Kampfschwert für Harnischfechten: Sword from the Borderland of Neumark and Sternberg Land

Neumark and Sternberg Land- the provinces which were established as a result of the expansion of margraves in the 13th and 14th centuries into Greater Poland and Western Pomerania – are far from proper recognition. Similar remarks should be made to the medieval armament of these regions. The information about the existence of an accidentally found, late-medieval sword from this region, that had never been published and found its way into private collections, should be welcomed with interest.The sword remained in fairly good condition to our times; however, corrosion pits are visible, indicating its deposition in the ground. It has not very common type of blade with a ridge, characterized by a rhomboidal cross-section, considerable length, slenderness and a clearly marked point that allows it to be classified as type XVIIIb, which is dated in the literature from the second half of the 15th to the beginning of the 16th century. Swords with blades of the type XVIIIb were much stiffer and therefore more suitable for thrusts and piercing of armour. For this reason, they were considered a weapon to fight the enemy protected by plate armor. The form of a S-shaped crossguard with horizontally bent arms indicates its connection with the Style 12 or its variant 12a. The pear-shaped pommel allow to classify it as a T3 Type according to Oakeshott. The presence of diagonal grooves only at the top of the pommel makes it similar to the specimen from the Museum in Karlovy Vary, from the first half of the Sixteenth century.Blade of type XVIIIb are known mainly from Western and Central Europe and they were produced in Passau in Bavaria and in Hall in Tyrol. The mark in the form of the St. Andrew, visible on the blade of the analyzed sword, appears quite often on the tangs of swords from Central Europe. However, it is difficult to say unequivocally whether the second sign: a cross with forked top, which marked its blade, should be associated with blacksmith or sword maker workshops. They appear both on the tangs and blades. Both typological and iconographic arguments indicate that the sword should be dated to the end of the 15th – beginning of the 16th century, with a slight indication of the time around 1500, when it could be produced and used.The form of the sword, which enables both one-handed and two-handed combat, allows to consider analyzed sword as a bastard’s sword (Bastardschwert). The clear enhancement of the tip of sword, as well as the pear-shaped pommel, which allows for a better grip when giving powerful thrusts, indicate that the tested sword can be considered a weapon used mainly in armored foot combat (the so-called Harnischfechten).His appearance on the borderland of Neumark and Sternberg Land should be associated with the renaissance of the idea of organizing knightly tournaments that prevailed among the rulers of the Reich, including Brandenburg margraves from the Hohenzollern dynasty.Uzbrojenie średniowiecznych Nowej Marchii i Ziemi Torzymskiej dalekie są od należytego rozpoznania. Niepublikowany dotąd miecz późnośredniowieczny odkryty przypadkowo w latach 70. XX w. gdzieś w okolicach Słubic (dziś zbiory prywatne), pozwala naszą wiedzę na ten temat znacznie rozwinąć. Miecz przetrwał do naszych czasów w dość dobrym stanie. Znaczna długość i smukłość głowni z granią, pozwala sklasyfikować go jako typ XVIIIb, 12 (12a), T3 wg Oakeshotta. Głownie typu XVIIIb znane są głównie ze znalezisk z zachodniej i środkowej Europy i produkowano je w Pasawie w Bawarii oraz w Hall w Tyrolu. Argumenty typologiczne, jak i ikonograficzne wskazują na datowanie miecza na sam koniec XV – początek XVI w., z lekkim wskazaniem na czas około 1500 r. Forma miecza, umożliwiająca walkę zarówno jedną, jak i dwiema rękami, pozwala uznać okaz ten za miecz bękarci (Bastardschwert), a wyraźne wzmocnienie sztychu wskazuje na jego przeznaczenie jako broni wykorzystywanej w trakcie pieszej walki w zbroi (tzw. Harnischfechten). Jego pojawienie się na pogranicza Nowej Marchii i Ziemi Torzymskiej wiązać należy z renesansem idei organizacji turniejów rycerskich, jaki zapanował wśród władców Rzeszy

Autoimmune reaction against pancreatic beta cells in children and adolescents with simple obesity

