Evaluation of dental status and effectiveness of treatment among children and adolescents in the reference groups aged 6, 12, and 18 years from Skierniewice and its region in 2017-2020

INTRODUCTION. Dental caries is a transmissible chronic disease of dental hard tissues. To monitor the course of carious process, age reference groups were designated which are subject to regular dental check-ups. The groups include children aged 6, 12, and 18 years as well as adults at the age of 35-44 and 55-64 years. AIM. The aim of the study was to evaluate the state of dentition and effectiveness of treatment among children and adolescents in the reference groups aged 6, 12, and 18 years from the town of Skierniewice and its region in the years 2017-2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study included 385 children and adolescents from the reference groups. Dental examination was carried out in the dental office of the Ogrodowa Medical Centre in Skierniewice. Dental caries intensity expressed by the the DMFT index, and its particular components, D, M, and F (D– the mean number of teeth with caries (decayed), M– teeth extracted (missing), and F– filled) as well as the dental caries treatment index DTI (F/(D+F)) were determined according to sex. RESULTS. Distribution of the DMFT index components was very similar in children aged 6 years and in 18-year-old adolescents. The D component constituted half the DMF index (50.7% in 6-year-olds and 52.4% in 18-year-olds), the M component values were lowest (16.1% and 12.3%, respectively) while the F component accounted for slightly more than 1/3 of the whole value (33.2% and 35.3%, respectively). In 12-year-olds, the D component value was 68.4% of the DMF index, the M component accounted for only a few percent (4.5%) and the F component was 27.1%. The DTI value was 0.40 for 6-year-olds and 18-year-olds and appeared to be significantly higher than in the group of 12-year-olds (0.3). CONCLUSIONS. There is an urgent need for monitoring the dental status, professional caries prevention, and conservative treatment of teeth in children and adolescents of the Skierniewice region.

Lyme disease in Poland in 2018

INTRODUCTION. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease, caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia, transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes genus. According to ECDC, Poland should be considered as an endemic area. The risk of Lyme disease incidence in-creases with tick habitats increase, which is a response to environmental factors and climate change. AIM OF THE STUDY. The aim of the study is to assess the epidemiological situation of Lyme disease in Poland in 2018 compared to the situation in previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The epidemiological situation of Lyme disease in Poland was assessed on the basis of the data sent to NIPH-NIH by voivodeship sanitary-epidemiological stations and published in the bulletin ‘Infectious diseases and poisoning in Poland in 2018’ . RESULTS. In 2018; 20,150 Lyme disease cases was registered, 2,124 people were hospitalized. You can also see an increase in cases in the second and third quarter in favor of the fourth quarter. The epidemiological situation in Western European countries is similar to the situation in Poland. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION. The inability to determine the clear trend of the epidemiological situation in Poland indicates the sensitivity of the surveillance system, but also the difficulty in new cases diagnosis. You can also see a decrease in the number of cases, which may be a sign of having the right tools or experience in the Lyme disease diagnosis.

Epidemiological and microbiological aspects of healthcare-associated infections in Ukraine during the 2009–2019 period

INTRODUCTION. Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a global health problem, and the problem of HCAIs in Ukraine remains poorly understood because of problems with the registration system. OBJECTIVE. To analyze the official data of the number of registered HCAIs in Ukraine for the period 2009-2019, compare them with the available data in scientific publications. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Statistical analysis of information from the “Laboratory Centers of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” kindly provided by the State Institution “Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine”. RESULTS. In 2019, 2,611 cases of HCAIs were registered, the lowest annual number of registered HCAIs in the last twelve years. The maximum number of HCAIs in 2011 was 7,448. An average of 5,089±756 cases of HCAIs has been registered annually. By age structure, the average for 2009-2019 was 78.0±5.8 % for adults and 22.0 % for children (0-17 y.o.). In 2019 13.8% of registered potential HCAIs agents were identified as MDR, and 80.0-87.0% belongs to the group of 12-17, the most common pathogens. CONCLUSIONS. The estimated minimum number of HCAIs in Ukraine was expected to be about 1 million per year. Official statistics on registered cases of HCAIs in Ukraine do not reflect reality, so the registration system and investigation of HCAIs in Ukraine needs to be reformed.

Genetic tests based on the RT-PCR reaction in the diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infection

INTRODUCTION. Since the SARS-CoV-2 emergence in 2019/2020, at least 158 million infections with this pathogen have been recorded, of which 3.29 million infected people have died. Due to the non-specific symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, laboratory tests based on RT-PCR (reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction) are mainly used in the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. AIM. The aim of this study is to compare the molecular tests available on the Polish market for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 infection. RESULTS. Based on the data provided by the manufacturers and the performed laboratory analyses, we have shown that the available diagnostic kits differ mainly in the sensitivity and duration of the reaction. CONCLUSION. due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the indicated parameters are key to effective control of the spread of SARS-CoV2, and therefore should be mainly taken into account when choosing and purchasing by diagnostic centres.

Smoking tobacco, use of marijuana and other psychoactive substances by students of Silesian universities

INTRODUCTION. These days, it is observed worldwide that the number of smokers drops, however, use of e-cigarettes and other psychoactive substances becomes more popular. This survey was conducted in the years 2019 to 2020 using a group of 193 people, 124 females and 69 males, at two Silesian universities. AIM. The purpose of this survey was to estimate patterns concerning use of tobacco and psychoactive substances by students. The survey was conducted by a survey including 27 questions. RESULTS. Most of the surveyed persons (78%) were non-smokers. Among active smokers, 30% of them started smoking at the age of 12 to 15, 45% of them at 16 to 18, and 77% smoked first before 18th birthday. Among smoking subjects, 90% smokes up to 5 cigarettes a day. Most subjects replied that “curiosity” was a cause to start smoking. Students often declared so-called “occasional smoking”. Smoking in public bothered most (67%) subjects. Half of subjects declared that they never smoked marijuana. Mostly, students smoking tobacco decided to use marijuana as well. About 6% of subjects used other drugs, aside from marijuana. 3% of subjects tried amphetamine, LSD or ecstasy at least once in life. COCLUSIONS. Tobacco smoking frequency in students of Silesian universities was 22%, that is a level similar to other regions of Poland. Due to variation on the market of psychoactive substances, particularly among young people, continuous surveillance is recommended.

Care and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine: sedentary lifestyle and increased risk of kidney stones

Currently, the issue of lifestyle combined with lack of physical activity in quarantine conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major health problem in many countries around the world. Increased inactivity is associated with increased obesity as well as decreased physical activity and general health. Kidney stones are the third most common urinary tract disease. Prevention of non-communicable diseases depends on controlling risk factors such as low levels of physical activity. Kidney stones are also among the noncommunicable diseases that can be prevented by changing behavioral habits. Physical activity is a behavior that has many proven health benefits and is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate sedentary lifestyle and its relationship with oxidative stress and kidney stone formation, and finally to provide medical solutions and recommendations.

Meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2018

INTRODUCTION. Infectious diseases of the nervous system are most often manifested in the form of meningitis. We distinguish meningitis and/or encephalitis according to their etiology, i.e. bacterial and viral. The study discusses meningitis and encephalitis caused by: N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and tick-borne encephalitis virus. This is due to the epidemiological surveillance of these diseases and the available prevention in the form of vaccinations against these diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY. The aim of the study is to assess the epidemiological situation of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The epidemiological situation of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland was assessed on data from the annual bulletin “Infectious diseases and poisoning in Poland in 2018” and “Vaccinations in Poland in 2018”. RESULTS. In 2018, a total of 2406 cases of meningitis and/or encephalitis were registered in Poland. It is a 14.7% increase in incidence compared to 2017. An increase was recorded in the viral infections from 1212 to 1533 cases. In contrast, the number of infections with bacterial etiology decreased from 886 to 873 cases. Meningitis and/or encephalitis caused by pathogens specified in epidemiological surveillance have noticed a decreased incidence. The only exception is the increase in cases caused by S. pneumoniae, compared to 2017, from 177 to 212. This is an increase of 19.8% compared to the previous year. However, the number of cases of N. meningitidis showed a decrease of 16.4% during this period. Viral infections constituted 63.7% of all cases. Compared to 2017, it means an increase in the percentage of viral infections by 5.9 percentage points. Among laboratory confirmed cases of meningitis and/or encephalitis of known etiology, cases caused by Neisseria meningitidis (102 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (212 cases) and tick-borne encephalitis (197 cases) were predominant. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION. There is a general increasing trend in the number of cases of viral meningitis and/or encephalitis. On the other hand, thanks to vaccinations, no significant increase was noted in H. influenzae, meningococcal and TBE infections. There is a chance to minimize the incidence of bacterial meningitis and/or encephalitis as in the H. influenzae infections. On the other hand, it should be seen that the problem of diagnosing cases of viral etiology should be considered. This is more related to the determination of the etiological factor than the diagnosis of viral meningitis and/or encephalitis. Difficulties in determining the etiological factor indicate that, meningitis and/or encephalitis remain a challenge for healthcare and epidemiological surveillance institutions.

