Background: Explanation of the pathogenesis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is one of the most significant challenges for scientists today. It is believed that a major pathogenetic factor of this condition is epigenetic changes caused by environmental factors, including toxic metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), aluminium (Al), and arsenic (As)). The nervous system may also be affected by deficiencies of both micro-and macroelements (e.g. calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn)). The aim of the study was to analyze the concentrations of Pb, As, and Ca in the hair of children with ASD and a control group. Methods: The materials for the study comprised hair samples collected from 30 children diagnosed with ASD (case group) and 30 children randomly selected from the general population of Bialystok and surrounding region (control group). Concentrations of Pb, As, and Ca were tested with electron microscopy scanning method. Next, the content of the analyzed elements in the hair was assessed as well as their impact on autism development in the children and the mutual interactions between them. The obtained results were statistically analyzed with Statistica PL 12.5., using the Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Mean Ca level in the hair of the case group was lower than the mean level of this element in the control group. Mean As and Pb concentration in the hair of children with ASD was statistically significantly higher than the mean concentration of this element in the hair of children without neurological disorders. Statistically insignificant weak positive correlations between Ca and As content and negative between Ca and Pb in the hair of children from the case group were noted. Also, statistically significant mean positive correlations between Pb and As were observed. Conclusions: In this small study, according to the observations, children diagnosed with ASD suffer from Ca deficiency and toxic metal overload (As and Pb). These abnormalities may play the main role, as an environmental factor, in the pathogenesis of the analyzed disorder.
Background. the use of over-the-counter (otC) medications without consulting a doctor has become increasingly common. Objectives. to compare the scale of self-treatment in a population of students of the Medical university of bialystok in 2012 and 2017. Material and methods. the study included 217 students in 2012 and 220 students in 2017, and used a proprietary questionnaire. Results. a total of 78.8% of students in 2012 and 86.4% in 2017 were familiar with the meaning of the abbreviation otC. when using an otC drug for the first time, most students consulted a nurse (66.4%) in 2012, while in 2017, students usually consulted a family member (68.8%). headache was the main reason for using otC drugs (89.4% in 2012, and 92.7% in 2017). the use of analgesics (87.1%) and the use of otC medicines in accordance with the leaflet (47%) predominated in 2012, while vitamin therapy (83.2%) took first place in 2017. when purchasing otC medications, students usually based their decision on their own experience (63.1% in 2012 and 84.1% in 2017). a total of 35.5% of the students in 2012 and 39.1% in 2017 always read the leaflet. Conclusions. self-medication was practiced by most students in both years, with lack of time for a medical appointment being the main reason. over the last 6 months, the students most often used prescription and non-prescription drugs simultaneously.
Introduction: Geriatric patients account for a large proportion of interventions of medical emergency teams (METs). The aim of this study was to analyse medical emergency interventions in the Biała Podlaska and Chełm (Poland) between 2016 and 2018 in a group of patients ≥ 65 years of age. Materials and Methods: We analysed medical records of 1200 older patients treated by METs in Biała Podlaska and Chełm (Lublin Province, Poland). The research was conducted from June 2019 to March 2020 at the Emergency Medical Service Station in Biała Podlaska and the Medical Rescue Station in Chełm (Independent Public Complex of Health Care Facilities). Results: A total of 92.5% of medical emergency service interventions took place at the patient’s home. The mean time of stay at the scene was 20 min. The highest number of interventions occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. There were no statistically significant differences in the type of ambulance used depending on the patient’s sex, while there was a statistically significant relationship between priority code and sex. Cardiovascular diseases were diagnosed in 40% of patients, and the symptoms were not precisely classified in almost the same percentage of patients. Mortality cases accounted for 3.1% of the 1200 interventions analysed. Ambulance dispatch resulted in the patient being transported to the hospital emergency department in 69.1% of cases. Conclusions: METs were called for a variety of diseases due to the fact that geriatric patients are not able to distinguish a life-threatening condition. Medical procedures performed by METs from Biała Podlaska and Chełm were closely related to the initial diagnoses made by these teams. It was irrelevant whether a specialist or non-specialist medical emergency service was used. Paramedics are very well trained to practice their profession and are able to provide treatment to older patients in a state of sudden life threat.
