Association of Positive Bacterial Cultures Obtained from the Throat, Anus, Ear, Bronchi and Blood in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Premature Infants with Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity-Own Observations.

BACKGROUND: The causative factors responsible for the development of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) are still unexplored. Therefore, one of the most important factors can be perinatal inflammation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 114 premature infants (228 eyes) meeting a birth criteria of ≤ 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and a birth weight (BW) ≤ 1710. Examined Group (EG) n = 51 of BW 852.7 ± 255.7; GA 26.3 ± 2.0 with severe ROP treated by diode laser or anti-VEGF intravitreal injection. Control Group (CG) n = 63 of BW 1313.9 ± 284.5; GA 28.8 ± 1.6 without ROP. Microbiological bacterial and fungal cultures of the ear, anus, bronchial throat and blood were taken. Medical data and laboratory tests in correlation to 3 ROP and A-ROP were analysed. RESULTS: Positive bacterial tests dominated in EG, 47% vs. CG, 23%. Significant correlations between positive cultures obtained from natural cavities: anus (p < 0.001), throat (p = 0.002), as well as from blood (p = 0.001) and severe ROP which requires diode laser and anti-VEGF treatment were noted. Significant inflammation markers which correlate with the development of severe ROP are Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) (p = 0.002) and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) (p < 0.001). CoNS, p < 0.001; KP, p = 0.002; the remaining Maltophilia stenotrophomonas (MS); Staphylococcus aureus (SA), p = 0.005; and Enterobacter cloacae (EC), p = 0.02 were the most frequent bacteria in severe ROP. High levels of white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), lymphocytes (LYM) and low thrombocytes (PLT) correlated sequentially with (Odds Ratio, OR) CoNS (2.3); MS (5.9); KP (3.1); and all positive cultures (APC) (9.5). An important correlation between the BPD-EC (4.3); intrauterine inflammation-KP (3.4); PDA-EC (3.9); and asphyxia-CoNS (3.0) was identified. CONCLUSIONS: It cannot be ruled out that positive microbiological results of blood, anal and pharyngeal cultures may become prognostic markers for the early development of ROP, which would enable early initiation of ophthalmological treatment in premature infants from the VLBW group.

Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Serine Protein Kinase (CASK) Gene Polymorphisms in Pigeons.

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) is an multidomain protein involved in tissue development and cell signalling. In skeletal muscle, it is involved in the development of neuromuscular junctions. The participation of a pigeon in racing is a great physical effort that causes many changes in the skeletal muscles. Thus, the purpose of the study was to detect the nucleotide sequence variability in the calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine kinase (CASK) gene in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and assess the potential impact of DNA polymorphisms on the flight performance of pigeons. The research included a total of 517 individuals. DNA was extracted from the blood. A DNA fragment from nucleotides 8689 to 9049 of the CASK (NW_004973256.1 sequence) of six unrelated pigeons were sequenced. One of the detected polymorphic sites (g.8893G > A), located a very close to the start codon, was selected for genotyping in all individuals. The association studies included a total of 311 young homing pigeons that participated in racing competitions. The homing pigeons showed higher frequencies of the AA genotype than non-homing ones (p < 0.05). In rock pigeons only the GG genotype was found. Further research could confirm the functionality of the CASK g.8893G > A SNP in shaping the racing phenotype of pigeons, and the AA genotype could be useful as a selection criterion in pigeon breeding.

Classification of Daily Body Weight Gains in Beef Calves Using Decision Trees, Artificial Neural Networks, and Logistic Regression.

