Optical Properties of a Tapered Optical Fiber Coated with Alkanes Doped with Fe3O4 Nanoparticles.

The presented research shows the possibilities of creating in-line magnetic sensors based on the detection of changes of light propagation parameters, especially polarization, obtained by mixing Fe3O4 nanoparticles with hexadecane (higher alkane) surrounding a biconical optical fiber taper. The fiber optic taper allows to directly influence light parameters inside the taper without the necessity to lead the beam out of the structure. The mixture of hexadecane and Fe3O4 nanoparticles forms a special cladding surrounding a fiber taper which can be controlled by external factors such as the magnetic field. Described studies show changes of transmission (power, loss) and polarization properties like azimuth, and ellipticity, depending on the location of the mixture on sections of tapered optical fiber. The taper was made of a standard single-mode telecommunication fiber, stretched out to a length of 20.0 ± 0.5 mm and the diameter of the tapers is around 15.0 ± 0.3 µm, with the loss lower than 0.5 dB @ 1550 nm. Such a taper causes the beam to leak out of the waist structure and allows the addition of the external beam-controlling cladding material. The presented research can be used to build polarization switches or optical sensor. The results show that it can be a new way to control the propagation parameters of a light beam using tapered optical fiber and magnetic mixture.

Detection of Organosulfur and Organophosphorus Compounds Using a Hexafluorobutyl Acrylate-Coated Tapered Optical Fibers.

This paper presents the results of a study on the possibility of detecting organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds by means of polymer-assisted optical fiber technology. The detection of the aforementioned compounds can be realized by fabricating a polymer-coated tapered optical fiber (TOF), where the polymer works as an absorber, which changes the light propagation conditions in the TOF. The TOFs were manufactured based on a standard single-mode fiber for telecommunication purposes and, as an absorbing polymer, hexafluorobutyl acrylate was used, which is sensitive to organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds. The spectral measurements were conducted in a wide optical range-500-1800 nm-covering the visible part of the spectrum as well as near infrared part in order to show the versatility of the proposed solution. Additionally, detailed absorption dynamics measurements were provided for a single wavelength of 1310 nm. The analyses were conducted for two concentrations of evaporating compounds, 10 µL and 100 µL, in a volume of 150 mL. Additionally, a temperature dependency analysis and tests with distilled water were carried out to eliminate the influence of external factors. The results presented in this article confirmed the possibility to provide low-cost sensors for dangerous and harmful chemical compounds using optical fiber technology and polymers as sensitive materials.

Polymer Microtip on a Multimode Optical Fiber as a Threshold Volatile Organic Compounds Sensor.

Polymer microtips are 3D microstructures manufactured on the end face of an optical fiber by using the photopolymerization process. Such micro-optic elements made on a multi-mode optical fiber were previously tested as a transducer of refractive index sensor. These studies were an inspiration to investigate the possibility of using this type of transducer to measure the presence of volatile organic compounds in the air. The experimental results of microtips polymerized with UV and VIS were reported. It was possible to detect the presence of five different volatile compounds in the air due to the sensitivity of the transducer to the refractive indices changes. These changes were induced by the vapors condensed on the microtip surface. The measured time responses have shown that the return loss decreases rapidly as the microtip is inserted inside a glass vial filled with the tested compound. Moreover, correlations between calculated dynamic ranges and refractive indices and volumes of the volatile compounds inside the vials were negligible. Therefore, this type of sensor can be categorized as a condensed material threshold sensor. This sensor can be used in warning systems for monitoring leakages of pipelines carrying volatile chemicals.

Modification of Higher Alkanes by Nanoparticles to Control Light Propagation in Tapered Fibers.

This study presents the doping of higher alkanes, namely, pentadecane (C15) and hexadecane (C16), with ZnS:Mn nanoparticles to create new types of in-line optical fiber sensors with unique optical properties. In this research, the phenomenon of light beam leakage out of the taper and its interaction with the surrounding materials is described. The fabricated new materials are used as cladding in a tapered optical fiber to make it possible to control the optical light beam. The manufactured sensor shows high sensitivity and fast response to the change in the applied materials. Results are presented for a wide optical range of 1200-1700 nm with the use of a supercontinuum source and an optical spectrum analyzer, as well as for a single wavelength of 800 nm, corresponding to the highest transmitted power. The results present a change in the optical property dependence on the temperature in the cooling and heating process. For all materials, the measurements in a climatic chamber are provided between 0 and 40 °C, corresponding to the phase change of the alkanes from solid to liquid. The addition of nanoparticles to the volume of alkanes is equal to 1 wt%. To avoid a conglomeration of nanoparticles, the anti-agglomeration material, Brij 78 P, is used.

Technology of Polymer Microtips' Manufacturing on the Ends of Multi-Mode Optical Fibers.

The technology of polymer microtips' manufacturing on the ends of selected multi-mode fibers has been reported. The study's key element was an extended description of technology parameters' influence on the shape of these 3D microstructures. Basic technology parameters such as spectral characteristics of the light source, monomer mixture type, optical power, and exposure time were taken under consideration. Depending on those parameters, different shapes, sizes, and surface structures of microtips were obtained. The spectral characteristics of the light and optical power delivered to a monomer drop were identified as the most important parameters for the formation of the desired 3D shape of the microtip. Presented experimental results are the base for further studies directed to the application of these micro-elements in the fields of optical measurements and sensors' technology.

[Obesity as a factor in the development of cancer in type 2 diabetes]. / Otylosc jako czynnik rozwoju nowotworów w cukrzycy typu 2.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malignant tumors in patients with type 2 diabetes and the factors contributing to the development of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 1087 patients with type 2 diabetes were retrospectively analyzed and a group of 74 (6.8%) patients with malignant tumor were found during treatment of diabetes. RESULTS: The most common sites of malignancies in patients with type 2 diabetes were: kidney (33.3%) and colorectal cancer (26.7%). The highest mean body mass index (BMI) was in the group of patients with uterus cancer and amounted to 36.1 kg/m². The next highest BMI recorded in the case of breast cancer - 32.6 kg/m², cancer of the kidney - 31.6 kg/m² and colorectal cancer - 31.3 kg/m². The lowest BMI values were observed in gallbladder cancer - 25.2 kg/m² and lung cancer - 26.4 kg/m². BMI in the various types of cancer were not statistically significant. In the group with normal BMI prostate cancer was most common. In the group of overweight and obesity patients kidney and colon cancers occurred more frequently, while in obese women - breast and uterus tumors. More than 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes who were diagnosed with cancer were overweight or obese. In the group of obese patients the highest average glycated hemoglobin was observed and if compared to those with normal weight it was significantly higher (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In the group of obese patients, the most common tumors were renal and colorectal cancer, and cancer of the breast and uterus in a group of obese women. The use of metformin in the presence of other risk factors do not protect against the development of cancer.

[Assess the impact of concentrations of inflammatory markers IL-6, CRP in the presence of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Ocena wplywu stezenia markerów stanu zapalnego: IL-6, CRP na wystepowanie albuminurii u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2.

UNLABELLED: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Symptom of nephropathy is albuminuria, in which the mechanism of formation may participates CRP and IL-6. The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of CRP and IL-6 depending on the irregularity of metabolic patients with type 2 diabetes and their impact on the occurrence of albuminuria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 68 patients with type 2 diabetes with albuminuria. Patients were divided into groups: group I - patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c > or = 6.1 - < or = 6.5%, group II - patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c > 6.5 - < or = 10.0%, K - control group, 21 patients with essential hypertension with albuminuria. The material was consisted of venal extracted for clot drawn from the basilic vain. IL 6 concentration was assessed using the ELISA method. The percentage of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), CRP, the extent of albuminuria was determined by immunoturbidimetric method. RESULTS: The mean urinary albumin excretion was highest in the second study group, lowerin the test group, the lowest in the control group. The average concentration of IL-6 and CRP was highest in group I, lower in group II, the lowest in the control group (p > 0.05). It has been shown a positive correlation between serum CRP and the magnitude of albuminuria in the test group of patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c > or = 6.1 - < or = 6.5% (p < 0.037). The relationship between serum CRP and the magnitude of albuminuria in the control group of patients with essential hypertension were at the border of statistical significance (p < 0.057). Not shown a positive correlation between these parameters in the second group of patients with type 2 diabetes with HbA1c >6.5 - < or = 10.0%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes with better metabolic control, protein CRP is a sensitive marker of albuminuria.

[The relations between platelet count, mean platelet volume and HbA1C in patients with type 2 diabetes]. / Zaleznosc pomiedzy liczba plytek krwi, srednia objetoscia plytek a HbA1C u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2.

Considerable interest experimental and clinical researches has been focused on important role of advanced glication and its products and oxidative stress on the structure and functional disorders of platelets in diabetes. The aim of the study of our work was an estimate of platelet count (PLT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) for diabetics and control subjects and diabetics depending on glycated haemoglobin. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the platelet count was 216.4 x 10(9)/l in control subjects 223.60 x 10(9)/l. The mean platelet volume in diabetic was significantly higher than in control subjects and the results totaled 9.81 fl in diabetics. The platelet count in groups: B1 and B2 than in control subjects 9.36 fl, depending on glycated haemoglobin were not significantly important. The mean platelet volume in diabetics with level of glycated haemoglobin below 7.5% was 10.25 fl in group B2 9.83 fl and in control subjects 9.36 fl. One can suppose changes in patelet count and mean platelet volume depend on level metabolic disorders in diabetic.

