Cardiovascular risk factors in renal transplant recipients

Przeszczepienie nerki u większości pacjentów ze schyłkową niewydolnością nerek jest najkorzystniejszą formą leczenia nerkozastępczego — udowodniono, że wydłuża życie i poprawia jego komfort w porównaniu z dializoterapią. Jednak w porównaniu z populacją ogólną biorcy nerek są bardziej narażeni na choroby układu krążenia. Główną przyczyną zgonów w tej grupie są powikłania sercowo-naczyniowe, co wiąże się z występowaniem wielu czynników ryzyka. Do czynników ryzyka powikłań sercowo-naczyniowych u biorców przeszczepu nerki zalicza się tzw. czynniki „tradycyjne” — dobrze znane, typowe dla populacji ogólnej, a także „nietradycyjne” — charakterystyczne dla pacjentów z przewlekłą chorobą nerek i dodatkowo poddanych immunosupresji. Wczesna identyfikacja poszczególnych czynników ryzyka i odpowiednie ich leczenie są kluczowe w zapobieganiu rozwojowi powikłań sercowo-naczyniowych. W niniejszej pracy omówiono najważniejsze czynniki ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego u biorców przeszczepu nerki.Renal transplantation is the optimal treatment modality for most patients with end-stage renal failure — it extends the survival and improves the quality of life compared with continued dialysis therapy. However, patients after renal transplantation are still more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases than the general population. Cardiovascular complications are the primary cause of death in patients after renal transplantation. This is related to the fact that these patients have many risk factors. They include, among others, the so called “traditional” risk factors, typical of the general population, as well as “non-traditional” risk factors, characteristic of patients with kidney diseases and additionally given immunosuppression. What is vital is early identification of the risk factors and the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular complications. This article outlines the most important cardiovascular risk factors in renal transplant recipients

Relationships between adults` participation in leisure time physical activity and demographic factors. Part I: gender and age – review and update

Background: The benefits of regular moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) are well documented, and include reduced morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and other pervasive conditions. Despite these benefits, adults` participation in regular LTPA is still low. Many previous studies showed associations between adults` participation in LTPA and demographic factors but the results of these researches are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of studies examining the relation between adults` participation in LTPA and two demographic variables: gender and age.Method: The systematic review was limited to four factors: leisure-time physical activity, adults, gender and age. Literature searches were conducted using predefined keywords in 6 key database. A total of 46 potential papers was identified. Of these 46 papers, 25 passed the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review.Results: In most of the analyzed studies  showed no significant differences in the percentage of inactive men and women. Among sufficient active individuals there were more men than women. In all analyzed studies found significant association between the level of LTPA and age of men and women. However, the directions of these connections were different in individual countries, and age and gender groups.Conclusion: Relationships between adults` participation in LTPA and gender, and age are specific for men and women in individual countries, and age groups, therefore there is necessity to monitor the level of LTPA in these subgroups. The results of these studies should be useful in the creation of the strategies supported adults` participation in LTPA.

Healthy behaviors among teenagers studying in schools in the urban and rural areas of Western Poland

Introduction: Unhealthy behaviors are related to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Reduction of the risk is possible, although it requires modification of the unhealthy behaviors. This change is possible in all stages of life, however it is most effective in its early phases. A well documented correlation between health-related behaviors and morbidity and mortality makes them an important aspect of public health. Aim: The aim of this study was the recognition  of health-related behaviors among boys and girls studying in the schools of the urban and rural areas of Western Poland and also pointing out a group of youth that should be targeted with specialized health education programmes.Method: This study was conducted on a group of 845 middle school students (14-16 yrs), attending randomly selected middle schools in urban and rural areas located in the Western Poland. An anonymous auditory survey was conducted. The survey consisted of 31 close-ended questions about the demographic and socioeconomic status, and health-related behaviors. In this paper in the statistical evaluation of the accumulated data concerned relationships between health-related behaviors and gender and place of study.Results: A widespread occurrence of unhealthy behaviors was observed. Many participants admitted to unhealthy nutritional habits, and, although less frequently, tobacco use, drinking alcohol and low physical activity. The area in which the students were located played an important part in the nutritional behaviors of boys and with the use of tobacco and the physical activity of girls. The group at the most risk of unhealthy behaviors were the girls studying in the urban middle schools and the boys studying in the rural middle schools.Conclusion: The unhealthy behaviors are a reason for maintaining a regular health education of the middle school students. This education should consider specific educational needs related to the sex and students` place of study

Structural and electrical properties of ceramic Li-ion conductors based on Li1.3_{1.3}Al0.3_{0.3}Ti1.7_{1.7}(PO4_4)3_3-LiF

