Temporal perspective and other psychological factors making it difficult to adapt to requirements of treatment in chronic dialysis patients

Aim. The study analyzed the relationship between temporal perspective, selected personal resources, and unhealthy behavior, manifesting in problems with adherence to fluid intake restrictions, in chronic hemodialyzis patients. The authors tried to answer the question whether there is temporal perspective and other psychological factors increasing the risk of non-adaptive behaviors. Methods. Sixty-one patients, aged 23–81 years (M = 59; SD = 13,9) on chronic hemodialysis at the Department of Nephrology University Hospital were qualified to the study. The study group consisted of 30 patients with poorer fluid regimen adherence and 31 controls, who maintained fluid regimen. The patients were qualified on the bases of the average interdialysis weight gains measured nine times during three weeks. The following research tools were used: P. Zimbardo and J. Boyd ZTPI test; P.T. Costa and R.R. McCrae NEO-FFI Inventory; J. Strelau Temperament Inventory, R. Schwarzer GSES; M. F. Scheier; C. S. Carver and M. W. Bridges LOT-R; M. Watson and S. Greer CECS; BJ. Felton, TA. Revenson, GA. Hinrichsen AIS. Results. Difficulties in adapting to the fluid intake restrictions are significantly associated with temporal orientation towards negative aspects of the present and the past. Non-adaptive health behaviors are typical for patients with temperamental lack of balance between agitation and inhibition processes and are characterized by high agreeableness and low conscientiousness. The association between excessive anger control and the risk of non-adherence medical recommendations. Conclusions. Time perception and other personality factors form mechanisms regulating health behaviors in chronically treatment patients

Societies in transition: are they more sexist? A comparison between Polish, South African and British samples

This study investigates ambivalent sexism to women in student samples from two under-researched transitional countries, Poland (PL) and South Africa (SA), in comparison with the United Kingdom. Based on ambivalent sexism theory (AST), and in light of socio-economic context, it was hypothesised that: (1) the sample in PL and SA would be more hostile- and benevolent-sexist than the sample from the UK, (2) males would exhibit more hostile attitudes than females irrespective of country and (3) males would outscore females on benevolent attitudes in the relatively liberal UK but underscore them in relatively conservative SA. The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory was used to measure benevolent and hostile sexism. The findings largely supported the hypotheses. The participants in SA and PL were more sexist than in the UK and men were more hostile-sexist than women in all three countries. However, males outscored females on benevolent sexism not only in the UK but also in SA and PL. Moreover, the sample from PL was observed to be more sexist than the sample from SA. The findings are discussed in light of AST and the countries' transitional context

Antioxidant response of vitamin A during the exposure of blood platelets to electromagnetic radiation generated by LCD monitors - in vitro study

The article presents the results of in vitro studies aimed at identifying changes in activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) as a parameter of oxidative stress and protective antioxidant role of vitamin A during the exposure of blood platelets to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) generated by LCD monitors. Blood platelets were exposed to an electromagnetic radiation for 30 min. and 60 min. generated by monitors, which is characterized by parameters: 1 kHz frequency and 220 V/m intensity. The enzymatic activity of SOD-1 increases significantly compared to control values after 30 min. of exposure to EMR (from 2523.39 U/g protein to 3896.15 U/g protein), and decreases after 60 min (to 2846.58 U/g protein). A significant decrease in enzyme activity after the addition of vitamin A was noticed (to 1569.54 U/g protein). In samples exposed for 30 min. the SOD activity was significantly increased by addition of vitamin A and decreases after 60 min. Changes in enzymatic activity of SOD-1 dependent on exposure time and application of vitamin A suggest an important preventive role of vitamin A to protect against the effects of EMR which we are exposed to in everyday life. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.32160

25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency in children with newly diagnosed asthma

