Risk factors for reoperation after surgical treatment for degenerative spinal disease in Poland: a nationwide retrospective study of 38,953 hospitalisations.

INTRODUCTION: Degenerative spinal disease (DSD) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions and a leading cause of sickness absence. It also contributes significantly to the global burden of disease. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of reoperation after surgical treatment of DSDs in Poland, and to identify risk factors for reoperation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of hospitalisations for DSD in 2018 that were reported to Poland's National Health Fund (NHF) was performed. Reoperations reported within 365 days of hospital discharge were identified. Demographic factors and multimorbidities were included in the analysis. A logistic regression model was then performed to assess risk factors for reoperations. RESULTS: In 2018, 38,953 surgical hospitalszations for DSD were reported. A total of 3,942 hospitalised patients (10.12%) required reoperation within 365 days. Patients requiring reoperation were predominantly female (female-to-male ratio 1.34:1) and elderly (mean age of reoperated patients 56.66 years, mean age of other patients 53.24). The percentage reoperated upon correlated with multiple diseases (from 8.81% in the group of patients without comorbidities to 15.31% in the group of patients with three or more comorbidities). The risk of reoperation was most increased by comorbid depression, neurological diseases, obesity, and older age. The risk of reoperation was reduced by instrumented spinal surgery, surgery in a neurosurgical unit, and hospitalisations other than same-day surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperations within a year after DSD surgical treatment are common. Identifying risk factors for reoperation, including those related to the presence of comorbidities and the phenomenon of multimorbidity, can be an important tool in reducing reoperation rates.

Asthma, bronchitis respiratory symptoms, allergies and home environment: how are they related?

Introduction: Home environmental conditions can affect the prevalence of childhood asthma and allergies. Aim: To assess the relationship between the prevalence of childhood asthma, bronchitis, and allergies and the condition of the home environment. Material and methods: In 2018 and 2019, a cross-sectional study on 2932 children from elementary schools in the Silesian Voivodship (Southern Poland) was conducted. The questionnaire was based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). In order to determine the association between the home environment (presence of moulds, furry pets) and respiratory symptoms and diseases, a logistic regression analysis was performed by calculating the odds ratio (OR), determining p < 0.05 as the level of significance. Results: Asthma risk factors were male sex, heating with solid fuel and presence of moulds. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms, bronchitis, and allergic diseases is statistically more common with the presence of moulds in dwellings. A protective effect of the presence of pets on the prevalence of asthma (OR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.59-0.99), allergy to pet allergens (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.45-0.76), allergy to house dust mite (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.56-0.87) and wheeze in the last 12 months (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.54-0.91) and ever (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.70-1.02) was observed. Conclusions: The study confirmed the known adverse influence of the presence of moulds and heating with solid fuel on the prevalence of asthma, bronchitis, respiratory symptoms and allergic diseases. The protective influence of pets on the occurrence of the health disorders under study was demonstrated.

Caesarean delivery and risk of childhood asthma development: meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies indicate that delivery by caesarean section may be one of the risk factors for the development of childhood asthma. AIM: A meta-analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between delivery by caesarean section and asthma in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After a review of bibliographic databases, 41 articles were obtained and 12 of which were accepted for further analysis. The odds ratios (OR) included in the analysis were specified on the basis of data from the presented studies or were calculated using reported prevalence. The analysis took into account unadjusted OR. The heterogeneity of results was assessed using the χ2 test, determining p < 0.05 as the level of significance. The analysis was performed using Statistica 13.3 and kit 4.0.67. RESULTS: Caesarean delivery was associated with an increased risk of development of childhood asthma (OR = 1.41); however, significant heterogeneity of results was demonstrated. A significantly higher risk of asthma was found in children born by caesarean section in the case where the disease was confirmed in a questionnaire-based study (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05-1.5), and the results of that study were homogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of the diagnosis of asthma declared by parents in the questionnaire-based study, a significantly higher risk of disease occurrence was observed in children born by caesarean section. Due to the significant heterogeneity of the results of the studies, it cannot be clearly stated that caesarean delivery is a risk factor for the development of bronchial asthma.

