The Importance of Foot Function Assessment Using the Foot Function Index-Revised Short Form (FFI-RS) Questionnaire in the Comprehensive Treatment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Foot problems may have a substantial negative impact on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' mobility. They affect walking and the functional capacity to perform daily tasks.

Methods: This study included 61 patients with RA and foot pain or swelling.

Nutritional Behaviors, Vitamin Supplementation and Physical Activity among Polish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, including social isolation, movement restrictions and work instability have altered many people's nutritional behaviors and daily lifestyle. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on selected eating habits, physical activity and daily lifestyle changes of Polish adults ( = 145). The self-designed and anonymous questionnaire was available online from the 1 May 2021 to the 15 May 2021.

Beneficial Effects of Oral Nutritional Supplements on Body Composition and Biochemical Parameters in Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Postoperative Chemotherapy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Recently, more attention has been paid to the role of nutritional intervention in preventing the side effects of chemotherapy in oncology patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of oral nutritional supplements on the body composition and biochemical parameters in women with breast cancer receiving postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. : The study involved women diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent surgical treatment and were qualified for chemotherapy (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide).

The Potential Role of Circulating Endothelial Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells in the Prediction of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients.

Background: The main aim of present study is to evaluate the potential role of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) - representing specific markers of endothelial damage, in the prediction of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients categorized into two groups; mild (MH) and resistant hypertension (RH).

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients with MH and 28 subjects with RH were involved in the study. In both groups, patients were divided into an LVH and non-LVH group.

Association between Advanced Glycation End Products, Soluble RAGE Receptor, and Endothelium Dysfunction, Evaluated by Circulating Endothelial Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Mild and Resistant Hypertension.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and soluble form of receptor RAGE (sRAGE) concentrations as well as the AGEs/sRAGE ratio in mild (MH) and resistant (RH) hypertensive patients in comparison with normotensive individuals. We also evaluated the association between AGEs, sRAGE as well as AGEs/sRAGE ratio and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs). The MH group consisted of 30 patients, whereas 30 patients were classified for the RH group.

The endothelial status reflected by circulating endothelial cells, circulating endothelial progenitor cells and soluble thrombomodulin in patients with mild and resistant hypertension.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate endothelial status by measuring the concentration of novel markers of endothelial dysfunction (ED): a number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs), circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPCs) and their ratio (CEPCs/CECs) as well as a traditional parameter - soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) in patients with resistant (RH) and mild hypertension (MH).

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients with MH and thirty subjects with RH were involved in the study. The control group included thirty-three age and sex-matched normotensive volunteers.

The Effect of Whole-Body Cryotherapy at Different Temperatures on Proinflammatory Cytokines, Oxidative Stress Parameters, and Disease Activity in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Purpose: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, increased oxidants, and decreased antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) at -110°C and -60°C, on disease activity, selected proinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress in patients with AS.

Methods: Sixty-five patients with AS were recruited to one of three study procedures: WBC at -110°C, -60°C, or exercise therapy (non-WBC).

Plasma concentration of selected biochemical markers of endothelial dysfunction in women with various severity of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)-A pilot study.

Background: Although the endothelial dysfunction is considered to be implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) the endothelial status in patients with venous disorders is still not fully evaluated. Therefore the aim of the study was to measure the concentration of selected markers of endothelial dysfunction: von Willebrand factor (vWf), soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) and soluble VE-cadherin (sVE-cadherin) in CVI women who constitute the most numerous group of patients suffering from venous disease.

Materials And Methods: Forty four women with CVI were involved in the study and divided into subgroups based on CEAP classification.

The Association of Serum Thrombomodulin with Endothelial Injuring Factors in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentration of serum thrombomodulin (sTM) in the AAA patients and to examine its correlation with various factors which may potentially participate in the endothelial injury. Forty-one patients with AAA were involved and divided into subgroups based on different criteria. Concentration of sTM was measured using enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA).