Gender and the length of time since autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-What is their influence on the immune reconstitution in multiple myeloma patients?

INTRODUCTION: In the literature there is lack of information on the influence of gender and time since autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on the immune reconstitution in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of the immune reconstitution according to gender in MM patients after autologous HSCT on the day of the clinic discharge and on the 29th day after discharge, as well as to investigate the changes in the immune system in females and males after staying at home for 28 days. METHOD: The studied population comprised 13 females and 13 males after autologous HSCT. On the day of the clinic discharge and on the 29th day after discharge blood samples were taken to analyse 22 immunological parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA 10 StatSoft Poland. For multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni correction was used. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in the analysed immunological parameters between the studied females and males with MM on the day of the clinic discharge and on the 29th day after discharge. However, on the 29th day after the clinic discharge compared to the day of the clinic discharge, statistically significant differences were found in 8 immunological parameters among females and 6 immunological parameters among males. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Our results indicate that the immune reconstitution is similar but not the same in patients of both genders. Statistically significant differences in the immune response in the studied females and males imply that gender may play a role in the immune reconstitution and that the results obtained in MM patients should be analysed separately in females and males. In order to explain the observed changes in the immune system according to gender, further research should be carried out on a larger population. This would most probably make it possible to find their clinical application.

Gender differences and typical nutrition concerns of the diets of preschool children - the results of the first stage of an intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition in children has an important influence on health both in childhood and adulthood. Actions aimed at improving children's nutrition are essential, not only to the children and their families, but also to the whole society. The aim of the study was to present the results of nutrient intake before starting a nutrition and physical activity intervention programme, to investigate gender differences in nutrient intake and to discuss whether the preschoolers' nutrient intake is similar to the intake of their peers from other countries. METHODS: Nutrient intake was estimated from seven-day weighed food records kept by parents and preschool staff individually for 122 4-6-year-old children who attended two preschools in Pila, north-western Poland. Nutrient intake was calculated using Dieta 4.0 computer programme including water intake and intake of nutrients from dietary supplements. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics computer programme, version 21.0, according to gender. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (reference number 886/08). RESULTS: Boys, in comparison to girls, were found to have statistically significantly higher intakes of total protein, total protein per kg of body weight, saturated fatty acids, total carbohydrates, available carbohydrates, lactose, sucrose, total water, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Statistically significantly higher percentage of girls than boys had intakes of vitamin E below AI. CONCLUSIONS: Gender was a significant factor of nutrient intake in the studied preschool children. The main nutritional concerns in the studied preschoolers' diets, irrespective of gender, are typical of the diets of preschool children from various parts of Europe and indicate the need to work out common nutritional strategies to improve preschoolers' nutrition across Europe to reduce future burden of diet-related diseases to the European societies.

Review of the studies on nutrition in Polish preschool children. Part 2. Meals prepared at preschool

This article is the second part of the review of the studies on nutrition in Polish preschool children. In the first part, studies on preschool menus assessment were presented and summarised, whereas this article reviews the studies on the assessment of foods and meals prepared at preschool. The aim of this review was to present and summarise the results of the studies on the assessment of meals prepared for children at preschool based on the reports from the preschool food storeroom, the studies on chemical analysis of sample meals served at preschools and the studies on comparison of the results of chemical analysis to the results obtained by calculations obtained from computer programmes. The results of the studies on the assessment of meals prepared for children at preschool using various methods confirm most of the findings from the studies on the assessment of preschool menus. It is necessary to carry out more studies on energy and nutrient content assessment of preschool meals determined by chemical analysis of sample meals in order to provide more accurate information about the real nutritional value of meals served to children at preschool. It is essential to update the Polish food composition tables to enable more precise calculations of nutritional value of the meals planned for children at preschools which will improve the possibility of adjusting preschool meals to the real needs of both 3-year-old and 4-6-year-old children during their stay at preschool.

Review of the studies on nutrition in Polish preschool children. Part 1. Preschool menus.

UNLABELLED: The last review of the literature on nutrition in Polish children covered the years 1980-1995. From that time living conditions in Poland have changed due to political and economic changes. Attitudes toward eating and healthy life-style have also changed. Therefore, it is necessary to summarise current knowledge about what Polish preschool children eat. The aim of this article was to present the areas of research on nutrition in Polish preschool children based on the review of the literature, and to present and summarise the results of the studies on the assessment of preschool menus. The review of the literature showed two main areas of research on nutrition in Polish preschool children: the assessment of meals planned and served to children at preschools, and the assessment of food behaviour and daily food and nutrient intake in preschool children. Studies on energy and nutrient content of preschool menus should be carried out regularly in order to improve nutrition of children during their stay at preschool and vegetarian menus should be studied to fill the gap in the literature. The methodology of assessing preschool meals should be the same in order to provide the possibility to compare both the results and the conclusions. Preschool menus should be adjusted to the needs of 3-year-old children and 4-6-year-old children separately. The nation-wide education programme for preschool staff should be worked out and implemented in order to teach the preschool staff about the current nutrition recommendations for children, as well as the nutritional needs of 3-year-old children and 4-6-year-old children. KEY WORDS: preschool children, nutrition, preschool menus, energy content, nutrient content.

The need for modifying energy intake in preschool children from Pila, Poland.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring energy intake in preschool children is the basis for planning intervention programmes. The published articles in which energy intake in Polish preschool children was reported are still very few. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess energy intake in preschool children from Pila, including energy intake and intake of energy from macronutrients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Energy intake was assessed from weighed food records kept over seven consecutive days by preschool staff and parents of 122 children, 61 girls and 61 boys, aged 4 to 6 years. Energy intake was calculated using Dieta 4.0 and Microsoft Excel computer programmes. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21 computer programme. RESULTS: Energy intake was the lowest in underweight children, 1286 kcal, and the highest in obese children, 1636 kcal. Energy intake (kcal, kJ, kcal/kg body weight, kJ/kg body weight) and intake of energy from sucrose (%) were statistically significantly higher in boys compared to girls, 1546 vs 1428 kcal, 6477 vs 5985 kJ, 77 vs 71 kcal/kg body weight, 322 vs 298 kJ/kg body weight, and 21.2 vs 19.7%, respectively. Intake of energy from starch was statistically significantly higher in girls compared to boys, 24.8 vs 23.4%. It is noteworthy that energy intakes from fat and saturated fatty acids were above the recommendations in 71.3% and 98.4% of the studied preschool children, respectively. Energy intakes from polyunsaturated fatty acids and available carbohydrates were below the recommendations in 98.4% and 57.4% of the studied preschool children, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Energy intakes from macronutrients in the studied preschool children need urgent modification to prevent the risk of future diet-related diseases. Preschoolers' parents and preschool staff should be educated about nutrition recommendations for children, especially about dietary risks of diseases and impaired neurodevelopment.

Preschool diets in children from Pila, Poland, require urgent intervention as implied by high risk of nutrient inadequacies.

BACKGROUND: Among the studies published after the year 2000 which focused on nutrition at preschool, only three aimed to assess children's intake of energy and selected nutrients at preschool. The purpose of this study was to assess dietary intake in children during their stay at preschool. METHODS: The studied population comprised 128 4-6-year-old children who attended preschools in Pila, Poland. Intakes of energy and macronutrients were estimated from a 5-day weighed food record completed by the preschool staff. Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 computer programme. The data were analysed according to gender. RESULTS: Energy intake was the lowest in children with underweight, 2004 kJ (478 kcal), and the highest in obese children, 3388 kJ (809 kcal). Energy intake from lactose was statistically significantly higher in boys than in girls, 3.0 vs 2.6 %. Statistically significantly higher percentage of boys in comparison to girls had intakes of vitamin C below 70 % of EAR, 56.9 vs 38.1 %. It is important to highlight the excessive intake of energy from saturated fatty acids and energy from sucrose, along with inadequate intake of energy from polyunsaturated fatty acids. We also found excessive intake of sodium and inadequate intakes of dietary fibre, water, vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, niacin, calcium and potassium. CONCLUSIONS: Preschool diets need urgent improvement to prevent diet-related diseases in the studied preschoolers in the future. The inadequacies observed in these diets are in accordance with the previously reported inadequacies in menus planned for preschoolers. More research is needed to investigate dietary intake of children during their stay at preschool. Common regulations worked out for all preschools in the European Union would be a good way to provide adequate nutrition to preschool children.

