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Despite the abundance of researches on innovation and green innovation, there remains a necessity to further research in this field. This is particularly crucial in regions like Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland. This publication is a part of research on business innovation utilizing public funds. The paper aims to pinpoint directions for further empirical research on innovation within enterprises funded publicly. Empirical research was conducted using a database of 95 projects, all of which were included in the lists of projects selected for funding under the Opolskie Voivodeship Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020 (Enterprise investments in innovation).

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Quality-of-life surveys can play an important role in obtaining information for sustainable urban development. To collect such data, a proper understanding and preparation of these surveys by city offices are needed. The research team developed a research concept to investigate how city offices conduct quality-of-life surveys and use this information. The paper presents the results of a survey conducted on a sample of all cities with a population over 50,000 in Poland. The surveyed cities were divided into two groups, cities that conduct formalized quality-of-life surveys and cities that do not conduct such surveys. The survey examined how cities understand the areas that affect quality of life and how they determine the influence of the local government on the quality of life of residents. Similarities and differences were considered in the two groups of offices surveyed. The necessity of including a large number of areas that affect the quality of life in the surveys conducted by cities was emphasized. Such an approach provides an opportunity to collect a variety of data that can be used for the city's needs. It was found that cities conducting formalized quality-of-life surveys stand definitely higher in determining the impact of the local government on the quality of life of residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents selected preliminary stage key issues proposed extended equivalence measurement results assessment for new portable devices - the comparability PM10 concentration results hourly series with reference station measurement results with statistical methods. In article presented new portable meters technical aspects. The emphasis was placed on the comparability the results using the stochastic and exploratory methods methodology concept. The concept is based on notice that results series simple comparability in the time domain is insufficient. The comparison of regularity should be done in three complementary fields of statistical modeling: time, frequency and space. The proposal is based on model’s results of five annual series measurement results new mobile devices and WIOS (Provincial Environmental Protection Inspectorate) reference station located in Nowy Sacz city. The obtained results indicate both the comparison methodology completeness and the high correspondence obtained new measurements results devices with reference.

The purpose of this research is to attempt to evaluate the extent, to which technical standards related to marine fuels and thereby also sulphur dioxide (SO2) content in engine exhausts from vessels operating on the Baltic Sea have been effective in curbing the negative impact of marine shipping on air quality, in particular in port cities. Marine environment protection is governed by the provisions of the MARPOL 73/78 International Convention, which Poland ratified as a party. Different areas of concern for marine shipping have been regulated in separate Appendices to the Convention. The first step was to introduce severe restrictions on SOx emissions in view of the fact that heavy marine fuel is the lowest-quality kerosene-derived fuel with a large content of sulphur. A gradual process was put in place to reduce its content in marine fuel. As a consequence, the world’s marine areas were divided into sulphur emission control areas (also known as SECA) and other areas. In Europe, these areas include the entire Baltic Sea and large portions of the North Sea. Another important technical and economic measure was to lower the limit of sulphur content in marine fuel to 0.1% in all SECA areas, with the limits remaining unchanged in the other areas. Two dates were of key importance for the investigation: 2010, when the reduction in sulphur content of marine fuels from 1.5% to 1% was mandated, and 2015, when the standard for sulphur content was dramatically lowered to 0.1%. In the first stage, the concentration of sulphur dioxide was researched as one of the factors preceding air contamination with suspended particles in the Gdańsk - Gdynia area in the period from 2005 to 2016, as investigated by four automatic reference measurement stations in the ARMAAG network (hourly data) located in the immediate vicinity of the sea (AM4, AM5, AM6 and AM8). The research concerned the arrival of high concentrations of sulphur blown in from the sea by the wind. Another key factor was the secondary data on the number of ships, in the form of monthly series, starting from 2007. The analysis was performed in stages. In the first stage, the quality of measurement and secondary data were evaluated using a unique data quality assessment method. Further on, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) models were constructed to identify spatial correlations between SO2 concentration distributions, which were used later as a basis on which to determine synthetic measures of average hourly concentrations for the entire agglomeration area. Subsequently, the impact of the SO2 source (influx from the Baltic Sea to the agglomeration areas) was gauged separately for each individual station. The PCA models constructed on the basis of hourly data corroborated the synthetic measures as correct, making it possible to identify the similarity of concentration distributions across the investigated stations. Multi-Dimensional Regression Models and Generalized Regression Models (GRM) have made it possible to identify the period, in which the concentration of sulphur dioxide dropped steadily (from 2010 to 2016), as well as the seasonal impact of variation in SO2 concentration and the number of ships. The hourly data was converted to average monthly, quarterly and annual values, depending on the mathematical model and purpose of research.

