Overview of recent femtoscopy measurements with ALICE

One of the key methods used in the study of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) is femtoscopy, the technique of measuring short-range two-particle correlations as a function of relative momentum. Traditionally, femtoscopy has been utilized to measure the size of the QGP fireball created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. However, since it is sensitive to the correlations between the particles in the final state, it has been shown recently that the parameters of the strong interaction can be probed as well. This review includes a broad range of ALICE femtoscopy results, including both traditional and novel measurements of the interaction between particles.Comment: Proceedings of Workshop on Particle Correlations and Femtoscopy 2018, Cracow, Polan

Towards understanding the role of sialylation in melanoma progression

Aberrant expression of sialic acids or altered linkage types is closely associated with malignant phenotype and metastatic potential, and can have prognostic significance in human cancer. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether expression of sialylated derivatives on melanoma cell surface is associated with tumour progression. Four cell lines (WM1552C, WM115, IGR-39 and WM266-4) were used in the study. Cell surface expression of sialic acids was evaluated by flow cytometry with the use of Maackia amurensis and Sambucus nigra lectins. Moreover, adhesion and migration potential of melanoma cells and involvement of sialic acids in these processes were analysed. We have demonstrated that WM266-4 cells have a significantly higher level of α2,3-linked sialic acid residues than other cells, whereas IGR-39 cells had lower expression of α2,6-linked sialic acids. The adhesion efficiencies of WM1552C and WM115 cells were significantly lower than that of IGR-39 and WM266-4 cells. In contrast, WM266-4 cells repaired scratch wounds at least twice as fast as other cells. Melanoma cell adhesion to fibronectin in the presence of Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) was reduced only in IGR-39 and WM266-4 cells, whereas the impact of Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA) on this process was much more important. Migration efficiency of melanoma cells was reduced more strongly in the presence of MAA than SNA. In conclusion, our results show that melanoma progression is associated with the increased expression of α2,3-linked sialic acids on the cell surface and these residues could promote melanoma cell interaction with fibronectin

Cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) – A case report and review of literature

CANVAS (cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome) is a rare neurological syndrome of unknown etiology. The main clinical features include bilateral vestibulopathy, cerebellar ataxia and sensory neuropathy. An abnormal visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex is the hallmark of the disease. We present a case of 58-year-old male patient who has demonstrated gait disturbance, imbalance and paresthesia of feet for 2 years. On examination ataxia of gait, diminished knee and ankle reflexes, absence of plantar reflexes, fasciculations of thigh muscles, gaze-evoked downbeat nystagmus and abnormal visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex were found. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebellar atrophy. Vestibular function testing showed severely reduced horizontal nystagmus in response to bithermal caloric stimulation. Nerve conduction study revealed loss of upper and lower limb sensory nerve action potentials. The course of illness was progressive with ataxic gait and unsteadiness as the most disabling symptoms. We report 4-year follow-up of the patient since the beginning of the disease

Wpływ aktywności fizycznej na stężenia sklerostyny

Osteoporosis is a serious medical and socioeconomic problem of the 21st century. Mechanical load is a key regulator which controls bone formation and remodelling, with participation of osteocytes. Sclerostin is produced and released by mature osteocytes into bone surface, where it inhibits the conveyance of osteoblast proliferation and differentiation activating signals from mesenchymal cells, thus suppressing new bone formation. The goal of the study was an evaluation of the effects of a 12-week physical training programme on the levels of bone turnover markers [Sclerostin, Osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX)] in blood serum of women with osteopenia. Materials & Methods: The study included 50 women of the Regional Menopause and Osteoporosis Centre of the WAM Teaching Hospital, at the age of 50-75 years with the diagnosis of osteopenia, obtained on the basis of hip and/or lumbar spine densitometry (T-score from -1.0 to -2.5 SD). During the initial 12 weeks (between point 1 and 2), the patients maintained their previous, normal level of physical activity. During subsequent 12 weeks (between point 2 and 3), a programme of exercise was implemented. The programme included the interval training on a bicycle ergometer, three times a week for 36 minutes. During the entire study duration, all the patients received a supplementation of calcium (500 mg) and vit. D3 (1800 IU) once daily. Serum levels of OC, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), β-CTX and sclerostin were assayed at 3 time points. Results: After the course of the exercise cycle, the OC concentration was increased, sclerostin levels decreased, while no statistical differences were observed in β-CTX levels vs. the period of physical inactivity. No correlations were found between sclerostin level changes and osteocalcin level changes during the training time, because of too small groups. Neither statistically significant were the differences in alkaline phosphatase, calcium and phosphorus levels. Conclusions: The obtained results emphasise the role of physical training as an effective stimulation method of bone formation processes in women with osteopenia. Sclerostin can be a marker of physical activity. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu 12-tygodniowego treningu ruchowego na stężenie markerów obrotu kostnego [Sklerostyny, Osteokal­cyny (OC), C-końcowego telopeptydu kolagenu typu I (β-CTX)] w surowicy krwi pacjentek z osteopenią. Materiał i metody: Do badania zostało włączonych 50 pacjentek, w wieku 50–75 lat z rozpoznaniem osteopenii. Przez pierwsze 12 tygodni (punkt 1 i 2) pacjentki prowadziły dotychczasowy poziom aktywności fizycznej. Przez kolejne 12 tygodni (między punktem 2 i 3) został włączony program ćwiczeń fizycznych. Program obejmował trening interwałowy, przeprowadzony na cykloergometrze rowerowym 3 razy w tygodniu, po 36 minut. Wszystkie pacjentki przez cały okres trwania badania pozostawały na suplementacji 500 mg wapnia i 1800 j.m. witaminy D3 dziennie. W surowicy krwi w 3 punktach czasowych oznaczano OC, fosfatazę zasadową (ALP), β-CTX oraz sklerostynę. Wyniki: Po cyklu treningu fizycznego uzyskano wzrost stężenia OC, spadek sklerostyny, natomiast nie odnotowano istotnych statystycz­nie różnic w poziomie markera β-CTX w porównaniu do okresu bez ćwiczeń. Nie wykazano korelacji pomiędzy zmianami sklerostyny a zmianami osteokalcyny w czasie treningu, prawdopodobnie ze względu na liczebność grup. Różnice w poziomach fosfatazy zasadowej, wapnia i fosforu również nie były istotne statystycznie. Wnioski: Wyniki badania podkreślają rolę treningu fizycznego, jako skutecznej metody pobudzania procesów kościotworzenia u pacjentek z osteopenią. Sklerostyna może być markerem aktywności ruchowej

TDR Technique for Estimating the Intensity of Evapotranspiration of Turfgrasses

The paper presents a method for precise estimation of evapotranspiration of selected turfgrass species. The evapotranspiration functions, whose domains are only two relatively easy to measure parameters, were developed separately for each of the grass species. Those parameters are the temperature and the volumetric moisture of soil at the depth of 2.5 cm. Evapotranspiration has the character of a modified logistic function with empirical parameters. It assumes the form ETRθ2.5 cm,T2.5 cm=A/1+B·e-C·θ2.5 cm·T2.5 cm, where: ETRθ2.5 cm,T2.5 cm is evapotranspiration [mm·h−1], θ2.5 cm is volumetric moisture of soil at the depth of 2.5 cm [m3·m−3], T2.5 cm is soil temperature at the depth of 2.5 cm [°C], and A, B, and C are empirical coefficients calculated individually for each of the grass species [mm·h1], and [—], [(m3·m−3·°C)−1]. The values of evapotranspiration calculated on the basis of the presented function can be used as input data for the design of systems for the automatic control of irrigation systems ensuring optimum moisture conditions in the active layer of lawn swards

Troska o zdrowie w aspekcie społecznym. Cz. 1

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed pape