Remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic

PURPOSE: The aim of the article is to define the role of remote education in the process of educating students, their course and adaptation to the conditions of Covid-19 pandemic.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research was conducted by means of the diagnostic survey method, using the CSAQ (computerized self-administered questionnaire) technique in June 2020 on a randomly selected sample of 1533 students studying in Poland.FINDINGS: The obtained data was analyzed. The results of the analysis confirmed that the distance education implemented in 2020/2021 in the entire educational program was accepted in the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic by over one third of the respondents. Students must devote more time to it than in the traditional form, and there are also factors that hinder it. Also, more than a third of respondents are in favor of participation in perspective in all education and 60% in distance learning.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article shows that remote education is already a regular type of education. The Covid-19 pandemic meant that practically the entire program for students at that time was implemented in the remote formula. Its implementation required both legal and organizational solutions, and all the competences were granted. Thus, it has been proved that remote education is widely used in the education of students in lifelong learning. Its share in the education process will be significant. It requires competences, but also significantly influences the shaping of competences, while it requires systematic monitoring.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article shows that in the process of education in an emergency, which is probably a pandemic, it is justified to use the classical concept of education, but also remote education. This training should be present in the normal learning process. However, in emergency situations, e.g., during the pandemic, its contribution is significant, or even comprehensive, and may last for a considerable period. Such a situation requires new competences, which influences the shaping of new ones required for social functioning during the pandemic.peer-reviewe

Sustainable Future Protein Foods: The Challenges and the Future of Cultivated Meat

Global pressure from consumers to improve animal welfare, and reduce microbiological risks or the use of antibiotics pose new challenges for the meat industry. Today’s livestock production, despite many undertaken measures, is still far from being sustainable. This forced the need to work on alternative protein types that come from plants, insects, fungi, or cell culture processes. Due to some technical and legal barriers, cultivated meat is not present on the European market, however, in 2020 it was approved in Singapore and in 2022 in the USA. While the technology of obtaining cell cultures from animal muscles has been known and successfully practiced for years, the production of a stable piece of meat with appropriate texture, taste, and smell, is still a problem for several scientific groups related to subsequent companies trying to obtain the highest quality product, in line with the expectations of customers. Although the work on optimal cell meat production has been going on for years, it is still in an early stage, mainly due to several limitations that represent milestones for industrial production. The most important are: the culture media (without animal serum), which will provide an environment for optimal muscle development, natural or close to natural (but still safe for the consumer) stable scaffolds for growing cells. Here, we review the actual knowledge about the above-mentioned challenges which make the production of cellular meat not yet developed on an industrial scale

In Vitro Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Phytobiotics Composition towards of Avian Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (APEC) and Other <i>E. coli</i> Strains Isolated from Broiler Chickens

Escherichia coli infections (including APEC) in broiler chickens are not only a health and economic problem of the flock, but also a significant health threat to poultry meat consumers. The prophylactic and therapeutic effects of the phytobiotic composition on E. coli in broiler chickens were previously described. However, most of the data were related to the reference strains (for both in vitro and in vivo models). Based on the previous studies in human and animals, E. coli strains seem to be multidrug resistance. This, in turn, makes it necessary to develop effective alternative methods of treating this type of infection already at the stage of poultry production. In the present study, the antibacterial activity against various strains of E. coli (including APEC) was assessed for two innovative phytobiotics mixtures: H1, containing thymol, menthol, linalool, trans-anethole, methyl salicylate, 1,8-cineol, and p-cymene; H2, in addition to compounds from H1, containing terpinen-4-ol and γ-terpinene. The unique mixtures of phytobiotics used in the experiment were effective against various strains of E. coli, also against APEC, isolated from broiler chickens from traditional industrial breeding, as well as against those showing colistin resistance. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for these unique mixtures were: For H1 1:512 for APEC and non-APEC E. coli strains isolated from day old chicks (DOCs), 1:512 for non-APEC, and 1:1024 for non-APEC isolated from broilers sample. For mixture H2, MIC for APEC from both type of samples (DOCs and broilers) was 1:1024 and for non-APEC (DOCs and broilers) was 1:512. The results suggest that phytobiotic compositions used in this study can be successfully used as a natural alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of E. coli infections in broiler chickens. The promising results may be a crucial point for further analyses in broiler flocks exposed to E. coli infections and where it is necessary to reduce the level of antibiotics or completely eliminate them, thus reducing the risk of foodborne infections

Wpływ niskich nierumieniotwórczych dawek promieniowania ultrafioletowego B na ekspresję reduktazy metylenotetrahydrofolianowej w skórze

Wprowadzenie: Promieniowanie ultrafioletowe (ultraviolet radiation –UVR) jest jednym z głównych czynników zaangażowanych w procesfo to kancerogenzy. Powszechnie uznany jest fakt niszczenia folianówprzez ekspozycję na promieniowanie UVA, jednakże do chwili obecnejnie został do końca wyjaśniony wpływ promieniowania UVB na stężenietych związków. Dane z piśmiennictwa sugerują, że foliany, a zwłaszczaich metabolit 5-metylenotetrahydrofolian, jest niezbędny w procesach na -praw czych zmian w DNA zachodzących pod wpływem UVR. Reduktazametylenotetrahydrofolianowa (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase – MTHFR)jest enzymem odgrywającym istotną rolę w metabolizmie folianów. Cel pracy: Ocena wpływu promieniowania UVB na ekspresję MTHFRw skórze. Materiał i metodyka: Badaniem objęto cztery grupy zdrowych wolontariuszy.Pierwszą grupę stanowiły osoby naświetlane nierumieniotwórczymidawkami UVB przez 10 kolejnych dni (10 × 0,7 MED – całeciało). Grupę drugą stanowili wolontariusze eksponowani równieżprzez 10 kolejnych dni na nierumieniotwórcze dawki UVB, a następnienaświetlani aplikowaną miejscowo (10 × 10 cm, skóra pośladka)wysoką dawką 3 MED UVB. Kolejną grupę ochotników poddawanoekspozycji jedynie na pojedynczą, miejscowo aplikowaną dawkę3 MED. Grupę kontrolną stanowiły osoby nienaświetlane. U wszystkichwolontariuszy pobierano biopsje ze skóry pośladka, w którychoceniano ekspresję MTHFR przy zastosowaniu metody Western blot. Wyniki: Ekspresja MTHFR była istotnie wyższa w grupie naświetlanejprzez 10 kolejnych dni nierumieniotwórczymi dawkami UVBw porównaniu z ekspresją tego białka u wolontariuszy eksponowanychprzewlekłe przez 10 kolejnych dni na nierumieniotwórcze dawkiUVB, a następnie naświetlanych w obrębie skóry pośladka dawką3 MED (p < 0,05). Wnioski: Wzrost ekspresji MTHFR występujący pod wpływem niskichprzewlekłych dawek UVB może być dowodem na fotoprotekcyjne właściwościfolianów

The association between 331A/T polymorphism in the SHH gene and 385G/A polymorphism in the SMO gene and the development of basal cell carcinomas

Introduction. Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most common of all cancers in the Caucasians, and their incidence has been rising in younger populations. BCC usually occurs in sun-exposed body areas, most commonly on the head, neck and upper extremities. Experimental data have shown that the sonic hedgehog pathway may be involved in BCC development, but the mechanism by which activation of the hedgehog pathway leads to carcinogenesis is still not clear. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the association between 331A/T polymorphism in the SHH gene and 385G/A polymorphism in the SMO gene and the development of basal cell carcinomas. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 142 Caucasians with histopathologically confirmed BCC and 142 healthy volunteers as a control group. All patients were diagnosed and treated in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Lodz. Polymorphisms in SHH and SMO genes were assessed by RFLP-PCR. Results. Associations between 331A/T polymorphism in the SHH gene and 385G/A polymorphism in the SMO gene and the development of basal cell carcinomas were found. Additionally, significant differences in genotype distribution of all examined polymorphisms between BCC patients and controls were detected. Conclusions . The sonic hedgehog pathway is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of basal cell carcinoma, the most common human cancer. A better understanding of the molecular background of this pathway might be useful for introduction of new therapeutic methods

Citrobacter braakii Yield False-Positive Identification as Salmonella, a Note of Caution

Background: Globally, Salmonella enterica is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in humans. Food of animal origin is obligatorily tested for the presence of this pathogen. Unfortunately, in meat and meat products, this is often hampered by the presence of background microbiota, which may present as false-positive Salmonella. Methods: For the identification of Salmonella spp. from meat samples of beef, pork, and poultry, the authorized detection method is PN-EN ISO 6579-1:2017-04 with the White–Kauffmann–Le Minor scheme, two biochemical tests: API 20E and VITEK II, and a real-time PCR-based technique. Results: Out of 42 presumptive strains of Salmonella, 83.3% Salmonella enterica spp. enterica, 14.3% Citrobacter braakii, and 12.4% Proteus mirabilis were detected from 180 meat samples. Conclusions: Presumptive strains of Salmonella should be identified based on genotypic properties such as DNA-based methods. The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from miscellaneous meat sorts: beef, pork, and poultry

Ekspresja receptora dla witaminy D oraz reduktazy metylenotetrahydrofolianowej w rakach podstawnokomórkowych

