effects of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and different stressors

Deckblatt-Impressum Inhaltsverzeichnis Einleitung Literatur Material und Methoden Ergebnisse Diskussion Zusammenfassung Summary Literaturverzeichnis Tabellen Abkürzungsverzeichnis Danksagung SelbständigkeitserklärungIn der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden Schilddrüsenhormonkonzentrationen in Homogenaten und subzellulären Fraktionen verschiedener Hirnareale der Ratte nach verschiedenen Behandlungsformen quantifiziert. Hierzu wurden einmal eine Hypothyreose sowie eine Hyperthyreose mit T3 bzw. mit T4 in zwei verschiedenen Konzentrationen induziert. Außerdem wurden die Schilddrüsenhormonkonzentrationen nach Behandlung verschiedener Stressoren in verschiedenen Rattenhirnarealen gemessen. Dies waren zum einen subchronischer Stress mittels intraperitonealer Injektionen mit physiologischer Kochsalzlösung über einen Zeitraum von 14 Tagen, zum anderen akuter Stress in Form von intraperitonealen Injektionen mit physiologischer Kochsalzlösung dreimalig im Abstand von 30 Minuten sowie auch ein achtstündiger Schlafentzug. Die Gewebehomogenate wurden in fünf verschiedene Subfraktionen aufgetrennt: in Nuklei, Mitochondrien, Mikrosomen, Synaptosomen und Myelin. Die hier untersuchten unterschiedlichen Behandlungsformen zeigten folgende Wirkungen: Eine Hyperthyreose mit T3 bzw. T4 unterschiedlicher Konzentration induzierte aufgrund gegenregulatorischer Mechanismen keine Zunahme der T3-Konzentrationen in den untersuchten Arealen. Nur in einem von vier Hirnarealen (Mittelhirn) war eine signifikante Zunahme der T3-Gewebekonzentration im Homogenat und allen Subfraktionen messbar. Verschiedene Stressformen führten zu spezifischen Veränderungen der T3- Konzentrationen in verschiedenen Subfraktionen einzelner Areale, aber nicht im Serum. Die Effekte verschiedener Behandlungsformen auf die Schilddrüsenhormonkonzentrationen in subzellulären Fraktionen zeigen, dass bei Messung der Hormonkonzentrationen ausschließlich in den Homogenaten in Einzelfällen wichtige Ergebnisse auf subzellulärem Niveau übersehen werden können.In this study concentrations of thyroid hormones in homogenates and subcellular fractions of several rat brain regions were quantified after different treatments. First a hypothyroidism was induced as well as a hyperthyroidism with T3 respectively T4 in two different concentrations. Second the thyroid hormone concentrations were measured in several areas of rat brain after the treatment with different forms of stress: subchronic stress by intraperitoneal injections with physiological saline solution during a period of 14 days, acute stress in form of intraperitoneal injections with physiological saline solution three times in an interval of 30 minutes and sleep deprivation during eight hours. The tissue homogenates were fractionised into five different subfractions: nuclei, mitochondria, microsomes, synaptosomes and myelin. The different forms of treatment showed the following effects: hyperthyroidism with T3 respectively T4 in different concentrations led to no increase of the T3 concentrations in the areas researched because of anti-regulation-mechanisms. Only one of four brain areas (Midbrain) showed a significant increase of T3 tissue concentration in the homogenate and all subfractions. Different forms of stress led to specific effects on the T3 concentrations in different subfractions of distinct areas, but not in the serum. The effects of different forms of treatment on thyroid hormone concentrations showed that the quantification of these hormones in subcellular fractions seems to be enabled to detect changes in hormone concentrations that were not evident from measurement in the homogenate

Use of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision Codes for Obesity: Trends in the United States from an Electronic Health Record-Derived Database.

