Exponential representations of injective continuous mappings in radial sets

By a radial set we understand a non-empty set $A \subset \mathbb{C} \setminus \{0\}$ such that for every point $z\in A$ the circle with centre at the origin and passing through $z$ is included in $A$. We show in a detailed manner that every continuous and injective function $F : A \to \mathbb{C} \setminus \{0\}$ can be represented by means of the natural exponential function $\text{exp}$ and a certain continuous function $\varPhi : \text{Ei}(A) \to \mathbb{C}$, where $\text{Ei}(A)$ is the set of all $z \in \mathbb{C}$ with the property $\text{exp}(iz) \in A$. The representation is given by $F(\text{exp}(iz)) = \text{exp}(i\varPhi (z))$ for $z \in \text{Ei}(A)$. We also touch the problem of the injectivity of $\varPhi$

Recent progress in thermoelectric MXene-based structures versus other 2D materials

Thermoelectricity is a next-generation solution for efficient waste heat management. Although various thermoelectric materials exist, there is still a lot of scope for advancement. Recently, two-dimensional (2D) materials, including MXenes, showed promise as thermoelectric materials. The progress of MXenes as magnificent thermoelectric materials is very well established in the form of a tailor-made review. MXenes outstanding thermoelectric activity comes from a unique band structure created from its atomically thin layers and the defective surface of the external layers of atoms. Furthermore, the variety of MXenes chemical composition and MXenes-based nanostructures facilitates the research path based on energy band engineering, optimization, carrier concentration and mobility. The thermoelectric efficiency of MXenes has been mapped over the landscape of other 2D and traditional thermoelectric materials. Meanwhile, MBenes, the latest family member of the flatland, exhibits an incredible diversity of structures with additional crystal symmetries. Owing to the orthorhombic crystal structure, an in-plane structural anisotropy, and hence, the in-plane dependent thermoelectric properties are plausible. As a future prospective, certain strategies that can enhance the thermoelectric performance of MBenes have been presented. In addition, few insights and challenges that have to be considered to overcome the limitations in the thermoelectric field have been debated.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, 1 tabl

Acupuncture as complementary treatment for lower back pain

Abstract Introduction: Lower back pain is one of the most common disorders in the world. Acupuncture is one the methods of treatment, but its efficiency is still researched. Aim of the study: To verify the effectiveness of acupuncture on low back pain. Material and Methods: Search of the PubMed database using the following keywords: acupuncture, lower back pain. Only full-length articles were taken into consideration. Results: The studies show that acupuncture is effective in the treatment of chronic low back pain and is not inferior to the usual care. However its efficiency in treatment of acute low back pain is not satisfactory and patients still require additional pharmacotherapy. Conclusion: Acupuncture is efficient in the treatment of chronic low back pain, however more research is needed on its efficiency in treatment of acute low back pain.   Keywords: acupuncture, lower back pai

The solution to drug resistance of Gram-negative bacteria – Cefiderocol

Introduction: A major public health problem is the emergence of anti-gram-negative antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Cefiderocol is a new agent targeting Gram-negative bacteria, including strains with resistance to carbapenems. Aim of the study: Analysis of the efficiency of cefiderocol in the treatment of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, the drug's mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug. Material and Methods: Search of the PubMed database using the following keywords: cefiderocol, resistance, gram negative bacteria. Only full-length articles were taken into consideration. Results: The studies show that cefiderocol is active against Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa, B. cepacia and A. baumannii and effective in the treatment of pneumonia in both non-ventilated and ventilated patients. Moreover, it has been used in the treatment of sepsis as a rescue therapy. Conclusion: Cefiderocol is an effective treatment for infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. However, more research is needed to learn more about the use of this drug, side effects and resistance mechanisms

SMA Therapy in Poland: New Hopes and Challenges

Abstract: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetically inherited disease whose symptoms appear in children at a fairly early age. The main cause of the disease is a mutation of the SMN1 gene, which causes the lack of production of SMN This results in the disappearance of motoneurons, which consequently leads to the disappearance of the patient's ability to move and his death. An important element of coping with the disease is its early detection in newborn screening, because the earlier we start the drug, the greater the chance that the patient will maintain motor efficiency. The article describes treatment options for children in Poland, i. e. the use of such drugs as Nusinersen, which increases the amount of SMN protein, gene therapy Onasemnogen aeparvovec, which increases the amount of SMN gene, Ridisplam, which increases the amount of SMN protein, and salbutamol, which helps patients to breathe. The article also provides information about new drug therapies for the treatment of SMA and the stage of clinical trials at which they are currently being developed. It is important to look for new solutions in the treatment of SMA. Objective: To familiarize the readers of the article with the problems of SMA treatment in Poland, as well as to broaden their knowledge of new available drugs for the treatment of this disease

Suplementacja jodowa u ciężarnych z niedoczynnością tarczycy leczonych L-tyroksyną nie wpływa na stężenia TSH noworodków ani nie zapobiega obniżeniu stężeń wolnych hormonów tarczycy u matek w drugim i trzecim trymestrze

