Efficacy of photodynamic therapy using ALAHCl in gel with a lipid nanoemulsion and MALHCl in cream in superficial basal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic option for low-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of topical PDT in the treatment of superficial BCC (sBCC) using two different photosensitizers: aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (ALA-HCl) in a gel formulation with a lipid nanoemulsion (ALA-HCl in gel) and ALA methyl ester hydrochloride (MAL-HCl) in a cream formulation (MAL-HCl in cream). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 21 patients were treated twice with a one week interval between treatments. The formulations were applied onto lesions: 10 patients were treated with MAL-HCl in cream, and 11 with ALA-HCl in gel. After three hours of incubation and removing the preparations, fluorescence was assessed. The skin areas were then irradiated with red light 630 ± 5 nm. RESULTS: At the follow-up visit 12 weeks after the second treatment, complete clinical remission was found in 82% after ALA-HCl in gel and in 80% after MAL-HCl in cream. An excellent cosmetic result was found in 96% of patients after MALHCl in cream and in 100% after ALA-HCl in gel. Faster skin healing and less post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation during follow-up visits was observed after treatment with ALA-HCl in gel. CONCLUSIONS: Both formulations - ALA-HCl in gel and MAL-HCl in cream - were highly effective photosensitisers for PDT. The advantage of ALA-HCl in a gel formulation with a lipid nanoemulsion was faster skin healing, resulting in better cosmetic results.

Satisfaction of people at post-working age with pharmacists' health promotion in Poland.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to analyze how people at post-working age evaluate health promotion conducted for them by pharmacists in community pharmacies in Poland. We also assessed whether this evaluation is correlated with the frequency of health behaviors. METHODS: The study comprised 712 Polish people at post-working age (retired), including women 60 + and men 65+. Health Behaviors Inventory and authors' Questionnaire for Evaluation of Pharmacists' Health Promotion were used. RESULTS: Conducting health promotion by pharmacists in community pharmacies is relevant in the opinion of post-working-aged people (5.8 on average in the scale of 1-10). However, the patients were not satisfied with the reliability (4.7), accessibility (4.7), communicativeness (5.0), and effectiveness (4.6) of health promotion provided by pharmacists for them. The empathy and politeness of pharmacists during health promotion were rated neutrally (5.4, i.e. neither good nor bad). The evaluations of reliability, accessibility, communicativeness, empathy and politeness, relevance, and effectiveness of pharmacists' health promotion did not correlate with age, marital status, place of residence, type of job in the past, or chronic pain currently (p > 0.05). The men evaluated accessibility higher than the women (5.1 vs. 4.6, p = 0.049), but the other domains were evaluated similarly by both genders (p > 0.05). All the domains of pharmacists' health promotion were assessed the better the higher the frequency of health behaviors the post-working aged people was. CONCLUSIONS: People in post-working age assessed that health promotion conducted by pharmacists in community pharmacies is important, however they were not satisfied with the reliability, accessibility, communicativeness, and effectiveness of health promotion conducted by pharmacists.

Supporting the treatment of infertility using psychological methods.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to review the current state of knowledge regarding the treatment of emotional consequences of infertility using psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness. REVIEW METHODS: The review was based on data obtained from scientific articles published in the Pub Med, Science Direct, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMbase, and The Cochrane Library between 1997-2022. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Assistance offered to persons afflicted by the problem of infertility may take various forms, depending not only on the needs of those interested and the stage of treatment, but also on the capabilities of the staff (type and level of education). Commonly available, well-developed and researched methods of therapy are most frequently applied, often expanded by such elements as education concerning fertility and life style, and information about diagnosis and treatment. Modified methods of psychological intervention specially adjusted to persons struggling with infertility are also used. The indicators of the effectiveness of these methods are: reduction of stress, better coping with difficulties, decrease in the rates of psychological disorders, as well as an improvement of sperm parameters in men, and an increase in pregnancy and live birth rates. SUMMARY: The most frequently recommended methods of psychosocial intervention are these based on cognitive behavioural therapy and variants of stress reduction techniques. It is recommended that patients with infertility are provided with psychological care throughout the treatment period, and that the medical staff is equipped with standardized methods of assessing their mental state.

