Time In Poland Research Articles

P1744Patient prehospital delays in acute myocardial infarction. A nationwide patient survey. Heart attack-time is life campaign

Abstract Introduction A minimal delay from symptom onset to reperfusion therapy is essential in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The patient's response to initial symptoms (patient delay) substantially affects the delay. Nevertheless, predictors of patient-related delays are less clear. The aim of the study was to compare knowledge and awareness of heart attack symptoms and reactions to it in a general Polish population. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 1 376 persons aged 18 years or older enrolled in an Internet survey (computer assisted web interview, CAWI). Heart attack knowledge, self-efficacy for recognizing and responding to heart attack symptoms, and perceived risk for a future heart attack were measured. Primary exclusion criteria were: prior MI or family history of MI. The survey was carried out as a part of the nationwide “Heart attack – time is life” Campaign. Results Based on the Polish Registry on Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) the median total ischemic time in Poland is 260 minutes, whereas the median patient delay is 142 minutes. The main factors associated with long time delays include interhospital transfers, symptoms presentation during the night, age >65 years, inhabitants of rural areas, diabetes mellitus, first-ever MI, female sex. The survey demonstrated that 73.8% of respondents recognize that chest pain may be associated with MI, but only 22.2% of them would call the emergency medical services. Age-, sex-, income-, and education-related responses are depicted in the Figure. Only 23% of these respondents would make the call immediately, whereas 31.7% would wait at least 3–4 hours (in some cases event until the next day). 66.4% of the surveyed population would ignore the chest pain main reason being “nothing serious” or “a result of extreme emotions”. Notwithstanding, the majority of the surveyed population is aware of the seriousness of the AMI-related complications (heart failure, disability, rehospitalizations, death). Conclusions These findings highlight the urgent need to develop effective, tailored campaigns to close the knowledge gap and, primarily, to educate the Polish society about the correct response to chest pain. Young age, higher education, and high income were not predictors of common sense and correct responses.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF “FOLIA TURISTICA” IN RESEARCH ON FREE-TIME AND RECREATION IN POLAND

Purpose. Investigating or demonstrating that articles published in “Folia Turistica” (FT) have contributed to research and knowledge on free time and recreation in Poland. Method. Analysis of texts published in FT within the years 1990-2018. Findings. The issues of free time and recreation appear in FT from the beginning of the periodical. Articles in this field, although they constitute a supplementary trend in the journal's profile, have contributed to knowledge on recreation and free time in Poland. Research and conclusions limitations. The conclusions presented in this article only refer to works published in the journal during the analysed period. Originality. Such a type of analysis has not been conducted for the “Folia Turistica” journal so far. Type of work. The article is a review.

First record of Exobasidium rhododendri (Fuckel) C. E. Cramer in Poland

We report here the first wild locality of <em>Exobasidium rhododendri</em> (Fuckel) C. E. Cramer in Poland. This peculiar species is an obligatory pathogenic basidiomycete, which induces formation of galls on leaves of <em>Rhododendron</em>. It was found for the first time in Poland in 2017 on <em>Rhododendron ferrugineum</em> L. plants in a population of this shrub in the Karkonosze Mts (the Sudetes range). The species was recently shown to be native and a relict. We also present a basic description of the species based on the specimens from the abovementioned locality.

First report of Echinococcus multilocularis in cats in Poland: a monitoring study in cats and dogs from a rural area and animal shelter in a highly endemic region

