Search

Aleksandra Chyrek-Tomaszewska,1,2 Alicja Katarzyna Popiołek,1,3 Małgorzata Piskunowicz,1 Alina Borkowska,1 Jacek Budzyński,4 Maciej Kazimierz Bieliński1,2 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Experimental Cardiology, Władysław Biegański’s Regional Specialist Hospital, Grudziądz, Poland; 3Department of Internal Diseases, Jan Biziel’s University Hospital No. 2, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 4Department of Vascular and Internal Diseases, Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, PolandCorrespondence: Aleksandra Chyrek-Tomaszewska, Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Experimental Cardiology, Władysław Biegański’s Regional Specialist Hospital in Grudziądz, Poland, ul. Rydygiera 15/17, 86-168, Grudziądz, Poland, Tel/fax +48 52 585 37 03, Email aleksandrachyrek@wp.plPurpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients, correlating these symptoms with clinical parameters and examining affective temperaments within the study group.Material and Methods: A total of 159 PAD patients, predominantly male, admitted for vascular surgery due to lower limb atherosclerosis, participated in this cross-sectional study. Various assessments were conducted, including the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) for affective temperaments, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression symptoms, and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity. Additionally, the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) was measured to assess circulation in the legs.Results: The findings revealed a higher prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the PAD patient group compared to the control group. Notably, depressive and anxiety symptoms correlated with the severity of PAD, as indicated by lower ABI values in the operated leg. Patients undergoing surgical revascularizations exhibited higher depressive symptoms than those undergoing endovascular procedures. Furthermore, correlations were observed between depressive symptoms and the number of previous vascular procedures and amputations, alongside increased pain levels at admission. Clinical factors such as diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, previous revascularization procedures, amputations, and the intensity of affective temperaments did not correlate with HADS scores.Discussion: The study highlighted the intricate relationship between mood disorders and PAD severity, emphasizing the potential prognostic implications of untreated depression and anxiety in PAD patients. These findings suggest the importance of closely monitoring and addressing psychological well-being in PAD management. However, the study encountered limitations such as varying assessment timing and sample size discrepancies among comorbidities, impacting the observation of associations between mood disorders and certain conditions.Conclusion: In conclusion, depressive and anxiety symptoms are often in PAD. Further research is needed to explore therapeutic interventions targeting mental health and pain management to improve the course and outcomes of PAD.Keywords: chronic limb ischaemia, mood disorders, affective temperament, behavioral profiles, pain

Alicja Popiołek,1,2 Bartosz Brzoszczyk,3 Piotr Jarzemski,3 Małgorzata Piskunowicz,1 Marcin Jarzemski,3 Alina Borkowska,1 Maciej Bieliński1 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Internal Diseases, Jan Biziel University Hospital No.2 in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 3Clinic of Urology, Jan Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, PolandCorrespondence: Alicja Popiołek, Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Ul. Skłodowskiej-Curie 9, Bydgoszcz, 85-094, Poland, Tel/fax +48 52 585 37 03, Email popiolek.ala@gmail.comPurpose: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies in men. The population of PC survivors is growing, and understanding the roles of different factors that affect quality of life (QoL) is important. We investigated the effects of affective temperament on the QoL of PC patients.Patients and Methods: All subjects (n=100) underwent medical evaluation [including demographic data, medical history, physical examination, biochemical tests, and assessment of urinary incontinence (ICIQ-UI SF scale) and erectile dysfunction (ED) (IIEF-5 and subjective ED scale)] and psychological evaluation [including assessment of affective temperament using the TEMPS-A scale, depression and anxiety (using HADS), and QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-PR25)]. The relationships between individual variables were examined.Results: Erection quality after treatment was associated with better QoL in most parameters. Similar strong relationships were observed between the urinary incontinence scale and QoL. Depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments were associated with decreased QoL. On the EORTC-PR25 scale, associations were observed between a depressive temperament and worse sexual function and urinary symptoms, between a cyclothymic temperament and worse urinary symptoms, and between an irritable temperament and worse sexual functioning. Multivariate analysis identified the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms measured by HADS as the most important psychological factors affecting QoL.Conclusion: QoL in PC survivors depends on many factors, including age, interval since diagnosis, tumor stage, treatment, complications, and affective temperament profile. Depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments were associated with poorer QoL in selected domains, which was not observed for a hyperthymic temperament. The temperament profile of patients was associated with mood and anxiety level, which were important determinants of a poorer QoL.Keywords: quality of life, prostate cancer, complications, prostatectomy, affective temperament

