Search

Marek Żyliński,1 Wiktor Niewiadomski,2 Gerard Cybulski,1 Anna Gąsiorowska2 1Institute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechatronics, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland; 2Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, PolandCorrespondence: Marek ŻylińskiInstitute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechatronics, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. św. Andrzeja Boboli 8, Warszawa, 02-525, PolandTel +48 22 2348387Email zylinski@mchtr.pw.edu.plAbstract: Assessment of autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning may be performed non-invasively using autonomic tests which are based on evaluation of response of cardiovascular system to the applied stimuli, such as increased air pressure during Valsalva maneuver, skeletal muscle contraction during static handgrip or deep slow breathing. The cardiovascular response depends, besides ANS reaction and test protocol, also on the way stimulus is self-applied by the test subject. We present a versatile device for controlling stimulus self-application during three ANS tests: Valsalva maneuver, static handgrip, and deep breathing. It integrates two different gauges and a pace setter for breathing into one device. The core of the device is a linear LED display which, using green, yellow, and red diodes, informs the subject about the correctness of self-application of respective stimulus. The settings of the device can be adjusted to the needs of the protocol chosen. The device can record the duration of mouth air pressure or the force produced by the subject during ANS tests, which assures correctness of the tests, thus allowing to track individual variability changes in the response to the test. The device was verified during ANS tests and its use was intuitive for patients, reducing the time needed for training before tests and decreasing the effort of the physician.Keywords: biomedical equipment, Ewing’s battery, autonomic nervous system tests

Abstract Background Although, oocytes from prepubertal donors are known to be less developmentally competent than those from adult donors it does not restrain their ability to produce full-term pregnancies. The transcriptomic profile of embryos could be used as a predictor for embryo’s individual developmental competence. The aim of the study was to compare transcriptomic profile of blastocysts derived from prepubertal and pubertal heifers oocytes. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained by ovum pick- up method from prepubertal and pubertal heifers. After in vitro maturation COCs were fertilized and cultured to the blastocyst stage. Total RNA was isolated from both groups of blastocysts and RNA-seq was performed. Gene ontology analysis was performed by DAVID (Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery). Results A higher average blastocyst rate was obtained in the pubertal than in the pre-pubertal group. There were no differences in the quality of blastocysts between the examined groups. We identified 436 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between blastocysts derived from researched groups, of which 247 DEGs were downregulated in blastocysts derived from pubertal compared to prepubertal heifers oocytes, and 189 DEGs were upregulated. The genes involved in mitochondrial function, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were found to be different in studied groups using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes (KEGG) pathway analysis and 8 of those DEGs were upregulated and 1 was downregulated in blastocysts derived from pubertal compared to prepubertal heifers oocytes. DEGs associated with mitochondrial function were found: ATP synthases (ATP5MF-ATP synthase membrane subunit f, ATP5PD- ATP synthase peripheral stalk subunit d, ATP12A- ATPase H+/K + transporting non-gastric alpha2 subunit), NADH dehydrogenases (NDUFS3- NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit core subunit S3, NDUFA13- NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit A13, NDUFA3- NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit A3), cytochrome c oxidase (COX17), cytochrome c somatic (CYCS) and ubiquinol cytochrome c reductase core protein 1 (UQCRC1). We found lower number of apoptotic cells in blastocysts derived from oocytes collected from prepubertal than those obtained from pubertal donors. Conclusions Despite decreased expression of genes associated with OXPHOS pathway in blastocysts from prepubertal heifers oocytes, the increased level of ATP12A together with the lower number of apoptotic cells in these blastocysts might support their survival after transfer.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected health care systems in many ways, including access to and the use of non-COVID services. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on the utilization of different public health care services in Poland. Methods The aggregated data on health care users and provided services for the years 2015/2016–2021 were used to analyse the changes in health care utilization during the pandemic and deviations from pre-pandemic utilization trends. Quantitative analysis was complemented with qualitative descriptions of the changes in principles of health care provision during the pandemic. Results The results show a considerable drop in the provision of most health care services in 2020 that in some cases disturbed pre-pandemic utilization trends and was not made up for in 2021. The most significant decrease has been observed in the field of preventive and public health services, as well as rehabilitation. The provision of these services was put on hold during the pandemic. Conclusions The accumulated COVID-19-related “health debt” urgently calls for government actions to strengthen disease prevention and health promotion in Poland.

