Tors in Central European Mountains – are they indicators of past environments?

Tors represent one of the most characteristic landforms in the uplands and mountains of Central Europe, including the Sudetes, Czech-Moravian Highlands, Šumava/Bayerischer Wald, Fichtelgebirge or Harz. These features occur in a range of lithologies, although granites and gneisses are particularly prone to tor formation. Various models of tor formation and development have been presented, and for each model the tors were thought to have evolved under specific environmental conditions. The two most common theories emphasised their progressive emergence from pre-Quaternary weathering mantles in a two-stage scenario, and their development across slopes under periglacial conditions in a one-stage scenario. More recently, tors have been analysed in relation to ice sheet extent, the selectivity of glacial erosion, and the preservation of landforms under ice. In this paper we describe tor distribution across Central Europe along with hypotheses relating to their formation and development, arguing that specific evolutionary histories are not supported by unequivocal evidence and that the scenarios presented were invariably model-driven. Several examples from the Sudetes are presented to demonstrate that tor morphology is strongly controlled by lithology and structure. The juxtaposition of tors of different types is not necessarily evidence that they differ in their mode of origin or age. Pathways of tor remodelling and degradation under subaerial conditions are identified and it is argued that processes of tor formation and development are ongoing. Thus, tors are not reliable indicators of past environments, because they are considerably influenced by both geological factors, such as lithology and structure, and geomorphological factors such as hillslope setting

Granite tors of Waldviertel (Lower Austria) as sites of geotourist interest // Granitowe skałki regionu Waldviertel (Dolna Austria) jako obiekty geoturystyczne

Granites of the South Bohemian Pluton are among the main rocks in the region of Waldviertel in the northern part of Lower Austria. The overall topography is gently rolling, with higher elevations and medium-altitude mountainous relief present only in the south-western part. Tors are the most characteristic residual landforms and occupy different settings, from mountain tops to valley floors. They vary in shapes and dimensions, with castle koppies and boulder clusters being most common. Many tors host well-developed microforms such as weathering pits, karren, runnels, and flared slopes. Balanced rocks are among the highlights of the region. Because of good access residual granite landforms of Waldviertel are well suited to be developed as geosites and geotourist destinations, but there is clearly a deficit of explanation and interpretation. In this paper 15 representative tors are presented, tourist infrastructure is summarized, and a thematicone-day drive is proposed. // Granity plutonu południowoczeskiego należą do głównych skał występujących w regionie Waldviertel w północnej części kraju związkowego Dolna Austria. Region ten odznacza się lekko falistą rzeźbą, z większymi wysokościami i górzystym ukształtowaniem jedynie w części południowo-zachodniej. Skałki stanowią najbardziej charakterystyczny element rzeźby denudacyjnej, zajmując różną pozycję morfologiczną, od szczytów wzniesień po dna dolinne. Są zróżnicowane pod względem kształtu i wymiarów, z dominacją zamczysk skalnych i zgrupowań bloków (skałek rumowiskowych). Morfologię wielu z nich urozmaicają mikroformy,takie jak kociołki wietrzeniowe, żłobki, rynny i nisze kloszowe. Szczególnie interesującym elementem rzeźby regionu są chybotki. Dobra dostępność sprawia, że rezydualne formy granitowe regionu są odpowiednie do zagospodarowania jako geostanowiska i atrakcje geoturystyczne, choć uwagę zwraca brak szerszegozaplecza edukacyjnego i interpretacyjnego. W artykule przedstawiono 15 reprezentatywnych skałek granitowych, podsumowano zagospodarowanie turystyczne obszaru oraz zaproponowano przebieg jednodniowej tematycznej trasy samochodowej

Usunięcie jajników podczas zabiegu histerektomii z przyczyn nieonkologicznych – bilans korzyści i strat

Usunięcie macicy to jedna z najczęstszych interwencji chirurgicznych w ginekologii. Zazwyczaj wskazaniami dozabiegu są schorzenia łagodne. Podczas każdego zabiegu histerektomii chirurg staje przed decyzją co do losujajników — w wielu przypadkach są one usuwane jednocześnie w ramach profilaktyki raka jajnika. W piśmiennictwiemożna znaleźć argumenty wskazujące na istotność tej decyzji wobec dowodów na hormonalną aktywnośćgonad także po menopauzie, niskie ryzyko rozwoju procesu złośliwego w populacji ogólnej i możliwe konsekwencjeustania czynności hormonalnej jajników w wyniku interwencji chirurgicznej. Z drugiej strony grupa pacjentekz podwyższonym ryzykiem raka jajnika, jajowodu i otrzewnej może odnieść niewątpliwą korzyść z wycięcia gonadpodczas zabiegu histerektomii

Relationship Between Anti-DFS70 Autoantibodies and Oxidative Stress

Background: The anti-DFS70 autoantibodies are one of the most commonly and widely described agent of unknown clinical significance, frequently detected in healthy individuals. It is not known whether the DFS70 autoantibodies are protective or pathogenic. One of the factors suspected of inducing the formation of anti-DFS70 antibodies is increased oxidative stress. We evaluated the coexistence of anti-DFS70 antibodies with selected markers of oxidative stress and investigated whether these antibodies could be considered as indirect markers of oxidative stress. Methods: The intensity of oxidative stress was measured in all samples via indices of free-radical damage to lipids and proteins such as total oxidant status (TOS), concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (LPH), lipofuscin (LPS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). The parameters of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system, such as total antioxidant status (TAS) and uric acid concentration (UA), were also measured, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Based on TOS and TAS values, the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. All samples were also tested with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and 357 samples were selected for direct monospecific anti DFS70 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. Results:: The anti-DFS70 antibodies were confirmed by ELISA test in 21.29% of samples. Compared with anti-DFS70 negative samples we observed 23% lower concentration of LPH (P = .038) and 11% lower concentration of UA (P = .005). TOS was 20% lower (P = .014). The activity of SOD was up to 5% higher (P = .037). The Pearson correlation showed weak negative correlation for LPH, UA, and TOS and a weak positive correlation for SOD activity. Conclusion: In samples positive for the anti-DFS70 antibody a decreased level of oxidative stress was observed, especially in the case of samples with a high antibody titer. Anti-DFS70 antibodies can be considered as an indirect marker of reduced oxidative stress or a marker indicating the recent intensification of antioxidant processes