Gene expression evolution in pattern-triggered immunity within Arabidopsis thaliana and across Brassicaceae species

Plants recognize surrounding microbes by sensing microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) to activate pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Despite their significance for microbial control, the evolution of PTI responses remains largely uncharacterized. Here, by employing comparative transcriptomics of six Arabidopsis thaliana accessions and three additional Brassicaceae species to investigate PTI responses, we identified a set of genes that commonly respond to the MAMP flg22 and genes that exhibit species-specific expression signatures. Variation in flg22-triggered transcriptome responses across Brassicaceae species was incongruent with their phylogeny, while expression changes were strongly conserved within A. thaliana. We found the enrichment of WRKY transcription factor binding sites in the 5′-regulatory regions of conserved and species-specific responsive genes, linking the emergence of WRKY-binding sites with the evolution of gene expression patterns during PTI. Our findings advance our understanding of the evolution of the transcriptome during biotic stress

Influence of exposure to patient aggression and professional experience on the psychological condition of various groups of healthcare workers

Purpose:To analyze the relationship between the psychological condition of representatives from various professional groups of healthcare workers, the degree of their exposure to patient aggression, as well as with the duration of their professional experience.Materials and methods:Study participants (n=1498) were employed at open and closed healthcare units within Podlaskie province: 493 nurses, 504 midwives and 501 physicians. The Work Features Evaluation Questionnaire and General Health Evaluation Questionnaire GHQ28 were applied, and the psychological condition of medical staff was examined based on a 30-question surveyResults:When analyzing all of the groups of medical personnel, the mean level of exposure to patient aggression fell within the moderate range. The highest level of aggression was experienced amongst nurses, while the lowest – amongst midwives. The analyzed groups did not differ significantly in terms of the level of their psychological condition. With the exception of physicians, no significant association was observed between levels of patient aggression and the psychological condition of the medical personnel. Amongst physicians, individuals who experienced lower levels of aggression were characterized by significantly higher psychological condition values when compared to personnel exposed to moderate or high levels of patient aggression. No significant linear correlations between psychological condition levels and the frequency of patient aggression or duration of professional experience were noted in any of the analyzed professional groups.Conclusions:A moderate level of exposure to patient aggression is not the main factor affecting the psychological condition of medical personnel

Effect of health behaviors on presentation and condition of the skin – a preliminary report

Introduction: Skin condition is determined by multiple factors, among them some which are beyond human control. However, it can be also indirectly modulated by positive health behaviors and cosmetic procedures. Objective: To analyze health behaviors and knowledge of factors determining skin condition among Polish university students. Materials and methods: The diagnostic survey, based on a questionnaire developed by the authors, included a total of 75 respondents. Results: The largest proportion of the study participants evaluated condition of their skin as moderate (41.3%). According to most respondents, skin condition is positively affected by balanced diet (78.7%), physical activity (68%), collagen (68%), calcium (41.3%) and diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, rice and grits. Up to 60% of the study subjects declared present or past intake of dietary supplements, 44% used dedicated cosmetics for facial skincare, and 58.7% consumed 1-2 liters of fluids per day. Sweetened beverages, alcohol, excess of coffee, tea and herbal infusions were considered unfavorable for skin health, similar to stimulants, such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and coffee. Up to 38.7% of the respondents declared a sedentary lifestyle. In the participants’ opinion, stimulants (85.3%), lack of hygiene (76%), inappropriate fluid repletion (68%) and too low physical activity (62.7%) are the most harmful factors for skin health. Conclusions: The study participants had basic knowledge of health behaviors and their beneficial or detrimental effects on the condition of human skin. The majority of the respondents used skincare cosmetics dedicated to a given body area. Keywords: Skin, health behaviors, knowledg

Zastosowanie proszków luminescencyjnych w cyfrowej fotografii plamkowej

For the generation of speckle images, a luminescent powder applied in a small amount to the sample surface and stimulated by UV radiation was used. We obtained fine-grained speckle patterns with very high contrast and small size of spots, The shape of the single speckle, unlike laser method, is circular, which is important for the effectiveness of the used digital image analysis methods. The measurements of displacements and deformations were made by use of digital image registration and its analysis using correlation procedures. The results are presented in the form of bitmaps, tables and graphs. The developed method was tested on flat wood specimens subjected to three-point bending.Do generacji obrazów plamkowych wykorzystano proszek luminescencyjny naniesiony w niewielkiej ilości na powierzchnię próbki i pobudzany do świecenia promieniowaniem UV. Uzyskano drobnoziarniste struktury plamkowe (speckle pattern) o bardzo wysokim kontraście i małym rozmiarze plamek, których kształt w przeciwieństwie do speckli laserowych jest kołowy, co ma istotne znaczenie dla skuteczności zastosowanych metod cyfrowej analizy obrazu. Pomiaru przemieszczeń i odkształceń dokonano poprzez cyfrową rejestrację obrazu i jego analizę przy użyciu procedur korelacyjnych. Wyniki zostały przedstawione poglądowo w postaci bitmap oraz w sposób bezpośredni w postaci tablic i wykresów. Opracowana metoda badawcza została przetestowana na płaskich próbkach drewnianych poddanych zginaniu trójpunktowemu

The perception of violence in children’s drawings

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the perception of violence held by children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 years based on their artworks. 163 children’s drawings submitted from across Poland on "Children against violence." were analyzed. These pictures were analysed according to their contents. The artworks were made using various techniques: torn paper collage, collage, wax scratch, coloring pages, painting using poster paints and watercolors. Drawings have been classified in twelve thematic groups: "aggression against things", "peer violence","violence and addiction", "family violence", "workplace violence", "on-line violence," verbal violence", the continuity of violence", difficult choices" ,and " help ". Children and adolescents are good observers and they see various forms of violence, especially signs of bullying, and the impact of addictions on their development. Children know how to avoid and reduce violence

Preferred patient behaviours related to health

Introduction: Health education is the child of medicine and pedagogy, and they share a common focus on humans. The aim of this study was to assess the preferred behaviours associated with health as well as the health locus of control of the tested patients.Materials and methods: The study included 300 patients from surgical wards (group I) and 300 from non-surgical wards (group II), studying them using the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) scales.Results: For the six statements contained in the Sanitary Behaviours Letter concerning proper nutrition, the surveyed patients received the lowest average values. Among the preventive behaviours, participants reported that they complied with medical recommendations, conducted settled family and social life, and reduced their smoking, but that they did not attach sufficient importance to rest or weight control. In relation to the four examined categories of behaviour, general indicators of the severity of health behaviour did not differ significantly between the groups, which both reported a low level of health behaviour. The majority of women expressed the conviction that their health depends on themselves, demonstrating internal health control, while men tended to claim that their health was dependent on fate or luck. Inhabitants of rural areas exhibited internal control and blamed their own health behaviour for their well-being. Urban residents, on the other hand, showed a stronger belief in the influence of others on their health.Conclusions: The majority of patients showed poor attention to health matters, especially in terms of preferred health practices. However, the less education the participants had and the worse their financial situation grew, the stronger the care for their own health became.Key words:Health behaviours, patients, HBI, MHL

Awareness of risk factors of malaria as an element of primary prophylaxis

Introduction: Malaria is the most common tropical infectious disease caused by parasitic protozoa, affecting every year about 220 million of people with about 1-3 million deaths. It is known that every 30 seconds one African child dies from malaria. Moreover, malaria as the most common imported tropical disease is the most frequent cause of deaths. Currently, in African countries, every year, about 300-500 million people have malaria, and more than a million die from malaria. A high percentage of deaths refers to children under 5 years old, pregnant women and susceptible individuals. Materials and methods: The examination was carried out from July to September, 2011 year in 60 peoplepatients of the Out-patients Clinic f St. Francis Hospital, in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, using the questionnaire created by author.Results: As many as 96.7% of respondents answered that the best method was avoiding mosquitoes via using bed mosquito nets and protective clothing. A total of 51.7% indicated chemical substances as an effective protective method against malaria. The surveyed named repellents such as liquids, aerosols, creams and sticks. Thirty two people (53.7%) wrote that an effective protective method against malaria was to avoid mosquitoes’ incubation sites, to remove garbage frequently and to clear regularly ponds round the houses.Conclusion: Ugandan patients identified the risk factors and groups, non-key symptoms and prophylaxis against malaria. The majority of Ugandan patients indicated there was vaccine against malaria. More than half of Ugandan patients (65%) declared that a mosquito bite is the route of malaria infection, however, more than 50% of those living in rural areas thought on other routes such as, e.g. unboiled water