Abstract There are several overlapping clinical practice guidelines in acute pancreatitis (AP), however, none of them contains suggestions on patient discharge. The Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group (HPSG) has recently developed a laboratory data and symptom-based discharge protocol which needs to be validated. (1) A survey was conducted involving all members of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) to understand the characteristics of international discharge protocols. (2) We investigated the safety and effectiveness of the HPSG-discharge protocol. According to our international survey, 87.5% (49/56) of the centres had no discharge protocol. Patients discharged based on protocols have a significantly shorter median length of hospitalization (LOH) (7 (5;10) days vs. 8 (5;12) days) p

Background: The causes of functional constipation (FC) in adults are unclear, but changes in the gut microbiome may play an important role. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between urinary metabolites of dopamine and serotonin and some dysbiosis indicators in patients with FC. The study included 40 healthy women and 40 women with FC aged 21–46 years. Methods: Urinary levels of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydoxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PhAc), and 3-indoxyl sulfate, as final metabolites of dopamine, serotonin, and indole pathway, respectively, were determined using the LC-Ms/Ms method. However, hydrogen–methane and ammonia breath tests were performed. The GA-map Dysbiosis Test was used to identify and characterize the dysbiosis index (DI). Results: In patients with FC, the DI was significantly higher than in the control group: 4.05 ± 0.53 vs. 1.52 ± 0.81 points (p < 0.001), but the number of many types of bacteria varied among individuals. The levels of HVA were higher, while 5-HIAA levels were lower in patients. Moreover, the HVA/5-HIAA ratio had a positive correlation with DI as well as with the severity of symptoms. Conclusions: In patients with functional constipation, the balance in dopamine and serotonin secretion is disturbed, which is associated with changes in the gut microbiome.

(1) Background: The elderly suffer from functional constipation (FC), whose causes are not fully known, but nutritional factors may play a role. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a low FODMAP diet supplemented with L-tryptophan (TRP) on its metabolism and symptoms of functional constipation in elderly patients. (2) Methods: This study included 40 people without abdominal complaints (Group I, controls) and 60 patients with FC, diagnosed according to the Rome IV Criteria (Group II). Two groups were randomly selected: Group IIA (n = 30) was qualified for administration of the low FODMAP diet, and the diet of patients of Group IIB (n = 30) was supplemented with 1000 mg TRP per day. The severity of abdominal symptoms was assessed with an abdominal pain index ranging from 1 to 7 points (S-score). The concentration of TRP and its metabolites, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN), and 3-indoxyl sulfate (3-IS) in urine were determined using the LC-MS/MS method. (3) Results: In Group II, 5-HIAA concentration in urine was lower, and KYN and 3-IS concentrations were higher than in the control group. A negative correlation was found between the S-score and urinary concentration of 5-HIAA (p < 0.001), and 3-IS concentration was positively correlated with the S-score. However, the correlation between the S-score and 3-IS concentration was negative (p < 0.01). After a dietary intervention, 5-HIAA concentration increased in both groups, and the severity of symptoms decreased, but the decrease was more pronounced in Group IIB. (4) Conclusion: A low FODMAP diet supplemented with L-tryptophan has beneficial effects in elderly patients suffering from functional constipation.

The current legal status protects only employees within the meaning of Art. 2 of the Labor Code, and in a small part of contractors, it contributes to the deterioration of the situation of semi-dependent/self-employed workers, resulting in effects that are entirely opposite to the intended ones, i.e., the inclusion of the axiology of the protective function into non-employee forms of work. Poland does not have its own scope of protective provisions similar to the labor code provisions that would apply to economically semi-dependent/self-employed workers. In this article, is analyzed the concept of the economically semi-dependent/self-employed as a starting point for granting them certain employment rights. Two main conclusions can be drawn: first, the economically semi-dependent self-employed is not an intermediate category between workers and the self-employed but a subcategory of the self-employed. Secondly, failure to grant them protection by Polish labor law will have a negative impact on the extension of collective rights of the self-employed.

Niniejsza glosa omawia stanowisko Sądu Najwyższego zajęte w wyroku z z dnia 28 sierpnia 2013 r., I PK 48/13. Główna teza Sądu dotyczyła możliwości pracownika do dozwolonej, publicznej krytyki przełożonego tj. prawa do whistleblowingu, czyli ujawnienia nieprawidłowości w funkcjonowaniu zakładu pracy polegających na różnego rodzaju aktach nierzetelności, nieuczciwości z udziałem pracodawcy lub jego przedstawicieli, gdy nie prowadzi to do naruszenia jego obowiązków pracowniczych polegających w szczególności na dbaniu o dobro zakładu pracy i zachowaniu w tajemnicy informacji, których ujawnienie mogłoby narazić pracodawcę na szkodę (obowiązek lojalności; nienaruszania interesów pracodawcy - art. 100 § 1 pkt 4 k.p. Brak konsekwencji Sądu Najwyższego w orzeczeniu pomiędzy poinformowaniem opinii publicznej o nieprawidłowościach w miejscu pracy, a obowiązkiem lojalności pracowniczej powoduje powstanie jeszcze większych wątpliwości po stronie pracowników, chcących ujawnić nieprawidłowości. Zdaniem Autora stanowisko zajęte w sprawie nie wyjaśnia kiedy lojalność jest wiążąca dla pracownika. Brak konsekwencji Sądu Najwyższego zostało powielone w następnych orzeczeniach np. z dnia 10 maja 2018 r.

