Covid-19 pandemic and food: Present knowledge, risks, consumers fears and safety

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease that has paralyzed social life and the economy around the world since the end of 2019, and which has so far killed nearly 300,000 people. The rapidity of its spread and the lack of detailed research on the course and methods of transmission significantly impede both its eradication and prevention. Scope and approach: Due to the high transmission rate and fatality resulting from COVID-19 disease, the paper focus on analyzing the current state of knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 as well as its potential connection with food as a source of pathogen and infection. Key findings and conclusions: There is currently no evidence (scientific publications, WHO, EFSA etc.) that COVID-19 disease can spread directly through food and the human digestive system. However, according to the hypothesis regarding the primary transmission of the virus, the source of which was food of animal origin (meat of wild animals), as well as the fact that food is a basic necessity for humans, it is worth emphasizing that food can, if not directly can be a carrier of the virus. Particular attention should be paid to this indirect pathway when considering the potential for the spread of an epidemic and the development of prevention principles

Navigating the nuances of studying animal facial behaviors with Facial Action Coding Systems

Facial Action Coding Systems (FACS) are some of the most systematic and standardized methods for studying the physical aspects of animal facial behavior. Although FACS manuals provide some guidance on how to implement their coding system, they often lack detailed recommendations for data collection protocols, which impacts the types of data that can be coded. Furthermore, there are various methods for data coding that are not always discussed in FACS. In this perspective piece, I aim to review some considerations related to the data collection and coding process and to offer best practice recommendations, as well as alternatives. While this list of considerations and recommendations is not comprehensive, I hope it encourages more discussions and the sharing of additional guidelines and protocols for FACS. By doing this, we can enhance the systematic approach and scientific rigor of FACS further

Zarządzanie jakością w komercyjnej placówce ochrony zdrowia

Podstawę zapewnienia wysokiej jakości usług zdrowotnych stanowi rozbudowany system certyfikacji. Z jednej strony powinien się on przejawiać powszechnym wymogiem akredytacji podmiotów świadczących usługi zdrowotne, a z drugiej – koniecznością ubiegania się o kontrakty długofalowe z płatnikami instytucjonalnymi. Autor omawia różne systemy certyfikacji i analizuje możliwość ich zastosowania w placówkach ochrony zdrowia. Podkreśla, że certyfikacja – niezależnie od wybranego systemu – powinna wiązać się ze stałym poszukiwaniem metod podnoszenia jakości dla pacjenta, a zwłaszcza na poszukiwaniu i wdrażaniu pozytywnych wzorców szczególnie wysokiej jakości

The status of Rangifer tarandus caribou in Yukon, Canada

This paper summarizes the population trends as well as research and management programs for woodland caribou {Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Yukon. Most herds are stable although not all are counted regularly and systematic monitoring of herds remains an essential need. Over the past decade the Southern Lakes, Aishihik, and Finlayson herds have been well studied and provide valuable models for guiding Yukon management programs. Over harvest and the spread of agriculture, forestry and mining are ongoing human activities are of concern to caribou managers

The effects of human land use on the winter habitat of the recovering Carcross woodland caribou herd in suburban Yukon Territory, Canada

Carcross woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) numbers are increasing as a result of an intensive management and recovery program initiated in 1993. In the last 13 years, three overlapping First Nation land claim agreements were settled resulting in a complicated array of private and public land management authorities on this winter range, situated in the Whitehorse periphery. Twelve years of VHF radio-collar data (1994-2005) and 5 years of GPS radio-collar data (2000-2005) for female caribou were assessed to determine winter concentration areas and important winter habitats. We contrasted locations from 11 GPS radio-collared caribou with land cover classes, derived from classified Landsat 7 imagery, to evaluate the distribution and abundance of preferred habitats within this winter range. We found significant use of Open Needle Leaf lichen vegetation classes and avoidance of the relatively more abundant Closed Needle Leaf class. Our resource selection function model validated the preference for Open Needle Leaf Lichen and determined that caribou were spaced significantly further from an estimate of the human Zone of Influence (ZOI) than was expected from random locations. While our assessment determined that 64% of the winter range was located outside of either private lands or land influenced by human activity, key winter vegetation classes were under-represented within this area. If caribou are to successfully recover on this landscape and persist through time it is essential to manage, through meaningful participation among land management authorities, the remaining caribou habitat for environmental rather than human consumptive values

