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INTRODUCTION: In the education of medical professionals, thorough theoretical and practical preparation of future healthcare professionals is highly important. Current developments and technological advances offer considerable opportunities for the design and construction of educational e-resources, including various types of multimedia and interactive materials. As their production is relatively expensive and time consuming, both in terms of content and technology, it is worth developing them for a wider, nationwide audience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: E-materials, such as decision-based games, educational videos, multimedia atlases, and infographics, were designed and produced for the Integrated Educational Platform of the Ministry of Education and Science in Poland as part of a national EU project for post-secondary education of medical caregivers, medical electronics technicians, and information technology technicians. The materials included topics from anatomy, physiology, lifethreatening conditions, first aid, health promotion and prevention, and psychophysical development. The research group consisted of fourth-year medical students who, as part of the subject of scientific research, performed an analysis of ematerials in terms of their educational value and evaluation of their technological aspects. Methods such as interviews, reviews, analysis, and discussion were used. RESULTS: After the analysis carried out, the main characteristics (advantages) and recommendations considered important by the knowledge recipients in terms of a) content and methodology, and b) technology, were identified. These include: a) the way the information is conveyed, visualisation of the content presented, highlighting, concise delivery of the content, motivation for learning, and b) the way the content is presented, visualization of the message, visual and auditory impact, changing the speed of content playback, ability to work on different devices. Recommendations for the creation of e-resources are: a) accuracy of the presented content, detail of the content, b) navigation, the ability to go back to earlier stages of the game, additional videos, sounds that convey the realism of the situation. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback from future users of educational multimedia materials is necessary. Their analysis should be taken into account when creating e-resources. 1) Content: content should be appropriately matched to the recipient's knowledge level, and presented in a concise manner. 2) Methodology: Multimedia should enable independent decisionmaking at different stages of learning, as well as include patterns of behaviour, especially in life-threatening conditions. It is important to highlight and visualise the content, combining visual and auditory cues 3) Technology: the content presented should reflect reality (high production quality), enable proper navigation, and be accessible on various devices.

The effect of N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA, 5.0%, w/w in lanolin) on the growth of Solidago canadensis (Canadian goldenrod) stem was studied, focusing on histological analyses, comprehensive analyses of phytohormones and polar metabolites. NPA substantially induced stem swelling at and above the application site and stimulated vascular cambium activity around the area of its application. The cambial zone in the swelling part of the stem was twice as wide as that treated with lanolin only (control). The proliferation of cambial cells increased xylem production and, consequently, vascular bundle thickness. A significant enlargement of parenchymatous pith cells and an increased diameter of the pith were also observed. Comprehensive phytohormone analyses revealed that NPA increased the content of indole-3-propionic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, and indole-3-acetyl-aspartic acid in the swelling part of the stem, as well as trans-zeatin riboside. These results suggest that NPA-induced stem swelling depends on the dynamics of changes in aux-in and cytokinin metabolites. Furthermore, the contents of monosaccharides (glucose, fructose and galactose) as well as malic, succinic, fumaric acids, cyclitols and quinic acid derivatives in-creased markedly in the swelling stem. This may indicate that the site of NPA-induced stem swell-ing is a physiological sink for polar metabolites needed for the growth of this tissue. Thus, it seems that auxins, in interaction with cytokinins, regulate the strength of the sink, controlling the transport of polar metabolites into the swelling part of S. canadensis stem.

Yacon becomes an important plant with strong medical and dietary potential. Therefore, studies on the optimization of yacon micropropagation were undertaken. Reproduction of yacon is conducted by traditional methods with green seedlings or long offsets taken from the underground and aboveground rootstock. The influence of different disinfection methods, various initial explants and growth regulators, their concentrations, and combinations on the efficiency of micropropagation have been analyzed. The most effective disinfection was the use of 70% ethanol and 0.5% Tween 20. The optimal initial explants were apical and lateral buds cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.2 mg L–1 kinetin and 1 mg L–1 indole-3-acetic acid. The most intensive shoot regeneration occurred on MS medium with 1 mg L–1 thidiazuron and 1-naphthylacetic acid. Histological observations demonstrated the strong effect of growth substances on shoot organogenesis from callus tissue. Shoots obtained from in vitro cultures rooted easily on modified MS media with ½ or ¼ concentration of macroelements, 20 g L–1 sucrose and 3 mg L–1 1-naphthylacetic acid. All plants adapted to ex vitro conditions.

