Foundation for Polish Science

Wheat allergy (WA) poses a diagnostic challenge due to its diverse clinical phenotypes-ranging from classic food allergy and wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA) to baker's asthma. An additional diagnostic aspect is serological cross-reactivity with grass pollen. Undoubtedly, the transition from extract-based diagnostics to precise component-based diagnostics (CRDs) facilitates the management of wheat allergy. It has significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy for WDEIA ω-5-gliadin (Tri a 19), although considering new knowledge about wheat proteins, it seems necessary to include them in the diagnostic scheme, especially where Tri a 19 remains negative despite clinical symptoms. Therefore, in this review, we evaluate the clinical utility of new wheat molecules with a high risk of anaphylaxis. We pay particular attention to Tri a 37 (α-purothionin), a thermally stable allergen associated with a 4-fold increase in the risk of severe anaphylaxis, and Tri a 36 (LMW glutenin), which shows higher sensitivity than Tri a 19 in specific pediatric cohorts. In addition, we emphasize the role of Tri a 14 (nsLTP) in distinguishing true wheat sensitization from pollen-related cross-reactivity caused by profilins (Tri a 12) or carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). Beyond diagnostics, the review discusses dynamic changes in sensitization profiles in relation to the allergic march and the phenomenon of spontaneous remission in children. New management strategies are also discussed, including the potential of omalizumab (based on the data from the OUtMATCH study) in facilitating the reintroduction of allergens into the diet.

To address healthcare workforce shortages, Poland has experienced a significant expansion in medical education, characterized by a tripling of accredited institutions and a fourfold increase in student admissions over the past two decades. However, in 2024, the suspension of admission quotas for six newly established universities was due to concerns over accreditation of medical degree programs (MD). Given the ongoing discussions in the European Union (EU) member states about the importance of maintaining educational quality and upholding quality standards, this study seeks to thoughtfully examine trends in admissions and the institutional growth of medical education from 2004 to 2024. It draws upon the policies established by the Ministry of Health and the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) throughout this timeframe, while also providing an overview of the PKA’s responses to quality assurance. Study findings indicate a misalignment between institutional growth (11 to 39, 254.6% increase) and compliance with education quality, particularly in newly established programs. This study also advocates a more robust, competency-driven framework and continuous quality improvement mechanisms, as enhanced by the international standards to overcome the limitations of Poland’s current accreditation and quality assurance system in medical education. Specifically, to strengthen the institutional capacity of the accreditation body, it would be necessary to introduce the outcome-based evaluation that tracks graduate’s clinical competence, and institutional performance transparency through public reporting. This study emphasizes the critical need to align accreditation processes with national health workforce planning. This alignment is vital for establishing pathways for programs that may be underperforming in their capacity to produce a healthcare workforce that is adequately equipped for both purpose and practice across all regions.

Breast cancer poses a significant public health challenge in Poland, with incidence rates exceeding the EU average and a concerning disparity between incidence and mortality. This review analyzes the key steps of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Poland, examining factors influencing therapeutic outcomes. We explore the complex interplay of epidemiological trends, prevention strategies, the impact of the National Oncology Strategy (NSO) and the National Cancer Network (KSO), access to care challenges, treatment protocols, and drug programs. While Poland has made strides in implementing comprehensive care pathways, including the DiLO card system and dedicated drug programs, significant gaps remain. Low screening participation, delays in diagnosis, limited access to innovative therapies, and reimbursement restrictions hinder optimal patient outcomes. This review highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these challenges, improve early detection, enhance access to care, and ultimately reduce the burden of breast cancer for Polish patients.

The influence of social media on the education of students, in particular adolescents, can have serious consequences for their pedagogical safety, including risky behavior. In modern pedagogy, it is important to pay attention first of all to those changes in educational programs and forms of didactics that concern the measure of safety in the modern scale of the digital era of the 21st century. The presented publication is an attempt to identify individual determinants of pedagogical practice in favor of the digital quality of pedagogical knowledge, which functions on the basis of artificial intelligence algorithms in social media.

Body mass index (BMI), as a straightforward measure, is widely used in clinical practice, and its results are linked to HT and patient prognosis. This study aimed to ascertain if sex differences exist in the prognostic significance of BMI at the time of admission to the cardiology unit, and how this impacts the LOHS for patients suffering from hypertension. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 486 patients admitted urgently with a diagnosis of HT to the Cardiology Department at University Hospital in Wroclaw (Poland) between January 2017 and June 2021 was conducted. Women accounted for 53% of the study group and were older than men (64.7±12.8 vs 60.5±11.8, p=0.466). The mean BMI in women was 28.49±5.39 and in men 29.14±4.88. In an unadjusted linear regression model BMI results were not independent predictors of LOHS in either sex. After adjusting the model for comorbidities and blood test results, significant independent predictors of LOHS in women were LDL (B=-0.02, p<0.001), HDL (B=-0.043, p=0.012), TC (B=0.015, p=0.007), and hsCRP (B=0.02, p=0.013), while in men they were LDL (B= -0.026, p<0.001), HDL (B= -0.058, p=0.003), and TC (B=0.022, p=0.002). The result of BMI assessed at the time of a patient's admission to the cardiology department is not a significant predictor of LOHS in both men and women with hypertension.

W badaniu testowano, czy istnieje korelacja pomiędzy miłością a zaufaniem. Badanie zostało przeprowadzone na próbie 43 osób. Badanie zostało przeprowadzone na Polskiej populacji, na terenie Jeleniej Góry. Zaobserwowano korelację pomiędzy intymnością a zaufaniem.

Statin use in many studies is related to the improvement of a patients' condition including reducing the risk of various malignancies. Herein, is a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the evidence on the association between statin therapy and the risk of the occurrence of pancreatic cancer, mainly in terms of decreased risk of developing pancreatic cancer among patients using statin therapy in the long-term perspective. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched from database inception to December 1st, 2021. Random effect models were used to estimate summary odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 26 studies comprising 2,797,186 patients were included. Polled analysis showed that pancreatic cancer occurrence in statin vs. no-statin group varied and amounted to 0.4% vs. 0.6% (RR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.72-0.96; I² = 84%; p = 0.01). In summary, the present analysis shows that overall statins use is significantly associated with a reduction in risk of pancreatic cancer. However, these results were not confirmed for the randomized controlled trial subgroup. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the current results.

J-domain proteins (JDPs) are the largest family of chaperones in most organisms, but much of how they function within the network of other chaperones and protein quality control machineries is still an enigma. Here, we report on the latest findings related to JDP functions presented at a dedicated JDP workshop in Gdansk, Poland. The report does not include all (details) of what was shared and discussed at the meeting, because some of these original data have not yet been accepted for publication elsewhere or represented still preliminary observations at the time.