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Background The development of research on exercise physiology in the last several years has allowed to better understand mechanisms affecting exercise performance in athletes. Despite this, the causes of exercise intolerance in athletes are not fully elucidated. The exercise performance is a complex process and regardless of the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system may be subject to significant changes under the influence of nervous system and thermoregulatory mechanisms. The purpose of this work is to assess the relationship between psychomotor performance ( sprawność psychomotoryczna – SP), core body temperature (Tc) and exercise performance parameters as measured by spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing – CPX) and the diagnostic accuracy of neurothermometabolic index (NTMI) as a new marker of exercise performance in athletes. Material and Methods Forty-four healthy athletes participated in the study. Each of the examined athletes underwent CPX for the assessment of ventilatory parameters (maximal oxygen consumption – VO 2 max, minute ventilation – VE, ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide at anaerobic threshold – VECO2AT, maximal carbon dioxide output – VCO 2 and anaerobic threshold), SP tests (average reaction time to light stimulus, the number of correctly received light stimuli, number of missed light stimuli) before and immediately after CPX. In addition, Tc was continually measured during CPX. Followingly, NTMI was calculated using Tc during the maximum exercise, oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold and average reaction time to light stimulus as measured after CPX. Results A significant relationship was found between Tc during the maximum effort in CPX and SP after CPX. A significant relationship between SP before CPX and VECO 2 AT during CPX was also confirmed. Psychomotor performance shortly after CPX was also significantly related to VCO 2 . In addition, NTMI was significantly associated with CPX parameters. Conclusions The study results confirmed the relevant relationship between SP, Tc during the maximum exercise and ventilatory parameters as measured by CPX in athletes. Neurothermometabolic index is a reliable marker of exercise performance in athletes. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(3):179–192

Objectives. Interest in periodontitis as a potential risk factor for atherosclerosis and its complications resulted from the fact that the global prevalence of periodontal diseases is significant and periodontitis may induce a chronic inflammatory response. Many studies have analyzed the potential impact of the Porphyromonas gingivalis, major pathogen of periodontitis, on general health. The purpose of this study was to find the presence of the Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA in the atherosclerotic plaques of coronary and carotid arteries and in the periodontal pockets in patients with chronic periodontitis, who underwent surgery because of vascular diseases. Methods and Results. The study population consisted of 91 patients with coronary artery disease or scheduled for carotid endarterectomy. The presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA in atheromatous plaques and in subgingival samples was determined by PCR. Bacterial DNA was found in 21 of 91 (23%) samples taken from vessels and in 47 of 63 (74.6%) samples from periodontal pockets. Conclusions. Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA is frequently found in atheromatous plaques of patients with periodontitis. That is why more research should be conducted to prove if this periopathogen may have an impact on endothelium of patients at risk of atherosclerosis.

The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been recently recognized as a potential biological marker of various disease states, but the impact of a major surgical intervention on the suPAR level has not yet been established. The aim of our study was to investigate if the induction of a systemic inflammatory reaction in response to cardiopulmonary bypass would be accompanied by an increase in the plasma suPAR level. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were added. Based on the baseline suPAR level, patients were divided into group 1 (suPAR within normal range) or group 2 (suPAR above range). Blood was collected before the induction of anesthesia and 6 and 24 hours after surgery. Plasma suPAR, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, troponin I, NT-proBNP, and NGAL were quantified to assess the impact of surgical trauma on these markers. The baseline suPAR level was within the normal range in 31 patients (3.3 ng/mL), and elevated in 29 (5.1 ng/mL) (p<0.001). Baseline mediators of systemic inflammatory reaction concentrations (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8) and organ injury indices (troponin I, NT-proBNP, and NGAL) were low and increased after surgery in all patients (p<0.05). The surgery did not cause significant changes in the suPAR level either at 6 or 24 hours after, however the difference between groups observed at baseline remained substantial during the postoperative period. There was no change in the suPAR level observed in patients subjected to elective cardiac coronary artery bypass surgery and CPB, despite activation of a systemic inflammatory reaction.

