Wydatki publiczne na świadczenia rzeczowe opieki długoterminowej w Polsce – konwergencja czy dywergencja na poziomie województw

Różnice przestrzenne w zaawansowaniu procesów starzenia demograficznego ludności Polski, sugerują występowanie silnego regionalnego zróżnicowania popytu na usługi opieki długoterminowej, w tym na świadczenia rzeczowe (usługi pielęgnacyjno-opiekuńcze). Obserwowane obecnie zróżnicowanie demograficzne województw jak również konwergencja bądź dywergencja określonych czynników demograficznych istotnych z punktu widzenia potrzeb opiekuńczych powinny więc wpływać na oszacowania poziomu wydatków publicznych na opiekę długoterminową, w tym również na zmniejszanie bądź zwiększanie dyspersji regionalnej w tym zakresie. Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja kluczowych zmiennych kształtujących poziom wydatków publicznych na świadczenia rzeczowe opieki długoterminowej sektora ochrony zdrowia i pomocy społecznej oraz zbadanie występowania konwergencji bądź dywergencji tychże wydatków w ujęciu regionalnym. W badaniu wykorzystano trzy miary konwergencji: sigma, beta – absolutną i beta warunkową. Do weryfikacji statystycznej istotności wybranych zmiennych wykorzystano metodę regresji panelowej na danych rocznych dla województw

Silver nanoparticles augment releasing of pyrogenic factors by blood cells stimulated with LPS

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have cytotoxic properties via generation of reactive oxygen species which are involved in the generalized sickness behavior of the host including fever and lethargy among others. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of AgNPs on the ability of rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to release fever mediating factors after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Body temperature and motor activity of the Wistar rats were measured by biotelemetry system. Rat PBMCs were stimulated with LPS and after that, the cells were washed and incubated alone or with AgNPs. The final supernatants were injected intraperitoneally. The levels of endogenous pyrogens such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) released from the PBMCs into the final supernatants were also estimated. The results indicated that injection of the supernatants from the cells stimulated with LPS induced fever and inhibited motor activity. These effects were potentiated by the presence of AgNPs during the final incubation. The presence of the AgNPs also resulted in significant increases in levels of endogenous pyrogens. The augmentation of fever in the rats by the AgNPs treatment of the cultures seemed to be primarily associated with the changes in interleukin-1β levels

Polysaccharide peptide induces a tumor necrosis factor-α-dependent drop of body temperature in rats

Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) extracted from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom is frequently suggested as an adjunct to the chemo- or radiotherapy in cancer patients. It improves quality of the patients‟ life by decreasing pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. However, the effect of PSP on body temperature has not thus far been studied, although it is well known that treatment with other polysaccharide adjuvants, such as lipopolysaccharides, may induce fever. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the influence of PSP on temperature regulation in rats. We report that intraperitoneal injection of PSP provoked a dose-dependent decrease of temperature in male Wistar rats equipped with biotelemetry devices to monitor deep body temperature (Tb). The response was rapid (i.e., with latency of 15-20 minutes), transient (lasting up to 5 hours post-injection), and accompanied by a significant elevation of the blood tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) level. Pretreatment of the rats with anti-TNF-α antibody prevented the PSP-induced drop in Tb. Based on these data, we conclude that rats may develop an anapyrexia-like response to the injection of peptidopolysaccharide rather than fever, and the response was TNF-α-dependent

Polysaccharide peptide from Coriolus versicolor induces interleukin 6-related extension of endotoxin fever in rats

Purpose: Polysaccharide peptide (PSP) extracted from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom is frequently suggested as an adjunct to the chemo- or radiotherapy in cancer patients. In a previous study we showed that PSP induced a tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a)-dependent anapyrexia-like response in rats. Thus, PSP appears to be a factor which modifies a number of pathophysiological responses. Because of this, PSP is suggested as a potential adjuvant for cancer therapy during which cancer patients frequently contract microbial infections accompanied by fever. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether or not PSP can modulate the course of the fever in response to an antigen such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Materials and methods: Body temperature (Tb) of male Wistar rats was measured by biotelemetry. PSP was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 100mgkg 1, 2 h before LPS administration (50 mgkg 1, i.p.). The levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and TNF-a in the plasma of rats were estimated 3 h and 14 h post-injection of PSP using a standard sandwich ELISA kit. Results: We report that i.p. pre-injection of PSP 2 h before LPS administration expanded the duration of endotoxin fever in rats. This phenomenon was accompanied by a significant elevation of the blood IL-6 level of rats both 3 h and 14 h post-injection of PSP. Pre-treatment i.p. of the rats with anti-IL-6 antibody (30 mg/rat) prevented the PSP-induced prolongation of endotoxin fever. Conclusions: Based on these data, we conclude that PSP modifies the LPS-induced fever in IL-6-related fashion

