Assessment of Waste Management in Żagań – is it Possible to Optimize Costs with Good Waste Management Results?

Municipal waste management is one of the most serious challenges that the municipality must face. The article presents the most important rules as well as legal regulations regarding municipal waste management. An assessment of the present state of municipal waste management was undertaken based on the example of the municipality of Żagań. Conclusions were drawn on the basis of decision-making, retrospective and estimated analyzes. They include the answer to the question: “Is it possible to optimize the costs of municipal waste management keeping good waste management results?” Waste prevention methods have been proposed. The need to implement recycling of biodegradable waste was considered. The author of the article focuses his attention on the economic aspect of waste management, shows possible solutions in the field of waste management, and also underlines the signifiant role of public education in this respect.Gospodarka odpadami komunalnymi należy do poważniejszych wyzwań, którym stara się sprostać gmina. W artykule przedstawiono najważniejsze podstawy i uregulowania prawne dotyczące gospodarki odpadami komunalnymi. Na przykładzie gminy Żagań podjęto próbę oceny stanu gospodarki odpadami komunalnymi. W tym celu poddano analizie trzy inne gminy. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych analiz: decyzyjnej, retrospektywnej, zgromadzonych dokumentów sformułowano wnioski i odpowiedź na pytanie: „Czy jest możliwe optymalizowanie kosztów gospodarki odpadami komunalnymi przy dobrych wynikach zagospodarowania odpadów?”. Zaproponowano sposoby zapobiegania powstawaniu odpadów. Rozważono potrzebę wdrożenia recyklingu odpadów biodegradowalnych. Autorka artykułu koncentruje się na aspekcie ekonomicznym zagospodarowania odpadów, przytacza możliwe rozwiązania w sferze gospodarki odpadami, a także podkreśla znaczącą rolę edukacji społeczeństwa w tej kwestii

Oferta hotelarska schronisk młodzieżowych w Polsce jako element produktu turystyki szkolnej. Ujęcie teoretyczno-empiryczne

This article focuses on the importance of tourism in the development of children and youth. It presents the role and functions of school tourism. In addition, an analysis of the  accommodation offer dedicated to this form of tourism (ie. youth hostels). The article describes the legal requirements in this type of objects relating to the equipment and in service delivery. Furthermore they presented a quantitative structure of youth hostels in Poland in 2016. The content of the study results from using primarily, in the theoretical part, desk research in the form of an analysis of literature on the subject and, in the empirical part, an analysis of secondary materials provided by the institutions dealing with the analysis of tourist accommodation in Poland

Diffusion tensor tractography imaging in pediatric epilepsy – A systematic review

Purpose Recent years brought several experimental and clinical reports applying diffusion tensor tractography imaging (DTI) of the brain in epilepsy. This study was aimed to evaluate current evidence for adding the DTI sequence to the standard diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol in pediatric epilepsy. Material and methods Rapid and qualitative systematic review (RAE, Rapid Evidence Assessment), aggregating relevant studies from the recent 7 years. The PubMed database was hand searched for records containing terms “tractography AND epilepsy.” Only studies referring to children were included; studies were rated using “final quality of evidence.” Results Out of 144 screened records, relevant 101 were aggregated and reviewed. The synthesis was based on 73 studies. Case-control clinical studies were the majority of the material and comprised 43.8% of the material. Low ‘confirmability’ and low ‘applicability’ referred to 18 and 17 articles (29.5% and 27.9%), respectively. The sufficient quality of evidence supported performing DTI in temporal lobe epilepsy, malformations of cortical development and prior to a neurosurgery of epilepsy. Conclusions The qualitative RAE provides an interim estimate of the clinical relevance of quickly developing diagnostic methods. Based on the critical appraisal of current knowledge, adding the DTI sequence to the standard MRI protocol may be clinically beneficial in selected patient groups with childhood temporal lobe epilepsy or as a part of planning for an epilepsy surgery

The influence of tin ions on growth and enzymatic activity of entomopathogenic fungi

In this in vitro study, the influence of tin ions at concentrations of 1–1,000 ppm on the development and enzymatic activity of four entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Isaria fumosorosea, and Metarhizium robertsii), that are commonly used in biological plant protection, are examined. Each of the fungal species tested reacted differently to contact with the Sn2+ ions at the tested concentrations. Exposure to Sn2+ ions affected the rate of development, morphology, and enzymatic activity of fungi. Of the four fungal species studied, M. robertsii was the most resistant and showed complete growth inhibition at the highest Sn2+ concentration tested (1,000 ppm). For the other entomopathogenic fungi, the fungicidal effect of Sn2+ ions was noted at the concentration of 750 ppm. Exposure to Sn2+ ions (up to 500 ppm) resulted in enhanced biochemical activity; and all entomopathogens that were tested showed increased production of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) as well as several proteases. Moreover, B. brongniartii and M. roberstii showed increased lipases synthesis. These changes may increase the pathogenicity of the fungi, thereby making them more effective in limiting the population of pest insects. The exposure of the entomopathogenic fungi to a medium containing Sn2+ ions, at concentrations that were appropriate for each species, induced hyperproduction of hydrolases, which might be involved in aiding the survival of entomopathogenic fungi in the presence of heavy metals. This study shows that the fungistatic effect of Sn2+ on entomopathogenic fungi did not restrict their pathogenicity, as evidenced by the stimulation of the production of enzymes that are involved in the infection of insects

