Retirement privileges of civil servants in the Second Polish Republic

During the times of the Second Polish Republic the civil servants, teachers, the military, postal and railway workers were not covered by the universal social insurance, because before the social insurance act came into force, they were covered by pension systems guaranteeing more advantageous benefits. Persons working in state administration had a privileged position compared to the employees in general, both in terms of the scope and level of the benefits and their entire coverage by the State. The level of the pensions depended on the years of service and after 10 years of service amounted to 40% and was increasing every year by 2.4% or 3% up to 100%. The civil servants acquired the right to the pension already after 10 years and as of 1934 after 15 years of civil or military service. In special cases they were entitled to pension after 5 years already

Estimation of the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Breast Cancer Deaths and Costs in Poland using Markovian Monte Carlo Simulation

This study examines the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on access to crucial diagnostic procedures for breast cancer patients, including screenings and treatments. To quantify the impact of the lockdowns on patient outcomes and cost, the study employs a mathematical model of breast cancer progression. The model includes ten different states that represent various stages of health and disease, along with the four different stages of cancer that can be diagnosed or undiagnosed. The study employs a natural history stochastic model to simulate the progression of breast cancer in patients. The model includes transition probabilities between states, estimated using both literature and empirical data. The study utilized a Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation to model the natural history of each simulated patient over a seven-year period from 2019 to 2025. The simulation was repeated 100 times to estimate the variance in outcome variables. The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns caused a significant increase in breast cancer costs, with an average rise of 172.5 million PLN (95% CI [82.4, 262.6]) and an additional 1005 breast cancer deaths (95% CI [426, 1584]) in Poland during the simulated period. While these results are preliminary, they highlight the potential harmful impact of lockdowns on breast cancer treatment outcomes and costs.Comment: International Conference on Computational Science (ICCS) 2023, Pragu

Bibliografia historii gospodarczej Polski w latach 1944-1989

S\u142owa kluczowe: historia gospodarcza Polski Ludowej; bibliografia prac z lat 1944-2002; biografie i pami\u119tniki; informatory; prasa gospodarcz

Electrophysiological and clinical assessment of dysautonomia in multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP): a comparative study

Clinical rationale for the study. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) involvement in different parkinsonian syndromes has been frequently discussed. It is well established in multiple system atrophy (MSA), whereas it is less evident in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Aims of the study. The aims were to assess the presence and pattern of ANS involvement in MSA and PSP using noninvasive tests i.e. the sympathetic skin response (SSR) test and the R-R interval variation (RRIV) test; to analyse the relationship between clinical and electrophysiological abnormalities in both disorders; and to assess whether an autonomic profile might help to differentiate them. Materials and methods. Clinical and electrophysiological assessments of dysautonomia were performed in 59 patients with MSA (24 cases of MSA-C and 35 cases of MSA-P), these 59 cases including 31 females, mean disease duration 4.2 ± 2.7 years, mean age 60.3 ± 8.4 years, and in 37 patients with PSP (12 females, mean disease duration 4.6 ± 3.6 years, mean age 67.5 ± 6.1 years) and the results were compared to the results obtained from 23 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Results. Clinical dysautonomia assessed by an Autonomic Symptoms Questionnaire was observed in 97% of the MSA patients and in 84% of the PSP patients. SSR was abnormal in 64% and RRIV was abnormal in 73% of MSA cases. In PSP cases, these figures were 78% and 81% respectively. Dysautonomia was clinically more pronounced in MSA compared to PSP (p < 0.05), whereas electrophysiological testing revealed frequently subclinical ANS damage in PSP patients. Conclusions and clinical implications. Our results point to the complementary role of electrophysiological tests in the diagnostic work-up of dysautonomia in parkinsonian syndromes

Polimorfizmy genów paraoksonazy 1 oraz 2 jako czynnik ryzyka rozwoju stwardnienia rozsianego w populacji polskiej

