Role of diet in primary and secondary prevention of periodontitis and non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases. Part II.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Both periodontitis and non-specific bowel diseases (IBD) are complex chronic diseases, and the elements connecting them are the dysregulated microbiota and abnormal immune response of the host. In turn, in the etiology of these diseases, the common environmental risk factor is improper mode of nutrition. The aim of the study is to review nutritional interventions and effective nutritional protocols applied in periodontitis and IBD. The result of the review will be identification of dietary recommendations exerting a beneficial effect on the reduction of the risk of development and alleviation of the severity of both diseases. At the same time, non-recommended dietary choices will be indicated. REVIEW METHODS: A review of literature was carried out using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Publications were analyzed by a non-systematic literature review aimed at making a brief synthesis of the collected information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Diets recommended to patients with both periodontitis and IBD included the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet and vegetarian diet; excluding veganism, raw foodism and fruitarianism. For patients with IBD, special dietary recommendations were elaborated on the recommendations of the International Organization for Research into Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IOIBD), and specific diets, i.e. specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), and Groningen anti-inflammatory diet (GrAID). In the process of treatment of oral and intestinal dysbiosis, probiotic therapy is beneficial in both diseases, specified as the Western diet. Non-conventional diets are not recommended. SUMMARY: Diet therapy for inflammatory periodontal diseases and IBD requires extensive individualization; nevertheless, a universal principle is avoidance of highly processed food, and implementation of easily digestible meals based on natural, ecological products. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in primary prevention of both diseases analyzed, whereas in secondary prevention, diet therapy is a valuable supplementation of pharmacotherapy.

Relationship between periodontal diseases and non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases - an overview. Part I.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of studies indicate that the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract are interconnected and that there is a potential causal link between non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and oral diseases. Therefore, following the example of the brain-gut axis, the concept of the gum-gut axis has now been put forward. The aim of the review is to assess the literature confirming the existence of the recently proposed gum-gut axis and the resulting relationships between non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases and oral diseases, especially periodontal diseases. REVIEW METHODS: The review sums-up information concerning the relationship between periodontal diseases and non-specific bowel diseases. A literature review was carried out by searching databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Previously, it was presumed that oral microflora and intestinal microflora remain separate. because it was considered that salivary microbes are killed by stomach and bile acids during translocation through the gastrointestinal tract. Presently, it has been confirmed that oral microorganisms have been found in the faeces of even healthy people. The comparison of oral and intestinal microbiomes of adults does not show full convergence; but pathogenic bacteria such as Klebsiella, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum may act as the microbial bridge between periodontitis and IBD. SUMMARY: Dysbiosis of oral microflora may disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system, in this way increasing the development of periodontitis which, in turn, increases the risk of IBD and other complex systemic pathological processes. The gum-gut axis plays a crucial role in these associations. Additional studies are necessary to specify the role of nutritional intervention concerning oral and intestinal microbiome for precise health management.

Development and Assessment of Professional Competences among Polish Nursing Students during a 3-Year Education Cycle Trying.

The essence of the profile of nursing professional competences are basic behavioral characteristics, as well as mastering practical skills. The aim of this study was determination of the development of professional competences of perceiving a patient by first-, second-and third-year students of licentiate nursing study. The study was of a longitudinal character, and lasted for 3 years. The research instrument used was the Ascent to Competence Scale, and traditional assessment of students' knowledge and skills. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the average grade in practical education from all three years, and competences in student-teacher relationship. Higher grades in theoretical education were accompanied by lower results obtained by students in the area of nursing competences. The respondents' opinions concerning the development of knowledge and professional skills were relatively high among first-year students, which may be related with a sharp increase in nursing knowledge, whereas third-year students considered it important to perceive a considerable development of professional competences. The results of this study can help in the design of education programs meeting quality standards, and alignment with students and population health needs, which is adequate to the assumptions of the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025.

Ageing policy in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Poland is engaged in the implementation of activation programmes for seniors at governmental as well as non-governmental levels. Among these programmes may be mentioned, 'Active+', 'Senior+', 'Care 75+', and 'Senior Caritas'. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for the inclusion of seniors into social life, and concern about their health. An important challenge for social and ageing policy is the provision of proper standards of care and health protection, especially during an increased sanitary regime. The aim of the study was analysis of the ageing policy strategy and the quality of life of seniors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. REVIEW METHODS: The study was conducted by the method of analysis of data in the area of national initiatives concerning activation programmes for seniors implemented during 2020-2021. The starting point was the well-established definition of the quality of life by the WHO. ABBREVIATED DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: The analysis performed showed a multitude of factors determining the needs of seniors at the time of the pandemic, which often differed from those observed earlier. The latest studies of the quality of life of the elderly in Poland demonstrated that nearly 60% of respondents assessed their psychological condition as worse than before the pandemic. Another problem was the issue of physical activity, which was limited by more than 62% of seniors, and difficulties with access to health care system services. SUMMARY: It seems necessary to implement forms of assistance which could be adjusted to the changing epidemiological conditions, in order to improve the quality of life of persons who, in the near future, will constitute a considerable percentage of Polish society.

Social and economic benefits of secondary prevention of arterial hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial blood pressure is one of the main vital signs reflecting body functions and, at the same time, the most important functional parameter of the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is the major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was assessment of the frequency of occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors, with particular consideration of arterial blood pressure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 509 volunteers from Lublin in eastern Poland who participated in the prophylactic programme entitled 'White Sunday'. Standard measurements of blood pressure were performed using a TM-Z dial pressure gauge. The level of arterial blood pressure and socio-demographic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Hypertension was more frequently observed in the group of males than females. The age group especially vulnerable to abnormal blood pressure values were those aged 51-60. Isolated hypertension significantly more often occurred in the group of respondents who mentioned hypertension in an interview, compared to those who reported its absence. Among 367 persons who, in preliminary interview, did not declare hypertension, 60 cases of isolated arterial hypertension were noted (16.3%). From among respondents who declared absence of hypertension in an interview, the largest age group diagnosed with isolated arterial hypertension were those aged 61-70 (17.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial hypertension is a civilisation disease which may be effectively prevented, simultaneously reducing the risk of premature death due to cardiovascular events, as well as reducing social and economic costs. International health organizations recommend the implementation of social screening programmes in order to diagnose high blood pressure and the promotion of routine measurements of arterial blood pressure.

Using affinity analysis in diagnosing the needs of patients as regards e-Health.

INTRODUCTION: E-Health tools allow a medical facility to set a given patient's data in order using ICT techniques, and the patient to use those techniques when contacting a given organisation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Secondary statistical data was used in the research. The study was carried out among primary health care patients. Mining for affinity rules was done in the R programme. The apriori and inspect functions from the arules package were used. Moreover, any redundant rules were removed from thoseobtained using the afero-mentioned method. Applying the general description of the affinity analysis method onto the survey described herein, it should be stressed that the aim of using affinity analysis was to discover the rules which contain the sub-transaction B={V_6=1} as a consequent. This was determined by the intention to discover associations regarding the knowledge about a uniform information system that the patients under study might have. RESULTS: In the discovered rules, the antecedent most often contained an indication of the need for introducing a uniform solution as regards telemedicine. Moreover, according to the opinions of 'conscious'patients, a uniform IT system should improve the work at primary health care institutions, introducing an on-line booking system for visits should improve the productivity and comfort of doctors, and an IT system should provide unambiguous identification of a patient. CONCLUSIONS: There is potential in using affinity analysis within e-Health. The example of affinity analysis described in his study led to the discovery of interesting and important (from the point of view of a medical facility) regularities regarding the knowledge and expectations of patients as regards e-Health.

An evaluation of the genetic conditioning of evoking pain.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Pain is an integral element of the pathogenic process and sometimes determines its course. Disorders in pain sensation, as well as its lack, the pain threshold, and variability in sensation of the same pain stimuli as more or less intensive by different persons, may be genetically conditioned. The aim of the study is to examine genes in pathogenesis of chronic pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a specially selected group of 31 persons: study group - 20 patients with chronic pain, and control group - 11 healthy individuals who did not experience pain. The control group of 11 healthy persons, compared with the study group, was the catalyst for determining the relative quantification (RQ) of gene expression. Biological material in the form of venous blood was collected from the study participants into the tubes containing anticoagulant EDTA KE/2.7 ml (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), preventing extracorporeal blood clotting. RESULTS: Analysis of expression of the examined genes showed over-expression of the DRD1 gene in patients experiencing chronic pain, which means that in these patients an increased number of dopamine D1 receptors encoded by this gene should be expected. The dopamine D1 receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor which regulates (stimulates or inhibits) adenyl cyclase - the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cyclic AMP (cAMP). An increase in the concentration of cAMP in neurons enhances the sensation of pain. CONCLUSIONS: The genes (DRD1, COMT, OPRK1, HCN2) have a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain in various diseases; they can also influence the perception of pain. Knowledge of these genes can contribute to the development of effective methods of combating pain.