Turning to religion as a mediator of the relationship between hopelessness and job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals representing the uniformed services or working in professions of public trust in Poland

INTRODUCTION

During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals performing uniformed service or working in a profession of public trust were particularly exposed to chronic stress. The exposure to stress contributes to a decrease in quality of life across various domains, including professional performance. The perceived mental difficulties can lead to a feeling of hopelessness which, in turn can generate a decrease in job satisfaction. Religiosity is a factor which, in stress-inducing conditions, not only stops the spiral of perceived resource losses but also triggers gains in the resources possessed.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the preference for positive religious coping strategies, namely turning to religion as a mediator for the relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction in the individuals declaring religiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis has been performed based on the Conservation of Resources theory (COR).

METHODS

The study encompassed 238 individuals representing the uniformed services or working in professions of public trust in Poland. The Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (MINI-COPE) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were used in the research.

RESULTS

The mediating role of turning to religion in relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction was confirmed only in the group of women. The relationship found in this group indicates that perceived hopelessness is alleviated by turning to religion, which simultaneously leads to an increase in job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The obtained results prove that counselling should be standard practice after potentially traumatic events in the workplace; moreover, emotional and/or instrumental support should be offered along with spiritual one.

Willingness to vaccinate among adults, and factors associated with vaccine acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in a nationwide study in Poland between March 2021 and April 2022

Introduction

Despite the availability, safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, Poland remains one of the six countries of the European Union with the lowest cumulative uptake of the vaccine's primary course in the general population. This study examined willingness to vaccinate and the associated factors in samples of unvaccinated and vaccinated adults between March 2021 and April 2022.

Methods

Data were collected using OBSER-CO, a nationwide, repeated cross-sectional study, conducted at four different time points (rounds). Data on willingness to vaccinate among the unvaccinated (at all rounds) and willingness to receive another dose in the vaccinated (at 2 rounds-after booster introduction), reasons for reluctance, sociodemographic, health, and behavioral factors were collected using a uniform questionnaire via computer-assisted telephone interviewing. In each round, more than 20,000 respondents were interviewed. To assess associations between factors and willingness to vaccinate, separate multivariable logistic regression models were fitted for each factor at each round and adjusted for confounders.

Results

Between rounds 1 and 4 (March 2021-April 2022), in the unvaccinated, willingness to vaccinate declined from 73 to 12%, whereas in the vaccinated, willingness to receive another dose declined from 90 to 53%. The highest magnitude of decline between subsequent rounds occurred during the Omicron wave. Overall, concerns about side effects, effectiveness, and vaccine adverse effects were common but decreased over time. Age, gender, employment, place of residence, COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure, hospitalization, and participation in social activities were among the factors associated with willingness. However, associations changed over rounds highlighting the influence of different pandemic waves and variants.

Conclusion

We observed a declining and multifactorial willingness to vaccinate in Poland, with vaccine attitudes dynamically changing across subsequent rounds. To address vaccine concerns, sustained health communication about COVID-19 vaccines is essential, especially after the emergence of new variants.

Characteristic of bioclimatic conditions in Poland based on Physiologically Equivalent Temperature

The aim of the study was to characterise bioclimatic conditions in Poland in the times of progressing warming. This type of research permits the verification whether the progressing climate warming also translates into a change in bioclimatic conditions. This study was based on data obtained for the period 1966-2021 from 37 synoptic stations located in Poland. All the data series were uniform and obtained from the data base of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management-National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB). The study revealed high variability of bioclimatic conditions in Poland both in spatial and in temporal terms. The lowest mean annual PET values were recorded in the north and north-east of the country and the highest in the south-west of Poland. The study revealed changes in the frequency of occurrence of days with cold and heat stress, as well as days with no thermal stress. The most intensive changes were determined for days with cold stress. A decrease in the number of days in this category translated into an increase in the number of days with no thermal stress and days with heat stress.

Approaching Polish madness: concepts and treatment of psychosis in Polish psychiatry of the inter-war period

The institutional organization of psychiatry in Poland when it became independent faced the problem of the integration of three ex-partition territories having different laws, health-care systems and psychiatric cultures. Due to the high incidence of mental health problems, among which psychosis was the most frequent, psychiatric care facilities had to be organized as quickly and efficiently as possible and had to address the issue of psychosis both conceptually and practically. This study investigates the concept of psychosis and methods of its treatment in inter-war Polish psychiatric care facilities in relation to the sociocultural context of the institutional organization of psychiatry in Poland and the influence of major European concepts and treatment practices regarding psychoses.

Zygmunt Grudziński, 1870-1929

This history page in the series "Leaders in MSK Radiology" is dedicated to the memory and achievements of Zygmunt Grudziński, Polish radiologist at the University of Warsaw and founder of the Polish Society of Radiology and Polish Radiological Review, the first radiology journal.

External quality monitoring facilitates improvement in already well-performing stroke units: insights from RES-Q Poland

INTRODUCTION

The Registry of Stroke Care Quality (RES-Q) is used in Poland for quality monitoring by numerous hospitals participating in the Angels Initiative. Our aim was to assess the degree of improvement in highly stroke-oriented centres that report cases to the RES-Q each year.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis included Polish stroke units that from January 2017 to December 2020 contributed to the RES-Q at least 25 patients annually.

RESULTS

Seventeen out of 180 Polish stroke units reported patients each year (2017, n = 1,691; 2018, n = 2,986; 2019, n = 3,750; 2020, n = 3,975). The percentage of ischaemic stroke patients treated with alteplase remained stable (26%, 29%, 30% and 28%, respectively). The door-to-needle time progressively decreased, from a median 49 minutes to 32 minutes. The percentage of patients treated ≤ 60 minutes and ≤ 45 minutes significantly increased (from 68% to 86% and from 43% to 70%, respectively), with no change observed between 2019 and 2020. Despite a general improvement in dysphagia screening (81%, 91%, 98% and 99%), screening performed within the first 24h from admission became less frequent (78%, 76%, 69% and 65%). In-hospital mortality significantly increased (11%, 11%, 13% and 15%), while the proportion of patients discharged home remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality-oriented projects facilitate the improvement of stroke care, even in centres demonstrating good baseline performance. Polish stroke units that consistently reported cases to the RES-Q demonstrated improvement in terms of door-to- -needle time and dysphagia screening. However, there is still a need to shorten the time to dysphagia screening, and carefully monitor stroke unit mortality following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical heterogeneity of polish patients with KAT6B-related disorder

BACKGROUND

Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson (SBBYSS) variant of Ohdo syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant and clinically heterogenous disorder, caused by pathogenic variants in the KAT6B gene located on chromosome 10q22.2. KAT6B encodes a highly conserved histone acetyltransferase belonging to the MYST family. Currently, diseases caused by pathogenic variants in KAT6B (KAT6B-related disorders) comprise two allelic entities: SBBYSS variant of Ohdo syndrome and genitopatellar syndrome (GPS). Increase in the number of cases with overlapping GPS/SBBYSS phenotype which makes it necessary to redefine this group of phenotypes as KAT6B-related disorders or KAT6B spectrum disorders. Individuals with SBBYSS usually present with facial abnormalities, hypotonia, joint laxity, feeding problems, and long thumbs/great toes. This syndrome also typically involves skeletal problems including patellar hypoplasia/agenesis.

METHODS

Here we report six SBBYS syndrome patients with the same dysmorphic features but a different course of the disease. One known and five novel KATB6 pathogenic variants were identified by molecular diagnostics using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

RESULTS

We present a detailed phenotypic analysis of six individuals with KAT6B-related disorders, in whom a heterozygous pathogenic variant in KAT6B gene was found. In all of our patients facial dysmorphism as well as developmental and speech delay were present. Additionally, all but one patients presented with hypotonia, ocular abnormalities and long thumbs. Most of our probands showed blepharophimosis and skeletal (mainly knee) defects. Contrary to previously reported severe patellar defects (hypoplasia/agenesis) anomalies presented by our patients were less severe (dysplasia, habitual dislocation, subluxation) referring to KAT6B-related disorders.

CONCLUSION

While most of the anomalies found in our patients comply with SBBYSS criteria, phenotypic differences in our probands support a broader spectrum of the disease phenotype. To establish the range of this spectrum, a detailed analysis of clinical variability among patients with SBBYSS requires further investigation.

Ground beetle assemblages inhabiting various age classes of Norway spruce stands in north-eastern Poland

Assemblages of epigeic ground beetles living in Norway spruce forests in north-eastern Poland in three age ranges: young: 20-30 years (A); middle-aged: 40-50 years (B); old: 70-80 years (C) were investigated. In each age category, 4 plots with 5 Barber traps were set up. Ground beetle assemblages were compared in terms of their abundance, species richness, and the Shannon H' index value. Quantitative ecological description of the carabids captured in the analysed age-classes of Norway spruce forests was performed, and the values of the mean individual biomass (MIB) were calculated. To determine the correlation between mean individual biomass and abundance of various ecological groups of carabid beetles, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient was calculated. The assemblages of ground beetles living in the Norway spruce forests in north-eastern Poland were characterised by quite large species richness (44 species in total). There were significant differences in species richness among the different ages of Norway spruce forests. The oldest Norway spruce stands (70-80 years old) had a smaller number of species and specimens of ground beetles as well as the highest MIB values in comparison with the younger spruce forests A and B. The results revealed that high MIB values were positively correlated with the presence of large ground beetle species with higher moisture requirements. Lower values of the MIB index were due to the presence of smaller open habitat macropterous species, with the spring type of breeding and associated with open areas.

What's with the boys? Lower birth weight in boys from HPA-1a alloimmunized pregnancies - New insights from a large prospective screening study in Poland

Fetomaternal incompatibility in human platelet antigens (HPAs) can cause maternal alloimmunization, which in turn may lead to thrombocytopenia with or without intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in the fetus or newborn. Retrospective studies suggest that boys from alloimmunized mothers may have higher risk of ICH and lower birth weight than girls. The objective of this study was to assess how maternal HPA-1a alloimmunization, sex of the neonate and birth weight relates in a large prospective cohort. Through a national screening study in Poland (PREVFNAIT) involving HPA-1 typing of 24,259 pregnant women during 2013-2017, 606 HPA-1a negative pregnant women and their offspring were identified and included. Various multivariate models were used to assess if and how maternal HPA-1a alloimmunization status was associated with birth weight and risk of having a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate, and if and how sex of the neonate mattered. Most immunized pregnancies had male fetuses (69 %). Women carrying a male fetus had increased likelihood of having an SGA newborn if they were HPA-1a alloimmunized compared to non-immunized mothers. Increasing maternal anti-HPA-1a antibody levels were significantly associated with reduced birth weight and SGA risk among male-fetus pregnancies, but not if the fetus was female. In conclusion, anti-HPA-1a antibodies in a male fetus pregnancy is associated with increased risk of SGA and lower birth weight, especially if the antibody level is high. Sex of the fetus may therefore be considered as a new clinical predictor of more severe FNAIT neonatal outcome.

A Preliminary Study From Poland

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the relationship between religion and healthcare practitioners' attitudes towards conscience clauses in Poland. Methods: We developed a survey assessing impact of religion on attitudes healthcare professionals towards the conscience clause. These questions were explored using a sample of 300 Polish healthcare professionals. Results: The results indicate that religiosity was a significant predictor of acceptance of conscience clauses. It also influenced healthcare practitioners' opinions on medical professionals that should be granted the right to conscience clauses and medical services that may be denied on moral grounds. There was also a significant relationship between healthcare practitioners' religiosity and their eagerness to use conscience clauses in a situation of moral conflict. Finally, religious healthcare practitioners were more concerned about the personal consequences of using this right in a medical environment. Conclusion: This study shows that at the same time, both religious and non-religious healthcare professionals believed that the Polish regulations regarding conscience clause are unclear and inaccurate, therefore leading to misinterpretation and abuse regulation of law.

Intraspecific variation of morphological traits backed up with molecular evidence votes for re-appraisal of hitherto distinguished Balaustium species-a case study of Balaustium murorum (Acariformes: Parasitengona, Erythraeidae)

Molecular examination of representatives of Balaustium from several populations in SW Poland, performed using the sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, confirmed their common specific affiliation and identity with Balaustium murorum. The potential presence of distinct species in the studied material, preliminarily inferred from the discovery of clusters as a result of Principal Component Analysis exploring the metric data sets, was rejected due to the finding of only one haplotype, at intra- and inter-population sampling. An insight into meristic traits in larvae, focused on chaetotaxy of legs, revealed wider variation than hitherto recognized for the species. The variation was higher in laboratory-reared larvae compared to field-collected ones. The overall deviations from the mean character values at intra- and interpopulation levels, higher than hitherto observed for the species, vote for the reappraisal of the criteria adopted for discrimination of members of Balaustium with the application of an integrative approach.

How likely is the sense-B-noise to affect patients with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and can we solve that problem in every case?

BACKGROUND

Sense-B-noise is a newly reported possible cause of inappropriate shocks in patients with subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs). The nature of that noise is unknown, it is not related to mechanical failure of the S-ICD system. Reprogramming to the secondary sensing vector is suggested by the producer as a possible solution.

METHODS

We analyzed the medical records of S-ICD recipients from two university clinical centers (Gdansk and Szczecin, Poland). Our aim was to determine the rate of sense-B-noise, and whether the secondary sensing vector would be available for reprogramming if such a problem occurred in our patients.

RESULTS

The sense-B-noise issue affected three patients in our cohort (3%), which corresponds to the incidence of 0.012 events per patient-year of follow-up. The primary vector was permanently used in 47 patients (52%), secondary in 28 (31%), and alternate in 16 (17%), respectively. Therefore, the total number of patients potentially vulnerable to sense-B noise (with the primary or alternate vector programmed permanently) was 63 (69%). Among those 63 patients, 51 individuals (81%) had also the secondary vector available for permanent use.

CONCLUSION

The sense-B-noise affected 3% of patients in our cohort, with an incidence of 0.012 per patient-year of follow-up. Most patients potentially vulnerable to sense-B noise could be reprogrammed to the secondary sensing vector, if necessary. Further investigation of the sense-B-noise issue is needed.

Floodplain lakes as an indicator of increasing industrial pollution - Case study from a fertilizer factory in Poland

Despite the development of organic farming, the demand for mineral fertilizers is still high. Processes of fertilizer production are water-consuming, which is why factories are often located near large rivers. Such facilities should be monitored in detail because they might pose a threat to water quality. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of a nitrogen fertilizer factory chemical wastewater treatment plant (CWTP) on the water quality of nearby river-lake systems. Potential contamination could indicate installation defects. Six floodplain lakes were selected for analysis: three located within the embanked area and three outside the embanked area, all close to the CWTP. Two similar lakes 30 km upstream were chosen as controls. Water samples were taken monthly from March to November 2022. We analysed pH, electrical conductivity (EC), the content of Cl-, total nitrogen (TN), NH4+, NO3-, total phosphorus (TP), PO43-, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), Ca2+, K+, Mg2+ and Na+. Statistical analysis indicated that the canal that drains, among others, the cooling towers wastewater, might have an impact on the nearby lakes, significantly increasing their content of Cl- and Na+. On the other hand, the concentration of NH4+ was significantly higher in the lakes located downstream of the CWTP, although they did not have any surface connection with the CWTP reservoir. This fact and NH4+-polluted water seeping under the dike indicate that the CWTP reservoir might be leaking. Further research on underground water is required to establish whether the CWTP reservoir is properly secured. It is extremely important because the CWTP is located in the Vistula River valley, which supplies drinking water to almost 2 mln people. Any damage to the reservoir, e.g., during a flood, would lead to an ecological disaster involving not only the Vistula but also the Baltic Sea, affecting millions of people.

Usage and impact of patient-reported outcomes in epilepsy

BACKGROUND

The use of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in clinical practice is gaining increasing attention. This study aimed to provide a critical assessment of the current state-of-the-art and beliefs about the use of PRO in the management of people with epilepsy across some European countries.

METHODS

Structured interviews were conducted with European experts to collect insights about (I) the personal experience with PRO; (II) the value and impact of PRO in the decision-making process at the national level; and (III) the interest for and use of PRO by national health authorities.

RESULTS

Nine neurologists (Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, and United Kingdom), three health economists (Portugal, Romania, and Sweden), and one epidemiologist (Slovakia) participated. They all stated that PRO are collected at their own countries in the context of clinical trials and/or specific projects. During everyday clinical practice, PRO are collected routinely/almost routinely in Austria and Sweden and only at the discretion of the treating physicians in Czechia, Denmark, France, Greece, and Portugal. There was complete consensus about the favorable impact that the PRO can have in terms of clinical outcomes, healthcare resources utilization, and general patient satisfaction. Only participants from Portugal and Sweden answered that the PRO are perceived as very important by the National Health Authorities of their respective countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences exist in attitudes and perspectives about PRO in epilepsy across Europe. An active plan is warranted to harmonize the measurement of PRO and ensure they can be relevant to people with epilepsy and health services.

Results of the IAEA supported national end-to-end audit of the IMRT technique in Poland

The dosimetry audit services were established in Poland in 1991, since then new audits have been introduced. The recently developed IAEA audit methodology for IMRT H&N treatments was tested nationally. Anthropomorphic SHANE phantom (CIRS) was used to perform measurements in 8 hospitals which voluntarily participated in the study. Each participant had to complete successfully pre-visit activities to take part in an onsite visit. During the visit, auditors together with the local staff, did a CT scan using local protocol, recalculated the plan and verified all the relevant parameters and performed measurements with an ionization chamber and films in SHANE. The adoption of IAEA methodology to the national circumstances was done with no major issues. Participants plans were verified and the results of ionization chamber were all within the 5 % tolerance limit for PTV (max 4,5%) and 7 % for OAR (max 5,3%). Film global gamma results (3 %, 3 mm, 90 % acceptance limit) were within 91,5-99,7% range. The IAEA established acceptance criteria which were achievable for most tests except for CTtoRED conversion curve. The locally performed study allowed establishing new limits. The audit gave interesting results and showed that the procedure is very thorough and capable to identify issues related with suboptimal treatment preparation and delivery. The new limits for CTtoRED conversion curve were adopted for national study. Such an audit gives an opportunity to verify the quality of locally implemented procedures and should be available for Polish hospitals on a daily basis.

Introduction of EUBIS standards to upgrade inspections of blood establishments to improve the safety of blood transfusion: The Polish experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The competent authority (CA) responsible for external inspections of Polish blood establishments (BEs) and supervision of the quality system is the Institute of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine (IHTM). Before the implementation of the European Blood Inspection System (EuBIS) classification of non-compliance, the IHTM inspections were conducted according to national guidelines and the non-compliance-related recommendations were based on the inspectors' own experience and interpretation of the observed problems. Since 2009, IHTM inspections were already performed according to EuBIS guidelines. The study assessed the impact of the EuBIS classification on the IHTM recommendations. We assumed that the implementation of consistent assessment criteria contributed to the upgrading of the quality of BE inspections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BE-inspection protocols; 30 from 2009 to 2010 and 61 from 2016 to 2019. Non-compliance-related recommendations were classified according to the seriousness of non-compliances (critical, major, other significant, and observation) and also to the area of BE activity (documentation, organisation of work, qualification and validation, pathway from donor qualification to blood component-issue, quality control of blood components, adverse events and reactions).

RESULTS

The recommendations mostly referred to document-keeping and work organisation and were distributed as follows: 2009-2 critical (others unclassified), 2010-1-13 major, 4-25 other significant and 1-7 suggestions, 2016-2019-3-9 critical, 90-196 major, and 157-297 other significant as well as 14-22 suggestions.

CONCLUSION

Polish BEs still require: integrated document management, analysis of IHTM recommendations, implementation of corrective and preventive measures and personnel training in identifying similar non-compliances in other procedures.