The interest in the natural environment, in particular the ambient air, has been growing. For this reason, growing interest in measuring of concentration of pollutants in the air. To the reduction of costs and time of obtained results, increasingly are used non-reference, alternative methods and devices. However, it is necessary to ensure equivalence of results obtained by alternative methods with the results of the reference method. One of the equivalence issues is the assessment of the measurements uncertainty of the alternative method in relation to the reference method. This uncertainty is understood as the probability of obtaining a measurement result which differs from the real (reference) result by a predetermined value. Uncertainty can be caused by many reasons: imperfect implementation of the definition of the measurand, incomplete knowledge of the influence of external factors, heterogeneity of the analyzed phenomenon, errors of the measuring device and others. The paper presents methods for testing the uncertainty of measurements used in the study of equivalence and also proposed extending the test procedure with equivalence models, different from the linear regression models.

This article is an attempt to assess the suitability of new non-reference mobile measuring devices for the analysis of PM10 concentrations. The aim is to compare the concentration daily values measured by these devices with the concentrations obtained by the reference device. It also examines the possibility of building models that correct these values to equivalent reference values. The analysis allows to conclude that the properties of the obtained measurements indicate a good chance of constructing an effective model of correcting the concentration values. Comparison of frequency, time variation and correlation of concentrations indicates the ability to demonstrate the equivalence of mobile devices with the reference method.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how to integrate the FlexSim simulation environment with an R engine to enable use of the predictive algorithm results for real-time simulation run management. Design/methodology/approach: Using a simple but easily generalizable simulation model representing a broad set of real-world solutions used in logistics and manufacturing, we outline how to combine FlexSim and the R language. In particular, we present the necessary settings of the objects that make up the simulation model, including event-initiating triggers, as well as the structure of a program written in R, together with the necessary instructions. Findings: The case study showed that synchronous, i.e. real-time, communication between the simulation model and the R computing environment is possible and allows the simulation process to be controlled. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of the presented approach is the synchronization of file read and write operations, and this is an area for further investigation. Practical implications: The solution proposed in this paper allows for the development and testing of simulations created in FlexSim using the results of optimization models or predictive algorithms developed using the R language, in real time – i.e. in the course of the simulation process. This approach can be used to simulate any process that is modeled using a discreteevent simulator, particularly in fields such as logistics or manufacturing. Originality/value: The study can be of value to anyone involved in modeling and simulating real-world processes using FlexSim, for whom so far the problem has been to incorporate the output of algorithms obtained with other computing environments into the simulation run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the interdependencies between Smart City areas as well as the aspects and areas between resident-oriented IT areas of the city. Design / methodology / approach: The data for the study was collected during a survey of 287 cities for Smart City. The study of interdependence was based on a correlation analysis using: Pearson's correlation coefficient, Cramér's V coefficient, and Kendall's tau. In addition, a PCA analysis was used to reduce variable dimensions. Findings: The results of the research indicate that the scope of using services within e-office services is more strongly related to functionality than to IT equipment. In turn, the economic area plays a fundamental role in the perception of the city as a Smart City. There was also a clear difference in self-evaluation regarding Smart City areas and IT aspects of the city depending on the size of the city. However, this difference does not translate into declarations regarding the readiness for evaluation in Smart City categories. Originality/value: presentation of the relationship between the areas defining the concept of Smart City dependence on the basis of an original study addressed to city representatives. The results of the study allow us to look at the Smart City concept from the perspective of the city. The results of the analysis, in addition to scientists dealing with Smart City, may be of interest to city managers in Poland. They show the way of understanding and dependencies between individual areas. They also show those dependencies that need to be strengthened in the context of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In the literature, much attention is paid to the influence of tea and its components on human health and consumer purchasing behavior. The aim of the study was to analyze the habits of Polish consumers regarding tea consumption, brewing methods, and their choices related to tea, to describe the characteristics of tea consumers, and present their segmentation based on consumer choices and habits regarding tea consumption. The study was performed using the computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) method on a group of 1700 adult consumers of tea. Information about consumer choices and habits related to tea consumption was collected, including brewing method, place of tea consumption, and factors determining tea choices. Using cluster analysis, six groups of tea consumers were identified. These are "Occasional tea gourmets", "Yerba mate drinkers", "Tea gourmets", "Occasional consumers", "Undemanding tea consumers," and "Occasional strong tea consumers". In summary, it can be said that Poles are not tea gourmets; they prefer black tea, in bags, brewed in cups or glasses for up to 3 min, and usually drink teas without any additives, at home, several times a week, during breakfast and between meals. The most popular brand among the respondents was Lipton. Consumers have little knowledge of the health benefits of tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we analyze the energy consumption data of business customers registered by trading companies in Poland. We focus on estimating missing data in hourly series, as forecasts of this frequency are needed to determine the volume of electricity orders on the power exchange or the contract market. Our goal is to identify an appropriate method of imputation missing data for this type of data. Trading companies expect a specific solution, so we use a procedure that allows to choose the imputation method, which will consequently improve the accuracy of forecasting energy consumption. Using this procedure, a statistical analysis of the occurrence of missing values is performed. Then, three techniques for generating missing data are selected (missing data are generated in randomly selected series without missing values). The selected imputation methods are tested and the best method is chosen based on MAE and MAPE errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild game meat can be a healthier, safer, and more environmentally friendly alternative to meat from farm animals. The aims of this study were to know the preferences and opinions of Polish consumers regarding game meat and its use in their diet, and to identify consumer segments based on differences in individual game meat choices, concerns, and eating habits related to game meat. The survey was conducted using the platform for online surveys among 1261 adult Poles. Six clusters characterizing the behavior of game consumers were identified (casual consumers, occasional game gourmets, indifferent consumers, occasional consumers, accidental consumers, wild game lovers) and four clusters among those who do not eat game (uninterested, restricted, dislikers, fearful). It has been found that wild game is more often eaten by hunters and their family or friends. The most common reasons for not consuming game are high prices, low availability, no family tradition, and unacceptable taste. Many positive respondents eat game because of its nutritional value but are concerned about the potential health risks and lack of cooking skills. The results of this study indicate the need for information programs for consumers about this meat. They will provide guidance to meat companies about consumer preferences for game and allow them to develop appropriate marketing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this article is an attempt to characterize economic disciplines, i.e. economics and finance, as well as management and quality studies, based on their assignments to scientific journals, and to identify the place of these two disciplines in relation to each other and their links with other disciplines. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative and network analysis methods were used for graphical representation and description of the complex relationships. The analysis was based on the data published on 31 July 2019, constituting a list of scientific journals. Findings: The results confirm a strong link between the two disciplines, but they also show some differences between them. The discipline of economics and finance is particularly strongly linked with the discipline of social and economic geography and spatial management. This is not the case for management and quality studies, which is more closely linked to disciplines outside social sciences. Research limitations/implications: The results are based only on a quantitative approach to the relationships between disciplines, therefore, they should not be used to draw too far reaching conclusions, e.g. on the differences between these two disciplines in methods, subject matter or facilities under analysis. Further research may take into account, for example, different research trends and approaches within the disciplines themselves. Originality/value: Presented network approach shows the connections between scientific disciplines in a new holistic way. The results could be especially interesting for researchers whose studies are interdisciplinary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an assessment of the equivalence of measurements of particulate matter PM10 concentrations using a low-cost electronic device as compared to the reference method. Data for the study were collected in accordance with the guidelines for research equivalence of the two devices operating in parallel. On this basis, a model correcting raw measurement results was developed. The best results were obtained for the model having the form of a second degree polynomial and taking into account air temperature. Corrected measurement results were used in the equivalence testing procedure. As a result, confirmation of equivalence was obtained for the vast majority of data sets generated from original measurements. This confirms the usefulness of the device as a tool for monitoring air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive business process monitoring is a current research area which purpose is to predict the outcome of a whole process (or an element of a process i.e. a single event or task) based on available data. In the article we explore the possibility of use of the machine learning classification algorithms based on trees (CART, C5.0, random forest and extreme gradient boosting) in order to anticipate the result of a process. We test the application of these algorithms on real world event-log data and compare it with the known approaches. Our results show that. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metallothionein 1 (MT1) coding sequence of red deer was identified and compared to orthologous sequences from other mammals. Over 90% identity was observed between red deer MT1 amino acid sequence and MT1 sequences of other ruminants. Liver and kidney samples of red deer were collected from the industrial zinc smelting site of Miasteczko Slaskie and from the Masuria Lake District serving as a pollution-free control site. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrometry technique (AAS). The levels of Cd in the liver of red deer from the metal smelting region was about 8 times higher than for the reference control site. Next, the expression of MT1 mRNA in the liver of red deer was quantified by the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the expression of MT1/2 protein in the liver and kidneys was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Positive correlations were found between expression levels for MT1 mRNA and the concentrations of Cu and Zn in liver of red deer, and with the age of animals. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression in both liver and kidney tissues, but with no obvious relationship shown for the expression of MT1/2 protein and tissue metal levels. Our results showed that the analysis of MT expression levels in the red deer could not be used independently as a biomarker for identifying exposure to Cd, but could be co-analyzed with tissue metal levels to give better prognosis for environmental exposure to metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ThePIM2gene encodes the serine/threonine kinase involved in cell survival and apoptosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of thePIM2gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to examine its role in apoptosis of the blastic cells. We analyzed thePIM2expression in 148 patients: 91 with AML, 57 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 24 healthy controls by Real-Time PCR and Western blot. Inhibition of thePIM2gene in human leukemic HL60 cell line was performed with RNAi and apoptosis rate was analyzed. Our results indicate that overexpression ofPIM2in AML is associated with low complete remission rate, high-risk cytogenetics, shorter leukemia-free survival, and event-free survival. Cytometric analysis of HL60/PAC-GFP and HL60/PAC-GFP-shPIM2 cells revealed an increase in the number of apoptotic cells after inhibition ofPIM2gene. In summary, the elevated expression ofPIM2in blastic cells is associated with poor prognosis of AML patients and their resistance to induction therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been recently found that metallothionein-3 (MT3) enhances the invasiveness and tumorigenesis of prostate cancer cells. This finding is in contrast to those of earlier studies, which indicated that overexpression of MT3 in breast cancer and prostate cancer cell lines inhibits their growth in vitro. Therefore, to clarify the role of MT3 in breast cancer progression, we analyzed the effect of MT3-overexpression on proliferation, invasiveness, migration, and tumorigenesis of breast cancer MDA-MB-231/BO2 cells. It was found that MDA-MB-231/BO2 cells overexpressing MT3 were characterized by increased invasiveness in vitro, compared to the control cells. Interestingly, this increased invasiveness correlated with a highly increased concentration of MMP3 in the culture supernatants (p<0.0001). Our data suggest that MT3 may regulate breast cancer cell invasiveness by modulating the expression of MMP3. These experimental results, obtained using triple-negative MDA-MB-231/BO2 cells, were further supported by clinical data. It was found that, in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), nuclear MT3 