John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin

SARS-CoV-2 infection often causes neurological disorders. Experimental studies on an animal model have shown that SARS-CoV-2 is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Researchers have also discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect glial cells. Gliomas are the most common type of brain tumor. Oncological patients are at high risk of infections, including SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, their weakened immunity causes the level of antibodies after infection or vaccination to be lower than in the healthy population. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in tumor tissue collected during surgery. We also tested the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in these patients. The obtained results indicate the tropism of the virus to tumor tissue – glioblastoma. The level of anti-SARS antibodies was higher in patients with SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in tumour tissue.

The present preliminary study aimed to provide a targeted lipidomic analysis of Hashimoto (HT) and non-HT patients with well-controlled hypothyroidism as well as in healthy adults, and is the first to demonstrate the association of several components of the human lipidome with hypothyroidism in relation to the total plasma selenium content. All the patients and age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls met the very strict qualification criteria. Se levels were analyzed by ICP-MS, and lipidome studies were conducted using TQ-LC/MS. The 40 acylcarnitines, 90 glycerophospholipids, and 15 sphingomyelins were identified and quantified. PCaaC26:0 and PCaaC40:1 were negatively correlated with Se concentrations. Other lipids that were negatively correlated with Se concentrations but did not present significant differences between the three groups in the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test were PCaaC32:0, PCaeC30:0, PCaeC36:5, SMC18:0, and SM C18:1. In the multiple linear regression analyses, Se levels showed negative relationship, whereas different phosphatidylcholines: PCaaC24:0, PCaaC26:0, PCaeC30:1, PCaeC34:0, PCaeC36:4, PCaeC42:0 were positively associated with the presence of (H). Different lipidome components were identified in healthy and hypothyroid patients regardless of the cause of that condition. Studies on larger populations are needed to determine cause-and-effect relations and the potential mechanisms underlying these associations.

The article explores deep learning models in urological diagnostics to measure urinary bladder volume from medical images. It addresses the shortcomings of traditional methods by introducing advanced imaging techniques for more objective and precise analysis. The research employs Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and the MONAI platform for image segmentation and analysis, using data from The Cancer Imaging Archive to focus on urological regions. Findings suggest these models enhance diagnostic accuracy but also highlight the need for further modifications to tailor them to specific medical data, underscoring machine learning’s significant role in accurate medical assessments for urology.

Background ICU patients are particularly susceptible to vitamin D3 deficiencies. This can be due to the severity of their underlying disease, the type of treatment they are on, and malnutrition before and inadequate nutrition during the hospitalization preceding ICU admission as well as advanced age. Literature provides no guidance on how to supplement vitamin D3 in severely deficient patients who are undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Most serum 25(OH)D3 is bound with vitamin D binding protein in a complex whose molecular weight is 10 kDa. This means it can be removed during CRRT via convection mechanism. Critically ill patients undergoing CRRT can therefore be particularly prone to develop severe vitamin D3 deficiency. Methods As the trial design, a randomized controlled, single blinded, multicenter, parallel group approach was chosen to compare a single administration of 750,000 IU of vitamin D3 via the enteral or oral route in ICU patients with severe vitamin D3 deficiency (measured serum 25(OH)D3 levels ≤ 12.5 ng/ml) undergoing CRRT with a single administration of 500,000 IU of vitamin D3. The trial will be performed in up to five university hospitals in Poland. The primary outcome is the percentage of patients that achieved serum 25(OH)D3 levels ≥ 30 ng/ml on days 3 and 7 following vitamin D3 administration. Assuming a drop-out rate of approximately 10%, the number of recruited patients should be 138. Discussion Considering the potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hypovitaminosis D in critically ill patients under CRRT, it seems conceivable that these patients will require greater supplementation doses to correct severe deficiency. The study is meant to help answer the question whether increasing the supplementation dose by 50% will ensure a more effective replenishment of vitamin D3 in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05657678, registered: December 12 2022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05657678?cond=NCT05657678&rank=1.

In the context of the Buddhist tradition, Ruth Ozeki’s novel A Tale for the Time Being engages in advocating nonharm (traditionally referred to as nonviolence). Meanwhile, most of the novel’s Western readers will presumably share the intuition that if nothing else can provide effective protection, the use of violence is permitted in self-defense or even morally obligatory in defense of another. The essay tries to reconstruct in detail the novel’s moral standpoint on nonviolence/nonharm in the light of its two important Buddhist intertexts − the fairy tales by Kenji Miyazawa and the teachings of Eihei Dōgen − and consider it in the dual context of Buddhist ethics and the (posthumanist) theory of relationality. Arguably, nonharm can be morally justified as a form of caring on the Buddhist metaphysics, while the theory of relationality, as proposed by such posthumanists as Donna Haraway or Rosi Braidotti, might prove insufficient for the purpose.

The article aims to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with the level of trust in artificial intelligence (AI) based on cross-sectional research conducted in late 2023 and early 2024 on a sample of 2098 students in Poland (1088) and the United Kingdom (1010). In the times of AI progressively penetrating people’s everyday life, it is important to identify the sociodemographic predictors of trust in this increasingly dynamically developing technology. The theoretical framework for the article is the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), which highlights the significance of sociodemographic variables as predictors of trust in AI. We performed a multivariate ANOVA and regression analysis, comparing trust in AI between students from Poland and the UK to identify the significant predictors of trust in this technology. The significant predictors of trust were nationality, gender, length of study, place of study, religious practices, and religious development. There is a need for research into the sociodemographic factors of trust in AI and for expanding the UTAUT to include new variables.

Objective The aim of this review was to assess the factors influencing the occupational stress of state security forces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a scoping review using the Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, adhering to the PRISMA statement standards and the guidelines for narrative syntheses. Results We included a total of 26 studies. The prevalence of stress varied from 22% to 87.2%. Factors that may have influenced the stress levels of police officers during the pandemic include not having basic personal protective equipment, having little or no rest periods between tasks, long working hours, fear of contagion to themselves or others, pressure to maintain law and order, emotion regulation and preparedness, sex, marital status, work experience, age, presence of chronic underlying illnesses, family-work conflict, lack of psychological support, and others. The long working hours, the fear of infecting themselves or others, the pressure to maintain law and order, sex, and age are the six main factors evaluated for more studies. Conclusion Organisational, situational, and personal factors may have influenced the stress levels of police officers during the pandemic, and measures need to be taken to minimise their impact.

Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war find their way to Poland. According to Polish educational law, children of Ukrainian refugees are subject to compulsory education and attend schools together with children of Polish origin. Material and methods The aim of the research was to determine the relationships of refugee children in the peer group. The research of a diagnostic nature was carried out among 101 children in elementary schools in “O” classes in the Lublin province. The study used the author’s Social Skills Sheet Results The analysis of the research results showed differences in the level of some skills shaping the relationships of refugee children in the peer group, and even their greatest differentiation in some cases. Conclusions The diagnosis result regarding the relationships of refugee children in the peer group can be interpreted as satisfactory for the entire study group, although in some cases skills were noted that were difficult for the children.

This concise paper examines Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine and its implications for Western democracies. Divided into four sections – The Importance of Ukraine for the International Position of the Russian Federation, The Context of Russia’s Relations with the European Union, The Russian Federation’s Revisionism in the International Arena, and Genocide as an Element of Russia’s Imperial Policy – the analysis highlights the ongoing full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, which has escalated in the past two years as part of a decade of Kremlin-driven aggression. This conflict reflects Vladimir Putin’s ambition to restore Russian imperial influence, focusing on regaining control over its periphery in Eastern Europe through military intervention. The paper argues that Russia’s actions threaten not only Ukraine but also European stability and democracy. Integrating Ukraine into the European Union is identified as essential for enhancing regional security and countering Russian expansionism. By addressing Russia’s imperialistic goals and emphasising the need to support Ukraine, this paper calls for a unified Western response to safeguard a secure and democratic Europe.

