Skin changes in the neck and selenium content in patients with thyroid diseases

Purpose: Occurrence of skin changes, in the form of discolouration on neck and in form of a so-called ”thyroid shadow”, was observed in patients with: Hashimoto’s disease, Graves´ disease, struma nodosa euthyrotica or hyperthyreosis. Effects of selenium status and smoking on the risk of those skin changes were investigated. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 267 patients with different kinds of thyroid disease. The control group included 34 healthy people. Selenium concentrations in serum were determined by electrothermal absorption spectrometry method. Results: Thyroid shadow was observed in 70 percent of the subject. Selenium levels in serum were lower in patients with thyroid disease (65.051±16.70 µg/L), especially in smokers (62.477±15.21 µg/L) than in the control group (75.162±19.92 µg/L). Conclusions: Thyroid shadow syndrome would be the diagnostic signal of thyroid diseases, especially Hashimoto disease. Selenium status is important in the studied thyroid diseases. Cigarette smoking decreases the concentration of selenium in the serum of patients with thyroid diseases

The project of a wheelchair for the dog after a front-limb amputation

Niniejszy opis przedstawia własną koncepcję wózka inwalidzkiego dla psa po amputacji kończyny przedniej. Zasadniczym celem było zaprojektowanie konstrukcji, która swoją funkcjonalnością wyróżniałaby się spośród innych, dostępnych na rynku rozwiązań. Zostało to uzyskane m.in. przez zastosowanie elementów podatnych, które umożliwiają łatwiejsze poruszanie się zwierzęcia, np. w warunkach miejskich w przypadku konieczności pokonywania niewielkich progów. Zaprojektowany wózek inwalidzki został wykonany, a następnie przekazany na potrzeby psa.The article presents the project of a wheelchair for the dog after front-limb amputation. The main goal was to create a new solution that would distinguish oneself among others constructions that are available on market. It was possible thanks to the use of shock-absorbers that allow easier animal’s motion e.g. in city conditions in case of overcomming slight thresholds. The designed construction was made and forwarded to the necessitous dog

Regional Innovation and Research Policy Outlook: Policy Practices in Eight European Regions

This publication is part of a project called 'Practical Regional Research and Innovation policy in Action. The Efficient Tools for Regional Catching-up in New Member States'