  Introduction: Pregnant women require about 250 μg of iodine daily. Hypothyroid women treated with L-thyroxine do not utilise iodine, and metabolism of L-thyroxine tablets is an additional source of iodine for their foetuses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of iodine supplementation in hypothyroid pregnant women treated with L-thyroxine on neonate TSH concentration and maternal thyroid parameters. Material and methods: Ninety-two pregnant women with primary hypothyroidism on adequate thyroid hormone replacement were voluntarily divided into two groups: “thyroxine” (n = 38) treated with L-thyroxine only, and “thyroxine + iodine” (n = 54) treated additionally with 150 μg/day of iodine since 10th gestational week. Primary outcomes were the maternal thyroid function tests (TSH, fT4, fT3) and neonatal TSH concentrations at the 3–4th day of life. Urinary iodine concentration was measured at first and third trimester to compare iodine status in both groups. Results: Iodine supplementation significantly increased median urinary ioduria in the third trimester (from 95.15 μg/L to 151.50 μg/L), but did not prevent the decrease of maternal fT4 and fT3 concentrations in the second and third trimester. Median neonate TSH concentration in both groups was within normal range, but was 33% higher in the “thyroxine + iodine” than in the “thyroxine” group (1.91 mU/L vs. 1.34 mU/L). Moreover, 8.77% of newborns in the “thyroxine + iodine” group had TSH > 5 mIU/L. Conclusions: We did not find evidence for a positive influence of iodine supplementation on thyroid function of either hypothyroid pregnant women sufficiently treated with L-thyroxine or their neonates. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (4): 367–374)    Wstęp: U ciężarnych rekomendowana jest zwiększona podaż jodu pokrywająca zapotrzebowanie kobiety i dziecka. Tarczyca ciężarnej z niedoczynnością nie zużywa jodu. Jod dostarczony w diecie, suplementach oraz pochodzący z metabolizmu tyroksyny stanowi źródło wyłącznie dla płodu. Celem pracy była ocena wpływu suplementacji jodowej u ciężarnych z niedoczynnością tarczycy na stężenia TSH noworodków i parametry tarczycowe matek. Materiał i metody: Badanie przeprowadzono w grupie 92 ciężarnych z pierwotną niedoczynnością tarczycy wyrównaną w trakcie leczenia L-tyroksyną podzielono na dwie grupy: „tyroksyna” (n = 38) leczone jedynie tyroksyną i “tyroksyna + jod” (n = 54) otrzymujące tyroksynę i od 10. tygodnia ciąży jod 150 μg/dobę. U matek oznaczano TSH, fT4, fT3 w każdym trymestrze a u noworodków TSH w 3–4 dobie życia. Zaopatrzenie w jod oceniano na podstawie jodurii badanej w 1. i 3. trymestrze. Wyniki: Suplementacja jodowa spowodowała istotne zwiększenie mediany jodurii z 95,15 μg/l do 151,50 μg/l, jednak nie zapobiegła obniżeniu stężeń fT4 i fT3 w 2. i 3. trymestrze. W obu grupach mediana stężeń TSH noworodków utrzymywała się w granicach normy, ale była o 33% wyższa w grupie „tyroksyna + jod” niż w grupie „tyroksyna”(1,91 mU/l vs. 1,34 mU/l). Tylko w grupie „tyroksyna + jod” stwierdzono u noworodków stężenie TSH > 5 mIU/l co dotyczyło 8,77% badanych. Wnioski: Nie uzyskano dowodów na pozytywny wpływ suplementacji jodowej u ciężarnych z niedoczynnością tarczycy właściwie wyrównanych L-tyroksyną na TSH noworodków. Nie zaznaczył się także wpływ na parametry tarczycowe u kobiety ciężarnej. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (4): 367–374)

Weed infestation of a cereal-legume mixture depending on its concentration and position in a crop rotation

A field study was carried out in the period 2000-2006 at the Experimental Station in Tomaszkowo belonging to the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Its aim was to compare weed infestation of a mixture of spring barley and field pea grown in a four crop rotation with different crop selection and sequence. Each year during tillering of spring barley and before the harvest of the mixture, weed species composition and density were evaluated, while additionally weed biomass was also estimated before the harvest. These results were used to determine species constancy, Simpson’s dominance index, the Shannon-Wiener diversity and evenness indices as well as the community similarity index based on floristic richness, numbers and biomass of particular weed species. The cropping frequency and the position of the mixture in the crop rotation did not differentiate the species composition and total biomass of weed communities in the cereal-legume mixture crops. The crop rotation in which the mixture constituted 50% and was grown after itself had a reducing effect on weed numbers. Growing field pea in the 4-year crop rotation promoted weed infestation of the mixture and the dominance of weed communities. Capsella bursa-pastoris, Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli, Elymus repens, Polygonum convolvulus, and Sonchus arvensis were constant components of the agrophytocenoses. The weed communities were more similar in terms of their floristic composition than in terms of weed density and air-dry weight of weeds

Influence of crop rotation and meteorological conditons on density and biomass of weeds in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The paper presents the analysis of changes in weed infestation in spring barley cultivated in the years 1990-2004 in crop rotation with a 25% proportion of this cereal (potato - spring barley - sowing peas - winter triticale), when it was grown after potato, and in crop rotation with its 75% proportion (potato - spring barley - spring barley - spring barley), when it was grown once or twice after spring barley. In the experiment, no weed control was applied. Every year in the spring (at full emergence of the cereal) and before the harvest, the composition of weed species and weed density of particular weed species were determined, and before the harvest also their biomass. Weed density increased linearly on all plots during the 15-year period. The average values confirm the increase in weed biomass in the case when spring barley was grown once or twice after this crop; however, those differences were influenced by the previous situation only during some seasons. Weed density and biomass showed high year-to-year variability and a positive correlation with the amount of precipitation and a negative correlation with temperature during the period of the study. A negative correlation between the yield of barley and weed biomass was shown