The aim of this study was to analyse medical management in geriatric patients in the Hospital Emergency Departments in the Biała Podlaska County and Chełm County (Poland) between 2016 and 2018 in a group of patients ≥65 years of age. We analysed medical records of 829 patients transported to Hospital Emergency Departments by Medical Emergency Teams. The research was conducted in the period from June 2019 to March 2020. We analysed emergency medical procedure forms and medical records of patients transported to the hospitals. Cardiovascular diseases were diagnosed in 40% of patients. Mortality cases accounted for 3.1% of the 1200 interventions analysed. Ambulance dispatch resulted in the patient being transported to the Hospital Emergency Departments in more than 2/3 of cases. The concordance between the diagnoses made by the Medical Emergency Teams and those made at the Hospital Emergency Departments was confirmed for 78% patients admitted to the department (n = 647), whereas the concordance of classification at the group level was estimated at 71.7% (n = 594). Further in-patient treatment was initiated in some of the patients admitted to the department (n = 385). The mean time of hospital stay was 10.1 days. In conclusion, differences between the initial diagnosis made by the heads of the Medical Emergency Teams and the diagnosis made by the doctor on duty in the Hospital Emergency Departments depended on the chapter of diseases in the ICD-10 classification, but they were acceptable. The majority of the patients were transported to Hospital Emergency Departments. The most common groups of diseases that require Hospital Emergency Departments admission include cardiovascular diseases, injuries due to external causes, and respiratory diseases. A moderate percentage of patients were qualified for further specialist treatment in hospital departments.
The aim of the research was to examine whether the strength of religious faith among health professionals, politicians, journalists and religious leaders in Poland influences their knowledge and attitudes towards the withdrawal of futile care, and euthanasia. The study was carried out using a group of 449 respondents employed in medical professions (nurses, midwives and paramedics), and 142 respondents of non-medical professions (politicians, journalists and clergymen). The method used was a diagnostic survey with an original, anonymous Internet survey, as well as the standardised Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSORF). It has been demonstrated that the greater the influence of religion on a person’s life, the lesser their tolerance for the refusal of life-saving/life support procedures.
IntroductionPeople recently or currently in forced quarantine or isolation at home have shown high levels of depression and symptoms of generalized anxiety.Aim of the StudyTo assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain aspects of people's day-to-day functioning.Materials and MethodsThe study involved using an online diagnostic survey including a proprietary questionnaire, the DASS 21, and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale.ResultsInformation about the pandemic in Poland and around the world was systematically obtained by 48.8 and 27.4% of respondents, respectively (N = 1,312). Whereas, 75.6% of respondents declared having knowledge about the number of infected people in Poland, only 28.7% declared having such knowledge about infections worldwide. Most often, respondents had obtained information online (65.9%). According to 45.7% of respondents, infection with COVID-19 is a major threat, and not enough has been done to reduce its spread in Poland (66.7%) or worldwide (56.1%). Respondents considered social distancing (68.3%), quarantining people arriving from abroad (63.4%), and wearing protective masks and/or gloves (60.4%) to be the most effective actions for combatting the pandemic. Most often, in compulsory quarantines, respondents surfed the Internet (48.8%) and experienced a lack of energy or fatigue (40.2%) and anxiety (54.9%). The severity of anxiety (mean = 4.6 points), stress (7.5 points), and depression (7.3 points) were within normal ranges, and the respondents could generally be included in the group showing mildly severe social phobia (57.9 points).ConclusionsMost respondents considered infection with COVID-19 to be a major threat and feared another quarantine. During quarantine, respondents most often experienced fatigue, a lack of energy, nervousness, anxiety, anger, and sadness. Despite demonstrating anxiety, stress, and depression with severity in the normal range, respondents showed no statistically significant correlation between severity and age, gender, place of residence, or level of education. Although they also showed mildly severe social phobia, only gender, not age, place of residence, or level of education, showed a statistically significant correlation with its severity.
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