Cytology of nasal mucosa, olfactometry and rhinomanometry in patients after CO2 laser mucotomy in inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

To evaluate the cytology of nasal mucosa and sense of smell and nasal patency in patients underwent carbon dioxide laser turbinoplasty (CO2 laser mucotomy) due to chronic nasal hypertrophy. 46 patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy underwent complete laryngological examination, anterior rhinomanometry, olfactory measurements and cytology of nasal mucous which were performed before and 3 months after CO2 laser mucotomy. Laser mucotomy was performed under local anesthesia. Cytograms revealed significant changes in cell proportion before and after the surgery. Goblet cells predominated in nasal smears before the laser mucotomy. An average percentage of eosinophils in evaluated cytograms before the surgery was 2.1%. Three months after laser mucotomy we observed decrease in goblet cells proportion (the mean range of goblet cells was 16.4%) in nasal cytology. We have also observed improvement in olfactory function, however only in 7 patients (20.6%). The mean value of total nasal airway resistance (NAR) before treatment was 0.98+/-0.24 Pa/cm3/s at 75 Pa. Rhinomanometry after 3 months showed a reduction in mean total resistance from the pretreatment level to 0.77 Pa/cm3/s. We believe that CO2 laser mucotomy is an efficacious, minimally invasive and easy to use treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy which is performed under local anesthesia with little discomfort for the patient and does not require hospitalization

Determinants Related to Oxidative Stress Parameters in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Adequate glycemic management is one of the main goals in treating type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and preventing the early onset of diabetic complications. Improperly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM) will result in oxidative stress (OS) and lead to further related health issues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the body’s ability to defend against OS depending on the duration of T1DM, metabolic management, antioxidant intake and modern glycemic monitoring systems (GMS). The study included 103 adolescents with T1DM aged 10–17 years. The control group consisted of 65 healthy peers. The patients’ blood was assayed for antioxidant enzymes, minerals and toxic elements. In addition, their dietary intake of antioxidant components was assessed. The T1DM group had higher total oxidant status, oxidative stress index and Cu/Zn ratio values, higher concentrations of malondialdehyde and lower total antioxidant status (TAS) and chromium, zinc, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels than their healthy peers. The comparison between GMS types revealed favorable changes in OS parameters for the flash and continuous systems. Furthermore, an effect of vitamin A and C dietary intake on serum TAS concentrations was detected. More than 82% of the patients with high TAS fulfilled the estimated average requirement norm for vitamin A, and more than 60% fulfilled the vitamin C requirement. In youths with T1DM, it is advisable to observe the antioxidant activity of the body to prevent the accelerated development of diabetic complications

Cytology of nasal mucosa, olfactometry and rhinomanometry in patients after CO2 laser mucotomy in inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

To evaluate the cytology of nasal mucosa and sense of smell and nasal patency in patients underwent carbon dioxide laser turbinoplasty (CO2 laser mucotomy) due to chronic nasal hypertrophy. 46 patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy underwent complete laryngological examination, anterior rhinomanometry, olfactory measurements and cytology of nasal mucous which were performed before and 3 months after CO2 laser mucotomy. Laser mucotomy was performed under local anesthesia. Cytograms revealed significant changes in cell proportion before and after the surgery. Goblet cells predominated in nasal smears before the laser mucotomy. An average percentage of eosinophils in evaluated cytograms before the surgery was 2.1%. Three months after laser mucotomy we observed decrease in goblet cells proportion (the mean range of goblet cells was 16.4%) in nasal cytology. We have also observed improvement in olfactory function, however only in 7 patients (20.6%). The mean value of total nasal airway resistance (NAR) before treatment was 0.98+/-0.24 Pa/cm3/s at 75 Pa. Rhinomanometry after 3 months showed a reduction in mean total resistance from the pretreatment level to 0.77 Pa/cm3/s. We believe that CO2 laser mucotomy is an efficacious, minimally invasive and easy to use treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy which is performed under local anesthesia with little discomfort for the patient and does not require hospitalization

