Magnitude and pace of secular trends of body proportions among young adults with different place of origin, between 2001 and 2019.

The aim of this study was to analyse the occurrence and pace of secular trends regarding body proportions among young adults representing different place of origin, studying in Bydgoszcz (Poland). The data constituted of the results of anthropometric measurements of 1,199 young adults (340 male and 859 female) performed between 2001 and 2019. Selected body build parameters were measured and the following indices were calculated on their basis: upper-limb index, lower-limb index, inter-limb index, chest depth-to-breadth ratio, pelvi-acromial index, reciprocal ponderal index. The place of origin was self-reported by the participants and recorded by the researchers. Based on that piece of information the participants were divided into two categories: villages and small cities, big cities. Considering the pace of the changes, they occurred the fastest for the pelvi-acromial index and the slowest in the case of the lower limb index, which concerned both urbanisation categories. Between 2001-05 and 2016-19 analysed changes generally occurred faster in the high-urbanisation category than in the low-urbanisation one, except for chest depth-to-breadth ratio and lower limb index in male participants as well as reciprocal-ponderal index and pelvi-acromial index among women. In conclusion, obtained results allow observing the changes in selected body proportions occurring over the years 2001-2019 in the population of young adults from Poland. Additionally, the findings can help identify and address risk factors related to specific proportions of the body and present in the contemporary population.

Long-term changes in physical fitness components determining the motor performance of young people studying physiotherapy in 2001-2020.

The aim of the study is to assess changes in basic somatic features and motor components of physical fitness of physiotherapy students in the years 2001-2020. Hypotheses were made about the lack of a secular trend in body height and weight, the deterioration of motor efficiency and the lack of conditioning of the examined changes by social factors. Every year, students of physiotherapy at Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun (Poland) were examined in terms of height, weight, chest circumference, balance, speed, power, agility and endurance. The results were obtained from 1161 female students and 464 male students. There was weight gain in the group of women (R2 = 0.41, p = 0.00314), deterioration of speed (for women R2 = 0.579, p = 0.001; for men R2 = 0.301, p = 0.0185) and deterioration of power (for women R2 = 0.51, p = 0.001, p = 0.001; for men R2 = 0.0432, p = 0.00303). The stability of the remaining features was also found, as well as the lack of their conditioning by social factors. Predictors of maintaining motor fitness were identified, i.e. male gender, fitness exam qualifying for studies and chest circumference. The creation of conditions and requirements encouraging greater care for the appropriate level of motor fitness of people undertaking physiotherapy studies seems justified. This observation may apply to other academia providing training for the profession of physiotherapist.

Behavior of Auramine O in the Aqueous Solution of Two Kolliphors and Their Mixture.

The studies on the behavior of Auramine O (AuO) at the water-air interface and in the bulk phase of the aqueous solution of Kolliphor® ELP (ELP) and Kolliphor® RH 40 (RH40) and their mixture were based on the results obtained from the measurements of the contact angle of water, formamide and diiodomethane on the polytetrafluoroethylene covered by the AuO layer, the surface tension of the aqueous solution of AuO, AuO + ELP, AuO + RH40, AuO + ELP + RH40, density and fluorescence intensity. Based on the obtained results, it was possible to determine components and parameters of the AuO surface tension, concentration and composition of the mixed monolayer, including AuO, ELP and RH40, as well as that of the mixed micelles, and to determine the Gibbs standard free energy of adsorption, micellization and AuO solubilization. The obtained results also showed that surface tension isotherms of the studied solutions can be described by the Szyszkowski equation and the exponential function of the second order and predicted by the Fainerman and Miller equation. In addition, the mixed surface layer composition can be predicted based on the contribution of the components of this layer to the water surface tension reduction.