Natalia Lesiewska,1 Anna Kamińska,2 Roman Junik,2 Magdalena Michalewicz,3 Bartłomiej Myszkowski,4 Alina Borkowska,1 Maciej Bieliński1 1Chair and Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 3Department of Pulmonology, Allergology and Pulmonological Oncology, Military Clinical Hospital No. 10 with Policlinic in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 4Department of Obstetrics, Women’s Diseases and Oncological Gynecology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, PolandCorrespondence: Natalia Lesiewska Tel/Fax +48 52 585 37 03Email n.lesiewska@gmail.comPurpose: Affective temperament shows innate predisposition to affective disorders and has been studied in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Studies describing connections between depressive disorders, obesity and T2DM, show a bidirectional way in which these disorders affect each other. Given that obesity, depression, and T2DM are still growing health problems of our times, the improvement of therapeutic strategies is required. The aim of our study was to evaluate affective temperament in obese individuals with T2DM and pre-diabetes and to investigate the correlations between affective temperaments and glycemic control.Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 185 obese individuals (146 females; 39 males) who were diagnosed with pre-diabetes, diabetes or without any carbohydrate disorder. For affective temperament evaluation, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) was utilized; for glycemic control, the assessment of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was performed.Results: We did not observe any significant differences of affective temperament between studied groups. In the group of patients with diabetes, depressive, cyclothymic and anxious temperaments positively correlated with HbA1c values indicating worse glycemic control. Inversly, hyperthymic dimension showed negative correlation with HbA1c values.Conclusion: Affective temperaments may affect glycemic control in obese individuals with carbohydrate disorders. Individuals with stronger expression of cyclothymic, depressive and anxious temperaments may need more medical aid for better self-management. Hence, TEMPS-A is an easy and useful tool which may significantly improve the compliance in obese patients with carbohydrate disorders.Keywords: affective temperament, TEMPS-A, obesity, diabetes mellitus, glycemic control

Marcin Jaracz,1 Katarzyna Bialczyk,2 Adam Ochocinski,3 Magdalena Szwed,1 Katarzyna Jaracz,4 Alina Borkowska1 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Health Economics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland; 3Department of Physiotherapy, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Poland; 4Department of Geriatrics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, PolandCorrespondence: Marcin JaraczDepartment of Clinical Neuropsychology, Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, Bydgoszcz, 85-146, PolandTel +48 525853703Fax +48 525853703Email marcinjaracz@gmail.comPurpose: The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge about the relationship between temperament and choice of profession by comparing temperaments among representatives of various professional groups.Subjects and Methods: A total of 759 subjects aged 18– 71, representatives of six professional groups: firefighters, musicians, athletes, bank managers, nurses and paramedics, were included in the study. Temperament was assessed using the TEMPS-A autoquestionnaire.Results: Musicians showed higher levels of depressive and anxious temperaments whereas firefighters were lower on cyclothymic dimension. Athletes, bank managers and paramedics showed higher intensity of hyperthymic temperament compared to firefighters, musicians and nurses. Athletes showed lower of depressive temperament compared to bankers, musicians and nurses. Bankers obtained lower results of irritable temperament compared to musicians, athletes and nurses. Nurses showed a higher intensity of anxious temperament compared to firefighters, athletes and paramedics.Conclusion: The results obtained support the concept of adaptive and socially useful role of affective temperaments. The studied professional groups show different individual temperamental profiles, which is justified in such aspects of the profession, as the level of stimulation, stress encountered, the necessity of making important decisions, or entering into relationship with the patient.Keywords: individual differences, TEMPS-A, nurses, firefighters, artists, athletes, bank employees, paramedics

