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Abstract: The turnip moth, Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is an important pest insect in Europe, Asia, and Africa. We have genetically characterized and classified a nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from A. segetum larvae in Poland (AgseNPV-P). The restriction pattern of AgseNPV-P was distinct from an isolate from England/France (AgseNPV-UK and AgseNPV-F). Sequence analysis of three conserved baculovirus genes, polyhedrin, lef-8 and pif-2, revealed that AgseNPV-P differs substantially from the already described NPVs isolated from A. segetum and possibly represents a new NPV species. Phylogenetic analysis placed AgseNPV-P among group II NPVs and showed the closest relationship to Agrotis ipsilon (Agip) NPV and Spodoptera exigua (Se) MNPV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: An objective determination of the range of vocal efficiency is rather difficult. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of application of short-term acoustic efficiency analysis in diagnosing occupational voice disorders., Material and Methods: The study covered 98 people (87 women and 11 men) diagnosed with occupational dysphonia throuigh videostroboscopic examination. The control group comprised 100 people (81 women and 19 men) with normal voices. The short-term acoustic analysis was carried out by means of DiagnoScope software, including classical parameters (Jitter group, Shimmer group and the assessment of noise degree NHR), as well as new short-term efficiency parameters determined in a short time period during sustained phonation of the vowel "a." The results were then compared. Results: The values of all the examined classical parameters were considerably higher in the study group of pathological voices than in the control group of normal voices (p = 0.00). The aerodynamic parameter, maximum phonation time, was significantly shorter by over 0.5 s in the study group than in the control group. The majority of the acoustic efficiency parameters were also considerably worse in the study group of subjects with occupational dysphonia than in the control group (p = 0.00). Moreover, the correlation between the efficiency parameters and most of the classical acoustic parameters in the study group implies that for the voices with occupational pathology the decreased efficiency of the vocal apparatus is reflected in the acoustic voice structure., Conclusions: Effliciency parameters determined during short-term acoustic analysis can be an objective indicator of the decreased phonatory function of the larnx, useful in diagnosing occupational vocal pathology.

Unlabelled: For optimalisation glottis morphology and its phonatory function after frontolateral laryngectomy (FLL) the reconstruction of larynx is made; in Clinic of Otolaryngology the most common is using epiglottis wit or without its vertical incision., Aim of the Study: the influence of widening laryngeal resection and epiglottis incision on shape of reconstructed glottis, level and degree of phonatory closure and perceptive--acoustic characteristic of voice and speech., Material: 39 patients (38 M and 1 F) after FLL widened of false vocal cord (n = 11), false vocal cord and part of cricoid cartilage (n = 22), whole cricoid cartilage (n = 6). Vertical incision of epiglottis was made in 31 cases. Mean age was 52 (min.-39, max.-70) years. METHODICS: videolaryngoscopic examination, subjective voice estimation using GRBAS scale, objective phonetic--acoustic voice analysis., Results: In videolaryngoscopic examination the most common shape of glottis was irregular triangle (n = 24), rhombus (n = 7), half--moon (n = 2), irregular (n = 6). 2 patients were using whisper. In spectrographic recordings (n = 39) only noise character of stimulation source was in 2 patients, noise--periodic with noise component present in whole acoustic spectrum in 37. F0 for single word and sentence vocalized in affirmative and interrogative form had the value of male voices and its changes during speaking were well noted. In subjective and objective estimation, the worse voice quality was after FLL widened of false vocal cord, part or whole cricoid cartilage., Conclusion: 1) FLL with subsequent epiglottoplasty in 94% of patients makes satisfactory morphologic and biophysical conditions for production of voice and sociological efficient speech. 2) Widening resection of false vocal cord, part or whole cricoid cartilage has unbeneficial influence on perceptive--acoustic characteristic of voice and speech.

The aim of the study was to evaluate dynamics of selected acute phase proteins in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in children with viral meningitis and to assess diagnostic power of protein determination for detection and treatment monitoring. 51 children with viral meningitis caused by ECHO 30 virus were included in the study group. Concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), alpha2-haptoglobin (HPT) and C3 complement fragment were determined in serum and CSF at entry and at day 14 after admittance to hospital. Control group for serum determination consisted in 30 healthy children (Group K1) and control group for CSF determination consisted in 19 hospitalized children in whom the diagnosis of meningitis was not confirmed (group K2). The greatest rise of acute phase proteins concentration was observed in children in case of HPT, AAG and C3 complement when determined in serum. Meningitis in children that was caused by ECHO 30 virus produces slight acute phase reaction that is more evident in serum than in CSF. It is confirmed by remarkable increase of AAG, HPT, C3 complement in serum and HPT in CSF either at entry or at the day 14. The determination of AAG, HPT and C3 complement in serum have diagnostic power that is strong enough to meningitis diagnostics and monitoring of treatment.

Clinical picture of Borrelia burgdorferi infection has been presented in 45 children, aged 2-16 years from Łódź region. The analysis showed significant domination of cases with affected central and peripheral nervous system (44.4%) and rather unspecific symptoms such as: fever (20%) or headache (13.3%). Peripheral cranial nerves paralysis and symptoms of cerebrospinal meningitis dominated among children with neuroborreliosis. Unlike descriptions concerning adults, majority of the observed symptoms were changes characteristic for I and II stage of the disease. Dermatosis was found only in 1 child and symptoms of arthritis in 2 of them. Contact with tick was stated in 52% of the analysed children. Incidence of the disease occurred throughout the whole year, more frequently in summer and autumn months.