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Introduction The study aimed at evaluating the effect of subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS-STN) on restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Materials and methods We assessed the presence of RLS before, 6 and 12 months after surgery in 36 patients. Differences between patients with RLS, without RLS, and with remission of RLS in terms of sleep measures (interview and validated questionnaires) and nonmotor symptoms (NMS). Polysomnography (PSG) was performed in 24 patients. Simple and multiple regression models were used to identify potential predictors of RLS outcome after DBS-STN. Results Before DBS-STN 14 of the 36 patients (39%) were diagnosed with RLS. DBS-STN resulted in the resolution of RLS in 43% (n = 6) and the emergence of RLS in 2 (9%) patients. During the study, 20 patients remained without RLS and the patients with unremitting RLS (n = 8) experienced alleviation of symptoms. At baseline patients with RLS had higher Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) total and sleep domain, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part IV and lower Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) scores. There were no differences between the groups without and with RLS in terms of PSG recordings. Conclusion DBS-STN provided relief of symptoms in most of the patients with PD and RLS. We found that RLS was associated with worse subjective sleep quality, more severe NMS, and complications of levodopa therapy. DBS-STN may have direct impact on RLS rather than related indirectly through post-surgery change in medications.

Objective: A new diagnostic graphical tool—classification maps—supporting the detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) has been constructed. Methods: The classification maps are constructed using the ordinal regression model. In the ordinal regression model, the ordinal variable (the dependent variable) is the degree of the advancement of AMD. The other variables, such as CRT (Central Retinal Thickness), GCC (Ganglion Cell Complex), MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density), ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study), Snellen and Age have also been used in the analysis and are represented on the axes of the maps. Results: Here, 132 eyes were examined and classified to the AMD advancement level according to the four-point Age-Related Eye Disease Scale (AREDS): AREDS 1, AREDS 2, AREDS 3 and AREDS 4. These data were used for the creation of two-dimensional classification maps for each of the four stages of AMD. Conclusions: The maps allow us to perform the classification of the patient’s eyes to particular stages of AMD. The pairs of the variables represented on the axes of the maps can be treated as diagnostic identifiers necessary for the classification to particular stages of AMD.

Background: Frailty syndrome (FS) is a syndrome characterized by a reduction in the body’s physiological reserves as a result of the accumulation of reduced efficiency of many organs and systems. Experts of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ECS) emphasize the need to assess frailty in all patients with heart failure (HF). There is no specific scale dedicated to this group of patients. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of the frailty syndrome in heart failure using the multidimensional Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS). Methods: The study included 106 patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF < 40%). The average age was 62.6 ± 9.7 years. Most of the patients (84%) studied were men. In 70 people (66%), the cause of heart failure was coronary artery disease. The study group included patients admitted to hospital on a scheduled basis and with exacerbation of heart failure. Frailty was measured using the EFS before discharge from the hospital. Demographic, sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained. A 12-month follow-up period was included in the project. The number of readmissions after 6 and 12 months was assessed. Results: A correlation was observed between the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and the occurrence of frailty—this applies to the assessment at the beginning and at the end of hospitalization. When analyzing the age of the patients in relation to frailty, a statistically significant difference was obtained. The youngest group in terms of age were non-frail patients. Hospitalization of people prone to development of the frailty syndrome and diagnosed with the FS was significantly more often associated with the occurrence of complications during hospital stays. Rehospitalizations for exacerbation of heart failure were much more frequent in patients with frailty. Conclusions: Assessment and monitoring of the state of increased sensitivity to the development of frailty or FS in patients with heart failure should influence the differentiation of clinical management. The Edmonton Questionnaire may be a helpful tool for the assessment of frailty in hospitalized patients with HF.

Background: The study aimed to assess if manual therapy, compared to ibuprofen, impacts the concentration of inflammatory factors, sex hormones, and dysmenorrhea in young women Methods: Thirty-five women, clinically diagnosed with dysmenorrhea, were included in the study. They were divided into group A—manual therapy (n = 20) and group B—ibuprofen therapy (n = 15). Inflammatory factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), C-reactive protein (CRP), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), E2 (PGE2) and sex hormones levels were measured. Dysmenorrhea assessed with the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), myofascial trigger points, and muscle flexibility were examined before and after the interventions. Results: The difference in the level of 17-β-estradiol after manual and ibuprofen therapy was significant, as compared to baseline (p = 0.036). Progesterone levels decreased in group A (p = 0.002) and B (p = 0.028). The level of CRP was negatively correlated with sex hormones. Decrease in dysmenorrhea was significant in both groups (group A p = 0.016, group B p = 0.028). Non-significant differences were reported in prostaglandins, VEGF and CRP levels, in both groups. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in CRP, prostaglandins and VEGF factors after manual or ibuprofen therapy. It has been shown that both manual therapy and ibuprofen can decrease progesterone levels. Manual therapy had a similar effect on the severity of dysmenorrhea as ibuprofen, but after manual therapy, unlike after ibuprofen, less muscles with dysfunction were detected in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.

Aim of the study To assess the clinical usefulness of serological tests in the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of patients with alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Material and methods The results of serological tests, i.e. Echinococcus multilocularis ELISA (Bordier Affinity Products) and Echinococcus Western Blot IgG (LDBIO Diagnostic), of 66 patients were analysed. Duration of follow-up was two years after diagnosis. In the second phase of the study 11 sera obtained from the patients undergoing surgical treatment, in whom the results of Echinococcus Western Blot IgG assay were still positive, were additionally tested with Anti-Echinococcus EUROLINE-WB (IgG) assay. Results Statistically significant negativization of the Echinococcus multilocularis ELISA test was observed in the group of patients who underwent radical surgery or liver transplantation. Negativization of Echinococcus Western Blot IgG assay results was observed in some patients, among both those who received conservative treatment and those who underwent surgery, but no statistically significant differences were found between treatment groups. In 54.5% of cases the Anti-Echinococcus EUROLINE-WB (IgG) test result was negative when the results of the Echinococcus Western Blot IgG assay were still positive. Conclusions Echinococcus multilocularis ELISA proved to be useful in assessing the activity of AE in a group of patients who underwent radical surgery or liver transplantation. The results of our study suggest that Anti-Echinococcus EUROLINE-WB (IgG) is a more dynamic test, which at the time of disappearance of AE activity becomes negative earlier.

UNLABELLED: Physical therapy is part of the treatment for patients admitted to ICU. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is one of the physiotherapy concepts including manual techniques and verbal stimulation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility of PNF techniques in mechanically ventilated (MV) ICU patients. Another aim is to verify whether the technique using resistance during the patient's inhalation will have a different effect than the technique used to teaching the correct breathing patterns. METHODS: Patients admitted to tertiary ICU were enrolled in this study, randomly divided into two groups, and received four 90-second manual breathing stimulations each. The following vital signs were assessed: HR, SBP, DBP, and SpO2. RESULTS: 61 MV ICU adult patients (mean age 67.8; 25 female and 36 male) were enrolled in this study. No significant differences in HR, SBP, and DBP were observed both for two techniques measured separately and between them. Statistically significant differences were noticed analysing SpO2 in the rhythmic initiation technique (RIT) group (p-value = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term PNF interventions did not influence clinically relevant vital parameters among MV patients and seem to be feasible in this group of ICU patients. ispartof: International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health vol:19 issue:2 ispartof: location:Switzerland status: published

This study aimed to investigate the differences between the number of yeast-like fungi and molds in the coastal air of five coastal towns of the Gulf of Gdańsk in 2014–2017 vs. 2018, which saw an emergency discharge of sewage. In 2014–2017, a total of 62 duplicate samples were collected in the coastal towns of Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdańsk-Brzeźno. In 2018, after the emergency disposal of raw sewage, 26 air samples were collected. A Pearson chi-squared test of independence showed that during 2018 in Hel and Sopot, the mean number of molds and yeast-like fungi was higher than in 2014–2017. The result was significantly positive, p ≤ 2.22 × 10−16. The analysis of the General Asymptotic Symmetry Test showed that in Puck and Gdańsk-Brzeźno, the average number of Aspergillus sp. mold fungi was higher in 2018 after an emergency discharge of sewage into the Gulf of Gdańsk compared to the period 2014–2017. The result was not statistically significant. In addition, the average number of Penicillium sp. molds in 2018 in Gdańsk-Brzeźno was higher than in 2014–2017, but statistically insignificant (p = 0.9593). In 2018, the average number of Cladosporium sp. molds in Sopot was higher, but also statistically insignificant (p = 0.2114) compared to 2014–2017. Our results indicate that the study of the number of yeast-like fungi in the air may indicate coastal areas that may be particularly at risk of bacterial or mycological pathogens, e.g., after an emergency discharge of raw sewage.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of manual therapy and the use of ibuprofen on the severity of dysmenorrhea and changes in the level of sex hormones in young women with dysmenorrhea. Material and methods: The study included six women, aged 22 ± 2 years, with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). A physiotherapist examined the tenderness and flexibility of the muscles. The patients were subjected to a gynecological and physiotherapeutic examination; the concentrations of progesterone and 17-beta-estradiol were also determined. In subgroup A (n = 3), manual therapy was performed 3 × 45 min; in subgroup B (n = 3), the patients received ibuprofen 3 × 400 mg/day. Results: In subgroup A, all patients showed a decrease in the level of progesterone and an increase in the concentration of estradiol. In subgroup B, the concentration of progesterone and 17-beta estradiol decreased in two subjects. In subgroup A, manual therapy reduced the severity of headache, back pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and PMS. In subgroup B, the use of ibuprofen only alleviated back pain and fatigue. Moreover, in subgroup A, after the application of manual therapy, improvement in flexibility and pain relief of the examined muscles was demonstrated. On the other hand, in subgroup B, no improvement in flexibility or reduction in muscle soreness was found in patients who took ibuprofen. Conclusions: Manual therapy may reduce menstrual pain in women with dysmenorrhea. However, the results need to be confirmed in studies conducted on a larger group of patients with dysmenorrhea.

