Polish emigre publishing and book trade in Leipzig between 1830–1918

This article attempts to summarize and systematize available data on Polish emigre publishing, printing and book trade in Leipzig. The chronological span covers the years 1830–1918, i.e., shortly before the outbreak of the November insurrection, the following years of the emigration of political elites from Poland (the socalled Great Emigration) until the times when Poland regained its independence in 1918.This article attempts to summarize and systematize available data on Polish emigre publishing, printing and book trade in Leipzig. The chronological span covers the years 1830–1918, i.e., shortly before the outbreak of the November insurrection, the following years of the emigration of political elites from Poland (the socalled Great Emigration) until the times when Poland regained its independence in 1918

Umbilical cord blood NGAL concentration as an early marker of perinatal asphyxia in neonates

Introduction: Recent reports have revealed increased concentration of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in cardiovascular diseases and after episodes of hypoxia. We hypothesized that elevated plasma NGAL levels could be a result of vascular endothelial injury due to perinatal asphyxia. Materials and methods: Ninety-three newborns with a gestational age ≥37 weeks, of which 32 newborns were asphyxiated (study group), and 61 were healthy children (control group), were enrolled in the study. Serum NGAL, lactate and creatinine concentrations, acid-base balance, neutrophil and white blood cell count were measured in the umbilical cord blood. Results: Asphyxiated newborns had a significantly lower pH value (7.0 vs. 7.3;

Late preterm infants – complications during the early period of adaptation

Abstract A subgroup of more mature preterm infants, so-called „near term” („late preterm”) infants, 34 weeks 0/7 days to 36 weeks 6/7 days, have become the interest of countless research recently. Objectives: the aim of the study is the observation of more frequent occurrence of clinical problems in near-term infants in comparison with term infants. Methods: A retrospective review, conducted from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008, included 1271 neonatal records and subset analyses of 312 near-term infants and 812 full term infants. Results: Late preterm newborns were at higher risk of respiratory distress syndrome (

Temperature-dependent polymorphism of N-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide 3-oxide: experimental and theoretical studies on intermolecular interactions in the crystal state

X-ray analysis of N-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide 3-oxide reveals the temperature-dependent polymorphism associated with the crystallographic symmetry conversion. The observed crystal structure transformation corresponds to a symmetry reduction from I41 /a (I) to P43 (II) space groups. The phase transition mainly concerns the subtle but clearly noticeable reorganization of molecules in the crystal space, with the structure of individual molecules left almost unchanged. The Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that various intermolecular contacts play an important role in the crystal packing, revealing graphically the differences in spatial arrangements of the molecules in both polymorphs. The N-oxide oxygen atom acts as a formally negatively charged hydrogen bonding acceptor in intramolecular hydrogen bond of N–H…O− type. The combined crystallographic and theoretical DFT methods demonstrate that the observed intramolecular N-oxide N–H…O hydrogen bond should be classified as a very strong charge-assisted and closed-shell non-covalent interaction

Factors behind the elderly’s decision to accept or reject vaccination against influenza

Wstęp. Grypa to wirusowa choroba układu oddechowego. Jest szczególnie niebezpieczna dla osób w starszym wieku. Podeszły wiek oraz obciążenie wieloma współistniejącymi chorobami zwiększają ryzyko wystąpienia poważnych komplikacji pogrypowych, do zgonów włącznie. Najtańszą i najskuteczniejszą formą profilaktyki grypy są szczepienia. Celem badań opisanych w niniejszej pracy było określenie czynników wpływających na decyzję pacjentów powyżej 60. roku życia o szczepieniu się przeciw grypie. Materiał i metody. Badania przeprowadzono metodą sondażu diagnostycznego. Narzędziem był kwestionariusz skonstruowany dla celu badań. Badaną grupę stanowiło 101 osób. Wyniki. Popularność szczepień wśród osób w starszym wieku jest niska - skorzystało z nich 28% badanych. Szczepionka ma ich uchronić przed wystąpieniem groźnych powikłań pogrypowych. Najczęstszymi powodami rezygnacji ze szczepień były brak wiary w skuteczność szczepionki, obawa, że może ona spowodować chorobę oraz duży koszt jej nabycia. Wnioski. Na decyzję o przyjęciu szczepionki przeciwgrypowej wpływają istotne statystycznie cechy społecznodemograficzne, czynniki sytuacyjne oraz osobiste przekonania.Background. Influenza is a virus disease that affects the respiratory system. It is particularly dangerous for the elderly. Advanced age and numerous accompanying diseases increase the risk of serious post-influenza complications and eventually death. Vaccination is the least expensive and the most effective method of preventing influenza. The aim of the study was the identification of factors behind a patient’s decision to vaccination against influenza. Material i methods. Diagnostic pool was employed as a method. A specially designed questionnaire served as a tool of research. The study group included 101 patients. Results. Vaccination does not enjoy great popularity amongst the elderly, it was accepted by 28% of respondents. Vaccination is designed to protect them against dangerous post-influenza complications. The most common reason for rejecting vaccination were doubts about its effectiveness, apprehension about the disease it may cause and the high cost of vaccination. Conclusion. A decision to accept or reject vaccination against influenza is essentially determined statistically by social and demographic features, situational criteria and personal beliefs

