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COVID-19 patients and survivors quite often experience depressive symptoms, which can increase risk for lower immune system response and poorer recovery. Vulnerability to depressive symptoms may be elevated in those patients who have the most severe COVID-19 course of illness, that is, patients who require supplementary oxygen therapy or even intubation. The current study involved a unique sample of patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 and who required respiratory support (N = 34, 10 women) in which we investigated depressive symptoms as well as psychopathological personality traits (PID5) as predictors. The majority of patients (76.5%) presented some degree of depressive symptoms. Although we expected severe levels of depressive symptoms to be most prevalent, more patients showed rather moderate levels. At the same time, Negative Affectivity was most predictive of depressive symptoms. We suggest that medical care for patients with greater emotional sensitivity and vulnerability to stress be supplemented with psychological support in order to address depressive symptoms and foster recovery.

Aim: The aim of the paper was to investigate the relationships between introducing family rules for phone and computer use, compliance with these rules and the frequency and methods of electronic media use, health, life satisfaction and relationships of adolescents with their parents. Materials and methods: An anonymous survey was conducted in Poland among 844 students aged 10–18 years (55.3% boys; 28.0% were primary school students, 42.3% were lower secondary school students, 29.7% were upper secondary school students; 45.3% were residents of big cities, with populations of over 100,000, 23.1% were residents of small towns and 31.6% were rural residents). The questionnaire included questions and scales relating to electronic media use (different activities and rules for the use of electronic media), health (self-rated health, subjective health complaints, life satisfaction) and family relations (clear communication, social support and shared activities). Results: A total of 97.7% of adolescents have access to a computer at home (no difference in terms of gender, age and place of residence), while 80.7% of adolescents have a computer or a laptop for their own exclusive use (the percentage grows with the level of education, from 77.4% to 87.6%); 87.4% of respondents own a device with Internet access, 97.1% have a mobile phone (girls slightly more often than boys: 98.6% vs. 95.8%). Adolescents who fail to comply with family rules on the use of electronic media dedicate the most amount of time to use these media for entertainment and face the most serious health and social consequences. Introduction of time restrictions by parents reduces the time devoted by adolescents to electronic media, but only the time spent on entertainment. Conclusions: Introduction and consistent compliance with the rules for using electronic media are important for good family relationships and are associated with clear communication, support, and spending time with parents.

There is a lack of research investigating associative memory errors in sign language. Thus, the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm was used to test recall and recognition errors in deaf signers following four types of encoding: written words, signs, written words presented along with signs, or written words combined with self-produced signs. The results revealed poor memory for studied material along with a relatively low level of false memory for critical items. However, dual coding appeared to enhance veridical memory. Interestingly, a high rate of noncritical intrusions was noticed across all four encoding conditions. Similar results were obtained for recognition, however, there were no differences between encoding conditions in the false alarms rate toward critical lures. The results point to difficulties in accessing the meaning of words in deaf participants. To test this hypothesis a follow-up study was conducted where false recall and recognition of words or signs were tested in hearing participants fluent in sign language. The second experiment revealed semantic memory errors comparable to previous studies with hearing participants. The results from both experiments are discussed in light of previous studies on vocabulary knowledge in deaf individuals.

Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the influence of oral, oropharyngeal, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal dysplasia and cancer diagnosis on motivation to smoking cessation in patients. Consecutively, we assessed the competence of ENT specialists in counseling anti-smoking therapies. Methods Questionnaire of expected support, Schneider motivation test and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) were administered to 50 smoking patients. The online survey was collected from 152 ENT doctors. Results Mean FTND score was 4.58 and Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) was 3.1. Patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer showed the greatest dependence to nicotine 7.67 and 5.25, respectively, and with hypopharyngeal cancer had the lowest 3.5, (p = 0.039). The ranges of HSI were significantly higher for younger patients (p = 0.036). 35 patients were adequately motivated to quit smoking, and their mean age was statistically higher (p = 0.05). Self-reported motivation to smoking cessation was 76%. Of 152 surveyed doctors, only 39% declared knowledge of the diagnostic and therapeutic cessation interventions. 75% showed interest in the training programs.

