Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine最新文献

Introduction and objective: Local Government Units (LGUs) in Poland may develop health policy programs on different health conditions according to the rules and templates defined by the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System (AHTATS). This study aimed to analyze health policy programs on eye health implemented by LGUs in Poland between 2015 and 2023.

Material and methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data on health policy programs on eye health implemented by LGUs in Poland from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2023. Data were received from the public information and announcements published by the AHTATS. Full texts of health policy programs on eye health were with particular focus on the target population, type of intervention, timeline, budget, and characteristics of LGU.

Results: Between 2015 and 2023, a total of 1568 health policy programs were submitted to AHTATS by LGUs, of which only 41 (2.6%) programs addressed eye health. Health policy programs on eye health were prepared by 4 of 16 voivodeships, 2 of 314 poviats, and 30 of 2477 communes. Only 3 of 1464 (0.2%) of rural communes prepared health policy programs on eye health. Program duration varied from 24 to 72 months, whereas 53.7% of programs were planned for 36 months. Only 33 programs were rated positively by ATHATS and could be implemented. Most of the programs (85.4%; n=35) were targeted at primary school children and 78% (n=32) also included parents and caregivers. Out of 41 programs, 92.7% included secondary prevention interventions. Visual acuity test was the most common eye test (n=34; 82.9%) offered within the eye health programs implemented by LGUs.

Conclusions: This study revealed significant gaps in the implementation of health policy programs on eye health implemented by LGUs in Poland, especially in rural areas.

Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN), known as black oesophagus or Gurvit's syndrome, is an extremely rare clinical syndrome. Patients usually present with life-threatening symptoms of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (70-90% of cases), as in this case report. Diagnosis of AEN is confirmed based on oesophagogastroduodenoscopy which reveals diffuse or patchy circumferential black necrotic oesophageal mucosa. The presented patient had some comorbidities, such as poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, secondary to chronic pancreatitis, hypertension, after cholecystectomy, addiction to alcohol and tobacco, and taking a small spoon of baking soda three times a day for a few months because of heartburn. Despite the poor prognosis of AEN, with mortality about 32-35%, most patients present with endoscopic improvement in short time - from 7 days to 1 month. Fortunately, the patient did not to have any complications in the course of AEN, and the treatment was effective.

Introduction and objective: Conditions resulting from diseases of the brain-gut axis and gum-gut axis show many mutual, often bi-directional interrelationships. The accompanying quantitative and/or qualitative disorders of intestinal microflora may be effectively regulated by implementation of a properly adjusted diet therapy. The aim of the study is to investigate whether there is a relationship between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), as well as indications for the mode of nutrition.

Review methods: A literature review was performed using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science. A short synthesis of the collected information was made by a non-systematic literature review.

Brief description of the state of knowledge: From the clinical point of view, SIBO is most often associated with IBS. Both conditions have common symptoms, such as: abdominal pain, flatulence bloating and diarrhea, as well as similar neuropsychological disorders. In turn, IBS have so many characteristics in common with IBD that the term IBS in IBD has even been proposed. Concerning diet therapy, a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) is the most recommended diet. However, probiotic therapy is recommended to restore microbiological balance.

Summary: At present, an increasing number of studies indicate a close relationship between SIBO and IBD, with SIBO occurring more often in patients suffering from Crohn's disease than those with ulcerative colitis. In order to achieve good outcomes of treatment and prevent the recurrence of these diseases, interdisciplinary and inter-professional cooperation is required in the area of skilful, individualized combination of pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, probiotic therapy, and diet therapy.

Introduction and objective: Snow cover serves as a unique indicator of environmental pollution in both urban and rural areas. As a seasonal cover, it accumulates various pollutants emitted into the atmosphere, thus providing insight into air pollution types and the relative contributions of different pollution sources. The aim of the study is to analyze the distribution of trace elements in snow cover to assess the anthropogenic influence on pollution levels, and better understand ecological threats.

Material and methods: The study was conducted in rural areas around the village of Wólka in the Lublin Province of eastern Poland, and in urban districts of the city of Lublin, capital of the Province. Samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry, the Enrichment Factor (EF), and ecological risk indices (RI), were calculated to evaluate the contamination and potential ecological risks posed by the metals.

Results: The findings indicate higher concentrations of metals like sodium and iron in urban areas, likely due to road salt use and industrial activity, respectively. Enrichment factors showed significant anthropogenic contributions, particularly for metals like sodium, zinc, and cadmium, which had EF values substantially above natural levels. The potential ecological risk assessment highlighted a considerable ecological threat in urban areas compared to rural settings, primarily due to higher concentrations of metals.

Conclusions: The variation in metal concentrations between urban and rural snow covers reflects the impact of human activities on local environments. Urban areas showed higher pollution levels, suggesting the need for targeted pollution control policies to mitigate the adverse ecological impacts. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and comprehensive risk assessments to effectively manage environmental pollution.

Introduction and objective: Both periodontitis and non-specific bowel diseases (IBD) are complex chronic diseases, and the elements connecting them are the dysregulated microbiota and abnormal immune response of the host. In turn, in the etiology of these diseases, the common environmental risk factor is improper mode of nutrition. The aim of the study is to review nutritional interventions and effective nutritional protocols applied in periodontitis and IBD. The result of the review will be identification of dietary recommendations exerting a beneficial effect on the reduction of the risk of development and alleviation of the severity of both diseases. At the same time, non-recommended dietary choices will be indicated.

Review methods: A review of literature was carried out using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Publications were analyzed by a non-systematic literature review aimed at making a brief synthesis of the collected information.