The influence of polyamines (PAs), putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) on the efficiency of gynogenesis in ovule cultures of red beet (syn. beetroot) (Beta vulgaris L. vulgaris) cultivar “Czerwona Kula” and breeding accessions no. 3/2010 and no. 7/2008 was investigated. The effect of Put on the process of plant regeneration from gynogenetic embryos was studied. The response to the applied PAs was strongly dependent on the genotype. In “Czerwona Kula”, an increase in the number of obtained embryos was achieved by using each of the two PAs in the B5 medium. The effect of Spd was stronger. Put added to the regeneration medium at the concentration of 0.5 mg L−1 increased the number of obtained plants. All shoots placed on the rooting medium supplemented with 160 mg L−1 Put formed roots. The distribution of ploidy and homozygosity of gynogenetic plants depended on the genotype. Of the tested genotypes, the highest number of haploid plants, 68%, was obtained in red beet “Czerwona Kula”. The highest percentage of homozygotes, 69% for the glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI, E.C.5.3.1.9) isoenzyme and 100% for the aspartate aminotransferase (AAT, E.C.2.6.1.1) isoenzyme, was obtained in the population of gynogenetic plants of cultivar “Czerwona Kula”.

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Plants can react to environmental stresses through the abscission of infected, damaged, or senescent organs. A possible mode of action of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) to induce the formation of the secondary abscission zone (SAZ) in the stems of Bryophyllum calycinum was investigated concerning plant hormone dynamics. Internode segments were prepared mainly from the second or third internode from the top of plants with active elongation. JA-Me applied to the middle of internode segments induced the SAZ formation above and below the treatment after 5–7 days. At 6 to 7 days after JA-Me treatment, the above and below internode pieces adjacent to the SAZ were excised and subjected to comprehensive analyses of plant hormones. The endogenous levels of auxin-related compounds between both sides adjacent to the SAZ were quite different. No differences were observed in the level of jasmonic acid (JA), but the contents of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), a precursor of JA, and N-jasmonyl-leucine (JA-Leu) substantially decreased on the JA-Me side. Almost no effects of JA-Me on the dynamics of other plant hormones (cytokinins, abscisic acid, and gibberellins) were observed. Similar JA-Me effects on plant hormones and morphology were observed in the last internode of the decapitated growing plants. These suggest that the application of JA-Me induces the SAZ in the internode of B. calycinum by affecting endogenous levels of auxin- and jasmonate-related compounds.

In Brassica, interspecific hybridisation plays an important role in the formation of allopolyploid cultivars. In this study, the ploidy of F1 and F2 generations resulting from interspecific hybridisation between B. oleracea inbred lines of head cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata) (2n = 18) and kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala) (2n = 18) with inbred lines of rapeseed (B. napus L.) (2n = 38) was examined by flow cytometry analysis and chromosome observation. Furthermore, the effect of meiotic polyploidisation on selected phenotypic and anatomical traits was assessed. The F1 hybrids of head cabbage × rapeseed (S3) and kale × rapeseed crosses (S20) were allotriploids with 2n = 28 chromosomes, and nuclear DNA amounts of 1.97 (S3) and 1.99 pg (S20). These values were intermediate between B. oleracea and B. napus. In interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation, which were derived after self-pollination of F1 hybrids (FS3, FS20) or by open crosses between F1 generation hybrids (FC320, FC230), the chromosome numbers were similar 2n = 56 or 2n = 55, whereas the genome sizes varied between 3.81 (FS20) and 3.95 pg 2C (FC230). Allohexaploid F2 hybrids had many superior agronomic traits compared to parental B. napus and B. oleracea lines and triploid F1 hybrids. In the generative stage, they were characterised by larger flowers and flower elements, such as anthers and lateral nectaries. F2 hybrids were male and female fertile. The pollen viability of F2 hybrids was comparable to parental genotypes and varied from 75.38% (FS3) to 88.24% (FC320), whereas in triploids of F1 hybrids only 6.76% (S3) and 13.46% (S20) of pollen grains were fertile. Interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation derived by open crosses between plants of the F1 generation (FC320, FC230) had a better ability to set seed than F2 hybrids generated from the self-pollination of F1 hybrids. In the vegetative stage, F2 plants had bigger and thicker leaves, larger stomata, and significantly thicker layers of palisade and spongy mesophyll than triploids of the F1 generation and parental lines of B. oleracea and B. napus. The allohexaploid F2 hybrids analysed in this study can be used as innovative germplasm resources for further breeding new vegetable Brassica crops at the hexaploid level.

Bioactive polypropylene (PP) films with active agents) presence for food packaging application have been prepared and characterized. The novel modified PP films were obtained via PP/additives systems regranulation and cast extrusion. The influence of two types of plasticizers (natural agents as well as commercial synthetic product) and bioactive additives on final features, e.g., mechanical properties, was evaluated. Moreover, the biocidal activity of the films was determined. Due to their functional properties, they are developed as additives to packaging plastic materials such as polyolefins. The study results presented in our work may indirectly contribute to environmental protection by reducing food waste. The aim of the work was to obtain innovative, functional packaging materials with an ability to prolong the shelf life of food products. The best antimicrobial properties were observed for the sample based on 5 wt.% oregano oil (OO) and 5 wt.% cedar oil (OC) in PP matrix. A microbial test revealed that the system causes total reduction in the following microorganisms: B. subtilis, E. coli, S. aureus, P. putida, C. albicans, A. alternata, F. oxysporum.