Ethical and methodologically correct diagnosis of a child hearing Deaf parents requires a specialist with extensive knowledge. In every society there are people who use the visual-spatial language – they are deaf people. They are perceived by the majority as disabled people, less frequently as a cultural minority. The adoption of a particular attitude towards the perception of deafness determines the context of the psychologist’s assessment. Diagnosis in such a specific situation shouldbe viewed from the perspective of a child hearing as a bi-cultural person, a descendant of a Deaf parent – a representative of the Deaf culture and himself a psychologist representing the cultural majority of hearing people.

Objective Vaspin and leptin play an important role in the foetal and postnatal development of children, which may be disturbed by infections. The effect of congenital infection on serum vaspin and leptin values is not well known. Aim The evaluation of vaspin and leptin concentrations in full-term AGA neonates, according to their gender, birth asphyxia, type of delivery, occurrence of pneumonia and determination of correlation between concentrations of both hormones and anthropometric parameters. Material and methods The study involved 100 full-term neonates (53 boys and 47 girls); among them, 40 were with congenital pneumonia and 60 were healthy control. Serum vaspin and leptin concentrations were measured between the 3rd and 6th days of life by the ELISA method. Results It was found that vaspin and leptin concentrations were significantly higher in pneumonic neonates than in the healthy neonates. Healthy female neonates had significantly higher concentrations of both hormones than the male neonates. In neonates with pneumonia, negative correlation between vaspin concentration and foetal maturity was noted. Type of delivery had no influence on the values of these hormones in both the groups. Conclusions 1. Congenital pneumonia in full-term AGA neonates contributes to increase of serum vaspin and leptin concentrations, independently of their gender, birth weight, birth asphyxia and type of delivery. 2. Healthy full-term female neonates have significantly higher vaspin and leptin concentrations than the male neonates. 3. In healthy and pneumonic neonates, any significant correlation between serum vaspin and leptin concentrations and body length, head and chest circumferences, and any mutual correlation between vaspin and leptin were stated.

Objective Adiponectin and leptin play an important role in the children development, but the effect of early-onset neonatal infections on their values is not well known. Aim The evaluation of serum adiponectin and leptin concentrations in healthy and infected full-term newborns, according to their gender, type of delivery, birth asphyxia and kind of infection and determination of correlations between concentrations of these two hormones and anthropometric parameters. Material and methods The study involved 166 newborns (95 boys, 71 girls), among them 85 infected and 81 healthy. Hormone concentrations were measured between 3 rd and 7 th day of life by ELISA method. Results Septic newborns have significantly higher adiponectin concentration than healthy, and septic and local infected babies have higher leptin value than healthy, independently of their gender, anthropometric parameters, birth asphyxia and type of delivery. In healthy newborns negative correlation between adiponectin value and chest circumference, and between leptin concentration and body length was noted. Healthy female newborns have significantly higher leptin values than boys; healthy newborns born by elective cesarean section have higher adiponectin concentration than born spontaneously. Positive correlation between adiponectin and leptin concentrations in infected newborns was stated. Conclusions 1. Early-onset infections in full-term eutrophic newborns contribute to increase of adiponectin and leptin concentrations, independently of their gender, birth asphyxia and type of delivery. 2. In infected newborns any significant correlations between adiponectin concentrations and birth weight, body length, chest and head circumferences were noted.

Adiponectin is a cytokine built with 244 amino acids. It is produced and secreted by adipose tissue. The concentration of this hormone in serum fluctuates from 1 to 30 μg/ml. The main function of this cytokine is the control of metabolism, carbohydrates and lipids. Women have higher concentration of adiponectin than men. Its high concentration is observed in those suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Its reduced concentration decreases insulin levels, and leads to the development of diabetes and lipodystrophy. It is believed that low adiponectin level contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications including unstable coronary artery disease. Mechanisms of synthesis regulation have not been thoroughly understood. One describes only the increase of adiponectin gene expression regulated by receptors activated by peroxisome proliferation. Adiponectin is present in breast milk where it plays an important role in the development of the infant. The newborn has higher adiponectin level than the adult; it correlates with the maturity of foetus and its body weight. Full-term newborns with normal birth weight have higher concentration of adiponectin than the premature infants and newborns with low birth weight. Infants with macrosomia have lower concentration of this hormone than children with normal and low birth weight, despite their similar BMI. In the prepubertal age, the value of adiponectin is a good indicator of insulin resistance. Changes in the concentration of adiponectin in foetuses and newborns, under the influence of not fully explained factors, may affect their development and lead to childhood obesity. In the first year of life, there is a progressive decrease in the concentration of this hormone.

