The paper presents a comparison of the possibility and complexity of the calibration process of two microsimulation models. The first model CORSIM is simple for use while the second named S-Paramics is more complex software. For research purposes, a model of street network with defined geometry (number, width and purpose of lanes) has been made. The volume and distribution of traffic as well as the data about traffic signals were input in the models. Numerous simulations were performed, first with the default parameters of models, and then with the calibrated parameters. Both programs have resulted in very good prediction of the intersection capacity and discharge volumes. However, for the calibration of speed more time and effort have been made in S-Paramics in which the average speed may be higher than the defined free-flow speed. This can present a problem in determining the level of service and comparing the S-Paramics results with other simulation models and analytical method results. On the other hand S-Paramics has greater capabilities than CORSIM (roundabouts modelling, dynamic traffic assignment, opportunity to interact with traffic signals...). Thus, for each specific task, one should carefully choose an appropriate program which would result in necessary and reliable output data with minimum effort and time consumed.

Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is disease characterized by focally, nonscarring hair loss on the scalp or other parts of the body. It affects 1-2% population of both genders and occurs at all age groups. The etiology is unknown, although most evidence supports the hypothesis that AA is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the hair follicle and that cytokines play an important role. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate serum concentrations of IL-1α and IL-1β in patients with AA and healthy subjects and also to asses a possible association between these cytokines and duration of the disease. Methods: Forty six patients with AA and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of IL-1α and IL-1β were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay techniques. Results: The serum level of IL-1α in patients with AA was significantly higher than that in the control group (4.34±0.86 pg/mL vs 3.66±0.35 pg/mL, respectively). IL-1β levels were greater in patients with AA than in controls (2.35±0.17 pg/mL vs 2.24±0.30, respectively) but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). No correlations were found between duration of disease and the serum levels of IL-1α and IL-1β. Conclusion: Our results have demonstrated the importance of determining IL-1a concentration in serum in patients with AA. This research could contribute to the interpretation of insufficiently well known views of the pathogenesis role and significance of IL-1α in AA. Streszczenie Wstep: Łysienie plackowate to choroba charakteryzująca sie ogniskowym, niebliznowaciejącym lysieniem skory glowy lub tez innych okolic ciala. Choroba ta dotyka 1-2% populacji, bez predylekcji plci ani tez wieku. Etiologia choroby pozostaje nieznana, jednakze najwiecej dowodow potwierdza hipoteze, ze AA jest chorobą autoimmunologiczną mediowaną za pomocą komorek T, zajmującą korzen wlosa oraz ze cytokiny pelnią w tym procesie wazną role. Cel: Celem naszego badania bylo oszacowanie stezenia w surowicy interleukin: IL-1α i IL-1β u pacjentow z AA oraz u osob zdrowych by wykazac mozliwe związki pomiedzy tymi cytokinami a dlugością trwania choroby. Metody: Do badania zakwalifikowano 46 pacjentow z AA oraz 20 osob zdrowych. Stezenia cytokin IL-1α i IL-1β byly mierzone za pomocą techniki EIA. Wyniki: Poziomy IL-1α u chorych na AA byl znacznie wyzszy niz ten w grupie kontrolnej (4.34±0.86 pg/mL vs 3.66±0.35 pg/mL, odpowiednio). Poziomy IL-1β byly wieksze u pacjentow z AA niz w grupie kontrolnej (odpowiednio 2.35±0.17 pg/mL vs 2.24±0.30) jednak statystycznie nieistotne (p>0.05). Nie znaleziono korelacji pomiedzy trwaniem choroby a poziomami interleukin IL-1α i IL-1β w surowicy krwi. Wnioski: Nasze wyniki badan dowodzą wagi pomiaru stezenia IL-1a w surowicy krwi osob chorych na AA. To badanie moze przyczynic sie do nie do konca poznanej roli IL-1α w patogenezie oraz odkryciu pelnego znaczenia w Alopecia Areata.

A case is presented of a 35-year-old woman diagnosed with platybasia associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome type I. She was admitted to University Department of Neurology for clinical examination because of walking difficulties, dizziness, and intermittent vision disturbances. Neurological examination revealed a predominance of cerebellar symptomatology. Relevant diagnostic work-up included craniogram, cervical spine x-ray, computed tomography (CT) of the brain and craniocervical junction, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, electroencephalography, ophthalmologic examination, urinary tract ultrasonography, laboratory tests, and psychological testing. CT of the craniocervical junction showed platybasia, congenital fusion of the second and third cervical vertebrae, and basilar invagination of dens axis. Platybasia is leveling of the angle between the floor of the anterior cranial fossa and posterior cranial fossa in the area of sella turcica, which is normally at 115-140 degrees. Basilar impression or invagination is moving up of the basis of the occiput and occipital condyles into the cranium, which means that the borders of the foramen magnum, condyles and adjacent bone are invaginated into the posterior fossa. Klippel-Feil syndrome type II is massive fusion of two of seven cervical vertebrae associated with short neck and low hair line.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of paracetamol following intravenous administration of 5 g during the first 24 h with a 2-g starting dose.