The Assessment of the Efficacy of Imperatorin in Reducing Overactive Bladder Symptoms.

Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) is a prevalent condition that affects the elderly population in particular and significantly impairs quality of life. Imperatorin, a naturally occurring furocoumarin, possesses diverse pharmacological properties that warrant consideration for drug development. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of imperatorin (IMP) to attenuate the cystometric and biochemical changes typically associated with retinyl acetate-induced overactive bladder (OAB) and to assess its viability as a pharmacological intervention for OAB patients. A total of 60 rats were divided into four groups: I-control, II-rats with rapamycin (RA)-induced OAB, III-rats administered IMP at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, and IV-rats with RA-induced OAB treated with IMP. IMP or vehicle were injected intraperitoneally for 14 days. The cystometry and assessment of bladder blood flow were performed two days after the last dose of IMP. The rats were then placed in metabolic cages for 24 h. Urothelial thickness measurements and biochemical analyses were performed. Intravesical infusion of RA induced OAB. Notably, intraperitoneal administration of imperatorin had no discernible effect on urinary bladder function and micturition cycles in normal rats. IMP attenuated the severity of RA-induced OAB. RA induced increases in urothelial ATP, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3), and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), as well as significant c-Fos expression in all micturition areas analyzed, which were attenuated by IMP. Furthermore, elevated levels of Rho kinase (ROCK1) and VAChT were observed in the detrusor, which were reversed by IMP in the context of RA-induced OAB in the urothelium, detrusor muscle, and urine. Imperatorin has a mitigating effect on detrusor overactivity. The mechanisms of action of IMP in the bladder appear to be diverse and complex. These findings suggest that IMP may provide protection against RA-induced OAB and could potentially develop into an innovative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OAB.

Depression in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder with a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms. Some of the serious complications of PCOS are mental disorders including depression. Therefore, the aim of the meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence, mean level, standardized mean difference and probability of depression based on the research conducted with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A systematic literature search was performed using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google for research published until January 2023. The meta-analysis was conducted on a group of 4002 patients obtained from 19 studies, which met the inclusion criteria (adult pre-menopausal women diagnosed with PCOS, papers on the prevalence of depression or the HADS scoring). According to the research performed, the mean prevalence of depression was 31% (I2 = 93%; p < 0.001), whereas the mean HADS depression score in patients with PCOS was 6.31 (I2 = 93%; p < 0.001). The standardized difference of mean depression scores was SMD = 0.421 (95% confidence interval = 0.17-0.68, I2 = 67%). The overall probability of depression in PCOS patients was more than 2.5-fold higher than in healthy women ((RR: 2.58), confidence interval [1.38-4.85]; I2 = 90%, p < 0.001). The research results imply an increased risk of depressive symptoms in women with PCOS.

Burden of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Resident Doctors in Poland.

