Silesia Region Of Poland Research Articles

Retrospective study of the morphology of third maxillary molars among the population of Lower Silesia based on analysis of cone beam computed tomography.

Understanding the anatomy of root canal systems and being aware of their variations is crucial for successful endodontic treatment. Specifically, the intricate and diverse nature of the root anatomy in maxillary third molars poses a significant challenge for dental clinicians. The study analyzed the morphology of the root canal system in maxillary third molars among residents of the Lower Silesia region in Poland using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). This retrospective cross-sectional imaging study was conducted at the X-Ray Diagnostics Laboratory of the Academic Dental Polyclinic of Wroclaw Medical University, Poland. The study evaluated 316 CBCT scans and included 196 maxillary third molars. They were obtained from 118 females and 78 males over the age of 18, in the period from January to April 2022 (three consecutive months). The number of roots, root canals, and root canal configurations according to Vertucci's classification were analyzed. Three-rooted maxillary molars were found most often (64.29%), followed by single-rooted (24.49%), two-rooted (7.65%), and four-rooted (3.57%) teeth. Among all the roots examined, Vertucci Type I root canals were the most prevalent. Our research found that single-rooted forms (40 teeth, 33.89% vs. 8 teeth, 10.26%, p = 0.0013) of maxillary third molars were significantly more common in females than in males. However, three-rooted forms (62 teeth, 79.49% vs. 64 teeth, 54.24%, p = 0.0013) of maxillary third molars were significantly more common in males than in females. In the Lower Silesia region, the typical maxillary third molar in the Polish population has a three-rooted structure with Vertucci Type I root canal configuration. We noted a sex-dependent correlation in maxillary third molar morphology, with single-rooted forms more prevalent in women and three-rooted forms in men.

Diagnosis of the Development of Energy Cooperatives in Poland—A Case Study of a Renewable Energy Cooperative in the Upper Silesian Region

Renewable energy sources (RESs) offer key transformative potential from a societal point of view due to their modularity and ability to generate energy at the local level, allowing for the development of grassroots democratic and participatory initiatives. The paper aims to share insights into the processes of creating RES cooperatives in Poland. One of the first cooperatives to be established in the Upper Silesian region in Poland was the energy cooperative (EC) “Our Energy”. This study presents an in-depth empirical analysis of a community-based renewable energy cooperative. The study employed a case study methodology, including a SWOT analysis framework, to describe the research subject and identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Key findings indicate that members benefit from stable energy prices and full recovery of the energy produced, and the cooperative is at the forefront of energy-sharing practices that minimize costs through direct transactions with the local municipality. The strategic goals of the EC focus on expanding membership, increasing the number of photovoltaic installations, implementing energy balancing, combating energy poverty, and reducing emissions. Challenges such as financial constraints and a lack of real-time monitoring of energy distribution are acknowledged, and carbon footprint reduction innovations and stakeholder engagement are highlighted as forward-looking approaches. The study highlights the role of cooperatives as a model for community-led sustainable energy initiatives. However, the study acknowledges the limitations of its small sample size, suggesting the need for broader research to understand the impact of collaborative energy on decarbonization. Future research directions are proposed, focusing on the long-term sustainability and socioeconomic impacts of energy cooperatives. This study contributes to the scholarly discourse on renewable energy cooperatives by offering insight into their potential to bridge the gap between energy producers and consumers and support sustainable community development. The main novelty of this paper lies in its detailed examination of a specific renewable energy cooperative, incorporating SWOT analysis, stakeholder perspectives, quantitative assessments, and a forward-thinking approach. This multifaceted analysis contributes to the existing literature on renewable energy initiatives, providing a valuable reference for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in the field.