So far there is no information about receiving red beet androgenic embryos by androgenesis. Several factors were tested which affected this process: starch accumulation in microspores, correlation between bud length and microsporogenesis course, induction and regeneration medium composition. Ploidy level of obtained regenerants were evaluated. Treating anthers with α-amylase or watering donor plants with gibberellin increased number of obtained androgenic embryos. The highest percentage (80%) of microspores at uninuclear stage appeared in buds with 1.3-1.5 mm. The B5 medium with 100 g·L-1 sucrose and 0.1 mg·L-1 2,4-D (2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) proved to be better for inducing androgenesis than MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg·L-1 BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) and 0.5 mg·L-1 IAA (indole-3-acetic acid). First androgenic embryos were placed on B5 medium without plant growth regulators and then on MS medium containing 0.2 mg·L-1 BAP and 1 mg·L-1 NAA (α-naphthaleneacetic acid). Androgenic embryos died on B5 regeneration medium without plant growth regulators. On MS medium first shoots and callus with and without roots were obtained. Rosettes withered during following passages whereas callus tissue developed further. The quantity of DNA in this tissue equivalent to 4X chromosomes.

The article focuses on the representation of Terezín (Theresienstadt) concentration camp in contemporary Czech literary, historical, and educational sources. We should treat the ways of presenting Terezín in Czech public space as a beginning of the discussion about the popular, mass need for “adapting” memory about past experiences to the abilities of a new recipient. The basis for the following considerations is the 2009 novel by Jáchym Topol, The Devil’s Workshop (original title: Chladnou zemí), that presents the process of the revitalization of Terezín concentration camp, which seems to be another stage of a theatricalization or reconstruction of memory. The fundamental question is: How far is it from the Topol’s utopian vision to the actual reality, full of commercialized or institutionalized memory?

The cabbage whitefly (CW), Aleyrodes proletella (L.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is an important pest in Brassica oleracea L. crops. Little is known about the mechanisms of resistance to CW of savoy cabbage and kale cultivars. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to determine the relationship between the morphological and anatomical features of savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. convar. capitata (L.) Alef. var. sabauda L.) and kale (Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala (DC.) Alef. var. sabellica L.) leaves and host suitability to colonization by CW. Two kale cultivars, “Redbor” and “Starbor”, and two savoy cabbage cultivars, “Gloriosa” and “Alcosa”, that differed in the degree of infestation by A. proletella were taken for histological analysis. The lowest infestation by all forms of A. proletella was observed on savoy cabbage cultivar “Alcosa” and kale cultivar “Starbor”. The reduced colonization by cabbage whitefly may be related to the structure of the epidermis and the anatomical features of the leaf. The leaves of “Starbor” and “Alcosa” had more folds in the epidermis, less numerous but larger stomata, and a more compact mesophyll structure compared to “Redbor” and “Gloriosa”. In both analysed species, there was no clear relationship between the thickness of the abaxial epidermal layer, thickness of the lamina, number of vascular bundles, and degree of infestation by the cabbage whitefly. This study identified promising sources of resistance to A. proletella among cultivars of savoy cabbage and kale. Varying infestation by CW was associated with morphological and anatomical characteristics of leaves. Further study is needed to confirm the relationship between insect resistance and leaf surface and morphological characteristics of leaves in a broader range of Brassica spp.

Bioinformatics is a field of study having an enormous potential, allowing to solve a number of problems arising as a result of dynamic development of natural sciences with the use of computer science methodologies. It is widely used and constitutes a basis for most scientific research conducted in the field of molecular biology. The aim of this study was in silico analysis of the promoter sequence of the 9f-2.8 gene encoding isoform of the germin protein considered as a germination marker in common wheat’s (Triticum aestivum L.). The gene mentioned above has already been characterized, however, with the use of experimental methods instead of bioinformatics. Analysis with the use of TSSP and TSSPlant software identified the promoter region and classified it as the TATA-box containing promoter. For 9f-2.8 gene including 2.8 kbp, the TSSP software indicated that the TATA-box sequence was located in the position 1665 nt, while the TSSPlant tool showed that TSS [+1] was located in the position 1699 nt. At the second stage, transcription factors were analyzed. Four main families of transcription factors were detected within the analyzed region: MADS, AP2, bZIP and NAC. The most common were MADS-box and bZIP motifs. In the final step of analysis the presence of CpG islands have been checked using the PlantPAN software. The region which could be potentially considered as CpG island have been detected and localized. Software used in analysis above is free online tool.

