Multiparameter assessment of exercise capacity in patients with arterial hypertension.

Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AH) can lead to the development of heart failure. Aim: Evaluating the relationship between parameters of exercise capacity assessed via a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), with a hemodynamic assessment via impedance cardiography (ICG), in patients with AH. Methods: Exercise capacity was assessed in 98 hypertensive patients (54.5 ± 8.2 years) by means of oxygen uptake (VO2) get from CPET, 6MWT distance (6MWTd) and hemodynamic parameters measured by ICG: heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO). Correlations between these parameters at rest, at anaerobic threshold (AT) and at peak of exercise as well as their changes (Δpeak-rest, Δpeak-AT, ΔAT-rest) were evaulated. Results: A large proportion of patients exhibited reduced exercise capacity, with 45.9% not reaching 80% of predicted peak VO2 and 43.9% not reaching predicted 6MWTd. Clinically relevant correlations were noted between the absolute peak values and AT values of VO2 vs HR and VO2 vs CO. Furthermore ΔVO2(peak-AT) correlated with ΔHR(peak-AT), ΔCO(peak-AT) and ΔSV(peak-AT); ΔVO2(peak-rest) with ΔHR(peak-rest) and ΔCO(peak-rest); ΔVO2(AT-rest) with ΔHR(AT-rest) and ΔCO(AT-rest). Stronger correlations between changes in the evaluated parameters were demonstrated in the subgroup of subjects with peak VO2 < 80% of the predicted value; particularly ΔVO2(peak-AT) correlated with ΔSV(peak-AT) and ΔCO(peak-AT). Conclusions: The hemodynamic parameters show significant correlations with more measures of cardiovascular capacity of proven clinical utility. Impedance cardiography is a reliable method for assessing the cardiovascular response to exercise.

Masting in wind-pollinated trees: system-specific roles of weather and pollination dynamics in driving seed production.

Masting, the highly variable production of synchronized large seed crops, is a common reproductive strategy in plant populations. In wind-pollinated trees, flowering and pollination dynamics are hypothesized to provide the mechanistic link for the well-known relationship between weather and population-level seed production. Several hypotheses make predictions about the effect of weather on annual pollination success. The pollen coupling hypothesis predicts that weather and plant resources drive the flowering effort of trees, which directly translates into the size of seed crops through efficient pollination. In contrast, the pollination Moran effect hypothesis predicts that weather affects pollination efficiency, leading to occasional bumper crops. Furthermore, the recently formulated phenology synchrony hypothesis predicts that Moran effects can arise because of weather effects on flowering synchrony, which, in turn, drives pollination efficiency. We investigated the relationship between weather, airborne pollen, and seed production in common European trees, two oak species (Quercus petraea and Q. robur) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) with a 19-yr data set from three sites in Poland. Our results show that warm summers preceding flowering correlated with high pollen abundance and warm springs resulted in short pollen seasons (i.e., high flowering synchrony) for all three species. Pollen abundance was the best predictor for seed crops in beech, as predicted under pollen coupling. In oaks, short pollen seasons, rather than pollen abundance, correlated with large seed crops, providing support for the pollination Moran effect and phenology synchrony hypotheses. Fundamentally different mechanisms may therefore drive masting in species of the family Fagacae.

The long-range transport of Pinaceae pollen: an example in Kraków (southern Poland).

High Pinaceae pollen concentrations in the air and on the surface of puddles before the main pollen season started were observed in Kraków (southern Poland) in May 2013. The paper presents the results of detailed studies of the composition and source of the "yellow rain" in 2013, and as a comparison, the Pinaceae pollen concentrations and samples collected from the ground surface in 2014 were considered. The air samples were collected using the volumetric method (Hirst-type device), while pollen grains sampled from the ground surface were processed using a modified Erdtman acetolysis method. Finally, all samples were studied using a light microscope. In 2013, the period of higher Abies, Picea and Pinus pollen concentrations was observed from the 5 to 12 of May, earlier than the main pollen season occurred. The presence of rainfall on the 12 and 13 of May 2013 caused the pollen deposition on the ground surface, where the prevalence of Pinaceae pollen was found. The synoptic situation and the analysis of the back-trajectories and air mass advection at the beginning of May 2013 indicated that Pinaceae pollen grains could have been transported from Ukraine, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. In contrast, Pinaceae pollen grains deposited on the ground surface as a "yellow" film in May 2014, originated from local sources.

