Inflammation is a main pathogenetic factor in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, it has become clear that not only the innate, but also the specific immune response plays a role. A striking finding, in particular in lungs of patients with severe COPD, often with a predominant emphysema phenotype, is the presence of B-cell follicles. As see...

The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of zoonotic arthropod parasites in small animals sold in selected pet stores in the Cracow area. The research was conducted in seven pet stores, keeping a total of six species of rodents and three species of birds. In two shops, two species of mites of the order Mesostigmata were detected on the animals and in their surrounding: Dermanyssus...

[1] in the previous issue of Critical Care. Th e authors suggested, in a retrospective analysis, that dobutamine use in patients undergoing cardiac surgery was independently associated with a 2.3-fold increase in mortality and a 2.7-fold increase in risk of renal dysfunction. We have some concerns regarding this conclusion. Th e primary concern with this analysis is the choice of covariates inc...

Costello syndrome (CS) was first described by Costello in two unrelated children, in 1971 and 1977. The major manifestations of CS have been summarised as postnatal growth deficiency, developmental delay, relative macrocephaly, coarse face, thick ears, thick lips, depressed nasal bridge with anteverted nares, excess skin, thick palms and soles, short neck, curly hair, nasal papillomata, and soc...

[Abstract] Is tax evasion beneficial or harmful to growth? We approach this question by extending Persson and Tabellini’s (1994) growth model to a plausible world where individuals differ not only in terms of their skill in earning income but also in terms of their skill in concealing income from the tax authority. The Persson-Tabellini model identifies a fundamental tradeoff for redistribution...