The impact of caries on human health - a review of knowledge

Dental caries is currently a huge social problem in many countries. Caries is a pathological process associated with the loss of minerals and the breakdown of the hard tissues of the tooth. The risk of its occurrence is very high, especially in children and adolescents. The development of caries is determined by the presence of plaque, the susceptibility of the tooth tissue, the substrate and the time factor. The state of oral health depends on a very age of factors, including hygiene habits, health-promoting education, preventio

Self-esteem, stress and anxiety among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The effects of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of many individuals are now becoming increasingly apparent, especially among health care workers, who not infrequently develop the so-called post-pandemic stress syndrome, referring in essence to post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a consequence of the fact that medics, especially those who worked on the front lines during the pandemic experienced enormous challenges and difficulties every day that burdened and/or exceeded their individual abilities to adapt. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess well-being and the incidence of stress and anxiety among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: 182 people participated in the study, belonging to the representatives of medical personnel. The study used a questionnaire technique, by providing a survey with questions in electronic form. The survey consisted of both original questions and standardized psychometric tools, i.e. WHO-5, PSS-10, GAD-7. Results: Based on the scales, 78.6% of respondents were found to have elevated levels of stress and anxiety with a concomitant decrease in well-being in relation to COVID-19 work. Conclusions: Disturbing mental health implications were found among health care workers. Those surveyed showed elevated levels of experiencing anxiety and stress, as well as reduced well-being while working during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure optimal mental well-being among medical professionals, he recommends guaranteeing access to mental health support and assistance programs for health care workers

Płytki krwi — ogniwo łączące zakrzepicę ze stanem zapalnym

Główną funkcją płytek jest ich udział w procesach hemostazy. W ostatnich dwóch dekadach wzrosło znaczenie roli płytek krwi w stanach zapalnych oraz w chorobach nowotworowych. Po aktywacji płytki krwi wydzielają ponad 300 substancji z wewnątrzkomórkowych ziarnistości. Zawartość ziarnistości gęstych, między innymi: adenozynodifosforan (ADP — adenosine diphosphate), serotonina, histamina, polifosforany, i ziarnistości α, między innymi: fibrynogen, czynnik von Willebranda, czynniki krzepnięcia, odgrywają ważną rolę w procesach hemostazy i krzepnięcia, stanowiąc również istotny czynnik powstawania przerzutów nowotworowych. Ziarnistości α zawierają wiele cytokin, mitogenów, czynników pro- i przeciwzapalnych oraz innych cząsteczek bioaktywnych, które są niezbędnymi regulatorami w złożonym środowisku tworzącej się skrzepliny, przyczyniając się do wielu procesów chorobowych — przede wszystkim tych związanych ze stanem zapalnym i reakcjami immunologicznymi organizmu. W niniejszej pracy poglądowej podsumowano obecne rozumienie funkcji płytek w procesach chorobowych

Płytki krwi — ogniwo łączące zakrzepicę ze stanem zapalnym

Główną funkcją płytek jest ich udział w procesach hemostazy. W ostatnich dwóch dekadach wzrosło znaczenie roli płytek krwi w stanach zapalnych oraz w chorobach nowotworowych. Po aktywacji płytki krwi wydzielają ponad 300 substancji z wewnątrzkomórkowych ziarnistości. Zawartość ziarnistości gęstych, między innymi: adenozynodifosforan (ADP — adenosine diphosphate), serotonina, histamina, polifosforany, i ziarnistości α, między innymi: fibrynogen, czynnik von Willebranda, czynniki krzepnięcia, odgrywają ważną rolę w procesach hemostazy i krzepnięcia, stanowiąc również istotny czynnik powstawania przerzutów nowotworowych. Ziarnistości α zawierają wiele cytokin, mitogenów, czynników pro- i przeciwzapalnych oraz innych cząsteczek bioaktywnych, które są niezbędnymi regulatorami w złożonym środowisku tworzącej się skrzepliny, przyczyniając się do wielu procesów chorobowych — przede wszystkim tych związanych ze stanem zapalnym i reakcjami immunologicznymi organizmu. W niniejszej pracy poglądowej podsumowano obecne rozumienie funkcji płytek w procesach chorobowych

