Geo-questionnaire in urban planning – preliminary results of the experimental application in Poland

Changes in the attitude of local authorities towards the public participation in the decision making processes have prompted development of new methods of such involvement. As far as the urban planning is concerned, of particular potential is the so-called Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS). One of the tools used for the purpose is a geo-questionnaire, combining the benefits of a standard questionnaire and a map, which permits collecting information on particular sites and on the respondents’ ideas on localisation of new objects and functionalities.Within the project “Geoportal supporting public participation in urban planning”, in the years 2015–2016, a study was undertaken to explore the effectiveness and usefulness of the geo-questionnaire. Five pilot studies were performed in the Poznań and Łódź agglomerations. The geo-questionnaires concerned the local spatial management plan in Rokietnica (Poznań agglomeration), landscape protection in Łódź, conception of the transportation system development in Łódź, conception of urban design of the Łazarski Market in Poznań, and the Map of Local Needs in the city center of Poznań. The aim of the study was to present the preliminary results of the initial implementations of geo-questionnaire developed within the project Geoportal supporting public participation in urban planning. The applications of geo-questionnaire have been analysed taking into account the characteristics of implementation areas, characteristics of users, the effectiveness of recruitment methods and opinions about the tool from two points of view: the respondents and the recipients of results

Public Participation GIS for sustainable urban mobility planning: methods, applications and challenges

Sustainable mobility planning is a new approach to planning, and as such it requires new methods of public participation, data collection and data aggregation. In the article we present an overview of Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) methods with potential use in sustainable urban mobility planning. We present the methods using examples from two recent case studies conducted in Polish cities of Poznań and Łodź. Sustainable urban mobility planning is a cyclical process, and each stage has different data and participatory requirements. Consequently, we situate the PPGIS methods in appropriate stages of planning, based on potential benefits they may bring into the planning process. We discuss key issues related to participant recruitment and provide guidelines for planners interested in implementing methods presented in the paper. The article outlines future research directions stressing the need for systematic case study evaluation

An Integrated Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis for Spatial Multicriteria Models (Short Paper)

This paper introduces an integrated Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis (US-A) approach for Spatial Multicriteria Models (SMM). The US-A approach evaluates uncertainty and sensitivity by considering both criteria values and weights, providing spatially distributed measures. A geodiversity assessment case study demonstrates the application of US-A, identifying influential inputs driving uncertainty in specific areas. The results highlight the importance of considering both criteria values and weights in analyzing model uncertainty. The paper contributes to the literature on spatially-explicit uncertainty and sensitivity analysis by providing a method for analyzing both categories of SMM inputs: evaluation criteria values and weights, and by presenting a novel form of visualizing their sensitivity measures with bivariate maps

Urinary tract infection — diagnostic problems

Wstęp. Zakażenia układu moczowego (ZUM) należą do najczęstszych infekcji bakteryjnych u dzieci. Cel pracy. W pracy przedstawiono własne doświadczenia w postępowaniu u dzieci z ZUM oraz zwrócono uwagę na najczęściej spotykane błędy diagnostyczne. Materiał i metody. Analizie poddano 186 dzieci, które w latach 2011–2013 zgłosiły się z rozpoznaniem wstępnym ZUM. Wyniki. W badanej grupie ZUM rozpoznano u 85 pacjentów. U 25 dzieci stwierdzono czynniki sprzyjające rozwojowi zakażenia układu moczowego. Zakażenie dróg moczowych najczęściej wywołane było infekcją Escherichia coli (90% przypadków). Wnioski. U noworodków i małych dzieci objawy zajęcia układu moczowego są niecharakterystyczne, dlatego konieczne jest prawidłowe pobieranie moczu do badania w przypadku choroby gorączkowej. Każde dziecko z nawrotowym ZUM powinno mieć wykonane badania obrazowe w celu wstępnego wykluczenia lub rozpoznania wady układu moczowego.Introduction. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in children. Aim of the study. The authors present their experience with the diagnosis and treatment of children with UTI and highlight the most common diagnostic errors. Material and methods. We analyzed 186 cases of children reported between 2011 and 2013 with initial diagnosis of UTI. Results. In the study group the UTI was diagnosed in 85 patients. A contributing factor to the development of urinary tract infections was detected in 25 patients. The most isolated bacterium was Escherichia coli with frequency rate of 90%. Conclusions. In newborns and young children, the symptoms of urinary tract infections are uncharacteristic, it is necessary to correct urine sample collection for tests in the case of febrile illness. Every child with recurrent UTI should be made imaging for exclude or diagnosis of urinary tract defects

Resistant hypertension: Renal denervation or pharmacovigilance? Insights from a renal denervation screening program

