Units In Poland Research Articles

Impermanence of the Visual Identity of Polish Local and Regional Governments

Abstract Research purpose. The literature on place branding lacks long-term and quantitative studies on the rebranding of territorial brands. Place branding consultants recommend that they should be reviewed and refreshed approximately every decade. However, it is emphasised that rebranding is demanding for the territorial organisation, and a place brand change should be undertaken in a methodical manner. Therefore, the objective of the study is to compare this process with the theoretical postulates summarised in the literature on the subject. Design / Methodology / Approach. The research method used was visual content analysis. The collected data were verified by individual interviews with representatives of local governments. The authors have been conducting a research project on Polish local and regional governments since 2011. Therefore, it is possible to summarise the changes, modifications, and rebranding of Polish territorial brands in the period 2011-2023. The queries were conducted regularly in the years 2011-2024 (the end date was the day of local government elections in Poland on April 7, 2024). Findings. More than 250 logos have been withdrawn or replaced, and approximately 100 have never been implemented. Research confirmed that the number of changes is large (more than 30% of logos have been replaced by new ones), but it is difficult to determine one or even the dominant cause of such serious organisational changes. Originality / Value / Practical implications. A review of the literature allows us to draw a conclusion about the lack of long-term research on the functioning and changes of the content of logos practised by places. Therefore, a 10-year study on the population of all local government units in Poland provides data that supports the development of territorial branding theory and allows analytical support for territorial rebranding processes. The research discussed is significant because it reveals, first, the frequency of changes and, second, the difficulty in defining the causes of these changes.

Occupational health services in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This publication analyses the activities of physicians and occupational medicine units in Poland during this period. The analysis of the number of physicians and units of occupational medicine and the preventive and judicial activities they carried out was based on the MZ-35 and MZ-35A statistical forms, which constitute mandatory medical reporting. In Poland, during the pandemic, the number of physicians authorized to perform preventive examinations of employees decreased by 9.3% (6597 in 2019 vs. 5984 physicians in 2022). At the same time, the number of basic units of the occupational medicine where preventive examinations of employees decreased from 5974 to 5534 (by 7.4%). The average number of preventive examinations performed annually on employees throughout the pandemic decreased by 9.4% from 5 429 808 (in 2015-2019) to 4 923 161 (in 2020-2023). In the first 2 years of the pandemic, the share of decisions on health contraindications to perform professional activities in the position indicated in the referral increased slightly. During the pandemic, there was also a significant decrease in the number of visits carried out by occupational medicine physicians, both to entire workplaces (by 46%) and to individual positions (by 49%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational medicine physicians reported almost 3 times more suspected occupational diseases than in previous years (an average of 1736 reports per year compared to 673 reports in 2015-2019). The most reports were recorded in 2020 (N = 2183). The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the preventive activities performed by occupational medicine physicians. Reducing the number of mandatory medical examinations of employees during the pandemic could have led to the construction of a health debt of the working population, both in terms of limiting the unfavourable impact of working conditions and worsening the chances of early detection of lifestyle diseases. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(5).

Adverse events after nivolumab and ipilimumab combined immunotherapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma: a multicentre experience in Poland

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been employed in the adjuvant and metastatic setting of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment. Among ICIs, combined immunotherapy has the highest risk for immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We aimed to document the incidence of irAEs in RCC patients treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab as data from the European population remain limited.Materials and methodsWe analysed data from 88 RCC patients treated with nivolumab + ipilimumab between May 2022 and June 2024 across six high-volume oncology units in Poland. We reviewed irAEs and estimated their impact on survival parameters via univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, along with log-rank tests.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 11.3 months, the median overall survival (OS) was not reached, whereas the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.8 months (6.3–19.3). A total of 74 irAEs were recorded in 50 patients. The most frequent events were endocrine (n = 20, 27%), hepatic (n = 15, 17%), general (n = 12, 13.6%), and cutaneous (n = 11, 12.5%). The occurrence of irAEs was associated with a 60% lower risk of disease progression (hazard ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.2–0.87, p = 0.018) without impacting OS and higher disease control rate (n = 45, 90% vs. n = 24, 63.2%, p = 0.004). In contrast, patients with hepatotoxicity had poorer outcomes, with a 2.6-fold greater risk of death (p = 0.05).ConclusionsIrAEs may serve as a predictive factor for the efficacy of the nivolumab + ipilimumab regimen in RCC patients. Special attention is needed for hepatotoxicity, as it can significantly impact survival outcomes.

Trauma patients in the practice of medical rescue teams in Poland

Quick and effective access to professional medical assistance in emergencies has become a key element of the modern healthcare system. Emergency medical services play a vital role in immediate response to medical emergencies, in particular traumatic injury. According to estimates, emergency medical services delivered to trauma patients account for 10-20% of all services provided by paramedic units in Poland. An analysis of paramedic services delivered to trauma patients will make a significant contribution to the effectiveness and optimization of emergency medical services. The aim of this study was to analyze the emergency medical services delivered by paramedic units to trauma patients in the voivodeship of Warmia and Mazury over a period of three years. The study involved a retrospective analysis of statistical data for the above voivodeship. The patients were classified according to the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) [1]. Most trauma patients were assigned ICD-10 codes S (injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes) and T (injuries involving multiple body regions) categories. Results: The diagnoses made by physicians, paramedics, and emergency nurses in patient care reports were the source of data for the retrospective analysis. A total of 400,251 cases (n= 400,251) were analyzed and 11,329 cases were selected (n=11,329), including 1130 patients (n=1130) who were assigned code S and 10,199 patients (n=10,199) who were assigned to code T. The examined database is administered by the Governor of the Voivodeship of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn [2]. The following types of information were analyzed: area of intervention, the patients’ age and sex, type of medical emergency, location, date, and alcohol breath odor. The collected data were analyzed to determine the presence of relationships between: a life-threatening medical emergency and the patient’s age, a life-threatening medical emergency and the patient’s sex, the patient’s age and the diagnosis made by paramedics, alcohol breath odor and the patient’s sex, and the patient’s sex and the diagnosis made by paramedics. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that the risk of a life-threatening medical emergency is higher in younger patients and decreases gradually in older patients. The above risk is somewhat higher in men than in women. The percentage of patients assigned code S (injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes) increases with age. Alcohol breath odor is more frequently detected in patients residing in areas with a population above 10,000 than in patients residing in small towns and rural areas. The patient’s sex is not significantly correlated with the type of medical emergency, and the prevalence of the diagnosed medical emergencies tends to be similar in both sexes.

Potentials of Green Hydrogen Production in P2G Systems Based on FPV Installations Deployed on Pit Lakes in Former Mining Sites by 2050 in Poland

Green hydrogen production is expected to play a major role in the context of the shift towards sustainable energy stipulated in the Fit for 55 package. Green hydrogen and its derivatives have the capacity to act as effective energy storage vectors, while fuel cell-powered vehicles will foster net-zero emission mobility. This study evaluates the potential of green hydrogen production in Power-to-Gas (P2G) systems operated in former mining sites where sand and gravel aggregate has been extracted from lakes and rivers under wet conditions (below the water table). The potential of hydrogen production was assessed for the selected administrative unit in Poland, the West Pomerania province. Attention is given to the legal and organisational aspects of operating mining companies to identify the sites suitable for the installation of floating photovoltaic facilities by 2050. The method relies on the use of GIS tools, which utilise geospatial data to identify potential sites for investments. Basing on the geospatial model and considering technical and organisational constraints, the schedule was developed, showing the potential availability of the site over time. Knowing the surface area of the water reservoir, the installed power of the floating photovoltaic plant, and the production capacity of the power generation facility and electrolysers, the capacity of hydrogen production in the P2G system can be evaluated. It appears that by 2050 it should be feasible to produce green fuel in the P2G system to support a fleet of city buses for two of the largest urban agglomerations in the West Pomerania province. Simulations revealed that with a water coverage ratio increase and the planned growth of green hydrogen generation, it should be feasible to produce fuel for net-zero emission urban mobility systems to power 200 buses by 2030, 550 buses by 2040, and 900 buses by 2050 (for the bus models Maxi (40 seats) and Mega (60 seats)). The results of the research can significantly contribute to the development of projects focused on the production of green hydrogen in a decentralised system. The disclosure of potential and available locations over time can be compared with competitive solutions in terms of spatial planning, environmental and societal impact, and the economics of the undertaking.

