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Emotions are the effect but also the cause of eating behaviors, including the purchase and consumption of snacks. As snacks become an increasingly prevalent segment of the food industry, their consumption has been linked to rising rates of overweight, obesity, and diet-related diseases. Understanding how emotional valence influences consumer attitudes and behaviors toward snacks is therefore crucial. This study explores the relationship between emotional eating and the propensity to consume unhealthy snacks, both sweet and salty. A survey of 707 representative participants revealed distinct emotional patterns in snack consumption, with choices significantly influenced by consumers' emotional states and personal preferences. Furthermore, individuals who frequently opted for unhealthy snacks typically exhibited poorer health and financial profiles.

Introduction: The cardiac veins have inspired numerous generations of researchers. From anatomists and pathologists to cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, the issue of the structure of heart and cardiovascular disorders- in spite of enormous progress of medicine - have not been completely discovered so far., Material and Methods: The material of the research comes from the collection of the Chair and Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy of the Pomeranian Medical University and it includes 102 human hearts, of which 59 male and 43 female ones, aged from 12 and 70. Both coronary veins and arteries of the tested hearts were filled with the epoxy resin, which allowed for thorough exposing and differentiating between the venous vessels and the arterial vessels. The aim of this study was to assessing the interrelationships between the dimensions of the heart, the size of the coronary sinus, the length of the cardiac veins and a sex. Also determined the frequency and variability of cardiac veins run in the material, as well as the correlation between the topography of the course of the great cardiac vein, the middle cardiac vein, the branches of the left and right coronary arteries and the cardiac size and a gender. The measurements of the heart and the veins were made with the use of a pair of spherical compasses, an electronic caliper, a goniometer and a planimeter., Results: It was found that the size of the male heart is statistically significantly greater than the female one. The dimensions of the heart correlated positively with the diameter and the length of the coronary sinus (CS) and the length of the great cardiac vein (GCV), the middle cardiac vein (MCV) and the small cardiac vein (SCV). The length of the CS positively correlated with its diameter and the length of the veins draining into it. The veins which were not always present in the tested material included: the SCV, the right marginal vein (RMV), the oblique vein of the left atrium (OVLA), the left marginal vein (LMV). It was found that the length of the GCV and the MCV in males were statistically significantly greater. The length of the MCV positively correlated with the length of the GCV, the SCV, the OVLA, the posterior vein of the left ventricle (PVLV), the LMV. The anastomoses between the GCV and the MCV were more often found in males and it was a statistically significant difference. It was found that there is a positive correlation between the venous arch connecting the GCV and the MCV and the length of the GCV. The anastomoses between the PVLV and the MCV and the LMV did not correlated with a sex, but it statistically significantly correlated with the length of the right and left PVLV and with the length of the MCV.

Background: Proper age of sexual initiation remains a topical issue in developmental sexology and gynecology Premature sexual début is a risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and their consequences: unplanned pregnancy and emotional stress. Consequences of risky sexual behavior (young age of sexual initiation, number of sexual partners or using unsafe contraceptive methods) are more severe for women. State of knowledge about sexual activity of Polish women is still insufficient, whereas patterns of sexual behavior are in the process of undergoing dramatic changes due to the influence of the western culture., Objectives: Two main aims of the study were: (1) to examine whether age of sexual début and patterns of sexual behavior have changed over the past decades among young Polish women and (2) to consider the medical and legal aspects regarding juvenile patients who are sexually active., Materials and Methods: Two hundred women, born within two consecutive decades (1975-1995) in the Wielkopolska region (Poland) were asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning the following: age at sexual initiation and the contraceptive method used at the time, preferred forms of sexual activity current contraceptive methods. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 9.0 software [StatSoft]. Statistical evaluation was based on the chi-square test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)., Results: The average age of sexual initiation decreased significantly between the two studied cohorts of women and ranged from 18.9 for women born between 1975 and 1984 (cohort I) and 17.6 for women born between 1985 and 1995 (cohort II), regardless of the place of residence. The percentage of women who had their first sexual intercourse by the age of 15 years was 0% in cohort I and 8.2% in cohort II. Other characteristics of sexual activity were similar across the studied cohorts of women. Condom use during the first sexual intercourse was the preferred form of contraception (59.2%). 65% women have reported current contraceptive use. As for the preferred type of intercourse, all women (100%) chose vaginal sex. The most frequent number of sexual intercourses per month was 7 or more (41.7%)., Conclusions: The age of sexual début among Polish women has decreased significantly over the last decades. Premature initiation is believed to increase the risk of unplanned pregnancy STDs and emotional stress. Polish medical and legal circles lack unequivocal stand on how to deal with juvenile patients who are sexually active, expect to receive advice from a gynecologist, a gynecologic examination and prescribed contraceptives.

The age-specific decline in secretion of androgens and gonadotrophins in men result in negative changes in their libido, and a variety of psychological and neurovegetative symptoms. The purpose of this paper is to describe a diversity of symptoms accompanying male's ageing in relation to their biological status, socio-economic background and lifestyle behaviours. The study sample consisted of 2509 men whose age ranged between 30 and 97 years, and who voluntarily completed anonymous questionnaire. The educational attainement, marital status, place of residence, financial situation, physical activity and smoking habit were used to assess demographic and socio-economic status of the studied men. A set of symptoms accompanying male's ageing, were classified as somatic (FOSM) and psychological (POSM). Biological status of each man was assessed using index of physiological reserve (WRF) a criterion of biological age. All computations were run using Statistica 7.1 programme package. The level of significance was set at p < or = 0.05. Men who did not experience somatic and psychological symptoms were more likely to be younger (< 50 years) residents of medium cities. Those who had experienced almost all symptoms were more likely to be from the older group (> 50 years) of single men (including bachelors, widowers and divorced). The findings revealed that variation of somatic symptoms accompanying male's ageing (FOSM) was in 24% explained (R2 = 0.24) by the set of variables: index of physiological reserve (WRF), calendar age, place of residence, smoking habit and financial situation. Whereas that of POSM, was in 26% explained by index of physiological reserve (WRF), place of residence, marital status and smoking habit. The concluding statement should be stated that somatic and psychological symptoms accompanying male's ageing are associated with negative age-related physiological changes in the organism along with negative changes in family and professional lives.

Aims: The purpose of the study is to estimate whether the cognitive, functioning and emotional impairments in patients with Alzheimer's disease are related to lifestyle behaviours in the stage of life prior to the diagnosis of the disease., Methods: Altogether, 65 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 55 women and 10 men, participants of the day center, run by the Wielkopolska Association of Alzheimer's Disease and residents of the Senior Nursing Home in Koprzywnica, were examined. Cognitive, functioning and emotional impairments of patients as well as lifestyle behaviours in the stage of life prior to the diagnosis of AD were estimated using AD-specific questionnaire, which were completed by caregivers. Qantitative and qualitative analyses were run using appropriate statistical procedures available in the Statistica 7.1 programme [StatSoft. Inc.2005 Statistica for Windows]., Results: The findings revealed that patients with AD aged 70 years and older were likely to be more frequently impaired with daily life functioning than their younger counterparts. Patients with a higher attainment of education were more frequently impaired with cognitive than emotional problems and depression. Of all the variables in question, calendar age, educational attainment and intellectual activity in the stage of life prior to the diagnosis of disease were most significant in explaining the variation in the current impairments. Persons who were younger and intellectually active prior to the disease, were likely to be suffering less from the burden of AD than the older and less intellectually active counterparts., Conclusions: The association between educational attainment and intellectual activity in the stage of life prior to the occurrence of AD, and the burden of AD, found in the study, indicates that a lifelong intellectual activity may help to reduce disabilities and improve the patients' quality of life.

Essential data pertaining to the structure and function of selected transcription factors such as NFAT, AP-1 and NF-kappaB in particular, are presented in the relation to viral hepatitis C and B. In chronic hepatitis C the activation of NF-kappaB is markedly modulated by viral proteins such as core protein and nonstructural ones, particularly NS5A and NS3. In hepatitis B the major factor influencing NF-kappaB function appears to be HBx protein. Effects of viral proteins on NF-kappaB function in relation to the course of hepatitis are complex. They participate in the perpetuation of inflammatory state in the liver, inhibit apoptosis of hepatocytes, as well as the differentiation of antigen-presenting cells (dendritic ones). The latter effect has deleterious impact on the formation of specific immune response to viral peptides. It seems that both viruses, C and B acquired the ability to modify NF-KB function in advantage for the pathogens in question.

Objective: Assessment of the effect of anti-viral therapy in children affected by chronic hepatitis C on the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) on blood leucocytes, Methods: A cohort of children (n=24) infected with C virus with completed anti-viral therapy with interferon-alpha + ribavirin and another group of children HCV+ (n=23) awaiting for treatment entered this study. Three ml of blood was drawn from each child, divided on 100 ml aliquots and incubated with the panel offluorochrome labelled monoclonal antibodies versus differentiation antigens of leucocytes, anti - TLR2 and TLR4. After washing samples were subjected to acquisition in flow cytometer FACScan (Becton Dickinson). Data were analyzed by means of BD FACS Diva version 4.1.2 software., Results: It was found that blood leucocytes of HCV+ children which completed anti-viral therapy, show significantly higher expression of TLR2 and TLR4. This rise was evident not only in percentage of cells, but also in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). It was true in the case of granulocytes, T, B lymphocytes and monocytes, but the latter did not differ significantly from their counterparts derived from untreated children., Conclusion: Anti-viral treatment of children infected with C virus results in heightened expression of Toll-like receptors on blood leucocytes.