Attending to cross-border sociocultural competence in bilingual programs in the Polish-Czech border region: An exploratory study

The aim of this research was to explore whether and how various components of cross-border sociocultural competence were attended to in bilingual schools serving Polish minorities in the Zaolzie border region. Zaolzie is on the Czech side of the Polish-Czech border region, where the Polish minority play an important role in cross-border relations. Based on a review of the extant literature on the development of sociocultural competence among students enrolled in bilingual programs, researchers developed a 19-item survey capturing three distinct components of cross-border sociocultural competence: cognitive, social, and political. The survey was sent to teachers in the 14 Zaolzie region schools, with 123 teachers (44%) participating and asked participants to indicate the extent to which different facets of cross-border sociocultural competence were part of their school's instructional program. Most participants were female-identifying and had over 10 years of teaching experience, and most were born on the Czech side of the border but identified as Polish nationals. Results from an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed two unique factors representing different components of sociocultural competence included in bilingual programs in the Zaolzie region: (1) the development of students' intrapersonal skills, motivation, and cross-linguistic understanding, and (2) the development of students' capacity to engage interpersonally with and to understand others in the region. These findings suggest that schools in the Zaolzie region attend to cross-border sociocultural competence through both an intra- and interpersonal lens, emphasizing individual students' linguistic and cultural development as well as their ability to interact in their highly politicized cross-border context. Educators in the region can thus consider assessing students' progress in these two areas over time as measures of program effectiveness. Given that the researchers found that cognitive, social, and political aspects of sociocultural competence were integrated across intra- and interpersonal dimensions, more research is needed to understand if this integration is unique to the teaching of cross-border sociocultural competence in the Zaolzie region or is taught similarly in other contexts.

Teamwork and safety climate in Polish long-term care facilities: questionnaire reliability and usability

The Teamwork and Safety Climate Survey (TSCS) is one of the questionnaires used to measure patient safety. The questionnaire includes two scales: teamwork climate and safety climate. The objective of the study is the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the TSCS to Polish conditions and checking the reliability and usability of the tool in long-term care facilities. Firstly, the TSCS was translated into Polish. Then, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among the medical and auxiliary personnel of long-term care facilities all over Poland. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were analysed (including Cronbach's alpha coefficient). Correlations between the areas of the questionnaire and individual variables relating to facility parameters were also calculated. Respondents (n = 558) working in 26 different long-term care facilities participated in the study. The analysis has provided four scales instead of two of the original version of the questionnaire (teamwork climate, safety climate, ability to speak up and following the rules, work organisation). Correlation analysis revealed a number of significant correlations between the scales and individual variables corresponding to the parameters of long-term care facilities and respondents themselves. In conclusion, the Polish version of the TSCS may be a useful tool to measure aspects related to patient safety culture in long-term care facilities.

Sense of happiness in Polish patients with multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Happiness is crucial to patient well-being and their acceptance of their disease. The aim of this study was to assess the sense of happiness in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), compare it to the level of happiness in patients with other neurological conditions, and determine which factors affect the sense of happiness in PwMS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Five hundred and eighty-nine PwMS and 145 control subjects (post-stroke patients with chronic pain syndromes and neuropathies) were included in the study. Due to the differences between the groups in terms of demographic variables, an adjusted group of PwMS (n = 145) was selected from the entire group of PwMS. All patients were assessed using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS), and the Family APGAR Questionnaire. Based on regression analysis, the study examined which variables affected the level of happiness in the groups.

RESULTS

Analysis of the OHQ scores showed that PwMS had a lower sense of happiness compared to the control group in the overall score [113.21 (25-42) vs. 119.88 (25-49), respectively; p = 0.031] and the subscales (OHQ subscale 1 - 54.52 vs. 57.84, respectively; p = 0.027; subscale 2 - 35.61 vs. 37.67; respectively; p = 0.044). Based on linear regression analysis, life satisfaction (β = 0.40; p < 0.001), positive orientation (β = 0.32; p < 0.001), and primary education (β = 0.08; p = 0.009) were the most significant predictors of a higher level of happiness in PwMS. Similar results were found in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The sense of happiness in PwMS was lower than in patients with other conditions. The most important factors influencing happiness included life satisfaction and positive orientation. Influencing these predictors should be the aim of psychological interventions, especially in patients with a reduced sense of happiness.

Evaluation of internal exposure of nuclear medicine staff working with radioiodine in Poland

The iodine-131 (I-131) content in the thyroid of staff members working with this radionuclides has been measured with about 500 employees in about 25 hospital's departments of nuclear medicine performing therapy and diagnosis of thyroid disease in Poland. The measurements were performed with portable detection unit for in situ measurements of radioiodine. This is consist with scintillation detector sodium iodine activated by thallium (NaI(Tl)) - battery-powered and portable tube base Multichannel Analyzer Canberra UniSPEC. Based on direct measurements of the iodine content, the effective dose equivalent for workers due to inhalation of I-131 was estimated. All individuals actively working with iodine show measurable amounts of this isotopes in their thyroids. The average measured activity in the thyroid of the nuclear medicine staff was found to be equal at average 550 Bq within the range 70 Bq-2.5 kBq. There is no apparent correlation between the measured I-131 levels and risk categories. Nevertheless the technical and nuclear medicine staff show higher I-131 thyroid level comparing to hospital services staff. Calculated maximum committed effective dose for particular exposed person is <10% of 20 mSv/year. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(5):587-95.

Association between mental health, psychological characteristics, and motivational functions of volunteerism among Polish and Ukrainian volunteers during the Russo-Ukrainian War

The Russo-Ukrainian War has led to a humanitarian crisis, and many people volunteered to help affected refugees. This cross-sectional survey study investigates the relationships between the psychological impact of participation, coping mechanisms, and motivational functions of volunteering during the Russo-Ukrainian War among 285 Ukrainian and 435 Polish volunteers (N = 720). Multivariate linear regression was used to examine relationships between motivational functions and psychosocial and demographic characteristics. Ukrainian volunteers reported significantly higher Hyperarousal and Avoidance, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress, Problem-focused, Emotion-focused, and Avoidant coping, as well as total scores of Hardiness and Psychological Capital than Polish counterparts. Linear regression analysis found that Impact of the Event Scale results, Coping with Stress, being a female, unemployed, and religious were significantly associated with higher motivational functions. Ukrainian volunteers could significantly reduce negative feelings and strengthen social networks and religious faith by volunteering, while Polish volunteers were significantly more likely to gain skills and psychosocial development from helping others.

Ukrainian migrants' and war refugees' admissions to hospital: evidence from the Polish Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study, 2014-2022

BACKGROUND

Considering the rapid influx of Ukrainian migrants and war refugees into Poland, the knowledge of their health condition is becoming increasingly important for health system policy and planning. The aim of the study was to assess war-related changes in the frequency and structure of hospitalizations among Ukrainian migrants and refugees in Poland.

METHODS

The study is based on the analysis of hospital admission records of Ukrainian patients, which were collected in the Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study from 01.01.2014 to 31.12.2022.

RESULTS

In the study period, 13,024 Ukrainians were hospitalized in Poland, 51.7% of whom had been admitted to hospital after February 24, 2022. After the war broke out, the average daily hospital admissions augmented from 2.1 to 21.6 person/day. A noticeable increase in the share of women (from 50% to 62%) and children (from 14% to 51%) was also observed. The average age of patients fell from 33.6 ± 0.2 years to 24.6 ± 0.3 years. The most frequently reported hospital events among the migrants until 23.02.2022 were injuries (S00-T98) - 26.1%, pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O99) - 18.4%, and factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99) - 8.4%. After the war started, the incidence of health problems among migrants and war refugees changed, with pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O99) being the most common - 14.9%, followed by abnormal clinical and lab findings (R00-R99) - 11.9%, and infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) - 11.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings may support health policy planning and delivering adequate healthcare in refugee-hosting countries.