BackgroundAlveolar echinococcosis is a dangerous zoonotic disease caused by larval forms of Echinococcus multilocularis. In its life-cycle, the principal definitive host is the red fox; however, domesticated carnivorous animals (dogs and cats) can also act as definitive hosts. Until now, there were no data concerning this infection in cats in Poland. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of E. multilocularis in cats and dogs originating from rural areas and animal shelters in a region characterised by a high prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes.MethodsSamples of faeces were collected from 67 cats and 268 dogs from a rural area (villages and animal shelters) of a highly endemic region in southeastern Poland. Samples were examined using nested PCR (E. multilocularis), multiplex PCR (E. multilocularis, Taenia spp.) and PCR [E. granulosus (s.l.)]. Additionally, faeces were examined microscopically (flotation). Moreover, intestines from 110 red foxes shot in the investigated area were examined (sedimentation and counting technique).ResultsPositive PCR results for E. multilocularis were obtained in 4 cats (6.0%) and 4 dogs (1.5%). There were no significant differences between groups of animals (from a shelter and with an owner) concerning the prevalence of E. multilocularis in both cats and dogs. Taenia spp. were found in 10 cats (14.9%) (Taenia taeniaeformis and T. hydatigena) and 26 dogs (9.7%) (T. hydatigena, T. serialis, T. taeniaeformis, T. crassiceps, T. pisiformis and T. ovis) and Mesocestoides litteratus was found in 4 cats (6.0%) and 3 dogs (1.1%). All samples were negative for E. granulosus by PCR. Taking into consideration PCR and flotation results, 29 cats (43.3%) and 73 dogs (27.2%) were infected with helminths (26.9 and 11.9%, respectively, were infected with tapeworms). The highly endemic status of the investigated area was confirmed by examination of red foxes: 48.2% of examined red foxes were infected with E. multilocularis.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this study reports the presence of E. multilocularis in cats for the first time in Poland and confirms the role of dogs in this infection in highly endemic areas.

First Record of Pholidoptera transsylvanica (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) in Poland

Flightless Transylvanian Dark Bush-cricket Pholidoptera transsylvanica is subendemic to the Carpathians and the Pannonian basin and one of ten species of European Community interest. In the last few years we have increased survey efforts aimed to obtain distributional data for this species along the northern range margin in Western Carpathian mountains covering most of Slovakia and reaching also south of Poland. Thus in Slovakia, where only 5 sites were known in 1996, 56 sites are known in 2017. The species was discovered for the first time in Poland in July 2017, in two sites in the south-eastern part of the country. Both sites are located in submountain mesophilous meadows of the alliance Arrhenatherion elatioris Luquet 1926, in its various successional stages along mainly mixed forests dominated with European beech and in alluvial vegetation. The presence of the species in these new sites is at the northern edge of its distribution area, and we suppose that only lack of data and no surveys in the past caused this knowledge gap. Data on its habitat and main threats and conservation measures of the species are discussed, and accompanying orthopteran species are characterised.

Episema glaucina (Esper, [1789]) in Poland (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Episema glaucina (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has been recorded for the first time in Poland following the faunistic revision of material collected by A.S. Kostrowicki in the Nida Valley in the early 1950s, and on the basis of specimens trapped during fieldwork in the same region of the Małopolska Upland in southern Poland.

Genetic diversity of ranch and feral American mink (Neovison vison Schreber, 1777) in Poland in relation to the natural population of the species

In Poland, the number of feral mink (Neovison vison) and the size of the fur-farming industry are growing. There is a concern that the gene pool of the wild living mink is being infiltrated by that of ranch animals. Three populations were analyzed: Polish ranch mink, feral animals from Poland, and, they were for the first time in Poland, compared with wild individuals from North America. The breeding history of the species and the main ways of introducing the American mink into new areas on different continents were considered. The final research included analysis of the polymorphism of 12 Mustelidae-specific microsatellite loci. It showed a similar level of genetic diversity in all the investigated populations. The research revealed the existence of geographically-specific subpopulations of feral mink in Poland, characterized by different origins, and indicated a small degree of introgression between Polish ranch and wild living populations in the past although the assignment simulation makes it clear that they are genetically distinct groups. The results are in accordance with previously reported models of colonization of Poland by this species and help to explain the influence of anthropogenic factors on the current status of this invasive species. Mixing of two separate genetic pools from the native range in Poland is a newly identified factor, shaping the genetic structure of ranch and feral populations of Neovison vison.

