mean concentration of mesophilic bacteria was significantly higher (2493 vs 778/m3, respectively) and the concentration of fungi was significantly higher (3840 vs 688 CFU/m3, respectively). We also showed a statistically significant relationship between the number of children with recently diagnosed T1DM and the mean concentration of psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria in the Pomeranian and Lubelskie voivodeships (P

Introduction: Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are a large group of innate immune effectors, which apart from antimicrobial activity show immunomodulative properties. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a source of autologous growth factors and is used for stimulation of bone and soft tissue healing. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of PRP and AMP extract on ovine monocyte-derived macrophage cultures. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on ovine macrophages (Mfs) previously stimulated with LPS or dexamethasone and then with preparations of PRP or AMP. Following activation of the Mfs their morphological and functional features were assessed. Results: The study revealed pro-inflammatory influence of both examined preparations on Mfs cultures on the basis of morphology, ROS generation and arginase activity. Both preparations enhanced the pro-inflammatory response of cultured Mfs. Conclusion: This activity may intensify the antimicrobial action of Mfs, however, in cases of excessive and prolonged inflammation the use of these preparations should be limited.

Tomasz Wilczyński,1 Anna Heinke,1 Agata Niedzielska-Krycia,1 Daria Jorg,2 Katarzyna Michalska-Małecka1,3 1University Clinical Center, University Hospital Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 2Department of Sexuology, Woman’s Health Institute, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 3Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Purpose: To present optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography features in patients with idiopathic full-thickness macular hole before and after vitrectomy. Study design: Prospective case series study. Materials and methods: Patients presenting with an idiopathic full-thickness macular hole (IMH) who underwent posterior vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade were included in the study. En face OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) was performed pre- and postoperatively using 3×3 mm scans (Optovue, XR Avanti). Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, macular hole size (MHS), central retinal thickness (CRT), macular parafoveal choriocapillary flow area (MCFA), and fovea vessel density (FVDS) were measured and assessed using OCTA. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was examined before and 3 months after surgery. Results: Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patient group was 68.28 years. The hole was closed in all eyes after the initial surgery. OCTA showed enlargement of FAZ and increased CRT in foveal area. Mean preoperative FAZ area was 0.39±0.07 mm2. En face images of the middle retina showed a range of preoperative cystic patterns surrounding the hole. BCVA was improved from 0.1±0.11 preoperatively to 0.42±0.17 postoperatively. Mean FAZ area was reduced to 0.24±0.07 mm2 postoperatively with resolution of macular hole and adjacent cystic areas. Mean CRT was reduced from 396±62.6 µm preoperatively to 272±30.7 µm postoperatively. After vitrectomy, the parafoveal choriocapillary flow area and FVDS of IMH eyes increased compared with the preoperative measurements. Conclusion: Quantitative evaluation of vascular and morphological changes following IMH surgery using OCTA shows the potential for recovery due to vascular and neuronal plasticity. OCTA showing vascular changes and their quantitative characteristics might be a useful tool for the assessment of macular holes before and after surgical treatment. Keywords: angio-OCT, imaging, idiopathic full thickness macular hole, vitrectomy, foveal avascular zone, central retinal thickness, choriocapillary flow area, foveal vessel density

Anna Kamieniarz, Justyna Michalska, Anna Brachman, Michał Pawłowski, Kajetan J Słomka, Grzegorz Juras Department of Human Motor Behavior, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland Abstract: Postural instability is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), often contributing to falls, injuries, and reduced mobility. In the clinical setting, balance disorder is commonly diagnosed using clinical tests and balance scales, but it is suggested that the most sensitive measurement is the force platform. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the methods and various posturographic procedures used to assess the body balance and gait in PD. A systematic review was conducted of papers published from 2000 to 2017. Databases searched were PubMed and EBSCO. Studies must have involved patients with PD, used force platform or motion analysis system as a measurement tool, and described posturographic procedure. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. A total of 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. The PEDro scores ranged from 5 to 7 points. The analysis of the objective methods assessing balance disorders revealed a large discrepancy in the duration and procedures of measurements. The number of repetitions of each trial fluctuated between 1 and 8, and the duration of a single trial ranged from 10 to 60 seconds. Overall, there are many scales and tests used to assess the balance disorders and disabilities of people with PD. Although in many included studies the authors have used posturography as a method to evaluate the postural instability of PD patients, the results are contradictory. To solve this issue, it is indicated to establish a “gold standard” of procedures of measures of balance. Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, posturography, balance disorders, postural instability