Selected indices of health status in preschool children from Pila and their families as a risk factor of diet-related diseases.

BACKGROUND: Diet-related diseases have their origin as early as in childhood; therefore, preventing them should start from the first years of life. Each assessment of dietary intake should be preceded by assessment of health status indices, especially familial diet-related diseases prevalence. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse selected indices of health status in preschool children from Pila and their families in order to assess the risk of developing diet-related diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studied population comprised 128 children aged 4 to 6 years, 63 girls and 65 boys, who at- tended two preschools in Pila. Parents filled in questionnaires concerning selected indices of health status of the children and their families. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of the IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 computer programme. The studied children were divided according to gender. RESULTS: Statistically significantly higher percentage of boys than girls took medicines, 41.5% vs 21.0%. As many as 49.6% of mothers and 33.1% of fathers had higher education and most of the parents assessed the economic status of the family either as good or very good. Most of the studied children took dietary supplements. The highest percentage of both girls and boys, 34.2% and 33.8%, respectively, took vitamin and mineral supplements. The prevalence of familial diet-related diseases ranged from 3.2% in the case of hyperlipidaemia to 65.6% in the case of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of the studied preschoolers who took dietary supplements shows the need to educate parents about the adverse effects of excessive intake of these nutrients and about the necessity to take such supplements only on recommendation of the paediatrician. The analysed indices of health status of the studied children and their families show the need to pay much attention to balanced diet and daily physical activity in order to prevent diet-related diseases in the studied preschoolers and their families.

Dietary intake in 6-year-old children from southern Poland: part 2--vitamin and mineral intakes.

BACKGROUND: Studies on vitamin and mineral intakes in children are very important: firstly because of the high prevalence of diet-related diseases and secondly because of the widespread consumption of highly processed foods which are characterised by high energy content and low density of essential nutrients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyse vitamin and mineral intakes in 6-year-old children from southern Poland. METHODS: Vitamin and mineral intakes were estimated from a three-day food record in 120 children, 64 girls and 56 boys, aged 6 years. Nutrient densities were estimated as amounts per 1000 kcal (4185 kJ) of energy intake. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of the IBM SPSS Statistics computer programme, version 19. The studied population was divided according to gender. RESULTS: Intakes of folic acid (µg/1000 kcal) and vitamin C (mg, mg/1000 kcal) were significantly higher in girls. Nutrient densities for all vitamins were higher in girls, however, these results did not reach statistical significance. Intake of vitamin D was lower than EAR in all of the studied children. Intakes of sodium (mg) and zinc (mg) were significantly higher in boys. Intakes of the remaining minerals were higher in boys, however, these findings did not reach statistical significance. Nutrient densities for all minerals, except for sodium, zinc and manganese, were higher in girls. All of the studied children had sodium intakes above UL. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate intakes of vitamin D, calcium and potassium in the studied 6-year-olds along with excessive sodium intake are the risk factors for developing osteoporosis and hypertension. To prevent these diseases in the studied children, educational programmes for both preschool staff and parents should be worked out and implemented.

The relationship between physical fitness, urine iodine status, and body-mass index in 6- to 7-year-old Polish children.

