Dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, and nutritional status among cardiological patients, including those with obesity and diabetes.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. The increase in patients with obesity and diabetes raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Proper eating habits and adequate nutritional knowledge play a key role in preventing and treating these conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, and nutritional status of patients hospitalized in a cardiology department in Poland, including those with obesity or diabetes. Methods: The study was conducted at St. Barbara Regional Specialized Hospital No. 5 in Sosnowiec from January to June 2021, involving 301 patients, 154 women (51.2%) and 147 men (48.8%), aged 29 to 87. Participants were assessed for BMI, NRS 2002 scale, morphology, biochemistry results, blood pressure, and examined for nutritional knowledge and habits using proprietary questionnaires. A proprietary scale was used to assess eating habits. Results: Most cardiology patients were overweight or obese, with 80% exceeding the normal weight range. No significant gender differences were noted in malnutrition risk on the NRS 2002 scale. The study found patients rarely consumed recommended amounts of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish, and dairy products. Only 26.2% regularly ate a second breakfast, and just 9.3% chose water with meals. However, consumption of salty snacks, energy drinks, and alcohol was low. Biochemical and blood test analysis did not show significant differences between patients with diabetes, obesity, and others. Conclusion: Most cardiology patients were overweight or obese, which poses a significant risk for further health complications, including cardiovascular diseases. Although patients with diabetes and/or obesity had better nutritional knowledge in some areas, this did not lead to healthier eating habits. The absence of significant differences in biochemical tests suggests that overall lifestyle and diet are crucial to cardiovascular health.

Anthropometric Profiling and Changes in Segmental Body Composition of Professional Football Players in Relation to Age over the Training Macrocycle.

Body composition is an important indicator of the overall health and fitness of team sports athletes, including in football, and therefore, anthropometric profiling of elite football players is useful as part of determining their skills, strengths, and weaknesses to develop effective strength and conditioning programs. One of the tools available to coaches to track correlates of performance and health is routine body composition assessment. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the body composition and anthropometric profiles of players using the Direct Segmental Multi-Frequency Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis method, and to manage body composition throughout the round in the 2020-2021 season. The investigation was carried out during the Polish football league, PKO BP Ekstraklasa, spring round of the football season 2020-2021, in which male football players participated. Athletes between the ages of 18 and 25 (n = 16) made up the younger age group, while those between the ages of 26 and 31 (n = 22) made up the older age group. This manuscript is a continuation of the presentation of the results of the study, which was conducted between 7 January and 23 July 2021. At different stages of the macrocycle, participants underwent six different body composition analyses. The younger and older groups of athletes were compared, as well as measurements of time points 1-6. The dominant extremities, assisting extremities, and trunk had larger fat-free mass contents in the older age group. In the study groups, there was a difference in the fat-free mass content between measures 1-6 that was statistically significant. In the younger group, there was a statistically significant difference in the amount of fat mass content between measurements 1-6. In the older age group, no statistically significant changes were found. The study showed changes in fat-free mass and fat mass in body segments; differences were observed between age groups and between different moments of measurement. Age is an important factor in determining body composition and is also related to an athlete's experience and seniority. Anthropometric profiling and comprehensive body composition analysis are important tools used in preparing athletes for competition.

The Assessment of Body Composition and Nutritional Awareness of Football Players According to Age.