Degradation of Polyethylene and Biocomponent-Derived Polymer Materials: An Overview

The progressing degradation of the natural environment taking place over the last few decades and resulting from the systematically growing production of synthetic polymer materials led to the search for technological innovations aimed at producing environmentally friendly materials. Moreover, the increasing importance of sustainability promotes the development of bio-based and biodegradable polymers, sometimes misleadingly referred to as “bioplastics”. Inability to degrade synthetic polymer materials and the problem of their persistence in the environment even for hundreds of years have caused the production of polymer materials with the addition of components that may accelerate their degradation more and more important in recent years. Additionally, the growing interest in environmental issues makes the requirements for new materials that will not significantly burden the environment higher. In Poland 29.1% and 26.8% of post-consumer polymer materials, respectively, were recovered and recycled, which means that up to 44.1% of post-consumer polymer materials were sent to municipal landfills. In 2017, for the first time in Poland, more plastics were recovered (55.9%) than stored (44.1%). However, by 2020, the level of energy recovery and recycling of post-consumer polymer materials in Poland should cover a total of 84.5%. When looking at the average values for Europe (recycling 31.1%, recovery 41.6%, storage 27.3%), it should be noted that Poland has much to catch up in this area and decisive actions should be taken to actually solve this problem. For this reason, it is extremely important to know the mechanisms responsible for the degradation of polymer materials and understand the interaction between these materials and abiotic and biotic factors that cause structural changes in polymers. Recent studies show that knowledge of the conditions determining the decomposition of polyethylene polymer materials and their impact on the natural environment is still insufficient. The literature reports reveal many contradictory theories, especially those that relate to the degradation of polymer materials in the soil environment. This study constitutes a comprehensive review of researches on (bio)degradation of polymer materials over the last decades, various methods of polymer structure modification to increase the degree of their degradability, as well as methods of recycling post-consumer polymer materials. Because there is a need to assess the performance of polymer innovations in terms of their biodegradability, especially under realistic waste management and environmental conditions, to avoid the unwanted release of plastic degradation products to the environment.Graphical

Criminal Legislation at the Time of Poland’s Regaining Independence

The third partition of Poland, and thus the collapse of the Polish state, spontaneously forced a situation in which the legal orders of the partitioning states came into force almost immediately on Polish lands. In the lands divided between Prussia, Russia and Austria, legal acts of the partitioning states came into force with a strong influence of models derived from French legislation. The Polish lands which came under Austrian rule found themselves in the reality, in which the Austrian legislator conducted codification works on the new penal code, which resulted in the fact that in 1787 the penal code of Joseph II, called Josephine, became binding. As early as 1803, a penal code was introduced in Poland, which was under Austrian rule, under the name of the Book of Laws on Crimes and Serious Police Crimes called Franciscan. In the German annexation there was the Prussian Landrecht, which was characterized by a current far removed from the European science of law. On the territory of the former Duchy of Warsaw a Penal Code for the Kingdom of Poland was introduced. In Russia in 1903, the Tagantsev’s Code came into force, which in its systematics divided crimes according to their gravity into crimes and misdemeanours and clearly separated minor offences. The characteristics of criminal legislation until 1918 made it possible to show the enormity of the work of the Codification Commission, the aim of which, after Poland regained independence, was to create a uniform and coherent Polish legal system, not only in terms of social life standards, but also in the area of the catalogue of its areas.

The challenges of local development and priorities of mayors and presidents of Polish cities – convergence or dissonance?

