Grzegorz Krzykowski

Longitudinal study of vitamins A, E and lipid oxidative damage in human milk throughout lactation

BACKGROUND Little is known about the intensity of oxidative damage in human milk resulting from maternal oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to explore the changes in Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and concentrations of antioxidative vitamins and isoprostanes (markers of oxidative stress) in human colostrum and mature milk. METHODS The study included 49 postpartum women with normal, spontaneous full term delivery. The exclusion criteria included active and passive smoking, acute and chronic disorders, and pharmacotherapy other than vitamin supplementation. Colostrum samples were collected on the 3rd day after delivery and breast milk samples between the 30th and the 32nd day after delivery. TAS of colostrum/breast milk was determined by Rice-Evans and Miller method. The amount of vitamins A and E was measured by HPLC. Isoprostane concentrations in colostrum/mature milk and urine were determined immunoenzymatically. RESULTS No significant differences were observed in maternal dietary intakes of vitamins A and E determined prior to the colostrum and mature milk sampling. The TAS of mature milk was significantly higher compared to colostrum (P=0.002), while vitamin A and E concentrations were significantly lower (P=0.003 and P=0.001). Although the isoprostane concentration of mature milk was significantly higher than the colostrum concentration, this difference was not significant (P=0.129). CONCLUSION Human milk is a source of antioxidative vitamins and their concentrations decrease throughout the lactation, while their total antioxidative properties increase. The phase of lactation does not affect the degree of human milks lipid oxidative damage.

Maternal smoking decreases antioxidative status of human breast milk

Objective:To evaluate the influence of maternal smoking on antioxidative capacity and intensity of oxidative damage in breast milk.Study Design:The study group (n=30) was comprised of postpartum women who declared smoking more than five cigarettes per day during pregnancy and lactation (confirmed by the urinalysis of cotinine concentration), and their newborns. Control group included 29 non-smoking postpartum women and their newborns. Colostrum samples were collected on the 3rd day after delivery and breast milk samples between the 30th and the 32nd day after delivery. Morning maternal and neonatal urine samples were obtained on the day of the mature milk sampling. Isoprostane concentrations in colostrum/mature milk and urine were determined immunoenzymatically. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) of colostrum/breast milk was determined by Rice–Evans and Miller method.Result:Colostrum TAS in smokers was significantly lower than in non-smokers (P=0.006). In both groups, the TAS of mature milk was higher compared with colostrum, but significant differences were observed amongst smokers only (P=0.001). In smokers the isoprostane concentration of mature milk was significantly higher than the colostrum concentration (P=0.001). Significant inverse correlation between maternal urinary isoprostane concentration and the TAS of mature breast milk was observed in smokers (R=−0.525, P=0.023), but not in non-smokers (R=0.161, P=0.422).Conclusion:This study revealed that maternal smoking triggers harmful effects on an infant by impairing pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance of breast milk.

Anxiety disorders in intimate partners and the quality of their relationship

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explain whether anxiety disorders presenting in one or both partners of a relationship can influence the latter and to what extent. METHODS This study included 85 couples, where: 1) the male partner suffered from an anxiety disorder and female partner was free from this type of disorder (F((-))M((+)), n=20); 2) the female partner suffered from an anxiety disorder and the male partner was free from this type of disorder (F((+))M((-)); n=40); and 3) both partners were affected with anxiety disorders (F((+))M((+)), n=25). The quality of the relationship was assessed by both partners using three different scales: 1) Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), 2) Family Attitude Scale (FAS), and 3) Marriage Success Scale (SPM). RESULTS In case of the SPM scale, women from F((-))M((+)) group evaluated their marriages significantly compared to other groups. In case of males, the self-evaluated quality of marriage was the lowest in the case of individuals from F((+))M((+)) group. In case of the DAS scale, women and men being free from anxiety disorders assessed the quality of their relationships significantly higher than other participants. The analyzed groups did not differ significantly in terms of mean values scored in the FAS scale. LIMITATIONS The lack of a multifactorial analysis taking into account the effects of a variety of anxiety disorders. CONCLUSION The presence of anxiety disorders in at least one partner negatively affects the quality of partner relationship. The couples where the female partners are affected are particularly fragile.

Maternal smoking modulates fatty acid profile of breast milk

We hypothesized that the fatty acid composition of breast milk can be affected by a smoking habit in the mother. Consequently, this study verified whether maternal smoking modulates, and if so to what extent, the breast milk fatty acid profile.

