Background/Aim: Factors influencing the survival of the nursing home population have not yet been clearly defined. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of nutritional, mental, functional, disease and pharmacological factors on the survival of nursing home residents with severe disabilities.
Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with a 9-year follow-up period among nursing home residents with a Barthel score ≤40. The initial assessment included the following scales: Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF), Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), the Barthel Index, and blood pressure (BP) measurements. Comorbidities, medications and all-cause mortality were extracted from medical records. The analyzed cohort was divided into two groups: Deceased — residents who died ≤3 years and Survivors — those who survived >3 years of observation.
Results: Survivors (n = 40) and Deceased (n = 48) did not differ significantly in terms of age, sex, systolic and diastolic BP, the Barthel Index, number of diseases and medications used. Survivors had significantly higher scores in MNA-SF (p <0.001) and AMTS (p <0.003) than Deceased. Moreover, Survivors had hyper-tension significantly more often and took aspirin and ACE inhibitors (p <0.05). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the MNA-SF score significantly affected mortality [OR = 0.62, (95%CI, 0.46– 0.84), p <0.001].
Conclusion: Higher MNA-SF scores were a factor that significantly affected the survival of nursing home residents, while functional status assessed using the Barthel Index had no effect on survival. MNA-SF was found to be a useful tool for assessing the risk of death in a nursing home.

Incidence of colonic atresia in living infants ranges from 1:5,000 to 1:60,000 (average 1:20,000). It constitutes 1.8 to 15% of all cases of atresia of the gastrointestinal tract. In 58.56–75% of all cases is right-sided. We aim, through the presentation of two cases of colonic atresia which we encountered and after systematic research of the current literature, at addressing three major issues: diagnostic approach, operative strategy and management of the prognostic parameters of the colonic atresia. The common parameter in these two cases was the early diagnosis, which played a significant role in the uncomplicated postoperative course. The first case was a type I sigmoid atresia. Contrast’s escape during contrast enema examination due to accidental rupture of the distal part of the colon led to diagnosis. Side-to-side anastomosis, restoration of the rupture and a central loop sigmoidostomy were urgently performed. The second case was a type III atresia at the level of the ascending colon, which was early diagnosed via pregenital ultrasonography, in which colonic dilation was depicted. Restoration of the intestinal continuity early after birth was performed at a time. In conclusion, we believe that early diagnosis, selection of the appropriate operative strategy and prompt recognition of potential post-operative complications, especially rupture of the anastomosis, contribute to the optimization of the prognosis in patients with colonic atresia.

Proteases play a key role in cell defense mechanisms to cold-induced oxidative stress. Data on the relationship between cold stress, growth phase, and temperature preferences of the fungal strains isolated from different habitats are very scarce. Here, we report changes in the intra- and extracellular protease activity of three fungal Penicillium strains (two Antarctic and one temperate) under transient temperature downshift during exponential- and stationary growth phases. The results indicated enhanced enzyme levels in both growth phases depending on the degree of stress and strain thermal class. In order to explain the obtained data, we compared them with our previous results on the protein carbonyl content, accumulation of oxidative-stress biomarkers, and antioxidant enzyme defense in the same three fungal strains. The cell response was affected by the temperature preference of the strain, but not by the climatic distance between the locations of isolation.

Gaseous hydrogen may be generated in a nuclear reactor system as an effect of the core overheating. This creates a risk of its uncontrolled combustion which may have a destructive consequences, as it could be observed during the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. Favorable conditions for hydrogen production occur during heavy loss-of-coolant accidents. The author used an own computer code, called HEPCAL, of the lumped parameter type to realize a set of simulations of a large scale loss-of-coolant accidents scenarios within containment of second generation pressurized water reactor. Some simulations resulted in high pressure peaks, seemed to be irrational. A more detailed analysis and comparison with Three Mile Island and Fukushima accidents consequences allowed for withdrawing interesting conclusions.

The presence of pesticides in natural waters of such countries as: USA, Canada, Russia, Germany, France, Swizcrland and also in the Bailie Sea and North Sea has been proved many times. The following compounds are detected most often and in largest quantities: lindan, DDT, which has not been used for many years now, Simazine, Atrazine, Chlorfenvinphos and Fenitrothion. The presence of pesticides in superficial waters in the Żuławy Wiślane region has been described many limes by Żelechowska and Makowski. Additionally, my own reserch confirmed the presence of phenoxyacetic acid herbicides in superficial waters in the northern-eastern region - in the Supraśl, Białka, Narew and Biebrza rivers. This paper presents the results of the determination of concentrations of phenoxyacetic herbicides and other pollutants in the Supraśl river. The samples were collected over a period of one year, from April 2000 to March 2001.

This paper deals with detection of the stator windings shorted turns in an induction motor drive working under open (scalar) and closed loop (Direct Field Oriented DFO) control structures. In order to detect the early stage of stator winding fault, the analysis of symmetrical and principal components of stator voltages and currents is used. Experimental results obtained from a specially prepared induction motor are presented.

The article proves that Kochanowski’s Latin version of Sappho 1 Lobel-Page was based on Henri Estienne’s edition of Anacreontics with fragments of Sappho and Alcaeus, published in Paris in 1556. Any future commentary on the Latin poem must take this fact into account.

Joseph Ratzinger discusses papal primacy in the Church, which is a communio based on the relationship between primacy and collegiality. Therefore, he supports jurisdictional primacy executed not in a monarchical way, but collegially, with the Pope as the head of the college of bishops. Joseph Ratzinger discusses the Petrine primacy in the New Testament, which he considers a starting point for a discussion about the succession of Peter’s office, choosing (via media) between papalism and conciliarism. He, therefore, focuses on the personal aspect of primacy connected with a given person. Moreover, the article discusses the relationship between the papacy and doctrinal infallibility. It also poses the question whether after his renunciation Benedict XVI still retains the charisma of doctrinal infallibility (or authentic orthodoxy) and how this refers to the current Pope Francis.