The features of liver lesions in children at the time of diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. Observations from one medical center

Wstęp: W przebiegu nieswoistych zapaleń jelit stosunkowo często procesem chorobowym objęte są inne narządy, w tym wątroba.Cel pracy: Ocena częstości występowania biochemicznych cech uszkodzenia wątroby w momencie rozpoznania nieswoistego zapalenia jelit (NZJ) u dzieci.Materiał i metody: Analizą objęto 49 dzieci z NZJ w wieku 2–18 lat. U wszystkich chorych przeprowadzono badanie kliniczne oraz diagnostykę laboratoryjną [między innymi aktywność aminotransferazy alaninowej (ALT) i asparaginowej (AST), gammaglutamylotranspeptydazy (GGTP) i stężenie bilirubiny w surowicy krwi]. Rozpoznanie choroby podstawowej ustalono na podstawie badania endoskopowego przewodu pokarmowego oraz oceny histopatologicznej wycinków błony śluzowej jelita. Jako podstawowe kryterium uszkodzenia wątroby przyjęto wartości aktywności ALT powyżej 45 j./l.Wyniki: Podwyższoną aktywność ALT stwierdzono u 16 badanych dzieci (32%) z nieswoistymi zapaleniami jelit. Aktywność ALT mieściła się w granicach 45–157 j./l; średnio 75,8 ± 40 j./l.Wnioski: U pacjentów pediatrycznych z nieswoistymi zapaleniami jelit stosunkowo często, już w momencie rozpoznania, obserwuje się cechy uszkodzenia wątroby. U wszystkich chorych z nieswoistymi zapaleniami jelit należy monitorować parametry funkcji wątroby w celu wczesnego rozpoznania współistniejących powikłań hepatologicznych. Obserwacje poczynione w niniejszym badaniu mają jedynie charakter wstępny i zobowiązują do pogłębienia diagnostyki „hepatologicznej” w celu ustalenia szczegółowego rozpoznania i wdrożenia właściwego leczenia. Konieczne są dalsze badania obejmujące liczniejsze grupy dzieci chorych na nieswoiste zapalenia jelit.Introduction: Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) often develop complications involving other organs, including the liver.Aim of study: To assess the prevalence of elevated liver enzymes in children suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Material and methods: We analyzed a group of 49 patients with IBD from 2 to 18 years old. Each patient had physical examination done, medical history taken and laboratory tests performed [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma gluthamylotranspeptydase (GGTP), bilirubin]. The diagnosis of IBD was based on endoscopic and histopathological criteria.The liver damage was recognized when activity of ALT was above 45 U/l.Results: Increased liver enzymes activity was found in a group of 32% of patients with IBD. The activity of ALT ranged from 54 to 157 U/l.Conclusions: 1. In pediatric population with inflammatory bowel diseases the liver damage might be present at the very beginning of the IBD. 2. In all the patients with IBD liver enzymes activity ought to be monitored in order to recognize hepatic complications. 3. Observations of this study oblige to extend diagnostic procedures enabling accurate recognition and appropriate treatment

Novel Opioid-Neurotensin-Based Hybrid Peptide with Spinal Long-Lasting Antinociceptive Activity and a Propensity to Delay Tolerance Development

The behavioral responses exerted by spinal administration of the opioid-neurotensin hybrid peptide, PK23, were studied in adult male rats. The antinociceptive effect upon exposure to a thermal stimulus, as well as tolerance development, was assessed in an acute pain model. The PK23 chimera at a dose of 10 nmol/rat produced a potent pain-relieving effect, especially after its intrathecal administration. Compared with intrathecal morphine, this novel compound was found to possess a favourable side effect profile characterized by a reduced scratch reflex, delayed development of analgesic tolerance or an absence of motor impairments when given in the same manner, though some animals died following barrel rotation as a result of its i.c.v. administration (in particular at doses higher than 10 nmol/rat). Nonetheless, these results suggest the potential use of hybrid compounds encompassing both opioid and neurotensin structural fragments in pain management. This highlights the enormous potential of synthetic neurotensin analogues as promising future analgesics

The Positive and Negative Outcome of Morphine and Disulfiram Subacute Co-Administration in Rats in the Absence of Ethanol Challenge

Recently, a well-known anti-alcohol agent, disulfiram (DSF), has gain much interest, as it was found to be effective in the treatment of cocaine abusers, thus also giving hope for patients addicted to opioids and other illicit drugs. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the possible outcome that might occur within the subacute co-administration of both morphine (MRF) and DSF in rats, but in the absence of ethanol challenge. As observed, intraperitoneal DSF dose-dependently enhanced MRF-mediated analgesia with the maximal efficacy at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Furthermore, MRF-induced tolerance and aggressive behavior were significantly reduced by DSF (100 mg/kg, i.p.) in comparison to MRF solely. Nonetheless, significant blood biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity were found (i.e., alteration in the levels of glutathione, blood urea nitrogen, etc.), following a combination of both drugs. Likewise, histological analysis of liver tissue revealed severe changes in the group of DSF + MRF, which includes swelling, cell death, damage to certain vessels, and hemorrhages into the liver parenchyma. Our findings indicate that DSF should be used with extreme caution, especially within the course of subacute concomitant use with MRF, as several possible side effects may take place

Transformation of the princess's portrayal based on selected Walt Disney's fairy tales.

