The effect of shrubs admixture in pine forest stands on soil bacterial and fungal communities and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of persistent toxic pollutants. The species composition of the stand is important in shaping the quality of soil organic matter and, consequently, the PAH content. The main purpose of the research was to determine the role of shrubs in shaping PAH accumulation in forest soils. The study covered the soils of the pine stands of the Rybnik Forest District, which experiences some of the highest deposition of industrial emissions in Europe. Pine stands with admixture of shrubs (alder buckthorn Frangula alnus and European hazelnut Coryllus avellana) growing in the same soil conditions were selected for the study. Samples for analyses were collected from the organic horizon (O) (from a depth of 0-7 cm) and humus mineral horizon (A) (from a depth of 7-15 cm). The organic C and total N concentrations, pH, alkaline cation content, soil enzyme activity and PAH content were determined. Additionally, the taxonomic composition of soil bacterial and fungal communities was determined. The highest activity of enzymes was noted in soils under influence of shrubs. The enzymatic activity was positively correlated with the content of total N, organic C, pH H2O and KCl and negatively with the C/N ratio. The highest PAH content was recorded in the soils of pine stands without the admixture of shrubs. Our research indicates the importance of shrubs in shaping the properties of surface horizons of forest soil and, consequently on the accumulation of PAHs. Shrubs stimulate biochemical activity of soils which results in lower PAHs accumulation by providing more easily decomposable organic matter.

The effects of kangaroo mother care and music listening on physiological parameters, oxygen saturation, crying, awake state and sleep in infants in NICU.

OBJECTIVE: Kangaroo mother care and musical stimulation are recommended nursing interventions in the NICU. However, there is little research on the combination of kangaroo care with musical stimulation and their relationship with the health condition of infants. The aim of the study was to compare the parameters of the physiological state and behavior of infants during kangaroo mother care as well as kangaroo mother care and musical stimulation. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 100 infants, with corrected gestational ages of 35 weeks, with an average body weight of 2704 g. During kangaroo care the child was supported by their parent, then musical stimulation was added to kangaroo care. Measurements were made in an incubator after the 1st and the 15th minute of each intervention. RESULTS: Neonatal parameters differed in the incubator and during each intervention. During kangaroo care and kangaroo care and musical stimulation, heart rate (p < .0001), respiration rate (p < .0001), crying (p < .0001) and awake state (p < .0001) decreased, oxygen saturation levels (p < .0001) and the number of children who fell asleep (p < .0001) increased. During kangaroo care and musical stimulation significantly fewer children were awake (p = .0003) and more fell asleep (p < .0001) than after kangaroo care alone (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that kangaroo care and kangaroo care and musical stimulation can be used to stabilize the physiological functions of infants. Kangaroo care and musical stimulation can be one of the most effective nursing interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit for the care of infants.

Screening for Detection of the Risk of Perinatal Mental Disorders among Women in Poland.

The aim of the study was to assess the severity of depressive symptoms, to analyze risk factors for perinatal mental disorders and to assess dispositional optimism. A total of 106 women from Poland were included in the study at 37-week pregnant and 6 weeks after giving birth. It was demonstrated that the main predictors of perinatal mental disorders were the variables: mental health disorders before pregnancy, subjectively reported decreased mood in pregnancy, the lack of social (instrumental) support and the tendency to pessimism. The results of the study suggest how important it is to introduce clinical practice in Poland to screen for early detection of the risk of depression during pregnancy and postpartum depression.

Social support as a determinant of life satisfaction in pregnant women and women after surgical delivery. / Wsparcie spoleczne jako determinant zadowolenia z zycia u kobiet w okresie ciazy i po cieciu cesarskim.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether social support obtained by women in the third trimester of pregnancy and in the postpartum period differs significantly with respect to the mode of delivery and whether there is a difference in the life satisfaction of the studied women.. METHODS: The study included 195 women in the third trimester of pregnancy and 182 women from the same group after delivery. The Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used in the study. RESULTS: As early as in the third trimester of pregnancy, women who later underwent Caesarean section received significantly more support of all types than women who gave birth physiologically. In the postpartum period, post-Caesarean women received significantly more support of only instrumental nature. No statistically significant differences were found with respect to life satisfaction of the studied groups of women. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate that Caesarean section does not provide greater life satisfaction. Instrumental support plays a crucial role in meeting the caring needs of post-Caesarean women in the postpartum period. The study reveals which type of support is needed by women and highlights the significant role of fathers during childbirth.

The effect of music on the cardiac activity of a fetus in a cardiotocographic examination.

BACKGROUND: Music therapy as an adjunct to treatment is rarely used in perinatology and obstetrics, despite the proven therapeutic effect. Auditory stimulation through music positively impacts the health of adults and infants, its special role being observed in the development of prematurely born neonates. It is equally interesting how music impacts fetuses. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the parameters of fetuses through cardiotocographic recording in women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy while listening to Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" and "Swan Lake". MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in 2015 at Dr. Jan Biziel 2nd University Hospital in Bydgoszcz, on 48 women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The cardiotocographic parameters of the fetus were examined by means of a Sonicaid Team Standard Oxford apparatus (Huntleigh Healthcare, Cardiff, United Kingdom). RESULTS: Significant changes were observed in the number of uterine contractions, accelerations, episodes of higher variability, and fetal movements after listening to the music. CONCLUSIONS: Listening to classical music can serve as a successful method of prophylaxis against premature deliveries, indicated by the lower number of uterine contractions, and in stimulating fetal movement in the case of a non-reactive non-stress test (NST). Music therapy, as a therapeutic method which is inexpensive and soothing, should be used more frequently in obstetrics wards, indicated by pathological pregnancies, isolation from the natural environment, and distress resulting from diagnostics and from being in an unfamiliar environment.