Could a nonfunctional adrenal incidentaloma be a risk factor for increased carotid intima-media thickness and 10-year cardiovascular mortality based on the SCORE algorithm? A study from a single centre in Poland

INTRODUCTION

Adrenal incidentaloma (AI) secreting small amounts of glucocorticoids may cause morphological and functional changes in the blood vessels. Early stages of cardiovascular remodeling may be observed among asymptomatic patients with AI. But it is unclear whether the nonfunctional adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) may also be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between NFAI, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and cardiovascular risk (CVR) based on Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) prediction models for Europe.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study from a single centre in Poland included 48 NFAI patients and 44 individuals in the control group matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). All participants underwent adrenal imaging, biochemical evaluation, measurement of CIMT, and assessment of the 10-year risk of cardiovascular mortality based on the SCORE algorithm. Hormonal evaluation was conducted in AI patients.

RESULTS

The NFAI group showed significantly higher sodium (p = 0.02) and glucose levels in the 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (p = 0.04), a higher CIMT (p < 0.01), and a higher CVR calculated according to the SCORE algorithm (p = 0.03). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was higher in the NFAI group (p = 0.015). Hypertension (p < 0.01) and IGT (p = 0.026) were more common in the NFAI group. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between CIMT and age (r = 0.373, p = 0.003), waist circumference (r = 0.316, p = 0.029), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.338, p = 0.019), and CVR based on the SCORE algorithm (r = 0.43, p = 0.004). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between CIMT and serum cortisol levels after 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (r = 0.33, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Non-functional adrenal adenomas are associated with increased CIMT and CVR. Early stages of cardiovascular remodelling can be observed in asymptomatic NFAI patients.

Evaluation of the performance of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on the Polish Medical Final Examination

The study aimed to evaluate the performance of two Large Language Models (LLMs): ChatGPT (based on GPT-3.5) and GPT-4 with two temperature parameter values, on the Polish Medical Final Examination (MFE). The models were tested on three editions of the MFE from: Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, and Spring 2023 in two language versions-English and Polish. The accuracies of both models were compared and the relationships between the correctness of answers with the answer's metrics were investigated. The study demonstrated that GPT-4 outperformed GPT-3.5 in all three examinations regardless of the language used. GPT-4 achieved mean accuracies of 79.7% for both Polish and English versions, passing all MFE versions. GPT-3.5 had mean accuracies of 54.8% for Polish and 60.3% for English, passing none and 2 of 3 Polish versions for temperature parameter equal to 0 and 1 respectively while passing all English versions regardless of the temperature parameter value. GPT-4 score was mostly lower than the average score of a medical student. There was a statistically significant correlation between the correctness of the answers and the index of difficulty for both models. The overall accuracy of both models was still suboptimal and worse than the average for medical students. This emphasizes the need for further improvements in LLMs before they can be reliably deployed in medical settings. These findings suggest an increasing potential for the usage of LLMs in terms of medical education.

Biostimulants and herbicides a tool to reduce non-commercial yield tubers and improve potato yield structure

The basis for the study was a field experiment conducted in 2012-2014 in the production fields of multi-branch Soleks company in Wojnów, the district of Siedlce in eastern Poland. The experiment was established in a split-plot arrangement as a two-factor experiment in three replications. The first factor were: three cultivars of edible potato-Bartek, Gawin, Honorata, and the second factor were: five objects of potato cultivation with herbicides and biostimulants: 1-Control object-without chemical protection, 2-herbicide Harrier 295 ZC, 3-herbicide Harrier 295 ZC + biostimulant Kelpak SL, 4-herbicide Sencor 70 WG, 5-herbicide Sencor 70 WG + biostimulant Asahi SL. The aim of the study was to reduce the non-commercial potato yield and improve the yield structure through the application of biostimulants and herbicides, and to determine the relationship between weed infestation and tuber yield. The least amount of weeds and the best destruction efficiency were obtained after the application of herbicide Sencor 70 WG + biostimulant Asahi SL and herbicide Harrier 295 ZC + biostimulant Kelpak SL. Effective reduction of weed infestation contributed to improvement of yield structure and reduction of potato non-commercial yield. Based on correlation coefficients, a significant relationship between weed infestation and potato non-commercial yield was shown.

STRUGGLE FOR. Italian-Polish-Spanish-Uzbek-Vietnamese Expert Forum Position Paper 2023 for better control of classical modifiable risk factors in clinical practice

The progress in pharmacotherapy that has been made in recent years, including the introduction of very effective and safe lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drugs, has not yet translated into the expected universal control of blood pressure, lipid disorders and diabetes. In the STRUGGLE FOR Italian- -Polish-Spanish-Uzbek-Vietnamese Expert Forum Position Paper 2023, experts from five countries recounted several points about the paradigms of cardiological and cardiometabolic care for better control of classical modifiable risk factors in the year 2023. It is believed herein, that the need to intensify treatment, actively search for patients with cardiovascular risk factors, especially with arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, should go hand in hand with the implementation of the latest therapy, based on single pill combinations including proven, effective antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and antidiabetic molecules, many of which are listed in the present document. There is a need to use both new technological concepts, completely new drugs, as well as novel treatment concepts such as metabolic treatment in coronary artery disease, try to intensify the fight against smoking in every way, including the available range of drugs and procedures reducing the harm. This approach will provide substantially better control of the underlying cardiovascular risk factors in countries as varied as Italy, Poland, Spain, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Temporal and spatial trends in lead levels in the blood and down of Black Stork nestlings in central Europe

Young birds at an intensive growth stage are especially vulnerable to the deleterious effects of contaminants such as lead (Pb). This element negatively influences organs, development and even behavior, which can consequently lead to lower survival and reproductive success of the population. There was a suspicion that these mechanisms, along with other factors, retarded population growth of the Black Stork - still a heavily understudied species in respect to pollution, especially Pb. Therefore, we undertook a study concerning Pb concentrations in the down and blood of Black Stork nestlings from breeding grounds in central and southern Poland (Europe). To investigate the effects of Pb exposure on nestling condition, scale mass index and reduced glutathione levels were also studied, but results indicated that Pb did not influence either of these parameters. The highest blood Pb concentration reached 0.247 μg/g, while the highest down Pb concentrations was significantly higher reaching 4.95 μg/g. Concentrations in blood and down were not correlated with each other. Nest location and year of sampling were not influential for blood but were influential for down Pb concentrations. Relationships between Pb concentrations, habitat characteristics and proximity to emitters were not significant. Overall Pb concentrations in Black Stork nestlings were below the toxicity threshold and did not have negative effects on specimens studied. They were probably related to maternal exposure during migration, on stopover and breeding grounds as well as with food provided by parents.

