The mechanism of olfactory organ ventilation in Periophthalmus barbarus (Gobiidae, Oxudercinae)

Periophthalmus barbarus Linnaeus, 1766 has many adaptations for amphibious life as a consequence of tidal zone occupation. One of them is the ability to keep a little amount of water and air in mouth while on land or in hypoxic water, correlated with closing a gill lid for gas exchange improvement. It causes that mechanisms of olfactory organ ventilation described in other species of actinopterygians (compression of accessory nasal sac(s) by the skull and jaw elements while mouth and gill lid moving) are not in operation. There is a specific mechanism of olfactory organ ventilation independent on jaw and skull elements movements. Compression of accessory nasal sacs is possible by a0 contraction and it is a movement effect on bones combined by ligaments. This process can be observed on P. barbarus as lifting the rostral part of the head

Gender-dependent language anxiety in Polish communication apprehensives

This paper analyzes the relationship between communication apprehension and language anxiety from the perspective of gender. As virtually no empirical studies have addressed the explicit influence of gender on language anxiety in communication apprehensives, this paper proposes that females are generally more sensitive to anxiety, as reflected in various spheres of communication. For this reason, language anxiety levels in communication apprehensive females should be higher, unlike those of communication apprehensive males. Comparisons between them were made using a student t test, two-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey test. The results revealed that Polish communication apprehensive secondary grammar school males and females do not differ in their levels of language anxiety, although nonapprehensive males experience significantly lower language anxiety than their female peers. It is argued that the finding can be attributed to developmental patterns, gender socialization processes, classroom practices, and the uniqueness of the FL learning process, which is a stereotypically female domain

Economic strain and foreign language attainment: A Polish perspective

Foreign language learning is not only a personal endeavor, but also an activity that takes place within a social support system. In times of economic crisis adverse economic conditions handicap parents’ educational investments. For this reason a student’s development of foreign language skills, limited to the school context, may suffer. This study sheds more light on the experience and effect of economic strain in Polish secondary grammar school students who learn English as a foreign language. The results corroborate studies in the field and demonstrate that high achievers have low perceptions of economic strain

Catfish stings and the venom apparatus of the african catfish "Clarias gariepinus" (Burchell, 1822), and stinging catfish "Heteropneustes fossilis" (Bloch, 1794)

The ability of catfi sh to infl ict extremely painful wounds with their pectoral and dorsal stings has been well known for many decades. The venom apparatus of the African catfi sh Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), and stinging catfi sh Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) is constituted by a single, sharp and stout sting immediately in front of the soft-rayed portion of the pectoral fi ns. The sting has well developed articulations, making it possible for it to become erect and locked. The toxicological centres in Poland have recorded 17 cases of envenomations caused by stinging catfi sh and African catfi sh; the injury was accompanied by intense pain, numbness of the site, dizziness, local oedema and erythema. In addition, systemic symptoms such as tachycardia, weakness and arterial hypotension were observed. The treatment of these injuries should include cleansing of the wound and surrounding area. Immersion of the wounded extremity in hot water (45°C) was used for the pain control. An attempt to remove any spinal sheath or remnant must be undertaken. Antibiotic management depends on several factors: the age and immune status of the victim, the interval between injury and presentation, or the presence of a foreign body. The most serious long-term complications of sting envenomation involve infections

Editorial

With this volume, we propose to join the discussion on the role of affect in the process of second/foreign language learning. We hope to make a contribution to academic, and especially linguistic, research which has previously focused mostly on cognitive aspects of language acquisition but also, at its best, on the strategies (many of them affective ones) necessary for developing language competence. In our view, emotional factors do not deserve the role of “the Cinderella of mental functions” (Arnold & Brown, 1999, p. 1), because the complex processes taking place in the brain originate in the interplay of affect and cognition (e.g., Duncan & Barrett, 2007; Panksepp, 2003; Paradis, 2004). Consequently we cannot be fully understood without attending to our emotional profiles. Like Scovel (2000), we also believe that “the great irony is that they (i.e., emotions) could very well end up being the most influential force in language acquisition, but SLA researchers have not even come close to demonstrating such a claim” (p. 140)

