The influence of aerobic performance on HRR in road cyclists and footballers

Introduction. Effective heart rate recovery is associated with higher levels of aerobic performanceAim. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between level of aerobic performance describe of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) value and heart rate recovery (HRR) in road cyclist and footballers.  Materials and methods. The study involved of 30 male trainees football in the Polish second leauge (n = 9) and road cyclists, members of the professional clubs (n = 21). Road cyclist were divided into terms of level VO2max into two groups RC1 (higher value) and RC2(lower value), based on the incremental exercise test. The test was performed on cycloergometer, and after the completion of the test for 5 minutes stayed seated for recorded of HRR.Results. The differences were not statistically significant. In the course of fast phase restitution lowest values showed subjects from the group of football players We also used a relative values with respect to the maximum heart rate (HRmax), and no significant differences were found between the groups. In any group there was no statistically significant correlation between the variables related to the HRR and the level of VO2max.Conclusions. Restitution of the fastest heart rate, also in relation to the HRmax was observed in the group of footballers. Road cyclists despite significant differences in the level of aerobic performance do not differ significantly of HRR

Analiza statystyczna zabiegów wewnątrzczaszkowych przeprowadzonych w Polsce w latach 2008–2009

Background and purpose Quantitative and qualitative analysis of neurosurgical procedures provides important data for assessment of the development and trends in the field of neurosurgery. The authors present statistical data on intracranial procedures (IPs) performed in Poland in 2008–2009. Material and methods Data on IPs come from reports of the National Health Fund, grouped according to the system of Diagnosis-Related Groups, group A – nervous system diseases. Data concerning the year 2009 include all IPs performed in Poland. Data from the second half of 2008 to 2009 (18 months) come from 35 neurosurgical centers in Poland, divided by provinces. We analyzed the number of IPs, the cost of procedures, duration of hospitalization and deaths. Results 20 849 IPs were performed in Poland in 2009. The most common procedure was A12 (6807; 32.65%), and the rarest was A04 (96; 0.46%). The annual cost of all IPs was 228 599 956 PLN. Average cost of the procedure ranged from 1578 PLN (A14) to 47 940 PLN (A03). Duration of the hospitalization ranged between 3 days (A14) and 12 days (A12). The highest percentage of deaths was reported for A01 (n = 1050, 19.06%). Reports from 35 neurosurgical centers in the second half of 2008 and 2009 showed the highest number of IPs per 100 000 population in Kujawsko-Pomorskie (93) and the lowest in Wielkopolskie (27) and Podkarpackie (27). The highest number of IPs (1669) was performed in neurosurgical center Ml (Małopolskie), and the lowest (99) in W1 (Wielkopolskie). Conclusions A significant disparity in the number of IPs performed in different centers in Poland was observed. There are no data in the literature on the number of neurosurgical procedures performed in Poland in other periods.Wstęp i cel pracy Analiza ilościowa i jakościowa procedur neurochirurgicznych dostarcza istotnych danych dotyczących rozwoju oraz trendów w dziedzinie neurochirurgii. Autorzy pracy przedstawiają dane statystyczne dotyczące procedur wewnątrzczaszkowych (PW) wykonywanych w Polsce w latach 2008–2009. Materiał i metody Dane dotyczące PW pochodzą z raportów Narodowego Funduszu Zdrowia i były grupowane wg systemu Jednorodnych Grup Pacjentów dla grupy A – choroby układu nerwowego. Dane z 2009 r. uwzględniają wszystkie PW wykonane w Polsce, dane z drugiej połowy 2008 i 2009 r. (18 miesięcy) pochodzą z 35 ośrodków neurochirurgicznych w Polsce podzielonych według województw. Analizowano liczbę PW, koszty procedur, czas hospitalizacji i liczbę zgonów. Wyniki W 2009 r. w Polsce wykonano 20 849 PW. Najczęstszą procedurą była A12 (6807; 32,65%), a najrzadszą A04 (96; 0,46%). Roczny koszt wszystkich PW wyniósł 228 599 956 PLN. Średni koszt procedury wahał się od 1 578 PLN (A14) do 47 940 PLN (A03). Czas hospitalizacji wahał się od 3 dni (A14) do 12 dni (A12). Największy odsetek zgonów odnotowano dla procedury A01 (19,06%; n = 1050). Analizowano raporty 35 ośrodków neurochirurgicznych w Polsce. W ciągu 18 miesięcy (druga połowa 2008 i 2009) najwięcej PW na 100 tys. mieszkańców wykonano w kujawsko-pomorskim (93), natomiast najmniej w wielkopolskim (27) i podkarpackim (27). Najwięcej PW (1669) wykonano w ośrodku M1 (małopolskie), najmniej (99) w W1 (wielkopolskie). Najczęściej raportowana była procedura A12. Wnioski Obserwowano znaczną dysproporcję w liczbie PW wykonywanych w różnych ośrodkach w Polsce. Brakuje danych w piśmiennictwie dotyczących liczby procedur neurochirurgicznych wykonywanych w Polsce we wcześniejszych okresach

Landscape of oncoplastic breast surgery across Poland

Techniki onkoplastyczne i rekonstrukcyjne stanowią podstawowe narzędzia pracy współczesnych chirurgów piersi. Celem badania było ustalenie rodzajów rekonstrukcji onkoplastycznych przeprowadzanych w ośrodkach leczenia raka piersi w Polsce. Drogą e-mailową rozesłano kwestionariusz zawierający 18 pytań do członków Polskiego Towarzystwa Chirurgii Onkologicznej oraz Polskiego Towarzystwa Chirurgii Plastycznej, Rekonstrukcyjnej i Estetycznej poprzez ich portale internetowe. Liczba pacjentek z rakiem piersi poddawana operacji sięgała od 120 do 904 rocznie w każdym z ośrodków. Wykonywano głównie operacje oszczędzające pierś (breast conserving surgery - BCS) z wyjątkiem jednego ośrodka (zakres 50 – 70%). Jednoczasową rekonstrukcję piersi (immediate breast reconstruction - IBR) wykonywano w 6-42% zabiegów. Najczęstszym rodzajem IBR była dwuetapowa rekonstrukcja z użyciem ekspandera i wszczepieniem implantu lub jednoetapowa rekonstrukcja przy użyciu implantu z lub bez wszczepienia siatki syntetycznej. Najczęściej wykonywanym zabiegiem odroczonej rekonstrukcji piersi (delayed breast reconstruction - DBR) była dwuetapowa rekonstrukcja z użyciem ekspandera i następnie z wszczepieniem implantu. W żadnym z badanych ośrodków nie wykonywano rekonstrukcji z użyciem wolnego płata. W ośrodku chirurgii plastycznej wykonywano rekonstrukcję z wykorzystaniem płata perforatorów głębokich naczyń nabrzusznych dolnych (DIEP). W ośrodkach onkologicznych wykonywano rekonstrukcje z użyciem płatów uszypułowanych. W wybranych ośrodkach stosowano bezkomórkowe macierze skórne (ADM) oraz przeszczep tkanki tłuszczowej. Oceniono wyniki na podstawie opinii pacjentów (patient-reported outcome measures - PROM) oraz powikłania po zabiegach. Nasze wyniki mogą stanowić podstawę do dalszego doskonalenia umiejętności, akredytacji, zbierania danych i audytu, w tym oceny na podstawie opinii pacjentów. Istnieje również pilna potrzeba rozwiązania problemu nierówności w refundacji procedur w różnych państwach Europy.Oncoplastic and reconstructive techniques are essential tools in the armamentarium of contemporary breast surgeons. The aim of the study was to identify oncoplastic reconstructive patterns in breast cancer centers across Poland. A questionnaire of 18 questions was sent by email to the members of the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology and the Polish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery via their dedicated websites. The numbers of breast cancer patients operated on in each center ranged from 120 to 904 per year. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) predominated in all but one center (range 50-70%). Immediate breast reconstructions (IBR) accounted for 6-42% of procedures, The most frequent type of IBR was either a two-stage expander followed by a permanent implant or one-stage implant- based with or without synthetic mesh. The most frequent type of delayed breast reconstruction (DBR) was a two-stage expander followed by implant-based reconstruction. None of the surveyed cancer centers performed free flap reconstruction. Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps were performed in the plastic surgery department. Reconstructions based on pedicled flaps were performed in cancer centers. Acellular dermal matrices (ADM) and fat transfer were used in selected centers. In the clinical scenario of adjuvant radiotherapy, delayed breast reconstruction was favored. The full range of oncoplastic BCS was performed. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) and complications were assessed. Our findings can act as a platform for further improvement in skills, certification, data collection and audit, including patient reported expectation measures. There is also an urgent need to address pan-European inconsistencies in procedural reimbursement