Patients with a mixed type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M) experience constipation and diarrhea, which alternate between weeks or months. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is still little understood. The aim of the study was mainly to evaluate the urinary excretion of selected tryptophan (TRP) metabolites during the constipation and diarrhea periods of this syndrome. In 36 patients with IBS-M and 36 healthy people, serum serotonin level was measured by ELISA and urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN) and indican (3-IS) were determined using the LC-MS/MS method. The levels of all above metabolites were higher in the patient group, and increased significantly during the diarrheal period of IBS-M. In particular, the changes concerned 5-HIAA (3.67 ± 0.86 vs. 4.59 ± 0.95 mg/gCr, p < 0.001) and 3-IS (80.2 ± 17.4 vs. 93.7 ± 25.1 mg/g/Cr, p < 0.001). These changes coexisted with gut microbiome changes, assessed using hydrogen-methane and ammonia breath tests. In conclusion, the variability of TRP metabolism and the gut microbiome may cause the alternation of IBS-M symptoms.

The concept of “remote work” in Poland appeared in connection with the introduction of the epidemic in March 2020. The provisions of the anti-covid-19 act in article 3 introduced remote work, which excluded the practical significance of telework, currently regulated in the Labor Code due to the pandemic. The new vision of remote working in Poland assumes the voluntary nature of remote work by the parties and its obligation in emergencies. This is the basic premise of the proposed regulations. The current provisions on teleworking ensure full freedom of the parties to the employment relationship in the field of remote or stationary work. However, the Polish legislator is looking for an alternative to telework based on labor law provisions, which, as this article will show, is a complicated procedure because the difference between remote work and teleworking is slight. The author analyzes and evaluates the current model of teleworking in the Labor Code and the model proposed by the legislator in the draft amendment. At the same time, the article aims to answer the remote working model in Polish labor law.

In Poland, reporting of irregularities by employees has been largely ignored. This topic is not part of the professional-ethical or normative discourse. External disclosure involves reporting the irregularity to an external entity that can react or take follow-up action. The issue of external reporting is a highly controversial problem of labor law in Poland, which is limited by the primary obligation of an employee specified in the Labor Code in Art. 100 § 2 points 4. Under such conditions, employees who report irregularities to repair the organization are treated as persons violating their loyalty to the employer, even though they demonstrated the will to rectify the offense and the accompanying readiness to act. An attempt to go beyond this dilemma is to be the new Directive of the European Union on the protection of whistleblowers and the presented draft Polish act on the protection of whistleblowers submitted on October 18, 2021. The transposition of the Directive provisions turned out to be a failure on December 17, 2021. For employees who decide to report irregularities externally, reporting irregularities is a complex dilemma that may break the ties of trust and dismissal by employer-relevant regulations. The Polish Labor Code requires the conceptualization of the rationality of notifications, despite the lack of appropriate regulations in this regard. ASJC: 3308, JEL: K31

Background: The causes of functional constipation (FC) in adults are unclear, but changes in the gut microbiome may play an important role. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between urinary metabolites of dopamine and serotonin and some dysbiosis indicators in patients with FC. The study included 40 healthy women and 40 women with FC aged 21–46 years. Methods: Urinary levels of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydoxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PhAc), and 3-indoxyl sulfate, as final metabolites of dopamine, serotonin, and indole pathway, respectively, were determined using the LC-Ms/Ms method. However, hydrogen–methane and ammonia breath tests were performed. The GA-map Dysbiosis Test was used to identify and characterize the dysbiosis index (DI). Results: In patients with FC, the DI was significantly higher than in the control group: 4.05 ± 0.53 vs. 1.52 ± 0.81 points (p < 0.001), but the number of many types of bacteria varied among individuals. The levels of HVA were higher, while 5-HIAA levels were lower in patients. Moreover, the HVA/5-HIAA ratio had a positive correlation with DI as well as with the severity of symptoms. Conclusions: In patients with functional constipation, the balance in dopamine and serotonin secretion is disturbed, which is associated with changes in the gut microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corruption, harassment in a workplace, practices contrary to the correct work process, and many others are irregularities that can arise in any enterprise. This is a problem that affects established democracies and free markets and post-communist countries that are transitioning to democracy and market economies. While the causes of irregularities vary, the tools often suggested tackling them include that do not necessarily encourage potential whistleblowers to report them, whether inside or outside the organization. This article discusses the role of whistleblowing as a whistle­blowing tool. Describes the law and whistleblowing in a comparative context, focusing on the United States and the European Union. The article then concludes with recommendations for strengthening whistleblowing in Europe, where reporting irregularities is just beginning, and the level of protection differs between the Member States. ASJC: 3308, JEL: K31

The article discusses selected problems related to trade unions’ functions and their future role in the protection of whistleblowers. The author analyzes the current provisions of the Act on Trade Unions concerning the functioning of trade unions in protecting whistleblowers in the workplace, reporting irregularities (illegal, unethical or otherwise inappropriate activities) and the use of collective bargaining power of trade unions. Workers’ representatives have an express right to assist whistleblowers as defined by national law. The author states that the functions of trade unions under trade union law in Poland in reporting irregularities are often perceived as signaling and, consequently, limited.

The purpose of the present paper was to assess the ability of five newly designed and synthesized meloxicam analogues to interact with phospholipid bilayers. Calorimetric and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements revealed that, depending on the details of the chemical structure, the studied compounds penetrated bilayers and affected mainly their polar/apolar regions, closer to the surface of the model membrane. The influence of meloxicam analogues on the thermotropic properties of DPPC bilayers was clearly visible because these compounds reduced the temperature and cooperativity of the main phospholipid phase transition. Additionally, the studied compounds quenched the fluorescence of prodan to a higher extent than laurdan, what pointed to a more pronounced interaction with membrane segments close to its surface. We presume that a more pronounced intercalation of the studied compounds into the phospholipid bilayer may be related to the presence of the molecule of a two-carbon aliphatic linker with a carbonyl group and fluorine substituent/trifluoromethyl group (compounds PR25 and PR49) or the three-carbon linker together with the trifluoromethyl group (PR50). Moreover, computational investigations of the ADMET properties have shown that the new meloxicam analogues are characterized by beneficial expected physicochemical parameters, so we may presume that they will have a good bioavailability after an oral administration.

Lymphocytic colitis (LC) is a gastrointestinal (GI) tract disease with poorly known pathogenesis, but some environmental and lifestyle factors, including certain dietary components, may play a role. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which plays important structural and functional roles as a component of many proteins. It is important in the development and maintenance of the body, in which it is metabolized in two main pathways: kynurenine (KYN) and serotonin. In this work, we explored the effect of reducing of TRP in the diet of patients with LC with mood disorders. We enrolled 40 LC patients who had a normal diet, 40 LC patients with the 8-week diet with TRP content reduced by 25% and 40 controls. All LC patients received budesonide at 9 mg per day, and the severity of their GI symptoms was evaluated by the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale. Mood disorders were evaluated by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). The concentration of TRP and its metabolites, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA) and quinolinic acid (QA), in urine were determined. Budesonide improved the GI and mental states of LC patients, and the diet with reduced TRP content further amended these symptoms. Dietary intervention decreased the concentration of 5-HIAA by about 50% (3.4 vs. 6.3) and QA by about 45% (3.97 vs. 7.20). These changes were correlated with a significant improvement in the profitable action of budesonide on gastrointestinal and mental health of LC patients as they displayed significantly lower GSRS, HAM-A and HAM-B scores after than before the intervention—10.5 vs. 32, 11.0 vs. 21 and 12 vs. 18, respectively. In conclusion, a reduction in TRP intake in diet may improve GI and mental symptoms in LC patients treated with budesonide and these changes may be mediated by the products of TRP metabolism.

