Vitamin D Status in Central Europe

Little published information is available regarding epidemiological data on vitamin D status in the large geographical region of Central Europe (CE). We searched the journal literature with regard to 25(OH)D concentrations among community-dwelling or healthy people living in CE. 25(OH)D concentrations varied by age, season, study sample size, and methodological approach [i.e., 25(OH)D assay used]. Concentrations of 25(OH)D in CE appeared lower than 30 ng/mL, and the magnitude of hypovitaminosis D was similar to that reported in Western Europe. While most of the studies reviewed were cross-sectional studies, a longitudinal study was also included to obtain information on seasonal variability. The longitudinal study reported wintertime 25(OH)D values close to 21-23 ng/mL for all studied age groups, with a significant increase of 25(OH)D in August reaching 42 ng/mL for those aged 0-9 years, but only 21 ng/mL for the elderly aged 80-89 years. The decrease in 25(OH)D with respect to age was attributed to decreased time spent in the sun and decreased vitamin D production efficiency. Based on the literature review on vitamin D status in the CE populations, it can be concluded that 25(OH)vitamin D levels are on average below the 30 ng/mL level

Comprehensive Ultrasound Diagnosis of Sigmoid Diverticulitis

Aim. A definition and systematisation of sigmoid diverticulitis semiotics in a comprehensive ultrasonic check-up for early illness diagnosis.Materials and methods. Ultrasound examination data on 64 patients with sigmoid diverticulum have been analysed. The primary visit reason was recurrent varying-intensity pain in left abdominal quadrant, unstable stool and flatulence. The patients were 28 (43.75%) men and 36 (56.25%) women aged 38–85 years, mean age 55.6 years; 31 (48.44%) were diagnosed with diverticulitis. We used the HD15 (Philips, the Netherlands), HS 60 (Samsung, South Korea) and Hi Vision Preirus (Hitachi, Japan) ultrasound instruments equipped with convex and intracavitary microconvex 2–12 MHz linear transducers. Patients were examined on an empty stomach and unprepared intestine. Colon and rectum were explored at different approaches, transabdominally, transperineally, transrectally and transvaginallyResults. The findings laid out a more elaborated ultrasound semiotics of diverticulitis. Ultrasound check-up enables a reliable estimation of blood supply and peristalsis, colonic wall thickness and layers, presence of asymptomatic diverticula, signs of acute diverticulitis (pain on sensor touch, mesocolic tissue infiltration, presence of faecal calculi and gas in diverticulum, peridiverticulitis) and other complications of diverticular disease (fistulae, abscess or peritonitis), as well as a consistent differential instrumental diagnosis of other organ illnesses.Conclusion. Ultrasound is an indispensable supplement in clinical diagnosis of diverticula, diverticulitis and their complications in the cases when other methods like X-ray, CT or colonoscopy are contraindicated

Epidemiology of hip fracture in Belarus: development of a country-specific FRAX model and its comparison to neighboring country models

Summary Fracture probabilities resulting from the newly generated FRAX model for Belarus based on regional estimates of the hip fracture incidence were compared with FRAX models of neighboring countries. Differences between the country-specific FRAX patterns and the rank orders of fracture probabilities were modest. Objective This paper describes the epidemiology of hip fractures in Belarus that was used to develop the country-specific fracture prediction FRAX® tool and illustrates its features compared to models for the neighboring countries of Poland, Russia, and Lithuania. Methods We carried out a population-based study in a region of Belarus (the city of Mozyr) representing approximately 1.2% of the country’s population. We aimed to identify all hip fractures in 2011–2012 from hospital registers and primary care sources. Age- and sex-specific incidence and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Belarus. Fracture probabilities were compared with those derived from FRAX models in neighboring countries. Results The estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 8250 in 2015 and is predicted to increase to 12,918 in 2050. The annual incidence of fragility hip fractures in individuals aged 50 years or more was 24.6/10,000 for women and 14.6/10,000 for men, standardized to the world population. The comparison with FRAX models in neighboring countries showed that hip fracture probabilities in men and women in Belarus were similar to those in Poland, Russia, and Lithuania. The difference in incidence rates between the surveys including or excluding data from primary care suggested that 29.1% of patients sustaining a hip fracture were not hospitalized and, therefore, did not receive specialized medical care. Conclusion A substantial proportion of hip fractures in Belarus does not come to hospital attention. The FRAX model should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability among the Belarus population and help guide decisions about treatment

Practical guidelines for the supplementation of vitamin D and the treatment of deficits in Central Europe — recommended vitamin D intakes in the general population and groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency

Wstęp: Wyniki badań z ostatnich lat dokumentują wiele korzyści wynikających z działania witaminy D na organizm człowieka na wszystkichetapach jego życia. Większość badań epidemiologicznych sugeruje, że niedobór witaminy D jest powszechny wśród mieszkańców EuropyŚrodkowej. Naturalną konsekwencją tej sytuacji jest konieczność ciągłego uświadamiania społeczeństwu oraz środowisku medycznemu,jaką rolę odgrywa witamina D w rozwoju i funkcjonowaniu organizmu ludzkiego.Metody: Na podstawie przeglądu danych literaturowych Polski Zespół Wielodyscyplinarny opracował tezy dotyczące zasad suplementacjiwitaminą D, które przesłano do członków Komitetu Naukowego konferencji „Witamina D — minimum, maksimum, optimum”,19–20 Październik, 2012, Warszawa. W trakcie powyższej konferencji z udziałem 550 delegatów oraz Ekspertów różnych dziedzin medycynyomówiono i przedyskutowano propozycje wytycznych suplementacji witaminą D populacji Europy Środkowej.Wyniki: W efekcie przeprowadzonych dyskusji Zespół Ekspertów opracował wytyczne suplementacji witaminą D dla wszystkich grupwiekowych populacji Europy Środkowej. Określono również kryteria diagnostyczne charakteryzujące stan zaopatrzenia organizmu w witaminę D: deficyt witaminy D ustalono jako stężenie 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL (< 50 nmol/L)], suboptymalne zaopatrzenie jako stężenie25(OH)D wynoszące 20–30 ng/mL (50–75 nmol/L), a stężenie 30–50 ng/mL (75–125 nmol/L) uznano za docelowe dla zapewnienia efektuplejotropowego witaminy D.Wnioski: Poprawa obecnego stanu zaopatrzenia witaminy D w grupach dzieci, młodzieży, osób aktywnych zawodowo i seniorówpowinna zostać włączona do priorytetów polityki zdrowotnej społeczeństw Europy Środkowej.Introduction: Adequate Vitamin D intake and its concentration in serum are important for bone health and calcium–phosphate metabolismas well as for optimal function of many organs and tissues. Documented trends in lifestyle, nutritional habits and physical activityappear to be associated with moderate or severe Vitamin D deficits resulting in health problems. Most epidemiological studies suggest thatVitamin D deficiency is prevalent among Central European populations. Concern about this problem led to the organising of a conferencefocused on overcoming Vitamin D deficiency.Methods: After reviewing the epidemiological evidence and relevant literature, a Polish multidisciplinary group formulated theses onrecommendations for Vitamin D screening and supplementation in the general population. These theses were subsequently sent to ScientificCommittee members of the ‘Vitamin D — minimum, maximum, optimum’ conference for evaluation based on a ten-point scale.With 550 international attendees, the meeting ‘Vitamin D — minimum, maximum, optimum’ was held on October 19–20, 2012 in Warsaw(Poland). Most recent scientific evidence of both skeletal and non-skeletal effects of Vitamin D as well as the results of panellists’ votingwere reviewed and discussed during eight plenary sessions and two workshops.Results: Based on many polemical discussions, including post-conference networking, the key opinion leaders established ranges ofserum 25-hydroxyVitamin D concentration indicating Vitamin D deficiency [< 20 ng/mL (< 50 nmol/L)], suboptimal status [20–30 ng/mL(50–75 nmol/L)], and target concentration for optimal Vitamin D effects [30–50 ng/mL (75–125 nmol/L)]. General practical guidelines regardingsupplementation and updated recommendations for prophylactic Vitamin D intakes in Central European neonates, infants, childrenand adolescents as well as in adults (including recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly) were developed.Conclusions: Improving the Vitamin D status of children, adolescents, adults and the elderly must be included in the priorities of physicians,healthcare professionals and healthcare regulating bodies. The present paper offers elaborated consensus on supplementationguidance and population strategies for Vitamin D in Central Europe

Основные факторы обновления словаря (на материале современного белорусского языка) / Е. Н. Руденко

Раздел 2. Традиции и инновации в преподавании языков и культур = Section 2. Traditions and innovations in teaching languages and culture

Cognitive Ethnolinguisticsin Belarus

в статье дается краткая информация о работе белорусской команды над проектом EUROJOS. EUROJOS разрабатывается в рамках когнитивной этнолингвистики Польской этнолингвистической школы. Это описание важнейших стереотипов на материале разных, в первую очередь славянских, языков по единой схеме. Подведены итоги работы автора над проектом.a short information on the work of the Belarusian team at EUROJOS project is given in the article. EUROJOS is worked out within the framework of cognitive ethnolinguistics at the Polish Ethnolinguistic School. It is a description of the most important stereotypes based on the material of different, primarily Slavic languages by the same scheme. The results of the author’s herself work on the project are summarized

FRAX-based intervention thresholds in eight Eurasian countries: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan

Summary: age-specific intervention and assessment thresholds based on FRAX® were developed for eight Eurasian countries participating in the EVA study (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan). The intervention thresholds (major osteoporotic fracture) ranged from 3.6 (Armenia and Georgia) to 12.3% (Uzbekistan) for people at age 50 years, and from 16 (Armenia) to 27% (Belarus) at the age of 90 years. These thresholds enable a substantial advance in the ease of detection of individuals at high fracture risk.Introduction: the purpose of this study was to derive and compare FRAX-based intervention and BMD assessment thresholds for 8 Eurasian countries in the EVA study.Methods: the intervention threshold (IT) was set at a 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF), calculated without BMD, equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture but no other clinical risk factors, and a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m2. The lower assessment threshold was set at a 10-year probability of a MOF in women with BMI of 25.0 kg/m2, without previous fracture or other clinical risk factors. The upper assessment threshold was set at 1.2 times the IT.Results: the age-specific intervention thresholds ranged from 3.6 (Armenia and Georgia) to 12.3% (Uzbekistan) for men and women at the age of 50 years and from 16 (Armenia) to 27% (Belarus) at the age of 90 years. The difference between countries was most evident at younger ages and become progressively less with advancing age.Conclusions: for the 8 Eurasian countries, the newly established FRAX-based intervention thresholds provide an opportunity to improve the clinical detection of both men and women with a high risk of fracture and improve treatment rates