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Teaching English as a foreign language in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) context requires certain particular skills from teachers. The usual group comprises students with different proficiency levels, learning experiences, and diverse course expectations. Thus, ESP teachers need to achieve broad goals because they need to both develop students' general language proficiency and teach highly specialized technical vocabulary. This article provides accounts of students' concerns and expectations from ESP courses as captured in a small-scale survey. This explanation is followed by practical guidelines for teachers in this particularly demanding educational area. Lastly, this article discusses didactic implications based on classroom observations in Poland.

Delirium is a disorder of consciousness and it is caused by acute brain dysfunction in the course of, e.g., severe somatic condition, intoxication or withdrawal syndrome. Delirium management is based on the treatment of the state that caused disturbance in central nervous system. Severe delirium syndromes such as agitation, disorganized behavior or hallucinations require additional pharmacological treatment with antipsychotics. Aripiprazole is used in treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Tourette syndrome, but also off-label in delirium. A systematic review of databases was carried out and results were limited to case reports, clinical trials and randomized controlled trials. There is evidence that there is no difference in effectiveness of aripiprazole compared to haloperidol and other atypical neuroleptics. Aripirazole could be a better option in particular groups of patients due to its safer cardiological and metabolic profile as well as better tolerance of treatment. However, data from clinical findings are still insufficient to recommend a routine use of aripiprazole in the treatment of delirium. Therefore, further investigations are necessary to work out new strategy of managing delirium syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eidetic images are a relatively rare phenomenon in the practice of a psychiatrist. They are described in the category of perception disorders as images or memories which, thanks to their plasticity, vividness and detail, are very similar to the currently experienced sensory perceptions. However, it should be remembered that their occurrence is not associated with any mental disorders, and they are also observed in some healthy people. This paper presents a case report of a patient with complaints about "voiced," plastic images - the course of his psychiatric hospitalization and the psychological diagnostics carried out at that time. The authors point out the difficulties in differentiating, first of all, with auditory pseudo-hallucinations and make an attempt at psychopathological classification of the patient's symptoms. The discussion on possible disease mechanisms of this phenomenon is based on reports as well as research on the phenomenon of imagination and eidetic perceptions, and the aim of this study is to draw the attention of diagnosticians to the category of psychological phenomena with an eidetic character, which may allow them to avoid incorrect recognition of them as an element of psychotic disorders of perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess attitudes towards people with mental disorders. Method. The survey was carried out in a group of 93 students of the fifth year of medical studies, medical faculty, including 59 women and 34 men, aged 24.34 ± 1.28 years. Results. In the conducted research, personal contact with a psychiatrist due to problems with their own mental health was declared by 23% of respondents. The choice of psychiatry as a field of specialization was declared by 19% of students. In the analysis of the questionnaire on beliefs, as many as 83% of respondents considered that mental illness is a cause for shame. At the same time, 81% of respondents would consult a psychiatrist if someone from their relatives suggested it, and 54% saw no problem in informing their friends about this fact. When asked about the use of electroconvulsive therapy, 88% of respondents answered that it is still a method used in specific indications in the field of mental illness. Analyzing the attitude of the respondents to treatment, it was shown that as many as 80% of people believed that compulsory hospitalization was right. It should be emphasized that only 31% of the surveyed students thought that people with mental disorders should decide to have offspring, and 36% of people thought that mentally disturbed people would not be good as parents. As many as 30% of respondents believed that people with mental disorders more often commit crimes than healthy people, and 42% of students had no strong opinion in this aspect. In the study group, 15% of people stated that psychotropic drugs were mainly used to control aggressive behavior, and 58% indicated that they were addictive. Conclusions. The results of the research suggest the necessity of expanding knowledge and shaping appropriate attitudes towards people with mental disorders among future doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate pro-health behaviors as protective measures against symptoms of anxiety and depression in a group of healthcare workers during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. Material. 114 people participated in the study, including 46 medical doctors aged 41.10 ± 11.89 and 68 nurses aged 48.16 ± 8.54 years. Methods. The following scales were used for the research: the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results. Taking into consideration health behaviors, an average score of 79.61 ± 13.08 points in the HBI was obtained. In the BDI questionnaire, the respondents obtained an average of 3.7 ± 4.65 points. In the STAI questionnaire, in the part related to state anxiety, the mean result in the study group was 38.08 ± 9.46 points, and for trait anxiety 38.35 ± 8.44 points. Taking into account the components of the HBI, only the results obtained in the subscales: positive mental attitude (PMA) and pro-health activities (PhA) correlated negatively with the results obtained in the STAI and BDI scales. Moreover, the pro-health effect of PMA on the symptoms of anxiety and depression was observed. Conclusions. No significant intensification of anxiety and depressive symptoms was observed among medical personnel during the first wave of the pandemic. Health-promoting behaviors, and especially positive mental attitudes, may play a protective role in relation to the symptoms of anxiety and depression in stressful situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mega cisterna magna (MCM) is a brain development abnormality that occurs in 1% of radiographic images. It occurs when the transverse dimension of the cerebellospinal reservoir is greater than 10 mm. It is the most important reservoir in the cranial cavity. From the front, it is limited by the extended medulla, from the rear by the dura mater, and from the top by the cerebellum. Isolated anomalies in the structure of this brain region often do not cause any clinical symptoms. However, more and more attention is paid in research on the participation of the cerebellum in the regulation of cognitive and affective processes. These processes, in turn, may also be related to the regulation of sexual life. The aim of the study is to present the psychosexual functioning of a man diagnosed with MCM, who is suspected of having committed five sexual offenses. The existence of such a structure of the CNS in conjunction with the analysis of the interview, data from the case files and the results of sexological, psychological and psychiatric examinations, made it possible to evaluate the limitation of the respondent's ability to direct his conduct during the alleged acts, while maintaining the ability to recognize their significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between symptoms of depression, the level of sense of coherence (SOC) and the quality of life in patients with allergic diseases. Material. The study involved 50 bronchial asthma patients, 72 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, and 48 patients with atopic dermatitis. The control group consisted of 50 healthy volunteers. Methods. The mental status and quality of life were assessed by questionnaires: Short Form-36 Health Status Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Sense of Coherence-29 (SOC-29). Results. Mean depression severity values were higher in allergic rhinitis patients and atopic dermatitis patients than in the control group. Patients in the latter group also showed higher rates of depression than those with bronchial asthma. In all study groups, statistically significantly lower values of sense of coherence were demonstrated compared to healthy subjects. There were no differences in the values of sense of coherence, in comparisons between the study groups. In all patient groups, lower values in physical functioning (PCS) of the quality of life scale were observed compared to the control group. The severity of symptoms of depression in all groups showed negative correlations with quality of life parameters and a sense of coherence. In addition, the SOC value correlated negatively with the parameters of mental functioning (MCS) of the quality of life scale. Conclusions. (1) Patients with atopic dermatitis showed the greatest severity of depressive symptoms. (2) Patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis showed a better quality of life than patients with chronic bronchial asthma and patients with atopic dermatitis. (3) Low level of sense of coherence in patients suffering from allergic diseases and the occurrence of symptoms of depression can worsen the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With about one-third of nurses having expressed an intention to leave the profession or change jobs in 2022, the effects of nursing job stress are evident. For nurses to continue to provide care in high stress, they must practice self-compassion and build resilience. The importance of resilience education and self-compassion for nurses and in nursing education is discussed from a Christian perspective, along with self-care strategies using the R.E.S.T. (Relationship, Exercise, Self-Compassion, Transformative Thinking) framework. Strategies for building resilience for both individuals and organizations are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. An attempt to assess the impact of dual diagnosis -- mental illness and addiction on the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions, and evaluation of problems with sexual functioning in men treated in a psychiatric ward. Material and method. 140 psychiatrically hospitalized men (mean age 40.4 ± 12.7 years) with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, addiction and double diagnosis (schizophrenia and addiction) took part in the study. The Sexological Questionnaire, developed by Professor Andrzej Kokoszka, and the International Index of Erectile Function IIEF-5 were used in the study. Results. The occurrence of sexual dysfunctions in the study group was reported in 83.6% of patients. The most common was reduction in sexual needs (53.6%) and orgasm delay (40%). Depending on the research tool used, erectile dysfunction appeared in 38.6% of respondents (according to Kokoszka's Questionnaire) and 61.4% of patients (IIEF-5). Severe erectile dysfunction was more common in the group of patients without a partner (12.4% vs. 0; p = 0.000) compared to people in relationships and in the group with anxiety disorders (p = 0.028) compared to groups with other mental disorders. In the group of people with dual diagnosis (DD), sexual dysfunctions were observed more frequently in comparison to patients with schizophrenia (p = 0.034). Treatment lasting over 5 years was more often associated with sexual dysfunctions (p = 0.007). In the DD group, lack of orgasm and excessive sexual needs were more frequent in comparison to people with one diagnosis (p = 0.0145; p = 0.035). Conclusions. Sexual dysfunctions are more common in patients with DD in comparison to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lack of a partner and the duration of psychiatric treatment over 5 years is associated with more frequent occurrence of sexual dysfunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To assess the relationship between selected parameters of the mental state and the quality of life of patients with diabetes. Method. The study included 51 patients with type 1 diabetes and 52 patients with type 2 diabetes. The following scales were used in the study: quality of life SF-36, Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results. Patients with type 2 diabetes achieved lower values than patients with type 1 diabetes only in the domain of physical functioning of the SF-36 scale (p = 0.001). Assessing the relationship between the studied parameters, it was shown that the duration of the disease was associated with a worse overall health rating (p = 0.036) among patients with type 1 diabetes. However, among patients with type 2 diabetes the duration of the disease correlated negatively with physical functioning (p = 0.002), physical functioning in social roles (p = 0.001) and physical pain (p = 0.047) as well as life satisfaction (p = 0.012) and