immunoreactivity in cancer cells tended to be associated with patients’ shorter disease-specific survival, suggesting that nuclear MT3 expression may be a potential marker of poor prognosis of triple-negative TNBC cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis and treatment of bladder cancer have improved little in the past 20 years. Bladder cancer remains a debilitating and often fatal disease, and is among the most costly cancers to treat. The generation of informative mouse models has the potential to improve our understanding of bladder cancer progression, as well as to affect its diagnosis and treatment. However, relatively few mouse models of bladder cancer have been described, and in particular, few that develop invasive cancer phenotypes. This Review focuses on opportunities for improving the landscape of mouse models of bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis and treatment of bladder cancer have improved little in the past 20 years. Bladder cancer remains a debilitating and often fatal disease, and is among the most costly cancers to treat. The generation of informative mouse models has the potential to improve our understanding of bladder cancer progression, as well as to affect its diagnosis and treatment. However, relatively few mouse models of bladder cancer have been described, and in particular, few that develop invasive cancer phenotypes. This Review focuses on opportunities for improving the landscape of mouse models of bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was recently proposed that UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase (UGT8), enzyme responsible for synthesis of galactosylceramide (GalCer), is a significant index of tumor aggressiveness and a potential marker for the prognostic evaluation of lung metastases in breast cancer. To further reveal the role of UGT8 and GalCer in breast cancer progression, tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of control MDA-MB-231 cells (MDA/LUC) and MDA-MB-231 cells (MDA/LUC-shUGT8) with highly decreased expression of UGT8 and GalCer after stable expression of shRNA directed against UGT8 mRNA was studied in vivo in athymic nu/nu mice. Control MDA/LUC cells formed tumors and metastatic colonies much more efficiently in comparison to MDA/LUC-shUGT8 cells with suppressed synthesis of GalCer after their, respectively, orthotopic and intracardiac transplantation. These findings indicate that UGT8 and GalCer have a profound effect on tumorigenic and metastatic properties of breast cancer cells. In accordance with this finding, immunohistochemical staining of tumor specimens revealed that high expression of UGT8 accompanied by accumulation of GalCer in MDA-MB-231 cells is associated with a much higher proliferative index and a lower number of apoptotic cells in comparison to the MDA/LUC-shUGT8 cells. In addition, it was found that expression of UGT8 in MDA-MB-231 cells increased their resistance to apoptosis induced by doxorubicin in vitro. Therefore, these data suggest that accumulation of GalCer in tumor cells inhibits apoptosis, which would facilitates metastatic cells to survive in the hostile microenvironment of tumor in target organ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020–2021 changed the eating habits of people around the world. The aim of this study is to understand the effects of COVID-19 on changing consumers' eating habits, including their concerns about food service nutrition in case of new disease risk factors. The survey conducted using the computer-assisted web-based interviewing method on a group of 1021 adult respondents in Poland. We collected information about consumer choices and habits related to use of food services during the pandemic. This research found that COVID-19 had an impact on consumers' use of food services, both on-site and take-away. Using cluster analysis, we identified five main groups of food service consumers. It was found that almost half of the respondent group did not change their diet during the pandemic, 20% of respondents changed their diet to a positive one, and 20% to a diet that was negative. For respondents the most important forms of protection against COVID-19 in catering establishments were hand disinfection (70.3%), table disinfection (70.4%), wearing of masks and visors by staff (68.2%), and the possibility of cashless payments (64.6%). Based on cluster analysis (eight consumer clusters), we stated that majority of respondents did not see any threats to using catering service during the pandemic. Only a small group (8.1%) of respondents were afraid of the possibility of getting sick with COVID-19. This study presented the effects of COVID-19 on consumer eating behavior in catering and their concerns with food services uses. Discovering consumer concerns can reduce risk, increase food safety and improve eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) contributes significantly to pediatric hospitalizations. An association between air pollution and an increased number of RSV cases has been suggested. We sought to evaluate the short-term impact of air pollutants on RSV hospitalizations in Polish children in the period 2010–2019. Daily concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 μm and 2.5 μm, respectively) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were