Changes in Gene and Protein Expression of Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and Their Inhibitors TIMP2 and TIMP3 in Different Parts of Fluoride-Exposed Rat Brain

Fluoride (F) exposure decreases brain receptor activity and neurotransmitter production. A recent study has shown that chronic fluoride exposure during childhood can affect cognitive function and decrease intelligence quotient, but the mechanism of this phenomenon is still incomplete. Extracellular matrix (ECM) and its enzymes are one of the key players of neuroplasticity which is essential for cognitive function development. Changes in the structure and the functioning of synapses are caused, among others, by ECM enzymes. These enzymes, especially matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), are involved in both physiological processes, such as learning or memory, and pathological processes like glia scare formation, brain tissue regeneration, brain-blood barrier damage and inflammation. Therefore, in this study, we examined the changes in gene and protein expression of MMP2, MMP9, TIMP2 and TIMP3 in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum of rats (Wistar) exposed to relatively low F doses (50 mg/L in drinking water) during the pre- and neonatal period. We found that exposure to F during pre- and postnatal period causes a change in the mRNA and protein level of MMP2, MMP9, TIMP2 and TIMP3 in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum. These changes may be associated with many disorders that are observed during F intoxication. MMPs/TIMPs imbalance may contribute to cognitive impairments. Moreover, our results suggest that a chronic inflammatory process and blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage occur in rats’ brains exposed to F

New challenges in the area of disaster victim identification

Artykuł jest poświęcony tematyce oględzin miejsc katastrof i przestępstw o charakterze terrorystycznym oraz identyfikacji ofiar. W opracowaniu podsumowano piątą edycję międzynarodowej konferencji naukowej „Miejsce Zdarzenia”, która odbyła się w dniach 26–27 kwietnia 2017 roku w Gdańsku. Jej uczestnicy wskazali na kierunki, które należy przyjąć w kwestii zapewnienia właściwego wykorzystania zasobów DVI (ang. Disaster Victim Identification). W artykule podkreślono konieczność stosowania w omawianych działaniach międzynarodowych standardów zgodnych z opracowanym przez Interpol Podręcznikiem DVI. Przypomniano o obowiązujących w Polsce procedurach zarządzania kryzysowego, które regulują działania poszczególnych służb w kraju, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem roli Policji w omawianej problematyce. Przedstawiono również Inicjatywę Malty dotyczącą współpracy w zakresie DVI na poziomie międzynarodowym, która została ujęta w formie Konkluzji Rady w sprawie stworzenia nieformalnej sieci ekspertów kompetentnych w dziedzinie identyfikacji ofiar katastrof. Zintensyfikowane działania na szczeblu międzynarodowym, będące niejako odpowiedzią na liczne zagrożenia terrorystyczne ostatnich dekad, stanowią podstawę do utworzenia zespołu ds. identyfikacji ofiar katastrof w PolsceThe article focuses on the subject of examining the scene of disaster or terrorism-related offence as well as victim identification. It includes a summary of the fifth edition of the International Scientific Conference “Crime Scene” that took place in Gdańsk from 26 to 27 April 2017. The participants recommended the directions to be taken with a view to ensuring the appropriate use of DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) resources. With respect to on-scene activities, the article emphasizes the need to abide by international standards that are compatible with the Interpol DVI Guide. Crisis management procedures applicable in Poland, governing the activities of state services, with particular regard to the role of the police, are quoted herein. Additionally, the article discusses the initiative of the Maltese Presidency concerning international cooperation in DVI matters, which has been included in the European Council conclusions on the creation of an informal network of experts competent in the field of Disaster Victim Identification. Intensified activities at the international level, which can be perceived as a response to numerous terrorism-related threats observed over recent decades, can lay the foundation for establishing a Disaster Victim Identification team in Poland