Access to public sports infrastructure in Poland as a preventive factor for cardiovascular diseases

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant health concern globally, including in Poland. Physical activity has been identified as a crucial preventive factor for CVDs, and access to public sports infrastructure plays a vital role in promoting physical activity. However, the relationship between access to such infrastructure and its impact on cardiovascular health outcomes in Poland remains understudied. Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate the impact of access to public sports infrastructure on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and mortality rates in Poland. Materials and methods: Publicly available data were obtained regarding sports facilities, population structure, hospitalizations, and deaths. Results: There is a moderate negative correlation (r = -0.3096; p < 0.001) between hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases and the stadiums and playing fields available in the studied countries. The correlation between cardiovascular hospitalizations and indoor and outdoor arenas and gyms was also negative, but its effect was moderately weak (r = -0.2068, p < 0.001; r = -0.2597, p < 0.001, respectively). The average hospitalization rate for cardiovascular diseases in subjects over 65 years of age (M = 12117.24) was significantly higher compared to the group of all subjects (M = 3082.18) and subjects under 65 years of age (M = 1260.96). There is a negative correlation between the death rate and the availability of selected sports facilities, with a moderately weak effect for all sports infrastructure subgroups (r = -0.215 - -0.233). Conclusion: The effect of accessibility to public sport infrastructure on CVDs prevalence and related deaths is moderate to weak. The studied positive effect particularly affects people under 65 years of age. Further studies of other sport-connected predictors may be beneficial

Monkeypox in humans – the review

Monkeypox is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus with a presentation similar to smallpox. Being previously endemic to Africa, now the disease is spreading across the world, causing fear of a potential next pandemic. Smallpox vaccine, previously providing cross-immunity to monkeypox virus, due to cessation of vaccinations, caused the decline in immunity against these viruses. Defined ways of transmission are animal-to-human through consumption or attack by an affected animal, human-to-human through close contact, or via respiratory droplets. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs and vaccine specific to monkeypox, and for symptomatic care, there are no determined guidelines

Primary Membranous Nephropathy - what do we know today?

Introduction: Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults, characterized by the deposition of immune complexes in the glomerular basement membrane. Aim of this study: evaluate the features of PMN such as incidence, pathology, clinical features and assess the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy. Materials and Methods: The review was based on articles found in PubMed database, using keyword „primary membranous nephropathy” with appropriate sufixes. Results: PMN is a challenging disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management. Laboratory tests, including assessment of autoantibodies and complement levels, are essential for the diagnosis of PMN. Immunosuppressive therapy can be effective in inducing remission in a significant proportion of patients. Conclusions: Further research is needed to optimize the duration and intensity of immunosuppressive therapy, and to evaluate the role of newer therapies such as rituximab and belimumab

Breast cancer screening programmes in selected European countries and Poland

Breast neoplasms are the most common malignant tumors among women. In recent years breast cancer incidence rate has increased. Due to this fact the European Union presents evidence-based guidelines on breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Recommended and commonly used screening test is mammography. The effectiveness of prophylaxis is measured by a decrease in breast cancer mortality rate. Detailed recommendations in EU member countries differ from those presented by the EU institutions. This paper compares the screening programme in Poland to screening programmes in other EU members. The evaluation considers compliance with European screening guidelines and changes in mortality rates since the introduction of the screening programs. General guidelines in Poland are close to European ones. However, some Polish health centers still use analog mammography instead of recommended digital mammography. Furthermore, mortality rate changes in Poland maintain on a constant level due to women’s reluctant participation in screening tests

New Opportunities and Challenges for Health Professionals in the era of Artificial Intelligence – Review

Introduction and purpose: Modern medical knowledge has grown to a vastness incomprehensible for a single health professional to learn and accommodate. The usage of modern information technologies comes to help, one of them being artificial intelligence, a branch of computer science aimed at developing solutions to perform tasks similar to the human brain, but more efficient and complex, without actual human intervention.  The goal of this review is to provide reader with the knowledge how artificial intelligence is applied in various branches of medicine. Brief description of the state of knowledge: In the fields of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 diagnostics, radiology, dermatology and surgery, works lean toward the statement, which suspect application of AI is beneficial for medical practitioners. Programs help to develop statistical models for virus spreading and the creation of antiviral solutions. The radiological application involves the analysis of images to aid radiologists in diagnosing certain features, similarly to dermatology, where eg. AI can identify malignancy of skin nevi. In the department of surgery, predictive algorithms can help in choosing operation methods and improve outcomes. Conclusions: Usage of AI assistance in the medical field has proven to be successful, but it is yet to be commonly encountered in everyday work. Programs need to be further developed and made more approachable to users without expertise in the IT field. AI may also prove useful in the process of education of health professionals

Access to public sports infrastructure in Poland as a preventive factor for cardiovascular diseases

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant health concern globally, including in Poland. Physical activity has been identified as a crucial preventive factor for CVDs, and access to public sports infrastructure plays a vital role in promoting physical activity. However, the relationship between access to such infrastructure and its impact on cardiovascular health outcomes in Poland remains understudied. Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate the impact of access to public sports infrastructure on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and mortality rates in Poland. Materials and methods: Publicly available data were obtained regarding sports facilities, population structure, hospitalizations, and deaths. Results: There is a moderate negative correlation (r = -0.3096; p < 0.001) between hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases and the stadiums and playing fields available in the studied countries. The correlation between cardiovascular hospitalizations and indoor and outdoor arenas and gyms was also negative, but its effect was moderately weak (r = -0.2068, p < 0.001; r = -0.2597, p < 0.001, respectively). The average hospitalization rate for cardiovascular diseases in subjects over 65 years of age (M = 12117.24) was significantly higher compared to the group of all subjects (M = 3082.18) and subjects under 65 years of age (M = 1260.96). There is a negative correlation between the death rate and the availability of selected sports facilities, with a moderately weak effect for all sports infrastructure subgroups (r = -0.215 - -0.233). Conclusion: The effect of accessibility to public sport infrastructure on CVDs prevalence and related deaths is moderate to weak. The studied positive effect particularly affects people under 65 years of age. Further studies of other sport-connected predictors may be beneficial

Innovations in the systemic treatment of medullary thyroid cancer with kinase inhibitors

Introduction: Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a primary thyroid neoplasm originating from thyroid C cells. It can be familial or sporadic. The familial form is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome types 2A and 2B and is caused by a mutation in the RET gene, which encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor. Treatment of medullary thyroid cancer is mainly based on surgical resection of the thyroid gland, usually a total thyroidectomy. It can be followed-up by a chemotherapy, which has limited efficacy. Hence, there is a growing interest in new molecular therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which include vandetanib, cabozantinib, selpercatinib, pralsetinib, sorafenib and lenvatinib. Objective: The review and presentation of the current state of knowledge on the systemic treatment of medullary thyroid cancer with kinase inhibitors. Material and methods: Literature review based on available sources from PubMed database and Google Scholar. Conclusions: Though systemic treatment options for medullary thyroid cancer continue to improve, patients with advanced neoplasms still have limited therapeutic options. Hence, further development of targeted treatment with kinase inhibitors, particularly those selective for the RET receptor is crucial. Molecular studies of mutations and signaling pathways involved in the oncopathogenesis of medullary thyroid cancer could contribute to the discovery of new therapeutic mechanisms, and drugs that target them, could potentially further improve disease progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)

Particulate matter – a cancerous threat to our health?

Introduction: Particulate matter (PM) as a part of outdoor air pollutants are classified as human carcinogens. They are formed majorly as a result of combustion process by industry, power plants and engines. PM can be divided by the size of their particles into PM2.5 and PM10, where PM2.5 are small enough to penetrate into the alveoli sacs in the lung reaching the bloodstream, whereas PM10 affect mostly oral cavity, nose and the throat. Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate the impact of PM2.5 and PM10 particle concentrations in the EU NUTS 2 subregions on the death rates due to the most common malignant neoplasms. Results: There is a positive moderate correlation (r = 0.421; p &lt; 0.001) between the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 and deaths due to malignant tumors. The strongest correlation was observed for malignant neoplasms of larynx, which is a positive correlation with a strong effect (r = 0.641; p &lt; 0.001); and malignant neoplasm of bladder (r = 0.523; p &lt; 0.001). For PM10, there is a moderately weak positive correlation (r = 0,195; p = 0.008) between the annual average concentration of PM10 and deaths due to malignant tumors. The strongest correlation was observed for malignant neoplasms of larynx, which is a positive correlation with a strong effect (r = 0,551; p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: The effect of PM impact on the malignant neoplasms is strong to moderate. The most affected neoplasm site are the ones the PMs intake occurs, being in the respiratory system. However other sites, where PMs can accumulate can be impacted as well. Further studies about the population with the highest risk due to the PMs exposure may be beneficial as other non-air quality-connected predictors may be found

Primary Membranous Nephropathy - what do we know today?

Introduction: Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults, characterized by the deposition of immune complexes in the glomerular basement membrane. Aim of this study: evaluate the features of PMN such as incidence, pathology, clinical features and assess the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy. Materials and Methods: The review was based on articles found in PubMed database, using keyword „primary membranous nephropathy” with appropriate sufixes. Results: PMN is a challenging disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management. Laboratory tests, including assessment of autoantibodies and complement levels, are essential for the diagnosis of PMN. Immunosuppressive therapy can be effective in inducing remission in a significant proportion of patients. Conclusions: Further research is needed to optimize the duration and intensity of immunosuppressive therapy, and to evaluate the role of newer therapies such as rituximab and belimumab

Immunoterapia alergii na orzechy ziemne: przegląd aktualnych metod terapeutycznych

Peanut allergy is the most common food allergy in developed countries of Europe and America, affecting nearly 2% of children. Ingestion of peanut proteins even in the minimal amount may result in a dangerous to life or health anaphylactic reaction, thereby being one of the most common causes of anaphylaxis with fatal effect. Possible therapeutic methods for peanut allergy are sought to achieve patients’ desensitization and antigen tolerance. Among currently considered therapies there are oral immunotherapy (OIT), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT), however all of them are still in clinical trials. The most effective immunotherapy is OIT, resulting in higher tolerated antygen doses in comparison to sublingual and epicutaneous therapy, though oral immunotherapy has a higher risk of adverse reactions, mostly gastrointestinal and oropharyngeal. It may be advantageous to fuse several immunotherapy methods into sequential schemes. Future studies are required to furtherly evaluate effectiveness and compare mentioned immunotherapy methods of peanut allergy.Alergia na orzechy ziemne jest najczęściej występującą alergią pokarmową w krajach rozwiniętych Europy i Ameryki, dotykając 2% dzieci. Przyjęcie nawet znikomej ilości białek orzechów ziemnych może skutkować groźną dla zdrowia i życia reakcją alergiczną, przez co alergia na orzechy ziemne jest jedną z najczęstszych przyczyn anafilaksji ze skutkiem śmiertelnym. Poszukuje się możliwych metod terapeutycznych, umożliwiających osiągnięcie desensetyzacji i tolerancji antygenowej na białka orzechów ziemnych. Spośród obecnie rozważanych terapii wymienia się immunoterapię doustną, podjęzykową oraz naskórną, z których wszystkie są nadal na etapie badań klinicznych. Najskuteczniejszą metodą jest immunoterapia doustna, pozwalająca na osiągnięcie wyższych tolerowanych dawek antygenów, w porównaniu do immunoterapii podjęzykowej i naskórnej. Immunoterapia doustna jest jednak obarczona najwyższym ryzykiem występowania niepożądanych reakcji, głównie w obrębie układu pokarmowego i nosogardzieli. Korzystne może okazać się połączenie kilku metod immunoterapii w następujących po sobie schematach. Konieczne są jednak kolejne badania oceniające skuteczność i porównujące ze sobą możliwe metody immunoterapii u pacjentów z alergią na orzechy ziemne