Combined Regularized Discriminant Analysis and Swarm Intelligence Techniques for Gait Recognition.

In the gait recognition problem, most studies are devoted to developing gait descriptors rather than introducing new classification methods. This paper proposes hybrid methods that combine regularized discriminant analysis (RDA) and swarm intelligence techniques for gait recognition. The purpose of this study is to develop strategies that will achieve better gait recognition results than those achieved by classical classification methods.

Acute-phase response and its biomarkers in acute and chronic urticaria.

Introduction: Since urticaria is a persisting inflammatory disease it is important to establish the prognostic factors for the duration and severity of the disease.

Aim: To evaluate serum concentrations of selected acute-phase proteins (APP) in patients with various forms of urticaria as compared to healthy volunteers and also to analyze these concentrations in different types of urticaria. Additionally, to evaluate the correlation between serum levels of selected APP and disease activity.

Planning Training Loads for the 400 M Hurdles in Three-Month Mesocycles using Artificial Neural Networks.

This paper presents a novel approach to planning training loads in hurdling using artificial neural networks. The neural models performed the task of generating loads for athletes' training for the 400 meters hurdles. All the models were calculated based on the training data of 21 Polish National Team hurdlers, aged 22.

Estimation of hurdle clearance parameters using a monocular human motion tracking method.

This paper presents a method of monocular human motion tracking for estimation of hurdle clearance kinematic parameters. The analysis involved 10 image sequences of five hurdlers at various training levels. Recording of the sequences was carried out under simulated starting conditions of a 110 m hurdle race.

Predictive Modeling in Race Walking.

This paper presents the use of linear and nonlinear multivariable models as tools to support training process of race walkers. These models are calculated using data collected from race walkers' training events and they are used to predict the result over a 3 km race based on training loads. The material consists of 122 training plans for 21 athletes.

The effect of cigarette smoking on the clinical course of inflammatory bowel disease.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is considered an important risk factor for developing Crohn's disease (CD), contributing to a more severe course of the disease. Conversely, smoking is believed to have a beneficial effect on the course of ulcerative colitis (UC), a second major condition of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Aim: To investigate the effect of tobacco use on the clinical course of IBD.

Toxicity of cylindrospermopsin in human lymphocytes: proliferation, viability and cell cycle studies.

The global expansion of cylindrospermopsin (CYN) producing cyanobacteria in surface freshwater increases the risk of human exposure and poisoning. Following ingestion, CYN is transported with blood in general circulation to the liver and kidneys, and can potentially interact with immune system cells. In the present study, we investigated whether CYN (0.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human peripheral blood neutrophils exposed in vitro to static magnetic field.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gradient static magnetic field (SMF) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human neutrophils in peripheral blood in vitro. Blood samples collected from healthy individuals were incubated in an inhomogeneous SMF (in a south or north pole of the field) for 15, 30 or 45 minutes. The maximum value of induction (B max) amounted to ≈ 60 mT.

Low-density lipoprotein, its susceptibility to oxidation and the role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and carboxyl ester lipase lipases in atherosclerotic plaque formation.

An increased level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a very well established risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD). Unoxidized LDL is an inert transport vehicle of cholesterol and other lipids in the body and is thought to be atherogenic. Recently it has been appreciated that oxidized products of LDL are responsible for plaque formation properties previously attributed to the intact particle.

The effect of electromagnetic field on reactive oxygen species production in human neutrophils in vitro.

The present study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human neutrophils in peripheral blood in vitro. We investigated how differently generated EMF and several levels of magnetic induction affect ROS production. To evaluate the level of ROS production, two fluorescent dyes were used: 2'7'-dichlorofluorscein-diacetate and dihydrorhodamine.

Ki-67 and p53 expression in ileal pouches.

Development of dysplastic lesions that may potentially lead to cancer is sometimes reported within the ileal pouches. Dysplasia is in turn associated with increased expression of proliferation indices. The goal of this study was to evaluate the mitotic activity and possible expression of p53 in the epithelium within the ileal pouches in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis.

Flow cytometry as an estimation tool for honey bee sperm viability.

Flow cytometry is a method to conduct a multiparameter analysis of cells suspended in liquid and passing through a laser beam. Analyses of human and other mammal sperm using this method have already been performed but its application for insect semen is still the subject of investigation. Semen isolated from honey bee Apis mellifera seminal vesicles was dyed using SYBR-14 and propidium iodide (PI).

Pretransplant urine cytokine pattern predicts acute kidney rejection.

Acute rejection (AR) remains a major problem after kidney transplantation and crucial determinant of long-term graft function. Potent mediators of alloimmune response leading to AR are cytokines. To further explore the relation between cytokine pattern and frequency of AR episodes we analyzed Th1/Th2 cytokine concentrations in the urine of 44 patients prior to the kidney transplantation.

Cytometric analysis of TH1/TH2 cytokines in the urine of patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

Background: Crucial inflammatory mediators involved in development of alloimmune response leading to AR are cytokines. Our project was aimed to investigate the relation between the urine cytokine profile and the development of acute rejection (AR) episodes in patients after kidney transplantation.

Material/methods: The project included 44 patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

[The assessment of acute phase proteins as prognostic factors in patients surgically treated for non-small cell lung cancer].

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess quantitative changes of the acute phase protein (APP) serum level in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent a radical resection. We analysed the correlation between quantitative APP changes and: the survival rate, the histological type of the cancer, TNM stage and grading.

Material And Methods: We analysed a group of 46 patients surgically treated for NSCLC from 2003 to 2004.

[Transferrin microheterogeneity in patients treated by maintenance haemodialysis].

Transferrin (Tf) plays a crucial role in iron transport in the human body. In physiologically status Tf occurs in four variants. The concentration of Tf and its variants is changing in several conditions, especially during acute phase response, which may take place in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

[Evaluation of chosen parameters of acute-phase reaction in children during pseudocroup according to their age].

Introduction: Acute subglottic laryngitis (pseudocroup) usually occurs in infants and small children between 1 and 3 years of age. Due to the viral etiology there are autumn-winter and winter-spring peaks of frequency of this disease observed. Acute-phase proteins are a group of proteins whose concentration in the serum changes following variety of injuries such as bacterial, viral or parasitic infection.

Microheterogeneity of acute phase proteins in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Aim: To estimate the serum alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and transferrin (Tf) concentrations and to evaluate the microheterogeneity of these acute phase proteins in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 17 healthy control subjects were studied. The patients were categorised as severe (n = 9), moderate (n = 10) and mild groups (n = 8) using Truelove and Witts' classification of ulcerative colitis.

An in vitro study of the protective effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species.

The inhibitory effect of silydianin, an active constituent of Silybium marianum, on the in vitro production and release of oxidative products has been examined. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play a primary role in the initiation and propagation of inflammatory responses. Their apoptosis is a major mechanism associated with the resolution of inflammatory reactions.

Cytokines and heart rate variability in patients with chronic heart failure.

Introduction: Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is a non-invasive method of assessment of the autonomic nervous system's effects on heart function. In chronic heart failure (CHF), decreased HRV correlates with the progression of the disease. It is also known that in CHF increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines are present.

[Some acute phase proteins in children suffering from recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis].

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the character of inflammatory reaction in the groups of sick children, asymptomatic carriers of HPV and healthy children by quantitative and qualitative study of chosen acute phase proteins like CRP, AT, ACT. Profile of glycosylation of ACT was analysed.

Material And Methods: The study group was 21 children treated in ENT Department of Pediatric Institute of the Karol Marcinkowski University for laryngeal papillomatosis (infected by HPV 6/11 in 100%) and the group of 22 selected asymptomatic carriers of HPV 6/11.

Seasonal rhythms of "acute phase proteins" in humans.

"Acute phase proteins" comprise a group of proteins whose concentrations increase or decrease by at least 25% after a damaging stimulus (burn, trauma, tissue damage, etc.) or during inflammation. We investigated the seasonal variation in the concentrations of several acute phase proteins--alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), transferrin (Tf), alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2-M), ceruloplasmin (Cp), antitrypsin (AT), and haptoglobin (Hp).

[Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cytokines in chronic heart failure. Comparison of patients with ischaemic and with dilated cardiomyopathy].

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome due to ischaemic heart disease, idiopathic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, valve heart disease and others. It is not clear if the etiology of HF influences decreased in this syndrome exercise tolerance. Controversial is also dependence of cytokine levels on etiology of HF.

Preliminary studies of phthalocyanine sensitizers incorporated into human leukemia cells from two cell-lines.

Three phthalocyanine dyes-sensitizers were incorporated into two types of human T leukemia cells from two cell-lines: CCRF and MOLT 4. The efficiency of the dye incorporation into cells and photochemical properties of stained cells were investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The dyes exhibited different properties in each of the two cell-lines.