Language as Care Practice in Multi-Lingual Care Environments in Poland

Being able to speak and understand local languages is regarded as an important prerequisite for conducting fieldwork. In this article we reflect on fieldwork in which we did not speak the local language - Polish - but in which we could still learn something about a central practice in our field sites: how language was implicated in practices of care. Hanging out as linguistically constricted researchers propelled us to research situations in which care was done through using words as sounds and practices, rather than relying on meanings, and to relate to not sharing a language in new ways.

Integrative attitudes of Ukrainian war refugees in two neighboring European countries (Poland and Hungary) in connection with posttraumatic stress symptoms and social support

Since February 24th, 2022, millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge in other, mainly European countries. Hungary, after Poland, is the second largest host of Ukrainian refugees. Only a portion of them are asylum seekers (~11.0% in Poland and ~ 1.1% in Hungary). The aim of the study is to compare the integrative acculturation attitudes between the war refugees residing in the two European countries. The comparison takes into account both the suffering of posttraumatic stress symptoms and social support. It is the first comparative study of this kind pertaining to the Ukrainian refugees in European countries. The data were obtained by a survey method using the modified CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interview) technique. The data analyzed were collected between November 21st and December 20th, 2022 from 728 adult Ukrainian individuals who crossed the borders of Poland and Hungary after February 24th, 2022. The research results show that refugees in Poland perceive significantly more social support and show stronger integrative attitudes than refugees in Hungary. The two samples do not differ regarding the presence of posttraumatic stress. The integrative attitudes proved not to be linked to gender and age, but linked to the host country. Besides social support and the host country, posttraumatic stress also proved to be a significant predictor of integrative attitudes.

Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the FACIT-Sp-12: Assessing Spiritual Well-Being Among Patients with Chronic Diseases

BACKGROUND Spirituality plays a crucial role in enhancing quality of life. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp) scale is a reliable tool to assess an individual's spiritual well-being, specifically in the context of chronic illness. Although the instrument is widely used worldwide, it has not yet been validated for Polish conditions. The aim of this study was to translate and investigate the reliability and validity of the Polish version of the FACIT-Sp-12 and examine whether it is associated with measures of religiosity and religious practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS The self-administered FACIT-Sp questionnaire, containing 12 spiritual well-being items, was translated into the Polish language, following the FACIT multilingual translation methodology. A group of 355 patients with chronic diseases were enrolled. Validation analysis was conducted. The reliability of the scale and subscales was evaluated with internal consistency coefficients. RESULTS A confirmatory factor analysis corroborated a 3-factor model (Meaning, Peace, and Faith) of the FACIT-Sp-12 Polish version, which showed moderate internal consistency. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.614 for the overall scale, 0.657 for the Meaning subscale, 0.873 for the Peace subscale, and 0.855 for the Faith subscale. The mean score was 29.46 (SD=6.69) for the overall spiritual well-being scale. Total scores of the FACIT-Sp-12 were strongly correlated with the Polish version of the Duke University Religion Index. CONCLUSIONS The psychometric properties of the Polish version of the FACIT-Sp-12 were satisfactory, and the scale can be used in Poland for assessing the spiritual well-being of patients with chronic illness.

Mobile applications in radiology: own study based on polish data

As the number of smartphones increases, so does the number of medical apps. Medical mobile applications are widely used in many medical fields by both patients and doctors. However, there are still few approved mobile applications that can be used in the diagnostic-therapeutic process and radiological apps are affected as well. We conducted our research by classifying radiological applications from the Google Play® store into appropriate categories, according to our own qualification system developed by researchers for the purposes of this study. In addition, we also evaluated apps from the App Store®. The radiology application rating system we created has not been previously used in other articles. Out of 228 applications from the Google Play store, only 6 of them were classified as "A" category with the highest standard. Apps from the App Store (157) were not categorized due to the lack of download counts, which was necessary in our app-rating system. The vast majority of applications are for educational purposes and are not used in clinical practice. This is due to the need of obtaining special permits and certificates from relevant institutions in order to use them in medical practice. We recommend applications from the Google Play store that have been classified in the "A" category, evaluating them as the most valuable. App Store apps data is described and presented in the form of diagrams and tables.

Investigation of microbiological safety of dry cat foods marketed in Poland

Pets are inhabiting more and more human homes every year. In 2020, the cat population in Europe was 110 million, including 6.8 million in Poland. Dry food is the most popular dietary model for cats because of its easy storage and efficient satisfaction of pet needs. The high processing temperature of dry food reduces the chance of microbial contamination, but this can occur later, during post-production or storage in the pet's caregiver's home or, in the case of weighed foods, in the store. The purpose of this study was to investigate the microbiological safety of dry feed sold in the original manufacturer's packaging and the same feed from the same manufacturers sold in a retail store by weight. Six discriminants, presence of Salmonella spp., number of coliforms, number of coagulase-positive staphylococci, determination of yeast and mould counts, Enterobacteriaceae count, Listeria monocytogenes and determination of total aerobic microbial count were used for the analysis. Then, cat food was then stored for 45 days according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Based on the samples tested both after opening and after storage, it was concluded that the dry cat food analyzed posed a law microbiological risk to animals and humans.

Characterization of the Moroccan Barley Germplasm Preserved in the Polish Genebank as a First Step towards Selecting Forms with Increased Drought Tolerance

In marginal, arid, and semi-arid areas of Morocco, crops are often exposed to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses that have a major impact on yield. Farmer-maintained Moroccan landraces have been shaped by the impact of very strong selection pressures, gradually adapting to the local ecosystem and obsolete low-input agricultural practices without improvement towards high yield and quality. Considering the increasing threat of drought in Poland, it is necessary to introduce germplasm with tolerance to water deficit into barley breeding programs. The aim of this research was a DArTseq-based genetic characterization of a collection of germplasm of Moroccan origin, conserved in the Polish genebank. The results showed that all conserved landraces have a high level of heterogeneity and their gene pool is different from the material developed by Polish breeders. Based on the analysis of eco-geographical data, locations with extremely different intensities of drought stress were selected. A total of 129 SNPs unique to accessions from these locations were identified. In the neighborhood of the clusters of unique SNPs on chromosomes 5H and 6H, genes that may be associated with plant response to drought stress were identified. The results obtained may provide a roadmap for further research to support Polish barley breeding for increased drought tolerance.

NDVI as a potential tool for forecasting changes in geographical range of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.)

Determining the natural range of Acer pseudoplatanus and the future directions of its spread is not clear. Modern technological achievements, including tools related to remote sensing, provide new opportunities to assess the degree of spread and adaptation of species to a changing climate. The aim of the work was to demonstrate the possibility of using NDVI to assess the habitat conditions of sycamore in Poland and the possibility of its natural expansion. The data analysis was divided into 2 parts. The first covered the characteristics of all sycamore stands occurring in Poland. In the second part, the analysis of sycamore stands using NDVI was made. The results of the study show that the highest average NDVI values are found in sycamore stands in the northern part of Poland, which has so far been considered less favorable for sycamore. This may suggest the potential for an increase in the share of sycamore towards the north. The results also confirm the forecasts given in the literature regarding the spread of sycamore towards Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The results also point to Denmark and the western part of the British Isles as potentially favorable habitats for sycamore.

[Health and safety challenges in medical entities and the powers of the social labor inspector: Lessons related to the COVID-19 outbreak in the context of internal control of employee health and safety]

Employees in the medical profession in a situation where the life of a patient is at risk cannot refrain from working due to unsafe working conditions. Therefore, enforcing the right to safe and hygienic working conditions is particularly important so that employees can provide health care services without additional burdens. The purpose of the study is to determine how the social labour inspector can respond to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards and whether the current powers of the social labor inspectorate as the employer's internal OHS control body are sufficient. The study conducted a regulatory analysis and used relevant literature, including recent studies on law enforcement. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted among trade union representatives of medical professionals on the evaluation of social labour inspector activities and OHS hazards during the COVID-19 epidemic period. In this period characterized by many OHS risks in medical entities, the difficulties faced by employers in carrying out their duty to protect the health of their employees became apparent. The system of internal control with the participation of the social labour inspection in this context needs changes, due to the fact that it is used in an inefficient manner. The reasons for this are primarily incomplete legal regulations. The legislator should guarantee the social labour inspector the right to use both methods of rewarding the employer as an incentive for the proper performance of duties and measures to deter violations of the law. Despite the fact that Polish labour law guarantees mechanisms for OHS control by the social labour inspector, it would be appropriate to expand the catalog of measures used by him to effectively motivate employers to protect worker health. This study is a prelude to a broader discussion of OHS monitoring in the context of OHS hazards occurring in healthcare entities. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):301-16.

Cross-border simulation training for German and Polish emergency medical teams is feasible: conception and evaluation of a bilingual simulation training

BACKGROUND

Cross-border cooperation of emergency medical services, institutions and hospitals helps to reduce negative impact of national borders and consecutive discrimination of persons living and working in border regions. This study aims to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a cross-border bilingual simulation training for emergency medical services within an INTERREG-VA-funded project.

METHODS

Five days of simulation training for German and Polish paramedics in mixed groups were planned. Effectiveness of training and main learning objectives were evaluated as pre-post-comparisons and self-assessment by participants.

RESULTS

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, only three of nine training modules with n = 16 participants could be realised. Cross-border-simulation training was ranked more positively and was perceived as more useful after the training compared to pretraining. Primary survey has been performed using ABCDE scheme in 18 of 21 scenarios, whereas schemes to obtain medical history have been applied incompletely. However, participants stated to be able to communicate with patients and relatives in 10 of 21 scenarios.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates feasibility of a bilingual cross-border simulation training for German and Polish rescue teams. Further research is highly needed to evaluate communication processes and intra-team interaction during bilingual simulation training and in cross-border emergency medical services rescue operations.

Cardiovascular disease threat and perceived efficacy of selected preventive behaviors among Polish men: an analysis based on the extended parallel process model

Considering the low rate of preventive behaviors (5%), it is important to increase the effectiveness of actions that motivate the public to engage in health-promoting behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the way in which Polish men perceive the threat of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the effectiveness of five preventive behaviors in the context of CVDs. We aimed to identify groups of recipients, based on the extended parallel process model (EPPM), for five preventive behaviors and to compare the identified groups in terms of selected characteristics. We conducted the survey in November 2022, using the computer-assisted web interviewing technique, on a representative sample of 1,000 men aged 18-65 years. Polish men showed relatively low levels of perceived susceptibility to CVDs (15.1%), but at the same time tended to perceive the consequences of CVDs as severe (54.2%). Segmentation of audiences according to the EPPM showed that regardless of the type of preventive behavior, the most numerous groups are responsive (31-37%) and indifferent (29-31%). This study revealed the need to increase awareness of the importance of a healthy diet to prevent CVDs among male population. Less than half of the men indicated that they would be able to implement effective stress management (49.8%) and smoking avoidance (39.4%), indicating the need to implement measures to increase self-efficacy in the areas.

Non-homogeneity in the efficiency evaluation of health systems

BACKGROUND

An international comparison of health system performance is a popular tool of health policy analysis. However, the efficiency evaluation of health systems is a practical example of an international comparison in which non-homogeneity is expected. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of health systems by models in which a degree of non-homogeneity among countries is considered.

METHODS

We study the problem of non-homogeneity of health systems in the theoretical framework of the data envelopment analysis (DEA), which is a popular method of efficiency evaluation with hundreds of applications from various fields. DEA assume the homogeneity of production units and the homogeneity of the environment in which the production units operate. Hence, we compiled a summary of 14 recommendations on how to deal with the non-homogeneity in the DEA models. The analysed sample includes 38 OECD member countries. The data are from the year 2019.

RESULTS

As an example, we evaluated the health system efficiency of the Czech Republic. We used the DEA models with the neighbourhood measure of distance and the constraint limiting the comparison of countries with different levels of economic development. The health system inputs were the numbers of physicians, nurses, and hospital beds. In the production of the intermediate outputs (doctor consultations, inpatient care discharges), the Czech Republic should look at Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. In the production of health outcomes (life expectancy), the peer countries are France, Italy and Switzerland.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the DEA analysis are only indicative because no single analytical method can determine whether a health system is better or worse than others. We need to combine different methods, and DEA is one of them. We consider DEA as an exploratory method, not a method providing definitive answers.

The Awareness of the Role of Commercial Determinants of Health and the Readiness to Accept Restrictions on Unhealthy Food Advertising in Polish Society

The negative consequences of commercial determinants of health (CDoH) have become a major challenge for public health systems, especially in terms of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). CDoH are defined as profit-driven factors that influence health. In this study, we assessed the awareness of CDoH and the attitudes toward potential restrictions on advertising, as well as fiscal interventions targeting food products with harmful effects on health in Polish society. Our analysis is based on data from a computer-based web interviewing (CAWI) survey performed in May 2022 among 2008 adult internet users from Poland. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed for variables derived from three items exploring the respondents' understanding of the relationship between CDoH and NCDs, as well as three items asking about their acceptance of a prohibition of advertising unhealthy products during sports events, a general ban on unhealthy food advertising, and their attitudes toward sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Food (FL) and e-health literacy (eHL) levels were consistently positive predictors of both awareness of CDoH and acceptance of the proposed actions. Both higher FL and eHL were significantly associated with the opinion that advertising unhealthy food is associated with the prevalence of NCDs (OR, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.02-1.05, and 1.04, 1.02-1.06, respectively). Health literacy was less frequently a significant predictor of the dependent variables. Among sociodemographic factors, a respondent's level of education and age showed a significant relationship with their awareness and acceptance of countermeasures against CDoH. Respondents with a university master's level of education were more likely to agree with the statement on the relationship between big industry profits and harm to society's health (OR, 95% CI: 1.96, 1.42-2.69) and to support a ban on advertising unhealthy food similar to that for tobacco products (OR, 95% CI: 1.66, 1.21-2.27). Respondents suffering from chronic diseases were also consistently more likely to show a greater understanding of the harmful impact of CDoH and support proposed restrictions. For example, they were more likely to agree with restrictions on advertising harmful products during sports events (OR, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.02-1.50) and the introduction of a sugar tax (OR, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.03-1.54). Our study revealed that more than 50% of the Polish population is conscious of the problem of the harmful effects of big industries producing and selling processed food, sugar-sweetened beverages, and alcoholic beverages. Interestingly, slightly more than half of the respondents supported the introduction of restrictions on advertising such products. Still, only approximately 30% of them accepted a sugar tax to counter the obesity epidemic. The results of our study indicate that Polish society is open to the introduction of regulations aimed at limiting the impact of commercial determinants of health. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to assess the awareness of CDoH and the acceptance of restrictions to limit their impact.

