Humanizująca siła narracji w akademickim nauczaniu EFL jako odpowiedź na wyzwania edukacyjne po pandemii COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic enforced rapid changes in teaching methodology, practically revising the widely applied academic practices and traditional approaches. Upon entering the spaces of classrooms after demanding remote learning, academic teachers and students encounter several challenges that pertain to building humanizing learning environments, as times differ from those before the pandemic. Therefore, promoting humanizing pedagogy in higher education is critically needed right now. The purpose of the article is to detail theoretical and practical solutions for academic teachers to inspire them to implement a narrative approach in their academic classrooms. Empirical studies support that when humanizing pedagogy is put into practice, it can strengthen reflective and dialogic approaches to teaching English, including teaching a specialist language. The practical suggestions on how to implement these approaches into teaching EFL and ESP in the context of Polish higher education distinctively show the potential of narratives and storytelling as didactic tools translating into an opportunity to design modern, high-quality English language courses.Pandemia COVID-19 wymusiła gwałtowne, nieprzewidziane zmiany w metodyce nauczania, praktycznie rewidując powszechnie stosowane praktyki akademickie i tradycyjne podejścia. Trudy nauczania zdalnego przełożyły się na jeszcze liczniejsze kolejne wyzwania, z którymi przyszło się zmierzyć nauczycielom akademickim po powrocie, mianowicie związane z tworzeniem humanizacyjnej przestrzeni edukacyjnej. Doświadczenia wywołane kryzysem covidowym jednoznacznie pokazały, że promowanie pedagogiki humanizującej w szkolnictwie wyższym jest teraz niezwykle potrzebne. Celem artykułu jest wyszczególnienie teoretycznych i praktycznych rozwiązań mających na celu zainspirowanie nauczycieli akademickich do wdrożenia podejścia narracyjnego w swoich salach wykładowych. Badania empiryczne potwierdzają, że humanizująca pedagogika może wzmocnić refleksyjne podejście do nauczania języka angielskiego, w tym do nauczania języka specjalistycznego. Praktyczne sugestie, jak wdrożyć te podejścia w kontekście polskiego szkolnictwa wyższego, wyraźnie pokazują potencjał narracji i opowiadania historii jako narzędzi dydaktycznych, przekładając się na możliwość projektowania nowoczesnych, wysokiej jakości kursów języka angielskiego

Shoot cultures of Scutellaria subvelutina Rech. f. - the impact of growth regulators on secondary metabolites accumulation

Scutellaria subvelutina Rech.f. jest gatunkiem mało poznanym. Jej naturalnym stanowiskiem są rejony Palestyny, Syrii, Libanu, Turcji oraz Arabii Saudyjskiej. Roślina ta należy do rodzaju Scutellaria, a zatem można wnioskować, iż jest ona bogatym źródłem flawonów, m.in: bajkaleiny, bajkaliny, wogoniny i wogonozydu. Związki te odznaczają się szeroką, wielokierunkową aktywnością biologiczną, z czym związane jest ich potencjalne wykorzystanie farmakologiczne.Celem niniejszej pracy było prowadzenie pędowych kultur in vitro Scutellaria subvelutina Rech.f. przez okres 4 tygodni na podłożu wg Murashige i Skoog oraz ocena wpływu regulatorów wzrostu roślin w różnych stężeniach: 6-aminobenzylopuryny (BAP) oraz kwasu 1-naftylooctowego (NAA) na akumulację metabolitów. Analizę jakościową oraz ilościową metabolitów wtórnych w uzyskanych ekstraktach z biomasy dokonano metodą HPLC.W badanych ekstraktach potwierdzono obecność: skutelaryny, bajkaliny, wogonozydu, bajkaleiny, oroksyliny A, wogoniny, kwasu p-hydroksybenzoesowego, kwasu kawowego, kwasu ferulowego, kwasu m-kumarowego, kwasu rozmarynowego, werbaskozydu oraz izowerbaskozydu. Wariant podłoża MS z dodatkiem regulatorów wzrostu w stężeniu 3 mg/l BAP oraz 1 mg/l NAA najbardziej sprzyjał akumulacji oznaczonych metabolitów wtórnych. Na tym podłożu stwierdzono największą całkowitą zawartość flawonoidów, kwasów fenolowych oraz glikozydów fenylopropanoidowych, odpowiednio 574,841 mg/100 g s.m., 81,309 mg/100 g s.m. oraz 457,389 mg/100 g s.m.. Natomiast dominującymi metabolitami w poszczególnych grupach były: wogonozyd, kwas rozmarynowy oraz werbaskozyd, których zawartość wynosiła odpowiednio 346,399 mg/100 g s.m., 66,638 mg/100 g s.m. oraz 440,548 mg/100 g s.m..Scutellaria subvelutina Rech.f. is a little-known species. Its natural position is inthe regions of Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. This plant belongs to the genus Scutellaria, so it can be concluded that it is a rich source of flavones, includingbaicalein, baicalin, wogonin, and wogonoside. These compounds are characterized by wide, multidirectional biological activity, which is related to their potential pharmacological use.The aim of this study was to maintain Scutellaria subvelutina Rech.f. in vitro shoot cultures for 4 weeks on a medium according to Murashige and Skoog and to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators at various concentrations: 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on the accumulation of metabolites. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the obtained secondary metabolites in biomass extracts was performed using the HPLC method.In the extracts tested, the presence of scutellarin, baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, oroxylin A, wogonin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, mcoumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, verbascoside and isoverbascoside. The MS medium variant with the addition of growth regulators at a concentration of 3 mg/l of BAP and 1 mg/l of NAA was the most favorable for the accumulation of identified secondary metabolites. This medium showed the highest total content of flavonoids, phenolic acids,and phenylpropanoid glycosides, 574.841 mg/100 g DW, 81.309 mg/100 g DW and 457.389 mg/100 g DW, respectively. Whereas the most dominant metabolites among these groups were: wogonoside, rosmarinic acid, and verbascoside which were respectively 346.399 mg/100 g DW, 66.638 mg/100 g DW and 440.548 mg/100 g DW

Idiopathic anaphylaxis

Anafilaksja idiopatyczna jest ciężką, zagrażającą życiu systemową lub uogólnioną natychmiastową reakcją nadwrażliwości o objawach podobnych/zbliżonych do innych postaci anafilaksji. Dotyczy ok. 30-60% przypadków u dorosłych i ok. 20% przypadków u dzieci. W patogenezie anafilaksji idiopatycznej istotną rolę mogą odgrywać zespół alfa-gal, mastocytoza, schorzenia przebiegające z aktywacją komórki tucznej oraz ukryte alergeny i kofaktory – wysiłek fizyczny, alkohol, leki. Objawy kliniczne anafilaksji idiopatycznej oraz postępowanie terapeutyczne są identyczne jak w anafilaksji o znanym czynniku sprawczym. W pracy omówiono epidemiologię anafilaksji, patomechanizm, diagnostykę oraz postępowanie terapeutyczne według wytycznych międzynarodowychIdiopathic anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening systemic or generalized immediate hypersensitivity reaction with symptoms similar to resembling other forms of anaphylaxis. It concers approximately 30-60% of cases in adults and 20% of cases in children. In the pathogenesis of idiopathic anaphylaxis, alpha-gal syndrome, mastocytosis, diseases associated with mast cell activation, and hidden allergens and cofactors -physical exertion, alcohol, drugs can play a significant role. The clinical manifestations of idiopathic anaphylaxis and therapeutic management are identical to those of anaphylaxis with a known causative agent. The paper discusses epidemiology of anaphylaxis, pathomechanism, diagnostics and therapeutic management according to international guidelines

In Vitro Cultures of <i>Scutellaria brevibracteata</i> subsp. <i>subvelutina</i> as a Source of Bioactive Phenolic Metabolites

Some of the more than 350 Scutellaria species, such as S. baicalensis and S. lateriflora, have been used in traditional medicine and today play an important role in official phytotherapy. Other species have been less investigated, and their therapeutic potential is unknown. This is one of the few studies on Scutellaria brevibracteata subsp. subvelutina, and the first research of this species’ in vitro cultures. The aim of this study was to establish an in vitro culture and analyse its phytochemical profile and biological activity. In the methanolic extracts from biomass cultured on six solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium variants supplemented with different combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in the range 0.5–3 mg/L analysed by HPLC, the presence of specific flavonoids (baicalein, baicalin, wogonin, wogonoside, scutellarin, chrysin), phenylpropanoid glycosides (verbascoside, isoverbascoside), and phenolic acids (p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, ferulic, m-coumaric acids) was confirmed. The dominant metabolites were wogonoside and verbascoside with the highest content of 346 and 457 mg/100 g DW, respectively. Thus, the extract with the highest content of bioactive metabolites was selected for further research and subjected to evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. The extract exhibited good free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.92 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and moderate reducing power and chelating activity. The brine shrimp lethality bioassay proved its lack of biotoxicity. Antimicrobial activity was tested against sixteen strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The strongest growth inhibitory activity was observed against Trichophyton tonsurans