Socioeconomic and Health Determinants of the Prevalence of COVID-19 in a Population of Children with Respiratory Diseases and Symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Most epidemiological studies indicate that bronchial asthma is not a risk factor for COVID-19, but previous analyses have not additionally focused on the socioeconomic determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms. AIMS: This research aimed to investigate the correlation between the socioeconomic status of families and the prevalence of respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms in children, in addition to exploring their association with the prevalence of COVID-19. The study involved a cross-sectional epidemiological investigation conducted in 2022, encompassing 2454 students from elementary schools in Poland. The parents of the students completed a questionnaire modeled after the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Socioeconomic status (SES) indicators were determined based on parental education, self-reported economic status, and housing conditions. To assess the impact of social factors and health on the occurrence of COVID-19, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. The findings revealed several COVID-19 risk factors, including higher maternal (OR 2.2; 95%CI: 1.3-3.0) and paternal education (OR 1.9; 95%CI: 1.3-2.4), urban residence (OR 1.7; 95%CI: 1.3-2.1), the presence of mold in residences (OR 1.7; 95%CI: 1.0-2.3), bronchitis (OR 1.5; 95%CI: 1.2-2.0), and chronic cough (OR 1.8; 95%CI: 1.3-2.4). Further analysis, stratifying children based on their baseline health status (i.e., presence or absence of asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough), indicated that higher parental education increased the risk of COVID-19 solely for children without pre-existing conditions. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was found to be notably associated with mold exposure in children who did not have bronchial asthma. Rigorous multivariate analyses substantiated the collective impact of factors such as residential environment, the existence of mold and moisture, and a history of bronchitis. This study's conclusions highlight a higher frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cases where bronchitis had been diagnosed previously and chronic cough was prevalent. Interestingly, the initially hypothesized higher prevalence of COVID-19 among children with bronchial asthma did not receive confirmation in our findings. This study highlights the importance of urban residence, exposure to mold or dampness, and higher parental education in the incidence of COVID-19. Higher parental education was a significant factor in increasing the risk of COVID-19 among children without bronchitis, chronic cough, and asthma.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition, Sleep, Physical Activity, and Mood Disorders of Polish Children.

The harmful consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on children are its impact on eating habits, physical activity, sleep, and mood disorders. In the future, this may result in a higher prevalence of obesity and diet-related diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's eating behavior and lifestyle. The study was conducted using a proprietary questionnaire on dietary and lifestyle habits before and during the pandemic, and the reasons for changes due to the pandemic. The study involved 294 parents of children in grades 1-8 in elementary schools in two regions of Poland. The survey showed that during the pandemic, the percentage of children eating five regular meals daily, including fruits and vegetables, and engaging in daily physical activity decreased. However, the percentage of children spending more than 4 h a day in front of a screen increased (p < 0.05). The main reasons for changes in eating habits and physical activity were less eating out, lack of motivation, obstruction, and lack of access to sports facilities (p < 0.05). The pandemic had a significant impact on reduced levels of physical activity and increased time spent in front of a screen. In summary, among the reasons for changes in children's dietary and lifestyle habits, factors related to the pandemic itself, i.e., social restrictions, restrictions, closure of schools and other facilities, and fear of coronavirus infection, had the greatest impact.

Pre- and Postnatal Determinants Shaping the Microbiome of the Newborn in the Opinion of Pregnant Women from Silesia (Poland).

Pre- and postnatal factors influence the formation of the newborn's microbiome as early as birth and the intrauterine period has a substantial impact on the composition of the baby's gastrointestinal microbiota and its subsequent development. This study intends to measure pregnant women's knowledge of the importance of microbiota for the health of the newborn. The sample was selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The assessment of women's knowledge was assessed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests. This study population comprised 291 adult pregnant women with a mean age of 28.4 ± 4.7 years. A total of 34% (n = 99), 35% (n = 101), and 31.3% (n = 91) were at the 1-3 trimester, respectively. The results showed that 36.4% of the women were aware that the intrauterine period changes the makeup of the gastrointestinal microbiota, whereas 5.8% exhibited awareness of the composition of the child's normal gut microbiota. Most of the women surveyed-(72.1%)-know that colonization of the tract occurs as early as the birth period. Women with student status (those who will pursue higher education in the future) and those who had given birth to the most children exhibited higher levels of knowledge.

DNA microarray study of genes differentiating acute myocardial infarction patients from healthy persons.

OBJECTIVE: Using oligonucleotide microarrays HG-U133A, we here studied the expression levels of genes that could differentiate between patients with myocardial infarction (MI) from healthy subjects, as well as to select among such genes those that seem crucial for manifestation of cardiovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The microarray study was conducted using material derived from blood samples collected in 17 individuals. RESULTS: Analysis of gene expression data from 17 microarrays allowed identification of 28 genes strongly differentiating the examined groups. CONCLUSION: The differentiating genes that we tracked down indicate possible linkage with atherosclerotis and could be a prognostic marker for development of cardiovascular diseases.

Expression of the Endothelin-1 Gene and Its Type a Receptor including Physical Activity among Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death, in both Poland and the world. Their development and progression are largely influenced by the lifestyle with the presence/occurrence of classic, modifiable risk factors. Among them, low physical activity plays a significant role. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of the endothelin-1 gene and its type A receptor, taking into account physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ) among patients with acute myocardial infarction. A total of 234 patients with acute myocardial infarction were examined, including 167 patients undergoing early post-hospital cardiac rehabilitation and 67 not participating in it. All of them were assessed with the IPAQ questionnaire and the quantitative real-time polymerase reaction method (QRT-PCR). Physical activity in the group of patients after early post-hospital cardiac rehabilitation increased after rehabilitation. Transcriptional activity of the endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene in both studied group of patients increased significantly, but in a group of patients not participating in early post-hospital cardiac rehabilitation more than in a group of patients participating in it. In our study, the expression of ET-1 was also significantly higher in the group of patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation, without diabetes, with lipid disorders, smoking, with normal body weight. Expression of the ENDRA (Endothelin receptor A) gene increased with age. These results prove the beneficial effect of rehabilitation and may indicate another pathomechanism of pro-atherogenic activity of above-mentioned factors.

Traditional, Vegetarian, or Low FODMAP Diets and Their Relation to Symptoms of Eating Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study among Young Women in Poland.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are an ever-growing problem, seen most commonly among young women. People with EDs are particularly predisposed to restrictive eating patterns. Diet therapy for many diseases involves the elimination of certain food groups, and the use of restrictive diets in people with EDs may indirectly influence the recurrence of the disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the possible presence of EDs and orthorexia symptoms among young women following a traditional, alternative (vegetarian), or therapeutic (low FODMAP) diet. Methods: The analysis was based on 420 responses from female respondents aged 19 to 30 years. The research tool consisted of questionnaires to assess the possible presence of EDs (SCOFF), cognitive-behavioral aspects of eating (TFEQ-13), and the presence of orthorexia symptoms (ORTO-15). Results: Uncontrolled and emotional eating was least common in women on a vegetarian diet (5.6 ± 3.7; 3.5 ± 2.7; p < 0.05). Women on a low FODMAP diet were most prevalent with symptoms of orthorexia (n = 37, 47.4%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: It seems important to perform screening tests for eating disorders before recommending diet therapy in order to individually adjust the dietary regimen and refer patients to appropriate specialists.

Colorectal Cancer and the Role of the Gut Microbiota-Do Medical Students Know More Than Other Young People?-Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Malignant neoplasms account for an increasing share of the disease burden of the world population and are an increasingly common cause of death. In the aspect of colorectal cancer, increasing attention is paid to the microbiota. According to current knowledge, the composition of gut microbiota in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer significantly differs from the composition of microorganisms in the intestines of healthy individuals. (2) Material and methods: The survey included 571 students from the three universities located in Silesia. The research tool was an original, anonymous questionnaire created for the study. The ratio of correct answers to the total number of points possible to obtain was evaluated according to the adopted criteria (≤25%­very low level of knowledge; >75%­high level of knowledge). (3) Results: From the questions about the gut microbiota, the subjects scored an average of six points (SD ± 1.31) out of nine possible points. Statistical analysis showed differences between the number of correct answers among students of the Medical University of Silesia and the University of Silesia (p = 0.04, p < 0.05). On the other hand, in the field of colorectal cancer, the respondents scored on average four points (SD ± 2.07) out of eight possible. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the ratio of correct answers and the respondent's university affiliation (p < 0.05). Both age and place of residence did not positively correlate with knowledge level (p = 0.08 NS). In contrast, chronic diseases were found to have a significant effect on the amount of information held by the students surveyed (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The level of knowledge of the surveyed students of the Silesia Province is unsatisfactory. The higher awareness among the students of medical universities results from the presence of issues related to microbiota and CRC in the medical educational content. Therefore, there is a need to consider the introduction of educational activities in the field of cancer prevention, including CRC, especially among non-medical university students.

Microplastic in Food and Water: Current Knowledge and Awareness of Consumers.

In recent years, the widespread of microplastics in the food chain and environment became a topic of much research. This article focused on the knowledge and awareness of people with higher education levels-mostly young ones. The aim of this study is to analyze to what extent consumers know about and are aware of the source of microplastics, the level of exposure, and potential health hazards connected to the contamination of food and water with microplastics. The test group, consisting of 410 people, is mostly able to correctly characterize what microplastics mean and knows its sources. A majority of the group is aware of potential presence of microplastics in water; however, the knowledge about contamination of other elements of the environment seems to be gradually lowering. The majority of the people taking part in the research know that microplastic might be present in foods, and they are aware that after entering the human body, it might accumulate in internal organs. Moreover, when asked about potential health hazards, the group chose mostly tumors and gastrointestinal disorders, while disorders of the reproductive system were chosen less frequently. Consumers' knowledge regarding the sources and health hazards of microplastics seems to be more common among women, in groups living in cities and among people who studied physics-related subjects and medicine.

Global Self-Esteem, Physical Activity, and Body Composition Changes Following a 12-Week Dietary and Physical Activity Intervention in Older Women.

Older adults show lower physical activity. These changes altogether promote the development of overweight, obesity, and other chronic diseases. These factors substantially influence the quality of life and self-esteem of older adults. This phenomenon is especially visible after the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 12-week reductive diet and a 12-week physical activity plan for older adults on the global self-esteem of lifestyle in 60-70-year-old women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our participants were 600 women with increased body mass (BMI > 25 kg/m2) aged 60-70 years. After the initial evaluation, the participants were randomly divided into three groups: CG-control group (n =200); DI-dietary group (n =200) that committed to a 12-week reductive diet; PA-physical activity group (n =200) that committed to a 12-week physical activity plan. The global self-esteem score (using the SES Rosenberg scale) and the anthropometric measurements were collected before and after the 12-week study. In the statistical analysis of data, the significance level was assumed to be 0.05. RESULTS: The global self-esteem score for all groups before the study started was 30-31 points, which corresponded to average self-esteem. After a 12-week dietary or physical activity intervention, the score in the DI group was 33, which corresponded with high self-esteem. In the CG group, the self-esteem score remained unchanged (30 points). The average body mass loss was 0.5 kg/m2 for CG, 1.92 kg/m2 for DI, and 1.10 kg/m2 for the PA group. The average waist-hip ratio (WHR) change for CG, DI, and PA was 1 cm, 1 cm, and 2 cm, respectively. A decrease in body mass and body composition indicators (BMI and WHR) corresponded to participants' global self-esteem increase (p <0.05); the greater the decrease noted for BMI and WHR, the greater the global self-esteem score that was achieved. In the CG group, a negative correlation between global self-esteem and BMI value (p <0.05) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week reductive diet and a 12-week regular physical activity plan lowered participants' body mass. Adipose tissue content was reflected by decreased BMI and WHR indicators of participants from the DI and PA groups and was accompanied by higher global self-esteem scores.

Properties of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in the View of Patients (Silesia, Poland).

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Europe. Lifestyle plays an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, apart from pharmacotherapy and diagnostics. Numerous studies confirm that the type and quality of fat consumed in the diet have a huge impact on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease can be helped by minimizing the proportion of saturated fatty acids in the diet and replacing them with polyunsaturated fatty acids. These acids and, above all, their long-chain forms have a positive effect on health. AIM: This study aims to assess the awareness of the properties of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the opinions of patients of the Cardiology Department of the Racibórz Medical Center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis included 302 patients (113 women and 189 men) hospitalized in the Cardiology Department. The research method was the authors' questionnaire consisting of the patients' record and thirty closed questions. To answer the research questions posed and test the hypotheses, statistical analyses were carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 package. RESULTS: Among the respondents, the least frequently used healthy eating habit was the infrequent eating of fried foods. A total of 18.2% of respondents had such a habit. The most commonly used healthy eating habit was checking the fat content in products, which was performed by 67.2% of respondents. Among the respondents, 58.3% said that butter and margarine increase serum cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the data shows that the place of residence, education, sex, and reason for hospitalization of the respondents did not affect the frequency of healthy eating habits. In addition, the subjects had a low amount of healthy eating habits.

Respiratory Symptoms, Allergies, and Environmental Exposures in Children with and without Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data concerning the level of asthma morbidity indicate that in Poland, asthma is diagnosed in 5-10% of the pediatric population. Aim The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and allergies in a group of children with and without asthma and to evaluate the association between exposure to environmental factors and the prevalence of bronchial asthma in a pediatric population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of 995 children attending primary schools in the province of Silesia in 2018-2019. The research tool was an anonymous questionnaire developed based on the form used in The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Children's health status, the prevalence of bronchial asthma, and the performance of allergic skin tests were assessed based on parents' indications in a questionnaire. Environmental exposures such as mold and dampness in apartments or ETS were similarly assessed. Analyses were performed using Statistica 13.0; p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 88 subjects (8.8%) suffered from bronchial asthma. Parents of children with asthma, compared to parents of children without the disease, were more likely to rate their children's health as rather good (43.2% vs. 38.0%) or average (21.6% vs. 3.1%). All analyzed respiratory symptoms, as well as allergies, were statistically more frequent in children with bronchial asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The parent's subjective assessment of the child's health varied significantly according to the asthma diagnosis. Asthma is also associated with other diseases: allergic reactions to pollen, house dust, hay fever, and AD (atopic dermatitis) were statistically significantly more frequent among children diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

[B hepatitis vaccination evaluated in population of non-medical staff members]. / Szczepienia ochronne przeciw wirusowemu zapaleniu watroby typu B, oceniane w populacji doroslych pacjentów niebedacych pracownikami sluzby zdrowia.

UNLABELLED: Hepatitis belongs to a group of diseases caused by different hepatotropic viruses, which are responsible for inflamation of the liver. The most common form of liver infection is hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted by blood and other body fluids. The infection can also occur during pregnancy--the fetus contact with mother physiological fluids, direct contact with infected blood, unprotected sexual contact and intravenous administration of drugs using of unsterile needles. Chronic hepatitis B accounts for approximately 80% of liver cancer. HBV constitutes a major epidemiological threat. According to statistical data over 2 billion people worldwide are infected. 60% of patients are non-symptomatic, while 40-50 develop disease symptoms. All this often lead to inflamation, cirrhosis hepatis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV vaccinaton presents the only effective way to prevent the disease. Therefore it is extremely important to make people fully aware of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate hepatitis virus B vaccination and hepatitis incidence rate in the patients, who are non-medical staff members. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Family Doctor Office and Cardiology Clinic patients were included in the study. The source of data was questionnaire concerning anti-hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis occurrence. RESULTS: The research was conducted on a group of 312 patient (109 male and 203 female). In this group, 168 people got vaccinated against the hepatitis B (53.84%). 29 patients (9.29%) had little knowledge about such a possibility of immunization, while 17 people (5.44%) knew nothing about the vaccination. The most common reason for vaccination was preventive action (preparation for medical treatment)--83 people (49.40%). Only 10 people (3.20%) from the studied group got infected. The most frequent reason were medical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: In Poland, the number of people vaccinated against B hepatitis is still very low. Therefore it is necessary to run a nationwide informative campaign and to intensify pro-vaccination activities. All this is extremely important for prevention of serious complications such as: liver failure, cirrhosis hepatis and hapatocelluar carcinoma. In the studied group it was medical procedures that became the source of infection. To guard ourselves against such situations in future it is vital to introduce and follow septic and antiseptic regime.

Can the expression of the metalloproteinase 9 gene and its inhibitor be considered as markers of heart failure?

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality in developed countries. Its formation is associated with a change in the transcriptional activity of many genes. The aim of the study was to select, from the group of genes related to coronary atherosclerosis and heart failure, genes differentiating patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure on the basis of myocardial ischemia from healthy people, and then genes differentiating patients with various stages of heart failure. METHODS: The study was carried out using the oligonucleotide microarray technique HG-U133A (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Cluster analysis showed a homogeneous division of the study group into patients with heart failure and healthy patients with excluded coronary artery disease and patients with heart failure depending on the size of the left ventricle ejection fraction. RESULTS: The study showed that genes differentiating the group of patients from healthy people were: TGF-ß1, TIMP-1 and MMP-9. The analysis also showed that genes differentiated patients with advanced heart failure in the course of coronary disease and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 20% and patients from the group with 40% LVEF were MMP-9 and TIMP-1. CONCLUSIONS: Extracting from the group of genes related to coronary atherosclerosis and cardiac failure: MMP-9, TGF-ß1 and TIMP-1 differentiating patients with heart failure on the basis of myocardial ischemia in varying degrees of severity from healthy people may indicate their significant contribution to disease development. Also increased expression of the metalloproteinase gene 9 (MMP-9) with a simultaneous decrease in the expression of its tissue inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1) in the studied group of patients with ischemic heart failure differing in left ventricular ejection fraction LVEF makes them the markers of progression in failure.

[Gene of platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 expression profile in patients with acute coronary syndrome and in healthy subjects performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using quantitative QRT-PCR reaction]. / Profil ekspresji genu plytkowo-sródblonkowego czynnika adhezyjnego 1 u chorych z rozpoznanym ostrym zespolem wiencowym i w grupie zdrowych oceniany w jednojadrzastych komórkach krwi obwodowej technika QRT-PCR.

UNLABELLED: Cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction cause 50 percent of all deaths cases and range before cancer as the cause of death. The term 'ischemic heart disease' covers wide range of diseases including all ischemic conditions of myocardium. It's the most common reason (98%) is atherosclerosis, which causes a restriction or occlusion of a coronary artery lumen resulting in myocardial ischemia. Acute coronary syndromes are caused by the rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaque resulting in clot formation which blocks the blood vessel. In this process an important role play adhesion molecules triggering adhesion, aggregation and the whole blood coagulation cascade. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to assess PECAM-1 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome during first 24 hours of hospitalization in comparison with healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 80 subjects included to the study divided into two groups. First group, consecutive patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology due to acute coronary syndrome and the second group, 20 healthy subjects. The total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) using Chomczynski and Scchaci method. Transcription activity was assessed using commercially available TaqMan Gene Expression Assays. The PECAM-1 gene PCR reaction was preformed with ABI PRISM 7000 Sequence Detector (Applied Biosystems, USA). RESULTS: The comparison of PECAM-1 gene expression revealed statistically significant difference, between increased level of PECAM-1 in patients with acute coronary syndrome and it's lower level in healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: Observed in peripherial blood mononuclear cells increase of PECAM-1 protein gene expression may be responsible for increased adhesion and aggregation process and acute coronary syndrome occurrence.

[Expression of genes connected with nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) estimated by oligonucleotide microarray analysis HG-U133A in patients with acute myocardial infarction]. / Ekspresja genów zwiazanych z czynnikiem jadrowym kappa B (NFkappaB) oceniana technika mikromacierzy oligonukleotydowych HG-U133A u chorych z ostrym zawaltem serca.

UNLABELLED: Atherosclerosis is a permanently progressive chronic inflammatory disorder which nuclear factor kappaKB (NFkappaB) is involved. Therefore NFkappaB has become integral aspect of atherogenesis and its complications. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Estimation of genes expression involved in NFkappaB signaling pathway and separation genes differentiate patients with acute myocardial infarction from healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examination was assess using the Affymetrix HG-U133A oligonucleotide microarray. Differentiating genes were determined using Bland-Altman graph analysis. Patients wasn't treated due to cardiac diseases before. All patients were subjected to 12-lead ECG, 2-D echocardiography, coronarography and laboratory studies including cardiac troponin, CK and CK-MB. The healthy individuals were subjected to coronarography and computed tomography (calcium score)--coronary artery disease was out of the question. RESULTS: Hierarchical clusterization has demonstrated that the genes expression of patients with acute myocardial infarction was different from healthy individuals. It also demonstrated that the individual groups are homogeneous, especially the group of patients with acute myocardial infarction, regardless of diagnosis, number of risk factors and progression of coronary artery disease. Further Bland-Altman graph analysis showed three important differentiating genes: TLR2, TNFRSF1A i IKBKAP. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the share of genes involved in NFkappaB signaling pathway in acute complications of atherosclerosis. Noticed differences in genes expression of patients with acute myocardial infarction and healthy subjects can show important role isolated differentiating genes in destabilization of atherogenic plaque and acute myocardial infarction occurrence.

Expression profile of integrin family genes in patients with myocardial infarction and in healthy subjects: an oligonucleotide microarray and QRT-PCR assessment. Preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis and clinical course of all known cardiovascular diseases are rooted in endothelial dysfunction. Coronary thrombosis which can aggravate the coronary condition leading to myocardial infarction (MI) is closely linked to cellular adhesion processes involving numerous adhesion molecules. The goal of our study was to find and quantitate the expression of integrin genes that differentiate between MI patients and healthy subjects. METHODS: The study included 171 individuals, among whom 8 were chosen to provide study material for the oligonucleotide microarray investigation (4 MI patients and 4 healthy subjects). The investigated material consisted of RNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Analysis of gene expression data from eight HG-U133A microarrays allowed identification of three genes differentiating the examined groups. The differentiating genes were found using the Bland-Altman method. Two of them showed increased expression (beta 2 integrin and beta 7 integrin genes), whereas expression level of the third (beta 3 integrin gene) was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in integrin gene expression levels that were observed in MI patients, as compared to healthy individuals, might be responsible for endothelial dysfunction as well as rise in adhesion and aggregation processes in this group of patients and might lead to coronary vessel occlusion by thrombi and myocardial infarction.

The transcript expression profile of the leptin receptor-coding gene assayed with the oligonucleotide microarray technique--could this be an anorexia nervosa marker?

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. The DSM-IV classification differentiates two AN types: the restricting type (AN-R) and the binge-eating/purging type (AN-BP). Leptin (LEP) levels can be thought of as a signal to the body of its energy reserves. The leptin receptor (including all its mRNA isoforms) is expressed in many tissues. Our aim was to discover the transcript expression profile of the LEP receptor-coding gene in the peripheral blood mononuclears in AN-R and AN-BP patients. Three young women suffering from Anorexia nervosa (one with AN-BP and two with AN-R) took part in the study, along with three non-anorexic subjects as our reference group. LEP receptor gene expression was examined using the oligonucleotide microarray method (HG-U133A, Affymetrix). The results were normalized using RMAExpress. Next, the accumulation analysis method was used (clustering). Hierarchical clustering resulted in three groups of separate clusters. The first group (cluster I) consisted of AN-R patients. The next group (cluster II) consisted of reference group patients suffering from different psychic disorders not related to eating disorders. Cluster III consisted of two patients--the first with AN-BP and the second with an adaptive disorder.