Explore the vast range of titles available.

The iontophoresis delivery of insulin (INS) remains a serious challenge due to the low permeability of the drug through the skin. This work aims to investigate the potential of water-soluble polypyrrole nanoparticles (WS-PPyNPs) as a drug donor matrix for controlled transdermal iontophoresis of INS. WS-PPyNPs have been prepared via a simple chemical polymerization in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as both dopant and the stabilizing agent. The synthesis of the soluble polymer was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR) spectroscopy. The loading mechanism of INS onto the WS-PPyNPs is based on the fact that the drug molecules can be replaced with doped dodecyl sulfate. A two-compartment Franz-type diffusion cell was employed to study the effect of current density, formulation pH, INS concentration, and sodium chloride concentration on anodal iontophoresis (AIP) and cathodal iontophoresis (CIP) of INS across the rat skin. Both AIP and CIP delivery of INS using WS-PPyNPs were significantly increased compared to passive delivery. Furthermore, while the AIP experiment (60 min at 0.13 mA cm–2) show low cumulative drug permeation for INS (about 20.48 µg cm−2); the CIP stimulation exhibited a cumulative drug permeation of 68.29 µg cm−2. This improvement is due to the separation of positively charged WS-PPyNPs and negatively charged INS that has occurred in the presence of cathodal stimulation. The obtained results confirm the potential applicability of WS-PPyNPs as an effective approach in the development of controlled transdermal iontophoresis of INS.

Mercury content and fatty acids in muscles of Perca fluviatilis L. (European perch), Leuciscus idus L. (ide), Cyprinus carpio L. (European or common carp), Oncorhynchus mykiss Walb. (rainbow trout), Platichthys flesus L. (European flounder). and Clupea harengus L. (bream) from the Polish market were investigated. The total mercury was processed with AAS. The fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. The concentration of mercury in muscles varied from 0.006 to 0.138 mg/kg and decreased as follows: perch ≈ ide > flounder > herring ≈ bream ≈ rainbow trout > carp (p ≤ 0.05). There were only significant positive correlations between body weight and mercury content in muscle tissue of carp (r = 0.878), flounder (r = 0.925) and herring (r = 0.982) (p ≤ 0.05). The atherogenic index (AI), thrombogenicity index (TI) and flesh-lipid quality index (FLQ) were calculated as follows 0.33–0.70 (IA), 0.16–0.31 (IT) and 13.01–33.22 (FLQ). Hypocholesterolemic (OFA) and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (DFA) in muscles of fish ranged from 18.26 to 23.01 and from 73.91 to 78.46, respectively. In most cases, there were not significant correlations between size (body weight and total length) and fatty acids in the muscles of the examined fish (p > 0.05). The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values were below 1, which shows that there is no non-carcinogenic health risk to the consumer by consuming the examined fish.

The aim of this study was to estimate the fish quality in terms of the Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn contents. The research material was the muscle tissue of the fish crucian carp (Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758), flounder (Platichthys flesus Linnaeus, 1758), Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758), mackerel (Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758), Blue grenadier (Macruronus novaezelandiae Hector, 1871), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792), tench (Tinca tinca Linnaeus, 1758), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758), Walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas, 1814) and perch (Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758.). Heavy metals were determined with the atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS). Significantly high concentrations of zinc (19.52 mg/kg wet weight), copper (0.77 mg/kg) and iron (6.95 mg/kg) were found in the muscles of crucian carp (p < 0.05) compared to the other fish studied, whereas Walleye pollock had a higher content of manganese (0.266 mg/kg) (p < 0.05). All studied fish species do not pose a threat to humans from these four metals. This was indicated by quality indexes (THQ and HI) whose values were below one. The values of these metals also did not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations established by the FAO (1983), but monitoring both the aquatic environment and the fish living there is necessary, for example, for the time-changing abiotic and biotic factors that can cause an increase in metals in the organs of fish.

