The modern indications for cochlear implantation

Celem pracy jest przedstawienie nowoczesnych wskazań do leczenia głuchoty u osób dorosłych metodą implantacji ślimakowej. Głównymi wskazaniami do zastosowania wszczepu ślimakowego są znaczny lub głęboki obustronny niedosłuch odbiorczy przy braku korzyści ze stosowania aparatów słuchowych. W procesie kwalifikacji chorego do implantacji istotne są oceny audiologiczna, otoneurologiczna, otochirurgiczna, radiologiczna, logopedyczna oraz psychologiczna. Autorzy przedstawiają ogólne zasady działania implantu ślimakowego oraz technikę operacyjną. Przedstawiono zasady rehabilitacji chorego po operacji, w której uczestniczy zespół złożony z audiologa, inżyniera biomedycznego, logopedy i psychologa.The aim of this paper was describing the modern indications for deafness treatment in adults with cochlear implantation method. The main indications for cochlear implant are considerable and profound sensorineural hearing loss with no benefit from hearing aid use. The examination by audiologist-otoneurologist, radiologist, speech therapist and psychologist is very important during qualification process for cochlear implantation. The authors present general principles of cochlear implant action and surgical technique. The rules of postoperative rehabilitation are also presented where take p art team collected with audiologist, biomedical engineer, speech therapist and psychologist

Evaluation of the frequency of RETN c.62G>A and RETN c.-180C>G polymorphisms in the resistin coding gene in girls with anorexia nervosa

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychosomatic syndrome, classified as an eating disorder. AN patients strive to lose weight below the normal limits defined for a specific age and height, achieving their goal even at the expense of extreme emaciation. AN has a multifactorial aetiology. Genetic factors are believed to be significant in the predisposition to the development of AN. In girls suffering from AN significantly lower levels of resistin (RES) in blood serum are observed as compared to healthy girls. These differences may lead to a thesis that functional genetic polymorphisms in RES coding genes can be responsible for this phenomenon. In our pilot study we demonstrated significant differences in the distribution of genotypes in the locus RETN c.-180C>G of the RES gene in 67 girls with AN and 38 healthy girls. It seems reasonable to compare the frequency of polymorphisms of RETN c.62G>A and RETN c.-180C>G in the RES gene in girls with AN and in healthy subjects in a bigger cohort and to analyse correlations between individual variants of the polymorphisms referred to above and the RES levels in blood plasma. Material and methods: The study covered 308 girls with the restrictive form of AN (AN) and 164 healthy girls (C) (aged 11–19 years). The RES levels in blood serum were determined by means of the ELISA method on a Bio-Vendor machine from LLC (Asheville, North Carolina, USA). The DNA isolation was carried out by means of Genomic Mini AX BLOOD (SPIN). The PCR reaction was carried out on a ThermoCycle T100 thermocycler. 80–150 ng of the studied DNA and relevant F and R starters were added to the reaction mixture. The reaction products were subjected to digestion by restriction enzymes and separated on agarose gels (RFLP). Results: The average RES level in blood serum in the AN group was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) than in the C group. The distribution of genotypes in the locus RETN c.62 of the RES gene was similar in both groups. A significant difference was demonstrated in the distribution of genotypes in the polymorphic site RETN c.-180 of the RES gene between AN and C (p = 0.0145) and in the distribution of the C and G alleles in the locus RETN c.-180 (p < 0.0001). The C allele occurred significantly more frequently than the G allele in the C group as compared to the AN group. In all the study subjects jointly (AN and C) a significant positive correlation between the blood RES levels on one hand and the body mass (r = 0.42; p < 0.0001) and BMI (r = 0.61; p< 0.0001) on the other was observed. There was no correlation between the concentration of RES in blood serum and the distribution of genotypes in the loci of the resistin gene referred to above. Conclusions: The CG genotype in the locus RETN c.-180 C>G of the RES gene may constitute one of the factors predisposing to the development of AN in girls. The genotype in the loci RETN c.62 G>A and RETN c.-180 C>G of the resistin gene has no influence on the levels of this hormone in blood in AN patients

Evaluation of the frequency of ADIPOQ c.45 T>G and ADIPOQ c.276 G>T polymorphisms in adiponectin coding gene in girls with anorexia nervosa