Reliable Tilt of Objects Subjected to Rectification and Located in Mining Areas

Abstract Mining exploitation of hard coal is conducted in the Silesian region in Poland. As a result, the post-mining void is formed which leads to non-uniform lowering of the ground level. Consequently, thousands of buildings are vertically deflected. This type of deflection causes troublesome use of buildings, underestimates their value, and in extreme situations leads to exceeded limit states. Therefore, such buildings are rectified by non-uniform elevations by means of jacks. On the basis of the analysed rectification processes, the method of determining the deflection of a building and the height of elevating its corners were presented depending on the type of building. This paper is a review of methods of determining the deflection of buildings having different sizes: single-storey buildings, single-storey buildings with a usable attic, two-storey buildings, and 11-storey buildings. Moreover, specific situations were analysed, in which the elevation height was determined by a range of additional works performed during rectification. This review was used to develop guidelines for determining deflection values and specifying the height of non-uniform elevation of corners.

Ecosystem services contributing to local economic sectors – conceptual framework of linking ecosystem services, benefits and economic sectors

The paper introduces the principles of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting-Ecosystem Accounting. The aim of the work is to present the application of the conceptual framework of linking ecosystem services, benefits and economic sectors. The analysis relates to years 2012 and 2018. The case study area represents five municipalities that cross borders with the Ślężański Landscape Park and its buffer zone in the Lower Silesia region in Poland. Results show that cropland-related ecosystem services contribute to 17% and 14 % percent of all companies operating in the case study area. The direct link between agricultural benefits and five economic sectors was established. The ecosystem extent account is created, and the land cover flows analysed. The applicability of ecosystem accounting to local governance is discussed.

European Union Funds as Stimulators of Sustainable Tourism Development in Municipalities of the Lower Silesian Region in Poland in 2014-2019

Abstract Introduction. The study assessed the impact of EU funds on sustainable tourism in the Lower Silesian region of Poland in the years 2014-2019. Material and methods. A literature review and the following research methods were used in the study: logical analysis and construction, as well as documentary and statistical analyses. A database was compiled containing statistical data on implemented tourism projects subsidized with EU funds in municipalities of Lower Silesia. Each project was then assigned to one of sustainable tourism sections in accordance with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Destination Criteria. Statistical analysis included structure analysis, basic statistics, and the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test and post-hoc test. Results. The Kruskal-Wallis test results (H = 20.01 for project values, and H = 23.34 for the amount of EU funding) and the probability level (p = 0.001) demonstrated that project expenditures on tourism in each sustainable tourism section differed significantly. The multiple comparisons test (post-hoc test) revealed statistically significant differences between the values of projects implemented in the sections of cultural sustainability and sustainable management (p = 0.009), cultural sustainability and environmental sustainability (p = 0.009), socio-economic sustainability and sustainable management (p = 0.009), and socio-economic sustainability and environmental sustainability (p = 0.008). In terms of the amount of EU funding, statistically significant differences were found between cultural sustainability and environmental sustainability (p = 0.001), and socio-economic sustainability and environmental sustainability (p = 0.001). Conclusions. The allocation of EU funds for tourism projects did not contribute to the implementation of sustainable tourism. In the next EU programming period, i.e. 2021-2027, a more sustainable allocation of funds for tourism projects should be pursued. There is a clear need to increase the number and value of tourism projects implemented in the area of environmental sustainability.

I Choose Health. It is OncoLogical!—Informative and Educational Campaign Dedicated to the High School Students in Poland