Background. 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency seems to be related to the development of asthma. Any evaluation of the relationship between asthma and 25(OH)D deficiency must consider the association between increased airway responsiveness, eosinophil counts and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and 25(OH)D as a potential player in airway remodelling. Objective. We assessed the association of 25(OH)D with markers of atopy and eosinophilic inflammation in children with newly diagnosed asthma. Methods. The study included 165 children aged 2–12 years. The diagnosis of asthma was performed by an experienced paediatric pulmonologist. Allergic asthma was diagnosed in 106 children, and non-allergic asthma in ten; in 49 children, asthma was excluded. Fasting blood was collected for cell counts, and serum was obtained to measure lipids, C-reactive protein (hsCRP), 25(OH)D and IgE. Results. Children with asthma had significantly lower 25(OH)D (p < 0.001). Both groups had similar lipid values. Elevated total IgE concentration and eosinophil counts were found in asthmatics; neutrophils were similar in asthmatic and reference groups. There was a strong tendency to higher eosinophil counts in 25(OH)D-deficient children (< 20 ng/mL) with atopic asthma (p < 0.08). Conclusion. In children with asthma, 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency is associated with higher eosinophil counts and IgE. 25(OH)D monitoring is important in the prevention and management of children with asthm

The role of the gynaecologist in the promotion and maintenance of oral health during pregnancy

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess routine dental examination attendance of pregnant women and a possible impact of gynaecological referrals on the attendance rate. Material and methods: An electronic survey was conducted that was inclusive of women up to 5 years following delivery. The questions related to socio-demographic data, the course of pregnancy and childbirth, and visits to dental office during pregnancy. For statistical analysis, the authors utilized the chi-square test, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and odds ratios. A significance level of 0.05 has been assumed. Results: A total of 3455 questionnaires were analyzed encompassing women aged 13.1–45.4 years. The respondents were on average 1.78 ± 1.44 years after childbirth. The population comprises of women in 59.1% from large cities, in 74.8% with higher education and in 41% with good socio-economic status. A total of 62.3% of women from the study population have visited a dentist for a routine dental examination. Gynaecologists have given a simple referral to a dentist to 17.6% of all women. 45.9% of them were further requested to provide back the feedback of their dental consultation. Dental appoint­ments were upheld by 87.3% of referred women and by 56.9% of those without a referral (OR = 5.20 (4.05–6.67); p < 0.001). Among those who were referred, dental appointments were upheld in 91.7% of cases when further asked to provide oral health feedback and in 83.5% of cases in absence of such further request (OR = 2.19 (1.3–3.66); p = 0.003). Conclusions: It was determined that referrals from a gynaecologist, and associated oral health feedback requests increase the frequency of abiding to dental appointments during pregnancy. As such, it is necessary to increase the involvement of gynaecologists in the promotion and maintenance of perinatal oral health

Serum 25(OH)D status and lipid profile in children with newly diagnosed asthma

Background. The problem of the influence of hyperlipidemia on asthma was addressed several years ago. Systematic review and meta-analysis performed in the pediatric population on the association between vitamin D status and lipid profile components revealed discordant results and indicated that higher serum 25(OH)D is related to a more favorable lipid profile. Objective. We aimed to elucidate whether there was an association between vitamin D status and lipid profile components and apolipoprotein B in a sample of children with newly diagnosed atopic asthma. Methods. The study included 150 children aged 2–12 years. Atopic asthma was diagnosed in 110 children; 40 children constituted a reference group. Fasting blood was collected to measure 25(OH)D total, lipid profile and apolipoprotein B concentrations. Results. Children with asthma had significantly lower 25(OH)D (p < 0.0001) but similar lipid and apolipoprotein B concentrations. The proportions of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and increased apoB concentrations were similar in both groups. HDL-C concentrations in asthmatic 25(OH)D-deficient children were higher compared with the children with sufficient levels (p = 0.05). ApoB concentration was lower in 25(OH)D-deficient compared with vitamin D sufficient asthmatics (p = 0.0008). Correlations between 25(OH)D concentration and lipids and apoB in asthmatics revealed gender differences. An inverse relationships between vitamin D and total cholesterol and HDL-C (R= –0.39, p < 0.05; R= –0.475, p < 0.001) were found in girls. In boys vitamin D correlated with LDL-C and apoB (R = 0.376, R = 0.498; p < 0.001). Conclusion. In children with asthma lower 25(OH)D had more favorable gender-dependent effect on the lipid profile. The association of serum 25(OH)D and lipid levels in children with asthma remains for further studies.