The optimal body composition for health is an individual trait and is determined by genetic factors, sex, age, somatotype, physical activity, and individual variability. The present study aims to assess how professional football players' body composition has changed over the training macrocycle in various age groups and to determine the correlation between nutritional awareness and body composition maintenance. Thirty-eight football players participated in the study, with 16 players classified in the younger age group (19-25) and 22 in the older age group (26-31). Using the direct segmented multi-frequency electrical impedance analysis technique, the athletes' body composition was assessed six times across a training macrocycle made up of preparatory, competitive, and transitional periods. The Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire was used to evaluate nutrition knowledge. The above correlations show that both younger and older athletes with higher awareness are better able to adjust their nutrition to meet the goals of the preparation period and can achieve greater gains in muscle mass and greater reductions in body fat. According to the study's results, athletes who are better conscious of their nutritional needs during competition experience less muscle loss and exhibit more consistent body weight and BMI levels. Football players' body composition suffers detrimental alterations throughout the transition period. Higher body mass, lean body mass content, and skeletal muscle mass are traits of older players. Higher nutritional knowledge reduces the negative modifications of body composition consisting of muscle mass reduction and fat gain. Nutritional knowledge influences the stability of body composition in both age groups during all the analyzed periods: Preparation, competition, and transition.

Changes in body composition during the macrocycle of professional football players in relation to sports nutrition knowledge.

Professional football players are obligated to meet the physical demands and maintain the best possible performance throughout the whole macrocycle. It is important to assess the players' nutrition knowledge, identify areas that require increased nutrition awareness and identify the impact of knowledge on changes in body composition as this can affect the players' health and performance. This study aimed to assess changes in the body composition of professional football players during the macrocycle of the spring round of the football championship and to identify the correlation between nutrition knowledge and maintaining body composition. The study included 38 football players. The players' body compositions were analyzed 6 times during the macrocycle consisting of preparatory, competitive, and transition periods using the Direct Segmental Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis method. Athletes completed the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire to assess their nutrition knowledge. During the preparatory period, a statistically significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the players' knowledge about the subsections of micronutrients in the diet and the dispersion of the adipose percentage tissue content (r = -0.36, p = 0.03). In the competitive period, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the players' knowledge of sports nutrition and the dispersion of lean body mass (r = -0.46, p = 0.004), and skeletal muscle mass (r = -0.36, p = 0.03). During the transition period, a statistically significant negative correlation between the players' knowledge of weight control and the dispersion of body mass (r = -0.47, p = 0.00) and BMI values (r = -0.48, p = 0.00) was identified. The player's knowledge about the subsection of macronutrients significantly negatively correlated with the dispersion of skeletal muscle mass content (r = -0.33, p = 0.05). Nutrition knowledge has an impact on the stability of body composition during all analyzed periods: preparatory, competitive, and transition periods.

The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index in Poland: Implementation Gaps and Actions for Improvement.

BACKGROUND: Poland is facing the growing problem of overweight and obesity in the population, which makes it necessary to conduct a thorough assessment of the existing food environment policies. The aims of the study were: (1) to depict the strength of healthy food environment policies in Poland and identify implementation policies and infrastructure support gaps; (2) to identify and prioritise improvement policies, taking into account their importance, achievability and equity. METHODS: We used the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI). An experts' panel rated Polish policies and infrastructure compared to international best practices and developed a list of recommended improvement actions addressing both components. RESULTS: eight of the twenty-two policy and four of the twenty-two infrastructure indicators achieved the "no/very weak policy" result. Another four policy and five infrastructure indicators were considered "weak". Another seven and eight indicators, respectively, were assessed as "moderate". Among the identified actions, the highest priority was given to a food labelling system and training for persons involved in nutrition in schools. CONCLUSIONS: The Polish healthy food environment has been assessed as very weak or weak in most aspects. The infrastructure was assessed as slightly better compared to the policies domain, with more indicators receiving the "moderate" score.

