The determinants and development of crowdfunding in the Central and Eastern Europe countries

Motivation: Crowdfunding (CF) is a method of raising money for projects and enterprises by online platforms. Since 2003 it is expanding and becoming a natural method of pre-financing for start-ups before reaching out to investors. The estimations gave the picture of fundraising worldwide at the level of 35 bln USD via CF platforms in 2015. Nevertheless, this method does not progress equally worldwide and it is essential to find what results in the difference in CF development among the countries.Aim: The aim of the article is to examine the relation between: (1) the welfare of countries, (2) structure of population and (3) availability of crowdfunding. The paper examines the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for the period 2005–2015.Results: There is no direct correlation between GDP per capita of a country with it online per capita investments. The richness of a country does not influence people willingness to invest through online methods. In the countries of average level of welfare, alternative financing sources are used more widely. Moreover, there is a significant impact of the age structure of the population on crowdfunding development. Estonia has the youngest structure of population. Although there are not many inhabitants and the GDP per capita is average, the country has the most willing online crowd investors

The determinants and development of crowdfunding in the Central and Eastern Europe countries

Motivation: Crowdfunding (CF) is a method of raising money for projects and enterprises by online platforms. Since 2003 it is expanding and becoming a natural method of pre-financing for start-ups before reaching out to investors. The estimations gave the picture of fundraising worldwide at the level of 35 bln USD via CF platforms in 2015. Nevertheless, this method does not progress equally worldwide and it is essential to find what results in the difference in CF development among the countries.Aim: The aim of the article is to examine the relation between: (1) the welfare of countries, (2) structure of population and (3) availability of crowdfunding. The paper examines the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for the period 2005–2015.Results: There is no direct correlation between GDP per capita of a country with it online per capita investments. The richness of a country does not influence people willingness to invest through online methods. In the countries of average level of welfare, alternative financing sources are used more widely. Moreover, there is a significant impact of the age structure of the population on crowdfunding development. Estonia has the youngest structure of population. Although there are not many inhabitants and the GDP per capita is average, the country has the most willing online crowd investors.</p

HE4 tumor marker concentration in neoplastic peritoneal effusion and in peritoneal fluid associated with benign gynecological diseases

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the behaviour of the human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in the peritoneal fluid encountered in various female genital diseases. METHODS: We enrolled 139 patients, 40 with ovarian cancer (group I), 82 with benign diseases (group II), and 17 with other malignant neoplasms (group III). The HE4 tumor marker concentrations were determined in serum, in the peritoneal effusion and ovarian cyst/ tumor fluids, CA125 in the serum only. We compared the groups, examined correlations and determined corresponding ROC curves. We evaluated the relationship between the HE4 marker concentration in the peritoneal effusion in the group I, depending on the selected prognostic parameters. RESULTS: The HE4 median value between the study groups did not differ statistically significantly and were as follows: in group I 3322 pmol/L, in the group II 2150 pmol/L and in the group III 627 pmol/L (p = 0.206376 for the groups I and II, p = 0.05929 for the groups I and III and p = 0.0797 for the groups II and III. In group I there were no differences found in the HE4 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid, depending on the stage, grade, the presence of neoplastic cells and the peritoneal dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: The HE4 marker concentrations in the peritoneal fluid are highly irrespective of the pathology observed in the female sexual organ. Therefore, it seems that its determinations in the peritoneal fluid are completely useless in terms of diagnostics. More research is needed on the role of the HE4 marker, especially the place of its formation and possible use in the targeted therapy

Therapeutic Management of Rare Primary Ovarian Neoplasms: Carcinosarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, Melanoma and Carcinoid

Carcinosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, melanoma and carcinoid as primary tumors in the ovary are extremely rare. In this paper, the authors reviewed the literature from 2010 to 2021, based on specific criteria, to analyze the treatment of these rare ovarian neoplasms. We also aimed to verify whether modern therapies have been found in recent years. For this article, 80 papers were finally selected. The vast majority of the articles were clinical case reports. Despite single mentions of new potential pharmacological treatments, surgery (radical or fertility-sparing) is definitely the mainstay of treatment. There are currently no treatment guidelines for these tumors. A review of the literature has revealed the use of various adjuvant treatments. We, therefore, believe that a more detailed understanding of the biology of these tumors is necessary in order to find new target points for treatment. We would like to emphasize the importance of creating an international database of rare ovarian tumors which would make it possible to gather data from various oncological centers and enable further research into these neoplasms

