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Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome affecting 1 per 3000-4000 individuals. Patients with the neurofibromin gene mutation are more likely to develop malignancies. We report the case of a 57-year-old female with NF-1 who presented during her lifetime three neoplasms: endometrial cancer, adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We describe the clinical, radiological and histopathological features of this rare condition. There have been reported only 10 cases of ACC together with NF-1 and 18 cases of ACC with other tumors. To the best of our knowledge it is the first reported case of NF-1 diagnosed with three cancers. Our report indicates the importance of careful and all-embracing care of patients with NF-1 in order to make a thorough investigation of any symptoms that might be a manifestation of a malignant disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substituted benzaldehydes are the most commonly used natural-occurring flavours in the world. The consumer's preference for 'natural or organic' aromas has increased the request for flavours possessing the 'natural' status. The resulting shortage of aromatic aldehydes of extractive origin, such as vanillin, veratraldehyde and piperonal, can be offset by developing a new biotechnological synthesis method. Here, we report a study on the microbiological reduction of five natural benzoic acid derivatives, namely p-anisic, vanillic, veratric, piperonylic and eudesmic acids, to produce the corresponding fragrant aldehydes. We found that different Basidiomycota strains can efficiently perform this transformation, with good chemical selectivity and tolerance to the toxicity of substrates and products. Besides confirming the carboxylic acid reductase activity of the already studied fungi Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, we discovered that other species such as Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus sapidus and Laetiporus sulphureus as well as the non-ligninolytic fungi Lepista nuda are valuable microorganisms for the synthesis of anisaldehyde, vanillin, veratraldehyde, piperonal and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde from the corresponding acids. According to our findings, we propose a reliable process for the preparation of the above-mentioned aldehydes, in natural form. KEY POINTS: • Fragrant benzaldehydes were obtained by biotransformation. • Basidiomycota strains reduced substituted benzoic acid to the corresponding aldehydes. • Anisaldehyde, vanillin, veratraldehyde, piperonal and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde were prepared in natural form., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

World production and consumption of nuts continue to rise year on year. Nuts, due to their high nutrient content, are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. A potential health risk may result from the consumption of nuts contaminated with metallic trace elements like cadmium or lead. In this research, we measured the content of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni in various edible nuts. All elements were detected using the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry analytical technique (ETAAS). The study material comprised 69 nut samples including almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, and walnuts available on the Polish market. Indicators such as the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were used to assess the health risk of consumers. The concentrations of elements in all analyzed samples of nuts were as follows: Cd: peanuts > almonds > hazelnuts > walnuts > cashews, Pb: peanuts > almonds > hazelnuts > walnuts > cashews, Ni: cashews > peanuts > walnuts > hazelnuts > almonds, Cr: almonds > cashews & hazelnuts > peanuts > walnuts. Health risk indicators estimated for consumers whose diet is rich in nuts, in which metallic trace elements were recorded, indicate that an unacceptable impact may occur, and the risk of negative health effects (non-cancer) will be moderate to high., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background/objectives: Diet therapy is a key component of a holistic approach to the physiological and psychological health of children with autism spectrum disorders. A personalized diet, tailored to clinical symptoms, yields positive therapeutic effects. The aim of this study was to assess the intake of specific food groups and the dietary methods used among children and adolescents with autism., Methods: This study included 141 patients from neuropediatric centers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Inclusion criteria were parental consent for the study, age of the child, and autism diagnosis. The research tool was a custom questionnaire covering patients' demographic data, type of disorder, and a qualitative analysis of the dietary habits of selected products., Results: The predominant dietary models were the basic diet ( n = 26; 72.22%) and the elimination diet ( n = 9; 25%), with a higher application rate among children with autism spectrum disorders. Aversion to specific foods/products was more prevalent in children with autism ( n = 79; 75.24%) compared to those with other neurodevelopmental disorders ( n = 10; 27.78%). Snacking between meals was significantly more common among the overall neuropediatric patient group ( n = 140; 99.29%), with fruit purees ( n = 33; 23.57%) and fruits ( n = 28; 20%) being the most frequently consumed snacks., Conclusions: The qualitative analysis of dietary habits revealed selective food aversions and eating disorders due to a narrow range of frequently consumed products within dietary groups.

Background: Red fruits are characterised by a particularly high content of bioactive compounds, e.g. anthocyanins, tannins, pectins, vitamins and minerals. Dietary supply of proper amounts of antioxidants is essential to reduce oxidative stress, and thus is an important element in the prevention of lifestyle diseases., Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the content of polyphenols in selected red fruit juices (chokeberry, elderberry, pomegranate, cranberry), as well as to assess the impact of storage time on the content of these compounds in the analysed samples., Material and Methods: The research material consisted of 17 juices (100%): 3 chokeberry juices, 4 elderberry juices, 5 pomegranate juices and 5 cranberry juices, which differed in terms of the manufacturer, type, price range, country of origin and production method. The total polyphenol content was measured by spectrophotometry using the Folin�Ciocalteu reagent. The procedure was based on a modified method described by Waterhouse. Active acidity (pH) was measured with the potentiometric method using a pH-meter and the sucrose content was measured using a refractometer., Results: The highest mean content of polyphenolic compounds was found in chokeberry and elderberry juices. Juice storage time did not reduce the mean content of polyphenolic compounds. The highest sucrose content was found in chokeberry juices and the lowest in cranberry juice., Conclusions: Chokeberry and elderberry juices had the highest content of polyphenols among the tested products. Juices stored after opening in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (at 4°C) do not lose their nutritional properties.

Anthropometric indices, such as the BMI (body mass index), WC (waist circumference), and WHR (waist-hip ratio) are commonly used for cardiometabolic risk assessment. Consequently, in the context of evaluating cardiometabolic risk in the post-MI population, it is worthwhile to consider indices such as the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which have emerged as valuable risk assessment tools in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the importance of anthropometric indices and body composition analysis in evaluating the cardiometabolic risk among post-myocardial infarction patients. In the pursuit of this objective, this study involved assessing the BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, VAI, BAI, and body composition in a population of patients. This study enrolled a total of 120 patients hospitalised at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases (SCCS) due to MI, and body composition analysis evaluated various parameters including the percentage of adipose tissue (FatP) [%], total adipose tissue (FatM) [kg], fat-free mass (FFM) [kg], muscle mass (PMM) [kg], total body water (TBW) [kg], and visceral adipose tissue (VFAT). The mean BMI for the entire group was 27.76 ± 4.08, with women exhibiting a significantly lower value compared with men (26.66 ± 3.33 vs. 28.16 ± 4.27). The mean values obtained for the WHR, WHtR, BAI, and VAI were 0.97 ± 0.08, 0.59 ± 0.07, 28.37 ± 5.03, and 3.08 ± 3.50, respectively. Based on the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in 47.5% patients, there was no adipose tissue dysfunction, with a higher proportion among women (71.88%) compared with men (38.64%). What raises concern is that 32.50% of patients had acute ATD, with a significantly higher prevalence among men (38.64%) compared with women (15.63%). Conclusion: The study results suggest that the BMI, WC, and WHR have their limitations, whereas the WHtR, VAI, and BAI provide a more comprehensive view of cardiometabolic risk, especially in the context of adipose tissue distribution and its metabolic consequences. Incorporating the WHtR, VAI, and BAI into routine clinical practice may enhance the management of cardiometabolic risk, especially among post-MI patients.

