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The main purpose of this study is comparison of orthometric heights of measuring points and the accuracy of these heights depending on selected geoid model and measurement method. In addition, for better understanding of the essence of conducted research, paper provides information about: geoid and other surfaces used in geodesy to describe the terrestrial globe, modelling methods of equipotential surfaces and data that can be used to develop them, the most important geoid models developed for the area of Poland and the world, the technique of determining the orthometric heights using various measuring methods. Heights of two measuring points, located on the premises of Wrocław University of Science and Technology, were determined to achieve thesis statement. The scope of the study is limited to determining the orthometric heights of points for three global geoid models and four geoid models developed for the area of Poland. Among the selected equipotential surfaces were: geoida niwelacyjna 2000, GUGiK 2001, GEOIDPOL 2008A/C/CN, PL-GEOID-2011, OSU91, EGM96 and EGM2008.

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR), particularly in its association with obesity. This study evaluate both the diagnostic and clinical significance of assessing oxidative status in patients affected by overweight and obesity displaying IR, especially with reactive hypoglycemic episodes (RH). A comprehensive examination of OS biomarkers was carried out, encompassing measurements of total oxidative capacity (TOC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Our analysis results reveal noteworthy connections between OS levels and the severity of IR in overweight and obese patients. Moreover, in the study, we demonstrated the diagnostic utility of serum concentrations of TAC and TOC as indicators of the risk of RH, the occurrence of which, even at the stage of overweight, may be associated with increased OS and further development of obesity. Our findings imply that the evaluation of oxidative status could serve as a crucial diagnostic and prognostic tool for patients observed with IR and overweight and obesity. In conclusion, our study underscores the potential utility of assessing oxidative status in the context of IR and highlights the possibility of identifying novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of overweight and obese patients.

Background and Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), often necessitates long-term treatment and hospitalizations and also may require surgery. The macrophage-stimulating 1 (MST1) rs3197999 polymorphism is strongly associated with the risk of IBD but its exact clinical correlates remain under investigation. We aimed to characterize the relationships between the MST1 rs3197999 genotype and the clinical characteristics in children and adolescents with IBD within a multi-center cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Clinical data included serum C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, activity indices (PUCAI, PCDAI), anthropometric data, pharmacotherapy details, surgery, and disease severity. Genotyping for rs3197999 was carried out using TaqMan hydrolysis probes. Results: The study included 367 pediatric patients, 197 with Crohn’s disease (CD) (40.6% female; a median age of 15.2 years [interquartile range 13.2–17.0]) and 170 with ulcerative colitis (UC) (45.8% female; a median age of 15.1 years [11.6–16.8]). No significant relationships were found between MST1 genotypes and age upon first biologic use, time from diagnosis to biological therapy introduction, PUCAI, PCDAI, or hospitalizations for IBD flares. However, in IBD, the height Z-score at the worst flare was negatively associated with the CC genotype (p = 0.016; CC: −0.4 [−1.2–0.4], CT: −0.1 [−0.7–0.8], TT: 0.0 [−1.2–0.7)]). The TT genotype was associated with higher C-reactive protein upon diagnosis (p = 0.023; CC: 4.3 mg/dL [0.7–21.8], CT 5.3 mg/dL [1.3–17.9], TT 12.2 mg/dL [3.0–32.9]). Conclusions: This study identified links between MST1 rs3197999 and the clinical characteristics of pediatric IBD: height Z-score and CRP. Further studies of the associations between genetics and the course of IBD are still warranted, with a focus on more extensive phenotyping.

The research was carried out in calcareous fen habitats which share coverage with Natura 2000 sites designated under the EU Habitats and the Birds Directive. A total of 27 taxa of molluscs were recorded: 23 gastropod and 4 bivalve species. Anisus vorticulus, one of the species of Community interest whose conservation requires designation of special conservation areas within the Habitats Directive Natura 2000, was subrecedent and accedent in mollusc communities. Calcareous fen habitats offer the aquatic organisms harsh environmental conditions including a relatively high temperature of the water up to 33.29 °C (undrained fens), oxygen deficits in the water, high pH of up to 11.08 (fen pools) and conductivity above 3000 μS cm−1 (fen ditches). Therefore molluscs have to face extreme environmental conditions. Temperature of the water, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity were the parameters most associated with the distribution of mollusc species in the calcareous fen habitats. The abundance of submerged and floating macrophytes, the degree of habitat persistence and the fish predation pressure on molluscs also exerted a significant effect on their distribution. The calcareous fen habitats that are listed in Annex I of the European Union Habitats Directive create a unique valuable ecosystem that contributes to the natural diversity of aquatic organisms.

In physiological concentrations, reactive oxygen species play a vital role in regulating cell signaling and gene expression. Nevertheless, oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases and can inflict damage on diverse cell types and tissues. Thus, understanding the factors that mitigate the deleterious effects of oxidative stress is imperative for identifying new therapeutic targets. In light of the absence of direct treatment recommendations for reducing oxidative stress, there is a continuing need for fundamental research that utilizes innovative therapeutic approaches. Metformin, known for its multifaceted beneficial properties, is acknowledged for its ability to counteract the adverse effects of increased oxidative stress at both molecular and cellular levels. In this review, we delve into recent insights regarding metformin’s antioxidant attributes, aiming to expand its clinical applicability. Our review proposes that metformin holds promise as a potential adjunctive therapy for various diseases, given its modulation of oxidative stress characteristics and regulation of diverse metabolic pathways. These pathways include lipid metabolism, hormone synthesis, and immunological responses, all of which may experience dysregulation in disease states, contributing to increased oxidative stress. Furthermore, our review introduces potential novel metformin-based interventions that may merit consideration in future research. Nevertheless, the necessity for clinical trials involving this drug remains imperative, as they are essential for establishing therapeutic dosages and addressing challenges associated with dose-dependent effects.

In the realm of clinical management, Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) stands out as a prevalent thyroid malignancy, characterized by significant metabolic challenges, particularly in the context of carbohydrate metabolism. Recent studies have unveiled promising applications of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which are conventionally employed in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as potential adjuncts in anticancer therapy. DPP-IV and SGLT2 inhibitors can be imply to counteract the Warburg effect in cancer, with a specific focus on PTC, owing to their potential metabolic advantages and their influence on the tumor microenvironment, achieved by imposing restrictions on glucose accessibility. Consequently, a comprehensive review has been undertaken, involving meticulous examination of the existing body of evidence pertaining to the utilization of DPP-IV and SGLT2 inhibitors in the context of PTC. The mechanisms of action inherent to these inhibitors have been thoroughly explored, drawing upon insights derived from preclinical investigations. Furthermore, this review initiates discussions concerning the implications for future research directions and the formulation of innovative therapeutic strategies for PTC. As the intricate interplay between carbohydrate metabolism, the Warburg effect, and cancer progression garners increasing attention, attaining a comprehensive understanding of the roles played by DPP-IV and SGLT2 inhibitors in PTC management may serve as the cornerstone for novel approaches aimed at enhancing patient care and broadening the spectrum of available therapeutic modalities.

This work aimed to determine the influence of the inoculation of autochthonous cellulolytic bacteria on the com¬posting process without any modifications of physical or chemical parameters. Bacteria with cellulolytic abilities were isolated from composted material containing food and plant leftovers and identified as Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus altitudinis , and Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus . The experimental composter containing garden and household wastes was inoculated with bio-vaccine prepared as a mixture of isolated cellulolytic bacterial strains and com¬posted for the next 96 days parallelly to the control composter without the inoculation. During the experiment, chan¬ges in temperature, humidity, the content of the humic acids (HAs), organic carbon, nitrogen, and C:N ratio were determined. As the particular microbial groups play a key role in the composting process, the biodiversity of the microorganisms present in the composter as well as the number of psychrophilic, mesophilic, and spore-forming microorganisms, Actinomycetes , and fungi were analyzed. The changes in the abundance of particular bacterial groups were convergent with temperature changes in the temperature of composting material. The composting material inoculated with autochthonous microorganisms was characterized by higher HA content and lower biodiversity. The inoculation with autochthonous microorganisms positively influenced the composting material in the corners for the entire process and in the middle of the container for 61 days. Thus, the effect of inoculation depended on the localization of the process inside the container subjected to biopreparation.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer, and angioinvasion, the invasion of blood vessels by cancer cells, is a crucial pathological feature associated with disease progression and poor prognosis. Thus, a comprehensive search of scientific databases was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating angioinvasion markers in PTC. The selected studies were reviewed and analyzed to assess the clinical significance and potential utility of these markers in predicting angioinvasion and guiding treatment decisions. Numerous studies have investigated various markers associated with angioinvasion in PTC, including oxidative stress, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and other angiogenic factors. The results indicate that increased expression of these markers is correlated with the presence and extent of angioinvasion in PTC. Moreover, some studies suggest that these markers can serve as prognostic indicators and guide therapeutic strategies, such as selecting patients for more aggressive treatment approaches or targeted therapies. The findings from the reviewed literature highlight the potential clinical utility of angioinvasion markers in PTC. The identification and validation of reliable markers can aid in assessing the risk of angioinvasion, predicting disease progression, and optimizing treatment decisions for patients with PTC. However, further research and validation on larger patient cohorts are necessary to establish the robustness and generalizability of these markers in clinical practice.

To date, relatively few data have been available regarding the parasitism of water mite larvae on caddisflies; most available information relates to the adult stadia, fewer to caddisfly larvae, with just single references to pupae. The present paper examines the occurrence (phoresy and parasitism) of Piona stjordalensis larvae (119 individuals) on the larvae and pupae of Mystacides longicornis. It is possible that water mite larvae exhibit a new type of parasitism on caddisflies, with two consecutive parasitic larval stadia: one on the pupa, the other on the imago.

Cardiovascular risk factors could be present in mild adrenal au tonomous cortisol secretion (MACS). However, the most frequent cardiovascular risk factors in MACS have not been established. The aim of the present study was to analyse the di fference in cardiovascular risk factors in patients with MACS in comparison to those with non-functioning adrenal tumour (NFAT). A total of 295 patients with adrenal incidentalo ma were included in this retrospective study. We divided our group into those who showed suppression in 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) (NFAT) (serum co rtisol level ≤1.8 μg/ dL) and those who did not show suppression in the DST (MACS) (s erum concentration of cortisol > 1.8 μg/dL and ≤5 μg/dL). In the studied groups, we analysed the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular events. In our study, 18.9% of patients were defined as MACS. Importantly, T2DM was diagnosed in 41% of MACS vs 23% of NFAT (P < 0.01) and higher frequency of occurrence of hyperlipidaemia in NFAT (72.4%) vs MACS (53.6%) (P = 0.01) was observed. We did not observed differences in the frequency of obesity, hypertension, chronic kidney disea se, prediabetes, atrial fibrillation, stroke, ST and non-ST elevation myocardial infarct ion and coronary angioplasty between patients with MACS and NFAT (all P > 0.05; respectively). In MACS, T2DM is more prevalent than in NFAT; hyperlipidaemia is more prevalent in NFAT. Accordingly, no differences were found in the incidence of obesity, hypertension , prediabetes, chronic kidney disease between studied groups as well as cardiovascular events.

With the increase in use and application of carbon nanomaterials and the frequent presence of fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines antibiotics in the aquatic environment, their interactions have attracted extensive attention. In this study, adsorption of two antibiotics: oxytetracycline (OTC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) by four carbon-based nanomaterials (graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, multiwalled carbon-nanotubes, oxidized multiwalled carbon-nanotubes) affected by pH was investigated. The experiment was performed in two steps: (i) adsorption of OTC and CIP at different pH values, (ii) adsorption isotherm studies of both antibiotics on four carbon-based nanomaterials. Both steps were conducted using the batch equilibration technique. The results showed that the adsorption of both antibiotics on studied adsorbents was highly pH-dependent. The highest adsorption was obtained at pH 7.0, implying the importance of the zwitterionic antibiotics forms to adsorption. Antibiotics adsorption isotherms at three given pH values followed the order of pH 7.0 > 1.0 > 11.0, which confirmed zwitterionic species of OTC and CIP as having the greatest ability to adsorb on carbonaceous nanomaterials. Electrostatic interaction, π-π EDA interaction, hydrophobic interaction for both antibiotics, and additionally hydrogen bond for CIP were possible mechanisms responsible for OTC and CIP adsorption onto studied nanomaterials. These results should be important to understand and assess the fate and interaction of carbon-based nanomaterials in the aquatic environment. This study can also be important for the use of carbon nanomaterials to remove antibiotics from the environment.

Background/Objective: The aim of this study was to outline the relationships between selected parameters connected with lifestyle and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, i.e., a marker of ovarian reserve. By examining AMH levels in connection with nutrient intake and body composition parameters, this study aimed to provide a preliminary background for further studies focused on establishing dietary and lifestyle recommendations that could lead to improvements in fertility outcomes. Methods: The research involved 28 women, aged 26 to 42—both with and without ovulatory infertility—who were patients of the Reproductive Health Clinic at the Medical University of Białystok. The participants underwent a number of tests consisting of hormonal profiling, including AMH measurements, body composition analyses, and dietary assessments based on a 3-day food diary. Results: The findings of the study indicate that certain lifestyle factors are associated with changes in AMH levels. Most importantly, the multivariate linear regression model designed in the study shows that age, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), as well as the intake of sucrose, iodine, and erucic acid explain variations in serum AMH levels. These results support the hypothesis that modifiable lifestyle factors can influence AMH levels, and thus ovarian reserve. Conclusions: The study underscores the potential for targeted lifestyle interventions to support fertility and calls for further research in the form of prospective studies performed in larger groups of patients to substantiate these associations and inform fertility care strategies. Based on the preliminary results of this study, certain dietary ideas that could positively influence fertility have been proposed, focused on the normalization of body weight and the reduction in excess fat tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most published pediatric guidelines on food allergy highlight the importance of nutritional counseling and dietary adequacy to avoid either growth retardation or nutritional deficiencies. The aim of the study was an assessment of the nutritional status of children with IgE-mediated food allergies. Material and method: 45 patients with newly diagnosed food allergy (FA) and 33 healthy controls were analyzed (aged 6 to 72 months, 60.2% boys). The nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements (body weight and length) and serum laboratory tests. The results were analyzed with the Statistica 12 software (Tulsa, OK, USA). Results: 82%, 40%, 8.8%, and 6.6% of the studied children demonstrated allergy to hen’s egg, cow’s milk, pork meat, and wheat/rye, respectively. Z-score BMI < −2SD was more often found in the FA subjects under 30 months of age than in the controls (p = 0.04). As many as 77.8% of the FA subjects and 78.8% of the controls were of normal height (hSDS: −0.23 ± 1.74 and −0.31 ± 1.49, respectively, p = 0.8). Retinol binding protein four serum concentration was significantly lower in the FA group (17.01 ± 3.84 mg/L) than in the controls (20.47 ± 4.87 mg/L, p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the FA group and the controls (either in the younger or the older age group) (p > 0.05) for the serum concentrations of total protein, total cholesterol, thyroxin-binding prealbumin (TBPA), 25(OH)D, hemoglobin level or white blood cells. Conclusions: In patients under 30 months of age, one of the symptoms of food allergy may be body weight deficiency, while short stature is less common at the time of diagnosis.

The caddisflies (Trichoptera) of calcareous fen habitats, in contrast to those of other peatland types, have been poorly researched. We thus conducted a two-year study in south-eastern Poland encompassing four types of such habitats—drained and undrained fens and water bodies (pools and ditches) located within the fens—in order to define trichopteran reference assemblages (PCoA), indicator species (IndVal analysis), and the drivers (both natural and those associated with landscape management, including area protection) responsible for caddisfly species distribution (CCA). The most important environmental driver was habitat persistence. Distance-based RDA analysis revealed a distinct pattern in the distribution of species with or without diapause along the persistence gradient. Environmental drivers associated with plants were also crucial for both fens and water bodies. The key factor influencing the caddisfly assemblages of pools and ditches was the use and management of the surrounding land, whereas in the fens, it was the level of area protection. Physical and chemical water parameters had no statistically significant impact on the assemblages. Some factors can be modified by humans (e.g., water level regulation, vegetation, and landscape management) to maintain healthy ecosystems for aquatic insects.

