Andrzej Wojtyła

LC-Q/TOF mass spectrometry data driven identification and spectroscopic characterisation of a new 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-benzyl cathinone (BMDP)

The recent increase in the sell and abuse of substituted cathinones has developed the requirement for fast and reliable screening methods for these compounds in legal high products. This paper shows an example of the successful application of liquid chromatography-high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry to detection and identification of a new synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-benzylcathinone (BMDP) in legal high samples. It discusses the mass spectrometric, the nuclear resonance spectroscopic and infrared spectroscopic data of BMDP. BMDP was first seized in United Kingdom in 2010, it was also seized in Poland in winter of 2010. The structure elucidation of the drug was carried out by high resolution product ion spectrometry after collision induced dissociation, and the product ion spectrometry after electron ionisation and one and two-dimensional (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectroscopy supported the findings.

Prevalence of antibodies against selected zoonotic agents in forestry workers from eastern and southern Poland

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Due to the nature of their work, foresters are exposed to many infectious pathogens from the wildlife reservoir. The primary aim of this study was to assess their contact with these pathogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sera and antibodies, mainly of IgG class against selected infectious factors, collected from a group of 216 employees of National Forests from eastern and southern Poland, were investigated. RESULTS Antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in 64 sera (29.6%), to Bartonella spp. in 133 sera (61.6%), to Babesia microti in 50 sera (23.1%), and to Coxiella burnetii in 14 sera (6.4%); 7 sera (3.2%) were positive to Francisella tularensis. In studies of diseases not carried by ticks positive results were found in 28 sera (12.9%) to Toxocara canis, 13 sera (6.0 %) to Trichinella spiralis, and in 7 sera (3.2%) to Echinococcus granulosus. Antibodies to Hanta viruses were detected with antigens from Puumala and Dobrava/Hantaan strains in both IgM and IgG class. In 9 foresters, positive results were found, including one positive result to 2 antigens, 5 to Dobrava/Hantaan antigen and 3 to Puumala antigen. CONCLUSION Frequently higher percentages of positive results were found in people working utdoors, and in men when compared with women.

Absorbed power distribution in the whole-body system of a tractor operator

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Many people are exposed to vibration (WBV) in their occupational lives. The biodynamic responses of the human body in sitting conditions have been widely measured under whole-body vibration (WBV). The measures are most often expressed in terms of force-motion relations at the driving-point, namely, mechanical impedance, apparent mass and absorbed power, and flow of vibration through the body, such as seat-to-head and body segments vibration transmissibility. The absorbed power is a measure of the energy absorbed by the subject due to the external forces applied to the system. MATERIALS AND METHODS The body behaves like a vibrating physical system with distributed energy-storage elements (masses, springs) and energy-dissipation elements (dampers). The total quantity of power can be divided into 2 components - one real and one imaginary. The real component reflects the energy-absorbing part of the system, due to the transformation of friction into heat within the tissues. The imaginary component reflects the energy-storing part of the system which does not consume any vibration energy. RESULTS The seated human is modeled as a series 4-DOF dynamic models. After introduction of the excitation, the response in particular segments of the model can be analyzed. As an example, the vibration power dissipated in an operators body segments has been determined as a function of the agricultural combination operating speed 1.4 - 2.75 ms(-1). CONCLUSIONS The concept of absorbed power as a measurement for evaluation of WBV exposure opens a new area for research. The important character of absorbed power is that it has physical significance and therefore can be measured as well as computed analytically. The absorbed power relates to dissipation of energy attributed to relative motions of the visco-elastic tissues, muscles and skeletal system, which under prolonged exposures could lead to physical damage in the musculoskeletal system. A structural model of the human operator allows determination of the dynamic characteristics of the model, and study of the energy flow between the elements of the model.

Assessing physical activity and sedentary lifestyle behaviours for children and adolescents living in a district of Poland. What are the key determinants for improving health

INTRODUCTION Adequate levels of physical activity throughout an individuals life ensure an optimal state of health. Only 30% of adolescents and 10% of adults perform sufficient physical activity to facilitate proper physical, psychological/mental and emotional development. OBJECTIVE Determining physical activity behaviour in children and adolescents through surveying the opinions of school pupils and parents, in order to lend support for optimised educational programmes designed to promote healthy lifestyle behaviour, as well as establishing consistent answers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomised survey was conducted on two groups of n=1100 pupil subjects, each attending elementary or secondary school, with the former in Classes 5 and 6, whereas the latter were aged between 16-19 years old; in both instances parents were also included in the survey. All subjects came from the Kalisz District in western-central Poland, and were divided into those living in the city of Kalisz and those in the surrounding rural areas. RESULTS It was found that 87%, 96% and 89% of elementary, middle and secondary school pupils, respectively, participated in Physical Education (PE) lessons. The numbers of pupils who daily, or almost daily, spent time on a computer, were 52%, 60% and 70%, respectively, for elementary, middle and secondary schools, and likewise 70%, 62% and 48% for watching TV. CONCLUSIONS It is vital that education programmes with a focus on a healthy lifestyle are introduced and targeted at teenagers in order to promote physical activity during the crucial time of the bodys development. The period of maturing into adulthood is particularly crucial for acquiring the right knowledge, convictions, skills and attitudes that help shape a pro-healthy lifestyle in later years.

Trends in smoking among secondary school and high school students in Poland, 2009 and 2011

OBJECTIVES To determine the age and the most common circumstances for smoking initiation along with smoking rates and to evaluate smoking trends for secondary and high school students in Poland during 2009 and 2011. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 2009, a pilot study was conducted in districts of Poland on high school students and their parents. For statistical analysis, correctly completed questionnaires from 999 students and 667 parents were qualified for use. After the pilot study, a nationwide study of secondary school students and their parents was also conducted in 2009. For statistical analysis, correctly completed questionnaires were used from 9360 students and 6951 from their parents. The research tool was a questionnaire developed by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. These studies were then compared to the nationwide research study from 2011. Questionnaires were obtained from a survey of 3548 students from secondary schools and 4423 of those from high schools. RESULTS Smoking initiation usually begins at ages 12-15 years. Rates of secondary school student smoking at least once in their lifetime were about the same level in the surveyed years (2009 - 9%, 2011 - 11%), whereas rates of high school student smoking increased (2009 - 15%, 2011 - 24%). Moreover, 34% of secondary school student smoked less than once a week, whereas in 2009, only 8% of students had done so. For high school students, a 1/2 smoked every day; similar to 2009. Students usually smoked in parks, on streets or any other open space areas. CONCLUSIONS From analyzing the smoking trends over the survey period it can be concluded that the problem of smoking increases with respondent age. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):763-773.

Authors’ response (December 7, 2017) to the letter to the Editor concerning the paper “Trends in smoking among secondary school and high school students in Poland, 2009 and 2011”

PAULINA WOJTYŁA-BUCIORA1,2, BARBARA STAWIŃSKA-WITOSZYŃSKA3, WIOLA ŻUKIEWICZ-SOBCZAK4, CEZARY WOJTYŁA5, PIOTR BILIŃSKI6, MONIKA URBANIAK7, ANDRZEJ WOJTYŁA2, JERZY T. MARCINKOWSKI8, and MAŁGORZATA WOJCIECHOWSKA9 1 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Department of Physiology 2 State Higher Vocational School in Kalisz, Kalisz, Poland Faculty of Medicine 3 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Chair of Social Medicine, Department of Epidemiology 4 Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland Department of Public Health 5 Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warszawa, Poland I Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 6 Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland III Psychiatric Clinic 7 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Chair and Department of Facility Management Organizations in Health Care 8 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Chair of Social Medicine, Department of Hygiene 9 Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Department of Mother and Child Health

Alcohol consumption by pregnant women in Poland

Introduction: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has a negative impact on the developing foetus from the earliest stages of its development. It increases the risk of miscarriage, intrauterine death and congenital abnormalities. It contributes to the development of mental retardation and may also lead to physical, cognitive and behavioural abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and amount of alcohol consumed by women in Poland during the preimplantation and pregnancy periods. Material and methods: Analyses of pregnant women in Poland were based on surveys within the framework of Polish Pregnancy-related Assessment Monitoring System. The research was conducted on one specific day in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in all the hospitals in Poland where women were staying following childbirth, and was in the nature of a population study. Results: Among the surveyed women, 54.7% declared that they consumed alcohol during pregnancy, while 45.3% declared abstinence. More than 35% of the women consuming alcohol during pregnancy consumed it once a month or less frequently. Almost 6% of them consumed alcohol at least 2 times a month during pregnancy. More than 60% of the women who consumed alcohol during pregnancy consumed less than one standard unit of alcohol on one occasion. Almost 20% consumed at least one standard unit of alcohol on one occasion. Conclusions: The percentage of women who consume alcohol during the preimplantation period is over 90%. Also more than half of women consume alcohol during pregnancy. These behaviours pose a substantial risk to the embryo, especially at its earliest stage of development.

