Beyond independence: Anti-Americanism and the Serb resistance in Kosova

This paper examines the Serb resistance in northern Kosova. A number of studies, over the last decade, have been performed that scrutinize the case of Kosova and look into the strained relations between Kosova Albanians and Kosova Serbs. Yet, no study has been carried out to explain the Serb resistance, and more importantly, its nature and its underpinning mechanisms. This paper intends to just that. The central argument it makes is that the Serb resistance in northern Kosova is a Serbian elite construct, made of and crammed with anti-Americanism sentiments. This Serb anti-Americanism is a recent phenomenon, constructed as a consequence of specific developments that are occurring in Kosova and the region, such as the stationing of the American troops in Kosova, the American policy towards the region, and the American political and diplomatic support for the new state. To formulate this argument, the paper adopts the framework of anti-Americanism as its foundation while comparing it with the socio-biological, cultural, and rationalist approaches to resistance. The paper supports the gist of the argument by drawing on recent scholarship and analyzing official documents, executive statements, and intellectual observation

Insulinooporność w ciąży powikłanej cukrzycą typu 1. Czy wiemy na jej temat dostatecznie dużo?

Insulin resistance (IR) is defined clinically as the inability of a known quantity of exogenous or endogenous insulin to increase glucose uptake and utilization. In recent years the increasing role of IR in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) related complications has been taken into account. The aim of this article is to discuss the possible role of IR in pregnancy complicated by T1DM. At the moment, there is no doubt that IR is not only frequently observed in T1DM patients, but also is a separate risk factor of several complications in non- pregnant patients. The role of IR in pregnancy complicated by T1DM has not been widely studied yet. However, data from the studies on different populations showed that IR may predispose to such conditions as miscarriage, preeclampsia and macrosomia. Interestingly, all of these are more frequently diagnosed in women with T1DM in comparison to healthy subjects. The literature on the role of IR in human pregnancy is relatively rich. However, despite its significance in pathophysiology of T1DM and its complications in general population, there is a lack of understanding of how it affects maternal and fetal health in pregnancy complicated by this disease. Nonetheless, based on the available literature, IR may be proposed as an additional factor modifying pregnancy outcome in woman with T1DM. Therefore, measures that might reduce IR such as good glycemic control and control of weight gain should be recommended for every woman with T1DM, optimally when planning but also throughout the pregnancy.Insulinooporność definiuje się jako zmniejszenie wrażliwości tkanek obwodowych na insulinę zarówno endogenną jak i egzogenną. W ostatnich latach podnosi się rolę insulinooporności w patogenezie powikłań cukrzycy typu 1. Insulinooporność jest nie tylko częstym zjawiskiem u pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 1 ale również stanowi izolowany czynnik ryzyka szeregu powikłań w populacji kobiet nie będących w ciąży oraz mężczyzn. Rola insulinooporności w ciąży powikłanej cukrzycą typu 1 nie była dotychczas szeroko zbadana. Dane z badań przeprowadzonych w innych populacjach ciężarnych pokazują iż insulinooporność zwiększa ryzyko takich powikłań jak poronienia, stan przedrzucawkowy i makrosomia. Co istotne, wszystkie te powikłania spotyka się istotnie częściej u pacjentek z cukrzycą typu 1. Mimo braku badań dotyczących roli insulinoopornośći w ciąży powikłanej cukrzycą typu 1, na podstawie danych z innych populacji ciężarnych, insulinnoporność może być uznana za dodatkowy czynnik ryzyka powikłań. Stąd też działania, które potencjalnie mogą doprowadzić do zmniejszenia insulinoopornośći takie jak kontrola glikemii oraz kontrola przyrostu masy ciała powinny być zalecane pacjentkom zarówno w okresie planowania ciąży jak i w trakcie jej trwania

VPN- Virtual Private Network

In my thesis there is about Companies which I`m working, Bechtel- Enka GP uses VPN, Cloud Computing, and Data which are used Qos and Security. The Virtual Private Network which uses Bechtel-Enka is between a Venture Joint in Kosovo not between their selves. Because the station of servers and network is in Camp Zhur all other links are used by via Kukes VPN, Prishtina Office VPN to Camp Zhur and via Suhareke to Camp Zhur. There is in use just a Server for all these relationship. Outlook is used by all workers which share data for whole company. Phones also are included by them utilizing servers which are used for different works, one of them is using for sharing data for whole company using outlook and the other one for phones which are used intern and roaming calls. Similarly, open source software enables IT departments of a Project to quickly build and deploy applications, but at the cost of control and governance. Finally, virtual machine attacks and Web service vulnerabilities existed long before cloud computing became fashionable. Indeed, this very overlap is reason for optimism; many of these “cloud problems” have long been studied and the foundations for solutions exist. Security in today’s environments is established using strong authentication, authorization, and accounting procedures, establishing security of data at rest and in transit, locking down networks, and hardening operating systems, middleware, and application software. Surely, a general scenario has been defined. The project has also a remote office in Zhur camp so an employee has the related access to the corporate intranet. Depending on the Project requirement, the IS&T Engineers within contact with Management team have to decide the best technology is and have to be used by employees staff

Influence of cigarette smoking on thyroid gland — an update

Wyniki wielu badań dowodzą, że palenie papierosów wywiera istotny wpływ na gruczoł tarczowy. Wykazano, że nikotynizm modyfikuje parametry hormonalne tarczycy, w szczególności prowadzi do obniżenia stężenia TSH. Sugeruje się, że może również powodować nieznaczny wzrost stężenia wolnych hormonów tarczycy. Ponadto, palenie papierosów odgrywa istotną rolę w procesach autoimmunologicznych związanych z gruczołem tarczowym. Dowiedziono, że nikotynizm wywiera negatywny wpływ na przebieg choroby Gravesa i Basedowa oraz orbitopatii Gravesa i Basedowa. Palenie papierosów nie tylko zwiększa ryzyko rozwoju powyższych schorzeń, ale zmniejsza również skuteczność terapii i zwiększa ryzyko nawrotu. Wpływ palenia papierosów na chorobę Hashimoto nie jest tak jednoznacznie dowiedziony, jak w chorobie Gravesa i Basedowa. Sugeruje się, że palenie papierosów może negatywnie korelować z mianem przeciwciał przeciwko tyreoglobulinie oraz tyreoperoksydazie, zmniejszając w konsekwencji ryzyko rozwoju hipotyreozy. Palenie papierosów zwiększa ryzyko wystąpienia wola guzkowego szczególnie na obszarach niedoboru jodu. Interesująco przedstawiają się również wyniki badań nad wpływem palenia papierosów na ryzyko wystąpienia raka tarczycy. Wiele z nich dowodzi, że u palaczy ryzyko raka zróżnicowanego tarczycy jest mniejsze. Ponadto zarówno bierne, jak i czynne palenie papierosów przez kobiety ciężarne modyfikuje funkcję gruczołu tarczowego zarówno matki, jak i płodu. W pracy przedstawiono aktualny stan wiedzy dotyczący wpływu palenia papierosów na homeostazę hormonalną, procesy autoimmunologiczne oraz choroby tarczycy. W opinii autorów prezentowane wyniki badań wymagają rozważnej interpretacji, a niektóre z nich mają stosunkowo słabą siłę dowodu naukowego. Wpływ palenia papierosów na patofizjologię tarczycy powinien być przedmiotem dalszych badań. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (1): 54–62)Many studies have shown that cigarette smoking exerts multiple effects on the thyroid gland. Smoking seems to induce changes in thyroid function tests, like decrease in TSH and increase in thyroid hormones. However, these alterations are usually mild. In addition, tobacco smoking may also play a role in thyroid autoimmunity. Many studies have confirmed a significant influence of smoking on Graves’ hyperthyroidism and particularly on Graves’ orbitopathy. Here, smoking may increase the risk of disease development, may reduce the effectiveness of treatment, and eventually induce relapse. The role of smoking in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is not as well established as in Graves’ disease. Nonetheless, lower prevalence of thyroglobulin antibodies, thyroperoxidase antibiodies and hypothyroidism were found in smokers. These findings contrast with a study that reported increased risk of hypothyroidism in smokers with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Moreover, cigarette smoking increases the incidence of multinodular goitre, especially in iodine-deficient areas. Some studies have examined cigarette smoking in relation to the risk of thyroid cancer. Interestingly, many of them have shown that smoking may reduce the risk of differentiated thyroid cancer. Furthermore, both active and passive smoking during pregnancy might modify maternal and foetal thyroid function. This review evaluates the current data concerning the influence of cigarette smoking on thyroid gland, including hormonal changes, autoimmunity and selected diseases. These findings, however, in our opinion, should be carefully evaluated and some of them are not totally evidence-based. Further studies are required to explain the effects of smoking upon thyroid pathophysiology. (Endokrynol Pol 2014; 65 (1): 54–62

ThyPROpl — The Polish version of the thyroid-specific quality of life questionnaire ThyPRO

  Wstęp: Choroby tarczycy mają znaczący wpływ na jakość życia pacjentów. ThyPRO jest kwestionariuszem oceny jakości życia przeznaczonym dla pacjentów z łagodnymi chorobami tarczycy. Kwestionariusz poddano walidacji i standaryzacji. Celem pracy było stworzenie polskiej wersji kwestionariusza ThyPRO. Materiał i metody: Kwestionariusz ThyPROpl przetłumaczono zgodnie ze standardową metodologią tłumaczenia kwestionariuszy samooceny jakości życia dokonywanej przez pacjentów. Początkowo dwóch niezależnych badaczy przetłumaczyło wersję angielską kwestionariusza na język polski. Wstępną, polską wersję kwestionariusza opracowano na bazie konsensusu pomiędzy tłumaczami oraz konsultantem. Trzeci tłumacz, który nie znał wersji oryginalnej kwestionariusza, na podstawie polskiej wersji przygotował wersję angielską, która również była oceniona przez konsultanta. Następnie tłumaczenie to poddano analizie przez zewnętrznego eksperta, którego językiem ojczystym jest język angielski oraz przez twórcę ThyPRO, którzy wprowadzili dodatkowe poprawki. Ostatecznie, pięcioro pacjentów zostało poproszonych o odpowiedź na pytania zawarte w ThyPROpl i zgodnie z ich sugestiami kolejne poprawki były wprowadzone celem udoskonalenia tłumaczenia. Wyniki: ThyPROpl jest polską wersją ThyPRO poddaną językowej walidacji. Wnioski: Autorzy rekomendują ThyPROpl do oceny jakości życia u polskich pacjentów z łagodnymi chorobami tarczycy. ThyPRO aktualnie występuje w 13 wersjach językowych. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (4): 367–380)    Introduction: Thyroid disorders have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. ThyPRO is a thyroid-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaire applicable to patients with benign thyroid disorders. There is substantial evidence for its clinical validity and reliability in patients with benign thyroid disorders. Our aim was to develop a validated Polish version of this questionnaire (ThyPROpl). Material and methods: ThyPROpl was translated and validated according to standard methodology for translation of patient-reported outcomes (PRO). Firstly, two independent translations from English to Polish were performed by two translators native in Polish, and a consensus version was reached in collaboration with an in-country consultant. A third translator prepared a back–translation from Polish to English, which likewise was reviewed by the in-country consultant. The backwards translation was reviewed by a PRO translation expert native in English (Health Research Associates HRA) and by the developer of ThyPRO, who provided additional revisions. Finally, ThyPROpl was tested among five patients with thyroid disorders with cognitive interview techniques, and new changes and clarifications needed for its full understanding were made. Results: ThyPROpl is a linguistically validated version of the original ThyPRO questionnaire. Conclusions: We recommend ThyPROpl for the evaluation of QoL among Polish patients with benign thyroid disorders. ThyPRO has now been translated into 13 languages. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (4): 367–380)

Adropin in pregnancy complicated by hyperglycemia and obesity — a preliminary study

Objectives: According to the data, approximately 33–37% of women of reproductive age are obese. These numbers are reflected in the increasing number of complications in pregnancy, including gestational diabetes. The study aims to assess the concentrations of adropin in the course of gestational diabetes and their possible relationship with the occurrence of obstetric complications characteristic for it. Material and methods: The study included 65 obese and overweight pregnant patients (BMI > 27 kg/m2) with glycemic disorders diagnosed during pregnancy. Blood samples we collected during visits: V0 — the first half of pregnancy V1 — 28–32 weeks of gestation, and V2 — 37–39 weeks of gestation. The concentrations of adropin were measured during V1 and V2 by ELISA tests. We analyzed the studied patients' anthropometric, metabolic parameters and obstetrical results. Results: In the study group, at the visit V1, the mean level of adropin was 525.5 mmol/mL and 588.1 mmol/mL for the V2 visit. The comparison of adropin concentration between visits showed a statistically significant increase (p = 0.02). The concentration of adropin did not differ between obese and morbidly obese patients at V1, but at V2, there was a significant lover adropin level in morbidly obese patients. Conclusions: In overweight and obese pregnant patients with gestational diabetes, the levels of adropin in serum increased significantly in the last trimester of pregnancy. The increase in concentration was significantly lower in the morbidly obese patients than in the obese group. The study provides the basis for further analyses of the role of adropin in pregnancies complicated by obesity and gestational diabetes

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion reduces neonatal risk in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: An attempt was made to demonstrate the superiority of the treatment model using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) over multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin in achieving a successful pregnancy outcome and good newborn’s condition in patients with type 1 diabetes.  Material and methods: The study included 297 infants born to type 1 diabetic patients; 175 patients were treated with MDI and 122 with CSII.  Maternal metabolic control during pregnancy, gestational weight gain, insulin requirements, pregnancy outcome and neonatal status were compared between MDI and CSII arm.  The composite adverse neonatal outcome was diagnosed if at least one of the following was found: abnormal birth weight (LGA or SGA), congenital malformation, miscarriage, intrauterine fetal death, emergency CS due to fetal risk, iatrogenic prematurity, RDS, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and the postpartum pH in the umbilical artery ≤ 7.1.  Results: The studied groups did not differ regarding gestational week at delivery, a proportion of births at full term, preterm births, miscarriages, or late pregnancy losses (intrauterine fetal death > 22 weeks). Newborns of mothers treated with CSII showed lower incidence of neonatal complications (composite adverse neonatal outcome) compared to those of mothers treated with MDI (60% vs 74%, respectively; p = 0.01). We did not find any association between the mode of treatment and composite adverse maternal outcome.  Conclusions: The use of CSII in the treatment of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes was associated with reduced number of neonatal complications presented as neonatal composite outcome but had no influence on maternal outcome

Decreased expression of survivin 2B in human pituitary adenomas. A preliminary study

Introduction. We aimed to investigate survivin and its splice variants DEx3 and 2B expressions in pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary glands using immunohistochemistry. Material and methods. The study group consisted of eight pituitary adenomas: five of non-functional tumors, two of GH-secreting tumors, and one PRL-secreting tumor. Eight healthy pituitary tissue samples obtained after autopsy served as controls. Results. Survivin expression was found in 87.5% of the study group and 100% of the controls. A positive staining of survivin 2B was found in 62.5% of pituitary adenomas and 100% of controls. Survivin DEx3 was recognized in 25% of pituitary adenomas and 12.5% of normal pituitary glands. There was significantly lower immunoreactivity of survivin 2B in pituitary adenomas when compared with normal pituitary glands (p = 0.0498). Conclusions: Survivin and its splice variants might be involved to some extent in benign tumor growth of pituitary adenomas. However, survivin cannot be regarded as a candidate for targeted therapy or molecular biomarker of pituitary adenomas