CURRENT PROBLEMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN POLAND

Internationalization of universities is one of the most important processes which development can be observed in the first decade of the 21st century. This process existed all over the world  for many years, and it always was one of the engines which stimulated development of research as well as education. Many European countries entered the international market of higher education just about 30 years ago when some European projectsstarted. It boomed especially after the enlargement of EU in 2004 and participation of many countries in the creation of EHEA and ERA. However, despite many activities and programmes performed, the level of internationalization of higher education institutions in Poland is still disappointing. Effective methods of increasing internationalization of HEIs should therefore be sought. The paper presents an approach to the intensification of the internationalization process. The main goals for the activities in this field were determined. The current state of existing programs of international exchange available for students and some other activities as summer schools, double diploma programmes, foreign language courses and international accreditations were also discussed. Current national and university programmes aiming in intensification of development of the international exchange were also described. Among operational goals of these strategies the following needs were indicated: increasing attractiveness of different universities as partners in international educational and research fields; giving international character for educational and research activities; improving the image of European higher education.

Construction History as a Part of Assessment of Heritage Buildings

AbstractIssues related to the processes of maintenance and ensure the continued serviceability of heritage buildings and civil engineering structures are closely related to the processes of assessment of their technical state, repair and strengthening procedures. One extremely important element for a proper diagnosis of the technical condition of historic buildings and also for the adequate design of the actions associated with prolonging their service life should be to perform architectural and structural historical survey. This analysis must be related to the following aspects of construction history occurring during the design and the construction of such objects: design solutions, methods of structural analysis and dimensioning of structural components, properties of building materials, technologies of their production and also the technology of construction. These studies, supported of course by the use of the full range of modern material examination techniques and computational simulations, allow a more complete understanding of analyzed structures. Furthermore, such a program should also contain a prediction of the development of existing or creation of new damages and degradation of the material, as well as guidelines for repair and renovation works in order to ensure structure's further safe operation. From the point of view of the completeness of such a program and with regards to architecture and structural design, its indispensable elements should be both the historical analysis of the design and the construction of the building, as well as of the entire course of its exploitation

Acquiring real estate’s ownership through acquisitive prescription

Zasiedzenie prowadzi do nabycia własności przez nieuprawnionego samoistnego posiadacza danej rzeczy wskutek faktycznego wykonywania tego prawa przez oznaczony w ustawie czas, z czym wiąże się jednoczesna utrata prawa własności przez dotychczasowego właściciela. W ten sposób dochodzi do uzgodnienia długotrwałego stanu faktycznego władania rzeczą ze stanem prawnym, co prowadzi do ustabilizowania stosunków własnościowych. Przedmiotem zasiedzenia może być przede wszystkim prawo własności (rzeczy ruchomych i nieruchomości), ale także służebność gruntową, czy użytkowanie wieczyste. W praktyce jednak instytucja zasiedzenia znajduje najszersze zastosowanie dla nabycia w tej drodze własności nieruchomości. Nabycie własności w drodze zasiedzenia następuje z mocy prawa, a formalnym potwierdzeniem tego faktu jest orzeczenie sądu powszechnego.University of Bialysto

PCSK9 inhibitors : from discovery of a single mutation to a groundbreaking therapy of lipid disorders in one decade

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main risk factors for coronary heart disease and significantly contributes to the high mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. Statin therapy represents the gold standard in the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. Nevertheless, many patients still cannot achieve the recommended target levels, due to either inadequate effectiveness or intolerance of these drugs. Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have emerged as a promising option in lipid-lowering treatment. After confirmation of their efficacy and safety in clinical trials, evolocumab and alirocumab received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for introduction into clinical practice. In this review, we present a history of the development and mechanisms of action, as well as the results of the most important studies concerning PCSK9 inhibitors

Bose-Hubbard realization of fracton defects

Bose-Hubbard models are simple paradigmatic lattice models used to study dynamics and phases of quantum bosonic matter. We combine the extended Bose-Hubbard model in the hard-core regime with ring-exchange hoppings. By investigating the symmetries and low-energy properties of the Hamiltonian we argue that the model hosts fractonic defect excitations. We back up our claims with exact numerical simulations of defect dynamics exhibiting mobility constraints. Moreover, we confirm the robustness of our results against fracton symmetry breaking perturbations. Finally we argue that this model can be experimentally realized in recently proposed quantum simulator platforms with big time crystals, thus paving a way for the controlled study of many-body dynamics with mobility constraints.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

The effect of ursolic and oleanolic acids on human skin fibroblast cells

In this article, we look at how ursolic and oleanolic acids can be used for the purpose of quality control of natural products used in dermatocosmetology as well as of various other therapeutic preparations. Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) are pentacyclic triterpenes and they are constituents of many medicinal herbs. In this study, we analyzed the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activity of OA and UA against normal human skin fibroblasts (HSF). Additionally, the scavenging activity of free radicals of both acids was analyzed. The sensitivity of cells to OA and UA activity was determined using a standard spectrophotometric (MTT) assay. The free radical scavenging activity of OA and UA was measured using the DPPH• test. The F-actin cytoskeletal proteins organization was analyzed using TRITC-phalloidine fluorescent staining. The cytotoxic activity of the analyzed acids was determined using Neutral Red (NR) uptake assay. Of the two isomeric compounds, UA showed a higher cytotoxic activity against HSF cells than did OA. Our investigations showed that OA, in view of its non-toxic nature, may be used as a supplementary factor for dermal preparations. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 664–669

Efficacy and tolerability of oral propafenone versus quinidine in the treatment of recent onset atrial fibrillation: A randomized, prospective study

Background: A prospective, randomized study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oral propafenone and quinidine for the conversion of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Eighty one consecutive patients (female/male 46/35; mean age 64.0 &#177; 11.6), admitted to hospital with AF lasting no longer than 48 hours, were randomized in terms of their pharmacological therapy. Forty three patients (55%) were randomly assigned to Group I and received propafenone 600 mg orally as the initial therapy, with an additional dose of 300 mg after eight hours, if the sinus rhythm had not been restored by then. Thirty eight patients (45%) (Group II) received 1 mg digoxin IV followed by an oral loading of quinidine (400 mg followed by 200 mg every two hours). Results: The conversion rate assessed after 24 hours was the same in both groups (Gr. I vs. Gr. II: 90.7 vs. 91.4%), with the same number of mild side effects (Gr. I vs. Gr. II: 37.2% vs. 45.7%). No life-threatening adverse events were reported. Propafenone achieved a higher efficacy rate during the first eight hours (83.3 vs. 54.3%; p = 0.01), with a significantly shorter time required to sinus rhythm recovery throughout the study period, with a median time of 165 min (95% confidence interval 120-278) vs. 360 min (95% confidence inerval 298-650; p < 0.05). There was some indication of greater effectiveness of propafenone than quinidine in early sinus rhythm restoration in patients with: no structural heart disease, in those with an AF duration shorter than 12 hours, and in patients with an ejection fraction > 55%. Conclusions: Although both drugs revealed the same effectiveness, the conversion to sinus rhythm in the group treated with propafenone was observed more quickly despite the longer paroxysmal AF episode duration

In-hospital diagnostic strategies for acute pulmonary embolism — results of a single-center study based on the experience of a multi-profile clinical hospital

Introduction: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is the most severe clinical presentation of venous thromboembolism(VTE) and inappropriate diagnostic strategies of APE lead to death or chronic thromboembolicpulmonary hypertension. Material and methods: In prospective manner we followed patients admitted to a tertiary clinical centerwith APE proven with CT scan within the period of 24 months. We assessed diagnostic strategies of APE indifferent clinical departments of Polish multi-profile hospital and their association with prognosis. Results: A total number of 178 patients with APE were enrolled in the study, of which 56 patients were diagnosedwith APE in the emergency department (ED), 42 in cardiology departments, and 80 in other departments. Nosignificant differences in diagnostic strategies between departments were found. Adherence to ESC guidelineswas 56.1% and it was similar in compared departments (p = 0.648). The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.7%.In the 6 month follow-up period 18.1% of the studied died. Coronary artery disease (p = 0.002), cancer(p = 0.032), serious medical condition (p = 0.047), altered mental status (p = 0.032), CRP(p = 0.006), and hemoglobin (p = 0.023) were identified as predictors of clinical deterioration. Risk factorsfor in-hospital and 6-month mortality were congestive heart failure, serious medical condition, and systolicblood pressure (p &lt; 0.05). Immobility over 3 days and cancer were also identified as predictors of death within6 months (p &lt; 0.001). There was no association between the type of the department, clinical deterioration,in-hospital, and 6-month mortality. Conclusion: There is no difference in APE management and prognosis in different profile departments

Treatment goal attainment for secondary prevention in coronary patients with or without diabetes mellitus : Polish multicenter study POLASPIRE

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is still a leading cause of death in Poland and across Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the attainment of the main treatment goals for secondary cardiovascular prevention in coronary patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) in Poland. Material and methods: The study group included 1026 patients (65.5 ±9 y.o.; males: 72%) included at least 6 months after the index hospitalisation for myocardial infarction, unstable angina, elective percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery. The target and treatment goals were defined according to the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on cardiovascular prevention. Results: Patients with DM (n = 332; 32%) were slightly older compared to non-diabetic (n = 694) individuals (67.2 ±7 vs. 64.6 ±9 years old; p < 0.0001). The DM goal was achieved in 196 patients (60%). The rate of primary (LDL: 51% vs. 35%; p < 0.0001) and secondary (non-HDL: 56% vs. 48%; p < 0.02) goal attainment was higher in DM(+) compared to DM(–) patients. The rate of target blood pressure was lower in DM(+) than in normoglycemic patients (52% vs. 61% at < 140/90 mm Hg, p < 0.01. As expected, goal achievement of normal weight (9.5% vs. 19%; p < 0.0001) and waist circumference (7% vs. 15%; p < 0.001) was lower in diabetic patients and the rate of regular physical activity was similar (DM+ 12% vs. DM– 14%; p = ns). Finally, there was no difference in active smokers (DM+ 23% vs. DM– 22%; p = ns). Conclusions: Great majority of Polish patients in secondary prevention do not achieve treatment goals. Although lipid goals attainment is better in DM and the rate of smokers is similar, the management of all risk factors needs to be improved

Wieloczynnikowe podłoże dolegliwości bólowych w klatce piersiowej

W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek 66-letniego mężczyzny z ostrym zespołem wieńcowym o złożonej patogenezie (spazm tętnicy wieńcowej, miażdżyca, czynnościowe zawężenie drogi odpływu lewej komory), jednocześnie wskazując nietypowość obrazu dysfunkcji tętnic wieńcowych w badaniach dodatkowych. Za dominującą przyczynę dolegliwości uznano postać naczynioskurczową dławicy piersiowej, uwzględniając trudności w sformułowaniu jednoznacznych wniosków