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1. Ecosystem engineering freshwater bivalves, burrowing in the substratum and accumulating shell deposits, transform bottom habitats. Especially the invasive Asian bivalve Sinanodonta woodiana (SW), due to its rapid growth, large size, and high fecundity, can affect benthic communities. Here, we determined its effect on habitat selection and behaviour of endangered native bivalves, Anodonta cygnea and Unio tumidus. 2. We conducted laboratory preference assays (Experiment 1: choice between two substrata) exposing the native bivalves to pure sand (control), shells (several densities on the sand surface or burrowed), or living SW. Then, we tested their locomotion and burrowing (Experiment 2) on pure sand and substrata contaminated with shells or living SW. 3. In Experiment 1, native bivalves avoided shells, but not living SW. Burrowed and larger shells were avoided compared with those on the surface and smaller ones, respectively. 4. In Experiment 2, U. tumidus exposed to SW delayed activity initiation (in response to living bivalves), increased locomotion (living bivalves, surface shells), and reduced burrowing depth (living bivalves, all shells). Anodonta cygnea exposed to SW reduced locomotion speed (living bivalves, shells), and reduced burrowing duration (burrowed shells) and depth (living bivalves, burrowed shells). 5. SW (especially shell beds) constitutes another emerging threat to native bivalves, impairing their burrowing and inducting active avoidance. As SW expands its distribution with climate warming, the range and strength of its impact is likely to increase, reducing the area available to native bivalves, exposing them to environmental dangers (due to burrowing limitation) and deteriorating physical condition (energetic resources used for excessive locomotion). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Azacitidine (AZA) is an essential drug in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) that has made it possible to extend patients' survival and improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, despite the widespread use of AZA, its prognostic factors for response still remain unknown. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of AZA therapy in 79 patients with MDS in a real-life setting. Furthermore, we provided some potential biomarkers of response and survival. The study confirmed that the achievement of response to AZA is not mandatory for obtaining a survival benefit in patients with MDS. Unfavorable cytogenetic risk was determined to be the most negative prognostic factor for both response and survival. Moreover, older age, a complex or monosomal karyotype, higher IPSS or IPSS-R risk and a higher level of serum ferritin level were associated with significantly shorter survival. Azacitidine (AZA) is recognized as a vital drug used in the therapy of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) due to its beneficial effect on survival and quality of life. Nevertheless, many patients fail to respond to AZA treatment, as prognostic factors still are not identified. The present retrospective analysis included 79 patients with MDS treated with AZA as first-line therapy in a real-life setting. The percentage of patients with good, intermediate, and poor cytogenetics was 46.8%, 11.4%, and 34.2%, respectively. The overall response rate (complete remission [CR], partial remission [PR], and hematological improvement [HI]) was 24%. The CR, PR, and HI rates were 13.9%, 2.5%, and 7.6%, respectively. Stable disease (SD) was documented in 40.5% of patients. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 17.6 and 14.96 months, respectively. Patients with ORR and SD had a significantly longer median OS (23.8 vs. 5.7 months, p = 0.0005) and PFS (19.8 vs. 3.5 months, p < 0.001) compared to patients who did not respond to AZA. In univariate analysis, only an unfavorable cytogenetic group was a prognostic factor of a lower response rate (p = 0.03). In a multivariate model, older age (p = 0.047), higher IPSS (International Prognostic Scoring System) risk (p = 0.014), and higher IPSS-R cytogenetic risk (p = 0.004) were independent factors of shorter OS. Independent prognostic factors for shorter PFS were age (p = 0.001), IPSS risk (p = 0.02), IPSS cytogenetic risk (p = 0.002), and serum ferritin level (p = 0.008). The safety profile of AZA was predictable and consistent with previous studies. In conclusion, our study confirms the efficacy and safety of AZA in a real-world population and identifies potential biomarkers for response and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clams from the Corbicula species complex of Asian origin are invasive all over the world, currently extending their distribution to waters of the natural thermal regime in Central European areas. Features linking the clams to their habitats in newly invaded areas have not been fully examined. These include substratum preferences and mobility, which may be key to determining potential niche overlap with native bivalves and gaining a better knowledge of their potential active dispersal and impact. Therefore, our aim was to determine the substratum preferences, horizontal locomotion and burrowing behaviour of three Corbicula morphospecies from Poland, Central Europe: two populations of undetermined