Association Between SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Development of Antinuclear Antibodies Among Students.

INTRODUCTION: Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are the hallmark of many connective tissue disorders (including lupus), which comprise roughly 5% to 10% of chronic debilitating diseases causing morbidity and mortality. In society, fear of these diseases increases illness-related uncertainty because the prognosis of progression is often difficult to determine and at least some symptoms fluctuate unpredictably. In the anti-vaccination movement, the question of the possible connection between vaccination and connective tissue disorders and other autoimmune diseases has grown to rank as an important argument for rejecting vaccination. In 2021, every fifth Polish first-degree nursing student decided to not be vaccinated against COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in students vaccinated and unvaccinated against COVID-19. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A single university cross-sectional study was performed in a small academic centre in Poland, where 210 students were recruited in 2022. All the participants were screened for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and antinuclear antibodies. RESULTS: The mean age of the students who rejected vaccination was higher than that of those who were vaccinated. Among nursing students, 30.0% of vaccinated and 58.3% of unvaccinated individuals had COVID-19. The frequency of antinuclear antibodies was 3 times lower in vaccinated students than in unvaccinated students (2/159 vs 2/51; P > .05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study did not confirm the rationality of rejecting vaccinations against COVID-19 for fear of developing autoimmune diseases among healthy students.

Differences in Emotional Intelligence Between Male and Female Nursing Students From a Population With a Low Percentage of Male Nurses.

Introduction: Poland has the largest shortage of nurses in Europe, as well as a low percentage of male nurses. Information relating to emotional intelligence has been explored to determine whether it predicts the characteristics and outcomes of qualified health professionals during their academic training and practice. Objective: This study aimed to measure differences in emotional intelligence between male and female nursing students. Participants and methods: In this cross-sectional study, emotional intelligence was measured using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) in 21 male and 127 female nursing students from John Paul II University in Biala Podlaska, Poland. Results: The raw overall scores of emotional intelligence in male and female students were similar. Differences were observed after the conversion of raw scores into normalized (sten) scores. High normalized scores (sten 8-10) of emotional intelligence had every third of male students and only 14.2% of female students. The lowest sten values of emotional intelligence in male and female students were 3 and 1, respectively. Less than 10% of male students and over 20% of female students had low normalized scores (sten ≤3) for emotional intelligence and an isolated ability to recognize emotions (factor II). Conclusions: The emotional intelligence expressed in normalized scores was higher in male nursing students than in female nursing students. This evidence may suggest that, at the stage of choosing a field of study, Polish male nursing students self-select for the nursing profession, at least in terms of emotional intelligence. The influx of men into the profession should be considered as a positive trend.

Gluten-containing flours and gluten-free flours as a source of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Wheat flour is widely used in Poland for the preparation of bread, pasta and other foods. Due to the increasing number of people diagnosed with diet-related diseases, consumer awareness of health-promoting issues and interest in gluten-free products (GFP). There is a dynamic development of the market for these foods with high quality and nutritional value and minerals that benefit human health and prevent deficiencies in patients on a gluten-free diet. The aim of this study was to determine the content of minerals: Ca, Fe, Mg and Zn in flours using the ICP-OES method. The mineral composition of selected GF flours available on the Polish market was analysed. It was tested how they supplement the mineral requirements compared to gluten-containing flours. It was found that these products can be a valuable source of essential minerals, which are often in short supply, especially in patients with gastrointestinal disorders. As our study has shown, flours from the GFP group are a good source of essential minerals, especially in the case of chia and flax flours, as well as buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa, lupin or almonds flours.