Cardiovascular diseases accompanying metabolic syndrome comprise one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The medical community undertakes attempts to improve treatment options and minimize cardiovascular diseases' numerous consequences and exacerbations. In parallel with pharmacotherapies provided by physicians, nutritionists are developing strategies for diet therapy and prevention based on lifestyle changes, with high success rates. Consumption of specified food compounds included in various products with proven protective properties can be helpful in this regard. Due to the wide possibilities of diet in metabolic health promotion, it seems necessary to systematize information about the metabolically protective and cardioprotective properties of fiber, probiotic bacteria, plant sterols, folic acid, vitamins B12, C, and E, PUFAs, lycopene, polyphenols, arginine, CoQ10, and allicin. The aim of this review was to present the food compounds with potential use in cardiometabolic prevention and diet therapy based on the latest available literature.

Background: Functional food is a key element in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. The ingredients it contains, such as phytosterols that lower cholesterol, also have a preventive effect on type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart attack. Phenolic compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Xylo-oligosaccharides control insulin levels, and fibre lowers blood pressure, potentially reducing insulin resistance. These beneficial properties mean that there is an increasing interest in this kind of food., Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the state of knowledge and behaviour regarding functional food among adults and to answer the question whether there are differences between the state of knowledge and behaviour of women and men., Material and Methods: The survey was conducted among 301 people, including 181 women and 120 men. The research tool was an original survey questionnaire., Results: The definition of functional food is known to 42.5% of people (47.5% of women and 35% of men), while the definition of prebiotic is known to 41.9% of people (43.1% of women and 40.0% of men). For 56.2% of respondents, the factor encouraging the consumption of functional food was a healthy lifestyle, and for 54.7% of them, the product composition was the main purchase criterion. Among functional products, cereals or muesli were most often consumed for breakfast by 35% of men and 55.8% of women, 42.5% of men and 33.7% of women were eaten oils for lunch. For dinner they most often consumed fruit teas, herbal teas, herbal mixtures, this answer was given by 25.8% of men and 29.8% of women., Conclusions: Knowledge of functional foods is unsatisfactory, and no differences in the knowledge of women and men have been observed. Consumption of functional food is generally low, and no differences in consumption have been observed between women and men., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Interconnections between hypothyroidism and metabolic disturbances manifesting in the liver and body composition have not yet been comprehensively analyzed in the context of lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the selected lifestyle factors and quality of life in the context of the development of NAFL (non-alcoholic fatty liver) in women diagnosed with hypothyroidism. This study included 134 women categorized into three groups: with hypothyroidism and NAFL, with only hypothyroidism, and with only NAFL. We compared the groups concerning the KomPAN and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, body composition parameters, and the stage of liver steatosis. The individuals with NAFL most frequently consumed lard, fried dishes, processed meats, red meat, sweets, and sweetened beverages. The individuals with hypothyroidism without coexisting NAFL exhibited the highest satisfaction with health. The NAFL group had the highest average body fat percentage. Selected lifestyle aspects influenced the development of NAFL in women diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Women's overall quality of life did not vary depending on the coexisting medical conditions. Preventive programs should promote the following: the regular consumption of meals, the appropriate energy supply, physical activity, mental health support, and striving for proper body composition parameters.

The lifestyle causes of metabolic disorders in patients with hypothyroidism should be investigated. We aimed to assess the lifestyle and quality of life of women diagnosed with hypothyroidism and search for the presence of differences between the lifestyle and quality of life of women with and without diagnosed lipid metabolism disorders. This study included 311 women. To assess the differences between the groups with and without metabolic disorders, a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was performed. Of the products that were potentially beneficial for health, statistically significant differences in the average frequency of consumption were observed for legume seeds ( p = 0.014), and of the products potentially unbeneficial for health, the frequencies of consumption of fried dishes ( p = 0.016) and fast-food products ( p = 0.001) were significant. Only 11.9% rated their free-time physical activity as high. The quality of life was significantly different between the groups. The lifestyle was moderately appropriate. Compared with women with lipid metabolism disorders, women without them exhibited a higher frequency of correct dietary behaviors regarding the consumption of products with a potentially beneficial effect and sleeping duration. Women without lipid metabolism disorders had a better quality of life. Women with hypothyroidism should be educated about the beneficial aspects of the regular consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish and sleeping for the optimal amount of time.

Introduction: Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours that may contribute to the development of disorders leading to MI include consuming foods with a high glycaemic load and excessive supply of saturated fats, especially trans fats. Limiting the consumption of simple and refined carbohydrates, such as sweets, sweet drinks, white bread, or white pasta, has a positive effect on the lipid profile by lowering the concentration of triglycerides. Eliminating simple sugars, especially fructose, prevents the deposition of visceral adipose tissue., Materials and Methods: The study included 116 patients of the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases in Zabrze (SCCS; Poland), with their average age being 59.45 ± 11.54 years, staying in the SCCS due to MI, from March to November 2022. The comprehensive assessment of diet quality included 72 patients: 15 women and 57 men. The research tool was the KomPAN questionnaire for examining dietary views and habits, developed by the Committee on Human Nutrition Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, evaluating the diet in the year preceding the study. The following three indicators were used to assess the diet quality: pro-Healthy Diet Index (pHDI), non-Healthy Diet Index (nHDI) and Diet Quality Index (DQI)., Results: Most patients ate white wheat bread several times a day (39.66% of patients, with a higher percentage in men than in women - 42.35% vs. 32.26%), and white rice, fine-ground groats and pasta once a week (40.52% of patients, including 41.17% of men and 38.71% of women). Legume seeds were predominantly eaten 1-3 times a month (51.73% of responses, with comparable percentages of men and women, i.e., 51.76% vs. 51.62%), vegetables several times a week (42.25% of responses, including more women than men, i.e., 54.84% vs. 37.64%), and fruit once a day (40.52% of responses, including more men than women: 45.89% vs. 25.81%)., Conclusion: The results of our assessment of individual behaviours of the whole group may indicate errors in the diet. The value of the pro-Healthy Diet Index appears to confirm this fact, while the non-Healthy Diet Index and Diet Quality Index values do not clearly demonstrate its potential adverse impact on health. These limitations of our study may be due to differences in the size of the study population and the size of the population included in the comprehensive diet assessment. Therefore, it seems necessary to conduct further research., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Szczepańska, Białek-Dratwa, Filipów and Kowalski.)

Background: Women's nutrition should be different from that of men. Women have lower energy requirements than men. And the need for certain vitamins and minerals is higher in women, this applies to iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin B9 (folic acid). This is related to hormonal changes including menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and the onset of menopause. Through hormonal changes and the changing physiological state, women are at greater risk of anaemia, bone weakness and osteoporosis.The aim of the study was to assess changes in the dietary pattern among women from the Silesian Agglomeration in Poland between 2011 and 2022., Material and Method: The survey was conducted in 2011 (March-May 2011) and in 2022 (October-November 2022) among women living in the Silesian Agglomeration (Silesia region) in Poland aged 20-50. After consideration of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 745 women were included in the final analysis, including 437 women screened in 2011 and 308 women screened in 2022.The research tool used in this publication was a survey questionnaire consisting of 2 parts. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of demographic data. The second part of the study focused on the dietary habits of the women surveyed and the frequency of consumption of individual foods (FFQ)., Results: More women in 2022 ate breakfast than in 2011 (77.6% vs. 63.8% p  < 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast I at home (73.1% vs. 62.5%; p  < 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast II (39.0% vs. 35.2%; p  = 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast II at home (28.6% vs. 19.2%; p  = 0.002), and were more likely to eat lunch at work (16.6% vs. 3.4%; p  < 0.001). Women in 2022 were more likely to consume fast-food ( p  = 0.001), salty snacks (chips, crisps) ( p  < 0.001) and sweets ( p  < 0.001). Women in 2022 were more likely to consume whole-grain bread ( p  < 0.001), wholemeal pasta ( p  < 0.001), brown rice ( p  < 0.001), oatmeal ( p  < 0.001), buckwheat groats ( p  = 0.06), and bran ( p  < 0.001) than women in 2011. They were less likely to consume white bread ( p  < 0.0001), light pasta ( p  = 0.004), white rice ( p  = 0.008) and cornflakes ( p  < 0.001) in 2022.Women in 2022 were significantly more likely to consume vegetables ( p  < 0.001) than women in 2011., Conclusion: Eating habits in Silesia region women changed between 2011 and 2022. In 2022, women were more likely to choose cereal products considered health-promoting and rich in dietary fiber (including whole-grain bread, whole-grain pasta, oatmeal, bran) were more likely to consume vegetables, dry pulses and vegetarian dinners, and consumed less meat, cured meats, fish and dairy products. Consumption of fast-food, salty snacks (such as chips) and sweets increased., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Białek-Dratwa, Kokot, Czech, Całyniuk, Kiciak, Staśkiewicz, Stanjek-Cichoracka, Słoma-Krześlak, Sobek, Kujawińska, Grot, Szczepańska and Muc-Wierzgoń.)

Propenylbenzenes, including isosafrole, anethole, isoeugenol, and their derivatives, are natural compounds found in essential oils from various plants. Compounds of this group are important and valuable, and are used in the flavour and fragrance industries as well as the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient process for synthesising oxygenated derivatives of these compounds and evaluate their potential biological activities. In this paper, we propose a two-step chemo-enzymatic method. The first step involves the synthesis of corresponding diols 1b-5b from propenylbenzenes 1a-5a via lipase catalysed epoxidation followed by epoxide hydrolysis. The second step involves the microbial oxidation of a diasteroisomeric mixture of diols 1b-5b to yield the corresponding hydroxy ketones 1c-4c , which in this study was performed on a preparative scale using Dietzia sp. DSM44016, Rhodococcus erythropolis DSM44534, R. erythropolis PCM2150, and Rhodococcus ruber PCM2166. Application of scaled-up processes allowed to obtain hydroxy ketones 1-4c with the following yield range 36-62.5%. The propenylbenzene derivatives thus obtained and the starting compounds were tested for various biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, haemolytic, and anticancer activities, and their impact on membrane fluidity. Fungistatic activity assay against selected strains of Candida albicans results in MIC 50 value varied from 37 to 124 μg/mL for compounds 1a , 3a-c , 4a,b , and 5a,b . The highest antiradical activity was shown by propenylbenzenes 1-5a with a double bond in their structure with EC 50 value ranged from 19 to 31 μg/mL. Haemolytic activity assay showed no cytotoxicity of the tested compounds on human RBCs whereas, compounds 2b-4b and 2c-4c affected the fluidity of the RBCs membrane. The tested compounds depending on their concentration showed different antiproliferative activity against HepG2, Caco-2, and MG63. The results indicate the potential utility of these compounds as fungistatics, antioxidants, and proliferation inhibitors of selected cell lines., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Hernik, Szczepańska, Ghezzi, Brenna, Włoch, Pruchnik, Mularczyk, Marycz, Olejniczak and Boratyński.)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem. It may be caused by metabolic and hormonal disorders, including hypothyroidism. However, non-thyroid causes of NAFLD in people with hypothyroidism, including improper eating behavior and low physical activity, should be acknowledged. This study aimed to present the current literature on whether the development of NAFLD is related to hypothyroidism or a typical consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle in people with hypothyroidism. The results of previous studies do not allow for an unequivocal determination of the pathogenetic relationship between hypothyroidism and NAFLD. Important non-thyroid-initiating factors include providing too many calories in relation to requirements, consuming excessive amounts of monosaccharides and saturated fats, being overweight, and maintaining low physical activity levels. The recommended nutritional model for both hypothyroidism and NAFLD may be the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: Authors declare no conflict of interests for this article., (©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Piperonal is a compound of key industrial importance due to its attractive olfactory and biological properties. It has been shown that among the fifty-six various fungal strains tested, the ability to cleave the toxic isosafrole into piperonal through alkene cleavage is mainly found in strains of the genus Trametes . Further studies involving strains isolated directly from different environments (decaying wood, fungal fruiting bodies, and healthy plant tissues) allowed the selection of two Trametes strains, T. hirsuta Th2&#95;2 and T. hirsuta d28, as the most effective biocatalysts for the oxidation of isosafrole. The preparative scale of biotransformation with these strains provided 124 mg (conv. 82%, isolated yield 62%) and 101 mg (conv. 69%, isolated yield 50.5%) of piperonal, respectively. Due to the toxic impact of isosafrole on cells, preparative scale processes with Trametes strains have not yet been successfully performed and described in the literature.

Background: Dietary modifications are recommended alongside pharmacotherapy in treating both diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD) patients., Aims: The primary aim of our study was to assess the diet in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and myocardial infarction (MI) and to identify dietary differences between patients after the first and subsequent cardiovascular (CV) event. The secondary aim was to analyze the differences between men's and women's diets., Methods: The study population consisted of patients with DM/T2DM and MI. The research tool was the original author's questionnaire which was collected personally by a qualified dietician., Results: The study included 67 patients with a mean age of 69 ± 8 years, hospitalized at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases in Zabrze in 2019. The study found that patients consumed less bread, whole-grain cereal products, fermented milk products, and vegetables than was recommended. A total of 32.8% of patients reported an intake of sweetened beverages, while 85.1% of participants consumed sweets despite being diagnosed with DM. Except for sweetened drinks, no differences in dietary behaviors were found in the patients after the first and second MI episode. Most of the included patients assessed their diet as appropriate., Conclusion: The dietary assessment of diabetes and myocardial infarction patients indicates that the diet does not comply with dietary recommendations, thus increasing the risk of a recurrent cardiac event despite a previous MI. No differences between the men's and the women's nutritional habits were observed.

Whisky lactone is a naturally occurring fragrance compound in oak wood and is widely used as a sensory additive in food products. However, safe and efficient methods for the production of its individual enantiomers for applications in the food industry are lacking. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient and highly stereoselective process for the synthesis of individual enantiomeric forms of whisky lactones. The proposed three-step method involves (1) column chromatography separation of a diastereoisomeric mixture of whisky lactone, (2) chemical reduction of cis-and trans -whisky lactones to corresponding syn-and anti -diols, and (3) microbial oxidation of racemic diols to individual enantiomers of whisky lactone. Among various bacteria in the genera Dietzia , Gordonia , Micrococcus , Rhodococcus, and Streptomyces , R. erythropolis DSM44534 and R. erythropolis PCM2150 effectively oxidized anti-and syn -3-methyl-octane-1,4-diols ( 1a-b ) to corresponding enantiomerically pure cis-and trans -whisky lactones, indicating high alcohol dehydrogenase activity. Bio-oxidation catalyzed by whole cells of these strains yielded enantiomerically pure isomers of trans -(+)-(4 S ,5 R ) ( 2a ), trans -(-)-(4 R ,5 S ) ( 2b ), and cis -(+)-(4 R ,5 R ) ( 2d ) whisky lactones. The optical density of bacterial cultures and the impact of the use of acetone powders as catalysts on the course of the reaction were also evaluated. Finally, the application of R. erythropolis DSM44534 in the form of an acetone powder generated the enantiomerically enriched cis -(-)-(4 S ,5 S )-isomer ( 2c ) from the corresponding syn -diol ( 1b ). The newly developed method provides an improved approach for the synthesis of chiral whisky lactones., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Hernik, Gatti, Brenna, Szczepańska, Olejniczak and Boratyński.)

Background: Students are a group particularly high risk of adverse effects from such restrictions introduced within counter transmission the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Fear felt of contracting the disease and social isolation can lead to consuming excessive amounts of energy with food, resulting in weight gain and eating disorders., Objective: The aim of the study was analysed selected lifestyle aspects of Polish and Turkish students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the existence of differences between the lifestyles of these individuals during the two periods., Material and Methods: The study was conducted at the turn of 2020-2021 among 435 students, including 331 Polish and 104 Turkish students. The research instrument was an original questionnaire created in a Google Forms, consisting of metric and a proper part regarding lifestyle before and during the pandemic. Prior to the actual study, in order to verify whether the research tool is understandable, a pilot study was conducted, which included 40 individuals. The Wilcoxon test was used to examine the differences between the lifestyle of students before and during the pandemic. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Both before and during the pandemic, most Polish students ate 4-5 meals daily (52.9% and 47.7%, respectively), while most Turkish students ate 3 meals (47.1% and 38.5%, respectively). There were statistically significant differences in: duration of sleep (p=0.001), way of spending one's leisure time (p=0.001) and type of physical activity (p=0.001) among the Polish and Turkish students before and during the pandemic., Conclusions: The results of this study showed changes in the lifestyle of both Polish and Turkish students during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. This indicates the need to develop interventions to prevent harmful behaviour and their health consequences in the future., Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the diet of children with Down syndrome (DS) and to identify potential dietary mistakes made by their parents., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 195 parents of people with DS between November 2020 and March 2021. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method., Results: 122 (62.6%) people with DS did not eliminate any nutrient from their diet. By contrast, in the study group, the following numbers of people reported the following dietary restrictions: 51 (26.2%) gluten, 56 (28.7%) lactose, 17 (8.7%) casein, 26 (13.3%) sucrose, 2 (1.0%) histamine, 2 (1.0%) lectins, and 1 (0.5%) dairy. The most frequent response for vegetable and fruit consumption was once a day, with 83 (42.6%) and 87 (44.6%) parents indicating this. The most frequent response for dairy product consumption was every day, with 72 (36.9%) parents indicating this, while 36 (20%) parents stated that their children do not eat dairy products at all. In the study group, the most frequent response for meat consumption was several times a week, this was indicated by 107 (54.9%) parents, while 1 (0.5%) of them said that their children do not eat meat products at all. The most frequent response for fish consumption was 1-2 times a week, this answer was indicated by 101 (51.8%) parents, while 13 (6.7%) said that their children do not eat these products at all., Conclusions: A majority of the subjects with DS are usually fed in a normal way, but nutritional mistakes are made by the parents. Special attention should be paid to prolonging the period of natural feeding.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Europe. Lifestyle plays an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, apart from pharmacotherapy and diagnostics. Numerous studies confirm that the type and quality of fat consumed in the diet have a huge impact on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease can be helped by minimizing the proportion of saturated fatty acids in the diet and replacing them with polyunsaturated fatty acids. These acids and, above all, their long-chain forms have a positive effect on health., Aim: This study aims to assess the awareness of the properties of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the opinions of patients of the Cardiology Department of the Racibórz Medical Center., Material and Methods: The analysis included 302 patients (113 women and 189 men) hospitalized in the Cardiology Department. The research method was the authors' questionnaire consisting of the patients' record and thirty closed questions. To answer the research questions posed and test the hypotheses, statistical analyses were carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 package., Results: Among the respondents, the least frequently used healthy eating habit was the infrequent eating of fried foods. A total of 18.2% of respondents had such a habit. The most commonly used healthy eating habit was checking the fat content in products, which was performed by 67.2% of respondents. Among the respondents, 58.3% said that butter and margarine increase serum cholesterol., Conclusions: The analysis of the data shows that the place of residence, education, sex, and reason for hospitalization of the respondents did not affect the frequency of healthy eating habits. In addition, the subjects had a low amount of healthy eating habits.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the lifestyle changes of families with children aged 4-8 years during lockdown compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted among 1098 parents during the first lockdown in Poland. An originally developed questionnaire was used as the research tool. The Wilcoxon test was used to determine the frequency of differences in the lifestyle of parents and children before the pandemic and during lockdown. Differences were found in the frequency of healthy habits in the periods under investigation, both in the lifestyle of parents and children. A moderately healthy lifestyle was predominant among families with children aged 4-8 years during lockdown. The families' lifestyle significantly changed in relation to the time before the pandemic. There is a need for lifestyle education for families with children to prevent the development of bad habits during and after the pandemic and isolation time.

Oxidative stress may play an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study included 94 adult patients with CRC (52 men and 42 women) and 26 hospitalized patients (12 men and 14 women) in whom CRC was excluded (control group). During hospitalization, blood serum samples were collected from both groups. Apart from that, anthropometric measurements were taken and other clinical data were analyzed. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were assayed. Subsequently, the relationship between the analyzed oxidative stress markers and selected clinical characteristics was investigated in both groups. The evaluation of oxidative stress marker values demonstrated that MDA and TAS levels were significantly higher in the control group than the CRC group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.019, respectively), while TOS levels were significantly higher in the CRC group than the control group (p = 0.005). Significantly lower OSI levels were found in the control group than in the CRC group (p < 0.001). Similar results can be observed when performing ROC analysis (receiver operating characteristic curve). Preliminary statistical analysis demonstrated that MDA levels in the study group depend on the location of the primary tumour (p = 0.035). Based on the post hoc Tukey test, a relationship was demonstrated between the MDA level and the left and right side of the colon (p = 0.040). The results may be evidence for a higher level of oxidative stress, including a compromised antioxidative defence system, in patients with CRC.

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an increasingly well-known method of complementary feeding for infants. The BLW method is based on the fact that the baby becomes physically ready to eat on its own and can henceforth effectively supplement its diet, which was previously based on breast milk or formula milk. The aim of the study was to compare complementary feeding among mothers using and not using the BLW method. The study took into account, among other things, the frequency of spoon feeding, eating from the family table, and eating meals with a pulpy consistency. The study also determined the frequency of the risk of choking/gagging, food regurgitation or the occurrence of vomiting during a meal in the study groups. Material and method: a cross-sectional survey was conducted among mothers of children from 6 months to 36 months of age residing throughout Poland., Results: The study group was divided into three subgroups: mothers using BLW (M-BLW), mothers not familiar with the BLW method (M-NoBLW)), mothers not using the BLW method - mothers using the spoon-feeding method) (M-TS). Among the mothers surveyed, 413 women (63.93%) used the BLW method, 222 mothers (34.36%) did not use the BLW method of which 50 (7.73%) of these were unfamiliar with the method, and 172 (26.62%) simply did not use it. Among M-TS mothers, the child was most often entirely or mostly spoon-fed by an adult (73.84%), and the same was true for the M-NoBLW group (70.0%). In the M-BLW group, 58.60% of children were half-fed by an adult with a spoon. half ate independently., Conclusions: Infants fed by the BLW method were more likely to have their diets expanded after 6 months of age, they were also more likely to be given products from the family table than children fed traditionally with a spoon. Full BLW was implemented by only 29% of children in the BLW group. The vomiting reflex, spitting food out of the mouth, and gagging, were more common among children fed by the BLW method. In contrast, choking occurred comparably often in both groups - in 5.4% of spoon-fed children and 6.9% of BLW-fed children., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2022 Białek-Dratwa, Kowalski and Szczepańska.)

Methods: An educational project called Cooking and Educational Workshops "Colourful means healthy" was conducted at the Department of Dietetics of the Faculty of Public Health in Bytom of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2019. The participants/recipients of the project were second-grade primary schoolchildren (317 pupils aged 7-9 years)., Objective: The aim of this article is to assess the change in knowledge of the principles of healthy eating among children aged 7-9 years following the nutritional education we carried out as part of the "Colourful means healthy" project. As part of project evaluation, the participating children were asked to rate selected food products in terms of their influence on human health (healthy vs. unhealthy)., Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the percentage of correct answers provided by the pupils before and after nutrition education. Thus, one may conclude that conducting an educational programme caused the participants' nutrition knowledge to increase., Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the potential of nutrition education in the form of cooking and educational workshops in terms of increasing nutrition knowledge. As such, workshops like these can be a useful measure for improving eating habits and eliminating dietary errors in the study population. However, future research is needed in order to verify whether such cooking and educational workshops can produce beneficial and lasting changes in dietary habits over the long term.

Background: FGF21 pharmacological treatment reverses fatty liver and lowers serum triglyceride concentration but FGF21 serum level is increased in hepatic steatosis. FGF21 secretion is induced by thyroid hormones in vitro ., Purpose: To determine the influence of thyroid hormones and metabolic changes secondary to thyroid dysfunction on FGF21 secretion in humans., Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study. 82 hyperthyroid and 15 hypothyroid patients were recruited together with 25 healthy controls. Of those with hyperthyroidism, 56 received radioiodine treatment and 42 of them achieved hypothyroidism and then euthyroidism within one year following therapy. Radioiodine-induced hypothyroidism developed abruptly within a six week interval between clinic visits. FGF21 serum levels were determined with an ELISA method., Results: Serum FGF21 levels did not differ in hyper- and hypothyroid patients in comparison to controls [median 103.25 (interquartile range, 60.90-189.48) and 86.10 (54.05-251.02) vs 85.20 (58.00-116.80) pg/mL P=0.200 and 0.503, respectively]. In hyperthyroid patients treated with radioiodine, serum FGF21 levels increased significantly in rapid-onset hypothyroidism in comparison to the hyperthyroid and euthyroid phase [median 160.55 (interquartile range, 92.48 - 259.35) vs 119.55 (67.78-192.32) and 104.43 (55.93-231.93) pg/mL, P=0.034 and 0.033, respectively]. The rising serum FGF21 level correlated positively with serum triglycerides (Spearman coefficient rs=0.36, P=0.017) and inversely with serum SHBG (rs=-0.41, P=0.007), but did not correlate with thyroid hormone levels., Conclusions: There was a transient increase in FGF21 serum level during rapid-onset hypothyroidism following radioiodine treatment. There was no association between FGF21 serum level and thyroid hormones. In radioiodine-induced hypothyroidism, the rising serum FGF21 concentration correlated positively with rising serum triglycerides and negatively with falling SHBG, reflecting increased hepatic lipogenesis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Szczepańska, Glinicki, Zgliczyński, Słowińska-Srzednicka, Jastrzębska and Gietka-Czernel.)

The development of cardiovascular diseases is undoubtedly influenced by improper dietary behavior. The most common mistakes include irregularity of meal consumption, high dietary atherogenicity: snacking on sweets between meals, low supply of dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, legume seeds, and high supply of meat and meat products. Among many food components, some are characterized by a specific cardioprotective effect, which means that their supply of food may prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease or improve the health of the sick. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the ingredients showing cardioprotective effects on the heart and blood vessels. Antioxidant and lipid profile-enhancing effects are also attributed to sitosterol which is one of the plant-derived sterols. A very important argument indicating the necessity of a varied diet rich in a variety of plant products is the beneficial effect of polyphenols, which are most abundant in multicolored vegetables and fruits. Numerous studies show their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure, improving lipid profile, and regeneration of vascular endothelium. The collected publications from the field of lifestyle medicine can be a source of knowledge for dieticians, physicians, and people associated with physical culture and human mental health to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases and reduce the risk of death from this cause.

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is an increasingly popular way of expanding a baby's diet. It is based on the baby becoming physically ready to feed himself, effectively supplementing his diet, which until now has been based on breast milk or modified milk. The aim of the study was to assess mothers' knowledge about the use of the BLW method to expand the diet of a young child. The essence of the study assumed the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of using this method indicated by mothers., Materials and Methods: A total of 320 mothers participated in the study. Data for the study were collected anonymously using the CAWI method. The research tool was the original questionnaire relating to the knowledge about the BLW method and the application of the BLW method in practice., Results: The BLW method was used by 240 (75%) women. The reasons for not using the BLW method were: the child did not cooperate n = 30 (37.5%) and was not ready to use the BLW method n = 20 (25%). In total, 182 (75.8%) mothers using BLW and 63 (78.8%) mothers not using BLW started extending the diet before the child was 6 months old. According to 270 (84.4%) mothers, including 205 (85.4%) using BLW, stable sitting in a highchair/on the lap is a decisive factor for starting the dietary expansion with the BLW method., Conclusions: Mothers' knowledge of the BLW method as a way of expanding a young child's diet was insufficient. It seems important to implement appropriate educational activities on the methods of expanding children's diets to broaden parents' knowledge of the influence of nutrition on infant development.

The aim of the study was to verify the knowledge of mothers of children under 3 years of age about the Baby Led Weaning (BLW) feeding model and their practical implementation of this method. The study involved 761 mothers and their children. After analysis of the inclusion and exclusion criterion, the information provided by women 699 aged 21-48 years was included in the final data analysis. In the study group, most children were breastfed for 6 months to 1 year ( n = 256, 36.7%), 1 year to 2 years ( n = 179, 25.6%) and over 2 years ( n = 71, 10.2%). Starting dietary expansion before 17 weeks of age was implemented in 47 (6.7%) children, between and 17-26 weeks of age in 328 (46.9%) children, and after 26 weeks of age in 324 (46.3%) children. Feeding food and dishes from the family table was practiced by 518 (74.1%) mothers. Spoon-feeding was practiced by 529 (75.6%) children, 157 (22.4%) children were fed this way sometimes. Taking into account the above data, feeding with the BLW method was used in 170 children (24.2%). In the examined group of mothers the use of the BLW method in feeding their children, especially during diet expansion, was declared by 408 women (74.8%). The child's independent decision concerning what the child will eat and what is according to the BLW method is accepted by 434 (62.1%) mothers. Among the positive aspects of using the BLW method, the women surveyed indicated the child's independence, while among the disadvantages, the omnipresent mess and chaos when eating meals., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Białek-Dratwa, Szczepańska, Trzop, Grot, Grajek and Kowalski.)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new disease entity in DSM-5 and ICD-11. This disorder continues to pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for many professionals. This disorder can affect people of all ages. The most characteristic pattern is considered to be a lack of interest in eating or avoidance of food intake, which may result in nutritional deficiencies, weight loss or lack of expected weight gain, dependence on enteral feeding or dietary supplements, and impaired psychosocial functioning. This disorder cannot be explained by a current medical condition or co-occurring other psychiatric disorders, but if ARFID co-occurs with another disorder or illness, it necessarily requires extended diagnosis. Its treatment depends on the severity of the nutritional problem and may include hospitalization with multispecialty care (pediatrician, nutritionist, psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist). The nutritional management strategy may include, inter alia, the use of Food Chaining, and should in the initial stage of therapy be based on products considered "safe" in the patient's assessment. The role of the dietitian in the management of a patient with ARFID is to monitor weight and height and nutritional status and analyze the foods that should be introduced into the food chain first.

Food neophobia is the tendency to reject or be reluctant to try new and unfamiliar foods. Due to the period of its occurrence, which falls in the years of early childhood, it can significantly affect the child's food choices, shape taste preferences, and significantly influence the quality of the child's diet. The neophobic attitude has an important evolutionary significance because it protects the individual from ingesting potentially dangerous substances. On the other hand, it fosters avoidance behaviors that can also relate to the beneficial aspects of obtaining and consuming food. Currently, the strong emphasis placed on food safety means that neophobia may be less adaptive; nevertheless, a conservative attitude toward new foods still prevails. There is a strong association between food neophobia and the diversity of a person's diet and previous exposure to different foods. This review describes behaviors associated with food neophobia and analyzes other feeding and eating difficulties in children that should be differentiated from food neophobia. Management approaches affecting the reduction in food neophobia in children through various dietary and psychological interventions are also proposed.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is a recently recognized metabolic regulator that evokes interest due to its beneficial action of maintaining whole-body energy balance and protecting the liver from excessive triglyceride production and storage. Together with FGF19 and FGF23, FGF21 belongs to the FGF family with hormone-like activity. Serum FGF21 is generated primarily in the liver under nutritional stress stimuli like prolonged fasting or the lipotoxic diet, but also during increased mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress. FGF21 exerts its endocrine action in the central nervous system and adipose tissue. Acting in the ventromedial hypothalamus, FGF21 diminishes simple sugar intake. In adipose tissue, FGF21 promotes glucose utilization and increases energy expenditure by enhancing adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Therefore, FGF21 favors glucose consumption for heat production instead of energy storage. Furthermore, FGF21 specifically acts in the liver, where it protects hepatocytes from metabolic stress caused by lipid overload. FGF21 stimulates hepatic fatty acid oxidation and reduces lipid flux into the liver by increasing peripheral lipoprotein catabolism and reducing adipocyte lipolysis. Paradoxically, and despite its beneficial action, FGF21 is elevated in insulin resistance states, that is, fatty liver, obesity, and type 2 diabetes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

During the COVID pandemic in Poland, lockdown and remote work affected a very large segment of the population. This situation has many negative consequences both in terms of health and also emotionally. In our study, we focused on eating behaviors as well as health behaviors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity while working remotely, but also the emotions that occur while being at home working for long periods of time and how these emotions affect diet, eating behaviors and overall well-being using the standardized WHO-5 and TFEQ13 questionnaires. Surveys completed by 225 individuals doing remote work from home or hybrid work. During lockdown and remote work, 64.4% people noticed changes in eating behaviors: of which 44.0% people eat more than before lockdown, while 20.0% eat less than before; 36.0% believe they did not notice a change regarding the amount of food consumed. Changes in eating behavior did not correlate with body weight ( p = 0.37), but did correlate with changes in body weight ( p = 0.00000). Body weight correlated with changes in body weight that occurred in the study group during lockdown ( p = 0.000004). Individuals who restrict eating according to TFEQ 13 are more likely to report well-being (WHO-%), whereas individuals who are observed to lack control over eating and eat under emotional duress are more likely to report poor well-being ( p = 0.000000). The study confirmed the change in dietary behavior and the occurrence of adverse health eating behaviors among remote and hybrid workers during the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Białek-Dratwa, Szczepańska, Grajek, Całyniuk and Staśkiewicz.)

Background: A properly balanced diet should provide multiple valuable nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the body through the proper frequency of consuming food products that are their source. This is particularly important during the pandemic when there is a need to support the immune system., Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of consumption of selected groups of food products and to determine whether this frequency differs among medical and non-medical students in the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic., Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 435 Polish and Turkish students using an original questionnaire. The proper study was preceded by a pilot study in 40 participants.The Wilcoxon test was used to assess the differences in the frequency of consumption of selected groups of products among medical and non-medical students both during and before the pandemic. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Significant differences were observed in the frequency of consumption of: sweets (p=0.02 among medical students), salty snacks (p=0.03 among both groups of students), fast food products (p=0.00 among medical and p=0.01 among non-medical students) and energy drinks (p=0.02 among medical and p=0.00 among non-medical student) in the analysed periods of time before and during the COVID-19 pandemic., Conclusions: The study showed that during the pandemic, the frequency of food products consumption in the study groups of students from medical and non-medical faculties is mostly satisfactory. There were significant differences in the frequency of consumption of sweets, salty snacks, fast food products and energy drinks in both groups of students., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

The demand for natural food flavorings increases every year. Biotransformation has become an attractive approach to obtain natural products. In this work, enantiomerically pure (R)-(+)-δ-decalactone was obtained by reduction of the C=C double bond of natural massoia lactone in a continuous-flow reactor. Of 13 different ene-reductases isolated, purified and tested, OYE3 was found to be the most efficient biocatalyst. The selected biocatalyst, either in the form of purified enzyme, cell lysate, whole cells or immobilized cells, was tested in the batch system as well as in the packed-bed flow bioreactor. The biotransformation performed in batch mode, using Ca 2+ -alginate immobilized cells of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)/pET30a-OYE3, furnished the desired product with complete conversion in 30 min. The process was intensified using a continuous-flow reactor-membrane filtration system (flow 0.1 mL/min, substrate concentration 10 mM, pH 7, 24 °C) with cell lysate as biocatalyst combined with a cofactor regeneration system, which allowed obtaining > 99% bioconversion of massoia lactone., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Proper nutrition and balanced physical activity have a beneficial effect on the growth and development of young athletes, supporting their endurance and health, which is particularly important in the period of adolescence., Objective: Aim of this study was to assess eating behaviours, frequency of consumption of some food products and selected elements of lifestyle among young dancers, as well as to compare the age of the dancers and the assessed behavior., Material and Methods: The study included 198 dancers aged 10-15 years. An originally developed questionnaire was used as a research tool., Results: The largest group of dancers (43%) spent on training up to 2 hours per week. The recommended 4-5 meals/day were consumed by 61.1% of dancers, with 87.4% of respondents having breakfast on a daily basis. The recommendations on the daily intake of several portions of fruit and vegetables were followed by 49% and 36.9% of dancers, respectively. It is observed, that the consumption rates of sweets increased, while the consumption rates of fruit decreased with dancers'age. The consumption rates of packed lunch and afternoon snack increased, whereas the consumption rates of dinner decreased with an increasing number of hours spent training., Conclusions: Eating behaviours and the frequency of consumption of food products by young dancers can be described as varied. Their diet is characterised by regular consumption of meals and a correct frequency of consumption of most food products, including high intake of fruit and vegetables, yoghurt and kefir, as well as low consumption of fast food products. The selected elements of dancers' lifestyle, such as sleep time and physical activity, are mostly correct., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene.)

The present work describes synthesis, characterization, and use of a new dansyl-labelled Ag@SiO 2 nanocomposite as an element of a new plasmonic platform to enhance the fluorescence intensity. Keeping in mind that typical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) characteristics of silver nanoparticles coincide well enough with the absorption of dansyl molecules, we used them to build the core of the nanocomposite. Moreover, we utilized 10 nm amino-functionalized silica shell as a separator between silver nanoparticles and the dansyl dye to prevent the dye-to-metal energy transfer. The dansyl group was incorporated into Ag@SiO 2 core-shell nanostructures by the reaction of aminopropyltrimethoxysilane with dansyl chloride and we characterized the new dansyl-labelled Ag@SiO 2 nanocomposite using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, water wettability measurements (WWM) were carried out to assess the hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of the studied surface. We found that the nanocomposite deposited on a semitransparent silver mirror strongly increased the fluorescence intensity of dansyl dye (about 87-fold) compared with the control sample on the glass, proving that the system is a perfect candidate for a sensitive plasmonic platform.

In this paper, we described the synthesis procedure of TiO 2 @SiO 2 core-shell modified with 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS). The chemical attachment of Fmoc-glycine (Fmoc-Gly-OH) at the surface of the core-shell structure was performed to determine the amount of active amino groups on the basis of the amount of Fmoc group calculation. We characterized nanostructures using various methods: transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to confirm the modification effectiveness. The ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) measurement was adopted for the quantitative determination of amino groups present on the TiO 2 @SiO 2 core-shell surface by determination of Fmoc substitution. The nanomaterials were functionalized by Fmoc-Gly-OH and then the fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group was cleaved using 20% ( v/v ) solution of piperidine in DMF. This reaction led to the formation of a dibenzofulvene-piperidine adduct enabling the estimation of free Fmoc groups by measurement the maximum absorption at 289 and 301 nm using UV-vis spectroscopy. The calculations of Fmoc loading on core-shell materials was performed using different molar absorption coefficient: 5800 and 6089 dm 3 × mol -1 × cm -1 for λ = 289 nm and both 7800 and 8021 dm 3 × mol -1 × cm -1 for λ = 301 nm. The obtained results indicate that amount of Fmoc groups present on TiO 2 @SiO 2 -(CH 2 ) 3 -NH 2 was calculated at 6 to 9 µmol/g. Furthermore, all measurements were compared with Fmoc-Gly-OH used as the model sample.

Microbial conversion of oleic acid ( 1 ) to form value-added industrial products has gained increasing scientific and economic interest. So far, the production of natural lactones with flavor and fragrance properties from fatty acids by non-genetically modified organisms (non-GMO) involves whole cells of bacteria catalyzing the hydration of unsaturated fatty acids as well as yeast strains responsible for further β-oxidation processes. Development of a non-GMO process, involving a sole strain possessing both enzymatic activities, significantly lowers the costs of the process and constitutes a better method from the customers' point of view regarding biosafety issues. Twenty bacteria from the genus of Bacillus , Comamonas , Dietzia , Gordonia , Micrococcus , Pseudomonas , Rhodococcus and Streptomyces were screened for oxidative functionalization of oleic acid ( 1 ). Micrococcus luteus PCM525 was selected as the sole strain catalyzing the one-pot transformation of oleic acid ( 1 ) into natural valuable peach and strawberry-flavored γ-dodecalactone ( 6 ) used in the food, beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Based on the identified products formed during the process of biotransformation, we clearly established a pathway showing that oleic acid ( 1 ) is hydrated to 10-hydroxystearic acid ( 2 ), then oxidized to 10-ketostearic acid ( 3 ), giving 4-ketolauric acid ( 4 ) after three cycles of β-oxidation, which is subsequently reduced and cyclized to γ-dodecalactone ( 6 ) (Scheme 1). Moreover, three other strains ( Rhodococcus erythropolis DSM44534, Rhodococcus ruber PCM2166, Dietzia sp. DSM44016), with high concomitant activities of oleate hydratase and alcohol dehydrogenase, were identified as efficient producers of 10-ketostearic acid ( 3 ), which can be used in lubricant and detergent formulations. Considering the prevalence of γ-dodecalactone ( 6 ) and 10-ketostearic acid ( 3 ) applications and the economic benefits of sustainable management, microbial bioconversion of oleic acid ( 1 ) is an undeniably attractive approach.

Background and objectives: Ample evidence indicates that oxidative stress, including complex lipid peroxidation processes, may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. The goal of this study was to evaluate selected oxidative stress markers in patients with colorectal cancer depending on some clinical features, with particular attention paid to the location of the primary tumor. Material s and Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 66 patients with colorectal cancer. The study consisted of two stages. The first stage involved the analysis of medical records; the second consisted of determining selected oxidative stress markers by measuring malondialdehyde as well as total oxidant and antioxidant status. Results: Of all patients, 43 (65.15%) had colon cancer, of whom 30 (69.77%) had a tumor on the left side and 13 (30.23%) had a tumor on the right side of the colon. Of all the patients, 23 (34.85%) had rectal cancer. The mean total oxidant and antioxidant status was 809.76 (SD ± 392.65) µmol/L and 253.19 (233.33-310.66) µmol/L, respectively. The mean malondialdehyde serum level was 2478.04 (SD ± 1397.05) ng/mL. The mean malondialdehyde serum concentration in patients with primary tumors located on the right side was higher in a statistically significant way compared with the remaining patients. Conclusions: It was demonstrated that the intensity of lipid peroxidation processes is correlated with the development of colorectal cancer, particularly on the right side. The results should be interpreted rather cautiously due to certain limitations of the study., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Eating habits are mainly shaped at the first stages of human life. Incorrect eating habits in young individuals may in the future lead to eating disorders and predispose to abnormal body weight., Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate eating habits among adolescents and verify whether there are any differences in eating habits between girls and boys., Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 337 post-primary school students, including 126 girls and 211 boys. A standardised questionnaire "My eating habits" was used as a research tool., Results: Secret snacking was slightly more common among girls (27.78%) than boys (24.17%). It was also girls who mostly admitted that other people comment on their diet, as indicated by 33.33% of girls and 18.96% of boys. Girls are also more likely to be dissatisfied with their body weight (41.27% vs. 27.49%) and to occasionally avoid eating despite feeling hungry (42.06% vs. 27.01%) compared to boys., Conclusions: The eating habits of young people are mostly varied. There are differences in the d ietary habits of girls and boys; girls are more likely than boys to overeat under the influence of emotions and to apply dietary restrictions to themselves. In order to promote healthy eating habits and support the mental well-being of young people, it is recommended to provide nutritional education and to implement psychological support for those in need., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest - None declared., (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene.)

Background: Diabetes is a set of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia caused by improper action and/or secretion of insulin. Currently, diabetes is becoming a serious challenge in modern medicine, this disease affects 425 million people, and the forecasts indicate that by 2045 the number of cases will increase to 629 million., Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge about risk factors for type 2 diabetes among secondary school students in the Silesian Province in Poland and to determine whether there are differences between the level of knowledge between girls and boys and between first-, second- and third-grade students., Material and Methods: The survey was conducted among 650 high school students. The research tool was the author's questionnaire. The obtained results were developed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistica 13.3 (TIBCO Inc.)., Results: The definitions of type 2 diabetes were known to 63.9%. 91.8% of high school students indicated excessive body mass as a risk factor for morbidity, while 18.8% of people indicated the appropriate type of obesity increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Most of the students considered abnormal eating habits as an important factor increasing the occurrence of the disease (92.4%). The most numerous group of high school students were people with average level of knowledge (89.6%)., Conclusions: The knowledge of high school students about risk factors for type 2 diabetes was varied. The most numerous group were high school students characterised by the average level of knowledge. There were no statistically significant differences between the proportion of correctly provided responses by women and men. There were statistically significant differences between the proportion of correctly provided responses by first-, second- and third-graders. Our research shows that educational activities should be undertaken, especially about modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene.)

Background: The length and the quality of life are determined by, among other things, environmental factors. The place of residence is associated with certain differences in nutritional culture, with food traditions and customs being of great importance. Also, the location of a given country in a specific climate zone has an impact on the choice of food products and their preparation., Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse eating behaviours among adult residents of Greece and Poland as well as to investigate to what extent these behaviours are impacted by the place of residence of respondents., Materials and Methods: A total of 633 randomized respondents at the age of 50 or older (312 Greeks and 321 Poles) were included in the study. The author's questionnaire was used in the research., Results: A total of 41.07% of respondents, including 31.09% of Greeks and 50.78% of Poles, declared having 4-5 meals per day. Fish was consumed 1-2 times a week by 29.27% of respondents, including 23.40% of Greeks and 15.26% of Poles. Whole wheat bread was consumed several times daily by 20.7% of respondents, including 19.55% of Greeks and 21.81% of Poles. Coarse groats and pasta were consumed a few times weekly by 23.06% of respondents, including 25.64% of Greeks and 20.56% of Poles., Conclusions: Eating behaviours in adult Poles and Greeks are varied, with healthier eating habits in the latter group. There are significant differences between the intake of food products rich in fibre and omega-3 fatty acids by residents of Greece and Poland., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene.)

Background: Lifestyle encompasses, among other things, eating habits, physical activity, and the use of stimulants. Individual choices in this area have a direct impact on human health., Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the lifestyle in adolescents and to verify whether there is a relationship between selected lifestyle elements and gender., Materials and Methods: A total of 304 students (160 women and 144 men) were included in the study. The study used an original questionnaire. Chi-square test was used to assess the correlations between gender and eating habits, physical activity and the use of stimulants among adolescents. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The students surveyed usually have 4-5 meals daily at 3-4-hour intervals (50.33% and 53.8%, respectively). They consume confectionery up to several times a week (35.2%), as declared by more women than men (41.9% of women and 27.8% of men). Adolescents usually practise physical exercise several times a week (36.51%), as reported by 29.38% of women and 44.44% of men. Occasional alcohol consumption was reported by 44.38% of women and 42.4% of men. A total of 61.92% of respondents were non-smokers, as declared by more women than men., Conclusions: The majority of adolescents lead an unhealthy lifestyle in terms of eating habits, alcohol consumption and smoking. Positive behaviours were observed for physical activity. Some lifestyle elements were correlated with gender. Women devote less time to physical activity compared to men. Men have a higher tendency to consume carbonated beverages and higher amounts of alcohol than women. The obtained research results indicate the need for health education., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene.)

Background: Depressive symptoms may appear at any age, yet they are most likely to be observed among young people aged 20-30. According to numerous scientific records, a properly balanced diet may prevent depression or enhance a therapeutical process., Objective: The aim of the study was the assessment of nutrition behaviours and prevalence of depressive symptoms among the students, as well as investigation whereas there is a connection between these variables and the sexes of the examined group. Furthermore, the aim was to determine, whether there is a relation between proper nutrition behaviours and an intensification of depressive symptoms., Material and Methods: The research was conducted on a group of 959 students. In order to collect that data on nutrition behaviours an original anonymous questionnaire was used. In order to collect the data on a depressive symptoms occurrence Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) was used., Results: Recommended number of meals was taken by 54.95% of students, including 59.20% of women and 48.56% of men. Only 6.25% of students, including 6.94% of women and 5.22% of men, ate a recommended number of 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables. 11.16% of students, including 10.94% of women and 11.49% of men, drank at least 2 glasses of milk or dairy fermented products. 22.84% of students presented depressive symptoms. 11.57% of the examined people suffered from mild depression, 7.1% - of moderate depression and 4.17% – of a severe one., Conclusions: It was found that there are relations between nutrition behaviours and sexes of the examined people. Women tend to present more beneficial behaviours. Almost every fourth student presented depressive symptoms – an intensification of the symptoms was more frequent among women. A growth in the rate of proper nutrition behaviours was connected with a drop in the depressive symptoms., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest