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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection mainly affected elderly patients in many countries. The care of elderly patients, especially in countries where the percentage of people over 65-years of age is significant, is an important public health problem now during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review particular attention to the problem of proper nutrition of such patients was paid, which must be preceded by an appropriate assessment of their nutritional status. The important role of physical activity and adequate rehabilitation is highlighted. The care of elderly patients should be in line with the recommendations of the relevant scientific societies and international organizations in this respect.

Caffeine is the most common psychoactive substance available to adults, as well as to children and adolescents. The safety of its use in younger age groups requires further research. The aim of this study was to evaluate caffeine intake, to identify products and drinks that are the main sources of caffeine intake in the diet of the subjects and the risk of excessive caffeine intake with the diet of adolescents, stratified by gender. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 508 adolescents aged 16–18 years from southern Poland. Black tea, cola-based soft drinks and milk chocolate were the most frequently consumed products containing caffeine in the diet of the examined persons. The average caffeine intake was 95.54 mg/day (1.54 mg/kg b.w.). In 12.2% of the subjects the dose of 3 mg/kg b.w./day was exceeded, and in over 41.3% the dose causing sleep disorders was exceeded. The dose causing anxiety was also exceeded in 18.1% of the respondents, significantly more often in girls than boys (p = 0.0487).

The consumption of non-alcoholic beverages and the occurrence of dental erosion among a group of adults visiting dental practices in Krakow

Inadequate eating habits, as well as a low level of physical activity, influence adipose tissue deposition. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of central obesity in upper-secondary students and to determine the factors related to its occurrence. The survey included 309 participants, aged 16 to 18 years from Krakow (Poland). Anthropometric measurements were taken during the periodic assessment of students&rsquo, health status. An anonymous questionnaire was used to assess the nutritional and non-nutritional risk factors of participants. According to different methods of measurement, abdominal obesity (AO) was observed in 15.5% (WC&mdash, waist circumference), 10.7% (WHtR&mdash, waist to height ratio) or 21.7% (WHR&mdash, waist to hip ratio) participants. Abdominal obesity (WC) was significantly associated with family history of excess body weight and higher economic status of the family. The risk of AO (WC) was significantly lower among adolescents who declared higher physical activity. Boys who eat first breakfasts have lower AO risk according to WHtR interpretation. Abdominal obesity in gender group was related to the self-esteem of one&rsquo, s own appearance according to WHtR and WC. Abdominal obesity was associated with the family environment and modifiable lifestyle factors and was dependent on gender.

Introduction. Excessive or inefficient body weight in pregnant women is a serious obstetric problem, associated with an increased risk of complications for the mother and child. Excessive birth weight of an infant carries the risk of emergency obstetric conditions, in turn, low birth weight of an infant may pose a risk of developmental disorders. Objectives. To evaluate the impact of nutritional condition of mothers on anthropometric parameters value of newborns. Material and methods. The study included 247 women and their newborns. The diagnostic survey method was applied. An original questionnaire was used and anthropometric measurements of women and newborns were taken. Results and Conclusions. Statistically significant differences were found in birth weight of newborns depending on the nutritional condition of women prior to pregnancy. The children of mothers with insufficient bodyweight had a significantly lower birth weight (p = 0.0079) than the children of mothers with normal weight, excessive weight and obesity. It was also demonstrated that the children of mothers with insufficient body weight had significantly lower (p < 0.0001) head circumference than the children of mothers with normal weight, excessive weight and obesity. The research revealed a correlation between maternal body mass index and neonatal anthropometric parameters. Mothers with insufficient weight gave birth to children with a significantly lower birth weight than the children of mothers with normal weight, excessive weight and obesity. Mothers with excessive weight and obesity gave birth to infants with significantly higher birth weight than mothers with normal or insufficient weight before pregnancy. Nursing Topics 2015; 23 (4): 490–495

