The Oxidative Stress May be Induced by the Elevated Homocysteine in Schizophrenic Patients

The mechanisms of oxidative stress in schizophrenic patients are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of elevated level of homocysteine (Hcys) on some parameters of oxidative stress, namely thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an index of lipid peroxidation in plasma, the level of carbonyl groups in plasma proteins, as well as the amount of 3-nitrotyrosine in plasma proteins isolated from schizophrenic patients. Patients hospitalised in I and II Psychiatric Department of Medical University in Lodz, Poland were interviewed with special questionnaire (treatment, course of diseases, dyskinesis and other EPS). According to DSM-IV criteria all patients had diagnosis of paranoid type. They were treated with antipsychotic drugs (clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine). Mean time of schizophrenia duration was about 5 years. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyse the total level of homocysteine in plasma. Levels of carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine residues in plasma proteins were measured by ELISA and a competition ELISA, respectively. The lipid peroxidation in plasma was measured by the level of TBARS. Our results showed that in schizophrenic patients the amount of homocysteine in plasma was higher in comparison with the control group. We also observed a statistically increased level of biomarkers of oxidative/nitrative stress such as carbonyl groups or 3-nitrotyrosine in plasma proteins from schizophrenic patients. Moreover, our experiments indicate that the correlation between the increased amount of homocysteine and the oxidative stress exists. Considering the data presented in this study, we suggest that the elevated Hcys in schizophrenic patients may stimulate the oxidative stress

Pokolenie Y na rynku żywności – perspektywa placówek gastronomicznych

Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja wybranych elementów zachowań pokolenia Y na rynku usług gastronomicznych oraz działań podejmowanych przez placówki gastronomiczne w kontekście tych zachowań. Realizacji celu posłużyły studia literaturowe, informacje pochodzące z czasopism branżowych oraz badania bezpośrednie przeprowadzone przez autorów artykułu. Identyfikacji wyróżników oferty placówek gastronomicznych wpisujących się w specyfikę pokolenia Y dokonano na podstawie analizie zawartości informacji zawartych na stronach internetowych placówek. Wyniki przeprowadzonych badań i analiz wskazują, że pokolenie Y to niezwykle ważny podmiot rynku usług gastronomicznych – duży liczebnie, ale również innowacyjny, aktywny, szybki, wymagający. Zachowania pokolenia Y wyznaczają współczesne trendy na rynku i wymuszają podejmowanie działań przez placówki gastronomiczne zgodne z tymi trendami - w zakresie oferty, jej różnorodności i dostępności, a także wirtualizacji elementów obsługi klienta

Socjalizacja kulturowa w rodzinach polskich i binacjonalnych w Irlandii

Parents and their children staying abroad can assimilate national culture and the culture of the country of residence. However, this does not exhaust the possibilities of education and socialization in the family. Qualitative research using the interview method was conducted in twenty-four Polish and two binational families residing in Ireland. The discussed research results allow to notice that the adopted model of introducing a child into culture differentiates the will to return to Polnd or to stay abroad. In the family, the child learns cultural scripts, meets the symbols of Polishness, gets to know a new culture. The family also provides positive examples of recognizing dissimilarity and to-lerance. Most of the surveyed parents try to make their children use both the cultural achievements of Poland and the country of residence. Key words: cultural socialization; emigration; Polish and binational families in IrelandRodzice a także ich dzieci przebywając na emigracji, mogą przyswajać kulturę narodową i kulturę kraju zamieszkania. Nie wyczerpuje to jednak możliwości wychowania i socjalizacji w rodzinie. Badania jakościowe z wykorzystaniem metody wywiadu przeprowadzono w dwudziestu czterech rodzinach polskich i dwóch binacjonalnych przebywających w Irlandii. Omówione wyniki badań pozwalają zauważyć, że przyjęty model wprowadzania dziecka w kulturę/y różnicuje chęć powrotu do kraju lub pozostania na emigracji. W rodzinie dziecko poznaje skrypty kulturowe, styka się z symbolami polskości, poznaje nową kulturę. Rodzina także dostarcza dziecku pozytywnych przykładów uznania odmienności, tolerancji. Większość badanych rodziców angażuje się w korzystanie przez ich dzieci z polskiego dorobku kulturowego, jak i kraju pobytu.BIERZYŃSKA-SUDOŁ, M. (2013). Proces podtrzymywania tożsamości narodowej współczesnych mi-grantów polskich w przestrzeni Internetu (na przykładzie Wielkiej Brytanii i Irlandii 2004-2011). Bydgoszcz: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Kazimierza Wielkiego. BOSKI, P., VAN DE VIJVER, F.J.R., HURME, H., & MILUSKA, J. (1999). Perception and evaluation of Polish cultural femininity in Poland, the USA, Finland, and the Netherlands. Cross-Cultural Research, 33, 131-161. Census 2016 Summary Results – Part 1. Published by the Central Statistics Office, Ireland 2017, http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/population/2017/Chapter_5_Diversity.pdf. GRAY, B. (2006). Migrant integration policy: a nationalist fantasy of management and control? The Irish Migration, Race and Social Transformation Review, 1, 118-138. KLIMEK, Ł. (2012). Polscy migranci mieszkający w Irlandii, ich strategie akulturacyjne i stosunek wobec integracji. Studia Migracyjne – Przegląd Polonijny, 3(38), 27-51. KŁOSKOWSKA, A. (1985). Kulturologiczna analiza biograficzna. Kultura i Społeczeństwo, 3, 3-29. KMITA, J. (1975). Homo sybolicus. W: J. KMITA (red.), Wartość, dzieło, sens. Szkice z filozofii kul-tury artystycznej (s. 86-96). Warszawa: KiW. KRUGER, H. (2000). Metody badań w pedagogice. Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo GWP. LINKA, A. (2014). Migracja jako podróż ku dorosłości: o głównych problemach rozwojowych dzie-ci-migrantów. Pedagogika Społeczna,1, 75-93. MALINOWSKA, M. (2017). Wychowanie dzieci w rodzinach polskich i binacjonalnych mieszkających w Irlandii. Niepublikowana praca magisterska napisana pod kierunkiem dr hab. B. Grabowskiej. Cieszyn: Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach, Wydział Etnologii i Nauk o Edukacji. NIKITOROWICZ, J. (1995). Pogranicze, tożsamość, edukacja międzykulturowa. Białystok: Trans Humana. NIKITOROWICZ, J. (1995). Pogranicze, tożsamość, edukacja międzykulturowa. Białystok: Trans Humana. SMOLICZ, J.J. (1999). Współkultury Australii. Warszawa: Oficyna Naukowa. http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/population/2017/Chapter_5_Diversity.pdf

