Kazimierz Pułaski University of Technology and Humanities in Radom

Vitamin B12 is a key chemical compound for human health, involved in processes such as homocysteine methylation, DNA synthesis, and mitochondrial function. We present current knowledge on the causes and clinical significance of hypervitaminosis B12 and discuss cobalamin deficiency and excess in selected risk groups: pregnant women, vegetarians and vegans, athletes, and the elderly. Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to assess the impact of vitamin B12 on the functioning of the human body. The analysis focuses on the role of vitamin B12 in the proper functioning of the nervous, hematopoietic, and cardiovascular systems. Furthermore, the study determines the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency and excess in the diet. Material and methods: A literature review was conducted from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Key phrases as “vitamin B12”, “cobalamin”, “vitamin B12 deficiency” and “excess vitamin B12” were used. Results and conclusions: Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the human body, influencing the nervous, hematopoietic, and cardiovascular systems. Symptoms such as fatigue, anemia, and impaired concentration have been observed among individuals with vitamin B12 deficiency. The analysis revealed a significant correlation between vitamin B12 supplementation and bodily function. Therefore, it can be concluded that adequate levels of vitamin B12 in the diet are crucial for maintaining health.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and its incidence is increasing with the population aging. A growing number of studies indicate that vitamin D deficiency, which is common in the global population, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases by influencing inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, calcium-phosphate metabolism, and endothelial function. As a result, vitamin D has become the subject of intensive analysis regarding its potential impact on the prognosis of patients with hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and arrhythmias. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to present the current state of knowledge on the association between vitamin D deficiency and the risk and management of cardiovascular diseases, as well as to evaluate the role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of these diseases. Material and methods: This paper provides a review of the literature including current experimental, observational, and randomized controlled studies on vitamin D metabolism, the significance of 25(OH)D deficiency, pathophysiological mechanisms, and the effects of supplementation. Included publications present the impact of vitamin D on endothelial function, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, the neurohormonal system, glucose metabolism, and the risk of arrhythmia. Results and Conclusions: A review of the literature indicates that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. The mechanisms of this effect include the action of VDR receptors in cardiomyocytes and vascular cells, modulation of the inflammatory response, reduction of oxidative stress, and regulation of the RAA system. Observational data suggest potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation, especially in high-risk groups, but large randomized clinical trials do not conclusively confirm that routine vitamin D administration reduces the number of major cardiovascular events in the general population. It is therefore necessary to individualize supplementation and conduct further well-designed studies to identify populations that may benefit most from therapy.

The alarming rise in antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa , resulting from its ability to mutate, or form biofilms, has rendered many conventional therapies ineffective, creating an urgent need to search for new antimicrobial agents. The graphical abstract was partially created with BioRender.com.

This study examines the cognitive function of visual hand metonymy in revealing the characters’ inner states, intentions and actions in Krzysztof Kieślowski’s “Three Colours: White” (1994). The study examines film frames through the CONTAINER image schema (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), which views the frame as a bounded space of meaning. Drawing on the concept of “dynamic patterns of containment” (Dewell, 2005; Coëgnarts, 2020), it investigates how metonymic representations emerge through extreme and close-ups of body parts based on Forceville’s (2009/2023) analytical framework. An analysis of long sequences of close-ups shows that dominant hands serve as metonymic vehicles for power and control, highlighting the metonymy PART FOR WHOLE (Radden & Kövecses, 1998/2007). These findings support Forceville’s (2009) model of metonymy as a strategic communicative choice informed by relevance theory and joint attention. The study contributes to multimodal discourse analysis and suggests avenues for future research on visual metonymy in different cinematic genres and cultural contexts.

Celem artykułu jest analiza porównawcza wolności gospodarczej, nacjonaizmu gospodarcego i patriotyzmu gospodarczego w kontekście współczesnych wyzwań globalnej gospodarki oraz ocena ich wpływu na wzrost gospodarczy. Punktem wyjścia jest rosnące znaczenie tych zjawisk w obliczu kryzysów ostatnich lat, pandemii COVID-19, zaburzeń w łańcuchach dostaw oraz wojny w Ukrainie, które uwypukliły potrzebę ochrony interesów narodowych i wzmocnienia odporności gospodarek. W artykule omówiono różnice w filozofii i narzędziach obu podejść. Nacjonalizm gospodarczy opiera się na protekcjonizmie i interwencjonizmie państwa, natomiast patriotyzm gospodarczy zakłada dobrowolne i umiarkowane wsparcie krajowej produkcji przy zachowaniu otwartości na współpracę międzynarodową. Analiza empiryczna przeprowadzona dla 38 krajów OECD z wykorzystaniem wskaźników wolności gospodarczej, restrykcyjności inwestycji zagranicznych oraz udziału zamówień publicznych w PKB potwierdza, że wolność gospodarcza ma istotnie pozytywny wpływ na PKB per capita, nacjonalizm gospodarczy działa negatywnie, natomiast patriotyzm gospodarczy oddziałuje słabiej, ale w sposób umiarkowanie pozytywny. Wyniki wskazują, że najbardziej efektywną strategią dla długofalowego rozwoju jest inteligentny patriotyzm gospodarczy, łączący ochronę interesu narodowego z otwartością na procesy globalizacyjne.