BACKGROUND Peanuts are one of the main food allergens, occasionally responsible for life-threatening reactions. Thus, many studies have tried to fi nd a connection between peanut allergy prevalence and processes in the peanut chain that may contribute to the peanut allergenicity. To inform this discussion, this paper outlines experiences in peanut cultivation, trade and processing in Europe, focusing on four European countries with different peanut experiences (Poland, Bulgaria, Spain and the UK). MATERIAL AND METHOD Results here are based on documentary analysis and semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 32 experts involved in various stages of the peanut chain, including peanut farmers, processors, traders, food technologists and manufacturers. RESULTS A common peanut chain diagram has been drawn considering shelled and in-shell peanuts. The analysis of each stage of peanut processing has been made in accordance with this peanut chain schema. Thermal and mechanical processes are discussed alongside the resultant end peanut products available for European consumers. The paper also analyses the main trends of peanut trade in Europe. The results suggest that the majority of peanut products in Europe are roasted, implying enhanced exposure of the population to more allergenic peanuts. CONCLUSION The presented schema and related discussion bring together diverse aspects of peanut production, trade and processing. The main factor associated with the increased allergenicity of peanuts appears to be high temperature roasting. Frying and boiling are also thermal processes, but fried and boiled peanuts have been associated with reduce peanut allergenicity. Neither country of origin nor cultivar type appear to be related to differential peanut allergenicity. More research is needed as regards the impact of various additives, such as chocolate (which is also considered an allergen) on the allergenicity of peanut products. The use of peanuts in non-food products also needs more investigation.

Peanuts are extensively cultivated around the world, providing a foodstuff that is both cheap to produce and nutritious. However, allergy to peanuts is of growing global concern, particularly given the severity of peanut-allergic reactions, which can include anaphalaxis and death. Consequently, it is important to understand the factors related to the prevalence of peanut allergy in order to inform efforts to ameliorate or pre-empt the condition. In this article we review evidence for the relevance of factors hypothesized to have some association with allergy prevalence, including both genetic and environmental factors. Although our analysis does indicate some empirical support for the importance of a number of factors, the key finding is that there are significant data gaps in the literature that undermine our ability to provide firm conclusions. We highlight these gaps, indicating questions that need to be addressed by future research.

The aim was to estimate the adult exposure to cadmium, lead and mercury from daily household diets in Eastern Poland (Lublin city and province). A duplicate diet approach was used to top collect diet samples in 1990, 1993, 1998 and 2002. Cadmium and lead contents were measured by flame atomic absorption and the mercury content was measured by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. The intake of the three elements was calculated using FOOD computer software. The exposure to cadmium taken with daily diets was from 16.4-34.5 microg/person/day (27-58% PTWI). The lead exposure was 66.5-106 microg/person/day (31-49% PTWI), which posed a smaller risk, and the exposure risk to mercury of 4.08-6.65 microg/person/day (10-16% PTWI) was even lower.

The analysis included 53 patients (32 men and 21 women) aged 43 to 66 years, who were subjected to radical treatment (surgical or combined) because of stomach (22 patients) or large bowel (31 patients) cancer. All the patients were included in the same model of control examinations, which considered evaluation of the erythrocytes TAS and of the Ca19-9, CEA and AFP concentrations in serum. It was confirmed that in all the patients in whom the recurrence and/or the dissemination occurred of the cancer, the average erythrocytes TAS value increased 5.5 times by comparison with the period before progression and 7 times in comparison with the patients without recurrence and/or dissemination of the cancer. Moreover it was shown that statistically significantly higher TAS values were associated with the progression of the large bowel cancer in comparison with the stomach cancer and that the blood cells TAS positively correlated with the changes of the Ca19-9, CEA and AFP concentrations in patients with progression of the cancer after radical treatment.

