The results of external quality assessment programme on urine leukocyte and erythrocyte counting in Poland

Introduction: Urine particle analysis is an important diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of urine leukocyte (WBC) and erythrocyte (RBC) counting results obtained with manual and automated methods in Polish laboratories participating in the international external quality assessment (EQA) programme. Materials and methods: 1400 WBC and RBC counting results were obtained from 183 laboratories in EQA surveys organised by Labquality (Helsinki, Finland) from 2017 to 2019. The between-laboratory coefficient of variation (CV), the percentage difference between the laboratories\u27 results and target values (Q-score (%)), as well as modified Youden plots were analysed. Results: For automated method groups, the medians of inter-laboratory CVs varied from 14% to 33% for WBC counting and from 10% to 39% for RBC counting. For manual method groups, the medians of CV varied from 53% to 71% (WBC) and from 55% to 70% (RBC), and they were significantly higher, in comparison to CVs for most automated method groups (P < 0.001). The highest percentage of results outside the target limits (36%) and the highest range of Q-score (%) (from - 93% to 706%) were observed for laboratories which participated in the surveys for the first or second time. The percentage of deviating results and the ranges of Q-score decreased with an increased frequency of laboratories’ participation in the surveys. Conclusions: The quality of manual methods of urine WBC and RBC counting is unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need to take actions to improve laboratories’ performance and to increase harmonisation of the results

The effect of Cistus incanus herbal tea supplementation on oxidative stress markers and lipid profile in healthy adults

Background: Oxidative stress and dyslipidemia play a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Regular intake of polyphenol-rich diets is associated with a reduced risk of CVDs.Methods: The present study was a pilot study with 24 healthy volunteers and was designed to determine if a 12-week administration of Cistus incanus herbal tea, containing phenolic acids and flavonoids, reduces cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in healthy adults. Phenolic compounds profile and antibacterial activity of Cistus incanus infusion were also measured.Results: Herbal infusion led to improvement in lipid profile by increase (D4%, p = 0.033) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and decrease triglyceride (D14%, p = 0.013) concentrations. In addition, the Cistus incanus diet was associated with decreased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (D16%, p &lt; 0.01) and advanced oxidation protein products (D18%, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: Cistus incanus administration decreases cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia and this action supports the idea of using Cistus incanus tea on a daily basis as an effective dietary component for prevention of atherosclerotic CVD

Impact of plant-based diet on lipid risk factors for atherosclerosis

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a vegan diet on the serum lipid profile with particular regard to the parameters characterizing the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions in subjects without subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid Doppler ultrasonography. Methods and Results: Forty-two 23 to 38 year old subjects (21 omnivores and 21 vegans) participated in the study. Compared to the omnivores, the vegan subjects were characterized by lower parameters of lipid profile: total cholesterol (p &lt; 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (p &lt; 0.001), non-HDL-cholesterol (p &lt; 0.001), apolipoprotein B (apoB) (p &lt; 0.001) and phospholipids (p &lt; 0.01). Concentration of HDL-cholesterol was apparently similar between groups. Furthermore, the parameters which characterize HDL particles (con­centration of apolipoproteins AI [apoAI] and AII, HDL-phospholipids, LpAI fraction and pre-b1-HDL fraction) were not significantly different between omnivore and vegan subjects. The apoB/apoAI ratio in vegans was lower than in omnivores (p &lt; 0.01). There was no difference between serum concentration of triacylglycerols between omnivores and vegans. The activity of paraoxonase-1 and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a concentration were also not different between the study groups. Conclusions: We suggest that a vegan diet may have a beneficial effect on serum lipid profile and cardiovascular protection, but it is not associated with changes in HDL composition

High-Low Impact Exercise Program Including Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises Improves Pelvic Floor Muscle Function in Healthy Pregnant Women – A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Pregnancy and high-impact activity are considered as risk factors for pelvic floor dysfunctions, including urinary incontinence.Aim: To investigate whether a structured exercise program, including high- and low-impact aerobics and supported by pelvic floor muscle exercises, improves the neuromuscular activity of the pelvic floor and does not reduce the quality of life in terms of urinary incontinence in healthy pregnant women.Methods: This was a randomized control trial among 97 Caucasian healthy nulliparas in uncomplicated pregnancies (age 30 ± 4 years, 21 ± 5 weeks of gestation; mean ± SD). Women were assessed for pelvic floor muscle functions with surface electromyography (EMG) using vaginal probes and using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). Only women able to contract pelvic floor muscles and with good quality of life based on IIQ were included for the study. Seventy women in the experimental group took part in a supervised exercise program including high-low impact aerobics and pelvic floor muscle exercises three times a week. Twenty-seven controls did not receive any exercise intervention. After 6 weeks both groups were re-tested with EMG and IIQ. Post- and pre-exercise program changes in each group were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA.Results: Women in the experimental group improved the neuromuscular activity of the pelvic floor in some motor tasks without any adverse outcomes of the intervention. After the exercise program we observed in the experimental group significantly higher EMG amplitude in the pelvic floor muscles during 3-s contractions (p = 0.014). We also noticed a beneficial trend in the increase of neuromuscular activity during 10- and 60-s contractions, but the changes were not statistically significant. The exercising women substantially improved their abilities for relaxation following 3- and 10-s contractions (p = 0.013 and p &lt; 0.001). In controls, we reported no statistically significant improvement in either of the motor tasks. All study participants maintained good quality of life related to urinary incontinence.Conclusion: Prenatal exercise programs that include high- and low-impact aerobics and are supported by pelvic floor muscle exercises should be recommended for pregnant women, especially those who are accustomed to higher exercise intensity before pregnancy. Nevertheless, these recommendations can be directed to continent women who can properly contract pelvic floor muscles.ISRCTN. DOI: 10.1186/ISRCTN92265528: “Pelvic floor muscle training with surface electromyography”, retrospectively registered on the 25th of July, 2016

Maturity model for Scrum

W artykule został dokonany przegląd znanych w literaturze modeli dojrzałości oraz zaproponowano model dla podejścia Scrum. Model ten pozwoli każdej organizacji ocenić jakościowo i ilościowo stopień dojrzałości wdrożenia podejścia Scrum w poszczególnych projektach i w organizacji. Jest on oparty na ankiecie, którą wypełniają osoby zaangażowane w różnych rolach w realizację projektów informatycznych wykorzystujących podejście Scrum.In the paper, a survey of maturity models known in the literature is conducted. A new model for the Scrum approach is proposed. The model will allow each organisation to evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively the degree of maturity of the Scrum implementation in individual projects and in the whole organisation. The model is based on a questionnaire filled in by persons playing different roles in IT projects using the Scrum approach

The Critical Factors of Scrum Implementation in IT Project - the Case Study

The paper first presents basic information about the Scrum method. Then it summarizes the state of art in the domain of Scrum implementation, especially as far as the critical factors of its success are concerned. On the basis of literature survey a new model classifying Scrum implementation critical factors is proposed. The model divides Scrum implementation critical factors into five categories: Project Team factors, Psychological and cultural factors, Process and Method, Environment and Technology. The model is then developed and verified using the case study method. The research was carried out in a French IT company by means of a participating observation. The company was implementing Scrum, which ended up as a success. A journal of the Scrum implementation was conducted, presenting the experiences of the Scrum Team, their opinions and changes in the Scrum method which were introduced. On its basis critical factors, crucial for the success of Scrum implementation, classified according to the above mentioned model, were identified, completing those which had been found in the literaturę

Decreased Efficiency of Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Lipolysis Is Linked to Both Hypertriglyceridemia and Hypercholesterolemia, but It Can Be Counteracted by High-Density Lipoprotein

Impaired triglyceride-rich lipoprotein plasma catabolism is considered the most important factor for hypertriglyceridemia development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia on the efficiency of lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-mediated very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglyceride lipolysis and the role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in this process. Subjects with no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and untreated with lipid-lowering agents were recruited into the study and divided into normolipidemic, hypercholesterolemic, and hyperlipidemic groups. VLDL was isolated from serum and incubated with LPL in the absence or presence of HDL. For the hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic groups, a significantly lower percentage of hydrolyzed VLDL-triglyceride was achieved compared to the normolipidemic group (p &lt; 0.01). HDL enhanced the lipolysis efficiency in the hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic groups on average by ~7% (p &lt; 0.001). The lowest electrophoretic mobility of the VLDL remnants indicating the most effective lipolysis was obtained in the normolipidemic group (p &lt; 0.05). HDL presence significantly reduced the electrophoretic mobility of the VLDL remnants for the hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic groups (p &lt; 0.05). The results of our study indicate that VLDL obtained from hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidemic subjects are more resistant to lipolysis and are additional evidence of the need for early implementation of hypocholesterolemic treatment, already in asymptomatic CVD subjects