The phenomenon of suicide considered from criminological, sociological and legal perspectives. Case study – Warmia and Mazury Voivodship

Aim: The aim of the study is to characterise the phenomenon of suicide and to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon, reaching to its aetiology, characterising its symptomatic forms, confronting it with the norms of Polish criminal law and assessing the symptomological tendencies in the area in question. Method: the point of reference for the study is suicides committed or attempted in the area of the selected territorial unit in Poland. Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship is a specific region in the context of the whole country. First of all, the Second World War interrupted the relay of generations. The population is largely made up of displaced persons from the east. This community had to forge new interpersonal bonds and create cultural resources from scratch. In addition, the region was hit by high unemployment and a phenomenon of social pauperisation during the political transformation of the 1990s. From a psychological point of view, many suicidogenic factors have accumulated in the region. In terms of police services, the area is under the jurisdiction of the Regional Police Headquarters in Olsztyn. The chosen aim of the research and the research problems determined the choice of methods. The multifaceted nature of the studied phenomenon required the use of several complementary research methods, such as: the formal-dogmatic method, the historical-legal method and the comparative method. The following considerations are also based on the analysis of statistical data on the research subject. Results: Analysing the phenomenon in question, it was found that the approach to it was and still is conditioned by historical, civilisational circumstances. It is also reflected in legal codifications, in which the legislator departs from punishing potential suicides. At the same time, when considering the phenomenon on a regional scale, no significant deviations from the general trends are noticeable. However, taking into account the social territorial dissimilarity, the local specificity should be taken into account in the creation of support for persons at risk of various dysfunctions that may be the cause of suicide. Theoretical implications (if applicable): not applicable. Practical implications (if applicable): The presented analysis of the phenomenon in a regional context will undoubtedly contribute to further research on suicidal behaviour. The local perspective of the article fosters a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the decision to take one's own life. Thus, it may influence the creation of a system of support for people in this regard, taking into account the specifics of the region and social problems resulting from economic and living relations. Originality/value: the article integrates contemporary knowledge on the symtomology, phenomenology of suicide, allows to identify the main causes of this phenomenon and characterises the legislation in this field. The following article analyses the phenomenon of suicide on a regional scale. The local perspective makes it possible to know in more detail the problems causing negative social behaviour. At the same time, it adequately identifies the problems oscillating around the phenomenon in question. It can be a useful tool for researchers and decision-makers looking for answers to questions in this area and indicate directions for the development of social policy instruments in this area. Research limitations/ Future research: The phenomenon of self-harm is a very interesting process or moment in the life of the person who commits it. Although suicide has received a great deal of attention in the specialist literature, it still remains completely unexplored. The phenomenon itself touches the realm of the mysterious on the borderline between life and death. Hence the interest in it by many scientific disciplines. In statistical terms, the Polish Police collect detailed data on suicides. Research limitations in this area result from ethical and moral aspects of the issue, the lack of direct contact with the suicide's environment. The research results themselves are socially internalised and significantly influence the perception of reality. Technically, the use of research is not always morally acceptable. At the same time, research fulfils social needs and expectations for the creation of instruments to prevent suicide attacks.

Crisis Management in Public Administration Units in Poland and Czech Republic. International Comparative Analysis

Crisis Management in Public Administration Units in Poland and Czech Republic. International Comparative Analysis

Krakow's Participatory School Budget as an Example of Civic Education

An example of civic education is the participatory school budget used in Poland. In the participatory budget training, students submit their own ideas, create projects, and then choose those that they think are the most attractive and important. The idea for a participatory school budget was born from the desire to adapt the classic participatory budget process to the needs of a small, local community, such as a school. Taking part in this type of project allows students to co-decide about matters in their immediate environment, i.e. the school. However, in the longer term, it is intended to prepare them to engage in the classic citizen budget, which is carried out in local government units in Poland. The aim of the article is to briefly present the origins and idea of the classic participatory budget, but primarily to focus on the participatory school budget, in particular in relation to a specific example, which is the participatory school budget carried out in one of the Polish cities – Krakow. The article also includes information about the campaign of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education promoting participatory budgeting in schools. Document analysis and critical content analysis, as well as historical and comparative methods were used to write the article.

Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in nonmetastatic metaplastic breast cancer patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (BC-Mp) is an uncommon subtype that poses unique challenges. The limited information on patient prognosis and therapeutic strategies motivated our research initiative. We aimed to assess disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and influential factors in patients with nonmetastatic BC-Mp. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, clinicopathological data for nonmetastatic BC-Mp patients treated at four oncology units in Poland (2012-2022) were gathered. Among 115 women (median age 61, range: 28-91), the median tumor size was 40 mm (range 20-130); 30% of patients exhibited positive local lymph nodes. The majority of patients presented with stage II (46%) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (84%). Radiotherapy was administered to 61% of patients. Surgical procedures included breast-conserving surgery in 31% of patients and mastectomy in 68%. Eighty-three per cent of patients received chemotherapy. The median estimated DFS and OS were 59 and 68 months, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that tumor size influenced DFS and OS (Hazard ratios [HR] = 1.02, 95%CI 0.01-0.03 for both endpoints) and taxanes application improved DFS (HR = 0.47, 95%CI 0.24-0.93), but other factors did not. For patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic therapy (N = 51), taxanes improved DFS and OS according to univariable analysis. Our findings highlight poor DFS and OS regardless of receiving optimal treatment, emphasizing the need for tailored therapeutic strategies for BC-Mp patients. Taxanes appear promising in a neoadjuvant setting, particularly within the current standard of care for the TNBC subtype.

Intersections of organizational citizenship behaviors and counterproductive work behaviors: Empirical evidence of moral licensing and cleansing theories

BACKGROUND: Our research offers an empirically supported contribution regarding the co-occurrence of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCBs) and Counterproductive Work Behaviors (CWBs). Traditionally, OCBs and CWBs are considered to be mutually exclusive types of organizational behaviors. However, the same employee may engage in both behaviors, as explained by the moral licensing and cleaning theories. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the paper is to validate that the moral licensing theory (which posits that one may feel authorized to behave badly due to previous positive behaviors) and the moral cleansing theory (which posits feelings of guilt for previous negative behaviors) stand behind the paradox of an individual member of an organization engaging in both OCBs and CWBs. METHODS: The analysis is based on the findings from a questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of employees of local government units in Poland (N = 736). RESULTS: Our results show the positive relations between moral licensing and CWBs (the Abuse and Withdrawal dimensions) and between moral cleansing and OCBs (the Altruistic dimension), thus providing empirical evidence of both theories in an organizational context. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest complex relationships between positive and negative behaviors depending on whether employees feel authorized or not to compensate for positive behaviors or feel a moral obligation to repair for negative ones.

Relationships between job satisfaction, occupational burnout and rationing of care among intensive care unit nurses.

Rationing of nursing care is referred to as overlooking aspects of required patient care. Its result is incomplete or delayed services provided to the patient. Anesthesia nurses employed in an intensive care unit are exposed to a significant workload. Particularly heavy is the psychological burden leading in many cases to the onset of burnout syndrome and a decrease in job satisfaction. Was to determine the relationship between occupational burnout, job satisfaction and rationing of care among anesthesia nurses employed in intensive care units. The study group consisted of 477 anesthesia nurses employed in intensive care units in Poland. The study was conducted between December 2022 and January 2023. The research tools were BERNCA-R questionnaire, Job Satisfaction Scale questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire, which were distributed to selected hospitals with a request to be forwarded to intensive care units and completed. In the statistical analysis, correlations were calculated using Spearman's rho coefficient, reporting the intensity of the relationship and its positive or negative direction. The analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS 26.0 package with the Exact Tests module. The mean score of the BERNCA questionnaire was 1.65 ± 0.82. The mean score of occupational burnout was 60.82 ± 10.46. The level of emotional exhaustion, which significantly affects occupational burnout, was 26.39 ± 6.07, depersonalization was 14.14 ± 3.21 and lack of personal achievement was 20.29 ± 4.70. All the scores obtained exceeded the threshold of 50% of total points, which indicates the presence of occupational burnout at a significant level. The job satisfaction of the nurses surveyed was above mean at 23.00 ± 5.2 out of 35 total points. The results proved that there is a statistically significant, although with a weak strength of association, correlation between occupational burnout and rationing of care by anesthesia nurses. As the limitation of anesthesia nurses' ability to perform certain activities increases, their job satisfaction decreases. In a work environment that is conducive to nurses, there are fewer job responsibilities that are unfulfilled. Therefore, it is essential to create a friendly work environment for nursing staff that will promote the provision of services at the highest possible level.

