Kościół parafialny pod wezwaniem św. Stanisława Biskupa i Męczennika w Ligocie Bialskiej (diecezja opolska)

This note constitutes a contribution to the history of worship of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, in the Opole are of Silesia, where this worship has been strong since he Middle Ages. Taking as an example the dedication of a parish church at Ligota Bial ka (German Ellguth) to St. Stanislaus, it wants to show the permanence of the rever nce for this Saint. The fact that a new church, built in the years 1908-1909 in the place f the old one (which dated back to the Middle Ages)  received the same invocation is et another proof. Stained-glass windows designed by a Cracovian painter W. Tetmajer are a beautifiil decoration of this church.Parafia Ligota Bialska należy do starszych na terenie obecnej diecezji opolskiej.  Do naszych czasów nie zachował się pierwotny kościół, pamiętający przełom średniowiecza i wiek XVI. Na początku XX stulecia okazał się być już niewystarczającym dla wzrastającej liczby parafian. Budowy nowego kościoła podjął się proboszcz parafii Ligota w latach 1896-1921 ks. Aleksander Skowroński. Ostatecznie kościół został wybudowany w latach 1908-1909. Nowy kościół otrzymał wezwanie poprzedniej świątyni, czyli św. Stanisława Biskupa i Męczennika. W ten sposób powstał nowy kościół, murowany z cegły i ciosanych kamieni w stylu neogotyckim, trójnawowy z transeptem, będący dziełem architekta Ludwika Schneidera z Wrocławia; robotami budowlanymi kierował budowniczy Heda, miejscowy doświadczony rzemieślnik, główny ołtarz rzeźbiony był w Nysie, a malowidła wykonał - według pomysłu ks. Skowrońskiego R. Richter z Kłodzka. Jak podkreślają wszyscy znawcy, prawdziwym klejnotem kościoła są trzy witraże w absydzie, wykonane w Dusseldorfie według kartonów Włodzimierza Tetmajera (1861-1923), przyrodniego brata Kazimierza, znanego malarza i grafika

Challenges in radiotherapy planning : dose verification in the vicinity of the border of tissue-prosthesis medium

The success or failure of radiotherapy largely depends on the accuracy with which the dose will be delivered to a specific volume in the patient’s body. One of the problems associated with radiotherapy planning for patients with endoprostheses is the inaccuracy of the algorithm calculating the dose distribution in the treatment planning system for the area in the vicinity of the border of tissue–prosthesis medium. The aim of this study is verification of a planned dose on the border of hip prosthesis–acetabulum surface. At the examined energy — 6 MV — a dose results in decrease at the border of the medium, to achieve up to 10%. To verify this hypothesis, a water-filled phantom (soft tissue equivalent) was used with bone fragments (imitating hip joint) and metallic elements (hip joint endoprostheses) placed in a working stand. On acetabulum surface, thermoluminescent microdosimeters (TLD) based on lithium fluoride (LiF) was placed. The irradiation by medical linear accelerator was performed. The planned dose is higher compared with measured dose by approx. 9.8% (1.112 vs. 1.003 Gy for 2 Gy of fraction dose). It was confirmed that the treatment planning system overestimates the dose on the surface of acetabulum

