Rafał Bobiński

Comparison of the fatty acid composition of maternal blood and cord blood of mothers who delivered healthy full-term babies, preterm babies, and full-term small for gestational age infants

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the fatty acid (FA) profile of maternal blood and cord blood of children born at term (group A); those born prematurely (group B); and children born with hypotrophic features (group C). Methods: The study consisted of 109 women. FA composition was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results: Twenty-two FAs were identified in the maternal blood and 33 FAs were identified in the cord blood. Significant differences in the levels of C18:3n–6 and C20:5n–3 were noted when comparing the FA composition of maternal blood samples from the three different groups (A, B, and C). Seven statistical differences were detected in the cord blood. They concerned C12:0, C18:0, C18:1c, C18:3n–6, C20:0, C20:3n–6, and C20:4n–6. Conclusion: Our research has shown that the FA profile of both the maternal blood and the cord blood undergoes changes in response to pregnancy duration and the presence of reduced fetal growth. Statistical differences between groups B and C compared with group A, show that the placental-fetal transport of FA in group B and C infants may differ from that of group A children.

The Dietary Composition of Women Who Delivered Healthy Full-Term Infants, Preterm Infants, and Full-Term Infants Who Were Small for Gestational Age:

The impact of diet on the health of pregnant women remains an unresolved clinical issue. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the dietary intake of mothers who gave birth to full-term infants whose sizes were appropriate for gestational age (AGA), preterm birth (PTB) infants, and full-term infants who were small for gestational age (SGA). Of the 103 women who participated, 50 gave birth to AGA infants, 30 gave birth to PTB infants, and 23 gave birth to SGA infants. The composition of each woman’s diet was analyzed using a questionnaire completed 3 days postchildbirth. Findings revealed a number of differences between the groups. The percentage of energy obtained from fat and the calcium and lactose intake was all highest in Group AGA. The largest number of differences in intake of fatty acids (FAs) was observed among short- and medium-chain FAs. Lower levels of C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, and C14:0 were observed in the diets of women in Group PTB than in Group AGA. C18:0 intake was also lower in Group PTB than in Group AGA. The reduced short-, medium-, and long-chain FA intake by women in Group PTB also affected the total saturated FA intake, which was lowest in that group. These findings suggest that, even in mothers giving birth to children with only slight deviations from normal birth weight or normal gestational duration, differences in diet can be identified, particularly regarding FA content, which may affect the health of the newborn.

Sodium ascorbate (SA) and l-ascorbic acid (AA) as modifiers of burn affected skin – A comparative analysis

Proper functioning of living organisms requires controlling the factors which govern the level of oxidative stress in the system, that is presence of free radicals at a given, rather low, level and preventing their excess. In this work it is shown that SA and AA active antioxidants, governing the oxidative stress in the wound, modify standard serum solution as well as burn affected necrotic eschar at the molecular structure level. In the case of incubation of skin fragments in SA and AA, the following findings were reported: modification of serum, that is appearance of low molecular weight oligomer bands in AA and recreation of native serum bands in SA. In frozen serum solutions modified by AA FTIR 1759 and 1420-1053 cm-1 bands are observed, whereas in SA FTIR 1603, 1411-1054 and 536 cm-1 bands appear. In the case of modification of the burn affected necrotic eschar in SA and AA - frequency shifts in the fingerprint region 1780-1000 cm-1 can be biomarkers indicating tissue regeneration process under the influence of antioxidants. 1780-1580 cm-1 and 1418-1250 cm-1 regions on the Raman spectra are particularly rich in spectral information. Modification of samples of skin burnt with AA activates the regions of the β-sheet aggregates whereas treatment of the samples with SA ascorbate demonstrates changes which testify to reconstruction of α-helix structure (SAXS studies).

The role of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in ex-vivo examination of human skin burn injury treatment

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is one of the most versatile solvents in biological science, therefore it is frequently used as a solvent in biological studies and as a vehicle for drug therapy. DMSO readily penetrates, diffuses through biological membranes and ipso facto increases fluidity of liposomal membranes modelling stratum corneum. Thermal injury is associated with the appearance of lipid peroxidation products in the burned skin. The influence of DMSO on protein structure and stability is concentration and temperature dependant. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of DMSO on human burn wounds and examine the interactions between DMSO and skin surface. The real problem in burn treatment is hypoalbuminemia. At the level of the laboratory studies there was an attempt at answering the question of whether the DMSO will modify the standard serum solution. In the case of the incubation of skin fragments in 1%-100% DMSO, the following findings were reported: modification of the serum, appearance of low molecular weight oligomer bands, disappearance of albumin bands or reconstruction of native serum bands during incubation in antioxidant solutions. The result of the modification is also the exposure of FTIR 1603 and 1046cm-1 bands observed in frozen serum solutions. In the case of modification of the burned skin by DMSO solutions or antioxidants - frequency shifts, an increase in the intensity of amide I band as well as the appearance of the 1601cm-1 band can be specific biomarkers of the tissue regeneration process. In this study the areas 1780-1580cm-1 and 1418-1250cm-1 on the Raman spectra are particularly rich in spectral information.

Active antioxidants in ex-vivo examination of burn wound healing by means of IR and Raman spectroscopies-Preliminary comparative research.

Being a complex traumatic event, burn injury also affects other organ systems apart from the skin. Wounds undergo various pathological changes which are accompanied by alterations in the molecular environment. Information about molecules may be obtained with the use of Raman spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and when combined, both methods are a powerful tool for providing material characterization. Alterations in the molecular environment may lead to identifying objective markers of acute wound healing. In general, incubation of samples in solutions of l-ascorbic acid and 5% and 7% orthosilicic acid organizes the collagen structure, whereas the increased intensity of the Raman bands in the region of 1500-800cm-1 reveals regeneration of the burn tissue. Since oxidative damage is one of the mechanisms responsible for local and distant pathophysiological events after burn, antioxidant therapy can prove to be beneficial in minimizing burn wounds, which was examined on the basis of human skin samples and chicken skin samples, the latter being subject to modification when heated to a temperature sufficient for the simulation of a burn incident.

Physical activity among nursing students measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and their BMI

Abstract Introduction. Excessive body weight associated with modern lifestyle may result from overeating due to stress, sleep deprivation leading to increased appetite, insufficient physical activity and changes in dietary habits. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the amount of physical activity among female working undergraduate and graduate nursing students and the influence of this activity on their BMI values. Material and methods. Undergraduate extramural students consisted 58 students (group I) and graduate full-time and extramural students – 45 (group II). The research involved calculating each student’s BMI value which was categorized in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The measurement of physical activity was conducted on the basis of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results. Group I students more frequently presented abnormal body weight, with 47% being overweight. In group II, 24.5% of the respondents were overweight and 4.5% were underweight. We revealed a significant correlation between the time spent on intensive physical activity, both at work and during recreation at home, and the BMI value decreases as the time devoted to intensive physical activity increases. Conclusions. The education system is recommended to be redesigned in such a way as to enable students to spend more time on physical activity.