IntroductionOne of the most important complications of obesity is insulin resistance, which leads to carbohydrate metabolism disorders such as type 2 diabetes. However, obesity is also associated with development of an autoimmune response against various organs, including pancreatic beta cells. The prevalence of such autoimmune processes in children and their possible contribution to the increased incidence of type 1 diabetes is currently unclear. Therefore, the present study assessed the prevalence of autoantibodies against pancreatic islet beta cell’s antigens in children and adolescents with simple obesity.Material and methodsThis prospective observational study included pediatric patients (up to 18 years of age) with simple obesity hospitalized between 2011 and 2016 at the Department of Pediatrics, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology of the Medical University of Lodz. Children with acute or chronic conditions that might additionally affect insulin resistance or glucose metabolism were excluded. Collected clinical data included sex, age, sexual maturity ratings (Tanner`s scale), body height and weight, waist and hip circumference, amount of body fat and lean body mass. Each participant underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test with simultaneous measurements of glycaemia and insulinemia at 0`, 60` and 120`. In addition, glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, fasting and stimulated c-peptide, total cholesterol, as well as high- and low-density cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Insulin resistance was assessed by calculating HOMA-IR index. The following autoantibodies against pancreatic islet beta cells were determined in each child: ICA - antibodies against cytoplasmic antigens of pancreatic islets, GAD - antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase, ZnT8 - antibodies against zinc transporter, IA2 - antibodies against tyrosine phosphatase, IAA – antibodies against insulin.ResultsThe study group included 161 children (57.4% boys, mean age 13.1 ± 2.9 years) with simple obesity (mean BMI z-score +2.2 ± 1.6). Among them, 28 (17.4%) were diagnosed with impaired glucose metabolism during OGTT [23 (82.2%) – isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 3 (10.7%) – isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 2 (7.1%) – IFG and IGT]. Of the children tested, 28 (17.4%) were tested positive for at least one islet-specific autoantibody [with similar percentages in boys (15, 17.4%) and girls (13, 17.3%), p=0.9855], with ICA being the most common (positive in 18, 11.2%), followed by IAA (7, 4.3%), ZnT8 (5, 3.1%), GADA (3, 1.9%) and IA2 (1, 0.6%). There was no association between the presence of the tested antibodies and age, sex, stage of puberty, parameters assessing the degree of obesity, HbA1c, lipid levels and basal metabolic rate. However, autoantibody-positive subjects were more likely to present IFG or IGT in OGTT compared to those who tested completely negative (9, 32.1% vs 19, 14.3%, p=0.0280). Their HOMA-IR was also significantly higher (HOMA-IR: 4.3 ± 1.9 vs 3.4 ± 1.9, p=0.0203) and this difference remained statistically significant after adjusting for sex and age (p=0.0340).ConclusionsChildren and adolescents with simple obesity presented a higher prevalence of markers of autoimmune response against pancreatic beta cells than the general population. Most often, they had only one type of antibody - ICA. The presence of autoimmune response indicators against pancreatic islet antigens is more common in obese patients with impaired carbohydrate metabolism and is associated with lower insulin sensitivity

Bio-Based Composites for Sound Absorption

The acoustic thermoplastic composites and a method for their production with the participation of the bio-components were presented. To form composite matrix polylactide fibres (PLA) were used. Natural fibres (flax (LI) and cotton (CO)), straw and cellulose ultra-short/ultra-fine fibres obtained from biomass were used as a reinforcement. Cellulose ultra-short/ultra-fine fibres were obtained from the flax fibres or straw by enzymatic treatment and optionally modified by silane. The tensile stress at maximum load of composites with the sub-microfibres obtained from waste flax fibres after silane modification is twice higher than that of the composite with the sub-microfibres without the silane modification