Aim The study aimed to analyse selected clinical data affecting the quality of life of women with endometriosis. Design A cross‐sectional study. Method The study was conducted in 2020–2022 among 425 women with endometriosis receiving health care. A diagnostic survey method with a questionnaire technique was used. The research tools are the Endometriosis Health Profile and a standardised interview questionnaire. Results Infertility, medical treatment and sexual intercourse were the dimensions of quality of life most poorly rated by respondents with endometriosis. Lower quality of life was linked to the presence of painful periods, the presence of pain during intercourse and having surgery for endometriosis. Conclusion The main clinical variables influencing the quality of life of women with endometriosis include problems with getting pregnant, the necessity for long‐term therapy and sexual problems caused by the condition. The occurrence of painful menstruation, dyspareunia and having undergone surgery for endometriosis is associated with lower ratings of women's general quality of life. Implications for the Profession The study will help to develop a more holistic approach to caring for endometriosis patients. This will result in a better diagnosis, individualised therapy and psychological support, all of which will enhance the overall quality of life. The study's results may impact the development of health policies, endometriosis support services for women and public awareness initiatives. Impact The study highlighted key determinants affecting health‐related quality of life for women with endometriosis. The analysis of clinical data revealed that infertility, treatment and dyspareunia are the dimensions of quality of life most poorly rated by women with endometriosis. These findings are significant for those providing care to women with endometriosis, as well as for policymakers responsible for the organisation of health care systems. Reporting Method The STROBE guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.

Background: Physical fitness and a healthy body mass are important predictors of a good performance of military tasks. The purpose of this study was to assess the physical activity level and nutrition, in terms of the frequency of consumption of individual food groups, of Polish Navy soldiers and Maritime Unit of the Border Guard officers. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 131 Polish Navy soldiers aged 33.1 ± 6.3 years old and 132 Maritime Unit of the Border Guard officers aged 38.6 ± 5.5 years old. In order to carry out research on physical activity, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used. Eating habits were assessed based on a Food Frequency Questionnaire for 61 groups of food products. Results: Over 80% of the soldiers and officers studied indicated high levels of physical activity. Only 8.2% of soldiers and 4.3% of officers indicated a low level of physical activity. Of the 61 food product groups analyzed, significant differences were found in the frequency of consumption of 17 products. These differences concerned almost all groups (except dairy products and eggs). Conclusions: To summarize, soldiers and officers presented high and moderate levels of physical activity. Taking into account the demonstrated frequent consumption of high-energy and high-fat products, such as sausages and red meat, as well as margarine, mayonnaise, and sugar, with the low frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption in both studied groups, it is advisable to conduct training among soldiers and officers in the field of health education.

This study is based on the Conservation of Resources theory and investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated resource loss on gambling behaviour among Polish gamblers. The study surveyed 585 individuals engaged in land-based gambling before the pandemic. Participants completed computer-assisted web interviews, responding to questions regarding land-based and online gambling frequencies, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and the Inventory of Loss of Resources in Pandemics. The findings revealed significant shifts in gambling behaviour due to pandemic-related restrictions. Land-based gambling declined during lockdowns and the third wave of the study, while online gambling surged as gamblers transitioned from land-based venues. Gamblers tended to return to land-based options as restrictions eased. Over consecutive waves, participants reported decreasing resource loss levels. Significantly, resource loss was influenced by gambling frequency rather than vice versa. Both types of gambling experienced parallel declines at the beginning of the pandemic, which subsided as the new situation became normalised. Players engaging more in gambling experienced more significant resource losses during the pandemic. Those with more resources at the pandemic’s onset adapted more readily, whereas individuals with limited resources faced resource loss. Conclusions Even with stable gambling levels, heavy gamblers at baseline were at higher risk for issues. The dynamics between resource loss and gambling and problem gambling supported the resource loss spiral concept.

This paper presents an analysis of the literary structure of 1 En. 72:8–32, which contains numerical data regarding the changing duration of day and night within the structure of the 364-day year. The central literary section of each month provides the reader with information about the changing length of day and night. The schematic clauses have been analyzed in the context of two Babylonian texts: Tablet BM 17175 + 17284 and Tablet XIV of the Enūma Anu Enlil astrological series. The redactional insertion in v. 27 has been compared with MUL . APIN II i 17, which contains the same information about the sun, but couched in a different terminology. The analysis demonstrates the process of appropriation, reinterpretation, and modification of schematic astronomical knowledge of Babylonian origin, as evidenced by the established relationship between the early form of Babylonian schematic astronomy and chapter 72 of 1 Enoch.

Aim To explore the relationship of selected socio-demographic and occupational characteristics of nurses and their level of professional values, hospital ethical climate and job satisfaction. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted among 388 Polish nurses from the spring of 2021 to winter of 2023, in the eastern part of Poland; and followed by Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Four research tools were used to collect data together with questionnaire for socio-demographic and occupational characteristics. Results Professional values such as activism correlate negatively with religious beliefs (Z = −1.789; p = 0.044), this means that nurses who are more involved in professional change activities are likely to be less associated with religious beliefs. A positive correlation was observed between the Ethical Hospital Climate Survey subscale—peer relations and nurses’ education level (H = 5.638; p = 0.048), indicating that a higher education level was associated with better relationships with colleagues at work. A negative relationship was identified between nurses’ external job satisfaction and their marital status (Z = −1.958; p = 0.040), that is, married nurses feel less satisfaction with the external aspects of their jobs than their single colleagues. Discussion These findings underscore that medical staff management should take into account both sociodemographic factors [e.g., age, education, place of residence, marital status, religious beliefs, as well as professional factors (working hours, qualification course, etc.)] that affect nurses’ professional values, job satisfaction and the ethical climate of the hospital. These underscore the need to adapt management strategies to the individual needs of employees, which can contribute to improving working conditions in healthcare facilities. Data collection tool The data collection tool consists of four sections. Demographics Collected background and demographic information. Nurses’ professional values scale (NPVS-3) Assessed professional values among nurses. Hospital ethical climate survey (HECS) Assessed hospital ethical climate among nurses. Minnesota satisfaction questionnaire-short form (MSQ-SF) Assessed job satisfaction levels among nurses.

Background: Humans cannot avoid plastic exposure due to its ubiquitous presence in the natural environment. The waste generated is poorly biodegradable and exists in the form of MPs, which can enter the human body primarily through the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or damaged skin and accumulate in various tissues by crossing biological membrane barriers. There is an increasing amount of research on the health effects of MPs. Most literature reports focus on the impact of plastics on the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, hormonal, nervous, and immune systems, as well as the metabolic effects of MPs accumulation leading to epidemics of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. MPs, as xenobiotics, undergo ADMET processes in the body, i.e., absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, which are not fully understood. Of particular concern are the carcinogenic chemicals added to plastics during manufacturing or adsorbed from the environment, such as chlorinated paraffins, phthalates, phenols, and bisphenols, which can be released when absorbed by the body. The continuous increase in NMP exposure has accelerated during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic when there was a need to use single-use plastic products in daily life. Therefore, there is an urgent need to diagnose problems related to the health effects of MP exposure and detection. Methods: We collected eligible publications mainly from PubMed published between 2017 and 2024. Results: In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on potential sources and routes of exposure, translocation pathways, identification methods, and carcinogenic potential confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. Additionally, we discuss the limitations of studies such as contamination during sample preparation and instrumental limitations constraints affecting imaging quality and MPs detection sensitivity. Conclusions: The assessment of MP content in samples should be performed according to the appropriate procedure and analytical technique to ensure Quality and Control (QA/QC). It was confirmed that MPs can be absorbed and accumulated in distant tissues, leading to an inflammatory response and initiation of signaling pathways responsible for malignant transformation.

The increasing occurrence of singlehood raises the question of whether people enjoy greater emotional wellbeing alone or in an intimate relationship. Guided by an evolutionary theoretical framework of human emotions, the current research aimed to address whether individuals are emotionally better off single than in an intimate relationship, taking a cross-cultural perspective. The quality of the relationship is also crucial; thus, the study also aimed to determine whether individuals in a good or bad intimate relationship differ from each other and from those who are single in terms of emotional wellbeing. In a sample of 6338 participants from 12 nations, we found that singles experienced lower emotional wellbeing and life satisfaction than those in relationships. More specifically, participants who were in a relationship or married reported the highest life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing, while those involuntarily single reported the lowest levels, with individuals who are between relationships or voluntarily single reporting intermediate levels. Additionally, participants in a good relationship experienced higher emotional wellbeing and life satisfaction than those in a bad relationship. The findings among the involuntarily single participants were similarly negative, but to a lesser extent than those in a bad relationship. These results were consistent across the different nations in our sample.

The problem of relations between Church and state has existed from the very beginnings of Christianity and has evolved over centuries. The dominant model today is one of separation between the state and religious communities. In the context of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican City State remains the only exception to this principle. This article examines the tensions inherent in the way in which the Roman Pontiff, as head of the Vatican City State, exercises both religious and secular power, and how rule of law principles operate to constrain the operation of power as between the various organs of this state.

Ribosomal action is facilitated by the orchestrated work of trans -acting factors and ribosomal elements, which are subject to regulatory events, often involving phosphorylation. One such element is the ribosomal P-stalk, which plays a dual function: it activates translational GTPases, which support basic ribosomal functions, and interacts with the Gcn2 kinase, linking the ribosomes to the ISR pathway. We show that P-stalk proteins, which form a pentamer, exist in the cell exclusively in a phosphorylated state at five C-terminal domains (CTDs), ensuring optimal translation (speed and accuracy) and may play a role in the timely regulation of the Gcn2-dependent stress response. Phosphorylation of the CTD induces a structural transition from a collapsed to a coil-like structure, and the CTD gains conformational freedom, allowing specific but transient binding to various protein partners, optimizing the ribosome action. The report reveals a unique feature of the P-stalk proteins, indicating that, unlike most ribosomal proteins, which are regulated by phosphorylation in an on/off manner, the P-stalk proteins exist in a constantly phosphorylated state, which optimizes their interaction with auxiliary factors.

Wind farms are still developing dynamically worldwide, with promising prospects for further growth. Therefore, the assessment of their impact on animals has been carried out. So far, few studies have been conducted on game mammals, and their results are divergent. Previous studies on the impact of wind farms on game species were typically based on regional research covering one or, at most, several wind farms. In this study, we aimed to verify the effect of wind farms on the density of game mammals through a large-scale analysis at the country level, using lowland Poland as an example. The study was based on hunting bag data from open-field hunting districts. It covered seven game species: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), European badger (Meles meles), European polecat (Mustela putorius), and European hare (Lepus europaeus). We used Corine Land Cover to account for differences in land cover and the area covered by wind farms in generalized linear mixed models. The study showed that in agricultural landscapes, mainly herbivorous species of game mammals were related to land cover types. These species tend to exhibit higher densities in agricultural areas containing more natural landscape features. Conversely, mesocarnivores are primarily driven by the abundance of prey with little to no observable effects from land cover types. Only roe deer and wild boar presented lower densities with an increase in the area covered by wind farms (for roe deer: estimate: − 0.05, 95% CI: − 0.1–0.0; for wild boar: estimate: − 0.03, 95% CI: − 0.11–0.05), while no effect was observed for mesocarnivores or European hare. The underlying reasons for these relationships remain unclear and require more specific studies. The uncertainty regarding the cause of the observed effects did not allow for a large-scale assessment of the impact of further wind energy development on the studied game mammals.