Colonization with drug-resistant pathogens among patients in long-term care facilities and under home hospice care - a cross-sectional study.

Introduction And Objective: The spread of drug-resistant bacteria is deemed a worldwide threat. Patients in long-term care, including those under palliative care, are exposed to a high risk of colonization and infection with drug-resistant pathogens. This refers primarily to long-term care facilities as opposed to home care.

Artificial axons as a biomimetic 3D myelination platform for the discovery and validation of promyelinating compounds.

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurodegenerative disease driven by damage to the protective myelin sheath, is currently incurable. Today, all clinically available treatments modulate the immune-mediated symptoms of the disease but they fail to stop neurodegeneration in many patients. Remyelination, the regenerative process of myelin repair by oligodendrocytes, which is considered a necessary step to protect demyelinated axons and stop neuronal death, is impaired in MS patients.

Lifestyle Changes during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic as Predictors of BMI Changes among Men and Women in Poland.

Background: Social isolation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affected people's body weight, therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the association between lifestyle elements and the change in BMI during lockdown.

Methods: This retrospective observational study involved 290 questionnaires completed by adult participants divided into three groups according to BMI change during isolation. The structured questionnaire included a general description of the study objective and collected data regarding sociodemographics, anthropometrics, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep duration, and food intake pre- and during COVID-19 lockdown.

Stiffness of targeted layer-by-layer nanoparticles impacts elimination half-life, tumor accumulation, and tumor penetration.

Nanoparticle (NP) stiffness has been shown to significantly impact circulation time and biodistribution in anticancer drug delivery. In particular, the relationship between particle stiffness and tumor accumulation and penetration in vivo is an important phenomenon to consider in optimizing NP-mediated tumor delivery. Layer-by-layer (LbL) NPs represent a promising class of multifunctional nanoscale drug delivery carriers.

Nutritional behaviors of women and men in Poland during confinement related to the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.

The influence of the confinement on the changes of eating behaviors in men and women in Poland and between groups were assessed. Results were obtained for 112 men and 200 women. An anonymous questionnaire available on-line from 29 April to 19 May 2020 was the research tool.

Pertussis vaccination in pregnancy - current data on safety and effectiveness.

Whooping cough/pertussis is a respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified whooping cough as one of the least controlled diseases in all age groups. Clinically, the catarrhal phase manifests itself as flu-like, nonspecific symptoms: cough, runny nose, mild fever, which, regrettably, makes early diagnosis difficult.

Immunogenicity of Split Inactivated Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in Adults with Obesity in the 2017/2018 Season.

BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with susceptibility to severe influenza infection and several disturbances of the immune response to the influenza vaccine. However, the effect of obesity on the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine is not fully understood. Our objective here was to assess the immunogenicity of the split, inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) in Polish adults with obesity.

Determinants and coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination among women of childbearing age in Poland.

Objectives: Vaccination is the most effective method of controlling influenza in the human population, where pregnant women belong to a risk group that is especially vulnerable to influenza-related morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the survey were to report estimates of maternal vaccination coverage and assess reasons for the lack of influenza vaccination among Polish women of childbearing age.

Material And Methods: The survey analysis included 564 pregnant women who had been surveyed in a self-reported questionnaire during the 2017-2018 influenza season in Warsaw, Poland.

Nutrition Behaviors in Polish Adults before and during COVID-19 Lockdown.

Unexpected isolation, which has not yet been seen on a global scale, has created the conditions for evaluating nutrition in a situation of reduced spatial activity. The study aimed to assess the influence of lockdown on selected eating habits of Polish adults. An anonymous questionnaire was conducted, including questions about eating habits and self-reported anthropometric measurements, referring to "before" and "during" lockdown.

Mechanosensitivity of Human Oligodendrocytes.

Oligodendrocytes produce and repair myelin, which is critical for the integrity and function of the central nervous system (CNS). Oligodendrocyte and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) biology is modulated by mechanical cues within the magnitudes observed . In some cases, these cues are sufficient to accelerate or inhibit terminal differentiation of murine oligodendrocyte progenitors.

Mechanical regulation of oligodendrocyte biology.

Oligodendrocytes (OL) are a subset of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) comprising the brain and spinal cord. The CNS environment is defined by complex biochemical and biophysical cues during development and response to injury or disease. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in understanding some of the key biophysical factors in the CNS that modulate OL biology, including their key role in myelination of neurons.

[The effect of selected vitamins, minarals and antioxidants on age-related macular degeneration].

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressively degenerative disease at the central area of the retina, which results in severe visual impairment. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among people aged over 65 in developed countries. Therapies that focus on prevention through optimization of modifiable risk factors such as diet and nutritional status are key approaches to reducing the burden of disease.

[Wpływ makroskładników pokarmowych na związane z wiekiem zwyrodnienie plamki żółtej].

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the world and may affect about 30-50 million people. Due to prevalence of this disease and the progressive population aging in recent years, in addition to conventional methods of treatment of AMD, there are more preventive and treatment support factors that can be used. An adequate diet, especially rich in antioxidant compounds, seems to play an important role in this case.

High-resolution Imaging of Nuclear Dynamics in Live Cells under Uniaxial Tensile Strain.

