The penalty of imprisonment and its impact on the health of inmates - preliminary results

Introduction and purpose The prison system is an extremely important element of the country's penal structure. Restrictions related to serving a sentence of imprisonment adversely affect the physical health and the mental health of inmates. The main goal of the study was to assess selected areas of health of respondents in prison and changes in them depending on the time spent in prison. Material and methods The study included 153 (100%) men aged 18 to 55 staying in the Penitentiary Institution in Racibórz. An original questionnaire consisting of questions concerning the described issues was used to conduct the study. All respondents provided informed consent to participate. Obtained results in each category were converted into 5-point Likert Scale. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi2 test to investigate the relationship between the obtained results and the time spent in prison. Results Almost 30% of respondents declared the presence of chronic diseases before imprisonment, and more than half of the most common ailments after imprisonment included heartburn. Conducted analysis showed that even though more than 60% of the respondents assessed their general health positively there was a significant difference (Chi2=13.8; p=0.0083) between obtained results and inmates’ self-assessment. Time spent in prison was not influencing significantly physical health (Chi2=9,9 p=0,624) and inmates’ pro-health behaviors (Chi2=18,0 p=0,3232), but it influenced mental health (Chi2=28.3; p=0.047) and lifestyle (Chi2=37.4; p=0.0052). Conclusion The conducted evaluation shows how inmates’ health and its determinants are changing during time spent in prison. Moreover, it shows the problems that have to be resolved to maintain health during time spent in prison. It also highlights the importance of taking actions leading to inmates’ health improvement

Two SnRK2-Interacting Calcium Sensor Isoforms Negatively Regulate SnRK2 Activity by Different Mechanisms

SNF1-related protein kinases 2 (SnRK2s) are key signaling elements regulating abscisic acid-dependent plant development and responses to environmental stresses. Our previous data showed that the SnRK2-interacting Calcium Sensor (SCS) inhibits SnRK2 activity. Use of alternative transcription start sites located within the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) AtSCS gene results in two in-frame transcripts and subsequently two proteins, that differ only by the sequence position of the N terminus. We previously described the longer AtSCS-A, and now describe the shorter AtSCS-B and compare the two isoforms. The two isoforms differ substantially in their expression profiles in plant organs and in response to environmental stresses, in their calcium binding properties, and in their conformational dynamics in the presence and absence of Ca2+ Only AtSCS-A has the features of a calcium sensor. Both forms inhibit SnRK2 activity, but while AtSCS-A requires calcium for inhibition, AtSCS-B does not. Analysis of Arabidopsis plants stably expressing 35S::AtSCS-A-c-myc or 35S::AtSCS-B-c-myc in the scs-1 knockout mutant background revealed that, in planta, both forms are negative regulators of abscisic acid-induced SnRK2 activity and regulate plant resistance against water deficit. Moreover, the data highlight biochemical, biophysical, and functional properties of EF-hand-like motifs in plant proteins

Two SnRK2-Interacting Calcium Sensor Isoforms Negatively Regulate SnRK2 Activity by Different Mechanisms

SNF1-related protein kinases 2 (SnRK2s) are key signaling elements regulating abscisic acid-dependent plant development and responses to environmental stresses. Our previous data showed that the SnRK2-interacting Calcium Sensor (SCS) inhibits SnRK2 activity. Use of alternative transcription start sites located within the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) AtSCS gene results in two in-frame transcripts and subsequently two proteins, that differ only by the sequence position of the N terminus. We previously described the longer AtSCS-A, and now describe the shorter AtSCS-B and compare the two isoforms. The two isoforms differ substantially in their expression profiles in plant organs and in response to environmental stresses, in their calcium binding properties, and in their conformational dynamics in the presence and absence of Ca2+. Only AtSCS-A has the features of a calcium sensor. Both forms inhibit SnRK2 activity, but while AtSCS-A requires calcium for inhibition, AtSCS-B does not. Analysis of Arabidopsis plants stably expressing 35S::AtSCS-A-c-myc or 35S::AtSCS-B-c-myc in the scs-1 knockout mutant background revealed that, in planta, both forms are negative regulators of abscisic acid-induced SnRK2 activity and regulate plant resistance against water deficit. Moreover, the data highlight biochemical, biophysical, and functional properties of EF-hand–like motifs in plant proteins