Relaxation of human pulmonary arteries by PPARγ agonists

It has been suggested that activation of nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ (PPARγ) may represent a new strategy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It has been demonstrated that PPARγ activation relaxed the isolated mouse pulmonary artery. The aims of the present study were to examine whether and to which extent the two PPARγ agonists rosiglitazone and pioglitazone relax the isolated human pulmonary artery and to investigate the underlying mechanism(s). Isolated human pulmonary arteries were obtained from patients without clinical evidence of pulmonary hypertension during resection of lung carcinoma. Vasodilatory effects of PPARγ agonists were examined on endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded vessels preconstricted with the thromboxane prostanoid receptor agonist U-46619. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone (0.01–100 μM) caused a concentration- and/or time-dependent full relaxation of U-46619-preconstricted vessels. The rosiglitazone-induced relaxation was attenuated by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 1 μM, endothelium denudation, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME 300 μM, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin 10 μM, and the K(ATP) channel blocker glibenclamide 10 μM. The prostacyclin IP receptor antagonist RO1138452 1 μM shifted the concentration–response curve for rosiglitazone to the right. The PPARγ agonists pioglitazone and rosiglitazone relax human pulmonary arteries. The rosiglitazone-induced vasorelaxation is partially endothelium-dependent and involves PPARγ receptors, arachidonic acid degradation products, nitric oxide, and K(ATP) channels. Thus, the relaxant effect of PPARγ agonists in human pulmonary arteries may represent a new therapeutic target in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background. The inflammatory process in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) interferes with the normal function of respiratory lung. There is strong evidence indicating that inflammatory process in patients with COPD may activate blood coagulation. However, little is known about the role of tissue factor (TF) pathway in the coagulation system activation in COPD. Objectives. The aim of the study has been to evaluate the concentration of selected parameters of coagulation process, including TF and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), in plasma of patients with COPD. Patients and methods. The study included 66 patients with COPD at different stages of disease according to GOLD 2006, mean age of 60.4 years. The control group consisted of 25 healthy volunteers (non-smokers). Total TF and TFPI concentrations and other haemostatic parameters were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results. Significantly higher concentrations of TF and TFPI (p = 0.03; p = 0.004, respectively) were observed in patients with COPD. The level of fibrinogen was also higher in the study group than in controls (p = 0.002). However, the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was shortened in COPD patients as compared with the control group (p = 0.0001). Conclusion. The study showed that in patients suffering from COPD, the stimulation of the tissue factor- -dependent activation of coagulation is observed.