Brief description of the state of knowledge: Diets recommended to patients with both periodontitis and IBD included the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet and vegetarian diet; excluding veganism, raw foodism and fruitarianism. For patients with IBD, special dietary recommendations were elaborated on the recommendations of the International Organization for Research into Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IOIBD), and specific diets, i.e. specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), and Groningen anti-inflammatory diet (GrAID). In the process of treatment of oral and intestinal dysbiosis, probiotic therapy is beneficial in both diseases, specified as the Western diet. Non-conventional diets are not recommended.

Summary: Diet therapy for inflammatory periodontal diseases and IBD requires extensive individualization; nevertheless, a universal principle is avoidance of highly processed food, and implementation of easily digestible meals based on natural, ecological products. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in primary prevention of both diseases analyzed, whereas in secondary prevention, diet therapy is a valuable supplementation of pharmacotherapy.

Introduction and objective: Ultraviolet light in the UV-C band is known as germicidal radiation and was widely used for both sterilization of the equipment and creation of a sterile environment. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of inactivation of microorganisms deposited on surfaces with various textures by UV-C radiation disinfection devices.

Material and methods: Five microorganisms (3 bacteria, virus, and fungus) deposited on metal, plastic, and glass surfaces with smooth and rough textures were irradiated with UV-C light emitted by low-pressure mercury lamp and ultraviolet emitting diodes (LEDs), from a distance of 0.5 m, 1 m, and 1.5 m to check their survivability after 20-minute exposure.

Results and conclusions: Both tested UV-C sources were effective in inactivation of microorganisms; however, LED emitter was more efficient in this respect than the mercury lamp. The survival rate of microorganisms depended on the UV-C dose, conditioned by the distance from UV-C source being the highest at 0.5 m and the lowest at 1.5 m. For the tested microorganisms, the highest survival rate after UV-C irradiation was usually visible on glass and plastic surfaces. This observation should be considered in all environments where the type of material (from which the elements of technical equipment are manufactured and may be contaminated by specific activities) is important for maintaining the proper level of hygiene and avoiding the unwanted and uncontrolled spread of microbiological pollution.

Introduction and objective: Due to educational migration to Poland, students from Ukraine and Belarus may experience security to varying degrees. The aim of the study was to check the extent to which people from Ukraine and Belarus studying in Lublin feel safe, taking into account their own life and health. An attempt was also made to establish the relationship between the sense of security and selected features of the surveyed students.

Material and methods: The research was conducted using a survey method among 403 students from Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Eight independent variables were introduced into the analysis of relationships: gender, age, self-assessment of the financial situation, country of origin, place of origin, place of residence during studies, and year of study. The dependency analysis used Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallisau tests and CATREG optimal scaling analysis.

Results: The study showed that both Polish and foreign students assessed the level of safety in Poland and during their studies in Lublin as high. They feel safer during the day than after dark. Polish students are more afraid of theft, rape and being hit by a car than students from Belarus and Ukraine, and students from Ukraine are more afraid of verbal abuse. The predictors influencing students' sense of insecurity are, among others, their financial situation and gender.

Conclusions: The conducted research and analysis of the obtained results suggest that the situation of students from Ukraine and Belarus studying in Lublin, Poland, in terms of safety, is similar to that of Polish students, and even better in some aspects. This result suggests that Lublin is a friendly academic centre for students from across the eastern border of Poland.

We read with interest the article by Kulesza et al. about a narrative review on the question of whether cannabidiol is really effective in treating lower back pain [1]. After a literature search using suitable search terms and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the authors included 10 studies in the analysis [1]. One of the articles included was an editorial and four papers were reviews [1]. Cannabidiol has been found to be ineffective in treating lower back pain and further studies are needed to answer the question of interest. The review is impressive, but several points require discussion.

Introduction: This case report describes a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) resulting from the inhalation of a lipoid substance. Lipoid pneumonia, also known as cholesterol pneumonia or golden pneumonia, is an uncommon inflammatory lung disease characterized by the presence of lipid-laden macrophages in the alveolar walls and lung interstitial tissue. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia occurs when substances containing lipids enter the airways through aspiration or inhalation, triggering an inflammatory response.

Case report: The patient in this case study was an 83-year-old woman with hypertension and diabetes mellitus who had been using paraffin oil as a mouthwash for an extended period. The diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia was established based on the patient's history of exposure to liquid paraffin oil, typical radiological findings, and histopathological examination.

Introduction and objective: Dermacentor reticulatus is one of the tick species of the greatest epidemiological importance in Europe. To date, the Eastern European and Western European populations of this tick species have been separated by an area located in Poland where the species has never been found. In this study, newly discovered D. reticulatus localities in areas transformed by human activities in central-southern Poland are described.

Material and methods: The specimens of the ornate dog tick were identified among ticks collected from companion animals in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. They were examined using PCR methods to detect Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., Babesia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii. In the case of the positive results, the amplicons were sequenced and examined by a BLAST search.

Results: In total, 6 specimens of D. reticulatus were collected (3 females and 3 males). As declared by the owners, animal hosts stayed in the same area throughout the study period and had never travelled outside their place of residence. As many as 3/6 (50%) of D. reticulatus adults removed from dogs were infected with Rickettsia raoultii.

Conclusions: The results expand the available data on the spread of the ornate dog tick and indicate that, since 2010, this tick species and Rickettsia raoultii transmitted by this tick species have probably been present in this area, which has a strongly transformed agricultural structure and and had previously been regarded as a D. reticulatus-free zone. The presence of the ornate dog tick in urban and suburban habitats in central-southern Poland poses new threats to the health of companion animals and humans associated with the transmission of pathogens by this species.