Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Welding

Similar to other municipal facilities, landfills are a substantial source of emissions of various biological pollutants. Numerous sustainability challenges result from the extremely high variability of emissions of harmful biological agents, which necessitates precise detection of microbiological emissions from these municipal facilities. This study aimed to assess whether a municipal waste landfill impacts indicator microorganisms and bacterial endotoxins occurring in soils within the landfill’s zone of influence. The research was conducted directly at the landfill site and in the surrounding area. Soil samples were collected monthly from eight sites over three years. Microbiological analyses included determination of total Salmonella counts and bacteria of the coliform group, Clostridium spp., Clostridium perfringens, and bacterial endotoxin concentrations. Results revealed a significant effect of the landfill on soil sanitary quality, indicating that adverse impacts depended mainly on the distance from the active waste sector of the landfill. The results also confirmed the usefulness of bacterial endotoxins as indicators of soil contamination with microorganisms within the municipal landfill and surroundings. Parametric statistical analyses effectively characterised contamination levels, and the Newman–Keuls multiple comparison test proved to be a rapid and reliable tool for assessing exceedances of established sanitary standards. Findings indicate that fresh waste is a critical source of microbiological contamination in soils, and they emphasise the value of combined microbial and endotoxin monitoring for sustainable landfill environmental assessment and management. While the current study focuses on soil contamination, future research should evaluate the impact of landfill on indicator microorganisms and bacterial endotoxins in air and water.

Background: Miniaturized percutaneous nephrolithotomy techniques have been developed to reduce the morbidity associated with standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) while maintaining high stone clearance. Among these approaches, mini-PCNL and ultra-mini PCNL (UMP) are increasingly used; however, their optimal indications remain incompletely defined. Aims: To review and synthesize current evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and clinical indications of mini-PCNL and UMP in the management of kidney stone disease. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Clinical studies, comparative analyses, meta-analyses, reviews, and international guideline documents addressing mini-PCNL and UMP were included. Evidence was synthesized descriptively with emphasis on stone- and patient-related factors influencing technique selection. Results: Both mini-PCNL and UMP demonstrated high stone-free rates when applied in appropriately selected patients. Mini-PCNL achieved superior stone clearance for larger (15–30 mm), multiple, or high-density renal stones, owing to efficient fragment extraction. UMP was associated with lower perioperative morbidity, reduced bleeding risk, and shorter hospital stay, with optimal outcomes observed in smaller stone burdens. Differences in efficacy between techniques were minimal for stones <15 mm but became more pronounced with increasing stone size and complexity. Conclusions: Mini-PCNL and UMP are complementary techniques in contemporary percutaneous stone surgery. Mini-PCNL is best suited for larger or more complex stones requiring active fragment removal, whereas UMP offers advantages in minimizing invasiveness and accelerating recovery in selected patients. Individualized treatment selection based on stone characteristics, patient factors, and surgical expertise is essential to optimize outcomes.

Background: Obesity is a global health problem due to its increasing prevalence over the past several decades. It is strongly associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, both directly through metabolic mechanisms affecting the circulatory system and indirectly through traditional risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. Aim: This review discusses the pathological changes occurring in the cardiovascular system under the influence of obesity. It presents the mechanisms linking obesity with selected cardiovascular diseases and outlines the role of physical activity in obesity. Methods: The review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, limited to full-text, open-access publications from the years 2013–2025. Results: As body weight increases, the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, and arrhythmias also rises. Weight reduction helps lower the risk of developing these disorders. Combined aerobic and resistance training (CART), as well as High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), has a beneficial effect on well-being and the condition of the cardiovascular system. Conclusion: Obesity and the metabolic disturbances it causes are strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Obesity is not only a co-existing factor but also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular conditions. Effective intervention requires an individual approach.

Background: iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a widespread, preventable condition that diminishes work capacity, cognition, and overall health. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis — principally via hepcidin‑mediated sequestration — distinguishes absolute deficiency from functional deficiency, guides diagnostic interpretation and helps to choose the type therapy. Aim: The aim of this article is to compare the available oral iron supplements with respect to efficacy, tolerability and practical use. It summarizes current evidence regarding optimal dosing and frequency of administration in individuals with iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Methods: narrative review of literature up to 2025, prioritizing recent meta‑analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, phase III randomized studies and other high‑quality studies. Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Key search terms included oral iron, ferrous sulfate, liposomal iron, sucrosomial iron, ferric maltol and ferrous bisglycinate. This review compares their efficacy and tolerability. Study selection, data extraction, and quality evaluation followed standard review procedures; findings were synthesized and summarized in tables. Results: new supplements generally achieve comparable or faster hematologic responses at lower elemental iron doses and are associated with fewer gastrointestinal side effects, which may improve adherence, particularly in patients intolerant of ferrous salts or with inflammatory conditions. Dosing approaches that account for hepcidin dynamics (alternate-day or single morning dosing) enhance absorption. Heterogeneity in study populations, dosing regimens and outcome measures limits direct comparisons. Conclusion: oral iron formulations show broadly similar efficacy; selection should prioritize tolerability, comorbidity context, and dosing strategies that optimize absorption. Individualized therapy with routine monitoring of hemoglobin and ferritin improves outcomes and adherence.

Background. Paranoid schizophrenia is the most common subtype of schizophrenia, characterized by both positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and negative symptoms like reduced motivation and social withdrawal. While pharmacological advances have improved symptom control, challenges remain in treating negative symptoms and ensuring long-term adherence and recovery. Aim of the study. This review analyzes recent literature (2020–2025) on pharmacological and psychosocial treatment strategies for paranoid schizophrenia, with attention to effectiveness, tolerability, and integration. Materials and methods. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for meta-analyses, RCTs, and guidelines published in the last 5 years using terms like “paranoid schizophrenia”, “antipsychotics”, “long-acting injectables”, “CBT”, “treatment”. Current stage of knowledge. Modern antipsychotics, particularly SGAs and LAIs, reduce relapse risk and enhance adherence. Cariprazine and newer agents like Cobenfy show promise in treating negative and treatment-resistant cases. Integration with psychosocial strategies—especially CBT and family interventions—enhances functional recovery, though results for negative symptoms remain mixed. Novel treatments target glutamatergic and cholinergic systems beyond traditional dopaminergic focus. Conclusions. A multimodal approach is essential. Future treatment should emphasize personalized strategies, early intervention, targeting of non-dopaminergic pathways, and better access to integrated care, particularly for patients with persistent negative or cognitive symptoms.

Abstract There is a correlation between arterial stiffness and chronic heart failure (CHF). A gap persists in the data on changes in the common carotid artery (CCA) lumen during the diastole-systole cycle. Our objective is to introduce a novel ultrasound method to measure temporal changes in the diameter of the CCA lumen and apply this method in both healthy volunteers and senescent patients with CHF. Eleven patients who underwent treatment for chronic heart failure exacerbation receiving optimal medical therapy (OMT) and ten healthy volunteers, respectively, constituted the chronic heart failure and control groups respectively, were analyzed. Using the GE linear probe and ECG recording for signal synchronization, cross-sectional vessel images were gained from at least six heartbeats. The images underwent statistical analysis. We proposed the surface area of the vessel's cross-section area calculation to enhance the diameter estimation precision validated by circularity checks. Such an approach ensures greater precision than a conventional, direct vessel diameter measurement with an ultrasound. Results : The measurement showed that the vessel diameter of the CHF group was greater than that of the control group and the distensibility of the vessel was lower. Also, the slope of temporal increase of the diameter of the vessel in the heart cycle was lower in the chronic heart failure group, suggesting that the vessel reaches maximum diameter slower than the control group. Conclusions : Ultrasound measurements can be an interesting approach to asses artery wall movements in various medical conditions. Despite OMT, senescent CHF patients demonstrated an alternated wall movement pattern.

Background/Objectives: Personal values shape appraisal of stress and life satisfaction. We examined the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction among uniformed personnel in outpatient mental health care, and the role of a personal values hierarchy in this context. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 183 uniformed personnel (34 females, 149 males, age 30-66 years, M = 44.72, SD = 5.84) diagnosed with bodily distress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder at a mental health clinic. Participants completed standardized questionnaires assessing perceived stress, satisfaction with life, coping styles, and personal values. For the Personal Value List, each value not selected by a participant was coded as 0 to avoid missing data; scores regarding symbols of happiness were not used. Reliability was evaluated via repeated measurement; two parts of a key instrument showed test-retest correlations of approximately 0.78 and 0.76. For assessing statistical significance, the bootstrap method was used (1000 resamples). Analyses were conducted in jamovi 2.3.28 using snowLatent (latent profile analysis) and medmod 1.1.0 (moderation analysis). Results: Perceived stress was negatively associated with satisfaction with life (B = -0.36, 95% CI [-0.48; -0.24], p < 0.001). Latent profile analysis extracted two personal values hierarchy profiles (AIC = 4237; BIC = 4587). Profile membership was not a significant predictor of satisfaction with life (p = 0.595) and did not moderate the relationship between perceived stress and satisfaction with life (p = 0.907). Distraction seeking was significantly higher in profile 1 (p = 0.010). Conclusions: In treated uniformed personnel, higher perceived stress is linked to lower life satisfaction. The personal values hierarchy did not moderate this relationship and was not associated with satisfaction with life; however, the personal values hierarchy was related to coping, specifically distraction seeking.

Publikacja obejmuje 21 dokumentów przechowywanych w Archiwum Państwowym we Wrocławiu (i jego oddziale w Jeleniej Górze), wystawionych w latach 1361–1365 przez księcia świdnickiego Bolka II Małego (zm. 1368), jednego z najwybitniejszych Piastów śląskich w XIV w. Dokumenty dotyczą różnych zagadnień i wystawione zostały dla miast/mieszczan, instytucji kościelnych, a także rycerstwa.