Cancer of the breast

Free radical metabolism in human erythrocytes.

Malondialdehyde as biomarker of oxidative damage to lipids caused by smoking.

Most research on the effects of chemicals on biologic systems is conducted on one chemical at a time. However, in the real world people are exposed to mixtures, not single chemicals. Although various substances may have totally independent actions, in many cases two substances may act at the same site in ways that can be either additive or nonadditive. Many even more complex interactions may occur if two chemicals act at different but related targets. In the extreme case there may be synergistic effects, in which case the effects of two substances together are greater than the sum of either effect alone. In reality, most persons are exposed to many chemicals, not just one or two, and therefore the effects of a chemical mixture are extremely complex and may differ for each mixture depending on the chemical composition. This complexity is a major reason why mixtures have not been well studied. In this review we attempt to illustrate some of the principles and approaches that can be used to study effects of mixtures. By the nature of the state of the science, this discussion is more a presentation of what we do not know than of what we do know about mixtures. We approach the study of mixtures at three levels, using specific examples. First, we discuss several human diseases in relation to a variety of environmental agents believed to influence the development and progression of the disease. We present results of selected cellular and animal studies in which simple mixtures have been investigated. Finally, we discuss some of the effects of mixtures at a molecular level.

http://www.rachel.org/files/document/Understanding_the_Human_Health_Effects_of_Chem.pdf

Understanding the human health effects of chemical mixtures.

Factors influencing urinary tract infections depend on a balance between bacterial virulence (bacterial adhesion to tissues, hemolysin, and aerobactin) and on the host's defenses (local immunoglobulin production). Predisposing factors for the development of urinary tract infections in women are physiologic changes with aging, use of catheters, and genitourinary operations. Therapy for uncomplicated urinary tract infections usually consists of a single dose of medication for 3 to 7 days, although the 1-day regimen was proved to be quite effective. Treatment of complicated urinary tract infections is by intravenous medications. New drugs for treatment of urinary tract infections are also reviewed.

Urinary tract infections in women.

Antioxidant defence of red blood cells and plasma in stored human blood

Vesicouterine fistula — an analysis of 24 cases from Poland

Objectives: To analyze the incidence of spontaneous closure, or non-surgical resolution, of vesicouterine fistula and discuss the resultant implications for the management <i&gt

Spontaneous closure of vesicouterine fistula. Account for effective hormonal treatment.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of infection during pregnancy, affecting up to 10% of pregnant women. They are also recognized as the second most common ailment of pregnancy, after anemia. Three clinical types of pregnancy-related UTI are distinguished: asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), cystitis, and pyelonephritis. A particular form of ASB is the presence of Group B streptococci in the urinary tract of the pregnant woman. All clinical types of UTI may lead to serious maternal and fetal complications. Therefore, unlike in the nonpregnant female patient, all UTIs during pregnancy, including the asymptomatic infection, require treatment. In some patients, antibiotic prophylaxis should also be introduced. In the present work, we collectively summarize current practical recommendations from a number of international bodies and organizations.

Urinary tract infections during pregnancy - an updated overview.

Background: This study aimed to determine the relationship between stress intensity and coping strategies and the quality of life and health among nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia Methods: The study was performed on a group of 1002 nursing students from three European countries A diagnostic survey was used as a research method and the data collection was based on the Perceived Stress Scale PSS-10, Mini-COPE Coping Inventory-and the WHOQoL-Bref questionnaire Results: The average age of all the respondents was 216 years (±34) Most of the surveyed students rated their stress intensity over the last month as moderate or high Comparison of the results of the stress levels in relation to the country of residence did not reveal statistically significant differences In the group of Polish students, the most positive relationship between active coping strategies and the quality of life in the psychological (r = 043; p < 0001) and physical health domain (r = 042; p < 0001) were most strongly marked Among Slovak students, significant correlations of low intensity were found between active coping strategies and the quality of life in the physical health (r = 015; p < 001), psychological (r = 021; p < 0001), social relationships (r = 012; p < 005) and environment (r = 019; p < 0001) domain In overcoming stressful situations, Spanish students used the Sense of Humour strategy, which is considered less effective, although very useful in some cases In this group, the strongest positive correlation was found for the psychological domain (r = 040; p < 0001) Conclusions: There is a need to implement prevention and stress coping programmes at every stage of studies to ensure effective protection against the negative effects of stress and to improve the quality of life of nursing students

Marcin Jóźwik

Papers

Antioxidant defence of red blood cells and plasma in stored human blood

Vesicouterine fistula — an analysis of 24 cases from Poland

Spontaneous closure of vesicouterine fistula. Account for effective hormonal treatment.

Urinary tract infections during pregnancy - an updated overview.

Analysis of the Relationship between Stress Intensity and Coping Strategy and the Quality of Life of Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia.