The implementation of “The St. Gallen Model for Destination Management (SGDM)” in the Polish Carpathians: A case study of six Bieszczady communes

The Bieszczady mountains are one of the ranges of the Polish Carpathians. Their natural and cultural amenities attract thousands of Polish and international tourists each year. Despite many protected zones existing in this area (e.g. Bieszczadzki National Park, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Nature 2000 areas), the Bieszczady mountains face various environmental and social problems which have arisen from their dynamic but often chaotic tourism development. The lack of a common vision of long-term tourism development (on communal and regional levels) is one of the main challenging issues which public and private bodies are confronted with. The paper presents the results of the implementation of an innovative approach, i.e. the St. Gallen Model for Destination Management (SGDM), in selected Bieszczady communes. This method offers a clear advantage for key destination actors by allowing them to enter a process of holistic destination management. The article is the first attempt at SGDM application in Poland

Implementacja metody the St. Gallen Model for Destination Management (SGDM) w polskich Karpatach: Studium przypadku sześciu bieszczadzkich gmin

Bieszczady są jednym z pasm górskich leżących w polskich Karpatach. Ich walory przyrodnicze i kulturowe przyciągają corocznie do tej destynacji tysiące polskich i zagranicznych turystów. Pomimo wielu objętych ochroną miejsc o szczególnych walorach przyrodniczych (np. Bieszczadzki Park Narodowy, Rezerwat Biosfery UNESCO i obszary Natura 2000) Bieszczady borykają się obecnie z różnymi problemami środowiskowymi i społecznymi, które często wynikają z dynamicznego, ale chaotycznego rozwoju turystyki na ich obszarze. Brak wspólnej wizji długofalowego rozwoju turystyki (na poziomie gminnym i regionalnym) stanowi jedno z głównych wyzwań, przed którym stoją obecnie podmioty publiczne i prywatne wielu gmin bieszczadzkich. W artykule zaprezentowano rezultaty wdrożenia innowacyjnej metody zarządzania destynacjami – The St.Gallen Model for Destination Management (SGDM) – w wybranych bieszczadzkich gminach. Zastosowana metoda umożliwiła lokalnym „aktorom” turystycznym (publicznym i prywatnym) przystąpienie do procesu holistycznego zarządzania miejscami recepcji turystycznej poprzez identyfikację kluczowych segmentów rynku. W pracy przedstawiono pierwszą próbę zastosowania metody SGDM w Polsce

Propolis Induces Chondroitin/Dermatan Sulphate and Hyaluronic Acid Accumulation in the Skin of Burned Wound

Changes in extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans during the wound repair allowed us to apply the burn model in which therapeutic efficacy of propolis and silver sulfadiazine was compared. Burns were inflicted on four pigs. Glycosaminoglycans isolated from healthy and burned skin were quantified using a hexuronic acid assay, electrophoretic fractionation, and densitometric analyses. Using the reverse-phase HPLC the profile of sulfated disaccharides released by chondroitinase ABC from chondroitin/dermatan sulfates was estimated. Chondroitin/dermatan sulfates and hyaluronic acid were found in all samples. Propolis stimulated significant changes in the content of particular glycosaminoglycan types during burn healing. Glycosaminoglycans alterations after silver sulfadiazine application were less expressed. Propolis maintained high contribution of 4-O-sulfated disaccharides to chondroitin/dermatan sulfates structure and low level of 6-O-sulfated ones throughout the observed period of healing. Propolis led to preservation of significant contribution of disulfated disaccharides especially 2,4-O-disulfated ones to chondroitin sulfates/dermatan sulfates structure throughout the observed period of healing. Our findings demonstrate that propolis accelerates the burned tissue repair by stimulation of the wound bed glycosaminoglycan accumulation needed for granulation, tissue growth, and wound closure. Moreover, propolis accelerates chondroitin/dermatan sulfates structure modification responsible for binding growth factors playing the crucial role in the tissue repair

Longitudinal assessment of renal size and function in extremely low birth weight children at 7 and 11 years of age

BACKGROUND: There are a lack of studies describing a longitudinal association between preterm delivery and renal complications later in life. We assessed renal size and function in preterm infants born with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) during 4 years of follow-up, comparing these parameters to age-matched children born full term (term controls). METHODS: The results of selected renal laboratory tests [levels of cystatin C, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN)] and of renal ultrasound evaluations were compared between the ELBW group and the term control group at age 7 and 11 years. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 64 children born with ELBW (ELBW children) who had been recruited at birth and 36 children born at term (term children) who took part in both follow-up assessments. Renal ultrasound examination revealed a significantly smaller renal volume in the 7- and 11-year-old ELBW children compared to the term controls [right kidney volume: 50.8 vs. 61.2 ml/m(2), respectively, at 7 years (p <0.01) and 51.4 vs. 58.2 ml/m(2), respectively, at 11 years (p <0.01); left kidney volume: 51.4 vs. 60.3 ml/m(2), respectively, at 7 years (p <0.01) and 55.2 vs. 60.7 ml/m(2), respectively, at 11 years (p = 0.02)]. Renal function in ELBW children was also affected. Serum cystatin C levels were significantly higher in ELBW children than in the controls at 7 years of age, and this difference remained statistically significant at 11 years of age [0.63 vs. 0.59 mg/l, respectively, at 7 years (p = 0.02) and 0.72 vs. 0.61 mg/l, respectively, at 11 years (p = 0.01)]. Six ELBW children also had elevated cystatin C levels (0.97–1.11 mg/l) at 11 years of age. Cystatin C levels were within normal range in the ELBW children at age 7 years and in term children in both follow-up studies. BUN levels were higher in ELBW children at the age of 11 years (4.49 vs. 4.15 mmol/l; p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Continued follow-up of these patients will reveal whether the observed worsening in renal function will persist into adulthood

Czy u otyłych dzieci wystąpienie zespołu metabolicznego i jego składowych jest warunkowane stopniem otyłości czy insulinoopornością?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine which factors increase the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in obese children and adolescents. Material and methods: In 78 obese children (42 girls, 36 boys), mean age 14.6 &#177; 3.5 years, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol (HDL), insulin and glucose at fasting state as well as in OGTT were measured. Body mass index (BMI) Z-score, LDLcholesterol, and insulin resistance indices (FIGR, R-HOMA) were calculated. Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in ten (12.8%) children. Hyperinsulinaemia was present in 42 (53.8%) subjects, increased FIGR in eight (10.3%) and increased R-HOMA in 49 (62.3%). Significant correlations between BMI Z-score &#8805; 2.5 and MS occurrence and its components (hypertriglyceridaemia, isolated systolic and diastolic hypertension) were found. Hypertriglyceridaemia, low HDL and hypertension, as well as MS occurrence, correlated significantly with stimulated hyperinsulinaemia and increased FIGR. Risk of hypertension was increased 5.6 times by fasting hyperinsulinaemia. Stimulated hyperinsulinaemia increased the risk of hypertriglyceridaemia 3.7 times, risk of low HDL 14.4 times and risk of MS 10.3 times. These risks did not change significantly when adjusted for BMI Z-score. Conclusions: Our study results show that both BMI Z-score and OGTT stimulated hyperinsulinaemia are good predictors of MS occurrence in obese children and adolescents. The risk of dyslipidaemia and hypertension increase significantly with hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance, with low HDL cholesterol being the most affected. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (2): 102&#8211;108)Wstęp: Celem pracy było określenie czynników ryzyka wystąpienia zespołu metabolicznego (MS, metabolic syndrome) i jego składowych u otyłych dzieci i młodzieży. Materiał i metody: U 78 dzieci z otyłością prostą (42 dziewczynek, 36 chłopców) w średnim wieku 14,6&#177;3,5 lat oznaczono stężenia cholesterolu całkowitego, triglicerydów, cholesterolu frakcji HDL (HDL), insuliny i glukozy na czczo i w OGTT, obliczono indeks masy ciała (BMI, body mass index) i jego Z-score oraz wskaźniki insulinooporności (FIGR, R-HOMA). Dokonano 3-krotnych pomiarów ciśnienia tętniczego. Wyniki: Zespół metaboliczny rozpoznano u 10 (12,8%) dzieci, podwyższone stężenie insuliny na czczo odnotowano u 42 (53,8%), podwyższony FIGR u 8 (10,3%), a podwyższony R-HOMA u 49 (62,3%) badanych. Wskaźnik masy ciała Z-score &#8805; 2,5 był istotnie związany z występowaniem MS oraz jego komponentów (hipertriglicerydemią, izolowanym nadciśnieniem skurczowym i rozkurczowym). Stwierdzono istotną korelację hipertriglicerydemii, niskiego stężenia HDL, nadciśnienia i występowania MS z hiperinsulinemią w OGTT i podwyższonym FIGR. Ponadto ryzyko nadciśnienia było 5,6-krotnie wyższe u dzieci z hiperinsulinemią na czczo. Hiperinsulinemia w OGTT zwiększała ryzyko wystąpienia hipertriglicerydemii 3,7-krotnie, ryzyko niskiego stężenia HDL &#8212; 14,4-krotnie, a ryzyko MS &#8212; 10,3-krotnie. Związki te nie zmieniły się istotnie po skorygowaniu dla BMI Z-score. Wnioski: Stwierdzono, że zarówno BMI Z-score, jak i hiperinsulinemia w OGTT są dobrymi czynnikami prognostycznymi wystąpienia MS u otyłych dzieci i młodzieży. Ryzyko wystąpienia nadciśnienia i dyslipidemii, a szczególnie niskiego stężenia HDL, wzrasta istotnie u dzieci z hiperinsulinemią i insulinoopornością. (Endokrynol Pol 2011; 62 (2): 102&#8211;108

