Religion and economic prosperity: help or hindrance?

In the contemporary description of the impact of religiosity on social life, the dominant view is one dating back to Max Weber (+1920) on the importance of the Protestant ethic, which, while emphasizing the value of work, at the same time favors prosperity, seeing it as a sign of God's blessing. Based on these assumptions, some seem to suggest that Protestants earn more because their religiosity translates directly into increased profits in their professional work. Contemporary Polish economic philosophers Marcin Gorazda and Tomasz Kwarcinski seem to argue with this thesis in their latest book "Between Prosperity and Happiness." (Cracow 2020). In my paper, I will refer to a brief outline of the biblical context of the question of the propriety of wealth, the reasons for the New Testament warnings against the dangers of wealth, in order to refer to research highlighting the relationship between religiosity and economic success (for example, recent American research on the impact of religion on family firms). Thus, the thesis of Protestantism's favorability toward wealth (compared to Catholicism) must take into account other still other factors such as demographic or sociological

Prognostic value of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokeratin 19 fragments (Cyfra 21-1) but not carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in surgically treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of cytokeratin 19 fragments (Cyfra 21-1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in surgically treated NSCLC patients.Material and methods: 50 NSCLC patients (25 adenocarcinoma, 21 squamous cell and 4 adenosquamous), clinical stages I and II, age 42–89 years, entered the study. CEA, Cyfra 21-1 and CRP concentrations were measured in serum taken before surgery, CEA and Cyfra 21-1 in 50 patients, CRP — in 46 patients. The survival was calculated from the date of surgical treatment until death or until the end of the observation time. The results were expressed as medians (95%CI).Results: Cyfra 21-1 concentration was 2.1 (0.7–14.5) ng/mL. Survival time in the patients with Cyfra 21-1 ≤ 2 ng/mL, and > 2 ng/ /mL was 79 (14.85–88.2) and 29 (5.7–87.6) months, (p < 0.026). CEA concentration was 2.68 (0.87–72.7) ng/mL, significantly higher in adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell lung cancer — 4.38 ng/mL (1.67–41.35) vs. 2.2 ng/mL (1.0–6.1), p = 0.002. CRP concentration was 5.45 (0–122.6) mg/L. Significant dependence was found between CRP and pathological tumour size (pT). Median CRP values in pT1, pT2 and pT3+4 tumours were: 2.8 mg/L, 6.9 mg/L and 23.5 mg/L, respectively. Survival time of the patients with CRP ≤ 10 mg/L and CRP > 10 mg/L was 79 (14.85–88.2) and 29.5 (5.7–87.6) months, respectively (p = 0.045). CRP > 10 mg/L and Cyfra 21-1 > 2 ng/mL were the only significant preoperative prognostic indicators (HR 2.08 and 2.04, respectively). Among the postoperative parameters, pathological stage of disease (p-stage) and pT were the significant prognostic indicators (HR 2.1 and 2.42, respectively).Conclusions: In the present study, concerning surgically treated NSCLC patients, preoperative CRP > 10 mg/L and Cyfra 21-1 > 2 ng/mL were the only negative prognostic indicators, while pT and p-stage were significant postoperative prognostic indicators.Wstęp: Celem pracy była ocena znaczenia rokowniczego przedoperacyjnych stężeń : fragmentów cytokeratyny 19 (Cyfra 21-1), antygenu rakowo-płodowego (CEA) i białka C-reaktywnego (CRP) w surowicy u chorych operowanych z powodu ND RP.Materiał i metody: Badaniem objęto 50 chorych, w wieku 42–89 lat, w I i II klinicznym stadium zaawansowania NDRP, 25 chorych na gruczolakoraka, 21 na raka płaskonabłonkowego i 4 na raka gruczołowo-płaskonabłonkowego. Stężenie CEA, Cyfra 21-1 i CRP oceniano w surowicy pobranej przed zabiegiem operacyjnym: CEA i Cyfra 21-1 — u 50 chorych, CRP — u 46 chorych. Czas przeżycia mierzono od daty zabiegu do zgonu lub do końca obserwacji. Wyniki podawano jako mediany (95%CI).Wyniki: Stężenie Cyfra 21-1 wynosiło 2,1 (0,7–14,5) ng/ml. Czas przeżycia chorych z Cyfra 21-1 ≤ 2 ng/ml i > 2 ng/ml wynosił odpowiednio: 79 (14,85–88,2) i 29 (5,7–87,6) miesiąca, p < 0,026. Stężenie CEA wynosiło 2,68 (0,87–72,7) ng/ml, i było istotnie wyższe u chorych na gruczolakoraka w porównaniu z chorymi na raka płaskonabłonkowego — 4,38 (1,67–41,35) v. 2,2 (1,0–6,0) ng/ml, p = 0,002. Stężenie CRP wynosiło 5,45 (0–122,6) mg/l. Stwierdzono zależność pomiędzy CRP a patologicznym wymiarem guza. Mediana stężenia CRP w grupach pT1, pT2 i pT3+4 wynosiła odpowiednio: 2,8 mg/l, 6,9 mg/l and 23,5 mg/L (p < 0,05). Czas przeżycia chorych ze stężeniem CRP ≤ 10 mg/l i > 10 mg/l wynosił odpowiednio: 79 (14,85–88,2) i 29,5 (5,7–87,6) miesięcy (p = 0,045). CRP > 10 mg/l i Cyfra 21-1 > 2 ng/ml były jedynymi przedoperacyjnymi parametrami o istotnym znaczeniu rokowniczym (HR odpowiednio 2,08 i 2,42). Wśród parametrów pooperacyjnych istotne znaczenie rokownicze posiadały: stopień zaawansowania patologicznego NDRP i wymiar guza w badaniu patologicznym (HR 2,1 i 2,42).Wnioski: W badanej grupie chorych na NDRP, spośród parametrów przedoperacyjnych tylko CRP > 10 mg/l i Cyfra 21-1 > 2 ng/ml były negatywnymi czynnikami rokowniczymi, spośród parametrów pooperacyjnych — wymiar guza i stopień zaawansowania patologicznego NDRP

