Search

The article presents the legal regulations of the European Union in the fi eld of cross-compliance requirements. The requirements were thought to change agricultural production in less intensive direction with respecting of the environment. The regulations encouraged the development of organic production methods. Cross compliance in the new fi nancial perspective means greater relation between the amount of direct payments earned by farmers and non-investment payments received from the Rural Development Programme. Studies show that new regulations adopted for the period 2015–2020 aimed at development of sustainable farming systems so that farmers can respond to many challenges awaiting them, not just those connected with climate change and increasing pressure associated with the use of natural resources.

The aim of the research was to analyse the functioning of agricultural farms located in the areas of Natura 2000 network. The research was conducted in 2015 among 70 farmers whose lands were located in the Valley of Biebrza River in Podlaskie Voivodeship. The main research method was a questionnaire. According to the results of the research, the agri-environmental scheme is a proper tool that combines the environmental protection and local producers’ interests; however, it requires the implementation of a supplement adjusted to the nature of the areas. It is also indicated that even though the economic part of the program does not raise any doubts, the natural eff ects are practically not recognized, which may lead to an incomplete protection of precious species and habitats.

The study discusses the agri-environment scheme, which gained a high position in the process of integration of environmental protection in the framework of the CAP. The purpose of the payments was to encourage farmers to protect and improve the environment. The farmers were required to apply environmentally friendly techniques and practices for a period of fi ve years. Received payments had additional reimbursement of extra costs and decreased income resulting from the application of environment-friendly practices. Agrienvironmental scheme was realized through packages and variants, whose number diff ered in time. In 2004–2006, agrienvironmental scheme included approximately 70 thousand of agricultural holdings, which labored on the surface of the 1.4 million ha. In the next programming period (2007–2013) the benefi ciaries submitted 448,6 thousand applications, and the level of payment amounted to PLN 6.7 billion. The program of the current fi nancial perspective (2014–2020) includes 2058,9 thousand ha of agricultural land, as compared to the total area of agricultural land in the country in the amount of 14609 ha of agricultural land represents 14.1%

α-synuclein is an abundant neuronal protein that has been linked to both normal synaptic function and neurodegenerative disease, in particular, Parkinson's disease (PD). Evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that increased wild type or mutant α-synuclein can cause PD, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie α-synuclein-mediated neurotoxicity remain poorly understood. We reported here that myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), a nuclear transcription factor known to promote neuronal survival, is down regulated in response α-synuclein accumulation and aggregation. Our data demonstrated that levels of cytoplasmic and nuclear MEF2D were significantly decreased in PD nigral neurons when compared to the nigra of age-matched controls and Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases. This decrease was significantly greater in the nigral neurons with α-synuclein inclusions. Viral vector-mediated overexpression of human α-synuclein in rats resulted in significantly decreased MEF2D in nigral neurons similar to what was seen in PD. The decline of MEF2D-immunoreactivity was associated with a reduction in TH-immunoreactivity. These results indicate that the neuronal survival factor MEF2D is decreased in human and experimental PD, and this decrease is specifically associated with α-synuclein accumulation and aggregation.

Describes the use and effects of a continuous program for developing the instructional skills of graduate teaching assistants at a large research university. Most of the graduate chemistry instructors had positive attitudes about the project. Makes recommendations for program content. (WRM)

Elliptical sentence structures, i.e., restrictive sentences, play a decisive role in both the conventional and programmed approaches to foreign language instruction. Basic to both these approaches are four distinct phases: presentation, drill, contextualization, and testing. However, it has been proven that the learning process can be maximized if, when using the programmed approach, restrictive sentences are introduced during the drill phase, while such maximization can be achieved in the conventional approach by introducing restrictive sentences during the contextualization phase. Success in these critical phases is further assured when, in using either the conventional or programmed approach, audiovisual materials are employed. In that restrictive sentences are so characteristic of everyday conversation, the medium of dialogue becomes central to the contextualization phase. To be most effective, furthermore, the dialogues should: (1) deal with typical, everyday situations, (2) lead into communication between the conversation partners, (3) average approximately six statements in length, and (4) be flexible enough to allow the partners to change topics of discussion freely. Future progress in the use of restrictive sentences in the methodology of foreign language instruction is dependent on continued research. (Author/DS)

The primary objective of the study was an analysis of Polish agriculture development after 4 years of joining the European Union. The changes were associated with the strategy of the Common Agricultural Policy, which led to a reorientation in the sphere of agriculture production and also to adopting high standards resulting from cross-compliance requirements. Adoption of the sugar policy has led to an increase of cereal crops and plants associated with biofuels. In turn, the introduced milk quota contributed to the concentration and specialization of animal production. There was a positive development in commercial agricultural production, consisting in improving the quality and food safety.

