Pertussis seroprevalence among adults of reproductive age (20-39 years) in fourteen European countries.

The reported incidence of pertussis in European countries varies considerably. We aimed to study specific Bordetella pertussis seroprevalence in Europe by measuring serum IgG antibody levels to pertussis toxin (anti-PT IgG). Fourteen national laboratories participated in this study including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and Sweden.

The hCOMET project: International database comparison of results with the comet assay in human biomonitoring. Baseline frequency of DNA damage and effect of main confounders.

The alkaline comet assay, or single cell gel electrophoresis, is one of the most popular methods for assessing DNA damage in human population. One of the open issues concerning this assay is the identification of those factors that can explain the large inter-individual and inter-laboratory variation. International collaborative initiatives such as the hCOMET project - a COST Action launched in 2016 - represent a valuable tool to meet this challenge.

Seasonal Influenza and Low Flu Vaccination Coverage as Important Factors Modifying the Costs and Availability of Hospital Services in Poland: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

Influenza infection is associated with potential serious complications, increased hospitalization rates, and a higher risk of death. : A retrospective comparative analysis of selected indicators of hospitalization from the University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland, was carried out on patients with confirmed influenza infection in comparison to a control group randomly selected from among all other patients hospitalized on the respective wards during the 2018-2019 influenza season. : The mean laboratory testing costs for the entire hospital were 3.

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.

Epidemiology of Influenza Viruses and Viruses Causing Influenza-Like Illness in Children Under 14 Years Old in the 2018-2019 Epidemic Season in Poland.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of influenza viruses and viruses that caused influenza-like disease in children under 14 years of age in the 2018-2019 epidemic season in Poland, and to identify the public health lessons that can be learned. MATERIAL AND METHODS Nose and throat swabs were used to obtain samples. The samples were analyzed in the National Influenza Center, Department of Influenza Research at the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene as well as in 16 Voivodship Sanitary Epidemiological Stations across the country.

The type of blood used to feed Aedes aegypti females affects their cuticular and internal free fatty acid (FFA) profiles.

Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of various arthropod-borne viral (arboviral) diseases such as dengue and Zika, is a popular laboratory model in vector biology. However, its maintenance in laboratory conditions is difficult, mostly because the females require blood meals to complete oogenesis, which is often provided as sheep blood. The outermost layer of the mosquito cuticle is consists of lipids which protects against numerous entomopathogens, prevents desiccation and plays an essential role in signalling processes.

Combination Therapy of Novel Oncolytic Adenovirus with Anti-PD1 Resulted in Enhanced Anti-Cancer Effect in Syngeneic Immunocompetent Melanoma Mouse Model.

Malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, has a low five-year survival rate in patients with advanced disease. Immunotherapy represents a promising approach to improve survival rates among patients at advanced stage. Herein, the aim of the study was to design and produce, by using engineering tools, a novel oncolytic adenovirus AdV-D24- inducible co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL)-CD40L expressing potent co-stimulatory molecules enhancing clinical efficacy through the modulation of anti-cancer immune responses.

Flow-diverting devices in the treatment of unruptured ophthalmic segment aneurysms at a mean clinical follow-up of 5 years.

A shift toward the endovascular treatment of ophthalmic segment aneurysms is noticeable. However, it is not clear if the long-term treatment results improve with the development of endovascular methods. The aim of this study was to present the outcomes of the treatment of unruptured ophthalmic aneurysms using flow diverting devices (FDD) with or without coiling.

Environmental noise, its types and effects on health.

Noise can be defined as an undesirable sound that pollutes the environment. If noise is continuous and exceeds certain levels, negative effects on health can be observed. In recent years, the impact of environmental noise (road traffic noise, railway traffic noise, air traffic noise and industrial noise) on human health has come under increasingly intense scrutiny.

Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The most characteristic symptom of the disease is heartburn, which occurs at least once a week. The prevalence of the disease varies and, depending on the region of the world, it may affect from a few to over 30% of an adult population.

Association between cardiovascular diseases and depressive symptoms in adults. A pooled analysis of population-based surveys: WOBASZ, NATPOL 2011, and WOBASZ II.

INTRODUCTION Psychosocial risk factors play an important role in the origins of cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms (DSs) in relation to some sociodemographic characteristics and selected cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and to assess the relationship between self‑reported CVDs and the severity of DSs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three cross‑sectional population‑based surveys: WOBASZ (2003-2005), NATPOL 2011 (2011), and WOBASZ II (2013-2014) covered a total sample of 20 514 participants (9614 men and 10 900 women), aged 20 to 74 years, who all completed the Beck Depression Inventory.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Poland: a study based on data from a national hospital register.

INTRODUCTION COVID‑19 has been identified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic. Poland introduced extensive antiepidemic measures relatively early in order to slow down the spread of the disease. OBJECTIVES The study aims to present recent data on COVID‑19 hospitalizations during the first months of the disease outbreak in Poland.

Cardiac Morphology, Function, and Hemodynamics in Patients With Morbid Obesity and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.

Background The patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease demonstrate an increased cardiovascular risk. The adverse influence of liver abnormalities on cardiac function are among many postulated mechanisms behind this association. The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiac morphology and function in patients with morbid obesity referred for bariatric surgery with liver biopsy.

Patients with epilepsy as drivers in Poland.

Background: Drivers suffering from epilepsy are commonly regarded as a threat to road safety. However, inability to use their own means of transport very often implies specific professional effects and lowers the quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze the driving status of patients with epilepsy in Poland.

The Impact of a Single Educational Lecture on the Vaccine Confidence among Pregnant Women and Young Mothers.

Background: We investigated the impact of a single unstructured educational lecture about vaccinations on the vaccine confidence in volunteer participants.

Methods: We conducted a survey-based study during a series of open meetings related to pregnancy and parenting. Before and after the pediatrician's lecture related to vaccinations, listeners completed the visual analogue scales (VAS, 0-15 cm), evaluating (1) self-declared knowledge on vaccinations and (2) how they perceive the safety and efficacy of this preventive method.

Spread of Influenza Viruses in Poland and Neighboring Countries in Seasonal Terms.

In Poland, flu supervision is coordinated by the National Influenza Center at the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene. In this publication, we want to determine geographical trends in influenza virus circulation in the region. A detailed analysis of virological and epidemiological data showed the course of the epidemic season in Poland, as well as in neighboring countries.

Hypolipaemic nutraceutics: red yeast rice and Armolipid, berberine and bergamot.

Introduction: Increased serum cholesterol levels constitute one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Statins are a major method for reducing the levels which also lower the risk of cardiovascular events. However, these valuable drugs cannot be used in all patients who need them due to contraindications and intolerance.

Molecular diagnostic of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain by DNA sensor potentially suitable for electrochemical point-of-care diagnostic.

The presented study is focused on the development of electrochemical genosensor for detection of tox gene fragment of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain. Together with our previous studies it fulfils the whole procedure for fast and accurate diagnostic of diphtheria at its early stage of infection with the use of electrochemical methods. The developed DNA sensor potentially can be used in more sophisticated portable device.

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight.

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution.

COVID-19 module in SRWE system - application and use in epidemiological surveillance and reporting to international institutions.

The new SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) coronavirus causing acute respiratory disease COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) detected in China in 2019 very quickly revealed its epidemic potential and was recognized as a global health problem. The situation caused by the rapidly increasing number of new cases and deaths due to COVID-19 required the rapid development of international recommendations and procedures to limit the spread of infections and ongoing monitoring of the epidemiological situation. In the field of epidemiological surveillance of COVID-19 cases, international organizations - WHO and regionally ECDC, have developed basic requirements for reporting data on newly detected cases of infection.

Chickenpox in Poland in 2018.

Introduction: Chickenpox is a common disease in Poland, which is usually mild, but can lead to serious complications. Vaccination is an effective form of prevention. Prior to universal vaccination against chickenpox, high incidence was recorded in many countries.

Mumps in Poland in 2018.

Introduction: Vaccination against mumps from 2003 is mandatory in Poland and given as two dose scheme with MMR vaccine (mumps, measles, and rubella). Earlier this vaccination was only recommended. Despite observed decline in mumps incidence for over a decade which is a result of conducted vaccinations, mumps is still a common disease among the children.

Measles in Poland in 2018.

Introduction: Since 1998 Poland has endorsed measles elimination programme which is coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). To accomplish measles elimination in the country, achievement of vaccination coverage at 95% in the population is needed, as is the monitoring of the epidemiological situation, i.e.

Rubella in Poland in 2018.

Introduction: Rubella is the disease subject to the elimination programme coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Generally, rubella is an infection of mild course among children but in the case of pregnant women, who are not immunized, the probability of the occurrence of severe congenital abnormalities (congenital rubella syndrome) may amount to 95%. The strategy of the countries belonging to the WHO European Region is directed to the interruption of the rubella virus transmission in the environment in order to prevent the cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).