Introduction The non-motor symptoms have a major impact on quality of life in patients with Parkinson Disease (PD). We present results of the study on the impact of subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS-STN) on sleep and other non-motor symptoms in PD patients. Materials and methods Thirty-six patients with advanced PD were included into the study. Twenty four were evaluated with two-night polysomnography (PSG) before surgery and at 6 months after DBS programming. The whole group (n = 36) was assessed using motor, non-motor symptoms (sleep disturbances in particular) and quality of life measures (QoL), before surgery, 6 and 12 months after DBS programming. Results DBS-STN resulted in the significant deterioration of objective sleep parameters, as assessed by PSG, mostly in terms of total sleep time, sleep efficiency, duration of N1 and N2 sleep, wakefulness after sleep onset and sleep latency. At the same time, improvement in the subjective sleep measures, other non-motor symptoms (particularly fatigue, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and sexual symptoms) and QoL was identified. The subjective improvement of sleep, other non-motor symptoms and QoL was most prominent in the first 6 months after DBS-STN, diminished slightly (being still better than before surgery) after 12 months, in parallel to mood deterioration. Conclusion DBS-STN resulted in the subjective sleep quality improvement with worsening of objective (PSG) sleep parameters after 6 months. After 12 months all sleep clinical outcome measures were still better than before surgery, albeit worse when compared to the first follow-up visit. Subjective sleep quality correlated positively with mood.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the concentration of psychrophilic bacteria, mesophilic bacteria and mold fungi in bioaerosols, and the number of new cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children. Methods: Air samples from the Lubelskie and Pomeranian voivodeships in Poland were collected from January 2015 to December 2016 in winter, spring, summer and autumn. Thirty-three samples were collected in the Pomeranian and 27 in the Lubelskie voivodeship. The air samples were collected on the first day of each month at 1:00 pm for 10 mins at a height of 1.5 m above the ground. The number of mesophilic bacteria was detected after 24–48 hrs incubation at 37°C on tryptone soya agar (TSA; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). The number of psychrophilic bacteria was detected after 72 hrs incubation at 22°C on TSA. The number of fungi was detected by a 5-day long incubation at 28°C on chloramphenicol yeast glucose agar. Results: In the Lubelskie voivodeship, the mean concentration of psychrophilic bacteria was significantly higher than in the Pomeranian voivodeship (2739 vs 608 CFU/m3, respectively), the mean concentration of mesophilic bacteria was significantly higher (2493 vs 778/m3, respectively) and the concentration of fungi was significantly higher (3840 vs 688 CFU/m3, respectively). We also showed a statistically significant relationship between the number of children with recently diagnosed T1DM and the mean concentration of psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria in the Pomeranian and Lubelskie voivodeships (P

Introduction Refractory idiopathic overactive bladder (RIOAB) is a common condition with a significant negative impact on quality of life. Intravesical injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) is widely used as an intervention for these cases. In the standard method the drug solution is colorless. The addition of dye such as methylene blue (MB) facilitates visualization during the procedure and may have a beneficial effect. Aim To evaluate the injection of BTX-A with the addition of methylene blue (MB) against a standard method in the treatment of RIOAB. Material and methods In this 1-center, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, we recruited 80 patients with RIOAB. A total of 39 were assigned to injection into the bladder wall of 100 U BTX-A with MB (in 9.5 ml normal saline + 0.5 ml MB), and 41 were assigned to BTX-A 100 U alone (in 10 ml normal saline). Cystoscopy with a submucosal injection of the solution was performed systematically, including the bladder triangle. Participants were assessed 6 and 12 weeks after the treatment using a Likert scale and OABSS questionnaire. Results Significant improvement was similar (result of 1 or 2 on the Likert scale) and was achieved in 66.7% and 69.2% after 6 weeks and in 63.9% and 64.1% after 12 weeks in the BTX-A + MB group and only-BTX-A group, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.049) in the total number of patients with complications: 2 (5.6%) vs. 9 (23.1%). Conclusions The addition of MB to BTX for treatment of RIOAB patients does not influence treatment efficacy, while it limits the risk of complications.

Introduction and hypothesis Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women using a synthetic midurethral tape has become a standard procedure. One of the complications observed postoperatively are lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The aim was to analyze the role of introital ultrasound in the identification of patients at risk for developing LUTS after surgical treatment using synthetic tape. Methods A group of 50 patients suffering from LUTS following anti-incontinence surgery using synthetic tape was included in this study. The patients with pelvic organ prolapse and coexisting overactive bladder-wet before surgery were excluded. The control group consisted of 50 patients after the same treatment without any complications and with a good outcome. Tape visualization was performed using introital two-dimensional ultrasound. The assessment of the Tape Index (T/U) enabled us to divide the study group into the two subgroups with the tape index value of 0.375 as a borderline. The correlation between the tape position and the occurrence of LUTS was evaluated using a Chi-squared test. Results In the group of patients suffering from LUTS, the tape was found to be closer to the bladder neck (the lower edge of the tape was more than 37.5% of the urethral length) and it was statistically significant (Chi-squared = 19.87, p

A non-standard bioinformatics method, 4D-Dynamic Representation of DNA/RNA Sequences, aiming at an analysis of the information available in nucleotide databases, has been formulated. The sequences are represented by sets of "material points" in a 4D space - 4D-dynamic graphs. The graphs representing the sequences are treated as "rigid bodies" and characterized by values analogous to the ones used in the classical dynamics. As the graphical representations of the sequences, the projections of the graphs into 2D and 3D spaces are used. The method has been applied to an analysis of the complete genome sequences of the 2019 novel coronavirus. As a result, 2D and 3D classification maps are obtained. The coordinate axes in the maps correspond to the values derived from the exact formulas characterizing the graphs: the coordinates of the centers of mass and the 4D moments of inertia. The points in the maps represent sequences and their coordinates are used as the classifiers. The main result of this work has been derived from the 3D classification maps. The distribution of clusters of points which emerged in these maps, supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 may have originated in bat and in pangolin. Pilot calculations for Zika virus sequence data prove that the proposed approach is also applicable to a description of time evolution of genome sequences of viruses.

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the meteorological factors and the number of molds and yeast-like fungi in the air in the five coastal towns in the years 2014–2017, and in 2018, after emergency disposal of raw sewage to the Gdańsk Gulf. In the years 2014–2018, a total number of 88 air samples were collected in duplicate in the five coastal towns of Hel, Puck, Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdańsk-Brzeźno. After the application of the (PCA) analysis, this demonstrated that the first principal component (PC1) had a positive correlation with the water temperature, wind speed, air temperature, and relative humidity. The second principal component (PC2) had a positive correlation with the relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and air temperature. In 2018, potentially pathogenic mold and yeast-like fungi (Candida albicans, Stachybotrys chartarum complex, Aspergillus section Fumigati) were detected in the seaside air. While the detected species were not observed in the years 2014–2017. We suggest that it is advisable to inform residents about the potential health risk in the event of raw sewage disposal into the water. Moreover, in wastewater treatment plants, tighter measures, including wastewater disinfection, should be introduced.

The aim of the studies is to show that graphical bioinformatics methods are good tools for the description of genome sequences of viruses. A new approach to the identification of unknown virus strains, is proposed. Methods: Biological sequences have been represented graphically through 2D and 3D-Dynamic Representations of DNA/RNA Sequences - theoretical methods for the graphical representation of the sequences developed by us previously. In these approaches, some ideas of the classical dynamics have been introduced to bioinformatics. The sequences are represented by sets of material points in 2D or 3D spaces. The distribution of the points in space is characteristic of the sequence. The numerical parameters (descriptors) characterizing the sequences correspond to the quantities typical of classical dynamics. Results: Some applications of the theoretical methods have been briefly reviewed. 2D-dynamic graphs representing the complete genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 are shown. Conclusion: It is proved that the 3D-Dynamic Representation of DNA/RNA Sequences, coupled with the random forest algorithm, classifies successfully the subtypes of influenza A virus strains.

Introduction and hypothesis Surgical treatment using the mid-urethral tape has become a gold standard in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. Many urogynecologists use ultrasound during the postoperative follow-up. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the position of the tape in the mid- or distal-urethra could influence the subjective assessment after surgery in 1-month control based on questionnaires of genitourinary symptoms, UDI6-SF and VAS scale. Methods A group of 76 patients using a synthetic tension-free retropubic vaginal tape after anti-incontinence surgery was retrospectively included in this study. In a postoperative follow-up, the synthetic tape detection was performed using introital ultrasound, and its position was determined as a quotient T/U (T = distance between the external urethral orifice and the lower edge of the tape, U = urethral length). The patients were divided into two groups of 38 patients: one group with the position of the tape in the distal urethra (T/U ≤ 0.24) and the other group with the tape localised in the mid-urethra (T/U = 0.25–0.37). The correlation between the height of the tape position and the subjective assessment was evaluated in both groups of patients in the 1-month control. Results No association was found between the height of the tape position in a group of patients after anti-incontinence surgery with a T/U value not exceeding 0.375 and the subjective assessment or the value of Vres. Conclusions The height of the tape position, with the T/U not exceeding 0.375, has no impact on the subjective assessment of the surgical anti-incontinence treatment in 1-month control.