Obesity is a potentially modifiable risk factor for many diseases, and a better understanding of its impact on health care utilization, costs, and medical outcomes is needed. The ability to accurately evaluate obesity outcomes depends on a correct identification of the population with obesity. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and accuracy of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) coding for overweight and obesity within a US primary care electronic health record (EHR) database compared against actual body mass index (BMI) values from recorded clinical patient data; characteristics of patients with obesity who did or did not receive ICD-9 codes for overweight/obesity also were evaluated. The study sample included 5,512,285 patients in the database with any BMI value recorded between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2014. Based on BMI, 74.6% of patients were categorized as being overweight or obese, but only 15.1% of patients had relevant ICD-9 codes. ICD-9 coding prevalence increased with increasing BMI category. Among patients with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), those coded for obesity were younger, more often female, and had a greater comorbidity burden than those not coded; hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease were the most common comorbidities. KEY FINDINGS: US outpatients with overweight or obesity are not being reliably coded, making ICD-9 codes undependable sources for determining obesity prevalence and outcomes. BMI data available within EHR databases offer a more accurate and objective means of classifying overweight/obese status

Fuzzy alliance and coalitions that can be formed by alliance agents

The paper deals with alliances and coalitions that can be formed by the agents or entities. Alliance agents are assumed to cooperate and form coalitions for performing the tasks or missions. It is considered that alliance agents are unselfish. That is, they are more interested in achieving the common goal(s) than in getting personal benefits. In the paper, the concept of fuzzy alliance was introduced. A fuzzy alliance is considered as a generalization of a traditional alliance allowing agents to decide on the capabilities that their agents can and want to deliver to the coalition. Coalitions that fuzzy alliance agents can form were considered. The definition of the “best” coalition was explained. The method of how to find the “best” coalition among all possible coalitions was suggested and verified by computer simulation

PROBLEMY PROJEKTOWANIA ALGORYTMÓW AUTODIAGNOSTYKI NA POZIOMIE SYSTEMU

The paper deals with the problem of developing probabilistic algorithm for system level self-diagnosis. The main goal of the suggested algorithm is to minimize the mean time of its executing. The algorithm is based on the computing of the posterior probability of fault-free state of each system unit. Final decision about unit’s state is made on the chosen decision rule. The execution of the probabilistic algorithm is elucidated with the help of simple example and then explained for the case of more complex systems.Artykuł opisuje problem projektowania probabilistycznego algorytmu autodiagnostyki na poziomie systemu. Głównym celem proponowanego algorytmu jest minimalizacja średniego czasu wykonania. Algorytm oparty jest na obliczeniach prawdopodobieństwa a posteriori bezawaryjnego stanu każdej jednostki systemu. Decyzja o stanie jednostki podejmowana jest na podstawie wybranej reguły decyzyjnej. Działanie algorytmu probabilistycznego zostało opisane na prostym przykładzie, a następnie wyjaśnione dla przypadku bardziej złożonych systemów

PROBLEM MODELOWANIA POWSTAWANIA KOALICJI

The paper deals with the problem of modelling of coalition formation. Petri Nets were suggested as they offer a simple way to graphically represent the coalition formation procedure, they allow to easily make changes in modelling procedure and there are many high-quality modelling tools. The authors do not provide complete modelling procedure, but only show that Petri Nets is a very effective tool for determining and parameter estimation of possible coalitions. An example is considered as well as conclusions about application of Petri Nets for modelling of coalition formation.Artykuł dotyczy problemu modelowania procesu powstawania koalicji. Jako rozwiązanie zaproponowano sieci Petriego, ponieważ zapewniają prosty sposób graficznej reprezentacji procedury tworzenia koalicji, pozwalają na łatwe wprowadzanie zmian w procedurze modelowania i wiele wysokiej jakości narzędzi do modelowania. Autorzy nie opisują pełnej procedury modelowania, lecz wykazują, że sieci Petriego są bardzo skutecznym narzędziem do określania i szacowania parametrów możliwych koalicji. Przedstawiono przykład, oraz wnioski dotyczące stosowania sieci Petriego do modelowania powstawania koalicji