Objective: Only a few studies on improving the early diagnosis of severe neonatal infections have focused on the role of serum RANTES concentration (sRC). The aim of the study was to establish sRC in neonates with early-onset infections, according to their gestational age, sex, birth asphyxia, mode of delivery and value of some biochemical and hematological parameters.Material/Methods: The analysis comprised 129 neonates, including 89 infected (52 preterm, 37 full-term; 43 with sepsis, 39 with congenital pneumonia, 7 with severe urinary tract infection) and 40 healthy (control group, 25 full-term, 15 preterm). The sRC in peripheral vein blood was measured by the ELISA method using Quantikine Set (R & D systems, USA).Results: The sRC in infected neonates ranged from 10.83 to 122.55 μg/ml, in full-term neonates from 18.28 to 122.55 μg/ml, and in preterm from 10.83 to 118.24 μg/ml. The mean sRCs in full-term septic neonates (73.95±25.99 μg/ml) and with organ infections (58.43±29.24 μg/ml) were significantly higher than healthy ones (28.25±14.06 μg/ml). The mean sRCs in septic preterm neonates (59.17±28.29 μg/ml) and those with organ infections (50.86±28.16) were significantly higher than in healthy preterm neonates (25.61±8.29 μg/ml). Positive correlations between sRC and CRP value (r=0.3014, p=0.004) and between sRC and band cell count (r=0.2489, p=0.019) were found in all infected neonates. Conclusion. The significant increase of serum RANTES concentration in early-onset infections in neonates, regardless of their gestational age, sex and birth asphyxia, not only proves the presence of an active immunological process but also may be a useful biomarker for diagnosis of severe neonatal infections.

Introduction Some immunological studies in schoolchildren with BPD did not make any concern on B lymphocytes subpopulations. Aim To make an assessment of the quantitative values of B, CD5+ and CD23+ lymphocytes in children with BPD, including the severity of disease. Material and methods The study comprised 86 children aged from 8 to 12 years of life, among them 15 with I°, 12 with II°, 9 with III° of BPD and 25 born prematurely and 25 full-term without BPD. The immunological examination comprised determination of leukocytes, lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, CD5+ and CD23+ in peripheral vein blood using FACS scan flow cytometer. Results The mean percentage of B lymphocytes was the lowest in children with BPD III°, significantly lower than in children with BPD I° and II°. It was found significantly higher mean value of CD23+ in children with BPD than in children without BPD. No significant differences were noted in mean values of CD5+ lymphocytes between groups. Conclusions 1. In schoolchildren, born preterm with respiratory insufficiency, who became sick with BPD there are quantitative changes of B lymphocytes and their subpopulation CD23+ B. 2. The severity of BPD has a crucial influence on the decrease of B lymphocytes and on the increase of CD23+ lymphocytes. 3. Quantitative analysis of B lymphocytes and CD23+ lymphocytes in schoolchildren with past severe neonatal pathology may be useful for the assessment of immunological reactions in children with BPD and for determining their immune defences.

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie stanu debaty nad przyszłością radiowego nadawcy publicznego w Szwecji – Sveriges Radio AB. Autorka skoncentrowała się na trzech głównych dylematach z tym związanych: na kwestii własności i koncentracji rynku, cyfryzacji rynku oraz jego rosnącej komercjalizacji. Za podstawę analizy i oś rozważań został przyjęty dokument Propozycja rządu. Edukacja i dostęp – radio i telewizja publiczna 2014–2019 przedstawiony przez rząd szwedzki w 2013 r. i poddany pod dyskusję w związku z opinią wydaną przez parlamentarną komisję kultury i komisję konstytucyjną.

Objective The study of leptin and omentin-1 in adults and older children indicates on the relationship these hormones have with state of nutrition, diabetes, insulin-sensitivity and arterial hypertention. The effect of leptin and omentin on fetal growth in healthy neonates is not well known. Aim The evaluation of serum leptin and omentin concentrations in healthy, eutrophic full-term neonates according to their gender, anthropometric parameters and mode of mother's delivery. Materials and methods The study involved 79 (49 girls, 27 boys) neonates, among them 63 were vaginal born and 19 by cesarean section. Serum leptin and omentin-1 concentrations were measured between 3rd and 7th day of life by ELISA method. Results It was found that mean serum leptin is significantly higher in girls than in boys and serum omentin-1 concentration significantly lower in female than in male neonates. Statistically significant (p Conclusions 1) These data demonstrate that serum leptin and omentin-1 concentrations in healthy eutrophic full-term neonates are associated with their gender, leptin level with body length and omentin-1 with head circumference. 2) Birth weight and mode of mother's delivery do not have a significant influence on serum leptin and omentin-1 concentrations in full-term, eutrophic neonates.

