The nature of child-adult interaction : from turn-taking to understanding pointing and use of pointing gestures

Analyses of interactions between an adult and a one-year-old child are often connected with studying early communicative competences, e.g. the child’s participation in turn-taking sequences, in joint attention, and use of pointing gestures. Infants’ communicative behaviors were studied using a structured observational measure – the Early Social Communication Scales (Mundy et al., 2003) in a study of 358 12-month-old children. An exploratory factor analysis revealed: (i) a distinction between the categories of initiation and response among the behaviors displayed, (ii) simple and complex behavior categories occurring; (iii) the presence within one factor of behaviors fulfilling various functions (e.g. requesting and sharing interest). An analysis of the results showed that communicative competences can be classified according to their level and ignoring their function, and made it possible to suggest modifications to the way in which behaviors are coded on the ESCS and to complement the procedure of studying early communicative competences

Non celiac gluten sensitivity — facts and controversies

W ostatnich latach na całym świecie obserwuje się rosnącą liczbę pacjentów cierpiących na nowy rodzaj nadwrażliwości pokarmowej nazwanej nadwrażliwością na gluten (NCGS). Częściej dotyczy ona nastolatków i dorosłych, szczególnie płci żeńskiej, z dużą liczbą przypadków diagnozowanych w wieku starszym. Obecnie szacuje się, że obejmuje ona 6% populacji. Nadwrażliwość na gluten charakteryzuje się wystąpieniem wielu objawów zarówno gastro-jelitowych, tj.: wzdęcia, biegunki, bóle brzucha, jak i pozajelitowych symptomów, między innymi: uczucia splątania, bólów głowy, bólów stawów i mięśni, poczucia niepokoju, a także depresji. Objawy pojawiają się krótko po spożyciu glutenu i ulegają poprawie lub znikają po przejściu na dietę bezglutenową. Rozpoznanie nadwrażliwości na gluten wymaga wykluczenia celiakii (negatywny wynik przeciwciał, brak zaniku kosmków jelitowych) oraz alergii na pszenicę (brak podwyższonego stężenia IgE). W przeciwieństwie do dobrze poznanej celiakii, mechanizm patogenetyczne NCGS nadal nie został jasno określony. Obecnie uważa się, że istotną rolę w rozwoju NCGS odgrywa kilka mechanizmów — aktywacja wrodzonej odpowiedzi immunolo gicznej, zmiana funkcji barier y błony śluzowej jelit, spożywanie żywności zawierającej inhibi tory amylaz, a także istnienie wieloskładnikowej nadwrażliwości pokar mowej, związanej z dietą bogatą w FOODMAPs lub dodatki do żywności. Leczenie nadwrażliwości na gluten opiera się na głównie na zmianie nawyków żywieniowych oraz wprowadzeniu diety bezglutenowej.In recent years all over the world there is an increasing number of patients suffering from food hypersensitivity new type called non celiac gluten sensitivity or NCGS. More often, it relates to teens and adults, especially females, with a large number of cases diagnosed in the elderly. Currently, it is estimated that it covers 6% of the population. Gluten sensitivity is characterized by the occur rence of a number of gastro-intestinal symptoms such as: bloati ng, diarrhea, abdominal pain and parenteral symptoms include: confusion, headaches, joint and muscle pain, zafeeling of anxiety, and depression. Symptoms occur shortly after ingestion of gluten and are improved or disappeared after going on a gluten-free diet. The diagnosis of non celiac gluten sensitivity requires exclusion celiac disease (antibody negative, no atrophy of intestinal villi), and allergy to wheat (no elevated levels of IgE). In contrast t o the well acknowledged celiac disease, NCGS pathogenic mechanism is still not clearly defined. Currently, it is believed that an important role in the development of NCGS plays several mechanisms such as: activation of the innate immune response, the change in the bar rier function of the intestinal m ucosa, food containing amylase inhibitors, and the existence of multi-component food hypersensitivity associated with a diet high in FOODMAP s or food additives. Treatment of hypersensitivity to gluten is based mainly on the change of dietary habits and the introduction of a gluten-free diet

Stiffness memory of EA.hy926 endothelial cells in response to chronic hyperglycemia

