Eurasian integration. Russia's attempt at the economic unification of the post-Soviet area. OSW Study 44/2013

In 2009, Vladimir Putin, the then Russian prime minister, gave impetus to the establishment of closer relations within what was then a still narrow group of three countries: Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Russia was determined in embarking on the implementation of the principles of the Customs Union among these three states and, since 2012, within the Common Economic Space as well. This process of integration is intended to bring about the introduction of ‘four freedoms’ in this area: the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour. From Moscow’s point of view, building up such integration structures is especially necessary in order to counteract the economic expansion of the European Union and China. It also feels it is important to take measures against the loosening of the bonds between the CIS countries and Russia. At the same time, close co-operation is expected to guarantee for Russia that the strong politico-economic influences in this area will be maintained. Despite the numerous limitations of the integration process, such as the small number of the participating states or limited progress in implementing the CES, this is still the most advanced integration programme in the region seen since the collapse of the USSR. Progress in putting the rules of the Customs Union into practice can be seen as a success for Moscow. In turn, the formation of the CES is still at an early stage, and it is difficult to determine at this point to what extent the three countries will harmonise their markets

The Usage of Cryopreserved Reproductive Material in Cancer Patients Undergoing Fertility Preservation Procedures

Background: Many cancer treatment methods can affect fertility by damaging the reproductive organs and glands that control fertility. Changes can be temporary or permanent. In order to preserve the fertility of cancer patients and protect the genital organs against gonadotoxicity, methods of fertility preservation are increasingly used. Considering that some patients ultimately decide not to use cryopreserved reproductive material, this review analysed the percentage of post-cancer patients using cryopreserved reproductive material, collected before treatment as part of fertility preservation. Methods: A systematic search of studies was carried out in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, based on a previously prepared research protocol. The search was conducted in Medline (via PubMed), Embase (via OVID), and the Cochrane Library. In addition, a manual search was performed for recommendations/clinical practice guidelines regarding fertility preservation in cancer patients. Results: Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies included in the review discussed the results of cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos, ovarian tissue, and semen. In 10 studies, the usage rate of cryopreserved semen ranged from 2.6% to 21.5%. In the case of cryopreserved female reproductive material, the return/usage rate ranged from 3.1% to 8.7% for oocytes, approx. 9% to 22.4% for embryos, and 6.9% to 30.3% for ovarian tissue. In studies analysing patients’ decisions about unused reproductive material, continuation of material storage was most often indicated. Recovering fertility or death of the patient were the main reasons for rejecting cryopreserved semen in the case of men. Conclusion: Fertility preservation before gonadotoxic treatment is widely recommended and increasingly used in cancer patients. The usage rate is an important indicator for monitoring the efficacy of these methods. In all of the methods described in the literature, this indicator did not exceed 31%. It is necessary to create legal and organizational solutions regulating material collection and storage and to create clear paths for its usage in the future, including by other recipients

The long-term efficacy of tick-borne encephalitis vaccines available in Europe - a systematic review

Abstract Background Despite the availability of vaccination, TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) remains a global public health problem. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the long-term efficacy of vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis using vaccines available on the European market. Methods The analysis was conducted on the results of a systematic review conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The search was performed in three databases, namely Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Ovid), and the Cochrane Library database. The authors followed the PRISMA method and the selection of the articles was performed with two independent researchers. Results From a total of 199 citations, 9 studies were included in this review. According to the primary studies identified in the search, the efficacy of available anti-TBE vaccines ranges from 90.1% to 98.9%; however, in individuals above the age of 60, the protection wanes as early as one year after vaccination. Administration of a booster dose 3 years after completion of the basic vaccination schedule significantly extended the period of protection against TBE. Conclusions Anti-TBE vaccines available in Europe have a high level of efficacy. However, the level of protection against TBE is decreasing after vaccination. Therefore, in addition to the conventional schedule, booster vaccines should be administered every 5 years in individuals before the age of 60 and more frequently, e.g. every 3 years, in individuals aged 60 and beyond

Biotechnology of the Tree Fern Cyathea smithii (J.D. Hooker; Soft Tree Fern, Katote) II Cell Suspension Culture: Focusing on Structure and Physiology in the Presence of 2,4-D and BAP

The aim of our research was to describe the structure and growth potential of a cell suspension of the tree fern Cyathea smithii. Experiments were performed on an established cell suspension with ½ MS medium supplemented with 9.05 µM 2,4-D + 0.88 µM BAP. In the experiments, attention was paid to the microscopic description of cell suspension, evaluation of cell growth dependent on the initial mass of cells and organic carbon source in the medium, the length of the passage, the content of one selected flavonoid in the post-culture medium, nuclear DNA content, ethylene production, and the antimicrobial value of the extract. For a better understanding of the cell changes that occurred during the culture of the suspension, the following structures of the cell were observed: nucleus, lipid bodies, tannin deposits, starch grains, cell walls, primary lamina, and the filaments of metabolites released into the medium. The nuclear DNA content (acriflavine-Feulgen staining) of cell aggregates distinctly indicated a lack of changes in the sporophytic origin of the cultured cell suspension. The physiological activity of the suspension was found to be high because of kinetics, intensive production of ethylene, and quercetin production. The microbiological studies suggested that the cell suspension possessed a bactericidal character against microaerobic Gram-positive bacteria. A sample of the cell suspension showed bacteriostatic activity against aerobic bacteria

The Influence of Vaginal HPV Self-Sampling on the Efficacy of Populational Screening for Cervical Cancer—An Umbrella Review