The smoker’s paradox during the COVID-19 pandemic? The influence of smoking and vaping on the incidence and course of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection as well as possibility of using nicotine in the treatment of COVID-19 – Review of the literature

AIM OF THE STUDY. The study aims to present the current state of knowledge on the impact of traditional cigarettes and the nicotine contained in them on the incidence and course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, we decided to exhibit the possibility of using this substance to treat COVID-19 infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The latest available scientific publications were reviewed until November 14, 2020, from the PubMed platform. RESULTS. Nicotine is a cholinergic agonist and pro-inflammatory cytokines inhibitor. Some authors present that smoking and nicotine reduce the amount of the ACE2 receptors which are used by the novel coronavirus to enter cells, while others claim that ACE2 receptors are upregulated in smokers. Moreover, the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 with nAChR is suspected of dysregulation of the nicotinic cholinergic system, which is associated with the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Due to the harmfulness of cigarettes, a high frequency of smokers is suspected among people suffering from COVID-19. However, some studies report that the number of current smokers hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection is lower than expected, considering the prevalence of smoking in individual countries. Nicotine could restore the impaired function of the nicotine cholinergic system and possibly mitigate the cytokine storm. CONCLUSIONS. There is no clear attitude regarding the impact of smoking on the new coronavirus infection now. Researchers do not recommend smoking as a tool to combat the pandemic and show the importance of fighting addiction to reduce the adverse health effects of smoking. Both the relationship between cigarettes and the morbidity and severity of COVID-19, as well as the possibility of using nicotine in the treatment of the disease, require further analysis.

Assessment of consumer awareness on the consumption of phytoestrogens in diet and their supplementation – survey studies

INTRODUCTION. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds with structural similarity to 17-β-estradiol. They are considered safer substitutes for synthetic drugs, especially in the treatment of menopause related symptoms. They are delivered to the body with diet or as dietary supplements. AIM OF THE STUDY. The aim of the study was to assess consumer awareness of taking phytoestrogens with diet and supplements, as well as the benefits and risks of such supplementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS. An original survey form was created for the purpose of the study, 133 questionnaires were completed online, and 100 were distributed to random respondents in the Silesian Voivodship. The vast majority of the respondents (84.5%) was represented by women. The study group was diverse in terms of age, education and place of residence. RESULTS. Most of the respondents (67.4%) encountered the concept of phytoestrogens. Common plants as: flax, sunflower, pumpkin, European olive and hops were indicated as phytoestrogen main sources. A small group of respondents (6%) was convinced of the effectiveness of phytoestrogens and indicated their specific health-promoting activities, 49.4% said that not every therapy with their use would improve health and 42.9% declared lack of knowledge in this area. According to the survey outcomes, 16.7% of respondents unambiguously confirmed beneficial effect of phytoestrogens on menopause symptoms. Half of the respondents had no opinion whether phytoestrogens could be an effective replacement for synthetic drugs based therapies. CONCLUSIONS. Incomplete knowledge of society regarding the use of phytoestrogens indicates the need for raising awareness of patients/consumers in this area by medical staff and dietitians. Phytoestrogens, when taken responsibly, can have many benefits for human health.