Journals of Rzeszow University - Open Journal System
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Patterns of physical activity amidst COVID-19 among medical interns
Get PDFIntroduction and aim. The COVID-19 pandemic restricted our daily lives significantly. This adversely affected the physical activity (PA) and productivity of students, including medical interns, who worked tirelessly during the pandemic. The study aimed to evaluate the changes in PA patterns and associated factors due to the imposed lockdown in medical interns compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Material and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among consenting medical interns of the 2020-21 batch in a medical college in Bhubaneswar, selected by convenience sampling. They were contacted by email and briefed about the study. Data on demography, exercise patterns (pre-, during, and post-COVID-19), and associated factors was collected by an electronic survey format (Google form). Data was analyzed using EPI info and interpreted in frequencies, percentages, and the chi-square test. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results. Of 104, 54.28% were females. The frequency of exercise reduced by 13.92% during COVID-19. Around 56.9% of interns exercised regularly pre-pandemic which dropped to 33.3% during the pandemic. The change in PA pattern was significantly associated with regularity of exercise (p<0.001).
Conclusion. Evaluating the extent of physical inactivity will enable the administration to provide appropriate support to the interns to take equal care of their health as their patients
Phototherapy in the management of vitiligo – an updated narrative review
Get PDFIntroduction and aim. Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease characterized by progressive loss of melanocytes. Various treatment options have been developed to manage vitiligo, however, phototherapy has emerged as one of the most effective treatment options. Therefore, this review has been written to examine the mechanisms of this particular treatment approach and its optimal implementation.
Material and methods. A review of the literature regarding combination of word vitiligo with the following: psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA), narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) and excimer laser (EL) was performed using the PubMed database.
Analysis of the literature. NB-UVB has demonstrated safety and efficacy in stimulating melanocyte proliferation and melanin synthesis, making it an attractive treatment option for both localized and generalized vitiligo. PUVA therapy, combining psoralen photosensitization with UVA irradiation, has shown remarkable efficacy in repigmentation, particularly in refractory or extensive vitiligo. However, because of possible side effects, it is not recommended as a first line phototherapy. With its targeted and precise approach, EL offers a localized treatment and has produced impressive results in localized and segmented vitiligo.
Conclusion. Despite limitations, phototherapy continues to evolve, offering hope for individuals with vitiligo. Further research and advancements in treatment protocols are needed
ST-segment elevation in anterior leads secondary to electric shock – a diagnostic dilemma
Get PDFIntroduction and aim. Electrical injuries can be life-threatening and prompt interventions can save lives. Cardiac complications like arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are common after electric shock. Certain ECG abnormalities can persist after successfully reviving the patient which can mimic ST-Elevation occlusive myocardial infarction. This case report aims to inform the treating emergency physicians about this rare association of ST-Elevation in anterior leads after electric shock.
Description of the case. After obtaining proper consent from the patient, we describe here an interesting case of a 19-year-old boy who was presented to the emergency room with cardiac arrest after sustaining electrical injury. The patient was revived after cardiopulmonary resuscitation; ECG, as well as echocardiographic findings, were consistent with ST-elevation myocardial infarction of the anterior wall. A diagnostic dilemma was there between occlusive and non-occlusive causes of this condition. A coronary angiogram and conservative management of the patient helped in decision making and he was discharged with a Glasgow coma scale of 15/15 after recovery.
Conclusion. ST-Elevations in ECG can occur after electric shock injury and their cause is rarely due to occlusion of the coronaries. Hence thrombolysis in such cases is rarely needed and supportive management is required
Social vulnerability and medication adherence in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Get PDFIntroduction and aim. The association between social vulnerability and medication adherence in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is unclear. The aim of this study was to show the correlation of social vulnerability and medication adherence in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Material and methods. Data collection was conducted by face to face interview in November 2022 and May 2023. Social vulnerability and medication adherence were evaluated using the Social Vulnerability Scale and the Medication Adherence Report Scale respectively.
Results. The mean scores of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for social vulnerability and medication adherence were 20.02±6.69 and 22.76±3.29 respectively. Levels of social vulnerability varied according to comorbidity, hypertension, heart failure, visit to emergency service in the last three months due to COPD exacerbation, and using herbal products instead of medication (p<0.05). Mean scores for medication adherence were lower in women, never smokers, and those who used herbal products instead of medication (p<0.05).
Conclusion. Having a higher level of social vulnerability is associated with worse medication adherence (r=-0.31, p<0.01). Individuals using herbal products are found to be at risk for social vulnerability and non-adherence to medication (p<0.05)
Low depression scores among pet dog owners – a comparative cross-sectional study from Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Get PDFIntroduction and aim. The role of canine companionship in psychosocial and cardiovascular health is increasingly explored. However, such studies are scarce in South Asia. Hence, we aim to compare psychosocial and cardiovascular indices between pet dog owners and age and sex-matched non-pet owners in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Material and methods. A community-based, comparative, cross-sectional study was done among 52 pet dog owners and 52 age, sex-matched non-pet owners. An allostatic load was calculated using predefined cutoffs. Chi-square (or Fisher’s exact), Mann Whitney U, and Spearman’s rho were performed (p<0.05).
Results. The pet dog owners’ group had a significantly lower mean (SD) [7.8 (7.2)], and median (interquartile range) [6 (2–12.5)] depression score when compared to the non-pet owners [11.2 (8.6)], 10 (6–14.5) respectively (p=0.03). Also, the pet dog owners showed a significant negative correlation between the pet bond scale score and cortisol (r=-0.36, p=0.01).