analyzed in general regression models (GRM) to establish their influence and full interaction scheme. Significant seasonal and annual periodicity among 53,221 hospitalizations was observed; finally, data from the 2012–2019 RSV high-risk seasons created models for seven agglomerations. The addition of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 to the basic model for RSV seasonality explained 23% (4.9–31%, univariate model) to 31.4% (8.4–31%, multivariate model) of the variance in RSV hospitalizations. A 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 concentrations was associated with 0.134 (0.087–0.16), 0.097 (0.031–0.087), and 0.212 (0.04–0.29) average increases in hospitalizations, respectively. In the multivariate models, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 alone, as well as PM2.5–NO2, PM2.5–PM10, and PM10–NO2 interactions, were associated with hospitalizations in some of the locations, while the metaregression showed statistically significant interactions between each of the pollutants, and between the pollutants and the year of the study. The inclusion of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 in GRM explains a significant number of RSV hospitalizations. The pollutants act alone and interact together in a varied manner. Reducing air contamination might decrease the costs of hospital healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter-organizational communication, coordination, and network effectiveness have long been of great interest. However, the level of their complexity and situational dependencies still create challenges for researchers and public managers. It is usually assumed that inter-organizational communication leads to inter-organizational coordination, but little is known how these processes interact and complement each other. This article aims at identifying relationships linking these processes and analyzing their impact on effectiveness of emergency management networks. Achieving the goal of the article based on the survey questionnaire conducted with 83 experts. The results were analyzed using the principal components analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, hierarchical clustering, and partial least-square path modeling (PLS-PM). The analyses conducted allow for identifying the dimensions of the research processes, and relationships linking them. This was the basis for building the research models testing how relationships between inter-organizational communication and coordination influence the effectiveness of emergency management networks. Comparing analyzed models points to complementarity, parallelism, and the possibility of a non-sequential course of inter-organizational communication and coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work is to demonstrate the possibility of building models to correct the results of measurements of particulate matter PM10 concentrations obtained using low-cost devices. Such devices apply the optical method to values comparable with those obtained using the reference gravimetric method. An additional goal is to show that the results corrected in this way can be used to carry out the procedure for testing equivalence of these methods. The study used generalized regression models (GRMs) to construct corrective functions. The constructed models were assessed using the coefficients of determination and the methodology of calculating the measurement uncertainty of the device. Measurement data from the two tested devices and the reference method were used to estimate model parameters. The measurement data were collected on a daily basis from 1 February to 30 June 2018 in Nowy Sącz. Regression allowed building multiple models with various functional forms and very promising statistical properties as well as good ability to describe the variability of reference measurements. These models also had very low values of measurement uncertainty. Of all the models constructed, a linear model using the original PM10 concentrations from the tested devices, air humidity, and wind speed was chosen as the most accurate and simplest model. Apart from the coefficient of determination, expanded relative uncertainty served as the measure of quality of the obtained model. Its small value, much lower than 25%, indicates that after correcting the results it is possible to carry out the equivalence testing procedure for the low-cost devices and confirm the equivalence of the tested method with the reference method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article marks the first attempt on Polish and European scale to identify the relationship between urban and industrial air pollution and the health conditions of urban populations, while also estimating the financial burden of incidence rates among urban populations for diseases selected in the course of this study as having a causal relation with such incidence. This paper presents the findings of a pilot study based on general regression models, intended to explore air pollutants with a statistically relevant impact on the incidence of selected diseases within the Agglomeration of Gdańsk in the years 2010–2018. In discussing the city's industrial functions, the study takes into consideration the existence within its limits of a large port that services thousands of ships every