Antibiotic sensitivity of environmental Legionella pneumophila strains isolated in Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds and hot springs. Legionella infection occurs through the inhalation of water-air aerosol generated, for example, by showers or hot tubs. The most common species responsible for infection is Legionella pneumophila, which can cause Pontiac fever, and Legionnaires' disease, as well as a rare extrapulmonary form. The aim of the study's is to assess the susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila bacteria isolated from water systems of public buildings in Poland to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of Legionellosis pneumonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 L. pneumophila strains isolated from public buildings, such as hospitals and water recreation facilities, were used for the study. The drug sensitivity of the following antibiotics was determined: erythromycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, rifampicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. Mean MIC50 and MIC90 values were read using accepted standards. RESULTS: The highest mean MIC value was obtained for tetracycline 6,130+/-0,353 µg/ml (with a range from 1,500 µg/ml to 16,000 µg/ml. In contrast, the lowest MIC was recorded with rifampicin: 0.020+/-0.037 µg/ml (with a range from 0.016 µg/ml to 0.380 µg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The lowest biocidal concentration was found for levofloxacin, the highest for tetracycline. The highest MIC50 and MIC90 values were found for tetracycline and the lowest for rifampicin. The highest biocidal values were found for azithromycin and the lowest for tetracycline.

Attitudes of Students of Social Sciences and Humanities towards People with Physical Disabilities (MAS-PL).

Negative social attitudes towards people with disabilities are a serious barrier to their social, professional, and cultural functioning. Due to negative perception, disabled individuals are often homebound. The present study was an attempt to compare declared attitudes with the results of other studies using the Polish version of an international assessment tool. The aim was to verify the MAS-PL tool and to analyse the attitudes of students of social sciences and humanities towards people with physical disabilities. An additional aim was to compare declared attitudes with the results of other studies using the Polish version of an international assessment tool for students of medicine and health sciences. In total, 540 students were surveyed using the Polish adaptation of the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale towards Persons with Disabilities (MAS-PL). The study confirmed the high reliability of the MAS-PL Scale. The mean global score of the scale was 82.79. There were no significant differences in the global MAS-PL score depending on respondents' sex; however, an effect of this variable on the subscales was found. The surveyed females exhibited more positive attitudes in terms of the cognitive and behavioural components, whereas the males showed more positive attitudes in the affective subscale. There was no significant impact of the place of residence, age, and majors. Along with the year of studies, the intensity of the global and affective scale slightly increased. The surveyed students of social sciences and humanities exhibited similar attitudes towards people with physical disabilities to those declared by Polish students of medical and health sciences surveyed by Radlinska et al. The authors recommend implementation of didactic classes, projects, and activities at the stage of planning and creation of student education programs to promote tolerance towards disabled people.

Lumbar lordosis angle value analysis and bone tissue density in the ls section in women after 50 years old.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: The lumbar lordosis angle measured by radiology under normal conditions is between 135-1400. Any deviation from the values is associated with a change in static-dynamic loads and should translate into a change in bone tissue within the lumbar-sacral border, which results from a change in the distribution of load forces acting on individual parts of the vertebral bodies. The aim: To determine the relationship between individual variants of lordosis (hypolordosis, hyperlordosis, norm) and the general density of the spongy part of individual vertebral bodies and in selected zones of the lumbosacral zone (L5 / S1). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: The study group was a population of women over 50 (n = 277), it was divided into three subgroups, i.e. women with: normal, shallow and deepened lordosis. In the sagittal view, the density of vertebral bodies from L1 to S1 was assessed. RESULTS: Results: The difference in the overall density of individual stems between normal lordosis and extreme values was significant (p≥0.05) only for the L1, L2 and S1 vertebrae, whereas in the case of an excessive lordosis angle, the density of spongy bone tissue showed significant differences for all measurement points. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Deviations from the correct values of the lumbar lordosis angle result in a change in compressive and shear forces, which is reflected in the reconstruction of bonetissue. This can be a clue to differentiate the physiotherapy program of women reporting back pain - depending on the size of the lumbar lordosis angle.

Relationships between diets and the quality of life to women aged 50 to 64

Background: Adverse effects of numerous environmental factors, including improperly balanced diets, may accelerate the onset of ailments related to the climacteric period. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between diets and the quality of life of working women aged 50-64 years. Material and methods: The study included 274 working women aged 55.4±4.0 years living in Biala Podlaska and the surrounding area. These were women working in various positions (teaching, administrative, economic department) at the State School of Higher Education in Biala Podlaska, Poland and patients of the Health and Rehabilitation Centre in Biala Podlaska. The study was conducted by means of a popular tool used to diagnose quality of life i.e. SF-36 questionnaire (Short Form Health Survey) and the Questionnaire of Eating Behaviour (QEB). Results: In all categories of quality of life (SF-36), apart from pain and general health, there were statistically significant differences between the results of the respondents and the norm for Polish women aged 50 to 60 years. Fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread were the most frequently consumed products in the healthy diet group, while legumes, fish and curd cheese were the least frequently consumed by the respondents. Of the unhealthy products, the women most often chose sweets (at least once a week), cheese and fried food. Analysis of the effect of a healthy diet on the quality of life showed that a statistically significant correlations were observed in the case of mental health, functioning in society, emotionality, vitality, and well-being. Conclusions: A positive correlation with the application of a healthy diet was observed in all the categories of quality of life. This means that the respondents with healthy diets had a higher quality of life.

The Serological Surveillance of Hepatitis E virus among Hunters and Foresters in Eastern Poland.

The aim of the study was the analysis of the occurrence of specific antibodies against HEV among hunters and foresters who are at risk to be exposed. The study group consisted of 210 hunters (23-80 years old) and 60 foresters (22-64 years old). Anti-HEV IgG were present in 3.81% of the samples of the hunters and in 5% of the samples of the foresters. The statistical analysis shows no significant differences in the results anti-HEV IgG between the groups of hunters and foresters (p = 0.5278). Significantly higher anti-HEV IgG titers were found in the older age group (> 55 years old).

Seroprevalence of Rubella and Cytomegalia in Young Women from Biala Podlaska District.

The aim of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence of rubella and cytomegalia among young women. The study included 175 healthy women from the Biala Podlaska District, aged 16 to 35 years. Anti-rubella and anti-CMV IgG were determined by ELISA. 172 (98.3%) study subjects tested positive for rubella antibodies, 1 (0.6%) was seroindeterminate and 2 (1.1%) were seronegative. CMV antibodies were detected in 119 (68.0%) participants; the series included also 1 (0.6%) seroindeterminate and 55 (31.4%) seronegative women. The levels of rubella and CMV antibodies were not significantly affected by age, place of residence and educational level of the study subjects.

[Monoinfections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia burgdorferi / Anaplasma phagocytophilum co-infections in forestry workers and farmers]. / Monoinfekcja Borrelia burgdorferi i wspólzakazenia Borrelia burgdorferi / Anaplasma phagocytophilum u pracowników lesnictwa i rolników.

BACKGROUND: The presence of co-infections induced by tick-borne pathogens in humans is an important epidemiological phenomenon. This issue has attracted growing attention of doctors and people working under conditions of an increased risk of being exposed to tick bites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research group consisted of 93 individuals with current anti-immunoglobulin M/G (IgM/ IgG) Borrelia burgdorferi or IgG anti-Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The respondents were identified during the screening survey in a group of farmers and foresters occupationally exposed to tick bites. The aim of the work was to analyse the frequency of antibodies to specific antigens of B. burgdorferi and the levels of cytokines in forestry workers and farmers with B. burgdorferi monoinfections and B. burgdorferi / A. phagocytophilum co-infections. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi2, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: There is a stronger generation of IgG antibodies to B. burgdorferi antigens in patients with B. burgdorferi / A. phagocytophilum co-infections, such as variable major protein-like sequence expressed (VlsE) (p < 0.05), p19 (p < 0.02), p17 (p < 0.05) and complement regulator-acquiring surface protein 3 (CRASP3) (p < 0.02) compared to persons with B. burgdorferi monoinfections. The discrepancies in the synthesis of cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) have not been found in persons with B. burgdorferi monoinfections and B. burgdorferi / A. phagocytophilum co-infection. CONCLUSIONS: The immune response directed against B. burgdorferi is stronger in patients co-infected with B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum than in those with monoinfection.

[Aggressive behaviour based on the example of secondary school youth from selected schools in Biala Podlaska district]. / Zachowania agresywne mlodziezy ponadgimnajalnej na przykladzie wybranych szkól z powiatu bialskiego.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the degree of aggressive behaviour of secondary school youth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was conducted among 508 secondary school students in Biala Podlaska district. Among the examined subjects were 231 (45.5%) women and 277 (54.5%) men. The surveyed group was divided into two groups: aged 18 and 19-21 yrs. The research tool was a Buss and Perry Aggression questionnaire (Amity version) and the author's own questionnaire, which was developed for research purposes. RESULTS: It was found that the average level of aggression in all analysed categories (verbal aggression, physical, anger, hostility and aggression in general), was higher in the older group of interviewees (aged between 19 and 21). It was noticed that men are more aggressive than women. Higher level of aggression was noticed among respondents who live in block of flats in the city rather than the residents of singlefamily homes in the countryside. Significant differences were found in the level of overall aggression, physical and verbal aggression depending on the type of school the tested subjects attended to. It was noticed that higher level of aggression affects vocational school students. Having both parents did not influence the occurrence of aggressive behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Significant difference in the level of aggression among males and females requires accurate planning of preventive programmes aimed at specific groups of recipients, including sex. 2. Programmes which prevent negative outcomes of verbal and physical aggression should also influence the age of adolescents.

[Risk of occupational infections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi among forestry workers and farmers]. / Ryzyko zakazen zawodowych Borrelia burgdorferi u pracowników lesnictwa i rolników.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the work was to analyze the incidence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in forestry workers and farmers, major groups occupationally exposed to tick bites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included 275 workers (171 foresters and 104 farmers). The control group consisted of 45 people, who have not been occupationally exposed to tick bites. The screening Elisa and Wb tests for the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were performed in all subjects of the study and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi2 test. RESULTS: The positive results denoting the presence of anti-Borrelia IgM/IgG antibodies were found in 55% of farmers and 28% of foresters occupationally exposed to Lyme borreliosis and coming from the area of South Podlasie Lowland and Lublin Polesie. The differences between the forestry workers and the control group (p < or = 0.00001) and between farmers and the control group (p < or = 0.001) were statistically significant. The species, such as B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis, which have not yet been reported in Poland, are significant etiologic agents of Lyme disease. CONCLUSION: The risk of occupational exposure to the B. burgdorferi infection is high for foresters and farmers, and the infection with spirochetes is frequently confirmed on the basis of positive results of the Wb test. The presence of specific antibodies against protein antigens of B. spielmanii and B. bavariensis suggest that these bacteria can cause Lyme disease both independently and in participation with other Borrelia species, which influences the development of the clinical manifestations of infection.

[Significance of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in the diagnosis of infections with Borrelia burgdorferi]. / Znaczenie krazacych kompleksów immunologicznych (CIC) w diagnostyce zakazen Borrelia burgdorferi.

INTRODUCTION: The infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi initiates a number of reactions in the human immunological system and particular behaviors of the infectious factor. The aim of work was to analyze the level of circulating immune complexes (CIC) due to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in persons professionally exposed to tick bites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group of tested consisted of 275 persons, who are professionally exposed to tick bites, including 171 foresters and 104agriculturists. The controlled group consisted of 45 people, living permanently ortemporarily in Biata Podlaska, city in the South Podlasie Lowland, who have not been exposed professionally on tick bites.The screening test ELISA (Euroimmun) has been carried among all persons from the tested group towards the presence ofantibodies IgM/IgG anty-Borrelia. Among those who met positive or delimited results from screening test Elisa, another test of Western blot (Wb, Euroimmun, Virotech GmbH) has been carried in order to confirm the infection. The serum which has been taken from a group of persons being professionally exposed to infection of B. burgdorferi and persons from a controlled group, has been tested in terms of estimating levels of circulating immune complexes CIC C1q (Elisa, DRG). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The circulating immune complexes (CIC) are increasingly generated at persons with present IgM and/or IgG anty-Borrelia but their existence accompanied by the presence of strongly expressed humoral response does not affect the diagnostic effectiveness of infections with B. burgdorferi.