Value judgements and economic models – a Weberian perspective

The paper argues for the need to introduce analysis of value judgements into literature on economic modelling, which does not currently deal with this topic. It starts with a prescription formulated by Max Weber, that because social science is so permeated with value judgements (such as acceptance of certain ethical values and policy ends, or some methodological convictions), social scientists should openly state values and policy ends they accept while doing research. From this, a meta-theoretical prescription is formulated: whenever analysing a piece of research as its user or methodologist, value judgements expressed or assumed by the author need to be taken into account. If this is so, then a meta-theory of how to identify these components will be useful. As economics is a model-based science, it is desirable that this meta-theory be about models, or be part of a broader theory of models or modelling. Uskali Mäki’s “model of a model” is an example of such theory of models that is easy to amend and refocus to account for this requirement

Is it possible to predict, whether BAL salvage is going to be diagnostic?

Introduction: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is used in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases. BAL is diagnostic when ≥ 60%of the instilled volume is recovered. There are no reliable markers useful to predict whether BAL volume is going to be diagnostic.Our goal was to search for pulmonary function markers which could anticipate whether the recovered volume of instilled fluidwould be ≥ 60% of administered volume. Material and methods: BAL volumes and quality were analyzed in the context of disease, medical condition and lung functiontest results of the subjects hospitalized at the Pulmonology Ward from January 2015 to October 2016. The patients’ average agewas 61 (29–89). Results: Among 80 procedures, diagnostic BAL (≥ 60%) has been obtained in 58 cases. The analysis of the group of patients withan interstitial lung disease confirmed that there is a correlation between decreasing BAL recovered volume and an increase ofRV[%pred] (r = –0.34) and RV/TLC[%pred] (r = –0.41); p < 0.05. There was no significant correlation with DLCO. RV/TLC[%pred]was the parameter with the highest predictive value for an anticipated correct BAL recovery. The curve analysis of the receiveroperating characteristic (ROC) showed a diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.73, 95% CI 0.61–0.86). Conclusions: Pulmonary hyperinflation may have a predictive role in anticipating a proper recovery of the BAL fluid volume

Spatial and functional aspects of the night-time economy in historic cities: a case study of the Kazimierz district (Kraków, Poland)

Historic cities constitute a special category of urban area in Poland. Due to their cultural potential, tourism and related sectors are currently becoming an important development direction. One such sector is their night-time economy, identified on the basis of a time criterion (21:00-5:00), and a functional criterion (understood as all activities that meet people’s broad leisure needs outside their home during the night). The aim of the article is to describe the night-time economy in one historical central district of Kraków – Kazimierz. The authors, based on a field inventory conducted in 2019, and interviews with representatives of the local community, have illustrated the spatial and functional aspects of this phenomenon.Miasta historyczne stanowią szczególną kategorię ośrodków miejskich w Polsce, a z uwagi na potencjał kulturowy ważnym kierunkiem ich rozwoju staje się współcześnie turystyka i sektory z nią powiązane. Jednym z takich sektorów jest tzw. gospodarka nocna (ang. night-time economy, w skrócie NTE) identyfikowana na podstawie kryterium dostępności czasowej (21:00–5:00) i kryterium funkcjonalnego (jako ogół działalności zaspokajających szeroko rozumiane potrzeby wolnoczasowe ludzi poza ich domem w porze nocnej). Celem artykułu jest charakterystyka gospodarki nocnej w historycznej dzielnicy śródmiejskiej Krakowa – Kazimierzu. Autorzy, opierając się na przeprowadzonej w 2019 r. inwentaryzacji terenowej oraz wywiadach z przedstawicielami lokalnej społeczności, zobrazowali przestrzenne i funkcjonalne aspekty tego zjawiska

Self-management and integrated pulmonary care as an essential part of treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, chronic and progressive disease that is a major public health problem worldwide. Treatment for stable COPD relies on pharmacological and non-pharmacological procedures. Education, self-management interventions and personalized pulmonary rehabilitation should be part of chronic care for patients with COPD at all stages of their disease.The comprehensive care should be provided by integrated pulmonary care based on pulmonary centers and a multidisciplinary team to all patients with COPD. Holistic approach to the patient with COPD and his involvement in therapy and working closely with healthcare professionals will improve quality of life of COPD patients. It also modifies the course of the disease, prevents progression and may reduce the frequency of exacerbations. In this article, we present the proposed model of integrated pulmonary care, structures necessary for multidisciplinary treatment and self-management intervention as essential elements in the treatment of patients with COPD

Life orientation and chosen sociomedical indicators of women suffering from type 2 diabetes

