Joanna Golec

Human bones obtained from routine joint replacement surgery as a tool for studies of plutonium, americium and 90Sr body-burden in general public

The paper presents a new sampling method for studying in-body radioactive contamination by bone-seeking radionuclides such as (90)Sr, (239+240)Pu, (238)Pu, (241)Am and selected gamma-emitters, in human bones. The presented results were obtained for samples retrieved from routine surgeries, namely knee or hip joints replacements with implants, performed on individuals from Southern Poland. This allowed to collect representative sets of general public samples. The applied analytical radiochemical procedure for bone matrix is described in details. Due to low concentrations of (238)Pu the ratio of Pu isotopes which might be used for Pu source identification is obtained only as upper limits other then global fallout (for example Chernobyl) origin of Pu. Calculated concentrations of radioisotopes are comparable to the existing data from post-mortem studies on human bones retrieved from autopsy or exhumations. Human bones removed during knee or hip joint surgery provide a simple and ethical way for obtaining samples for plutonium, americium and (90)Sr in-body contamination studies in general public.

Analysis of body composition among children and adolescents - a cross-sectional study of the Polish population and comparison of body fat measurement methods.

Abstract Objective: The first aim of the present study was to analyze the body composition of Polish children ages 7–17 years old to add to the current body of literature. The second aim was to compare two body fat measurement methods (bioimpedance vs. Slaughter equation) on the abovementioned population. Methods: Height (cm) and weight (kg) of 308 (161 males and 147 females) participants, ages 7–17, were measured, and body mass index (BMI) scores were calculated. Skinfold thickness (SFT) was measured for the triceps, subscapular, abdominal, suprailiac, thigh, and medial thigh skin folds on the left side of the body. Fat mass, fat percentage in the whole body (%BF), fat-free mass, and total body water were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Results: In the present sample, 29.5% of males were overweight, and 11.3% of these were obese. Among females, 27.2% were classified as overweight, and 6.8% of these were obese. Males had a higher total body water (median=27.25 vs. 24.8 kg, p<0.001) and fat-free mass (median=37.25 vs. 33.90 kg, p<0.001), while females showed a higher total body fat percentage (median=22 vs. 14.55%, p<0.001) and fat mass (median=9.1 vs. 5.9 kg, p<0.001). %BF calculated using Slaughter equations overestimated those obtained by BIA in both genders (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The percent of youths classified as overweight and obese has increased in Krakow (Poland). Calculation of body fat percent derived from bioimpedance provides better estimates than the use of Slaughter equations, which tended to overestimates the values.

Musculo-skeletal and pulmonary effects of sitting position – a systematic review

INTRODUCTION Year after year, we spend an increasing amount of time in a sitting position. Often, we sit with poor posture, as indicated by numerous pain syndromes within the musculoskeletal system. Several reports confirm that body posture and the amount of time spent in a seated position have extensive implications for our health. Previous studies and a literature review suggest there is limited knowledge regarding an ergonomic sitting position. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to analyze the research relating to a proper sitting position and the consequences of incorrect sitting posture. A database search was conducted in Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar. Selection was made on the basis of titles, the abstracts and full texts of the studies. No limits were applied to the date of publication. CONCLUSIONS Incorrect sitting posture contributes to many disorders, especially in the cervical and lumbar spine. It also determines the work of the respiratory system. Most authors suggest that maintenance of the physiological curvature of the spine is crucial for the biomechanics of the sitting position, as well as the location of the head and position of the pelvis. It raises awareness of work-related hazards and the introduction of education on the principles of proper seating. It is necessary to draw attention to the risks associated with work performed in a sitting posture, and education on the principles of ergonomical sitting.

Simple System for Supporting Learning of Human Motion Capabilities

The paper presents an idea of the automatic system which is capable of improving the rehabilitation process of people suffering from diseases of locomotor system, and is able to enhance a person’s learning the motion skills. The simplest form of the system consists of a MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensor which detects movements of parts of the human body. The article describes possible methods of classification of the sensor signal. As a result of this process, the system sends to the training person a message concerning appropriate correction of his motion. The authors assert that the system, using even unsophisticated hardware (one sensor integrated with a microcontroller) and a simple minimum distance classifier, is able to improve the rehabilitation or the learning process. The article attempts to articulate the main conditions determining an increasing of the efficiency of the proposed idea. Namely: creation of a communication standard between sensors and the host computer used by a physician/teacher, and taking into account the whole multidimensional signal provided by MEMS (3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer).

The Impact of Deep Muscle Training on the Quality of Posture and Breathing

ABSTRACT Postural control and breathing are mechanically and neuromuscularly interdependent. Both systems– of spinal stability and respiration– involve the diaphragm, transversus abdominis, intercostal muscles, internal oblique muscles and pelvic floor muscles. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of exercises activating deep stabilizer muscles on postural control and quality of breathing movements. Eighteen volunteers (25,7 ± 3,5) were recruited from the general population. All the subjects implemented an exercise program activating deep muscles. Head, pelvic and trunk positions in the sagittal and frontal planes were assessed with the photogrammetric method. Breathing movements were estimated with the respiratory inductive plethysmography. The results indicate that the use of deep muscle training contributed to a significant change in the position of the body in the sagittal plane (p = 0.008) and the increase in the amplitude of breathing (p = 0.001).

A large scale prospective clinical and psychometric validation of the EORTC colorectal (QLQ-CR29) module in Polish patients with colorectal cancer

&NA; The purpose of our study was to assess if the Polish translation of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Colorectal Cancer (CRC)‐Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ‐CR29) is an acceptable and psychometrically valid measure to collect quality of life (QoL) data in Polish patients with CRC for use in clinical trials and clinical practice. A total of 150 patients undergoing treatment for CRC were prospectively enrolled in the study. Psychometric assessment of the translated QLQ‐CR29 structure, reliability, convergent and divergent validity, and clinical validity was subsequently performed. The Cronbachs alpha coefficient ranged from 0.70‐0.89, indicating acceptable internal consistency. For test‐retest reliability, the ICCs for each item ranged from 0.59‐0.91, with exceptions for urinary incontinence and dysuria, indicating good to excellent reproducibility. In multi‐trait scaling analyses, the criterion for item convergent and divergent validity was satisfied. The correlations between the EORTC QLQ‐CR29 and QLQ‐C30 scales were mostly low (r < .40), with a few items demonstrating higher correlations. The known group comparisons analyses demonstrated the ability of the questionnaire to distinguish between patients’ differing age, stoma status, and treatment intent. The Polish translation of the QLQ‐CR29 is a psychometrically reliable and valid tool. The results of this study are congruent with that of EORTC validation.

Assessment of the influence of jogging on the shape of female foot arches

INTRODUCTION Both walking and its faster, running, consist of cyclical subsequent phases of swing and support; however, they differ in their time proportions as well as magnitude of acting forces. There is a lack of studies concerning the long-term consequences of repeated jogging cycles on the function of feet and, above all, on their permanent impact on the shape of foot arches. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to answer the question whether regular jogging changes the shape of the transverse and medial longitudinal arches of the feet. MATERIAL AND METHODS The research material consisted of 96 women with an average age of 26.57, and included 50 actively jogging women, and 46 of non-joggers. The study was performed with the use of EMED-SF force platform. The plantar surface of the foot was divided into 10 regions according to Cavanagh, for which peak pressure and contact time were established. Two indicators were defined: metatarsal bone pressure distribution pattern acc. to Kantali, and longitudinal arch index acc. to Cavanagh. RESULTS The data obtained revealed more frequent occurrence of the greatest pressure under the centrally located metatarsal heads (lack of functional foot transverse arch) among the female joggers, compared with the non-joggers. Moreover, the findings indicate the higher frequency of medial longitudinal foot arch flattening among female runners, with a great deal of consistency between both feet, whereas results for the control group show asymmetrical medial arch shapes with right foot propensity to normal arch shape and left foot tendency for excessive arch. CONCLUSIONS The observed differences in feet arch shapes between female joggers and non-joggers indicate the influence of jogging on feet functional adaptations.

Respiratory chest movement measurement as a chair quality indicator--preliminary observations.

Regardless of the constantly increasing time man is spending in a sitting position, there is still a lack of objective chair quality assessment criteria. The aim of this paper is to find the answer to whether respiratory chest movement measurements can be a chair quality indicator. The study included 34 participants (mean 34.7 years ± 5.2). Their chest movements were assessed using respiratory inductive plethysmography while sitting on two subsequent chairs. Significant differences in chest movements depending on chair type were observed concerning the breathing duct (upper and lower) and breathing movement amplitude. The amplitude of the upper respiratory track in the first chair was higher (239.4 mV) compared with the second seat (207.3 mV) (p = .018). The analyzed parameters of respiratory chest movement may become a helpful indicator for design and selection of chairs which enable people to both work and relax in the most ergonomic conditions.

Plutonium, 90Sr and 241Am in human bones from southern and northeastern parts of Poland

The paper presents the results of our study on 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Am and 90Sr concentration in human bones carried out on a set of 88 individual samples of central Europe origin. Bone tissue samples were retrieved under surgery while introducing hip joint implants. The conducted surgeries tend to cover either southern or northeastern parts of Poland. While for the southern samples only global fallout was expected to be seen, a mixed global and Chernobyl fallout were to be reflected in the others. Alpha spectrometry was applied to obtain activity concentration for 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am, while liquid scintillation spectrometry for 90Sr and mass spectrometry to receive 240Pu/239Pu mass ratio. Surprisingly enough, and to the contrary to our expectations we could not see any significant differences in either Pu activity or Pu mass ratio between the studied populations. In both populations Chernobyl fraction proved marginal. The results on 90Sr and 241Am confirm similarities between the two examined groups.