Adopting the euro will cause an increase in prices : a study on inflationary processes in euro area member states

Purpose: The main purpose of the article is to identify factors that may affect the course of inflation processes in Poland after the adoption of the single European currency. Design/Methodology/Approach: The mechanism triggering an inflationary spiral in the first years after the adoption of the euro was especially visible in Spain, which became the subject of comparative analysis. Based on literature, it was determined that the price increase in Spain resulted from an asymmetric demand shock. Its sources should be sought in Spain's adoption of a lower interest rate and in the structural features of the country’s economy. Similarly, Poland’s submission to the single monetary policy regime imposed by the European Central Bank may affect the course of inflationary processes. This study made use of the document analysis, comparative analysis, and statistical analysis methods. Findings: Factors that may affect inflation processes in Poland after the adoption of the single currency will be the adoption of a lower interest rate, and expansionary fiscal policy. Lending policy and inflation expectations will be less likely to stimulate price increases. These factors may contribute to the occurrence of asymmetric shock, i.e. surplus of global demand over supply. Reduction of the inflation risk will require a tightening of lending and fiscal policy. Otherwise, the Polish economy will be exposed to the occurrence of crises. Practical Implications: Reflections on the importance of the single European currency in the course of inflation processes can be a valuable source of information for decision makers in preventing crisis phenomena. The more so because six Central and Eastern European countries have committed themselves in the Accession Treaties to the introduction of the euro and will face similar dilemmas. Originality/Value: The authors of this article draw attention to the importance of domestic factors in correcting inflation processes in the event of the loss of independence of national monetary policy.peer-reviewe

Fibular osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction of the mandible after resection of ossifying fibroma in a seven-year old child

  Ossifying fibromas (OSF) belong to a group of benign fibro-osseous neoplasms encountered almost exclusively in the craniofacial skeleton. The clinical course is typically asymptomatic. However, discomfort in the mouth begins to develop once the neoplasm progressively extends, causing an overgrowth of bone resulting in pain and facial asym­metry. The development of craniofacial bone tumors in children is quite a rare occurrence. In international medical literature, the described cases typically involve young adolescent patients, with very few case reports of craniofacial neoplasms in children under the age of seven [1, 2]. In the current case report, we present a seven-year-old patient with a biopsy-proven ossifying fibroma. The patient underwent a resection of the neoplasm with reconstruction. One of the major issues encountered in reconstruction of the mandible using a vascularized fibular flap in children is the growth potential of the fibula in comparison to the mandible, resulting in a symmetrical facial image. The use of a fibular osteocutaneous free flap in reconstruction of mandibular deficits in children is a favourable solution. The use of this type of flap permits functional restoration and significantly improved facial cosmesis. The union of the mandible with the integrated fibula is still a topic of ongoing discussion and one must be prepared for possible further orthognathic procedures after completing the growth of the craniofacial skeleton

The influence of the European tobacco products directive on socio-economic situation : analysis on the perspective of competencies towards uniformity in family business

Purpose: In terms of the sown area, the largest tobacco plantations in the EU are in Italy, Greece, and Poland. Faced with the issues of globalization and responding to the development of the Internet, the European Parliament initiated works on a directive on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states concerning the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco and related product. After the intended purposes of the Directive were announced Poland raised its objections, because – as predicted – the introduction of new rules would bring a change to the economic situation of the rural areas where tobacco was grown. Against this background, the present article pursues to objectives: 1) to identify the main spheres of social and economic life that have potentially been affected by the Directive, and 2) to assess the impact that the Directive has had on these areas five years after it came into force. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted using the document analysis and the comparative analysis methods. The Polish market was used as an example and compared to those in other European countries. Findings: The Tobacco Products Directive was found to potentially affect 4 spheres: human health, level of budget revenues, production and sale of tobacco products, and agriculture and tobacco growing. However, our analyses did not confirm the claim that any area has been negatively affected; on the contrary, improvements have been observed, for example in terms of the income of tobacco growers or the volume of cigarette production. Originality/value: Apparently, this is the first paper involving a wide assessment of the effects of the Tobacco Products Directive.peer-reviewe

Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies on Harderian and lacrimal glands of the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus major L.)

This study describes the macroscopic anatomy and the microscopic and ultrastructural features of the Harderian gland and lacrimal gland of the Capercaillies. It was conducted both on adult male and female Capercaillies. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, azan trichrome, modified Mallory’s trichrome, methyl green-pyronin Y, periodic acid-Schiff, alcian blue pH 2.5, aldehyde fuchsin and Hale’s dialysed iron. The morphometric study of the Harderian and lacrimal glands indicated that they are both larger in male than in female Capercaillies. The histological analysis showed that the HG has a multilobar tubulo-alveolar structure with numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells. The LG has a multilobar tubulo-acinar structure without lymphocytes and plasma cells. The periodic acid-Schiff staining and alcian blue pH 2.5 staining demonstrated a mild positive reaction in the epithelial cells of the Harderian gland and weak positive reaction in the lacrimal gland. The HDI staining detected the presence of carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides in the Harderian and lacrimal glands. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of two types of secretory vesicles in the cytoplasm of both studied glands. It also showed that lipid droplets and glycogen granules were more abundant in the Harderian gland than in the lacrimal gland of this species

Light and electron microscopic studies of the Harderian gland in Bilgorajska goose (Anser anser)

The Harderian gland (HG) in birds is the dominant orbital gland, which plays an important role in immunological response. Tissue sections taken from adult females of Bilgorajska goose were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Azan, PAS, AB pH 2.5, AF and HDI. Based on the histological structure the HG in Bilgorajska geese had compound tubular structure with multiple lobules and two types of epithelial cells lining the tubules. Epithelial cells in the central part of the lobes were dark in color and contained serous fluid, while in the deeper layers, epithelial cells were lightly coloured and contained mucous fluid. Histochemical studies showed the presence of neutral mucopolysaccharides and carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides in the secretory cells. The small number of single plasma cells were present in HDI staining below the basement membrane of the secondary and primary ducts, near the crypts of the main duct. TEM study demonstrated that plasma cells had a large nucleus with condensed heterochromatin and were rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum. The knowledge of gland’s structure, and above all an analysis of the immune system components may affect clinical practice and properly conducted immunization of birds

New insights into the possible role of bacteriophages in host defense and disease

BACKGROUND: While the ability of bacteriophages to kill bacteria is well known and has been used in some centers to combat antibiotics – resistant infections, our knowledge about phage interactions with mammalian cells is very limited and phages have been believed to have no intrinsic tropism for those cells. PRESENTATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS: At least some phages (e.g., T4 coliphage) express Lys-Arg-Gly (KGD) sequence which binds β3 integrins (primarily αIIbβ3). Therefore, phages could bind β3+ cells (platelets, monocytes, some lymphocytes and some neoplastic cells) and downregulate activities of those cells by inhibiting integrin functions. TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: Binding of KGD+ phages to β3 integrin+ cells may be detected using standard techniques involving phage – mediated bacterial lysis and plaque formation. Furthermore, the binding may be visualized by electron microscopy and fluorescence using labelled phages. Binding specificity can be confirmed with the aid of specific blocking peptides and monoclonal antibodies. In vivo effects of phage – cell interactions may be assessed by examining the possible biological effects of β3 blockade (e.g., anti-metastatic activity). IMPLICATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS: If, indeed, phages can modify functions of β3+ cells (platelets, monocytes, lymphocytes, cancer cells) they could be important biological response modifiers regulating migration and activities of those cells. Such novel understanding of their role could open novel perspectives in their potential use in treatment of cardiovascular and autoimmune disease, graft rejection and cancer

Deletions in chromosome 6p22.3-p24.3, including ATXN1, are associated with developmental delay and autism spectrum disorders

Interstitial deletions of the short arm of chromosome 6 are rare and have been associated with developmental delay, hypotonia, congenital anomalies, and dysmorphic features. We used array comparative genomic hybridization in a South Carolina Autism Project (SCAP) cohort of 97 subjects with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and identified an ~ 5.4 Mb deletion on chromosome 6p22.3-p23 in a 15-year-old patient with intellectual disability and ASDs. Subsequent database queries revealed five additional individuals with overlapping submicroscopic deletions and presenting with developmental and speech delay, seizures, behavioral abnormalities, heart defects, and dysmorphic features. The deletion found in the SCAP patient harbors ATXN1, DTNBP1, JARID2, and NHLRC1 that we propose may be responsible for ASDs and developmental delay