Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and its association with thyroid lesions

Cyclooxygenase (COX), also known as prostaglandin H synthase, catalyses the formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. It can be expressed in response to various stimuli, such as hormones, mitogens, cytokines, other inflammatory mediators and growth factors. The product of COX-2 activity has been implicated in carcinogenesis by promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting apoptosis, increasing cell invasion and stimulating cell proliferation. It has also been proved that the regular intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decreases the risk of developing colon and breast cancers. Thus, it speaks for an important role of COX-2 in growth processes of various types of neoplasms. The connection between COX-2 activity and carcinogenesis has also been examined in human thyroid neoplasms. COX-2 overexpression has been reported in thyroid cancers and also in inflammatory conditions. In consequence there is significant interest whether COX-2 could be of importance as a molecular marker of malignancy in the case of thyroid carcinoma

The forward photon production and the gluonic content of the real and virtual photon at the HERA collider

The discussion on the production of prompt photons with pT of a few GeV in the tagged process ep -> e gamma X with small Q^2 (DIC process) at the HERA collider is presented. Photons produced in the forward (proton) direction are mainly originating from subprocesses involving interactions of the gluonic content of the exchanged photon. The large enhancement over the Born term (direct photon) is found up to a factor of 35 for a real photon and up to 5 for a virtual photon with a squared virtuality 1 GeV^2. It gives a possibility of extracting a gluonic density of the real and of the virtual photon. The BFKL approach to the description of the forward particle production is shortly discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 2 ps figures, latex using psfig.sty and axodraw.sty. Presented at the International Conference on the Structure and Interactions of the Photon, PHOTON'99, 23-27 May 1999, Freiburg im Breisgan, German

Barriers in the implementation of the Resuscitation Guidelines : european survey of defibrillation techniques

BACKGROUND: The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Guidelines recommend providing chest compressions during defibrillator charging and using adhesive pads for defibrillation to increase the effectiveness of resuscitation. However, the most common defibrillation technique in each European country is unknown, as are the potential barriers in implementation of the guidelines. The aim of this study was to assess the techniques of defibrillation procedures performed by professional European healthcare providers and to estimate how frequently adhesive pads are used. METHODS: We sent an online questionnaire to the ERC National Representatives that contained 12 questions regarding the techniques of defibrillation and monitoring heart rhythm during cardiac arrest. We also evaluated the frequency and indications of manual paddles use. RESULTS: We collected questionnaires from 27 out of 33 invited ERC member countries. The response rate was 82 %. Seventeen (17/27; 63 %) declared the use of adhesive pads. The leading cause for not using adhesive pads was economic reason (9/17; 53 %). Some respondents declared resistance to using adhesive pads by healthcare providers or tradition connected with manual paddles use. We found three leading techniques of defibrillation with manual paddles: Charging paddles keeping them on the defibrillator during chest compressions being delivered (9/21; 43 %), Charging paddles keeping them on the patient chest during chest compressions being delivered (6/21; 29 %), Charging paddles on the patient chest without chest compressions (5/21; 24 %). Respondents from 11 countries declared the use of gel or electrode pastes during defibrillation with manual paddles. DISCUSSION: This study collected preliminary data showing how defibrillation is performed in Europe. It revealed the recommeded techniques underuse and identyfied barriers in the Resuscitation Guidelines implementation. The survey should be open to a wider group of respondents. in each country in future. CONCLUSIONS: There are limitations and barriers in the implementation of the defibrillation technique guidelines. There are still countries where the use of adhesive pads is low due to economic and traditional reasons. There is a need for further efforts focused on guidelines implementation

Effects of Constant Magnetic Field on Electrodeposition of Co-W-Cu Alloy

The paper presents a study of the effect of constant magnetic field (CMF) on the basic processes of Co-W-Cu alloys electrodeposition. The alloys electrodeposited in the presence of CMF were more homogeneous and smooth than those obtained without CMF. The reason for these changes was the fact that the Lorentz force, generated in CMF, caused the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect. Electrolyte motion under the influence of CMF caused an increase of cobalt and tungsten content with a simultaneous decrease of copper content in the alloy. The presence of the magnetic field during plating leads to significant greater corrosion resistance and smaller roughness

Quality of life of a healthy polish population due to sociodemographic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic – a cross-sectional study

IntroductionThe quality of life should be studied in every person, both among the sick and healthy. Sociodemographic factors affect the level of the perceived quality of life (QoL), and especially in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the enforcement of certain behaviours in society, such as social distancing, as well as introduced panic and fear for one’s own health and life. The main aim of the study was to assess the quality of life in the group of people without the disease, to assess the impact of sociodemographic factors on QoL during the pandemic.Material and method3,511 healthy people were included in the study. The inclusion criteria of the study were: age of respondents over 18 years, no continuously administered medicaments, no diagnosed chronic diseases and no treatment in specialist clinics as well as lack of positive COVID-19 test in 4 weeks before the examination. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. The student’s t-test and intergroup comparisons were used in 7 age groups. Factors such as age, gender, place of residence, education, civil status, employment status, smoking, and physical activity were assessed.ResultsThe lowest average QoL level in the studied population was recorded in the Mental Component Summary (MCS) dimension (X = 47.9;Cl:47.6–48.3). A high correlation between age and the SF-36 spheres was noted in the following spheres: physical functioning (PF), role physical (RP), Physical Component Summary (PCS), and ILQ (p < 0.001). The highest chance of a better QoL in the PCS dimension among men was recorded in the 30–39 age group (OR = 3.65;Cl:1.13–11.79). In the group of people over 50 years of age living in the village, there was a greater chance of a better QoL in the PCS dimension in each age group. Practicing physical activity was significantly more often conditioned by a higher chance of developing a better QoL (p < 0.05). In the group of people ≥80 years of age, there was a greater than 4 times higher chance of developing a better quality of life in terms of MCS among physically active people (OR = 4.38;Cl:1.62–11.83).ConclusionWith age, QoL decreases among people with disabilities. Men are more likely to assess their health better. A better QoL among women occurs at age 80 and later. A higher level of education often determined a significantly higher level of QoL felt. The practising of recreational physical activity and the lack of smoking habit determined a higher level of QoL more often. Smoking provided a greater chance of a better QoL in ILQ in the group of people ≥80 years

Modal sequences in lithological profiles analysis - methodological approach

The Markov chains theory is a tool commonly applied to sedimentological studies. Unfortunately, this method does not provide fully credible conclusions concerning the cyclicity of sedimentation. Such cyclicity is documented, among others, by the appearance of modal sequences, i.e., sequences many times repeated in the lithological profile and having unequivocal genetic interpretation. The paper proposes the statistical permutation test, which can verify the hypothesis of the randomness of layers succession in a given lithological profile. Applying the Monte Carlo simulation method, the probability is estimated that in a random sequence composed of the same layers as the studied profile the given number of particular sequences of layers will occur. Such attempt allows the researcher to distinguish the modal sequences, i.e., those indicating the important features of sedimentation process, from sequences whose frequent appearance results exclusively from the dominance of particular lithological varieties of rocks