BACKGROUND The study aim was to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia among resident doctors in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS The online anonymous survey was conducted among Polish resident doctors attending obligatory specialization courses organized by the Center of Postgraduate Medical Education between 2020 and 2021. The psychological impact of COVID-19 was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The sleep problems were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). RESULTS Among 767 resident doctors participating in the study there were substantial levels of depression (14.7% mild, 26.2% moderate, 10.8% severe, and 9.5% extremely severe), anxiety (9.0% mild, 20.6% moderate, 8.3% severe, and 11.5% extremely severe), and stress (16.4% mild, 20.9% moderate, 15.7% severe, and 5.7% extremely severe), as well as substantial incidence of insomnia (58.0%), (38.3% subthreshold, 17.9% clinically moderate, and 1.7% clinically severe). Female doctors, physicians working directly with COVID-19 patients, and those who had COVID-19 themselves were at higher risk of depression, stress, and anxiety. Sleep disorders were more prevalent among doctors in surgical specializations, as well as those working directly with COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic in Poland appears to have negatively affected doctors' mental health. High levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia indicate that systemic solutions are needed. A spectrum of interventions should be explored to mitigate further strain on the physicians' psychological health in the post-pandemic work environment. It is necessary to focus on groups at particular risk, such as women, front-line doctors, doctors in health crisis, and residents in selected fields of medicine.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity during rehabilitation therapy of schizophrenic patients - environmental pilot study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the peripheral level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) during rehabilitation therapy, combined with neurofeedback in schizophrenic patients, and to investigate whether these biomarkers are related to psychopathological symptoms, changes in auditory evoked potentials (AEPs), and quantitative EEG (QEEGs) mapping. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved two groups of patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in partial remission who participated in a 3-month structured rehabilitation programme combined with neurofeedback (REH group) and a standard support group (CON group). The following parameters were assessed: BDNF and MMP-9 serum levels, AEPs, QEEGs, and psychopathological symptoms (PANSS). RESULTS: A clinical improvement within the 3-month rehabilitation therapy course was correlated with the increase in BDNF and MMP-9 serum level. Despite the increase in BDNF and MMP-9 during the 3-month rehabilitation therapy, it was not possible to demonstrate any strong and significant correlation between the 2 examined neuropeptides. During the 3-month rehabilitation therapy, the theta waveform share reduction in QEEG, P50 latency reduction and amplitude increase correlated with PANSS Total and MMP-9 results. CONCLUSIONS: All clinical (PANSS Positive, Negative, General, Total) and biochemical results (BDNF, MMP-9) of the REH group changed significantly over the 3-month period. Positive symptoms improved only in the CON group.

The Cannabinoid Ligand Arachidonyl-2'-Chloroethylamide (ACEA) Ameliorates Depressive and Overactive Bladder Symptoms in a Corticosterone-Induced Female Wistar Rat Model.

There is growing need to increase the knowledge on the cannabinoid ligands in the treatment of overactive bladder. Among potential candidates, arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide (ACEA), a selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist is proposed. The aim of this paper was to determine if ACEA, a selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, could reverse the effects of corticosterone (CORT), characteristic of depressive and bladder overactivity potential. The animals (48 female rats) were divided into four groups: I-control, II-received CORT, III-received ACEA, and IV-received the combination of CORT and ACEA. The conscious cystometry, forced swim test (FST), and locomotor activity measurements were performed 3 days after the last dose of ACEA, followed by ELISA measurements. In group IV, ACEA restored urodynamic parameters that were altered by CORT. CORT prolonged the immobility time in FST and the values were lowered by ACEA. ACEA normalized the expression of c-Fos in all the analyzed central micturition centers (group IV vs. group II). ACEA restored the CORT-induced changes in the biomarkers in urine (BDNF, NGF), bladder detrusor (VAChT, Rho kinase), bladder urothelium (CGRP, ATP, CRF, OCT-3, TRPV1), and hippocampus (TNF-α, IL-1ß and Il-6, CRF, IL-10, BDNF, NGF). In conclusion, ACEA was proven to reverse CORT-induced changes in both cystometric and biochemical parameters that are determinants of OAB/depression, which represents an example of an existing link between OAB and depression via cannabinoid receptors.

Barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland: A nationwide cross-sectional survey among 109,928 adults in Poland.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significant socio-economic implications for numerous industries, including healthcare. Disruptions of essential health services were reported by nearly all countries around the world. A detailed assessment of the healthcare uptake is necessary to estimate the potential health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland as well as to identify factors associated with the disturbed access to healthcare during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out among Internet users in Poland using the computer-assisted web interview technique. Data were collected between October and December 2021. The questionnaire included 32 questions on sociodemographic characteristics, the COVID-19 pandemic, health status, daily habits as well as the use of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Data were obtained from 102928 adults, the mean age was 48.0 ± 14.2 years, and 57.2% were females. Most of the respondents had visited a doctor during the past 12 months (70.4%). Almost half of adults in Poland (49.7%) reported barriers to access health services in the past 12 months. Out of 51,105 respondents who had experienced barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, only 54.3% had visited a doctor in the past 12 months. Long waiting time (39.5%) and temporary closure of healthcare facilities/transformation into a COVID-19 dedicated center (28.8%) were the most common barriers indicated by the respondents. In multivariable logistic regression, female gender, age 18-49 years, lack of higher education, living in cities between 51,000 and 200,000 residents or above 500,000 residents, and having at least one chronic disease were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with higher odds of experiencing barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: This study confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened access to health services in Poland. During the pandemic, new barriers to accessing health services, such as the temporary closure of healthcare facilities for non-COVID patients were revealed. Findings from this study provided patients' perspectives on barriers to accessing health services in Poland that may be used by policymakers to reduce health inequalities.

Oestrogen receptor α gene polymorphisms, insomnia, and cognitive functions in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in non-manual employment.

Introduction: A potential way to explain the relationships between sleep disorders and cognitive disorders during menopausal transition is the identification of genetic markers related to changes in cognitive functions, as well as changes in quality of sleep during menopause. The objective was an analysis of the relationship between sleep disorders and cognitive disorders, according to the possessed oestrogen receptor α gene polymorphism (ESR1) in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Material and methods: The study included 300 women aged 44-66 years, employed as non-manual workers. A computerised battery of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. ESR1 polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP methods. The Athens Insomnia Scale was used to diagnose sleep disorders. Results: More severe insomnia was related to worse complex memory, visual memory, and simple attention in the total group of examined women. More severe insomnia was related to worse simple attention in women with genotypes AG Xba I or TC Pvu II ESR1, in perimenopausal women with genotypes AG Xba I or TC Pvu II ESR1. During the postmenopausal period, the severity of insomnia negatively correlated with visual memory in carriers of Pvu II TT, and with reaction time in carriers of Xba I AA. Conclusions: The results indicate an important role of oestrogen receptor α gene polymorphism in the modulation of the effect of insomnia on cognitive functions in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Metabolic Syndrome, BMI, and Polymorphism of Estrogen Receptor-α in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Polish Women.

The study aimed to investigate the association between the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) polymorphism and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity, as well as the coexistence of MetS and obesity, in peri- and post-menopausal Polish women. The study group consisted of 202 peri-menopausal and 202 post-menopausal women. ERα polymorphism: Xba I and Pvu II, MetS, BMI, and serum estrogen concentration were analyzed. MetS was found in 29% of the peri-menopausal women and in 21% of the post-menopausal women. BMI did not significantly differ between the peri- and post-menopausal women (≈42% were normal weight, ≈40% were overweight, and ≈18% were obese), (p = 0.82). Serum estrogen concentration in the peri-menopausal women was 91 ± 75 pg/mL, while that in the post-menopausal women was 17 ± 9. pg/mL, on average. Peri-menopausal women with AA and TT genotypes of the ERα polymorphism have a lower risk of obesity and MetS and the co-existence of obesity and MetS, whereas those women with the G or C allele have a higher risk of those health problems.

