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► Calcium carbonate biodeposition method contributed to decrease in water absorption of recycled concrete aggregate. ► Better efficiency was obtained for finer aggregate fraction and ...in the case of aggregate of lower quality. ► Efficiency of calcium chloride and whey as culture media was confirmed. ► Observations under SEM showed covering aggregate grains with calcium carbonate.
A growing demand for raw materials leads to danger of premature depletion of the natural sources. An alternative is to use by-products, provided their quality is improved. The paper presents surface modification of recycled aggregate concrete using biodeposition involving a method employing Sporosarcina pasteurii (Bacillus pasteurii) bacteria. It was possible to obtain reduction in water absorption of aggregate, the effect was more visible in case of finer fractions and for aggregates originating from inferior quality concrete. Calcium chloride was used for precipitation of calcium carbonate, while culture medium consisting of beef extract, peptone and urea was used for cultivation of microorganisms. In addition, whey, ecologically dangerous by-product from dairy industry was found to be effective as a culture medium. Presence of calcium carbonate crystals covering aggregate grains was confirmed by observations under scanning electron microscope. In the perspective, the proposed method, upon appropriate improvements, seems worthwhile due to ecological and technological reasons.
Background. The phenomenon of burnout among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is a widespread problem with several negative consequences for the healthcare system. The many stressors of ...the pandemic have led to an increased development of anxiety and depressive disorders in many healthcare workers. In addition, some manifested symptoms of the so-called postpandemic stress syndrome and the emergence of occupational burnout syndrome, commonly referred to as “COVID-19 burnout.” The aim of this study was to assess the burnout and life satisfaction of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in 2020-2022 among medical staff working in hospitals in Silesia, Poland. The instruments used to assess life satisfaction and burnout were the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which assesses three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DEP), and sense of reduced professional accomplishment (SRPA). Results. The study group included 900 participants. There were 300 physicians (mean age 38±7 years), 300 nurses (mean age 35±6 years), and 300 paramedics (mean age 31±5 years). Life satisfaction as measured by the SWLS was lowest among nurses and paramedics in 2021 and among doctors in 2022. Male respondents and those with fewer years of work had higher levels of life satisfaction. People with more years of work had higher scores in EE and DEP and lower scores in SRPA (p=0.001). We found a negative correlation between life satisfaction and EE (p=0.001), DEP (p=0.001), and SRPA (p=0.002). Conclusions. The results highlight the need for further research into the causes of burnout among medical professionals and the need for effective interventions to promote well-being and prevent burnout in this group.
Breast cancer is one of the most common oncological conditions among Polish women and is a serious health, social, as well as economic problem. Knowledge of early cancer detection methods, risk ...factors and prevention methods are key issues in the fight against breast cancer in women. Introduction of modern technologies using contact thermography can be both practical and complementary diagnostic method in relation to mammography or ultrasonography of mammary gland.
Addressing the treatment and prevention of antibacterial-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections is a priority area of the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG). The ARLG has ...conducted a series of observational studies to define the clinical and molecular global epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant and ceftriaxone-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, with the goal of optimizing the design and execution of interventional studies. One ongoing ARLG study aims to better understand the impact of fluoroquinolone-resistant gram-negative gut bacteria in neutropenic patients, which threatens to undermine the effectiveness of fluoroquinolone prophylaxis in these vulnerable patients. The ARLG has conducted pharmacokinetic studies to inform the optimal dosing of antibiotics that are important in the treatment of drug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, including oral fosfomycin, intravenous minocycline, and a combination of intravenous ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam. In addition, randomized clinical trials have assessed the safety and efficacy of step-down oral fosfomycin for complicated urinary tract infections and single-dose intravenous phage therapy for adult patients with cystic fibrosis who are chronically colonized with P. aeruginosa in their respiratory tract. Thus, the focus of investigation in the ARLG has evolved from improving understanding of drug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections to positively affecting clinical care for affected patients through a combination of interventional pharmacokinetic and clinical studies, a focus that will be maintained moving forward.
The World Health Organization announced on 12 March 2020 a global pandemic of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causing COVID-19 disease associated with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. ...SARS-CoV-2 has caused so far over 6.66 million recorded cases, of which 393,000 ended in death (as of June 1, 2020). Despite the demographic statistics of incidence, there is no current recording of cases in the group of pregnant or perinatal women. Changes occurring in the female body system during pregnancy also affect and alter the immune system, and as studies based on other viral respiratory infections have shown, the population of pregnant women is at risk of having a severe course of the disease. The aim of the study is to summarize current reports on the course of COVID-19 disease in a group of pregnant women and the possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the foetus and vertical transmission, taking into account changes occurring in the woman's immune system during pregnancy. Available advice and recommendations for antenatal and perinatal care of pregnant women during the pandemic period are also included.
A case of traumatic epidural haematoma associated with von Willebrand disease (type 3) is reported. A 32-year-old man fell and hit his frontal region against the floor. CT scan on admission showed ...acute epidural haematoma of the right frontal region 45 mm in width and 60 ml volume. Considering moderate clinical symptomatology, a possibility of complication in connection with a congenital coagulation disorder and, above all, lack of patient's consent, prophylactic treatment with clotting factor concentrates was undertaken. Complete resorption of epidural haematoma has been obtained. In our opinion, in the presence of relative contraindication to operative intervention, even in cases with a large intracranial haematoma and inborn clotting deficiency prophylactic treatment may be considered. The following conditions must be met before such treatment is undertaken: prompt use of appropriate clotting factors, CT scan, clinical observation as well as possibility of prompt operative intervention in the neurosurgical department must all be available.
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