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The research aimed to develop technological parameters of the TOPTIG method-based surfacing (using alloy Inconel 625) of boiler tubes (Ø 45×5) made of steel 13CrMo4-5 ensuring the obtainment of the iron content on the overlay weld surface below 5 %. The research resulted in the development of sets of parameters enabling the obtainment of overlay welds characterised by very high quality and the minimum degree of the stirring of the overlay weld metal with the base material. The above named sets of parameters were utilised when making a number of overlay welds on tubes. The research involved macroscopic metallographic tests of overlay welds, the identification of the base material content in the overlay weld, the determination of the chemical composition of the overlay weld surface as well as the performance of microscopic metallographic tests and the microanalysis of the chemical composition. It was ascertained that the TOPTIG technology enabled the making of overlay welds characterised by very high quality and the minimum degree of the stirring of the overlay weld metal with the base material (only 3.28 %) and made it possible to obtain an iron content of 2.75 % on the overlay weld surface using forced cooling performed inside the tube. Surfacing without cooling led to a significantly higher base material content in the overlay weld (approximately 14 %), where the content of iron on the overlay weld surface amounted to 8.47 %. 13 Ref., 3 Tables, 8 Figures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Elongation exercises are designed to reduce existing pathological or increased physiological curvatures of the spine. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes occurring in the parameters describing the anterior-posterior spinal curvatures during the performance of symmetric elongation exercises.

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Background: Carrying a backpack is common among schoolchildren. The effect of backpack load on spine pain and posture defects in children is often raised in the literature. According to scientific research, the maximum backpack load that is safe for children must not exceed 10-15% of their body mass. There is a lack of scientific reports related to the effect of frequently wearing a backpack on one shoulder among children and young adults and its influence on the shape of the anterior-posterior curvatures of spine., Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate body posture parameters in the sagittal plane for an asymmetrical backpack load equal to 10% of a child's body mass., Methods: The study was conducted using 162 primary schoolchildren aged 11-13 years. Each participant underwent three tests that examined postural parameters, including habitual posture, with the backpack on the participant's right and left shoulder. Posture was measured with the CQ Elektronik; which uses photogrammetry to make anthropometric calculations based on an image of the examined surface., Results: The asymmetrical backpack load resulted in a significant reduction of thoracic kyphosis (GKP: p=0.040). The angle of thoracic kyphosis increased between the measurements. The difference (GAMMA=0.054) revealed that the results were approaching significance., Conclusions: Considering the gravity of the problem, children should be educated on ergonomics by teachers, physiotherapist or nurses, including instructions on carrying a backpack and the effects of disregarding the basic rules on body posture, as part of their school curriculum. The acceptable backpack load, which is now believed to be 10% of the child's body mass, should be carefully considered by scientists. Our own results show that even a load of 10% of the body mass may induce negative changes in spinal posture.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine changes in the body posture parameters defining asymmetry of the trunk and lateral flexion of the spine in children while carrying a backpack weighing 10% of a child's weight., Background: Carrying a backpack may negatively affect the posture of schoolchildren and contribute to spinal pain., Method: The study involved 162 primary school students ages 11 to 13 years. The parameters describing body posture were assessed with a backpack carried on the right or left shoulder as well as without a load. To assess the predefined parameters, we used the CQ Elektronik System, employing the photogrammetric method., Results: Trunk inclination shifted significantly in the opposite direction to the shoulder the backpack was carried on, and an increase in shoulder asymmetry was also found. We also observed a more pronounced right-side lateral flexion of the spine when the backpack was carried on the right shoulder and an analogous relationship for the left side., Conclusion: The results of this study show that carrying a backpack in an asymmetrical manner negatively affects spine, even if the backpack weight constitutes 10% of the child's weight, which has been previously recommended as a safe load for a child's shoulders., Application: We suggest that the issue of safe backpack weight be reassessed and that students be taught basic ergonomic principles on how to carry loads. Changes to the management pattern of carrying textbooks to and from school also should be considered., (© 2014, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.)