Background: Glycemic memory of endothelial cells is an effect of long-lasting hyperglycemia and is a cause of various diabetics complications, that arises despite of the treatment targeted towards returning low glucose level in blood system. On the other hand, endothelial dysfunction, which is believed to be a main cause of cardiovascular complications, is exhibited in the changes of mechanical properties of cells. Although formation of the glycemic memory was widely investigated, its impact on the mechanical properties of endothelial cells has not been studied yet. Methods: In this study, nanoindentaion with a tip of an atomic force microscope was used to probe the long-term changes (through 26 passages, c.a. 80 days) in mechanical properties of EA.hy926 endothelial cells cultured in hyperglycemic conditions. As a complementary method, alterations in the structure of actin cytoskeleton were visualized by fluorescent staining of F-actin. Results: We observed a gradual stiffening of the cells up to 20th passage for cells cultured in high glucose (25 mM). Fluorescence imaging has revealed that this behavior resulted from systematic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. In further passages, a drop in stiffness had occurred. The most interesting finding was recorded for cells transferred after 14 passages from high glucose to normal glucose conditions (5mM). After the transfer, the initial drop in stiffness was followed by a return of the cell stiffness to the value previously observed for cells cultured constantly in high glucose. Conclusions: Our results indicate that glycemic memory causes irreversible changes in stiffness of endothelial cells. The formation of the observed "stiffness memory" could be important in the context of vascular complications which develop despite the normalization of the glucose level

Green tea extract in artal hypertension treatment

Jednym z głównych czynników ryzyka chorób układu krążenia jest nadciśnienie tętnicze. Z powodu globalnego rozprzestrzenienia stanowi ono jeden z podstawowych problemów społecznych, ekonomicznych i zdrowotnych. Niekorzystny wpływ nadciśnienia tętniczego na stan zdrowia społeczeństwa, potwierdzony w licznych badaniach epidemiologicznych, klinicznych i eksperymentalnych, stał się podstawą do poszukiwania odpowiedniej metody profilaktyki, rozpoznawania, a po wykryciu schorzenia — wdrożenia skutecznej strategii terapeutycznej. Bezsprzeczny udział wolnych rodników tlenowych w patogenezie nadciśnienia tętniczego uzasadnia fakt stosowania diety bogatej w antyoksydanty (substancji o działaniu przeciwkrzepliwym, przeciwmiażdżycowym oraz hipotensyjnym) u pacjentów z nadciśnieniem tętniczym. Na szczególną uwagę zasługuje epigallokatechina galusanu (EGCG), której najlepszym źródłem są liście zielonej herbaty. Obiecujące i zachęcające wyniki badań oraz cenny skład liści zielonej herbaty powodują, że wprowadzenie jej do diety pacjentów cierpiących na pierwotne nadciśnienie tętnicze pozwoli być może na nową i bardziej efektywną strategię terapeutyczną, pozwalającą na osiągnięcie zadowalających wyników badań oraz dobre samopoczucie pacjenta. (Forum Zaburzeń Metabolicznych 2011, tom 2, nr 3, 184–191)One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is hypertension. Due to the global spread it constitutes one of the fundamental problems of social, economic and health problems. Adverse effects of hypertension on public health confirmed in numerous epidemiological studies, clinical and experimental studies became the basis to seek an appropriate method of prevention, diagnosis, and after the implementation of effective disease detection therapeutic strategy. Unequivocal participation of oxygen free radicals in the pathogenesis of hypertension, is the justification for the use of a diet rich in antioxidants(substances with anti-coagulant, anti atherogenic, and antihypertensive) in patients with hypertension. Particularly noteworthy epigallokatechina gallate (EGCG), which are the best source of green tea leaves. Promising and encouraging results, and a valuable part of green tea leaves mean that the introduction of the diet of patients with primary hypertension might allow for a new and a more effective therapeutic strategy, allowing you to achieve satisfactory results and well-being of the patient. (Forum Zaburzen Metabolicznych 2011, vol. 2, no 3, 184–191

Waiting for a treat : studying behaviors related to self-regulation in 18- and 24- month olds

The ability to delay gratification - conceived as an early expression of self-regulation - develops in the second half of the second year of life. We used inductive methodology to identify different behaviors and set of behaviors performed by children while waiting for a treat. We asked which sets are more effective when it comes to successfully delaying gratification and how all observed sets change during toddler age. 130 children were tested twice - at 18 and at 24 months - using a Snack Delay Task. We observed 20 different behaviors and distinguished 4 sets of behaviors. The most important and effective set for delaying gratification in 18 and in 24 month olds was the set called Attention and Movements. We concluded that growth in the ability to delay gratification resulted from increased ability to overcome temptation by using an active strategy mainly based on attention

Quality of Life and Physical Activity after Liver Transplantation. Literature Review.

