Factors associated with return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Poland : a one-year retrospective study

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a common reason for calls for intervention by emergency medical teams (EMTs) in Poland. Regardless of the mechanism, OHCA is a state in which the chance of survival is dependent on rapid action from bystanders and responding health professionals in emergency medical services (EMS). We aimed to identify factors associated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Methods: The medical records of 2137 EMS responses to OHCA in the city of Wroclaw, Poland between July 2017 and June 2018 were analyzed. Results: The OHCA incidence rate for the year studied was 102 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. EMS were called to 2317 OHCA events of which 1167 (50.4%) did not have resuscitation attempted on EMS arrival. The difference between the number of successful and failed cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPRs) was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Of 1150 patients in whom resuscitation was attempted, ROSC was achieved in 250 (27.8%). Rate of ROSC was significantly higher when CPR was initiated by bystanders (p < 0.001). Patients presenting with asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA) had a higher risk of CPR failure (86%) than those with ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT). Patients with VF/VT had a higher chance of ROSC (OR 2.68, 1.86–3.85) than those with asystole (p < 0.001). The chance of ROSC was 1.78 times higher when the event occurred in a public place (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The factors associated with ROSC were occurrence in a public place, CPR initiation by witnesses, and presence of a shockable rhythm. Gender, age, and the type of EMT did not influence ROSC. Low bystander CPR rates reinforce the need for further efforts to train the public in CPR

Badania nad właściwościami pyłów z kotłów małej mocy opalanych węglem i stałymi biopaliwami

The aim of this research was to assess the content and composition of the pollutants emitted by domestic central heating boilers equipped with an automatic underfeed fuel delivery system for the combustion chamber. The comparative research was conducted. It concerned fuel properties, flue gas parameters, contents of dust (fly ash) and gaseous substances polluting the air in the flue gases emitted from a domestic CH boiler burning bituminous coal, pellets from coniferous wood, cereal straw, miscanthus, and sunflower husks, coniferous tree bark, and oats and barley grain. The emission factors for dust and gaseous air pollutants were established as they are helpful to assess the contribution of such boilers in the atmospheric air pollution. When assessing the researched boiler, it was found out that despite the development in design and construction, flue gases contained fly ash with a significant EC content, which affected the air quality.Celem pracy badawczej była ocena ilości i składu substancji zanieczyszczających emitowanych przez kotły małej mocy, wyposażone w samoczynny podajnik paliwa do komory spalania. Przeprowadzono badania porównawcze właściwości paliw, parametrów spalin, zawartości pyłu (popiołu lotnego) i gazowych substancji zanieczyszczających powietrze w emitowanych spalinach z kotła CO małej mocy spalającego węgiel kamienny (ekogroszek), pelety z drewna drzew iglastych, ze słomy zbożowej, z miskanta, z łusek słonecznika, korę drzew iglastych, ziarno owsa i ziarno jęczmienia. Ustalono wskaźniki emisji pyłu i gazowych substancji zanieczyszczających powietrze, pomocnych w ocenie udziału tego rodzaju kotłów w zanieczyszczeniu środowiska. Oceniając badany kocioł stwierdzono, że mimo osiągniętego postępu w konstrukcji, spaliny zawierają popiół lotny, ze znaczną zawartością węgla EC (black carbon), w ilości wpływającej na jakość powietrza

Population size and distribution of the capercaillie in Poland in the 21st century

The data on the distribution and number of the capercaillie Tetrao urogallus in Poland for the period from the end of the 20th century up to 2017−2018 is presented. The capercaillie is a sedentary forest grouse living in old mountain forests and within the boreal zone. Since more than a century, the decrease in the numbers of the species has been observed, interlinked with the extinction of isolated populations. Within the present borders of Poland, a 1925 questionnaire study noted 2200−2700 individuals. In the 1960s, the national population was estimated at 1700−2000 birds, living in five isolated populations. In 1985−1995, the population numbers of the capercaillie dropped to approx. 466−700 individuals in four regions, and in 2000 it was estimated at 470−570 birds. According to the results of the censuses performed in 2017−2018, the size of the capercaillie population risen to 523−631 individuals and 59−69 lekking grounds. Currently the capercaillie occurs in four isolated regions. These are the Western Carpathians (the Beskid Sądecki, Tatry, Gorce, Babia Góra, Beskid Żywiecki, and the Beskid Śląski ranges) where 284−326 individuals live and 35−41 leks are active. In the Solska and the Lasy Janowskie Forests (Lublin region), the population was estimated at 132−184 individuals and 12−13 lekking grounds. In the Augu− stów Forest (Podlasie region) 36−46 individuals and 5−7 leks were found. In the Bory Dolnośląskie Forest, where native capercaillies got extinct during the last decade, the reintroduction program resulted in the rebuilding of their 65−75 population (with 6−7 leks). The restitution of the species in the Piska Forest has begun. During the last 20 years, populations in the Carpathian national parks have been stable, although fluctuating in numbers. The increase in the number of individuals in the Augustów Forest as well as in the Sądecki and Beskid Śląski Mountains is an after−effect of the release of birds from breeding centers or translocations. In other strongholds, fluctuations or decreases have been recorded, including wisible in the Beskid Żywiecki Mountains