Inflammatory bowel diseases can be divided into two diseases: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It is well known that there is the influence of smoking on these course of diseases and the number of flares. This influence is different in both diseases and is definitely negative among patients with Crohn's disease. The aim of the study was to establish if there is a difference of smoking influence on the course of disease depending if the patient is the carrier of NOD2/CARD15 mutation or not. 150 patients with CD was examined by careful interview about smoking habits, physically and there was molecular analyze performed of monocytes' DNA. The most often variant of NOD2/CARD15 mutation in Polish population was 802 C>T which causes the conversion of proline into serine in 268 position of protein product. The second most often observed variant was found during the analyze of exon 11 in the temperature of 20 degrees C. There was a frameshift mutation 3020insC present in 14.9% patients with CD which causes the C insertion in 3020 position of protein product. All patients with the frameshift mutation were also carriers of 802C>T mutation. The analysed features were the course of disease, the smoking habit and the difference in group of NOD2/CARD15 carries and patients without the mutation. We took into consideration the fact if the affected person was smoker, ex-smoker or non-smoker. Patients with 802C>T mutation ex-smokers and smokers were older on the onset of the disease (average: 35.8 years), whereas the non-smokers (average: 26.07 years). And what is more interesting, the non-smoking patients were statistically less frequent operated (the partial resection of terminal ileum). Only 31.82% of non-smoking patient with 802C>T mutation were operated.

Objective: Detection of differences in white blood cell subsets I children with chronic viral hepatitis type C before antiviral treatment., Methods: A cohort of children (n = 52) with proven HCV infection were subjected to flow cytometric analysis of their white blood cells and compared to non-infected control group., Main Observations: It has been found that the hepatitis group has higher number of cells with cytotoxic potential, decreased CD4/CD8 ratio than the other one., Results: Significant rise of CD8+, CD28- cells, NK cells and NKT lymphocytes was demonstrated in hepatitis group. Several correlations were noticed between various cell subsets studied in virus C infected children., Conclusions: This data show that HCV infection affects child immunity at systemic level. Cellular alterations are detectable by means of flow cytometry. Evaluation of its parameters might have predictive value in antiviral treatment.

As aging proceeds many different changes occur in endocrine system, particularly in the sexual system. In this paper were presented results of studies on 142 healthy men living in Poznań aged 50 and 60 (group I consisted of 69 persons and group II consisted of 72 persons). The following studies were performed: BMI, serum lipids parameters and hormones estimation including gonadotropins, free and total testosterone, estradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). A lower mean concentration of DHEAS, free and total testosterone and a higher frequency of increased gonadotropins concentrations were found in men aged 60 than aged 50. Moreover, positive correlation between BMI and serum total cholesterol and LDL level in the studied group was observed. To conclude, we can say that in men over 50 years of age hormones examination should be performed and in case of insufficient hormones level adequate replacement should be instituted.

Sulfonylureas are used in treatment of diabetes. Resistance to these derivatives is a therapeutical problem. Sulfonylureas act through sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) in the beta cell. SUR1 also enhances a physiological secretion of insulin induced by an increase of glucose concentration. It may be expected that polymorphism of SUR1 gene can lead to beta cell dysfunction and resistance to sulfonylureas. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of polymorphism in exon 22 of SUR1 gene and its correlation with type 2 diabetes mellitus and sulfonylurea treatment failure. The group consisted of 42 patients with type 2 diabetes. The controls were 46 persons with proper glucose tolerance. Polymorphism was found in 5 patients and in 1 control person. Neither statistically significant difference of polymorphism frequency nor correlation between polymorphism and sulfonylurea failure was found due to a low number of cases. Polymorphism of exon 22 of SUR1 gene appeared more frequent in diabetic than in non-diabetic subjects but this was statistically not significant.

The aim of the present work was to assess the short-time changes of body height and weight and the health status of 286 children, aged 10. The measurement of body height and weight was performed within the last three years. The children were examined by a team of paediatricians. Defects of vision, posture defects, abnormalities of circulatory system, and obesity--were the most common findings in physical examination. 4% pupils had the weight deficiency, 12% boys and 7% girls were overweight. The height deficiency was observed among 5% boys and 6% girls. The presented findings indicate an important role of monitoring of children' health status by a school nurse and also by a school-physician.

