Physico-geographical mesoregions of Poland : verification and adjustment of boundaries on the basis of contemporary spatial data

The programme of identification, cataloguing and evaluation of Polish landscapes, part of the implementation of the European Landscape Convention, has caused an increase in interest in physico-geographical regionalisation over recent years. The commonly accepted regionalisation of Poland developed by J. Kondracki (Kondracki & Richling 1994) is sufficient for work at an overview scale (e.g. 1:500,000), whereas its spatial accuracy is too low to make use of it for the purpose of Polish landscape cataloguing. The aim of this article is to present a more up-to-date and detailed division of Poland into mesoregions, adjusted to the 1:50,000 scale. In comparison with older work, the number of mesoregions has increased from 316 to 344. In many cases, some far-reaching changes in meso- and macroregions were made. Nevertheless, in most cases the previous system of units was maintained, with more detailed adjustment of boundaries based on the latest geological and geomorphological data and the use of GIS tools for the DEM analysis. The division presented here is a creatively developing new work aligning the proposals of the majority of Polish researchers. At the same time, it is a regionalisation maintaining the idea of the work developed by J. Kondracki as well as his theoretical assumptions and the criteria used to distinguish units, which makes it a logical continuation of his regional division

Determination of the Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Properties of Salvia viridis L. Shoots: A Comparison of Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extracts

Salvia viridis L. is an annual herb used in Mediterranean medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine the polyphenol profile of aqueous (decoction and infusion) and hydroethanolic extracts of aerial parts of field-grown S.viridis and to evaluate their antioxidant activity. The polyphenol profiling was performed via UPLC-DAD/ESI-MS. Additionally, the total polyphenol content in extracts tested were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The antioxidant effect was evaluated by the FRAP, DPPH, ABTS, O2•− scavenging and TBARS methods. The hydroethanolic extract gave the highest content of total phenolic compounds, followed by the infusion. The UPLC-DAD/ESI-MS analysis of extracts showed a total of 19 phenolic compounds identified as flavonoids (four compounds), phenylethanoids (eight compounds) and phenolic acids (seven compounds). Rosmarinic acid was the predominant phenolic acid, verbascoside was the predominant phenylethanoid, while apigenin glucuronide or methylluteolin glucuronide, depending on the sample, were the predominant flavonoids in the analyzed extracts. The presence of a high polyphenol level indicated a high antioxidant activity of both the infusion and the hydroalcoholic extract. These results indicate that S. viridis is a rich resource of phenolic compounds and can be used in dietary applications with the potential to reduce oxidative stress

Studies on the antioxidant properties of extracts from the roots and shoots of two Scutellaria species in human blood plasma

We determined the in vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts from the shoots and roots of Scutellaria species (S. altissima and S. alpina) against the action of strong oxidants: hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and H2O2+Fe2+ (donor of hydroxyl radicals) on plasma proteins and lipids. Lipid peroxidation in human plasma was measured by the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS). Protein oxidation was measured by quantitation of thiol group. We observed that the extracts (5-50 µg ml-1) containing phenolic compounds from both Scutellaria species distinctly reduced oxidation of lipids and proteins in human plasma treated with H2O2. These results also indicated that the extracts have a protective effect against oxidative damage to the human plasma lipids and proteins by induced hydroxyl radical. The main components of the plant materials analysed were flavonoids, present as aglycones (luteolin) or glycosides (cynaroside, baicalin, wogonoside). In all of the extracts, the phenylethanoid verbascoside was also found. The properties of the tested plant extracts were also compared with the action of a well characterised commercial antioxidative polyphenolic extract from the berries of Aronia melanocarpa (Aronox®). The comparative studies indicated that the analysed plant extracts were comparable to or even more effective in reducing the oxidation processes than the A. melanocarpa extract. The present study suggests that natural extracts from S. altissima and S. alpina have antioxidant activities and, therefore, may be beneficial in the prevention of diseases related to oxidant stress, such as cancer, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases

Evaluation of Patient Experiences Regarding Pharmacist-Administrated Vaccination and Attitude towards Future Additional Pharmacy Services in Poland

