Facing arrhythmia. Reconstructing time in the pandemic by the metropolitan creative classes in Poland.

This paper shows how the metropolitan creative classes in Poland reacted to the changes in the organization of everyday life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially its temporality and rhythmicity. The pandemic and lockdowns reorganized previous ways of experiencing and managing time. Based on our empirical research and research by other scholars, we have identified some of the most common disruptions of pandemic temporality. However, a vital element of the article is to specify how the social category we studied dealt with these disruptions. In doing so, we show that the response to the breakdown of the previous order of everyday life was to restore a sense of stability actively. We were also interested in the possible, also negative consequences of the findings for the social category under study. The empirical basis for the article are in-depth interviews conducted during the fourth phase of the ongoing research project [title anonymized], which began during the first weeks of the lockdown in Poland.

Assessment of the Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplant Patients: A Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can significantly influence a patient's nutritional status, leading to malnutrition. Malnutrition is associated with an increase in morbidity and hospital admissions, as well as a decrease in functional status. All these factors impact emotional, physical, and psychosocial health, leading to a lower quality of life (QOL). The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status and QOL in patients with CKD compared to patients after kidney transplantation and determine what factors influence nutritional status and QOL in this patient population. METHODS: The study included 167 patients: 39 pre-dialysis patients-group 1; 65 dialysis patients-group 2; 63 kidney transplant patients-group 3. Patients completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life questionnaire (KDQoL) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment questionnaire (MNA). RESULTS: A comparative analysis of the QOL of patients in the three study groups showed no statistically significant differences in the overall KDQoL scores. Factors that affected quality of life included the designated group, determined by disease status, MNA score, patient age, and WHR. Nearly 1/3 of patients from groups 2 and 3 were at risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic assessment of nutritional status and monitoring of QOL should be integrated into the standard management guidelines for CKD patients.

Strength Abilities and Serve Reception Efficiency of Youth Female Volleyball Players.

Success in volleyball largely depends on motor abilities, particularly on maximum strength, power, jumping, and speed performance. However, a small number of studies assess the relationship between motor abilities and the effectiveness of volleyball technical skills. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the impact of the strength of the upper and lower limbs on the efficiency of serve reception during a 2 vs. 2 game, as well as to evaluate the results of motor measurements in the context of determining the usefulness of current testing procedures. The study involved a carefully chosen group of 12 girls aged 12-13 years (body height: 176.5 ± 4.2 cm, body mass: 58.6 ± 5.1 kg, and training experience: 43 ± 15 months) selected for the Lower Silesian Regional Volleyball Team. The following tests were conducted: handgrip strength with a hand dynamometer, bent-arm hang, 2 kg medicine ball throw, shoulder joint internal rotators (IR) peak torque, standing long jump, spike jump, and countermovement jump. The measurements of the shoulder joint IR peak torque were performed under isometric (at 10°, 35°, and 65° rotation angles) and isokinetic (at 60°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s) conditions. The efficiency of serve reception was evaluated during a 2 vs. 2 games by using Data Volley statistical software. The strongest positive relationships were observed between the serve reception efficiency and the peak torque and power of the shoulder joint IR, the medicine ball throw distance, and handgrip strength. Jumping variables showed no associations with efficient of serve reception. Consequently, we suggest adding protocols to volleyball training that include strength exercises aimed at developing the IR muscle group. The isokinetic upper limb test should be introduced as a valid tool in selection process. Coaches who do not have access to modern research equipment should use the medicine ball throw test to evaluate strength abilities as an alternative assessment of the serve reception efficiency.

Assessment of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and after Kidney Transplantation-A Comparative Analysis.

Depression and anxiety are common among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients but are rarely diagnosed and treated. Furthermore, the fraction of patients with depression is greater among hemodialyzed patients. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of depression symptoms, anxiety and assess the level of life satisfaction in three groups of patients based on the stage of CKD. The study group consisted of 283 patients-130 females and 153 males, mean aged was 54.7 (±15.3) with stage III-V chronic kidney disease and after kidney transplantation. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used. The highest percentage of patients with depressive symptoms was recorded in the group of dialysis patients with stage V CKD. The lowest percentage of patients with high satisfaction with life was noted in the pre-dialysis group. There was a significant relationship between BDI and STAI, SWLS in all groups while a significant relationship between BDI and handgrip strength was observed in dialysis and kidney transplantation patients. Anxiety as a trait was found to be the factor most significantly associated with depressive symptoms in each of the three patient groups. Screen testing and monitoring of the emotional state of patients with CKD are needed, regardless of the stage of the disease and treatment, including patients after kidney transplantation.

Nutritional assessment of patients with end-stage renal disease using the MNA scale.