A new method, 4D-Dynamic Representation of DNA/RNA Sequences, aiming at similarity/dissimilarity analysis of biological sequences, has been formulated. It belongs to a group of non-standard bioinformatics approaches called alignment-free methods. In the new method, sequences are represented by sets of material points in a 4D space - 4D-dynamic graphs. The method is a generalization of our previous 2D and 3D approaches [1,2]. In particular, 2D and 3D methods have been applied for the characterization of the complete genome sequences of viruses [3,4,5]. We call the methods dynamic, because the graphs are characterized by some values analogous to the ones used in the classical dynamics. In this work 4D moments of inertia are proposed as numerical characteristics (descriptors) of the 4D-dynamic graphs representing the sequences. 2D and 3D projections of the 4D-dynamic graphs are proposed as graphical representations of the sequences. 4D-Dynamic Representation of DNA/RNA Sequences has been applied to an analysis of the complete genome sequences of the 2019 novel coronavirus, available in March 2020 in GenBank. The proposed descriptors of the 4D-dynamic graphs proved to be very good. 4D moments of inertia correctly classify the sequences. The descriptors representing complete genome sequences of Deltacorovirus and of Betacoronavirus are located in different parts of the classification maps. The detailed classification of Betacoronaviruses to Embevovirus and the 2019 novel coronavirus is also recognized by the method. The descriptors representing Embevovirus and the 2019 novel coronavirus are also located in different parts of the maps. References [1]. Bielinska-Wąz, D.; Clark, T.; Wąz, P.; Nowak, W.; Nandy, A. 2D-dynamic representation of DNA sequences. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2007, 442, 140–144. [2]. Wąz, P.; Bielinska-Wąz, D. 3D-dynamic representation of DNA sequences. J. Mol. Model. 2014, 20, 2141. [3]. Panas, D.; Wąz, P.; Bielinska-Wąz, D.; Nandy, A.; Basak, S.C. 2D–Dynamic Representation of DNA/RNA Sequences as a Characterization Tool of the Zika Virus Genome. MATCH Commun. Math. Comput. Chem. 2017, 77 321–332. [4]. Panas, D.; Wąz, P.; Bielinska-Wąz, D.; Nandy, A.; Basak, S.C. An Application of the 2D-Dynamic Representation of DNA/RNA Sequences to the Prediction of Influenza A Virus Subtypes, MATCH Commun. Math. Comput. Chem. 80 (2018) 295-310. [5]. Bielinska-Wąz, D.; Panas, D.; Wąz, P. Dynamic Representations of Biological Sequences, MATCH Commun. Math. Comput. Chem. 82 (2019) 205-218.

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Purpose. The aim of the research was to conduct an assessment of the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and associated factors among Polish women. Patients and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Polish women using an online questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 23 ± 4 years. Out of the total of 1,317 women who took part in the study, 1,127 were included in the analysis, and 190 were excluded due to incomplete answers. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions that were grouped into three parts. The first concerned sociodemographic data such as age, weight, education, and residence (urban or rural). The second part of the questionnaire pertained to the factors of dysmenorrhea (premenstrual syndrome, age of menarche, and family history of dysmenorrhea.). In the third part, the women were asked about their diet, alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and physical activity. Results. Dysmenorrhea affected 94% of the interviewed women. Dysmenorrhea was most likely to occur among respondents whose mothers had a history of dysmenorrhea (p<0.005). Significant relationship between the occurrence of dysmenorrhea among respondents and their sisters was also observed (p<0.005). The prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was significantly higher in women reporting dysmenorrhea (p<0.005). Other significant factors associated with dysmenorrhea were age of menarche (p<0.005), stress frequency (p=0.005), lack of physical activity (p=0.037), and self-esteem (p=0.042). However, in the respondents, no significant relationship was observed between dysmenorrhea and diet, smoking, body mass index, and alcohol intake. Conclusion. The study points to the fact that the problem of dysmenorrhea affects many Polish women. Women with dysmenorrhea were characterized with a family history of dysmenorrhea, occurrence of PMS, early age of menarche, stressful lifestyle, lack of physical activity, and low self-esteem. We suggest that further assessment of factors contributing for dysmenorrhea among women is necessary.

The increase in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) incidence in children is worrying and not yet fully explored. It is suggested that probably air pollution exposure could contribute to the development of T1DM. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the concentration of gaseous pollutants including, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) in the air, and the number of new cases of T1DM in children. The number of new cases of T1DM was obtained from the Clinic of Paediatrics, Diabetology, and Endocrinology, Medical University of Gdańsk. The number of children of 0–18 years old in Pomeranian Voivodeship was acquired from the Statistical Yearbook. The concentrations of PM10 absorbance, NO2, NOx, SO2, and CO were measured at 41 measuring posts, between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016. It was detected that the average annual concentration of PM10 was higher than the value acceptable to the WHO. Furthermore, the average 24-hour concentration of PM10 was 92 μg/m3 and was higher compared to the acceptable value of 50 μg/m3 (acc. to EU and WHO). Moreover, the number of new cases of T1DM showed a correlation with the annual average concentration of PM10 (β = 2.396, p<0.001), SO2 (β = 2.294, p<0.001), and CO (β = 2.452, p<0.001). High exposure to gaseous pollutants and particulate matter in ambient air may be one of the factors contributing to the risk of developing T1DM in children. Therefore, it is important to take action to decrease air pollutant emissions in Poland. It is crucial to gradually but consistently eliminate the use of solid fuels, such as coal and wood in households, in favour of natural gas and electricity. The development of new technologies to improve air quality, such as “best available techniques” (BAT) or renewable energy sources (water, wind, and solar generation) is of critical importance as well.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between the concentration of PM10 in air and the number of new cases of T1DM in children and adolescents in the Pomeranian Voivodeship in years 2015–2016. Materials and methods. Data PM10 in the Pomeranian Voivodeship was obtained from the report of air quality prepared by the Voivodeship Inspectorate of Environmental Protection in Gdańsk. Epidemiological data on the number of new cases of T1DM was obtained from the Department of Pediatric Diabetology and Endocrinology of the Medical University of Gdansk. The number of births in 2015-2016 in the Pomeranian Voivodeship was acquired from the statistical yearbook by the GUS. Statistical analysis of the results was performed with use of the R software: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. Results. In the Pomeranian Voivodship it was shown that the average annual PM10 dust concentration is higher than the annual average concentration acceptable by the WHO. In addition, a higher mean 24h concentration of PM10 (91,63 µg/m3) was detected compared to the permissible concentration of PM10 by both the EU and the WHO (50,00 µg/m3). Statistical analysis showed that in the Pomeranian Voivodeship the number of new cases of T1DM correlated with the annual average concentration of PM10 in 2015 and 2016 (b = 1,418, p