Cytotoxic activity of ethanolic extracts of "Eleutherococcus" species cultivated in Poland on HL60 leukemia cell line

The Eleutherococcus species including 40 species native to Asia are medicinal plants widely used in traditional medicine. Some of these species are cultivated at the botanical gardens in Europe. On the basis on our earlier studies it was concluded that the extracts of analyzed species act as antioxidants, inhibitors of MMPs, and cytotoxic against Jurkat 45 leukemia cell line. In this study, the anti-leukemic potential of roots and leaves from six Eleutherococcus species cultivated in Poland was determined. The in vitro cytotoxic activity towards human promyelotic leukemia cell line HL60 using trypan blue assay was evaluated. The induction of apoptosis in stimulated leukemia cells was determined by AnnexinV method. Morphological changes in treated cells were observed by microscopic investigations. The results showed that ethanolic extracts from the roots and the leaves of E. senticosus, E. setchuensis, E. sessiliflorus, E.gracilistylus, E. henryi and E. divaricatus exhibit cytotoxic effect towards leukemic HL60 cells. The received IC50 values for roots ranged from 49- 208 μg/mL and for the leaves from 116-518 μg/mL. The ethanol extract from the roots of E. divaricatus showed the highest cytotoxic and proapoptotic effect on HL60 human lymphoid leukemia cell line

Artificial intelligence methods in diagnostics of coal-biomass blends co-combustion in pulverised coal burners

The paper presents technologies being developed in the Institute of Electronics and Information Technologies at Lublin University of Technology. They use optical sensors and artificial intelligence methods for process supervision and diagnostics. Research is aimed to develop a system allowing a parametric evaluation of the quality of pulverized coal burner operation. Due to the highly nonlinear nature of dependencies and lack of an analytical model, the artificial intelligence methods were used to estimate and classify the selected parameter, including a relatively new class of classification methods – artificial immunology algorithms. The article shows results for coal-shredded straw blends, yet the methodology may be applied for other types of blends.У роботі представлені технології, розроблені в Інституті електроніки та інформаційних технологій Люблінського технологічного університету. Вони використовують оптичні датчики та методи штучного інтелекту для контролю та діагностики процесу. Дослідження спрямовано на розробку системи, що дозволяє провести параметричну оцінку якості роботи пиловугільного пальника. Через високу нелінійну природу залежностей та відсутність аналітичної моделі для оцінки та класифікації обраного параметра були використані методи штучного інтелекту, включаючи відносно новий клас методів класифікації - алгоритми штучної імунології. У статті наведені результати для солом'яно-вугільних сумішей, але методологія може застосовуватися і для інших типів сумішей

Czy starość Panu Bogu „wyszła”? Refleksje na temat starości w odniesieniu do wybranych pism literatury sapiencjalnej Biblii Hebrajskiej

The article describes a development of the motif of old age in sapiential literature of the Hebrew Bible: Proverbs, Job, and Qoheleth. It is argued that the view on seniority had changed between those writings, from the positive to more controversial and negative. Special attention is given to Eccl 12:1–7 in a wider context of the Poem on Youth and Old Age (11:7–12:8), in the context of the Poem on Toil (1:2–11), and also in the context of the main idea of the book expressed by the word heḇel. It is suggested that despite the realistic and somewhat negative descriptions of the frailty of old age, the book offers a positive perspective on living an inextricable and quickly-passing life, as it is. Qoheleth encourages people to enjoy life when one can, and to remember their Creator, who for some reason invented both good and “evil days”, youth and old age alike. The negative experience of weaknesses in old age can give man a taste of judgement expressed in Gen 3:19. Finally, it is asked if God’s luck held when he invented old age. It is proposed that there is no straightforward answer to this question, but also that man has to learn to live in face of perplexity and perhaps in faith that there would be some answer to this riddle out there, coming from Someone greater than himself. That perhaps can be found beyond sapiential literature of the Hebrew Bible.Artykuł opisuje rozwój motywu starości w literaturze sapiencjalnej Biblii hebrajskiej: Księdze Przysłów, Hioba oraz Koheleta. Autor argumentuje, że spojrzenie na podeszły wiek zmieniało się między tymi pismami, począwszy od opisów pozytywnych po te bardziej dyskusyjne i negatywne. Szczególna uwaga została poświęcona Koh 12, 1–7 w szerszym kontekście Poematu dotyczącego młodości i starości (11, 7–12, 8), a także w kontekstach Poematu o trudzie (1, 2–11) oraz głównego przesłania Księgi wyrażonego przez określenie heḇel. Autor sugeruje, że pomimo realistycznych i negatywnych opisów ułomności związanych z podeszłym wiekiem, Księga Koheleta oferuje ogólnie pozytywną perspektywę spojrzenia na ludzkie życie, które jest krótkie i nie do końca rozwikłane. Kohelet zachęca ludzi do korzystania z życia, póki można, a także do pamiętania o Stwórcy, który z jakiegoś powodu ustanowił zarówno dni dobre, jak i złe, zarówno młodość, jak i starość. Negatywne doświadczenie słabości w wieku podeszłym może być pochodną sądu wyrażonego w Rdz 3, 19. Na końcu artykułu postawione zostało pytanie, czy starość Panu Bogu się udała. Nie ma jednak na nie prostej odpowiedzi, ponieważ w świetle pism sapiencjalnych Biblii hebrajskiej człowiek musi nauczyć się żyć wobec samego dylematu życia, prawdopodobnie w wierze, że odpowiedzi pojawią się później, że przyjdą od Kogoś większego niż on sam. Odpowiedzi więc należy oczekiwać poza samą literaturą sapiencjalną Biblii

Slavery and Serfdom in Muscovy and the Russian Empire

This chapter aims to assess forms of strong asymmetric social dependency in early modern Russia, especially with respect to slaves, servants, and serfs, as well as institutionalized bondage and its imperial legislation and local practices. Based on legal documents and administrative records, the legal status of kholopy (servants/slaves) and krepostnye (serfs) will be elaborated. Special attention will be paid to the circumstances of entry into dependent social status, to the living and working conditions, and to possibilities for upward social mobility or even release. In order to grasp the “continuum of dependency,” textual articulation of dependencies and their historical semantics as well as institutional norms and regional practices will be considered

A potential role for Dkk-1 in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma predicts novel diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Canonical Wnt signaling is an osteo-inductive signal that promotes bone repair through acceleration of osteogenic differentiation by progenitors. Dkk-1 is a secreted inhibitor of canonical Wnt signaling and thus inhibits osteogenesis. To examine a potential osteo-inhibitory role of Dkk-1 in osteosarcoma (OS), we measured serum Dkk-1 in pediatric patients with OS (median age, 13.4 years) and found it to be significantly elevated. We also found that Dkk-1 was maximally expressed by the OS cells at the tumor periphery and _in vitro_ Dkk-1 and RANKL are co-expressed by rapidly proliferating OS cells. Both Dkk-1 and conditioned media from OS cells reduces osteogenesis by human mesenchymal cells and by immuno-depletion of Dkk-1, or by adding a GSK3[beta] inhibitor, the effects of Dkk-1 were attenuated. In mice, we found that the expression of Dkk-1 from implanted tumors was similar to the human tumor biopsies in that human Dkk-1 was present in the serum of recipient animals. These data demonstrate that systemic levels of Dkk-1 are elevated in osteosarcoma. Furthermore, the expression of Dkk-1 by the OS cells at the periphery of the tumor probably contributes to its expansion by inhibiting repair of the surrounding bone. These data demonstrate that Dkk-1 may serve as a prognostic or diagnostic marker for evaluation of OS and furthermore, immuno-depletion of Dkk-1 or administration of GSK3[beta] inhibitors could represent an adjunct therapy for this disease