Analysis of treatment results in primary germ cell tumours with mediastinal location: own experience

Wstęp: Pierwotne nowotwory z komórek rozrodczych o lokalizacji śródpiersiowej stanowią 1–6% guzów śródpiersia oraz 2–5% wszystkich nowotworów z komórek rozrodczych występujących u dorosłych. Rozpoznawane są najczęściej w 3. dekadzie życia, w 90% u mężczyzn. Najczęstsze objawy to: duszność, bóle w klatce piersiowej, kaszel, stany podgorączkowe i utrata masy ciała. Celem pracy była ocena wyników leczenia pierwotnych nowotworów z komórek rozrodczych o lokalizacji śródpiersiowej i przegląd piśmiennictwa poświęconego tej tematyce.Materiał i metody: W okresie od 1999 do 2009 roku w Klinice Nowotworów Płuca i Klatki Piersiowej Centrum Onkologii-Instytut im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie w Warszawie leczono 5 chorych z nowotworem z komórek rozrodczych o pierwotnej lokalizacji śródpiersiowej, 4 mężczyzn i 1 kobietę. Średnia wieku wyniosła 27,8 roku (zakres 23–30).Wyniki: U wszystkich chorych zastosowano chemioterapię według schematu BEP. U wszystkich chorych uzyskano obiektywną odpowiedź na leczenie. Dwóch chorych zmarło z powodu progresji choroby pomimo stosowania chemioterapii II i III linii. Trzech chorych nadal pozostaje w obserwacji. Mediana czasu przeżycia wyniosła 55,8 miesiąca (zakres 8,0–120,0).Wnioski: Pierwotne nowotwory z komórek rozrodczych o lokalizacji śródpiersiowej są nowotworami o rokowaniu gorszym niż w lokalizacji gonadalnej. Na podstawie obserwacji własnych i przeglądu piśmiennictwa można stwierdzić, że wyniki leczenia pierwotnych nienasieniaków w lokalizacji śródpiersiowej pozostają niezadowalające. Szczególnie niekorzystne są wyniki leczenia chorych, u których dochodzi do wczesnej wznowy lub progresji w trakcie chemioterapii I linii. Określenie nowych standardów postępowania w nowotworach opornych na cisplatynę wymaga dalszych badań oceniających skuteczność cytostatyków nowych generacji.Introduction: Primary germ cell tumours with mediastinal location comprise 1–6% of mediastinal tumours and 2–5% of all germ cell tumours occurring in adults. They are identified mostly in the 3rd decade of life, in 90% of cases in men. The most common symptoms are dyspnea, chest pain, cough, fever and weight loss. The aim of the present study was the analysis of our own results of treatment of primary germ cell tumours with mediastinal location, and a review of the literature concerning this subject.Material and methods: Five patients (4 males, 1 female) median age 27.8 years (range 23–30 years) treated in the period from 1999 to 2009 in Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute of Oncology, Department of Lung Cancer and Chest Tumours in Warsaw, due to germinal tumours with primary mediastinal location, entered the study.Results: All patients received chemotherapy according to the BEP regimen. All patients achieved an objective response to treatment. Two patients died due to disease progression in spite of II- and III-line treatment. Three patients are still in follow-up. The median survival time was 55.8 months (range 8.0–120.0 months).Conclusions: Primary mediastinal germ cell tumours have worse prognosis than do those with gonadal location. Based on our observations and review of the literature, it can be concluded that the results of treatment of non-seminoma type germ cell tumours with primary mediastinal location remain poor. Patients who develop early recurrence or progression during first-line chemotherapy are particularly at risk of unfavourable outcome. Identification of new standards of treatment in tumours resistant to cisplatin require further studies evaluating the effectiveness of new generation cytostatic drugs

