Emotional and Motivational School Readiness of Six-Year-Old Children and Parental Support in Mothers’ Assessments

The aim of the research was to determine the readiness of 6-year-old children to start school education, especially the emotional and motivational readiness and the level of support for this readiness in the assessment of mothers. 131 mothers of 63 girls and 68 boys participated inthe research. Three proprietary research methods were used: the Child’s Emotional and Motivational Readiness Questionnaire for the Parent, the Parent’s Child’s School Readiness Assessment Questionnaire – version 3 and the Parent’s Questionnaire for Supporting the Child’sEmotional and Motivational Readiness. Both the level of school readiness of children and the level of support were assessed by the surveyed mothers as high. Numerous positive correlations were observed between the manifestations of school readiness and the manifestationsof mothers’ support. Supporting the development of the child’s autonomy and independence turned out to be the predictor of the child’s emotional and motivational readiness

Odmienny wpływ agonistów receptorów β2- i β3-adrenergicznych na spontaniczne skurcze myometrium kobiet nieciężarnych

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to compare the relaxant properties of BRL 37344 with β2-adrenoceptors agonist ritodrine on the contractility of human nonpregnant myometrium. Material and methods: The activity of myometrial strips mounted in an organ bath was recorded under isometric conditions using force transducers with digital output. Contractility before and after cumulative additions of both uterorelaxants and with preincubation with β-adrenoceptor antagonists bupranolol, propranolol, and butoxamine were studied. Results: Both BRL 37344 (10-10 – 10-4 mol/L) and ritodrine (10-10 – 10-5 mol/L) decreased the area under curve, or AUC, value (logIC50 -6.45 ± 0.18 and -8.71 ± 0.35, respectively), and the degree of inhibition of spontaneous contractile activity was similar (< 30%). However, BRL 37344 decreased the mean frequency of contractions, whereas ritodrine decreased the mean amplitude of contractions. The inhibition of contractions by BRL 37344 was partially antagonized by bupranolol and propranolol, but not with butoxamine. The inhibition by ritodrine was counteracted by all these antagonists. Conclusions: The effects of BRL37344 and ritodrine on human nonpregnant myometrium are quantitatively similar in respect to the inhibition of spontaneous contractility, yet are also distinct due to their substantially different influences on contraction parameters. Our data indicate that β3-adrenoceptor activation is not the sole effect of BRL 37344 on this tissue.Streszczenie Cel pracy: Niniejsze badanie zaprojektowano celem oceny rozkurczowego działania BRL 37344 w porównaniu do ritodryny (referencyjnego agonisty receptorów β2-adrenergicznych) na spontaniczną czynność skurczową ludzkiego nieciężarnego myometrium. Materiał i metody: Skurcz izolowanych skrawków mięśni gładkich rejestrowano w warunkach izometrycznych przy użyciu cyfrowych przetworników siły. Ocenie poddawano zmiany kurczliwości skrawków podczas kumulacyjnego zwiększania stężeń agonistów bez obecności oraz w obecności antagonistów receptorów β adrenergicznych: bupranololu, propranololu oraz butoksaminy. Wyniki: Inkubacja skrawków myometrium z BRL 37344 (10-10 – 10-4 mol/L) oraz ritodryną (10-10 – 10-5 mol/L) skutkowała porównywalnym

Obesity - lifestyle choice or a disease? Changes in perception of obesity

Introduction and purpose Nowadays obesity has become a main problem in the world’s population and it is beginning to replace undernutrition and infectious diseases. Over the years perception of obesity has diametrically changed. Obesity is no longer the result of bad choices but serious medical problem. The aim of this study is to show how changes in perception of obesity affect the obesity pandemic. Review methods The literature review included articles available on the websites of health-related organizations and databasis on PubMed. As a part of analysis systematic search of current scientific data was performed. Description of the state of knowledge Obesity is defined as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation and in adults BMI ≥30 is necessary to recognize it. Obesity has plenty of consequences such as diabetes, hypertension, cancers etc. In June 2013 the American Medical Association made a decision to recognize obesity as a disease. That changed the perception of obesity by the public and caused many actions in prevention and treatment. Management of obese patient consists of diagnosis the obesity-causing diseases, recognition of eating and physicall activity habits. Surgical as well pharmacological treatment is available and should be individually considered. Summary Recognition of obesity as a disease requires health organisations to build special prevention and treatment programs. Nowadays there is an array of treatment methods for obesity. However the most important method to stop the pandemic is education and promotion of a healthy lifestyle, according to the motto, prevention is better than cure

Eating disorders in children and adolescents - the current state of knowledge

Introduction. Eating disorders (ED) are a group of severe mental health disorders with high prevalence, mortality and associated morbidity. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.  Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, risk factors, clinical manifestation as well as complications for proper diagnostic and treatment of eating disorders.   Materials and method. The literature review included articles from Google Scholar databases and PubMed. Articles published in 2013 or later were mainly considered.  Brief description of the state of knowledge. The prevalence of eating disorders vary according to gender. There are a variety of risk factors that can be divided into family history, individual and possible triggers. The most common risk factors include family history of mental disorders. Studies have shown that premorbid overweight is more frequent in male. In the diagnosis of eating disorders, the ICD-10 and DSM-5 classification is used. Complications of this disease can manifest itself from various systems of the body. Proper cooperation between the pediatrician and the patient is very important. Treatment of eating disorders focuses on psychotherapy, especially family-based treatment. Worse results are obtained due to underdiagnosis and late initiation of treatment.  Summary. Pediatricians are the first healthcare professionals which have contact with young patients, so education about the first symptoms and consequences of not receiving appropriate treatment is essential. 

Impact of cocoa on the human health

Humans have consumed foods made from beans from the Theobroma cacao tree for centuries. Already Aztec warriors supported the cocoa powder drink before the battle. In modern society, chocolate has been known for its good taste. Earlier, chocolate used to be criticized for its fat content and its consumption was a sin rather than a remedy, associated with acne, caries, obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and diabetes.  However, the recent discovery of biologically active phenolic compounds in cocoa has changed this perception[14]. Flavonoids, including catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidins predominate in antioxidant activity.  Nowadays, in many studies discuss the recent progresses on potential health benefits of cocoa, with a focus on the areas that have been paid little attention so far, such as the role of cocoa in immune regulation, inflammation, neuroprotection, oxidative stress, obesity, and diabetes control[12]. The purpose of this review is to interpret research done in the last decade on the benefits of chocolate consumption

The pregorexia - anorexia during the pregnancy

Introduction and purpose: Eating disorders are a serious problem in the developing world. The media are flooding the public images of thinness promoting it as a healthy, fashionable and perfect. This contributes to the increasing prevalence of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, anorexia nervosa or atypical bulimia nervosa. The frequency of appearance of these diseases is unknown. It is suspected that it occurs in the range of a few percent. Description of the state of knowledge: Pregorexia has a very similar symptoms to other eating disorders. The patients are trying to alleviate the impact of pregnancy on the body. Women try to control their weight by reducing calories intake, exercising, taking laxatives or diuretics. Low mother’s body weight could cause hypotrophy malformations due to micronutrient deficiency - eg. neural tube defects, cognitive disorders, premature birth or even miscarriage. The placenta develops slowly, there is a risk of placenta abruption. Pregorexia can cause maternal anemia, impaired bone mineralization or postnatal depression. Women which are suffering from pregorexia often give birth girls, which can be associated to the lower resistance of boys maternal malnutrition and loss of the pregnancy. Conclusions: Pregorexia is not a phenomenon that is occurring very often, but it is a big risk to the fetus. Increasingly, young mothers have a problem with acceptance of changes in their bodies during pregnancy. The role of a doctor in an interview with a pregnant woman is to ask about nutrition and weight gain as factors directly affecting the child. Pregnant women with eating disorders should be under a special psychological care, during pregnancy and after birth

