Are yoga and physical activity determinants of quality of life in Polish adults? a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Yoga is an ancient form of physical activity (PA) that encompasses meditation, stretching and breathing techniques. Although the benefits of PA and associated lifestyle interventions are clear, we here addressed the paucity of evidence regarding the specific relationship between yoga and quality of life (QOL) in adults in Poland. We hypothesised that participation in PA and yoga could result in a positive impact on QOL. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire-based survey. Both the quantitative and qualitative variables were statistically compared. Multivariate analyses were performed using linear regression. Results were determined based on age, sex and education level; a p<0.05 was considered significant. SETTING: Questionnaires were delivered to participants online, at high schools and universities, and in elderly communities in Poland. PARTICIPANTS: 714 polish citizens aged over 18 participated in the study; there are no specific entry and exclusion criteria besides age. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the QOL of the physically active group (PAG) and non-PAG (N-PAG). Meanwhile, yoga practice was revealed to have a significant effect on QOL; QOL was found to be statistically higher (p<0.001) in the PAG with yoga (PAG-Y) (4.29±0.66) than in the N-PAG (3.83±0.92) and PAG without yoga (4.07±0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that both regular PA and yoga practices could improve QOL; however, PAG-Y produced higher QOL scores than PA of other types. This outcome may be explained by the impact of physiological and psychological aspects within yoga practice. These results suggest that this unique combination impacts health more positively than other kinds of PA alone.

Immunity after HPV Vaccination in Patients after Sexual Initiation.

Vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) are included in the primary prevention of precancerous intraepithelial lesions and HPV-related cancers. Despite the undeniable effectiveness of vaccination in the juvenile population, there is still little research on the effect in patients after sexual initiation. Our study aims to assess anti-HPV (L1 HPV) antibodies in healthy patients and diagnosed cervical pathology after 9-valent vaccination. We provide a prospective, ongoing 12-month, non-randomised pilot study in which 89 subjects were enrolled. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine IgG class antibodies to HPV. We noted significantly higher levels of antibodies in vaccinated individuals than in the unvaccinated control group. The above work shows that vaccination against HPV might be beneficial in patients after sexual initiation as well as in those already diagnosed with HPV or SIL infection.

Genotyping of human papillomavirus DNA in Wielkopolska region.

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Long-term exposure to the HPV leads to development of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions that can eventually transform into cervical cancer. The aim of the study was to assess the HPV genotype distribution in patients with abnormal pap smear and provide prospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We obtained material from 674 women who registered to Specialist Medical Practice in the years 2008-2020. The sample for the molecular test was collected using combi brush and forwarded to the independent, standardized laboratory. HPV detection was done using PCR followed by DNA enzyme immunoassay and reverse hybridization line probe assay for virus genotyping. Sequence analysis was performed to characterize virus genotypes in HPV - positive samples. RESULTS: We found that 53% of patients tested positive for HPV. The percentage decreased with age. The following HPV types were the most common: HPV - 16 (24.5%), HPV - 53 (13.1%), HPV - 31 (10.3%), HPV - 51 (9.7%), HPV - 56 (9.5%). To our knowledge, this study is the largest assessment of HPV genotypes in Poland. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that type-specific, high-risk HPV DNA - based screening should focus on HPV types 16, 31, 51, 56.

Exposure to hepatitis E virus in hemodialysis patients from west-central Poland.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes travel-related but also locally acquired infections in industrialized parts of the world, including European countries. Food and blood transfusions are possible sources of transmission. Infections caused by zoonotic variants of the virus (particularly HEV-3) may progress to chronic liver disease in a nonnegligible proportion of immunocompromised people. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of serological markers of HEV infection in 189 patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT, currently on hemodialysis, HD) living in west-central Poland and to determine the factors related to HEV exposure in this group. Testing was carried out using commonly used commercial assays (Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co, Beijing, China). Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 94 patients (49.7%); none of the participants had anti-HEV IgM or HEV Ag. Patients on RRT (HD) for less than 6 months were significantly more likely to be anti-HEV IgG-positive than dependent of RRT (HD) for more than half a year (80% vs 47%; P = .014). Exposure to HEV in patients from west-central Poland is frequent, but no clear sources of this infection have been identified. There were no serological features of ongoing liver disease caused by HEV in the study subjects.