The aim of the study: In the process of dealing with diabetes every day the sense of coherence plays an important role. This construct in the salutogenesis theory determines the ability ofan individual to skilfully utilize the available resources for their own wellbeing. In many works the influence of demographic, social and clinical factors on the sense of coherence of people suffering from diabetes was analysed. However, little attention was paid to the detailed description of this issue among women suffering from diabetes. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the sense of coherence and the chosen sociomedical variables among women suffering from type 2 diabetes. Material and methods: In total 131 women suffering from type 2 diabetes treated at the Endocrinology Hospital and the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic were the subject of this research. The women who were selected for this research were 40 years old, had suffered from diabetes for over one year and gave permission to take part in the study.The study was conducted based on the original questionnaire comprising the data concerning: age, educational background, place of residence, marital status and professional activity. The questionnaire allowed gathering medical data like: duration of the disease, BMI index, HbA1c value or the method of diabetes treatment.Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29) by A. Antonovski [4] in a Polish language version was used to determine the rating of the sense of coherence. Results. The level of the sense of coherence of the surveyed women suffering from diabetes was between 47 and 197 points. Statistically significant differences were not observed (p > 0.05) in the ratings of the sense of coherence versus the place of residence, education or marital status. There were no significant relationships (p > 0.05) between the sense of coherence, its components and the method of treatment, HbA1c value and the disease duration time. A statistically relevant difference (p < 0.05) between the sense of coherence, its components and the age of respondents was demonstrated. Moreover, a statistically relevant difference was proven (p < 0.05) between the sense of coherence and Body Mass Index. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the sense of coherence, its components and the professional activity of the research subjects was found. Conclusions: 1.The level of sense of coherence was lower than the standard average norms as applied by A. Antonovsky (133-160 points) among women suffering from type 2 diabetes. 2. Women who were professionally active and mature stood out with a high level of the sense of coherence and its components. 3. Women suffering from type 2 diabetes with normal body weight had high a level of the sense of coherence

Leczenie przewlekłej obturacyjnej choroby płuc - bronchodylatacja i przeciwzapalna farmakoterapia celowana

Currently available pharmacological treatment of COPD relies mostly on prophylaxis (smoking cessation) and symptomatic treatment, i.e. inhaled anticholinergic agents, &#946;2-agonists and phosphodiesterase inhibitors, aiming in their bronchodilatation capacity. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy is mainly prescribed in far advanced stages of the disease and its role in disease modification is still controversial. The authors analize currently available treatment modalities with regards to their potential anti-inflammatory and pleiotropic mode of action, which may lead to disease course modification. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 1: 32-38Stosowane obecnie farmakologiczne leczenie POChP opiera się na profilaktyce - terapii antynikotynowej oraz leczeniu objawowym, czyli stosowaniu wziewnych leków antycholinergicznych, &#946;2-agonistów, inhibitorów fosfodiesterazy, głównie pod kątem ich skuteczności bronchodylatacyjnej. W zaawansowanym stadium stabilnej choroby zaleca się leczenie wziewnymi steroidami kory nadnerczy, chociaż ich wpływ na przebieg choroby w dalszym ciagu wzbudza kontrowersje. Autorzy niniejszej pracy zanalizowali wybrane grupy leków stosowanych w POChP pod kątem ich potencjalnego mechanizmu działania przeciwzapalnego i plejotropowego, który może mieć wpływ na modyfikację przebiegu choroby. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 1: 32-3

Histone dependent signalization during pharmacotherapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Przewlekła obturacyjna choroba płuc (POChP) jest czwartą co do częstości przyczyną zgonów na świecie. Molekularne mechanizmy odpowiadające za rozwój choroby nie zostały dotychczas poznane, ale wiadomo, że u podłoża POChP leży przewlekły proces zapalny i stres oksydacyjny/nitrozacyjny spowodowany paleniem tytoniu. Wyniki ostatnich badań wskazują, że zaburzenia funkcji histonów, które prowadzą, poprzez wzrost transkrypcji genów, do syntezy cytokin prozapalnych, mogą odgrywać zasadniczą rolę w patomechanizmie choroby. Reakcje acetylacji i deacetylacji histonów wpływają na ich aktywność transkrypcyjną, a zmiany intensywności tych reakcji, wywołane przez leki, mogą stanowić interesujące pole do dalszych badań. W artykule autorzy prezentują aktualne opinie na temat roli steroidów jako inhibitorów stanu zapalnego, jak również zjawiska steroidooporności. Wyniki badań, w których oceniano aktywność przeciwzapalną i zdolność do hamowania stresu oksydacyjnego takich leków, jak teofilina i N-acetylocysteina, mogą prowadzić do zastosowania tych leków w leczeniu przyczynowym POChP, jednakże obserwacje te wymagają potwierdzenia w przebiegu dalszych badań.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a 4th major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cigarette smoking and oxidative/nitrosative stress leading to chronic inflammation is considered as a major cause of COPD but up to now, details of molecular pathways responsible for development of disease are unknown. Recent reports indicate the role of disruption in histone function in promoting synthesis of inflammatory cytokines through increased gene transcription which underlies disease development. Core histone acetylation/deacetylation regulate their transcription activity and drug induced changes of its intensity may be an interesting field of further research. In this article the opinions about the role of steroids as inhibitors of the inflammatory process as well as resistance to steroids have been presented. Findings from studies which aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of drugs such as theophylline and N-acetylcysteine and their ability to suppress oxidative stress may suggest the usefullness of these drugs in causative treatment of COPD. However, further studies are necessary to confirm these findings

