Synopsis of Polish spedes of the family Cicindelidae (Coleoptera)

Ten species of tiger-beetles (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) occuring in Central Europe are described and figured. Keys to the adults and known larvae, with brief notes on their distribution and bionomics, are provided.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Riwaroksaban i dabigatran — nowe możliwości prewencji żylnej choroby zakrzepowo-zatorowej i jej powikłań

W pracy opisano mechanizmy działania przeciwzakrzepowego oraz wyniki prób klinicznych, w których oceniano bezpieczeństwo i skuteczność terapeutyczną dwóch nowych leków doustnych z grupy bezpośrednich inhibitorów kluczowych proteaz serynowych kaskady krzepnięcia — dabigatranu i riwaroksabanu. Pierwszy jest selektywnym inhibitorem czynnika IIa, drugi — czynnika Xa. Wyniki badań klinicznych wskazują, że leki te mogą się przyczynić do istotnego postępu w profilaktyce i leczeniu powikłań zakrzepowo-zatorowych. Wykazano wyższość leczenia riwaroksabanem nad standardową terapią przeciwzakrzepową heparynami drobnocząsteczkowymi lub antagonistami witaminy K u pacjentów poddanych totalnej plastyce stawów biodrowych i kolanowych. Dabigatran okazał się natomiast jedynie „niegorszy” od terapii standardowej. Podkreślenia wymaga fakt, że leczenie nowymi inhibitorami proteaz serynowych nie wymaga ścisłego monitorowania laboratoryjnego parametrów koagulologicznych. W pełni obiektywna ocena terapeutycznej przydatności obu leków wymaga jednak dalszych obserwacji. Choroby Serca i Naczyń 2011, 8 (4), 197–20

Sample size and significance – somewhere between statistical power and judgment prostration

When performing scientific research we are so “embraced” to use the tool of inductive logic in our reasoning that we often express more generalized opinions on the population of interest based on relatively small sample(s) of a general population. What we take care about in such situations is that chosen segments are representative for a whole set of elements in the general population. To cope with such a demand we always want to know how large our selected subpopulation should be to enable us to detect the experimental effect of interest not only at a certain level of significance, but also with the highest possible power of statistical reasoning. Thus, when designing our experiment, we have to compromise between a sample size not too small to ensure that our sample is sufficiently representative, and not too large to benefit from the sampling procedure at all. The tools for the estimation of minimum required sample size and the analysis of power, which help us to make quick decisions on how to compromise reasonably between significance, statistical power and sample size, are discussed in this paper

REVIEW ARTICLE/EDUCATIONAL PANEL <br> How to plan an experiment I. Randomization: current fad or (ever)lasting fashion?

All those who like experimentation are sooner or later faced with a need of random selection of elements or objects of interest that they want to study (persons, patients, animals, cells, etc.). Randomization, a basic requirement in appropriate planning of experiment, may be performed either to select series of randomly assigned elements/objects or to allocate the studied objects to a given group, medical or diagnostic procedure, treatment protocol, etc. The principal advantage of random selection is to minimize effects of bias and confounding variables, two fundamental threats known to weaken research credibility. Simple, unrestricted random selection can lead to undesirable imbalance in baseline characteristics, thus affecting any credible reasoning. Restricted randomization (with blocking or stratification) includes procedures used along with random sampling that help to achieve balance between study groups in their baseline characteristics or in size. For all researchers conducting biomedical studies randomization ensures a straightforward and reliable analysis of the outcomes, and enables any further generalization of their findings

Review of Carabidae of Poland. Part I. Introduction and the tribe Carabini

The family of ground-beetles (Carabidae) is represented in Poland by approximately 500 species grouped into over 70 genera. The tribe Carabini comprises the largest species and is represented in the fauna of Poland by 30 species. They are grouped in 3 genera: Calosoma Web., Callisthenes Fisch, and Carabus L. The representatives of the genera Calosoma Web. and Callisthenes Fisch, are known predominantly from lowland parts of Poland and are inhabitants of forests and open agricultural areas. They are definitely beneficial and are considered the most efficient pest exterminators. Nearly 30 Polish species belonging to the genus Carabus L. inhabit a variety of habitats in both the lowland and mountain parts of the country. A few species of relatively narrow ranges of distribution are restricted in Poland to the higher parts of Carpathian Mountains or postglacial isolated localities in the country. All the spedes of Carabini inhabiting Poland are protected by law.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Molecular mechanisms of signal transduction in selected receptor systems of blood platelets

This review paper concerns molecular mechanisms of signal transduction by various receptor systems and the role of various agonists in the activation of blood platelets. Authors present the physiological pathways leading to platelet activation and release reaction, as well as those responsible for the natural feedback inhibition of platelet activation. The significance of the conformational changes in platelet receptor glycoproteins, the reorganisation of platelet cytoskeleton, the mobilisation of calcium, processes of phosphorylation/déphosphorylation, and lipid bilayer fluidity in the modulation of the triggering of platelet signal transduction is discussed.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę

Regulation of cell function by isoforms of C-reactive protein: A comparative analysis

Despite the emerging evidence suggesting a proatherogenic role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in atherosclerosis, the contribution of CRP in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis has not been unequivocally defined. The role of CRP in pathophysiology/pathology seems to largely depend on its structure. Two CRP isoforms, the native pentameric and the modified monomeric one, differ substantially in their physiological functions, which is thought to origin from the considerable structural heterogeneity of the CRP molecule. The present review provides an overview of the experimental evidence with relevance to the clinical role(s) of various CRP isoforms. The biological role of the protein, its structure and distribution are discussed with particular emphasis on the diverse properties of the pentameric and monomeric forms of CRP. Some methodological aspects, related to experimental models and techniques of CRP preparation, are also critically reviewed