Immunoexpression of constitutive and inducible cyclo-oxygenase isoforms in the rat foetal and maternal digestive tract

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which catalyses the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin endoperoxide and prostanoids, is widely expressed in mammalian organs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of the constitutive and inducible cyclo-oxygenase isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2 respectively) in the oesophagus, stomach and the small and large bowels of untreated rat dams and foetuses on gestational day 21. The localisation of the COX isoforms was similar in the maternal and foetal organs, although the intensity of the reaction for COX-2 was stronger in the foetuses. Cytoplasmic COX-1 immunostaining was found in myocytes of the muscularis propria, muscularis mucosae and the blood vessels. It was also positive in the endothelial cells, scattered stromal cells of the lamina propria and the ganglion cells of the nerve plexus in the bowels. Apart from the keratinised layer, a strong reaction was revealed in the stratified squamous epithelium of the oesophagus and forestomach. Negative or weakly positive staining was found in the mucus-secreting cells covering the surface, gastric pits and pyloric glands, as well as in the parietal cells and the chief cells. Weakly positive COX-1 immunostaining was observed in epithelial cells of the small intestine crypts, but in some cases enterocytes and goblet cells covering villi were also positive. In the colonic mucosa weak COX-1 staining was typical of the absorptive, and goblet cells. The COX-2 immunostaining was nuclear and/or cytoplasmic. An inconsistent positive reaction was seen in the muscle of the muscularis mucosae, muscularis propria and the blood vessels. Positive staining was also found in scattered stromal cells of the lamina propria and adventitia and the ganglion cells. Weak nuclear staining was found in the stratified squamous epithelium of the oesophagus and forestomach. Unlike the strong foetal reactivity in the epithelial cells of the glandular stomach, a negative or weakly positive reaction was seen in the maternal parietal and/or mucous-secreting surface stomach cells. Some epithelial cells of the crypts both in the small and large bowel were also COX-2 positive. In conclusion, constitutive and inducible COX isoforms were detected in the digestive tract of pregnant female and in foetuses. COX-1 was the predominant isoform in both the adult and foetal organs. (Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 24-31)

Postglacial expansion of the arctic keystone copepod calanus glacialis

Calanus glacialis, a major contributor to zooplankton biomass in the Arctic shelf seas, is a key link between primary production and higher trophic levels that may be sensitive to climate warming. The aim of this study was to explore genetic variation in contemporary populations of this species to infer possible changes during the Quaternary period, and to assess its population structure in both space and time. Calanus glacialis was sampled in the fjords of Spitsbergen (Hornsund and Kongsfjorden) in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2012. The sequence of a mitochondrial marker, belonging to the ND5 gene, selected for the study was 1249 base pairs long and distinguished 75 unique haplotypes among 140 individuals that formed three main clades. There was no detectable pattern in the distribution of haplotypes by geographic distance or over time. Interestingly, a Bayesian skyline plot suggested that a 1000-fold increase in population size occurred approximately 10,000 years before present, suggesting a species expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum.GAME from the National Science Centre, the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education Iuventus Plus [IP2014 050573]; FCT-PT [CCMAR/Multi/04326/2013]; [2011/03/B/NZ8/02876

Ranolazyna - nowy lek w nawracających opornych na leczenie arytmiach komorowych?

Introduction. The pharmacological treatment of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) has significant limitations. Ranolazine is a relatively new drug with documented antianginal and anti-ischaemic mechanisms and where preclinical data provides evidence of additional antiarrhythmic properties. The aim of this article was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ranolazine in patients with recurrent antiarrhythmic therapy-refractory VA. Material and methods. This prospective evaluation included 30 patients (pts) (male/female: 26/4; mean age: 65 ± 10 years; coronary artery disease/dilated cardiomyopathy: 20/10; New York Heart Association class I/II/III/IV: 2/14/12/2, left ventricular ejection fraction: 27 ± 10%; implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): 15 pts, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT-D): 14 pts with recurrent significant VA [ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or non-sustained VT, multiple ventricular premature complexes > 1,000//day, biventricular stimulation (BiV) < 95%] and where standard treatment options, i.e. pharmacotherapy, coronary revascularisation, and percutaneous ablation, had proved ineffective. The severity of the arrhythmia was assessed by 24-hour electrocardiographic (ECG) Holter monitoring and in ICD/CRT-D memory recording. The patients received, in addition to the standard pharmacotherapy amiodarone: 18 pts, beta-blocker: 26 pts) ranolazine 375 mg twice daily for three months. Baseline data was compared to the data obtained after the three months of ranolazine treatment

