The effects of 3-year growth hormone treatment and body composition in Polish patients with Silver-Russell syndrome

Introduction: Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is characterized by clinical and genetic heterogeneity. SRS is the only disease entity associated with (epi)genetic abnormalities of 2 different chromosomes: 7 and 11. In SRS, the 2 most frequent molecular abnormalities are hypomethylation (loss of methylation) of region H19/IGF2:IG-DMR on chromosome 11p15.5 (11p15 LOM) and maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (upd(7)mat). Therapy with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is implemented to increase body height in children with SRS. The effect of the administered rhGH on height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body composition, and height velocity in patients with SRS during 3 years of rhGH therapy was analysed. Material and methods: 31 SRS patients (23 with 11p15 LOM, 8 with upd(7)mat) and 16 patients small for gestational age (SGA) as a control group were diagnosed and followed up in The Children’s Memorial Health Institute. Patients were eligible for the 2 Polish rhGH treatment programmes [for patients with SGA or with growth hormone deficiency (GHD)]. Anthropometric parameters were collected in all patients. Body composition using bioelectrical impedance was measured in 13 SRS and 14 SGA patients. Results: Height, weight, and weight for height (SDS) at baseline of rhGH therapy were lower in SRS patients than in the SGA control group: –3.3 ± 1.2 vs. -2.6 ± 06 (p = 0.012), –2.5 vs. -1.9 (p = 0.037), –1.7 vs. –1.1 (p = 0.038), respectively. Height SDS was increased from –3.3 ± 1.2 to –1.8 ± 1.0 and from –2.6 ± 0.6 to –1.3 ± 0.7 in the SRS and SGA groups, respectively. Patients with 11p15 LOM and upd(7)mat achieved similar height, 127.0 ± 15.7 vs. 128.9 ± 21.6 cm, and –2.0 ± 1.3 vs. –1.7 ± 1.0 SDS, respectively. Fat mass percentage decreased in SRS patients from 4.2% to 3.0% (p < 0.05) and in SGA patients from 7.6% to 6.6% (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Growth hormone therapy has a positive influence on the growth of SRS patients. Regardless of molecular abnormality type (11p15 LOM vs. upd(7)mat), height velocity was similar in SRS patients during 3 years of rhGH therapy

Zastosowanie socjometrii jako narzędzia badania ról zespołowych

In current research on the team roles played by staff, prevailing methods have been de-veloped on the basis of psychometric techniques. These techniques allow us to define per-sonnel’s predispositions and their potential to play specific roles in teams. The authors’ con-cern was to verify this attitude from the point of view of the staff taking effective roles. In the research a sociometrical technique was applied, that presently forms part of a more wide approach to the study of organizing Social Relations Analysis which consisted in studying relations between different subjects. In the pilot research 3 task teams operating in public administration participated. The results indicate that application of the sociometrical method allowed us to capture differences between the effective roles played in a team and the potential defined with the use of methods based on psychometric research.

High Initial Dose of Monitored Vitamin D Supplementation in Preterm Infants (HIDVID Trial): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Study

Vitamin D deficiency can escalate prematurity bone disease in preterm infants and negatively influence their immature immunology system. Infants born at 24 + 0/7 weeks to 32 + 6/7 weeks of gestation will be considered for inclusion. Cord or vein blood samples will be obtained within 48 h after birth for 25-hydroxyvitamin D level measurements. Parathyroid hormone and interleukin-6 levels will be measured. Infants will be randomized to the monitored group (i.e., an initial dose of 1000 IU/day and possible modification) or the controlled group (i.e., 250 IU/day or 500 IU/day dose, depending on weight). Supplementation will be monitored up to a postconceptional age of 35 weeks. The primary endpoint is the percentage of infants with deficient or suboptimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at 28 ± 2 days of age. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels will be measured at postconceptional age 35 ± 2 weeks. Secondary goals encompass assessing the occurrence of sepsis, osteopenia, hyperparathyroidism, and interleukin-6 concentration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of monitored vitamin D supplementation in a group of preterm infants and ascertain if a high initial dosage of monitored vitamin D supplementation can decrease the occurrence of neonatal sepsis and metabolic bone disease

Catechins - biological activity and role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Celem prezentowanej pracy jest krótki przegląd dostępnych informacji dotyczących roli katechin - naturalnych antyoksydantów polifenolowych, obecnych w diecie człowieka, w aspekcie ich zastosowania w przeciwdziałaniu chorobom układu krążenia. Katechiny wzbudzają zainteresowanie ze względu na ich dużą zawartość w diecie człowieka. Związki te występują naturalnie w owocach (śliwki, jabłka, truskawki, brzoskwinie), warzywach (fasola, soczewica), herbacie, kakao i czerwonym winie. Katechiny wykazują szeroki zakres działania biologicznego, obejmujący m.in. aktywność przeciwutleniającą, przeciwazapalną, właściwości przeciwnowotworowe oraz ochronę układu krążenia. Pod względem chemicznym, katechiny stanowią grupę związków polifenolowych, których struktura oparta jest na szkielecie flawanu. Podstawową strukturę katechin tworzy ugrupowanie C6-C3-C6, a jego modyfikacje w obrębie heterocyklicznego pierścienia prowadzą do powstania różnych związków, które są klasyfikowane jako wolne katechiny: (+)-katechina, (-)-galokatechina, (-)-epigalokatechina lub katechiny w formie związanej: galusan (+)-epikatechiny, galusan (-)-epigalokatechiny, a także galusanu (-)-galokatechiny.The aim of the present review was to shortly describe the main aspects of the role of natural phenolic antioxidants - catechins in the counteracting cardiovascular diseases. The scientific interest in these substances is a result of both their significant amounts in human diet, and a wide range of biological activity. Catechins are naturally present in fruits (plums, apples, strawberry, peach), vegetables (like beans, lentil), tea, cacao and red wine. The biological activity of catechins includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic effects, as well as cardiovascular disease-preventive properties. Chemically, catechins constitute a group of polyphenolic compounds, based on the flavanol structure. These avonoids consist of two polyphenolic aromatic rings (C6-C3-C6) with hydroxyl groups. In regard to the variations of the heterocyclic ring, catechins are categorized as free catechins: (+)-catechin, (+)-gallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin, as well as galloyl catechins: (-)-epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-gallocatechin gallate

MOnitored supplementation of VItamin D in preterm infants (MOSVID trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background The pivotal role of vitamin D (vit D) in skeletal health is well known. Neonatal vit D storage at birth is dependent on maternal levels, and newborns receive 50–70% of their mother’s 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Deficiency of vit D can lead to prematurity bone disease, with an incidence of up to 55% in infants weighing < 1000 g. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of monitored supplementation of vit D in a population of preterm infants. Methods/design Preterm infants born at 24–32 weeks of gestation will be recruited within the first 7 days of life. Depending on the type of feeding, and after reaching partial enteral feeding or at 7 days of life, vit D supplementation will consist of 500 IU and an additional 150–300 IU/kg included in human milk fortifiers (if fed exclusively with breast milk) or 190 IU/kg in milk formulas. Subjects will be randomised to either monitored (with an option of dose modification based on 25(OH)D levels as per protocol) or standard therapy up to 52 weeks of post-conceptional age (PCA). The primary outcome measure will be the number of neonates with deficiency or excess levels of 25(OH)D at 40  ±2 weeks of PCA. Additional 25(OH)D levels will be measured at birth, at 4 and 8 weeks of age, and/or at 35 and 52  ±2 weeks of PCA. Secondary objectives will include the incidence of osteopenia, nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis. Serum parameters of calcium phosphorus metabolism will also be measured. Discussion Despite multiple years of research and numerous publications, there is still a lack of consensus in regard to how much vit D infants should receive and how long they should receive it. Because 80% of calcium and phosphorus placental transfer occurs between 24 and 40 weeks of gestation, preterm infants are especially prone to adverse effects of vit D insufficiency. However, both inadequate and excessive amounts of vit D may be unsafe and lead to serious health issues. The results of our study may shed new light on these concerns and contribute to optimising vit D supplementation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03087149 . Registered on 15 March 2017

Regional differentiation of agricultural development and its impact upon economic and social problems of rural areas (Synthesis)

Factors behind marginalisation and competitiveness in the social and economic structure of Polish rural areas after the EU accession. Scope and consequences of differentiation of farm functions in regional perspective. Role of non-farming activities in shaping new structures in rural areas. Institutional factors of social and economic development of rural areas. Highly commercial farms in family farming. Functioning of the market of agricultural land

Vocabulary and folk culture of the Wiśniowa commune

Książka zawiera: słownik (s. 27-224), opisy wybranych zwyczajów i obrzędów ludowych (hasła tematyczne)(s. 225-260), a także transkrypcje tekstów gwarowych (s. 261-277).The book contains a dictionary and the descriptions of the folk culture of the Wiśniowa commune in Małopolska