The landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland emerging from epidemiological and genomic data.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected all aspects of our lives. Through real-time monitoring and rapid vaccine implementation, we succeeded in suppressing the spread of the disease and mitigating its consequences. Finally, conclusions can be summarized and drawn.

Genetic history of East-Central Europe in the first millennium CE.

Background: The appearance of Slavs in East-Central Europe has been the subject of an over 200-year debate driven by two conflicting hypotheses. The first assumes that Slavs came to the territory of contemporary Poland no earlier than the sixth century CE; the second postulates that they already inhabited this region in the Iron Age (IA). Testing either hypothesis is not trivial given that cremation of the dead was the prevailing custom in Central Europe from the late Bronze Age until the Middle Ages (MA).

Human AGEs: an interactive spatio-temporal visualization and database of human archeogenomics.

Archeogenomics is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary research field driven by the development of techniques that enable the acquisition and analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA). Recent advances in aDNA studies have contributed significantly to increasing our understanding of the natural history of humans. One of the most significant challenges facing archeogenomics is the integration of highly heterogeneous genomic, archeological, and anthropological data and their comprehensive analysis, considering changes that occur in time and space.

Dimensionality reduction by UMAP for visualizing and aiding in classification of imaging flow cytometry data.

Recent advances in imaging flow cytometry (IFC) have revolutionized high-throughput multiparameter analyses at single-cell resolution. Although enabling the discovery of population heterogeneities and the detection of rare events, IFC generates hyperdimensional datasets that demand innovative analytical approaches. Current methods work in a supervised manner, utilize only limited information content, or require large annotated reference datasets.

From Alpha to Delta-Genetic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 (hCoV-19) in Southern Poland.

In Poland, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in March 2020. Since then, many circulating virus lineages fueled rapid pandemic waves which inflicted a severe burden on the Polish healthcare system. Some of these lineages were associated with increased transmissibility and immune escape.

Doctors as leaders and governors.

Doctors working in healthcare are operating in complex adaptive systems that are unpredictable and have complex problems requiring new and unique skills. The Medical Council of New Zealand has specified a scope of practice for doctors involved in health system leadership, and there are several programmes of study that exist in Aotearoa New Zealand (Aotearoa NZ) to gain skills in this domain. It is crucial at this time of change that we understand why doctors as leaders and governors improve outcomes, the importance of training future medical leaders and how we validate these skills as well as the environment in which they operate.

Leadership and governance-what is needed to deliver the Aotearoa New Zealand health reforms.

Nil.

Polymorphism rs368234815 of interferon lambda 4 gene and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus in haemodialysis patients: a case-control study.

Background: In non-uremic subjects, IFNL4 rs368234815 predicts HCV clearance. We investigated whether rs368234815 is associated with spontaneous HCV clearance in haemodialysis patients and whether it is a stronger predictor of HCV resolution than the IFNL polymorphisms already associated with HCV clearance in dialysis subjects. We also evaluated an association of rs368234815 with patients` survival and alterations in transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) caused by IFNL polymorphisms.

The context and influences of safety: An exploration of social networks, actions, and behaviour.

Background: Safety systems are socio-cultural in nature, characterized by people, their relationships to one another and to the whole. This study aimed to (i) map the social networks of New Zealand's quality improvement and safety leaders, (ii) illuminate influential characteristics and behaviours of key network players and (iii) make recommendations regarding how networks might be optimized.

Methods: Instrumental case study was done using mixed methods.

Analysis of oral microbiome from fossil human remains revealed the significant differences in virulence factors of modern and ancient Tannerella forsythia.

Background: Recent advances in the next-generation sequencing (NGS) allowed the metagenomic analyses of DNA from many different environments and sources, including thousands of years old skeletal remains. It has been shown that most of the DNA extracted from ancient samples is microbial. There are several reports demonstrating that the considerable fraction of extracted DNA belonged to the bacteria accompanying the studied individuals before their death.

Is the T-G-CT-G SNRNP70 haplotype another proof that mixed connective tissue disease is distinct from systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis? A novel gene variant in SNRNP70 gene.

Objectives: U1-70K, encoded by the SNRNP70 gene, is a key early immunogen in connective tissue disease. The aim of the study was the genetic analysis of the SNRNP70 gene in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Methods: SNRNP70 genetic variants were detected using 3730 DNA Analyzer.

Goth migration induced changes in the matrilineal genetic structure of the central-east European population.

For years, the issues related to the origin of the Goths and their early migrations in the Iron Age have been a matter of hot debate among archaeologists. Unfortunately, the lack of new independent data has precluded the evaluation of the existing hypothesis. To overcome this problem, we initiated systematic studies of the populations inhabiting the contemporary territory of Poland during the Iron Age.