Background and purpose The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that polymorphisms of the paraoxonase genes PON1 and PON2 may be associated with increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Polish population. Material and methods We studied the significance of the PON gene polymorphisms C311S, A162G, Q192R and L55M in 221 patients (including 145 women) with MS and in 661 healthy controls. In the MS population, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 2.92, mean age was 36.8 years, and mean disease duration was 7.7 years. PON genotyping was determined using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion. Results According to our results, the PON1 and PON2 genotypes distribution did not differ between the MS patients and the controls. Conclusions The polymorphisms of the PON genes studied are not related to increased risk of MS in the Polish population.Wstęp i cel pracy Celem pracy było zweryfikowanie hipotezy, że polimorfizm genów PON1 i PON2 może być związany z ryzykiem wystąpienia stwardnienia rozsianego (SR) w populacji polskiej. Materiał i metody Autorzy badali znaczenie polimorfizmu genów PON: C311S, A162G, Q192R oraz L55M, u 221 chorych na SR (w tym 145 kobiet) oraz u 661 zdrowych osób z grupy kontrolnej. W grupie chorych na SR średnia punktacja w Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) wynosiła 2,92 pkt, średnia wieku – 36,8 roku, a średni czas trwania choroby – 7,7 roku. Polimorfizm – A162G genu PON1 badano za pomocą reakcji łańcuchowej polimerazy (PCR) z analizą ilości produktu w czasie rzeczywistym, a pozostałe polimorfizmy za pomocą PCR i trawienia odpowiednimi enzymami restrykcyjnymi. Wyniki Nie stwierdzono istotnych statystycznie różnic w rozkładzie genotypów PON1 i PON2 pomiędzy grupą chorych a grupą kontrolną. Wnioski Wyniki pracy nie wskazują, aby istniała zależność pomiędzy polimorfizmem genów PON1 oraz PON2 a zwiększonym ryzykiem wystąpienia SR w populacji polskiej

Profil hormonalny u kobiet chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane w powiązaniu z aktywnością choroby — doniesienie wstępne

Background and purpose The influence of sex hormones on immune system activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been suggested by clinical evidence. The aim of the study was to analyse the pattern of sex hormones in MS women and to correlate the hormone pattern abnormalities to the disease course as well as to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. Material and methods We studied the serum level of the progesterone, β-oestradiol and prolactin in 46 women with clinical definite MS aged from 19 to 65; mean disease duration was 11.80 ± 9.86 years. The evaluation of the intensity of hormonal changes was done using a scoring system (0–3). On the brain MRI, the presence of brain atrophy, of hypothalamic demyelination as well as demyelination intensity (or degree) were analysed. The evaluation of the degree of demyelination and brain atrophy was done using a scoring system (0–4). Results The main hormonal abnormalities consisted of decreased progesterone level, increased oestradiol level or both. The sex hormone pattern was abnormal in 56% of patients. Hypothalamic lesions were found on MRI in 53% of cases. The abnormal hormonal pattern correlated with intensity of MR changes (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test), but neither with presence of hypothalamic changes nor with disease parameters (Expanded Disability Status Scale, relapse rate, disease duration). Conclusions It is important to check the hormonal pattern in MS women because according to our results it may be related to the disease activity and probably affects the type of therapeutic intervention. This pilot study will be extended in a larger population.Wstęp i cel pracy Dane z piśmiennictwa sugerują częste występowanie zaburzeń hormonalnych u kobiet chorych na stwardnienie rozsiane (SR). Celem pracy była analiza profilu hormonalnego w zakresie hormonów płciowych u kobiet z SR w powiązaniu z przebiegiem klinicznym i obrazem rezonansu magnetycznego (RM) mózgowia. Materiał i metody Badano stężenie progesteronu, β-estradiolu i prolaktyny w surowicy u 46 pacjentek z klinicznie pewnym SR, w wieku od 19 lat do 65 lat, o średnim czasie trwania choroby 11,80 ± 9,86 roku, niestosujących żadnej terapii hormonalnej. Stopień zmian w profilu hormonalnym oceniano półilościowo wg przyjętego arbitralnie przez autorów systemu punktacji (0—3).W analizie RM brano pod uwagę obecność ognisk demielinizacji w obrębie struktur podwzgórza, nasilenie demielinizacji w obrębie mózgowia oraz współistnienie zaniku mózgu. Stopień zmian w RM oceniano także półilościowo wg przyjętego arbitralnie przez autorów systemu punktacji (0—4). Wyniki Nieprawidłowe stężenia hormonów stwierdzono u 26 pacjentek (56%). Nieprawidłowości polegały na zmniejszonym stężeniu progesteronu, zwiększonym stężeniu 17-β-estradiolu bądź na łącznym występowaniu obu tych zaburzeń. W badaniu RM w 53% przypadków stwierdzono obecność zmian demielinizacyjno-zapalnych w obrębie podwzgórza. Stopień zaburzeń hormonalnych oceniany półilościowo korelował ze stopniem zmian w RM mózgowia (p < 0,05; test dokładny Fishera), nie był natomiast związany z obecnością zmian w obrębie podwzgórza czy parametrami klinicznymi (punktacja w Expanded Disability Status Scale, częstość rzutów, czas trwania choroby). Wnioski Stan hormonalny kobiet chorych na SR powinien być brany pod uwagę w analizie klinicznej choroby i przy decyzjach terapeutycznych, gdyż wydaje się mieć związek z aktywnością SR. Badania te, w celu potwierdzenia uzyskanych wyników, należy kontynuować na szerszym materiale

Clinical and neuroimaging correlation of movement disorders in multiple sclerosis : case series and review of the literature

