Before and After: Attitude and Adverse Effects Induced by the First and Second Doses of mRNA BNT162b2 Vaccine among Healthcare Professionals in the First Weeks after Their Introduction in Poland

BACKGROUND

In the last days of December 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccine BNT162b2 (Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech) was introduced, for the first time, for wide use in Poland. According to the vaccination schedule, healthcare workers were the first to receive the vaccine. The aim of this study was to analyse the attitudes of those who were determined to be vaccinated, with particular reference to their concerns, attitudes towards vaccination advocacy and sources of knowledge on vaccination, as well as the incidence of adverse reactions.

METHODS

The study had a three-stage design. Respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire before receiving the 1st and 2nd vaccine doses and 2 weeks after receiving the 2nd dose. A total of 2247 responses were obtained (1340 responses in the first stage, 769 in the second and 138 in the third).

RESULTS

The main source of knowledge on vaccination was the Internet (32%; n = 428). Of the respondents, 6% (n = 86) reported anxiety before the 1st dose of the vaccine, which increased to 20% (n = 157) before the 2nd dose. A declaration of willingness to promote vaccination among their families was made by 87% (n = 1165). Among adverse reactions after the 1st dose of the vaccine, respondents most frequently observed pain at the injection site (n = 584; 71%), fatigue (n = 126; 16%) and malaise (n = 86; 11%). The mean duration of symptoms was 2.38 days (SD 1.88). After the 2nd dose of vaccine, similar adverse reactions-pain at the injection site (n = 103; 75%), fatigue (n = 28; 20%), malaise (n = 22; 16%)-predominated among respondents. Those who declared having had a SARS-CoV-2 virus infection (p = 0.00484) and with a history of adverse vaccination reactions (p = 0.00374) were statistically more likely to observe adverse symptoms after vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse postvaccinal reactions are relatively common after Comirnaty vaccination but are usually mild and transient in nature. It is in the interest of public health to increase the knowledge of vaccine safety.

Leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor A: a cross-talk in obese women with gestational diabetes and with diabetes in pregnancy - a cohort study

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF A) synthesis is intensified by leptin in: hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1A) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NfκB)-dependent manners. The study aimed to investigate the association between leptin and VEGF A serum levels in obese women with hyperglycaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy. Sixty obese pregnant women with hyperglycaemia were divided into groups according to body mass index (BMI): group 1: BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m²; group 2: BMI 35.0-39.9 kg/m²; group 3: BMI ≥40 kg/m². On the enrolment visit, waist circumference, body mass and height were measured. At visit 1 (V1; gestational week (GW) 28-32) and visit 2 (V2; GW 36-38), anthropometric, blood pressure and heart rate measurements, and blood sample collection were performed. Blood levels of leptin, VEGF A, VEGF receptor 2, HIF-1A, NfκB, interleukin 1 alpha, protein delta homolog 1, nitric oxide and glycated haemoglobin were determined. To analyse the predictors of the biochemical parametres involved in leptin and VEGF A cross-talk, multivariate logistic regression was implemented. Positive correlations between serum levels of leptin and VEGF A were found. Serum level of HIF-1A at V1 was a predictor for the highest quartile of the serum levels of VEGF A at V1 and V2. Leptin serum level at V1 was a predictor for the highest quartile of HIF-1A serum concentration at V2. In group 3 HIF-1A level was higher at V2 compared to V1. We conclude that in obese women with hyperglycaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy there is a significant positive influence of serum leptin on VEGF A synthesis and serum level and HIF-1A seems to play more important role in leptin and VEGF A cross-talk than NfκB.

Non-nutritional "paramedical" usage of human milk - knowledge and opinion of breastfeeding mothers in Poland

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to understand knowledge, attitudes and practices of non-nutritional breast milk use among lactating women in respect of skin diseases and other frequent ailments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study, in the form of a questionnaire, spread on social media, was targeted at breastfeeding women. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the knowledge of non-nutritional usage of human milk, its use in practice, subjective opinion on the observed results and inclination towards future use. Chi-square tests and c-Pearson coefficients were used for statistical calculations.

RESULTS

A total of 1187 responses were acted upon. In the study group, 879 women claimed to have knowledge of non-nutritional use of human milk in respect of skin and most common ailments, whilst 688 of them claimed to use at least one usage. The most frequently, breast milk was used for: care of cracked nipples, care of healthy skin, treatment of diaper dermatitis and treatment of neonatal acne. A correlation between duration of breastfeeding (p < 0.05) and gestational age (p < 0.05) and practical use of non-nutritional human milk was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed a great enthusiasm of mothers in respect of using breast milk for non-nutritional purposes, including the treatment of skin diseases and other common ailments. However, given the scant studies determining possible concerns surrounding these methods, there is a requirement for parental education with emphasis on the need for prompt medical examination and pertinent treatment.

Non-Nutritional Use of Human Milk Part 1: A Survey of the Use of Breast Milk as a Therapy for Mucosal Infections of Various Types in Poland

The use of home remedies for the treatment of moderately severe ailments is a common practice in the Polish population. Currently, the topic of the potential non-nutritional properties of human milk is attracting the attention of breastfeeding mothers. This study was aimed at understanding lactating women’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices of non-nutritional breast milk on mucous membranes. The study was conducted among lactating women, who filled out a questionnaire consisting of questions about their knowledge and experiences with non-nutritional use of human milk. Statistical calculations were conducted with chi-square test and c-Pearson coefficient. A total of 1187 women were acted on, whereby 768 of respondents claimed to have knowledge of the non-nutritional use of human milk on mucous membranes, whilst 404 of them claimed that they had used at least one method. Among the most frequently used methods were the treatment of rhinorrhea, lacrimal canaliculi obstruction, and conjunctivitis. A correlation between length of breastfeeding (p < 0.001) and knowledge of non-nutritional human milk usage in prophylaxis and treatment of mucous membrane inflammation was found. Breastfeeding duration (p < 0.001) and parity (p < 0.005) were correlated with the application of those methods in practice. Due to a high propensity to testing those methods, parents’ education in the field of possible risks and importance of medical consultations is necessary.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in pediatric celiac disease

OBJECTIVE

A lower risk of celiac disease (CD) in patients with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection has been reported when Hp infection prevalence in CD patients was compared against CD-negative symptomatic persons with indications for diagnostic gastroduodenoscopy. Therefore, we aimed to determine Hp infection frequency in a group of pediatric CD patients at diagnosis and to compare obtained results to data coming from age-matched healthy population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study population consisted of 74 CD subjects aged 3 to 12 years in whom the presence of Hp was diagnosed routinely in the course of differential diagnosis with the use of stable isotope breath test which is the gold standard. The control group consisted of 296 healthy age-matched subjects.

RESULTS

Hp infection was diagnosed in 4 CD patients and 20 healthy subjects. Its prevalence in CD patients and HS did not differ neither in the entire age group undergoing comparison (5.4% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.5713) nor in the selected age subgroups (3-6 years: 2.5% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.8551; 7-12 years: 8.8% vs. 11.0%, p = 0.8742).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of Hp infection in CD patients does not seem to be different than that in general population. However, further studies are needed to assess the potential role of Hp in the pathogenesis of CD.

[Iridoschisis--case report]

A case of 54-year-old man with a rare degenerative condition of the iris stroma is presented. Described iridoschisis has developed in superior part of iris. Open-angle glaucoma and degeneration of vitreous was associated.

[Tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor in aqueous humor]

BACKGROUND

In the anterior segment of the eye, fibrin clots must be rapidly resorbed to prevent fibrosis. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), a serine protease that catalyzes the conversion from plasminogen to plasmin, plays an important role in the fibrinolytic system and has therefore in recent years attracted attention in the field of ophthalmology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The aqueous humor of patients undergoing cataract surgery was analyzed for the presence of components of the fibrinolytic cascade. The quantities of t-PA and plasminogen-activator inhibitor (PAI) were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We determined t-PA and PAI in the aqueous humor of 64 patients between 59 and 82 years of age.

RESULTS

The t-PA levels ranged from 0.65 to 1.75 ng/ml and PAI activity from 3.24 to 5.1 AU/ml. Association between t-PA levels and PAI activity and accompanying diseases or metabolic disorders was noted. The highest concentration of t-PA and the lowest activity of PAI has been observed in aqueous humor of patients with senile cataract. The knowledge about the presence of t-PA in aqueous humor is significant for the recognition of pathological events following intraocular fibrin formation and may be an important basis for therapeutic use of t-PA.

[Serotonin in diabetic retinopathy]

PURPOSE

The present study was designed to evaluate a possible participation of serotonin in the development of retinopathy in diabetes mellitus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Serotonin of whole blood and platelets was studied in 12 patients with Type I and II diabetes using high pressure liquid chromatography method.

RESULTS

The concentration of serotonin in the blood was markedly increased (210 +/- 50 ng/ml in diabetes and 150 +/- 35 ng/ml in control, p < 0.01) and not changed in platelets in diabetes. There was a relation between blood serotonin level and the presence of retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that serotonin may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy.

[A case of glioma of the optic nerve with a 12-year follow-up observation]

Clinical course of the case of a now 20 patient, with glioma of the optic nerve, removed 12 years ago, is presented. The tumour was removed with a intraorbital part of the optic nerve, but the eyeball was saved, what enabled the normal, symmetrical development of the child's face. Painful atrophy of the eyeball occurred 10 years after surgery and it seems that there will be a necessity to remove the eye.

[A problem with the histopathologic diagnosis of optic nerve glioma. A case report]

The methods and results of histopathological and immunohistochemical investigation of an optic nerve tumour removed in a 6-year girl are presented. The difficulties were connected with a proper differential diagnosis between schwannoma and astrocytoma.

Shelf life of the Gluma bonding system

The objective of this study was to determine by shear bond strength testing the efficacy of Gluma batches produced between 1985 and 1990 and stored at either 23 degrees C or varying temperatures between 19 degrees and 32 degrees C. The average bond strength figures for the thirty variable conditions tested were not significantly different from each other on the 0.05 significance level. Chemical analysis of the individual Gluma Primer batches investigated proved that the concentration of the main active ingredients of the mixture, glutaraldehyde and HEMA, were not or only moderately reduced when compared with the composition determined on the dates of manufacture. It was concluded that this bonding system is stable over a period of 6 years when possible extremes in storage temperature are avoided.