A cross-sectional study of the association between circulating sex hormone-binding globulin levels and selected adipokines in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Introduction: Changes in the proportion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory adipokines may reflect the accumulation of lipids in the liver and the development of insulin resistance. Both liver steatosis and insulin resistance result in decreased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) synthesis. This study aimed to analyze associations between circulating SHBG and adipokines levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Material and methods: A cross-sectional cohort study involved 87 women with phenotype A of PCOS (39 normal weight and 48 obese). Body mass, height, and waist circumference were measured, and BMI was calculated. In addition, body composition was assessed using the bioimpedance method. Serum SHBG levels and plasma apelin-36 and apelin-12, adiponectin, leptin, omentin-1, and RBP-4 were determined by using the ELISA method. The participants were divided into subgroups with SHBG concentrations above and below this lower limit [N = 35 (40.2%) and N = 52 (59.8%), respectively]. Results: The median adiponectin, apelin-12, and apelin-36 levels were significantly lower, and leptin levels were significantly higher in the subgroup with low SHBG levels than that in the subgroup above the lower limit of the reference range, while there were no differences in median omentin-1 and RBP-4 between the study subgroups. There were positive correlations between SHBG and omentin-1, adiponectin, apelin-36, and apelin-12 levels, as well as negative correlation with leptin levels. However, after adjustment by BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage, only the association between SHBG and omentin-1 remained significant. Conclusion: Our results show associations between circulating SHBG and adipokine levels in women with PCOS and support the role of hormonal dysfunction of the adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Pediculosis capitis and scabies in nurses from Eastern Poland - occupational risk and environmental determinants.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Nurses are a group of healthcare professionals particularly vulnerable to infestations by Pediculus humanus capitis and Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis contracted from patients under their medical care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 322 professionally active nurses within public healthcare units in eastern Poland. The research tool was a questionnaire collecting anonymized data on the occurrence of pediculosis capitis and scabies in nurses, and their patients, concerning the environmental determinants in the period 2001-2013. The study was retrospective and participation of nurses was voluntary. RESULTS: The obtained results indicated that 24.8% and 9.9% of the 322 respondents were infested by head lice and scabies mites, respectively. During their professional work, most nurses contracted head lice once (76.2%) while others (23.8%) were infested twice or more. The respondents did not declare repeated occupational scabies. The risk of contracting pediculosis capitis and scabies was not related to the length of service, but increased with the rise in the number of patients provided with nursing care. In the head lice-infested patients, the majority were aged 6-10 years (31.3%), while in the case of scabietic patients, children aged 0-5 years prevailed (26.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In medical care facilities, regular hygienic checks of both patients and medical staff, covering the condition of the skin and scalp, should be mandatory. The spread of pediculosis capitis and scabies among nurses can be reduced by the implementation not only of protective procedures mitigating occupational risk, but also the improvement of working conditions in medical facilities.

Spotted fever group rickettsiae transmitted by Dermacentor ticks and determinants of their spread in Europe.

Rickettsiae from the spotted fever group, i.e. the etiological agents of tick-borne lymphadenopathy/Dermacentor-borne necrotic erythema and lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA /DEBONEL) syndrome, are associated with ticks, including Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus. The expansion of these ticks into new areas increases the risk of infection of their hosts with tick-borne pathogens. The study summarises the importance of 2 species from the genus Dermacentor, i.e. D. marginatus and D. reticulatus, in the spread of spotted fever group rickettsiae in various regions of Europe. The study also focuses on the determinants of the presence of vectors and transmission of rickettsiae, as well as the effects of human infections with these pathogens. The climate changes observed nowadays affect vectors and increase the incidence and spread of tick-borne diseases worldwide. Due to the existing risk of exposure to an increasing number of people, knowledge about the course of these serious diseases and their etiological factors should be disseminated among healthcare professionals as well as in society. There is a great challenge for epidemiological services to provide access to medical and veterinary facilities in order to diagnose and treat rickettsioses. Therefore, the development of a strategy for tick control and the popularisation of knowledge concerning prophylaxis of tick-borne diseases is indispensable.

Threat of attacks of Ixodes ricinus ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) and Lyme borreliosis within urban heat islands in south-western Poland.

BACKGROUND: The increased incidence of Lyme disease in Europe necessitates permanent monitoring of the occurrence and activity of its vector. Therefore, in this study, we have investigated the presence and seasonal activity of Ixodes ricinus ticks in various habitats of a large industrial region in south-western Poland in correlation with environmental factors present in urban heat islands. Additionally, the risk of borreliosis in this part of Poland has been assessed. METHODS: The investigations were carried out at two-week intervals between April and October 2001 and 2002. Ticks were collected from four localities in Upper Silesia, i.e. in a city park (CH), on the outskirts of two large cities (KO, MI), and in a forest (KL). We analysed the impact of temperature and humidity measured during the collection period in the I. ricinus habitats, the climatic conditions prevailing in the study area, and the degree of environmental contamination on the abundance and activity of these ticks in the respective sites. The degree of borreliosis risk in the region was determined on the basis of the results of research on the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in ticks and reports from sanitary-epidemiological stations. RESULTS: In total, 2061 I. ricinus ticks, including 606 nymphs and 1455 adults, were collected in the study area. The number and activity of the ticks varied during the collection in the different sites. In the urban locality CH, tick abundance was the lowest (455 throughout the investigation period), and the seasonal activity of females was unimodal and persisted for as long as 4 months. In the suburban localities KO and MI, tick abundance was higher (485 and 481 specimens, respectively) and the activity of females was unimodal. The highest abundance (640 ticks) and a bimodal pattern of female activity were reported from the forest locality KL. In all the localities, the activity of nymphs was unimodal. Humidity was found to be a factor influencing I. ricinus abundance and activity, whereas temperature did not affect their number and behaviour significantly. The climate parameters within the urban heat islands noted during the investigations contributed to dispersal of dust and gas pollutants. The analysis of the data reveals that there is a risk of borreliosis in the entire study area; however, it is higher in the urban localities than in the suburban sites. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental conditions (habitat, climate, and dust and gas pollution) prevailing within urban heat islands may exert an impact on tick abundance and activity and the prevalence of Lyme disease in the study area. The greatest effect of the environmental factors on ticks was found in the city park, where the risk of human infection with B. burgdorferi s.l. spirochetes is the highest as well.