National survey of body mass and dietary behaviour for middle school, high school and university students

Introduction: According to a report from the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), there are 200 million overweight and obese school children in the world today. To assess body mass for students in Poland, in middle schools, high schools and universities, according to growth charts and BMI. Also, to investigate the link between chosen dietary habits and the risks to these subjects of being overweight and obese. Material and methods: The 13,566 subjects surveyed in 2011 consisted of middle school (3,548), high school (4,423) and university (5,595) students. The two younger groups received a questionnaire that had been devised by GIS (Poland’s Chief Sanitary Inspectorate) based on one previously used for the WHO’s global school-based student health survey (GSHS). An electronic questionnaire was used for the university students, made available at a designated internet site. Results: Overweight rates of 13%, 11% and 14% were found in students from middle-school, high-school and university. Overall obesity rates were 3%. Most subject ate three meals daily, although almost 1 in 5 said they ate only 1 to 2 meals daily. Snacking between meals was admitted by 84%, 89% and 89% of students, respectively, whereas corresponding rates for nighttime eating were 24%, 37% and 36%. Conclusions: The survey demonstrated that overweight status, according to growth charts and BMI, occurs in 13%, 11% and 14% of subjects in each student group, respectively. Overall, obesity accounts for 3% of respondents. Numerous instances of abnormal dietary habits were found, highlighted by irregular mealtimes, between-meal snacking and nighttime eating.

Exposure to infection with Hantavirus (serotype Dobrava/Hantaan) among forestry workers in Poland

Abstract The hosts of Hantavirus are rodents, while they are transmitted to humans via aerosol, or by direct contact with them. The primary goal of the study was evaluation of the state of health of forestry workers by laboratory diagnosis of the diseases caused by Hantavirus Dobrava/Hantaan. The study covered a group of 820 randomly selected employees of the State Forests from 32 Forest Districts located in the area of the whole of Poland. The results of the study show that the largest number of positive results were registered in the Augustów Forest District – 3 cases (10%), and in Piotrków Trybunalski – 3 cases (11.5%). For the whole of Poland, 25 seropositive results were noted (3%) and 76 results were doubtful (9.3%). The results of the conducted study suggest the occurrence of Hantavirus Dobrava in large forest complexes on the territory of Poland. People residing and working in these areas are exposed to infection, and this exposure seems to be comparable with data from other countries.

Correlation between the single, high dose of ingested baclofen and clinical symptoms

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Baclofen is a drug used mainly to treat muscle spasticity. Its overdose can lead to life-threatening clinical symptoms, including acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of selected clinical symptoms associated with baclofen poisoning comparing to an ingested dose. MATERIAL AND METHODS 60 cases of oral baclofen poisoning were analyzed. Gender, age distribution, and correlation between the dose of ingested baclofen were studied, as well as and following clinical parameters: degree of altered consciousness, heart rate, blood pressure, presence of acute respiratory failure, duration of mechanical ventilation, and presence of psychotic symptoms. RESULTS The study found statistically significant correlations between dosage of ingested baclofen and presence of acute respiratory failure, as well as duration of mechanical ventilation. No statistically significant correlations were found between the dose of ingested baclofen and presence of hypertension, bradycardia, acute psychotic symptoms, or level of consciousness disturbance. However, it was found that patients who suffered from hypertension, bradycardia, and altered mental status ingested a larger dose of baclofen. CONCLUSIONS There is a statistically significant correlation between the dose of ingested baclofen and the presence of acute respiratory failure, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Patients who have taken a single dose of baclofen of 200 mg, or higher, should be managed in centres able to provide continuous monitoring of life functions. Those with a higher level of a single dose of baclofen ingestion (>500 mg), should be hospitalized in a Toxicology Unit or Intensive Care Unit able to provide airway support and mechanical ventilation.