Relationship of Non-Invasive Arterial Stiffness Parameters with 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score in Post-COVID-19 Patients-The Results of a Cross-Sectional Study.

This study evaluated the relationship of non-invasive arterial stiffness parameters with an individual 10-year risk of fatal and non-fatal atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in the cohort post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study group included 203 convalescents aged 60.0 (55.

Do Photopletysmographic Parameters of Arterial Stiffness Differ Depending on the Presence of Arterial Hypertension and/or Atherosclerosis?

Background: Hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) increase cardiovascular risk and worsen patients' prognoses. One early predictor of increased risk is a change in arterial stiffness. This study aimed to evaluate arterial stiffness parameters using the non-invasive photoplethysmography (PPG) method in Polish patients with arterial hypertension (AH) and/or atherosclerosis (AS).

Assessment of the Concentrations of Selected Aminothiols in Patients after COVID-19.

: Data show that due to endothelial damage and thrombogenic effects, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The impaired metabolism of aminothiols increases oxidative stress, as these molecules are involved in antioxidant defense as well as in thiol redox control. In this study, total levels of selected aminothiols (i.

Cardiac status and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk of convalescents after COVID-19 in Poland.

Introduction: The COVID‑19 pandemic brought about cardiac complications and unfavorable lifestyle changes that may increase cardiovascular risk.

Objectives: Our aim was to establish the cardiac status of convalescents several months after COVID‑19, and the 10‑year risk of fatal and nonfatal atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, according to the Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation‑2 (SCORE2) and SCORE2‑Older Persons (OP) algorithms.

Patients And Methods: The study included 553 convalescents (mean [SD] age, 63.

Does Alcohol Withdrawal Influence Arterial Stiffness and Classical Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease for Persons With Alcohol Use Disorder?

Aims: The amount and pattern of cigarette and alcohol consumption are highly associated with cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was the assessment of changes in arterial stiffness and classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease after alcohol withdrawal and detoxification in persons with alcohol use disorder.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-one individuals (men and women) participated in the investigation.

Photoplethysmographic Measurement of Arterial Stiffness in Polish Patients with Long-COVID-19 Syndrome-The Results of a Cross-Sectional Study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) that persists even several months after the onset of infection. COVID-19 may also have an impact on arterial stiffness, which is a risk factor for CVD. We aimed to analyze if and to what extent arterial stiffness measured by photoplethysmography differed among COVID-19 convalescents depending on the acute phase severity and time elapsed since disease onset.

Influence of pH on the Kinetics and Products of Photocatalytic Degradation of Sulfonamides in Aqueous Solutions.

The aims of the study were to determine the kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation of six sulfonamides in the presence of TiO-P25 in acidic, neutral, and alkaline solutions and to identify the structures of the stable products. It was stated that the pH of the solution significantly affected the photocatalytic degradation rate of sulfonamides in acidic and alkaline environments, and the effect likely depended on the susceptibility of sulfonamides to attack by hydroxyl radicals. In the post-reaction mixture, we identified the compounds resulting from the substitution of the aromatic rings with a hydroxyl group; the amide hydrolysis products; the hydroxylamine-, azo, and nitro derivatives; and the compounds formed via the elimination of the sulfone group.

Effectiveness of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after COVID-19 in Poland.

Introduction: Patients with a history of COVID‑19 are characterized by a deteriorated level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The COVID‑19 rehabilitation program of the National Health Fund (NHF) was developed and financed by the public insurer in Poland to help convalescents return to full health.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) after COVID‑19, carried out under the NHF program.

The prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking among Polish youths.

Introduction: Waterpipe smoking is gaining popularity among the youth in Poland and is evaluated for the first time in this work. The authors address the social and demographic factors that motivate young people to smoke and attempt to determine which of them contribute to habit formation.

Material And Methods: The data were collected among school and university students in Poland during a global survey on various forms of tobacco use.

Influence of inhaled nicotine source on arterial stiffness.

Introduction: Tobacco smoking leads to changes in hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate and systolic or diastolic blood pressure. It has a direct influence on the elasticity of blood vessels and increases arterial stiffness, which can result in development of atherosclerosis. Data show that the nicotine in tobacco smoke probably is responsible for these changes.

Secondhand exposure to vapors from electronic cigarettes.

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are designed to generate inhalable nicotine aerosol (vapor). When an e-cigarette user takes a puff, the nicotine solution is heated and the vapor is taken into lungs. Although no sidestream vapor is generated between puffs, some of the mainstream vapor is exhaled by e-cigarette user.

[Water pipe smoking and psychoactive substances].

Significance: In recent years a water pipe gains popularity among Polish young people. Unfortunately, young people use it to burn not only tobacco, but also other addictive and psychoactive substances.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to assess the phenomenon of using a water pipe to smoke psychoactive substances by young people.

[Evaluation of changes in hemodynamic parameters after the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems among regular cigarette smokers].

A relatively new device, described by producers as a device to help smokers quit, nicotine inhaler is an electronic (e-cigarette). Its mission is to provide the body with small doses of nicotine behavior "ceremonial" burning product is not tested for efficacy and toxicity The aim of this study was to compare the effects of nicotine absorbed from cigarette conventional and electronic changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Because of the potential interaction of carbon monoxide contained in cigarette smoke and nicotine conventional to changes on the parameters is also going to examine changes in the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin after smoking cigarettes and using e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarette use among teenagers and young adults in Poland.

Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices developed with the goal of mimicking the action of smoking, including nicotine delivery, without the toxic effects of tobacco smoke. Little is known about the uptake of e-cigarettes among young people.

Methods: A survey was conducted with a cluster sample of 20240 students enrolled at 176 nationally representative Polish high schools and universities between September 2010 and June 2011.

Comparison of urine cotinine and the tobacco-specific nitrosamine metabolite 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and their ratio to discriminate active from passive smoking.

Objectives: Cotinine is the most widely used biomarker to distinguish active versus passive smoking. However, there is an overlap in cotinine levels when comparing light or occasional smokers versus heavily exposed passive smokers. 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) is a tobacco-specific nitrosamine measurable in urine with a much longer half-life than cotinine.

Urine cotinine underestimates exposure to the tobacco-derived lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone in passive compared with active smokers.

Objectives: Cotinine and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) are widely used biomarkers for tobacco-derived nicotine and the lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), respectively. The discrepancy between cotinine levels in relation to disease risk comparing active versus passive smoking suggests a nonlinear tobacco smoke dose-response and/or that cotinine is not providing an accurate measure of exposure to the toxic constituents of secondhand tobacco smoke.

Methods: Cotinine and NNAL were measured in the urine of 373 active smokers and 228 passive smokers.

Exposure to carbon monoxide from second-hand tobacco smoke in Polish pubs.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the more toxic agents present in the gas phase of second-hand tobacco smoke. There is sufficient evidence suggesting that passive smokers are involuntarily poisoned by low CO concentrations. At lower doses, CO affects the central nervous system leading to deterioration in visual perception, manual dexterity, learning, driving performance, and attention level.

[Relationship between nicotine dependence and smoking topography].

Significance: The way smoker smokes his cigarette (smoking topography) depends on many factors, like his age and sex, or the type of cigarettes he smokes. Smoking topography includes a puff volume, a number of puffs taken during smoking one cigarette, a frequency and time of puffing, and the intervals between puffs.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to verify if the level of nicotine dependence affects smoking topography.

[Waterpipe smoking among adolescents in Silesia region of Poland].

Significance: Waterpipe has been used for many centuries in Asia and Africa regions to smoke tobacco leaves. In recent years it has been gaining popularity also among adolescents and youths in Poland.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to examine waterpipe smoking prevalence among adolescents living in Silesia region of Poland.

[Knowledge and attitudes toward smoke-free law among smoking and non-smoking medical students].

Unlabelled: Tobacco smoking is common among various social groups. There is still high prevalence of smoking among health care professionals.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of the study was to assess knowledge about smoke-free law in public places in Poland among smoking and nonsmoking students of selected medical university.

[Influence of smoking topography on respirabile suspended particulates concentrations in main and side stream].

Introduction: The aim of the study was: 1) to assess RSPs concentration in MS and SS of the cigarettes smoked in a wide variety of topography parameters (various: puff volumes [V], puff flows [W] and breaks between puffs [T]); 2) to assess smokers' exposure to tobacco-smoke-derived respirabile suspended particles.

Methods: Tobacco smoke was generated using a self-constructed automatic smoking machine. The device is highly accurate and precise (SD +/- 1%), which was confirmed by checking smoking topography parameters with CressMicro portable monitor (Plowshare, USA).

The role of pharmacists in smoking cessation in Poland.

In Poland, 38.0% of men and 25.6% of women smoke daily.

Elimination kinetics of the tobacco-specific biomarker and lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol.

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) is tobacco specific and has a longer half-life than other tobacco biomarkers studied thus far. An accurate measurement of the NNAL half-life is important for optimal use to assess exposure to tobacco smoke. We determined the half-life of NNAL in urine in eight daily smokers on a clinical research ward and in five occasional smokers in a real-life environment.

[Novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease and tobacco smoke].

Tobacco smoking, counted as one of the alternating external cardiovascular risk factors, can cause disadvantageous changes of concentration of compounds considered to be the new internal risk factors. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of tobacco smoke on concentration levels of homocysteine, dimethylarginine (ADMA), fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy smoking male's blood plasma. 71 healthy male volunteers, aged 30-59, were chosen for the study.

[Tobacco smoke exposure levels and lipide profile].

Toxic tobacco smoke exposure to human organism is strictly related to progress of atherosclerosis changes. One of the mechanisms of these effects is a change of blood lipoprotein fraction concentrations. The concentrations of the lipid profile parameters (TCL, HDL, LDL, TG) and the chosen biomarkers (urine cotinine and 1-hydroxypyrene and blood carboxyhaemoglobine) were determined.