Selenium, Copper, Zinc Concentrations and Cu/Zn, Cu/Se Molar Ratios in the Serum of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Northeastern Poland—A New Insight into Stroke Pathophysiology

Background: In recent years, trace elements (TEs) have gained considerable attention in the course of treatment and diagnosis of ischemic stroke. The purpose of the conducted research was to determine the trace mineral status (Se, Cu, Zn, Cu/Zn ratio, and Cu/Se ratio) in patients with acute ischemic stroke compared to the population of healthy people in the northeastern region of Poland. Materials and methods: 141 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and 69 healthy control subjects were examined. The serum concentrations of mineral components were assessed by the atomic absorption spectrometry method. Clinical parameters were updated based on medical records. Results: The serum Se and Zn concentrations were significantly decreased (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001) in patients with AIS compared with healthy control subjects. However, no significant differences were revealed in terms of the serum Cu concentration (p = 0.283). As expected, we found that the serum Cu/Zn and Cu/Se molar ratios were significantly higher (p = 0.001; p < 0.0001) in patients with AIS compared with healthy control subjects. Conclusions: Disturbed metal homeostasis is a significant contributor to AIS pathogenesis. Furthermore, marked disruption of the serum Cu/Zn and Cu/Se molar ratios could serve as a valuable indicator of AIS patients’ nutritional status and oxidative stress levels

Concentration of Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, and Cu/Zn Ratio in Hair of Children and Adolescents with Myopia

The aim of this work was to determine the concentration of trace elements, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, and Cu/Zn ratio, in scalp hair samples of children and adolescents with myopia. The study included 92 children (mean age 14.5 ± 2.5 years) with myopia and 43 healthy persons (mean age 11.8 ± 4.7 years). Each patient had a complete eye examination. Trace element concentrations in hair were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cu/Zn ratio was also calculated. The zinc level in the hair of myopic patients was significantly higher (260 µg/g) in comparison to the control group (130 µg/g). There was a significantly lower Cu/Zn ratio in myopic patients (0.045) compared with controls (0.07). An insignificant difference was observed in the hair level of copper, selenium, and manganese between patients and controls. The results show that trace elements may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of myopia. Further studies should pay more attention to determine the effect of trace element on children myopia

Health Safety Assessment of Ready-to-Eat Products Consumed by Children Aged 0.5–3 Years on the Polish Market

Toxic elements have a negative impact on health, especially among infants and young children. Even low levels of exposure can impair the normal growth and development of children. In young children, all organs and metabolic processes are insufficiently developed, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of toxic elements. The aim of this study is to estimate the concentration of toxic elements in products consumed by infants and young children. The health risk of young children due to consumption of ready-made products potentially contaminated with As (arsenic), Cd (cadmium), Hg (mercury), and Pb (lead) was also assessed. A total of 397 samples (dinners, porridges, mousses, snacks “for the handle”, baby drinks, dairy) were analyzed for the content of toxic elements. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to assess As, Cd, and Pb concentration. The determination of Hg was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In order to estimate children’s exposure to toxic elements, the content of indicators was also assessed: estimated daily intake (EDI), estimated weekly intake (EWI), provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI), the benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR). The average content of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb for all ready-made products for children is: 1.411 ± 0.248 µg/kg, 2.077 ± 0.154 µg/kg, 3.161 ± 0.159 µg/kg, and 9.265 ± 0.443 µg/kg, respectively. The highest content As was found in wafer/crisps (84.71 µg/kg); in the case of Cd, dinners with fish (20.15 µg/kg); for Hg, dinners with poultry (37.25 µg/kg); and for Pb, fruit mousse (138.99 µg/kg). The results showed that 4.53% of the samples attempted to exceed Pb, and 1.5% exceeded levels of Hg. The highest value of THQ was made in the case of drinks, for Cd and Pb in mousses for children, and Hg for dairy products. The THQ, BMDL, and PTWI ratios were not exceeded. The analyzed ready-to-eat products for children aged 0.5–3 years may contain toxic elements, but most of them appear to be harmless to health

Gluten-Free Cereals and Pseudocereals as a Potential Source of Exposure to Toxic Elements among Polish Residents

Background: Nutritional food quality plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. However, food and drinking water, along with occupational exposure, are the main routes of exposure to toxic elements for humans. The main aim of this study was to determine the content of As, Cd, Pb and Hg in naturally gluten-free grains and products made from buckwheat, millet, maize, quinoa and oat. The safety of consumption of the products tested was also assessed. Methods: The contents of As, Cd and Pb were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To measure Hg, an atomic absorption spectrometry method (AAS) with the amalgamation technique was applied. To assess the level of consumption of the tested products, an online survey was conducted. To estimate health risk, three indicators were used: the target hazard quotient (THQ), cancer risk (CR) and hazard index (HI). The research material obtained 242 different samples without replications. Results: The highest average content of As, Cd, Pb and Hg were observed for the following groups of products: oat (10.19 µg/kg), buckwheat (48.35 µg/kg), millet (74.52 µg/kg) and buckwheat (1.37 µg/kg), respectively. For six samples, exceedance of established limits was found—three in the case of Cd and three of Pb. Due to the lack of established limits, As and Hg content of the tested products was not compared. Generally, no increased health risks were identified. Conclusions: Based on the obtained results, the consumption of gluten-free cereals and pseudocereals available on the Polish market seems to be safe. However, there is a great need to establish maximum levels of the toxic elements, especially As and Hg in cereal products in European legislation

Body Composition of Young Women and The Consumption of Selected Nutrients

The choices of food products and their nutritional value have a significant impact on nutritional status and body composition parameters. Popular and low-cost indicators of nutritional status, such as BMI, may not reflect the actual condition of the body. The aim of the study was to assess the consumption of energy as well as selected nutrients, such as protein, fats, carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids, lactose, starch, and dietary fiber, and to evaluate body mass index (BMI) and the parameters of the body composition among young women. Next, correlations were made between these nutrients and the parameters, such as percent body fat (PBF), visceral fat area (VFA), and fitness score (FS). The study group included 478 young women. To assess their consumption, the participants completed 72 h dietary interviews. In addition, the participants had a body composition analysis performed by bioelectric impedance technology by the InBody 720 Body Composition Analyzer (InBody, South Korea). The average energy value of the diets was about 1480 kcal. Most diets contained adequate portions of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. The diets were deficient in terms of unsaturated fatty acids and fiber. We showed that up to 37% of women with normal BMI had excess body fat. Moreover, the % energy from plant protein consumption negatively correlated with PBF and BMI (r = −0.10, p = 0.029, r = −0.10, p = 0.037, respectively) and dietary fiber with PBF, BMI, VFA, and FS (r = −0.17, p = 0.0003, r = −0.12, p = 0.01, r = −0.18, p = 0.0001, r = 0.09, p = 0.041, respectively). Education on the proper consumption of basic nutrients, including plant-based protein and dietary fiber, seems to be essential in preventing overweight and obesity

Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant Properties of Honey from Poland, Italy, and Spain Based on the Declarations of Producers and Their Results of Melissopalinological Analysis

Natural bee honeys are commonly used by patients for nutritional, preventive, and curative purposes. Honey varieties produced in other countries, including Italy and Spain, are gaining popularity. The aim of the study was to evaluate selected antioxidant properties of honey, taking into account the declared and actual variety. The research material consisted of 105 honey samples, including honeys from Poland (n = 50), from Spain (n = 35), and from Italy (n = 20). The variety was determined by the melissopalinological method, and in the case of honeydew honeys, the electrical conductivity was measured. Total phenolic content (TPC), color intensity, color in Pfund scale, DPPH, and FRAP were assessed. Polish buckwheat honeys, with confirmed botanical origin, are characterized by the highest median of the TPC (213.05 mg GAE/100 g), the highest color intensity (1.138 mAU), and the highest value in the FRAP test (0.394 µM Fe2+/mL). In conclusion, proper labeling of bee honeys is necessary so as not to mislead consumers, and buckwheat honeys from Poland can be recommended to patients for prophylactic purposes in order to provide antioxidants in the diet