Analogy and dissimilarity of excitons in monolayer and bilayer of MoSe2_2

Excitons in thin layers of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides are highly subject to the strongly modified Coulomb electron-hole interaction in these materials. Therefore, they do not follow the model system of a two-dimensional hydrogen atom. We investigate experimentally and theoretically excitonic properties in both the monolayer (ML) and the bilayer (BL) of MoSe$_2$ encapsulated in hexagonal BN. The measured magnetic field evolutions of the reflectance contrast spectra of the MoSe$_2$ ML and BL allow us to determine $g$-factors of intralayer A and B excitons, as well as the $g$-factor of the interlayer exciton. We explain the dependence of $g$-factors on the number of layers and excitation state using first principles calculations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the experimentally measured ladder of excitonic $s$ states in the ML can be reproduced using the $\mathbf{k\cdot p}$ approach with the Rytova-Keldysh potential that describes the electron-hole interaction. In contrast, the analogous calculation for the BL case requires taking into account the out-of-plane dielectric response of the MoSe$_2$ BL.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, + S

Clinical Outcomes of Extracranial Carotid Artery-Related Stroke Eligible for Mechanical Reperfusion on Top of Per-Guidelines Thrombolytic Therapy:Analysis from a 6-Month Consecutive Patient Sample in 2 Centers

BACKGROUND: Systemic intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) are guideline-recommended reperfusion therapies in large-vessel-occlusion ischemic stroke. However, for acute ischemic stroke of extracranial carotid artery origin (AIS-CA) there have been no specific trials, resulting in a data gap. MATERIAL/METHODS: We evaluated referral/treatment pathways, serial imaging, and neurologic 90-day outcomes in consecutive patients, presenting in a real-life series in 2 stroke centers over a period of 6 months, with AIS-CA eligible for emergency mechanical reperfusion (EMR) on top of thrombolysis as per guideline criteria. RESULTS: Of 30 EMR-eligible patients (33.3% in-window for thrombolysis and thrombolysed, 73.3% male, age 39-87 years, median Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) 10, pre-stroke mRS 0–1 in all, tandem lesions 26.7%), 20 (66.7%) were EMR-referred (60% – endovascular, 6.7% – surgery referrals). Only 40% received EMR, nearly exclusively in stroke centers with carotid artery stenting (CAS) expertise (100% eligible patient acceptance rate, 100% treatment delivery involving CAS±MT with culprit lesion sequestration using micronet-covered stents). The emergency surgery rate was 0%. Baseline clinical and imaging characteristics did not differ between EMR-treated and EMR-untreated patients. Ninety-day neurologic status was profoundly better in EMR-treated patients: mRS 0–2 (91.7% vs 0%; P<0.001); mRS 3–5 (8.3% vs 88.9%; P<0.001), mRS 6 (0% vs 11.1%; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a real-life AIS-CA setting, the referral rate of EMR-eligible patients for EMR was low, and the treatment rate was even lower. AIS-CA revascularization was delivered predominantly in stroke thrombectomy-capable cardioangiology centers, resulting in overwhelmingly superior patient outcome. Large vessel occlusion stroke referral and management pathways should involve centers with proximal-protected CAS expertise. AIS-CA, irrespective of any thrombolysis administration, is a hyperacute cerebral emergency and EMR-eligible patients should be immediately referred for mechanical reperfusion