Doubled haploid lines of carrot can be obtained through androgenesis in anther cultures and in isolated microspore cultures. The two methods were compared using three carrot cultivars (‘Kazan F1’, ‘Feria F1’, and ‘Narbonne F1’) at the androgenesis induction stage, during plant regeneration from embryos, and during acclimatization of androgenetic plants as well as their characterization. It was found that cultivar was the main factor affecting the efficiency at each stage of plant production in both anther and isolated microspore cultures. The efficiency of androgenesis in anther cultures of ‘Feria F1’ was considerably higher in comparison with isolated microspore cultures, and more plants were obtained from the embryos of androgenesis-cultured plants. In ‘Kazan F1’ and ‘Narbonne F1’, more acclimatized androgenetic plants were produced from anther cultures. Ploidy assessment of acclimatized plants of ‘Narbonne F1’ showed that the majority of the plants in the population derived from anther cultures had a doubled chromosome (DH) set. On the other hand, the majority of plants obtained from isolated microspore cultures were haploids. When assessing homozygosity, it was found among plants obtained in anther cultures that the percentage of homozygotes for phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) and aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) depended on the cultivar. In contrast, the majority of plants derived from isolated microspore cultures were homozygous regardless of cultivar.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of elevated concentrations of copper in the medium on the regeneration of androgenetic embryos of the carrot cultivar ‘Kazan F1’ obtained in anther cultures and to determine the level of soluble phenols produced in the regenerates under copper stress. Green embryos were laid out on 4 regeneration media based on B5 medium (G a m b o r g et al. 1968) without hormones, containing 0.1 – control, 1, 10, and 100 μM CuSO4×5H2O. The plant material was passaged 3 times, after 4, 9 and 15 weeks. During these passages the emerging structures were examined; they were classified in terms of growth and development in vitro, weighed and counted. The levels of soluble phenols in the freeze-dried regenerates were determined. The elevated concentrations of copper in the regeneration media affected positively the formation of complete plants (rooted rosettes) and secondary embryos during the first 4 weeks of culture. After a longer regeneration time (9, 15 weeks), the elevated concentrations of copper caused negative effects: deformation of rosettes. After 15 weeks, the number of rooted rosettes decreased. The 9-week culture subjected to copper stress brought about an increase in the amounts of soluble phenols. The highest values were recorded in the rosettes treated with 10 μM CuSO4. Prolonged exposure to media containing elevated concentrations of CuSO4 caused a reduction in the accumulation of phenolic compounds in the rosettes.

The purpose of this research was to examine the antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacteria, as well as the water vapour characteristic of polylactic acid (PLA) films covered with a methyl–hydroxypropyl–cellulose (MHPC)/cocoa butter carrier containing Eucomis comosa extract as an active substance. The second purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of accelerated UV-A and Q-SUN irradiation (UV-aging) on the antimicrobial properties and the barrier characteristic of the coatings. The results of the study revealed that MHPC/cocoa butter coatings had no influence on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus atrophaeus. MHPC/cocoa butter coatings containing E. comosa extract reduced the number of bacterial strains. MHPC/cocoa butter coatings also decreased the water vapour permeability of PLA. It was shown that accelerated UV-A and Q-SUN irradiations altered the chemical composition of the coatings containing cocoa butter. Despite the alteration of the chemical composition of the layers, the accelerated Q-SUN and UV-A irradiation had no influence on the antimicrobial properties of E. comosa extract coatings against S. aureus and B. cereus. It was found that only Q-SUN irradiation decreased the coating activity with an extract against B. atrophaeus, though this was to a small degree.

Portions of fresh Baltic cod fillets were packed into cellulose boxes (control samples), which were covered with Methyl Hydroxypropyl Celluloses (MHPC) coating with 2% polylysine. The cellulose boxes had square PE films and were enclosed in MHPC coating containing ZnO nanoparticles. The cod fillets were stored at 5 °C and examined after 72 h and 144 h storage times. Results obtained in this study showed that the textural parameters of the cod fillets increased, with both Springiness and Cohesiveness found greater after 144 h of storage for all analysed packaging materials. The Gumminess of fillets increased after storage, but the lowest increase was noted in cod samples that were stored in boxes containing PE films with ZnO nanoparticles. It was found that water loss from the cod fillets in these boxes was also lowest. The Adhesiveness of the fish samples stored in boxes devoid of active coatings also increased. In contrast to the packaging material devoid of active coatings, the storage of fillets in active coating boxes resulted in a decrease of adhesiveness. Microbial analysis showed that packaging material containing nano-ZnO was found to be more active against mesophilic and psychotropic bacterial cells than the coatings with polylysine after 72 h and 144 h of storage.