Background: Nowadays, children spend increasingly more time in a seated position, both at school during class and at home in front of a computer or television., Objective: The aim of this study was to compare selected parameters describing body posture and scoliosis among children in sitting and standing positions., Methods: It was an observational, cross-sectional study involving 91 primary school children aged 11-13 years. The children's backs were photographed in standing and sitting positions. The values of selected parameters were calculated using photogrammetric examination based on the Moire projection phenomenon., Results: The results show significant statistical differences for the parameters defining the anteroposterior curves of the spine. The sitting position resulted in a decreased angle of inclination of the thoracolumbar spine, reduced depths of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and pelvic asymmetry., Conclusions: Maintaining a sitting position for a long time results in advanced asymmetries of the trunk and scoliosis, and causes a decrease in lumbar lordosis and kyphosis of a child's entire spine. Therefore, we advocate the introduction of posture education programs for schoolchildren.

Background: Involutional changes to the body in elderly patients affect the shape of the spine and the activity of postural muscles. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of age-related changes in spinal curvature on postural balance in elderly women., Methods: The study population consisted of 90 women, with a mean age of 70 ± 8.01 years. Static balance assessments were conducted on a tensometric platform, and posturographic assessments of body posture were performed using a photogrammetric method based on the Projection Moiré method., Results: The results obtained were analysed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test. We found a statistically significant correlation between body posture and the quality of the balance system response based on the corrective function of the visual system. The shape of the spinal curvature influenced postural stability, as measured by static posturography. Improvement in the quality of the balance system response depended on corrective information from the visual system and proprioceptive information from the paraspinal muscles., Conclusions: The sensitivity of the balance system to the change of centre of pressure location was influenced by the direction of the change in rotation of the shoulder girdle and spine. Development of spinal curvature in the sagittal plane and maintenance of symmetry in the coronal and transverse planes are essential for correct balance control, which in turn is essential for the development of a properly proportioned locomotor system.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of external measurements of parameters characterizing scoliosis using the photogrammetric method., Material: The study involved 120 children between the ages of 7 and 11 years in Podkarpackie (Poland)., Method: Measurements of body posture characteristics were performed using the photogrammetric method with mora projection. Each person was examined twice, once by two different therapists, with a time lapse of 20 minutes in between examinations., Results: High accuracy and no statistical significance were found among different measurements of asymmetry parameters characterizing the shoulder blades and hips. Regularities were also found in the characteristic measurements of curves of scoliosis. The POSTI parameter showed a significant variation and lack of compatibility of results., Conclusions: (1) The photogrammetric method used to assess the pathological changes caused by scoliosis gives significant results in terms of parameters characterizing the position of the shoulder blades and shoulders, as well as pelvis rotation. (2) High compliance measurements are also characterized by the length of the right and left arcs of scoliosis.

Purpose: Correct foot structure is important due to locomotion and postural stability. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between morphological foot structure and balance indices in a quiet standing position in women over 65 years of age., Methods: The study included 116 women aged 65-90 years. The mean age was 70.6 ± 8.4 years and BMI 29.1 ± 3.4 m/kg2. The measured indices included postural control while standing on both feet and photogrammetric foot evaluation. An analysis was performed of the selected foot and balance indices., Results: There were no significant differences observed in the feet structure. Certain correlations between some foot indices and the indices of postural control were noted. The increased differences in the width indices between the right and the left foot lead to balance deterioration. Larger angles of valgity and varus deformity of toes and indices describing the longitudinal arch and transverse front arch of the foot have the greatest impact on the deterioration of balance in the medio-lateral axis., Conclusions: The differences between the indices and morphological indices for the right and the left foot are not significant, which indicates the proportionate formation of feet in the individual life. The increased differences in the width indices between the right and the left foot lead to balance deterioration. Larger angles of valgity and varus deformity of toes and indices describing the longitudinal arch and transverse front arch of the foot have the greatest impact on the deterioration of balance in the medio-lateral axis.

Introduction and Aim: A physiotherapist's occupation requires high physical fitness and a properly functioning neuromuscular system. Working with patients is not always performed in accordance with the rules of work ergonomics. The aim of this paper was to verify the possible changes in the posture of students of physiotherapy after three years of professional training., Material and Methods: The sample group consisted of 30 randomly chosen students of physiotherapy. Each person was examined twice (at the age of 20 and at the age of 23). Both examinations were performed by the same researcher. The ultrasound system ZEBRIS Pointer was used for the examination; 17 parameters were analyzed in sagittal projection, frontal projection, and transversal projection., Results: Statistical analysis revealed positive correlations between the 10 parameters in examination 1 and examination 2 which means that a person with a relatively higher level of obliquity in examination number 1 also had slightly different values in an examination conducted three years later., Conclusion: Studying physiotherapy and physical work with patients resulted in a considerable worsening of the students' posture. It is advisable to educate students on ergonomics and the rules of safety and hygiene while working as a physiotherapist in order to protect the therapists' health.