Background: The Mayo Score [MS], endoscopic Mayo Score [eMS] and the Ulcerative Colitis Index of Severity [UCEIS] are employed in the assessment of ulcerative colitis [UC] severity. This study compared the aforementioned indices in terms of predictory value for response to remission induction treatment with anti-TNF and anti-integrin biologics. Methods: A total of 38 patients were retrospectively evaluated in the study, 23 male and 15 female, aged 18–74 years old who had undergone a total of 53 biological therapy courses with either infliximab [IFX] or vedolizumab [VDZ] at the Department of Gastroenterology of the Medical University of Łódź. The clinical and endoscopic activity of UC was assessed at the outset of biological therapy and the 14th week remission induction assessment juncture. Results: The study analyzed 19 IFX and 34 VDZ treatment courses. The response rate of patients receiving IFX reached 73.67% and the response rate was 58.82% for VDZ. The mean MS, eMS and UCEIS improved among all patient groups: 8.316 ± 1.974 to 4.158 ± 2.218 (p < 0.05), 2.632 ± 0.597 to 1.790 ± 0.713 (p < 0.05) and 4.790 ± 1.745 to 3.000 ± 1.453 (p < 0.05) for IFX, 7.088 ± 2.234 to 3.618 ± 2.412 (p < 0.05), 2.706 ± 0.524 to 1.677 ± 1.065 (p < 0.05) and 4.235 ± 1.350 to 2.735 ± 1.880 (p < 0.05) for VDZ. Conclusions: The outcome assessment in induction treatment of UC includes clinical data and endoscopic evaluation. Severity of inflammatory lesion activity according to the eMS and UCEIS indices correlates with the overall disease presentation as evaluated with MS. The UCEIS provides an overall better predictor for biological induction treatment when compared with the eMS in both patient groups, particularly in those receiving VDZ. It provides a promising alternative to the eMS and can be employed for both initial disease severity assessment as well as for treatment response monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the work was to determine the effect of the post-harvest residue biomass of field pea, spring rye and their mixtures on mineral nitrogen content in the soil profile after the forecrop harvest, as well as the yield and quantity of nitrogen accumulated in winter triticale grain. An experiment was conducted to examine the following two factors: (I) forecrop – mixtures: field pea – pure stand 100%, spring rye – pure stand 100%, field pea 75% + spring rye 25%, field pea 50% + spring rye 50%, field pea 25% + spring rye 75%; (II) forecrop harvest date: field pea flowering stage, field pea green pod stage. The results revealed that the lowest mineral nitrogen content in after harvesting spring rye in the flat green pod phase in the soil layer 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm respectively 2.36 and 1.41 mg kg−1 soil. Also, mineral nitrogen content was low in the 0–30 and 30–60 cm soil layers following field pea/spring rye mixtures, in particular the mixture containing 25 + 75% of the respective components. Winter triticale cultivation after field pea/spring rye mixtures harvested at the stage of field pea flat green pod contributes to high grain yield.

The conducted studies show post-harvest residues of sowing/pea mixtures limit leaching of mineral nitrogen deeper into the soil profile compared to post-harvest residues of sowing peas, as they affect the yield and amount of nitrogen accumulated in hybrid winter rye grain. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the post-harvest residue biomass of field pea, oat and their mixtures on yielding and quantity of nitrogen accumulated in hybrid winter rye grain. Two factors were examined: factor I − post-harvest residues of field pea 100% − pure stand, oat 100% − pure stand, field pea 75% + oat 25%, field pea 50% + oat 50%, field pea 25% + oat 75%; factor II − forecrop harvest date: the stage of field pea flowering, the stage of field pea flat green pod. The obtained results demonstrated that the lowest mineral nitrogen content in two soil layers was recorded following oat harvested at the stage of field pea flat green pod. The research revealed that hybrid winter rye cultivated after the mixture consisting of 50% field pea and 50% oat should be recommended for wide agricultural application in order to obtain high grain yield.

The elderly often suffer from sleep disorders and depression, which contribute to mood disorders. In our previous work, we showed that elderly individuals with mood disorders had a lower intake of TRP and recommended a TRP-based dietary intervention to improve the mental state of such individuals. In this work, we assessed the impact of a TRP-rich diet on the mental state of, and TRP metabolism in, elderly individuals with mood disorders. Forty elderly individuals with depression and sleep disorders and an equal number of elderly subjects without mood disorders were enrolled in this study. TRP intake was evaluated with the nutrition calculator. Patients with mood disorders had a lower TRP intake than their normal counterparts and received a TRP-rich diet with TRP content of 25 mg per kilogram of the body per day for 12 weeks. The mental state was assessed before and after this dietary intervention with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). At those times, urinary levels of TRP and its metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), L-kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), and quinolinic acid (QA) were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and related to creatinine level. After TRP-based dietary intervention, the score of ISI and HAM-D decreased by more than half. A correlation analysis reveals that TRP, 5-HIAA, and KYNA might have anti-depressive action, while KYN and QA—pro-depressive. The levels of TRP, 5-HIAA, and KYNA in urine of mood disorder patients increased, while the levels of KYN and QA decreased. In conclusion, dietary consumption of adequate amount of tryptophan has a beneficial effect on mental health of the elderly with mood disorders and improves metabolism of this amino acid. Therefore, a TRP-enriched diet may be considered as a component of the treatment of elderly individuals with mood disorders.