Evaluation of the Budget Management of Local Government Units in Poland Based on Methods of Multi-Criteria Analysis in 2019-2021

The idea of the present paper was to assess budget management in local government units in Poland in 2019-2021 using multi-criteria analysis methods. The evaluation was broken down by different types of LGUs using the TOPSIS method based on min-max normalization. The survey was conducted using secondary data obtained from the Ministry of Finance website, broken down by budget (per capita) and debt indicators. For all LGUs in total, the best position in 2019-2021 was found in voivodeships, whose ranking remained unchanged despite the COVID-19 pandemic. An analogous situation was observed in rural municipalities. The last position in the ranking was occupied by towns with powiat status (2019) and metropolitan areas (2020-2021). Between 2019 and 2021, the number of entities placed in financial condition class 2 was increasing only in towns with powiat status. A reduction in financial condition (in Class 2) was also evident in rural municipalities, in powiats, and metropolitan areas. Over the years 2019-2021, there was a reduction in the number of entities with financial condition class 3 in rural municipalities and towns with powiat status. The leaders in benchmarking in rural communes were Kleszczów and Godkowo; urban-rural communes: Kamieńśk and Lubniewice; urban communes: Krynica Morska and Hel; cities with county rights: Sopot and Świnoujście, metropolises: Katowice and Warsaw, voivodeships: Pomeranian and Greater Poland. The powiats were characterized by great diversity, the best places in the ranking in individual years went to the Wolsztyński, Sztumski and Golubsko-Dobrzański powiats.

Analyzing the dynamics of meningococcal vaccinations initiatives by local government units in Poland (2017–2021) – Scope, challenges and recommendations

IntroductionMeningococcal vaccinations are recommended by Polish public health authorities but lack coverage under health insurance, prompting Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement local health policy programs. This study examines the effectiveness and impact of LGU-driven meningococcal vaccination initiatives in Poland between 2017 and 2021. Material and MethodsA retrospective analysis utilized data from reports on local public health interventions submitted annually to the Ministry of Health in Poland. The study focused on the number of meningococcal vaccination programs, their scope, the vaccinated population, and associated program costs. Additionally, nationwide data on meningococcal disease incidence and vaccine uptake were analyzed. ResultsWithin LGUs programs, 48,617 individuals received meningococcal vaccinations, constituting approximately 10% of all vaccinations in Poland during the study period. Notably, cities with poviat rights spearheaded programs covering 54% of the total participants. The total cost incurred by these initiatives amounted to EUR 2,553,661. ConclusionsWhile LGUs activities positively contributed to increased meningococcal vaccination rates, the overall engagement of local governments remains limited. The findings underscore the importance of expanding local government involvement in meningococcal vaccination programs to address public health needs effectively. Improved collaboration and increased funding may enhance the reach and impact of these initiatives.

SYSTEMIC CIVIL PROTECTION IN CONDITIONS OF LIMITED RESOURCES OF FIRE BRIGADE UNITS IN POLAND IN THE EVENT OF A PANDEMIC. EXAMPLE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN POLAND

Ensuring an adequate level of security should be the responsibility of every civilised developedcountry. The overall functioning of the civil protection system depends on the efficiency of thedecision-making entities, which are entities of the public administration at various levels andthe executive entities such as fire protection units, the Police, the Armed Forces, the MedicalRescue System, etc. Each of the aforementioned institutions and organisations has at itsdisposal the resources that are necessary to maintain organisational capacity and to maintaincontinuity of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on society, as wellas on administrative entities, organisations and institutions. Its impact created a very high riskof adverse effects that affected organisational resources. The aim of this article is to determinehow to systemically ensure the civil protection under conditions of limited institutional resourcesin the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fire protection units, more specifically organisationalunits of the State Fire Service and volunteer fire services, were taken as an analytical basis. It wasinvestigated by means of empirical research, quantitative and qualitative research methods onhow the COVID-19 pandemic affected the resources of these fire protection units, in particular:human, financial, information and material resources. The results of the research were analysedand used to define guidelines and a system model of providing civil protection in conditions oflimited resources of fire protection units in Poland in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological and Physical Well-Being in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Study of Anxiety, Depression, Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, and Sociodemographic Factors.

