The role of mirror neurons in cognitive and social functioning*

Mirror neurons were accidentally discovered during research on the activity of nerve cells which was conducted by a team of Italian scientists in Parma. They observed that certain brain cells were activated when an animal performed a given activity but also when it observed a similar activity performed by someone else. The following discovery of mirror neurons in the human brain initiated a wave of experimental research which confirmed that mirror nerve cells are responsible for understanding the mental state of other humans. This process is much more complicated and important from an evolutionary point of view than it might initially seem. The activity of mirror neurons is noticeable in everyday life, during all interactions with other living beings. This is exhibited through mirroring – the reflection of emotional and epistemic mental states of others based on their behavior. We present the activities of mirror neurons and the theoretical framework of research. Finally, we discuss the results of neurological studies which have made it possible to locate and define in detail the role of the mirror neuron system in the human brain.

Lead – factors affecting its content in bone tissue

Lead is an element whose presence in the environment results mainly from man’s activities. It infiltrates the bodies of living organisms in many ways; in the human body, it has a multidirectional activity, causing anemia, kidney damage, mental retardation in children, genotoxicity, impaired immune function, damage to the nervous system and an inhibition of heme synthesis. Lead also affects bones; its concentrations there, in contrast to soft tissues, are dependent on exposure and increase throughout ones lifespan. This element is the most often studied and described metal in the bone tissue. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence the content of lead in the bone tissue and trace its content in this tissue based on literature data. The analysis of the collected literature showed an incredibly wide range of lead content in human bones was observed. This could be due to the different methods of determination (AAS, ICP-AES, K x-ray fluorescence) and the weight of the sample (dry or wet).

Analysis of the styles of coping with stress in women in the preoperative period

IntroductionStress constitutes a serious social and health problem. At the beginning of the 21st century, it became a very common and popular topic in medicine. As such, it is important to conduct studies on the causes of preoperative stress and strategies of dealing with it, especially in a hospital environment. Our research results, alongside numerous other studies, show that the problem is still present.The aim of the study was to analyze the styles of coping with stress in women before surgeries using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS).Materials and methodsThe study was conducted on 339 women admitted to a surgical gynecology clinic. A diagnostic survey with a questionnaire CISS was conducted.ResultsThe most dominant style of coping with stress is the avoidance-oriented style which is prevalent in 35.4% of respondents. The study shows that use of the avoidance-oriented style decreases with age (p = 0.007). Younger women try to avoid stress by socializing more frequently than older individuals. Less-educated women focus on avoiding stress more often (p = 0.017) than well-educated women who are more task-oriented (p = 0.011). Women with fewer past surgeries seek social contact to avoid stress more frequently (p = 0.019). Engaging in substitutive activities is more prevalent among women who underwent surgeries where the abdominal cavity is opened.Conclusions1. Gynecological surgeries are a source of stress and a great emotional burden for women. 2. Older, well-educated women show better skills in coping with preoperative stress. 3. Most respondents use the avoidance-oriented style.

Radiopaque gauze migrating into the intestine – a case presentation

Despite the meticulous monitoring of surgical material using the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, gauze sponges and surgical instruments continue to be left inside patients after operations. It is an important issue for surgeons, operating room nurses and the entire medical team. Foreign bodies retained in the system may cause many disorders and result in potentially serious consequences for patients, including death. As well as this, further procedures are needed to remove them and treat any subsequent complications. Retained foreign bodies are rare, but intraluminal migration of the foreign body should be considered extraordinary. Very few cases have been reported so far. The authors believe that it is desirable to perform a wide range of diagnostic imaging in such cases.

Recurrence of Dupuytren’s disease following surgery – an analysis of the causes and incidence

The incidence of recurrence Dupuytren’s disease after surgery is estimated up to 50% in relation to progression of the disease, treatment modality and time of the follow-up. The objective of this study was an analysis of the causes and frequency of recurrences among 67 patients following surgery for recurrent Dupuytren’s disease in the author’s institution in the years 2016–2018. The 67 patients comprised 56 men (83%) and 11 women (17%) at a mean age of 59 years (range 40–81), of which 27 patients (40%) had undergone a 2nd operation to the same hand, 22 patients (33%) had undergone a 3rd operation, 14 (21%) had undergone a 4th operation, and the remaining 4 patients had each undergone more than 5 operations on the same hand. The defined rate of recurrence in the analysed period was 20%. The mean time interval from the last operation and the appearance of signs of a relapse was 14 months; in 42 patients (63%) it was less than 1 year (3–12 months) and in the remaining 25 (37%) 1–4 years. Progressing contracture of the previously operated finger and contracture of the adjacent finger which was not involved at the 1st operation, was the most frequently observed pattern of recurrence, found in 29 patients; it was a combination of true recurrence and extension of the disease. The number of operations performed in a given patient was found to be a statistically significant risk factor of recurrence.

Tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in the peritoneal fluid in patients with peritonitis – is the key towards intraperitoneal adhesions and complications?

IntroductionThe concentrations of tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in the peritoneal fluid and blood plasma in patients with peritonitis were examined. The fibrinogenesis of the peritoneal cavity is not well-known although it is regarded as the main cause of intraperitoneal adhesions and the complications that arise from this.Materials and methodsThe study enrolled a group of 77 consecutive patients with peritonitis, 28 women and 49 men aged 18–79 years (with an average age of 45 ±18 years). The patients were divided into 2 subgroups: those with complications (n = 64) and those without (n = 13). Concentrations of TF and TFPI in the peritoneal fluid and blood plasma of patients were examined.ResultsIn the peritoneal fluid, patients with complications had a higher concentration of TF (p < 0.007), but a lower concentration of TFPI (p < 0.0006). In blood plasma, TF was higher but TFPI was lower (p < 0.00001 in both). The area under curve (AUC) for TF and TFPI was 0.763 and 0.93 respectively, the cut-off point was 809.08 pg/mL and 21.6 pg/mL, respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for TF was 68% and 75% and for TFPI, 80% and 85%, respectively.ConclusionsThe data can be taken as an example of cross-linking between extravascular coagulation and intraperitoneal adhesions. On the basis of TF and TFPI, it is clearly illustrated that there is some connection between coagulation and peritoneal fibrinogenesis, which could be involved in the pathogenesis of many complications in abdominal surgery and also indicate therapeutic targets.

The influence of changes in the form of physician postgraduate residency training on their ability to perform post-traumatic examination as an emergency procedure

IntroductionPost-traumatic examination methods have been developed for the easier and more efficient management of trauma patients. Performed according to a scheme, post-traumatic examination must be well-learned and repeatedly practised. Training for this has radically changed in recent years in Poland.The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 different forms of physician postgraduate residency training by assessing how well trainee physicians carry out post-traumatic examinations.Materials and methodsThe study involved 2 groups of trainee physicians who were tasked with performing a full post-traumatic examination on simulated patients. Group I consisted of 81 physicians who had taken part in postgraduate residency training in 2011, and group II was comprised of 63 trainee physicians who had undergone such training in 2015. A Laerdal MegaCode Kelly manikin was employed in the project. All simulated patients had the same external injuries and vital function parameters.ResultsNone of the physicians in group I correctly carried out all 4 procedures for preliminary assessment (consciousness, airway patency, breath, and blood circulation), and only 7.14% managed to correctly perform 3 of these procedures. In group II, all 4 procedures were executed correctly by 9.52% of the physicians, and 3 procedures by 14.29% (p < 0.001). Quick post-traumatic examination was performed correctly by 4.76% of the physicians from group II but by none of the physicians from group I (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn both groups of trainee physicians, the ability to recognize a life-threatening situation and to perform a posttraumatic examination was inadequate. Postgraduate residency training in both its previous and present form did not guarantee a satisfactory knowledge in this subject.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction in a patient with Lyme disease

Borreliosis (Lyme disease) is a chronic multisystem infectious disease transmitted by Ixodes ticks. The etiological agent of borreliosis is the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The symptoms of borreliosis can vary depending on the attacked system and length of infection. Diagnosis is based mainly on clinical symptoms and immunoserological tests. The clinical symptoms of borreliosis also include dysfunction in the tissues and organs of the stomatognathic system. This paper describes a case of a female patient who had experienced a long-term dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). After careful analysis, the symptoms were found to be caused by a chronic form of neuroborreliosis with exacerbations. The findings in this case study show that borreliosis should be considered by doctors and dentists in the differential diagnosis of pain in the area of the TMJ.

Environmental factors and psychomotor development in children up to the age of 3

Introduction Chemical compounds and other pollutants found in the environment have a well-documented, adverse effect on the life and health of individuals. Those who are most vulnerable to toxic effects include prospective parents, pregnant women, foetuses, and young children. In Poland, both the prevention and early detection of developmental abnormalities is insufficient. The objective of the study was to analyse how the pre- and postnatal development of a child is affected by toxicants the mother has been exposed to. Materials and methods The study was conducted in the form of a diagnostic survey. The degree of toxic exposure was assessed based on Wawrzynów’s questionnaire, the Mothers’ Toxic Exposure Assessment Questionnaire’ (Kwestionariusz Oceny Narażenia Matek Dzieci na Toksyny – KONT-15). The evaluation of child development was based on the following psychometric tools: the Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics (MFDD), the Speech (MM-speech) and Reflex (MM-reflexes) Development Questionnaire, IRMIK (Inwentarz Rozwoju Mowy i Komunikacji) – the Polish adaptation of the MacArthur-Bates Communication Development Inventories (CDI), and the Child Development (RD-18) questionnaire, also designed by Wawrzynów. Results The study included 102 mothers of children up to 3 years of age. Most of the surveyed mothers indicated large urban agglomerations with more than 100,000 inhabitants as their current place of residence. The study demonstrated that a substantial majority of the mothers had come into contact with toxicants. A statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between developmental delays in children and high exposure to toxins in mothers. There was no statistically significant relationship between maternal exposure to toxins and delays in the development of speech and reflexes. Conclusions Environmental pollutants found primarily in air, food, medication, and everyday items, exert a negative influence on childhood development. A high maternal exposure to toxins contributes to developmental delays in speech and reflexes in children. Delays in speech and communication development were observed more frequently in children who were older. Developmental delays in children were more common among younger children.

Young people's lifestyle and frequency of physical activity – an original study

Introduction A healthy lifestyle, including healthy eating, frequent physical activity, abstention from recreational substances, appropriate amounts of sleep and restricted amounts of television and computer time have a positive impact on the development and health of adolescents. The aim of the study was to assess selected aspects of adolescent lifestyle with a focus on rates of physical activity. Materials and methods The study material included a questionnaire completed by 304 secondary school students. The answers were analysed with respect to the physical activity of the respondents and then grouped accordingly: group 1 consisted of respondents with a low rate of physical activity, group 2 with a moderate rate of physical activity and group 3 with a high rate of physical activity. Differences in the the percentages of healthy behaviour the groups engaged in was assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA on ranks test. Post hoc, a 2-way test with Bonferroni correction was performed. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results The recommended number of 4–5 meals a day is consumed mostly by individuals from group 2 (52.94%) and to the least extent by those in group 1 (47.17%). The recommended daily consumption of fruit is mostly reported by respondents from group 3 (39.34%) and the least, by those from group 1 (26.42%). Subjects from group 2 are least likely to drink alcohol, which is harmful for one's health (26.47%); this group also includes the largest number of individuals who do not smoke cigarettes (69.12%). The most favorable behaviour with regards to sleep is displayed by subjects from group 3, in which 10.38% of participants slept for the recommended 8–10 h a day. Conclusions The majority of adolescents, regardless of the frequency of physical activity they undertook, had an unhealthy lifestyle. The most favourable lifestyle was led by subjects who performed physical activity between once a week and a few times a month.