[Does the presence of an obstructive sleep apnea change the indications for the pacemaker implantation? - case raports].

The obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a mortality risk factor of the cardiovascular system diseases. One of the elements of this relationship is the occurrence of nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias. The arrhytmias in question are resistant to drug therapy so it is suggested to consider electrotherapy. However, the coexistence of OSA and thus recurrent episodes of nocturnal hypoxia, may have significant impact on the diagnosis and the treatment applied as shown in the following cases. In some cases, the decision of electrotherapy should be preceded by the use of therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

[Does the presence of an obstructive sleep apnea change the indications for the pacemaker implantation? - case raports].

The obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a mortality risk factor of the cardiovascular system diseases. One of the elements of this relationship is the occurrence of nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias. The arrhytmias in question are resistant to drug therapy so it is suggested to consider electrotherapy. However, the coexistence of OSA and thus recurrent episodes of nocturnal hypoxia, may have significant impact on the diagnosis and the treatment applied as shown in the following cases. In some cases, the decision of electrotherapy should be preceded by the use of therapy with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

[Exposure to alder, hazel and birch pollen and PM10 dust concentration in Krakow in 2010-2015].

PM10, one of the air pollution components has a significant effect on plant pollen by the deposition on the surface of pollen grains, morphological changes of pollen walls and interference in the structure of the allergenic proteins. The aim of the study was to verify whether and in what weather conditions the concentration of pollen of alder, hazel and birch coincides with the elevated level of PM10 in Kraków, in 2010-2015. In the days when the alder pollen concentration exceeded 95 PG/m3, causing severe inhalant allergy symptoms and the concentration of hazel pollen was >80 PG/m3 and the admissible level of PM10 was exceeded, the maximum air temperature ranged from 5.1 to 22.6oC, the days were dry (humidity <60%), without precipitation and mostly windless. High concentration of birch pollen and exceeded admissible level of PM10 concentration were found in more than 60% of the days in the city center. In 70.3% of the days in which the birch pollen concentration reached values that caused the symptoms of asthma (>155 PG/m3), the dust concentration was exceeded (>50µg/m3), and rainfall and wind speed of 1-3 m/s occurred. Symptoms in people allergic to trees pollen in Kraków can be exacerbated during periods when the standard limits of PM10 are exceeded. Such situations have occurred mostly in March (pollen of alder and hazel) and April (birch pollen), especially in the city center.

Association of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and hemodynamic parameters measured by impedance cardiography in patients with essential hypertension.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of NT-proBNP with clinical and hemodynamic assessment in 156 patients with arterial hypertension. NT-proBNP correlated positively with, i.e. age (r=0.310, p=0.00008), mean blood pressure (MBP; r=0.199, p=0.0136), Heather index (HI; r=0.375, p<0.00001) and negatively with thoracic fluid content (TFC; r=-0.300, p=0.0002). The patients with higher NT-proBNP were older (46.1 versus 40.6 years, p=0.001), with higher MBP (102.6 versus 98.5 mm Hg, p=0.0043), HI (14.54 versus 11.93 Ohm s2, p=0.009) and lower TFC (27.5 versus 29.4 1/kOhm, p=0.0032). The independent predictors of higher NT-proBNP were: age, MBP and HI.

What does impedance cardiography add more to the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in essential hypertension?

