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Research was conducted on 1943 promaparas cows of Polish Holstein-Friesian breed of black--white variety maintained in 25 herds in Greater Poland (Wielkopolska). An assessment of cows' conformation was done using a GLOBAL MAP mating programme. Assessed cows obtained mean notes close to biological optimum established for particular conformation traits. However, considerable differentiation of evaluations was observed within these traits. Calculated coeficients of phenotypic correlation point mostly positive and low relations between evaluations of particular conformation traits. Also indices of phenotypic correlation between evaluations of conformation traits and milk performance of cows low and positive were in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to confirm of reject a hypothesis that cows of Polish red-white breed of dual purpose performance with different contribution of hf cattle genes, reared in two poviats of Lower Silesia (Sudeten Submountain) in 2006-2007, differ in results of a type and conformation assessment. Cows were housed in region of Walbrzych (54 heads) and Jelenia Gora (92 heads). Three groups of cows with different contribution of hf cattle genes were distinguished. It appeared that the differentiation of those regions of Sudeten Submountain did not influenced in a significant way the assessment of a type and body conformation of cows. However, significant relationships (p = 0.05) were noted between genotype of cows and conformation features; ⩾ 50.1% contribution of hf cattle genes improved height in a sacrum, capacity, legs and hooves built and a total score as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Modern milking robots create the possibility for better organization of work. In recent years, in selection indexes constructed for Holstein Friesian cattle, milking capacity features have become of great importance. This study showed a negative correlation between the milk yield and the content of its components. The quantity of milk released from the hind quarters was found to be higher than that determined for the fore quarters. At the same time, the milk flow rate turned out to be statistically significantly higher in the front quarters as compared to the back quarters. The speed of milking is an individual feature; therefore, it is important that the milking machines have the ability to control the negative pressure during the milking of individual quarters, and thus react to the rate of milk flow from individual teats. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the number and stage of lactations, time of day and calving season of cows on milk yield from a single milking, average milking time, average milking per minute, daily milking frequency and the relationship between the tested parameters of quarter milking. The study included a herd of 65 Polish Holstein Friesian black and white cows used in a free-range barn located in south-west Poland. The animals were kept in proper welfare conditions, fed using the partly mixed ration (PMR) method on the feeding table. The milk was obtained using the Lely-Astronaut A4 Automatic Milking System (AMS). The animals on the dairy cattle farm were used in the range from the first to the seventh lactation, i.e., at the age of 2.0 to approximately 10 years. In this study, the amount of milk yielded from the hind quarters was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the trait determined for the front quarters. At the same time, the milk flow rate was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the front quarters compared to the rear quarters. The daily milk yield in right rear (RR) and left rear (LR) hind quarters was higher by 1.0 kg of milk, respectively, than in right front (RF) and left front (LF) fore quarters. The milking time of the RR and LR hind quarters during the day was longer by 104.9 and 128.8 s, respectively, than the RF and LF fore quarters. The milking speed of the RR and LR hind quarters during the day was lower by 0.2 and 1.12 g/s, respectively, than in the RF and LF fore quarters. The values of the correlation between the yields of milk and its components obtained in this study were high and positive. Correlations between the milk yield and the content of its components were negative. The obtained results confirmed that the natural physiological variability of the udder and teats structure, as well as the course of lactation, significantly affects the individual composition and milk flow during milking. The ability to regulate the milk flow by adjusting the appropriate negative pressure during the robot's operation, in the observed variability of individual lobes of the mammary gland, increases the efficiency of milking and, as a result, reduces the risk of mastitis in cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zoometric measurements (height at withers and sidelong barrel length) were conducted on 54 cows of red-white colour, of a body mass > 500 kg maintained on one of dairy cattle farms located in south-western Poland. The three genotypic groups were examined: I (phf NL) - 19 cows of Polish Holstein-Friesian breed of Dutch bulls (fathers), II (phf USA) - 19 cows of American bulls, and III (ZR) - 16 cows of Polish Red-White breed. Then the size of bed boxes was designed for these, differing with genotype, cows. The size of beds calculated in the present study was compared to the values recommended in zootechnical literature and current law regulations. The beds on the analysed farm of dairy cattle fulfilled all mandatory standards concerning welfare and cross compliance rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND End-stage heart failure is a growing problem in Poland. Orthotopic heart transplantation remains the best treatment option. Although increasing, the number of heart transplants is disproportionately low compared with patient need. Therefore, it is crucial to identify factors contributing to improvement of heart transplantation outcomes. To find factors providing best survival and optimal recipient selection, we analyzed pretransplant patient-related clinical factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between May 2015 and May 2020, we performed 258 cardiac transplants at our institution. We reviewed possible patient-related clinical factors affecting the 1-year survival of our patients and analyzed factors related to survival. Mean age at transplant was 53.5 (±11.8) years; 22.9% of patients were women. Preoperative factors were analyzed using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS In this cohort, 31.8% were diabetic, 43% had ischemic etiology of heart failure, and 15.3% had reversible pulmonary hypertension. Mechanical circulatory support was used in 22%. During 1-year observation, 64 (24.8%) patients died. Univariable analysis showed ischemic etiology (hazard ratio [HR]=2.05, CI=1.227-3.429; P=0.01) and left ventricular assist device were associated with 1-year risk of death (HR=1.953, CI=1.090-3.499; P=0.02). Urgent listing trended toward worsened prognosis (HR=1.509, CI=0.95-2.397; P=0.08). Multivariable analysis showed ischemic etiology (HR=1.81, CI=1.075-3.059; P=0.03), total mechanical circulatory support (HR=1.93, CI=1.080-3.437; P=0.03), decreased eGFR (HR=0.987, CI=0.975-0.998; P=0.03), and protein level (HR=0.97, CI=0.951-0.998; P=0.04) were independently associated with worse 1-year survival after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Ischemic etiology and mechanical circulatory support were the most important preoperative factors. Malnutrition and renal failure were additional risk factors. Age alone did not influence 1-year survival.

Introduction: The study is a prospective clinical observation of patients after orthotopic heart transplantation in a large academic medical center in relation to COVID-19 morbidity. The study population was comprised of 552 patients. All patients were consulted and advised by telephone as regards the prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hospital and outpatient follow-ups were limited to the minimum. Preventive modification of immunosuppression was not recommended in relation to the pandemic. Three patients with multiple comorbidities (a woman aged 60, a man aged 59, and another man aged 83; 2.25 years, 5.5 years, and 7.5 years after heart transplantation, respectively) and one patient with concomitant arterial hypertension (a woman aged 48, 5.5 years after heart transplantation) presented with a symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Three of the patients were on tacrolimus immunosuppression, and both female patients were additionally on therapy with mycophenolate mofetil, which was discontinued following the diagnosis of infection. One male patient received combined therapy of cyclosporine A and mycophenolate mofetil. The 60-year-old woman presented with gastrointestinal manifestations of the COVID-19 infection which were of moderate severity. The recovery was achieved. The 59-year-old man presented with myocardial infarction, exacerbated renal insufficiency that required hemodialysis and cardiorespiratory failure complicated by bacterial sepsis. As a result, the patient died. The 83-year-old male patient reporting fever, myalgia, fatigue, cough and dyspnea was admitted to hospital and deceased due to septic shock two days after admission. The 48-year old woman who presented with mild symptoms of the upper respiratory tract infection recovered after two weeks. Symptomatic treatment was used in all the patients. Another male patient (aged 45 years, 8 years after orthotopic heart transplant with no significant comorbidities) was an asymptomatic carrier of SARS-CoV-2 and remained under hospital care., Conclusions: Of 552 patients after orthotopic heart transplantation, two SARS-CoV-2-related deaths were reported., (© National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene.)

Background: Heart failure (HF) has become an epidemic. A similar situation is also observed for atrial fibrillation (AF). The CHA2DS2-VASc score is one of the most useful tools for thromboembolic risk assessment., Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of AF in patients with decompensated HF, who were divided into subgroups according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score., Methods: We analysed the prevalence of AF in a group of 1108 patients (327 women) hospitalised due to HF decompensa- tion in medical centres of different referral levels. Twenty-one patients refused to participate in the registry. The data were collected from Polish centres included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry. The recruit- ment period was from 2011 to 2014. The data were analysed retrospectively. Patients were divided into groups according to the CHA2DS2-VASC score., Results: The study sample was characterised by a high occurrence of AF (44.3%), with the highest prevalence in patients with a CHA2DS2-VASC score ≥ 6 (61.3%, p = 0.01)., Conclusions: The CHA2DS2-VASc score may be a useful tool for detecting patients with HF characterised by the highest risk of AF.

Unlabelled: Results of studies conducted around the world show a drastic deficiency vitamin D in almost all populations, and the strongest in the group of children and the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of vitamin D in children aged 10-12 years., Material and Methods: The study included 42 children aged 10-12 years 24 girls and 18 boys).The obtained data were statistically analyzed using STATISTICA 10 (StatSoft Inc. Dell), Results: Half of the subjects (n = 21) had levels of vitamin D i not greater than 14.872 ng/ml (median). The median concentrations of vitamin D was higher in the studied group of boys than girls and amounted to 16.54 vs 14.02. Most patients (n = 18; 42.8%) had levels of vitamin D between 10 and 20 ng / ml (deficiency),7 persons (16.7%) had a severe deficiency (≤10 ng/ml), a significant number of patients (n = 15; 35 7%) had a slight deficiency of vitamin D called moderate hypovitaminosis. Only two individuals (4.8%) had concentrations in the range defined as optimum., Conclusions: The results of the present study show a deficiency of vitamin D in the study group children aged 10 - 12 years.