Assessment of cadmium and lead content in tomatoes and tomato products.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium and lead are completely redundant in the human body and any amount of these elements ingested poses a risk of adverse health effects. In non-occupational exposure the highest amount of xenobiotics enters the body with food. Valued for their taste, universal culinary application and health benefits tomatoes and tomato products are consumed almost every day by a large proportion of society. In order to protect consumers' health it is very important to monitor cadmium and lead content in food products. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was the health assessment of cadmium and lead content in tomatoes and tomato products in relation to their acceptable maximum levels in the relevant legislation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fresh fruits of the tomato plant and tomato products (juices, purées, concentrates, sauces) were analysed. Heavy metal content (Cd, Pb) was determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Before the AAS determination the samples were subjected to pressure mineralisation using microwave energy. RESULTS: Cadmium and lead contents in the studied food products were within the allowed range (the maximum level of cadmium and lead contamination of tomatoes is 0.05 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg of fresh mass). The limit for cadmium was exceeded only in a canned tomato concentrate (0.064 mg/kg of fresh mass). The average cadmium content in raw tomatoes and tomato products was: 0.017 mg/kg fresh weight, and lead 0.021 mg/kg fresh weight. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low cadmium and lead contamination of the study samples of tomatoes and tomato products, it seems desirable to constantly monitor the content of these elements in food due to their ability to accumulate in the body and the risk of adverse health effects developing after many years of exposure, even to small doses.

The effect of an oral sodium phosphate load on parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor 23 secretion in normo- and hypercalciuric stone-forming patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Abnormalities of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) secretion may cause calcium-phosphate (Ca-P) metabolism disorders in nephrolithiasis. Post-phosphate-load alterations in serum Ca, P and PTH, phosphaturia and calciuria enable monitoring hormonal regulation of Ca-P homeostasis. Our study aimed to determine differences in: 1.selected Ca-P metabolism parameters between healthy and kidney-stone-forming individuals, 2.PTH and FGF23 secretion induced by sodium-phosphate-load(NaP-load) in patients with/without hypercalciuria, 3.secretion of Ca-P related hormones in patients with low and normal/high serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3). METHODS: Sodium phosphates NaH2PO4/Na2HPO4-100mmol were administered orally for five days in 19 hypercalciuric [urinary Ca(U-Ca) 6.5 ± 1.7 mmol/d]-HSF, 35 normocalciuric (2.5±1 mmol/d)-NSF stone-forming patients and 19 controls (U-Ca 2.5 ± 1.4 mmol/d)-CG. On days 1 and 5 PTH-,FGF23-,Ca-,P were determined before and after NaP-load. The areas under PTH, FGF23 curves (AUC) were calculated. U-Ca, urinary phosphate (U-P) and sodium (U-Na) were also determined. RESULTS: Following NaP-load, patients and controls exhibited expected alterations in Ca-P homeostasis. Despite changes in phosphate and PTH, no differences in FGF23 concentrations were observed. Patients differed from controls in having higher AUCPTH, calciuria and natriuresis, taking longer for PTH and P to normalize and lack of correlation between AUCPTH and phosphaturia. Post-NaP-load hypocalciuric effect of PTH secretion in NSF was less pronounced than in CG. In the HSFs, the hypocalciuric effect was more pronounced than in NSFs, but insufficient to correct hypercalciuria. In all stone-formers with low 25OHD3 concentrations, the AUCFGF23 was significantly increased on first (1215 ± 605vs766 ± 315 p = 0.0457) and fifth days (1211 ± 641vs777 ± 299 p = 0.041) of NaP-load, compared to normal/high 25OHD3-patients. Hypercalciuric patients with low 25OHD3 concentrations had greater AUCPTH5 than those with normal/high 25OHD3 (1005 ± 401vs835 ± 220 p = 0.0341). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to controls, kidney-stone-forming patients exhibited enhanced PTH secretion after NaP-load. The HSFs showed a more pronounced hypocalciuric effect than NSFs, but insufficient to correct hypercalciuria. In hypercalciuric stone-formers with low 25OHD3, FGF23 engagement in hyperphosphatemia reduction increased.

Nutritional Status Assessment in Children and Adolescents with Various Levels of Physical Activity in Aspect of Obesity.

INTRODUCTION: A rational way of nourishment, combined with adequate physical activity, are the basic components of maintaining proper body condition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate nutritional status among children and adolescents with different levels of physical activity. METHODS: The study group consisted of 1,013 students of both genders aged between 7 and 18 years attending elementary and post-primary schools (general and sports profile) in Siemianowice Slaskie. RESULTS: The crude body mass index (BMI) values ranged from 12.78 to 35.3. Body mass within the limits of arbitrary standard referred to 70% of the examined group, overweight or obesity was found in over 25%. Percentage of body fat (FATP) values ranged from 5.7 to 45.2%. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of children and adolescents were overweight or obese based on BMI categories and FATP values. Overweight and obesity were most common among younger children, particularly boys. Higher torso FATP levels were more common among sports-oriented class students. BMI is not a good tool for the determination of the nutritional status of children and adolescents, while the bioelectric impedance method enables one to conduct a precise analysis of adipose tissue content and location. Sports-oriented elementary school students from the study group were characterized by higher FATP values.

Nutrition knowledge of people with eating disorders

Background: Eating disorders are an increasingly common health problem that is a major therapeutic challenge. For many years, the basic form of therapy used to be psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment, but now it is postulated that the dietetician should also be part of the therapeutic teams. Objective: The main purpose of the study is to assess nutrition knowledge of people with eating disorders with consideration to their age, place of living, education, BMI, type of disease, participation in dietary consultations and in therapy. Material and methods: Nutrition knowledge of the respondents was assessed by means of an author's survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was published in one of the social portals in the "Eating disorders ­ tackling" group gathering people with different types of eating disorders. The survey questionnaire consisted in 33 questions. Arithmetic mean and standard deviation for the number of correct answers provided by the respondents by the selected criteria. Results: In terms of age, the least nutrition knowledge was attributable to the persons below 20 years of age (25.24 points in average). When considering the place of living, the least nutrition knowledge was revealed among the subjects living in medium cities (between 20 and 100 thousand of population) i.e. 25.31 points. In terms of education, the least nutrition knowledge was recorded in people with vocational education (24.83 points). When classifying the respondents by BMI, the highest average score was gained by the respondents with normal body mass index (BMI) (26.42 points). Conclusions: The study on the level of nutrition knowledge among the people with eating disorders demonstrated that this knowledge was selective and insufficient to provide rational nutrition. It aimed at teaching the rules of healthy lifestyle and nutrition and thorough discussing of all nutrients, their functions and effect on the body.

Good practice criteria for childhood obesity prevention in kindergartens and schools-elaboration, content and use.

Background: In accordance with the policy actions that address childhood overweight and obesity at European level and as a contribution to the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-20, a Joint Action on Nutrition and Physical Activity (JANPA) was established. As part of JANPA work package 6, an evaluation framework to identify good practices, targeting childhood obesity prevention in kindergartens and schools, was developed. This article describes the WP 6 JANPA framework of good practice criteria and its development, compares it to other frameworks and discusses its potential for future use. Methods: Based on the analysis of scientific literature, a set of 47 potential good practice criteria was drafted, that was then revised and complemented through a series of online Delphi consultations. Results: A final list of 48 good practice criteria (9 of which were rated as core criteria) was developed and grouped into three categories: intervention characteristics (n = 17), implementation (n = 17) and monitoring and evaluation (n = 14). Conclusion: The identified JANPA framework of good practice criteria complements the existing frameworks by focussing on kindergarten- and school-based initiatives and provides guidance for evaluators, programme planners and decision makers bearing in mind that a one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate. To ensure the effectiveness of future practices, programme planners should endeavour to meet at least the nine JANPA core criteria.