Extracellular mechanical strain is known to elicit cell phenotypic responses and has physiological relevance in several tissue systems. To capture the effect of applied extracellular tensile strain on cell populations in vitro via biochemical assays, a device has previously been designed which can be fabricated simply and is small enough to fit inside tissue culture incubators, as well as on top of microscope stages. However, the previous design of the polydimethylsiloxane substratum did not allow high-resolution subcellular imaging via oil-immersion objectives.

Maternal Nutritional and Water Homeostasis as a Presage of Fetal Birth Weight.

Birth weight is a key determinant of perinatal outcomes which affect physical development and metabolic function. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of maternal body composition and nutritional status in programing fetal birth weight. This was a longitudinal study that included 29 pregnant women and their full-term newborns.

Dietary macronutrients and fluid intakes in a sample of pregnant women with either gestational diabetes or type 1 diabetes mellitus, assessed in comparison with Polish nutritional guidelines.

Objectives: Pregnancy is a critical period during which environmental factors such as nutrition can affect development. Maintaining proper nutrition becomes even more significant when pregnant women have diabetes. The aim of this study was to measure changes in energy and macronutrient intakes among pregnant women and patients diagnosed either with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy, or, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) before pregnancy, and to assess the pregnant women's dietary intakes in comparison with Polish Institute of Food and Nutrition nutritional guidelines.

Dietary vitamin and mineral intakes in a sample of pregnant women with either gestational diabetes or type 1 diabetes mellitus, assessed in comparison with Polish nutritional guidelines.

Objectives: Maintaining proper nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for pregnant women and especially for who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or who develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Material And Methods: To measure differences in vitamin and mineral intakes among women with normal pregnancies, pregnant women with GDM, and pregnant women with pre-gestational T1DM; and to assess the women's dietary intakes in comparison with Polish nutritional guidelines. The analysis was conducted among 83 pregnant women (29 GDM patients, 26 T1DM patients and 28 normal pregnancy participants) from whom we collected seven-day 24-hour dietary records during the second part of their pregnancies.

Factors Affecting Health-Related Quality of Life in Liver Transplant Patients.

This study seeks to evaluate the metabolic parameters such as body mass index (BMI), percentage of total body fat percentage (%BF), blood glucose, homeostatic index for quantification of insulin resistance and beta-cell function (HOMA-IR), sleep efficiency, and physical activity in liver transplant patients. The study group consisted of 24 male and 18 female patients, which enabled the inter-gender comparison. We found that a majority of patients had exceeded the norms for BMI and %BF.

Probing Mechanical Properties of Brain in a Tuberous Sclerosis Model of Autism.

Causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are understood poorly, making diagnosis and treatment challenging. While many studies have investigated the biochemical and genetic aspects of ASD, whether and how mechanical characteristics of the autistic brain can modulate neuronal connectivity and cognition in ASD are unknown. Previously, it has been shown that ASD brains are characterized by abnormal white matter and disorganized neuronal connectivity; we hypothesized that these significant cellular-level structural changes may translate to changes in the mechanical properties of the autistic brain or regions therein.

Clinical management of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in a Polish outpatient metabolic clinic: a retrospective observational study.

Introduction: There are currently no reports available from a Polish clinical practice on heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) management. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of HeFH hypolipidemic treatment in a Polish outpatient metabolic clinic according to treatment targets outlined in the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines.

Material And Methods: This retrospective, observational study was performed on HeFH patients who attended their routine follow-up visits in the metabolic outpatient clinic in the period between April and September 2016.

Lifestyle Intervention Program for Amelioration of Dysmetabolism in Overweight Women.

Overweight and obesity, a cluster of multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis such as elevated blood pressure, elevated glucose level, and dyslipidemia, increase the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Physical activity and a proper diet are essential preventive measures. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a two-month intervention program consisting of a low-caloric diet (1,500 kcal) and increased physical activity on the anthropometric parameters, body composition, resting metabolic rate, and maximum oxygen uptake.

Engineered 3D-printed artificial axons.

Myelination is critical for transduction of neuronal signals, neuron survival and normal function of the nervous system. Myelin disorders account for many debilitating neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophies. The lack of experimental models and tools to observe and manipulate this process in vitro has constrained progress in understanding and promoting myelination, and ultimately developing effective remyelination therapies.

Mechanical Strain Promotes Oligodendrocyte Differentiation by Global Changes of Gene Expression.

Differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) to oligodendrocytes and subsequent axon myelination are critical steps in vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) development and regeneration. Growing evidence supports the significance of mechanical factors in oligodendrocyte biology. Here, we explore the effect of mechanical strains within physiological range on OPC proliferation and differentiation, and strain-associated changes in chromatin structure, epigenetics, and gene expression.

Characterizing Multiscale Mechanical Properties of Brain Tissue Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Impact Indentation, and Rheometry.

To design and engineer materials inspired by the properties of the brain, whether for mechanical simulants or for tissue regeneration studies, the brain tissue itself must be well characterized at various length and time scales. Like many biological tissues, brain tissue exhibits a complex, hierarchical structure. However, in contrast to most other tissues, brain is of very low mechanical stiffness, with Young's elastic moduli E on the order of 100s of Pa.