BACKGROUND The psychophysical state of breast cancer patients impacts several outcomes and parameters and can directly affect diagnosis, prehabilitation, and treatment. This questionnaire-based study aimed to compare anxiety levels, depression, physical activity, sleep quality, and sociodemographic features in women with breast cancer and healthy women at a breast cancer unit in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study enrolled 41 breast cancer patients with no proposed treatment or psychological disorder diagnosis and 50 healthy volunteers. After enrolment, the subjects completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. RESULTS In this study, anxiety levels measured by the STAI anxiety subscale (56.05 [9.18] vs 37.62 [8.35], P<0.001) and BDI-assessed depression levels were higher in the cancer group (12.34 [6.26] vs 6.68 [6.36], P<0.001). PSQI measured quality of sleep (QOS) (5.80 [3.44] vs 3.76 [3.35], p=0.003) and physical activity (PA) levels evaluated by IPAQ were lower for breast cancer patients (1684.62 [2401.19] vs 3473.44 [4756.78], P=0.042). CONCLUSIONS Anxiety, depression, poor quality of sleep, and insufficient PA were common in breast cancer patients. The occurrence of cancer was the main factor causing mental health deterioration in patients with breast cancer. Also, mental state and well-being differed in healthy women compared to breast cancer patients.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION SECURITY INCIDENTS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN SELECTED EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES

The article presents the issue of information security incident management in public administration. The goal of security incident management is to minimize the negative impact of incidents and ensure the continuity of the organization's operations. It is critical to know what the threats are, including the number and types of incidents reported. The article outlines key incident management and legal issues related to the topic of security incidents and the work of computer incident response teams. Examples of incidents that took place recently in public administration units in Poland were also presented. This was followed by an analysis of statistical data on reported incidents in Poland in the years 2020-2022, and the results were compared with the number of incidents reported in selected European Union countries. The results of the study show that the dominant type of incidents is fraud (mainly phishing), and public administration is one of the main targets of cybercriminals' attacks. Difficulties in conducting such comparative analysis have also been demonstrated.

Predictors of outcomes of patients ≥ 80 years old admitted to intensive care units in Poland - a post-hoc analysis of the VIP2 prospective observational study.

Elderly patients pose a significant challenge to intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. In this study we attempted to characterise the population of patients over 80 years old admitted to ICUs in Poland and identify associations between clinical features and short-term outcomes. The study is a post-hoc analysis of the Polish cohort of the VIP2 European prospective observational study enrolling patients > 80 years old admitted to ICUs over a 6-month period. Data including clinical features, clinical frailty scale (CFS), geriatric scales, interventions within the ICU, and outcomes (30-day and ICU mortality and length of stay) were gathered. Univariate analyses comparing frail (CFS > 4) to non-frail patients and survivors to non-survivors were performed. Multivariable models with CFS, activities of daily living score (ADL), and the cognitive decline questionnaire IQCODE as predictors and ICU or 30-day mortality as outcomes were formed. A total of 371 patients from 27 ICUs were enrolled. Frail patients had significantly higher ICU (58% vs. 44.45%, P = 0.03) and 30-day (65.61% vs. 54.14%, P = 0.01) mortality compared to non-frail counterparts. The survivors had significantly lower SOFA score, CFS, ADL, and IQCODE than non-survivors. In multivariable analysis CFS (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34) and SOFA score (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.19-1.41) were identified as significant predictors for ICU mortality; however, CFS was not a predictor for 30-day mortality ( P = 0.07). No statistical significance was found for ADL, IQCODE, polypharmacy, or comorbidities. We found a positive correlation between CFS and ICU mortality, which might point to the value of assessing the score for every patient admitted to the ICU. The older Polish ICU patients were characterised by higher mortality compared to the other European countries.

Effects of two-stage preterm formulas on growth, nutritional biomarkers, and neurodevelopment in preterm infants.