The pregorexia - anorexia during the pregnancy

Mandera Amanda, Pawlikowska Anna, Szuster Ewa Magdalena, Całkosiński Aleksander, Kostrzewska Paulina, Majewski Maciej. The pregorexia - anorexia during the pregnancy. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2019;9(5):137-144. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2718477 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/6900 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/sedno-webapp/works/913181 The journal has had 7 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education parametric evaluation. Part B item 1223 (26/01/2017). 1223 Journal of Education, Health and Sport eISSN 2391-8306 7 © The Authors 2019; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author (s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial license Share alike. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 28.04.2019. Revised: 28.04.2019. Accepted: 09.05.2019. The pregorexia - anorexia during the pregnancy Name Amanda Mandera ORCID iD http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7658-5429 Affiliation Wroclaw Medical University Country Poland Bio Statement — Name Anna Pawlikowska ORCID iD http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7725-2220 Affiliation Wroclaw Medical University Country Poland Bio Statement — Name Ewa Magdalena Szuster ORCID iD http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1154-1606 Affiliation Wroclaw Medical University Country Poland Bio Statement — Principal contact for editorial correspondence. Name Aleksander Całkoksiński ORCID iD http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4521-0565 Affiliation Wroclaw Medical University Country Poland Bio Statement — Name Paulina Kostrzewska ORCID iD http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7804-4535 Affiliation Wroclaw Medical University Country Poland Bio Statement — Name Maciej Majewski ORCID iD http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4559-2770 Affiliation Wroclaw Medical University Country Poland Bio Statement — Abstract Introduction and purpose: Eating disorders are a serious problem in the developing world. The media are flooding the public images of thinness promoting it as a healthy, fashionable and perfect. This contributes to the increasing prevalence of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, anorexia nervosa or atypical bulimia nervosa. The frequency of appearance of these diseases is unknown. It is suspected that it occurs in the range of a few percent. Description of the state of knowledge: Pregorexia has a very similar symptoms to other eating disorders. The patients are trying to alleviate the impact of pregnancy on the body. Women try to control their weight by reducing calories intake, exercising, taking laxatives or diuretics. Low mother’s body weight could cause hypotrophy malformations due to micronutrient deficiency - eg. neural tube defects, cognitive disorders, premature birth or even miscarriage. The placenta develops slowly, there is a risk of placenta abruption. Pregorexia can cause maternal anemia, impaired bone mineralization or postnatal depression. Women which are suffering from pregorexia often give birth girls, which can be associated to the lower resistance of boys maternal malnutrition and loss of the pregnancy. Conclusions: Pregorexia is not a phenomenon that is occurring very often, but it is a big risk to the fetus. Increasingly, young mothers have a problem with acceptance of changes in their bodies during pregnancy. The role of a doctor in an interview with a pregnant woman is to ask about nutrition and weight gain as factors directly affecting the child. Pregnant women with eating disorders should be under a special psychological care, during pregnancy and after birth. Key words: anorexia; pregnancy; psychology; gynaecology; obstetric

Diet and breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women. We conducted an analysis to investigate the impact of diet on breast cancer. Well-balanced diet is a mandatory part of a healthy lifestyle, and consequently, it is very important in prevention of breast cancer. High intake of fruits and vegetables, proper BMI and low intake of alcohol and fried food rich in saturated fatty acids are common known to be anti-cancer prevention. Soy food, black pepper and turmeric are suggested to inhibit cancer’s proliferation. Dietitians and oncologists should educate their patients about healthy lifestyle patterns

Temperature Effects Explain Continental Scale Distribution of Cyanobacterial Toxins

Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.Peer reviewe

What is physical attractiveness? A discussion of definitions and paradigms

The article raises the issue of physical attractiveness both in terms of its definition and as a theoretical construct, which forms the basis for planning empirical research. Based on a review of existing definitions and a predictive analysis of the meaning of terms, a definition of physical attractiveness as one of the types of human attractiveness is proposed. The criteria differentiating physical attractiveness from the related concept of sexual attractiveness are presented. Physical attractiveness is discussed as an object of operationalization in the process of designing research on the assessment or self-assessment of the appearance and characteristics of the human body, including a distinction between its two approaches: holistic (a set of a characteristics whose evaluations are interrelated) and elementary (one characteristic whose evaluations impact the assessment of overall physical attractiveness)