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The content of protein, moisture content and essential amino acids in conventional and genetically modified soybean grain and selected soybean products (soybean pâté, soybean drink, soybean dessert, tofu) was analyzed in this paper. The following comparative analysis of these products has not yet been carried out. No differences were observed in the amino acid profiles of soybeans and soybean products. The presence of essential amino acids was confirmed except for tryptophan. Its absence, however, may be due not to its absence in the raw material, but to its decomposition as a result of the acid hydrolysis of the sample occurring during its preparation for amino acid determination. Regardless of the type of soybean grain, the content of protein, moisture content and essential amino acids was similar (statistically insignificant difference). Thus, the type of raw material did not determine these parameters. There was a significant imbalance in the quantitative composition of essential amino acids in individual soybean products. Only statistically significant variation was found in genetically modified and conventional soybean pâté. Moreover, in each soy product their amount was lower irrespective of the raw material from which they were manufactured. Therefore, the authors indicate the necessity of enriching soybean products with complete protein to increase their nutritional value.

The work mainly focused on a validation of the method for determining the content of salicylic acid and individual unknown impurities in new pharmaceutical product—tablets containing: 75, 100 or 150 mg of acetylsalicylic acid and glycine in the amount of 40 mg for each dosage. The separation of the components was carried out by means of HPLC, using a Waters Symmetry C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of 85% orthophosphoric acid, acetonitrile and purified water (2:400:600 V/V/V). Detection was carried out at a wavelength of 237 nm, with a constant flow rate of 1.0 ml min −1 . In order to verify the method, linearity, precision (repeatability and reproducibility), accuracy, specificity, range, robustness, system precision, stability of the test and standard solution, limit of quantification and forced degradation were determined. Validation tests were performed in accordance with ICH (International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use) guidelines. The method was validated successfully. It was confirmed that the method in a tested range of 0.005–0.40% salicylic acid with respect to acetylsalicylic acid content is linear, precise and accurate.

The paper presents the results of an ecological study completed within the warm seasonal period of 01/07/2024–31/10/2024. The aim is to assess the relationship between ambient air quality deterioration and acute respiratory incidents occurring in the inhabitants of Gliwice (Poland; Upper Silesian agglomeration). The number of daily medical services (MS) due to respiratory diseases and illnesses was obtained from the register of the National Health Fund (Silesian Voivodeship Branch in Katowice). The daily mean values of aerosanitary factors in Gliwice came from the mobile air pollution laboratory of the Silesian University of Technology in Poland. The relative risk ( RR ) of MS was estimated using a Poisson log-linear model considering independent environmental factors (meteorological factors and air pollutant concentrations) or confounding factors (astronomical season and day of the week). The highest number of MS due to respiratory diseases refers to acute nasopharyngitis and asthma exacerbation, mostly in children aged 0–9 years. A significant impact was observed in the case of particulate matter concentration increase and number of MS due to acute nasopharyngitis, laryngitis and tracheitis, pneumonia, asthma exacerbation, in the case of nitrogen oxides appropriately acute nasopharyngitis, bronchitis and/or bronchiolitis, pneumonia, asthma exacerbation. Additionally, a longer time of exposure was associated with a higher risk of MS due to respiratory incidents. The increase in wind speed and relative humidity was significantly associated with a higher number of bronchitis and asthma exacerbation while a higher temperature and higher 8-hour ozone concentration remain protective of both MS. The results are essential for effectively communicating environmental health risks, educating the public about potential threats, and pressuring legislators responsible for legislation and risk management.