The main aspect of the paper is evaluation of direct payments which were introduced in the European Union Member States in 1992. The aim of direct payments was to compensate of agricultural income fall and achieve competition in European agricultural market. In Polish conditions there was introduced single area payment system (SAPS) which was not connected to quantity of production. Ruling in EU-15 single payment scheme (SPS) based on historical model let for achieving higher area payments. In 2004 the level of support was 55% in order to be increased to 100% in 6 years to the level estimated in the Accession Treaty in Athens in 2003. It remains on lower level than in EU-15 member States. In 2004-2010 farmers used to submit about 1.4 mln declarations every year, what was 82.3% of all farms with area exceeding 1 ha. And the rate of financial support was increased from 1.5 bln to 2.5 bln euro. In perspective of rural policy vision after 2013 is alignment of direct payments NUE-10 with the ones which are accepted in EU-15 Member States.

Formation of new synapses or maintenance of existing synapses requires the delivery of synaptic components from the soma to the nerve termini via axonal transport. One pathway that is important in synapse formation, maintenance and function of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-signaling pathway. Here we show that perturbations in axonal transport directly disrupt BMP signaling, as measured by its downstream signal, phospho Mad (p-Mad). We found that components of the BMP pathway genetically interact with both kinesin-1 and dynein motor proteins. Thick vein (TKV) vesicle motility was also perturbed by reductions in kinesin-1 or dynein motors. Interestingly, dynein mutations severely disrupted p-Mad signaling while kinesin-1 mutants showed a mild reduction in p-Mad signal intensity. Similar to mutants in components of the BMP pathway, both kinesin-1 and dynein motor protein mutants also showed synaptic morphological defects. Strikingly TKV motility and p-Mad signaling were disrupted in larvae expressing two human disease proteins; expansions of glutamine repeats (polyQ77) and human amyloid precursor protein (APP) with a familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) mutation (APPswe). Consistent with axonal transport defects, larvae expressing these disease proteins showed accumulations of synaptic proteins along axons and synaptic abnormalities. Taken together our results suggest that similar to the NGF-TrkA signaling endosome, a BMP signaling endosome that directly interacts with molecular motors likely exist. Thus problems in axonal transport occurs early, perturbs BMP signaling, and likely contributes to the synaptic abnormalities observed in these two diseases.

The aim of the study was to establish an optimized protocol of iron dextran administration to pig neonates, which better meets the iron demand for erythropoiesis. Here, we monitored development of red blood cell indices, plasma iron parameters during a 28-day period after birth (till the weaning), following intramuscular administration of different concentrations of iron dextran to suckling piglets. To better assess the iron status we developed a novel mass spectrometry assay to quantify pig plasma levels of the iron-regulatory peptide hormone hepcidin-25. This hormone is predominantly secreted by the liver and acts as a negative regulator of iron absorption and reutilization. The routinely used protocol with high amount of iron resulted in the recovery of piglets from iron deficiency but also in strongly elevated plasma hepcidin-25 levels. A similar protocol with reduced amounts of iron improved hematological status of piglets to the same level while plasma hepcidin-25 levels remained low. These data show that plasma hepcidin-25 levels can guide optimal dosing of iron treatment and pave the way for mixed supplementation of piglets starting with intramuscular injection of iron dextran followed by dietary supplementation, which could be efficient under condition of very low plasma hepcidin-25 level.

Babies with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) are at increased risk for experiencing negative neonatal outcomes due to their general developmental delay. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a short postnatal leptin supply on the growth, structure, and functionality of several organs at weaning. IUGR piglets were injected from day 0 to day 5 with either 0.5 mg/kg/d leptin (IUGRLep) or saline (IUGRSal) and euthanized at day 21. Their organs were collected, weighed, and sampled for histological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses. Leptin induced an increase in body weight and the relative weights of the liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and small intestine without any changes in triglycerides, glucose and cholesterol levels. Notable structural and functional changes occurred in the ovaries, pancreas, and secondary lymphoid organs. The ovaries of IUGRLep piglets contained less oogonia but more oocytes enclosed in primordial and growing follicles than the ovaries of IUGRSal piglets, and FOXO3A staining grade was higher in the germ cells of IUGRLep piglets. Within the exocrine parenchyma of the pancreas, IUGRLep piglets presented a high rate of apoptotic cells associated with a higher trypsin activity. In the spleen and the Peyer's patches, B lymphocyte follicles were much larger in IUGRLep piglets than in IUGRSal piglets. Moreover, IUGRLep piglets showed numerous CD79(+) cells in well-differentiated follicle structures, suggesting a more mature immune system. This study highlights a new role for leptin in general developmental processes and may provide new insight into IUGR pathology.

W artykule przedstawiono zmiany, jakie zaszły w produkcji zwierzęcej między powszechnym spisem rolnym z 2002 a 2010 r. Analizę o charakterze porównawczym prowadzono między województwami oraz w układzie makroregionów. W badaniach skoncentrowano się na dwóch kierunkach produkcji zwierzęcej, a mianowicie chowie bydła i chowie trzody chlewnej, które stanowią ponad 80% wartości tej produkcji. W latach 2002-2010 zanotowano niewielki wzrost pogłowia bydła (4,1%), przy ogólnym spadku liczby krów o 7,5%. Chowem bydła zajmowało się 513,1 tyś. gospodarstw rolnych powyżej 1 ha, co przy ogólnej liczbie 1562,6 tyś. gospodarstw stanowiło 32,8%. Zmniejszenie liczby gospodarstw z chowem bydła skutkowało znaczącym wzrostem (o 43,6%) przeciętnej w kraju obsady bydła na 1 gospodarstwo prowadzące chów tego gatunku. Natomiast pogłowie trzody chlewnej w minionych ośmiu latach wykazało wyraźny regres, z 18,7 mln sztuk w 2002 r do 15,3 mln sztuk w 2010 r (o 18,3%). Liczba gospodarstw rolnych utrzymujących trzodę chlewną wynosiła 387,4 tyś, co stanowiło 24,8% wszystkich gospodarstw rolnych powyżej 1 ha. Wpływ na sytuację w produkcji zwierzęcej miało przystąpienie Polski do Unii Europejskiej i pojawienie się dopłat bezpośrednich, lecz w uzupełniających płatnościach obszarowych nie premiuje się rolnika od liczby posiadanych zwierząt, lecz areał posiadanych użytków zielonych.

The author of this article analyzes the texts, in which St. Paul writes on the subject of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. In Ga 2: 19–20 the apostle presents the love of Christ as an essential feature of his nature and he suggests that this love was expressed in the particular, historical self offering on the cross. In Rom 5: 7–8 he states that the only motive for the redeeming sacrifice, which the Son of God offered of himself, following the will of the Father, is the heroic love, shown in the death for sinners. Despite the fact that in the antiquity the cross was a tool of the most degrading and humiliating death, St. Paul writes in Ga 6: 14 that he boasts of the cross of Jesus Christ, furthermore, in 1 Cor 1: 24 he adds that the crucified Christ is “the power of God and the wisdom of God”. In Ga 3: 13 Paul observes a state of humanity, overloaded with the curse of sin, as a slavery, from which the Christ freed it, through his sacrifice offered on the wood of the cross, because on it, by his own will he took this curse, which was leading humanity to condemnation, on himself. Further deepening of the theological reflection on the role of the cross in the saving work of God can be found in Eph 2: 13–16 and Col 1: 19–20. The author of these texts recognizes the blood of Christ, poured out on the cross, as the tool of reconciliation and introducing peace and reconciliation to the world.

Comprehensive analysis of the transcription start sites of the Ly49 genes of C57BL/6 mice using the oligo-capping 5'-RACE technique revealed that the genes encoding the "missing self" inhibitory receptors, Ly49A, C, G, and I, were transcribed from multiple broad regions in exon 1, in the intron1/exon2 region, and upstream of exon -1b. Ly49E was also transcribed in this manner, and uniquely showed a transcriptional shift from exon1 to exon 2 when NK cells were activated in vitro with IL2. Remarkably, a large proportion of Ly49E transcripts was then initiated from downstream of the translational start codon. By contrast, the genes encoding Ly49B and Q in myeloid cells, the activating Ly49D and H receptors in NK cells, and Ly49F in activated T cells, were predominantly transcribed from a conserved site in a pyrimidine-rich region upstream of exon 1. An ∼200 bp fragment from upstream of the Ly49B start site displayed tissue-specific promoter activity in dendritic cell lines, but the corresponding upstream fragments from all other Ly49 genes lacked detectable tissue-specific promoter activity. In particular, none displayed any significant activity in a newly developed adult NK cell line that expressed multiple Ly49 receptors. Similarly, no promoter activity could be found in fragments upstream of intron1/exon2. Collectively, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized relationship between the pattern of transcription and the expression/function of Ly49 receptors, and indicate that transcription of the Ly49 genes expressed in lymphoid cells is achieved in a manner that does not require classical upstream promoters.

The primary aim of this article was to show the changes in the system of support for agricultural producer groups, which were recorded between RDP 2004-2006 and RDP 2007-2013. Groups are based on the law on agricultural producer groups and associations from 2000. Groups of agricultural producers were assigned the task of accumulating agricultural production and delivery of uniformed goods to the market. Financial support measures were aimed at accelerating the formation of new groups and help them in the first 5 years of their operation. The task of creating new groups has failed to sufficiently stimulate the pace. The RDP 2004-2006 in the amount of support of 24 million, realised the task of EUR 6.4 million (25.2%). At the same time, there was s plan to create 172 new groups, but there were formed only 79 (45.9%). The RDP 2007-2013 for the operation of groups of agricultural producers provides EUR 140 million, but at the time of four years of the system functioning there were used only EUR 2.2 million (15.7%).