Emotional control and factors differentiating it in the adult population of Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The public health crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of both individuals and entire populations. The source of stress was not only the fear of getting sick, but also the restrictions introduced, such as: mass lockdown, the need to maintain social distance, quarantine or the mandatory use of personal protective equipment. Their introduction and maintenance caused various emotional reactions which often resulted in undesirable behavior leading to infections spreading. The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to analyze the level of emotional control depending on selected factors related to the pandemic and the introduced restrictions. Materials and methods: The study covered 594 adult Poles. To evaluate knowledge about COVID-19 and attitudes toward the implemented restrictions, the questionnaire prepared by the authors was used. To determine the level of control of anger, depression and anxiety the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) was used, and to estimate the level of perceived stress the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was applied. Results: In the entire analyzed group, the general level of emotional control was 51.82 ± 12.26, with anxiety being the most suppressed emotion (17.95 ± 4.99), whereas the least suppressed emotion was anger (16.35 ± 5.15). The average stress level in the studied group was 20.5 ± 5.3. The level of perceived stress did not differentiate the level of emotional control. It was found that the higher level of the knowledge about the pandemic and methods of prevention, the higher emotional control, especially in the anxiety subscale (high level of knowledge - 18.26 ± 5.36 vs. low level of knowledge - 15.09 ± 3.6; p = 0.02). People reporting difficulties in reconciling remote work with home duties were less able to control anger (14.63 ± 4.98) than people without such problems (16.71 ± 4.12; p = 0.007). Conclusion: Proper education improving knowledge about COVID-19 and methods of prevention may enhance the control of emotions in the population. Possible future preventive measures aimed at limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections or other infectious diseases should also take into account possible excessive mental burden caused by private and professional duties.

Binge eating disorder and stress level among patients attending nutrition counseling.

Introduction: Introduction: binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by eating much more than what most people would eat under similar circumstances. Inability to cope with stress and emotions may be the reason for BED episodes. Objective: to assess the level of stress and BED severity based on the number of episodes of compulsive overeating among patients attending nutrition counseling. Methods: a total of 100 people (60 women and 40 men) were taking part in the study. A questionnaire in which subjects answered questions concerning diet, number of meals, and coping with stressful situations was used. A nutritional diary was used to assess the amount of BED episodes and consumed products, and the emotions felt during consumption. PSS-10 was used to measure the response to stressful situations. Results: all subjects had episodes of compulsive overeating but the majority of respondents (52 %) had no more than 3 episodes of binge eating per week. During a BED episode patients most often chose sweets (58.2 %). The main way of responding of people on stressful situations was snacking, especially sweets. Conclusions: high levels of stress correlated positively with the number of BED episodes and excessive body weight. The PSS-10 questionnaire could be a useful tool in nutrition counseling.

Introducción: Introducción: el trastorno por atracón (BED) se caracteriza por comer mucho más de lo que la mayoría de la gente comería en circunstancias similares. La incapacidad para lidiar con el estrés y las emociones puede ser la razón de los episodios de BED. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de estrés y la gravedad del BED en función del número de episodios de sobrealimentación compulsiva entre los pacientes que acuden a asesoramiento nutricional. Métodos: en el estudio participaron 100 personas (60 mujeres y 40 hombres). Se utilizó un cuestionario en el que los sujetos respondieron a preguntas relativas a la dieta, la cantidad de comidas y el afrontamiento de las situaciones estresantes. Se utilizó un diario nutricional para evaluar la cantidad de episodios de BED, los productos consumidos y las emociones durante el consumo. Se utilizó el PSS-10 para medir la respuesta a las situaciones estresantes. Resultados: todas las personas tuvieron episodios de comer compulsivamente, pero la mayoría de los encuestados (52 %) no presentaron más de 3 episodios de atracones en la semana. Durante un episodio de BED, los pacientes eligieron con mayor frecuencia los dulces (58,2 %). La principal forma de respuesta de las personas ante situaciones estresantes era picar, especialmente dulces. Conclusiones: los altos niveles de estrés se correlacionaron positivamente con el número de episodios de BED y el peso corporal excesivo. El cuestionario PSS-10 podría ser una herramienta útil en un asesoramiento nutricional.

Risk factors for surgical site infection in patients after implant-related orthopedic procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries limit the success of the treatment, and implant-related infections are considered one of the most difficult complications for treatment (1). Controlling the SSI risk factors opens an opportunity for proper assessment of the risk of SSI and how difficult it can be to avoid infection. AIM OF THE STUDY: Determination of factors associated with the risk of surgical site infection in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The work is based on a retrospective analysis of medical records of 4,314 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in the traumatology and orthopedic surgery department of the City Hospital in Zabrze in 2014-2017. RESULTS: Surgical site infection has been diagnosed in 187 (4.3%) patients. A number of significant predictors of SSI have been revealed: body mass index with a 9% increase in the risk of SSI for each increase in BMI by 5kg/m2, positive history of orthopedic and non-orthopedic procedures in the past, with an increase in risk by 32% and 14%, respectively, waiting time in the ward for surgery, with an increase in the risk of SSI by 19% for each extension of hospitalization by 5 days, planned procedure and implantation endoprosthesis compared to osteosynthesis increased the risk by 15% and 9%, respectively. The only significant factor reducing the risk of SSI was the increased consumption of hand disinfectant. Here, for every 10 ml of increased consumption of this preparation, the risk of SSI was reduced by 28%. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The SSI risk is related to both factors that can be modified and factors that cannot be changed. 2. Promotion of hand disinfection among hospital staff should become a priority in the prevention of nosocomial infections in every healthcare facility.

Comparison of Oxidative Stress Parameters in Heart Failure Patients Depending on Ischaemic or Nonischaemic Aetiology.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in the oxidative and antioxidant states causing oxidative stress were both found in heart failure (HF) of various aetiologies and atherosclerosis. AIM OF STUDY: The goals of the study were as follows: comparison of oxidative stress parameters (OSP) in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) (n = 479) and nonischaemic cardiomyopathy (nICM) (n = 295) patients; assessment of the relationships of OSP with functional capacity (NYHA class), maximal oxygen consumption (max.O2), left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), and NT-proBNP concentration; and determination of the mutual relations of OSP in subgroups of patients with ICM and n-ICM. METHODS: Serum concentrations of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), uric acid (UA), bilirubin, albumin, protein sulfhydryl groups (PSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The oxidative stress index (OSI) and MDA/PSH ratio were calculated. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of TAC (1.14 vs 1.11 mmol/l; p < 0.001) and MDA (1.80 vs 1.70 µmol/l; p < 0.05) and higher MDA/PSH ratios (0.435 vs 0.358; p < 0,001) were observed in ICM than in nICM patients. Simultaneously, lower values of the OSI index (4.27 vs 4.6; p < 0, 05), PSH (4.10 vs 4.75 µmol/g of protein; p < 0,001), and bilirubin (12.70 vs 15.40 µmol/l; p < 0,001) concentrations were indicated in ICM patients. There were no differences in TOS, UA, and albumin between the examined groups. The NYHA class and VO2max correlate with MDA, bilirubin, and albumin in both groups, while with UA only in the ICM group. Correlations between the NYHA class, VO2max, and PSH were indicated in nICM. The association of LVEF with UA, bilirubin, and albumin has been demonstrated in the ICM group. The study showed negative correlations between TAC, MDA, and PSH and positive between TAC and MDA in both groups. In ICM patients, MDA positively correlated with UA. A negative correlation between PSH and concentrations of UA and bilirubin was expressed only in the nICM group. CONCLUSION: The obtained results confirm the relationship between the severity of HF and oxidative stress. The mechanisms of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence are partially different in the ICM and the nICM patients.

The role of adiponectin and leptin in the treatment of ovarian cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Ovarian cancer is most frequently detected in the advanced stage. Although its pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, it is assumed that body susceptibility and hormonal disorders are responsible. The role of some cytokines as predictors in the treatment process is still investigated. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship of adiponectin and leptin with the disease severity and response to chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three ovarian cancer patients were treated by systemic treatment. Patients received 5-7 cycles of chemotherapy - paclitaxel/carboplatin with or without bevacizumab. Using standard ELISA kits before and after chemotherapy, adiponectin and leptin concentrations were determined in the blood serum. RESULTS: The average adiponectin concentration before chemotherapy was found to be 8.83 ± 3.19 µg/ml, as compared to 10.37 ± 4.18 µg/ml (increase by 17.44%, p < 0.001) after treatment. Mean pre-treatment leptin concentration was 16.89 ± 15.54 ng/ml, and 21.77 ± 14.69 ng/ml after chemotherapy (increase by 28.89%, p < 0.01). A positive correlation was found between leptin concentration and age and BMI. There was no relationship of the disease severity with the response to treatment and the concentration of the adipokines. The leptin/adiponectin ratio (L/A) before treatment correlated with better response to chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin and leptin did not correlate with the stage of ovarian cancer and response to chemotherapy. The L/A ratio may be considered a predictor of clinical response to treatment.

Fluoride Alteration of [3H]Glucose Uptake in Wistar Rat Brain and Peripheral Tissues.

The present study was designed to investigate the role of postnatal fluoride intake on [3H]glucose uptake and transport in rat brain and peripheral tissues. Sodium fluoride (NaF) in a concentration of 10 or 50 ppm was added to the drinking water of adult Wistar rats. The control group received distilled water. After 4 weeks, respective plasma fluoride levels were 0.0541 ± 0.0135 µg/ml (control), 0.0596 ± 0.0202 µg/ml (10 ppm), and 0.0823 ± 0.0199 µg/ml (50 ppm). Although plasma glucose levels were not altered in any group, the plasma insulin level in the fluoride (50 ppm) group was elevated (0.72 ± 0.13 µg/ml) versus the control group (0.48 ± 0.24 µg/ml) and fluoride (10 ppm) group. In rats receiving fluoride for 4 weeks at 10 ppm in drinking water, [3H]glucose uptake was unaltered in all tested parts of the brain. However, in rats receiving fluoride at 50 ppm, [3H]glucose uptake in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus with hypothalamus was elevated, versus the saline group. Fluoride intake had a negligible effect on [3H]glucose uptake by peripheral tissues (liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, atrium, aorta, kidney, visceral tissue, lung, skin, oral mucosa, tongue, salivary gland, incisor, molars, and jawbone). In neither fluoride group was glucose transporter proteins 1 (GLUT 1) or 3 (GLUT 3) altered in frontal cortex and striatum versus control. On the assumption that increased glucose uptake (by neural tissue) reasonably reflects neuronal activity, it appears that fluoride damage to the brain results in a compensatory increase in glucose uptake and utilization without changes in GLUT 1 and GLUT 3 expression.