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The aim of this open-label study was to assess extracranial Doppler criteria of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in multiple sclerosis patients. Seventy patients were assessed: 49 with relapsing-remitting, 5 with primary progressive and 16 with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The patients were aged 15-58 years and they suffered from multiple sclerosis for 0.5-40 years. Sonographic signs of abnormal venous outflow were detected in 64 patients (91.4%). We found at least two of four extracranial criteria in 63 patients (90.0%), confirming that multiple sclerosis is stronghly associated with chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency. Additional transcranial investigations may increase the rate of patients found positive in our survey. Reflux in internal jugular and/or vertebral veins was present in 31 cases (42.8%), stenosis of internal jugular veins in 61 cases (87.1%), not detectable flow in internal jugular and/or vertebral veins in 37 cases (52.9%) and negative difference in cross-sectional area of the internal jugular vein assessed in the supine vs. sitting position in 28 cases (40.0%). Flow abnormalities in the vertebral veins were found in 8 patients (11.4%). Pathologic structures (membranaceous or netlike septa, or inverted valves) in the junction of internal jugular vein with brachiocephalic vein were found in 41 patients (58.6%), in 15 patients (21.4%) on one side only and in 26 patients (37.1%) bilaterally. Multiple sclerosis is highly correlated with chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency. These abnormalities in the extracranial veins draining the central nervous system can exist in various combinations. The most common pathology in our patients was the presence of an inverted valve or another pathologic structure (like membranaceous or netlike septum) in the area of junction of the IJV with the brachiocephalic vein.

Characterization measurements and modes of operation of a novel, dual-gas multi-jet target, developed for experiments on high-order harmonic generation, are presented. The target has been formed by pulsed injection of argon through a nozzle in a form of linearly oriented small orifices. The argon jets were separated with the helium jets formed by injection of helium through alternate orifices in the nozzle. The targets have been characterized by extreme ultraviolet backlighting at 13.5 nm wavelength. Density profiles for this type of targets have been obtained, to our knowledge, for the first time.

The results of formation of elongated krypton/helium plasma channels are presented. Two laser pulses were used: one to produce plasma channels and the second one for conversion to soft X rays. The soft X-ray radiation was in turn used for backlighting the channels and their visualization. The study of their formation and uniformity was performed using a combination of soft X-ray shadowgraphy and pinhole camera imaging. The plasma channels, with various lengths and various densities, were visualized and the results of their characterization are presented. Using moderate laser pulse energy quite uniform channels, up to 9 mm in length, were demonstrated.

BACKGROUND: Radioiodine therapy (RIT) in patients with large nontoxic multinodular goiter (MNG) recently becomes more common method in comparison to surgery (especially in elderly patients and with contraindications because of severe chronic diseases other systems). Repeatedly low thyroid radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) decreases effectiveness of RIT or makes it impossible. The recombinant human thyrotropin can increase RAIU and improve the results of RIT. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was to assess the influence of a single very low dose (0.03 mg) of rhTSH on RAIU and thyroid function in euthyroid (MNG-EU) and subclinical hyperthyroid (MNG-SC) patients with a large multinodular goiter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 40 patients (14 male, 26 female, age 57–80 yr) with large non-toxic MNG over 80 grams and with baseline RAIU < 40% were included into the double-blind randomized study and divided into two groups: rhTSH-group and control group. First group received the single intramuscular injection of 0.03 mg rhTSH and the second received placebo. The RAIU were measured 24 and 48 hours after the rhTSH and then all the patients were administered therapeutic doses of I-131. TSH and free thyroxine levels were measured at 1st and 2nd day after the injection of rhTSH and later, at 4 and 8 weeks after the RIT. RESULTS: The mean RAIU increased significantly from 30.44 ± 7.4% to 77.22 ± 8.7% (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in RAIU between euthyroid (MNG-EU) and subclinically hyperthyroid (MNG-SC) patients. The peak of serum TSH was noticed 24 hours after rhTSH injection and in MNG-EU patients it has remained within normal range, similarly as fT4. In the MNG-SC group the administration of rhTSH resulted in a significant increase in the TSH values after 24 hours, whose mean level slightly exceeded the upper limit of the normal range with normalization at 48 hours. 8 weeks after the RIT, the TSH and fT4 levels did not exceed the normal range and did not differ in a statistically significant way. CONCLUSIONS: Even the single very low dose of rhTSH increases the values of RAIU in significant way, in euthyroid and subclinically hyperthyroid patients. The administration of rhTSH is well-tolerated. Neoadjuvant administration of a low dose (0.03 mg) of rhTSH before I-131 seems to be an optimal method of management which may increase the effectiveness of RIT and decrease the exposure of the patients to absorbed doses of ionizing radiation.

The main thesis of the paper is that the big wave of strikes during July-September 1980 in Poland can be interpreted as an opposition of society against the etatist formula of the social life forced by the authorities. A general picture of etatism is presented in the first part of the paper. Also main organizational pillars of this formula (the Party, central and local administration, business organizations, co-operatives, trade unions, youth organizations, and mass media) are analyzed. Emphasis is given to the acceleration of the processes of organizational concentration and monopolization in the 1970s. The second part of the paper is devoted to the process of refusal of this formula by Polish society; from non-cooperation to active resistance. The third part is concerned with changes in State-controlled and Party-controlled organizations and with the process of self-organization of the society. All the above-mentioned organizations are taken into account.

A new laser-plasma EUV source dedicated for modification of polymer surfaces developed during the COST Action MP0601 Short Wavelength Laboratory Sources has been presented. The source is based on the double-stream gas-puff target approach and equipped with an axisymmetrical grazing incidence ellipsoidal mirror for EUV beam focusing. The source was designed and built under the EUREKA project E!3892 ModPolEUV in close cooperation with industrial partners (EKSPLA, Reflex, PREVAC). The source has been used successfully in investigations on modification of surfaces from various polymers and preliminary studies on the cultivation of biological cells on EUV modified polymer surfaces. The source should be useful in the research on biocompatibility control of polymer materials.

In this chapter the first demonstration of a desk-top EUV transmission microscopy at 13.8 nm, with a spatial (half-pitch) resolution as good as 50 nm in a very compact setup, is presented.

Managers in Poland are treated as executors of political and strategic decisions made by the Polish United Workers' Party (PUWP), or governmental authorities. The PUWP's influence on the functioning of the economy, and thus indirectly on its managers, has 2 levels: 1. It provides the basic directions for the functioning of business organizations. 2. It cooperates daily with business and political organizations. The managers of the industrial sector, and probably also the managers of other Polish business organizations, are primarily oriented toward economic and technical tasks. Orientation toward social issues and toward other people is considerably lower. Perhaps a solution might be to appoint nontechnically educated managers or those educated in economics, law, or administration since they tend to possess both a strong task orientation and a strong orientation toward people.