In order to increase the number of vaccinations performed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, a significant change was introduced in the legislation allowing for the vaccination to also be performed in pharmacies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among those who chose a pharmacy as a vaccination point during the pandemic COVID-19. The aim of the study was to determine the overall level of patient satisfaction with pharmacist-administered vaccination in pharmacies and to examine patient opinions regarding the further expansion of pharmacy services. A patient survey was conducted immediately after vaccination in the period from January to March 2022. A total of 398 questionnaires were completed. The respondents reported high satisfaction with pharmacist-administered vaccinations (94.5%). In addition, the majority of consumers felt safe during the vaccination procedure (98.5%), and 88.4% declared they would come for other vaccinations at the pharmacy. The two main reasons for choosing this vaccination place were easy access regarding location (94.2%) and proposed vaccination hours (95.2%). The participants reported high levels of satisfaction concerning the pre-vaccination interview (91.2%), information level before immunization (91.5%), injection technique (96.7%), adjusting the premises to the service (95%) and general care in pharmacy after with vaccination (87.7%). The majority of respondents supported the future expansion of pharmacist-administered services, although the support rate ranged from 52% to 83% depending on the type of service offered. The majority of patients supported the continuation of ongoing prescriptions, blood pressure and blood glucose measurement services by pharmacists. Our findings indicate that the involvement of pharmacies in vaccination programs and other public health services met high levels of patient acceptance

Cytokinin Signaling and De Novo Shoot Organogenesis

The ability to restore or replace injured tissues can be undoubtedly named among the most spectacular achievements of plant organisms. One of such regeneration pathways is organogenesis, the formation of individual organs from nonmeristematic tissue sections. The process can be triggered in vitro by incubation on medium supplemented with phytohormones. Cytokinins are a class of phytohormones demonstrating pleiotropic effects and a powerful network of molecular interactions. The present study reviews existing knowledge on the possible sequence of molecular and genetic events behind de novo shoot organogenesis initiated by cytokinins. Overall, the review aims to collect reactions encompassed by cytokinin primary responses, starting from phytohormone perception by the dedicated receptors, to transcriptional reprogramming of cell fate by the last module of multistep-phosphorelays. It also includes a brief reminder of other control mechanisms, such as epigenetic reprogramming

A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study on the Risk of Getting Sick with COVID-19, the Course of the Disease, and the Impact of the National Vaccination Program against SARS-CoV-2 on Vaccination among Health Professionals in Poland

Six months after starting the National Vaccination Program against COVID-19, a cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted among 1200 salaried and non-salaried healthcare workers (HCWs) in Poland. Its aim was to assess factors including the risk of exposure to COVID-19, experiences with COVID-19, the trust in different sources of knowledge about the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and the government campaign on vaccination as predictors of vaccination acceptance. The strongest awareness of a high risk of work-associated infection was demonstrated by doctors (D) (72.6%) and nurses and midwives (N) (64.8%); however, almost half of the medical students (MS) and nursing and midwifery students (NS) did not identify as a risk group. Out of several dozen variables related to sociodemographic characteristics and personal experience of COVID-19, only occupation, previous COVID-19 infection, and high stress seemed to significantly influence vaccination acceptance. Interestingly, only 6.7% of respondents admitted that the government campaign impacted their decision to vaccinate. This result is not surprising considering that the vast majority of respondents (87.8%) learned about vaccinations from sources such as academic lectures (29.9%), health professionals (29.0%), or the internet (28.9%). Those who gained information about vaccination from traditional media (radio, television, and daily press), a popular platform of the government campaign, had a lower propensity to vaccinate (OR = 0.16, p < 0.001). Additionally, almost twice as many considered the information provided in the campaign to be unreliable. Our findings, from this retrospective study, do not confirm that the government campaign was effective for healthcare professionals. Therefore, in this group, other forms of vaccination incentives should be sought. However, the vaccinated respondents were significantly more likely to support compulsory vaccination against COVID-19 among health professionals

Guggul- a herbal panacea from India

Guggul is an oleo-gum resin obtained from plants belonging to the genera Commiphora and Boswellia, within the Burseraceae family. Its source are mainly two species: Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhand. (syn. Commiphora mukul (Hook. ex Stocks) Engl. and Boswellia serrata (Roxb. ex Colebr.), which are native to India. In this area, they have been known from centuries and used in the traditional Indian medicine – Ayurveda for the treatment of variety of disorders such as: rheumatism, inflammation, liver dysfunction, gout, obesity, diabetes and disorders of lipids metabolism. The oleo-gum occurs in the resin canals located in the larger veins of the leaf and in the soft base of the stem. It is obtained through incision of the tree bark and outflow of the viscous, golden substance with characteristic myrrh-like fragrance. Guggul derived from C. wightii is a mixture of various chemical compounds, namely: an essential oil consisting of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes; as well as diterpenes, triterpenes, steroids, phenolic acids, lignans, guggultetrols, carbohydrates and amino acids. Whereas, the raw material obtained from B. serrata consists of resin, which is mostly made up of tetra- and pentacyclic triterpene acids, and moreover a hydrophilic fraction and an essential oil being a mixture of terpenes. It has been proven that guggul exerts various biological activities and influences life function through effects on lipids and glucose metabolism, endogenous nuclear receptors, inflammatory mediators or thyroid hormone homeostasis. It also has valuable antineoplastic, antimicrobial, hepato-, neuro- and cardioprotective properties. Nowadays, when the majority of the society takes notice to the healthy lifestyle and condition of natural environment, guggul and its components are increasingly used as dietary supplements. The following review summarizes the knowledge on the sources, phytochemistry, traditional and modern use, pharmacological properties and toxicological data of the raw material derived from C. wightii and B. serrata.Guggul jest oleożywicą otrzymywaną głównie z dwóch gatunków roślin: Commiphora wightii oraz Boswellia serrata z rodziny Osoczynowatych (Burseraceae). Oba te gatunki występują naturalnie na terenie Indii. Guggul jest surowcem, który przez wieki był stosowany w tradycyjnej medycynie indyjskiej (ajurwedzie) do leczenia takich schorzeń jak: reumatyzm, stany zapalne, dna moczanowa, otyłość czy zaburzenia profilu lipidowego. Oleożywica pozyskiwana z C. wightii jest mieszaniną różnych grup związków chemicznych, takich jak: olejek eteryczny zawierający monoterpeny i seskwiterpeny, diterpeny, triterpeny, steroidy, kwasy fenolowe, lignany, guggultetrole, węglowodany i aminokwasy. Z kolei surowiec pozyskiwany z B. serrata składa się z żywicy zawierającej głównie tetra- i pentacykliczne kwasy triterpenowe, frakcji hydrofilowej i olejku eterycznego będącego mieszaniną terpenów. Dzięki bogactwu składu chemicznego guggul wykazuje różne efekty biologiczne. Surowiec ten wpływa na metabolizm lipidów i glukozy, endogenne receptory hormonalne, mediatory procesu zapalnego czy funkcjonowanie tarczycy. Ponadto wykazuje on aktywność przeciwnowotworową, przeciwbakteryjną, hepato-, neuro- i kardioprotekcyjną. Dzięki swojemu potencjałowi leczniczemu, guggul coraz częściej pojawia się jako składnik suplementów diety. Celem niniejszej pracy jest przedstawienie aktualnego stanu wiedzy na temat oleożywicy guggul, charakterystyki gatunków roślin, z których jest pozyskiwana, jej składu chemicznego, aktywności biologicznej oraz form i bezpieczeństwa stosowania tego surowca roślinnego

The Effect of the Stress-Signalling Mediator Triacontanol on Biochemical and Physiological Modifications in <i>Dracocephalum forrestii</i> Culture

Triacontanol (TRIA) has been reported to influence signal transduction in the crosstalk triggered by various stress factors. As a signal player, it is also known to affect many physiological processes, including enhancing the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Such knowledge can be used to direct or boost the production of bioactive secondary compounds without stress induction. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the use of TRIA as a factor stimulating the growth and production of bioactive compounds in the shoot culture of Dracocephalum forrestii. TRIA was applied at three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 µM), alone or in combination with phytohormones (6-benzylaminopurine and indole-3-acetic acid). After five weeks, growth and physiochemical parameters (chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and phenolic acid level) were determined. The results indicate that TRIA application significantly increased shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase), and total polyphenol level; it also influenced the multiplication ratio in combination with growth regulators. The greatest antioxidant enzyme activity was observed for 5 µM TRIA in hormone-free medium, while the most significant secondary metabolite production was obtained for phytohormone-containing medium supplemented with 10 µM TRIA: total phenolic acid content (19.4 mg/g dry weight) was twice that of the control. Hence, the TRIA application appears to be a valuable biotechnology technique for modifying plant metabolite production