Zabiegi rekonstrukcyjne aorty u chorych wysokiego ryzyka

Background. The aim of this study is the presentation of proceeding method in high-risk patients qualified for reconstructive aortic surgery in abdominal segment. Retrospective evaluation of results was aimed at determining if the treatment algorithm developed in our Department allows for safe surgeries in high-risk patients. Material and methods. The studied group consisted of patients who underwent surgery between 2001 and 2004, were over 80 years of age with/or ejection fraction below 45%, with/or I or II grade of chronic obturative pulmonary disease (COPD), with/or serum creatinine level over 3 mg%. Fifty seven patients (41 with AAA), including 6 with symptomatic AAA, and 16 with bilateral AIOD) were qualified for the study after analysis of clinical database. The control group consisted of the remaining patients who underwent aortic reconstruction in the same period, i.e. 165 patients with AAA, including 20 with symptomatic AAA, and 111 with AIOD (in total, 276 patients). Results. It was found that the frequency of complications and mortality were not statistically different between the examined groups. Conclusion. The results of surgical treatment can be no different from those obtained in the remaining patients in experienced, interdisciplinary team after application of certain proceeding algorithms, anticipation of possible complications and constant analysis of own behaviour.Wstęp. W pracy przedstawiono sposób postępowania u chorych kwalifikowanych do zabiegów rekonstrukcyjnych aorty brzusznej, u których występuje wysokie ryzyko operacyjne. Retrospektywna ocena wyników ma na celu określenie, czy stosowany algorytm leczenia pozwala na bezpieczne operowanie osób charakteryzujących się wysokim ryzykiem operacyjnym. Materiał i metody. Grupę badaną stanowili chorzy operowani w latach 2001-2004, w wieku powyżej 80 rż. i/lub z frakcją wyrzutową lewej komory poniżej 45%, i/lub z przewlekłą obturacyjną chorobą płuc I i II stopnia, i/lub ze stężeniem kreatyniny w surowicy wynoszącym powyżej 3 mg%. Po analizie klinicznej bazy danych do grupy tej zaliczono 57 chorych (41 pacjentów z tętniakiem aorty brzusznej, w tym 6 osób z objawowym TAB i 16 osób z obustronną niedrożnością aortalno-biodrową). Grupę porównawczą stanowili pozostali pacjenci poddani zabiegowi rekonstrukcji aorty w tym okresie, czyli 165 osób z TAB, w tym 20 pacjentów z objawowym TAB i 111 chorych z NAB (razem 276 chorych). Wyniki. Stwierdzono, że częstość powikłań i śmiertelność w badanych grupach nie różnią się w sposób statystycznie znamienny. Wniosek. Doświadczony, interdyscyplinarny zespół, stosując określone algorytmy leczenia, przewidując możliwe powikłania oraz stale analizując postępowanie może uzyskać takie same wyniki terapii u chorych z grupy wysokiego ryzyka jak u pozostałych pacjentów

State-of-the-art of transcatheter treatment of aortic valve stenosis and the overview of the InFlow project aiming at developing the first Polish TAVI system

Initial experience of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or replacement (TAVR) has ap-peared as a promising minimally invasive technology for patients disqualified from surgical treatment (SAVR). Safety and efficacy of TAVI has been analyzed and assessed through numerous registries and trials. Furthermore, results obtained from comparative TAVI vs. SAVR trials proved that both treat¬ments can be considered equal in terms of post-procedural mortality and morbidity in high-risk, as well as lower risk patients. However, there are still some issues that have to be addressed, such as higher chance of paravalvular leakage, vascular injuries, conduction disturbances, malpositioning and the yet unmet problem of insufficient biological valves durability. Recent technological developments along with the learning curve of operators prove a great potential for improvement of TAVI and a chance of surpassing SAVR in various groups of patients in the near future. In pursuit of finding new solutions, the CardValve Consortium consisting of leading scientific and research institutions in Poland has been created. Under the name of InFlow and financial support from the National Center for Research and Development, they have started a project with the aim to design, create and implement into clinical practice the first, Polish, low-profile TAVI valve system, utilizing not only biological but also artificial, polymeric-based prosthesis. This review focuses on current developments in TAVI technologies including the InFlow project

Responses to Low- and High-Intensity Exercise in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes in Relation to Their Level of VO2 Max