Biomechanical factors influence stress in the aortic wall. The aim of this study was to assess how the diameter and shape of the vessel, blood pressure and longitudinal systolic aortic stretching (SAS) caused by the contraction of the myocardium influence stress in the aortic wall. Three computational models of the non-dilated aorta and aneurysms of the ascending aorta and aortic root were created. Then, finite elements analyses were carried out. The models were subjected to blood pressure (120 mmHg and 160 mmHg) and longitudinal systolic aortic stretching (0 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm). The influence of wall elasticity was examined too. Blood pressure had a smaller impact on the stress than the SAS. An increase in blood pressure from120 mmHg to 160 mmHg increased the peak wall stress (PWS) on average by 0.1 MPa in all models. A 5 mm SAS caused a 0.1–0. 2 MPa increase in PWS in all the models. The increase in PWS caused by a 10mm and 15mmSAS was 0.2 MPa and 0. 4 MPa in the non-dilated aorta, 0.2–0.3 MPa and 0.3–0.5 MPa in the aneurysm of the ascending aorta, and 0.1–0.2 MPa and 0.2–0.3 MPa in the aortic root aneurysm model, respectively. The loss of elasticity of the aneurysmal wall resulted in an increase of PWS by 0.1–0.2 MPa. Aortic geometry, wall stiffness, blood pressure and SAS have an impact on PWS. However, SAS had the biggest impact on wall stress. The results of this study may be useful in future patient-specific computational models used to assess the risk of aortic complications.