Agnieszka Los-Stegienta,1 Joanna Katarzynska,2 Anna Borkowska,1 Andrzej Marcinek,2,3 Katarzyna Cypryk,1 Jerzy Gebicki2,3 1Department of Internal Diseases and Diabetology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; 2Angionica Ltd., Lodz, Poland; 3Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, PolandCorrespondence: Jerzy GebickiInstitute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, 90-924, PolandTel +48 42 631 3171Email jerzy.gebicki@p.lodz.plPurpose: Diabetic foot ulceration is a chronic complication characterized by impaired wound healing. There is a great demand for a diagnostic tool that is able to monitor and predict wound healing.Patients and Methods: Oscillations in the microcirculation, known as flowmotion, can be monitored very distinctly and precisely using the Flow Mediated Skin Fluorescence (FMSF) technique. The flowmotion response to hypoxia was measured quantitatively in 42 patients with diabetic foot ulcers.Results: The flowmotion response to hypoxia parameters FM(R) and HS were used to differentiate the diabetic foot ulcers and correlate them with clinical status. In some cases, FMSF measurements were continued over the period of a year in order to monitor disease progress. The clinical status of the quarter of patients with the highest HS values (group A, HS = 50.2± 18.3) was compared to the quarter with the lowest HS values (group B, HS = 4.3± 1.7). The patients in the group B were identified as having low prognosis for healing and were characterized by higher incidences of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, prevalent CVD, neuropathy and nephropathy.Conclusion: Impaired flowmotion responses to hypoxia induced by transient ischemia can be used for differentiation of diabetic foot ulcers and identification of cases with low prognosis for healing.Keywords: vascular complications, microcirculation, hypoxia, diabetic foot, flowmotion, NADH fluorescence, FMSF technique

The aim of the experiment was to assess the effects of supplemental lighting of cucumber grown in greenhouse using lamps with differentiated light spectra: sodium lamps – high-pressure sodium (HPS) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Plants (cucumber ‘Pacto’ F1) were grown in two greenhouse compartments with five light treatments: I – HPS + LED (top light with HPS LEDs as interlighting), II – only HPS as top light, III – LED R (LED chips on board (COB) type with an increased level of red band), IV – LED W (LED COB type, white), V – LED B (LED COB type with an increased level of blue spectrum). Light treatments: HPS + LEDs and HPS were grown in one greenhouse compartment and the other three light treatments: LED R (red light supplementation), LED W (without additional supplementation) and LED B (red spectrum supplementation) in the second compartment in analogous climatic conditions. The LED lamps using COB technology are known to be a very efficient source of light. Plants were cultivated from December 2018 to March 2019 in mineral wool slabs Grotop Master (100 × 15 × 10) with four plants on one mat. They were illuminated for 18 h (from 5 am to 11 pm), setting the threshold value (on and off) at 130 W. The plants were drip-irrigated with a complete nutrient solution. The irrigation was controlled based on a weighting system. The assessment of the effect of lighting on early yield and quality of cucumbers was completed after 8 weeks of cropping. It was shown that it was possible to obtain 3.59 kg from one plant during the 8-week period of evaluation by illuminating plants with sodium lamps (HPS), while using HPS and LEDs as additional illuminated inter-rows 3.89 kg. The yield of plants illuminated by LED lamps varied depending on the variant of the spectrum used and was respective for LED R, LED W and LED B, 3.30 kg, 3.90 kg and 3.25 kg. The obtained results indicated that the yield of cucumber ‘Pacto’ F1 grown with HPS lamps at top lighting and at the same time using interlighting with LED lamps was similar to LED W lamps (i.e. without additional supplementation in the range of red (LED R) and blue (LED B) light). Due to good results of LED lamps (type COB for top lighting or as interlighting) used for the cucumber supplemental lighting and high energy efficiency of LEDs, the promising future for that type of lamps compared with traditionally used HPS during winter cultivation in a greenhouse was demonstrated.

Alicja Katarzyna Popiołek,1,2 Aleksandra Chyrek-Tomaszewska,1,2 Agnieszka Stachowicz-Karpińska,1,2 Maciej Kazimierz Bieliński,1,2 Alina Borkowska1 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Vascular and Internal Diseases, Jan Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, PolandCorrespondence: Alicja Katarzyna PopiołekDepartment of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Skłodowskiej-Curie St. 75, Bydgoszcz 85-094, PolandTel/Fax +48 52 585 37 03Email popiolek.ala@gmail.comAbstract: Cognitive impairment is a common disease. Many studies attempt to explain the mechanisms of these dysfunctions formation, including correlations between cognitive functions and biochemical parameters. Scientists search for substances that would be indicators of cognitive functions and which could be determined in the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of the subjects. To date, they have isolated a few of such substances; however, research on their specificity, validity and the possibility of their use in diagnostics and prognostic assessment is still ongoing. However, there have been only few reports in the literature systematizing the existing knowledge on this subject, and they are mostly related to Alzheimer’s disease, not cognition in general, or referring only to a specific group of substances. This article discusses the most important biochemical exponents of cognitive functions.Keywords: cognitive functions, biochemical markers, neuropsychology

Piotr Jarzemski,1 Bartosz Brzoszczyk,1 Alicja Popiołek,2 Agnieszka Stachowicz-Karpińska,2 Szymon Gołota,2 Maciej Bieliński,2 Alina Borkowska2 1Department of Laparoscopic, General, and Oncological Urology, Jan Biziel University Hospital No 2, Bydgoszcz, Poland; 2Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in developed countries. Both PC and treatment for PC have an adverse impact on physical and mental well-being, and are associated with decreased quality of life. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between neuropsychological symptoms and clinical course in PC patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with or without adjunct therapy.Methods: The cohort comprised 100 patients aged 50–77 years who underwent radical, laparoscopic prostatectomy for PC. Twenty-three patients with a more advanced clinical stage also received adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and hormonotherapy). Clinical evaluation included self-report assessment, physical examination, and biochemical tests (testosterone and prostate-specific antigen). In addition, the presence and intensity of sexual dysfunction, urinary dysfunction, anxiety-depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction were assessed.Results: The group of patients undergoing complex therapy was characterized by a significantly worse result of deferred memory (p=0.04). A significant correlation was found between post-surgery erectile function and scores for the visual working memory test (correct answers; VWMT-C; p=0.006) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression (p=0.045) and anxiety scores (p=0.02). A trend toward significance was also observed for simple reaction time (correct answers; p=0.09). A significant correlation was found between results for the delayed verbal memory test and all physical symptoms (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-total, p=0.02; International Index of Erectile Function-5, p=0.006). Similarly, a significant correlation was found between the VWMT-C and score for sexual dysfunction (p=0.003).Conclusion: Patients undergoing both surgical and adjunct therapy for PC are at risk for psychological burden and cognitive disorders. In the present cohort, physical complications of therapy were associated with depression, anxiety, and delayed memory dysfunction. Furthermore, this study has proven that fewer complications after surgery are associated with better psychological and cognitive functioning. Appropriate neuropsychological and psychiatric care can improve compliance and quality of life among patients after prostatectomy. Keywords: prostate cancer, cognition, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction

Maciej Bieliński,1 Marcin Jaracz,1 Natalia Lesiewska,1 Marta Tomaszewska,1 Marcin Sikora,2 Roman Junik,3 Anna Kamińska,3 Andrzej Tretyn,2 Alina Borkowska1 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, 2Department of Biotechnology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, 3Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland Objectives: Depressive symptoms are common among patients with obesity. Abnormalities in dopamine signaling involved in the reward circuit may ensue excessive consumption of food, resulting in obesity and leading to neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. This study sought to investigate the association of polymorphisms in the genes encoding DAT1/SLC6A3 and COMT with the intensity of depressive symptoms in obese subjects.Participants and methods: Prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms were assessed in a group of 364 obese patients using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Genetic polymorphisms in DAT1 and COMT were evaluated in peripheral blood samples.Results: The results indicated an association between DAT1 alleles and depressive symptoms, as well as severity of obesity. Subjects homozygous for the nine-repeat allele scored higher in BDI (P=0.022) and HDRS (P=0.00001), suggesting higher intensity of depression in both sexes. This allele was also associated with the highest body mass index (BMI; P=0.001). Carriers of the Val158Met allele of COMT scored higher on both depression scales (BDI, P=0.0005; HRDS, P=0.002) and had the highest BMI values.Conclusion: Polymorphisms in the DAT1 and COMT genes are associated with a greater intensity of depressive symptoms in the obese population.Keywords: dopaminergic signaling, obesity, depressive symptoms, reward circuit, gene poly­morphism

Lipoprotein metabolism is critical to inflammation. While the periphery and central nervous system (CNS) have separate yet connected lipoprotein systems, impaired lipoprotein metabolism is implicated in both cardiometabolic and neurological disorders. Despite the substantial investigation into the composition, structure and function of lipoproteins, the lipoprotein oxylipin profiles, their influence on lipoprotein functions, and their potential biological implications are unclear. Lipoproteins carry most of the circulating oxylipins. Importantly, lipoprotein-mediated oxylipin transport allows for endocrine signaling by these lipid mediators, long considered to have only autocrine and paracrine functions. Alterations in plasma lipoprotein oxylipin composition can directly impact inflammatory responses of lipoprotein metabolizing cells. Similar investigations of CNS lipoprotein oxylipins are non-existent to date. However, as APOE4 is associated with Alzheimer's disease-related microglia dysfunction and oxylipin dysregulation, ApoE4-dependent lipoprotein oxylipin modulation in neurological pathologies is suggested. Such investigations are crucial to bridge knowledge gaps linking oxylipin- and lipoprotein-related disorders in both periphery and CNS. Here, after providing a summary of existent literatures on lipoprotein oxylipin analysis methods, we emphasize the importance of lipoproteins in oxylipin transport and argue that understanding the compartmentalization and distribution of lipoprotein oxylipins may fundamentally alter our consideration of the roles of lipoprotein in cardiometabolic and neurological disorders.

Introduction and purpose of review: Statins are widely used drugs in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, yet many patients experience side effects of statin use, mainly muscle symptoms, such as myopathy, which often lead to discontinuation of treatment. The aim of this literature review is to assess the role of the nocebo effect in reported muscle symptoms and its impact on statin discontinuation in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The review analysed the results of several studies, including key publications such as the N-of-1 trial by Wood et al.[1] and the work of Collins et al.[2] on the safety and efficacy of statin therapy. The review covered articles published between 2000 and 2023 that examined the impact of the nocebo effect on statin discontinuation[3-10]. Results: The collected data indicate that the nocebo effect plays a significant role in the reported muscle symptoms during statin use. The study by Wood et al.[1] showed no significant differences in reported symptoms between the groups taking statins, placebo, or receiving no treatment, suggesting that a substantial portion of the symptoms results from the nocebo effect. Similar findings were obtained in the study conducted by the StatinWISE group[4], where patients taking statins and placebo reported a comparable frequency of muscle symptoms. An analysis conducted by Collins et al.[2] indicates that the actual incidence of myopathy associated with statin therapy is much lower than commonly reported. Conclusions: The nocebo effect significantly influences the perceived adverse effects of statins, which may lead to the unjustified discontinuation of these drugs by patients with cardiovascular diseases. Further research is needed to better understand the psychological mechanisms affecting statin tolerance and to develop educational and clinical strategies aimed at minimizing the nocebo effect and improving long-term adherence to therapy.

Introduction: Increased neopterin concentrations are observed in many diseases in which cell immunity is stimulated. A quick and sensitive method for monitoring the changes in immune system can be useful for understanding etiopathogenesis of the disease and choosing the appropriate treatment. There are only few known data concerning normal serum neopterin value in children, therefore the wide clinical use of this parameter is limited.