Fungal infection of cystic fibrosis patients — single center experience

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common monogenetic autosomal recessive disease in the human population. This systemic disease is characterized by changes in multiple organs, mainly in the lung tissue and digestive tract. More than 59% of CF patients become sensitized to fungal spores, mostly Aspergillus fumigatus. 5−15% of CF patients develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of yeast and filamentous fungi of the respiratory infections in CF patients and evaluation of drug resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2014, mycological evaluation of 42 patients hospitalized at the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases was carried out. RESULTS: 217 specimens from pulmonary tract were collected from 42 patients with cystic fibrosis. 205 (68%) strains of yeast and 96 (32%) filamentous fungi strains were cultured. The most common mould strain was A. fumigatus — 22,2% (67 species). All isolates of filamentous fungi were in vitro 100% susceptible to itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and amphotericin B. CONCLUSIONS: A. fumigatus and C. albicans were the most common etiological agents of fungal respiratory pathogens associated with CF patients. A. fumigatus strains were in vitro 100% susceptible to azole and amphotericin B. Two strains of C. albicans and one strain of C. tropicalis were non-susceptible to azole (fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole). Scedosporium apiospermum was resistant to amphotericin B (MIC > 32 mg/l) and susceptible to voriconazole (MIC 0.094 mg/l).INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common monogenetic autosomal recessive disease in the human population. This systemic disease is characterized by changes in multiple organs, mainly in the lung tissue and digestive tract. More than 59% of CF patients become sensitized to fungal spores, mostly Aspergillus fumigatus. 5−15% of CF patients develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of yeast and filamentous fungi of the respiratory infections in CF patients and evaluation of drug resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2006 and 2014, mycological evaluation of 42 patients hospitalized at the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases was carried out. RESULTS: 217 specimens from pulmonary tract were collected from 42 patients with cystic fibrosis. 205 (68%) strains of yeast and 96 (32%) filamentous fungi strains were cultured. The most common mould strain was A. fumigatus — 22,2% (67 species). All isolates of filamentous fungi were in vitro 100% susceptible to itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and amphotericin B. CONCLUSIONS: A. fumigatus and C. albicans were the most common etiological agents of fungal respiratory pathogens associated with CF patients. A. fumigatus strains were in vitro 100% susceptible to azole and amphotericin B. Two strains of C. albicans and one strain of C. tropicalis were non-susceptible to azole (fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole). Scedosporium apiospermum was resistant to amphotericin B (MIC > 32 mg/l) and susceptible to voriconazole (MIC 0.094 mg/l)

Quality of life of patients after a myocardial infarction

IntroductionA Latin adage says that "good health is better than the greatest wealth." [3] It has been known for a long time that the heart is the most important organ that works continuously throughout life to properly nourish all tissues, and thus determines the proper functioning and health of the entire human body. Meanwhile, despite the development of science, the advancement of diagnosis and treatment techniques, cardiovascular diseases, often leading to a heart attack, are the leading cause of death in most developed countries. [4]. Estimates of the National Centre For Heart Statistic say that 143 million people worldwide suffer from ischemic heart disease. [6]. A past of myocardial infarction, despite the high mortality, also affects the quality of life of patients. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), quality of life is an individual way in which an individual perceives his or her position in life in relation to the culture and value system in which he or she functions, as well as in the context of expectations, tasks and standards set by environmental determinants. [5]. The medical approach to the quality of life consists in identifying the patient's problems related to his physical, mental and social activity resulting from the disease and the treatment used, as well as describing his views on health and subjective well-being

Automated and efficient workflow for large airborne remote sensing vegetation mapping and research of Natura 2000 habitats