[Hyponatremia in syndrome of inappropiate antidiuretic hormone secretion--cases report]. / Hiponatremia w zespole nieadekwatnego wydzielania hormonu antydiuretycznego--opis przypadków.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) is a rare disease characterized by hyponatremia and hyperosmolality of urine. There are well known causes of this syndrome, such as neoplasmatic processes, different disorder of central nervous system, lung diseases and side effects various drugs. In differential diagnosis of this syndrome we ought to consider renal failure, adrenocortical deficiency (Addison's disease), hypothyroidism, different forms of hyponatremia as well as pseudohyponatremia.

[Platelets activation in depending on glycaemic control in diabetes type 2]. / Aktywacja plytek krwi w zaleznosci od stopnia wyrównania cukrzycy typu 2.

UNLABELLED: Both metabolic and heamodynamic disorders accompany diabetes. Inadequate control of glycaemia, glication proteins and oxidative stress causes chronic thromboembolic and atherothrombosis complications. Disorders which are observed in diabetes induce intravascular platelets activation and changes with platelets' morphologic parameters. It is interesting if this process depends on glycaemic control diabetes? The aim of our study was to investigate in patients with type 2 diabetes the level of beta-thromboglobulin as the platelets activation marker and platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), which depend on diabetes control. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included 58 patients with type 2 diabetes (middle ages was 58) with long-term anamnesis and treated only with insulin. The control group was composed by 36 healthy people (middle ages was 54). The study group was categorized into two subgroups, in depending on percent of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) which is a marker of diabetes control: B1--HbA1c < 7,5%--(13 people), B2--HbA1c > or = 7,5%--(45 people). Identical set research (beta-TG, PLT MPV and HbA1c) were carried out in both study group and the control group. Blood samples were collected from elbow vein, with no staza use and were put to test- tubes with disodium versenate (EDTA-K2) and to vacuum test- tubes Vacutainer with anticoagulant CTAD. RESULTS: We didn't observe significantly important differences in the research parameters: B-TG, MPV and PLT between subgroups with good diabetes control and worse diabetes control. The level of beta-thromboglobulin and the mean platelet volume was significantly important higher in the study group than in the control subjects. However, PLT--platelet count, in the blood collected from patients with type 2 diabetes was slightly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Increased activation of platelets in patients with type 2 diabetes does not depend on glycaemic control diabetes.

[Serious course of sepsis in diabetic patients]. / Ciezszy przebieg posocznicy u pacjentów z cukrzyca.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and the course of sepsis in the patients treated in our ward. Retrospective evaluation was conducted on a group of 7418 patients hospitalized in 2001-2005. Serious sepsis was found in 15 patients (0.2%). Analysis was conducted on two groups of patients: diabetic (group A) and non-diabetic (group B). The majority of patients had community-acquired infection (93.3%). Critical course of sepsis was observed in 53.3% of patients. Mortality was higher in group A (83.3%) compared to B (33.3%). In group A other, pre-existing diseases were more frequent. The most frequent focus of infection was urinary tract, followed by respiratory system. In group A the focus of infection was in 33.3% each urinary tract, respiratory tract and diabetic foot. Only in 66.7% of patients pathogens were cultured from body fluid. Multiple pathogens were more frequent in group B. Co-existing fungal infections were more frequent in group A (16.6%) than in B (11.1%). The empirical therapy was ineffective in 75% of diabetic and 50% of non-diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: 1) In severe sepsis mortality is high, and in diabetic patients it amounts to 80%. 2) In > 30% patients bacteriological tests did not confirm the type of pathogen. 3) In diabetic patients fungal infections were more frequent. 4) Critical course of sepsis may result from co-existing morbidity.

[Early diagnosis of bladder carcinoma]. / Wczesna diagnostyka raka pecherza moczowego.

Asymptomatic erythrocyturia is an early symptom of urinary tracts and kidney diseases, including bladder carcinoma. The aim of the research was to compare the diagnostic validity of the cytological urine analysis and the DNA flow cytometry in detecting cancer cells in urine and bladder washings, taken from patients with asymptomatic erythrocyturia, as an early symptom of the bladder carcinoma in situ. The research was conducted on a group of 48 patients (32 male, 16 female, aged 28-55) with asymptomatic erythrocyturia, caused, in 16 cases, by bladder carcinoma in situ, in 18 cases, by bladder carcinoma in situ with urinary tracts infection, and in 14 cases, by the infection alone. Flow cytomery showed a higher sensitivity and a higher negative prediction value in detecting cancer cells in bladder washings. Flow cytometry analysis of DNA and phase S is used for detecting early disturbances in the cell cycle which result in aneuploidia, which is impossible to detect in cytological analysis. However peculiarity and positive prediction value were the same (100%) in both methods. On the basis of the research it has been proved that asymptomatic erythrocyturia classifies patients for further, in-depth diagnostic examination for the presence of bladder carcinoma in situ. Furthermore, morning urine and bladder washings analysis, which are non-intrusive tests, are an outstanding diagnostic material for screening for this disease. Detecting aneuploidia with flow cytometry can be an early-detection screening test for bladder carcinoma, while the cytological tests should still be used for confirming the diagnosis.