Cannabidiol Affects the Bezold-Jarisch Reflex via TRPV1 and 5-HT3 Receptors and Has Peripheral Sympathomimetic Effects in Spontaneously Hypertensive and Normotensive Rats

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a nonpsychotropic constituent of Cannabis sativa L. It is suggested to be useful in hypertension. Under in vitro conditions, it activates vanilloid TRPV1 and inhibits serotonin 5-HT3 receptors, i.e., receptors involved in the Bezold-Jarisch reflex stimulation. The aim of our study was to compare the cardiovascular effects of CBD in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Experiments were performed on conscious, urethane-anesthetized, and pithed rats. In pithed SHR and WKY, CBD increased heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and decreased diastolic BP (DBP) in a manner insensitive to adrenalectomy. Propranolol strongly impaired the CBD-induced increases in HR and SBP without affecting the decreases in DBP. Desipramine also reduced the CBD-induced effects on HR and SBP and further increased its effects on DBP. In anesthetized rats, bolus i.v. injection of single doses of CBD induced short-lasting decreases in HR, SBP, and DBP, stronger in SHR than in WKY and prevented by bilateral vagotomy. The CBD-induced fall in HR but not in BP was diminished by the TRPV1 receptor antagonist capsazepine and almost completely abolished if CBD was re-injected after previous administration. CBD reduced the Bezold-Jarisch reflex elicited by the 5-HT3 receptor agonist phenylbiguanide but not that evoked by the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin. In conscious rats, CBD did not affect cardiovascular parameters. In isolated left atria, CBD decreased contractile force. Conclusions: Cannabidiol (1) induces the Bezold-Jarisch reflex likely via TRPV1 receptors (which undergo tachyphylaxis) more markedly in SHR than in WKY; (2) inhibits the Bezold-Jarisch reflex induced by activation of 5-HT3 but not TRPV1 receptors; (3) has peripheral sympathomimetic, (4) vasodilatory, and (5) negative inotropic effects. The above properties of CBD should be taken under consideration when CBD is used for therapeutic purposes

Analysis of hospital management of chronic respiratory diseases in light of the “Maps of Health Needs” project in Poland

Introduction: The “Maps of Health Needs” project has been carried out in Poland since 2016 and its purpose is to implement quality-promoting and organisational solutions in the Polish healthcare system. This paper is the analysis of hospitalisations for chronic respiratory diseases recorded in Polish National Health Fund databases in 2014. Material and methods: The study included 122,000 hospitalisations of adults and 22,000 hospitalisations of children. Epidemio-logical parameters (incidence and prevalence) and major hospitalisation parameters were determined through statistical analysis. Results: The highest registered incidence was observed in asthma patients (548 per 100,000 inhabitants) followed by COPD patients (233 per 100,000 inhabitants). Asthma patients were also characterised by the highest prevalence, with lower values being observed in COPD patients. In the group of adults, patients aged 65 years or older and 80 years or older accounted for 44% and 14% of hospitalised adults respectively. The analysis also revealed that 66% of hospitalisations of adults included patients with asthma, COPD and respiratory failure. The development of respiratory failure prolongs hospitalisation and increases both in-hospital and post-discharge mortality. In children, 90% of the identified hospitalisations were for asthma, chronic inflammatory lung diseases and cystic fibrosis. Conclusions: The results of the study demonstrate that pulmonary obstructive diseases are associated with a considerable burden. Therefore, corrective actions within the Polish healthcare system are required to decrease the number of hospitalisations for these diseases

Wrodzony przerost nadnerczy z niedoboru 21-hydroksylazy - problemy i postępowanie u dorosłych