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to identify the key urban development challenges in Poland and to verify the opinions of Polish mayors about them. Research method – The research used the quantitative method in the form of a survey conducted among 460 leaders of Polish cities together with desk research analysis including the data from the official statistics and reports from 2014-2018. Results – It was established that in their political agendas mayors include the postulates presenting a traditional approach to sustainable development, which is directed at the economy, society and the environment, but underestimates environmental issues. They are not aware of the new development challenges, but focus on the traditional, infrastructural and economic priorities. Originality / value – For the first time in Poland the results of comprehensive research on the priorities of city development that were declared by mayors are presented. They include the latest determinants for sustainable development, such as: the technological revolution, the management of ethnical and cultural diversity in urban communities, the depopulation and degradation of city centres and also circular economics. The findings of the research fill an existing gap in knowledge about the city leaders’ points of view on the challenges facing modern cities and thus define a political climate for the implementation of the principles of sustainable development.

Proust Józefa Czapskiego (na tle polskiej recepcji)

JOZEF CZAPSKI’S PROUST (AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF POLISH RECEPTION) The article briefly discusses the reception of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time in Poland since the release of its first volume in France until the post-war complete Polish editions. It focuses on the reading of Proust’s novel by his Polish translator Tadeusz Żelenski-Boy and literary critic Jan Blonski. Another part of the article is devoted to the references to Proust in works by young Polish writers in the interwar period.

Parasitic fauna of Polish konik horses (Equus caballus gmelini Antonius) and their impact on breeding: a review.

The influence of internal and external parasites on the health of Polish konik horses housed in different types of management strategies in Poland is discussed. This study includes consolidated data of different authors from the past 50 years, supplemented by results of more recent research. A total of 38 species of helminths (i.e., 37 Nematoda and one Cestoda) and five Diptera species were recorded from the horses. Protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium spp. and Theileria equi, and the Rickettsiales, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, were observed for the first time in Poland.

First record of Pulvinaria regalis CANARD, 1968 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in Poland

Abstract Pulvinaria regalis has been recorded for the first time in Poland. This species was observed in large numbers on Acer pseudoplatanu, A. platanoides, Aesculus hippocastanum, Robinia pseudacacia, Tilia × euchlora and T. cordata in urban areas. Basic diagnostic information for this species and a key to separate the species of Pulvinaria recorded in Poland is provided. Aspects of the distribution, biology and economic importance of P. regalis are also discussed.

Once We Were Shepherds: Górale Ethnic Identity in Celebrations Revived and Reinterpreted

Abstract The Górale of the Polish highlands are seen as a people apart from the rest of Poles. They are afforded this special status through the romanticisation as Poland’s very own “noble savages” by the writers and travellers of the 19th century. This was the time of Poland’s search for nationhood (when its territory was occupied by Russia, Prussia and Austria). The Górale have always been described, even in those early accounts, as pastoralists. During the season, when the sheep went up to the alpine pastures, the villages were almost deserted. In the 20th century the pastoral system dissolution took place starting with the establishment of national parks after the Second World War. Further unfavourable developments decimated what was left of it since the late 1980s. As a result of the dissolution of the pastoral system the Górale chose to amplify their internal unity by strengthening the ethnic identity. The revival of pastoralism as it currently presents itself today, may be seen as yet another rallying call around Górale identity. It is a come back to the pastoralist “core” of the highland culture, while changing and re-inventing the tradition to suit new economic, social and political circumstances. In the Polish pastoralist tradition there have always been two seminal community events which bracketed the winter season. There was the autumn event of “Redyk Jesienny” when the sheep brought back from the summer alpine pastures were given back to their owners and there was also a spring event of “Mieszanie Owiec” which literally means the Mixing of Sheep. Historically, they were very important events of the pastoral calendar, while the pastoral system itself has been crucial fixture and backbone of the social system of the Górale people. The paper examines how these traditions changed from old ethnographic descriptions and how they are being re-invented in the context of reaffirming the Górale identity today.