Quality of life is an issue taken into account increasingly more often as one of the main elements of the evaluation and in comparisons between countries, regions and communes (local governments). The aim of this article is to show the relationship between quality of life and quality of living in rural communities at varying levels of socio-economic development. The analysis of both aspects yields the opportunity to observe the relationship between objective resources of the local community as well as the level of their socio-economic condition and level of satisfaction of the inhabitants, the latter of which results from, inter alia, their ability to meet specific needs within the local environment. The presented analysis leads to several main conclusions. The first is that the rural residents who participated in the study were characterized by a relatively high satisfaction with their own lives. The main source of their life satisfaction was the family sphere. The greatest source of dissatisfaction was their financial situation. The second conclusion comes from the analysis of their subjective assessment of their quality of living in terms of the local commune. The examined residents overall positively assessed the conditions of living in their community. They were content, first and foremost, with the natural environment and security. The lowest level of satisfaction with living in the commune was associated with such aspects as technical infrastructure, transport links, activities of NGOs and political parties, and the lack of possibilities to exert influence on what is happening in the commune. However, it is difficult to specify general correlations that would clarify the relationship between quality of life and quality of living in rural communities. The regression analysis confirmed the weak link between these phenomena. The final conclusion confirms the thesis of the high heterogeneity and diversity of rural communes in Poland, even within a socially, culturally and economically coherent area of a voivodeship (province).

Barbara Strzalka-Mrozik,1 Malgorzata Kimsa-Furdzik,2 Adam Kabiesz,3 Katarzyna Michalska-Malecka,3,4 Malgorzata Nita,5 Urszula Mazurek1 1Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 2Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 3University Center for Ophthalmology and Oncology, Independent Public Clinical Hospital, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 4Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 5Domestic and Specialized Medicine Centre “Dilmed”, Katowice, Poland Purpose: The present study focused on the assessment of the mRNA levels of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family in patients with the exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) before and after ranibizumab intravitreal injections.Patients and methods: An analysis of the expression profile of the IGF family of genes in patients with AMD was carried out using the oligonucleotide microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methods.Results: In the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from AMD group receiving ranibizumab compared to the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from AMD group before ranibizumab treatment using oligonucleotide microarray technique, six statistically significant differentially expressed transcripts related to the IGF family were detected (unpaired t-test, p1.5). Moreover, analysis using the real-time RT-qPCR technique revealed statistically significant differences in the IGF2 and IGF2R mRNA levels (Mann–Whitney U test, p

The paper presents the results of the electrochemical corrosion tests of Inconel 600 and Inconel 625 laser-welded superalloys. The studies were conducted in order to assess the resistance to general and pitting corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution. It was found that Inconel 600 possesses good corrosion resistance, however Inconel 625 is characterized by a greater resistance to general and also to pitting corrosion of the weld as well as the base metal.

The aim of this research was the evaluation of whether the application of 5-ALA, which has potential as a plant growth stimulating agent with indirect anti-stress activity, can limit the damage caused by low temperatures in winter. The research was conducted on frost-sensitive apple cultivars for three years in an orchard and in a laboratory. During the vegetative seasons of each year, the trees of three apple cultivars (‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Gala’ and ‘Šampion’) were subject to 5-ALA foliar application. Three times during each winter following the field application, apple shoots were taken to the laboratory and frozen at −20°C, −25°C and −30°C. After incubation, the damage to the sensitive parts of the shoots was evaluated. The application had a positive effect on the frost resistance of all cultivars, most often at the end of dormancy, which is especially noteworthy because frost damage occurs most frequently during this period. Positive effects of the application were found in most of the experiment combinations of cultivar, year, freezing date and shoot part. Additionally, the positive influence of 5-ALA application on frost resistance was found to increase with each year of the research.

Katarzyna Michalska-Małecka,1,2 Agnieszka Regucka,2 Dorota Śpiewak,2 Magdalena Sosnowska-Pońska,2 Alfred Niewiem2 1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 2University Clinical Center, University Hospital Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Purpose: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. This review aims to describe the relationship between acetylsalicylic acid and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – a chronic disease that causes deterioration of visual acuity and is one of the most common ophthalmological diseases these days. Methods: Data presented in this review were collected from both research and review articles concerning ophthalmology and pharmacology. Results: The results of the studies analyzed in this review are not unambiguous. Moreover, the studies are not homogenous. They differed from one another in terms of the number of patients, the age criteria, the ASA dose, and the duration of control period. The reviewed studies revealed that ASA therapy, which is applied as a protection in cardiovascular diseases in patients with early forms of AMD and geographic atrophy, should not be discontinued. Conclusion: On the basis of the present studies, it cannot be unequivocally said whether ASA influences people’s vision and if people endangered with AMD progression or who are diagnosed with AMD should use this drug. It may increase the risk of AMD, but it can also reduce the risk of life-threatening conditions. The authors suggest that in order to avoid possible risks of AMD development, people who frequently take ASA should have their vision checked regularly. Keywords: acetylsalicylic acid, AMD, lipofuscin genesis, drusen genesis, retinal pigment epithelium cells, geographic atrophy

Katarzyna Michalska-Małecka,1,2 Aneta Gaborek,2 Mariusz Nowak,3 Tomasz Halat,4 Mariola Pawłowska,2 Dorota Śpiewak2 1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, 2University Center of Ophthalmology and Oncology, Independent Public Clinical Hospital, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, 3Pathophysiology Division, Department of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Silesia, School of Medicine with Division of Density, Zabrze, 4Education and Medical Simulation Center, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) on macular morphology and functions in eyes with macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion. Efficacy outcomes of the treatment were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT). Safety outcomes were intraocular pressure and cornea endothelial cell density. The study was conducted by the prospective analysis on 36 patients (17 women and 19 men) aged 28–77 years (the average age was 58±15 years) treated with the injection of dexamethasone implant because of the persistent ME at the Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of the University Centre of Ophthalmology and Oncology in Katowice. The studied group included 16 patients with central retinal vein occlusion (16 eyes), and 20 patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (20 eyes). We found a significant increase of BCVA after first, second, and third month of treatment. Six months after the treatment, BCVA decreased, although not significantly compared with the value obtained in the third month. Two months after the intravitreal implantation of dexamethasone delivery system, CRT was 338±163 µm and was significantly lower compared with pretreatment value. Between third and sixth month after the treatment, we found insignificant increase of CRT compared with thickness observed in second month. Two months after the treatment, we found an increase in intraocular pressure in 36% of cases and a further decrease during the final visit 6 months after the treatment. During the treatment, there were no significant differences in endothelial cell density in branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion. We found the intravitreal dexamethasone implant to be safe, well tolerated, and likely to lead to fast morphological and functional improvement of the macula and visual rehabilitation in patients with ME due to retinal vein occlusion. Keywords: macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, intravitreal implant, dexamethasone, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure

The main focus of this paper is the capabilities of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a military logistic support in conflicts areas. The conducted research addresses the problems of traditional military delivery methods. Next, the problem of using UAVs only for civilian purposes is considered. The paper begins with short elucidation of logistic support and further provides the classification of logistic materials and discusses five categories of military equipment from the logistics point of view. Next, the paper discusses the characteristics of the parameters and properties of the chosen existing UAVs that are used for the delivery of materials. Consequently, a comparison of the UAVs is carried out, and new technologies for logistic transport are presented. This paper is concluded with the claim that it is necessary to modernize the process of logistic support in the military.

Katarzyna Michalska-Małecka,1,2 Adam Kabiesz,2 Malgorzata W Kimsa,3 Barbara Strzałka-Mrozik,3 Maria Formińska-Kapuścik,2,4 Malgorzata Nita,5 Urszula Mazurek31Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 2University Center for Ophthalmology and Oncology, Independent Public Clinical Hospital, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 3Department of Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 4Clinical Department of Children Ophthalmology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; 5Domestic and Specialized Medicine Centre “Dilmed”, Katowice, PolandAbstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic effects of intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The impact of intravitreal ranibizumab injections on central retinal thickness (CRT) of treated and contralateral untreated eyes, and differences in gene expression patterns in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed. The study included 29 patients aged 50 years old and over with diagnosed neovascular AMD. The treatment was defined as 0.5 mg of ranibizumab injected intravitreally in the form of one injection every month during the period of 3 months. CRT was measured by optical coherence tomography. The gene expression profile was assigned using oligonucleotide microarrays of Affymetrix HG-U133A. Studies have shown that there was a change of CRT between treated and untreated eyes, and there were differences in CRT at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 months of ranibizumab treatment. Three months after intravitreal injection, mean CRT was reduced in the treated eyes from 331.97±123.62 to 254.31±58.75 µm, while mean CRT in the untreated fellow eyes reduced from 251.07±40.29 to 235.45±36.21 µm at the same time. Furthermore, the research has shown that among all transcripts, 3,097 expresses change after the ranibizumab treatment in relation to controls. Among these transcripts, 1,339 were up-regulated, whereas 1,758 were down-regulated. Our results show the potential systemic effects of anti-VEGF therapy for AMD. Moreover, our study indicated different gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells before and after intravitreal ranibizumab treatment. Keywords: ranibizumab, contralateral eye, central retinal thickness, oligonucleotide microarrayCorrigendum for this paper has been published.

A group of supported ruthenium catalysts was prepared and tested in methanation of small CO amounts (7000 ppm) in hydrogen-rich streams. High surface area graphitized carbon (484 m2/g) was used as a support for ruthenium and RuCl3 was used as a Ru precursor. Some of the Ru/C systems were additionally doped with barium (Ba(NO3)2 was barium precursor). The catalysts were characterized by the chemisorption technique using CO as an adsorbate. To determine the resistance of the catalysts to undesired carbon support methanation, the TG-MS experiments were performed. They revealed that the barium addition inhibits support losses. The studies of CO methanation (fl ow reactor, atmospheric pressure) have shown that some of the supported ruthenium catalysts exhibit high activities referred to the metal mass. The catalytic properties of ruthenium proved to be dependent on metal dispersion. Some of the Ru/C and Ba-Ru/C systems exhibit higher activity in CO hydrogenation than the commercial nickel-based catalyst.

W pracy przedstawiono badania woltamperometryczne procesu elektroosadzania cyrkonu z roztworu DMSO na różnych podłożach. Stwierdzono, że jest to procees wieloelektronowy zachodzący w kilku etapach. Ponadto otrzymano warstwy cyrkonu na tytanie, miedzi, stali kwasoodpornej i niklu. Wytworzony osad katodowy miał formę białego proszku, na skutek natychmiastowego utlenienia cyrkonu w kontakcie z powietrzem.

Abstract This study investigates the efficacy of predicting age-related macular degeneration (AMD) activity through deep neural networks (DNN) using a cross-instrument training dataset composed of Optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCTA) images from two different manufacturers. A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 2D vascular en-face OCTA images from Heidelberg Spectralis (1478 samples: 1102 training, 276 validation, 100 testing) and Optovue Solix (1003 samples: 754 training, 189 validation, 60 testing). OCTA scans were labeled based on clinical diagnoses and adjacent B-scan OCT fluid information, categorizing activity into normal, dry AMD, active wet AMD, and wet AMD in remission. Experiments explored cross-instrument disease classification using separate and combined datasets for training the DNN. Testing involved 100 Heidelberg and 60 Optovue samples. Training on Heidelberg data alone yielded 73% accuracy on Heidelberg images and 60% on Optovue images. Training on Optovue data alone resulted in 34% accuracy on Heidelberg and 85% on Optovue images. Combined training data from both instruments achieved 78% accuracy on Heidelberg and 76% on Optovue test sets. Results indicate that cross-instrument classifier training demonstrates high classification prediction accuracy, making cross-instrument training viable for future clinical applications. This implies that vascular morphology in OCTA can predict disease progression.