Corbicula sp. from an artificially heated habitat and water of the natural thermal regime (cold water), as well as Corbicula leana, and Corbicula fluminea (from artificially heated and cold water, respectively).To determine the preferred substratum range, we used pairwise choice tests with a range of muddy, sandy, and gravelly substrata, as well as zebra mussel shells. Then, we conducted behavioural observations (locomotion and burrowing) by CCTV cameras on substrata found as preferred and non‐preferred by clams.All morphospecies preferred fine‐grained over coarser substrata. C. fluminea from cold water had the widest range of substratum preferences. By contrast, C. leana from artificially heated water and Corbicula sp. from cold water showed the narrowest substratum preferences and spent the longest time deeply burrowed. The longest duration of burrowing activity was noted on non‐preferred coarser substrata, which may indicate difficulties in burrowing. On non‐preferred coarse substrata, C. fluminea (cold water) crawled more than the other morphospecies.Our results show that sediment preferences and behaviour (burrowing and locomotion) differ among various Corbicula morphospecies in Europe, probably also varying their invasive potential.This knowledge is important for determining the overlap of habitat preferences of non‐native Corbicula clams with native bivalves, which is critical for determining potential competition strength, impact, and/or displacement. Our results also indicate that habitats with fine sediments could be more threatened by Corbicula invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the growing importance of non-governmental organisations and sustainable employment in the modern labour market is emphasised in the literature on the subject and in economic practice. A systematic review of the literature confirms the lack of research on the sustainable employability of internal NGO stakeholders. Because the issue of sustainable employability in non-governmental organisations is an area that requires exploration, this study attempts to fill this identified research gap. In the context of the stated premises, the analysis and assessment of sustainable employability of internal stakeholders of nongovernmental organisations were adopted as the main objective of the article. For this study, a systematic review of literature, and also empirical research, was carried out. The data collection technique in the study was a diagnostic survey method and a Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI). The sustainable employability of internal stakeholders of non-governmental organisations in Poland has been assessed thanks to empirical research. The research results showed that the respondents demonstrated a high level of sustainable employability. In addition, the respondents were assessed using various organizational solutions aimed at developing sustainable employability in the modern labour market. The obtained research results complement the diagnosed gap in knowledge, indicating that the respondents considered health prevention programs a priority solution to ensure ergonomic and safe working conditions for people of different ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The global consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are devastating. Although the results of the studies show that the registered vaccine preparations are very effective, the response to the vaccine is not the same for all patients. Patients with haematological neoplasms are one of such high-risk groups. These patients are at risk of severe course of COVID-19, and due to immunodeficiency, they may not respond adequately to vaccination, which results in insufficient protection. The aim of this project is to investigate how the mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 induces the immune response in haematooncological patients. The material (plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells) was collected from 174 patients treated at the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine in Warsaw before the first dose of vaccination, before the second dose of vaccination and 4 weeks after the second dose of vaccination. The study group consists of patients at various stages of treatment, including 101 patients with lymphoid malignancies, 36 HSCT recipients, 16 patients with myeloid malignancies and healthy volunteers in the control group. The quantitative measurement of vaccine IgG antibodies (against the S1 subunit) was performed with ELISA assay. Modified ELISA assay was used to evaluate antibody avidity. The level of T cell activation was tested by flow cytometry. Patients with lymphoid malignancies had significantly lower immune response than patients with myeloid malignancies and healthy controls. Antibody avidity after vaccination in infection-naïve patients was significantly lower in patients with CLL, but not with other hematological malignancies or healthy controls. Antibody avidity in CLL patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection was comparable to observed in healthy controls. The results of the conducted research allow us to better understand the mechanisms of the post-vaccination response. They will help to select patients who require further interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]