Sensory quality of selected natural yoghurts available on the Polish market

Introduction: The fermented milk drinks include: yogurt, kefir, fermented milk, acidophilic milk, koumiss and new generation dairy products. The high nutrient content of yogurt is related to the composition of the milk it is made of. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the sensory quality of selected natural yoghurts available on the Polish market.Material and methods: The research material consisted of 8 natural yoghurts available on the Polish market. Natural yoghurts were purchased in supermarkets in the Silesian Voivodeship. The intensity of the examined features (color, taste, smell, consistency, general appearance) was assessed using a proprietary card for evaluation on a five-point scale (5 - very good quality, 1 - disqualifying quality). Results: The results of the sensory evaluation using the 5-point method: The highest mean was obtained by the yoghurt code: 125 - 4.34 (± 0.47) and the worst by the respondents was the yogurt with the code: 596 - 3.54 (± 0.77). The results of the sensory evaluation carried out by the scheduling method: the highest scores were obtained for natural yoghurts with the codes 133 and 189.Conclusions: The evaluation of the sensory quality of selected natural yoghurts carried out using the five-point method showed that the highest overall score was obtained by yogurt containing: milk, powdered milk, milk proteins, calcium, live cultures of yoghurt fermentation bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5® i Bifidobacterium BB-12®.The evaluation carried out by the ranking method showed that yoghurts with the following compositions were best evaluated by the respondents: milk, milk proteins, live yoghurt bacteria cultures and milk, live bacteria cultures, selected lactic acid strains of Bifidobacterium BB-12®, 0% fat.The lowest score of respondents in the sensory evaluation with the use of both methods was obtained by natural yoghurt with the following composition: milk, live bacteria cultures

Total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage in a 60-year-old woman diagnosed in an ECG-gated multidetector computed tomography : a case report and review of literature

Purpose: Total anomalous pulmonary vein drainage (TAPVD) is a congenital cardiac defect in which there is no connection between pulmonary veins and the left atrium. Pulmonary veins form a confluence independent of the left atrium and drain to a systemic vein. TAPVD types are: supracardiac, cardiac, infracardiac, and mixed. TAPVD accounts for approximately 1.5-2.2% of all congenital heart diseases. This anomaly is usually diagnosed in the neonatal period, and it coexists with atrial septal defect. Adult cases of TAPVD are rarely reported. Case report: We report a rare case of a 60-year-old woman with incidentally found, uncorrected TAPVD in ECG-gated multidetector computed tomography. In previous echocardiographic examinations partial anomalous pulmonary venous return and atrial septal defect were diagnosed. Conclusions: ECG-gated multidetector computed tomography is a valuable diagnostic method for adults with congenital heart disease. It enables evaluation of coronary arteries and simultaneously provides detailed anatomy of great vessels

Nutritional knowledge and nutritional status of the recreationally active population

Introduction. Adequate nutrition combined with physical activity is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Recreational sportspersons should know how to adjust their nutrition to physical activity in order to benefit their health. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional knowledge of recreationally active people and to assess the influence of BMI and gender on the level of nutritional knowledge. Material and methods. The study was conducted with the use of 200 participants aged 15-55 years living in the city of Katowice. The respondents were physically active at least 3 times a week for at least 1 hour. Nutritional knowledge was assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed by means of the BMI index, and for its assessment, the ranges recommended by the World Health Organization were adopted. Results. Most of the respondents - 33.5% (n=77) declared that they practiced weight training, 15.5% (n=31) attended group fitness classes, 14.5% (n=29) practiced running, fewer people practiced team sports and cycling. The nutrition knowledge of the majority of the respondents was at a sufficient level (n=136), 44 respondents had good nutrition knowledge and 22 respondents had insufficient nutrition knowledge. None of the respondents had very good nutrition knowledge. More than 70% of respondents had normal BMI (n=142), more than 25% (n=51) were overweight, and 7 subjects had BMI values below normal. Conclusions. There was no relationship between gender, BMI, and level of nutritional knowledge. The study shows that there is a need for nutritional education for recreational sportsmen

Possibility of using sweeteners in the prevention of obesity development

Background. The problem of the 21st century both in Poland and around the world is overweight and obesity, and diabetes. Due to the increased incidence of these diseases, the consumption of intense sweeteners, which are used as substitutes for sucrose, has increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sweet taste intensity of selected sweeteners in comparison with the benchmark - beet sugar. Methods. The material for the study consisted of four sweeteners: sugar, xylitol, stevia, and cane sugar. The substances were subjected to dilution in an infusion of black tea. This tea was then divided into 4 portions and each portion was sweetened with a different sweetener at a rate of 20g per 1l of infusion. The samples were coded with 3-digit codes, and the paired method was used for sensory evaluation. A total of 78 people participated in the study. Results. Differences in the intensity of sweet taste between beet sugar and the substitutes used were confirmed. Cane sugar and xylitol were characterized by a lower intensity of sweet taste, but these substitutes were preferred compared to beet sugar. Stevia is characterized by greater sweetness than beet sugar, while survey respondents strongly preferred beet sugar. Conclusions. Consumers, participating in the survey, prefer products with a less intensely sweet taste. Learning about consumers' preferences for sweet taste will allow the use of appropriately preferred substances in the production of food and dishes. This will have a positive effect on the sugar content of the daily ration and its overall consumption

Assessment of sensory preference and frequency of carbohydrate bar consumption by physically active people

Introduction: Active lifestyles are causing an increase in interest directed toward foods, many athletes use specially formulated food products that concentrate large amounts of nutrients in a small volume, while also being easily digestible and quickly absorbed. The main objective of the study was to compare selected commercially available products prepared for physically active people with those prepared based on proprietary recipes and natural, commonly available ingredients. Material and method: The material used in the comparative study was energy bars from three sources: popular market bars from the leading manufacturers in the Polish market and available in most grocery stores, specialized bars, and bars made according to the author's recipe in imitation of the above snacks using natural ingredients.  The evaluation of the use of supplements was based on the author's survey questionnaire on consumer preferences and frequency of consumption of carbohydrate products, using energy bars as an example. Results: Bars prepared according to the author's recipe received scores of 2 and 3 for taste and texture and scores of 1 and 2 for the input of basic raw materials. Evaluation of the use of supplements was carried out in a group of 147 people, the study group was dominated by people who train in cycling and running. About 65% of the respondents declared that they use energy bars. Among those who use energy bars, the largest number of respondents declared that they use specialty bars (20%), 15% of respondents use market bars and 8% make the bars themselves. Conclusions: The results of the sensory evaluation of bars prepared according to the author's recipe indicate the need to modify their composition, especially in terms of improving the texture. Carbohydrate supplements are used by respondents, especially if it is justified in the case of practicing endurance and endurance sports characterized by high intensity of training, i.e. cycling and running

Legal and organizational aspects of the implementation of immunization in Poland after the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction. Reducing the transmission of infectious diseases both among vaccinated individuals and the general population is only possible with the introduction of mandatory vaccination. The purpose of this article is to analyze the normative acts in force in the territory of the Republic of Poland, regulating mandatory and recommended immunizations. State of the art description. In Poland, immunization is mandatory and carried out in accordance with the Immunization Program for children and adolescents up to the age of 19, and persons particularly vulnerable to disease are published annually as a communiqué of the Chief Sanitary Inspector in the Official Journal of the Minister of Health. The issue of recommended immunizations is clarified by the Regulation of the Minister of Health of September 16, 2010, on the list of recommended immunizations and how to finance and document recommended immunizations required by international health regulations. According to Article 17(6) of the Law, vaccination may be performed by a doctor, feldsher, nurse, midwife, and school hygienist, as long as they have the appropriate qualifications. These qualifications are described in detail in the Ordinance of the Minister of Health of August 18, 2011, on mandatory immunization. According to Article 16 of the Law on Patient Rights and Patient Ombudsman, every patient has the right both to consent and to refuse certain health services. Conclusion. Immunization on the territory of the Republic of Poland is mandatory and is subject to legal regulation in the form of laws, regulations, and announcements, cited above. The exceptions are recommended vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccination, which are voluntary but are also legally normalized.&nbsp

Dietary trends among Polish women in 2011–2022—cross-sectional study of food consumption frequency among women aged 20–50 in Silesia region, Poland

