Falls among the elderly

Falls are a significant problem among the elderly. Every third person falls at least once a year. Falls lead to injuries, limiting the mobility of the elderly. As a result of falls, serious fractures occur, which cause hospitalization and are the main cause of death due to accidents. The causes of falls are complex and most often arise from several overlapping factors. Efforts should be made to eliminate external factors in order to minimize the risk of falling among people over 60 years of age. Daily physical activity, individual assessment of risk factors and optimal adaptation of the environment play an important role in preventing falls. The aim of the study was to discuss the problem of falls in the population of geriatric patients

Evaluation of the relationship between circulating nucleated red blood cells count and inborn infection in neonates

Objectives: to determine the relationship between the initial nucleated red blood cells (nRBC) count during the first 12 hours after birth and inborn infection in neonates. Materials and methods:The retrospective study comprised of 306 neonates born in the Department of Perinatology of the I Chair of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in Lodz, Poland, in the years 2002-2007, among whom the nucleated red blood cells count were calculated within the first 12 hours after birth. Two categories of nRBC count: the normal and the elevated value, were statistically elaborated by a Mann-Whitney test and a chi-square test with two clinical outcome categories: the presence and the absence of inborn infection in the analyzed neonates. Statistical significance was indicated by p value lower than 0,05. Results: Among 306 newborns, there were 127 mature neonates (41.5%) and 179 prematures (58.5%). The mean of the initial nRBC count in the analyzed newborn population was 40,15. The mean of the nRBC count in the infected neonates was three times higher (52.56) than the mean of the nRBC count in newborns without inborn infection (16.76) - (p=0.00001). Inborn neonatal infection concerned a vast majority of cases with an elevated value of the nRBC count (86.4%), but in 13.6%, inborn infection was not observed. Among the cases with a normal nRBC count, the presence and the absence of inborn infection was diagnosed in about 50% of the analyzed babies (50.83% vs 49.17%). The elevated value of the nRBC count in infected neonates concerned mainly premature babies, rather than mature neonates, and similarly in neonates with a lower Apgar score than in babies born in good condition. Conclusions: 1. The positive association between elevated initial nucleated red blood cells count after birth and inborn infection in newborns has been revealed. 2. An elevated nucleated red blood cells count may be an auxiliary, early indicator for inborn infection in neonates. 3. Prematurity and perinatal asphyxia favour the elevation of a nucleated red blood cells count in cases with inborn infection

Nucleated red blood cells as an early marker of intraventricular haemorrhage in newborn infants

Abstract Introduction: The aim of the paper was to evaluate the usability of nucleated blood cells count in newborn infants in the first 12 hours after their birth as an early marker of intraventricular haemorrhage. Material and methods: The retrospective research included 210 newborns (both born at term and prematurely), delivered at the Department of Clinical Sciences of Perinatology of the I Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Medical University in Lodz, Poland from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2006. During the first 12 hours after the birth, the abovementioned infants were diagnosed with nucleated blood cells in their blood count. The correlation between the number of nucleated blood cells and the occurrence of intraventricular haemorrhage has been investigated. Intraventicular haemorrhage was diagnosed with the use of transfontanel ultrasonography between the third and the seventh day of life. The increased number of erythroblasts was established to be on the level above 20 nucleated blood cells/100 white blood. The material was subject to statistical analysis which included the use of a Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, a chi-square test, and a Mann-Whitney test. The statistically significant level adopted equaled

Nontuberculous mycobacteria strains isolated from patients between 2013 and 2017 in Poland. Our data with respect to the global trends

Introduction: During the last decades the prevalence of NTM infections has increased, especially in developed countries. The aim of the study was to provide an overview on all NTM isolated from clinical samples in Poland between 2013 and 2017. Material and methods: The study comprised 2799 clinical specimens, mostly respiratory accessed in the reference laboratory of National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute in Warsaw and in the Wielkopolska Center of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Poland, 2013–2017. Results: During the study period 35 species of NTM were isolated . The number of isolates increased almost 1.6-fold: from 420 in 2013 to 674 in 2017. M. kansasii, M. avium, M. xenopi, M. gordonae and M. intracellulare were the most common species. This NTM pattern was rather stable over the time. If the aggregated amount of all MAC species was taken into account they dominated over M. kansasii from 2015. M. avium and M. intracellulare were more often isolated from women, while M. kansasii, M. gordonae and M. xenopi predominated in men. Men and women were infected almost with the same frequency. In older patients 65+ women were in majority, quite opposite to those aged 25 to 64 years. Conclusion: In Poland, like in other countries increased the frequency of isolated NTM. M. kansasii and M. avium were the most frequently identified species from clinical samples. Men and women were infected with NTM with the same frequency

Prątki niegruźlicze izolowane od pacjentów w Polsce w latach 2013–2017. Porównanie wyników własnych z danymi światowymi