RESONANT TUNNELLING IN DOUBLE-BARRIER HETEROSTRUCTURES WITH AN ACCUMULATION LAYER

Two modes of electron gas injection in resonant tunnelling through GaAs/AlGaAs double-barrier heterostructures were revealed while studying their current-voltage characteristics. Examining peculiarities of the characteristics within the temperature range 4-350 K and under a high magnetic field, we were able to distinguish the contribution to resonant tunnelling of ballistic electrons mjected from a three-dimensional electron gas in the emitter contact and that of electrons injected from a two-dimensional electron gas in the accumulation layer formed near the emitter barrier.

The interpretation of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity test depending of hemoglobin concentration

The carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) is among others dependent of the hemoglobin value. The result of DLCO test in patients with anemia change when we adjust DLCO for hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. The aim of the study was to estimate if the differences between result of DLCO and DLCO/VA before and after adjust the Hb value can change the interpretation of the test in the group with normal and low value of Hb. The study group consist of 25 patients with normal level of Hb (group A) and 21 ones with anemia (group B). All studied have been done spirometry, bodypletyzmografy and DLCO test. All tests were made on the SensorMedics. The DLCO test was made in the single breath diffusing capacity program Results. The values of the Hb in the group A were above 13g/dl for female and 14g/dl for man. In the group B the Hb value were less then 10g/dl. In the group A the middle Hb concentration was 14,49 &plusmn; 1,36g/dl. DLCO and DLCO/VA before and after Hb value adjusted were 91,4 &plusmn; 17,98 vs. 90,7 &plusmn; 17,58 % i 101,5 &plusmn; 19,46 vs. 100,7 &plusmn; 18,65% (p > 0,05) In the group B the middle Hb concentration was 8,77 &plusmn; 0,97g/dl. DLCO and DLCO/VA before and after Hb value adjusted were: 57,05 &plusmn; 17,55 vs.72,19 &plusmn; 25,27% i 67,57 &plusmn; 11,18 vs. 84,66 &plusmn; 14,62% (p < 0,05) Conclusions: 1.The were non statistically important change in the DLCO test results after consideration on Hb level in the studied group without anemia, so in the patients with normal level of Hb the DLCO test result doesn't change the interpretation of the test after the consideration on Hb concentration 2. In patients with anemia we shout adjust the Hb value to the DLCO test because the results with out this can completely change the interpretation of the test and clinical diagnosis

Maximal respiratory pressures and exercise tolerance in patients with COPD

Many authors reported respiratory muscle function impairment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Impaired respiratory muscle function may contribute exercise intolerance which is frequently observed in this disease. Aim of the study: was to determine the influence of respiratory muscle function on exercise capacity in patients with COPD. Methods: 23 patients with stable COPD aged 62.7 &plusmn; 9.3 years (6F, 17M; mean post-bronchodilator FEV1 = 47.9 &plusmn; 12.4% value predicted) participated in the study. Exercise capacity was assessed by the six-minute walk test and the incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill. Maximal respiratory pressures (PImax, PEmax) were evaluated before and directly after CPET. Results: The mean peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) was 27.2 &plusmn; 6.1 mlO2/min/kg and the mean distance walked during the 6MWT was 569.4 &plusmn; 101.7 m. Both PImax and PEmax decreased significantly after maximal exercise (71.4 &plusmn; 23.0 vs. 63.6 &plusmn; 22.2 cm H2O, p = 0.001 and 124.9 &plusmn; 46.5 vs 112.3 &plusmn; 46.6 cm H2O, p = 0.02 respectively). No correlation between VO2max and the 6-minute walk distance and the maximal respiratory pressures was found. We observed a negative correlation between the 6-minute walk distance and the difference between the pre- and post CPET maximal inspiratory pressure. Conclusions: respiratory muscle function is impaired in patients with COPD but this does not affect exercise performance. Exercise causes a decrease of the respiratory muscle strength

Real Time Animation of Virtual Humans: A Trade-off Between Naturalness and Control

Virtual humans are employed in many interactive applications using 3D virtual environments, including (serious) games. The motion of such virtual humans should look realistic (or ‘natural’) and allow interaction with the surroundings and other (virtual) humans. Current animation techniques differ in the trade-off they offer between motion naturalness and the control that can be exerted over the motion. We show mechanisms to parametrize, combine (on different body parts) and concatenate motions generated by different animation techniques. We discuss several aspects of motion naturalness and show how it can be evaluated. We conclude by showing the promise of combinations of different animation paradigms to enhance both naturalness and control