Pancreatic-like enzymes of microbial origin restore growth and normalize lipid absorption in a pig model with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: The standard therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is porcine-derived pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). In the present study we tested a new approach with a mixture of pancreatic-like enzymes of microbial origin (PLEM) in a 1-week efficacy study in EPI pigs. In addition to the conventionally used coefficient of fat and nitrogen absorption (CFA and CNA), parameters that more accurately reflect the nutritional and health status, such as changes in the lipemic index (LI), plasma triglyceride (TG) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels, and somatic growth, were determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A PLEM dose containing 120 000 active lipase units, 80 000 active protease units and 12 000 active amylase units (all from Sigma, St. Louis, MO) was given as a powder, twice daily with a meal (40 g fat/meal) to 8 EPI pigs for 7 days. Ten healthy pigs were used as a comparator. RESULTS: The PLEM enhanced fat and protein digestion, and reversed growth impairment in EPI pigs. With treatment, CFA and CNA increased by 59% and 43% (p < 0.05), respectively. Although fat and protein absorption were lower than in the comparator, the postprandial blood lipid profile was normal as in healthy pigs. The mucosal thickness significantly increased by 27%, 50% and 26%, in the proximal, middle, and distal jejunum (p < 0.05) with treatment and resembled that of healthy animals. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic-like enzymes of microbial origin supported somatic growth and normalized the postprandial lipid profile. As a measure of efficacy, postprandial LI, TG and NEFA are viable endpoints to be explored in human trials.

Study of top ballet school students revealed large deficiencies in their body weight and body fat.

AIM: This study assessed the nutritional status and physical activity levels of 150 female students aged 10-18 from three top Polish ballet schools, where the most promising dancers go on to pursue professional ballet careers. METHODS: We analysed the girls' body composition, physical activity level (PAL) and PAL coefficient. The ballet students also completed a questionnaire. RESULTS: The results revealed large deficiencies in the body weight and body fat of the young ballerinas. The mean body mass index (BMI) for the group was 16.8 kg/m2 . Polish centile charts showed that 18% of the girls had BMIs below the norm and 54% had a lower than average body fat content, with a mean of 15.6%. The body fat content was lowest (13.8%) in the 13- to 15-year age group. On average, girls aged 10-12 had 15.7% body fat, while girls aged 16-18 had 18.4%. The mean values for the anthropometric measurements were higher in older girls. The majority (72%) of the respondents reported high physical activity levels, defined as more than 15 hours of exercise per week. CONCLUSION: Special attention should be paid to low BMIs and body fat in young ballet school dancers aged 10-15 years.

Is the soil quality monitoring an effective tool in consumers' protection of agricultural crops from cadmium soil contamination?-a case of the Silesia region (Poland).

The monitoring of soil quality should be a control tool used to reduce the adverse health effects arising from exposure to toxic chemicals in soil through cultivated crop absorption. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the monitoring and control system of soil quality in Poland, in terms of consumer safety, for agricultural plants cultivated in areas with known serious cadmium contamination, such as Silesia Province. To achieve the objective, the contents of cadmium in soils and vegetables in the Silesia administrative area were examined. The obtained results were compared with the results of soil contamination from the quality monitoring of arable soil in Poland. The studies show a significant exceedance of the permissible values of cadmium in soil samples and the vegetables cultivated on that soil. The threat to consumer health is a valid concern, although this threat was not indicated by the results of the national monitoring of soil quality. The results indicated an unequal distribution of risk to consumers resulting from contaminated soil. Moreover, the monitoring systems should be designed at the local or regional scale to guarantee the safety of consumers of edible plants cultivated in the areas contaminated with cadmium.

Influence of etanercept on leptin and ghrelin secretion in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective To assess possible changes in leptin and ghrelin secretion due to etanercept in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods 50 patients with JIA and 16 age-matched controls were enrolled into this prospective, cross-sectional study. Serum leptin, total and acyl ghrelin were measured in addition to white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts. Results 25 patients received etanercept and 25 conventional therapies (including methotrexate) for JIA. There was no difference between treatment and control groups in leptin or ghrelin levels and no evidence of a relationship between leptin and ghrelin in patients with JIA. In all children with JIA there was a correlation between leptin and body mass index (BMI). However, compared with children in the conventional treatment group, children in the etanercept group showed a positive correlation between total ghrelin and BMI and those with a low BMI showed a negative correlation between acyl ghrelin and BMI. Conclusion No differences in leptin and ghrelin concentrations were found when patients with JIA and controls were compared or when patients who received etanercept were compared with those who received conventional treatment for JIA.

