The Multi-Biomarker Approach for Heart Failure in Patients with Hypertension

We assessed the predictive ability of selected biomarkers using N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as the benchmark and tried to establish a multi-biomarker approach to heart failure (HF) in hypertensive patients. In 120 hypertensive patients with or without overt heart failure, the incremental predictive value of the following biomarkers was investigated: Collagen III N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP), cystatin C (CysC), lipocalin-2/NGAL, syndecan-4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 receptor type I (IL1R1), galectin-3, cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). The highest discriminative value for HF was observed for NT-proBNP (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.873) and TGF-β (AUC = 0.878). On the basis of ROC curve analysis we found that CT-1 > 152 pg/mL, TGF-β 2.3 ng/mL, NT-proBNP > 332.5 pg/mL, CysC > 1 mg/L and NGAL > 39.9 ng/mL were significant predictors of overt HF. There was only a small improvement in predictive ability of the multi-biomarker panel including the four biomarkers with the best performance in the detection of HF—NT-proBNP, TGF-β, CT-1, CysC—compared to the panel with NT-proBNP, TGF-β and CT-1 only. Biomarkers with different pathophysiological backgrounds (NT-proBNP, TGF-β, CT-1, CysC) give additive prognostic value for incident HF in hypertensive patients compared to NT-proBNP alone.The study was financed by JUVENTUS PLUS grant 2012 (No. IP2011003271) of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW) and research grant of Medical University in Lodz and MNiSW No. 502-03/5-139-02/502-54-008

Public Emergency Threatening the Life of the Nation

The paper is an English translation of Niebezpieczeństwo publiczne, które zagraża życiu narodu by Anna Michalska, published originally in Polish in Prawa człowieka w sytuacjach nadzwyczajnych, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem prawa i praktyki polskiej in 1997. The text is published as a part of a jubilee edition of the “Adam Mickiewicz University Law Review. 100th Anniversary of the Department of Public International Law” devoted to the achievements of the representatives of the Poznań studies on international law.The paper is an English translation of Niebezpieczeństwo publiczne, które zagraża życiu narodu by Anna Michalska, published originally in Polish in Prawa człowieka w sytuacjach nadzwyczajnych, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem prawa i praktyki polskiej in 1997. The text is published as a part of a jubilee edition of the “Adam Mickiewicz University Law Review. 100th Anniversary of the Department of Public International Law” devoted to the achievements of the representatives of the Poznań studies on international law

Ocena rozwoju kapitału społecznego na obszarach wiejskich

Celem pracy jest przedstawienie wyników badań dotyczących oceny rozwoju kapitału społecznego na obszarach wiejskich. Analiza uzyskanych danych wskazuje powody wzięcia udziału w programach aktywizacji osób bezrobotnych, rodzaje wybieranych form aktywizacji, poziom satysfakcji z udziału w wybranych formach i rezultaty aktywizacji osób bezrobotnych w postaci znalezienia pracy

The Autonomy of Treaty Terms

The paper is an English translation of Autonomiczność pojęć traktatowych by Anna Michalska published originally in Polish in “Toruński Rocznik Praw Człowieka i Pokoju” in 1993. The text is published as a part of a jubilee edition of the “Adam Mickiewicz University Law Review. 100th Anniversary of the Faculty of Law and Administration” devoted to the achievements of the late Professors of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań

Thomas Kuhn, Stefan Amsterdamski i cykle rozwoju nauki

In his most seminal work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas S. Kuhn advances a notion that science is embedded in historically contingent constellations of practices and ideas. In this view, history is part and parcel of science. Science develops by transforming that, which it emerges from – a theme later picked up by Polish philosopher of science, Stefan Amsterdamski. Kuhn also noticed important parallels between psychological and historical development. These insights have led him to the conclusion that what scientists do and what the science does are two different things. Scientific development is discontinuous in the sense that it cannot be measured by any external standard. Science is therefore its own judge. This paper identifies critical shortcomings of Kuhn’s theory of psychological development, which most affect his vision of scientific development. Subsequently, the problem of development is recast in terms of dynamic system theory or embodied cognition. The ensuing insights are organized into a cyclical model, with two main trajectories: one creative, the other generative. It is argued that the cyclical approach permits to overcome the dualisms, which plagued Kuhn’s original account (engagement versus criticism, creativity versus rule-following, etc.) and to further develop Amsterdamski’s idea that absent universal norms or standards, criticism and rationality are nonetheless possible.W swoim najsłynniejszym dziele, „Strukturze Rewolucji Naukowych”, Thomas S. Kuhn rozwija myśl, iż nauka jest zakorzeniona w historycznie przygodnej praktyk oraz idei. Historia jest tym samym częścią nauki. Nauka rozwija się, przekształcając to, co zastane, którą to myśl podjął również polski filozof, Stefan Amsterdamski. Kuhn dostrzegł również paralelność rozwoju nauki oraz poznania jednostkowego, co doprowadziło go do przekonania, iż istnieje różnica między tym, co naukowcy robią, a tym co „robi” sama nauka. Rozwój nauki jest nieciągły w tym sensie, iż nie może być mierzony żadną zewnętrzną wobec nauki miarą; tym samym, nauka jest sama dla siebie sędzią. W prezentowanym artykule identyfikuję podstawowe błędy w przyjętej przez Kuhna teorii rozwoju psychologicznego poznania, które najbardziej rzutują na jego wizję rozwoju nauki. Następnie rekonstruuję problem doświadczenia i rozwoju w kategoriach teorii systemów dynamicznych oraz poznania ucieleśnionego. Spostrzeżenia te organizuję za pomocą cyklicznego modelu rozwoju nauki, wyróżniając dwie podstawowe fazy: kreatywną i generatywną. Podejście cykliczne pozwala na przekroczenie dualizmów obecnych w koncepcji Kuhna (zaangażowanie versus krytycyzm, kreatywność versus przestrzeganie reguł.) a także na dalsze rozwinięcie spostrzeżenia Amsterdamskiego, iż krytycyzm jest możliwy mimo niedostępności uniwersalnych standardów oceny

Emotional and Motivational School Readiness of Six-Year-Old Children and Parental Support in Mothers’ Assessments

The aim of the research was to determine the readiness of 6-year-old children to start school education, especially the emotional and motivational readiness and the level of support for this readiness in the assessment of mothers. 131 mothers of 63 girls and 68 boys participated inthe research. Three proprietary research methods were used: the Child’s Emotional and Motivational Readiness Questionnaire for the Parent, the Parent’s Child’s School Readiness Assessment Questionnaire – version 3 and the Parent’s Questionnaire for Supporting the Child’sEmotional and Motivational Readiness. Both the level of school readiness of children and the level of support were assessed by the surveyed mothers as high. Numerous positive correlations were observed between the manifestations of school readiness and the manifestationsof mothers’ support. Supporting the development of the child’s autonomy and independence turned out to be the predictor of the child’s emotional and motivational readiness

Assessment of Tourism Development in Belarus: A Comprehensive Analysis of Infrastructure, Cultural Heritage and Natural Resources

Background: Tourism development is a significant factor in socio-economic growth, particularly in countries undergoing transition. Belarus, with its rich cultural heritage and natural resources, presents an interesting case study for analyzing tourism development patterns and challenges. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate tourism development in Belarus during 2010-2023, focusing on infrastructure quality, cultural heritage utilization, and natural resource management. The research examines key factors influencing tourism development and assesses their relative impact on the sector's growth. Materials and methods: The study employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing a quantitative survey (n=100) of local stakeholders across six regions of Belarus. The research instrument included 17 structured questions measuring perceptions of tourism development across multiple dimensions. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square tests and Cramér's V coefficient to determine statistical significance and relationship strength. Results: The findings indicate moderate tourism development in Belarus (39% rated it as average, 42% as high). Infrastructure quality shows significant regional variation (χ2(4)=31.50, p<0.001, V=0.56). Cultural heritage emerged as a primary attraction (72% agreement), while natural resources received varied evaluations (57% highlighting landscape value). Key development barriers identified include visa restrictions (74% of respondents), insufficient marketing (62%), and underdeveloped transport infrastructure (51%). Conclusions: The study reveals that Belarus's tourism development exhibits a complex pattern of strengths and challenges. While the country possesses significant potential through its cultural heritage and natural resources, its tourism development is constrained by structural barriers. The findings suggest that future tourism growth requires systematic infrastructure modernization, reform of visa policies, and development of comprehensive marketing strategies