Anxiety and Depression in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background and Objectives: Mental health disorders are often the consequence of hormonal disorders such as those accompanying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where changes in appearance and having to deal with a number of other problems occur due to this illness. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression symptoms, the level of ego-resiliency, and the ways that women with PCOS cope with stress compared to healthy women in order to determine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics in relation to levels of anxiety and depression with ego-resiliency and stress-coping methods. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Poland in 2021 and included 230 women with PCOS and 199 healthy controls aged 20-40 years old. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADs), ego-resiliency scale, as well as the MINI-COPE inventory were used. Results: The women with PCOS had higher levels of anxiety and depression and poorer ego-resiliency in comparison to the healthy women. The women with PCOS used passive stress-coping strategies significantly more commonly than the healthy women. Living in rural areas, having a lower level of education and being childless increased anxiety levels. Similarly, being over 30, living in a rural area, having a lower level of education, being childless, and being obese increased depression levels in the women with PCOS. A low level of ego-resiliency and passive stress-coping strategies are predictors of high levels of anxiety and depression in women with PCOS. Conclusions: Women with PCOS should be checked for anxiety and depression. They should also be checked to see whether they have the resources to cope with chronic stress in order to optimize therapeutic interventions.

Potentilla chinensis aqueous extract attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in rat model.

Cyclophosphamide (CYP) damages all mucosal defence lines and induces hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) leading to detrusor overactivity. Patients who undergo combined chemio-radiotherapy are at higher risk of HC. Potentilla chinensis extract (PCE) prevent oxidative stress-dependent diseases. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of PCE on urinary bladder function in CYP-induced HC in preclinical study. 60 rats were divided into 4 groups, as follows: I-control, II-rats with CYP-induced HC, III-rats received PCE in dose of 500 mg/kg, and IV-rats with CYP-induced HC which received PCE in dose of 500 mg/kg. PCE or vehicle were administered orally for 14 days. The cystometry was performed 3 days after the last dose of the PCE. Next, urothelium thickness and oedema measurement and biochemical analyses were performed. Cyclophosphamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis. PCE had no influence on the urinary bladder function and micturition cycles in normal rats. PCE diminished the severity of CYP-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. In the urothelium the cyclophosphamide induced the elevation of CGRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, OTC3, NIT, and MAL. Also, the level of T-H protein, HB-EGF, and ZO1 was decreased. Moreover, the level of ROCK1 and VAChT in detrusor muscle increased. cyclophosphamide caused an increased concentration of BDNF and NGF in the urine. In turn, PCE in cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis caused a reversal of the described biochemical changes within urothelium, detrusor muscle and urine. PCE attenuates detrusor overactivity. In conclusion, our results revealed that PCE attenuates detrusor overactivity in case of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. The potential properties of PCE appear to be important in terms of preventing of oxidative stress-dependent dysfunction of urinary bladder. PCE may become a potential supportive treatment in patient to whom cyclophosphamide-based chemotherapy is used.

Association between myostatin serum concentration and body fat level in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Introduction: Every year over 25 million women worldwide experience menopause symptoms. Menopause leads to the occurrence and intensification of many psychological and somatic disorders including body composition change. Myostatin may play a crucial role in the remodeling of muscle and fat tissue. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the level of body fat and the concentration of myostatin protein in serum of peri- or postmenopausal women. Material and methods: The study included 300 Caucasian women (in perimenopause or postmenopause). Detailed data were collected at a single time point from all enrolled women. The data included: age, body mass index, hormone replacement therapy and body fat. Measurements of adipose tissue were performed using electronic skinfold calipers. Serum levels of myostatin were determined using a Human Myostatin ELISA Kit. Results: The mean myostatin concentration in blood serum was 6.58 ±3.59 ng/ml. The mean percentage of body fat was 32.7 ±6.3 (range: 16.1-50.7). The percentages of women in particular groups of body fat level (I, II, III, IV and V) were 1.7%, 11%, 35.3%, 30.7% and 21.3% respectively. Myostatin level in blood serum was significantly lower (median concentrations: 5.5 vs. 7.0 ng/ml, p = 0.0269) in subjects with higher body fat (groups IV and V) compared to those classified as having a normal or low level of body fat (groups I-III). Myostatin was an independent predictive factor of the occurrence of high body fat (p = 0.0463). Conclusions: Decreased level of myostatin is related to higher level of body fat in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Men Treated for Infertility in Poland.