Stymulacja kory ruchowej w leczeniu bólów neuropatycznych

Background and purpose Despite the rapid development of neuropharmacotherapy, medical treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) still constitutes a significant socioeconomic problem. The authors herein present a group of patients treated with motor cortex stimulation (MCS) for NP of various types and aetiologies. Material and methods Our cohort included 12 female and 11 male NP patients aged 53 ± 16 treated with MCS. Eleven patients were diagnosed with neuropathic facial pain (NFP), 8 with hemi-body neuropathic pain (HNP), and 4 with deafferentation pain (DP). Prior to surgery, 16 out of 23 patients were treated with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), with a positive response in 10 cases. Pain intensity in our group was evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) one month before and three months after MCS implantation. Results Improvement on the VAS was reported in the whole group of patients (p < 0.001). The best results were reported in the NFP group (p < 0.001) while the worst ones were noted in the DP group (p = 0.04). Anamnesis duration positively correlated with outcome. Infection forced the authors to permanently remove the system in one case. There were no other complications in the group. Conclusions Minimally invasive, safe neuromodulative treatment with MCS permits neuropathic pain control with good efficacy. The type of neuropathic pain might be a prognostic factor.Wstęp i cel pracy Pomimo dynamicznego rozwoju neurofarmakoterapii, leczenie bólów neuropatycznych stanowi istotny problem socjoekonomiczny. Autorzy przedstawiają grupę chorych leczonych metodą stymulacji kory ruchowej (motor cortex stimulation – MCS) z powodu bólów neuropatycznych o różnym obrazie klinicznym i etiologii. Materiał i metody W grupie 12 kobiet oraz 11 mężczyzn w wieku 53 ± 16 lat zastosowano MCS z powodu bólu neuropatycznego. U 11 chorych rozpoznano neuropatyczne bóle twarzy, u 8 chorych połowiczy ból neuropatyczny, a u 4 chorych – ból deaferentacyjny. U 16 chorych przeprowadzono próbną przezczaszkową stymulację magnetyczną, uzyskując przejściową poprawę u 10 z nich. Nasilenie dolegliwości bólowych oceniano z wykorzystaniem wzrokowej skali analogowej (visual analogue scale – VAS) miesiąc przed implantacją oraz w trzecim miesiącu po implantacji MCS. Wyniki U wszystkich chorych w grupie stwierdzono poprawę mierzoną VAS (p < 0,001). Najlepsze efekty leczenia bólu neuropatycznego zaobserwowano w grupie chorych z neuropatycznym bólem twarzy (p < 0,001), a najsłabsze u chorych z rozpoznanym bólem deaferentacyjnym (p = 0,04). Długość wywiadów korelowała dodatnio z wynikami leczenia. U jednego chorego ze względu na zakażenie usunięto system i nie podejmowano próby ponownego wszczepienia. Innych powikłań w grupie nie stwierdzano. Wnioski Wykorzystanie minimalnie inwazyjnych technik neuromodulacyjnych, w tym MCS, pozwala na skuteczne i bezpieczne zmniejszenie nasilenia bólów neuropatycznych. Rodzaj bólu neuropatycznego może mieć znaczenie rokownicze

The significant impact of age on the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy : results from the Polish Laparoscopic Appendectomy multicenter large cohort study

Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common surgical emergency and can occur at any age. Nearly all of the studies comparing outcomes of appendectomy between younger and older patients set cut-off point at 65 years. In this multicenter observational study, we aimed to compare laparoscopic appendectomy for AA in various groups of patients with particular interest in the elderly and very elderly in comparison to younger adults. Our multicenter observational study of 18 surgical units assessed the outcomes of 4618 laparoscopic appendectomies for AA. Patients were divided in 4 groups according to their age: Group 1- 8 days. Logistic regression models comparing perioperative results of each of the 3 oldest groups compared with the youngest one showed significant differences in odds ratios of symptoms lasting >48hours, presence of complicated appendicitis, perioperative morbidity, conversion rate, prolonged LOS (>8 days). The findings of this study confirm that the outcomes of laparoscopic approach to AA in different age groups are not the same regarding outcomes and the clinical picture. Older patients are at high risk both in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative period. The differences are visible already at the age of 40 years old. Since delayed diagnosis and postponed surgery result in the development of complicated appendicitis, more effort should be placed in improving treatment patterns for the elderly and their clinical outcome

Risk factors for serious morbidity, prolonged length of stay and hospital readmission after laparoscopic appendectomy : results from Pol-LA (Polish Laparoscopic Appendectomy) multicenter large cohort study

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) for treatment of acute appendicitis has gained acceptance with its considerable benefits over open appendectomy. LA, however, can involve some adverse outcomes: morbidity, prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS) and hospital readmission. Identification of predictive factors may help to identify and tailor treatment for patients with higher risk of these adverse events. Our aim was to identify risk factors for serious morbidity, prolonged LOS and hospital readmission after LA. A database compiled information of patients admitted for acute appendicitis from eighteen Polish and German surgical centers. It included factors related to the patient characteristics, peri- and postoperative period. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for serious perioperative complications, prolonged LOS, and hospital readmissions in acute appendicitis cases. 4618 laparoscopic appendectomy patients were included. First, although several risk factors for serious perioperative complications (C-D III-V) were found in the univariate analysis, in the multivariate model only the presence of intraoperative adverse events (OR 4.09, 95% CI 1.32-12.65, p = 0.014) and complicated appendicitis (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.74-7.61, p = 0.001) was statistically significant. Second, prolonged LOS was associated with the presence of complicated appendicitis (OR 2.8, 95%CI: 1.53-5.12, p = 0.001), postoperative morbidity (OR 5.01, 95% CI: 2.33-10.75, p < 0.001), conversions (OR 6.48, 95% CI: 3.48-12.08, p < 0.001) and reinterventions after primary procedure (OR 8.79, 95% CI: 3.2-24.14, p < 0.001) in the multivariate model. Third, although several risk factors for hospital readmissions were found in univariate analysis, in the multivariate model only the presence of postoperative complications (OR 10.33, 95% CI: 4.27-25.00), reintervention after primary procedure (OR 5.62, 95% CI: 2.17-14.54), and LA performed by resident (OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.03-3.70) remained significant. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe procedure associated with low rates of complications, prolonged LOS, and readmissions. Risk factors for these adverse events include complicated appendicitis, postoperative morbidity, conversion, and re-intervention after the primary procedure. Any occurrence of these factors during treatment should alert the healthcare team to identify the patients that require more customized treatment to minimize the risk for adverse outcomes

Ammonia in Fly Ashes from Flue Gas Denitrification Process and its Impact on the Properties of Cement Composites

The paper presents the results of research on the properties of fly ashes from the process of flue gas denitrification by selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), consisting of dosing urea into the coal combustion chamber. The research was carried out on two types of fly ash: Silica fly ash from flue gas denitrification and ash from a traditional boiler without the flue gas denitrification process. The scope of comparative studies included physicochemical and structural features of ashes, as well as slurries and mortars with the addition of ashes. Fly ash from denitrification, whose ammonia content at the time of sampling was 75 mg/kg at the maximum, was examined. Our own research has shown that fly ash from flue gas denitrification is characterized by a higher value of losses on ignition and ammonia content in comparison to ashes without denitrification. It was shown that the ammonia content in the analyzed range does not limit the use of fly ash as an additive to cement and concrete

First molecular detection of Brachyspira suanatina on pig farms in Poland

Prior to the 2000s, swine dysentery was considered to be caused only by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae with contributing commensal intestinal anaerobes. Nowadays, it is known that the disease is caused by three strongly beta-haemolytic species of the anaerobic spirochaetal genus Brachyspira, i.e. B. hyodysenteriae and newly emerged B. hampsonii and B. suanatina