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) on the glycemic changes during low and high intensity exercises in young type 1 diabetic patients. Twenty boys (age: 14.3 ± 1.6 years; height: 171.0 ± 11.3 cm; weight; 59.5 ± 12.8 kg) were divided into low-fit group (LFG, n = 10) and high-fit group (HFG, n = 10). According to the experimental design, participants performed three physical efforts (VO2 max test, mixed aerobic–anaerobic effort and aerobic effort) on the cycloergometer, during which real-time glycemia was measured. Mixed aerobic–anaerobic exercise demanded significantly smaller carbohydrate supplementation (0.2 ± 0.2 g/kg during exercise) than the aerobic test session (0.4 ± 0.3 g/kg during exercise). Moreover, patients with higher VO2 max had lower tendency for glycemic changes during the aerobic effort. The results of the current study suggest that young type 1 diabetic patients should perform different intensity activities using continuous glycemic monitoring system to avoid acute and chronic complications of the disease

W świecie średniowiecznych symboli. Wyobrażenie tarczy na fresku z kościoła pw. św. Marcina w Wichowie

Już co najmniej od XIX w. w badaniach nad uzbrojeniem wykorzystywane są źródła ikonograficzne. Dzieła sztuki pozwalają nam również wniknąć w świat nieoświetlony zazwyczaj przez źródła materialne: mentalności, wiary, przesądów. Z ilustracją takiej sytuacji mamy prawdopodobnie do czynienia również w wypadku fresków w kościele p.w. św. Marcina w podżagańskim Wichowie. Malowidła z Wichowa mogły powstać na podstawie malarstwa tablicowego, lub pewniej miniaturowego. Kompozycja interesującego nas Ukrzyżowania nawiązuje do form znanych z czeskich oraz śląskich rękopisów iluminowanych z przełomu XIV i XV stulecia oraz początków wieku XV. Według poznańskiej badaczki pozwala to uznać je za dzieło miejscowej twórczości cechowej rozwijane na użytek dydaktyki w kościołach parafialnych. W niniejszym tekście interesować będzie nas przede wszystkim występująca w scenie Ukrzyżowania Chrystusa tarcza, którą dzierży wskazujący na Ukrzyżowanego dowódca jego oprawców. Na trójkątnego kształtu zabytku wyobrażono twarz brodatego mężczyzny o satyrycznie powiększonych oczach i nosie. Typologicznie tarcza mieści się w formach trójkątnych, występujących głównie w XIII i XIV w. Ich występowanie w wieku XV nie powinno jednak dziwić, gdyż były one jako tarcze funeralne używane również w tym czasie

The Defensive enclousure of the small castle in Witków, Silesia

The subject of the paper is to present the architectural transformations of the defensive enclosure of the small castle in Witków. This complex is one of the best-preserved examples of medieval seats of knights in Silesia. Unfortunately, in the literature to date, only the tower house with gothic polychromes has been discussed in greater detail. Basing on source references, descriptions from early modern urbariums, the results of architectural research and archaeological excavations, the authors discuss the emerging and transformations of the defensive enclosure. The implementation of the medieval complex including a curtain, along with a gatehouse and a gate, was set in the early 15th century. The Renaissance reconstruction, including the introduction of four regularly arranged towers, is related to the takeover of the castle by Fabian von Schonäich and works confirmed by the date 1557visible on one of the window stone frames. Another significant construction action is set in the second half of the 17th century, probably carried out in connection with the deteriorating condition of the buildings on the site.Tematem artykułu jest przedstawienie przekształceń architektonicznych obwodu obronnego zameczku rycerskiego w Witkowie. Założenie witkowskie należy do najlepiej zachowanych przykładów średniowiecznych siedzib rycerskich na Śląsku. Niestety w dotychczasowej literaturze szerszego omówienia doczekała się jedynie wieża z gotyckimi polichromiami figuralnymi. Bazując na wzmiankach źródłowych, opisów pochodzących z nowożytnych urbarzy oraz wyników badań architektonicznych i archeologicznych, autorzy omawiają powstanie a także przekształcenia murowanego obwodu obronnego. Realizację średniowiecznego założenia obejmującego kurtynę, wraz budynkiem przybramnym oraz bramą osadzają w początkach XV wieku. Renesansową przebudowę obejmująca wprowadzenie regularnie rozmieszczonych czterech bastei wiążą z przejęciem zameczku przez Fabiana von Schonäich i pracami potwierdzonymi datą 1557 na jednym z obramień okiennych. Kolejną znacząca akcję budowlaną osadzają w II połowie XVII wieku, przeprowadzoną zapewne w związku z pogarszającym się stanem zabudowy założenia