Katarzyna Sygit

Distribution of the AMPD1 C34T polymorphism in Polish power-oriented athletes

Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the distribution of the AMPD1 genotype among groups of high-level Polish power-oriented athletes, and to investigate potential associations between genetic polymorphism in exon 2 of the AMPD1 gene and power-oriented athlete status. Altogether, 158 male Polish power-oriented athletes were genotyped by PCR-RFLP. The genetic control group comprised 160 unrelated male volunteers. We observed significant differences in genotype distribution when all 158 athletes (89.25% CC, 10.75% CT, 0.00% TT; P = 0.0025) were compared with controls (75.00% CC, 23.75% CT, 1.25% TT). A significant deficiency of the T allele was noted in all subgroups (short-distance runners: 5.21%, P = 0.032; short-distance swimmers: 5.56%, P = 0.031; weightlifters: 5.36%, P = 0.024) compared with controls (13.13%), while this trend was even stronger when the frequency of the T allele was compared between controls and all 158 athletes (5.38%, P = 0.0007). Our results indicate a lower frequency of the AMPD1 exon 2 T34 allele in elite Polish power-oriented athletes. Our data suggest that the C allele may help athletes to attain elite status in power-oriented sports.

Quality of life and occurrence of depression under chemotherapy in patients suffering from lung carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE In Poland, lung carcinoma is the most frequent malignant neoplasm in men and the third most frequent in women. The neoplastic disease causes enormous psychic stress and may lead to depressive reactions. The purpose of this research was to assess the quality of life and the occurrence of depression in patients suffering from lung neoplasms and undergoing chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHOD The research covered 102 patients (test group TG) with lung carcinoma and undergoing chemotherapy. In the research, standardised questionnaires: EORTC-QLQ-C30, Beck Depression Inventory and a matrix developed by the researcher were applied. The control group (CG) consisted of 60 healthy people who were examined by the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS A highly statistically significant dependency was found (p<0.01) between the general quality of life and the occurrence of depression. 51.5% of those examined with a very low level of general quality of life had the symptoms of severe depression. Those examined who had a very high level of general quality of life did not have features of severe depression. A statistically significant dependency (p<0.01) was ascertained between the occurrence of depression and the health condition of those examined. CONCLUSIONS Depression symptoms occur more frequently and with greater intensity in patients suffering from lung neoplasm, compared to the group of healthy people (p<0.01). A statistically significant connection between marital status, place of residence, and assessment of quality of life was found out (p<0.05).

The Influence of Intracerebral Streptozotocin and/or Cadmium on Memory Processes in Mice Exposed to Transient Cerebral Oligemia

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of simultaneous acute exposure to cadmium (Cd) and in the presence of streptozotozin (STZ) on the central nervous system (CNS) memory processes in mice subjected to transient brain ischemia. In order to obtain transient brain ischemia, operative occlusion of common carotid arteries for 30 min was performed. Cadmium chloride was administered intraperitoneally (ip) after the surgery at a single dose of 0.1 LD50 (LD50 = 14 mg/kg). Disturbances in glucose metabolism in the brain tissue were induced by bilateral intracerebral administration of STZ, a drug that inhibits the function of a neuronal insulin receptor. Long-term memory was evaluated by means of a step-through passive avoidance task. Spatial working memory expressed as spontaneous alternations was tested in the Y-maze test. Coexposure to brain oligemia and STZ on the CNS produced significant impairment of long-term memory processes in mice. An additional exposure to Cd exacerbated the deficits of these processes. These results indicate that brain oligemia, Cd, and altered glucose metabolism may aggravate adverse effects on memory.

Primary and secondary prevention of breast cancer

INTRODUCTION Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and is the second cancer frequently occurring worldwide of newly-diagnosed cancers. There is much evidence showing the influence of life style and environmental factors on the development of mammary gland cancer (high-fat diet, alcohol consumption, lack of physical exercise), the elimination of which (primary prevention) may contribute to a decrease in morbidity and mortality. Secondary prevention, comprising diagnostic tests (e.g. mammography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, breast self-examination, as well as modern and more precise imaging methods) help the early detection of tumours or lesions predisposing to tumours. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study paper is to review current knowledge and reports regarding primary and secondary prevention of breast cancer. STATE OF KNOWLEDGE It is estimated that nearly 70% of malign tumours are caused by environmental factors, whereas in breast cancer this percentage reaches 90-95%. There are national programmes established in many countries to fight cancer, where both types of prevention are stressed as serving to decrease morbidity and mortality due to cancers. CONCLUSIONS Cancer prevention is currently playing a key role in the fight against the disease. Behaviour modification, as well as greater awareness among women regarding breast cancer, may significantly contribute towards reducing the incidence of this cancer. Another important aspect is the number of women undergoing diagnostic tests, which still remains at an unsatisfactory level.