The molecular basis of conformational instability of the ecdysone receptor DNA binding domain studied by in silico and in vitro experiments

The heterodimer of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (Usp), members of the nuclear receptors superfamily, regulates gene expression associated with molting and metamorphosis in insects. The DNA binding domains (DBDs) of the Usp and EcR play an important role in their DNA-dependent heterodimerization. Analysis of the crystal structure of the UspDBD/EcRDBD heterocomplex from Drosophila melanogaster on the hsp27 gene response element, suggested an appreciable similarity between both DBDs. However, the chemical denaturation experiments showed a categorically lower stability for the EcRDBD in contrast to the UspDBD. The aim of our study was an elucidation of the molecular basis of this intriguing instability. Toward this end, we mapped the EcRDBD amino acid sequence positions which have an impact on the stability of the EcRDBD. The computational protein design and in vitro analyses of the EcRDBD mutants indicate that non-conserved residues within the α-helix 2, forming the EcRDBD hydrophobic core, represent a specific structural element that contributes to instability. In particular, the L58 appears to be a key residue which differentiates the hydrophobic cores of UspDBD and EcRDBD and is the main reason for the low stability of the EcRDBD. Our results might serve as a benchmark for further studies of the intricate nature of the EcR molecule

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis recognised by open lung biopsy in patients of Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases

Diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is made on the basis of a combination of clinical features connected with the exposition to organic dusts, radiographic abnormalities, lung function tests and immunological tests. Open lung biopsy (OLB) and histological examination is not necessary and is indicated mainly in chronic and subacute form of HP. In the chronic form of HP symptoms often do not show a temporal relationship with antigen exposure and errors occur especially if specific questions are not asked about exposure to antigen if HP. The aim of this paper was to analyse whether OLB was necessary in all patients in whom HP was recognised just after this procedure. Material included 21 patients in whom microscopic examination suggested HP among 258 pts in whom OLB was performed in the period of 1998-2003 . There were 13 men and 8 women at the age of 18 to 65 years, mediana 42 years. Results: We found 3 groups of pts. Group "+" included 9 exposed pts. They were asked and confirmed contact with birds, hay and 7 of them observed correlation between exposition and symptoms. The second Group "-" included 7 pts who were asked about exposition and who answered in the negative. In all of them HRCT scans suggested HP. Restriction was below 70% of VC in 3 pts. The third Group "0" included 5 pts who were not asked about exposition and correlation with symptoms. Two from them lived in the rural area. Conclusions: Open lung biopsy was not necessary for 6 patients in Group "+", because then had enought symptoms to recognise HP. In 3 patients of Group "+" and in 5 of Group "0" OLB could be not necessary because specificanamnesis and additional examinations were not collected. OLB was necessary method for 7 patients in Group "-"