In recent years, the widespread of microplastics in the food chain and environment became a topic of much research. This article focused on the knowledge and awareness of people with higher education levels—mostly young ones. The aim of this study is to analyze to what extent consumers know about and are aware of the source of microplastics, the level of exposure, and potential health hazards connected to the contamination of food and water with microplastics. The test group, consisting of 410 people, is mostly able to correctly characterize what microplastics mean and knows its sources. A majority of the group is aware of potential presence of microplastics in water; however, the knowledge about contamination of other elements of the environment seems to be gradually lowering. The majority of the people taking part in the research know that microplastic might be present in foods, and they are aware that after entering the human body, it might accumulate in internal organs. Moreover, when asked about potential health hazards, the group chose mostly tumors and gastrointestinal disorders, while disorders of the reproductive system were chosen less frequently. Consumers’ knowledge regarding the sources and health hazards of microplastics seems to be more common among women, in groups living in cities and among people who studied physics-related subjects and medicine.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are an ever-growing problem, seen most commonly among young women. People with EDs are particularly predisposed to restrictive eating patterns. Diet therapy for many diseases involves the elimination of certain food groups, and the use of restrictive diets in people with EDs may indirectly influence the recurrence of the disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the possible presence of EDs and orthorexia symptoms among young women following a traditional, alternative (vegetarian), or therapeutic (low FODMAP) diet. Methods: The analysis was based on 420 responses from female respondents aged 19 to 30 years. The research tool consisted of questionnaires to assess the possible presence of EDs (SCOFF), cognitive-behavioral aspects of eating (TFEQ-13), and the presence of orthorexia symptoms (ORTO-15). Results: Uncontrolled and emotional eating was least common in women on a vegetarian diet (5.6 ± 3.7; 3.5 ± 2.7; p < 0.05). Women on a low FODMAP diet were most prevalent with symptoms of orthorexia (n = 37, 47.4%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: It seems important to perform screening tests for eating disorders before recommending diet therapy in order to individually adjust the dietary regimen and refer patients to appropriate specialists.

Cancer is a disease of genomic instability, a multistep process involving numerous mutations and chromosomal aberrations. Telomeres are highly specialized structures at the ends of chromosomes and function to stabilize and protect the ends of linear chromosomes, therefore determining cellular immortalization. Homeostasis of telomere length is a multifactor-dependent process. Since cellular immortalization is an early and essential step towards cancer, the aim of the present study was to determine immortalization genes that are significant in colon cancer and assess their usefulness in the early diagnosis of this tumor. Expression profiles of 119 transcripts known to be involved in cellular immortalization were assessed with oligonucleotide microarrays in 13 probes of colon adenocarcinoma (low and high clinical stages) and 9 probes of controls (normal colon tissue) and were compared among these groups with the use of the Significant Analysis Microarray (SAM) software and independently verified with the effect size parameter. Eighteen genes with significantly differential expression between high clinical stage colon cancer and the control group, and 21 with differential expression between low clinical stage colon cancer and the control group were identified. Nine genes showing altered expression in both low and high clinical stage colon cancer: ACD (TPP1), DKC1 and ERCC1, MYC, MAX, NBN, NOLA2, PRKDC and HSP82 should, in particular, be the subjects of further studies including QRT-PCR methods.

Background: Epidemiological data concerning the level of asthma morbidity indicate that in Poland, asthma is diagnosed in 5–10% of the pediatric population. Aim The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and allergies in a group of children with and without asthma and to evaluate the association between exposure to environmental factors and the prevalence of bronchial asthma in a pediatric population. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of 995 children attending primary schools in the province of Silesia in 2018–2019. The research tool was an anonymous questionnaire developed based on the form used in The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Children’s health status, the prevalence of bronchial asthma, and the performance of allergic skin tests were assessed based on parents’ indications in a questionnaire. Environmental exposures such as mold and dampness in apartments or ETS were similarly assessed. Analyses were performed using Statistica 13.0; p < 0.05. Results: A total of 88 subjects (8.8%) suffered from bronchial asthma. Parents of children with asthma, compared to parents of children without the disease, were more likely to rate their children’s health as rather good (43.2% vs. 38.0%) or average (21.6% vs. 3.1%). All analyzed respiratory symptoms, as well as allergies, were statistically more frequent in children with bronchial asthma. Conclusions: The parent’s subjective assessment of the child’s health varied significantly according to the asthma diagnosis. Asthma is also associated with other diseases: allergic reactions to pollen, house dust, hay fever, and AD (atopic dermatitis) were statistically significantly more frequent among children diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

Background: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a consequence of coronary vessel atherosclerosis and they are a leading cause of death in industrialized countries. One of the ACS causative factors is the deranged ratio equilibrium of the matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (MMPs/TIMPs). Aims: Assessment of transcriptional activity of metalloproteinase genes using Human Genome-U133A oligonucleotide microarrays and selection of candidate genes differentiating ACS patients from healthy subjects and finally, QRT-PCR (quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction) confirmation of the results. Settings and Design: The study involved 67 ACS patients, admitted on a consecutive basis, to the Cardiology Clinic as well as 24 healthy subjects (control). Materials and Methods: Ribonucleic acid isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells was analyzed by QRT-PCR. Transcriptional activity of the analyzed gene was assessed with TaqMan gene expression assays. Statistical Analysis: U Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the results. Results: Homogeneity of the investigated group was assessed through hierarchical clusterization whereas the nine genes differentiating ACS patients from healthy persons were selected using the Bland-Altman technique. Among these genes three (platelet derived growth factor D, NUAK family SNF1-like kinase 1 and peroxisomal biogenesis factor 1) showed decreased transcriptional activity whereas the remaining six genes (MMP-2 and MMP-9, CDK5RAP3, transmembrane BAX inhibitor motif containing 1, adenylate cyclase-associated protein 1 and TIMP-2) were increased. MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were further characterized by QRT-PCR. Conclusions: The obtained results permit to conclude that the increased expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2) is responsible for disturbed equilibrium of the metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitors system and as a consequence, for destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque and occurrence of the acute coronary syndrome in the investigated group of patients.

Older adults show lower physical activity. These changes altogether promote the development of overweight, obesity, and other chronic diseases. These factors substantially influence the quality of life and self-esteem of older adults. This phenomenon is especially visible after the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 12-week reductive diet and a 12-week physical activity plan for older adults on the global self-esteem of lifestyle in 60–70-year-old women. Materials and methods: Our participants were 600 women with increased body mass (BMI > 25 kg/m²) aged 60–70 years. After the initial evaluation, the participants were randomly divided into three groups: CG—control group (n = 200); DI—dietary group (n = 200) that committed to a 12-week reductive diet; PA—physical activity group (n = 200) that committed to a 12-week physical activity plan. The global self-esteem score (using the SES Rosenberg scale) and the anthropometric measurements were collected before and after the 12-week study. In the statistical analysis of data, the significance level was assumed to be 0.05. Results: The global self-esteem score for all groups before the study started was 30–31 points, which corresponded to average self-esteem. After a 12-week dietary or physical activity intervention, the score in the DI group was 33, which corresponded with high self-esteem. In the CG group, the self-esteem score remained unchanged (30 points). The average body mass loss was 0.5 kg/m² for CG, 1.92 kg/m² for DI, and 1.10 kg/m² for the PA group. The average waist–hip ratio (WHR) change for CG, DI, and PA was 1 cm, 1 cm, and 2 cm, respectively. A decrease in body mass and body composition indicators (BMI and WHR) corresponded to participants’ global self-esteem increase (p < 0.05); the greater the decrease noted for BMI and WHR, the greater the global self-esteem score that was achieved. In the CG group, a negative correlation between global self-esteem and BMI value (p < 0.05) was observed. Conclusions: A 12-week reductive diet and a 12-week regular physical activity plan lowered participants’ body mass. Adipose tissue content was reflected by decreased BMI and WHR indicators of participants from the DI and PA groups and was accompanied by higher global self-esteem scores.