The Selected Problems of Public Transport Organization Using Mathematical Tools on the Example of Poland

Public transport plays an increasingly important role in satisfying the transport needs. Travellers’ requirements regarding the quality of services are increasing. In addition to passenger comfort, other parameters are important (timetable and the state of transport infrastructure). Therefore, methods that determine the appropriate organization of public transport for an area should be sought. The purpose of the article is to present the most commonly used optimization methods and tools that have been applied to the chosen problems of organization of public transport mainly in Poland (described in the articles of mainly Polish scientists), but against the background of global research. The article characterizes the functioning of public transport in Poland. The selected problems of public transport functioning, which can be solved by using optimization methods and tools were discussed. The chosen methods that were used to formulate and solve the identified problems were indicated. The effects of this article will form part of the work on the POIR.01.01.01-00-0970/17-00 project "IT system for computer-aided public transport planning" financed by the National Centre for Research and Development

Inflammation and ovarian cancer – current views

Ovarian cancers pose the greatest challenge for gynecological oncology. They are a heterogeneous, rapidly progressing and highly lethal group of malignancies and their etiology is still poorly understood. Among many hypotheses, explaining the pathogenesis of malignant tumors, chronic inflammation seems to play a significant role, which was proved in cervical, hepatic and esophageal cancers. The processes of inflammation and carcinogenesis are very much alike. Their similarity was experimentally confirmed by epidemiological, immunological, biochemical and genetic studies. Additionally, this view is supported by indirect epidemiological and clinical evidence linking ovarian cancer with pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome. Chronic inflammation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of these illnesses. Moreover, ovulation involving repeated damage and repair of the ovarian surface epithelium is in fact an inflammatory process. In this review, we focus on the role of inflammation in cancer initiation, promotion and progression with special emphasis on the ovarian cancer. We discuss the potential involvement of the fallopian tubes, endometriosis and microenvironment of tumors represented by cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and various enzymes that destroy the extracellular matrix. Considering that molecular biology is currently rapidly evolving, we focus on the function of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in the pathophysiology of inflammation and cancer

Quality of life after bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Morbid obesity together with obesity-related diseases has a negative impact on the quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life amongst patients with morbid obesity as well as the impact of bariatric treatment on body weight and obesity-related diseases in addition to conducting an analysis of changes in the quality of life after surgical treatments, in the context of the surgical procedure type and degree of body weight loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients were treated for morbid obesity. The sample group consisted of 34 patients treated with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and 31 persons qualified for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). The average body weight before the procedure was 146.2 kg. In the sample group, 89 % of persons qualified for the surgical treatments were diagnosed with hypertension and 52 % persons that were operated on were diagnosed with diabetes type 2 before the surgical procedure. Before commencement of the surgical treatment, the quality of life was assessed, which in both groups qualified for given types of bariatric procedures was considerably low. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Percentage excessive weight loss (%EWL) was 58.8 %. No significant differences in body weight loss were noted between the two types of procedures. Improvement was observed in the treatment of obesity-related diseases. Also, the quality of life was enhanced significantly. No differences were noted in terms of the quality of life improvement between particular types of surgical procedures. No significant differences were observed during the analysis of body weight loss impact on the quality of life improvement

Enhanced recovery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing laparoscopic total gastrectomy

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic technique combined with the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery after Surgery) protocol enables a shorter hospital stay and a lower complication rate. Although it has been widely used in many patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, especially in patients with colorectal cancer, there are only a few papers describing laparoscopic total gastrectomy and the enhanced recovery protocol in patients with gastric cancer. Minimally invasive gastrectomy is still an uncommon procedure, mostly because of its difficulty. AIM: To present the preliminary results of treatment of patients with gastric neoplasms who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy D2 with perioperative care according to ERAS principles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients (5 male and 6 female, age 52–77 years) underwent laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy with intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis. In all patients the ERAS protocol was implemented. We analyzed operation time, complications and hospital stay. Additionally we focused on operative technique as well as the perioperative care protocol. RESULTS: The mean duration of the procedure was 245 min. There was 1 conversion due to unclear tumor infiltration. Mean hospital stay was 4.6 days. One postoperative complication (central venous catheter sepsis) was reported. Histological analysis confirmed the tentative diagnosis (R0 resection) in 10/11 patients. There were no readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic gastrectomy is a valuable alternative to the classical approach and combined with the ERAS protocol can result in reduced hospital stay. However, due to the small group of patients it is difficult to adequately assess the incidence of early and late complications of the laparoscopic procedures; therefore further research is needed

Short hospital stays after laparoscopic gastric surgery under an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway : experience at a single center

