The Kedem−Katchalsky equations in matrix version for homogeneous and nonhomogeneous solutions were applied for the interpretation of membrane transport. Coefficients L*_ij (for unstirred solutions), L_ij (for mechanically stirred solutions) (i ≠ j = 1, 2), and L*_ij/L_ij were calculated, on the basis of experimentally determined coefficients (L_p, σ, ω), for an aqueous glucose solution and configurations A and B of the membrane system, in which a cellulose membrane was mounted in a horizontal plane. In configuration A, the upper chamber contained aqueous glucose solution at concentration C_l, and the lower chamber contained aqueous glucose solution at concentration C_h. In configuration B, the position of solutions with concentrations C_l. and C_h. was reversed. From the calculations, it results that the values of coefficients L*₁₁ = L₁₁ are constant, but the values of coefficients L*₁₂, L₁₂, L₂₁, L*₂₁, and L₂₂ depend linearly on solution concentration in the membrane ( C). However, the value of coefficient L*₂₂ depends nonlinearly on C as well as on a membrane system configuration. A concentration Rayleigh number (R_C) was used in a thermodynamic model based on Kedem−Katchalsky equations for counting L*_ij/L_ij . It can be also stated that for R_C greater than threshold value ((R_C)_crit), conductance coefficients L*₁₂/L₁₂, L*₂₂/L₂₂, and det[L*]/det[L] depend on a configuration of the membrane system.

The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of chronic venous disease (CVD) remains obscure. It has been postulated that oscillatory flow present in incompetent veins causes proinflammatory changes. Our earlier study confirmed this hypothesis. This study is aimed at assessing chemokines and growth factors (GFs) released by lymphocytes in patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence. In 34 patients exhibiting reflux in GSV, blood was derived from the cubital vein and from the incompetent saphenofemoral junction. In 12 healthy controls, blood was derived from the cubital vein. Lymphocyte culture with and without stimulation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was performed. Eotaxin, interleukin 8 (IL-8), macrophage inflammatory protein 1 A and 1B (MIP-1A and MIP-1B), interferon gamma-induced protein (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 5 (IL-5), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed in culture supernatants by a Bio-Plex assay. Higher concentrations of eotaxin and G-CSF were revealed in the incompetent GSV, compared with the concentrations in the patients’ upper limbs. The concentrations of MIP-1A and MIP-1B were higher in the CVD group while the concentration of VEGF was lower. In the stimulated cultures, the concentration of G-CSF proved higher in the incompetent GSV, as compared with the patients’ upper limbs. Between the groups, the concentration of eotaxin was higher in the CVD group, while the IL-5 and MCP-1 concentrations were lower. IL-8, IP-10, FGF, GM-CSF, and PDGF-BB did not reveal any significant differences in concentrations between the samples. These observations suggest that the concentrations of chemokines and GFs are different in the blood of CVD patients. The oscillatory flow present in incompetent veins may play a role in these changes. However, the role of cytokines in CVD requires further study.

The Kedem-Katchalsky equations, modified by means of symmetric transformations of Peusner thermodynamic networks, were applied to interpret the membrane transport in concentration polarization conditions. The results from the study demonstrate that the resistance coefficients counted for membrane transport of aqueous solutions of glucose through Nephrophan membrane in horizontal plane are nonlinearly dependent on mean concentration of glucose in the membrane \({(\bar{C})}\) . It was also shown that the threshold value of concentration \({(\bar{C}_{cr})}\) existed, and for \({\bar{C} > \bar{C}_{cr}}\) , the resistance coefficients depend, while for \({\bar{C} < \bar{C}_{cr}}\) , they do not depend on the membrane system configuration. Increase of mean glucose concentration in the membrane (in the range \({\bar{C} > \bar{C}_{cr})}\) causes decrease of difference between resistance coefficients of the membrane system in homogeneous conditions (solutions mechanically stirred) and in conditions with hydrodynamic instabilities (configuration B). Besides increase of mean glucose concentration in the membrane (in the range \({\bar{C} > \bar{C}_{cr})}\) causes increase of the difference between resistance coefficients for membrane system with concentration polarization without hydrodynamic instabilities (configuration A) and membrane system in homogeneous conditions.

Objective: We conducted a prospective randomised trial to assess whether a specific type of regular physical training performed by women with obesity is related to obtaining specific psychological benefits. Methods: Forty-four women qualified for the study and were divided into two groups. The applied intervention consisted of regular three-month physical exercises in the form of endurance training (group A) or endurance strength training (group B). Initially, and after the completed intervention, we examined anthropometric measurements and the level of: stress (PSS-10), general self-esteem (SES), body self-report (BSQ–34, FRS), and behaviours associated with diet (TFEQ-18). Results: As a result of the intervention, both groups had significantly lower anthropometric parameters and FRS scores with regard to the current figure (gr. A:δ FRS CS −0.90 ± 0.83, p < 0.001; gr. B:δ FRS CS −0.41 ± 0.50, p = 0.01) and BSQ–34 results (gr. A:δ BSQ–34 −14.90 ± 13.5, p = 0.001; gr. B:δ BSQ–34 − 18.64 ± 25.4, p = 0.01). Additionally, an increase in cognitive restraint (δ TFEQ–18 CR1.65 ± 2.06, p = 0.01) and a decrease in emotional eating (δ TFEQ–18 EE −0.82 ± 1.28, p = 0.01) were observed in group B. There were no between-group differences in terms of the magnitude of changes achieved due to the intervention, except for asignificant improvement in the perception of their current figure (FRS) (δ FRSCS −0.90 ± 0.83, p = 0.03) in group A. Conclusions: Regular physical activity over a three-month period by women with obesity promotes the perception of their own body as slimmer and lowers body shape concerns. The change in body shape perception was more pronounced under the influence of endurance training than endurance strength training. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04793451.