The aim of this study was to assess physical fitness in 6- to 7-yr-old children and determine if there is any relationship between children's physical fitness, their urine iodine status, and their body-mass index (BMI). The studied population included 121 children from southern Poland. Physical fitness was measured using a physical fitness test for children age 3-7 yr. Urinary iodine concentrations were measured in the children's first urine output on waking using the modified PAMM (Program Against Micronutrient Malnutrition) method. Body height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The subjects were characterized by low physical fitness. Boys obtained better results in agility, power, and strength exercises (p ≤ .05). In girls, 11 correlation coefficients between the scores obtained in the physical fitness test, urinary iodine, and anthropometric measures were statistically significant, and in boys, only 2. BMI correlated positively with agility in girls and with strength in girls and boys. Our study revealed low physical fitness in Polish 6- to 7-yr-old children, which shows the need to implement programs aimed at increasing their physical activity. The relationship found between physical fitness and urine iodine status in girls indicates that future research in this area is needed.

[Comparison of physical activity and favourite ways of spending free time in preschool girls and boys from the Mazowsze region]. / Porównanie aktywnosci fizycznej oraz ulubionych form spedzania czasu wolnego dziewczynek i chlopców w wieku przedszkolnym z województwa mazowieckiego.

The aim of this study was to compare physical activity of preschool girls and boys from the Mazowsze region and their favourite ways of spending free time. The studied population included 131 children aged 3 to 7 years. Parents filled in questionnaires about their children's physical activity and favourite ways of spending free time, as well as about general information on the children and their families. Gender had statistically significant influence on the children's birth weight, attending karate outside the preschool and on riding a bicycle, playing with a ball and playing with a dog as favourite ways of spending free time during sunny weather as well as playing on a computer and playing with dolls as favourite ways of spending free time during rainy weather. Gender had little influence on the studied preschoolers' physical activity. However favourite ways of spending free time turned out to be significantly different according to gender. Physical activity level in both girls and boys was low, similarly to their peers from the previous studies.

[Evaluation of Poznan kayakers' nutritional knowledge on rich sources of vitamins and minerals]. / Ocena wiedzy zywieniowej poznanskich kajakarzy o bogatych zródlach witamin i skladników mineralnych.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the nutritional knowledge of Poznan kayakers and canoers on rich sources of vitamins and minerals. A questionnare on the knowledge about rich sources of vitamins and minerals were filled in by a group of 108 Poznan canoers and kayakers of both gender The statistical analysis of the results was conducted with the use of the computer program SPSS 11,5. for Windows. The population was divided according to gender. The sportsmen questioned differed in a statistically significant way in regard to their sports class, type of boat (kayak or canoe) and the distance on which they usually swam during competitions. Gender had statistically significant influence on the answers to two questions, namely whether fruits are a rich source of B vitamins and if poultry is a rich source of iron. The male kayakers and canoers answered both of the questions better than the female kayakers. The nutritional knowledge of Poznan kayakers and canoers on rich sources of vitamins and minerals should be described as extensive, but not systematic enough.

[Nutritional habits in children and adolescents practicing fencing. Part II. Characteristics of eating between meals]. / Jakosciowy sposób zywienia dzieci i mlodziezy uprawiajacych szermierke. Czesc II. Przerwy miedzy posilkami, charakterystyka dojadania.

The aim of this study was to assess the longest interval between meals, eating until the feeling of satiety and eating between meals in children and adolescents who attended sports schools. The questionnaires on were filled in by 141 children and adolescents who practised fencing and attended sports classes in primary and secondary schools. The days with training and the days free of training were analysed separately. The influence of gender and age on the longest interval between meals, eating until the feeling of satiety and eating between meals on the days with training and the days free of training was analysed by means of the SPSS 12.0 PL for Windows computer programme. Gender and age had statistically significant influence on the longest interval between meals, eating until the feeling of satiety and eating vegetables, cured meat, sweets and energy drinks between meals. Eating between main meals was prevalent in the studied population. Higher percentage of girls ate fruit and vegetables between main meals, while higher percentage of boys ate sandwiches, irrespectively of the type of the day--with training or free of training.