Long-Term Trends in Changes in Physical and Motor Development Observed among Physiotherapy Students from Bydgoszcz in 2011-2020.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to assess the changes in somatic and motor characteristics in adolescents studying physiotherapy from 2011-2020. It was hypothesized that there was no secular trend of morphological features, its maintenance in endurance, increased sexual dimorphism and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the observed characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Young people studying at the Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz were examined. Basic somatic features, endurance and coordination were measured. WHR, BMI and dimorphism indices were calculated based on the results from 538 female and 217 male examined students. RESULTS: There was a decrease in body height with an increase in body weight in relation to the values recorded in the years 2001-2010 (BMI: women D = 0.49, Z = 2.9192; men D = 0.93, Z = 3.5746; WHR women D = 0.01, Z = 2.88491; men D = 0.02, Z = 3.5746), an increase in sexual dimorphism and a significant increase in the waist circumference of women (R2 = 0.008, p (F) = 0.0353) year by year by 0.3099 cm (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results and the comparisons made allow us to assume that some people studying physiotherapy may have problems with meeting the standards that require physical effort.

Quality of Life in Yoga Practitioners-Research Conducted on a Population of Polish Yogis.

Background: The aim of the study is to determine the quality of life of a population of healthy adult yoga practitioners and the correlation between the features of yoga practice and the quality of life. Methods: A total of 300 people aged 35-50 years were examined and divided into two groups. The respondent (SG; n = 150) was a yoga practitioner, and the control (CG; n = 150) did not practice yoga. The original questionnaire and the quality-of-life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. The chi-square test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test and the linear regression model were used. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Yoga practitioners are characterised by a significantly greater overall satisfaction with the quality of life (U = 9794.50; p < 0.05), a higher level of health satisfaction (U = 9194.50; p < 0.01) and higher satisfaction with quality life in terms of the results of somatic domains (U = 7579.00; p < 0.001), psychological (U = 8554.00; p < 0.001) and environmental domains (U = 7919.5; p < 0.001). A relationship was observed between the experience of yoga practice and the assessment of the quality of life in terms of physical functioning. Conclusions: The practice of adult yoga positively influences the assessment of their quality of life in the physical, mental and environmental spheres.

Population history, genetic variation, and conservation status of European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.) in Poland.

Key message: The core populations of the European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.) located in Poland maintained slightly higher level of genetic diversity compared to the peripheral populations of this species. Context: The most severe threat to elms is the loss of natural habitat under the pressures of agriculture and forestry as well as urbanization. The reductions in European white elm populations as well as populations of other elm species have also been caused by Dutch elm disease (DED). Previous studies have indicated a low level of genetic variation in Ulmus leavis Pall. However, in Poland, the genetic resources and demographic history of U. laevis populations remain poorly documented. Aims: The genetic resources of U. laevis in Poland were identified and characterized. Additionally, tests were performed to identify potential bottleneck signatures and effective population sizes of the examined populations. Methods: Polymorphism was analyzed using a set of six nuclear microsatellite markers (nSSRs) for 1672 individuals from 41 populations throughout the species range in Poland. Results: (1) A moderate level of genetic variation was found. (2) A low genetic differentiation and lack of population structuring were identified. (3) Evidence of reduction in population size was found as a consequence of severe, past bottlenecks. Conclusion: The loss of genetic diversity of U. laevis probably occurred in their refugia or shortly after the postglacial recolonization. This loss may have been affected by past DED pandemics similar to those seen at present.

Partitioning of Selected Anisole and Veratrole Derivatives between Water and Anionic Surfactant Micelles.

The UV absorption spectra of six structurally related derivatives of anisole and veratrole, i.e., anisaldehyde, (E)-anethole, estragole, veratraldehyde, methyleugenol and (E)-methylisoeugenol, were recorded at various concentrations of the anionic surfactants, either sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) at T = 298 K. In addition, conductivity and density measurements were made for the SLS and SLES solutions to determine the volumetric properties of the studied surfactants. Next, using the W. Al-Soufi, L. Pineiro and M. Novo model (APN model) including the pseudo-phase model for micellar solubilization, the values of micelle-water partition coefficients for each perfume-surfactant system were determined. In addition, the relations between the molecular structures of the solute and the head group of the surfactant and the value of the micelle-water partition coefficient as well as the octanol-water one were discussed.

10-Year Longitudinal Changes in Fitness Parameters in Physiotherapy Students.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to examine changes in the chosen morphological characteristics, motor conditioning, and coordination skills in physiotherapy undergraduates at a medical university in Bydgoszcz in the first decade of the millennium. We assume prevalence of a secular trend in values of morphological characteristics; however, characteristics of motor skills, particularly fitness levels, will remain relatively unchanged. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included young people studying physiotherapy at the medical university of Bydgoszcz 2001-2010. Basic morphological features, including waist and hip circumferences, were measured, and BMI and WHR were calculated. The Cooper test and marching over a distance of two kilometers were employed to determine endurance; right and left spinning coordination was assessed by Starosta test. Calculated Mollison indicators were used in the evaluation of dimorphic differences in subsequent observation time. Statistics. Data are presented as mean with the standard deviation. Groupwise comparison was performed with Student's t-test and linear relationships with Pearson's r. Linear covariance models (ANCOVA) were built as theoretical models. Statistical significance was set at alfa = 0.05. Based on the correlation between the data and the corresponding normal score used, the Shapiro-Wilk test is the best choice for testing the normality of data. Variables were excluded if they exceeded the tolerance level for multicollinearity. Analysis was performed with Statistica 10. RESULTS: The study demonstrated a rising number of male students (from 13,3% to 39,2%, chi2 = 10, 13; p = 0,001) and a decrease in age of students overall but no significant changes (from 22, 25 ± 0, 75 to 20, 42 ± 1, 7; F = 32, 9; p < 0,001) in their morphological characteristics and their dimorphic differences (average results for males: BMI, from 22, 25 ± 1, 94 to 26, 27 ± 3, 56; WHR index, from 0, 78 ± 0, 06 to 0, 85 ± 0, 06; average results for females: BMI, from 20, 79 ± 2, 11 to 22, 19 ± 3, 83; WHR index, from 0, 7 ± 0, 04 to 0, 75 ± 0, 15). An overall improvement in endurance was found; however, coordination, especially amongst women, had deteriorated (turn right, from 377,1 ± 48, 1 to 343,1 ± 23, 3; turn left, from 375,0 ± 5, 61 to 345,6 ± 43, 1). We observed multidirectional changes in the analyzed motor skills and most of them were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal study of physiotherapy students revealed no differences in morphological and dimorphic characteristics and multimodal changes in assessed motor skills, thus highlighting a need for further research into the identification of their causes. Moreover, a requirement for entry motor skills assessment and curriculum reorientation towards delivery of a broader scope of physical education was suggested.

Multiannual, Intensive Strength-Endurance Training Modulates the Activity of the Cardiovascular and Autonomic Nervous System among Rowers of the International Level.

INTRODUCTION: Professional athlete training is significantly different from recreational physical activity, and sustained, repetitive exposure to over-strenuous and intensive training may result in critical changes of most systems and organs in a sportsman's body. AIM: The assessment of the influence of multiannual strength-endurance training on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and cardiovascular system (CVS) among the rowers of Polish national team. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 rowers, aged 20-30, seniors of Polish national team were qualified into the study. The functional examination of ANS was conducted by means of Task Force® Monitor system. The assessed parameters included hemodynamic parameters, heart rate, and blood pressure variability and reflexes sensitivity of baroreceptors. In order to examine and compare the reaction of autonomic nervous system the subjects underwent a tilt test. RESULTS: In the study group, significantly higher levels of sBP (129.3 ± 12.2 vs 118.3 ± 8.4, p = 0.0030), SI (59.9 ± 8.8 vs 41.2 ± 6.8, p > 0.001), CI (3.2 ± 0.5 vs 2.4 ± 0.4, p > 0.001), and significantly lower levels of HR (54.2 ± 5.3 vs 60.1 ± 5.7, p = 0.0034) and TPRI (2333.3 ± 389.9 vs 2950.2 ± 604.2, p = 0.0012) compared to the control group, were found. After the tilt test the levels of HR (p = 0.0005) and TPRI (p = 0.0128) were significantly higher but SI (p > 0.001) and CI (p = 0.0006) were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Multiannual strength-endurance training connected with rowing activities substantially modulates the activity of cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system, influences the volumetric workload of the heart and structural changes, and increases the sensitivity of reflexes of arterial baroreceptors.

Zenker diverticulum: Experience in surgical treatment of large diverticula.

The purpose of this retrospective study is to show that transcervical diverticulectomy (TD) in treatment of Zenker diverticulum (ZD) can still be a first choice procedure in selected patients and in experienced hands its safety might be compared to the minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulostomy.The study cohort consisted of 44 patients (18 male, 26 female) operated for (ZD). All the patients underwent open diverticulectomy. The decision to choose open surgical repair depended on surgical risk, age of the patient, size of the diverticular septum (the distance between the top of the diverticulum and its bottom on barium study), and patient's preference.Mean age of patients was 64.6 ±â€Š11.9 years; range: 26 to 88 years. A total of 36.4% out of them finished 70 years. Postoperative mortality was nil. Two major complications (4.5%) requiring surgical intervention occurred: leak and hematoma.Data were analyzed by t test for independent samples using Statistica 12.5 software. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Surgical treatment of patients with ZD should be individualized. Large Zenker diverticula with the septum longer than 6 cm should preferably be resected through an open approach because it is not possible to remove the septum completely during one-step endoscopic procedure and diverticulostomy creates a weak and large common cavity in the esophagus. Surgical repair is effective for all sizes of diverticula, but its most serious complications such as leakage or laryngeal nerve injury should be considered, especially in elderly patients with comorbidities. However, age alone should not be the main criterion if choosing the treatment option.

Esophageal anastomosis - how the granulation phase of wound healing improves the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

A two-stage esophagectomy with an interval for reconstruction of the esophagus creates an opportunity for the esophageal stump to recover from vessel injury and allows the formation of granulation tissue rich in proangiogenic factors, including transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which may have an impact on anastomosis healing. The present study comprised 25 patients (27 in total, 2 succumbed to complications following surgery) who underwent two-stage esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma in the Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University (Wroclaw, Poland) between January 2007 and December 2012. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF-A and TGF-ß was performed to evaluate esophageal wall specimens at the time of esophagostomy construction and prior to anastomosis, in which the cervical esophagus was connected with the colon or ileum. At the time of reconstructive surgery, a significant increase in microvessel density was observed in all esophageal specimens (P<0.03). Significant differences were also identified in the immunohistochemical staining intensity of TGF-ß and VEGF-A in the epithelium of all esophageal specimens between biopsies obtained from normal esophageal tissues at the time of esophagectomy and during reconstructive surgery. Delayed anastomosis construction provides an advantage for the esophageal stump to accumulate proangiogenic growth factors, which overlap with the subsequent proliferative stage of the anastomosed tissue and thus supports its recovery, creating an optimal environment for the healing of any fistulas.

Increased level of serum prostaglandin-2 in early stage of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Prostaglandin-2 (PGE-2), one of the products of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induced catalysis, may play a critical role in the carcinogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We investigated the efficacy of using serum PGE-2 concentration as a biomarker for this cancer type. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prostaglandin-2 levels were analyzed in the serum of 65 ESCC patients and in 47 healthy individuals. The concentrations of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured in tumor tissues and normal tissues obtained from 31 surgically treated ESCC patients. RESULTS: Serum PGE-2 concentration was significantly higher in ESCC patients than in control patients (p = 0.004), especially in the early stages (I + II) of cancer (p < 0.0001). We observed significant inverse relationships between serum PGE-2 levels and: tumor stage, primary tumor progression, lymph and distant metastasis. The COX-2 concentration was significantly elevated in tumors as compared to normal tissues (p = 0.008). A significant correlation between serum PGE-2 and tumor COX-2 was observed (rho = 0.46, p = 0.009). However, ROC analysis showed that serum PGE-2 may be a weak prognostic factor for ESCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that an elevated concentration of serum PGE-2 in the early stages of cancer may possibly be associated with tumor initiation and cancer development in ESCC. The exact role of these findings in early detection of this highly lethal cancer requires further research.

Achalasia--balloon dilation or surgery?

BACKGROUND: The optimal therapeutic schedule in patients with achalasia is still under discussion. The aim of this study was to review our institution's experience with myotomy and dilation in patients with achalasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical data were available for 59 patients who had ever had myotomy (n=38), dilation (n=21), or both procedures (n=8) between 2000 and 2007. Patients were followed prospectively with objective (a barium esophagogram) and subjective (a simple survey that scored dysphagia and overall patient satisfaction with the procedure) diagnostic tools. In the group of patients after pneumatic dilatations, frequency of interventions was higher (1, 2) than in the myotomy group (0, 2) at 2-year follow-up. Patients after myotomy with recurrence of dysphagia were treated with dilations. RESULTS: Mean time of dysphagia occurrence was similar in both groups (10 months). The statistically significant differences in treatment outcomes in both groups were in favor of myotomy during 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicates that both methods of treatment might be useful in dysphagia control, but better results are obtained after myotomy. Repeat interventions are more frequent after endoscopic dilation. One method of treatment does not exclude the other. A short period of symptom relief after myotomy may suggest the myotomy was incomplete.

Concentration of serum interleukin-27 increase in patients with lymph node metastatic gastroesophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines, one of the key mediators of immune response, play an important role in cancer development. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interleukin-27 (IL-27) concentration in the serum of patients with gastroesophageal cancer (GEC) and in patients with non-cancerous benign diseases of the upper digestive tract (NCD). We investigated the relationship between the serum IL-27 level and clinicopathological factors, and also the diagnostic utility of IL-27 as a marker of GEC presence. Additionally, we evaluated the concentrations of serum IL-27 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma before and after surgical tumor resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from 84 GEC patients, 39 NCD patients and 33 healthy subjects were assayed. The levels of IL-27, IL-6, IL-12 and IFN-γ were determined using ELISA kits. RESULTS: The serum levels of IL-27 were significantly higher in the GEC patients than in the healthy control (p < 0.0001) and in NCD patients (p = 0.006). The concentrations of serum IL-27 were related to lymph node status (p = 0.044). ROC analysis showed a significant relationship between a high level of serum IL-27 and GEC presence (AUC = 0.766, p < 0.001). The concentrations of serum IL-27 were significantly higher in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 3 months after esophagectomy than before the operation (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that a high serum IL-27 level is associated with cancer presence and lymph node metastases in GEC. Significantly higher levels of IL-27 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after tumor resection may imply that host immune cells are one of the important sources of circulating IL-27.

Self-discharge of electrochemical double layer capacitors.

Spontaneous voltage drop between EDLC electrodes, when it is kept under the open-circuit condition, is commonly called 'self-discharge' and is interpreted as a result of energy loss by the device. Three mechanisms of self-discharge were proposed: due to a leakage-current, faradaic reactions and charge redistribution. According to the law of energy preservation, if the voltage drop is associated with the energy loss, the energy would more likely be exchanged with the environment. While heat generation was measured during EDLC charging and discharging, the corresponding effect during storage under open-circuit conditions has not been reported. This may support the conclusion that voltage changes during 'self-discharge' are not related to a considerable energy loss. Moreover, it has been shown that a two-stage charging process, i.e. first galvanostatic charging followed by a potentiostatic charge redistribution, resulted in considerably slower potential changes when the device was switched to the open circuit. All discussed models were based on the assumption that the energy accumulated by EDLCs is proportional to the voltage in the second power, with capacitance (C/2) as the proportionality constant. However, it has been shown that during EDLC charging or discharging through a resistance R, equations valid for 'dielectric' and electrolytic capacitors, do not hold in the case of EDLCs. Consequently, the assumption that the energetic state of the EDLC is proportional at any time to the voltage in the second power may not be valid due to considerable variability of the 'constant' C. Therefore, voltage changes may not reflect the energetic state of the device.

Electrochemical Behavior of Cobaltocene in Ionic Liquids.

The electrochemical behavior of cobaltocenium has been studied in a number of room temperature aprotic ionic liquids. Well defined, diffusion controlled, anodic and cathodic peaks were found for the Cc+/Cc (cobaltocenium/cobaltocene) reduction/oxidation on gold, platinum and glassy carbon electrodes. Values of the peak separation parameters suggest quasireversibility or even irreversibility for the redox process. The difference between the ferrocene/ferrocenium and cobaltocenium/cobaltocene couples has been evaluated as equal to (1.350 ± 0.020) V. Values of the cobaltocenium (Cc+) diffusion coefficients D have been calculated on the basis of the Randles-Sevcik equation.

Bifocal metastasis of melanoma to the small intestine from an unknown primary with intestinal obstruction - case report.

A 64-year-old woman was hospitalized at an internal care unit, due to growing weakness, dizziness, lack of appetite, anemia and abdominal pain. In anamnesis: past myocardial infarction, post-operative hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes insulin-dependent, stroke, left kidney cirrhosis, gout and anemia. The physical examination did not reveal pathological changes except for skin paleness. The biochemical tests showed iron deficiency anemia and elevated Ca 125 (54.5 U/ml) (normal range: 0.00-35.00). Other markers were normal. An abdominal CT revealed a bifocal infiltration of the small intestine. Due to the increasing obstruction symptoms, the patient was operated on. A bifocal small bowel tumor was found intra-surgically. A partial resection of the jejunum and distal ileum was made. The intestines were joined end to end. The histopathological diagnosis corresponded to metastases of malignant melanoma. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. She received two cycles of dacarbazine 1000 mg/day. Due to drug intolerance, the chemotherapy was discontinued. Now, she is receiving hospice care.

Partner relationships after mastectomy in women not offered breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The present study assessed the degree to which undergoing a mastectomy without reconstructive surgery negatively impacts the patient's psychological state. We focus on body image and self-esteem as well as the influence of mastectomy on patient sex lives and partnership relations. METHODS: The participants were 60 women, either married or in a relationship, who had had a mastectomy because of breast cancer and no subsequent reconstructive surgery. A marital happiness questionnaire was used to evaluate the research problem. RESULTS: Surgery negatively impacted partnership relations for 33% of participants. In particular, 31% reported deterioration in attractiveness; 31%, a feeling of malaise; and 30%, that their partners perceived them as less attractive. Moreover, 80% in the youngest group reported that they covered their body during intimate contact, whereas 58% in the oldest age group reported the same behaviour. Deterioration in satisfaction with sex life and in the pleasure of sexual intercourse was indicated by 71% and 77%, respectively. Correspondingly, 71% also noticed a decrease in sexual activity, with 76% of participants aged 50-65 years reporting such a decline. The oldest women were also less satisfied with their sexual intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: Breast excision due to cancer negatively impacted the quality of sexual life for 71% of participants. Partnership relations after surgery remained unchanged for 67% of them. There was significant impact of surgery on the perception of one's own body.

[Pedestrian dragged under a truck]. / Pieszy ciagniety przez samochód ciezarowy.

A traffic accident is described, involving a pedestrian who was at first hit and subsequently hooked up by his clothing by a suspension element of a low-floor truck trailer and dragged along a road for the distance of 3500 m. Autopsy demonstrated that the pedestrian died of cerebro-cranial injuries, inflicted while he had been hit by the truck. Additionally, the frontal surface of his body demonstrated external injuries typical for dragging of the body along the roadway. Before being dragged, the pedestrian was hit by the front of the vehicle, when he was in a sitting position, or was rising or else was in a recumbent position with an elevated head and trunk. Traffic accidents of the type were seldom described in the national and foreign literature.

Evaluation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and total antioxidant status as possible disease markers in oesophageal malignancies.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of oxidative stress and diagnostic utility of its markers in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). DESIGN: Serum 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured in OSCC (n=75), non-malignant oesophageal diseases (n=30), and healthy subjects (n=79). Three months following oesophagectomy the measurements were repeated. RESULTS: Exclusively in OSCC, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and TBARS were elevated. TAS was reduced in non-malignancies compared to controls, and in OSCC compared to non-malignancies and controls. Only 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine was associated with disease progression, lymph node involvement in particular. All indices were good indicators of cancer presence (ROC analysis) and normalized following oesophagectomy. A positive linear relationship between 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and TBARS, and negative non-linear between TAS and both 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and TBARS was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: OSCC is associated with oxidative stress, attenuated following oesophagectomy. Consumption of serum antioxidants prevents accumulation of oxidatively modified molecules in non-malignancies. High accuracy of oxidative stress markers in indicating cancer presence warrants further investigation on their possible application as discriminatory markers and in monitoring treatment efficacy.