Background: A current topic in the field of geriatrics still needing a great deal of study is the changes in body posture occurring with age. Symptoms of these changes can be observed starting between the ages of 40-50 years with a slow progression that increases after 60 years of age. The aims of this study were to evaluate parameters characterizing the posture of women over the age of 60 years compared with a control group and to determine the dynamics of body posture changes in the following decades., Methods: The study included 260 randomly selected women. The study group consisted of 130 women between the ages of 60-90 years (Older Women). The control group (Younger Women) consisted of 130 women between the ages of 20-25 years (posture stabilization period). The photogrammetric method was used to evaluate body posture using the phenomenon of the projection chamber. The study was conducted according to generally accepted principles., Results: In the analysis of parameters characterizing individual slope curves, results were varied among different age groups. The lumbar spine slope did not show significant differences between different age groups (p = 0.6952), while statistically significant differences (p = 0.0000) were found in the thoracic-lumbar spine slope (p = 0.0033) and upper thoracic spine slope. Body angle was shown to increase with age (p = 0.0000). Thoracic kyphosis depth significantly deepened with age (p = 0.0002), however, the thoracic kyphosis angle decreased with age (p = 0.0000). An increase in asymmetries was noticed, provided by a significantly higher angle of the shoulder line (p = 0.0199) and the difference in height of the lower shoulder blade angle (p = 0.0007) measurements in the group of older women., Conclusions: Changes in the parameters describing body posture throughout consecutive decades were observed. Therapy for women over the age of 60 years should involve strengthening of the erector spinae muscles and controlling body posture with the aim of reducing trunk inclination and deepening of thoracic kyphosis. Moreover, exercises shaping lumbar lordosis should be performed to prevent its flattening.

In patients with organ transplantation as compared to the general population the risk of cancer is significantly increased. The most common changes are malignant tumors of the skin, constituting 30-65% of malignant tumors found in recipients. Potential risk factors for skin cancer after a transplant operation are: solar radiation, immunosuppressive therapy, genetic factors, infection with HPV and skin cancer transmission before transplantation. In contrast to the immunocompetent population, skin cancers in transplant recipients are dominated by squamous cell carcinoma, followed by basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma in patients after transplantation is characterized by a strong tendency to give local recurrences and distant metastases. Due to the high risk of developing skin cancer in transplant recipients, preventive oncology plays an important role in the long-term care of patients after transplantation. This includes: sun protection, education, and early treatment of patients with precancerous lesions. It is also stressed that systematic dermatologic studies need to be carried out in patients after transplantation surgery. The paper contains basic information about skin cancers in organ transplant recipients: epidemiology, potential risk factors, treatment and prognosis. The paper presents also a case of patient who developed squamous cell carcinoma of the skin 3 years after renal transplantation.

Introduction: Pain disorders of the spine are the most common causes of appointments with physiotherapists. It has been estimated that nine out of ten adults at least once in their lifetime experience spine pains and five out of ten working people have this kind of ailments a minimum once a year., Objective: The evaluation of the occurrence of spine pains in people who are professionally active with regards to obeying the rules of work ergonomics., Material and Methods: The research group has been composed of 100 people professionally active from south-eastern Poland. Their ages have been from 20 to 50 years (average age has been 35 years). In the research the authors' own survey and VAS scale have been used on which the surveyed person has marked the intensity of pain experience in the area of the spine., Results: Greater pain in the spine has been experienced by people who have never obeyed the rules of, among others, manual lifting and/or carrying the maximum load, lifting and carrying heavy objects, in their work. The lowest degree of pain has been experienced by those who obeyed the above-mentioned rules., Conclusions: Assuming the incorrect body posture during the everyday activities and disobeying the rules of ergonomics resulting from lack of knowledge are crucial factors in the occurrence of spine pains. People who disobey rules of ergonomics experienced spine pain to a higher degree.

The aim of this study was to assess changes in the shape of the feet while carrying a backpack constituting 10% of a child's weight. It was an observational, cross-sectional study involving 118 primary school children aged 11-13 years. Selected parameters of foot shape were assessed in both a normal position and with a backpack using podoscopy and a CQ-ST examination device. The study revealed significant differences in the length and width of the right and left feet between assessments. Moreover, the longitudinal arch of the foot was significantly lowered and deformity of the great toe was reported. Carrying a backpack constituting 10% of a child's weight results in lowering of the longitudinal and traverse arches of the feet and advanced toe deformities., Practitioner Summary: We performed an observational, cross-sectional study examining the effect of carrying a backpack constituting 10% of a child's weight on parameters of foot shape and observed significant lowering of the longitudinal and traverse arches of the feet and advanced toe deformities.

Our aim was to assess the use of the internet for patients considering rhinoplasty, to identify the influence of the medical information acquired, and to review favourable and adverse aspects of the acquired knowledge online. A prospective study was conducted on 106 patients listed for post-traumatic or aesthetic rhinoplasty. We surveyed 18 questions to evaluate demographic and sociological data, and the importance of the information acquired from the internet. Respondents searched online for description of operations, contact with other patients, and with the surgeon, and for preoperative and postoperative pictures. Patients who were considering aesthetic rhinoplasty were given medical information by a third party or from the internet, and those who were having post-traumatic corrections were usually referred by their general practitioner. We conclude that the internet is an important source of medical information about rhinoplasty for patients, but it does not contain enough data. It plays an essential part, particularly for those patients having the operation for aesthetic reasons, in contrast to those having post-traumatic correction. Reviewing and certifying the plastic surgical websites would validate certified services. Independent, direct contact with the doctor helps patients to obtain more accurate, personalized knowledge. In addition, surgeons should support patients by giving them a list of verified websites, which would contribute to increased doctor-patient communication.

Background: With age, the body posture undergoes involutional changes. It is not possible to determine accurately the beginning of these changes. They begin between 40 and 50 years of age, and their slow progress increases after 60 years of age. The aim of this study was to assess the body posture of women and men over 60 years of age., Material and Method: Seventy people over 60 years old (35 women and 35 men) participated in the study. The control group consisted of 70 people (35 women and 35 men) between the age of 20 and 25. To evaluate the body posture non-invasive photogrammetric method based on the Moiré phenomenon has been used. The study was performed according to generally accepted principles., Results: Body posture of women and men over 60 years of age differs significantly in most of the parameters from body posture of women and men in the control group. These differences are confirmed when divided into groups based on gender. Comparing the parameters that characterize the posture of women and men over 60 years of age, a significant difference is only for parameter KLL, and body posture of men is characterized by the higher angle of lumbar lordosis (p = 0.0022)., Conclusions: 1. There are significant changes in body posture of women and men over 60 years of age both in the frontal and sagittal plane. 2. Men over 60 years of age have a significantly greater angle of lumbar lordosis. 3. The results of these studies should be used for the construction of a plan of exercises for the elderly taking into account all the changes that occur with age.

Background: Presently, breast cancer detection is delayed in Poland and, thus, the only other option for patients is amputation and breast reconstruction (immediate or delayed). Reconstructive methods are based on using the patient's own tissue (pedicled or free myocutaneous flaps) or implants (a tissue expander, which is later exchanged for a prosthesis or an expandable implant)., Objective: To evaluate the aesthetic results of a delayed two-stage breast reconstruction with the use of implants (expander and prosthesis) in patients who have previously undergone cancer-related mastectomy., Methods: From 2006 to 2009, 54 patients (34 to 65 years of age) underwent reconstruction at least one year after their mastectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy; three women also received x-ray therapy. All women underwent a two-stage treatment with a tissue expander, which was later exchanged for a prosthesis., Results: Outcomes of the surgery (evaluated by the physician and the patient at least six months after all stages of reconstruction) were found to be very good in 42 patients and good in 12 patients. After amputation and x-ray therapy in two cases, a fistula developed, which necessitated implant removal., Conclusions: After amputation, breast reconstruction with implants (expander and prosthesis) provides good aesthetic results. The method is mildly burdening to the patient and does not cause severe scarring. Symmetrization of the second breast is often recommended; however, the cost is not covered by the national health system. In principle, earlier x-ray therapy disqualifies the application of implants. Dividing reconstruction into two stages (expander and prosthesis) allows for possible correction of prosthesis placement.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Internet use by patients considering rhinoplasty and to identify the impact of such information on their decisions., Methods: Prospective analysis of the impact of information received via the Internet by patients considering rhinoplasty on their decision-making prior to surgery. Eighty six patients, scheduled for post-traumatic or aesthetic rhinoplasty, received a questionnaire, consisting of 19 questions, which sought to evaluate their perception of the importance of the Internet information to them and also collected relevant demographic and sociological data., Results: Respondents searched online for descriptions of medical procedures, information about how to contact other patients, pre- and post-operative pictures and making contact with a doctor. Patients considering aesthetic rhinoplasty received medical information from a third party or via the Internet. Individuals requiring post-traumatic surgical treatment were usually referred by family doctor., Conclusion: Patients planning nasal aesthetic surgery form their opinions after consulting friends and searching the Internet, which can act as an important medical assistance.