BEST Life—“Bringing ECMO Simulation To Life”—How Medical Simulation Improved a Regional ECMO Program

The implemented "ECMO for Greater Poland" program takes full advantage of the ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) perfusion therapy to promote health for 3.5 million inhabitants in the region. The predominant subjects of implementation are patients with hypothermia, with severe reversible respiratory failure (RRF), and treatment of other critical states leading to heart failure such as sudden cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock or acute intoxication. Finally, it promotes donation after circulatory death (DCD) strategy in selected organ donor cases. ECMO enables recovery of organs' function after unsuccessful lifesaving treatment. Because this organizational model is complex and expensive, we use advanced high-fidelity medical simulation to prepare for real-life implementation. During the first four months, we performed scenarios mimicking "ECMO for DCD," "ECMO for ECPR (extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation)," "ECMO for RRF" and "ECMO in hypothermia." It helped to create algorithms for aforementioned program arms. In the following months, three ECMO courses for five departments in Poznan (capitol city of Greater Poland) were organized and standardized operating procedures for road ECMO transportation within Medical Emergency System were created. Soon after simulation program, 38 procedures with ECMO perfusion therapy including five road transportations on ECMO were performed. The Maastricht category II DCD procedures were done four times on real patients and in two cases double successful kidney transplantations were carried out for the first time in Poland. ECMO was applied in two patients with hypothermia, nine adult patients with heart failure, and five with RRF, for the first time in the region. In the pediatric group, ECMO was applied in four patients with RRF and 14 with heart failure after cardiac surgery procedures. Additionally, one child was treated successfully following 200 km-long road transport on ECMO. We achieved good and promising results especially in VV ECMO therapy. Simulation-based training enabled us to build a successful procedural chain, and to eliminate errors at the stage of identification, notification, transportation, and providing ECMO perfusion therapy. We discovered the important role of medical simulation, not only to test the medical professional's skills, but also to promote ECMO therapy in patients with critical/life-threatening states. Moreover, it also resulted in increase of the potential organ pool from DCD in the Greater Poland region.

Siedem pieśni religijnych Ottona Mieczysława Żukowskiego (1867–1942) w kontekście zagadnień semantycznych i muzycznych

In the present article the author discusses seven religious songs by the little-known Polish composer, Otton Mieczysław Żukowski (1867˗1942). The songs are: Ojcze nasz (Our Father) op. 47, Panie do Ciebie wołam (Lord, unto Thee I cry), Twych Panie łask (Your mercies, o Lord), Gdy boleść wstrząsa (When sorrow strikes), Panie miłosierny (Merciful Lord), Do Boga (To God) and Wierzymy Panie (Lord, we believe). The songs’ semantic meaning conveys the basic and most essential truths of the Catholic faith. Thereby, they formed the awareness of the listeners and became a catechesis to be sung. The discussed songs have also a strong patriotic and national emphasis as they were created in the time of Poland’s partition and non-existence in Europe. The songs are evidence that God may be involved in the history of a nation and change its difficult position. In terms of musical layer the songs are characterized by a cantilena melodic line and tonal harmony.

Halotolerance (ionic NaCl) and chaotolerance (ionic MgCl2) of the human pathogen Wallemia mellicola isolated, for the first time, from indoor air in Poland

We isolated the human pathogen <em>Wallemia mellicola</em> from the class Wallemiomycetes for the first time in Poland. The fungus was isolated from indoor dust in Cracow. The strain belonged to the genus <em>Wallemia</em>, as confirmed by molecular methods (i.e., ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 nrDNA sequencing). We compared the halotolerance and chaotolerance of <em>W. mellicola</em> to other those of halotolerant fungi (<em>Talaromyces diversus</em> and <em>Aureobasidium pullulans</em>) isolated from an anchialine cave. The <em>W. mellicola</em> strain tolerated up to 20% NaCl and up to 15% MgCl<sub>2</sub>. As the concentration of NaCl in the culture medium increased, the colony diameter of <em>W. mellicola</em> decreased slightly. Dose–response curves for the two reference fungi <em>T. diversus</em> and <em>A. pullulans</em> revealed much lower tolerance of these fungi to increasing concentrations of NaCl. Our results indicated that <em>W. mellicola</em> is an advanced kosmotrope that is distinctly adapted to saline environments.

