Dietary habits and adequate dietary intake of antioxidants in the diet may be one of the most important environmental factors for the prevention of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

The aim of the study was to analyze the level of stigmatization among patients with plaque psoriasis according to their demographic and clinical characteristics. The study included 122 patients who completed the 6-item and 33-item Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire and a sociodemographic survey. The analysis of the 6-item Stigmatization Scale showed a mean stigmatization score of 6.4 points. (Me = 6; s = 3.7); the mean score for the 33-item scale was 81.3 points (Me = 79.5; s = 19.9). Female patients felt stigmatized more often than males. Respondents living in the countryside had a stronger sense of stigmatization in the Sensitivity to Others’ Attitudes (p = 0.0238) and Secretiveness (p = 0.0234) domains. The presence of psoriatic lesions across the entire body was the only explanatory variable significantly determining the level of stigmatization in the Positive Attitudes domain, either through the main effect or through the interaction with the patient sex. A highly significant difference was found for the feeling of being flawed domain (p = 0.044), with a mean score of 13.4 points. The issue of stigmatization in psoriasis deserves more attention, as the analysis of this problem may provide a better insight into the effect of the disease on the patient’s condition, not merely in the context of its clinical manifestation.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland. We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures. Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250±99min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% - emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b-TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization - in 30.7%, mRS of 0-2 - in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases. Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guidelines.

Osteoarthritis of the spine is a common disease and constitutes a significant problem in highly developed countries. Due to the aging of the population, the number of patients with advanced degenerative changes continues to grow. Trace elements and antioxidant status may play an active role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the spine. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between total antioxidant status (TAS), the concentration of selected elements (Zn, Cu, Se, Mn) in the serum, nutritional and environmental factors, the severity of pain, and images of degenerative changes in the spine demonstrated in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS). The study included 90 patients with degenerative spine disease and 40 healthy people. Serum Zn, Cu, Se, and Mn concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Cu/Zn molar ratio was calculated. TAS was determined spectrophotometrically using a ready-made Randox kit. The severity of spine pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale VAS. In the ¹H MRS study, the fat/water ratio was determined in L1 and L5 vertebral bodies and in the L4/5 intervertebral disc. In patients with osteoarthritis of the spine, there was a reduced concentration of Zn and Cu in the serum (0.77 ± 0.22 mg/L, 1.1 ± 0.35 mg/L) compared to the control group (0.83 ± 0.13 mg/L, 1.25 ± 0.41 mg/L, respectively). In the study group, we also observed a significantly lower Cu concentration in smokers (1.07 ± 0.35 mg/L) compared to non-smokers (1.17 ± 0.34 mg/L). A relationship between the female sex and a decreased concentration of TAS in the serum, both in people with degenerative spine disease and in healthy people, has been demonstrated. In patients with serum TAS levels below the reference values, the fat/water ratio was higher in the L5 spine shaft, while in those with elevated Mn levels, the value was higher in the L4/L5 intervertebral disc, which indicates a greater degree of degeneration in both cases. Patients with normal serum Cu concentration experienced lower pain intensity assessed in the VAS scale. The study showed some abnormalities in serum trace element levels and TAS in patients with osteoarthritis of the spine.

Macronutrients and toxic elements may play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the spine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Pb, Cd and Hg in blood with the results of hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the severity of pain. Patients with osteoarthritis of the spine (n = 90) and control subjects (n = 40) were studied. The concentrations of mineral components in blood were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (ASA). Spinal pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) was used to determine the fat/water ratio in the bodies of L1, L5 and the L4/5 intervertebral disc. The median concentration of Mg in the serum of subjects with spinal degenerative disease was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that in healthy subjects. The median concentration of Cd in the blood of subjects with osteoarthritis of the spine was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the control group. Significantly lower (p < 0.05) median molar ratios of Ca to Cd and Pb as well as Mg to Pb and Cd were observed among patients with osteoarthritis of the spine. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the value of the fat/water ratio in selected spinal structures, depending on normal or abnormal serum Ca and Mg concentrations. The study showed some abnormal macronutrient concentrations, as well as disturbed ratios of beneficial elements to toxic elements in the blood of people with osteoarthritis of the spine.