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Poland and the number of new cases is expected to increase by 28% over the next 10 years. Despite modifications and expenditure growth in the Polish health care system, oncological treatment outcomes are lower comparing to the other European Union countries. Early preventative interventions are effective in reducing the total number of cancers and improving early detection. OnkoLogika is an educational campaign launched in 2016 by the Comprehensive Cancer Centre, aimed at improving cancer awareness. One hundred and twenty students from 25 high schools of the Lower Silesia region in Poland participated in the OnkoLogika program, which consisted of four-segment workshops containing pre-/post-tests, theoretical and practical parts within the project. The mean number of correct answers from the both tests improved after educational intervention (p < 0.001). Students’ knowledge increased, especially in relation to risk factors of breast cancer development (416.31% increase), HPV-related cancers (344.81% increase), risk factors and red flag signs of skin melanoma (120.31% and 99.05% increase respectively). Approx. 86% of participants were satisfied with the OnkoLogika with 14% of respondents being dissatisfied and 94% declared increased awareness about cancer prophylaxis. High schools students indicated insufficient time (250; 16.67%) and lack of details considering presented cancers (80; 5.33%) to be the major weaknesses of the program. Nevertheless, 94% of participants would recommend OnkoLogika to a friend. OnkoLogika promotes healthy lifestyle and helps acquire necessary knowledge about chosen cancers.

Prevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in HIV-Positive Patients in Wroclaw, Poland—Unexpected Difference between First and Second Wave

Background: The presence and level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in PLWH from the Lower Silesia region in Poland. Material and Methods: A total of 216 serum samples of both sexes, aged 21–77, and treated with TDF or TAF together with FTC and INSTI at two points of time. Anyone who did not experience COVID-19 symptoms. Samples were checked for the presence and levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies regarding CD4 + T and CD8 + T cells counts, the ratio of these cells, age, sex, VL, and type of tenofovir used. Results: The average level and prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies during the first wave were 65.81 IU/mL and 4.17%, while during the second wave, they were 125.98 IU/mL and 14.29%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the number and type of lymphocytes and the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We did not find the same correlation regarding anti-SARS-CoV-2 levels. The average level of antibodies was higher during the second wave. There was no difference between the type of tenofovir used and the humoral response, as well as no correlation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 levels with age, gender, or VL. Conclusion: PLWH can have asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, which can influence the presence, but not levels, of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Ab. No correlation with type of tenofovir was observed.

Identification and Assessment of the Driving Forces behind Changes in the Foothill Landscape: Case Studies of the Mysłakowice and Jelenia Góra Communities in Poland.

The main objective of this study was to determine the driving forces behind landscape change and the perceptions of change by the residents of selected research areas. The communities used for the study were Mysłakowice and Jelenia Góra, located in the Lower Silesia region in Poland. Mysłakowice is a rural community, and Jelenia Góra is an urban community. The landscape of both municipalities is dominated by forest-covered mountains surrounding dispersed built-up and agricultural areas. The time range of the analysis was 2005–2020, covering the period after Poland’s accession to the European Union, and was divided into the following three time periods: 2005–2010, 2010–2015, and 2015–2020. The research methodology consisted of the following three stages: (1) the identification of landscape changes on the basis of land cover data and the calculation of the landscape change index (LCI), (2) the characterization and classification of the identified landscape changes, and (3) the identification of the driving forces of landscape changes through surveys with the residents of both municipalities. The results obtained based on the surveys were often consistent with the results from the GIS analysis. The respondents were able to identify the most important changes and proposed the driving forces affecting them. According to the residents of Mysłakowice and Jelenia Góra, the changes in the landscape between 2005 and 2020 were primarily the result of political and socio-economic driving forces, accompanied by forces from other groups. However, each time period was distinctive. The analysis showed which types of changes in the landscape were viewed positively and negatively by the people during the analyzed periods of time, and what the influence of the different driving forces was on the formation of changes in the landscape.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile of RT 027/176 Versus Other Clostridioides difficile Isolates in Silesia, Southern Poland.

Clostridioides difficile is an important health care-associated pathogen. The aim of this study was to analyze the antibiotic susceptibility of C. difficile isolates from feces of patients from 13 hospitals in Silesia, Poland. The incidence of CDI per 100.000 people in Silesia in 2018–2019 was higher than the average in Poland (39.3–38.7 vs. 30.2–29.5, respectively). The incidence doubled from 26.4 in 2020 to 55.1 in 2021. Two hundred and thirty stool samples tested positive for GDH (glutamate dehydrogenase) and toxins were cultured anaerobically for C. difficile. The isolates were characterized, typed, and tested for susceptibility to 11 antibiotics by E-test (EUCAST, 2021). The genes of toxins A/B and binary were detected by mPCR. Of 215 isolates, 166 (77.2%) were classified as RT 027 and 6 (2.8%) as related RT 176. Resistance to ciprofloxacin (96.7%), moxifloxacin (79.1%), imipenem (78.1%), penicillin (67%), and rifampicin (40.5%) was found. The ermB gene was detected in 79 (36.7%) strains. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was confirmed in 50 (23.3%) strains of RT 027 (94%). We concluded that a high prevalence of MDR among hypervirulent RT 027/176 C. difficile was found in the Silesian region of Poland, emphasizing the need to enhance regional infection control on CDI and antibiotic stewardships.

Analysis of Deaths among HIV-Infected Patients Hospitalized in 2009-2018 in Main Centre of Infectious Disease in Region of Lower Silesia in Poland, Detailing Lesions in the Central Nervous System.

Background and Objectives: Patients living with HIV (PLWH), especially those diagnosed too late or not receiving treatment with antiretroviral drugs in the stage of advanced immunodeficiency AIDS for various reasons, develop additional opportunistic infections or AIDS-defining diseases that may contribute directly to the death of these patients. Material and Methods: In this work, we focused on disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) by retrospectively analyzing the symptoms, clinical and autopsy diagnoses of patients diagnosed with HIV infection who died in the provincial specialist hospital in the Lower Silesia region in Poland. Results: The autopsy was performed in 27.4% cases. The cause of death was determined to be HIV-related/AIDS-associated in 78% patients. The most common AIDS-defining CNS diseases in our cohort were toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. Conslusions: The presented results of the most common causes of changes in the central nervous system among deceased HIV-infected patients are comparable to the results of studies by other scientists cited in the publication.

Factors influencing death in COVID-19 patients treated in the ICU: a single-centre, cross-sectional study.

This single-centre study investigated factors influencing death in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). Data of 113 consecutive patients with a severe form of COVID-19 infection, who completed their ICU stay in a large COVID-19-dedicated hospital in the Silesian Region of Poland during one year of the pandemic (between 10 March, 2020 and 10 March, 2021), were reviewed. Comprehensive comparison of all available ICU pre-admission, admission and treatment variables was performed. Variables that independently influenced ICU death were identified. ICU mortality in the whole group was 64.6%. Mean age was higher in non-survivors (64.6 ± 9.5 vs. 60.0 ± 12.8 years, P = 0.036), but the distribution of sex and body mass index was similar in both groups. Non-survivors had a marginally higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (5.9 ± 3.6 vs. 4.5 ± 4.1 points, P = 0.063), and significantly higher mean Clinical Frailty Score (4.8 ± 1.5 vs. 3.9 ± 1.4 points, P = 0.004), admission APACHE II score (22.9 ± 7.9 vs. 19.1 ± 7.8 points, P = 0.017) and SAPS II score (62.1 ± 18.1 vs. 54.0 ± 16.7 points, P = 0.023). Factors that independently influenced ICU death were limited to: admission total protein 2.0 ng mL-1 (OR = 11.3, P = 0.026) and lactate level > 2.0 mmol L-1 (OR = 4.2, P = 0.003) as well as Clinical Frailty Score ≥ 5 points (OR = 3.1, P = 0.021). The presence of low total protein, frailty and increased procalcitonin and lactate levels at ICU admission are associated with ICU death in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of patients discharged from the ICU in a vegetative or minimally conscious state.

PurposeA significant percentage of patients are discharged from intensive care units (ICU) with disorders of counciousness (DoC). The aim of this retrospective, case-control study was to compare patients discharged from the ICU in a vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS) and the rest of ICU survivors, and to identify independent predictors of DoC among ICU survivors.MethodsData from 14,368 adult ICU survivors identified in a Silesian Registry of Intensive Care Units (active in the Silesian Region of Poland between October 2010 and December 2019) were analyzed. Patients discharged from the ICU in a VS or MCS were compared to the remaining ICU survivors. Pre-admission and admission variables that independently influence ICU discharge with DoC were identified.ResultsAmong the 14,368 analyzed adult ICU survivors, 1,064 (7.4%) were discharged from the ICU in a VS or MCS. The percentage of patients discharged from the ICU with DoC was similar in all age groups. Compared to non- DoC ICU patients, they had a higher mean APACHE II and SAPS III score at admission. Independent variables affecting ICU discharge with DoC included unconsciousness at ICU admission, cardiac arrest and craniocerebral trauma as primary cause of ICU admission, as well as a history of previous chronic neurological disorders and cerebral stroke (p<0.001).ConclusionDischarge in a VS and MCS was relatively frequent among ICU survivors. Discharge with DoC was more likely among patients who were unconscious at admission and admitted to the ICU due to cardiac arrest or craniocerebral trauma.

Households Behaviour towards Sustainable Energy Management in Poland—The Homo Energeticus Concept as a New Behaviour Pattern in Sustainable Economics

The presented article belongs to the research school of sustainable development economics as a relatively new science discipline within the broader area of heterodox economics. This paper is based on literature studies of homo concepts in economics, sociology and psychology. It identifies a research gap in sustainable economics, especially in sustainable energy management, formulating a novel concept of an economic man involved in energy management called homo energeticus. Homo energeticus concept is verified by empirical evidence at a local level-quantitative research conducted on a sample of 500 households in Lower Silesia region in Poland. The research’s first objective is to build the original author’s methodology on which the shift patterns from homo oeconomicus (neoclassical economics) to homo sustinens (sustainable economics) may be presented and may be used by scientists worldwide. After preparing a method for identifying concept, the second goal is to identify and describe the new concept of behaviour. The main conclusions are the sustainable behavioural pattern is dominating trend observed among households’ local energy management (homo energeticus). The homo energeticus behaviour was confirmed by every third respondent (critical threshold of 70%) or less restrictive and sustainable behaviour model homo sustinens (critical threshold of 50%) by more than 91.8% of whole respondents.

The Association between Participation in Organized Physical Activity and the Structure of Weekly Physical Activity in Polish Adolescents.

The main aim of the study was to determine the associations of participation in organized physical activity (OPA), and the structure of weekly physical activity (PA) with meeting the PA recommendations among Polish boys and girls. The research was conducted between 2012 and 2019 in the Silesian region of Poland among 3499 secondary school students. To determine the structure of PA (school, transportation, home, recreation, vigorous moderate, and walking), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ-LF) questionnaire was used. Adolescents participating in OPA showed significantly more PA (p < 0.001) than non-participating adolescents. The strongest associations were observed between participation in OPA and vigorous PA. The weekly recommendation of vigorous PA was met by 61% of the students with three or more lessons of OPA per week, 29% of students with one or two lessons of OPA per week, and 24% of students not participating in OPA. Therefore, boys and girls with no OPA are at greatest risk of health issues. Schools, sports clubs, and leisure institutions should increase the participation of adolescents in OPA, especially non-participants. Comprehensive school PA programs should especially include those forms of OPA that respect health weaknesses, individual talents for specific types of PA, and preferred types of PA among adolescents.

Rationing of Nursing Care in Intensive Care Units.

