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Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common and potentially lethal disease. Over the last 10 years, AP has become one of the most important healthcare problems. On a global scale, the incidence has increased by 63% over the last 20 years. AP is usually caused by gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption and genetic factors play an important role in the development of inflammation. Recent studies involving the CPA1 mutations are ambiguous and dependent on the population studied. In this study, the variability of the CPA1 gene in patients with AP was analyzed. Genetic material was isolated from the blood of 301 patients with AP and 184 healthy individuals. Identification of the variants in exons 5, 6, 8, and 9 with introns was performed using molecular biology methods. Mutations were identified by comparison to the reference sequence (NM_001868.4). Statistical analysis included the identification of mutations correlating with the risk of AP, the etiology of inflammation, and family history. Several novel mutations in the CPA1 gene have been identified, along with a high degree of variability within the coding region of the carboxypeptidase gene. A correlation between mutations CPA1:c.1072 + 84del; c.987 + 57G>A and increased risk of developing AP was found. Two protective mutations, CPA1:c.625A>T, c.1072 + 94del, were identified. The CPA1 gene is characterized by high sequence variability and regions in which mutations lead to an increased risk of developing AP. Single or co-occurring mutations of the CPA1 gene can significantly affect the risk of developing AP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is increasingly being used in clinical practice as an alternative treatment for hard-to-heal (chronic) wounds. Among the many benefits of using MDT is its antimicrobial effect. Maggots secrete substances that are known to have antibacterial properties against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Clinically, this results in the effective eradication of pathogenic species and consequently, a faster healing process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect MDT has on the bacterial flora of hard-to-heal ulcers. Method: Patients with venous, mixed arteriovenous, decubitus, diabetic and neuropathic wounds were treated with larvae of Lucilia sericata enclosed in bags. Dressings were applied to the wounds for 72 hours. Before and after the therapy, a swab was taken from the wound, and bacterial diversity and bacterial growth scores were assessed. While 16 patients were treated only once, the treatment had to be repeated in four cases until the wounds were fully debrided. Results: Bacteria of the species Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were the most common strains observed. Of the 20 patients treated, the total number of bacterial strains decreased in eight wounds, but increased in five wounds, while no difference was observed in nine wounds. The average number of bacterial strains in wounds decreased after MDT. A lower incidence of alarm pathogens was also reported. In cases where multiple applications of larvae were administered, greater decreases in bacterial growth scores were observed than in cases with a single application of dressing-(37.5% vs 18.1%, respectively). In 18 cases, after disinfection of the wound by larvae, it was reinfected by strains not detected before. Wounds healed completely after MDT in two patients. Conclusion: In this study, MDT changed the bacterial diversity of hard-to-heal wounds. The larvae reduced overall bacterial growth scores and acted on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as on alarm pathogens. Cleaned wounds appeared to become vulnerable to infection by opportunistic bacteria. The bacterial burden decreased as the number of applications of biological dressings increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Internet and access to electronic devices seem to be the necessities of the modern daily life. The aim of this study was to assess the amount of time spent daily in front of a mobile phone and computer/laptop, the body posture while using these devices, and the occurrence of pain during usage. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of first-year students of engineering and IT at 2 universities in Kielce. The research was carried out using the self-constructed questionnaire technique. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: I. personal data; II. mobile phone use; III. desktop computer/ laptop use. The survey concerned mainly the amount of time spent in front of electronic devices, posture, as well as the scale of pain while using the above-mentioned devices. Results: The study involved 135 people (96 men - 71% and 39 women - 29%)) aged 19-30 years (±21 years). The use of electronic devices up to about 3 h a day was the most frequent response -56% of all responses for a mobile phone uses and 62% for a computer/laptop use. The percentage of people who devoted more than 5 h a day to mobile phones as well as using computers over 6 h a day was 4%. The analysis showed that when using the electronic devices, pain was reported for almost every area of the body. Body position while standing and sitting was described in various variants of answers indicated by respondents when using electronic devices. Conclusions: The implementation of correct health-related habits regarding the adoption of the correct body position from an early age results in avoiding pain in the future. Spending too much time on the computer or mobile phone contributes to the occurrence of pain in the study group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Numerous legal acts are in place to protect the personal data of patients. The Act on the Protection of Personal Data contains basic information on the principles of data processing, as well as specifying what criminal sanctions are in place for non-compliance. The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge about personal data protection among nursing staff working in the Świętokrzyskie Province. Additionally, an analysis of the subjective assessment of whether there is a need for training in the field of personal data of the above-mentioned professional group was performed. Materials and methods: The study was conducted among 141 male and female nurses working in the Świętokrzyskie Province. The study group consisted of 109 people working in the hospital and 32 people working in primary health care. The average age of respondents was 41.3 years. The study used the diagnostic survey method. A tailored questionnaire was used to assess knowledge about the protection of personal data. The obtained results were statistically developed using Excel. The present study used the X2 test and statistical significance was assumed at the level of p < 0.05. Results: Among of respondents 89% selected paper and electronics as the leading methods of storing data. A very small number of respondents, namely about 4% of the surveyed people, have passed patient information to a third party. Among of people 81% are aware of the criminal liability for violating the provisions on the protection of personal data. Less than half of the respondents (38%) knew the correct length of time that medical records can be stored - 20 years. No relationship was found between the type of workplace and demand for training, and the type of workplace and the subjective assessment of the level of knowledge of the respondents in the field of personal data protection. Conclusions: Nursing staff working in primary health care show a greater need for training on the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) than nursing staff working in hospitals. There is no statistically significant difference between the workplace of nursing staff and the demand for training. The subjective assessment of knowledge of the respondents in the field of personal data protection in the case of hospital nurses is low, and in the case of primary health care employees is average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Shift work is one of the key elements influencing the nutritional behaviors of health care workers. Nursing staff are particularly vulnerable to the destructive effects of poor nutrition. The aim of the study was to compare nutritional behaviors among nursing staff working different shift patterns. Materials: The research was conducted among 177 nurses. The study group consisted of 70 people working in a 1-shift system and 107 people working in a 2-shift system (day and night work). The average age of the surveyed people was 40 years. The study used the Questionnaire of Eating Behavior (QEB) as a basis to study eating behavior and opinions about food and nutrition. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the correlation between the indices of meal frequency in both groups. The results were recorded in Statistica 13 software. Statistical significance was assumed at p < 0.05. Results: The results obtained in the study indicate a more frequent occurrence of unhealthy nutritional practices among nursing staff working in a 2-shift system, compared to those working in a 1-shift system. Incorrect eating habits primarily include a lack of variety in the foods consumed and irregular mealtimes which are associated with snacking between meals during the day. The Mann-Whitney U test did not show statistical significance between the indices of meal frequency in the examined groups. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between the diets of nurses working in the 2-shift system and the 1-shift system. For both study groups, the intensity of eating characteristics regarding a healthy and unhealthy diet was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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