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Michal Mleko,1 Kazimierz Pitynski,1 Elzbieta Pluta,2 Aleksandra Czerw,3,4 Katarzyna Sygit,5 Beata Karakiewicz,6 Tomasz Banas1 1Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland; 2Department of Radiotherapy, Maria Sklodowska–Curie Institute - Oncology Centre, Krakow, Poland; 3Department of Health Economics and Medical Law, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; 4Department of Economic and System Analyses, National Institute of Public Health – NIH, Warsaw, Poland; 5Calisia University, Kalisz, Poland; 6Subdepartment of Social Medicine and Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, PolandCorrespondence: Tomasz BanasDepartment of Gynecology and Oncology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 2nd Jakubowskiego Street, Krakow, PolandTel +48 12 424 8584Fax +48 12 424 8560Email tomasz.1.banas@uj.edu.plAbstract: Systemic inflammatory reaction (SIR) is an unfavorable prognostic factor in many malignancies and has a role in all stages of the neoplastic process: initiation, promotion, and disease progression. Analysis of SIR can be performed by assessing indicators (eg, lymphocyte-to-neutrophil, platelet-to-lymphocyte, and monocyte-to-neutrophil ratios) and products of neutrophils and lymphocytes (ie, the systemic immune-inflammation index), or by examining the relationship between levels of C-reactive protein and albumin (based on the Glasgow Prognostic Score, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio). Risk stratification is essential in the clinical management of cancer; hence, the evaluation of these factors has potential applications in the clinical management of patients with cancer and in the development of new therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the current knowledge on SIR indicators and presents their clinical utility in malignancies of the female genital organs.Keywords: breast cancer, cervical cancer, corpus uteri cancers, C-reactive protein, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, systemic inflammatory reaction, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer

Małgorzata Szkup,1 Anna Jurczak,2 Beata Karakiewicz,3 Artur Kotwas,3 Jacek Kopeć,4 Elżbieta Grochans1 1Department of Nursing, 2Department of Clinical Nursing, 3Department of Public Health, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland; 4School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Background: The aim of the study was to analyze lipid and hormone metabolism, body mass index (BMI), and age parameters in late reproductive stage women in relation to cigarette smoking.Methods: The study enrolled 345 healthy late reproductive stage women living in Poland; 13.33% were smokers. The first part of the study assessed lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], and triglycerides) and hormone metabolism (estradiol [E2], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], and anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH] levels) in women in the early phase of the follicular menstrual cycle. The second part of study was carried out using the diagnostic survey method, with a standardized questionnaire (Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders [PRIME-MD]) and the authors’ own research tools.Results: The women were aged 42.3±4.5 years (mean ± SD). The BMI (24.8±4.04 kg/m2) did not differ significantly between the groups. The women who smoked cigarettes had a statistically significantly (p

Jacek Brodowski,1 Małgorzata Szkup,2 Anna Jurczak,2 Sylwia Wieder-Huszla,2 Agnieszka Brodowska,3 Maria Laszczyńska,4 Beata Karakiewicz,5 Katarzyna Kęcka,1 Elżbieta Grochans2 1Primary Care Department, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 2Department of Nursing, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 3Clinic of Gynecology, Endocrinology, and Gynecologic Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 4Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 5Public Health Department, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska, Szczecin, Poland Abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is widespread in the human population, and its incidence is continuously increasing, generating serious health problems. The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between the parameters of MS and the melanocortin type 4 receptor (MC4R) gene polymorphism in postmenopausal women. The study involved 344 healthy Polish women, who had their last menstrual cycle 1 year ago or earlier. The study included blood analysis, survey, and body measurements. The mean age was 58.5±6.6 years. An increased body mass index was observed in 65.7% and abdominal obesity in 80.3% of the study population. MS was diagnosed in 40.7% of all participants, including 39.3% of women with the T/T genotype and 44.7% of those with the C/X genotype (χ2 test; P>0.05). A logistic regression model showed that the probability of MS was higher in patients with the C/X genotype (odds ratio =1.25) (χ2 test; P>0.05). The study concluded that MS is a very common condition among postmenopausal women. The C/X genotype of the MC4R gene seems to predispose postmenopausal women to developing some MS symptoms. Keywords: melanocortin type 4 receptor (MC4R), postmenopausal women, metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammation along with concomitant oxidative stress contributes to an increased risk of cancer development. The aim of this study was to analyze selected cytokines and antioxidant enzymes in patients with ovarian and endometrial cancers, taking into account the stage of oncological treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study sample included 52 female patients with advanced endometrial cancer (n = 26.50%) and ovarian cancer (n = 26.50%), undergoing chemotherapy. Long-term observation at four time points was used in the subjects. Each of the women was blood sampled several times (before surgery, and then before the first, third, and sixth cycle of chemotherapy) in order to determine serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes. RESULTS: The levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1a, IL-4 differed significantly depending on the stage of therapy and the type of cancer. The serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in patients with ovarian cancer were statistically significantly higher than those observed in patients with endometrial cancer. The activity of the tested antioxidant enzymes varied depending on the chemotherapy cycle. Their highest activity in most cases was observed before the third cycle of chemotherapy, and it decreased before the sixth cycle, irrespective of the type of cancer CONCLUSIONS: In the studied group of patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer, the applied chemotherapy significantly changed the concentration and activity of some interleukins and antioxidant enzymes. The type of tumor determined the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 before the treatment. Evaluation of inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress in women with cancer of the reproductive organ may help to understand physiological changes resulting from the applied therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of nearshore bars at three sites is examined using a mathematical model to simulate wave-bed interactions induced by progressive wind-generated surface waves. The wave dynamics are described by nonlinear, dispersive, shallow-water theory; the wave-induced flux of sediment is calculated using an associated mass-transport velocity; and the bed topography is described using a continuity equation. The resulting coupled system of nonlinear partial differential equations is simplified using a modal decomposition of the surface wave and is approximated numerically. The model is used to simulate bar development from an initial plane shoreface slope (equivalent to the mean slope at each site) using peak wave periods for moderate and severe storms observed in the region. Predictions of bar number and spacing show good correlation with measured bathymetric profiles. The model provides a physical explanation for the observed correlation of bar number and spacing to basin dimensions and nearshore slope in fetch-limited seas and large lakes. Differences in bar morphology at nearby sites are attributed in part to sediment supply constraints.

Introduction: In this article, selected issues concerning sanitary and epidemiological surveillance in post-war Poland (until 1989) have been described. Sanitary problems which occurred in Poland directly after the Second World War and the development of infectious diseases' epidemiology have been included. Purpose: To summarize the establishment, development and modification of sanitary and epidemiological structures, the introduction of vaccinations as well as other medical means of overcoming infectious diseases, improving people's living conditions and health situation. Materials and methods: Literature related to the topic and archival materials from the Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station in Gdansk were used. Archives included a vaccination programme valid between 1975 and 1989 and a two-week specimen report concerning morbidity rates of infectious diseases and chemical poisoning. Results: Thanks to the archival materials, issues concerning infectious diseases were emphasized. The the utilized literature brought out the National Institute's for Public Health role as an authority in the cooperation with other healthcare institutions, influenced the formation and organization of sanitary and epidemiological service in Poland. Conclusions: The historical background of this text has been presented as a secondary subject, however, the years 1945-1989 comprising the time-frame of this article were a period of great changes. One of them was the formation of sanitary and epidemiological surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Proximal femoral fractures are the major cause of hospitalization due to an injury among advanced age patients. Purpose: To analyse causes of femoral neck fractures. Materials and methods: The research material included medical documentation of 203 patients with femoral neck fractures. A research method employed in this study was an analysis of the documentation. A statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test for independence. Results: The majority of women and men sustained an injury at home or on the way (62.5% and 46.2% respectively). Patients who had an injury at work were largely men. Most injuries were related to a disease. It has been observed that women considerably more often than men mentioned slipping as the cause of an injury (21.3% and 6.9% respectively). Men, on the other hand, more often than women incurred injuries as a result of falls (19.4% and 9. 5% respectively). The structure of an injury was similar irrespective of whether patients were diagnosed as having such diseases as diabetes, cataract and osteoporosis or not. Conclusions: There is a relationship between gender and the circumstances of an injury. Women more often sustain an injury at home, and men - at work. The circumstances and causes of injuries are not significantly related to diseases such as diabetes, cataract and osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is expected that during 1980 - 2020 the population of older people worldwide will increase by 240%. The objective of the study was to review strategies undertaken in various countries in association with the ageing of society. This analysis may be used for the selection of actions, which are necessary for the construction and performance of social and health policy in Poland. A method of choice was an analysis of academic literature. The WHO specified health promotion as the most important goal of the policy for seniors. Individual countries adopt many varied strategies of action. In Poland, the introduction of nursing insurance and development of geriatric medicine are primarily proposed. In Japan, the emphasis is placed on enabling the elderly the longest occupational activity possible, and the development of primary health care. For the Swedish, the priority is guaranteed support for family caregivers, while in the United States - an increase in the accessibility of environmental care. There are many strategies developed on an international forum whose purpose is to provide care for the growing number of seniors. The strategies adopted by individual countries are much varied. The basic postulates are a development of geriatric medicine and integration of the systems of health services and social security. The literature lacks reports on the effectiveness of the implemented strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]