The work presents the investigations of Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3-xLiF Li-ion conducting ceramics with 0 < x < 0.3 by means of X-ray diffractometry (XRD), 7Li, 19F, 27Al and 31P Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), impedance spectroscopy (IS) and density method. It has been shown that the total ionic conductivity of both as-prepared and ceramic Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 is low due to a grain boundary phase exhibiting high electrical resistance. This phase consists mainly of berlinite crystalline phase as well as some amorphous phase containing Al3+ ions. The electrically resistant phases of the grain boundary decompose during sintering with LiF additive. The processes leading to microstructure changes and their effect on the ionic properties of the materials are discussed in the frame of the brick layer model (BLM). The highest total ionic conductivity at room temperature was measured for LATP-0.1LiF ceramic sintered at 800{\deg}C and was equal to {\sigma}tot = 1.1 x 10-4 Scm-1

Impact of Li2.9_{2.9}B0.9_{0.9}S0.1_{0.1}O3.1_{3.1} glass additive on the structure and electrical properties of the LATP-based ceramics

The existing solid electrolytes for lithium ion batteries suffer from low total ionic conductivity, which restricts its usefulness for the lithium-ion battery technology. Among them, the NASICON-based materials, such as Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) exhibit low total ionic conductivity due to highly resistant grain boundary phase. One of the possible approaches to efficiently enhance their total ionic conductivity is the formation of a composite material. Herein, the Li2.9B0.9S0.1O3.1 glass, called LBSO hereafter, was chosen as an additive material to improve the ionic properties of the ceramic Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 base material. The properties of this Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3-xLi2.9B0.9S0.1O3.1 (0 < x < 0.3) system have been studied by means of high temperature X-ray diffractometry (HTXRD), 7Li, 11B, 27Al and 31P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS NMR), thermogravimetry (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), impedance spectroscopy (IS) and density methods. We show here that the introduction of the foreign LBSO phase enhances their electric properties. This study reveals several interesting correlations between the apparent density, the microstructure, the composition, the sintering temperature and the ionic conductivity. Moreover, the electrical properties of the composites will be discussed in the terms of the brick-layer model (BLM). The highest value of {\sigma}tot = 1.5 x 10-4 Scm-1 has been obtained for LATP-0.1LBSO material sintered at 800{\deg}C

Diagnostic techniques in breast cancer detection. Part II: Physical and Biopsy Methods

This publication contains an overview of methods based on the principles of physics applied in breast cancer diagnosis. It refers both to those created de novo and those that have recently been updated, thanks to the revolutionary progress in digital, computer and information technologies. It also contains an overview of the biopsy techniques considered to be “the golden standard” in breast cancer diagnoses, as well as the latest ones, allowing to obtain ductal cells. An effort to develop new diagnostic methods, based on various fields of physics and integration of various diagnostic methods, needs to be made in order for medicine to cope with the requirements of early detection of breast tumours

Diagnostic techniques in breast cancer detection. Part I: Imaging methods and their modifications

This publication contains an overview of the imaging techniques and the related technologies utilized in breast cancer diagnosis. It describes both those known for tens of years as well as the ones developed recently thanks to the new technological developments. An integration and coexistence of the diagnostic methods from classical mammography to the computerized laser mammography has become essential in order to cope with the requirements of early detection of breast tumours, which is a precondition of successful treatment and longer survival periods upon which patients rely

Diagnostic techniques in breast cancer detection. Part III. The New Cytobiological Methods

This publication contains an overview of the cyto-biological technologies utilized in breast cancer diagnosis. It refers to technologies created de novo and heralded as a breakthrough ones, as well as to those existing for years. An integration of new diagnostic biogenetic methods, with imaging techniques such as mammography, have become essential in order to cope with the requirements of early detection of breast tumours. Apart from the new and innovative diagnostic techniques, this publication also presents an outline of recommendations for genetic diagnostics as well as cooperative and multidisciplinary integrative activities, which are prerequisites for successful diagnosis and treatment and, consequently, longer survival periods upon which patients rely

Evaluation of the InterTAK Diagnostic Score in differentiating Takotsubo syndrome from acute coronary syndrome. A single center experience

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a novel clinical score — the InterTAK Diagnostic Score in differentiating Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Medical records of 40 consecutive patients with ACS and 20 patients with TTS were managed and retrospectively analyzed at the documented center. Each patient was evaluated using the Inter- TAK Diagnostic Score. To illustrate the diagnostic ability of the score, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed. Results: Takotsube syndrome patients were more often female compared to the ACS group (70% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.002), an emotional trigger was more prevalent among the TTS group (65% vs. 7.5%, p &lt; 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for the score was 0.885 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78–0.97). Using a cut-off value of 45 points, the sum of sensitivity and specificity was the highest. However, when patients with a score of ≥ 50 were diagnosed as TTS, 85% were diagnosed correctly. When patients with score ≤ 31 were diagnosed as ACS, 92% were diagnosed correctly. Conclusions: The InterTAK Diagnostic Score might help in differentiating TTS from ACSs with high sensitivity and specificity. This finding requires further investigation to confirm its clinical utility