Leśmian’s Dreaded Dryads and their Slavic contexts (literary and otherwise

Amongst other female characters within the literary works of Bolesław Leśmian, we can fi nd the dziwożony (dreaded dryads) – demons from Slavic mythology inhabiting wetlands or forests, which are considered malicious and dangerous, because they kidnap newborn children and replace them with their own offspring. These characters were presented as wild women with long hair and breasts so saggy that they would use them as washing paddles. Analyzing literary texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries written by Polish authors (Seweryn Goszczyński, Michał Bałucki, Miron [Aleksander Michaux], Maria Konopnicka, Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer, Wiktor Gomulicki), Czech (Karel Jaromír Erben) and Russian writers (Konstantin Balmont), I would like to show how the representations of these female demons have changed over time and how Bolesław Leśmian stylized them in the poem Dziwożona and in the prose fragment Podlasiak, from the volume Klechdy Polskie.

Postapokaliptyczna wizja Rosji (na przykładzie współczesnej antyutopii rosyjskiej)

Post-apocalyptic Vision of Russia (Based on Modern Russian Distopia) The following article focuses on the new genre of antiutopia which appeared after the collapse of the USSR. Not only do we consider the antiutopia as the literary genre but as the attitude toward reality and the style of thinking as well. Modern antiutopia (like Kysh by Tatyana Tolstoy) does not warn us against communism together with its concentration camps, tortures and utopian ideas… It shows what can happen with people when they will lose their culture, especially literature and language. The human beings change into creatures with special ugly effects, their mentality is badly disturbed and they behave as newborn children. The citizens of Russian country presented in Kysh, are afraid of everything and everybody only because they do not know their history, the knowledge about themselves. Books are strictly forbidden, thinking and reading seem to be the worst illness. Paradoxically special brigade of firemen was created in order to burn down books and to kill their holders. It turned out that people may regain their identity only by overcoming their fear.

The Myth of Madness: Murderous Mothers and Maternal Infanticide

The sex-specific doctrine of infanticide provides a merciful method of dealing with women who kill their newborn children in circumstances of psychological distress. This article examines the contentious medical rationale which underpins infanticide legislation with the purpose of providing a substantiated argument for the abolition of this antiquated doctrine. Specifically, a two-pronged approach is taken. First, by utilising the views of contemporary medical science, the scientific credibility of the medical rationale is scrutinised. Second, by drawing upon feminist legal theory, a myriad of concerns associated with the medicalisation of female offenders are critically discussed. Ultimately, it is suggested that the offence/defence of infanticide should be abolished and that crimes of this nature should be readily subsumed under the current partial defence of diminished responsibility.

Pathological conditions in newborns against the background of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia in their mothers

Undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD) in pregnant women reduces the adaptive capacity of their newborns and is an unfavorable background for the development of certain pathological conditions of the perinatal period. At the same time, information on the spectrum of diseases in children born to mothers with clinical manifestations of UCTD is rather contradictory. Purpose — to study the nature and direction of the correlation between certain pathological conditions in newborns and clinical signs of UCTD in their mothers. Materials and methods. We examined 75 women in labor aged 16 to 44 years old and their 75 newborn children (38 boys and 37 girls) during 2018–2020. The number of girls and boys is approximately the same, the gender difference between children did not affect on the results of the study. The newborns gestational age (GA) was 28–42 weeks, and their birth weight (BW) was 1500–4070 g. Among them there were 51 (68%) full-term, and 24 (32%) — preterm infants. Anthropometric indices (AI), which were used to confirm dolichostenomelia as a UCTD marker, were calculated for mothers and their children. The integral indicator of dolichostenomelia (IID) was determined by summing the standardized values of these coefficients for each mother and child. The presence of neonatal encephalopathy, congenital pneumonia, interventricular septal defect (IVSD), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), respiratory distress syndrome, asphyxia at birth, grade I–II of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and necrotizing enterocolitis were taken into account in children. As for mothers, the presence of complications of their pregnancy and labor associated with UCTD was taken into consideration, and in addition, hypermobility of the joints was assessed according to the Beighton scale. Women were divided into two groups: group I (n=45) consisted of women with >1 anthropometric marker of UCTD, group II (n=30) involved mothers who did not have any of these markers. Newborn children were divided into two groups, respectively: group I involved newborns from mothers with signs of UCTD, group II consisted of borned from mothers without signs of UCTD. Results. It was found that mothers with UCTD markers reliably more often had children weighing less than 2500 g (ϕс=0.251; р=0.029). According to the results of the morbidity analysis, it was clarified that children borned from mothers with UCTD manifestations, were more often suffering from congenital pneumonia (ϕс=0.218; р=0.049), IVSD (ϕс=0.241; р=0.037) and IUGR (ϕс=0.31; р=0.029). According to the results of the rank correlation analysis, a direct moderate correlation was established between the presence of progression of varicose veins in women during pregnancy and IID both in them (ρ=0.463; p<0.001) and in their children (ρ=0.369; p=0.001); a similar in degree and direction correlation of >3 UCTD associated obstetric complications with IID of mothers (ρ=0.305; p=0.008) and their children (ρ=0.326; p=0.004) was also found. At the same time, a positive weak correlation was established between mothers' IID and registration of placental dysfunction (ρ=0.231; p=0.046), polyhydramnios (ρ=0.234; p=0.043) in them. As for newborns, their IID had a direct moderate correlation with their mothers' IPD (ρ=0.364; p=0.001), and a weaker correlation with joint hypermobility in their mothers (ρ=0.258; p=0.025) and obstetric ruptures (ρ=0.230; p=0.047). Simultaneously, there were no statistically reliable differences between the groups of children by gender, their GA, age of their mothers and the mode of delivery. Conclusions. Consequently, children borned from mothers with clinical markers of UCTD are more often have low BW (p=0.029); during the neonatal period they have IUGR (p=0.029), congenital pneumonia (p=0.049) and IVSD (p=0.037) more often registered. It should also be noted that integral anthropometric markers of UCTD in newborn children have the most significant correlation with similar markers in their mothers (p=0.001), on the one hand, as well as with the progression of varicose disease in women during pregnancy (p=0.001) and a combination >3 UCTD associated obstetric complications (p=0.004), on the other hand. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. Key words: newborns, postpartum women, undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia.