Vitamin D status of severe COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure.

The aim of the study was to measure the concentrations of vitamin D in serum of COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure in comparison to healthy control group. The correlation between the levels of vitamin D in serum and the selected clinical, spirometric and blood gas parameters was the additional aim of the study. The study included 61 patients with diagnosed COPD in stadium of chronic respiratory failure (45 men and 16 women) and 37 healthy controls (19 men and 18 women). The following procedure were performed in all studied subjects: detailed history (especially: daily activity, diet, tobacco and alcohol use), post-bronchodilator spirometry, assessment of 25(OH)D in serum and for COPD group only blood gas analysis. Recruitment for the study was conducted from November to April. Statistical analysis was performed using the following statistical methods: t-Student test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation test and Chi-kwadrat test. There was no significant differences between COPD and control group for the levels of 25(OH)D in serum. Median and lower; upper quartile were respectively following: 24,75 nmol/l (16,9; 36,4) vs. 24,06 nmol/l (16,3; 37,2), p=0,69. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 60 COPD patients (98,3% of all patients) and in 36 control group subject (97,3% of all healthy volunteers). The difference was not statistically significant. The levels of vitamin D in serum did not significantly correlated with any of studied parameters (spirometry, blood gas, age, the level of activity, BMI, tobacco smoke exposure and others). However, the level of activity in COPD group correlated positively with spirometry values and negatively with age and number of exacerbations. The results of the study showed that in autumn-winter time in Poland there are very frequent deficiency of vitamin D in serum not only in COPD patients in respiratory failure stage but also in elderly healthy persons. However, in contrary to expectations the deficiency of vitamin D in COPD patients with respiratory failure were similar to that seen in healthy persons.

“Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Greater Poland” Program: How to Save Lives and Develop Organ Donation?

The “ECMO for Greater Poland” program takes full advantage of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) perfusion therapy opportunities to promote the health of the 3.5 million inhabitants in the region. The main implementation areas are treatment of patients with hypothermia; severe reversible respiratory failure (RRF); critical states resulting in heart failure, that is, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, or acute intoxication; and promotion of the donor after circulatory death (DCD) strategy in selected organ donor cases, after unsuccessful life-saving treatment, to achieve organ recovery.This organizational model is complex and expensive, so we used advanced high-fidelity medical simulation tests to prepare for real-life experience. Over the course of 4 months we performed scenarios including “ECMO for DCD,” “ECMO for extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” “ECMO for RRF,” and “ECMO in hypothermia.”Soon after these simulations, Maastricht category II DCD procedures were performed involving real patients and resulting in 2 successful double kidney transplantations for the first time in Poland. One month later we treated 2 hypothermia patients (7 adult patients with heart failure and 5 patients with reversible respiratory failure) with ECMO for the first time in the region.Fortunately, we have discovered an important new role of medical simulation. It can be used not only for skills testing but also as a tool to create non-existing procedures and unavailable algorithms. The result of these program activities will promote the care and treatment of patients in critical condition with ECMO therapy as well as increase the potential organ pool from DCDs in the Greater Poland region of Poland.

Structural behaviour of an all-composite road bridge

Fibre reinforced polymer composites have become an integral part of the bridge industry because of their versatility, high strength-to-weight ratio and enhanced durability. The novel idea of an all-composite structural system for road bridges has been proposed for the first time in Poland. The FRP bridge is a simply supported structure with 10.0 m long span and 7.66 m wide deck. The superstructure consists of four U-shaped girders bonded with sandwich deck slab, fabricated by means of a vacuum infusion. The bridge configuration, a finite element model developed for design and the proof test results are described in this paper. The test has shown that an all-composite bridge can meet the relevant strength and deflection design criteria. To develop an understanding of the long-term performance of the FRP bridge, a monitoring scheme utilizing distributed fibre-optic sensors was implemented to assess any changes in the bridge structural behaviour.