[Nutritional knowledge of parents of preschool children from Nowy Sacz and the vicinity. 4. The role of nutrients and principles of composing a diet]. / Wiedza zywieniowa rodziców dzieci przedszkolnych z Nowego Sacza i okolic. 4. Rola skladników pokarmowych i bilansowanie diety.

The aim of this study was to assess knowledge of parents of preschool children from Nowy Sqcz and the vicinity about the role of nutrients and principles of composing a diet. Parents of 121 six-year-old children filled in the questionnaires on the role of nutrients and principles of composing a diet. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of the SPSS 12.0 PL for Windows computer programme. The studied population was divided according to children's gender Children's gender had statistically significant influence on parents' answers to eight questions. A higher percentage of the parents of boys answered correctly to as many as seven of those questions. Also to the remaining questions, statistically not significant, the parents of boys gave more correct answers. Low level of nutritional knowledge of the studied parents shows the need to spread basic information on human nutrition by publishing it in daily press, popular science books and the mass media.

[Nutritional knowledge of parents of preschool children from Nowy Sacz and the vicinity. 5. Preparing of the meals]. / Wiedza zywieniowa rodziców dzieci przedszkolnych z nowego sacza i okolic. 5. Technologia przygotowania potraw.

The aim of this study was to assess knowledge about preparing meals of parents of preschool children from Nowy Sacz and the vicinity. The questionnaires on the principles of preparing meals were filled in by parents of 121 six-year-old children. Statistical analysis was carried out by means of the SPSS 12.0 PL for Windows computer programme. The studied population was divided according to children's gender Children's gender had statistically significant influence on parents' answers to two questions: concerning the loss of B-complex vitamins and vitamin C while rinsing chopped foodstuffs. A higher percentage of the parents of boys answered correctly to both questions compared to the parents of girls. Also to the remaining questions, statistically not significant, the parents of boys gave more correct answers. It is necessary to draw parents' attention to the importance of the principles of preparing meals. Educational programmes, aimed at improving parents 'knowledge in this field, should be worked out.

[Nutritional supplementation in children and adolescents practicing fencing]. / Wspomaganie zywieniowe wsród dzieci i mlodziezy uprawiajacych szermierke.

The aim of this study was to assess the use of nutritional supplementation during the days of training and the days free of training in children and adolescents who attend sports schools, Questionnaires on the use of nutritional supplementation were filled in by 141 children and adolescents who practice fencing. The factor gender-age had statistically significant impact only on using mineral supplementation by the studied students. Using ergogenic aids as well as using vitamin and mineral supplements or other kind of supplementation was rare in the studied population, but was more frequent during the days of training. Nutritional supplementation was always used by higher percentage of boys than girls.

[Nutritional habits in children and adolescents practicing fencing. Part 1. Meal consumption]. / Jakosciowy sposób zywienia dzieci i mlodziezy uprawiajacych szermierke. Czescc I. Spozywanie posilków.

The aim of this study was to assess habits related to eating meals in children and adolescents who attended sports schools. The days with training and the days free of training were analysed separately. The questionnaires on the number and frequency of eating meals were filled in by 141 children and adolescents who practised fencing and attended sports classes in primary and secondary schools. The influence of gender and age on the number and frequency of eating meals was analysed by means of the SPSS 12.0 PL for Windows computer programme. The studied children's and adolescents' habits related to eating meals were highly unfavourable, especially in females from secondary school, mainly due to a very low percentage of students who ate meals regularly, lunch in particular. Boys ate more meals than girls. Especially disconcerting was a very low number of meals eaten by females from secondary school, which may imply a risk of anorexia. Children and adolescents who attend sports schools should be educated on nutrition and the relation between food habits, nutritional status and achieving success in sport. Females from secondary schools should be informed about the danger of anorexia.