[Interaction of oral form anticancer drugs with grapefruit juice]. / Interaction of oral form anticancer drugs with grapefruit juice.

Oral medication (tablets, capsules, suspensions, liquids, etc.) are frequently used in therapy. This may arise due to the fact that oral medication patient can take at home and it reduce the stress associated with taking the drug. On the Polish pharmaceutical market can be observed more frequent registration to trading anticancer drugs in oral form. Is also growing interest about drug interactions with food, but they are still less accented than drug-drug interactions. The results of pharmacokinetic studies on the interaction of drugs used in antineoplastic therapy with food are particularly important because of the characteristics of cancer patients, and a growing number of people suffering from cancer and which may have a problem. The aim of the study was to collect and present clinically relevant interactions of anticancer drugs in oral form used in oncology with grapefruit juice based on the latest scientific reports and the summary of product characteristics.

[Cannabinoid and cathinone designer drugs - the workings and selected methods of analysis]. / Dopalacze z grupy kannabinoidów i katynonów ­ dzialanie oraz wybrane metody analizy.

Recently, there has been an increase in the consumption of designer drugs, substances aimed at producing psychoactive, energizing, euphoric or anesthetic effects. Designer drugs are substitutes of actual narcotics, whose possession is banned under Polish law according to the Act of 29 July 2005. The latest reports suggest that the number of synthetic psychoactive substances is increasing. In the span of 2012, a total of 28 new synthetic cannabinoids were discovered in member states of the European Union. Synthetic psychoactive substances appear in different forms on the market: tablets (often very colourful and interestingly-shaped), seeds, dried product (sprayed with synthetic substance and redried), crystals or powder. The way of application is greatly diverse, and depends on the form in which a drug is produced and dispensed. The methods of intoxication include smoke inhalation (oftentimes blends are smoked), intranasal or oral application, placing crystals on the eye, or injection. Said methods correspond, with varying degrees, to invoking different psychotic effects, such as agitation, panic attacks, paranoia, hallucinations, overall irritation, and aggression. Various cardiovascular effects, such as tachycardia or increase in blood pressure, may follow as well. However, the primary influence is on the nervous system, inhibiting the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine, and leading to their increased concentration at the presynaptic cleft, which in turn causes feelings of agitation and pleasure. The knowledge regarding the strength, toxicity, and metabolism of designer drugs is yet sparse. The same pertains to the knowledge regarding the handling of overdose cases.

The effectiveness of the low energy diet in overweight and obese adults.

BACKGROUND: Excess body weight is one of the most common health and economic problems of the contemporary world. According to the assessments of the World Health Organization (WHO), almost billion adults are overweight and at least 300 million were diagnosed with clinical obesity. Health consequences of overweight are: ischemic heart disease, congestive cardiac failure, hypertension, arteriosclerotic vascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, tumours, degenerative joint disease and many more. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the low-energy diet used in the period of 5 months by women and men treated from overweight or obesity in the diet centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research included 296 overweight or obese patients, treated in the diet centre: (1) 104 women without co-morbidities, between 18 to 61 years old; (2) 58 women with the accompanying insulin resistance between 19 to 61 years old; (3) 49 women additionally suffering from hypothyroidism, between 19 to 61 years old; (4) 85 men without co-morbidities, between 19 to 62 years old. Treated patients were recommended the use of the low-energy diet, where 20% of energy came from protein, 30% of energy from fat and 50% of energy from carbohydrates. The energy content of the diet was considered to be dependent on the individual daily demand that was estimated taking into consideration the physical activity and that was reduced with 1000 kcal. Patients applied suggested reductive diet for 5 months. RESULTS: The use of diet in each group brought positive results. In all groups, body fat decreased significantly after 5 months of dietary treatment. It has been shown to increase the average percentage of water content in the body of subjects. There was also an average reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, TG, glucose levels and increasing HDL for each group. CONCLUSIONS: Diet proceedings consisting in reduced energy value of the diet has a beneficial effect on reducing body mass, metabolic age, reducing BMI and influences the percentage change in body fat, causing its reduction, change in percentage of water content, leading to a slight increase in its levels in the body . In addition, favourably nutritional proceedings influenced the changes in blood levels of lipid indicators, thus reducing risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Consumption of milk and milk products in the population of the Upper Silesian agglomeration inhabitants.

BACKGROUND: Providing the appropriate amount of nutrients at every stage of life is a key element determining the proper development and functioning of the body. OBJECTIVE: Because of the nutritional value and resulting position of milk and milk products in the daily diet, this study was undertaken to assess the consumption of milk and milk products among the inhabitants of the Upper Silesian agglomeration. DESIGN: The survey covered 600 people, including 339 women (56.5%) and 261 men (43.5%) aged 18-78 years. To assess the consumption of milk and milk products, as a research tool an original survey with the closed-ended and open-ended questions was used. The questions concerned the characteristics of the surveyed group and various aspects of the consumption of milk and milk products. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistica 10.0 program with a chi-square test for quality features. RESULTS: The level of consumption of milk and milk products among the Upper Silesian agglomeration inhabitants is insufficient in relation to nutrition recommendations. However, despite many controversies surrounding milk, the respondents also claimed that it played an important role in their daily diet. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently consumed type of milk in the surveyed group is ultra heat treated (UHT) milk with average fat content.

Leptin concentration in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Leptin regulates the organism's immune response. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic joint disease in children, leading to chronic changes in motor organs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In children with JIA (n = 42) and healthy subjects (n = 28), leptin concentration (LEP), body mass index (BMI), haematocrit (HTC), haemoglobin (HB), morphotic elements (WBC,LYMPH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and ANA Hep-2 antibodies were analysed. JIA group was divided into: children with a longer (51-148 months) (IA) n = 22 and a shorter disease period (2-18 months) (IB) n = 20. RESULTS: Only 58.3% of the IA and 50% of the IB group had ANA Hep-2 confirmed. The ill children had higher and more diversified LYMPH and ESR levels compared to the healthy children. The highest LEP for the IA group was 37.5 ng/cm3, (Me 5.85), for IB - 40.10 ng/cm3, (Me 2.46) as compared to the IC - 3.74 ng/cm3 (Me 2.85), respectively. The average BMI value for the IA group was 16.61 kg/m2, for IC it was 18.91 kg/m2, and the median for IB was 15.89 kg/m2. Children with BMI values < 23 kg/m2 from the IA and IB group had a reduction in LEP as compared to control group (p = 0.04). The relationship between the illness and LEP diversification per BMI unit was found in both groups. Children with a shorter illness period had higher LEP differentiation per BMI unit compared to the healthy children. CONCLUSIONS: Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis with BMI < 23 kg/m2 had lower leptin concentrations than healthy subjects. Ill children with a shorter-term disease had a higher diversification of leptin concentration per BMI unit as compared to healthy controls.

Specific metabolic biomarkers as risk and prognostic factors in colorectal cancer.

Advances in genomics, molecular pathology and metabolism have generated many candidate biomarkers of colorectal cancer with potential clinical value. Epidemiological and biological studies suggest a role for adiposity, dyslipidaemia, hyperinsulinemia, altered glucose homeostasis, and elevated expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis members in the risk and prognosis of cancer. This review discusses some recent past and current approaches being taken by researches in obesity and metabolic disorders. The authors describe three main systems as the most studied metabolic candidates of carcinogenesis: dyslipidemias, adipokines and insulin/IGF axis. However, each of these components is unsuccessful in defining the diseases risk and progression, while their co-occurrence increases cancer incidence and mortality in both men and women.