The dietary composition of women who delivered preterm and full-term infants

OBJECTIVES Literature data show that excess and primary deficiency in particular nutrients, vitamins and minerals may lead to pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, hypertension and neural tube defects in the foetus. The aim of the study was to determine differences in average daily consumption of selected nutrients during pregnancy in women who did not supplement their diet and to evaluate the influence of dietary habits on the occurrence of pre-term delivery and hypertension in pregnant women. SAMPLE GROUP AND METHODS Information on the course of pregnancy and the newborns health status at birth was derived from the Charter of Pregnancy and documents recorded by the hospital. Womens eating habits and dietary composition were analyzed on the basis of a dietary questionnaire. The sample group was divided into four groups: women who delivered neonates appropriate for gestational age (AGA), women with gestosis who delivered AGA neonates by means of caesarean sections, women who delivered pre-term neonates (PTB) and women with gestosis who delivered PTB by means of caesarean sections. RESULTS In the case of women with vaginal delivery at term the average intake of iodine was always higher than in other groups. Analysis of average daily intake of folates revealed a higher intake in the group of women who gave birth to full-term neonates with proper neonatal weight in comparison with the groups of women with pre-term delivery. P≤0.05. CONCLUSIONS Statistically significant differences in average daily intake of folates, iodine, retinol, magnesium and iron were observed between the group of women with vaginal delivery at term and the groups of women with diagnosed hypertension who delivered preterm. Correlation was demonstrated between average daily intake of iodine and vitamin D and the occurrence of arterial hypertension. Supplementation of the diet of women in the preconception and prenatal period with minerals and vitamins should be considered.

Surface structure changes of pathological placenta tissue observed using scanning electron microscopy - a pilot study

Structural changes within the placenta are observed in the course of pathological pregnancy. The aim of the study was to perform initial assessment of morphological features of placenta. The analysis was conducted by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Samples of placenta of women who delivered neonates appropriate for gestational age were characterized by a homogenous surface texture with natural corrugation. The surface of IUGR placenta from the group of mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension was definitely heterogeneous - noticeable swelling of tissue surface was observed. Samples from LGA group also demonstrated a number of surface bulges and heterogeneities which were, nonetheless, characterized by a certain repeatability.

Physical efficiency and activity energy expenditure in term pregnancy females measured during cardiopulmonary exercise tests with a supine cycle ergometer

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate physical efficiency and activity energy expenditure (AEE) in term pregnancy females during cardiopulmonary exercise tests with a supine cycle ergometer. Material and methods: The study comprised 22 healthy full-term pregnancy women with uncomplicated pregnancies hospitalized in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Specialist Teaching Hospital in Tychy, Poland. All subjects underwent cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) on a supine cycle ergometer. The 12-min, three-stage, progressive, symptom-limited submaximal test protocol (up to 80% HRmax) was used. Pulsometry was used to record HR on a beat-to-beat analysis and to calculate AEE. Respiratory responses were measured by ergospirometer and a computer system on a breath-by-breath basis at rest, during exercise and at restitution. Results: In the studied population, VO2max was established at the level of 2.19 ± 0.33 L/min in ergospirometry and 2.04 ± 025 L/min in pulsometry. Physical efficiency calculated for sub-maximal exercise by use of the Davis equation was 30.52 ± 0.12%. AEE, based on VO2 in various phases of the CPET, was 0.47, 0.71 and 0.88 L/min for phases 25, 50 and 75 W. Based on ergospirometer readouts, AEE was 10.60, 16.11 and 20.94 kJ/min for phases 25, 50 and 75 W. Overall mean AEE (determined by pulsometry) was 10.59  kJ/min. CPET testing did not have any negative effect upon the health or life of the neonates involved in the study. Conclusions: Submaximal CPET up to 80% HRmax with a supine cycle ergometer is a safe and precise method for assessing work efficiency in term pregnancy women.

Evaluation of Early Jet Lag Symptoms by Passengers Crossing 7 Time Zones

Numerous studies have shown that travelling across three or more time zones may lead to jet lag, which is a consequence of circadian misalignment that occurs after crossing time zones too rapidly for the circadian system to keep pace. The main aim of this paper was to define the early symptoms of jet lag in travelers crossing seven time zones in the western and eastern direction. In order to verify the hypothesis there were 175 subjects, who could evaluate subjective severity of jet lag using a visual analogue scale. The current study showed that the significant predictors of early jet lag are tiredness, moodiness and gastrointestinal disturbance. There is a correlation between subjective effects of jet lag and physical well-being, tiredness, bowel movements, concentration and irritability.