Dealing with polysemy in the Polish sign language using the OWL ontology

A common problem of natural language processing is synonymy, polysemy, and homonymy. In the paper, we propose to deal with polysemy in the Polish sign language using the knowledge included in the OWL2 ontology created for this purpose. The proposed approach aids the translation process of the Polish sign language into the Polish language by selection from the possible phrases, only those, with the reasonable meaning

The role of obstetricians and neonatologists in childcare in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous changes to the healthcare system, including care for the newborns. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to create a clear set of recommendations used in the care of a newborn during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. State of knowledge: Despite the low risk of infection of the newborn in utero or during vaginal delivery, in rare cases there is a possibility of vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Every newborn baby whose mother has been diagnosed with COVID-19 disease should be screened for infection. Suspected neonates should be isolated from healthy children and kept in quarantine until the test result is obtained. It is essential to constantly monitor your baby's health and be alert to any possible signs of infection. Medical personnel should ensure adequate protection when handling an infected newborn. A healthy infant whose mother is SARS-Cov-2 positive may be discharged home provided it is looked after by a healthy caregiver. Summary: New patterns of management in maternity and neonatal departments are associated with changes that may have a significant impact on the mother-child relationship. When making decisions aimed at reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is necessary to seek solutions taking into account the needs of this particular group of patients

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells undergo differentiation after co-culture with porcine Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are objects of interest in regenerative medicine. They are used for various therapies such as for the regeneration of bone, chondrocytes and other tissues. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) inter alia are particularly easy to access, they are relatively abundant in fat tissue. ADSCs could be differentiated into many types of cells. To date, it has been proven that ADSCs only differentiate into mesodermal cell lineages. In this study, we present the differentiation of ADSCs into the corneal epithelium. Human ADSCs were placed in a co-culture with porcine limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). After 14 days of cultivation, total RNA was extracted for the analysis of the molecular markers (expression of genes of interest). The gene expression was assessed by real-time RT-qPCR. The expression of the surface molecular markers of ADSCs is modulated after co-culturing. We have observed the decrease in CD73, CD90 and CD105 mRNA expression, while the expression of mRNA coding for CK3 and CK12 mRNA was increased in ADSCs co-cultured with porcine limbal epithelial stem cells as compared to the control. We conclude that the coculture of LESCs and ADSCs changed ADSCs’ molecular markers gene expression indicating initiation of differentiation towards limbal cells

Expression of pattern recognition receptors in liver biopsy specimens of children chronically infected with HBV and HCV

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) constitute a pivotal arm of innate immunity. Their distribution is widespread and not limited to cells of the immune system. Following our previous findings concerning the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 3 and 4 in chronic viral hepatitis C of children, we wished to search for other PRRs, including other TLRs, NOD-like receptors (NLRs) and RIG-1-like helicase receptors (RLR) in infected hepatocytes. Liver biopsy fragments from ten children with chronic hepatitis B and C were used and two others in which hepatotropic virus infection was excluded. Frozen sections of liver samples were subjected to ABC immunohistochemistry (IHC) following incubation with a set of antibodies. Results of IHC findings were screened for correlation with clinical/laboratory data of patients. It was found that several PRRs could be shown in affected hepatocytes, but the incidence was higher in hepatitis C than in B. In hepatitis C, TLR1, 2, 4, NALP and RIG-1 helicase showed the most marked expression. In hepatitis B, TLR1, 3, 9, NOD1 and NALP expression were the most conspicuous. Expression PRRs in liver from hepatitis of unknown origin was much lower. It was also the case in cytospins from human hepatoma cell line. Several correlations between PRRs expression and clinical findings in patients could be shown by statistical exploration. In conclusion, this data suggests some role for PRRs in the pathogenesis of chronic viral hepatitis. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 410–416

Effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on affective temperament, depression and body mass index in obesity