Formula-fed preterm infants require nutrient-enriched formulas with optimized protein levels to support growth and neurodevelopment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a new liquid two-staged formula system designed to provide tailored nutrition during hospital stay and after discharge. Male and female very-low-birth-weight preterm infants (birth weight ≤1,500 g; gestational age ≤32 weeks) were recruited from three neonatal units in Poland and Slovakia in a prospective, open-label, interventional study. Stage 1 formula providing 3.6 g intact protein/100 kcal was consumed from enrollment until reaching 1,800 g, followed by a post-discharge (PD) Stage 2 formula with 2.8 g/100 kcal protein, which was consumed for 30 days. Weight gain velocity (WGV in g/kg/day) between the first day of achieving full enteral feeding (FEF D1 rate of 150 ml/kg/day and cessation of parenteral feeding) and day reaching 1,800 g was compared to the minimally required WGV (15 g/kg/day) for non-inferiority (primary endpoint), and to the Fenton median growth rate for superiority (17.3 g/kg/day), adjusting for sex, gestational age, site, visit, and WGV. Changes in z-scores, feeding tolerance, nutritional biomarker status, and safety were also assessed from FEF D1 to 30 days PD. In an observational follow-up at 2 years of age, neurodevelopment was evaluated using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III). Adjusted weight gain velocity (95% CI) between the first day of full enteral feeding and day reaching 1,800 g in per protocol (PP, N = 18) was 23.0 (20.1-25.9) g/kg/day; lower limit of the 95% CIs exceeded the non-inferiority margin (15 g/kg/day, p < 0.001) and the superiority margin (17.3 g/kg/day, p < 0.001). Mean stool frequency ranged from 2.5 to 3.3 stools per day. The two-stage formula supported adequate growth patterns throughout the study and nutritional biomarkers of protein and mineral status were within normal ranges. At 24 months corrected age, the mean ± SD of the BSID cognitive scale was 97.3 ± 13.9 in PP, with all infants achieving a score >70. None of the adverse events reported were related to the study formulas. The two-stage preterm formulas supported postnatal weight gain, adequate growth, cognitive development within normal ranges, and a safe profile of protein and bone biomarkers. Clinicaltrials.gov registration, NCT03728764, NCT04962035.

University of the Third Age in A Limiting Social Exclusion of the Elderly: A Case Study in Poland

The discourse on multidimensional consequences of the growing dynamics with regard to the population ageing process has continued unabated for several decades. Although it is often dominated by analyses pointing to the negative economic consequences of the growing proportion of elderly people, awareness of the inevitability of demographic change direction has brought a new perspective on meeting the needs of this social group. Research shows that elderly people often experience social exclusion, which can further exacerbate an often difficult situation due to the various types of limitations faced with age. In order to counteract exclusion as well as to activate and integrate seniors, the concept of establishing universities of the third age (U3A) has been introduced. This form of activity met with great interest and spread in a fairly short time, creating a platform for many initiatives. Nevertheless, the issue of the functioning of Universities of the Third Age as an entity offering various forms of support for the elderly is not a very common subject of research. Therefore, it is worth adding to the scope of knowledge on how these entities can reduce the scale of marginalization of seniors. The main aim of this paper is to describe the scope of third-age universities with particular emphasis on the functions they perform in the context of counteracting the social exclusion of seniors. In order to achieve this goal, an example of the functioning of these units in Poland was used, presenting key data showing the development of such institutions, the profile of participants, the area of activity and the main sources of funding. The research method used is desk research, while the data subject to analysis was taken from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) public statistics.

Influence of External Factors on the Strength of Firefighting Hoses Used in Fire Protection Units

Aim: The purpose of this article is to review information on firefighting hoses in terms of their division and the materials used in their production, and to determine if and how external factors affect their strength and durability. Introduction: Firefighting hoses are one of the most important products of technical equipment of Fire Protection Units. Since they are an indispensable element during rescue and firefighting operations, conducting research on the strength of fire hoses is needed and extremely important from the point of view of fire protection. Project and methods: Technological advances in the area of using various types of materials for fire hoses over time have had (and continue to have) a significant impact on the undertaking of rescue and firefighting operations, the speed with which these operations are carried out, as well as their effectiveness. Therefore, at the beginning of the article, a historical outline of the fire hoses used for firefighting in various countries around the world over the years was made. In the following part of the article, the influence of external factors on the adhesive strength of firefighting hoses used in fire protection units in Poland was analysed. The effect of exposure to a 3% foam solution of a fire extinguishing agent on hose tape samples placed in this solution was tested, depending on the time of direct contact of the samples with this agent. The effect of UV exposure (under wetting and drying conditions) on the hose tape samples was also studied, with time intervals of different lengths. Results: When testing the exposure of the hose tape samples to UV light (for 90 minutes, at 38 ± 3°C, without water spray, followed by water exposure for 30 minutes, at 50 ± 10% humidity), decreasing trends were observed for the average values of delamination strengths. Tests were also made on a series of samples exposed to a 3% solution of aqueous foam extinguishing agent on the hose tape, both externally and internally. Declining trends were observed for the mean values of adhesive strengths (after 3 and 6 weeks). The impact of factors such as exposure to UV radiation, as well as the impact of the foam extinguishing agent solution negatively affects the hose tape, reducing its strength. The article was prepared on the basis of the authors’ own research results, as well as available sources, both national and foreign, based on the available literature on the raised issues. Keywords: firefighting hose, fire hose strength, adhesion, UV, foam extinguishing agent