The nursing practice refers to a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. In a situation where there is a problem of limited resources, nurses are forced to ration the patient’s care—that is, minimize and skip some tasks. The main purpose of this work was to assess the rationing level of nursing care among staff in the intensive care units. Methods: The research included 150 anaesthesiological nurses in the Silesian Region in Poland. The research was conducted from July to October 2019 using the standardized Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PRINCA) questionnaire on rationing nursing care, assessing the quality of patient care, and job satisfaction. The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) standardized questionnaire was used to assess the level of fatigue of respondents in the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial spheres. Results: Sociodemographic factors, such as gender, age, place of residence, education, seniority, and type of employment were not found to affect the rationing level of nursing care in the intensive care unit. The average quality of patient care was 6.05/10 points, while the average job satisfaction rating was 7.13/10 points. Analysis of the MFIS questionnaire showed that respondents experienced fatigue between “rare” and “sometimes”, and nursing staff fatigue was the main factor for rationing care. Conclusions: The higher the level of fatigue, the greater the rationing of care and the less satisfaction from work.

The Discovery of Zoonotic Protozoans in Fleas Parasitizing on Pets as a Potential Infection Threat

PurposeFleas are insects with a high medical and veterinary importance. They may participate in spreading of many pathogenic agents, but still there is limited information about their possible reservoir or vector role for protozoans. The main aim of this study was an attempt of detection zoonotic pathogens, such as Babesia microti and Toxoplasma gondii in fleas Ctenocephalides felis felis and Ctenocephalides canis.MethodsIn 2013–2017, 155 fleas were captured from domestic dogs and cats in veterinary clinics, animal shelters and pet grooming salons in Upper Silesia Region in Poland. Then, the DNA was extracted from each Ctenocephalides flea by using the ammonia method. Samples were screened for the presence of B. microti and T. gondii using PCR and nested PCR methods.ResultsB. microti was reported in 6.6% of C. felis felis and 9.1% of C. canis, whereas the prevalence of coinfection with B. microti and T. gondii was 1.9% in cat fleas and 2.3% in dog fleas.ConclusionThis study shows the first cases of B. microti occurrence and B. microti and T. gondii coinfection in Ctenocephalides fleas. The estimation of prevalence of examined protozoans may be useful considering the possibility of infection among companion animals, as well as during presentation of the potential risk of infection in humans. In order to clarify the role of C. felis felis and C. canis in transmission of B. microti and T. gondii, the another studies with in vitro cultures and laboratory animals are needed.

Identification of the ground movements caused by mining-induced seismicity with the satellite interferometry

Abstract. The assessment of the impact of mining-induced seismicity on the natural environment and infrastructure is often limited to the analysis of terrain surface vibrations. However, similar seismic phenomena, like earthquakes, may also imply dislocations and deformations of the rock mass. Such ground movements may occur in areas which are not directly under the influence of the mining. The study of the displacement field caused by mining-induced seismicity is usually carried out with the use of geodetic methods. Classical geodetic measurements provide discrete information about observed ground movements. As a result, they generally do not provide spatially and temporally relevant estimates of the total range and values of ground movements for specific periods of interest. Moreover, mining-induced seismicity causes a severe threat to buildings. That is why, regarding the complexity of the mechanism of occurrence of mining-induced seismicity and their impact on ground movements, this problem remains a substantial research issue. The presented research aimed to analyse the ground movements caused by mining-induced seismicity. The ground displacements were established based on data from Sentinel-1 satellites applying differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR). The results of the investigation in the copper mining area of the Lower Silesia region of Poland revealed that the observed subsidence caused by mining-induced seismicity usually has a shape of a regular ellipse. The radius of these ground movements does not exceed approximately 2–3 km from the mining-induced tremor's epicenter, and the total subsidence reaches ca. 10–20 cm. More than 50 % of the total subsidence is observed on the surface within a few days after the mining tremor occurrence. Furthermore, the deformations of the surface occur when the energy of mining-induced tremor reaches values of the order of 105 J or higher. The presented research can contribute to better identification and evaluation of the mechanism of the rock mass deformation process caused by mining-induced seismicity. In addition, the use of satellite radar interferometry improves the quality of monitoring of these dynamic phenomena significantly. The data retrieved using this method allow for quasi-continuous monitoring of the local subsidence bowls caused by mining-induced seismicity.

