Comparing peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis - patient's perspective, special consideration of quality of life

Introduction and purpose: All over the world, patients suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). Patients can choose to undergo hemodialysis in a specialist center or use peritoneal dialysis in their own home. The aim of this study is to answer the question which of the above methods has a better impact on the quality of life of patients. Materials and methods: The literature available on PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar was reviewed using the words “peritoneal dialysis”; “hemodialysis”; “quality of life”. Description of the state of knowledge: Patients with better physical and emotional functioning have a reduced burden of kidney disease, improved physical ability, pain relief, better overall health, enhanced social function, and more energy. Studies comparing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) have consistently found that PD is more effective in improving various aspects of quality of life (QOL), such as the physical component score, social component score, cognitive status, emotional function, physical function, body pain, burden of kidney disease, impact of kidney disease on daily life, symptoms/problems, sexual function, finances, and patient satisfaction. Summary: Patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease who were treated with PD experienced better overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to patients treated with HD. This result was measured min. using the SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires

Current views on pathogenesis of rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disease that usually affects the central part of the face. The primary symptoms include facial flushing, persistent erythema, telangiectasia,  inflammatory pustules and papules. Based on groups of these symptoms, four basic rosacea subtypes have been defined: erythematotelangiectatic, papulopustular, ocular, phymatous; and one variant, granulomatous rosacea. Although the pathophysiology of this disorder is not fully known, many components such as immune and neurovascular dysregulation, oxidative stress, genetic background, gut microbiome, skin microbiome as well as external aspects are thought to play a role. In this article, we present the main factors that are speculated to be involved in the pathogenesis of rosacea. Methods and materials: We reviewed the literature available on PubMed and Google Scholar using the words "rosacea”, „rosacea pathogenesis”, „demodex”, „reactive oxygen species”, „rosacea microbiome”. Summary Rosacea is a chronic dermatosis whose etiology, despite many studies, is not fully understood. Currently, an abnormal inflammatory reaction caused by excessive stimulation of TLR-2 receptors is suspected as the main factor in the pathomechanism of the disease. Vascular disorders, transmission disorders, genetic factors, skin and intestinal dysbiosis also participate in the pathogenesis of rosacea. It is assumed that exogenous factors such as diet and exposure to UV radiation also play a role in the development of the disease

A review of the possibilities of gene doping in sports focused on the advantages and disadvantages

Introduction and purpose: Gene therapy can be defined as a modification of gene expression in a patient's body. There are two main strategies: the abuse of "classical" gene therapy and strategies of RNA interference with gene transfer. The aim of the study is to analyze scientific literature on gene doping, with a focus on the advantages and disadvantages of using genes related to sports. Materials and methods: The literature available on PubMed was reviewed using the words “gene therapy”, “sport”. Description of the state of knowledge:  The potential modification of genes such as EPO, IGF1/GH, HIF-1, PPAR have been identified as having beneficial effects for athletes. Modifying the EPO gene could lead to an increase in red blood cells and oxygen in the blood, which could increase muscle endurance. Modification of the IGF1/GH gene can lead to muscle hypertrophy, block muscle atrophy. The HIF-1 gene codes proteins involved in the hypoxia process and can increase endurance by facilitating the adaptation of cells to low oxygen conditions. Modifying the PPAR gene can impact carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, regulating body mass. Gene therapy could provide a potential cure for diseases such as acute anemia and muscular dystrophy. However, it is important to consider the ethical and health implications of gene doping. Summary: "Gene doping" is a practice that can lead to improved athletic performance but also to serious health problems. The introduction of regulations and doping tests detecting changes in the genome would exclude this practice among athletes who take risky and morally incorrect actions. Increasing the expression of genes such as EPO, IGF-1, HIF-1, PCK1 results in increased muscle endurance and performance. Further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms and effects of gene therapy. Genetic modification has the potential to bring benefits such as treating diseases such as acute anemia resulting from kidney failure

Acoustic Properties of Multi-Layer Wool Nonwoven Structures

Wool insulating materials provide good acoustic insulation and are increasingly used for room insulation. These insulating materials are usually produced using nonwoven techniques. The structure and nonwovens parameters affect the acoustic properties of the product. During the investigation, acoustic properties of needle punched and stitch-bonded wool nonwovens were examined. Sound absorption coefficient and noise reduction coefficient for monolayer and multi-layer structures were determined. Relations between acoustic characteristics and nonwoven thickness, surface density, and air permeability were revealed. For the multi-layer structures, an increase of sound absorption with an increase in layer numbers was observed. The increase in sound absorption coefficient was correlated with the decrease in air permeability

Supramolecular Structure of Polypropylene Fibers Extruded with Addition of Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide

An effective β-nucleating agent for polypropylene crystallization was obtained by the functionalization of reduced graphene oxide with calcium pimelate. The nucleating ability of the modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO-CP) was confirmed during non-isothermal crystallization. In further examinations, the rGO-CP was used as an additive to modify polypropylene fibers. The fibers were extruded in laboratory conditions. Gravity spun fibers containing three different concentrations of the rGO-CP and fibers taken at three different velocities were obtained. The supramolecular structure of the fibers was examined by means of calorimetric and X-Ray Scattering methods (DSC, WAXS, and SAXS). The considerable amount of β-iPP was obtained only in the gravity spun fibers. In the fibers extruded at higher velocities, the diminishing impact of the additive on the fibers structure was revealed. The changes observed in the fiber structure in connection with the impact of the additive on polypropylene crystallization was discussed

Sound Absorption of Tufted Carpets Produced from Coarse Wool of Mountain Sheep

Coarse wool from Polish mountain sheep, often treated as a useless by-product of sheep husbandry, was used to produce pile carpets with tufting technique. Raw wool was used in the small-scale spinning mill to spin prototype rug yarns, which were then used for the production of carpets. The carpets with cut and loop piles of two different heights and densities were manufactured. During examinations, the basic parameters of raw wool, yarns, and tufted fabrics were determined. Then, the soundproofing properties of carpets were analyzed. To characterize the acoustic properties of the carpets, the sound absorption coefficient and transmission loss were measured. The measurements were carried out in one-third octave bands in the frequency range of 80–5000 Hz using the impedance tube method. It was stated that the wool of Polish mountain sheep is coarse, highly differentiated both in thickness and length and contains a significant content of medullated fibers and kemp. Despite its poor characteristics, the wool can be used for the production of rag yarns suitable for the production of pile carpets with tufting technique. The carpets possess acceptable sound absorbing capacity comparable to other similar products obtained from other wool types, which is dependent on both pile types and their parameters. The carpets exhibit low transmission loss, which is influenced, to a lesser extent, by the change in the parameters of the pile layer

Effect of Blend Composition on Barrier Properties of Insulating Mats Produced from Local Wool and Waste Bast Fibres

This paper concerns the management of natural waste fibres. The aim of this research was the production of multifunctional acoustic and thermal insulation materials from natural protein and lignocellulosic fibre wastes, according to a circular bioeconomy. For the manufacture of the materials, local mountain sheep wool and a mixture of bast fibre waste generated by string production were used. Insulating materials in the form of mats produced by the needle-punching technique with different fibre contents were obtained. The basic parameters of the mats, i.e., the thickness, surface weight and air permeability were determined. To assess barrier properties, sound absorption and noise reduction coefficients, as well as thermal resistance and thermal conductivity, were measured. It was shown that the mats exhibit barrier properties in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation related to the composition of the mat. It was found that mats with a higher content of the bast fibres possess a greater ability to absorb sounds, while mats with higher wool contents exhibit better thermal insulation properties. The produced mats can serve as a good alternative to commonly used acoustic and thermal insulating materials. The production of the described materials allows for a reduction in the amount of natural fibre waste and achieves the goal of “zero waste” according to the European Green Deal strategy

Acoustic Performance of Sound Absorbing Materials Produced from Wool of Local Mountain Sheep

Wool of mountain sheep, treated nowadays as a waste or troublesome byproduct of sheep husbandry, was used for the production of sound-absorbing materials. Felts of two different thicknesses were produced from loose fibres. Additionally, two types of yarn, ring spun and core rug, were obtained. The yarns were used for the production of tufted fabric with cut and loop piles. During the examinations, basic parameters of the obtained materials were determined. Then, according to standard procedure with the use of impedance tube, the sound absorption coefficient was measured, and the noise reduction coefficient (NRC) was calculated. It was revealed that felt produced from coarse wool exhibits high porosity, and its sound absorbing capacity is strongly related to the felt thickness. For thicker felt the NRC achieved 0.4, which is comparable with the NRC of commercial ceiling tiles. It was shown that the crucial parameter influencing the sound absorption of the tufted fabrics was the pile height. For both types of yarns, when the height of the pile was increased from 12 to 16 mm, the NRC increased from 0.4 to 0.42. The manufactured materials made from local wool possess good absorption capacity, similar to commercial products usually made from more expensive wool types. The materials look nice and can be used for noise reduction as inner acoustic screens, panels, or carpets