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The article explores the transformations in the image of the most popular Mexican folk saint, Santa Muerte (Saint Death). Based on photographic documentation and in-depth interviews conducted during field research in Mexico in 2022 and 2023, an analysis of iconographic changes has been carried out, particularly evident in the case of Santa Muerte figurines. By examining the most widespread variants of figurines available in devotional and esoteric product shops, one can observe the influence of Afro-Caribbean beliefs, pre-Columbian heritage, medieval and baroque aesthetics, as well as local folklore and popular culture, which directly shape the iconographic sphere of Santa Muerte’s cult. Examples include the color palette and manner of decorating the figurines, the saint’s attributes, and offerings. The article illustrates how current iconographic transformations reflect changes in beliefs, rituals, and perceptions of Santa Muerte both among her followers and those outside this community.

From the perspective of the history of literature, war is a fundamental and crucial motif, present in a vast range of texts created by different cultures in different periods. Refugees are one of the brutal, yet usual, consequences of armed conflicts. However, neither the war nor its victims are commonly considered typical themes in dramas for children. Similarly to other so-called “difficult topics,” like death or illness, they used to be perceived as a certain taboo, absent from the art for the youngest audience. This paper aims to present different artistic strategies for portraying refugees and war victims in contemporary Polish drama for children. The analysis was based on practical examples and contains deeper insights into three texts written by the most frequently staged Polish playwrights. Although the article focuses on local dramaturgy, the context of adaptations of foreign literature was also included. The article is meant to fill the gap in the literature involving image of refugees in Polish theatre and drama for children, yet to be investigated.

Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants with ethnomedicinal value and growing potential in food and cosmetics; their adaptability to extreme conditions makes them promising candidates for sustainable agriculture and crop development in salt-affected areas. In vitro plant tissue culture further supports this by enabling resilient plant production in the face of climate and food security challenges. In this study, in vitro cultures of two medicinal halophytes from the genus Plantago (P. coronopus and P. crassifolia) were established to optimize their micropropagation protocol. Seed germination percentages, growth parameters, micropropagation rates, rooting efficiency, and physiological condition were evaluated. Growth media (modified MS medium) differed in the type of cytokinin. The seed germination efficiency was monitored at weekly intervals for 8 weeks, and other growth parameters were evaluated in 6- and 12-week cultures. Differences in both the rate and efficiency of in vitro germination between the two species were observed, with approximately 73% germination reached by P. coronopus and 47% by P. crassifolia after 4 weeks, and 80% and 53% after 8 weeks, respectively. The addition of 0.5 mg dm−3 kinetin plus 0.5 mg dm−3 IAA (indole acetic acid) proved to be effective in promoting growth in P. coronopus, resulting in longer plantlets and higher multiplication rates, while the addition of meta-topolin (mT) was a better stimulator of shoot and root growth in P. crassifolia. The highest multiplication coefficient, 6.22 for P. coronopus and 4.90 for P. crassifolia, was obtained on the P1 medium for both species. Importantly, medium with mT also had a stimulating effect on rooting in both species over the long term (12-week culture). The developed PTC enables efficient propagation and trait selection in halophytes, supporting sustainable large-scale production of the studied Plantago species, and facilitating future research on salt stress tolerance.

Purpose. To assess the time course changes in corneal topographic parameters during the one-year follow-up after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery. Materials and Methods. Twenty-one patients (24 eyes) who underwent DMEK surgery were evaluated. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell count (ECC), central corneal thickness (CCT), mean keratometry (MK), mean astigmatism (MA), astigmatism asymmetry (AA), and higher-order aberration (HOA) were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery using CASIA2 anterior segment swept-source OCT (Tomey, Japan). Results. In patients who underwent DMEK surgery, BCVA improved gradually at the subsequent visits during the 12-month follow-up. A significant reduction in ECC and CCT at the 1st month was noted, which remained stable until the 6th month postoperatively. Anterior and total MK values remained unchanged, whereas changes in posterior keratometry were noticeable until the 6th month after surgery. A significant reduction in the anterior, posterior, and total astigmatism magnitude as well as astigmatism asymmetry was observed during the first 6 months after surgery. A gradual anterior, posterior, and total HOA decrease was documented until the 12th month after surgery. Negative correlations between baseline values of CCT, MK, MA, AA, and HOA and postoperative variations in those parameters at consecutive follow-up time points were observed. Accordingly, negative correlations between baseline CCT and postoperative changes in corneal topographic parameters after surgery were found. Conclusion. The stabilization of most corneal topographic parameters takes place within 6 months after the procedure, whereas HOA reduction and BCVA improvement gradually occur during the first year after surgery. Preoperative values of corneal topographic parameters strongly determine their changes detected after DMEK surgery, which may suggest that early therapeutic intervention results in better visual outcomes.

The article explores the transformations in the image of the most popular Mexican folk saint, Santa Muerte (Saint Death). Based on photographic documentation and in-depth interviews conducted during field research in Mexico in 2022 and 2023, an analysis of iconographic changes has been carried out, particularly evident in the case of Santa Muerte figurines. By examining the most widespread variants of figurines available in devotional and esoteric product shops, one can observe the influence of Afro-Caribbean beliefs, pre-Columbian heritage, medieval and baroque aesthetics, as well as local folklore and popular culture, which directly shape the iconographic sphere of Santa Muerte’s cult. Examples include the color palette and manner of decorating the figurines, the saint’s attributes, and offerings. The article illustrates how current iconographic transformations reflect changes in beliefs, rituals, and perceptions of Santa Muerte both among her followers and those outside this community.

