Wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) is an invasive annual vine rapidly spreading across Central European riparian zones. Its success is linked to seed dispersal, with hydrochory expected to play a major role, but the specific mechanisms are not fully understood. This study examines whether E. lobata uses a dual dispersal strategy by seed morphological differences and hydrodynamic behavior, supporting both short-distance and long-distance dispersal. Seeds were collected in autumn and early spring, and analysed for morphology, buoyancy, and hydrodynamic properties. Over 150 seeds underwent biometric measurements: digital image correlation for swelling deformation, micro-computed tomography for internal structure, and hydrodynamic properties. Approximately 23% of seeds were buoyant, with buoyant ones present in both autumn and spring seed groups. Buoyant seeds had larger surface areas and internal air cavities, contributing to lower drag and enhanced passive transport in water. Using digital image correlation and micro-computed tomography imaging, we visualized seed coat swelling patterns and quantified internal structures. Hydrodynamic experiments revealed that buoyant seeds experienced lower drag and slower acceleration. Under oscillatory flow, buoyant seeds exhibited passive propulsion at 1 Hz, indicating a resonance effect facilitating dispersal during fluctuating water flow. These findings support a dual dispersal strategy: temporal seed release and buoyancy enable both local recruitment and long-distance dispersal, likely contributing to invasive success in riparian habitats.

The awareness of city authorities and planning officials regarding the importance of green infrastructure (GI) is essential for its effective implementation. Planning documents serve as indicators of this awareness, reflecting the extent to which cities are prepared to develop GI and comprehend its associated benefits. We hypothesize that in Polish small and medium-sized cities, a traditional approach persists, primarily emphasizing well-established benefits. To test this hypothesis, we analysed development, spatial, and environmental policies from 20 Polish cities using content analysis, guided by the GRETA 2018 benefits catalogue. Our methodology included correlation, cluster, and principal component analyses to examine how cities recognize and incorporate these benefits. Of the 26 potential benefits linked to GI, 21 were identified within the documents. However, benefits traditionally recognised - such as recreation, environmental quality, and habitat preservation - remained predominant. The greatest acknowledgment of benefits was observed in spatial development policies. Statistical analyses indicated no significant correlation between the size of GI elements, the number of facilities, and the benefits recognised. Overall, small and medium-sized cities in Poland have yet to fully recognize the multifunctionality of GI and its potential to deliver multiple benefits. • The concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) emphasizes the benefits that green spaces provide to urban inhabitants. • Planning documents in Poland do not refer to ecosystem services, but they do identify the benefits of GS at the local level. • The importance and role of GS are not yet noticed in terms specific to the green infrastructure concept. • There is a lack of cohesion of the GS benefits in the individual cities' documents.

In recent years, special attention has been paid to proAKAP4, the precursor of A-kinase anchoring protein 4 (AKAP4), which plays a crucial role in the structure and function of the sperm flagellum. This testis-specific protein forms the fibrous sheath and local signal transduction required for proper sperm capacitation and motility. Highly conserved across species, proAKAP4 levels are strongly correlated with fertility and sperm survivability post-thaw. This review summarizes the biological roles of proAKAP4 and its potential as a semen quality biomarker in various mammalian species, including humans, horses, bulls, boars, dogs, rodents and other species. We discuss structural and molecular aspects of proAKAP4 (e.g., prodomain, PKA interactions, phosphorylation sites), as well as its involvement in key signaling pathways controlling sperm movement, such as the cAMP-PKA cascade and calcium signaling. The review also outlines various methods for measuring proAKAP4, such as ELISA, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Particular attention is given to commercial assays, which allow rapid and species-specific quantification of proAKAP4, independent of seminal plasma or cryoprotectant presence. Although the data are promising, researchers highlight the need for further validation in larger populations under varying environmental conditions. Nonetheless, current findings suggest that proAKAP4 may emerge as a standard marker in andrological diagnostics and a valuable tool for selecting breeding males and optimizing semen cryopreservation procedures.

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting all vertebrates worldwide. Infections are typically associated with diarrhoea, although cryptosporidiosis can also involve the respiratory tract. Birds are particularly susceptible to the clinical consequences of Cryptosporidium infection, which most commonly include diarrhoea, vomiting, regurgitation, crop inflammation, enterocolitis and poor feather and skin condition. In this study, faecal samples from 52 parrots, 3 canaries and 8 fancy pigeons were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium antigen and DNA. One immunochromatographic assay and two amplification methods targeting the 18S rRNA gene fragment were employed (a genus-specific nested PCR and a one-tube nested real-time PCR), and the resulting PCR products were sequenced. Cryptosporidium proventriculi was identified in 15 parrots, while C. meleagridis was detected in 1 parrot and 5 pigeons. No mixed infections were reported. The immunochromatographic test sensitivity and specificity were calculated to be 66.7% and 88.1%, respectively. Given the high prevalence and diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet birds, molecular diagnostics are essential for accurate identification and appropriate clinical management. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in Poland aimed at detecting Cryptosporidium infections in pet birds.

Mistletoe ( Viscum album ssp. austriacum ) is an increasingly prevalent parasitic plant in European pine forests. It raises concerns among forest managers due to its negative impacts on tree health and timber production. This study investigates the spatial and structural determinants of mistletoe infestation in Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) stands within the Kozienicka Forest in Central Poland, using a combination of intensive spatial sampling in field surveys, LiDAR data, and satellite imagery. We analyzed 423 plots using generalized additive models to identify key variables influencing mistletoe presence. Our results show that older and larger trees were most likely to be infested, and these were associated with increased defoliation, while dense, young, even-aged pine stands offer some resistance. Increased shrub cover in the understory and proximity to the forest complex edge significantly elevated infestation likelihood, suggesting bird-mediated seed dispersal is critical. The presence of old-style orchards in the forest's complex surroundings and the proximity to the Vistula River, an important bird migration corridor, may also enhance mistletoe spread. These findings highlight the complex interactions between forest structure, birds' behavior, and mistletoe dynamics, offering valuable insights for forest management strategies to mitigate mistletoe invasion. • Young, dense, even-aged pine stands offer structural resistance to mistletoe. • Regions close to the forest complex edge are more prone to infestations by mistletoe. • Bushy under-canopy increases the chance for mistletoe to spread in Scots pine stands.

Abstract The need to meet the criteria of sustainable residential architecture presents new challenges for designers and developers. One type of project that aligns with this approach is the renewal of historic residential buildings. This article focuses on the retrofit and renovation of tenement houses. As part of cultural heritage, these buildings require transformations that combine the preservation of historical value with adaptation to contemporary functional, technical, and environmental standards. The article analyses key interventions in building structures related to the implementation of sustainable development principles, such as modifications to original structural elements, improvements in energy efficiency, and the conservation or reconstruction of façade details. The text emphasises the importance of a holistic approach that considers environmental and social needs, as well as the legal and technical constraints that limit possible interventions. The analyses presented underscore the need for dialogue among architects, heritage conservation specialists, and building users.