The aging population and increasing prevalence of oxidative stress-related diseases underscore the need for functional food and pharmaceutical formulations enriched with bioactive compounds. This study aimed to design sustainable emulsion systems incorporating enzymatically modified fats with enhanced functional and bioactive properties. Enzymatic interesterification was employed as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical catalysis, enabling the transformation of natural lipids without generating undesirable trans isomers. The lipid phase was formulated from blends of hemp oil, a plant-derived source rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids with documented antioxidant potential, and mutton tallow, in an effort to valorize meat industry by-products. Systematic evaluation of emulsion stability, viscosity, and textural properties was conducted using Turbiscan analysis and texture profile analysis. The results demonstrated that xanthan gum concentration was the primary determinant of structural stability, physicochemical stability, and structural integrity of the emulsion systems. Formulation no. 38 (0.8% w/w xanthan gum) was identified as the statistically most stable system based on Turbiscan Stability Index values (TSI = 1.4). Although emulsions containing 1.0% w/w xanthan gum exhibited similarly low TSI values and slightly smaller final droplet diameters, formulation E38 showed the smallest increase in droplet size during storage (<1 µm), indicating superior resistance to structural changes over time. Fat composition showed minimal influence on emulsion behavior, suggesting that lipid selection should prioritize nutritional and bioactive value. These findings indicate that emulsions based on enzymatically modified fats and stabilized with natural polysaccharides can serve as physically stable systems with potential applicability in food, cosmeceutical, and pharmaceutical formulations intended for bioactive compound delivery.

There is a discussion in Europe about the dominant role of air pollution for health effects, most researchers claim that the particulate matter is responsible for inflammatory processes in the respiratory system, while others underline the role of nitrogen dioxide. The aim of the study was to assess the risk related to NOx, NO2 and PM2.5 concentration increase and daily outpatient visits or hospitalization due to bronchitis and asthma exacerbation in the entire population of Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. To assess the relationship between daily pollutants concentrations and the number of outpatient visits or hospitalizations due to bronchitis and asthma (available in the regional registry), the multivariable log-linear Poisson regression model was used. Results were presented by relative risk (RR) of health outcomes related to the increase in pollutant concentration by unit (interquartile range). Obtained results confirmed a statistically significant association between outpatient visits and hospitalizations due to bronchitis and asthma exacerbation and daily nitrogen oxides concentrations in Silesian voivodeship, Poland. The strongest relationship was observed in the case of NO2 and outpatient visits due to bronchitis, e.g., RR = 1.434 (1.308–1.571) for exposure expressed by the 50-day moving average concentration. In the case of hospitalizations, the health effect was lagged a few days in relation to the increase in exposure.

Leather tanning generates substantial amounts of solid waste and effluents, posing significant environmental challenges due to the presence of hazardous chromium compounds. The aim of this study was to develop and optimize a method for recycling chromium-tanned leather waste by utilizing it as a raw material in the retanning process. Collagen hydrolysate was extracted from chrome-tanned leather shavings through acid hydrolysis and subsequently incorporated, together with melamine, into novel retanning compositions. The experimental design, based on the Kleeman method, involved varying the hydrolysate content (25%, 30%, 35%) and melamine concentration (2.5%, 3.0%, 3.5%, 4.0%) to assess their impact on the physicochemical properties of retanned wet-blue leathers. An innovative aspect of the study was the integration of the Kateskór computer program, employing the Kleeman experimental planning method, to optimize the formulation of retanning compositions. This computational approach enabled the precise determination of hydrolysate and melamine quantities required to achieve leather properties that meet both producer and consumer expectations. The optimized formulation identified the hydrolysate content in the range of 28.78–29.63% and melamine in the range of 3.61–3.68% as optimal for obtaining leathers with the desired mechanical strength, shrinkage temperature, and water vapor permeability. The study presents a practical model of a circular economy within the leather industry, aligning with the European Green Deal Strategy by promoting resource efficiency and minimizing hazardous waste. The proposed methodology provides a viable pathway for sustainable leather production through waste valorization and process optimization.