, , , , and

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways affecting over 260 million people worldwide and remains a major clinical and socioeconomic challenge. Despite substantial advances in pharmacological management (including inhaled corticosteroids, β2-agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and biologic therapies), many patients continue to experience uncontrolled symptoms or corticosteroid resistance. This persistent unmet need has prompted interest in adjunctive and alternative treatment strategies. Oxygen therapy during asthma exacerbations and worsening pulmonary obstruction is a standard life-saving procedure. However, various forms of oxygen therapy are being considered for long-term treatment to reduce the number of exacerbations. Experimental and preliminary clinical data indicate that oxygen therapy may offer multiple benefits, including improved oxygenation, anti-inflammatory effects, reduced oxidative stress, modulation of nitric oxide signaling, enhanced immune responses, and promotion of angiogenesis. These mechanisms may collectively alleviate airway inflammation and improve pulmonary function. Nevertheless, clinical evidence on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in asthma remains limited. Existing small-scale studies suggest its safety but provide inconclusive results regarding its efficacy. Potential adverse effects such as barotrauma, oxygen toxicity, and transient anxiety necessitate careful patient selection and standardized treatment protocols. Further large-scale, randomized controlled trials are required to determine the therapeutic value of HBOT and to define its role as an adjunctive therapy in the comprehensive management of asthma.

Digitalization is one of the key phenomena shaping the modern world, and its impact on various sectors of the economy is increasingly important. The development of the tourism sector is inextricably linked to the development of digital technologies. This study investigates the relationship between the level of digitization and the competitiveness of the tourism sector across European Union countries. Drawing on the literature review, the research hypothesis posits a significant association between these two variables. Using the statistics obtained from Eurostat on digitization, the synthetic Hellwig measure was calculated to create a ranking of the level of digitization of EU countries. Then, the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated; that is, the relationship between the ranking of digitization and the ranking according to the synthetic Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 (TTDI) was examined. The study shows a positive correlation between the level of digitization and the competitiveness of the tourism sector in European Union countries. Countries with higher levels of digitization tend to perform better in the TTDI rankings. The study contributes to the academic discussion focusing on building competitive and resilient tourist destinations.

An attempt was made to adapt the physical and chemical characteristics of rapeseed oil (Ro), including its density, viscosity and surface tension to diesel oil in the aspect of its use as a biofuel in diesel engines by adding 10 and/or 15 percent n-hexane to the oil and contacting the obtained mixture with ethanol. After establishing an equilibrium of ethanol extraction in the phase containing a mixture of Ro and n-hexane and the mixture components in ethanol, measurements of the viscosity, surface tension and density of oil phases were performed. The obtained values of these physicochemical parameters for the Ro and n-hexane mixture phase were close to those of diesel oil. Next, engine tests were carried out on the Ro+n-hexane mixture after its contact with ethanol under real driving conditions. The tests showed that the mixture of rapeseed oil with 10% n-hexane in contact with ethanol achieved the highest torque and power values among all Ro-based fuels, and that the decrease in these parameters compared to diesel fuel was the smallest. Moreover, compared to Ro and the mixture of Ro with 10% n-hexane, a higher energy efficiency was obtained, which is due to the favorable physicochemical properties of the fuel—the reduced viscosity and improved volatility.

In this study, patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2/coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-2019) had their diets, levels of physical activity, and smoking habits evaluated, along with the effects of these parameters on disease symptom duration. The study followed a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from a group of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients who were tested at the Regional Science and Technology Center from January to December 2021. The survey research included a cohort of 3,155 SARS-CoV-2 patients. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were tested using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), confirming infection by detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The data did not identify any potentially harmful effects of cigarette smoking on the duration of COVID-19 symptoms. It was confirmed that a high-calorie diet was associated with a reduction or absence of disease symptoms. The results confirmed that physical activity positively affected the duration of COVID-19 symptoms by shortening it (p ≤ 0.05). The data demonstrated a relationship between cigarette smoking, diet, physical activity, and the severity of symptoms during COVID-19 infection.