Ecthyma gangrenosum as a serious complication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in departments of paediatric oncology.

In most cases ecthyma gangrenosum is a consequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infection in immunodeficient patients. This bacterium is characterized by multi-drug resistance and has a number of mechanisms that allow it to survive even in extreme conditions. The disease is characterized by an aggressive course involving the skin and mucous membranes, leading to ulceration with signs of necrosis within 12 to 24 h. Treatment includes targeted antibiotic therapy and surgical cleansing of the wound. If the perianal area is occupied, a colostomy may be performed. Prevention of bacterial infections involves taking special precautions when handling a patient with immunodeficiency.

Effect of a training program of overground walking on BTS gait parameters in elderly women during single and dual cognitive tasks.

We tested the hypothesis that a regular training program might reduce gait disturbances during dual cognitive-motor tasks in elderly women. This open-label experimental study comprised 53 postmenopausal women aged over 65, who were assigned to a 10-week training program (360 min/week). A BTS SMART system examination during free walking and during dual tasks [i.e., walking while performing either a simple (SCT) or a complex (CCT) cognitive task] was performed prior to the training program and again after it had finished. After the 10-week walking training program, a significant decrease was found in the duration of single support phase, double support phase, total support phase, and gait cycle, whereas values for such BTS parameters as swing speed, step length, and gait speed increased significantly. The greatest percentage deltas between the final and initial values of the respective BTS parameters concerned swing speed and gait speed irrespective of the kind of task undertaken while measurements were taken. A cognitive task, irrespective of the level of difficulty, performed during walking had the opposite effect on step width than expected. A 10-week training program significantly improved the cadency and manner of gait in elderly women, but did not change step width. Therefore, further study is needed to estimate the usefulness of cognitive-motor training programs for significant improvement in gait coordination during dual tasks in elderly women.

Resveratrol in the treatment of neuroblastoma: a review.

Resveratrol, polyphenol naturally occurring in grapes or nuts, has anti-cancer properties in the treatment of neuroblastoma - the most common childhood solid tumor. It affects cancer cells by increasing apoptosis, inducing cell necrosis and reducing tumor mass. Mechanism of action - (1) converting procaspases, mainly procaspases three and nine into active forms - caspases, (2) blocking kinases, and also (3) leading the cell to the S-cell cycle, where it is most effective while increasing the concentration of cyclin E and lowering the concentration of p21 protein. In vitro, as well as, rodent animal models studies are available and show promising results. Therapeutic doses, currently within 10-100 µmol/L, are also being tested, as well as other forms of resveratrol, such as its trans-4,4'-dihydroxystilbene analog and polyphenol lipoconjugates. In our review, we presented the known molecular mechanisms of polyphenol anti-tumor activity against neuroblastoma and discussed the studies confirming its effectiveness.

The Effect of Two Different Cognitive Tests on Gait Parameters during Dual Tasks in Healthy Postmenopausal Women.

INTRODUCTION: The paper aims to evaluate the influence of two different demanding cognitive tasks on gait parameters using BTS SMART system analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 53 postmenopausal women aged 64.5 ± 6.7 years (range: 47-79). For every subject, gait analysis using a BTS SMART system was performed in a dual-task study design under three conditions: (I) while walking only (single task), (II) walking while performing a simultaneous simple cognitive task (SCT) (dual task), and (III) walking while performing a simultaneous complex cognitive task (CCT) (dual task). Time-space parameters of gait pertaining to the length of a single support phase, double support phase, gait speed, step length, step width, and leg swing speed were analyzed. RESULTS: Performance of cognitive tests during gait resulted in a statistically significant prolongation of the left (by 7%) and right (by 7%) foot gait cycle, shortening of the length of steps made with the right extremity (by 4%), reduction of speed of swings made with the left (by 11%) and right (by 8%) extremity, and reduction in gait speed (by 6%). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of cognitive tests during gait changes its individual pattern in relation to the level of the difficulty of the task.

The influence of a ten-week Nordic walking training-rehabilitation program on the level of lipids in blood in overweight and obese postmenopausal women.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a ten-week Nordic Walking (NW) rehabilitation program on chosen anthropometric parameters and the level of basic lipids in overweight and obese postmenopausal women's blood. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 32 women aged 50-68 (average: 59.7 ± 5.9 years). The study was carried out following a non-randomized model and entailed NW rehabilitation 5 times a week, which lasted for 10 weeks, as well as a low-calorie 1,500 kcal diet. The therapeutic results of the study were measured through changes in anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The results were subjected to a statistical analysis. [Results] After 10 weeks of NW rehabilitation it was observed that participants lost weight and their body mass index dropped. Additionally, whereas levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides dropped, and the level of HDL increased. [Conclusion] Rehabilitation carried out according to the NW model resulted in statistically significant changes in basic lipids in blood which, considerably increased the percentage of persons who achieved the recommended level of blood lipids. Obese persons were characterised by a smaller rehabilitation weight loss. More intense workouts and cooperation with a dietician are required.

Effects of Nordic Walking and Pilates exercise programs on blood glucose and lipid profile in overweight and obese postmenopausal women in an experimental, nonrandomized, open-label, prospective controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiometabolic effects of physical exercise depend on its intensity, duration, and type. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two exercise models, Nordic Walking (NW) and Pilates, on postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study comprised 196 overweight or obese women: 20 were advised to maintain their previous level of physical activity (control group) whereas the others started either an NW exercise program (n = 88) or a Pilates exercise program (n = 88). Blood was collected twice for testing: before the program commenced and after it had ended. RESULTS: Of the 196 women who enrolled in the study, 147 (75%) completed the study; among those women, 69 (47%) completed a 10-week NW exercise program, 58 (39%) completed a 10-week Pilates exercise program, and 20 (14%) were in the control group. After 10 weeks, women in the NW group showed a significant reduction in body weight (6.4%), body mass index (6.4%), blood glucose (3.8%), total cholesterol (10.4%), non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (16.7%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (12.8%), and triglycerides (10.6%), as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol (9.6%). Significantly smaller-although still favorable-changes, except for glucose and HDL cholesterol levels, were observed in the Pilates group (decreases of 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.6%, 5.3%, 8.3%, 7.5%, and 6% and an increase of 3.1%, respectively). Nevertheless, at the end of the study, the percentage of women with target concentrations of the lipid fractions had significantly increased in both exercise groups. No significant changes in the studied parameters were found in the control group. On multiple regression analysis, type of exercise program was an independent predictor of amplitude changes in most of the studied parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training in accordance with the NW model causes statistically and clinically more significant changes in glucose and basic blood lipid levels than do Pilates and dietary intervention alone.