Zagrożenia zdrowotne wśród dzieci i młodzieży. T. 2

Praca recenzowana / Peer-reviewed pape

Zagrożenia zdrowotne wśród dzieci i młodzieży. T. 1

Praca recenzowana / Peer-reviewed pape

Interest in nursing profession among high school youth

Wstęp. Zainteresowania odgrywają ważną rolę w życiu człowieka. Kiedy wybrany zawód uwzględnia zainteresowania, predyspozycje i uzdolnienia, wówczas praca przynosi satysfakcję i radość, co sprzyja samorealizacji i doskonaleniu zawodowemu. Wiele danych ukazuje znaczne niedobory w kadrach pielęgniarskich oraz znaczny wzrost zapotrzebowania na opiekę. Aby zachęcić młodzież do nauki/pracy w zawodzie pielęgniarki/pielęgniarza, niezbędne są zmiany w promocji zawodu. Cel pracy. Celem pracy było poznanie zainteresowania, jakim cieszy się zawód pielęgniarki/pielęgniarza wśród młodzieży szkół licealnych. Materiał i metody. W badaniu skorzystano z metody sondażu diagnostycznego z wykorzystaniem kwestionariusza ankiety własnego autorstwa. Ankietę przeprowadzono wśród 100 uczniów. Kwestionariusz był skierowany do uczniów liceum, klas II i III o profilach nauczania biologiczno-chemicznym i matematyczno-przyrodniczym. Uczniowie zaliczają się do grupy osób o podwyższonym prawdopodobieństwie podjęcia nauki/pracy w zawodzie pielęgniarki/pielęgniarza. Wyniki. Odsetek osób zainteresowanych zawodem pielęgniarki wyniósł 17%, z czego tylko 9% to osoby deklarujące chęć podjęcia nauki/pracy w zawodzie. Wnioski. Zainteresowanie zawodem pielęgniarki/pielęgniarza jest niskie. Niezbędna jest zmiana w promocji zawodu i wizerunku pielęgniarstwa wśród młodzieży. Problemy Pielęgniarstwa 2012; 20 (4): 423–430Introduction. Interests play a key role in life of a man. If profession covers interests, predispositions and skills, then the work provides satisfaction and happiness, which encourage self-development and in-service training. Several data point to the low numbers of nursing staff, while in contrast the need for service grows. Changes in promotion of the profession are required in order to encourage the youth to nursing profession. Aim of the study. The aim of this thesis was to get to know the level of interest in nursing profession among high school students. Material and methods. The research used the method of diagnostic opinion poll accompanied by a survey. The instrument used in the research was a self-designed poll. The poll was carried out among 100 students. The questionnaire was addressed to students of senior classes (2nd and 3rd )with extended curriculum in biology and chemistry also mathematics and natural science. The selected students were highly likely to take a job as a nurse in the future. Results. The percentage of the students interested in the profession was estimated at 17%, out of which 9% declared their willingness to work in the job. Conclusions. Interest in nursing profession is low. Changes in promotion and the nursing image are necessary to attract the future generation. Nursing Topics 2012; 20 (4): 423–43

Quality of Life and Health among People Living in an Industrial Area of Poland

Background: The quality of life and health status of the population significantly depends on socio-economic factors, including working and employment conditions. Methods: This epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out among young inhabitants aged 25–44 years living in the Silesian voivodeship in Poland. The quality of life was evaluated using the short version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Results: A total of 905 respondents were examined. It was shown that the poor quality of life in all assessed domains was associated with a low job satisfaction level, low physical activity, and higher self-assessed health status. Furthermore, the worse self-assessed health status in the study group was mainly related to such factors as earlier diagnosed chronic disease, lower job satisfaction, and low physical activity. Additionally, diagnosed chronic disease among occupationally active respondents was correlated with health deterioration due to excessive stress, living in the vicinity of heavy road traffic, and was declared by women more frequently. Conclusions: The results of the presented study confirmed that the quality of life and health status in young inhabitants of the Silesian voivodeship significantly depends on the work characteristics, employment conditions and lifestyle factors

Nutrition Habits of Polish Nurses: An Approach

Background: Chronic stress, unlimited working time and the shift working system as well as sleep deficiency may lead to the occurrence of nutrition disorders among nurses. Aim: The aim of the paper was an assessment of the nutrition habits of nurses. It was an observational study conducted from June 2017 to May 2018 among nurses (n = 1080) in Silesia in Poland. Data was obtained using a range of questionnaires. Results: Body mass index (BMI) of the analysed nurses demonstrated overweight/obesity in 490 (45.5%) of them. Nearly all the diets of the analysed nurses (n = 1021; 94.5%) required improvement. Younger nurses (<31 years old) demonstrated a greater tendency to indulge in habitual overeating, and those having additional employment demonstrated poorer nutrition habits compared to those without additional employment. Conclusion: The analysed nurses made numerous dietary mistakes which, as a consequence, can lead to obesity. Emotional overeating was the dominant nutrition habit in the studied group of nurses. Nurses who were overweight/obese, nurses who had additional employment and younger nurses demonstrated tendencies toward improper nutrition choices, i.e., the tendency to overeat or restrain oneself from eating

Type A Behaviour Pattern and Health Behaviour of Polish Nurses

“Coronary prone behaviour pattern” refers to a way of coping with environmental stressors, otherwise known as type A behaviour patterns. Stress, unlimited working hours, and the shift system are conducive to an “unhealthy life style”, conducted by nurses. The aim of the study was to assess the “coronary prone behaviour pattern”, taking into account health behaviour and work performed by Polish nurses. Method: This was a descriptive study conducted from June 2017 to May 2018 among nurses (N = 1080) working primary care or in training facilities in Silesia, Poland. Data were acquired through a series of questionnaires and are presented as descriptive statistics. Results: The “coronary prone behaviour pattern” (type A behaviour) was manifested by 333 (30.8%) nurses, type B by 272 (25.2%). The “coronary prone behaviour pattern” respondents showed a risk of developing a problem with alcohol (p = 0.003) less frequently compared with other respondents. In addition, nurses with the abovementioned behaviour pattern ate better (M = 16.66; SD = 6.11) compared with those with the type B behaviour pattern (M = 15.49; SD = 6.52). In terms of mental and physical wellbeing, people with type A behavioural patterns had significantly (p < 0.001) better mental and physical wellbeing and, on average, better results in coping with stress compared with other behavioural patterns of nurses. Conclusion: The occurrence of the “coronary prone behaviour pattern” was associated with the health-promoting behaviours of nurses being the subject of the analysis, i.e., better mental and physical wellbeing, better ability to cope with stress, and a lower risk of problems with alcohol and proper nutrition