ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTION- PERSPECTIVE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

In this paper are presented the overall energy needs of the buildings and measures to improve energy efficiency in buildings. It is shown the importance of sustainable construction as one of the important segments of environmental protection and sustainable development. It is also pointed out the importance of use of renewable energy sources in the construction of energy efficient buildings

Excavation between the levels H-910 and H-830 in the “Svinja Reka“ mine district of the “Sasa“ mine - Makedonska Kamenica

In this paper, the principles of mining between the levels H-910 and H-830 in the “Svinja reka“ Mi- ning District of the „Sasa“ lead and zinc mine located in the M. Kamenica, are presented. Excavation has to be realized by implementation the sublevel caving mining method, while temporarily leaving the safety pillars, which have to be blasted in the second phase of excavation. The paper presents develop- ment works, as well as works for the ore blasting, based on the designed mining method. Also, the tech- no-economic parameters of mining method and work organization are presented

Biochemical Markers of Renal Function

Kidney damage can be induced by ischemia, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, allograft rejection, metabolic or genetic disorders, infections or toxins. The influence of these factors could result in acute kidney injury (AKI) defined as an unexpected decrease in urine output or renal function, or encourage the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Biomarkers of renal function, measured in urine and serum, are in increasing use in order to estimate the severity and nature of kidney injury, and consequently apply appropriate therapy and improve patient management. The determined values of biomarkers can suggest the potential risk of kidney disease and the type of renal injury, predict the disease progression, as well as be helpful for assessing the response to an applied therapy. Although novel biomarkers are in practical use, serum creatinine, the indicator of glomerular filtration rate is still the most frequently used biomarker of renal function despite its known limitations. In recent decades, numerous studies resulted in discovering urinary and serum proteins that can serve as biomarkers for early and accurate detection of AKI and its development, as well as the identification of CKD. This review gives an overview of the most important renal biomarkers investigated in kidney diseases, classified in following types: functional biomarkers, up-regulated proteins, enzymes, and cycle arrest biomarkers. It describes their properties, physiological roles, and discusses the utility of these molecules in different clinical settings

Angiogenic and lymphangiogenic profiles in histological variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma

© Medycyna Praktyczna, Kraków 2017. Introduction Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a well-differentiated tumor that occurs in several histological variants whose biological behaviors remain unclear. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are critical processes that enable tumor progression. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the angiogenic and lymphangiogenic phenotypes of PTC, considering the differences between histological variants. Patient s an d met hods Angiogenic and lymphangiogenic profiles were analyzed by determining microvascular density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in 73 cases of PTC, using immunohistochemistry. To assess the biological markers involved in blood and lymph vessel formation, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and p27kip1 (p27) was determined. Result s MVD was significantly higher in patients with high-risk PTC and in those with local extrathyroidal and vascular invasion. Positive VEGF expression was strongly associated with high MVD and age-related tumor enlargement. The presence of lymph vessel invasion was associated with the expression of either VEGF or COX-2. The analysis of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in different histological variants of PTC revealed elevated LVD rather than MVD in the follicular variant of PTC (FV-PTC). Lower MVD was observed in FV-PTC relative to the classic variant of PTC (CV-PTC). The frequency of VEGF-positive tumors was higher in CV-PTC than in FV-PTC. A significant association between COX-2 and p27 expression was observed in FV-PTC but not in CV-PTC. Conclusions These results suggest that VEGF, COX-2, and p27 may be important biological markers that determine the angiogenic and lymphangiogenic potentials of PTC, particularly between the follicular and classic variants

Influence of antipsychotics on metabolic syndrome risk in patients with schizophrenia

Objective: Many studies so far have shown that antipsychotic therapy may have an effect on the development of metabolic syndrome in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Our goal was to determine whether our respondents are at risk for developing metabolic syndrome and who is more predisposed to it. Methods: In a stable phase, 60 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were equally divided into three groups according to the drug (risperidone, clozapine, and aripiprazole monotherapy). Control group had 20 healthy examinees. Patients were evaluated first using The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Prolactin, lipid status, glycemia, insulin, cytokine values (IL-33, TGF-β, and TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Also, Body mass index (BMI), Homeostatic Model Assesment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA index), waist and hip circumference (WHR) and blood pressure (TA) measurement were performed in the study. Results: Patients treated with risperidone compared to healthy control subjects and aripiprazol group of patients had statistically significant difference in prolactin levels. In clozapine group compared to healthy control group values of HDL cholesterol and glucose level were statistically significant different. In aripiprazole group compared to healthy control group value of BMI was statistically significant different. Statistically significant correlations were found in TNF-α with glucose and HOMA index in risperidone treated patients and with BMI in clozapine group of patients; IL-33 with glucose in risperidone and with BMI in clozapine group of patients and TGF-β with glucose in risperidone group, with insulin and HOMA index in clozapine group and statistically significant negative correlation with LDL cholesterol in aripiprazole group of patients. Conclusion: Patients on risperidone and clozapine therapy may be at greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome than patients treated with aripiprazole. Statistically significant difference in concentration of TNF-α and TGF-β was in the group of patients treated with risperidone compared to healthy control group