Environmental Degradability of Polyurethanes

The growing interest in environmental issues and increasing demands to develop materials that do not burden the natural environment significantly are currently observed. In this connection many studies on polymer degradation in different environments are carried out. It is important to consider the influence of synergistic action of various factors in order to understand the environmental degradation of synthetic polymers. This requires understanding of interactions between polymer and living organisms

Prolactin – friendly lactation hormone or hostile cancerogenic factor?

Prolactin is a hormone secreted by lactotrophic cells of the pituitary gland and its main function is stimulating lactation. Binding prolactin by its membrane receptor leads to the activation of signalling pathway that enables cell proliferation and differentiation. Due to this mechanism, the potential oncogenic role of the hormone is of great interest. Prolactin and its receptor have many forms and a complicated signalling pathway, that is why defining prolactin’s specific role in cancerogenesis is difficult and poses a serious challenge. Researches also indicate an important role of extra-pituitary prolactin synthesised in many other tissues in the process of cancerogenesis. This article focuses on connection between prolactin and breast cancer, as it is the most common cancer in women. In several studies, prolactin and its receptor were significantly associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Recent research papers focus also on the treatment of breast cancer, using knowledge about prolactin and its role in the development of the tumour

Diagnostic features of EPR spectra of superoxide intermediates on catalytic surfaces and molecular interpretation of their g and A tensors

The use of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the superoxide intermediates, generated by end-on and side-on adsorption of the naturally abundant and 17O-enriched dioxygen on catalytic surfaces is discussed. Basic mechanisms of O2 − radical formation via a cationic redox mechanism, an anionic redox mechanism, and an electroprotic mechanism are illustrated with selected oxide-based systems of catalytic relevance. Representative experimental spectra of various complexities are analyzed and their diagnostic features have been identified and interpreted. The molecular nature of the g and A tensors of the electrostatic and covalent superoxide adducts is discussed in detail within the classic and density functional theory based approaches

The Preoperative Supplementation With Vitamin D Attenuated Pain Intensity and Reduced the Level of Pro-inflammatory Markers in Patients After Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

The aim of this experimental study was to assess whether 5 weeks of preoperative supplementation with vitamin D affects the intensity of pain and the level of inflammatory markers in patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) followed by rehabilitation. 42 patients were divided, by double-blind randomization, into two groups: supplemented (SUPL) vitamin D (3200 IU dose of vitamin D/day for 5 weeks) and placebo group (PL) treated with vegetable oil. The 10-week program of early rehabilitation (3 times a week) was initiated 4 weeks following PLIF. Measurements of serum 25(OH)D3 and CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were performed. Pain intensity was measured using VAS. After supplementation with vitamin D serum, the concentration of 25(OH)D3 significantly increased in the SUPL group (∗p < 0.005) and was significantly higher as compared to the PL group (∗p < 0.001). A significant reduction in pain intensity was observed 4 weeks after surgery and after rehabilitation in both groups. In the SUPL group, serum CRP and IL-6 concentration significantly decreased after rehabilitation, compared with the postsurgical level (ap < 0.04). The level of TNF-α was significantly lower after rehabilitation only in the supplemented group (∗p < 0.02). There were no significant changes in the IL-10 level in both groups during the study. Our data indicate that supplementation with vitamin D may reduce systemic inflammation and when combined with surgery and early postsurgical rehabilitation, it may decrease the intensity of pain in LBP patients undergoing PLIF. Data indicate that LBP patients undergoing spine surgery should use vitamin D perioperatively as a supplement

Współpraca miasta i uczelni technicznej na przykładzie opracowań strategicznych dokumentów planistycznych

Socio-economic transformations taking place in Polish cities cause the weakening of their former identity. Strategic documents play an increasingly important role; their character is no longer just a utopian vision of the future. Changes in legal conditions and an increase in the awareness of residents strengthen the role of social participation in planning processes. The article presents a model of cooperation supporting participatory strategic planning processes that has been developed between the city of Gryfino and the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture at WPUT Szczecin.Przekształcenia społeczno-gospodarcze dokonujące się w Polskich miastach powodują osłabienie ich dawnej tożsamości. Coraz większą rolę pełnią dokumenty strategiczne, ich charakter nie jest już tylko utopijną wizją przyszłości. Zmiany uwarunkowań prawnych oraz wzrost świadomości mieszkańców wzmacniają rolę partycypacji społecznej w procesach planistycznych. W artykule przedstawiono model współpracy wspierającej partycypacyjne procesy planowania strategicznego, jaki udało się wypracować pomiędzy miastem Gryfino a WBiA ZUT w Szczecinie