UNLABELLED: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDdf) and arterial stiffness are associated with increased mortality in patients with arterial hypertension. THE AIM: of the study was to evaluate the relation between left ventricular diastolic function and hemodynamic profile assessed by impedance cardiography (ICG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 209 hypertensives clinical evaluation, echocardiography and ICG were performed to evaluate i.e. septal annulus early diastolic velocity (e'), mitral flow ratio (E/A), stroke index (SI), acceleration index (ACI), velocity index (VI), Heather index (HI), total arterial compliance. RESULTS: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was associated with lower SI (p=0.049), VI (p=0.002), ACI (p=0.014), HI (p=0.002) and higher SVRI (p=0.004). There were no significant differences in age, blood pressure, BMI, sex distribution. Males with LVDdf characterized with lower SI (p=0.011), VI (p<0.00001), ACI (p=0.0005), HI (p=0.00005) and higher SVRI (p=0.008). No such relevant differences were observed in women. In the analysis of the relations between clinical/hemodynamic features and echocardiographic indices of left ventricular diastolic function the significant correlations were observed in males, the most relevant for: age vs E/A (-0.45; p<0.001), VI vs e' (0.30; p<0.001), VI vs E/A (0.30; p<0.001), and SVRI vs e' (-0.28; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Impedance cardiography revealed to be useful in the evaluation of impaired left ventricular performance and increased arterial stiffness related to LVDdf in young and middle-aged hypertensives. Sex may influence cardiovascular hemodynamics resulting in slightly different ventricular-vascular interactions that should be considered in therapeutic strategies.

[Cardiovascular risk and inflammatory markers in patients with hypertension]. / Ryzyko sercowo-naczyniowe a markery zapalne u chorych na nadcisnienie tetnicze.

UNLABELLED: Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the main risk factors of negative cardiovascular (CVR) events and the complex evaluation of CVR is necessary for the successful treatment of patients with AH. Simultaneously CVR increases when the inflammatory markers levels are elevated. AIM: The aim of study was to evaluate the frequency of CVR factors presence and their relation to the inflammatory markers in patients with AH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in group of 144 patients (99 men, mean age 45.2 years) with AH and no other diagnosed cardiovascular diseases. The clinical assessment included: i.e. fasting glucose (FG), total cholesterol (T-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and inflammatory markers: fibrinogen, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and leukocytes count (WBC). CVR was assessed based on the presence of the risk factors included in the ESC guidelines. RESULTS: Dylipidemia was observed in over 90% of patients in the study group (most often as the elevated level of T-C and LDL-C), abdominal obesity in 54.9%, more than 3 CVR factors in over 70% and increased levels of at least one of inflammatory markers in 40.3% of patients (most often hs-CRP - 35.4%). The statistically significant correlations between anthropometric parameters (BMI, waist cirfumference), laboratory parameters (HDL-C, TG) and inflammatory markers were observed, the strongest for BMI versus hs-CRP (r = 0.42, p < 0.000001). In the logic regression analysis the factors increasing the probability of the elevated inflammatory activity turned out to be: abdominal obesity - OR 3.05 (95% CI: 1.49 - 12.22; p = 0.002); BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 - OR 3.18 (95% CI: 1.57 - 6.44; p = 0.0012) and the presence of more than 3 risk factors - OR 2.57 (95% CI: 1.13 - 5.83; p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The increased level of inflammatory markers is related to the complex metabolic disturbances and the assessment of the activation of inflammatory process (especially hsCRP) can be useful in the complex CVR evaluation and profound defining of therapeutical goals.

Co-exposure to highly allergenic airborne pollen and fungal spores in Europe.

The study is aimed at determining the potential spatiotemporal risk of the co-occurrence of airborne pollen and fungal spores high concentrations in different bio-climatic zones in Europe. Birch, grass, mugwort, ragweed, olive pollen and Alternaria and Cladosporium fungal spores were investigated at 16 sites in Europe, in 2005-2019. In Central and northern Europe, pollen and fungal spore seasons mainly overlap in June and July, while in South Europe, the highest pollen concentrations occur frequently outside of the spore seasons. In the coldest climate, no allergy thresholds were exceeded simultaneously by two spore or pollen taxa, while in the warmest climate most of the days with at least two pollen taxa exceeding threshold values were observed. The annual air temperature amplitude seems to be the main bioclimatic factor influencing the accumulation of days in which Alternaria and Cladosporium spores simultaneously exceed allergy thresholds. The phenomenon of co-occurrence of airborne allergen concentrations gets increasingly common in Europe and is proposed to be present on other continents, especially in temperate climate.

Occurrence of Didymella ascospores in western and southern Poland in 2004-2006.

The concentration of airborne Didymella spores has been investigated at two monitoring sites situated along the west-south transect in Poland (Szczecin, Kraków), i.e. from a height of 100 to 219 m, respectively, above sea level. The aerobiological monitoring of fungal spores was performed by means of two Lanzoni volumetric spore traps. The high Didymella spore numbers were observed at both cities in June, July and August. Statistically significant correlations have been found mainly between the Didymella spore concentrations in the air and the minimum air temperature and relative air humidity. The spore count of Didymella is determined by the diversity of local flora and weather conditions, especially by the relative air humidity. The identification of factors that influence and shape spore concentrations may significantly improve the current methods of allergy prevention.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and impedance cardiography in the assessment of exercise capacity of patients with coronary artery disease early after myocardial revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are characterized by different levels of physical capacity, which depends not only on the anatomical advancement of atherosclerosis, but also on the individual cardiovascular hemodynamic response to exercise. The aim of this study was evaluating the relationship between parameters of exercise capacity assessed via cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and impedance cardiography (ICG) hemodynamics in patients with CAD. METHODS: Exercise capacity was assessed in 54 patients with CAD (41 men, aged 59.5 ± 8.6 years) within 6 weeks after revascularization by means of oxygen uptake (VO2), assessed via CPET, and hemodynamic parameters [heart rate (HR), stroke volume, cardiac output (CO), left cardiac work index (LCWi)], measured by ICG. Correlations between these parameters at anaerobic threshold (AT) and at the peak of exercise as well as their changes (Δpeak-rest, Δpeak-AT) were evaluated. RESULTS: A large proportion of patients exhibited reduced exercise capacity, with 63% not reaching 80% of predicted peak VO2. Clinically relevant correlations were noted between the absolute peak values of VO2 versus HR, VO2 versus CO, and VO2 versus LCWi (R = 0.45, p = 0.0005; R = 0.33, p = 0.015; and R = 0.40, p = 0.003, respectively). There was no correlation between AT VO2 and hemodynamic parameters at the AT time point. Furthermore ΔVO2 (peak-AT) correlated with ΔHR (peak-AT), ΔCO (peak-AT) and ΔLCWi (peak-AT) (R = 0.52, p < 0.0001, R = 0.49, p = 0.0001; and R = 0.49, p = 0.0001, respectively). ΔVO2 (peak-rest) correlated with ΔHR (peak-rest), ΔCO (peak-rest), and ΔLCWi (peak-rest) (R = 0.47, p < 0.0001; R = 0.41, p = 0.002; and R = 0.43, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: ICG is a reliable method of assessing the cardiovascular response to exercise in patients with CAD. Some ICG parameters show definite correlations with parameters of cardiovascular capacity of proven clinical utility, such as peak VO2.

Urine 11-Dehydro-Thromboxane B2 in Aspirin-Naive Males with Metabolic Syndrome.

Urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dehydro-TXB2), an indirect measure of platelet activity, is elevated in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The purpose of our study was to determine whether urine 11-dehydro-TXB2 is elevated in aspirin-naive males with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to determine predictors of 11-dehydro-TXB2 levels. The secondary aim was to evaluate whether these MS patients could be potential candidates for the aspirin-mediated prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). In 82 males with MS (76 hypertensive), anthropometric measures, urine 11-dehydro-TXB2, platelet count, creatinine, glucose, insulin, estimated insulin resistance, lipid parameters, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), adiponectin, homocysteine, and ten-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (SCORE) were assessed. Urine 11-dehydro-TXB2 levels were elevated (≥2500 pg/mg creatinine) in two-thirds of patients, including 11 high-risk patients (SCORE ≥ 5%). Homocysteine, adiponectin, hs-CRP, waist-to-hip ratio, and total cholesterol were found to be predictors of urine 11-dehydro-TXB2. In conclusion, there is a high incidence of elevated urine 11-dehydro-TXB2 in males with MS, including in some patients who are at a high or very high risk of ASCVDs. 11-dehydro-TXB2 levels are associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, inflammation, fat distribution, hypercholesterolemia, and adiponectin concentrations. Elevated 11-dehydro-TXB2 levels may support the use of personalised aspirin ASCVD prevention in high-risk males with MS. Giuseppe Patti.

Effects of an outpatient intervention comprising nurse-led non-invasive assessments, telemedicine support and remote cardiologists' decisions in patients with heart failure (AMULET study): a randomised controlled trial.

AIM: Prevention of heart failure (HF) hospitalisations and deaths constitutes a major therapeutic aim in patients with HF. The role of telemedicine in this context remains equivocal. We investigated whether an outpatient telecare based on nurse-led non-invasive assessments supporting remote therapeutic decisions (AMULET telecare) could improve clinical outcomes in patients after an episode of acute HF during 12-month follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective randomised controlled trial, patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤49%, after an episode of acute HF within the last 6 months, were randomly assigned to receive either an outpatient telecare based on nurse-led non-invasive assessments (n = 300) (AMULET model) or standard care (n = 305). The primary composite outcome of unplanned HF hospitalisation or cardiovascular death occurred in 51 (17.1%) patients in the telecare group and 73 (23.9%) patients in the standard care group up to 12 months after randomization [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-0.99; P = 0.044]. The implementation of AMULET telecare, as compared to standard care, reduced the risk of first unplanned HF hospitalisation (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.91; P = 0.015) as well as the risk of total unplanned HF hospitalisations (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41-0.99; P = 0.044).There was no difference in cardiovascular mortality between the study groups (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.54-1.67; P = 0.930). CONCLUSIONS: AMULET telecare as compared to standard care significantly reduced the risk of HF hospitalisation or cardiovascular death during 12-month follow-up among patients with HF and LVEF ≤49% after an episode of acute HF.

Crosstalk Between Dietary Pattern, Anthropometric Parameters, and Adiponectin Concentration Among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Adiponectin is known to mediate antidiabetic and cardioprotective metabolic effects. Current evidence suggests that diet, both its quantity and quality, affects adiponectin concentration. Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of adiponectin with cardiometabolic risk factors, anthropometric features, and diet characteristics in obese patients with multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. The group of 113 nondiabetic patients (90 males, mean age: 48 ± 9 years) fulfilling the criteria of metabolic syndrome (IDF, 2005) was divided into 2 subgroups according to median adiponectin concentration calculated for that cohort (6.83 µg/mL)-low-adiponectin (LA) and high-adiponectin (HA) subgroup. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were recorded and nutrients intake was assessed using 24-hr dietary recall method and diet history questionnaire. Results: No significant differences between LA and HA were noted regarding the anthropometric parameters. However, there were significant differences in biochemical indices, and HA was characterized by a more favorable insulin level, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value, and plasma lipid profile than LA. Both LA and HA subgroups were comparable in terms of energy, protein, carbohydrate, and total fat intake, but there were significant differences between the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) consumption (6.06 ± 1.0 and 6.37 ± 1.1, respectively) and omega-3/omega-6 ratio (as follows: 0.09 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.04). Conclusions: These results highlight interactions between diet, adiponectin concentration, and biochemical profile. Nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome with higher PUFA consumption, including higher omega-3/omega-6 ratio, were characterized by higher circulating adiponectin level and more favorable biochemical profile. Thus, it might be assumed that the protective role of omega-3 fatty acids might be mediated by adiponectin in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Rationale and design of the AMULET study: A new Model of telemedical care in patients with heart failure.

AIMS: Heart failure (HF) is characterized by high mortality and hospital readmission rates. Limited access to cardiologists restricts the application of guideline-directed, patient-tailored medical therapy. Some telemedicine solutions and novel non-invasive diagnostic tools may facilitate real-time detection of early HF decompensation symptoms, prompt initiation of appropriate treatment, and optimal management of medical resources. We describe the rationale and design of the AMULET trial, which investigates the effect of comprehensive outpatient intervention, based on individualized haemodynamic assessment and teleconsultations, on cardiovascular mortality and unplanned hospitalizations in HF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The AMULET trial is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label, and controlled parallel group trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03476590). Six hundred and five eligible patients with HF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤49%, at least one hospitalization due to acute HF decompensation within 6 months prior to enrolment) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group or a standard care group. The planned follow-up is 12 months. The AMULET interventions are performed in ambulatory care points operated by nurses, with the remote support of cardiologists. The comprehensive clinical evaluation comprises measurements of heart rate, blood pressure, body mass, thoracic fluid content, and total body water. A recommendation support module based on these objective parameters is implemented in remote therapeutic decision-making. The primary complex endpoints are cardiovascular mortality and unplanned HF hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The AMULET trial will provide a prospective assessment of the effect of comprehensive ambulatory intervention, based on telemedicine and haemodynamically guided therapy, on mortality and readmissions in HF patients.

Nurse-led ambulatory care supported by non-invasive haemodynamic assessment after acute heart failure decompensation.

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by frequent decompensation and an unpredictable trajectory. To prevent early hospital readmission, coordinated discharge planning and individual therapeutic approach are recommended. AIMS: We aimed to assess the effect of 1 month of ambulatory care, led by nurses and supported by non-invasive haemodynamic assessment, on the functional status, well-being, and haemodynamic status of patients post-acute HF decompensation. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study had a multicentre, prospective, and observational design and included patients with at least one hospitalization due to acute HF decompensation within 6 months prior to enrolment. The 1 month ambulatory care included three visits led by a nurse when the haemodynamic state of each patient was assessed non-invasively by impedance cardiography, including thoracic fluid content assessment. The pharmacotherapy was modified basing on haemodynamic assessment. Sixty eight of 73 recruited patients (median age = 67 years; median left ventricular ejection fraction = 30%) finished 1 month follow-up. A significant improvement was observed in both the patients' functional status as defined by New York Heart Association class (P = 0.013) and sense of well-being as evaluated by a visual analogue score (P = 0.002). The detailed patients' assessment on subsequent visits resulted in changes of pharmacotherapy in a significant percentage of patients (Visit 2 = 39% and Visit 3 = 44%). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model of nurse-led ambulatory care for patients after acute HF decompensation, with consequent assessment of the haemodynamic profile, resulted in: (i) improvement in the functional status, (ii) improvement in the well-being, and (iii) high rate of pharmacotherapy modifications.

Weather and Aggressive Behavior among Patients in Psychiatric Hospitals-An Exploratory Study.