Reorganization of nutritional therapy can markedly reduce the rate of catheter-related blood stream infections in pediatric patients receiving parenteral nutrition - a 7-year prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND Implementation of hygienic measures and simple changes in the structure of medical team may considerably reduce the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in parenterally nourished patients. AIM To analyze the effects of organizational changes in parenteral nutrition services on the CRBSI rates in pediatric patients. METHODS We compared the CRBSI rates documented prior to, during and after the implementation of the organizational changes (introduction of a nutritional support team and related procedures, medical staff training). FINDINGS A total of 260 courses of parenteral nutrition were offered to 141 pediatric patients during the analyzed period. Thirty CRBSIs were documented during this period. The most frequent etiological factors were staphylococci (21/30), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (2/30 each). The reorganization was reflected by more than 8-fold reduction of the CRBSI incidence rate: from the initial value of 10.14 to 6.89 per 1000 catheter days and 1.17 per 1000 catheter days during and after the reorganization, respectively. CONCLUSION Introduction of a nutritional support team, accompanied by extensive training of medical staff, can result in a marked reduction of CRBSI rate in pediatric patients nourished parenterally in a hospital setting.

Coincidence of PTPN22 c.1858CC and FCRL3 ‐169CC genotypes as a biomarker of preserved residual β‐cell function in children with type 1 diabetes

Genotype‐phenotype studies in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients are needed for further development of therapy strategies.

Application of adjusted subpixel method (ASM) in HRCT measurements of the bronchi in bronchial asthma patients and healthy individuals

BACKGROUND Recently, we described a model system which included corrections of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) bronchial measurements based on the adjusted subpixel method (ASM). OBJECTIVE To verify the clinical application of ASM by comparing bronchial measurements obtained by means of the traditional eye-driven method, subpixel method alone and ASM in a group comprised of bronchial asthma patients and healthy individuals. METHODS The study included 30 bronchial asthma patients and the control group comprised of 20 volunteers with no symptoms of asthma. The lowest internal and external diameters of the bronchial cross-sections (ID and ED) and their derivative parameters were determined in HRCT scans using: (1) traditional eye-driven method, (2) subpixel technique, and (3) ASM. RESULTS In the case of the eye-driven method, lower ID values along with lower bronchial lumen area and its percentage ratio to total bronchial area were basic parameters that differed between asthma patients and healthy controls. In the case of the subpixel method and ASM, both groups were not significantly different in terms of ID. Significant differences were observed in values of ED and total bronchial area with both parameters being significantly higher in asthma patients. Compared to ASM, the eye-driven method overstated the values of ID and ED by about 30% and 10% respectively, while understating bronchial wall thickness by about 18%. CONCLUSIONS Results obtained in this study suggest that the traditional eye-driven method of HRCT-based measurement of bronchial tree components probably overstates the degree of bronchial patency in asthma patients.

Ocena właściwości antyoksydacyjnych i nasilenia peroksydacji lipidów w siarze i w mleku właściwym

Wstep U dzieci karmionych piersią wydolnośc bariery antyoksydacyjnej we krwi jest wyzsza a nasilenie stresu oksydacyjnego nizsze niz u dzieci karmionych sztucznie. Celem pracy byla ocena wplywu okresu laktacji na wlasności antyoksydacyjne i nasilenie stresu oksydacyjnego w pokarmie naturalnym. Material i metody Do badania zakwalifikowano 52 poloznice po fizjologicznym porodzie o czasie. Stan noworodkow po urodzeniu byl dobry, masa ciala mieścila sie w granicach normy. U kobiet zakwalifikowanych do badania wywiad w kierunku chorob ostrych i przewleklych, powiklan ciązy oraz przyjmowania lekow byl negatywny. Probki mleka (10 ml) pobierane byly w 3. oraz w 30–32 dniu po porodzie. Wyniki Średnia calkowita zdolnośc antyoksydacyjna w siarze wyniosla 4,8 nmol/l i byla istotnie nizsza niz w mleku wlaściwym (5,7 mmol/l) (p Wnioski Calkowita zdolnośc antyoksydacyjna pokarmu naturalnego rośnie wraz z czasem trwania laktacji. Stezenie izoprostanow w mleku kobiecym nie ulega zmianie w czasie trwania laktacji.