Background: The loss of response or failure to achieve remission to vedolizumab in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients is currently a major clinical problem. Recently, Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT), and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) have been suggested as a new prognostic factor of UC activity. Here, we aimed at confirmation of hypotezis that NRI, CONUT and MUST may be used as inexpensive and efficient predictive biomarkers of response in UC patients treated with vedolizumab. Methods: This study was conducted in retrospective manner in 32 adult patients with UC of Caucasian origin (21 men and 11 women), who were qualified for 52-week therapy with vedolizumab and finished the 14-weeks from January 2020 to March 2022. Our study analyzed the 45 courses of vedolizumab therapy. Nutritional status indicators, i.e., the NRI, CONUT and MUST of each UC patient, were marked at the time of qualifying for biological treatment. Results: In our study, the MUST score was significantly lower in UC patients who positively achieved clinical remission at week 14 during vedolizumab induction therapy (0.33 ± 0.49 vs. 1.37 ± 0.83; p = 0.002). The analysis showed the lower baseline NRI and CONUT scores in patients with positive clinical remission at week 14 (NRI: 96.42 ± 4.29 vs. 101.41 ± 7.09; p = 0.024; CONUT: 1.00 ± 1.08 vs. 2.16 ± 1.46; p = 0.031). Conclusions: Nutritional status indicators (NRI, MUST and CONUT) may become valuable predictor of achieving remission at week 14 during vedolizumab therapy in UC patients.

The paper is an attempt at a synthetic presentation of the Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz’s (1909–1969) musical output and artistic career, presented against the background of events in her personal life, and of major events in Polish and European history in the first seven decades of the 20th century. Bacewicz was called ‘the Polish Sappho’ already in the years between World Wars I and II, when there were very few women-composers capable of creating works comparable to the most eminent achievements of male composers. Her path to success in composition and as a concert soloist leads from lessons with her father, the Lithuanian Vincas Bacevičius, to studies at the Łódź and Warsaw Conservatories (violin with Józef Jarzębski, composition with Kazimierz Sikorski), and later with Nadia Boulanger at the École Normale de la Musique, as well as violin lessons with André Tourret. Her oeuvre has for many years been linked with neoclassicism, and folkloric inspirations are evident in many of her works. Her crowning achievement in the neoclassical style is the Concerto for String Orchestra of 1948, while influences from folklore can distinctly be heard in many concert pieces and small forms. The breakthrough came around 1958, under the influence of avant-garde trends present in West European music, which came to be adapted in Poland thanks to the political transformations and the rejection of socialist realism. In such pieces as Music for Strings, Trumpets and Percussion of 1958, Bacewicz transforms her previously fundamental musical components (melody, rhythm, harmony) into a qualitatively new type of sound structures, mainly focused on the coloristic aspects. Grażyna Bacewicz also applied the twelve-note technique, albeit to a limited extent, as in String Quartet No. 6 (1960). Her last work was the unfinished ballet Desire to a libretto by Mieczysław Bibrowski after Pablo Picasso’s play Le désir attrapé par la queue.

Background: Vedolizumab, a humanized antibody targeting the α 4 β 7 integrin, was proven to be effective in the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in randomized clinical trials. The aim of the POLONEZ study is to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with UC treated with vedolizumab within the scope of the National Drug Program in Poland and to assess the real-world effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in the study population. Here we report the demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients. Methods: This prospective study included adult patients eligible for UC treatment with vedolizumab who were recruited from 12 centers in Poland between February and November 2019. Collected data included sex, age, disease duration, presence of extraintestinal manifestations or comorbidities, status of previous biologic treatment, and current concomitant treatment. Disease extent was determined according to the Montreal classification, and disease activity was measured with the Mayo Score. Results: A total of 100 (55 biologic-naïve and 45 biologic-exposed) patients were enrolled in the study (51% female, median age 35 years). Among biologic-exposed patients (mostly infliximab-treated), 57% had failed to respond to the therapy. The disease duration was significantly shorter in biologic-naïve (median 5 years) than in biologic-exposed (8 years, p = 0.004) or biofailure patients (7 years, p = 0.04). In the overall population the median Total Mayo Score was 10. Disease extent and activity were similar between the subgroups. Conclusions: Our study indicates that patients treated with vedolizumab in Poland receive the drug relatively early after UC diagnosis, but their disease is advanced. More than half of the patients had not been treated with biologic drugs before initiating vedolizumab. The study was registered in ENCePP database (EUPAS34119). Lay summary Characteristics of patients treated for ulcerative colitis with vedolizumab in Poland Treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) with the integrin antagonist vedolizumab became available within the Polish National Drug Program (NDP) in 2018. In this study, for the first time, we provide detailed demographic and clinical characteristics of 100 patients (median age 35 years, 51% female) treated with vedolizumab in Poland, of whom 55 were biologic-naïve and 45 biologic-exposed. The median duration of disease was 6 years. The disease duration was shorter in biologic-naïve than in biologic-exposed patients. Most patients were affected by extensive colitis (52%) or left-sided colitis (42%). Median disease activity was 10 according to the Total Mayo Score. Sixty-eight patients received concomitant systemic corticosteroids and 45 patients received immunomodulators. Our findings indicate that Polish patients receiving vedolizumab have a high disease activity and are treated relatively early after UC diagnosis. This might be due to the criteria for inclusion of a patient in the NDP.