Background: The number of meteoropaths, or people negatively affected by weather conditions, is rising dramatically. Meteoropathy is developing rapidly due to ever poorer adaptations of people to changes in weather conditions. Strong weather stimuli may not only exacerbate symptoms in people with diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems but may also induce aggressive behavior. Researchers have shown that patients suffering from mental illnesses are most vulnerable to changes in the weather and postulate a connection between the seasons and aggressive behavior. Methods: The goal of the study was to analyze the relationship between coercive measures and weather factors. The researchers identified what meteorological conditions prevailed on days with an increased number of incidents of aggressive behavior leading to the use of physical coercion towards patients in a psychiatric hospital in Poland. In order to determine the impact of weather conditions on the frequency at which physical coercion measures were used, the hospital's "coercion sheets" from 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2017 were analyzed. The data were correlated with meteorological data. In order to determine the relationship between the occurrence of specific weather conditions and the number of coercive interventions (N), researchers utilized Spearman's rank correlation analysis together with two-dimensional scatter diagrams (dependency models), multiple regression, stepwise regression, frequencies, and conditional probability (%). Results: Lower barometric pressure and foehn wind increased aggressive behavior in patients that led to coercive measures. For temperature (positive correlation) and humidity (negative correlation), there was a poor but statistically significant correlation. Conclusions: Monitoring weather conditions might be useful in predicting and preventing aggression by patients who are susceptible to weather changes.

The Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Polish Soldiers: The Results from the MIL-SCORE Program.

The MIL-SCORE (Equalization of Accessibility to Cardiology Prophylaxis and Care for Professional Soldiers) program was designed to assess the prevalence and management of cardiovascular risk factors in a population of Polish soldiers. We aimed to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the MIL-SCORE population with respect to age. This observational cross-sectional study enrolled 6440 soldiers (97% male) who underwent a medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests to assess cardiovascular risk. Almost half of the recruited soldiers were past or current smokers (46%). A sedentary lifestyle was reported in almost one-third of those over 40 years of age. The prevalence of hypertension in a subgroup over 50 years of age was almost 45%. However, the percentage of unsatisfactory blood pressure control was higher among soldiers below 40 years of age. The prevalence of overweight and obese soldiers increased with age and reached 58% and 27%, respectively, in those over 50 years of age. Total cholesterol was increased in over one-half of subjects, and the prevalence of abnormal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was even higher (60%). Triglycerides were increased in 36% of soldiers, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hyperglycemia were reported in 13% and 16% of soldiers, respectively. In the >50 years of age subgroup, high and very high cardiovascular risk scores were observed in almost one-third of soldiers. The relative risk assessed in younger subgroups was moderate or high. The results from the MIL-SCORE program suggest that Polish soldiers have multiple cardiovascular risk factors and mirror trends seen in the general population. Preventive programs aimed at early cardiovascular risk assessment and modification are strongly needed in this population.

High Ambrosia pollen concentrations in Poland respecting the long distance transport (LDT).

High Ambrosia pollen concentrations in Poland rather rarely come from the local sources. The aim of this study was to define the temporal and spatial differences of the high Ambrosia pollen concentrations by creating models for the pollen transport from the distant sources. This study was thought to determine the direction of the air masses inflow into Poland, carrying Ambrosia pollen, from areas of the bordering countries with the pollen concentrations higher than iSTOTEN_n Poland. Pollen and meteorological datasets at 8 monitoring sites in Poland, and daily pollen concentrations at 11 sites in the Czech Republic, 5 sites in Slovakia and 3 sites in Ukraine were analysed recently. Days with concentrations ≥10 Pollen/m3 and concurrent meteorological situations were analysed in great deal. The HYSPLIT model was applied to compute backward trajectories up to 4 days backward (96 h) and at three altitudes: 20, 500 and 1000 m above ground level (a.g.l.). High pollen concentrations occur most frequently when the air masses inflow into Poland from southerly (S, SE, SW, 44%) and easterly (E, 6%) directions and in no advection situations (25%). In years with the highest frequency of days over 10 Pollen/m3, the prevailing directions of the pollen influx into Poland were from the South (2004-2006, 2008, 2011) but in one year (2014) from the East. Trajectories for the studied period show that air masses come most frequently from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Sometimes, the Ambrosia pollen transport happens from Ukraine.