Influence of biological factors on injuries occurrence in the Polish population

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Anterior cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common knee injuries in sports. Although various intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors have been identified, the exact aetiology of the injury is not yet fully understood. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the collagen type I (COL1A1) gene have been shown to be associated with several complex connective tissue disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the association of -1997G/T polymorphisms in the COL1A1 gene with ACL ruptures in Polish recreational skiers in a case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 180 male and female recreational skiers with surgically diagnosed with primary ACL ruptures were recruited for the study, all of whom qualified for ligament reconstruction. The control group was comprised of 245 apparently healthy male and female skiers with a comparable level of exposure to ACL injury, none of whom had any self-reported history of ligament or tendon injury. DNA samples extracted from the oral epithelial cells were genotyped for -1997G/T polymorphisms using PCR method. RESULTS Genotype distribution in the cases (GG-82.2% GT-16.7%; TT-1.1%) showed significant difference (P=0.036) compared to controls (GG-71.4% GT-26.5%; TT-2.2%). The frequency of the GG genotype in the ACL rupture group was also statistically significant (p=0.011, Fishers exact test recessive mode: GG vs GT+TT). The frequency of the G allele was higher in these cases (90.6%), and also statistically significant (p=0.012) when compared with controls (84.7%). CONCLUSION The results obtained indicate that the -1997G/T COL1A1 gene is one of the genetic markers to be taken into the consideration in the identification of the risk of ACL injury.

Emotional intelligence vs. health behaviour in selected groups in late adulthood.

INTRODUCTION The study deals with the relationship between the emotional intelligence of people in late adulthood and their health behaviour not described in the earlier literature on this subject. The objective of the research was to study the impact of emotional abilities on positive mental attitude, preventive behaviour, correct dietary habits and pro-health practice in selected older persons. MATERIALS AND METHODS The inventory of Pro-Health Behaviour (IZZ) by Juczyński Z was applied, together with the Polish adaptation of the INTE Questionnaire of Emotional Intelligence by Ciechanowicz A, Jaworowska A and Matczak A. A total of 199 people were examined. Two groups were taken into consideration: residents of care homes (DPS group) and attendees of the Third Age University (UTW group). RESULTS Analyses of results showed statistically significant relationships between the variables: emotional intelligence and the individual categories of pro-health behaviour. This correlation had a positive nature: an increase in the intensity of emotional abilities, including the awareness of such abilities, led to the increase of health-care oriented behaviours. The division into DPS and UTW groups proved to be significant for the relationships between emotional intelligence, a positive mental attitude, and correct dietary habits. CONCLUSIONS The result of the study show that pro-health activities are directly associated with the abilities to understand and to control the emotions of older people. The data obtained confirm the positive relationship between the high level of emotional intelligence and pro-health behaviour.

Monitoring of nosocomial infections as an element of prevention

Introduction. Hospital infections are one of the most serious threats to the hospitalised patient and their monitoring is recognised as one of the most important criteria of care quality for modern hospitals. The aim of the work was to present the problem of nosocomial infections and desired behaviours and activities in the field of infection prophylaxis. Material and method. The analysis of the current scientific literature was carried out with particular attention to the prevention of infections in treatment wards and the need to monitor the patients condition and the environment in the case of an infection. Results. The lack of developed and implemented programmes for the control of nosocomial infections is a fundamental element that increases the risk of nosocomial infections. This disrupts the proper functioning of the hospital and causes additional health problems for the patient and the ward staff. In addition, the hospital suffers losses instead of savings, which is a priority aim in the current funding system. Conclusions. The basis for eliminating or minimising the incidence of nosocomial infections is a well-developed and implemented programme of hospital infection control based on the education of medical personnel in the field of infection prevention. Constant, comprehensive assessment of the procedures used and the standards of conduct, epidemiological data as well as microbiological data can ensure quick identification and elimination of the threat.

Zagrożenia zdrowia dzieci i młodzieży w wiekuszkolnym ze środowiska wiejskiego

Introduction. Active leisure and healthy eating habits are the basic elements of health promoting life style. Objective. The study was aimed at investigating the correlation between overweight and obesity incidence in children and adolescents from rural areas, and their dietary habits and low level of physical activity. Materials and method. The study covered a group of 2,165 rural children and adolescents, and was conducted using an author-constructed questionnaire and anthropometric examinations (body height and weight). Results. The results of the study showed that the respondents did not adhere to the principles of rational nutrition: 32% of them consumed 1–2 meals per day, less than 50% did not attach importance to the consumption of the first and the second meal of the day, while a considerable percentage of respondents preferred daily consumption of sweets. The level of physical activity of the examined children and adolescents was very low. They occasionally participated in physical education classes (24.40%), while 75% of them preferred passive leisure, which had a negative effect on the incidence of overweight and obesity in a considerable group of respondents. Conclusions. Improper diet and low physical activity create a serious health risk for school adolescents. Health education is necessary in order to improve health awareness in this population group.