The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive performance of decision trees, artificial neural networks, and logistic regression used for the classification of daily body weight gains in beef calves. A total of 680 pure-breed Simmental and 373 Limousin cows from the largest farm in the West Pomeranian Province, whose calves were fattened between 2014 and 2016, were included in the study. Pre-weaning daily body weight gains were divided into two categories: A-equal to or lower than the weighted mean for each breed and sex and B-higher than the mean. Models were developed separately for each breed. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve on a test set for the best model (random forest) were 0.83, 0.67, 0.76, and 0.82 and 0.68, 0.86, 0.78, and 0.81 for the Limousin and Simmental breeds, respectively. The most important predictors were daily weight gains of the dam when she was a calf, daily weight gains of the first calf, sex of the third calf, milk yield at first lactation, birth weight of the third calf, dam birth weight, dam hip height, and second calving season. The selected machine learning models can be used quite effectively for the classification of calves based on their daily weight gains.

Estimation of Dairy Cow Survival in the First Three Lactations for Different Culling Reasons Using the Kaplan-Meier Method.

The aims of the study were: (i) to compare survival curves for cows culled for different reasons over three successive lactations using the Kaplan-Meier estimator; (ii) to determine the effects of breeding documentation parameters on cow survival; (iii) to investigate the similarity between culling categories. The survival times for a subset of 347,939 Holstein-Friesian cows culled between 2017 and 2018 in Poland were expressed in months from calving to culling or the end of lactation. The survival tables were constructed for each culling category and lactation number. The survival curves were also compared. The main culling categories were reproductive disorders-40%, udder diseases-13 to 15%, and locomotor system diseases-above 10%. The survival curves for cows from individual culling categories had similar shapes. A low probability of survival curves for metabolic and digestive system diseases and respiratory diseases was observed in each of the three lactations. The contagious disease category was almost non-existent in the first lactation. The greatest influence on the relative culling risk was exerted by age at first calving, lactation length, calving interval, production subindex, breeding value for longevity, temperament, and average daily milk yield. A more accurate method of determining culling reasons would be required.

An analysis of the annual mobility of Polish Konik horses depending on habitat, season, and time of the day.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the mobility of Polish Konik horses in their natural environment. The study was conducted on a herd of 15 Polish Konik horses in 2018. The Global Positioning System (GPS) transmitter was used to track the horses' movements. Two habitats (forest and meadows), four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, and summer), and four times of the day (morning, midday, evening, and night) were distinguished. Season, habitat, and time of the day as well as the interaction among them significantly ( p < 0.0001 ) affected the mobility of Polish Konik horses. The use of the GPS device enabled tracking of horses' mobility also at night, which made the results more complete compared with other similar studies.

The Use of Artificial Neural Networks and a General Discriminant Analysis for Predicting Culling Reasons in Holstein-Friesian Cows Based on First-Lactation Performance Records.

The aim of the present study was to verify whether artificial neural networks (ANN) may be an effective tool for predicting the culling reasons in cows based on routinely collected first-lactation records. Data on Holstein-Friesian cows culled in Poland between 2017 and 2018 were used in the present study. A general discriminant analysis (GDA) was applied as a reference method for ANN. Considering all predictive performance measures, ANN were the most effective in predicting the culling of cows due to old age (99.76-99.88% of correctly classified cases). In addition, a very high correct classification rate (99.24-99.98%) was obtained for culling the animals due to reproductive problems. It is significant because infertility is one of the conditions that are the most difficult to eliminate in dairy herds. The correct classification rate for individual culling reasons obtained with GDA (0.00-97.63%) was, in general, lower than that for multilayer perceptrons (MLP). The obtained results indicated that, in order to effectively predict the previously mentioned culling reasons, the following first-lactation parameters should be used: calving age, calving difficulty, and the characteristics of the lactation curve based on Wood's model parameters.