year, contributing substantially to the volume of emissions (mainly NOx and PM) to the air. The causes considered include the impact of air pollution, seasonality, land- and sea-based emissions, as well as their mutual interactions. All of the factors and their interactions have a significant impact (p ≤ 0.05) on the incidence of selected diseases in the long term (9 years). The source data were obtained from the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ), the Agency for Regional Monitoring of Atmosphere in the Agglomeration of Gdańsk (ARMAAG), the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ), and the Port of Gdańsk Harbourmaster. The study used 60 variables representing the diseases, classified into 19 groups. The resulting findings were used to formulate a methodology for estimating the financial burden of the negative health effects of air pollution for the agglomeration, and will be utilized as a reference point for further research in selected regions of Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationship between the presence of air pollution and incidence of selected respiratory diseases in the urban population of the Tri-City agglomeration. The study takes into consideration the specific character of the region, relating to coastal, and port-based shipping. Three research hypotheses formulated the study. General regression models were used to identify the health effects of air pollution and developed health costs were calculated in relation to the treatment of diseases. The findings have shown that air pollution and climatic conditions in the Tri-City aggravate the symptoms of bronchial asthma, while also increasing the number of cases of exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. The evidence demonstrates the negative impact of shipping on the health condition of the inhabitants. The calculations have shown the extent of financial losses incurred in connection with the treatment of diseases found to have been caused by air pollution. The estimated health costs turned out to be significant for each of the examined diseases. The financial inefficiency of the Polish health care system has also been demonstrated. All the models have been identified for monthly data for the first time., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Czechowski, Piksa, Da̧browiecki, Oniszczuk-Jastrząbek, Czermański, Owczarek, Badyda and Cirella.)

To study the progression of bladder cancer from non-muscle-invasive to muscle-invasive disease, we have developed a novel toolkit that uses complementary approaches to achieve gene recombination in specific cell populations in the bladder urothelium in vivo , thereby allowing us to generate a new series of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) of bladder cancer. One method is based on the delivery of adenoviruses that express Cre recombinase in selected cell types in the urothelium, and a second uses transgenic drivers in which activation of inducible Cre alleles can be limited to the bladder urothelium by intravesicular delivery of tamoxifen. Using both approaches, targeted deletion of the Pten and p53 tumor suppressor genes specifically in basal urothelial cells gave rise to muscle-invasive bladder tumors. Furthermore, preinvasive lesions arising in basal cells displayed upregulation of molecular pathways related to bladder tumorigenesis, including proinflammatory pathways. Cross-species analyses comparing a mouse gene signature of early bladder cancer with a human signature of bladder cancer progression identified a conserved 28-gene signature of early bladder cancer that is associated with poor prognosis for human bladder cancer and that outperforms comparable gene signatures. These findings demonstrate the relevance of these GEMMs for studying the biology of human bladder cancer and introduce a prognostic gene signature that may help to stratify patients at risk for progression to potentially lethal muscle-invasive disease. SIGNIFICANCE: Analyses of bladder cancer progression in a new series of genetically engineered mouse models has identified a gene signature of poor prognosis in human bladder cancer., (©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Bladder cancer is the fifth most prevalent cancer in the U.S., yet is understudied, and few laboratory models exist that reflect the biology of the human disease. Here, we describe a biobank of patient-derived organoid lines that recapitulates the histopathological and molecular diversity of human bladder cancer. Organoid lines can be established efficiently from patient biopsies acquired before and after disease recurrence and are interconvertible with orthotopic xenografts. Notably, organoid lines often retain parental tumor heterogeneity and exhibit a spectrum of genomic changes that are consistent with tumor evolution in culture. Analyses of drug response using bladder tumor organoids show partial correlations with mutational profiles, as well as changes associated with treatment resistance, and specific responses can be validated using xenografts in vivo. Our studies indicate that patient-derived bladder tumor organoids represent a faithful model system for studying tumor evolution and treatment response in the context of precision cancer medicine., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)