The motivation for this study arises from the need to monitor the condition of a rehabilitated post-mining areas even decades after the end of the recovery phase. This can be facilitated with satellite derived spectral vegetation indices and Geographic Information System (GIS) based spatiotemporal analysis. The study area described in this work is located in Western Poland and has unique characteristics, as it was subjected to the combined underground and open pit mining of lignite deposits that had been shaped by glaciotectonic processes. The mining ended in early 1970’ties and the area was subjected to reclamation procedures that ended in the 1980’ties. We used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) spectral indices derived from Sentinel-2 data for the 2015–2022. period. Then, we applied a combination of GIS-based map algebra statistics (local, zonal and combinatorial) and GI* spatial statistics (hot spot and temporal hot spot) for a complex analysis and assessment of the vegetation cover condition in a post-mining area thought to be in the rehabilitated phase. The mean values of NDVI and EVI for the post-mining study area range from 0.48 to 0.64 and 0.24 to 0.31 and are stable in the analyzed 8 year period. This indicates general good condition of the vegetation and post-recovery phase of the area of interest. However, the combination of spatiotemporal analysis allowed us to identify statistically significant clusters of higher and lower values of the vegetation indices and change of vegetation cover classes on 3% of the study area. These clusters signify the occurrence of local processes such as, the encroachment of aquatic vegetation in waterlogged subsidence basins, and growth of low vegetation in old pits filled with waste material, barren earth zones on external waste dumps, as well as present-day forest management activities. We have confirmed that significant vegetation changes related to former mining occur even five decades later. Furthermore, we identified clusters of the highest values that are associated with zones of older, healthy forest and deciduous tree species. The results confirmed applicability of Sentinel-2 derived vegetation indices for studies of post-mining environment and for the detection of local phenomena related to natural landscaping processes still taking place in the study area. The methodology adopted for this study consisting of a combination of GIS-based data mining methods can be used in combination or separately in other areas of interest, as well as aid their sustainable management.

Current research on memory indicates that learning is most effective when it involves spaced retrieval practice of study materials. Here, we investigated whether the benefits of both retrieval practice and spacing can be further boosted when variability is introduced across practice sessions. Across six experiments, participants learned translations of foreign vocabulary, with foreign words embedded in contextual sentences hinting at the meaning of these words. These sentences were then either kept constant or varied from one learning cycle to another. Whenever repeated practice took the form of retrieval from long-term memory with contextual sentences serving as cues (with or without feedback after retrieval attempts), variable sentences led to better learning of the meanings of the embedded foreign words than constant sentences. The benefits of variable retrieval were observed both immediately after study and after a 24-h delay, and they were larger when retrieval practice was spaced rather than massed. However, these benefits were not appreciated by the learners who judged learning to be more effective with constant rather than variable cues. This metacognitive illusion, misaligning the effectiveness of learning and its appraisal by learners, was confirmed in the seventh experiment which focused on learning lecture content. Thus, while spaced retrieval practice employing variable cues clearly produces robust benefits for memory performance, such benefits may be severely underappreciated by the learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phloroglucinol (PHG), an analgesic and spasmolytic drug, shows promise in preventing high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. In Wistar rats, 10 weeks of PHG treatment did not prevent HFD-induced weight gain but significantly mitigated fasting hyperglycemia, impaired insulin responses, and liver steatosis. This protective effect was not linked to hepatic lipogenesis or AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Instead, PHG improved mitochondrial function by reducing oxidative stress, enhancing ATP production, and increasing anti-oxidant enzyme activity. PHG also relaxed gastric smooth muscles via potassium channel activation and nitric oxide (NO) signaling, potentially delaying gastric emptying. A pilot intervention in pre-diabetic men confirmed PHG's efficacy in improving postprandial glycemic control and altering lipid metabolism. These findings suggest PHG as a potential therapeutic for NAFLD and insulin resistance, acting through mechanisms involving mitochondrial protection, anti-oxidant activity, and gastric motility modulation. Further clinical evaluation is warranted to explore PHG's full therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]