Poniższa praca jest próbą uchwycenia i zinterpretowania zmian w kreowaniu kobiecej figury w wybranych bajkach Walta Disneya. Praca stanowi próbę zdefiniowania figury disneyowskiej księżniczki. Analiza oparta jest na kilku konkretnych bohaterkach, na których przykładzie zauważyć można ukryte znaczenia oraz stereotypy, które wykorzystał Walt Disney. Wszelkie zmiany zachodzące pomiędzy konkretnymi grupami księżniczek porównane zostały do zmian kulturowych oraz ruchów feministycznych, które miały miejsce w Stanach Zjednoczonych w czasie produkcji konkretnych bajek.The following thesis is an endeavour to capture and interpret changes of depicting a female figure in selected fairy tales of Walt Disney. The research dissertation is an attempt to define the figure of Disney's princesses. What is more, the analysis is based on particular examples of herioines, on the example of whom the hidden meanings and stereotypes that Walt Disney used are much more visible. All changes between particular groups of princesses were compared to cultural developments and feminist movements that took place in the United States during the production of particular fairy tales

A Review on Heat Extraction Devices for CPVT Systems with Active Liquid Cooling

Numerous numerical and experimental studies have been conducted regarding the Concentrated Photovoltaic Thermal (CPVT) system because of its significant potential for efficient conversion of solar energy. The overall efficiency of the CPVT system is strongly dependent on the device, which extracts excess heat from photovoltaic cells. The most efficient cooling technology involves active cooling, which means that heat is collected from the PV cell via the forced flow of heat transfer fluid. This research paper provides an extensive discussion on devices dedicated to active-cooling CPVT systems, taking into account the latest solutions. First, a short introduction regarding CPVT systems and their main components is presented. The second part of this study presents state-of-the-art solutions in the field of heat extraction devices for the active cooling of photovoltaic cells. The available solutions are classified into two main groups depending on the scale of internal channels: macro- and micro-. Each geometry of the heat receiver is juxtaposed with the corresponding concentrating element, photovoltaic cell, concentration ratio, heat transfer fluid, and operating parameters of the specified system. In addition, this paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various devices for heat extraction and provides a comparative study of these devices. Finally, a set of recommendations for CPVT cooling devices is provided

Numerical and Experimental Analysis of a Prototypical Thermoelectric Generator Dedicated to Wood-Fired Heating Stove

The typical operating range of domestic heating devices includes only heat generation. However, the availability of combined heat and power generation in microscale devices is currently becoming a more and more interesting option. This paper shows the experimental and numerical analysis of the possibility of developing a micro-cogeneration system equipped with a wood-fired heating stove and a prototype of the thermoelectric generator equipped with low-price thermoelectric modules. In the first step, mathematical modeling made it possible to analyze different configurations of the hot side of the thermoelectric generator (computational fluid dynamics was used). Next, experiments have been conducted on the prototypical test rig. The maximum power obtained during the discussed combustion process was 15.9 We when the flue gas temperature was approximately 623 K. Assuming a case, when such value of generated power occurred during the whole main phase, the energy generated would be at a level of approximately 33.1 Whe, while the heat transferred to the water would be approximately 1 078.0 Whth. In addition to the technical aspects, the economic premises of the proposed solution were analyzed. As was shown, an installation of TEG to the existing stove is economically not viable: the Simply Payback Time will be approximately 28.9–66.1 years depending on the analyzed scenario. On the other hand, the SPBT would be significantly shorter, when the installation of the stove with an integrated thermoelectric generator was considered (approximately 5.4 years). However, it should be noted that the introduction of the power generating system to a heat source can provide fully or partially network-independent operation of the hot water and heating systems

Development and Tests of the Solar Air Heater with Thermal Energy Storage

Passive solutions in buildings have recently been rediscovered because they allow the rational use of solar radiation, which promotes energy savings. Thermal energy gained from the sun may be stored in the form of sensible heat in accumulative solid materials in a building envelope. This paper proposes an innovative solar air heater that captures and accumulates solar energy during the day and releases it during the night. The analyzed system is based on inexpensive ceramic modules, which can be used to construct thermal storage walls or solar chimneys in modern buildings. Both configurations have been tested experimentally and by a numerical model in ArCADia BIM software. Experiments have been carried out in laboratory conditions using a specially developed prototype. Among other parameters, power transferred from the solar air heater to the ventilation air in different conditions has been analyzed. When airflow was set to 150 m3/h, the maximum power observed under stable working conditions was approx. 355.0 W when the developed solar air heater operated as the solar chimney, and approx. 165.0 W when it operated as the solar thermal wall. When airflow was set to 200 m3/h, the maximum power was approx. 385.0 W. Experimental results have been used to calculate the efficiency of the solar air heater in real conditions. The total efficiency in the case of the solar chimney was estimated as 0.25, while in the case of the thermal wall it was estimated as 0.78, which resulted in an annual reduction in energy usage at a level of 190.7 kWh and 556.1 kWh, respectively (4.8 and 14.0%). In practice, these values can be significantly higher due to the possibility of increasing the length and shape of the accumulation heat exchanger