Ocena jakości życia kobiet z chorobą nowotworową leczonych metodą chemioterapii

Celem pracy jest ocena jakości życia kobiet z chorobą nowotworową leczonych chemioterapią, która jest elementem uzupełniającym leczenie operacyjne raka jajnika. Badaniem objęto 134 pacjentki poddawane chemioterapii w Klinice Ginekologii Operacyjnej i Onkologii Ginekologicznej Dorosłych i Dziewcząt Pomorskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Szczecinie. W badaniu wykorzystano kwestionariusz ankiety FACT-O. Pozwala on na ocenę: samopoczucia, wpływu choroby na życie rodzinne i towarzyskie oraz stanu emocjonalnego i funkcjonowania w życiu codziennym. Do realizacji celu wykorzystano analizę korespondencji. W artykule przedstawiono wyniki poszukiwania zależności między kategoriami cech dotyczących jakości życia pacjentek a wybranymi cechami społeczno-demograficznymi i stopniem zaawansowania choroby. Większość badanych kobiet oceniała pozytywnie swój dobrostan fizyczny, społeczny, funkcjonalny i emocjonalny oraz samopoczucie pod kątem odczuwania innych dolegliwości

The use of logistic regression in the ovarian cancer diagnostics

In the present elaboration an attempt has been made to build the logit model which makes it possible to specify the probability of diagnosing the ovarian carcinoma in the female patients with pathological lesion in the ovary. Based on sampling of 210 patients treated and diagnosed at the Teaching Hospital of Operative Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology of Women and Girls of the Pomeranian Medical University, the evaluations of the parameters of two logit models were determined and the estimation of the quality of obtained models was made. The obtained results may contribute to supporting of the ovarian cancer diagnostics

Urolithins Modulate the Viability, Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Nephrin Turnover in Podocytes Exposed to High Glucose

Urolithins are bioactive compounds generated in human and animal intestines because of the bacterial metabolism of dietary ellagitannins (and their constituent, ellagic acid). Due to their multidirectional effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and antiglycative properties, urolithins are potential novel therapeutic agents. In this study, while considering the future possibility of using urolithins to improve podocyte function in diabetes, we assessed the results of exposing mouse podocytes cultured in normal (NG, 5.5 mM) and high (HG, 25 mM) glucose concentrations to urolithin A (UA) and urolithin B (UB). Podocytes metabolized UA to form glucuronides in a time-dependent manner; however, in HG conditions, the metabolism was lower than in NG conditions. In HG milieu, UA improved podocyte viability more efficiently than UB and reduced the reactive oxygen species level. Both types of urolithins showed cytotoxic activity at high (100 &micro;M) concentration. The UA upregulated total and surface nephrin expression, which was paralleled by enhanced nephrin internalization. Regulation of nephrin turnover was independent of ambient glucose concentration. We conclude that UA affects podocytes in different metabolic and functional aspects. With respect to its pro-survival effects in HG-induced toxicity, UA could be considered as a potent therapeutic candidate against diabetic podocytopathy

2-Methoxyestradiol Damages DNA in Glioblastoma Cells by Regulating nNOS and Heat Shock Proteins

Gliomas are the most prevalent primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), accounting for over fifty percent of all primary intracranial neoplasms. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent form of malignant glioma and is often incurable. The main distinguishing trait of GBM is the presence of hypoxic regions accompanied by enhanced angiogenesis. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is a well-established antiangiogenic and antiproliferative drug. In current clinical studies, 2-ME, known as Panzem, was examined for breast, ovarian, prostate, and multiple myeloma. The SW1088 grade III glioma cell line was treated with pharmacological and physiological doses of 2-ME. The induction of apoptosis and necrosis, oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial membrane potential were established by flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy was used to detect DNA damage. The Western blot technique determined the level of nitric oxide synthase and heat shock proteins. Here, for the first time, 2-ME is shown to induce nitro-oxidative stress with the concomitant modulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the SW1088 grade III glioma cell line. Crucial therapeutic strategies for GMB should address both cell proliferation and angiogenesis, and due to the above, 2-ME seems to be a perfect candidate for GBM therapy

Risk model in women with ovarian cancer without mutations

Ovarian cancer is characterised by the greatest mortality among all tumors of the reproductive tract

Implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in a gynaecology department – the follow-up at 1 year

Aim of the study : An ERAS protocol provides the latest perioperative care principles, whose primary aim is to reduce complication rates, and therefore mortality. The aim of this study is to establish the progress of the ERAS pathway implementation in our gynaecology department. Material and methods : This was a retrospective analysis of two sets of 100 consecutive medical records: patients treated before (PRE-ERAS) and after (ERAS) introduction of the ERAS protocol. All patients were comparable and all underwent major gynaecological surgery. Patients as well as medical and nursing staff were informed about the proposed preparation, surgical management and postoperative routine. Results and conclusions : Patients were given supper and drank water during the night. Laparoscopic surgery was used in 44% and spinal anaesthesia was given for open surgery in 43 study patients. Use of drains was reduced only by 23%, bowel preparation by 15%. Intravenous fluid administration was reduced by 22%. Use of postoperative morphine was minimised to 12 patients. Postoperative nausea was managed with the regular use of anti-emetics. Anti-coagulation was given to 80% of the study group. Difficulties in the introduction of the ERAS protocol were due to refusal by some patients to mobilise and eat early postoperatively. Patients in the ERAS programme group were discharged earlier. Further information about the ERAS protocol in the media would facilitate patients’ education among conservative society. In order to introduce new and innovative treatment methods, one has to take into account the cultural and ideological factors, especially when patient involvement is essential