Whole Brain and Cranial Size Adjustments in Volumetric Brain Analyses of Sex- and Age-Related Trends.

Our goal was to determine the influence of sex, age and the head/brain size on the compartmental brain volumes in the radiologically verified healthy population (96 subjects; 54 women and 42 men) from the Upper Silesia region in Poland. The MRI examinations were done using 3T Philips Achieva with the same T1-weighted and T2-weighted protocols. The image segmentation procedures were performed with SPM (Statistical Parameter Mapping) and FSL-FIRST software. The volumes of 14 subcortical structures for the left and right hemispheres and 4 overall volumes were calculated. The General Linear Models (GLM) analysis was used with and without the Total Brain Volume (TBV) and Intracranial Volume (ICV) parameters as the covariates to study the regional vs. global brain atrophy. After the ICV/TBV adjustments, the majority of sex differences in the specific volumes of interest (VOIs) revealed to be linked to the difference in the head/brain size parameters. The analysis also confirmed the significant effect of the aging process on the brain loss. After the TBV adjustment, the age- and sex-related volumetric trends for the gray and white matter volumes were observed: the negative age dependence of the gray matter volume is more pronounced in the males, while in case of the white matter the positive age-related trend in the female group is weaker. The local losses of the left caudate nucleus and the right thalamus are more advanced than the global brain atrophy. Different head-size correction strategies are not interchangeable and may yield various volumetric results, but when used together, facilitate studies on the regional dependencies inherent to a healthy, but aging, brain.

Organisational culture as a stress determinant in SME sector organisations

This paper is theoretical and empirical in nature. Its first purpose is to present the results of authors' own empirical research devoted to assessing the present and expected organisational culture model in Polish SME sector employees' opinion. Another key research objective was to assess occurrence of some statistically significant dependencies between the declared model of the organisational culture and the perception of the present level of respondents' stress. Two research tools were used in the research process: the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) by Cameron and Quinn and the authors' own questionnaire to assess the occurrence and intensity of any dysfunctional phenomena at the workplace, including the level of employees' stress. Statistical analysis of significant differences between variables was conducted with Pearson's chi-square test of independence. Anonymous empirical research, on a randomly selected sample (N = 700) of respondents from the Silesian Region in Poland was run in 2017, with the paper (hard) copy of both research instruments. The research results show that the current model of the organisational culture is a statistically significant determinant of employees' level of negative stress in all kinds of analysed organisations.

Readmissions to General ICUs in a Geographic Area of Poland Are Seemingly Associated with Better Outcomes.

Background: Various factors can contribute to high mortality rates in intensive care units (ICUs). Here, we intended to define a population of patients readmitted to general ICUs in Poland and to identify independent predictors of ICU readmission. Methods: Data derived from adult ICU admissions from the Silesian region of Poland were analyzed. First-time ICU readmissions (≤30 days from ICU discharge after index admissions) were compared with first-time ICU admissions. Pre-admission and admission variables that independently influenced the need for ICU readmission were identified. Results: Among the 21,495 ICU admissions, 839 were first-time readmissions (3.9%). Patients readmitted to the ICU had lower mean APACHE II (21.2 ± 8.0 vs. 23.2 ± 8.8, p < 0.001) and TISS-28 scores (33.7 ± 7.4 vs. 35.2 ± 7.8, p < 0.001) in the initial 24 h following ICU admission, compared to first-time admissions. ICU readmissions were associated with lower mortality vs. first-time admissions (39.2% vs. 44.3%, p = 0.004). Independent predictors for ICU readmission included the admission from a surgical ward (among admission sources), chronic respiratory failure, cachexia, previous stroke, chronic neurological diseases (among co-morbidities), and multiple trauma or infection (among primary reasons for ICU admission). Conclusions: High mortality associated with first-time ICU admissions is associated with a lower mortality rate during ICU readmissions.