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Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of substrate - polycaprolactone (PCL)-based porous membrane modified with rosmarinic acid (RA), (PCL-RA) and to determine the optimal values of low field laser irradiation (LLLT) as stimulators of biological response of RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: The porous polymer membrane was obtained by the phase inversion method, the addition of rosmarinic acid was 1%wt. The reference material was pure polymer membrane. RAW 264.7 were deposited on the material and then irradiated with a laser with a wavelength of 808 nm, a power of 100 mW, an irradiation dose of 2 J/cm²/cell well, applied continuously (C), (100/2/C) or pulsed (I), (100/2/I). Results: Macrophage irradiation resulted in an increase in their adhesion. Modifying the PCL membranes with rosmarinic acid had no effect on cell viability on day 3 of the cell culture. Irradiation of macrophages cultured on PCL-RA material increased their viability. Irradiation of macrophages cultured on PCL-RA material decreased macrophage secretion of NO and protein and the increase in TNF and MCP-1 secretion was only transient on day 3 of culture. Conclusions: Macrophage irradiation had a positive effect on macrophage attachment. Modification of PCL membranes with rosmarinic acid influenced the biological activity of macrophages. Culture of macrophages on rosmarinic acid-modified PCL membranes and simultaneous irradiation of LLLT cells resulted in anti-inflammatory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The available literature lacks studies using the KinesioTaping (KT) method and the hold-relax (HR) technique in working with advanced cancer patients. Patients and methods: The study involved 72 patients (38 women and 34 men), diagnosed with advanced cancer. Patients were randomly assigned either to the KT group (exercise programme and KT), HR group [exercise programme and the HR technique of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) method] or C group (a control group, exercise programme). To assess selected parameters the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scale and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System — revised (ESAS-r) were used. The physiotherapeutic programme lasted three weeks and took place 5 days a week for 30 minutes within each group. Additionally, in the KT group, kinesio tapes were applied on the paraspinal muscles of the lumbar spine. In the HR group the therapy with the hold-relax technique was applied. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in pain in all groups and an improvement in the quality of life in patients from both experimental groups. Those changes were significantly greater in the KT group than in both the C group and the HR group. Conclusions: Both KT and HR techniques of the PNF method are effective in reducing pain and improving the quality of life in the examined advanced cancer patients, however, KT has a stronger impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A contemporary model of occupational therapy differs from the previous model which was common in Poland in previous years. Therefore, the opinions of the society concerning the profession of an occupational therapist are constantly changing. Material and methods: The research included 244 inhabitants of Lesser Poland aged between 25 and 65 employed in various professions. A questionnaire regarding occupational therapy and the profession and competences of occupational therapists was applied in the study. Results: The presented results show that the job of an occupational therapist is perceived as a needed profession both by individuals who underwent such therapy and those who did not use such services. Responses regarding competences and activities in the profession of an occupational therapist revealed differences in the opinions of the study participants. Conclusions: Taking into account only competences and activities of an occupational therapist, associations of the study participants reflected the knowledge of the model of therapy that existed before and was mainly devoted to occupational therapy workshops. The respondents would trust an occupational therapist both in adapting the house to their needs and in performing exercises connected with activities of daily living.

Introduction: In the society of the 21st century, osteoarthritis is considered one of the primary causes of the occurrence of pain and disability. Arthroplasty is the treatment of choice for advanced degenerative changes. The aim of the study was to carry out a functional assessment of patients at early stages of rehabilitation after total knee replacement.

Generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) is characterised by the range of motion that exceeds normal limits in multiple joints. GJH is relatively common. When it is accompanied with other manifestations, it is defined as a health-related disorder, like Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) or the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome -Hypermobile Type (hEDS). The prevalence of GJH is higher in sporting than in the general population. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of GJH in competitive swimmers and its relation to the number and type of injuries, pain and selected anthropological and training indicators. The research group consisted of 97 competitive Polish swimmers (50 males; 47 females) aged 15-24years. Body stature and body mass was measured. Participants completed a questionnaire to collect demographic data and information on previous injuries. Concerning joint hypermobility, participants were examined with the Beighton Scale. Spearman's rank correlation test was applied for analysis. GJH is an often-occurring symptom among the researched group. There was no correlation between selected acute injuries nor chronic pain and GJH in the study group. Several other correlations were noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents has been noted in many different countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the percentage occurrence of overweight and obesity in Polish children depending on the criteria used, and to evaluate the usefulness of the Polish national database. The study sample comprised 3405 children aged 5-14 years (1674 girls and 1731 boys) from the city of Kraków, Poland, in 2009-2010. The BMI of each child was calculated and classified as overweight or obese according to three different reference BMI cut-offs: the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Polish 2010 standard. To assess the statistical significance of the differences between these three applied reference datasets, a comparison of two proportions was performed and Cohen's kappa coefficient calculated. The prevalences of overweight were 15%, 11.3% and 9.5% (IOTF, CDC, Polish 2010, respectively) among boys and 15.5%, 11.6% and 9.9% among girls. The prevalences of obesity were 3.3%, 6.1% and 5.5% (IOTF, CDC, Polish 2010, respectively) among boys and 3.4%, 6.3% and 5.7% among girls. The different methods used generally showed good agreement. Nevertheless the prevalence of overweight and obesity differed significantly depending on the criteria used. In conclusion, the creation and updating of national databases based on large, representative groups is justified and provides the best reference for regional data. However, in order to ensure the comparability of results with those from other countries, it seems advisable to use cut-offs based on international data as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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