Trends in mortality from non-natural causes in children and adolescents (0-19 years) in Europe from 2000 to 2018

BACKGROUND

Non-natural mortality in children and adolescents is a global public health problem that varies widely from country to country. Data on child and adolescent maltreatment are not readily available, and mortality due to violent causes is also underestimated.

METHODS

Injury-related mortality rates (overall and by specific causes) from 2000 to 2018 in selected European countries were analysed to observe mortality patterns in children and adolescents using data from the Eurostat database. Age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated for each country. Joinpoint regression analysis with a significance level of 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals was performed for mortality trends.

RESULTS

Children and adolescent mortality from non-natural causes decreased significantly in Europe from 10.48 around 2005 to 5.91 around 2015. The Eastern countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic) had higher rates; while Spain, Denmark, Italy, and the United Kingdom had the lowest. Rates for European Country declined by 5.10% per year over the entire period. Larger downward trends were observed in Ireland, Spain and Portugal; smaller downward trends were observed for Eastern countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia) and Finland. Among specific causes of death, the largest decreases were observed for accidental causes (-5.9%) and traffic accidents (-6.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality among children and adolescents due to non-natural causes has decreased significantly over the past two decades. Accidental events and transport accidents recorded the greatest decline in mortality rates, although there are still some European countries where the number of deaths among children and adolescents from non-natural causes is high. Social, cultural, and health-related reasons may explain the observed differences between countries.

Push and pull factors influencing the choice of a health resort by Polish treatment-seekers

BACKGROUND

The objective of the study was to indicate social and psychological (inner) motives associated with the desire and needs of travelling to health resorts (push) as well as external motives resulting from destination's attributes, and explaining the choice of the health tourism establishment (pull) by Polish treatment-seekers divided into two social groups: persons in employment and retired persons. The research hypothesis assumed the two groups of people differ very much in terms of preferences motivating them to participate in health resort tourism, destination choices and services offered by health resort establishments.

METHODS

Of the 258 health resorts, 154 establishments were selected for research purposes taking into account a proportional distribution of health resorts throughout Poland. An authorial questionnaire was developed and it included three questions with multiple answers, each answer being assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. The research adds new insights by analysing motives associated with health resort tourism in terms of benefits sought by visitors. The main and strongest motive for choosing health resort tourism is concern for health. In addition to old age pensioners, it was legitimate to analyse the group of employed respondents as their stays at a health resort are undertaken to regain not only physical fitness but also work motivation.

RESULTS

The present study has demonstrated that motives and age groups have a significant effect on destination choice. Based on the results, it can be concluded that these groups often have diverse needs, expectations and, as a result, motives for choosing this form of tourism and a given health resort. What follows is a possibility of dividing the visitors to health resorts in terms of push and pull motives.

CONCLUSIONS

The research hypothesis assuming the two groups varied considerably in terms of preferences motivating them to participate in health resort tourism, destination selection and choice of services offered by the health resort establishment has been confirmed. The ramifications of the study's findings may also be relevant for health resort/spa tourism outside of Poland because healthy lifestyle promotion is a worldwide trend.

The Phenolic Profile and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Polish Propolis on Activated Human Gingival Fibroblasts-1 Cell Line

Propolis, owing to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, acts as a cariostatic agent, capable of preventing the accumulation of dental plaque and inhibiting inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of propolis are attributed to caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is present in European propolis. The objective of the conducted study was to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of the Polish ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and isolated CAPE on stimulated with LPS and IFN-α, as well as the combination of LPS and IFN-α. The cytotoxicity of the tested compounds was determined using the MTT assay. The concentrations of specific cytokines released by the HGF-1 cell line following treatment with EEP (25-50 µg/mL) or CAPE (25-50 µg/mL) were assessed in the culture supernatant. In the tested concentrations, both CAPE and EEP did not exert cytotoxic effects. Our results demonstrate that CAPE reduces TNF-α and IL-6 in contrast to EEP. Propolis seems effective in stimulating HGF-1 to release IL-6 and IL-8. A statistically significant difference was observed for IL-8 in HGF-1 stimulated by LPS+IFN-α and treated EEP at a concentration of 50 µg/mL (p = 0.021201). Moreover, we observed that CAPE demonstrates a stronger interaction with IL-8 compared to EEP, especially when CAPE was administered at a concentration of 50 µg/mL after LPS + IFN-α stimulation (p = 0.0005). Analysis of the phenolic profile performed by high-performance liquid chromatography allowed identification and quantification in the EEP sample of six phenolic acids, five flavonoids, and one aromatic ester-CAPE. Propolis and its compound-CAPE-exhibit immunomodulatory properties that influence the inflammatory process. Further studies may contribute to explaining the immunomodulatory action of EEP and CAPE and bring comprehensive conclusions.

Multicenter registry of Impella-assisted high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions and cardiogenic shock in Poland (IMPELLA-PL)

BACKGROUND

Impella is a percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device for treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS) and high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (HR-PCIs). IMPELLA-PL is a national retrospective registry of Impella-treated CS and HR-PCI patients in 20 Polish interventional cardiological centers, conducted from January 2014 until December 2021.

AIMS

We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of Impella using real-world data from IMPELLA-PL and compare these with other registries.

METHODS

IMPELLA-PL data were analyzed to determine primary endpoints: in-hospital mortality and rates of mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 12 months post-discharge.

RESULTS

Of 308 patients, 18% had CS and 82% underwent HR-PCI. In-hospital mortality rates were 76.4% and 8.3% in the CS and HR-PCI groups, respectively. The 12-month mortality rates were 80.0% and 18.2%, and post-discharge MACCE rates were 9.1% and 22.5%, respectively. Any access site bleeding occurred in 30.9% of CS patients and 14.6% of HR-PCI patients, limb ischemia in 12.7% and 2.4%, and hemolysis in 10.9% and 1.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Impella is safe and effective during HR-PCIs, in accordance with previous registry analyses. The risk profile and mortality in CS patients were higher than in other registries, and the potential benefits of Impella in CS require investigation.