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of men treated for infertility in Poland. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Abbreviated World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF), Fertility Quality of Life tool (FertiQoL) and an author-constructed questionnaire. The study included 1200 men treated for infertility without the use of assisted reproductive technology (non-ART), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). The control group consisted of 100 healthy men with confirmed fertility. The quality of life assessed by the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire was significantly lower in study groups in the Environmental domain, compared to the control group (p = 0.009). Statistically significant differences were found in the case of FertiQoL subscales: Emotional, Mind-Body, Relational, and Treatment Environment, depending on applied treatment. Men whose partners were treated without the use of ART assessed their QoL significantly more negatively than those treated with IUI. Reproductive problems and type of their treatment influenced the quality of life of the affected men. Non-ART treatment, rural place of residence, and increased BMI were associated with lower QoL.

How do Polish pharmacy staff evaluate own qualifications, competences, relevance, motivation, effectiveness in health promotion?

Health promotion programmes are complex and need to engage all health care specialists, including pharmacists. Pharmacies are considered as a potentially ideal place for health promotion and education. To evaluate own qualifications, competences, relevance, motivation and effectiveness of Polish pharmacy staff with regard to health-related information provided to patients, which contributes to health promotion. 308 pharmacy staff from Lublin (Poland) were surveyed with a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and piloted previously. It consisted of 5 domains: qualifications, competences, relevance, motivation, and effectiveness of health promotion. Items in each domain were scored by respondents in 1 - 10 scale where 1 is 'very low' and 10 is 'very high'. Pharmacy staff rated the relevance of health promotion the highest, while the lowest-own competences and effectiveness in health promotion. Female pharmacy staff assessed the relevance of health promotion significantly higher than males (7.1 vs. 6.1, p = 0.005). Higher self-assessments of qualifications, competences, relevance, motivation and effectiveness in health promotion were provided by: the youngest pharmacy staff, those with a short period of employment, and pharmacy staff working in pharmacies employing up to 3 persons. Qualification and competences in health promotion were assessed higher by pharmacy technicians and masters of pharmacy with post-graduate studies or professional specialization, or Ph.D. than by masters of pharmacy. Relevance and effectiveness in health promotion were evaluated higher by pharmacy staff in pharmacies serving more than 100 customers daily. There is a need to improve qualifications, competences, relevance, motivation and effectiveness in health promotion conducted by Polish pharmacy staff.

Polish Pharmacy Students' Readiness, Qualifications, Competences, Relevance, Motivation and Effectiveness to Promote Health in Community Pharmacies.

BACKGROUND: One of the parts of the broadly understood pharmaceutical care is health promotion. Therefore, the study aimed to find out how pharmacy students in Poland assess their own readiness to promote health in pharmacies and their own qualifications, competences, relevance, motivation and effectiveness of health promotion in pharmacies. METHODS: The study conducted in 2019 comprised 206 pharmacy students from Poland. The authors' survey questionnaire had two parts: Readiness to promote health in pharmacies; and Qualifications, competences, relevance, motivation and effectiveness of health promotion in pharmacies. RESULTS: The students assessed the system solutions regarding health promotion as insufficient. The highest assessment was given to their own readiness to promote health. In between those was assessment of readiness to promote health by pharmacists as an occupational group. Readiness to promote health at a workplace in a pharmacy was assessed higher than in a local community. The students gave the highest assessments to the relevance and motivation to promote health, and the lowest to their own competences to promote health. In between those, their qualifications and effectiveness to health promotion in pharmacies. were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy students consider themselves ready and motivated to promote health, that is of a great importance in their opinion, and they could potentially play an important role in improving the health care of patients.

Assessment of the effect of estradiol on biochemical bone turnover markers among postmenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION: Estrogen deficiency found in postmenopausal women may lead to disturbances in the balance of bone metabolism. Study of the influence of estradiol on markers of bone turnover may help to understand the mechanisms of bone metabolism and to monitor osteoporosis therapy in postmenopausal women at high risk of fractures. The aim of the study was evaluation of the effect of estradiol on the basic markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a group of 92 postmenopausal women, divided into two groups: Gr-1 with low estradiol levels ≤ 10 pg/ml and Gr-2 with reference estradiol levels ≥ 25 pg/ml). Basic markers of bone turnover were examined: Ctx (C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen alpha chain) and OC (osteocalcin); pro-resorptive cytokines: IL-6 and TNF-α; vitamin 25(OH)D3 and lipid profile. Women was also analyzed according to demographic and clinical data. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between estradiol and the main bone formation marker - OC (p = 0.041, r = 0.213) and IL-6, TNF-α (p = 0.007, r = 0.281 and p = 0.018, r = 0.246, respectivly, but only in the group with a reference hormone level. Moreover, the main markers of bone turnover: Ctx and OC showed a mutual positive correlation (p = 0.013; r = 0.257) in women with reference estradiol levels. Relationships between markers of bone remodeling, pro-resorptive cytokines and vitamin D3 depending on the level of estradiol showed no statistically significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that only in women with the reference estradiol level (≥ 25 pg/ml) were the bone formation and resorption processes balanced.

Chronic Inflammation Impairs Male Fertility-A Case-Control Study in Ulcerative Colitis Patients.

Recent evidence indicates that a systemic state of inflammation may exert a negative effect on male fertility. The aim of this study is to evaluate sperm quality parameters in male patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Between December 2019 and December 2020 semen analyses are performed in 50 patients with UC in clinical remission. The control group consists of 50 healthy volunteers. Total sperm count, sperm count, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa, viability, and progressive motility, are significantly lower in the study group than in healthy males (p < 0.001). The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) are significantly higher in the study group (28.9% and 1.55% on average, respectively) than in healthy males (14.6% and 0.79% on average, respectively). Bacteriospermia is more clearly observed in the study group (p = 0.037), and the most frequent pathogen is Enterococcus faecalis. The DFI and ORP are significantly higher in bacteria carriers, compared to males without microbial pathogens from both the study and control groups (p < 0.001). To conclude, UC patients have worse basic sperm parameters compared to their healthy counterparts. Deterioration of semen parameters, as well as an intensified DNA fragmentation could be a result of oxidative stress intensification.

Global Changes of 5-mC/5h-mC Ratio and Methylation of Adiponectin and Leptin Gene in Placenta Depending on Mode of Delivery.

It was suggested that the epigenetic alterations of the placenta are associated with obesity, as well as the delivery mode. This study aimed to assess the effect of maternal outcome and delivery procedure on global placental DNA methylation status, as well as selected 5'-Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine-3' (CpG) sites in ADIPOQ and LEP genes. Global DNA methylation profile in the placenta was assessed using the 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) ratio evaluated with the ELISA, followed by target gene methylation patterns at selected gene regions which were determined using methylation-specific qPCR in 70 placentas from healthy, pregnant women with single pregnancy. We found no statistically significant differences in 5-mC/5-hmC ratio between intrapartum cesarean sections (CS) and vaginal deliveries (p = 0.214), as well as between elective cesarean sections and vaginal deliveries (p = 0.221). In intrapartum cesarean sections, the ADIPOQ demethylation index was significantly higher (the average: 1.75) compared to elective cesarean section (the average: 1.23, p = 0.010) and vaginal deliveries (the average: 1.23, p = 0.011). The LEP demethylation index did not significantly differ among elective CS, intrapartum CS, and vaginal delivery groups. The demethylation index of ADIPOQ correlated negatively with LEP in the placenta in the vaginal delivery group (r = -0.456, p = 0.017), but not with the global methylation. The methylation of a singular locus might be different depending on the mode of delivery and uterine contractions. Further studies should be conducted with locus-specific analysis of the whole genome to detect the methylation index of specific genes involved in metabolism.