Social support and knowledge of the disease have been shown to facilitate adaptation to a chronic disease. However, the adaptation process is not fully understood. We hypothesized that these factors can contribute to better adaptation to the disease through their impact on disease-related cognitive appraisal. To analyze the links between social support and the knowledge of the disease, on one hand, and disease-related appraisals, on the other hand, one hundred fifty-eight women with stress UI, aged 32 to 79, took part in the study. Questionnaire measures of knowledge of UI, social support, and disease-related appraisals were used in the study. The level of knowledge correlated significantly negatively with the appraisal of the disease as Harm. The global level of social support correlated significantly positively with three disease-related appraisals: Profit, Challenge, and Value. Four subgroups of patients with different constellations of social support and knowledge of the disease were identified in cluster analysis and were demonstrated to differ significantly on four disease-related appraisals: Profit, Challenge, Harm, and Value. Different cognitive appraisals of UI may be specifically related to social support and knowledge of the disease, with social support affective positive disease-related appraisals, and the knowledge affecting the appraisal of Harm.

The primary aim of this study is to determine the principal somatic and motor determinants for elite climbers. Twenty climbers were examined [age: 28.5±6.1 years].The runners were divided into two groups based on their climbing level, according to the International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA). Elite climbers represented a 8b-8c Rotpunkt (RP) climbing level (n = 6), and advanced climbers represented an 7c+-8a RP level (n = 14). The following measurements were assessed: height, weight, lean body mass, upper limb length, arm span, and forearm, arm, thigh and calf circumference. The BMI, Rohrer ratio, and Ape Index were also measured. The following motor tests were assessed: a specific test for finger strength, an arm strength test, and a test of muscle endurance (hanging from 2.5 and 4 cm ledges). In addition, pull ups were used to measure muscle resistance to fatigue. Elite climbers recorded significantly higher values for finger strength than advanced climbers (129.08 vs. 111.54 kg; t₍₁₈₎ = 2.35, p = 0.03) and arm endurance (33.17 vs. 25.75 pull ups; t₍₁₈₎ = 2.54, p = 0.02). In addition, the calf circumference was significantly lower in elite climbers than that in advanced climbers (34.75 vs. 36.93 cm; t₍₁₈₎ = 3.50, p = 0.003). The results suggest that elite climbers have greater finger strength and arm endurance than advanced climbers.

Background. The study aims to analyze the relationship between body posture and composition, as well as postural stability in Parkinson’s disease patients. Material and Methods. 32 people were evaluated. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Posturology at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce (Poland). Body posture was examined using the optoelectronic body posture Formetric Diers Method III 4D. Postural stability was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System platform. Body composition was assessed with the method of bioelectrical impedance analysis using the Tanita MC 780 MA analyzer. Results. 11 patients (34.37%) had hyperkyphosis, 10 (31.25%) hyperlordosis, and 3 (9.37%) hyperkyphosis-hyperlordosis posture. Scoliosis (>10°) was observed in 28 (87.5%) subjects, whereas 4 (12.5%) presented scoliotic body posture (1–9°). In the examined population, all parameters of postural stability were within normal limits. Conclusions. A significant positive correlation was observed between surface rotation (°), General Stability Index (r=0.4075, p=0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3819, p=0.0310). There was also a significant positive correlation between surface rotation (+max) (°), General Stability Index (r=0.3526, p=0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3873, p=0.0285). Metabolic age also presented a significant positive correlation between metabolic age and General Stability Index (r=0.4057, p=0.0212), as well as Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3507, p=0.0490).

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) are commonly considered the early pre-cancerous lesions that can progress to colorectal cancer (CRC). The available literature data reveal that age, dietary factors and lifestyle can affect the development of several dozen percentages of malignant tumours, including CRC. In the present study, an attempt was made to assess the incidence and growth dynamics of ACF and to determine whether the type of diet affected the development and number of AFC. Colonoscopy combined with rectal mucosa staining with 0.25% methylene blue was performed in 131 patients. On the day of examination, each patient completed a questionnaire regarding epidemiological data. According to their numbers, colorectal ACF were divided into three groups. The findings were analysed statistically. The Student’s t test and the U test were applied in order to determine the significance of differences of means and frequency of events in both groups. Statistica 7.1 and Excel 2010 were used. The single ACF occur in the youngest individuals (ACF < 5). Since the age of 38 years, the number of ACF gradually increases to show a decreasing tendency since the age of 60 years. The number of 5 < ACF < 10 occurs slightly later, since the age of 50 years, and dynamically increases reaching the maximum at the age of 62 years, subsequently the increase is proportional. ACF > 10 occur at a more advanced age (55 years) and their number gradually increases with age. The maximum number is observed at the age of 77 years. In individuals not using high-fibre diets and with high intake of red meat, the probability of higher numbers of ACF increases. The probability of higher numbers of ACF (5 < ACF10) was observed in patients with colon diverticula. In patients with higher BMI, the number of ACF is higher. Age significantly affects the number of colorectal ACF. The types of foods consumed can considerably increase the risk of colorectal ACF, which is particularly visible in individuals who do not regularly use high-fibre diets, those obese and with colon diverticula.

The importance of physical activity in preventing chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and the role of exercise as an adjunct therapy are widely recognized. Triathlon is a typically endurance discipline. Prolonged and intensive exercise is known to cause changes in blood rheological properties and biochemical markers; sometimes athletes participating in strenuous competitions need medical attention. To understand the phenomena occurring in the body in such situations, we decided to study participants’ biomarkers after the XTERRA Poland 2017 triathlon competition. The study involved 10 triathletes. The XTERRA Poland 2017 event comprised 1500-m swimming, 36-km cycling, and 10-km mountain running. Blood samples were collected 2 days before, immediately after, and 16 h after the competition. Immediately after the race, white blood cells count, platelets, and uric acid levels were significantly (P < 0.001) increased; haematocrit, Na⁺, Cl^–, and IgA were decreased. On the following day, Na⁺, Cl^–, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly (P < 0.001) increased; white blood cells count, red blood cells count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, platelets, IgG, and IgA were decreased. Assessing rheological parameters such as erythrocyte deformability and aggregation is useful for monitoring adverse effects of intensive and exhaustive exercise. The study illustrates the change in blood rheological properties and biochemical markers after intensive physical effort. Despite these differences, the indicators were within the reference range for the general population, which may demonstrate normal body function in the studied triathletes.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of death worldwide. According to the theory by Vogelstein, colorectal carcinogenesis involves a series of successive changes in the normal colonic mucosa, starting with excessive proliferation and focal disorders of intestinal crypts, followed by adenoma and its subsequent malignant transformation. The first identifiable changes in CRC carcinogenesis are aberrant crypt foci (ACF). ACF are invisible during routine colonoscopy yet are well identifiable in chromoendoscopy using methylene blue or indigo carmine. High-resolution colonoscopes are used for assessment of ACF. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of standard-resolution colonoscopy for identification of rectal ACF. The following parameters were evaluated: duration of chromoendoscopy of a given rectal segment, type of ACF, sensitivity and specificity of endoscopy combined with histopathological evaluation. The mean duration of colonoscopy and chromoendoscopy was 26.8 min. In the study population, typical ACF were found in 73 patients (p = 0.489), hyperplastic ACF in 49 (p = 0.328), and dysplastic ACF in 16 patients (p = 0.107). Mixed ACF were observed in 11 individuals (p = 0.073). The sensitivity of the method was found to be 0.96 whereas its specificity 0.99. Identification of rectal ACF using standard-resolution colonoscopy combined with rectal mucosa staining with 0.25% methylene blue is characterised by high sensitivity and specificity.