Wpływ krioterapii ogólnoustrojowej na stężenie wybranych hormonów u zawodników wyczynowo uprawiających piłkę nożną

Introduction: The study was undertaken to determine blood serum concentrations of selected steroid hormones (estradiol - E2, testosterone - T, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate - DHEA-S) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in professional footballers subjected to whole body cryotherapy. Material and methods: Twenty-two clinically healthy males, mean age 26.7 years, were studied. The subjects underwent ten sessions of whole body cryotherapy in Wroclaw-type chamber, with kinesitherapy following each session. Blood samples were collected before and two days after the treatment and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: After the treatment there was a significant decrease in the concentrations of T (6.01 vs. 4.80 ng/mL, p < 0.01) and E2 (102.3 vs. 47.5 pg/mL, p < 0.00001), but no DHEA-S and LH. The T/E2 ratio showed a significant increase form 72.2 to 136.5 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Whole body cryotherapy leads to a significant decrease in serum T and E2, with no effect on LH and DHEAS levels. As a results of cryotherapy, the T/E2 ratio was significant increased. The changes observed are probably due to cryotherapy-induced alternation in the blood supply to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, as well as to modulation of the activity of aromatase which is responsible for conversion of testosterone and androstendione to estrogens.Wstęp: Celem badań była ocena zachowania się stężeń wybranych hormonów steroidowych (estradiolu - E2, testosteronu - T i siarczanu dehydroepiandrosteronu - DHEA-S) oraz luteotropiny (LH, luteinizing hormone) w surowicy zawodników wyczynowo uprawiających piłkę nożną, poddanych w ramach odnowy biologicznej cyklowi 10 zabiegów krioterapii ogólnej. Materiał i metody: Badaniom poddano 22 klinicznie zdrowych mężczyzn w średnim wieku 26,7 lat. Zabiegi krioterapii prowadzono w komorze typu wrocławskiego, kończąc je każdorazowo kinezyterapią. Krew pobierano 2-krotnie: przed i 2 dni po zakończeniu zabiegów krioterapii ogólnej, a uzyskane wyniki opracowano statystycznie. Wyniki: Po 10 zabiegach krioterapii średnie stężenie T obniżyło się znamiennie (6,01 vs. 4,80 ng/ml, p < 0,01), podobnie jak stężenie E2 (102,3 vs. 47,5 pg/ml, p < 0,0001). Stężenia DHEA-S i LH nie zmieniły się znacząco. Stosunek T/E2 uległ znamiennemu podwyższeniu z 72,2 na 136,5 (p < 0,01). Wnioski: Zabiegi krioterapii ogólnoustrojowej prowadzą do znaczącego obniżenia stężeń T i E2 w surowicy, nie wpływając na stężenie LH i DHEA-S. Równocześnie ze zmianą stężeń E2 i T dochodzi do znamiennego wzrostu stosunku T/E2. Przyczyną obserwowanych zjawisk jest prawdopodobnie indukowana krioterapią zmiana ukrwienia skóry i tkanki podskórnej, modulacja aktywności aromatazy odpowiedzialnej za konwersję testosteronu lub androstendionu do estrogenów

Comparison of the Prevalence of Eating Disorders among Dietetics Students and Students of Other Fields of Study at Selected Universities (Silesia, Poland)

