Selected biomarkers of atherosclerosis - clinical aspects

Atherosclerosis is a inflammatory-immunological-degenerative process. Cardiovascular diseases account for 42% of premature deaths among men and 52% of premature deaths among woman. Identification of classical biomarkers of atherosclerosis, such as LDL, HDL and triglycerides may not be helpful in patients with moderate or unusual cardiovascular risk. Non-classical indicators of atherosclerosis include markers of the inflammatory proces, mar-kers of atherosclerotic plaque injury, acute phase proteins, ischemic markers, markers of tissue necrosis, markers of myocardial dysfunction. The identification of CVD biomarkers enables the classification of patients to appropriate cardiovascular risk groups. Knowledge about the CVD risk group makes it possible to take rapid therapeutic intervention aimed at limiting this risk. Pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular diseases is primarily based on lowering cholesterol’s level in the blood. Additional properties of statins (the most important lipid-lowering drugs) enable their pleiotropic effect by limiting the progression of atherosclerotic lesions by reducing the volume of atherosclerotic plaque. Further research on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis will allow to learn new risk factors and new biomarkers of this disease

Process of photogrammetry with use of custom made workstation as a method of digital recording of anatomical specimens for scientific and research purposes

This work aims to use photogrammetry to prepare the base of anatomical specimens for teaching and research purposes. Photogrammetry consists in preparing a 3D model of an object with the use of a specially designed program, e.g. Meshroom, based on the photos of an object taken from various angles. To enhance the process of taking photos for 3D models, a workstation has been designed and developed. It consists of the frame with a slowly rotating specimen (360° per minute) attached. The object is photographed from each side and at various angles. In the next stage of processing the model, the photos are sent to a graphic designer who creates the first model and then the final one. The prepared 3D models are intended to be used for academic teaching and specialist training. They can also be used for further research, measurements or to plan surgical procedures. At the moment, the base prepared with this method contains the entire human skeleton, several joints, and parenchymal organs. It has been systematically expanded as the goal is to include all human organs grouped into systems.This article does not aim to describe the photogrammetry method itself as it has been already presented in details in other publications[1]. This research focuses on presenting one of the several available methods of obtaining images of objects prone to change their shapes and thus difficult to be captured in the photo taken from several angles. The method presented in this article uses a custom made workstation to ensure a stable environment and conditions for taking photos of rotating objects, which are described later in this article

Znajomość czynników ryzyka miażdżycy tętnic wieńcowych, ich występowanie oraz styl życia prowadzony przez studentów pierwszego roku medycyny

Background. Coronary arteriosclerosis risk factors increase the probability of the coronary heart disease and accompanying complications to a significant extent, acting independently from other circumstances. Material and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 250 students of the 1st-year medical studies, using an independently prepared questionnaire relating to the risk factors and particular lifestyles. Results. 1. Level of knowledge of the examined students on coronary arteriosclerosis risk factors: obesity - 250(100%); reduced physical activity - 240(96%); smoking - 230(92%); unhealthy diet - 223(89%); elevated LDL cholesterol concentration - 218(87%); arterial hypertension - 210(84%). 2. Incidence of coronary arteriosclerosis risk factors in students: strong family history - 75(30%); excessive stress - 50(20%); reduced physical activity - 190(76%); smoking - 55(22%), alcohol abuse - 95(38%). 3. Lifestyle of the examined group of students: eating fast-food – 180 (72%); drinking energetic beverages – 82(33%); “trying” and using drugs – 88(35%); insufficient amount of sleep – 190(76%). Conclusions. 1. Level of the examined students’ knowledge on coronary arteriosclerosis risk factors is satisfactory. 2. Despite the satisfactory level of knowledge on risk factors, their incidence in the tested group is significant. 3. Majority of the examined students live a healthy lifestyle.Wstęp. Czynniki ryzyka miażdżycy tętnic wieńcowych to czynniki, które działając niezależnie od innych okoliczności, zwiększają istotnie prawdopodobieństwo wystąpienia choroby wieńcowej i jej powikłań. Materiał i metody. Badanie przeprowadzono w grupie 250 studentów 1. roku medycyny za pomocą samodzielnie przygotowanej ankiety dotyczącej czynników ryzyka i stylu życia. Wyniki. 1. Znajomość czynników ryzyka miażdżycy tętnic wieńcowych przez studentów badanej grupy: otyłość – 250 (100%), mała aktywność fizyczna – 240 (96%), palenie papierosów – 230 (92%), nieprawidłowe odżywianie – 223 (89%), zwiększone stężenie cholesterolu LDL – 218 (87%), nadciśnienie tętnicze – 210 (84%). 2. Występowanie czynników ryzyka miażdżycy tętnic wieńcowych u studentów 1. roku medycyny: obciążający wywiad rodzinny – 75 (30%), nadmierny stres – 50 (20%), mała aktywność fizyczna – 190 (76%), palenie papierosów - 55 (22%), nadużywanie alkoholu – 95 (38%). 3. Styl życia badanej grupy studentów: spożywanie posiłków fast-foodowych – 180 (72%), spożywanie napojów energetyzujących – 82 (33%), „próbowanie” i okresowe stosowanie narkotyków – 88 (35%), niewystarczająca długość snu – 190 (76%). Wnioski. 1. Znajomość czynników ryzyka miażdżycy tętnic wieńcowych przez studentów badanej grupy jest zadowalająca. 2. Pomimo zadowalającej znajomości czynników ryzyka ich występowanie w badanej grupie jest znaczące. 3. Większość badanych studentów prowadzi „zdrowy” styl życia