Influence of inhaler and fine particle on efficacy of inhalation therapy in COPD

Farmakoterapia stosowana drogą inhalacyjną wykorzystuje efekt podania leku bezpośrednio do narządu docelowego. Umożliwia to podanie bardzo małej dawki leku, która wywiera efekt kliniczny porównywalny z terapią doustną przy wielokrotnie mniejszym efekcie toksycznym. Niemniej, także w terapii inhalacyjnej istnieją czynniki ograniczające dostęp molekuł leku do receptorów narządów docelowych. Dostarczenie pożądanej dawki leku z inhalatora do płuc zależy od typu inhalatora (ciśnieniowy, proszkowy), jego charakterystyki (opór wewnętrzny, średnica cząstek i dystrybucja ich poszczególnych frakcji w generowanym aerozolu), warunków termicznych powietrza oraz od zdolności inhalacyjnych samego chorego. Zastosowanie inhalatorów suchego proszku (DPI) dzięki uwalnianiu dawki leku wdechem wyeliminowało występujący u wielu chorych problem koordynacji wdechu z momentem uwolnienia aerozolu z inhalatora. Poszczególne inhalatory DPI różnią się jednak istotnie pod względem możliwości ich optymalnego stosowania przez chorych na obturacyjne choroby układu oddechowego. Z tego powodu powinny być z rozwagą dobierane do potrzeb i możliwości każdego chorego.Orally inhaled products delivered via inhalation exert their effect directly to the target organ. This allows to administer a very low dose of a drug compared with an oral route with similar clinical effect and significantly reduced toxicity. However inhalation therapy is also limited by several factors. Delivery of the desired dose of the drug to the airways depends on a type of the inhaler — pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) or dry powder inhaler (DPI), inhaler characteristics (low or high internal resistance, diameter of particles and distribution of the generated aerosol fine particles), thermal conditions of air, and ability of patient to generate sufficient inspiratory flow (for DPI) or to coordinate actuation with inhalation (for pMDI). Unlike pMDIs, DPIs are breath- -actuated, hence avoiding the need for the patient to coordinate actuation with inspiration. Furthermore, DPIs are propellant-free and do not produce the cold sensation on inhalation. Currently available DPIs vary widely in design, operating characteristics and performance. And poor inhalation technique may compromise treatment efficacy. Hence, there is a clear need for a careful selection of DPIs for different patient groups, including children, elderly patients and those with severe airway obstruction

Posttranslational p53 phosphorylation in non small cell lung cancer cells after radio/chemotherapy

Wstęp: Jednym z najważniejszych regulatorów cyklu komórkowego i apoptozy jest białko p53. Wiele czynników zmienia ekspresję tego białka i modyfikuje jego funkcje. Celem badań autorów było określenie stabilności i wybranych potranslacyjnych modyfikacji białka p53 w przebiegu terapii raka płuca. Materiał i metody: Oceniano zmiany ilości markera uszkodzenia DNA - poli-ADP-rybozy, ploidię DNA, ekspresję antygenu proliferacyjnego Ki-67, ekspresję natywnego i zmutowanego p53 oraz intensywność reakcji fosforylacji wybranych reszt serynowych tego białka, C-końcowej Ser392 i N-końcowych Ser15 i Ser20 w próbkach pobranych w trakcie bronchoskopii chorych na nawrotowego niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca przed radio- i chemioterapią i po niej. Badania objęły 23 pacjentów będących po zabiegu chirurgicznym w stadiach I-IIIA.Wyniki: Terapia obniżyła liczbę komórek będących w fazie G2/M, ale zwiększyła frakcję komórek w fazie S o około 50%. Zwiększyła także ekspresję białka p53 oraz ilość białka fosforylowanego w pozycjach Ser392 i Ser20, a zmiany te korelowały ze zmianami ilości poli-ADP-rybozy i ekspresją Ki-67. Wnioski: Uzyskane przez autorów wyniki wskazują, że oprócz zmian ekspresji białka p53 jego potranslacyjna fosforylacja uczestniczy w regulacji proliferacji komórek nowotworowych pod wpływem leków.Introduction: p53 protein is a critical regulator of cell cycle and apoptosis. Many stimuli change its expression and modify its functions. The aim of our work was to determine stability and chosen posttranslational modification of p53 protein during the treatment of lung cancer. Material and methods: We investigated levels of poly-ADP-ribose- a marker of cellular DNA damage, DNA ploidy, Ki-67 expression, wild type and mutated p53 protein expression and intensity of phosphorylation of chosen p53 serine sites: C-terminal Ser392, and N-terminal Ser15, and Ser20 in fiberoptic bronchoscopy biopsy samples taken from patients suffering from recurrent squamous cell lung cancer before and after radio/chemotherapy. Analysis was based on results obtained from 23 patients after surgery in I-IIIA clinical stage of the disease. Results: Therapy lowered the number of G2/M cells, but increased S fraction cell population in about 50%. Therapy increased p53 expression and p53 phosphorylation at Ser392 and Ser20, and these changes correlated with poly-ADP-ribose levels and Ki-67 expression. Conclusions: Our results indicate that apart from changes in p53 quantity, p53 posttranslational phosphorylation play a role in regulation of neoplastic cells proliferation in response to drugs