Rola glonów glebowych w inicjalnych etapach rozwoju gleby na zanieczyszczonych obszarach piaszczystych

Research to evaluate the role of the soil algae in the initiation of pedogenesis in sandy areas and to establish the mineral, chemical and organic composition of soil-algal crusts was done. The investigations area is located in southern Poland in a landscape of drift sand (Bledowska Desert) formed as a result of medieval deforestation related to Ag, Pb and Fe mining activities. Fifteen species of algae (Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta and Heterokontophyta) were identified. In the soil-algal crusts, Corg contents ranged from 0.35-2.23%, Pavail from 9-34 mg · kg–1 and Nt was variable. In investigated area the ground on which soil algae developed was acidic (pH 4.4-5.7 in KCl). Among mineral components in the crust, phases rich in Fe and K dominated (776.5(±2.3) - 2803(±31) mg · kg–1 and 230.5(±3.7) - 696(±22) mg · kg–1, respectively) and elevated concentrations of Zn, Mn and Pb occurred. Soil-crust organic matter includes aliphatic and aromatic compounds, carbohydrate derivatives, phenols, furan and pyrene structures. N compounds have significant contribution in composition of soil-algal crusts - the algae are main source of organic matter in this stage of soil formation. It could accelerate the regeneration of disturbed ecological systems

Hydroxyapatite/Silver Nanoparticles Powders as Antimicrobial Agent for Bone Replacements

This paper reports a superficial morphological modification of the hydroxyapatite grains obtained by in situ deposition of Ag nanoparticles on natural origin calcium phosphate powder. Ceramic material was prepared in three stage bone treatment, including hydrolysis with a lactic acid, pre-calcination, and proper calcination. Subsequently, the Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical reduction of Ag+ by sodium borohydride in a solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone and in presence of hydroxyapatite. Such-prepared materials were investigated with X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. Furthermore, Ca/P molar ratio was calculated and microbiological tests were performed to investigate materials antimicrobial activity. The appearance of Ag nanoparticles located on phosphate surface was confirmed by SEM analysis, and no chemical bonding with hydroxyapatite was recorded by IR and XRD techniques. Additionally, the biological assessment revealed bactericidal effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, while slightly affected on Enterococcus faecalis viability. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Ocena pobrania z dietą wybranych składników mineralnych przez młodzież w wieku 13-15 lat w zależności od płci oraz miejsca zamieszkania

Absorption of minerals compound by the investigated population aged 13-15 depending on gender and place of residenceIntroduction.The life period between 11-19 years of age is defined as the adolescence (phase), which is a period of intense growth and development, during which the organism ultimately heads for achieving a biological, psychological and social maturity. During this period, proper nutrition is an essential factor in the harmonious development of the young organism and to achieve a high health potential.The aim.The aim of this study was to evaluate the absorption of minerals compound by the investigated population depending on gender and place of residence.Material and methods.The evaluation was performed by 24 hours diet recall in randomly selected schools in Krakow and Skawina area. The content of mineral compounds (Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu) consumed by the subjects was assessed by the use of the "Dieta 2.0" software.Results. It were discovered a numerous irregularities in consumption of selected minerals, including significant calcium deficiency, and also the excess of sodium in the diet. Calcium deficiency combined the excess of phosphorus can adversely affect the achievement of the peak bone mass and increase the risk of osteoporosis in later stages of life. Also demonstrated high sodium and low potassium intakes could contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease