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- 2024-11-13
Progressive Neurosarcoidosis Presenting as Idiopathic Hypopituitarism With Atypical Radiological Features for 13 Years
Sarcoidosis is an immune-mediated multisystem condition of unknown etiology, characterized by non-caseating granulomatous inflammation. While it commonly affects the lungs and the reticuloendothelial system, it can affect any organ. Most of such cases involve the central nervous system, but the condition rarely presents with symptoms related to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Neurosarcoidosis primarily targets the leptomeninges, leading to infiltration of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland by granuloma with deficiencies in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and growth hormone (GH) being common. Most patients suffering from sarcoidosis develop neurological manifestations within two years of diagnosis and can present with inflammation in the pituitary gland which can mimic infiltrative pituitary lesions. We present a 54-year-old male patient, who initially presented with infertility, hypothyroidism, and growth hormone deficiency due to presumed idiopathic hypopituitarism. He had two children following gonadotropin therapy and was maintained on pituitary hormone replacement. After 13 years, he developed further symptoms of neurosarcoidosis including cerebellar infarction, optic neuritis, and paralysis in lower limbs and later developed systemic sarcoidosis including erythema nodosum and cervical lymphadenopathy. Initially, his MRI of the brain showed a decrease in the size of the pituitary gland in 2004, and there were no other features to suggest a systemic illness. A repeat MRI of the brain in 2019 showed an empty sella. His chest X-ray was normal, T-SPOT.TB was negative, and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was undetectable, but eventually, a lymph node biopsy confirmed features of sarcoidosis. Unfortunately, his condition has progressed despite high-dose steroid therapy and methotrexate. This case emphasizes the need for a thorough re-examination of features of neurosarcoidosis in cases of apparently idiopathic panhypopituitarism, to identify patients developing further complications, even after many years. Obtaining a tissue diagnosis is often difficult, and systemic features may be absent. Prospective studies are needed to establish a more uniform strategy for managing hypothalamic-pituitary neurosarcoidosis and identifying factors that predict treatment outcomes.Pozostałe osiągnięcia naukoweArtykuły (zamknięty dostęp)Journal article - 2025-01
Extending Our Understanding of the Social Determinants of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Families: A Systems Mapping Approach
Rhodes, Ryan E.Burkard Aulbach, MatthiasDurand, HannahGatting, LaurenGreen, JamesHillison, Emily ZeldaMasaryk. RadomírRadtke, ThedaRigby, Benjamin P.Schenkel, KonstantinWarner, Lisa MarieJones, Christopher M.Background: The social environment is important to consider for effective promotion of movement behaviors like increased physical activity (PA) and reduced sedentary behavior (SB); yet, it is less often considered than individual and built environments. One way to advance social environment research is to develop system maps, an innovative, participatory, action-oriented research process that actively engages stakeholders to visualize system structures and explore how systems “work.” The purpose of this research was to develop PA and SB system maps of the social environment embedded within the core/nuclear family system. Methods: The development process began with a 2-day multicountry, 16-researcher, in-person participatory workshop in August 2023, followed by multiple online follow-up consultations. Attendees contributed to the creation of the maps through shared development of critical determinants and their causal pathways. The structure of the final maps was analyzed using network analysis methods to identify indicators of centrality, and key feedback loops and areas for potential intervention were explored. Results: Key central determinants that were likely critical targets for systems intervention to produce changes in PA and SB and featured prominently in most of the reinforcing and balancing feedback loops included shared family interests, values and priorities, family logistical support, family cohesion/organization, and shared experiences. The maps also highlighted key determinants of the broader social environment external to the family. Conclusions: These system maps support current evidence on movement behaviors in family systems and socioecological theories and have the utility to galvanize future research and policy to promote PA and reduce SB.Pozostałe osiągnięcia naukoweArtykuły (zamknięty dostęp)Journal article - 2024-10
Space science education in virtual reality – Barriers to gender inclusion
Pyrkosz-Pacyna, JoannaZwierżdżyński, MarcinGuja, JowitaLis, MariaBulska, DominikaIn this article, we present the results of research conducted to investigate the perception of VR educational materials for space technology courses being developed at a technological university in Europe. Our aim was to identify potential barriers faced by men and women when entering and continuing this form of education. As both VR and space technology are considered highly technical, they may deter individuals from pursuing courses in these subjects. Therefore, we sought to identify the most relevant constraints in the design of innovative educational materials. To achieve this, we conducted eight sample educational sessions using VR in the field of space education, involving both male and female participants. Employing a mixed-method study design encompassing qualitative and quantitative measures, we discovered that when confronted with difficulties, female participants were more inclined to attribute them to their own lack of skills, while male participants focused on technical shortcomings of the applications. Additionally, we observed that female participants tended to be more self-conscious when using VR headsets and experienced greater discomfort due to a sense of confinement. We also found that female participants exhibited a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy after engaging in VR space educational experiences compared to their pre-VR session levels. Furthermore, both male and female participants demonstrated increase in their intention to engage in space science (various academic domains relating to studying space) following the VR session, which bodes well for the continued development of these educational tools.Pozostałe osiągnięcia naukoweArtykuły (zamknięty dostęp)Journal article - 2025-01
Unmasking Moral Hypocrisy: How Preschoolers Perceive and Judge Moral Hypocrites
Many previous studies indicate that children are highly sensitive to the immoral behavior of others, preferring prosocial over antisocial characters. Accordingly, children avoid transgressors from a very early age. A special kind of transgressor is the moral hypocrite, who not only acts immorally but also acts in contrast to what they preach. There are very few studies establishing whether children recognize moral hypocrisy and if it impacts their moral judgment. We ran three studies with preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years on whether children recognize moral hypocrisy and how children assess moral hypocrisy. In Studies 2 and 3, we also tested false-signaling theory as an explanation of the more negative assessments of moral hypocrites. In Study 1 (N = 133), we showed that children indeed assess moral hypocrites more negatively than nonhypocritical moral transgressors. In Study 2 (N = 115), we initially demonstrated that the assessment of moral hypocrites results from their inconsistency between words and deeds. Study 3 (N = 159) replicated the results of Studies 1 and 2 and, by excluding an alternative explanation, explained that moral hypocrites are perceived as less moral and liked less due to the false signals that they send.Pozostałe osiągnięcia naukoweArtykuły (zamknięty dostęp)Journal article - 2024-11
Autonomia woli małżonków w kontekście propozycji wprowadzenia możliwości rozwiązania małżeństwa przed notariuszem
The article attempts to present the concept of will autonomy in family law in the context of the proposal to introduce the permissibility of dissolution of marriage before a notary public. Reference was made to the scope of autonomy of spouses who decide to dissolve their marriage before a notary public. It was pointed out what consequences related to this the spouses would have influence on. It was pointed out that the scope of autonomy granted to spouses cannot be unlimited, and that the principle of protecting the welfare of the child should be given primacy over the principle of spousal autonomy.Pozostałe osiągnięcia naukoweArtykuły (zamknięty dostęp)Journal article