Parental Knowledge about Meningococcal Disease and Vaccination Uptake among 0⁻5 years Old Polish Children.

In Poland, in addition to mandatory, free of charge vaccines, listed in the national immunization schedule, numerous self-paid vaccinations are recommended, including meningococcal vaccination (MV). To assess MV uptake among ≤5-year-old children and to evaluate parental knowledge and attitudes regarding invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among 350 parents (mean age: 32.3 years), attending three randomly selected primary care clinics in Szczecin region, Poland. Anonymous questionnaires were administered to the parents by researchers, present at the time the survey was conducted, to self-complete on a voluntary basis. Chi-square or Fisher's exact for categorical and Mann⁻Whitney U test for continuous variables. Variables significantly (p < 0.05) associated with 'good knowledge' in the bivariate analysis were used to build a logistic regression model. It was found that the response rate was 93.4%, and MV uptake among children was 29.5%. The main knowledge sources were medical staff and media; 72.5% had ever received information about IMD. Only 18.8% of parents self-assessed their knowledge regarding IMD as good; 61.8% scored >50% in the knowledge test 58.9% knew the mode of transmission, 58.7% recognized the severity of meningitis, and 79.7% knew that bacterial meningitis is a vaccine-preventive disease. Knowledge regarding IMD was higher among parents with higher educational level (OR = 3.37; p = 0.01), from urban facilities (OR = 2.20; p = 0.02), who received previous information about IMD (OR = 2.85; p = 0.01) and self-assessed their knowledge as good (OR = 2.59; p = 0.04). Low MV coverage among children up to five years old and knowledge gaps about IMD call for awareness campaigns which may increase the coverage. Although educational interventions should cover all parents, those from provincial facilities, representing lower education level need special attention.

Correlation between Flicker-Induced Retinal Vessel Vasodilatation and Plasma Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients.

PURPOSE: Hypertension (HT) strongly affects the vascular endothelium, resulting in chronic inflammatory disease. Dynamic vessel analysis (DVA) is a modern methodological approach to analyze vascular function in the retinal microcirculation. The aim of this study was to examine whether a defective retinal vessels response is associated with HT-induced endothelial dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retinal vessel reactions to flicker stimulation were examined by DVA in both eyes of 37 hypertensive and 41 healthy control subjects. Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFɑ) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Both arterial and vein responses to flicker stimulation were significantly decreased in patients with HT compared with the healthy controls (dilatation of the arteries was lower in the HT group by, on average, 1.31, p = 0.001 and dilatation of the veins was lower in the HT group by, on average, 1.32, p = 0.002) after independent adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and pressure values. In the hypertensive group, there was a negative correlation between the arterial response to flicker stimulation and the plasma CRP concentration (Spearman's Rank-order Coefficient (Rs) = -0.29, p = 0.07). Similarly, the plasma TNFα concentrations negatively correlated with the arterial response to flicker stimulation (Rs = -0.39, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that DVA directly reflects the actual metabolic status of the retinal endothelium. DVA might be used as an early noninvasive screening tool to detect vascular dysregulation and pan-endothelial dysfunction in patients with HT.

Possible association of ABCB1:c.3435T>C polymorphism with high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol response to statin treatment--a pilot study.

The gene product ABCB1 (formerly MDR1 or P-glycoprotein) is hypothesized to be involved in cholesterol cellular trafficking, redistribution and intestinal re-absorption. Carriers of the ABCB1:3435T allele have previously been associated with decreases in ABCB1 mRNA and protein concentrations and have been correlated with changes in serum lipid concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate possible association between the ABCB1:3435T>C polymorphism and changes in lipids in patients following statin treatment. Outpatients (n=130) were examined: 43 men (33%), 87 women (67%): treated with atorvastatin or simvastatin (all patients with equivalent dose of 20 or 40 mg/d simvastatin). Blood was taken for ABCB1:3435T>C genotyping, and before and after statin treatment for lipid concentration determination (total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides). Change (Δ) in lipid parameters, calculated as differences between measurements before and after treatment, were analyzed with multiple regression adjustments: gender, diabetes, age, body mass index, equivalent statin dose, length of treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed significant differences in ΔHDL-C (univariate p=0.029; multivariate p=0.036) and %ΔHDL-C (univariate p=0.021; multivariate p=0.023) between patients with TT (-0.05 ± 0.13 g/l; -6.8% ± 20%; respectively) and CC+CT genotypes (0.004 ± 0.15 g/l; 4.1 ± 26%; respectively). Reduction of HDL-C in homozygous ABCB1:3435TT patients suggests this genotype could be associated with a reduction in the benefits of statin treatment.

The influence of magnesium supplementation on concentrations of chosen bioelements and toxic metals in adult human hair. Magnesium and chosen bioelements in hair.

The basic functions of bioelements in biological systems is widely known. Depletion of bioelements and excess of toxic elements lead to impairment of metabolism in the living organism. The existence of magnesium deficiencies in the adult and pediatric populations may cause increased accumulation of toxic metals including lead and cadmium. Prevention of adverse effects of toxic metals may include supplementation with some bioelements and vitamins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of magnesium supplementation on concentrations of chosen bioelements and toxic metals in hair in the adult human population. The research was performed on 124 individuals (53 males and 71 females aged 19-72 years), inhabitants of the city of Szczecin. The concentrations of magnesium, zinc, copper, lead and cadmium were studied in hair. Measurements were performed using the inversion volt-amperometry method with application of an EDD-Tribo PC ETP volt-amperometer. Finally, the supplementation study enrolled 65 individuals with an increased concentration of lead. The studied individuals were divided into two groups: one treated group that enrolled 50 patients who were supplemented with magnesium and the control group that enrolled 15 persons receiving placebo. Finally, supplementation was completed by 32 individuals from the treated group and 10 individuals from the control group. Supplementation was performed using Slow-Mag-B6 preparation at the total daily dose of five tablets divided into 2-3 doses. One tablet contains 535 mg of magnesium chloride i.e. 64 mg of magnesium ions (5.26 mEgMg2) and 5 mg of vitamin B6. Supplementation was performed for a period of 3 months. The remaining individuals did not complete the supplementation due to various reasons; however, none of them resulted from the poor tolerance of the preparation or its adverse events. The results achieved underwent statistical analysis. The results of the study revealed a positive influence of supplementation on concentrations of magnesium and copper in the human body. Supplementation with magnesium caused a statistically significant decrease in concentrations of lead and cadmium. The above mentioned results indicate a positive influence of magnesium supplementation on the decrease of lead and cadmium hair content in the individuals studied.

Hair copper concentration in healthy children, teenagers, and adults living in Szczecin, Poland.

The aim of this study was to assess the hair copper concentration in a population of healthy children, teenagers, and adults living in a specific region of Poland. For this purpose, 840 healthy individuals aged 1-50 yr living in Szczecin, Poland were selected for the study. They were divided into subgroups according to age and sex and the hair was analyzed for copper using a standard atomic absorption spectrometric technique. The level of copper was highest for the group including 11-15 yr old. In the other subgroups, the concentration of copper was lower than the values considered normal, suggesting the possibility of endemic copper deficiency in the inhabitants of this region.