WSTĘP: W kilku ostatnich dekadach obserwuje się wzrost izolacji prątków niegruźliczych (NTM, nontuberculous mycobacteria), zwłaszcza w krajach rozwiniętych. Celem pracy była analiza wszystkich gatunków prątków niegruźliczych izolowanych z materiałów biologicznych od pacjentów w Polsce, w latach 2013–2017. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Badaniem objęto 2799 izolatów, pochodzących głównie z układu oddechowego, które oceniano w referencyjnym laboratorium Instytutu Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc w Warszawie oraz w Wielopolskim Centrum Pulmonologii i Chirurgii Klatki Piersiowej. WYNIKI: W badanym okresie izolowano 35 różnych gatunków NTM. Liczba izolatów wzrosła prawie 1,6-krotnie: od 420 w 2013 roku do 674 w 2017 roku. Najczęściej występowały: M. kansasii, M. avium, M. xenopi, M. gordonae i M. intracellulare. Dominacja tych gatunków NTM w prawie niezmienionej kolejności utrzymywała się przez cały okres. Natomiast przy rozpatrywaniu MAC (M. avium complex) jako całości — od 2015 roku kompleks ten dominował nad M. kansasii. M. avium i M. intracellulare częściej izolowano od kobiet, podczas gdy M. gordonae i M. xenopi od mężczyzn. Nie stwierdzono różnic w częstości występowania NTM u mężczyzn i kobiet. Wśród pacjentów po 65. roku życia dominowały kobiety, zaś u tych pomiędzy 25. a 64. rokiem życia — mężczyźni. WNIOSKI: W Polsce, podobnie jak w innych krajach, zwiększa się częstość izolacji NTM. Najczęściej izolowanymi gatunkami były: M. kansasii i M. avium. Prątki niegruźlicze występowały u kobiet i mężczyzn z podobną częstością.WSTĘP: W kilku ostatnich dekadach obserwuje się wzrost izolacji prątków niegruźliczych (NTM, nontuberculous mycobacteria), zwłaszcza w krajach rozwiniętych. Celem pracy była analiza wszystkich gatunków prątków niegruźliczych izolowanych z materiałów biologicznych od pacjentów w Polsce, w latach 2013–2017. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Badaniem objęto 2799 izolatów, pochodzących głównie z układu oddechowego, które oceniano w referencyjnym laboratorium Instytutu Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc w Warszawie oraz w Wielopolskim Centrum Pulmonologii i Chirurgii Klatki Piersiowej. WYNIKI: W badanym okresie izolowano 35 różnych gatunków NTM. Liczba izolatów wzrosła prawie 1,6-krotnie: od 420 w 2013 roku do 674 w 2017 roku. Najczęściej występowały: M. kansasii, M. avium, M. xenopi, M. gordonae i M. intracellulare. Dominacja tych gatunków NTM w prawie niezmienionej kolejności utrzymywała się przez cały okres. Natomiast przy rozpatrywaniu MAC (M. avium complex) jako całości — od 2015 roku kompleks ten dominował nad M. kansasii. M. avium i M. intracellulare częściej izolowano od kobiet, podczas gdy M. gordonae i M. xenopi od mężczyzn. Nie stwierdzono różnic w częstości występowania NTM u mężczyzn i kobiet. Wśród pacjentów po 65. roku życia dominowały kobiety, zaś u tych pomiędzy 25. a 64. rokiem życia — mężczyźni. WNIOSKI: W Polsce, podobnie jak w innych krajach, zwiększa się częstość izolacji NTM. Najczęściej izolowanymi gatunkami były: M. kansasii i M. avium. Prątki niegruźlicze występowały u kobiet i mężczyzn z podobną częstością

Pomiar właściwości mechanicznych tkanin gofrowanych o zróżnicowanej strukturze

Seersucker woven fabrics are characterised by the occurrence of puckered and flat strips in the warp direction, creating a 3D woven structure. Such a kind of structure influences the properties of fabrics significantly. In the work presented, seersucker woven fabrics of different structure were investigated. Diversification of the structure was achieved by the application of different weft yarns. The aim of the work was to analyse the relationship between the structure of seersucker fabrics and their tensile properties. Additionally the influence of test sample preparation on the measurement results was the subject of analysis. Measurement of the mechanical properties: breaking force and elongation at break was made using standardised test methods. The investigations performed showed that in the case of seersucker woven fabrics, the repeat of the puckered strips is a very important factor. Both the number of puckered strips as well as their width influence the results of the mechanical properties of fabrics.Tkaniny gofrowane charakteryzują się występowaniem pofałdowanych i płaskich pasków w kierunku osnowy. Tworzą one trójwymiarową tkaną strukturę. Taka struktura wpływa znacząco na właściwości tkanin. W prezentowanej pracy zbadano tkaniny gofrowane o zróżnicowanej strukturze. Zróżnicowanie struktury zostało osiągnięta poprzez zastosowanie różnych przędz wątku oraz różnych szerokości pasków gładkich i gofrowanych. Celem pracy była analiza zależności między strukturą tkanin gofrowanych a ich właściwościami mechanicznymi; siłą zrywająca i wydłużeniem przy zerwaniu. Ponadto przedmiotem analizy była ocena wpływu sposobu przygotowania próbki do badań na wyniki pomiarów. Pomiar właściwości mechanicznych: siły zrywającej i wydłużenia przy zerwaniu został wykonany przy użyciu znormalizowanej metody badawczej. Przeprowadzone badania wykazały, że w przypadku tkanin gofrowanych raport pasków gofrowanych jest bardzo ważnym czynnikiem. Zarówno liczba pasków gofrowanych, jak i ich szerokość wpływają na wyniki pomiarów właściwości mechanicznych tkanin gofrowanych