BACKGROUND: With emerging new therapeutic concepts including renal denervation (RDN), there is a renewed interest in resistant hypertension (ResH). Among patients suspected of having ResH, a definitive diagnosis needs to be established. OBJECTIVES: This study presents observations from a standardized single-center screening program for RDN candidates, including medical therapy modification and reassessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients referred to our center for RDN underwent a standardized screening protocol. Candidates were recruited from among patients receiving no less than 3 antihypertensive drugs, including diuretics with office blood pressure (BP) \u3e140/90 mm Hg. The assessment included 2 measurements of BP and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). If needed, pharmacotherapy was intensified and the diagnosis of ResH was reconfirmed after 6 weeks. If ResH was persistent, patients were hospitalized with repeated ABPM on day 4. Further, renal CT-angio was performed and a multidisciplinary team discussed the patients\u27 suitability for RDN. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients with a ResH diagnosis were referred for RDN. Mean office BP was 159/92 (±7.0/6.5) mm Hg and mean ABPM was 154/90 (±9.0/4.8) mm Hg. The initial medication included angiotensin convertase inhibitors (ACE-I, 78%), angiotensin receptor blockers (12%), β-blockers (85%), calcium channel blockers (36%), and diuretics (93%). During the 18 months of the RDN program, 5 patients underwent RDN and 2 further had ineligible renal anatomy. A new diagnosis of secondary hypertension was made in 21 patients. However, in 59 patients, BP control was achieved after optimization of medical therapy, with a mean ABPM of 124/74 mm Hg. The final treatment included ACE-I (100%), β-blockers (92%), indapamide (94%), amlodipine (72%), and spironolactone (61%). Medication in most of these patients (88%) included single-pill triple combination (52.5%) or double combination (35.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with elevated BP screened for RDN require a rigorous diagnostic workup. Up to 2/3 of patients can be managed with strict pharmacotherapy compliance and pharmaceutical intensification, including single-pill combinations and improved drug compliance. Hasty use of RDN may be a result of poor drug optimization and/or compliance. It does remain a viable treatment option in thoroughly vetted ResH patients

Treatment goal attainment for secondary prevention in coronary patients with or without diabetes mellitus : Polish multicenter study POLASPIRE

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is still a leading cause of death in Poland and across Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the attainment of the main treatment goals for secondary cardiovascular prevention in coronary patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) in Poland. Material and methods: The study group included 1026 patients (65.5 ±9 y.o.; males: 72%) included at least 6 months after the index hospitalisation for myocardial infarction, unstable angina, elective percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery. The target and treatment goals were defined according to the 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on cardiovascular prevention. Results: Patients with DM (n = 332; 32%) were slightly older compared to non-diabetic (n = 694) individuals (67.2 ±7 vs. 64.6 ±9 years old; p < 0.0001). The DM goal was achieved in 196 patients (60%). The rate of primary (LDL: 51% vs. 35%; p < 0.0001) and secondary (non-HDL: 56% vs. 48%; p < 0.02) goal attainment was higher in DM(+) compared to DM(–) patients. The rate of target blood pressure was lower in DM(+) than in normoglycemic patients (52% vs. 61% at < 140/90 mm Hg, p < 0.01. As expected, goal achievement of normal weight (9.5% vs. 19%; p < 0.0001) and waist circumference (7% vs. 15%; p < 0.001) was lower in diabetic patients and the rate of regular physical activity was similar (DM+ 12% vs. DM– 14%; p = ns). Finally, there was no difference in active smokers (DM+ 23% vs. DM– 22%; p = ns). Conclusions: Great majority of Polish patients in secondary prevention do not achieve treatment goals. Although lipid goals attainment is better in DM and the rate of smokers is similar, the management of all risk factors needs to be improved

The place of MR urography in the diagnosis of urinary tract pathology in pediatric patients. Case report

Wstęp. Urografia rezonansu magnetycznego (uro-MR) jest nowoczesną metodą umożliwiającą nieinwazyjne badanie układu moczowego. Materiał i metody. Przedstawiono przykład wykorzystania obrazowania techniką uro-MR w ustaleniu prawidłowego rozpoznania u dziecka z pa­tologią układu moczowego. Wyniki. U 12-letniej dziewczynki leczonej z powodu obustronnych podwójnych układów kielichowo-miedniczkowych ze zdwojeniem moczowo­dów oraz obustronnych odpływów pęcherzowo-moczowodowych obserwowano nawracające infekcje układu moczowego i zastój moczu. Wyniki badań obrazowych (urografia, cystografia, uro-TK) nie pozwoliły na wyciągnięcie jednoznacznych wniosków . Ostateczne rozpoznanie ustalono na podstawie badania uro-MR. Wnioski. Urografia MR jest skuteczną, niejonową metodą obrazowania układu moczowego u dzieci. W przyszłości należy spodziewać się wzrostu znaczenia uro-MR w diagnostyce patologii układu moczowego w grupie pacjentów pediatrycznych.Introduction. Magnetic resonance urography (uro-MR) is new noninvasive method for evaluation of the urinary tract. Material and methods. We described the examples of application of uro-MR to obtain correct diagnosis in child urinary tract abnormalities. Results. In a 12-year-old girl treated with bilateral duplicated pyelocalyceal system, ureters duplex and bilateral vesicoureteral reflux, recur rent urinary tract infections and urinary tract obstruction were observed. The results of imaging studies (urography, cystography, uro-CT) did not allow us to draw firm conclusions about diagnosis. The final diagnosis was based on uro-MR result. Conclusions. MR urography is useful, nonionizing method for evaluation of the urinary tract. In future, increasing importance of uro-MR in the diagnosis of urinary tract pathology in pediatric patients, may be expected