Comparative analysis of interface sketch design tools in the context of User Experience

The design stage plays a significant role in software development. Making skeleton models helps to understand the specification and requirements of the product. Design tools, as well as any other tools, should focus on User Experience. The aim of the publication is to compare tools for sketching interfaces taking into account User Experience. The main criterion for the evaluation of the tools was a test consisting in measuring the time and distance of a computer mouse during the execution of a given application sketch in 8 selected tools. Then, the respondents assessed the possibilities and experiences resulting from working in a given tool. This was supplemented by the assessment of the technical criteria. Ultimately, the best and the worst tools were selected according to the research subgroups. The level of education has been proven to influence the evaluation of interface sketch design tools

Assessment of white blood cell distribution as a prognostic factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications - literature overview

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) mellitus is the chronic, low-grade inflammatory disorder, which is considered to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Wherefore, it is indispensable to look for new, non-invasive and widely available markers that will allow for early detection of predisposition to the development of diabetes as well as its macro- and microvascular complications. Aim of the study: The aim of our study was to present the role of white blood cells (WBC) count as a prognostic factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, we discussed the perspectives for the usefulness of WBC subtypes and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a marker of glycemic control as well as an indicator of the risk of developing diabetes complications. Description of knowledge: The abundant number of previous studies revealed that the elevated level of total WBC count strongly correlates with the predisposition to prediabetes and T2DM development. There is also association between the insulin resistance as well as the function and mass of beta-cells. The numerous research confirm that the increase in NLR may be the useful laboratory tool to evaluate the glycemic control and the effectiveness of antidiabetic treatment. NLR ratio as a marker, which directly reflects the level of inflammation is considered to indicate the risk of development of cardiovascular complications, diabetic peripheral neuropathy or nephropathy, even in the early stage of T2DM duration. Conclusions: Measurements of WBC count and changes in the number of subpopulations of them seem to be a useful, widely accessible marker of development of T2DM as well as its complications and may be helpful in management of T2DM patients

Optimizing strategies lenalidomide therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma

The introduction of new drugs (immunomodulators, proteasome inhibitors) into the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has contributed to the increase in response rates and also to a significant prolongation of overall survival, allowing multiple myeloma to become a chronic disease. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory agent, more effective and less toxic than the first immunomodulatory drug introduced into MM therapy - thalidomide. Lenalidomide should be given continously and longer treatment is associated with increased response rates and improved quality of response. That is why prophylaxis and proper management of adverse events is extremely important for continuation of the therapy. The dose of lenalidomide should be modified in patients with renal failure and cytopenias, also effective venous thromboembolism (VTE) is required. This article describes optimization of lenalidomide therapy with regard to the most common clinical problems

Danazol – options of usage for the treatment of haematological diseases

Danazol is an attenuated synthetic hormone with weak androgenic effects. It has unique properties similar to those of corticosteroids and has a structure related to testosterone and ethisterone. Danazol is widely used for endometriosis and in mammary gland dysplasia treatment. Among the others, it can be also a therapeutical option for patients with autoimmunological disorders, such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The attempts of danazol therapy in neoplastic hematological proliferations were also reported. In this article we present the literature review of options of danazol usage in hematology

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura - a disease with multiple organ manifestations. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in clinical practice

Introduction: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, heterogeneous and life-threating disease requiring prompt differential diagnosis. The most common form of that disease is idiopathic form affects usually young adults. The etiopathogenesis is most likely based on the excessive formation of platelet aggregates and microthrombosis in small vessels, capillaries due to the deficiency of a specific enzyme, ADAMTS13 (disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13). Aim of the study: The aim of this review was to present the diagnostic difficulties of the TTP, which are mainly related to the range of multi-organ deficiency and symptoms that resemble lots of other diseases. Moreover, we discussed the current, as well as future perspectives of the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Description of knowledge: The principal symptoms, which occur in TTP patient are caused by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Moreover, that disease may also manifest by neurological, renal, cardiac abnormalities as well as abdominal disturbances, fever and flu-like symptoms. The other thrombotic microangiopathies, especially hemolytic-uremic syndrome, immune-mediated diseases, infections, stroke, myocardial infarction should be taken initially in the differential diagnosis. The current management is based on plasma exchange therapy, steroids, rituximab, but the novel methods are investigated. Conclusions: The differential diagnosis of hematological patients presenting clinical symptoms of thrombocytopenia, anemia associated with multi-organ dysfunction, especially when we suspect an autoimmune background of a given disease is crucial to implement the appropriate therapy and save the patient's life