Lichen Secondary Metabolites Inhibit the Wnt/&beta;-Catenin Pathway in Glioblastoma Cells and Improve the Anticancer Effects of Temozolomide

Lichens are a source of secondary metabolites with significant pharmacological potential. Data regarding their possible application in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment are, however, scarce. The study aimed at analyzing the mechanism of action of six lichen secondary metabolites: atranorin, caperatic acid, physodic acid, squamatic acid, salazinic acid, and lecanoric acid using two- and three-dimensional GBM cell line models. The parallel artificial membrane permeation assay was used to predict the blood-brain barrier penetration ability of the tested compounds. Their cytotoxicity was analyzed using the MTT test on A-172, T98G, and U-138 MG cells. Flow cytometry was applied to the analysis of oxidative stress, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis, whereas qPCR and microarrays detected the induced transcriptomic changes. Our data confirm the ability of lichen secondary metabolites to cross the blood-brain barrier and exert cytotoxicity against GBM cells. Moreover, the compounds generated oxidative stress, interfered with the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis in T98G cells. They also inhibited the Wnt/&beta;-catenin pathway, and this effect was even stronger in case of a co-treatment with temozolomide. Transcriptomic changes in cancer related genes induced by caperatic acid and temozolomide were the most pronounced. Lichen secondary metabolites, caperatic acid in particular, should be further analyzed as potential anti-GBM agents

Lichen Secondary Metabolites Inhibit the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Glioblastoma Cells and Improve the Anticancer Effects of Temozolomide

Lichens are a source of secondary metabolites with significant pharmacological potential. Data regarding their possible application in glioblastoma (GBM) treatment are, however, scarce. The study aimed at analyzing the mechanism of action of six lichen secondary metabolites: atranorin, caperatic acid, physodic acid, squamatic acid, salazinic acid, and lecanoric acid using two- and three-dimensional GBM cell line models. The parallel artificial membrane permeation assay was used to predict the blood-brain barrier penetration ability of the tested compounds. Their cytotoxicity was analyzed using the MTT test on A-172, T98G, and U-138 MG cells. Flow cytometry was applied to the analysis of oxidative stress, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis, whereas qPCR and microarrays detected the induced transcriptomic changes. Our data confirm the ability of lichen secondary metabolites to cross the blood-brain barrier and exert cytotoxicity against GBM cells. Moreover, the compounds generated oxidative stress, interfered with the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis in T98G cells. They also inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and this effect was even stronger in case of a co-treatment with temozolomide. Transcriptomic changes in cancer related genes induced by caperatic acid and temozolomide were the most pronounced. Lichen secondary metabolites, caperatic acid in particular, should be further analyzed as potential anti-GBM agents

Neurosmog:Determining the impact of air pollution on the developing brain: Project protocol

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) may affect neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. The mechanisms underlying these relationships are not currently known. We aim to assess whether PM affects the developing brains of schoolchildren in Poland, a country characterized by high levels of PM pollution. Children aged from 10 to 13 years (n = 800) are recruited to participate in this case–control study. Cases (children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) are being recruited by field psychologists. Population-based controls are being sampled from schools. The study area comprises 18 towns in southern Poland characterized by wide-ranging levels of PM. Comprehensive psychological assessments are conducted to assess cognitive and social functioning. Participants undergo structural, diffusion-weighted, task, and resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PM concentrations are estimated using land use regression models, incorporating information from air monitoring networks, dispersion models, and characteristics of roads and other land cover types. The estimated concentrations will be assigned to the prenatal and postnatal residential and preschool/school addresses of the study participants. We will assess whether long-term exposure to PM affects brain function, structure, and connectivity in healthy children and in those diagnosed with ADHD. This study will provide novel, in-depth understanding of the neurodevelopmental effects of PM pollution