Coronary age, based on coronary calcium measurement, is increased in patients with morbid obesity

Purpose: Obesity is a well-known of risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, recently an "obesity paradox" has been discussed, which is considered as a protective effect of obesity on the development coronary artery disease (CAD). An aim of the study was to investigate the risk of CAD in morbidly obese patients using coronary artery calcium measurement. Material and methods: Fifty-one patients with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) and thirty controls were scanned to determine the amount of coronary artery calcification (CAC), which was expressed as calcium score (CS) and coronary age (CA). The control group consisted of patients scanned for the clinical suspicion of CAD, who did not fulfil the criteria of obesity. Results: Mean BMI of obese patients and controls was 47.3 and 26.5, respectively (p < 0.0001). Arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and smoking were more frequent in the control group than in the obesity group (p < 0.02). The prevalence of CAC was higher in the obesity group (53% vs. 23%, p < 0.01). The groups did not differ regarding CS and CA. However, the difference between coronary age and metrical age was higher in obese patients than in controls (+5.6 vs. -4.8 years, respectively, p < 0.005). Conclusions: Patients with morbid obesity present an increased risk of CAD that is reflected by the difference between their coronary age and metrical age

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE OF SWIMMERS AFTER ALTITUDE TRAINING (2,300 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL) IN VIEW OF THEIR BLOOD MORPHOLOGY CHANGES

The aim of the study was to estimate changes in blood morphology caused by participation of record-seeking swimmers in a high altitude training camp at 2,300 m above sea level and to assess their performance during major competitions before and after the camp. Eight swimmers (two females and six males) - record-holders and medallists of the Polish National Championships, as well as finalists and medallists of the European and World Championships and the Olympic Games (including a two-time holder of the world record) - were recruited. During the 2006/2007 season the athletes attended a training camp organized according to the principle “live high and train high”. The camp lasted 23 days and consisted of three micro-cycles of training, each of them with specific training objectives. Before and after participation in the training camp erythrocyte (red blood cells; RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and haematocrit (Hct) were estimated at a hospital laboratory. Scores amassed by the examined athletes during major competitions were presented after their transformation into points based on the FINA (International Swimming Federation) tables for years 2005-2008. The best results (time for a distance) achieved during competitions organized before and after participation in the camp were regarded as reference points. Additionally, liquid balance of the body was monitored during 30 selected training units (15 in the morning and 15 in the evening). The response of the examined swimmers from the Polish Olympic Team to the high altitude training (at 2,300 m above sea level) was represented by an almost three-fold increase in blood reticulocyte count during the first micro-cycle of training as well as by an elevated erythrocyte count (by 14.4% and haemoglobin (by 13.5% and haematocrit (by 14.8% levels estimated after completion of the training, as compared to the results obtained before the camp. Six out of eight subjects improved their performance in major competitions organized after the training camp, and four of them broke their personal bests

Noninvasive evaluation of renal tissue oxygenation with blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging early after transplantation has a limited predictive value for the delayed graft function

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of renal oxygenation assessment using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the early period after kidney transplantation and to estimate its prognostic value for delayed graft function. Material and methods: Examinations were performed in 50 subjects: 40 patients within a week after the kidney transplantation and 10 healthy controls, using T2*-weighted sequence. Measurements in transplant patients were correlated to basic laboratory parameters in the early period after transplantation and at follow-up. Results: Examinations of seven patients (18%) were rejected due to their poor technical quality. Mean R2* values in transplant recipients were lower than in controls (11.6 vs. 15.9 Hz; p = 0.0001). An R2* value of 0.28 Hz was calculated as the minimal detectable change. There was no relation between R2* values and laboratory parameters. However, patients eGFR ≥ 40 ml/min/1.73 m2 presented higher R2* values than recipients eGFR 0.7). Conclusions: Evaluation of renal graft oxygenation using BOLD MRI is technically challenging in the early period after transplantation. An R2* value of 0.28 Hz may in practice be considered as the minimal detectable change. The delayed graft function seems not to be dependent on early oxygenation values. Further, large-scale studies are necessary to confirm the latter observation

Selected Advances of Quantum Biophotonics – a Short Review

This article discusses four fields of study with the potential to revolutionize our understanding and interaction with biological systems: quantum biophotonics, molecular and supramolecular bioelectronics, quantum-based approaches in gaming, and nano-biophotonics. Quantum biophotonics uses photonics, biochemistry, biophysics, and quantum information technologies to study biological systems at the sub-nanoscale level. Molecular and supramolecular bioelectronics aim to develop biosensors for medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety by designing materials and devices that interface with biological systems at the molecular level. Quantum-based approaches in gaming improve modeling of complex systems, while nanomedicine enhances disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention using nanoscale devices and sensors developed with quantum biophotonics. Lastly, nano-biophotonics studies cellular structures and functions with unprecedented resolution

Imaging in a rare case of neuroendocrine tumour with skin metastases

Purpose: Disseminated malignancies are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge that is often encountered in radiology. Finding the primary tumour is crucial for planning proper surgical and oncological treatment. Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax and abdomen is typically the initial examination. However, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET/CT) or PET/MRI are often subsequently performed. Histopathological examination of metastatic tumours is performed as well, followed by immunohistochemistry. The aim of the report was to present diagnostic workup in a rare case of skin metastases. Case report: A 72-year-old patient was admitted to a dermatology ward because of skin lesions - violaceous nodules localised on the hair-covered skin of the head. On abdominal CT, a generalised neoplastic process with metastases in the liver, pancreas, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, bones, thoracic wall, and a suspected metastasis in the right breast was revealed. Histopathology of the skin nodules confirmed a neuroendocrine tumour. Metastases of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour or small-cell lung cancer were suspected on immunohistochemistry. The patient died before we were able to localise the primary source of the tumour and provide treatment. Conclusions: Skin metastases are relatively rare, aggravate the prognosis, and usually indicate spread of the neoplastic process in the internal organs. It is not always possible to localise the primary tumour using radiological imaging. In such cases, co-operation with the pathologist is crucial as are the results of histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations

Chest adipose tissue distribution in patients with morbid obesity

Purpose: Obesity is a well-known of risk factor for atherosclerosis and the amount of visceral adipose tissue is considered as an independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). An aim of the study was to investigate the distribution of intrathoracic adipose tissue in morbidly obese patients. Material and methods: Fifty-one patients with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) and thirty controls were scanned in a coronary calcium scoring protocol. Control group consisted of patients scanned due to a clinical suspicion of CAD, who did not fulfill obesity criteria. The amount of adipose tissue was measured as epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, pericoronary fat (PCF) thickness, total intra-pericardial fat (IPF) volume, and total intrathoracic fat (ITF) volume. Results: Mean BMI of obese patients and controls was 47.3 and 26.5, respectively (p 60 mm was the parameter that presented the strongest association with morbid obesity (AUC 0.95; p < 0.0001). Conlcusions: Increased chest soft tissue thickness but not the increased intrathoracic adipose tissue volume was associated with morbid obesity. Since the quantity of the pericardiac fat is not directly related to the obesity, its accumulation may be related to a mechanism different than that of subcutaneous adipose tissue growth

IRT research on influence of long-term loads on defects in FRP strengthened RC beams

It has been more than two decades, since FRP strengthening method was first time used in Poland. Therefore there is a natural need to develop an efficient quality assessment technique to verify design assumptions of strengthening in existing structures after many years. One of the promising non-destructive method of quality assessment is infrared thermography (IRT). In this paper, an initial study on recognition of delamination mainly in CFRP laminates using IRT was conducted as well as the influence of long-term loads on defects in CFRP strengthened RC beams was presented

Selected Advances of Quantum Biophotonics – a Short Review

This article discusses four fields of study with the potential to revolutionize our understanding and interaction with biological systems: quantum biophotonics, molecular and supramolecular bioelectronics, quantum-based approaches in gaming, and nano-biophotonics. Quantum biophotonics uses photonics, biochemistry, biophysics, and quantum information technologies to study biological systems at the sub-nanoscale level. Molecular and supramolecular bioelectronics aim to develop biosensors for medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety by designing materials and devices that interface with biological systems at the molecular level. Quantum-based approaches in gaming improve modeling of complex systems, while nanomedicine enhances disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention using nanoscale devices and sensors developed with quantum biophotonics. Lastly, nano-biophotonics studies cellular structures and functions with unprecedented resolution

Disloyal actions by participants in divorce proceedings

Celem niniejszej publikacji jest analiza coraz częściej obserwowanego w praktyce zjawiska nielojalnych działań uczestników postępowania rozwodowego. Ograniczenie podjętej przeze mnie tematyki jedynie do postępowania rozwodowego nie oznacza wcale, że wyrażane poglądy będą dotyczyły sticte tego tylko postępowania odrębnego. Poczynione obserwacje i rozważania odnieść można do ogółu zachowań stron i uczestników z perspektywy postępowania cywilnego, które cechuje pewna powtarzalność, modelowość i ukierunkowanie na osiągnięcie korzystnych skutków procesowych. Nielojalne działania uczestników postępowania należy zatem rozumieć w sposób szeroki i uznać, że są to wszelkie działania o charakterze nierzetelnym, nieetycznym i niezasługującym na zaufanie, podejmowane przez uczestników postępowania przed sądem, w celu osiągnięcia oczekiwanych skutków procesowych. W wielu przypadkach działania takie będą stanowiły przejaw nadużycia prawa procesowego. Wprawdzie użyte pojęcie „uczestników postępowania rozwodowego” zdawać się może obarczone błędem terminologicznym, jednak taki zabieg nomenklaturowy jest w pełni zamierzony i uzasadniony, gdyż swoim zakresem sformułowanie to obejmuje nie tylko strony postępowania o rozwód lub o separację, lecz także wszystkich innych uczestników takiego postępowania, w tym m.in. pełnomocników, biegłych, kuratorów sądowych, społecznych i zawodowych, świadków, którzy swoim nielojalnym działaniem nakierowują postępowanie dowodowe na osiągnięcie rezultatu pożądanego dla strony. Moim zdaniem tylko takie szerokie rozumienie pojęcia „uczestników postępowania” będzie właściwe i akceptowalne z perspektywy poruszanego zagadnienia, gdyż poprzez zastosowanie wskazanego desygnatu znaczeniowego możliwe będzie uniwersalne odniesienie się również do innych postępowań i ich uczestników.The aim of this publication is to analyse the phenomenon of disloyal actions by participants in divorce proceedings, which is increasingly frequently observed in practice. Restricting my subject to divorce proceedings only does not imply that the views expressed will concern only this separate proceeding stricte. The observations and considerations made may be applied to all behaviours of parties and participants from the perspective of civil proceedings, which are characterised by a certain repetitiveness, modeling and orientation towards achieving favourable procedural effects. Disloyal actions of litigants should therefore be understood in a broad sense and considered to be all actions of an unreliable, unethical and untrustworthy nature undertaken by litigants before the court in order to achieve the expected procedural outcomes. In many cases, such actions will constitute an abuse of procedural rights. Although the term “participants in divorce proceedings” used may, at first glance, appear to be fraught with terminological error, such nomenclature is fully intentional and justified, since its scope encompasses not only the parties to divorce or separation proceedings, but also all the other participants in such proceedings, including, inter alia, attorneys, experts, probation officers, social and professional representatives and witnesses who, through their disloyal actions, direct the proceedings towards achieving the result desired by a party. In my view, only such a broad embedding of the concept of participants in proceedings will be appropriate and acceptable from the perspective of the issue at hand, as by using such a designator of meaning it will be possible to universally refer also to other proceedings and their participants in the broad sense of the concept

Chloride corrosion - an underestimated destructive factor in multi-garage garages

W artykule przedstawiono mechanizm korozji chlorkowej w konstrukcjach żelbetowych i przykłady wyników badań stężenia jonów chlorkowych w elementach konstrukcyjnych garaży wielopoziomowych podziemnych i naziemnych, a także sposoby naprawy skorodowanych konstrukcji.In this article we present the mechanism of chloride corrosion in reinforced concrete installations and examples of results of the chloride ion concentration testes in the construction elements in multi-level garages, underground and overground, and the repair techniques of the corroded constructions