(1) Background: The elderly suffer from functional constipation (FC), whose causes are not fully known, but nutritional factors may play a role. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a low FODMAP diet supplemented with L-tryptophan (TRP) on its metabolism and symptoms of functional constipation in elderly patients. (2) Methods: This study included 40 people without abdominal complaints (Group I, controls) and 60 patients with FC, diagnosed according to the Rome IV Criteria (Group II). Two groups were randomly selected: Group IIA (n = 30) was qualified for administration of the low FODMAP diet, and the diet of patients of Group IIB (n = 30) was supplemented with 1000 mg TRP per day. The severity of abdominal symptoms was assessed with an abdominal pain index ranging from 1 to 7 points (S-score). The concentration of TRP and its metabolites, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN), and 3-indoxyl sulfate (3-IS) in urine were determined using the LC-MS/MS method. (3) Results: In Group II, 5-HIAA concentration in urine was lower, and KYN and 3-IS concentrations were higher than in the control group. A negative correlation was found between the S-score and urinary concentration of 5-HIAA (p < 0.001), and 3-IS concentration was positively correlated with the S-score. However, the correlation between the S-score and 3-IS concentration was negative (p < 0.01). After a dietary intervention, 5-HIAA concentration increased in both groups, and the severity of symptoms decreased, but the decrease was more pronounced in Group IIB. (4) Conclusion: A low FODMAP diet supplemented with L-tryptophan has beneficial effects in elderly patients suffering from functional constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with a mixed type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M) experience constipation and diarrhea, which alternate between weeks or months. The pathogenesis of this syndrome is still little understood. The aim of the study was mainly to evaluate the urinary excretion of selected tryptophan (TRP) metabolites during the constipation and diarrhea periods of this syndrome. In 36 patients with IBS-M and 36 healthy people, serum serotonin level was measured by ELISA and urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN) and indican (3-IS) were determined using the LC-MS/MS method. The levels of all above metabolites were higher in the patient group, and increased significantly during the diarrheal period of IBS-M. In particular, the changes concerned 5-HIAA (3.67 ± 0.86 vs. 4.59 ± 0.95 mg/gCr, p < 0.001) and 3-IS (80.2 ± 17.4 vs. 93.7 ± 25.1 mg/g/Cr, p < 0.001). These changes coexisted with gut microbiome changes, assessed using hydrogen-methane and ammonia breath tests. In conclusion, the variability of TRP metabolism and the gut microbiome may cause the alternation of IBS-M symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Iuridica Lublinensia is the property of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Post-harvest residues of narrow-leafed lupin/oat mixtures are a valuable source of biological nitrogen for the following crop plants, including winter cereals. Hybrid winter rye, which is increasingly popular in Germany and Poland, positively responds to cultivation at good sites. The objective of the research was to determine the effect of the biomass of the post-harvest residues of narrow-leafed lupin, oat and their mixtures on yield performance and amount of nitrogen accumulated in hybrid winter rye grain. The following two factors were examined in an experiment: factor I - forecrop mixtures: narrow-leafed lupin - pure stand 100%, oat - pure stand 100%, narrow-leafed lupin 75% + oat 25%, narrowleafed lupin 50% + oat 50%, narrow-leafed lupin 25% + oat 75%; factor II - forecrop harvest date: the stage of narrow-leafed lupin flowering, the stage of narrow-leafed lupin flat green pod. The results demonstrated that oat and narrow-leafed lupin/oat mixtures containing 25 + 75% and 50 + 50% of the respective components and harvested at the stage of narrow-leafed lupin flat green pod supplied the greatest amount of post-harvest residue biomass, and narrow-leafed lupin harvested at the aforementioned stage accumulated the most nitrogen. Hybrid winter rye following the forecrop of narrow-leafed lupin/oat mixture containing 50 + 50% of the respective components and harvested at the stage of narrowleafed lupin flat green pod produced the highest grain yield.