INTRODUCTION: Recently, first reports on benefits from Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway in patients undergoing gastric surgery have appeared. It seems that maximal reduction of unfavorable surgery-induced trauma in patients with gastric malignancy via ERAS protocol combined with minimally invasive techniques can improve outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of laparoscopic surgery and ERAS protocol in oncological gastric surgery on early outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective analysis involved 28 patients (18 female and 10 male) with gastric malignancy who underwent laparoscopic gastric resection between 2009 and 2013. Gastric tumors (gastrointestinal stromal tumors or adenocarcinoma) were the indication for the surgery. A total of 17 patients underwent laparoscopic local excision, and 11 patients with adenocarcinoma or multiple neuroendocrine tumors underwent laparoscopic D2 total gastrectomy. Perioperative care was based on ERAS principles. Length of hospital stay, postoperative course, perioperative complications, and readmission rates were analyzed. RESULTS: There was one conversion in the gastrectomy group. All patients were mobilized on the day of surgery. Oral fluids were introduced on day 0 and were well tolerated. Full hospital diet was started on day 2 in all patients, but was well tolerated in only 18 of them. One postoperative complication requiring reoperation was noted. The length of stay after gastrectomy and gastric wedge resection was 4.6 (2–6) and 3.3 (2–6) days, respectively. No readmissions were noted in the entire group. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of ERAS protocol to clinical practice in combination with laparoscopy in patients with gastric tumors can result in improved postoperative care quality, shortening of hospital stay, and quicker return to normal activity

Enhanced recovery after colorectal surgery in elderly patients

INTRODUCTION: The elderly will soon constitute 20% of the population. Their number is constantly rising, particularly in developed countries. It was found that they particularly benefit from the use of minimally invasive surgery. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol may further improve clinical outcomes in this group of patients. AIM: To assess the implementation of the ERAS protocol in elderly patients submitted to laparoscopic colorectal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-two patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery were included in the study. Patients were divided into group 1 (≤ 65 years) and group 2 (> 65 years). Perioperative care was based on ERAS Society guidelines. Length of hospital stay, time of first stool passage, perioperative complications and readmissions were analyzed. RESULTS: Group 2 patients had higher ASA grades in comparison to group 1. In all cases, oral fluid intake started on the day of surgery. The groups did not differ according to oral fluid tolerance, first stool passage time or length of hospital stay. Number and character of perioperative complications were comparable between the two groups. Four patients were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. One patient required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ERAS protocol is possible regardless of the age of surgical patients. Its use in the elderly allows the length of hospitalization to be shortened and is not associated with higher risk of postoperative complications or readmissions

Is ERAS in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer changing risk factors for delayed recovery?

There is evidence that implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols into colorectal surgery reduces complication rate and improves postoperative recovery. However, most published papers on ERAS outcomes and length of stay in hospital (LOS) include patients undergoing open resections. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the factors affecting recovery and LOS in patients after laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer combined with ERAS protocol. One hundred and forty-three consecutive patients undergoing elective laparoscopic resection were prospectively evaluated. They were divided into two subgroups depending on their reaching the targeted length of stay—LOS (75 patients in group 1—≤4 days, 68 patients in group 2—>4 days). A univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess for factors (demographics, perioperative parameters, complications and compliance with the ERAS protocol) independently associated with LOS of 4 days or longer. The median LOS in the entire group was 4 days. The postoperative complication rate was higher (18.7 vs. 36.7 %), and the compliance with ERAS protocol was lower (91.2 vs. 76.7 %) in group 2. There was an association between the pre- and postoperative compliance and the subsequent complications. In uni- and multivariate analysis, the lack of balanced fluid therapy (OR 3.87), lack of early mobilization (OR 20.74), prolonged urinary catheterization (OR 4.58) and use of drainage (OR 2.86) were significantly associated with prolonged LOS. Neither traditional patient risk factors nor the stage of the cancer was predictive of the duration of hospital stay. Instead, compliance with the ERAS protocol seems to influence recovery and LOS when applied to laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing laparoscopic resection for stage IV colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: There is strong evidence for the use of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol with colorectal surgery. However, in most studies on ERAS, patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) are commonly excluded. It is not certain if the ERAS protocol combined with laparoscopy improves outcomes in this group of patients as well. The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility of the ERAS protocol implementation in patients operated laparoscopically due to stage IV CRC. METHODS: A prospective analysis of patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery was performed. Group 1 included patients with stages I–III, and group 2 included patients with stage IV CRC. Demographic, surgical factors, length of stay (LOS), complications, readmissions, ERAS implementation and early postoperative recovery were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Group 1 included 168 patients, and group 2 included 20 patients. There was no difference in the age, sex, BMI, ASA, cancer localisation or surgical parameters. No statistically significant difference was noted in complications (26.8 vs 20 %, p = 0.51344), LOS (4.7 vs 5.7 days, p = 0.28228) or readmissions (6 vs 10 %, p = 0.48392). The ERAS protocol compliance was 86.3 and 83.0 %, respectively (p = 0.17158). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ERAS protocol and laparoscopic surgery among patients with stage IV CRC is feasible and provides similar short-term clinical outcomes and recovery as with patients with stages I–III