ENHO, RXRA, and LXRA polymorphisms and dyslipidaemia, related comorbidities and survival in haemodialysis patients.

Background: The energy homeostasis-associated gene (ENHO), retinoid X receptor alpha gene (RXRA), and liver X receptor alpha gene (LXRA) are involved in adipogenic/lipogenic regulation. We investigated whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes (ENHO rs2281997, rs72735260; RXRA rs749759, rs10776909, rs10881578; LXRA rs2279238, rs7120118, rs11039155) are associated with dyslipidaemia, related comorbidities and survival of haemodialysis (HD) patients also tested for T-helper (Th) cell interleukin genes (IL).

Methods: The study was carried out in 873 HD patients.

Functional characterization of RNA fragments using high-throughput interactome screening.

Populations of small eukaryotic RNAs, in addition to relatively well recognized molecules such as miRNAs or siRNAs, also contain fragments derived from all classes of constitutively expressed non-coding RNAs. It has been recently demonstrated that the formation and accumulation of RNA fragments (RFs) is cell-/tissue-specific and depends on internal and external stimuli. Unfortunately, the mechanisms underlying RF biogenesis and function remain unclear.

A mosaic genetic structure of the human population living in the South Baltic region during the Iron Age.

Despite the increase in our knowledge about the factors that shaped the genetic structure of the human population in Europe, the demographic processes that occurred during and after the Early Bronze Age (EBA) in Central-East Europe remain unclear. To fill the gap, we isolated and sequenced DNAs of 60 individuals from Kowalewko, a bi-ritual cemetery of the Iron Age (IA) Wielbark culture, located between the Oder and Vistula rivers (Kow-OVIA population). The collected data revealed high genetic diversity of Kow-OVIA, suggesting that it was not a small isolated population.

The state of quality improvement and patient safety teaching in health professional education in New Zealand.

Aim: To investigate how quality and patient safety domains are being taught in the pre-registration curricula of health profession education programmes in New Zealand.

Methods: All tertiary institutions providing training for medicine, nursing, midwifery, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dietetics and 11 other allied health professions in New Zealand were contacted and a person with relevant curriculum knowledge was invited to participate. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide to explore nine quality and safety domains; improvement science, patient safety, quality and safety culture, evidence-based practice, patient-centred care, teamwork and communication, leadership for change, systems thinking and use of information technology (IT).

Comprehensive analysis of microorganisms accompanying human archaeological remains.

Metagenome analysis has become a common source of information about microbial communities that occupy a wide range of niches, including archaeological specimens. It has been shown that the vast majority of DNA extracted from ancient samples come from bacteria (presumably modern contaminants). However, characterization of microbial DNA accompanying human remains has never been done systematically for a wide range of different samples.

Associations of the calcium-sensing receptor gene CASR rs7652589 SNP with nephrolithiasis and secondary hyperparathyroidism in haemodialysis patients.

Nephrolithiasis, secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), and cardiovascular complications are associated with disturbances in Ca handling and contribute to morbidity/mortality during haemodialysis (HD). Calcimimetics, activators of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), provide an effective means of reducing parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion in sHPT. Polymorphism in CaSR gene (CASR) influences Ca-related parameters, however it was not shown in HD patients for CASR rs7652589.

Procedural and examination skills of first-year house surgeons: a comparison of a simulation workshop versus 6 months of clinical ward experience alone.

Aim: To assess the impact of a simulation workshop prior to starting clinical work, on the practical and examination skills of first-year postgraduate house surgeons (PGY1s) starting at Hutt Hospital (Lower Hutt, New Zealand) and to compare this to 6 months of clinical ward experience alone.

Methods: Self-reporting questionnaires on clinical examination, and procedural skills were used to compare a 'control' group of 10 PGY1s who had 6 months on-the-ward training only, to a second 'intervention' group of 10 PGY1s who underwent training in a simulation skills workshop prior to starting clinical work.

Results: The small numbers of PGY1s limit generalisation of the findings, however certain trends are evident.

Procedural and examination skills of first-year postgraduate doctors do not improve with clinical experience alone.

Aim: To look for factors mitigating for or against first-year postgraduate house surgeons (PGY1) gaining experience in examination and procedural skills.

Methods: Ten PGY1s at Hutt Hospital (Lower Hutt, New Zealand) filled in self-reporting questionnaires to assess the impact of 6 months of on-the-ward training on their baseline competence in clinical examination and procedural skills. Opportunities for skills acquisition, and barriers (if any) towards gaining experience were assessed.