Background Determination of sCD14-ST (presepsin) concentration as a marker for infections in newborns was not performed till now. Aim 1. Assessment of blood presepsin concentration in newborns, including their sex, fetal maturity, birth weight, early-onset sepsis. 2. Determination of correlation between presepsin value and CRP, procalcitonin concentrations and some hematological parameters. Material and methods The study comprised 45 newborns, among them 27 septic and 18 without infection, but with perinatal risk factors or symptoms suggesting infection, in which by rapid chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay, using Pathfast TM analyser from Mitsubishi Kagaku Iatron, sCD14-ST concentration in whole blood was measured. Results The mean presepsin concentration in septic newborns (1772 ± 1009 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in group without infection (556 ± 158). Positive correlations between sCD14-ST and CRP, procalcitonin concentrations and negative correlations between the value of presepsin and Ht, Hb, platelet count, birth weight and fetal maturity were noted. Conclusions 1. In newborns with early-onset sepsis, independently of their sex, birth weight, fetal maturity, significant increase presepsin concentration, correlating with increase of CRP and procalcitonin values and with decrease of platelet count, Hb and Ht. 2. Measurement of presepsin concentration in neonatal whole blood may be usefulness in diagnosis of early-onset sepsis.

W przeprowadzonych badaniach 65 dorosłych osób poddanych wszczepowi implantu ślimakowego, w dwóch porównywanych grupach – osoby z głuchotą prelingwalną i osoby z głuchotą postlingwalną – dokonano analizy poczucia jakości życia w zakresie 4 sfer: fizycznej, psychicznej, społecznej i środowiska, w zależności od zmiennych socjodemograficznych. Uzyskane wyniki pokazują swoiste różnice w spostrzeganiu niektórych zmiennych, np: pobierania świadczeń socjalnych. W grupie osób z głuchotą prelingwalną pozostawanie na rencie socjalnej nie różnicuje jakości życia w żadnej z czterech sfer. U osób z głuchotą postlingwalną korzystanie ze świadczeń socjalnych współwystępuje z niższą jakością życia w dziedzinach fizycznej i środowiska. Udostępnienie publikacji Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego finansowane w ramach projektu „Doskonałość naukowa kluczem do doskonałości kształcenia”. Projekt realizowany jest ze środków Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Wiedza Edukacja Rozwój; nr umowy: POWER.03.05.00-00-Z092/17-00.

The paper presents results of research concerning attachment patterns and anxiety in adolescents suffering from mixed disorders of conduct and emotions.Both clinical and control group completed the Parental Bonding Instrument and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The first questionnaire measures parental style as perceived by the child, it consists of two scales: care and control. The second one the temporary condition of "state anxiety" and the more general and long-standing quality of "trait anxiety".The study revealed that adolescents from the clinical group perceive their parents as less protective than the control. Adolescents from the clinical group revealed also a higher level of anxiety, both as a state and as a trait.The basic conclusion is that there are differences between groups in family functioning--adolescents from the clinical group received less protection from parents, which may influence their behaviours aimed at providing them more safety.

The paper presents results of research concerning attachment patterns and aggressive behaviours in adolescents suffering from mixed disorders of conduct and emotions.Both the clinical and the control group completed Parental Bonding Instrument and Polish version of Buss-Durkee Inventory. The first questionnaire measures parental style as perceived by the child, it consists of two scales: care and control. The second one measures some dimensions of aggression.The study revealed that adolescents from the clinical group perceive their parents as less protective than the control. It showed very weak relations between relations with the parents and expression of aggression. These results are discussed.The basic conclusion is that there are differences between groups in family functioning--adolescents from the clinical group received less protection from their parents what may influence their behaviours aimed at providing them more safety. Results concerning the relation between family relations and aggression indicate that future research must take into consideration other social relations of adolescents.