The aim of this study was to compare the aesthetic results of post traumatic rhinoplasty among Europeans with populations of healthy Caucasians described in earlier reports, and to collate correct parameters of nasal shape in healthy representatives of both sexes and various races for improvement in aesthetic results of surgery. 3-D scanning of the face was performed in 54 patients after posttraumatic septorhinoplasty. Analysis of 3D model was based on two indices of the nasal proportions and four angles of the region from 18 anthropological points. Parameters of the nasal shape in addition to gender were compared to average values of healthy Caucasian population, described before. Normal characteristics of the nose among individuals of three races from previous studies were also compared to one another. In females, mean height and width of the nose as well as length of both nostrils was smaller. Neither were there any significant differences in width of the nostrils and length of the nasal pyramid nor nasal prominence. Nasal proportions were similar in both sexes. Some of the nasal angles differed in addition to gender. Posttraumatic rhinoplasty resulted in correct shape of the nose similar to the healthy Caucasian population. The aesthetic nose differ among healthy individuals of the three races analysed. While preoperative planning is important, knowledge of the normal values of parameters characterising shape in both genders is equally important as the individual differences in relation to the whole face.

The breast cancer suppressor proteins BRCA1 and BRCA2 interact with RAD51, a protein essential for maintaining genomic stability by playing a central role in homology-dependent recombinational repair of the DNA double-strand breaks. Therefore, genetic variability in the RAD51 gene may contribute to the appearance and/or progression of breast cancer. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5'- untranslated region of RAD51 (a G to C substitution at position 135, the G/C polymorphism) is reported to modulate breast cancer risk. We investigated the distribution of genotypes and frequency of alleles of the G/C polymorphism in breast cancer. Tumor tissues were obtained from postmenopausal women with node-negative and node-positive breast carcinoma with uniform tumor size. Blood samples from age matched healthy women served as control. The G/C polymorphism was determined by PCR-based MvaI restriction fragment length polymorphism. The distribution of the genotypes of the G/C polymorphism did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from those predicted by the Hardy-Weinberg distribution. There were no differences in the genotype distribution and allele frequencies between node-positive and node-negative patients. There were no significant differences between distributions of the genotypes in subgroups assigned to histological grades according to Scarf-Bloom-Richardson criteria and the distribution predicted by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Our study implies that the G/C polymorphism of the RAD51 gene may not be directly involved in the development and/or progression of breast cancer and so it may not be useful as an independent marker in this disease.

Cutaneous melanocytic nevi may cause cosmetic defects and represent a risk of malignant transformation. Most problems are posed by nevi of the face or those covering large areas of the body, the so-called giant congenital nevus. From 1986 until 1995, 295 patients with pigmented nevi underwent surgical treatment. The method employed depended upon the size and location of the melanocytic nevus. Results were evaluated according to a three-stage scale with consideration of the cosmetic outcome and satisfaction of the patients. Good results were obtained in 280 patients, satisfactory ones in 11 patients, and unsatisfactory ones (requiring corrective treatment) in 4 patients. Small and medium size nevi (up to 5 cm in diameter) can be removed in a one-stage procedure with suturing of the wound, local plasty or free-tissue skin graft. Blepharal and central facial lesions are best reconstructed with full-tissue skin grafting. Large nevi (over 5 cm in diameter) mandate a staged excision or removal at one-stage with prior use of a tissue expander or presuturing. Giant nevi require staged treatment with the use of an intermediate thickness skin graft or removal of superficial layers of the nevus, always preceded however by a histopathological examination.