Facing arrhythmia. Reconstructing time in the pandemic by the metropolitan creative classes in Poland

This paper shows how the metropolitan creative classes in Poland reacted to the changes in the organization of everyday life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially its temporality and rhythmicity. The pandemic and lockdowns reorganized previous ways of experiencing and managing time. Based on our empirical research and research by other scholars, we have identified some of the most common disruptions of pandemic temporality. However, a vital element of the article is to specify how the social category we studied dealt with these disruptions. In doing so, we show that the response to the breakdown of the previous order of everyday life was to restore a sense of stability actively. We were also interested in the possible, also negative consequences of the findings for the social category under study. The empirical basis for the article are in-depth interviews conducted during the fourth phase of the ongoing research project [title anonymized], which began during the first weeks of the lockdown in Poland.

Petrographic and Geotechnical Characteristics of Carbonate Aggregates from Poland and Their Correlation with the Design of Road Surface Structures

The paper presents the basic problem related with practical application of carbonate rocks in construction: are carbonate aggregates produced from such rocks favorable for building engineering, particularly for road design and construction? To resolve this problem, (1) the geological-engineering properties of aggregates are presented, (2) the correlation between petrographic and engineering parameters is shown, and (3) a strict correlation between the geological-engineering properties and the freezing-thawing and crushing resistance is recognized. This knowledge has allowed to assess the usefulness of asphalt concrete (AC) made from dolomite and limestone aggregates in the design and construction of road surface structures. The petrography was characterized using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS). Engineering properties were determined in accordance with European and Polish norms and guidelines. Statistical and design calculations were performed using dedicated software. The petrographic properties, and selected physical and mechanical parameters of the aggregates, were tested to show their influence on the freezing–thawing and crushing resistance. Strong functional relationships between the water adsorption, and the freezing–thawing and crushing resistance have been observed. Aggregate strength decreased after saturation with increasing concentrations of salt solutions. Calculations of AC fatigue durability and deformation allow for reducing the thickness of the road surface structure by about 20% in comparison to normative solutions. This conclusion has impact on the economy of road design and construction, and allows for a rational utilization of rock resources, which contributes to sustainable development of the construction industry.

High temperature oxidation of iron–iron oxide core–shell nanowires composed of iron nanoparticles

The thermal oxidation of iron nanowires causes their breakdown due to void coalescence and formation of α-Fe₂O₃microparticles and microrods.

[Endoscopic adenotomy--clinical assessment of value and safety--an own experience]

High number of performed adenotomies inclines ENT surgeons to introduce more and more satisfying concerning safety, accuracy and results predictability surgical techniques. The aim of our study was to assess the value and safety of an endoscopic surgical technique. The study was performed on 768 patients aged 7 months - 14 years. Group A (I) consisted of 453 patients on whom adenotomy was performed with use of Beckmann adenotome. Group B (II) consisted of 315 patients operated under endoscope control with the use of Jurasz forceps. An endoscopic technique gives remarkable decrease of intraoperative blood loss and eliminates post op bleedings, what increases patients safety. Low aggressiveness of an endoscopic technique compared to classic decreases incidents of undesirable post adenotomy signs and symptoms. In authors opinion, the results obtained during study, definitely prove the superiority of endoscopic technique--it is worth of introducing into daily surgical practice.

Resistance to apoptosis and up regulation of Bcl-2 in benign prostatic hyperplasia after androgen deprivation

PURPOSE

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is related to advancing age and the presence of androgens and occurs in virtually all older men. BPH causes morbidity, most often by urinary obstruction, in a substantial fraction of men over sixty. Both finasteride and androgen ablation induce partial diminution in BPH that occurs over weeks to months. This is in contrast to the often rapid involution seen in both normal prostatic epithelium and prostatic carcinoma in response to androgen withdrawal. This study was performed to analyze the response of prostatic cells, and in particular BPH, to acute androgen ablation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We subjected a cohort of 26 men to androgen ablation with goserelin, a gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist, for 3-4 weeks prior to radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Preablation biopsy specimens and prostatectomy specimens were immunohistochemically stained for apoptotic cells and for expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-x, and Bak.

RESULTS

Normal prostatic epithelial cells and prostate cancer responded to hormone deprivation by undergoing apoptosis, but in 19/26 specimens prostatic hyperplasia had a total absence of apoptosis. In all 26 specimens, benign prostatic hyperplasia demonstrated increased expression of the Bcl-2 protein, but no change in the expression of Bax, Bcl-x, and Bak. In contrast, adjacent normal and malignant prostatic epithelium showed positive staining for apoptosis and did not alter Bcl-2 expression in response to androgen ablation.

CONCLUSIONS

BPH demonstrated increased staining for Bcl-2 after androgen deprivation that may render hyperplastic epithelium relatively resistant to apoptosis induced acutely by androgen withdrawal.