The prevalence of ANA antibodies, anticentromere antibodies, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome compared to patients with dryness symptoms without primary Sjögren’s syndrome confirmation

Objectives : Our study analyses the prevalence of ANA, anti-SS-A, anti-SS-B, and ACA and ACPA antibodies in patients with pSS and with dryness symptoms without pSS confirmation, and the association of ACPA and ACA antibodies with specific clinical symptoms. Materials and methods : 113 patients were divided into two groups: I – with diagnosed pSS (N = 75); and II – with dryness without pSS evidence (N = 38). Diagnostics: indirect immunofluorescence (IF; Hep-2 cell line) of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-SS-A anti-SS-B antibodies determined with semi-quantitative method, autoantibody profile (14 antigens, ANA Profil 3 EUROLINE); basic laboratory, ophthalmic examination tests, minor salivary gland biopsy with focus score (FS), joint and lung evaluation, and ESSDAI questionnaire (pSS activity). Results : 88% of group I had ANA antibodies (1 : 320 titre), 5.3% at 1 : 160. Anti-SS-A antibodies were present in 88% of group I, including all ANA 1 : 160. Anti-SS-A antibodies positively correlated with greater and moderate activity of ESSDAI 5 (p = 0.046) and FS. The presence of SS-B antibodies significantly affected disease activity. ACPA present: group I – 13% (associated with higher arthritis incidence; p = 0.003); group II – 8%. ACA antibodies present in 4% of group I, but not in group II. No ACA association with interstitial lung changes (small ACA + group excludes full conclusions). Conclusions : ANA antibodies should also be considered in a titre of less than 1 : 320, but the presence of anti-SS-A antibodies is still the most important immunological marker for pSS. Anti-SS-A antibodies correlate with higher disease activity (ESSDAI ≥ 5) and higher FS. The presence of the anti-SS-B antibody was significantly affected by higher activity of the disease. The incidence of arthritis was higher in patients with ACPA+ pSS compared to ACPA– (p = 0.003). There was no relationship between ACPA and arthritis in patients with dry-type syndrome without diagnosis of pSS

Hip arthroplasty as a chance for a normal life

The aim of the study is to review and analyze the medical literature on hip arthroplasty.Hip arthroplasty is a popular procedure in orthopedics nowadays. Implantation of an artificial joint allows the patient to return to work, practice hobbies or sportsand most importantly have a pain free life. The paper describes the theoretical basis of hip arthroplasty, types of procedures used in orthopedics in this field, the most important contraindications and the importance of physiotherapeutic treatment. The treatment, combined with well and individually planned pre- and postoperative rehabilitation, can bring spectacular results. The postoperative rehabilitation program is selected individually. It should be noted that every patient is different, therefore the improvement plan sometimes has to be reviewed on an ongoing basis during its implementation. The main goals of rehabilitation after artificial joint implantation are: to reduce pain, increase the range of motion of the operated joint and strengthen the muscles of the entire body

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Strains Isolated from Patients between 2013 and 2017 in Poland. Our Data with Respect to the Global Trends

Introduction: During the last decades the prevalence of NTM infections has increased, especially in developed countries. The aim of the study was to provide an overview on all NTM isolated from clinical samples in Poland between 2013 and 2017. Material and methods: The study comprised 2799 clinical specimens, mostly respiratory accessed in the reference laboratory of National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute in Warsaw and in the Wielkopolska Center of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Poland, 2013–2017. Results: During the study period 35 species of NTM were isolated. The number of isolates increased almost 1.6-fold: from 420 in 2013 to 674 in 2017. M. kansasii, M. avium, M. xenopi, M. gordonae and M. intracellulare were the most common species. This NTM pattern was rather stable over the time. If the aggregated amount of all MAC species was taken into account they dominated over M. kansasii from 2015. M. avium and M. intracellulare were more often isolated from women, while M. kansasii, M. gordonae and M. xenopi predominated in men. Men and women were infected almost with the same frequency. In older patients 65+ women were in majority, quite opposite to those aged 25 to 64 years. Conclusion: In Poland, like in other countries increased frequency of isolated NTM. M. kansasii and M. avium were the most frequently identified species from clinical samples. Men and women were infected with NTM with the same frequency