The goal of HabitARS (Habitats Airborne Remote Sensing) project is the implementation of remote sensing methods for Natura 2000 habitat monitoring in terms of environmental protection and sustainable agriculture. The methodology of identification of non-forest Natura 2000 habitats and their threats (desiccation, succession, invasive/expansive species) will be developed. Very extensive field campaign and remote sensing scanning make it probably one of the largest remote sensings project in Europe. Ground truths were collected on multiple sites (spring/summer/autumn) over two vegetation seasons (2016-2017). 200 field campaigns collected 31.500 reference samples. Aerial scanning was performed using multi-sensor platform, integrating Riegl full-wave LiDAR, 50Mpix RGB camera and HySpex hyperspectral scanner (SWIR-384, VNIR-1800). In 400 h flights hours 2300 km2 of data was acquired, achieving 7 ALS points/m2 and ground pixels sizes of 10 cm (RGB) and 1 m (hyperspectral). We automated classification workflow to free teams from repetitive work. A system based on Vegetation Classification Studio software was deployed in datacenter, integrating all datasets and facilitating remote access to research teams from 6 universities. Simple text language defines input data, goals and parameters of scientific experiments. Batches of 10-100s of related experiments can be defined. The basic process automates e.g. preparation of reference data, splitting into training/validation sets, rasterization, model learning & validation, quality assessment & reporting and produces a set of final vegetation maps in multiple formats. Often in minutes. Many procedures/algorithms performing multiple cycles of classification, prediction and accuracy assessment – like feature selection, optimizations in search for specific target, or search over multiple parameters – are automated. Modern approaches e.g. fuzzy prediction and multiple fuzzy visualizations, dimensionality reduction and feature engineering algorithms are supported.. That way of work revolutionized the daily routine of research, allowing research teams to shift focus from performing experiments to concentrate on analysis and understanding of results, and designing new approaches. It brought more confidence to our results – we now base our conclusions on thousands of experiments, not just a few as before. For many vegetation maps, results are delivered in hour(s). Larger experiment batches, spanning multiple flights and study sites, are often ready “next morning”. 9 months after introducing VCS system, all teams created over 300.000 classifications (compared to just 600 during 1st year of the project) and 17.500 vegetation maps. While being an obvious success, such a big shift in organization of research work lead to its own problems. The 100x-1000x increase in number of experiments and results was quite disruptive for whole project organization. Besides many benefits and obvious improvements, it uncovered unexpected bottlenecks, creating need for further automation of related activities like data management, error detection, organization of results and better visualization and analysis of results. Research has been carried out under the Biostrateg II Programme of the Polish National Centre for Research and Development, project DZP/BIOSTRATEG-II/390/2015: The innovative approach supporting monitoring of non-forest Natura 2000 habitats, using remote sensing methods

Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in a patient with COPD and bronchiectasis, with radiological signs of lung tumor

Mycobacterial lung disease is caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), also known as atypical mycobacteria. NTM arewidely distributed in the environment, particularly in soil and water; they may colonize the airways, gastrointestinal tract andgenitourinary system, without the apparent signs of disease. Nevertheless, in some risk groups such as patients with chronic lungdiseases or with immunodeficiency, mycobacterial lung disease is identified. Recently, increased recognition of mycobacteriallung disease in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients has been observed, especially in those treated with highdoses of inhaled corticosteroids.In the present paper, we describe the patient treated for many years due to COPD and bronchiectasis, with clinical and radiologicalpicture suggestive of lung tumor, in whom final diagnosis of mycobacterial lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium wasmade