Padaczka w chorobach mitochondrialnych

Choroby mitochondrialne (MD, mitochondrial diseases) to jedne z najczęstszych chorób genetycznych. Pierwsze objawy MD mogą się pojawić zarówno w wieku wczesnodziecięcym, jak i podeszłym. Dotyczą one przede wszystkim tkanek i układów o wysokim zapotrzebowaniu energetycznym — mięśni szkieletowych i układu nerwowego. Do najczęstszych objawów neurologicznych należy między innymi padaczka, która może być jedynym objawem choroby mitochondrialnej lub jednym z wielu objawów. Częstość występowania padaczki mitochondrialnej zależy od rodzaju stwierdzanej mutacji i jest wyższa u dzieci i młodzieży niż u dorosłych. Podejmując się leczenia padaczki u chorego z MD, należy unikać stosowania leków o wysokim potencjale toksyczności dla mitochondriów, w szczególności preparatów kwasu walproinowego

Amyloidoza łańcuchów lekkich immunoglobulin z punktu widzenia kardiologa

Light-chain amyloidosis (amyloidosis AL) is diagnosed in approx. 70% of patients with cardiac amyloidosis. This type of amyloidosis has the worst prognosis, especially if the diagnosis is made in advanced stages. The majority of patients are referred to a cardiologist, but unfortunately only every fifth of them has the proper diagnosis. Therefore, strategies promoting early diagnosis are important. One of them is the measurement of serum free light chains concentration in every patient with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The acknowledgement of free light chains (FLCs) cardiotoxicity rendered the picture of AL amyloidosis from infiltrative cardiomyopathy into a toxic one. Best improvement in regard to heart failure is achieved upon hematological treatment resulting in decrease of FLCs concentration. Therefore, cardiological treatment is rather a supportive therapy. The role of cardiologist is the rapid diagnosis of the disease and referral of the patient to the hematologist. The standard heart failure treatment encompassing use of beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors aggravates orthostatic hypotension and congestion. Instead, up-to-date hematological treatment improves the prognosis of AL amyloidosis markedly, as long as early diagnosis is made.Amyloidozę łańcuchów lekkich (amyloidozę AL) rozpoznaje się u około 70% pacjentów z amyloidozą serca. Ta postać choroby wiąże się z najgorszym rokowaniem, szczególnie jeśli wykrywa się ją na zaawansowanym etapie. Kardiolog jest najczęściej odwiedzanym specjalistą przez pacjentów z amyloidozą AL. Niestety tylko u co piątego pacjenta jest stawiana właściwa diagnoza. Dlatego ważne jest, aby promować działania umożliwiające wczesne stwierdzenie choroby. Należy do nich oznaczanie wolnych łańcuchów lekkich (FLC) w surowicy u pacjentów z niewydolnością sercaz zachowaną frakcją wyrzutową. Wykazanie kardiotoksycznej roli FLC zmieniło postrzeganie amyloidozy AL jako choroby polegającej wyłącznie na pozakomórkowym gromadzeniu się nieprawidłowych złogów białkowych. Największą poprawę funkcji serca uzyskuje się, obniżając stężenie FLC w surowicy poprzez leczenie cytoredukcyjne. Leczenie kardiologiczne ma znaczenie uzupełniające. Rola kardiologa sprowadza się do jak najszybszego rozpoznania choroby i przekazania pacjenta do hematologa. Standardowa farmakoterapia niewydolności serca, obejmująca beta-adrenolityki i inhibitory konwertazy angiotensyny, u pacjentów z amyloidozą wywołuje nasilenie hipotensji ortostatycznej i objawów zastoinowych. Natomiast dzięki nowoczesnemu leczeniu cytoredukcyjnemu i antyamyloidowemu istotnie poprawiły się wyniki leczenia, pod warunkiem wczesnego rozpoznania amyloidozy AL

Diagnosis and treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy: A position statement of the Polish Cardiac Society

Considering the rare incidence of transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in Poland, patients encounter difficulties at the stages of diagnosis and treatment. For successful diagnosis, it is vital to raise the suspicion of ATTR-CM, that is, to identify typical clinical scenarios such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or the red flags of amyloidosis. In most cases, it is possible to establish the diagnosis on the basis of noninvasive tests. This article presents the recommended diagnostic algorithms including laboratory workup, imaging tests (in particular, isotope scanning), and genetic tests. Since ATTR-CM should be differentiated from light chain amyloidosis, we also discuss aspects related to hematological manifestations and invasive diagnosis. We describe neurological signs and symptoms in patients with amyloidosis and present therapeutic options, including the causative treatment of ATTR-CM with the only currently approved drug, tafamidis. We also discuss drugs that are being assessed in ongoing clinical trials. We outline differences in the symptomatic treatment of heart failure in ATTR-CM and recommendations for nonpharmacological treatment and monitoring of the disease. Finally, we underline the need for providing access to the causative treatment with tafamidis as part of a drug program, as in other rare diseases, so that patients with ATTR-CM can be treated according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines on heart failure and cardiomyopathy