Background: Over the past few years, an increase in the incidence of eating disorders has been noted. An increase in the pace of life, an increase in the availability of a wide variety of food products, and, to a large extent, the involvement of mass media are cited as reasons for this phenomenon. The promotion of a slim figure by the mass media is equated with achieving success in life, but also the advertising of a wide selection of food products (often highly processed) can have a serious impact on the development of eating disorders. This phenomenon is particularly observed in industrialized Western countries. Objective: Therefore, it was decided to test and compare whether dietetics students are indeed more predisposed to developing eating disorders than students not in the nutrition field. Material and methods: the study included 310 individuals representing two equal groups of fields of study—dietetics and other students. The study used standardized questionnaire—EAT-26. Results: It was found that almost half (46%) of the respondents (both dietetics students and students of other majors) met at least one criterion out of three that could indicate the probable existence or susceptibility to an eating disorder. These individuals should see a specialist for further diagnosis. There was no significant effect of the field of study on the overall EAT-26 test score (p > 0.05). When this result was corrected for BMI values for those with the lowest scores on this indicator, the risk of eating disorders was found to be higher among students of majors other than dietetics (X2 = 13.572; V = 0.831 p = 0.001). Conclusions: Almost half of the respondents in both study groups showed a predisposition to eating disorders based on the EAT-26 test. Despite the presence of a correlation in individual responses that dietetics students are more predisposed to eating disorders, no such relationship was found according to the final EAT-26 test scores. However, it was observed that non-dietetics students who had low BMI values showed higher tendencies toward behaviors indicative of eating disorders

Post-Pandemic Stress Disorder as an Effect of the Epidemiological Situation Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

According to many experts in the fields of psychology and psychiatry, the destabilization resulting from the coronavirus pandemic may not be as noticeable now as it will be after the pandemic period is over. Undoubtedly, the fact that the surrounding reality is standardized and normalized by many at present contributes to this. In the opinion of many researchers, the scale and degree of trauma experienced by society will only be noticed by many once the pandemic is over. Many also suggest that we will experience post-pandemic stress disorder. This literature review aims to bring together in one place the information that speaks to the nature of the problem, which is post-pandemic stress disorder. The main sections of the paper deal with exposure to the disorder in the general population and a review of the current literature on the subject. The second section deals with a group of medical personnel who are on the direct frontline in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; it is assumed here that they are those who are at much higher risk of developing post-pandemic stress disorder

Postpandemic Stress Disorder among Health Care Personnel: A Cross-Sectional Study (Silesia, Poland)

Background. Postpandemic stress disorder (PPSD) is an unofficial term that refers to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental disorder resulting from increased stress, anxiety, and trauma associated with unpleasant life experiences. Many scientific studies indicate that symptoms of increased stress, job burnout, anxiety, and depressive disorders are associated with medical personnel performing their professional duties around COVID-19 patients. Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of symptoms that may indicate the presence of PPSD symptoms—depression, anxiety, and stress—in medical personnel. Material and Methods. The survey included 300 people, representatives of medical personnel. The group was divided into two sections. The first section numbered 150 and consisted of personnel in direct contact with COVID-19 patients (FR); the second group also consisted of 150 medical professionals, who but no longer directly involved in helping with COVID-19 cases (SR). The survey was conducted by indirect survey method using CAWI (computer-assisted web interview). The survey used a questionnaire technique. A proprietary tool enriched with standardized psychometric scales: BDI, GAD-7, FCV-19S, and PSS-10 was used. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney U statistical tests were used in the statistical processing of the data. The probability level was 0.05. Results. Statistical inference made it clear that mental health problems that may indicate trauma are mainly present in the FR group. These symptoms decreased slightly in comparison between periods 2020 and 2021 (p<0.05). Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among first responders. To ensure the psychological well-being of first responders, early assessment and care of mild depression, anxiety, and stress should be promoted to prevent the development of moderate and severe forms

Chrysin, Apigenin and Acacetin Inhibit Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis—Inducing Ligand Receptor-1 (TRAIL-R1) on Activated RAW264.7 Macrophages

Expression level of Tumor Necrosis Factor—related apoptosis—inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors is one of the most important factors of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. We here report for the first time data concerning TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 receptor expression on RAW264.7 macrophages. Three substances belonging to flavones: chrysin, apigenin and acacetin which differ from their substituents at the 4\u27 position in the phenyl ring were used in assays because of the variety of biological activities (e.g., anticancer activity) of the polyphenol compounds. The expression of TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 death receptors on non-stimulated and LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-stimulated macrophages was determined using flow cytometry. We demonstrate that RAW264.7 macrophages exhibit TRAIL-R1 surface expression and that the tested compounds: chrysin, apigenin and acacetin can inhibit TRAIL-R1 death receptor expression level on macrophages