The increasing prevalence of electronic cigarettes (e‑cigarette) use among adolescents has raised concerns about potential high‑risk behaviors, particularly the addition of psychoactive substances to e‑cigarette liquid (e‑liquids). This study examines the association between exposure to e‑cigarette marketing and the practice of adding psychoactive substances to e‑liquids among Polish teenagers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 8,344 Polish teenagers aged 15 years and older. The study evaluated exposure to various e-cigarette marketing channels, the prevalence of psychoactive substances added to e-liquids and associated demographic and socioeconomic factors. A cross‑sectional survey was conducted with 8344 Polish teenagers aged ≥15 years. The study evaluated exposure to various e‑cigarette marketing channels, the prevalence of psychoactive substances added to e‑liquids and associated demographic and socioeconomic factors. These findings elucidate the com‑ plex interplay between e‑cigarette marketing exposure, socioeconomic factors, and high‑risk e‑cigarette use among adolescents. The results underscore the necessity for more stringent regulation of e‑cigarette marketing and comprehensive, targeted prevention strategies focusing on urban and higher‑income youth populations. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(2):190-206.

Adolescent e‑cigarette use is a growing public health concern, yet the influence of family context and risk perceptions on usage patterns remains poorly understood. This cross-sectional study investigated relationships between family context, risk perceptions, and e‑cigarette use patterns among a nationally representative sample of 4797 Polish adolescents aged 15-18 years who were current e‑cigarette users (defined as use in the past 30 days). Using computer-assisted web interviews, the authors assessed family factors (parental awareness, attitudes, and nicotine use), risk perceptions, and e‑cigarette use behaviors. Among adolescent e‑cigarette users, 92.6% engaged in poly-nicotine use (i.e., used ≥1 other nicotine product) with only 7.4% reporting exclusive e‑cigarette use. Notably, 46.7% of participants reported extensive multiple product use (concurrent use of ≥5 products). Structural equation modeling demonstrated that family context significantly influenced e‑cigarette use patterns, both directly (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and indirectly through risk perceptions (β = 0.12). Risk perception emerged as the strongest direct predictor of e‑cigarette use patterns (β = 0.41, p < 0.001). Parental e‑cigarette use was associated with a 70% increase in adolescents' likelihood of intensive e‑cigarette use (≥10 times daily) (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.39-2.07, p < 0.001). Traditional cigarette initiation (compared to e‑cigarette initiation) was associated with almost twice the likelihood of multiple nicotine product use (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.67-2.13, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the significant influence of family context and risk perceptions on adolescent nicotine use behaviors, suggesting that family-based interventions addressing these factors could be effective prevention strategies. IInt J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(5):512-27.

The lowland tapir is one of four species belonging to the Tapiridae family of the Ceratomorpha suborder, similar to Rhinocerotidae. This study describes anatomy with morphometry, histology (hematoxylin and eosin, Masson-Goldner trichrome, Movat pentachrome, mucicarmine, picro-Mallory trichrome) and histochemistry (PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5; AB pH2.5/PAS and HDI) of the upper and lower eyelids, and superficial gland of the third eyelid with the third eyelid, deep gland of the third eyelid, and lacrimal gland. The aim of the work is to show the features of the above-mentioned structures typical only for Tapiridae, as well as to show the presence of similarities and differences between the families forming the order Perissodactyla. The eyelashes on the upper eyelid were long, while those of the lower eyelid were short and much less prominent. In the upper and lower eyelid sebaceous glands, a characteristic simple alveolar gland producing a mucus-like secretion and poorly developed tarsal glands were observed. The marginal zone of the posterior surface of the eyelids was covered by stratified columnar epithelium with 18–21 layers of nucleated cells, while the bulbar zone of these surfaces was covered by cubic multilayer epithelium with 6–11 non-keratinized layers of cells and with sparse goblet cells. In only lower eyelids, numerous lymphoid nodules, diffuse lymphocytes and high endothelial venules were observed. The superficial gland was an acinar complex which secreted mucous and contained plasma cells within the interlobular and interlobular connective tissue. The upper and lower branches of the third eyelid were the shape of a bent “caudal fin” and were composed of hyaline cartilage, and they contained conjunctiva associated lymphoid tissue (CALT). The deep gland was also an acinar complex producing a serous character and having numerous diffuse lymphocytes. The lacrimal gland was an acinar complex producing seromucous secretions and had numerous plasma cells located in the glandular interstitium. The results of our research indicate that the features of the anatomy of the eyelids and orbital region in the lowland tapir are also typical of the family Tapiridae, but also have features common to the families Equidae and Rhinocerotidae. We confirm the presence of poorly developed tarsal glands in both eyelids as well as presence of a palpebral part of the lacrimal gland in the upper eyelid, which is typical only to Tapirus terrestris.

This article describes an original methodology for integrating global SIR-like epidemic models with spatial interaction models, which enables the forecasting of COVID-19 dynamics in Poland through time and space. Mobility level, estimated by the regional population density and distances among inhabitants, was the determining variable in the spatial interaction model. The spatiotemporal diffusion model, which allows the temporal prediction of case counts and the possibility of determining their spatial distribution, made it possible to forecast the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic at a regional level in Poland. This model was used to predict incidence in 380 counties in Poland, which represents a much more detailed modeling than NUTS 3 according to the widely used geocoding standard Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics. The research covered the entire territory of Poland in seven weeks of early 2021, just before the start of vaccination in Poland. The results were verified using official epidemiological data collected by sanitary and epidemiological stations. As the conducted analyses show, the application of the approach proposed in the article, integrating epidemiological models with spatial interaction models, especially unconstrained gravity models and destination (attraction) constrained models, leads to obtaining almost 90% of the coefficient of determination, which reflects the quality of the model’s fit with the spatiotemporal distribution of the validation data.