Influence of Scuba Diving on the Quality of Life of People with Physical Disabilities.

The aim of the study was to assess quality of life related to mental and physical health among divers and non-divers with physical disabilities. The examined group consisted of 240 disabled people (both genders). The SF-36 questionnaire (Short-Form Health Survey) was used to measure the overall sense of health-related quality of life. Moreover, the authors' survey was also used in the study. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the self-assessment of the quality of life (physical functioning, social functioning, mental health, and vitality) between the examined diving and non-diving groups. In other areas evaluated with the use of the SF-36 questionnaire, i.e., limitation in performing roles due to emotional problems and pain, limitations in performing roles due to physical health, a tendency to a higher rating was noticed in the group of divers. Scuba diving can improve various components of the life-quality of people with disabilities, and in general can be seen as a form of physical activity and rehabilitation for people with disabilities. However, it is necessary to conduct extensive research in this area.

Risk factors increasing health hazards after air dives.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia on the risk of decompression stress following hyperbaric air exposures. The study involved 55 male individuals aged 20-48 years (31.47 ± 5.49 years), body mass index 20.3-33.2 kg/m2 (25.5 ± 2.58 kg/m2). Blood was sampled two hours after a meal each participant had in accordance with individual dietary preferences to determine the following parameters: blood cell counts, activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine ammotransterase (ALT), concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides. After each hyperbaric exposure, the presence and intensity of decompression stress were assessed using the Doppler method. Decompression stress was found in 30 individuals. Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia increased the risk of decompression stress after hyperbaric air exposures.

Evaluation of two distinct cryoprotectants for cryopreservation of human red blood cell concentrates.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservaton of packed human red blood cells requires the use of cryoprotectants. OBJECTIVE: The study assessed physiological parameters of 40 RBC units frozen with either 40% glycerol or 6.7% HES. METHODS: After thawing, they were suspended in NaCl or in 6% HES. Tests of Hct, Hb, Na+ and K+ ions, ATP, 2,3-DPG, pH and erythrocyte stability were measured 30 minutes and 24 hours after thawing. RESULTS: Hct was lower after thawing but did not differ significantly between two groups. Hb was lower after thawing, but was statistically significant higher in the HES group (43.8 g/unit vs 35.4 g/unit). K+ concentration increased after thawing and was significantly higher after 24 hours in the glycerol group (29.0 mEq/l vs 8.7 mEq/l). ATP concentration in the HES group was significantly lower (2.15 micromol/g) in comparison with the glycerol group (6.30 micromol/g) 24 hours after thawing. 2,3-DPG levels did not differ significantly between the methods. Stability of RBCs frozen in glycerol were better (94.58%) than RBCs frozen in HES (80.75%) measured 24 hours after thawing. ATP is better protected in erythrocytes frozen in glycerol than in HES. CONCLUSION: Erythrocytes frozen with HES preserved more hemoglobin than with glycerol. Membrane permeability for Na+ and K+ ions was preserved better with HES. HES compared to glycerol offered better protection for erythrocytes.

Effectiveness evaluation for short-term group pre-deployment VR computer-assisted stress inoculation training provided to Polish ISAF soldiers.

The goal of this study was to assess effectiveness of a short collective stress inoculation training (SIT) conducted according to the methodology of the Virtual Reality Medical Center of San Diego (Training of Physiological Control Exposure to Virtual Stressor while Maintaining Physiological Control). The results obtained indicate a short-term effectiveness of the training as a method of tension reduction. However, in the long-term perspective these results are ambiguous and they suggest a need of further research. In order to extend the analysis effects of temperamental factors on training effectiveness was presented.

Accuracy of a remote quantitative image analysis in the whole slide images.

The rationale for choosing a remote quantitative method supporting a diagnostic decision requires some empirical studies and knowledge on scenarios including valid telepathology standards. The tumours of the central nervous system [CNS] are graded on the base of the morphological features and the Ki-67 labelling Index [Ki-67 LI]. Various methods have been applied for Ki-67 LI estimation. Recently we have introduced the Computerized Analysis of Medical Images [CAMI] software for an automated Ki-67 LI counting in the digital images. Aims of our study was to explore the accuracy and reliability of a remote assessment of Ki-67 LI with CAMI software applied to the whole slide images [WSI]. The WSI representing CNS tumours: 18 meningiomas and 10 oligodendrogliomas were stored on the server of the Warsaw University of Technology. The digital copies of entire glass slides were created automatically by the Aperio ScanScope CS with objective 20x or 40x. Aperio's Image Scope software provided functionality for a remote viewing of WSI. The Ki-67 LI assessment was carried on within 2 out of 20 selected fields of view (objective 40x) representing the highest labelling areas in each WSI. The Ki-67 LI counting was performed by 3 various methods: 1) the manual reading in the light microscope - LM, 2) the automated counting with CAMI software on the digital images - DI , and 3) the remote quantitation on the WSIs - as WSI method. The quality of WSIs and technical efficiency of the on-line system were analysed. The comparative statistical analysis was performed for the results obtained by 3 methods of Ki-67 LI counting. The preliminary analysis showed that in 18% of WSI the results of Ki-67 LI differed from those obtained in other 2 methods of counting when the quality of the glass slides was below the standard range. The results of our investigations indicate that the remote automated Ki-67 LI analysis performed with the CAMI algorithm on the whole slide images of meningiomas and oligodendrogliomas could be successfully used as an alternative method to the manual reading as well as to the digital images quantitation with CAMI software. According to our observation a need of a remote supervision/consultation and training for the effective use of remote quantitative analysis of WSI is necessary.