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Background Angioedema without urticaria (AWU) is a disease found in the elderly population but is still poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate potential factors, especially comorbidities, that may affect the induction of angioedema without urticaria in patients over 60 years of age. Methods This was an observational, retrospective study of 242 patients with a diagnosis of AWU and 263 controls. The inclusion criteria were as follows: at least one episode of confirmed AWU based on the ICD-10 code (T78.3) that required treatment in the last 15 years (2004–2019); age above 60 years; detailed medical history of comorbidities; and details regarding the use of drugs at that time. Serum functional and quantitative C1 inhibitor assays were performed, and serum C4 was measured. Comorbidities were grouped into the following panels: autoimmune, cancer, cardiac, metabolic, respiratory and allergic, liver failure and renal failure. Individual diseases were checked according to ICD code and treatment. Results In 1 (0.4%) patient, hereditary angioedema was confirmed. Decreased levels of C1INH were observed in 4 (1.65%) patients, dysfunction of C1INH was observed in 5 (1.76%) patients, and low levels of C4 were observed in 9 (3.71%) patients in the study group. The multiple logistic regression model revealed that patients with hyperuricemia or Hashimoto’s disease had a significantly higher chance of angioedema (OR = 3.21, 95% CI 2.92–3.66, p = 0.002; OR = 1.78 95% CI 1.37–2.21, p = 0.034, respectively). Conclusion The obtained results may indicate a significant influence of hyperuricemia or Hashimoto’s disease on angioedema manifestations.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest health threats globally. In addition, the use of antimicrobial drugs in humans and livestock is considered an important driver of antimicrobial resistance. The commensal microbiota, and especially the intestinal microbiota, has been shown to have an important role in the emergence of AMR. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) also play a central role in facilitating the acquisition and spread of AMR genes. We isolated Escherichia coli (n = 627) from fecal samples in respectively 25 poultry, 28 swine, and 15 veal calf herds from 6 European countries to investigate the phylogeny of E. coli at country, animal host and farm levels. Furthermore, we examine the evolution of AMR in E. coli genomes including an association with virulence genes, plasmids and MGEs. We compared the abundance metrics retrieved from metagenomic sequencing and whole genome sequenced of E. coli isolates from the same fecal samples and farms. The E. coli isolates in this study indicated no clonality or clustering based on country of origin and genetic markers; AMR, and MGEs. Nonetheless, mobile genetic elements play a role in the acquisition of AMR and virulence genes. Additionally, an abundance of AMR was agreeable between metagenomic and whole genome sequencing analysis for several AMR classes in poultry fecal samples suggesting that metagenomics could be used as an indicator for surveillance of AMR in E. coli isolates and vice versa.

In the educational context, virtual reality (VR) can be defined as a set of diverse hardware and software technologies that can be used to provide the experience of immersion in the learning process. This study aimed to investigate the connection between VR and emotions that can motivate students to be more active in the didactic process. A group of 99 participants was involved and watched three short individual VR sessions using Oculus glasses. We monitored participants’ moods (using the SUPIN/PANAS questionnaire) and we also gauged their self-esteem (SES questionnaire). Participation in VR sessions increases the intensity in learners’ emotions. The increase or decrease in emotions depends on whether they are positive or negative. First and foremost, we observed changes in the intensity of positive emotions which, after VR intervention, increased significantly in relation to the initial measurement, compared with the intensity of negative emotions during the post-test. The results show that VR significantly modifies learners’ emotions, contributing to the reinforcement of positive emotional states, and in the case of those with low self-esteem, it also decreases negative emotional states. In conclusion, VR can be used as a didactic tool to facilitate the teaching-learning process at various levels. It makes it possible not only to practice skills in simulated, safer conditions and illustrate presented material, but also to make the didactic process more attractive, thereby influencing learners’ emotions positively.