BackgroundWomen’s nutrition should be different from that of men. Women have lower energy requirements than men. And the need for certain vitamins and minerals is higher in women, this applies to iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin B9 (folic acid). This is related to hormonal changes including menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and the onset of menopause. Through hormonal changes and the changing physiological state, women are at greater risk of anaemia, bone weakness and osteoporosis.The aim of the study was to assess changes in the dietary pattern among women from the Silesian Agglomeration in Poland between 2011 and 2022.Material and methodThe survey was conducted in 2011 (March–May 2011) and in 2022 (October–November 2022) among women living in the Silesian Agglomeration (Silesia region) in Poland aged 20–50. After consideration of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 745 women were included in the final analysis, including 437 women screened in 2011 and 308 women screened in 2022.The research tool used in this publication was a survey questionnaire consisting of 2 parts. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of demographic data. The second part of the study focused on the dietary habits of the women surveyed and the frequency of consumption of individual foods (FFQ).ResultsMore women in 2022 ate breakfast than in 2011 (77.6% vs. 63.8% p < 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast I at home (73.1% vs. 62.5%; p < 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast II (39.0% vs. 35.2%; p = 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast II at home (28.6% vs. 19.2%; p = 0.002), and were more likely to eat lunch at work (16.6% vs. 3.4%; p < 0.001). Women in 2022 were more likely to consume fast-food (p = 0.001), salty snacks (chips, crisps) (p < 0.001) and sweets (p < 0.001). Women in 2022 were more likely to consume whole-grain bread (p < 0.001), wholemeal pasta (p < 0.001), brown rice (p < 0.001), oatmeal (p < 0.001), buckwheat groats (p = 0.06), and bran (p < 0.001) than women in 2011. They were less likely to consume white bread (p < 0.0001), light pasta (p = 0.004), white rice (p = 0.008) and cornflakes (p < 0.001) in 2022.Women in 2022 were significantly more likely to consume vegetables (p < 0.001) than women in 2011.ConclusionEating habits in Silesia region women changed between 2011 and 2022. In 2022, women were more likely to choose cereal products considered health-promoting and rich in dietary fiber (including whole-grain bread, whole-grain pasta, oatmeal, bran) were more likely to consume vegetables, dry pulses and vegetarian dinners, and consumed less meat, cured meats, fish and dairy products. Consumption of fast-food, salty snacks (such as chips) and sweets increased

Dziedzictwo kulturowe. Edukacja. Historia. Dziedzictwo regionalne. Muzyka, literatura, sztuka i media

The following publication showcases research on national heritage by early career researchers from Poland. Articles included are related to the broad domain of pedagogy, spanning over social sciences or arts and humanities. Contributions represent both historical and contemporary insights from a range of disciplines: education, history, area studies, art and media studies. Various examples of national heritage are discussed from both Polish and general perspective. The aim of the book was to contribute to the process of inclusion of new researchers into interdisciplinary and intergenerational dialogue

Influence of ΔPhe residues on Conformation of peptide chain

In the past few years dehydropeptides have been highly investigated, mainly due to their biological activity: for instance, as antimicrobials or catalytic agents in some enzymes [1, 51-53]. In presented studies it was established that dehydrophenylalanine residue (ΔPhe) can be an interesting building block of various peptide chains, in order to control and modify a structure, conformation and function of the target molecule [3, 4, 5-7]. It was also pointed out that the length of a linker between dehydroamino acid residues (if two or more are present in a peptide chain) is a crucial factor in case of conformational dependence [23]. Short, one-residue spacers promote 310-helical structure, while longer ones increase the coexistence of 310-helical and α-helical conformers (Table 7). What is worth to notice, temperature or polarity of solvent can dramatically change the screw sense of obtained 310-helices (Table 11). Additionally, the screw sense can be altered by other variables, like chirality of C and N-terminus or dehydroamino acid isomer type (E or Z) [4-11]. Considering chain conformation, it can be disparate, depending on environment’s solid or liquid state (Table 7). Application of dehydropeptides is widely spread among assorted field of studies. As they can form a few self-assembled structures (e.g. nanotubes, nanovesicles or hydrogels), arise an opportunity of encapsulation of small drug molecules or trapping and releasing bioactive substances [47-49]. Sequences with incorporated dehydroamino acid residues were examined as a potential drug - interaction with negatively charged membrane of bacteria species is possible by virtue of positive polarization of peptide chain [51]. Part of the sequences exert an activity against E. coli, S. aureus, P. falciparum or highly dangerous MRSA, presenting versatile potential correlated with their secondary structure [50-53]

Peptidomimetics and aromatic foldamers in biological chemistry

The interests of the research group working under the supervision of professor Rafał Latajka at the Department of Bioorganic Chemistry at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology are focused on several projects in the field of biological chemistry. Regardless of whether a given project concerns – the synthesis and activity of new enzyme inhibitors, peptides, peptidomimetics, or aromatic foldamers – the thread of correlation between the structure and activity of the studied systems always plays a pivotal role. In this article we are presenting current projects in our research group