The effect of environmental variables on vitamin C degradation in the analysed plant and vegetable juice samples was investigated. The study focused on samples from chives, dandelion, and nettle, as well as tomato, carrot, cucumber, red and white peppers, and cabbage. The aims of the study were to summarise the impact of storage time, temperature, and packaging materials on antioxidants (using vitamin C as an example) in processing plant and vegetable juices. The vitamin C concentration was tested iodometrically at 0 to 21 days intervals. Storage was carried out at different temperatures (4 °C, 23 °C, −18 °C) and in two selected packaging materials (glass and plastic). The analyses showed that low temperatures (t = 4 °C) and storage in glass containers are best for preserving vitamin C content. Storage time influenced the decrease in vitamin C values, with higher losses accompanying longer storage times. Plastic containers had a shorter shelf life for vitamin C compared to glass containers. In general, high temperatures during processing and storage have a negative effect on the preservation of vitamin C. Therefore, storing juices in the refrigerator and glass containers intended for food applications to minimise vitamin C degradation is important.

A significant proportion of healthcare workers (HCWs) had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, which complicated the organization of patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the exact scale of infection prevalence among the group of HCWs is not known, therefore this study aimed to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs in the Silesian voivodeship, Poland, and to define its determinants. The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 multidisciplinary hospitals in the Silesian voivodeship during the period October 2021-February 2022. The standardized WHO questionnaire was completed by 242 HCWs. To assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its determinants, such as personal, occupational, and work environment-related conditions and preventive behaviors, the collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. For this purpose, descriptive and analytical statistics (significance of differences in χ test) were used. Almost half (42.6%) of subjects were infected with coronavirus, most frequently care assistants (57.1%) and paramedics (50%). People suffering from chronic diseases were infected significantly more often (p < 0.001). The majority of the infected HCWs declared previous contact with COVID-19 patients (56.3%). Unfortunately, 10.3% of respondents refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, most often care assistants (38.1%) and nurses (10.6%). The determinants such as sex, age, occupation, place of work (ward), participation in occupational safety and health training, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), or preventive behaviors did not significantly affect the risk of infection (p > 0.05). Even though the PPE was used and the percentage of fully vaccinated HCWs against COVID-19 was high (89.7%), the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infected HCWs remains high at 42.6% (95% CI: 40.7-44.5%). The main determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk among HCWs were previous contact with infected individuals and the presence of chronic disease. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):201-13.

Assessment of regional variation in the COVID-19 epidemic is an important task for the implementation of effective action in public health, especially in densely populated regions. In this descriptive study, the temporal and spatial variability of morbidity and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 in the Silesian Voivodship (Poland) was analyzed. Secondary epidemiological data of hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 from 1 March to 31 December 2020 and from 1 January to 31 December 2021 were obtained from the regional registry of the Silesian Voivodship Office in Katowice. A year by year (2020 versus 2021) comparative analysis showed a similar course pattern of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Silesian Voivodeship; with the worst situation occurring in the colder months of the year. The percentage of in-hospital mortality remained at a high level, close to 20% during the second year of observation. The risk of death in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 increased with the number of comorbidities. The highest number of patients was documented in densely inhabited regions with intensive population movement (Częstochowa and border counties). The epidemiological ‘map’ facilitates the generation of hypotheses needed for the explanation of the observed epidemic hazard in one of the most populated regions of Poland.

This study examined the sorption of heavy metals in selected soils (e.g., Andosol, Cambisol, Planosol) in Slovakia, focusing on the kind and quantity of humic materials as well as the soil’s characteristics. Heavy metals were detected using GT AAS, while UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to determine humic substances’ colour quotients. The impact of the total organic carbon on the total cadmium, bioavailable lead, and cadmium was highlighted. The results reveal positive correlations among humic substances and bioavailable forms of Cd (r = 0.692) and Pb (r = 0.709). A relationship was discovered between FAs and the bioavailable forms of Pb (r = 0.743) and Cd (r = 0.700) and between the level of HSs and the bioavailable content of Cd (r = 0.499). Bioavailable heavy metals showed a positive correlation with clay fraction and a negative correlation with heavy metal content. Correlations were found between the bioavailable heavy metal forms and the colour quotients of humic substances and humic acids. Heavy metals in bioavailable forms decreased with the levels of the condensation and dispersion of humic substances. From clay to silt, the amounts of Cd and Pb increased. This study’ results provide insights into the relationships between soil properties, humic substances, and the sorption of the studied elements.