Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (Poland)

Introduction and Objective: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. With the global rise in diabetes prevalence, especially in low- and middle-income countries, early detection and timely treatment of DR have become critical. This paper reviews the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the automated detection of DR, evaluating its clinical effectiveness, implementation challenges, and potential impact on global preventive eye care. Review Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant literature published between 2016 and 2021. Search terms included combinations of “diabetic retinopathy,” “artificial intelligence,” “deep learning,” and “automated detection.” Articles were selected based on their relevance and contribution to advances, clinical applications, and challenges in AI-based DR screening. State of Knowledge: Deep learning algorithms have demonstrated high accuracy in retinal image analysis, often matching expert ophthalmologists in detecting referable DR. AI enables scalable, rapid, and accessible screening, especially in regions with limited specialist availability. Challenges include data quality and diversity, algorithm transparency, patient privacy, clinical acceptance, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Conclusion: AI represents a transformative opportunity to improve early diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy globally. To fully realize its benefits, ethical, technical, and regulatory issues must be addressed to ensure safe, effective, and equitable integration of AI into healthcare systems worldwide.

Lung cancer has, for several decades, been the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It continues to pose a significant burden on healthcare systems and a serious challenge for clinicians and patients. The majority of patients present with advanced disease at diagnosis, and most survive less than five years. Although novel targeted therapies have been introduced in recent years, there remains a significant demand for treatments capable of improving response and prolonging survival while having minimal impact on quality of life. Recent clinical evidence supporting immunotherapeutic approaches indicates that they may represent the next major therapeutic breakthrough in lung cancer management. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for about 85% of lung cancers, was once considered a non-immunogenic disease; yet, as with several other malignancies, emerging data suggest that in most cases, the lack of immune response is functional and can be therapeutically overcome. Purpose: To provide a comprehensive review of immunotherapy as an innovative therapeutic approach for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), highlighting the role of key immune mechanisms and checkpoint inhibitors. Material and Methods: The authors conducted a detailed literature review examining the immune context of NSCLC, discussing the significance of PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 checkpoints, relevant clinical trials, and emerging biomarkers like PD-L1 expression and tumor mutational burden. Findings: Immunotherapy, particularly PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, substantially improves survival in advanced NSCLC and can be enhanced by combination strategies. Biomarkers help identify patients most likely to benefit while guiding treatment choices.

Introduction and Aim: Depression affects over 330 million adults worldwide and involves complex interactions of genetic, neurochemical, and endocrine factors. This review examines the role of gut microbiota in depression and explores potential therapeutic strategies.Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted on studies investigating gut microbiota composition, dysbiosis, and interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary modifications.Results: Dysbiosis is linked to depressive symptoms through systemic inflammation, HPA axis dysregulation, bacterial metabolite changes, and epigenetic mechanisms. Observational studies identify characteristic microbiota alterations in depressed individuals. Randomized trials indicate that probiotics can improve mood and enhance standard antidepressant treatment. Dietary interventions and psychobiotics show promise as adjunctive therapies.Conclusions: Gut microbiota significantly influences depression pathogenesis and management. Microbiota-targeted interventions are emerging as effective adjuncts, but further large-scale, long-term studies are needed to standardize protocols and enable personalized treatment approaches.

Coke oven gas (COG), as a by-product of the coking process and a mixture with a high hydrogen content, is an important potential component of the sustainable economy of the coking industry. Ongoing studies and analyses are looking at many opportunities for the utilization of coke oven gas, including for the production of hydrogen, methanol or other chemicals. However, it is important not to forget that all processes for the utilization of this gas may pose a potential hazard to humans and the environment. This is due to the physicochemical properties of COG and the content of flammable gases such as hydrogen, methane or carbon monoxide in its composition. Potential hazardous events are also related to the content of toxic substances in the composition of coke oven gas. The publication focuses on the occurrence of a fire or explosion as a result of the uncontrolled release of purified coke oven gas from the installation. The potential hazard zones associated with the occurrence of these phenomena are presented concerning different levels of hydrogen concentration in coke oven gas and the influence of selected factors on the range of these zones. Zones related to human deaths due to fire of coke oven gas reached a maximum range of about 130 m from the site of the failure, depending on the gas composition, level of damage and parameters of the installation. Zones related to human deaths due to the explosion of the coke oven gas did not occur. The zone related to the injury of humans as a result of the COG explosion reached a maximum range of about 12 m.

Not much is known about developmental motor disorders in the first year of life of children diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). This study aimed to compare the occurrence of asymmetry or muscle tone disorders in the first year of life in adolescents with IS and their healthy counterparts. The parents of adolescents with IS and without scoliosis completed a survey on the occurrence of asymmetry, abnormal muscle tone, and physiotherapy in their children in the first year of life. Pearson's chi square test and Cramer's coefficient were used. The final analysis included 527 surveys completed by parents of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (150) and without scoliosis (377). A significantly higher frequency of asymmetry (p= 0.001) and muscle tone disorders (p= 0.001) was noted in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. The results also revealed a significant association between scoliosis and asymmetry (p= 0.001), as well as muscle tone (p= 0.001). Developmental asymmetry or improper muscle tone in the first year of life could be considered a potential factor in the development of scoliosis; however, this hypothesis should be confirmed in future studies. Infants diagnosed with developmental disorders require systematic observation.

Abstract Objectives Down syndrome is the most frequently occurring genotype aberrations in human with atlantoaxial articulation instability sometime combined with hypoplasia of the odontoid process. In this article, was aimed at estimating the size of the population of persons with DS in the Upper Silesia region and the selection of persons who have undergone atlantoaxial joint examination as part of Special Olympics’ preventative measures program. Material and Methods: Selected 31 towns in Poland a in which we sought special centers. Conducted the interview and analyze the necessary documentation. In all of the towns selected, the special facilities were located (61 total) and direct contact with the persons in charge of the facilities was obtained. Results: In total, 7105 people ranging in age from 7 to 21 years, Down syndrome occurred in 473 subjects, in 29 subjects conducted radiological examination and in 8 subjects was diagnosed atlantoaxial articulation instability. Conclusions: The obtained information should result in actions which would define the range of needs to conduct research concerning the problems for this population. The results achieved suggest that the number of examinations focused on the occurrence of atlantoaxial instability performed in persons with DS is insufficient.KeywordsDown syndromeAdapted physical activitySpecial OlympicHealth preventionIntellectual disability

Results There were 5 recurrent strokes and 89 deaths during the 36-month follow-up. Even though no significant differences in OS and SFS between soluble α-Klotho level tertile groups were recorded, unexpectedly, OS and SFS were highest in patients with the lowest soluble α-Klotho concentrations. Moreover, the Cox proportional models adjusted for established risk factors, kidney function, and the severity of stroke revealed that each 100 pg/mL increase in soluble α-Klotho levels was associated with decreased OS (HR = 0.951 (0.908–0.995), p < 0.05) and SFS (HR = 0.949 (0.908–0.993), p < 0.05). In addition, the α-Klotho to iFGF23 index was predicting neither OS nor SFS. Conclusion Soluble α-Klotho levels in serum were not related to the severity of neurological deficits and long-term outcomes in patients with IS. No neuroprotective effect of soluble α-Klotho levels in patients with IS was demonstrated.

Tungsten is one of the rare elements occurring in Earth. Its applicability and request for it causes that the production of this metal is very beneficial. One of the biggest deposits of this metal ores in the world is located in African country of Rwanda. Due to the lack of appropriate technology and lack of investments the current way of producing this valuable metal in this country causes that much of tungsten is wasted as well the production is slow and the results are not appropriate. That is why an attempt to propose an adequate processing way for this deposit was done and is presented in this paper. Authors performed several tests on the ore originating from Rwanda, including its mineralogical composition and tests performed by means of laboratory shaking table. The results are promising and the further tests, including other methods of beneficiation are planned, like second shaking table stage and flotation.

Abstract The nature of gas-geodynamic phenomena is so complicated and unpredictable that it forces the necessity of continuous search for new principles of identifying the outburst threat and ongoing monitoring of this threat with view of current conditions in the mine. After the incidents in JSW S.A, the mines carrying out works in seams threatened with outbursts, upon their own initiative introduced additional rigours and increased the frequency of measurements and tests regardless of the existing legal requirements. Incidents that have taken place in KWK “Budryk” in recent years show how important is continuous verification of knowledge related to the forecasting of the outburst threat on the basis of ongoing observations of works. The local occurrence of a zone characterized by high methane-bearing capacity in the coal seam, even after taking preventive measures and introducing additional rigorous did not allow for the complete elimination of gas-geodynamic phenomena and avoidance of danger to employed people.