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious chronic psychosomatic disorder, the essence of which are attempts by the sufferer to obtain a slim silhouette by deliberate weight loss (restrictive diet, strenuous physical exercise, provoking vomiting). The aetiology of this disorder is multifactorial. Genetic factors that influence the predisposition to AN have been sought. A broad meta-analysis points to a strong genetic correlation between AN and insulin resistance. Adiponectin (ADIPO) increases insulin sensitivity. In our pilot study we demonstrated that the TT genotype in locus ADIPOQ c.276 G>T of the ADIPO gene and a higher concentration of ADIPO in blood serum occurred significantly more frequently in 68 girls suffering from AN than in 38 healthy girls. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the occurrence of ADIPOQ c.45 T>G and ADIPOQ c.276 G>T in the ADIPO gene in a larger cohort of girls with AN and healthy girls, as well as an analysis of correlations between variants of the aforementioned polymorphisms and the levels of ADIPO in blood serum. Material and methods: The study covered 472 girls (age: 11–19 years): 308 with the restrictive form of AN (AN) and 164 healthy girls (C). The level of ADIPO in blood serum was determined by means of the ELISA method on a Bio-Vendor, LLC (Asheville, North Carolina, USA). The DNA isolation was carried out by means of Genomic Mini AX BLOOD (SPIN). The PCR reaction was carried out in a ThermoCycle T100 thermocycler. 80–150 ng of the studied DNA and relevant F and R starters were added to the reaction mixture. The reaction products were subjected to digestion by restriction enzymes and separated on agarose gels (RFLP). Results: The distribution of genotypes in the polymorphic site ADP c.45 of the ADIPO gene and ADP c.276 was similar in both groups. In both groups the T allele was most frequent in locus ADIPOQ c.45 and the G allele in locus ADIPOQ c.276. In all the study subjects collectively (AN and C) a statistically significant negative correlation between the levels of ADIPO in blood serum on one hand and body weight (r = –0.46; p < 0.0001) and BMI (r = –0.67; p < 0.0001) on the other was demonstrated. Exclusively in the AN group a significant correlation between the level of ADIPO in blood and the distribution of TG, TT, and GG alleles in loci ADIPOQ c.45 and ADIPOQ c.276 was demonstrated (p = 0.0052 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: The genotype in loci ADIPOQ c.45 and ADIPOQ c.276 of the ADIPO gene seems to have no effect on the predisposition to AN. Girls suffering from AN with the TT genotype in loci ADIPOQ c.45 and ADIPOQ c. 276 may demonstrate higher insulin sensitivity because they have significantly higher levels of ADIPO than girls suffering from AN with other genotypes. This may be suggestive of their better adaptation to the state of malnutrition, and it has a potential effect on treatment results

Hybrid Fiber Optic Sensor Systems in Structural Health Monitoring in Aircraft Structures

‘Smart’ structural health monitoring of composite materials with optical fiber sensors is becoming more and more important, especially in the aviation industry. This paper presents an overview of hybrid fiber-optic sensing systems based on scattering techniques, fiber Bragg gratings, interferometric techniques, and polarimetric methods in structural health monitoring. The main purpose of this manuscript is to analyze the possibilities of using hybrid sensors based on fiber optics to monitor composite structures, with a particular emphasis on aircraft structures. Since it is difficult to indicate the most comprehensive approach due to different parameters of the described sensors, the review contains a detailed description of available solutions. We hope that this work will allow for a better and faster selection of the right solution for the problem at hand

Influence of non-wage benefits for motivation workers in the company off confectionery.

Tematem mojej pracy był wpływ świadczeń pozapłacowych na motywację pracowników. W pierwszym rozdziale przybliżyłam współczesne systemy wynagradzania, opisałam, jaka jest istota i funkcje wynagrodzeń, jaki jest ich podział, formy i rodzaje wynagrodzeń. W kolejnym rozdziale skupiłam się bezpośrednio na temacie mojej pracy, czyli świadczeniach pozapłacowych. Wyjaśniłam ich istotę, wymieniłam i opisałam rodzaje, a także na podstawie przykładów starałam się zbadać ich wpływ na motywację pracowników. Dzięki badaniom pokazałam również, dzięki wykresom, jakie świadczenia są najbardziej popularne w Polsce i z jakich okazji się je przyznaje. W kolejnym, rozdziale skupiłam się na firmie, w której przeprowadzałam badanie dotyczące wpływu świadczeń pozapłacowych na motywację pracowników, opisałam jej historię, przebieg badania, przedstawiłam wyniki badania, oraz wnioski, do których doszłam w jego wyniku. Pozwoliłam sobie zaproponować pewne zmiany dotyczące obecnego systemu wynagrodzeń obowiązującego w opisywanej firmie, oraz zbudowałam modele kompetencji dla przyszłych pracowników. Wnioski do jakich doszłam są następujące: im niższe stanowisko tym świadczenia pozapłacowe mają mniejszy wpływ na motywację pracowników.The subcject of thesis was influence of non-wage benefits for motivation workers. In first chapter I tried to introduce modern systems of remuneration, so I have described, what is the nature and function of wages, how we can share them, and how many forms and types of them we can identify. In the next chapter I focused directly on the theme my work, that is, non-wage benefits. I expained their essence, lists and describes the types, as well as from the examples I tried to Explorer the impast of Staff motivation. While research, and charts has also show which benefits are the most popular In Poland and why employers give them to their workers. In last chapter I fokus on the company, which conducted the study on the impast of non-wage benefits for workers’ motivation, wrote its history, the course of the study, presented the results of the the study, and the conclusions. I also suggested some chan ges to the current pay system In XYZ company, and built a model of competence for future employees. My main conclusion is: the lower position of employee’s that the non-wages benefits have less impast of their motivation

