Influence of Mould Material on the Mechanical Properties of Wax Models

The article presents results of research on the influence of the mould material on selected mechanical properties of wax models used for production of casting in investment casting method. The main goal was to compare the strength and hardness of samples produced in various media in order to analyse the applicability of the 3D printing technology as an alternative method of producing wax injection dies. To make the wax injection dies, it was decided to use a milled steel and 3D printed inserts made using FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) / FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) technology from HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). A semi-automatic vertical reciprocating injection moulding machine was used to produce the wax samples made of Freeman Flakes Wax Mixture – Super Pink. During injection moulding process, the mould temperature was measured each time before and after moulding with a pyrometer. Then, the samples were subjected to a static tensile test and a hardness test. It was shown that the mould material influences the strength properties of the wax samples, but not their final hardness

Pomiar i analiza rozkładu masy ciała u pacjentów po udarze mózgu

The study objective was to evaluate the impact of a ten-day rehabilitation process on the change of the distribution of body mass and the load on the lower limbs, using the tandem balance test and the modified tandem balance test in a sitting position in stroke patients. The distribution of load on the lower limbs found its expression in the index, referred to as the Kwolek index, which was developed. It was calculated as the quotient of the greater value to the lesser one, both obtained in the tandem balance test; the normal limits ranged from 1.00 to 1.15. Material and methods. The test group comprised of 60 stroke patients. 30 people were qualified to the control group. The basis for the analysis was the measurements of the distribution of body mass and load on the lower limbs in the tandem balance test and in the modified tandem balance test. The distribution of body mass test was carried out on the first and last day of rehabilitation. The rehabilitation of ischaemic stroke patients involved comprehensive physiotherapy. Results. When analyzing the distribution of body mass symmetry before and after the therapy in both the control group and the test group, an increase in the number of people was observed in the groups with a lower Kwolek index, whereas a decrease was present in the number of people in groups with a higher Kwolek index. Conclusions. Comprehensive rehabilitation affects the improvement of the distribution of body mass.Celem badań była ocena wpływu dziesięciodniowej rehabilitacji na zmianę rozkładu masy ciała oraz obciążenie kończyn dolnych przy użyciu testu dwóch wag oraz zmodyfikowanego testu dwóch wag w pozycji siedzącej u pacjentów po udarze mózgu. Wykorzystano do tego między innymi indeks Kwolka, który obrazuje rozkład masy ciała w teście dwóch wag. Indeks Kwolka wyrażany jest jako iloraz wartości większej do mniejszej uzyskanej w standardowym lub zmodyfikowanym teście dwóch wag. Materiał i metoda. Badaniom zostało poddane 96 osób. Grupę badaną stanowiło 60 pacjentów po udarze mózgu. Do grupy kontrolnej zakwalifikowano 30 osób. Podstawą analizy były pomiary rozkładu masy ciała i obciążenia kończyn dolnych w teście dwóch wag oraz zmodyfikowanym teście dwóch wag (w pozycji siedzącej). Badanie rozkładu masy ciała wykonano w pierwszym oraz ostatnim dniu rehabilitacji. Rehabilitacja pacjentów po niedokrwiennym udarze mózgu polegała na kompleksowej fizjoterapii. Wyniki. Analizując rozkład symetryczności masy ciała przed oraz po terapii zarówno w grupie kontrolnej jak i badawczej zaobserwowano tendencję do wzrostu liczby osób w grupach o niższym wskaźniku Kwolka, a zmniejszeniu się liczebności grup o wyższym wskaźniku Kwolka. Wnioski. Kompleksowa rehabilitacja ma wpływ na poprawę rozkładu masy ciała

Exercise capacity, cardiovascular and metabolic risk of the sample of German police officers in a descriptive international comparison

Background: The police force has the mandate to protect citizens and enforce the law for public safety. Employment in the police force is recognized as a dangerous occupation and characterized by job-related physical hazards. Therefore, good health and adequate physical condition are necessary. This study aimed to determine cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory, and metabolic risk parameters of German police officers (POs) in comparison to POs from other nations. Methods: 55 male police officers from Germany participated in the survey. We examined anthropometric measurements, cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors and blood parameters. Additionally, we calculated 10-year cardiovascular risk using the Framingham Risk Score. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome bases on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. We assessed cardiorespiratory status by exercise spirometry. Results: The analyzed group of POs demonstrated a high prevalence of pre obesity (BMI: 28.0±3.2 kg/m², waist circumference: 97.8±12.4 cm). 61.8 % of POs showed an increased waist circumference. POs showed high prevalence of abnormal values of triglyceride (n: 24, 43,6%), and systolic (n: 29, 52,7%) and diastolic (n: 27, 49%) blood pressure. The average 10-year cardiovascular risk (by Framingham) was classified as moderate (9.6 ± 7.4 %). 32 % (n: 18) of POs in our study group were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Maximal relative oxygen uptake of POs was 34.1 ± 8.0 ·ml/kg-1 ·min-1. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study was one of the first to assess data on cardiovascular health, metabolic syndrome and cardiorespiratory status of police officers in Germany. The results of our study demonstrated an increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk and decreased cardiorespiratory fitness in German police officers. The present study results underline the need to implement health-promoting interventions and concepts like corporate sports activities or nutrition courses to counteract cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. We have to reduce the subsequent development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in this occupational group

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated with a Reduced Cardiovascular Risk in Occupational Groups with Different Working Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study among Police Officers and Office Workers

Several studies reported a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among police officers and office workers, and adequate cardiorespiratory fitness was reported to have protective effects in reducing cardiovascular risk. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness on reducing cardiovascular risk factors in these occupational groups. This cross-sectional study enrolled 101 male participants (55 police officers and 46 office workers). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed via spiroergometry. Cardiovascular risk factors were also examined, and the 10-year cardiovascular risk and heart/vascular age were reported using the Framingham risk score. In both groups, higher cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with lower cardiovascular risk factors. Police officers and office workers with higher cardiorespiratory fitness demonstrated significantly lower values in BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, diastolic resting blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides and total cholesterol values, and 10-year cardiovascular risk and heart/vascular age (all factors p < 0.0077, age adjusted). Police officers and office workers mostly presented low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness: 60% of police officers and 58% of office workers were considered “not fit and obese”. Despite different working conditions, both occupational groups had a high rate of low cardiorespiratory fitness levels and showed no differences in their cardiovascular risk profiles. In both groups, cardiorespiratory fitness reduced cardiovascular risk factors, but there was no difference in the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular risk factors

The Comparison of the Selected Parameters of Brain Injury and Interleukins in the CSF in Patients Diagnosed De Novo with RRMS Compared to the Control Group

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Due to the different phenotypes of the disease and non-specific symptoms of MS, there is a great need for a validated panel of biomarkers to facilitate the diagnosis, predict disease progression, and evaluate treatment outcomes. Methods: We determined the levels of the parameters of brain injury (NF-H, GPAF, S100B, and UCHL1) and the selected cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 101 patients diagnosed de novo with RRMS and 75 healthy controls. All determinations were made using the Bio-Plex method. Results: We found higher levels of NF-H and GFAP in the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) group compared to the controls. The concentrations of both molecules were significantly increased in patients with Gd+ lesions on brain MRI. The level of S100B did not differ significantly between the groups. UCHL1 concentrations were higher in the control group. We found some correlations between the selected cytokines, the levels of the parameters of brain injury, and the time from the first symptoms to the diagnosis of MS. Conclusions: The role of the above molecules in MS is promising. However, further research is warranted to define their precise functions