STATE OF THE PROBLEM OF ORGANIZATION OF RESPIRATORY CARE FOR NEWBORN CHILDREN IN TODAY’S RUSSIA: SURVEY RESULTS OF A OF NEONATOLOGISTS AND INTENSIVE CARE SPECIALISTS

Objective of the study: to study the current situation regarding the introduction of modern methods of respiratory therapy in neonatal practice in the Russian Federation, on the basis of the results of the questionnaire, and to assess the dynamics of changes from 2013 to 2021. Materials and methods of research: the article analyzes the results of the survey of neonatologists and anesthesiologistsresuscitators from 163 settlements in 81 regions of the Russian Federation on various issues of providing respiratory care to newborns for the period from January 18, 2021 to May 7, 2021. The questionnaire included 82 question. Results: 489 Russian specialists took part in the survey. More than 90% of respondents were trained in respiratory therapy, most of whom worked in level 2 medical organizations (191 doctors) and level 3a perinatal centers (192 doctors). The main changes in respiratory therapy over the past 9 years have been mainly work in the delivery room: the proportion of doctors (from 9,4% to 54,7%) increased statistically significantly (p<0,001) (from 9,4% to 54,7%) who, according to indications, used CPAP as a starting method of respiratory therapy in premature infants at birth, oxygen mixers were used statistically significantly (p<0,001) (from 44,2% to 62,5%), statistically significant (p<0.001) increased the proportion of doctors (from 46,3% to 92, 1%) who performed the first administration of surfactant in the delivery room, introduced new respiratory strategies, 57% of doctors refused from «prolonged lung inflation» in the delivery room. Conclusion: a survey of specialists from almost all regions of the Russian Federation made it possible to obtain a clear picture of the problem of respiratory care for newborn children. The material obtained objectively demonstrated the evolution in the development and implementation of the most modern neonatal respiratory strategies in the Russian Federation over the past decade.

Ear Acupuncture Points in Neonates From Drug-Dependent Mothers: A Prospective Study

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the presence or absence of ear acupuncture points (EAP) in newborn children with or without neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and to confirm the hypothesis that neonates with NAS have more EAP than healthy neonates.Methods: We conducted a prospective case control study with ethical consent at the University Children's Hospital, Division of Neonatology Bern and the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Inselspital Bern in Switzerland. We determined the EAP in n = 26 newborn children born to drug-dependent mothers compared with n = 50 healthy newborns. For the detection of EAP, we used an ear point detection pen. EAP are present only if weakness exists in the corresponding area.Results: Twenty-six neonates who were born to drug-dependent mothers and developed NAS were screened on the 5th day after delivery (range 1–22). The median Finnegan Score was 12 points (range 6–18) on the day of examination. Twenty-four active EAP were detected on the left earlobe and 25 were detected on the right earlobe. There was no significant difference between the right and left lobes (p = 0.9285, two tailed test) and the number of acupuncture points. The correlation between the Finnegan Score and the number of EAP was highly significant (p = 0.0001). The most common active points were the psycho-vegetative rim of the reflex zone of sympathicus and parasympathicus. Organic points were also commonly detected. The urinary bladder, kidney and hip points were detected with a frequency of 12–15%. The shen men pain point was found in three neonates, and the point of desire as a psychological point, was also detected. The correlation between sex and active EAP was highly significant (p = 0.0093, Mann-Whitney test for the left earlobe and p = 0.0025 for the right earlobe). Boys had a significantly higher number of EAP than girls. All NADA points were detected in the neonates born to drug-dependent mothers, and the most frequent point was the vegetative point. Healthy neonates showed only the vegetative point in the vegetative rim 1/3 among the NADA points. A comparison of newborns born to drug-dependent mothers and 50 healthy neonates showed that the former group had statistically significantly more active points. For the left earlobe, the difference between neonates born to drug-dependent mothers and controls was statistically significant (p = 0.0008, Mann-Whitney test). Highly similar results were found for the right earlobe (p = 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test).Discussion: Our current work confirms that neonates born to drug-dependent mothers with high Finnegan scores and NAS have more EAP than healthy neonates. The vegetative rim is the most common point as shown in our previous studies. Our observations showed that twins had similar but not identical points; each individual had unique points depending on health status. Newborn boys with NAS had a higher number of EAP than newborn girls in the neonatal intensive care unit. This findings may be attributed to the reserve of newborns with NAS. Newborn girls are considered more robust than boys in the neonatal care setting. EAP in neonates might potentially be used for diagnosis and therapeutic opinions in neonates in the future.

