Can cornelian cherry mask bitter taste of probiotic chocolate? Human TAS2R receptors and a sensory study with comprehensive characterisation of new functional product.

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits are a valuable source of bioactive compounds that are responsible for the perception of bitter taste of chocolate products. The aim of the study was to validate the inhibitory effect of Cornus mas on the TAS2R3 and TAS2R13 bitter taste receptors and to assess the effect of masking the bitter taste of dark chocolate with the help of the sensory panel. Dark chocolate was prepared with an addition of 5% of freeze-dried cornelian cherry fruits and 108 CFU/g of Bacillus coagulans probiotic strains. Effect on the TAS2R receptors was evaluated in specially transfected HEK293T cells, and the inhibition ratio was measured using the calcium release test. Moreover, the total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and simulated intestinal in vitro digestion were determined for the samples. The tested chocolate products were rich in chlorogenic, caffeic and sinapic acids. The addition of cornelian cherry positively affected the antioxidant activity. The phytochemicals of Cornus mas decreased the TAS2R13 activity by 132% after a 2-minute interaction and, % at the same time, inhibited the TAS2R3 activity by 11.5. Meanwhile, chocolate with the addition of fruit was less bitter according to the sensory panel.

[Breast cancer risk factors--possibilities of primary prevention]. / Czynniki ryzyka raka piersi--mozliwosci profilaktyki pierwotnej.

In the article were presented the important breast cancer risk factors: genetic factors, family history, age, procreation behaviors, women's physiology (menarche, menopause), obesity, low physical activity, alcohol intake, oral contraceptive and menopausal hormonal replacement therapy. Possibilities of primary prevention and methods of calculation of individual breast cancer risk were also described. The value of the secondary prevention of the disease was emphasized. The primary and secondary prevention could substantially reduce burden of the breast cancer.

[Social aspects of breast cancer early detection after introduction of population screenings in Poland]. / Spoleczne aspekty wczesnego wykrywania raka piersi po wprowadzeniu w Polsce skryningów populacyjnych.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation the participation of women in prophylactic and educational program according their declarations and also the role of health service, after introduction the population screenings in the country in years: 2006 and 2007. Identify the most neglected groups in this field. METHODS: In 2008 the questionnaire survey were conducted in representative sample of Polish women. They were asked about their health behaviors as: attending mammography, to the doctors for examination their breast and breast self examination. The most important results were compared with results of similar survey in 1998. RESULT: It was observed the substantial increase of women in the age risk groups (45-54, 55-64, 65+ years old) who declared attending mammography in the last two years in 2008 in comparison with 1998 accordingly: 26%, 39%, and 14%. Also the increase of percent of village women declared this method of early detection of breast cancer in the same period was significant--28%. The most neglected groups of women in the aspect of prophylactic of breast cancer were women in the age over 65 years old and women from the village area. CONCLUSION: (1) It is important to continue educational work and intervention measures concerning breast cancer prevention, with special attention to the most neglected groups of women. (2) It would be important to continue educating doctors in prophylactic breast examination. (3) Most stress should be done on the promotion of active breast cancer screening program.

Cervical cancer in Poland: awareness, survival and therapy. Population based studies.

For the purpose of finding the reasons for the slow changes in the mortality trend among cervical cancer patients, the awareness, survival and therapy were studied. After 26 years of observation, Polish women's knowledge of secondary prevention in cervical cancer has improved in a significant way. The behaviour of women has also slightly improved. Above finding and the low 5-year survivals, large proportion of unfavourable clinical stages on the first diagnosis, the small number of cancer cases eligible for radical treatment and the delays in radiotherapy found in epidemiological and clinical studies, offers some explanation for the observed slow change in the mortality trend.

[Breast cancer prevention--awareness and health behavior changes in women in 1998-2002]. / Poinformowanie i zachowania zdrowotne kobiet dotyczace profilaktyki raka piersi w latach 1998-2002.

AIM: To find changes in the proportion of women who declared they were aware of breast self examination (BSE) and performed it regularly in 1998 and in 2002, as well as in the proportion of those who declared health behaviour connected with secondary prevention of breast cancer. Also to define the groups of women who especially need health education and prophylactic intervention. METHODS: The results of two breast cancer prevention surveys on representative samples of Polish women aged over 18 + years were compared. The data were analysed in groups of women categorised according to selected demographic and social factors. RESULTS: The substantial increase in the proportion of women who declared that they performed mammography in 2002 in relation to 1998. The percent of women who declared other prophylactic behaviours in 2002 did not change or was even lower in some groups. The decrease of doctors' activity in the field of secondary prevention of cancer was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: 1. It is important to continue educational work and intervention measures concerning breast cancer prevention, with special attention to the most neglected groups of women. 2. It would be important to continue educating doctors in prophylactic breast examination and establish some obligatory rules in this area. 3. It would be beneficial to introduce breast cancer screening in Poland on the national scale. A model of such screening has already been implemented.