Lactation milk yield prediction in primiparous cows on a farm using the seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving average model, nonlinear autoregressive exogenous artificial neural networks and Wood's model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of three approaches (the seasonal auto-regressive integrated moving average [SARIMA] model, the nonlinear autoregressive exogenous [NARX] artificial neural networks and Wood's model) to the prediction of milk yield during lactation. METHODS: The dataset comprised monthly test-day records from 965 Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White primiparous cows. The milk yields from cows in their first lactation (from 5 to 305 days in milk) were used. Each lactation was divided into ten lactation stages of approximately 30 days. Two age groups and four calving seasons were distinguished. The records collected between 2009 and 2015 were used for model fitting and those from 2016 for the verification of predictive performance. RESULTS: No significant differences between the predicted and the real values were found. The predictions generated by SARIMA were slightly more accurate, although they did not differ significantly from those produced by the NARX and Wood's models. SARIMA had a slightly better performance, especially in the initial periods, whereas the NARX and Wood's models in the later ones. CONCLUSION: The use of SARIMA was more time-consuming than that of NARX and Wood's model. The application of the SARIMA, NARX and Wood's models (after their implementation in a user-friendly software) may allow farmers to estimate milk yield of cows that begin production for the first time.

Neuroticism Level and Life Satisfaction in Women Undergoing Breast Augmentation Surgery (a Preliminary Report).

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between the level of neuroticism and selected aspects of life satisfaction in women undergoing breast augmentation surgery. METHODS: The study group included 109 women, aged 18-46 years, who completed the self-developed survey measuring selected psychological traits before and after (1 year) surgery. Four questions in this survey were related to the level of neuroticism and two pertained to the self-assessment of leading character traits and the level of life satisfaction. Three questions made up the lie scale. RESULTS: The studied women were constant in their truthfulness. No statistically significant difference in the level of neuroticism before and after surgery was noticed. However, an increase in the subjective life satisfaction after surgery was highly significant (p < 0.001). Statistically significant negative correlations of neuroticism level with the self-assessment of positive character traits (rs = - 0.236; p = 0.013) and life satisfaction (rs = - 0.277; p = 0.004) were found before surgery. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between neuroticism and the change in life satisfaction 1 year after surgery (rs = 0.302; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Breast augmentation surgery did not affect neuroticism level, which proves that constitutional personality traits in women undergoing such operations are not significantly influenced by a surgical intervention. However, neuroticism may play the role of a modulator of the psychological changes in women after breast augmentation (e.g., an increased postsurgical life satisfaction). The preliminary results obtained in our study should be confirmed on a larger sample size in the future. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The use of data mining methods for dystocia detection in Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cattle.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the usefulness of artificial neural networks (ANN), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), naïve Bayes classifier (NBC), general discriminant analysis (GDA), and logistic regression (LR) for dystocia detection in Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White heifers and cows and to indicate the most influential predictors of calving difficulty. METHODS: A total of 1,342 and 1,699 calving records including six categorical and four continuous predictors were used. Calving category (difficult vs easy or difficult, moderate and easy) was the dependent variable. RESULTS: The maximum sensitivity, specificity and accuracy achieved for heifers on the independent test set were 0.855 (for ANN), 0.969 (for NBC), and 0.813 (for GDA), respectively, whereas the values for cows were 0.600 (for ANN), 1.000 and 0.965 (for NBC, GDA, and LR), respectively. With the three categories of calving difficulty, the maximum overall accuracy for heifers and cows was 0.589 (for MARS) and 0.649 (for ANN), respectively. The most influential predictors for heifers were an average calving difficulty score for the dam's sire, calving age and the mean yield of the farm, where the heifer was kept, whereas for cows, these additionally included: calf sex, the difficulty of the preceding calving, and the mean daily milk yield for the preceding lactation. CONCLUSION: The potential application of the investigated models in dairy cattle farming requires, however, their further improvement in order to reduce the rate of dystocia misdiagnosis and to increase detection reliability.