Celem artykułu jest weryfikacja hipotezy o niecyklicznych wahaniach koniunkturalnych, w szczególności o nieregularności przyczyn oraz o regularności przywracania równowagi w gospodarce. Powolny przeszły wzrost PKB jest traktowany jako symptom nierównowagi, czyli występowania wąskich gardeł w środkach trwałych albo niedoborów popytu. Te dwie przyczyny nierównowagi pojawiają się w gospodarce nieregularnie. Weryfikowano hipotezę, że im wolniejszy wzrost gospodarczy występował w przeszłości, tym silniejszy, kompensujący będzie wzrost PKB. Jest to regularność przywracania równowagi. Metodą najmniejszych kwadratów oszacowano zmodyfikowany model Solowa dla PKB Polski w latach 1994–2019. Najważniejszą modyfikacją było zastąpienie dynamiki kapitału fizycznego netto, niedostępnej w polskiej statystyce, stopą inwestycji. Drugim powodem tej modyfikacji była niedokładność danych statystycznych o kapitale fizycznym brutto, której nie można uniknąć. Kolejną modyfikacją było wprowadzenie do modelu opóźnionej dynamiki PKB jako indykatora nierównowagi. Potwierdzono hipotezę, że nasilone występowanie wąskich gardeł, powoduje, że po 3–5 latach efektywność inwestycji jest większa. Natomiast spowolnienie wzrostu PKB po 1–2 latach powoduje kumulację niewykorzystanego potencjału, co umożliwia wyrównujące przyspieszenie wzrostu gospodarczego. Potwierdzono zatem hipotezę o występowaniu w polskiej gospodarce niecyklicznych wahań koniunkturalnych. The aim of the study presented in the paper is to verify the hypothesis of non cyclical economic fluctuations; in particular, the hypothesis concerning the irregularity of causes and the hypothesis concerning the regularity of rebalancing the economy. Slow past GDP growth is taken as a symptom of disequilibrium, that is, the occurrence of either fixed asset bottlenecks or demand shortages. These two causes of disequilibrium arise irregularly in the economy. The hypothesis tested states that the slower the economic growth that occurred in the past, the stronger the compensatory GDP growth that will occur in the future. This is the regularity of rebalancing.The method of least squares was used to estimate a modified Solow model for Poland’s GDP in the years 1994–2019. The most important modification consisted in replacing the dynamics of net physical capital, which is not available in Polish statistics, with the investment rate. The second reason for this modification is the inaccuracy of statistical data on gross physical capital, which cannot be avoided. Another modification was the introduction of lagged GDP growth into the model as an indicator of disequilibrium.The hypothesis that the intensified occurrence of bottlenecks results in greater investment efficiency after 3–5 years has been confirmed. On the other hand, a slowdown in GDP growth results after 1–2 years in the accumulation of unused capacity, which enables a compensatory acceleration of economic growth. Thus, the hypothesis of the occurrence of non cyclical economic fluctuations in the Polish economy has been confirmed.

The muscles of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush Walbaum, 1792), crucian carp (Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758), flounder (Platichthys flesus Linnaeus, 1758), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758), mackerel (Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758) and tench (Tinca tinca Linnaeus, 1758) were examined. The total mercury (THg) was processed using the Milestone DMA-80 and the fatty acids were analyzed using the 7890A Agilent Technologies chromatograph. The THg content in analyzed fish ranged from 0.024 (lake trout) to 0.092 mg/kg wet weight (gilthead seabream). The muscles of fish examined had lower amounts of SFAs, and n-3 and n-6 PUFAs than MUFAs. The ratio of n-3/n-6 was higher in muscles of mackerel than other fish (p < 0.05). Due to the fact that both the THQ and HI are below 1, the tested fish are safe for the consumer from a nutritional point of view. Similarly, fatty acid indices indicate the safe consumption of selected fish species, and the daily consumption of the recommended dose of EPA + DHA (250 mg/day) and the concentration of mercury in fish calculations showed a hazard quotient for the benefit–risk ratio HQEFA below 1, suggesting that the intake of EPA + DHA poses no evident risk to human health. The ratio was calculated for a person weighing 60 kg. Therefore, it is important to monitor the fish, not only bought in the store, but also caught in various aquatic environments.

