Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a complex and progressive process of disc aging. One of the most important causes of changes in the internal environment, leading to IVDD, can be changes in the concentration of individual metal elements. This study aimed to analyze the concentrations of copper, iron, manganese, lead, zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium in the degenerated intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine, compared to healthy intervertebral discs. The study group (S) consisted of 113 Caucasian patients, qualified by a specialist surgeon for IVDD of the lumbosacral spine. The control group (C) consisted of 81 individuals. The biological material was obtained from Caucasian human cadavers during post-mortem examination. The concentrations of individual elements were assessed using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of microelements, depending on the degree of pain intensity, were noted for only potassium (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of the assessed microelements, depending on the degree of radiological advancement of the lesions, were noted for copper and iron (p < 0.05). In the degenerated intervertebral discs, the strongest relationships were noted between the concentrations of zinc and lead (r = 0.67; p < 0.05), zinc and phosphorus (r = 0.74; p < 0.05), and zinc and calcium (r = 0.77; p < 0.05). It has been indicated that, above all, the concentrations of copper and iron depend on the advancement of radiological changes, according to the Pfirrmann scale; however, no influence on the pain intensity, depending on the concentration of the assessed elements, was found.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a molecular reprogramming that leads to an increased ability to migrate, which can promote invasion and metastasis. EMT can be initiated in response to the activity of signaling pathways such as Wnt as well as miRNAs. Methods: The study material consisted of 50 endometrial samples: 40 with diagnosed endometrial cancer and 10 without neoplastic changes. Expression profile of EMT-related genes was assessed with microarrays and validated by RT-qPCR. MicroRNA expression profiling was performed using microarrays. It was also determined which miRNAs may participate in the expression regulation of EMT-related genes. Results: CDH1 overexpression was observed in all three endometrial cancer grades using both mRNA microarrays and RTqPCR. Microarray experiment showed a decrease in CDH2 level regardless of the endometrial cancer grade, however it was only partially validated with RT-qPCR. Low levels of WNT2, WNT4, WNT5A have also been observed. Decreased expression of WNT2 and WNT5A may be caused by miR-331-3p and miR-200b-5p, respectively. Conclusions: The Wnt signaling is disrupted in endometrial cancer, which may be due to miR-331-3p and miR-200b-5p activity. In addition, a change in WNT5A level in endometrial cancer compared to control may indicate that it acts as a suppressor gene and that its low expression is associated with tumor progression.

Purpose – This paper aims to reveal potential research possibilities for enhancing climate-smart agriculture through short supply chains. Research question – How can short supply chains assure food security and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture? Research methodology – Bibliographic and bibliometric coupling techniques were employed using data from 1990–2022. The raw data was processed using the VOSviewer 1.6.18 software version. Findings – The results confirm the positive effect of the systemically important relationship between the short supply chain and food security. Research limitations – Climate-smart agriculture is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Additional variables may have moderating and mediating effects on the impact of short supply chains on food security. Practical implications – The results establish the importance of having a short supply chain for food security in different aspects of the process from the harvest to the table. Originality and value – This study confirms the rationale for developing shorter food supply chains to assure food security and climate-smart agriculture when possible.

It is estimated that more and more couples suffer from fertility and pregnancy maintenance disorders. It is associated with impaired androgen secretion, which is influenced by many factors, ranging from genetic to environmental. It is also important to remember that fertility disorders can also result from abnormal anatomy of the reproductive male and female organ (congenital uterine anomalies – septate, unicornuate, bicornuate uterus; acquired defects of the uterus structure – fibroids, polyps, hypertrophy), disturbed hormonal cycle and obstruction of the fallopian tubes resulting from the presence of adhesions due to inflammation, endometriosis, and surgery, abnormal rhythm of menstrual bleeding, the abnormal concentration of hormones. There are many relationships between the endocrine organs, leading to a chain reaction when one of them fails to function properly. Conditions in which the immune system is involved, including infections and autoimmune diseases, also affect fertility. The form of treatment depends on infertility duration and the patient’s age. It includes ovulation stimulation with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, metformin use, and weight loss interventions. Since so many different factors affect fertility, it is important to correctly diagnose what is causing the problem and to modify the treatment regimen if necessary. This review describes disturbances in the hormone secretion of individual endocrine organs in the context of fertility and the maintenance of pregnancy.

The issue of the suburbanization process (urban sprawl) is so important and at the same time still evolving that it forces constant updates and adaptation of research methods to the current situation. That is why it is so important to interest in this issue the greatest number of researchers who could comprehensively conduct research on these phenomena in an open knowledge exchange model. This is an extremely important and urgent problem, especially in the area of effective models and methods of public management that will enable effective management of space, accessibility and mobility so that cities develop intelligently, not only intensively, and to exclude extensive development as much as possible-deprived of control and affecting many areas of public and social life, the natural environment and, above all, the quality of life of residents. The authors of research indicate the impact of suburbanization on the perceptible and real quality of life of suburban residents. It seems necessary to take a systematic approach to the phenomenon of suburbanization and to make an attempt to shape it by the local government thanks to responsible public management in this area, which is particularly important in the broader context, when taking into account the full economic, psychological and social costs that the whole society incurs as a result of the spill Polish cities regardless of their size.