Conclusion. A significantly lower depression score in the pet dog owners’ group than in the non-pet owners’ group was observed. And, the pet bond score had a significant negative correlation with the stress hormone cortisol. Thus, pet dog ownership could improve psychosocial health and will guide towards one-health interventions and research among South Asian communities
Assessment of the quality of life in type 2 diabetes patients – a comparative study of WHOQOL-BREF and DQOL instruments
Get PDFIntroduction and aim. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent health issue that significantly impacts the quality of life of patients. Evaluating quality of life in T2DM patients is crucial for understanding the broader effects of the disease and improving patient care. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the WHOQOL-BREF and DQOL instruments in measuring the quality of life of T2DM patients.
Material and methods. A descriptive quantitative study was conducted from March to June 2023 at Puskesmas Wanadadi 1 Banjarnegara. The sample consisted of 195 T2DM patients selected using purposive sampling based on the following inclusion criteria: diagnosed with T2DM for at least one year, aged 30-70 years, willing to participate, and able to complete the questionnaires. Data were collected using the WHOQOL-BREF and DQOL questionnaires and analyzed descriptively.
Results. The analysis revealed that the WHOQOL-BREF and DQOL instruments provided comprehensive insights into the quality of life of T2DM patients. The WHOQOL-BREF was particularly effective in assessing physical and environmental domains (p<0.05), while the DQOL was more sensitive to diabetes-specific concerns and psychological well-being (p<0.05).
Conclusion. Both the WHOQOL-BREF and DQOL are effective in evaluating the quality of life of T2DM patients, each offering unique strengths in different domains. The findings suggest that a combined use of these instruments could provide a more holistic understanding of the quality of life impacts in T2DM patients, guiding more targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes
The use of topical metronidazole in the management of seborrheic dermatitis – a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Get PDFIntroduction and aim. Topical metronidazole, with its well-known anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, could be beneficial for managing seborrheic dermatitis (SD), but studies report conflicting results. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical metronidazole in the treatment of SD.
Material and methods. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL was conducted from inception to April 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing metronidazole to any comparator for SD were included in this study. Data were pooled using random-effects models.
Analysis of the literature. Seven RCTs were included. Overall, topical metronidazole did not significantly reduce SD symptom severity when compared to any comparator/treatment. However, it significantly reduced symptom severity compared to placebo after 4 to 8 weeks (standardized mean difference (SMD) -3.00, 95% CI, -5.21 to -0.78). Specifically for facial SD, metronidazole showed significant symptom reduction (SMD -0.85, 95% CI, -1.41 to -0.29). No significant differences were found in the proportion of patients with clinical improvement or side effect frequency. Most studies had a high risk of bias and lacked information on missing data and assessor masking.
Conclusion. Topical metronidazole demonstrates potential for managing SD, but current trials lack quality. Larger, high-quality trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and compare it with other treatments for SD
„Metamorfozy” na fortepian Edwarda Sielickiego – w okowach ponowoczesności i w świetle polskich wariacji fortepianowych powstałych po 1989 roku
Get PDFThe article describes Edward Sielicki's Metamorfozy in the light of Polish piano variations written after 1989 and in the context of the concept of postmodernism. The composer (born in 1956) belongs to the generation of artists born in the 1950s. Generally, it is akin to the „Stalowa Wola generation”. Metamorfozy, created in 2013/2017, are close to the variational form, although they are not directly variations. In the music material, Sielicki used, in a processed manner, motifs taken from, among others, from the Prelude in B flat minor, Op. 28 No. 16 and the Etude in A flat major, Op. 25 No. 1 by Chopin and the Prelude in A minor, Op. 32 No. 8 of Rachmaninoff. He deformed them, blending them into the sound material of his own invention. The way of using the set material brings Metamorfozy closer to postmodern aesthetics with such categories as allusiveness, grotesque, viewing oneself and others' creativity in the „crooked mirror”
Zrównoważony transport żywności elementem ograniczenia zużycia zasobów
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of introducing alternative types of propulsion into trucks and reducing food transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable transport can be achieved by improving energy efficiency, switching to lower-emission vehicles, and / or more efficient modes of transport, especially by introducing electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Food systems also need to be transformed so that consumers make more use of locally and seasonally produced food. Optimising distribution, including short supply chains, can also contribute to the realisation of sustainable transport.
These measures promote the retardation of anthropopressure in the natural environment.Celem pracy było oszacowanie możliwości wprowadzenia alternatywnych rodzajów napędu w samochodach ciężarowych oraz ograniczenie transportu żywności celem zmniejszenia emisji gazów cieplarnianych. Zrównoważenie transportu można osiągnąć poprzez przejście na bardziej wydajne środki transportu i/lub pojazdy o niższej emisji, zwłaszcza o napędzie elektrycznym lub wodorowym. Kluczowym w tym przypadku jest rozwój dedykowanej infrastruktury ładowania oraz uruchomienie programów wsparcia dla zakupu takiej floty. Konieczne jest również przekształcenie systemów żywnościowych w taki sposób, aby konsumenci w większym zakresie korzystali z żywności produkowanej lokalnie i sezonowo. Optymalizacja dystrybucji, w tym krótkich łańcuchów dostaw może również przyczynić się do realizacji zrównoważonego transportu. Wymienione działania sprzyjają retardacji antropopresji w środowisku przyrodniczym.