Time In Poland Research Articles

The grey wolf (Canis lupus) as a host of Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus s.l. and other helminths – a new zoonotic threat in Poland

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of Echinococcus spp. and other helminth infections in grey wolves in south-eastern Poland. Material and Methods Overall, 74 samples of wolf faeces were examined with a multiplex PCR and a system of real-time quantitative PCR methods to detect and identify Echinococcus spp. The faeces were additionally examined microscopically. Also, 20 samples of wolf intestines were examined with a sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). Results Echinococcus multilocularis DNA was detected in 6.8% and E. granulosus s.l. (identified as E. ortleppi) in 4.1% of faeces samples. Taenia spp. DNA was found in 43.2% and Mesocestoides in 4.1%. Examination of the intestines by SCT showed E. multilocularis worms in 10%, E. granulosus s.l. (E. ortleppi) in10%, Taenia spp. in 100%, hookworms in 30%, Alaria alata in 20%, Mesocestoides sp. in 10%, Trichuris vulpis in 15%, Molineus sp. in 5% and Euryhelmis sp. in 5%. By coproscopy, Capillariidae eggs were found in 59% of faeces samples. Genetic analysis of E. multilocularis worms showed the presence of two European haplotypes previously described in Poland in red foxes and pigs. Sequences of nad1 obtained from E. ortleppi worms shared full identity with a sequence from a human case in Poland. Conclusion The study showed the presence of E. multilocularis in wolves for the first time in Poland and confirmed our earlier observations on E. ortleppi. This double threat from Echinococcus in this wolf population should be taken into account when assessing the epidemiological risk. The study enriched the knowledge of other helminths found in wolves, also those (Euryhelmis) that were recorded for the first time in this species.

The landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland emerging from epidemiological and genomic data

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected all aspects of our lives. Through real-time monitoring and rapid vaccine implementation, we succeeded in suppressing the spread of the disease and mitigating its consequences. Finally, conclusions can be summarized and drawn. Here, we use the example of Poland, which was seriously affected by the pandemic. Compared to other countries, Poland has not achieved impressive results in either testing or vaccination, which may explain its high mortality (case fatality rate, CFR 1.94%). Through retrospective analysis of data collected by the COVID-19 Data Portal Poland, we found significant regional differences in the number of tests performed, number of cases detected, number of COVID-19-related deaths, and vaccination rates. The Masovian, Greater Poland, and Pomeranian voivodeships, the country’s leaders in vaccination, reported high case numbers but low death rates. In contrast, the voivodeships in the eastern and southern parts of Poland (Subcarpathian, Podlaskie, Lublin, Opole), which documented low vaccination levels and low case numbers, had higher COVID-19-related mortality rates. The strong negative correlation between the CFR and the percentage of the population that was vaccinated in Poland supports the validity of vaccination. To gain insight into virus evolution, we sequenced more than 500 genomes and analyzed nearly 80 thousand SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences deposited in GISAID by Polish diagnostic centers. We showed that the SARS-CoV-2 variant distribution over time in Poland reflected that in Europe. Haplotype network analysis allowed us to follow the virus transmission routes and identify potential superspreaders in each pandemic wave.

Validation of the Polish version of the Johns Hopkins Learning Environment Scale–a confirmatory factor analysis

The Johns Hopkins Learning Environment Scale (JHLES) was developed by Robert B. Shochet, Jorie M. Colbert and Scott M. Wright of the Johns hopkins university school of medicine and consists of 28 items used to evaluate perception of the academic environment. The objective was to translate and adapt the JHLES to Polish cultural conditions and to validate the Polish version of the tool. The JHLES questionnaire was completed by students of all years (first–fifth) of the faculties of dental medicine at the Medical University of Lublin and the Medical University of Gdańsk. The total surveyed population consisted of 597 students. The overall reliability of the tool was excellent. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed in order to confirm structural consistency with the original JHLES tool. Consequently, all indices had acceptable values (close to 1 or 0, depending on the case), and there was consistency in the results, which shows that the JHLES model is supported by the data. In the present study, the JHLES has been validated in a sample of dental students for the first time in Poland and Europe. Our study provided good evidence for the reliability and validity of the Polish version of the JHLES. In conclusion, the Polish-language version of the JHLES questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for analysing the learning environment for students, and its factor structure is supported by the data.

Involvement of Lophodermella sulcigena in Endemic Disease of Pinus mugo Needles in the Polish Tatra Mountains

Pinus mugo plays a significant ecological role in the natural environment at high altitudes in the mountains including the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, and Balkans. In such severe conditions, it is subjected to the harmful effects of various abiotic and biotic factors. In one of the areas of its natural occurrence in Tatra Mts. (southern Poland), for the last few years, a significant intensification of needle disease has been observed. Symptoms similar to those recorded in Tatra Mts. also occur on other Pinus species in Europe and North America, where they are caused by fungi belonging to the genus Elytroderma, Lophodermella, Lophophacidium or Ploioderma (Rhytismataceae). The current paper presents the results of research which was mainly aimed at characterization of disease symptoms observed for the first time in Poland on P. mugo needles, and identification of the main causal agent with use of the morphological and molecular technique. Based on the analyses performed at different times of the year (2015–2020), it was found that dieback symptoms initially appeared only on first-year needles, a few weeks after their development. Symptoms occur on one or both needles in the bundle. The distal parts of the needles died, while the basal parts remained green. In the following year, mainly in June and July, on the previous year’s needles attached to the shoots, mature ascomata can be seen. The fungus Lophodermella sulcigena has been identified as the cause of these symptoms. So far, the related species L. conjuncta has not been found. The morphological features of the pathogen microstructure produced on P. mugo needles are presented. Attention was drawn to certain features that may make its identification difficult, especially in terms of shapes and sizes of ascospores. The phylogenetic position of the identified causal agent in relation to closely related other species was determined. The current results confirmed that L. sulcigena shows great phylogenetic similarity to L. montivaga, which is found in North America. Nine rDNA barcode sequences of L. sulcigena obtained in this work will enrich the NCBI GenBank database. The obtained results, indicating the presence of other fungi in L. sulcigena ascomata, which may limit the spread of its ascospores, were also discussed.

Reassignment of Epitrimerus violarius Liro, 1941 (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) to the genus Leipothrix, with a supplementary description of the species

ABSTRACT Morphological measurements and genetic analysis of Epitrimerus violarius Liro (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) with illustrations of males, females, and immature stages are presented in this paper. This species was reported for the first time in Poland and was collected from the leaves of Viola uliginosa in Cracow. The findings of this research provide insights for reassignment from the genus Epitrimerus Nalepa to the genus Leipothrix Keifer, within the family Eriophyidae. Aside from the molecular analysis that confirms the association with the proposed genus, the reassignment is also supported by the absence of femoral seta (bv) on both pairs of legs, and the presence of bifurcate gnathosomal seta, which are unique for Leipothrix. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8E5B7C0A-ED93-4409-A5B4-D289B486A650

First case of introducing the exotic weevil Aclees taiwanensis Kôno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae) in Poland

Aclees taiwanensis Kôno is an alien species in Europe, which originally came from Taiwan. In 2022, it was found for the first time in Poland as the result of an unintentional introduction from France, together with an ornamental specimen of Ficus microcarpa. In this paper, the history of the species’ appearance in Europe and its potential harmfulness to crops of ornamental plants are discussed.

New alien and invasive bamboo aphid species of the genus Takecallis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) recorded in Poland – morphological and molecular identity

The occurrence of three bamboo aphid species of the genus Takecallis was detected. T. arundicolens (Clarke) and T. arundinariae (Essig) were recorded for the first time in Poland, and new localities for T. nigroantennatus Wieczorek were found. Key diagnostic morphological characteristics to help distinguish these species and DNA barcoding to analyze individuals at the molecular level were provided.

Comparison of risk of recidivism among sexual offenders with and without sexual preference disorders using the STATIC-99R instrument.

The STATIC-99 instrument is one of the tools used for the assessment of the risk of recidivism, in line with the actuarial approach. One of the risk factors indicated by the scientific literature as having the greatest significance is sexual preference disorder. The aim of the study was to verify whether sexual offenders diagnosed with sexual preference disorders have a higher risk of recidivism. The study also aimed to present, for the first time in Poland, a quantitative scoring of individual risk factors in STATIC-99R and their prevalence, allowing for the verification of the theoretical validity of the STATIC-99R instrument in the analysis of the population of sexual offenders in Poland. The study material consisted of 100 court and penitentiary files of perpetrators of crimes against sexual freedom from 11 Polish penal institutions and remand centers. We used the STATIC-99R to evaluate each case. The distribution of the individual STATIC-99R risk factors in the population of the Polish sexual offenders is presented. The diagnosis of sexual preference disorders had no influence on the total STATIC-99R score but was associated with its individual factors. It can be concluded that the theoretical validity of the STATIC-99R tool is also relevant to the Polish study population and may be used in clinical practice.

Komparatystyka prawa a prawo procesowe w Polsce w latach 1918–1933 (ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem województwa śląskiego)

In 2023, 500 years have passed since the entry into force of the ordinary court procedure in Poland (formula processus iudiciarii, 1523), as well as 90 years since the unification of court procedures in Poland in general and 90 years since the entry into force of the first Polish Code of Civil Procedure (1933). Therefore, this is a special opportunity to refer, in this context, to the first transformation of procedural law in Poland in the 20th century, which took place after World War I, especially in the context of comparative procedural law issues. Applicability of foreign laws in the Polish territories after World War I: Russian, German, Austrian, and Hungarian (in a small area of Spisz and Orawa), as well as Polish-French legislation, gave rise to a complicated and territorial legal mosaic. The codification works undertaken at that time in Poland, unprecedented in Europe or even in the entire world, fell within a period of great development of comparative jurisprudence. They were profound comparative studies, which are proven by the published drafts, together with explanatory memorandums, offering an original synthesis of the legal thought. The considerations made in this article relate to procedural law, which was significantly diversified in the territory of Poland reborn in 1918, especially as regards the model of legal remedies, which gave rise to considerable difficulties in the practice of the system of justice prior to the unification of court procedures. Special attention was paid to the legal situation in the Silesian Voivodeship, being a peculiar microcosm of the legal situation in the entire country.

Molecular Characteristics of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus-PAS-The Main Causal Agent of Barley Yellow Dwarf Disease in Poland.

Barley yellow dwarf is a threat to cereal crops worldwide. Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAS (BYDV-PAS) was detected for the first time in Poland in 2015, then in 2019. In the spring of 2021, in several locations in Poland, winter wheat and barley plants with dwarfism and leaf yellowing were collected. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results revealed BYDV presence in 47 samples and excluded wheat streak mosaic virus infections. Next, immuno-captured polymerase chain reactions confirmed only one case of co-infection caused by BYDV and wheat dwarf virus. Moreover, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis showed that BYDV-PAS was predominant. The preliminary results were confirmed using sequencing. Infected cereal plants originated mainly from northwestern Poland. The complete coding sequence of coat protein (CP) and a fragment of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes of 14 Polish isolates were determined and deposited in the GenBank database. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of local isolates were compared with others reported to date, indicating their high similarity, from 75.4% to 99.5% and from 81.1% to 100% nucleotide sequence identity, in RdRp and CP, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the CP gene, revealed the presence of 3 main groups. The Polish isolates clustered together within the Ia group.

Nie tylko folkowa osobność Berta Janscha

In this text, we attempt, probably for the first time in Poland, at the synthetic presentation of the artistic achievements and not only creative personality of Bert Jansch, sometimes referred to as “British Dylan” and highly appreciated by fellow folk musicians as well as by genuine rock stars, such as Jimmy Page or Neil Young. Jansch’s career as a truly unique folk singer/guitar player/composer/lyric writer shall be dicussed here in a wider analytical perspective, with vital references to the history of the British and American folk movement as well as, first of all, to the career of his transatlantic “counterpart”. Jansch’s inability to comfortably fit into any folk or folk-rock stereotypes with respect to music, lyrics or media personality shall also be stressed, in the same comparative context.

Robotic radical gastrectomy - own experience and review of literature

IntroductionGastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Surgery or endoscopic treatment is essential in all disease stages. The most common procedure is total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. Removal of stomach and lymph nodes can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. These include laparoscopic gastrectomy, present in gastric cancer surgery since 1994 and robotic gastrectomy, which appeared for the first time in 2003. Last-mentioned method is the youngest and the most technically advanced form of surgical treatment of gastric cancer. First laparoscopic robot-assisted total gastrectomy in Poland was reported by Marek Zawadzki. In this paper we present technique of totally robotic total gastrectomy.AimPresentation of our experience in robotic radical gastrectomy. Description of first in Poland totally robotic gastrectomy. Review of literature assessing novel minimally invasive technique in gastric cancer treatment - robotic gastrectomy.Material and methodsPresentation of our own experience in robotic surgery. Review of literature.ResultsRobotic gastrectomy as an alternative to the laparoscopic technique is associated with earlier return of bowel motility after surgery and earlier introduction of a liquid diet. In terms of perioperative and postoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality, as well as a need to convert to open surgery, the laparoscopic and robotic techniques do not differ from each other. In our Department for the first time in Poland totally robotic radical gastrectomy using da Vinci Xi ® Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical) was performed. No postoperative complications were observed.ConclusionsTotally robotic radical gastrectomy is a safe alternative to classic and laparoscopic surgery which can have additional benefits both for the surgeon (less exhaustion, ergonomy, lack of hand tremor on instruments) as for the patient (earlier tolerance of oral diet, earlier hospital discharge). Further study is needed to assess relevance of potential benefits and cost-effectiveness of this novel technique.

Dążenia kobiet do dostępu do edukacji akademickiej na ziemiach polskich na przełomie XIX i XX wieku

The purpose of the article is to present women’s aspirations for access to academic education in Poland at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.Educational inequalities accompanied women at all levels of education. However, the biggest problems were encountered by women in pursuit of tertiary education. It was this path of development that was inaccessible to them for the longest time in Poland. The difficult economic situation of Poles during the Partitions over time forced the society to slowly change the thinking and approach to the academic and professional activity of women. Due to the lack of opportunities to study in the partitioned area, the only possibility for Polish women to study at a higher level was academic emigration. The most common destinations were Switzerland, France, and, in the last decade of the 19th century, also Belgium. The beginnings of the practical struggle for access to tertiary education by women date back to 1892–1910. At this time, emancipation associations were involved in petitioning university authorities to grant women permission to study.This article is an attempt to trace the educational possibilities of women in Poland, with special emphasis placed on women’s aspirations to access academic education at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The article uses the methods of historical and pedagogical research and text analysis.

„Mama Cztery Plus”. Istota rodzicielskich świadczeń uzupełniających “Mama Cztery Plus”. The essence of supplementary parental allowances

Recent times in Poland have seen the hard work of parenting in large families appreciated and honoured. The introduction of a supplementary parental allowance in 2019 emphasized the social role of those parents who, for reasons relating to the upbringing of their children, have not achieved the employment seniority requirement for pension rights. The main purpose of this article is to systematize the body of knowledge pertaining to supplementary parental allowances for the benefit of both the interested parties themselves and the employees of Polish Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS). This paper conveys the most important information on the supplementary-allowance system, so as to dispel any doubts KRUS personnel might have with regard to eligibility. An interview with employees of the benefits department of the KRUS Field Office in Ostrów Wielkopolski has revealed that doubts continue to surface concerning various matters relating to “Mama Cztery Plus” allowances. This paper also demonstrates the realistic dimension of supplementary parental allowances considered and paid, by collating the number of “Mama Cztery Plus” payouts delivered by two pension bodies, viz. Polish Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS) and Polish Social Insurance Fund (ZUS). Methodologically, this article relies on the analysis of the literature and of statutory provisions, with an interview questionnaire as a research tool, as well as data sourced directly from KRUS Headquarters, KRUS Regional Branch in Poznań, KRUS Field Office in Ostrów Wielkopolski and ZUS Branch Office in Ostrów Wielkopolski1 .

Question of local exploitation of copper ore deposits in the Urnfield time in Poland

Question of local exploitation of copper ore deposits in the Urnfield time in Poland

Scaling and intermittency in time of urban precipitation in Warsaw, Poland

Study regionA network of 25 rain gauges roughly covering an area of 517.2 km2 of Warsaw, in Poland. Study focusScaling and intermittency of data series of rainfall intensity are investigated for each of the network rain gauges using five multifractal framework methods: spectral density analysis, functional box-counting, trace moment, probability distribution/multiple scaling, and double trace moment. Synthetic precipitation series are then generated by means of continuous universal random cascade models. Cascade generators are defined by universal parameters calculated for selected Warsaw rain gauges, or rain gauge clusters displaying similarity of multifractal parameters. The generated synthetic precipitation time series are subject to statistical evaluation by comparing the complementary cumulative distribution function and the intermittency calculated for synthetic versus observed data. Finally, a novel filtering algorithm is proposed to correct the intermittency characteristics of synthetic precipitation time series. New hydrological insightsBased on our analyses, the temporal structure of the recorded Warsaw precipitation time series is found to be a multifractal set characterized by a scaling behaviour over a wide range of scales. Furthermore, it has been observed that most Warsaw rain gauges, have a distinct similarity of multifractal properties. It has also been demonstrated that, for the first time in Poland, the universal continuous cascades could be used in practice for the generation of synthetic rainfall series at fine (1-min) temporal resolution

Educatorium – from theory to practice

Teaching foreign languages is based on teaching materials understood as all means used to ensure the achievement of the assumed goals of teaching a foreign language (Styszyński, 2004). Some of these materials are intended for students and others for use by teachers. Among the latter, the most popular are methodological guides and teaching packages concerning the implementation of effective ways of teaching a foreign language. However, due to their specificity, the theoretical aspect is rather undeveloped, and the examples are usually given in only one foreign language, without demonstrating the possibility of creative modification. These challenges are faced by the development of a new type of teaching materials – an educatorium, which has been designed and published for the first time in Poland. This type of monograph, containing an extensive theoretical part and a large set of exercises, is addressed to both academic and non-academic teachers of foreign languages, at different levels of professional experience, as a tool for self-development. Our main aim is to present the goals and functions of an educatorium, intended for teachers as innovators, researchers, and reflective practitioners. The paper also explains the methods of developing teachers’ professional creativity, presents the structure and content of the educatorium, and discusses a system of listening exercises given in Polish, Russian, German, and English.