Dziedzictwo kulturowe. Edukacja. Historia. Dziedzictwo regionalne. Muzyka, literatura, sztuka i media

The following publication showcases research on national heritage by early career researchers from Poland. Articles included are related to the broad domain of pedagogy, spanning over social sciences or arts and humanities. Contributions represent both historical and contemporary insights from a range of disciplines: education, history, area studies, art and media studies. Various examples of national heritage are discussed from both Polish and general perspective. The aim of the book was to contribute to the process of inclusion of new researchers into interdisciplinary and intergenerational dialogue

High resolution longitudinal eDNA metabarcoding and morphological tracking of planktonic threats to salmon aquaculture

Salmonid aquaculture, a major component of the Northern European, North American, and Chilean coastal economies, is under threat from challenges to gill health, many of which originate from plankton communities. A first step toward mitigating losses is to characterize the biological drivers of poor gill health. Numerous planktonic taxa have been implicated, including toxic and siliceous microalgae, hydrozoans, and scyphozoans; however, rigorous longitudinal surveys of plankton diversity and gill health have been lacking. In the current study, we present and assess an exhaustive identification approach combining both morphological and molecular methods together with robust statistical models to identify the planktonic drivers of proliferative gill disease (PGD) and fish mortality. We undertook longitudinal evaluation at two marine aquaculture facilities on the west coast of Scotland using daily data collected during the 2021 growing season (March–October). Examining these two different sites, one sheltered and one exposed to the open sea, we identified potentially new, important, and unexpected planktonic drivers of PGD and mortality (e.g., doliolids and appendicularians) and confirmed the significance of some established threats (e.g., hydrozoans and diatoms). We also explored delayed or “lagged” effects of plankton abundances on gill health and undertook a comparison of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and microscopy in their ability to identify and quantify planktonic species. Our data highlight the diversity of planktonic threats to salmonid aquaculture as well as the importance of using both molecular and morphological approaches to detect these. There is now an urgent need to expand systematic longitudinal molecular and morphological approaches across multiple sites and over multiple years. The resultant catalogue of main biological drivers will enable early warning systems, new treatments, and, ultimately, a sustainable platform for future salmonid aquaculture in the marine environment

Recommendations for diagnostics and therapy of adult patients with malignant primary bone tumors

Bone sarcomas comprise a heterogenous group of rare mesenchymal tumors (less than 0.5% of malignant neoplasms in adults). From clinical point of view they can be divided into two main groups: spindle-cell sarcomas (osteosarcomas, majority of chondrosarcomas and less common subtypes) and small-cell sarcomas (mainly Ewing family of tumors). Correct diagnosis and effective therapy is performed by cooperation of radiologists, oncological and orthopedics surgeons, clinical oncologists, radiotherapists, rehabilitants, pathologists, nuclear medicine specialists and molecular biologists. The most important principle in diagnostics and therapy of primary malignant bone tumors is multidisciplinary work in experienced centers. Improvement of diagnostics, implementation of combined therapy and technological developments caused the increase of limb-sparing surgery indications and better long-term results of their treatment. Onkol. Prak. Klin. 2010; 6, 6: 355–369Mięsaki kości u dorosłych stanowią heterogenną grupę bardzo rzadkich nowotworów pochodzenia mezenchymalnego (poniżej 0,5% nowotworów złośliwych u dorosłych). Pod względem klinicznym mięsaki kości można podzielić na mięsaki wrzecionowatokomórkowe (obejmujące mięsaki kościopochodne, większość chrzęstniakomięsaków i inne rzadsze podtypy) oraz drobnokomórkowe (głównie rodzina mięsaków Ewinga). Prawidłowe rozpoznanie i skuteczne leczenie skojarzone pierwotnych nowotworów kości są sumą współpracy radiologów, chirurgów onkologów i chirurgów ortopedów, onkologów klinicznych, radioterapeutów, rehabilitantów, patologów, specjalistów medycyny nuklearnej i biologów molekularnych. Bezwzględnym warunkiem w diagnostyce i leczeniu pierwotnych nowotworów złośliwych kości jest wielodyscyplinarna współpraca wielospecjalistyczna w doświadczonych ośrodkach. Polepszenie diagnostyki mięsaków kości, wprowadzenie zasad terapii skojarzonej i postęp technologiczny spowodowały rozszerzenie wskazań do stosowania operacji oszczędzających kończynę oraz poprawiły odległe wyniki leczenia. Onkol. Prak. Klin. 2010; 6, 6: 355–36