Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) being produced during fermentation of non-digestible polysaccharides are regulatory compounds with the potential to influence inflammatory, as well as emotional state and cognition through the gut–brain axis. We analyzed the association between stool concentration of SCFAs (acetic acid (C 2:0), propionic acid (C 3:0), isobutyric acid (C 4:0 i), butyric acid (C 4:0 n), isovaleric acid (C 5:0 i) valeric acid (C 5:0 n), isocaproic acid (C 6:0 i), caproic acid, and (C 6:0 n) heptanoic acid (C 7:0)) and depressive symptoms among women and looked for the potential confounders of microbiota byproduct synthesis. We enrolled 116 women aged 52.0 ± 4.7 years and recognized depression in 47 (40.52%). To analyze the emotional state, Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) was used. We assessed SCFAs content by means of gas chromatography. Fiber intake was estimated using parts of food frequency questionnaire. The content of acetic acid was significantly lowered compared to non-depressed women (median {IQR}: 29.49 {20.81} vs. 34.99 {19.55}, p = 0.04). A tendency toward decreased level of propionic acid was noticed (median {IQR}: 16.88 {9.73} vs. 21.64 {12.17}, p = 0.07), while the concentration of isocaproic acid was significantly increased in (median {IQR}: 0.89 {1.15} vs. 0.56 {0.95}, p < 0.01) comparison to matched healthy subjects. We found negative correlations between acetate, propionate, and Beck’s score (r = −0.2, p = 0.03; r = −0.21, p = 0.02, respectively). Statistically significant correlations between acetate and propionate and BDI somatic score (r = −0.21, p = 0.01; r = −0.17, p = 0.03), as well as correlations regarding isocaproic and both cognitive/affective (r = 0.37, p = 0.0001) and somatic (r = 9.37, p < 0.001) scores were found. Women who declared current usage of lipid-lowering and thyroid drugs in the past, had higher content of C6:0-i (Users; median {IQR}: 1.91 {3.62} vs. non-users; 0.55 {0.67}; p = 0.0048).and lower of C2:0 (Users; median {IQR}: 23.07 {12.80} vs. non users 33.73 {21.44}; p = 0.041), respectively. No correlations regarding SCFAs concentration and fiber intake were found. We concluded that SCFAs may potentially contribute to depression phenotype, however, due to the small size of groups suffering from moderately heavy (n = 5) and severe (n = 7) depression, the conclusion should be treated with caution. Pharmacotherapy of hyperlipidemia and thyroid disease might affect SCFAs synthesis. Studies with more participants are required.

The growing number of overweight and obese individuals is an alarming global problem; these conditions are risk factors for the development of health problems such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Numerous studies have suggested that vitamin D3 deficiency plays a role in the pathogenesis of MetS. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between MetS and vitamin D3 levels in women. Laboratory analysis demonstrated that only 26.89% of the participants had vitamin D3 levels close to normal, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) measurements revealed android obesity in 75.63% of the women. The menstruating women more often suffered from vitamin D3 deficiency, and less often had elevated vitamin D3 levels. The conclusions are as follows: (1) There were no statistically significant relationships between vitamin D3 levels and MetS parameters, namely the level of triglycerides, the levels of low- and high-density lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), the level of total cholesterol, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). Vitamin D deficiency was only observed in the women with abdominal obesity. (2) Low vitamin D3 levels were typical of perimenopausal women. Age was a variable correlating with vitamin D. (3) The presence of menstrual cycles was an important contributor to vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common in the menstruating women.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is regarded as a set of abnormalities, increasing the risk of serious functioning disorders. It can develop as a result of genetic predisposition.Aim: The aim of this study was to establish associations between MetS-related abnormalities and the PPAR-γ rs1801282, FTO rs9939609, and MC4R rs17782313 polymorphisms.Material and methods: The study involved 425 women aged 45-60 years. The participants were surveyed and subjected to anthropometric, biochemical and genetic analysis.Results:In the recessive inheritance model for the FTO polymorphism, a statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between the A/A genotype and glycemia. The results obtained in the codominant and overdominant models for the PPAR-y polymorphism showed a tendency to statistical significance (the C/G genotype inclined to hypertriglyceridemia), and were statistically significant in the codominant, dominant, and recessive models (the C/C genotype predisposed to increased blood pressure).Conclusions: 1. MetS-related abnormalities can be genetically determined, however only some of these relationships can be demonstrated due to the categorical division of symptoms according to the IDF criteria from 2009. 2. The A/A genotype of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism increases the risk of hyperglycemia, and the C/C genotype of the PPAR-γ rs1801282 variant entails elevated blood pressure in 45-60-year-old women.

BackgroundQuality of life can be perceived as a subjective assessment of different aspects of human functioning. Personality is a factor which determines actions taken by individuals and their tendency to perceive reality in a particular way. Therefore, the assumption that personality may influence the QoL assessment seems reasonable. Our purpose was to assess the relationships between personality traits and the presence of the 44-bp VNTR polymorphism in the 5-HTT (SLC 6A4) promoter region and the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO-A promoter region. We also wanted to determine the influence of personality on the quality of life of postmenopausal women.MethodsThe study involved 214 postmenopausal women from northwest Poland. It was conducted using the NEO-FFI and the SF-36 questionnaires. DNA polymorphisms were identified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsThe average age of the women was 56.8 ± 4.08 years. Half of the respondents had completed second-level education, 69.2 % had life partners, and 53.3 % were professionally active. Women with the 3/3 genotype were characterized by significantly lower openness to experience than respondents with other MAO-A genotypes (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the quality of life and the levels of neuroticism and extroversion, as well as between selected quality of life domains and the levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness.Conclusions(1)Women with the 3/3 genotype of the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO-A promoter region are characterized by lower levels of openness to experience than women with other MAO-A genotypes in our study (2) Personality traits may contribute to the assessment of the quality of life.

During the menopause, decreased estrogen levels may be accompanied by increased levels of inflammatory mediators. Many studies also show significant relationships between the levels of bioelements and proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), and selected bioelements in perimenopausal women with regard to BMI. Methods: The study of 217 perimenopausal women involved the completion of questionnaires concerning sociodemographic and medical data, anthropometric measurements, and blood collection. Results: In all studied women, the levels of IL-1β significantly positively correlated with Ca, Mg, and Sr; IFNγ significantly negatively correlated with Sr, and IL-6 with Mg. In women with a normal BMI, the levels of IL-1β significantly positively correlated with Ca and Sr, and CRP positively correlated with Zn. In overweight women, the levels of IL-1β positively correlated with Ca, IL-6 with Na, and IFNγ negatively correlated with Sr. In obese women, the levels of CRP positively correlated with Zn, TNFα with Mg, IFNγ with Cu and P. The levels of IL-6 negatively correlated with Ca and Mg. Conclusions: BMI may be one of the factors that affect the relationship between serum bioelement levels and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and CRP in women, especially during the menopausal period.

Menopause is an important event in a woman’s life associated with hormonal changes that play a substantial role in the functioning of her body. A decline in the level of estrogens contributes to depressive symptoms and mood disorders during this period. The severity of depressive symptoms experienced by middle-aged women depends on many factors, including sociodemographic data (e.g., menopause, employment status, and marital status) and genetic variables (MAO-A and 5-HTT gene polymorphisms). In order to assess their influence on the development of depression in females, we analyzed 1453 healthy Polish women in different stages of menopause. Based on the results, we found that the l/l + l/s inheritance model for the 5-HTT gene polymorphism was more common in women without and with moderate depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), while the l/s model was more often observed in women with mild depression. Moreover, the overdominant 3/3 + 4/4 genotype of the MAO-A gene polymorphism was more often found in respondents without depressive symptoms, while women with depressive symptoms had more often the overdominant 3/4 genotype.

1 zakład pielęgniarstwa pomorskiego uniwersytetu Medycznego w szczecinie 2 studenckie koło naukowe przy zakładzie pielęgniarstwa pomorskiego uniwersytetu Medycznego w szczecinie A -przygotowanie projektu badania, B -zbieranie danych, C -analiza statystyczna, D -interpretacja danych, E -przygotowanie maszynopisu, F -opracowanie piśmiennictwa, G -pozyskanie funduszy Wstęp. stres zawodowy i związany z tym zespół wypalenia zawodowego jest jednym z wyzwań dla zdrowia publicznego. Cel pracy. identyfikacja wypalenia zawodowego wśród pielęgniarek. Materiał i metody. W badaniach brało udział 408 pielęgniarek/pielęgniarzy czynnych zawodowo, pracujących na terenie województwa zachodniopomorskiego. W ocenie wypalenia zawodowego zastosowano standaryzowany kwestionariusz Wypalenia zawodowego Maslach. Wyniki. Średnie wartości poziomu wypalenia zawodowego dla badanej grupy wynosiły 39,3 ± 30,9 dla wyczerpania emocjonalnego, 30,64 ± 27,89 dla podskali depersonalizacja oraz 66,26 ± 27,94 w obniżonej satysfakcji zawodowej. Wnioski. 1. Badany personel pielęgniarski przejawiał objawy wypalenia zawodowego w każdym wymiarze syndromu, tj. wysokiego poziomu dla wyczerpania emocjonalnego i depersonalizacji oraz niskiej satysfakcji zawodowej. 2. osoby z wyż-szym wykształceniem uzyskały niższe wyniki w skali wyczerpania emocjonalnego. 3. na wyczerpanie emocjonalne wpływ ma miejsce i stanowisko pracy. Słowa kluczowe: wypalenie zawodowe, pielęgniarstwo, ochrona zdrowia.Background. occupational stress and the related burnout syndrome is undoubtedly one of the most important challenges for public health. Objectives. the objective of the study was identifying occupational burnout among nurses. Material and methods. the questionnaire was responded by 408 professionally active male and female nurses, working in the territory of the West pomeranian Voivodeship. in the evaluation of occupational burnout the standardized Maslach Burnout inventory (MBi) was applied. Results. Mean values of the level of occupational burnout for the study group amounted to 39.3 ± 30.9 with regard to emotional exhaustion, 30.64 ± 27.89 with respect to the depersonalization subscale and 66.26 ± 27.94 -the lowered level of job satisfaction. Conclusions. 1. the studied nursing personnel showed symptoms of occupational burnout in all dimensions of the syndrome, i.e. high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization as well as low job satisfaction. 2. individuals with higher education scored lower on the emotional exhaustion scale. 3. emotional exhaustion is influenced by workplace and position.

(1) The COVID-19 outbreak brought about several socio-economic changes and has had a negative impact on the mental health of people around the world. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between health behaviours and dispositional optimism among nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) The study was carried out in spring 2021 on a group of 756 nursing students in Poland (n = 390), Spain (n = 196) and Slovakia (n = 170). The diagnostic survey method was applied with the questionnaire technique, and the following standardised research tools were used: Life Orientation Test—Revised (LOT-R) and the Health Behaviour Inventory (IZZ). The survey was conducted in a mixed arrangement: in direct contact with the respondents in Poland and in Spain and online in Slovakia. (3) Significant differences were demonstrated in health behaviour preferences in students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia (F = 0.04; p < 0.002). The highest IZZ index was found in Spanish students (82.60 ± 13.65), while lower values were observed in Slovak (80.38 ± 13.74) and Polish (78.44 ± 13.47) students. The correlation between dispositional optimism and a positive attitude was the strongest in the Polish sample (r = 0.56; p < 0.001), at a high level in the Spanish sample (r = 0.53; p < 0.001) and at an average level in the Slovak sample (r = 0.48; p < 0.001). (4) 1. The study showed a moderating effect of the country of origin on the students’ health behaviours. 2. Dispositional optimism is an important predictor of the students’ health behaviours, regardless of the country of origin.