Numerical analysis of methane migration from floor strata to a longwall face

Posługując się komputerowym kodem metody elementów odrębnych UDEC, zbudowano płaski (dwuwymiarowy) numeryczny model dużego (1000 x 200 m) wycinka górotworu w sąsiedztwie pokładu 349 w polu ścianowym 802 w partii B w KWK "Murcki". Eksploatację tego pokładu systemem ścianowym z zawałem warstw stropowych symulowano w modelu na odcinku długości 450 m. Stwierdzono, że w warunkach silnie deformujących się, rozwarstwiających, pękających i dzielących na bloki warstw spągowych możliwa jest migracja metanu z pokładów węgla zalegających poniżej eksploatowanego pokładu. Pokazano, że strefa szczelin w cienkich i zbudowanych ze skał o niewysokiej wytrzymałości warstw zalegających poniżej pokładu 349 powstaje szybciej niż strefa zawału stropu sięgając na głębokość ok. 30 m poniżej pokładu. Warstwy spągowe ulegają przy tym silnemu wypiętrzaniu w strefie zrobów; już we wczesnych stadiach eksploatacji przemieszczenie to sięgnęło wartości przekraczających 1,5 m. Przy założeniu, że warstwy metanonośne zalegają 15,6 m poniżej pokładu 349 i obejmują pokład 350 oraz pokłady węgla i warstwy skalne niżej leżące i ciśnienie złożowe metanu wynosi 2 MPa, zbadano właściwości procesu przepływu metanu (kierunek, ciśnienie, ilość, prędkość) przez szczeliny powstające w pękających pod wpływem eksploatacji pokładu 349 warstwach spągowych.A two-dimensional numerical model of a large (1000 x 200 m) part of the rock masses in the vicinity of coal seam 349 in longwall panel 802 in region B in the Murcki colliery was built using the distinct element code UDEC. Longwall mining of this seam with roof caving was simulated in the model over a length of 450 m. It was found that migration of methane from coal seams lying beneath the mined seam is possible under conditions where the floor strata deform to a great extent, undergo separation, fracture and break into blocks. It was revealed that the fractured zone in thin floor layers built of weak rocks develops more rapidly than the caving zone over the mined-out area and reaches a depth of about 30 m below the seam. The floor strata undergo an intense heave towards the mined-out area. Even at the early stages of mining, the upward movement of the strata exceeded 1.5 m. Under the assumption that (i) methane-bearing strata occur 15.6 m below seam 349 and include seam 350 and the strata lying beneath, and (ii) the methane reservoir pressure is equal to 2 MPa, the direction, pressure, quantity and velocity of the methane flow through cracks developing in the floor strata under the area of seam 349 being mined were investigated

Method of estimation of rectilinearity of guiding rails in passenger lifts

Artykuł prezentuje opracowany na Akademii Górniczo-Hutniczej w Krakowie, w Katedrze Transportu Linowego, system diagnostyczny do pomiaru prostoliniowości prowadzenia kabin dźwigów osobowych. Zostały w nim opisane możliwości sprzętowe i programowe wspomagające wybór położenia elementów ciągu prowadniczego kabiny w rozpatrywanym szybie dźwigu osobowego. Przedstawiona metoda pomiarów prostoliniowości zapewnia wysoki poziom bezpieczeństwa, krótki czas realizacji, niskie koszty przeprowadzania badania i aparatury pomiarowej oraz pozwala uzyskiwać wyniki obarczone małym błędem.The article presents developed, at AGH University of Science and Technology, diagnostics system used for rectilinearity measurements of guiding rails in passenger lifts. There were described programmed and hardware possibilities supporting the choice of a position of elements of cabin guiding rails in considered shaft of passenger lift. This method of rectilinearity measurements ensures high level of safety, short term of realization, not excessive costs of conducted examinations and instrumentation, as well as the results with low errors

Impact of Vibroacoustic Climate on Driver's Postural Stability for Eyes Closed in Driver's Cabin

Several levels of the nervous system are responsible for stability of the vertical position in humans. Three basic inputs are involved: atrial, visual and proprioceptive as well as mechanoreceptors present in the skin. Signals from these inputs control the body posture and its orientation with respect to internal and external reference systems. External systems are formed based on the gravitation field and visual stimuli. Internal systems are generated in the central nervous system by polymodal representations, also referred to as body schema. Some of environmental factors of driver's work place could disturb postural stability. Almost all vehicles are according with actual norms and directives. We investigate how normal week of work has impact on postural stability in new city buses. We concentrate on postural stability for closed eyes. In this paper results of investigation were presented

Investigation of the Vibroacoustic Climate inside the Buses Solaris Urbino 18 Used in Public Transport Systems - Driver's Cab

Despite new technological solutions and attempts to improve the working conditions during driving of vehicles, city bus drivers are still exposed to negative impacts of noise and vibrations, causing stress, increased fatigue and leads to numerous diseases. Therefore it seems merited to investigate the acoustic climate and the working conditions during the operation of Solaris Urbino 18 vehicles, widely used in public transport systems. The main purpose of this research program was to show the impacts that the conditions at work might have on bus drivers or to demonstrate that these impacts do not exist. No extensive major research was done to investigate the influence of the conditions at work on functional stability of bus drivers. Investigation of vehicle vibroacoustic climate in working (normal) environment are led rarely. Measurements often are done in idle run or during ride at manoeuvring site only for 2-3 min. In this paper results of acceleration and noise in idle run are presented for 3 min measurement and for 3 h until ride. All measurements are done in working environment on streets of Tychy city with passengers on board. In this paper detailed numerical analysis of vibroacoustic parameters are presented. Physical parameters like noise spectral analysis in 1/3 octave frequency bands and histogram of acoustic pressure level in the driver's cabin are presented in results

Materiały amorficzne w pasywnej metodzie badań lin stalowych eksploatowanych w szybach górniczych

The study explores potential applications of magnetometric sensors based on amorphous materiale in diagnostics of wire ropes without external magnetic fields. Ready availability of magneto-impedance technology makes it suitable for innovative sensor applications, to register magnetic anomalies arising in wire ropes. These anomalies are associated with wire deformations and cracking, including cracks which do no generate air gaps encountered in compact ropes widely operated in hoisting installations in mines.W artykule przedstawiono nowe możliwości wykorzystania, zbudowanych na bazie materiałów amorficznych, czujników magnetometrycznych w diagnostyce lin stalowych bez zastosowania zewnętrznego pola magnetycznego. Dostępność czujników magneto impedancyjnych pozwala na budowę innowacyjnych czujników pomiarowych pozwalających na rejestrowanie anomalii magnetycznych jakie pojawiają się deformacji i pęknięć drutów w tym nie generujących szczelin powietrznych z jakimi mamy do czynienia w linach kompaktowanych stosowanych powszechnie w górniczych urządzeniach szybowych