BACKGROUND: Patient malnutrition is a significant problem in the process of rehabilitation and treatment. One of the tools that can reveal the risk of malnutrition is a series of standardized nutritional questionnaires. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by means of the minimal nutritional assessment (MNA) scale. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included respondents suffering from ESRD who were patients of the Dialysis Center at the Clinic of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine at the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw. The study was conducted in 47 dialysis patients (22 women and 25 men), mean age 69.68 ±8.95 years. A standardized MNA scale was used to evaluate the nutritional status of the patients. RESULTS: In the study group, women had a significantly lower score on the MNA scale than men (23.95 vs 25.26 points). Using the MNA scale, the risk of malnutrition was found in 13 patients, while malnutrition was found in 1 patient. Among females, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.28, and it was significantly correlated with the MNA score. In males, the mean BMI was 29.61, but it did not correlate with the MNA score. The time spent undergoing renal replacement therapy was 7.63 years for women and 7.24 years for men. This correlated significantly with the MNA score only in the case of men. Significant correlations were established between eating habits and MNA scores in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained using the MNA scale showed a significant risk of malnutrition in patients with ESRD. In women only, a low score on the MNA scale significantly correlated with the BMI. The time of renal replacement therapy had a significant impact on the MNA scale only in the case of men. An influence of comorbidities on the MNA scores recorded by men and women was not observed. Major health incidents and other stressful situations significantly affected the nutritional status in men.

Evaluation of Exercise Tolerance in Dialysis Patients Performing Tai Chi Training: Preliminary Study.

UNLABELLED: Introduction. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have poor physical performance and exercise capacity due to frequent dialysis treatments. Tai Chi exercises can be very useful in the area of rehabilitation of people with ESRD. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess exercise capacity in ESRD patients participating in 6-month Tai Chi training. Patients and Methods. Twenty dialysis patients from Wroclaw took part in the training; at the end of the project, 14 patients remained (age 69.2 ± 8.6 years). A 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and spiroergometry were performed at the beginning and after 6 months of training. RESULTS: After 6 months of Tai Chi, significant improvements were recorded in mean distance in the 6MWT (387.89 versus 436.36 m), rate of perceived exertion (7.4 versus 4.7), and spiroergometry (8.71 versus 10.08 min). Conclusions. In the ESRD patients taking part in Tai Chi training, a definite improvement in exercise tolerance was recorded after the 6-month training. Tai Chi exercises conducted on days without dialysis can be an effective and interesting form of rehabilitation for patients, offering them a chance for a better quality of life and fewer falls and hospitalisations that are the result of it.

The Level of Anxiety and Depression in Dialysis Patients Undertaking Regular Physical Exercise Training--a Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a six-month physical training undertaken by haemodialysis (HD) patients, on the depression and anxiety. METHODS: Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) were recruited from the dialysis station at the Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine in Wroclaw. Physical training took place at the beginning of the first 4-hours of dialysis, three times a week for six months. A personal questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used in the study. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients completed the study: 20 were randomised to endurance training and 8 were randomised to resistance training. Statistical analysis of depression and anxiety at the initial (t1) and final examination (t2) indicated a significant reduction in depression and anxiety, particularly anxiety as a trait (X2) in the whole study group. The change in anxiety as a state correlated with the disease duration, duration of dialysis and the initial level of anxiety as a state (t1X1). The change in anxiety as a trait significantly correlated with age and the initial level of anxiety (t1X2). CONCLUSIONS: Undertaking physical training during dialysis by patients with ESRD is beneficial in reducing their levels of anxiety and depression. Both resistance and endurance training improves mood, but only endurance training additionally results in anxiety reduction.

The Effects of Aquatic Exercises on Physical Fitness and Muscle Function in Dialysis Patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a 3-month physical training program, conducted in an aquatic environment with end-stage renal disease patients (ESRD), on the physical fitness and functional parameters of the knee joint muscles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 20 ESDR patients with mean age 64.2 ± 13.1 y. treated with hemodialysis in Dialysis Center of the University Hospital in Wroclaw. Before and 3 months after the physical training in water, a test was performed to evaluate the physical fitness of each patient; additionally, a measurement was taken of force-velocity parameters. The 3-month training program took place on nonhemodialysis days, in the recreational pool of the University of Physical Education in Wroclaw. RESULTS: After aquatic training cycle, an improvement was observed in all parameters measured using the Fullerton test. The value of peak torque and its relation to body mass increased in the movement of flexors and extensors of left and right lower extremities in all tested velocities. CONCLUSIONS: In assessing the physical fitness of studied women, the biggest improvement was achieved in tests assessing the strength of upper and lower extremities as well as lower body flexibility. Higher values of force-velocity parameters are conducive to women achieving better physical fitness test results.

The laws of natural deduction in inference by DNA computer.

We present a DNA-based implementation of reaction system with molecules encoding elements of the propositional logic, that is, propositions and formulas. The protocol can perform inference steps using, for example, modus ponens and modus tollens rules and de Morgan's laws. The set of the implemented operations allows for inference of formulas using the laws of natural deduction. The system can also detect whether a certain proposition a can be deduced from the basic facts and given rules. The whole protocol is fully autonomous; that is, after introducing the initial set of molecules, no human assistance is needed. Only one restriction enzyme is used throughout the inference process. Unlike some other similar implementations, our improved design allows representing simultaneously a fact a and its negation ~a, including special reactions to detect the inconsistency, that is, a simultaneous occurrence of a fact and its negation. An analysis of correctness, completeness, and complexity is included.