positively with the results of glycated haemoglobin (p = 0.04). Among patients with type 1 diabetes, the level of depression negatively correlated with the level of acceptance of the disease (p = 0.0009) and life satisfaction (p = 0.006), while the level of anxiety only with the level of acceptance of the disease (p = 0.0004), and a greater severity of anxiety was associated with worse metabolic control (p = 0.02). In the group of patients with type 2 diabetes, the level of anxiety negatively correlated with the level of acceptance of the disease (p = 0.003). Conclusions. Due to the numerous limitations of chronic disease, more attention should be paid to the quality of life and mental state of patients diagnosed with diabetes, and assessment of the above parameters should be included in the therapeutic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Comparison of the course of illness and functioning as well as occurrence of somatic diseases between patients with dual diagnosis, alcohol or drug addiction without mental disorders and patients with schizophrenia or affective disorders; drawing attention to the problems of people with dual diagnosis and importance of longer psychiatric inpatient treatment of this group of patients. Method. 108 persons were examined during inpatient psychiatric treatment. Injuries, occurrence of somatic diseases, aggressive behaviors, suicidal attempts, and discharges from hospital on patients' request against medical advice were evaluated. Sociodemographic data and data associated with the course and treatment of an illness were compared between dual diagnosis group (n = 30), group of patients with mental illness (n = 41) and patients with alcohol or drug addiction (n = 37) using questionnaires designed by the authors. Results. In the dual diagnosis (DD) group, patients more often tried to commit suicide, started to use drugs or alcohol in younger age. In this group significantly more people were before marriage or after divorce. In the DD group and the group of patients with mental disorders (C), there were significantly more patients treated in hospitals longer than 180 days during their life. No statistically significant differences were found between groups when comparing incidence of somatic diseases, injuries, discharges from hospitals on patients' request or aggressive behaviors. Conclusions. Due to non-compliance, frequent interruption of treatment, higher suicidal risk in the dual diagnosis group, there is a need of longer inpatient treatment in order to improve mental status, regular pharmacological treatment, provide social support, motivation, and prepare patients for psychotherapy of addiction. It is essential to take actions to create therapeutic standards of treatment and adjust financial funding for this group of patients in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender equality is a topic that is often discussed in a public debate in recent years, both in Poland and in Spain. Scientific objective: The aim of the deliberations was to show, whether the rules applicable in selected countries are convergent or different in the context of gender mainstreaming. In addition, the question was sought about the form in which gender equality standards function in the media in both countries, i.e. whether they are standards set by journalists themselves or whether it is an element of state policy. Research methods: Authors present results of a comparative analysis of gender equality regulations in the media legislation of Spain and Poland. Results and conclusions: The analyses allowed to obtain answers to the research questions posed and showed that in the context of preserving the principles of gender equality in the media, Polish legislator can draw good examples from precise Spanish regulations. In Poland, equality standards appear mainly in good practice manuals, while in Spain there are rules adopted in the legislative mode. Cognitive value: The considerations are innovative, but due to the changes and the growing sensitivity in the application of the gender mainsteraming principles, constant monitoring and comparative analyses in this area seem to be fully justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper checks how international spillovers of shocks and policies are modified when banks are foreign owned. To this end we build a two-country macroeconomic model with banking sectors that are owned by residents of one (big and foreign) country. Consistently with empirical findings, in our model foreign ownership of banks amplifies spillovers from foreign shocks. It also strengthens the international transmission of monetary and macroprudential policies. We next use the model to replicate the financial crisis in the euro area and show how, by preventing bank capital outflow in 2009, the Polish regulatory authorities managed to reduce its contagion to Poland. We also find that under foreign bank ownership such policy is strongly preferred to a recapitalization of domestic banks. Finally, we check how foreign ownership of banks affects transmission of domestic shocks to find that it has a stabilizing effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microvascular complications of diabetes seem to be clustered and put patients at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). This was a questionnaire-based study designed to screen for the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), defined as the score in the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) above 2, and to evaluate its association with other complication of diabetes, including CVD. There were 184 patients included into the study. The prevalence of DPN in the study group was 37.5%. The regression model analysis revealed that the presence of DPN was significantly associated with the presence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) (P = 0.0034;) and patient's age (P < 0.0001). Thirty-four patients (49.3%) with MNSI score >2 were diagnosed with CVD in comparison to 24 (20.1%) subjects with MNSI score ≤ 2 (P = 0.00006). In case of having one diabetes complication diagnosed, it is important to screen for others, including macrovascular ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a method for producing a IV generation hemostatic dressing in the form of powder consisted of fibrous, which ensures a high level of security in application. The dressing material was developed on the basis of natural polymers of the polysaccharide group such as chitosan and calcium sodium alginate in the form of micro- and nanofibrids. The dressing structure, utility properties and biocompatibility (cytotoxicity, irritation and sensitization) were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]