Landscape as a Potential Key Concept in Urban Environmental Planning: The Case of Poland

Rapid urban development increases the consumption of materials, energy, and water, resulting in an overproduction of waste and emissions. These cause many environmental threats, such as ozone layer depletion and rain acidification, leading to climate change. Therefore, the question arises on how to improve the effectiveness of tools that strengthen environmental protection. This discursive article presents an approach stressing the role of landscape in environmental protection in Poland. It indicates that landscape protection is an ecological, not just an aesthetic activity, as it is often considered in Poland. The landscape reflects all changes occurring in individual elements of the environment resulting from urban development. Through landscape transformations, one can track the growth and accumulation of adverse effects in the chain of environmental changes. Knowledge regarding the dynamics and scope of these transformations can improve ecological design and technologies. Therefore, the landscape condition should be treated as an indicator of sustainable development. If so, one could hypothesise that effective landscape protection contributes to minimising environmental and climate changes. The relationships between the landscape and environmental/climate threats discussed in this article prompt combining some tools related to these threats, which may ensure both effective landscape protection and sustainable development, leading to reduced climate change. The possibilities and benefits of integrating these tools are presented here as well. General considerations are supplemented with references to the situation in Poland to support the need for implementing a more policy-oriented and interdisciplinary approach to landscape protection

Concrete Versus Green Corridors in Road Planning. Gdansk Case

Urban structures are being increasingly cut by various technical barriers, in particular by the new or modernized roads connections. Their sizes are growing; accompanying infrastructure such as acoustic screens appear. This leads to the disadvantageous fragmentation of the urban tissue. Therefore urban landscape is being deformed. The separated parts of cities are becoming less accessible for residents. The functional, visual, environmental and social problems are growing and the need for solving them becomes essential. The presented article shows the threats and conflicts caused by new traffic systems forming concrete corridors. The possible mitigation methods such as the use of landscape architecture, EIA and green infrastructure for creating green corridors will be also presented. A planned, transit road in Gdansk called Droga Zielona will serve as a case study

The Changing Nature of In-Between Spaces in the Transformation Process of Cities

In the in-between spaces of cities, there are many problems of various nature and scale: functional, spatial, economic, environmental, visual, and social. There are also some hidden potentials that can be activated. The aim of the article is to explore the possibilities of solving existing problems and to show the possibilities of using the potentials of in-between spaces with regard to the changing nature of a city. The article, of a discursive character, aims to answer the questions of whether connecting a city with public spaces can be a catalyst of changes, and what tools should be used to facilitate the flux of material factors (like goods or natural resources) and immaterial matter (e.g., ideas or cultural patterns). The new approach is based on the assumption that this would be most effective when using landscape architecture, green/blue infrastructure, artistic strategies, and universal design in public spaces. The expected result of the research is to show the purposefulness and possibilities in creating attractive and safe public areas of in-between spaces as an on-going micro- or macro-process of urban change on a wider scale. It was recognised that integrated actions combining the humanistic, ecological, and technical approaches could bring significant benefits to society, preventing existing problems, not only spatial and visual (changing the city directly), but above all social and environmental, having an impact on the functioning of the city from a much longer perspective. The results of the research show how the transformation process of public spaces may change the nature of the cities, improve the compactness of existing cities, and increase the quality of life. Selected case studies are presented to show the scale, scope, and benefits of possible actions

Modification of immunocytochemical ZAP-70 assay for potential clinical application in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The ZAP-70 protein is a member of the Syk/ZAP protein tyrosine kinase family, normally expressed in T cells and NK cells but not found in normal, mature B cells. The protein plays a critical role in the initiation of T-cell signaling. Leukemic cells from patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) that expressed nonmutated immunoglobulin V genes were found to express levels of ZAP-70 protein that were comparable to those detected in T cells of healthy adults. The ZAP-70 protein expression can be evaluated by flow cytometry and may be used as a prognostic marker in B-CLL patients. We modified the method of immunocytochemical assessment of ZAP-70 expression. The traditional two-step method with monoclonal anti-ZAP-70 antibody in the first step followed by FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG was changed for one-step method with monoclonal anti-ZAP-70 antibody labeled by Zenon Alexa Fluor 488. The method is simple and fast. The major advantage of Zenon labeling technique is its compatibility with simultaneous staining of surface antigens. The cells may be earlier immunostained for CD3, CD19 and/or CD5 to compare of the ZAP-70 kinase expression in B and T cells

Manifestations of the pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally related with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS) in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems.

Introduction and objective: The course of the pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS) is not fully understood. In most cases, complications are so severe that the patients require hospitalization. The aim of this study is to discuss the most common symptoms in the course of PIMS in the individual systems. Review methods: The Medline database (Pubmed) was searched in March 2022 using the keywords: PIMS symptoms, MIS-C manifestations, hyperinflammation, post-COVID. English and Polish language papers published between 2020 and 2022 were selected. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Studies show that the most frequently occuring symptoms are fever, followed by gastrointestinal manifestations. However, the most serious complications have been reported in thecardiovascular system. It is estimated that up to half of the patients develop left ventricular failure or shock, and a quarter may develop coronary artery aneurysms. A large percentage of patients diagnosed with PIMS also manifest nervous system symptoms. In addition to symptoms, organic brain lesions have been described in imaging studies. In contrast to COVID-19 disease, respiratory complications are rare in PIMS. Respiratory failure, if present, usually develops secondary to cardiovascular failure. Summary: The current reports allow to state that PIMS is a rare, but serious disease affecting children most often in school age. Symptoms are not specific and may be different for each patient. Since the disease is difficult to diagnose, criteria have been developed that include the most common symptoms as well as a link to SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Key words: PIMS symptoms; MIS-C manifestations; hyperinflammation; post-COVIDWprowadzenie i cel pracy: Przebieg wieloukładowego zespołu zapalnego związanego z SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS) nie jest do końca poznany. W większości przypadków powikłania są na tyle poważne, że pacjenci wymagają hospitalizacji. Celem pracy jest omówienie najczęściej występujących objawów w przebiegu PIMS w poszczególnych układach. Materiał i metoda: W marcu 2022 roku została przeszukana baza danych Medline (Pubmed) przy użyciu słów kluczowych: PIMS symptoms, MIS-C manifestations, hyperinflammation, post-COVID. Wybrane zostały prace w języku angielskim i polskim, opublikowane w latach 2020-2022. Opis stanu wiedzy: Badania pokazują, że najczęściej, zaraz po gorące, występują dolegliwości ze strony układu pokarmowego. Najpoważniejsze powikłania odnotowano jednak w układzie sercowo-naczyniowym. Szacuje się, że nawet u połowy pacjentów dochodzi do niewydolności lewokomorowej lub wstrząsu, a u jednej czwartej mogą rozwinąć się tętniaki tętnic wieńcowych. Duży odsetek chorych z rozpoznanym PIMS manifestuje również objawy ze strony układu nerwowego. Poza objawami podmiotowymi opisywano również zmiany organiczne mózgu. W przeciwieństwie do choroby COVID-19 powikłania w układzie oddechowym występują rzadko. Niewydolność oddechowa, jeżeli występuje, najczęściej rozwija się wtórnie do niewydolności układu krążenia. Podsumowanie: Dotychczasowe doniesienia pozwalają stwierdzić, że PIMS jest rzadką, aczkolwiek poważną chorobą dotykającą dzieci najczęściej w wieku szkolnym. Objawy występujące w jej przebiegu nie są swoiste i mogą być różne u każdego pacjenta. Rozpoznanie choroby jest trudne, dlatego opracowano kryteria obejmujące najczęściej występujące objawy, a także powiązanie z ekspozycja na wirusa SARS-CoV-2. Słowa klucz: PIMS symptoms; MIS-C manifestations; hyperinflammation; post-COVID &nbsp

Complications after SARS-CoV2 virus infection in the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous systems and in the kidneys.

Introduction and objective: The mechanism by which the sars-cov-2 virus attacks organs and causes their long-term complications is not yet fully understood. Many patients who have had COVID-19 complain of various ailments more and more often, and some of them are admitted to hospitals as an emergency. The aim of the study is to present the most common complications after sars-cov-2  infection in selected systems and organs, as well as their consequences. Review methods: In February 2022, the Medline (PubMed) and Google Scholar databases were searched using the following keywords: after COVID-19 complications, long-term sequelae of covid-19, mortality after covid-19, post-covid, long covid . Works in English, French and German published in 2020-2022 were selected. Brief description of the state of knowledge: Accumulated statistics show that COVID-19 very often leaves fibrotic changes in the lungs and nonspecific symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent headache and loss of taste and smell. Symptoms of right ventricular failure and heart attacks of various etiologies are often observed, and vascular endothelium activated by infection can lead to thrombotic disorders in the lungs, brain and peripheral vascular systems. There was also an increase in the incidence of acute kidney injury during the pandemic. Summary: The reports so far allow to state that the disease process associated with covid-19 does not stop once the main symptoms resolve.Inflammatory changes in the body can continue for a long time and can lead to irreversible complications, sometimes with catastrophic consequences.Wprowadzenie i cel pracy: Mechanizm w jaki wirus sars-cov-2 atakuje narządy i powoduje ich długotrwałe powikłania nie jest do końca poznany. Wielu pacjentów, którzy przebyli COVID-19 coraz częściej skarży się na różne dolegliwości, a część z nich przyjmowana jest do szpitali trybie pilnym. Celem pracy jest przybliżenie najczęściej występujących komplikacji po infekcji sars-cov-2  w wybranych układach i narządach, a także ich następstw. Materiał i metoda: W lutym 2022 roku przeszukano bazy danych Medline (PubMed) oraz Google Scholar przy użyciu słów kluczowych: after COVID-19 complications, long-term sequelae of covid-19, mortality after covid-19, post-covid, long covid . Zostały wybrane prace w językach angielskim, francuskim i niemieckim opublikowane w latach 2020-2022. Opis stanu wiedzy: Zgromadzone statystyki pokazują, że COVID-19 bardzo często pozostawia zmiany zwłóknieniowe w płucach oraz niespecyficzne objawy takie jak duszność, utrzymujący się ból głowy czy utrata smaku i węchu. Często obserwuje się symptomy niewydolności prawej komory serca i zawały serca różnej etiologii, a aktywowany zakażeniem śródbłonek naczyń może prowadzić do zaburzeń zakrzepowych w płucach, mózgu i w obwodowym układzie naczyniowym. Podczas pandemii zanotowano także wzrost ilości przypadków ostrego uszkodzenia nerek. Podsumowanie: Dotychczasowe doniesienia pozwalają stwierdzić, że proces chorobowy związany z covid-19 nie kończy się w momencie ustąpienia głównych objawów. W organizmie zmiany zapalne mogą toczyć się jeszcze długi czas i prowadzić do nieodwracalnych powikłań, niekiedy katastrofalnych w skutkach. Słowa klucz: after covid complications; long-term sequelae of covid-19; mortality after covid-19; post-covid; long covi

Expression of HLA-G in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

The expression of HLA-G was reported in certain malignancies and its role in escaping from immunosurveillance in cancers was proposed since HLA-G is a nonconventional HLA class I molecule that protects fetus from immunorecognition during pregnancy. Recent studies proposed HLA-G as novel prognostic marker for patients with B-CLL. HLA-G was showed to bear even better prognostic information compared to Zeta-chain associated protein of 70kDa (ZAP-70) and CD38 although some other authors did not find HLA-G expression in CLL. Therefore in this study we characterized the expression of HLA-G on both RNA and protein level. In most of 20 B-CLL patients we were able to detect signal from HLA-G using flow cytometry analysis. The expression of HLA-G was confirmed on messenger level by real-time RT-PCR experiments. No correlation between HLA-G expression and expression of well established prognostic factors such as ZAP-70 and CD38 was detected. These results confirm that HLA-G is expressed on CLL leukemic cells. Furthermore the expression of HLA-G on CLL cells suggests that this molecule might be involved in escaping of CLL cells from immunosurveillance

Działania promujące Region Lubelski – Lubelskie. Smakuj Życie!

Promotional actions of Lublin Voivodeship – Lubelskie. Taste Life!The aim of the article is to describe the forms of promotional activities undertaken and realized by the Strategy of the Lublin Voivodeship Brand – Lubelskie. Taste Life!. A research was done in order to compare the assumptions of local education with the ideas included in the Strategy, which is bound with the development of the Voivodeship of Lublin. The work written in 2008 by the Department of Promotion and Tourism of the Marshal’s Office – “The Strategy of the Lublin Voivodeship  Brand – Building Brand Project for 2008-2020” was submitted to a  detailed analysis. The methods of document analysis and survey were used in researching the promotional forms included in the Strategy. The main vision of the brand was defined as Lublin EKOPOLIS expressed by a logo and the slogan: “Lubelskie. Taste Life!” The aims regarding the spread of knowledge about the region included in the Strategy are realized by advertisement campaigns and numerous cultural festivals. As a result, the Voivodeship of Lublin has probably become better known and perceived by Polish residents of big cities as well as by the Lublinians themselves. Perhaps the strategy  has caused an increase in the awareness and civil self-consciousness of the local society regarding to history, culture and tourist attractions of the region and it has led them to deepen their personal identification with the region as well as  openness to other cultures

Selected effects of combined oral contraceptives use

Introduction and objective:: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are one of the most popular methods of contraception worldwide. The universality of this method leads to the constant analysis of its influence on the female body. The purpose of this study is to discuss selected side effects of COC use. Review methods: In July 2022, articles found in the Medline (Pubmed) and Google Scholar databases were selected by using the following keywords: oral contraceptive use; risk of cancer; depression; side effects of hormonal contraception; venous thrombosis. Brief description of the state of knowledge: COC use has been shown to be associated with a 2-6 fold increase in the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). The component responsible for this side effect was initially thought to be synthetic estrogen - ethinylestradiol. It is now recognized as having the greatest influence on mood disorders. An increased risk of cancer has been reported in women taking COCs in case of breast cancer and liver cancer. Inverse relationship was observed in colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. Summary: COC use can have side effects, but it also has many health benefits. Therefore, it is important to constantly learn about this topic and minimize the risk of adverse side effects