Wprowadzenie: Dane z literatury wskazują na udział receptora dlawitaminy D (ang. vitamin D receptor – VDR) w rozwoju nowotwo równarządów wewnętrznych oraz raków skóry. W pojedynczychpracach analizowano rolę reduktazy metylenotetrahydrofolianowej(ang. methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase – MTHFR), której nieprawidłowaaktywność związana jest z indukcją kancerogenezy. Cel pracy: Ocena stężenia 25(OH)D oraz parathormonu w surowicyu pacjentów z rakiem podstawnokomórkowym (ang. basal cell carcinoma– BCC), a także analiza ekspresji VDR i MTHFR w bioptatach zezmian skórnych typu BCC. Materiał i metodyka: Badaniem objęto grupę 79 chorych z BCC oraz46 wolontariuszy stanowiących grupę kontrolną. U wszystkich badanychoznaczano stężenie witaminy D i parathormonu w surowicy,natomiast u 44 pacjentów z BCC oraz 30 wolontariuszy pobieranobiopsje skóry celem oznaczenia ekspresji VDR i MTHFR. Wyniki: Stężenie 25(OH)D było statystycznie istotnie wyższe w grupiekontrolnej niż u chorych na BCC (p = 0,0026), podczas gdy stężenieparathormonu w surowicy pacjentów z BCC było istotnie wyższew porównaniu z grupą kontrolną (p < 0,0001). U chorych na BCCwykazano istotnie wyższą ekspresję VDR niż w grupie kontrolnej(p < 0,001). Taką samą zależność obserwowano w odniesieniu do ekspresjiMTHFR, która była istotnie wyższa w bioptatach skóry pobranychze zmian typu BCC w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną (p < 0,01). Wnioski: Na podstawie wyników badań własnych nie można jednoznacznieokreślić roli VDR i MTHFR w rozwoju raków podstawnokomórkowychskóry, jakkolwiek wiele argumentów przemawia za ichistotnym udziałem w procesie kancerogenezy. Stąd też uzasadnionejest prowadzenie dalszych, kompleksowych i wieloośrodkowychbadań celem poznania złożonej etiopatogenezy BCC

Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) as a Source of Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae O58&mdash;The First Report in Poland

The &ldquo;One Health&rdquo; approach increasingly demonstrates the global spread of pathogenic microorganisms and their antimicrobial resistance in the environment, both in animals and humans. Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae is nowadays very often isolated from cold-blooded reptiles to a lesser extent from sheep, but unfortunately more and more often from humans. However, there are a few studies describing the isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae from migratory wild birds. The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), a wild animal that traverses the continent of Eurasia, can be an excellent indicator of the spread of intestinal microbes as well as their resistance to antibiotics. This is the first report of the Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae detection in Poland in a migrating mallard duck. This research presented the identification difficulties associated with the isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae using three different biochemical tests and advanced serology tests. At the same time, we detected very high antimicrobial resistance in the isolated strain. By using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, it was found that the isolated strain of S. enterica subsp. diarizonae has high antibiotic resistance against 14 of the 33 tested antimicrobials agents. The resistance genes that have been identified in S. enterica subsp. diarizonae include aadA, strA/strB, and blaTEM

Wild Duck (<i>Anas platyrhynchos</i>) as a Source of Antibiotic-Resistant <i>Salmonella enterica</i> subsp. <i>diarizonae</i> O58—The First Report in Poland

The “One Health” approach increasingly demonstrates the global spread of pathogenic microorganisms and their antimicrobial resistance in the environment, both in animals and humans. Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae is nowadays very often isolated from cold-blooded reptiles to a lesser extent from sheep, but unfortunately more and more often from humans. However, there are a few studies describing the isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae from migratory wild birds. The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), a wild animal that traverses the continent of Eurasia, can be an excellent indicator of the spread of intestinal microbes as well as their resistance to antibiotics. This is the first report of the Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae detection in Poland in a migrating mallard duck. This research presented the identification difficulties associated with the isolation of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae using three different biochemical tests and advanced serology tests. At the same time, we detected very high antimicrobial resistance in the isolated strain. By using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, it was found that the isolated strain of S. enterica subsp. diarizonae has high antibiotic resistance against 14 of the 33 tested antimicrobials agents. The resistance genes that have been identified in S. enterica subsp. diarizonae include aadA, strA/strB, and blaTEM

Comparison of automatic methods MALDI-TOF, VITEK2 and manual methods for the identification of intestinal microbial communities on the example of samples from alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Universally, in microbiological diagnostics the detection of live bacteria is essential. Rapid identification of pathogens enables appropriate remedial measures to be taken. The identification of many bacteria simultaneously facilitates the determination of the characteristics of the accompanying microbiota and/or the microbiological complexity of a given environment