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, in which movement disorders (MD) have been reported very rarely. Anatomopathological studies of MS indicate two main processes: inflammation and neurodegeneration. The occurrence of the movement disorders symptoms in MS revises the question of aetiology of these two diseases. During the 10 years of observation in our out-patient clinic and MS units we examined about 2500 patients with clinically definite MS diagnosed according to the revised McDonald’s criteria. Only in 10 cases we found coexistence of MS and MD signs. Below we present rare cases of patients with coexistence of MS and chorea, pseudoathetosis, dystonia and parkinsonism. Searching for the strategic focal lesion in our case series showed demyelinating plaques placed in the thalamus most often. Detailed analysis of the clinical, pharmacological and neuroimaging correlations may help to explain the character of movement disorders in MS

Zapalenie nerwów wzrokowych i rdzenia Devica (NMO) oraz choroby ze spektrum NMO

Zapalenie nerwów wzrokowych i rdzenia Devica jest autoimmunologicznym, zapalno-demielinizacyjnym schorzeniem ośrodkowego układu nerwowego o poważnym rokowaniu. Należy do chorób rzadkich, a chorobowość wśród rasy białej wynosi około 1/100 000. Od czasu pierwszego opisu tej jednostki chorobowej w XIX wieku prowadzono liczne badania dotyczące jej patogenezy oraz typowej symptomatologii. Początkowo obraz kliniczny sprowadzano jedynie do objawów zajęcia nerwów wzrokowych i rdzenia kręgowego, a choroba była traktowana jako jeden z wariantów stwardnienia rozsianego. Przełomowe znaczenie w wyodrębnieniu tej jednostki chorobowej oraz zrozumieniu jej etiopatogenezy miało odkrycie swoistych przeciwciał przeciwko antygenom kanału wodnego akwaporyny 4. W ostatnim czasie zmieniło się również spojrzenie na symptomatologię choroby. Obecnie wiadomo, że obraz kliniczny może obejmować, poza objawami osiowymi, również kliniczne cechy zajęcia pnia mózgu, podwzgórza, zaburzenia funkcji poznawczych i wiele innych. Ponadto zmiany demielinizacyjne w obrazie rezonansu magnetycznego mózgowia nie wykluczają rozpoznania choroby Devica. W ostatnich latach wprowadzono także nowe metody immunoterapii. W 2015 roku opublikowano nowe kryteria diagnostyczne, w których usystematyzowano standardy rozpoznania zapalenia nerwów wzrokowych i rdzenia, co jest kluczowe w przypadku włączania leczenia. Terapia choroby Devica jest odmienna niż w stwardnieniu rozsianym, dlatego konieczna jest prawidłowa diagnostyka różnicowa tych dwóch schorzeń

Peripheral nerve involvement in myotonic dystrophy type 2 – similar or different than in myotonic dystrophy type 1?

Introduction Multisystem manifestations of myotonic dystrophies type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2) are well known. Peripheral nerve involvement has been reported in DM1 but not in genetically confirmed DM2. The aim of our study was to assess peripheral nerve involvement in DM2 using nerve conduction studies and to compare these results with findings in DM1. Methods We prospectively studied patients with genetically confirmed DM2 (n=30) and DM1 (n=32). All patients underwent detailed neurological examination and nerve conduction studies. Results Abnormalities in electrophysiological studies were found in 26.67% of patients with DM2 and in 28.13% of patients with DM1 but the criteria of polyneuropathy were fulfilled in only 13.33% of patients with DM2 and 12.5% of patients with DM1. The polyneuropathy was subclinical, and no correlation was found between its presence and patient age or disease duration. Conclusions Peripheral nerves are quite frequently involved in DM2, but abnormalities meeting the criteria of polyneuropathy are rarely found. The incidence of peripheral nerve involvement is similar in both types of myotonic dystrophy

Evidence for a relatively high proportion of DM2 mutations in a large group of Polish patients

Introduction: Myotonic dystrophies (DMs) type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) are autosomal dominant, multisystem disorders, considered the most common dystrophies in adults. DM1 and DM2 are caused by dynamic mutations in the DMPK and CNBP genes, respectively. Methods: Molecular analyses were performed by PCR and the modified RP-PCR in patients, in their at-risk relatives and prenatal cases. Results: The analysis of Polish controls revealed the range of 5-31 CTG repeats for DM1 and 110-228 bp alleles for DM2. Among 318 confirmed probands - 196 (62%) were DM1 and 122 (38%) – DM2. Within DM1families, 10 subjects carried a low expanded CTG tract (< 100 repeats), which resulted in a full mutation in subsequent generations. Two related individuals had unstable alleles–188 bp and 196 bp without common interruptions. Conclusion: The relative frequencies of DM1/DM2 among Polish patients were 68% and 32%, respectively, with a relatively high proportion of DM2 mutations (1.6:1)