The analysis included 78 patients (42 men and 36 women) aged 48 to 67 years treated with cytostatics because of a neoplastic disease. In all the patients examined was evaluated the influence of the chemotherapy carried out on the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities. It was confirmed that the effect of the action on the glutathione enzymes (GE) activity of the antineoplastic chemotherapy changes depending on the duration of the treatment with cytostatics. In the end this activity settles at a high level, statistically significantly higher than that registered before the beginning of the antineoplastic treatment. The increase of the GE activity is mainly favoured by the chemotherapy following the schemes FAC (5-fluorouracyl + doxorubicin + endoxan) and PAC (cisplatin + cyclofosfamide + pharmorubicin).

A wide set of biochemical and spirometrical parameters was applied to a group of 41 welders. The obtained parameters were analyzed by the pattern recognition method: principal-components analysis (PCA) and mutual contribution analysis (MCA). The aim of the investigation was to find out which of 23 parameters had an influence on the pulmonological indices of COPD. It was found that PCA gave a substantial reduction of dimensionality. The most relevant parameters were Fe, Zn, Cu (all elements in blood, not in hair), FEV1, MEF50, bilirubin, TAS, and SOD. Only the relationships of MEF50, Cu, and TAS were statistically valid.

Introduction. An increase in the number of women with eating disorders such as excessive weight, obesity, or malnutrition has been observed. Pregnancy and childbirth affect the subjective perception of women’s quality of life. Aim of study. Assessment of womens’s quality of life in pregnancy, puerperium and lactation period, depending on the nutritional condition prior to pregnancy. Material and methods. The research included 247 women. The survey was conducted three times: postnatally, six weeks and six months after childbirth. The diagnostic survey method was used, the tools being a standardized questionnaire SF-36v1 (Quality of Life SF-36v1), an original questionnaire and anthropometric measurements of body weight and height, serving to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Results and conclusions. The study revealed better quality of life in women six weeks and six months after childbirth, compared to the postnatal period. Statistically significant differences were shown in the following scales: Physical functioning (PF) (p < 0.0001), Role limitations due to physical health problems (RP) (p < 0.0001), Body pain (BP) (p < 0.0001), General health perception (GH) (p < 0.0001), Vitality, energy or fatigue (VT) (p = 0.0002) Social functioning (SF) (p < 0.0001), Role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) (p < 0.0001), and in Physical Component Sumary (PCS domain) (p < 0.0001). In the studied group the quality of life was improved in subsequent periods of the surveys. It has been shown that the women with inefficient weight before pregnancy had a significantly higher quality of life indicators compared to women with normal weight, excessive weight and obesity. Nursing Topics 2015; 23 (4): 484–489

Children are particularly vulnerable to zinc (Zn) deficiency during periods of rapid growth and development such as infancy and adolescence. The aim was to find the relationship between food frequency, intake, food habits and zinc status in 11-year-old healthy children from southern Poland. The study group comprised children (n = 157) in the age range 11.0 +/- 0.4 years. The level of Zn in serum, erythrocytes and hair samples was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The parents of children examined completed a special food frequency questionnaire. The Zn concentration in hair (boys 182.98 +/- 65.63 microg x g(-1), n = 78; girls 203.82 +/- 39.80 microg x g(-1), n = 79; p = 0.0171), erythrocytes (8.60 +/- 2.76 mg x l(-1), n = 50) and blood serum (0.79 +/- 0.15 mg x l(-1)) correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with frequency intake of different products (hair: meat, rolls, fruit juices without additives, brawn, pate, barley, black pudding, fish canned, chips, margarine used for cooking, bacon; erythrocytes: fruits, matured cheese, dishes of meal, white cottage cheese, fruit juices without additives, cakes and cakes with cream, margarine used for bread spread; blood serum: bread, fruits, milk, kefir, yoghurt). The relationship of the Zn amount in food products, food frequency intake and the concentration in different healthy children tissues is influenced by many internal and external factors.

A study was carried out on 92 patients (58 males and 34 females) aged 42-76 treated for malignant neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract (54 patients with colorectal carcinoma, 38 with gastric carcinoma). In all patients, the zinc serum concentration was measured and the results obtained were referred to some epidemiological-clinical factors (sex, age, primary cause of cancer, the stage of clinical progression, and histological type). The results showed that the most pronounced hypozincemia occurred in male patients with mucous membrane carcinoma of the stomach.

Peanuts are one of the main food allergens, occasionally responsible for life-threatening reactions. Thus, many studies have tried to fi nd a connection between peanut allergy prevalence and processes in the peanut chain that may contribute to the peanut allergenicity. To inform this discussion, this paper outlines experiences in peanut cultivation, trade and processing in Europe, focusing on four European countries with different peanut experiences (Poland, Bulgaria, Spain and the UK).Results here are based on documentary analysis and semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 32 experts involved in various stages of the peanut chain, including peanut farmers, processors, traders, food technologists and manufacturers.A common peanut chain diagram has been drawn considering shelled and in-shell peanuts. The analysis of each stage of peanut processing has been made in accordance with this peanut chain schema. Thermal and mechanical processes are discussed alongside the resultant end peanut products available for European consumers. The paper also analyses the main trends of peanut trade in Europe. The results suggest that the majority of peanut products in Europe are roasted, implying enhanced exposure of the population to more allergenic peanuts.The presented schema and related discussion bring together diverse aspects of peanut production, trade and processing. The main factor associated with the increased allergenicity of peanuts appears to be high temperature roasting. Frying and boiling are also thermal processes, but fried and boiled peanuts have been associated with reduce peanut allergenicity. Neither country of origin nor cultivar type appear to be related to differential peanut allergenicity. More research is needed as regards the impact of various additives, such as chocolate (which is also considered an allergen) on the allergenicity of peanut products. The use of peanuts in non-food products also needs more investigation.

In the present study we report the results of investigations into the serum zinc levels in a clinical study of 19 patients with unipolar depression; 16 normal controls and in three animal models of depression: chronic severe stress (CSS), chronic mild stress (CMS) and olfactory bulbectomy (OB) in rats. CSS model and unipolar depressed patients exhibit lower serum zinc levels than the appropriate controls. There was no effect on the value in CMS or OB models. The present findings confirm previous clinical data indicating decreased serum zinc levels in human depression. Moreover, the data indicate that differences exists in the serum zinc levels in different animal models of depression and suggest a similarity between the CSS model and human depression with regard to this marker. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We have studied the effect of chronic treatment with imipramine, citalopram and electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on serum and brain zinc levels in rats. Chronic treatment with citalopram (but not with imipramine or ECS) significantly (approx 20%) increased the serum zinc level. Chronic treatment with both drugs slightly (by approx 10%) increase the zinc level in the hippocampus and slightly decreased it in the cortex, cerebellum and basal forebrain. Calculation of the ratio hippocampus/brain region within each group demonstrated a significantly (approx 20%) higher value after treatment with either imipramine or citalopram. Moreover, chronic ECS induced a significant increase (by 30%) in the zinc level in the hippocampus and also a slight increase (by 11-15%) in the other brain regions. Thus, these different antidepressant therapies induced an elevation of the hippocampal zinc concentration, which indicates a significant role of zinc in the mechanism of antidepressant therapy.

Background The previous study indicated the enhancement of the anti-inflammatory effect of ketoprofen by acute and sub chronic administration of zinc hydroaspartate. Methods The present study examined anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic and analgesic activity induced by chronic (14 days) administration of ZHA (30 mg/kg, po ), with a combination of a single administration of ketoprofen, in rats. Moreover, the zinc concentration in serum and stomach mucosa was also determined. Results Chronic ZHA po administration exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and enhanced the effect induced by ketoprofen. Likewise, ZHA administration demonstrated anti-ulcerogenic activity. While ZHA alone did not exhibit analgesic action, it enhanced the effect of ketoprofen. Conclusions The present study demonstrated for the first time that chronic treatment with zinc salt exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. Besides, anti-ulcerogenic activity and the enhancing properties of zinc to ketoprofen induced anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity were also shown.

The relationship between viral infections, cancers, and alcoholic beverages or alcohol surrogate intake is not well recognized.

The zinc content in the hair of 654 children living in various rural and industrial areas in southern Poland was assayed by means of the atomic absorption spectrometry, following the dry digestion procedure. The hair of girls exhibited statistically significant higher level of Zn than the boys' hair, although in the site of extremal Zn contamination, the inverse relation was found.

Samples of 20 varieties of flour were examined for contents of toxic elements (Pb, Cd) and of some macro- and microelements (Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn). Chemical composition of flour and its baking characteristics found in the course of routine analysis were also studied. The relationship between both groups of parameters was assessed by the canonical correlation method.

The prospective studies included 178 patients (43 men and 135 women) aged 30 to 68 years, treated because of rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.). All of them were subjected to systemic cryotherapy, considerin the total antioxidant states in the serum registered before and after the cryotherapic treatment. Fluctuations of serum antioxidants were referred to selected clinical factors such as: sex, age, duration and progression of the disease. It was confirmed that among patients with R.A., the most beneficial clinical effects obtained through systemic cryotherapy may be expected in women aged up to 49 years, in whom the disease lasted no longer than 3 years and is in the Ist of IInd period (phase).

The study involved influence of nutritional factors on select anthropometrical and lipid indices (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL) in female residents of Krakow who were voluntarily participating in the investigation. Only women free of diagnosed cardiovascular diseases were included. The study group consisting of 100 women aged 30-65 years, was divided into two groups: pre-menopause (PM, n=47) and after menopause (AM, n=53). The anthropometrical measurements, % of fat tissue - Tanita scale and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The energy value and the consumption of basic nutrients intake were calculated using 24-hour recalls from the day before the examination. The AM group presented higher anthropometrical and metabolic risk profile: overweight and obesity (BMI-PM = 25.51 +/- 4.16 kg/m2; AM = 28.28 +/- 4.89 kg/m2) and central adiposity type (WC-PM = 81.04 +/- 10.00 cm; AM = 86.46 +/- 11.73 cm); lipids (Total cholesterol-PM = 5.14 +/- 0.87 mmol/l, AM = 5.67 +/- 1.10 mmol/l; LDL-chol-PM = 2.98 +/- 0.90 mmol/l, AM = 3.40 +/- 0.93 mmol/l; HDL-chol-PM = 1.65 +/- 0.39 mmol/l; AM = 1.63 + 0.46 mmol/l). The irregular participation of fatty acids, proteins from plant sources and dietary fibers in daily diet were found (%Energy PM: SFA = 11.66 +/- 4.34, MUFA = 10.91 +/- 4.04, PUFA = 4.76 +/- 2.75, Keys index = 41.89 +/- 14.91; %EnergyAM: SFA = 11.48 +/- 3.86, MUFA = 11.02 +/- 4.12, PUFA = 4.89 +/- 2.92, Keys index = 40.87 +/- 14.4). Women in the AM group represented healthier nutritional behaviors. Results presented indicate that in further study concerning evaluation of nutrients consumption among women the fact of natural menopause should be considered.

Mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases (CD) in Poland are almost twice higher than in the European Union countries. The mortality caused by CD has paid the attention on the fact that it increases relatively among women in comparison to men. Epidemiological observations conducted in female groups indicated that the ischaemic heart disease (IHD) appears more frequently after menopause. The aim of the study was to evaluate some IHD risk factors in the group of women aged 30-65 from Kraków. The study included 95 women, without IHD diagnosis, voluntarily registered to the practice of nurses group. The menopause occurrence and selected possible to modify CD risk factors as a concentration of the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP) and also blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference were assessed. The smoking of tobacco was estimated by an objective method (the level of carbon monoxide in breath out--smoke check). The level of depression was evaluated with the use of Beck Inventory Scale. The results were calculating using Statistica Pl 6.0 programme. The investigated group, especially women after natural menopause, had higher CD risk factors such as: hypercholesterolemia, systolic hypertension, overweight, tobacco smoking, CRP and depression. The tobacco smoking appeared more often in the group after menopause because of other reasons and in the group of women with regular menstruation. The rate of depression was also higher among women after menopause because of other reasons.

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms and serum zinc and magnesium level in antepartum and postpartum women. All women received standard vitamin, zinc and magnesium supplementation. Sixty-six pregnant women in the Czerwiakowski Hospital in Kraków were assessed for prepartum depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Sixty-two and fifty-eight women were also assessed for postpartum depressive symptoms (using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Rating Scale, EPDRS) at 3 and 30 days after delivery, respectively. Serum zinc and magnesium levels were also determined at these time points, however, the number of examined subjects were diminished. A significantly higher EPDRS score (by 45%), indicating severity of depressive symptoms, was found on the 3rd day after childbirth compared with the 30th postpartum day. Moreover, the early post-delivery period (3rd day) was characterized by a 24% lower serum zinc concentration than that found on the 30th day after childbirth. BDI scores assessed a month before childbirth revealed mild depressive symptoms, which was accompanied by a serum zinc concentration similar to that found on the 3rd day after delivery. No significant alterations were found in the magnesium levels between these time points. The present results demonstrated a relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and decreased serum zinc (but not magnesium) concentration in a very specific type of affective disorder, the postpartum depression.

Among 92 patients with chronic gastritis we conducted a synchronous diagnosis of the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection using a culture and a serological test (IFP), in conjunction with breath and urine tests involving (14)C-urea (BTU-C14 and UTU-C14). The infection was confirmed by isolation in 71 persons (77.2%), the presence of specific IgG in the blood serum was found in 75 (81.5%). In comparison, the BTU-C14 indicated a group of 77 people (83.7%) as infected, and the UTU-C14 a group of 76 (82.6%). In order to determine the diagnostic value (sensitivity, specificity and efficiency) of the latter tests, the results were compared with those of the culture and of the serological tests. It was found that the BTU-C14 test used showed a 100% sensitivity, a 89.5% specificity and a 97.9% efficiency. The UTU-C14 test showed a 100.0% sensitivity, a 94.4% specificity and a 98.9% efficiency in the detection of the H. pylori infection.

The analysis included 46 women after radical breast amputation because of cancer with which lymphoedema occurred in the upper limb, as well as 51 women in whom no lymphoedema occurred during the period of the observation. Both groups were subjected to a comparative analysis as for height, body mass, and weight-height indexes: BMI, Quetelet, Rohrer, and Pignet-Verwaeck. The results show that women with high body mass, obesity (BMI > 30.0), and high values of the Quetelet (>370), Rohrer (>1.59), and Pignet-Verwaeck (>93.1) indexes are threatened to a significant degree with lymphoedema of the upper limbs after cancer-related mastectomy. On the other hand, slim body build and low index values appear to be a factor protecting from the occurrence of lymphoedema of the upper limb.

Food hypersensitivity and airborne allergens may play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the kind of food and airborne allergens which may most often induce and intensify AD lesions and also to assess the variability and the kind of allergens leading to AD. The subjects of this study were 610 persons, aged 3 months-70 years. The clinical status of the patients was estimated by an atopic dermatitis symptom score scale (SCORAD). The laboratory examinations differentiated inflammatory processes from allergic reactions. The skin prick tests (SPT), serum total IgE and specific IgE-antibody levels to chosen food products and standard airborne allergens with the immuno-enzymes method ELISA-DPC were performed. The elevated values of the total IgE were proved in 46.1% children from group 0-15 years and in 31.4% of adolescents and adult persons (above 15 year of age). On the basis of positive SPT and positive specific IgE values it was shown, that most frequent food allergens were: egg protein (13.0%), cow milk (9.5%), egg yolk (8.4%), wheat (3.6%) and chocolate (1.8%). The most often airborne allergens connected with AD were: grass (11.6%), moulds (10.2%), house dust mites (9.3%), pollen like hazel (8.0%) and weeds (6.7%), animal allergens coming from cats (7.2%) and dogs (6.1%). The food hypersensitivity was particularly manifested in children. It may be the predictor of potential future development of allergic disease as well as the indicator of the allergic march.

In the present study we report the results of investigations into the serum magnesium levels in a clinical study of 19 patients with unipolar depression; 16 normal controls and in three animal models of depression: chronic severe stress (CSS), chronic mild stress (CMS) and olfactory bulbectomy (OB) in rats. There was no alteration in the values found in the rat models of depression. Unipolar depressed patients exhibit significantly lower serum magnesium levels than the appropriate controls (depression 19.1+/-2.2 mg/l; control 21.0 mg/l). There is no correlation between serum magnesium levels and the severity of depression. A significant positive correlation between serum magnesium/copper ratio and the severity of depression indicates a clear relationship between alterations of the homeostasis of these two ions in human depression. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The study was carried out on 48 patients (26 male and 22 female), aged 52-76 diagnosed as having cancer metastases to the liver. The serum level of magnesium in the studied group and also in two other groups (the first consisting of 48 blood donors and the second of 50 patients suffering from cancer of a non-disseminated nature) was measured by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The results of the study showed that cancer metastases to the liver significantly decrease the mean level of magnesium in serum compared to the other two groups. It was shown that a magnesium level below 12.76 micrograms/ml in cancer patients increased the risk of cancer metastases to the liver.

The analysis included 46 patients (27 men and 19 women), aged 41 to 76 years, who required intensive medical care because of a grave clinical state. In all af them, as in a group of patients treated because of illnesses identical to those of the basic group but not requiring intensive medical care (CG), as well as in a reference group (RG)--blood donors, the determinations were conducted of the magnesium concentration in the serum with the flame atomic absorptive spectrometry method. It was confirmed that in the patients in grave clinical state the average concentration in the serum of that element was statistically significantly lower that in the other groups (CG and RG). The average magnesium concentration also differs statistically really between the CG and RG. A critical value was also determined of the magnesium concentration in the serum raising 5.78 micrograms/ml, which may be the prognosis of the metabolic disturbances leading to a grave clinical state.

The analysis included 80 patients (48 men and 32 women) aged 65 to 87 years, treated because of cancer of the stomach (34 causes) or of the large bowel (46 causes). In all the patients as well as in a control group made up of persons who were treated because of non-neoplastic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract the determinations were conducted of selected coagulological parameters: fibrinogen and D-dimer concentration, antithrombin III (AT III) activity, kaolin-cephalin index (APTT), prothrombin (PT), thrombin time (TT) and number of thrombocytes in the blood. The analysis of the results obtained showed that hemostasis disturbances of a chronic DIC character occur in 82.5% of persons of an advanced age ill with a cancer of the stomach or of the large bowel.

In a group of 112 patients aged 65 to 72 years with chronic gastritis (48 persons), a peptic ulcer (30 persons), a duodenal ulcer (34 persons) bacteriological examinations were conducted aiming at determining the sensitivity to antibiotics of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains isolated from the month (gingival pockets), the stomach or duodenal mucous, from stool samples and from the skin of the hands. The sensitivity to antibiotics was tested with the diffusive-disc method taking into consideration 23 chemotherapeutic agents. It was shown that with the use of single antibiotics the chance of efficiently elimination the H. pylori infection from the area of the whole alimentary canal (month, stomach, duodenum, large bowel) amounted to 14.3-35.7% depending on the chemotherapeutics used, where with the use of a two-medicine therapy (metronidazol + amoxycillin) it increased to 42.9%. This means that in people of an advanced age the chemotherapy carried out with the aim of liquidating the infection in the stomach or duodenum mucousa creates possibilities for the H. pylori infection to persist in other parts of the alimentary canal ranging from 64.3 to 85.7%. This way the patient treated may then undergo self-infection as well as be a source of infection for other persons.

Thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs is an important clinical and social problem. Despite an ever greater progress in the preven1. Patients and Methods tion, diagnosis and treatment of phlebothrombosis its frequency of occurrence increases constantly. 1.1. Selection of Patients A key role is played by the prevalence of the factors that increase the risk of thrombo-embolic diseases, The analysis included 89 patients (75 women and i.e., overweight, varices of the lower limbs, past 14 men) aged 25–69 years operated on at the Clinic thrombophlebitis, old age, past delivery, and also of General Surgery of the Military Hospital in Crasurgical operations. Complications after intervencow in the period 1996–1998 because of cholelithiations are brought about, among others, by longsis. In 53 patients, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy lasting immobility, pressure on the venous trunks, was carried out; in the remaining 34, a laparotomic and catheterization of the veins [1,2]. Durlach [3] cholecystectomy. underlines, as well, that this type of complications is favored by disturbances in the magnesium me1.2. Diagnosis of the tabolism developing after operations. Because this Thrombo-embolic Complications explanation of the etiopathogenesis of the thromboembolic disease has a great practical importance, The thrombo-embolic complications of the lower permitting a self-prophylacticotherapeutic manlimbs were diagnosed on the basis of an isotopic agement, we carried out studies that were aimed test (fibrinogen labeled with I iodine). The examat determining the extent of disturbance of the ination was dependent on the blocking of the thyroid with potassium iodide, administered with a daily quantity 2 cm during the whole period of Abbreviations: TPLL, trombophlebitis of the lower limbs; FAAS, flame atomic absorption spectrometry. the tests, and a single intravenous administration Corresponding author: Assoc. Prof. Zbigniew Kopanski, Military of 4 mBq of I-fibrinogen. Measurements were Clinical Hospital, Department of Surgery, Wroclawska Str. 1-3, made at the Erb point above the heart and at six 30-901 Krakow, Poland. Tel/Fax: 148 (12) 6543949; E-mail: (M. Schlegel-Zawadzka),mfzawadz@kinga.cyf-kr.edu.pl.. points, as detailed below, of both lower limbs, 2 h

1 Summary The analysis included 48 patients with a gastric ulcer in whom the concentration of N-nitrosamines in the gastric juice was chromatographically determined. The results of the analytical tests were referred to the type of pathological changes in the mucosa of the stomach. It was confirmed that N-nitrosamines are a factor involved in the formation of pathological alterations in that organ but in an uneven way (the relative factors are given in brackets). They most strongly influence the generation of dysplasia (l), affect the presence of the normal mucosa (0.2), influence inflammatory changes (0.15) and atrophic alterations (0.1).

We have studied the effect of chronic treatment with imipramine, citalopram, and electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on serum and brain copper levels in rats. Chronic treatment with citalopram and imipramine (but not ECS) significantly (approx 14%) decreased the serum copper level. Chronic treatment with both drugs did not alter the brain copper level. However, chronic ECS induced a significant increase (by 36%) in the copper level in the hippocampus and also in the cerebellum (by 16%). In contrast to the zinc, where both pharmacologic and ECS treatment increased its hippocampal concentration, these two antidepressant therapy (drugs versus ECS) differ in their effect on brain copper level. These findings suggest that the mechanism by which copper is involved in ECS differs from that of any involvement in the action of the drugs studied.

A deficiency in magnesium status is observed in different age groups of the Polish population [1]. It is believed there is a connection with inappropriate diet and with environmental pollution. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of some environmental factors and gender on children’s magnesium status.

Chromium concentrations in hair were compared in groups of children and students from Southern Poland. There were no statistically significant differences (at p greater than 0.05) between girls and boys. The results are similar to those found by other authors in different countries.