Comparison between data mining methods to assess calving difficulty in cattle / Comparación entre métodos de minería de datos para evaluar la dificultad al parto en ganado / Comparação entre métodos de mineração de dados para avaliar a dificuldade no parto em bovinos

Abstract Background: Dystocia in cattle results in adverse consequences (increased calf morbidity and mortality, decreased fertility, and milk production, lower cow survival and reduced welfare) leading to considerable economic losses. Objective: To classify calvings in dairy cattle according to their difficulty using selected data mining methods (classification and regression trees (CART), chi-square automatic interaction detection trees (CHAID) and quick, unbiased, efficient, statistical trees (QUEST)), and to identify the most significant factors affecting calving difficulty. The results of data mining methods were compared with those of a more traditional generalized linear model (GLM). Methods: A total of 1,342 calving records of Polish Holstein- Friesian black-and-white heifers from four farms were used. Calving difficulty was divided into three categories (easy, moderate and difficult). Results: The percentages of calvings correctly classified by CART, CHAID, QUEST, and GLM were as follows: 35.14, 18.92, 19.82, and 43.24% (easy), 68.70, 73.91, 81.74, and 41.74% (moderate), and 77.27, 85.45, 73.64, and 81.82% (difficult), respectively. The most important factors affecting calving difficulty were bull's rank (based on the mean calving difficulty score of its daughters), calving age, farm category (based on its mean milk yield) and calving season. Conclusion: All classification models were satisfactory and could predict the class of calving difficulty.

Resumen Antecedentes: La distocia en el ganado resulta en consecuencias adversas (elevadas morbilidad y mortalidad de terneros, reducida fertilidad y producción de leche, menor supervivencia y bienestar de las vacas) que conllevan a pérdidas económicas considerables. Objetivo: Clasificar los partos del ganado lechero en función de su grado de dificultad a través de métodos seleccionados de minería de datos (árboles de clasificación y de regresión (CART), detección automática de interacción chi-cuadrado (CHAID) y árboles estadísticos no sesgados y eficientes (QUEST)) e identificar los factores más característicos de dificultad al parto. Los resultados de los métodos de minería de datos se compararon con los del modelo lineal generalizado tradicional (GLM). Métodos: Se utilizaron 1.342 registros de parto de novillas de raza polaca Holstein-Friesian blanca y negra de cuatro explotaciones lecheras. La dificultad de parto del ganado se dividió en tres categorías (fácil, moderado y difícil). Resultados: El porcentaje de partos correctamente clasificados por CART, CHAID, QUEST y GLM fue 35,14, 18,92, 19,82 y 43,24% (fácil), 68,70, 73,91, 81,74 y 41,74% (moderado), y 77,27, 85,45, 73,64 y 81,82% (difícil), respectivamente. Los factores más importantes de dificultad de parto fueron el rango de toro (determinado sobre la base de dificultad media de los partos de sus hijas), la edad al parto, la categoría de las fincas (sobre la base del rendimiento medio de leche) y la temporada de parto. Conclusión: Todos los modelos de clasificación se caracterizaron como satisfactorios y podrían predecir la clase de dificultad al parto.

Resumo Antecedentes: A distócia em bovinos resulta em consequências adversas (aumento da morbidade e mortalidade dos bezerros, diminuição da fertilidade e da produção de leite, baixa sobrevivência da vaca e redução do bem-estar) levando a consideráveis perdas econômicas. Objetivo: Classificar os partos do gado leiteiro segundo o seu grau de dificuldade através dos métodos selecionados de data mining (árvores de classificação e regressão (CART), detecção automática de interação chi-quadrado (CHAID) e ârvores estatísticas eficientes e rápidas e imparciais (QUEST)) e identificar os fatores mais importantes para a dificuldade nos partos. Os resultados dos métodos de data mining foram comparados com os resultados do modelo lineal generalizado (GLM) mais convencional. Métodos: Foram utilizados 1.342 registos de partos de novilhas da raça polaca Holstein-Frísia branca e preta de quatro fazendas. A dificuldade em um parto foi dividida em três categorias (fácil, média, difícil). Resultados: A percentagem de partos corretamente classificados através de CART, CHAID, QUEST e GLM foram de 35,14, 18,92, 19,82 e 43,24% (fácil), 68,70, 73,91, 81,74 e 41,74% (média) e 77,27, 85,45, 73,64 e 81,82% (difícil), respetivamente. Os fatores mais importantes de dificuldade no parto foram a classificação do touro (determinada com base na dificuldade média nos partos de suas filhas), a idade no momento de parto, a categoria de exploração leiteira (com base no rendimento médio de leite) e a temporada de parto. Conclusão: Todos os modelos de classificação destacaram-se por sua qualidade satisfatória e foram capazes de prever a categoria de dificuldade de um parto.

The use of selected statistical methods and Kohonen networks in the revision and redescription of parasites

Revisions and redescriptions of species and higher taxa have been known in parasitology since the first description of a parasite. Usually, they are based on standard morphometric methods or more modern genetic analysis. The former are not always sufficiently reliable, while the latter often require expensive equipment, pre-defined genetic markers, and appropriately prepared research material. They may be replaced by multivariate statistical methods, in particular discriminant analysis and cluster analysis, and Kohonen artificial neural networks included in data mining. This paper presents the examples of specific applications of these methods for the verification of the affinity of nematodes. The discriminant analysis showed that it was possible to statistically significantly discriminate individual nematode species, both for males and females, based on morphometric variables. This confirmed the previously assumed division of the species complex Amidostomum acutum into three distinct species. Similarly, hierarchical cluster analysis, used for the determination of coherent groups of nematode parasites, allowed the identification of relatively homogeneous clusters of nematode species depending on their circle of hosts, and groups of hosts.

The role of lipid dysregulation and vascular risk factors in glaucomatous retrobulbar circulation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate selected lipid-related and vascular factors and their effect on retrobulbar hemodynamics in glaucoma. Fifty-six patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) [POAG group; mean age 68.32 years (SD±0.21)] and 54 patients in control group [CG, mean age 68.1 years (SD±5.34)] were examined. Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity, pulsatility index, and resistive index of the ophthalmic artery, the central retinal artery and the posterior ciliary arteries were measured by Color Doppler Imaging. Selected lipid-related, systemic and local vascular parameters were evaluated. Statistical methods included Shapiro-Wilk, Student-t and Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman rank correlations. In POAG group systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial blood pressure, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-ch), and intraocular pressure were significantly higher; while ocular perfusion pressure, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-ch) and diastolic ocular perfusion pressure were significantly lower (p≤0.05). Color Doppler Imaging confirmed blood flow abnormalities in all investigated arteries. In addition, significant correlations of HDL-ch, LDL-ch and triglycerides (TG) with peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and mean velocity were found in individual arteries (p≤0.05). Also, significant associations of systolic arterial blood pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, systolic oclular perfusion pressure and diastolic ocular perfusion pressure with peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity and resistive index were revealed in the posterior ciliary arteries (p≤0.05). Dysregulation of lipid-related and vascular factors, as well as statistical correlation between the above and retrobulbar blood flow indices, might imply their role in vasoconstrictive processes during glaucomatous endotheliopathy.

Quality of life in patients with venous stasis ulcers and others with advanced venous insufficiency.

The quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced venous insufficiency (including venous stasis ulcers, skin discoloration, stasis eczema, and lipodermatosclerosis) assessed using the Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathophysiological (CEAP) and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) classifications is presented. Also, disease features such as: intensity of pain, edema and inflammatory response that exerted the most profound effect on different domains of QoL are reported. The global QoL in patients with lower leg venous ulcerations was relatively similar to that observed in other patients with chronic venous insufficiency. The presence of venous ulcerations was associated with lower QoL in a Physical domain. Significant correlations were found between pain intensity and the values of Physical, Physiological, Level of Independence and Environmental domains, between edema intensity and Social domain as well as between the intensity of inflammatory response and Physical and Spiritual domains.

Parameters characterizing age-dependent retrobulbar circulation in healthy subjects measured by color Doppler ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze age-related effects influencing retrobulbar blood flow parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled healthy volunteers (162 eyes) with a mean age of 49.64 years (SD ± 17.50). Participants were divided into 5 groups (G1-G5) based on 12-year age spans (means from 25.41 to 73.87 years). Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (MV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of the ophthalmic (OA), central retinal (CRA) and posterior ciliary arteries (PCAs) were measured by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). In addition, systemic blood pressure (BP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Levene's, Spjotvoll-Stoline and analysis of variance tests (p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant). RESULTS: In the oldest group, significantly lower PSV, EDV in the CRA and PCAs as well as MV in the CRA were confirmed. Significantly increased RI in the OA, CRA and PCAs in regard to age was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: CDU has considerable potential for evaluating hemodynamic changes in the retrobulbar circulation in relation to age. Age laboratory standards for a specific CDU device should be established for further analyses of blood flow in ocular diseases of vascular origin.

Recording and Analysis of Bowel Sounds.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to construct an electronic bowel sound recording system and determine its usefulness for the diagnosis of appendicitis, mechanical ileus and diffuse peritonitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 67 subjects aged 17 to 88 years including 15 controls was examined. Bowel sounds were recorded using an electret microphone placed on the right side of the hypogastrium and connected to a laptop computer. The method of adjustable grids (converted into binary matrices) was used for bowel sounds analysis. RESULTS: Significantly, fewer (p ≤ 0.05) sounds were found in the mechanical ileus (1004.4) and diffuse peritonitis (466.3) groups than in the controls (2179.3). After superimposing adjustable binary matrices on combined sounds (interval between sounds <0.01 s), significant relationships (p ≤ 0.05) were found between particular positions in the matrices (row-column) and the patient groups. These included the A1_T1 and A1_T2 positions and mechanical ileus as well as the A1_T2 and A1_T4 positions and appendicitis. For diffuse peritonitis, significant positions were A5_T4 and A1_T4. CONCLUSION: Differences were noted in the number of sounds and binary matrices in the groups of patients with acute abdominal diseases. Certain features of bowel sounds characteristic of individual abdominal diseases were indicated. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS: BS: bowel sound; APP: appendicitis; IL: mechanical ileus; PE: diffuse peritonitis; CG: control group; NSI: number of sound impulses; NCI: number of combined sound impulses; MBS: mean bit-similarity; TMIN: minimum time between impulses; TMAX: maximum time between impulses; TMEAN: mean time between impulses. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Zaborski D, Halczak M, Grzesiak W, Modrzejewski A. Recording and Analysis of Bowel Sounds. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2015;5(2):67-73.

Relationship between Initial Lens Transparency and Ocular Circulation in Adolescents with Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus, Unstable Glycaemia and Lipid Parameters.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between lens opacity, vascular and lipid factors and retrobulbar blood flow parameters in type-1 diabetic (DM) adolescents. MATERIAL/METHODS: Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TCH), high- and low-density cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were determined in 28 patients with (DM-1) and without (DM-0) lens opacity and 18 controls. In the ophthalmic, central retinal (CRA) and temporal posterior ciliary (TPCA) arteries, the systolic (PSV), end-diastolic and mean blood flow velocities as well as pulsatility and resistance (RI) indices were measured. RESULTS: Ten (35.71%) diabetic patients exhibited lens opacification. Higher TG and TCH levels in the DM-1 group and HbA1c level in the DM-0 and DM-1 groups were observed (P≤0.05). Diabetic patients had lower PSV and higher RI within CRA and TPCA (P≤0.05). Significant correlations between biochemical and blood flow parameters were found. CONCLUSIONS: Glycaemic and lipid factors may play a vasoconstrictive role in retrobulbar endotheliopathy.

