Tracheopbronchopatia osteochondroplastica – a case presentation

Narrowing of the lower respiratory tract is a rare pathology. It may be associated with pathologies of the primary respiratory system or connective tissue diseases (systemic scleroderma, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, relapsing polychondritis). It can lead to non-specific clinical symptoms. We present an interesting case of a 52-year old patient with a history of several months’ dyspnea. Imaging tests revealed significant stenosis of the trachea and the left main bronchus. Tracheobronchopatia osteochondroplastica was diagnosed. Moreover, we carry out the differential diagnosis of the above pathology

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a patient without neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1): a rare case of primary lung location

We present a rare case of a patient operated due to a lung tumor, which was ultimately diagnosed as malignant peripherial nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). MPNSTs are rare tumors of soft tissue with mesenchymal origin. The World Health Organization has distinguished this group in order to unify terms in mesenchymal heterogeneous malignant tumors, e.g. neurofibrosarcomas, malignant schwannomas and malignant neurilemmoma [1]. They can occur as a result of neoplastic expansion of peripheral nerves’ branches, peripheral nerve fibers’ sheaths or Schwann cells, although many researchers believe that these tumors can derive not only from one, but several cell lines. MPNSTs are very rare in thorax, where they show aggressive pattern of growth [2] and stem from pleural cells rather than lung tissue.   

Dual FRET assay for detecting receptor protein interaction with DNA

We present here a new assay that is based on the idea of the molecular beacon. This assay makes it possible to investigate two proteins interacting with DNA at two binding sites that are close to each other. The effectiveness of the test depends on the exclusive binding of three DNA fragments in the presence of two proteins, and the monitoring of the process depends upon observing the quenching of two independent fluorescence donors. As a model we used the components of the heterodimeric ecdysteroid receptor proteins ultraspiracle (Usp) and ecdysone receptor (EcR) from Drosophila melanogaster and a response element from the promoter of the hsp27 gene. The response element consists of two binding sites (half-sites) for the DNA binding domains (DBDs). We have shown that protein–protein interactions mediate cooperative binding of the ecdysteroid receptor DBDs to a hsp27pal response element. The analysis of the microscopic dissociation constants obtained with the DMB led to the conclusion that there was increased affinity of UspDBD to the 5′ half-site in the presence of EcRDBD when the 3′ half-site was occupied, and increased affinity of EcRDBD to the 3′ half-site when the 5′ half-site was occupied

On the margins of minority life: Zoroastrians and the state in Safavid Iran

This article looks at the treatment of the Zoroastrians by central and provincial authorities in early modern Yazd, Kirman and Isfahan, emphasizing the institutional weaknesses of the central or khāsṣạ protection they were supposed to benefit from under the Safavids (907–1135/1501– 1722). It is argued that the maltreatment the Zoroastrians endured under the Safavids had little to do with religious bigotry. Rather, it arose from rivalries between the central and the provincial services of the Safavid bureaucracy, putting Zoroastrians in Yazd, Kirman, Sistan and Isfahan at risk of over-taxation, extortion, forced labour and religious persecution. The argument developed in this article pivots on the material interest of the central and the provincial agents of the Safavid bureaucracy in the revenue and labour potentials of the Zoroastrians, and the way in which the conflict of interest between these two sectors led to such acts of persecution as over-taxation, forced labour, extortion and violenc

Szkice ekonomiczne i filozoficzne

Tyt. z ekranu tytułowego.Publikacja dostępna również w formie drukowanej.Tryb dostępu: Internet

1. Początki

Homo naturae interpres et minister tantum facit et intelligit, quantum de naturae ordine, re vel mente observaverit, nec amplius scit aut potest.Baco Nov. Organ. Aphor. I.Między najistotniejszymi skłonnościami człowieka policzyć można chęć do dostrzegania. Główny ten przymiot jego charakteru zaczynał się rozwijać za pierwszym prawie ciał o zmysły uderzeniem. Otoczony tysiącem skutków, przypadków i igrzysk natury, doświadczał tyluż na umyśle wrażeń; chciał wiedzieć, co one są, jaki ich bytu z..

‘Smoging kills’ - effects of air pollution on human respiratory system

Atmospheric pollution suspended in humid air is popularly known as ‘smog’. It is composed of dust particles of different sizes, as well as non-metal oxides, organic compounds, and heavy metals. Exposure to harmful substances suspended in the air – apart from, for example – smoking cigarettes, one of the modifiable factors leading to the development of respiratory diseases. There are six types of substances present in the air that have a negative impact on public health and result in significant consequences: ozone, particulate matter (PM) of different diameters – PM2.5µ, PM2.5–10 µ, PM10 µ, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead. Particular attention is given to small dust particles (PM10 and PM2.5) because they can penetrate into the lower respiratory tract. Apart from describing the composition of smog and sources of air pollution, the article also discusses the impact of atmospheric pollutants on both development and aggravation of the symptoms of such respiratory tract diseases as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infections and lung cancer. Some of legal measures applied in different countries aimed at reducing exposure to noxious air pollutants are reviewed. The authors believe that the increased focus on risks arising from inhaling toxic air pollution may be a first step for developing systemic solutions aimed at resolving or, at least, decreasing those risks