Katarzyna Michalska-Małecka,1 Mariusz Nowak,2 Piotr Gościniewicz,1 Jacek Karpe,3 Ludmiła Słowińska-Łożyńska,4 Agnieszka Łypaczewska,1 Dorota Romaniuk11Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital No 5, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, 2Pathophysiology Division, Department of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, 3Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, 4Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Silesia, PolandAim: The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation (IOL) for patients aged 90 years or older, whom we define as “very elderly.”Methods: The study involved a total number of 122 patients (122 eyes) with senile cataracts. The mean age of patients was 91.2 ± 2.3 years (range 90–100 years old). Phacoemulsification (phaco) was done on 113 of 122 eyes, and 9 of 122 eyes had extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). Postoperative visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) were analyzed on the first postoperative day, 3 months after surgery, and 6 months after surgery.Results: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in 100 of 122 eyes (82.0%). BCVA remained the same in 20 of 122 eyes (16.4%) and decreased in 2 of 122 eyes (1.6%), mainly because of coexisting age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The BCVA 3 months after surgery was ≥0.8 in 23 of 122 eyes (18.9%), between 0.5 and 0.7 in 28 of 122 eyes (22.3%), and between 0.2 and 0.4 in 33 of 122 eyes (27.1%). We found significant implications of cataract surgery on decreasing IOP in the studied group of patients suffering from glaucoma compared to the patients without glaucoma.Conclusion: Advanced age is not a contraindication for cataract surgery. The results of the study showed that when systemic conditions are stable, both phaco and ECCE with IOL for very elderly patients are effective and safe.Keywords: very elderly patients, cataract surgery, postoperative best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a pivotal technique for imaging macromolecular structures. However, despite extensive processing of large image sets collected in cryo-EM experiments to amplify the signal-to-noise ratio, the reconstructed 3D protein-density maps are often limited in quality due to residual noise, which in turn affects the accuracy of the macromolecular representation. Here, crefDenoiser is introduced, a denoising neural network model designed to enhance the signal in 3D cryo-EM maps produced with standard processing pipelines. The crefDenoiser model is trained without the need for `clean' ground-truth target maps. Instead, a custom dataset is employed, composed of real noisy protein half-maps sourced from the Electron Microscopy Data Bank repository. Competing with the current state-of-the-art, crefDenoiser is designed to optimize for the theoretical noise-free map during self-supervised training. We demonstrate that our model successfully amplifies the signal across a wide variety of protein maps, outperforming a classic map denoiser and following a network-based sharpening model. Without biasing the map, the proposed denoising method leads to improved visibility of protein structural features, including protein domains, secondary structure elements and modest high-resolution feature restoration.

The aim of the study is to assess effectiveness of sewage sludge composting efficiency oil the basis of survival of Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria. Carriers containing a strain of S. Enteritidis were added to three layers of a compost pile made of dehydrated sewage sludge from a mechanical-biological wastewater treatment plant and wheat straw. The maximum time of the bacteria survival was established which was found to be the longest in the bottom part of the heap and was 58 days, whereas in the top layer of the pile the survival time of the microorganisms was the shortest, which is 49 days. In the thermophilic stage the highest generated temperatures were from 66 to 73°C for a period of 7 days. It found reflection in the fastest rate of Salmonella bacilli inactivation. A thermophilic stage was also found in the middle layer of the pile which lasted for 5 days throughout which period the temperature ranged from 66 to 72°C. Temperatures in the bottom part of the pile were found to be lower, from 30 to 61°C, whereas temperature above 60°C was reported only for 2 days.

Excessive supply of nutrients contributes to gradual eutrophication of water. This process can happen fast, especially in shallow lakes which are more prone to degradation. This also causes deterioration of settlement conditions of many organisms and limits economic use of water. Eutrophication can lead to gradual shallowing and shrinking of water reservoirs and subsequently disappearance of lakes. Therefore, appropriate diagnosis and reduction of the amount of pollutantsflowing into lakes are crucial for the water quality improvement and prevention from further degradation. The Mogileńskie Lake, like many other town lakes was supplied with sewage. As a consequence, the reservoir stopped being an attractive urban element, and became an object cumbersomeaud dangerous to the residents health. For this reason the lake has been subjected to many protection and reclamation processes.The water samples were taken 10 times from 3 sampling points between September 2014 and June 2015. The contents of total phosphorus, phosphorates, total nitrogen, nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium nitrogen was measured in the tested water. The results obtained from the water analyzed for biogenic elements, and their compounds indicate low effectiveness of the carried out reclamation. According to many authors, the choice of artificial aeration as a reclamation process for the Mogileńskie Lake was a mistake.This cleaning method does not provide the expected results when used for shallow and polymictic lakes, especially in combination with an invasive method of dredging and the controversial deposing of the extracted residues in the direct proximity of the lake.