Salmonella Mbandaka is one of the most globally widespread serovars, occurring in many sources and included among twenty serovars that contribute to human salmonellosis in Europe. In Poland, it has been noted in non-human sources since 1996, being found firstly in feeds and later in waterfowl and chicken. Over the years, it gained epidemiological importance, being isolated from a wide range of animal species, including livestock. Generally, it is characterized by sensitivity to most antimicrobials and the ability to form biofilms. The occurrence of cephalosporin-resistant Salmonella in non-human sources is an extremely rare phenomenon in Poland. In this report, we characterized the full genome of the ESBL-producing S. Mbandaka strain isolated from a broiler farm environment (boot swab sample) in Poland in 2022. The isolate was serotyped as S. Mbandaka according to the White–Kaufmann–Le Minor scheme. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed with the microbroth dilution method showed its resistance to ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid. The whole-genome sequence was reconstructed using short and long reads and assembled into the complete chromosome and three plasmids: IncI1 pST113 (89,439 bp), Col(pHAD28) (2699 bp), and Col440 (2495 bp). The strain belonged to sequence type ST413. Plasmid analysis showed blaCTX-M-8 mobilization on IncI1(alpha) surrounded with insertion sequences. The analyzed genome content draws attention to the possibility of the horizontal spread of the resistance genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of blaCTX-M-8-positive Salmonella in Poland.

(1) Background: Understanding the distribution of Salmonella serovars in food, animals, and their environments is crucial for identifying infection sources and monitoring pathogen prevalence in the food chain. This study analysed Salmonella serovars in Poland from 2016 to 2020, focusing on their epidemiological significance. (2) Methods: Isolation of Salmonella was carried out following PN-EN ISO 6579 standards, and serotyping was performed using the White–Kauffmann–Le Minor scheme. A total of 7104 isolates were collected from food-producing animals, their environments, food of animal origin, feedingstuffs, and fertilisers. (3) Results: A total of 175 serovars were identified, with S. Enteritidis (n = 2905; 40.9%), S. Infantis (n = 1167; 16.4%), and S. Typhimurium (n = 360; 5.1%) being the most prevalent. Species-specific patterns were observed: S. Enteritidis dominated in chickens, ducks, and cattle; S. Kentucky in turkeys; S. Typhimurium in geese; and monophasic S. Typhimurium in pigs. S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis were most frequent in food of animal origin, especially broiler meat. In feedingstuffs, S. Agona was predominant, while fertilisers mostly contained S. Derby and S. Infantis. (4) Conclusions: The study highlights the source-dependent variety of Salmonella serovars and the importance of serotyping in tracing infection routes and preventing the spread of pathogens. Identifying the most common serovars supports the development of targeted preventive measures, including improved biosecurity, hygiene, and management practices to enhance food safety.

(1) Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus manifests itself in many aspects of everyday life, among which one of the most frequently accentuated are changes in physical activity from the perspective of lockdown mobility limitations. The aim of this study was to assess the level of physical activity in groups of students with different levels of educational engagement in physical activity while taking into account the realities of remote and traditional education. (2) Methods: The study was conducted among 200 students of 3 majors with varying degrees of curriculum related to physical activity, including students of physical education (n-73), tourism and recreation (n-65) and students of a non-physical education major (n-62). The survey technique used was the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). (3) Results: PE students are the most engaged in physical activity compared to other study groups. This pattern is particularly true for high physical activity. An interesting observation is that, in the post-lockdown period, there was no statistically significant difference between the physical activity levels of PE students and TR students. Meanwhile, such a difference in favor of PE students was evident during the lockdown period. (4) Conclusions: Educational links to physical activity appear to be an important factor in stimulating this activity during times of epidemiological emergency.

The results of comparative studies on the fabrication and characterization of GaN/Ag substrates using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and magnetron sputtering (MS) and their evaluation as potential substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are reported. Ag layers of comparable thicknesses were deposited using PLD and MS on nanostructured GaN platforms. All fabricated SERS substrates were examined regarding their optical properties using UV–vis spectroscopy and regarding their morphology using scanning electron microscopy. SERS properties of the fabricated GaN/Ag substrates were evaluated by measuring SERS spectra of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid molecules adsorbed on them. For all PLD-made GaN/Ag substrates, the estimated enhancement factors were higher than for MS-made substrates with a comparable thickness of the Ag layer. In the best case, the PLD-made GaN/Ag substrate exhibited an approximately 4.4 times higher enhancement factor than the best MS-made substrate.