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) : a position in classical phytotherapy and newly documented activities

The flower (inflorescence, basket-type inflorescence) of marigold (Calendulae officinalis flos) is a wellknown plant raw material in traditional phytomedicine. It has a complex chemical composition, dominated by flavonoids and terpenoids. Terpenoids are mainly represented by oleanolic acid derivatives specific for this species: triterpenoid saponins – calendulosides A–H and triterpenoid glycosides, so-called calendulaglycosides A and B. Biological activity profiles of the raw material, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunostimulatory and antioxidant properties, determine its use especially in the treatment of dermatological diseases. In addition to spasmolitic, hypolipemic and antidiabetic properties of this flower, scientific studies also demonstrated its cardioprotective, hepatoregenerative, pancreas-regenerating, neuroprotective and even anticancer health-promoting effects. Moreover, C. officinalis is used in the cosmetology and food industry

Ex Vivo Area-Metric Analysis of Root Canal Obturation Using Cold and Warm Gutta-Percha

properly cited. Purpose. To evaluate the percentage content of gutta-percha, sealer, and voids in a filled canal area following three different filling techniques, using microphotographs and Nis Elements5 software. Material and Methods. After completing chemomechanical preparation, the teeth ( = 48) were randomly divided into three groups ( = 16) and filled by either cold lateral condensation (CLC group), the continuous wave technique (EOU group), and the ProTaper5 thermoplasticized obturator (PT group). The roots were then sectioned horizontally 2.5, 6.5 and 8.5 mm from the tooth apical foramen. The surface areas of the sealer, voids, and guttapercha (PGFA percentage of gutta-percha-filled area) were calculated and the results subjected to statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis test). Results. The percentage of gutta-percha (PGFA) was lower in the apical third of the canal for the CLC and EOU groups than the PT group. In the middle and the coronal third of the canal, the PGFA value was higher after using thermal techniques (EOU and PT) than cold lateral condensation (CLC). The presence of voids was comparable in the fillings performed using warm and cold gutta-percha obturation at all levels. Conclusion. Although thermal methods of root canal obturation allow higher PGFA values to be obtained than cold lateral condensation, the content of voids is comparable

Normal distal pulmonary vein anatomy

Background. It is well known that the pulmonary veins (PVs), especially their myocardial sleeves play a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation. Understanding the PV anatomy is crucial for the safety and efficacy of all procedures performed on PVs. The aim of this study was to present normal distal PV anatomy and to create a juxtaposition of all PV ostium variants.Methods. A total of 130 randomly selected autopsied adult human hearts (Caucasian) were examined. The number of PVs ostia was evaluated and their diameter was measured. The ostium-to-last-tributary distance and macroscopic presence of myocardial sleeves were also evaluated.Results. Five hundred forty-one PV ostia were identified. Four classical PV ostia patterns (two left and two right PVs) were observed in 70.8% of all cases. The most common variant was the classical pattern with additional middle right PV (19.2%), followed by the common ostium for the left superior and the inferior PVs (4.44%). Mean diameters of PV ostia (for the classical pattern) were: left superior = 13.8 ± 2.9 mm; left inferior = 13.3 ± 3.4 mm; right superior = 14.3 ± 2.9 mm; right inferior = 13.7 ± 3.3 mm. When present, the additional middle right PV ostium had the smallest PV ostium diameter in the heart (8.2 ± 4.1 mm). The mean ostium-to-last-tributary (closest to the atrium) distances were: left superior = 15.1 ± 4.6 mm; left inferior = 13.5 ± 4.0 mm; right superior = 11.8 ± 4.0 mm; right inferior = 11.0 ± 3.7 mm. There were no statistically significant differences between sexes in ostia diameters and ostium-to-last-tributary distances.Conclusion. Only 71% of the cases have four standard pulmonary veins. The middle right pulmonary vein is present in almost 20% of patients. Presented data can provide useful information for the clinicians during interventional procedures or radiologic examinations of PVs