In some malignant tumours, the changes in neutrophil counts in relation to other blood cells are connected with unfavourable prognosis. Nevertheless, the prognostic value of the combinations of the haematological components in glioblastoma (GBM) remains under dispute. The clinical significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) was investigated in our study. We retrospectively studied 358 patients (males n = 195; females n = 163) aged 59.9 ± 13.5 yrs with newly diagnosed glioma and admitted to the Neurosurgery Centre. Routine blood tests and clinical characteristics were recorded within the first hour of hospital admission. The inflammatory variables: NLR, SII and SIRI exceeded the reference values and were significantly elevated in Grade 3 and Grade 4 tumour. The Cox model analysis showed that the age ≥ 63 years, NLR ≥ 4.56 × 10³/µL, SII ≥ 2003 × 10³/µL and SIRI ≥ 3.03 × 10³/µL significantly increased the risk of death in Grade 4 tumour patients. In the inflammatory variables, NLR demonstrated the highest impact on the survival time (HR 1.56; 95% CI 1.145–2.127; p = 0.005). In the first Polish study including GBM patients, the age in relation to simple parameters derived from complete blood cell count were found to have prognostic implications in the survival rate.

To support high school students to develop knowledge they need to adhere to control measures during the pandemic, a peer-based educational intervention on SARS-CoV-2 was developed and its impact was evaluated. Multistage random sampling was used. The 50 min peer-based intervention was conducted by final year medical students. Baseline and post-intervention knowledge and attitudes were assessed. Significance was tested by McNemar’s/Wilcoxon rank tests. Of 518 participants (mean age 17.8 years ± 0.43), 81.0% did not receive any school-based education on SARS-CoV-2. After intervention, the knowledge score improved from 65.2% to 81.6%, attitudes from 63.2% to 70.8% (both p < 0.0001). The effect size after the intervention compared to pre-intervention showed moderate improvement of knowledge, but not attitudes (d = 0.46 and d = 0.18, respectively). Pre- and post-intervention, females, students in non-science programs, living in cities < 250,000 inhabitants had lower knowledge, while fewer males, non-science program students, living in smaller cities presented positive attitudes. Before intervention, 67.0% students correctly named SARS-CoV-2 preventive methods and 73.6% were concerned COVID-19 is a serious disease; these improved after intervention (to 80.1% and 86.3%; p < 0.0001). The intervention was not very successful in increasing the intent to vaccinate for COVID-19 (pre-intervention 52.9%, post-intervention 56.4%; p < 0.007). Peer-based teaching for high school students can be effective in increasing SARS-CoV-2 knowledge and awareness. More efforts are needed to improve attitudes and enhance acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19.

Background: Adolescents play a significant role in SARS-CoV-2 spread. The study objective was to assess practices towards COVID-19 among final year Polish high school students. Methods: Between December 2020-March 2021 an online cross-sectional survey was conducted. Multistage random sampling selected 24 high schools in the Lubuskie region then 51 classes. Students' practices were assessed by an anonymous questionnaire. Significance was tested by Chi-square test. Results: Response rate was 72.3%; 638 students (360 females) participated (mean age 18.4±0.6 years); 68.7% attended schools in the cities with <100,000 inhabitants; 31.5% were in the science program. Most (81.3%) declared they always used masks in public spaces in the last month (74.3% males vs 86.1% females, p < 0.001; 77.2% of those living in smaller vs 90.5% in larger cities, p < 0.001; 89.6% in the science program vs 77.6% - in the other programs, p < 0.001); 35% always avoided crowded areas (26.9% males vs 39.4% females, p = 0.001; 29.5% living in smaller vs 47% in larger cities, p < 0.001; 43.8% in the science program vs 30.9% - in the other programs, p = 0.002); 24.3% declared always keeping social distance (19.4% males vs 27.2% females, p = 0.02), 29.9% stated they did not touch their faces (25% males vs 33.3% females, p = 0.02; 27.2% living in smaller vs 36% in larger cities, p = 0.02; 37.8% in the science program vs 26.3% - in the other programs, p = 0.003). Among those wearing masks - uncovered noses (64.6%) and masks around the neck (42.3%; 48.1% males vs 38.9% females, p = 0.02) were the most frequent incorrect practices. Conclusions: Most high school students, in particular males, living in small cities and attending non-science program have inappropriate preventive practices towards COVID-19. Health education programs are urgently needed to better equip students with COVID-19 prevention skills. Key messages: The study shows data of final year high-school students' practices towards COVID-19 and maybe used by public health experts to better address educational campaigns oriented to Polish adolescents. Health education aimed at high school students would be crucial to improve compliance with SARS-CoV-2 infection control procedures.