Assessment of cardiovascular function following transcatheter aortic valve implantation based on six-minute walk test

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is presently a recognized treatment mo­dality for patients with severe aortic stenosis ineligible for surgery. It reduces mortality as compared to the conservative treatment. It is further expected from this therapy to improve quality of life by improving of the cardiovascular function performance. The aim of this study is to compare patients’ cardiovascular system efficiency in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) made before and after TAVI and at the 6–12-month follow-up. Methods: From January 2009 until February 2012, in the Silesian Center for Heart Diseases in Zabrze, TAVI was performed in 104 patients. Eighty-two patients who underwent 6MWT before surgery were qualified for the analysis. The average age of the patients was 76.0 ± 9.17 years, women made 45.1%. The risk of surgical treatment according to the Logistic Euroscore averaged 22.76 ± 12.63%, and by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons — 5.55 ± 3.34%. The 6MWT was performed within 1 month before the TAVI procedure, up to a month after the procedure and during the 6–12-month follow-up. Results: The 6-minute walk test after TAVI was performed by 64 patients, and after 6–12 month follow-up by 46 patients. The average distance in 6MWT increased from 268.4 ± 89.0 m before treat­ment to 290.0 ± 98.2 m after the procedure (p = 0.008) and 276.1 ± 93.5 m to 343.1 ± 96.7 m after 6–12 months (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures significantly improve function of the cardiovascular system evaluated by the 6MWT in 1- and 6–12-month observations. (Cardiol J 2017; 24, 2: 167–175

Impact of CoreValve size selection based on multi-slice computed tomography on paravalvular leak after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background: Paravalvular leak (PVL) has significant impact on long-term outcomes in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study sought to determine whether multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT)-guided valve selection reduces PVL after CoreValve implantation. Methods: The analysis encompassed 69 patients implanted with CoreValve and were divided into two groups. In Group I (30 patients), valve selection was based on standard procedures, in Group II (39 patients), on MSCT measurements. Paravalvular leak was assessed with angiography and echocardiography. Results: Multi-slice computed tomography results influenced a change of decision as to the size of the implanted valve in 12 (30.9%) patients in Group II and would have caused the decision to change in 9 (37.5%) patients in Group I. The degree of oversizing in Group I and II was 12.8% ± ± 7.6% vs. 18.6% ± 5.1% (p = 0.0006), respectively. The oversizing among the patients with leak degree of 0–1 and ≥ 2 was 18.1% ± 6.0% and 12.8% ± 7.4% (p = 0.0036). Angiographic assessment indicated post-procedural PVL ≥ 2 in 50% of patients in Group I and 20.5% in Group II (p = 0.01), while echocardiographic assessment indicated the same in 73.3% of patients in Group I and 45.6% in Group II (p = 0.0136). The composite endpoint occurred in 26.6% (8/30) patients in Group I vs. 5.1% (2/39) patients in Group II (p = 0.0118). Conclusions: Selecting the CoreValve device based on MSCT resulted in smaller rates of PVL and less frequent composite endpoint. In 1/3 of patients MSCT led to a change of the valve size. The degree of oversizing had a significant impact on PVL

CYBERBULLYING IN THE LIGHT OF CHALLENGES OF SCHOOL-BASED PREVENTION

The main goal of the paper is to present opinions about cyberbullying prevention in Poland in the light of teachers’ experiences. The authors show the current state of knowledge of electronic aggression and cyberbullying among the youths. They also present an overview of the difficulties educators face, the challenges and expectations of kids and youth regarding media prevention, as well as challenges related to the effectiveness of the modern, innovative prevention of risky behaviours. The study was conducted in the Pedagogical University of Cracow, in the first half of 2019, using a focus group method. The results provide new guidelines and findings which may be valuable for school practice and media pedagogy. The interviewed teachers declared that the effectiveness of the hitherto implemented preventive activities varies. They declared their need to develop their own digital literacy and were willing to participate in trainings focused on the practical aspects of anticipating cyberbullying and solving difficult cases (e.g. related to sexuality, image protection or attacking teachers via the Internet). The respondents admitted the necessity of joining efforts with police and local community institutions when solving the cyberbullying-related problems

Biofilm formation of clinical klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from tracheostomy tubes and their association with antimicrobial resistance, virulence and genetic diversity

(1) Background: Due to the commonness of tracheotomy procedures and the wide use of biomaterials in the form of tracheostomy tubes (TTs), the problem of biomaterial-associated infections (BAIs) is growing. Bacterial colonization of TTs results in the development of biofilms on the surface of biomaterials, which may contribute to the development of invasive infections in tracheostomized patients. (2) Methods: Clinical strains of K. pneumoniae, isolated from TTs, were characterized according to their ability to form biofilms, as well as their resistance to antibiotics, whether they harbored ESβL genes, the presence of selected virulence factors and genetic diversity. (3) Results: From 53 patients, K. pneumoniae were detected in 18 of the TTs examined, which constituted 34% of all analyzed biomaterials. Three of the strains (11%) were ESβL producers and all had genes encoding CTX-M-1, SHV and TEM enzymes. 44.4% of isolates were biofilm formers, SEM demonstrating that K. pneumoniae formed differential biofilms on the surface of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) TTs in vitro. A large range of variation in the share of fimbrial genes was observed. PFGE revealed sixteen genetically distinct profiles. (4) Conclusions: Proven susceptibility of TT biomaterials to colonization by K. pneumoniae means that the attention of research groups should be focused on achieving a better understanding of the bacterial pathogens that form biofilms on the surfaces of TTs. In addition, research efforts should be directed at the development of new biomaterials or the modification of existing materials, in order to prevent bacterial adhesion to their surfaces

Report on research implemented as part of the DANUBE (Development of new andragogical diagnostic approaches and interventions of the adult docility phenomenon) Erasmus + international research project

Dynamiczne zmiany zachodzące we współczesnych społeczeństwach, związane z postępującymi procesami globalizacyjnymi, wymuszają wśród dorosłych konieczność poszerzania i uzupełniania posiadanej wiedzy. Dorośli w europejskich społeczeństwach muszą wykazać się gotowością do uczenia się, stałego podnoszenia własnych kwalifikacji, a niekiedy do przekwalifikowania się i uczenia się czegoś nowego. Inwestowanie w edukację także wśród dorosłych wpisuje się w realizację koncepcji "Europy wiedzy" oraz "uczenia się przez całe życie". Instytucje Unii Europejskiej, respektując odmienność i niezależność narodowych systemów oświaty, jedyne działania, jakie podejmują w zakresie edukacji, to wspieranie jej rozwoju na wszystkich szczeblach. W ostatniej dekadzie szczególnie istotne okazało się wspieranie ze strony instytucji unijnych edukacji dorosłych w krajach UE