The depressed ETKA in ESRD patients is supposed to be caused and/or aggravated by several factors among which the diminished content of thiamine in blood and/or disturbances of thiamine utilization seem to play the major role. This role stems from the fact that thiamine acts as the cofactor of transketolase. In order to check the therapeutic significance of this relationship we introduced the thiamine pyrophosphoric acid ester chloride (Cocarboxylasum-CC) administration in 25 patients (mHD + CC). Immediately after each HD performance CC was given i.v. during 12 weeks in a doses of 5 mg/kg b.w., 3 times a week. The blood for ETKA value, free and total thiamine in plasma and erythrocytes, as well as, the total protein and albumins/globulins index investigation was drawn before, after 6 and 12 weeks of CC administration, and 3 months after cessation of this therapy. In 10 patients, on maintenance HD nontreated by CC (mHD), the blood was drawn at the same time intervals. Normal values we obtained from 15 healthy volunteers. For ETKA evaluation photocolorimetric method was used, thiamine content in blood was estimated by fluorimetric method. At the beginning of the study the mean value of ETKA, in two examined groups, was found statistically decreased (p < 0.01) when compared with normals. Mean values of thiamine in plasma and erythrocytes were lower but did not differ significantly from those in normals. After 6 weeks of CC administration ETKA value increased, but only after 12 weeks it increased significantly (p < 0.01), reaching normal value. On the other hand, striking increase in plasma thiamine and erythrocyte thiamine levels was observed after 6 weeks of CC administration already (p < 0.01). Three months after cessation of CC administration significant decrease in ETKA value and thiamine level in blood was observed (p < 0.01). ETKA returned to lower value than in normals even in the presence of still high thiamine levels in blood. In mHD patients nontreated by CC the ETKA value and thiamine levels in blood did not change significantly during all periods of study. The nutritional status assessed by total protein and albumins/globulins index did not change in both groups through the study. We conclude, the administration of high doses of CC to ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis HD was successful in terms of increasing ETKA value and thiamine levels in blood without any side effects. Thus, supplementation with large doses of CC deserves further study because it promises to be another adjunct in the treatment of potential thiamine deficiency and metabolic disturbances in the course of dialysotherapy.

In 68 patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD), nondialyzed-(ND)-21 treated by hemodialysis (HD)-27 or intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD)8 and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-12, we examined thiamine free (Th F) and thiamine total (Th T) content in plasma (P) and erythrocytes (E). 20 healthy volunteers (HV) served as a control group. Thiamine content in plasma and in hemolysate was assessed by fluorimetric method according to Blum and Merkel. In all patients the mean Th FP, Th TP, and Th FE, Th TE levels were decreased in comparison to HV. Mean level of Th FE in ND and IPD was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in comparison to Th FE to HV and to patients treated by HD or CAPD. Mean level of Th FP was the lowest in IPD group, but did not differ significantly from Th FP in ND, HD and CAPD). In IPD patients mean level of Th TE was the lowest and differed significantly (p < 0.05) from that in HD and CAPD groups. The lowest mean level of Th TP we found in CAPD patients. There was significant difference with it in ND and HV group (p). Patients treated by HD and CAPD presented almost normal levels of Th FE and Th TE. The highest mean levels of Th FP and Th TP were found in ND patients. We suggest the need of thiamine supplementation in ESRD patients especially in those treated by dialysis. The supplementation of thiamine is needed particularly in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Recurrence was noted in 18.5% of 194 children, in which chemotherapy with MVPP regimen produced complete I remission. In 6 out of 36 children with recurrent disease MVPP regimen was repeated, while the remaining children were treated with B-DOPA alone or combined with MOPP regimen. Local radiotherapy was used in 17 children. The second complete remission was achieved in 30 (83.7%) children. Thirteen out of 36 patients died because of the progress of the disease (11 children), and for complications (2 children). Percentage of persisting 5- and 10-year II remissions are 58.2% and 54.6%, respectively. A 5- and 10-year survival rates in children with recurrent disease are 80.5% and 60.5%, respectively. Our relatively favourable results we associate--first of all--with the chemotherapy intensity.

Totally 209 children were treated within 1971-1982. Complete remission was achieved in 95.6%. Recurrence was noted in 36 patients (18.6%); 20 patients (9.9%) died due to progression of the disease and 9 patients (4.4%) because of complications. The first remission remains constantly in 150 patients for 63-206 months, including that after completion of therapy during 45-206 months. Asymptomatic 5- and 10-year survivals are the following: 82.9% and 80.1% respectively; 5- and 10-year survivals 91.9% and 89.8%, respectively. Expanded experience served as base to design a new regimen (introduced in 1988) which is being supposed to reduce untoward reaction by decreasing the number of MVPP cycles and irradiation doses.

Unintentional administration of methotrexate intrathecally in a dose 10 times higher than normal was not followed by any adverse effects in the treated child. The possibility is discussed of using higher than presently used doses of this drug in the prevention and treatment of leukaemic infiltrations in the central nervous system.