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women. Conservative and operative treatment methods are associated with a risk of side effects pertaining to the shoulder complex. The surgery complications including chronic pain, upper limb and chest lymphedema, range of motion limitations, and motor control deficiencies may lead to upper limb function impairment and affect the quality of life negatively. Twenty-three women were examined in the tested group and twenty-two women in the control group. The motor control was assessed with dissociation tests as defined by Comerford and Mottram. In order to assess patient-perceived upper limb disability, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used. The test of glenohumeral (GH) abduction control in frontal plane and in scapular plane and medial rotation control outcomes were found to be statistically significant. It pertains to both: Comparison between groups and analysis within the tested group—body sides comparison. The DASH questionnaire results analysis indicates that there was a higher degree of subjectively perceived disability of upper limb in the tested group. Surgical interventions in the breast cancer treatment and other medical procedures affect the level of motor control and perceived disability of upper limb negatively in this group of patients. Movement faults are statistically more prevalent in the tested group. Movement faults are more prevalent on the operated side in the tested group.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation between the concentration of particulate matter of less than 10 μm in diameter (PM10) in air and the effect of psychrophilic bacteria, mesophilic bacteria and mould fungi on the number of new cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents in the Lubelskie Voivodeship in the years 2015-2016.Epidemiological data on the number of new cases of T1DM was obtained from the Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology of the Medical University in Lublin. The number of births for the year 2015 and 2016 in the Lublin Voivodeship was acquired from the statistical yearbook by the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS). Data on PM10 concentration in the Lubelskie Voivodeship was obtained from the report and annual evaluations of air quality prepared by the Voivodeship Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (WIOŚ) in Lublin. The analysis of psychrophilic bacteria, mesophilic bacteria and mould fungi in air was performed with use of the impact method and an air sampler.In the years 2015-2016 in the Lubelskie Voivodeship the number of births was 39 381 and 152 new cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus were recorded. The annual and 24-hour concentration of PM10 in air in 2015 was higher compared to 2016; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, we detected a higher number of psychrophilic bacteria 2739 vs 1000 CFU/m3 and a significantly higher number of mesophilic bacteria 92493 vs 1000 CFU/m3 than the norm specified in the Polish standard PN-89/Z-04111/02. A further analysis of air samples collected in the Lubelskie Voivodeship revealed lower a concentration of mould fungi compared to the Polish standard PN-89/Z-04111/02 (3840 vs 5000 CFU/m3, respectively). We isolated 9 types of mould fungi and 1 type of yeast-like fungus that are thought to have a negative effect on people's health. The statistical analysis revealed a relation between the number of new cases of T1DM and the number of psychrophilic bacteria (β= 2.86; p0.05), mesophilic bacteria (β = 2.824; p0.05) and the number of mould fungi (β=2.923; p0.001). The analysis of linear regression revealed a relation between the number of new T1DM cases and mean annual concentration of PM10 for the year 2016 (p0.001). However, there was no relation observed between the number of new cases of T1DM and the mean annual concentration of PM10 in air in the Lubelskie Voivodeship in 2015.Our preliminary results confirm the not yet fully explored relation between air pollution and the risk of type 1 DM in children and adolescents.Wstęp. Celem naszych badań było określenie zależności pomiędzy stężeniem zawieszonego pyłu o średnicy do 10 µm (PM10) w powietrzu atmosferycznym oraz wpływu obecności bakterii psychrofilnych, mezofilnych, grzybów pleśniowych na liczbę świeżych zachorowań na cukrzycę typu 1 u dzieci i młodzieży w województwie lubelskim w latach 2015–2016. Pacjenci i metody. Dane epidemiologiczne dotyczące liczby nowych zachorowań na cukrzycę T1DM otrzymano z Kliniki Endokrynologii i Diabetologii Dziecięcej UM w Lublinie. Liczbę urodzeń w latach 2015 i 2016 w województwie lubelskim odczytano z roczników statystycznych GUS. Dane dotyczące stężenia pyłu PM10 w województwie lubelskim uzyskano z raportu i rocznych ocen jakości powietrza, opracowanych przez WIOŚ w Lublinie. Badanie bakterii psychrofilnych, mezofilnych oraz grzybów pleśniowych w powietrzu atmosferycznym wykonano metodą szczelinowo-zderzeniową za pomocą próbnika do poboru powietrza. Wyniki. W latach 2015–2016 w województwie lubelskim liczba urodzeń dzieci wynosiła 39 381, a odnotowano 221 nowych przypadków zachorowań na cukrzycę typu 1. W powietrzu atmosferycznym wykazano wyższe w 2015 roku, lecz nie nieistotnie statystycznie roczne jak też 24h stężenie pyłów PM10 w porównaniu do roku 2016. Ponadto wykryto wyższą liczbę bakterii psychrofilnych 2739 vs 1000 CFU/m3 oraz istotnie wyższą liczbę bakterii mezofilnych 2493 vs 1000 CFU /m3 w odniesieniu do normy PN-89/Z-04111/02. W dalszej analizie z pobranych próbek powietrza w województwie lubelskim wykryto niższe w porównaniu z normą PN-89/Z-04111/02 stężenie grzybów pleśniowych odpowiednio 3840 vs 5000 CFU/m3. Jednakże wyizolowano dziewięć gatunków grzybów pleśniowych oraz jeden gatunek drożdżaka o potencjalnym negatywnym wpływie na zdrowie człowieka. W analizie statystycznej wykazano zależność pomiędzy liczbą nowych zachorowań na T1DM a liczbą bakterii psychrofilnych (β= 2,86; p0,05), mezofilnych (β = 2,824; p0,05) oraz liczbą grzybów pleśniowych (β=2,923; p0,001). Analiza regresji liniowej wykazała zależność pomiędzy liczbą nowych zachorowań na T1DM a średnim rocznym stężeniem pyłu PM10 w roku 2016 (p0,001). Natomiast nie wykazano zależności pomiędzy liczbą nowych zachorowań na T1DM a średnim rocznym stężeniem PM10 w powietrzu atmosferycznym w województwie lubelskim w roku 2015. Wnioski. Nasze wstępne wyniki badań wspierają słabo poznany związek zanieczyszczenia powietrza a ryzyka rozwoju cukrzycy typu 1 u dzieci i młodzieży.

Background and aims. The present study aimed to assess the frequency of spasticity in a single-centre cohort of stroke patients in a one-year follow-up, its predictors, and its impact on the activities of daily living (ADL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Material and methods. A group of 121 consecutive patients with hemiparesis (aged 73 ± 11 years) was selected for further observation, out of 381 Stroke Department patients during one year. At three follow-up assessments three, six and 12 months after stroke, muscle tone and muscle weakness were rated using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Medical Research Council (MRC); Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) were evaluated using the Barthel Index (BI), Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and an SF-36 questionnaire. Results. Fifty five of 121 (45%) patients after three months had developed spasticity (MAS ≥ 1), and in 19 of the 121 (15%) this spasticity was severe. After one year, 33/94 (35%) patients showed spasticity, and in 19/94 (20%) it was severe. Baseline muscle weakness (MRC), stroke severity as measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and greater disability (BI), were the most significant predictors of persistent post-stroke spasticity. Patients with spasticity had worse HRQoL in terms of their physical functioning, role limitations, physical pain, and vitality. Conclusion. Spasticity, which affects a significant proportion of stroke survivors, was present in 35% of our patients at 12 months after stroke. It has a major impact on both ADL and HRQoL. Severe disability and muscle weakness are the most important predictors of persistent post-stroke spasticity.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the concentration of psychrophilic bacteria, mesophilic bacteria and mold fungi in bioaerosols, and the number of new cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children. Methods: Air samples from the Lubelskie and Pomeranian voivodeships in Poland were collected from January 2015 to December 2016 in winter, spring, summer and autumn. Thirty-three samples were collected in the Pomeranian and 27 in the Lubelskie voivodeship. The air samples were collected on the first day of each month at 1:00 pm for 10 mins at a height of 1.5 m above the ground. The number of mesophilic bacteria was detected after 24–48 hrs incubation at 37°C on tryptone soya agar (TSA; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). The number of psychrophilic bacteria was detected after 72 hrs incubation at 22°C on TSA. The number of fungi was detected by a 5-day long incubation at 28°C on chloramphenicol yeast glucose agar. Results: In the Lubelskie voivodeship, the mean concentration of psychrophilic bacteria was significantly higher than in the Pomeranian voivodeship (2739 vs 608 CFU/m3, respectively), the mean concentration of mesophilic bacteria was significantly higher (2493 vs 778/m3, respectively) and the concentration of fungi was significantly higher (3840 vs 688 CFU/m3, respectively). We also showed a statistically significant relationship between the number of children with recently diagnosed T1DM and the mean concentration of psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria in the Pomeranian and Lubelskie voivodeships (P

Similarity studies in different areas of computational science are briefly reviewed. In particular, a new method called by us 2D-dynamic Representation of DNA/RNA Sequences aiming at similarity studies of biological sequences is described. It is shown that similarity studies are also a convenient tool to study the retirement threshold in social science using a method of computational statistics correspondence analysis.

In the present study, we have decided to evaluate whether serum interleukin 34 (IL-34) levels may have diagnostic value in predicting the risk of vascular diabetic complications. The study included 49 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 23 high-risk group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis has shown that IL-34 has more discriminatory power than C-reactive protein (CRP) for the risk of diabetic complications. The cut-off value for IL-34 was established as 91.2 pg/mL. The gist of our research was identification of IL-34 as an additional potential inflammatory biomarker for the prediction of the risk of vascular diabetic complications.

The objective of the research was to investigate serum levels of interleukin-12 (IL12) in relation to percentage of yeast-like fungi colonies residing in the gastrointestinal tract in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The study involved 83 children and adolescents, including 53 T1DM patients and 30 healthy control subjects. In the studied population biochemical tests were performed and yeast-like fungi were identified in the faeces. Moreover, IL12 absorbance was measured and measurements ofCandida albicansIgG and IgM antibodies were performed with microplate reader ChroMate 4300 (Awareness Technology, Inc., USA) at wavelengthλ=450 nm. In the group of T1DM children and adolescents with disease duration ≤ 2 years, high levels of IL12 were found with lower percentage of yeast-like fungal colonies versus T1DM patients with disease duration > 2 years and ≤5 years, as well as versus T1DM patients with disease duration > 5 years. Additionally, serum levels of IL12 were found to be decreasing by 18.1 pg/ml with each year of diabetes duration. IL12 serum levels were also found to be decreasing by 52.9 pg/ml with each 1% increase in HbA1c. We suggest that high IL12 levels can inhibit infection with yeast-like fungi colonizing the gastrointestinal tract in children and adolescents with T1DM. Further studies are needed to confirm the antifungal activity of IL12.

Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the adaptive effect of six sessions of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on changes in the amount and activity of mitochondrial enzymes. Methods Twenty seven students (age 21.2±0.9) were assigned to HIIT (n=10) and control (CON, n=17) group and performed six training sessions for 14 days: 6 × 90 s intervals at 80% maximal aerobic power (MAP) output separated by 180 s rest. Pre and post interventions anthropometric measurements, maximal activity of citrate synthase (CS) and 3-HydroxyacylCoA (HADH) was determined in muscle samples. The effect of HIIT on proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the skeletal muscle was used via proteomic analysis’s. We took into consideration 89 identified subunits from the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and the ATP synthase complex. For these proteomic tests a muscle biopsy samples from the three representative participants HIIT and three CON before and after training were collected. Results Training induced the moderate and large effects in maximal enzymes activities CS and HADH. The HIIT caused the increase of level proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Conclusions HIIT can be an optimal strategy for the prevention of certain civilization diseases or for the rehabilitation of diseases, especially cardiovascular disease.

Blastocystis is a common, enteric protist of humans and animals with a worldwide distribution and unclear clinical relevance. Nine out of 17 genetically diverse subtypes occur in humans. We analysed the distribution of Blastocystis subtypes and the intensity of invasion in relation to the gastrointestinal tract disorders and travels to different continents. 122 Blastocystis stool cultures were subtyped via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with seven pairs of subtype-specific, sequence-tagged-site (STS) primers. Five subtypes of Blastocystis were detected: ST3 (59%), ST2 (19.7%), ST1 (13.1%), ST6 (3.3%), ST7 (3.3%), and two mixed infections with ST1/ST3 (1.6%). ST1 was detected exclusively in travelers to hot climate zones and ST2 was found more frequently in people visiting other continents compared to those who never left Poland. We found no correlation between gastrointestinal tract disorders, Blastocystis STs, and parasite load. There was no age predisposition to the Blastocystis infection. We established the distribution of Blastocystis STs among Poles traveling to different continents and never leaving Poland. Our study sheds more light on the problem of importing Blastocystis infection. It shows that certain subtypes detected in Europe can be imported due to travel or migration. Collecting data on the travel history of the surveyed persons is necessary to clarify this matter.

Purpose Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Ultrasonography is the method of choice in the initial diagnosis of AE. The aim of the study is to present the most frequent sonomorphological patterns of lesions in hepatic AE based on the analysis of ultrasound findings in patients treated for AE at the University Centre of Maritime and Tropical Medicine (UCMMiT; Gdynia, Poland), and to establish whether there is a relationship between the clinical stage of AE and the occurrence of a specific sonomorphological pattern of hepatic lesions. Patients and methods We analysed the results of ultrasound examinations of 58 patients hospitalized in the UCMMiT with probable or certain diagnosis of AE. Liver lesions were assessed according to the classification developed by researchers from the University Hospital in Ulm (Germany). Statistical analysis was based on the relationship between the occurrence of a specific sonomorphological pattern of hepatic lesions and the clinical stage of AE. Results The most frequently observed patterns of AE lesions in the liver were the hailstorm and the pseudocystic patterns. There was no correlation between the clinical stage of the disease and the ultrasonographic appearance of lesions. There was no statistically significant relationship between the more frequent occurrences of specific ultrasonographic patterns of lesions in the liver and radical or non-radical surgery. Conclusions The ultrasonographic appearance of the lesion in liver AE cannot determine the therapeutic management. Treatment plan should be established based on the PMN classification.