Polish

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by the increased risk of fractures, decreased bone mass and bone quality. The number of patients suffering from osteoporosis still increase due to the extension of the lifespan in the developed countries. The low-energy hip fractures are the most severe complications of the disease, lethal in some cases. The number of hip-fractures in Poland exceeds 30,000 per year. Senile osteoporosis makes 20% of primary osteoporosis. The calcium and vitamin D3 intake from diet or their supplementation are crucial in the ethiopathogenesis of this disease.

Dogs have accompanied humankind for thousands of years. They share the same environment, and thus are exposed to the same environmental factors such as air pollution, tobacco smoke, and various chemicals. Recent development of veterinary care has led to a significant extension of dogs' lifespan and allowed the diagnosis and treatment of a growing number of different diseases in this species. Among all diseases in dogs, cancer is considered the main cause of mortality, with lymphoproliferative disorders accounting for up to 30% of all canine cancers.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural phytophenol. It is found in many plants, but the highest concentration was detected in different grape-derived products, especially in red wine. The substance is also an active ingredient of some over-the-counter diet supplements. High resveratrol popularity is a consequence of wide biological properties. Numbers of epidemiological and experimental studies have proved a complex chemiopreventive activity of resveratrol against various cardio-vascular disorders and cancer.

Formation of a phenotype during development of the human being may result from a specific dialogue between genes and environmental factors. Expression of particular genes is controlled not only on the transcriptional level but also on the level of accessibility of genetic information through the influence for remodelling of chromatin. We characterized Rett syndrome and its molecular basis as an example of the relation between genes and environment and their influence on epigenetic processes determining the gene expression.

During human development, the switch from foetal gamma- to adult beta-globin on chromosome 11p is not complete resulting in the residual gamma-globin expression in a modest subpopulation of erythrocytes termed "F-cells". Genetic determinants that are responsible for higher level of Hb F include various mutations within the beta-globin gene cluster as well as singular nucleotide polymorphisms in other loci associated with Hb F quantitative trait, and also epigenetic mechanisms. All these molecular conditions may drive to hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin (HPFH).

The authors of this paper present a review of actual data on the neurobiological background of suicidal behaviour. The results of epidemiological studies suggest that suicidal behaviours have certain genetic background which do not depend on the presence of concomitant mental disorders. The estimated heritability rate of suicide is about 21-50%, while the heritability rate of suicidal ideation and behaviour is about 30-55%. The genes of serotonergic and noradrenergic systems, as well as the HPA axis genes, have been scrutinised in context of suicidal behaviour.

S-adenosyl L-methionine (SAMe) is the natural, universal methyl group donor, participating in transmethylation reactions, known and commonly used as a dietary supplement since 1952. It plays an important role in the synthesis of neuromediators and melatonin and mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. The aim of this article is to review the literature about possibilities of SAMe application in the therapy of CNS diseases: depression, dementia syndromes, schizophrenia and somatic disorders.

The article shows the process of nationalization of Polish hospitals run by religious congregations and elimination of priests runs from medical care. The process lasted until resignation of W?adys?aw Gomu?ka from the post of the first secretary of the Polish United Worker's Party. We can distinguish two periods of the process: 1948-1953 of nationalized of the congregation hospitals and 1960 - 1970 when this presence of the Catholic Church in the health was limited to indispensable minimum.