Civic budget

Niniejsza praca stanowi kompleksową analizę procesu budżetu obywatelskiego, który od kilku lat jest przeprowadzany w coraz większej ilości polskich miast i wciąż zyskuje na popularności. Głównym problemem, który występuje przy jego organizacji jest brak ścisłej podstawy prawnej, na której władze lokalne mogłyby go oprzeć. Obecnie mamy więc do czynienia z sytuacja faktyczną, która nie mieści się w ramach obowiązującego systemu prawnego. W niniejszej pracy zostały wskazane zasady konstytucyjne, które uzasadniają możliwość organizacji budżetu obywatelskiego, sama jego idea oraz historia. Ponadto został on zanalizowany pod kątem porównania do „standardowego” budżetu jednostek samorządu terytorialnego, a także zobrazowany na przykładzie wybranych polskich miast. W końcowym etapie opracowania zostały wysunięte postulaty odnoszące się do kwestii jego uregulowania w ramach przepisów prawa powszechnie obowiązującego.This thesis is a complex analysis of “civic budget” process, which is conducted in increasing number of Polish cities for a few years and is still gaining in popularity. The main problem occurring during its organizing is the lack of strict legal basis on which it may be based by local authorities. Because of that, nowadays we have factual situation which is not based in present legal system. In this thesis there are indicated some constitutional principles, which justify the opportunity of organization of “civic budget”, its idea and history. Moreover, “civic budget” has been analyzed compared to “standard budget” of local units and illustrated by examples of its organization in some Polish cities. At the end of the thesis a few postulates of its regulation in the general law are indicated

Effect of cadmium bioavailability in food on its compartmentalisation in carabids

Metals assimilated by organisms are sequestered in various compartments and some forms are more stable than others. Sequestration mechanisms used by invertebrates to detoxify metals and prevent interaction with important biomolecules include metal binding to proteins and other ligands, and storage in inorganic granules. The rate and extent at which metal concentrations in different compartments respond to metal concentrations in food and food characteristics has not received much attention, despite being of great relevance. We performed an experiment on the carabid beetle Pterostichus oblongopunctatus exposed to Cd via food made of ground mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae, either reared on Cd contaminated medium or artificially spiked after grinding with CdCl2 solution. Thus, in both cases we used the same type of food, differing only in the soluble Cd pool available to the predators, represented by P. oblongopunctatus. Subcellular compartmentalisation of Cd into organelles, heat-sensitive and heat-stable proteins (the first supernatant, S1 fraction), cellular debris (the second supernatant, S2 fraction) and metal-rich granules (G fraction) was checked a few times during the contamination (90 d) and decontamination (24 d) phases in a toxicokinetic experiment by using different centrifugation steps. The results showed no effect of the type of food (naturally, Cd-N, vs. artificially contaminated with Cd, Cd-A) on Cd sequestration kinetics in P. oblongopunctatus, but the amount of Cd sequestered in the S1 and G fractions were in general higher in the Cd-A than the Cd-N treatment, indicating that Cd transfer in the food web depends on the speciation of the metal in the food. The proportional distribution of Cd over different fractions was, however, similar in beetles fed both food types. Most of the accumulated Cd in the beetles existed as fraction S1 (ca. 35%), which is important for the transfer of metals to higher trophic levels in a food web

Antioxidant and Antiglycation Effects of Cistus × incanus Water Infusion, Its Phenolic Components, and Respective Metabolites

Reactive oxygen and carbonyl species promote oxidative and carbonyl stress, and the development of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and others. The traditional herb Cistus × incanus is known for its antioxidant properties; therefore, the current study aimed to assess how the chemical composition of a C. incanus water infusion corresponds with its antioxidative and antiglycative effects in vitro. The composition of infusions prepared from commercial products was analyzed with UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and non-flavonoid polyphenols were determined. Antioxidant activity of infusions and selected polyphenols was investigated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP. Fluorometric measurements and methylglyoxal capture were performed to investigate the antiglycation activity. PCA and PLS-DA models were applied to explore the correlation between chemical and antioxidant results. The principal flavonoids in C. incanus were flavonols. In vitro tests revealed that a stronger antioxidant effect was demonstrated by plant material from Turkey rich in flavonoids, followed by Albania and Greece. Flavonols and ellagic acid displayed stronger antiradical and reducing power than EA-derived urolithins. Hyperoside was the most potent inhibitor of glycation. The results indicate that flavonoids are primarily responsible for rock rose antioxidant and antiglycation properties. PLS-DA modeling can be used to identify the origin of plant material with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 86%