The Use of Brewer's Spent Grain after Beer Production for Energy Purposes.

The aim of this study was to assess the possibilities to use brewer's spent grains (BSGs) left over from beer production for energy purposes, and to determine its calorific value and chemical composition. The research materials were samples of wet spent grain from a brewery in Poland. Three samples, that are different in ingredient composition, were examined. The examined samples of BSGs were characterised by humidity that is typical for this product (approx. 77-80%). Convective drying of the spent grain contributed to a reduction in the water content in the biomass to below 10%. Samples of dry spent grain that were examined contained a similar amount of ash (3.8-4.1% d.m.) and organic matter (91.0-91.9% d.m.). All the examined spent grain samples demonstrated similar volatile matter content-approx. 77.8-78.7% d.m. and calorific value-approx. 15.6-15.9 MJ/kg. The estimated calorific value for wet samples (approx. 1.4-2.0 MJ/kg) indicated that it is necessary to lower water content in the biomass in order to improve its energy properties.

Misuse of xylometazoline nasal drops by inhalation.

Six male prisoners who misused xylometazoline nasal drops by inhalation were interviewed by a prison physician in 2006. The prisoners received xylometazoline drops during regular visits in the prison ambulatory service. In order to get the medication, the subjects reported false symptoms of rhinosinusitis and allergic reactions. Psychoactive effects of inhaled xylometazoline were described as "stimulation," "excitation," and "feeling of strength." Although preliminary, our findings suggest that topical adrenergic decongestants can produce rewarding effects when administered by inhalation.

[Longevity of physicians and medical scientists born from 1880 to 1904]. / Dlugosc zycia lekarzy i samodzielnych pracowników nauk medycznych urodzonych w latach 1880-1904.

Analysis of biographies of 319 physicians (302 men and 17 women) born from 1880 to 1904, who died from natural causes, was carried out on the basis of annals of medical universities in Poland. Due to small number of women they were excluded from further analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in duration of life between medical scientists- professors, Ph.D. (n = 212, mean = 73.9 +/- 10 yrs) and physicians with the doctor's degree or without any scientific degrees (n = 90, mean = 72.6 +/- 11.4) and among medical scientists working in different fields--basic research (n = 42, mean = 75.1 +/- 9.7), non-invasive disciplines (n = 64, mean = 72.0 +/- 9.9), surgical disciplines (n = 89, mean = 74.4 +/- 11.0), disciplines with limited contact with patients (n = 17, mean = 75.8 +/- 9.0). Average life expectancy at the age of sixty in the whole examined group (16.1 +/- 8.6 yrs) was not statistically different from the general population of men born in the same period (15.1 yrs).