Background and Objectives. Acquired angioedema is a relatively common revelation accompanying some diseases such as autoimmune or cancer. The study aimed to assess the incidence of one subtype of angioedema—C1-INH-AAE (acquired angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency). Material and methods. The study was retrospective and based on 1 312 patients with a final diagnosis of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or lung cancer: 723 women and 589 men with a mean age of 58.2 ± 13.5 years. The cancer diagnosis according to the ICD (International Classification of Diseases)-10 code, medical history including TNM (Tumour, Node, Metastasis) staging, histopathology, and assessment of the occurrence of C1-INH-AAE angioedema were analysed. Results. C1-INH-AAE occurred more often in patients with cancer than in the control group, as follows: 327 (29%) vs. 53 (6%) for p < 0.05. C1-INH-AAEs were observed most often in the group of patients diagnosed with breast cancer compared to colorectal and lung groups: 197 (37%) vs. 108 (26%) vs. 22 (16%) (p < 0.05). A higher incidence of C1-INH-AAE was observed in the early stages of breast cancer. However, there was no relationship between the occurrence of C1-INH-AAE and the BRCA1 (Breast Cancer gene 1)/BRCA2 (Breast Cancer gene 2) mutation or histopathological types of breast cancer. Conclusion. Angioedema type C1-INH-AAE occurs more often in patients with selected neoplastic diseases, especially in the early stages of breast cancer.

Since 2014, the long‐term decreasing trend in human salmonellosis, caused mainly by the consumption of Salmonella ‐contaminated poultry products, has stagnated in the European Union (EU). As Poland has been the leading poultry meat producer in the EU since 2014, we analysed whole genome sequences of 275 Salmonella ( S .) Enteritidis strains from the poultry food production chain ( n  = 216) and humans ( n  = 59) (2008–2019) to shed light on the genetic content and relatedness of the S . Enteritidis population in Poland. Most (99.3%) of the strains belonged to ST11. Overall, 5.8% of strains possessed at least one antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG), the most common being qnrB19 ( n  = 9). Mutations in quinolone resistance‐determining regions (QRDRs) were observed in 46.9% of strains, and the most common mutation was gyrA (S83Y; n  = 95). In 95.6% of strains, at least one plasmid replicon was detected, with the highest prevalence of IncFII(S)_1 ( n  = 263) and IncFIB(S)_1 ( n  = 262). The composition of Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) was uniform among 96.7% of strains carrying CS54, SPI‐1‐SPI‐3, SPI‐5, SPI‐6, SPI‐9, SPI‐12 and SPI‐14. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis revealed no apparent clustering based on source or year of isolation. None of the genetic determinants studied here seemed to trigger changes in Salmonella epidemiology. However, other factors, such as improvements in reporting and control, could influence infection trends and are, therefore, worth further elucidation.

The resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial substances is one of the most serious epidemiological problems present on a global scale. The widespread use of same classes of antimicrobials in human and veterinary medicine, often without laboratory confirmation of the efficacy of active compounds used, contributes to the selection of resistant bacteria in humans and animals, and their spread in nature. The increasing resistance of pathogenic bacteria leads to serious consequences for both human and animal health. However, the resistance of commensal bacteria is equally important as they constitute a reservoir and vector of resistance determinants in the environment. Exposure to antimicrobials belonging to different classes can lead to cross-resistance and the selection of genes that may spread horizontally on mobile genetic elements. The emergence of plasmid-encoded resistance to critically important antibiotics for human medicine e.g. carbapenems or polymyxins is alarming. On the example of antibiotics classified as critically important for human medicine, it is possible to discuss almost all bacterial mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. For effective combat against the growing antibiotic resistance of bacteria, it is necessary to know the mechanisms of resistance and the methods of their acquisition by bacteria. The aim of the paper is to review the ways that critically important antimicrobials act on bacterial cells and present complex mechanisms that are responsible for resistance to these substances as well as genes conferring for resistance.1. Introduction. 2. Antimicrobials that cause loss of cell wall integrity: β-lactams, glycopeptides and phosphonic acid derivatives. 2.1. Mechanisms of antimicrobial action. 2.2. Mechanisms of resistance. 3. Antimicrobials affecting the cell membrane: polymyxins and lipopeptides. 3.1. Mechanisms of antimicrobial action. 3.2. Mechanisms of resistance. 4. Antimicrobial substances that inhibit the synthesis of nucleic acids: quinolones and ansamycins. 4.1. Mechanisms of antimicrobial action. 4.2. Mechanisms of resistance. 5. Antimicrobial substances inhibiting protein synthesis: macrolides, ketolides, aminoglycosides, glycylcyclines, oxazolidinones. 5.1. Mechanisms of antimicrobial action. 5.2. Mechanisms of resistance. 6. Summary