Assessing surface ozone risk to human health and forests over time in Poland

Hourly ground-level ozone (O3) data from 52 monitoring stations in Poland were analyzed over a ten-year pre-COVID19 period (2010–2019) to map and define areas at risk for human health and vegetation, and to calculate trends over the study period. Annual O3 metrics (24-h average concentrations, 50th percentiles, and hourly maxima), human health metrics (Sum Of daily maximum 8-h Means Over 35 ppb, SOMO35, summertime average of the daily 8-h maximum O3 concentrations, O3 MDA8, and number of daily maximum 8-h values above 60 ppb, EU60) and vegetation exposure metrics (AOT40, i.e., accumulation of hourly O3 concentrations exceeding 40 ppb during the growing season for agricultural crops AOT40c and forests AOT40f) were investigated. Higher O3 levels occurred in rural areas than in cities. Between 2010 and 2019, the O3 levels were rising in both urban and rural areas. Despite the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx: - 2.33% year-1) and volatile organic compounds emissions (VOCs: - 0.95% year-1), annual O3 mean levels (+0.81 and +0.12% year-1), 50th percentiles (+1.06 and ∼0% year-1), hourly maxima (- 0.10 and +0.23% year-1), SOMO35 (+2.86 and +1.50% year-1), summertime O3 MDA8 (+0.49 and +0.48% year-1), EU60 (+0.09 and +0.15 days year-1), AOT40c (+3.79 and +3.29% year-1) and AOT40f (+4.47 and +4.34% year-1) commonly increased in urban and rural stations. The O3 levels increased at 75.0% of urban stations and 62.5% of rural stations. A slight decline of the number of O3 peaks occurred in cities, likely driven by the recent reductions in NOx emissions by on-road transport. For all metrics, the increase can be attributed to higher regional photochemical O3 formation and rising background O3 levels likely driven by imported O3 and its precursors by long-range transport, climate change, and lower O3 titration by NOx emissions decline. The failure to attain the target value for O3 for protecting vegetation and human health and vegetation persists. Southeastern Poland, where coal stoves are still used for residential heating, faces the highest O3 risk. This study reports new information on surface O3 levels, exceedances, and trends in Poland to develop effective policies to mitigate O3 effects.

Problematyka dozoru ochronnego nad warunkowo skazanymi w polskim prawie karnym

Problematyka dozoru ochronnego nad warunkowo skazanymi w polskim prawie karnym

Results of the treatment of adrenocortical cancer patients at the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology – Krakow Branch

Introduction. Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) has an incidence of 1–2 cases per million and the 5-year overall survival (OS) is 16–47%. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Post-operative radiotherapy has been shown to prolong overall survival and the purpose of this work was to show our own, first time in Poland, results of adjuvant radiotherapy in tre­ating this disease. Material and methods. Between 2012 and 2021, 12 patients with ACC were treated. The analyzed group included 9 women and 3 men at a mean age of 44 years (range: 33 to 76 years). A significant increase of tumor size was found in 30% of the subjects. In the analyzed group, 12 patients were qualified to adjuvant radiotherapy, but it was feasible only in 7 patients. The other 5 patients did not undergo radiotherapy. Two patients were disqualified due to metastatic disease and in 3 patients radiotherapy could not be performed due to excessive tumor size and too high a risk of com­plications within the critical organs. Results. 3 out of 7 patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy are still alive and 4 of them died. Mean overall survival time was 32 months. The 12-month overall survival rate was 80%. In the group of 5 patients who have not received radiotherapy, 2 patients are still alive. The mean overall survival time is 13.5 months and the 12-month overall survival rate is 60%. Conclusions. Due to rapid disease progression and poor prognosis associated with ACC, patients with tumors located in the adrenal gland require urgent surgical treatment at a reference center. Adjuvant radiotherapy improves treatment results significantly, but is not feasible in some patients due to cancer progression or the tumor location. In patients with ACC, it is important to diagnose the disease and to start adequate treatment as early as possible.