Zakażenia grzybicze u chorych na mukowiscydozę — wyniki badania jednoośrodkowego

WSTĘP: Mukowiscydoza (zwłóknienie torbielowate [CF]) to najczęstsza choroba monogenowa, dziedziczona w sposób autosomalny recesywny występująca wśród rasy kaukaskiej. Jest chorobą ogólnoustrojową, wielonarządową, w której decydujące dla jej przebiegu jest zajęcie układów oddechowego i pokarmowego. U ponad 59% chorych na mukowiscydozę stwierdza się przeciwciała dla alergenów zarodników grzybów głównie Aspergillus fumigatus. U 5−15% chorych dochodzi do rozwoju alergicznej aspergilozy oskrzelowo-płucnej. Celem pracy była analiza częstości występowania grzybów drożdżopodobnych i grzybów pleśniowych w drogach oddechowych chorych na CF oraz ocena lekooporności wyhodowanych szczepów. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Analizie poddano wyniki badań mikologicznych uzyskanych od 42 chorych hospitalizowanych i leczonych w Instytucie Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc w Warszawie w latach 2006−2014. WYNIKI: Z 217 materiałów z dróg oddechowych, otrzymanych od 42 chorych na mukowiscydozę, wyizolowano 205 (68%) szczepów grzybów drożdżopodobnych oraz 96 (32%) szczepy grzybów pleśniowych. Wśród grzybów pleśniowych dominował gatunek A. fumigatus 22,2% (67). Badane szczepy grzybów in vitro wykazywały 100% wrażliwość na itrakonazol, worykonazol, posakonazol oraz amfoterycynę B. WNIOSKI: Główne patogeny izolowane z materiałów z dróg oddechowych chorych na mukowiscydozę stanowiły A.fumigatus i C. albicans. Szczepy A. fumigatus wykazywały 100% wrażliwość in vitro na leki z grupy azoli oraz amfoterycynę B. Dwa szczepy C. albicans oraz 1 szczep C. tropicalis wykazywały oporność na azole (flukonazol, itrakonazol i worykonazol). Scedosporium apiospermum był oporny na amfoterycynę B (MIC > 32 mg/l) natomiast wykazywał wrażliwość na worykonazol (MIC 0,094 mg/l).WSTĘP: Mukowiscydoza (zwłóknienie torbielowate [CF]) to najczęstsza choroba monogenowa, dziedziczona w sposób autosomalny recesywny występująca wśród rasy kaukaskiej. Jest chorobą ogólnoustrojową, wielonarządową, w której decydujące dla jej przebiegu jest zajęcie układów oddechowego i pokarmowego. U ponad 59% chorych na mukowiscydozę stwierdza się przeciwciała dla alergenów zarodników grzybów głównie Aspergillus fumigatus. U 5−15% chorych dochodzi do rozwoju alergicznej aspergilozy oskrzelowo-płucnej. Celem pracy była analiza częstości występowania grzybów drożdżopodobnych i grzybów pleśniowych w drogach oddechowych chorych na CF oraz ocena lekooporności wyhodowanych szczepów. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Analizie poddano wyniki badań mikologicznych uzyskanych od 42 chorych hospitalizowanych i leczonych w Instytucie Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc w Warszawie w latach 2006−2014. WYNIKI: Z 217 materiałów z dróg oddechowych, otrzymanych od 42 chorych na mukowiscydozę, wyizolowano 205 (68%) szczepów grzybów drożdżopodobnych oraz 96 (32%) szczepy grzybów pleśniowych. Wśród grzybów pleśniowych dominował gatunek A. fumigatus 22,2% (67). Badane szczepy grzybów in vitro wykazywały 100% wrażliwość na itrakonazol, worykonazol, posakonazol oraz amfoterycynę B. WNIOSKI: Główne patogeny izolowane z materiałów z dróg oddechowych chorych na mukowiscydozę stanowiły A.fumigatus i C. albicans. Szczepy A. fumigatus wykazywały 100% wrażliwość in vitro na leki z grupy azoli oraz amfoterycynę B. Dwa szczepy C. albicans oraz 1 szczep C. tropicalis wykazywały oporność na azole (flukonazol, itrakonazol i worykonazol). Scedosporium apiospermum był oporny na amfoterycynę B (MIC > 32 mg/l) natomiast wykazywał wrażliwość na worykonazol (MIC 0,094 mg/l)

Asymmetric dimethylarginine as a useful risk marker of radial artery calcification in patients with advanced kidney disease

Medial arterial calcification is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is considered a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels, radial artery calcification, and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA‑IMT). The study included 51 patients with CKD, in whom an arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis access was created to collect radial artery samples for a histological examination, and 33 healthy volunteers, in whom the reference concentrations of ADMA were assessed. The concentrations of creatinine, albumin, calcium, phosphate, fibroblast growth factor 23, osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, interleukin 6, interleukin 18, pentraxin 3, stromal cell‑derived factor $1\alpha$ ($SDF1\alpha$), thrombomodulin, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFRII), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‑2) were determined. Radial artery fragments were stained for calcifications using alizarin red. The CCA‑IMT was assessed by ultrasonography. Patients with CKD had higher ADMA levels than controls. Patients with ADMA levels above the median were older, had higher levels of phosphate, fibroblast growth factor 23, OPG, OPN, PTX3, sTNFRII, MMP‑2, thrombomodulin, and they had more atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery. In multiple regression, log‑transformed (log)sTNFRII, MMP‑2, and $SDF1\alpha$ levels were independent predictors of log(ADMA). Patients with calcifications had higher ADMA levels. A similar correlation was observed between $SDF1\alpha$ and alizarin red staining grades 1 to 3. In logistic regression, ADMA levels positively predicted the presence of calcifications independently of age, hemodialysis status, Framingham risk score, and PTX3. Circulating ADMA levels indicate medial arterial calcification in patients with CKD