AJARAN BHATARA KUMARA DALAM TUTUR KUMARA TATWA DAN PENGARUH TERHADAP KEHIDUPAN MANUSIA

Hindus considered Bhatara Kumara in Bali as a protector or guardian deity for newborn children. Offering and worshiping Bhatara Kumara is very important to do every day to protect or give children gifts. However, in Tutur Kumara Tatwa, Bhatara Kumara teachings are not only for children but for all people. The teachings conveyed are a form of self-control in this life. The teaching or education in Tutur Kumara Tatwa certainly has implications for human life, especially in Bali. Children's education is essential to do from an early age to develop good character. Good character is not only for children but also applies to all human beings. According to Tutur Kumara Tatwa, character education from Bhatara Siwa to Bhatara Kumara originated from a field where Bhatara Kumara was grazing called Argakuruksana. Bhatara Kumara felt like life in solitude. During his life as a shepherd, he had experienced many ups and downs. It is what can be learned as teaching or values in life that can affect human life. Bhatara Kumara was blessed or awarded by Bhatara Shiva to stay young, achieving eternal happiness. Bhatara Kumara is represented as the god of a baby. It means that babies should have received character education from their parents. Bhatara Kumara's role in human life, especially for Bali's Hindu community, is seen as the God of children from birth to Telung Oton's age (630 days). Bhatara Kumara is placed in Pelangkiran and is believed to be the child's protector or guardian

The importance of immunosupression in the development of the heavy form of cytomegaloviral infection in newborn children

Objective: to study the features of disorders in T and B cell immunity and the synthesis of serum immunoglobulins of classes IgA, IgM, IgG with the aim of predicting severe cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) in newborns.Research methods: 133 newborns with cytomegalovirus infection were examined. Lymphocytes were typed to differentiation clusters CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 using monoclonal antibodies, IMMUNOTECH (France). The expression of membrane markers of immunocompetent cells was determined using a Beckman COULTER EpicsXLII flow laser cytofluorimeter. Depending on the severity of the condition, all children were divided into two groups: 1 — CMVI, severe form — 60 people (45,1%); 2 CMVI, moderate form — 73 people (54,9%).Results. Using the «classification trees» method, we were able to develop a differentiated approach to the prognosis of a severe form of CMVI in newborn children. Systems of inequalities were obtained, four of which classify a subgroup of newborns with severe CMVI. Conclusion: the proposed diagnostic rules can be considered screening markers for prognosis of a severe form of CMVI in newborns.

Risk factor of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia: multilevel analysis of 2016 Demographic and Health Survey

Background In sub-Saharan African countries, neonatal mortality rates remain unacceptably high. Ethiopia is one of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with the highest death rates of newborn children. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with neonatal mortality in Ethiopia at the individual and community level. Methods The 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data was accessed and used for the analysis. A total of 2449 newborn children were included in the analysis. The multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify the significant factor of neonatal mortality. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 in the multilevel model was reported. Results A total of 2449 newborn children were included in this study. Multiple birth type (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI 2.78, 3.63), birth order of ≥ 5 (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI 1.75, 2.64), pre-term birth (AOR = 5.97; 95% CI 4.96, 7.20), no antenatal care (ANC) visit during pregnancy (AOR = 2.33; 95% CI 2.09, 2.61), not received TT injection during pregnancy (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.92, 2.71), delivered at home (AOR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.48, 2.69), less than 24 months of preceding birth interval (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI 1.35,1.68), smaller birth size (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.46, 1.71), never breastfeeding (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI 2.17, 2.72), poor wealth index (AOR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.17,1.41), non-educated mothers (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.46, 1.71), non-educated fathers (AOR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.12, 1.54), rural residence (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI 2.23, 3.29), unprotected water source (AOR = 1.35; 95% CI 1.16, 1.58), and have no latrine facility (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.50, 2.12) were associated with a higher risk of neonatal mortality. Neonates living in Amhara, Oromia, Somali, Harari, and Dire Dawa had a higher risk of neonatal mortality compared to Tigray. Moreover, the random effects result showed that about 85.57% of the variation in neonatal mortality was explained by individual- and community-level factors. Conclusions The findings suggest that attention be paid to education-based programs for mothers that would highlight the benefits of delivery care services, such as ANC visits, TT injections, and facility births. Meanwhile, public health initiatives should focus on expanding access to quality sanitation facilities, especially for latrines and drinking water that could improve neonatal health at the community-level as a whole.