Assessment of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width as a Prognostic Marker in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a quantitative measure of the variability in size of circulating erythrocytes. It was recently reported that RDW is a prognostic factor for infection diseases, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, as well as some neoplasms. Moreover, RDW is remarkably strong predictor of longevity, including all causes of death, for adults aged 45 years and older. To explain this occurrence it was proposed that persistent IGFs/mTOR signaling is one of the factors that play a role in affecting the RDW and mortality.The above observations induced us to analyze the prognostic role of RDW in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) being the most frequent type of adult leukemia in Western countries. The obtained results have shown that RDW may be considered as a potential CLL prognostic marker. Elevated RDW level at the moment of diagnosis was associated with advanced disease and presence of other poor prognostic factors. It is also connected with overall survival indicating shorter time in patients with elevated RDW. It is possible that the presently observed correlation between mortality and RDW of the CLL patients is affected by their metabolic (IGF-1/mTOR driven)- rather than chronological- aging. The patients with high level of RDW are expected to have an increased persistent level of IGF-1/mTOR signaling. Within the framework of personalized therapy, these CLL patients therefore would be expected to be more sensitive to the treatment with mTOR inhibitors

Intraventricular treatment of secondary central nervous system lymphoma – Case study and literature overview

Secondary nervous system lymphoma (SCNSL) is a rare extranodal form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). This applies to a particular form of lymphoma that does not originally derive from the central nervous system (CNS); it can be both an isolated form of relapse or a systemic part of disease progression. Due to poor prognosis and a lack of established algorithms of therapeutic procedures, it is a big challenge for physicians from many specializations. In our study, we present an interesting case of a patient with a relapsed form of SCNSL for whom a unique form of treatment was used – intraventricular administration of rituximab and methotrexate

Chest pain in the course of multiple myeloma - a clinical case study

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare blood cell proliferative disease characterized by the accumulation and proliferation of monoclonal plasmocytes. Clinical picture of MM includes bone pain, underlying osteolytic lesions, osteopenia or osteoporosis that often lead to pathological fractures. Aim: To draw attention to the unusual cause of chest pain and the holistic approach to analgesic therapy in patients with MM. Case report: A clinical case of a 66-year-old patient with chest pain intensified when moving and deep breathing was presented and cardiological and gastroenterological reasons were excluded. Initially, non-steroidal analgesics and weak opioids were used in the treatment with good effect, however, as time was passing the pain symptoms progressed. Diagnostic imaging was complemented by computed tomography which revealed massive destructive changes within the ribs with the presence of soft tissue masses infiltrating adjacent muscles. Based on additional tests, the patient was diagnosed with MM. Optimization of analgesic therapy has brought permanent pain relief and improved his quality of life. Summary: The modern approach to anelgesia in patients with MM includes not only the use of analgesics, but also radiotherapy, bisphosphonates/zoledronic acid, orthopaedic treatment and chemotherapy

Central nervous involvement by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Inclusion of the central nervous system (CNS) in the course of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is rare. At the moment no risk factors or proven treatment methods are known. The disease is described both in its early phase and during its acceleration period, thus it has been suggested that there might be independent mechanisms influencing the development of this condition. As there are no unified diagnostic procedure algorithms each patient needs to be assessed individually. CLL can manifest mostly in elderly people, for whom a possibility of development of neurological disorders with their aetiology different from leukaemia, should also be taken into consideration. The thesis presents a group of seven patients with CLL with CNS infiltration. Patients with prolymphocytic leukaemia, Richter's transformation and the original location of leukemic infiltration within the eye socket constitute an especially interesting case

Metallothionein 2A genetic polymorphisms and risk of ductal breast cancer

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of metal binding proteins that play an important role in cellular processes such as proliferation and apoptosis. Metallothionein 2A is the most expressed MT isoform in the breast cells. A number of studies have demonstrated increased MT2A expression in various human tumors, including breast cancer. We carried out an association study to examine whether MT2A gene polymorphisms are associated with risk of breast cancer. Information on lifestyle risk factors was collected via a self-administered questionnaire. Genotyping was conducted using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs28366003, rs1610216 and rs10636 were genotyped in 534 breast cancer cases and 556 population controls. One SNP in MT2A (rs28366003) showed a positive association with breast cancer. Compared with homozygous common allele carriers, heterozygous for the G variant [odds ratio (OR) = 1.92, 95 % confidence interval (CI):1.28–2.81, p trend <0.01; the OR assuming a dominant model 1.93 (95 % CI: 1.29–2.89, p dominant <0.02) after adjustment for age, family history, smoking status, BMI, menarche, parity, menopausal status and use of contraceptive and menopausal hormones] had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer in Polish population, as well as women with haplotypes, including variant allele of rs28366003 SNP (OR = 1.58, CI: 0.41–6.33, p global = 0.03). Our data suggest that the rs28366003 SNP in MT2A is associated with risk of breast cancer in Polish population.This work was supported, in part, by the statutory fund for the Department of Cytobiochemistry, University of Łód