Episiotomy and perineal tear risk factors in a group of 4493 women.

Episiotomy belongs to the most frequent procedures carried out during delivery. Performing episiotomy should be reduced as there is scientific evidence indicating that it can cause pain, sexual problems, and serious, long-term health consequences. The aim of the researchers is to identify factors associated with episiotomy and the perineal tear. Analyses were performed using a model of a logistic regression. The study involved 4493 women. The episiotomy risk was related to: a birth weight exceeding 3500 grams, an instrumental delivery by means of forceps or vacuum extraction. The decrease of episiotomy rate increased the rate of perineal tear of first and second degree. The study has shown that episiotomy protects women from third- and fourth-degree perineal tear.

The effect of music therapy on the cardiac activity parameters of a fetus in a cardiotocographic examination.

OBJECTIVE: The assessment of cardiac parameters of the fetus in cardiotocographic record of pregnant women listening to classical music. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty NST records with no musical stimulation and 30 NST records during a 15-min auditive stimulation with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Turkish March" as well as 30 NST records during Johann Strauss's "Tritsch-Tratsch Polka" were performed for the study. The average stage of the responders' pregnancy was the 36rd week, the lowest - the 27th week, the highest - 41st. RESULTS: Following the listening to W.A. Mozart's composition, a significant increase was observed in values concerning: the number of fetal movements (p < 0.0001), accelerations >10 (p = 0.0063), accelerations >15 (p = 0.0011), high variability (p = 0.0019) and short-term variability (p < 0.0001). Meanwhile, parameters concerning baseline cardiac activity (p = 0.0003) and low variability (p = 0.0021) significantly decreased. The number of uterine contractions decreased insignificantly (p = 0.3718). Following listening to J. Strauss's composition, the following parameters underwent increase: fetal movements (p = 0.0021) and short-term variability (p = 0.0025). The remaining parameters of the cardiotocographic record: accelerations, uterine contractions - underwent an improvement, but the changes were not significant. CONCLUSION: Music therapy is a noninvasive and uncostly method, significantly improving wellbeing-indicative fetal parameters.

Analysis of Chosen Variables Psychological Determining the Occurrence of Mood Disorders After Childbirth.

BACKGROUND: Psychological factors are one of many that contribute to the increased risk of a psychiatric disorder's occurrence after childbirth. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to determine the relation between psychological variables, such as sense of self-efficacy and dispositional optimism, and the risk of mood disorder's occurrence in women after childbirth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred eighty five women, who gave birth in the University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz, took part in the study. To measure the risk occurrence of mood disorder symptoms after childbirth the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) was used. Obtaining a score of 12 or more points out of 30 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was an indicator of mood disorders. To study psychological variables the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) were used. RESULTS: Twenty three point two percent of women obtained 12 or more points in the EDPS scale. The average result in GSES scale for all women who took part in the study was 30.80 and indicated a high estimation of women's own capabilities in dealing with new situations. Obtained results indicated a surprisingly small group of women with low estimation of their own capabilities (n = 15). However, negative correlation between EDPS and GSES parameters, on a statistically significant level (p < 0.0001) was found (r = 0.27). In the course of analysis of the results concerning optimism-pessimism dimension rated with LOT-R, the average result was calculated to be 15.6. In the same group, 61 women showed pessimistic tendencies, and 23 (34.8%) suffered from mood disorders. Scores obtained in EDPS negatively correlated with the results in LOT-R (r = -0.43) and are statistically significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In the first week after childbirth, one-fourth of women are in danger of the occurrence of mood disorders. There is a negative correlation between the sense of self-efficacy and dispositional optimism and risk of occurrence of mood disorders after childbirth.

Life satisfaction and social support received by women in the perinatal period.

BACKGROUND: Birth of a baby has a big impact on women's lives. The presence and help of loved ones favours wellbeing, health, coping with difficult situations. The aim of this study was to determine whether women's satisfaction with life changes during pregnancy and after delivery, and to identify correlates of life satisfaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Life satisfaction was measured using The Satisfaction with Life Scale - SWLS and received social support was assessed using the Berlin Social Support Scales - BSSS. The study was conducted in the third trimester of pregnancy and during the postpartum period, before discharge from the hospital. The research sample included a total of 199 women in the third trimester of pregnancy and 188 of initially participating women, who had physiological births or caesarean sections. RESULTS: The results clearly show a significant increase in life satisfaction in the postpartum period (p < 0.0001). An important correlate of life satisfaction in the third trimester of pregnancy is social support received (p < 0.0001). During pregnancy such a correlate is emotional support received, and in the postnatal period- instrumental support received. An increase in instrumental support received (p = 0.031) and informational (p = 0.013) has been observed in the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of life satisfaction and received social support seem to be needed to gain a full picture of women's situation during birth, which will allow for planning and implementing maternity care appropriate to the needs of women.