The conditions for the emergence of schizophrenia

The work presents genetic, biological and psychological determinants of schizophrenia . Current knowledge about the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia is incomplete and unclear, which determines scientists to conduct further research to thoroughly understand the causes of this disease. Understanding all conditions of schizophrenia can undoubtedly result in more effective treatment of patients in the future, prolonging remission periods and improving the quality of life of patients and their families

Czynniki polityki rozwojowej w gospodarce żywnościowej wybranych krajów z uwzględnieniem gospodarki opartej na wiedzy

Seria: Monografie Programu Wieloletniego, nr 53Polityka rozwojowa a zmiany jakościowe w wybranych krajach. Determinanty sukcesu lub stagnacji w światowej gospodarce żywnościowej. Gospodarka oparta na wiedzy w celach i realizacji wspólnej polityki rolnej UE. Doradztwo na rzecz rolnictwa w Polsce w obecnej sytuacji ekonomiczno-społecznej

Images instrumentales, une dynamique du temps réel numérique

Les interfaces numériques, en tant qu'outils couplant des solutions matérielles et logicielles, permettent aux créateurs de travailler autour de la plasticité de leurs processus de création et d'inventer de nouvelles formes de partage sensible de leurs œuvres. Le domaine de la performance audiovisuelle, fortement lié à la culture du sampling et de la musique contemporaine, constitue un champ de création où l'interface est présente pendant les phases de restitution ou d'interprétation en live des œuvres. L'artiste y emploie des combinaisons de programmes et de périphériques, dont certains amènent une dimension d'instrumentalité dans l'usage et la métamorphose des images vidéographiques et infographiques. Nous proposons au travers de cet article d'évoquer l'image comme élément activé par l'entremise des œuvres et des dispositifs employés par les performeurs audiovisuels.Digital interfaces, emerging from software and hardware combination, allow artists to shape and define the plasticity of their creative processes, and therefore to invent new forms to share their artworks. The visual performance domain is strongly rooted in the sampling culture and in contemporary music practices, and is also a creative field in which interfaces are present during the live performing phases. As artists combine pieces of software and devices, some of those interfaces bring a level of instrumentality, which affects the modifications and metamorphosis underwent by the videographic and infographic images. In this article, we aim to highlight image as an element which is activated by the artworks and the processes the visual performers put in practice

Immunomagnetic detection of cancer cells in pleural effusion of generalized cancer

 Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are a common clinical problem in patients with neoplastic disease. Pleural fluid cytology is the simplest definitive method for obtaining a diagnosis of MPE. We describe a method that may increase the cancer cell detection rate using immunomagnetic separation in MPE. In comparison to standard MPE cytodiagnostic methods, we report a more streamlined method of isolation living cells that are able to proliferate. These captured cells can then be used for additional downstream analysis e.g. chemosensitivity testing. Several case studies of MPE diagnostics using immunomagnetic separation are presented in the following report. The immunomagnetic separation of cancer cells from MPE could be used for more accurate staging of patients with routine effusions.

Tissue coverage of paclitaxel and sirolimus eluting stents in long term follow-up: Optical coherence tomography study

Background: Implantation of drug eluting stents (DES) has become a standard treatment ofpatients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Incomplete strut coverage isa potential risk factor for late stent thrombosis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) enablesin vivo identification of incomplete neointimal coverage.Methods: Study included 62 patients after sirolimus eluting stents (SES) or paclitaxel elutingstents (PES) implantation. OCT examination was performed at least 24 months after theinitial procedure (35.4± 9.4 months). In cross-sectional still frames selected from each 1 mm ofanalyzed stents a total number of visible struts and number of struts with or without completeneointimal coverage was assessed. Measurements of neointimal coverage, presented as a meanthickness of tissue, were performed. Patients were followed up for 3 years and the frequency ofmajor adverse cardiac events was recorded.Results: In the analyzed 28 SES and 37 PES 9998 struts were identified. Complete neointimalcoverage was observed in 83.5% and 79.2% of SES and PES struts respectively (p = 0.48).There was no difference in incidence of not covered or malapposed struts between SES and PES groups. Mean thickness of the tissue covering SES struts was 0.165 ± 0.095 mm, and 0.157 ± 0.121 mm for PES. The mean neointimal thickness difference (SES vs. PES) was notstatistically significant. In a 36 months follow-up 1 death was observed — potentially attributedto stent thrombosis.Conclusions: A long term OCT follow-up after DES implantation shows high incidence ofuncovered struts regardless of the stent type. Clinical significance of this finding remains questionableand requires further large scale trials

Knee Joint Position Sense in Physically Active Patients after ACL Reconstruction

The term “proprioception” is defined as the conduction of sensory information deriving from proprioceptors that have an impact on conscious sensations, posture and trans-segmental sense. An ACL injury may lead to functional knee joint instability. According to research, this may result in impaired movement sensation and joint position. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the joint position sense (JPS) in patients before arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and 5 months after the surgery. The examinations were conducted in a group of twelve specifically selected male patients. The examination procedure consisted of JPS measurement in both lower limbs (the operated and the healthy one) during active extension in a range of angles: 30, 45, 60°. The level of significance was: p < 0.05. The analysis of variance performed for repeated measurements (ANOVA) did not indicate any statistically significant differences of JPS in comparisons made between the operated and the healthy limb. Statistical values for the absolute, relative, and variable errors were p = 0.7684, p = 0.1546, p = 0.5694 respectively. The obtained results do not indicate any limitation of proprioception in patients with ACL injury before the intervention or half a year later

Interindividual variability of atorvastatin treatment influence on the MPO gene expression in patients after acute myocardial infarction

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and C-reactive protein (CRP) may play critical roles in generation of oxidative stress and the development of the systemic inflammatory response. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of atorvastatin therapy on the MPO gene expression and its plasma level in relation to lipids level lowering and an anti-inflammatory response in patients after acute myocardial infarction. The research material was represented by 112 samples. Thirty-eight patients with first AMI receiving atorvastatin therapy (40 mg/day) and followed up for one month were involved in the study. The relative MPO gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was examined using RT-qPCR in 38 patients before-, 38 patients after-therapy and in 36 patients as the control group. The plasma concentrations of MPO and serum concentrations of biochemical parameters were determined using commercially available diagnostic tests. After one month of atorvastatin therapy, in 60.5% patients a decrease of MPO gene expression, whereas in 39.5% patients an increase, was observed. The plasma MPO levels behaved in the same way as the MPO gene expression. However, the serum lipids and CRP concentrations were significantly lower after one month of atorvastatin therapy in both groups of patients - with decreased and increased MPO gene expression. Atorvastatin exhibited a different effect on MPO gene expression and its plasma level. Short-term atorvastatin therapy resulted in lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory activity in patients after AMI, independently of its effect on MPO gene expression. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are not yet defined and require further research