Introduction: Early detection of cervical cancer is a matter of great importance as the prognosis depends on the stage of the disease. The objective of the study consisted in the assessment of the impact of HPV self-sampling on the efficacy of populational screening programs aimed at early CC detection. Methods: The analysis was performed taking into account the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines for systematic reviews. The analyzed articles were searched for in the following databases: Medline (PubMed), Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane Library. Results: From a total of 60 citations, 16 studies were included in this review. The HPV test is highly sensitive and specific although the diagnostic accuracy of tests carried out in self-collected samples is slightly lower than that of tests carried out in samples collected by clinicians. The results of meta-analyses for HPV tests performed on self-collected samples indicate that the sensitivity for detecting CIN2+ ranges from 74% to 86% (depending on the publication and the analyzed population), and for CIN3+ from 75% to 86%. One publication showed a clearly lower sensitivity of 42% in detecting CIN3+, but the result is for a high-risk population and comes from only 1 RCT. The specificity of the assay exceeds 80% and 79.5% with regard to the detection of CIN2+ and CIN3+, respectively. As shown by the studies included in the review, both the offering of HPV self-sampling kits to patients and the mailing of such kits significantly increase the uptake of and participation in cervical cancer screening programs. In addition, self-sampling was found to be acceptable by the female subjects. Conclusions: HPV self-sampling is an innovative and cost-effective way to perform screening tests. In addition, self-sampling significantly increases the willingness to participate in screening programs among female subjects

Electric motor-glider powered by a hydrogen fuel cell stack

The paper presents the current development of the AOS-H2 electric motor-glider project. The project encompasses the design and manufacture of an electric propulsion system (EPS) and a CF/epoxy airframe to be used as a flying test platform for the designed EPS. A 40-kW electric motor is supplied by a 10-kW PEM fuel cell stack and a Li-ion battery during run-up and ascent and by the fuel cell stack alone during steady flight. The airframe and the EPS have been completed; the results of bench tests of the EPS have proved that it meets the established requirements.

Assessment of the effectiveness of clinical PSA concentration measurements in early prostate cancer detection

Introduction.Prostate cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating primarily in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland. A patient’s survival depends largely on the stage of the disease and the treatment method used, which is why early detection of the tumour plays an important role. One of the methods used for screening for prostate cancer is the measurement of prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration. Material and methods.The analysis was based on the results of the research found in the systematic review. The fol­lowing sources of medical information were searched for secondary research: Medline (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), The Cochrane Library. The time range has been set to articles published between July 2011 and July 2021. Results.The inclusion criteria for a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of PSA measurements in the early detection of prostate cancer were met by 5 secondary scientific evidence articles. Most of the evidence found showed an increase in the detection of prostate cancer after PSA testing. In case of stage III or IV tumours and the metastatic prostate cancer (CaP) variant, a statistically significant reduction in tumour detection was demonstrated. Most of the scientific evidence indicates a statistically insignificant effect of PSA screening on the risk of death due to CaP (with a diagnostic threshold of ≥4 ng/ml). Conclusions.Screening in the opportunistic variant aimed at prostate cancer with the use of PSA concentration is justified in men between 50 and 69 years of age, and in men <50 years of age should they have additional risk factors. Conversely, it seems unjustified to conduct population-based screening for prostate cancer

Assessment of the effectiveness of clinical PSA concentration measurements in early prostate cancer detection

Introduction.Prostate cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating primarily in the peripheral zone of the prostate gland. A patient’s survival depends largely on the stage of the disease and the treatment method used, which is why early detection of the tumour plays an important role. One of the methods used for screening for prostate cancer is the measurement of prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration. Material and methods.The analysis was based on the results of the research found in the systematic review. The fol­lowing sources of medical information were searched for secondary research: Medline (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), The Cochrane Library. The time range has been set to articles published between July 2011 and July 2021. Results.The inclusion criteria for a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of PSA measurements in the early detection of prostate cancer were met by 5 secondary scientific evidence articles. Most of the evidence found showed an increase in the detection of prostate cancer after PSA testing. In case of stage III or IV tumours and the metastatic prostate cancer (CaP) variant, a statistically significant reduction in tumour detection was demonstrated. Most of the scientific evidence indicates a statistically insignificant effect of PSA screening on the risk of death due to CaP (with a diagnostic threshold of ≥4 ng/ml). Conclusions.Screening in the opportunistic variant aimed at prostate cancer with the use of PSA concentration is justified in men between 50 and 69 years of age, and in men <50 years of age should they have additional risk factors. Conversely, it seems unjustified to conduct population-based screening for prostate cancer

Clinical Effectiveness of Faecal Immunochemical Test in the Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer—An Umbrella Review

Introduction: The colorectal cancer prognosis depends on the stage of the neoplasm; therefore, its early detection plays an important role. The aim of the study is evaluation of the sensitivity, specificity, and clinical effectiveness of the faecal immunochemical test in the early colorectal cancer detection. Methods: The clinical analysis was based on the results of the studies included in a systematic review conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. The following medical information sources were searched: Medline (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), The Cochrane Library. Results: From 241 citations, 13 studies were included in this review. All included studies had a low risk of bias. The faecal immunochemical test is highly specific in all analysed populations ranging from 85% to 97%. In most of the found studies, sensitivity is over 75%. The faecal immunochemical test screening also determines a reduction in death (10–59%) due to colorectal cancer. Conclusions: The faecal immunochemical test is an effective and cost-effective method of conducting population-wide colorectal cancer screening. It is an alternative or complementary to other screening tests, including colonoscopy