Attitudes to Studying in Poland

The research problem was defined as ‘What is the attitude towards studying in Poland, and how has it changed in connection with transformational and generational changes?’Methods of data collection and analysis: An original questionnaire, “Attitudes to Studying”, containing 55 statements referring to nine content areas defining attitudes towards studying.Indication of the research sample: The research was conducted between 2015 and 2017 (N=2102). Three generations were defined, as follows: younger generation, 17–39; middle generation, 40–59; and older generation, 60 plus. Other variables taken into consideration were study status, political transformation (study before and after 1989), and gender.Main results: The research allowed us to distinguish three empirical factors relating to motivation to study. The first of these is linked to the decrease in motivation connected with the egalitarianism of studying. This factor was more important for women than for men. The second indicates the significance of a university’s prestige when taking up studies . Motivation understood in this way was more important for women, people studying before the political transformation, and the results on this scale generally increased with the age of the respondents. The third indicates the role of social pressure in making decisions about studying – this is more important for people studying before the political transformation, and for men compared to women. Interestingly, social pressure is more important for those still studying than for those who have already graduated.Conclusions: The research made it possible to distinguish three main groups of motives relating to studying in Poland: the environment and prestige of the university as factors increasing motivation, and the egalitarianism of studies as a factor decreasing motivation. Attitudes towards studying are influenced by both the motives present before the political transformation, as well as those which appeared as the result of socio-cultural changes

HE4 tumor marker concentration in neoplastic peritoneal effusion and in peritoneal fluid associated with benign gynecological diseases

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the behaviour of the human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in the peritoneal fluid encountered in various female genital diseases. METHODS: We enrolled 139 patients, 40 with ovarian cancer (group I), 82 with benign diseases (group II), and 17 with other malignant neoplasms (group III). The HE4 tumor marker concentrations were determined in serum, in the peritoneal effusion and ovarian cyst/ tumor fluids, CA125 in the serum only. We compared the groups, examined correlations and determined corresponding ROC curves. We evaluated the relationship between the HE4 marker concentration in the peritoneal effusion in the group I, depending on the selected prognostic parameters. RESULTS: The HE4 median value between the study groups did not differ statistically significantly and were as follows: in group I 3322 pmol/L, in the group II 2150 pmol/L and in the group III 627 pmol/L (p = 0.206376 for the groups I and II, p = 0.05929 for the groups I and III and p = 0.0797 for the groups II and III. In group I there were no differences found in the HE4 concentrations in the peritoneal fluid, depending on the stage, grade, the presence of neoplastic cells and the peritoneal dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: The HE4 marker concentrations in the peritoneal fluid are highly irrespective of the pathology observed in the female sexual organ. Therefore, it seems that its determinations in the peritoneal fluid are completely useless in terms of diagnostics. More research is needed on the role of the HE4 marker, especially the place of its formation and possible use in the targeted therapy

Expression of selected angiogenesis-related small microRNAs in patients with abnormally increased secretion of glucocorticoids

Introduction: Higher cortisol levels are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the elderly, partially resulting from biologic effects of glucocorticoids (GCs) on endothelial cells observed in an experimental setting. These features are replicated in patients with endogenous GC excess (Cushing’s syndrome) or with exogenous hypercortisolism due to excessive pharmacological application of GCs. Both groups present also an increased cardiovascular disease event rate. GCs may also adversely influence recovery after myocardial infarction. Recently it was proposed that microRNAs (miRNAs) — small noncoding RNAs functioning as antisense regulators of gene expression by targeting mRNA — may have a central role in regulating endothelial function through multiple mechanisms. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic GC excess on the expression of selected endothelium-controlling miRNAs expressed in nucleated cells circulating in peripheral blood (PBNCs) of patients with endogenous hypercortisolism either due to corticotrophin‐independent or corticotrophin‐dependent Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Material and methods: Peripheral blood nuclear cells were collected from 35 healthy subjects and 31 patients with endogenous hypercortisolism as a source of miRNAs. A self-validated individual quantitative RT-PCR study was then performed to evaluate the expression levels of selected miRNAs in PBNCs. Additionally, endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in peripheral blood was assessed with respect to endothelial dysfunction using Western blotting. Results: The ET-1 expression levels in CS were higher than in controls, confirming endothelial dysfunction in the CS group. Furthermore, miRNA analysis revealed a significantly decreased intracellular expression of selected endothelium-related miRNAs in patients with endogenous hypercortisolism, including miRNA-17-5p, miRNA-126-3p, and miRNA-126-5p, compared to controls. In contrast, two other angiogenic miRNAs, miRNA-150-5p and miRNA-223-3p, were significantly upregulated compared to controls. Conclusions: Cardiovascular events related to hypercortisolism remain a challenging problem in medical practice. This study has demonstrated that the chronic excess of GCs in endogenous CS might induce significant dysregulation of selected miRNAs involved in the control of endothelium biology. However, the lack of knowledge about specific miRNA expression postpones the full understanding of the biological roles of such miRNAs in hypercortisolism. Moreover, dysregulated miRNAs seem to be promising targets for further research, especially to search for potential therapies for several GC-induced cardiovascular complications

Rapid assessment of the IL-6 cervico-vaginal fluid level in threatening preterm labor

Summary Objectives: The aim of the study was to check the cervico-vaginal fluid IL-6 levels using rapid, quantitive test in patients with threatening preterm labor, before and after tocolytic treatment. Material and methods: Sixty seven singular pregnant women, between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation, were included into the clinical trial. 35 women who were admitted to the Department due to clinical symptoms of threatened preterm labor formed the study group. 32 women between 24 and 36 gestational week, with uncomplicated pregnancy, formed the control group. Levels of IL-6 were measured just after material collection, using fast, quantitative spectrofotometric test. Results: The cervico-vaginal IL-6 level was higher in the study group (458pg/mL vs 123pg/mL;

Оценка процесса подготовки юных спортсменок, специализирующихся в плавании способом брасс и кроль на спине

В статье представлена оценка и анализ современного процесса подготовки юных спортсменок, специализирующихся в плавании способом брасс и способом кроль на спине. Представлена характеристика направленности тренировочного процесса юных спортсменок, объем и интенсивность нагрузок, структура тренировочного процесса, особенности процесса подготовки, степень влияния вне тренировочных факторов. Ключевые слова: подготовка, юные спортсменки, брасс, кроль на спине. The article presents the evaluation and analysis of current process of training of young athletes specializing in swimming breaststroke way and way crawl on back. The characteristic orientation of the training process of young athletes, the volume and intensity of loads, the structure of the training proces s, features of process of training, the degree of influence of factors outside the training. Key words: training, young athletes, breaststroke, crawl on bac

Evaluation of indications for amniocentesis in cases of normal fetal ultrasound results

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze indications for amniocentesis in cases of patients with normal fetalultrasound results between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks of gestation.Material and methods: The results of first-trimester screening tests performed between 2014 and 2018 on 6,863 patientsof the Prenatal Testing Outpatient Clinic at the Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian MedicalUniversity, Szczecin, Poland, were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were a singleton pregnancy and normal results of fetalultrasound between 11+0- and 13+6-weeks’ gestation. Depending on the calculated risk of fetal trisomy 21, the patientswere divided into three groups (group A = RS > 1:300, group B = RS 1:300 – 1:999, group C = RS ≤ 1:1000). Subsequently,values such as PAPP-A and fβ-hCG protein levels and maternal age were analyzed for each of the groups.Results: The patients, 6,310 (91.94%) met the inclusion criteria. A high risk of fetal trisomy 21 was identified for 514 women(8.15%). Group B had 733 (11.62%) and group C 5,063 (80.23%) patients. In group A, an fβ-hCG level of ≥ 2.000 MoM wasshown for 50.97% of the women. A PAPP-A level ranging from 0.001 to 0.499 MoM was observed for 38.72% of groupA patients. The mean maternal age in groups A, B and C was 36.45, 36.08 and 31.64 years, respectively.Conclusions: In the first-trimester, patients with normal ultrasound results obtained during prenatal screening tests, the maincause of an increased risk of trisomy 21 was elevated PAPP-A and fβ-hCG concentrations. According to this paper’s authors,in these cases extension of diagnosis to include other gestational complications, e.g. preeclampsia, should be considered

Charakterystyka wybranych aspektów klinicznych u kobiet, nosicielek mutacji genu BRCA1 poddanych operacjom profilaktycznym narządu płciowego leczonych uprzednio z powodu raka piersi

Aim: Evaluation of patient age and time of the prophylactic surgery, as well as incidence of genital cancers and precancerous states observed in histopathology of the postoperative material from BRCA1 gene mutation carriers previously treated for breast cancer. Material and methods: 206 carriers of one of the three most common BRCA1 gene mutations (5382insC, C61G and 4153delA) in the Polish population, who were offered the option of prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. The study group comprised 85 patients with the diagnosis of breast cancer before gynecological preventive surgery. The study group was further divided into two subgroups for more detailed assessment of the tested variables. The first subgroup included 67 patients with breast cancer (unilateral or bilateral synchronous). The second subgroup included 18 patients with bilateral metachronous (the second diagnosis of breast cancer was at least 12 months after the first breast cancer diagnosis). The control group consisted of 121 patients with no cancerous lesions before preventive gynecologic surgery. The patients undergoing prophylactic treatment had no prior symptoms in female sexual organ and no changes in the diagnostic tests. Results: The patients with a history of breast cancer underwent genetic testing and preventive surgery of the genital tract at a significantly later age than controls (respectively, p = 0.0003, p = 0.0006). The patients with bilateral metachronous breast cancer underwent preventive surgery significantly earlier (p = 0.03). There was a trend indicating a 2.5 times higher risk of developing ovarian cancer among BRCA1 mutation carriers who had already been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, when compared to women without breast cancer diagnosis. The incidence of other genital cancers and precancerous states in BRCA1 gene mutation carriers with history of breast cancer was not statistically significant as compared to controls. Data on the clinical stage, morphological grade, histological type, age and type of pathology, and the type of BRCA1 gene mutation did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: Each patient diagnosed with breast cancer should be strongly recommended a genetic test to reduce adverse consequences resulting from postponing the test and, if applicable, the preventive operation until later in life. Preventive surgery should be considered especially in BRCA1 gene mutation carriers previously treated for breast cancer because of the increased risk of ovarian cancer.Cel pracy: Ocena wieku i czasu wykonania operacji profilaktycznej oraz częstości występowania raków i stanów przedrakowych narządu płciowego stwierdzanych w badaniu histopatologicznym materiału pooperacyjnego u pacjentek nosicielek mutacji genu BRCA1 leczonych uprzednio z powodu raka piersi. Materiał i metody: Materiał stanowiło 206 pacjentek nosicielek jednej z trzech najczęstszych mutacji dla populacji polskiej (5382insC, 4153delA i C61G) genu BRCA1 (16), którym przedstawiono jako opcję – zabieg profilaktycznego usunięcie przydatków. U pacjentek wykonano operacje profilaktyczne w okresie od 15.09.1999r. do 31.12.2010r. Były to kolejne nosicielki mutacji pochodzące z województwa zachodniopomorskiego, operowane w Katedrze i Klinice Ginekologii Operacyjnej i Onkologii Ginekologicznej Dorosłych i Dziewcząt PUM w Szczecinie. Wyniki: U pacjentek poddanych zabiegowi profilaktycznemu wcześniej nie stwierdzono jakichkolwiek objawów ze strony narządu płciowego i zmian w badaniach diagnostycznych. Grupę badaną (A) stanowiło 85 pacjentek leczonych przed operacją profilaktyczną z powodu raka piersi. W celu dokładniejszej oceny badanych zmiennych grupę badaną A podzielono dodatkowo na dwie podgrupy: B i C. Do podgrupy B włączono 67 pacjentek z rakiem piersi ( jednej piersi lub obustronnym rakiem - zdiagnozowanym w tym samym czasie). Do podgrupy C włączono 18 pacjentek z obustronnym rakiem piersi zdiagnozowanym w różnym czasie, czas jaki upłynął od pierwszej diagnozy wynosił co najmniej 12 miesięcy). Grupę kontrolną (K) stanowiło 121 pacjentek, u których przed operacją profilaktyczną nie stwierdzono żadnych nowotworów złośliwych. W grupie badanych pacjentek porównywano wiek i czas od podjęcia decyzji dotyczącej zabiegu profilaktycznego do wieku pacjentek i czasu poddania się przez nie operacji. Wnioski: Każdej pacjentce, z rozpoznanym rakiem piersi należy zdecydowanie zaproponować wykonanie badanie genetycznego, aby zmniejszyć niekorzystne tendencje późniejszego zgłaszania się na badania genetyczne i w związku z tym wykonywania operacji profilaktycznej w późniejszym wieku. Wykonanie operacji profilaktycznej szczególnie należy rozważyć u pacjentek, nosicielek mutacji genu BRCA1, leczonych w przeszłości z powodu raka piersi z uwagi na wzrost ryzyka zachorowania na raka jajnika

24-h sheltering behaviour of individually kept horses during Swedish summer weather

Provision of shelter for horses kept on summer pasture is rarely considered in welfare guidelines, perhaps because the benefits of shelter in warm conditions are poorly documented scientifically. For cattle, shade is a valued resource during summer and can mitigate the adverse effects of warm weather on well-being and performance. We found in a previous study that horses utilized shelters frequently in summer. A shelter with a roof and closed on three sides (shelter A) was preferred and can reduce insect pressure whereas a shelter with roof and open on three sides was not utilized. However, shelter A restricts the all-round view of a horse, which may be important for horses as flight animals. Therefore, we studied whether a shelter with roof, where only the upper half of the rear wall was closed (shelter B), would be utilized while maintaining insect protection properties and satisfying the horses’ sense for security. A third shelter was offered with walls but no roof (shelter C) to evaluate whether the roof itself is an important feature from the horse’s perspective. Eight Warmblood horses were tested each for 2 days, kept individually for 24 h in two paddocks with access to shelters A and B, or shelters A and C, respectively. Shelter use was recorded continuously during the night (1800–2400 h, 0200–0600 h) and the following day (0900–1600 h), and insect defensive behaviour (e.g., tail swish) in instantaneous scan samples at 5-min intervals during daytime