NK cells in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis show decreased maturity and limited expression of functional receptors.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, presenting with two phenotypes that differ in symptoms and inflammatory profiles: either with or without polyps. Natural killer (NK) cells are involved in both the innate and acquired immune response, and their function may be limited under pathological conditions, leading to polyp formation. We determined NK cell involvement and maturity in chronic rhinosinusitis, by determining the percentage of NK cells in polyps, nasal mucosa, and in the peripheral blood. Material was obtained from 49 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (36 with polyps, 13 without polyps), and 15 control patients. Flow cytometry was used to immunophenotype NK cells, and the expression of selected functional receptors was evaluated. NK cells were found to be increased in polyp tissue versus peripheral blood and nasal mucosa. NK cell maturation differed significantly with predominance of a cytotoxic phenotype (CD11b+/27-) in peripheral blood, compared with a regulatory/tolerogenic phenotype (CD11+/-/ 27+) in tissue material. These findings demonstrate the involvement of NK cells in the inflammatory process of chronic rhinosinusitis. Decreased expression of activating receptors in the analyzed groups may also indicate the presence of modifying agents. Disorders of the maturation process of NK cells may be an important element in the etiopathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with and without polyps.

Circulating interferon-λ3 and post-vaccination antibodies against the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus in hemodialysis patients exposed to hepatitis E virus.

Responsiveness to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in hemodialysis (HD) patients who had been exposed to the hepatitis E virus (HEV) and persistently generate antibodies against HEV remains unknown. Interferon (IFN)-λ3 positively correlates with the surface HBV antibodies (anti-HBs) in both healthy and HD subjects. We aimed to show whether HD patients differ in circulating IFN-λ3 and vaccine-induced anti-HBs titers concerning natural HEV immunization. HBV/HCV negative HD patients (31 HEV IgG positive, 45 HEV negative), HBV vaccinated and receiving booster doses as needed, had been tested for anti-HBs titers (CMIA) and IFN-λ3 concentrations (ELISA) in the blood collected before a dialysis session. There were no differences in circulating IFN-λ3 and anti-HBs titers between both groups. In responders to the HBV vaccine, there was a positive correlation between plasma IFN-λ3 levels and anti-HBs titers (r = 0.505, adjusted P = 0.01 in HEV exposed subjects; r = 0.523, adjusted P = 0.001 in controls). HEV past infection does not attenuate post-vaccination anti-HBs generation and does not influence a correlation between circulating IFN-λ3 levels and anti-HBs titers.

High frequency of macrophages expressing elevated level of CD80, PD-Ls and TLR1 in nasal polyps of CRS patients.

Identification of the association between tissue biomarkers, their surrogates in blood and clinical features, could provide new diagnostic tools and facilitate adequate choices of therapeutic interventions for selected patients suffering from CRS. The aim of present study was the assessment of macrophages in the polyp tissue and monocytes in the peripheral blood in the course of CRSwNP, and their functional immunophenotype. We analyzed 31 patients with CRSwNP. Nasal mucosa tissue was obtained via functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). The control group included 10 patients with deviated nasal septum (DNS). Fluorochrome stained cells were proceed to acquisition using FACS Canto flow cytometer, and the results were analyzed using the software FACS Diva. In our study, we observed a significantly higher level of CD80, CD274, CD273 and TLR1 in nasal polyps compared to blood samples from patients with CRSwNP. This finding may suggest the importance of the PD-1 pathway as a therapeutic target in CRS and an important role for TLR1 in nasal polyp formation and maintenance. Our results may provide some insight into potential future targets of recurrent nasal polyp treatment and contribute to a better understanding of the inflammatory process in Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Interferon­λ4 gene polymorphisms, circulating interferon λ3, and clinical variables in hemodialysis patients exposed to hepatitis E virus.

Introduction Factors associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection are rarely recognized in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT), and the results of studies are inconsistent. Objectives We aimed to search for determinants of HEV seroprevalence among polymorphisms of the interferon­λ4 gene (IFNL4) associated with seroclearance of hepatotropic viruses (IFNL4 rs12979860, rs8099917 near IFNL4), circulating interferon λ3 (IFN­λ3), and clinical variables of patients treated with hemodialysis (HD) in a HEV­endemic region. Patients and methods The study was carried out in 90 HD patients. HEV open reading frame 2 antigen (HEV Ag), immunoglobulin M and G antibodies to HEV (anti­HEV IgM and anti­HEV IgG, respectively) and IFN­λ3 were tested, and IFNL4 polymorphic variants (rs8099917, rs12979860) were genotyped. Survival analysis was conducted concerning anti­HEV IgG positivity. Results In the study group, there were 37.8% anti­HEV IgG­positive subjects. None was HEV Ag or anti­HEV IgM positive. HD modalities utilizing high­flux dialyzers (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.586; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.142-11.263; P = 0.03) as well as major homozygosity in rs8099917 (adjusted OR, 4.933; 95% CI, 1.516-16.054; P = 0.008) and rs12979860 (adjusted OR, 3.537; 95% CI, 1.136-11.014, P = 0.03), but not circulating IFN­λ3 levels, were positive determinants of anti­HEV IgG positivity. Liver enzyme activities and C­reactive protein levels tested as response variables to HEV exposure, as well as survival probability, were not different between patients stratified by anti­HEV IgG positivity. Conclusions Among HD patients, IFNL4 polymorphisms and treatment with high­flux HD are explanatory variables for isolated anti­HEV IgG positivity indicating spontaneous HEV resolution.

Comparative Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A And E Viruses in Blood Donors from Wielkopolska Region, West-Central Poland.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of HAV and HEV in Polish blood donors (BDs). One hundred and ten randomly selected healthy BDs, living in Wielkopolska Region were tested for anti-HAV IgG and anti-HEV IgG with commercial assays. The seroprevalence of anti-HAV was 11.8%; anti-HEV were detected in 60.9% of BDs (p < 0.0001). Consumption of risky food was more common in anti-HEV-positive BDs (59.1% vs. 33.3%; p = 0.01). Twelve out of 20 BDs (60%) with no history of travel abroad were exposed to HEV. Wielkopolska Region, Poland should be regarded as a new HEV infection-hyperendemic area in Europe.

Serum RBP4 positively correlates with triglyceride level but not with BMI, fat mass and insulin resistance in healthy obese and non-obese individuals.

PURPOSE: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has recently been identified as an adipokine possibly involved in the development of impaired glucose metabolism. We aimed to test serum RBP4 in healthy non-obese individuals and in patients with well-characterized phenotype: obesity without confounding effects of diabetes, metabolic syndrome or dyslipidaemia. Additionally, we examined whether serum RBP4 is associated with anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance and blood lipid parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with obesity and no co-morbidities and twenty-five age-matched lean controls were recruited. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, fasting blood lipid profile, RBP4, glucose and insulin were assessed and HOMA-IR was calculated. RESULTS: Mean concentration of RBP4 did not differ between studied groups (in obese patients was 33.93 ± 4.46 µg/ml and 32.53 ± 2.53 µg/ml in non-obese controls). RBP4 positively correlated with serum triglycerides in obese and non-obese individuals (r = 0.74, p = 0.03 and r = 0.62, p = 0.02, respectively) and did not show any significant associations with HOMA-IR, anthropometric and body composition parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive adiposity without co-morbidities is not associated with higher levels of circulating RBP4. Serum RBP4 cannot be considered as a direct predictive marker for impaired glucose metabolism. RBP4 possibly contributes to lipid metabolism.