The standard treatment for metastatic liver lesions as well as primary tumors is surgery. Unfortunately, it is not always possible and other forms of local ablative treatment can be considered: radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), transarterial chemo embolisation (TACE), cryotherapy or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). SBRT is a highly focused radiation treatment that gives an intense dose of radiation concentrated on a tumor, while limiting the dose to the surrounding organs. SBRT is a non-invasive, short in duration (a few days of therapy) treatment which is feasible also for elderly and fragile patients. This review article presents the role of SBRT in the treatment of liver metastases and primary liver cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying Clifford’s broad concept of travel, I discuss American homeless blogs as autobiographical travel writing serving the struggle for recognition of the street people. The analysed travelogues are hitchhiker Ruth Rader’s Ruthie in the Sky blog and self-made woman Brianna Karp’s Girl’s Guide to Homelessness – a memoir published on the basis of the blog bearing the same title. In the travelogues I analyse the characteristic features of a personal travel writing: travel of the self, advice for future travelers, geographic information and portrayal of society in which the travel is undertaken. I claim that homeless bloggers recounting their stories of otherness and displacement in the US contribute to (re)constructing American cultural identity their personal Self, just like many other American travelers before. Additionally, homeless blogging about homelessness is shown as the process of emplacement (Casey) – the bloggers’ attempt of making themselves at home in the world.

The potato tuber content of microelements is lower than that of macroelements but they are equally important. With this respect, there has been noticed a favourable effect of natural and organic manuring. The objective of the study reported here was to determine the effect of manuring with an undersown catch crop, either autumn-incorporated or left on the soil surface as mulch for spring incorporation, and production system on the potato tuber content of microelements. The study involved a field experiment, which was conducted in 2009-2012. The following two factors were examined: I − manuring with undersown catch crop: control, farmyard manure, Persian clover, Persian clover + westerwolds ryegrass, westerwolds ryegrass, Persian clover − mulch, Persian clover + westerwolds ryegrass − mulch, westerwolds ryegrass − mulch; II − production system: integrated and organic. Potato tubers were sampled to determine microelement contents. The highest iron and zinc contents were recorded in the tubers of potato manured with autumn-incorporated Persian clover whereas boron content was the highest in the tubers of potato manured with Persian clover, regardless of when it had been incorporated, as well as an autumn-incorporated Persian clover + westerwolds ryegrass mixture. Organic potatoes contained more iron and boron whereas tubers grown in the integrated production system were higher in zinc, manganese and copper. Potato manuring with undersown catch crops and farmyard manure in both the production systems studied increased the potato tuber content of microelements, excluding copper and manganese.

Research was conducted in Poland in 2017–2019 at Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce. It aimed at determining the effect of the bacteria Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, the amino acid L-alpha proline, and the mineral nitrogen fertiliser regime on iron content in soil during the period of rapid growth of spring wheat plants, as well as in spring wheat grain and straw. The following two factors were examined: (I) biological products: untreated control, Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum, L-alpha proline, Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum + L-alpha proline; (II) mineral nitrogen fertiliser regime: nonfertilised control, 60 kg N·ha−1, 90 kg N·ha−1, 90 kg N·ha−1 + foliar fertilisation. The study demonstrated that, during the period of rapid spring wheat plant growth, Fe content was the highest in the soil following an application of Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum + L-alpha proline + mineral nitrogen fertiliser applied at the rate of 90 kg N·ha−1. This combination resulted in the highest concentration and uptake of iron by spring wheat grain, whereas for straw, the same result was also achieved following mineral nitrogen fertiliser at a rate of 90 kg N·ha−1 + foliar fertilisation.

Due to its immunomodulatory effect, vitamin D has been associated with clinical parameters and outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) which are chronic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Upon synthesis or digestion, vitamin D is metabolized in the liver to form 25(OH)D3, the major circulating metabolite. Further renal hydroxylation generates 1,25(OH)2D3, the most potent metabolite. Our aim was to examine the association between vitamin D levels, and its supplementation and pain intensity in 39 IBD patients and 33 healthy individuals. 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 serum levels were measured. Each subject filled out visual analog scale (VAS) and Laitinen’s pain assessment scales. Laboratory results were obtained, and disease activity was assessed. Linear regression was employed to investigate the correlation between 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and pain intensity, clinical activity parameters, C-reactive protein, disease duration, and dietary habits. In IBD patients, 25(OH)D3 was increased, whereas 1,25(OH)2D3 was not. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not influence their levels. No correlation was found between pain scores, disease activity, inflammatory status, disease duration or dietary habits and both forms of vitamin D. Elevated 25(OH)D3 and normal 1,25(OH)D3 were found in IBD patients as compared to the controls. We discovered no effect from supplementation and no association between pain severity and vitamin D.