The COVID-19 vaccination has been the subject of unprecedented misinformation, false news, and public concerns. This study presents a unique analysis comprising persons who were not vaccinated and became ill. It investigates reasons for not vaccinating and evaluates how the personal experience of COVID-19 affected further attitudes and decisions related to health. The study included 730 consecutive unvaccinated patients hospitalized in 12 centers in Poland during the autumn 2021 pandemic wave. The most frequent reason behind the refusal to receive the vaccine was concern over the adverse effects, disbelief that the vaccine was sufficiently tested, and one’s conviction that COVID-19 will not affect a patient. Online information, friends, spouse, children/grandchildren, and other family members were most often the source of discouragement from vaccination. Most individuals regretted their decision not to receive a vaccine (66.0%), declared to promote COVID-19 vaccination after discharge (64.0%), and to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in the time recommended for convalescents (69.5%). Individuals expressing no regrets of vaccine refusal more frequently revealed conspiracy beliefs. The study shows that personal experience with severe COVID-19 can influence the perception of vaccination, but approximately one-third of unvaccinated hospitalized patients still appear to express vaccine hesitancy.

Background: The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Poland was reported on 4 March 2020. We aim to compare the clinical course and outcomes of patients hospitalized in the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw due to COVID-19 during three pandemic waves. Materials and methods: The medical data were collected for all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 hospitalized in our hospital from 6 March 2020 till 30 November 2021. COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed by nasopharyngeal swabs using real-time polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) or SARS-CoV-2 antigen test. COVID-19 waves were defined based on the number and dynamics of cases. Results: Altogether, 2138 patient medical records were analyzed. The majority of the cohort was male (1235/2138, 57.8%), and the median age was 65 years [IQR: 50–74 years]. Patients hospitalized during the third wave had lower oxygen saturation on admission (p < 0.001) and were more likely to receive oxygen supplementation (p < 0.001). Serious complications, including pneumothorax (p < 0.001) and thromboembolic complications (p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (p = 0.034), and death (p = 0.003), occurred more often in patients of the third wave. Conclusions: During the third wave, patients in our cohort experienced a more severe course of the disease and poorer outcomes.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease characterized by high in-hospital mortality, which seems to be dependent on many predisposing factors. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical symptoms, abnormalities in the results of laboratory tests, and coexisting chronic diseases that independently affected the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. Patients and Methods: We analyzed the records of patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized from 6 March 2020 to 30 November 2021. Results: Out of the entire group of 2138 patients who were analyzed, 12.82% died during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality was independently associated with older age (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.20–1.97); lower arterial blood oxygen saturation (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99); the presence of a neoplasm (OR 4.45, 95% CI 2.01–9.62), a stomach ulcer (OR 3.35, 95% CI 0.94–11.31), and dementia (OR 3.40, 95% CI 1.36–8.26); a higher score on the SOFA scale (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.52–1.99); higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05–1.12); higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro BNP) (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.11); and lower total bilirubin in blood concentration (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.99). Conclusions: We found that low oxygen saturation, old age, and the coexistence of cancer, gastric ulcers, and dementia syndrome were variables that independently increased mortality during hospitalization due to COVID-19. Moreover, we found that decreased platelet count and bilirubin concentration and increased levels of LDH and NT-proBNP were laboratory test results that independently indicated a higher risk of mortality. We also confirmed the usefulness of the SOFA scale in predicting treatment results. The ability to identify mortality risk factors on admission to hospital will facilitate both adjusting the intensity of treatment and the monitoring of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

The origins of Polish emigration to Argentina date back to the 19th century. Poles emigrated to this distant, overseas country, first as individuals and then in larger groups. We can distinguish several waves of Polish collective emigration to Argentina: pre-war, that is, the period of partitions, with special regard to 1897, interwar and post-war, especially from 1945-1950. The article summarizes the information we have about the historical aspects of the phenomenon described, explains the reasons for the trips, highlights the role of the clergy, lists the most important places for Poles to settle, and the ways and forms of maintaining Polish national identity, both in the past and in the present.

The aim of the paper was to investigate the impact of feeding pigs with different levels of conjugated linoleic acid or sunflower oil on fatty acid profile of Longissimus dorsi muscle. The subjects of research were 60 crossbred gilts divided into 6 groups, fed with different levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or sunflower oil (SFO) (0.5; 1.0 and 2.0 %, respectively). All fatteners were kept and fed under standardized conditions. Animals were slaughtered at 95 kg of body weight. Fatty acid profile was determined in samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle from each animal. Gas chromatography was used (in the research). The significance of differences between groups was verified by Duncan’s test. In the present study the addition of conjugated linoleic acid or sunflower oil did not impact the composition and amounts of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids in Longissimus dorsi muscle.