Papers by Wiola Żukiewicz-Sobczak
International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, Jan 4, 2018
Journal of Health Inequalities, 2017
Introduction: Most countries have witnessed an increasingly sedentary lifestyle in recent decades... more Introduction: Most countries have witnessed an increasingly sedentary lifestyle in recent decades. Experts estimate that only one third of adolescents undertake sufficient physical activity to guarantee normal physical, mental and emotional development. Study aims: To determine the frequency of PE (Physical Education) lessons as well as after-school movement activities and sedentary behaviour. To establish the association between physical activity, TV watching and computer use (screen time) with the risks of overweight and obesity in students. Material and methods: A survey of 3,548 middle school students, 4,423 from high school and 5,595 university students was performed in 2011. In the former two groupings, the questionnaire had been devised by Poland's GIS (Chief Sanitary Inspectorate), based on one previously employed for WHO global school-based student health survey (GSHS) studies. The university students used an electronic questionnaire made available on an internet site from Lublin, Poland. Results: Half the middle and high school students undertook 2 to 5 hours of physical activity per week, while only 16% of university students did so. In their free time after school, one quarter of middle and high school students engaged in selected sporting activities, usually for one hour each week. Of the university students, 84% did not undertake any movement activities at all. Excessive body mass was most frequently found in students spending 3 to 4 hours per day watching TV or using computers. Conclusions: Students, in particular at the university level, demonstrated a somewhat poor commitment to undertaking PE lessons or other movement activities, whilst focusing mainly on sedentary activities.
Journal of Health Inequalities, 2017
Introduction: According to a report from the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)... more Introduction: According to a report from the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), there are 200 million overweight and obese school children in the world today. To assess body mass for students in Poland, in middle schools, high schools and universities, according to growth charts and BMI. Also, to investigate the link between chosen dietary habits and the risks to these subjects of being overweight and obese. Material and methods: The 13,566 subjects surveyed in 2011 consisted of middle school (3,548), high school (4,423) and university (5,595) students. The two younger groups received a questionnaire that had been devised by GIS (Poland's Chief Sanitary Inspectorate) based on one previously used for the WHO's global school-based student health survey (GSHS). An electronic questionnaire was used for the university students, made available at a designated internet site. Results: Overweight rates of 13%, 11% and 14% were found in students from middle-school, high-school and university. Overall obesity rates were 3%. Most subject ate three meals daily, although almost 1 in 5 said they ate only 1 to 2 meals daily. Snacking between meals was admitted by 84%, 89% and 89% of students, respectively, whereas corresponding rates for nighttime eating were 24%, 37% and 36%. Conclusions: The survey demonstrated that overweight status, according to growth charts and BMI, occurs in 13%, 11% and 14% of subjects in each student group, respectively. Overall, obesity accounts for 3% of respondents. Numerous instances of abnormal dietary habits were found, highlighted by irregular mealtimes, between-meal snacking and nighttime eating.
Journal of Health Inequalities, 2016
Introduction: The "Keep Fit!" programme is an initiative for promoting healthy lifestyles in scho... more Introduction: The "Keep Fit!" programme is an initiative for promoting healthy lifestyles in school children, which uses a twopronged approach of focusing on a balanced diet combined with regular physical activity. Hitherto, nine editions of the programme have taken place, involving more than seven million pupils attending over 8800 schools. Due to its scope and coverage being so wide, the "Keep Fit!" programme was recognised as being the largest educational programme in the European Union. The aim of the present study was to investigate the health behaviours of pupils and students in Poland, with focus on their eating habits, physical activity, selfassessed weight, psychoactive substance use, and the impact that taking part in the "Keep Fit!" programme had on changing their lifestyle. Material and methods: The study involved crosssectional surveys in Poland conducted in 2009 among randomly selected samples of junior highschool pupils (ages 1316), and in 2011 of pupils attending junior high school, high school (ages 1719), as well as university students aged 25 and younger. The questionnaire was devised by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS). Data was analysed from correctly completed questionnaires among 9,360 and 11,863 eligible respondents in 2009 and 2011, respectively. Results: Among eligible survey respondents, 53% (4970) in 2009 and 14% (1674) took part in the "Keep Fit!" programme. Both in 2009 and 2011 the "Keep Fit!" programme has made a significant and beneficial impact in terms of eating habits and physical activity among programme participants. Conclusions: The "Keep Fit!" programme should be continued so as to prevent overweight, obesity, and other chronic noncommunicable diseases from occurring in schoolchildren. KEY WORDS: diet, physical activity, health behaviour, children and adolescents, "Keep Fit!" programme, Poland. KEY FINDINGS 1. The results suggest that the national "Keep Fit!" programme had beneficial effects on shaping attitudes and behaviour regarding proper nutrition and maintaining a physically active lifestyle. 2. "Keep Fit!" participants showed an increased health awareness reflecting the effectiveness of the programme and the need for its continuation in subsequent years of school education.
Journal of Health Inequalities, 2016
Introduction: The National "Keep Fit" Programme is aimed at educating school children and their f... more Introduction: The National "Keep Fit" Programme is aimed at educating school children and their families so as to achieve sustainable development of pro-healthy eating habits through promoting an active lifestyle and balanced diet. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationships between mealtime rates, self-assessment of weight and measurable body mass index (BMI), estimated slimming rates and undertaken physical activity for junior high school and high school pupils along with university students in Poland, taking into account gender, age, place of residence and whether they took part in the "Keep Fit" programme. Material and methods: Subjects were 13,537 youngsters aged 12-18 years randomly selected in 2011. Of those, girls and boys not participating in the programme (non-participants) numbered respectively 6,535 (89.42%) and 5,328 (85.54%), whilst girls and boys who participated numbered respectively 773 (10.58%) and 901 (14.46%). For the junior high school and high school pupils, the research tool was a questionnaire developed by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, based on one previously used in a GSHS study. Students were however surveyed by electronic means, using forms available on a specific website of the Institute of Agricultural Medicine. Data analysis was performed by the STATISTICA 10.0 programme. Significance was taken as p being not greater than 0.05. Results: Participating in the "Keep Fit" programme had a beneficial effect on the number of mealtimes as well as the desire to maintain current body weights. There was no association/agreement between selfassessment of weight and the measurable BMI. Mostly it was male students participating in the "Keep Fit" programme who demonstrated higher weekly levels of physical activity compared to those not participating. Conclusions: The results suggest that the national "Keep Fit" programme had beneficial effects on shaping attitudes and behaviour regarding proper nutrition and maintaining a physically active lifestyle. These subjects showed an increased health awareness reflecting the effectiveness of the programme and the need for its continuation in subsequent years of school education.
Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny, 2014
Lyme disease (LB) relatively commonly causes arthritis among patients, especially in LB endemic a... more Lyme disease (LB) relatively commonly causes arthritis among patients, especially in LB endemic area. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of LB in children with hip and knee effusion in the North Eastern region of Poland. Conclusions from our study should justify the need of taking into account LB in the diagnosis of hip or knee effusion in children. The medical records of 321 children, aged 2-18 years, with synovitis of the hip or knee were reviewed. In 273 cases with hip effusion: 32 (11.72%) patients were diagnosed with LB, 233 (85.74%) with transient arthritis, 6 (2.19%) with purulent arthritis, and 2 (0.73%) with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In 48 cases with knee effusion: 12 (25%) patients were diagnosed with Lyme arthritis, 24 (50%) with transient arthritis, 5 (10.42%) with reactive arthritis, 4 (8.33%) with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and 3 (6.25%) with purulent arthritis. The high prevalence of LB in children with hip or knee effusion in endemic areas su...
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2014
The purpose of this study was evaluation of the prevalence of co-infection with Borrelia species,... more The purpose of this study was evaluation of the prevalence of co-infection with Borrelia species, A. phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in patients with tickborne encephalitis (TBE). At total of 110 patients with TBE were included in the study. Serological tests for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), PCR for Borrelia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp., blood smears for A. phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. and BLAST analysis for Babesia spp. were performed. Results showed a significant majority of patients co-infected with Borrelia species (30/110; 27 %), much less with A. phagocytophilum (12/110; 10.9 %) and with Babesia spp. (1/110; 0.9 %). The BLAST analysis of the 18S rDNA sequence obtained with the Babesia spp. specific primers indicated that the patient was infected with Babesia microti. Triple co-infections (TBEV-Borrelia species-A. phagocytophilum) were observed in three (3/110; 2.7 %) patients. Conclusions were such that differential diagnosis in patients after the tick bite, presenting with acute symptoms, should include not only TBE and Lyme disease, but also other diseases transmitted by ticks. In patients with low parasitemia in suspicion of Babesia spp. infection PCR seems to be a more sensitive method than blood smear. Coinfection with various tick-borne pathogens must be always considered, especially in endemic regions. Justyna Dunaj is a scholar of project: "Study, research, commercialize-UMB doctoral candidate support programme" section 8.2.1 of Operational Programme Human Capital, co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund.
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, 2013
Allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, asthma, airborne dermatitis... more Allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, asthma, airborne dermatitis, or allergic conjunctivitis, can be caused or aggravated by components of bioaerosol from natural environment or from indoor environment in enclosed spaces, workplaces and homes. The main components of bioaerosol are fungi and their metabolites, which are common in the environment.
Industrial Crops and Products, 2014
Polyphenols are a very important group of pharmacologically active compounds. The extraction yiel... more Polyphenols are a very important group of pharmacologically active compounds. The extraction yield of selected phenolic acids and flavonoids from Equisetum arvense L. herb has been determined by use different methods of extraction-Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound assisted extraction (USAE), and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). Methanol and 80% aqueous methanol were used as extractants. The crude extracts were evaporated to dryness and prepared for fractionation of the analyzed compounds by solid-phase extraction (SPE). An alternative method used for the isolation and purification of analyzed polyphenols was matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD). Samples containing the phenolic fraction were analyzed by RP-HPLC. Quantitative analysis was performed by the external standard method and use of a calibration plot for each standard. The most effective technique was ultrasound assisted extraction. Only for caffeic acid the highest yield gave exhaustive extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus. The methods were validated in terms of accuracy, precision LOD and LOQ.
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2017
Study aims 1. Determining the age and the most common circumstances at which nicotine initiation ... more Study aims 1. Determining the age and the most common circumstances at which nicotine initiation begins in secondary school and high school students in Poland.
Journal of Central European Agriculture, 2017
The purpose of this paper was to determine the quality of herbal teas produced using the non-pres... more The purpose of this paper was to determine the quality of herbal teas produced using the non-pressure agglomeration of fine-grained fractions of herbs, compared with their counterparts available on the market. In prepared infusions, the total polyphenol content was determined, using the Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent, as well as the antioxidative activity with the use of the DPPH radical and L* a* b* colour parameters, according to the CIELab colour scale, were identified. Moreover, the iron, lead and cadmium ion content in the raw materials used in the manufacture of herbal granules was determined. Herbal infusions presented high but diversified active compound content. Infusions prepared from herbal granules displayed lower antioxidative properties and higher polyphenol content than commercially available teas. Infusions obtained from herbal granules of the smallest size had the darkest colour. Results of the analyses show that infusions obtained from granulated herbal powder do not pose any health hazard, and bio-active compounds contained therein may improve consumers' health. Non-pressure agglomeration of fine-grained herbal fractions may be used as an alternative method for their management.
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, 2016
To detect and assess the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and to find differences in ... more To detect and assess the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and to find differences in enzymograms between fungi isolated from wheat and rye samples and grown on Czapek-Dox Broth and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth enriched with cereal (wheat or rye). Isolated strains were also classified in the scale of biosafety levels (BSL). Material and methods: The study used 23 strains of fungi cultured from samples of wheat and rye (grain, grain dust obtained during threshing and soil) collected in the Lublin region (eastern Poland). API ZYM test (bioMérieux) was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Classification of BSL (Biosafety levels) was based on the current literature. Results: High enzymatic activity was found in strains cultured in media containing 1% of wheat grain (Bipolaris holmi, Penicillium decumbens) and with an addition of 1% of rye grain (Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus versicolor, Alternaria alternata). The total number of enzymes varied depending on the type of media, and in most cases it was higher in the culture where an addition of cereal grains was used. Conclusions: Isolated strains of fungi reveal differences in the profiles of the enzyme assay. It can be assumed that the substrate enriched in grains stimulate the higher activity of mold enzymes.
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, 2016
Introduction: A food allergy is a group of symptoms occurring in the organism and resulting from ... more Introduction: A food allergy is a group of symptoms occurring in the organism and resulting from consuming some food, where the problems are conditioned by immunological mechanisms. The symptoms may become apparent first in adulthood and they may be an initial manifestation of a latent allergy. Typical symptoms of a food allergy occur in different organs, thus not only in the digestive system, but also in the skin, respiratory system and circulatory system. Aim: To assess the frequency of food allergy onset in rural areas of the Lublin region as well as to determine which factors induce such allergies. Material and methods: A survey was conducted, involving the participation of 340 inhabitants of rural areas. The study monitored the knowledge and situation of the disease, concerning allergens, allergy symptoms, methods of treatment and opinions regarding such treatment. Results: The analysis focused on 124 people with diagnosed allergies. Conclusions: Introducing a diet did not result in a statistically significant difference regarding elimination of the symptoms, as compared to the patients who did not follow any diet. On the other hand, pharmacological treatment causes statistically worse results than using other methods or not being treated at all. The patients in whom allergy symptoms disappeared were more convinced about the positive character of their diet than those in whom the symptoms were not eliminated. The age when the allergy becomes evident does not affect its duration, yet it matters as to the time of its later elimination. The more symptoms were experienced by a patient, the longer the duration of the allergy was.
Journal of Health Inequalities, 2015
In the paper we compared herein chemical properties of the fungal chitosan prepared according to ... more In the paper we compared herein chemical properties of the fungal chitosan prepared according to the own method and the commonly used chitosan made from the crustaceous. The assessment included such parameters as: ash, fiber, fat, Na, K, Ca and Mg content. Inorganic phosphates, molecular weight and deacetylation degree were also determined. Based on these results a number of differences between substances was identified. The differences are related to varied structure that is due to different methods of two types of chitosan production. The difference in viscosity was the most pronounced parameter. It has been proved the viscosity of fungal chitosan was 5 times lower compared to crustaceous chitosan. The fungal chitosan was characterized with higher deacetylation degree (DD) than crustaceous chitosan. The deacetylation process has significant influence on the structure and chemical parameters of the chitosan. The chemical elements content was differentiation. Relatively low concentration of sodium was identified in the fungal chitosan. However, it contained high levels of nitrogen, fiber and fat when compared to the crustaceous chitosan.
Journal of Central European Agriculture, 2016
Microorganisms which contaminate animal feeds pose a threat not only to animals but also indirect... more Microorganisms which contaminate animal feeds pose a threat not only to animals but also indirectly to humans through their consumption of products of animal origin. The aim of the present study was to assess microbiological cleanness of selected resources and ready-made feed mixtures before and after thermal processing. The results indicated that the most bacteriologically contaminated resources were oats (Avena sativa), wheat middlings, wheat (Triticum vulgare), and poultry feed mixture KDKA F35%. The least contaminated were maize (Zea) and Prowit-feed mixture for livestock. The examined feed resources were contaminated with moulds, among which dominated: Aspergillus and Penicillium. The findings of bacteriological and mycological contamination assure instead of allow stating that thermal processing limits microbiological contamination of animal feeds. In order to protect the health of animals as well as consumers it seems advisable to seek new methods of thermal processing in the production of animal feeds to provide their high quality and safety.
Agriculture and Agricultural Science Procedia, 2015
Peer-review under responsibility of the Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques (CRA-W)
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, 2015
Medications can cause many adverse reactions, both non-immunologic and immunologic ones. Allergie... more Medications can cause many adverse reactions, both non-immunologic and immunologic ones. Allergies can take many forms, allergic reactions include all types of reactions according to Gell and Coombs. Typically, allergic reactions to drugs are manifested by skin lesions such as maculopapular rash or urticaria and life-threatening systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Allergy to drugs is diagnosed based on medical history and a number of specific tests: skin tests, blood tests. In diagnosing the causes of anaphylaxis, the basophil activation test is used to exclude false negative and false positive results of skin tests and specific IgE levels. Allergic reactions to medications usually resolve themselves after discontinuation of the drug. Sometimes in the treatment anti-allergic drugs are used to inhibit the development of skin lesions. After observing any signs of drug allergy it is important to accurately diagnose the cause, since the subsequent exposure to the drug may lead to a strong anaphylactic reaction and consequently death.
Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2015
An important issue for the feed industry is the evaluation of occupational exposure to dust that ... more An important issue for the feed industry is the evaluation of occupational exposure to dust that occurs in processing plant workstations. The most dust-generating processes include milling, crushing, sifting, transporting, and mixing of powdery/loose materials. Organic dusts vary in terms of both the dimensions of the particles therein and microbiological contamination. This article presents the results of an analysis aimed at determining the working conditions at various workstations in a feed plant. Three air measuring points were selected: the comminution stage, the granulation process, and the packing stage. Assessment of the concentration of dust particles suspended in the air was made using the dust meter, and then microbiological analysis was carried out in order to identify the number and species of fungi in the respective fractions of the organic dust. Research on present concentrations of airborne organic dust has led to the conclusion that the highest shortterm exposure concentration of dust was recorded at the granulation stage. The dominant airborne microflora in the feed mill was composed of mould fungi of genus Aspergillus: candidus, flavus, and fumigatus.
Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM, 2014
There are difficulties in objective evaluation of activity of the muscles in the lower extremitie... more There are difficulties in objective evaluation of activity of the muscles in the lower extremities of patients after successful treatment of sciatica and pseudosciatica, when no clear clinical symptoms are detected. However, the existence of some muscle dysfunction can be hypothesised and its detection was the aim of the study. Recordings from chosen lower extremity muscles during standing were performed as supplementary differential diagnosis in evaluation of these patients. EMG in standing positions constitutes a new methodological approach not described in detail. Twenty patients (11 after sciatica and 9 after sciatica-like episodes) were enrolled into the study. On the day of examination, clinical and electroneurographical (ENG; M and F waves tests) studies showed no pathology. The percentage of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) defined muscle activity during standing. Mean amplitude and number of changes in muscle activity (fluctuations) were measured in surface electromyogra...
Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM, 2013
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of environmental pollution and parental tobacco smo... more The aim of the study was to assess the effect of environmental pollution and parental tobacco smoking on the occurrence of pseudocroup in children. A questionnaire-study was performed in 345 children with pseudocroup admitted to the ENT Dept between 1997-2007. 116 children had smoking and 229 had non-smoking parents. Both groups were compared with respect to environmental pollution (urban, rural), parents' level of education, household crowding and breast feeding period. The prevalence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections and the presence of allergy were also anlaysed. The results were compared to those performed in the ENT Dept in 1977-1986. In the group of rural children, 21 were children with pseudocroup from smoking parents and 36 children of non-smoking parents. Among children living in the urban areas there were 95 from smoking parents and 193 from non-smoking parents. Both non-smoking parents presented a large group of people with a higher level of education, a...
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Papers by Wiola Żukiewicz-Sobczak