The Comet Assay for the Evaluation of Genotoxic Potential of Landfill Leachate

Genotoxic assessment of landfill leachate before and after biological treatment was conducted with two human cell lines (Me45 and NHDF) and Daphnia magna somatic cells. The alkali version of comet assay was used to examine genotoxicity of leachate by DNA strand breaks analysis and its repair dynamics. The leachate samples were collected from Zabrze landfill, situated in the Upper Silesian Industrial District, Poland. Statistically significant differences (Kruskal-Wallice ANOVA rank model) were observed between DNA strand breaks in cells incubated with leachate before and after treatment (P < 0.001). Nonparametric Friedman ANOVA confirmed time-reliable and concentration-reliable cells response to leachate concentration. Examinations of chemical properties showed a marked decrease in leachate parameters after treatment which correlate to reduced genotoxicity towards tested cells. Obtained results demonstrate that biological cotreatment of leachate together with municipal wastewater is an efficient method for its genotoxic potential reduction; however, treated leachate still possessed genotoxic character

Low-symptomatic skeletal muscle disease in patients with a cardiac disease – Diagnostic approach in skeletal muscle laminopathies

Mild skeletal muscle symptoms might be accompanied with severe cardiac disease, sometimes indicating a serious inherited disorder. Very often it is a cardiologist who refers a patient with cardiomyopathy and/or cardiac arrhythmia and discrete muscle disease for neurological consultation, which helps to establish a proper diagnosis. Here we present three families in which a diagnosis of skeletal muscle laminopathy was made after careful examination of the members, who presented with cardiac arrhythmia and/or heart failure and a mild skeletal muscle disease, which together with positive family history allowed to direct the molecular diagnostics and then provide appropriate treatment and counseling

Analysis of the relationship between real estate price and location : the case of Kraków

W publikacji został zaprezentowany jeden aspekt szerokiego zagadnienia jakim jest analiza rynku nieruchomości, tj. zależność pomiędzy ceną nieruchomości a jej lokalizacją. W analizie posłużono się metodą regresji ważonej geograficznie, w której parametry mogą zostać oszacowane w dowolnym miejscu obszaru badań, a lokalizacja zmiennych zależnych i niezależnych jest znana. Dane brane pod uwagę w analizach dotyczyły charakterystyk nieruchomości oraz ich lokalizacji w stosunku do wybranych obiektów użyteczności publicznej i odległości od centrum miasta. Uzyskane wyniki zostały poddane wagowaniu. Przy oszacowywaniu parametrów utworzonego modelu dla danej lokalizacji założono, że obiekty, które znajdują się bliżej tej lokalizacji powinny przyjąć większą wagę w obliczeniach aniżeli te, które znajdują się w dalszej odległości. Wyniki analizy zestawiono z regresją liniową, która pomijała wspomniane zależności regresji ważonej geograficznie. Potwierdziły one założenie o występowaniu wpływu czynników przestrzennych na kształtowanie cen nieruchomości oraz określiły, które z nich są najważniejsze.The paper presents only one aspect of a broad issue of the real estate market analysis, that is the relationship between the price of the property and its location. The study used a geographically weighted regression. Parameters in this method can be estimated anywhere in the area of the research, and location of independent and dependent variables is known. The data taken into account in the analyses were related to the characteristics of the properties and their location in relation to certain public facilities as well as to the distance from the city center. The results have been weighted. When estimating the parameters established for a given location, it was assumed that the objects that are closer to this location should adopt a greater weight in the calculations than those that are further away. The analysis results were compared with the linear regression, which omitted those relationships of geographically weighted regression. The obtained results confirm the assumption of the existence of spatial factors that influence the property prices and determine which ones are the most important

Postawa ciała a wybrane zmienne stabilometryczne u chorych na depresję

Wstęp: Pionowa postawa ciała wyróżnia człowieka spośród innych istot żywych. Wyznacza również specyficzne warunki dla ruchu. Elementem łączącym zarówno postawę, jak i ruch jest stabilność. Polega ona na statycznym i dynamicznym równoważeniu destabilizujących sił grawitacji oraz bezwładności przez pobudzenie odpowiednich grup mięśniowych. Zakłócenia kontroli posturalnej mogą być uwarunkowane różnymi czynnikami. Wśród nich wymieniany jest udział czynnika psychicznego. Celem przeprowadzonych badań była analiza wybranych zmiennych charakteryzujących stabilność posturalną osób z depresją. Materiał i metody: W badaniach wzięło udział 54 osoby, które przydzielono do dwóch grup. Do pierwszej grupy zakwalifikowano 28 pacjentów ze zdiagnozowaną depresją. Średnia wieku badanych wynosiła 37,25 +/- 3,88 lat. Do drugiej grupy zakwalifikowano 26 osób. Osoby te były w pełni zdrowe, rekrutowane z ogólnej populacji, u których wykluczono depresję i obniżenie nastroju. Średnia wieku badanych wynosiła 33,31 +/- 5,19 lat. Do badań oceniających stabilność wykorzystano platformę PEL 38 i oprogramowanie komputerowe TWIN 99. Wyniki: Uzyskane wyniki różniły się istotnie między grupami w zakresie pięciu zmiennych: zmian oscylacji środka ciężkości w płaszczyźnie czołowej i strzałkowej, średniego odchylenia w płaszczyźnie czołowej oraz w parametrach niestabilności: pola powierzchni i stosunku długości do powierzchni. Grupa z depresją w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną uzyskała wyższe wartości 4 z 5 ocenianych parametrów. Wnioski: Osoby z depresją cechuje zmniejszenie stabilności ciała w porównaniu do osób bez depresji.Introduction: A vertical posture distinguishes humans from other living beings. It also determines the specific conditions for movement. The element which connects body posture and movement is stability. It is based on the static and dynamic balancing of the destabilising forces of gravity and inertia through stimulating the appropriate muscle groups. A disruption of postural control may be conditioned by various factors, among which the literature mentions mental health. The purpose of this study wasa comparative analysis of selected variables characterising the postural stability of persons with depression. Material and methods: The study involved fifty-four persons who were divided into two groups. The first group comprised 28 patients diagnosed with depression. The mean age of the participants was 37.25 +/- 3.88. The second group consisted of 26 completely healthy persons who were recruited from the general population, excluding persons with depression ora low mood. The mean age of the participants was 33.31 +/- 5.19 years. The postural stability was assessed usinga PEL 38 posturographic platform and TWIN 99 computer software. Results: The results differed significantly between the two groups with regard to five variables: oscillations of the centre of gravity in the frontal and the sagittal planes, average deviation in the frontal plane, and deviations in the parameters of instability (the surface area and the ratio of length to the surface area). It was observed that the group witha diagnosis of depression displayed higher values in 4 out of 5 the evaluated parameters when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Persons with depression are characterised bya reduced body stability compared to those who do not suffer from depression

Effectiveness of shaping multidirectional functions of an airport for the development of the region

Purpose: The study aims to supplement and specify the methodological assumptions to improve the comprehensiveness of research on the issues raised. Design/Methodology/Approach: The configuration and scope of the methodological requirements of the research process were based on the available literature, statistical data, calculations and interviews with the staff of the Lublin airport, major entities in the region, and empirical research and assessments carried out periodically by scientists and local administration. Findings: The implementation of the assumed goal requires verification of the methodology of conducting the research's discussed scope. Contemporary market conditions require a departure from fragmentary research towards a comprehensive assessment of the issues raised. In such a research model, the results of empirical research and interviews with representatives conducting a given activity and scientific authorities are of particular importance. Practical Implications: The reliability and universality of research become an absolute requirement of the moment and a decisive attribute of the effectiveness level of analyses and assessments. The research methodology presented in the study, due to its universality, can be used in the study of the discussed relationship in each region, relating to any entity of transport activity. Originality/Value: The presented research methodology on the issues raised enables comprehensive research, both based on theoretical and pragmatic assumptions. It extends the scope of its use as a simplified method of determining the desired results.peer-reviewe

The development of new methodology for determination of vincristine (VCR) in human serum using LC-MS/MS-based method for medical diagnostics

In this article, we have presented the development and validation of a rapid and sensitive reversed-phase liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of vincristine (VCR) in patient serum samples. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Kinetex(®) (Singapore) column using a mobile phase consisting of 25 mM acetic acid and 0.3% formic acid (A) and methanol (B) in a gradient elution mode at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The VCR and internal standard (vinblastine) were monitored using the multiple reaction monitoring mode under positive electrospray ionization. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.67 ng/mL, and the upper limit of quantification (ULOQ) was 250 ng/mL for VCR. The calculated values of LOD and LOQ for VCR were 0.075 and 0.228 ng/mL, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the VCR concentration range of 1.0–250 ng/mL in serum. The intra- and inter-day precision and precision were within the generally accepted criteria for the bioanalytical method (<15%). The method was successfully applied to the analysis of serum samples in clinical practice

Biobank Łódź® – population based biobank at the University of Łódź, Poland

Biobank Laboratory of the University of Łódź is a unit in the organizational structure of the De- partment of Molecular Biophysics at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection. It was established in 2014 as one of the results of the TESTOPLEK project. One of the main goals of the unit is to collect and share biological material of human origin and related clinical and survey data. Moreover, Biobank Laboratory conducts work in the field of genetics and molecular biology on human biological material. Biobank Laboratory gathers over 40.000 samples such as DNA, FFPE, saliva, together with their data. Data about its material is available for researchers in directories e.g. BBMRI-ERIC Directory 4.0. Since 2014, the unit belongs to the national Consortium BBMRI.pl, and since 2017 it executes a project entitled Research Infrastructure for Biobanks and Biomolecular Resources BBMRI-ERIC, co-creating the Polish Network of Biobanks. Biobank Laboratory is focused on coopera- tion with domestic and foreign scientific institutions and medical units, as well as entities from the local, business and public sector

Relevance of Serology for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection Among Children with Persistent Cough

Abstract Background. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an important cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. cough and tracheobronchitis are the commonest features of M. pneumoniae infection but diagnosis based on clinical symptoms that may be due to other respiratory pathogens is impossible. Thus laboratory testing for M. pneumoniae is particularly important. correct and rapid diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections is of prime importance to introduce appropriate antibiotic treatment. Objectives. evaluation of the incidence of IgM and IgG antibodies specific to M. pneumoniae among children with pneumonia and/or chronic cough. Material and Methods. Serum samples from 148 children with a history of chronic cough (lasting at least one month), recurrent respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, and/or inflammatory changes on X-chest ray. first, all sera were screened for specific anti-M. pneumoniae antibodies using agglutination test following the detection of specific IgM and IgG anti-M. pneumoniae antibodies using immunoenzymatic assays. Results. Out of the 148 serum samples, 57 (38.5%) gave positive screening results. However, the presence of M. pneumoniae-specific IgM and/or IgG antibodies was confirmed by immunoenzymatic assays in only 30 (52.6%) of these 57 positive samples. These results indicated that in as many as 27 (47.4%) out of the 57 serum samples screened, false-positive results occurred. Conclusions. evaluation of acute-and convalescent-phase sera is necessary to make possible accurate interpretation of the serological testing results (Adv Clin Exp Med 2014, 23, 2, 185-190)