ObjectivesTo compare costs and health consequences and to assess the cost-effectiveness of using low-dose oral long-acting morphine in people with chronic breathlessness.DesignWithin-trial planned cost-consequences and cost-effectiveness analysis of data from a multisite, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of low-dose, long-acting morphine.Setting11 hospital outpatients across the UK.ParticipantsConsenting adults with chronic breathlessness due to long-term cardiorespiratory conditions.Intervention5–10 mg two times a day oral long-acting morphine with a blinded laxative for 56 days.Primary outcome measuresMean and SD of healthcare resource use (HRU) by trial arm; mean differences and 95% CI of costs between trial arms.Secondary outcome measuresMean differences in 28- and 56-day quality-adjusted life years (QALYs based on EuroQol five-dimension five-level score), Short Form-six dimensional scores and ICEpop CAPability-Supportive Care Measure scores; cost-utility of long-acting morphine for chronic breathlessness.Results143 participants (75 morphine and 67 placebo) were randomised; 140 (90% power, males 66%, mean age 70.5 (SD 9.4)) formed the modified intention-to-treat population (participants receiving at least one dose of study medication). There were more inpatient and fewer outpatient services used by the morphine group versus the placebo. In the base-case analysis at 56 days, long-acting morphine was associated with similar mean per-patient costs and QALYs. There was an increase of £24 (95% CI −£395 to £552) and 0.002 (95% CI −0.004 to 0.008) QALYs. Hospitalisations were the main driver of cost differences. The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £12 000/QALY, with a probability of cost-effectiveness of 54% at a £20 000 willingness-to-pay threshold. In the scenario analysis that excluded costs of adverse events considered unrelated to long-acting morphine by site investigators and researchers, the probability of cost-effectiveness increased to 73%.ConclusionOral morphine for chronic breathlessness is likely to be a cost-effective intervention provided adverse events are minimised, but the effect on outcome is small and cautious interpretation is warranted.Trial registration numberISRCTN87329095.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and spectrum of congenital heart disease (CHD) and the impact of a national prenatal ultrasound screening programme on outcome in a well-characterised population.Design and settingA comprehensive registry was created of all paediatric and fetal patients with CHD over a 21-year period (1986–2006) in the Czech Republic. The centralised healthcare system enabled confirmation of prenatal and postnatal findings clinically and by post mortem.Patients and resultsIn the entire cohort of 9475 fetuses referred for detailed cardiac evaluation, 1604 (16.9%) had CHD, of which 501 (31.2%) had additional extracardiac anomalies. In the pregnancies which continued, 59 (8.6%) of 685 fetuses died in utero, and 626 (91.4%) babies were born alive. Prenatal detection rate was highest in double outlet right ventricle (77.3%) and hypoplastic left heart (50.6%). Detection rate increased significantly (p<0.001) for 12/17 lesions comparing 1986–1999 and 2000–2006. In recent years, detection of hypoplastic left heart reached 95.8% while transposition of the great arteries was diagnosed antenatally in only 25.6%.ConclusionThe nationwide prenatal ultrasound screening programme enabled detection of major cardiac abnormalities in 1/3 of patients born with any CHD and 80% of those with critical forms. Nevertheless, owing to the severity of lesions and associated extracardiac anomalies, the overall mortality of antenatally diagnosed CHD remains high. These findings are important for the understanding natural history of CHD for the establishing of screening programmes in Europe.

The concentration of mercury, fatty acids and lipid quality indices were determined in three species of fish (European eel, Linnaeus, 1758; Eurasian perch, Linnaeus, 1758; and roach, Linnaeus, 1758). The fish were caught from a reservoir in the Warmia and Mazury region located near Olsztyn (north-eastern Poland). Mercury content was determined by atomic absorption thermal decomposition using Milestone DMA-80 (Italy), whereas fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography using a 7890A Agilent Technologies chromatograph. The total mercury concentration had the following sequence: European perch (0.297 mg/kg) > European eel (0.160 mg/kg) ≈ roach (0.100 mg/kg) (P<0.05). A positive correlation was found between the mercury content and size (the body weight and total length) of these fish (P<0.0001). Based on the THQ, HI (<1.0) and BRQ (1.063), it was concluded that the fish does not pose a health risk and is fit for human consumption. Similarly, low AI and TI values ( <1) are beneficial to human health related to reducing the risk of ischemic heart disease. A low OFA index of C12+C14+C18 and a high index of C18+UFA also indicate that these fish are safe from a nutritional point of view. The fatty acid indices HH (32.10–74.30), NVI (0.83–2.14), DI(18) (65.50–89.28), DI(16) (18.45–32.96), UI (131.93–278.64) and PI (88.60–314.90) were also studied. However, higher PUFA/SFA and EPA+DHA/Hg ratios compared to the recommended ratios suggest further research in this area is needed.

We have previously revealed that, in contrast to polymorphism of FCGR2B and FCGR3B, polymorphism of FCGR2A, FCGR2C and FCGR3A genes, encoding receptors for Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G (Fcγ receptors), play a role in increased level of circulating immune complexes with occurrence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock proteins in patients with sarcoidosis. However, this immunocomplexemia might also be caused by decreased clearance by immune cells due to a changed copy number of FCGR genes. Thus, the next step of our study was to evaluate copy number variation of FCGR2A, FCGR2B, FCGR2C, FCGR3A and FCGR3B in this disease. The analysis was carried out by real-time quantitative PCR on 104 patients and 110 healthy volunteers. Despite previously detected variation in allele/genotype frequencies of FCGR in sarcoidosis and its particular stages, there was no copy number variation of the tested genes between sarcoidosis or its stages and healthy control, as well as between stages themselves. A relevant increase in copy number of FCGR2C and FCGR3B in Stage IV of sarcoidosis vs. other stages and controls was detected, but this observation was based on a limited number of Stage IV patients. Hence, polymorphism of FCGR genes seems to be more important than their copy number variation in etiopathogenesis of sarcoidosis in patients from the Polish population.