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NT MLD ) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Wstęp: Mikobakteriozy są chorobami rzadkimi, rozpoznawanymi głównie u osób z grup ryzyka. Wśród płucnych czynników ryzyka nie wymieniono dotychczas nadciśnienia płucnego. Celem pracy była analiza obrazu klinicznego i przebiegu mikobakteriozy płuc, którą rozpoznano w ośrodku autorów pracy w latach 2002–2012 u chorych na nadciśnienie płucne zakrzepowo-zatorowe (CTEPH) i idiopatyczne (IPAH), oraz próba określenia czynników sprzyjających zachorowaniu.Materiał i metody: Badaną grupę stanowiło 13 chorych — 10 z CTEPH i 3 z IPAH. Nadciśnienie płucne potwierdzono metodą inwazyjną. Mediana średniego ciśnienia w tętnicy płucnej w okresie rozpoznania mikobakteriozy wynosiła 49 mm Hg (39–65 mm Hg). Mikobakteriozę płuc rozpoznano zgodnie z kryteriami Amerykańskiego Towarzystwa Chorób Płuc z 2007 roku.Wyniki: Czynnikiem etiologicznym był u większości chorych gatunek M. kansasii. Najczęstszymi objawami mikobakteriozy płuc były nasilenie duszności i produktywny kaszel. W tomografii komputerowej klatki piersiowej z opcją naczyniową w 7 przypadkach stwierdzono zagęszczenia miąższowe z rozpadem, w 6 — jamy otoczone drobnymi guzkami. U wszystkich chorych na CTEPH zmiany związane z mikobakteriozą pojawiły się na obszarach o upośledzonej perfuzji, ale bez widocznych zmian pozawałowych. Wszyscy chorzy otrzymali leczenie przeciwprątkowe, uzyskano poprawę w 12/13 przypadków. Do kwietnia 2014 roku 7 chorych zmarło z powodu ciężkiej prawokomorowej niewydolności serca, nie obserwowano zgonów w przebiegu mikobakteriozy.Wnioski: Nowe płucne zmiany miąższowe z rozpadem u chorych na CTEPH i na IPAH z towarzyszącym produktywnym kaszlem powinny skłonić do diagnostyki w kierunku mikobakteriozy płuc. W CTEPH niepokój budzą szczególnie ogniska rozpadu, którym nie towarzyszą nowe skrzepliny w naczyniach doprowadzających. Czynnikami sprzyjającymi rozwojowi mikobakteriozy płuc są: wysokie nadciśnienie płucne (CTEPH i IPAH) oraz obniżona perfuzja (CTEPH).Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung diseases (NTMLD) occur rarely and are diagnosed mainly in patients belonging to risk groups. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been recognised as a risk factor for NTMLD yet. The aim of the study was to analyse the clinical course and predisposing factors of NTMLD recognised in our centre between 2002 and 2012 in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).Material and methods: Thirteen patients (10 — CTEPH, 3 — IPAH) entered the study. PH was recognised during right heart catheterisation. Median value of mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was 49 mm Hg (39–65 mm Hg). NTMLD was diagnosed according to ATS guidelines (2007).Results: M. kansasii was the most frequent pathogen. Most patients complained of the exaggeration of dyspnoea and productive cough. Computed tomography of the chest with angiography revealed infiltrations with cavitation in seven patients and cavities surrounded by micronodules in six patients. In all CTEPH patients, NTMLD developed in the hypoperfused lung areas. No parenchymal abnormalities preceded the development of NTMLD. After diagnosis all of the patients received antituberculous treatment; in 12/13 improvement was achieved. By the end of March 2014 seven patients died due to right heart insufficiency, no deaths due to NTMLD were noted.Conclusions: NTMLD should be suspected in patients with CTEPH or IPAH, presenting with productive cough and a new pulmonary infiltrate with cavitation. In patients with CTEPH, special attention should be paid to a new cavitary lesions without accompanying thrombus in the artery supplying the area. High mPAP (CTEPH/IPAH) and hypoperfusion (CTEPH) are predisposing to NTMLD