Kinetic intermediates of unfolding of dimeric prostatic phosphatase

Kinetics of guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)-induced unfolding of human prostatic acid phosphatase (hPAP), a homodimer of 50 kDa subunit molecular mass was investigated with enzyme activity measurements, capacity for binding an external hydrophobic probe, 1-anilinonaphtalene-8-sulfonate (ANS), accessibility of thiols to reaction with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonate (MIANS) and ability to bind Congo red dye. Kinetic analysis was performed to describe a possible mechanism of hPAP unfolding and dissociation that leads to generation of an inactive monomeric intermediate that resembles, in solution of 1.25 M GdnHCl pH 7.5, at 20°C, in equilibrium, a molten globule state. The reaction of hPAP inactivation in 1.25 M GdnHCl followed first order kinetics with the reaction rate constant 0.0715 ± 0.0024 min-1 . The rate constants of similar range were found for the pseudo-first-order reactions of ANS and Congo red binding: 0.0366 ± 0.0018 min-1 and 0.0409 ± 0.0052 min-1, respectively. Free thiol groups, inaccessible in the native protein, were gradually becoming, with the progress of unfolding, exposed for the reactions with DTNB and MIANS, with the pseudo-first-order reaction rate constants 0.327 ± 0.014 min-1 and 0.216 ± 0.010 min-1, respectively. The data indicated that in the course of hPAP denaturation exposure of thiol groups to reagents took place faster than the enzyme inactivation and exposure of the protein hydrophobic surface. This suggested the existence of a catalytically active, partially unfolded, but probably dimeric kinetic intermediate in the process of hPAP unfolding. On the other hand, the protein inactivation was accompanied by exposure of a hydrophobic, ANS-binding surface, and with an increased capacity to bind Congo red. Together with previous studies these results suggest that the stability of the catalytically active conformation of the enzyme depends mainly on the dimeric structure of the native hPAP

Myoelectrical activity of muscles stabilizing the sacroiliac joints before and after the use of elastic tapes in women suffering from Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain

Objectives: The aim of this study was the analysis of activity of selected muscles stabilizing the sacroiliac joints in pregnantwomen suffering from pelvic pain and changes in the pattern in response to the implementation of Kinesio Taping(elastic tape).Material and methods: Seventeen women with Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain and 20 pregnant women withoutpain in the lumbar-pelvic complex were enrolled into the study. In patients with pelvic pain, the parameters describing theaction of the muscles were assessed: before the tape was applied, immediately after application, 3 days into applicationand 5 days after the cessation of taping. In the control group, the test was carried out one time. The activity of the muscleswas measured during extension of the hip from a four-point kneeling position.Results: The gluteus maximus muscle shows higher resting activity values than in the control group, before and after applicationof the tape as well as five days after the removal of the tape. Before application, the gluteus maximus activatesquicker than in the control group while the ipsilateral extensor spinae had a delayed activation when compared to thecontrol group.Conclusions: The patterns of activation of tested muscles and their action potential values are different in the groupof women with pelvic pain compared to the group without pelvic pain. The application of KT in the lumbar region appearsto alter the activation of the GM muscle as well as improve activation of IES muscle during hip extension from thefour-point-kneeling position

Comparison of effectiveness of selected physical modalities in patients with rotator cuff injury.

Introduction Damage of the rotator cuff is one of the most common injuries of the shoulder in people over 50 years old and athletes. In the conservative treatment of this dysfunction the significant role has appropriately selected physical treatments. Aim of work The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of selected treatments of electrotherapy and cryotherapy and kinesitherapy in people with the rotator cuff damage. Materials and research method The study comprised group of 32 patients with age from 55 to 75 years, the average age - 64 years. The patients were divided randomly into two groups, A and B. Each patient performed a series of 15 treatments suggested by a specialist in accordance with current treatment methodology. In group A it were selected treatments of electrotherapy field, while in group B it were treatments of local cryotherapy and kinesitherapy. Performance evaluation was based on the visual analogue scale VAS and measuring the range of motion method SFTR. The obtained research results were statistically analyzed. Results In both treated groups reported pain reduction of 25% in group A and 51% in group B. Also observed improve and increase the mobility of the shoulder joint after performing a series of treatments. Conclusions Applied physical procedures are useful in improving people with damage to the rotator cuff. Better therapeutic effects gives the use of treatments combining cryotherapy with local kinesitherapy than using only electrotherapeutic treatments

Impact of Kinesio Taping application on pregnant women suffering from pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain — preliminary study

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain on every day functioning and evaluate how effective Kinesio Taping is in reducing pain for pregnant women. Material and methods: 24 women filled the author’s questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire and Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire before starting the therapy. Elastic tape was applied onto the lumbosacral area for 5 days and was evaluated 1st day of the test immediately before application, day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 day of the examination. Results: ODI score was 20.09 and showed major disability resulting from severity of the pain. PGQ score was 19.909. Sig­nificant pain reduction was registered on the 3rd day after tape was applied, significant pain reduction on the day of tape removal, and 5 days after tape removal. Conclusions: Elastic tape decreases pain in pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Pelvic girdle pain deteriorates the quality of life for pregnant women