The Prevalence of Neck and Back Pain among Paramedics in Poland.

Neck Pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) are ubiquitous musculoskeletal conditions and some of the major causes of disability worldwide. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence and risk factors of back pain among paramedics and their correlation with the nature of work, anthropometric features and the level of recreational physical activity. A group of 201 individuals (39 females (19.

The extent of damage to the blood-brain barrier in the hypercholesterolemic LDLR/Apo E double knockout mice depends on the animal's age, duration of pathology and brain area.

One of the effects of hypercholesterolemia (Hch) exerted on the central nervous system (CNS) is damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Increased permeability of BBB results from structural changes in the vascular wall, loss of the tight junctions and barrier function, as well as alterations in the concentration of proteins located in the layers of the vascular wall. These changes occur in the course of metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.

Influence of Occupation on the Prevalence of Spinal Pain among Physiotherapists and Nurses.

(1) Background: Neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) are common musculoskeletal disorders, one of the major causes of disability globally. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of medical occupation (physiotherapist and nurse) on the prevalence of spinal pain, functional status and degree of disability. (2) Methods: a total of 544 people (462 females (84.

Influence of Risk Factors on Exercise Tolerance in Patients after Myocardial Infarction-Early Cardiac Rehabilitation in Poland.

(1) Background: Prognosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases is significantly influenced by lifestyle and the control of risk factors. Patients after myocardial infarction require special care and promptly introduced cardiac rehabilitation. The primary aim of this study was to identify risk factors and their influence on exercise tolerance before and after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) provided under the Coordinated Specialist Care Programme-Infarct (CSC-Infarct).

Control of Brushless Direct-Current Motors Using Bioelectric EMG Signals.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analysis of measurements of bioelectric signals obtained from electromyographic sensors. A system that controls the speed and direction of rotation of a brushless DC motor (BLDC) was developed; (2) Methods: The system was designed and constructed for the acquisition and processing of differential muscle signals. Basic information for the development of the EMG signal processing system was also provided.

Influence of Pregnancy on the Occurrence of Lumbar Spine Pain in Polish Women: A Retrospective Study.

(1) Background: Low Back Pain is a major health concern. Pregnancy-related lower back pain is a common complaint among women. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of pregnancy history on the occurrence and profile of pain in the lower spine.

A kinematic model of a humanoid lower limb exoskeleton with pneumatic actuators.

Purpose: Although it is well-established that exoskeletons as robots attached to the human body's extremities increase their strength, limited studies presented a computer and mathematical model of a human leg pneumatic exoskeleton based on anthropometric data.

Methods: By using Inertial Measurement Units a lower limb joint angles (hip, knee and ankle in sagittal plane) during walking and running were calculated. The geometric model of a human leg pneumatic exoskeleton was presented.

Prevalence and risk of spinal pain among physiotherapists in Poland.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, symptoms of, and risk factors for spinal pain in physiotherapists, as well as to analyse the correlation between these factors and the nature of the work, anthropometric features of the respondents, and the level of their physical activity.

Methods: The study was conducted among 240 physiotherapists (71 male and 169 female) with a mean age of 38.7 years.

Dynamic Model of a Humanoid Exoskeleton of a Lower Limb with Hydraulic Actuators.

Exoskeletons are the mechanical systems whose operation is carried out in close cooperation with the human body. In this paper, the authors describe a mathematical model of the hydraulic exoskeleton of a lower limb. The coordinates of characteristic points of the exoskeleton in the sagittal plane as a function of user height are presented.

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Physical Performance in Patients after Myocardial Infarction: Preliminary Research.

(1) Background: Cardiovascular diseases, in particular, myocardial infarction (MI), are the main threats to human health in modern times. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR), and especially increased physical activity, significantly prevent the consequences of MI. The aim of this study was to assess physical performance in patients after MI before and after CR.

A Kinematic Model of a Humanoid Lower Limb Exoskeleton with Hydraulic Actuators.

Although it is well-established that exoskeletons as robots attached to the extremities of the human body increase their strength, limited studies presented a computer and mathematical model of a human leg hydraulic exoskeleton based on anthropometric data. This study aimed to examine lower limb joint angles during walking and running by using Inertial Measurement Units. The geometry and kinematic parameters were calculated.

Risk Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among A Group of 1510 Pregnant Women.

Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is a frequent, very common, and costly health problem. LBP, which occurs during pregnancy, may become a lifelong problem. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with LBP in pregnant women.

Inertial Sensors as a Tool for Diagnosing Discopathy Lumbosacral Pathologic Gait: A Preliminary Research.

Background: the goal of the study is to ascertain the influence of discopathy in the lumbosacral (L-S) segment on the gait parameters. The inertial sensors are used to determine the pathologic parameters of gait.

Methods: the study involved four patients (44, 46, 42, and 38 years).

SPIDER as A Rehabilitation Tool for Patients with Neurological Disabilities: The Preliminary Research.

(1) Background and purpose: SPIDER (Strengthening Program for Intensive Developmental Exercises and activities for Reaching health capability) is dedicated for patients suffering from Cerebral Palsy, Sclerosis Multiplex, Spinal Bifida, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and strokes. Authors proposed a computer model for the evaluation patient's condition and the rehabilitation progress. (2) Methods: The 2-year-old and 76-year-old patients with neurological problems, who underwent individual therapy included balancing and coordination practising with SPIDER device.

An exoskeleton arm optimal configuration determination using inverse kinematics and genetic algorithm.

Purpose: This paper deals with the kinematic modelling of an arm exoskeleton used for human rehabilitation. The biomechanics of the arm was studied and the 9 Degrees of Freedom model was obtained. The particular (optimal) exoskeleton arm configuration is needed, depending on patient abilities and possibility or other users activity.

Evaluation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its receptor in neointima of polyester vascular grafts.

The aim of the study was to assess the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) in neointima of polyester vascular grafts. Anastomotic areas were examined at 1, 4 and 12 months after prosthesis implantation in dogs, as well as in human vascular grafts. Immunohistochemistry was performed for uPA and uPAR.

Expression of fibrinolysis activators and their inhibitor in neointima of polyester vascular grafts.

The aim of the study was to evaluate dynamic changes in the expression of fibrinolytic system components in neointima forming in polyester vascular grafts. The study was carried out on 18 mongrel dogs divided into three groups, that underwent replacement of abdominal aorta with a polyester double velour prosthesis. Grafts were removed at 1, 4 and 12 months.

Coagulation activators and inhibitors in the neointima of polyester vascular grafts.

The surface of synthetic vascular grafts is thrombogenic, which implies a risk for their occlusion. The aim of the study was to evaluate expression of coagulation components in the polyester vascular grafts neointima. The study was carried out on 18 dogs, which underwent replacement of the abdominal aorta with a polyester prosthesis.

Generation of reactive oxygen metabolites by the varicose vein wall.

Objectives: to evaluate the content of lipid peroxidation products (expressed by the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances; TBARS), the content of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the localisation of xanthine oxidase (XO) in varicose veins (vv), varicose veins with superficial thrombophlebitis and unchanged saphenous veins.

Methods: varicose saphenous veins, varicose veins with superficial thrombophlebitis and normal saphenous veins obtained during varicose vein surgery on 36 patients as well as healthy saphenous veins from cadaver organ donors (control). Homogenates were prepared in which TBARS concentration and MPO content were determined.

Glycosaminoglycans of normal veins and their alterations in varicose veins and varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis.

The aim of the study was to examine the content and molecular differentiation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the wall of varicose veins. The studied material consisted of normal, varicose veins and varicose veins complicated by thrombophlebitis collected during operations on 26 patients. In the wall of varicose veins the mean GAGs' content as well as the content of sulphated GAGs, except heparan sulphate was increased, whereas the amount of hyaluronic acid was decreased.

[Clinical classification of diabetic foot as a guideline for selection of treatment].

Foot ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus is always a serious risk factor for lower limb amputation. To amputate or to continue conservative treatment is usually a very difficult decision and not without mistakes. The main objective of the study was assessment of the diabetic wound depth as a clinical guideline for decision-making of conservative or aggressive surgical treatment.

Coagulative and fibrinolytic activity in parietal thrombus of aortic aneurysm.

Lumen of aortic aneurysm is usually filled with parietal thrombus. Behaviour of the parietal thrombus is determined by the ratio of coagulation factors to factors of fibrinolytic system. Activity of some factors of coagulation and fibrinolysis in the parietal thrombus of aortic aneurysm was determined using coagulative, fibrinolytic and caseinolytic tests.

Cathepsin D and cathepsin L activities in aortic aneurysm wall and parietal thrombus.

Deterioration of the aortic wall resulting in formation of aneurysms may be caused by increased activity of metalloproteases and lysosomal proteases. The aim of this work was the evaluation of cathepsin D and cathepsin L activities, and activities of inhibitors of cysteine cathepsins in the wall of aortic aneurysms and in parietal thrombus. Aortic aneurysms were obtained during operation.