Temperature changes in selected areas of body surface induced by systemic cryostimulation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and dynamics of temperature changes on the surface of selected body parts after systemic cryostimulation. The changes that occurred as a reaction to the 1st, 5th, and 10th session of a series of 10 sessions were also analyzed. METHODS: The study group consisted of 24 students (12 women and 12 men, ∼21 yr of age) from the University School of Physical Education in Krakow. They were treated in a cryogenic chamber at the Rehabilitation Center in Krakow once daily for 10 d. The mean temperature in the chamber was -130°C ± 10°C and the session duration was 3 min. Thermovisual examination of temperature distribution in the selected parts of the upper and lower extremities was conducted before and immediately after a session on the 1(st) (S1), 5(th) (S2), and 10(th) (S3) day of treatment. All thermograms were digitally recorded using a Flir Therma CAM TM Sc500 camera. RESULTS: On the 5th day of treatment, the examined group demonstrated the smallest mean temperature changes (4.57°C-17.31°C for the anterior part of the upper extremities in men and the posterior part of the lower extremities in women, respectively) before and after cryostimulation. The most significant temperature changes were observed in the group of women (6.80°C-20.08°C for the posterior parts of the upper extremities on S2 and the lower extremities on S3, respectively). CONCLUSION: There is an important difference in response to cryogenic temperature between men and women in a series.

Physical attractiveness and self-assessment before and after breast augmentation.

BACKGROUND: This study verifies selected opinions on breast cosmetic surgery in the population of Polish women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 78 women aged 20 to 48 years were surveyed between 2008 and 2010 before and after breast augmentation surgery using a questionnaire. The χ and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used for statistical analysis. Most were married and single women aged approximately 30 years and residents of large cities. RESULTS: The significance of professional success in the hierarchy of values and the level of self-assessment increased after surgery (P = 0.0000 and 0.0213, respectively). The distribution of responses concerning the expectations of surgery and the evaluation of their fulfillment changed significantly (P = 0.0031). In general, the satisfaction with one's life after surgery also increased (P = 0.0000). CONCLUSIONS: A well-thought-out decision on breast cosmetic surgery positively affects at least several spheres of psychosocial functioning and fulfills most women's expectations.

Migration of a foreign body into the colon and its autonomous excretion.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of foreign body retention in the abdominal cavity ranges from 1 in 100 to 1 in 3000 surgeries performed. Worldwide literature describes only a few cases of the migration of misplaced surgical gauze into the colon. CASE REPORTS: The first case is a 60-year-old patient following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, who excreted (on his own) a cotton sheet 30 × 65 cm after 26 weeks, which did not possess a radiological locator. The latter fact caused diagnostic difficulties in interpreting ultrasonography, CT-scans and abdominal X-rays. Colonoscopy after 4 months following the excretion of the sheet showed flat, stretched ulceration of the colonic wall near the hepatic turn. The second case is a 76-year-old who had undergone several abdominal surgeries, including a classical cholecystectomy and extirpation of the uterus along with related tissues, as a result of cancer and with subsequent radiotherapy. The reason for the last intervention was an occlusion, which required a resection due to abscesses inside the peritoneal cavity. Abdominal pain continued after the surgery. Uroscopy and abdominal X-rays were performed 3 months later, which confirmed the presence of foreign matter in the abdominal cavity. CONCLUSIONS: Most foreign objects that have migrated into the colon will be excreted autonomously, which warrants a conservative assessment. Radiologically-tagged materials should be used, which will greatly ease identification in cases of suspected retention of surgical materials in the abdominal cavity.

Revision of the species complex Amidostomum acutum (Lundahl, 1848) (Nematoda: Amidostomatidae).

Most available literature indicates that the most dominant nematode in Anatinae is a cosmopolitan species Amidostomum acutum (Lundahl, 1848). However, studies on wild duck helminthofauna in northwestern Poland suggest that these birds are attacked by not one but three different parasite species, previously described as a single species. Hence the aim of this study was the redescription of the species complex Amidostomum acutum, conducted on a representative sample of parasites and their hosts. The study material consisted of 6,430 nematode individuals, isolated from the digestive tracts of 1,005 wild ducks, representing 17 species. Unsupervised classification was performed using a Kohonen artificial neural network. The analysis confirmed the division of nematodes into three groups corresponding to three species, both for males and females. Taking into account the qualitative characteristics of the parasites, one can 100% accurately identify these species. The three groups of parasites were also significantly different in their ecology, manifested in their distinct host specificity.