Inflammatory and oxidative status in neurogenic bladder children after meningomyelocele

Introduction: Neurogenic bladder (NB) most often is caused by meningomyelocele (MMC) and manifests with various lower urinary tract dysfunctions. Condition of NB is worsened by inflammatory process or oxidative status imbalance. Purpose: To estimate of urinary uric acid (UA), hs-CRP, thiol status in association with NB function in MMC patients.Materials/Methods: 33 MMC children and 20 healthy individuals were included into the study. The first daytime urine samples were collected from all examined participants and urinary thiol status, hs CRP and UA were measured.Results: MMC children presented higher urinary UA level. The median hs-CRP level were also higher in MMC patients compared to the reference. Thiol status were lower in MMC individuals compared to reference group. We found positive correlation between serum creatinine, serum UA and urine creatinine and negative between serum creatinine and GFR. Correlations between urinary UA and physical development parameters, renal function, hsCRP, thiol status and urodynamic findings in MMC and reference groups were found.Conclusions: UA is a marker potentially having direct effect on the bladder function. Disturbed oxidative status and increased markers of inflammation may be a potentially modifiable factors affecting function of lower urinary tract in MMC children

Folate and homocysteine status in children with neurogenic bladder due to meningomyelocele

Introduction: Meningomyelocele (MMC) is the most severe form of spina bifida caused by both genetic and environmental components. It is well known that status of folate plays an important role in the risk of neural tube defects. High homocysteine (Hc) level may be associated with disturbed sensory and motor peripheral nerve function and is lowering after folic acid (FA) fortification. Purpose: To explore possible links of FA (folic acid) and Hc (Homocysteine) and to correlate them with renal and bladder function (based on urodynamics) as well as physical activity in patients with NB (neurogenic bladder) after MMC (myelomeningocele). Materials and methods: The investigation was conducted on two groups: group 1- 30 children with neurogenic bladder, group 2 - 20 healthy children with no abnormalities in urinary and nervous systems. The Hc concentration in urine and serum was estimated using the ELISA set and FA was measured in serum using electro-chemiluminescence method. FA/Hc ratio was calculated in all children. Results: The median serum and urine Hc were higher compared with reference group. Median FA/Hc ratio was statistically significantly lower in MMC group compared to reference group. There were no differences in serum FA between studied groups. We found statistically significant correlations between urodynamics parameters and FA and Hc. Conclusions: Hyperhomocyteinemia and hyper-homocysteinuria could be considered as factors influencing bladder function in MMC patients. Although serum FA level was in normal range in MMC patients it does not exclude disturbed folic acid status

Health behaviors and knowledge of birth control methods among students

Introduction: Thanks to preventive medicine and shaping health behaviors such as habits, customs and attitudes towards health, it is possible to control everyday life civilization threats and new outbreaks of diseases. Purpose: To assess health behaviors and level of knowledge of birth control methods among university students in Bialystok. Materials and methods: A total of 222 students of the Bialystok Polytechnic University and Medical University of Bialystok were recruited. The study used a health behavior catalogue by Juczynski and our own questionnaire. Results: The study showed a high percentage of students with poor knowledge of health behaviors. Students of both universities positively assessed their eating habits, mental attitudes, and preventive behaviors. Students of the Bialystok Polytechnic University showed significantly higher scores concerning proper health behaviors. The most common method of contraception were: condoms and contraceptive pills. Students of Medical University were characterized by significantly higher level of knowledge of birth control methods. The vast majority of respondents derived their knowledge of birth control methods from the internet. Conclusions: The results indicate that it is advisable to introduce preventive actions to the study curriculum in order to facilitate formation of proper habits and health behaviors. The level of knowledge among students of the methods of natural birth control is insufficient. It is important to search for various forms and methods to provide young people with objective information according to the latest research

Safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony stimulating factor in a patient with tetraplegia caused by cervical hyperextension injury: a case report

he authors present the case of a 17-year-old boy who suffered a cervical spinal injury as a result of the sharp bending of the head after slipping (without falling). After about 30 minutes, he began to feel tingling in the limbs and he developed tetraparesis. He went through physical rehabili-tation, psychological rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and periodic catheterization. Additionally, we introduced to him a low dose of analog granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). G-CSF 5 μg/kg was given subcutaneously daily for 5 days per month for 3 months, again after 6 months, and again after 10 months. The boy could sit indecently and walk with assistance. A significant increase in muscle strength in this patient with tetraplegia after 10 months of treatment may indicate beneficial effects of G-CSF in this disorder