Kardiochirugia i Torakochirurgia Polska 2022; 19 (1): 47-48

Background: The development of research on exercise physiology in the last several years has allowed to better understand mechanisms affecting exercise performance in athletes. Despite this, the causes of exercise intolerance in athletes are not fully elucidated. The exercise performance is a complex process and regardless of the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system may be subject to significant changes under the influence of nervous system and thermoregulatory mechanisms. The purpose of this work is to assess the relationship between psychomotor performance (sprawnosc psychomotoryczna--SP), core body temperature (Tc) and exercise performance parameters as measured by spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing--CPX) and the diagnostic accuracy of neurothermometabolic index (NTMI) as a new marker of exercise performance in athletes. Material and Methods: Forty-four healthy athletes participated in the study. Each of the examined athletes underwent CPX for the assessment of ventilatory parameters (maximal oxygen consumption--V[O.sub.2]max, minute ventilation--VE, ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide at anaerobic threshold--VEC[O.sub.2]AT, maximal carbon dioxide output-- VC[O.sub.2] and anaerobic threshold), SP tests (average reaction time to light stimulus, the number of correctly received light stimuli, number of missed light stimuli) before and immediately after CPX. In addition, Tc was continually measured during CPX. Followingly, NTMI was calculated using Tc during the maximum exercise, oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold and average reaction time to light stimulus as measured after CPX. Results: A significant relationship was found between Tc during the maximum effort in CPX and SP after CPX. A significant relationship between SP before CPX and VEC[O.sub.2]AT during CPX was also confirmed. Psychomotor performance shortly after CPX was also significantly related to VC[O.sub.2]. In addition, NTMI was significantly associated with CPX parameters. Conclusions: The study results confirmed the relevant relationship between SP, Tc during the maximum exercise and ventilatory parameters as measured by CPX in athletes. Neurothermometabolic index is a reliable marker of exercise performance in athletes. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(3):179-192 Key words: exercise performance, central nervous system, athletes, psychomotor performance, core body temperature, spiroergometry Wstep: Rozwoj badan nad fizjologia wysilku w ostatnich kilkunastu latach pozwolil na lepsze zrozumienie mechanizmow wplywajacych na wydolnosc fizyczna u sportowcow. Mimo to przyczyny nietolerancji wysilku fizycznego u sportowcow nie sa w pelni jasne. Wydolnosc fizyczna jest procesem zlozonym i niezaleznie od prawidlowego funkcjonowania ukladu sercowo- naczyniowego moze podlegac istotnym zmianom pod wplywem ukladu nerwowego oraz mechanizmow termoregulacyjnych. Celem niniejszej pracy jest ocena zwiazkow pomiedzy sprawnoscia psychomotoryczna (SP) i temperatura wewnetrzna ciala (core body temperature--Tc) a wybranymi parametrami wydolnosciowymi w tescie spiroergometrycznym (sercowo-plucny test wysilkowy, cardiopulmonary exercise testing-- CPX) oraz wartosci diagnostycznej wskaznika neurotermometabolicznego (neurothermometabolic index--NTMI) jako nowego markera wydolnosci fizycznej u sportowcow. Material i metody: W badaniu uczestniczylo 44 zdrowych sportowcow. U wszystkich przeprowadzono CPX w celu oceny parametrow wentylacyjnych, tj. maksymalnego poboru tlenu przez tkanki (maximum oxygen consumption--V[O.sub.2]max), wentylacji minutowej (minute ventilation--VE), ekwiwalentu wentylacyjnego dla dwutlenku wegla na progu beztlenowym (ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide at anaerobic threshold--VECO2AT), wydalania dwutlenku wegla podczas maksymalnego wysilku (maximal carbon dioxide output--VC[O.sub.2]) i progu beztlenowego, ocene SP (sredni czas reakcji zlozonej na bodziec swietlny, liczba poprawnych i blednych odpowiedzi na bodziec swietlny) przed i bezposrednio po CPX oraz pomiar Tc w CPX. Na podstawie uzyskanych wartosci Tc podczas maksymalnego wysilku, wartosci poboru tlenu na progu beztlenowym i sredniego czasu reakcji na bodziec swietlny zmierzonego po CPX wyznaczono NTMI. Wyniki: Stwierdzono istotny zwiazek pomiedzy Tc podczas maksymalnego wysilku a SP oceniana zaraz po zakonczeniu CPX. Potwierdzono istotny zwiazek pomiedzy SP przed CPX a VEC[O.sub.2]AT w CPX. Sprawnosc psychomotoryczna oceniona po zakonczeniu CPX byla istotnie zwiazana z VC[O.sub.2]. Wskaznik neurotermometaboliczny byl istotnie zwiazany z V[O.sub.2]max, VE i VC[O.sub.2] w CPX. Wnioski: Wyniki badan potwierdzily istotny zwiazek pomiedzy SP, obciazeniem termicznym i parametrami wentylacyjnymi w CPX u sportowcow. Wskaznik neurotermometaboliczny jest wartosciowym markerem wydolnosci fizycznej u sportowcow. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(3):179-192 Slowa kluczowe: wydolnosc fizyczna, osrodkowy uklad nerwowy, sportowcy, sprawnosc psychomotoryczna, temperatura wewnetrzna ciala, spiroergometria

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common cause of cardiovascular deaths. Education of patients with myocardial infarctions essential to prevent further cardiovascular events and reduce the risk of mortality. The study aimed to evaluate the associations between patients’ readiness for hospital discharge after myocardial infarction, acceptance of illness, social, demographic, and clinical factors. The study used a cross-sectional design and included 102 patients, who were hospitalized for myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Two questionnaires were used: The Readiness for Hospital Discharge After Myocardial Infarction Scale (RHD-MIS) and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). Low readiness characterized nearly half of patients (47.06%), 27.45% of patients showed an intermediate level of readiness, while 25.49% of patients had high readiness. Readiness for hospital discharge was higher among younger patients, respondents living in relationships, living with a family, with tertiary or secondary education, and professionally active. Acceptance of illness was higher among male patients, respondents living in relationships, and family, with secondary education and professionally active. The AIS score positively correlated with readiness for hospital discharge.

Background/Objectives: Kinesiophobia, or the fear of movement, is a significant problem in the rehabilitation of patients after a stroke, especially in individuals with diabetes, who have an increased risk of health complications. The aim of the study was to validate the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) for assessing kinesiophobia in the context of patients with diabetes complicated by stroke to ensure its adequacy and reliability in this specific group of patients. Methods: After considering exclusion criteria, 166 patients with type 2 diabetes after ischemic stroke, hospitalized in the neurological rehabilitation ward, were included in the analysis. A survey using the TSK was conducted in the study group. A reliability analysis of the questionnaire was conducted, and then exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to disclose the number of factors that characterize the study group. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha value for the entire scale is 0.875. The value for all the questions on the scale was also above 0.86, so they are considered reliable. Removing any question does not increase the value of Cronbach’s alpha or Guttman index. Based on the scree plot, two factors were identified. The first factor includes 12 items and forms a physical factor, while the second factor includes 5 items and forms a psychological factor. The fit of the two-factor model was checked using confirmatory factor analysis. The final two-factor model has an acceptable fit. All the factor loadings are statistically significant. The factor loadings range from 0.262 to 0.729 for the physical factor and from 0.543 to 0.822 for the psychological factor. Conclusions: The TSK is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the level of kinesiophobia in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes complicated by stroke. The results of the study using this tool may contribute to the development of more effective therapeutic strategies that take into account the specific physical and psychological needs of this group of patients.

HIGHLIGHTS * Psychomotor performance affects exercise capacity. * Neurothermometabolic index is a reliable marker of exercise capacity. * Core body temperature during acute exercise affects psychomotor performance. Celem niniejszej pracy jest ocena zwigzkéw pomiedzy sprawnoscig psychomotoryczna (SP) i temperatura wewnetrzng ciala (core body temperature - Tc) a wybranymi parametrami wydolnosciowymi w tescie spiroergometrycznym (sercowo-plucny test wysilkowy, cardiopulmonary exercise testing - CPX) oraz wartosci diagnostycznej wskaznika neurotermometabolicznego (neurothermometabolic index - NTMI) jako nowego markera wydolnosci fizycznej u sportowców. The purpose of this work is to assess the relationship between psychomotor performance (sprawnosé psychomotoryczna - SP), core body temperature (Tc) and exercise performance parameters as measured by spiroergometry (cardiopulmonary exercise testing - CPX) and the diagnostic accuracy of neurothermometabolic index (NTMI) as a new marker of exercise performance in athletes. Each of the examined athletes underwent CPX for the assessment of ventilatory parameters (maximal oxygen consumption - VO,max, minute ventilation - VE, ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide at anaerobic threshold - VECO,AT, maximal carbon dioxide output - VCO, and anaerobic threshold), SP tests (average reaction time to light stimulus, the number of correctly received light stimuli, number of missed light stimuli) before and immediately after CPX.

The study aimed to validate the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (EuroSCORE II) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). All data were retrieved from the National Registry of Cardiac Surgery Procedures (KROK). EuroSCORE II calibration and discrimination performance was evaluated. The final cohort consisted of 44,172 patients (median age 67, 30.8% female, 13.4% with AF). The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.14% (N = 1830), and 5.21% (N = 2303) for 30-day mortality. EuroSCORE II significantly underestimated mortality in mild- and moderate-risk populations [Observed (O):Expected (E)—1.1, 1.16). In the AF subgroup, it performed well [O:E—0.99), whereas in the very high-risk population overestimated mortality (O:E—0.9). EuroSCORE II showed better discrimination in AF (−) [area under curve (AUC) 0.805, 95% CI 0.793–0.817)] than in AF (+) population (AUC 0.791, 95%CI 0.767–0.816), P < 0.001. The worst discriminative performance for the AF (+) group was for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (AUC 0.746, 95% CI 0.676–0.817) as compared with AF (−) population (AUC 0.798, 95% CI 0.774–0.822), P < 0.001. EuroSCORE II is more accurate for patients with AF. However, it underestimated mortality rates for low-to-moderate-risk patients and had a lower ability to distinguish between high- and low-risk patients with AF, particularly in those undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.