Making the best out of youth-The Improve the Youth project.

Adolescents' mental health determines their general health and their mental health as adults. Improve the Youth project (ITY) was created and implemented among Polish and Portuguese adolescents. The aim of the project was to investigate the well-being of Portuguese and Polish adolescents, and to evaluate differences between them in self-rated health, life satisfaction and perceived psychosomatic health. A mixed-method approach was applied. The quantitative part was based on Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2014 data, including adolescents aged 11-15 years (6026 in Portugal; 4545 in Poland). This study meets the issues raised by the HBSC results, regarding mental health in adolescence, and it is aimed to improve adolescents' social participation and active citizenship. In most study areas, findings in Poland were less favourable than in Portugal. The qualitative part was developed to recognize the main threats for adolescent's well-being. In this, they emphasised that every opportunity to talk about their feelings and needs resulted in improvement of their mental health. Elevated levels of stress were connected to environmental pressure and high expectations that they were often unable to cope with. Nervousness, perceiving that it was impossible to meet expectations, the desire to keep up with their peers, fatigue, and uncertainty of the future increased the feelings of frustration. The differences found between countries may be due to cultural roots, surfacing the relevance of assessing adolescents' mental health needs in the social context of family, school and peers. This study also aims to raise awareness among educators and stakeholders to the importance of youth engagement.

Analysis of Predictive Factors for Early Response to Ruxolitinib in 320 Patients with Myelofibrosis From the Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG) Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Ruxolitinib is widely used in myelofibrosis (MF). However, some patients do not optimally respond and require more efficacious treatment. Our analysis aimed to establish predictors of ruxolitinib response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed a multicenter, retrospective analysis of the efficacy of ruxolitinib treatment in patients with MF in 15 Polish hematology centers. As responses to ruxolitinib occur within the first 6 months, we used this point to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. Symptoms response was defined as ≥50% reduction of the MF constitutional symptoms assessed by Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS). Spleen response was defined as ≥50% reduction of the difference between the spleen's baseline length and the upper limit norm measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS: 320 MF patients were enrolled. At 6 months of therapy, the spleen response was detected in 140 (50%) patients, and symptoms response in 241 patients (76%). Multivariable analysis identified leukocytosis <25 G/L (OR 2.06, 95%CI: 1.12-3.88, P = .0200), and reticulin fibrosis MF 1 (OR 2.22, 95%CI: 1.11-4.46, P = .0249) contributed to better spleen response. The time interval between MF diagnosis and ruxolitinib administration shorter than 3 months, and platelets ≥150 G/L (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01-2.83, P = .0466) influenced symptoms response. CONCLUSION: Establishing predictive factors for ruxolitinib response is particularly important given the potential for new therapies in MF. In patients with a low likelihood of responding to ruxolitinib, using other JAK inhibitors or adding a drug with a different mechanism of action to ruxolitinib may be of clinical benefit.

Selected atherosclerosis risk factors in youth aged 13-15 years .

INTRODUCTION: The high frequency of cases of circulatory system conditions in Europe and other countries around the world requires scientific research to define risk factors of early atherosclerotic changes. The aim of the present study was to define which students are at danger of developing atherosclerosis by means of measuring cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood as well as defining the correlation between atherosclerosis risk factors and arterial blood pressure, physical fitness and efficiency of the subjects. MATERIAL/METHODS: The research covered 167 students of Public Junior High School 1 in Biala Podlaska aged 13-15 years. Accutrend GCT was employed to define the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the screen test. Those students who were found to have increased values of biochemical parameters of capillary blood were subjected to additional blood tests aiming to define complete lipid profile of venous blood. The blood pressure in subjects was tested three times. The Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) test, suggested by American authors, was employed to define physical activity in subjects. EUROFIT was employed to define physical efficiency. RESULTS: Among the 167 subjects there were found 42 students (25.1%) whose lipid level in capillary blood proved to be increased. Full lipid profile tests proved that 16 students (9.6%) had increased blood lipid levels; those subjects constituted the risk group. Subjects in the risk group were characterized by lower levels of physical activity and physical efficiency compared to subjects with normal blood lipid level. Moreover, the frequency of hypertension was greater in risk group subjects compared to subjects with normal blood lipid levels. INFERENCES: Students diagnosed with atherosclerosis risk factors require observation and early prophylactics by adopting habits of healthy physical activity.

What factors do young people define as determinants of their well-being? findings from the improve the youth project.

BACKGROUND: The UN has recognised well-being as a main goal of The Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health (2016-2030). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the areas of mental health that are the most significant to teenagers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mixed-method approach was applied. Quantitative research included adolescents aged 11-15 years (6,026 in Portugal; 4,545 in Poland). HBSC study results (2013/2014) were analysed in terms of the following variables: self-rated health, life satisfaction (Cantril Ladder, KIDSCREEN-10 Index), and psychosomatic complaints (SCL scale). Focus workshops took place in 2018, with 72 teenagers aged 14 to 16. RESULTS: 16.6% of the Polish participants and 12.7% of the Portuguese participants were concerned about their health. Polish participants were less satisfied with their life [KIDSCREEN score: 25.48 for Poland (SD=6.39), and 29.96 (SD=6.03) for Portugal]. Both nations associated mental health (MH) with the family setting and relationships with friends. An additional association among Portuguese teenagers involved social issues, whereas Polish adolescents were more focussed on relationships with various people in their environment, as well as on experiencing issues at school and in the family. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent MH is determined by stress, environmental pressure and high expectations. The viewpoints of adolescents are the most valuable source of knowledge for specialists, researchers and youth institutions, who can benefit greatly from taking advantage of this resource.

Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the basic psychological needs satisfaction in active commuting to and from school (BPNS-ACS) scale in Polish students.

BACKGROUND: To promote active commuting to and from school, it is pertinent to understand the motivational factors that influence the choice of this form of transportation. OBJECTIVE: Translation, cultural adaptation and analysis of the factor structure as well as psychometric properties of the Basic Psychological Needs and Satisfaction in Active Commuting to and from School (BPNS-ACS) scale among Polish students and examination of the distribution of the scale scores according to gender, mode of commuting to and from school and the frequency of using bicycle for this purpose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 475 Polish students aged 11-18, including 53.9% of girls were analysed. The Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Polish version of the BPNS-ACS, U Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis H tests were performed. RESULTS: The BPNS-ACS consists of 12 items forming three dimensions: autonomy, competence and relatedness need satisfaction. The scale has acceptable psychometric properties: χ2(51)=195.424 (p ˂ 0.001); χ2/df=3.832; CFI=0.944, TLI=0.927, RMSEA=0.077 (90%CI 0.066-0.089), AIC=249.424, BIC=361.833, GFI=0.937, AGFI=0.904. BPNC-ACS scores on factors corresponding to the three basic psychological needs differ based on gender, mode of commuting to and from school and the frequency of cycling to or from school. CONCLUSIONS: Further exploration of the function of basic psychological needs in active commuting to and from school among Polish adolescents may be conducted using an adapted version of the BPNS-ACS scale.

Active Transport to School May Reduce Psychosomatic Symptoms in School-Aged Children: Data from Nine Countries.

It is widely proven that being physically active and avoiding sedentary behaviour help to improve adolescents' well-being and keep them in better health in general. We aimed to investigate the relationship between modes of transport to school and subjective complaints among schoolchildren. Analyses were based on the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) surveys conducted in 2017/18 in nine countries (N = 55,607; mean age 13.43 ± 1.64 yrs.). The main outcome showed that health complaints consisted of somatic and psychological complaints. Transport to school was characterized by mode of getting there (walking, biking, or another passive mode). A total of 46.1% of students walked and 7.3% cycled to school; 46.6% commuted by passive means. Biking to school was more frequent in Denmark (37.9%), Norway (26.5%), and Germany (26.6%). The multivariate generalized linear model adjusted for age, gender, country, and school proximity showed that biking to school is protective against reports of health complaints. The beta parameters were equal to -0.498 (p < 0.001) for the general HBSC-SCL index, -0.208 (p < 0.001) for the somatic complaint index, and -0.285 (p < 0.001) for the psychological complaints index. Young people who actively commute to school are less likely to report health complaints, especially psychological symptoms.

Micro- and Nanostructured Polyaniline for Instant Identification of Metal Ions in Solution.

The unique properties of nanomaterials enable the creation new analytical devices. Polyaniline (PANI) micro- and nanofiber network, freestanding in the gap between two gold microelectrodes, has been used in a new nanodetector for metal ions in solutions. The gold electrodes were modified with the aid of alkanethiols, forming a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), which is able to block the ion current flow, but also to interact with metal ions when specific functional molecules are incorporated into the layer. The electric field of the trapped metal ions induces change of the electrical conductivity of polyaniline nanofibers in vicinity. A small injected sample (75 µL) of a solution of salt (about 0.5 µg of salt) was enough to induce a reproducible change in the electrical conductivity of polyaniline nano-network, which was registered as a function of time within 10⁻20 s. The response was proportional to the concentration of ions. It also depends on properties of ions, e.g., the ionic radius, which allows for identification of metal ions by analyzing the parameters of the signal: the retention time (RT), half width (HW), amplitude (A) and integral intensity (INT). The advantage of the new device is the instant responsiveness and easy operation, but also the simple construction based on organic (polymer) technology. The system is "open"-when learned and calibrated adequately, other metal ions can be analyzed. The nanodetector can be used in cases where monitoring of the presence and concentration of metal ions is important.

The effect of socio-economic and demographic determinants on the pattern of consumption of rural adolescents.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of selected socio-economic and demographic determinants (the number of children in the family, father's education, standard of living, sex and age) on the pattern of consumption in adolescents occupying rural areas of the central-eastern Poland. The study included 564 boys and 548 girls 10-15-years-old. Data on the socio-economic status and dietary habits were collected by means of a diagnostic survey. Dietary habits were determined based on a single 24-hour recall. Results obtained were compared with the RDA for Polish people. The effect of socio-economic and demographic determinants on the pattern of consumption were mogenous clusters each of which corresponded to a specific pattern of consumption. It was demonstrated that standard of living and the father's education exerted a significant effect on the pattern of consumption in adolescents examined. This effect was hot indicated for the number of children in the family, age and sex.

Evaluation of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 concentration and values of global tests concerning the coagulation system of patients suffering from subarachnoid haemorrage.

INTRODUCTION: The term 'subarachnoid haemorrhage' (SAH) stands for bleeding into the subarachnoid space, regardless of its source. It may be of primary character when the source of bleeding is situated within the subarachnoid space. Subarachnoid haemorrhage is often described as spontaneous bleeding, mainly in order to differentiate it from post-traumatic bleeding. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the blood of patients in the early phase following subarachnoid haemorrhage in terms of searching for markers useful in subarachnoid bleeding diagnostics and monitoring a patient's clinical state. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study comprised 85 patients (47 women, 38 men), aged 29-81 (average 53±12 years), suffering from subarachnoid haemorrhage. The control group comprised 45 healthy people selected according to gender and age corresponding with the experimental group. RESULTS: The study revealed that the concentration of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was significantly higher in patients suffering from subarachnoid haemorrhage. Additionally, the concentration of fibrinogen decreased, aPTT was shorter and the concentration of D-dimers increased. The studied parameters did not differ with respect to the age or gender of the patients. It was stated that according to the Hunt and Hess scale, the concentration of ICAM-1 was considerably higher in the group of patients in the most severe neurological state, compared to other patients. It was also observed that the concentration of fibrinogen was significantly higher, aPTT was shorter, and the concentration of D-dimers increased in the afore-mentioned group. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the concentration of adhesion molecules, as well as values of global tests concerning the coagulation system, may serve as a useful diagnostic tool for SAH.

[Correlation between the expression of mRNA of histones H2B and H4 and mRNA of kinin receptors B1 and B2 assessed by QRT-PCR in vulvar cancer]. / Korelacje pomiedzy ekspresja mRNA histonów H2B i H4 oraz mRNA receptorów kinin B1 i B2 wyznaczanymi metoda QRT-PCR (Taq Man) w raku sromu.

OBJECTIVES: Histones are involved in process of proliferation and differentiation of the cells. In many lesions the expression of mRNA of histones is a marker of proliferation. The expression of kinin receptors B1 and B2 coexist with inflammatory processes, but in some studies the expression of these receptors was found to influence the growth and differentiation of different cells. DESIGN: In search of proliferation markers in squamous cell vulvar cancer we have analysed the correlation between the expression of the mRNA of histone H2B and H4 and mRNA of kinin receptors B1 and B2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The specimen obtained from 46 women operated for squamous cell vulvar cancer stages I to IV according to FIGO were analysed. RNA was extracted and the number of mRNA copies were assessed by QRT-PCR using ABI PRISM 7700 (TaqMan). RESULTS: The results obtained in this study indicate a statistically significant correlation between mRNA B1 and mRNA H4 (p < 0.01), B2 and histone H4 (p < 0.01) B1 and histone H2B (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of mRNA of histones and kinins receptors may reflects the dynamics of neoplastic growth in vulvar cancer.

The effect of menopause on bone tissue in former swimmers and in non-athletes.

BACKGROUND: An increased loss of bone density during the first years after menopause induces osteoporosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the research presented in this paper was to ascertain the difference in the rate of involutional changes in bone tissue in former athletes and in non-athletes of the same age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research involved 18 former swimmers and 18 females of similar age who had never practiced sports. The subjects were subdivided into two subgroups: Subgroup I had been post-menopausal for < or = 5 years, and Subgroup II for > 5 years; this was done to assess bone mineral content relative to the length of the postmenopausal time period. Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured in lumbar vertebrae by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone strength was measured in the heel using the bone stiffness index. Each subject was examined twice, with a one-year period in between. A diagnostic questionnaire was used to compile date on the subjects' physical activity and their gonad functioning. Dietary habits (calcium intake) were established by three interviews and the Dieta 4.0 computer program. Results. Anthropometric features did not differentiate the subjects in the subgroups. Former athletes in both subgroups spent off-work time on physical activities significantly more frequently. In both groups, calcium intake was sufficient and did not exceed 3/4 of the daily norm. A higher calcium intake was found in former athletes compared to non-athletes. The subjects in Subgroup I had significantly greater BMC and BMD than those in Subgroup II. In Subgroup I, the second examination showed somewhat lower reductions in BMC and BMD among the former athletes than among the non-athletes. In Subgroup II, BMC and BMD increased somewhat among the former athletes, while non-significant reductions were observed in the BMC and BMD of the non-athletes. All the subjects undertook pharmacologic treatment after the first examination, which caused improvement of bone parameters in the second examination. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of bone mass loss in former athletes proved to be consistent with the involutional process and similar to that of non-athletes. The reduced BMD in the lumbar vertebrae of 22% of the women in the study demonstrates the need for regular densitometric examinations in postmenopausal females.