Background and aim: Many studies show high prevalence of affective disorders in obese patients. Affective temperament is a subclinical manifestation of such conditions. The 5-HTT gene encoding the serotonin transporter may be involved in both mood and eating dysregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene on affective temperament types, depressive symptoms and Body Mass Index (BMI) in obese patients. Methods: This study involved 390 patients (237 females, and 153 males) with obesity. The TEMPS-A questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were used to evaluate affective temperaments and prevalence of depression. DNA was obtained for serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) genotyping. Results: In obese patients S/S genotype was associated with depressive and L/L with cyclothymic temperament. Subjects with L/L genotype presented significantly higher BMI and greater intensity of depressive symptoms in BDI and HDRS. Females scored higher in anxious and depressive, while males in hyperthymic, cyclothymic and irritable temperaments. Females scored higher in BDI (subjective depression) while males in HDRS (objective depression). Limitations: TEMPS-A, BDI and HDRS are frequently used in studies on affective disorders. However, these methods do not examine all dimensions of mood and personality. Conclusions: In obese patients S allele of 5-HTTLPR was associated with development of depressive temperament while L allele corresponded with greater obesity and prevalence of depression. Different mechanisms may be involved in manifestation of depression in males and females with obesity

Does the operator's sex matter? An analysis based on the national interventional cardiology registry

Background: A small number of female cardiologists work in the field of interventional cardiology. Such disparity is observed in most European countries. Aims: We present the first national report on the practice patterns and outcomes regarding percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed by female operators (FOs) in Poland. Methods: Data were collected from the National Registry of Invasive Cardiology Procedures (Ogólnopolski Rejestr Procedur Kardiologii Inwazyjnej [ORPKI]) between January 2014 and December 2017. Results: A total of 31 FOs (4.1%) performed 12 935 PCIs (2.8%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of PCIs performed by FOs per year was 75 (43–154), whereas that by male operators was 139 (67–216; P < 0.01). Patients handled by FOs were characterized by a lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and previous coronary artery interventions. Acute coronary syndrome was the main indication for treatment (74.66%). Compared with male operators, FOs handled significantly more patients with single‑vessel disease (87.02% vs 84.72%; P < 0.001). They used smaller contrast doses during PCIs (median [IQR], 170.36 [77.54] cm3 vs 173.48 [77.54] cm3; P < 0.001) yet higher doses of radiation exposure (median [IQR], 843 [472–1409] mGy vs 815 [458–1390] mGy; P = 0.01). There was no difference in clinical outcomes (a composite of all‑cause death, bleeding at the puncture site, or coronary artery perforation) associated with the operator’s sex. Conclusions: Women represent a minority of operators in interventional cardiology and are responsible for a low percentage of PCIs. Nonetheless, the practice patterns and outcomes of PCIs performed by FOs are similar to those of male operators

Recanalisation of cerebral artery aneurysms treated endovascularly — a midterm follow-up

Endovascular methods of aneurysm treatment, as an alternative to neurosurgical clipping, have proved a welcome opportunity to treat patients with unruptured aneurysms or those disqualified from neurosurgical intervention. This paper presents our own experience of endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms in 107 patients. It includes clinical and technical data from the perioperative period and a 12-month radiological follow-up of 78 patients. Method. Our retrospective evaluation covered patients with intracranial aneurysms treated endovascularly. The following were analysed: age, sex, neurological symptoms, and familial burden of intracranial aneurysm. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent factors of recanalisation of the cerebral aneurysm 12 months after embolisation. Results. The data of 107 patients at a mean age of 61 years [57.09 ± 14.27] treated with embolisation was analysed. The indication for intervention in 16 patients was subarachnoid haemorrhage; in the remaining 91 cases, aneurysms were revealed during diagnostic procedures for different symptoms or during imaging examinations. The intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery and the anterior communicating artery were the most common locations for aneurysms. After embolisation, subarachnoid haemorrhage occurred in one patient, ischaemic stroke in two patients, and one patient died because of acute circulatory insufficiency. The functional status of 94 patients on the day of discharge from the department (on days 4-21) was very good. 78 patients completed a 12-month follow-up period. In 11 of those, a follow-up MR angiography revealed recanalisation 12 months after the intervention. Except for one patient reporting vertigo, aneurysm recanalisation procedures were asymptomatic. The only independent risk factor for recanalisation was the size of aneurysm > 10 mm; OR 3.0; CI [1.15–7.83] p = 0.0255. Conclusions. Embolisation of cerebral aneurysms is a safe method with few perioperative complications, and most of these are mild and transient.The size of the aneurysm during qualification for embolisation is a risk factor for recanalisation in the subsequent 12 months. Recanalisation of embolised cerebral aneurysms concerns less than 20% of patients in a one-year follow-up and is most often asymptomatic