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is one of the most common autosomal recessive hereditary diseases. The impairment of cortisol synthesis leads to excessive stimulation of the adrenal glands by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), adrenal hyperplasia, and excessive androgen synthesis. The syndrome is characterised by a considerable correlation between the genotype and the phenotype with the type of CYP21A2 gene mutation affecting the severity of 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The clinical manifestations of CAH in adults result from adrenocortical and adrenomedullary insufficiency, hyperandrogenism, and the adverse effects of glucocorticosteroids used for the treatment of the condition. Non-classic CAH may sometimes be asymptomatic. In patients with classic CAH obesity, hyperinsulinaemia, insulin resistance, and hyperleptinaemia are more often seen than in the general population. These abnormalities promote the development of metabolic syndrome and its sequelae, including endothelial dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease. Long-term glucocorticosteroid treatment is also a known risk factor for osteoporosis. Patients with CAH require constant monitoring of biochemical parameters (17a-hydroxyprogesterone [17-OHP] and androstenedione), clinical parameters (body mass, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids), and bone mineral density by densitometry. The principal goal of treatment in adults with CAH is to improve quality of life, ensure that they remain fertile, reduce the manifestations of hyperandrogenisation in females, and minimise the adverse effects of glucocorticosteroid treatment. Patients with classic CAH require treatment with glucocorticosteroids and, in cases of salt wasting, also with a mineralocorticosteroid. Radical measures, such as bilateral adrenalectomy, are very rarely needed. Asymptomatic patients with non-classic CAH require monitoring: treatment is not always necessary. Medical care for patients with CAH should be provided by reference centres, as the management of such patients requires collaboration between an endocrinologist, diabetologist, gynaecologist, andrologist, urologist, and psychologist.Wrodzony przerost nadnerczy (CAH, congenital adrenal hyperplasia) z niedoboru 21-hydroksylazy jest jedną z najczęstszych chorób dziedziczonych w sposób autosomalny recesywny. Upośledzenie syntezy kortyzolu doprowadza do nadmiernej stymulacji nadnerczy przez ACTH, przerostu nadnerczy i nadmiernej syntezy androgenów. Zespół ten cechuje się dużą korelacją pomiędzy genotypem i fenotypem - rodzaj mutacji genu CYP21A2 wpływa na stopień niedoboru 21-hydroksylazy. Objawy kliniczne w klasycznych postaciach CAH u dorosłych wynikają z: niedoczynności kory i rdzenia nadnerczy, hiperandrogenizmu oraz działań ubocznych stosowanych w leczeniu glikokortykosteroidów. Postać nieklasyczna może czasem przebiegać bezobjawowo. U pacjentów z klasyczną postacią CAH częściej niż w normalnej populacji stwierdza się otyłość, hiperinsulinizm i insulinooporność oraz hiperleptynemię. Nieprawidłowości te sprzyjają rozwojowi zespołu metabolicznego i jego konsekwencjom, w tym dysfunkcji śródbłonka i rozwojowi chorób sercowo-naczyniowych. Przewlekłe leczenie glikokortykosteroidami jest także znanym czynnikiem ryzyka rozwoju osteoporozy. Chorzy z CAH wymagają stałego monitorowania zarówno parametrów biochemicznych (17-OHP i androstendionu), jak i klinicznych (kontrola masy ciała, pomiary obwodu talii, ciśnienia tętniczego, glikemii, lipidogramu) oraz densytometrycznej oceny gęstości mineralnej kości. Podstawowym celem leczenia dorosłych chorych z CAH jest poprawa jakości życia, zapewnienie płodności, zmniejszenie objawów hiperandrogenizacji u kobiet oraz minimalizacja objawów niepożądanych glikokortykosteroidoterapii. Pacjenci z postacią klasyczną wymagają leczenia glikokortykosteroidami, a w przypadkach przebiegających z utratą soli także mineralokortykosteroidem. Niezwykle rzadko konieczne jest zastosowanie radykalnego postępowania, jakim jest obustronna adrenalektomia. Pacjenci z postacią nieklasyczną, z brakiem objawów klinicznych wymagają obserwacji, leczenie natomiast nie zawsze jest konieczne. Opieka nad dorosłymi chorymi z CAH powinna być prowadzona w ośrodkach referencyjnych, ponieważ wymaga współpracy endokrynologa, diabetologa, ginekologa, androloga, urologa i psychologa. (Endokrynol Pol 2010; 61 (1): 142-155

Ischaemic heart disease risk factors among women performing mental work

Cardiovascular-system diseases account for 70-80% of deaths in economically developed countries and 40-50% in developing countries. The major influence on limiting the frequency of their occurrence is exerted by a healthy lifestyle, which amounts to an individual conduct conducive to maintaining or strengthening health. The purpose of the work was to evaluate the risk factors of the ischaemic heart disease among women performing mental work. The study was conducted in a group of 232 women performing mental work within the age range of 20-59 years. The study employed the method of a diagnostic survey and an analysis of medical records. 87% of the subjects judged their health to be good or very good, younger persons claiming so significantly more frequently (p < 0.001). The source of knowledge regarding health most often indicated by the surveyed women included newspapers, periodicals, and books (81.5%). 16.4% of the examined population admitted to regular smoking. The majority of the examined persons favoured passive recreation - 74.1% were most willing to watch television in their leisure time. Elevated values of total cholesterol were found among 32% of the surveyed women. An elevated blood-glucose level was found among 14% of the group subjected to the study. Overweight affected 26.7%, while obesity 11.2% of the women. 10.8% of the examined persons exhibited elevated values of systolic arterial blood pressure. The subjects were generally aware of their health condition and correctly interpreted the study results obtained. More than half the number of the subjects deemed the conditions of their work to be stressful, while every fifth examined person was found to exhibit somatic symptoms of increased emotional tension. The majority of the surveyed women indicated measures representing evasive techniques of coping with difficult situations (i.e. routine domestic tasks - 44.8%, conversation with a friend - 30.6%). Despite a satisfactory level of knowledge regarding a proper health-promoting lifestyle and an awareness of their own health condition, the majority of the surveyed women were found to exhibit modifiable risk factors pertaining to the cardiovascular system