Liver transplantation has become one of the most effective treatments for end-stage renal disease. For patients, however, the decision to have orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is often made in an effort to improve their quality of life and to reduce their risk of mortality and morbidity. Quality of life is an important aspect of therapy for transplant patients because this category reflects the subjective evaluation of one's own life in the physical, psychological and social dimensions. One of the means to achieve a better quality of life is not only good health, but also physical activity. Physical activity has been demonstrated to be of significance not only in the assessment of fitness levels but also could be of importance in long term recovery process after major surgical operations. The aim of this study was a review of literature showing the improved quality of life in patients after liver transplantation as well as the influence of physical activity on their physical health, mental health and quality of life after transplantation. Longitudinal data showed remarkable improvement of common domains of QOL comparing pre- and post-transplant items. Gender, occupation and regular physical activity have an influence on the quality of life after liver transplantation

Change and consistency of self-esteem in early and middle adolescence in the context of school transition

Self-esteem is continuous and has stable characteristics, but it may also change, e.g., during transitions from one educational level to the next. In a prospective cross-sectional study over a year and a half, 250 Polish early adolescents (N = 109, 54 girls; mean age at T1 = 12.68 years, SD = 0.49) and middle adolescents (N = 141, 107 girls; mean age at T1 = 15.80, SD = 0.44) were tested three times using Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents, assessing both global self-esteem and self-evaluation in eight domains. The change and consistency of self-esteem were analyzed, at both group and individual levels. At the group level, the following results were found: (1) continuity of self-esteem in five domains (scholastic competence, athletic competence, physical appearance, close friendship, and romantic appeal) and in global self-esteem and discontinuity in only three domains (social acceptance, job competence, and behavioral conduct); (2) significant inter-individual variation in the change not explained by age; and (3) higher self-esteem (in five domains) in early adolescents. At the individual level, the stability in most domains was weak, but was restored over the second year at the new school. The complexity of the developmental change and consistency in self-esteem in adolescence was highlighted, emphasizing the need for analyzing both group and individual change

The importance and determinants of market integration of small family farms in selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe

One of the issues determining the economic situation of farms is the scope of their market integration. It can be therefore assumed that higher market integration leads to an improvement in the economic performance of households. The article has two aims. The first is to indicate the relationship between the degree of market integration of small-scale family farms and their economic condition. The second objective is to discover the determinants of the market integration of farms. The explanatory variables include economic (production value, total farm area, labour input, specialization of production) and demographic (farmer age, education level) factors. The novelty of our paper lies in in depth comparative analysis based on primary data from questionnaire surveys taken in 2018 and 2019 in five countries of Central and Eastern Europe: Serbia, Moldova, Lithuania Romania, and Poland. The results indicate is the existence of a statistically significant positive correlation between the degree of market integration and economic performance. Factors that favorably influence the level of market connection include the scale of production, specialization and, to some extent, level of farmowner’s education. The remaining variables are inconclusive or not statistically significant

Czynniki charakterystyczne dla tętniaka aorty brzusznej i jego potencjalne biomarkery

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a multifactorial and asymptomatic disorder with high mortality. Numerous factors inducing AAA have been postulated, but so far no key factor with a molecular, genetic or environmental basis has been identified that would contribute to the formation of an aneurysm. Damage to the structure of the extracellular matrix, apoptosis of the vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells through degenerative factors induces the process of aneurysm formation in the vessel wall. This process is accompanied by a progressive inflammatory process. The test that allows the detection of AAA is abdominal ultrasonography. However, this is not a routine screening test performed for all individuals, and therefore AAA is usually diagnosed at a very advanced stage of the disease that threatens the patient’s life. The only medical procedure in AAA is surgical treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to identify molecular processes, AAA biomarkers and genes responsible for the mechanism of aneurysm formation. This would enable faster and more effective initiation of the treatment process.Tętniak aorty brzusznej (AAA) jest schorzeniem wieloczynnikowym i bezobjawowym, charakteryzującym się wysoką śmiertelnością pacjentów. Istnieje wiele indukujących go czynników, ale do tej pory nie zidentyfikowano jednego kluczowego, o podłożu molekularnym, genetycznym czy środowiskowym, który przyczynia się do powstania tętniaka. Uszkodzenie struktury macierzy zewnątrzkomórkowej, apoptoza komórek mięśni gładkich ściany naczynia i komórek śródbłonkowych poprzez czynniki degeneracyjne indukuje proces tworzenia tętniaka w ścianie naczynia. Towarzyszy temu postępujący proces zapalny. Badaniem pozwalającym na wykrycie AAA jest ultrasonografia jamy brzusznej. Nie jest to jednak rutynowe badanie przesiewowe wykonywane u wszystkich osób, dlatego do zdiagnozowania AAA dochodzi w bardzo zaawansowanym stadium choroby, co zagraża życiu pacjenta. Jedynym medycznym postępowaniem w tym przypadku pozostaje zabieg chirurgiczny, dlatego koniecznym wydaje się poznanie procesów molekularnych, biomarkerów AAA oraz genów odpowiedzialnych za mechanizm powstawania tętniaków. Umożliwiłoby to szybszą i efektywniejszą diagnostykę, a tym samym zapoczątkowałoby proces leczenia