Pomeranian Journal of Life Sciences

Introduction: Routine toxicological analysis is mostly focused on the identification of non-organic and organic, chemically different compounds, but generally with low mass, usually not greater than 500–600 Da. Peptide compounds with atomic mass higher than 900 Da are a specific analytical group. Several dozen of them are highly-toxic substances well known in toxicological practice, for example mushroom toxin and animal venoms. In the paper the authors present an example of alpha-amanitin to explain the analytical problems and different original solutions in identifying peptides in urine samples with the use of the universal LC MS/MS procedure...

Introduction: Experiencing a heart attack can change the attitude of patients towards their corporeality. Body image may significantly influence the recovery of patients, their adherence to medical recommendations, and adopting a healthy lifestyle. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between body image and personality characteristics, as well as sociodemographic, physical and medical factors in patients after a first myocardial infarction. Materials and methods: The study comprised 160 patients after a first heart attack (80 women and 80 men) aged 34–65 years (mean = 53...

Introduction: The progress of civilization and the development of pharmaceuticals industry have caused an increase in psychoactive substances abuse. That is why there are often cases of overdose and poisoning with these substances. Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly used drugs. They are a group of medications producing sedative, anxiolytic, hypnotic, myorelaxant and anticonvulsant effects. Benzodiazepines are a large and diversified group of compounds (over 50 different benzodiazepines are used in clinical treatment), and their metabolites are biologically active...

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is an increasingly popular method of breast cancer treatment. In order to determine the number and location of potentially positive nodes, it is necessary to perform sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy. The quality of the image depends on the use of the appropriate method of radionuclide imaging. The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of SPECT, SPECT/CT and classical planar acquisitions in the detection of sentinel lymph nodes for sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy in breast cancer...

MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of genes at the post-transcriptional level. They play a key role in a number of biological processes, including cell differentiation, immune response, apoptosis and metabolism regulation. They are also directly or indirectly involved in the development and progression of numerous diseases. In liver diseases there are many microRNAs, including miR-122, whose expression depends on the disease aetiology. Therefore, analysis of microRNA profile may have a diagnostic and prognostic value, and in the future may be useful in planning liver disease therapy...

Introduction: Implant damage is one of the complications of fracture treatment. Case report: In this paper we present the case of a 59 -year -old patient after surgical treatment of the distal tibia and distal end of the tibia fracture with multiple bone fragmentation (AO 43C3). The implant damage was caused not only by the patient’s noncompliance, but also by the notch effect and fatigue fracture of the locking compression plate (medial distal tibial plate), most probably secondary to technological error (macroscopic and FEM analysis)...

Case report: We encountered a 28 -day -old infant with progressive respiratory failure diagnosed with pertussis after discharge from the hospital. Here, we describe the disease course, diagnostic difficulties and treatment procedure. After 20 days of treatment based on the doctors’ experience (without an established diagnosis), the child was deemed healthy and discharged. At the 6 -month follow -up, the child was healthy and showed normal development. No other Bordetella pertussis infections among newborns or hospital staff who were in contact with the patient and his family were reported...

Desmoids are benign tumours originating from connective tissue. Their uncontrolled growth can threaten organ function, especially in the abdominal location, when presenting as mesenteric fibromatosis. There have been only a few case reports of the coexistence of mesenteric fibromatosis and Crohn’s disease. All of them were in adults, mostly with potential risk factors for desmoid tumours including female sex, oestrogen intake and abdominal surgery. We present, to our knowledge, the first paediatric case of the coexistence of both conditions...

Metastases to the hand and wrist are rare. The lung, breast and kidneys are the most common sites of primary lesions that metastasize in the hand. Phalanges are more commonly involved than metacarpals and wrist. We report the case of a neglected, large metastatic tumour involving a patient’s left wrist and metacarpus originating form renal adenocarcinoma cancer, which appeared 2 years prior to the diagnosis of the primary neoplasm. The tumour was resected, but without oncologic margins. After obtaining histological veri- ...

Introduction: Scintigraphy of sacroiliac joints as functional imaging provides unique information on the existing disease process. By using radiopharmaceuticals that allow imaging of the metabolic activity within the joint, it is possible to assess the stage of the disease, even when there are no lesions in radiological images. Quantitative analysis of scintigrams of sacroiliac joints is performed by comparing the uptake in both of them in relation to the uptake in the sacral bone area...

INTRODUCTION: Among patients with diabetes, there are many myths concerning food products which are believed to lower or not influence the blood glucose (BG) level. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of patients with diabetes and hospital nurses concerning popular food products and their impact on BG levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 250 patients with diabetes (DM), members of the Polish Diabetes Association; the other group consisted of 123 healthy nurses (N) from 3 hospitals in Szczecin, Poland...

Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the nutritional habits of participants in the research project “CRON -diet as an alternative method for athletes who have completed their sporting career”. Materials and methods: 94 former athletes from Poland participated in this study. A standardized Food Frequency Questionnaire was used for interview. Respondents were interviewed once, during the first visit after inclusion in the study. Results: Most former athletes had 3 meals per day during the last 12 months (39...

Introduction: A diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates has four phases, first of them being the attack phase, which eliminates carbohydrates to the highest extent. In subsequent phases the consumption of carbohydrates is gradually allowed but their ratio is limited. The aim of performed studies was to analyze the metabolic effects of protein -based diet. The hypothesis – the analysis based on the composition of the diets should draw the attention to health risks being not only related to too high consumption of protein...

In the opinion of many researches systematic physical exercises and balance training can lead to decrease presbystasis symptoms. Involutional changes such as: decrease sense of touch and proprioception, reduced visual acuity, reduced range of motion and faulty posture all have impact on motor ef

Introduction: Cryotherapy is a short time usage of temperatures below −100°C to make a physiological reaction to cold. The Materials and methods: For this study it was examined 45 patients, including 36 women (80%) and 9 men (20%). All patients were undergoing 10 systemic cryotherapy treatments. 45% of them were also diagnosed with hypertension. Time of 1 Results and conclusions: In patients with hypertension demonstrated the positive effect of cryotherapy and physiotherapy on blood pressure systolic and diastolic...

Introduction: The Self -Complete of Leeds Assessment Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S -LANSS) questionnaire is a tool for screening patients with neuropathic pain, which can be completed without a physician’s assistance. Until now, a Polish version of the S -LANSS has not been available. The aim of the study was to translate the English version into the Polish language and to validate it for the Polish population. Materials and methods: A total of 101 subjects; 51 with chronic neuropathic pain in the course of different neurological diseases, and 50 patients with osteoarthritis and nociceptive pain were included in the study...

Functional disorders of the stomatognathic system (temporomandibular joint syndrome – TMJ -syndrome) represent a growing diagnostic and therapeutic problem. One of the coexisting symptoms, especially in advanced stages of temporomandibular joint disorders, is sleep apnoea. The aim of this paper is to present two simple diagnostic methods that can help differentiate the causes of sleep apnoea. The

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is connected with high risk of metabolic disorders, such as: metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and independently, coronary heart disease (CHD). Materials and methods: A group of 108 Caucasian individuals (39 women and 69 men) aged 20–77 years with NAFLD were prospectively enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of NAFLD was con- Results: Statistical signi Conclusions: It seems bene ...

The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome or Bean syndrome is a rare disorder characterised by the presence of haemangiomas in the skin and gastrointestinal tract. These lesions are usually accompanied by chronic hypochromic anaemia resulting from gastrointestinal bleeding. The cause of this syndrome is unknown. It mostly occurs as sporadic, but autosomal dominant inheritance has also been described. The diagnosis is based on endoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography. Treatment is usually symptomatic...

We present the case of a patient who suffered from intracranial epidural haematoma in the left fronto -temporo -parietal region as a complication after left parieto -occipital craniotomy and a resection of a metastatic lesion from a testicular embryonal carcinoma to the left occipital lobe. We also discuss possible causes of this complication.