Obesity and diabetes are associated with severe outcomes of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been proven protective against infection and severe COVID-19. However, the immune response of metabolically burdened individuals to the vaccines remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to assess whether the metabolic status of individuals affects their humoral immune responses to the vaccination. Moreover, we evaluated whether the interval between the first two doses influenced antibody concentration. Sixty-seven individuals (21 males, 46 females) were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Fifty-four individuals were vaccinated with the second dose after 3 weeks and 13 after 5 weeks. We measured the antibody titers in all participants during the 19-week follow-up period. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were excluded. In the 5-week interval group, a significantly higher level of maximal antibody titers was observed. However, there were no differences in antibody concentrations after 19 weeks and no significant correlation between cardiometabolic factors and humoral response. The elongation of second-dose timing to 5 weeks leads to a higher acute antibody response but does not change long-term levels of antibody titers. Moreover, dysregulation of metabolic parameters does not lead to a diminished immune response to vaccination.

Introduction and objective. Fibrinogen (FIB) and C-reactive protein (CRP) play an important role in any inflammatory response. FIB levels may be higher in stroke patients compared to non-stroke patients. CRP is used to detect inflammation due to its high sensitivity in aseptic inflammation. Blood levels of d--dimer (DD) are used to determine the amount of fibrin formed and distributed. Inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of haemorrhagic stroke causing primal damage, and in ischemic stroke causing secondary damage due to a decrease in perfusion in the brain. The aim of the study is to prove the hypothesis that the inflammatory process is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Materials and method. The study used data from a retrospective study conducted on a group of 402 stroke patients, among which the levels of FIB, CRP and DD were compared. The patients were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the Medical University (MU) in Białystok from 1 January -31 December 2016. Patients' data was obtained from medical records. The diagnosis of stroke was confirmed by CT of the head. Patients with other brain injuries were excluded from the study. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the MU of Bialystok. The applied research method was the statistical method. Results. A positive moderate correlation was found between CRP and FIB. In the group of patients with ischemic stroke it was higher (0.59) than in the group of patients with haemorrhagic stroke(0.22). Moreover, in the group of patients with ischemic stroke, a correlation was found between DD and CRP(0.517). Conclusions.Inflammatory process is involved in pathogenesis of ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke, but could be associated with comorbid diseases. Increased CRP correlates with higher levels of FIB and DD in the ischemic stroke but not in the haemorrhagic stroke.

Flammer syndrome, which has been described in literature only recently, combines two basic components: primary vascular dysregulation and symptoms not directly related to vascular function (prolonged sleep onset time, low pain threshold or specific personality traits). Some health-protective effects, such as a reduced risk atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, have also been noted. Flammer syndrome most often coexists with ocular diseases, normal tension glaucoma in particular, as well as with neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis. Diagnosis is based on a detailed physical examination; however, standardised diagnostic methods are missing. A three-component therapeutic strategy, including appropriate lifestyle, proper nutrition and pharmacotherapy in the form of magnesium preparations or low-dose calcium channel blockers, is used for Flammer syndrome. Clinical studies in 2016 and 2019 showed that multiple sclerosis patients are significantly more likely to develop typical symptoms of Flammer syndrome compared to controls. These included dizziness, low body weight, non-migraine headaches, reduced feeling of thirst, prolonged sleep onset time, and a tendency towards perfectionism. Although the aetiology of Flammer syndrome and multiple sclerosis or the causes underlying the clinical correlations between them have not been clarified so far, expanded research may contribute to better care for those at increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis, as well as improved therapy and support for patients, with consideration given to challenges that may arise from the coexistence of both diseases.